Magocracy Summer Festival (CH2)

[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

The Summer Solstice

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Akhan wandered the busy streets of Arkanis alone, but enjoying the happy faces of his people. Cloaked with an enchanted hood that held a surprisingly potent illusion to disguise his obvious drayke features. Taking a moment to breathe and relax among the common folk. Something he rarely had an excuse to do except on holidays such as these.

The Grand Sularan Feast was an annual holiday celebrated in the isles during the summer solstice. A rare time when magic acts and travelling musicians would perform. Travellers from all across the known world would come to this glorious island city. The emerald wizard gave a smile to a small dwarvish child as they passed by. Their parents exploring the many merchant stalls and tasting new foods from all across the realm.

Even in times of division and conflict, Akhan was happy to see such joy on the face of a child. Simply experiencing the wonders of the world. Being the Archmage and official face and ambassador of the Magocracy, The emerald drayke was forced to deal with constant stress. Especially with the senate now competing with him for greater power and influence. Yet as he watched his people carry on with their lives in spite of the great darkness beyond their borders, he couldn't help but feel proud.

Finding a small bench to the far side of a popular tavern, he decided to sit and finish eating the coal chared lamb he had just bought from a seemingly drunk satyr manning a stall just down the main road. Surely nothing could ruin this peaceful moment. If only he had the time to enjoy this grand festival in the same way his citizens could.

[Zios Eliyan]

Sky Pirate   Smuggler  Zios stepped out of a tavern behind Akhan. The Summer breeze and warm, humid air enveloping him. Dressed in casual clothing, he kept his right hand firmly on his daggers hilt. Never trusting anyone, not a client, especially not one who refused to reveal their identity. Turning his head to see a cloaked figure at the arranged meeting spot he cautiously approached. His eyes fixed on who he assumed was the client that hired him. It didn't take long for his crew to slowly, but carefully, check the surrounding buildings for unwanted eyes. Five minutes passed as Zios stood at the opposite end of the bench without saying a word. His eyes focused on the crowd and scanning for any possible trap or spies. He meant the client no disrespect of course. It was simply his process. Never trust a man whos face you've never seen. Choosing to stand next to the hidden man instead of sitting down, Zios nodded to his compatriots across the road. Seven of the most skilled fighters in his crew. They collectively nodded in response and continued standing watch over the crowd. In a hushed tone, smooth and overflowing with charm that one might not expect of a criminal such as himself, he addressed the figure. "You have the coin?" Champion of Aeos

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[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

The Summer Solstice

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The Archmage took one last bite of his lamb before turning to the smuggler and nodding in confirmation. His Illusary cloak still obscuring his drayke features, but the more zios focused the less effective the cloak became. Akhan tightened the hood and muttered to himself in annoyance before responding. "I got the coin... But can you actually do the job?"

The illusioned Akhan reached into a small pocket in the interior of his cloak and pulled out a small pouch. "Ten platinum, as we agreed... If you return with the barrel, you'll receive ten more." Akhan knew this was a desperate move. Hiring thieves and smugglers to break into the imperial capitols vaults. But if his people were to win this war brewing in the near future, he needed an ace up his sleeve.

The bag vanished from his sight faster then he could think. "I expect results within a month... You best be off before the crowd thins out." The Archmage stood to his feet, he hated himself for using such underhanded tactics, but this was a matter of life and death. If he couldn't get his hands on that Arcadian Fire soon, Arcanis was doomed to be wiped off the map forever.

[Zios Eliyan]

Sky Pirate   Smuggler  The pirate captain swiftly snatched the bag as if a dozen eyes were watching and he didn't have time to waste tossing coin around. Except of course... He did have time. Turning toward the cloaked man, he pulled out a small silver coin from his pocket and effortlessly spun it on the tip of his finger. The glint of sunlight glaring into his clients eyes. "Hold up there mate, you said nothing about half before and half after in that letter you gave me. Or perhaps we'd be better off taking our business elsewhere?" Zios smiled and made a sly grin as if this was an expected negotiation tactic. Wasting no time with pleasantries, he sat on the opposite end of the bench and cross one foot over the other knee. With arms outstretched and a silver coin twirling between the fingers of his left hand, he subtly revealed a small dagger strapped to both of his legs. "It'd be a real shame if we came all this way just for half the payment. Only to be refused the other half in the event of a drastic change of plans. You are asking us to raid the vaults of Overna after all... Not a job just anyone could do." Champion of Aeos

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[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

The Summer Solstice

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Akhan smiled and waved his hand as a small steel needle levitated out of his pocket and hovered above the pirate lords eye. His telekinesis was quite effective when it came to a more finesse manipulation of objects. The dust around the bench began to rise, the plank of wood they sat upon began to rattle, until the Archmage finally lowered his hand and it all fell still once more 

"I respect you're attempt at a threat, but I am fully capable of defending myself. I will go as high as fifteen platinum before and fifteen after, no more." He began tapping his fingers with impatience, who knew smugglers were so stingy about payment. Though reflecting back on it, their concern was obvious and predictable. There had of course been raids on Overnas vaults in the past, but they almost all resulted in death.

"Your concerns are justified, however if you fail this task, may will die in the coming war. So I'll ask again young elf Lord... Can you do the job or not?" Akhan spoke slowly and with a thick accent, obviously draconic, but clearly understandable to a skylander such as Zios. Akhan balled his fists and waited for the pirates inevitable witty remark, but he knew such a job was a huge ask for anyone, even him.

[Zios Eliyan]

Sky Pirate   Smuggler  Zios stood still as a brick with one hand on the hilt of his dagger and a word of power prepared to be spoken. He breathed deep and nodded. Refusing to show weakness to a client. Clearly they were some kind of psychic, that much was obvious after that little display. Yet something didn't feel right, sure a total of thirty platinum was an improvement, but if they died in the attempted raid all of it was meaningless. He remembered speaking with some low life a few months back who broke into the vault. Stole a bunch of dragon eggs, but that had to be a fluke. That guy had lost his right hand and left leg in the process. If he was going to break into that vault he needed a plan... And a damned good one at that. "Make it sixteen and you have a deal. I can do the job, just a matter of time and planning. Which brings up the question... Is there a time limit on this perticular heist?" Champion of Aeos

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[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

The Summer Solstice

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The Archmage gave a hearty chuckle before tossing six more platinum coins his way. But his joyful attitude vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. The seriousness of his voice gave rise to a eery silence after he spoke. "Done, a fair price for a difficult job." The hooded drayke looked around as if expecting someone to lash out at him from the crowd.

Yet as he watched the crowed seemed to think ever so slightly. Many of them being subtly guided by zios crew to leaving this portion of the road. Thankfully giving them a wide birth where none could overhear them. He turned to the moon elf who seemed confident enough. But Akhan knew confidence wasn't enough to break into the heavily guarded vaults underneath Overna.

He cleared his throat before speaking again. Pondering the elfs question and considering the timeline of events he had planned in the near future. "I need this done before the summer is through. Within a month the empire will likely be at war and its enemies require what's in those vaults to keep them in check."  He grabbed a piece of parchment hidden beneath his cloak.

As he handed it to the notorious pirate Akhan couldn't help but feel unnerved by the elf's apparent lack of fear. He certainly was, if this mission failed the coalition was doomed. Without having the enemies trump card in their hands, this war could end quickly and Arcanis would be in the crossfire. "It's a detailed architectural plan for the vaults beneath the city. Leaked to us by a powerful benefactor with a similar goal. I believe you will find everything you need there."

[Zios Eliyan]

Sky Pirate   Smuggler  As captain of a crew of a hundred souls, he had to be prepared with every advantage he could get his hands on. Zios confidently took hold of the parchment and studied the plans for what felt like ten minutes. Only to lift his head and see his hooded client staring at him expectantly. The young moon elf rolled the plans and placed them securely in his coat. "I can get it done, just a matter of timing. Will have to stake out the palace for a few days to learn their shifts and get a grasp on the number of guards. But we should be able to accomplish the job within a couple weeks." Zios stood with a bag of coins and architectural plans hidden from sight. He paused for a moment before leaving, a feeling of curiosity taking over him. "This benefactor of yours... They wouldn't happen to be willing to meet with me when I get there, would they?" Champion of Aeos

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[Akhan Oathul]

Archmage of Arkanis

The Summer Solstice

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Akhan smiled and remembered the many letters sent back and forth between him and his contact. Obviously they used a fake identity, he knew he would. Especially for something so dangerous as treason. But thinking back on it whatever details regarding the person was ambiguous at best. It was clear they had to have access to the palace. A noble perhaps, or maybe one of the servants. Regardless he was unsure as to their ultimate goal.

"I can't give you a name, but rest assured they'll have your back once your inside the palace." His worlds felt hollow like he was unsure, but Akhan didn't have a choice but to trust in this strangers plan. The coalition needed this weapon in their hands lf they wanted to stand any chance of surviving this mad emperors wrath. If they failed, Arcanis would be the first city targeted by the imperial navy.

"If anyone asks... I was never here." And with a flourishing of his hand and subtle gust of wind, the cloaked Archmage had leaped to his feet with grace and dived into the crowed. Making himself unnoticeable in the mass of celebrating festival goers. A trick he learned as a child, allowing for him to blend in and escape unwanted conversations.

[Zios Eliyan]

Sky Pirate   Smuggler  Zios was caught by surprise at how easily this hooded figure vanished into the crowed. He gave a short whistle and his crew began subtly guiding more of the crowed to fill the street. The hustle of merchants and festival goers buzzed to life again as if nothing happened. He pondered his clients words, carefully considering the implications of a hidden ally that had access to the palace. A concerning thought, but not something he had time to puzzle out right now. He stood to his feet with a casual grace that was typical for an elf. He motioned for the members of his crew to step forward before giving his next order. "Hey Caltha, I want you and four others to return to the docks and prepare the sons wrath for departure. The rest of you gather what supplies we need for the journey. It's gonna be a long flight." Champion of Aeos

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