<Aesra> @kanila Aerith opened fire with his pistol but it was far off the mark as he saw Aesra lunging towards him. Rolling through the dirt, the pesky Kabalite ducked underneath Beastmaster's skyboard, who in turn, using the speed provided, managed to ram into of the other warriors who was busy with having to deal with one of the Ravenwings and thus failing to spot the bigger threat. Suffice to say, Aesra cut the unfortunate Dark Eldar in two, the broken pieces falling onto the ground. But then Aerith took another aim and opened fire, riddling the Beastmaster's back with more splinter shards and setting his nerves on fire. He felt his body bleeding but was once again rewarded with a bit of satisfaction as his Razorwings managed to kill yet another Kabalite, three of them gauging his eyes out and proceeding with the rest of his skull. "Screw this, lets split!" seeing that the odds were now completely in Aesra's favor, Aerith got up and ran, followed with the last surviving Kabalite, both of them fleeing combat and escaping behind couple of buildings in the back, leaving the corpses of their comrades for the Ravenwings to feed upon. Still, despite not losing a single bird, Aesra suffered some wounds and it would probably be a good idea to have that checked upon so he doesn't risk poison infection or something like that. Thankfully, another person who might help him was close by...(@Maleth ) OOC You finished combat with 7HP (out of 10 with which you started with). Since this is just a "practice", you'll get "regenerated" back to the top for the start of the next mission, either you'll magically heal or Maleth's Wych will help you out with that <Yrara - Entrance> @Vulpas As Yrara approached the gates, the guards stood at attention and the Dracon in charge nodded, satisfied that the last of the newcomers was finally here. "Greetings Haemonculus," he said, taking the invite and handing Yrara a slate with information concerning layout of the inner fortress, with some basic info where to find places of interest such as crew quarters, pleasure bar, stuff like that. "We are happy that you answered our call," it was always a good idea to be polite to a Haemonculus. After all, these Dark Eldar fleshcrafters might hold your fate in their hands one day. "Enter the fortress and await for the Archon summons with the rest. Since you are all here it won't be long now." <Thû> @Draconion "So a performer as well as an assassin? I'll do well to remember that," the Archon replied, giving Thû the slightest of nods before gesturing to the painting right next to the one he was looking at. It was a continuation of the same theme like before, although here the Dark Eldar commander was clashed in a single combat against an onyx-skinned giant clad in green armor with many draconic images painted across it, although despite his "primarcy" it was clear who had the upper hand. Archon approached the wall next to it and clicked couple of digits on the hidden panel, after which the painting began glowing with fiery orange, giving a nice color to the setting and letting the Dark Eldar commander have a blazing halo while also making his opponent's eyes shine with inner fire. "It's an effect of an artifact I took from that creature," Archon explained, placing his fingers on his long chin as if deep in thought, "A small bauble really, but capable of creating significant amounts of fiery energy. I gave it to my cook first so he could better prepare food for my hound, but after thinking more about it, I prefer it here. It gives a nice illumination to the painting and the entire setting, don't you agree?" While Archon talked, Thû also became aware of the big ball of shadow moving around the nearby statues and he could now spot white eyes on a giant canine head, plus a number of whipcord muscles riddling its powerful body. It was some sort of a thing that walked on four legs, but the way it moved was still hidden from Mandrake's sight although there was something familiar about it, as if he was seeing a long lost cousin or something. Besides the thing, he also spotted five Incubi warriors moving to stand at the edge of the gallery, keeping their polite - yet short - distance away from the party. "Did you have some experience with the art during your travels Thû? Perhaps you've created some forms of it yourself? Or do the shadows of Aelindrach still form the essence of your soul and despite your polite manner, you are nothing more than a mindless killer?" Archon asked, still looking at the painting.
@bossaroo @Casavay Kaesar had just finished a swig when he noticed the blademaster and kabalite from earlier enter the bar. Wiping the residue of wine from his lips, Kaesar noticed Ave'ras shook his head at the sight of Kaesar's drinking, first he arched an eyebrow in amused curiosity, then he laughed. He didn't much care for their opinions of him. Kaesar lifted the bottle in greeting, if they even noticed him amidst their storytelling, and took a swig. He threw the bottle on the table and resumed waiting, watching the slave poles and the joy of their tormentors.
Seeing that his foe had retreated disappointed Aesra, but he was sure that wouldn't be the last he would hear of them. As the Razorwings feasted on their prize, Aesra hopped down from his skyboard and retrieved Aerith's knife. He felt the pain shoot through his back briefly when he hit the ground, he would need to get that checked out soon to prevent further injury. Sifting through the dead kabalites gear he grabbed any money they had as well as their weapons. Once he was complete he jumped back onto his skyboard, and headed back to the main courtyard. Surely one of the new recruits was talented in healing, it would just be a matter of finding them. As he sailed back, Razorwings in tow, he kept an eye out for Aerith to show up seeking revenge. He would need to handle the upstart soon, it didn't pay to have enemies this close. But the point was made, don't mess with Aesra the Beastmaster!
<Thû> "Mindless, Lord? You do so wound me," replies Thû with a mellifluous chuckle, "As for a killer? Most assuredly - that is, after all, my art." Moving a fold of his midnight-blue cloak aside, he exposes one of the trophies hanging by a cord from his waist - a human skull, unusually large with abnormally thickened bones. Four platinum studs are drilled into the bone of the right brow, and flowing scrimshaw designs that mimic the patterns on Mandrake skin adorn most of the right half of the jawbone, with evidence of work-in-progress climbing up to the right temple. "I have, however, been known to dabble in other crafts on the side. There is great beauty to be found in the shadows, for those with eyes to see," he says conversationally, "A captain of his kind, I have been led to believe. Certainly a worthy challenge."
After being given the map of the area, Heltherith had decided to visit the Slave Pens as a chance to look around and see how they fared on that front in terms of numbers of slaves, their overal quality, and how ethical they were in treating their slaves (given it was a matter close to the heart). However, that plan was put on hold when she saw the Beastmaster who'd obviously already gotten himself into a fight heading her way, so she said to him (@kanila ) while she produced her medical tools: "Would you mind holding on for a moment? I'd like to tend to your wounds before you end up shouting out to everyone that you're the sorta guy that makes 'friends' like a slave makes friends with their whip with those wounds of yours." Sure it wasn't perhaps not the most glamorous use of her talents, but Mertrixa felt that having a Beastmaster who owed her one was a worthy asset for future things. Even if the end result of her act of charity was something as simple as having one less person she had to worry about being as inclined to murder/enslave/anything else they wanted to do with her.
@Maleth Slightly surprised about the offer for aide Aesra stopped and turned towards the wych. "As long as it doesn't result in a knife in the back. You're one of the prospects too I take it?" Hopping down from his skyboard another jolt of pain shot through his back. The flock settled onto his skyboard watching the wych, some were pruning themselves from their recent meal. Taking a few steps towards the wych, "I am Aesra, and you'd do best not to venture around here alone. But of course you look like you could handle yourself without aid." He rolled his shoulders, relieving some of the pent up tension from the scuffle moments ago.
<Thû> @Draconion "I've always found it redundant to show off such trophies collected from the lesser races. They are nothing to us, one day when there is nothing left of them but ash and dust, we shall still be here alongside our empire. So why put on a display a piece that only proves something everyone knows already?" "But yes," Archon nodded and turned towards the exit, where the ball of shadows and the rest of his bodyguards were already waiting, "There will be opportunity for you to show your skill assassin. Hopefully I won't find you wanting. Now follow." <Introduction with the Crimson Lord - Mission 1 briefing> @Wata @Vlayden @kanila @Draconion @Maleth @Vulpas @Casavay @bossaroo Soon after everyone was allowed the entry to the fortress, each of them was found and "politely" interrupted at whatever they were doing at that moment. Archon was finally ready to receive them and he would not be kept waiting. Everyone (except Thû who was already inside) would meet in front of the spire where they would be ushered inside afterwards, and under heavy guard - at least two dozen Kabalite Warriors were present as an escort and they would herd them like simple animals towards their destination which was a chamber further up the spire, close to its peak. The chamber they entered now was quite large, at each side there were great statues of old Archons made to look as if they were holding the ceiling, although since the chamber was also quite high it was impossible to see its end so the statues gave the impression as if the occupants of the chamber were being looked down upon by those ancient Dark Eldar. The warriors from their escort moved and took position around those statues, keeping close watch on the newcomers. In front of them, further in the back they could see steps leading to a great dais on top of which a throne was placed, a thing made of crimson marble which had the effect of always raining blood down onto the steps beneath it. Sitting on the throne was a tall Dark Eldar dressed in crimson robes lined with silver, although bulky enough for them to know he was carrying some sort of armor beneath. He was armed with an archaic single-barrel pistol of unknown design and a silver blade that seemed to draw the light onto itself and shape it in forms that would invite madness if one would focus too closely on it. The Archon himself was looking somewhat young, although his eyes showed otherwise - a pitch black well of infinite malice and hatred, completely in tone with his position. At his side, near the bottom of the dais they could see a monstrous creature, twice the size of a Khymerae hound. It was some sort of a wolf-like monster with black fur and whipcord muscles that walked on all fours. But what was disturbing was that its form seemed to be out of focus, as if the thing existed in some other dimension as well as in this one. Currently, it was emitting a low growl and was busying itself with chewing some bones. Close to it, five Incubi stood guard, four of them armed with klaives and the fifth one, both Venessia and Kaesar knowing that this one was an actual Hierarch, was armed with smaller versions of the blade - twin demi-klaives. Next to them stood the Lord they met earlier who welcomed them at the gates, his halberd standing at the ready and the old Dark Eldar looking sour as ever. However on the other side of the dais there was a round table with some refreshment on it and couple of chairs placed around it and on one of it sat a quite interesting Dark Eldar female. Even by a simple glance they would know she was some sort of a Wych, her suit of armor custom made and like usual for her caste, not hiding much. High dark-leather boots that reached the middle of her thighs, a segmented piece of armor that covered her entire left arm as well as couple of chains and hooks dangling from her belt where they also saw a pair of masterfully-crafted daggers, looking so sharp that they could cut through anything. She was also beautiful but not only in a way Dark Eldar women are, but more in a way a confident woman is attractive. Her gaze was deadly, she simply radiated certainty and confidence, the stance of the apex predator filling her every move. Adding to that full red lips and long black and red hair, tied into braids and almost reaching the floor, you had the complete picture of the Kabal's "queen". For what it was worth, she payed absolutely no mind to the newcomers and was currently busying herself with cleaning her long nails, looking quite bored. The final character they could see was standing in the middle of the room, his looks somewhat strange and quite distinctive (@Draconion ), a Mandrake of some sorts, who apparently came there before them and was waiting for everyone to arrive. "Greetings," once everyone took their place and he was sure every eye was on him, Archon Zar'uil began, "And welcome to my home. I see most of you got your invitations and that is good. I shall use this opportunity to illuminate you in the fact that in case you thought the letter found you randomly, you were wrong. I was looking for individuals possessing your skillset and it is I who orchestrated that you arrive here today, for there is so much to do." He rose from his throne and stepped down, moving towards the edge of the chamber, past the statues and gesturing for the rest to follow him. As he approached the edge, the wall began moving and revealed a wide balcony with quite a beautiful view of the Nether Gale tier. From this vantage point, they could see the entire plateau spreading before their eyes. They saw walls creating the borders of the Crimson Moon's fortress as well as many buildings inside of it, making the entirety of their domain. To the right and past the walls, they saw many buildings, both large and small, spreading in haphazard fashion across the plateau with various types of walls surrounding them, in some places even completely lacking the usual protection. On the left, also past the walls, they saw similar walled area although instead of a singular spire like here, they saw three smaller spires somewhat close to each other, all of them looking as if part of the same fortress. In front of them, they could also spot the entrance into Lower Commorragh as well as hyper-tubes leading upwards and further into Dark City's interior. "Tell me," Archon broken the silence as he placed his gauntleted hands on the railing, "What do you see?"
Ave'ras was a bit saddened by having his story telling session interrupted but it was soon overrridden with the excitement and terror that comes with meeting an Archon . As he was corralled with the rest of the new recruits he took stock of them , 2 incubi assassins would be troubled, a wych always a sight to see, a haemonculus hopefully this one would last a little bit longer , his associate if he could call her that the blade smith , and most unqiue of all a beast master and his flock. Ave'ras would've viewed the beautiful spire he was in until he spotted Aeriths dagger on the beastmaster's belt. If that bastard Aerith got himself killed before he could have a Teach him h- . The warrior took a deep breath before a crack formed again though to an observer it would appear as if he was nervous As they arrived in the Archon's throne room it truly was a sight to behold . The structure itself and the court it held truly were a sign of a Kabal destined for something great . The Beast at Zur'uil's feet caused him to pale in the slightest as he gazed upon it , the flickering it had perturbing him the most. His attention was drawn like a moth to flame when the Archon began to speak. The warrior was quite shocked when it was said he had been chosen by purpose a fact he found hard to believe while he was a warrior who fought well he found it hard to bel- well he had hired Aerith so maybe he wasnt picky about his kabalite warriors The sight of the Nether Gale was almost breath taking even for such a place riddled with deciet and treachery and distrust it could still look so wondrous but many devious things did like-wise so he supposed it was so. Zur'uil had finished his speech with a question and it lingered in the air as the new-found recruits and the crimson moon stood silent. Soon the soft spoken warrior answered his soon to be lord " Lord, i see opportunity and obstacles the promise of advancement for the kabal but also adversaries who will not give in easily, their own mistake" Ave'ras spoke will his head titled downwards though still looking at the Archon he gazed at his feet and not his head , the warriors docility showing through
No sooner had Aesra been patched up, the Archon called for them. He along with the others were quickly ushered inside the great spire. He smirked behind his mask as he scanned the escorting kabalites. On some deep level he hoped to see the one who had started the fight, if only to further shame his defeat. Claiming his knife which was proudly adorned on his belt. Not finding the one he was looking for, he turned his attention to the group with him. Truly a mottley crew, perhaps the Archon was filling gaps in vital roles? But again it appeared to be a general call out for recruits, so who truly knew. The journey to the upper most levels of the spire was silent, save the footsteps of those making the journey forward. Stepping out into the grand chamber only a fool would not appreciate the grandiose architecture. Both designed to impress and belittle the visitors that traveled here. The beastmaster's gaze was immediately drawn to the beast that lounged, growling while chewing on bones. It was the same beast that he had heard earlier, he was certain of this. The fantastic beast was a thing of both beauty and myth! Before he could examine it further his attention was quickly snapped back to reality as the Archon spoke. The fact that they were all selected for this made him feel like a beast in the market, chosen for their abilities. Walking to a hidden balcony over looking the surrounding Nether Gale, the Archon proposed a single question. 'Tell me, what do you see?' Before he could answer it seemed the kabalite that had traveled up with them had answered. Aesra listened to his words and nodded in agreement, before speaking himself. "Lord, they are fools flying the wrong banner. They must be taught the folley of that mistake."
As all the invited talent was gathered Kaesar scanned the group. Another Incubus, seems like a hard ass and capable, he'll judge for himself once he sees her in action. A beastmaster too and a haemonculus. My, my...this is going to be interesting. Once they reached the Archon, Kaesar had his usual amused smile, all these new faces and cold blooded killers. When they were led to the balcony, Kaesar was silent at the Archons question. He was a bodyguard and he knew his mouth usually could get him in trouble, best keep sarcasm and quips in check when dealing with Archons with massive canine beasts and a number of killers at his back. He kept up a professional attitude and acted interested in the view from the balcony. Let others do the talking, for now. They already said the obvious anyway.
