Tempest Family/Luna/The-Moon-and-her-Destiny

Fated Meeting

Roleplay from Lady Luna Tempest, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale

Luna Tempest, the Grey Exarch of Shadowdale, found herself wallowing in disappointment while travelling the long road from Nasot to Karbala. Heading home after her campaign to conquer the region ended with failure. However Luna’s failing had nothing to do with her ability to command nor had the loss been caused by the armies of Perdan. The Grey Exarch would have preferred a glorious battle with Perdan to the current predicament. Alas, it seemed fate itself determined the outcome as divine intervention proclaimed the campaign folly. Luna atop her steed pondered the results of the campaign. The Grey Exarch had gained all the political consequences of her actions but none of the benefits. No negotiations would be taking place, no treaties signed, not even a single talk held. This on top of the fact that the true reward, a new region for Shadowdale was stolen away did not leave Lady Tempest in a favorable mood. Hoping to raise her spirits the Grey Exarch would opt to take the road less traveled through the townlands of Viseu. Luna dismissed all her Tempest Rangers to arrive at the capital by the main road leaving Captain Theomona in charge with a sole exception. The Grey Exarch’s favorite lieutenant, Lissa was to join the Lady on the meandering road that bordered both the great forest of Braga and Oporto. The duo rode atop their steeds following the shabby path before them. The road was very grown over making it difficult to follow however the scenery was breathtaking. What should have been a near pitch black forest with only torches to guide the way was a canvas of all that mother nature had to offer. The brilliant full moon illuminated the great green pine tree’s, brook crossing glistened as if diamonds lay within their beds and the ever present peaks of Evora looking majestic off in the distance. Luna reached her hand skyward as if to grasp the very moon itself, “Someday” she whispered to herself while staring at the brilliant white celestial body when a lone eagle flew across the pure moon casting a shadow over Lady Tempest. This feels like an omen, the Grey Exarch thought to herself as Luna brought her pinched fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle. Even as an experienced falconer such a gambit would unlikely pay off however something felt different to Lady Tempest as she stared skyward as the great bird turned sharply into a dive with the moon at its tail. As the eagle rose from its dive with wings flapping as if they were destiny itself to land in a nearby tree. The massive king of the sky stared straight down at Luna, it's radiant golden eye staring into her very soul. Lissa could only watch behind in silent amazement as her general Lady Tempest outstretched her arm fortunately still protected by leather armour. As if on cue the eagle swooped down landing beautifully on Luna’s outstretched with talons clasping leather. The eagle had made a near perfect landing but it took all of Luna’s strength to support the massive bird. Now staring directly at each other, Luna’s blues eyes enamored in the eagles ravishing yellow eyes the moment felt frozen in time. The two would be bonded, fate willed it so; however the eagle would never truly be tamed. A master, nay a king of the sky would never be contained as he represented the very essence of freedom. “Apollo,” Luna broke the silence speaking to the eagle. The two looked skyward back towards the full moon as Luna launched Apollo back into the sky. With Apollo’s magnificent brown plumage fluttering in the breeze as he flew above the eagle would circle Lady Tempest once and let out a lone powerful screech before disappearing into the darkness. “Lissa,” Luna called up her lieutenant. “My lady that was amazing” Lissa would blurt out before apologizing “Sorry what do you need my general.” “I need you to ride ahead with all haste. Go to the Grey University of Karbala and have them prepare the largest tower’s solar. Go to the library and gather up every map you can find and any books on great historical battles. I have a date with destiny.” The Grey Exarch commanded Lissa. Without any hesitation Lissa exclaimed “Yes my lady,” and rode off as fast as the steed could take her. Luna took one last look at the moon whispering “You and I Apollo, let’s show East Continent Shadowdale’s destiny” before she again set off down that worn forest path.

Lady Luna Tempest, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale

Solar of the Grey Exarch

Roleplay from Lady Luna Tempest, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale

Luna had finally arrived at Karbala after taking that overgrown path out of the forest then to the main road. Upon arriving she did not waste any time making her way to the Grey University of Karbala hoping Lissa had already prepared everything for the Grey Exarch. It was well into the evening when Lady Tempest was walking through the grand atrium of the university. A large decorative pyre was burning in the center casting shadows against all the walls of the circular atrium. During the day its open roof would act as a sundial upon the floor but now the markings were hardly visible under Luna’s shadow. As she made her way to the spire solar Luna passed by many of her former professors and students. As it was her first time back to the university since her appointment as Grey Exarch most would congratulate her new station. It was a good feeling for Lady Tempest, she had come a long way from that 15 year old girl who found herself in Shadowdale and a lost student in this very university. Reaching the spire solar Luna had debated her choice of quarters, perhaps the library would have been better as it would be closer to materials and involve less stairs. The Grey Exarch however dispatched that thought as the sensitive nature of her coming work required the isolationism of the spire solar. Opening the door revealed the magnificent room beyond. Lissa was still scrambling around arranging books and maps in such a flurry that she did not notice her Lady enter. This did not bother Luna as her subordinate working so diligently was its own sign of respect. Luna studied the room, its tall vaulted ceiling adorned with an astrology orb to help with studying of the stars. All the walls facing outward to the sky were mostly open so that sunlight and a fair breeze could be let in. On the center of the floor a giant crescent moon surrounded by various tables, chairs, bookshelves and even a large bed fit for any noble. Lady Tempest pictured the conversation between a flustered Lissa and the groundskeeper over bringing a bed up all those stairs; piece by piece no doubt. “Ahem” Luna cleared her throat to draw Lissa’s attention. Lissa quite startled, “OH, my Lady I did not see you arrive. I'm sorry not everything is ready yet.” The Grey Exarch interrupted Lissa, “Have you even slept since you arrived in Karbala. Go get some rest. What is left can wait until the morning.” Lissa didn’t even reply as she ambled off towards the door ready to pass out. Luna would do a little work before retiring for the night. Spending a few of the best moonlit hours of the night studying a map of East Continent, looking closely at Shadowdale’s neighboring realms. Lady Tempest awoke to the rising sun and the smell of freshly steeped tea. Lissa was already within the solar to serve her lady some fresh fruit for breakfast. Luna thanked her loyal retainer for her diligence but made her one of the many adjoined balconies first. The rising sun shining brightly over a beautiful morning in Karbala. On the railing the Grey Exarch spotted a lone brown feather and then a shadow quickly overhead. The Lady looks quickly to the sky but sees nothing, not a bird, not a cloud just the vast sapphire sky. Luna would find her way to the largest desk in the solar, a massive marble slab of a table. Upon were history books about past wars and maps of all the realms of the north. The Grey Exarch started her work in earnest, planning and strategizing future wars. Shadowdale had found itself with many new nobles as of late and it was time to expand the realm's territory. Studying the various maps Luna would size up targets with the most potential, Shadowdale bordered many fine cities that were not the realm’s but maybe they should be. As a realm with five neighbors there should have been plenty of choices for conquest however many of them are considered allies. It mattered little to the Grey Exarch, as they were simply strategies that not necessarily be acted on. Luna sized up Shadowdale's enemies and allies alike while studying for avenues of conquest. There was no need to leave possibilities unplanned at this stage, all Lady Tempest had to do was find the best opportunities and present them to the Shadow King. After a full day's work the Grey Exarch had many of her ideas written on parchment ready to be delivered. Luna completed the final touches, rolling up the many parchments, sealing each and everyone of them with a Tempest Family seal and handing them off to Lissa to deliver to the Shadow King Lindow Moonsun.

Lady Luna Tempest, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale