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| Caster of Nets |
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Posted by: Daniil - 10-20-2025, 12:46 AM - Forum: Past Lives
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The 3rd Age
Lugard, Murandy
The Forsaken, Bel'rik
The screams did not carry far in Lugard anymore.
A crowd had gathered in the southern amphitheater of the city, a great open bowl carved into the stone of the hills where once, it was whispered, the kings of Murandy had been crowned beneath the stars. Now, the stars bore witness to other things. Bloodier things.
The night air hung heavy with smoke and perfume, sweetened by the scent of burning oils and roasted meats, yet undercut by the copper tang of blood. Torches lined the stepped terraces, their flames whipped by the wind, casting shadows across the faces of hundreds of citizens, merchants, and low nobles. They leaned forward, some cheering, others grimacing, as the duel below reached its end.
One man knelt, his arm severed at the elbow. The victor stood: a woman with shaved temples and blood spattered across her bare chest. She raised her cudgel high, and the crowd screamed as it came down.
From the highest terrace, beneath a gilded awning, Lord Dmitry do’Bourdeau a’Marucci of House Marucci, High Seat and Patron of the Arena of Binding Grace clapped once. Slowly. Lightly.
"Poetic," he murmured, voice as smooth as silk soaked in wine.
He reclined, lounging like a cat amid the cushions of his viewing dais. His coat, Murandian cut, was of black-and-violet brocade, embroidered with wisteria vines that trailed down the sleeves in silver thread. His fingers, long and adorned with rings of lapis and emerald, toyed with a glass of red wine that he had yet to sip.
"She showed restraint, at first," he said, to no one in particular. "That made the ending so much more entertaining. She is a natural."
Around him, attendants murmured soft affirmations. One woman, a Domani, leaned in to refill his goblet. Another, a broad-shouldered man in Seanchan livery, waited quietly with a lacquered scroll tucked under one arm.
Bel'rik did not look at either of them. His eyes remained on the arena floor, where the victorious woman was escorted away by guards in black lacquered masks. Her opponent lay unmoving.
"The illusion of mercy breeds deeper despair when it is stripped away," he said. "Let that be tonight’s lesson."
He finally turned to the Seanchan messenger. "You’ll make sure the king receives my request for a levy of new laborers from the outlying villages."
"Yes, my Lord. Selection has already begun."
"Tell him not to select the strong. I want the desperate. The broken. The ones who would sell a sibling for a crust of bread. They fight best when they believe in hope."
The messenger bowed. The Domani woman smiled faintly, though her eyes were far away. Bel'rik studied her for a heartbeat longer than was comfortable. He said nothing.
The night ride to the Marucci estate was not far: less than a league through Lugard's eastern quarter, but Bel’rik insisted on the full procession each time. It was spectacle, yes, but also a signal. The Seanchan might have cowed the city, but Lord Dmitry do’Bourdeau a’Marucci was the one who offered it up on a silver platter.
A dozen lanterns hung from silver poles, carried before his palanquin by mute servants in robes. Seanchan soldiers, impassive and austere, rode flanking him on both sides, their insectile helmets gleaming in the torchlight. Behind, a tail of House guards in dyed crimson and black formed a second, more theatrical escort. The contrast was not lost on anyone who watched.
Children watched from allies. Merchants stilled their hands. The streetwalkers bowed low. Inside his litter, Bel’rik reclined amid velvet and silks, his gloved hand absently tracing a carved armrest. The wheels beneath him jolted slightly at a stone rut, and he sighed.
“Wooden axles and horse sweat,” he spat. “And yet they call this a capital.” The Seanchan officer to his left inclined his head. "Your pardon, my Lord. Had we known you would ride tonight, we would have paved the route."
"Yes, yes. Perhaps next time, with ivory," he rolled his eyes, recalling the glass roads in the Courts of Relketh. But they wouldn't know of such things.
The officer said nothing, as expected. He appreciated that about the Seanchan. Loyal. Controlled. Efficient.
When the gates of the Marucci estate opened, Bel’rik’s procession rolled into a manor illuminated by a hundred lanterns. Slaves noted his arrival, holding aloft flowering branches from the estate's groves. The air was thick with the sound of strings plucked in minor keys and fountains bubbling away. The whole façade was as much prison as it was palace: a monument to beauty crushed beneath a time that did not deserve it.
He paused only long enough to let his boots be changed (not cleaned, changed) and his outer cloak taken. The bloodied elegance of the pits still clung to him like a second skin, and he wished to wear it a moment longer.
"Is the east wing prepared for tomorrow?" He asked his manservant who met him at the door. "Lord Othram and his Seanchan bride will require distraction. Perhaps another duel. Lovers, this time. One must weep."
"Yes, my Lord."
He passed through the frescoed halls, works commissioned in his image, of course, and down the steps into the conservatory, where the torches dimmed and the air cooled.
Lanterns hung in brass cages above a small, enclosed garden. Mist hissed gently from pipes in the floor, keeping the humidity perfect. Dozens of glass cases lined the walls, each housing a different bloom. He stopped before one: a deep violet blossom, its petals striated with crimson, like veins in marble.
"Callica moralis," he said aloud. "They used to say these only bloomed in the Terranean heights. A miracle they survived this long on such uncivilized lands."
He plucked a small silver knife from his belt and delicately trimmed a curling stem.
Durrick Ladei was millennia gone. That man had died before the War of Power, speaking truths no one listened to. Bel'rik had been born in his place, sharpened by failure, honed by centuries of bitter clarity. The world had not been saved by the Light. It had only been delayed in its dying. Still. There was elegance in decline in all things. All things except his blooms.
The door behind him opened without a knock. That alone was enough to make him turn, slowly. His attendants knew better. A lean man in courier's garb stood there, face shadowed by the torch behind him. He bowed.
"Apologies, my Lord. He would not wait. He has a message for you. Says it is urgent."
"He?"
The messenger stepped aside.
Beyond him, in the hall, stood a figure cloaked in dust-colored robes. Not Seanchan. Not local. And not expected. At first he thought it was someone else, but there was enough gleam of the jaw to discern it was not who he imagined.
Bel'rik's hand tightened on the orchid stem until it split in two. Then he slipped the bloom into his lapel.
"Let him in," he said.
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| Marek Pekelniak |
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Posted by: Marek - 10-19-2025, 09:40 PM - Forum: Biographies & Backstory
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Name: Marek Pekelniak
Age: 18
Loyalty: Carnival
Reborn soul: Polyphemus, the cyclops (mortal)
Powers: None
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral/Evil
Biography
As a child, Marek fit awkwardly into the shape of the world around him: a square peg for a round hole. His developmental delays were apparent, but despite a mutism that lasted until he was four years old, his eyes lingered with intelligence on his surroundings. When he did speak, his words came slow and heavy, as if every one cost him something to pull up from the dark. Yet there was nothing discernibly wrong with Marek, but what he lacked in words, he made up for in strength.
When he was twelve, they put him under the care of Old Jaro, the tent master. Jaro was missing two fingers and most of his teeth, but he could read the weather like a book. He smelled of sweat, oil, and tobacco, and cursed like a preacher in reverse. He was the first person to tell Marek he wasn’t useless. “The Carnival don’t care what you look like, boy,” Jaro once said, cigarette glowing between his lips. “Only that you don’t let the ropes slip.” Jaro taught Marek everything: how to read the wind before a storm, how to anchor a tent so it could outlast the weather, and how to fix anything with wire and willpower. To Marek, he was more than a mentor. He was the first person who ever saw worth in him.
When a storm tore through the Carnival two years ago, it was Jaro who went up the central rigging to cut a tangled line. Lightning struck the mast, and by morning, they found him still hanging there, blackened rope around his wrist. If Marek mourned, it was in private, but after that night, Marek took his place. He never said he wanted the post. He just started doing the work, and no one stopped him.
Now eighteen, he’s not handsome, not charming, and he knows it. Marek is part of the invisible skeleton holding the Carnival upright. His muscles move like machinery; his skin is streaked with grease that never seems to come off. People talk about him behind his back, but he prefers the sound of bolts tightening to the sound of voices. The others laugh without him. He tells himself he doesn’t care.
And then there’s Lalitha. She is light and colorful in the way her tattoos are mesmerizing and colorful, and he can’t stop thinking about her. Not in the gentle way people talk about love. He doesn’t talk to her. He doesn’t speak to her if he can help it. He just watches, pretending he’s fixing something when she passes, but she makes him feel both alive and sick. He tells himself it’s nothing, but sometimes, when he’s alone tightening bolts under the big top, he imagines her voice behind him, her breath on his neck, and it’s enough to make his hands tremble.
He sticks close to the rigging boys. They don’t talk about feelings or dreams, just tools and work and what’s for dinner. Around them, Marek feels normal. Sometimes he catches himself listening for Jaro’s old whistle in the wind, and when he does, he tightens the ropes and looks at the storm rolling in.
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| RP Settings in Moscow |
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Posted by: Ascendancy - 10-19-2025, 04:58 PM - Forum: About
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This list is organised by areas of similar interest not by location. These are specific, regularly used places, or ones which have connections to PC characters. The list is not exhaustive and you are welcome to use your own locations, as well as more general locations or districts in Moscow, more for which can be found on the various sub-boards on the forums.
Link to the wiki page: RP Settings in Moscow
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| The Weight of New Bonds |
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Posted by: Nora Saint-Clair - 10-19-2025, 02:43 AM - Forum: Greater Moscow
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She stepped off the tram with a coffee in one hand, the other jammed into the pocket of her long coat. Dark charcoal, cut sharp at the collar, it was formal without being stiff. Beneath it, black jeans and boots with just enough heel to give her presence without flash. Her henley was deep rust, soft and collarless, buttons flicked open at the collar. Her hair was down on purpose falling in thick tresses, not too neat, not too wild. Her makeup was clean, matte, but her eyes were ringed in eyeliner, sharp enough to be taken seriously.
The closer she came to the Sanctuary of the Ascendant Flame, the more that coffee cup felt like a lifeline. Her fingers were warm from it, steady, even though her heart stirred with something quieter than fear but deeper than nerves.
She passed the stone sculptures outside with barely a glance. She remembered the first time she’d come here almost a year ago now, under a different sky and under someone else’s orders. That visit had been secret, cautious, and very brief.
Inside, the Sanctuary smelled faintly of incense and cold stone. The air was still, the kind of stillness that made her feel like someone was always watching her. Morning sunlight poured through stained glass windows, casting fractured reds and ambers onto the tiled floor. She wasn't sure how to go about doing this, so she stepped forward mustering as much confidence as she could, and approached the first person she saw.
“I’d like to join,” she said simply, voice firm.
There. Said.
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| A Chorus of Bones |
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Posted by: Sámiel - 10-18-2025, 07:56 PM - Forum: The Scroll
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ONE NIGHT ONLY
October 31st — After Dark
Entry from 8:00 PM | Final call at midnight
The dead stir.
Do you dare to listen?
One night. One passage. No second chances.
Tickets available now through official Carnival channels.
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| Rural Museum Reduced to Slag in Minutes |
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Posted by: Legione Sumus - 10-17-2025, 09:26 PM - Forum: The Scroll
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Local authorities are investigating a catastrophic incident at the Kameny Dar Geological Museum outside Kostroma, where the entire structure and its contents appear to have melted into a molten sinkhole early Wednesday afternoon.
The small field museum, known for its mineral exhibits and school programs, was hosting a student group from Moscow when the event occurred. Officials say twelve students and two teachers were scheduled to arrive that morning, though none have yet been located.
Emergency response teams from Yaroslavl and Kostroma reported that the surrounding forest was scorched in a perfect circle extending 200 meters from the museum site. Soil samples remain too hot for collection nearly 24 hours later.
Quote:“There are no signs of explosives or accelerants,” said Chief Investigator Pavel Grekov. “The stone itself appears to have liquefied from within. We’ve ruled out volcanic activity, as this region is geologically stable.”
Drone footage released by the Ministry of Emergency Situations shows a shimmering crater still emitting heat distortion across its surface. The edges of the melted foundation resemble fused glass, with faint metallic streaks consistent with extreme plasma exposure.
Unconfirmed sources within the regional education office indicate that one student—identified only as a teenage boy who “missed the morning bus”—was not present at the time of the disaster. Authorities have declined to release his name, but classmates describe him as “quiet” and “kept to himself.”
This marks the second unexplained thermal event in less than a month, following the Sokolniki house collapse in Moscow shortly before the New Year. Officials have not linked the two publicly, though both incidents share similar heat signatures and residual electromagnetic interference.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has requested satellite data from the European Weather Network to “determine if atmospheric conditions played a role.”
Social media speculation continues to grow under the tag #Firefall, with users claiming the events coincide with power grid distortions across western Russia.
A government spokesperson again urged calm, calling the situation “under active investigation.”
Quote:“We understand the public’s concern,” said Deputy Minister Melnik. “There is no evidence of ongoing danger. The incidents remain isolated.”
No remains have yet been recovered from the site.
[written by ai]
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| The Melting House |
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Posted by: Legione Sumus - 10-17-2025, 08:57 PM - Forum: The Scroll
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In a shocking incident late Tuesday night, a residential home in the Sokolniki District was reduced to a pool of molten debris after what witnesses described as a “wave of heat” rippled through the structure. Authorities report that the family of four escaped moments before the house appeared to melt into the ground.
Firefighters arriving at the scene were unable to approach within thirty meters due to residual temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius—hot enough to liquefy the foundation and asphalt around the site. The molten crater continued to glow orange for nearly an hour before slowly cooling.
Quote:“It wasn’t an explosion. There was no blast radius,” said Deputy Fire Chief Sergei Antonov. “It’s as if the building’s core just… liquefied. We’ve never seen anything like it.”
Neighbors claim to have heard shouting moments before the collapse, followed by a deep vibration that set off nearby car alarms. Some reported a “pressure” in the air, similar to standing near a jet engine, before a flash of light and intense heat erupted from the home.
The Moscow Fire Directorate has ruled out a gas main rupture or electrical fault. Forensic drones dispatched by the Emergency Ministry were forced to land after equipment failures attributed to extreme magnetothermal interference.
Unofficial sources within the department have speculated about “experimental energy technology” or an unregistered reactor, though no such devices were found on the property.
One eyewitness, a teenager from across the street, told reporters that he saw “the air ripple” around one of the family’s sons moments before the structure failed. Authorities have not released the boy’s name, citing his status as a minor, but confirm that he is currently in medical observation.
City officials are urging calm and have cordoned off the area pending investigation by federal agencies.
Quote:“There is no danger to the public at this time,” stated Ministry spokesperson Irina Melnik. “We are treating this as an isolated event.”
Still, rumors on social media have dubbed the incident “The Melting House,” and conspiracy forums are already connecting it to a string of mysterious structural failures across Eastern Europe over the past year.
[written by ai]
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| [The Garden] Praeceptor of the Reliquiae |
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Posted by: Nox - 10-17-2025, 06:07 PM - Forum: Military District
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Meeting with the Ascendancy so soon would likely be questioned. That's three in a few weeks.
So. I know I just met with the Ascendancy but I need to request another. I've been in contact with the New Atharim. The Praeceptor of the Reliquiae, the self proclaimed New Regus of the New Atharim wants to meet with you. A new er, with me as his face puppet.
It wasn't long before Nox got a reply. And not just from anyone, but the Ascendancy himself.
Why in the world would I want to meet with the Regus?
He is not the Regus. His name is Eliot Languex, an obsolete son of an Atharim benefactor who like us can channel. He wants to do things differently here in Moscow and wants your sign off. I wasn't planning on telling you this now. But I figured the truth sooner rather than later might gain him that meeting. He's willing to risk his life for the meeting. He's at least serious
And what is this Praeceptor of the Reliquiae?
The presumed leader of a new faction of Atharim I assume. One moving into this new age of gods and men. Working together? I guess.
What do you think he wants?
Well considering he wants me to be the face of this new Atharim, I think he's looking for a more transparent Atharim. Not killing human's outright because he's one of us. He's not like the last Reguses. He's a godling. If he wants me, that means he beleives like I do. He knows of the cases I've taken, and those I've refused. I don't know the full plan, but I think he wants to move the Atharim in a new direction. With your help.
The final message received was not anything of text, but two passes for himself and Eliot Languex to the Garden, with date, time and coordinates. Lucky them.
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| Dreams and Prophecies |
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Posted by: Casey - 10-17-2025, 04:00 PM - Forum: Place for Dreams
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Casey went and got some dados and a couple changes of clothes before heading back to Kallisti. She spent sometime there watching the shows and even got some personal attention from a dancer named Jasmín. Lots of dancers - both male and female. Some sang. Some (including Jasmín) had used magic. Elyse danced too. There were lots of skimpy outfits and a lot of flesh. It’s was a lot of fun.
At the end she sent Elyse a message and found her quickly. To her surprise Jasmín was waiting there too. ”This is Anna - she kind of lives in the same building I do.”
Anna gave her a grin and the trio walked to a building a couple of blocks away. Anna and Elyse said good night and she continued up the stairs while Casey and Elyse entered a room. ”You can have the bed and I’ll take the floor if that’s fine with you.”
Casey shrugged. ”Its big enough for both of us and it doesn’t make me uncomfortable to share.” Elyse was being careful to show that she wasn’t trying to make this about being intimate. It made a set feel more comfortable as a whole.
Elyse nodded and they change into pajamas. That also didn’t bother Casey. She’d already seen most of what Elyse had to offer and generally didn’t care if others saw her. Casey climbed on to the bed and waited.
”Im going to lead you through the exercises I go through to get into the dream. If it works, I’ll see you there in a moment. If not I’ll be back soon and we can try other things.”
Casey nodded as Elyse turned down the lights and got in next to her. Then Casey followed her instructions, mostly breathing exercises to calm her mind. Even so, she felt herself getting tired and sleepy. She let herself succumb. It was was she was here.
Then she was there. She recognized it as that weird dream she had been in. Knowing that she decided to come here herself made it less scary and she looked around. She was in Elyse’s room, but it wasn’t. For now she was alone. She waited for Elyse to arrive. She said she would and Casey trusted that was the case.
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