Expanse: The City Reboot (Dark Fantasy Epic) Main Thread (Open, Started)

[Korten12]

The Court of Risenforth ? Tower of Di ? Grim.

?Noble In?fal, we welcome you to Grim. Visiting us this time of year is unusual. So what brings you here that we had to bring the whole Court together?? A man stand up around the table spoke. The court room was large and at the top level of the Tower of Di, with large windows from top to bottom so there was no walls only glass so to see the whole District and all of those around it. A sort of an all seeing eye, with the sun raining down upon it.

In?fal was an older Noble, the Fourth and one of the oldest family lines to be part of the Nobles, next to the former Ions, and the current serving Foels. He wore a black tux, and bore many tired wore out marks on his face and his hair had turned all grey, but while he was older, he could still do many of the duties that Nobles do and most of the time better. He coughed to clear his throat and then began.

?As you probably were told beforehand, the Ion family has been discarded and killed. But the boy still lives. Lorel Ion still walks among the living, with the Majl family head, Velen on his side.?

Many of the court members in the stands surrounding the table began to ramble about some in disgust. One yelled out. ?Why did you let him live!?

In?fal faced the direction of the person who spoke but then turned his head to face everyone as he spoke. ?Our Noble One, Amelia Foel, deemed him not worthy to kill. But that?s why I have come here today! Lorel Ion and Velen Majl must be killed! I need the Courts support!?
The headman didn?t know what to make of this. ?What if Amelia found out? And why do you go so far as to come here to Grim to gain support? What is your goal??

?Headman Deysin, I feel you?re underestimating my powers of persuasion. She will know when the time is right. She is young, she is hot headed and too busy with matters to even know of this. With the operations you know that we?re working on, we can?t afford to make these two a threat to all of that. I want to make sure the reign of the Nobles is secure, one-hundred percent. Even if the chance they bring us down is .002, I cannot take that risk after everything we have built up!?

Many of the courters were nodded their heads in agreement and even Deysin was in agreement. ?We shall have a vote, Noble In?fal. If the court agrees then we shall help you bring these two down. Every one of the Court, we shall have a vote now! Raise your hand in favor or keep your hand down. There will be no discussion once the decision is made!? His voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Without question the majority raised their hands and the conclusion was clear. Many knew that if Upper District was brought down, then the Tower of Di if not all of Grim was in trouble.

?The Vote is in In?fal. We shall prepare people to hunt these two down,? Deysin called over a man who stood in the corner. ?Begin to locate them, whatever district that maybe in.?

?I can shorten down that list, Deysin. They?re already in Grim.?

Deysin eyes widen. ?What luck. Well look through the district. Find them!? And with that the man was off.

?Now onto other matters, what shall we do about the Harold Nehelem's Estate Massacre? A couple of Court members were at that party. The public knows of it already.?

Another Court member at the table snarled, the Court members around the table were the top dogs of the court. ?Who cares for those Elites. Sure we lost some Court members but we can replace them easily.?

Uproar consumed the court room over the man?s words. ?Court man Ussino, I would have hoped you would keep your mouth shut. I have already begun to make plans. We shall increase the security for all Elites here and Court Members alike. In following so, we double our efforts and look for those who are responsible for this. Once more the rules of voting are the same. What be it court??

Like before the majority voted. ?Then it shall be. The court is adjourned. We have no further things to discuss for now. You will be informed next time we meet. Pray, you still live to see that day.?

Everyone left the court room leaving In?fal and Deysin. ?Deysin, I will provide much support. I know this massacre event will set things back, but I urge you. Put top priority on the Lorel and Velen hunt.?

?I shall? We shall.? He corrected himself. ?We know you Nobles provide much support for us, but I feel a dark cloud is starting to loom over us. Times are going to be changing. I fear that we both may not make it through the storm. With all the blood our hands are stained with.?

?We shall. Now excuse me Headman Deysin. I must return to the Nobles.?

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Marketplace - Grim

The drop-off point for the amulets was only a short distance from the outpost, it was in the popular Helios Bazaar, a shopping area where despite its design and trappings being more suited towards the elite class, it was a place were something could be found at a reasonable price for many people who lived in the Middle Section. The person who Vergil had to deliever these too, was a blacksmith by the name of Samuel Thompson, a somewhat respectable man of the area, his works they say are of a exceptional quality.

Vergil located the correct shop and approached the man.

"Excuse me." Vergil said, catching Samuel's attention.
"Yeah?" He replied in a gruff tone.
"I hear you have an interest in magical amulets". Vergil told Samuel, placing emphasis on the word interest.
"What's it to you."
"Well, I just happen to have some, some that the Red Stain are dying to get their hands on." Samuel soon catched on to what Vergil was saying.
"You must be that thief that Silas told me about, let me seem them first."
"Certainly". Vergil replied with, handing over the pouch of amulets. Samuel then took a moment to study them, he then gave Vergil his response.
"Mighty fine pieces they are, and you got a good selection, some active, and some that can be more easily changed. I'll take 8,000 Kiel for the lot.
"Deal." Vergil exclaimed, as he recievied a modest pouch of Kiel.
"Thank you for your business Samuel replied "I'll make sure that the Stain get these." he carried on to say in a more pleasant tone.

"With that little job done, I'll head back to the safehouse". Vergil spoke to himself as he made his way back.

 

[FinalDream]

Scarlett Verneer - ???? - Grim

Scarlett clapped as the Vessel finished her song and bowed to the room. ?Now, if you excuse me I?m going to get some sleep. Do me a favour and try not to burn the house down.? Scarlett nodded at the chemistry equipment on the table. "And take care of any guests." Walking up stairs Scarlett locked her bedroom door, all five bolts, and collapsed onto the bed falling fast asleep.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Vincent - Tabulath - Greycobble Fountain

Vincent sat in the silence of the abandoned building, the sun had finally set, bringing with it the darkness and the cold air that swept in through the windows of the building. The wind chilled Vincent, to which Vincent simply drew his cloak closer around his body. He sat in a chair, set up in a position from which he could see the street below and see if anyone was entering the plaza. The only other people he had seen during the day had been travelers and street urchins that wished for shelter from the cold stone streets.

---------------------------------------------------

It was morning before Vincent saw any signs of life, and he was alert the minute he heard approaching hoof-beats. Vincent checked quickly out the window to see who it was, and was relieved to see it was only Lucian finally arriving from his detour.

"Lucian, hurry up and get into your place. We probably don't have much more time until he gets here!" Vincent shouted out, ducking back into the building to make sure all of his equipment was ready.

 

[tobi the good boy]

Thin streaks of orange light pierced the veil of the morning clouds, striking the cracked cobblestone road that twisted and shifted along the streets of Tabulath; morning had come, and time was drawing near. As Lucian drew closer to that red, hastily drawn 'X' scrawled on the map, the the street began to grow, open, morphing into grey washed courtyard. At the centre, charming the gaze of all that would pass this way, was a dead monument that reached for the sky, it's beautiful display of aquatic propulsion coming to a halt many years ago, the Greycobble Fountain. Lucian' golden snake eyes scanned the decrepit foyer in search of a the black buckled man that had accompanied him on this journey from the capital of Ferela. However, it would be his ears that lead Grey to his companion.

Deep within the chambers of an abandoned building echoed a familiar voice, Vincent. He was positioned on the second floor of a run-down house that been deserted when the clothing district moved further south, a perfect vantage point to attack from a distance and an easy leap for a Mage Hunter of his calibre.

"Lucian, hurry up and get into your place. We probably don't have much more time until he gets here!"

Lucian pulled hard on the reins of his silver steed and directed Gilbert to a obscure stable just at the corner of the entrance, despite the rotting wood that held the stall doors flimsily together, the support pillars appeared to be perfectly stable, besides; Lucian had no doubt that the horse needed no confinements of a gate to remain loyal.

"I'm In position. Be on the lookout for a carriage of-" Lucian's shouts came to an abrupt halt as he felt the faint vibrations of an approaching coach radiant up his spine...

Just on time

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Vincent - Tabulath - Greycobble Fountain

The sounds of a carriage rattling through the streets drew closer by the second as Vincent drew back a bolt in his crossbow and Lucian readied himself in the broken down stable. Vincent didn't even have time to make sure he was prepared before a carriage came clattering into the plaza, the horse whingeing in protest as the carriages driver whipped it's flank to increase the carriage speed. The windows were covered by drawn curtains, and the driver's face couldn't be seen behind the cloak he wore. The carriage maneuvered carefully around the run-down fountain in the center of the plaza, and only began picking up speed when there was a straight path again. That's when Vincent struck.

Vincent fired off his crossbow, a bolt landing neatly in the back of the horses neck, causing the horse to fall to the ground, and the carriage to lose control. The driver was thrown from his seat, sliding a few feet before coming to a stop just below the window Vincent had fired from. The carriage itself smashed into another building, the front part of the carriage and the driver's seat smashed apart on impact.

Vincent dropped down from his window, landing with a roll and loading another bolt into his crossbow.

"Come out, come out, and play." Vincent said maniacally, keeping his eye trained on the door to the carriage which was slowly opening.

A pulse from Vincent's amulet warned him that the Mage inside was very much conscious and ready to retaliate.

 

[tobi the good boy]

Lucian watched with great amusement as the a single bolt of blackened steel flew swiftly through the morning air and sunk into the chestnut coat of the large and powerful stallion. The scene only made more beautiful as the carriage toppled over the twitching corpse of the felled beast leading it to crash into a broken down building of slate bricks. While Lucian was enjoying the spectacle of carnage before him, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The fight was practically over and he hadn't even the chance to spill some blood. Lucian casually sauntered towards the wreckage of Vincent's attack, hoping to get a better look at just what the hell was going on. He noticed his companion had already leapt from the second story of the building and approaching the carriage with his weapon drawn.

Oh? Good, we're not done yet. Lucian's train of thought was interrupted by a series of disjointed, painful gasps that came from behind the fountain. With his interest piqued, Lucian decided to forego the troubles of the mage and explore this new curiosity. He circled the monument at the centre of the courtyard in pursuit of the wheezing and shuffling sounds , only to be greeted by the mangled body of the driver, barely hanging onto life. The driver's clothes were bloody, his leg crumpled at a foul angle and an arm left limp and lifeless.

"Pl- Please... D-don't kill m-m-m...." The strangers words were cut short as Lucian's foot came crashing down on his neck.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I didn't quite catch what you were saying?" Lucian chimed cheerily as the muffled cries of pain croaked from the back of the dying man's throat, his eyes bulging from the sockets with bright red veins pulsating beneath the surface. A smile crept along Lucian's face as a loud crack resonated from beneath Lucian's foot; the foreign man's body went completely still and a single trickle of blood dripped from the left nostril.

"Well, I guess that's the end of tha-" Lucian put a premature end to his sadistic gloating and turned to face the source of discourse. The carriage was no more; nothing but raining pieces of burnt wood with a tower of flames in it's wake. Rolling along the cold stone ground at a surprising speed was a man clad in black and buckles, Vincent. As Lucian approached his companion all he could hear was the haunting flicker of flames the grumbling curses of a very pissed off Mage Hunter.

 

[Korten12]

Lorel Ion ? Grim

Velen and Lorel left the Tower area and began to head down the streets, were many people walked up and down, buying and selling goods. But it was more civilized, people?s goods were displayed through windows and some use of Magic to make things pop out, like words saying the stores name. Lorel?s stomach began to growl as did Velen?s.

They hadn?t eaten anything in many hours. As they turned the corner of the street, they saw a Tavern where you could eat outside so they headed over to the Tavern and sat down at one of the tables. The menu was simple, steak, fruits, chicken, and some various other foods. But they went for the simple steak.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Vincent - Tabulath - Greycobble Fountain

Vincent finally rolled to a stop, his body aching. Vincent managed to push himself up off the ground, with no help from his left arm which appeared to be broken or at least dislocated. Vincent felt something wet and warm trickling down from one of his nostrils, which he wiped away to discover that it was blood. Footsteps beside him alerted Vincent to another person, Lucian.

"I'm fine, that bastard went and blew up the whole damn carriage. I'm lucky I had enough sense to stay back, otherwise I probably would have been blown sky high." Vincent said, grabbing his sword off the ground and advancing towards the pillar of flames.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Safehouse - Grim

After a walk through the city streets of Grim, Vergil arrived back at Scarlett's safe house. As he entered, he could only see the woman, who called herself 'The Vessel' working with a strange green concoction, that bubbled and fizzed every so often. He quietly entered the room and sat down on the chair before engaging in conversation.

"Morning Vessel". He politely asked. "You wouldn't happen to know where Scarlett is do you?" He further added.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Safehouse - Grim

"Good". Vergil replied with.

"I forgot to say thank you for the healing wraps you did earlier, they definitely stemmed the pain." He said in a pleasing tone.

"Mind if I ask you an odd question?" He asked in a curious manner.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Safehouse - Grim

"Well its more an interesting one, but the meaning still applies, what is your actual name? It can't just be The Vessel. Vergil asked nervously, ending with him saying her name in a mystified manner whilst gesturing.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Safehouse - Grim

"Very well then". Vergil replied with. "The only reason why I asked was that you remind of a girl I met a few years back called Verona, and I was wondering if it was okay if I called you that, since I didn't know if The Vessel was your real name, or just a nickname you picked up". He then quickly noticed a lone sword lying underneath a window.

"Isn't this the sword of that guy you were travelling with earlier?".

 

[CrazyBlaze]

Telnor- Grim
Telnor stumbled along the street yawning. Its been such a long day. Maybe I should get some rest at a nearby inn. Telnor dragged his wary body along until he came to a inn called The Ivy. It was warn and slightly run down but all Telnor wanted was to get some sleep. He opened the door into a rustic front room. A single old man sat behind a desk.
"You'll be wanting a room then. Its 50 Kiel for the night. 60 Kiel if you want breakfast in the morning," the old man said as a matter as a fact. Telnor reached into his pocket and pulled out 60 Kiel.
"Room six is free. Up the stairs and at the end of hallway," the innkeeper gave Telnor the key. Telnor went up the stairs, unlocked his door. As he entered, he went to unbuckle his sword but there was nothing there. He frantically checked his belt for his sword but there was nothing there. Then he remembered that he had left back as Scarlet's hideout. I'm going to have to get it back in the morning,

Sighing Telnor sat on the bed and removed his boots and put his daggers on the ground. Lieing down he closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

In the morning light shown brightly through the window. Telnor squinted and blocked it with his arm. He rose up from the bed, stretched and let out a loud yawn.
"A good night sleep. Good for what ever ails ya," Telnor said to himself. Pulling on his boots and strapping his daggers to his legs he made his way downstairs. He sat down at one of the tables in the front room and ordered simple eggs. He finished up quickly, handed the key back to the innkeeper, along with ten extra Kiel.

Walking outside he watched the hustle and bustle of the street. He turned down the street to make his way back to Scarlet's hideout. As he walked he heard smalls parts of conversation from the crowd. Most of it had to do with the events at Harold's Estate last night. Rumors where everywhere. One person would say it was the Mage Hunters, another would say it was the mages themselves preparing for a total uprising. Others said it was the Red Stains and others said it was the Steel Hearts doing. One even said it was the Dark Gods preparing to take over the world. Telnor listened to each rumor knowing the truth. It was that Tear woman and whoever she was working with or for. Eventually he made his way to Scarlet's hideout. He stood in front of the door and knocked.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - Safehouse - Grim

Vergil had dozed off for a moment, but was awoken by the sound of someone knocking at the door.

"I'll get it!" He called. He made his way to the door and the opened it, it was the man who was travelling with The Vessel.

"Come back for your sword I see". He remarked, then turned his head towards the sword, which was propped by the window. He then returned to his seat.