Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[Dmaster]

The huntress was suddenly quite jovial upon being greeted by Luther, as any distraction was welcome from the tension she was experiencing. Camille shook his hand gently, nodding at him with a smile. "I am always surprised when those outside of Escaria recognize me." she admits as she withdraws her hand. "It is good to meet you."

As the others funneled in she made glances to them and tried to figure out who was who, twisting her mouth slightly. Though the revelation that Adona would be joining them got her to frown slightly. Just what the summit needed - another god.

"Hm... Interesting ."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Neither of the two guests from the Ridge are fazed by the glares being given to them by the Atracan delegation and this weird woman wearing this strange bird-like armor. As for the other delegates, Langa knows who they are and wisely puts on a friendly face, but Kregore didn't care enough to get to know about any of them except for two he's uncomfortably familiar with: the Duke of Trechstaat and the King of Atraca. They do notice the Duke sitting nearby though, and Kregore gives him a polite nod. The Duke might not know who he is or even care, but Kregore is aware of him and his father. The colonies across Caraborough often had portraits of his father, the previous duke, and his family in their homes as the island itself once belonged to them, but then the Atracans had bought it from them and made it their own. Then came the cells, then came scum, then came the filth, then came the fleas, then came the mines, then came the beatings, then came the death, then finally it was the Ridge... He decides to return the Atracan King's gaze with an even more vile leer. The contraction of his bloodshot eyes say more about what he wishes he could do to him more than any threat he could scream.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister gives a polite nod to Kregore and Langa, the former quite possibly the tallest man he had ever seen, or near to it. He had been briefed on some of the notable "officials" of the Ridge, and some of the stories of their appearances and ruthless tendencies struck his as somewhat exaggerated, tribal fables constructed to make larger than life personalities. In Kregore's case, the man certainly seemed like one of the largest people in the room.

"Bonjour, friends," he said smoothly. "I am glad you both could make it early. Hopefully without too much harassment from the locals, though I dare say any trouble that came your way you'd be able to handle." The Archbishop took a proffered sheet from Silvatori, which he passed on to the pair from Caraborough. "Some notes that may aid in your knowledge, should you be placed in the spotlight. Who is who, who hates who, who likes who. Things of that sort. You may already know some of this information, you might not. You can rest assured that we have precious few friends in this place."

Aleister seemed unfazed by any of the glares that came their way. He had conducted enough performances in his life that stagefright had left him long ago. Newmont, Pendergast - let them gawp like fools.

"But yes, they took our weapons as well. Not that any of us in particular need guns or blades to kill, but the less the better. This is supposed to be a day for peace. Rather, I fear we will be seeing a great deal of violence before the day is over. Just because no blood is shed doesn't mean lives may not be ended today."

 

[Breadman]

"You're up early." The knight remarked when he saw the young inquisitor. "Thought you'd probably sleep in given how late you came back."

"I'm fine Royland. That wine was just strong enough to knock me out as soon as I got back." Inquisitor Sara replied as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Couldn't really sleep for long though. Not with the racket going on anyway."

"Apologies my lady. But I have to prepare the men for the summit."

"Which includes banging on right before the crack of dawn?" She gave him a tired and annoyed look. "I'm sure the guards provided by our hosts and the other delegations will be adequate enough protection. You don't need to organize a battalion of the church's own warriors." She folded her hands in front of her, expecting an answer.

"The Lady has entrusted me to do my part in all of this and I will not disappoint." His was as comited as ever. She could practically feel his piety radiating from the armor

"And you would still make her proud by just showing up without your men being exhausted from training." As much as she would like to poke at him and his obsession, she had to fight that urge for now. "In any case, today is the big day. Lets hope they don't tear each other to pieces in there."

"Aye." Royland gave a uncharacteristic short reply. The knight turned around and walked to the exit before stopping and turning back to her. "Well come on inquisitor. You're just going to stand there?" His tone had changed to a more relaxed one. Sara could only raise an eyebrow and wonder what was going through that head of his.
---
He woke up shortly after dawn and was already halfway through his morning routine preparing himself for the summit. One of the last things Theodore has expected was an invitation to sit in on the talks. While he didn't know how exactly his presence would contribute to anything, he wouldn't miss it. A miracle or disaster, this was a historic event that will shape the world for centuries to come. Besides, the children could use a day or two off. They earned their vacation.

It was a few years since he last wore it, but he still fit in his inquisitor uniform. Despite his departure, he kept it as a memento and was frankly the closest thing to official clothing he could secure on short notice. It had been modified of course. The insignia and patches of the Church and the order have been removed. A few extra pockets and pouches for materials were added on the inside. He could even sneak in his sidearm and a few bombs if he wanted to. He had to admit, it was very tempting to try.

Half an hour later, he was out of his home and on his way to the courthouse.
---
"How goes the investigation?" Royland asked as they walked down the street with their entourage. A greatly reduced number than what he initially planned. Thank the gods that some reason that still inhabits that skull of his.

"Slow, but steady." Sara answered sarcastically "For every answer, I gain ten more questions."

"Theodore isn't cooperative?"

"No, quite the opposite. He answers every question I have for him. The problem is that compiling all the evidence against the list of names he gave me takes time and a lot of effort."

"Don't you have enough for them by now?" He turned his head towards her "Surely the evidence you've gone through for the last week is enough to purge the scum from the Church."

"Were it that simple." She sighed "A lot of them have connections and friends in different places. If Velin wants us to do this purge right, we need to burn out all of them. Nothing should be overlooked, less the Order falls into those hands again."

"And you call me stubborn." The knight laughed "You're waging a one-woman war without knowing the number of your enemy or their strength. You realize you can't possibly do this alone."

"No, I suppose I can't." She had come to the same conclusion days ago, but never said it out loud untill now.

"It's a good thing you're the first of the new inquisitors then." He continued, rather jovial "I'm sure as more are appointed by the Lady and see the light, your mission would become easier." His words served little to comfort her. There were more inquisitors who had decided to join the new ranks, but how many of them did it because they believed in the new way and how many did it out of fear that they would be excommunicated if they don't? How many of them could she trust? The corruption ran deep and it ran for years. Even with Theodore's help, it would take a long time before they are free of it. But she had to remind herself, along with those who have been accused, here was a separate list of those who could be her allies. "Tell me though, have you uncovered anything else among those archives you've been digging through?"

"If you're asking about him, then no. The lich is long gone from our grasp and we don't have anything to track him with as of yet."

"I see." Another short answer from him. He was quiet for the rest of their trip to the courthouse. Once there, they got to work with helping organize. Royland to help the guards, Sara to the more delicate and civilian members that would come in.
---
Theodore had arrived early enough to avoid a crowd, The security check was easy enough. Nearly let him pass through on account of his uniform, but was stopped by a certain armored figure.

"Theodore." It nodded

"Royland." He nodded back

"Follow me please. The Lady has a special spot for you and you need to take a slightly different route." He turned around halfway before speaking again "And do leave your gun with the guard." The scholar complied. He was going to do it anyway, but the knight's insistence painted a different picture to those around. 'Did he do that on purpose?' Theodore wondered.

It wasn't long before he was escorted to his seat. The position seemed strategic almost. Allowed him to get a good view of those around, but far away to not be heard. Which was fair enough, his position here was as a guest, not as a player. Some familiar faces were already filling the seats. All he could do now was wait.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Some notes that may aid in your knowledge, should you be placed in the spotlight. Who is who, who hates who, who likes who. Things of that sort. You may already know some of this information, you might not. You can rest assured that we have precious few friends in this place."

"Ah, well, I have read enough of the papers to understand more than the simple basics. But, thank you." Langa takes the notes and starts flipping them over. Most of the information in regards to the Adonian politicians, royalties, leaders present here and all their alliances and rivalries are all things he has a general idea about. Those pages are passed through his fingers rather quickly since Kregore's the person who ought to be reading this, but then he notices that the pages no longer have words but numbers on them. Lots of numbers. They range from the tens, to the hundreds, even to the thousands, and there's entire pages full of them. As he was glossing over it, he had simply thought they were just population counts of vampires and such in nations around the continent. But then he saw the words that surrounded these large numbers, and then he started paying attention.

Three vampires nailed down to a road in the Atracan countryside until the sun burned them. 67 'suspected' werewolves herded into a barn somewhere in the north which was then set on fire, with underlined notations pointing out that anyone whom survived was shot. He rubs his eyes and flips the pages more; landing on a page where the header above points out the killings listed here happened in Stiusil. More dead, tortured, and suffering. An entire village flattened, reminding him much of how he and his Warder comrades did to Pollsmoor a few years ago. He keeps flipping the pages, and the death toll only gets higher and higher and the deaths worse. When he read about these purges back at home, he wasn't too bothered by it at the time. Sure, the statistics were alarming, but the way they were printed about in the paper had all the energy of someone describing paint drying. Plus, he had no love for any of his fellow vampires no matter if they were all the target of an angry goddess. The amount of things he cared about beyond the Ridge and his fellow inmates in the Numbers could only be counted on the hand of an amputee. But now...

Reading these statistics combined with first hand accounts of what was witnessed by those that were lucky enough to survive fill him with a sickening feeling he can't quite comprehend. He's no stranger to mass death as he's enacted mini-purges in the Ridge along with his fellow Warders, as well as tagging along for punishment raids in the colonies around the rest of Caraborough, but there's something about what he's reading now that is making him feel disgusted. Is it the fact they're being committed against vampires like him? Is it because of their methods, such as burying people alive in mass graves, is too much? Is it because these atrocities remind him of the deeds he and the Warders have done in the past towards anyone they deemed had wronged them? Maybe it's because he's now reading a perspective of what it's like to be the victim of something like this for once. Slowly, he wipes his face as he looks down on the notes again. Looks like he's reached the page listing the murders and deaths in Escaria. His breaths become more and more labored as droplets of his sweat fall from his trembling brow onto the papers. He has to know. He has to find out if his hometown of Bousart is listed. He has to know if his mother is still alive. With a trembling hand, he puts a finger under the page and is ready to turn it. Is she alive? Was she...

No.

He can't bear to look. Especially not now. Not when they are to look strong for how long this business will take. The notes are closed, and he passes it over to Kregore who begins reading it all himself. Unlike Langa, the most reaction the death toll gets out of him as he reads is a disinterested grunt. It really doesn't look like it bothers him as much, if at all. In the meantime, he takes out a canteen and starts downing the cold water inside to calm himself before speaking again. Still unnerved, he leans in a little close and whispers to Aleister. "Y-You're right that our kind don't really need bullets, but I have a secret weapon that might interest you should things become less than civilized today."

 

[K0mori]

The entrance of the Escarian queen sharply contrasted with the previous day's pomp and fanfare. The woman entered the building in a gloomy black ensemble trimmed in royal blue, with gilded buttons gleaming in the interior gas lighting of the town hall. Any less embellished, and one might assume that she was attending a funeral instead of a diplomatic affair. Her attitude was likewise glum, and the paleness of her skin combined with the sunken look of her eyes gave the more paranoid sorts in the room the briefest panic, as all were aware of her visit to the Nocturne delegation's headquarters the day before. However, all that was amiss was that she had failed to get a restful night's sleep. Her eyes scanned over the other delegations tiredly, although she gave a slight smile to the leaders whom she had already met with on prior occasions, aside from Aleister, whom she only spared a neutral glance for before taking her seat.

On the other hand, Henri Lécuyer, the President of the Council, appeared relaxed and attentive. Whereas the Queen was in her element the previous day, wowing the public with her antics, now was the time for experience and expertise. The Escarians had carefully discussed their strategy the night before, and while Marie-Claire would be voicing much of the kingdom's input, it would be the President's voice in her ear, guiding her from one point to the next. He and the others accompanying the young Queen were dressed very similarly to how they had appeared at the train station yesterday: their traveling suits were crisp and clean now, but nonetheless they were drab and businesslike aside from the Marshall of the Armies, who was again dressed in a traditional uniform of blues, whites, reds and golds.

There was also another man who entered around the same time. Known only by a single name, Juste, the Steward of La Cygne, walked slowly and with a cane, wearing multiple layers of brown, inconspicuous clothing which was nonetheless formal. His white hair and beard were neatly trimmed, and an eye patch adorned his weathered face. He, like the Queen, seemed tired, although not from a restless night so much as a restless life. The man had traveled far and wide, even in the last few years, and the weight of many lives of misery was perched unhappily on his shoulders. He didn't seem interested in casting looks or even taking stock of the other delegations, although he did briefly glance at Aleister in a mixture of curiosity and resentment.

As the entire delegation took its seat, Marie-Claire took out a set of notes from the previous night and began to look them over, silently reciting key points and policies for her own memory. Henri leaned over to Juste, who was surprised to find himself seated quite close to the President, and informed him that Her Elegance's government was reconsidering the status of the exiled vampires of Chalmette Florissant.

"Monsieur, I must inform you that there has been a change of plans. You were called here to lend a firsthand account of the foolishness of the Church's purges, non? Well, it appears you will be in even better company than you might have expected," Henri said.

Juste looked at him skeptically. "Oh? You're going to give them their titles back?" he asked, fully expecting the president to smoothly decline, but instead he was met with an earnest smile. "...Mes deux, what changed your mind so suddenly?"

"Calm yourself," Henri cautioned, "it isn't so simple. Yesterday, we held an unofficial meeting with the Nocturne delegation, ghastly lot that they are, and learned that they are already creating inroads with the Alchemists' Union. It seems that Madame Klostermann has no moral objection to supplying the terrorists with factories and expertise. And with their so-called Archbishop unwilling to remove himself from power despite global condemnation-"

"Ah, so you're afraid of them," Juste interrupted. Henri almost looked offended by the suggestion, but he held his tongue. He knew that Juste was too old to be caught up in theatrics. Instead, his pursed lips told the old steward that he was already on the right notion. "...you're afraid that too much money and power will wind up in the Archbishop's hands, so you're going to take from him the one title he truly longs for: soul guardian of les gens de la nuit."

Henri nodded. "We feel that, there is still time - precious little time, that is - to restore the Counts and Countess to their previous status-"

"Counts, monsieur," Juste interrupted again. "There are two Counts. The Countess of La Cygne died three years ago."

"That wasn't a cover story?" Henri asked. Juste only stared back at him, as serious and sad as ever. Henri sighed. "Fine, we'll restore the titles of the Counts, and any barons or baronesses that you can find, and we will begin work on a new arrangement which will both elevate their status as well as enshrine in Escarian law a more permanent settlement with the vampires and other afflicted types."

Juste shifted in his chair and seemed to disconnect from the conversation. "Well then," he said, "we'll just have to see what that means."

The President looked at the old man, mildly concerned. He wasn't able to tell exactly what was running through the old steward's head, but he knew for sure that there was a lack of trust between them.

 

[Infab]

More guests and delegations arrived, as above observers took their seats as well. Various members of the citizenry and common folk, from various points across the northern half of the continent. The Sultan of Eshax arrived, wearing fine silk robes that were cream colored. Jewels adorned his robe in places, as well as the necklaces and rings on his fingers. He took his seat, stroking his long beard and mustache twice as he glanced to the other delegates that were already present. He offered a nod to the Atracan king, whom returned it. Alexander knew that the Sultan would be on his side, at least.

Eventually, Cassiel appeared out of the blue over near where Velin's chair sat. It was quite surprising, as he didn't use a portal. It was as if people looked away or blinked, and he was just...there. He looked among those that were already seated, and smiled. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Summit. It will begin as soon as all the delegates have arrived. If you should need drinks or snacks, please don't hesitate to ask." he said, as he looked around the room. He suddenly paused when he saw Kregore, his eyes widening. That's...That's a gibborim! Where did he come from? Is he with Aleister and his delegation? A different delegation?

He eventually broke his gaze, looking away from Kregore and back to the rest of the group. "Lady Undite will be here momentarily, as will Lord Ado--" he managed to get out, before being interrupted. "Already here, Cass." said a voice. Cassiel looked towards the entrance to see that Adona himself had arrived. The masked cowboy stepped into the room, glancing to each of the seated delegates. He was bathed in green flames, while his eyes were yellow orbs of light floating in the sockets. They peered out from beneath the rim of his brown cowboy hat, rolling around and focusing on the delegate's faces. He was dressed in a nice blue white button-up shirt, blue jean pants, and black cowboy boots with white etching across the sides. His spurs clinked as he walked around the room, moving about to where his chair was. And surprisingly, walking behind him, was Rosanna McFadden as well as Undite. Rosanna was dressed in a yellow shirt, herself, with brown trousers and boots. They were surprisingly clean, compared to her normal outfits. And she wasn't wearing a hat, oddly enough. She smiled and waved at Theodore, before looking over to see Aleister and Camille. Neither of which she smiled at. Instead, she looked a bit saddened.

Undite, meanwhile, was dressed in a rather beautiful, deep purple robe. Underneath, a lovely dark blue dress. She wore what appeared to be a fancier version of her usual visor-like eye covering, the metal holding the thin cloth in place silver with various etchings which appeared vaguely elvish. On her hip, a book. Likely one of her many grimoires. As they reached their seats, both Adona and Undite sat down while Rosanna simply stood behind Adona's chair. Her arm propped on the back. It was then that the green fire that bathed Adona died, revealing a heavily tanned man of native decent. He tugged down the mask he was wearing, letting it rest around his neck, and removed his hat which he set on the table before him. Cassiel smiled at the trio, before looking back to the delegation. "Now, all that's left is Lady Velin. She will be here shortly."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Kregore keeps his eyes glued to the notes that were passed to him. Cassiel's sudden appearance didn't get him to look up, nor did Adona enveloped with his green fire, but when he hears the name 'Undite' does he finally look up. Though she's dressed far more elegantly now, he can still see the similarities with the statue of her in the church back home. 'So... she's the one Ratty worships...' he thinks to himself. He keeps his eyes on her just to see if he can sense any sort of divinity from her. But the more he looks at her, the more he thinks of Ratka, and his rugged expression abated; but only for a moment.

Shaking his head, he passes the notes back to Aleister. "I 'AV SEEN E'NOUF." he says, also cursed with a thick, savage, broken glass to the ears Kainuto accent just like his subordinate Piki. "WE ARE RE'DI"

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister shakes his head slightly at Langa. "Pray not, I do not wish to even know of it," he said simply. If violence was to erupt, the plan was to flee as fast as they could, but with the Divine to be in attendance the concept of retreat seemed remarkably silly. Velin could kill every person in this room if she wanted. At best, they could scuff her armor or slow her down with enough bodies choking the panic stricken halls. Aleister had no intention of hostility today, except in words, if necessary. They were all hostages to the Divine.

He watched Adona's arrival with some interest, and felt a pang of... something... when he saw the dullahan behind him. How cruel fate was to bring them all back together like this, though the absence of the others burned him like hot coals. She smiled to someone off in the crowd - was that Theodore, he saw? Yet she had no such expression when she finally looked his way. Of course not. They were all the same, weren't they? It didn't matter that they knew him from their time on that wretched inquiry. He was undesirable now, like the rest of the vampires. Her gaze suggested that he had done something wrong. He knew, quite clearly, he hadn't.

Without thinking about it, he traced his finger across the faded, threadbare scarlet ribbon wrapped around his hand. Did he still have that wonderful hat from back then? He... couldn't remember.

Undite was with them. He watched her, flushed with grief. They would turn against her in a heart beat if only they knew the truth about her. And Gyasis - faded away already, was he? The words still stung him, remembering how he begged them to help during the inquiry. It seemed a lifetime ago. In some respect, it was. The atrocities had broken him, crushed his spirit. When he thought back to the way things were before, they seemed dreamlike. Unreal. Trapped in a fog that wouldn't go away.

He glanced aside at Kregore, the big man passing the folder of notes back. The Archbishop nodded. "Indeed. I suppose we are."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille looked to the Escarian delegation as they funneled in, nodding at the queen at those she had brought in with her before the huntress seemed slightly unnerved. The appearance of the monarch could only be described as ghastly, and she did fear the worst when she remembered how she went to the Nocturne delegation the day prior. Yet she saw how they all walked in from the sunlight, and even wards or magic to protect against its rays would not have her looking so... tired when entering. Typically she could expect expressions of slight pain or discomfort on the vampire in those situations, so Camille relaxed herself again.

Soon she looked to Cassiel as he addressed the room, simply because she was tired of staring off into the space and needed something to occupy her gaze. How kind of him to announce the gods to such lesser beings that they were as mortals. For all of their prestige and power she saw them all as failures, and could only hope that the public at large would insure that such a disaster like this could not happen again. One god throwing a tantrum has thrown so many lives out of their precious balance, and Camille would never forgive them for that. When Adona came in she saw Rosanna behind him, prompting her to widen her eyes in shock. The huntress thought her dead, but considering that she is with Adona the possibilities became slightly more clear. When the dulluhan looked at her, Camille's expression was blank before it became sullen, shaking her head from side to side.

Then of course there was Undite, who the huntress openly glared at in defiance. There was no forgetting what she had told her, the anger that was palpable from yet another mad goddess that pulled strings from the shadows. It was fortunate that Velin would be exiling herself from society after things are concluded, Camille only wished for the rest of the gods to do the same.

 

[Infab]

More delegation filed in, the room filling with activity as the meeting was set to begin. As soon as Velin showed up and took her seat, things would proceed. More portals opened, with the guests from the nations of Shioya and Mwassi. The Mwassi nation's leader, a tribal woman with dark skin and short hair, moved over and took her seat. Most of what people noticed, however, was her particular lack of a left arm just past the elbow. Had she been in a war? Or was the lower areas of Redonia just as dangerous as the northern areas? From the nation of Shioya came a man with long black hair, yellowish pale skin, and narrow eyes. He was dressed in a black kimono, and had two swords on his hip. With him was High Inquisitor Winchester and his wife Masami. The Kitsune was as beautiful as ever, dressed in a silky pink kimono with her hair done up just so. She smiled warmly at each of the delegation, before being lead to a seat that was prepared near High Inquisitor Winchester.

And soon enough, Velin herself arrived via portal. She stopped just outside the portal, looking around at the other delegates in the room. Her face bore a somber expression for the most part, which quickly changed to one of shock when she saw who was sitting next to her seat. Adona...He was here. It had been...well, forever since she had seen him. The god glanced back to her, and smiled. She couldn't help but smile back. It was certainly a feeling she was uncomfortable with at the moment. Especially after all they had been through. Velin eventually moved over to where her seat was, pulling it out and stepping in front of it. She didn't sit, however. Instead, she looked at each of the delegations once more. Everyone was here, thankfully. She adjusted the collar of her white button-up shirt, which fit her surprisingly well considering her muscular physique, and adjusted her eyepatch. Then, she spoke.

"Welcome to...the first ever Supernatural Summit." she said, her voice far softer than her usual serious and stern tone. "We're gathered here today to sort through a variety of issues...and hopefully get things right. To forge something that will last well beyond our times here in the mortal realm. We may be here just a day, or we may be here several days...Either way, let's get this done."

She then looked to Cassiel, whom stepped up to the table again as she sat down. An advisor stood and stepped over, beginning to pass out several sheets of paper which listed the items that would be discussed at the summit. As the papers were passed around the table, things grew quiet above in the spectator seats. And Cassiel soon spoke. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you the delegation from the fledgling nation of Nocturne--" he managed to get out, before King Newmont of Atraca spoke up to interrupt him. "They aren't a nation." he stated bluntly, looking towards Aleister. "They're a cluster of terrorists squatting on Atracan land, launching attacks against Atraca in retaliation to what the Church has done over the past three years."

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister raised a brow at the sudden interruption by the King. He hadn't expected the man to be anything less than abrasive, but they were hardly five minutes into the start of the meeting. It seemed the tempo was already being set without hesitation. Woe to those who could not fiddle fast enough. Aleister took a deep breath, crossed his arms over his lap, and when he spoke up his voice was projected clearly - he's had plenty of practice.

"It is remarkably convenient to forget that the Atracan government did little to cease or control the mayhem of the pogroms, in which Atracan civilians, and military and civil officials by their own accord, or in some circumstances by order of the superiors, either assisted in the slaying of supernaturals or stood aside to allow the violence to continue unabated. The Atracan government is guilty, as are many, in lacking the moral direction and strength to cease the purges. The Church is not wholly to blame, though rest assured, their sins are not forgotten, either," he said.

Then he gestured, almost casually, at Kregore and Langa. "As for squatting on Atracan land... I dare say the government knows a great deal about claiming islands and abandoning them and whatever people may be on them. There was but a whaling station on Nocturne, filled with starving and freezing whalers and weather scholars wondering when the next Atracan ship would come to give them a few more cans of rotten salmon from the homeland."

 

[Infab]

"Excuse me!?" fired back Newmont, starting to stand from his seat. But a look from Velin stopped him. She looked particularly angry, especially at him. "Sit down, Newmont." she spat after a moment, and the King inched back into his seat. Still fuming himself. Velin then looked to the rest of the delegation. "You will speak in an orderly fashion, when allowed to do so. You WILL NOT interrupt in the way that King Newmont of Atraca just did. Do I make myself clear? There will be time for open debate, but now is not that time. We just started this Summit, and proper political procedure will be followed." she stated, before looking back to Cassiel. Cassiel seemed unfazed by what just happened, and soon looked to the delegation once more.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to the delegation from the fledgling nation of Nocturne. Archbishop Aleister Germain, Deacon Carlio Silvatori, Madam Elfriede, and Lady Saeti Ruko." said the angel, motioning with hand to Aleister and his group. They stood and bowed slightly, before seating themselves again as Cassiel moved on to the next delegation. He proceeded around the room, introducing each delegation from each nation. Soon, he reached the Gods and their guests. Adona, Velin, and Undite were introduced to everyone, along with Rosanna, and then the guests. "Guests invited to this summit by Lady Velin are as follows: Ohemmaa Okomba Nyamme of the Redonian nation of Mwassi." he stated. The tribal woman with one arm stood and bowed, before seating herself again. "Iwasaki Takamichi, an envoy representing the Shogunate of the nation of Shioya." said Cassiel, motioning to the man in the kimono. He stood and bowed as well. "High Inquisitor of the Vigilant Order Tristan Winchester, and his wife Masami." Winchester and Masami stood and both bowed, before seating themselves again. "And former Inquisitor and Scholar Theodore Boivin." said Cassiel finally, moving to Theodore whom stood and bowed himself.

Cassiel then turned back to the rest of the delegation. "Please...try not to let your emotions get the best of you." he said finally, with a faint smile to each of them. He then stepped away from the table, returning to his seat off to the side away from the delegations and their advisors. Velin then spoke again. "Now...since you all are so eager to get right to it, let's get to the first item on the list." she said, looking at the paper in front of her. Number 1 on the list was...the purges. What caused all of this in the first place. She winced. "...Do we have any volunteers to speak first?" she asked, glancing up.

 

[SniperComZero]

The elven delegation, for all that they loved to play themselves up in the past, was the smallest out of any. Victorié and her band of fifteen, and whatever force that Arwen had scraped together for this merry band of political misfits. A delegation that grew even smaller still once they came upon a checkpoint, with the request to take away their weapons. Of course, mages simply needed to observe the honour rule, but those with physical weapons did not. With some deliberation, she brought only four of her guards within. The largest, and most heavily armored, and of course, the ones that would be able to take the most punishment should blows come to blows. She was banking on the idea that shouldn't happen. Hopefully.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn't a little intimidated by the rest of the delegations. Numbering up into the dozens, with what seemed to even be multi-continent spanning representation. Though, to be quite frank, she was somewhat confused as to why the rest of the world had seats at the table for what was, in her eyes, not much to do with any of their business. These humans were all strange anyways. Some dressing in dark clothes in heat like this, some looking even more primitive than the villages that she'd laid her own eyes upon-- however many years ago it was relative to the time she was in now. The mages-- or, goddesses, she supposed. Still felt strange to consider it. Plus one that seemed to have a connection to the two of them. Perhaps another god, or a less-than-mortal mortal with some ties towards them. She's heard her own stories of the strangeness of those celestial types.

One delegation in particular caught her eye however. The same that was having an argument only minutes into the very set tone of their meeting. They exuded that same strange, unshakably creepy aura that she had observed from the blackened wagons yesterday. It may have been coincidence, but she's certain the clothing of those standing behind them were the same ones who had been milling around outside that building. Dark, brooding, and-- carrying an elf in their entourage? Victorié raised her eyebrows slightly as she gazed over yes, what she's quite sure is one of her own kin. Kind of. Estranged cousins, more like. In either case, however, she'd make sure to keep them at arm's length, no matter how many possibly kindred spirits that they had in tow. Whoever it was that had sat down beside them was awfully buddy-buddy, and exuded that same disconcerting energy, but on a tenfold scale.

...She took her eyes away from that corner of the table. Thankfully, the topic of current discussion was unrelated, or at least she hoped as much, given the name, to her. She reached beneath her cloak. Perhaps a pipe would do well to quiet the nerves.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille could not help but crack a small smile at Aleister as he worked to deflect the accusations, though she would not be so bold as to interrupt during a political deliberation such as this. While the Atracan King was somewhat right, he phrased matters rather poorly and a bit too bluntly. Fortunately Velin could be relied on to keep tensions down, ironically enough. When it came time for volunteers to speak she noted that there was a pregnant moment of silence before she sighed and scooted her chair back to stand up. Her hands were placed behind her back as she introduced herself.

"I suppose I shall say my piece. My name is Camille Giguere, and I am an independent huntress that operates in Escaria and sometimes abroad. I was a member of the inquiry in Grimtham that put a stop to Duke Ashwood." she began, bowing her head slightly. "I must begin by saying I am truly honored to have a seat in this delegation, for when it comes to politics I typically do not hold much sway or take much stuck in it at all, truthfully."

"That said, I am concerned in doing what is right for the world and the people living in it. Contrary to my occupation, that includes vampires and those targeted by the purges." Camille stresses, glancing to Aleister directly. "The Nocturne delegation is right to vehemently oppose the purges, as do I. However to say that their methods of retaliation were warranted is another matter entirely. To extend the burden of guilt for the continuation of or the participation in the purges is completely idiotic. Were this some..." she pauses, raising a hand and gesticulating in a rotating motion as she thought on the words. "- written agreement that all nations were required to participate in the undertaking to make all supernaturals go extinct, that criticism may hold weight. However..."

Camille glanced to Velin next. "The purges were declared by a resentful being who wields tremendous power. Is it the responsibility of nations'leaders to defy 'divine' authority, especially when operating on senseless rage? Can they control the wills, hearts, and minds of their people who can be easily brought to hate by a goddess, so woven into the fabric of history that her word is treated as literal gospel? It is a futile venture, simply because of how much physical and political power the Church and its gods hold over our society."

"The purges have only brought chaos, they have disgraced the good name of hunters who only aim to work in reaction rather than outright offense, seeking to protect innocent lives rather than those ruffians who treat hunts like poaching deer in forests. The brigands and murderers that Velin openly accepted and encouraged in her Order, and those just like them in the Church." the huntress concludes with a slow sweep of her hand across the room. Her hands then return to behind her back, and she shakes her head.

"To that end, King Newmont is correct. The purges are on the Church and the gods. Yet Nocturne is not absolved, either." With those final words she takes her seat yet again.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"To that end, King Newmont is correct. The purges are on the Church and the gods. Yet Nocturne is not absolved, either."

Langa leans over with a grin and whispers to his boss. “[Watch me work.]” He raises his hand and points at Camille to indicate he wishes to speak next. “I take issue with that stance!” he says before he gets up from his seat. “Though first, I suppose a proper introduction is in order. My ‘name‘, or perhaps better yet my inmate number, is W77-339 as my real name was officially stripped from me long ago. I do give you all a fine greeting.” He removes his hat and performs a small bow towards the rest of the delegates. “Now, I ask this question not out of any sort of personal malice towards any of you, but out of genuine curiosity.” Slowy, he leans over the table as he looks some of the others in the eye. “What... what were you all doing when all these purges were happening? When people were buried alive in mass graves in their own backyards, when entire villages were lined up and shot, when entire families were dragged out from their homes and bound to one another and left to be burned alive by the rising sun? What were you people doing when hordes of madmen armed with torches and knives broke down doors to strangle babies in their cribs, to rip children out of their mothers arms, to kill and torture spouses in front of their loved ones!...” Again he starts sweating; having to recite the nauseating details of what he just read not too long ago is visibly affecting his temper. “... I understand if your people wouldn’t listen. I understand if they rejected you in favor of whatever random higher power there was... But please tell me that you leaders and rulers must’ve tried something to stop this in your lands?”

 

[Emperor Sagan]

"Indeed," Aleister echoed, voice hollow, after Langa had spoken. "I also take issue with your stance, Camille. The nations of this continent are absolved of wrongdoing because the people, the very fabric that creates a nation, acted without - or so we believe - direct orders of their government? How absurd. The very fact that no nation took a stance against the Church is alone undeniable proof of their complacency. Is it the responsibility of a nation's leader to defy divine authority? Of course it is! If your divine authority tells you to commit wholesale slaughter and murder of innocents, then of course you defy them because that authority is evil! If any god came to us and ordered us to eradicate Atraca, or Escaria, or Tsavania - is that okay because they ordered us to? And what, might I ask, be the purpose of a government if they cannot control their own people? That isn't a government, that's a cabinet of cowards who are more afraid for their own hides than to take a stand to preserve the sanctity of civilization, order, and common morality. Nocture has done nothing that was not conducted in self-defense. It was war, whether you choose to believe it or not. No people, no person, would bow their heads and allow themselves to be murdered by a bloodthirsty horde. If the people hadn't risen up under the permission of their government, granted by their inaction and complacency, then there would have been no risk of innocents getting caught in the crossfire. But because this very situation began with the express murder of innocents, I fail to see how any nation can claim any degree of innocence in the atrocity."

Aleister glanced around at the chamber. "Oh, and that was directed at all of you. The guilt is not on a single woman, even Velin, despite possessing the lion's share of the responsibility. Each and every one of you that did not do everything in your power to prevent the slaughter is guilty. In truth, I suppose I cannot be particularly surprised - this continent regularly bathes itself in the blood of innocents with each new war. Where is justice for the towns burned down from the firestorms caused by artillery during the Atracan-Tsavanian War? What of the pillaging of the countryside? The young men broken because their King or Empress pointed to the hills and commanded them to die in droves for the glory of the throne and a crown that couldn't spare them alms when they begged for food in the streets mere weeks before their conscription? Nocturne had no political angle, no saber to rattle, no posture to take. We are a people abused. Of course we fought back. The governments couldn't be bothered to save their own citizens when they turned against each other. It is despicable."

 

[Dmaster]

Since others were talking out of turn Camille figured it best to defend her point of view at this point. "You misunderstand, Aleister." she said simply, not quite bothering to look at him. "The gods wield an extreme amount of power, especially Velin. When she came down from the heavens she did so with wrath in droves, and while I personally possess the ability to stand my ground and refuse the utterly stupid orders to purge all supernaturals, not everyone else does. The gods are placed on such pedestals with the Church only slightly beneath them, holding a great deal of sway internationally." she retorts. "The situation would have gone even further out of control if nations took a stand against, I reiterate, a god because they are that ingrained in our world. Mon Dieu, the continent is named after one of them sitting in this very room! I do not condone them, I do not excuse them, but I have the capability to understand that the nations' hands were tied. Some could have sided with Velin where others opposed her, lines would have been drawn, war could break out."

"It is odd to say that you were acting in self defense, when at that point the atrocities you committed yourself happened when you were hidden away from the public and Adonia at large. Rather than act as a safe haven for your refugees, you resort to drawing battle plans and try to perform mass killings of your own. You put your own people in the crossfire, and have given your hateful enemies reason to rally against your kind even more." Camille spits. "You are a walking contradiction - you act in the best interests of your people yet you are willing to throw them to the hounds. Had you no faith in your goddess to sway Velin to stop the purges? Did you expect this embarrassment to last forever? Funny how you condemn the King and Empress yet you are guilty of the same crimes yourself."

 

[K0mori]

Marie-Claire waited until the Marquess had finished speaking before clearing her throat, but she would need to wait until the impudent Nocturne delegation had given its vitriol. "Greetings, everyone, I know that an introduction is unneccessary, so I shall get right to the point. What the others have said is true: it is the position of this kingdom that the purges were an act of terrible malfeasance of the church, a misapplication of spiritual trust and authority." She looked to Velin somewhat fearfully; it was clear that this condemnation was one of the greatest sources of the young Queen's anxiety.

"Before the purges began, Escaria had a somewhat 'special' relationship with the vampires, one which my father may have irreparably damaged by failing to rebuke the Church's orders... I, too, regret not acting in defiance. It was of course our fear that we would be acting alone that drove me to cooperate, even though I had decided long before my ascension that what I was being asked to do was wrong. I feared that if we were to break rank with the other nations, we would experience divine retribution. Call that cowardice if you like, but if you were placed in the position of chosing innocent deaths of your own people or the innocent deaths of another's, you would choose for others to die. But while I merely stood out of the way and allowed these deaths to occur, you, sir, ordered them directly. However, we must remain focused on the topic at hand." She turned to Juste, giving a respectful nod, as the President had informed her just prior to the summit of the old Steward's role in the proceedings.

"In the south of our country, there were at once three county titles held by vampires, all of which cooperating amicably with the royal government to ensure peace and order. In those southern lands, les gens de la nuit, as they were known, lived among humans without issue. The... mutual needs of the populations were met without the sort of parasitic relationship feared by other nations. When the purges began, that special relationship was shattered. At once, the county governments fell into disarray, longstanding business partnerships collapsed, and violence erupted in the countryside."

Juste cleared his throat, signalling his eagerness to speak his case. The Queen turned to him. "I have invited a special witness: this is Monsieur Juste, Steward of the County of La Cygne."

Juste stood, straightening his jacket as he did so, and looked over the gallery of faces fiercely. "I come on behalf of Monsieurs Comtoix and Babineau, and, in the fondest memory, the esteemed Madame Desrosiers.

"When I was a young man, the unruly son of immigrants to Escaria from Eshax, I became a ruffian and a drifter. Yes, I abandoned my ailing family and spent years searching for employ. I lost my eye in an accident while ship breaking on the southern coast, and nearly drank myself into an early grave. It was during those dark days that a wine merchant from out west told me that there was good work available for those with an open mind.

"I traveled west and found myself in La Cygne, where the crumbling estate was being restored by an industrious and ambitious young woman who had recently acquired the title by purchasing it from the Duke. I would soon find that she was, in fact eternally young- a vampire who had managed to survive years of hunts and self-isolation to emerge wealthy and with her mind and good nature intact.

"When she found me, she took me under her wing. I was able to revisit and complete my education thanks to private tutors, who also helped to train other professionals on the estate. I learned mathematics, and gradually my work shifted from menial tasks to that of accounting, shipping and receiving, and eventually, as I grew older and more experienced, the role of steward for the entire estate.

"We made wine," Juste said, "but we also saw to the needs of the village bearing our property's name. We established the laws which allowed for the peaceful integration of vampires and werewolves into human society, and we policed the lawbreakers ourselves. We enriched the schools and clinics in the area, and sought to increase the wealth and happiness of our constituents.

"There were some who called it a conspiracy," he added, looking harshly at King Newmont. "They said that we wished to install a vampire as duke or duchess over the land. And I can tell you that it was true: my Lady dreamed to one day ascend to that duchy title, But what count or countess doesn't want to climb the ranks? And, I might add, the two counts who ruled in neighboring territories were no less benevolent. Ask the people of Chalmette Florissant if they appreciate their new leadership more than the old, and you will know that things have been tarnished.

"After nearly 50 years of serving my Lady, she departed on a mission to Grimtham to meet with the Inquisitors there. As fate would have it, it was Madame Giguere who motivated Madame Desrosiers to travel, as the latter wished to speak with the most notable huntress in the Kingdom in hopes of securing a truce. Ironically, the mission would result in my Lady's death and the religious panic which brought calamity down on La Cygne and all of Escaria.

"Within weeks of the news reaching us that the fair Lady had passed, word was spreading that a great and terrible purge was coming, but even our worst fears fail to enumerate the tragedies that have befallen us. The surviving counts now live in fear in a location I will not divulge, but they have spent nearly their entire fortunes simply trying to survive long enough to return to peaceful living. Their estates have been stolen by humans who have torn apart the fabric of society, inviting thugs and mercenaries into our town squares, allowing mass burnings of formerly loved neighbors and entrepreneurs.

"La Cygne now produces a bitter swill called 'Travere Red,' a wine so offensive to the senses that we've had a hell of a time finding buyers, even in Daristein, with no offense intended to their delegation. And with the collapse of our industry, already we have seen an increase in infant mortality and a decrease in school attendance. Along with the murder and flight of vampires, we've seen a flight of humans as well, away from our troubled lands. I have seen my life's work, the beautiful life I lived, erased as if it meant nothing at all! For the sake of decency, for the sake of reason, and for the sake of livelihood, the purges must end, and the right of peaceful people, including those carrying the curse of vampirism or lycanism, to live amongst supposedly civilized society must be recognized."

Juste finally sat down, having said everything he had come to say. He had no words for the Nocturne delegation, as he would leave that to the Queen, who, in turn, was waiting for the topic to become appropriate. Tiredly, she stood again, a bit relieved to have such a strong speaker to make the case for her. "Thank you, Monsieur Juste. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the cause for which we are most concerned. We must not only end the violence, but restore order and a lasting peace. So I am announcing that it is our intention to render restitution to the displaced victims of this tragedy. If our dealings at this summit can restore the trust these good people once held with our royal government, then I will see to it that they can return home with everything I can provide to alleviate the terrible pain we've caused. However, I also know that I cannot replace lives lost. It is a shame I will bear for the rest of my life, and one which will motivate me to work harder in the name of my people- all of my people.

"And, with all of that said, this holds no bearing on my opinion of the leaders of Nocturne," she added, as if to placate the Atracan king, who had almost turned crimson in fury at the young Queens platitudes toward the vampires. "When it is appropriate to discuss, Escaria will make known its desire to bring guilty parties to justice."

 

[Infab]

As the others spoke up out of turn, Velin eventually just sighed and massaged her eyes with her fingers. These people apparently don't listen at all. Then she felt someone touch her arm. She looked over to see that Adona had reached over and grasped her hand. "...Just relax. Let them talk it out." he said, before giving her a smile. Velin gazed at him for a few moments. "...Right." she said softly, as Adona gently released her hand.

Soon enough, King Newmont spoke again. "Atraca attempted to combat the senseless violence caused by these purges in our own ways. Legislation was signed and laws put into effect. I granted money to the Atracan Hunter's Guild in an effort to curb the violence here in Southern Atraca. They, along with the Detective Agency here, have put a stop to various hate crimes. In the north, the Royal Mages have done their own work to combat the likes of Velin's Order and the Church's Inquisitorius as well as the thugs that brought it upon themselves to murder innocent supernaturals. So if you say we did NOTHING to stop this, you're more wrong than you can imagine."

"These purges should have never happened. Period. But they did, and what could any of us have done to stop them? We were dealing with, at the time, a violent warlord of a goddess. One that could easily cleanse entire nations off the map with her raw power. Do you honestly think Atraca could have fully stood up against her will? Or Escaria? Or Tsavania? Even Daristein? We would have been slaughtered without remorse for disobeying that woman." he stated, pointing directly to Velin. "Countless lives were lost, and countless more would have perished had we fought back. And as Miss Giguere stated, some of the other nations here might have joined Velin, either willingly or under direct threat. The war that would have ensued would have likely covered the continent. Would you rather have had potentially billions die, Mister Germain?"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“If I may interject once more,” says Langa raising a hand. “I have doubts against the notion that you people would’ve picked sides over this. It seems to me all of you share the sentiments that this genocide is of the purest evil. This is all well and good, but the only reason I see that some of you might not and end up fighting one another is because of Nocturne’s response against all the killings done to their kind; an act of understandable retaliation.”

Meanwhile, Kregore’s chair creaks a little noisily since he leans back in boredom. Occasional glances are taken at the gods and on that one muscular woman in particular; the one everyone is angry about. ‘Velin’ she’s called, and he recalls her name written by a baleful hand in the note papers, but also whenever Ratka bothered him about Undite. He doesn’t understand. The more he looks at her, at Undite, and that other one, the less he understands. These three are gods? This has to be a cruel joke. This has to be a fraud. He’s always suspected it ever since Ratka opened her mouth at him and now this is the closest he’ll get to a confirmation. They look like ordinary people, even Undite in her flashy clothing. Hell, one of them even looks like he came right off the street outside. They’re nothing like the gods the Kainuto worship, and this so-called ‘murderous and bloodthirsty’ Velin is nothing like their war god, Tuzzurot the Blood-Faced.

Driving him even more into indifference is how everyone is so distraught at these purges. Now why was this such a disgrace? What was so terrible about it to the point even these leaders appeared remorseful for it? You should be happy that a god is callIng on you to carry out their will! Had Tuzzurot manifested before Kregore and ordered him to go and kill, then by his hand the entire island would’ve been wiped out before he’d finish his breath. And while he understands why Langa is deeply upset as his mother might’ve been caught up in these purges, he can’t really say he feels the same. The second thoughts about attending make him scratch his forehead in mild embarrassment about having to sit through all this. But alas, he’s a Warder, and a Warder does not feel shame. For Rigo’s sake, he’ll stay here and observe, and for Langa’s sake, he’ll speak whenever possible in defense of Aleister.

 

[Dmaster]

"If Nocturne was looking to 'understandably retaliate' monsieur I would think that they should target the Church, not whole ports of people who had little claim to their conflict." Camille shoots back, narrowing her eyes at Langa. Who even was this vampire? Just as Aleister he tried to appeal to emotions more than logic, but there was nothing excusing what the revered 'Archbishop' had decided to do. Even then, she had full suspicion that his mad cabinet of like-minded vampires were also all too happy to conduct the attacks. "The responsibility of the purges is wholly on Velin. She practically intimidated every nation she could into rallying against the supernatural. Though you are making me repeat myself."

 

[Breadman]

Theodore sat in his seat and took notes of the those who spoke. He didn't doubt that historians are already busy documenting the event, but he would lie if he didn't have an interest to document his own view of the events. It was good seeing Rosana again. He happily returned the wave back to her before turning his attention to the summit.

The topic quickly shifted to where it was the most logical to go. But it looked like most were ready to dump the blame on the Church and it's goddess. Although she tried to reign in control of the situation, it looked like she would have to take the brunt of the responsibility for the bloodshed. Theodore glanced towards Royland, who was standing guard near one of the entrances. Stoic as ever on the surface, but the scholar knew him better. His left hand was balled up into a fist, while the right looked like it was resting on his sword, had his fingers curled around the pommel and gripping it tight. He was fuming. The teacher wondered how long before that would be literal.

Next was her majesty, Marie-Claire. It was no secret he had no love for the royal family and their dimwit cousins. A symptom of a larger problem of nobility being woefully incompetent and incapable of running a country. But that is a problem as old as the country itself. But despite his own biases, the queen was speaking from the heart in her commitment to do right by her people, or was a good enough actor to seem like it. Stopping the purges was going to be a nice start, but then what? Those needing punishment for their deeds were not just mere soldiers or commoners. The nobility and administration in many places were spurring the mobs on in order to appease Velin's reign of terror. If she was committed to what she was saying, then her majesty would have to take the saw and cut off a few branches off the family tree.

And as if she was going to be the only one. Kings and queens looking for an excuse to wash their hands off the guilt. And agitators were willing to distract from the core issue among the crowd. He didn't know who the vampires accompanying Aleister were, but it seemed like they had made the decision to defend him to the grave in order to stoke the fires. It was working. Perhaps he had a use for the summit after all.

"If I may interrupt." He raised his voice "Before the blaming and pointing of fingers continues, I have a question for the sake of those that will bear the brunt of any decision that is made here. Lets say you lob off Aleister's head clean from his shoulders." He motioned a clean swipe with his finger. "Justice is served and it's displayed somewhere as a grizzly trophy. There is a historical precedent for this. Vlad the skewer, Madame Monique, Samael the black and so forth and so forth. You upper class love your theatrics." A slight pause to stop himself from berating them further. As much as he would like to, it was going to distract from his point "What are you actually going to do to halt the purges and restore dignity and stability to your lands? Because rampaging goddess or no, these purges are nothing new. They have always been a minor footnote of every century of our collective history. A systematic tool to either appease the Church, or for the sake of some noble's thirst for glory."

"I am very aware of the hypocrisy of me, a former inquisitor and member of the order of Velin, pointing out the reality that these purges while having contributed directly or indirectly to them by my own actions and investigations. But it doesn't matter. I am a cog in a machine built by the Church and the nations that choose to abide said church. When my time comes, I'll be judged and that will be the end of me. What you decide, will echo for centuries and have repercussions from the top to the bottom of the societal hierarchy. So I ask to those who bring their weight to the table, do you actually have plans and solutions? Or have you brought empty platitudes to feed to the press and historians?"

 

[Infab]

Undite surprisingly spoke next. "...I plan to assume the helm of leadership within the church at the end of this summit. I have already discussed this with my fellow goddess, and she agrees that I should take up the reigns as she no longer sees herself fit to do it." she stated, looking to Velin. Velin slowly nodded. "...I'm in no position to run anything, so someone else should take up my position." she said softly.

Undite then continued. "Velin has ceased the purges, and has abolished her personal Order. Royland, the knight you see over there, is one of the last remaining official members. He will be moved to serve in the Inquisitorium." she said, motioning to Royland. "And speaking of the Inquisitors, the Vigilant Order is being reformed in its entirety. The cancer that has festered within it, turning it to zealotry, is being cut out."

She took a breath, before speaking again. "The Church...will take a step back from the world. We are in no position to lord over sovereign nations anymore. In the old days, at the end of the Age of Darkness and in the years following, we were needed. It is a different era, and we are no longer needed in the same capacity as before. We will be here for spiritual guidance, holy blessings, marriages, and so on. Stuff you would normally expect of the Church. However, the Vigilant Order will continue to do its work...under new guidelines and rules as written by the nations of Adonia. The Inquisitors will behave like a normal hunting guild, working for the Church. They will not intervene in things unless requested. The supernatural will also be allowed to join the Church as well as the Vigilant Order, should they choose to do so...I see all of these changes as a step in the right direction for the Church." She then looked about at the various delegations. "...The Church will also begin delivering reparations to those that the Vigilant Order have harmed during these past few years. We can't bring loved ones back...but we can try to make it easier on the families that have suffered at our hand. Churches and Cathedrals will be open to one and all seeking asylum. And I will actively work myself to see these changes brought to fruition."

King Newmont nodded once Undite finished. "Atraca will also begin issuing reparations to Atracan citizens affected by the purges. And we will assist the Church in making their internal changes should they wish. Rogue members of the now-abolished Velin's Order will be hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the crimes they have committed. As will the citizens of Atraca that chose to participate or aid in the hate crimes that were committed."

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister listened on, head bowed slightly and his eyes closed, arms across his chest. There was a severe expression on his face as he concentrated on the voices. Some of them weren't unreasonable; others were delusion wrapped in pretend rationale. His opinion of the Escarian Queen diminished further, and Camille... she was a beast that couldn't, and would not, ever understand. Not for the first time he wondered if the Grimtham Inquiry had even happened, or if it had been a dream. How things have changed. Newmont was a blustery fool, and Theodore, that mad scholar, spoke with some reason. He could hardly believe he agreed even partly with a would-be necromancer. He was also surprised his associates, or rather, singular associate, from Caraborough was well spoken.

When the rounds were finished, he opened his eyes without hesitation and fixed his gaze on Marie-Claire. "Yes, you are a coward. Do not presume to think that we vampires are so weak of will that we would, without second thought, sacrifice the lives of others to save our own hides. Those of us that form communities, like Nocturne, live by a very particular code of ethics. Children, for example. A vampire who harms or feeds from a child is either turned over to the authorities, imprisoned by our own authorities as informal as they are, or simply slain. You might see us as cowards and impulsive fools, but if vampires were as weak-willed as you seem to believe, there would be massacres daily and this entire event would have happened centuries ago until neither humans nor vampires were still alive. Not all of us are paragons, clearly. There are lapses. But in this instance - at this time - you are wrong to think we would bow to a higher power that demands slaughter. After all, were we not already fighting Velin by extension? We already took that stand. Precious few of you did."

"Likewise, your desire to bring harmony back to the vampiric provinces of Escaria seem remarkably callous and without heart. You seek the prosperity of wealth and status of your vineyards, not any real desire to right past wrongs. We don't fault any vampire that wishes to return to their homes and lives there, but we do pity them, for they will be the first to be slaughtered and served up on a dish to be sacrificed when something goes wrong and the royalty need a scapegoat to save themselves. Your own little zoo for supernaturals. I would almost be willing to believe your supposed sincerity if the crown hadn't allowed them to be killed so quickly. You say that you will work harder in the name of your people - all your people - yet a great deal of your people took part and reveled in the atrocity. I do wonder what you will do if they attempt to do the same again. You might live with shame for the rest of your life, but that is infinitely more than can be said for those that died without their superiors shielding them as they are supposed to."

"As for you, King Newmont, some officials of Atraca might not have lost their minds and joined the mayhem, but do not think token efforts make up for the bulk of the horror. We wouldn't be here, again, if there was not tens of thousands, possibly more, now dead. Lost to this world forever. You claim officials tried to stop. I do believe that, it has been noted. And they are the exception, a small fraction, not the weight of the full tide," he paused for a moment before continuing. "As for defying Velin... yes, I suspect there would have been a lot more death. The nations of this continent didn't choose the apparent righteous but hard choice to condemn thousands to death for no reason in order to save the majority... they did so because they, as I already have pointed out to Queen Marie-Claire, are cowards. If billions were to have died in the fight for a righteous cause against injustice, then so be it. If the very demons of the Abyss rose up today and demanded that we dance to their sick, twisted demands to rape, murder, thieve, and defile all that is even remotely just or holy... are you saying that, because they are more powerful than any one of us, you would obey them?"

"In the eyes of these people," he said, gesturing at the Nocturne delegation, "We've already deemed Velin an arch demon for her actions. No, she is not technically by birth a demon, unless one is wearing her skin, but her actions do not belong to that of any divine being. If the ruler of the Abyss held his blade to my neck and told me it was my life or my family, I would beg him to kill me slowly so that those I care for could use my demise as a time to escape."

He looked to Camille. "You claim the Church is entirely responsible, and that the governments acted under duress. By that reasoning, the government is an extension of the Church and their sovereignty diminished. Therefore, we struck a military installation. We see no reason not to pay reparations to rebuild the port, for our aim was the destruction of the naval mooring there, not the harm of any civilian populace. We are an island nation. Any strategist would realize the necessity in limiting your enemy's capacity to utilize the sea. It was war, and before it could spiral into something even more ugly... we've all ended up here. And if you even suggest that we should have ignored the military ships... do ask every military commander to have ever worn a uniform if they would not shell a fortress or enemy position simply because there were non-military structures nearby. The ones that say yes are the ones that lost their battles. I do not like the reasoning. I, in fact, quite detest it. The difference between our actions and the actions of other conflicts is that we did so entirely out of self-defense. There would have been no attack if we were not being slaughtered. As I said, there was no political posturing. This wasn't a fight for a parcel of land or the glory of a metal ring you set upon your head. It was a fight for the lives of countless innocents."

He paused once again, changing his address to the chamber. "Things cannot go back to the way they were. I do applaud the efforts, as vain and thin as some seem, to compensate survivors and organize reform. At least there is a kernel of justice in that, even if it stems from the need to keep up appearances. Nocturne looks forward to an amicable future with the new reformed Church... but that will not mend the schism that has already occurred. If there are to be generations born from the ashes of this event on the continent, perhaps they may find a place in that fabric. For those who have retreated to the sanctuary of Nocturne, who have seen their homes destroyed, their livelihoods crushed, and families and friends murdered... it will take far more than that to convince them that the danger is truly over."