The Legend of Artedon: A Fantasy RP

The Isle of Mistbay, 352 G

Inside the Grand Palace Ballroom

Morgan Craw walked into the Ballroom, slightly late for the party. It was already in full swing, with musicians playing music on a stage in the corner, and various nobles dancing and mingling in the center of the room. There were tables and chairs off to the side, full of other nobles, discussing business, or greeting old friends. Above it all was a grand balcony, with even more people hanging over the railings, looking down. Apparently, the bar was up there as well. Morgan headed towards the opulent staircase, figuring that a drink was in order on such an occasion.

The Walls of the Grand Palace

Drumlin Snowdrift wandered around the battlements of the wall, inspecting the different soldiers and mercenaries who were there. They all seemed to be in order, with their weapons and armour fine. He should hope so to. He had screened most of them himself. The Wall was situated so that anyone approaching the Palace could be clearly seen, and there were no parts of the Palace Gardens that could be accessed without having to pass through the walls main entrance.

Technically, it was the perfect set-up, but set-ups that were perfect usually had gaping flaws that wouldn't be seen until they were taken advantage of. He noticed a group of mercenaries being abused by that groundskeeper, Marv. They'd probably looked at a flower funny or something. Drumlin had no idea why he'd even come in today. Flowers weren't exactly a top priority at an event that could start a new continental war. He'd call everyone to attention eventually and tell them about how they were going to protect this place. He'd let them get introduced first though. Groups generally worked better when they were acquainted with the other team members, he found.

Johnson looked away, arms crossed, as the groundskeeper kept lecturing them about flowers, proper manners and such. Johnson did not really care, mainly because there was only one use for these flowers in his mind, namely, helping him score a whole different type of flower. How the guy had noticed one of his precious stock was missing, he would never know.

The fifteen year old felt well and truly out of place in such a place before the festivities, but he lightly patted Blackiron Triangle on his back. There was at least some reason for him to be here. He did not doubt that some idiot would try to make some kind of move here.

And he could not wait for them to go ahead and do it. Anything'd be better than roaming around in circles and getting yelled at by this bastard.

He sighed, "There, you finished? Jeez, such a nag..."

Grand Palace Walls

Marv hit Johnson 'round the ear, then waved his spade in his face.

"You watch yerself young man! I've been working these gardens as long as I can remember! Y'know what that means? I have seniority here, 'k?"

"Fine, fine. I won't take any more of your flowers, or even look at 'em cross, okay?"

Yeah, this was gonna suck until one of those smartaleck politicians tried something. He had possibly heard something about his father and this meeting, but he had been on the march at the time and he hadn't heard much else.

If only there was something he could do to pass the time that didn't make this old guy try his hardest to nag him to fucking death.

Great Palace Walls

"You better not!"

Marv walked off, looking for someone else to chastise.

"Phuuu-" Dytrin slowly exhaled, grabbing a set of five needles from his pocket. He was close to the ball, but not close enough to see it, or to be seen. "I gotta get in..but I can't be seen. Hope this works." The needles in his hand started to glow a faint white color, and one started to float away even. He took grip on all five and arched his arm back. "Here I go!" He launched the needles in the general direction of the ball, hoping nobody sees them, or...feels them. As the needles soared, a white light slightly painted the sky, and if you looked close enough, you could see them. "I think I put too much into 'em.." He said, as he got on all fours and felt the current left by the needles. "It's too strong..." If everything went to plan, the needles would arch over the palace, creating a way onto it's roof.

edited 14th Jun '13 5:16:30 PM by Hasame

BALLROOM

Uther Velran stood on the balcony, currently alone but he had no doubt that would soon change. He had arrived a minute early, as arriving late to something this important would have been unforgivable from a paladin. The Aegis and the Talon had been taken at the door, as had his ceremonial sword, and he felt rather bare without them. It was not often a paladin was parted from his armaments.

Almost as soon as he had arrived, human nobles had begun bombarding him with the same useless yet poisonous drivel that caused Uther to dread the courts. Of course, they didn't care about Uther, necessarily, but he was a paladin. Ingratiating themselves with him would mean gaining a good word with the order, which was always useful...at least, that was how the Paladin-General had put it. Personally, Uther sometimes felt that paladins were simply the perfect targets for bored nobles. Their armor fulfilled the fascination with shiny objects, and being human meant having ears to talk off; the two most valued commodities for a typical nobles ego.

One such noble had insisted on providing Uther with a drink before losing interest and going to speak with a friend he had just spotted. And so Uther stood, alone on the balcony and goblet in hand, trying desperately to relish the calm before the next storm. It was a task made infinitely harder when he kept getting glared at by elves and dwarves when they thought he wasn't looking.

He let out a sigh. He could endure something as minor as this. As long is this ball truly did help avert war, he would endure far more to ensure its success.

edited 14th Jun '13 5:34:02 PM by AkenJizo

Johnson watched Marv leave with a glare. He had not had someone nag him like that since that damned chamber master from his...old life. Sighing a little at the forlorn remembrance, he supposed on some level he even missed the ol' nag.

Looking around, he kept walking, desiring to go elsewhere and see what was going on, as he doubted many criminals or intruders would come through from the gardens on the walls. Even so, some of the entrance points into other areas would make good choke points, which could turn an invader's numbers into vulnerability, especially against his weapon.

He grinned in a somewhat bloodthirsty way, he hoped some elf bastards tried something. Just so he could show them they were better, alright, better at dying.

edited 14th Jun '13 6:06:39 PM by NickTheSwing

Ballroom

And there, on one of those balconies, an Elf was pontificating. Quoting a passage from his book, which he had been asked about.

"While the Human 'organizes' these masses, he organizes business, too, at the same time. Business was depersonalized, i.e., Humanized. Business lost the Elven and Dwarven character of work: it became an object of speculation!" He said with a jab of his cane into the air. "You see? It is only from within our own race that we may find salvation and deliverance!" He grinned brilliantly, and signed one of the books offered him with Hiltan Faldos. "I truly appreciate your support of my cause. Really. Look for my next book soon, I was going to start working on it after this Ball, actually. It may be one of the greatest catalysts of our time!"

He strode over to the edge of the balcony and stared down at all those people, dancing an reveling and synchronizing and moving like some great machine. "The inner workings of politics, and I have been invited. Truly, truly a privilege. I hope to forever immortalize it in my next book..."

BALLROOM

Uther heard Hiltans speech, and his face became an impassive mask. How dare he? Did he not realize what he was doing? Did he not know how many on all sides had already fallen because of that exact mentality?

Calmly but purposefully, Uther strode over to Hiltans congregation. He politely went around the small crowd because a) it was polite, and b) forcing his way through would only reinforce the negative opinions, and First knew they didn't any more tending.

After he made it to the left edge of the crowd closest to Hiltan, Uther said "Excuse me, Sir. I would very much like to speak with you. Would you do me the honor of joining me in a conversation?"

An elf woman kicked her feet along the wall as she sat on a crenel between two merlons, humming a bit as she stared out at the horizon. While everyone went about their business, she was counting stars. None Moonraven was there to make sure no one wound up meeting their makers. Well, she would but so far no one had been stabbed, slashed, shot, poisoned, lacerated, burned, electrocuted, drowned, ruptured, rent, broken, or other wise in need of her services in a major way.

So for the moment, she was looking at the flower in her hand that she had grabbed from a garden on the way up.

edited 15th Jun '13 1:21:58 AM by nman

Palace Walls

Drumlin continued his walk along the walls, and noticed the Elf girl holding the flower. Looking back, he saw that groundskeeper advancing towards them. He didn't seem to have noticed that flower yet.

"Miss? I'd advise you hide that flower somehow. You don't want to draw the ire of the Groundskeeper."

Ballroom

Hiltan chuckled. You know, the condescending chuckle that implies that he was humoring a child. Well, to Hiltan he was. "Of course, honorable Paladin. An opportunity to speak with a member of the Human Theocracy would most illuminating."

He shifted his grip on his cane ever so subtly, shifting his palm from the top of it to the back.

The Crocked Frog Inn, Mistbay docks

Gra sat in the back of the Crocked Frog Inn, waiting for the rest of the various thieves to show up. Because of her height, she was sitting on a stack of about ten cushions, and was hunched over the table. Her helmet was glowing slightly, giving the table an eery glow. She sat, waiting for the others to arrive.

"But it's such a shame to hide it," None replied, taking a whiff of the petals. "But I know the next best thing to do," she added, holding it out in front of her, and then releasing her grip, allowing the flower to drift downwards in the wind.

"So what's going on? You catch anyone yet?"

Palace Walls

"Not yet. Hopefully we won't have to."

Suddenly, one of Drytins needles struck Drumlins shoulder. He looked at it, before hearing another strike, soaring just over Nones head.

"Everyone, down!", he cried, dropping behind one of the walls parapets.

He turned to None, and frowned sternly. "Although, I may be wrong."

On the other side of the wall, Marv heard Drumlins cry, and got down, before trying to crawl for the ladder.

Johnson had a feeling something was wrong as he was walking over to where None and Drumlin were, and was proven quite right when he hit the ground barely in time to avoid some sort of needle.

I have a needling sense that something is up.

Speaking of up, he got the feeling this was part of something bigger, and he drew Blackiron Triangle, standing up and rushing behind some cover to watch for any further needles. Guess this means its time for some fun.

edited 15th Jun '13 3:22:52 PM by NickTheSwing

BALLROOM

It was clear that this elf wasn't going to take him seriously. That was to be expected, and it didn't faze Uther in the slightest. While most of Uther was outraged that Hiltan would spread such an attitude here of all places, he was also intrigued. If the elf was simply a close-minded hypocrite, his argument would collapse in on itself when scrutinized. If he wasn't...then this discussion would get interesting.

Uther said "My name is Uther Velran. I'm afraid I do not recognize you, Sir Elf. May I have the pleasure of your name?"

Rellik wandered in, feeling naked without her sword. She ignored the stares these pompous fools were giving her. No doubt dreaming of reasons for her brand. She looked, noticing a conversation going on, A man and an elf.

edited 15th Jun '13 4:28:00 PM by TroyandHawk

They should probably be over by now. Dytrin thought to himself while cupping his hands together over the lines made by the needles. "Here goes nothin'." He muttered, as he slowly and unstably rose into the air towards the palace. As he was at the apex of the arch, he looked down upon the building coming into view and saw that he wasn't soaring over it, but in front of it. Not too high...but too low...crap. He thought as he crept down, the magical trails fading under his hands.

edited 15th Jun '13 4:43:16 PM by Hasame

Grand Palace

A steward walked over to Rellik.

"Uh, I'm sorry ma'am, but can I see your invitation?"

Palace Walls

Drumlin saw the other two needles hit somewhere along the walls, and noticed the light tracks before they disappeared.

"Archers! I think we have a Mage trying to break in! Find and report!"

He turned to None.

"You should get down to the tent. We might need your skills there soon."

Johnson, soon enough, ran over and asked Drumlin in an eager tone, "So, who's trying to break in? Some kinda mage?"

He did not think that there would be action this soon...but it was welcome, in order to get the monotony gone and done with.

Rellik looked at her.

"Invitation?"

Palace Walls
"Alright," None replied, heading down towards the medical tent. If there really was a Mage trying to break in, then in addition she'd need to be extra careful and get some burn treatments ready. Mages really liked fire. Why? She didn't know.

Palace Walls

"No idea. Probably though. Did you see those light tracks for a second?"

He then noticed the kids sword.

"That sword... I'm guessing you're no good in a ranger battle?"

He pointed to None, running off to the tent.

"Go protect the Doctor over there. We won't need you for this fight yet."

Ball Room

"Of course ma'am. Guests can't just stroll in uninvited."

edited 15th Jun '13 4:51:26 PM by MusikMaestro