Private Tales A Dream Come True

[Ixcuiname]

Ixcuiname tread upon sacred ground. Hidden deep within this endless landscape of mangrove trees and swampland stood a single stone temple. The Cuicatl tribe, river naga's whose ancestors had mingled with sirens, had come to dominate this particular region of the Iuk-'U Delta and erected this decrepit and squat building to honour their forebears. Since its construction, the Queens of her tribe had tended to this shrine and led her people from this spot for centuries. Even now the imprint of their magic, their personality and their authority could be felt by those who bothered searching. Today, however, was different. Today she had been tasked by a greater power. Today, under the direction of the great and supreme Scaled King, she would issue a call to arms to her kin. Her message would ring out across the corners of the world, reaching the ears of the naga that the King himself had personally chosen.

A lizardfolk kneeled before her, tied and restrained, dipping in and out of consciousness - barely alive. Behind him stood her oath sworn protector, a behemoth of a naga, who held a peculiar one edged blade pressed gently against the head of the lizard. Her role in this was clear, she was to be the conduit, she was to link the Scaled King from his home in Nagai to each of his selected Naga and introduce these chosen folk to their future ruler. They would surely join his cause and the naga would soon swarm the poor legged folk and take over the world - she was certain.

Her belief cemented her actions. She nodded and her guardian acted. In a single fluid and, somehow, delicate motion he peeled back the scalp of the poor slave and revealed the pulsing brain that sat beneath. He paused, glancing towards Ixcuiname once more and, likewise, once more she nodded. The naga withdrew a strange bladed, almost spatula-like, device and cut free the brain of the lizard. She smiled, her forked tongue flickering in excitement, the scent of fresh brain matter always set her heart fluttering. Carefully, the organ was placed within a great brazier in the centre of the room and doused in a foul-smelling ritual oil. A spark, a trail of smoke, the brain was alight. The sacrifice was complete.

Immediately, Ixcuiname began her chanting, swaying in sync with her sound. Slowly she drew closer and closer towards the brazier, inhaling the fumes in the name of her goddess. Qetsaal. The name flashed in her mind, yet she continued. Qetsaal. She heard the whispers, she felt a great shadow pass over her corporeal form, yet she continued. Qetsaal. Her spirit was ripped from her body and the physical form of Ixcuiname collapsed, only to be caught by her faithful protector. She had entered the dreamscape that stretched inseparably and eternally around the physical plane.

The sacrifice had empowered her, likewise, she had siphoned the residual power from her temple. This ritual would drain her reserves for the next few weeks.
Communication, as she was currently attempting, over such vast distances was costly. Thankfully, for her at least, she had ample slaves to pay the price. Furthermore, without the assistance of the Scaled King, this would not be possible. He had provided her with a trinket, an object, a piece of clothing, items that allowed her to hone in on the designated people leagues away from her.

As each of the chosen nagas drifted off into a deep slumber, an intruder slipped into their dreams. A blur, at first, but soon a beautiful, small, and bright red naga approached them in their dreams. "I am an emissary of the Scaled King, he requests your immediate attention." She smiled a beautiful and warm smile, her looks were unparalleled in the naga kingdom, or at least she so believed, and she hoped that would be enough to convince them all.

Slowly, and delicately, Ixcuiname outstretched a slender pale hand towards each of the recipients. She was to lead their dream-selfs to the Scaled King.

 

[Agrel]

The Cave was on the coastline. As the tide came in the sounds of the surf could be heard echoing through its entrance. No one came here, this place had a bad reputation. It was cursed and anyone who walked on two legs and ventured close was likewise cursed.

Deeper into the cave it opened into several chambers. These Chambers were decorated by a variety of trinkets, a collection of savage fetishes and totems which were hung from the ceiling both as a warning and an offering.

The Tidelord did not receive many visitors. Beyond the Naga who acted as his envoys and servants he enjoyed the solitude, the communion with the Ocean that he partook in when he left his lair and the occasional sacrifice when he caught a trespasser.

Interlopers were not treated kindly.

As he drifted to sleep, his serpentine coils writhing and twisting over one another he had muttered something incomprehensible. His mind was in a fog and he suspected witchcraft. He himself was touched by a God so he recognized some of the signs.

In his dreams he saw the silhouette of the figure. An intruder that first came as a blur then transformed into a woman who beckoned to him. "Emissary of the Scaled King."...he hissed, disregard for her title evident on his features which twist into a sneer however he recognized the individual she had come to represent and so..."Very well."...he reached for her hand so that she could lead him onwards.

 

[Sauvan]

A dream of many colours, pleasant and exciting, of feathers from golden and emerald peacocks, veils and pillows. Many things discrete; the snakes and lizards of his lord and blossoms on every step.

Yet shame ohhhh what shame. Hissssss Disrupted. The dream Savei floated up from his lofty sky covers, his wide tail kicking into the dreamscape as he swam across and around the red visage of Ixcuiname.

This was strange and weird. I knew you not hsss.

Ssssssss his blue tongue flickered, he could taste the sentence as clear as day, yet no pheromones were emitted in the dream.
But he hissed, his voice rattling.
»My kingsssss here. « Savei then floated around. Savei's colourful and bright dreamscape followed his every span, and disappeared as soon as he moved elsewhere.
»What isss thisss?«

Savei then lept forward, their tail morphing into legs, their visage a perfect union of male and female in full glory. Their new legs stepping on some floor what was not there.
This one indeed was of the right one, the other born, the half mutt Nirvas that lived among mankind.

 

[Tir'Coatl]

Braziers dotted the throne room's walls, orange pillars of flame dancing in the air amidst a field of charcoal. The light reflected softly against the gilded pillars, whose surface had been intricately carved to depict a shifting, never-ending serpent, rising from a sea of blood. Qetsaal, the Feathered Serpent from which they had been blessed.

Rhythmic chanting emanated from the room, a collection of echoing hisses and growls that would have been meaningless and animalistic to the Skinned Ones. To the Naga, however, it was prayer. A dozen Naga stood on the stone floor, their serpentine bodies shifting and swaying, almost dancing in their motions.

Beastmen fell to their knees, the once-proud people now utterly complacent and subservient to their rulers. Their fur was marked with crimson blood, which appeared to have been burned into their very flesh: a reminder of their servitude to any who gaze upon their shattered forms.

Slowly, the praying Naga and the kneeling Beastmen parted, opening up a gilded path that led to the throne. The throne was crafted from stone, its surface an immaculate work of art. It depicted fields of kneeling Naga, each one facing a towering structure. Atop it was another, one whose armor was painted over with golden dust and weapon touched with crimson paint.

The Scaled King.

Tir'Coatl sat upon his gilded throne, watching the procession was a satisfied gleam in his gaze. Approaching from the cleared path was a young Naga, a mantle of carved bone and feathers atop her shoulders. She paused, looking to the Scaled King for permission. A nod followed, and the Tiskuani continued.

In her hands was a bowl, a crimson pool rippling within it. Tir'Coatl took it without a word, the praying suddenly rising in volume as he did so. Their words spoke of life and death, the blessing of Qetsaal upon her chosen people. The Naga Lord pulled the bowl up to his mouth, pouring its contents into his maw. As he did so, the blood glimmered, the once dull red turning to a vibrant, almost glistening concoction.

Immediately, the Scaled King felt a surge of life enter him. The blood coursed through him, the essence flooding his spirit. He lowered the bowl, handing it back to the Tiskuani. The ritual completed, Tir'Coatl gave a dismissive gesture to the group. "Your presence is not needed, go. I have other matters to attend."

The collection of Naga and slaves quickly followed the order, filtering out of the throne room in silence leaving the Scaled King alone with his chosen bodyguards. The Naga warlord descended from his throne, his coiled tail unwrapping around the raised pedestal upon which it stood as it stretched to its full length. Tir'Coatl moved quickly, his bodyguards trailing behind him. As courtiers passed him, they immediately bowed, pheromones of respect following suite.

The Scaled King entered his bed-chamber, a lavish construction of soft cloth and warm braziers. The guards quickly took their place outside the door, allowing their liege his privacy. Assuming Ixcuiname had done her task correctly, he would soon meet his new advisors.

Slowly, the realm of sleep overtook him. The darkness around him turned to dense jungle, leaves manifesting from shadow as moonlight filtered through the canopy. A staggeringly tall temple seemed to form beneath him in the dreamscape, brilliant fires surrounding the construction within an aura of burning flame. In the clouds, a writhing silhouette circled the temple, feathers dotting its form as its serpentine deific form shifted and turned. Atop the staired pyramid was the coiling and waiting Scaled King.

In due time, they would come.

In due time, the Naga will rise.

In due time, the world shall know their name.

 

[Ixcuiname]

Ixcuiname had no time for games. She couldn't possibly begin to fathom the needs of the Scaled King, nor why he required such an abomination as the one that floated before her. However, he had insisted that each of his chosen individuals had been selected for a reason. She would not question his will, only follow it.

Her charming smile never faltered. Her eyes, smiling gently towards the young Naga drifting around them. Carefully, so as not to spook the child, Ixcuiname raised her head towards her own head and gently phased her hand through her face. Moments later she withdrew it, an orb of impossible colours held on her palm outstretched towards Sauvan.

She clenched it, the orb shattering between them. Suddenly, and without warning, the Scaled King appeared.

A memory.

Ixcuiname, a second one, stood before him. His booming voice issued commands and instructions to Ixcuiname and, more importantly, he spoke of Sauvan by name.

"No, he is not your king." The word 'yet' lingered in the air as she paused, unspoken but the intent was clearly there. "But he humbly requests your audience, he has an offer tailored for you." Her words were honeyed, sweet and soothing. She could feel the tug of the Scaled King, leagues away, awaiting his guests. She did not want to keep him waiting long.

"However, if you are not interested, we shall depart. My apologies if I have wasted your time." She spun on her tail and made a careful motion to leave his dreamscape.

 

[Sauvan]

»I seeee I seee HsSSSs... hrsss....hsss.« The mersnake pondered-
Though Savei was as always, adrift between the various spheres of dreams an it's ever-changing reality.

Of course, the visage of the supposed new king entertained the pale one. His scent markers hinted at pleasure, curiosity even.
Savei flickered his tongue.

 

[Ixcuiname]

Ixcuiname nodded but said no more. She'd begin the journey back to the Scaled King now, having left markers in place for any remaining chosen that she'd been unable to contact.

Carefully, she summoned a ball of pale pink energy and flicked it underneath the group. The sphere collided with nothing in particular and a vast hole opened up beneath the party. The visage of a grand temple could be seen and, at its head, was the Scaled King.

Ixcuiname dropped into the opening between dreams and drifted to Tir'Coatl's side, bowing deeply as she approached the fearsome ruler. "I have collected two of your chosen and left markers for the rest. If they wish to find us, they shall." She smiled cruelly, then slid to the side, allowing her King an unobstructed view of his champions.

 

[Tir'Coatl]

The Scaled King cast his reptilian gaze towards the River Naga, a satisfied expression entering his visage. The dreamwalker was his most trusted advisor, her magic unparalleled in the Kingdom of Samksaya. "Excellent, Ixcuiname. You have done well, as I have come to expect."

As Ixcuiname shifted to the side, Tir'Coatl's eyes landed upon the two chosen before him. His form lifted, the naga's tail unraveling slightly at the movement. A moment of near-permeable silence passed as the Scaled King looked over their forms, as if to decide if they were as impressive in person as they were in tales.

Savei, the mutt. Though the half-blood was no fighter, there were skills beneath their disabled visage. Skills that would prove of use to his empire. They had need of translators, those capable of understanding and conversing with the Skinned Ones and their strange tongue. Tir'Coatl glanced at the lower half of the mutt, taking note of the legs that replaced his tail. An infiltrator, one who could pass as a Skinned One and walk amongst them, only to dismantle them from within. To have an inside operative, as well as the sleeper agents provided by Ixcuiname's abilities, would spell a quick end to the unprepared. A grin filled his features at the thought.

His gaze shifted to Xhivyas, the so-called "Tidelord." The Naga spoke of him as one blessed by Qetsaal, one who could weave her many scales to call for blessings and curses alike. Similar to Sauvan, he was one with many tongues. Xhivyas could provide some much-needed support for Naga forces at the field of battle, once blood had already painted the ground. To have a Blessed One would provide further support for the Scaled King's rule among the Naga, and he believed he had something that would be of great interest to the Tidelord, something that could offset any reluctance he may have.

Mere seconds after the silence had begun, it ended. The ones who stood before him would be of great use to him and to Samksaya. "I am the Scaled King, Lord of the Tiskuani and Uniter of a Dozen Clans. the one who brought you here is Ixcuiname, Queen of the Coatl and Dreamwalker." Tir'Coatl declared, his voice commanding and powerful. "I seek those with power, those with conviction and loyalty, to join my ranks. I am in need of advisors, operatives that can travel unnoticed among the Skinned Ones, and those with magic that could turn the tides of any battle." With each relevant point, he would purposefully direct his gaze to the respective chosen Naga.

"I plan to bring the Naga prosperity and power, the prosperity and power our people deserve. I wish to make the Skinned Ones kneel, to make them know of our strength. I wish to build an empire that will span across jungles and mountains, across the plains and deserts of this realm." His hand clenched into a fist, his voice seemingly emanating from the air around them. "If you join me, I can promise you many things. Wealth, slaves, knowledge..." A pause followed, the Scaled King's serpentine gaze drifting over the two.

"...Immortality."

 

[Agrel]

The Scaled King cast an impressive figure as he appeared to the Tidelord. Ixcuiname was far less impressive to him. Perhaps Xhivyas bigoted in that sense or he merely respected the powerful and formidable form of Tir'Coatl, it was also possible that he saw Ixcuiname as a potential rival seeing as how they both wielded a gift. His power was granted via communion with a God but he was uncertain where the Dreamwalkers came from.

As he was addressed the Tidelord coiled and uncoiled his tail around himself, eventually rising to his full height in such a manner to show that he was not intimidated by the Scaled King while hissing...

"I know of you, Tir'Coatl. The tide brings with it many secrets as do the depths."

...he spoke in a matter of fact way but the promise of immortality is what piqued his curiosity causing his crimson pupils to expand as is mind worked through the possibilities...

"Immortality? How? Immortality is the domain of the gods. Even we, those who are touched by them see that it is beyond us."

...but clearly such a promise had gotten his attention, Xhivyas would raise one of his hands and rub his chin slowly, contemplating though never removing his eyes from his host or the one who had brought him here before he started to muse...

"Such an empire might swallow the world in a watery embrace."

 

[Sauvan]

Savei was more than enough convinced that this was still some odd trance of a dream. But he played well into it regardless.
all these people, probably just fragments of his dream.
Did he meet them beforehand, heard of them? Did his subconsciousness muster them up from long lost memories or once-heard names?

Maybe.
Savei was not the brightest.
»What an adventure will it beee... Mmm.«

»Lucrative very lucrative...it iss.«

 

[Ageratina Altissima]

Ageratina had just spent the day and part of the night hunting. His search for knowledge led him deep into the jungles and he had to provide for himself. He carried his personal possessions in a satchel, including all the books and scrolls he's collected over the years.

Now he rested in the treetops, his long body coiled tightly around the giant tree he chose, wrapping around the trunk all the way down to its roots while he rested in its high branches.
As sleep began to enter his mind he pondered his life, his goals. Until a few years ago he was a simple animal, a beast in the forest. a tribe found him and taught him so many things, until there was nothing left to learn from them.
But the greatest mystery they told him about was magic. They didn't have answers themselves but he had seen it in action a few times in their raids against the soft skins. Some individuals were able to summon some incredible power in their hands and cast them, it was never enough to defeat them but it was intriguing to say the least for the inquisitive Yuan-Ti.

With those thoughts on his mind he fell asleep... Or did he? was it a dream? He had many dream but never had he experienced one like this.
He found himself in some void, there was nobody there. But he detected the scent, someone left instructions. He was wary, this was all so strange. A smell? in a dream? Was this magic messing with his head?
Normally he would have ignored it and tried to escape, but he was curious. could knowledge be found this way?
He followed the instructions and the void began to change around him. He found himself at the edge of a dense jungle with a clearing before him. A huge structure was in the clearing and he could see some figures up ahead.

Naga, the same creatures of the tribe he was once a part of... Or so they seemed. Their scents were strange, their colorations different.
He cautiously entered the clearing, approaching the structure with his long tail trailing behind him. As he approached he saw the Naga conversing. But he didn't know what had been said before.
He gathered himself into a thick coil just behind the two and folded his arms, waiting to see what would happen.

There were four Naga there, and the one before them was certainly an impressive sight, but the other really caught his attention. The red scaled female. She was far more beautiful than any female he had seen in his tribe, her colors were pleasing and her form was exotic to look upon, but he kept his pheromones' to himself for now. This was not the time to seek a mate.

 

[Ixcuiname]

Ixcuiname emitted an almost cat-like purr as Tir'Coatl spoke. Her scales rippled in response, shimmering their beautiful salmon colour, as she felt electricity course throughout her body. Her forked tongue flickered and swayed, savouring the compliments that had been thrown her way. Each individual word, marked with powerful scents and pheromones, absorbed by her ego. Compliments were, after all, her lifeblood. Ixcuiname was nothing if not vain. In her years ruling one of the great river Naga tribes, she had grown accustomed to being the most beautiful Naga in the delta. She had fought wars and murdered in cold blood any who dared claim otherwise. Her beauty was hard-fought and masked her cruelty and viciousness. Vanity, beauty, power. Those were her drivers. She was all three, and the promise to keep them for eternity, to throw off the shackles of her race's short longevity had led her to side with the Scaled King.

She was enamoured with herself and took several moments to relish in this overwhelming sensation before she focused her attention back towards the crowd. Xhivyas was the first to chime in. She didn't particularly enjoy him, or his scent. He left her feeling somewhat uncomfortable and angered. Ixcuiname knew her charms and whiles would not work on this Naga, she would need to be wary of him. Bored. Her attention drifted to the mutt. The mongrel. He was a freak, she did not understand his purpose here, but had faith in Tir'Coatl.

Ixcuiname smiled at the arrival of Ageratina. He was pleasant to look at and she, at least, had heard of him.
She cursed herself. She had been looking forward to exploring his mind the most, but she'd been unable to locate him initially. Tales of his strategic know-how had piqued her interest, she'd heard rumours of his talent. If she had a chance, in future at least, she'd enjoy roaming through his mind.

"I can assure you all, what our supreme Scaled King promises is the truth. If you so require, I have proof." She spoke in a melodic voice, but her words were a thinly veiled threat. To accept her offer was to dishonour the great Scaled King in his own mind. His own temple.

 

[Tir'Coatl]

The compliment was, of course, no accident. Seeing the reaction each word of it yielded on Ixcuiname was expected. Her vanity was her weakness, and it was a string he pulled often to a great extent. A honeyed tongue and a well-placed notion of praise were all it took to ensure her respect still fell within his court, and the promise of eternal life was enough to ensure her obedience to the Scaled King. So long as her allegiance continued to find itself with the Kingdom of Samksaya, she was a valuable asset, one whose magic aided them greatly.

His eyes narrowed on Xhivyas, taking keen note of his uncoiling form. "Then the tides must bring with it tales of my conquest." Even coiled, Tir'Coatl still stood taller than the Tidelord, and the magnitude of the temple he stood upon only aided him in the visage.

As the Tidelord expressed his curiosity at his proposition, a smile plastered itself on the Scaled King's serpentine face. "We are Qetsaal's chosen. What was once the domain of gods and legends is in our grasp, bestowed upon us by the Feathered Serpent. To squander such a divine gift would be heresy, as I'm sure you'd agree," he said, carefully picking his words to appeal to Xhivyas. Someone who communes with the divine was sure to respect them, and Tir'Coatl made sure to utilize that respect. "To those who join me, I will ensure that they too will be blessed with Qetsaal's gift. With such an ability on our side, the world will kneel or they will fall."

The Naga's gaze swung over to Sauvan, nodding his head. "It will be more than an adventure, half-blood," he hissed, uncoiling as he rose his clawed fist, "it will be a legend."

As the King spoke, his eyes found refuge on another of his chosen: Ageratina Altissima, the wild-born. Excellent, he had been hoping that the Yuan-ti would make his arrival soon. "Ageratina, excellent." Pheremones of approval left him at the sight. "Your former tribe tells much of you. The wild-born, the one raised by the jungles of Nagai. They say that your skills in the field of battle were unparalleled, your strategies the ones that brought several Naga tribes to the ground. Then, you disappeared."

The Yuan-ti was a strange one, but his prowess was not to be understated, as with the rest of his Chosen few. The Scaled King slowly slithered about the temple's top, his eyes keenly pressed onto the wild-born warrior. "I have need of one with your skills as a tactician and as a warrior. The lengths my Dreamwalker went through to contact you should prove that to you."

Returning his gaze to the trio as a whole, he continued, "I wish to build an empire, one that spans the world itself. Knowledge, immortality, wealth; all shall be given to those that aid me in this cause."

 

[Ageratina Altissima]

Recognition, the large Naga spoke his name, knew of him, called him out by his reputation and skills. He let out pheromones of approval at being recognized, but his skepticism showed through.
"You know much about me and have gone through great lengthss to find me... But I don't know you. Sshall I compromisse mysself and give my allegiansse blindly?"
He looked at the red female again and realized that she must be the Dreamweaver he mentioned, he was two parts cautious and curious. But he decided that from now on he should temper his approach, if he understood a little bit of what Dreamweaving involved, it meant his mind was linked to another and he was in uncharted territory.

He slithered past the two that arrived before him. He moved a good couple feet to rest beside them but the majority of his tail remained coiled where he rested before. If he wanted he could uncoil himself and almost extend all the way up the tower without leaving the ground, perhaps even coming eye to eye with the powerful Naga if he wanted to, such was his own unnatural length.
But out of respect for the throne of the Naga's mind he didn't assert his dominance.

The Naga was addressing them all again, but the promise that Ageratina focused on was the promise of knowledge. Could this Naga really promise him such a thing? to create an empire one needs knowledge to begin with, and then he must continue to grow in knowledge. But an empire is the perfect place one can gather knowledge, meet the people of Arethil, and not just those who come to their little island tribes.
The world of possibilities was growing in his mind.

The red skinned Naga caught his attention again. And this time he couldn't resist releasing a pheromone of desire. Not only was she desirable to him physically, but she was a Dreamweaver, one who could use magic which promised knowledge, he could learn so much from her, perhaps even learn how to walk dreams himself.

He looked back on the king and rose up slightly higher to introduce himself formally, his hood unfolding around his head on display, his pheromones signaling respect. "I am Ageratina Altissima, the wild-born. Warlord of the Sskiiski tribe, nesst sslayer and kin eater. I will hear the name of the one who would be emperor and then I will sserve hiss idealss until I draw my lasst breath... Or until he takess hiss..."

 

[Agrel]

As he faced the Scaled King in this shared dream Xhivyas noticed another arrival causing the Naga to narrow his eyes until only the red of his pupils remained while his tail began to coil around himself again. Despite the physical disadvantage the Tidelord had appeared undaunted by Tir'Coatl though he respected his power and what he had done gathering them all together.

The Tidelord's eyes quickly went from the Emissary of the Scaled King, Ixuiname to Sauvan and then towards the newcomer Ageratina Altissima, he hissed once before replying...

"Yes, heresy."

...he seemed to be mulling something over, his ego playing a roll alongside his vanity and his ambition...

"The Deep speaks to me and I cannot disobey. Provide me with everything that I require and I will ensure the tides serve your every whim and that the ocean rises up to crush your enemies."

...he would join the Scaled King for glory and the chance at the immortality that was promised. The Tidelord knew that his life was slowly draining away, Naga did not have as venerable a lifespan as many of the other races and Xhivyas feared death. He had no desire to discover if there was another life after this one but despite being blessed he could not escape the inevitable.

 

[Tir'Coatl]

One by one, the chosen Naga proclaimed their obedience to the throne. The sight was a grand one, and it was one that would mark an era of greatness for their kingdom. The land of the Skinned Ones would be bathed in blessed blood, their civilizations razed and risen anew, for it was their destiny as the firstborn of Qetsaal.

"Excellent," the Scaled King began, beckoning the trio to come up the temple with a clawed hand. "Come, we have much to discuss. I refuse to sit idle when the opportunity for growth is ripe."

As his new advisors found themselves venturing to the top of the towering structure, Tir'Coatl took a single sharpened claw and dragged it atop a stone altar. As it carved through the table, blood filled the crevices left behind. After a few moments, a crimson map had been created, depicting Nagai and the mainland. Droplets of sanguine ink lingered atop the map, taking the place of notable settlements and cities known to the Naga.

"The Kingdom of Samksaya, thus far, has lurked within the Ixchel Wilds and our homeland. We've secured various outposts and mines, with the Skinned Ones only seeing us through the occasional raid." As he described their borders, keen eyes lingering on the advisors, swathes of red were painted over the map, covering most of Nagai and portions of the Wilds. "However, it is time for us to expand our horizons and establish a more prominent foothold on the mainland. There is a large settlement beyond the Ixchel Wilds, one that would provide an excellent opportunity for the Naga."

The Scaled King's claw scraped against the stone, pulling their gaze to a speck of crimson beyond their borders. "In their tongue, they call it Easthaven. The Skinned Ones gather there, exchanging goods and trading with one another, and many walk behind its walls." His claw idly tapped the stone as he spoke, the words a rumbling hiss.

"I wish to take it."

 

[Ageratina Altissima]

Ageratina ascended the temple, his long tail trailing behind him. Once he reached the top his tail didn't quite reach the bottom, but it was still pretty close. He coiled himself once more at the top and listened to the Naga. He still didn't know this serpents name, even though he requested to hear it.
He watched as the king outlined their basic plans and he examined the map.

A settlement beyond the Ixchel Wilds? That jungle was absolutely massive. It would take them months, even years to cross it. If this Easthaven was on the Island Nagai, or even directly across from them on the mainland coast, that was a plausible target.
But he kept his thoughts to himself for now. Perhaps the king would clarify his intentions.

 

[Agrel]

As the Scaled King beckoned them Xhivyas would allow his tail to uncoil so that he could slither higher up the temple with the others. Ascending towards the pinnacle where the stone altar was located the Tidelord looked curiously as Tir'Coatl activated it the crimson droplets formed a map of Nagai and the mainland.

When Tir'Coatl described the Kingdom of Samksaya, the outposts and mines that had been secured in the kingdoms name and then the markers formed of the crimson droplets started to coagulate on known settlements and cities the Naga knew of Xhivyas bristled slightly. Slithering forward he would lean closer to the map that had been created and survey it with eyes that were pinpricks of red.

"Easthaven."...the Tidelord seemed disinterested though he understood the benefit that taking the settlement could have however he interjected, hissing briefly while his tail slithered behind him and clawed hands tensed..."This but a stepping stone."...he stated while looking at the map then flicking his eyes towards the Scaled King.

Xhivyas seemed to care little for the others, he acknowledged they were there but when he spoke it was to Tir'Coatl..."Minaris is the greatest threat to the Kingdom of Samksaya."...a clawed finger would point out the city located on the southern edge of the Isles of Sheketh. To his knowledge Minaris was the largest city occupied by the Skinned Ones in the area and boasted a Navy with which they could attack the mainland and patrol the surrounding seas, the Tidelord had seen it in his mind, in his dreams bestowed to him by the Deep.

"If Minaris falls we would control the entire southern ocean from the Ixchel Wilds to the Isles of Sheketh and across as far as Iuk-'U Delta."

 

[Ixcuiname]

Her beady eyes settled on Ageratina for a moment. A practised look she had honed throughout the long years of her reign. A single glimpse that in years passed had driven weak-willed Naga to fight over her. It was, perhaps, as close as one could expect a Naga to come to coyness and flirtation. She smiled wryly, her tongue flickering and inhaling the brief pheromones that were released. The dreamworld made the scents less intoxicating, but they still gave her the desired hit.

Her attention drifted back towards Tir'Coatl and she followed carefully in her wake. Ixcuiname was small for a Naga, she was lithe, yet her posture and movement signalled danger. She moved with an air of efficiency, with killing intent, all hidden behind a mask of charm and beauty. As they reached the top of the tower she watched with a wry smile as her king summoned the scarlet map she had been so familiar with. His blood magic was her new drug, her lifeline, witnessing even small feats sent a shiver through her body.

Easthaven. She had heard whispers of it, but this was the first time she had heard the Scaled King mention it properly. A mixed reaction from the group, but it was to be expected. Her master wished to enter the world stage on a bang, on a dare, he wanted the skinned ones to be scared - and rightly so. Yet curiously, the Tidelord raised a valid point. Minaris... The city of fog. Impenetrable to outsiders, she wondered curiously if they had taken precautions to protect their minds?

"Minaris..." She spoke for the first time in a long time. Her voice was calm and she seemed to be savouring the world on her lips. "Their fog is impenetrable, even skinned-ones not of their kin find it impossible to navigate." She was thinking out loud at this point. Wondering Tir'Coatl's thoughts on the idea. "Perhaps a thrall could assist..." Ixcuiname paused but said no more. Her master would understand her suggestion, less so the others - unless they knew of dreamwork.

 

[Sauvan]

Savei went into a brain fog as the other Naga began to speak of names, gods regions and cities.
Just names and opinions floating in the dreamscape. Of course, he could not quite describe what belonged where.

Though he might have convinced himself entirely that this is still very much a dream of imaginary people and places.
why are things not moving, shifting? Why are they still here? Is he going to wake up not, any moment soon?
IT was all a mystery to him.

The half-blood shifted into a fish snake once more, his original form of the bioluminescent flat-tailed sea-snake.

 

[Ageratina Altissima]

Ageratina was finding the female increasingly difficult to ignore and he displayed some of his frustrations in his pheromones towards her. She was displaying signs of requiting attraction towards him that he didn't know how to process.

His hood was flattened against his neck as he looked at the plans before them and listened to the input of the others before formulating his own thoughts.
They were already discussing conquering and taking land, and they brought up good points, strategic places they could take that would increase their power and influence. Ageratina had some ideas of his own, but there was a nagging problem in his mind.

"These thoughtss are good... But ultimately usseless. What iss OUR sstrength? What tribess follow the sserpent king? How great are the tribess numberss? How many sslavess do each tribe have? How powerful are their warriorss? A plan is utterly usseless if we don't have the sstrength to achieve our goalss."
Ageratina approached the map, indicating it with his clawed hand.
"Where are we bassed on thiss map? Where iss our sstronghold? Do you mean to tell me all of the tribess already follow you without quesstion, that we claim thiss entire issland and all of itss ressorssess already? Warriorss need food, for food we need ressourssess. Warriorss need weaponss, for weaponss we need ressorssess and craftssmen to sshape them... Unless you want our army to continue to use sstolen weaponss and sstolen armor.
If we capture the port town, who will ssail thosse sshipss that will give us control over the ssea?"

Ageratina slid back and looked out across the dreamscape forest.
"Sshall we build an empire from the basse of tribal culture? All the empiress of the ssoft sskinss hisstory have never rosse to power by inforssing an archaic culture with itss archaic ideass."
He turned his golden eyes to look at the serpent king.
"Unnamed one... Sshall we continue to be sseen ass barbarianss... Or will the Naga finally risse from the foresstss to sstep onto the world sstage?"

 

[Tir'Coatl]

In truth, travel to Easthaven would only take near a month. The Naga were quick travelers and the once-dangerous elements of the Ixchel had since been tamed by outposts. As they spread, they had taken to charting their paths amidst the labyrinthian jungle so that future trips to the mainland went quicker. The fact that Easthaven was close to the coast, as depicted on the sanguine map, made it all the more enticing of a target.

However, a new city broached the discussion: Minaris. As the word was first spoken by Xhivyas, the small dot representing it seemed to hum with energy. A city ridden of fog, dense enough to ward off the unsuspecting sailor. He listened to the discussion, his face refusing to betray his thoughts on the matter. It was certainly a tempting target, and it was a similar distance away as Easthaven was.

His tongue flickered out of his mouth as he thought, his gaze sweeping over to Ixcuiname. "Indeed, a thrall could be of great use in guiding us to their walls. An interesting prospect indeed." Turning his head to the Tidelord, he spoke once more, "However, such a journey would require ships. Ships capable of traveling months at a time, large enough to house an entire army. Such a fleet requires time, time that could be occupied with other tasks as well. Do you possess such a fleet?" The tone the Scaled King spoke with was a stern yet intrigued one, clearly considering the target as a worthy one.

He glanced at the half-blood, watching as they listened silently and confused. "If you wish to speak," he began, "I recommend you do so. This is a matter for all advisors."

As Ageratina spoke his tirade, Tir'Coatl's visage remained unmoving, his unblinking gaze locked onto the Naga. The crimson blood which stained the temple's altar seemed to flare with vibrant power, though they remained unshifting. The wild-born was certainly opinionated, even despite his long absence from his tribe or Naga society as a whole.

Once the last word was uttered, the Scaled King spoke. "Tir'Coatl." A simple reply, but one that contained force all the same. Still, he decided to indulge his newly appointed advisor. "Ageratina Altissima, your concern is appreciated, but ultimately unwarranted. Our strength is our unity, our magic, our slaves, our very being. Nagai is one under our banner, the tribes brought to kneel before us." A clawed hand met the table, pressing into the stone with a screeching sound.

"Of the united tribes, the Tiskuani and Cuicatl are perhaps most notable. Lifedrinkers," the blood underneath his grip pulsed at the word, "and Dreamers, respectively." He gave a nod to Ixcuiname. "Our stronghold is on Nagai, Samksaya itself. A sprawling city, far beyond that of lesser peoples. The few enclaves of rebels against it are sought out and broken at my behest. With each people we conquer, with each slave, we gain our sustenance and our strength." His words were ambiguous, though Ixcuiname knew keenly the true meaning behind them. Of course, farms were handled by the smaller slaves, such as the Nagai froglings that had been conquered so long ago. The larger, they found themselves as warriors or sacrifices. "We do not steal. That was the way of the old ones. To survive, we must adapt. With every settlement we take off the Skinned Ones, we learn more."

At the word 'archaic,' the serpentine warlord's gaze seemed to sear into Ageratina's scales with their intensity. "One who lurks in forests, away from their tribe and their people, should know not to speak of culture." The sentence came out with a calm tongue, words laced with venom. "The views of Skinned Ones matter little. The strong shall survive as the weak worry. If you wish to see our archaic culture, I welcome you to join me in the capital."

 

[Ixcuiname]

She watched the exchange carefully. Releasing a single, yet fleeting, waft of pheromones towards Ageratina as he asserted his knowledge and pressed Tir'Coatl. Her face was otherwise stony, much better to leave a trail of crumbs and let them come running than push them, she had found. She nodded briefly as he spoke and shifted her attention back towards Tir'Coatl - eager to see her master respond to the new ideas. Ixcuiname had no doubt he had considered these points, The Scaled King - for all his might and bluster - was no fool. His moves were calculating, cunning and considered. The ultimate predator. The skinned ones didn't stand a chance once he began to flex his might.

"I shall begin to explore future thrall opportunities at your behest my King. When you wish to chase after Minaris, I will ensure the fog is lifted." She smiled sweetly, her forked tongue flickering as she imagined the taste of fresh skinned minds. Hers was a dangerous talent, yet addictive. It had taken her entire life to avoid succumbing to the tantalising and exotic treats her magic enabled, yet she had won that fought. She had mastered her desires - to an extent - and she was the most successful queen in her tribe's history. With Tir'Coatl's magic, she would soon be the only queen in history. Long would she reign.

At the mention of her tribe, she perked up and turned her attention back towards Ageratina. "I command the river nagas of the Iuk-'u Delta. We descend from the ancient sirens, we stand united at the behest of the Scaled King." Her face smiled warmly again. Her Cuicatl tribe, the dreamers, were one of the major Naga tribes in the delta and - in recent years - they had violently, even by Naga standards, subdued their neighbouring tribes in vicious combat.

"The invitation extends to you all. You will find a home and comfort in the capital of our new and great empire. Together we can change the 'archaic' view of the Skinned Ones."

 

[Ageratina Altissima]

Of course Ageratina didn't know these things, which is precisely why he asked in the first place. He wanted to know their own strength so that he could know what is possible, what goals were within their reach and what challenges were beyond them.

Tir'Coatl finally spoke his name, now he was more than merely the "serpent king" to the wild born, and thus worthy of greater respect. But still, when Tir'Coatl insulted him by inferring that his thoughts on culture were invalid because of his choice to separate himself from the tribe... His anger seethed and his hood opened at the jab against his knowledge which he so tirelessly sought and worked to learn and obtain.

He began to rise on his tail threateningly when he was distracted once more by the female, she was called Ixcuiname, she sent her pheromones and that seemed to calm him. His hood pressed against his body and he lowered himself once more. His rage at the insult still burned, but instead he tactfully smiled.
"I ssee... Clearly I missjudged your preparedness, forgive my ignorant questionss."

He turned his attention to the map and table once more.
"I'm in ssupport of taking Minariss on the Sshecketh Issless. Thiss can be a bassepoint for moving on to the portal sstone located there. Onsse we take control of the sstone we can gather our forssess anywhere in Arethil."
He turned his attention to Ixcuiname, sending his gratefulness through his pheromones towards her.
He bowed his head to Tir'Coatl and moved back to where the rest of his tail was coiled.
That was too close.

 

[An'azesh]

Somewhere along the eastern coast of Nagai, An'azesh would be seen sleeping at the top of his coral temple in the main settlement of the Aswani tribe. Just as a Landwalker would leave his last crumbs of bread on the floor after eating, blood could be seen slowly hardening on the surface of the stony coral slope used to ascend the temple. It was a stormy night and thundering could be seen and heard, but to the one who calls to these phenomena, sleeping with the rumbling is like sleeping with a sword to a Landwalker.

In his dreams An'azesh would commune with the Sea in abstract pictures of growing underwater life and the miserable death of other organisms. His thoughts would be led by the Sea like a well guided current. And just as it would lead his current, so would it help lead the scent that Ixcuiname had set forth to him, making the two currents converge, connecting them. Travelling this ocean of consciousness like the Akinawa, the Sea would sap more scents and images that would leave the group of ambitious Naga, sending it down the stream towards An'azesh. He would slowly arrive at his destination as a strong wave of pheromones would hit him, not released by the group, but by the Sea itself, it would feel as if it was instructing cautiousness.

...​

A mist would surround the temple, interrupting the conversation for a moment, from which quiet hissing and growling noises would be heard, ,,Gifts and immortality... Empires... All under one banner...". With the last hiss an eye of cyan colour would open and glow out of the mist, just from the side from which the group had climbed the temple. ,,Tir'Coatl, I have heard your summons." The Naga would slowly slither out and clear the mist.

,,And I have heard... of your conquests too." he would slowly continue moving towards the group and growling. ,,I come from the tribe of Aswani, wanting to offer a pact to your expanding kingdom.", he would hiss. ,,But as much as I hear, it is unnecessary as you propose the same trade. The Aswani tribe has a keen interest in the Gifts bestowed upon you, and are ready to send half of their hunters, if what you speak is true.".

,,But-", he would release the pheromones that a Naga would release before chasing after his prey, ,,-your culture is to us of no interest, we come to spill blood-", he would hiss, "-you may build your temples upon their defeated kingdoms." He would finally reach the group and stand as near as all the other Naga.

,,Minas.", he would hiss louder and his fin-crests would stars shaking while he would flex his back. ,,We have captured ships and use them to lure Landwalkers... They may be of use. If we could lure more we would be able to transport your armies...", he would hiss. ,,That would be all... Please continue."

He would keep his eyes fixed on Tir'Coatl during his approach and take note of his behaviour. At the end of his exposition he would move a little back as to signal giving space for the discussion to continue. He would now start to focus on the other Naga slowly.