the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: tangela on 06-10-2016, 05:32:25</h2>
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				Title: <strong>the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>tangela</strong> on <strong>06-10-2016, 05:32:25</strong>
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				Syldana lay in the center of the circle of 7 atop the stone tower. She tried to lunge at the smallest of the 7, a brown female called Leathiel, but her muscles would not obey her. She could feel the 7 dragons combining their magic to subdue her, and despite her best efforts, she could not overcome them all. Still, she roared defiantly. If she was to be killed, she would not show these creatures her fear. They were weak, without even the drive to fight that all proper dragons possessed. <br><br>"Do you understand why you are to be cut away?" At his place at the head of the circle, her father, Kyriath the black dragon and king of the dragons looked down upon her with deep gold eyes. <br><br>"Because you care more about saving the lives of a few puny dragons than avenging our people and ridding the world of the human pests." She put all the contempt she could into the thought. <br><br>no." His voice inside her head was deep and resonant with his sorrow. "You jeopardized our efforts at peace for a meaningless insult. Humans are numerous, my daughter. We could not fight them forever, or we would eventually have been wiped out completely." <br><br>"That little creature said dragons would submit to him as king. I could not let that stand!" <br><br>"And so you ate him?" <br><br>"It was the only thing I could do." <br><br>"It was not. But you have always been too quick to anger, Syldana. You do not take the time to plan, to find the perfect solution. Perhaps it is my fault. I knew your temperament, and still I sent you." <br><br>Her green scales rippled in an unrepentant shrug. "Dragons should not have to plan, father. We are strong. What we want is ours, and none may stand against us." <br><br>He made no reply, simply bowing his head in some show of sorrow for what he was about to do. If he was to kill her, Syldana wished he would glory in it as a dragon should. Once one had chosen a course, hesitating and moralizing about it only delayed. <br><br>At last, the 7 stepped forward, until she was sheltered in the shadow of their spread wings, each just brushing her scales. Her father began to sing, a rhythmic hum almost too low for her to hear. Beside him, Leathiel added her voice an octave higher, and the others joined in in various harmonies. She could feel the warmth of magic gathering, and a pressure almost like a building storm. When it broke over her, however, she roared in agony and defiance of the pain. If she had not been bound, she would have fallen, but as it was, she could only remain still and endure it. <br><br>She could feel the muscles of her body warping and twisting in unfamiliar ways as bones shattered and reshaped themselves. Her scales fell from her in a green rain, striking her newly exposed skin and cutting her. Her father stepped forward, towering over her, and the scales bounced harmlessly off his hide. Her roar abruptly cut off in a strange, high pitched squeaking sound that could not cover her fear. She lay on the stone as the magic faded, small and trembling. She looked up and could see only the legs of the 7, and looked down and could not see the ground. <br><br>"What have you done to me?" Her voice was small and weak, hoarse from her screaming. <br><br>In answer, Kyriath dropped one of her emerald scales, and in its shining surface, she saw her reflection. She hissed with disgust. This creature wasn't her. Where her lovely green scales had been, there was only smooth white skin. Her claws were replaced with these tiny nails, and in place of her horns, there was only a mass of red-gold hair. Only her eyes, now the same shade of green her scales had once been, looked familiar. Somehow, she had become human. <br><br>"You should have just killed me as a dragon," she said, hating her small ragged voice. "This humiliation first is unlike you." <br><br>Leaning forward, Kyriath lifted her new form in his claws, careful not to prick her new skin. "We will not be harming you any further. From this day, you are dragon no more, and will have to contend with human justice." <br><br>Syldana was forced to close her eyes as Kyriath launched himself from the tower's top. She could not stop the nausea that racked her, and she had to force herself not to release the contents of her stomach. When he deposited her in the grass in sight of the tall stone gates of the palace, she tried to stand, but found that her weak human legs could not support her. <br><br>A tall human man approached her as Kyriath flew off without even a backwards glance. "Miss?" his voice was soft, and he looked down at her from deep brown eyes. "Can I be of any assistance? Beggars are not allowed inside the palace, but as you no doubt know, the queen mother Lauriana has decreed that your kind shall be served 3 meals in the churches... Shall I send someone to escort you to the nearest one?" <br><br>She hissed at him, opening her lips to reveal her tiny human teeth. "Beggar?" She would have thrown fire at him, if she still had the ability. "I am the dragon princess Syldana, you fool. And I will have no part of any of your weak human gods." <br><br>The guardsman blinked at her in surprise. He was clearly skeptical and unsure how to deal with this pronouncement. "Er, yes... Of course. Just, come inside, and I'll alert the queen mother of your presence." He helped her to her feet. In another time, Syldana would have found his efforts to both assist her and keep his distance amusing, but as it was, she now needed his help too much to be amused. <br><br><br><br>"Queen mother?" A hand on her shoulder brought Lauriana's attention to the man who stood behind her. Cynric had been a guard of her family for decades. If he was here now, interrupting the funeral for her eldest son, she would at least try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Beside her, sat her consort, his hand resting protectively upon the shoulder of her younger son. <br><br>"What is it, Cynric?" <br><br>"There is a strange woman at the palace gates, milady. She claims to be the dragon Syldana." <br><br>Lauriana closed her eyes. Already, the people cried out for vengeance, threatening the peace she had spent the past 7 years trying to build. This could not be the dragon. It was likely just a poor unfortunate woman who suffered from some form of madness. Even so, though Loriana hated to think of it, she might be enough to quiet her people's bloodlust. <br><br>As she rose to follow Cynric, she heard one of her family following, but was not sure whether it was her consort or the new prince and heir. One of them should stay behind to be a presence at the funeral, but she would be glad to have the other by her side.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>everu</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 00:18:18</strong>
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				Prince Tanyl made to stand and follow his mother, but the consort placed his hand on his shoulder, halting him.<br>"You should stay here my prince.&nbsp; I'll go with your mother to see what this is all about."<br>The prince knew he was right, some one needed to stay at the funeral for his brother, yet his curiosity was peaked.&nbsp; The dragons interested him.&nbsp; He wanted to learn about them, and help keep the peace that his mother had spent the past seven years building.&nbsp; No one, at least not in his immediate family wanted a repeat of the war.&nbsp; His brother had been a fool, and had paid the ultimate price for his actions.<br>"But" Tanyl said, "if this truly is the princess--"<br>"I highly doubt that.&nbsp; You really think that the dragon princess would just fall at the palace gates?&nbsp; Dressed in rags?"<br>Tanyl paused, thinking.&nbsp; "I suppose not, and why would she be in a human form?"<br>The consort nodded.&nbsp; "I guess we'll find out whatever this is."<br>Tanyl nodded, as he walked away, turning his attention back to the funeral.
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				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>tangela</strong> on <strong>14-10-2016, 07:22:31</strong>
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				Timmorton tugged ineffectually on the high collar of his shirt as a bead of sweat dripped down his neck. Usually, he found a strange comfort in performing the services for the fallen. The gods said that all men deserved the last rights, and all families deserved the closure they provided. Usually, he flattered himself that his words provided a measure of comfort to his listeners, helped them to remember their loved one, take joy in the memories of their life, and move towards accepting their death. But not today. <br><br>It didn't help that the words he spoke seemed to have little or nothing to do with the prince he was memorializing. And so we give thanks for the life of prince Vanyr. Though he tarried here only a short time, he worked tirelessly alongside his family for an end to the war which has plagued our country. His pride in his country and people was absolute." Well, the young prince had always had a keen interest in weapons and warfare, that was certainly true. He cleared his throat again. "His legacy will live on in the hearts of all his subjects and in the efforts of his family." Don't mention the dragon... Don't mention the dragon... Don't mention that your arrogant, sadistic glorious leader opened his mouth and offended the most dangerous creatures in the world and was ingloriously consumed along with his fancy feast... Timmorton closed his eyes, fighting the most inappropriate grin of his life. Vanyr might have been a sadistic fool, but his family deserved better. And you'll never advance in the priesthood if the old men think you're even the slightest bit impious. <br><br>A bustle drew his attention and he noticed the queen mother herself leaving the funeral in the company of her guard, and a most unpriestly word ran through Timmorton's head. If he had done so badly as this, that would not be at all good for the church's reputation, and thus their finances. To his relief, he saw that the youngest prince, and now heir, still remained. Whatever that meant. <br><br>He wrapped up the remainder of the service as quickly as he reasonably could. Father Elias would want to know what was going on, which meant that he, Timmorton, would have to endeavor to find out. He managed to position himself beside the young prince as the throng of people fled the stifling confines of the church to stand, dazed and blinking, in the sunlight. <br><br>"Thank you for your service, father." The speaker was a slight, willowy figure standing on the other side of the prince. Her face was concealed beneath a thin blue veil, dark enough that it was suitable for the occasion. Above it, her cloud of pale-gold hair rose around her. This was Elestra Coalyn, recently arrived here from the desert kingdom of Eshorat. She was rumored to be some sort of witch or priestess or seer among her own people, though Timmorton had never heard of her doing anything even slightly improper. And anyway, it wasn't her fault she was now a widow. <br><br>He bowed his head in respect to her. "It was my honor, milady." The slight tension in her shoulders showed him that she was quite aware of the people's opinion of her former betrothed, but she did not press the point. <br><br>"dragon loving bastard!" Before he could see from whence the shout had come, a stone had already bounced off the coat of the youngest prince. "Your brother was bad enough, but you'll have us enslaved to those monsters what killed him before this is over." <br><br>Several voices rose in a clammer of agreement, and the rest of the crowd melted away to safety to reveal 5 hooded figures surrounding them in a circle. Timmorton looked to the young prince and the woman. He was no combatant, at least not in a direct skirmish like this. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>everu</strong> on <strong>18-10-2016, 23:40:46</strong>
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				Tanyl studied the five figures standing before them.<br>"Five." He thought.&nbsp; "not good odds with 3...well...2 of us.&nbsp; I doubt Timmorton can fight."<br>He wasn't the greatest at hand-to-hand combat, preferring to work from afar with a bow.&nbsp; He had no idea what Elestra knew, and he didn't want to start a fight in the middle of a crowd.<br>"I'd rather avoid a fight here." He thought, "maybe I can talk some sense into them.&nbsp; But if I can't..."<br>He looked around him, but didn't really see any quick exits they could make, except back into the church behind them, and that would look like he was running away.&nbsp; He turned to face the one who had spoken to him, the one who had thrown the stone.<br>"So." He said, "You think me just like my brother?"&nbsp; He gave the man a hard look, his voice firm.&nbsp; "You think we are all like he was?&nbsp; That we all do not desire peace?&nbsp; This war has gone on long enough, and these past seven years have been used to foster peace between the humans and dragons.&nbsp; Why would I want to ruin what my mother has started?&nbsp; You do not think that if she wanted to give us over to them, that it would have taken this long to do so?&nbsp; They could have taken control if they wanted, and yet you still live do you not?"<br>He looked at the young men each in turn though he couldn't see much through their hoods.&nbsp; He was pretty sure that none of them had been at the funeral service, so they must've been waiting outside for it all to end.&nbsp; Had they seen a dragon somewhere nearby?&nbsp; Was that why they had come to that conclusion?&nbsp; The only explanation that he could think of was they had heard the lady at the gate talking with Cynric.<br>"I would not just enslave my people and neither would the queen.&nbsp; You should not let your anger cloud your thinking.&nbsp; Think about what you're saying.&nbsp; About those people who died in the war so that you can live."<br>He had no idea if any of his words sank in, he understood their anger.&nbsp; So many people hated the dragons, even now moreso after what his brother had said.&nbsp; Seen years wasn't enough to quell all the animosity towards them, and this would only add more fuel to their fires.&nbsp; He wanted to do something to show them that what he said was true, but he knew that many people had lost their lives in the war, people who could've been these men's friends.&nbsp; For the time being, he had nothing to show for it.&nbsp; He made to move forward, past the men, to continue following the dwindling crowd.&nbsp; "now.&nbsp; If you all have nothing else that requires my attention, I must be going."&nbsp; He wanted to get back to the palace to see what had happened with the girl.<br>Roll Result: everu rolled: 1d20<br>Comment: Roll for everu.<br>Result: 17, <br>Total: 17<br>Roll Result: everu rolled: 1d20<br>Comment: Roll for speaker<br>Result: 1, <br>Total: 1<br>Comment: Roll for enemy 2.<br>Result: 9, <br>Total: 9<br>Comment: Roll for enemy 3.<br>Result: 5, <br>Total: 5<br>Comment: Roll for enemy 4.<br>Result: 14, <br>Total: 14<br>Comment: Roll for enemy 5.<br>Result: 17, <br>Total: 17
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>tangela</strong> on <strong>21-10-2016, 03:55:01</strong>
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				At the princes words, 2 of the 5 men shuffled uncomfortably. “Maybe&nbsp; we shouldn’t…” <br><br>"Don't be a coward," the leader hissed. But 2 of his men had already slipped away, leaving an opening into which Timmorton had seemingly vanished. <br><br>"Peace," the leader spat, turning his glare back on Tanyl. His hood slipped slightly as he shook his head impatiently, revealing several strands of a bushy grey beard. "What gives you the impression we give a dwarf's balls for peace, princeling? You said it yourself... The dragons could take over any damned time they want, and nothing your lady ma could do to stop them. Your brother was a savage little beast, but at least he had a proper hope of making sure we didn't all become chattel for the lizards. None of them books you've read have helped you figure out how to stop that." <br><br>Timmorton cursed. Gods knew the man had a point. By all accounts, their prince was an untried boy, who was even rumored to have read books on dragon culture. He thought about running, but... This was the prince. He couldn't just... <br><br>"My people." Beside the prince, Elestra had raised her veil, meeting the eyes of the 3 figures surrounding them. Timmorton blinked. Did she look taller? No, he thought, not taller, but something was different about her. "My people," Elestra said again. "I come from a harsh country. We have had our share of predators, and one thing we have learned, is not to be seen as weak." <br><br>Was she still talking about the dragons? From the way she faced the men surrounding her, Timmorton thought not. As she spoke, she raised her hands, and something began to shimmer and coalesce between her palms. "We can all agree that my husband to be was not the person to helm this country. He was too afraid of seeming weak to be strong." <br><br>She thrust her hand out to the side, to reveal a shimmering white blade. Were those ice crystals surrounding it? How did the metal not shatter? "True strength is not showy, it is doing what is necessary, it is knowing when to accept change and when to stand fast. Knowing what you can do and what you never will. We gather here today to mourn the death of a man who could have been great in other circumstances. My husband to be was a symbol of the greatness of this land, and his death has shocked us all. But he did not stand alone. I am an outsider, I was not born nor raised in this fair land. But I promise you this." She held the gleaming blade aloft, and Timmorton found himself mesmerized as the gleam of the sword shown from her golden hair. "While I live, your people will never be given over to dragons. While we strive for peace, that no more of our children need burn, neither will we accept any peace that does not leave us able to defend our own people. War is change, and when the dragons rose against us, we stood strong. But peace is also a change, and it will benefit us all. This war has been costly, in lives as well as resources. I have seen extinction first-hand, and I tell you, it would break this land for either dragons or humans to die out completely. It is time now for a new day, for peace and prosperity, for our land to rise to the great might we are capable of. But this too, I vow to you: If destruction is the only way, if this peace proves a false one, no dragon alive will stand against us." <br><br>Timmorton let out his breath in a shocked sigh as she lowered her blade. He hadn't even realized he had been holding it. Elestra stepped forward, her hand on the prince's shoulder pulling him forward at her side and forcing the 3 remaining men to back up slightly. "If I prove you false, may my life be forfeit, my soul never find shade, my spirit wander for a thousand years without the blessing of water." <br><br>Timmorton was not familiar with the words, but the passion in the princess's voice spoke for itself. Was she simply trying to grab for power? Timmorton didn't know. And how would the prince react to her taking it here and now? 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>everu</strong> on <strong>11-12-2016, 20:38:05</strong>
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				Tanyl moved forward as he felt Elestra's hand on his shoulder.&nbsp; The oath that she had spoken he'd never heard before.&nbsp; He wondered if she had gotten it from her homeland.&nbsp; Wherever it had come from, she was passionate in her speech, and it seemed to have made the others who had remained think yet again before they did anything. He wondered though how she had made her blade appear.&nbsp; He hadn't seen anything hidden, and it seemed to have appeared from the air around her.&nbsp; He had liked Elestra when he had met her with his brother, but hadn't spent a lot of time with them due to him always reading.&nbsp; He continued to study the youths in front of them.&nbsp; They didn't seem to be moving in for an attack, but he couldn't be exactly sure.&nbsp; He also wondered where Timmorton had gone off to.&nbsp; When Elestra had started to speak, he'd left.&nbsp; Had he gone back into the church?&nbsp; The doors were still open behind him, so it was possible.&nbsp; He glanced at the way towards the gates.&nbsp; No one had returned from them after the disturbance with the girl.<br>"Maybe I should head down there just to see what's going on." Tanyl thought, "I don't think I'm needed here anymore."<br>Most of the crowd had dispersed, and things seemed to be settling down as much as they did after a funeral.<br>"Thank you." Tanyl said to Elestra, "you said that much better than I could've."&nbsp; He glanced again towards the gates.&nbsp; It surely couldn't take this long to check on one girl could it?&nbsp; "I am truly sorry for your loss.&nbsp; He was my brother, but he was your husband to be.&nbsp; Should you need anyone to talk with, I will be glad to listen."&nbsp; He looked at the blade she was carrying still in her hand, it's surface shimmering.&nbsp; "I am unsure where you got that blade, but you might want to put it away before anyone sees you with it."&nbsp; He looked around one final time for Timmorton, wanting to thank him one last time for his service, but still did not see him.&nbsp; "I&nbsp; hate to leave in such a hurry, but their is something that I must see to."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: the Dragon War: Tangel and Everu </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>tangela</strong> on <strong>13-12-2016, 10:17:35</strong>
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				As Tanyl spoke of her husband to be, Elestra gave him a strange, searching look. It almost seemed for a moment as though she would speak, but instead she merely shrugged. <br><br>When the topic turned to her blade, however, her face shifted into a much gentler smile. "Thank you for your concern," she said softly. "But I don't&nbsp; think that will be a problem." <br><br>She stepped to Tanyl's side with a quick, lithe step, and fell into step beside him. Reaching out, she held out the blade. "Here. Watch." <br><br>Tanyl took the blade in his hand curiously. He registered a sensation of burning cold, before the blade simply... dissolved in his grip. Instead, a small puddle of water was dispersing to flow back into the ground. <br><br>Elestra smiled again. "No one may take it without my permission," she explained. "So I've no fear of it being stolen. Its funny," she continued. "In my homeland, calling the weapon was always a challenge. There was so little water, that to do so was a testament to our own abilities as a Seeker. But here, there's so much water that forming it takes no effort at all." <br><br>She studied him in silence for a few moments. "I do thank you for your offer, Tanyl. But I think there is little I could say at this point that would be either gracious or kind. Thanks to your brother, I am forbidden from returning to my home. This must needs become my land now, and dwelling on what has lead me here will be of little use. But perhaps we could speak of other things, when you have finished your errand. I understand you have made something of a study of dragons. If I am to remain here indefinitely, perhaps I may make some use of myself and endeavor to learn of the creatures with whom we share this land." <br><br>With that, she melded back into the crowd in a flurry of skirts and golden hair. <br><br><br><br>*** <br><br>Timmorton took a moment to calm himself as the young prince started walking towards the gates. He still did not know the meaning of the interruption to the funeral, and dared not return to the church, and Master Elias, until he did. <br><br>Fortunately, Timmorton was quick, and skilled at blending in, making himself seem a part of that retinue and then this one, so that his presence was nearly unnoticed as he trailed behind the prince, suitably distracted talking to his brothers widow. <br><br>Timmorton couldn't help but be awed by Elestra's speech this afternoon. He'd previously discounted the foreign princess as a figurehead, sent into a sacrificial marriage against her will. But now... He thought perhaps everyone, even Father Elias, had misjudged her. <br><br>And even the prince seemed to be more outgoing than usual. Perhaps, Timmorton thought, the loss of his brother would force him to become the kind of leader the country desperately needed. <br><br>As the prince approached the prison, Timmorton didn't even bother to try to convince the guards to let him in. Instead, ducking into an alley, he managed to scale a nearby building, from which he could just see inside the room, though he couldn't tell what was said within. <br><br>It was a dim room, and inside the only occupied cell, a woman sat, arms wrapped about herself and watching the prince suspiciously from hard green eyes. Her red hair had been shorn off and bristled at odd angles. "I know you." she said, staring fixedly at the prince. "I killed your brother." 
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