[Hexville] The Manor District
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: RedPhoenix on 04-09-2020, 05:08:16</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 05:08:16</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 MANOR DISTRICT</strong></span></span><br><strong>Currently in Control:</strong> Mother Freya/Shanira Treyan Alliance<br><br>(https://i.imgur.com/5vDoCQx.jpg)</div><br>The Manor District is where the rich folks live, in large mansions with vast topiary gardens and huge impressive fountains. The style of architecture that is currently <em>en vogue</em> is rather Gothic, however some of the more <em>vieux riche</em> families maintain their iconic homes of yesteryear. Outside of the walls of the Manor District, walls that have been privately reinforced many times over, are lush forests that have been kept and preserved as private hunting grounds for the wealthy. <br><br>The Manor District has become rather more fortified of late, as the wealthy are not only worried about the poor trying to take what they have, but also worried about their neighbors all staging <em>coups </em>left and right. Not that that could possibly slow down the delightful parties that take place constantly. It just means people glance around a bit more suspiciously. And sometimes die mysteriously. More often than before that is. <br><br><em>Talk of realms betwixt and between, and giving ones-self very high and mighty and yet also whimsical titles has become the hottest fad, all in imitation of Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between, or at least it was until Ixeor himself vanished. </em><br><br><em>Support for the law and the guards has never been higher, as the nobles embrace the cause of Shanira Treyan. Small memorials to her late father have appeared in stylishly acceptable corners, and guardsmen are invited into noble houses to dine and rest!</em><br><br><em>Outrageous fashion is a fad that cannot be contained! Many nobles are trying to out-Chevis Chevis himself! They are all waiting eagerly to see what he will do and wear next!</em><br><br><hr><br><em>Special Rules:</em><br><br>There are no special rules currently in place for the Manor District. <br><br><hr><br><em>Aspirant Status:</em><br>- Chevis the Chic is PROMINENT <br>- Morticia Scott is ESTABLISHED <br>- Shanira Treyan is IN CONTROL<br>
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Manor District - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 05:08:45</strong>
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				<em>Important NPCs:</em><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Retired from Public Life</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/UJjInbp.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Baron Cornelius Trunkenhammer<br><br><strong>Role:</strong> In Control of the Manor District, and don't you forget it! <br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Civilization<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> A surly old loxodon who thinks you should all get off of his lawn! <br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Baron Trunkenhammer comes from a long line of Trunkenhammers. It is said that the layout of Hexville was inspired by his great ancestor Sextus Trunkenhammer. Cornelius is rich, arrogant, and really thinks you should grow some bigger tusks if you want to impress anyone around here! As the most stuck up all nobles he naturally is in charge of the Manor District. <br><br><strong>Notes:</strong><br>- Denounced by Kieri Turn 3<br>- Denounced by Shanira Turn 3<br><br><br class="clear_left"></div></div><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle <em>ALLY OF SHANIRA TREYAN</em><br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Socialite. Darling if you want anyone important to know you, come to my parties.<br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Freedom<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> Lady Whitecastle's parties have the best food and entertainment you'll find in the Manor District. They're so fun and fulfilling you'd think they were illegal! ...they probably are.<br><br><strong>Background:</strong> According to the Lady herself she's from a very prominent family in Nearbytown. According to people with common sense that's an obvious lie. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/SJL0bgA.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Countess Ulrika von Mocab <em>ALLY OF CHEVIS THE CHIC</em><br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Disgraced Noble. After her father's failed coup and execution her family's name is dirt. But she's got resources and and resentment, two things you might be able to take advantage of!<br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Power<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> A secretive and shadowy noblewoman, Ulrika tends to be quiet and withdrawn.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Several years ago her father, Count Felix, staged a <em>coup de tat </em>against King Fred. King Fred, due to his excellent ruling, was able to put the <em>coup</em> down. Ulrika was the only one of her family that wasn't implicated and executed. The von Mocab estate has been eerily quiet ever since. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Ezo3Kug.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Meadows in the Sky<br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Patron. They have invested a heavy amount of their considerable coin in the arts and sciences. <br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Progress<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> An androgynous aasimar, Meadows in the Sky makes an impression of ethereal peace and calm happiness. <br><br><strong>Background:</strong>&nbsp; Meadows in the Sky returned to Hexville with a young noble who had gone off adventuring and explored the higher planes. Meadows in the Sky returned as his lover, and was left all that the man owned when the aasimar outlived him. They still look to be in their prime, despite being at least a century old. <br><br><br class="clear_left">
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blackcat792</strong> on <strong>08-09-2020, 05:01:38</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://data.whicdn.com/images/326888879/original.jpg)</div> The city guard took their duty seriously, well... most of them did. No matter what field you were in there was always bound to be a few that didn't think the rules applied to them and tended to slack off and do their own thing. They knew who those bad apples were and dealt with them the way you would with that one family member that occasionally brought shame on the family name. They were punished and shown how to improve. And yet if something bad ever happened to them you were there to help.<br><br>Death was a potential hazard of the job and you were a fool if you thought otherwise. Accidents happen and some people were murdering pricks. Today a member of the city guard was knifed in the gut while attempting to stop a mugging. The attacker had been vicious and that guard had bled out before help could arrive. Taim had been his name and he had been one of the headache causers. That didn't change the fact that he'd been part of the "family". And he wasn't even the only recent death among them. <br><br>Along one of the side streets in the Manor District lay the location of a particular tavern that was known to be the prefered place of relaxation for the city guard after their shift. It was the type of tavern that only someone not knowing that it "belonged" to the city guard would enter, their home away from home. On most days (and nights) it was no more loud than you would expect any tavern to be. But not today... today was different.<br><br>Standing on a table so that she could see everyone and everyone could see her, Shanira might be a sight to see in some eyes as she speaks to the guards men and women crowded around her. With the way her own were flashing with anger and her cheeks were flushed with it she had them listening to her words. "We all know that Taim could be an asshole in more ways than one but he was <strong><em>our</em></strong> asshole! Gutted like that and left for dead was a bad way to go." She would have to pause as some felt the need to shout out a few other ways for them to get killed on the job. &nbsp;"We know it comes with the territory and we don't shy away from doing what needs to be done. There was a time when the Throne had a fund set aside for the families of those who have fallen so that they don't end up on the streets, begging for scraps. There was a time we could be <strong><em>proud</em></strong> to protect the citizens of the city in the name of the throne."<br><br>Once again she would pause, though this time deliberately. She would cross her arms, creasing the jacket of the city guard's uniform, and make eye contact with each and every one of the others there. Only when they had fallen into silence would she continue. &nbsp;But not anymore. Not since the king died and the princess took over. When we went to access the funds for the fallen, we were told that it was no longer available. And when we asked why the reply was that <strong><em>She</em></strong> had better uses for it and that if Taim and my <em><strong>father</strong></em> had done a better job they would be alive now. We were <em><strong>told</strong></em> to just shut up and do our jobs! The princess cares nothing about her people, only about her own selfish needs. The king had cared, had understood that when you took care of your people the realm prospered. The city is going to shit despite our best efforts and if the princess won't get off her ass, then it's high time that we find someone who <em><strong>will!</strong></em>"<br><br>She had them, at least those guards men and women who were at the tavern at this moment. But the tavern wasn't the only tavern that the city guard frequented and there were many all over the Manor District, not to mention the city. Yes, she had them but this was only the beginning.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xurtan</strong> on <strong>08-09-2020, 14:52:02</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Cx3ofPu.png)</div><strong>Who:</strong> Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between<br><strong>What:</strong> His glorious introduction!<br><strong>When:</strong> First Round<br><strong>Where:</strong> The Manor District&nbsp; <br><br><hr><br>Ixeor spun himself around the room, dancing with the enchanted broom in his arms. Music played from everywhere and nowhere, and his eyes were alight with warmth. "That's it... one, two, three... one, two, three..." He instructs. His own dancing is flawless, of course, but the broom had wanted to learn and so he would instruct. <br><br>With a quicker movement he spins the broom, opening his arms and watching with pride as the broom tilts and spins in place several times before giving a bow. Ixeor applauds cheerfully, "Oh well done! Bravo!" and with a gesture miniature fireworks go off with sparks and sending colored light cascading over the walls. It is quite the lovely spectacle, were one to ask Ixeor. In truth he is merely distracting himself, as even now his gorgeous companions are out and about within the district. He does hope they don't run into too many issues...<br><br><hr><br>Within the district square the golems rushed hither and thither. Ixeor had prepared a number of spells for them to use, and one by one they broke the various bronze bell charms. Music began to play, lights hovered in place, and a little table along with tea, little cakes, and several stacks of scrolls poofed into existence with a plume of neon colored smoke. The goal, of course, was to get people--especially nobles!--to begin to see the worth of magic. Imagine how much easier it would be to decorate for a party or to serve a twelve course meal if such things could be handled by magical servants? <br><br>Anyone that passed by was invited to partake of tea and cake as well as to procure one of the scrolls bound in ribbon. The ribbons varied in color; children received blue, men red, and women green. The scroll, regardless of colored ribbon, read identically. It began <em>'Magic Today, Magic Forever!'</em>, and little fireworks launched out when the scroll was opened. <br><br>The scroll continued thus:<br><br><em>'Greetings, my most intelligent and astute neighbors! I offer you this gift free of charge in the hopes of opening your eyes to the wonders of magic. For who among us has never wished we had more time in the day? Every little task takes time from us, but magic can offer it back! Whether it be cooking, cleaning, enchanted quills that create a form letter or even just floating blocks to entertain the child... magic is potential made manifest. It is the way of the future and the way to make our lives easier, healthier, and more productive. <br><br>Let me offer this small enchanted item as proof of how useful it can be, and hope with every fiber of my being that as a result you will begin to look fondly upon the possibilities inherent in such things.'</em><br><br>At the bottom of each scroll is a rune, which when pressed would drop a small item into the lap of the reader. For men, an enchanted shoe brush to help keep their boots blacked. For women, a small golem in the shape of a pixie that will help them do up the laces of their outfits. For children, an enchanted toy dragon who breathed multi-colored (heatless!) flame. Ixeor is even relatively sure that all of them will work the way they're supposed to. Relatively. ...Mostly. <br><br><hr><br>Shrugging the thought off, he gestures for the music to go louder and bows to the broom, one hand extended. "May I have this dance?" Inexplicably, the broom seems to blush. "Huh. I didn't think you could do that." He murmurs, before smiling and pulling the broom into a waltz.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>09-09-2020, 17:37:31</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week One</em></strong><br><br>The manor born are nervous. Lawlessness is spreading throughout the city, and the rich have by far the most pearls to clutch! Rumors that agents of a foreign agitator have been spotted about in the manor do nothing to calm nerves! <br><br>Reports that the guards are starting to rally around a figure who is neither one of the palace nor the nobility are a mix of troubling and relief. Is this just the rabble sorting itself out? Or should the nobles step in and do something about it? Opinions seem mixed. <br><br>But yet...the life of wine and roses is not entirely diminished. A charming party with helpful golems is the light of a rather dreary weak, with quite a bit of buzz about the handsome devil who seemed to prefer dancing with a broom to the many other offers they received. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xurtan</strong> on <strong>12-09-2020, 19:34:51</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Cx3ofPu.png)</div><strong>Who:</strong> Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between<br><strong>What:</strong> A book...? How intriguing!<br><strong>When:</strong> Second Round<br><strong>Where:</strong> The Manor District&nbsp; <br><br><hr><br>Hearing about The Malignant Grimoire--and even in his thoughts, the words are capitalized--going missing had been worrying. Dark magic has a bit of a bad rap, as far as he's concerned, but it's also easily misused. Between its reputation and bizarre fondness for Gothic clothing and candles made of flesh, Ixeor supposes it isn't an undeserved view. Really, no one can pull off coats that black in the summer. <br><br>Consequently, he knew that he must obtain the book. Who other than he could use its secrets responsibly, in a way that would better the world for everyone? Magic is about progress, and avoiding certain fields of magic because they seem creepy isn't, in his book, an ideal way to conduct oneself. Why, he'd enchanted a kitchen knife of his with a lovely little dark cutting curse--he hasn't had to worry about sharpening his knives in ages, and the slices of tomato they make are razor thin!<br><br>With that in mind he'd set out, sticking to what he thought was his best chance of finding it. After all, the book had gone missing from The Palace Vaults. The most likely culprits to his mind were some noble that was sighted and wanting to get back at the Princess--an understandable mindset, even if their choice of reading material may need some work. <br><br>It was, after all, time to call on his friends in the district. He'd taken to dropping in with his loyal friends and allies within the district to discuss theory at various salons, showing his face and his world view and having a good bottle of wine or two in the process. Say what you will about the nobles, but it is hard to find a good bottle of anything outside the Manor or, perhaps, University district. As he'd partaken of drink and entertainment he'd had his golems searching libraries and bedrooms--after all, no one gave any mind to servants doing servant work. Even ones as unusual as the golems appeared. Whilst his beautiful creations did their work, he'd tried to see if any of the nobles wanted to brag about a recently acquired book or any such thing. <br><br>All in the hopes of finding, and perhaps bartering... or stealing... it back. For the Greater Good, of course. Magic now, magic forever.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>14-09-2020, 04:06:41</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Two</em></strong><br><br>Things are quiet in the manor district, and this is just the way Baron Trunkenhammer and the Hexville Mansion Owners Association prefer things! Rumors have it that they are even considering loosening the restrictions on how little is permitted to be donated to the poor as things seem to be calming down a bit. Considering, mind you, no reason to be hasty. <br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain America</strong> on <strong>17-09-2020, 03:06:06</strong>
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				<hr><hr><div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/5f/d1/d1/5fd1d1615692c5474bd258746d2e3cea.jpg)</div><strong>Post Type</strong> Actions for the week<br><strong>Name:</strong> Selevahn<br><strong>Tags:</strong> Anyone <br><hr><hr><br>Offices of Cogbox, Sprylight, and Battlefluke, Manor District -- During Meeting at Alwyn's shop.<br><br>Erbis Cogbox, Royally Chartered keeper of ledgers, records, equity of trade and&nbsp; publicani fisci, flipped the lever on his spectacles, lowering the cyan colored lens. "Hmmm. " some nodding, "I see..." he turned over a page in another thick leather bound codex.<br><br>The office was smaller and darker when compared to the recieving room where the partners' staff saw guests and visitors. And darker of lighting than the "back office" where they held private audience with certain respected individuals. Cogbox's small "back back room office/laboratory" was were either the most important, or most shady business was done. Finally however the old and wizened Gnome looked up. "This seems promising. It will require further review of course."<br><br>"Of course", smiled the Dwarf, Dewey Cheatham, as he sat comfortably in the stuffed seat, looking at Cogbox behind his desk almost covered by stacks of ledgers and papers. Dewey was one of many who had been taking an extra stipend, for helping out Selevahn. A personal treasurer for his mistress Lady Chadwick's estates, he had been decided on as most suitable for this task.&nbsp; After much discussion with the Wizard Captain, his Disbursing Clerk, and a few others, he helped draft and then fine tune the Captain's written proposal. <br><br>That proposal was then brought to the offices of Cogbox, Sprylight, and Battlefluke; Royally Chartered Keepers of ledgers, records, equity of trade and&nbsp; Publicani Fisci. This was not only the firm that many of the well to do had accounts kept by, but it so happened that Cobox was in debt to the Dwarf for a particularly bad night of 9 card Hexville Hold 'em. And this last point, was why the Captain, could have Dewey, have Cogbox, have a look at the business plan.<br><br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blackcat792</strong> on <strong>17-09-2020, 03:43:54</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://data.whicdn.com/images/326888879/original.jpg)</div> Disgruntled about not finding the Grimoire before someone else had, she would only be somewhat mollified by a message she had been sent. Returning to the Manor district, she would inform her fellow city guards stationed there about what had happened before heading back out. She was in a fine mood and volunteering for a patrol on her off day wasn't going to quite cut it as it might've other days. <br><br>Winding through the streets of this wealthier district, she couldn't help but curl her lip at the fancy homes she passes and the oblivious nobles and their ilk walking along as if nothing was wrong. Their wealth had made them dumb and blind, in her opinion, and she blamed them for letting the Princess get so.. so.. well... useless! The councilors and such who should have had her ear typically came from the noble families and so they had explaining to do, in her opinion.<br><br>Reaching a park decorated with perfectly trimmed hedges and bushes, peppered with flowers so perfect they seemed fake, and fountains in various ridiculous forms she came to a stop. Blind.. they were all blind. Well, she had to try to cure them of that. Climbing onto a fountain of the Princess herself (the water coming out of her mouth so she looked like she was spitting non stop) she'd lift her chin in defiance, takes in a deep breath and...&nbsp; <strong>"You are all blind!"</strong> That would be shouted at the top of her lungs, aiming to startle the rich and useless out of their vapid thoughts.<br><br>"Being a noble isn't all about parties, balls, and getting the latest item and if you think it is then I honestly feel sorry for you. Being of nobility comes with responsibility to those you consider under you. You take and take and, if that doesn't stop, there soon won't be anything left to take and then all of your wealth will begin to disappear, and yes.. well all know who takes the most. But the highest among you, <strong>Baron Trunkenhammer</strong>, is failing most of all." There would be gasps and other sounds of outrage when she says this since <em><strong>no one</strong></em> spoke against Trunkenhammer. He was the richest and grandest of them all, or so he and others believed, and it would just be heresy to speak against him in <em>this</em> district.<br><br>She wasn't done. "A man of his wealth and stature has nothing to stop him from being able to enter the palace. In the past, when the king still lived, there were men such as he advising the ruler. Of course it was up to the king whether or not that advise was taken but they could still give it. Have any of you seen or heard of Baron Trunkenhammer even <strong><em>trying</em></strong> to get through to the Princess? <strong><em>No!</em></strong> He just sits on his ass, being equally as useless. He, at least, could be trying to make things better for everyone!" Standing there, breathless for a moment from her rage and frustration, she knew she should come to a stop before she gets arrested. Besides that, a part of her was afraid that she was starting to ramble but it was just so damned important that she get her point across.<br><br>Raising her hands in a placating gesture, she would give a shake of her head. "I'm going but one last thing to think on.. you take and take from us, but why isn't Trunkenhammer trying to keep the Princess from taking from you? You can't tell me that you enjoy that. Yes, I know you take from us only to replenish yourself but what happens when there is nothing left to take?"<br><br>With that she would hop down from that ugly fountain and makes her way out of the park and out of that so pretty neighborhood. Damn, she needed a drink...maybe several.<br><br><div align="center">*************************************************************************</div><br>While Shanira had been giving her rambling speech, her friends (minions) had been filtering through the crowd of people listening. They wouldn't try talking to the nobles, though. No, their target were the servants with them, attending on their masters. It would be those "normal" people that they would drop comments like "she has a point, doesn't she?" and "Trunkenhammer is a lazy asshat, in my opinion". Just little comments to sink into brains and get people thinking. Hopefully.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xurtan</strong> on <strong>17-09-2020, 18:39:52</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Cx3ofPu.png)</div><strong>Who:</strong> Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between<br><strong>What:</strong> Clockwork? More like Borework...<br><strong>When:</strong> Third Round<br><strong>Where:</strong> The Manor District&nbsp; <br><br><hr><br>Losing the Book was of course a minor annoyance, but hardly one he can blame his creations for. If anything he blames himself; clearly he was not persuasive enough with the nobility. Or perhaps most awkward of all, none of them had it. Certainly a potential option, and one that has him spinning in circles within his lair pondering if it's worth attempting a tracking spell. No, no, best to continue focusing on his plans. It is clearly time to get more active within the political circuit. Consequently, he'd made plans for the next salon visit. <br><br>Even as he sends his beautiful creations out into the district to spread the joy of magic with various little enchantments, he himself settles in comfortably on a couch along with a rather fruity drink. The room is mildly stuffy, but around it are spread some of the most important nobles in the district--friends, allies, occasional rivals. They all walk in similar circles of course, having grown up together, so there's an air of civility even if one disagrees. An atmosphere he hopes to take advantage of. <br><br>As is his wont he's spinning threads of magic together and creating entertaining, soft, quiet fireworks and little shows of light playing across the walls. There's a lazy half smile on his lips even as his fellows drink and smoke and relax. A pair of his golems are moving about the room and offering drinks with mild illusions upon them, little fizzing things that enhance taste or pop or tickle the senses. All in effort to prove that magic's uses are legion. He knows, after all, that to secure the support of the nobles he will need to cater to them a bit. Truthfully he doesn't mind, and rather enjoys the chance to merely let go and make use of his power for little tricks. <br><br>At a nod to one of his oldest allies, the woman begins the gambit they'd pre-arranged. "I do adore your golems, Ixy. So much better than the clockwork I acquired from that Lakshmi woman. I swear, they're constantly breaking down!" She titters, waving a fan over her face. There's interest in the others, nobles sliding gazes between her and the golems. One of the others speaks, and Ixeor breathes a slight sigh of relief. "Aye, I had one try to deliver my tea up the stairs and it ended up falling backwards and breaking a set worth more than the clockwork itself." He's clearly appalled, and Ixeor smiles. "A shame, really, to have someone that delivers such inferior product in such a position, then." He muses. Another of his allies chimes in, smiling. "She doesn't view magic the way you do, Ixeor. Who does, really?" It's said almost condescendingly, a little patronizing, and that's intentional. Because while she comes off as teasing, those not on his side are considering it. There's a light in their eyes that has him siting back, explosions of light playing across the ceiling. "Do we know where the Lakshmi woman is from?" Another inquires, and Ixeor knows he has them. <br><br>It might damage the woman's reputation, perhaps even start to see her removed from the University leadership entirely. But there are others that would rise. Others focused more on pure magical expression as opposed to clockwork. "I don't have children, of course, but I do have to wonder what sort of education our future leaders are getting at the University with her in charge..." Ixeor wonders, and sees one noble purple in indignation. He hides a smile behind a teacup. This sort of coldbloodedness isn't his favored method, but needs must. Losing the Grimoire was tragic, so perhaps it is that he needs to pay more mind to the political side of things.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Intimate Ink</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 00:28:44</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/p7uOZ6q.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Chevis the Chic<br>RP Post - No GM calculations needed<br><br><hr><br>It took some convincing… and notable strength… in order to get carrier pigeons to carry a salmon fish across Hexville.&nbsp; It took even more convincing and notable <em>inner</em>-strength for said carrier pigeons to not simply abandon the task and have seafood for lunch.&nbsp; Nonetheless, Chevis was quite charming, even to other species!&nbsp; He was also persistent.&nbsp; There had truthfully been several dozen pigeons all given the same task.&nbsp; Eventually one brave group came through.&nbsp; Eventually.<br><br>Nonetheless, Chevis was sure that it was a magical moment when they soared to the current standing place of one Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between.&nbsp; With what Chevis dreamed was quite elegant grace, they released the unfortunately now quite-expired fish.&nbsp; An elegant (if necessarily tiny) scroll was stuffed within the decaying sea creature’s maw.<br><br>In Chevis’ most carefully penned letters, it read: <strong>“To a fellow enlightened, I have heard word of your distaste of the good Professor.&nbsp; And I must agree, she is bad, bad bad!&nbsp; Don’t get me started with what she does (and doesn’t do,) with her books… Alas, this poor fish mouth is only so large, so I should get to the point.&nbsp; Do you know how to make salmon cargo fly?&nbsp; I mean, much more efficiently than carrier pigeon.&nbsp; I suspect their incompetence is the work of a pirate-chanter.&nbsp; I really am running out of fish mouth, I wish I could explain further. <br><br>&nbsp;Fashionably, Chevis”</strong><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 19:49:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/UJjInbp.jpg)</div><strong>Baron Cornelius Trunkenhammer</strong> <br><br>Baron Trunkenhammer was reading his newspaper in his garden. It was an excellent garden, filled with banana plants and peanuts. The sun shone brightly as the fluffy white clouds floated softly overhead. A beautiful elf played the harp, coaxing such relaxing and peaceful sounds from its strings that one might swear they were in the plane of musical heaven.<br><br>And yet, despite all of this, the old surly loxodon was even more old and surly than usual! Well, surly anyway. <br><br>"Who do these people think they are!" He pounded his fist on the table, making his pipe jump in the air. "This 'Kieri' and this 'Shanira' why I've half a mind to fire them both!"<br><br>"Um, Baron, neither actually works for you." A maid explained as she freshened the baron's mango juice. She was a sandy-blonde half-elf who looked as though she was well versed in the Baron's outbursts. <br><br>"WHAT? They don't?!? Well hire them right away and fire them at once!" The Baron demanded.<br><br>"I'm not sure that's possible." The maid said sweetly, packing the Baron's pipe.<br><br>"Well I'll think of something." Trunkenhammer grumbled, small little trumpets emerging from his trunk as he exhaled angrily. <br><br>"Just ring the bell when you decide." The maid said gently, and went back inside. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 20:57:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Week Three</strong><br><br>Other than the consternation at the Trunkenhammer estate, things pass fairly quietly in the Mansion District. The main new buzz is Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between! The toast of town, or at least this district, Ixeor finds himself invited to several fresh new parties and the noble born are taking to his ostentatious title and styles with delight, finding them whimsical in a time when joy is much needed! 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 04:02:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em><strong>Week Four</strong></em><br><br>Things go just as the manor folk like it this week, with all the big events happening elsewhere.<br><br>Baron Trunkenhammer harrumphs a few times pondering his schemes against those who denounced him. "Well," he confides to his maid. "I was going to crush Treyan's daughter like a bug but I suppose anyone who helps out that much destroying dark magic can't be all bad. Same for the little goblin I suppose. Re-hire all the goblins we fired." <br><br>The maid knew better than to point out they'd never fired any in the first place, and just curtseyed and gave a "yes, sir."<br><br>Meanwhile Lady Whitecastle was quite upset that her guests, including Countess Ulrika and the aasimar Meadows in the Sky wouldn't shut up about that darn book and how its destruction was a crime against reason. "Ugh, this was better when people were wearing books for fashion." She muttered. "Maybe I should invite the person who came up with that to my parties instead of you bores!" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xurtan</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 06:12:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Cx3ofPu.png)</div><strong>Who:</strong> Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between<br><strong>What:</strong> Chevis of the Lovely Salmon &amp; Valerian of the Wrong Opinions...<br><strong>When:</strong> Fifth Round<br><strong>Where:</strong> The Manor District&nbsp; <br><br><hr><br>Ixeor was delighted to receive such an... odd but whimsical missive. Less so was the golem upon which the salmon crash-landed, but still. Delighted. It was a fascinating manner of communication, and it had him idly poking at ideas for new creations. Perhaps an actual flying salmon with room in its hollow stomach for a scroll? Regardless, he must pen a response. <br><br><strong>"My dear Chevis,<br><br>I have heard tales of you and can only admire your risky and bold choices in a sea of everything <em>but</em> salmon. Truly we live in unfortunate times. Your scroll was well received and I accept it gratefully with the intended emotion. I do believe I can make salmon cargo fly, it is a mere enchantment; easily done. It is unfortunate that there are those that would see magic outlawed. I have heard tale of Valerian Izyumov and his desire to be rid of magic permanently, and oh what a sad world that would be. No flying salmon, no enchanted brooms, no <em>golems</em>. Magic is the paint of creation, and I hear tell you are quite the artist. Perhaps we should collaborate on a new piece?<br><br>Yours,<br>The Lord of Betwixt and Between"</strong><br><br>With a snap, Ixeor dried the ink upon that which he had written. He'd used ink that changed color every time a sentence was read for a bit of extra flair, something he suspects Chevis will enjoy. The parchment itself is oddly soft and nearly silken, and it's easy to furl it up into a scroll. The sadly deceased salmon he'd had fried up with some butter and lemon, and even now he was partaking of it with a glass of white wine. The scroll he handed off to an attractive golem dressed in a salmon toga, and instructed him to deliver it to Chevis. There's no need to be subtle about it, after all. All to the better if the golem can be seen delivering it to Chevis, and if a slight can be had to Valerian at any point, he instructs his golems to do so.<br><br>For now, Ixeor goes back to humming as he enjoys the fish.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 23:20:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Five</em></strong><br><br>Other than the rising buzz around Shanira Treyan, the daughter of a former guard captain, who caused a stir by denouncing the Baron and then caused another stir by assisting in the destruction of the <em>Malignant Grimoire</em>, the Manor District is fairly quiet this week. <br><br>But that will soon change!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>28-09-2020, 00:17:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging: Chevis the Chic, Shanira Treyan, Ixeor Sovereign of Realms Betwixt &amp; Between<br><br></strong><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle<br><br>"It is time!" The tiefling announced happily, coming down her spiral staircase with a clap of her hands and a twist of her hips. "It is time to throw the most amazing party of the season!" She threw her hands wide and her smile even wider as the gathered friends and pretended friends all cheered with delight. <br><br>"But who should be the guests of honor?" She asked with an impish smile. She paused, letting the crowd should out various suggestions. <br><br>"Baron Trunkenhammer!" It was almost a rule that someone must shout this first, Lady Whitecastle waved it off with a dismissive roll of her eyes. <br><br>"Princess Red!" There was a guffaw that turned into everyone laughing. <br><br>"No, no, seriously." Lady Whitecastle protested, holding her sides as if they might split. "Alright tell me this. Who is the toast of the town? Who are all the rabble rousers talking about?"<br><br>"Why, Chevis the Chic of course!" Was the instant answer. "Mostly people are talking about what a no good fickle fashionista he is - " <br><br>"Perfect!" Lady Whitecastle said, sounding delighted. "Exactly my type! Who else?"<br><br>"Shanira Treyan!" A voice said eagerly. There was an audible 'oooooh' from the crowd as it seemed many in the Manor had heard of her. "Many sing her praises, but not one has anything bad to say of her!" <br><br>"Delightful!" Lady Whitecastle agreed. "You know I always did mean to invite her old father around but you know it was just never the right time." There were many sympathetic nods and mutterings of agreement. "One more!" <br><br>"Ixeor!" One of the man's apprentices shouts out, "The sovereign of - " <br><br>"Yes, yes," Lady Whitecastle waves off the full title, "Save it for when he's introduced. I do so love those golems of his! Yes he'll make a delightful addition." The crowd is cheering with joy at what a fantastic party this will be.<br><br>"Now, who do we need to make sure <em>don't</em> get in." Ah yes, this question is just as important as the rest.<br><br>"Well, that's easy, if we haven't heard of 'em - " a woman begins to answer, "they don't get in!" The whole crowd finishes the sentence with many raised glasses of expensive liquor and wine.<br><br>"Send out the invitations! This Friday! Anyone who is anyone will be there!" Lady Whitecastle blows a few kisses to her admirers as she struts back up her spiral staircase. <br><br>Within the hour, invitations are being magically delivered to three Aspirants who have caught the attention of the tiefling Lady. <br><br><em>Chevis, Shanira, and Ixeor have been invited to Lady Whitecastle's party!<br><br>Please make a post here letting me know if you plan to<br><br>A) Attend and be delightful as possible<br>B) Attend but be guarded <br>C) Attend just to stick it to these nobles!<br>D) Ignore the invitation<br><br>Feel free to describe it as much as you like! <br></em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blackcat792</strong> on <strong>28-09-2020, 03:53:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://data.whicdn.com/images/326888879/original.jpg)</div> <strong>A) Attend and be delightful as possible.</strong><br><br>When Shanira recieved the invitation she would be more than a little surprised since it was one of the last kinds of reaction she would have expected from the Who's Who of the Manor District. Without letting <em><strong>too</strong></em> much time pass before her reply was sent, she would give the matter some serious consideration before doing so. Part of her was tempted to ignore the invitation but there was no denying the potential that attending would have. Spending time at the party could very well have some benefits to her little crusade, if she was lucky. And so she would send the reply that, yes, she would attend.<br><br>And when the party takes place she would be as charming and witty as she could possibly be while still staying true to herself. Not having anything really fancy to wear, she would instead bring out her dress uniform. No doubt some would titter at that but let them.. she was who she was and what she was. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ontan</strong> on <strong>30-09-2020, 08:44:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<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<br><strong>Where:</strong>&nbsp; Manor district, Greythorn Estate (near lair)<br><strong>Status:</strong>&nbsp; Round 6 action: self-reflection reveals a secondary motivation of <span class="bbc_u">power</span>. <br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between (mention only)<br><hr> <br><br>Valerian was a world-class ruminator. Hexville might’ve been his home, but the grim-dark lands of Duskmoor were his birthplace, and he could call upon his heritage to brood with such dark, unremitting gloominess that even the city’s gargoyles were awed. <br><br>Perched in the mouldering ruins of Greythorn Estate, Valerian stared down at the raging sea below, watching the black waves crash against jagged rocks. A few storm clouds had also gathered, setting the scene for his somber reflection quite nicely, and while it was certainly unlikely that the sheer intensity of his dark introspection had actually changed the weather, a hypothetical observer would be unwilling to rule out the possibility entirely. His brow creased. His sojourn into the shadowed heart of man continued… and it was indeed ‘man’, because he was contemplating his own self. After weeks of futile, impotent action, he had finally heeded the advice of his minions and tried a different tact. He had sidelined his crusade against magic, and instead adopted the mantle of the dutiful military man. These days, his rhetoric was anti-magic only by implication and omission: he espoused technology, organisation, and hard work to address the city’s problems – or rather, to keep them from spreading. The change was working, too. He was finally gaining a foothold in the city. Still, the question arose: what was the cost? It was something he asked himself a lot. Energy and matter, power and motion: they were only ever moved around, not created or destroyed. All things had a cost. Even magic. And even his newfound inaction against magic.<br><br>Valerian had but a single companion with him, albeit one that was singularly well suited for introspective companionship. Picaro had virtues common to any hound – soulful eyes, deep reserves of empathy, and the uniquely canine ability to provide both company and solitude simultaneously. That fact that dogs were commonplace made these qualities no less remarkable.<br><br>“Your rivals seem reasonable enough,” suggested Picaro. Obviously, the dog didn’t actually speak, but he lent an air of reassurance and comfort; Valerian mentally filled in the rest with intuition and a bit of creative licence. “Maybe you can convince them. Maybe, if you shared your concerns about magic, you could change their minds…”<br>&nbsp;“I am a soldier, Picaro. I have witnessed countries in their death-throes many times before, and I’ve grown familiar with the folly that causes it all.” <br><br>Just as the magehound didn’t need to speak aloud, neither did Valerian. Still, if the latter had, it might’ve been refreshing to hear him speak with full use of pronouns, rather than the choppy Hexvillian Common that he usually used.<br><br>“I have seen island nations cut down their last tree. I have seen plagues ravage kingdoms while their leaders bicker over whether it’s even real. I have seen empires unable to accept that their mines and quarries would one day be empty.” He shook his head, and creased his brow a little deeper. “Hexville will be no different. They will never accept that magic has a cost.”<br>“So, that’s it? You’re just giving up on the throne, and consigning the world to ignorance and ruin?”<br>“A magician will take the throne, my friend. It is just a matter of numbers. I am only one of many contenders, and most of the others are either magic users themselves, or openly in league with one. I doubt anyone will align themselves with me, and I cannot win alone.”<br>“I thought you were going for a new image? A military man of grit, science, and hard work…”<br>“Ahh, but the cat’s already out of the bag. A figurative cat, don’t get excited. People know my feelings about magic, and I doubt that a re-branding exercise will make them forget. Just look at Ixeor’s golem, besmirching my name…” <br><br>The pair lapsed into silence. Well, strictly speaking they were already silent, but the <em>imaginary</em> conversation was also silent as they stared wordlessly down at the churning maelstrom of rock and foam below. <br><br>“You’re only half right,” Valerian hypothetically said at last. <br>“Hmm?”<br>“I am not optimistic about seizing the throne… But Hexville is still our home. We’ll be a part of this city regardless. An <em>important</em> part. We just need to manoeuvre, to adopt a different approach. If we can’t be the ruler, maybe we can still influence who is. And after that? Maybe we can make sure we still have a voice in the new administration.”<br>“But everything you said before still applies. They will ignore every warning about magic. They will tie it up in rhetoric about freedom, or impacts on treasuries. They will make weak compromises. They will convince themselves that a terrible reality somehow has a happy solution, as leaders always do.”<br>“You assume that king or queen gets to make all decisions.”<br>&nbsp;<br>There must’ve been some tell-tale movement of Valerian’s body – a tensing of muscle, perhaps, or a shift in the cadence of his fingers stroking through the hound’s auburn coat. Either way, Picaro looked up quizzically, as if he really had heard his master’s thoughts. <br><br>“There is one antidote to tyranny, Picaro, and only one. Separation of power.”<br>“And how do you plan on ensuring that happens?”<br>“It's simple, though not necessarily easy. I stop them having it all. I secure a portion of power for myself... and I guard it.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blackcat792</strong> on <strong>01-10-2020, 03:09:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://data.whicdn.com/images/326888879/original.jpg)</div> With everything that was going on in the city right now, some things remained the same.. like paperwork. Even though she wasn't the head of the City Guard, she was still high enough up the ladder than a fair bit still came her way. <br><br>Sitting in the small box that she called her office, she'd sigh and leans back in her chair for a moment, running a hand through her hair as she does so. Though it was just her imagination, it honestly felt as if the damned things would never end. Signing her name to one report, she'd set aside and grabs the next one. Soon she would be shaking her head as she reads it. Yet another act of violence done by a human to someone of another race. She really hated these reports...<br><br>Closing her eyes for a moment, she would allow herself to imagine a time where there was more equality among all of the peoples of the city. Rich, poor, human, non-human.. all working together in the name of <strong>Progress</strong> to make the city a better one, a safer one. Crimes of hate and ignorance greatly reduced and people learning from eachother instead of going on based assumptions and sterotypes. Could such a time ever come? Or was Hexville doomed to remain divided?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Intimate Ink</strong> on <strong>01-10-2020, 20:04:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/p7uOZ6q.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Chevis the Chic<br><br><hr><br>(I am feeling ill this morning unfortunately, so am not sure I will get my planner writing done.&nbsp; This is a placeholder for a post where Chevis accepts the party invitation and is absolutely delightful, as if he could be anything else.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>02-10-2020, 19:41:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Six</em></strong><br><br>Chevis the Chic and Shanira Treyan both choose to attend Lady Whitecastle's event, and both absolutely astound and impress with their presence and charisma! While Chevis is clearly the more glamorous and noticable, Shanira's martial presence has quite the effect on the partygoers. <br><br>Chevis is the belle of this ball, with flocks of eager-to-be-influenced young nobles coming to him and watching his every move in eagerness to emulate it. Lady Whitecastle herself seems particularly smitten with the man, and asks if he is available to commission a dress for her to wear to her next function. This request is instantly echoed by far too many other members of the nobility for Chevis to possibly say yes to everyone, well, to say yes and actually follow through that is! The tiefling hostess gossips about Chevis' greatness, including to several guests who are functionaries at the palace itself! <br><br>Shanira may have been worried about wearing her uniform, but the few who make snide comments are quickly snapped at, Baron Trunkenhammer himself even stating that the next person to mock a uniform will feel his mighty tusks! In fact if anything it seems the uniform might have had the complete opposite effect that Shanira worried about, and the number of men and women and non-binary folks that seem to have a very aroused reaction to the sight of the woman in uniform threatens to become overwhelming in and of itself! Shanira has no shortage of options for a more intimate form of entertainment as the evening goes on! She finds it rather easy to turn on the charm for those who are so eager to be charmed by her. The Baron says he is going to put in a good word for her, and apologizes for their misunderstanding of some time ago! <br><br>Ixeor's absence is noted, but the joy of Chevis and Shanira distracts anyone from drawing any conclusions about it. <br><br>The party is interrupted only briefly. As the evening is halfway through, with music playing and wine pouring and magical effects entertaining the guests, there is suddenly a loud roar and a series of terrified shouts from nearby! Rumors swirl about a massive lizardman chasing a group of people about, although the gossip quickly turns this into hordes of dinosaurs trampling the germaniums! The next morning, the germaniums are indeed trampled, and there are some rather large footprints nearby. Were dinosaurs really here? Fascinating! You never know what's going to happen at Lady Whitecastle's shindigs! <br><br>However while Lady Whitecastle's party is the most talked about event, it isn't all that is going on! Those who didn't attend have their own aspirant to embrace, as Morticia Scott, although in a bit less glamorous manner than Chevis or Shanira, has become an established presence in the Manor District! 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>02-10-2020, 20:01:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan!</strong><br><br>Shanira leaves quite the impression after Lady Whitecastle's party and she finds herself receiving many letters from important folks in the Manor District, looking to become more than acquaintances! <br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle<br><br>The letter from Lady Whitecastle arrives in the same fancy stationary as the party invitation did, written in the tiefling's fiery red script. It is delivered by a rambunctious halfling who offers Shanira a fried chicken as a present. <br><br><em>Darling,<br><br>Thank you so much for attending my fiesta! You were an absolute delight! And the way you fit that uniform! You must warm me the next time you intend to set multiple generations of nobility to weakness with such a display! I've never been less bothered to be upstaged so much at my own event!<br><br>Now, I admit, the thought had crossed my mind that you would be a flash in the pan and that after this party everyone would forget about you, but I saw that is clearly not the case. You could use someone like me darling, someone who can soften that edge of yours and lend some finesse to your prowess. <br><br>You certainly know where to find me darling. Hope to see you soon<br><br>- Lady Whitecastle - </em><br><br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/SJL0bgA.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Countess Ulrika von Mocab<br><br>A second letter arrives. It is delivered by a grim and handsome courier who hands off the letter, bows deeply, and departs. This letter is written in a beautiful, very precise script in dark black ink on bone white parchment. It smells of orchids. <br><br><em>Miss Treyan,<br><br>We met briefly at Whitecastle's celebration of herself. It wasn't the right place to have a serious discussion, but I was able to size you up.<br><br>I'll be frank, I think you've got the wrong idea about many things and you're going about this the wrong way. There is much more to be said of focusing on yourself than worrying about others. You could be so much more, even if means leaving the rabble you care for as so much less. But I think you've got great potential and time to see the right way, especially if we overthrow the crown in the process.<br><br>Find me at this address and we can get to work.<br><br>Countess Ulrika von Mocab.</em><br><br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Ezo3Kug.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Meadows in the Sky<br><br>A final letter comes, delivered by a pale blue falcon that drops from the sky and lands on a post in front of Shanira, dropping the letter into her hands in the same motion. The letter is written on many-colored paper that blurs like a kaleidoscope, with letters in the shape of flowers, yet despite all this color is is very easy to read. <br><br><em>Madame,<br><br>I am Meadows in the Sky. You delighted me at Lady Whitecastle's sensational event. I did not with to monopolize your time there, but I do hope to do so in the future.<br><br>I thought perhaps you another stiff martial type, but your talk of progress has me quite intrigued. There is more to you than meets the eye, which is what I have always enjoyed about Hexville. It is just so full of surprises. If you'd like to discover more, and perhaps commission a few of our own, please do come and see me at my gallery. It has been some time since I have met a mortal with whom I think I could find the connection that passed when my lover succumbed to old age. Before you think me too forward, I speak of a spiritual connection, a creative one, one that may make our souls sing and help those of this city see the beauty of yours. <br><br>If such a pursuit would interest you, please do visit. <br><br>Meadows in the Sky.</em><br class="clear_left"><br><br><br><em>Please respond here in a way that lets me know which of these NPCs Shanira is choosing to accept as an ally!</em><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blackcat792</strong> on <strong>04-10-2020, 19:01:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://data.whicdn.com/images/326888879/original.jpg)</div> It had taken her some time to come to a decision, though she hadn't thought it would. Some things, though, required a lot of thought even if you thought it was an easy matter. <br><br>She had three people vying for her attention, all offering the same thing, and all expecting an answer sooner than later. All of them had something to offer her and it came down to whether or not she wanted to accept. One of them, however, made her skin crawl a bit and so that was an easy decision. Penning a response to Countess Ulrika von Mocab, she would politely decline her offer while thanking her for it. <br><br>That left the other two, Meadows in the Sky and Lady Whitecastle. And there is the reason why reaching a decision had been so hard. Both had so much to offer her and she would love to work with both of them but she couldn't. To be honest she had tossed and turned about it, their words floating in her head while she had been trying to sleep. Really, it came down to actually making a list of the pros and cons for each of them and one of them came up over the other... if only slightly. <br><br>Penning a second letter, she would tell Meadows in the Sky that she regretted having to tell him this but she was declining his offer. While he had a lot to offer her she felt that someone else was the better road for her to follow. But progress had a definite foothold in her heart and maybe, in the future, they could work together. <br><br>And so that left Lady Whitecastle. To her she would write that she was accepting her offer and that she looked forward to working with her in the future. She had her reasons for this final decision, of course, but they were for her to know and others to find out if they cared to. What would this alliance mean for her? Only the time would tell.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>07-10-2020, 00:45:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Seven</em></strong><br><br>The Manor District has changed quite a lot from the coronation of the new Princess nearly two months ago now. Whereas back then the guards were seen as servants to be ridiculed and spoken down to, now many nobles are eager to allow them into their homes, to feed them and shelter them and make sure they have all they need. New equipment orders are being sent to the Guild District for better arms and armor, and many guardsmen find themselves in the best state they've been in for ages! <br><br>Meanwhile, a decidedly different crew of nobles is starting to put on their own fantastic fashion shows. The designs are rated on a scale of Chevis to Chevis, with Chevis being both the worst and best result possible. <br><br>As these two major movements have most of the district in thrall, there are still those who hold that the steady, loving, work of Morticia Scott, and now for the first time, the somewhat radical warnings of Valerian Izyumov, are the real cause they should be supporting. <br><br><hr><br><strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan</strong><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle<br><br>Lady Whitecastle arrives at Shanira's quarters with a delighted smile on her face. She claps her hands eagerly as she embraces the young woman. "Oh darling I am <em>so</em> delighted you made the right choice! There is <em>so</em> much we can do to make sure it's you on the throne soon! Why just think of the story - daughter of a local hero" Shanira's father's status has rocked awfully fast lately, "becomes the Queen! Oh think of the parties! Think of the festivals think of - " she sighs "how much work we have to do."<br><br>"Now by work of course I mean, parties!" She grins widely. "Now, let's talk about my next soiree..."<br><br><em>Shanira must choose one of the following: <br><br>A) A delightful masquerade, inviting all the coolest students and professors from the University<br>B) An elegant affair, inviting all of the palace attendants who most need to party<br>C) A glamorous event, which the most glitzy of the marketplace will surely wish to attend<br>D) A celebration meant to distract a certain figure (choose an NPC from any zone, Lady Whitecastle will attempt to distract them and prevent them from taking actions this turn, keep in mind not everyone likes parties!) <br><br>Shanira may pick any she chooses, but picking the same option before all four have been picked will result in very reduced results. Nobody likes going to the same party twice in a month, darling!<br><br>You may include your choice as part of your PM this turn, or state it here publicly, up to you!</em><br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><hr><br><strong>Tagging Chevis the Chic</strong><br><br>Meanwhile, Chevis the Chic receives a pair of letters himself!<br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/SJL0bgA.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Countess Ulrika von Mocab<br><br>A letter arrives. It is delivered by a grim and handsome courier, bearing a fresh scar across his face, who hands off the letter, bows deeply, and departs. This letter is written in a beautiful, very precise script in dark black ink on bone white parchment. It smells of orchids. Orchids and blood.&nbsp; <br><br><em>Chevis,<br><br>No, we have not met, but I've been watching you from the shadows - a place I think you might feel right at home once you've had your time in the sun.&nbsp; I understand why you treat life as a circus. It certainly doesn't deserve any better of late. But with my help we can make the whole city laugh, once they understand what joke their lives are. What do you say? <br><br>Countess Ulrika von Mocab.</em><br><br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Ezo3Kug.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Meadows in the Sky<br><br>The second letter is delivered by what appears to be a jade green fox, which prances up to Chevis with the letter in its mouth and hands it up to him. The letter is written on pale white paper with ink that glitters with every color of the rainbow. <br><br><em>Sir,<br><br>I am Meadows in the Sky. I have not seen such creativity as yours since my beloved passed on. I would very much like to see what you can accomplish with my patronage. I really do not think there is a limit to it! I can show you the ways of making your art more focused, more purposeful, and more, dare I say, impactful and practical, hopefully without dulling its spark. Please do stop by my address if you would like to speak further on this. <br><br>Meadows in the Sky.</em><br class="clear_left"><br><br><br><em>Please respond here in a way that lets me know which of these NPCs Chevis the Chic would like to take as an ally!</em><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Intimate Ink</strong> on <strong>11-10-2020, 06:51:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/p7uOZ6q.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Chevis the Chic<br><br><hr><br>(My intention is to get to this when I wake up in the morning, but just in case I miss it, place-holding Chevis opting to work with Ulrika.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 02:24:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Eight</em></strong><br><br>Shanira. It's the name on everyone's lips. Her meteoric rise to fame over the past few weeks is practically unheard of among the normally very stuck-in-their-ways upper crust of Hexville. But now everyone is gushing about how the humble Aspirant is going to take over the Manor District first, and then the Palace tomorrow! 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 02:25:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle<br><br>Lady Whitecastle hosts an elegant affair inviting many palace attendants. At this party she impressed upon the palace attendants the importance of backing Shanira Treyan to be the one who will take over for Princess Red. This is hardly even seen as seditious, the fact that Princess Red needs to be replaced is rather widely acknowledged. <br><br><em>Shanira gained +5 influence in the Palace! This will be added as part of next turn!<br><br>Shanira must choose one of the following:<br><br>A) A delightful masquerade, inviting all the coolest students and professors from the University<br>B) An elegant affair, inviting all of the palace attendants who most need to party<br>C) A glamorous event, which the most glitzy of the marketplace will surely wish to attend<br>D) A celebration meant to distract a certain figure (choose an NPC from any zone, Lady Whitecastle will attempt to distract them and prevent them from taking actions this turn, keep in mind not everyone likes parties!)<br><br>Shanira may pick any she chooses, but picking the same option before all four have been picked will result in very reduced results. Nobody likes going to the same party twice in a month, darling!<br><br>As with last turn, you may include your choice as part of your PM this turn, or state it here publicly, up to you!</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 02:32:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/UJjInbp.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Baron Cornelius Trunkenhammer<br><br>Shanira rounds a corner while patrolling the Manor District and is surprised to see Baron Trunkenhammer out and about! Normally the old stuffy loxodon doesn't leave his manor much, except to yell at birds to get off his grass, but now he's not only left his manor but is wearing a rather ill fitting suit of armor and mounted on an equally impressively armored elephant!<br><br>"Ah there you are!" He says. He salutes Shanira formally before he commences glaring in disapproval.<br><br>"Listen missy," he trumpets, "it's no secret you're trying to take control from me here. And it's time we settled how we're going to resolve this."<br><br><em>Shanira must choose one of the following:<br><br>A) Challenge Baron Trunkenhammer to a duel at dawn! The Baron may be old but he's a tough elephant! This is a straight 50/50 chance to either defeat Baron Trunkenhammer and remove him from the game, or be defeated and lose half of your influence in the Manor District.<br><br>B) Refuse to fight him, continue to work peacefully to convince the people of the Manor District to support you. Baron Trunkenhammer will maintain his influence while you work to build yours. <br><br>C) Promise the Baron a place in your council. This will cause the Baron to step down, and give the Baron control of all minions recruited from the Manor District (two groups). He will use them in your name, but might be a little short sighted. </em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 02:44:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Chevis the Chic</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/SJL0bgA.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Countess Ulrika von Mocab<br><br>"You made the right choice." <br><br>She wasn't there a moment ago, but suddenly she is, the Countess Ulrika in all her deathly, gothic, beauty, standing behind Chevis the Chic as he inspects his newest minions. <br><br>"Let's not waste time. I've done enough of that, and we'll have plenty left after we're in charge. You're new to the scene, but many of us aren't. And I think it's a crowd that's a little too much of a crowd, don't you?" Her meaning is clear. Sinister, but clear. <br><br><em>Choose an NPC, other than those who are in control of districts. If they are allied with an Aspirant, Ulrika will attempt to prevent them from taking their chosen action this turn, possibly even breaking their alliance. If they are un-allied, Ulrika will attempt to remove them from the game. Let me know who she is targeting in a PM!</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 03:28:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mbdS6EG.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lady Whitecastle<br><br>Lady Whitecastle's party is a bit muted for her, and she blames the fact that the students are more interested in sitting around talking than fancy dress parties. She mutters about how things were different when she was at Nearbytown College, and how she could show some of these Hexville U nerds how to really dance and enjoy life if they would get their heads out of their silly automatons and live a little! <br><br><em>Shanira gained +3 influence in the University from this party!<br><br>As before: Shanira must choose one of the following:<br><br>A) A delightful masquerade, inviting all the coolest students and professors from the University<br>B) An elegant affair, inviting all of the palace attendants who most need to party<br>C) A glamorous event, which the most glitzy of the marketplace will surely wish to attend<br>D) A celebration meant to distract a certain figure (choose an NPC from any zone, Lady Whitecastle will attempt to distract them and prevent them from taking actions this turn, keep in mind not everyone likes parties!)<br><br>Shanira may pick any she chooses, but picking the same option before all four have been picked will result in very reduced results. Nobody likes going to the same party twice in a month, darling!<br><br>As with last turn, you may include your choice as part of your PM this turn, or state it here publicly, up to you!</em><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 03:40:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Shanira Treyan</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/UJjInbp.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Baron Cornelius Trunkenhammer<br><br>"Very well, a duel it is." The baron nods in approval. "I choose maces as our weapon. Meet me in the Exhibition Ring at dawn." He pauses and reconsiders. "Noonish."<br><br>The next day the place is packed! Nobles, guardsmen, supporters of both the Baron and the Aspirant pack the rings of the Manor District's arena. Typically used for jousting displays and fencing exhibitions, the Ring is now set up for a duel to determine whether Shanira Treyan will send the surly old Baron Trunkenhammer home licking his wounds, or be sent home to lick her own wounds and regroup.<br><br>The two square off, the loxodon's superior bulk obvious from the onset. He swings his mace two-handed with tremendous power for an old elephant, any one blow more than enough to break bones even through Shanira's armor. He pushes her back towards the wall of the arena, huge swings of his mace forcing the human woman to leap backwards, displaying her prowess and skill even in her heavy armor. But then a blow blips her and sends her staggering. Another nearly takes her head off! A third has her stumbling and falling backwards! Trunkenhammer adjusts his grip and brings his mace down in a crushing blow! ...on nothing. Shanira rolls out of the way at the last moment. <br><br>Displaying the quickness of youth and determination it is her turn to attack, raining quick blows on the old war elephant as he tries to regain his composure. He does after taking several blows, resuming his big swings again. But now Shanira seems to have the measure of him, and she dodges under a slow strike. Without hesitation, Shanira smashes the defiant loxodon between the eyes, making the venerable warrior stagger backwards. And then more. And more and like an old tree slowly falling over he topples to the ground, beaten.<br><br>There is a moment of complete silence, and then the crowd goes wild!<br><br>Shanira Treyan has defeated Baron Trunkenhammer! <br><br>The old loxodon is not much the worse for wear, a few quick healing spells and he is back on his feet, rubbing the bridge of his trunk and wincing. He extends his big grey hand to Shanira and shakes it, bowing to her. "Well and bravely fought." He concedes, raising Shanira's hand for the crowd, who cheer her again! <br><br>True to his word, the Baron retires from political life, abdicating his position as the leader of the Manor District. But does this leave Shanira in charge? We shall see....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Manor District</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 04:51:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Nine</em></strong><br><br>And the answer is yes! <br><br>Although none in the Manor District know much at all about Shanira's new ally, the woman herself holds more than enough sway to win the hearts and minds of the well to do and their servants! While Chevis and Morticia still enjoy their own followings here, the complete absence of the triple alliance coupled with Baron Trunkenhammer's abdication more than leaves Shanira Treyan the undisputed controller of the Manor District, with her ally of course.<br><br>What a story, the Manor folk exult! Although they aren't so worried about getting it exact and each time they retell it Shanira's victory over the Baron was more dominant. In some she grows the wings of an angel. In others her mace bursts into holy fire to signal that she is destined to rule! <br><br>Will any rise to challenge her? It appears unlikely unless something rather significant changes, and fast! 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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