Katrul

s p a c e r s p a c e r s p a c e

Katrul Prince of Rapture spacer dentKatrul smiled beatifically at their guests as the remaining few filtered into the dining hall from the various parlors that had been set up for their entertainment. They could see a few with paling scales and the faintest tremors in their hands, those who had failed to figure out the third layer of the cipher on their letter. dentA few were hiding the fact with remarkable skill, but Katrul had already sunk their claws into so many of the entourages of those present they already knew who had failed and who had prepared the correct antidote to the poison that had been paired with the wine. Sojourner poison and butcher’s fig made a beautiful warm red wine. The figs were rich and sweet like the kiss between long-time lovers and the smokey undercurrent of the poison akin to an unfamiliar perfume lingering on their clothes. dentKatrul had lovingly labeled it Infidelity and made a point of ordering two bottles held back before the party, one to gift their mother and one to keep in their collection until an appropriate occasion. dentThe last few guests had begun to settle, murmurs still making the rounds as gossip and careful barbs passed between Necromancers. Katrul raised a single delicate hand and behind them, the orchestra fell silent, bar a last few lingering notes that were echoed by the chalcedony structures that dominated the center of each circular table. Four were used as table settings in total and a fifth behind where they sat, suspended delicately in the middle of the instrumentalists. dentThey stood and the murmurs died down to the faintest whisper, Katrul delicately took the smallest silver spoon from the place setting and tapped it against their wine glass. The melodic chime washed away the last of the whispers and a heady silence washed over the hall. They carefully relished the undivided attention, tasting the curiosity and envy in the air. dent“My dearest friends, thank you for allowing me to host this auspicious event. Many, if not all of you have been burning with questions about its nature, as such a large gathering is against our most precious Cabal’s rules. But fret not any longer, soon they shall be answered. dent“But first a toast, yes? To the Cabal, for we that still believe that iron sharpens iron and seek a most wonderous age of rot. To the climbing of the Tower, for the worthy inevitably rise to seize that which they are owed. To the end of our hiding in the dark!” dentRipples ran through the guests at the last proclamation. Katrul could taste their excitement, their greed, and for a few panic as they lifted poison glasses again to their lips. To not drink was to deny the toast and admit their failure in securing the correct antidote through wit or clever machinations. The mark of easy prey in a hall of hungry predators. It wouldn’t matter, this after all was the end. There was only one they all should fear.

spacer spacer spacer

spacer[/size Paikka Name Name Name Name Name Name

dentKatrul raised the wine glass high as they echoed the toast, spreading red wings wide as the thrill began to spread and buzz beneath their skin. They paused, silent as they allowed the Cabal to collect themselves. dent“I have promised answers. It has taken several years of work and a not-insignificant amount of help from all of you, but I have finally completed the work for a most precious ritual. It is, undeniably, costly but empowers the receiving dragon in a way only a scare few could imagine. It gladdens me to say that, in the end, not a single one of you will have to imagine it for I have invited you all here and given you the honor of witnessing it firsthand.” dent“It will be… Rapturous,” Katrul savored the taste of the power-lust, heady as the wine itself. It would likely be their last chance for several years to taste the minds of such a large group. The Rapture of Shade was the type of ritual that would be felt by anyone with half a knucklebone of ritual skill. Katrul delicately traced their finger along the lip of their wine glass, the skilled touch making the glass sing, soft beautiful notes, nearly unearthly with their frailty. dent“And so I present my rise and the fall of the Cabal.” dentThe last soft note rang out, echoed beautifully by the chalcedony as it began to glow. Already Katrul could see Necromancers pushing back their chairs to rise, rage and betray leaking from them. It didn’t matter, Katrul threw their arms wide and laughed, soft and near angelic. dentThe glowing chalcedony centerpieces began to lash out with arms of pure magic, gripping and restraining the physical forms of the Cabal and the orchestra. The screaming started in earnest as the secondary functions of the crystals began, siphoning away the Breath of everyone in attendance bar Katrul. The Elemental energy further empowered the crystals even as they began to darken, blackness bleeding across them. dentStoring every scrap of Shade that had once tainted them for Katrul’s own use. dentIt would kill them all, but even a corpse would have use after their ascent to Lichdom, and this way there was even an entire orchestra to practice on before they began to raise the Cabal anew. A court of their own design, alliance, and betrayals already laid and known to them. Millions of strings to make their new servants dance to the perfect tune. dentKatrul continued the smile as they laid a hand on the first crystal to darken to a perfect obsidian. Shade burst forward, a heady blend of hatred, death, and power. As their wings began to rapidly blacken they raised a glass in toast only to themselves. dent“The worthy rise.”

s p a c e r s p a c e s p a c e

Notes
-Original prompt: The Traitor and Cronos
-Pre-Folly Akua Sahelian Vibes (if it wasn't obvious)
-(Why would I not be obsessed with betrayal as a type of worship?)
-Basalt Eruption Familiar?
-Very Smart Dragon, enjoys studying history and magic
-Charcoal sketching as a hobby?
-Collect wines, brings out crap for friends and the fancy stuff for an enemy that wouldn't appreciate it
-(the wine is always poisoned either way, Katrul thinks it enhances the flavor)
-I want them to have a throne room with their cursed crystals from the Rapture of Shade around their throne
-Boss Battle energy because they can call on the Shade stored inside to empower themself
-Prefers the more masc Prince because it feels less frilly
-Yes I did consider Heir but it just didn't sound as nice (if you know why it was considered I love you)
-Gotta build up the Cabal (Undead version)
-At least one Revenant that plays an instrument as Katrul personal entertainer

Assets from Poisonedpaper.