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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Apr 30, 2021 8:02:51 GMT -6
Please keep the following in mind! - Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum! - No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's. - No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway) - Always get consent before harming another character! - Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'D
Prompt: Praxitelles has gathered you here to gain favour from the War-Forged people in regards to the Aodhian War with the Kirins. All perspectives are welcome.
Location: Outside of the Fortress in Skeldr Town
Time of Day: Late morning
Current Weather: Pleasant |
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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Apr 30, 2021 8:10:11 GMT -6
Praxitelles;War-Forged | War Lord
if you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start lifting stones today
War Lord Praxitelles stands on the steps outside of the Fortress. His Shields by his side and the Valkyries below.The Stone Circle amongst them. Townsfolk from all walks mingle in front of them, before two sharp hoofsteps grab your attention and your War Lord speaks.
"New changes have arisen in our ally's home of Aodh. A new King reigns, King Aleksei, and he has recently requested the aid of the War-Forged to help take down the Kirin army waiting to burst in at their doorstep, the same creatures that attempted to ransack our supplies to the more vulnerable farmers on our outskirts. I wanted to bring this news to your attention and though my word is final, I wanted to take a moment to look at all of your perspectives. He takes a breath, surveying those who have come before his call before continuing.
At this point, the future is very much in our favour. Should the majority agree to extend this help to Aodh. I will be leading a War Party myself and once the scaled vermin are taken care of, the newly instated Terraformers can finally begin our mission to expand Skeldr Town further south.
Yet, despite the new knowledge that the Bloody Flanks have taken to the waters on newly crafted ships, they still creep on our borders and though I have no fear, I will need a strong-front to remain here too.
The Summer has been a prosperous one thus far, Kaia smiles upon us and our actions. As do I. Please, let me hear your thoughts."
With a final booming hoofstep colliding on ancient stone, Praxitelles opens up the floor for discussion.
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Post by misttheelf on May 1, 2021 22:38:58 GMT -6
  Starla Bell | Akari
"I've always believed that Kaia made all of us gems - It's just up to us, how we polish ourselves."
Post 1\1| WC 404\233 Starla hummed as she looked around the gathered crowd - She didn’t know many, but she did recognize a few faces - Especially a young kirin who kept to the outskirts of the group. It pleased her to see the young one- Akari, if she remembered the name correctly, about, even if the discussions of this meeting were bound to be uncomfortable to her. But it was important that they all be here. After all, every voice mattered - And Starla could testify herself that Akari was trustworthy. The young kirin had been invited to Kaia’s grotto alongside herself.
She had to admit though, she was hesitating herself. She very easily could apply to be a terramaster - While she currently had no experience with building, she did have earth manipulation, and she was rather proficient with Kaia’s blessing, if she said so herself. But still, taking the position would have her close her shop… And she had worked so hard to open it properly in the first place! She had worked so hard as a child, so as to prevent herself and her mother from being culled… She was a humble merchant, with no ties to anyone now, given the death of her mother, after her Father’s disappearance. She didn’t know if she wanted to give up what she had worked for, all those years ago. So she resigned that pondering to the back of her mind. It, after all, wasn’t important to the meeting and discussion at current.
“We are the War-Forged, are we not?” She spoke. “It is more than reasonable that we answer our allies calls to assist - I for one, would be pleased if caravans carrying my craft to our allies in Aodh would stop getting raided and destroyed by the Kirin armies, so that I would receive some shards, rather than my work becoming them.” She gave a chuckle, letting it be known that it was in good-nature. “Though I do not deem it fair to call them scaled vermin, War Lord. We do have some who are trying to integrate into our midst after all.” She hummed.
Oh she could get in so much trouble for speaking her mind like that - But what was she, if nit honest with her thoughts? ...Plus, she liked Akari, and the older kirin seen sometimes around her - Wniterra? Yes, that seemed right. Those two did not deserve to be included in such a broad category.
Again, the chestnut kirin had absolutely no clue what she was doing. She simply knew that the warlord had called for a meeting and so she had showed up, clutching the slightly to warm for summer pelt tightly in her teke. But right now? She didn’t really care. It gave her some ease about...Everything, basically. There were so many horses gathered and she couldn’t tell if any of them were ones she had met before and it scared her, but she was here, which… had to count for something, right?
The rap of hooves drew her attention up front - The War Lord was really intimidating, and she really wished Hawke was next to her so she could hide but they weren’t.
The War Lord was asking for opinions, but akari couldn’t bring herself to speak at the moment - especially because she didn’t feel like she had a place to speak. Especially as he referred to kirins as a whole. That made her want to hide. Badly. She was trying to be good! She wanted to help, to heal! ...So she simply hung her head, only pricking her easr when she heard a familiar voice - Oh! Starla! That’s who was speaking. And she...She defended her? Well… Maybe not her specifically, ‘cause Starla may have been talking about Winterra, but the point stood.
That made her feel just a teensy weensy bit happier. OOC: Figured it'd be easier to have both my girls in one. If I fully misunderstood the intonations of Prax's refernce to scaled vermin... Its midnight as i'm typing this and Akari would 100% think he was refering to her anyways |
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Post by Kelpie-River on May 2, 2021 12:00:12 GMT -6
B E T A
❅War-Forged | The Core❅
 With Kaia's will, we fing strength in each other's hooves. Beta's golden eyes slid from one horse to the next as he considered the War-Lord's words. His personal thoughts swirled. Should they aid in removing the Kirin scourge from Aodh? His immediate first thought was that, yes, of course they should. Why wouldn't they aid the herd, strengthen the ties between them, and in one fell swoop remove their own enemies from the equation. But...he had a child at home, and a husband whom he'd like to return to. So the thought of putting himself forward, to be on the front lines, that was somewhat...terrifying. And he wanted not to voice this opinion, seeing how week and mareish it was. He might as well decide to stay home and be a Caenna. So, when he spoke, he was sure to fill his tone with bravado, even though he did not feel it.
"I think that we should strengthen the bond between ourselves and the horses of Aodh," he mused. "Not because we must rely on others, but because we can trade with them. We can take from them and strengthen ourselves. And at the same time, we can remove the Kirins who have caused us so much harm." His eyes cut to a scaled chestnut mare, and his heart softened slightly, so he added, "Only those who have caused us harm. I feel that we should respect Kaia's wishes for life to blossom...when it has not first made a move to end us." He wasn't sure if his words were eloquent or just stuffy. But he'd said them, and that was all there was to it.  Evan stirred, tail twitching in a lion-like motion as he listened to the words of their War-Lord. While he wasn’t totally sure what he thought of the plan, his spouse beside him rumbled a reply to the question, and he pricked his ears to listen. Of course, Beta, would be soft towards the chestnut Kirin not far off. That brought a smile to his lips, and he couldn’t help but shake his head softly, chuckling under his breath. That was the husband he knew. While Evan could be more...cold and calculating, Beta was the warm hearth that brought him home.
Of course, just because they were married did not mean that they were of one mind. So when Evan spoke, his words were...different, to say the least. “And what of us?” He called out, clearing his throat and stretching up as tall as he could to make his point known. “Just because Kaia smiles on us today, does not mean that winter will be a good time. We cannot afford to lose warriors in the attempt to better our alliances with another herd,” he said, cutting his eyes at his spouse, whose ears were slightly flattened. But he held his tongue, letting Evan speak.
“Unless they attack us again, we have no fight with these strangers,” he pointed out. “We should seek justice for what we lost, you might say? But why throw good life after that already gone? We are a people of survival, and taking risks is not how we achieve that,” he said, stamping a hoof to show he was finished speaking.
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on May 2, 2021 16:08:38 GMT -6
ChirinWar Forged | Scout Apprentice![]()
Chirin's gear and light armor clinked softly as he made his way to the crowd of horses gathered outside the Fortress. He recognized most of them, though for the ones who knew him, he had been a colt when last they met. He skirted the outer right side of the group, steadily making his way to a spot near the front. He stayed out of the way, but close enough to be included, using his crimson teke to tighten a buckle at his shoulder. The black iron metal was scratched and dented, but in good shape for its age. On his left pauldron, carved into the metal, was his Clan's symbol: a Lindworm encircling a mountain. Ironfell. A Clan of roughly fifty individuals was now a Clan of one.
Chirin listened as soft murmurs from the other’s reached his ears, determined to keep quiet unless he had something to offer. The young roan was nervous under so many scrutinizing eyes. Although he didn’t look, he could feel a good number of eyes on him. He had only been with the Bloody Flanks for the worst of the winter and the first few weeks of spring, but even that had been enough time for many to become wary of him. Even hateful. He had made his choices out of pure desperation. He would have starved to death if he had stayed. No one had been willing to help him.
A glint from the top of the cliff above the Fortress drew his attention. Looking up, he saw a giant, black, serpentine body peering down at them from the rocky ledge. He wasn’t difficult to miss. Not by a long shot. Even from the distance, Gaster looked massive. The iron plates on the lindworm's face and shoulders reflected the light of the late morning sun. Chirin raised a brow, giving the Lindworm an amused, lopsided smile. Silently, he asked the colossal beast a question,
“-What exactly are you doing?-”
-Observing.- was the Golem's answer, his rough, baritone voice heard in the back of Chirin’s mind.
However, Chirin felt a pang of protective intent and he knew that observing wasn’t all that Gaster was doing. He was watching the crowd for threats. Anyone who would dare bring harm to his Stone Bearer. The young stallion knew that was unlikely, seeing as Prax himself was the one who allowed him back into the herd. The War Lord’s word was Law. And he had made himself quite clear when they had met last. Chirin needed to be careful or he would face chains.
The sound of said War Lord calling the meeting to order drew Chirin’s eyes, ears prick to catch his words. The boy’s nose wrinkled in disgust when the stone grey stallion called Aodh their allies. Among all the things Lykos had said in the short time Chirin had known the Jarl, calling War Forged “glorified slave traders” was one of the only things he ever agreed with. Slavery was already a disgusting practice and Chirin hated with every fiber of his being that most of Aodh’s Labor Slaves and Pit Fighters came from Onea.
The boy hummed quietly, when the War Lord spoke of the Bloody Flanks. When Prax opened the conversation for others, Chirin waited a moment, as a black mare, Starla, spoke in support of the War.
He opened his mouth once she was done, wanting to speak yet he hesitated.
-Speak. Let’s see if he’s like the other one.- came Gaster's voice.
Taking in a deep, shaky breath, Chirin stepped forward. His heart hammering in his chest as he watched the War Lord’s eyes narrow once he noticed him. At least the two could agree on one thing. They didn’t trust each other.
Putting on a brave face, Chirin stomped a hoof in greeting, nodding to his leader, “Good morning, War Lord. Allow me to start by saying I appreciate that you have chosen to hear more than just the voices in the War Hall.
Months ago, I was also called by Lykos to give him my opinion. Was told that my words were valued, only to then be told that he was leader and that he’d make his choices with or without the words of others. With all the greatest respect, I’m not comparing you to him, though I’m deeply sorry if it sounds that way. I am just hoping that, this time, I’ll be speaking to a leader who listens,” he bowed his head to the large stallion before continuing.
“On the subject of the War. While I agree with Miss Bell about providing support to our allies, I can't help but grow frustrated. It seems like every time I turn around, we are digging Aodh out of a hole they dug themselves. With all their advancements, can they not fight their own wars? I feel that they expect us to behave like their personal attack dogs, to be summoned at the click of a heel and just as easily dismissed. If we truly had any amount of a fight with these foreign Kirin's, we would have faced them in battle already," Chirin turned and nodded to Evan,
"I agree with what you have said. Unless they outright attack us we have no actual fight with them. Why waste valuable resources on a distant War when we could be saving them for the winter so families don't starve. One good summer doesn't speak for our future when the snow starts to fall,
And on the subject of the ships. Yes, they were crafted, but not by any equine. No mortal soul can summon ships made of bone with sails soaked in blood from the depths of a vacant river. I was there when they were given. The monstrosity that created those ships was no skilled illusion. I’ve seen her. She gave Lykos those ships, so long as the Bloody Flanks vowed to denounce Kaia and Cascade. In exchange, she promised them a victory, bidding that they, and I quote, Watch the Mountain Fall.
I appreciate that you are not afraid of them, but Lyko’s isn’t afraid of you, either. Not when he has a God’s promise at his back. He’s younger but he’s anything but stupid. Your absence, along with any soldiers you take, would give him an opportunity for him to attack us. Not to mention that he has one of Hira's strongest Valkyries serving under him as a Reaver.
Or perhaps he’ll ambush you and your party as you travel to Aodh to fight a war I believe we have no business getting in the middle of," Chirin took another breath, concerned for his War Lord and the safety of the Onean people,
"I value a leader who seeks action, but Aodh already owes us plenty for the past Wars we helped them in. There is an actual, immediate threat HERE I believe requires more of your attention."
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Post by Prismaticlysm on May 3, 2021 22:12:38 GMT -6
 Art by: waterdrup
Oona War-Forged - Herder She moved slowly through the crowd, her hooves barely moving the grasses below her as she utilized her Density Control. The young unicorn had decided to leave Fluffy in charge of the pastures - in reality, Grandma Maria was looking over them - so the child had come to the meeting to at least be a witness. There was no way on Hireath that anything she had to say would be taken seriously; she was both a mare and a child, and her opinions wouldn't be regarded very highly. But she still wanted to see what was going on. After all, she still had that right, at least. And surely the flower and plant crown Kaia gave her would be enough to keep her from being shooed away.The sound of hooves stomping the ground gave her pause, and she peered through the endless bodies towards where the War Lord stood. She listened to him speak, his words only causing confusion. She was a child. There was little she knew and understood about the relationship between War-Forged and Aodh, only that bad horses were taken away and given to the Aodhians. She didn't understand the gravity of that either. She was a simple Herder, and a mare. These things were left to the stallions, the adults.A familiar voice spoke up, and she quickly continued on her way as she weaved through the crowd. Nearing the voice, she noted a familiar dark body with silver mane and tail; Starla Bell. Relieved that she recognized someone in the crowd, she finally paid attention to what was being said by the silver-haired mare. As she closed in on Starla's form, she took note of the words spoken and immediately thought of Akari. Akari wasn't scaled vermin. Kaia had given her the same flower crown! Was Akari even here?She wanted to speak up, but she merely chewed on her lips until she finally moved up next to the black and silver mare. Should the mare look her way, she'd flash her a small smile. But more horses were talking, a couple of whom she also recognized to be Evan and Beta, stallions she considered to be her new business partners in regards to her herds wool. She couldn't quite see them through the throngs of other equines, but should either of them catch sight of one another, they would be offered a smile as well.The most recent stallion to speak [Chirin] spoke a lot. And it seemed those who spoke already were divided. Help Aodh. Don't help Aodh. If anyone were to ask her her opinion, she'd certainly give it. She would much rather her sister not be on the front lines fighting anyone. Kirins or not, life was more important as Evan has stated. |
POST COUNT: 1 ♦ WORD COUNT: 462
MENTIONS: Prax, Starla Bell, Akari, Evan, Beta, Chirin
INTERACTIONS: (if she is noticed by them) Starla Bell, Evan, Beta
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Post by kerarose on May 8, 2021 18:37:20 GMT -6
S I T H M A I T H
of War Forged
... ...
A meeting by Praxitelles was not what the Midwifery Craftmaster had expected for this day. Seeing Praxitelles up there, so smug in his victory over Hira, the Valkyries spread out below him, she couldn't help but be enraged. That stallion had betrayed Hira when he challenged her for the right to rule over the War Forged, and that betrayal still stung, all of these months later. To see the Valkyries used as nothing more than simple bodyguards, when they had once been esteemed warriors- it made her blood boil.
Still, she had come, all 10.3 hands of her, pushing her way through legs and bodies in order to reach the front, where she could see. There were a few mares close to foaling, so she had brought her supplies, neatly strapped to her sides, in case an apprentice came running.
For now, she'd hear what he had to say.
As Praxitelles spoke, her ears flicked this way and that, pondering what was said. She remained quiet for far longer than she normally would have, carefully mincing her words. "If I may speak," she said, stepping forward into a small gap in the group, where she could be seen.
She glanced over at the ex-Bloody Flanks stallion, distrust flavoring her every glance in his direction. How could they be sure that he wasn't remaining in contact with the brutes? Glancing away, she locked eyes with the War Lord. "I am Sithmaith, Craftmaster of Midwifery," she said, her voice ringing clear and true. "I may not be an Ambassador or Shield, but I do believe I have some authority on this situation."
She thought back to the spring, where she had assisted in cleaning up after the kirins' attack. "First, I must say that I agree with Starla Bell," she said, nodding in the mare's direction. "There is a difference between the kirins who attack us and those who try to integrate into our herd. Call the attacking kirins what they are- and do not call them vermin. They are dangerous, yes, but to call them so colors all kirins in a negative light. I have met plenty who are kind, and a few who I plan to offer apprenticeships in my Guild."
Sithmaith gave a toothy smirk, accenting the growth of the fangs that now resided there. "Second, I have seen the aftermath of these kirins with my own eyes. They raided farms for food and supplies, and caused injuries that I assisted in healing. They have proven that they will come to us, if what they find in Aodh is lacking. Kaia has blessed us with land to grow food, and the minerals to make weapons. I am nearly certain that they will come again, so why not strike first?" She stomped her hoof, appreciating the bitter clang it made on the cobbled stones.
She then turned to the newcomer, the ex-herder. "While I believe the Bloody Flanks are a threat, young one," she said, rolling her eyes at the stallion, "I find that I do not trust your word. You left this herd when times were tough, and came back only when Kaia blessed this land again with a bountiful summer. How do we know that you won't up and leave again if the Bloody Flanks attack?" A snort left her nostrils as she faced him, the fins in her mane and tail writhing and puffing up in response to her anger. "If the War Lord trusts you, that is his choice. I do not, and while your words may hold weight, your actions do not support those. I would highly suggest that you hold your tongue- until you have proven yourself worthy of being called War Forged again, you should not speak so brashly of the time you spent with the Flanks, lest others see your actions the way I do."
Her anger mostly spent, she turned back to the War Lord. "Even if we cannot send soldiers, we must offer aid. I heard rumors of Aodh sending refugees to Serora- perhaps the same can be done here. There must be farmers amongst the Aodh who were forced to flee their lands, or craftsmiths who fled death by kirins with their families. We may have enough now, but could we bring even more to ourselves if we take in Aodh's skilled, who cannot help their herd back home? More equines means more mouths to feed, but it also means more hooves to farm and craft, and more equines that will be saved a fiery death back in their homeland."
Meeting Prax's eyes, she spoke once more. "We have allied with Aodh for many years. If we break that alliance now, if Aodh falls- which I doubt will happen, but could come to pass- then who is to say we are not next?"
As she spoke the words, fear crept into her heart. The last thing she wanted was to start a panic- but what if the words were true?
... ... Word Count: 840 Post #1 
E L I I N A
POST 1 | WC: 683
Eliina's blood boiled with rage.
Here the War Lord stood, asking for advice on whether or not to come to Aodh's aid. At first, she could not believe her ears. They had been staunchly aligned with the War Forged for years, and now they wanted to break off the alliance?
Despicable, the lot of them.
Still, she forced her blood to cool, the molten, explosive rage to be turned into a fine point. She had learned her lesson in Azar- strutting about and preening like a fine peacock would not win in diplomacy. No, she had to be methodical with her speech and actions. If she could not convince them using logic, then she would do so with emotion.
Striding forward, her bridled head held high, she came to the front of the crowd. "I had hoped that my ears had deceived me," she said, turning to face Praxitelles. "Are you truly implying that War Forged may not come to Aodh's aid, in our darkest hour?"
Turning to face the crowd, she spoke. "I am Eliina, Aodhian Envoy to the War Forged." She gently rapped her hoof along the cobblestones, nodding her head in greeting. "I know that my word here does not hold much weight- I am not one of you, although I have enjoyed my time here, and have come to appreciate your customs."
She straightened her pose, tossing her curls over her neck, turning back to the War Lord. "It is true that we have asked for your assistance in terms of battle," she said, her eyes flinty and sharp. "This is not saying that our own Chevaliers are in poor quality, merely that we recognize your strength. We know the strength of your warriors, the ferocity of Kaia's children. In return for your aid in battle, we engage in trade- trade that is mutually beneficial."
A single ear flicked back to judge the reaction of the crowd as she spoke. "We do not ask for food, for we know resources in this land can be stretched thin. We provide our goods, our resources, in exchange for two things- your culled, which you seem to be eager to be rid of, and your warriors, in times of need. Well, this is a time of need- perhaps the most dire one Aodh has faced."
The Envoy half-turned, facing both the War Lord and the crowd. "The Heralds of Ash are a very real threat. They have killed too many of us in cold blood- elders, children, rich, poor. They leave our murdered brethren's bodies in stinking heaps, which they set alight. No one escapes their wrath." She turned her gaze to the crowd, practically begging them to disagree with her, strike her down. "They have proven that they are not content with just Eithne- there have been attacks in Breim, as well. Attacks not once, but twice, outside of Eithnean borders proves their motives- murdering all Aodhians in cold blood is not enough. I do believe that, if Aodh falls, the Heralds will try to exterminate anyone not of kirin blood, as it suits their goals."
Her gaze peered through the crowd, meeting many individuals in the eyes as she spoke. "You would potentially damn us to death by hellfire? Do you value our alliance that little?" Turning back to Praxitelles, she gave a subtle half-bow. "If the terms of our alliance no longer suit you, War Lord," she said, rising from her bow, "then all you need to do is ask. I can easily send a letter to King Aleksei to redraft the agreement- but know that if you lower what you are willing to give, then so, too, lowers our generosity towards you. This is an equal partnership- we will not give and give to those who do not respect us, our lands, our equines."
Eliina aimed a slightly-frosty gaze at the War Lord. "Do not ruin this alliance, War Lord," she said, letting her ire begin to leak out of her form in the barest amounts. "We are a kind and generous ally- but also a fearsome enemy."
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on May 13, 2021 11:50:32 GMT -6
ChirinWar Forged | Scout Apprentice![]() He couldn't say he was surprised when a short, stocky hippocampus lashed out at him. He gave her his attention when she spoke to him, expression calm and patient. His only reaction was a slight tilting back of the ears at her assumption of him fleeing when the Flanks attacked. The same couldn't be said for the lindworm on the cliff ledge. Gaster's angry roar at the accusations echoed over their heads like an avalanche. Deafening and absolute in it's disapproval.
Chirin turned his head to the beast, his order calm, yet demanding, "Enough, Brother!"
The Lindworm fell silent.
Chirin returned his focus to the small mare, giving her a nod, "I appreciate your blunt honesty, Craftsmaster," he said, "And though my reasons for leaving in the winter are my own, I would be more than willing to explain at a later time, if that is what you'd like,"
Ice fog left his nostrils in a short huff, "But in Kaia's name, I can guarantee you that I am as much against the Flanks as you are. It was by Kaia's merciful Will that I was able to see the mistake I had made as a child and return home," he took a single step, "If killing Lykos the Betrayer myself is how I prove it to you then I will gladly do so," his voice left him a bit harder than he had intended and a layer of sharp ice crackled from his hooves. He withdrew, as calm as before, his voice a respectful tone,
"If others choose to make up their minds about me as quickly as you, however, I'm afraid they will be as equally judgmental and uneducated. We've all done things we aren't proud of, though few of us have the courage to speak of them. I would hope that you don't judge every reborn Kirin, as well, by the terrors they committed in the War,"
He took a breath, calming himself further and giving the older hippocampus another respectful nod, "It is your right to wish me silent, though, each of us here has had experiences. I don't think it wise to muzzle those who have information to share that may very well help us. Even more so, when that information pertains to an enemy.
I want nothing more than to help the people of this Country, as I'm certain you do as well."
As he stepped back, his cloven hoof knocked against something hard. He glanced down, seeing that it was a pendant that looked like it was carved out of the same stone as the mountain. Small veins of gold like lightning decorated its surface. This was certainly an odd place to find such a thing… But he couldn't bring himself to ignore it. So he reached down with his crimson teke and picked it up. The familiarity of a connection almost made him smile and Chirin felt Gaster’s sudden wave of recognition tickle the back of his mind. The two Lindworms knew each other, it would seem.
Clearing his throat, he addressed the small mare once again, “All that being said, I don’t believe your opinions of me were what our War Lord was requesting. Perhaps we could get back to the topic.”
Chirin gave the next mare to speak his full attention. Before she had even stated her Rank, the boy knew she wasn’t War Forged. She looked elegant and proper, not to mention that the obvious Aodhian accent was a dead give-away. Chirin understood how things had sounded from her perspective. Her country was threatened and now there was an actual… what would this even be called? This certainly didn’t sound like a discussion, and debating was more thought out than this, so far... argument, he supposed, would be a more fitting word.
Her mentioning of Culled horses made his nose wrinkle in disgust once again. Gods, did he hate that practice. Why not just have the War Lord kill those horses himself, rather condemn them to a life of misery and cruelty. It would certainly be a kinder punishment.
After she was done, Chirin drew his war Axe from it’s holster, the black iron glinting. He faced the Envoy, stomping a hoof as he took a step forward and bringing the face of his axe to rest across his chest as he bowed his head to the mare. It was a formal greeting from his Clan. He returned his axe to its place at his side, straightening as he addressed Eliina, “Stone beneath your Hooves, Envoy. I’m sorry that our words trouble you. I can understand why. But may I be kind enough to ask that you indulge me a moment? If the roles of Aodh and War Forged were reversed, would your King not also consult his Advisors, taking immediate threats against his own country into higher consideration? This is merely a discussion, my lady, no real decision has been made yet, there is still a chance that our War Lord will send aid.
And the way you describe the Heralds of Ash brings something to mind. Granted, this analogy may seem less than elegant by Aodhian standards.
It appears that they are behaving like a pack of wolves. When a rival pack moves into a territory that is already claimed, typically those packs fight for it until the stronger pack is left. The smaller, less violent attacks made to surrounding territories are to establish their presence. It’s a show of strength rather than a declaration of war… But, with that said, I don’t fully understand what you’d have us do about the colossal Dragon I’ve had the displeasure of hearing about…”
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Post by misttheelf on May 13, 2021 20:16:16 GMT -6
Starla Bell |Akari
"I've always believed that Kaia made all of us gems - It's just up to us, how we polish ourselves."
Post 2 / 2| WC 357 / 249 Starla hummed as she listened to the others spoke. Beta and Even - a pair she'd seen around Skeldr. Interesting that their opinions differed, but, well, they weren't the same horse after all. She gave a slight chuckle as she heard Chitin speak - the younger horse had… a history, to say the least, but then, who didn't?
Enki's quite woof from the pup's position between her hooves drew her attention down to Oona. "Oh, hello Oona." Starla greeted the young herder quietly. "How are you doing?" She asked before turning most of her attention back to the conversation. Sithmaith - A guildmaster, was speaking now, and while she had echoed her own sentiment of not all kirins being vermin, and then she brought up a worrying sentiment. If Aodh falls - they were certainly next to the kirin armies.
And then Eliina spoke, and she couldn't help but sigh, and she was about to retort to the envoy's accusations - that the Forged would fully break the treaty in this event. But she was beaten to the punch by the young Chirin, and his Lindworm's roar. With a breath to steady her nerves, she spoke. "I think that none of us should remain fully silent, not here, not now. Envoy Eliina, the meaning of this meaning was so that our Warlord may know the thoughts of the common folk - those of us who are going to be most affected by any decision he makes. We do not seek Aodh's ire by having this discussion. The Warlord's decision is final, regardless of what is said here. But, I must agree with Chirin. The way the heralds act is similar to wolf packs fighting for territory. They do need to be dealt with, at least to a point where they'd be willing to listen to diplomacy." She hummed. "As I stated before, I'm all for sending aid to Aodh. Most of my trade is in exports to your herd, after all. So I hope you'll lend an ear to the discussion and to what the Warlord ultimately decides." Her hoof rapped the ground to indicate that she was finished speaking for the moment.
More horses started speaking after Starla, and… Akari honestly was made happier by the number that agreed with Starla! But still… there was a lotta conflicting opinions being given word - and a lotta different voices. She glanced around the crowd, spying Oona as the young herder slipped into the crowd, causing her to sigh from her position on the outskirts of the crowd. Akari didn't know most of the horses there, and really, she didn't know a ton about the alliance between Wish and War Forged… or anywhere near as much as the other horses did about surviving on the Mountain. She only had one winter there, after all…
So she remained quiet and listened, while guildmaster and envoy spoke with rising tones. When the lindworm roared, she cowered back a moment, glancing around the crowd nervously as she saw Chirin tell it to be quiet. So the Lindworm was his. Interesting. She sighed, lowering Her head as Starla spoke again after him. She really didn't think she had much to add… but Starla said that none of them should remain silent. "...I… while I don't know the full intricacies of what's going on… Uhm… I think… wouldn't it be good to send some forces to help while others remain..?" She asked "Uhm… after all… aren't there two groups of fighters among our ranks?" She asked.
Akari didn't fully understand the intricacies of the Valkyries and Raiders… but what she did know is that both groups were trained fighters.
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Post by ebbarie on May 14, 2021 11:21:25 GMT -6
 Fijalahr;War-Forged | Scout
Even in death may you be triumphant.The impact of yet another clumsy landing echoed nastily through his bones. At least he somehow managed to regain control over his limbs just in time to prevent himself from falling completely to the ground in front of the gathered crowd.
Clumsily he folded the grey wings against his body, hoping that everyone was too busy to have noticed his little performance. Getting to know this new ability to fly was an as unpleasant experience as he had expected it to be. Yet by now he knew that there was no point in sinking into self pity. Adapting was the only right thing to do. He did that the first time when the gods decided to...well play god, and the situation now wasn’t any different.
That however doesn’t mean that his awkward tries to get these wings under control appeared anything but weird yet. He felt like a foal again, fighting with his own limbs.
Silently he made his way through the crowd to get a better look at the new War Lord and listened incredulously to the opinions of the meeting attendants. They couldn’t be serious...Right?
The whole discussion felt like children that didn’t want to share their sweets with the others. Couldn’t they see that this was bigger than herds and diplomacy?
“If I may be so bold...how come that so many of you seem to have forgotten about the gods' war? We are lucky, for many generations it has only been a children's tale, nothing to really worry about. But the threat is back. Even without the poisonous bond with their god, these kirins oppose a real threat. A threat that everyone should have taken a more serious way sooner. The old tales tell us what they can unleash, and we have been so arrogantly brushed aside as an Aodhian problem. Better them than us, right? But what happens if Aodh falls? As Envoy Ellina said, it would be foolish to hope that the kirins will leave the rest of the world in peace. And now not only are they back, but also their wyverns. We have already lost precious time to fight them. Do we really want to allow them to become even stronger and more numerous?” he asked. His voice was calm and free of any accusation, thanks to his former days as an Ambassador.
“In my opinion we shouldn’t waste any more time and send aid against the kirin forces. If we refuse we might not only lose an alliance, but make way for history to repeat itself.”
WC: 472 | Post 1 |
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Post by Prismaticlysm on May 17, 2021 7:54:38 GMT -6
Art by: waterdrup
Oona War-Forged - Herder Oona smiled up at Starla Bell when the mare acknowledged her, "I'm well, thank you!" She opened her mouth to inquire as to Starla's health, but too many voices were distracting here. Being so small, she couldn't quite see everyone through the numerous bodies, so she focused on the voice in order to remember for next time. A feminine voice spoke up [Sithmaith], agreeing with the sentiment of 'not all kirins' in the context of the situation.
Oona wasn't well versed in the Kirin situation, all she knew was that bad kirins were attacking their allies, Aodh, and that was a bad thing. But there was one thing she did understand about it all. The bad Kirins would hurt Aodh if they didn't get help, and if Aodh was destroyed, it would hurt War-Forged. And she wanted to say as much, but the little filly had to be patient as other horses were expressing their own opinions about the situation; Oona did feel glad the majority wanted to honor their alliance with Aodh and help them, and even though it wasn't solely out of the goodness of their heart, it was still something to be respected.
Another unfamiliar voice reached her ears, a voice that, to her, sounded a little funny. The mare [Ellina] speaking had a way about the oral words that the youth was unfamiliar with, and the accent was intriguing enough to almost be distracted from the words and meanings of such themselves. Almost. Oona understood that she had to pay attention, though that didn't stop her from hoping to see who this Aodhian mare was, because she was immediately fascinated.
The male voice from before [Chiirin] spoke up again. There was uneasiness due to his previous affiliations with the Flanks, but he was here now, and everyone deserved a chance, right? What hit home was his analogy to wolves. As a herder, Oona understood the threat wolves could have on her flock, and they were one of the many things she and Fluffy constantly looked out for. A starving wolf would not hold back from easy prey like a sheep.
Starla Bell spoke up next, the small unicorn sticking close to the silver-haired mare. She must be able to see where the Aodhian was, because the dark horse replied to Eliina's accusations. The filly looked around Starla Bell's body to glance around, but there were so many horses she couldn't tell which one was Aodhian. From the crowd another stallion spoke up, a new one this time [Fijalahr], and his words resonated with Oona the most. The Gods War couldn't repeat itself. And finally, it seemed as if there was an opening enough for her to speak.
"Um...We should help Aodh." She spoke up, her voice low at first out of general shyness, before she finally drew up her courage to speak. "Aodh is a sheep herd. War-Forged is a sheep herd. And the sheep herds are friends. The bad Kirin's are a pack of wolves. The herders of Aodh and War-Forged should fight the wolves to protect their flocks. Stronger together." Oona took in a breath, holding her crowned head high, "I think Kaia would want us to help." |
POST COUNT: 2 ♦ WORD COUNT: 533
MENTIONS: Starla Bell, Sithmaith, Eliina, Chirin, Fijalahr
INTERACTIONS: Starla Bell, all who can hear her.
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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Jun 2, 2021 23:02:06 GMT -6
One final stamp of Praxitelles hooves signals the end of discussion. He looks around the crowd, pleased that his people are becoming confident in voicing their opinions around him no matter how bold. He looks hard at the Aodhian Envoy, appreciating her fire but disapproving of her quick judgement to turn on the War-Forged. He was pleased he'd had communications with King Aleksei privately first.
"Thank you for all of your words today. I'm truly grateful for such a strong and ferocious herd. The Stone Circle and I will have our final discussions, but it looks as I predicted it would. We will send aid to Aodh and help get rid of the enemy Kirin forces." He proclaims, glancing in the directions of his herd's adjusting kirins at his new wording on the matter.
"You are all dismissed and thank you again." He finishes before turning away into the fortress followed by his Shields and the Stone Circle.
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