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senatushq · 1 year ago

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“Remember that a sword held by someone who is about to die will never be able to protect anything.” - Alzira

At dawn, the resistance began to move.

In the Draconic City above, Rhovanor, Eoin, Ezekiel, Nathaniel, Gael, and Zagreus landed by virtue of Felandaris’ magic. Transported there and shielded from psychic detection by Rhovanor while Sanem’s apparatuses prevented their magic from being discovered. It was here that Pelorus, Echion, Udaeus, and Hyperenor rested in between excursions. The world was all but purged and the dracaenic vessels of dragon-deities had little to fear from what few rebels remained. The world was theirs, they had won. Deep within Tiamat’s fortress, Pluto scrubbed at the scales of the dragon, her children Demetria and Mordukhavar scorning him as he did. Caio filed his nails and watched, basking in all his good fortune. In the distance Pluto felt the approach of someone from his bloodline, but as the Great Old Ones ridiculed him the original vampire remained silent. This was the first inclination of hope that he’d felt for a decade. The six rebels made their way into the bowels of the city, and it was here that they took up their position and waited. Keket was their soul priority, even if it killed them she had to be free.

In the heart of Forsaken Rome, Emory, Xerxes, Nirvaan, Andruil, Prometheus, and Adatiel slipped from the catacombs below onto the streets above. The ruins of Rome that had been left were transformed into a city of pure, Elysian Gold; Eldritch Technology controlled the city as automatons, illithids, and demons patrolled alongside the Archfiends of the Inferno. The heart of the industrial system, it was here that Renfield had his true body. The minds of those he controlled embedded with his tentacles were only puppets, but it was here that the captured halfbloodeds were kept and made to use their magic constantly. Rawlins, Cloe, Micah, Ismael, and Blair among them. Harellan, Narcissus, Soren, Komos, and The Bottle lingered here. Protecting it, guarding it. The rebels’ target was Trivia, however, as a problem was created that only her magic could solve, the rebels moved in secret to draw several very large summoning circles.

In the ruins below Forsaken Rome, in what was once Necromanteion’s lowest ritual chamber, Gaybe, Esme, Serissa, Ayla, Cedric, and Atarniel navigated the underground terrain to try and locate the body of the deceased spartoi, Cthonius. Cedric scouted the caverns ahead, searching for weak points and inconsistencies as Esme moved the earth to clear a path forward. Work was slow and methodical, high above Pelorus was always looking, and always searching. Inside his vessel the spartoi was screaming, why was he being made to work so much? He'd been lied to! Lazy Pelly-chan. Gaybe had given them a relative location, he could see the chamber, and he could see the rock patterns that surrounded it, but it was Serissa and Atarniel who carved their way through the creatures that patrolled. Careful not to alert the hive minded illithids, each was pinned, their magic cut off, and then cut down.

In the fortified perimeter of Forsaken Rome, the grove of Telperion had grown; fertilised by the bodies of countless fey and elves, the trees were nearing maturity. The first crop of ambrosia would secure the powerlines of the Great Old Ones and give them strength enough to destroy the incursion of the Clockwork creatures outside the borders of their realm. Renfield had already learned how to harvest them for their power, had mapped the blueprint of their souls, and all that remained now was to destroy these creatures once and for all. It was here that the remainder of the Great Old Ones patrolled: Ilsensine (Marzia Bianchi), Luna, Assan, and The Despair. Between Forsaken of Rome and the silver orchard, a great wall of living flames erupted: Titania, Rainer, Mars, Juno, Venus, and Melpomene began their assault, to free the fey, and to create a sizable distraction.

As the strike against the Telperion orchard began, Atarniel slipped into the body of Cthonius while those beneath Forsaken Rome used the fusion of Sanem’s technology and Felandaris’ magic to transport herself back to the lair. The body of the demigod abandoned on the slab, Atarniel returned to her previous form and set to make her way back up to the surface alongside the others. Chaos would soon fall through the streets and they were resolved to meet it head one. It was above the ground that they joined the rebels seeking to liberate Trivia from her bindings.

To quell the flames that would not allow anyone to support the forces at the Telperion forest, Soren dragged Trivia from the bowels of her cell. Deep within the network of the city, The wall of fire went up, they were given the all clear from the rebels below and from the street they watched as Trivia was marched forward; Nirvaan’s power, activated by Felandaris and Sanem’s technology, triggered the transformation of the Fallen Aasimar. At blinding speed Soren was eviscerated before Nirvaan turned his attention to the enemies that immediately began to fall upon them. Renfield had embedded himself into the very framework of Forsaken Rome. Where The Great Old One ended and the organic technology began was indistinct, but he was still organic and everything connected back to him. Prometheus placed his hands upon Trivia and felt Renfield’s power screaming into his mind, but not before he severed the connection to not just the original witch, but the halfbloodeds held captive as well.

Trivia’s mind was still broken, her identity practically erased, but she was still powerful. A coven was more than a collective of witches, it could be any number of people bound together through the witches’ mark. It wasn’t perfect, but Emory had studied it long enough to be able to link himself to the rest of the rebels, he marked each of the rebels with a rose in bloom and tethered them together like any coven. Emory invoked Trivia's name, her power, and her magic over the Otherworld; then he used it to do three things, one was to rip open the sky, the other was to conjure Remus back from The Void. From there, and the last was to bring the Lycaon's feral pack of lycans into the heart of it all.

Below the Draconic City in Forsaken Rome, chaos had erupted. Tiamat’s children descended towards the Telperion, that was their prize and what they valued most of all. Titania, Melpomene, their Blade, and their vampires would be dispatched quickly and easily enough. Rhovanor found the psychic pulse of Keket buried within the flying city, and far below he led the other five, avoiding detection wherever possible as the bulk of the city’s defences poured out below. To Tiamat the rebellion below was the last of the threat, despite the significant intelligence of Serpents, their arrogance was even stronger. Within the Draconic City the invading rebels had been discovered by Pelorus, and as they headed toward's Keket's cell the former brothers spartoi stood in their path. Triggering his abilities thanks to the device designed for him and the other Fallen Aasimar, Zagreus battled the draconic deities while the others advanced. While Hyperenor and Echion were killed, Udaeus and Pelorus tore the nephilim’s head off after disabling his magic. Keket was freed, transported to the ritual chamber in the same way that Cthonius had been before the Great Old Ones could catch up to them. Rhovanor, Eoin,and Nathaniel lept; Ezekiel and Gael went looking for Pluto.

Remus had been conjured in the heart of Forsaken Rome and immediately began to rampage once more, he smashed structures, levelled buildings and tore The Great Old One Komos clean in two as Clockwork machines began to pour in from the broken sky above. Indiscriminate killers, they butchered Nirvaan, Xerxes, and Atarniel as the Clockwork AI sought to exterminate all natural life.

Keket appeared in the ritual chamber, Cthonius' body on the slab already prepared. Within were Felandaris, Tamlen, Sanem, Kaan, and Marisol: with precious little time, the hairbrained plot that had been proposed to the aspect over ten years prior was finally being brought to fruition. Her blood, it always came back to her blood, a sickening and vile feeling but here they were with nearly everything that they would ever need. A pint or two would not be enough, they needed all of it, every last drop was transferred from her body and into Cthonius’. When she fell, Marisol gave the heroine her hand and walked her to the door on the other side of The Void. In time, Marisol would escort nearly all of them before she herself finally faded with the last of life.

Kaan had been separated from the necronomicon for fifteen years, but before that he was tethered to it for nearly four-thousand. A necromancer of the highest echelon, he’d coached the drow sorcerer through the breadth of the reincarnation that was otherwise lost to him. The necronomicon was formidable, but drow had been making pacts with fiends and devils for thousands of years, and Felandaris had gathered enough magic over the last decade and a half from Tamlen’s ever-flowing fountain to force the hand of a God. There was enough power discreetly stored under Forsaken Rome to destroy not just the city, but the realm entirely.

Sanem had seen to every calculation a dozen times over, had fabricated countless pieces of technology to improve the scope of abilities of those she was working with, as well as prolong their chances of fighting The Great Old Ones above. United through Emory’s mark, once the ritual began there would be nothing stopping Pelorus from knowing exactly what they were, and likely exactly what they were doing.

Onto the street, Ayla walked and met with the others: Rhovanor, Eoin, Nathaniel, Gaybe, Esme, Serissa, Cedric, Emory, Andruil, and Adatiel. All around them the feral lycans tore through the city, a sea of lycanthropy, but the rebels were stronger together, so as planned they shielded Trivia’s body where she would not be detected and took to fighting with The Great Old Ones and their forces that remained in Forsaken Rome: Harellan, The Bottle, Pelorus, Narcissus, Udaeus, and Renfield. While the ubiquitous mass of tentacles had quickly recovered from Prometheus’ brief assault, the avariel was quickly found and violently butchered/talked to death by Narcissus. Cloe’s automatons were under her control, the animals that Ismael had taken over, and the devices that Rawlins had fabricated belonged to the halfbloodeds now. Micah did not survive the separation. The Clockwork did not cease, they battled between the two with numbers that poured through in countless synergy from above, they attacked Remus but as they swarmed him the aspect could not be felled easily as he thrashed great limbs and breathed monstrous air across Forsaken Rome. Madness incarnate.

Above Forsaken Rome, in the Draconic City of Tiamat, the great five-headed dragon queen had grown tired of batting Pluto around, so while the warriors fought, she moved to stand over the ledge and look down below. Pluto, in chains, was found quickly by Ezekiel and Gael. An additional vampire of the same sire line and a single human wasn’t noticeable, even to the dragon’s senses, with the original’s manacles broken, Pluto was free for the first time in fifteen years. Bats and ravens flew from the palace, Pluto to join his siblings, Ezekiel and Gael to join their friends.

At the borders of the Telperion forest, Titania, Rainer, Melpomene, Mars, Juno, and Venus fought. Protected from Ilsenine’s mental warfare by Titania’s song, their ears plugged against Assan's voice casting, the warriors and aspects fought against the hordes of creatures as they battled to penetrate the forest. Bats manifested a physical form as Pluto joined the fray, after being absent for thousands of years four siblings reunited at long last. The tide did not change, but still they pressed onward. Above, Tiamat roared, displeased, she descended onto the forest as each of her five heads unleashed a rage of elements.

Pythia, had been betrayed. The liar and the serpent, her and her siblings had been relegated to… policing a trapped witch in a Forsaken City that had relatively entertainment. Serving at the behest of an inflated God’s ego. In quiet she conspired, though unaware of it, Lilith had planted the thought there all along. She’d sewn it into the other archfiends’ as well, all save for Beelzebub, who’d gone along with the plan happily enough. When the rebels rose up, they, along with their demons, did the same. The archfiends and Megaera cut down and killed the disgusting mass of nouns, The Bottle, and began to carve away at the varied tentacles of Renfield as they tried to slice their way into his core. Overpowered, The Great Old One embedded his limbs into their brains and took to personally puppetting them instead as the archfiends turned to fight the rebels now instead.

Ayla hummed with power, trapped and pinned down, the target was Pelorus, and had always been Pelorus. Beneath the city the ritual began and as the rebels managed to create an opening, the Fallen Aasimar activated and cut through him. Unfortunately, it was only moments after the rest of The Great Old ones had been alerted. Torn and battling on several fronts, the swarms headed for the catacombs as the rebels retreated to the only entrances they had left unsealed. It was here that the survivors would hold them. Ayla’s limp body hung from Udaeus' blade, impaled before she was dropped dead to the earth.

Tiamat’s breath stripped the stamina from the already weary warriors, but as his blood fell upon the ground, Mars was only incensed further. A berserker driven into a frenzy, the original siblings watched as Juno was cut down and beheaded but those that remained pressed that much harder. Forced to the ground by the crippling weight of Tiamat’s power, a hum began to reverberate through the air. A song of ancient origin rippled in the sky, a gate opened and through it sailed the remaining ten muses: Melete, Aoede, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. Accompanied by the astral elf, Yavie, and Hayliel with a Mickey Mouse parachute.

The Muses and Goddesses turned the tide, but not before countless bombs that had been constructed over the last fifteen years fell upon Telperion and The Great Old Ones. Modified not to harm any fey or elven life, the original vampires had to run and take cover. Astral in origin, they tore pockets in the landscape and revealed the bodies of countless within. Mordukhavar, son of Tiamat, contested with Yavie and Rainer as mentor and pupil locked swords with the Great Old One. Pulled from the ground, the elves and the fey that had been imprisoned were once again free. Aeode lent her aetherial song to them and replenished their magic, Thalia joined in and restored their vitality, and Melete harmonised to heal their broken bodies. Imprisoned and bled for their power for fifteen years, the fey and the drow rose once again and moved against The Great Old Ones. Conjured from the ground itself, Tamlen was brought to his wardee's side as the chancellors united and the Titan towered above the ground again.

Below Forsaken Rome, in the catacombs beneath, the ritual began. Kaan and Felandaris had both contested with dark forces before, but this would be one like no other. Cronus was older than the continent of Faerûn, older than Fate or Creation. Now they conspired to give him physical form. Greater than any tower the Architect had previously constructed, for someone who knew how to make use of the raw, cosmic power that Tamlen had given, anything was possible. Bound through Emory’s mark, Trivia’s Otherworldly power flowed through them as they started.

Above, Luna was cut down, Ilsensine as well, Renfield was torn apart into pieces and Remus was eviscerated down to his very core. Udaeus was shredded, The Weary was turned inside out, and all five of Tiamat’s heads were cut off and rolled across the ground to join her children. The Clockwork had descended upon the field as the machines tore Lycaon and his army into nothing more than fur and sinew. The Titan devastated the landscape, but its body was pulverized into dust, and as Tamlen was reformed at the Laurelin, both him and the tree were torn from the root by the Clockwork.

The Clockwork were winning, and quickly. Rainer fought valiantly and took a shot of aetherial mana that was intended for Titania, falling as his sword broke and his spirit dissipated at long last. Venus went next, Pluto followed shortly after. Mars remained but the fey and drow were falling away in droves as the machines closed in against them closer, and closer. Their circle grew smaller and smaller. In the sky above, Hayliel slowly floated down, unnoticed by many as he watched everything with a pair of binoculars. More bombs fell from the fallen, scattering the machines as the bodies of Tiamat's children were pulled apart and dismembered.

The last of the rebels stood in defence of the caves as the armies of The Great Old Ones were eviscerated by the machines that poured endlessly from the sky above. Trivia’s body was discovered and destroyed, the power of the Rebels fractured, and all that remained were the few. Rhovanor, Eoin, Nathaniel, Ezekiel, Gael, Gaybe, Esme, Serissa, Cedric, Emory, Andruil, and Adatiel. Behind them the ritual continued, and they held. Magic, blades, bullets, aether, psionics, lightning, earth, air, and brute strength. They should have crumpled then, the machines should have washed over them like they were nothing, but still they held and not a single inch of ground was lost until it was soaked in blood. Marisol appeared now and then, she’d offer a kind word heard to only one, and she’d bring them to the other side. Just as she’d done for so many others over the years.

Cthonius rose from the slab bound by sacred pact, raw aetherial power, and cutting edge technology. The machines eviscerated the outer defences and the Clockworked roared into the chamber, the last of the rebels nearly cut down, and there they were frozen. “It will come with a cost.” “...” “Six.”

And then, just like that. It was over, they were back. Six times Cronus would ask those that had fought that day, and six consecutive times a life had to be freely given. They would know the question without being asked, but the answer would need to be given just the same.

With a sigh, those that had given everything for the battle dissipated into gray ash. Within her cell Adatiel whispered a quiet telepathic farewell to her siblings, then she was gone; across the battlefield the Blessed all felt her departure. Marisol stood over the infirmed, she offered the comforts that only a mother could as her fingers stroked their hair, she appeared within Lucas’ line of sight one last time, waved, and then she was gone. On the battlefield Ezekiel rushed alongside those he fought with before he suddenly stopped, his consciousness back from the future. He managed to catch Hakan’s eye in the distance, he smiled, and then the wind blew him away. Within the Pyramid Gabriel looked up, Rowan winked at him, Gabriel flushed, and then just like that the dhampir disappeared. Across the Otherworld Titania took a great breath, Mars clung to her and demanded to know what she had done - how they were back, but she asked him only one thing: save them. He continued to hold her even after she slipped into the wind. At the summit of Necromanteion, the doors were flung open, Kaan saw Raffaele and Jian hanging there and only hoped that this would be enough to save them. The rest of the team rushed forward, but Kaan slipped into the air.

Nyloth was a drow once more in the midst of her ritual to Lloth, Evanuris joined her now though as they rose and left the temple behind in favour of venturing elsewhere instead. Faerinaal halted the march of the drow, the soldiers turned their eyes back to the court as they faithfully followed the Founder’s lead. Somniar’s illithids stopped their chittering as the Inquisitor felt bloodlust broiling within his veins, his arm and half his face suddenly off. Amadeus appeared at Severon’s side and stopped the man from firing up his machines. Nidhogg and The Executioner went to the Queen’s chambers and found Ayi’ig impaled against the wall. Assassinated. Absent the trauma of the explosion, Somniar survived the assault that had torn apart his body from space itself. Later fitted by Felandaris with a relic recovered from Elysia, a marvel of a mystical prosthetic was in place of where the Inquisitor’s arm had once been.

Felandaris, Faerinaal, and Nyloth arrived at Severon’s workshop and levelled everything, Somniar’s insight led them to all of Severon’s hidden labs, and any choice of the Clockwork abominations was wiped away. Felandaris and Nyloth invoked an old power together, one outlawed even by the ancient elves: balefire. Power provided by Felandaris, approval from Lloth secured by Nyloth, and the scorching pale flames destroyed everything that it came into contact with, erasing it from Time itself. Nyloth furthered her punishment and imposed an oath in Lloth’s name: bound in power, Severon would never be able to continue this pursuit again. As the last of Ayi’ig’s first drow, Nyloth, Faerinaal, and Felandaris were installed as the Court of Drow’s Triumvirate. With Ayi’ig’s death, The Executioner would serve Nyloth instead, and Nidhogg would protect the triumvirate and Lloth’s interests. Good to his word, Felandaris freed Rhovanor from his subjugation, but told the illithid if he returned to the Court of Drow he would be made their subject again.

As Ganymede approached the Gates of Dis, a spring in his step, a cheery tune on his tongue, Diana came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. Saving his life, though he’d never remember. She told him the battle was going to be over soon, and he took her out to Applebys to celebrate.��

At Necromantion’s summit, things went differently now, bindings of light were fired from Keket as Lilith was struck and caged in the place where she’d been hidden, Tisiphone’s seraph blades pierced through Octavian and pinned him, preventing him from using any power as hellfrost cemented him in place. Lucretia lashed out, transformed into a dragon as Yurena saw her opportunity and blew her horn once more. Levent, keenly aware of the decade and a half he’d spent beneath the dirt, and the tragedy that came from this war, cast cold upon the Asphodel. A frigid song that froze Pythia, Bastien, Tepiltzin, and Nashoba in place. Chaos erupted amidst the Asphodel, they expected Yurena to betray them but Lucretia and Levent was another story altogether. Pythia screamed and lunged, but she was too late, Michael’s blade pierced through the necronomicon.

Pluto awoke beneath the pomegranate tree where he'd first found Kore's soul, but she was gone now, and the tree itself was dead and barren. The original vampire was alone once more.

Across the field of battle the majority of necromanced forces were swept away before they even met the front lines of the allied senate’s forces. The barrier fell and Ayla directed the witches to focus their efforts on those within the tower, to the prisoners within the cells, and to those at the summit. Unanimously linked across Rome and in the Otherworld, they worked to conjure those within as they desperately tried to escape. The great burning tower of iron sank into the bedrock as a giant sinkhole was formed; knowing that the book was destroyed, Efigenia, Lucretia, Avery, Alvaro, and Harellan left through a hidden door and made their way back into Rome to blend into society once more. Furious, August’s power swelled, but Tisiphone’s seraph blade pierced him through his chest as every other member of the Asphodel had the good sense to abandon ship. The Fury didn’t kill him, but she destroyed all the magic within. Somehow, Michael still stood. While he was confused, the book was gone so in the meantime he aided the others in evacuating. Pythia remembered everything that had happened, now her book was destroyed once more, Michael offered her his hand, but she rejected it and departed on her own.

The lycans remembered the blast, the intrusive thought that stopped them all in their tracks. The Eye was laying in wait for them in the midst of the Labyrinth and while they could have continued into the city they saw the fey drawing back from the assault. Lycaon returned and announced that the battle in the Otherworld had ended immediately, recounting some nonsense about the apocalypse. Alek, the Lupo, and those summoned who chose to remain returned to the forest, this time with the chance to build something new.

Within the Fairy King’s Forest and around the world, the eladrins took a collective breath as Titania’s departure shattered the instrument at the heart of the Court of Drow. All the fey that were being channelled were suddenly restored to their full, elven power. Spring Fey became Dawn Elves, summer fey became Sun Elves, autumn fey became Dusk Elves, and winter fey all became Lunar Elves. Laer, Aurora, Robin, and Zahrya collectively resigned to putting this battle to the side as they looked to the DaemonKing for guidance. Meryasek’s hellfire raged through the field of bloodfruits and those buried within were put out of their misery. When he was done he took the crown from off of his head and tossed it aside, the monarchy had ended, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the chancellors as their tiebreaker: the fifth court, the court of the blood elves and the daemonfey. Tamlen searched for his brother, but Revas was abducted by Rhovanor and tortured then killed by Somniar in the days leading up to the battle, he was dead. His head was on a spike outside of Ayi'ig's bedroom window.

Faimen across Rome, The Otherworld, and the mortal realm as a whole took pause as they too were affected by what Titania had done. Her sacrifice and all that she had given. Made immortal, faimen were made into eladrins and all children that would be born from elves and mortals going forward would be as well. Unlike their predecessors they had no capability for song, nor did the seasons change at their approach, and the elements did not bend to their will: they were now immortal, would not age past their prime, and they could manipulate one of the four elements. Directionless, Cloe stood among them, their chosen leader to see them through this transition. Drow, as well, were changed. Inhibited by Ayi’ig’s will and the residual effects of Titania’s channelling, they transitioned from creatures of undeath to fully realised dark elves.

A single fig fell once more, and with it Laurelin's light faded from the tree beneath the Pyramid. Gifted to Tamlen by the archdruids, it was clear to them that Oztalun’s legacy would fall to the would-be guardian. In the heart of the Fairy King’s Forest, Tamlen presented the boon to the chancellors, and through his raw aetherial power, a new realm was crafted: Audulë, loosely translated from the old tongue as a noun that meant Hope, or a Place Of. The four high elves, and the daemonfey of the chancellorship: Laer, Zahrya, Meryasek, Robin, and Aurora lent their songs to its creation. Just as Titania had once done in the past; they formed a great island that they divided, a place for every court, including the daemonfey and blood elves as well. At its heart, the fig was planted, and together the elves sang to its growth: Laurelin grew once more, towering and beautiful with branches that touched the sky and sprawled across the horizon. Tamlen, it’s stalwart protector. Separated from the Otherworld, and guarded by Rainer who'd train the elves once more, Audulë was only accessible via direct invitation through the Fey Forest. However, elves and those of significant elven blood would always find their way. At Logon's advocacy, and after an apology for his assault on the fey, Uriel was permitted within with the understanding that if he raised his blade to another elf he'd lose it completely.

Forgiven for his past crimes, and pardoned for the part he played among the Asphodel. Levent rejoined the winter court. In the heart of the Lunar Mountains, The White Flame continued to burn. Fanatics of the Lunar Court arose, piety returned as the Flame called many to its worship. Dareth among them, a Guardian of Auril.

The Fairy King’s Forest no more, the Fey Forest became the home of a myriad of creatures. Eladrins most prominently, but demons, sprites of the Otherworldly menagerie, spirits, changelings, and others seemed to wander within as well. Travellers were still weary, the fey were inherently capricious and monsters were inherently dangerous. The fog remained, though instead of trapping people within it turned them back around. Here in the Fey Forest the line between the mortal realm and the Otherworld had thinned and had become indiscernible; as a result of the former orchard, it was all too easy to be lost. Clairvoyant by nature, it was here that Cloe would come to build the new home of the eladrins, and from here that she and her marshals would traverse the mortal realm seeking others who’d suddenly awoken to new power.

While it became clear that diplomatic relations with the dark elves and the high elves would always be tense. Titania’s absence had made the Otherworld a dangerous place. In exchange for keeping the malevolent forces at bay, the dark elves retained their place within the Court and a tentative peace was established. So long as neither trespassed in the other’s domain, the Triumvirate and the Chancellors would ensure that all would be well.

The City of Dis was no more, it collapsed further and further into the Otherworld until there was nothing left but a seemingly bottomless pit. The Asphodel was no more, but the mark upon the members did not fade, the Allied Senate Forces had won, somehow, but those that remembered knew that it did not come without a cost. For everyone else it felt like a dream, one that would fade over time, those who wished to remember could do so with a potion, spell, or treatment, but a great many were eager to forget the horrors that had befallen them, their loved ones, and the realm.

Attended by the Elven and Eladrin Court; Melete, Aoede, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania joined their sister Melpomene. Within her casket of woven aetherial magic, Mneme continued to slumber in her plague dream. None could figure out why it was that she remained on the cusp of life but the answer had always been nestled in Melpomene’s chest. The eldest of the twelve muses, Calliope stepped forth and brushed Melpomene’s golden hair: “To be a woman is to be alone and never alone, feel your braid and know that we all stood before you, that we all stand with you.” The ten who yet lived joined their circle that would contain the spellplague as Melpomene dispelled the casket and approached her twin sister.

The bond of siblings was more important than any other, parents left too soon and lovers came too late, sisters were there throughout: at least Melpomene always thought Mneme was meant to be. Melpomene was ready now, she said farewell and Mneme took her final breath. A gate to Arvandor opened as Angharraddh stood on the other side, though not in her true form, Mneme with hair that mirrored Melpomene: a new aspect for the Queen of many fallen Goddesses. Elsewhere, within Álfheimr, the raven haired counterpart took up her place and duty at Thanatos’ side: Memory and Death, together at last. Azrael moved to stand with Melpomene and together with her sisters they departed for Arvandor. Any of the elves or eladrins who wished to leave the mortal realm and join them, did. This would be their final chance.

From the rubble of what once was, Udaeus, Pelorus, Echion, and Hyperenor retrieved the body of their brother Cthonius. His corpse that had been knit back together from the bones they buried long ago. Defiled and used by necromancers, elves, and sorcerers alike. They gathered together and built a pyre, upon it they set the eldest of them and remained until the flames died out and the embers went cold. Cthonius' ashes were scattered and from there the four went their separate ways once more.

Reform was held within the city of Rome, the triumvirate was dissolved and Theo Graves took his place within the vampire monarchy. Succeeding Evelyn Boucher, he was named King of the European Monarchy of Vampires with the eladrin Elessar at his side, promoting a new age of cooperation between vampires and elves once more. Evelyn, choosing to step down following so much loss, retired to the countryside. Ayla retained her seat as senator of the Venus vampires, choosing to keep her hidden abilities a secret from the rest of the senate. Xerxes and Adrian retained their seats as senators, Emir was named Theo’s replacement. Another progeny of Rhiannon’s, he was the same age as The Earnest was when she had been appointed to the senate years prior.

Amidst the Pyramid, new Keepers were at last appointed, if there was anything that they did not remember, with their permission Nettelia restored their memories completely. Safiye, Eren, Esme, and Evy. They would rule over the Pyramid and hold responsibility over the druids of Rome, as should have always been the case. For his crimes in the battle, Octavian was not permitted within the Pyramid again, nor within Rome. Fen’Harel was stripped of their senate position, Evy would take their place instead. While his acolytes remained welcome, the phoenix was not. Aren, Dionaeia, and Nettelia were free to do as they wished: the war was over.

With Kaan dead, The Relic stepped out of retirement and took his place as Sovereign of the Narcissus Coven. Efigenia retained her position as Watcher for the Narcissus and Marshal for the senate, bringing Raffaele under her wing as a fellow Watcher, Marshal, and apprentice. Vivianne, permanently changed into a spartoi, abdicated her position as Sovereign; the Dahlia Coven unanimously chose Abel to follow in her footsteps and continue the Coven’s path towards reform. Marco, Avery, Emory, and the rest of the coven were eager to continue the former Oracle’s legacy, Abel appointed Avery and Emory as Watchers and Marshals. Hazal had rebuilt the Amaranthus Coven under a new legacy, one that was both strong and something to be proud of. Blood magic remained impossible for them to perform, but its study and understanding was no longer forbidden. Many witches that had flocked to Rome for the war chose to remain under Hazasl’s new regime; Ciro and Grayson were appointed to the position of Watcher, while Ciro turned down the position of Marshal, Grayson and The Released were quick to take up the mantle. Indelibly changed by the battle, Rowan officially joined the Amaranthus Coven.

Virgil and his family had flocked to Rome to defend it, but once again the Ivy Coven put down its roots, many of the witches and lycans that had come to the city for the war remained and swore themselves to the Ivy. Both a coven and a pack, the Ivy became the most powerful force in the city. Eoin and The Hopeful were named Watchers with the former taking up the position of Marshal alongside Aurea. Within the senate’s prisons, reform took place as the ancient cells were officially emptied and rehabilitation was attempted for those within. Minds that could be healed, in conjunction with The Dahlia, The Amaranthus, and The Ivy, Trivia worked to restore those within who’s minds had been shattered by magic after the war. Among them was the former necromancer and now human, August. Within the halls of their ancestral home, Yurena awaited her brother’s return. For her aid in the battle, she was pardoned for her crimes. The Alstroemeria House was hers once again, choosing to follow in Erik’s footsteps, the Coven opened its doors once again to any witch who could bring into their reliquary three magical innovations previously unknown. While the first addition to her reliquary was the Elysian Horn, the Covens that had pilfered from the house’s corpse returned everything that was taken, not all had been recovered, but the Alstroemeria were on the path to recovery once more. A newly-minted Sovereign of one, Yurena began again.

In time the black market within Fates' was broken up, the illegal trade of magical artifacts, blood, and other taboo materials was brought to a halt and strictly regulated by the Senate. Places like Just A Bite were given greater oversight to prevent accidental death, and thralls were regularly checked for their physical and mental wellbeing.

The Eye underwent changes as well, Marzia vacated her position and a new election was held for Mayor of Rome. Soon after Marzia was forgotten entirely, her face and presence the subject of a dream, one everyone remembered fondly. The Assistant was named the city’s interim mayor until a new leader was voted in in Marzia's place, Hyrsam. Some people thought the name sounded familiar, but nobody could quite remember where they'd heard it before. The military branch of The Eye was dissolved globally, the supernaturals within were released into the care of professionals. If they had committed crimes leading up to their arrest, then The Eye handed them off to the proper authorities. Instead, the facility shifted its focus and directive to aiding the magical world in policing and healing their own. Sanem remained to restructure Labyrinth into what she believed the future of their company should be, she paid her first visit to Lupercal, previously New Rome, where she treated the soon to be former Alpha, Alek. Once concluded she left the city to continue her efforts in the research facilities around the world, followed by Kirigan, she wasn’t going anywhere without him.. An invitation was extended to Keket and Isabella to join The Eye’s rehabilitation and research team, but while Isabella offered her services to consult and serve a therapeutic rapport to both the Senate and The Eye, Keket refused.

The title of Overseer was abolished, instead a Director was named: Ariadne. Isla stayed on and eventually both Kadir and Rawlins joined the staff as well. A branch of The Eye was opened in Lupercal as a gesture of good faith, a veterinary office with lycans like, The Doctor, and the halfblooded Ismael were brought on to maintain healthy relations and ensure nobody was getting rabies. Their fleas were also treated here. Eventually, a state of the art hospital was built in the heart of the city, serving the human and supernatural population with a staff that mirrored the citizens. A shelter, and a number of social enterprises appeared as well, not just in Rome but across the globe as well. After a sabbatical, Renfield was named the hospital’s Medical Director. Working still to unlock the secrets of the supernatural world so that they could better serve it, with projects approved by the Senate, The Eye continued their research above board. The particle accelerator was dismantled completely, defunct and sold for parts so that it could never be used again. It was through Sanem, Isla, and Kadir’s research that they discovered treatments for leeches and volatiles. Medication made it possible to curve their appetites, satiate them with supplements, and provide them with artificial enhancements. Through surgical intervention, it was even possible to reverse the condition entirely. It was through this treatment plan that Alek was made a standard lycan once more.

With the military branch of The Eye disbanded, those who joined because they hated the supernatural world, and those that had been programmed to despise them were all but pushed out into the cold. They were offered security positions, positions on the senate, or positions on the Roman police force, but to most that was a slap in the face, Ephraim had never known anything else, but in the end he chose to become an officer of Rome, quickly making detective. Dario remained on to ensure the Director's safety and well being while Wade and Cruz left entirely. Those that had been enhanced by The Eye were welcomed back for further training, Akara among them though he might have forgotten. The three warforged remain as the marshals for the human representatives on the senate: Isla and The Assistant.

In the end it had been one of the Blessed that had made the ultimate sacrifice, and another that had destroyed the necronomicon. Once again the seraphim were welcomed into the city, but while Ulthar's betrayal was made public, they were given quarters within Rome that they could call their own, if they chose. Azrael had departed from this plane, and Adatiel had sacrificed herself. Michael put his sword down and was unwilling to fight his family any longer. Uriel became more concerned with his life among the elves; thanks to Hayliel's many efforts and the outstanding work as a rebel at the end of times, he was chosen to represent the seraphim upon the senate, Atarniel and Dumah were who he chose to be his marshals.

A spirit had given up everything for the realm, but the abuse of their kind was longstanding, seen as subhuman for too long, Valentina was named senator and representative. She assumed control of Fates' as the backdoor operations were shut down. Chrysaor and an old reaper, The Vigil, were chosen as her marshals. An independent demon, Bebe had no master and she would never need one, but she had walked away from the Asphodel and had strong relations with most of the demons in the city ( the groupchat she’d started ). Konstantin and Mazikeen were chosen as her marshals.

With the establishment of Lupercal and the Elven City beyond Rome's borders, the lycans and the elves did not hold senate positions, but Ambassadors from each were appointed to advocate for their interests. Ambassadors of Lupercal, Flora and Adamo spoke on behalf of the vacant seat of their Alpha on the senate to try and promote some semblance of peace between the two, Romeo, Otsana, Serkan at the ready to advocate for them with their teeth if needed. Joined in the name of the Fey Forest, Lia and Davheira had been selected to speak as ambassadors for the interests of the five courts of elves as senators.

Cloe remained on the senate after a long and much needed sabbatical, though she spoke for the eladrins now. Nathan was chosen to represent the mortal half of the halfblooded population as a senator, a role he wasn't sure was a good fit but was something he did anyways. Micah and Nabi were chosen to be Cloe's marshals, while Sabina and Zagreus were chosen to be Nathan's. Over the following months Kay was deemed unfit to hold the title of marshal.

Intent to make sure that the threat of the Gods never returned and to hopefully collaborate with the senate and The Eye to find a permanent solution, the demigod population that had gathered in Rome put forth Hyacinth to represent them; Luna and Pelorus were named his Marshals. Creatures colloquially referred to as aspects had run rampant through the city for far too long, while they weren’t given representation on the senate, the senate’s fourth law would be heavily imposed: No one life stands above another. With the inclusion of humans onto the senate, the five laws were amended. The fifth was struck, and the first was altered: No human or magical life should ever be taken, except in the extreme defence of one’s life or the life of another.

Time had erased The Six from existence, every version of them across every timeline, their futures and their destinies. That was the price that had been imposed. While those who lived up until the final day of the apocalypse would remember everything with perfect clarity, for the rest of the world the events would fade into something of a dream. Some were eager to forget, others took potions or cast spells to ensure they remembered. One thing remained true, and that was that the Romans would never forget the sacrifices of The Six: statues of each were erected at the entrance to the old forum so that members of the senate would pass them before every meeting. The citizens of the city would look upon them and know that they had given everything in order to give the people of this realm, and all realms, a second chance. From left to right the life size statues were erected: the seraphim Adatiel, the spirit Marisol, the halfblooded Gabriel, the elven queen Titania, the vampire Ezekiel, and the former necromancer Kaan.

Proof that no one life should ever stand above another.

ooc info:

Hello, everyone is back except for The Six.

Those who died remember nothing about The Void or what came after, they remember nothing about what happened after the moment they died. No player-controlled characters should have any knowledge of The Void or what came after.

All those who survived until the day of the last battle will remember everything, even if they try to have the memories removed or suppressed, they will always return.This includes The Great Old Ones, they will remember everything and cannot forget.

Those who died in the war and the years after may remember the events up until the moment of their death, the memories will fade like an old dream unless the player chooses to have their character use in-game means to keep them.

The Six that gave their lives are completely gone, their destinies across every lifetime and version of reality was wiped out. They are not in the afterlife, and they cannot be brought back or contacted in any way. Harsh, I know :( but it's not a sacrifice unless it hurts.

The senate has undergone reformation, all eladrins are now high elves, all drow are now dark elves, and all faimen are now a different version of eladrins previously unseen.

The characters who changed species in the plot drops are still in effect, with the exception of Nyloth, she has returned to a drow/dark elf. Vivianne is a spartoi, she'll retain her Oracular abilities and gain some new ones. Emma is a reaper, Rhovanor is an illithid, and the three white haired girlies were revealed as fallen aasimar.

With the destruction of the necronomicon, necromancers/members of the Asphodel have lost their ability to channel from it endlessly. Necromancy consumes a massive amount of magic so performing any necromantic spells will be difficult for them. Impossible in most cases (for now).

The identities of the necromancers are all obscured from memory, former members can't quite remember who they once worked alongside. Those of the Asphodel who have remained truly loyal remember everything and everyone.

The technology Sanem developed in the future has been defunct, so Fallen Aasimar can't activate their powers at will.

In game a memorial will be held on December 1st, at that time I'll post the final wrap up, release the new species, queue the new skeletons, and swap out the pages to reflect all the above changes. New aspects will not be released until December 25th.

Please use this time to adjust to the new world state, all pertinent information is in the plot drop, but if you have follow-up questions you are always welcome to ask.

We'll be doing a mini Winter event I'm gleefully calling "Nightmare Before Christmas," which will be centered around Saturnalia, the Winter Solstice, and Krampus. We missed Halloween this year so lets get a little spooky with our festive.

We'll be doing a mini event February 15th, Lupercalia 2 electric boogaloo, where our new Alpha and King or Queen of Lupercal will be decided. I just love that it's a day after Valentine's Day.

There will be no major events until the Spring, a lot has happened with the plot from where we've started so I for one am looking forward to a little rest and some character development.

Unfollows will be posted in the discord channel. The face claims of The Six are retired, unless the mun wishes to pick up that face again.

Thank you everyone for your patience and participation in this event, this group has been a labour of love and your continued support to go along with this insanity means the world to me. Love you all.

#senatus.theend #senatus.plot #senatus.event #senatus.viii #senatus.book1

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