The Emperor's Curse (CH2)

[Khalon Zel]

The Mad Emperor

Imperius The Shade

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Khalon found himself sitting in silence upon his gold plated, ruby red throne. His mind a chaotic tumult of noise, consumed by the rival voices of his many shattered personalities. A sudden shout made the voices shudder on fear, cowering in silence as the great dragon spirit of Imperius dominated his mind with an intense rush of thunder. His skin seemed to tingle and his hair stood on end. Opening his eyes, the dreaded Shade, Imperius the Cruel had forcefully taken the light from Khalons weakened personas.

"Your Majesty, it seems that Lord Dhurok of Errondur has arrived with his guards and advisors." Imperius sniffed the air, smelling the stench of dwarf in the other room. In a deep, yet ominous tone he spoke to the advisor bowing before him. "I assume the wretch has come to grovel for forgiveness... to think the dwarves would crown him a king when I am the one true emperor."

The pale visage of the emperor seemed weak, his eyes dulled and hair greyed. Yet with the energy of an easily entertained toddler he kicked his feet in amusement and smiled. "Bring the dwarf lord in, welcome him to my palace. If he offers tribute as is customary for lesser nobles and pay me the respect I am do then I will consider not taking his head." 

The advisor along with two guards exited the throne room to make the arrangements. A sickening scowl came over the emperors face as another voice raged against the dragon spirits presence. He shook his head and growled in annoyance. "Now you just sit back and enjoy the show little emperor. I'll show you how a real Emperor rules his people." A few guards seemed to tilt their heads in confusion at the emperor muttering to himself.

A knock at the doors gained his attention. Sitting back on the throne he glared at the servant next him. "More wine... NOW!" The young woman, possibly a half elf sulked backwards and bowed her head. Taking the golden challice to refill in the other room. As the doors opened and his guest of honor appeared, a wicked grin visibly took over his face. "Now this should be fun..."

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Khalon Asterius Zel

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[Dhurok Skuln]

The Grand Kaiser

Warden of Errondur

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The emperors human herald seemed to mock and snub the dwarf king with his introduction. Purposefully lessening his importance, such ignorance, such disrespect. "Now introducing the Lord of the Dwarves and Warden of Errondur!" With haste and without delay an older dwarf dressed in silver and white stood opposite the human herald. He boomed with his horn that echoed throughout the chamber.

"Behold, the 7th Grand Kaiser, King of the five clans, Lord of Errondur and War Master of the Drugar, Son of clan Svartur! His Majesty, Dhurok Skuln!" Dhurok proudly emerged from the doorway, fully armored in mithril. Followed swiftly by five dwarven warriors in high steel plate armor. Each carrying a pole with the banner of one of the five clans. The horns sounded again from behind them. Dhurok glanced at the emperors herald, but made no remark and said no words. A gleeming white crown upon his head.

Turning toward the emperor he approached with caution. Recognizing the twelve Crusadrem knights standing along the walls and behind the emperors throne. He stood with his head held high. Neither bowing, nor offering tribute, his hand firmly gripping the handle of the kaisers hammer. Finally as silence began to fall he noticed four of the knights approaching from the sides, blades unsheathed, waiting for the emperors command.

Dhurok then nodded toward the dwarf on his right and with a whistle, six more dwarven guards entered the chamber behind him. The throne room was full of tension. But Dhurok understood this. Seeing the pale grey figure of the aging emperor and his spiteful grin. Raising both hands, he spoke directly to the emperor. "When you summoned me here your grace I did not imagine such hostility among your people. Nor the intense lockdown you have placed upon your own capitol. This city is on the verge of open revolt... Slaying an elected king of a tributary vassal would surely cause even greater conflict within your realm. Not including open war with Errondur."

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Dhurok Skuln

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[Khalon Zel]

The Mad Emperor

Imperius The Shade

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Khalon raged against the possessing dragon spirit Imperius. Watching everything from behind his dull grey eyes but unable to control himself. In a fit of desperation his face twitched. Imperius roared in anger as Khalons dozen shattered personalities rushed against him. Desperate to regain control before the shade responds in a fit of rage. Imperius snarled, the emperors face a wild tumult of emotion. Until finally Khalon snatched the light and temporarily took control.

A broken, desperate man seemed to manifest as the emperors eyes rolled back into his skull, knees shaking, teeth chattering. As his eyes opened he locked eyes with the dwarf king, he didn't have time to explain, thus a single phrase telepathically entered Dhuroks mind. "Save us my friend... I am not in control!" As quickly as the psionic connection was made it was severed. The great dragon spirit Imperius forcing his was into the light once more.

The emperors eyes furrowed, jaw clenched in frustration. "To think the dwarves would elect a king, despite our agreement and the centuries of good will we have shown you. It seems I underestimated you... Warden." Imperius waved for the guards to back away as a sudden burst of telekinetic energy shattered the dwarven horns and tore the dwarves clan banners into pieces.

"I assumed you came here to beg forgiveness of the one true emperor. Yet your people seem content to slight me. Perhaps I've been too lenient? Or did you simply come to declare your independence from our rule... Brave of you to commit such an act of treason to my face!"

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Khalon Asterius Zel

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[Dhurok Skuln]

The Grand Kaiser

Warden of Errondur

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The dwarf king stood firmly with his teeth clenched and a hand to his throbbing forehead. The telepathic voice echoing a dreadful warning in his mind. Before the psionic connection was savagely broken in an instant as the thing that called itself emperor revealed its true nature. Dhurok refused to show weakness, standing tall as the emperor who was once a friend of his people openly mocked his pride.

The silence was deafening as he spoke a single word of defiance, deep and bellowing. "No." Hushed voices filled the chamber as the guards on both sides shifted. Every eye focused on Dhurok as he roared in anger. "The pride of the dwarves will not be mocked, we will not forgive this open disrespect. I came here to renegotiate our treaty. Yet it seems you are determined to spark conflict."

Dhurok spat on the ground and stomped his foot and made an ear piercing whistle. In a flash, the stained glass windows on either side of the chamber shattered. Several musket shots blasting towards the Crusadrem knights from the outside. The dwarven guards charged forward to meet those who still stood. With two guards protecting the kings flanks.

"Haghkal Nodhosh Thrundir! Let there be war!" Musket shots continues to fire into the chamber as the dwarves chanted in unison. "The emperor is dead! Long live the king!" With a swing from his hammer, Dhurok easily crushed the head of a knight that had charged him. All the while never breaking eye contact with the imposter that had taken Khalons body.

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Dhurok Skuln

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[Khalon Zel]

The Mad Emperor

Imperius The Shade

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Khalon snarled in annoyance as the throne room erupted into chaos. Four more knights charged through a hidden door behind the emperors golden throne. Only for one of their faces to be smashed into oblivion. The decrepit old man roared in anger as he unleashed a telekinetic blast of energy in all directions. Locking eyes with the foolish dwarven king.

"All these years of peace and you choose to spit on my mercy? I should have destroyed that wretched mountain city of yours long ago!" Seeing the dwarves rally, he paused in amazement at their utter defiance. The broken mind of the emperor screamed as yet another, more childish personality forcefully claimed the light and took control.

Crawling behind the throne and crying for help. He reached out toward one of the Crusadrem knights who promptly grabbed the now tantruming emperor. Backing away slowly to the door behind the throne in an attempt to get him out. "Why are they all fighting! Get me out of here!" The knight merely shoved another guard out of the way, guarding Khalons flank as tears flowed down his face.

Sudden another headache, another mental push for control and a new shattered personality took control. His voice now course and feeble, pointing in terror at the dwarf king. "Just kill the bastard and get us out of here you fool!" More musket shots entered the chamber as the remaining guards surrounded the emperor on all sides.

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Khalon Asterius Zel

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[Dhurok Skuln]

The Grand Kaiser

Warden of Errondur

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Dhurok stood with his boot upon a fallen human knight as the emperors palace became a battlefield. Dwarven musketiers continue to fire shot after shot through the windows from their hidden positions on neighboring rooftops. His elite guards causing many Crusadrem guards to flee or die in the confusion. As the dwarf king gazed in pity at the emperors broken state, he couldn't help but look away.

The pain of seeing an old ally fallen to possession was too much for him to bear. As he prepared to exit the chamber and soon the palace itself, six dwarven warriors followed him on every side. Tossing smoke bombs to mask their orderly retreat. War had just been declared... and there was much preparation to do.

"Call on those who remain, we make our stand at the gates and await our promised rescue." He took one last glance at the whimpering emperor Khalon before finally leaving the room. His hammer stained with blood. Four other dwarven guards joined them, pushing forward to block the advance of several surprised knights who appeared around the corner.

This was a day of rage and sorrow, Dhurok would never forget it. He planned for this of course. Yet part of him hoped beyond hope that the emperor he knew was still in there. As they entered the courtyard two dwarves armed with axes watched over the carriage they arrived in. But Dhurok knew there was no escaping ground side... Only through the skies. "Light the beacon soldier."

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Dhurok Skuln

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[Khalon Zel]

The Mad Emperor

Imperius The Shade

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Khalon snapped to attention as Imperius once again forced himself into the light. Taking control from the other panicking personalities. Standing to his feet, the knights guided him into the next room. Four of them remaining with the emperor as six others charged against the dwarven flank as they made their exit. The shade was silent for a moment before a hearty laugh bellowed from the old man's chest. "I'd say that went down hill quicker then expected!"

The emperor adjusted his crown as he leaned on the edge of a chair. His office seemed more chaotic then usual. Though to be fair, he rarely used it these days. Turning to one of the knights they all snapped to attention. "Three commands I have for you maggots. One, summon the High General and have them prepare for a prolonged siege of Errondur. Two, Double the guard at the palace immediately and three, get me a fucking glass of wine..."

"The knights bowed and saluted with right hands to their chest. "Yes Your Majesty!" Two of them quickly rushed out of the room and the other two stood silently at the door. Ready to pounce on any intruding dwarf dumb enough to enter the room. "And here I was thinking that idiot might actually beg ahaha! Which reminds me, lieutenant, if you could send word for the High Inquisitor that'd be swell... We have much to discuss."

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Khalon Asterius Zel

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[Dhurok Skuln]

The Grand Kaiser

Warden of Errondur

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The clouds above were filled with shadow, as a gathering storm thundered above the dwarven king of Errondur. If this escape plan was to work they had to time it perfectly. Dhurok slammed the long hilt of his hammer into the stoney ground in a show of defiance. As more knights rushed to the palace grounds. Soon enough the rest of his royal guard had joined them. He did a quick head count, five dead, three wounded, a terrible price to pay for a simple act of open rebellion.

Ten dwarven musketeers came sprinting towards them. As a collection of several Gendarie Town guard chased after them. Twenty five dwarves in total, with a shout if command from Dhurok, they all stood ready for battle at the gates of the palace. "Spears form a ring around the door! Muskets behind! Shields up! We hold here until our ride makes their appearance! Move that carriage and barricade the door behind us, quickly!"

The two dwarves guarding the carriage Dhurok arrived in swiftly corralled the two auroch pulling it into moving. Before setting them loose moving behind the semicircle of spears and muskets to assist the wounded. A minute went passed as more Gendarie from the neighboring streets gathered behind the knights. Blades drawn and ready to charge. At least fifty imperial men stood before them now. Blocking any hope of escaping the courtyard... If only they knew.

With the blast of a horn the dwarves stomped their feet. Bellowing loudly in High Durish, Dhurok joined them in their proud show of unity. "Haghkal Nodhosh Thrundir! Let there be war!" In a brief moment of silence, the imperial guard began to surround them. "OPEN FIRE!" Shot after shot rang out as muskets blazed before them. Several guards fell yet more approached as then reloaded. "Let this be a day to remember boys!"

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Dhurok Skuln

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[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

Magocracy Airship

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Akhan stood at the helm of the airship MHS Dark Hammer. Flagship of the Magocracies small fleet of a dozen or so weaponize sky vessels. With four Sedhier sorcerers at his side, working together to conjure a dark cloud of mist to cover their entry into the city. Four enchanted medallions upon their chests glowing a faint blue color and throbbing with an ever increasing beat.

The Archmage knew their timing had to be perfect. If they revealed themselves too quickly or dropped the ropes to the dwarves too late, all of them were done for. The cloud cover masked their ship from spotters on the ground for now, but this mysterious sudden rain above the palace was bound to cause suspicion.

Then he saw it, the signal flare, a bright orange light that he was meant to look out for. Akhan had his doubts about Dhuroks plan of renegotiating their tributary status, but now that he knew their last hope for peace had failed, the drayke felt somewhat unnerved. He needed to speak with the Archerald of the republic quickly if they were to plan their simultaneous invasion.

With the secret coalition preparing for the past several months for this attack, but the fact that Dhurok was willing to openly declare war to the emperors face was unexpected. As they approached the rondevou point, Akhan glanced toward the crew, "Lower the ropes! It's time, we do this swiftly or the imperial warships will be in the air before we can escape the city!"

[Haesil]

no right, no wrong, selling a song

Long minutes passed since Emperor Khalon delivered his orders - outside the offices, the palace was lost to chaos and confusion. The conflict was driving the number of guards down and the servants were scattered in a panic, few aware that war had just been declared on the Empire.

One servant paced through the grand halls at a sedate pace, pausing beside ornate Palladian windows to watch the dwarves gun down their forces in the palace grounds. She lingered as long as she could, but she knew the Emperor would grow impatient if she kept him waiting. She left as Dhurok's men formed a defensive half circle, surrounded and heftily outnumbered by the guard.

She carried a heavy chalice, covered with a cloth to prevent any would-be assassins from tampering with wine, which she switched to one hand as she pushed open the door to Khalon's office - only to immediately flinch, as the Knights jumped to attention, reaching for their weapons. When they relaxed, she cast nervously about the room before entering, as if unsure of her welcome. Despite her anxious energy, the moment she crossed the threshold, the oppressive, chaotic atmosphere of the room brightened. The air became more palatable, the colors more vibrant.

She paused at a polite distance, dropping into a curtsy and bowing her head. "Your Majesty, I apologize for the delay. They had no more of the Satar 499 Vintage, so I've brought you Paradis 520. Is this agreeable to your palate? I can ask the chancellor to put in another order of the 499 while I select something better suited, if that is your wish."

The golden chalice clinked against the desk as she set it down. The servant tread backwards into the office before dropping to one knee, her other foot braced flat against the ground and her skirts fanning around her. The guards at the door eyed one another - it wasn't exactly a decent pose in lowborn company, let alone in the presence of the Emperor. She laid her arm over her knee and bent forward until her forehead touched her wrist, the pose of a male vassal in supplication to his lord.

Her visage blurred at the edges as the glamour took a new shape, her apron and heavy layers becoming fine wyvern leather chausses and the deep red coat of the High Council. She - or rather, he - still wore the appearance of a half-elven woman, as he wasn't going to reveal his face unless he and the Emperor were truly alone. But when he lifted his gaze to the meet Khalon's, her dark blue eyes had been replaced with Haesil's molten gold.

"Sire," he said, the servant's meek voice made rich, melodic, and self-assured with the change. "I am here. How can I be of use?"

450 . tagged: Khalon Zel

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