Old games, new players
Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 3:53 pmRain washes in sheets over both stone walls and the steel armor of the men manning them; drawing no sign of acknowledgement from either. All is silent but for the sputtering hiss of rainfall and the occasional whipcrack booming of thunder, flashes of lightning throwing the castle keep constructed on Captain Alexander Kanashia's former lands into stark relief before darkness again mutes the details of the estate. Inexplicably, the majority of the many windows appear to be open, admitting the swirling wind and rain inside like a welcome guest. But whom then would be host to the storm in this place which seems empty of all else save the silent sentinels on the walls?
Lightning crackles from the troubled sky again, wrapping itself in searing embrace about one of the many iron rods set in the roof of the five-floored keep. The corsucating energy is directed downwards, not into the earth but into the socket cut in the stone, conducted through the rest of the length of iron within, down, deep below the visible floors of the building, below layers of earth and then bedrock. The deadly current plays about iron gratings set in walls of bare, smooth stone. Greenish illumination fills the large circular chamber, darkening towards the center where a stone chair sits, hewn from the same rock as the floor, ceiling and walls. A massive figure seated upon it stirs; the host of the storm, the master of this estate. The Hunter.
The slim figure of N`Ylim Fath`ir stands a short distance away from the seated figure, waiting patiently. The figure shifts again with a harsh sound like bones dragged across the floor of a crypt, and then comes a voice, harsher still, as if the grinding tectonic plates within the earth had been given voice. "Greetings, N`Ylim Fath`ir. We have been waiting for you. What news do you bring Us?" N`Ylim responded with a short bow and began. "My Lord, there have been no further reports of the Baie or its activities. The Order of Straka's good intentioned but ill-conceived war upon the local vampire population has been called to an end, though the two known as Lucian and Varian are still wanted by the Guard. There is, perhaps, another player in this game, but my associates and I have not uncovered any further information at this time. Also, the redoubtable Death Lilianna Rose has also arrived here, and petitioned to join the Order. There is little doubt she will be accepted among their ranks."
A nod of the seated figure's head, seemingly crowned with two great, curling horns; a glimpse of an anglular face that seems set in a permenant grin. "Continue the search for the Baie. As far as the war with the Kindred, We wish no part in it unless the civilian population is endangered, then We will take action to protect them. Also, any vampire breaching the grounds of Our home is to be immediately held for either release or extermination. Inform Us when you have more information on this other individual involved if they do exist, perhaps they would be amenable to negotiations. These people sometimes have an unreasoning fear and hatred of the vampires and do not understand that some are quite reasonable. Additionally, send an envoy to welcome Death Lilianna Rose and convey Our invitation to come and enjoy Our hospitality if she so desires."
Again, N`Ylim gives a respectful bow to the figure seated on its rough throne. "It will be as you ask, my Lord. We are also still waiting for the boy, Phlynn, and the woman Ebony to arrive here. I will inform you when they have."
"Good. This place needs more life in it. Soon others will follow and We will welcome them into Our home. And We will suffer no one to trouble them." N`Ylim once more bowed, and then left the chamber, leaving his Lord to sit and contemplate these developments in the quiet gloom. War, vampires, the strange menace of the Baie, and soon, new guests beneath the roof. It was all shaping up to be very, very interesting.
Lightning crackles from the troubled sky again, wrapping itself in searing embrace about one of the many iron rods set in the roof of the five-floored keep. The corsucating energy is directed downwards, not into the earth but into the socket cut in the stone, conducted through the rest of the length of iron within, down, deep below the visible floors of the building, below layers of earth and then bedrock. The deadly current plays about iron gratings set in walls of bare, smooth stone. Greenish illumination fills the large circular chamber, darkening towards the center where a stone chair sits, hewn from the same rock as the floor, ceiling and walls. A massive figure seated upon it stirs; the host of the storm, the master of this estate. The Hunter.
The slim figure of N`Ylim Fath`ir stands a short distance away from the seated figure, waiting patiently. The figure shifts again with a harsh sound like bones dragged across the floor of a crypt, and then comes a voice, harsher still, as if the grinding tectonic plates within the earth had been given voice. "Greetings, N`Ylim Fath`ir. We have been waiting for you. What news do you bring Us?" N`Ylim responded with a short bow and began. "My Lord, there have been no further reports of the Baie or its activities. The Order of Straka's good intentioned but ill-conceived war upon the local vampire population has been called to an end, though the two known as Lucian and Varian are still wanted by the Guard. There is, perhaps, another player in this game, but my associates and I have not uncovered any further information at this time. Also, the redoubtable Death Lilianna Rose has also arrived here, and petitioned to join the Order. There is little doubt she will be accepted among their ranks."
A nod of the seated figure's head, seemingly crowned with two great, curling horns; a glimpse of an anglular face that seems set in a permenant grin. "Continue the search for the Baie. As far as the war with the Kindred, We wish no part in it unless the civilian population is endangered, then We will take action to protect them. Also, any vampire breaching the grounds of Our home is to be immediately held for either release or extermination. Inform Us when you have more information on this other individual involved if they do exist, perhaps they would be amenable to negotiations. These people sometimes have an unreasoning fear and hatred of the vampires and do not understand that some are quite reasonable. Additionally, send an envoy to welcome Death Lilianna Rose and convey Our invitation to come and enjoy Our hospitality if she so desires."
Again, N`Ylim gives a respectful bow to the figure seated on its rough throne. "It will be as you ask, my Lord. We are also still waiting for the boy, Phlynn, and the woman Ebony to arrive here. I will inform you when they have."
"Good. This place needs more life in it. Soon others will follow and We will welcome them into Our home. And We will suffer no one to trouble them." N`Ylim once more bowed, and then left the chamber, leaving his Lord to sit and contemplate these developments in the quiet gloom. War, vampires, the strange menace of the Baie, and soon, new guests beneath the roof. It was all shaping up to be very, very interesting.