It’s early morning when the owl arrives, alighting on a light post in the center of the courtyard. For several minutes the owl sits and watches, observing the comings and goings of the Court.
Until he spies the Sovereign.
He puffs up his feathers, yellow eyes gleaming in the early morning light. This was the time he’d been waiting for: his attention was on Somnus alone now, the rest of the people slipping away.
The smaller owl upon Somnus’ back is nothing in comparison to the one Tempus has sent, larger and brighter than any common owl. He flutters now from his perch to one closer to the Dawn Court’s Sovereign, sizing him and alba up with his watchful gaze. He places himself directly in Somnus’ path, so that the Sovereign is forced to stop or to go around.
After a moment of this stare down, he speaks.
Not with the voice of an owl--but one of a God, spoken in the common tongue. And it sounds not like one voice, but several, perhaps even hundreds: young and old, a different version of the same voice for every age, speaking in unison across the yard and throughout the entirety of the Court:
“You will come.”
The parchment tied to his ankle comes undone by its own accord, invisible hands pulling its ends apart. It unfurls in mid air, hovering just before the Sovereign so that he and any others might read what is written within:
Now that I have your attention,
Your presence is required a week from today. I have cleared a section of Veneror Peak for us to meet.
Bring with you two others whom you trust. Do not think you can hide from me.
Go in peace.
There is no signature, no hint as to who wrote the letter... but something tells you this can only be the work of the deities.
Welcome to Novus’ first Summit! Your Sovereign is required to participate in this SWP. This will be a political meeting for the four Courts to come together on neutral grounds and discuss relations.
It is highly encouraged for the Sovereign to attend: be aware, Tempus will not respond kindly if Somnus is absent. It is expected for all three members of the Regime to attend the meeting (@Somnus @ipomoea @orion) however, if one of more Regime members cannot attend, it is up to @Somnus to choose who to send to the meeting in their stead. Choose wisely!
Everyone else is allowed to post in this board and explore the area! Please be aware: the meeting area itself is currently sealed, and only the Regime and their chosen representatives will be allowed in! That being said, feel free to post threads wondering what the heck is going on! ;D
As for this thread: @Somnus has priority in replying. After he has, any other Court members are welcome to voice their thoughts!
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The meeting will start on June 1st and will last until June 14th. A new thread will be started giving more instructions for the Sovereigns at that time.
To tag this account: @*'Random Events' without the asterisk.
Please be advised, tagging the Random Event account does not guarantee a response!
05-26-2018, 12:44 PM - This post was last modified: 05-26-2018, 01:10 PM by Random Events
As dawn arrived to Delumine, so did an unlikely visitor.
Somnus had not been expecting anything out of the usual when he had stepped out of the mortar citadel after dawn’s first light. The dredges of sleep had yet to fully release him, and it had been Alba’s steady persistence that had urged him from his chambers despite his innate desire to remain inside for a while longer. Despite his lethargy, the Dawn King made a point to bid everyone that he passed with a kind ‘good morning’ and a warm smile.
The morning air was refreshing, lacking the heat that inevitably came with summer. Granted, with autumn just around the corner they wouldn’t be worrying about the heat for too much longer. Giving a roll of a shoulder as he stepped into the courtyard, Somnus allowed his mind to wander as he began to piece together his schedule for the day. There were a few individuals he needed to meet with; Eulalie, Ulric, Po, Orion…
All thoughts of meetings and schedules were forgotten, however, as a massive shape settled itself in front of him and effectively blocked the path of his morning stroll. The dunalino immediately drew up short with the sound of hooves scraping against stone, keen verdant eyes widening in surprise. It was… An owl? Yet not just any owl. Or at least none the kind that he had ever seen before. A grand owl, ancient and mythical and knowing, with piercing yellow eyes and bright feathers. It was far larger than Alba, and the barn owl shifted nervously upon Somnus’ spine and gave a subtle ’hiss’ of caution.
’It’s not normal,’ the barn owl warned, oddly unsettled, ’What is it?’
Somnus did not know. He had no answers for Alba. Instead of seeking any form of answer at all he felt trapped within the large owl’s wise, golden gaze. Lips parting, he tried to find his voice, to offer some sort of word… But then, the grand owl spoke. Spoke.
’You will come.’ Voices. Oh, the voices. As many voices as there were souls, Somnus believed, poured from the beak of the Messenger Owl. Old, young, wise, foolish, saved, damned. So many voices that his ears rang, but he did not look away. He couldn’t.
It was only upon the motion of the rolled parchment attached to the Messenger’s leg being unraveled that the Sovereign was able to move, and his eyes skimmed the words that were presented. Somnus read the message once, then twice, and then a third time, letting his mind absorb and memorize every written word. His breath caught in his throat as he mulled it over, a heavy weight settling upon his breast. This… Was not the work of mortals. It couldn’t be. Could it? There was an energy about this Messenger, an otherworldly atmosphere and aura that surrounded it. Could it be…?
The work of the Divines?
Pursing his lips, Somnus’ gaze rose to meet that of the owl, fierce verdant staring unabashedly into judgmental gold. His head lifted, his stature changed, readying himself for the challenge. If there was ever a time for him to be a king, it had finally come. The Dawn King dipped his head in a nod, both in stern understanding and in respectful reverence to this mighty beast, this divine messenger. “I understand. Oriens bless you, Wise One.”
Others had begun to gather, clearly intrigued by the sudden arrival. Somnus remained silent and still and allowed his Court to read the message that had been presented.
One week… They had one week to prepare for their summons, whatever it might entail. Somnus had faith in his Court that no matter what might happen, they would persevere.
tag: @‘Random Events’
Alright guys! Let’s do this! If anyone would like for Somnus to reply to any inquiries/questions/brainstorming as to what all this message could entail, please tag Somnus’ account! :D
"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self."
Please tag Somnus in all replies!
05-27-2018, 09:02 AM - This post was last modified: 05-27-2018, 06:46 PM by Somnus
See the thing you've been chasing, honey
You'll never find it wearing a life vest
You've gotta risk your neck
Know in your heart it will be worth it
With the summer months waning, the morning was remarkably cool, a welcome reprieve from the relentless heat that had plagued them for so long.
It was an ordinary morning like any other, quiet and peaceful as the world slowly began to wake save for Delumine’s Warden, who had just returned from his nightly patrol. Another night had passed without incident, and now, he had every intention of stretching out in his room and catching up on some much needed rest.
Reaching the mighty citadel, Ulric wound his way between the structures on his journey to the courtyard which would lead him inside. On his way, he saw a few others in passing and greeted each of them with a fatigued smile on his face. Oh, how very tired he was – his ceaseless exploration of the borders finally catching up to him – yet Ulric could not bring himself to leave them for even a single night.
As he rounded a corner that opened into the exquisite courtyard, the Warden spotted a familiar figure standing at the center of it. A sly grin threatened to pull back against dark lips, the cogs of his mind churning in a plan to startle the Sovereign as he had done on occasion in the past. However, as the roan took his first stalking step forward, it became evident that something wasn’t quite right. The way that Somnus stood rigid, muscles tense as though in some sort of shock, frozen in place as he stared down an owl, much like Alba, but of grand proportion. Most curiously of all, Ulric heard it speak in a haunting voice that caused his skin to prickle and crawl, chilling him to the bone. The statement spoken, while simple, was ominous;
”You will come.”
Only when Somnus had spoken his own response to the ethereal owl did Ulric finally approach, cautious in the way he eyed the owl before focusing entirely on his friend and the note that had been presented. His eyes narrowed as he read it, his chest growing tight with uneasy anticipation. They were to send three of their own to the highest peak in Novus to meet… but with whom, and for what reason? Whatever it was, Ulric didn’t like it and his pinched expression showed just that.
“… What do you think it could be?” The question finally came after a stretch of silent pondering, perturbed golden eyes meeting the verdant emerald of his King, his best friend. Then, more importantly, “What will you do?”
A morning stroll was something Orion found he enjoyed, generally walking among the early risers of the market and the hustle and bustle of those that were looking for their needed goods. It was nothing new for the Emissary, though... today seemed to be different.
A large avian creature was easy to spot, enough that his ears went back slightly and he turned on his hooves to follow its path; directly back to the Citadel heart. The Court itself. It was with steady steps he trotted after it, weaving around onlookers that whispered to one another in curiosity, soothing those that seemed to be in fear. Perhaps it had something to do with the rumble in his hooves from earlier, not really something to take note of. It had been a minor shudder, and he thought at the time it had been passing company, but perhaps that wasn't the case.
The grullo man moved himself, walking through a throng of horses and past them, heading up steps and weaving through roads, until his legs brought him back to home.
He wasn't the only one, his eyes falling to the one known as Ulric, before his milky gaze switched and he moved forward, reading the note that he managed to spy simply ---
A voice. Not a voice but it seemed many at once, a rumble of eons and something crept up his spine. Deities. He had never experienced one but reading over books and drinking his tea in the library had brought him plenty of knowledge on the build up of the lands, of the Courts and the deities themselves.
"Two that you trust...." The words trailed, and he looked to Ulric as the man spoke, before he turned his horned head to face his golden friend. "I doubt we are the only ones that received this message, Somnus," he began, feeling a slight itch at the back of his mind. "It seems we've been summoned by the deities of the lands, though perhaps not any deity.. the father of them all."
At least being stuck in the library (his own doing, really, he needed to get out more) had helped his knowledge, and his head bobbed just a little, worried. "Will the Regime go with you?"
e was taking a walk through the Court when the owl arrived.
Dawn was Ipomoea’s favorite time of day, for numerous reasons. But every morning since his promotion, he had gotten up with the sun and followed it to the gardens. He dragged Odet with him, the stellar’s jay burrowing into a nest of hair at the Regent’s withers, sleeping while Po went about his business.
He greeted each flower as if they were his friends, trailing his telekinetic finger over their soft petals, checking their soil for adequate water and pruning away the weeds he found. The morning glories were his favorite: he waited in excitement to watch them unfurl in the early morning, displaying their vibrant colors to the world for a few short hours. It was this ritual, this blossoming that he was loathe to miss each morning.
Of course, when the gods call, he had no choice but to answer.
He plucked a blossom carefully from a long stem, tucking it neatly behind one ear, before hurrying back to the Court.
He made it back in time to still read the message, studying the parchment as it floated in midair. A thoughtful frown tugged at his lips, speckled ears flicking back and forth as he listened to the voices around him.
”…What do you think it could be?” Ulric’s question hung in the air, and Ipomoea’s frown deepened.
”Could it be the gods? Could it be Oriens?” Would he finally meet a God?
Excitement started deep in his bones, a lazy thrum filling his veins. Were the gods finally back?
@Somnus @Ulric @orion | "speaks" | notes: short n choppy post just to get him in here <3
The Grand Owl stayed, body still as a statue and gaze unwavering. A thousand voices spoke through His vessel and as Somnus approached, the vivid gold of his eyes met the vibrant green of the Sovereign's for the first time. An entrancing, captivating gaze it was... but stoney and piercing. Its body held still as the crowd formed and read the parchment that levitated between them.
And then, his gaze broke form the Sovereign and crowd before him... and settled upon the smaller owl atop Somnus' back, Alba. The regal, pristine feathers on his body puffed up a little, and then the Greater Owl tilted his head downwards towards the Sovereign's bonded.
Feathers settled and his unending gaze turned back to those before him - @Somnus, the Sovereign. @Ulric, the Warden. @Ipomoea, the Regent. And @Orion, the Emissary. It was through the Greater Owl's eyes that Tempus saw them, although he need not a messenger to show him what he already knew.
And then he spoke to all those before him. It was not Tempus, not the thousand voices... but the Owl himself. Even his voice was regal - deep, and commanding of attention. "I wish you a safe journey, Wise Ones."
With a respectful bow of his head, the Owl's massive wings unfurled, spreading open wide at his sides. With a strong and powerful thrust, the Messenger was lifted into the air. Up, up, and up... towards the heavens, and towards the Deluminian citadel itself. It was there that he perched, watchful and knowing - and there he would stay until the night of the Summit.... and until the time when Tempus needed him once more.
The Great Owl will remain atop the Dawn Citadel until the night of the Summit. At that time, he will disappear - but perhaps Tempus will need him again in the future...
Everyone is allowed to post in this thread, along with heading out to explore the general Summit area. Please be aware: the meeting area itself is currently restricted, and only the Regime and their chosen representatives are allowed in!
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To tag this account: @*'Random Events' without the asterisk.
Please be advised, tagging the Random Event account does not guarantee a response!
06-07-2018, 11:01 PM - This post was last modified: 06-07-2018, 11:02 PM by Random Events
The voice was in her bones, in the deep tissue of muscle and sinew, echoing, again, and again, and again. Whispers and shouts; exhalations. She was not near to the owl as they and yet she heard his every word as if the owl were perched right before her nose.
Pavetta watched from a distance, her stance rigid—it was clear the Higher Ups were gathering to the strange messenger and she did not wish to intrude. Otherworldly, godly. The owl was too large, too saturated in color—the owl outdid that morning’s dawn in his brilliance. The eyes were too bright, glittering with the intensity of the sun.
Gods were wicked and not to be trusted.
Novus did not know that yet, but surely they would soon.
Cruel, wild gods had governed the Rift, had destroyed it. How could these gods be any different?
Only when Somnus, Orion, Ulric, and Ipomomea had gathered and replied to the messenger did Pavetta come closer, her curiosity burning despite the warning she felt in her heart. Her reading was out of practice—she had not done any reading or writing since her days with the Order—so it took her a few moments to stumble over the words, making sense of the small, fluid markings.
Veneror Peak. One week. Do not think you can hide from me.
Others marveled and buzzed with excitement, murmurs and whispers. The gods, come to Dawn Court! Pavetta only felt dread in her stomach, sinking like a stone in a pond. Somnus and the others…she worried for them. What were they getting themselves into, and why did they hold the owl in such reverence, instead of fear?
In one week she would make the journey by herself, if only to keep loyal Somnus from falling on his own sword of honor before the gods.
a pearl in pigshit, a diamond on the finger of a rotting corpse,
creature in whom nothing, but nothing, remains of an elven woman ---
