(IR) The 5th IR - 3rd OOC Thread (OPEN)

[Radiant]

Again, I'll put this in your roster, Radiant. This is good stuff, and we want to preserve it through the IR.

thanks, it would be a lot better if I were not allready have asleep and would make a few less mistakes. But it's fun so it keeps me awake


to ALL: the Claw is sending envoys to each and every faction they can reach. it doesn't matter if you're a good elven kingdom, an ilithid or even some kind of demon-demi-god who wants the consume the world. They will visit you anyway
These are usualy groups of members of the merchant caste in the Imperium who are responsible for the paperwork accompanied by a handfull of bodyguards and one actual Claw (the real negotiator).
They do not make much of a spectacle of their arrival and just send a letter to the local ruler that their services are available if he/she so desires.
These offer free council on any possible deal. Claw is willing to discuss any sort of payment the faction might propose, money, slaves, magical tomes, artifacts, piece treaties or whatever strange idea you might come up with. If they accept it is another matter of course.
If they are not received or no deal is made the group of ambassadors will still stay in the city if they are granted the permission so they can be reached anytime.
If they are met with hostility they will retreat if possible but still remind you that their serivces are available, how to reach them though is now your problem.
The claw members themselv stay only if some kind of deal is agreed on to offer council. If not they teleport back to the empire but the envoys can reach them anytime and they will return if someone wants to open negotiations at a later time.

If you are interested in actual negotiations or even just smalltalk let me know and I will work out the envoy responsible for your region.

 

[Radiant]

Radiant, I've updated your roster. You have a current IC of 100, pending Serpenteye's rulings.

thanks

EDIT: I've read your entire post above, Radiant. Very nice. And you know what? The Silkari remind me of the taraakians. I swear it's true. They were a warrior race of good alignment and nobility (and I would call it nobility, to destroy an army bent on killing 3 million people due to mad dictates from a mad government.) Are they epic? Beats me. They certain are elite, which is one level down. In any case, let's just saw that the drow cities under the Celestial Imperium know of the Sikari and have suffered greatly at their hands over the long years (the drow, being drow, attacked the Celestial Imperium from Below, and have often fought with the Sikari.) (Eclavdra, having united these cities in Eclavdor, has ordered ALL ATTACKS STOPPED upon the Celestial Imperium, and since she has been Velsharess there has been peace.)

yeah they've been pretty evil in my first concept, and they still are not nice if they decide to go against you but somehow they turned out to be a bit more noble the more I worked on them.
The drow knowing about them is cool with me. At least someone knows who these guys are for real then. Plus the drow would be exactly the kindof menace the Sikari had thought. No need to let people panick by knowing that secret armies are gathering under their feet. That's the dirty work you have your secret orders for... .
And I bet the Drow have been realy surprised to see them suddenly advertising as mercenaries. Don't know of there is a city diretly under the Imperium but if there is they might even know about the sorry state it was in.
Anyway, Eclavdra gets a visit from Claw emissaries just like everyone else. And knowing these are drow their letter will be extra friendly, just to be cautious.
I imaguned the imperium a bit like the closed of eastern cultures. They never bothered with the land beyond their "holy" borders. The Sikari a bit more than others but they still don't know a lot. Caught up in their own problems they probably don't know a lot of what has been going on with the drow, they've just been happy that they no longer attacked.

edit: amazing that they resemble anything. I've thrown them together from the Sevaars (Shadowskill), the Ebons (SLA Industries), the Shard (VOR) and of course the Claws (Malazan Chronicles/great books, can highly recemmend them).

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

hurray, my first secret message!!!

[sblock]Normaly I'd make this open information but I guess you don't want anyone to know you've asked so not prob. The empire is a damn big place and has a famous academy for paladins (which has been decaying since the sphere was closed and is destroyed now) and dozens for martial artists (very much china). Some of these are pretty good. Most Legions of the empire are trained in the temple-training facilities all over the country. They are famed for their discipline, fighting to the death is expected. On the other hand they are not better trained than fighters from other countries, just more fanatic.
The claws themself have nothing to do with that, no one knows how they are trained, or rather created (as you can see in the desciption above they are just a bit "strange".)
[/sblock]

To Radiant:
[sblock]Iuz don't want to consume the world, yet. Merely to be worshipped everywhere ... and If Your Clerics are Neutral-Evil, Chaotic-Evil or Chaotic-Neutral in aligment ... Iuz's fold is open for worshippers ! Anyway spells that he may give at the beggining are weak. For he is a young god.

And Iuz demand small sacrifices ... And these could be criminals. Killing each other on the Altar-Arenas for the entertainment of the faithful.

Then ... CLAW spies might noticed that trough main traditional war-schools about 2 years ago went strange Western warrior-girl with extreme skills for her age, apparently trained in neighbourn Nippon. But ... she's wielding Soulblades of pure black. Her goals ? Learn as much as she could about war tactics and philosophy. Your envoy in Dorakaa might spot her as important figure in City's military. Her name is Drelzna, and people gossip that she's a Iuz's daughter or consort. Or both. [/sblock]
[/sblock]

 

[Anabstercorian]

to ALL: the Claw is sending envoys to each and every faction they can reach. it doesn't matter if you're a good elven kingdom, an ilithid or even some kind of demon-demi-god who wants the consume the world. They will visit you anyway
These are usualy groups of members of the merchant caste in the Imperium who are responsible for the paperwork accompanied by a handfull of bodyguards and one actual Claw (the real negotiator).
They do not make much of a spectacle of their arrival and just send a letter to the local ruler that their services are available if he/she so desires.
These offer free council on any possible deal. Claw is willing to discuss any sort of payment the faction might propose, money, slaves, magical tomes, artifacts, piece treaties or whatever strange idea you might come up with. If they accept it is another matter of course.
If they are not received or no deal is made the group of ambassadors will still stay in the city if they are granted the permission so they can be reached anytime.
If they are met with hostility they will retreat if possible but still remind you that their serivces are available, how to reach them though is now your problem.
The claw members themselv stay only if some kind of deal is agreed on to offer council. If not they teleport back to the empire but the envoys can reach them anytime and they will return if someone wants to open negotiations at a later time.

If you are interested in actual negotiations or even just smalltalk let me know and I will work out the envoy responsible for your region.

I do my best negotiations face to face, IC or OOC. Would you be willing to receive a phone call from me? I'm going to be at central time.

EDIT: I can call anyone for free after 8:00 in the afternoon, but if you're in Europe or somesuch, that's more or less meaningless.

EDIT: I put my namesake on the PC's of the 5th IR thread.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

To Radiant (open communication, public knowledge)

Eclavdra makes it a point to receive the Sikari personally in Eclavdor's capital.
The Sikari notice a very hard working, very organized society around them in Erelhi-Cinlu - very undrowish, really. There is none of the usual drow hostility or sneering attitude towards outsiders (they are mostly too busy to pay any attention to the Sikari, but those that do are respectful.)

Likewise, the drow in the High Palace are silently respectful, as the silkari are ushered in.

Eclavdra - who appears as the photo negative of a young, beautiful elven girl - sitting upon her seat, nods courteously to the Silkari, and speaks in a soft, gentle voice:

This is an honor.
Please be welcome in Erelhi-Cinlu.
We are very curious. The Sikari are the stuff of our legends.
Would you honor me and my people by relating what you would be willing to relate, of who you are?

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

To Bugbear (open communication, public knowledge)

Normally sblocks denote a secret message.
However, this is not the case here.
In this case, I put the sblocks in only to save space, and make scrolling easier.
Everyone should feel free to view this post. IC, this is probably going to become public knowledge.

[sblock]

Eclavdra receives the message from King Rhynnon of Greater Nyrond.
She muses over it for some time.
Finally, she goes to her Magic Mirror, by which she sends long range communications, and sends a communicae requesting an audience (not face to face, but through the mirror, which works both ways as a communication device) with King Rhynnon.
Later, she returns to the Mirror to find out if an audience was granted, and when.
Assuming one was, Eclavdra is there for the occasion, standing in front of the mirror. She is wearing her gauzy purple robes and mail, her coronet, and carrying her orb and scepter, but these are meant ceremonially apparently ... she always carries them as Queen of the drow in formal (and important) occasions like this.
Her attitude is friendly and respectful, her voice quiet and subdued, gentle as is her way.
She speaks to the King through the Mirror:

The survival of my people is the whole of my purpose now, your Highness.
Unfortunately, our chances of survival are slim. All divinations and portents point to disaster and ending for us.
A great enemy comes for us, to extinguish us. All the portents say this. We do not know the name of the foe, only that his strength will be overwhelming.
We offer to open diplomatic relations with Greater Nyrond. To establish mutual Consulates in each other's cities. To open trade, and establish laws protecting the rights and safety of traders and travellers alike. A common law, by which both drow and human must abide, for without law there is nothing.
We do not know if the enemy that comes threatens Greater Nyrond also, but we believe so. In mutual determination and strength ... (here Eclavdor pauses, and her voice and expression grow intense) ... in mutual strength we can survive the coming Armaggedon.
What then, is your will, your Majesty?

[/sblock]

 

[Radiant]

To Radiant:
[sblock]Iuz don't want to consume the world, yet. Merely to be worshipped everywhere ... and If Your Clerics are Neutral-Evil, Chaotic-Evil or Chaotic-Neutral in aligment ... Iuz's fold is open for worshippers ! Anyway spells that he may give at the beggining are weak. For he is a young god.

And Iuz demand small sacrifices ... And these could be criminals. Killing each other on the Altar-Arenas for the entertainment of the faithful.

Then ... CLAW spies might noticed that trough main traditional war-schools about 2 years ago went strange Western warrior-girl with extreme skills for her age, apparently trained in neighbourn Nippon. But ... she's wielding Soulblades of pure black. Her goals ? Learn as much as she could about war tactics and philosophy. Your envoy in Dorakaa might spot her as important figure in City's military. Her name is Drelzna, and people gossip that she's a Iuz's daughter or consort. Or both. [/sblock]
[/sblock]

boy this is going to be a long one. We should consider making this an in-character discussion as the Sikari are interested in a lot of this and actualy have a lot to offer themself on this matter.

[sblock]currently the celestial imperium is a bit short on clerics for a simple reason: the sikari are systematicly hunting them down and exterminating them. So they can't pray to any god right now
On the other hand this leaves a vacuum. The Claw has no objections of the kind of faith proposed. They are not too enthusiastic about an evil god but since execution is the usual punishement these might be turned into sacrifices. There's a lot more they would propose on this matter. Just let me know if negotaions should go like this or if you prefer to have pc emissary to play this out.[/sblock]

I do my best negotiations face to face, IC or OOC. Would you be willing to receive a phone call from me? I'm going to be at central time.

I'm in europe buddy you don't want that kind of bill
If you want it kept real secret just send a mail: Radiant (at) gmx (dot) tm

Eclavdra makes it a point to receive the Sikari personally in Eclavdor's capital.
The Sikari notice a very hard working, very organized society around them in Erelhi-Cinlu - very undrowish, really. There is none of the usual drow hostility or sneering attitude towards outsiders (they are mostly too busy to pay any attention to the Sikari, but those that do are respectful.)

Likewise, the drow in the High Palace are silently respectful, as the silkari are ushered in.

Eclavdra - who appears as the photo negative of a young, beautiful elven girl - sitting upon her seat, nods courteously to the Silkari, and speaks in a soft, gentle voice:

This is an honor.
Please be welcome in Erelhi-Cinlu.
We are very curious. The Sikari are the stuff of our legends.
Would you honor me and my people by relating what you would be willing to relate, of who you are?

the emissaries from the Celestial Imperium do an amazing job of remaining calm but still it is very easy to see how shaked they are by the fact they are in an actual drow city. Even so they try to make sure they do not miss important details, like what all this stuff these busy drow are building, how many and what kind of slave races are visible and are there obvious military efforts.
The lithe form of the souwarped member of the group seems a lot more composed. There are many reasons for this of course. With their strange eyes it is hard to read the expression of a Sikari and being the teleporter of the group the women is the only one who has any means of escape, regardless of how slim her chances might be.
The whole group responds to their hosts with every courtesy. Their culture having thousands of protocols of proper behaviour the emissaries are the virtual archetype of friendliness.
Once in the audience with Eclavdra the Sikari takes the lead of the group. Since the Drow allready know who they are there is no sense in pretending otherwise.
The group bows and kneels and the Sikari does the same. You don't grow up under the rule of priest-kings and don't get used to kneeling. Obviously they don't consider themselves above it or feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.
At least there the courtesies are concerned. Once in the presence of the Drow-Queen they can barely surpress a shiver and Queyn the chief negotiator is very sad that wiping his sweat stained hands on his tunic would look very bad now.
And even the Sikari does not look enterily comfortable here. As she raises her sílver-maned head the Drow can see first week signs of age on the otherwise youthfull looking women face.
To anyone who know the last bit about the Sikary this is a clear sign. They only show these signs if the end of their natural lifespan (which is around 300 years) is near. Very few ever reach that age and those that do are experienced veterans. It is allmost certain that she is a member of the first talon and therefore a personal advisor of Sanakan herself.
"The honor is ours your grace. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jade, by the name of the soulwarping. We have come to speak for the Sikari. Dark times have come upon our world and our ancient emnity will serve neither of us any longer. So we have come with an offer of piece, of common trade, to set up exchange of information and anything else that might help all of us surivive in these new days."

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

This kind of thing will be common once we start Turn 1.
Indeed, it should compose the majority of posts in the IR.
Diplomacy, negotiations, and the results (which can often be pretty wild) are the meat of IRs. The technological arms race, the magical arms race, the wars, everything military, is the drink, as it were.

As for Eclavdra, she responds as below. This is a public response, put in sblocks to save space. Anyone should feel free to view it.

[sblock]

Well, ok, I haven't got a response yet. I need time to consider Eclavdra's response, and I need to be fully awake to do it! LOL.
But yes, there will be a response.
I do have some preliminary information, however.

Eclavdra sends out all the guards. They leave the throne room, leaving Eclavdra alone with her guests.
When Eclavdra sees her guests kneel, after they stand she herself curtsies deeply, bowing her head, in returned respect and homage to the Celestial Imperium and to the Sikari.
She steps forward and physically offers her hand - that's right, she is exposing herself to personal attack, without guards present - to the speaker of the Sikari, Jade - in what must be a drow gesture of goodwill and peace.
She entreats these diplomats to feel more at ease, has food and drink brought in by quiet drow ladies, and actually tries to create something of a dinner atmosphere, since tables and chairs are readied and the food is piled high.

She is open to questions, to whatever Jade would care to ask of her. ((Go ahead and ask what you'd like to ask, Radiant.))
She herself wishes to know more of the Sikari and of the Celestial Imperium.
She seems wiling to consider negotiations, diplomatic relations, trade relations, and even some sort of common law whereby the drow and surface-worlders can interact safely and in peace.

Eclavdra openly wears the emblem of Lolth. The symbols of Lolth are openly displayed all over the High Palace, along with the emblems of Erelhei-Cinlu.
So, unless Eclavdra is being deceptive, she still holds to Lolth and whatever that entails.
Yet her behavior and her actions are, obviously, very much unlike that of a cleric of Lolth. They are more akin to what might be expected of Al'Akbar, the noble and good leader of the Baklunish.
What gives here? That's a good question.

What do the diplomats see?

They see a city hard at work building defenses and making military preparations. They see a large war industry going at full force, with huge smithies thundering along. They see a very active and militant people, all of them dressed in various uniforms, hurriedly going about their duties.
The banners and flags of Erelhi-Cinlu and of Lolth are everywhere. A parade could not have more such flags than fly from a single city block of Erelhi-Cinlu. Most of the drow, in addition to their assorted uniforms, are wearing emblems of Lolth, the City Emblems, and House Emblems, of every sort and kind.
Slaves of various humanoids races are also working hard on numerous projects.
No attempt is being made to conceal any of this.

Is something missing here?

Yes.

There are no drunken drow lying in the streets There are no beggars. There are no idle drow at all.
There are no human and elven women on display in brothels (as per D3, Vault of the Drow), and indeed there are no brothels apparent at all. There are no dead bodies lying around. The very streets themselves are clean, free of trash and debris.
Most of the buildings are either new or under major repair: all the buildings are in excellent condition or soon to be so. Vacant areas exist where buildings were torn down, although most of these are marked for new construction.

[/sblock]

 

[Serpenteye]

Hey everyone... Did I come in at a bad time???

Edena and Serpenteye... Honestly after all the "chaos" of the last few days I didn't know if this was for me after all... But I'm willing to stick it out and see if the atmosphere improves...

As for claims... I thought I was claiming Erypt (to be renamed), Suhfang (based on William Ronald's helpful-post) and the Tribes of Ellaves... Was one or more of those already taken??? So do I add more to my claim??? Before the TFO/James meltdown... there was talk of overpowered vs underpowered... I'd rather not be either... but color me confused as to what is now...

I do have to admit a ton of ignorance so far in this game. I think I understand IC, PL, and epic well enough... but the generating a PC and Powers is what's throwing me for a loop... Is there some template I can follow???

No, I think you came in at a very good time, bringing new vitality to the game.
You should do well with those three powers, neither too strong or too weak.
Is there something specific you have trouble with (about PLs)? Ask away, and I will answer.

next newbie question:

How many people are in one elite army? Or does that change depending on the power of people that make up the unit? Since serpenteye said my faction will consist only of eltie units like the ethergaunts did I asume the total number of Claw member should not be very high. On the other hand they are not as powerfull as the gaunts since they are in average as good as they are without any levels at all. So I asume one elite unit of Sikari will include a lot more individuals than an equaly powerfull unit of ethergaunts?

The number of people does vary depending on the power of those who make up the unit. A PL of Militia is made up of 10'000 individuals, but a PL of Regulars is less than half of that and a PL of Elite is about 500-50 individuals. Epic PLs are usually single individuals, or artifacts or powerful magical items. Some individuals will have even more than 1 elite PL.

oh, I didn't get that it's epic. I thought they'd be elite. Anyway, I'm just writing the background without specific numbers now so I can just adapt it.
Regardless how big they might be, claw units are called TALONS. (yeah I know not very creative but I can remember it easily and with so much stuff to keep in mind I am happy about that)

They will likely be a little of both.

kay guys, here's most of the background. Nothing other people would realy know but anyone placing spies should be able to find out some of it over time and anyway it isn't necesary to keep it secret for the game itself.

the story of Sanakan the betrayer:

The throne room of the white palace.

They called it the chamber of light. Yet shadows moved through it as if they had a live of their own. And indeed they had. Occasionaly one would lengthen out and start to take more form before finally a black-gald human would step out of it.
Some of them had allrady gathered around the throne of white marble. Each and every one of the men and women was slim, almost gaunt. The most striking thing was their hair, contrasting their pale, almost white, skin. One had the deeped purple while another's was blood red.
One after the other had arrived and give has report. It had been the same every single time.
"It is done."
Now they waited. Twenty-seven had gathered, with arrival of the twenty-eighth their treason would be complete.
Another shadow split open, revealing the last of their number. His electric-blue hair was bound to tight ponytail behind his back. Like everyone else in attendance he was closed neck to toe in leatherlike suit. The material was covered with armorlike plates of dark crystal and occoasinaly flashes of color shot through them like lightning, more often than not in the same color as the hair of the person wearing it.
The newcomer took his place in the half circle around the throne.
"It is done."
Like those before him he wasn't adressing the person sitting on the throe itself. Instead his gaze fell on the woman beside it. Dressed like the rest of them she wore her ultra-violet hair short, ending above her shoulders. She met his eyes with her own, far too hard for a girl who looks no more than twenty. The newcomer's voice was challenging, he wasn't happy with what they had done. For an instant both of them had flashes of psionic power lighting up and in the end he bowed his head.

She turned away from them, not able to face their acusing stairs any more. The rules were absolute, her orders would never be questioned. But that also meant it was her and her fault alone that their honor was lost forever.
Even in the depth of their fall she had to admire the effiency of her followers. They call her Sanakan, a word that could be roughly translated as "intruder" in the common language. Like every other person in this room she had given up her real name long ago.
She is the 58th first claw of the Sikari. And the first to break their ancient oath.
"You know what to do. Leave me now."
With an almost apoligizing look she turns to figure sitting on the throne room.
-we are saving the imperium my lord. I hope you have no objections-
A knife of black crystal is sprouting from the old and regal lookin man's throat and dried blood has ruined his white robes.
-Yes, I asumed you would not.-



the next day atop the roof of the tower of spirits, the highest building of the celestial city and personal refuge of the priest king

The riots had finally calmed down.Since the food had run out only the brutal oppresion of the populace by the city guard had kep any semblance of peace. That was the first thing the Claw had changed. Since yesterday every secret cache of supplies in the palace had been opened and for once the citizens did not have to go to bed hungry. Corn and bread stored to support the army during a siege would only last so long though.
The Sikari who went under the name of Sandheart finally reached the top of the stairs and saw his mistress at the edge of the roof. No doubt she was watching as the last fires from the riots where extuingished.
He stopped, not wanting to interupt her. For the first time in days her expression was serene and in his mind it was only fitting.

Their honor might be gone now but the claw had ended the riots and made the effecitve fight against he fires possible. The claw had opened that last reserves of food and the claw had exterminated the desease ridden quarters the last night to preven the loss of the whole city to the plagues. They had murdered and killed so many for this but that was the only thing they knew how to do. And someone had to save the Imperium.
Many called Intruder a traitor, none to her face of course, but Sandheart was still young. He remembered his life before the soulwarping and he understood that saving their home country and people had been more important than their honor. There had been no other way he tried to tell himself.
The priest king had gone mad after the gods vanished. The bountifull harvests of the blessed farms had been a thing of the past after the divine priests of the Immaculate Order had lost most of it's powers. The White Order of Paladins had decayed and with it the power if the Celestial Legions. The whole country had been falling apart as the wealth and power build on godly favour had vanished overnight.
Chaos and misery had been inevitable but it was even worse than that. Not used to any questions of their divine rulership the high order of priests had started to brutaly surpress the populace after the first riots caused of hunger had started.
the Legions, scarred witless by the loss of their ever present divine support had taken it as a chance to blow of their frustration and thousands had died then they entered the cities.
They had restored piece for a time but the situation just got worse as the Immaculate Order and the priest king himself did nothing to change the situation. Instead they closed themselves of and prayed for their gods of light to return, abasing themselves more and more.
Over a year ago they had declared that human sacrifices would be the only thing that could bring the gods back. It had caused more riots and death but even so it happened.
The Sikari had been there as they had been for five thousand years. Loyal servants of the Imperium and priest-king. Never speaking up, just doing their duty. They had killed the most prominent enemies of the government, made undesirables vanish and sometimes exterminated whole villages if someone suspected the threat of rebellion.
Intruder had returned from her secret meetings with the priest-king and his council, allways silent and fullfilled their wishes without complaint or hesitation.
Last month that had changed.
The first talon, the gathering of the claw's leaders had assembled once again. Silent and serene as allways she had told them of the councils plans.
"The divine ruler of the Celestial Imperium has spoken. The council of the Immaculate Priests agrees. So it is the will of the gods of light that it shall be done."
It had been the ritual beginning of each meeting in hundreds, maybe thousands of years.
"The gods have not answered their prayers. The sacrifices have not been enough. Only one thing can explain this. The people of our holy country have become faithless and are living a live of sin. The many recent riots and protests are prove of that. The gods have to be appeased. For this reason there shall be a culling. Every thired man, women and child shall be sacrificed to the gods, to cleanse our souls and bring back the favour of the gods.
Do not be concerned, we will take them from the towns and villages that mostly suffer from plague and hunger. In fact it will be a mercy. The Celestial Legions will fullfill this holy duty, your Sikari will only have to make sure that any possible organized resistance is crushed before it has a chance to develop.
One day our people will remember this even as a holy expression of our faith, the divine act that brought the gods of light back to us."
She had opened her violet eyes and met those of every claw in attendance.
"This have been the exact words of our divine ruler."
Anger had flashed over her expression then and visoble arcs of psionic energy flashed over the cristal shards that could form the trademark Sikari Soulwarp-Armor in seconds.
"My brothers and sisters, for generations the Sikari have done their duty.
Traitors have been assasinated, whole armies have been destroyed in silence of no open war could be declared.
The enemies of our sacred home country have vanished in the night.
So it has been and so it will be again. Go out and kill the enemies of the Celestial Imperium."
And what the first claw wished the Sikari made happen.

Finally Sandheart decided that he should wait no longer. He walked through the small door and stood on the windshaken roof directly behind the first claw.
"Sanakan, the city is ours. Bajou the last priest of the council was assasinated by Blackwing just an hour ago. All their loyal aids are either dead or imprisoned. The ones loyal to us have allready started implement our cover. At least for the time being any word that gets out of the White Palace will be considered the will of the Priest-King. Those who new about us have been silenced. We are now just the new honor guard of our divine ruler.
Even now Scarface's and Jade's talons are on their way to the Legion of Valor in the Kudai province. Right now they are the only one close enough to pose a threat to us. Like all others they are close to insurrection at the moment. Before the night has ended all their organized leadership will be dead. We estimate that the legion itself will stop being any kind of organized fighting force before the next evening and will be completly scattered by the end of the week. Even without our interference doubt that any of the other legions could pose a threat to us and if that changes they will meet a similar fate.
The merchand caste is holding on to our agreed bargain and does its best to make everything appear normal. The mages have been fast to understand the truth of our situation and I personaly made sure archmage Nuruda read your offer.
We've got them."
He watched her, as she turned around to face him. Intruder held a holy title. She was unquestioned and had served the order for over a hundred years. Sandheart would not dishonour her by aknowledging that he noticed her tears.
It was a shok to even see this happening but he would handle it. Afterall he himself could only cope with the situation by not thinking about it. They Imperium had been crumbling, all estimations had predicted a total collapse within a year or two. But now they had destroyed it themself. No military organization worth mentioning remained, food was nearly nonexistant and nothing was left that could even resmble an economy. Their honor had held them back too long, they had eliminated the threat but their country was allready dead. As usual the claw had worked in secret, the only thing prevenint their neighbors from simply taking the land was the fact that nobidy knew of their condition. In fact the Imperium seemed even stronger or how could it otherwise have taken in an entire mercenary army. But this would not last long. They would find out the truth and descend on them like vultures.
And that was if the country would not simply tear itself apart from hunger, sickness and rebellion long before that.
The words tasted like bitter irony to him but he had no choice but to day them.
"First claw, three days and three nights ago you asked and as allways the Sikari answered.
The Celestial Imperium is yours."

Nice. I think I'll give you a partial control over the entire Imperium, a 25% influence (see the rules for Infiltration) with the other 75% representing the other power-groups and war-lords in the imperium or just the plain chaos and crime reigning over vast swathes of the country. The Celestial Imperium would be in a state of civil war at the beginning of the game and you'd have to use both brute force, cloak and dagger work, and apt diplomacy to be able to bring the empire together again.

Actualy I took that place because of it's name. I needed a nation that was dependent on the influence of gods for its survival and this one just jumped right into my face. As I have said before I do not really claim it as a territory, as in I want it's points. As I've written in the background this Celestial Imperium is totaly down to it's knees. The Sikari can barely influence it at all right now. They also do not have any normal forces to actualy hold it. That is why they need resources from other countries and since a small elite fihting unit can't do much beside destroying stuff they intend to do exactly that and sent the payment for it back home so the Celestial Imperium might become something resembling a nation again.
I expect that I will have invest points into that claim before I can actualy gain any from it.
Not sure about the number yet but I wanted to propose the claim to Serpetenteye like this:
Celestial Imperium (100) potental (XXX)*whatever that was again, pretty high if I remember right. This means that the country does not produce much right now but has the potential to grow back to its old strength if I invest enough resources to build it back up.
My faction is not realy the Celestial Imperium but just the Claw Mercenarys who try to influence it.

edit: and oh yeah, I imagine the Imperium to be a lot like China, just with a bunch of mad priests thrown in as rulers. But since they're dead now even that difference is gone.

A lot like China in the more chaotic periods of its history, warlords and thuggery running rampant (and a powerful mongol-Empire waiting to the north).

Radiant, I'll just put the Celestial Imperium in your claim, with an IC of 100, instead of it's normal 999. Serpenteye can rule on that, and change it, afterwards, if he wants.
So, you have both the Celestial Imperium and the Sikari who are the ancient defenders and protectors of the Celestial Imperium.

No, keep the IC. It will fall quite a bit in T1 because of the civil war and Radiant will only have a 25% control over it. The end result will be the same, but it will fit better into the rules-set.

Christmas will be a useful time for everything to settle in to place.

Yes, It's important that all players can be active in the crucial stages at beginning of the game, so we'll wait until after christmas to start.

Again, I'll put this in your roster, Radiant. This is good stuff, and we want to preserve it through the IR.

--
Don't worry about the late argument, it's over. I've asked The Forsaken One for a public apology to me and everyone else in the game and a guarantee he will not misbehave again. If he accepts my offer he will be allowed to stay. But the moment he breaks that promise he's out, with no dicussion, no second chance. The deadline is running out...

Is that ok with all of you?
--

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

Boy this is going to be a long one. We should consider making this an in-character discussion as the Sikari are interested in a lot of this and actualy have a lot to offer themself on this matter.

[sblock]currently the celestial imperium is a bit short on clerics for a simple reason: the sikari are systematicly hunting them down and exterminating them. So they can't pray to any god right now
On the other hand this leaves a vacuum. The Claw has no objections of the kind of faith proposed. They are not too enthusiastic about an evil god but since execution is the usual punishement these might be turned into sacrifices. There's a lot more they would propose on this matter. Just let me know if negotaions should go like this or if you prefer to have pc emissary to play this out.[/sblock]

Radiant:

Out Off Character:
I full agree with thee that ropleplaying these negotiation from the beggining would be fun. Let's consider current negotiations as "nonexistent" and role play the aporiatelly.
And in Expanded Psionic Handbook exists human psionic "subrace" called Elan, You might use them as solid foundation for Sikari if You wish.

[sblock]
In Character:
Tsian
*Since from the first expedition sent to Empire of Iuz, returned only wounded and exhausted Sikari, reporting that place is extremly dangerous and filled with hostile natives, monsters and ... and in this frozen tundra, reminding of steppes of the Khanate is easy to get lost, especially in bleak weather that seem to be normal there. How natives surviwe in such hostile environment ?*
Heartland of Iuz

Searg'nt ? Wot waz diz blu 'ead un ? Wizbang ? 'e made puff ...

*Orc, riding very big warg, asked armoured figure of the froglike creature examining remmants of the expedition. He croaked and picked up one of the people lying on the bloodied field. As easily as if thin human were a rabbit.*

It was wizard spy, who cowardly left his subjects ... but they fought better than Fuorydians ... For who are You spying little mouse ?

*Man's eyes fluttered for a moment before he lost cousiouness again, but huge creature opened it's visor displaying repulsive froglike face ... twisted with suprise. During this time wounded Orcs and Gnolls nonchalantly joked about scars they will show their women, back home. And quietly waited until goldhaired maiden, only human in the whole group, wrapped bandages over their wounds. None show any sign of pain, despite fact that woman weren't very gentle with them. Later she returned on her black horse and rided to the side of froglike sergeant who were trying to bring the wounded back to his senses, gettig angrier with every failed attempt. With raised hand she stopped monster almost twice her height and triple her weight.*

Is this miserable creature of any particular value, Ripp O'Hezrou ?

They weren't spies from Fuoryndy, nor assasins from Celene ... from the thoughts of this Chen I divined that they were envoys from East, on their way towards Dora'kaa. It seem that boys attacked them too nervously. Anyway ... didn't they saw signs ? They cannot see impaled spies ? This is forbidden area around Training Grounds. You understand, War Maiden ?

*Woman froze him in his spot with a glare as cold and compassionless as approaching winter, and spoke calmly. But all soldiers, including demonic sergeant, shaked visibly.*

This worthless foreigner may have some value, so if he is strong He will survive until we reach capital. You are personally responsible for his life.

But foreigners are weak ! He may even die from these scrathes !

Ye' Fur'on'dynz are almozt de'd on sig't of Orc ! Hou, Hou !

*All in the team understanded term, group responsibility, even Gnolls who were more stupid than usual Orc. So they backed up sergeant. Woman narrowed her eyebrows, as if forgot about something and placed her hand on the forehead of the man and spoke short prayer in foul tongue. Troops watched wide eyed the power of their God in work. Man regained counsiouness and started screaming, when his wounded ribs rearranged themselves in proper places with agonizing sound. Sergeant, delicately, knocked him out.*

Let's go, Boyz ! If we reach the capital today ... Vodka for everybody on my cost !

*To the scream of approval that araised from the throats of assembled humanoids, joined high whine of the woman's steed. Strange, very muscular horse with jet black fur, canine teeth and one spiral horm sprouting from it's forehead. Each soldier carried body of slain enemy, or their stripped equipment. All were grinning happily, thinking already about what they will buy in capital.*

Several days later, Dora'kaa
Nervous, Chen reminded himself of his duty to the Celestial Empire, and thanked again to his ancestors for saving his worthless life. He didn't prayed to gods of light ... reminding himself of the fate of his family, who starved and died, still begging for god's mercy. He looked on his ribs ... barbarian's scimitar landed fatal blow, he should be dead. And yet ... all what remained of the injury was impressive scar. Local Orcs grin to him seeing his scar and spoke among themselves seeing his wound, displaying a multitude of other cuts and scars. He might get used to this ... if not this constant drinking of something similiar to Nippon's sake, but burning throat thousandfold more. How they can drink in in such quantites ?! But maybe, just maybe ... if this constant drinking won't kill him he might surviwe until day of audience. He was extremly suprised seeing locals swinging first round in the name of ... Iuz ? He heard that it were local God of Hell, at least that is what merchants heard. And more importantly, they were revering him as if he ... was present.

OOC:
You could proceed ... how did You like it ? And Yes I will kill for a chance to increase Iuz's worship.
I think that before us is long and fruitious cooperation. [/sblock]

I'm in europe buddy you don't want that kind of bill
If you want it kept real secret just send a mail: Radiant (at) gmx (dot) tm

I'm in Europe too, my @mali is, in my opinion, sufficiently secure for TOP SECRET messaging. I'm not an millionaire, nor my english is good enoug to speak as clearly as I would like. When writing I have some time for thinking.

Serpenteye:
I didn't feel insulted, DM ... But Me too feel foggy when someone leaves the game before it start's withour serious reason. :\