Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The White Counsil. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Asulien; Change the name when we need to
Topic Started: Jun 4 2008, 06:16 PM (17,276 Views)
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bayel answered "Our numbers are not great, and we work alone for the most part. There are more threats to deal with than just one at a time. You should both realise this. The facts are simple, we tried to eliminate those corrupt leaders, some we could not get to, others we failed to get to."

The old general looked at Mordain and said "In the end it was clear that you and your cousin were what was best for Weissland. That is why the Watchmen took your side in the civil war, that was why our members were amongst your forces or working seperately to aid you."

Bayel finished "The Watchmen are not like the Legion or your Seekers Lord Mordain. We are recruited from ordinary members of the army, navy, mages, even citizens. Our recruitment policies are rigorous and strict, but the one thing which is most important to the Watchmen is loyalty to Weissland above all else. Anyone who falls even slightly short of this fails to become a member. And they do not remember ever being approached by us. As to who leads us, we have no central leadership anymore. We operate in cells of one, and only gather in any numbers when it is important. The closest thing we have to a leadership are three senior members, one each chosen from the army, navy, and mages. At least one senior member is required to be present when voting in a new member. Originally the leader of the Watchmen was Paul Castoden."
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hotshot
Member Avatar
The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
James looked carefully over the documents, but his eyes kept straying back to the seal, which, like the seals of all the Lords Castoden, was a slight variation of the Castoden eagle coat-of-arms. There was no doubt that everything Bayel was saying was true. James had heard nothing being said between Bayel and Mordain, and looked up from the files as they finished talking. "This is the seal of the Lord Castoden," said James. "I believe you."
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bayel smiled and said "Thank you Lord Castoden. It is good to hear that. I was wondering, do you remember ever seeing this tattoo before?" He indicated his forearm, showing the tattoo of two Weissland helmets, one facing left, the other right. Below that was the symbol of Weissland and above was an eagle's eye.
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hotshot
Member Avatar
The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
James, unable to clearly see the tattoo from his chair, climbed down and walked up to Bayel, eyes on the General's arm. He saw the tattoo and suddenly images began to flash through his mind. Screams, shouts, and animal grunts and shrieks filled his ears, and the face of his mother, which he had not seen for twenty-five years, flashed before his eyes. Then, suddenly, he saw the tattoo, heard the strong but calming voice, and saw the face of his rescuer as his father handed him up. "I...remember..."
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bayel nodded "I was not sure if you would, you were very young at the time. Harlen Salein, the man who rescued you from Torcein Woods and took you to the White Realm, bore this tattoo. We all do, it is the mark of the Watchmen."
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hotshot
Member Avatar
The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"Harlen Salein," whispered James under his breath. So that was the man who had saved his life. "Is he still alive today?"
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lathaon
Member Avatar
Fallen Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"It could be done," Medran said doubtfully. "But it seems to me that all of this rests on his memories and his identity, and Vedgar is already trying to restore these. It seems wrong to make assumptions about his importance when it could be so close to being revealed now."
The White Counsil Medal of Loyalty
The White Counsil Medal of Art
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
chadden
Member Avatar
High Advisor to the Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Shaellana spoke up then, having sat perfectly still so far, save for nodding to Mordain.

"And how does an orginisation such as yourselves prove loyalty? How can you be sure? Deception is a terrible trick, one which even the best of us can fall victim to."
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
General Bayel turned to face Shaellana before he could answer Lord Castoden "We do not recruit our members lightly. Each and everyone one of them has done everything they can for Weissland. Actions speak louder than words. And our testing is extremely rigorous. Anyone who falls even slightly short of what we require does not become a member. You say how do we prove loyalty? I say how can you disprove it in front of such an example." He pointed towards Nathaniel "This man was willing to die wrongly accused because his loyalty to Weissland was greater than his life."

The general took a few breaths before replying to Lord Castoden "Yes, he is still alive. Last I heard he was in Cerylia."
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
chadden
Member Avatar
High Advisor to the Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Shaellana shook her head. "I am not talking about Drakkon. I am talking about your members as a whole."
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Fizban Dantares
Unregistered

Fryysen hesitated in his answer to Medran, but then a sound made him turn his head back to the room. The thick, strong door masked most sounds between the hallway and the room, but Vedgar's scream could be faintly heard.

"Did you hear that?" Solo Fryysen asked and quickly moved towards the door. He opened it and saw Fizban Dantares, still in the white robes, turning towards him. Mage lord Nilen Vedgar lay on the floor.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bayel replied "As I said we test our members. Before we even consider someone for becoming a member the Watchmen keep track of them, see what they do, and how. They look for any sign of acting against Weissland, any signs of corruption or taint. They look at how a potential member reacts to whatever situations they find themselves in, and whether those reactions show sound judgement, and work in the best interests of Weissland. When someone is first approached to become a member they undergo testing, both mental and magical. It is true that people lie, it is true that they can attempt to deceive, but when their mind and thoughts are laid open to a group of other members by magic, there can be no deceit. Those who fail have their memories of us removed and continue with their lives. In well over five hundred years, in all the time that the Watchmen have existed no member has ever done anything which acts against Weissland."
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lathaon
Member Avatar
Fallen Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"Fizban! What have you done to him?" Medran asked quickly. He realised he was unarmed, but so was Fizban as far as he knew.
The White Counsil Medal of Loyalty
The White Counsil Medal of Art
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Fizban Dantares
Unregistered

Fizban Dantares looked at Medran for a few seconds, not saying anything. By the expression of his face it seemed like he was finally realizing what was going on.

I am what I am now, Fizban Dantares thought. I have revealed my name to at least three different persons and there is no chance I can convince them that they need to be quiet about it. I just have to cope with what's happening from now on.

Finally Fizban shrugged, "Nothing," he said. "It happened when he restored my memory, I believe."

Vedgar nodded, sitting up against the wall. "I saw something," he began to speak. "It was terrible, a man made of fire and light."

"Wait," Fryysen cut him off. "Your memory is restored." The mage lord was answered by a simple nod.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lathaon
Member Avatar
Fallen Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"So... do you know now how you got here?" Medran asked.
The White Counsil Medal of Loyalty
The White Counsil Medal of Art
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Fizban Dantares
Unregistered

Once more Fizban Dantares hesitated in his answer as he thought through what had happened with him.

The Lord Kilnor had finally showed him, in his chaotic Realm, what Ariakas had been searching for along. It was pure irony that he did it even as the soul and body of Ariakas was destroyed. In a vivid image Ariakas was shown the village of Kuren where he grew up as a kid. Then he was shown his home up in the Kuren Mountains. He saw himself playing alone in the surroundings, and his mother caring for him with food and love. Then his father, Kain Dantares, came home for the first time in many years and demanded that Fizban Dantares came north with him. His mother and father fought that evening, and Kain Dantares even hit Ariakas' mother. Ariakas had forgotten all about this and he had trouble believing, even as Kilnor showed it to him, that his father truly could have done something like that.
But Kain Dantares won through and took Ariakas, or was it Fizban Dantares, north with him. They travelled through Weissland here and there, and reached Ordail where they sat sail towards the land that was to be the White Realm. From then on Ariakas remembered on his own.
But then the Lord Kilnor showed him the Kuren Mountains again. His mother was alone now. She did not visit the town anymore, only a few friends rarely brought up some wares for her. She grew bitter and sad with life. She could spend nights crying in her bed in anguish. She turned hateful towards her former husband.
Then one night visitors came to her home. It was a band of dark clothed riders. One of them ventured inside with Ariakas' mother, despite her protests. He returned a few hours later but without her. The rides rode south and was never seen again. Ariakas feared that had been the death of his mother and the home seemed lifeless in many days before she finally once more showed herself outside. She seemed tired and broken now, but she lived on.
Weeks went and turned into months, and soon Ariakas could notice another change in his mother. A bulge in her lower abdomen. His mother was pregnant. But the image showed to Ariakas by Kilnor did not stop, so he was forced to watch on and could not stop to think about anything. Months went on, and the stomach of his mother grew. Then one stormy night, almost as stormy as the realm of Kilnor himself, her time had come. She lay in her bed, deciding to give birth to the child alone. Her screams sounded even over the thunder and lightning of the storm. To listen to his own mothers screaming, even if it was ages past, was sheer terror to Ariakas. Then, after many hours, her screams together with the storm silenced and was replaced by the weeping of an infant, the only sound audible in the night. Then without warning, before the eyes of Ariakas, the house exploded in a ball of fire, smoke and light. He knew then that his mother was dead.
Nothing remained of the house, but the destruction must had been visible to the people of Kuren or others. Because soon after the destruction of the house, maybe already the night after, three persons came up in the mountains to tread on the ashes of Ariakas' former home. Ariakas instantly recognized the leader as Mordain Thaendil. The others he soon remembered as Marr and Brae, his servants and assistants. Among the dust, ash and broken stones the only remains of the destruction they found was the still living, and unharmed, infant born by his mother. There was a conversation which Ariakas could not hear, but eventually they took the child and brought them with him.

Then the image ended and the burning form of Kilnor once more presented itself in front of Ariakas.

"You have received what you came for," Kilnor spoke. "Are you satisfied?"

"Who is he?" Ariakas screamed through the divine chaos.

"He is what your servant, Cloudwulf, told you," Kilnor responded. "He the wielder of Death."

"Cloudwulf told him he was Death," Ariakas said. "Spare me," he cried in desperation. "Send me back so I can stop him."

"Why should I?"

"Because this was the reason my ancestor sacrificed Grond so many years ago. Because I was supposed to come here and see this."

"And if I grant you this mercy?"

"Then I will give you another soul," Ariakas said. "For eternal service."

The Lord Kilnor laughed at the words of Ariakas. "This comes at a price Fizban Dantares. Even for you. Be content by knowing that you are the first mortal to ever be granted mercy when you are within the realm of a god."

"You want me to do this for you," Ariakas said quickly.

"Of course," was the mighty response, said in a casual manner which still sounded terrifying. "This Death is an opposer of my own. End him Dantares."

Then, even as the command from Kilnor sounded through his ears, the soul and body of Ariakas was finally destroyed. And even as it was, it was rebuilt once more. He could remember nothing more, and believed there was nothing more to remember.


Fizban Dantares finally looked up and answered. "I was sent here."
Quote Post Goto Top
 
chadden
Member Avatar
High Advisor to the Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Shaellana sat back, satisfied.

"And how many members do you have? Any others we should be aware of?" asked Mordain.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hotshot
Member Avatar
The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
James was growing somewhat annoyed. "What's the point of all this?" he asked, throwing his hands in the air. "We're just sitting around interrogating each other, spewing doubts and fears, while Drathmor keeps marching on towards us. This is ridiculous. Right now we need all the help we can get, so why doesn't everyone just shut up and work together? Drathmor's the enemy here, so I think we should all just calm down and focus on the task at hand instead of bickering like idiots." James began to walk out of the room, shouting, "I'll be on the wall," as he threw the doors open and walked out.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gorfang
Member Avatar
Nathaniel Drakkon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
General Bayel sighed deeply "I believe Lord Castoden is very correct. There are more important concerns now, like survival."

He looked at Mordain and said "But to answer your question, a few hundreds spread around Weissland and some, mostly merchants, in other lands. I cannot give an exact number because Weissland has lost so many troops, if we survive this war then that information will be passed on to you. As for others you should be aware of, there are only a few others here in Asulien if that's what you mean. And we do not recruit people of high rank, the few of us with high ranks have earned them afterwards."
Posted Image
Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
chadden
Member Avatar
High Advisor to the Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Shaellana let out a simple laugh, small and concealed, as James left the room.

The Mage of Shadows, again, sighed. He rose from his chair and approached these men, standing in front of Bayel. "Words have all-but lost their trust to me, their warmth. I live in a world that makes it hard for me to have strength in the character of others. But, what you have said; I find that I believe it, and that is a rare thing." He looked at each of them with no more than a passing glance. "Despite what has been said, this was not a pety quest for knowledge by me. I did what I had to do. However, I will say this." He looked directly at Nathaniel. "I was wrong about you."

With that said, he too left the room. Shaellana followed quickly after.

"Nathaniel Drakkon has proven himself innocent. He is free." said Mordain, addressing the guards and officials who still waited outside.

Mordain continued to walk on. He tapped the butt of his staff off the ground once and spoke a single word, dispelling the magic he had placed over the court room. The High Seeker caught up to him, moving round to bar his path in the empty corridor.

"You believed?" she asked.

Mordain's eyes slowly lowered themselves to meet her gaze. "Yes."

His words, though spoken in a soft voice, seemed to tear through Shaellana. "It... has been so long since I have seen you believe in anything past your cousin's will! These men... these men who have hidden from you truly sparked that within you?" Her voice was trembling.

"Yes."

With a wavering hand, Shaellana reached for the hood. She began to lower it. "Let me look at you!"

Mordain's hand moved to stop her.

"NO!" Shrieked Shaellana. "Let me look at you! I want to see it, I want to see that bloody spark of belief in your eyes!"

His hood fell away and Mordain's demonic face was clear before her. His blue skin, the coloured eyes and white hair; all were there. The demon was clear as ever. But, she saw it. A tiny whisper of what he once was. It skittered across his face, there and gone in an instant.

Shaellana's hands fell away. Tears began to trickle down her face. "You... you can't... NO! It's not fair!"

She turned and fled down the corridor, gone from all.

Mordain replaced his hood and walked on.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Weissland · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Via Domus created by Steve of the ZetaBoards Theme Zone