Space Dragons - Another Chaotic RP

[Mags she/they]

Ari felt herself sigh inwardly, surely there was a better option. 

"Wait . . . Paprika? what am I supposed to do? If the humans are joining the war against everyone . . ."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I don't know. I don't know, Ari..."

Paprika took in a breath. A deep breath. Calm down. Control yourself.

"I... they submitted too quick. Something had to have happened. Either we wanted to show our resolve to an ally, or..." We were coerced by some other threat.

[Channelknight Fadran]

"One way or another, I don't think humanity would've given in that quickly to anything, let alone this. At least someone was pulling some strings to get their point across. If you guys can get an alliance going anyway that'd be great, but... just... just do what you can, guys."

@Justice_Magician 

[Mags she/they]

"Alright . . . I guess," Ari mumbled. She glanced at the guards in her office doorway, they had started having a whisper argument, probably about her. 

"But who could be pulling strings? a Dragon? if there is still a Dragon here on Earth I want to fight it."

Spoiler

oop sorry I took so long

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I don't know. Probably not a dragon though... I don't think they care what happens at this point."

[PyroPhile]

I’ll try to help as much as I can. I’m trying to get an alliance started, but someone is blocking me, and I don’t know who, why, or how.

[Mags she/they]

On 7/17/2023 at 3:58 PM, PyroPhile said:

I’ll try to help as much as I can. I’m trying to get an alliance started, but someone is blocking me, and I don’t know who, why, or how.

"So am I," Ari said. "Its odd, I should have gotten a reply from the other elves by now . . . though this is a hard decision perhaps they are simply taking their time."

She glanced at the guards again, seriously considering trying to escape, even though that would probably force them to assume she was a threat.

@Channelknight Fadran

Edited July 22, 2023 by Justice_Magician

[Channelknight Fadran]

"...Probably."

[Mags she/they]

"Hopefully,"

[Channelknight Fadran]

Stardate 88701, Van'Haik Era - 1/16

(May 24, 2061)

 

A day and a half had passed since humanity signed themselves into the Culling War. It was roughly six in the morning (Central European time) when Paprika woke up, brushed her teeth, took a shower, tied back her hair, and received a message from the Secretary General that she had been appointed as humanity's leading operative in the Ebony Squadron for the brand-new Covert Agency for Subgalactic Espionage.

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

@Channelknight Fadran

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So...

How do you feel about me roleplaying as a draconic politician who has sway over a small sector of the draconic empire, and is secretly one of the leaders of an organized resistance movement from within the empire who see the practice of Culling Wars as evil and as something that needs to be stopped?

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by The Bookwyrm

[Channelknight Fadran]

34 minutes ago, The Bookwyrm said:

@Channelknight Fadran

 

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yes

 

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

1 minute ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

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yes

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Haha, YES!

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Name: Akat'tirri Raltathani

Species: Dragon

Age: Almost 2000 years old

Appearance: Large for a dragon, towering over many others even within his own species. He has a full set of deep blue scales, which despite his very high station, he chooses to keep as a remembrance of his past as a warrior. These scales have a number of augments, both technological and magical. He has six eyes, the two main ones and four smaller ones (two extra on each side) that were added during his time as a fighter. He keeps these extra eyes closed most of the time. He has an impressive set of horns that spiral in on themselves like galaxies.

Various Personality Bits: Currently, Akat'tirri controls a sector of the Milky Way Galaxy named the Raltathani Sector, after his family. It lies on the outskirts of official Draconic Space in the galaxy, and contains the domains of a few races that were the victors of previous Culling Wars. In what seems like a previous life to him, he was an intelligent and efficient soldier that served under his mother when she was Duchess of the sector. He, along with his father, fought to enforce the Draconic Empire's rule through their sector, which was (and in some ways still is) an untamed frontier.

Once the time came for the Culling Wars of the races in said sector, however, both of Akat'tirri's parents protested against the practice. Rather than declaring open treason and rebellion, however, they joined a secret underground movement, one bent on overthrowing the Empire's evil practices. They fought secretly and desperately to protect the victims of the Culling Wars in their sector, doing their best to save as many worlds as possible.

It was not enough. Akat'tirri's parents were on a diplomatic mission to a planet that had refused to fight in the war, trying to figure out some sort of compromise between them and the Empire. It was during this mission that the Empire destroyed the planet, and the civilization they were trying to save. Akat'tirri was left as heir to the Sector.

Centuries later, and much wiser and with much more political prowess, Akat'tirri serves the Empire loyally on the surface, but continues his parent's work under cover. He has shared his secret with some in power within his sector, and through his unconventional kindness, has gained their loyalty to the point that they follow him in his secret endeavors.

He is a kind person, but stern when times call for it. He has a family of his own now, including a daughter which is preparing herself to inherit the Sector when the time is right, and a son who fights for him in the same way he fought for his mother.

Skills/Magic/Such: Has carefully found ways to enhance his magical abilities despite the presence of his scales. Dabbles in each variety, but focuses primarily on Spaceshaping.

Position: Duke of Raltathani Sector

Other: Uh...wears a fancy dragon cape. Sometimes. As dukes do.

Spoiler

Tell me if any of this needs veto-ing, and I've left the details of the rebellion to you.

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Boss... I said..."

"I know what you said, Lieutenant. And I brought it up at the meeting, believe me."

Paprika was rubbing her eyes from the stress. "Sir... is this an order?"

"If it has to be. You're the one I'd trust most to take this on."

"Then... I'll do it, but I'm picking my own team."

"Of course."

"And make sure Basil's taken care of."

"I'll see to it myself."

She nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"No... thank you, Colonel."

It had been a long time since anyone had called her that.

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

Akat'tirri Raltathani gazed out at the view from his balcony.

The curving bay of the island his palace was built on spread out in front of him, the white sandy beach bordering a vibrant jungle filled with the plants and animals of his childhood. Beyond the island, a deep blue ocean, filled with life, stirred calmly in the tranquil weather. The blue sky, illuminated by the twin white suns, was cloudless, and the looming crescent shape of Galgaranth, the gas giant his homeworld Natirri orbited, hung in beside them.

The ocean moon had served as the ancestral home of the Raltathani family for generations, ever since their arrival in the sector. The moon had held no intelligent society prior to colonization by the Dragons. Now, despite millenia of habitation, it remained naturally unscathed, it's splendor and beauty preserved for the family that lived there. The moon was sparsely populated; only those part of the Raltathani House, with the Raltathani Family at its center, truly called the place home, along with a few other government officials. The true political capital of the Raltahani Sector was Telten-II, a metropolis planet located in a system about 14 light years from Natirri.

The Raltathani Palace was a beautiful building that was built on - and in some cases in - this small island some distance south of the largest island-continent on Natirri. It's gold and silver spires stretched towards the sky and burrowed into the ground and ocean underneath the island. It took power from the volcano that formed the island's core, a primitive but symbolic way of life. Parts of the palace extended through the rock and out beneath the ocean. The structure was like a net that had woven itself into the fabric of the island, in-tune with it's life and geology.

Sometimes, Akat'tirri wished that the Empire followed the example of his family's palace. In tune with it's surroundings, not dominating them.

He sighed as he gazed out at that ocean. The Empire had started demanding participation for it's next Culling War. Already, several of the civilizations had agreed to fight in the terrible extinction conflict, while others stubbornly refused to acquiesce. Either way, certain death likely awaited them. 

If only our organization had more influence...alas, the Starkeepers had not the capacity to interfere directly with the commands of the center of the Empire, which was directly involved in every Culling War.

Akat'tirri heard the sound of talons on the floor behind him. He turned to see Kit'tan'trr, one of the palaces stewards, approaching. She had a full set of glimmering green scales, an uncommon sight for one of her station. House Raltathani had never forced it's servants - or even general subjects - to remove their scales at birth; it was a choice offered to each Dragon. If it had not been for the family's skill and military prowess in governing their sector, the would have been looked down on as weak for such a breach in tradition, along with many other such breaches. Even so, House Raltathani had many political enemies in the Empire, but enough presence that no major conflict could safely be started by any opposing house.

"My lord," Kit'tan'trr said. "I bring news of the frontier sector." She pulled out a datachip from a pouch on her forearm and handed it to Akat'tirri.

"The details are enclosed in there, but a number of new worlds have agreed to the war. Most notably, the youngest and least advanced of the civilizations."

"The one I've been keeping my eye on?"

"Yes. The...'humans', as they call themselves."

"I see. Thank you, Kit'tan'trr."

She smiled and nodded, then left him alone.

Akat'tirri had been watching the Humans of Earth for quite a while. They were a race of contradictions, similar to the Qenpathi of his own sector. Warlike in their past, but filled with ingenuity...despite similarities in biology to other humanoid races, and sparse similarities in civilization to others such as the Qenpathi, they held a uniqueness that tantalized him. He'd been meaning to have the Starkeepers contact them, inform them of their resistance to the Empire...but if they were agreeing to the war now...

Was he going to have to wait through another war? Yes, theoretically, they'd be able to stop these wars from happening eventually, but for every millenia they waited, more civilizations ran the risk of extinction.

Perhaps there was something he could do now...but what?

He sighed, then turned and entered the palace. He needed to think.

@Channelknight Fadran

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Currently my character is far away from the rest of them, and his conflicts are more on a large-scale political level than a small-scale physical one. Any ideas for how to fit it all together?

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

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nope

 

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

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...Okay I'm just going to go then.

Tell me if in my liberties with dragon lore I do something that needs vetoing.

Akat'tirri walked through the halls of Raltathani Palace, a bad idea forming in his mind.

It was in this state of thought that Irrishala found him. His wife, with her glittering silver scales, walked up to him and unfolded one of her slender wings over his.

"What's the matter this time?" she asked, voice soothing.

"Can't you guess?" He held up the datachip.

"Ah." Irrishala reached a talon over to activate the holographic display, craning her neck beside Akat'tirri's. "Four systems agreeing to join in the last few days..." she sighed. "There isn't much to do, is there?"

"That's what I'm trying to think of. Do you have any agents that could visit the sector?"

"No, not as Starkeepers," she answered. "As you're aware Imperial security is tight in frontier reaches, especially before a Culling War. They'd get caught."

"And none of them have political positions that would let them in with good reason..."

"Correct. Once the war itself started, I could sneak a few in, but by then it'd be too late..."

He sighed. "What if we went?"

Irrishala hesitated. "As...Starkeepers?"

"No, as Duke and Duchess of the sector," he explained. "We'd show interest in the civilizations, politically play it as gathering information of our galactic neighbors."

"I don't think Xkekartil would appreciate that very much..."

"They aren't his worlds yet."

"I suppose." She frowned thinking about it. "Maybe it would work, but we'd have to downplay publicity. People would think it strange if we went in a full Palace Cruiser with an entire diplomatic entourage and a small army, proclaiming our intent to the entire Empire."

"That can be arranged," Akat'tirri said. "Politics in the Sector handle themselves anyway most of the time; they can live without us for a while."

"We can be vague about our specific intentions. Not to the degree to draw suspicion from the Council, but enough to give us leeway in the time we have...and we should bring Shirri'tela and Katir."

He frowned at that last part. "Are you sure?"

"Our children could use the experience! Both in the political maneuvering, and in continuing the legacy of their father and his parents."

He nodded, seeing the reasoning. "I'll have a message sent to them."

Irrishala nodded, then grew solemn. She put a talon on his chest.

"Akat'tirri," she said softly. "You have to be prepared for the reality that you might not be able to do anything to help."

He closed his eyes.

Am I willing to accept that? After all I've seen...

But what other choice was there?

"I understand," he said, placing a talon over hers.

***
A few days later, a relatively small cruiser left the surface of Natirri and performed a point-space jump, appearing in the outer reaches of the Solar System.

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I don't know if anyone would notice them...

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

3 hours ago, The Bookwyrm said:

A few days later, a relatively small cruiser left the surface of Natirri and performed a point-space jump, appearing in the outer reaches of the Solar System.

Somebody noticed them.

A pair of absolutely tiny interceptors flew out from Kuiper Station 00-899-4-1, the voice of a somewhat irish-sounding man crackling over the intercom. Your vessel is not authorized.

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

10 hours ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

Somebody noticed them.

A pair of absolutely tiny interceptors flew out from Kuiper Station 00-899-4-1, the voice of a somewhat irish-sounding man crackling over the intercom. Your vessel is not authorized.

Akat'tirri stood in the cruiser, which looked like an elongated silver pyramid with wing protrusions and other emplacements along it's hull. His wife, and two children (who were old enough to take care of themselves, of course) had each gone to visit another system. Akat'tirri had chosen simply to visit this one first.

He nodded to one of the aides on the bridge, who opened a communications channel with the source of the signal.

"This is Akat'tirri Raltathani, Duke of the Raltathani Sector of the Draconic Empire. I come with no ill intentions."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Unregistered alien vessels are not to be admitted into United Worlds territory. Please come with us.

[Mags she/they]

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Sorry I disappeared for a little while, I'm back now

Amaranthine had been put under house arrest. No one was calling it that but . . . that's what it was. The UN's general confusion as of what to do with her was apparent, and it seemed their final decision was not to make a final decision, instead pushing her into a corner where she'd be out of the way. 

Luckily, Ari had escaped. 

Currently she was wandering down one of the city's many busy streets, wondering what on earth she was going to do. She had her ears tucked up and to a hat and wore a long skirt to cover her tail, so no one paid her any mind. Ari's favorite sword was tucked safely inside her coat. 

The elvish High Priest had contacted her with the Goddesses final decision on their part in the culling war. The plan was to imply they were going to fight, but that they were stalling an official proclamation saying so because they needed to regroup their forces, which had been scattered out on diplomatic trips. It wouldn't last long but it would give them precious time needed to try and gain allies and form a proper rebellion. The elves were good fighters, but had an extremely small population compared to some species. 

Ari wanted to call Paprika, but her new friend was a member of the government and might turn her in. The nice human would have good intentions of course but it would be a pain to have to escape again. 

Escaping the planet was hardly an option, security was far too tight, she'd be caught.

What to do?

[Channelknight Fadran]

10 minutes ago, Justice_Magician said:

Ari wanted to call Paprika, but her new friend was a member of the government and might turn her in. The nice human would have good intentions of course but it would be a pain to have to escape again. 

Escaping the planet was hardly an option, security was far too tight, she'd be caught.

What to do?

It was right around then that Paprika actually wound up calling Ari.

Edited August 8, 2023 by Channelknight Fadran

[Mags she/they]

12 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

It was right around then that Paprika actually wound up calling Ari.

She fumbled a bit with her data-thingie, but finally picked up the call. 

" . . . Hello? Paprika?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

1 minute ago, Justice_Magician said:

She fumbled a bit with her data-thingie, but finally picked up the call. 

" . . . Hello? Paprika?"

"...Hi, Ari. You doing alright?"

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Would other worlds know of the Elves' decision?

 

[Mags she/they]

Just now, Channelknight Fadran said:

"...Hi, Ari. You doing alright?"

 

"Just fine . . . I mean uh . . . I'm just staying at my house that's all."

She was praying the sounds of cars on the street wouldn't reach the phone.

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About the Rebellion? nobody so far, the decision was only made a few hours, and they haven't decided who would work with them in fighting the dragons. 

The Elves are gonna make it look like they're preparing for war and stuff to hopefully trick other worlds and the dragons into thinking they're gonna join the fight.