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Octagon - Rooftop Perch, Taelos Octagon sat upon his rooftop perch, staring somewhat blankly into the space that the spider and her tiny web occupied. Had he lost it? Was this the beginning of the end, the first crack that would herald madness? Surely the fact that he was questioning himself meant he was still sane. Right? Right. The merchant lord briefly forgotten as he sought to unravel this rather perplexing mystery set before him. Spiders don't talk. "Did... did you just speak to me, or am I going mad?" Octagon, the Spymaster Birthplace Taelos, Trade Capital of the World. Backstory Very little is known about the man called Octagon, least of all his real name. What is known is that he was born poor, and lost his parents to the Weeping Death (plague) at an early age. Living on the streets, Octagon became adept at going unnoticed: skulking, hiding, climbing. For many years, he lived as a pickpocket and a sneak-thief. Cutting purses and climbing through unlocked windows put food in his belly, but the constant threat of a run-in with the local Thieves' Guild meant a life of constant paranoia and fear. It was not until Octagon stumbled across a most unlikely treasure—a letter revealing a nobleman's affair—that he began to understand what was truly valuable; secrets. It was then that Octagon began to cultivate his contacts, learning whatever he could, and selling it to the highest bidder. Information was the only truly valuable thing. Gold was merely a means to an end. Every secret is worth something, and some secrets are worth everything. -Mortal Qualities- Espionage +4 Climbing, jumping, running, stealing, stabbing, spying. The best spies can do a bit of everything, and Octagon is certainly one of the best. Discretion +4 Secrets and shadows. The better part of valor. Octagon well knows when to be quiet, when to be hidden, and when to be gone. Poisoning +2 A blade is messy, a blade is loud, a blade is bold. Poison is a far more practical weapon, as far as Octagon is concerned. Silent, subtle, and swift. Or slow, if one prefers. A versatile tool for a versatile man. -Divine Qualities- Supernatural Power: Spider Whisperer +2 He can talk to and understand spiders, and have them to do things. Things like spying. It's kind of creepy. -Foible- Non-Combatant -2 If he's done everything right, he shouldn't need to lift a finger at all. Personality/Core Values Octagon is, naturally, a very secretive person. Thus he values secrets above all things. He does not seek overt power, but prefers to pull strings from behind the scenes. Nothing is beneath him, if it serves a purpose. Pride will just get a man killed. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 12:06 on Nov 17, 2012 |
# ¿ Nov 17, 2012 11:45 |
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# ¿ Mar 29, 2024 15:35 |
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Octagon - Rooftop Perch, Taelos Octagon half-smirked, half-smiled at the small spider. "Alright, you cryptic bastard, have it your way." It wasn't long before the Merchant Lord was in his room, while Octagon watched from afar, crouched in the darkness and the shadows of the night. The hour was approaching. He would need to do this quickly and quietly. While not an assassin by preference, he was as much a keeper of secrets as he was a purveyor of them. A job is a job. A job that needed doing. Espionage [+4] to climb into the Lord's chambers, smother him with a pillow, and climb back out, plus Discretion [+4] to do so quietly. I'll slit his throat, however, if it's the more prudent thing to do. Feel free to then fast-forward to the next morning, so that I am in the same time frame as everyone elseish. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 09:25 on Nov 20, 2012 |
# ¿ Nov 20, 2012 09:21 |
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Octagon - Running Away, Taelos Octagon groaned, internally. You have got to be loving kidding me. With no time to ponder his terrible luck, Octagon sprang from the bed and made a dash for the window, exiting as quickly and smoothly as possible. His client was going to be displeased. But that's a problem for later. Espionage +4 to exit the building the way I came in, or make a flying leap onto the adjacent roof, and Discretion +4 to avoid any guards or nosy fucks who come looking for the would-be assassin.
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# ¿ Nov 27, 2012 01:00 |
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Octagon - His Secret Lair, Taelos Octagon makes his way back to his 'lair', so to speak. An abandoned 2-story water-front building, the stairs to the second floor had been destroyed in some accident or another. But this didn't bother Octagon in the slightest, who always used the rooftop entrance. Once there, he paced in annoyance, considering his options. The Merchant would be on guard, which would make things difficult. No more games, then. Poison delivered via crossbow bolt, or some other means, was called for. He would just need find the opportunity to strike. Going home, and readying my crossbow and poisons for action. Then I'll be looking for an opportunity to shoot the man. Ideally in the dark.
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# ¿ Nov 28, 2012 23:13 |
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Octagon - His Secret Lair, Taelos Octagon jerks a bit, startled by the voice once more. He turns to glare at the corner the spider currently resides in. "Chatty bunch, aren't you? One of your buddies broke my concentration while I was on the job. Whole thing went south. Which is why I'm getting ready to shoot someone." He pauses a moment, before giving the spider an odd glance. "The question is, can you be of any use?"
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# ¿ Dec 5, 2012 04:23 |
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Octagon - His Secret Lair, Taelosquote:<Rhjamiz> Octagon takes a moment to ponder, thrumming the crossbow string like the world's cheapest mandolin. "Could you... I don't know, get one of your ultra-venomous buddies to bite him and kill him?" Octagon sighs. He puts the crossbow away for the time being. It's to see a spider about a man. Who has a spider. Heading to the Noble/Merchant district? Whichever it's called. Discretion +4 and Spider Whisperer +2 to go around inquiring with spiders in the area about who it is who has the spider nobility, and to do it discretely. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 05:24 on Dec 15, 2012 |
# ¿ Dec 13, 2012 02:19 |
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Octagon - His Secret Lair, Taelos Octagon decides it will need to wait until tomorrow. He's exhausted, and he'd rather be fresh for what needs doing. He returns to his lair to rest and revitalize. Tomorrow is a busy day. Er, night. ~time passes~ Bright and early, so to speak, Octagon sets out to the Rich District to determine just who owns those spiders! Going to sleep until the next night! THEN Going to the Rich District! Espionage +4 (for asking questions!) and Discrete +4 (for showing discretion!) to ask around about who I might want to see if I wanted to see some truly amazing and deadly spiders.
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# ¿ Dec 20, 2012 00:19 |
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Octagon - His Secret Lair, Taelos After equipping himself with the necessary tools, Octagon crept out into the night. Simply purchasing the spider would be far too conspicuous when a man would die days later of spiderbite. Someone would know. Someone always knows. Instead, he opts to break into the eccentric merchant's deadly menagerie, and perform a little jailbreak. Heh. "Little" jailbreak. Sneaking into the Deadliest Zoo so I can get the Spider Nobility! Espionage +4 (for breaking in) and Discrete +4 (for doing it without getting caught!). I swear to god if I fail this roll, so help me... I won't be held responsible for what I do!
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# ¿ Dec 26, 2012 10:45 |
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Octagon - The Deadliest Zoo, TaelosSpider Queen posted:Octagon: Octagon crouches in the darkness. This was going to be cutting it close. "I can hear you, spider. You are the one I came here for, but I need to be sure you are the one I seek. Identify yourself." Sneaking OUT of the Deadliest Zoo, Spider Nobility in tow. Espionage +4 (for breaking out) and Discrete +4 (for doing it without getting caught!).
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# ¿ Jan 2, 2013 10:46 |
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Octagon - The Deadliest Zoo, Taelos Octagon does not take any time to ponder a spider's curious knowledge of the feudal system. Instead, he makes his way back to the home of his original assignment, explaining along the way. "There is a man I would like you to kill. A simple 'kiss', and that is all. I'd slit his throat myself, but I'm afraid they are already on their guard, and would be expecting me. I doubt very much they will be expecting you." Heading over to The Target's Home. I need to see what's up over there before I do anything.
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# ¿ Jan 10, 2013 17:46 |
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Octagon - The Target's Home, Taelos Octagon pauses as that horrible feeling washes over him. He gives it a moment to pass. "You didn't feel that? Something... in the west. Nevermind, it's gone. Mostly." He shakes his head. In very little time at all, Octagon is back at the Merchant's Manor. Slipping in through a side entrance was easy enough. Despite the no-doubt increased security, the Merchant could not afford to have men at every entrance and every window at all hours of the day and night. Shifts changed, patrols must be kept. This meant windows of opportunity, some literal, for those like him. His objective was the Merchant's bedchambers once more. The nook above the bed rest, out of sight and out of mind (and most importantly, out from under foot) would be the perfect place for Miss Spider. From there she could descend and bite at her leisure, once the target was asleep. Octagon, on the other hand, would likely be unable to linger long. He'd need to watch from afar. Espionage [+4]: To Break into the Target's House. Again. Discretion [+4]: To do so sneaky-like, without being caught, and plant Miss Spider. Spider Whisperer [+2]: Because if ever there was a time when my Divine Trait would count, it's probably now. VENGENCE
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# ¿ Jan 21, 2013 05:22 |
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Octagon - The Target's Home, Taelos Octagon watches from an adjacent rooftop, probably. With all the guards making a ruckus in the late Merchant's room, he could do little but wait. Attempting to swoop in would be complete folly. Instead, he would patiently watch until there was an opening. How droll. I am going to wait until there is an opening (as in, everyone leaves the room to do whatever) before swooping in to retrieve the spider and skidaddle, using Espionage [+4] and Discretion [+4]. Leg it!
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# ¿ Jan 25, 2013 21:50 |
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Octagon - Taeless, Taelos - Hideout Octagon finally makes it back to his modest hideaway, and practically collapses into his comfortable chair. That was far too much running around and other such nonsense for one night. He pours himself a goblet of wine, and takes a long swallow. He had earned a reprieve. quote:Octagon: "So, Miss Spider. Now that we have no pressing business to attend to, I'd be curious to know why you want to ride in my shirt for an undetermined amount of time. That seems a curious request, especially considering what you gave in exchange. I doubt it was on a whim." Octagon finished off the goblet of wine afterward. He wasn't much inclined to the water, himself, so he foresaw few problems there. Speaking of webs, he had a few of his own that needed tending... Once I am done talking to the spider, I am going to put my ear to the ground, metaphorically speaking, and listen for any snippet of information that might interest me. A job, a rumor, some bit of gossip about the west, or absolutely nothing at all. Espionage [+4]. Oh, also, where am I meant to go to get paid for all this trouble I went to? Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 07:20 on Feb 5, 2013 |
# ¿ Feb 2, 2013 14:57 |
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Octagon - Taeless, Taelos - Hideout During the next few days, Octagon makes a point to collect his payment from his previous employer. He does not reveal the spider's involvement, merely stating that he used 'poison' to get the job down. Gold is exchanged, and they part ways. He prefers information to gold, but gold buys food and provisions, so gold will do. ----- Over the next few days, Octagon keeps in touch with his small group of contacts, paying them for each tidbit of information they bring him. When the rumor of a noble seeking an exotic poison reaches his ears, he pays the man a midnight visit. Slipping into the nobleman's bedchambers in the middle of the night, Octagon makes himself comfortable in a nearby chair. He doesn't have long to wait before the noble himself arrives, seeking to retire for the evening. The presence of Octagon's cloaked figure reclining in one of his chairs no doubt startles him, and Octagon puts a gloved finger against his own lips to indicate silence. The nobleman speaks in a hushed whisper. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call my men." "That would be most unfortunate, Mer Havash, because I am here to solve a problem. It has come to my attention that you are looking for a... very special something from Val Aman. Yes?" "Yes. How did you get in here? Who are you?" "No one important. Suffice it to say that I am a man who can help. It will take time. If it were easy to find, you would not need me in the first place. I'll expect payment on delivery. Agreed?" "Yes, yes, of course. What assurances do I have?" "None. I cannot promise success for obvious reasons. If you're worried I'm going to con you, feel free to bring a friend you won't miss. If you are not satisfied with the results, no need to pay. Deal?" "Fine, fine. You... know where to find me, I suppose." Octagon stands, giving the nobleman a somewhat curt and mocking bow. "Indeed. Good night, Mer Havash. I'll see myself out." ----- Back at his Hideaway, Octagon begins packing supplies for his journey to Val Aman, making sure to bring several knives and his pair of crossbows. Also included are a spare change of clothes and enough gold to bribe whoever might require bribing. The absence of his spiderfriend puzzles him briefly, until Miss Spider explains. "Ah. A pity. He was the first spider I spoke to." Once packed, and the room sufficiently disguised to properly resembled abandoned property, Octagon sets out from Taelos, northeast toward Val Aman. It should be easy enough to catch a ride with a caravan heading that direction. Pay them enough, they won't ask too many questions. Heading to Val Aman in search of deadly deadly poisons. I'll be using Discretion [+4] as I travel to avoid uncomfortable questions and any other unwanted, hostile attention. My knowledge of Poison [+2] should help point me in the right direction. Hope Miss Spider packed a lunch.
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# ¿ Feb 5, 2013 12:52 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon spends his time on the barge fishing or merely resting. The mugginess did him no favors. Upon the listening to the spider's musing, Octagon raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "Are you so short-lived? If I'm to thank for your continued good health, I don't recommend straying far." Once in Val Setin, Octagon is besieged by choice. Keeping in mind his clients specifications, Octagon determines it would be best to meet with each of these alchemists for a demonstration. He makes a note to wear gloves, and accept no food or drink that he did not prepare himself. Hip flasks and trail rations for the foreseeable future, how lovely. Discretely [+4] meeting with each Poisoner [+2] in turn for a demonstration of their product. I will then purchase whichever I feel best meets my client's demands. I don't know if this even requires a roll, but just incase, there it is! I only trust these assholes as far as a crossbow bolt flies. I am strictly business.
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# ¿ Feb 14, 2013 01:57 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon makes a note of this alchemist's name, and shop. He'll have to return here another time, to refil his private stocks. He pays the man for the poison and the pair of antidotes, including a little extra in order to ensure a healthy business relationship. He's not quite sure what to make of the Spider Noble's request, but it's probably best he waits until he's somewhere less public. It wouldn't do to suffer a siezure or black out in the middle of the street. But first, he had some things to take care of. Primarily, the first thing any good spy does when he arrives in a new city; establish contacts. Nothing a bit of listening and glad-handing shouldn't take care of. Once that is over and done with, he procures a reasonably price but quite private room at the local inn, with no questions. Once he's alone with the spider noble, he pulls from his satchel the Recluse Venom antidote. Unstoppering the vial, and inhales the bitter scent and makes a face. "I'd ask you what you intend, but I suspect I would only be annoyed by your coy non-answer. And you'd bite me anyway." He gives the spider a look. He can already anticipate her wry response. Smart-rear end. He swallows the contents of the vial in one sip, grimacing. "Why do the antidotes always taste awful?" Using Discretion [+4] and Espionage [+4] to establish some contacts within Val Setin; people whom he can turn to for information on the cheap, or who are willing to look the other way for coin, whichever direction that may be. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 05:34 on Feb 22, 2013 |
# ¿ Feb 21, 2013 01:42 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon gets a look of blank shock as he stares at the scene that has unfolded before him. He looks between the Spider... Lady?, the bodies, the web, his own body, the Spider Lady again... By the end, he's clutching his own head with a wide-eyed stare one might expect to find on someone who has completely snapped. It takes him several minutes before he manages to form sentences again. "How...? When? Did you? This...!" But it's several minutes more before he manages to form anything resembling a clear and coherent question, as opposed to a sort of babbling. "Ok... we need to... leave. As soon as it's dark. We can't... stay here. We take the bodies with us. We can't leave anything behind... where is my satchel?" Octagon's body seems operate on instinct, prying one of the bodies from the wall and securing it to his abdomen with a bit of silk. The way this comes so naturally to him disturbs him on some level, but all he can think about is damage control. The webbing will have to stay, there's no cleaning all that up. Let them wonder where the tennants of this room disappeared to, if anyone bothers to care. It's late into the evening by the time Octagon and his eight-legged companion emerge from the room, each one carrying a body on their backs. They'll find somewhere quiet to dump them, once they've... no. Musn't think about that. Safety is paramount. He needed to find somewhere dark. Somewhere secure... I'm going to try to find somewhere Discrete [+4] suitable to hide out and establish a... lair? Nest? Sure. Somewhere a Spider Lord [+2] (on a budget) might live. Criteria include: Defensible, private, only occasionally trafficked. Perhaps there is an old Undercity beneath the slums, or smuggler's tunnels we can appropriate for ourselves. For my own reference: quote:Octagon, the Spider Lord Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 01:57 on Feb 26, 2013 |
# ¿ Feb 25, 2013 11:15 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon shoves the now-desiccated bodies into an alcove. Appropriate, considering this was their intended purpose. Some part of him knew that, before long, these catacombs would be brimming with the dead, if he didn't find somewhere else to dispose of his... left-overs. The thought of eating another human being became less strange with each passing hour. Soon, he was forgetting what it was to be human. It was getting hard to think of them as anything but... animals. Exceptionally clever prey. To avoid dwelling on the subject of his new-found appetite, Octagon sets to work converting the catacombs into a proper lair. It isn't long before the pair of spider-creatures have covered the catacombs in a layer of sensitive, sticky webbing. The ease with which he performed this task was not something he cared to dwell on either, for the moment. Once this was accomplished, Octagon decided that he was going to need some information. Normally, he'd have merely asked around or put some coin into the right people's hands. But he no longer had time for the Right People. Or indeed, the freedom to move about without causing a panic. So instead he would need to creep in the shadows. He would need to snare someone important... or at least, someone who would be sure to know something. People go missing all the time, after all. Even the important ones. A trip into the Cathedral above, during one of the darker, quiet hours... perhaps he might find some poor soul, lingering about, that he might ply for information. Using my Spider Lord [+2] senses/strength/WEBS! and temporary paralytic Toxins [+2] to capture me an important cleric/priest/minister/bishop and dragging them down into my lair for interrogation. Someone with a bit of clout, or can at least point the way to said someone. Not eating them. Yet.
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# ¿ Mar 1, 2013 11:03 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin, CryptsA Terrified Dude posted:Octagon: "Stop your screaming." Octagon furrowed his brow. This priest was less useful than he had imagined. Though, in retrospect, he wasn't quite sure what he had expected from the sniveling coward. No matter. He and his companion had work to do. It was time to spread his influence throughout this city... I will be spending this time-skip building myself a small army of minions. Spider-Lord [+2] and Toxins [+2] to create spidery, venomous minions, both of pure stock and of... converted humans (who will be kidnapped or taken willingly if some poor bastard somehow comes looking for me). Eggs for everyone. (How creepy).
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# ¿ Mar 16, 2013 02:39 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin, Crypts Octagon is quite pleased with the progress made so far. A fine group of spidery minions to do his bidding. And do it they shall, for he has further designs upon the city of Val Setin. Requiring no sleep, feeding on the vagrants and drifters brought to him by his loyal spiders, Octagon spends his time mass-producing exorbitant amounts of the Transformative Toxin. It is spun up in a number of silken sacs, ready to be distributed far and wide by his spidery minions. Time to prepare to poison the well. Spider-Lord [+2] and Toxins [+2] to have my spidery minions aid me in the production and storage of the Transformative Toxin, configured for an ingestion vector. A trigger-toxin is required, without which the subject will eventually get sick and die. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 02:44 on Apr 2, 2013 |
# ¿ Apr 1, 2013 23:24 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin, Crypts Octagon calls upon the favor Elkud promised so long ago. The priest is, of course, none-too-pleased with getting his marker called in, finding himself back in the catacombs. "Welcome home, Elkud. I trust you are well? Good, good. I have a task for you. You shall be my ambassador, for I have business with the men and women of the city above. A sickness looms over your city. But do not fret, for I have the cure. I needs speak with a particular alchemist, and then a few more. We will need them to distribute the cure. As I'm sure you realize, I cannot very well ask them to do so directly! Wouldn't want to cause a panic, after all..." I am calling upon Elkud to act as an emmissary for me to alchemists and convince them to go along with my scheme and help distribute the trigger toxin. First stop is going to be the guy who sold me the poisons! Elkud better be a smooth talker, or he's lunch. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 05:46 on Apr 17, 2013 |
# ¿ Apr 17, 2013 05:36 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin, Crypts The sickening pain and dizziness gave octagon pause as he sat within the comforting darkness. Was he dying? Was it someone he ate? No, it was something else. Something terribly wrong in the world. For his part, Octagon hoped to avoid whatever it was that was warping reality so. It must be horridly unpleasant in person. As the night drew on and Elkud managed to successfully charm his way into the alchemist's good graces, Octagon was quite pleased with his success. And he would be to tell him so! The Spider Lord was busy doing spider-things in the Crypts by the time Elkud made it back, experimenting with silk and spiders alike while he spoke with his favorite (only) human lackey. He was much faster than any mortal man, after all. "You have performed admirably, Elkud. You have one more task to complete. I shall supply you with the counter-agent to this sickness. One night's bed-rest shall be required to purge the illness from the stricken, for this is powerful, potent stuff and will not be pleasant. The cure is usually worse than the disease, after all. Thus, it is important that you not take it until you are done tending to the city, as it will leave you weakened for the day. Except in an emergency, of course. I trust you can accomplish this. Succeed, and I shall grant you a favor in kind. A reasonable one, of course." I am using Toxin [+2] to produce the Trigger Agent in quantity, aided by Spider-Lord [+2] as the toxin will be remaking people in my image; that of spider-people, of course. The transformation should take place during the night as they sleep, as it was done to me! And having Elkud distribute it to the Alchemist(s) with instructions. Once this is successful, on to Stage 2! Edit: Edited to include a reaction to reality rip, which I forgot about. WHOOPS. Also hey, look, a halfway decent spider picture: Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 09:33 on Apr 21, 2013 |
# ¿ Apr 18, 2013 04:16 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin The Spider Lord was, on some level, a bit perturbed by the occasional spiderdog and spidercat. That's more than a little bizarre, really. Were they administered the antidote by anxious owners? So strange. Perhaps they could be of some use in some way, but for the moment they were of little concern. More important were his emerging children, who would need guidance. And so he dispatched his minions to gather newly-reborn at the Palace, where he would address them in person. They had questions, no doubt. But first, he would need to visit a very special friend... Octagon stared down at the cocoon containing Elkud's malleable form. He could feel the potential waiting within that silken sack, waiting for... what? His touch? Yes, just so. The viscous soup that is Elkud's body responded to the Spider Lord's will and whim. Octagon began to mold Elkud into a most useful tool, and realized this was the start of something... special. A world of endless possibility was beginning to unfold. "Awaken, my child, and be reborn as something greater than you were. You, who made all this possible. You shall be my emissary, the first of many. Emerge from your slumber, and join your new family." LATER, AT THE PALACE... Octagon made himself at home in the Great Hall of the Palace, perched upon, or perhaps above, the throne. The room was, by now, full of his newly-created hybrids. His children. They filled the Hall, clung to the ceilings and walls. Fighting was, of course, very strongly "discouraged" by his loyal minions. From his vantage point, his children appeared to be without number. With the Queen at his side, Octagon addressed the gathered spiders. "Many of you are, no doubt, wondering just what has transpired to bring such... miraculous change to this city. I have gathered you here so that you might understand. Know that I am your Father, for it was by my Will and my Power that you have been freed of that frail, weak body you once inhabited. Freed of those frail... delicious creatures who would claim to rule over you. I have given you power and, in so doing, created a new race of people. A better race. Humans may call us 'monsters', but what is the opinion of an insect to us? "This city... is now yours. Its lands, its forests, are yours to do with what you will. Go forth, be fruitful and multiply." VICTORY! I am completing Elkud's transformation. Using Spider-Lord [+2] and Transformation [+2]. I am going to enhance Elkud's natural Spying tendencies and abilities, and turn him into a Human-Mimic Spider. He will be able to pass as human, should he choose, while actually being a spider-person, with all the benefits that provides. Then I am gathering everyone and telling them what's up. I'm not trying to "do" anything so no roll is needed, I imagine. I just hope these dopes don't start a big fight. That would be silly! Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 14:24 on Apr 23, 2013 |
# ¿ Apr 23, 2013 08:17 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon nods to Elkud. "I am pleased to see you are eager to serve. Your task will be to oversee production of more Transformative Toxin and prepare the next city for conversion. Spread my word. I would also like news on just how much the outside world is aware of what has happened here. The smaller villages will be left as a food source for the time being. I'll create and assign additional operatives to you, to use as you see fit. I am granting you broad agency to do what you think best, but do not take any unnecessary risks; you are more important to me alive." -----Later----- Octagon arrives at the church where the corpses of three Arrani smolder. Well, that's drat peculiar. But there was something else... something here. A Conversation posted:<Rhjamiz> Octagon sort of turns in place as he surveys the church, scanning high and low for the presence he's not felt since... well, ever. The motion of his multitude of legs is probably somewhat unsettling for mere humans to witness. "I can feel you... come out, come out..." Octagon is hardly naive enough to believe that Beltheus merely wishes to be friends. But at the same time, surely Beltheus realizes that Octagon would be a formidable enemy. As is true of the reverse. And so the bargain is struck. "Very well, then. A pact of mutual cooperation it is." I name my people Arrani. The adjective shall be Arranian. I am giving Elkud the following orders; help make more Transformation Toxin, pick a city and commence conversion. Spread the word of the Spider Lord. Send back news of the outside. General operations, basically. He's free to do as he deems necessary. In the meantime, I am going to gather a small group of willing Arrani who wish to serve and turn them into Operatives (Mimic Spiders) and put them at the disposal of Elkud. Transformation [+2] and Spider-Lord [+2] should apply. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 07:12 on May 1, 2013 |
# ¿ Apr 30, 2013 20:46 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon did not reprimand Elkud for his inability to produce the toxin. One can hardly fault underlings for being less than god-like. "Right, of course. Proceed at your discretion, and keep me informed. I shall send you additional Operatives as they mature." With Elkud on his way, he decided that he would need to check up on his other confidant. The curious sexual dimorphism did not bother him in the slightest. What is, is. Down in the Catacombs... posted:<Rhjamiz> Octagon hadn't heard any laconic comments from the Spider Queen in some time. Naturally, that made him curious just what was occupying her attention so. Which means paying her a visit. Emerging from the Catacombs, Octagon dispatches his minions to begin gathering stone from the abandoned buildings of the city, using whatever means they see fit to employ. The Spider Queen had need of great quantities for some secret project. In the meantime, he has some alterations to make to a few of the new recruits... I am gathering up a group of Arrani in an attempt to transform them into Burrowing Arrani, incredibly adept at digging and tunneling through dirt and rock alike. Spider-Lord [+2] for a spider-form, and Transformation [+2] to mold their flesh to his will. Once they're done, they'll be put at the disposal of the Spider Queen. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 14:12 on May 7, 2013 |
# ¿ May 7, 2013 14:07 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin After much deliberation and contemplation, Octagon decided to create these new diggers in his own image. While there were... other forms perhaps more suited to the menial labor of carving tunnels through stone, he would not rob his children of their blessings so quickly. There were other... lesser creatures for this purpose. He would need to acquire them, and mold them, too. As soon as the new workers were ready, he sent them scurrying off to the Queen. In the meantime, while he waited, Octagon began to tinker with new and exotic poisons. A sort that may be of great benefit to his new children... I'm going to use the Divine Quality of Toxin [+2] and the Mortal Quality of Poisoning [+2] to engineer a new venom/counter-venom combination while I wait for things to come to fruition. It will be a combination of paralytic/preservative, rendering a victim helpless and alive for extremely long periods of time to ensure maximum freshness! They can also be "revived" with the counter-venom if their purpose isn't immediately dietary. I'm fine with skipping ahead to the next major event in Val Setin, be it word from Elkud or whatever it is the Queen is cooking up. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 05:31 on May 15, 2013 |
# ¿ May 14, 2013 21:10 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin A visitor? Bizarre. Who would come upon one of his Arrani and then ask to speak with their leader? One way to find out. At the Gate... posted:<Rhjamiz> Octagon would like to clarify something with the guard first; "When you say that this woman is asking to speak with me, do you mean that she has asked for the leader of this city, or did she ask for me specifically?" A 'pleasent' tea party ensues, much to Octagon's chagrin. It is over mercifully quickly, however, as a single cup of tea and one biscuit do not last long. Sadly, the food and drink are wasted on Octagon; his tastes are of a different sort. Once the tea party was finished and Red was out of sight, Octagon turned to the nearby guard, nodding as he passed, "Inform the others; that girl is extremely dangerous and possibly insane. If she turns up again, under no circumstances should you provoke her." From there, Octagon eventually made his way to the Holding Pens, having been working on a solution to food problem. At the Human Pens... posted:<Nenji> Red was having a look around the pens. She seemed to jump over fences and the such that humans should not be able to. Octagon watched as Red went her own way, where-ever that was, before turning his attention back upon the people. They were ill-suited for farming and livestock. Too willful. They would be rebellious, troublesome, and watched very carefully. But, as with all things, that could change. Who better to mold these pitiful wretches into something far more useful to the Arrani than he? Separating out a little more than half of the humans in the pens, he put them aside for further testing. The rest would be reshaped into an ideal breeding population of Arrani foodslaves. They would need a name, but for the moment, it didn't matter. The fear and terror of these captive humans made little impression upon the Spider Lord as he focused his Divine Will upon them, reaching out with his power... I am separating out a group of people (a little under half the total number) of the humans to turn into breeding stock; Transformation [+2] is obvious. Toxins [+2] shall also be used. The changes are as follows;
Their foodstuff comes next. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 08:45 on May 17, 2013 |
# ¿ May 17, 2013 08:43 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon furrowed his brow in a manner of speaking, staring at his new creations. Something wasn't quite right there. They would bear further watching, but otherwise they would have to do. If all went well, they would have a sizable food population and labor force for export, should any nation somehow wish to trade with the Arrani. But those were matters for another time. More importantly, what was he going to feed these louts? The Arrani weren't going to farm corn for them, that's for certain. They needed something... else. Something they could farm themselves. A simple fruit for a simple people. The Spider Lord bent over and plucked a pair of seed pods from a local weed that grew near the pens. Weeds grew well enough without constant tending. This would make them a fine base for his own needs. He formed a fist around those pods, and once more brought forth his Divine Will... I'll be renaming my city and country officially (with a big speech maybe) as soon as the ~time is right~ I am creating a new 'crop', called a Chuma plant. The fruits will be called chumas. It doesn't really need to be farmed since it will hopefully grow everywhere but farming it certainly doesn't hurt; Transformation [+2] is obvious. Toxins [+2] shall also be used. The changes are as follows;
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# ¿ May 21, 2013 02:58 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon had not heard from the Queen in some days, and decided to go and see just what was going on down below... Down Below... posted:<Rhjamiz> Octagon takes a moment from his 'busy' schedule to head down to the excavation site currently being run by the Queen. There was still the curious question of just what was being dug down here. "I trust the diggers I sent down are performing satisfactorily?" Octagon left the caverns below feeling rather perplexed. The last thing he needed was roaming wolf spirits attracting undue attention. But no matter, it was not his problem for the time being. He had other matters to attend to. There would come a time when the outside world would mount an assault upon his new stronghold. Conventional armoring techniques were poorly suited to the Arrani's bodies. And so they would need to develop new, better armor. And they had little time. And so it was up to him, in his infinite wisdom, to find the solution. Silk was lightweight and nearly indestructible when spun correctly. Perhaps, if processed and treated with Arrani venom, it could be made to form a tough, strong resin... I am going to develop a method of using Arrani silk and venom to create resilient, light-weight armor. Using Spider Lord [+2] for silk, and Toxin [+2] for curing/treating the silk. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 04:18 on May 24, 2013 |
# ¿ May 23, 2013 06:50 |
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Octagon - Val Aman, Val Setin Octagon is pleased with the outcome of the armor, and makes sure to set several aside so that he can instruct others on its make. They'd have need of it soon enough. In the mean time, while he waited for Elkud to return from his journey, Octagon began to toy with some spare spiders to see if he might create something that would help cement the Arrani's hold upon their land... I am creating the Silk Road Spiders, which will create and tend the Silk Road; a literal road/path/zerg creep of silk that shall be spread from spidertowns. Spider-Lord [+2] for spiders, Transformation [+2] to change some regular giant spiders into these special Silk Road Spiders and Toxins [+2] because they're going to need to be venomous as gently caress to keep assholes away. I'm not releasing them yet; I'm going to keep them back to see if I need/want them once I am more established. We'll establish what the silk road is then, I guess? Or now? Also, I am totally ready for a mini time skip when you are, Nenji.
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# ¿ May 29, 2013 04:04 |
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Octagon - Sicaria, capital of Arrahn Octagon thanked the messenger for his news, and gave him a message to deliver to Elkud. "Congratulations on your success in Val Lichett, which we shall re-name Delena. The Val Aman of old is dead, and must make way for the rise of Arrahn. Inform our reborn brothers and sisters of their new status as my children. We shall send them breeding stock as soon as the first generations are ready. Until then, they are welcome begin culling the surrounding homesteads and small villages. A small tithe of this stock should be sent to the capital for conversion or... future experiments. The land is theirs, though the forest is home to killer walking trees, so I suggest they avoid it. Once the city is fully secured, return at your convenience." That night, Octagon gathered the Arrani in the city square. By now, much of the city had been covered in vast webs of silk; structures formed from the stuff where human dwellings would not suffice, or stretched between towers and archways for ease of travel. Octagon stood at the center of the square, atop what was once a fountain commemorating art or some historical figure. The statue had been torn down for scrap, and the Spider Lord stood in its place. "Fellow Arrani, my children, I have gathered you here to announce our latest victory; Val Lichett is ours. Scores of new brothers and sisters have been welcomed into our fold. Its lands are ripe for the picking. These are auspicious times! Val Setin fell, and has been reborn with its people; it is now Sicaria. Val Lichett has similarly been reborn as Delena. With this victory, Val Aman is dead, and upon its silk-wrapped corpse we shall feed, and grow strong. Out of the many, we shall forge an indivisible whole, capitulating to no-one. A new nation shall rise. A nation of Spiders; Arrahn." ----- Some time later, Octagon returns to the church where the creature Beltheus first arrived in Val Setin. No, Sicaria. He could not have arrived through the city gates. No, he must have come from somewhere within the church. If Beltheus could appear from nowhere, why not he? Why not, indeed. A Grand Experiment, then. Octagon chose a nice, flat stone wall, unmarred by windows or alcoves, and began to layer a ten foot wide section of it in thick spidersilk. Stone he could not command, but silk? Surely that would be easier to bend to his will than anything man-made. Once that mat of silk was a solid inch thick, he stood before it, and clasped his hands in thought. Perhaps it could be commanded? Or perhaps it needs be molded, like his other experiments. Focusing his will, he trust his hands and his forelegs into the silk, attempting to pry open a portal or a doorway of some kind. To transform this simple silken wall into a silken path... to Delena, let's say. This new glorious nation of spiders has been remade, carved from the corpse of decadent mankind; henceforth, this nation shall be called Arrahn. Its captial, Sicaria, shall be built upon the corpse of Val Setin. Delena shall rise from the ashes of Val Lichett. I am going to try to create... a doorway! Or a portal! Or a tunnel! I don't know what I'm making I'm just trying it. Spider-Lord [+2] for using silk and my commanding presence, while Transformation [+2] to turn the silken wall into a silken... tunnel. Door. Something? Destination would be Delena, or perhaps a demense of my own! We'll find out!
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# ¿ Jun 2, 2013 22:06 |
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Octagon - Sicaria, capital of Arrahn Octagon blinked as he gazed into the expanse. Deep into that darkness peering, long he stood there... wondering, fearing, doubting... What was this place? Nothing. What dwelt therein? Nothing. What was to stop him from claiming it as his own? Nothing. I'm kind of winging it here. Spider-Lord [+2] to lay claim to Mu, as is my lordly right (finder's keepers). It shall be mine!
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# ¿ Jun 5, 2013 03:00 |
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Octagon - Sicaria, capital of Arrahn Octagon was left standing there in a nearly catatonic state for several minutes, his expression blank as he stared forward into Nothing. Eventually he blinked, eyes refocusing as the world came back to him. How long had he been standing there? A cursory inspection revealed that he appeared to be whole and unharmed. Well, no. That's not quite right. He felt... hollow. He could feel that shard of Nothing, deep inside. That tiny piece of Mu that was now a part of him. He touched his chest momentarily. His body seemed eternally hidden by shadow, highlighted by a red light that had no apparent source. But otherwise, he was still a Spider. He stared for a moment that the silken wall before him, what was once a doorway had been reverted back to what had come before; nothing but silk and stone. Curious to test this new part of himself, Octagon once more concentrated upon Delena, but instead of attempting to open a doorway, he focused upon that bit of Nothing inside of him... Using the power of the Void [+2], I shall temporarily reduce the distance between myself and Delena to Nothing (i.e. I teleport to Delena!).
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# ¿ Jun 7, 2013 03:34 |
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Octagon - Arrahn, Delena (Fine, fine! Madness, I tell you) Octagon appears quite suddenly in the middle of Delena, startling the Arrani going about there business there. Also startling is his unsettling red glow and constantly shadowed form. It didn’t take him long at all to locate Elkud and inquire as to the progress he was making within the city. Ignoring the Operative’s veiled shock at his master’s sudden change appearance and arrival, Octagon informs Elkud that he will be in Konway for a little bit. He’ll be... checking in from time to time, however, to ensure there is nothing that requires his attention. While he’s away, the Queen is in charge. Once Elkud was informed of the... changes, Octagon once more reached inside to manipulate that bit of Nothing within... My action for the month is as follows: Blip (Void [+2]) on over to Hai-Kan and use Spider-Lord [+2], Transformation [+2], and Toxins [+2] to subvert the Senate by converting them, one by one, into Arrani Operatives (my Mimic Spiders). They shall take political control of Konwey and begin the preparations for its eventual integration into Arrahn. This begins with things like officially recognizing Arrahn as a sovereign nation, open borders, and trade. Trade goods would be Chumas, Silks, and Herd (for docile manual labor) in exchange for fresh slaves for food and breeding stock as well as whatever else the Arrani might want from Konwey. Steering the major religion of the empire my way would also be a bonus! Basically, over time, I want to turn Konwey into a puppet or vassal state to Arrahn. I am sure you get the idea.
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# ¿ Jun 20, 2013 03:17 |
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Octagon - Konwey, Hai-Kan Octagon is quite pleased with his progress in Hai-Kan. Having laired in an abandoned cell of the city's dungeon, he directed the progress of his Operatives as they slowly took control of the city's ruling council. Save that one mistake, everything went quite smoothely. Confident that his council of Operatives had things well in hand, Octagon decided it was time to head back home. Leaving instructions with the Operatives to keep him appraised of goings-on, Octagon gathered the power of the Void about him in preparation for his journey home. He had a woman to see about some spiders... My action for the month is as follows: Blip (Void [+2]) back to Sicaria and releasing the Silk Road spiders to do their thing. I will assist them in their task in order to 'jump start' it. Spider-Lord [+2] and maybe Toxin [+2]? applies but not much else! I liked your idea so let's go with that. Tunnels and trap-doors shall criss-cross the land! Also I am looking for an update on the Queen's project and the goings-on of Sicaria, in whatever depth you like. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 06:37 on Jun 28, 2013 |
# ¿ Jun 28, 2013 05:14 |
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Octagon - Arrahn, Sicaria Octagon decides it was time to put that temple to use. A temple required a priesthood, and he had an idea of just what kind of priesthood would be most appropriate... (Placeholder) My action for the month is as follows: I am going to create a priesthood of Voidpriests! Using Spider-Lord [+2] and Void [+2]. Maybe Transformation [+2] depending on what taking a spiderman through the void does/if it is necessary. Basically the idea is that they are a priesthood who can tap into the Void in a way similar to what I can do, whatever that may be. Obviously they worship me, duh!
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# ¿ Jul 4, 2013 10:31 |
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Octagon - Arrahn, Sicaria Octagon stares at the horrific beings he had created. Though no emotion can be seen on his face, his voice rings of disappointment. "I'm very sorry," is all he says before decapitating each one with a swipe of his claw. It was a learning experience; he learned that Mu would not be the tool for this job. Not while it stood apart from him or even against him. No, he could not rely upon the Nothing. He would need to rely upon his more... natural powers. Once the corpses of the failed Voidpriests are thoroughly disposed of, he calls in a second group of not-quite-so-eager volunteers. "No need for you to fret, dear things. We'll not be venturing to the void together; it is not a place for mortal kind, I've learned. No, instead, we shall extol the virtues of Venom and Variety. The strengths of our kind. Come, let us see if we can do better than the last group..." My action for the month is as follows: I am going to create a priesthood of Spiderpriests, following the religion that we shall call the Silk Road. The underground tunnels are the Webway, by the way. Using Transformation [+2], Spider-Lord [+2], and Toxins [+2]. They shall have powers pertaining to those Domains so long as they worship me. Naturally, these skills can be taught to initiates of the Silk Road. They shall be the very epitome of Spiderdom. The spideriest spiders a spider can be (super-spiders). Naturally, non-spiders may follow the Silk Road, and if they attain full priesthood they may become spiders, themselves. I feel cheesy as hell using Spider-Lord because I use it for everything, but after that failure I don't want to risk it! Feel free to drop it if you think it appropriate.
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# ¿ Jul 16, 2013 04:40 |
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Octagon - Arrahn, Sicaria Octagon is positively delighted with the progress and disposition of his new Religious Order. They are everything he needed and he is more than happy to allow them to work mostly autonomously, overseeing their own training and proselytizing. Clearly no Arrani would need conversion, but they would have permission to begin preaching in Konwey, were anyone brave enough to try and were the populace receptive. Either way, hardly important for the time being. Instead, he Octagon turned his attention to more... practical matters. His influence was spread far and wide, and he would need a method of keeping up to date on the goings-on of his expanding sovereignty. And so, from strands of silk and a simple piece of wood, Octagon began to shape that which would allow him to keep a finger upon the pulse of the world. Using Spider-Lord [+2] and Transformation [+2] to create the Silk Harpsichord. It resembles a small, single-stringed Harp with a silken chord. It works by focusing on your recipient and plucking the string, initiating a "call". They answer (with their own Harpsichord) and then you can converse normally, the string vibrating with their voice. The communication cannot be intercepted, but can be overheard since it's a conversation. It allows for instantaneous long-distance communication with reasonable privacy. If only to prevent "prank calls", I'd say that the recipient of a call can "tell" who is calling them and can decline to answer or block a caller. Except there is a single Master Harpsichord. It resembles a fully-stringed harp, with silken strands. The Master Harpsichord can listen in on any other Harpsichord in existance, including conversations in the vicinity of an inactive Harpsichord. The user "plays" the Master Harpsichord as he or she searches for the information or conversations he or she might wish to listen in on. It obviously helps if you already have a target in mind, but you can just troll for gossip casually. It can also be used as a regular Harpsichord. Probably there can ever only be one, and if it was destroyed it would take a Spinner to recreate it. For the moment, I am keeping the Master Harpsichord for myself! (duh) Over the next month I will be both producing a fuckton of Silk Harpsichords and teaching the priests how to create them, and selling them off as trade goods, far and wide. Konwey gets preference, of course, so they can buy low and resell for tidy profits. A Harpsichord in every home, a turkey in every pot. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 06:51 on Jul 19, 2013 |
# ¿ Jul 18, 2013 06:43 |
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Octagon - Arrahn, Sicaria Octagon is startled by the sudden appearance of... someone. Something had become connected to him in a way his children were, but this one was... different. Somehow. A Comet-touched? Probing for the being's thoughts, he spoke into his mind... quote:* Octagon ahems. His 'voice' is tinged with amusement. "Who are... wait. You are Farro. I assume you know who I am." Octagon concludes the discussion, steepling his claws in thought. A second Spider-Lord, the beginnings of a Pantheon. This could be useful, indeed! Perhaps he could recruit one or two more to his side in the future; for now, he would need to make sure this new Spider-Lord sided with Arrahn. Speaking of Arrahn... It was a shame his Harpsichords had not yet been perfected, but it would seem he would need to use messengers for this task. Using the lost caravan as a convenient excuse, Octagon decided that a small group of Arrani would accompany each caravan as a guard. While the Arrahnian military had not yet been... officially restructured, there remained plenty of loyal and eager Arrani who had been soldiers or guardsmen in their past lives that it was not difficult to find volunteers. Word was dispatched to the Arrani of Delena and Sicaria; from now on, all non-Herd and non-slave humans were off-limits for predation. This was especially true for Caravan Guards. The Citizens of Taeless and Konway were to be treated as equals; "accidents" would not be tolerated. More flies with honey, Ambassadors don't make good impressions by eating their fellow delegates, etc. Purchasing slaves from the local markets as a meal was, of course, perfectly acceptable. In addition, Octagon sent word to the Operatives that composed the Konwegian Imperial Senate; it was time for a strengthening of Arrahn and Konway's relationship. "Negotiations" would take place that would result in a more relaxed stance at the border. Citizens of both kingdoms would be able to travel freely back and forth in order to conduct business or pursue pleasure more directly, rather than rely entirely upon Trade Caravans. Naturally, this would allow priests and layspiders of the Silk Road to proselytize freely in Konway's border towns. For the time being, Octagon was content to allow his people to handle these affairs; they did not yet require his divine attention. Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 02:22 on Jul 25, 2013 |
# ¿ Jul 19, 2013 06:27 |
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# ¿ Mar 29, 2024 15:35 |
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Edit: Rhjamiz fucked around with this message at 17:28 on Aug 3, 2013 |
# ¿ Jul 30, 2013 06:13 |