Author Topic: Xefr's Adventures: Existential Crisis  (Read 8531 times)

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guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #45 on: June 11, 2016, 04:24:58 pm »
Xefr smiles, "That's good to hear, and perhaps I may see this catacomb sometime later, but I wanted to discuss a few more subjects with you. In particular, I wish to know if there is anything specific you want from my kind in this trade agreement. And I'd like to know what you meant by Dragons appearing in front of your kind as a whole. Do you mean to say you wish to keep this agreement a secret at first? Or do you simply wish to avoid any possible upheaval the existence of Dragons may cause? If it is the latter, I'm sure your explorer informed you that there are other species in Iammelon besides Dragons which can facilitate the accords. Humans in particular look quite similar to your kind."

With a curious expression, the Shard held up his paw to the carving, trying to confirm the similarities. He also looked around it, looking for any other features that stuck out. 

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #46 on: June 12, 2016, 03:04:56 pm »
Rysannox sighs and crosses his claw-fingers "Yes. I wish to avoid any possible upheaval the existence of Dragons may cause; ...most educated lords consider both the ancient dragons, and the new, as just another species -a gifted one for sure- but a simple species nonetheless  ...not all lords share that opinion though, and most certainly not their subjects; they consider Dragons to be either holy, or demons, which could cause religious tensions." he then adopts a serene smile "But if we take this gradually, I believe we will able to make everyone understand and move on."
He thinks a bit and then makes a disapproving expression "Ah, yes, Humans.. ...no! While they indeed are fair to our eyes and we at theirs, so far all Humans we have met were uptight plebeians with a big idea of themselves - I mean, what is it with their 'Galactic' Empires and Republics and all?   ..besides, you may not understand it, but for many Ghashyr, you Dragons represent our lost planetary brethren ..and I believe you agree that we all must at some point come into peace with our dark past."

As he closes his paw towards the carving, it seems as if some form of energy makes it glow. Near the paw-carving is a small, forgotten fresco, depicting a tremendously graphic battle between white Ghashyr and red Ghashyr and Dragons. Beneath the violent battle a vast pile of dragon skeletons and Ghashyr is depicted. Next to that fesco, a flame figure burning everyone but the dragons is depicted. Beneath both frescos is a phrase written in the Clawmark writing  ..though its letters seem vastly different from the ones seen before  ...and it is actually clawed on the wall.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #47 on: June 12, 2016, 05:03:51 pm »
Xefr's expression goes dark, "You're right, I agree with that more then you could possibly believe..." But then his demeanor returns to normal. "Anyways, I do hope you're right. If we do it slow, understanding should ease its way into your society. And while I partially agree with you on humans, you'll find that Iammelon's humans are of a different nature. Humanity is a varied people, and they serve under many different banners. Some groups are ambitious, some have inferiority complexes,  and there are some in-between. One way or another however, you'll have to get used to them. Humans are surprisingly commonplace in this universe, so if you intend to expand you shall keep meeting more. But, I suppose that if you do not wish to have humans be involved, there are others. Such as Watrike or Psions. But either way, I can understand why you would be most comfortable with Dragons, as unlike humans or others, you have a shared history. They are less foreign and are a more familiar sight, even if the dragons before you are of no relation to yours."

The Shard looked at the Frescos with interest, and at the phrase with confusion. He still couldn't understand this writing, but he got an idea from the pictures. The Shard's eyes then flashed, and a copy of the phrase was inscribed into his arm, so he would not forget it. With that done, he moved on, looking back to the paw mark. The Energy being's paw then materialized, and pressed against the mark.   

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #48 on: June 13, 2016, 10:20:01 am »
Rysannox looks at the black drake before him, wishing inside him that their species could once again co-exist  ..he speaks to Xefr ina calm friendly voice "More than you can imagine, Xefr..  ..Dragons are as much a part of as, as Shyr is. I'm glad that one of the new dragons, like you, can understand." He immediately shakes his head, considering he was lost in thoughts and ignored the more earthly duties of his.. "Anyway, you asked if we require something in particular of our trade agreement as an Empire. I must say that what we require the most is assistance in our mining facilities  ...as well as new cultivations for our farms, and machinery for our factories. ...As for common goods, like in example; spice, I suggest we let them flow freely through the trade route."

As the energy dragon presses the carving with his paw, the wall starts illuminating various symbols in a luminescent blue light. A second paw appears in the wall, this time composed of energy  ..probably similar technology to a hologram.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #49 on: June 13, 2016, 08:18:26 pm »
Xefr smiles, his own tone becoming friendly, "Those wouldn't a problem at all. There are many groups in Iammelon, and some specialize in exactly what you need. And have no worries, free trade is one of Iammelon's core principles. My land would buy anything you could sell to us, provided that it is of good quality of course, though I doubt that such a technicality will be a concern for your nation. Though, as with all markets, make sure you limit purchasing from Iammelon until you get a good picture of everything. We wouldn't want you to accidentally get swindled.  Then again, I shouldn't be talking, I know incredibly little of commerce. That is handled by another of my comrades, the Gatherer Shard."

The Shard stepped back, surprised by the symbols. But after taking in the sights for a short while, his gaze fell upon the new paw. He was confident, and curious, so he materialized his other paw. With his new physical appendage, he thrust against the hologram-like image. 

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #50 on: June 14, 2016, 06:45:11 am »
Rysannox seems joyful to the bone, and he makes a slight bow with his head to the big black drake "This is wonderful! I see a bright future between our lands, and you are always welcome to suggest anything that crosses your mind  ...especially regarding the relations of our species." He then grasps the opportunity to ask Xefr soemthing that had been on his mind quite a while now.. "But, before you do, I have something to ask of you Xefr   ...you're kind, soft-spoken and friendly. Would it be too much to ask of you Xefr, when the time comes, to be the one that the Ghashyr masses meet first? We will of course inform the people about the fact that you are not related to the old Dragons and that it just so happens -as with Ghashyroids, like humans- that dragons developed elsewhere as well."

As he pressed the second paw the giant tiles beneath him started to descent fast inside a clear cut rectangle, while new tiles immediately closed  the entrance on the top   ..the only light came from the various symbols on his left-and right. The 'elevator' suddenly stops; infront of him there is a big room (big for a dragon), the tiles of the room compose a giant painting depicting two dragons, a male and female, holding a black egg - on the egg's tile there is a dragon size helmet, made from dragon-bones   ...the walls of the room have white dragons in a snow environment on the left, red dragons in a volcanic environment on the right, and black dragons in space in the front wall.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #51 on: June 14, 2016, 02:50:33 pm »
Xefr seems surprised at first, and then closes his eyes. After a moment of thought, his yellow eyes open once more. His voice is fairly neutral, though there is a hint of joy, "Well, I thank you for the compliments. And... I suppose that when the time comes and I am available, I can be the one to meet your people. If my own people agree that is, but I doubt they will mind too much. It would be an honor, and I simply hope I will not disappoint. Let's hope that understanding will bloom, and our peoples can both get along. I'm certain both of our leaders will agree."

The Shard was stunned at first, as he was not expecting the sudden trip. But then, he took in his surroundings, and curiosity took over. He stepped forward, and picked up the bone helmet with his two paws. He then materialized the top of his head, and held the helmet over. But before put it on, he moved it in front of his eyes so he could look more closely at it, and even glanced behind him to see if there any more pictures on the back-wall.

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #52 on: June 16, 2016, 05:32:49 pm »
Rysannox would squee if his stature allowed him to do so, instead he extends his hand towards the old dragon.. "From your mouth to Azgor Tal's ear, Xefr! And I'm sure you will not dissapoint.  ...to a peaceful coexistence!" Captain Erixen seems rather apathetic on the other hand, as he drinks some liquid from his military flask.

As the shard touches the helmet a ghostly voice rings in his mind {{"K'tzah Xa'Comal Sshir?"}} and a strong headache soon follows. The helmet seems to be enchanted with some form of azure energy from the inside  ...a mechanism perhaps from the ancient days.
As he turns back to view the back-wall he can see one of the most macabre and gory depictions of art on Shyr; Dragons maiming other dragons, Ghashyr ripping other Ghashyrs' body-parts, Dragons devouring Ghashyr and Ghashyr eating live dragons like pack animals. Skeletons and devoured corpses of both species. All covered in flames while a dark half-Ghashyr and half-dragon figure standing in distance watching with four dark guardians, two dragons and two Ghashyr of each sex
...another Clawmark writing, similar to the one before appears above the wall-painting.
The voice asks again {{"K'tzah Xa'Comal Sshir?"}} and an even more painful headache follows.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #53 on: June 16, 2016, 09:56:19 pm »
Xefr seems a bit confused at first by the Ghashyr's actions, but then snaps back to reality and extends a claw for Rysannox to shake. When he does, Xefr responds, "To a peaceful coexistence!" The Black Dragon has a beaming smile on his face now, but he notices Erixen in the corner of his eye, somewhat perplexed by his seeming apathy.

Unfortunately, the Shard couldn't appreciate the art behind him due to the headache, which consumed his attention. He hastily put the helmet back down and took a step back. Then, he became angry. Overcoming his pain, he targets the bone helmet with his telepathy. His voice is furious, but strained due to the headache, "H... Hey! Stop that you pile of old bones! It hurts... I don't understand what you're saying, but I haven't done anything to you yet!


guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #54 on: June 18, 2016, 05:19:39 am »
Erixen notices the two happy negotiators shaking hand-claw and paw, Rysannox bearing the most satisfied smile he could bear. The captain, being interested to learn what happened he closes up to them, bowing his head a little to Rysannox.. "Ehm, have you my Lords finished talking about the frescos? Pardon me, but I see you both seem glad  ..so if you want, we could share this fine Achjaal!"
Rysannox sighed and responded calmly, yet in a dissapointed tone, to his captain "Lord Erixen, I'd expect an explorer like you would show more interest when a living-breathing Dragon stand only a few meters away..  ..nevertheless, it seems like a good idea, but I shall have only a little; I'm not that much of a drinker."  ..he turns to Xefr, in amore respectful tone "Shall we drink an unch to celebrate this outcome?"

-

As the shard uses his telepathic powers. His eyes black out and a blurry dragon figure made of stardust, fire and ice appears in the darkness, his voice is near-deafening.. {{"KHA? ATZ QO'SS? RAGA'SSAN!"}} the poor shard then regains his vision, the helmet remains on the ground, as if he never touched it.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #55 on: June 18, 2016, 11:48:56 am »
Xefr's tone is reluctant, "Hm, I'm not a drinker myself, but I suppose that if you insist I can have a bit. Not too much though, my mind must remain clear. Then again, I doubt you have enough of this Achjaal on-hand to intoxicate a Dragon, because that would be a cause for worry... But enough of that, I suppose it's time we all celebrated." The Dragon looks around a bit, and suddenly seems both confused and worried. "Wait, where has the technology Shard gotten off to?"

--

After regaining his eyesight, he stood stunned for a few seconds. But then, the Shard's eyes light up in fury, and the headaches didn't seem to matter anymore. He had to restrain himself from smashing the helmet of bones to bits, and instead just walked around it, mumbling. "Damn spirits, always acting like this... Never giving a me a break..." Now ignoring the hated helmet, he searched for any other notable features in the large room.   

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #56 on: June 20, 2016, 01:16:08 pm »
Rysannox was about to sip some Achjaal from the flask when Xefr asked about his shard "Your shard? I haven't seen your friend, good Xefr. I'm sure he is in no danger. There's only old rocks and ancient art in this place  ...and lots of sand!"
Erixen lights what seems to be shredded leaves of a plant rolled in a paper and inhales the smoke "Hmmm *cough-cough* I wouldn't be so sure my Lord. There's so much about the ancient Fire sanctuaries we don't know. The Church of Light erased a lot of the mentions to darkness and its importance in the ancient fire religion from our society."
Rysannox seems confused by his captain's knoweledge.. "And where would you know that Lord Erixen?"
The captain extends his hands and adopts a satisfied smile "My wife's folks are Avalvalxes, cousins to the Valxaryens ...they're Draconians."

The room doesn't appear to bear anything other than the artwork in the walls and the helmet. Someone could perhaps notice how well-cut the stonework is, as if cut by laser, completely unlike the rest of the temple  ..it also seems that the stones of the wall depicting the space dragons are floatin one cm from each other  ...held by some kind of force.
In the space background depicting the dragons one can notice six stars standing out    ...one is close to where Shyr is, the other seems to be peculiarly close to Heord.
In the center of the Galaxy stands a star bigger than all other five, covered in flames - all five dragons seem to fly from there to the rest of the stars.


guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #57 on: June 20, 2016, 04:10:30 pm »
Xefr's head turns to face Erixen. With his curious voice, he speaks, "Really now? You must know some interesting things about this place then, which makes me the only one here who knows nothing. I welcome that, for such a thing has not happened in so very long. Ignorance truly does carry a sense of bliss, but I don't intend to stay that way." He closes his eyes, and lets out a sigh of relief, "Thankfully, I can feel no disturbance, and the Shard hasn't called out, so I doubt anything bad has happened. Besides, he is no archaeologist, and your kind have been around these parts for much longer. I'm certain that if there was any sort of big discovery to be made, your own people would have made it long ago... Now then, is there anymore you can share with us captain? I'm interested in these Avalvalxes fellows."

--

The Shard wasn't really sure, but he felt that he had made a big discovery. The stars in particular interested him, especially the one so close to his home-world. The similarities between these Ghashyr Valxes and Golden Dragons were strange indeed, yet this art somehow offered an explanation of sorts. He wondered, "Is there some sort of connection here? And what about that star in the center?" He shook his head a bit. Those were questions for another time. His eyes flashed, and a mental copy of the art was imprinted into his memories, so that he could project it anywhere he pleased. The Shard then turned around, and with a snort made another quick check of the room. He was anxious to return to the Essentials shard, for he would be interested. And maybe the Ghashyr too. Yet, that central, larger star was the biggest thing on his mind. Perhaps... It held the answer. The answer the entirety of Xefr had been searching for... If so, he would finally get the recognition he deserved!   

guest9

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #58 on: June 21, 2016, 04:33:12 pm »
Erixen laughs and he adopts a humorous suggestive tone "Of course... Heh, I was interested as well in Avalvaxes, but for different reasons!" he then gets into a more serious mood and continues, dedicated to the narration "My wife's uncle got really drunk one night and he started talking about how the old priests preached about the necessity of Darkness. But after the Ascend of Light the Light Church erased all mentions to the 'Darkness' and portrayed it as demonic and evil, even forced the priesthood to reform having the Light-Believers morals in mind ...it just so happened though that the High Priesthood never abandoned the old dogmas and guess who the High Priesthood had as temple guardians? ...the distant, minor relatives of House Valxaryen; the Avalvalxes, my wife's kin! Anyway, my wife's uncle then said something about the dark relics, which were supposedly divine, older than Ghashyr and Valxes, and contained unknown powers. No one really knew what their purpose was, but some say they drove people mad and that they were hidden in places of divinity." Erixen continues smoking while looking at one of the the frescos depicting the brown Dragon Saint "To be honest though, it sounds like a myth to me..."

--

As the shard looked upon the large star in the middle, it seemed to him as if it drew him closer. For the split of a second a young female black dragon appeared followed by Ghashyr, wearing the helmet while screeching in agony in that very room. Ghosts perhaps? This place certainly isn't normal.

guest28

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Re: Xefr's Adventures: The grey meatbags
« Reply #59 on: June 21, 2016, 10:40:44 pm »
Xefr's expression turns serious, and his tone mirrors that, "But be careful, myths always are rooted in truth, for how else would they form than from simple misinterpretations, or fact?" The Black Drake then resumes his joyful demeanor, and his tone returns to the normal calm, "Anyways, these artifacts intrigue me. If they are real, then I would love to see one. Yet, I must agree with you captain, they do sound somewhat out there. But, are you trying to say that some of these dangerous, dark artifacts may be hidden in this sanctuary somewhere? It would make sense, as your priests out there mentioned something about Dragon divinity, and that could connect to these dragon saints of old... Regardless, I believe it best not to worry. The Shard can handle himself, and he'll make sure to call for help if he needs it. I have more experience than you may believe in pacifying things of darkness."

--

The Shard jumped back at the phantom image. He did not do well around ghosts, and that scene in particular disturbed him. That was something he would not mention to the Essentials Shard, it could bring back some... unwanted memories. With a final look of contempt at the helmet on the floor, he walked back over to the elevator-like area, and tried to see if he could make it go back up. He needed to share his discoveries, because they made little sense to him.