RuneScape Forum Archive | Draconic Interactions (3)

Darlantan

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"My dear Emperor, I am not one to reveal my hand simply to prove a bluff; that type of action is reserved for a target, and I would 'quietly pass in my sleep' in under a week if I deemed to defy that protocol," the man replied rather nonchalantly. "Even if it would be effective, I hardly have enough of a personal stake in this border town to throw away my life for it. I'll admit, your zeal is admirable, but is the destruction of an innumerable number of species called dragons the truly the best form of retribution? Call it a matter of personal preference, but I think it a greater act of retribution to take from them as they took from us. Their physiology... it is remarkable, far more advanced than our own, almost as if they were consciously created as tools of destruction. That is why our studies on them accelerated development by decades... and when there is so much more still to be taken, why destroy them now? I'd think that more fitting when they have nothing left to take."

03-Jul-2014 16:09:59

Darlantan

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The man paused for a moment, then continued, his tone growing serious. "But on a less formal note... I would be wary about the level of desparation you drive them to. They may be demons to you, but they are truly little more than intelligent beasts. You shoot them, they bleed, they die. True demons... they are abominations, horrors which could wade through a sea of bullets unscathed. Perhaps such beings sound farfetched... but are they truly unbelievable when a mere child can open a portal to a mirror world where a man can immolate another with merely a thought? I know little of true demons, but I know of records of them swathing paths of destruction on Neuva. I will not presume to know what the dragons are capable of... but they are an ancient race. If anything knows how to unleash a demon on Neuva, I am convinced it is a sect of dragons. And if they don't... I believe their Elunian cousins would happily teach them. It is no secret dragons dominate Elune with empires that dwarf even your own. I expect they would gladly seek the destruction of a human empire when they learn it seeks the destruction of their own kind. I even have reason to believe such a 'project' may already be under way. Our sources indicate the population of dragons in the surrounding area has dropped drastically over the past months, more so than could be explained as casualties to war. Perhaps they have simply decided to forsake their homes for millennia and escape to Elune... or perhaps it is an evacuation in preparation for just such an attack. After all, demons don't discriminate when it comes to prey..."

03-Jul-2014 16:25:20

NarBloodwolf

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Rhen was about to retort to Forlirn's words when the surge of magic rippled through the air. Rhen almost stopped mid-stride and stumbled as the surge of magic hit. To Rhen it felt like a punch to the gut as his cells got a shock of the ambient magic. After the brief shock Rhen picked up his pace once more with renewed vigor with the new font of magic flowing in the air.

''For***n!? Did you feel that? This much magic should not be here something is very wrong here. I have the feeling that there is more than an artifact causing all this.'' Rhen shouted to Forlirn over the shrieks as he turned and began to harness the magic in the air to attempt to open rifts to the void.

Rhen had never tried to open rifts on the run. He didn't even know if he could actually open rifts here even with the magic in the air. But it was worth a try to slow down the pursuing creatures. Rhen put most of his focus on running but a good bit was diverted to opening void rifts. If he was right and if he could do it, either one of two things might happen. One the rifts would open making temporary portals to the void that might trap the creatures. Two another explosion might happen like the one that cost him his life as a watcher.

03-Jul-2014 20:04:09

Basileus257

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<The same to you Caelidorus. I'll see you in this temple. Don't do something stupid and get yourself killed. it doesn't look like our normal means of attack are going to be of much help here. Did you see what my bullet did to one of those things?>

Matt continued to run towards the apparent safety of the Temple. Dozens of separate thoughts flooded into his mind. *What are these things? How can such things be? Why is there magic in Neuva?~ "Forlirn!" Matt shouted as he was running. "Did you see what happened when I shot at one of those things? Caelidorus achieved similar results with his lightning. How are we supposed to kill these things when all of our weapons are useless?"

"Hmm... just as I suspected." The Emperor began. "You have no more love for those creatures then I do. That's why you haven't said a word about Glaruindem. You don't give a damn about them or their well being. Rather, you only care about how a war would impact your profit margins. Don't get me wrong, I understand your concerns. But that is why I don't see why we cannot cooperate. The points you make about the hell spawn are valid and I believe your research could ensure our kind achieves total dominance on this world and the other one. But let me get back to that in a moment."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

03-Jul-2014 23:51:37

Basileus257

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Now in regards to these demonic entities that you mention..." He continued. "I say let those reptiles bring them to this world. Our people have the weapons needed to defeat such abominations. Plus, the reptiles in Elune will find assisting their Neuvian counterparts in summoning these demons you mention to be quite a big mistake. I have friends all throughout both worlds. It is true that dragonkind does dominate. However, there are many places where the people ruled by them are looking for any sort of excuse to rebel. I recall a certain empire in Elune. It was called the.... Tempests I believe. My friends tell me that they treat all non-Tempests like second class citizens. Many of the humans would gladly rebel if they thought that they could win. Now lets say this Tempest empire were to help release these demons onto our world. When word of that reaches the people of Elune, I suspect that you would see rebellions breaking out all throughout their empire. I'm not just talking about human rebellions either. I think you will see multiple races rebelling against Tempest authority. Perhaps you would even see more moderate Tempests joining or leading the rebellion. I think it is reasonable to assume that other kingdoms would invade to take their share of the collapsing empire. By the time all was said and done, I believe that there would be no sign of their once mighty empire."

The Emperor paused to take a sip from a glass of water before continuing.
"Now back to our previous subject. I would like to cooperate with you and see where your research takes you. However, I cannot agree to anything that does not allow us to annex whatever territories we please. So here is what I propose: You do not intervene in our invasion and in return, we pay for any and all damages that result from the war. Also, we will provide you with a supply of living Dragon specimens to continue your research. Also, we will ignore any... less then ethical means of research. Would that be acceptable?

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

04-Jul-2014 00:09:27

Darlantan

Posts: 3,189 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

<My lightning seemed to distract them for at least a moment, even if it did no harm. I may be able to buy us time****;
Caelidorus launched several more bolts of lightning at the approaching creatures, again seeming to do nothing more than cause the abominations to break away from their pursuit for several seconds. He did not seem to have any intention of sacrificing himself to buy time, however, as he winged toward the great temple. He was flying much more slowly than he was capable of; he did seem to intend on acting as a rearguard.

"Light can daze them, but nothing short of magic can harm them. Seems we have magic now, which means I can buy us time, perhaps enough to modify our weaponry. Get in the temple; the barrier I'm creating is weak and will shatter if anything physical passes through!" Forlirn replied in a shout of his own, evidently too focused on taking action to add input to Rhen's hunch. The aged dragon skidded to a halt just within the great archway of the temple, removing some sort of ink from his bag, dipping a claw in, and furiously sketching out a mage circle of some sort. As if in response to the sudden influx of magic, the dimly-lit ruins brightened as the ceiling became like the dusk sky in both light and hue. Blackish purple light raced up along the intricate carvings which seemed to cover every ediface and pillar of the sprawling palace, the ruins themselves seeming to come to life, even the carved tiles of the floor giving off the strange light. Mysteriously, only the temple to which they were escaping did not change. The building was large but simple in structure, possessing only a cavernous hallway leading to a domed, central chamber presumedly made for worship. Beautifully carved images of dragons seemed to cover and make up every portion of the temple interior, but what caught the eye was a great altar depicting a dragon at the very back of the temple. Clutched in the dragon's claws was a massive black jewel, glowing with a purple light.

13-Jul-2014 08:56:28

Darlantan

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"Glaruindem is meaningless; only the fashion industry has any stake there and their say is worthless," the man replied, his tone growing casual once more. "And you are correct; I do no contact you out of a desire to protect the dragons, but to preserve the delicate balance achieved here which has so accelerated our progress. 'Unethical' research... I shall simply say that our facilities extend deep into dragon territory, even if no records of such facilities have ever existed. No... the crux of the matter is the particular nature of the research we conduct here becomes exponentially more difficult to carry out when the subjects are unwilling. The loss of such subjects would delay our projected developmental schedule by decades. If we are to conduct such research efficiently, we require a positive image among our subjects and a front in which to do so. Your current plan of annexation threatens one or the other depending on our response. Were we to unoppose your conquest, we would retain our front but lose our image, which would cost us our willing subjects. Were we to oppose you, we would lose our front but retain our image, which would also cost us our subjects. While leaving the city untouched would be the simplest way for us to retain both, my only imperative is to ensure we retain a supply of willing subjects and the means to continue our research on our subjects; the city itself is inconsequential. Without an agreement which would allow us to retain our positive image with the dragons, a supply of dragons willing to participate in our research, and the facilities in which to perform this research, I will be incapable of reaching a compromise with you. Of course, an agreement which fulfills those terms would be acceptable. Our resources are vast; we are more than capable of fulfilling scenarios which a more typical organization could not achieve."

13-Jul-2014 09:33:34

Darlantan

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The man paused again; there was a faint rummaging sound, as if he were shuffling through paperwork of some sort.
"Curious you should mention the Tempest Empire of Elune. They have been the most difficult to infiltrate and glean information from despite their size... but of all the draconic empires of that land, they are perhaps the most like your own. Vast, seemingly unstoppable... our sources indicate they are much like a living relic of the empire you seem to emulate, judging by your choice of utilizing the draconic Old Language amongst the elite of your empire. They will lend no aid in summoning demons to the defense of Neuvian dragons, of that I am certain. They live by a strict code of honor which our sources have noted earn them the respect of nearby draconic nations as well as those they have conquered. They abhor demonic creatures and seek to destroy them with as much zeal as you seek to destroy dragonkind. However... it seems they recently entered some sort of protective alliance with Glaruindem. By the current laws of the city... both the Elunian and Neuvian halves are legally the same city, meaning their protection would extend into this world. You will face them in your conquest of Glaruindem."

13-Jul-2014 09:55:49

Darlantan

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Another pause, along with more shuffling of papers.
"...As for demons... I could say much. A great deal much. But most would seem like the ravings of a madman and I could prove nothing of what I said... and if I could, I would choose not to. So instead I shall speak of the anomalous comet often called the Sparkstar, that which could destroy the entire electrical infrastructure of your empire if it were not blacked out for the night as the comet passes. It is already visible in the darkening sky... in approximately one hour it shall brighten the world and cause the effects for which it was named. But its effects are greater than what it is known for. To the northwest of your capitol is a small forest. Within is stone circle of unknown origin which serves as a minor tourist attraction in the day and occasionally as a blood ritual site for a small demon cult at night during events bearing some type of religious significance to the cult. The passing of the Sparkstar is one such event; however, their rituals shall be different tonight in that they truly shall summon a demonic creature. It is not a concern, for the nature of the Sparkstar shall not allow the creature to escape the circle... but if you truly wish to understand the threat such abominations can exert on mankind... watch. Station men you trust away from the circle but close enough to witness what transpires, and give them strict orders not to intervene less you wish them to die. If you do so, you shall learn the true power of the beings... and your people will be rid of a small cult foolish enough to worship demonic abominations."

13-Jul-2014 10:08:47

Basileus257

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<Do what you must but don't throw away your life for nothing. Should all hell breaks loose, you are going to be important in organizing resistance in Elune. Besides..****; Matt forced his tone to change to a poorly faked upbeat one*****;Who am I supposed to make fun of if you fall here? Forlirn? Or perhaps Rhen?>

Matt made his way into the temple and skillfully jumped over the magic circle that Forlirn was creating. "Well then what will you have me do Forlirn? I don't know how to use magic so I doubt I will be of much use here. I suppose I could use my flashlight but that is hardly useful." Matt shouted in reply.

"I suppose we are at an impasse then. I cannot back down and halt my attack on your city. To do so would bring shame upon my family and upon myself. It would also make me appear weak in the eyes of the world. It sounds as if you cannot back down either for the reasons you have provided. Hmm... perhaps their is a way we can both get what we want. How about this: We attack your city as planned. Like I mentioned before, my country would cover any damages obtained during the attack. While we are attacking, you publically condemn us. Let the world know how horrible we are for trying to harm all the 'poor, innocent Dragons' who live within the city. Then you offer to evacuate the Dragon population of the city to 'safe havens' away from our reach. These safe havens are, of course, those facilities you mentioned in the north. It's a win-win scenario for both of us. You keep your facilities, your subjects will happily let you take them anywhere as long as it is away from us and you will be a hero in the eyes of Dragons everywhere. We'll be happy with you as well because you will make our job much easier. How does that sound?" Romano* replied.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

14-Jul-2014 00:16:36

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Draconic Interactions (3)