Octarch Hopefuls...step forth and stand proud.

[Karyuu]

Karyuu, standing quietly among the crowd, grins broadly as Nilaya finishes her speech, and nods in approval. Her eyes then turn to survey the rest, gathered around the statue, reading facial expressions and body language as they take in Nilaya\'s words. Satisfied with her observations, Karyuu makes her way through the crowd towards the white-robed Enkidukai on the grass.

\"Long live,\" she says simply with a warm smile.

[Am-Heh]

Wakes from his slumber, to have his dreams of disemboweld children and burning vilages, cut short.
 Raising from his stone bed, surrounded by the ever burning flames in Death Realm. Amheh yawns, streaches and starts to make the long journey out of his favorite reigion in the realm, and towards the city plaza.
 Crossing several of the chosen ones and trolls along his way.
 By the time he and his  growing entourage arrive in the city, a fair sized crowd has already started massing.
  He hears a few of drones, talking amongst themselves about, a lady called Nilaya. She has apparently made a heart felt speech, and appealed to a few of the weaker charactors. Some others saying it sounded more like a promotional speech for her pathetic guild  and a few more  disscuss her seemingly quite large ego. Thinking that this might be the beginging of her end.

 Many in the crowd are hushed by the sight of the big red diaboli forcing his way back through the  masses towards his beloved tavern and even greater love the maids.
 
 Making him self comfortable once again, toying with a few of the vilage virgins, who are given stern looks by their mothers.. As if to say..you should know better.

With a virgin in one hand and his waterskin in the other Amheh settles down to breakfast and the begining of another..sure to be..intreasting day.

[Darkblade]

Darkshade sits in the corner of the plaza, watching the proceedings with slight interest, but with some disgust.

\"Father shows more promise than some of those...\"
Darkshade hissed through his teeth

\"Intimidation, lies, corruption, what next?\"
Darkshade shook his head.

\"Politics...\"
He watched each make their speech, each character they possesed. Each of their desires, and faults...

\"A nice day...\"
He murmured
Darkshade looks on in slightly more interest when the white robed Enkidukai made her speech, but he also waded through the crowd to stop near a grassy patch.

\"Well met, Nilaya, well met.\"

Darkshade nods at the sitting Enki

\"I\'ll be around.\"

Quickly, he left the square, towards the gates of Hydlaa. Outside, he quickly moved along the wall.

\"... It\'s around here somewhere...\"

Darkshade clambers over the battlements, and seized a book that was laying there

\"Now... where to put it...?\"

[Under the moon]

*Arnigus comes into the plaza with Had at his side as Nilaya finishes her speech. Nodding to himself, he opens his scroll of Hopefuls and writes down her name. One more, and the council would be full. He holds up the paper and reads aloud*

Hopefuls so far for being the next Octarch are as follows:

Druke Ordo

John Thazer

Tybalt (TheRedMonk)

Am-Heh

Netrhys Tanhren (Seytra)

Meriner Seraphim (Pestilence)

Nilaya Kaeli

I commend you all, and thank you for having the courage to step forth. Now, if you will excuse me...

*Arnigus falls silent and pulls out a thick sheaf of papers, marking off things that still need to be done.*

[ooc]It has been brought to my attention that in some of the past posts in this thread, some of you have used time on the forum as part of either your campaigning, support, or rebuttal of newer players. Even if it is done indirectly or IC, this is still unacceptable. I wish for no one to feel left out in the cold. This endeavor is meant to bring us together, not drive another wedge between us. Judging your fellows should be based only on the quality of their RP or their willingness to improve upon as such.

So I implore you, give everyone an equal chance, not looking at post counts or forum time.

Other than that, you have been doing an outstanding job. Beyond my expectations.

Thank you.

[Phinehas]

Phinehas hobbles toward the plaza, with a frown upon his face. It had been a long night full of thought, and towards morning he had begun to accept what he had known all along. As he stumbled along he had only one goal, to find Tybalt. Eventually he came across Tybalt, making a pass at a girl. He tapped him on the shoulder, knowing full well it was an unnecessary gesture, and pulled him away from the young lady. After whispering a into his ear for a few moments, Tybalt smiles in amusement, and goes back to the girl as Phinehas turns and begins to make his way to a seat on near the center of the plaza.

[Under the moon]

*Arnigus stops looking though the papers as he sees the time. He glances around, looking to for anyone else who had stood, but no one had. The crowd seems oddly quiet, perhaps with anticipation...perhaps with dread. He walks over to the vacant fountain and clears his throat, silencing the few murmurs*

Attention people of Hydlaa! The time has come to close the scroll for Octarch Hopefuls. We must now pass on to the next Cycle, in hopes that the healing may begin. Since we have only enough Hopefuls to fill the council, we have thankfully avoided the strife of having to elect members into said council. I will now take the new Council members aside and converse with them, asking them to chose which two amongst their rank will run for the position of Octarch.

*Arnigus begins walking through the crowd, searching out the former Hopefuls, now the Council. Coincidentally he finds them in exactly the order they had stepped forth. First, he finds Druke, and grasps his shoulder formally, handing him a scroll of the heaviest paper, of which he has seven.*

Druke Ordo, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*He then moves on to where John Thazer stands proud, repeating the ceremony. John nods back formally.*

John Thazer, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*As Arnigus approaches Tybalt, the Red Monk turns to him before Arnigus stops, somehow knowing of his coming, despite his blindness. Arnigus brings Tybalt?s hand to the scroll.*

Tybalt, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*Arnigus turns to where Am-Heh waits with an amused sneer on his face. Arnigus shudders as he places his hand on Am-Heh?s shoulder, which makes the diaboli grin all the wider as he snatches the scroll for Arnigus?s hand.*

Am-Heh, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish? *clears throat nervously*?I wish you good luck and fortune.

*He rushes away from Am-Heh, bumping into Netrhys, who seems to be wavering between standing proud?and wishing she were somewhere else. He quickly folds her hands around the scroll before she decides on the latter and bolts. He then places his hand on her shoulder as he had with the others.*

Netrhys Tanhren, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*He sees Meriner come forth from the crowd with a small bow. Arnigus returns the bow and repeats the ceremony*

Meriner Seraphim, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*Finally, Arnigus waddles over to where Nilaya sits calmly waiting on the grass. The fenkie smiles and stands as he comes near.*

Nilaya Kaeli, I grant you the right of Council, and the first choosing of the next Octarch. I wish you good luck and fortune.

*Arnigus turns back to the crowd*

One of these people will be elected as our new leader, in this time of strife. Our hopes rest on them. They carry our dreams in the palms of their hands. Wish them luck.


[ooc] The bid to become a Hopeful is now closed.
 A new thread will be created for the Council to discuss which two they wish to put forth for the running of Octarch. If any wish to continue RPing here, feel free to do so, as the Council thread will be for the Council only. Also, remember to go in-game and RP as you see fit.

Council members, you will be receiving your ?scrolls? in a PM within the next day, so don?t forget to check them.

I thank you all for participating in this RP experiment, and hope the rest of the vote goes as smoothly.

[Pestilence]

*With a grin on his face Meriner looks on to the crowd. Knowing there had not been any competition yet he doesn\'t know exactly what to think of the council he is now a part of. Thoughts rasing ahead wonder how to ever get back to two seeing all seem to feel themselves as the best choice.*

\"Perhaps a vote were every member has a vote and can\'t vote on themselves\" He ponders.

*returning to the present he enjoys the roar of the crowd and has one last look at all the different people gathered here who he would be honored to lead and feels proud of the fair city he is a part of. Then he joins the other hopefulls as they retreat to the councilrooms. Knowing that now the hard part is starting.*

[Am-Heh]

Letting lose a loud burp, much to the digust of anyone within a 5m radius of the now full-bellied diaboli. The foul odour of rotton meat, and hard liquor fill the air.
 Amheh accepts and regards the scoll he has just be give with intrigue..What jibberish will this contain, putting it aside to examine later.

 Carfully looking over all of the 7 other contestants for Octarch, Amheh thinks about each one for a moment breifly.
  Pondering  how might and if any of these fools will affect his chances of gaining, in his opinon, \"his right\" to th highly regarded postion.

Druke Ordo has little clue, hides behind his co-freres and shant be a worry.
  John Thazer has proven he is weak of soul,  even putting Nilaya as more apt a candidate than himself.He will definately be no threat, i shant even have to slay his family.
 Tybalt a worthy man who i shall keep close at hand. If not survey he might be able to scrap up enough of a following to hinder my path, Netrhys Tanhren the young kylos, brave , big and noble idols.. showing her imaturity. She shant pose to much of a threat to any of the hopefuls but i shall remain vigalent on her regard as stranger things have happened. Meriner Seraphim another of the few that pose some threat to an election that without his presence would be easily won. Last as well as least Nilaya a white robed magician, very much blinded by her lack of forsight, mistaking time spent in this realm as a counter for popularity strenght and ideal.Her guild of seekers forever looking but never finding. If she does represent the second Candidate for Octarch, i shall Drink to my victory before even being elected!

Then speaking out loud, Looking towards all his fellow candidates.. \"You are all worthy, please do not throw your self from the high towers of the city when you lose to me. For you have all fought hard. Talk amongst your selves and decide which of you are better suited to go against me in the polls.\"

[Seytra]

*looks at the scroll in her hands* {So this is it... council... choosing the new Octarch...} *glances around to the other hopefuls* {I should be proud... happy...} *sighs; this was not much like she had envisioned when fantasizing about what being Octarch might be like, back when noone was even thinking of an election. Images of the greatness of such a day, now looking petty and ridiculous in their light-hearted happiness, swirling inside her mind and resisting her attempts to push them away, as if they were mocking her. {Come on! This is a great honour!}
Hering Amheh\'s comment, her heart sinks when an uncomfourtable thought comes up* {He\'s on the council, too.} *shakes her head* {If I\'m to run against him... wait... won\'t both be chosen by the council? Why is he so sure he\'ll be one of them?} *curses* {It\'s a trick! Another} *curses badly* {trick!}
I must make sure I know how this is supposed to work. I must not make more mistakes!} *already about to open the scroll, she reconsiders and hastily puts it into her ragged bag.* {Not here!} *Looking around, she forces herself to stand tall, determined to hide her feelings, her face turning blank. With one last look at where she supposes the council will be meeting, she walks off the plaza, vanishing into one of the many back alleys of Hydlaa, resisting the temptation to run*

[Darkblade]

Darkshade sits atop the guard walls, with his book open in his lap.

\"... So ends the choosing of the Hopefuls...\" he writes.

The pencil scribbles across the pages as he listens to the final remarks

\"... Now, each Hopeful must choose which two will move on... who will run for Octarch...\"

Darkshade pauses for a moment, and reaches behind him for his oak bow.

\"Now... who said they wanted this?\"

He turns to a new page, which he proceeds to rip from the book, writing a message on it

\"K, watch out for Am-Heh. He has tactics which would even makes Shadow\'s jokes seems like a walk in the park. There is a chance, however small, that there will be... problems. I\'m not below suspecting him of trying a few assasinations, or even blackmailing. Throughout this campaign, keep a close eye on him, and let the Hydlaa guard know anything that seems out of place.
Let the Hunter find their prey
R.\"

Darkshade quickly rolls the letter and attaches it to one of his arrows. He then picks up his bow, aims, and looses the arrow.

\"Politians...\"

The arrow thuds into the ground, the tip still quivering from impact, near a grassy patch.

\"I\'m not above expecting the worst... But I hate it when I\'m right...\"

Darkshade continues to write in his book, swinging his legs back and forth over the wall\'s edge

[Karyuu]

Karyuu\'s ears twitch towards the thhhhwp sound of an arrow hitting the earth, and she smiles to herself as the desire to investigate threatens to drown all her other senses. Leisurely stretching her upper body, her thoughts on possibilities of further intrigue and adventure, she then climbs down from the tree that was her watching post by the plaza, sinking talons lightly into the wood. As soon as her feet are on the ground, she scans the area for the shaft of wood out of the corners of her eyes.

\"Mmm... what exciting times we must endure,\" she whispers to herself as her gaze rests upon the arrow with a pierce of parchment attached. Her eyes become orange slits as she walks up and casually plucks it out of the earth, then without missing a beat raises it up to her mouth to hold onto it with her teeth, as she turns back to the tree and smoothly makes her way up its bark. Making herself comfortable among its leafy canopy, ears alert for anyone approaching, she unfolds the parchment and quickly runs through the words before giving them a deeper consideration.

\"Of Am-Heh once more, how curious,\" she murmurs under her breath, mouth quirking into a smile. \"If only Shadow was here to add his comedy to all this scheming.\"

Karyuu glances up from the letter to survey the area through the green foliage, though her mind is elsewhere. She wonders whether her chaotic nature will interfere with what is supposedly right, as well as her curiousity... and desire for a hunt.

Let the Hunter find their prey.

She then smirks, and nods slightly, her mind set. After tearing the last sentence off the paper and sticking it onto a branch (unable to resist the temptation of leaving a mark and making room for further mysteries), she hops down and makes her way to the depths of the Hydlaan city, humming a desert melody.

[Darkblade]

Darkshade watches the Enki take his arrow, and retreat back to her tree. The wind blows through his hair as his eyes narrow.
He puts a hand to his forehead and watches the Enki reappear, and disappear into the depths of the city.

\"She got the message, alright.\", Darkshade mumbles, as he casually replaces his longbow.
\"Never thought she\'d know my real name is, or was, Rorn...\"

He quickly stuffs his book into his backpack, along with a few notes he had scribbled earlier. Stretching, he relieved the battlement of his rope, and hurried back into the city streets, making himself scarce, hugging the shadows, keeping to the dark.

\"Hmm... C\'est ? la fois fou mais, surprenant...\" (It is crazy, but also surprising) Darkshade mutters quietly to himself. He himself knew what he was going to do. He was going to see an old friend.
- - - - - - - - -

Darkshade made way to the city gates. He glanced at the guards posted, and the open way to the forest...

\"When will they get here...?\" Darkshade mutters to himself.
\"It shouldn\'t take too long...\"

[buddha]

Mulla scratches his louse-ridden hair and looks skyward.

I wonder what those two are doing?  Odd sorts, better find out who they are some day, but no bother now...

Returning to his stylus and parchment, the splinters torn from the side of the alehouse and a flat of putrid mud, he finishes his calculations.

Let\'s see, how many chances do we have to avoid a tie?  Well, there are one hundred and five possible chosen pairs, but that leaves no possibility for everyone to receive exactly one vote.  Hmm.  Factor in that noone is likely to vote for Am-heh, and you get even fewer options.

Mulla\'s jaw goes slack and the drooling begins.

Let\'s suppose that I am choosing.  My first choice, other than myself, is the person whom most closely resembles me, unless I am Am-heh, where I will pick the people that I think are most likely to lose.  Now, my second choice, barring another that resembles me, is the person whom will garner me with some political power.

The writing becomes more feverish now, including arcane symbols, yet they don\'t look magical

AH!  I know who it is!

Mulla rushes out of the plaza, leaving the imprint of a bare foot where the name of the next Octarch was once written.

[John_Thazer]

*John Thazer looked at the aftermarch of what have occured, he stared for long, until nearly all have left.*

\"The first stone has been placed.\" *John said quietly. He turned around and was gone.*

[Darkblade]

Darkshade waited at the gates, as he watched the skies overhead. He knew it was stupid, stupid to even call that... rogue... to this city.

Darkshade felt the wind shift, felt the pattern move and tumble around him.

\"Either he\'s coming, or not...\" Darkshade whispers to the wind.

He shifts his posture, giving an allure of inattention.
He listened to footsteps, the click of feet, with a purpose.

There was a flash of steel, a metallic crash.

\"Sefron...\" he hissed through his teeth at the stranger.
\"How kind of you to show up...\"

The stranger laughed, and withdrew his blade, while he removed his hood.
The stranger was smirking, a look of contempt and sureness plastered his face

\"Darkshade... After all these years, you didn\'t forget...\" the stranger purred
\"And my only problem is that you did not mention it earlier...\"

Darkshade narrowed his eyes, even though Sefron seemed... friendly, kind.

\"You know why I called you here?\" Darkshade circled the man, keeping his distance...

Sefron\'s eyes gleamed. He sheathed his blade, then causally drew a throwing knife, and tossed it from one hand to another.
\"...To keep an eye on someone...?\" Sefron laughed again as Darkshade continued to circle.

\"Actually, someones...\" Darkshade\'s clenched hand opened, and he presented the contents to Sefron
\"Keep them safe...\"

Sefron grinned widely. He quickly took the object from Darkshade\'s unresisting hand.
\"How kind of you, sir, to... entrust me with those enscribed on this...\"

Darkshade darkens at his words
\"Sefron... you know the agreement...\"

Sefron glances into the eyes of his old friend, and notices a change... A ferocity that he didn\'t notice before...
His smile faultered, and he stepped back from the man before him.

\"Fine... But consider one of my debts repaid, Darkshade...\"

Sefron disappeared into the night, flashing Darkshade a toothy grin before he disappeared into the city.

Darkshade sighed inwardly.
\"That fool...\"

Darkshade, then, in his turn, left into the city depths