<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/69/3f/55/693f5521c12e2e006fc1b94c9c39af7d.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>Name:</strong> Xandross Aethereon (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=315256.msg15244143#msg15244143)<br/><strong>Location:</strong>  Castle Gates &gt; Throne Room<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong> Open, Naz<br/><strong>Content:</strong> Gaining knowledge</span><br/><hr/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Three Days Ago</span></div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br/>Like all of the other adventurers invited to an audience with the King, Xandross has received a summons from one of his royal soldiers. The Dragonborn had been drinking away some quick coin he'd earned after dealing with some bandits near to the village of Dulthunae. He'd pawned every single one of their weapons as well as collecting the bounty on all of them. Alive was harder than dead, but it paid better. Besides, most bandits were idiots that didn't know how to deal with low-level cantrips even an apprentice could cast, so he was overkill. It was still fun however. "That's him inn'it? Biggest thing in here, drinkin' alone...scales." <br/><br/>The soldier was speaking to his partner, but was speaking for himself. Just to muster up the courage to go over to the menacing looking being in the hood. Finally, one pushed the other and the man had no choice but to walk the short distance over. "You are Xandross Aethereon, yes? The Dragonborn warrior who fights for many causes...one of them coin?" <br/><br/>Finishing his current drink, Xan looked up from underneath his hood, still managing to be a bit taller than the soldier who was standing near him. He poured himself another drink, gulping it down in a single go, then stood up, towering over everyone in the bar.  "Who asks?" His voice was deep and guttural, rumbling from his throat as he queried his potential employers.<br/><br/> "King Aemon has sent a missive. And you were asked for personally. The reward is quite handsome, as well as having the King himself thankful for your efforts." The Dragonborn raised a clawed hand to his chin, scratching it while pondering what to do. "Is this truly something to think about? The King himself requests your presence, warrior." <br/><br/>The soldier seemed a bit <em>too</em> eager, but his fears had no bearing. "Relax, soldier. I would be a fool to turn down a request from Aemon. Especially since it could strengthen ties between Breacadh an lae and the Wild Lands where my father rules. My only concern is if there will be battle. But then again...he wouldn't be asking for <em>me</em> if diplomacy is what we needed for this mission.<br/><br/> Fine, I accept." Taking the missive, he nodded to the soldiers and left the bar. He read it over clearly once he was outside, then stuffed it into one of his pockets. He had a bit of a flight ahead of him, and he wanted to make good time. Bending his knees, what appeared to be a cloak on his back spread as the "clasps" on his front unhooked from one another, and two massive wings flared from his back. In the next few moments, he'd jumped, flapped hard, and was soaring off into the sky.</span><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A few minutes ago</span></div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br/>He flew through the air with as much grace as a fish through water, catching updrafts when he needed them and gliding when he didn't. Finally, after a long journey, the castle came into view. He narrowed his eyes and took note of the archers up on the ramparts, and the guards patrolling all of the important areas. He could've landed right in the middle of the castle for dramatic effect, but sometimes soldiers were quick to draw steel against things they didn't understand.<br/><br/> So instead, he folded his wings tight and dropped like a stone, only opening them when he was near the ground so he could stop his descent and flap slowly to the ground. The men at the gate stepped forward, wary of him with hands on their hilts and pommels. "I am Xandross Aethereon, summoned by King Aemon here this day and time. Show me to him." Taking out the scroll, he handed it to the closest soldier while folding his wings around himself once more.<br/><br/> "This way, milord," the soldier said after confirming the note was real. Xandross nodded his head and followed behind him, pulling his hood up and hoping the entire walk that Aemon would tell him he would get to experience glorious battle. He memorized every twist and turn as he followed along, and after a bit of a walk, a large door was opened for him. He bent to walk through, straightening to his full height as he passed the threshold. Once inside, he looked at everyone gathered, but first crossed an arm over his chest and bent to an angle in greeting. <br/><br/>"It is good to meet you, King Aemon." As ready for a fight as he was, proper etiquette had been drilled into him as much as his training. He would rule his own clan one day after all. He'd noticed Naz particularly among the others. He knew of Nazrysk Baelryg, or Naz of the North as he was called. They'd crossed paths as a fight with a vicious, alchemically mutated bear drove Xandross across Naz's campground. The half-orc helped him kill the beast, and they'd become fast friends after that.<br/><br/> He nodded to the man before finding a spot at the table so the King could begin. "Good to see you, Naz," he rumbled before Aemon began. As the King spoke, Xandross nodded along, thankful his visage didn't show emotions too easily. Because as Aemon revealed more to him, his heart began to beat faster. <br/><br/>Even though he had his love for combat, he was still a dedicated sorcerer. He took his studies seriously, and in those he'd come across Arakesh's name before. And more than once. He was extremely dangerous during his time, and if his prison had arisen now, a single terrifying thought raced across Xandross' mind. When Aemon finished, Xan shook his head. <br/><br/>He couldn't help chuckle at Naz's sudden and gruff question of their pay. He did love his money."A king's ransom, my friend. There's no way Lord Aemon would send us on such a dangerous journey without inadequate equipment or funding," he said with a turn of his head toward Aemon. "I wonder, King...if the most powerful of the Necromancers tomb has risen...and <em>something</em> roams within it's walls. Then as horrible as it is to say, there is a possibility Arakesh has truly twisted and transcended death. We may face a <em>Lich</em>, or even worse considering his power...a Lich King."<br/></span>