Melanie
John De Burgh
The Council Forum


John reared his seat back, averting his gaze to the table. It was a habit of his to stare at the ground in front of him while entertaining an idea. "The Westbrooks... Perhaps. They were eager to swear my oath, and are even more eager for the opportunity to grow their power. I'll make a note of their importance while speaking to the master of ravens."

Grounding himself, he swung his hair back behind his shoulders to give himself a better view of Levi. John's view to his left had been unfortunately betrayed by his empty eye socket. "What news of your men?" He asked passively. "Do you have them encamped nearby?"
Daniel
```Loren Markovich``` 

**Keep Sempiternal, Pemberlum**

Loren was pleasantly struck by the great display of somewhat eccentric luxury; it was a show that surprised him more than he expected, but the stark contrast from the harsh nature that surrounded the Castle only strengthened its similarities with the Tower arcana. It might have seemed like the keep hadn't been designed with a defensive purpose in mind at all, but Loren suspected a vast amount of surprises were hiding beneath its uncanny design. 

Still, he couldn't indulge much in thought just yet. He discretely shook some road dust off his cape and boots before stepping into the corridor, carefully taking in the Seneschal's figure with a reserved yet sternly inquisitive gaze. "I thank you for your welcome. I am here on behalf of noble House Durkhan, rulers of Astoria, and will be pleased to meet her Grace's son." The tone of his voice wasn't particularly formal, but the unusual way it seemed to resonate in the air instantly brought it to attention.
Ronald
```Jean de Lysse | The Keep Sempiternal```
The Seneschal guided Markovich trough the halls of the fastness. Loren's intuition on the castle's design proved to be correct as a deluge of baroque excesses paraded before his eyes: halls and columns of colored marble, exquisite statues, paintings on every wall, chandeliers and torch holders of fine craftsmanship... The lords of the Keep Sempiternal had turned the belly of their holdfast into an art gallery. It would've been tasteful if they hadn't gone overboard with the displays of wealth.
The men kept going until they reached a hall with a great fireplace.

"Your grace," The seneschal adressed a slender figure obscured by the flames. Markovich sensed the man's hesitation at pronouncing the title. "I present you Loren Markovich, envoy of House Durkhan of Astoria."

The shadow dismissed the seneschal with a movement of his hand, and he bowed before turning around. The figure then stepped from the shadows to reveal a pale young man with ashen hair and lavender eyes dressed in burgundy. He was handsome, perhaps disturbingly so. His thin lips and narrow eyebrows gave him the mien of a cold-blooded viper.

"Welcome, meister Markovich," He said with a smirk. His voice was silvery and articulated. Surprisingly pleasant to listen at. "My name is Jean de Lysse, how can I be of service to the most esteemed House of Durkhan?"
Carol
Levi Cortez
Northwind

Levi removed the dark cloak from his shoulders and laid it over the chair before sitting down with the cloak at his back. He studied the room, lit by torches on the wall and the sunlight that trickled through the stained glass. It was old, but the room retained the simple elegance that Levi had grown accustomed to seeing recently.

"A camp is being made along the small streams to the south, and scouts are already combing the hills. Can never be too safe." Levi said, looking up before his face began to show a subtle sign of surprise. Roryk's face had melded with John's, and a deep scarlet stream of blood came out of the smiling corpse's mouth. Levi grit his teeth together as his heart began to pound, but as he blinked John's missing eye came into focus.

"The wolfmen are slowly growing accustomed to our ways. I have reason to believe they will be powerful allies should we allow them to grow under us." He said, looking up at John, before glancing at Geigor. How would the man react to Levi's words?

"More of my men are joining me from the south. People are beginning to learn of our victory, and wish to join the so called "Wolf Killer". As we grow stronger, so will our need for somewhere more permanent become." He said, glancing back at John. "Iron Gate is strong, but there are many people here who will not take kindly to a large force of men who look nothing like them, nor act like them." He said, before sitting back in his chair. "However, that is not important at the moment. These... Westbrooks, are they loyal? Many claim loyalty for a chance at this so called *Power*. Should you appear weak at any moment, many will leave your side. Are you sure you wish to entrust this task to these men and women?" Levi asked, before reaching at his side and pulling out a small metal container and taking a sip of the liquid inside. As he sat it back at his side, he withdrew a small golden coin. As he listened to the men, he began to roll it across his fingers.