Thread: Dynasty of Blood (Alvis Alendran & Danidoo88)

The world had changed. Heights previously undreamed of, with all the powers of ingenuity with technology, and the raw creative forces of magic working in concert, all had been lifted up. Great projects of purest vanity and pride built for nothing more than the fact that such thigns could be done. Spires of silver glass that towered a mile or more in height, the caps of mountains severed and lifted into the air to become flying city-states unto themselves, More and mroe heights of achievment came, raising up every race on hte earth to the greatest point any could recall. And then the world changed again. The war that broke out was unlike anything that anyone had expected. The great heights of technology and mogic were employed to their destructive potential. Stone colossi strode fromt he dwarven fastnesses as a spearhead to shatter all defenses, runes of power and protection burning on them to ward off resposes, onyl to have the met by the might of equally large mechanical monsters from the humans, and even the power of great beasst summoned from distant planes. Beneath these titans of war, the rest of the world fought to their greatest strength. Uncounted billions fought and bled and died, so many lost and unsung, unremembered, heroes of that time all lost to the fickle winds of war. When the world at last recoiled in horror at what they had wrought, finally seeking some peaceful resolution, the war erupted once more, but this time from a quarter unexpected. From hidden places int he world, emerged the combined forces of the Vampires, a legion of undead warriors with incredible strength and power, backed with a collective of nearly all of the highest points of both magic and technology. The advance was implacable, overrunning what strongholds had withstood the war, shattering the nations of hte world, breaking the back of the racil governments, subjugating those that surrendered. It looked as though the Vampires would take all of hte world for their own, until a disaster of their own struck. The king of their people, the grand unifying force of their people...simply vanished. All attempts to locate him failed, and the Vampires turned to infighting. Their advance stopped, their efforts turned inwards. After a century of internecine conflicts, the dust settled with the Vampires in a tense state of peace. A council, representing all of the major bloodlines of the Vmpaires now ruled, but even they knew that their rule was frail amongst their own people. Many on hte fringes of their territory lived as Frontier Lords or Ladies and did as they pleased, only paying lip service unless officials arrived. Because of this, and the failure to complete the subjugation, hope still burned in the hearts of mortals. Broken from their heights, some few sitll took arms, and hunted the Vampires, bring an edge of risk to the frontier. With Vampires and hunters and the last vestigges of hte free mortal peoples trying ot live as best they could, the world kept turning in the ashes of the previous age, and those remaining lived on under the Dynasty of Blood It hadn't been a good year on the village. Truthfully, it hadn't been a good decade on the village. Harvests had come adn gone, each one seeming to be just a little smaller than the last, just a little less rich than before. While thigns were never easy, it was becoming harder and harder. If things continues as they were, it was likely the village itself was going to collapse, unable to continue to feed itself. There was a chance that the trade city to the west might have what they needed to revitalize their cropland, but such would cost coin, and plenty of it, and that simply meant that it was unlikely to get done at all. Joseph, patriarch of his small family shifted his stance once more, using his strength to clear another patch of small weeds. If only the weeds were edible, then no one in the village would ever need go hungry. The thought amused him a moment before he looked up at the faint sounds of something approaching his fence. It was late in the day, the sun hidden behind a heavy cloud cover, but still enough light to work by, and he needed every moment that he could muster. The sound had come from what looked like a carriage. Horse drawn, a team of four horses yoked tot he construct, but any notion of this being from anywhere local was dispelled almost right away. The carriage wasn't made of any kind of wood, but it looked like it was crafted of some kind of dark glass or crystal, and the lanterns that adorned each corner were glowing, but not with fire, just a simple bright amber light that spread out from the carriage, even in the remains of hte day. At night they must burn bright enough to see for a mile. The horses themselves were nothing standard either. Each of them was of identical size, likely the result of some at least basic gene-coding to keep them within desired parameters. Deep black and there were clear patches on them that showed mechanical assists, making these beasts augmented by powerful technology that would grant them speed and strength beyond anything that mortal beasts would manage. The driver of the carriage was a short man, barely five feet in height. Certainly human, he was dressed msartly, in well tailored clothes that spoke of skills and materials that would be outlandishly hard to find. He dismounted from the carriage, and gave a half-bow to Joseph by way of silent greeting, before opening the carriage door. The driver's master stepped out. A tall man, near to six feet, and thin. There was clear definition to his face, with high cheekbones and expansive grey eyes. His hair was dark, but with faint flecks of silver in it. There was something almost...Elven in his bearing, the way each move seemed measured and graceful, but his ears were clearly rounded like a humans. The clothes this man wore were impeccable, a suit looking to be cut in a fashion that seemed almost Victorian in it's make, and partly covered by an expansive cloak. He stepped towards Joseph, seeming to flinch slightly as the clouds thinned a moment, almost letting hte light raise, but it was only a second, and Joseph figured that anyone spending all theri time in a carriage might be a bit touchy when it came to light. A fair afternoon to you good farmer. The man said quietly. His voice seemed ot be barely more than a murmur, but it carried clearly to Joseph's ears. A, uh, fair afternoon to you as well...my...Lord? Joseph fumbled for the right choice of words. The man waved a pale hand, the flash of a golden ring on one finger catching the light from the lanterns behind him. Do not worry yourself overmuch good sir, I am Lord Gabriel Drakken, but you may simply call me Gabriel. After all, we are on your land, and I am far from where my name carries much weight. Joseph nodded at the words, appreciating that the Lord acknowledged that outside of his realm, his name carried very little weight. What can I do for a traveling lord? I can offer some hospitality, though I admit that it may be poor fare compared to what you might be accustomed to. Gabriel inclined his head. Though appreciated, I would not wish to be a burden on you or your family. I have been in the area several times this last week, and had noticed someone on you land. A young woman? Jospeh nodded, though his stance shifted, now on his guard. I've a daughter. Gabriel looked past Jospeh, towards the small house that Joseph called home. There was a garden out behind it, and what looked to be the young woman that Gabriel had been asking after. I mean you and yours no harm good sir, none at all. As it would happen, I've need of a new servant in my manse, and had the thought of offering your daughter the chance of employ. Jospeh cocked his head. Times were tough, adn thigns were hard. He loved his daughter, but with her working somewhere, it'd be one less mouth to feed. And if this man truly was a noble, he woudl likely compensate not only her, but the family as well. It could be a way for them to move forward. I...cannot say if she would be willing to do such. Jospeh said carefully. Gabriel waved his hand once more, that gleam of gold catchign the eye once more. Jospeh had seen plenty of false gold in the markets, even once he saw synthetically made gold. While beautiful, the syunthetic never quite compared properly to the shine and gleam of the real thiung, the way this one ring before him shone. This time, he also caught the moment of a red glow from it, showing it likely had an embedded ruby, something that would hold fantastic value. I understand good farmer! I would not wish you to make such a decision hastily, nor qithout consulting the woman herself! I employ only those willing and free in my home, for proper pay and care. Speak to the girl. If she is willing to come work with me, then so be it. I will return to see what might have come from this in a weeks time. As proof of my interest and commitment... Gabriel slipped hte gold ring from his finger, and offered it to Joseph. The farmer gaped at the idea of taking it, but shakinly reached out, gently plucking it from Gabriel's fingers. The noble nodded, adn gave an inclinaton of his head. ...until we speak again good farme.r And know that should she not wish to accompany me, I will bear neither her nor your family ill will. With that, he stepped back into his carriage, the driver quickly closing the door behind him, and stepping back to the driving post. A moment later the horses were in motion, quiter than expected, the loudest sound a faint whine of mechanical parts moving. Joseph stared after the carriage. He'd have sworn it was a dream, something he'd imagined out of a sense of too much monotonous work. But the gold ring was still in his hand, and the ruby in it was the size of his thumbnail. A fortune. He clenched his fist, and made his way back towards the house and garden. He'd have to speak to his daughter, and soon. He'd need to know her mind on the subject soon.