New Yiridian army base camp

[Darkening Cloud]

The ships of the NYA {formerly Hain's merc company} have landed in a large open field and many tents have been rapidly erected in a rough circle around a large parade ground.

In the center of the new camp the entire force gathers in orderly ranks as two coffins are carried from a nearby small ship. The soldiers on parade are heard to be crying as the coffins pass by and are placed on a hastily built dais at the head of the parade ground. Seems they lost some important people. It's a wonder that the faction hasn't fallen apart.

The company senior officer begins to address the men.

"Though this is a day of great sadness for all who served under them..."

It seems that anyone is allowed to come in as a crowd of NPC's are listening from the back

"They shall forever be remembered as leaders and friends to us all..."

[happyturtle]

Councillor Veriswen's air shuttle lands nearby, a respectful distance away, as they do not wish to disrupt the funeral. She steps out of the ship, elegant in the traditional white mourning clothing of her people and waits patiently for the promised meeting.

http://public5.tektek.org/img/av/1003/d26/0144/c629395.png (http://tektek.org/avatar/35663799)

[UncleWolf]

Behind her, are three armored and armed figures. They're insignia of the Acro-Imperial Empire, but they stay behind the Councilor, signifying that they are her Honour Guard for the time being. One of the figures is Commander Edijar, easily marked out by his larger suit of black powerarmor and the now infamous stainless steel faced helmet hanging at his belt. All three wear their sidearms holstered on their right hip, safety clearly on.

Commander Edijar and his two Corporals, Hicks and Vasquez, represent the Empire as well as their civilian branch since they are not part of the actual military, only the Riot Pacification unit.

[Darkening Cloud]

A group of 10 Yiridian guardians, guns holstered but shields ready on their right arms march out to meet the delegates.

"We have been instructed to take you all to the Grand Martial, please, this way, mil'lady"

His unit forms a protective wall around the delegates and begin to move back towards the camp. The funeral appears to be ending and the troops are taking on more mundane tasks, erecting tents and maintaining equipment.

A lone fighter can be seem in the air far above the group, keeping an eye in the sky.{ Rule 12 of warfare, ALWAYS have air support}

[happyturtle]

Councillor Veriswen and her honour guard follow as instructed.

[Darkening Cloud]

The guardians lead the delegates to a waiting AAPC. The craft is about 100 foot long by 20 foot wide and roughly 15 foot in height with a large access ramp at the front and two side ramps further back. Rows of wall mounted seats line the two walls and everything is painted in the odd mix of red, grey and black that make up the NYA's camoflage. The ship resembles a covered landing craft that has somehow been made to float.

The guardians begin to take their seats and strap themselves in as their NCO explains,

"The meeting is to be held in the conference suite on the fleet's flagship. You may wish to buckle up, it can be a bumpy ride."

[UncleWolf]

The Commander and his team have taken such rides before. Hicks and Vasquez sit on either side of the Councilor and Edijar sites directly across from her. So far, the three haven't said a word.

It's not their place to.

[happyturtle]

The Councillor straps herself in as well. "I see. With whom will I have the honour of meeting?" Her voice has a melodious accent that is hard to place.

[Darkening Cloud]

"You'll be meeting the Grand Martial himself.He took over after Hain's death. He's waiting for you now."

He turns to the pilot at the back. "Seal the doors and take us up."

The ramp lifts and seals with a hiss that suggests the craft is pressurized, and the engines give a low, tuneful hum as the craft slowly lifts. The NCO hands a small white bag to each of the delegates.

"Just in case. It takes ages to get the stains off the paint. And don't bite your tongues"

The craft gives a violent lurch to the left and rockets forward and up.It takes quite some efffert to not be flung into who-so-ever is sitting next to you.

It's also hard to not be violently sick. Even the Yiridains grit their teeth.

[happyturtle]

Veriswen retains her dignity throughout. Though she does feel rather queasy, no one watching her would have any idea.

[UncleWolf]

Hicks and Vasquez have worked with the military a few times, so are used to bumpy rides in dropships. Vasquez smirks at the Yiridians until she gets a glare from her Commander, who currently is gritting his teeth as well to keep from being sick. Hicks just chews his gum.

[Darkening Cloud]

Flagged down onto the main deck and with no stains, the AAPC lowers the front ramp and the guardians disembark The air is thin but breathable, so unless you start doing laps of the deck you should be fine. Soldiers and pilots dash around making checks on the AAPC. The NCO puts on his respirator helm,concealing his head.

"This way, mil'lady."

He starts of toward the ship proper, at the bow, with the squad forming a loose ring around their charges.

[UncleWolf]

Hicks walks to her left, Vasquez to her right, and Edijar behind. Each of the three are ready to grab their sidearms in case this goes south. The first has a shotgun pistol, the second has one with a longer barrel and a large clip, and the Commander has a very large calibre pistol that would likely break anyone's wrist if they fired it.

They're taking this very seriously.

[happyturtle]

Veriswen herself is unarmed except for an oil polished wooden walking stick. Given her willowy build, she looks like she might be able to give someone a good bruise with the thing. If she were lucky.

She continues to follow where she is led without comment.

[Darkening Cloud]

The guardians lead them through a few corridors to a large room. Unlike the rest of the ship this room is lavishly furnished. At the head of the central table, a good 15 feet in length, sits a Yiridian, marked out as a high ranking official. He holds his head in his hands, and is singing softly to himself in an odd tongue. The NCO steps towards him.

"Sir, the delegates are hear>"

The singing stops, and the Yiridian looks up. He wears combat armor, a long scarlet cloak, a KPC on his back and two swords at his waist.

His eyes are two different colours.[green and blue] He is rather unnerving to look at.

"Ah, greetings! You're dismissed, general."

The guardians leave, leaving only the delegates, the Grand Martial and his guard of 19 soldiers, 5 on each side of the room.

"So them, whom do I have the pleasure of addressing? I know why you are hear, so we shall have introductions first, as I think is the custom. I am Kerard, and in this fleet, I am 'boss'."

[happyturtle]

"I am Councillor Veriswen Hiriloth of the Ostari. You may address me as Councillor. How may I address you?" she says.

[UncleWolf]

Commander Edijar and his men stay quiet. They were the Councilor's Honour Guard. Their names didn't matter for now, just their presence. Even so, if the Yiridians did their homework, Edijar my be recognizable. His reputation is not a very nice one.

[Darkening Cloud]

"As you're not in my command, Kerard will suffice. But now I think is the time to discuss the issue for which you were summoned: our continued occupation of this area. As I think that our peoples can learn much from our continued stay, I propose a formal agreement be written, and signed by us. Hostilities will be prohibited, and a mutual defence agreement be initiated. Is there anything you would wish to add?"

The Martial leans back and forms a bridge with his fingers, awaiting an answer. He seems to know what he wants.

[happyturtle]

"We would need to see a map showing the area you intend to inhabit. Emperor Vyrn is not willing to have another power within the borders of the Acro-Imperium. However, a powerful neighbor would be welcome, if you were to take on certain commitments with regard to the welfare of the citzenry." Veriswen says smoothly.

[UncleWolf]

During the talks, Edijar and his men will be looking around to try to understand their surroundings and the Yiridian capabilities. They'll do so discreetly and won't talk.

(In other words, don't wait up for me. If I'm needed to post, I will. :smalltongue:)

[Shadowcaller]

At the edge of the camp a invisible presence makes it way deeper into it. Ever watchful, the presence can neither, be seen nor smelled. It moves as silently as possible, but anyone with a extremely (think supernatural) sense of hearing could hear something floating around, just touching air and wind.

A set of equally invisible eyes watches the events around the camp, careful not to touch anything or anyone, prepared to quickly move away if anything comes it's way.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Of course, I took the liberty of so doing so."

He gestures to one of the soldiers, who carries over a map of the local area, with a clearly defined area reprisenting the territory in question, bordering, but not encroaching upon, the Acro-Imperium.

"If the Emperor wishes to have a strong neighbor, he can have us. We request only minimal aid in setting up a more permenant settlement at this site."

He points out a place on the map near an area labled, military camp: site of new barracks?

The invisible eyes are getting double takes from a lot of Yiridian's, as they see a tiny IR signiture. They think it's just a trick of the light.

The commander and his men can pick up that the Yiridians are capable soldiers with years of training and some interesting technology. They are also a different race. They are well organised and a tad cocky, but they have good reason to be.

[happyturtle]

"Are you aware that this location is a nexus of dimensions, where the fabric is thin between realities, and are you prepared to protect the civilians in the area from the frequent incursions of hostile forces that are a result of this instability?"

[Darkening Cloud]

"Were I not prepared, I would not have raised the issue of settling here in the first place."

The venom in his voice is consealed, just.He is proud of his men, and that blow hit the pride quite hard.

"Yes, my duty is to all citizens of this land, Yiridian or non. Now, if there are no further issues, the treaty is ready. Scribe Rhix!"

Rhix moves from the shadows carrying a large document. The ink is still wet. Seems he wrote it as talks progressed.He wears a simple burgendy robe and has a pen behind his left ear.

[happyturtle]

"Excuse me, Kerard, but these negotiations are not concluded." Councillor Veriswen says calmly. "You must be aware that you have presented a rather anomalous situation. What reason do your people have for regarding the mortals on this world as your responsibility? And what assurances do we have of your good intentions?"

[UncleWolf]

Edijar straightens a bit instinctively as tensions rise. The same go for Vasquez and Hicks. They all know how bad this can get. Their stances shift ever so slightly, showing that they'll react on a hair trigger should it get bad.

They don't even try to hide it.

[Darkening Cloud]

"They are my responsibility because I am here, and unlike some I care for people. And unless this world lacks all compassion, you should as well. As for my intentions, the fact that I didn't simply invade should be of some assurance. Alongside that treaty,should you sign it, you have my oath as a soldier. As grand Martial, were I to go back on an oath, my own men would rise against me.If you need additional proof, ask and you shall be given it."

He raises his left hand to his right shoulder. It looks like it could be some form of oath.

The guards around the room stand ready on their guns. There is silence outside.

[Shadowcaller]

The eyes seems (if anyone could see it that is) to get uncomfortable with persons noticing it but presses on towards ship that the ambassador and her escort went into.

[happyturtle]

"Very well. But you have left two important piece of information unsaid." A pause. "Why have you chosen this place, and how long you mean to stay."

During the conference, Councillor Veriswen has been observing him closely - eye movements, body language, word emphasis - every little detail, from the smallest unconscious gesture. Because of her age, she is extremely talented at reading people in this way, to the point where it can almost be considered a supernatural ability.

She should be able to get a sense of whether he is sincere or not in his professions. His alien origin may make it impossible for her to get a reading at all, but if she does get a reading, it should be the truth.

[Darkening Cloud]

He reads like a normal human, if a tiny bit odd.It looks like he is telling the truth.

"I chose this place because this is where we buried our former leader and for its friendly locals.We shall stay unil we are able to return to our home world.So far we have been unsucsessful in that endever. Any aid that we were offered could greatly speed our departure."

[happyturtle]

"I see. If you care to give me a copy of the treaty, I will submit it to the Council for ratification. Provided it meets with the Emperor's approval, of course."

[Darkening Cloud]

"Of course, Rhix always makes a spare. You may take that copy to the Emperor. A transport awaits you outside."

When the delegates are all aboard, the transport will take them to the shuttle they arrived in.

"Return to the camp with word from the emperor, when you have it. I hope it is good news."

[Shadowcaller]

The invisible watcher is floating about 15 feet up in the air above the camp, waiting for the ship to land again. At the mean time it's observing the Yiridians troop movements.

[happyturtle]

The elf woman graciously takes her leave, and again conceals her nausea during the flight.

[UncleWolf]

The elf's Honour Guard stays silent, but doesn't relax as they weren't out of it yet. They also keep their composure during the flight.

[Darkening Cloud]

The troops are busy constructing something in 3 large tents in the camp. Some kind of ground vehicle.

The delegates are allowed to leave without further incident.

The soldiers are starting to try and grab the eyes as they come near.The small flashes of light are getting annoying now.

[Shadowcaller]

The eye isn't coming near any of the soldiers anymore. It's taking the safe route and is still floating above the camp, following the ambassador from above.

[happyturtle]

Councillor Veriswen and her honour guard depart.

[Darkening Cloud]

The soldiers are distracted from their work by the arrival of an AAPC loaded entirely with food and drink. They then take it in shifts to hold the traditional death rites,

ie: drinking and eating as much as you can without dropping down dead.

[Earl of Purple]

Entrance

There's two people walking up the road towards the Camp. One is a human male, wearing a long, burgundy tunic over chainmail. The tunic has the symbol of a two-tailed scorpion prominant in green upon its front. He has a quarterstaff, but no other visible weapons. Around his neck is a silver amulet depicting another two-tailed scorpion.

He is accompanied by a gnome wearing baggy trousers and an equally baggy shirt, with a cape displaying the symbol of a two-tailed scorpion, exactly the same as the human's tunic, only with the colours reversed. At his belt are many daggers and knives. Around his neck is another silver amulet, of, again, a two-tailed scorpion.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Halt! State your purpose in coming here!"

The 10 sentries at the entrance raise their KPCs and level them at the odd pair approaching the camp. They seem rather annoyed that they get last pick at the funeral feast.

Might not want to annoy them.Just a tip.

[Earl of Purple]

They both put their hands up, with the human dropping his staff. "We are here as representatives for a powerful religious group in the city of Inside." As the human says this, the gnome nods. "Please, do not shoot us."

[Darkening Cloud]

"Who you are is not what I asked for, why are you hear?"

[Great, jenova's witnesses.]

They lower their carbines, but keep them at the ready, in case of a trap.

[Earl of Purple]

((Demon-worshippers, actually))

"Our superiors were wondering if you would be interested in joining us in worship of Dalachrech, the Lord of Invertebrates." The human picks up his quarterstaff, but the gnome keeps his hands in the air.

((Unfortunately, Deadtime. I should be able to respond tomorrow))

[Darkening Cloud]

"We worship our own Gods, peddle your religion elsewhere."

The sentries make identical gestures with their left hands, keeping their right hands on the guns.

"While you have freedom to say what you like, even preach what you like here, you'll find few Yiridians willing to abandon Nisus."

Nisus would be the name of one of their gods, a God of fortune and fate, with a large following in the military.

{Rule 1 of warfare: there is a bullet with your name on it. Pray to Nisus that you own it.}

Sadly, I too must deadtime.

[Earl of Purple]

"Worship of Dalachrech is not a monotheistic religion. We are able to worship other gods as well, if we so wished. We don't deny that other gods exist, and we aren't asking that you abandon your existing deities. Merely that you are aware of Dalachrech, the God without whom there would be none of the invertebrates that help sustain vertebrate life." Both have lowered their hands.
"We would also ask for permission to build a dedicated place for Dalachrech's worship; currently we have but a converted house to pray in. Our organisation is relatively new, much like yourselves." Despite lowering his hands, the gnome is keeping his well away from the daggers and knives at his belt.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Then a place can be found for you when our talks with the empire have concluded. Till then we can offer you but a tent on this site, as our own priests must make do with."

He gestures with his gun to an area with many unused tents.

"You'll find most folk here willing to hold others alongside our own gods."

For a military society they are suprisingly open-minded.

[Darkening Cloud]

[Might want to try OOC threads for stuff like that.]

The funeral feast is coming to a close and the sentries are replaced. On their way to the feast, the old sentries show the cultists to a large tent with a wooden dais and rows of temparary seating.

"We make sure to have three of everything. You can use this tent to preach on site."

They then go boozing. {no suprises here.}

[Earl of Purple]

Tent Temple to Dalachrech

The armoured human takes a gold cloth from somewhere and puts it on a table on the dias. The gnome has taken out a crude, half-formed statue of a centipede like creature and starts to whittle at it. The human, meanwhile, paints a wooden board.

Eventually, the gnome has finished his carving, and now an idol of a centipede with a pair of scorpion's tails, a mosquito's head and praying mantis claws is on the cloth of gold. Outside, the wooden board has a painting of a two-tailed scorpion and a the words

'Shrine to Dalachrech,
Lord of Invertebrates'

Inside, the shrine has very little; just a wooden statuette, a crude alter and temporary seating.

[Gnrlshrimp]

A flash of light, a loud boom, a small crater in the earth...and there's a figure in red plate armour standing in the middle of the crater just outside the army camp. "So...these are the new guys, eh?" He chuckles and starts walking towards the camp.

[Darkening Cloud]

The sentries are rather shocked by the sudden appearance of the armor clad figure.

"Halt, who are you. What buisness do you have here?"

One sentry has not moved. He seems to recognise the figure, but does not speak.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Oh, I'm just here to talk. Now then, where's the big boss man?" Even as he talks, Ba'al keeps striding forwards. Perhaps he's hoping they'll try to stop him?

Well, he usually does find it amusing when people try and tell him what to do.

[Darkening Cloud]

"He's up on the flagship, if you need it, I can arrange transportation. most honorabe and great terrifier of armies."

[The last phrase takes one word in Yiridian, and is a typical greeting for a high ranked official or someone you've just met]

"If the Grand Martial is not expecting you, could I take your name to inform him of your arrival?"

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Oh, I suppose I might as well try and be nice. My name is Ba'al, and sure, why not? Go ahead and provide some transportation for me." Ba'al takes his helmet off, revealing his young grey face with short white hair and...sunglasses? Yup, as usual he has a pair of dark glasses on.

Oh, and he's grinning, as usual.

[Darkening Cloud]

After a brief wait, an AAPC lands nearby.

"This way sir, the Martial awaits. Your name and reputation precede you. He knows who you are, and hopes that you are here for peaceable reasons."

At the mention of Ba'al, the sentries visibly shudder, they haven't been here long, but they have heard that name before.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"If he knows who I am, then he knows that I do whatever I want. I could be here for any number of reasons. Hell, I could just be here to insult him!" Ba'al smiles at the sentries, points a finger at them and mouths the word "bang" just to scare them, then explodes, reappears by the AAPC and climbs in.

[Darkening Cloud]

The AAPC takes Ba'al up to the main deck of the flagship, where the Grand Martial waits for him on the aftcastle.

"Greetings Ba'al. What do you grace my fleet for? Come to yell insults at me, or have you, as I suspect you do, have advice for me and my men?"

Seems he heard Ba'al's comment to the sentries, who are by now drowning fear in the reminants of the funeral booze.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Advice? Maybe. Mostly, I'm just curious. You've got one hell of a fleet here after all. Oh yeah, and...hi." Ba'al clicks his fingers and his plate armour disappears, leaving him wearing loose-fitting black and white clothing. "I bet you've got the empire quaking in their boots. Your fleet could crush them in seconds."

He'd spent a little while taking a look at the fleet from a distance. It was a bit of a surprise, even for Ba'al, when they turned up. Really, quite unexpected.

"So, y'know, why are you here? Obviously you don't intend to destroy them or you'd already have tried to?" Oh, and as he says this the grin on Ba'al's face disappears. He clicks his fingers again and a blood red sword with an image of a skull on it appears in his hands. He points it straight at the Grand Martial and the sounds of crackling fills the room. "So, I'm curious...and I also feel the need to give you a little warning. I like this place. I like it a lot. So if, for any reason, you decide to start shooting people round here, don't you dare drag any wars into the city of Inside."

[Darkening Cloud]

"I do not intend to drag anything anywhere. We are here because of a war, not the one the former Grand Martial waged, but a later war.I was Hain's comms officer as well as his deputy and I watched on a sat link as the whole of our planet was pounded to dust by 100 gigatons of kinetic charges. Noone else in this fleet knows that we are the last of the Yiridian race. 8 billion to 21097 in the space of a few nanoseconds. I am sick of war, and I wish to try to sustain our species."

He reaches up and wipes away a few tears. Still has a few old scars.

"I'd be very grateful were you not to tell anyone what I have said to you. As for the empire, they can keep it. We wish to survive, not throw away 30,000 years of history. And yes, this fleet is very powerful. Yiridia was a military state, and its arms are, or were, nigh unparralled. I am working on replicating the technology that is on our data system, so as not to lose them forever."

He has managed to compose himself more fully, and takes a drink from a hip flask to steady his nerves.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Huh. Whoever did that sounds like almost as big an ******* as me!" Ba'al clicks his fingers and a small glass filled with a clear blue liquid appears in his hand. "Here, I think you need something a little bit stronger. I won't tell a word of what you've said to anyone else, you can be sure of that."

An...unusual display of compassion from Ba'al there, but that is quite the sob story really. 'course, he could just be acting nice. It's quite possible that he's laughing inside.

[Darkening Cloud]

"It's what happens when a race develops a weopen so destructive that war becomes unnessercary. Seismic bombs the size of houses that could pulverise continants with paranoid, fanatical idiots sitting on the triggers."

He's not bitter.

Not at all. You can't change what has been done.

Kerard sniffs the blue liquid, then downs it in one.

[Gnrlshrimp]

The drink is...quite strong...with a slightly sweet taste, actually. Might be a little different from what the Grand Martial is used to. "Well, at least some of you survived, eh? Although you have decided to settle down in one of the most dangerous places I've ever seen. Seriously, this place is nuts!" Which, of course, is why Ba'al likes it so much.

Ba'al clicks his fingers and another glass appears in his hand, this one filled with a dark purple liquid. He downs it quickly and lets out a contented sigh. It's a safe bet that whatever he just drank is a hell of a lot stronger than the drink he gave to the commander. "Tell you what though, I don't really want to see you guys get killed off either, so, if you ever have any trouble, I'll step in to lend you a hand. Feel free to use me as a threat to keep potential enemies away, I assure you I can back it up if people don't believe it."

[Darkening Cloud]

"You have my thanks, Ba'al. It's nice to have a potential ally in this madhouse."

[You should market that stuff. Could be the next big thing.]

"If you wish to be transported back down, i'd be happy to oblige. If not, there are a few bottles of Hain's private stash that need to be drunk, and I'm sure we could find oe o your taste."

He gestures to a nearby crate that clinks as the ship rolls.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Hmm, not so much an ally as a protector really. Ally is perhaps too strong a war. If, unlikely as it may be, you decide to run off and attack someone, don't expect my help. I'm just gonna make sure you guys are safe here." It is quite the madhouse after all, and these people are somewhat more endangered than most others in this crazy place.

And that crate does look mighty tempting. Ba'al licks his lips and stares at it. "Well, I'm in no rush. I think I can afford to stay around for a little while and have a drink or two." Free booze is always worth sticking around for, in Ba'al's opinion.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Protector then, but now, a toast, to destruction, and the creation it brings."

The crate contains all manners of alcohol.It is also larger inside the crate than out, as at least a 100 foot wine celler stares back at anyone opening the lid.

"Extra-dimensional tech found its way into the domestic sector, and I can think of few better uses for it."

This might take a while to drink.

A good 3 hours or so.

{Must now deadtime.Ba'al may booze to his hearts content.. Post anything further and I shall reply tomorrow.}

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Heheh, how ignorant you are. True destruction does not lead to creation. It leaves nothing behind. Trust me, I know." Ba'al shrugs, reaches down, and grabs a bottle. "But...a toast anyway! Why not?" He pops the cork and pours himself a glass.

Ba'al, actually, isn't addicted to alcohol. He doesn't go nuts, drinking straight from the bottle or anything like that. So it may in fact take quite a while longer than three hours to drink his way through it. But he's in no rush, drinking away at a slow pace.

Apparently it's up to the Grand Martial to actually make him stop at some point, otherwise he could be here all day.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Ah, but the lesser destruction we suffered has lead to the creation of the NYA, but yes, utter destruction leaves naught in its wake. Feel free to finish the celler, but I must see to a piece of recreated technology."

He walks to an AAPC and is whisked to the camp, leaving Ba'al with the celler and a few worried crew.

The AAPC returns and awaits Ba'al's departure.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Well then, since they've been so generous as to give him the whole cellar to drink his way through...he might as well drink it all!

And once he's done, he decides to have a little snooze.

So it'll be early next morning by the time he eventually returns to the AAPC, still looking completely sober of course. He doesn't get drunk, he just likes the taste of alcoholic drinks.

[Darkening Cloud]

A vehicle of some kind floats out of a large tent. It is 25 feet long, 10 feet wide and the same in height. It is painted in the standard camo colours of the NYA. It floats some 4 feet from the ground, held up by kinetic force alone.
The group of Technomagi nearby nod and murmur approvingly.

They have rebuilt one of many gems of Yiridian advances.

Kerard stands nearby, brooding his past and future.

The new craft lets down a ramp and he climbs aboard.

Time to visit the new neighbors.

[Gnrlshrimp]

As Ba'al walks towards the exit, he pauses for a moment and looks round. "Yes, this is a pretty nice place." He takes out his sword and plunges it into the ground, then walks off.

A short distance away from the camp, he explodes and vanishes.

And then the sword turns into a little blood red bell with a mahogany handle...and a small note beside it with the words "ring for assistance" written on it.

Ba'al probably should have left the bell in the Grand Martial's room, but he's not bothered by a minor detail like that.

[Darkening Cloud]

It's a few days before the Martial returns. The new craft seems to have pleased him greatly. He inspects the bell left by Ba'al and has a tent put over it.

He then sets about erecting a few more permanant structures He also visits the new tent shrine, which has drawn quite a following amongst the troops.

[Earl of Purple]

Shrine to Dalachrech

Well, off-screen the tent has received some donations from the main temple. There's a proper altar now, made of granite with a gold idol depicting a centipede-like thing with a scorpion tail, mosquito's head and praying mantis claws. The original wooden one has pride of place upon a larger altar against the back wall. Adorning the walls are velvet drapes with a two-tailed scorpion upon it. The path to the altar has been carpeted with a long, thin rug with a centipede design and all of the seats have had insectile creatures carved into them. There's probably a few soldiers praying in various places. The armoured human, now wearing red robes with a two-tailed scorpion in silver thread upon it, is currently leading a prayer in Abyssal.

The Grand Martial is greeted by the gnome. "Greetings, good sir. I am the Most Reverend Harold Spritesson, and the minister doing the service is the Reverend Master Jorje Hargonnen. How may I help you today?" Like the human, Harold is wearing red robes with the silver scorpion upon it. At his waist is a dagger with a scorpion etched into the blade and a mosquito-headed hilt.

[Darkening Cloud]

"Thank you for your welcome. Just a flying visit for today and a warning. hold onto anything fragile. It's about to get rough."

He sits on a nearby bench and holds on. His guards do the same

{Damn, sorry this took so long,but I've had work to do.}

[Earl of Purple]

Shrine to Dalachrech

"Do you mean that literally, philosophically, emotionally or mentally?" Harold seems vaguely worried. Regardless, he grasps one of the pews rather tightly. Since Jorje is at the other end of the tent, he cannot hear them, especially as he's chanting rather loudly.

[Darkening Cloud]

Literally I think.

The floor begins to shake violently as if there were a minor earthquake.

A few pews tip over, but the statues should be saved by the size of their bases.

The shaking soon stops.

"It worked sir, its gone."

Kerard stands, hands a small donation to the nearest temple attendant and hurredly leaves the tent.

[Earl of Purple]

Shrine to Dalachrech

Yes, that would be literally.

Jorje, the robed human chanting at the front, loses his balance and nearly falls over. Luckily, he doesn't. He also doesn't stop chanting. Meanwhile, the run-of-the-mill cultists right the pews and repair any damage, whilst Harold is handed some money. "Thank you for your generosity, sir. Please, come again. We willingly accept those interested in joining our worship."

[Darkening Cloud]

Technological Replication Workshop.

The GM {no pun intended} stands watch as the Yiridian techies fiddle with a roughly man sized device. It pulses with the same kinetic energy that powers most Yiridian tech.

Stand near it for too long and you will become very unnerved by it for no reason bar the odd markings on the side.

Translated from Yiridian: 857-M-1MEG

The device is rushed away by Yiridian weapons techies and placed aboard a fighter. It is then taken to Gods know where.

[Darkcomet]

A plane with Acro-Imperial markings flies over the base camp, paradropping a box before departing.

The box is perfectly harmless and contains a number of maps of the area.

And also a note:


Here are your maps. Please cease and desist with the earthquakes.