View source for Meetup: Knights! Part 1

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== Log Info ==
*Title: Meetup: Knights! Part 1
*Emitter: Faranmidahn
*Characters: Faranmidahn, Tenoc, Knightmare, Paenitia, Soup, Manny
*Place: A16: Nobility District - Xankaloz, a premier feasthall
*Time: Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 8:45 PM
*Summary: Sir Faranmidahn Waywalker has called a meeting of all the Knightly Orders. Many appear, their arrival announced by a herald, after which they mingle. Some mingle more than others, Sir Faran, Sister Paenitia, Sir Soup and Sir Manny find themselves the only group of mixed orders. Sir Soup and Sister Paenitia share stories, while Sir Manny is too recently sworn to have one.</div>

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A16: Nobility District *>--=--=--=--=--=

The splendor of the technology, bustle and eclectic energy of the city and nation of Alexandria all seem to point towards the towering structures and constant thrum of activity in the Castle District. The Castle District contains the vast majority of the government offices, guild headquartrs, noble quarters and political functions of the city. The very air seems energized with this level of importance. The architecture is pompous and enormous, consisting largely of multi-leveled edifices and great jutting towers and buildings that seem to grow out of the mountains with hanging gardens and brightly colored banners and mana lamps strewn about. Everything seems to be aiming upwards here and pointing towards the freedom of the skies beyond. The grand towers and structures reaching heavenwards and activity in the skies above a constant happening with ships of all sizes from air-cabs to great merchant vessels moving through the Skygates and Griffon Riders moving through their patrols as they pass through and above the many bridges and walkways that connect the towers, buildings and walls.
          
Ever-easterward stands the fortress-castle of Castellum Alexandrae and a large bulk of both ground and air traffic seems focused in that direction.
   
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<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Sirs Appearing at the Gathering  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Faranmidahn  3'3"     35 Lb      Halfling          Female    Albino Lucht woman in black leather armor with a BIG spider
Manny        5'10"    215 Lb     Human             Male      A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
Soup         3'4"     40 Lb      Gnome             Male      3'4" of GLORY! DARING DO! Has a DIRECORGI! HUZZAH!                         
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Sirs sending Regrets  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Knightmare   6'4"     294 Lb     War Golem         Female    A knightly construct on the hoof bearing heraldry of lost Dragonier.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Sirs Not-Appearing in this Film  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Duncan       5'0"     200 Lb     Storm Dwarf       Male      Tall Khazad often accompanied by a Khazad Digger.
Rhar         2'11"     29 Lb     Halfling          Female    A rough, wolf-riding Lucht Siuil who loves sticks.
Vance        6'1"     175 Lb     Human             Male      A tall, green-eyed young human with dark hair.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  And the Dragon  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=--=--=--=--=
Tenoc        7'0"     280 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=</pre>

The invitations were well scripted, and formal, giving the time and date to come dine and rub shoulders with arrayed peers of local and some errant Knighthood.

The place?
Xankaloz, a premier feasthall, one capable of handling a significant number of patrons, should they arrive. Any leftover dining, will be given over to the temples for charitable distribution.Stationed about, after the well attired Gnome at the door takes down one's formal introduction, the arriving knights are introduced to any of a handful of similarly well appointed Heralds.

These, in turn, will formally introduce each to the hall that they may be recognized.

Standing on the dais, facing the doors is a pale Lucht woman in fine half plate, her Purple Rose broach holding her cloak together as it is brushed back over her shoulder. Her long hair is finely braided, if humbly bound, and her leg fluff, while still volumous, is neatly trimmed and brushed. A smile she inwardly hopes is more warm than nervous adorns her lips, while a white spider the size of a human woman's fist rests on her cloaked shoulder.

A half-heard conversation drifts across the room, a sith'makar regales others regarding the benefits of Swiftclaws.

"Sssswiftsssss.... are much different than hissesss. Hosses. Hor-s-sissss." Tenoc, visiting for a moment, has finally found something interesting about the city. Wine. Add pepper-- lo, SPICY wine!   
        
Granted, it does *odd things* to one's tongue......     
        
"One can ride them. When time comesss to hunt... Off of them. Stalk into jungle, swamp, wood with them. Find... Good things. Delicious things. Yus."

A cavalier known only as the name Manny appears within the place, wearing his brown ranger attire and patting his mount while he takes the time to look around. He's a human with brown hair and a nice trimmed beard, looking to find people. He bows before the Lucht woman and salutes as well.

Prancing into the hall, a Gnomish knight in gleaming plate of silver and blues, rides a Dire Corgi attired in studded leather colored yellow and blue. Upon both rider and mount are the symbols of the Order of the Cockatrice as well as the odd heraldry of Happy Valley. His helmet drawn down, the Knight looks out at the world through a metallic dog's face set in a fearsome snarl. With a motion of his armored hand he indicates his herald. 
 
"Announcing Sir Silisoupi Llameni of the Order of Cockatrice, slayer of the Wizard of Aran-Salnath, astride Malfeasance the Great Dire Corgi and.. Eating my hair! SIR!" 
 
For it's part the massive Dire Corgi happily continues to lick the styling grease from the herald's head. Soup for his part titters beneath his helmet then makes a dismissive gesture. 
 
"Yes, yes, very well. Consider yourself styled by a unique being." Then the duo slowly make their way into the room. Waves, nods, and slobbering tongue directed at all.

Another strides up, A crimson knight, A Lucht, in red armour with matching acoutrements, a wide brimmed hat with an absurdly long feather. Her head is framed by bouncing, black curls, her face hidden by a mask with a smiling visage and a wide moustache, masculine, though she is clearly female in form and motion. Her leg tresses are tamed by red ribbons. She marches, using a Lucht walking stick, her dark skinned feet slapping the flagstones. Right up to a herald, whom she addresses at a distance so she won't have to look upwards so much. Her name is taken, the herald speaks.

"Announcing Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar, Paladin of Tarien."

Sister Paenitia stands proudly, surveying the room, looking across at Faranmidahn, allowing others to observe her.

She glances at the herald, who adds with mildly confused tones, "And a Mad Dog of Isobar."

The albino Knight's eyes brighten as she sees her friends amongst the roll, after all, as well as the adorably ravenous Malfeasance. She considers the ranger, remembering her own humbler beginings and she lifts a hand, "Come in and be welcome, friends!" she chirps happily, gesturing to the arrayed tables before her. Ahem, a little more formally, "It warms my heart to see you all, I trust this to be a fine evening."

She glances to the little coconut puff on her shoulder, who pivots and looks at her, gets a smile, then to the arriving Knights, "I have arranged a selection of meals to choose from, with some spirits as well. Do, come and let us know one another better!"
Before descending the steps, the Dark Lucht speaks to the herald a third time. Once more an annoucement, but no Knight to accompany it.

"Delivering the most honourable of Regrets! Dame Betrys of Dragonieer, Knight of the Lost Crown is unable to attend, but vows to be present next time. Reasons of a personal nature are provided, but not explained."

Paenitia bobs her head, then goes to mingle. A few of the other Knights have caught her eye, Manny, Soup. Of course, she is familiar with Sir Faranmidahn, and as this is her gathering, moves to greet the host first, "Hola!"

Manny looks around while he sheepishly nods, "I forgot to offer my introduction to the herald, I am Manny," he smiles. The man walks up to incline, then he nods, "I've only taken the vows recently, I am new to things." There's a motion to a brown horse, "Well, he's not a lot, still he's mine, a friend."

Manny speaks to the herald, while he's announced. "Sir Manny of Dragonier, Knight of the Blue Rose!"

Lounging on the back of his Dire Corgi, Soup raises up his fearsome dog mask to reveal a red nose and fine pointed beard and moustache. "Hail Ser Faranmidahn, now truely my evening has blossomed. What an interesting gathering you've created." For it's part the massive Dire Corgi leans it's head over a dinner's shoulder and lifts up an entire end of ham. Then sets about chewing it with the rough abandon of culinary joy, mixed with the wide eyed fear that someone is going to try and stop him. 
 
"Tis the first time in a long time I've been around so many Knights and not either in battle or tourney." Soup comments as he strokes his moustache. "This should be facinating." He grins and winks.

Faranmidahn frowns a little at the concilatory addition from the Herald in regards to one of her guests, but she nods. Instead of moping, the little Knight lifts her hand to wave, momentarily puzzled by the call to hollah, but remembers quickly that it is the Crimson Knight's way, "Hola!" she returns.

She steps closer to everyone, considering Manny, "Newly raised? I understand, completely. Well met, Sir Manny. I am Sir faranmidahn Waywalker of the Desolation, Knight of the Purple Rose, come, friend, and be welcome!"

She looks then to Paenitia, "That is your friend, isn't it? I do hope she's well?"

Mal's antics prompt a bit of sputter and alarm as the Pillar knight of somber hues takes up some dismay, "Control your beast, sir."

"It'm gladdened" gladdened is the right form, right? "to see you again, Sir, Silsoupi, though..." she is really fighting not to giggle at Mal's scarfing of someone else's dinner, "We can see Mal properly fed. Peace, Sir Venjar, I entreat you." The little Knight and bankroll of the whole affair, claps her hands twice and calls, "May Sir Venjar have another serving of his choice" a glance, "And two more for Sir Silsoupi's brave steed?"

Paenitia finds herself between the gnome and the human knight as she approaches the albino Lucht. Malefeasance towers to one side, gobbling down a ham, Manny to the other. She is not perturbed. Isobar is a land of great Mesas and being dwarfed by the landscape and things in it is a familiar experience. 

"Hola, Sir Silisoupi Llameni. Hola, Sir Manny." She calls to them.

Closing with Faranmidahn, she holds her arms out and grasps her shoulders firmly. She leans in, as if to kiss both cheeks, but does not. Her metal mask does not give the kindest of smooches. Instead the formal affection is mimed, her eyes alight behind the patina, "It is good to see you again, my friend!"

In more relaxed tones she adds, "Yes, the Dame Betrys sees to her shell. Our last adventure decayed her greatly. I shall tell the tale, though you know it." She winks.

"Greetings, Sir," Manny will offer along to any greeting while he takes a moment to nod to Faranmidahn. "Thank you, I am trying to learn." The man smiles, then looks to the place, "I am new to Alexandria as well."

"My beast?" Soup says, then looks down at the chomping Dire Doggie. "Mal!" The animal manages to turn it's head nearly 180 to look back at him in that horribly distressing way. 
 
"You are being rude Mal! Contrition!" Soup states in a commanding down. The dog blinks a few times then the massive Dire Corgi turns back to look at the assorted knights and people. It's eye lids peeling back as it lowers it's head. Sniffing, fluffy fur becoming inestimably more fluffy. Eyes watering slightly, nose trembling. Then there is the softly plucked tune of pitiable sadness as Soup fingers his lute with a wry grin on his face. The moment only slightly ruined as the massive dog's tongue runs along it's furry lips making sure no ham morsel escaped.

Paenitia's attention turns to Mal, the direction everyone's seems to drawn. So fluffy, so remorseful. Seemingly. The piteous expression of the dire doggy and those eyes, so large, so watery. She is moved to tears, reminded of childhood and her poor puppies. It is a fortunate thing she has an iron mask to hide her emotions behind, she succumbs to the canine charisma.

Until his last greedy lick reminds her the gnolls back home. Capricious Corgi! It was all a trick! She stands even taller, perhaps three feet and one inch! Heart, do not be fooled by these wild men.

Firmly, "Sir Silisoupi, I have slain a wizard. He would not give a name. I have no honor to add to my title. I have a story to tell. Will you talk of the Wizard of Aran-Salnath?"

Manny seems to be perked up with the talk about a story. "I've no stories of my own, Sir. I would like to listen in on this adventure of valiant knights," the man notes to them, a smile along that messy beard while he takes a moment to find whatever he can drink to sip from. The man was clearly new, still he's trying the best to be respectful and part of the conversation while he watches.

There is a strum on the lute as Soup warms to the topic. "Ahh, the Wizard of Aran Salnath whom was filled with wrath. For even though he grew a beard, his privates were nearly sheared. We fought for a day, and night again he sought to make me pay with spite. For you see that morning this Knight did strike. Saving the steed Malfeasance from a dastardly plight." At the mention of it's name the Corgi happily barks and pants. "You see the wizard created many beasts. Horrible monsters on flesh would feast. Yet one was so fluffy I could not resist. So with my blade and I did so insist. That the wizard's plans he would desist." There's a chortle from Soup as he leans forward on the horn of his saddle and scratches the Dire Corgi's head. 
 
"Admittedly I cut the rope that had been keeping some of his creatures caged and they ate him while I rode off. It really does not quite sell the brand as well as a climatic battle of steel and magic." Soup grins and gives Paenitia a sly wink. "A pleasure to meet you oh Crimson Knight, armor much like the hearts your beauty must break?" Soup says despite the mask. Then there is a nod and a chuckle for Manny. "Sir Manny, you will have a few. Remember to tune them just right, it helps for getting the proper reward for your deeds. The grander the tale, the higher the profit! Hah Hah!"

Sir Venjar glances sidelong to the hostess a moment, then, still slightly red for the affront, seems to collect himself, "As you say, Sir Waywalker. Peace then." A glance to the dog.... into those pitious, liquid eyes, and he caves, "'tis of no moment, please, regail us with your tale."

Faran nods again and grins a bit to her fellows. It's been a few minutes and no one's dead yet. This is nice. "i'm sure we wuld all enjoy it."

Meanwhile, other knights are introduced in the background, some of the assorted orders are starting to clump together with only this one knot of truly mixed composition.

She does not swoon, Sister Paenitia is a steadfast woman of action. Still as Sir Silisoupi strums the lute strings she feels the heart strings resonate! Glorious talent, rhymes. She must stand and present!

"Great thanks! I am humbled by your story. The verse is magnificent. You are a skilled troubador as well. My story, it does not compare. I shall tell." She gestures into the air.

"I answered the call for aid. Dame Betrys, Sir Faranmidahn, Sir Vance, and others, the Dragon Tenoc, Sunblade Brand, and Sorceress Pasithea did come as well. In the forest there was a ruin, and time flowed like ripples in a river, water held back by a dam. We break a door, time she rushes in, things age. People decay to dust before our eyes. Inwards, we fight, past demons..." She glances at fluffy little Zephyr, riding on Faran's shoulder, "... and other beasts to find ..." another hesitation. "the wizard. He stands in blood. We fight, in the blood. He is dead but moves. WIth his death, the ruins collapse. We rush out."

She seems proud of her tale, even with the caveats. "He gave no name. Brave Sir Faran, she was caught behind in a wave, unable to join we moved so fast. The Tower, she is gone also."

Manny does listen, and nods with a smile while he seems to consider the story. "Ah, I'm not sure about that, not a lot of profit I'm looking for," he admits. The knight does look to everyone in thought, "Interesting, it looks like we're the only mixed company."

Soup strokes his pointy beard as he listens. "Interesting, a good tale. A brave deed! Demons, blood, decaying people and a thunderous battle that even destroys the tower! Should be a song in itself." Soup grins widely. "Perhaps sometime we will collaborate on it." The Gnomish knight states as he offers up one of his winning smiles. Before he chuckles and nods his head towards Manny. "Ah, youth. Profit is important, it pays for your equipment and improves it. It also helps for that day when the joints are a bit too sore to ride into battle." Soup grins widely, his Cockatrice finery shining. Before the Knight looks about slowly and nods. "Yes, the only mixed group, mores the loss for them. If I wanted to trade puffery with my fellows I would simply do it at the next ceremony. Tonight is to meet new personages, brave new faces!"

Sir Waywalk smiles and claps politely, for the retelling of their tales. The bit about her getting stuck in mystical traffic makes her smile a little wan, but she goes on. On Manny's note, she nods and surveys the place, 'Perhaps I should go see to that..." ahem, she smiles up at everyone, and, "Please, do sit and get to know one another? I'll see about getting our brothers to mingle."

With that, the tallish Lucht moves along the tables to make the niceties and maybe encourage more mixing. delicately, being knights and all.

Paenitia's mask has a beard, a thin stylized pencil of one down the chin. She, does not. Still, she mimics Soup's stroking gesture, and while the smile is in her voice, her mask smiles all the while for her. "I would enjoy that my friend."

Her armour is a banded and kilted mail, wide in the skirt to allow her to ride, the metal red from sun and age, the gambeson and padding beneath a strong crimson. Her wide brimmed hat, so wide she's forced to step back to see taller people such as Sir Manny, is a cloth covered helmet. The great feather on it is a stark white, with red-eye spots. She also bears a striking white-feather cloak over one shoulder.

"Indeed!" She agrees, as Faran goes to stir things up and make the mingling occur. The step back is taken now, her head tilted up to observe the human, a smiling metal mask presented, "I do not know these other orders so well. What draws you to your Blue Rose, what have you sworn to uphold, Sir Manny?"

Faran's minglings take some time, as there were a number of Knights about, and encouraging them to spread takes a bit of doing. Eventually, one or two, who've yet to recieve their servings, do venture to approach tables of other Orders.

Sir waywalker's observations are mostly veiled, but somewhat pensive, as it seems her idea isn't panning out as smoothly as she'd hoped. She shakes her head and eventually finds her way back to the others, "So, how are you finding things?"

Her questions unanswered for the moment, Paenitia turns to Faranmidahn as she returns. It's much easier to look at a Lucht at her own height, no neck strain. The brim of her hat hiding the ceiling and taller folk, turning them into living carayatids, male and female. Sir Soup has been drawn off by crafty canine calamities, and her question about the Order seemingly sparking more introspection than she expected.

So Faran's return is welcomed, "I am much impressed my friend. If only Proud Ramirez would fit through the door. He would have filled this hall with loud demonstration. His tail would sweep the ceiling. Instead he stands atop the building ready and patient. I am happy to see the Orders show so well. I suspect they did not expect a Mad Dog, ha ha! I will say Hola on the festival field to those that cannot bend their necks down."

Manny takes a look to everyone while he begins to speak with Paenitia, "Ah, I want to be diplomatic and peaceful, to bring people all together. I am tired of the war outside of walls, I want to be a change."

To be [[Meetup: Knights! Part 2|continued...]]

==Dramatis Personae==

'''Soup'''
<br>Here strides a giant among men! Sir Silsoupi Llameni, Knight of the Order of the Cockatrice! Hero of the Hour! His blued steel armor glistens, a helmet designed to look like a Dog's head when lowered sits atop his skull. His well trimmed black beard sits in an triangle pointed style, complete with an arcing mustache beneath his large nose. Large bright brown eyes are surrounded by laugh lines, set beneath a pair of neatly trimmed eyebrows. His hair is drawn back and cropped short so as not to interfere with his helmet. 

A blue doublet pokes out around the armor, covering his arms and meeting the pair of brown leather gloves which protect his hands. At his waist is a sheathed Kukri, the handle point forward from his left. As well as a sheathed scimitar swung back on his right. Blue puffy pantaloons cover his legs and end in a pair of brown leather boots. Those boots boast a pair of dull spurs that clink musically as he walks. Across his back is an immaculately cared for and well designed lute. 

His voice when he speaks is light and melodic, and always seems to carry a tune. One usually met in some form by the large DireCorgi that travels with him. The brown and white animal easily shouldering a pack and saddle as well as a belted lance on it's right and a bow and arrows on it's left. It's keen eyes and fluffy fur as bright as the rest of the gnome's ensemble. Which is what he is, three foot four of Knightly boasting prowess, Sir Soup

'''Paenitia'''
<br>Small, dark and winsome.

On a Giant white peacock.

Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harrana, is a crimson knight astride an ivory steed. A dark skinned Lucht Siuil, her black hair hangs in ringlets to mid-back, wild, untamed, loose. Matching fetlocks curl about her shins, demure, tamed, tied back with crimson bows. She wears a broad feathered hat, a matching single shoulder cape, both crafted from the bold feathers of her mount; striking white with red eyes. Beneath that hat, a smiling mask with rosy cheeks and a wide upturned moustache. Her armour has the same patina, an elaborate breastplate, rusted to match the mesas of her homeland. Paenitia's deep eyes smoulder behind the mask, and her skin, where visible, is a warm mahogany that is both heritage and time in the sun. She moves with an intensity overwhelming for her size.

Ramirez, her mount, is an eye-catching hippogryph. An albescent peacock gypsy-andalusan breed. Glorious, the size of a strong warhorse, his tail could cover a cart and easily hides his fluffy equine hind. His forelegs are the delicate and deceptively strong legs of the avian, and his body flows well into his feathery trail. Almost completely white, Ramirez is blood red on his neck, shoulders and breast, with the same bold colour in his crown and his many tailfeather eyes. He struts about regally, staring imperiously, proud and beautiful. Paenitia's saddle straps his midsection and has its own tail fan, a scabbard candelabra of pole arms that lies along his back.

She's from the land of the wind, tilting against windmills. A self-appointed knight, tiny and trite, riding a fancy and brings twice the fight.

==OOC Convo==

<OOC> Merek says, "New because I'm not familiar with protocol."
<br><OOC> Paenitia says, "We're all practicing the being knightly formal and stuff"
<br><OOC> Elyanna says, "so Sir Mann (last name if any) of whatever land of the Order (insert order here)"
<br><OOC> Merek says, "mentally tired as crap, earlier tried to sleep for 5 hours straight, never actually got to bed."
<br><OOC> Elyanna hugs, "ok, sorry you're not feeling well"
<br><OOC> Paenitia nods, sympathies, "I generally don't RP when I'm not up to it, but you're here so see what you can rise to."

http://www.tenebraemush.net/index.php?title=Cavalier#Cavalier_Martial_Traditions