[Hexville] The Palace
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: RedPhoenix on 04-09-2020, 04:34:56</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 04:34:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 24pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>THE PALACE</strong></span></span><br><strong>Currently in Control:</strong> Princess Red<br><br>(https://i.imgur.com/xBM9uWw.jpg) </div><br>The Hexville Palace is a wondrous building of white marble, stained glass, and gilded artwork. It is the splendor of the lands, the great monument to what mortals can achieve with hard work and prosperity, and the central hub of the great city!<br><br>Or at least it was. These days its a very chaotic place as the poor servants and ministers frantically work to keep up with the nonsensical demands and decrees of the princess. <br><br><hr><br><em>Rules for The Palace:</em><br><br>The Palace gives no rewards for any influence level less than Control. <br><br>Control of the Palace for three turns in a row, or five turns total, is needed to win the game. <br><br><hr><br><em>Aspirant Status:</em><br>- Chevis the Chic is ESTABLISHED<br>- Shanira Treyan is ESTABLISHED<br>
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Palace - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 04:35:02</strong>
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				<em>Important NPCs:</em><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/JINndXC.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Princess Red the Terrible-at-Ruling<br><br><strong>Role:</strong> In Control of The Palace. While she is, you haven't won yet! <br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Incompetence (Special NPC Motivation)<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> Red, a half-elf, might be good at many things, but she is just simply terrible at ruling. Thus far she has attempted to paint every third cobblestone on the streets green, reorganize all households so that every street is sorted from tallest to shortest resident, and outlaw Wednesdays. Won't someone please help?<br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Red is only a princess due to a series of legal loopholes that nobody quite understands. Prior to being put in charge of Hexville she wrote a column about birdwatching for the <em>Hexville Gazette</em>, and was known to spend most of her time sitting around a pastry shop in the University District complaining about the lack of raspberry donuts.&nbsp; <br><br><br class="clear_left">
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>09-09-2020, 18:29:02</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week One</em></strong><br><br>"Which is why from henceforth all persons formally known as Reginald must wear blue shoes." Princess Red listened with satisfaction as her court herald finished reading off the list of her latest decrees.<br><br>"Well, that should solve some of the unrest!" The half-elven princess quipped happily to her nearest advisor. <br><br>The advisor, a little gnome who had exactly the expression one would expect on his face blinked a few times and then dared to ask, "Forgive the impertinence your majesty but ... how?" <br><br>"Oh Bertinald." That wasn't the gnome's name. "I hardly have time in my busy schedule to lecture on rulership." With a dismissive laugh as if only a child would not understand what outlawing the name Reginald and requiring blue shoes be worn by such people wouldn't solve all of Hexville's problems. "Send out the town criers to announce the new laws from every corner."<br><br>"Now. One thousand gold to whoever brings me the finest raspberry donut." She announced happily, horrifying several of her ministers. The treasury of Hexville was quite full thanks to the long and prosperous reign of King Fred, but even a dragon would go broke paying a thousand gold for a donut. "And fill the swimming pool with champagne again, less bubbly this time." 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>14-09-2020, 03:58:16</strong>
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				<em><strong>Week Two</strong></em><br><br>"Your highness, things are getting out of hand, we've received reports from the Slums and the University that threats to your rule are - " <br><br>Princess Red yawned loudly and dramatically. "Fetch me a hippogriff." She declared.<br><br>"A hippogriff? But you already purchased one - "<br><br>"No, no not <em>that</em> kind of hippogriff, one that is half griffon and half hippo." Red said, as if speaking to a child.<br><br>"But I don't -&nbsp; those - shouldn't we do something about the missing Grimoire and - "<br><br>"Make it so!" Red clapped her hands regally, leaving her ministers scrambling to figure out how to respond to this latest nonsensical request. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 21:21:22</strong>
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				<em><strong>Week Three</strong></em><br><br>"Why is this city shaped like a Hexagon anyway?" Princess Red said, looking at a map from above. <br><br>"Well because - " a minister began speaking. She was a rather nerdy looking minister with mousy brown hair, but she seemed very excited to speak on this topic. <br><br>"I don't like it." Red said, not letting the minister talk, and ruining her week in the process. "Let's be triangles instead those are much cuter."<br><br>"But...but..." Even by the standards of Princess Red this was an absurd request. "How should we..."<br><br>"Oh!" Red sighed, as if this strain of dealing with these fools was too much, "Just get rid of the parts that aren't triangles!" <br><br>The ministers stared at each other. "Yes, yes your majesty." They said, shrugging at each other, completely unsure of what they could possibly do to get rid of the non-triangle parts of a hexagonal city! <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 04:17:40</strong>
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				<em><strong>Week Four</strong></em><br><br>"There are too many gargoyles on this castle." Princess Red declared, having spent the last half hour staring up at the roof of the building and ignoring the plight of the common folk who had come to beg for her aid.<br><br>"Remove half of them." She decreed with a wave of her hand, turning she noticed there was an assembly of the working class gathered in the gardens with her. "Oh, who are these people?" She asked, revealing that she had not paid the slightest attention to all of the problems they had come to her about. <br><br>Neither the folks of Hexville nor the gargoyles were very happy about this. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 23:55:14</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Five</em></strong><br><br>Princess Red lay on a small bench. The bench was curved upwards at each end, made of silver, and coated in purple velvet. <br><br>"What sort of look should I have?" She asked her attendants, including the artist who was painting her in this pose. "Should I be like, a warrior queen, rawr!" She made a face that would frighten nobody, "Or like should I be all sexy like..." she put a hand behind her head and leaned back, arching her chest out a little, "or like all stern and serious," She straightened up far too straight and stared at the painter with impressive focus, "you know, what sort of Princess should I be remembered as?"<br><br>The painter gave up and put her brush down, "Well whichever it is you must lie still for it!" She sighed in frustration.<br><br>"Oh. I do?" The princess looked confused for a moment. "Um, well," she scrunched up her face as if thinking hard about whether she wanted to hold still that long, as a face clearly not accustomed to thinking it made her look profoundly ignorant.<br><br>"There!" The painter said, eyes alight, "That's it, that's a perfect summary of your rule! Hold that pose!"<br><br>"Huh?" Red asked, not understanding.<br><br>"Exactly!" The painter replied and got to work quickly. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>02-10-2020, 18:18:35</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Six</em></strong><br><br>The Palace is abuzz. For the first time since all of this chaos began, they are starting to hear of some aspirants that might save them from Her Incompetence! <br><br>Chevis the Chic, everyone says, is crazy and fickle and devoted to style over substance. And yet, that might be just what Hexville needs! A dash of fashion and panache after the boring yet functional rule of King Fred and the horrid incompetence of Princess Red. Chevis, the palace attendants are saying. Some even begin to sample his fashions! <br><br>Shanira Treyan. The name is familiar to many of the old guards, her father was one of them after all. It would be quite appropriate, they think, if his daughter took over. A working class hero is what is needed to quell the stench of incompetent nobility. She's standing alone but doing the right thing regardless, not power hungry or violent, aware of her own strengths and limits, yes, they say, this is the one we want. <br><br>But still, neither are influential enough to be more than whispers. For now...<br><br>Meanwhile Princess Red has ordered a bathtub be installed in every room of the Palace in case she desires to bathe but not walk very far. <br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ontan</strong> on <strong>06-10-2020, 03:33:36</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/acfc487f628999a8d795fd4e0bac95b4/7144f155-86a7-460e-be3c-29249aa92920_rw_1920.jpg?h=751cf9fdab3ea959a3579c38026e854e)</div><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Valerian Izyumov &nbsp;(http://url=https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=324631.msg15584949#msg15584949)<br><strong>Timeline:</strong>&nbsp; Week six to seven<br><strong>Where:</strong>&nbsp; Petitioner’s Wing<br><strong>Status:</strong>&nbsp; Round 7: story post and future plans.<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Shanira Treyan (mentioned), various NPCs.<br><hr><br>Under the leadership of King Fred, there had been vibrant springs and glorious, brazens summers. Now, the palace was slipping into a figurative autumn beneath Princess Red’s indifferent neglect. There was still life, and there was still glory, but their lingering grace was a mere holdout borrowed from more prosperous seasons. When one looked upon the fading vitality that filled the palace, they too were reminded that a season of hardship was looming just around the corner, its chill hints already in the air. <br><br>With measured steps and watchful eyes, Valerian stalked his way through the Petitioner’s Wing of the palace district. The cavernous hall was simultaneously open and claustrophobic in the way of an sprawling forest, with towering columns of marble that rose to the distant ceiling like ancient oaks. There were long corridors of vision between the evenly-spaced monoliths, but it was also impossible to see what was hiding between and behind their imposing bulk. The senses strained, tuned for the slightest clue of what was waiting behind each blind corner. Maybe it would be his quarry. Maybe it would be a predator.<br><br>Dappled light fell through the immense stained glass windows, creating the illusion of sunlight on a canopy. Sheafs of paper drifted lazily through the air, or crunched underfoot like autumnal leaves; far above, some clerks were frantically rifling through the archives, carelessly throwing unwanted records over the balcony to the main hall below. A nearby drinking fountain offered the suggestion of sanctuary, and Valerian saw wanderers of all types gathered around its babbling rivulets: weary petitioners awaiting an audience, palace staff seeking a moment’s respite, exhausted stragglers drawn to it by simple thirst. Like any water source, it garnered predators too. A pickpocket circled around between the columns, looking for careless prey gathered by the fountain. A pair of burly guards cornered random visitors to ensure they had filled out all the proper paperwork to visit the Petitioner’s Wing. <br><br>The former gave Valerian a silent nod, one prowling fox to another. The latter never got the chance to make eye contact, as Valerian quietly slipped away. Unlike others, he wasn't welcome in the Palace district. <br><br>Patience was a powerful tool for both hunter and quarry. An expensive one, given that time was precious to all mortal animals, but worthwhile nonetheless. Valerian knew that his target would be safe in its lair – namely the cloistered office with yet more guards at the door – but he also knew that any creature alive had to venture from its burrow now and then. Valerian waited, and watched. It didn’t take too long for his target to appear. A dishevelled elf was a rare sight indeed, but even at a glance, it was clear that the minister was highly strung. No amount of delicate powder could hide the bags under the minister’s eyes, and the tall-tale lump of a hipflask in the minister’s waistcoat wasn’t nearly as discreet as its owner had hoped. The minister smelled of weakness, which was dangerous in any environment. <br><br>The elf surreptitiously slipped down a side corridor, hoping to use an quiet access stairway for a moment of privacy. He was halfway through a long gulp from his hipflask when Valerian drifted up behind him, and loudly cleared his throat. <br><br>“Minister Atronis,” Valerian said, speaking over the startled minister’s spluttering. “I have proposal for you to sign. It will recall army, restore order to city. I already have legalist-friend draft up necessary paperwork. You will sign and stamp… today. Now.”<br><br>Valerian shoved the document in question into the minister’s hands. Under different circumstances, the elf might’ve refused him point-blank, but Valerian had timed his attack well. Reeling, caught off guard, and cornered, the minister fumbled with the document and, if only to stall for time, ran his eyes over the fine print.&nbsp; <br><br>“W-wait a moment. This is… You’re talking about martial law. Martial law! Here! Gods preserve us, this is Hexville! Glorious, whimsical Hexville, not some second-rate dictatorship like Tyrantown!” <br>“Glorious city is falling apart,” Valerian countered, his tone grim. “This proposal might set things right… or at least, give groundwork to <em>start</em> setting things right.”<br>“This… this is too much, sir. And besides, the town guard is doing quite well. Have you heard of Officer Treyan? Just the other day, she…”<br>“There is also Officer Roux, who now answers to freelance privateers instead of legal government. Meanwhile in slums, you have guards defecting to church of Aros. Things are not under control, minister.”<br>“Well, I… L-look here, I’ll give your suggestion some thought, and after a week or two of due consideration, I’ll think about signing it, but until then…”<br>“There is nothing to think about! Palace government is bleeding out. Civil unrest spreads like miasma through city. Other day, giant lizard thug try to devour my friends in broad daylight.”<br>“Erm… sorry, I got the first two metaphors, but I didn’t quite grasp the last one. Does the giant lizard represents financial hardship, or…?” <br>“What? No! Actual lizard man, named Saurus! Real, non-metaphorical attempted murder in middle of street!”<br>“Oh. W-well, uh, I can see that it must’ve been a bit unsettling, sir. Even so, I'm sure you and your friends are accustomed to a bit of danger. Besides, I have the interests of an entire city to consider…”<br>“Minister. Do I need to tell people you are drinking on job?”<br><br><hr>There were gardens beyond the Petitioner’s Wing, but they felt oddly sterile by comparison. Things were slipping inside the palace, with people’s animal nature starting to show… but, paradoxically, the outdoor grounds were simpler to tame. It only took a pair of shears to keep everything squared away, after all. Valerian stomped through the gardens, his expression more weary and resigned than triumphant. He loved his home. He hated that his gambit had even been necessary, and the notion of martial law was no less bitter just because he himself was a soldier. <br><br>One of his minions, Vala, was waiting for him at the appointed time and place. She’d been in the process of liberally applying some kind of ointment to her skin as Valerian approached, but she quickly set the bottle aside as he approached.&nbsp; <br><br>“Well? Did it work?”<br>“Document is signed. It will take time for declaration to be passed, and even then it will just be a few small patrols to start off, but… Okay, I have to ask. What are you doing? Is that… sun lotion?”<br>“What this? No, it elder swamp-toad poison. Don’t worry, it’s only dangerous when ingested.”<br>“Why on earth are you…”<br>“In case that damn Saurus tries to eat me again. If I’m going to die in that monster’s gut, I want to take him down with me.” <br><br>A reptile on the hunt; prey exuding poison in retaliation. The latter’s cold nihilism sent a shiver ran down Valerian’s spine. Perhaps the palace grounds weren’t such a sterile zone after all. Perhaps, for all the polished marble and perfectly squared hedges that surrounded them, no civilisation ever dragged itself free of the primordial jungle.&nbsp; <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>07-10-2020, 00:15:57</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Seven</em></strong><br><br>"What if," Princess Red begins, a pair of words that draws a groan from the gathered court about her, "instead of a bathtub in every room, there was one giant bathtub that stretched through every room in the Palace?"<br><br>Several members of the court slink out, returning to their homes elsewhere. They will not have any part in being ordered to knock down walls to expand bathtubs. <br><br>The others start talking about how much this will cost, causing Princess Red to throw gold coins at them until they stop. She then curls up for her third nap of the day, after ordering more gold be brought from the treasury in case she needs to throw it away. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ontan</strong> on <strong>07-10-2020, 06:26:01</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/acfc487f628999a8d795fd4e0bac95b4/7144f155-86a7-460e-be3c-29249aa92920_rw_1920.jpg?h=751cf9fdab3ea959a3579c38026e854e)</div><strong> Valerian Izyumov </strong><br><br><hr><br><em>As word of the Princess’s inept rule spread beyond the borders, it seemed some of Hexville’s more belligerent neighbours have got a little cocky. Sensing weakness, a few of the more irritating ones have even gone so far as to (rather unwisely) declare war on the city-state. <br><br>There is, of course, little doubt that Hexville’s military will give them all a right good kicking; their armies have thrashed all comers for centuries, and the Princess’s preoccupation with donuts and bathtubs isn’t about to dull their long-held supremacy in battle. Instead, the ramifications are concentrated on select individuals as soldiers, officers, healers, caravan drivers and so forth all find themselves being recalled to the field. Valerian is no exception: regardless of any ambitions he may have harboured, he received his polite but inexorably blunt reminder that still answers to Hexville’s military command… same as any other officer. His bags are packed, plots against magic are mothballed, and his personal minions slip out of the city alongside him. For the aspirants that remain, the throne is likely one step closer…</em><br><br>((Valerian Izyumov has retired from the game))
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 01:56:59</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Eight</em></strong><br><br>"Your highness! Your highness!" Attendants rush to Princess Red. They were told 'she's in the bathtub' which didn't narrow it down so they must rush throughout the palace trying to find her.<br><br>Finally one finds her, completely exhausted, a dwarf wheezes out as she doubles over trying to catch her breath. "Your Majesty! A giant turtle is walking away from the Docks with the Customs House! We have to stop it! We'll lose so much money and lose track of all that's coming and going and - " <br><br>The Princess bursts out laughing. "A giant turtle! Oh that is delightful! Yes, I wish to hear the rest of this story at once!" She claps her hands, splashing about water in her bath. A page approaches quickly, and bows as she orders him "See that this dwarf is promoted to head playwright and given time and resources to create! I must hear her works!"<br><br>"But - but - " the dwarf stammers as she's led away, worker's garb to be replaced with fine artist's robes, as the turtle continues to slowly, slowly, trod away. <br><br>Meanwhile, the Princess does not seem to notice that several nobles have been missing this week, either present at or exhausted from attending a certain party thrown by a certain tiefling in the Manor District. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Palace</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 04:57:36</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Nine</em></strong><br><br>Princess Red frowns. "Who are you all talking about?" She asks. She has to ask, because for the first time since taking the throne, she isn't the center of attention in her own throne room.<br><br>There is a nervous silence, finally a young page answers. "Shanira Treyan!" He says, barely stifling his excitement. "Why, she is the first aspirant of all of Hexville to have word spread of her greatness to every corner of our wonderful city!" <br><br>"Oh is she now." Princess Red says, eyes narrowing, hands clenching the arms of her throne tighter. "Well, maybe it's time we did something about that."<br><br>There are some gulps of nervousness. Is the Princess finally going to do something about the many claimants on her throne? And is it really going to be against one of the nicest and bravest of the lot?!? The page looks like he wishes he hadn't said anything as the mood sours considerably. 
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