STGOD 4 Game Thread

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2004-05-06 01:56am

Aber-Toril
Capital World, Arcane Empire

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the capital. The daily life of a mage in the great city of Aber-Toril was spectacular, where any wish could be easily sated with magic. Truly, for those living in it's ivory towers, it was a paradise. A paradise, today, marred by an uncommon sound- the discordant roiling thunder that was a gathered crowd.

Outside of the government building, on a vast and spectular courtyard, twenty thousand people were arrayed. Many carried placards- all were cheering, as a broadshouldered, handsome young man clambered up to a makeshift podium. Besides him were two odd devices, things not often seen on Aber-Toril: Speakers. Massive, high-power speakers, imported from off-world. A small power source sat humming beneath the podium. When he spoke, his voice thundered across the plaza, magnified to reach the ears of even those at the back of the crowwd. A hum of awe lifted from the crowd- for teh man at the podium was Abram Messina- one of those humans who had been born without the gift of magic. These people had never heard a person such as him exhibit such superhuman power.

"Brothers and Sisters! We have gathered here today, at the great capital of our mighty nation, because the time has come for us to make our voices heard!"

Applause rose from the crowd- the magnified voice spread through the city, reaching the upper levels of the mighty towers.

"We are men, women- people. We breathe, eat, love, and live as anyone else does- but we, my brothers and sisters, are NOT seen as people! We are belittled, kept from our dreams, forced to live in squalor in this world where the measure of a man is not his chacter, but the strength of his Arcane powers! Our great nation has faltered, friends! Our leaders, invisibile in their sealed fortresses, speak to us through Karsus- but we have no say- NO SAY! In who those leaders are! We are all slaves to this inequity, this system which turns those without the Talent into second-class citizens!"

A howl of discontent rose from the crowd.

"But, some of you say, do we even truly deserve political say? Are we even worthy, you ask! You ask, aren't we cursed by the gods, born without the innate powers of magic? I say to you- We no longer live in an insulated world. I have travelled, friends, and seen the stars- worlds where EVERY MAN, EVERY WOMAN, has a say in the way their lives are governed! Our current regime- Yes, I say regime! is backwards, it's so-called democracy anything but!"

"Note, friends, that the upper levels of our government are all the mightiest wizards. Mere coincidence? I think not! Moreover, our leaders are unknown to us! The very men and women we elect then stage a shadow-election choosing six from their number to rule outside of the eye of public scrutiny! I ask you- even if we were blessed with magical powers, would we even have a say? It seems to me, friends, that our government has pulled the wool over our eyes, filling our ears with rhetoric of freedom, while disenfranchising the magicless majority and implementing a shadow-government which spits on the very idea of rule by the people!"

"Brothers and Sisters! The People's Movement Against the Mageocracy will stand firm, through civil disobedience we will change this fundamentally flawed system, forcing the ivory tower to bend and reform this monstrous abortion of a government! I call for FREEDOM!"

The crowd went wild.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 01:58am

<Transmission from Atlantean Vessell>

"This is Karsus XV of the Arcane Empire, I am well, and as you know, so is the Atlantean ambassador. I am informing my people that we will be accepting refugees and sending relief aid. We will also help you to heal earth free of charge.

Even as we speak our relif transports are on their way."

Karsus Turned to the Ambassador, who he had taken to calling.. Ambasador

"I can help you learn to read those. Hells, I will teach you how to read English, as well as my native tounge(Netherese)."

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 02:07am

"That would be helpful Karsus, I found it was rather dificult to learn to read English from a packet that was written in the language. I am still having trouble with some words You have so few symbols to make sounds with."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:15am

"They are actually asking for the vote? In the first time in history?"

"Seems so Astinius" Artimus said

"very well. Put the issue before the Council of Mages"

"It shall be done"

Within several hours the council had called the motion, debated for a few hours,m then called the vote.

A shocking 98% margin voting FOR total sufferage. And for the removal of the Council of Seven's Cowels.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:16am

Shark Bait wrote:"That would be helpful Karsus, I found it was rather dificult to learn to read English from a packet that was written in the language. I am still having trouble with some words You have so few symbols to make sounds with."

"We manage to combine them in interesting ways to make different sounds. For example, and S and an H together make this sound (makes a SH sound)

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 02:17am

The ambasador studied the packets for a few more seconds, his eyes and head hurt. He hadent eaten in what seemed like days, he was dehydrated and his eyes hurt from being in such dry climates.
He looked at a somewhat expectant Karsus "Perhaps instead I could show you arround the ship, I belive there may be some non toxic food in the um" he fumbled arround with the English packet "Eating place"

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:20am

"Galley or Kitchen" Karsus said matter of factly with a smile on his face. It had been a while since he had taught someone a language

"That would be wonderful, I thank you for your hospitality"

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 02:28am

Alyrium Denryle wrote:"Galley or Kitchen" Karsus said matter of factly with a smile on his face. It had been a while since he had taught someone a language

"That would be wonderful, I thank you for your hospitality"

The ambasador looked at him in a questioning manner wondering why Karsus was bearing his teeth till he realized that this was a more friendly gesture with humans, The ambasador pulled back his lips showing an over exagerated smile made of dozens of sharp conical teeth.

He then led Karsus out of the command deck down a hall way towards a small trap door. The ambasador placed his hand on a pad above it and it sprang open to reveal a tank half filled with water and a few artificial aquatic plants. "These are my quarters" he explained "I share them with a few of the officers on the command deck, though it is not as nice as home it eases the pain of being seperate from your pod. I'm having the water drained however because of the sensitive material that was given to me by the Political Prince, i'm fairly certain it's not waterproof." he pressed the touch pad again to close the door "now on to the um galley was it?"

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:29am

Several hours after the vote. Six of the seven in the council walked an to the same balconey where the Groundlings had just demonstrated, their Cowels on.

"Greetings people of the Arcane Empire! All you had to do was ASK!!!"

They took of the Cowels one by one

Astinius Malastaral! From Aber-Toril! The greatest of all mages, he is the one who made peace with the Githyanki of the Astral Plane!

Artimus! Also from Aber Toril, the Greatest of Psionicists, he is the one who used his powers of Prediction to fortell the Slaad invasion!

Noanar! From Oerth! The Spell Creator

Raistlin Majere of Krynn! Champion of the weak and defenseless! He stoped the Dark Qyueen from enetering his home world of Krynn!!

Kang! From Krynn! Saved the Draconian race!!

Elyian Heselbrook! The Bard of Union!!

The groud, stunned they were represented by their folk heroes cheered in approval.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2004-05-06 02:31am

Abram Messina lead the cheers of the PMAM. When the time came for the elections, the cameras would capture his smiliing face as he placed his vote. It was a great step for equitable government in the Arcane Empire.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:34am

." he pressed the touch pad again to close the door "now on to the um galley was it?"

"Actually, I have people that would be rather comfortable there... The galley would be excellent, we are both rather hungry I am sure"

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 02:52am

The ambasador led Karsus through a series of corridors and down several levels till finally they entered a room with low tables set up allong the back wall, a large opening in one wall that led to a kitchen and a large pool in the center. "Please wait here" the ambasador said as he dove head first into the pool. Karsus looked arround the large room, in the kitchen there were dozens of Atlantians rushing arround with perfect precision never once so much as grazing each other as they scuttled for various cooking implements and supplys. Several crew members sat on the side of the tank hunched over some sort of large aquatic serpent tearing eagerly tearing into it occasionally stopping to warbel a few words to eachother or to cast a curious look at Karsus.

A short while later the Ambasador litterally jumped out of the pool with a limp fish in his mouth and two spiny shell covered creatures that were still snapping angerly. He dropped the fish on the floor and held the disgruntled arthropods at arms length "Do not eat that fish, it would be deadly to you" he said " I'll have the cooks prepair these for us, do not worry i'll have them leave the stinger out of yours"
The Ambasador walked to the kitchen with renewed energy as he called out several thrumming commands to the cooks who were allready pulling out rather large wicked looking devices for prepairing the creature.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 02:58am

"Thank you"

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 03:08am

After a short while the Ambasador returned with two steaming plates of ex-arthropod and a third plate containing some sort of greasy fried food percariously balanced between the two. "We are of luck new friend Karsus" he said as he sat down placeing the plates infront of him as he gestured for Karsus to sit. "She finds you facinating" the ambasador said gesutring a sligtly smaller Atlantian weilding a long curved knife who raised her bright red head crest when she noticed the ambasador pointing at her. "She has made these fresh for us" he said as he held up the plate of fried food "these are a special food from the planet White Caps. I belive they would be called sweet fish balls"

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2004-05-06 03:19am

After the dust had settled, the machine fleet destroyed and it was deemed "safe" to exit, Drealaan and his escorts took a shuttle back to the Infallible, it had gone in with the Nashtar fleet and escaped relatively unharmed, though six escorts had been destroyed.

After some hours of communicating back and forth with the Homeworld Senate he sent a short communiqué to whatever Monacoran government officials were left.

<<The commonwealth is greatly saddened at the scarring of Earth, and we are prepared to assist in the best way we can, to allow your people, or what is left of them, to remain on earth, above ground, despite the hazardous environment. Please, join me on the Infallible if you are interested in our offer>>

Drealaan watched earth from the panoramic window of the main conference room, earth, the crucible of humanity had befallen a fate similar to that of Bael, the Baeloaren Homeworld. Their once blue/green homeworld was now a giant dust ball, the atmosphere toxic, the remnants of the ocean long since boiled away. Only when Bael was scarred by centuries of industry, “explosive” civil war there was no technology that could reverse the damage. It was in those dark days that the first grand spires were created, small, self contained super-skyscrapers sprung up all over the surface, providing the upper/middle class with a safe shelter above the ground, forcing the workers below ground. Today the Grand Spires have all been demolished to make way for the Archologies, massive cities rising high into the sky, virtually immune to natural disasters, they are now the homes of all Baeloaren Patricians; the workers remain below ground. Drealaan had been given permission to offer the humans some pre-made archologies to get started, to give the population a place to go instead of offworld.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 03:21am

"Than k you very much, and please convey my thanks to her"

He took one bit and just.. melted... it was soooooo gooood

Shark Bait · Post by **Shark Bait** » 2004-05-06 03:30am

The ambasador translated Karsus's complements to the cook who slightly embarased shyed away "She is young and has yet to choose a new pod, she does all she can to help the crew feel as though we were not so far from our beautiful home world." The ambasador said as he bit the head of his toxic fish and chewed thoughtfully

Karsus and the ambasador discussed their home worlds and spent some time compairing languages over their meal. When they finished eating and tossed their scraps into the pool where swarms of small fish quckly devoured it.

"Come with me I will show you the preperations for tomorrows game" the ambasador said as he led Karsus out the door.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 03:34am

"When I get the chance, you will be treated to fresh cooked griffon... This game should be interesting..."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-05-06 03:35am

Thirdfain wrote:Asteroid B-193530
Kharam Graveyard Asteroid Field
Alpha Centauri system

The asteroid had begun it's life as a chunk of the Womb- the massive shipyard which had acted as the center of the great cluster-city called Kharam. Centuries ago, the vessel that had seeded the Elysium sector had been built, and launched here. Now, demolished by a treacherous Asgard bomb, it had become a graveyard where occaisonal Floater nomads would settle to comb the wreckage for usable scrap.

Asteroid B-193530 was one of the larger peices of wreckage. It had been, sometime in the last century, sealed and equipped with simple life support, acting as a home for transient Floater refugees. Now, it was being used as a meeting place. Hovering around the rock were a dozen warships- vessels with names like Shadowrun, Indecent Templar, or Killfrenzy- Floater vessels, warships. They were old-model strike cruisers, for the most part, some of them literally living relics of the Genocide Wars- vessels which had survived the Asgard guns, and gone into hiding, forced into piracy. Any trace of the old Unified Navy paint-jobs, symbols, or honor were long gone. The craft had been modified, rebuilt, damaged, and haphazardly repaired dozens of times over the intervening century. A few were newer craft, constructed in secret over the years. At the center of the formation hung a grandiose old Mohaimese Attack Carrier- the Black Alice, named for the first Floater vessel to die in the Genocide wars in the skirmish that started it all.

These ships were the scourge of the spaceways, engaging in piracy as a way of life. Now, they were recieving a business proposal. The deal was simple- They would focus their activites in the newly-conquered regions of the Covenant of God. In exchange, they would be funneled modern weapons and defenses, not to mention significant amounts of money, in the form of Nashtari dollars.

Their benefactors were, unbeknownst to them, representatives of a puppet corporation of the Basque Industrial Conglomorate.

NRS Excelsior

"Oh, and as long as we're in system, why don't we smash those pirates?"

"Jolly good idea, sir!"

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2004-05-06 04:39am

Earth, Sol System

Radim went over the response again, not believing his eyes. “Son of a…Harris, you deal with this.”

“Sir?”

“I said deal with it! I’ll coordinate the excavation, you deal with this…this crap,” Radim terminated the link to Captain Harris as the dropships launched from the troop transports, making best speed to the site of the bunker.

Harris wondered for a moment what had set Radim off, and then he looked at the response again. One of the injured was a Dra’kol.. He authorized a medivac ship from one of the transports to head down to the surface, carrying onboard the equipment and individuals that would be needed on the surface. All available combat medics, of which there were dismally few, were immediately put on duty under Monacoran command for the time being.

On the planet below, the Ravenlock medical team did what they could for Tha’moth and Thomas. The Dra’kol was in bad shape, but the brain-analog was still in good shape, the Dra’kol had obviously taken steps to protect it. Thomas, however, had suffered too much brain damage from the crash. The team checked the data until there was no other alternative, and Thomas was quietly put out of his misery. Tha’moth was kept planetside until the team was confident that it could be moved safely (note: this will take a few days, so anyone wanting to ask Tha’moth some questions, you can feel free)

The wreckage of the bunker was scanned and excavated as quickly as possible. The escape pod tunnels were located and worked on intensively by Groundform and Monacoran forces. Finally the body was located, but it was too late. The Groundform confirmed the death of Jon Cameron two days after the attack on Earth. The bodies of Jon Cameron and Thomas Blakely were kept in Alpha Fleet for a while before being incinerated, as per orders from the Consortium.

Several hours later, a communiqué for the Monacoran government was delivered, on behalf of the Director of the Consortium, offering aid in this time of need, and requesting a private audience with the princes in the near future, at their earliest convenience.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2004-05-06 05:41am

To: Monacora
From: Grand Empire of Gladsheim
Subject: Earth destruction

We deeply despise this regrettable destruction of your home planet and wish to express our condolences.
If there is anything we can do to help you, request it. if we are welcome, we would be willing to dispatch a fleet to help bring down justice on those responsible.
We await your response.

***

Gladsheim Prime

<<At least Jorm is safe,>> Empress Elana looked at the report.
<<Yes, he's currently in transit aboard Freya. He should arrive within the next few hours, Your Grace,>> her assistant told her.
<<I really don't want to get us into a war, but I really don't want those lunatics to run around unpunished. We will have to risk our fleet after all...>>
<<I agree,>> Grand Admiral Eckelund said. <<We are preparing a fleet. It will rendezvous with the Verdandi and her battle group some light years off the Sol system, and jump in should we so be asked. I will give Admiral Tjoerhom the overall-command. She deserves it.>>
<<Good, do it.>> Her mind raced for a few seconds. <<And if you could be so kind and call the Veithan ambassador? I would like to discuss this whole matter with him. Might make a good topic or dinner.>>

Darksider · Post by **Darksider** » 2004-05-06 05:56am

:::::::Monacoarn command bunker:::::::

The transmission came in on all channels.

"Attention Monacoarn Command, we have facilities to assist wounded humans. May we be of assistance?"

Captain tycho · Post by **Captain tycho** » 2004-05-06 09:07am

OOC: Has anyone else sent diplomats to meet with the Confederacy? I've been away these last couple of days, so if you did please repost it.

Sparta Shipyards Construction Report
The damaged Goa'uld mothership left here a few weeks ago by the fleeing Kryntos fleet has been fully repaired and added to the system defense roster, registered as a Heavy Dreadnaught. Also, the cloak-capable goa'uld cargoships have been sucessfully retro-fitted with new weaponry and equipment. They will be very useful in inserting the specimens from Project Archeron to their targets, if the 13 ever decide to use them.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-06 09:29am

(OOC: Sparta ha probably been totaled by now)

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2004-05-06 09:33am

Deep Space

The Porcupine Battleship coasted silently. The devices it had been launching a minute before slowly slipping away in the void, destined for far off stars. The probes would search for life, artificial structures, death, and changes in planets already mapped. If a probe did not return a new one would be sent, and if that one did not return a fleet would go behind the next one. The Astral Navy had failed around Earth, it would not fail again.

------------

Earth

The Military Prince had taken over the job of saving Earth. It was hard going, as iit was they were trying to save the south polar ice cap, keep the atmosphere in shape, and trying to take the temperature down from its now inflated high. Added on to that was the knowledge from China and Australia that the damage there was a whole lot worse than they had thought, and that New Bejing was totally destroyed. So far the only succsess was with the Ice cap, and even that was iffy. The only thought that kept him going was the fact that he now had seven planets in the Sparta system to call on, some of which were lifeless, but resource rich. A rumbling shook through the bunker, it was the third one in the past five hours, the bunker was safe but the land around it was damaged, and the buildings above were collapsing. Pulling a communication array towards him, he started another broadcast.

"This is the Military Prince, we need medical supplies everywhere. Asia and Australia are reporting more damage than we thought, anything there would be appreciated. The only place we don't need help right now is the Middle East, except for Jerusalem. We are currently rushing towards your world Garrison Regiments to deploy on each of your inhabited planets with shield batteries. If you do not wish the help of our shield batteries please tell the transport as it arrives in system, we will then redeploy them to another planet. Arcane Mages, we would be willing to reimburse you to the highest extent if you would be able to find a way to slow the loss of the Polar Ice-caps. We are still working hard to co-ordinate the rescue efforts, but things are not going as well as we would hope. This channel is open for your replies."