Dreadlords Apex

[Soleil Verdane]

The early light of dawn revealed the mutilated and naked body of Caeso Diemut hanging from atop the gates leading to Vel Anir city's Elven Quarter. By the time the sun rose to peek over city's walls and rooftops, word had spread like wildfire; all Vel Anir was incensed in one manner or another, and the city entire was wrought with volatile tension.

The fate of the Elven Quarter hung in the balance.

* * * * *​

No one saw who had been so audacious, so callous, as to kill the young and promising son of Sabian Diemut, the aspiring Dreadlord, but a good many Anirians saw it for the haughty provocation they truly believed it to be. In the young man Caeso, hanging there, his eyes and his tongue taken, his penis removed, crusted blood clinging to his pale face and to his pale thighs, they saw their worst fears realized and embodied. They feared that the Republic, in their blindness, had allowed in the ancient Anirian enemy, and that this enemy now sought to mock them in their very home. The elves, after all, lived long lives, and had long memories. Great were their grudges. And now no good Anirian citizen, noble or common born, was safe within the once impenetrable walls of Humanity's Great City. The enemy now attacked them from within.

* * * * *​

The scene before the Quarter's gates was a pivotal one:

The citizenry had on this occasion responded far quicker than any authority. The crowd outside the Quarter was massive and only growing larger; the streets leading up to the Quarter were in places choked, people standing shoulder-to-shoulder, each and everyone trying to eventually make their way forward to see the body of the young lord Caeso. Opportunistic merchants as well as altruistic citizens were going about, offering freshly drawn water to those waiting, bakers and other purveyors of food likewise offering sustenance to the hungry; it was all something of occasion, for those who were truly furious and for those who were merely curious alike.

A contingent of Anirian Guardsmen stood in a staunch line before the gates of the Quarter, a large arc of clear space enforced between them and the front line of the crowd. More Guardsmen were on the opposite side of the gates as well; they were securing the scene from both ends until the official investigation was to begin; until then, Caeso's body was left as it was, and so was everything in and around the gatehouse and the arch from which his corpse hung.

The Guardsmen's presence, however, proved further cause for rage among many in the crowd:

"Look at them! They protect the elves! THE ELVES! Not Anirians!"

"I served with you you ungrateful assholes!" "As did I!" "Aye, and I!"

"Traitors! Stand aside!"

Yet it was that the commonfolk of Vel Anir were not the only ones present, for this was a critical point in the game of politics for many.

Influential nobles, those of both the old and the new persuasion, were either already present or making their way to the Quarter upon first receiving the news. Sitting Councilors of the Anirian Parliament, who had their interests in either preserving the Elven Quarter or seeing to its dismantling, were likewise present or in haste making way to the scene. For those nobles and Councilors of keen ears and swift feet, those few who were already present, the open swath of space between the bulwark of Guardsmen and the lively crowd was their stage. Here the debate raged even in this early hour, and those of the crowd cheered and applauded for the personages who voiced in soaring oratory their heartfelt beliefs. But the crowd had yet to be won over in majority, either for or against the question of the Quarter and the culpability of the elves.

Two particular persons were also of great note in this grand scene playing out before the Quarter's gates:

Anoradil Clear Sky, who had become something of a community-chosen Headman among the Elves of the Quarter for his temperance, his grace, and his wisdom, was being held off to one side by the gates and kept under watch by a few senior Guardsmen. He had come forward voluntarily to offer information that could potentially be pertinent to the slaying of Caeso Diemut, but his statement had yet to be taken—proper authority was deemed necessary to receive it. In the meantime, he could not help himself, and at times cried out passionately when those debating nobles, Councilors, spoke for calm and forbearance. "HEED THEM, I BEG YOU!" He would be booed and sneered at by the more vocal and angry constituents of the Anirian crowd. "WE SEEK THE TRUTH AS MUCH AS YOU!"

Sabian Diemut himself, Caeso's father, was the second person of import. The man was escorted almost with a kind of reverence by the toughest and most staunch of the anti-Quarter Anirians up to the very front of the crowd. And there when at last he beheld without any obstruction his son, hanging like a slaughtered animal over those gates, he fell to his knees and raised his arms up towards his slain boy like a supplicant beseeching the divine, and he wrenched the hearts of many an Anirian with his anguished cry. "My son..." he would say, choked with sorrow, "...look at what these monsters have done to you!"

These were the events leading up to the arrival of those who would set in motion the actions destined to shape the course of Anirian history.

* * * * *​

Soleil Verdane was just one small part of the restless crowd outside the Elven Quarter. She had a reason to be here in Vel Anir, as did other Initiates, Dreadlords, Nobles and Anirians of notable standing. And she, much like they, caught word of this gruesome sight and at once made like so many of her fellow citizens.

Now she stood near the front of the crowd. She gazed up at the hanging corpse of Caeso Diemut, her now deceased and former classmate in the Academy.

"Killed by elves," she murmured.

She shook her head.

"Elves will pay."

---

OOC NOTE​

"Apex" is a thread with a big event, open to any and all Anirians despite the Dreadlords tag, and creativity is highly encouraged. Place your character anywhere you'd like around the event. Their contribution can be small and personal—commenting and reflecting with a friend—or actively taking part in a facet of the event. I will be hosting two facets which you can join in on:

• Participate in the Vigilite investigation (where Soleil will take part), as suspects, including a prime suspect, are interrogated.
• Participate in the surgical strike inside the Quarter from Anoradil's intel (where Kristen will take part), raiding a dissident elven cabal for a possible lead.

You can also pursue your own! The crowd is big and restless, and something might happen elsewhere in the city because of it. Nobles and high-ranking personages are giving speeches, debating, and trying to win over the crowd, so there's that too. Think of "Apex" as a backdrop for a story you'd like to tell or participate in, or as a kind of guidestone marker for your character's progression.

And know, there is no set outcome for "Apex." RP itself will dictate everything. We will get out of the story what we put into it. So have fun with the drama!

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"By Aionus..." Kristen said, near breathless, as her eyes confirmed a horror she thought reserved only for last year's terrible graduation, a horror that ought to have been scrubbed clean from the Academy.

Yet it was still alive, black heart pulsing with malice, and it had claimed Caeso too.

She did not like him, no. But it should not have come to this, gods no. No heated argument she had with him, no opinion of his so at odds with her own, nothing of either sort could justify this barbarism, this wretched fate which had befallen him. Perishing so young, so undeservedly...it tormented her heart so.

Though the crowd around her was lively, tumultuous (and she thought she had caught a glimpse of Soleil Verdane off to her right), Kristen clasped her hands and bowed her head and uttered a quiet prayer.

"May you, Caeso Domitian Diemut, find in the hereafter what peace the gods, in their mercy even for they who turn from faith, grant for you."

A verse occurred to her then, this from the Celestialist texts pertaining to Aionus and his faithful:

And now, Sentinel, you may cease your vigil. Steathe thy sword, and rest: your brothers, your sisters, will carry on our duty from here.

 

[Elise Virak]

Vel Aleros

"...MY COUSIN!" Elise Virak continued to bellow within the walls of Vel Aleros. Recently scarred by an attack of it's own, there was a somberness to the great debate hall on this day. Not just because of the death of one a prominent Anirian, but due to the series of attacks and destabilization the Republic had been enduring.

Picked away at again and again, many members of the assembly were growing tired of the forgiveness they had always offered in previous months. The 'good' side of the Republic slowly being whittled away as the government began to realize taking the high road was not always fortuitous.

"My own little cousin." Elise's voice broke. "They butchered him like an animal, took pieces of him."

Her fingers curled on the podium as she wailed. "A son of House Diemut, of Virak. A Dreadlord."

She said pointedly, looking around the room at the other members of the Assembly.

"They are killing our children." Elise said, looking around the room. Catching the eyes of her fellow representatives. "And if someone...someone like my sweet Cousin could not defend himself..."

Her head shook. "How well do you think we will fare?"

She saw them look at one another uncomfortably, the thoughts whirling.

"We must take steps immediately to ensure this cannot happen again." There was a panic in her voice. "This city, this Republic must take steps to defend itself, it's citizens."

Elise called. "It is clear that the Guard as it is will no longer be enough. Even the Vestigare are only meant as a reactive branch."

There was the Vigilite, of course, but they were hardly built to such a purpose either.

"We must have more." Elise rallied. "We must have something to defend ourselves, our people before the problem strikes. Before...before something like this can ever happen again."

 

[Kor]

From amongst the dense, unruly crowd, a pair of eyes stared up at the mangled remains of Diemut that could not see him. Kor had heard the news just as any other; the uproarious tremor of anger and unrest overtaking the city in the early morning hours like a fast-spreading plague had brought him to its corrupted center. He'd been a classmate, Caeso. Though not one Kor had any love for. The proper reaction to staring up at his mutilated body would be disgust, anger, or despair.

Instead, the faintest hint of a smirk lingered on his lips. He was blind, and yet it seemed only he could truly see the scene before him for what it was. This was no elven slaying. It was not a crime of hate, premeditated to settle a grudge or send a message. Of course, those around him had no way of even beginning to suspect the truth. But Kor...

Kor had eyes everywhere.

The fate that the unfortunate Diemut had met was not unlike the one of poor Joel Schmidt. His slaying had been by far the most entertaining aspect of that dreaded dance he'd attended only a few days prior. However, it was not all he'd noticed; For all of Kor's eyes, Caeso was nowhere to be found ever since he left with that haughty noblewoman that night.

It was all so cleverly done. The blind initiate had no way of being certain of course, but he would only give one name the credit of being so devious, for what it seemed no other reason than to incite anarchy. He felt the words on his lips, an echo of the same two he'd spoken several weeks ago at this very gate.

"Clever girl..."

---

"You've been busy, my friend..."

Kor's hand came to rest gently on Soleil's shoulder as he approached her from behind, Repent perched on his shoulder with eyes wide open. His companion stared up at Caeso just like the rest of them, a look of appropriate dejection on her face for the situation. Something was different though... Kor felt his nose twitch slightly at an added musk to her scent, his sense of such things only heightened by his blindness.

He dismissed it. More important matters.

Stepping closer, he leaned his head over her shoulder so that he could whisper without his voice becoming lost in the cacophony of outrage that surrounded them. When last they'd met, she'd been a source of both insight and entertainment. Kor was not a social creature, but he did not leave debts unpaid. If Verdane was truly behind this, then it would be a shame to stop now.

"You're not going to leave me out of it, are you?"

Repent stared at Soleil, gazing at the sand amalgamation as though it could see each individual grain. Of course, the interest in its eyes was entirely Kor's own. The boy leaned closer, looking now to the Quarter ahead of them.

"Why stop at the Quarter, after all?"

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"You look like shit." Were the welcoming words of her brother, Head of House Quinnick. He did not have difficulty finding her in a crowd like this; Initiates sticking out like sore thumbs amongst those gathered, having been called in the early hours of the morning to get dressed and ready. Her group were stationed towards the fringes of the Anirian Guards keeping the crowd back outside the Quarter and with simple instructions: keep the crowd back.

"Charming words from a man of your station." She retorted, icy expression not wavering as the crowd continued their shouting. Livia did not need to look to the side and behind her to see the body. The comments and shocked gasps from her group approaching their placement as reinforcements were enough to paint the picture for her. "Should you not be out somewhere arguing a side instead of checking up on me, Ko?" It was a valid question. Her mother and their brother Bannon were happy to comply with Livia's wishes of distance, but Okko always found a way to glimpse his youngest sibling. He was the only one to worry about her, constantly writing to her to see how her lessons in controlling her corrupted magic were faring.

"I only wanted to see you, Liv. I heard... this is not the first body you have seen this week alone. I was not kidding around saying you look like shit. You really do. Are you sleeping?" Ko knew better than to reach out to her. She was no longer the youngest member of a noble house, instead now standing before him looking every bit an Initiate hardened by the past few years this city had seen. "Should I talk to the Pro--"

"You did your part, brother. Return home and report to our mother that I am still alive and tell Bannon," She pursed her lips and finally glanced at her brother. "Tell him that I thank him for his understanding in not checking in on me." A small smirk was all it took for her brother to chuckle and slip into the roaring masses, leaving Liv to concentrate on the task at hand. They were not to use magic on the crowd, not even for intimidation.

"May you be blessed, children." "Good fortune to your endeavours, Initiates." "Will you avenge your brother in arms?"

Okko was right. Livia had not been sleeping well since the dance. Her personal emotional turmoil aside, Livia had been restless after the questioning from Proctors and the Guard alike. Each time she was interrogated, they implored the young Quinnick to think back on the night, to recall the details that she could. No amount of recreational activities would allow her to forget such a finding that night.

And now Caeso. Still, she refused to turn her gaze to see his corpse displayed for all to see. She did not need another face to haunt her. They had been cordial in classes and at the Academy, but Livia did not bother getting to know any of her classmates more than that (except for those that kept her company) and deep down she was glad not to be one of those mourning.

Will they question me for this? She wondered. Livia had mentioned Diemut and Crentor once, a throwaway recollection of glimpsing them before she turned towards the location her magic lead her to, and towards the outhouse. Her stomach churned, an uncomfortable pit stirring inside her. Was she one of the last ones to see them leave?

 

[Alistair Krixus]

When news of this tragedy reached the ears of the Vigilite, several members were called in for emergency shifts. Alistair was one of them, he had hurriedly dressed himself. The tension in the city had been pulled taught in hours, city leadership was breathing down the Vigilites' neck to figure something out.

Alistair and two other members arrived at the scene of the crime. Already the crowd had gathered into an uproar. He took a moment to look over the crowd, his glassy grey eyes glowing with a soft feint blue in their center. Already, he could spot several individuals he was familiar with, his eyes resting on Kristen for a moment longer, but quickly dismissing her. For now, he had to work, he needed to focus.

When the trio of Vigilite members stepped forward, each wearing their characteristically dark clothing and black capes, the crowd parted before them as a hush rippled through the parts of the crowd that they moved through. Even though Alistair's blindness was clear to see, he walked with the purpose and confidence of someone on a mission.

Reaching the guards, they wasted no time in allowing them through. The trip split up, each one moving to perform their planned responsibilities for this investigation.

However, for just a moment, Alistair just watched. He looked over the entire crime scene even letting his eyes rest on the body of Caeso Diemut, his face remaining a blank canvas. Then, with a slow turn, he faced the angry crowd. Some grew silent as his eyes turned to them, but he quickly moved on.

The crime scene contained several mana signatures, some from what he expected was before the violence and others long after. His nose scrunched up like he smelt something wretched before he spoke to the closest guard.

"Anoradil first, please."

 

[Salak]

It didn't make sense.
It didn't make any sense?
Why Caeso Diemut was obvious and why the Elf Quarter doubly so but he was missing something.
It seemed like a play of grand significance but he feared another possibility.
Chaos for chaos' sake.
It was rare but it happened.
It was a conspiracy to be certain. Designed to incite infighting. Turn Vel Anir's eyes inward and that meant something was happening outside. Perhaps on the borders...
Salak slammed his fist against the table in his office and cursed himself.
The Elf massacre. It was just a small report of a town getting all but wiped off the map but it could not be coincidence. Who had done it didn't matter but he could guess agents wanting to incite hatred easily enough.

He saw the crude story now, the broad strokes of history etched into the stone of time.
Unprovoked violence against a defenceless Elf settlement followed up by one of Vel Anir's favoured sons hung in mutilated mockery as both act of rebellion from the native Elf population and retaliation against the violence done to their kin.

Both sides claim umbrige and certain in their righteousness they tear into each other. Elf's and their allies hammer Vel Anir and Dreadlords wreak havok on them in turn.
But to what end?
Who gains?

A piece was missing, a small but vital piece.
Caeso's true killer.

 

[Mercer Alwin]

Mercer clenched her fists tightly as the scene unfolded before her. Her cousin was hanging, mutilated above the gate and they weren't getting him down fast enough. His body shouldn't be something for others to gawk at. It infuriated her.

Her uncle had come, and she thought for a moment about approaching, but he was collapsed in grief over the loss of his son. No, she would let others take care of him.

She saw other intiates among the crowd, and she made for Soliel and Kor, her lips in a grim line. Stopping beside them, her steely grey eyes hardened. "How could they do this? I will kill every last person involved with his death."

A soft cackle was in her ears, an echo of the demon within. "You'll end up like this too girl, when I finally escape this prison. I'll shred you apart myself"

His words did nothing to her, she knew he needed her, just like any parasite needed it's host.

 

[Amell Quillon]

Two pair of pale eyes stared back at each other. Whereas the cool, limpid blue of Amell Quillon were remarkably neutral, the faint sunbeam gold of Leander Urahil’s eyes seemed to be bored. A messenger from Felix had come in early that morning when the sky was more gray than blue. Amell hadn’t been able to sleep and it seemed like perhaps his spirit had almost known about the future head of the Urahils would be sending him on another petty errand.

He was correct. Although the note was important— son of Sabian Diemut was found mutilated in the Elven Quarter— and for Amell to begin politicking. There was one other important piece of information: to bring Felix’s youngest brother, Leander with him. The Urahils would capitalize on this as much as possible. The Border Detention Camps had gone under some serious criticisms lately, especially after two initiates had had appeared at one months ago.

They were still doing damage control over the whole thing. But now, with Caeso Diemut’s body strung up for all to see the horror of the elven mind? Amell was certain the Republic would stop with the motions and proposed regulations to get rid of the BDCs and their true purpose completely. The appearance of Amell and Leander would be important, not just for the Republic, other Great Houses, but also for the people, the poor people that needed their protection.

“Wasn’t he your classmate?” Amell would break the silence if Leander would not.

“Yeah.” Leander said. Amell waited. And waited. Nothing else came from Leander’s lips that could only make a small frown of irritation. He looked at Leander, raising a blonder brow.

“Is that the nicest thing you own at the Academy?” Amell was in his uniform, bronze and silver and gold medals pinned to his navy jacket. The black and red shield patch representing the Anirian Guard and a separate patch representing the Army of the North stood out, the crimson catching anyone’s eyes with ease. His black boots were well polished, easily reflecting Leander’s pale and punchable face and sour attitude.

“You came to the Academy without warning.”

“There was no time.” Amell said.

“Yeah. So there was no time for me to look nice.”

“I see. It would behoove you, Leander, to take pride in your armor and polish it daily. Even the best armor looks like shit if it’s not taken care of.” This got a better reaction out from Leander who narrowed his eyes at his older cousin.

“You say that but I doubt you’re the one polishing your own boots and ironing your shirts.”

“I do.” Leander said nothing so Amell continued. “Every day. Discipline and routine are important. If you can’t be bothered to make your bed every morning, how on Arethil are you supposed to be bothered to get done the important things in life?”

“I bet it’s just because you’re just poor.”

“No.” Amell corrected. “It is because I am not lazy.” He didn’t need to say anything further, but he did. “No wonder why Felix is marrying you off as soon as you graduate.”

“What?” Amell could only think that not only was Leander lazy but stupid when he looked at the young man’s face, twisting up in confusion and anger. “No one has said anything about me getting married. Not even Oraya when—“

“The engagement has already gone through. It’s done. All that’s left is to wait for your graduation.” Now Amell smiled. “Aren’t you going to ask me who it is?”

The carriage was soon approaching their destination. The tension between the two men grew, the air felt more electric with each passing second. Soon it would be great enough to burst through the very carriage they rode in.

 

[Tobias Pirian]

Vel Aleros

This all reeked of subterfuge. The death of the young Diemut heir came as a shock to many, Tobias Pirian included. The details of that death, specifically, rubbed the Pirian lord the wrong way. Something didn't add up. This did not stink of the usual barbarism of the elves. His intuition screamed that much. He could only hope the investigators, many of which he'd personally given his blessing to, would succeed in their endeavors. In the meantime, he could only belay the fury of the victim's forlorn and wayward relative.

"As many of us have already stated, Lady Virak, you have our deepest condolences for the loss you have suffered this day. I cannot imagine the grief I would suffer if something similar had happened to one of my own. Our hearts weep for young Caeso."

Thoughtful eyes peered at Elise from behind gilded spectacles. Far be it from her to not exploit the death of a relative in a play for power, that much Tobias knew, but she was right: there were many who viewed the new Republic of Vel Anir as weak. That could go on no longer.

"Rest assured that on the matter of increasing security, we can agree. House Pirian is already launching an investigation into this matter, to drive out the root of this atrocity. Justice demands retribution, and we shall have it."

Tobias turned his gaze to the rest of the assembly, his volume increasing but his tone remaining ever steady.
"The culprits shall be hunted down and made an example of, this I promise as Lord of House Pirian! Our republic shall teach its enemies, both within and without, that our strength has not waned in the twilight of the Old Ways! We shall have security once more!"

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia couldn't stand to look. She didn't want to see what had become of Caeso. When she'd heard the news, that he'd been mutilated, killed, strung up for all to see like some sick signboard of mockery, Zinnia had to choke back tears and vomit. They had had their disagreements, yes, but Zinnia considered Caeso one of her brothers and a friend to the very end. He deserved far better than this.

Now, standing by Kristen among the crowd, she was doing the same. Still she could not bring herself to look. Still she fought a losing battle against the pain in her chest and the pit in her stomach. She gripped the sides of her head and ducked down, face towards the ground.

"Why? I don't understand, why?!" she cried. She shouldn't have come. The crawling across her skin was almost violent and a distinctive itch on her scalp threatened every moment to hit an unfortunate apex. Whoever did this had to pay. They had to.

 

[Thraah]

Thraah didn't like Caeso. She made no secret of it. Even so there was something... Excessive about this display.
Something off about it.
"Hey, why is he here?"
She asked between mouthfuls of wild nuts she had in a bag.
She didn't pretend to know what was going on in the grander scheme of things but even she was as able to question the bodies appearance.
She asked the question to Kristen and Zinnia then noticed that Zinnia was huddled on the ground beside her.
"Oh shit, Ziny. You okay?"
She knelt down beside the taller girl and put her nuts on the ground.
"You need to get out of here? We can go right Kris!"
Her round face looked up at Kristen with a silent plea to maybe get Zinnia the heck outta here.
She'd tortured Zinnia and Kristen in the past. The Dance was only the latest offense but there was none of that now.
Not even she would dare take advantage of this moment for her own amusement.

Zinnia Kristen Pirian