A Brewing Storm [A Clash of Kingdoms]

[Elaina de la Fontaine]

​

The assassination of the King of Solis fertilized the seeds of hate sown by an ancient grudge between the kingdoms of Celeste and Solis and from it, sprouted the the beginnings of a new war. Both kingdoms, each hoping to finally crush the other in order to end the grudge that had stolen so many of their countrymen's hopes, dreams, and futures reached out to the Iron Empire, offering their allegiance and food supplies in order to end this millennia long enmity once and for all.

The Iron Empire's food supplies exhausted by their many campaigns against Chiss insurgents, Sith, and the Crossbone King had exhausted much of their food supplies, prompting consider taking up one of the Ivelissi kingdoms up on their offer. Both offers just as fair and neither having the better claim elicited further investigation from the Iron Imperials before an offer could be supported and a side is chosen.

Objectives:

Agents: Insert yourselves into either the kingdom of Celeste or Solis and conduct an investigation into the kingdoms.

Diplomats/Representatives of the Iron Empire: Meet with the the leadership from either Celeste or Solis.

Everyone else: Accompany the diplomats/representatives and serve as their protective detail or explore the capitol of Celeste or Solis and form your own opinions.

OOC Note: I will be DMing this thread on this account with different headers for each of the different parties (except for Celeste since it will be this character leading the talks).

Capitol of Celeste - Eaux Saintes​

The capitol, Eaux Saintes, located on the Holy Lake, is a holy city and one of the smallest in the kingdom. Filled with pilgrims who come to pray in what is considered God's home and collect water from the Sacred Fountain located in the heart of the city, Eaux Saintes is a busy place. If lucky, some might even catch a glimpse of the Queen or receive her blessing. Due to the sacred status of the Capitol to the citizens of Celeste, Eaux Saintes is well protected with the area around the lake being surrounded by high walls of white stones and the city defended by holy knights.​

Brief Geography of Celeste​

Celeste is a kingdom full of fertile land ripe for agriculture. Cities are far and few in between with most of its population residing in villages. Additionally, most villages have a factory specializing in a single type of military technology. ​

Capitol of Solis​

The Soliri capitol, Castellum is a fortress located deep in the mountains thus, making it a difficult to penetrate stronghold in times of war. A medium sized city that was built to compliment its location, the city's defenses makes the most out of the mountains that surrounded it, taking advantage of the higher ground the mountain location offers. In addition to being the Capitol of the nation, it is also a holy city in its own right and many devout in Solis brave the harshness of its terrain to visit the city. In fact, due to the difficulty of the journey, many citizens of Solis celebrate their coming of age by undertaking a pilgrimage to Castellum.

Brief Geography of Solis

Unlike its neighboring kingdom, Solis is a country full of mountainous terrain and rainforests. Traveling any further than within the one's local area is a challenge in itself. Most of the cities and villages are located either deep in the mountains or hidden away in the forests.

Spoiler

[member="Aster Rose Baelor"] | [member="Atheus Voidwalker"] | [member="Aurren Ulgo"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Caelag Vass"] | [member="Douglas Reed"] | [member="Corran Cath"] | [member="Ebaron Spyre"] | [member="Estro Sabrino"] | [member="Iella Rehal"] | [member="Isaac Knight"] | [member="Hadir"] | [member="Isamu Baelor"] | [member="Kiran Arlos"] | [member="Kirk Skobra"] | [member="Kizuato"] | [member="Krayzen Dratos"] | [member="Kyla Foy"] | [member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Lyle Baelor"] | [member="Makai Dashiell"] | [member="Nolan Detta"] | [member="Ordan Vosk"] | [member="Rhan Elysar"] | [member="Suro'kalist Csapla"] | [member="Savitor Draay"] | [member="Talos Rygat"] | [member="Thaddeus Braken"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Trin Halleck"] | [member="Valae Kitra"] | [member="Velith Jax"] | [member="Victor Bluarc"] | [member="Ylva Solveig"] | [member="Zeradias Mant"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Location: Castellum
Objective: Conduct Investigation into Castellum
Tag: [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

It was a tiring exercise getting in and out of Castellum. While there was a spaceport in the city flying and landing an Iron Empire vessel into the city would have attracted much unneeded attention to herself. Tightening the straps on her rucksack she exited her shuttle, exposing her to the harsh cold of the mountain region the Ivelissi here had decided to build one of their greatest cities on. With a shiver she walked down the ramp. The early morning dew made the mossy rocks slick with moisture and gave the cold earth around her a pleasant earthy smell. The ramp slid up behind her without any protest and she was on her way.

Despite it having great meaning within the borders of the Iron Empire, her field kit provided a warm and unassuming look. The gravel crunched beneath her boots as she made her way towards the city walls. She had found an old tunnel that ran alongside the city's sewage system. Taking a short breath she gathered the Force in her legs and jumped from the ground up into the sewage pipe and landed with a soft splash. It smelled like a Hutt's underside, or at least what she thought a Hutt's underside would smell like. She nearly gagged as a rat-like creature scurried past which brought her gloved hand up to cover her nose and mouth.

A few meters from the sewage pipe's mouth was a small panel she had marked with the IISB's insignia. With a wave of her hand she pressed on the stone panel with the Force prompting the stone wall to give way to a long winding tunnel. It would be about a mile and a half of ancient tunnel and dimly lit walkways but it would eventually lead to the market district of the city. With her short journey over she tapped the triangular com piece in her right ear twice to log that she had made it back into the city before throwing up her hood and finding a bite to eat.

​

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Location: Aboard the Cyaron, located midway between the capitals
Objective: Attempt to mediate talks between the belligerent factions
Tag: (anyone wanna help?)


It had not been long since the diplomatic parties had boarded her vessel, each with their respective escorts. Surprisingly, it had started a lot more civil than one would have thought for the two kingdoms being at each other's throats.

Ki and party had put on their best dress and been as accommodating as they possibly could. It had even made the normally hyper in her crew tame enough to be presentable.

But some things can only last so long...

"How many times must we be over this? You only wanted the King dead to gain access to the resources your land cannot sustain to feed your war factories!" one man said from the Solisian envoy.

"And how do we not know this whole thing wasn't one of your kingdom's schemes as an excuse to invade and take control of our farmland?" a female voice from the Celestian party.

Ki sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, a tense headache marking the beginnings of the pain it was going to bring. The familiar voice of Dia suddenly rose from the tense silence, but her own ears tuned out the woman's words. She was probably attempting to quell the disputes over territory. Her surprising skills in diplomacy had proven useful before and she was giving them a swing now...though not to any avail.

A hand clasped onto Ki's shoulder, shaking her from her thoughts,"Ki, if you need to dismiss yourself, we can handle this here." voice Chika with concern.

The white-haired woman shook her head, appreciating her friend's words before speaking herself,"Thank you for your concern Chika, but though you all may act as an extension of me, I am a direct representative of the Empire, and I am here to keep the violence from spilling outside of just words..."

It was at this moment that the words seemed to get a bit out of hand...suddenly both sides stood, those immediately at the table slamming palms down, the guards reaching for weapons, and the daggers from eyes cutting across the room at the other side.

Kimiko had enough of this.

As graceful as she could, she stood and stepped to the side of the table nearest to her. Her move had gone mostly unnoticed until her own hand was brought down onto the wooden table top.

All eyes were on her now, and Ki summoned the best regality she could muster,"I believe we have come past the time for petty squabbles over land disputes from both sides. It has come to my attention that there is some grand underlying issue at play here and if we do not want innocent lives to pay for it, I suggest we sit and deal with it here and now. I did not come all this way to watch another conflict unfold between peoples..." her stern blue eyes cast glances around the room, seemingly disarming most of each side,"...when it can be prevented. Now if you'd please retake your seats and we can continue."

Both sides took their places in awed silence before a chorus of clearing throats was heard.

It was a mere moment before someone finally spoke, this time from the Solisian side,"Well...I guess maybe we can start..."

 

[Darth Athora]

Location: Eaux Saintes
Objective: Patrol. Keep the peace.


Douglas loathed finding himself in the position he was in. The Iron Empire having to be the adult in this childish situation between two kingdoms. There mere fact that one even went as far as an assassination at a wedding stirred something in Douglas' core that brewed a gut-wrenching disgust. However, he was also happy to be apart of the solution. All he wanted was peace and happiness because that is what would bring prosperity to both kingdoms and to the Empire.

It was odd to see Douglas outside of the pilot's seat, but he couldn't really keep a good eye on the populace from the skies. If he needed to man his starfighter, it was close by in a spaceport. For now, he patrolled the streets of Eaux Saintes, keeping his weapon holstered to not offend the holy city or it's inhabitants.

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Location: Castellum
Objective: Conduct Investigation into Castellum
Tag: [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

​

Solis was in a panic, which was understandable. One of their most important leaders had just been killed in an attempt at bringing the world together under one banner. Not that it mattered, because in the end they would both fly the banner of the Iron Empire. She took a bite of the fruit she had just purchased. It crunched, squirting her cheek with a small misting of purple juice. The food here was so good, and that was after all why she was here, why the Iron Empire was here. Back home food was running shorter than the Empire wanted to admit. It was causing more and more small uprisings and riots.

And so she was here. Here to find out which of these kingdoms is least likely to stab them in the back later. Which kingdom is the one that would put petty grudges over the prosperity of an entire planet. That was why she was here.

Her boots clicked on the stone walkway as she made her way to a dark alley. Her contact was here early, as they seemed to often be these last few days.

​

 

[Caelag Vass]

• Location: Castellum
• Objective: Investigate and See what fate decrees
• Tags: [member="Iella Rehal"] and [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

Caelag didn't make a single effort to hide she was an outsider, it would be almost impossible after all. Her eye crown was enough of a marking even without an IE insignia on her armor, and speaking of which even though the woman wore her suit, compsed of black Rancor leather and a few Phrik plates, it was impossible to tell she was Imperial without knowing it yourself, at least from appearance. So while she was treated like an outsider almost certainly, she was difficult to be given preferential treatment to color her opinions of them. After all, they didn't do their best to cozy up to her to get the Empire on their side, and she could get an unobstructed view of the world here in her own private investigation, on her own free time. See, while the IISB was no doubt concerned with which kingdom was the better, more loyal option, Caelag had a different approach. As High Colonel, she requested the privilege to investigate Solis, at least, to determine something that bugged her.

Solis's king had been murdered, before the planet could fly under a single banner. And Solis blamed the other, and the other blamed Solis. Of course that's how it went. But Caelag had done her own fair share of Special Ops, and at least one operation she was under contract to avoid discussing, at least with those that she was not able to for certain kill for their illegal knowledge. That said, this stunk, stunk to Chaos and back. She knew enough to know something was amiss... and what better to do to avoid losing power than to reignite a war and gain the support of an Empire?

Either way, she strode the streets, her black cloak fluttering behidn her, hood pulled up over her light brown hair and her crown glimmering over her eyes. Whatever to do to continue the search...

 

[Zak Amroth]

Location: Eaux Saintes
Objective: Find the Girl
Tags: [member="Douglas Reed"] | [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

"The picturesque view of Eaux Saintes only soured my mood on the shuttle flight in. I was on Ivelisse for a search and retrieve job, some refugee family had lost a daughter out here in the Unknown. They had hired me to track her down, make sure she was safe, and if possible return with her. I had been expecting it to be easy credits, young women run away from home every day, and generally they were not criminal masterminds about it. But that had been before some king had been offed, and now the whole planet was like a lit fuse..."​

Mykas Venture Memlogs, 851 ABY​

​

The moment he stepped off the civilian transport, a cigarra was lit and Myk was puffing away.

Incapable of the sort of biological addiction that hooked most sentients on such chemically treated vegetation, the HRD had developed another type of dependency. Mykas Venture, the original edition, had been an absolute fiend for them, and even though Myk was just a glorified copy his neural net was based off the same pathways formulated over decades of a roughly lived organic life. And in more ways just the one, as just like the 'real' Corellian detective would have, droid Venture found himself in yet another rough spot.

Some had emigrated to Iron Imperial space because they believed in the cause, that Core World history did not define them and that they could make the change they wanted to see in the galaxy. But many others, including guys like Myk, had come just to live in peace a light years away from the way things used to be before. And yet the more he seemed to run, the more it seemed like he was going in circles, as he now found himself at the gates of a city state expecting the possibility of retaliation at any moment for the death of the Soliri monarch.

Not all bio scanners were advanced enough to pick up on what made him distinct and Iron Imperial space was less technophobic than most, but Celeste's capital was on a heightened state of alert and organic reaction to the droid's true nature tended to be a mixed bag. Reluctant to confide in customs that he was here on any sort of official business, Venture was forced to check his DL-18 at the spaceport. But the same countermeasures that made it difficult to detect his synthetic componentry also allowed for easy smuggling of a small Czerka Adjudicator slugthrower within a concealed thigh holster.

Either the authorities hadn't detected any anomalous readings, or they were waiting for Myk to clear a major population center before they moved in for the kill. The Csillan private eye suspected it was the former however, for while these holy knights were certainly imposing in all their ceremonial splendor, their operation didn't exactly scream cutting edge. While he had drawn more than a few stray glances at a dress sense that would have been fashionable half a century ago on Corellia and nowhere else, the towering knights had made no comment on Myk's trench coat, or the suspenders and tie underneath.

When he had taken this job, the HRD had calculated that it would take only a few days at the absolute most, but now every question he might ask that would in more peaceful times seem innocent could place him in high danger. The one major advantage he retained was the assignment's distinctive Atrisian heritage. There were not bound to be many girls by the name of Mei Aki in Eaux Saintes or Castellum. But the only lead Myk had to go on was that Miss Aki had friends in high places within the Ivelissi aristocracy, which meant ingratiating himself somehow into the city's high society.

A dangerous proposition, given the current environment, and at a loss for how exactly to proceed Venture relied on another of his forebear's old habits and sought out the nearest cantina to regroup and gather his thoughts.

 

[Elaina de la Fontaine]

Royal Palace, Eaux Saintes

Mourning both the loss of her fiance and possibility of a new era of peace and unity for the people of Celeste and Solis, Elaina was clad in black with a veil of the same colour obscuring her face. Even if she did not love the man, she had still felt obligated to mourn his death. We were so close, she thought fighting back the desire to cry as she awaited the arrival of the Iron Imperial envoy. It seemed her dream of a lasting peace between the kingdoms were only that - a dream.

"Atticus..." she muttered the deceased Soliri King's name. "I know you wouldn't have wanted this either," she sighed. Though she did not love the man, she had felt like he was her sole ally in her quest of peace between the two kingdoms and now, with him dead and gone, she couldn't help but feel alone. "No," Elaina caught herself before the sadness could overwhelm her and gently rubbed her eyes, brushing away the tears.

"Fleur," she called, summoning one of her Chevaliers. "I am feeling a little ill so I am going to retire to my chambers. Come for me when the Iron Imperials arrive," she ordered.

"Yes, your highness," the knight replied, acknowledging her instructions.

NOTE: Ares' name has been changed to Atticus because I feel it fits his new appearance more.

[member="Iella Rehal"]

A Celesti spy embedded in Solis watched Iella with suspicion as the woman made her way by the ramp. Well acquainted with the Soliri's culture, he could tell that she was a stranger to the land and deployed a droid in the form of a stray animal to follow the woman. Who she was? He did not know but he had to ensure that she would not side with the wrong kingdom when the war began.

Careful to keep his distance in an attempt to not be detected, he had the droid keep a distance from her as it tailed her. No matter her allegiance, he was ready to make an attempt on her life should he deem her a threat to his homeland and by extension, his Queen.

[member="Douglas Reed"]

The sound of glass breaking rung out as a large bottle was knocked out of a young man's hand. "Soliri scum, you do not deserve our holy water," a middle aged woman shoved him roughly causing him to nearly lose his balance and fall.

"Soliri scum? My family has lived here for generations since we first immigrated from Solis," the young man retorted, annoyed. "In fact, you were one of our best customers and always aimed to be the first to look at my father's wares whenever he returned from Solis."

"That was before we saw the true face of the Soliri. Your countrymen assassinated their own king in order the incite a war. Everything step out Queen had made towards creating a lasting peace with Solis was ruined by your ilk," she spat and took a step towards the young man as if readying herself to slap him.

 

[Caelag Vass]

• Location: Castellum
• Objective: Investigate and See what fate decrees
• Tags: [member="Iella Rehal"] and [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

It was amusing how force sensitivity worked with a Miraluka, replacing sight with the Force. By nature, she could see past the walls around her, ever so slightly, and feel and see the life flowing through the people of the street even as her face situated itself forward at all times. It was in this way that she could see Iella clearly, even though they passed by one another without so much as a look, and how she could spot the lifeless animal trailing behind. See, droids had presence in so far as they held energy, but it was not the same as the Force. This animal lacked the all present nature the Force held, and instead looked like a skeleton of energy glowing to her sight. Which meant.. yes Iella was being followed. At least, that much would be the assumption. She slipped away, letting the group pass her by entirely before making her first steps to follow behind.

Iella went into an alley.

The animal followed.

Another living being.

And then Caelag in turn, slinking through the shadows with practiced grace as she edged closer and closer. They had to move quite a ways down, lest whatever the agent was doing here be seen easily past the dark alley. But Caelag couldn't go far in without making her presence known, and as such could not hear a word the agent would say. Still, she had to alert her to her unknowing companions, and so she began to focus. The force flows through all things, even within primal energies, wind.. rock.. fire. She could control it, produce it, if she just tried. She was not yet proficient enough to use it in any grand manner, she was capable to start heating up the inside of the droid, more and more. It would soon become apparent the droid was there, as its own heat began to become strong enough to burn, melt, fuse the disguise to the metal parts, and electronics would begin failing within it.

The spy would no doubt notice, Iella would notice, but without a grand combustion the light wouldn't even reach the ends of the alleyway. Her hope was to leave the would be stalker no chance for escape, between Iella and Caelag at either end. Of course, who was she to judge what others would do in response to her warning?

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

[member="Caelag Vass"]
[member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

She felt the disturbance before she could hear the sound of burning circuits or smell the melting metal. With a short curse under her breath she threw her arm in front of her informant. "Get out of here, now!" The young man ran back the way he had come, down a different path. When his footsteps began to get faint she turned back to face the way she had come.

She tapped into the Force, leaning into the sight it would offer. Who had caused that droid to burn? She had heard of the ability, but not many Jedi or Sith learned the technique. It took too long to concentrate to be useful in fights. Her hand hovered over her lightsaber stored on the small of her back but it eventually fell to her blaster pistol. No need to out herself as an Iron Empire agent. She set the power level to medium and aimed it down the alley. It wasn't quite as dark looking out onto the streets as it was looking in. She recognized who it was at the other end immediately, even if they hadn't met. She made it her business to know all the ranked personnel of the Iron Empire, though the IISB made it more difficult to find the names of her fellow agents.

"High Colonel Vaas....?" Why was she here?

​

 

[Elaina de la Fontaine]

DM POST

[member="Caelag Vass"] | [member="Iella Rehal"]

The Celesti spy who had been tailing Iella through a droid cussed in frustration when the camera feed suddenly disappeared. If the droid was damaged beyond repair, it was going to be a real chore to have another droid of the same model smuggled into enemy territory. Hoping the droid was simply disabled in an EMP blast, he began to make his way towards the droid's last known location.

Casually strolling the streets, the spy took an alternate path to the one the droid had taken before its signal disappeared in an attempt to not seem suspicious. It was his responsibility to his Queen and country that he protect his cover in order out his duties.

Finally nearing the location, he could see the woman he had the droid tail with another suspicious character and the destroyed droid in the middle. Careful to not change his expression or pace, he casually walked past the women and turned a corner. Then, once he felt that he was out of view, the man turned on the screen of his wrist mounted holopad and began to concoct another plan to figure out who these foreigners are and learn their purpose for visiting Castellum.

 

[Caelag Vass]

• Location: Castellum
• Objective: Investigate and See what fate decrees
• Tags: [member="Iella Rehal"] and [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

Did all agents spout off rank and file when on duty? Somehow that felt somewhere between a slip up and attention to rank as if Caelag was on duty. Now if Caelag was on duty, she wouldn't object to the surprised statement at all, though she'd have to politely remind Iella to salute as well, however while in her armor Caelag wasn't necessarily on duty. After all why would she be here, without even a single bodyguard, if she was? Personal time off was a necessity in her line of work most felt, and even if she chose to use it investigating the details of an assassination it was her time to spend as she wished. But, since she didn't know if the Agent was on duty, she chose to give something of a 'cover' for her. Caelag's hand moved to where a nametag would have been, and chuckled slightly. "Oopsie me, did I leave my name tag on again? You'll have to forgive me on that, Miss. Troubles of being a blind woman in the galaxy."

Caelag's 'sight' could pick up on enough features to recognize Iella's field kit, the use of fur helped substantially, and she could tell if she was here in secret by the way the other had ran off. Caelag was nothing if not good at putting clues together. "Apologies as well on the poor droid, I sensed it following you and it was clearly not something alive. I couldn't see it like I see people like you and me, naturally I was worried it might hurt you. I'm sorry if I interrupted anything important..." Her voice was just loud enough to be natural, and if the spy or whoever sent the droid (which was still having the remaining circuits fused, mind you) could pick anything up it wasn't going to last.

When she was certain the droid was completely useless, she leaned in a bit and whispered. "Can I assume you're here for what I think you are?"

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

It was suspicious. Too suspicious. Why was a High Colonel following her? Was she in on the murder? The sniper could have been the one to pull the trigger, but so could any half decent sniper. Did she have any reason to? Maybe there was a deal in the making. Then there was that droid. She hated when the military butted in to IISB business. They made everything loud. She grimaced as the woman began to make her way towards her. She really didn't wan to speak to anyone from the military about her investigation nothing was set in stone yet, nor was it any of her business why she was there in the first place.

"You did, and I am," she hissed.
[member="Caelag Vass"]

 

[Caelag Vass]

• Location: Castellum
• Objective: Investigate and See what fate decrees
• Tags: [member="Iella Rehal"] and [member="Elaina de la Fontaine"]

"Good, good. Then pay attention to the Force a bit more, that thing's lack of life was as evident as you could've asked for. I won't always happen to be in the neighborhood when you're being followed. Now I would suggest finding who it was that set the droid on you before going on. For an agent you stick out more than me, and I'm karking blind." She tapped her eye covering before calmly continuing to survey the area in the Force. She couldn't sense anyone well out of the ordinary here... There were some people standing around but no one looking particularly suspicious. "I melted the droid's circuitry for the most part, but it should still be useful. If we open up its head can you figure out where it got its signals from?"

 

[Elaina de la Fontaine]

DM POST

[member="Caelag Vass"] | [member="Iella Rehal"]

Finding it difficult to overhear the pair's conversation from where he stood, the spy furrowed his brows, taking a moment to consider his next course of action.

Acting as if he had forgotten something, the spy made his way towards the pair, allowing a small listening device that had been carefully wiped of fingerprints to fall from his pocket and fall near the pair. He hoped that his actions would go unnoticed allowing him to eavesdrop on their conversation from afar.

If the Iron Empire's intentions were to ally with the Kingdom of Solis, he had to send word back to Celeste so that his homeland might stand a chance when war came.