Thread: Snipping the Puppet's Strings [-Haru|vampire-]

Golarion , a land of diverse races and vicious monsters. Home to elves and humans, dwarves and halflings. Monsters and magic also abide here, and good struggles with evil. It is the way it has always been and the way it ever will be. In this never ending struggle there are many great tales, and many legends are made. This story will focus on one such tale, one such legend. It begins in the Inner Sea region of Avistan , in the great elven kingdom of Kyonin . Ancient even by elven standards, Kyonin is the spiritual home of all elves in Golarion, and in many ways is an isolationist nation. Beset upon all sides by the encroaching kingdoms of humans and dwarves, Kyonin strives to remain independent. The monarch, Queen Telandria Essadriel , is liberal in her leanings, drawing dissent from more traditionalist mindsets of her Council. The capital city of Iadara is where the Queen resides. Although the city is intentionally hidden and obscured via illusion and magical fog, the elven capital is an awe-inspiring combination of elven magic and architecture with the natural environment of the Fierani Forest. Indeed, most buildings are artfully intertwined with the twisting trees, designed to protect and augment both. The structures are mostly constructed from silver, crystal, and wood, and smooth, twisting towers are popular architectural motifs. Iadara sits on the banks of the Endowhar River shortly downstream of the city, the Endowhar is joined by the Kyonin River, which eventually flows into the West Sellen River. Over her lifetime the Queen has taken many consorts. Elven birthrates are notoriously low and she had to produce an heir. Luckily she does have one, a single daughter was born to her, though half elven and half fey. This did not sit well with the Council, and even from the moment she was born she was assigned a guard. The Captain of the Royal Guard, a great leonine warrior named Okoru , took it upon himself to resign his position as Captain, and be the personal guardian of the Princess. Okoru's race, the ferocious Asura, live peacefully with the elves in Kyonin, and are rarely seen outside of that country. They have little desire to explore and see the world, though it is not completely unheard of to see an Asura wandering Golarion. Known for their unwavering loyalty and peerless ferocity in battle, the Asura are often sought out for their knowledge in all things martial. As long-lived as the elves themselves, they make perfect companions. Okoru had watched the Princess grow, at her side nearly constantly, and so when he was summoned before the Queen, he knew that the tidings were of ill portent. Informed that the murmurings of threats had reached the Queen's ears, and striving to protect her daughter, Telandria bid Okoru to spirit the Princess away and seek haven, promising to send word when or if it was safe for the faithful Asura to return her daughter to Kyonin. Swearing upon his life to see the Princess safe, Okoru went to fetch her from her chambers so that they could prepare to go. ---------- The eight foot tall Asura strode purposefully through the crystalline palace of the Queen, knocking only briefly upon the door of the chamber to the room of the Princess before he would enter. Princess! We must make haste! The Queen has commanded me to take you to safety, beyond the borders of Kyonin. She has seen danger, and it is imminent. he said, his voice filled with urgency. It was a deep baritone voice, and often had been used to soothe the Princess to sleep in her younger years, and though it had been a comfort then, the tone at the moment should have told the Princess that Okoru was very serious. I will go and pack my things Princess, and you do the same. It will only be the two of us, so pack light. e cannot afford a caravan. he warned, knowing that the Princess liked to pack for many contingencies. The magical backpack that Okoru had would hold nearly all they might wish to take, though he wanted to be careful - if somehow the bag was punctured he would lose everything within it. Once he was sure that the Princess understood he would make haste to his room, which was adjoining, and begin to gather what things he thought they might need.