|
|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 11, 2007 14:40:43 GMT -5
Fino looked at them all, assembled before him and showing respect in some fashion or another. Good, at least they were intelligent enough to do that. As excited as he felt, he wasn't sure he'd be able to restrain some mild act of violence on anyone who dared otherwise.
Well, scratch that. He was sure, simply because Bernard was here and he would Not Approve. So. Nothing in front of his uncle.
"We thank you all for showing an interest in our obscure little announcement," he began, hands moving behind his back and twining together tightly. If they weren't, he would be fidgeting non-stop. "This is a matter of great importance to us, as you may or may not have guessed from the somewhat unusual requirements and the pains we took to spread word of our interest. As you four have proven yourselves to be qualified in King Bernard's eyes, so too will I accept you for this mission. This quest, if you rather. I suppose I'd best give a bit of a background before explaining what exactly it is that you'll need to do. Some of you may know bits and pieces of this history. I sincerely doubt that any of you know it all."
"Many years ago, two reigns before mine, my mother was the Queen of Hearts. She was a Highland serpent and her name was Abelinda. My father, Blaine, an eagle Highlander, was her King. It's also worth mentioning that he and Bernard were... are, I suppose, brothers, however distasteful the relation may be for us both. Between them, they bore three children, myself being one of them. My brother died young, but my older sister, a Jack, did not. More's the pity. Her name is Talyn." These history explanations always bored him to tears, reciting off lineages and ranks.
"When I was fifteen years of age, still not mature enough to take a proper place in the Court as had been planned from the beginning, another Queen managed to wrest the throne from my mother. She did this by simple expedient of having my father stab her in the heart while she slept. Repeatedly. With a barbed dagger. This left me rather... incensed." And crying his eyes out, but none of them deserved to hear that, nor would they ever. "The two of them had apparently been planning the move for quite some time. They hid it well. We had no warning, no reason to expect that the King would so betray his Queen for the affections of another, and I was not yet old enough to challenge her for the throne. Nor, though I hate to admit it, would I have been powerful enough to best her at fifteen. My sister supported them wholeheartedly. She went so far as to murder several of our allies who dared protest and who may have stood a chance against the usurper. She is four years older than I am."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vyn on Oct 11, 2007 15:32:13 GMT -5
This is exactly what Ophelia hated about Courts -- the backstabbing, power mongering, politics of it all. It made her seethe and yet, at the same time, she could sympathize for Serafino. Her mother had fallen in much the same way, though she had not been a Queen...merely an adoring Jack at her father's side but a jealous 10 had nevertheless done away with her while trying to seduce the King.
For Varrius's sake, Ophelia was glad the cruel ploy had not worked or Ophelia might have personally castrated him.
Oh yes, she knew the bitter longing for vengeance that young Serafino must've felt though she doubted hers compared in the least with the intensity of it he had felt. A cruel stranger was nothing at all compared to the betrayal of one's Father and Sister... Nothing at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 11, 2007 15:38:37 GMT -5
Fino's mouth twisted in something a bit more than a grimace. Ah, memories. "For the next three years, I worked to gain myself allies... and to lose myself enemies. My uncle stayed beside me rather than following after our traitorous kin and together we were a very effective team. When I turned eighteen, I acquired my human form the day of maturity after several years' struggle and took back the throne as a birthday present to myself. It was a very happy birthday, although my uncle's... injury was a poor present indeed." His grimace switched to a grim smile. Memories indeed.
"Zulaya was captured and then killed after she'd paid for her ambition. My father and sister, frustratingly enough, escaped as soon as the tide looked to be turning. We would have pursued them at once, but we had to secure the throne and try to restore some measure of stability. Overthrows always leave things completely chaotic. Then the business of actually running the Court interfered, until they were too far away for us to catch outright. They'd gone into hiding. And now, after nearly ten years, we know where they are. And you're going to help us bring them back." His smile was pure venom at these words.
"We've received word as to their general location. My father, fool that he is, went to hide in the Highlands. Couldn't feel safe anywhere but home, I suppose. Idiot. He's in a village high to the north, though we're not sure where exactly he stays. My sister took considerably more time. It seems that through the course of time she found herself a little rat warren in the Lowlands. I'll admit, we hadn't thought to look for her there until we could find no trace in other, more likely places. I don't know if she's been there the whole time or not, but she's there now, in the capital city of the region. Somewhere amongst the filth."
And how the mighty had fallen. If he could see Talyn now - which he would, oh yes, very soon - he wondered what she would look like. Would the grime and filth and decay of the place started to take its toll on her shining feathers, or would she have stayed above it all somehow, pristine and untouched as the princess she used to be? There was no way to tell besides going there and finding out. He dearly wished he could do it himself, just to see what squalid conditions she had found for herself in that den of lepers.
"If you haven't put two and two together by now, they do, in fact, equal four. The four of you. We have brought you here to send you right back out again, more suitably equipped and with the knowledge we possess. You are to find them, confront them, and bring them here. Alive," he added, more for the benefit of Pravus than anyone else. "We wish the pleasure of dealing with them ourselves. I know my uncle has a score to settle, slashed across the side of his face. My own scars are a bit less obvious, but I will make sure my sister's body reflects each and every one of them before she escapes to the merciful arms of death. It may take a little while for them to reach her, however."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vyn on Oct 11, 2007 16:44:14 GMT -5
Ophelia listened quietly, intently, her eyes slightly narrowed but with thought and not disdain. There appeared to be more of this brutal Queen of Hearts than she'd previously assumed. His temper problems definitely made a good deal more sense, with a child like that Ophelia wouldn't have become a teddy bear either. Not that she had done much better with her own chaotic life, even lacking the tragedies that the Queen had endured.
And then, at last, came the mission requirements that Ophelia had been waiting for.
They were supposed to hunt down the remaining traitors and return them to the Palace of Hearts for their proper justice. It was a task Ophelia could appreciate, especially if all she had to do was incapacitate someone. Death dealing was not her hand and was likely to never be.
Considering that there were four of them, and only two people they were hunting, Ophelia could assume they'd be going out in pairs. How the pairings would be decided and who her partner would be were both a mystery to her despite the fact that she subconsciously hoped she'd get a chance to speak with Pravus a bit. He seemed so different... She shook the thought from her mind. Work, not play... After this was all said and done, Ophelia would have all the time in the world to hunt down Pravus and find out what had become of him in their time apart.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spiderfly on Oct 11, 2007 17:14:33 GMT -5
Pravus stood immobile except for his slow, measured, breathing. Interesting. . a bit of insight into his Queen's thinking. Though, he did not care so much for what made Fino, but for who and what he was now. That was . . .all that mattered really. But his father and sister had hurt him. . . they would pay dearly.
He sneered, thinking of all he could do. And then. . . that word. "Alive"
Pravus growled inwardly then grinned. Fino hadn't said anything about the . . condition they were in. Only that they must be alive. Perhaps a broken limb, or a few gashes. They wouldn't hurt any. He nodded as the Queen finished talking.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spiderfly on Oct 11, 2007 17:16:58 GMT -5
Jenn, Jag, Kari, Vyn and Spidey all receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe.
This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe.
Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!
|
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 11, 2007 17:33:16 GMT -5
Looking to Bernard, Fino raised one hand, the golden ring on his middle finger standing out against his pale skin. "One of the means of assistance we plan to give you are a set of enchanted rings, each of them carrying a potent collection of spells all woven together. There is one ring corresponding to each suit. However, you will not be receiving the ring that corresponds with your own suit. That would be quite useless. And you will return them to us at the completion of your tasks."
His hand extended in a gesture of expectation. The King nodded and reached into a pocket, pulling out the small red velvet bag his nephew had given to him for safekeeping before the guests had arrived. Fino took it and reached it, taking out the first ring. He then walked over to Pravus, looking up at that satisfied, expectant expression. They were all taller than him in their bipedal forms, but it bothered him less than it would if he wasn't used to it. "For you, the ring of Clubs. Base as it is, I think you will find several of its abilities useful, if not particularly 'classy'."
Theo, next to the feline, received the ring of Spades. Its golden jewel glittered brightly in an almost inverse-heart shape. "The two of you will be paired together in this hunt," he said with narrowed eyes. "You will be sent to the Lowlands. Your progress sill be monitored, so do your best to cooperate. I ask it of you." His eyes bored into the feline before he moved on.
The ring of Diamonds went to Ophelia. "Charm, intelligence, and air magic. Potent stuff for anyone. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you your partner at this point." With an expression of mild distaste, he withdrew the ring corresponding to his own suit, that of Hearts, and held it out to Majida. "As you so obviously need the most help. Use it wisely. The Highlands can be an... interesting place."
He stepped back from their line, letting them do as they would with the rings. Hopefully they would put them on, but he certainly wouldn't force them. "In addition, you will all be receiving a generous amount of coin to cover your expenses during the trip and to loosen a few tongues that may need persuasion of the gentle sort. We will supply you with what maps we can, though some are more complete than others. The journey to both locations should take somewhere between two and three days for each of your parties. After you arrive, you are on your own... but not quite." He tapped his own ring. "This allows me to stay in communication with you, thanks to the complicated spell network. You have but to reach out with your minds and wait for my acknowledgment before beginning a conversation. I can be contacted at any time, and I will not begrudge you honest questions. I want to see this ended very badly."
Despite himself, he began to pace a little, hands clasped once again behind his back. The steps were sharp with agitation. "Each of the rings is also equipped with the power of teleportation, though only of a very specific sort. The instant one of you makes physical contact with either my father or my sister, they will be transported instantaneously to a special 'holding cell' set deep within the palace, warded by a magical barrier. We will deal with them at our leisure in that manner. You, yourselves, will be able to teleport back to the palace once your quests have been completed and Bernard has released the hold on that particular magic. Most likely, it will be only moments after we find the appropriate traitor caged."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 11, 2007 17:42:50 GMT -5
Ring of Clubs :: Pravus
Basic Magical Ability: He can go up to three days without needing to sleep.
Moderate Magical Ability: When activated, he can carry up to 200 lbs of extra weight for 24 hours straight, one day per week. He is left feeling tired and somewhat drained for the 24 hours following that period.
Strong Magical Ability: When activated, he can move or shift small metal objects, up to around the size of an apple. He can move them any which way without difficulty, up to 30 feet away from him, and with whatever force he desires.
Powerful Magical Ability: When activated, he can communicate with a Club he is acquainted with through the earth up to two miles away for a maximum of ten minutes at a time.
Ring of Spades :: Theofilus
Basic Magical Ability: He can run up to 40mph in sprints and 20mph for up to an hour in extended runs.
Moderate Magical Ability: When activated, he can see black-and-white clearly in the dark. This can be activated and deactivated at will. Should he look at a moderate to bright light with this ability activated, however, he will experience intense pain and be left with a splitting headache for up to one day.
Strong Magical Ability: When activated, he can create up to two gallons of drinking water up to five times per day.
Powerful Magical Ability: When activated, he can call forth and dismiss a small familiar. *to be described when he uses this ability*
Ring of Diamonds :: Ophelia
Basic Magical Ability: She can act charismatic and persuasive at times, whether or not she actually has the natural charm and grace to pull it off.
Moderate Magical Ability: When activated, she can decipher up to two languages. The ring's languages are the Highland tongue and the Heart tongue. These languages are in addition to the common tongue and the Diamond house language.
Strong Magical Ability: When activated, she can cast a lie-detector spell on a card off any suit and of a rank lesser or equal to her own, once per day. Cards of equal rank would be aware of the spell, but cards of lesser rank would not.
Powerful Magical Ability: When activated, she can fly for up to five hours at a time, though the flight is somewhat awkward and she has to concentrate.
Ring of Hearts :: Majida
Basic Magical Ability: She can ignore moderate amounts of pain for up to an hour.
Moderate Magical Ability: When activated, she gains an immediate proficiency with any weapon that she picks up. This can be activated and deactivated at will.
Strong Magical Ability: When activated, she can inflict mental pain on another card of any suit, once per day. The degree of pain is dependent on the strength of the caster and the rank of the victim.
Powerful Magical Ability: When activated, she can control the mind of a lesser Heart for up to one hour, once per week. The individual being controlled would know and the degree of control would depend on the strength of the caster and the rank of the victim.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaguara Katial on Oct 11, 2007 18:58:46 GMT -5
When she saw the beautiful ring, he had placed in her hand she did not know what to say. She was at a loss of words and only nodded in addition to the noise of agreement that eked out, she had listened to all that he had said and even though she resided in the highlands region, she had never been north. She resided in the hills near the capital city and never ventured anywhere else. She wondered if Sebak had been that far north but with his current state, even if Ophelia and she were to stop and see him first off she doubted that he was actually there and second off he was too drunk to be of any real help any way.
She turned the ring over in her hand and one by one tried it out on her fingers to find the one that it fit the best. The gold gleamed along with the red ruby against her blue and silver feathers. Her head ached slightly as the new abilities contained in the ring melded together with her subconscious. She wanted to shake it away but instead looked her partner in this quest up and down.
She was beautiful in a strange way and she had an air of experience about her. In what she really did not know but Maji hoped that she was nice and that she would be able to get along with her well during this experience. She really wanted this all to go smoothly for many reasons.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 11, 2007 19:13:53 GMT -5
Wait. Did the Queen just say that he was going to hunt down a traitor to his court in the Lowlands with the creepy looking young feline by the name of Pravus? He said it pretty firmly, and he did glare at the man.
And the amazing rings? He would attain the powers of a Spade if he put them on as well as his own. To show his great appreciation he slipped on the ring almost as soon as he received it. It took a great deal of work to craft, as proven by the condition of the King of Hearts. He could at least show his appreciation, even if he didn't use the magic... but he probably would going to the Lowlands and all.
The Lowlands. Ugh. That was the one place he never wanted to travel, and he didn't have a choice now. He didn't dare open his mouth in protest, because the Queen had every right to want the traitors captured.
Still, Theofilus couldn't imagine this would be enjoyable.
|
|
