https://wiki.rpg.net/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Aubri 2026-05-15T02:20:36Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.43.0 https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7&diff=29539 2006-08-08T17:36:48Z

<p>Aubri: /* Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;We left Wormwood before dawn in Hazaad's ships, not beautiful, but servicable. The morning dawned a dusty red, as it often does in the south. Hot as it was, I decided to leave my armor off until shortly before the attack. We sailed south from Chiaroscuro, along the course of the convoy, and finally sighted their sand plumes in the distance. As Hazaad brought us in behind the ships, we noticed a sandstorm brewing behind us--the raid would have to move fast.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Hiding in the sand plumes until the last moments, the galleys had but little warning when his two trailing ships grappled the hindmost galleys -- depositing my allies on those ships in the process, with the intent to leap to the escort ships -- while I remained aboard Hazaad's sandship to storm to the lead galley. I immediately cut the mast to slow them, then used it to sweep the deck of resistance.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Within seconds, however, the escorts each released a Fang of odd hovering vehicles with an amazing turn of speed. I later learned they are called &quot;Swift Riders&quot;, essence-powered attack vehicles designed during the First Age. I hurled the broken mast at them, but they simply leaped over it with no apparent trouble. As they flew onto the deck, the riders rolled off their vehicles and the long spears they held fired bolts of intense fire at me, hotter by far than Eino's firewands. Though I managed to block the blasts by smashing up some deck planks I knew I must avoid being hit at all costs. I abandoned the deck for one of the Swift Riders and launched a bolt of solar fire at one of the riders. He was blown clear of the deck by the force of my blow.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The Swift Rider came alive in my hands--not unlike guiding a docile horse, albeit one who goes only where you guide it. I rolled beneath the Swift Rider to pick up the fallen flame lance; though I would never replace Ten Thousand Falling Tears, I am intrigued and would examine these artifacts more closely.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I impaled another rider from his mount, collecting his spear in the process as well. The other rider I could see performed some motion and blurred into invisibility as he dropped into the sand, and then the sandstorm was upon us. I made for the nearest ship and left my Swift Rider tangled in the rigging while I cut through the deck to escape the stinging sand--and landed among the slaves in the hold. It was the work of moments to cut the bars from each cage. What monstrous men could keep their fellows in such conditions--fellows who have done nothing wrong besides lacking the protection of the Realm?&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I began to arm the dhala from the spears I had brought along, but quickly ran out. I had not expected so many. They are resourceful people, however, and armed themselves from the fallen guards, the cut iron bars, anything that could be pressed into service. Together we quickly stormed the craft. As we battled, however, a series of loud blasts overwhelmed the roar of the storm. Eino had detonated several barrels of firedust. The brilliant beacon shining through the sand was the caravan captain, I later learned, blazing like the sun himself as he battled Eino on deck. Then, all at once, the sandstorm was blown apart as Eino hung in midair, his hand clasped with the dragonblood's as he sealed an accord. The battle was over.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I let my anima flare in greeting and stepped from the disabled ship. Our anima banners still danced as we collected the surviving Guildsmen and dhala between the ships, and I stood to speak upon a dune beside Eino and the caravan leader while Fox joined the throng below.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;&quot;In the beginning...&quot;&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7&diff=29538 2006-08-08T17:36:12Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;We left Wormwood before dawn in Hazaad's ships, not beautiful, but servicable. The morning dawned a dusty red, as it often does in the south. Hot as it was, I decided to leave my armor off until shortly before the attack. We sailed south from Chiaroscuro, along the course of the convoy, and finally sighted their sand plumes in the distance. As Hazaad brought us in behind the ships, we noticed a sandstorm brewing behind us--the raid would have to move fast.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Hiding in the sand plumes until the last moments, the galleys had but little warning when his two trailing ships grappled the hindmost galleys -- depositing my allies on those ships in the process, with the intent to leap to the escort ships -- while I remained aboard Hazaad's sandship to storm to the lead galley. I immediately cut the mast to slow them, then used it to sweep the deck of resistance.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Within seconds, however, the escorts each released a Fang of odd hovering vehicles with an amazing turn of speed. I later learned they are called &quot;Swift Riders&quot;, essence-powered attack vehicles designed during the First Age. I hurled the broken mast at them, but they simply leaped over it with no apparent trouble. As they flew onto the deck, the riders rolled off their vehicles and the long spears they held fired bolts of intense fire at me, hotter by far than Eino's firewands. Though I managed to block the blasts by smashing up some deck planks I knew I must avoid being hit at all costs. I abandoned the deck for one of the Swift Riders and launched a bolt of solar fire at one of the riders. He was blown clear of the deck by the force of my blow.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The Swift Rider came alive in my hands--not unlike guiding a docile horse, albeit one who goes only where you guide it. I rolled beneath the Swift Rider to pick up the fallen flame lance; though I would never replace Ten Thousand Falling Tears, I am intrigued and would examine these artifacts more closely.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I impaled another rider from his mount, collecting his spear in the process as well. The other rider I could see performed some motion and blurred into invisibility as he dropped into the sand, and then the sandstorm was upon us. I made for the nearest ship and left my Swift Rider tangled in the rigging while I cut through the deck to escape the stinging sand--and landed among the slaves in the hold. It was the work of moments to cut the bars from each cage. What monstrous men could keep their fellows in such conditions--fellows who have done nothing wrong besides lacking the protection of the Realm?&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I began to arm the dhala from the spears I had brought along, but quickly ran out. I had not expected so many. They are resourceful people, however, and armed themselves from the fallen guards, the cut iron bars, anything that could be pressed into service. Together we quickly stormed the craft. As we battled, however, a series of loud blasts overwhelmed the roar of the storm. Eino had detonated several barrels of firedust. The brilliant beacon shining through the sand was the caravan captain, I later learned, blazing like the sun himself as he battled Eino on deck. Then, all at once, the sandstorm was blown apart as Eino hung in midair, his hand clasped with the dragonblood's as he sealed an accord. The battle was over.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I let my anima flare in greeting and stepped from the disabled ship. Our anima banners still danced as we collected the surviving Guildsmen and dhala between the ships, and I stood to speak upon a dune beside Eino and the caravan leader while Fox joined the throng below.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;&quot;In the beginning...&quot;&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7&diff=29523 2006-08-08T13:20:04Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> We left Wormwood before dawn in Hazaad's ships, not beautiful, but servicable. The morning dawned a dusty red, as it often does in the south. Hot as it was, I decided to leave my armor off until shortly before the attack. We sailed south from Chiaroscuro, along the course of the convoy, and finally sighted their sand plumes in the distance. As Hazaad brought us in behind the ships, we noticed a sandstorm brewing behind us--the raid would have to move fast. Hiding in the sand plumes until the last moments, the galleys had but little warning when his two trailing ships grappled the hindmost galleys -- depositing my allies on those ships in the process, with the intent to leap to the escort ships -- while I remained aboard Hazaad's sandship to storm to the lead galley. I immediately cut the mast to slow them, then used it to sweep the deck of resistance. Within seconds, however, the escorts each released a fang of odd hovering vehicles with an amazing turn of speed. I later learned they are called &quot;Swift Riders&quot;, essence-powered fast-attack vehicles designed during the First Age. I hurled the broken mast at them, but they simply leaped over it with no apparent trouble. As they flew onto the deck, the riders rolled off their vehicles and the long spears they held fired bolts of intense fire at me, hotter by far than Eino's firewands. Though I managed to block the blasts by smashing up some deck planks I knew I must avoid being hit at all costs. I abandoned the deck for one of the Swift Riders and <br /> <br /> -bikers<br /> -blazing solar bolt, jump on bike<br /> -grab fallen essence spear fire plasma launcher thing<br /> -sandstorm hit<br /> -riders phased out<br /> -get to a ship<br /> -free slaves<br /> -retrospective: Eino's battle with the caravan leader<br /> -convinced him to join us<br /> -sealed the deal, blew apart the sandstorm<br /> -Flare anima<br /> -Everyone collects between the wrecked ships<br /> -Aid from Eino and Fox<br /> -&quot;In the beginning...&quot;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7&diff=29521 2006-08-08T12:52:53Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> We left Wormwood before dawn in Hazaad's ships, not beautiful, but servicable. The morning dawned a dusty red, as it often does in the south. Hot as it was, I decided to leave my armor off until shortly before the attack. We sailed south from Chiaroscuro, along the course of the convoy, and finally sighted their sand plumes in the distance. As Hazaad brought us in behind the ships, we noticed a sandstorm brewing behind us--the raid would have to move fast. Hiding in the sand plumes until the last moments, the galleys had but little warning when his two trailing ships grappled the hindmost galleys -- depositing my allies on those ships in the process, with the intent to leap to the escort ships -- while I remained aboard Hazaad's sandship to storm to the lead galley. I immediately cut the mast to slow them, then used it to sweep the deck of resistance. Within seconds, however, the escorts each released a fang of odd hovering vehicles with an amazing turn of speed. I later learned they are called &quot;&quot;, essence-powered fast-attack vehicles from the First Age. I hurled the broken mast at them, but they simply leaped over it with no apparent trouble. <br /> <br /> -bikers<br /> -blazing solar bolt, jump on bike<br /> -grab fallen essence spear fire plasma launcher thing<br /> -sandstorm hit<br /> -riders phased out<br /> -get to a ship<br /> -free slaves<br /> -retrospective: Eino's battle with the caravan leader<br /> -convinced him to join us<br /> -sealed the deal, blew apart the sandstorm<br /> -Flare anima<br /> -Everyone collects between the wrecked ships<br /> -Aid from Eino and Fox<br /> -&quot;In the beginning...&quot;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7&diff=29520 2006-08-08T12:28:38Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Venusday, 20th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> <br /> -Day hot, leaving armor off until we're in the sand plume<br /> -Approach, me in bow<br /> -sandstorm<br /> -leap to ships<br /> -cut down mast<br /> -clear the deck<br /> -bikers<br /> -blazing solar bolt, jump on bike<br /> -grab fallen essence spear fire plasma launcher thing<br /> -sandstorm hit<br /> -riders phased out<br /> -get to a ship<br /> -free slaves<br /> -retrospective: Eino's battle with the caravan leader<br /> -convinced him to join us<br /> -sealed the deal, blew apart the sandstorm<br /> -Flare anima<br /> -Everyone collects between the wrecked ships<br /> -Aid from Eino and Fox<br /> -&quot;In the beginning...&quot;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=29519 2006-08-08T12:26:43Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3|Act 3]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4|Act 4]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5|Act 5]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6|Act 6]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act7|Act 7]]&lt;BR&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6&diff=29163 2006-08-01T16:48:42Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 19th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;My meeting with Cathak Kal was not as smooth as I could hope. The man is driven, and rather mercenary in his desire to serve the most powerful group that can do good for creation. While I salute his dedication, I fear he has placed the defense of Creation above the well-being of his own heart--and how can one make proper decisions in such a state?&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The day grew uncomfortably hot even for me as Fox led us to meet a sand captain to assist in our expedition, a man called Firedust Hazaad. He seemed an untrustworthy sort, which I suppose means he's exactly what we seek. His three ships will attack the slave convoy -- sorry, caravan -- for all the non-slave valuables. Fox and Eino will attack the two escort ships, while I disable the slave ships and free their... cargoes. To this end I have purchased a large sheaf of spears with which to arm the dhala, as I'm sure they will be eager to revenge their capture.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Afterward, we visited a dhala circus with hopes of securing a temporary home for the former slaves. Fox handled that with, I understand, his usual aplomb, leaving Eino and I to amuse ourselves. I was curious to see a fortune-teller's tent in such a place, so I entered to see what she would say.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The fortune teller, a striking dhala girl, must have some measure of occult power, for she predicted a grand future for me--great battles, a leader of men, great power... as though I didn't already know it. Then she started making more vague predictions... something about masks... and she asked me to leave. Quickly. When Eino went in for his turn, she was gone, though whether it was for fear of my fortune or his, I know not.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I took in the side show before the main act began, which was mostly yeddim droppings meant to amuse the stupid. There were, however, a handful of true novelties. A Fair Folk in an iron cage, for one, huddled in the center to keep clear of the bars. She seemed hungry, and given what the Fair Folk eat, I would not wish to be the one to feed her. Across from her stood a strange green-tinted monkey sealed within a glass globe yet suffering no suffocation. It had a large red gem implanted in its forehead, to some unknowable purpose. The creature stared at me the entire time I was in its sight, and I would wager it continued to follow me beyond... eerie, and most certainly real. I met Eino as I exited, and knowing his history with the Fair Folk, I told him that a friend of his was in the tent! He seemed shaken when he left the sideshow, however... perhaps I misjudged his reaction to the denizens of the Wyld.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The main show was as entertaining as one might expect; I would urge anyone to attend such a spectacle. The leader of the circus was juggling with five associates simultaneously--quite a feat even for one as nimble as a dhala! It was, however, more entertaining to watch than to hear described, so I will stop.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;We learned later that a ship has arrived in Chiaroscuro from the Realm carrying a full dragon of soldiers to form a Wyld Hunt in search of me. I hear also that... they are led by Kiru. I had hoped this day would not come, but it seems I am fated to conflict with my family sooner rather than later. For now I will try to focus on the fight at hand, and not the danger growing in the city.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6&diff=29162 2006-08-01T16:47:25Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 19th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;My meeting with Cathak Kal was not as smooth as I could hope. The man is driven, and rather mercenary in his desire to serve the most powerful group that can do good for creation. While I salute his dedication, I fear he has placed the defense of Creation above the well-being of his own heart--and how can one make proper decisions in such a state?&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Fox led us to meet a sand captain to assist in our expedition, a man called Firedust Hazaad. He seemed an untrustworthy sort, which I suppose means he's exactly what we seek. His three ships will attack the slave convoy -- sorry, caravan -- for all the non-slave valuables. Fox and Eino will attack the two escort ships, while I disable the slave ships and free their... cargoes. To this end I have purchased a large sheaf of spears with which to arm the dhala, as I'm sure they will be eager to revenge their capture.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Afterward, we visited a dhala circus with hopes of securing a temporary home for the former slaves. Fox handled that with, I understand, his usual aplomb, leaving Eino and I to amuse ourselves. I was curious to see a fortune-teller's tent in such a place, so I entered to see what she would say.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The fortune teller, a striking dhala girl, must have some measure of occult power, for she predicted a grand future for me--great battles, a leader of men, great power... as though I didn't already know it. Then she started making more vague predictions... something about masks... and she asked me to leave. Quickly. When Eino went in for his turn, she was gone, though whether it was for fear of my fortune or his, I know not.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I took in the side show before the main act began, which was mostly yeddim droppings meant to amuse the stupid. There were, however, a handful of true novelties. A Fair Folk in an iron cage, for one, huddled in the center to keep clear of the bars. She seemed hungry, and given what the Fair Folk eat, I would not wish to be the one to feed her. Across from her stood a strange green-tinted monkey sealed within a glass globe yet suffering no suffocation. It had a large red gem implanted in its forehead, to some unknowable purpose. The creature stared at me the entire time I was in its sight, and I would wager it continued to follow me beyond... eerie, and most certainly real. I met Eino as I exited, and knowing his history with the Fair Folk, I told him that a friend of his was in the tent! He seemed shaken when he left the sideshow, however... perhaps I misjudged his reaction to the denizens of the Wyld.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;The main show was as entertaining as one might expect; I would urge anyone to attend such a spectacle. The leader of the circus was juggling with five associates simultaneously--quite a feat even for one as nimble as a dhala! It was, however, more entertaining to watch than to hear described, so I will stop.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;We learned later that a ship has arrived in Chiaroscuro from the Realm carrying a full dragon of soldiers to form a Wyld Hunt in search of me. I hear also that... they are led by Kiru. I had hoped this day would not come, but it seems I am fated to conflict with my family sooner rather than later. For now I will try to focus on the fight at hand, and not the danger growing in the city.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6&diff=29161 2006-08-01T15:23:51Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 19th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> <br /> -Meet Firedust Hazaad<br /> -Circus<br /> -fortune<br /> -sideshow<br /> -fey<br /> -monkey<br /> -weapons<br /> -arrival of realm dragon/wild hunt</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6&diff=29160 2006-08-01T15:17:20Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>== Jupiterday, 19th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=29159 2006-08-01T15:09:21Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3|Act 3]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4|Act 4]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5|Act 5]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act6|Act 6]]&lt;BR&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5&diff=28930 2006-07-27T14:53:37Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Moonday, 16th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have spent the last days honing my defensive capabilities; I believe I have now mastered the art of repelling any number of attacks. Eino, my sparring partner, has simultaneously been working to accelerate his attacks. It is a good match.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Today I have begun my true calling -- spreading the word of Sol Invictus. I approached Hideo and began discussing religion with him. As it turns out, he is a bit of a fool. What can one expect, after all, of a being with rocks in its head? He trusts only what his battered copy of the Immaculate Texts tell him; he sets great store by the written word. I suppose that, too, makes sense; the spoken word is fleeting, but writing has a permanency he probably appreciates.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In any case, he now realizes that people can be mistaken, even when writing books, and that this one is a mistake of the highest caliber. I do fear for his safety, to some extent--simple as he is, I would not put it past him to start evangelizing without regard to the... politics of the situation. I have set him to cleaning up the temple in preparation for its conversion to my own purposes; this should occupy him for some time. I will try to impress upon him, however, that I am the one tasked with spreading the word.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;As I returned to my lodgings, I was all but slapped in the face by the troubles this world sees. The yozi, the fair folk, the hordes of the undead--all these are threats, true enough, but the greatest trouble of all is the people themselves. A gang of young men were about to rape a girl after, clearly, beating her brother to a pulp. Mere children, all of them. I could not let such a thing pass; I sent the curs scrambling for their mothers, those who were not unconscious on the ground. One of them had the nerve to hurl epithets at a Prince of the Earth, but I stayed my hand from slaying him for it; he could not know, though simply by my clothing he should have known his better. I took the boy and his sister to a healer and paid her for her services, with the promise that the children would appear at the temple when they were able. Young minds should more easily reject the ways of their fathers and embrace the Sun... as will those with little to lose, those who have seen the rough side of the life offered by the Immaculate Order and the Guild. They shall form the base of my church, and their privation will be repaid with great rewards.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Fox -- Al'mun, I should call him, but as much as he wears that mask it's difficult to think of him as anything else -- Fox visited the Cynis ambassador in my own guise to seek information on the demon summoner at the ball. It seems that Sardonyx was sent to silence Factor Saham, who was blackmailing Ambassador Mnemon over her demonic connections. It seems that she is a knowledgeable summoner herself, as well.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino returned from his day with some interesting news; Singing Sparrow informed him of a caravan carrying Djala slaves fresh from the barbarian tribes. We, of course, plan to free them. I have little time to collect enough weapons to arm them, but it should suffice. Sparrow also told him of rumors of demon cults within the slave compounds of the Guild... this seems the next link in the mystery. Eino also had a clandestine meeting with Cathak Kal--it seems he is not concerned with our status, and simply wishes to protect the world. To that end, he wishes to know the location of a rogue Iselsi magistrate reported to be hiding in the desert. He also told us of a Guild slave compound--another target of opportunity to consider, though Eino seems unusually keen to attack it. I gave Kal a note to meet me at the temple. I hope that he is not so disgusted by the Immaculates as to be ruined for religion in general. Perhaps he thinks he is, but I may be able to change his mind--he would be a powerful ally.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Plots and conspiracies... as much as I avoided such entanglements while a member of House Cathak, I find I look forward to their fruition now. Perhaps it is simply that I know I am doing something good and worthy for once in my life!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Praise to Sol Invictus!&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5&diff=28929 2006-07-27T14:48:41Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Moonday, 16th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have spent the last days honing my defensive capabilities; I believe I have now mastered the art of repelling any number of attacks. Eino, my sparring partner, has simultaneously been working to accelerate his attacks. It is a good match.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Today I have begun my true calling -- spreading the word of Sol Invictus. I approached Hideo and began discussing religion with him. As it turns out, he is a bit of a fool. What can one expect, after all, of a being with rocks in its head? He trusts only what his battered copy of the Immaculate Texts tell him; he sets great store by the written word. I suppose that, too, makes sense; the spoken word is fleeting, but writing has a permanency he probably appreciates.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In any case, he now realizes that people can be mistaken, even when writing books, and that this one is a mistake of the highest caliber. I do fear for his safety, to some extent--simple as he is, I would not put it past him to start evangelizing without regard to the... politics of the situation. I have set him to cleaning up the temple in preparation for its conversion to my own purposes; this should occupy him for some time. I will try to impress upon him, however, that I am the one tasked with spreading the word.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;As I returned to my lodgings, I was all but slapped in the face by the troubles this world sees. The yozi, the fair folk, the hordes of the undead--all these are threats, true enough, but the greatest trouble of all is the people themselves. A gang of young men were about to rape a girl after, clearly, beating her brother to a pulp. Mere children, all of them. I could not let such a thing pass; I sent the curs scrambling for their mothers, those who were not unconscious on the ground. One of them had the nerve to hurl epithets at a Prince of the Earth, but I stayed my hand from slaying him for it; he could not know, though simply by my clothing he should have known his better. I took the boy and his sister to a healer and paid her for her services, with the promise that the children would appear at the temple when they were able. Young minds should more easily reject the ways of their fathers and embrace the Sun... as will those with little to lose, those who have seen the rough side of the life offered by the Immaculate Order and the Guild. They shall form the base of my church, and their privation will be repaid with great rewards.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Fox -- Al'mun, I should call him, but as much as he wears that mask it's difficult to think of him as anything else -- Fox visited the Cynis ambassador in my own guise to seek information on the demon summoner at the ball. It seems that Sardonyx was sent to silence Factor Saham, who was blackmailing Ambassador Mnemon over her demonic connections. It seems that she is a knowledgeable summoner herself, as well.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino returned from his day with some interesting news; Singing Sparrow informed him of a caravan carrying Djala slaves fresh from the barbarian tribes. We, of course, plan to free them. I have little time to collect enough weapons to arm them, but it should suffice. Sparrow also told him of rumors of demon cults within the slave compounds of the Guild... this seems the next link in the mystery. Eino also had a clandestine meeting with Cathak Kal--it seems he is not concerned with our status, and simply wishes to protect the world. To that end, he wishes to know the location of a rogue Iselsi magistrate reported to be hiding in the desert. He also told us of Factor Raeph Haphara's slave compound--another target of opportunity to consider. I gave Kal a note to meet me at the temple. I hope that he is not so disgusted by the Immaculates as to be ruined for religion in general. Perhaps he thinks he is, but I may be able to change his mind--he would be a powerful ally.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Plots and conspiracies... as much as I avoided such entanglements while a member of House Cathak, I find I look forward to their fruition now. Perhaps it is simply that I know I am doing something good and worthy for once in my life!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Praise to Sol Invictus!&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5&diff=28928 2006-07-27T13:05:07Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Moonday, 16th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have spent the last days honing my defensive capabilities; I believe I have now mastered the art of repelling any number of attacks. Eino, my sparring partner, has simultaneously been working to accelerate his attacks. It is a good match.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> -church<br /> -hideo<br /> -book<br /> -Fox's discoveries<br /> -kids<br /> -cathak cal</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5&diff=28927 2006-07-27T13:04:39Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Moonday, 16th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have spent the last days honing my defensive capabilities; I believe I have now mastered the art of repelling any number of attacks. Eino, my sparring partner, has simultaneously been working to accelerate his attacks. It is a good match. <br /> -church<br /> -hideo<br /> -book<br /> -Fox's discoveries<br /> -kids<br /> -cathak cal</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5&diff=28926 2006-07-27T13:03:29Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Moonday, 16th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have spent the last days honing my defensive capabilities; I believe I have now mastered the art of repelling any number of attacks. Eino, my sparring partner, has simultaneously been working to accelerate his attacks. It is a good match. <br /> -church<br /> -hideo<br /> -book<br /> -kids<br /> -cathak cal</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=28925 2006-07-27T12:54:59Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3|Act 3]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4|Act 4]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act5|Act 5]]&lt;BR&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=28300 2006-07-19T17:26:53Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3|Act 3]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4|Act 4]]&lt;BR&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4&diff=28297 2006-07-19T17:20:13Z

<p>Aubri: /* Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 (con&#039;t) */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 (con't)==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I had no time to wonder. As my allies paused to collect weapons, I dashed into the room only to see cultists in dark robes sliding down ropes to the floor, weilding long wavy-bladed knives. They all immediately fell upon the guests, and I launched myself into combat against the nearest of the demons.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Though not as powerful as Ten Thousand Falling Tears, my sword is quite swift. The blood ape fell beneath my onslaught in a handful of seconds, and I moved on to the next. Eino and the Black Fox had their own battles, meanwhile, though Eino's new friend was taking care of herself rather effectively. Black Fox had engaged Sardonyx himself, but his attacks were doing little to injure the summoner. I started to cut my way in that direction, but then something odd happened. A chunk of the roof seemed to fall into the midst of Factor Saham's bodyguards--and became a man with long silver claws on his hands! He slew the bodyguards in a single motion, then destroyed the Factor with equal aplomb. I would later learn that the demon attack had targeted him as well--what could he have done to invoke such ire from different parties? I assume they were not working together--otherwise, why the need for the demons? The assassin left without another word, and I let him--while delivering justice is the prerogative only of the Unconquered Sun, I could leave these people to suffer the depredations of demon and cultist no more than I could argue the Factor did not deserve death.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I saw General Nazzar battling an ape using only a table and felt an irrepressible sense of pride. I cannot explain it; I had thought dead any fellow-feeling with my former house. No matter. Perhaps one day I will be proud to claim the name Cathak, and they to have brought me forth.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Presently, the Del'zahn guards entered the room, rapidly bringing the cultists under control. As I slew another blood ape, I saw Sardonyx leaping his way up the orrery and out the window. This more than anything yet brought my blood to a boil; I would not allow him to escape justice! I hurled my sword into the ape which Eino battled, slaying it, but that was not my aim--merely to keep the weapon safe until I returned.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I followed Sardonyx out the upper window as he leaped from rooftop to rooftop beneath me. I called Ten Thousand Falling Tears out of Elsewhere and hurled it, guiding the lance with my will and power to strike down this evildoer. The glaive struck true, piercing his torso and pinning him to the wall! I leaped to interrogate him as the life faded from his eyes. He was more concerned with his afterlife than his previous deeds, but he told me of his target and his employer: the house Cynis, and presumably Ambassador Mnemon Julienna--the very woman I had spoken to earlier in the evening. I felt the denizens of Hell arrive to claim his dying soul. Despite his evil deeds, I could not stand by to see him claimed by yozis for their foul purposes; he had paid for his crimes with his life, and should not suffer for eternity to strengthen my greater foes. I slew him swiftly and sparked a pyre in his corpse, I his psychopomp, spiriting his soul safely beyond the reach of those he foolishly bargained with... and may he learn humility and piety in his next life.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act4&diff=28296 2006-07-19T16:29:32Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 (con't)==</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:GM_Questions2&diff=28293 2006-07-19T15:20:48Z

<p>Aubri: /* Oath-Graven Diamond */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> ==Questions==<br /> <br /> ''(worth 3 xp for the lot, 1 per Q)'''<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is.<br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Oath-Graven Diamond==<br /> What are your character's current top-three short-term goals?<br /> * Convert Hideo as the first step of establishing a church to Sol Invictus in Chiaroscuro (And find out if this would be counted as &quot;making trouble&quot; in Chiaroscuro...)<br /> * Find out what the Cynis ambassador is up to<br /> * Start striking at the Guild for real<br /> <br /> Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter.<br /> * Blue Sand Mirage, the leader of a cult of a desert spirit, familiar with the religious power structures in the area and controlling a cult that can form a foundation for the Church of Me.<br /> <br /> What dead relative does your character most revere? Why? <br /> * Cathak Irian, a fire-aspected warrior who died battling the undead armies that marched out of a small shadowland on one of the small islands around the Blessed Isle, led by a powerful ghost calling itself The Weaver Of Gray And Despairing Shrouds. Irian was a powerful warrior and a devout believer in the Immaculate Doctrines, and threw her small force into the combat despite being outnumbered in order to protect a group of villages. Though her army was destroyed and she died of her own wounds, she delayed the undead and injured the ghost severely enough that both were defeated by the monks of the Order before reaching the villages. Suraga admires her courage and conviction in defending the people of the Realm, even at the cost of her own life.<br /> <br /> ==Al'mun Fa-Shazzad==<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? <br /> **Acquire the necessities to expand the thieves guild; resources, reputation, etc.<br /> **Investigate the mysterious goings on in Gem.<br /> **Investigate the current Guild proceedings concerning the Vizier and Tri-Khan, and disrupt if possible.<br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. <br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> I would like to bring out Watch-Captain Abdul-Malik Shariff, the local leader in law enforcement who has taken up the pursuit of the known criminal, the Masked Fox. Shariff has a strong sense of concern for the people of Chiaroscuro and their well-being, and seeks to promote harmony and order among the people. He is held in the highest regard among the rest of the Watch for his dedication, insight, and skill. To his understanding at this point, Fox is a rampant thief who preys upon the local merchants (particularly the Guild), in some goal of greed and terrorism. Though he has heard of the Fox's generosity, he is still convinced at this point that it is some form of contraband exchanges. To Shariff, righteousness and lawfulness are one and the same, and he works selflessly and tirelessly to bring the criminal elements of Chiaroscuro to heel. His wife and three children (two boys, one girl), support the Watch-Captain's efforts to help the city, though tacitly wish he was more frequently at home.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> ==Eino Suutari==<br /> * What are your character's current top-three short-term goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is. <br /> <br /> ** Most short-term: Woo the hell out of Singing Sparrow ASAP. Not only is she a stone fox (no offense to Masked Fox), but she's intelligent, diplomatic, well positioned to aid our goals and be aided in turn, and she has her own little secret that puts her on the Realm shit list. She needs to be turned into a capital A Ally, and hopefully romantic interest. I can see a LOT of potential between her and Eino.<br /> ** Take down that snakey bastard! Eino has already made a note to hit scales hard right in his coinpurse, and find a way to free as many of his slaves as possible while striking a devastating blow to both his business and his reputation. Once matters with the party and Singing Sparrow are dealt with for the night, Scarlet Kestrel and the Masked Fox will need to plan a major heist against him.<br /> ** Speaking of Singing Sparrow's connections, depending on what she is privy to Eino plans to factor Linowan interests into things he can totally screw up down here. He is already planning to see what can be stirred up between the Realm and the Guild without strengthening one overmuch relative to the other, and here is a golden opportunity to get the Linowan representatives caught in the crossfire. Everybody wins.<br /> <br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph. <br /> <br /> **I'd like to run into a mad (in a befuddled, generally benign way) mundane alchemist/artificer, one who deals in chemicals and clockwork and natural forces rather than Essence and Sorcery. You know, the type who works intricate and generally pointless miracles through the application of Science! but has a wealth of knowledge and insight to offer despite his questionable sanity. Perhaps he has a lab/library in a remote First Age ruin out in the deep sands, perhaps even in a long lost Manse that he is struggling to understand.<br /> <br /> <br /> * What dead relative does your character most revere? Why?</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:GM_Questions2&diff=28292 2006-07-19T15:18:57Z

<p>Aubri: /* Oath-Graven Diamond */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> ==Questions==<br /> <br /> ''(worth 3 xp for the lot, 1 per Q)'''<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is.<br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Oath-Graven Diamond==<br /> What are your character's current top-three short-term goals?<br /> * Convert Hideo as the first step of establishing a church to Sol Invictus in Chiaroscuro (And find out if this would be counted as &quot;making trouble&quot; in Chiaroscuro...)<br /> * Find out what the Cynis ambassador is up to<br /> * Start striking at the Guild for real<br /> <br /> Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter.<br /> * Blue Sand Mirage, the leader of a cult of a desert spirit, familiar with the religious power structures in the area and controlling a cult that can form a foundation for the Church of Me.<br /> <br /> What dead relative does your character most revere? Why? <br /> * Cathak Irian, a fire-aspected warrior who died battling the undead armies that marched out of a small shadowland on one of the small islands around the Blessed Isle, led a powerful ghost calling itself The Weaver Of Gray And Despairing Shrouds. Irian was a powerful warrior and a devout believer in the Immaculate Doctrines, and threw her small force into the combat despite being outnumbered, in order to protect a group of villages. Though she died of her wounds, she delayed the army and injured the ghost severely enough that it was defeated by the monks of the Order before reaching the villages. Suraga admires her courage and conviction in defending the people of the Realm, even at the cost of her own life.<br /> <br /> ==Al'mun Fa-Shazzad==<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? <br /> **Acquire the necessities to expand the thieves guild; resources, reputation, etc.<br /> **Investigate the mysterious goings on in Gem.<br /> **Investigate the current Guild proceedings concerning the Vizier and Tri-Khan, and disrupt if possible.<br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. <br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> I would like to bring out Watch-Captain Abdul-Malik Shariff, the local leader in law enforcement who has taken up the pursuit of the known criminal, the Masked Fox. Shariff has a strong sense of concern for the people of Chiaroscuro and their well-being, and seeks to promote harmony and order among the people. He is held in the highest regard among the rest of the Watch for his dedication, insight, and skill. To his understanding at this point, Fox is a rampant thief who preys upon the local merchants (particularly the Guild), in some goal of greed and terrorism. Though he has heard of the Fox's generosity, he is still convinced at this point that it is some form of contraband exchanges. To Shariff, righteousness and lawfulness are one and the same, and he works selflessly and tirelessly to bring the criminal elements of Chiaroscuro to heel. His wife and three children (two boys, one girl), support the Watch-Captain's efforts to help the city, though tacitly wish he was more frequently at home.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> ==Eino Suutari==<br /> * What are your character's current top-three short-term goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is. <br /> <br /> ** Most short-term: Woo the hell out of Singing Sparrow ASAP. Not only is she a stone fox (no offense to Masked Fox), but she's intelligent, diplomatic, well positioned to aid our goals and be aided in turn, and she has her own little secret that puts her on the Realm shit list. She needs to be turned into a capital A Ally, and hopefully romantic interest. I can see a LOT of potential between her and Eino.<br /> ** Take down that snakey bastard! Eino has already made a note to hit scales hard right in his coinpurse, and find a way to free as many of his slaves as possible while striking a devastating blow to both his business and his reputation. Once matters with the party and Singing Sparrow are dealt with for the night, Scarlet Kestrel and the Masked Fox will need to plan a major heist against him.<br /> ** Speaking of Singing Sparrow's connections, depending on what she is privy to Eino plans to factor Linowan interests into things he can totally screw up down here. He is already planning to see what can be stirred up between the Realm and the Guild without strengthening one overmuch relative to the other, and here is a golden opportunity to get the Linowan representatives caught in the crossfire. Everybody wins.<br /> <br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph. <br /> <br /> **I'd like to run into a mad (in a befuddled, generally benign way) mundane alchemist/artificer, one who deals in chemicals and clockwork and natural forces rather than Essence and Sorcery. You know, the type who works intricate and generally pointless miracles through the application of Science! but has a wealth of knowledge and insight to offer despite his questionable sanity. Perhaps he has a lab/library in a remote First Age ruin out in the deep sands, perhaps even in a long lost Manse that he is struggling to understand.<br /> <br /> <br /> * What dead relative does your character most revere? Why?</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:GM_Questions2&diff=28291 2006-07-19T14:09:22Z

<p>Aubri: /* Oath-Graven Diamond */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> ==Questions==<br /> <br /> ''(worth 3 xp for the lot, 1 per Q)'''<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is.<br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Oath-Graven Diamond==<br /> What are your character's current top-three short-term goals?<br /> * Convert Hideo as the first step of establishing a church to Sol Invictus in Chiaroscuro (And find out if this would be counted as &quot;making trouble&quot; in Chiaroscuro...)<br /> * Find out what the Cynis ambassador is up to<br /> * Start striking at the Guild for real<br /> <br /> Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter.<br /> * placeholder<br /> <br /> What dead relative does your character most revere? Why? <br /> * placeholder<br /> <br /> ==Al'mun Fa-Shazzad==<br /> <br /> * What are your character's current top-three '''short-term''' goals? <br /> **Acquire the necessities to expand the thieves guild; resources, reputation, etc.<br /> **Investigate the mysterious goings on in Gem.<br /> **Investigate the current Guild proceedings concerning the Vizier and Tri-Khan, and disrupt if possible.<br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> * Come up with an interesting '''mortal''' NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. <br /> &lt;br&gt;<br /> I would like to bring out Watch-Captain Abdul-Malik Shariff, the local leader in law enforcement who has taken up the pursuit of the known criminal, the Masked Fox. Shariff has a strong sense of concern for the people of Chiaroscuro and their well-being, and seeks to promote harmony and order among the people. He is held in the highest regard among the rest of the Watch for his dedication, insight, and skill. To his understanding at this point, Fox is a rampant thief who preys upon the local merchants (particularly the Guild), in some goal of greed and terrorism. Though he has heard of the Fox's generosity, he is still convinced at this point that it is some form of contraband exchanges. To Shariff, righteousness and lawfulness are one and the same, and he works selflessly and tirelessly to bring the criminal elements of Chiaroscuro to heel. His wife and three children (two boys, one girl), support the Watch-Captain's efforts to help the city, though tacitly wish he was more frequently at home.<br /> <br /> * What '''dead''' relative does your character most revere? Why?<br /> <br /> ==Eino Suutari==<br /> * What are your character's current top-three short-term goals? Be specific. &quot;Destroy the guild in Chiaroscuro!&quot; isn't short-term enough. &quot;Take down that snakey bastard!&quot; is. <br /> <br /> ** Most short-term: Woo the hell out of Singing Sparrow ASAP. Not only is she a stone fox (no offense to Masked Fox), but she's intelligent, diplomatic, well positioned to aid our goals and be aided in turn, and she has her own little secret that puts her on the Realm shit list. She needs to be turned into a capital A Ally, and hopefully romantic interest. I can see a LOT of potential between her and Eino.<br /> ** Take down that snakey bastard! Eino has already made a note to hit scales hard right in his coinpurse, and find a way to free as many of his slaves as possible while striking a devastating blow to both his business and his reputation. Once matters with the party and Singing Sparrow are dealt with for the night, Scarlet Kestrel and the Masked Fox will need to plan a major heist against him.<br /> ** Speaking of Singing Sparrow's connections, depending on what she is privy to Eino plans to factor Linowan interests into things he can totally screw up down here. He is already planning to see what can be stirred up between the Realm and the Guild without strengthening one overmuch relative to the other, and here is a golden opportunity to get the Linowan representatives caught in the crossfire. Everybody wins.<br /> <br /> <br /> * Come up with an interesting mortal NPC that you, as a player, would like to encounter. No more than a paragraph. <br /> <br /> **I'd like to run into a mad (in a befuddled, generally benign way) mundane alchemist/artificer, one who deals in chemicals and clockwork and natural forces rather than Essence and Sorcery. You know, the type who works intricate and generally pointless miracles through the application of Science! but has a wealth of knowledge and insight to offer despite his questionable sanity. Perhaps he has a lab/library in a remote First Age ruin out in the deep sands, perhaps even in a long lost Manse that he is struggling to understand.<br /> <br /> <br /> * What dead relative does your character most revere? Why?</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3&diff=26540 2006-06-29T14:06:49Z

<p>Aubri: /* Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;What a party! The past were spent in preparation for last night's soiree, buying clothes and perfecting disguises. As usual, the strongest lies are 90% truth; high society was introduced to Oath-Graven Diamond of House Cathak, a wyld hunter on the trail of Cathak Suraga! I will have to grow more used to this life of lies and deception; were it not for Almun's timely intervention, I believe I'd have been caught out more than once. The Fox's disguise was incredible! I'd have never known it was he had I not seen him step out of the dressing room. Even his voice seemed different! <br /> He and I arrived shortly after Eino did. I somewhat envy Eino his success last night, as he had already engaged in conversation a lovely Haltan woman. She did not react kindly to me due to my Realm disguise; I do hope she will be less prejudiced when we meet again as friends. <br /> In any case, I engaged the attention of a most beautiful ambassador of House Cynis, though her constant stream of innuendos became tiresome after a time. I'd have not minded spending the night with her, but as it was she proved most evasive. She did seem concerned about the Grand Vizir and his brother, however. I shall resolve to keep an eye on them.<br /> The party took place in a most appropriate setting; a first-age observatory of some sort, with a massive orrery slowly rotating overhead. The walls, the orrery and all were of translucent, milky glass. Beautiful. The building felt familiar in the same way my companions do; perhaps it was once important to me. My previous existance? Such concepts seem blurred anymore.<br /> We spoke at some length with the famous and infamous Cathak Cal. I sympathize with his plight, I suppose, disgraced much as I was, but an old hunter would make a dangerous if useful contact. Almun also tried to make a firedust deal with a guild trader--one he has no intention of honoring, I understand--but the trader suddenly rushed away for no apparent reason. What a strange man.<br /> I returned to my lady for a time, but then Almun apparently picked a fight with the Second General of the Tri-Khan! I fear I will never understand the Delzan. They stepped outside, taking half the party with them. Almun put on a great show; I could see that he wasn't fighting at his full capacity, even discounting his obviously supernatural powers. Though he eventually triumphed, it appeared that the General was a far stronger fighter and that Almun won thanks only to his powers (as the dragonblood he appeared to be). Then, as the duel ended and the combatants headed off for a drink together -- again, strangeness -- we smelled a foul stench and discovered that the ambassador from Gem, one Sardonyx, had summoned a group of demons in the main room! I reached behind a pillar to hide it from sight as I summoned my glass blade from Elsewhere; I knew I had not the unarmed skill of either Almun or the General. I knew also that I must be cautious in my use of charms under the eye of all the Realm soldiers; any hint of my true nature would undoubtedly provoke them to attack us as demons as well. But why would Sardonyx call up these foul beasts in the midst of a party? Surely not just to assassinate someone..!<br /> &lt;To Be Continued&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3&diff=26513 2006-06-28T14:38:32Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 11th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;What a party! The past were spent in preparation for last night's soiree, buying clothes and perfecting disguises. As usual, the strongest lies are 90% truth; high society was introduced to Oath-Graven Diamond of House Cathak, a wyld hunter on the trail of Cathak Suraga! I will have to grow more used to this life of lies and deception; were it not for Almun's timely intervention, I believe I'd have been caught out more than once. The Fox's disguise was incredible! I'd have never known it was he had I not seen him step out of the dressing room. Even his voice seemed different! <br /> He and I arrived shortly after Eino did. I somewhat envy Eino his success last night, as he had already engaged in conversation a lovely Haltan woman. She did not react kindly to me due to my Realm disguise; I do hope she will be less prejudiced when we meet again as friends. <br /> In any case, I engaged the attention of a most beautiful ambassador of House Cynis, though her constant stream of innuendos became tiresome after a time. I'd have not minded spending the night with her, but as it was she proved most evasive. She did seem concerned about the Grand Vizir and his brother, however. I shall resolve to keep an eye on them.<br /> The party took place in a most appropriate setting; a first-age observatory of some sort, with a massive orrery slowly rotating overhead. The walls, the orrery and all were of translucent, milky glass. Beautiful. The building felt familiar in the same way my companions do; perhaps it was once important to me. My previous existance? Such concepts seem blurred anymore.<br /> We spoke at some length with the famous and infamous Cathak Cal. I sympathize with his plight, I suppose, disgraced much as I was, but an old hunter would make a dangerous if useful contact. Almun also tried to make a firedust deal with a guild trader--one he has no intention of honoring, I understand--but the trader suddenly rushed away for no apparent reason. What a strange man.<br /> I returned to my lady for a time, but then Almun apparently picked a fight with the Second General of the Tri-Khan! I fear I will never understand the Delzan. They stepped outside, taking half the party with them. Almun put on a great show; I could see that he wasn't fighting at his full capacity, even discounting his obviously supernatural powers. Though he eventually triumphed, it appeared that the General was a far stronger fighter and that Almun won thanks only to his powers (as the dragonblood he appeared to be). Then, as the duel ended and the combatants headed off for a drink together -- again, strangeness -- we smelled a foul stench and discovered that the ambassador from Gem, one Sardonyx, had summoned a group of demons in the main room! I reached behind a pillar to hide it from sight as I summoned my glass blade from Elsewhere; I knew I had not the unarmed skill of either Almun or the General. I knew also that I must be cautious in my use of charms under the eye of all the Realm soldiers; any hint of my true nature would undoubtedly provoke them to attack us as demons as well. But why would Sardonyx call up these foul beasts in the midst of a party? Surely not just to assassinate someone..!</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=26511 2006-06-28T13:48:25Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act3|Act 3]]&lt;BR&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26079 2006-06-21T03:54:55Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I am at leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. A Haslanti, as his name suggests, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raiton, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. Al'mun Fa-Shazzad, The Masked Fox, is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he offers the classic southern hospitality in full, covering his thoughts with a smiling mask. I would trust him no farther than the point of my spear in any other circumstances, but somehow I feel a kinship with both men. No, more than that--is this what &quot;friendship&quot; truly means? I have never felt this bond before, though I envied it in others. Mayhap I have truly found my place in creation.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;But enough of my introspection. We met the oddest priest I've ever seen in the run-down Immaculate temple in Chiaroscuro. While the rest of the compound was left to rot, the altar to the Earth Dragon was well-kept by an Earth Elemental called Hideo, who also seems to think of himself as a priest. What blasphemy is this? But I must contain my first two impulses--first to berate the spirit for such impudence, and second to curse him for a child's prayers unheeded by false gods.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving the temple, we espied a servant of house Nellens running chores for his master. Such an oddity this south, we felt, must be investigated. The Fox offered his... unique brand of distraction by falling into the man, who spoke no Flametongue at all! I began to translate and started pumping him for information, when Al'mun told the man, in flametongue, that he just wanted to read the shopping list. To my profound embarrassment, I lost my composure at this point and shocked the servant by laughing in his face. Eventually, however, I determined the party was to be thrown by one of the ambassadors, for whose benefit we know not yet. Perhaps Al'mun can discover such information.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;We finally retired to The Black Fox's hidden headquarters--a den of thieves such as I never hoped to have the misfortune of meeting. They seem tolerable, however, at least for now. I will have to pay a few to clean up my spacious chamber, but Al'mun is generous with his home. So odd, to stand in a room practically the twin of my boyhood home, thousands of miles away and built from smokey glass. I can almost feel the history weighing in on me, all across the city, stacked generations-deep.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Speaking of which, I have been seeing strange visions of Eino and Al'mun. Occasionally one will say or do something in such a way that I am reminded of... someone else, I know not who, save that they lived over three thousand years ago in the First Age. I hope I do not dream tonight--my world cannot take much more today.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26078 2006-06-21T03:54:32Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;'''time'''&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I am at leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. A Haslanti, as his name suggests, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raiton, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. Al'mun Fa-Shazzad, The Masked Fox, is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he offers the classic southern hospitality in full, covering his thoughts with a smiling mask. I would trust him no farther than the point of my spear in any other circumstances, but somehow I feel a kinship with both men. No, more than that--is this what &quot;friendship&quot; truly means? I have never felt this bond before, though I envied it in others. Mayhap I have truly found my place in creation.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;But enough of my introspection. We met the oddest priest I've ever seen in the run-down Immaculate temple in Chiaroscuro. While the rest of the compound was left to rot, the altar to the Earth Dragon was well-kept by an Earth Elemental called Hideo, who also seems to think of himself as a priest. What blasphemy is this? But I must contain my first two impulses--first to berate the spirit for such impudence, and second to curse him for a child's prayers unheeded by false gods.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving the temple, we espied a servant of house Nellens running chores for his master. Such an oddity this south, we felt, must be investigated. The Fox offered his... unique brand of distraction by falling into the man, who spoke no Flametongue at all! I began to translate and started pumping him for information, when Al'mun told the man, in flametongue, that he just wanted to read the shopping list. To my profound embarrassment, I lost my composure at this point and shocked the servant by laughing in his face. Eventually, however, I determined the party was to be thrown by one of the ambassadors, for whose benefit we know not yet. Perhaps Al'mun can discover such information.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;We finally retired to The Black Fox's hidden headquarters--a den of thieves such as I never hoped to have the misfortune of meeting. They seem tolerable, however, at least for now. I will have to pay a few to clean up my spacious chamber, but Al'mun is generous with his home. So odd, to stand in a room practically the twin of my boyhood home, thousands of miles away and built from smokey glass. I can almost feel the history weighing in on me, all across the city, stacked generations-deep.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Speaking of which, I have been seeing strange visions of Eino and Al'mun. Occasionally one will say or do something in such a way that I am reminded of... someone else, I know not who, save that they lived over three thousand years ago in the First Age. I hope I do not dream tonight--my world cannot take much more today.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26077 2006-06-21T03:29:33Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend off her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26055 2006-06-20T21:41:42Z

<p>Aubri: /* Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;'''time'''&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I am at leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. As his name suggests, a Haslanti, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raiton, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. The Masked Fox is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he is as tight-lipped as Eino is talkative. ***etc***&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26046 2006-06-20T20:30:27Z

<p>Aubri: /* Mercuryday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;'''time'''&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend off her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26045 2006-06-20T20:30:23Z

<p>Aubri: /* Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;'''time'''&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I am at leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. As his name suggests, a Haslanti, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raven, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. The Masked Fox is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he is as tight-lipped as Eino is talkative. ***etc***&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26044 2006-06-20T20:29:45Z

<p>Aubri: /* Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> --time--<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I am at leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. As his name suggests, a Haslanti, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raven, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. The Masked Fox is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he is as tight-lipped as Eino is talkative. ***etc***&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26043 2006-06-20T20:21:29Z

<p>Aubri: /* Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I have leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation. My anima has finally faded so that I can once more walk among mortals unnoticed. Well, perhaps not unnoticed--such is rare for beauty like mine. In any case, I feel myself again after a bath and a change of clothes.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Eino Suutari, the Scarlet Kestrel, is an oddity. As his name suggests, a Haslanti, tattooed and oddly dressed for the desert. He is as brash, bombastic, and garrilous as a raven, and deadly as his namesake in a fight. His favored weapons are a pair of daiklaves mounted with firewand barrels--I have not seen such a weapon before, but they seem quite effective. Odd how the bonds of Sol Invictus bind together such strangers, give us reason to trust one another implicitly, we who every power of the world seek to destroy. Praise the Unconquered Sun for his wisdom!&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;My other companion is more enigmatic than Eino. The Masked Fox is a native of these parts. One would be hard-pressed to pick him out of a crowd in the marketplace, were he to lay aside his cowl and orichalcum claws. A thief by trade, I think, and a sorcerer to boot, he is as tight-lipped as Eino is talkative. ***etc***&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26040 2006-06-20T20:00:14Z

<p>Aubri: /* Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> My former entry was written in haste, merely to record the events of the day. Now, some hours later, I have leisure to reflect upon my new companions and our collective situation.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26039 2006-06-20T19:58:36Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Mercuryday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend off her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2&diff=26038 2006-06-20T19:58:08Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Jupiterday, 5th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;<br /> &lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=26037 2006-06-20T19:56:35Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]&lt;BR&gt;<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=26036 2006-06-20T19:56:13Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters|(Go Back to Characters Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act2|Act 2]]</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26018 2006-06-20T14:10:30Z

<p>Aubri: /* Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend off her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26016 2006-06-20T13:27:17Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26015 2006-06-20T13:26:23Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> <br /> == Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26014 2006-06-20T13:25:29Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Oath-Graven_Diamond|Back to Character Page]]<br /> <br /> == Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=26013 2006-06-20T13:25:00Z

<p>Aubri: /* Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Back to Character Page|Oath-Graven_Diamond]]<br /> <br /> == Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=25984 2006-06-19T14:18:32Z

<p>Aubri: /* Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 */</p> <hr /> <div>== Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.&lt;/P&gt;</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=25983 2006-06-19T14:15:30Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>== Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;P&gt;<br /> I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;P&gt;<br /> In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;P&gt;<br /> I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight. Tomorrow perhaps I shall have a new tunic tailored.</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1&diff=25982 2006-06-19T14:14:26Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>== Waterday, 4th of Ascending Wood, RY 768 ==<br /> I have had no time to write recently, as the Wyld Hunt caught up to east of Paragon, forcing me to flee for Chiaroscuro. I feared I would not make it.&lt;BR&gt;<br /> I decided to make my stand at the Chasm of Seven Sighs, a great rift crossed by innumerable bridges. I crossed on one of the strongest looking spans and left my horses on the far side, then awaited the Wyld Hunt. Across the rickety bridge I faced my foes, a full talon of archers and footmen led by three dragonbloods. A Water-element lead the troop, with a Wood and a Fire subordinate. The Fire approached me across the bridge, leading a scale of footmen. I suppressed a twinge at that. Perhaps he was Cathak, a member of my former family... but I had no choice.&lt;BR&gt;<br /> In fear of my life, I snapped the ropes supporting the bridge and prayed to the Unconquered Sun that my Monkey Stone would give me the agility to survive this. I swung away on the remains of the bridge while the troops on the edge of the chasm assailed me with arrows. None struck home, but I had other troubles. The Fire dragonblooded had leaped clear while his mortal troops fell to death, and attacked me as I hung from the ruins of the bridge. What speed, what strength grants the Unconquered Sun to his chosen! When I saw the flash of fire, I thought for a moment it was some technique of the dragon-blooded, but then I saw the look on his face--the cloud of flame was not his, but emitted from the firewands of a new combatant! I blocked the dragonblood's attack and made my way back to the top of the bridges before calling Ten Thousand Falling Tears back to my hand. Whether allies or no, I would not refuse the help of those opposed to my enemies. At that moment, the leader of the Talon raced across the bridge to meet me. I called upon all my strength to fend of her furious attacks, hardly noticing the reactions of those around me. As decades-worth of sunlight bleached the bridge planks, I knocked aside her blows and responded with attacks of my own. She managed to land a few strikes, but in the end Ten Thousand Falling Tears no longer thirsted.&lt;BR&gt;<br /> I near swooned with relief as the fire-aspect fled with the remains of his troops, for I had but precious little left to battle him with. I realized the wood-aspect had been slain without my noticing--it seemed I owed my life twice over to this strange, tattooed man. No, this man... and his shadowy friend. Eino and the Masked Fox introduced themselves and revealed their caste-marks, and I realized I was among friends. I fear I was quite tongue-tied; I had never expected such fortune. Of course, our meeting had little to do with fortune after all, though perhaps the fortune was in Eino and the Fox's search for me, itself. My weapon I dismissed to the Elsewhere until further need while the Masked Fox summoned a powerful traveling-spell. I bound the eyes of Floating Dream and Cloud Shadow to prevent them panicking as the ground fell away, and we left behind the gorge with a sigh of relief. I shall sleep well tonight.</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=25979 2006-06-19T12:30:46Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1|Act 1]]</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=25978 2006-06-19T12:28:33Z

<p>Aubri: /* Further Adventures */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==<br /> [[Act 1|Oath-Graven_Diamond:Act1]]</div>

Aubri https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php?title=Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Characters:Oath-Graven_Diamond&diff=25556 2006-06-12T19:09:32Z

<p>Aubri: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Dreams_of_a_Fallen_Crown:Main_Page|(Go Back to Main Page)]]<br /> ----<br /> &lt;BR&gt;<br /> == Youth ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Adulthood ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In his twentieth year, Suraga volunteered his scale, by now an outstanding force, for the pursuit of a criminal into the wastes. The captain leading the composite talon was directed by a monk of the Immaculate Order to find a man accused of using blasphemous necromantic magics. They finally caught up to him at a large structure, half-buried in the sand. As the force stormed into the great building, the monk realized this was a Manse, and a tomb. None dared touch the enormous sarcophagus as tall as any two men which lay in the middle, carved with the features of a muscular dark-skinned man, a great orichalcum glaive laid atop his carved hands with a heartstone socketed in its base. &quot;Anathema,&quot; the monk spat.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;At that moment, the criminal's voice rung out from the far end of the chamber, echoing off the high ceiling. &quot;You think to take me within the very seat of my power?&quot; he laughed madly. &quot;You shall join the ranks of MY legion!&quot; Suddenly, a veritable army of jackal-headed zombies stepped from the shadows! The soldiers drew steel and engaged them in the enormous hall, but no blow struck against the creatures caused them any harm. The talon was surrounded, the screams of men a terrifying counterpoint to the zombies' silent attacks. Suraga ordered his men to sheathe their swords and concentrate on defending themselves. Within minutes, a glance showed that few remained alive, barely more than a fang left of his own troops--and that more than the any of the other four scales. Though the foe turned his bowels to water, he managed to keep the fear from his voice as he spoke to his troops over the din. He reminded them of their skill and their duty to the empire, and planned to make their way out by pushing back the zombies with their shields. It was a desperate plan, and Suraga hoped aloud that he would, in his death, bring to his family some measure of the honor he had failed to bring in life.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;His plan never went into action, however. As he spoke, he felt a new heat swelling in his chest, burning away uncertainty and fear. The onslaught of the zombies seemed to slow to a crawl, and a great voice like the clash of a thousand swords spoke to him. &quot;Child of fire, you lead men bravely against the enemies of your people despite the wrongs done to you by them. I once turned my face from the world's injustice, but no longer. I Exalt you above all others. Know that I am the Unconquered Sun, and lead the world into a new age in my name!&quot; The searing heat flowed through his body and lanced out through his brow, burning bright as the sun. White-gold fire blazed around Suraga, and the zombie assault finally halted; the creatures quailed at the sight of him, of the tall robed figure of golden fire who stood above him. Every eye turned on Suraga. The word &quot;Anathema&quot; rippled through the handful of remaining men, but many were yet entranced by his words and his appearance. In another moment, the spell was broken. The scale shattered, men fleeing heedless into the zombies to be cut to ribbons, or cowering on the floor until the same fate overtook them.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Four soldiers rallied around him, shields ready as they guarded their commander. Around Suraga, dead flesh burst into flame at his glance, but he was still overmatched. As he backed against the sarcophagus, he felt his hand reach--almost without thinking--for the great glaive. A strange urge pulled him to grasp it, to use it. Suraga vaulted the sarcophagus in a single leap and grasped the haft as he passed. He felt power flow into the impossibly heavy weapon, and it lurched up off the stone cradle, light as a feather in his hands! His anima blazed again as he shouted to the necromancer. &quot;I am Cathak Suraga, and I will see justice done this day!&quot; <br /> The glaive clove zombies in twain at a singles stroke, hacking through dead flesh and moldy bone as he approached the dais where fear finally touched the necromancer's eyes. The remaining mortals were struck down one by one as zombies crowded close. The sorcerer gathered himself to call down some foul magics upon Suraga, but he never got the chance; the glaive rose and flew. It flashed through the air and pierced his chest to the base of the blade, hurling him against the wall and pinning him there. The necromancer died on the orichalcum blade, words of power still half-formed on his lips. The zombies fell where they stood.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Suraga retrieved his weapon, letting the corpse slump to the floor. White fire slowly consumed it under Suraga's gaze. He wandered the floor, zombies burning in his wake until nothing remained but a dusting of ash.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Post-Exaltation ==<br /> &lt;P&gt;In following days Suraga returned to The Lap incognito, plagued by the burning question... was everything he'd learned of Anathema false, or were the vision and these new memories the seductive touch of demons? He knew he'd made no deals with dark powers; he'd been faithful to the Dragons and to the Empress his whole life. He remained only long enough to collect his belongings--particularly his favorite horses and his personal funds. As he left the moneychanger, alone and unarmed, a gang of thieves attacked him for the jade he carried. It was during this fight that Suraga discovered that using his new power reignited the anima banner that had faded since his fight with the zombies. Word spread like wildfire: Cathak Suraga has dealt with demons, has become Anathema, slew six men with hellfire from his bare hands.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;He galloped from the city, his Caste Mark burning on his brow for all to see, and fled back to the desert sepulchur to meditate on what he had become. Seizing on the command of the Unconquered Sun and his new memories to keep himself from simply surrendering to the Wyld Hunt, he wandered the edges of the desert, first making his way to Chiaroscuro to invest his jade under an assumed name.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> &lt;P&gt;Finally, he found his thoughts on being Anathema -- no; Exalted. He would not think that way. He firmly decided to believe that the Immaculate Order was farce, and that he himself was destined to rule the world by the divine command of the Unconquered Sun! Remembering his treatment at the hands of his family and the lessons of rulership taught as a child, so frequently disregarded by those in power, he swore a solemn vow to the Unconquered Sun that he would, indeed, return righteousness and justice to the world. He chose the alias &quot;Oath-Graven Diamond&quot; to replace the birth name he had come to despise and strode forth with new purpose. And if, perchance, the source of these powers lay with demons after all, he would use them for righteousness and justice as best he knew.&lt;/P&gt;<br /> <br /> == Further Adventures ==</div>

Aubri