spyros k. (GM) This is the continent of Archaneia, the place where this game takes place.

spyros k. (GM) In ancient times, this land was co-habited by human and dragon alike.

spyros k. (GM) The dragons were beings of terrible power and majesty, ruling over the continent with an iron f- er, claw. Immortal and nigh unkillable, no mortal could ever hope to challenge their reign.

spyros k. (GM) But, as time passed, something changed in the nature of dragons themselves. They grew overly violent and aggressive, their minds slowly degrading to animalistic feral creatures that had little to do with the brilliant dragons of old. To counteract this phenomenon, some dragons sealed their power in magical crystals called "dragonstones", and sealed their true forms to those of a puny mortal. The rest grew more and more insane, and were either put down by their peers, or they fled northwards.

spyros k. (GM) Humanity decided to seize this crisis to overthrow the shackles of their indifferent draconic overlords. Using funds from a massive fortune through the discovery of an ancient artifact named "THe shield of seals" and other riches, a man name Adrah founded the first human state: The kingdom of Akaneia.

spyros k. (GM) The kingdom wages a war of both conquest and liberation against dragonkind, pushing the weakened race to the island of Doluna. Many of them were killed or enslaved, and the survivors turned with bitter hatred against mankind

spyros k. (GM) The strongest of the dragons, Medeus, first of the Dark Tribe, slowly created a force of undead creatures through necromancy to exact vengeance against mankind for their insolence. After a century of waiting, he unleased his power on the world, seeking to eradicate every human being in the continent.

spyros k. (GM) Princess Artemis chose sire Cartas to wield the Fire Emblem, the seal Adrah had stolen now a royal heirloom, and lead Archanea's army. For a time, it seemed that the tide was turning, but then Medeus joined the battle directly during the siege of Doluna's capital. It looked like all hope was lost until a youth named Anri appeared wielding the legendary blade Falchion and slew Medeus. The heroes from this war would eventually create their own countries, Anri and his brothers founded Altea; Medon was founded by Iote, a slave who rose up against Doluna; and Aurelis was founded by Marlon, Cartas's brother.

spyros k. (GM) An age of prosperity arose in the land, the dragons decimated once and for all, new kingdoms appeared through time, as wel, such as Grust and the Talys merchants. You however, live in a much more peculiar case...

spyros k. (GM) You are in the kingdom of Elsar, the coward's kingdom. In ancient times, it was a Colony of Akaneia. During the war against Dragonkind, Elsar's king refused Akaneias' call to aid in battle, seeign the war against so powerful creatures suicidal. Insted, he ordered his wizards to weave a massive spell around the isle, creating a permanent shroud of obscuring mist around it's waters. No dragon or human craft could find it's way to isle without the permission of the king's sorcerers.

spyros k. (GM) After the war was finished, Elsar profiteered quite a bit, so to say. All the other kingdoms had expended massive resources during the war, while Elsar alone stood unscathed. It domineered trading and aided Akaneia in recovering much the following years. Yet, the enmity from the others remained, that saw Elsar as self serving opportunists. Thus, it gained the sobriquet of "Coward's Kingdom", in rememberance of Elsar's refusal to participate in the war.

spyros k. (GM) But, enough of old history, let us focus on the present, shall we ? Despite a constant low-key animosity between it and other kingdoms, Elsar is as prosperous as ever, through a recent trade war with the young kingdom of Talys has soured a small amount of the their wealth. Elsar's mages have dismissed the mist decades ago to facilitate trade.

spyros k. (GM) It is a wonderful, if a bit too bright of a day to the kingdom of Elsar, one when the princeling that goes by the name of Royce and his half-sister have been summoned by their father for an urgent meeting. The pair normally live by their academy on the port city Loyce in the north of the isle, but King Duncan has requested their presence immediately for an important matter.

Royce Alera glances over at his half-sister, Sophia. "I wonder what Father wants from us," he muttered curiously. "I can't actually remember the last time he called both of us in together. Even when he wanted to give us instructions for the ball, he gave them separately," he mused.
Sophia Grimalkin: He talks to you more often than he talks to me...

spyros k. (GM) You do notice an increased amount of guards in the castle than the last time you visited it, there is a guard in almost every corner and door.
Sophia Grimalkin: Come on; don't leave him waiting!
Palace guard : "Prince Royce ! Princess Sophia ! Your father is waiting inside thr throne room"

Royce Alera nods, following Sophia inside.

Sophia Grimalkin kneels before the king.

Royce Alera bows politely, at the exact angle needed, before standing straight and waiting for his father to speak.

Sophia Grimalkin remains kneeling, waiting for his majesty to give me the motion to stand.

King Duncan Alera appears at the last time you saw him, seven months ago when he visited your academy. He insists on wearing his armor when he addresses any diplomatic meetings on his throne, and stubbornly refuses the accusations he appears "Intimidating" with it and his runed blade on his side. He has himself dealt personally with the wave of raiders that came after the end of the mist enchantment that surrounded Elsar, and old habit die hard. He sports the same rugged bear and short hair as always. His mood seems to lighten up a bit after you enter the room, nodding curtly at both of you. "At ease. First of all, I'd apologize for the suddenness of my request, to both of you. I hope I did not interrupt a vital part of your studies."

Sophia Grimalkin stands.

Royce Alera shakes his head slowly. "Not truly, father. I'd already read that part of the particular tome, and was just checking to ascertain there was no principle I'd missed. Hardly vital."

Sophia Grimalkin says nothing.

King Duncan Alera Lifts himself up from the throne, eyeing mainly Royce. "Very well, I hope so at the very least. I am afraid that your studies will have to be interrupted, Royce. A particularly specific incident has occurred, and I'm afraid you, and her in some regard, are the ones that can resolve this the best.". He makes a motion to the palace guards, which close the doors to the throne room behind you. "Firest, I would like you to understand that whatever is going to be said here is very sensitive information that could harm not just as, but the kingdom of Elsar itself if it leaked. You are not to tell any of this to anyone even in the direst circumstance. Am I understood ?"
Sophia Grimalkin: Yes, your highness.

Royce Alera nods. "Of course, father."
King Duncan Alera: "Very well. I also expect you to show some composure, for what I will say is indeed dreadful. You are aware your mother was in a diplomatic trip to Gra for the last week, yes ?"
Kuro: Back

Royce Alera nods.
King Duncan Alera: "We have....we have received word the ship had not arrived on any Graian port. Along with a particularly disturbing letter"
Royce Alera: "A ransom note?"
King Duncan Alera: "That letter being, that pirates had attacked her Majesty's ship, and they have taken her hostage for ransom"
"Yes, your intuition is growing I see"
"Moreso, I have as of now, received evidence that the force behind that act is those filthy Talysians, our spies have reported them hiring an unusual amount of privateers these past three months,"

Royce Alera glances over towards his half-sister.
King Duncan Alera: "And as fortunue will have it, we are lucky enough to know where she is held, in a good-for-nothing Talysian port named Hemark."
Royce Alera: "So you want my sister and I to infiltrate Hemark and rescue my mother, I take it?"
King Duncan Alera: "You de seem to have your mother's wit, i'll give you that. If Talys saw me sending a general or the like in there, they'd know we were onto them. But a prince with a small retinue for a diplomatic meeting however....is quite a different matter, is it not ?"

Royce Alera smirks slightly.
King Duncan Alera: "In short yes. I know you have little experience in the field, but as of now you are the perfect combination of subtlety and capability I can afford. The king rests a hand on your shoulder I know I may demand much from one of such a young age but your mother needs you. Elsar needs you. I need you too, I suppose. Do you feel up for the task ?"

Royce Alera glances over at Sophia, before firming up and nodding. "I will fail neither you, mother nor Elsar, father. How large a diplomatic retinue should I bring?"
King Duncan Alera: "I have made some....arrangement" The king smiles as he looks over the palace guards. "Please summon lady Gqyn and damne Imayn here, if you may"
(dame*)
KITKIT: damn

Palace guard Makes a deep bow to the king as he opens the doors to head out.

spyros k. (GM) Woman and dragoness alike have been summoned to the throne room to speak with King Duncan.
Gwyn: Gwyn would stride through the halls without a single care, a smoldering twig between her lips as small bales of smoke would leak out of her mouth and nose.
Yonda: Does Gwyn vape?

Gwyn stands silently as she puffs a ring of smoke out of her mouth towards the king, dissipating into nothing around halfway.
Yukari: Well duh
She vapes 100% natural twigs.
KITKIT: She doesn't vape; she outright smokes
Yonda: Dorito flavored twigs
KITKIT: also it bugs me that Gwyn's token is round while the rest of ours are square

King Duncan Alera makes a.....bow ? Did the king of Elsar just boewd before a girl half his size ?! "Lady Gwyn, I am glad you could arrive so soon"
Imayn Lilaep: Imayn would look in the direction of the dragon, squinting her eyes at the sight of smoke coming from her mouth and nostrils. She simply shrugged at the odd visual, and carried on her way to the royal chambers.

Royce Alera glances at his father, eyes slightly widened in surprise.
Kuro: Forgive me, I personally don't like using the /e
Gwyn: "I am sure you are." a long trail of smoke would blow out of her nose and push against the floor - creating a small plume. She would not give a bow.
King Duncan Alera: "My son, this here is Lady Gwyn, one of our Kingdom's foremost allies. She is of a breed different than us. Lady Gwyn, I would like to reuest you to temporarily join my son's retinue. He is entrusted with a particularly difficult mission, and your help would be appreciated

Royce Alera glances from Duncan to Gwyn, before quickly bowing to the redheaded woman.
King Duncan Alera: "As for the lady on her side, she is dame Imayn, and aspiring pegasus knight. She shows great potential, and her loyalty is nothing but unquestionable"
Gwyn: Gwyn's sightline would shift from the King to the Prince, she would adjust the twig in her mouth before eyeing him from head to toe. "I can see why you asked for my aid."

Royce Alera scowls slightly, but can't deny it.
Imayn Lilaep: Imayn would grasp the edges of her cloak, curtsying before the royal king and his various family members. "At your service, my liege." She replied, speaking in a soft and soothing tone.
King Duncan Alera: "Now as you may have understood from now, I cannot lend you any veteran fighters of the kingdom, as Talys would surely recognize such warriors of renown and know they are not mere bodyguards. Thus, instead I shall let you have a small portion of the kingdom's wealth. Loyce is teeming with mercenaries and their ild. I am sure you will find some individuals of usefulness among the heap. You will talk with my treasurer later about this,"

spyros k. (GM) The Part has obtained 5 000 G !

Royce Alera nods. "A party of veteran knights and warriors would certainly make this much easier and far more conspicuous," he agrees.
Sophia Grimalkin: Excuse me, Sire, but don't we want to avoid being conspicuous?
King Duncan Alera: "That's why I specifically said you are to hire common sellswords, not veteran knights. I have alerted the Talysians of your "diplomatic mission" You will find in the city once you arrive one of the best spies I could hire. His name is "Gaius", he will meet you as soon as you arrive. Then e will show you the hideout of the privateers. THen, your duty is to assault it, and rescue the Queen. You will be extracted safely from the isle after that is done"
Antonio A.: (To clarify: Royce was commenting on the fact that his dad's conditions made this easier but sneakier. It wasn't a complaint.)
KITKIT: should we bring candies to bribe him with
conspicuous means "obvious, out in the open"
Antonio A.: Yes.
"A full party of knights would make this EASIER and MORE OBVIOUS
He possibly should've said "but"
KITKIT: oh derp
I cannot into reading comprehension. Ignore what Sophia just said to Royce.

Royce Alera nods. "Very well. What of the bandits? Do you wish for a prisoner to interrogate, or shall I leave none alive?"
King Duncan Alera: "I dont expect you to carve a bloody path through all of them, your priority is rescuing your mother. Hoewver, a hostage would be most useful, we will need hard evidence the Talysians were behind this in the war to come"

Royce Alera nods. "As you say, father. But if stealth is paramount, then I cannot afford to leave a witness behind. Any who see us cannot be allowed to leave alive."
Imayn Lilaep: Imayn stood behind the two noble children, not far apart from Gwyn. She would stand in silence, but upon hearing Royce's words, Imayn frowned. It seems as if the royal children of King Alera knew nothing of chivalry.
Gwyn: "Hmm.. spit-roasted humies." Gwyn mumbles at Royce's words. "I am willing to go through with this."
Yukari: tfw devil and angel on both sides of the shoulder of the Prince :thinking:
King Duncan Alera: " I will leave to your judgement how you elect to act. I am merely presenting the patameters of your task." He tips the pommel of his sword. " Now then, do you have any furthers questions ?"
Kuro: Does Duncan wear a trenchcoat?
Yukari: I think its an armoured neck guard
Imayn Lilaep: tips pommel Mi'lady

Royce Alera shakes his head. "None, father. I understand the situation, and will retrieve Mother soon."
Kuro: shit
Wrong chat
spyros k. (GM): He wears plate mail with an impractically large red velvet cloak
Kuro: Ignore that, I meant to say that oocly not icly.
King Duncan Alera: " Very well. All of you dismissed. You are to depart for Loyce as soon as possible. The ransom mentioned a deadline of a month, and the trip to Talys takes two weeks. Time is of the essence, as you can understand."
Sophia Grimalkin: "Your majesty, do I have any special job in all of this?"
Kuro: To give Royce lap dances.
KITKIT: l-lewd
King Duncan Alera: " Of course you do, Lady Sophia. You are to be Royce's tactician and advisor. I trust none but you to protect him from his misjudgements but you"
( misjudgements and errors*)
Yonda: Sphia should give me lapdances
Sophia Grimalkin: Understood, your majesty.

KITKIT hisses and scratches yonda

Royce Alera merely bows politely. "I know my task, father, and my options. By your leave, father, I must prepare."
spyros k. (GM): Stop memeing or you get the boot
KITKIT: Who is this directed at?
King Duncan Alera: " Yes...you must. We all must. Farewell son, may you bring back your mother safe and sound". In a very uncommon gesture of tenderness, the king briefly hugs his son, before letting them leave.
spyros k. (GM): Both of you

Sophia Grimalkin is green with envy.

Royce Alera returns the hug after an instant of surprise, smiling at the King. "I won't let you down, father," he promises.
Gwyn: Gwyn would have been silently listening in the entire time, though glancing over towards Sophia with a fanged grin, letting out a single "Heh."

spyros k. (GM) PROLOGUE 1: END
spyros k. (GM): If King was a unit youd just have reached C support with him
Yukari: Lewd