The Imperium of Surmarack Far in the past, mankind left earth, beginning their long journey. The planet could no longer support them, and as It died, the exodus began. Every last human left the planet, those who didn’t were purged. The intention was to give the homeworld a chance, in hope that it could heal itself. For tens of thousands of years, mankind wandered the stars, looking for another home. But there was nowhere for them, every planet that could support them was either already inhabited or for some reason inhospitable. Eventually the coordinates of earth were lost, and the colony ships ventured so far that ever returning seemed unlikely. Finally, after reaching the edges of the galaxy, they found no home. Despair filled the colony ships, until a leader emerged, Armek. He proposed that if they could not find a home, they would build one. Thus began the construction of the Surmarack station, a giant ring-world with a star at the center. It took another 5000 years to construct, but when it was done, it was the wonder of the galaxy. Ever since it has been the center of government and trade for the races of the galaxy, with Armek as the ruler. He eventually came to be know as the Emperor. His life has been prolonged by the Imperial Throne, a feat of technology and mysticism that has kept him alive and ruling for the last 40 millennium. But now, change is coming. The great houses are starting to grow restless beneath the “Unchanging Reign”. Some are seeking their own advancement, others wish to expand out of the Surmamrack and take planets as colonies by force. There are also those who wish to try and find a way back to the legendary homeworld. Factions/Houses On the Surmarack construct, the most powerful houses are House Gibrani, House Douway, House Sorven, House Vandemir, House Jarn, and House Foresyth. House Forsyth is unaligned. They lean towards the Church of Suvos Mactan, but are not openly committed. The others allegiances are spelled out below. Gibrani and Sorven are allied by marriage. Douway and Jarn have trade agreements. An imperial edict has been issued stripping all power from house Vandemir, the other houses have severed ties with them. Foresyth has always kept to itself. It is a powerful house, so it’s reluctance to become involved has gained it many enemies, along with a long standing feud with House Gibrani over an imagined slight thousands of years ago. Of the many different factions are currently squabbling for power there are four that hold the most power, along with the Imperial forces. 1. The League claims to be advancing peace and unity between species in the universe, but there may be more to their innocent claims. Report indicate that they’ve been stockpiling weapons and ships. About Half of the great houses give their allegiance to the league. (Their true motivations will be expounded on later in the story.) House Gibrani and Sorven are members of the league. 2. Alaouda (meaning The Return) . They seek a return to earth (remembered as Domu Paradisus). A growing number of lesser houses and several of the great houses are alined with Alaouda. They have also been gathering a fleet. Any attempt to return to Domu Paradisus has been forbidden by the Emperor however. The Alaouda and the League have had tense relations for centuries. Both are backed by significant military strength of their constituent houses. House Jarn and Douway are members of Alaouda. 3. Suvos Mactan. Suvos Mactan is a religious order that believes that a great evil is coming. They wish to control the throne so as to have the power to repel the coming Armageddon. Several of the less influential houses belong to Suvos Mactan Their leader is the fanatical Ankani Din. Mactanism is the major religion of the lower classes. They have little military might, but the largest base of support. 4. The Loyalists. There is still a significant base of lesser houses loyal to the Emperor. Their main reasons are out of fear that they’ll be caught on the wrong side if there is an uprising. They have little power as a group, but count on the backing of the Imperium. Whether or not they would receive it remains to be seen. IMPERIAL STRUCTURE Principe Militum: The Imperial guard. It’s forces are completely human, and mainly rely on personal shields and swords, standard issues, for combat. The Diplomaticum: The diplomatic core of the empire. House of Conventum: The parliament. Holds little real power, but is maintained as a remnant of long forgotten ideals. Each house, regardless of size has a representative in parliament. Currently there are around two hundred members. Order of Ariolus: The imperial seers, mostly comprised of Sanhedrin, whose express purpose is to peer through time and space to foretell events pertinent to the empire. Characters Great houses are completely human, although they may have alien agents or servants. Magic is allowed. Humans comprise the majority of the residents, there are however a significant number of Aliens (Xenos) as well, mostly merchants, diplomats from around the galaxy, or agents/servants. When designing characters, this is more fantasy than sci-fi, but sci-fi elements are allowed, welcomed in fact. Some alien races are: The Isthus: Elf like in appearance, they are also very mystical and contributed greatly to the growth of the Suvos Mactan church. They are one of the only races born with the natural ability to control subspace. They can tap into it to see through space and time, and affect the physical world. The highly trained can create fields and distortions that can be used in combat. The Isthus main abilities are mental and not physical. They make excellent assassins and diplomats. The Lynxine: The Lynxine are a feline race. They have no natural talent using subspace, or ‘The Flow’ as it is known, however they are extremely intelligent and excellent scientists and engineers. The best ships in the galaxy are of Lynxine construction. They make use of advanced weaponry, personal shielding devices, and distraction tactics on the battlefield to make up for their low physical strength. They are also extremely agile and proficient at martial arts. The Sanhedrin: The Sanhedrin are a race veiled in shadow. They always wear long black ropes in public and are very mystical. They are stronger users of the Flow than the Isthus, but have next to no contact with other races other than to trade. They are an enigma to all. The Duren: The Duren are space Orks. They have no proficiency with the Flow, all their technology is bought, or stolen, from other species, and they have a low average intelligence. Many become mercenaries and bounty hunters. Their government is not centralized, and has no embassy on Surmarack. They are used by many of the great houses as body guards. They prefer heavy, powerful weapons or melee weapons. Humans: Humans have changed little over the millennium. There has always been a strict genetic purity code. Some humans are beginning to develop proficiency at controlling the Flow, but the ability is not widespread. Human technology is unrivaled, but cultural mores prevent it from being used in battle. Most humans prefer melee weapons in combat, but they use personal shields to protect them from projectiles. Character Template: Character Name: Race/Species: (Human, Isthus, Lynxine, Sanhedrin, Duren) Appearance: Background: (optional) Skills/ Special Abilities: Equipment: Weapons: Miscellaneous: Family/House: (You can start your own or align yourself with one of those above.) Faction: (League, Seers, Suvos Mactan, or Loyalist, or Unaligned. If you wish to be a member of an Imperial Institution, state that here.) Goals: (Write a brief summary of your characters objectives and plans. You don’t have to post this in the discussion thread, but send it to me with your sheet.) Post APPROVED character sheets in the discussion thread. Setting/ Recent Developments Setting:The Surmarack station is gigantic, a ring world with a star at the center. There are different cities with open land, and ecosystems, in between. The station contains the surface area of several earths, spread onto a ring spanning millions of miles in circumference, and about one hundred miles wide. Culture: Culture is reminiscent of medieval Europe. Aristocracies and ruling families. Lower classes in poverty and servitude. There is a small merchant middle class. Aliens are generally well received, there are however Xenophobic elements. The Lynxine and Sanhedrin are the targets of the most discrimination. The Sanhedrin don’t seem to care, their mysterious culture seems to care little for the ways of outsiders. The rest of the alien races have made a point of securing their rights on the station. Current Events: Over the last few days, there have been a number of attempts on the Emperor’s life. So far he has been protected by his guard. The Imperial Army has tightened security throughout the capital city, Coranum. The main suspect for the attempts is House Vandemir. Their main city, Vandemirium is being swept clean by a flood of imperial soldiers. The other houses see this as a threat. If the emperor starts destroying the Houses, they think, what is to protect them? Each house has been massing their forces, and tensions between the throne and the various Factions have taken a turn for the worse. It appears that after centuries of bickering, the imperial armies are finally marching against the Alaouda Houses, after the destruction of Vandemir is complete. An emergency meeting of parliament has been called to discuss how to deal with the situation. This is where the story starts. Everyone should establish themselves in or near the House of Conventum building in Coranum(the capital city). Gameplay Objectives are up to you to decide, based on your character/faction/species etc. COMBAT:There is no established battle system. Collaboration always produces the best results however, so if you need to work out a fight scene, collaborate with the other PC’s involved. DO NOT control other peoples characters without their consent. If there is a dispute, a GM with step in to resolve the issue. MAGIC: The main source of magic is ‘The Flow’ (think the Force). Those who are skilled with it can use it to great effect, affecting physical objects (telekinesis), communicate telepathically, gain foresight and limited prescience, and many have experienced profound visions or seen things happening across the universe. DEFENSE: Anyone wearing a personal shield is invulnerable to projectiles, energy or otherwise. The only way to injure someone with a shield is with a melee weapon. RULES ------------------------- 1) Write the next part of the story. 2) No controlling other characters 3) Post Approved character template in discussion thread before first post 4) No invincibility 5) Avoid taking the story backwards. 6) No OOC(Out Of Character) content in the main thread. Put any questions in the Discussion Thread 7) No One Liners. 100 words and up please. 8) All posts must be relevant to the storyline. Keep it linear, no jumping ahead, back sideways (dang you LOST) 9) Read all posts, or the last post well enough to keep the story flowing without plot holes. 10) No killing off other characters. 11) Inactive character (2 weeks) will be presumed lost. If you find your way back, you’re welcome. 12) FLAMING, INSULTING, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF HARSHNESS THAT IS DELIBERATELY USED TO HURT SOMEONE ELSE’S FEELINGS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ALL, NOR ACCEPTED ANYWHERE ELSE AROUND THE FORUM. 14) Editing is allowed as long as it doesn’t change the story after the fact. 15) NO GOD-MODING. You character will spontaneously appear in space, and die. Graphically 16) Magic is allowed. Please be conservative though. Think more subtle and mystical than “OMG that guy just ripped a whole in reality!” That kind of thing won’t be approved. 17) PM character sheet to the GM for approval. 18) GM’s word is law. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Notes I want this RPG to be as creative as it possibly can be. Think the epic scale of books like dune, or games like mass effect and halo, with the high fantasy of Tolkien and the political intrigue of Game of Thrones. Make this awesome! Setting is up to you to create, as long as you stay within the basic idea: Ring-world, mix of cities, ports, and open ecosystems in between. Let’s make this as much fun as it possibly can. Post questions in the discussion thread, or PM me.
The Beggining Joshua Forsyth The room was booming, everyone speaking at once and no one making any sense. It was chaos. Joshua sat next to his father in the grand Conventum chamber in Coramum. An emergency session had been called by almost every great house after the forces of the Imperium had moved against House Vandermir. "Father, we're not getting anywhere with this." Joshua said, leaning to whisper into his fathers ear. His father, Wilhelm Foresyth, simple shook his head. "Everyone here is terrified. What do you expect from a bunch of entitled politicians. They imagine an axe, then imagine it falling on their necks." "But, is this not a good time for fear? The Imperium has never dared make such a bold move before. This could finally be the end of the Houses." Joshua replied. "The Houses will survive as long as Surmarack still spins. The Emperor is simply flexing his muscles to show that his ancient arms still have some strength left in them." Wilhelm said. "But you are right, this session is accomplishing nothing." Just then a voice, louder than the rest spoke up. "We must make preparations! If the worst does happen, we need to be ready to fight back!" An old man had just shoved his way onto the podium. "Oh h***" Joshua's father exclaimed. "It's old Gibrani. Nothing good ever came from that mans mouth." Gibrani continued. "The League is prepared to fight. What about the rest of you? The time has come finally for the Undying Reign to come to and end!" He slammed his fist on the podium. "Emperor Armek has overstepped his bounds and needs to be punished. "This is treason." Joshua whispered. "Surely this will not be allowed to stand." "I say we assemble our forces and march on the Throne!" Gibrani said finally, and the room fell silent. They all knew what the result of open rebellion would be. "Shut your old mouth Gibrani." Joshua's father stood and made his way down the aisle. "We all know that such a thing would be madness. The Imperium forces are ten times stronger than all of ours combined. It would be futile." Murmurs of agreement echoed through the Conventum chamber. "And besides, if House Vendermir really is behind the attempts on the Emperor's life, he is well within his rights to destroy them." "But what of the forces massing outside of Douway city!" Rosalyn Douway, the matriarch of House Douway, and one of the few women in the room, asked. "Surely they are plotting to attack the houses aligned with Alaouda!" "We can be certain of nothing!" Wilhelm responded. "And attacking the Imperium unprovoked is a sure way to destruction for all of us." At that moment, the grand gilded doors of the Conventum burst open and a tall man with walked in, followed by a troop of imperial guards, their golden armor glistening in the sunlight that poured in through the open doors. "I am Irinium Veral, agent of the Imperium. An edict has been issued by his supreme highness, God-Emperor Armek. This meeting of the Conventum has been deemed treasonous, and those in attendance will be tried unless it is disbanded immediately." Shock rippled through the delegates. "This is an outrage!" Old Gibrani shouted, shaking his withered fist. "I'll not stand for it! The Conventum is our right, and the Emperor has no control over what is done here!" "I say again. If this meeting is not disbanded, you will all be tried for treason!" Irinium shouted. Wilhelm Foresyth rushed back to his son. "Father! We need to go!" Joshua was already on his feet. Many others were standing as well, preparing to leave. "I thought you might try something like this!" It was Gibrani still, shouting above the clamor. He tapped his temple and mouthed something. A moment latter, suspensor jets were heard outside. "Sir! It's a troop transport!" One of the soldiers called to Irinium. "You've damned yourselves!" He shouted before activating his personal shield. Joshua and his father were running for the door, others behind them. Outside, two dropships were lowering themselves into position before the Conventum chamber, and beginning to unload Gibrani troops at the bottom of the steps leading to the entrance. Joshua pushed past a soldier and escaped out of the building. He turned back expecting to see his father, but he wasn't there. Just as Joshua had slipped out, the soldiers had formed a line at the door. His father was struggling to break through. "Father!" He cried. His father waved him away. "Go! I'll be fine!" Joshua looked at the line of soldiers blocking the door. Hundreds of people were pushing and jostling, trying to get out, but they held the line. The majority of the soldiers however, were standing in front of the door, facing the dropships and soldiers pouring out of them below, their swords drawn, shields humming. Just then, they charged. Joshua flung himself to the side as the wall of golden armor crashed past him, towards the red armored soldiers below. Joshua couldn't believe it, but in the blink of an eye, he had witnessed the beginning of a revolution.
Brezzo Corun It was a fine day--a marvelous one, really. The blazing light of the sun passed in and out of cover as the thick clouds passed overhead in their perpetual round-trip of the station. One could pause and ponder how the sun never moved, it being a the center of Surmarack's rotation, but doing so for too long would only lead to discussions of complex orbital mechanics and the staggering scale of technology required to keep the station running. It was a marvelous day in Coranum, where the usual citizens went about their usual days. Members of the Merchant Guild impatiently waited for their wares to be delivered and bought, the city's poor worked another day's work in their life of "day's work"'s, and most of the fortunate and affluent did their best to avoid contact with either group. Few could point to a random person or group of persons and say happiness was in the air. Happiness was in the air of at least one group in the city. Riding along in a taxi, four freshly-cleaned men (three humans and a lynxine) talked and laughed halfway across Coranum as their driver steered them towards the finer side of town--near the House of Conventum and supplementary government districts. The men were from the House of Jarn, and this was their one day in the capital before returning to their home city with their cases of samples and megabytes of observations on the flora, fauna, and geology outside of the city. They had returned yesterday evening from a month-long expedition into the countryside researching the terrain in their never-ending quest to understand what the human home world might have been like. Though the three humans in the group were each of their own level of renown among the Houses, their lynxine was a somewhat common subject of conversation which straddled the border between honest curiosity and objective observations like those made of animals at the zoo. His name was Brezzo Corun, and his official affiliation with House Jarn was now in its fourth month, though he had been in touch with them for three months before that began. He enjoyed some of the respect true members of the House were born into, and that gave him enough leeway to share in their intellectual lifestyle. Today, Brezzo and his colleagues were on their way to enjoy some higher-class activities in the city to celebrate their successful expedition. The Fountain district, immediately adjacent to the House of Conventum campus, was famous for beautiful fountains (obviously), quality food, and a classy night life. The researchers would get to the night life when the night arrived, and their first priority was enough food to put the taste of protein rations and old crackers out of their mouths forever. "Wow, look at the magnificence of the House," said Brezzo as the taxi drove down a street parallel to the Conventum and three blocks away. "Yeah," said Nathan, sitting on Brezzo's left, "I bet you they are in quite and uproar today." The other three asked why. "Didn't you hear the news on the way out? The Emperor came down on the Vandemir not three days ago! I didn't catch all the details, but it seemed like Vandemir was blamed for some action against the Emperor, and now Vandemirium is under his direct control." The whole car, including the driver, raised their eyebrows in surprise, and the conversation picked up pace as they all started speculating about the details. They were cut short, though, when the drive pulled over to the side of the road and stepped out of the vehicle. Brezzo was about to protest when Carlson said, "Hey, aren't those Gibrani gunships?" All four of them jumped out of the car and gazed down the street to see the two airships land and begin unloading troops. The hum of the suspension jets echoed through the quieted street, and two directions of movement formed--towards and away from the gunships. Brezzo's group joined the forward-moving group; eager to see what might be history in the making. Their movement was checked when Imperial soldiers came into view, and the sound of weapons clashing began to mix with the hum of the ships. Now the street quickly began to empty at a rapid pace. Shop owners locked their doors after letting people take shelter in them, while others ran for their vehicles or aggressively hailed the nearest taxi. Carlson cried "Oh shit, I don't think we want to be here. Someone's pissed of Armek big time!" Mason didn't move, though. He said, "No, this looks like Gibrani's spitting in the face of the throne. I need to know my brother is OK and what he can tell me about where this is going." Carlson and Nathan were already back at the taxi, defending it from others trying to steal a ride. Brezzo turned to Mason and cried above the vehicles racing by, "If Matt is still in there, I don't think there's much we can do. We should get back home with our equipment before transportation between the cities is risked." Mason remained stubborn, and after a minute of fruitless arguing, Brezzo agreed, out of loyalty, to accompany him while Carlson and Nathan went back to the hotel for their gear. The group would meet back up at the shuttle station in an hour and head home. Brezzo and Mason jogged down the street towards the wide open lawn in front of the House. The gunships commanded the entrance while the soldiers blocked any view into the building itself, but from their position about seventy yards away, the two spotted out a few people who managed to escape the battle and were now fleeing across the grass in various directions. The battle at the House's entrance grew fiercer as the screams of fallen men now echoed out, and Brezzo's stomach dropped as he realized things were probably getting over his head.
Fay Aladora Fay sneezed as another puff of dust violated the hairs of her nose. She wiped away the offending dust from her face with a clean tissue and continued to study the old map. It was so old, in fact, that it was made of some sort of paper rather than the typical electronically recorded maps. The edges of the parchment crackled under her fingers, threatening to crumble into dust. The older the better. It was more likely to hints about Domu Paradisus rather than the newer ones. Her trained eyes studied the ship routes and planets. Within a matter of 10 minutes the whole map had been memorized and stored away in her mind, never to be forgotten. This old library had nearly been forgotten by the faction of Alaouda but still it remained. House Alaouda swore that it would never be said that they had thrown away a possible piece of evidence. Evidence that could lead them to Domu Paradisus. So when the specialits had finished studying a map or if a version of a map became outdated...it was stored here. Fay slowly and carefully rolled up the map, put it in it's place, and was about to pull out another one when heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs outside. The door opened and the frame of thin man filled the doorway. Fay jumped to her feet, squeeled and jumped into the arms of her waiting father. "Daddy! Your back! And two days early!" Her father laughed as he spun his 17 year old daughter in a circle then set her back on her feet. "Figured I'd find you here." "Every spare moment." She replied, pushing her short black hair out of her face. A moment of silence followed as Fay studied her father's face. "The trip was fine." Raphier said, answering her unspoken question. He led her out of the library and towards their map shop. "The tourists I was guiding simply had to return home early because their child had some sort of illness. Honestly, I think the kid was just tired of touring the station." He chuckled and Fay giggled like a little girl. She didn't care though. Her daddy was back. That was all that mattered. "I kept the shop clean while you were gone. Grandmama made Orcus pie. Sorry we didn't save you some. I sold 12 maps of the station to tourists and lost pedestrians and 3 maps to pilots headed to Tallahine, Bosvia, and Marinoia. I also repaired one of our electronic station maps near the Merchant Guild. Don't worry...Andronicos escorted me." Fay rambeled on as they walked down the street of the station. Shop keepers bustled around, the lower class cleaned and did odd jobs, and traveling pilots visited the local taverns. "What about Domu? Have you found anything new in your search of the old records?" Rapheir asked quietly. Imperial guards and spies often walked the streets of this sector in search of those planning on leaving known space to search for Domu Paradisus. Anyone found to breaking that law was imprisioned for a long time or worse. "I memorized half-a-dozen of the old maps. I've a few clues but the last peices haven't quite fallen into place yet. I'm sure I'm close though." Rapheir gave his daughter's shoulders a light squeeze and unlocked the door of Aladora's Maps n' Charts. Thanks to their families' company, the entire station (not just the Alaouda faction) had access to maps and charts to every region of known space. This shop however was just one of many spread throughout the station. The actual company that made the maps was located elsewhere in this sector. It had been founded by one of their ancestors, Fayorlin Aladora. Fay was named after him. She smiled as they walked inside. The automatic lights flickered on, revealing several hundred feet of wall to wall holo-maps, AI units specifically programmed to guide pilots, disposable paper maps and more. Everything one needed to know to travel to, or around a place they didn't know about was right here. Fay looked at her Dad's smiling face. All Fay really needed, was right here.
Battle On The Steps Emperor Armek's Counsel The throne was perfect. Always perfect. Never to hot, never to cold, never to hard, never to soft. It was perfect, and maddening. Armek gazed at the projection of the ring that floated before him. To him, all it looked like a Ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail. He hated what his vision had become, hated what he had become, hated how he couldn't let it go. "Your highness," His Sanhedrin adviser, Atrus, said. "There seems to be an uprising at the Conventum building." "It surprises me not." Armek said, his voice deep and clear. "Who is responsible?" "It seems that House Gibrani is behind it." Gibrani, Armek had know 500 generations of Gibranis, and every single one of them a fool. "Send a gunship, take the old fool into custody, along with his men, and let the rest go. We'll make an example of him in the imperial court." "As you command your liege." Said the Sanhedrin. There was something about the way they spoke that had always unnerved Armek, like their voice was everywhere at once. The Sanhedrin flowed away, a mass of black robes. Armek settled back to observing the hologram of the ring. His ring. He laughed once as he realized that it was no longer his, it was truly like an Ouroboros, devouring itself.
Malief The pale light of the sun shone through the windows, reflecting faintly on the glossed wooden floor and revealing all the particles in the air. The entire corridor was created out of wood, with gorgeous pine arches hanging from the ceiling and great oak doors opposite the windows. A lavish mix of reds, browns and oranges covered the long hall and two figures moved slowly along, in and out of the light. Silence resided between the pair, but in their minds they were deep in conversation. “…word is that House Jarn are struggling financially, my lord.” Both figures were robed, gliding across the sea of varnished maple. ”Is the source reliable?” The figure in the red robe asked. The fine weaving covered his entire body in rich crimson with a grey patterned border. All that could be seen was his face underneath the hood, an image of shadow and darkness. He had no features save for a pair of solid white eyes, a bright set of headlights in the night. He continued with their telepathic discussion, “I suppose with the tensions between the Houses and the Imperium, Jarn have tried to bolster their defences with quick expensive military options. But that surely wouldn’t have causes them turmoil in their treasury?” The other Sanhedrin, identical except for his black robe, responded. “Apparently their spending in recent years has been… luxurious. The source is a human child, no older than fourteen my lord. He works as a floor scrubber, a menial servant to the House.” The pair stopped by a window, staring out onto the bustling streets of Coranum. They watched silently as vehicles sped past traders on the street, where customers haggled for products and produce. Market stands were always dotted around the government districts, trying to sell faulty product to gullible tourists and even some diplomats. Most camped outside the concrete buildings of the Houses embassies, but not theirs. Not House Douway. Their embassy’s unique blend of nature and sustainability, gave it a territorial respect, which no small time trader would disturb. “Find a better source. I don’t trust the child.” Moving away from the view, they continued their stroll and turned a corner onto another long corridor. The black robed Sanhedrin stopped and bowed his head, “Will that be all Lord Malief?” “It would be in our best interest to find an affluent member of House Jarn, who is willing to sell themselves to us. I want control of that House, Zangir. Just like House Douway. I may not be the leader here, but I am the puppet master. I pull the strings.” Zangir left with haste, leaving Malief alone with his thoughts. How long is Rosalyn going to keep me waiting? Malief moved towards one of the large oak doors, opening it with the flow. He didn’t lift a finger as a heavy groan echoed through the hallway. The Sanhedrin glided in to find Rosalyn’s eldest son, David, stooped over a table with his hands holding the edge of the table. The boy’s face grimaced as he listened in on his communicator, something was wrong. In his rage he threw the device across the room, smashing it to pieces and only then did he notice Malief. “Malief!?” He called out, a little shocked and confused. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone.” Air resonated around the Sanhedrin and a light, monotone sound emitted from him. “No need for apologies your grace… your sadness upsets me greatly.” David wiped a tear from his eye and looked away from Malief. He had never been able to take the stare of a Sanhendrin, they were so unsettling. “It’s Mother. Something has happened at Parliament, they are being held inside. Damn Imperiums. Do… do you think she will be ok?” Once again, air swirled around Malief as he replied, “They would not touch a leaf… in fear of withering the tree.”
The Imperium Shows it's Power Iniruim Veral Inirum Veral freed his blade from the chest of a Gibrani soldier and swiftly slashed the throat of another. All around him his men were fighting their hardest, even though outnumbered and ambushed. They were holding their ground. This had not gone as he had expected. He had been thinking that it would be a simple mission to scare some old men strait, to keep them from filling the streets of Coranum with blood. Now it ran down the steps of the Conventum. He parried another attack and ended his assailant, his men were starting to be overwhelmed, he hoped reinforcements arrived soon. Just as he thought that, another set of suspensor jets joined the chorus, and and Imperial gunship drifted into view. "Drop your weapons and surrender." Boomed from the ship. "This is not an option. If you do not, we will open fire under authority of the Imperium." "Fall back men!" Inirum called and his men retreated back to the top of the stairs. "Drop your weapons!" The pilot called again. Inirum spotted the commander below, he wore more elaborate armor, looking perplexed. Finally he shouted, "Do as they say men!" One by one, the Gibrani soldiers dropped their weapons and fell to their knees. An imperial gunship could level an entire army on it's own, they all knew that. "Commander Veral!" The loudspeaker boomed again. Inirium stood forward. "You are ordered to take custody of Markus Gibrani." Inirium saluted and re-entered the building. "Well Gibrani, you hear them." He shouted. The old man was standing in the middle of the chamber, a scowl as deep as any Inirium had ever seen on his face. "Come along. You're caused enough trouble for one day." "I'll never go with you willingly!" He shook his fist, apparently a favorite gesture of his, at Inirium. "Alright. We'll do this the hard way." People parted as three soldiers pushed through the crowd. Gibrani stood fast in the center of the room, and pulled away when one of the soldier grabbed his arm. Another bashed him in the back of the head with the hilt of his blade, and they dragged the old man out. The gunship had lowered a basket, and they loaded Gibrani into it. Once he was in, "The rest of you are free to go. As for the Gibrani soldiers, they will all be tried with their leader." The message was transmitted to Irinium through his communication sweet. He relayed it to the delegates. An imperial dropship had arrived, and the Gibrani ships had been commandeered, the soldiers loaded back in. All the ships took off again and headed towards the eastern part of the city, the Imperial Prison. It was amazing what a single Gunship could accomplish. Joshua Joshua ran forward as his father staggered through the doors. The battle had ended almost as quickly as it had started. If this was all that the houses could muster, revolution was futile. "Are you alright?" He grabbed his fathers shoulders. "I'm fine. But the same cannot be said of them." He pointed to the bodies that still lay at the steps. "This is madness! How could we allow it to come to this!" Joshua was still in shock. He had seen the whole battle play out. It had been brutal. "I can't believe... its just..." He stammered. "Come on, let's get back to the car." Wilhelm said. Just then Indori, Joshua's bodyguard, ran up. He was a burly man, with dark skin and peering eyes. "I couldn't get though until now! Are you both okay?" He asked. He was fiercely loyal, and if anything had happened to either of them he would have held himself responsible. "We're fine Indori." Wilhelm responded. "Now get us out of here!" Joshua noticed two men running up just them, no, one man, the other was a Lynxine. "I wonder who they are?" He said. "He's a bit shell shocked." Wilhelm said, and he began to move off towards where the car was parked. Behind them a stream of people flowed out of the Conventum building.
Jay Aladora (Fay's Grandfather) Jay walked down the steps of the Coventum building relying heavily on his cane. The floor was slick with blood and each step was precarious. Finally he made it to ground where it was safe. He turned and sighed sadly. Stupid, Gibrani. He should have kept silent. Instead he got over half a dozen men killed. Just another reason why we need to find Domu Paradisus. He shook his head sadly, and began limping towards his car. Climbing in the back seat he told Jogul, his driver, to take him to his Aladora's Maps n' Charts. This station was getting dangerous. The sooner they found Domu, the better.
It was noon by the time she left. The Mactanist Church was a monolith of a building. It was one of the first constructed in Coranum, and the durium used was now charred and black in colour. The Church's spires rose twenty feet above it, meeting in an arched triangle. The Mactanists used the spires as locators in their neverending search for the Harbringer - the ender of worlds. Channeling the flow through objects always gave more controlled results.* High Priestess Kalara walked through the court of statues, just outside the Church. Her hood was up, covering the majority of her face, and the wide sleeves of her robe entwined across her belly where her hands were joined - a sign of prayer.* Her entourage consisted of four acolytes that shadowed her, yearning for the skill of controlling the flow the way she did. They were good students, but Kalara had seen a number of good students in her four-hundred-and-sixty-four years that didn't turn out to be much else.*The two who walked beside her each carried a banner of the Faith - a white flag with a golden cross and triangle. The cross was a symbol that was passed down from abandoned human religions, and the triangle was the perfect shape for channeling the Flow - every edge met at the same vertex. Her other accomplice was her Dureni bodyguard, Tun. Tun was picked up from Dur by a missionary when she was a whelp. She grew up in the Church, but she was no priestess, not many Dureni were. Tun was a killer, and a damn good one. Kalara didn't dare travel without protection, especially in these times.* Statues beamed at them eerily. There was Sina, the Maker, who had constructed the first plans for the station with the Emperor some forty-thousand years ago; Tiriadnis, who had discovered the process to refine the rich ore, Durium, which most of the station was built from; Ilyaro, the first Archon of Suvos Mactan Archon; and many members of the great houses who had accomplished grand feats. *They were all surrounded by the estranged fauna of the galaxy, making the entire court a charming park and tourist attraction. It bored Kalara, but then again, most things did these days. Not much was exciting after the first two-hundred years of life. A military airship flew overhead, Kalara could tell just from the sound. It was heading west, in the same direction as her - to the Conventum. She was hoping to get an audience with Wilhelm Forsyth, but that airship didn't bode well for her charge. She picked up her pace.* Down the next few blocks people were rushing to and from the scene, scared and curious at the same time. The airship loomed ahead.* When she reached the parliament square, she saw everything that had happened. Men were dead on the stairs of the Conventum and Armek's gold-plated soldiers marched around imposingly. So it's already begun.* "Spirit healer, spirit healer!" came shouts from a group of bystanders. She heard Tun grunt behind her, but the Dureni made no sudden movement. They were like animals, the Dureni, they could instinctively sense danger, so Kalara assumed she was in the clear. "Help them!" The crowd pleaded.* The upperclassmen had little devotion to Suvos Mactan, but they had Faith in her, and in her abilities. The Spirit Healer was a household name on Surmarack. She had a duty to these people, but also a duty to The Divine. The Divine had brought her to this place, and as its servant, she would bend to its will.* With Isthusian grace she passed through the crowds as they parted, until she was by the steps. There stood, over eight dead bodies and a callow medical team, a tall gold-plated soldier whose pauldrons were larger than the rest. Assumedly, he was the commander. Kalara lifted her hood so that her eyes were visible, and looked straight at the officer through her veil. "Commander, may I ask what crime these men have committed?" "A high act of treason against his Eminence." The officer crossed his arms. Just as she had thought. "And do I have your permission to give them assistance?" The soldier raised an eyebrow. Clearly he didn't like her intruding on his operation. No one in power liked someone else taking charge. "It would be much easier to hold trials against men who are alive." Kalara reasoned. The Divine had brought her to these men, and she could save some of them, but their fates were already sealed. They had committed a crime, but what was worse is that they had been foolish in its execution, and were caught. Gibrani wasn't a name associated with cleverness - righteousness and pride, but never cleverness. "Very well then," the commander responded, gesturing for her to step through to the scene. Kalara bowed, and then clicked her fingers. The acolytes moved forward, inspecting bodies, running their hands over wounds. She knelt down beside a gold-plated soldier, the single victim of the Emporer's men. A quick stab in the abdomen had been his demise. The poor guy had had a slow death, but that was lucky - it meant that it wasn't too late. Kalara ran her finger, a triangular thimble at the end of it, over the area. She closed her eyes and held her breath. A moment later the man coughed, life had been brought back to him. She stood and looked at her subordinates, waiting for a sign that the others could be saved. But they only shook their heads. "What a pity. It seems your prisoners' journeys end here." She informed the commander, covering her face with the hood once more.
It was noon by the time she left. The Mactanist Church was a monolith of a building. It was one of the first constructed in Coranum, and the durium used was now charred and black in colour. The Church's spires rose twenty feet above it, meeting in an arched triangle. The Mactanists used the spires as locators in their neverending search for the Harbringer - the ender of worlds. Channeling the flow through objects always gave more controlled results.* High Priestess Kalara walked through the court of statues, just outside the Church. Her hood was up, covering the majority of her face, and the wide sleeves of her robe entwined across her belly where her hands were joined - a sign of prayer.* Her entourage consisted of four acolytes that shadowed her, yearning for the skill of controlling the flow the way she did. They were good students, but Kalara had seen a number of good students in her four-hundred-and-sixty-four years that didn't turn out to be much else.*The two who walked beside her each carried a banner of the Faith - a white flag with a golden cross and triangle. The cross was a symbol that was passed down from abandoned human religions, and the triangle was the perfect shape for channeling the Flow - every edge met at the same vertex. Her other accomplice was her Dureni bodyguard, Tun. Tun was picked up from Dur by a missionary when she was a whelp. She grew up in the Church, but she was no priestess, not many Dureni were. Tun was a killer, and a damn good one. Kalara didn't dare travel without protection, especially in these times.* Statues beamed at them eerily. There was Sina, the Maker, who had constructed the first plans for the station with the Emperor some forty-thousand years ago; Tiriadnis, who had discovered the process to refine the rich ore, Durium, which most of the station was built from; Ilyaro, the first Archon of Suvos Mactan Archon; and many members of the great houses who had accomplished grand feats. *They were all surrounded by the estranged fauna of the galaxy, making the entire court a charming park and tourist attraction. It bored Kalara, but then again, most things did these days. Not much was exciting after the first two-hundred years of life. A military airship flew overhead, Kalara could tell just from the sound. It was heading west, in the same direction as her - to the Conventum. She was hoping to get an audience with Wilhelm Forsyth, but that airship didn't bode well for her charge. She picked up her pace.* Down the next few blocks people were rushing to and from the scene, scared and curious at the same time. The airship loomed ahead.* When she reached the parliament square, she saw everything that had happened. Men were dead on the stairs of the Conventum and Armek's gold-plated soldiers marched around imposingly. So it's already begun.* "Spirit healer, spirit healer!" came shouts from a group of bystanders. She heard Tun grunt behind her, but the Dureni made no sudden movement. They were like animals, the Dureni, they could instinctively sense danger, so Kalara assumed she was in the clear. "Help them!" The crowd pleaded.* The upperclassmen had little devotion to Suvos Mactan, but they had Faith in her, and in her abilities. The Spirit Healer was a household name on Surmarack. She had a duty to these people, but also a duty to The Divine. The Divine had brought her to this place, and as its servant, she would bend to its will.* With Isthusian grace she passed through the crowds as they parted, until she was by the steps. There stood, over eight dead bodies and a callow medical team, a tall gold-plated soldier whose pauldrons were larger than the rest. Assumedly, he was the commander. Kalara lifted her hood so that her eyes were visible, and looked straight at the officer through her veil. "Commander, may I ask what crime these men have committed?" "A high act of treason against his Eminence." The officer crossed his arms. Just as she had thought. "And do I have your permission to give them assistance?" The soldier raised an eyebrow. Clearly he didn't like her intruding on his operation. No one in power liked someone else taking charge. "It would be much easier to hold trials against men who are alive." Kalara reasoned. The Divine had brought her to these men, and she could save some of them, but their fates were already sealed. They had committed a crime, but what was worse is that they had been foolish in its execution, and were caught. Gibrani wasn't a name associated with cleverness - righteousness and pride, but never cleverness. "Very well then," the commander responded, gesturing for her to step through to the scene. Kalara bowed, and then clicked her fingers. The acolytes moved forward, inspecting bodies, running their hands over wounds. She knelt down beside a gold-plated soldier, the single victim of the Emporer's men. A quick stab in the abdomen had been his demise. The poor guy had had a slow death, but that was lucky - it meant that it wasn't too late. Kalara ran her finger, a triangular thimble at the end of it, over the area. She closed her eyes and held her breath. A moment later the man coughed, life had been brought back to him. She stood and looked at her subordinates, waiting for a sign that the others could be saved. But they only shook their heads. "What a pity. It seems your prisoners' journeys end here." She informed the commander, covering her face with the hood once more.
Brezzo Corun Carnage was the word in Brezzo's mind. Carnage crammed into an intensely small space as the soldiers battered against each other with hardly a square meter for each to stand. Even when Brezzo saw a brawl break out on the street or at a restaurant he was performing in, drunken or not, the fighters were given ample space to thrash each other back and forth. The strength with which the Imperium fighters held their ground against the Gibrani from outside and panicked public servants from within was astounding. Mason and Brezzo watched it all from the safety of the shade beneath a small tree at the edge of the Conventum grounds. Each was left speechless and utterly amazed such an event could happen at the seat of the Houses' power, but they were also determined to find out just what was happening. They watched the entrance of the House carefully for any sign of Mason's brother. Brezzo's ears picked up the sound of an approaching gunship well before it became visible. He directed Mason's gaze to the east as the Imperium vessel glided in from above the buildings, and they both crouched slightly at the sight of a true machine of war. The booming call for surrender echoed across the grass and against the buildings, and Brezzo gave Mason a concerned look. "I do not know if rushing in to find your brother is wise, friend. They appear ready to use any force needed." Before Mason could respond, Brezzo's ears twitched at the sound of weapons and men dropping in surrender. "Wait, I believe the fight is over. Look, they are taking the Gibra--." Mason didn't wait a second. Once he could tell the fighting was over and the Imperium was letting those not involved in the fighting leave freely, he bolted for the Conventum steps like the gunship was chasing him. Brezzo could not protest without tackling his friend to the ground, so instead he joined Mason's sprint across the green and began searching the crowd for Matthew Jarn, assistant to House Jarn's delegate and Mason's younger brother. Brezzo was not as educated in the political world of Surmarack as blood members of House Jarn, but he could make out a few of the more important characters as they approached. He saw the Imperium forces drag Markus Gibrani's body into their gunship--Brezzo could not tell if the man was still alive. Wilhelm Forsyth caught his eye as the man and two others left the steps and moved towards the parking lot, and Brezzo thought he spotted Jina, another Lynxine who worked for House Sorven. His attention focused back on Mason as his friend ploughed into the oncoming crowd. Distinguishing all the humans was difficult for Brezzo as their heads shifted about so quickly, so, rather than join the harmless mob, he placed himself off to the side on one of the bottom steps to watch and listen for either of the Jarns. Mason's familiar voice came to Brezzo's ears as the crowd began to thin, and after a few moments of searching, the Lynxine spotted his friend embracing a finely dressed man as tight as he had ever seen humans hug. The sense of urgency had faded now that the ships and soldiers were flying towards the east, so Brezzo calmly jogged over to the two men while the pair released their hug and talked over each other in an adrenaline-fueled attempt to figure out what happened. "…and Gibrani just calls in a damn platoon like he was planning to take over the House all along! Jeez, I never saw so many pants shat at the same time!" Mason dropped a few choice words before saying, "He just tried to incite a friggin' war against the Imperium! What's to stop the Emperor from using this to close down the Conventum and usurp the Houses?" "I…I really don’t know. The soldiers said we were free to go, I don't think anyone here is going to sleep for at least a week now." Matt now noticed Brezzo standing beside them, and threw his hands halfway into the air while greeting him with a hearty welcome. "Glad to finally meet our feline friend. Mason's told me you're an excellent field researcher. Ah, but this isn't the time nor place to talk adventure. You guys need to get out of the city and back home before this gets any worse." Mason's face turned to a mix of concern and stubborn refusal, and it took some persuasion and assurance from Matt that they should leave the politics to the politicians and get home with the results of their long, hard work. Brezzo chimed in that they could catch Carlson and Nathan at the hotel if they left now, and Matt finally agreed. He gave his brother another firm hug, told him to stay safe, and walked off with his hands in his pockets. Brezzo caught another taxi after a few minutes of waiting, and they sped off away from the area just as the swarm of news teams came pouring in.
Tezriac, on a mission Tezriac watched the chaos from a far. Soldiers looseing their life in a futile display of defiance. "Idiot...I too want the to kill this God empror, but but starting a battle you can't win?" He watched the battle to its conclusion and then left. He had hoped to ease drop on the meeting. But then suddenly gunships, and other such nonsense began happening all around them. He walked through the empty streets as a few civilians started to hesitantly walk back to inspect the damage done to their property. Hooded and silent Tezz contemplated his next move. He had heard rumours of a shop some where in this sector that sold maps or something like that. Perhaps they could tell him where the Sanhedrin where? An hour past, a strange wonderer entered a quaint little shop, the maps they sold covered every know region of space. "Every known region, accept for the way home. How ironic." He muttered. He spotted two people conversing a little ways away. A girl and who appeared to be her relative, Tezz said nothing. Truth be told he was not sure what to say, he would just stand there until they noticed him. It's what he always did around people he did not know.
Fay Aladora The door dinged quietly alerting Fay and her father that someone had entered the store. Rapheir smiled at the customer then turned towards the back of the shop to work on repairs that had come in during the week. Fay brushed the dust off her shirt and moved towards the customer. He was interesting looking. He had unusally dark skinned and stark white hair sticking out from under his hood. She wondered why he would choose to dye his hair such a color. For a moment she was speechless, his appearance so unique. His face seemed so sad and serious for a kid probably her own age. She wondered what could have happened in his life to cause him to be so serious. "Hi." She began cheerfully. "What can I help you find?"
Tezz, awkward moment Hi." She began cheerfully. "What can I help you find?" "I...um." Tezz didn't look at her directly, he was never good with talking with other people. Especially females, his entire life was spent in a lab studying the flow. He never went to school, and she was the first person he had spoken to in a while. He stood there awkwardly for a moment. "Emmm, I guess I should start with...who I am. My name is Tezzriac, I am interested in old maps. Anything to do with earth, I also would like to know where I might find a Sanhedrin."
Malief and the Embassy of Douway Minutes turned to hours and David was becoming increasingly impatient. “Where is she? I don’t like this, not one bit.” The lad always tried to act with maturity, but most times his youth stood out. As the eldest of three, David had been expected to grow up much faster after his father’s death. He was the rightful heir to the household yet too young to take the title. Instead his mother, Lady Rosalyn, held the role of Chief Councillor of the Lord and led the rest of the delegates as well as tutoring her son. However it had been months since David’s sixteenth birthday and there had still been no transition of power. “Perhaps we should take a force and rescue her. I will not stand idly by while she is trapped in danger!” He said. The Sanhedrin piped in with another gentle tone. “Charging in… leaves areas exposed… let the queen… return to the nest.” The child sighed and continued pacing around the room. Not a minute sooner, Lady Rosalyn burst through the wide oak doors with two Douway guards armed with pikes. Hair frayed and cheeks red, she slammed her fist on the table. “Gibrani is a belligerent fool. His actions have put all the Houses under threat.” She closed her eyes and gave her forehead a soothing rub. It had been a long, stressful day and she wanted nothing more than to go home and rest. Her son had other ideas. “Surely we should send a message to Gibrani? Show the station we don’t support his strategies?” He argued. A loud bang vibrated from the table as his mother slammed another hand down. “We will do no such thing!” She shouted across the table. She was fed up of talking. Fed up of debates. Fed up of politics, especially coming from her son. “Our transport is outside, we are returning to Douway City.” “I’m afraid not, Chief Councillor.” One of the Douway Captains had just walked through the door. The thin grey armour clung to his frame tight from ankle to neck. Douway armour was never very tough, but made of a uniquely stretchy material known as Obtierium. It exchanged protection for speed and agility, a favoured way of combat for Douway soldiers. The Captain continued, “The Imperium has ordered a curfew on the houses. Members will be escorted to their embassies and must stay overnight.” His stern gaze dived right into the heart of Rosalyn. “If you step out of the building you will be arrested my Lady.” Silence gripped the room. Panic was slowly building, that niggle in the back of each of their minds. All but Malief. Emotions were an inherently human flaw. Feelings and sentiment clouded judgement and the Sanhedrin knew what needed to be done. “The Imperium expects to hold the queen bee… or the whole nest?” The Captain paused for a moment, lost in thought. Suddenly he clicked his fingers together. “Lord Malief is right my lady. Understandably you will have to stay as Chief Councillor of the house, but we might be able to sneak your son and other members of the house.” She looked between the Captain, the Sanhedrin and then her son. Screwing her mouth tight, she finally conceded. “Fine… fine, Malief take my son into the transport outside and get the hell out of Coranum.” She quickly cradled her son, resting his head on her chest. “Go with them David. I will only be a day behind.” Two figures moved across the gardens in the evening sun, one gliding and the other stepping. The fauna glistened gold with the light of the star and David and Malief made their way towards the transport. They never saw the wave of force coming, the ripple of debris fall upon them as they were pushed to the ground. They never saw the vibrant red and yellow catch onto the trees, the grass and their clothes. And they never saw the explosion tear through the embassy, desecrating the entire building.
Kalara It was apparent that Kalara could do no more at the scene. She was the Spirit Healer, but even those powers had their boundaries. Just as the flow-verse was the framework for the universe, the bodies of living things had a network of flow that could be fixed or disrupted. If you could restore the balance of the flow, you could heal and even bring back life, but sometimes this intricate thread was irreparable. "If that will be all, Priestess," The gold-plated captain spoke, "We have pressing matters to attend to." The medics were already starting to wrap up the bodies, and a cleaning crew was on site, sweeping away blood and collecting discarded weapons and personal objects of the deceased to be taken as evidence. "Yes sir," Kalara replied, bowing once more, "That will be all." For now. The man she had saved was being tended to. He didn't know where he was, or what had happened only a few moments ago, to him the entire experience was alike being knocked out. She supposed they would tell him, and that he would come to the Mactan church to offer his gratitude. They usually did. He may even choose to take up the faith, which was good as the Mactanists needed more capable hands. Speaking of which, Kalara peered across the square, hoping she would spot the man she had come to see, but luck didn't seem to be on her side. The Forsyths were probably heading straight back to their keep. None of the great families were safe now. What were they thinking - a meeting in broad daylight in the Conventum to discuss topics of a treasonous nature? It's not the way she would've done things. She set out with her entourage, back towards the church. That was one piece of business taken care of that day. The acolytes held the banners high to make way through the crowd, which parted easily for the Mactanists. When they got back to the Court of Statues Kalara split from the group, taking only Tun with her as they headed south. With all the commotion at the Conventum, this part of town was refreshingly empty. After minutes of walking the barren streets, Kalara and Tun reached the bazaar, where merchants from all corners of the universe were selling their wares. The sights, sounds, and smells would've been intoxicating for any civilian or tourist, but it wasn't anything Kalara hadn't seen before. Tun moved in front, making a path for her through the busy crowds. The bazaar was on a hill, which gave more room for the merchants to set up stalls, but equally made it harder for crowds to manoeuvre. The Hall of Merchants was nestled at the very top of the bazaar - a grandiose building that loomed over the market like a barracks, and was guarded better than one. Security was the first priority of the Merchants guild, as next to the Emperor they were the wealthiest in all of Surmarack. But of course, the Spirit Healer had no problem passing through their gates. The man she had come to see was summoned as Kalara and her bodyguard were escorted inside. Magister Marvoli appeared almost instantly to greet his guests. "If it isn't our most coveted friend!" The head of the Merchants guild uttered, flashing a row of golden teeth. "What can we do for you today, Priestess?" A wry smirk spread across Kalara's face.
Brezzo Corum The streets of Corunam were full of stunned urgency. The details of what happened at the House of Conventum were just now radiating through the media, and most of the population wasn't sure if this was an isolated event or if armies would soon fill their city with the sounds of war. Law enforcement was more visible than usual to preserve the shaken peace, but that didn't stop the roadways from filling with some very aggressive drivers. Brezzo and Mason sat silently in their seats as their driver forced their way through the moderate traffic as smoothly as possible. The true-born member of House Jarn sat with crossed arms and a disappointed look on his face, while his xeno companion went through the last half-hour's events and tried to plan what he would do for the next twenty-four, or even twelve hours. These were the kind of politics Brezzo never wanted--never expected--to be a part of. The taxi delivered the pair to their hotel with excellent haste, and they made a brisk B-line into the building after paying their fare. Excitement filled the lobby as much as the rest of the city, one man didn't bother waiting for his change from breakfast, but Mason and Brezzo moved through the crowd with the deliberate pace of two men on a mission. Brezzo knew his friend was wholly occupied with his concern for Matt Jarn, but the Lynxine remained in the moment and distinctly recognized a trio of Imperium-uniformed men standing idle just inside the lobby entrance. The din of so many voices made picking theirs out difficult, but the click of a radio from one of the men put Brezzo on alert. A dozen people ploughed out of the elevator, forcing the two to stand aside. Once they were in, the journey up to the fifteenth floor was agonizingly slow, and Mason felt the quiet song about warm smiles and good times playing over the speaker was the worst kind of cruel prank. Brezzo had to check the tapping of his own foot to the music, out of respect for their situation. The door finally opened, and they were pacing down the hall before the two halves were fully retracted. The door to suite 1507 was cracked open, and Mason practically threw it open on his way inside. They rounded the corner into the small common area and were greeted by three faces; the two concerned ones of Nathan and Carlson, and the stern, indifferent one of an Imperium officer. Behind the three, images of the Imperium gunship and hurried interviews of witnesses outside the Conventum switched back and forth on one of the many news channels. The three large cases holding their expedition samples stood on the floor against one wall, ready to be wheeled away. Nathan let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his cousin and friend. "Was starting to worry you guys had already been picked up. The news is making it look like a riot broke out in the Conventum." "Matt insisted we leave as soon as we found him and get back home to…" Brezzo checked his speech as he met the gaze of the Imperium officer. The man stood tall with crossed arms and a very visible weapon at his side. If the Emperor wanted any of them silenced, it wouldn't be very hard for this man to do the job. However, the sword remained untouched, and instead the man said, with great authority, "The Emperor has ordered all House members in the city to remain so for the immediate future. The four of you will accompany my squad back to the Jarn embassy and remain there until further notice. Grab what you need to take from here, and be quick about it." Mason and Brezzo did as they were told, and in seven minutes the five of them met up with the three officers from before in the lobby, and they all took their places in two waiting Imperium cars--two from each group per car. The drive over to the Jarn embassy was smooth enough, aside from the awkward silence in both cars. The only sound everyone wished to hear was the radio for more information about what was happening, but some feeling of improperness kept anyone from making a request. This was the reason nobody heard of the sudden attack on the Douway embacy, and the cars were far enough away the sound of the explosion did not reach anyone's ears but Brezzo's. He failed to realize the source of the dull thump and thus did not mention it. When they arrived at the Jarn embassy, everyone departed the vehicles with haste, gathered the team's bags, and walked gladly into the protection of Jarn security personnel. Imperium guards patrolled around the embassy--including an armored truck--but within the walls was the exclusive territory of House Jarn. Security let the four men through after the proper checks, and their heads finally slowed some as the grand hall opened up before them. The Jarns were not the most opulent House on Surmarack, but they still knew when and how to show their wealth. The first room after security in the embassy was the grand hall, a room stretching half the length of the embassy with a ceiling fifteen meters high. The finest material made up its tile floor and finely-polished ceiling, and paintings of great people and events in Jarn history adorned the walls. The crest of House Jarn hung large and proud behind the desk at the far end of the room, and all four of the arrivals felt a warm sense of homecoming, despite the hostile conditions outside. They all strode long and easy for the full fifteen-second walk down the hall. The guards smiled at the known faces of House family, and allowed them back into the area of the embassy reserved for House members and visiting officials. Nathan, Carlson, Brezzo, and Mason all fell heavily into the comfortable seats in the lounge area, their equipment falling to the floor with an array of sounds, and immediately turned on the wall-mounted television to resume watching the news.
Joshua Forsyth Coranum shrank below them as the shuttle gained altitude. They had already been onboard and preparing to launch when the Imperial Curfew was issued, and by then it was to late to return to the embassy. At least, that's what his father had reasoned. The evening sun caught the gilded splendor of the capital, reflecting golden light everywhere off of spires and turrets. "What do you think the Imperium will do next?" Joshua asked. His father harumphed. "My guess is finish sweeping House Vandermir into oblivion then turn their attention on Gibrani. After that, who knows. I always suspected old Armek had lost his mind, and now it looks like I was right!" "Its just hard to believe that after so many thousands of years the system would just fall apart!" Joshua replied. "You think this hasn't happened before?" Wilhelm responded. "The Houses that are in power now have only existed for the last thousand at the most. Your average Isthus has been alive longer than that. No, this is just another cycle. A cycle of rebirth. You know there's a symbol that the Suvos Mactan use, though it's been around longer than that, of a snake eating it's own tail. It represents death and rebirth, a constant cycle. That's what this station is." Joshua had seen the symbol before. It had always disturbed him. Everything had to come to an end, the idea was hard to accept. For a moment, he was lost in thought. Coranum was still barely visible when a burst of light erupted from below. "What in the divine was that!" He exclaimed. He father peering out of the window. "It looked like an explosion. If it was, I'm sure we'll find out more when we land in Forsythia." Principe Militum Command He stepped around the corner, into the war room. A table with a holo-projection of the ring was in the center, and around it were huddled five high ranking Militum generals. "Ahem." Inirum cleared his throat to get their attention. "Sirs, there are urgent orders from the Throne! We are to assemble a force and move in force against Gibrani holdings. The Emperor wants them completely destroyed by weeks end!" Silence filled the room. "This is madness." One of them said. Inirum saluted and left the room. He agreed. There was no need for this, it was a power play by the most powerful man on the station. It just didn't make sense. At first, Vandermir made sense. They had staged attempts on the Emperor's life, at least that's what the story was, but now Gibrani? The old man may have committed treason, but that was no reason to sack his cities and civilians. He shook his head and dreaded what the next day would hold.
Fay Aladora "Emmm, I guess I should start with...who I am. My name is Tezzriac, I am interested in old maps. Anything to do with earth, I also would like to know where I might find a Sanhedrin." Fay raised an eyebrow and looked around suspiciously before speaking again quietly, choosing her words carefully. "Domu Paradisus hasn't been called Earth in a long time...and it's illegal to search for it." She paused watching his reaction. "Why are you intrested in it anyway?" "I could ask you them same thing." Tazz replied. Tazz was smart, he could tell from her reaction he was at the right place. "The fact you assumed I was searching for earth tells me this is more than just a map shop. All I asked for was anything to do with earth. I never said I was going to try finding it, surely the emperor is not against me having a history lesson how ever." he looked her in the eye, cracking a reassuring grin he pulled a very fat wallet from his pocket. "I will pay handsomely for said history lesson." Fay smiled in return. "I suppose I could give you a breif history lesson. I'm Fay by the way." She led him to a glass table in the corner of the shop. Touching a button on the console she explained some of what she had learned from her studies of earth from the time humans had supposedly left, to their journey here. Fay left out several key details that weren't in the history books however and often used words such as hypothetically and according to legend so as not to incriminate herself should he be a spy of some sort. However she couldn't keep the excitment out of her voice as she gave the "history lesson." It was full of hope that one day they would find it. Of course that hope was only implied. Tazz however nodded emphatically and had a dreamy look in his eyes. Perhaps he was just as intrested in getting to Domu as she was. "Supposedly there are journals leading to Domu but as you know it's illegal, so possession of such journals could result in imprisionment. Those maps over there are they oldest that have been offically found." She pointed to a set of holo-disks marked "Archive." "Thanks for the history lesson, oh do you have a map of this city? more importantly do you have a map of the emperors palace?" Tezz finally unveiled his hood something he only did when he felt comfortable. He waltzed over to the Archive. With a critical eye he began studying them. "I see...that is unfortunate." He muttered. "These maps, they are more accurate than most. But there still not good enough, I know fro a fact Domu could not be in sector 5672. Hmmm." Tezz seemed to come alive as he basked in his element. "No change the angle by 45 degree's to the south, in theory should get you to star 34-a25, use planet Deren to get your bearings head west at a 52 degree...no, 42 degree's reach the Astiler nebula. Gah! it's no use...still." He looked up at Fay as if for the very first time. "This is still the best map I have seen; how much do you want for it?"[/QUOTE] Fay had turned in her chair to watch him view the maps. He muttered degrees and angles that began to click in her head. She automatically saw on the map in her head where he had approximated Domu was. She had guessed it was in that region but had no proof. No spy would know such a thing. "If you want to see the absolute best map there is of that region, then you are going to tell me how you came to the conclusion of those cooridnates." "Well here is our solar system. now most text books claim the earth is millions of light years past the hellion formation. That's a lie. You see ancient texts speak of Domu being at the fringe of the milky way galaxy, not in the centre. That's why people claimed to be able to see the Andromina galaxy while on earth, another thing they don't tell you in school. Now look here, at this point star 34-26 went super nova. With it gone many maps lost a key land mark, how ever..." Tezz went on and on about theories, conspiracies, celestial signs, expounding his near limitless knowledge of the cosmos, finally he said. "Now if you factor in the theorized map of the flowverse which, while is still unproven, has merit in my eyes you can almost know for certain that the earth is-" He stopped, he had said too much. He suddenly blushed wildly, putting on his hood on again. "Sorry, I got carried away. Thanks for all you help." He headed for the door.[/QUOTE] "NO! Wait!" She grabbed his shoulder and flashed him a wide smile. I think you'll like what I have to show you. Follow me." Fay lead him through the streets to the Ancient Library where she had been only moments before. She closed the door behind him, lifted a hidden floor board and pulled out a holo-recorder. "On this disk, is everything I know about the location and the travel route to Domu. I've been so close for weeks but until today hadn't put all the peices together. She slipped the disk into a table a holo-projection of the solar system shown in the air. She inputed the information he had spoken about an a holo-graphic earth popped up at the edge of the milky-way galaxy. It orbited a large sun...a sun she had found mentioned in old journals, the exact distance away as had been mentioned as well. "You mentioned something about flowverse. What in the world is that and how would it help us make that journey?" Tezz was silent for a moment. "I am not sure I should tell you." he looked deep into her eyes, into her soul. "..." "The flow verse, it is a hypothetical dimension below ours. We know for a fact that flow or magic." Tezz levitated a few marbles in his pocket to help demonstrate as he spoke. "Flow or magic comes from another dimension. That's why flow users never run out. Now every one used to believe this dimension was of little importance, that is wrong." The marbles hung in the air in front of Fay. "See this marble represents earth, and this marble represents our world. On earth people could still use magic, as on here. What that seems to suggest is that the dimension flow comes from at the very least, extends all the way from earth to here, if not we wouldn't be able to draw from it." He levitated Fays map and placed it under the two marbles, he continued. "In other words this dimension, the flow verse can be a gate way to anything it extends to, that includes earth." he paused again, trying to decide how far he should tell her. "In theory, if one could enter the dimension flow comes from one could use it to, fast travel to earth. Solving the problem off long space flights, we could get there in a few days!" Tezz became excited as he spoke, he took off his hood once again his face beaming. "Now think about it Fay, if flow can come to this dimension, why can't things from here go to the flow verse? They can, I have seen it." he sighed deeply, "But...that is all I can say. I don't know you well enough to say more, besides none of this matters as long as the God emperor is still alive." He smiled at her, "But no one lives for ever, you wouldn't have a map of the palace would you?" "What if I did? What would you plan to do with it? You can't kill the emperor by yourself! It's suicide!" Fay exclaimed. She had just found a friend who could actually understand what she spoke about and he was planning a suicide mission! She wasn't about to lose a new friend so easily.
Renaith Nelvas This was folly. Sheer, utter folly. Renaith sat at the massive desk in his lavish office, peering up at the two messengers standing in front of him. "Are you certain?" he asked them. The stern gaze in his eyes and the urgency in his voice were the only hints that showed just how concerned the Isthus diplomat really was. "Yes, sir," one of the messengers replied. "The Militum was quick to quell the uprising in the Conventum. The situation seems to have returned to normal now." "That is good, at least. And regarding casualties?" "Casualties were kept to a minimum, sir," the other messenger answered. "Mostly Gibrani soldiers." "I see." Renaith lowered his gaze briefly to a report on his desk, the latest to join the ever-growing pile of paperwork in his office. In recent days, Renaith's job as the Imperial Diplomat to the Houses had become increasingly difficult. First there were the attempts on Emperor Armek's life, followed soon after by the swift crackdown on House Vandemir, the suspected party behind the assassination attempts. And now there was this latest fiasco at the Conventum that seemed to have been orchestrated by House Gibrani. It was hardly a secret that Gibrani had no love for the Emperor, but the diplomat would never have dreamed that they would go this far and risk so much. However, Renaith was not one to jump to conclusions. There were still conflicting reports. Some sources stated that the meeting of the Conventum was treasonous and that Gibrani had acted after the edict to dissolve the meeting had been issued. Others claimed that Gibrani had been planning something from the very beginning. Renaith had not been there himself, so he was in no position to judge either way until he had all the facts. As the Imperial Diplomat, it was his duty to hear from all sides involved and come to an impartial and informed conclusion. It was the only way not to give into the mass hysteria that had already spread throughout Coranum. Renaith lifted his gaze once more upon the two messengers. "Is there anything else to report regarding the matter?" "Just that there is a curfew on the Houses as a result of the incident at the Conventum and that all House representatives must remain in their respective embassies." "At the very least that will make my job somewhat easier. Thank you, sirs. You may go." "Yes, sir." The two messengers bowed stiffly, then made their way out the door. After they'd left, Renaith closed his eyes, a flash of weariness settling over his pale brow. It was times like this he almost regretted following the path of his forefathers and entering into politics. It was still rewarding, to be sure, but all of this recent chaos did not sit well with him in the slightest. More and more he began to wonder what course of action would be the best way to deal with it and if he had chosen the right path. He wanted to be known for his successes, not his failures in times of crisis. But that right path was becoming increasingly murky. When he'd first accepted his duties as the Imperial Diplomat to the Houses, Renaith had a clear goal in mind: to ensure the continued harmony between the Imperium and the Houses. If all parties could work together, then surely it would be to the benefit of all Surmarack. A few minor squabbles here and there could easily be straightened out once everyone saw the bigger picture, as it were. But instead, it looked as though the Houses were growing apart from the Imperium, and even apart from each other. The Isthian diplomat had quickly realized that there was little harmony to begin with and that the chaos would only worsen unless something was done. But what could be done? Lately even his dreams troubled him, ensuring that Renaith got absolutely no reprieve awake or asleep. Not long ago, the Isthian had even had a vision of a terrible tragedy, of pristine white steps soaked in crimson. He had known of the attack on the Conventum before House Gibrani had even unsheathed a single sword, and yet he had been powerless to stop it. Something had to be done, and soon. The dreams of blood and darkness would only continue to worsen if he sat idle in his office. Renaith opened his eyes, his jaw set as he lifted his phone receiver. "Madam Erminia," he said over the phone to his secretary across the hall. "Please cancel the rest of my appointments for the day. I need to liaise with representatives of each house urgently."
Fay and Tazz: Discussing Treason What if I did? What would you plan to do with it? You can't kill the emperor by yourself! It's suicide!" Fay exclaimed. She had just found a friend who could actually understand what she spoke about and he was planning a suicide mission! She wasn't about to lose a new friend so easily. "You underestimate my power Fay." Tezz lifted his hands showing all his ten fingers. "Ten meters, ten meters is all I need and that old fool is mine. But if it makes you feel any better I am not ready to do the deed yet. I still need to plan, I need to find a Sanhedrin, but most importantly I need a map of the palace. Until I attain those I can do nothing." Tezz put his hand on Fays shoulder, looking into her eyes he spoke with true conviction. "He needs to die Fay, we'll never find Demo as long as he draws breath. If you help me, we can make history. Together." She tried to look away from those beautiful, pleading eyes that made her heart jump. But she couldn't. "Fine," she sighed. She turned to some of the more recently archived maps on the wall and pulled one out of the wall. "This will guide us to Order of Ariolus though we don't really need it since I have every map memorized." "Us?" "Yes. You didn't think I'd let you go alone did you? Now, Ariolus is in Imperia. The most dangerous and powerfull part of the Station, aside from the emporer's sector. Normal people are allowed to enter a few of the sectors...people with control over the flow, more so. Just step outside the transport of Imperia and we are bound to find a Sanhedrin within a few minutes. What do you need with one anyway?" "Power and knowledge. I need to know more about the flow, and how I can use it against those I do not like. I won't tell them I seek the emperors life, but I have the sneaking suspicion that old fool has some sort of protection, perhaps against flow. I need all the power I can get. Now...about the map."
Jessica Vandermir Another explosion rocked the castle and a nearby window blew out, sending glass flying everywhere. Jessica grabbed her little brother, Arthur, and threw herself under a nearby desk. He was sobbing while she did her best to hold back her own tears. "Are you okay?" She asked. He nodded. The poor kid was only eight, and already the Imperium seemed to want him dead. From the other side of the study the door burst open and her father, the Viscount Vandermir burst in. "Jessica! Arthur!" He shouted. "We're under here!" She replied, as she pulled herself out from under the table. "The shield isn't coming back online!" He exclaimed. "The Militum will be through the gates any minute. Take this..." He pressed a holo disk into her hand, "...and get your brother and you down into the cellar!" She couldn't breath. This was it, they were all about to die. "Seal the door, and shut off the light. Then say, and you must repeat it exactly 'Inshalla ictishef watanda Vandermir'." He repeated if again. "What... What do you mean!" Another explosion rocked the house, and Arthur emitted a cry and clutched onto Jessica's leg. "Just go! Now!" "But..." "GO!" He shouted. There was an explosion from the entry foyer followed by gunfire. Jessica didn't know what to do, so she did as she had been told and ran, Arthur's hand held tight. "And know that I love you both!" Her father called from behind. They ran down the grand staircase and skirted past the foyer where the fighting was, the sounds of men dying within, and through a small door at the base of the stair. The servants quarters were deserted, as they ran through, finally getting to the heavy cellar door. Jessica pulled it open and pulled Arthur inside with her, and down another short flight of steps. Damp air surrounded them, the smell of must and mold. A final metal door stood before them and Jessica pulled it open. Once through, she slammed it shut. Upstairs she still hear the sound of gunfire and screams. Then it stopped, and that was more terrifying than anything she'd heard all day. "Dad..." Arthur whispered next to her, his voice thick. Jessica was still trying to comprehend everything. Then there was another gunshot, just one, and she felt something die within her. That would have been her father. She just knew, could feel it. They were orphans, trapped in a cellar, with Imperium soldiers searching for them. She had to do something. That was when she remembered what her father had told her. She flipped off the light. "Jessy, what happened to Dad..." Arthur clung to her. She couldn't bring herself to say it. "Be strong Arty, just hang on." She held him close for a moment, then stood and said. "'Inshalla ictishef watanda Vandermir." There was a low groaning noise, and a a faint light. It came from the wall opposite them which was slowly sinking into the ground. Behind it was a tunnel, escape. "C'mon Arty, we have to go now." She said stiffly. It was all she could manage.
Kalara "You're late." Ankani Din's deep voice echoed throughout the hollowness of his office. Kalara was well aware of her tardiness, but Marvoli had kept her longer than she had expected. If Kalara was the light of Suvos Mactan, then Din was the darkness. The aged human male sat at his desk, flipping a ring, a snake eating its own tail, between his fingers. Din was old for a human, he had just had his sixtieth birthday, but looked at least twenty years older than Kalara. The Archon was a man to be respected, because if it wasn't for him, their Faith would have little credibility today. A long time ago the Mactanists saw the coming of the Harbringer - an entity that was to end all life - through the flow. But as the first prophets passed away, their replacements had only cloudy vision of the coming catastrophe, or none at all. Until Ankani Din was born. Din's foresight was so clear that he quickly rose to the rank of Archon - the head of the church of Suvos Mactan. And as his visions foretold of The Coming drawing ever nearer, the Faith drew more believers in recent years. "The Shadow falls." Kalara greeted her superior, bowing. "The Shadow falls." Din replied, putting his ring down onto the table and covering it with his hand. Din's office was made of aged Durium, like most of the church, and the lack of windows made the space look like a dungeon. However, the walls were lined with multiple screens, some of which were turned on and featuring the news. The incident at the Conventum earlier was being covered, Kalara's own presence was noted by the reporters, and then there was a story about an explosion in a nearby district, which was news to her. "Douway has been attacked," Din informed her. That was interesting. Things were getting heated. "Armek?" She questioned. "It is not known. The Imperium hasn't spoken out yet, but it may be a scare tactic." Din showed no sign of it, but she could tell that he was excited. "It's the perfect time, Kalara!" He said, and she knew that he was correct. "I will seek out my contacts." She spoke with confidence, flashing a smile through her veil. But first, she had other business with the Archon. "Marvoli wants more protection." She broke the bad news to him. "Damn Marvoli and his merchants! Precious resources we cannot afford to hand over! Especially now!" "Armek is riled. The assassination attempt has him paranoid. Marvoli believes he'll be the next target after the Houses." Din didn't look pleased about the situation at all. "We need him, your holiness, especially now." Her stared at her with tired eyes and the look on his face that told her he was about to agree with her. If she had learned anything in the four-hundred-and-sixty-four years of her life, it was to read people's faces. "Fine. Give him what he wants. And talk to the Sanhedrin." "As you command, your holiness." Kalara bowed and left the room.
Malief and the Aftermath It was bright. Intensely bright. The fire stung in Malief’s eyes and the blistering heat picked at his skin, gnawing his bones. The child was unconscious with his right arm covered in flames. The Sanhedrin used his flow to clear the fires from their clothing before carrying David down the steps to the edge of the street. Spectators watched while the building ruins collapsed on itself, surrendering to its own waiting. This was the stuff nightmares were made of, the sky radiant with an orange burn and smoke rising from every direction. It seeped down the rubble covered stairs, dripping along every step and filling the street. Just as quickly as the fire had erupted, emergency services arrived on the scene. They made short work of the blaze and before the bystanders knew what had happened they had already moved onto cleaning the debris. David sat in the back of a transport receiving aid and stared blindly at his arm, disheartened and distraught. One of the medics had tried to treat the burn but he screamed at them, determined to live with the pain as a reminder of his mother. And his failure. The evening was fast approaching and with the smoke thinning the star’s light made its final appearance. The audience had dispersed but David still sat in the back of the transport while Malief conversed with the medic. “He needs to come back with us to the Med Vac. His condition isn’t severe but I worry about infection in his damaged arm.” The medic said, checking his chart. “Attention to him… brings unwanted threats… there is safety with friends… House Jarn.” Malief argued in his soothing tone, unwilling to put the teen in the eye of the Imperiums. “I can’t allow that, he needs medical aten…” Malief interrupted, “House Jarn… have relevant resources.” The medic wasn’t ready to let a patient leave his care, but before he could speak Malief placed a role of notes into his hand. “Do we understand each other?” The Sanhedrin quietly asked, and the doctor nodded. The pair switched David to the other transport and went their separate ways. Within minutes they had reached the embassy of House Jarn, and made their way into the empty reception hall. “I sense you all… please assist Lord Douway.”
