“The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.”
- Anonymous, The Quran
Chapter 1 – Blood Triumvirate
The use of the number three as a divine glyph has been prevalent throughout various cultures in various timelines. In Buddhism, there are three ways to understand the end of birth known as the Triple Bodhi – the understanding of the true nature of all things. The most notable gods in Hinduism, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer are known as the Trimurti. A religious tenet held by certain Pagan religions is known as the Rule of Three, which states that all energy a person puts out into the world, whether positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times. And in Christianity, God is divided into a holy trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Christian theologian Thomas Aquinas would claim the importance of trichotomies in the potency of intelligence: concept, judgment, and reasoning; of beauty: wholeness, harmony, and radiance; and of transcendence: unity, truth, and goodness.
The end of the world, brought forth at the end of the Crimson Century was actually the second time a disaster of that scale had occurred. It was over half a millennia before during the first Crusades when the war between the three races would bring unleash the wrath of the divine upon the earth. Two wars, two calamities. But as the saying goes, ‘the third time’s the charm,’
Though old One-Eye had warned them not to go, Dill and Jill the Grey Tribe joined the others gathered around the large oak tree as they did every week. Initially it was only once a month when the band of ragtag lycans formed together and raided the human villages on the outskirts of Memorium. As months passed, their raids would become more frequent and their membership would grow ever larger. Today, nearly a thousand lycans had come. They were not a band of outlaws, they were an army.
“Listen to me, Brothers!” Roared out the lycan at the center of the group standing at the oak tree’s base. For lycan warriors, names were earned on the battlefield. Some, like “One-Eye” were self explanatory, though some were less so. No one really knew how their raid leader had come to take the name Dazzle.
“For too long have we had to limp by, living off scraps!” Dazzle shouted, and the rest howled in agreement. “For too long have our brothers in the city been treated as slaves and animals!” Another round of howling agreement. “For too long have those weak humans and vampires prospered at our expense!”
“For a year now we have been raiding the human towns outside the city. We set fire to their buildings and rip out their throats…and do you know what the city dwellers did?” Dazzle continued his patriotic speech. “Nothing! They sat behind their walls and let us do as we please. And why? It’s because they are weak and we are strong!”
The howls of the lycan army were deafening this time, their cries echoed through the air and even reached the ears of those living several miles away in Memorium. They were cries filled with anger and hatred and sorrow. They were the cries of the outsiders. Dill and Jill let out their own howls in accompaniment.
“It’s been too long brothers! We are done with these cowardly raids. We are ready. Today, we march towards Memorium!” Dazzle proclaimed, and the lycan army followed him.
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Location – Blood Alchemist Guild Research Center
Factions – Lycans vs. Blood Alchemists
“Will someone turn off that goddamn thing off,” Tully complained, covering his ears. How was he supposed to conduct his research in peace with all that racket going on.
“B-but Mr. Tully, that’s the warning alarm! They say the lycans have breached the city walls…they have a massive army! The Crusaders have called us to aid the battle…” replied Tully’s apprentice Pip.
“Bah, who cares about some dumb mutts. Pass that vile vial over there to me…no not that one! The one with the pink stuff inside!” Tully continued to tinker at hi work despite his pupil’s distress.
“We should really leave Mr. Tully! They could be here any minute…they say that lycans have the strength of ten men and are a hundred times fiercer than any wild dog!” Pip grew increasingly worried.
“Feh, don’t exaggerate. That muscle-brained bastard LeCroix only dares to ask for our help when the Master is out of town. Why, if she were here we needn’t lift a finger. Pip, did you know that-“ but Tully would never knew if Pip knew, because a spear flew through the air and impaled Pip through the chest.
“Ugh. Another apprentice bites the dust…really I have the worst luck. Months of teaching down the drain…” Tully sighed as more lycans began to enter the building. “Filthy animals should know their place,” he said as he pulled out a glass orb filled with red liquid. He smashed it against the floor yet the blood inside retained it’s ovular shape as it slowly rose into the air “With Pip gone, I guess I’ll teach you guys a lesson instead.”
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Location – Outer Wall
Factions – Crusaders vs. Lycans
Most of the citizens living near the breach had been evacuated to the inner areas of the city. Those that weren’t dead at least. The lycans had managed to shatter a hole in the ten foot thick stone wall using brute force alone. Though there had been reports of increasing lycan activity over the past few months, Lt. Gerard didn’t think that they would actually attack the city. Though their numbers were high, it seemed that the army was comprised of mostly younger lycans and they had very few true warriors.
Gerard brought his axe down on the nearest wolf, cutting him straight through the middle from muzzle to groin in a flash of light. The two halfs sizzled where the axe had met flesh. Was there really any purpose to this poorly conceived assault? They did more damage than Gerard thought, but surely even they realized it was a futile attempt. Near the back line of incoming lycans Gerard could make out what looked to be their leader.
He turned to his fellow soldiers. “Alright men, do you see that white wolf at the back? I’ll see to it that anyone who brings me his head gets a promotion and sacred weapon from the vault. Onward!” He rallied the crusaders, hoping to break through to the lycan backline.
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Location – Notre Dame, Conference Room
Factions – Vampires vs. Lycans
Katarina Alexandria, third in line to the Red Court throne, strode into Notre Dame with her entourage. Katarina had been the acting ambassador for the Red Court for nearly two decades now, and this was to be just another boring council meeting like they did every month.
“Ah, Lady Katarina. As always, it is a pleasure to see you again. Your beauty has already brightened up this gloomy place,” Bishop Gomst greeted her at the Cathedral entrance. In truth, Katarina abhorred the man. The fat lecherous clergyman always acted far too familiar with her, despite her station. His dark beady eyes and long face made him look like an oversized rat. She would spend the meeting imagining him being chased around by an oversized cat.
“Bishop Gomst,” she nodded back to him politely, “Allow me to introduce my sister, Anastasia. She will be joining us for today’s meeting…and she’s not quite used to interacting with humans so please be gentle.”
“Ohoho! The rumors were true! Lady Anna, you are as beautiful as your sister and it would be my honor to be your host today,” Gomst kissed her hand as way of greeting. Katarina ignored the urge to wipe her hand.
“Come in, come in!” Gomt gestured for the vampire party to enter the building.
The two vampire princesses sat on one side of the stone table, while the human delegation sat on the opposite side. Behind each delegation stood their guards, though for reasons unknown Katarina had decided to bring some new faces along instead of her usual honor guard. The meeting proceeded for over an hour, as they slowly went over all of the city’s issue from taxes to maintaining water supply. Everything was going smoothly, even if the whole affair was dull as usual. But as they were about to wrap up, the glass windows of the Cathedral were shattered and the delegation was surrounded on all sides by over a dozen lycans.
“Princess Katarina, Princess Anastasia, we must leave now!” said one of the vampires. Unfortunately it seemed that Katarina, along with all the humans, had disappeared without a trace. But before they could get ahold of the situation, the lycans attacked.
OOC
Bosses
Edited by Katia Managan, 20 November 2014 - 11:18 PM.