Creative Corner

[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zyclhpf6dv31m57/lightningtop.png[/img] [center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Tales from The Tempest Order[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [color=#eeeeee]______[/color] The Tempest Order is primarily a Mirror clan, though there are some of different blood that also call the clan their own. The Order is semi-nomadic, with eleven outposts across the Shifting Expanse that they patrol between on an irregular schedule. As a mercenary group, they will occasionally leave these borders to take care of business elsewhere, making allies and bitter enemies all over the known world. They often offer protection and aid to clans they meet, and are perfectly fine with helping other clans hunt, forage, and generally deal or help with any problems they may have. However, they do expect to be paid a healthy sum. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color] In the past, they were known for their steep prices and harsh punishments for not meeting them. Stealing, kidnapping, blackmailing, and destroying prized possessions were all once commonplace when a clan couldn't or refused to pony up to what they owed. Though things have calmed from the violence of that time, it is a bloody reputation that follows them to this day. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Here shall be a place for [b]small lore stories[/b] that come from The Tempest Order. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The bits and pieces will not all be in chronological order, though chunks at a time may follow such organization if I'm focusing on a specific time in the lore. Each post will contain a title and timestamp in the corner of where it occurs in the lore. The post below will have links to each post, as well as show them chronologically if this is the order one prefers to read them in. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]This is mostly a place for me to jot down scenes that are in my head, but don't necessarily make it into a dragon's bio. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Posting is allowed! [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/8j5x6ctsche062g/lightningbottom.png[/img]

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]The Stories[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] This list puts all the stories into chronological order, as they will not be posted in chronological order. [center][size=4][u][b]The Pre-Era:[/b][/u][/size] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374532]Origins[/url] [size=4][u][b]The Death Era:[/b][/u][/size] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/1#post_43374449]A Mistake in the Making[/url] [size=4][u][b]The Aesian Era:[/b][/u][/size] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/1#post_43374357]Rejection[/url] [size=4][u][b]The Immortal Era:[/b][/u][/size] [Journey to Outpost 10] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/1#post_43374477]Endurance[/url] [Outpost 10] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/1#post_43374497]Breathrot[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/1#post_43374509]Nobody's Fool[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374549]Thundershower[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374565]Visions[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374575]An Unusual Sunset[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374604]Misunderstanding[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374618]Here She Comes[/url] [The Boreal Wood] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374585]Huntress[/url] [Outpost 11] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_43374630]Exaltation[/url] [Outpost 5] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/permalink/reply/41625340]1.a: The Banescales[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/permalink/reply/41625345]1.b: Confrontation[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/permalink/reply/41625354]1.c: Maybe That's Love[/url][/center] [center][The Hewn City] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_44679822]Acquisitions Department[/url] [The Abiding Boneyard] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/2#post_45069818]Let the Riot Begin[/url][/center] [center][The Agriden] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/3#post_46629528]Leaders and Tyrants[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/3#post_46798077]Patience[/url][/center] [center][The Shifting Expanse] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2794495/3#post_47881040]Dustcarve Dig: The Supply Run[/url][/center]

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]The Banescales[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Outpost Five Noon[/right] [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]There was rarely a calm day in the Tempest Order. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia would hazard a guess that there were none. Between guarding, hunting, training, and so many other duties, an idle dragon was a sight she was proud to have eliminated from her clan. She’d admit that there were, at least, some days that passed more uneventfully than others. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]So far, this day in particular appeared to be one of them. Captain Internecine had left with the arctic team some days ago on something of a diplomatic mission as well as a hunting one. With the rebellion still surging on, their usual contacts in the Fire Flight had defected in protest and left them in the dust -- a move that still made Athanasia snarl. Internecine had assured her she could secure the clan some contacts on both sides of the conflict that would be willing to continue trade with the Order. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]She wasn’t sure whether to consider her huntress captain confident or just arrogant for thinking she could sweet talk her way into two faction’s hearts and still have time to stop by the Icefields for the hunting she was so fond of. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Either way, she’d seen the Mirror’s silver tongue at work and knew better than to underestimate her capabilities. If nothing else, she was eager to hear back from her. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Other than that though, patrols, jobs, and early preparation for the Great Feast were all underway without any issue. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia had just made her way back to her tent when she heard a loud murmuring shooting through the ranks of her clan. She turned, flaring her wings for danger only to see Internecine and her boreal hunters bounding quickly towards her. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“General Athanasia! Something’s happened at the Annex!” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]They skidded to a stop in the sand at the base of Athanasia’s tent, a cloud of sand kicked up in their wake. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia’s posture stiffened, bringing her wings up larger. “If it’s war they want-” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Internecine shook her head quickly, panting out her words. “No, no. We were speaking with representatives from the rebels when we heard this… sound. I can’t explain what it must have been, but suddenly innumerable small dragons were filling the sky, coming from the Annex! We thought they were under attack, but all of them were young - children, but not of any breed we’ve seen before. We rushed to investigate, but we couldn’t get a good look at any of them.” She looked over her shoulder, quickly beckoning another dragon forward. “But we did find something else.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia recognized her, Akitla. She was the largest Mirror in the Order, closely followed by Internecine herself, and where she usually carried the spoils of the team’s hunt, she instead had two bags. They were haphazard creations of leather, and appeared to be stuffed with feathery down. Delicately, Internecine helped Akitla get them off, pushing them towards their General. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Careful.” Akitla warned her, her eyes flitting between both bags with curiosity and concern. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The General let her wings fall, but not her guard. She approached, reaching in to the first bag. What she felt was warm to the touch, and textured like scales and horns. She wasn’t sure quite what to feel as she pulled out a kind of egg she had never seen before in her many years. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]She pulled a second one from the second bag, and she found herself completely speechless. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Lava was pouring out of one of the chambers we saw dragons leaving from,” Internecine explained, still catching her breath. “These two were carried out by it.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia shook her head in disbelief, but before she could make out a word there was a soft crack. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]A large crowd had gathered around them, all whispering excitedly before quickly shushing each other as they leaned in and over each other to see what was going on. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]A bright sun shone down upon them all as first one egg and then the other began to break from the inside, and two small forms tumbled out. One was a soft grey with light green wings, and the other was a much darker blue, with slick brown wings. Their eyes opened, one from ice and the other from arcane respectively. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The entire clan held its breath as they looked upon the strange creatures before them, only to burst into excited and confused murmuring seconds later. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia leaned her head down to be eye level with the two, squinting her eyes as she regarded them. “Who are you? Where are your front legs?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The first of the two hopped to his taloned feet, splaying his wings wide. “We’re Banescales!” He declared proudly in his squeaky voice. “We don’t have front legs, we have wings!” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]A million more conversations shot through the crowd, but were silenced with the sound of a whip-like motion of Athanasia’s tail. She pulled her head back. “What is a Banescale?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The smaller of the two shook off the last of her shell, puffing up proudly. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Together, the two told a story of pride and destruction, and sang the ancient song their ancestors had left them. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The more they spoke, the more a small pit formed within General Athanasia’s stomach. Their tale told, she sent them off to the care of the Nest Watchers, ordering her clan to return to their posts. Her stone face belied none of her internal turmoil.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Confrontation[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Outpost Five Dusk[/right] [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]By the time the sun had begun to dip below the horizon line, clouds had encroached upon the horizon, stretching talons across the skies towards her. The faint smell of rain was starting to grow all around her, though it would be a few hours before the storm broke. Her clanmates gave her a wide berth as she followed one of the few main pathways through the mess of tents, leaping down a small outcropping. The smell of meat and freshly skinned carcasses greeted her warmly, though she hadn’t felt hungry for many hours now. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The dragons that passed her dipped their heads low as they slipped past. She returned the gesture occasionally for those she knew better, but her thoughts continued to bother her more than she was comfortable with, causing her attention to miss many of the others. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Finally, she came upon her destination: a large tent near the center of the Dejacurse domiciles. The wind had begun to kick in by now, the line of blue-lit lanterns swaying as the sound of tents flapping in the breeze grew all around her. The smell of cocoa drifted on the wind towards her, as well as the scents of not one dragon, but two. Captain Internecine and Akitla, she surmised. Debriefing the boreal bruiser for the next hunt, no doubt. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]She used a wing to brush aside one of the tent flaps for her to enter. “A word, Captai-” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia didn’t finish getting the words out, blinking in shock at the scene before her. The large bundle of white furs that made up the captain’s bed was currently occupied by both Internecine and Akitla, cuddled together. Internecine bore a similar look to her General, scrambling to attention and knocking over her cocoa flask. Akitla hissed as the hot drink spilled across her hands, recoiling sharply. “Ow! Nessi-” Akitla’s voice cut off too as she spotted Athanasia. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]There was a stretch of silence that felt like it lasted forever. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Incredulously, Athanasia asked, “...Nessie?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Internecine looked quickly between Akitla and Athanasia, at first shaking her head quickly. A strained laugh pervaded her sentence. “No, General, it isn’t what it-- we’re not…” The two boreal Mirrors shared another glance, and the facade faded. Slowly, their tails intertwined. Internecine stood straighter, clearing her throat as she regarded Athanasia. She spoke at a measured pace, aware of the ground she was treading. “...I’m sure you remember Akitla.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Akitla dipped her head cautiously. “General Athanasia.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]It took another few seconds for Athanasia to regain her bearings. One foot in front of the other, she moved into the tent. The flap fell back into place, leaving the only lighting being the blue glow of the lantern outside. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The general’s claws dug into the ground, her tail snapping to and fro. “You took the Myrmidonic Oath. You swore-” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“I know what I swore, Athanasia.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]The general’s eyes narrowed. “I have killed stronger dragons for lesser slights than this. I never thought you, of all my proteges, would disrespect me like this. To disregard your oath to hold nothing above your clan and your leader!” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Blood doesn’t need to be shed today.” Akitla said in a stern, but placative voice, stepping closer to Internecine. “We can take our things and run.” Athanasia could see Internecine’s resolve shake at this idea, but she gave another nod, solidifying her stance. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia turned a disbelieving gaze between the two of them. Her eyes settled on the captain. “You would do this? You would rather forsake your loyalties to this clan, renounce everything you have built here? To run off into the desert with her?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“I can lose everything here. I can’t lose her. I’d rather be dead than lose her.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]A few seconds passed of stunned silence before Athanasia spoke again. “...you care for her. You truly and deeply care for her.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“I do.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Enough that you would break tradition, break the O-” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“YES, comrade. Yes. As much as it pains me.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “I have served this clan for almost my entire life. I don’t want to leave it. I didn’t fall in love to spite you. It just happened. And if being in love with her means I can’t be here, then so be it.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia kept her stony expression for many moments. It was all she could think to do here. She had half a mind to just walk out, but she knew she couldn’t do that. Anger rose in her chest, but more than anything else was a feeling of betrayal. The thoughts and doubts that had been assailing her since the Banescale’s arrival swirled into action as she watched Internecine and Akitla move slowly to begin packing, never taking their eyes off of her. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Just as they were about to exit the tent, Athanasia made up her mind. She took a deep breath, letting her eyes fall, though never too far below the horizon line. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“...Maybe it doesn’t matter.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]These words froze the pair in their tracks. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia beckoned the two back in with a small flick of her tail. They seemed hesitant to take her up on the offer, but eventually returned to the privacy of the tent. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“I came here... “ She sighed. “I came here to talk. I came here because maybe I… maybe I am wrong. Maybe I am running this clan... wrong.” Her head rose to look them in the eyes, settling on Internecine. “I was having doubts. As one of the most loyal dragons I have ever raised and known, I thought I would ask you. I take your love as a slight to what I have built, but I know the truth. That if you of all dragons went against me, I am the one doing something wrong.” She let her words linger in the air for some seconds before she turned to the exit, walking out. “You don’t have to leave. Either of you.”

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Maybe That's Love[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Outpost Five Night[/right] [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“You look sick, comrade.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia gave her mate the side-eye as she entered their tent, huffing. “I wish I was.” He picked at some scraps of meat between his teeth as she began to pace the hide-covered floor, displacing the soft sand underneath. Wind battered at the tent’s walls, though not as bad as they had seen in their years. The air smelled heavily of rain, though the storm itself hadn’t begun yet. He’d already removed the bone crown that normally adorned his head, and the rest of his armor. It was nice to not have to worry about getting attacked in the night anymore. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Still thinking about those Banescales, then.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Athanasia shook her head, sighing. “No. Well, yes. But not exactly. I went to talk to Internecine about it all, like you suggested.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Did she not take it well?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“I found her and Akitla together when I got there.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“...not talking about the day’s events, I take it. Otherwise you wouldn’t be upset.” His eyes squinted towards the tent’s opening as he finally dislodged a bit of bone from his gums and flicked it away. “I didn’t think her the type. I guess we should’ve known from her taking on that pet of hers. The jumpy one with the spines. Must’ve been an ordeal to run them all out.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“She said she’d rather be dead than have to renounce her love for Akitla. She seems to truly care for her… I never imagined her disobeying me like that. Maybe Anthophilous, but never Internecine.” Athanasia’s voice trailed as she brought her pacing to a close and sat down next to Carnage. Her tail flicked side to side as she clenched a hand, looking across battle-worn talons. “Any other day, ANY other dragon, they would have met my claws without mercy. But I didn’t do it. I didn’t run her out. Not her, not Akitla, not anyone.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Carnage blinked at her for many seconds before he finally asked, “Are you sure you aren’t sick?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]She huffed again without an answer for him, stretched, then laid down beside him. Her head fell, resting on the ground. “Carnage? Do we love each other?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“No.” He answered without hesitation - not harsh, but sure of himself, wrapping his tail around her. “Dragons like us do not love. You know that.” She hummed softly in agreement, though the silence that passed belied her hesitation to accept this answer. Seeming to sense this, Carnage rested his head gently atop hers. He spoke softer. “We came together because it was beneficial to both of us. The nights get cold and the hunting is scarce, and Mirrors are not meant to be solitary creatures anyway. It was worth it to stick together.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“...Did you ever think of leaving, then? After the Order grew?” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]She could almost detect amusement in his voice. “No, Athanasia. I never wanted to leave, and there’s no other dragon I’d rather be with. Your ambition has always been admirable. We share a view of the world and how things should be, and you never backed down from making it a reality. I didn’t always agree with you, but I stood by you and I don’t regret it. You’ve built something remarkable with this clan. I’d follow you anywhere.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Slowly, she let her weight lean against him. His presence was a pleasant reprieve from the cold and cloudy night outside and always was. She’d never felt affection towards him, but his company and support had not gone unnoticed. Maybe that was like love for them. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]His words hung in the air for many moments before she felt his head raise again. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]“Come on, let’s get this armor off. It can’t be comfortable to sleep in.” [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]As much as she didn’t want to take it off, she couldn’t help but agree that it was nicer to not spend the night in the bulky chestplate. She untied her bandana and he helped her get out of her armor, setting both items aside with his things. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]They settled back down, Carnage stretching a wing out and letting her curl up under it so they could take advantage of each other’s body heat to combat the cold. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]It was always better that way, even for two battleworn warlords. [color=#eeeeee]______[/color]Thunder rumbled comfortingly in the distance as rain began to patter familiarly against their tent’s walls.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Rejection[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Aesian Era - The Calm Outpost Three Sunset[/right] [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The sky above the Shifting Expanse was awash with spotted clouds, but the horizon line was remarkably clear, lending itself to brilliant orange and red light that flooded across the desert sand, coloring the world in its image. It was rivaled only by the brilliance of the female before him, Myrrine knew. Her colors alone challenged the burning sun, just as fiery and defiant against the dark clouds. She was slender of figure, decorated in feathers and beads and confidence. With his muddied colors, he couldn’t help but feel like less than a shadow, unworthy of her brilliant light. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Her name was Carmen, and she was perfect in every way, every vocal inflection, every stifled laugh, every flick of her tail. Her voice, every single word was sweeter to his ears than honey. Every look that even passed over him melted him. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]They were meant for each other. He knew it. Staring into her eyes, he could see everything laid out before him so clearly that it was painful. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]He’d asked the question. They were young, but they were in love, he knew. It was real. He could see it in her eyes. He could feel it every time she saw him, every time they spoke. All he needed was that one word, just that one word... [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]...There was a pause, and then the word, but not the right word. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“No.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“No?” The Skydancer asked, his expression of hope and apprehension fading to disbelief and pain. “I don’t understand, I thought…” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Carmen’s cold stare watched him, impervious to his attempts to discern her emotions - regret? Sorrow? Anger? [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]...Anything? [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Myrrine,” she said, her voice level and stern. It was all she needed to say, and they both knew it, but his pained silence drew her to speech. “You know as well as I do that this could never work.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“This isn’t about… I can’t change that I-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]But she was had already turned to leave, the sparrow skulls upon her neck clinking together in tandem with the beads on her wings as she walked, tail flicking with agitation as she weaved effortlessly through the small spaces between her clanmate’s tents. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Myrrine’s tail dropped into the dry dirt, nearly dragging behind him as he followed. “Carmen,” he called, but she wasn’t listening. “Carmen!” Her tail snapped only a claw’s length away from his face, and he reeled back but was undeterred. “Listen, I don’t care about all that breed-tradition crap. And you shouldn’t either. Does it really matter that-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]She cut him off, pivoting around and staring at him with each of her four eyes, scanning him coldly. “That you’re a Skydancer? That I’m a Mirror?” Her voice softened. “Myrrine. You know how long I’ve been working for this. I impressed the Arbiter. My prospects are good for becoming one of Tenebrific’s proteges, maybe even the General’s. If the others saw me… us… I might never..." She trailed, looking around with frustration, "Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but a relationship with a Skydancer? You’d only be slowing me down.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Without another word, Carmen turned, slipping between the next set of tents and leaving the poor Skydancer in stunned silence. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words, not even her name, could escape him. His nails dug into the sand and he swore he could scream, but even as anger welled up in him he knew there was nothing to do. His anger faded to sorrow, and he trudged away with head hung low, tail dragging, kicking up dust across the fading light of the setting sun.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]A Mistake in the Making[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Death Era - The Great Violence Night of Flames Midnight[/right] [center][font=Courier New]Moon's Rise | Approximately four hours before the events of the [url=https://sites.google.com/view/the-tempest-order-lore/clan-history/the-great-violence]Night of Flames[/url][/font][/center] [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The ground nearly seemed to shake as the fold of the seer’s tent was thrashed aside, revealing the stonewash body and midnight wings of the General, scant moonlight gleaming off of each of the ridges on her ashen chestplate. Her face was already contorted into a snarl, the upward pull of her maw distorting the placement of the scar that ran over the larger of her two left eyes. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The Mirror lumbered in, head held high and angry, wings flaring out to her side. The tent’s inhabitants, some five to ten seers, each bowed their heads low, making no eye contact. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] All, it seemed, except two. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] General Athanasia’s voice came low, in a growl that rolled like thunder down the open desert as she addressed the blue and purple male and grey and blue female. “Captains.” Her eyes traced over each of the figures of each of the other seers, clad in their hoods and the garb of mystics. “We shall have this place to ourselves.” A few eyes dared to wander up, looking at first to her, and then to the Captains. “That is an order!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Her bellow swiftly dismissed the unremarkables, and finally, the General’s attention turned to the Captains alone. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “My General,” the male said, his voice measured. He dipped his head slightly, but did not bow or cower before her. “Have we done something to anger you?” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Do not speak with such insolence,” she hissed, holding her ground to block their exit. “Not one, but three patrols recalled from the forest! Ambassador merchants from Blacksand Annex nearly turned away at our borders! If I did not know better, I would think that you plan to undermine my authority.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] They two Captains shared a nervous glance before the female took a step forward. “We meant no disrespect, General. We only meant to ensure that we do not make rash decisions about this guardian clan. They refused to pay. Perhaps the better option is to attempt renegotiation of our deal with them, not war.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Athanasia snorted an angry laugh. “War - ha! It shall be a slaughter! Do you really think they would renegotiate? They are pompous tree-skulkers, surrounded on all sides by food and riches while we must work night and day to keep ourselves fed. Our price too high? I think not! Mark my words, they are greedy, eager to cheat us out of a hard week’s worth of pay.” Her head rose higher. “Did our own comrades not do their job and do it well? Risking their lives for the protection of those who would dare disrespect us!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Athanasia,” The male cautioned, “We did not pull the patrols or stop the merchants without good reason. We have been warned of the fatefulness of this day. Each of the seers can feel it in their bones, in the depths of their souls. I doubt any dragon with even the barest sliver of magic in their blood does not feel it. The very earth seeps it into our feet. If you go through with this, you shall bring ruin upon not only yourself, but upon your clan.You trusted our judgement before. Trust us now. The Order shall suffer. I beg of you, for the future of our clan-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The General’s wings shot out again, cutting Captain Cryptesthesia mid-sentence. There was a pause as she glared upon them, shifting her gaze between the two. Finally, she turned. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “I have no further use for your petty concerns.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Athanasia!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The female pushed back into the moonlit camp, ignoring the hounding of her subordinate seers as her voice bellowed out across the desert, rousing the restless ranks of her clan to attention. “Tenebrific, Amain, prepare the warriors for battle! We leave for the forest before moon's peak, tonight! They shall know our wrath!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]A great cry rang out into the air, charged with excitement and savagery. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Athanasia…” Cryptesthesia’s voice spoke just beside her, his face awash with fear and disbelief. Fear, disbelief, and betrayal. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]She gave him only a glare before turning her head back to the ranks of her clan as they assembled themselves, a brilliant machine of war, each cog and wheel moving in perfect, wild synchronization. A fire burned behind her eyes, driving each step towards the forest, driving each of her warriors to take up arms with her, and consuming the forest and its inhabitants, leaving behind nothing but ash and cinder.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Endurance[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Journey to Outpost Ten Evening[/right] [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The sun glared down upon the shifting desert, light gleaming off of the grains of sand and casting mirages of water into the distance. Across a stretch of the desert, a large procession of Mirrors advanced en mass, their ranks surrounded by those of Imperials swathed in equipment that rattled and clanged with each goliath step. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] On a mesa nearby, twin Mirrors surveyed the scene below, their breathing encased within the metallic and copper plates upon their noses. Their eyes blinked behind colored goggles, shaded by stretches of desert colored fabric connected to small stores of electricity. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Road to Outpost 10 looks clear,” Mahara, the female, commented, “No beastclan activity, no signs of draconic life.” She was the elder of the two, and the larger, but both were matched in their skill. Her claws gripped the edge of the mesa, crouching down and bringing her wings close to her sides. Her brother Jarith did so as well, lifting his head to the breeze catching his tattered garb. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]There was a scent in the air of dust and heat, and he gave a look of concern to his sister. “I don’t like that wind.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“What are you thinking?” Her gaze never left the Order traveling below, the General, Captains, and Immortal Guard marking the head of the advance. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Sandstorm,” he said, “No doubt. We need to warn them before it starts up - we might be able to get them all leeward and in position to wait out the storm.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Mahara stood, spreading out her wings. “I doubt the General will have them stop. We can still warn them - it’ll do them and the supplies good. Come on!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The female leapt off, her brother close behind as they both glided down to the desert below, landing at a sprinting speed towards the Order. They came upon them shortly, calling out, “General!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Athanasia did not slow in her pace, as she asked, “What news, comrades?” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“No beasts and no dragons en route, but the winds are ripe for a sandstorm,” Jarith reported, looking in the distance and sure that he was starting to see the building wall of loose sand beginning to rise. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]General Athanasia nodded curtly, turning her head towards the perpetual storm gathering at the Spire and lingering around the lightning field. “Outpost Ten is on the other side of the lightning field,” she spoke, “If the sandstorm hits there, we will have more to contend with than just flying dirt. Good reporting, twins. You are dismissed.” The female turned to grey and green Mirror at her side, clad in a silver and red armor that still reflected well, although partially worn from battle. “Anthophilous, gather the scouts and climbers. Anyone that can secure a rope. We do not have resources to lose.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“My general, will we not be stopping?” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“No, comrade,” her voice was stern, determined. “We must reach Outpost 10 by sundown. It is imperative that we stay on schedule. Go quickly,” she urged, seeming to have noticed the building sand. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The female vanished into the crowd, Mahara and Jarith following after her. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Within minutes, each of the Imperial supply carriers had been secured and resecured again, and news of the approaching sandstorm had spread throughout the ranks. They were just entering the lightning field, rods and spires jutting out of the earth and into the charged sky. They were beginning to enter clouded territory, although the sun’s light on the rest of the territory was still quite visible. A hot wind was still approaching, filling the air with dust particles. Not so distant, there was little mistaking the orangish brown cloud of sand filled air rapidly approaching. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The wind began picking up dramatically, and not long after, the brunt of the cloud struck at full force, turning the air brown and filling it with fine, violent sand that ricocheted off the skin and armor of the members of the Order. Some of the more lightweight dragons found themselves pushed sideways, visibility diminished to less than a tail length in any direction. The roar of the sand drowned out any attempts of orders, but the directive was clear - keep moving. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]The dragons pushed their feet and claws into the sand, pushing forward against the force of the storm. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Every now and then lightning would strike out in the darkness, illuminating frightening shapes of clanmates and mesas as the storm blew through. The Nestwatchers each gazed out from their skull masks, taking careful head count of each of the hatchlings and protecting the eyes and noses of those that could not do it themselves. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Lightning struck nearby and a piece of one of the mesas shot just past one of the Skydancer’s faces, nearly shocking her into losing her grip. Mahara and Jarith remained side by side, their tails entwined to keep track of each other, a practice that was fairly common between members of the Order. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]It would be hours before the sand would subside, revealing sundown on the stormy horizon. Hours before they would be able to take a headcount once again, empty their equipment of sand and take note of what they had lost to the winds and harsh conditions. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]But for now, they endured.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Breathrot[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Outpost Ten Morning[/right] [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] It was just morning now, the sun already having breached from behind the ocean and lifted itself high enough to begin casting light upon Outpost Ten’s position near the water. Amongst the other tents and generators, one larger tent stood closer to the center, watched over by two Mirror guards at the entrances. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Within, eggs of various sizes were grouped by wires, fae dragons watched behind sparrow skulls, and a brown and orange hatchling named Matthew was facing off with a younger female. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] He leapt at her, tackling her to the ground and into one of the other hatchlings that had been watching, Neatnik. The blue and grey boy yelped and kicked the two away as they continued to wrestle, taking bites at each other’s necks and scratching the other’s body. The female, Brivet, bit hard into his fin, and Matthew dropped to the ground hard to shake her off. She was quite small, but resilient all the same. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Brivet let go just before she was crushed under his weight, popping back up a tail length away as Matthew snapped, “Give it up, Briv. You’re only in the order because your big sisters are. Why would anybody actually want a runt!?” There was snickering from the sidelines of other Mirrors hatchlings. Each were but days old and already marked with scratches and scrapes given to them by the others. Some were the offspring of warriors and hunters in the clan, while others had been bought or traded for from near and far. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “You take that back!” She snapped at him, getting a good swipe across his nose before he bat her away. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]“Make me!” The female was too easily provoked, and he sidestepped her enraged attacks easily, only serving to further infuriate her. She finally got in another good bite on his shoulder before he grabbed her wing and shook her around until she let go. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Matthew was one of the newer boys, rowdy and unkempt as each of the others, but he was quickly becoming the best fighter in the tent, and the rest of them all knew it. He’d formed something of a following in the few days since his arrival. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “You show her what for, Mat-” Neatnik’s voice was cut off as he coughed, and all of the tent went quiet, hatchlings quickly backing away from him. He cleared his throat, looking around with apprehension in those cyan eyes as each of the four nestwatchers swooped down, hovering around him with interest. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Matthew,” the monotone voice belonging to Alvilda spoke, “Find us the Arbiter and Medic Rhapsodic. Quickly. The rest of you, outside.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Matthew nodded, not even pausing to sneer at Brivet before dashing into the crowded roads of camp and making his way to the general’s tent, where he knew the Arbiter was more likely to be. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Matthew? What’s wrong?” Rhapsodic’s soft voice asked, coming upon him from the side. She seemed to have already detected his mixture of emotions, and he looked back to the nursery tent. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Neatnik’s coughed. You should go check it out.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The Skydancer bristled, quickly heading back to the tent as Matthew pushed on, pulling himself onto the raised pedestal that indicated the general’s and captain’s tents. He noted Virion barking orders at a procession of warriors and Internecine having indistinguishable words with an Ambassador from Light Flight. He held his head a little higher, still in pain from Brivet’s assault and doing his best not to show it as Zenith, the Arbiter, came into view. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] His imposing form was strung with dark and strung with greens, making him quite noticeable at any time of the day or night. Upon seeing him, the Mirror approached, leaning his large body down to get a look at the boy. His breath was hot and disgusting in Matthew’s nostrils. “You’ve been in a tussle, have you? Come to show off your battle scars?” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Neatnik’s sick,” Matthew answered only, doing his best to constrain himself around the Arbiter. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] There was a sound as if laughter, rumbling up from the dark Mirror’s throat. “Do curb your enthusiasm, small one. I sense your fear, and I sense your happiness. Fear that you may be sick, and happiness that another of your competition will no longer be an issue, perhaps?” He made a gruff, huffing noise. “Ha - I see much to your future, young comrade.” He leaned his face away, taking long strides back towards the tent with the younger Mirror following. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Each of the hatchlings peered inside, although they all knew what was going on. Neatnik was coughing in fits, his breathing beginning to come in rasping gasps. Breathrot, some called it. Hatchlingrot to others, for it had claimed the lives of many of the Order’s young and continued to do so. There was no cause, no cure. Neatnik would be dead by next sunrise, and there was little to debate on the matter. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Amongst the hatchlings outside, there was a clear sense of fear, scant few for Neatnik’s health. The hatchlings that had stood beside him stepped around anxiously, their nostrils widened as they tested their lungs for infection. Both Matthew and Brivet watched each other, knowing they had knocked into him. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Although they didn’t know it at the time, they would lose three more hatchlings to breathrot before the week’s end, and with each that fell there was a new sense of fear, and a growing sense of cruel happiness, knowing that with each hatchling that fell, those that remained were one step closer to power.

[center][size=7][font=Copperplate][color=teal]Nobody's Fool[/color][/font][/size][/center] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2360rrbawqe4flt/lightningmid.png[/img] [right]The Immortal Era Outpost Ten Evening[/right] [color=#eeeeee]____[/color][i]This is always the worst part[/i], Athanasia thought to herself, giving an exasperated sigh as she picked pieces of meat from between her teeth. She was not a negotiator by nature and never had been - not in the manner of normal diplomatic relations, at least. She could strongarm a Guardian out of their charge, but keeping the peace between clans and flights was quite simply not her forte. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] She had resolved to give the burden of such dealings to Internecine, who seemed to quite enjoy it, but the younger Mirror was away at the moment on more important business. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Finally it seemed, there was a commotion outside and a sound of approaching dragons. The general exited her tent, seeing the glowing orbs that marked the Light Ambassadors’ convoy. They knew better than to approach unarmed, but Athanasia was not foolish enough to allow their forces to freely enter the campgrounds and everyone knew it. The procession was stopped at the gate, their glittering gold banners and trinkets casting a glow upon the sand that was unmistakable to their flight’s colors. At its head were two Pearlcatchers, adorned in sashes and wreathed in light, looking flustered at the gathering crowd of mercenaries blocking their path. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Your General will hear about this insubordination! You will move at once for the Ambassadors of the Light Flight!” One was squawking, huffing at a collection of Mirror warriors watching him intently. The other was waiting impatiently, looking down her nose at the dirty dragons all around her, although she was not exactly large enough to quite make it look right. Her tail twitched in agitation and apprehension. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The crowds parted for Athanasia as she neared, her figure imposing and ominous. “They are my dragons. They will follow my rules. You did not think me so soft as to allow your warriors within my premises, did you?” She stopped when she was directly in front of them, and the male was not so eager to squawk anymore. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] His fluster faded to faked courtesy. “You must be General Athanasia, most esteemed. We have heard much of your e-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Silence,” she snapped, the Light warriors sharing glances and shifting their weight as the ranks of the Order tensed. “I have little time and less attention to devote to your words. If you wish to use both wisely, then you will follow me, and you will leave your guard here.” The female opened her mouth, but a swift gesture of Athanasia’s wing stopped her. “I am not the one here who needs to be diplomatic, ambassador.” She turned, hearing the Pearlcatchers follow after her hesitantly, back to her tent, where she waited for them to speak. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The female cleared her throat, “We of the Light Flight are dragons of research and understanding, civilized, to the say the least.” Her eyes wandered for a second to the savage tent and discarded bones lying about. “But it is no secret to us or you that there are some things upon which light does not shine. In recent times, the elements have…” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The female continued speaking, her pompous voice droning on endlessly of the tensions between plague and nature, the new crystals in arcane territory, and so on. Athanasia barely caught the mention of the new generator being built in Lightning territory, unwilling to devote a large amount of attention to the Pearlcatcher’s blabber. Her claws tapped impatiently in the sand, staring down the two Ambassadors with disgust and annoyance. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Finally, the male seemed to have realized how thin of a line they had already begun pushing, cutting off the female and saying, “T-the point is, things have been changing. With that Emperor roaming about Light territory, we can no longer tolerate even the smallest infringements upon our borders if we are to be taken seriously. You understand, of course.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “The point, now.” Athanasia had begun picking food from her teeth again, still watching them without blinking. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “O-Of course. You are a nomadic tribe, yes? One of your outposts is practically adjacent to our flight’s land, and your return to it is consistently marked by a sharp decrease in available food for every nearby Light clan, as your hunters care very little for borders. We would ask that you stay out of that outpost, or that you do not hunt within our borders, as a move of peace between all clans involved.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Make me an offer,” she growled, insulted. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “We offer but our friendship and alliance and ask for only that in return - and understanding.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Athanasia was infuriated. “We follow the food. That is our livelihood. Do you ask me to starve my clan because those that you represent cannot expand their own hunting ranges?” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The two seemed to have realized their mistake, both backing up a step. “General Athanasia, there are more important things than just your clan. We understand that-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] The general shook her head, flaring her wings out to either side. “Get out! I’ll not be insulted by two overgrown, pompous clams that think they can demand anything of me.” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “G-” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] “Unless you don’t want to keep those precious pearls of yours, I suggest you leave, now!” [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] They huffed, but left quickly, taking their guard with them and moving back out of sight. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Athanasia spat in their direction, retreating back into her tent and remembering the times when the Order was but a few dragons, each one starving and thirsty. Treaty after treaty, deal after deal, the story was always the same, another clan just looking to take advantage of their food and water situation. Jobs in exchange for food and water, always too much work and too little reward, but never anything she could do about it. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] But the Order had grown. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] Her clan had grown. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color] She would not sacrifice a single scrap in service to dragons that hadn’t worked as long as she had. [color=#eeeeee]____[/color]Athanasia was nobody’s fool and nobody’s victim. [b]---------------[/b]