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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on May 25, 2010 21:24:15 GMT 1
Umberto "First, because you shouldn't. The Cult's loosing control of itself, and fast. I've seen the pilgrims, and I've seen their souls as well. Mass suicides and pointless witch hunts won't bring the Pankrator back. Not only that, without me, you'd have worse things to fear. The White Leviathan is paying 5 pounds gold for healthy slave, and you don't want him completing whatever project he's working on, no sir, not at all." "Second," The Wanderer raises a sun browned hand and removes a layer of cloth, revealing a cracked burned slash of scar tissue across his neck, the kind that might be made by a flaming demon blade. "because you can't. Hard to keep us dead man down, isn't it? No, for now, we are in accordance. I claim nor rule over your lands, no right to the Pankrator's throne. Call me a Pretender if you like, but I am just a protector, looking out for the Lost. And right now, I'm looking for guidance myself. I can fight my battles, but it's a war against the unrelenting tide unless some people start looking for a long term solution. You want to bring us back into the fold, fine, we can talk about that once you bring your Legions to the desert, but if you walk a bad path, don't think I won't resist you if I must. And you move the right way, don't think I won't help you if I can." The Wanderer stands. "I need a message carried to Hoburg, but it's not my territory. Far to pastoral, and the big statue, shockingly, doesn't travel much." The man replaces his cloth coverings and withdraws a shockingly mundane packet from his robes. It is sealed with wax, though the sigil on it exudes some magic. The Wanderer sets in on the table next to the wineglass "One question, are you doing this for him? Or yourself." ooc- I've decided that the Wanderer may have some slight daddy issues. The Pankrator choose two mortal martyrs to bring back, but Umberto (probably the 'younger' of the two) got the Marshall-ship and the accolades. The Wanderer got to wander the desert and the Infernal Realms fighting demons, name forgotten. Whether Umberto has similar issues with his older sibling is up tp you. The Wanderer gets a lot more mystisim and he (depending on how Umberto feels) may have gotten the more 'exciting' job. Also, the message in the packet to Hoburg: Hi Umberto, if this is you reading this.
Seriously, It's not like the place doesn't have some visitors, and I've far more loyal messengers.
Feel free to trash this or deliver it, it's up to you.
To Hoburg,
If you're reading this and the seal is unbroken, then Umberto is more honest than I thought. Set a message to the wind letting me know I misjudged him.Real message to Hoburg: A peddling merchant came into town a day ago, and sold toys to children and pots to parents. Now he nervously approaches the Behemoth. "Ahem. Sir? I have heard it on the wind," he drops into the ritual cadence, calming himself a little. "Not all who Wander wish to be lost. Not all paths should be directionless. We guide by stars and signposts, and it's always a bad path that lays unmarked."
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Post by Sayn on May 25, 2010 21:29:30 GMT 1
Hm. What if I focus on killing Primate Tetra, and taking out just a few of the Counsel, while leaving most of them alive? Maybe I could even make it look like one of the Counsel arranged this to get a more influential spot?
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odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
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Post by odin on May 25, 2010 22:38:28 GMT 1
Umberto and The Wanderer Umberto smiles, "It's hard to keep a good man down." He locks eyes with the wanderer. "There's nothing I'd like better then to see the Pankrator return."
He drops his voice and leans forward. "But what if the the Priest are wrong? What if he really is gone, abandoning us to our fate?" He stops his face reveals that he thinks he's already said too much.
"I'll make sure your letter is delivered. Although I'd caution you against dealing with the Behemoth. Like most Pretenders he concocts outrageous self-aggrandizing lies. He actually claims to be the part of the Pankrator himself. He's almost as bad as the Hag."
ooc
Hoburg to The Wanderer The letter arrives around the same time as the traveling merchant.
The Behemoth stairs down at the merchant. "It's been some time since I've wandered young one. What do you do when the stars are obscured and sign posts lie? But enough of this foolishness. What would a wanderer have of me?" Sayn That's also doable. You could keep yourself from being implicated, but the blame might not stick with whatever scapegoat you try to pin it on. Umberto and the Primarch have had confrontations before, and he'd have a significant amount to gain with a more amicable Primarch in his seat. Official investigations might say one thing but the word on the street might be another.
Of course if you don't mind Umberto taking the fall, it might not matter.
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Post by Surly on May 25, 2010 22:44:59 GMT 1
Nazhedria to C'tisAnaxias replies "I will not accept your offer, though I could agree to sell you a quarter of our supplies now and continue regularly selling you an eighth. If you say the contents of that chest has more value than what I'm offering, consider it advance payment for our continuing shipments. That will be all." Southern border of NazhedriaThe caravan rattles across the scrubland, the forests of Dol K'tiel fading from view behind them as dunes rise on the horizon. A monk makes his way to the front of the procession. "Sir Daunus, why are you going to the Warring States in person? There is no need to risk your life - " "We aren't going to the Warring States." "Oh. C'tis, then? That's hardly better after the reception our dread Lord gave their diplo - " "Nor C'tis." "Wha - then where?" "Just the desert. We are going to wander around until we find someone interesting." The monk blanches. "Daunus - sir - why in the Pankrator's holy name - you know what the nomads do to our traders!" "Yes, brother, but we have no slaves with us. And I think they may be more inclined to negotiate with me than with most of our people." The monk just stares. The head of the Brothers in Dusk could not possibly be so naive. This was suicide. "Be at peace, brother. The Wanderer is unlikely to want us dead. And if he does, you know that all things must die. Pray to Anaxias if you can't keep calm, he will allow you no fear." The caravan continued on, into the desert, seeking the Wanderer.
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Post by Sayn on May 25, 2010 23:10:20 GMT 1
Alright, here's the plan:
I'll attempt an assassination of Primate Tetra and the members of the Counsel whom speak out against Umberto the most, just like Cerrak asked me to. Tetra is the primary target, and if the assassins deem it impossible to escape if they try to kill the Counsel members then they are to get out of there.
What Cerrak won't know is that I will also bind their souls into amulets which Hood supply the assassins with. I have some plans for Tetra and his colleagues, and they are actually more worth to me dead. While they might be impossible to turn while alive, they will not be quite so resistant to Hood when dead.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on May 25, 2010 23:24:59 GMT 1
odin I'll need them reasonably quickly, but not too fast. I'm focusing on the already well trained and well-equipped soldiers, especially the more expensive and loyal mercenaries. Are there any mages in the area that I can recruit?
I'm willing to spend a good deal for loyal and skilled warriors, but cheap cannon fodder isn't unwelcome either. Any extra warriors from Cerra and the mountains surrounding it in particular would be useful.
Cerrak to Umberto
Your silence is answer enough, good Umberto. I understand.
As for the issue of the Paymaster, send any of your trusted soldiers. I merely assumed that the Paymaster would be the one to mediate between both of our expectations in fighting the rebels who dare defy your armies.
Oh, and I have the services of several soldiers of the Shona Hag on my side. The hags are on my side, and with them Gedrhart and his firbolgs, who have been sent to me. The Shona Hag herself seems to trust you, and by extension I myself. Where shall I utilize the firbolgs? Against that pathetic Hoburg statue that dares to call itself Pankrator?
Cerrak to Nazhedria Great and terrible masters of the undead,
I am Cerrak, the titan of the forge, and quite possibly the successor to the Pankrator's vacant throne. As the Pankrator forged links with your nation, so shall I.
I can provide great riches of the earth to you. All I ask in return is that you provide undead soldiers to help me march against those cultists at Azog.
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Post by puppyavenger on May 26, 2010 0:31:54 GMT 1
To Cerrak Well, wouldn't the horrors form outside reality be more fitting target? I, after all, do not seek to destroy creation.
Or perhaps the Sepulcher, surely the old lich is as much you enemy as I am Hood Wonderful, Talon will meet him at the border
[OOC] want ot continue this via PM? X'Yogg'Thoth very well, we're interested, would you be amicable to discussing terms in private?
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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on May 26, 2010 1:19:59 GMT 1
Umberto: "If he doesn't come back, then we've done the best we can. If he does, then we've done the best we can.
"And I'd take a Pretender thinking itself part of the Pankrator over a great deal of the others out there. You yourself are his Right Hand. I, his Wrath. So they say, and so perhaps it is."
The Wanderer again raises his hand and flings dust and sand to the ground, and is gone even as it clears.
There's an orphan ooc- thingy, BTW.
Hoburg: "Uh, sir, uh, he wants answer sir, and the winds says you are the sort to help. He says he doesn't know what has happened or what will happen, sir, only that he's gained in strength and returned from a long journey to our realm." The desert outside Nazhedria: After several days in the Sands, a man swathed in heavy nomad grab is seen on a Dune. He paces back and forth, watching the wagons approach. "Speak." ooc- Is this messenger a good man or a bad one. Feel free to spoiler or consult with GM on how much you need reveal.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on May 26, 2010 1:52:27 GMT 1
Cerrak to Iurt Yes, but you seek to fight against Umberto; and he's got the biggest army. He and I have an agreement; I bring back rebel cities to Imperial control, and defeat the active pretenders to the Pankrator's throne, and I get what the defeated pretenders have. It's that simple.
And by going against the High Marshal, you have become an active force against myself as well.
So unless you get a truce with Umberto, I'm afraid I can't leave you alone.
I thank you for your information, however. I'll go after the lich next.
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Post by Surly on May 26, 2010 1:53:29 GMT 1
Sir Daunus Nochtengar dismounts and begins walking up the dune towards the figure. "I wish to speak to you about an old evil, one that I pray we can overcome." OOC: Definitely a good man, though probably more willing to bow to tyranny than the Wanderer would like. He was formerly a paladin and the leader of a small republic, and has been forced to manage Nazhedria's secret police (as much to keep an eye on him as to use his talent at keeping an eye on others) since his state was conquered.
Oh, and I'll continue in a PM. We can sell you a small army, though we will not send troops there at least until your own arrive. We've made a trade deal with them, and certainly don't want them to call it off.
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Post by sinistral on May 26, 2010 4:52:22 GMT 1
@cerrak You're a fool. You seek to placate us with promises, all the while inciting Nazderia to attack us. Did you think we wouldn't find out?
We've been watching you. For a being who claims to represent order, you've done a great job of inciting wars between the various powers. We’d almost be impressed, if you went about it with the slightest sense of subtlety. This is you only warning. Don’t cross us again. @nazderia Cerrak is using you, but you already knew that. Once he gets you to attack us, he will wipe out your weakened nation. Do you think that a nation of the walking dead has any place in his world of perfect order? You are only one of many that he has made similar offers to, a pawn to be used and discarded.
We have a profitable relationship, and we have no desire to jeopardize that. We hope you don’t either. @shapers We share a common enemy in Cerrak. Unless you cease you attacks on Umberto, he will come for you. Our offer still stands. We have agents in the Emporium and among Cerrak‘s forces., and could provide you a significant tactical advantage. We can also augment you forces with beings from the Other Side, if you desire.
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Post by Sayn on May 26, 2010 14:22:20 GMT 1
The HoodWe might as well. Want me to start it up or do you want to...?
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Post by puppyavenger on May 26, 2010 20:03:22 GMT 1
X'Yogg'Thoth //I responded to you. Anyway, yes I'd like ot take you up on your offer, could we discuss specifics in private? (that is, PM to continue discussion away from prying eyes Hood I appreciate it if you'd do it, I've ogt lots of EOT posts to wade through and make responses for, so setting a scene will probably take me an inordinate amount of time
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Post by Sayn on May 26, 2010 21:21:40 GMT 1
Alright. Could you at least give me a very brief description of the city this will take place in, such as the name of it?
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Post by puppyavenger on May 26, 2010 23:57:15 GMT 1
Hood Okay, it's a border town that's been recently conquered on Iurt campaign, more as an after-thought then a serious objective, which means it doesn't have all the regular "urban renewal" projects like barely-geodesic architecture, jails that ensure security by turning prisoner to Jellyfish, or stuff like that. Renamed "Empyria" by the Priest-Savant who conquered it, with a small occupying force of shock-and-awe eight-foot tall shining diomand giants to ensure security
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