[Empire!] The Court at Sa-Ó-Dod

[Aedilred]

Those approaching the fortress of Sa-Ó-Dod, where Oniyellīs was temporarily resident, would be forgiven for thinking that recent events had somewhat cooled the hospitality of the Bannanda. Captured from the corsairs of Dum-Hong Deng decades earlier, the wooden and brick fortress had been augmented with an outer wall buttressed in stone and a ditch with wooden palisades, as well as barricades and parapets from behind which slingers and javelinmen could rain down missiles. Within these walls were stationed hundreds of troops, beginning to gather from across the kingdom into a single army. And with them had come the inevitable hangers-on and camp followers, the unofficial members of which had been exiled to beyond the walls, and were encamped in the surrounding plain.

The more respectable members had been admitted within the walls, where a market of sorts had developed within the outer wall, the central fort remaining closed. Once a day, Oniyellīs ventured outside to a courtyard to hear petitions, inspect troops, and take public counsel, attended all the time by his personal guard, most of them Hapēzi warriors. Though he ruled from Limdimon, his reliance on support from his mother's tribe remained evident.

Now in middle age, the paramount chief was a big man, in every dimension, His barrel chest and broad shoulders bulging beneath the spotted fur cloak and the glinting bronze and pearl jewellery, all of which suggested a man with an aesthetic, epicurean sense. His belly might suggest a man gone to seed, but a closer look would suggest there was muscle beneath his bulk. His wooden throne, from which he rarely stirred during the public sessions, was likewise draped in furs and creaked as he moved.

On some days, his wife and some of his children joined him, his elder daughers playing around his feet. Those familiar with the Bannanda as a people would notice that not only was their skin noticeably lighter than usual for their people, but they were also small for children of their age. On other days he was joined by a boy, this one somewhat older and more typical of his people, who stood or knelt quietly at the side or foot of the chieftain's chair.

Some of those diplomats from distant lands normally resident at Limdimon had travelled with Oniyellīs to Sa-Ó-Dod, but it was expected that others would appear. Those who came as guests - rather than traders - were treated as such, welcomed and given clay tokens of hospitality before being taken to the courtyard to greet the king. Those visitors deemed potentially suspect - including all those from Lhungo Saar and the Lim Dynasty - were politely but thoroughly searched before being admitted, with any suspect fluids being removed for safekeeping, together with a general disarmament of any significant weapons at the outer gate. There would be no repeat of the conference in Fei Dang here.

Almost all the major personalities of the kingdom were here, whether to attempt to curry favour with Oniyellīs or because their services were required: tribal chieftains; Wey-Dong captains; the twin children of Ocēmis; the king's uncle Onodīs, now very elderly; sharp-eyed Yazaburon, watching quietly from the edges of the audience courtyard; and of course the Truthseers now established at Oniyellīs's court.

[mystic1110]

Ank’Anske’Thalez’ir Asteracea, or Aste, as her few friends called her, was a mischievous girl of twelve.

She was tall for her age but still approachable; back in her native land, her diluted Goliath blood would mark her short. She had green eyes that, if caught at the right angle, glowed with a strange energy, sparkling freckles dotting her nose, and strangest still, two small horns, like those of a fawn, growing out of her skull which naturally parted her snake-eye black hair into two pig tails. She was dressed in tough hides for she has traveled far on a whim. She had seen her mother gambling with a strange woman from distant lands and in her capriciousness decided to follow her home.

The girl did not runaway and instead, as per her blood, she left her mother a note saying that the dice told her to go.

For this unassuming and strange girl was, if allowed to grow up, the future Odds-Mistress of that far off city of Kursaal - not that many in here would know it or care.

Aste appeared at the outer gate covered in the dust of Sikar and, not speaking the languages of Kiswa, simply held a bit of bronze in her hand while she held her arms to her side palms up in the tradition of her country. On her deer horns were intertwined desert orange blossoms that she found during her journey. With this greeting, she hoped that even if no one spoke her tongue (although given that these people could converse with her mother, she at least hoped for someone to be able to understand her) that she would be able to take in the sights of this exotic locale.

[Frostwander]

Of the caravan of Vygra traders and craftsfolk who came to Sa-Ó-Dod, two seek audience with Oniyellīs in his courtyard. Word travels quickly ahead of them at their arrival, as not only does the leader of the Confluence come in person, but with her is the previous Vygra matji as well. Each bears a single implement of black iron, Varsha a broad-bladed sword the length of her fore-arm, and Khetra a rod nearly her own considerable height.

Varsha is beginning to show signs of her deepening years. Smooth marble-like skin is broken by long scars running like cracks across her surface, and deep wrinkles line her eyes and mouth. She wears a wreath of ornate copper leaves in addition to the cloth wraps common among the Vygra. Khetra, in contrast, still shows few signs of aging despite having passed her centennial year. Her simple woven wraps highlight a powerful muscular form beneath, and she strides with confidence and purpose. Her hair is a deeper blue than her skin, and while held back from her face by the copper wreath she wears still ripples with its own motion.

When presented before the king, both bow in the arms-wide courtesy of the Vygra before Varsha makes her address. "Paramount Chief Oniyellīs, we bring you the greetings and good wishes of the Confluence. We have come to visit, as well as to see to the final touches on the rebuilt stone, but also for another purpose. We understand with recent events, including the declarations made by Matriarch MacGill, that many may have questions about the truth of the blight. We would like to provide any answers that we may, to shed light and clarity over this subject, and vouchsafe that the veracity of the Anbroch's claims. Should you permit, we would make ourselves available to converse with any leaders who wish to know more, yourself included."

---
Goliath at the Gates
While most of the caravan moved into the city, eager to be about their business, one detached near the gate to approach the curious tall woman standing outside. Clearly not native to Kiswa, she stood silently waiting, her posture reminiscent of the Vygra's own form of greeting. Niharyka followed her curiousity to see what new things this visitor might have to share.

The ra that stood before Aste wore a simple sleeveless tunic, painted with flowers and adorned with several brightly colored ribbons. Tiny crystals of ice freckled across her pale blue arms and face, and her hair billowed around her head like snow clouds. She spoke in several different tongues, clearly studied of foreign languages, before she found one that the young goliath understood - the words of the Hraban. "Is this your tongue? Hello! My name is Niharyka."

Spoiler: Character Inspirations

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Varsha

Khetra

Niharyka

[mystic1110]

Goliath at the Gates

If Aste could be considered a strange sight then surely the ra before her was a stranger sight to the girl than she could have been to anyone else there. The woman's skin was the color of frost and indeed, while gems seems to have dotted Aste's nose, Aste could see that ice similarly dotted the other woman's skin.

Niharyka began trying out different languages until she finally stumbled upon one that Aste knew. Hrabanian was a rare language, but it's words were easy for Aste to understand given that she was practiced in writing out its runes. Aste smiled and cocked her head a little, happy that there was someone to talk to.

Hi! My name is . . . too long. Just call me Aste or Rushing-Daisy. That's what my dad calls me.

Reaching out with one hand she touches Niharyka's skin.

You're cold! That's so cool. Ah! Sorry, that's not a joke. You're really cool and cool! What are you?

[Frostwander]

Goliath at the Gates

With the Confluence's drive over the last decade to gather the languages of the nations of the world, she had spent a great deal of time travelling with the scholars and immersing herself in numerous tongues. She did not consider herself a scholar, but she was an explorer, and it was nice to see her efforts pay off in this chance meeting. Niharyka smiles as the girl's response indicated her success.

"I am a Vygra, a Himara to be specific. We are a people born from the elements of this world. Our nation lives to the south." The Hraban language, of course, did not have words for the names of Niharyka's people, so she simply used their own. She reaches out to touch Aste's arm in a similar motion to that the goliath had made, pleased at the girl's curiousity and indulging her own. Then she holds her arms out to her sides and dips at the knees briefly in a more formal gesture. "If this is your tongue, then you must be from ... southern Mamut, is that right? What brings you all this way to the Henanda Kingdom?"

[mystic1110]

You remind me of the Scrim from my land! They are rocks that carve themselves out of the caves and mountains.

Aste pauses a bit and seems to ponder something and then one could see her eyes light up with a thought the same moment she reaches out and grabs Niharyka's hands.

We're friends now!

The girl lets go of one hand to turn around to wave at the gate and the guards to let them in.

"I'm here because the Dice told me to go. And I'm already glad I listened since I met you and you're so exciting and cool! Do you know what's inside? I want to find out!"

[Rolepgeek]

It was not, precisely, an insult for Usuukhuusa to send her elder brother and former High King of the Dhraan to the court of Oniyellīs with naught but a now middle-aged and slow-recovering Vyrka warrior for escort. After all, Ghondukholaak was liable to be one of the only members of the royal family of Lhungho Saar that the Bannanda might yet respect. He was, after all, deposed by his sister, bloodless though the coup might have been. Likewise, Niraka of Singhön was known as a companion of Onoynoyis, had made themselves known to the King of Henanda many years ago, and though they were injured, even so their capacity to defend the former monarch was beyond reproach.

The fact that they had to rent passage on a trade barge up the Erapira, rather than being given a royal barge, and walk much of the rest of the way on foot, was somewhat more of an indicator of the High Queen's feelings about her sibling.

Ghondukholaak was dressed as simply as could be reasonably expected and permitted of a royal family member, carved bone and amber decorating his bulk more than hiding it while supple leather held in what moisture (and, unfortunately, heat) could be held, while Niraka led the way in an open fronted tunic, showing the long wrappings of cloth around his torso, where he was yet recovering from the poisonous injury of the Blight he had suffered in the Maw of Sikar. Even beyond the bandages, however, creeping branches of black and purple could be seen stretching across his chest. Still, he understood the precautions felt necessary by the Bannanda, and was relieved easily of his spear and shield at the gates, happy to be free of their burden. He was, however, less willing to part with his dagger - offering instead to allow it to be tied into it's sheath as securely as the locals desired, but unwilling to be parted from it. His charge was less reticent - though all present would understand that the Dhraan did not need physical weaponry to be lethal, if they so desired.

The Dhraanish royal was happy for the pause in their journey, though he desperately wished there was a pond somewhere nearby to soak in and rest as he bent down for the guards to search his person for any unseemly liquids - the only thing they would find would be several nearly empty waterskins. Instead, Ghondukholaak distracted themselves by watching the nearby Himara and an odd horned girl that reminded him of the Sewune, for some reason.

[bc56]

A party on horseback arrives at the court, dismounting from their saddles and stretching out after a long ride. The Veramondi traders break off to do their usual thing, while the actual important people split off to pay their neighbors a visit. Queen Enavi sweeps into the court in royal robes of purple, orange, yellow, and pink, along with bronze and bone jewelry. Her dark skin and earthen hair mark her as an oddity, half Veramondi, half Vygra. She bears a small box with her.
Alongside her are two of her kin. Her cousin, Kata, half Bannanda himself, though he doesn't know it, is uncomfortable at having to relinquish his spear, which he inherited from his late mother. At least he keeps his armor, its bronze marked with strange fist-like impressions that would be unfamiliar to most in Kiswa. And her aunt, Vari, 16 years of age, but, tall, strong, beautiful, and vital. She's been practically inseparable from her older niece, and is dressed even more finely.
"Good health and blessings to you, friend Oniyellīs." The box is presented, full of figurines of bronze and flamingo feathers. A gift of riches, symbolic of future prosperity.


Soon afterwards, Enavi goes to Varsha and the other Vygra. "It is true what they say? The darkness sleeping beneath the world? The dwarves, who served the blight, are now sworn to destroy it?" She's heard everything already, there's little going on in Kiswa or even the entire world that she does not at least know of, but she wants to hear it from a primary source.


Kata continues standing around uncomfortable. He's an adventurer, not a courtly figure, no matter how many arrows he's taken to the knee. If he wasn't brought here to play bodyguard to his cousin and aunt, he'd be in the southlands, putting down a pesky rebellion. That's where he wants to be.


Vari wanders off to the side. She's not especially interested in the proceedings of court, an unfortunate trait when it's an open secret that she, as the blessed child of the land's magic, is being groomed to rule Veramondo. She finds her way out of Kata's watchful eye and into the markets, wandering the stalls with a critical eye for their goods.

[Aedilred]

Aste

The guards on the gate observed Aste with some puzzlement but no obvious hostility, especially once she struck up a conversation with Niharyka. The growing congregation of soldiery was relatively relaxed and Aste would be able to see groups sparring or wrestling with each other, further off conducting races with small ass-drawn vehicles, or sitting around drinking and gambling.

(She would no doubt have little trouble quickly identifying the rules of the dice games played, which seemed to owe something to the Targiz's own Kursaal Dice: like in Kursaal, each player rolls three dice at a time, but unlike in Kursaal, it is only products of 3 that are scoring rolls. Products of 6 score higher than products of 3, while trebles beat any other roll of equal value, and number of 6s rolled is used as a tiebreaker. The odds may be more crudely calculated, but it seems popular all the same).

Eventually a young man, perhaps a couple of years older than her, with an open, friendly face, approached and gave the standard greeting gesture of tapping his chest and presenting an outstretched palm.

"I am Onōfis," he said, in an accented Hraban. "Welcome to Sa-Ó-Dod What brings you so far from home?"

The Vygra

Oniyellīs rose from his chair as Khetra and Varsha arrived. "Lady Khetra, Lady Varsha," he said. "You are both most welcome." He gestured for chairs to be brought for each of them and listened as they spoke of their purpose.

"My people have never been as deep in the Sentinels' counsel as you, so there is much we do not know. Any information you can give about the truth of the blight would be useful. The apparent revelations by the Anbroch have been interesting, but the Anbroch have long been hostile to the Sentinels, so I am sceptical whether I should trust anything they say. The Sirrvadut for their part were suspicious of the Sentinels' true purpose but they stopped short of active aggression towards them; the violence of the Anbroch's methods has been troubling. Then again, however froward the Anbroch may be, they have at least always seemed honest in their intemperance. I should sooner trust their word than that of the troll-queen or the treacherous sea-lords of the north."

Ghondukholaak

The trolls were swiftly brought into the presence of Oniyellīs, who greeted them respectfully

"High King," he said, as Ghondukholaak arrived. "You are welcome here. Whatever the deeds of your sister, we had no quarrel with you during your rule, and it is to my regret that you no longer occupy the throne of the Dhraan. Have you been offered food since your arrival?"

Kata

Ecimōnā, rather bored of drilling troops, spotted the Veramondi hero standing slightly awkwardly around the courtyard and approached.

"It has been a long time since you walked these lands, Kata the fatherless," she said with a smirk. "What brings you back to our door?" She wondered if he even remembered her. She was no longer the feisty and brash young warrior he had met decades before, but she retained an air of feline grace, now coupled with the assurance of half a lifetime's adventuring. But then she liked to think everyone she met remembered her.

[Frostwander]

Goliath at the Gates

Spoiler

Show

Aste pauses a bit and seems to ponder something and then one could see her eyes light up with a thought the same moment she reaches out and grabs Niharyka's hands.

We're friends now!

The girl lets go of one hand to turn around to wave at the gate and the guards to let them in.

"I'm here because the Dice told me to go. And I'm already glad I listened since I met you and you're so exciting and cool! Do you know what's inside? I want to find out!"

Niharyka beams at the girl's declaration of friendship, "Why, so we will be, I think!" As the two head to the gate together, she looks to her new companion. "What are these 'Dice' you speak of, and how did they lead you here?"

She listens as well as the young Onōfis introduces himself to hear more of Aste's journey.

---
Speaking of Blightspawn

Answering Enavi and Oniyellīs' questions, and for the benefit of any others present, the two ra speak in agreement. "It is true. While we do not have firsthand witness of the actions of the Bel-Dan's now-missing Ren, we can vouch for the veracity of the other statements put forth by Rosie MacGill. What she encountered deep below Kincany, and what she has learned from standing against it, matches what we have learned from Alexios and the Sentinels."

Khetra continues, "The blightspawn are aptly named. Though their kinds and demeanors vary, they are spawned from a single source, foreign to our world. The recent revelations of Eleftheria and the Truthseers speak of this blight source as well: the Doom of Nemoikriosus, an empire that was undone by its emperor in reaching out to this Trespasser, and is no more. As the seers trace their heritage to this empire, so too do Alexios and the Sentinels. They are those who recognized this threat for what it is, and chose to fight."

"The Sentinels found shelter and support in communion with the World Soul. The world we live upon has life of its own, and strains against the influence of the blight. They devised weapons as anathema to the blightspawn. The Standing Stones, as Rosie claims, help to keep this blight 'god' dormant. It languishes in a partial slumber, but it still works to spread its creations and its influence.

"Though the Anbroch came to this information more recklessly, that they have found their way to a new resolve on the matter heartens us. Even though they may take a different path than the Sentinels, I believe their goals will no longer be acrimonious to each other."

"The blight seeks to corrupt and claim slaves just as it seeks to destroy. We have seen this with the Anbroch and the Bel-dan, and we believe as Rosie does that the Cult of Mockeries was conceived in this same manner. Certainly the recent events of the dread storm to the west support that connection. By this very reason it has been that the Sentinels kept this truth secret - that in concealing they would avert those who might accept servitude and destruction for power. But now it has wormed its way into the light, and we wish all those who know of these events to share in clarity of them."

[Rolepgeek]

A King's Reception

Ghondukholaak's voice rasps out like stones scraping together alongside sand, scales shifting in the tell-tale patterns of a trollish smile, however dully it may be offered.
"I thank you for your kindness and hospitality, Paramount Chief Oniyellīs - I have yet to be offered food, though in truth it is my thirst which burdens me the greater."

The Dhraan waited patiently for the arrival of drink, if it were forthcoming. Upon receipt of beverage, they would gulp it greedily, the telltale hunger of trolls more than evident - and the apparent ill-preparedness with which they were sent.

"Would that I was not so...short-sighted as I had been. My sister was not always as she is now, Oniyellīs. She was kind, well-mannered, and thoughtful before the Scaled Elf arrived from the Sentinels. Before she supped at the Serpent's Bosom. I know, in my heart, that she believes her actions to be righteous, and for the good of all the world. How can I not? I have drunk of the Serpent Goddess too, fooled in much the same manner as the dwarven Matriarch, or the Lim Queen. Such was how I was convinced to relinquish my throne, still heady and reeling with those visions, intoxicated by what scraps of knowledge I'd gained, and what my sister promised to reveal to us all..."

Another gulp, and a long sigh as Ghondhukholaak remembers his folly, now years past.

"But I have had...many a year to reflect on those visions. To witness her capacity to rule. Never in my rule, nor my father's rule, nor the rule of my father's father, have any of our people grown so hungry as to rise up against the crown - but now they do. She has made peace with the dwarves when I could not - but in so doing, it seems she has broken the friendship between our peoples, Paramount Chief, and this brings me great sadness. Ichippā was a beloved mother to me, though I was not born by her. To know that my sister has so readily cast that aside in the name of the Great Mother...I do not believe this is the proper way of the Children.

"And yet, what may I do? I cannot bring myself to raise my hand against the blood of my blood. Her understanding of the Mysteries of the Serpent exceeds mine by tenfold. The Serpent Goddess's gift is used to assure loyalty as much or more than it is used to give what fractions of enlightenment might be glimpsed. Her fear of my...independence grows with each passing flood. Though I do not believe she will not stoop to fratricide, I fear I may be exiled from my own kingdom ere long..."

A slow, sad shake of their jaws from side to side.

[mystic1110]

Aste looked the young man up and down. While she may be twelve something about growing up in the streets of Kursaal teaches one to take the measure and value of each man and woman in a certain light. The young man whom approached them was certainly handsome, but whatever burgeoning lust was in the young girl remained sleeping, like a hawk that rests prior to a hunt. Aste greeted the young man in the traditional way of her far off city - her hands extended to each side palms up, then she smiled and broke off into her tale:

Curiosity brought me from home. I saw my mother playing a game with a woman warrior and I got curious. Before I followed her I took out my dice and rolled three times. It was a Straight Kill followed by a Corpse Flower and followed by a Salvo Out. The dice were telling me that only fools live in one place - to be alive is to spread your wings and fly! And so I wrote my mother a letter, packed a bag and my dice and followed the woman. Of course, she was faster - with the head start and all, but I knew the city and how to get out. She headed to the docks to grab a boat and I stowed away in some flower wine! Thankfully I know how to hold my wine or I would have passed out and drowned in the barrel.

After a while the boat docked and I snuck out and found my self in the sunniest, hottest and driest place I could imagine. I heard my mom speak of Sikar, but it was unlike anything I could imagine. My skin was cracking already - although that may have been because I pickled myself in wine. Anyway, I found myself in an strange city trying to follow this woman. The land was full of these tall dogs named horses that people rode! I really wanted to ride one but I didn't have time since I was following the woman. I saw her make a deal with a caravan and set out into the desert, so I needed to follow suite.

With no money, I could not imagine that I could get a driver to take me on, so I needed to get some coins first. Luckily this bird found me. Now, you would think a talking bird would be strange, but in my city we got used to all sorts of crazy things. There are plenty of talking birds that we call Dancers and even more talking birds and other animals have come from a place called Tarandi to play in our games. Now this bird that called itself a Crow told me that is saw potential in me and the bird and I teamed up to be the greatest pickpocket's in that city called Highnest! The bird would distract the target and I would innocently bump into them. It was great until Crow betrayed me and tried to take all the shiny coins for itself. He would have gotten away with it if it wasn't that the night before I rolled the dice and it came out a Flower of two three times in a row - meaning that I couldn't trust Crow. Good thing I listened to the Dice! As Crow tried to trick me and take our winnings, I tricked him and trapped him under a pot and a brick and ran to the caravan driver with the money.

The caravan was long and hot and boring. There was this one night when we saw a great wurm emerge in the sands but the driver told us that unless we had some Flavored Water the wurm would leave us alone. I don't know why the wurm would want flavored water so much or what flavor it even is. It is isn't like flavored water can taste better than wine. Anyway, suddenly the boredom stopped as we were attacked by bandits that looked like Giant-Ko! Now everyone knows that a little Ko could grow up into a dragon, especially if the Ko win the Flower-Cup, but these were not dragons; they just looked like Ko all stretched up. The driver called them Soreni. The Soreni bandits swarmed the caravan and I managed to get out and weave between them until I found myself running on the sands into the night. Luckily it seems I could see into the future and I just knew there would be trouble so my bags were already packed and I was ready.

Eventually I was woken by this big Turtle. I rubbed my eyes and found myself on a beach. The Turtle told me that I had fell asleep on the beach for two whole days! I was already so far behind the woman and now that I lost the caravan I had no clue where I was going. I thanked the Turtle and took out my dice and rolled and then groaned. They were telling me to climb the mountain! I dusted the sand off me and got to it. It was a long and difficult climb, but from where I'm from there are plenty of mountains and cliffs where my Grandmother performs her rituals so I got used to climbing on rocks. Eventually I reached the other side and found myself in a great kingdom of gold and silk. There I heard about this event at Sa-Ó-Dod and the name rung a bell from what I heard the woman discuss with my mother so I decided to journey here.

Looking around the city, eventually I found a trader who appeared to be a talking Alligator! Truly the lands outside my city are amazing! Talking birds, talking turtles and talking alligators! It was like a magical zoo. The Alligator had a long and complicated name so I just called him Later as in "See you Later Alligator" - a funny rhyme that came into my head. Later had a habit of smiling with all his teeth and I was sure he was going to eat me so I kept a dagger behind my back at all times. However, money talks and I had enough to entice him to take me here. Also funnily enough he didn't eat me, but ate himself! When the road got tough and we couldn't find food for three days, he took out a sword and chopped off his arm! He told me not to worry that it would grow back. He roasted Later's arm on a spit and ate it together. Eating people is not my favorite, but the elves do it all the time so I've tried it during one of their events. Later didn't taste like people - he was much chewier. anyway, the rest of the journey was uneventful and we parted ways and now here I am! Hopefully it is the right place!