Arnickles Renodin/Maura/OS may
Roleplay from Rania Eastersand JeVondair (30 days ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "Your Holiness"
Rania set her quill aside and accepted the report proffered by the young underpriest serving as her secretary. She read it once. Then, clearly bemused, read it allowed...
Report from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (16 hours, 18 minutes ago) message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Grand Inquisitor, and my liege, the most blessed Rania,
I hereby submit myself to your judgement and whatever punishment you feel just for my failures. While performing my duties combating the menace of both undead and monster in the region of Cjelegy, I discovered the whereabouts of the traitor Zacharie Moonsun. In my attempt to apprehend him, three of his men 'surrendered' and were summarily dumped in a shallow, unmarked grave. However, the arch-traitor Moonsun was able to escape capture and has thus far eluded my men.
Humbled before Obeah,
Adolphus Schwarzherzig Knight of Rines
"Do you have a response, Your Holiness?"
"Adolphus...he is one of the newer of my knights, is he not?
"He is, Your Grace. He's only been in the realm a short time."
"i take it that he is still in Cjelegy?"
"The underpriest nodded, "Hanging heretical rebels left behind by the Traitor"
"Hmmm..." Rania mused aloud. "Well in that case I suppose I have to respond to this letter then, don't I?" The words hung in the air as she turned and retrieved her quill. A few quick scratches and some sand to dry the ink, and the writ was quickly in the undersecretary's hands.
"Here's what I think of his failure...Increase the size of his estate."
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (29 days, 20 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Adolphus dropped the letter.
"She... What?!" He said aloud, the messenger puzzled by the look of confusion on the Inquisitor's face.
"Her holiness, the Oracle of Obeah has deemed it fitting to punish your failure by increasing the size of your estate, good Sir." The messenger stated in a monotone fashion. Adolphus shook his head.
"Surely this is a clerical error. A scribe has written the wrong figures or something..." Adolphus thought aloud.
"By all accounts Sir, she was amused." The messenger intoned.
Adolphus smiled.
"Blessed be the Mother. I suppose I have to apprehend the traitor now."
–
Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (29 days, 19 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela As Adolphus sent his letter off, his captain stormed in.
"Sir! An apostate has been reported to be in the area!"
Adolphus looked at the man. "By Obeah, that was quick. Arrest him!"
An armed and ragged looking commoner was taken into custody and sent to the dungeons, and Adolphus was completing his report."What was the commoners name, Captain?"
"Apostate sir!" The captain cheerily responded.
"Really?" Adolphus muttered. "Who names themself that? Might as well run around with a name like Daimonworshipper McMurderandHeresy."
–
Roleplay from Astros Renodin (29 days, 7 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Prominent
Pacing about the deserted inn Astros couldn't believe his ears. Read it again! He barked at the young scribe holding the parchment containing the words of the Grand Inquisitor. Y.yy..yes Master.
The following Agents are hereby ordered to conduct investigations of the following prominent commoners, to provide orders to join the Heralds, and to report any failure to do so to the Offices of the Grand Inquisitor. Subsequently, arrests are AUTHORIZED.4. Serena is assigned to Astros Renodin
Commoners?! A pause filled with rushing footsteps. Commoners?!! Strong hands grasped the cuffs of the young man's shirt. Commoners!?! I'll show you who's a Commoner! You ass faced little sh*t! Not long after the scribe knew every corner of the inn by heart. Having had closeups of every nook and cranny, even those his face was too small to actually fit into. Never again would he be called pretty or average looking for that matter.
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (29 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Adolphus was quick to act following the battle. His men had suffered no casualties, thanks to the fortification in Avengmil. Their weapons however, had sustained damage over the course of the battle, and those leading up to it. A smith and forge were quickly requisitioned, and their gear mended. After a brief respite, Adolphus had them on their feet again. There were monsters to hunt.
"I know you are weary. These past few days we have fought several battles, and we have spent many hours hunting our foes. We have slain beast, wight and man. Our foes however, do not rest, so we cannot. Every moment, they are out there, preparing. The beasts feast, and grow stronger. The undead rise, and kill more to be raised. The heretics spread their foul words. While you eat, they prepare to kill you; while you sleep, they prepare to defile your corpse; while you whore, your neighbor spreads heresy. So fret not for lost leisure. You will have plenty of time for that when you are dead. The pleasures of this world are fleeting. The rewards of Obeah, eternal. So be as me. My armor is contempt. My shield is disgust. My sword is hatred. In Obeah's name, let none survive." Adolphus's grim sermon had the effect he had anticipated, and the men broke into groups and with a grim enthusiasm set out to put down the scattered beasts.
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Roleplay from Apostate (28 days, 23 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in "Heralds of Obeah " (27 recipients) Apostate cursed as the guards threw him to the ground. Begrudgingly, he picked himself up and walked to the Temple of Obeah. Scribbling his name in the Book of Names, he marched off to Avengmil.
After five hours on the road and a quick hunt he had arrived at his hut. It was near the Northern Hills, on the fringes of society. It suited him well. His position also allowed him ample opportunity to spy on the Attano Manor.
The hut, like its owner, was in a sorry state. A section of reed roof had fallen in, the hole patched with a spare tent. A weed choked garden sat by the door. Inside was a dusty, smoky mess. A pot of day old stew boiled over a campfire, a chair by it. Two tables were in the room, one for carcasses and the other stocked with old cutlery and plates. Three full kegs of beer sat upon it as well, tankards cluttered near them. The back wall had a hammock tied to it, also an extra tent. Odds and ends were littered around the hut, old books and interesting baubles. Herbs hung from the rafters amid potential spell components, items which were in reality useless to all but the wisest sages.
Apostate set the fawn carcasses upon the bloodied table, the smaller of the two he prepared the meat for the stew and set the other parts aside to be readied for the market.
He unstrapped his staff and bow from his pack, setting them by the door.
Hours later he had completed his toil. From the mouth of a hill cave hung bone chimes and scriptures made from deerskin. The skull hung morbidly above the macabre decorations. Inside, three bedrolls, discarded supplies, a crude Daimon Idol and a roaring campfire. He was pleased, this would serve as a nice distraction for his true endeavour.
Using his skill as a hunter, the disheveled former priest made his way to his hut. It would take time for the rumours of a cult base in the hills to pop up, but he was patient. Contentedly, he served himself up venison stew, his first hot meal in weeks.
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Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (28 days, 19 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Antonia sat in her tent, reading the recent orders from the Vice-Marshal. He mouth curled into a smile as she saw her position. She had been chosen for the position for highest honour. At last, she could prove her dedication to the Blessed Lady. She looked up as Rossitta entered, ducking low into the dim interior of the tent that served both as sleeping quarters and command tent for Antonia and Captain Balthasar. ‘Rosie, we have our chance at last. Everything we have dreamed of since hearing of the Blessed Lady and crossing to this continent is within our grasp’. She thrust the orders under Rossitta’s nose, who read them quickly, also beaming. She moved to hug Antonia, their joy akin to that of children. She broke off the hug after their excitement had subsided and was once more the stern and disciplined soldier. ‘I shall inform the ladies, I presume that lout Balthasar won’t be partaking’. Rossitta’s disdain for the man was clear from her tone ‘He shall be, actually, and you mustn’t take that tone about him’, Antonia said chidingly ‘How many more of your lovers are we going to have to suffer as captain of us, hmm? Not one of them have been any good, this last one is a plain coward, some posh boy from the university of Dwilight who thinks that war is some glorious game’ Rossitta stopped, knowing that she had gone too far ‘When I want advice on my love life, I will ask for it. Now, get Rebecca to polish my armour, I want everyone to be able to recognise who I am’ ‘That won’t be difficult, there are few who wear blood red armour, Ana’. She bowed, and left the tent Antonia shook her head and returned to her papers, at last plucking up the courage to read the letter from her cousin William about how Manfred was doing
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Roleplay from Jheda Orobar (28 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Late in the evening, Jheda was informed of the request made by Dame Maura, calling herself the Inquisitor. At first, he did not worry, no scrolls were in his possession. After a while though, he remembered the little secret inside his mansion, hidden away and almost forgotten. An acient piece of scripture, passed on by many generations until Jheda was trusted with its safekeeping. Although not very powerful, some believed it had to have come from the Gods in the Heavens themselves.
Jheda thus notified the Inquisitor, but when she replied, stating never to have heard of such scroll, nor its content, he started making preparations. One trusted servant was sent back to Rines, the man was given specific instructions enabling him to collect the scroll. An other was sent to the local market, ordered to buy some ingredients necessary to complete the ritual.
"Unbelievable," Jheda thought to himself, "how is it even possible she does not know about this. She must have been living under a rock. Well, she is in for quite the surprise."
Tomorrow morning, when both servants would have returned, Jheda would bake some pancakes following the age-old family recipe. He was certain Dame Maura would concur they tasted magical.
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Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (27 days, 23 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Jessica rubbed her temples gingerly.
Why do people keep arresting this poor wretch? she wondered to herself. She had been informed that Apostate had joined the ranks of the Heralds. What was his crime now?
Now amends must be made... Jessica thought. She stood and held out her hand for Bryant to lead her down to the dungeons.
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Roleplay from Vahanian Blint (27 days, 18 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela - Before the battle -
Vahanian stood at the head of his column. He wore his scale and plate armor, lighter than full steel mail, but not as flimsy as common leather armor. It afforded him his preferred balance of protection and maneuverability. He wore no cloak today, his men stood behind him, 50 strong. Hand picked and personally trained soldiers. They were every inch the soldiers Vahanian had trained them to be, and they had earned their right to stand under his banner and call themsleves knights of The Iron Legion. Today he had opted to wield shield and sword together.
He looked down the line and spotted his fellow Faithful commanders, his chest swelled with pride. Then he looked out across the field at the mass of enemies forming, he squinted a bit and did some quick guessing, he wagered they held over 2.5 times the combat strength of his own forces. He sheathed his blade and took a knee, and began to pray.
"Holy One, grant us your favor in this battle to come, strengthen our backs so they may not break under the force of the enemy. Strengthen our arms so that they may strike down those who seek to destroy us. Grant us favor of the wind, so that our arrows may darken the sky to make way for your light. We ask this in your name and in your service. Mighty veiled one."
He stood, drew his weapon and looked out at the ever approaching enemy. They weren't quite in archer range yet but they were fast approaching. He stepped forward and turned to face his men.
"Faithful, there may come a time when then strength of our arms and the depth of our faith fails us, but it is not this day. There may come a time, when we are no more and the foul beats of hell rule this world, but it is not this day. This day, we fight, this day they die." After each phrase his man slapped the front of their shields with their swords causing a drum like effect to echo across the plains. Vahanian continued, seeing the hope and fury rising in their eyes. "They come to take our homes, our lands, our family." *drum beat* "They come to take our lives" *drum beat* "Let us show them the mistakes they make" *drum beat* "Let us show them that we are the faithful" *drum beat* "Let us show them that we will stand and fight" *drum beat* "LET US SHOW THEM THAT THESE ARE OUR LANDS" *drum beat* "LET US SHOW THEM THAT THIS. IS. OBEAH'SYELLA. AND WE ARE NOT AFRAID!!!!!" *continuous drum beats* Vahanian returned to the front of his column and looked over at Baldwin, who nodded his approval. Vahanian nodded back and simply said "Unleash hell".
- The Battle For Avengmil -
"BREEEEAAACCCHHHH" The cry rose out from above the sounds of monsters dying and lines of archers firing arrows. Vahanian's head snapped to the side as he looked for the source of the cry. He found the soldier who was waving in a panic and pointing to a breach in the fortifications. He shouted to Baldwin "HOLD THE BREACH" His men surged forward cutting down the monsters that poured through the breach in the wall, Vahanian himself was in among the melee, swing his blade left and right felling beasts as they stepped into range. He was aware of his surroundings, but everything but the enemy in front of him was a blur, he moved with grace, speed and skill. He appeared to dance around the field, expertly. Baldwin was in awe, he'd never noticed the prowess Vahanian held on a battlefield. The man was mesmurizing to watch. Vahanian fell back a bit, went to one knee and raised his sheild above his head, stopping a monster from collapsing on top of him. He looked to his left and saw a monster creeping up on Astros, the blind, bald behemouth of a man was hacking monsters left and right, surprisingly he hadn't killed any of his own men yet. Vahanian reacted, without thinking. Thrusting his sword forward he felled the monster on his shield, he stood, spun and drew a dagger from his belt in one fluid motion letting the blade fly. He burried the dagger into the base of the skull of the monster creeping onto Astros. A cry and gurgle of blood spewed from the creatures mouth. Vahanian pulled his sword from the dead monster in front of him and returned to his dance of death.
The battle seemed to drag on for hours, Vahanian had lost count of the number of enemies he'd killed, he'd lost track of the number of allied soldiers he'd seen fall. He was blood spattered and gore stained, none of it his own. When at last he took stock of the situation, he noticed the last few dying monsters being put to death, and the crumbling walls around him. He breathed deep. They'd won. Thank Obeah they'd won. He cleaned the blood and guts from his sword on a nearby fallen monster, and sheathed the blade. He found Baldwin and began to take stock of the dead. He issued an order. "All fallen soldiers of the faith are to be retrieved and treated with honor. They are soldiers of Obeah. Honor them. Burn the rest."
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Roleplay from Erheas D`Este (27 days, 18 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Erheas couldn't help smiling after reading the orders of Adolphus. The inquisition never failed to entertain him.
Overseeing the work of his men he ordered his captain to continue burning the undead at their section of the wall, have a good nights rest and be ready for another wave come sunrise.
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Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (27 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Maura walked along the half-destroyed walls of Avengmil, contemplating the past battle. The retreat was unnecessary. Damn Ulli, what did I expect hiring thugs from the docks to the Inquisitorial Guard.
"You know why I chose you? Took you, crushed the iron of your flesh, melted it and forged again?" - the devil's voice from her past sounded in her memory. The things of the quality I desire don't exist in nature, they have to be made - the Daimon was right. - she chuckled at the irony. The mess of red hair flailing on the winds broke her out of her reverie.
"Lady Jessica." - she said not too loudly from a fair distance. She didn't think Grand Inquisitor would hear her, but to her surprise she turned her head and appeared to not only hear her but also recognize her voice immediately.
"My Lady." - she bowed soldierly - "The Oracle recommended that I make a request to you. I do not wish to make it. Not yet. I believe as long as reports are comming at a decent pace we can do it without the stick." - she confidentially handed a letter to Bryant.
The letter before Bryant's eyes read:
Letter from Rania Eastersand JeVondair (6 hours, 10 minutes ago) I appreciate these reports, Inquisitor. To aid your mission, I recommend that you make a public request of the Grand Inquisitor to consider leveraging fines against those who go 7 days without reporting in to you.
Remember, it is unwise and dangerous for those uninitiated in the arcane arts to hold such power. Remand them to the Heralds immediately.
Under Her Eye,
Rania Eastersand JeVondair Royal of Obia'Syela Duchess of Amen Keffa Margravine of Rines Priestess of Heralds of Obeah
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Roleplay from Vahanian Blint (27 days, 16 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Several of Vahanian's soldiers had loaded a cart up with 50 the smelliest undead and monstrous corpses they could find. They transported them to the camp of Sir Adolphus, and then they dumped them in front of the command tent.
The man in charge of Vahanian's soldiers bowed his head and said "For your investigation sir!" before departing with the rest of the men and the cart.
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Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (27 days, 16 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "Sir Adolphus is certainly energetic, m'Lady," Bryant said as he plopped down beside Jessica on the ruined ramparts of Avengmil.
Jessica barely heard him. Her legs hung over the edge of the ruined wall, swinging idly. She felt the destruction in her hands. It had been weeks since she could get repairs done. Daily raids had caused the workers to fear going out past the fortifications and they had refused the work.
Idiots. How much more would they fear when the fortifications were gone completely?
She clenched her fist, and bits of stone crumbled from the wall.
Adolphus. Yes, the young knight showed much energy. She didn't want to step on his zeal, but she made a mental note to make apologies to the Grand Templar and Grand Chancellor for his brashness.
And Maura... Jessica thought. She would need an audience with her as well. She was curious why the Oracle had charged her with this duty, circumventing the Inquisition's chain of command. That is to say, if Rania had even done such a thing...
What bothered Jessica more, however, was Maura's lack of foresight on her inquest. Jessica hadn't replied to the original missive because it seemed obvious she didn't need to.
She was blind and mute. What was she supposed to do with a scroll? Use it as a table setting? Any scrolls she had had had already been passed on to the Regent. He loved that mysticism stuff.
Jessica snorted. If old Goriad II actually knew the power of the Veiled Goddess...
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Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (27 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "I call upon all Inquisitors to assist in the halting of the destruction of evidence in Avengmil, so that we may gain a better understanding of our foe," Bryant read outloud.
Jessica snapped her head towards him, and shook her head furiously. This was getting ridiculous!
"An official document, m'Lady?" Bryant asked. Jessica nodded.
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (27 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Adolphus raised an eyebrow as cartloads of corpses were dumped in his camp. Apparently, the Grand Templar's men had hoped to test his fortitude with the most disgusting, rotted, bloated bits of flesh they could find. He smiled grimly. It would take a lot more than that to make him squeamish. His cursed bloodline had seen worse than this, caused worse than this, and he'd be damned if a little rot got to him.
"Strip them, take note of physical characteristics, and any anomalies. I am going to ensure no more shenanigans occur. I will have answers." Adolphus said, his tone detached, and he came to a sudden stop.
"Funny. Several of them bear the coat of arms of Caelint upon their gear and clothing. I wonder what else we'll find."
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (27 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "Finally..." Adolphus muttered. A simple formality, assuming command of an investigation, and met with fierce resistance. Couldn't they just understand all he wanted to do was his damned job?
"Templars, and their touchy pride." he mumbled under his breath. He didn't care about any of that, he just wanted to be an effective instrument. He stalked the battlefield, organizing men and carts, as the wights were stripped of their gear, and the bodies examined before being carted off to be burnt. He made a beeline to where the Grand Templar's men had been, and noticed with a tinge of disgust, some of the dead had been burnt before examination. The fires were guttering out, and he poked one of his swords through the ashes, and dragged it back out.
"By Obeah..." he gasped.
"Get 6 men, all of the Inquisiton. Bring them here, now!" he barked at his scribe.
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Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (27 days, 14 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Slaughter at Avengmil
Antonia waited patiently while Rebecca did the last few straps of her blood red armour. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the battle to come. There were reports of thousands of undead shuffling their way towards the motte and baily in which she found herself, alongside the other Enlightened. If it was her fate to meet Obeah this day, so be it. Rebecca handed Antonia her helmet, its visor moulded into a snarling fox. She looked into the mirror that Rebecca had somehow procured, ensuring that her armour was polished to a sheen. Satisfied, she turned to Rebecca
‘I am ready, fetch my blade’, Rebecca bowed her assent and handed Antonia reverently the blade of her forebears. It was known in the tongue of her people as a zweihänder, and took great strength and skill to wield effectively. It was over 80 inches in length, with a fox head carved as its pommel. This blade could cut a horse and rider in half if wield effectively. She knew this from personal experience. She had trained for this day her whole life growing up in Poryatu, sparring with her siblings and cousins. Especially William, who had supported her being chosen as the Scarlet Fox.
‘Are you prepared to give your life to our blessed lady, Rebecca?’
‘I am, my lady’
‘Good, let us depart’, and she walked outside to her awaiting followers. Each one was a woman dedicated to the service of the blessed lady. They had a mismatch of arms and armour, many of them having been recruited in the taverns and brothels of Rines, or brought with her from Dwilight where they had been little more than pirates. But they had all proven themselves good fighters, loyal to a fault, dedicated to the preservation of the lands of Obeah. She trusted each one with her life. Rossitta stepped forward, bowing briskly.
‘They are ready for you, Ana’
Antonia got up on a cart, though her height was already. She waited, all eyes upon her, until she had silence
‘Sisters, the day we have waited for is upon us’, hefting her zweihänder in one hand, she pointed towards the gate with the mighty blade, ‘out there is a horde coming to tarnish the sacred land of our most Blessed Lady. It stops here.’ A cheer rose up from the crowd as Antonia continued,
‘We are the will of Obeah, sent by Obeah, to protect the holiest of holy lands. But that is not the only way in which we are blessed. Rejoice for the Scarlet Fox walks among us. I am she, I embody the spirit of the founder of our house, her armour is mine, her will is mine, her strength is mine. With the blessing of the Sacred Lady, and the living spirit of the Scarlet Fox within us, we shall have victory!!!’ The cheer turned into a roar of fervent passion as the women felt the dual blessing of the Goddess and the ancient hero touch each and every one of their hearts.
Antonia heard the bellowed orders of the sergeants from atop the walls to begin shooting at the approaching horde. She could see other warriors of Obeah preparing to take their places atop of the walls, behind the fortifications. Not so for her warriors. They would meet their foe in the open, with honour, not cowering behind palisades. She placed the great helm over her head, her vision obscured to the world immediately in front of her. She could already hear her breath growing more rapid, could feel her pulse beating in time to the din of battle. She nodded to Captain Balthasar, who went over to the men guarding the gate, ordering them to remove the bar. From what Antonia could see, the guards seemed hesitant, even argumentative, but Balthasar gesturing behind him to fifty angry women armed to the teeth seemed to make up their minds for them. Seeing the gates slowly being pulled open, Antonia cried ‘Voluntas Obeah, Missus ex Obeah’ and charged out of the walls towards the enemy
Continued...
Slaughter at Avengmil Part II
The distance between the gateway and the enemy could not have been more 500 yards, but time appeared to slow down as the scarlet clad figure led her warriors towards the seemingly endless hordes. Nothing mattered now save the next few minutes. They would give the archers time to further whittle down the horde before it reached the walls. That was the theory anyway. She could smell the sickening rot now, could even taste the rancid flesh of the animated corpses ahead of her. At last she closed down the enemy she raised her blade, bracing for impact
After that it was all a blur of flesh and mud and blood. Her vision restricted, Antonia concentrated on what was immediately in front of her, hacking left and right, ignoring the pitiful screams around her. She would learn later that they were the sounds of her warriors being torn apart by the grasping hands of the living dead. She was clawed at, pounded at, even bitten at, but nothing managed to pierce her armour. Then she sensed something. A feeling that was as if her world had been turned upside down, as if her stomach had left her body. It was the feeling of being totally alone. She turned and saw through the restricted slit of her helm that her banners had fallen. She felt a heavy weight crash into her, but she pushed it off, stabbing quickly down, and looked again. She could see no living soul, only the dead. Panic coursed through her. It had only been a couple of minutes, where was everyone? Then she heard a cry of fear that she knew only too well
‘Rossitta, hold on, I am coming. I am coming!!!’ Antonia bellowed, her voice a mix of anguish and terror. She fought her way through the shambling mass, before feeling something grab her leg. She was about to chop down when she caught a glimpse of the all too familiar red hair of her oldest friend. She dropped to her knees.
‘Rossitta, what’s wrong, are you hurt?’, Antonia shouted over the cacophony, panic rising in her voice, her hands nervously moving up and down the woman’s body as if it might help make it all better, might stop this nightmare.
‘Ana’, a quiet voice answered, ‘the bastards got me. I am finished. Leave me. Let the lady take me in her loving embrace’. The distinctive sound of someone coughing up blood followed
‘Rosie, what are you saying?’Antonia shouted, her panic growing to the point of hysterics, refusing to accept this as true.
‘Just leave me’, the voice of her friend was distant, almost pleading, begging Antonia to save herself while she had the chance. Antonia made up her mind, her face set in grim determination. She shoved the corpse of another warrior off of Rossitta and pulled her friend up, flinging her over her shoulder in a fireman’s lift. She fought her way out of the masses, running back towards the gate where she could see guards anxiously watching. They waited for her to come through, before hurriedly shutting the gates. Antonia forced her way through the awaiting soldiers, placing Antonia on the ground near the entrance to the stables. She shouted for her healers, before tearing off her helmet, seeing at last clearly the bloodied mess that was her friend. She could instantly see that it was bad. Rossitta’s arm was mangled, her face cut to ribbons and worse still Anotnia could see a dark read stain spreading around Rossitta’s abdomen. The other woman’s eyes flickered open
‘Ana’, she gasped, her voice barely a whisper, gasping for air, ‘why didn’t you leave me?’
‘I will never leave you, I will never leave your side again’, the sheer terror in her voice rising as Rossitta’s eyelids began to close once more, ‘No, Rosie!!! Stay with me!! Stay with me!!!’ Antonia bellowed, then choked the words, pleading with the girl to hold on, to cling to life. Antonia felt hands grab her to pull her away. She resisted them, clinging onto the still quivering corpse of her oldest friend.
‘My lady, let us attend to her, we can still save her’, a distant voice reached Antonia’s ears. Some small part of her understood the meaning of these words, and she stood up, allowing the healers to do their work. She listened to the rest of the battle being fought around her, and then she caught a glimpse of herself in the same mirror she had used not half an hour earlier. She was covered head to toe in blood. Amazingly, not a drop of it belonged to her.
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Roleplay from Lucius Archival (27 days, 14 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela The letters and reports continued to pile in by the droves. Reports of victory, reports of death and reports of the subsequent conflicts of authority and demands. Lucius sighed softly; these were not matters for him to concern himself with. All served Obeah in their own way, and it was for him to ensure that the armies and the Inquisition's homes were kept maintained and the realm's many bureaucrats were kept thoroughly in check. With a gentle shake of his head, he returned to his quill and parchment - Ajitmon needed more work.
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Roleplay from Erasmus Soul (27 days, 14 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Erasmus ordered his men to set up camp; Secluded, just out of earshot from the rest of Obia's armies. The only time he mixed with the nobles of the realm, was in battle only.
He wandered to the imagined perimeter of his camp and looked out into the distance. smoke began to rise from one particular area amidst the sea of camps in the next field; the burning of dead flesh, he knew and inhaled the sweet acrid odour with glee.
"S-Sir!", a soldier appeared. "Umm-gift for you. Caught the man walking nearby, must be up to no good I thinks". The half-breed warrior cast the prisoner the Erasmus's feet with ease.
The scruffy commoner by the name Apostate looked up at the giant man. "Imbacile!" Erasmus cursed, "What do I want with this low-life peasant? Don't waste my time!" Erasmus picked Apostate by the scruff of the neck, lifted him and looked into his eyes. About to cast the puny man aside there was a moments hesitation. What did I just see? Erasmus fumbled in his mind whilst staring into the mans soul.
"Bah nothing" he shrugged it off and launched Apostate towards a nearby tree. The scruffy commoner cracked against the trunk and flopped to the ground. Erasmus simply huffed and headed back to his tent without any more thought on the matter.
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Roleplay from Astros Renodin (27 days, 1 hour ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
The Second Undead Army
The first battle had been rough. The men of the Mark had done as the Marshal had commanded. They were happy to stay behind the walls and gleefully swat down any of the undead horrors that tried to scale them. The large two handed weapons proved a boon then. Mauls, halberds and great big axes and swords all hacked and cleaved the unliving until they simply couldn't move to try again.
The second battle was worse. As far as the eye could see in the dawn's early light. First the shadows and spectres of the trickster grey known as the false dawn but then truly, the hordes were revealed. Unending were their ranks and bony feet crushed all life beneath them. Leaving only a trail of dew infused mud in their wake. Sightless eyes beheld them as they advanced on the walls of Avengmil. The very wooden walls that were shredded in many places during the first battle. Mounts of corpses had created veritable ramps against them, ready to be scaled by the new-coming dead. Fires burned bright as the bubbling, decrepit juices sputtered from many gaping wounds. The Templars had been busy trying to set ablaze as many of the rotting dead as possible. Their number was legion and their flickering, smouldering remains cast the word in an aura of fickle bronze that warred with the all enveloping silver that was the true dawn breaking through the spell of mist that had descended onto the earth.
Behind them and right below the walls Astros could hear them, were the makeshift healer tents. Where the wounded awaited dying. Townspeople had broken their nightly rest in an attempt to offer comfort to those that had protected them. A last straw before merciful release. Much to the surprise of the hulking, bald man, over forty of his men reported for duty that morn. Many of which displayed fresh bandages or sear marks where wounds had been hastily cauterized. He couldn't see them but their collective body heat was unmistakable in the early day chill. As were their noises. They grunted, cleared their noses and weren't able to keep their weapons still. They saw what Astros could not and it struck fear into their hearts. The kind that destroys hope. Defying fate not a day before and emerging victorious, today they were greeted by what seemed twice what they faced yesterday. The big, bull necked head of their commander turned around. His milky spheres gazing at the men while his mouth was unmoving. Sire.. A gruff voice proffered. We can't see an end to them. The warrior touched the scruff that existed on his chin. Undead, as far as the eye can see, in every direction. With that the man turned his eyes back to his compatriots of the Mark. Astros merely turned his head back again and faced the oncoming hordes. A single drop of perspiration running down his scalp the only visible response.
Continued.prt 2.
The twang of bows sang their chorus. The order had been given. Marshal Boltgan albeit wounded attended the defence and his orders had been like the day before. Man the walls, to the last. In truth Astros had thought the man a fool and had made his own plans for when the walls would've eventually been overrun. A dastardly escape that never was required. Today perhaps, it would be different.
Akin to horizontal tears falling from the wooden clouds of men the arrows ripped into the ranks of the unliving. The dead marched on uncaring. The spitting steel of the archers mere decoration that added a little encumbrance at best. As the hordes drew closer and their numbers truly defied imagination the voices of brave captains rose among the masses. Hold firm! Remember, the Veil is with us! Under her Gaze! Stand together and you'll live! It annoyed Astros. They were lying, all of them. Well, maybe not -all- of them but most of them. Boys. His men looked at him. Cut them down. Every, single, rotting, one of them. With that he drew his own black handled greatsword. Took a step forwards as to gain a vantage point atop of the walls and steadied himself as the wind teased his balance. The words he had spoken steeled his men somewhat. They knew that their master was a formidable force onto himself but they could see what he could not.
The first of the walkers scampered up the mounts of their fallen. Like a legion of ants they abused one another yet found efficiency in their singular purpose. Arrows were now shot at will and at random. Brave men and women leaning in, letting loose their deadly shot and popping back behind the battlements. Look! One of Astros's warriors exclaimed as he pointed at one of the burning ramps of corpses. Some of the undead had pushed it and in doing so the mount sagged against the wooden walls like a gutted sack of potatoes spilling its contents. Embers danced and flames licked the precious barrier between the living and the dead. Morale took a hit right there but then a truly horrible spectacle revealed itself. Those very same undead clambered up the ramp made of their burning fallen. Their bodies igniting and busting into flame as the volatile oils and juices of their body caught flame. Creating flaming undead warriors whose skin peeled back with the excruciating heat, making their faces stand taut in awful grins as they hacked at the defenders with their ancient weapons.
There was no time to react for Astros for his ears and the other men surrounding him informed him of more pressing danger. The dead had reached his part of the wall and they were nearly upon them. Grasping bony hands dug into the splintering wood of the walls, teeth sought purchase and men began their desperate defence. Sensing rather than seeing, Astros knew he was in danger. Fear rushing through his body like a thousand, thousand mice running from a flood. His lungs filled and with all his might he roared in defiance. Raising high his inhumanely huge sword and began his reaping. Rending flesh unliving and crushing bone with every blow. If the undead sounded otherworldly the howls and roars of Astros could make one believe the daimons had already begun their next invasion.
Continued.prt 3.
Men fell and died. Some gloriously yet many more were not so lucky. Grabbed by the ankle by a seeking and sneaky undead hand. Pulled off balance and tumbled to their death. A speck that vanished in the masses of undead that awaited the human drops like a churning sea at storm. It was there that Vahanian the Grand Templar shone his brightest. Dagger and sword in hand the man knew no dance but the dance of death. Final death in the delivery of his every stroke. Manic rage fuelled Astros and all around him came to ruin but what his eyes could not see was found by Vahanian whom darted in and out of reach as he dispatched the crawling threat to Astros that would've likely felled the huge man. A quick trust of his sword saw the corpse shutter and expire its unnatural life.
Moments stretched to minutes and quickly became hours. When Astros could hear no more voices sprung from the throats of men he again felt that tingle of fear at the base of his spine. His rage subsided as he strained to hear. Nothing. Only the crackling of fleshless bones. It drew close and he struck it with his mighty blade, covering himself in fresh specks of bonedust and dried up skin. He turned his big head left and right. Again, nothing greeted him that hinted at life. He could only hear more bones bumping into other bones. It sounded as if that was on the walls. A sickly crash deafened the soundscape. Parts of the wall had caved in under the combined weight of far too many bodies, unliving and dead. The fire had done its part and consumed copious amounts of the timber defences. Flee! An inner voice sang to him.
A willing follower, Astros turned around and tried to recall the path off the walls and towards safety. Wherever that might still be. Hacking, struggling and slamming his armored body through the throng of enemies he made it. Somehow he did and Astros of House Renodin survived. His tongue free to taste the air of life and his legs tired beyond reason but it mattered not. He lived! Not a wound marked his body but not a man in his company survived unscathed or at all.
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Roleplay from Apostate (27 days ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Avengmil (22 recipients) Apostate gasped with pain as he awoke, head exploding. He groaned as he felt around the back of his head, searching for the source of the white-hot pain. His fingers touched something wet. He staggered to his feet, gripping his staff. His vision was blurred and tinted with red. He stumbled forward and nearly fell.
Awkwardly and mumbling incoherently he took a few more steps, dazed. His staff saved him from falling, barely. Ahead was a large tent, he took another step.
The next step had him fall to the ground. Pain exploded in his head again and he cried. Blinking away the red, he saw more clearly. He saw the low dancing of a flame. He smelt death, smoke, burning flesh. He heard steel on steel. The sounds of war.
He rose to his feet, nearly falling again. He continued to the large tent, pawing at the chest of his robes. He mumbled.
“Gythrul, Gythrul...”
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Roleplay from Jorvik Arial (26 days, 23 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Jorvik looked across the battlefield. Roting undead bodies where everywhere and the smell was almost unbearable. Suddenly captain Hildebrand returns to the palisades with his surviving landers. "Sign new orders came in! We must retreat to Rines!"
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Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (26 days, 13 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Third time is a charm - Maura thought as she reviewed the shape of her unit after their second retreat. Shouting a counter-order amid their flight would be a futile effort. She picked up the red-sealed letter from a table.
"Retreat to Rines!" - standing orders carried the sigil of Marshal's office, there was no signature that would be telling of the author - "All haste! Run! You shifty bellysliders!" - the language however...
"Not this time cuz." - Maura said, her mouth contorted in a subtle smile before she cried out - "RALLY THE MEN! March out to the alehouse immediately!" - she almost laughed at surprised faces of the Inquisitorial Guard - "I depart for Inquisitor's Adolphus camp, when I'm back an hour before dawn I want you ready to man the wall and defend."
She walked towards Sir Adolphus' place of stay, his letter in-hand. Let's see what is the matter that requires such urgency - she thought.
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Roleplay from Apostate (26 days ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Avengmil (5 recipients) Apostate shoulder barged the door of the local alehouse in. His head throbbed with pain every moment, a maddening reminder of his folly. He noted some rough looking thugs bearing the symbol of the Inquisition in the building. He groaned lightly, and touched the back of his white hood, the blood had dried, hopefully on the back of his head as well.
He staggered to the bar, wincing in pain before slamming a few silver pieces on it. “Ale. Now.”
Two empty tankards sat in front of him, a third half way. The alcohol had helped quite a bit, but his head still throbbed. He groaned and took another swig.
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Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (25 days, 20 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Avengmil (5 recipients) "Open up a couple o' kegs, wench!" - thundered raspy voice of Ulli, followed by a painful slap on the arse that drawn more than a couple of whistles from the company.
"But lady commander said we should be ready by dawn." - on of the Inquisition Guard soldiers protested.
"Shmady shmommander. Maura is a dick... hot piece of arse though." - Ulli allowed a salvo of laughter before continuing - "Noone counted my drinks in the docks and sure as Akkan's foreskin noone will now!"
Not a second later he noticed his level-headed comrade staring at a white-hooded man by the bar. Levers and counterweights of a tiny trebouchet of his brain started moving and a while later it launched a question:
"You know this fancy boy?"
"He's one of them, the talented ones Lady Maura sent requests to. I had the message fetched to this one. Know of no response though."
"Is that so?" - Ulli grinned at his comrade's answer - "what a poor sod ignores the Inquisition?" - he started walking towards the adventurer.
The reasonable guardsman caught his arm - "but captain, second comes the order, only when this too fails we intervene" - his plead only earned him a bruise or two as he got shoved aside.
"You there!" - the thug shouted, and stupidly so, since he was now standing precariously close to the white-hooded man - "You have been instructed to give information of your, uh... magical asses."
"Assets" - corrected the other guardsman, rubbing his sore arm.
Ulli paid it no attention, continuing instead - "Will you tell me here or the Grand Inquisitor in the Inquisition's dungeons? Or should I beat the spirit out of ya and see for myself how many magical asses do you have, ah?" - captain's grin slipped into more serious smile as he concluded - "Speak, you rogue, what is your name?"
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Roleplay from Apostate (25 days, 11 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Avengmil (6 recipients) Apostate growled lightly when he heard the blasphemy from the thugs. He chose to ignore it, he was in no state to fight a single man, let alone several soldiers.
It was when they approached him his mood fouled. He picked up his staff and waved it, grumbling. “Away with ye, your threats have no effect. Another visit to the cells would only annoy me at this rate.” He leant his staff against the table, putting his right hand in the folds of his robes, gripping the hilt of his short sword.
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Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (24 days, 13 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Avengmil (10 recipients) The man by the bar started waving his staff angrily and shooing the Inquisitorial Guard away. Ulli opened his eyes wide and put his arms up in feigned surrender: "Well forgive me noble sir! If that be the case we will leave you be now. Wouldn't want to annoy ye."
The thug grinned and hissed "HA!" through clenched theeth of his malicious grin so hard and loud his inquisitorial robes jumped up a couple of inches like a ghost struggling to depart his body. He grabbed two of his soldiers and as if wanting to clap his hands to congratulate himself theatrical performance, he brought his outstreched arms together shoving the guardsmen at the angry man with the staff.
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (25 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "Sh*t." Adolphus breathed, upon seeing the nigh endless ranks of the dead arrayed before the palisades. He stepped forward, to take his place among his men, drawing one of two swords upon his back. A brilliant blade of blessed silver, all the better to send the dead back to their graves.
"Purge the unclean. Die a good death." Adolphus said calmly, as the dead breached the palisades. The ensuing melee was chaos. The bit of steel upon gobbets of rotten flesh, the screams of men drug down by the hordes, and the terrible sound of men being ripped apart. Adolphus fought, and kicked, and spat. He whirled about, and his blade flashing in a brilliant arc, taking the head off a particularly bloated corpse. He went to step forward and put down his next next foe, but felt something grab his ankle. His eyes went wide, and he gasped.
"By Obeah, not like this..." He whispered, and was abruptly pulled to the ground. His sword fell out of his hand, and he took to kicking and biting and shouting. He felt himself dragged along, and after a few moments he realized that he was not being torn asunder, but instead carried off. He struggled until he could struggle no more, but to no avail. Darkness took him, and when he awoke he found himself in the confines of a cell, completely intact. He had not even been relieved of his remaining sword.
Adolphus paced his cell, examining every inch of it for weakness. He found none. He made his way to the door, and stared out the bars. Two banners hung in the hallway outside of his cell. One depicted a skull beside a crescent moon. "Angmar..." Adolphus growled. The other was the unmistakable shield of Caelint.
The day drug on, and he could hear activity from near his cell. Men, and women being thrown in cells, some being drug out. The ones that were taken from their cells, he did not know what became of them, but soon after they were taken, screams would echo the halls. He lingered, for days, with no food. No water. He kept his sword at his side, at all times, waiting for his chance. It came. A man came, and after a whispered exchange, Adolphus handed him some gold.
"They will come for you soon. I will leave the inner and outer doors unlocked. From there it is up to you, Inquisitor."
Adolphus nodded, and readied himself. He pried a rock from the floor, and waited, sword in one hand, the rock in the other. Hours dragged on, and suddenly he heard the rattle of a key in the lock. The door creaked open, and Adolphus lept, smashing the rock into the face of the man on the other side, his sword thrust into the eye socket of a wight.
"Not today, bastard." He growled, and leapt to his feet.
Please Obeah, let these doors be unlocked. Let this stranger be true to his word. He prayed as he ran, and smashed into the door. It crashed open, and Adolphus shouted with glee. He sprinted down the next hallway, and his sword scythed out, laying open the throat of a guard, and soon he was at the next door, and he threw his shoulder at it... Only to recoil in pain as lightning arced down his arm, to his shoulder.
Bastard! Adolphus thought to himself, the cries of the guards and the thundering of their footsteps echoing not far behind him. He looked about, and noticed a window. It was narrow, but it lead outside. He darted towards it, threw his sword out of it, and them himself at it next. He became stuck, and squirmed. He felt hands on his leg, and he kicked with the other, pulled and strained, and was free! Freedom was not all it was cracked up to be, as he fell a good ways, landing upon his sword, luckily overly suffering a few bruised ribs and a nasty cut. He stumbled to his feet, grabbed and his sword, and staggered away from the tower as quickly as possible. He knew not where he was, but he'd be damned if anything stopped him now.
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Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (25 days ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Of friendship and poetry
Antonia was resting in her apartments in the Holy Basilica of Rines. While her estate technically encompassed the entire Basilica and the surrounding streets and squares, she resided only in a small wing. The rest was given over to realm administration. Sometimes, she enjoyed sitting on her balcony that overlooked the main hall in which they worked, watching the bureaucrats buzz around like bees as fussy little courtiers in their finery oversaw their work. She understood the importance of such work, but she could not understand how anyone of noble birth would choose such a life over service in battle to the Blessed Lady. At other times, she liked to climb to the top of the Solarium and look out over the entirety of Rines and to the Sea of Four Cities beyond. She wondered how it had got its name, as she knew of only two cities on its coastline. Rines was easily the most beautiful place in which she had ever been. Considering that she had grown up in Dwilight, and had regularly visited Askileon, this was fine praise indeed. The white stone bridges, waterways and wide streets of the City of Moonlight were a glorious sight to behold. She never wanted to leave.
But on this day, she was sat in the small private library of her apartments reading a history of the former Republic of Riombara. It was an engrossing read, and was one of the many books she intended to devour in order to become more acquainted with the continent she was determined to call home, and one day bring her son to. At the thought of her son, she looked out of the window to the great square below, seeing the hustle and bustle of life below. Manfred! Sadness gripped her. She had not wanted to leave her son, but she had been chosen for this life and she could not bring him with her. William had forbidden it, and he was the head of their house. Besides, a bastard would not have helped her make a good impression on the priesthood of Obeah. She shook herself out of these thoughts and made her way down the corridor to one of the bedrooms. The corridor was lavishly decorated with art that she had brought on the voyage with her, and other purchases that she had made while in the city. Art and military service, the two interests of her family. Blood and beauty.
She knocked on the door, waiting for a voice to say enter before opening the door. Rossitta was sitting up in bed, her arm in a sling, but otherwise on the mend. Her face was lined with fresh scars. Antonia still refused her to look in a mirror, for fear of her being upset at the sight which she saw. To Antonia, Rosie was as pretty as she had always been, but she did not know whether the woman would see it that way.
‘How are you feeling, Rosie?’
‘As if I have been bitten and torn at by undead. Oh wait, I remember now, I have’, Rosie said, smiling.
‘Do you think you will be able to fight if the fiends reach the city?’
‘I would like to see anyone stop me, Ana, I really would.’ Antonia smiled broadly at this.
‘Well then for now, you need to rest. I have some poetry that cousin William has sent me from home. He knows how much I enjoy such things, he is a good man. I thought I would read some to you?’
The rest of the morning was spent together, laughing at the bawdy nature of some of the works, praising the literary techniques of others. Antonia wished that it could have lasted for eternity
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (24 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Adolphus rode ahead, his hood pulled down over his head against the beating rain. Hooves clattered down the cobbled streets of Rines, and he reigned in his horse before the residence of the Grand Inquisitor. It was a dark night, and the torrential downpour did not help any. He handed the reigns of his stallion off to his squire, and approached the doorway. He pounded heavily upon it.
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Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (24 days, 15 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Bryant, Jessica's chief scribe, hustled towards the door.
Who in the name of Obeah could be calling at this hour? he wondered. Swiftly, he unlatched the bolt and creaked the door open. The light from the sconces inside illuminated the front step, and the man banging on the door.
"Inquisitor Adolphus?" Bryant asked in surprise, "I assume there is an urgent matter at hand, sir? Shall I rouse the Grand Inquisitor?"
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Roleplay from Adolphus Schwarzherzig (24 days, 13 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
A fork of lightning revealed the Inquisitor to be a grim sight. The gold braiding that secured his black jacket over his breastplate was stained with gore, and Obeah knew what else. The breastplate underneath was likewise dinged and stained. The leather jacket signifying his station was torn in places, but likely do to the torrential downpour, fairly clean.
"Please, at once." Adolphus growled.
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