Houses of Ilkaria: A Steampunk Fantasy

[Beowulf]

Buras made sure for perhaps the hundredth time that his equipment was where and as it should be, and for that matter the mobile forge. He wouldn't mind working in someone else's forge if he had to, but he'd much prefer to bring along his own. Though it was only a furnace on wheels, with anvil and other such tools firmly strapped to it. Perhaps he would end up using a stranger's forge, but that was akin to breaking into their house if you asked him. Well, if he asked and they let him then it wouldn't be quite as bad. But he'd use his own tools, he refused to cross that line.

He would not be going with any family members, those that he had had other things that needed to be done. Families and businesses to take care of. It would inconvenience them to join him. As it was he wasn't to fond of going either, his grumbling not only being about his tools. He had been planning a visit to one of the Drow cities for quite some time and was only waiting for the war to end before going there. And after that perhaps a human city, where he can study those zeppelins and zep-gliders. Flying around was a very un-dwarf like thing to do, but it never hurt to know how they worked and how to make a couple.

"That belongs there," he grumbled to himself as he shuffled his tools around once more, this time arranging them from lightest to heaviest. Other times it had been the opposite, then length of the tool, width of hammer head with the tools that were not hammers on the far end, almost in a separate category themselves. It was pointless busy work, but he had nothing better to do.

 

[Aragon]

The Aedairin delegation were the first to land, and among them, The Arbiter saw the person that would change his life forever. The brown-haired beauty was a sight to behold, but business was foremost on the Arbiter's mind. He led each member family to their quarters, and informed them that dinner would be held at sundown. He knew that the next race to arrive would be the Berkak, but he also knew that there would likely be multiple delegations of Berkak, therefore this would be the first of the delegations from Under the Mountains.

He felt the pull of some sort of bond he seemed to share with the dark beauty, and that troubled him. How could he fall for someone? He had a job to do, and that made things amply more difficult. Ah well, I suppose that fate has its games to play. Perhaps this is what I need.

He proceeded to prepare the meal using undetectable magics, and made sure it was nutritious and that each race had meals that aligned with their dietary needs and restrictions. The meal would be sumptuous and it would be accompanied by the best of wines, juices, meads, and beers, as well as the freshest, cleanest water, with berries and other fruits floated within to flavor.

He knew he would know when the Berkak delegates arrived.

 

[Aragon]

Torna shouted to the assembled, upon the moment of there setting off. "We set forth to change what is into what must be! This is an honorable quest, and we even have invited one of the Berkak's best metalsmiths, one Buras Garethson! He will be following after, but we go now! We set forth to honor our children so that our race may grow in size and in wealth! Let us now go forward!"

That rousing speech traveled in the minds of the elves that ran the tunnel to the south east. As they left the tunnel, they continued to run the twenty miles to the south east, as the palace loomed ahead. All Berkak could recognize the build of the Palace. The precision and beauty meant one thing: This ancient structure was of Berkak build. An astute Berkak might even be able to name the builder.

They ran to the western courtyard, and were met by the Arbiter, who appeared, of course, to be of Valena descent, until the delegates felt his magic surround them.

 

[Altrex]

Peering out the primary viewing window of the nearly brand new Zeppelin. Edwin gazed down upon the landing zone. His clothes were fancier than usual, a military dress uniform of deep blues embroidered with gold and silver strands. Upon his head sat his favorite wide brimmed hat adorned with a long feather. Among him were the other members of the delegation along with the necessary crew for the airship.

"For an occasion such as this, I feel I should be more nervous..." Edwin muttered to himself placing a hand to his chin and entering his own thoughts. He truly didn't feel slightly anxious about the upcoming summit of species, nor about meeting this 'Arbiter'. Granted Edwin was on of the few sapient creatures who cared little for the Ancients, preferring to instead put stock in his friends and comrades.

A deep horn could be heard as the Zeppelin announced its arrival and intention of landing jarring Edwin out of his thoughts. Spinning on his heels the man began to walk toward the disembarkation ramp, and idea the rest of the delegation had as well. Therefore when the ramp finally lowered a line of dignitaries were assembled to meet the open air. Descending from the ramp Edwin caught sight of him. The Arbiter. He had been schooled on magic during his service in the military and even had a small bit of talent in the field, the feeling he got from this being though made his ability seem minuscule in comparison.

That was when Edwin realized why he wasn't nervous. Instead he was relishing a challenge.

 

[PoetLore]

Renn been having the weirdest dream while on board this zeppelin. he kept seeing flashes of white moving through a thick fog. He didn't understand them, but he thought he heard a voice even when he was awake. It was a bit disturbing, and this last day of the trip he'd had neither so he figured it was just his own imagination getting the better of him. He'd been feeling oddly lonely traveling with all the other families. Being the only delegate without a family to join him, which hadn't really entered his conscious thoughts until now.

He's allowed all the others to disembark first before he finally and reluctantly made his way down the ramp. He stepped onto the receiving area and heard the voice. It couldn't be. He searched for the source and he saw someone with long white hair greeting everyone and he just stood there staring like an idiot. He couldn't move or even think. Surely he had not 'seen' the man before this. He'd have remembered that hair. He heard the dinner time and also where he was supposed to settle in but he hadn't moved. He was pretty sure his legs wouldn't ahve worked anyway.

The man he'd heard was the Arbiter, but how was that possible? He prepared for dinner after a short conversation with him. He needed time to process everything he had just heard. There was much to consider and his mind was only able to process a tiny bit of it. He needed to meditate and recover.

he went to his room and showered and then sat on the bed to mediate. He dressed in the best clothing he had available, not wishing to disgrace the Arbiter and even added a scent to hide the scent of the medicines her always carried. Regarding his imagine in the mirror he felt very inadequate for the task at hand, but he drew in a steadying breath and went to dinner, following the path through the corridor and back to the dining hall.

 

[PoetLore]

The Jabari zeppelin arrived soon after the Human ship had. Kylessa frowned at the humans as they stepped off the airship and onto the receiving area. "Murderers," she whispered as she watched.

Her father moved to stand next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Kylessa," Delsaren said firmly, "You must not allow prejudice and anger to cloud your thinking."

She turned to look up into her father's eyes, the one man she respected above all others. "I will try father," she said, "To please you. But I do not trust them. So many of us died at their hands.." The humans had killed more of them than any other force but that was merely because they had been vulnerable to their air attacks.

Delsaren nodded, "War carries that price," he said, "But peace cannot be gained while hatred and prejudice reins. Have a care for your spoken words my dear."

Kylessa frowned and bowed her head gently at the rebuke. "Forgive me, Father," she said, "It will not happen again."

Jastra joined her family, "What is do serious over here?" she asked and then looked out the window, "It is spectacular," she said as she looked at the palace.

Delsaren reached out to wrap an arm around his wife's waist and tug her to his side gently, "It is indeed," he said, "Kylessa and i were jsut remarking on that very things were we not dear?"

Kylessa nodded, "Yes, we were," she agreed but saw the look in his eye, "I understand it is dwarven crafted. I can see why people who choose to live in rocks would desire it. I cannot imagine being so separate from nature. But it is beautiful."

They were finally able to disembark once the Human's transport and given way for them and she followed her parents as they introduced themselves to the Arbiter. She smiled and nodded politely, keeping quiet but watching and looking around. They had been given spearate quarters so she would be staying alone essentially. She didn't exactly mind, it would give her a small amount of tie to vent and rant without her father's disapproval.

They had been instructed to attend dinner and she knew she'd be expected to wear the female attire of her people and not her hunting attire, so she complied and donned an flowing blue iridescent gown that fell in clinging waves to the floor and donned a crystal neck adornment that had been made for the gown and which she had been told reflected the blue of her eyes to great advantage, as if such a thing mattered to her. Still once attired she was a vision of loveliness and poked her tongue out at the mirror as she passed it.

She was all polite smiles and elegant grace when she met her parents in the hall. They made their way together down to the dinner.

 

[PoetLore]

Garrick too had been informed that the Berkak delegation had arrived in part. He wasn't honestly sure he wanted to know who they had chosen but he felt duty bound to greet them, because of his new friend the Arbiter.

He moved through the corridor and came to the tunnel that they'd traveled and stopped short when he'd seen Torna. They hadn't met since the war began but at one time they had been close friends. "Torna," he said with a nod, "You don't look a day over 500," he said with a very slight smile. At one time it would have been a loud boisterous voice and a huge belly laugh but that Garrick was no more. He looked over the delegation and tipped his head, "Where are the others?" he inquired.

He and Torna had engaged in a bit of information exchange and updating before the whole delegation had retired to find their quarters. He helped greet and guide the humans and the Aedairins as well. They had only to greet the Vaelena and the Ferregard and the summit of races could begin in earnest. he was at least glad that there had been no issues yet. He hoped that would continue.

 

[PoetLore]

The cloaked figure had stayed slightly behind and out of sight. He saw both his targets but there were far too many people around for an effective attempt at this time, but he was a patient and dedicated assassin. His time would come.

 

[Maggie]

When Aylina arrived, slightly later than the others, she found her way over to the Arbiter with a polite smile and a polite curtsy. "Excuse me, Arbiter. My name is Aylina Rosebud; I'm wanting to join the delegation. Do I have your approval?" She waited with baited breath, everything depended on his yes or no answer... If he said no, she'd have no choice but to go right back home. She only hoped she'd be met with a favorable answer.

 

[Aragon]

The Arbiter looked at the young Valena female, and smiled. "Your people sent you, did they not? You are among the five sent by your race? If so, all that remains is the voting on the house Lord Delegate, which you may be if your house nominates you, and the Hegemony agrees to retain you." He nodded to the dining hall, "For now, mingle with the others till sundown, and dinner will be served in that hall."

He bowed politely to the female, and moved away, to finish making the meal.

 

[PoetLore]

Magana boarded the zeppelin with the other Ferregard but like everyone else she did NOT like it. They were a feet on the ground kind of people, who believed they were without wings by the will of the ancients and flying was therefore not something that was intended for them. However, none of them were willing to admit their unease or discomfort. They had indeed brought General Knurigg along, though he was not one of the bloodline leaders. He was ...an escort.

They arrived and happily and possibly a bit hastily left the zeppelin and approached the palace. It was OBVIOUSLY dwarven made which prickled their ire a bit, but they made no outward show of that friction. They met the arbiter, an elf and began to feel a sense of unease as a group. Dwarves and elves had been their enemies during the great war and no they were to be judged by an elf, and judged in a dwarven palace. They were not the happiest of the delegations to be sure. They were led to their spaces, which were finely appointed which pleased them somewhat. They made ready after a brief meeting and went as a group, a deliberate show of unity and force, down to the prepared banquet.

Magana for her part, being a little less stupid about the relations with the dwarves, could appreciate the magnificent craftsmanship of this structure. She was uneasy but she was willing to keep an open mind until they gave her no other choice. She wore the dark red regalia of her village proudly as she made her way with the other Ferregard to the banquet.

 

[Beowulf]

Finally it was Buras' turn to set off. And so he climbed up to the pompous position behind all the glitter and glow that was ceremonies, in this case an anvil that was brushed with gold held aloft by dwarven men with their beards so long that they were needed to be tucked away or risk being tripped over, and waved politely to the gathered crowd as his caravan, for that's what it was compared to some of the other's, made it's way down the tunnel.

As soon as they were out of sight of the city, his hand dropped, he told those holding him up to stop, and climbed down to return to his place next to furnace on wheels. All the while he was grumbling about how that anvil "wouldn't last a day in my forge", though the dwarves carrying it would beg to differ. And lucky for them, none of his tools were missing from their last known spot. If even one had mysteriously vanished, he would have no doubt ordered the procession to turn around and search on their hands and knees if they had to for it.

But as it stood, dwarves as a whole had rather short legs, and this particular group had to also haul a forge with them the whole way. Beasts of burden could only shave off so many minutes. They had planned for this and his was the last group to leave for the Palace, so as not to slow the rest down to keep an appropriate distance.

But soon enough he arrived at the palace. "Strom Jorsson," he said absentmindedly, naming the dwarf mason that had designed the Palace. His works were indeed well respected, but he didn't much care for stone. It was far to brittle half the time, and heating it only made the problem worse the other half. Wood was better material to work with, at least it didn't splinter in your hands as you worked with it.

Once more he ascended to his pompous position to make the final stretch. And once again, he was all to eager to get down once honor dictated it would be fine. And that was when he spotted Garrick and they came to a stop. And once his feet were firmly on the ground, he cut straight to the point. "Where is the forge?" He wasn't one to beat around the bush or make it sound fancy, no matter how they demanded he dressed. Once he was pointed in the right direction, he looked at the ones responsible for his equipment and said, "You heard him, off with you now." Unsurprisingly he went with them in order to make sure they didn't lose anything.

Once he reached the forge, he stopped just short of entering, recalling what else had to be done. Ah yes, dinner. 'I guess I am a little hungry,' he thought to himself as he gazed forlornly at the doors to the forge and walked away. His dress was just as bright as some of the metals he worked with, and would have been just as gaudy had he not put his foot down. So all in all, he wore the wide, flat topped, and traditional white hat of smiths trimmed in blue. The rest of his get up's color scheme followed that of his hats, white with blue trim. And it was so fluffy, his hands could easily hide in the sleeves if he wasn't careful. The blue sash that crossed his stomach, meant to hold his beard if need be, had fanciful gold flourishes. And his pant legs hid his shoes, so he was able to wear his comfortable leather shoes. All in all he felt to dressed up, but at least he could wear his comfortable shoes. A small comfort, but you learn to appreciate them.

 

[Aragon]

Torna was amused by Garrick's "a day over five-hundred" comment, and replied grasping his old friend's shoulder, "I had better not! I've not even reached my four-hundredth year!" He nodded, "You, friend, have been through it, and I don't envy you, but let's see to our work. It may be that you can see yourself as atoning in future."

Giving Garrick's hand a firm grasp, and staring full into his eyes, he said, in the language of the Berkak, "You still are a friend and brother to me. That you must know." He knew the importance of such a statement in his own language. "May you find peace during this meeting, my brother."

With that, he headed off toward the Dining Hall.
@Altrex

 

[Altrex]

It seemed the Larens had arrived in-between each of the other races, neither coming last nor first. Edwin held behind his group walking slowly and sweeping his eyes across the landing platform and finally the hallway. The Arbiter seemed to be shepherding people into the dining hall, which given the hour was an appropriate action.

When it became apparent that hanging back was going to cause Edwin to minge with the Elven delegation, he sped up actually passing by the Laren group. If they were going to have diner, then he wasn't going to sit with people he knew gossiping about the other races. They'd already done that on the trip over, except for a few quiet types. No Edwin wanted something much more interesting.

Managing to enter the dining hallway just after the a Dwarven group he made his way over to where they were just beginning to seat themselves. Technically the two races were still at war as a formal declaration of peace was yet to be made, still for multiple reasons Edwin didn't feel particularly threatened. Besides he was nominally a diplomat, why not diplomatize?

He recognized two of the dwarves based on descriptions he'd been furnished with and luckily they were already together, locking eyes with his target Edwin approached the two. With a formal bow he said, "Greetings, forgive me for being sudden but I request the opportunity to dine with your delegation this evening. I feel in these times of turmoil our kind doesn't get to simply enjoy a moment together." Rising from the bow a broad smile had spread across Edwin's face. It was madness to approach an enemy like this. But this kind was Edwin's kind of madness.

 

[PoetLore]

Renn made his way down to the dinner, he didn't see the Arbiter anywhere and he felt his heart sink a bit. There was an odd kind of frisson in the air that he did not like at all. Something was wrong. he looked around the room, trying to number the members and account for everyone. He did not see the Arbiter or Garrick and he frowned. He'd noticed the the dwarf had been assisting the Arbiter in greeting everyone. Perhaps they were more than friends?

He moved among the delegates without actually speaking to anyone. He had a way of blending in without being noticeable, and it was one of his more refined social skills. He moved around the room, and seeing the Ferregard delegation he reversed his steps and moved back around the other way. This was a peaceful congregation but that didn't mean people were all warm and fuzzy with each other, or even happy about being there. He couldn't possibly be the only reluctant member of a delegation.

He slowly moved to the main entrance, hoping they would appear in that part of the room when they arrived.

 

[Aragon]

The Arbiter came out of the kitchen, loaded the table with the food and drink, then went to join Garrick, walking around the outer ring of the Hegemony hall. He chatted softly with the Dwarf, and they shared some chuckles at the reactions of the different races. "This will be difficult, friend." This he knew without a doubt.

As they headed toward the hall, something hot as a poker was suddenly shoved between his shoulder blades. The blade now settled into its place, and The Arbiter saw black. His body pitched forward, with a thump.

 

[PoetLore]

Kylessa entered the dinning area with her parents and they made quite a stunning entrance, dressed in full formal attire. her gown clung to every curve and angle of her body and the color of it made her blue green eyes seem to glow as the gown shone in the light from the crystal lamp high above them.

She very soon saw the human delegation, mostly because she was marking their positions in the room for her own reference. She did note that the one member of their delegation had approached the dwarves and her brow winged slightly. 'What was he up to?' she wondered mentally. She accepted a glass of water with berries floating in it.

Her eyes kept going back to that human wondering at his tactics and purposes. She was not obvious in this, but she was irrationally curious as to his reasoning.

Delsaren followed her gaze and brushed a hand over her arm and the look in his eyes when she met them would tell her he was displeased. Jastra was busy being the social butterfly she was meant to be, and after being convinced his daughter was sufficiently rebuked into obedience, he joined his wife. They were both born diplomats and peacemakers. This group was no different to them.

Kylessa felt the look from her father wilt her insides in a way that infuriated her, but it was no less effective in spite of her ire. Her head bowed and her eyes were cast down before he left her to join her mother. She fought against the sting in her eyes, refusing to show that weakness to him or anyone else. Not here, not now. later when she was alone she could battle her inner demons.

 

[PoetLore]

Garrick grinned at Torna and huffed. "Aye my old friend. I have indeed, but it was well earned."


He was humbled and happy to hear their native tongue. His hand clasped Torna's arm, "And you my brother are here in my heart as well." he replied in that ancient tongue. "We will see how things fare. Redeem our people my brother."

He parted from them and went about helping wherever he could and they had the final preparations finished and he and the Arbiter were in the hall walking and talking and laughing a bit. He saw the flash of the blade that struck him and his own ax that hung at his side at all times was in his hand in less than a second as he turned and rent the attacking nearly in half with the force of his blow.

His eyes widened as he fell to his knees. "Jogan?" he gasped out in despair seeing death in his eyes. he turned his attention immediately to the Arbiter, "HEALER!!!!" he called loudly. He prayed to the Ancients for his life. "Not by our hands," he prayed. His mind and soul torn to shreds in that hall.

@Maggie

 

[Maggie]

Aylina was alerted by the chaos of someone getting stabbed. When she found out more about it, she raced off to find Renn a renowned healer of the delegation. She practically bumped into him, and hurriedly explained why he was needed, and lead him back to the injured man. "Please, I know you can heal him." She said, waiting to be told how she could help, or if she'd need to go find things for the healer.

 

[PoetLore]

Magana stood tall and proud but slightly apart from her Ferregard counterparts. She had grown bored of their posturing and their overt hostility for the Dwarf delegation. As far as she could tell they were behaving honorably, even the one who had been blamed for starting the Great War. That dwarf seemed to her to be harboring a the burden of every soul that fell during the war, and to her that was completely untrue. He did not cause the races to take a stance against one another, nor did he perpetuate the hostilities.

She was lost in the reverie, when she heard a commotion in the hall and made her way toward it. She saw the Arbiter on the ground, covered in blood, and the one called Garrick kneeling beside him and another Dwarf nearly cleaved in two behind. She was not a healer, and knew she would be of no assistance in that regard, but she grabbed the dead dwarf and dragged him by his feet a distance down the tunnel and left him there. She took up his axe and drove it into the wall with a great roar, This weapon will not harm another," she said as she stood firm and watched the rest unfold.

@Beowulf