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Post by kingfish on Feb 18, 2021 17:32:15 GMT
BronzewingIt was a good day for Queen Moraine. Queen-she was beginning to get used to the title, however odd it felt in her mouth. It was better suited to the likes of her mother. Queen Esker had not been quite the positive figure in her life-Moraine knew that, on a base level, her mother did care for her, but Esker was often preoccupied with the executions and squabbling with her council. No one had missed her when she died. The late queen had been overall a bad one-not counting the constant persecutions of hybrids and those who made them, Esker was all too quick with the sword and too slow to talk. She was not fond of trials and diplomacy. Moraine was going to break that trend. After her coronation at the peak of the Ice Palace, the queen tried to see to healing the broken relationships between other tribes-even dropping some of the stricter hybrid and other ‘wing laws in her kingdom. She even agreed to send students to a newfound school in the Sky Kingdom, though she had not specified who yet. She had taken her time to tour the Kingdom of Sky, rather enjoying the cool mountaintops and breathtaking views. Even her stony-faced guards were in awe of them. This place was not cool. It was hot and humid and wet, and she was not used to that at all. Her advisors had informed her that Ascidian was a queen to be feared-it was rumored that she intentionally lost her first challenge, to try and lull the previous queen into a false sense of security. However, she had quit before that happened, leading to a bloodless takeover-very much unlike Moraine’s. She stood on the pale steps of the ‘Summer Palace’ as they called it-it had been destroyed in the war, and it seemed the SeaWings wanted to rebuild. Apparently there was another- a Deep Palace, but since she did not have gills, it wasn’t much of an option. Her honor guard stayed close by her, their shining scales slightly weathered by the salt and sand and sun. She walked into the palace, head held high. Moraine was a queen. No longer could she afford to be a quiet princess on her father’s heel. And she had to act the part. (386 words 
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 18, 2021 22:50:57 GMT
kingfishQueen Ascidian was more than used to her title. She had been queen for a while now, ever since her old, panicking mother gave her the throne in fear of some great battle she was going to bring. Claws and teeth would clash and thrash, teeth slashing against one another for the challenge- of course, Ascidian never planned to do any of that. She didn't want to get any scars on her scales, after all. Of course, she wouldn't let any other dragons know that- let them think that she was so cunning and prepared that the queen was too intimidated by her to even fight back. Today was the day one of those new queens would come to visit. She only knew that they were an IceWing- at the moment she didn't recall their name. That was fine- she would remember it when it came time to. She hated keeping things in her mind that weren't important for the task at hand. And the task at hand right now was to fix up her jewelry to make the SeaWings look as wealthy and classy as possible in front of the IceWings. They did have more colorful scales, after all- nothing like a RainWing, but not pale and boring like an IceWing. She stood on the dusty steps of the palace- it was being rebuilt, but it looked good enough for her uses. While it was a tad dusty she wouldn't be able to drag them down to the Deep Palace- well, unless she wanted them to drown. And that wouldn't be good for tribe relations with the IceWings, if their new queen drowned on their first diplomatic meeting with the SeaWings. Her eyes focused onto the incoming IceWing- interesting. They were younger than her, maybe a bit too young in her eyes. Ascidian doubted she had any possible heirs or even dragonets to follow after her. They were what she had expected: an IceWing princess that had come in and become queen after the death of the last one- what was their name? Esker wasn't much of an ally to the SeaWings, but they had never given them trouble to her knowledge. "Come in." she said, moving onto the throne in a regal manner. At least she didn't have to do this meeting in the Kingdom of Ice- it was too cold there, and all the water was freezing and iced over. Horrible. And then there was that horrible cliff- no wonder not many tribes formed alliances with them. She definitely wouldn't unless they had a good reason for her to do so. Her bodyguards stood to her side like they normally did, eyes focused on the IceWing royal. She wasn't going to ask them to leave, of course- in fact, she flicked a wing to signal some of them to take stances by the doors. If they tried anything, she would have enough dragons to defend herself.
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Post by kingfish on Feb 18, 2021 23:18:31 GMT
BronzewingThe IceWing’s eyes rover over the older queen, taking in the bright blues and purples of Ascidian’s appearance as she appeared outside the doors of the palace-to-be. Moraine took inventory of the SeaWing’s jewelry. Most definitely, the queen was showing off, but the IceWing surmised that if she had the time to shine it and look so out-together, the Kingdom of Sea was calm..for the moment. Moraine had always found jewelry demeaning, taking away from her own scales’s grandeur, and therefore wore little but the crown of the IceWings, though a ring rested on her right talon’s index-a reminder, of sorts, from her father. The queen of the SeaWings was old-which meant she was powerful enough to keep the throne. And she didn’t see any little future rulers roaming about as well-either the queen was strong enough to put down her adult children, or she had chosen to avoid the situation altogether. Moraine personally saw the benefits of the second choice more than the first. And besides, the IceWing nobility’s coin purses had grown fat and heavy during her mother’s reign, as well as powerful. Nobles were the most dangerous dragons of a queen’s domain-keep them happy, but also limit their power and wealth or they will happily take your place. Moraine did not need to give one of those frivolous families a place at her side any more than she had to. The IceWing queen half-bowed, while her guard fully dropped their heads to the sand in respect. When Moraine rose, she nodded elegantly, flicking her right wing. This was the signal to wait, with only two truly following her into the throne room, standing around the queen. Moraine’s goal was to present herself as humble. As at Ascidian’s mercy, in any sense of the word. Dragons were most happy when they felt they held all of the cards, even if this wasn’t the truth. Let Ascidian see herself as above Moraine in everything-seniority, in guards, in riches. That way, Moraine’s gambit could possibly work and everyone could leave here happy. “Thank you for affording us your hospitality, Queen Ascidian. My name is Queen Moraine, daughter of the late Queen Esker.” Moraine had few spies in the Sea Kingdom. Though her mother had woefully underdeveloped the network, the few that remained had remarked that the queen was highly intelligent in any case. “I am standing in front of you today in order to offer a talon of friendship.” Moraine said, voice young and yet commanding, “I recognize my mother was far from hospitable. I apologize for this. Had she known the might of tribes allied together, I’m sure she would smile upon this meeting.” Esker never smiled.
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 19, 2021 1:57:06 GMT
kingfishThey were just what she expected- an IceWing. Light scales, crown on her head, nothing too special about their general appearance. They weren't wearing anything fancy- maybe they didn't like jewels as much as SeaWings did. She sometimes felt naked without having something on her person. This IceWing seemed comfortable in their own scales- or maybe their scales were too cold for the gold and silver. The room itself went down in temperature just as they stepped into the room. She noticed the IceWing looking over her, at her body to her throne. Did they notice the bodyguards? Did they care about the lack of other action in there? She didn't have dragonets or a king- well, not yet, anyway. Although dragonets were just a problem, something she would have to deal with- she had no plans to be a parent of any sort. She just wanted to be queen, controlling her dragons, doing whatever she could do. Having a whelp come up and challenge her...that was no good. She wanted to be queen for her whole life, if possible. One of her bodyguards almost dipped their head to the IceWing, before realizing that Ascidian probably wouldn't like that. She didn't- she shot them a heavy glare, twitching her tail before tilting her head back to the IceWing. They seemed...simple. They didn't have much on them, no jewels, not many guards. She was entirely at the SeaWing's mercy- but she wouldn't take advantage of that. They were either immensely confident or had something up their sleeve, and she wasn't in the mood to fall into any plans. She would keep this purely diplomatic, seeing them as about on the same level (despite SeaWings, of course, being better. They're her tribe, after all). "It is my pleasure, Queen Moraine." she said with a slow dip of her head. "I did know your mother, yet not well. They did not form an alliance with us." She looked over the dragon before fixing her sight straight into them. "What is the reason for your wish to start an alliance? Strength? Are you being threatened by another tribe?"
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Post by kingfish on Feb 19, 2021 21:20:26 GMT
Bronzewing Ascidian was..interesting, from what she could see. She dipped her head to Moraine-respect. It meant she was listening. Good. “My predecessor was not a diplomatic dragon. It made her weak.” Moraine said, ears flicking forward with conviction. Esker had been a good queen, but not a great one. Moraine could see that. The killing, the executions-all of those things took out potential allies that Esker failed to evaluate correctly. Dedicated to her own kingdom, yes, but executing any outsider or hybrid had made the IceWing establishment weak from lack of trade and cooperation. Hybrids, while abominations, were no issue as long as they did not have dragonets and were not in the Circles. “We are strong in numbers, Queen Ascidian. While I am not currently being threatened, your concern is kind.” Odd of the old queen to ask of her dragon’s well-being. What Moraine had come to understand was that other tribes were just like IceWings in the fact they thought they were all superior. It was quite obvious that IceWings were the answer-though even some zealous RainWings (whom she found to be frivolous and stupid) claimed they belonged to the best tribe. IceWings were best, of course. Animus magic had once been theirs, and their frostbreath, tails, and talons made them quite the force to be reckoned with. Yet even the strongest tribe could not demonstrate their wealth of power and knowledge with no diplomacy. “I ask for an alliance of strength through trade-of knowledge and resources.” the IceWing said, nodding. IceWings deserved to know more of their world than just their tiny kingdom on a small continent. Especially if they would one day need to conquer it in some way. The SandWings had always pushed for the border to be further in-yet most IceWings did not even know the cure for SandWing venom. It was a cactus, surprisingly. The saying to hold your enemies close was a wise one. If IceWings ever wanted to gain land, resources, or treasure, they needed to know their opposition.
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 22, 2021 14:22:22 GMT
kingfishShe listened, waiting for the right time to speak- to make Moraine feel as if she was listening. If they thought that she was paying close attention, they may be more open with her and likely to create a deal- and maybe later on she could act as if the IceWing was losing her. If there was to be a deal, she would try to make it the best possible for the SeaWings. "They were strong in battle, but without the approval of the other tribes, they won't be written in the scrolls." she said after a while. "And that is the most important thing- don't you believe so? To do something great for your tribe and be remembered for it?" She leaned forward on the chair, the pearls around her neck clicking against her scales. "But I suppose for your folk, your ranks are the most important. Either way." She gave a dismissive wave of her claw before going back to listening to what the ice dragon had to say. "Lovely." she said to the queen's claim that they weren't being threatened. If they were, then forming an alliance with the IceWings would in turn cause problems with the other tribes against them. She didn't want to end up in a war or conflict off this. She also had to tread carefully with the IceWings- they wanted something, and she had to make sure it would be equal for both tribes. After she got the deals equa, maybe she could barter a bit more for the SeaWing side. After all, what did the Kingdom of Ice have to give them? They had fish, shells, pearls, the whole ocean to command- and the IceWings had cold, snow, seals, and circles. Ascidian firmly believed that she had the advantage when it came to resources. "Interesting proposition. The SeaWings are always open to trade- but a trade requires that your tribe gives something back." she said. "So, I must ask: what do the IceWings have to offer us in return?" She leaned back, listening to what the other dragon would say, wondering how far she could push them.
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Post by kingfish on Feb 24, 2021 1:04:14 GMT
BronzewingMoraine smiled, directing her eyes to the floor for a second. “Among my tribe; when an animus dragon was born, they would do one great thing for their tribe. Their names are all remembered- mighty Penguin, sly Brinicle, clever Diamond..we tell their names to our dragonets so they may never be forgotten.” the IceWing queen said, a soft smile on her face, as if she was reminiscing about these dragons she had never met. Nevertheless, her mother would only be remembered as a tyrant. “..Anyhow, my mother was no animus. She gave us no prosperity.” she cleared her throat, shaking her head. Ranks were not as important as some dragons liked to think. They were the obsession of the nobility, yet dragons too low for the seventh circle made up the majority of their population, as hunters, fishers, and the such. They formed a strong backbone. The war was..a sensitive subject for Moraine-and Moraine had to tread lightly. The SeaWings had supported Blister, the IceWings on Blaze’s side for the majority of the twenty years it had raged. Her mother was a good strategist, though rarely did IceWings and SeaWings clash. That was a good thing-unlike the SkyWing queen, there were no massacres to atone for. Moraine nodded. She had expected this question-it was one she would have asked. “Of course. That is expected in a trade.” Moraine said elegantly, flicking her tail, “What we are offering in exports is long and tedious, but most notably, gemstones.”
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 24, 2021 13:35:14 GMT
kingfish"Animus dragons are always remembered." she said with a huff. "No dragon with that sort of power is missed by history. For your tribe, the only difference is that your animus dragons are royalty." She adjusted her body on the throne, looking down at the IceWing. "You're not an animus either. You need to stand on your own merit." There was a chance that Moraine could just be one of those queens- they came, they lived, and nobody really remembered them except for coming after a tyrant. If they made the alliances maybe- just maybe- they could get into the books for starting a time of peace between the tribes. The only person stopping them was her. Ascidian wasn't going to let them get off easy. The SeaWings would get the best of the deal- and she would do her best to actually make a deal. "Maybe your tribe remembers any dragon that gets high up in your rankings, though. I wouldn't be sure, as SeaWings have no need for something like that." She would never understand why IceWings cared so much about those circles! In her kingdom, it was royalty and not royalty. Simple as that. They were also on opposite sides of the great war, although Ascidian cared little about it. The war was already over, closed up, finished. As none of the sisters now had the SandWing throne, it was worth nothing to her, and she regretted that the SeaWings were even in it- even if she personally had nothing to do with it. That wasn't at all a factor in her negotiations, but if it came up, she would play that card. "We do need more than that." she said, playing with her pearl necklace- drawing attention to it. SeaWings did have a fair amount of jewelry, although she wouldn't say no to getting a bit more. "Knowledge- we know a lot about Pyrrhia and have taken part in many a historical event. We are not in need of resources due to the ocean's bounty. And your tribe, up in the cold parts, may need more than cold and seals to keep going." The ocean...they were the only tribe to use it fully, and it gave them so much. If it swam, it belonged to them, and she doubted any other tribe could take advantage of it like they could. MudWings, maybe, but they could only hold their breath for some time and preferred swamps over seas.
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Post by kingfish on Feb 25, 2021 5:58:24 GMT
Bronzewing“You’d be suprised, Queen Ascidian. Many of our historic animi remain nameless to the world, simply because they were unremarkable.” Moraine. There was an undercurrent of a slight brag-about the amount of animi, but Moraine realized this, quietly reining herself in. Other dragons did not like being told that they did not belong to the best tribe. She smiled, an intelligence behind her thankful eyes, “Queen Ascidian, we all stand on our merit. But some have been blessed by the queens before to have the chance to be more.” The IceWing did not want to fade into obscurity, that was for sure. Yet if her name must be forgotten for her tribe to flourish-no, there would not be a whisper of the word ‘Moraine’ ever against Moraine nodded her head, slightly conscious of the pale single circle that was missing from her chest, “Rank is important among my dragons, yes, but our actions rise us to the First.” Other tribes. She would never understand their lack of Circles, of order. Of that fundamental want to rise, rise , rise. Resources, knowledge..but there was one more thing, “IceWings are rather resilient, your majesty.” she informed. “Of course, the ocean is a vast thing...but, Queen Ascidian, it cannot protect you on land. This castle serves as its own reminder in that..” she said, trying to be as polite as possible. “Undoubtedly SeaWings are the rulers of the sea..but your enemies are land bound. IceWings share this connection to the sea-is a seal not an aquatic creature? But IceWings are forged not from the sea, but from ice.” Moraine said, whistling softly for one of her guards, who walked calmly over with a narwhal spear, tipped with pale metal barbs. “IceWings know the way of the spear since birth, Queen Ascidian. Even our common dragonets can wield one. What I mean to say, your majesty, is that through an alliance with us, IceWings can protect your land borders and teach your dragons with years of experience.” she examined the tip of the spear, “War is always immanent in Phyrria. The only way to avoid it is to persuade other tribes to not to even try.”
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 26, 2021 3:58:16 GMT
kingfishThos poor dragon- that meant that they did have animus dragons that did nothing of note despite how many they claimed to have. The SeaWings hadn't had animus power in the same frequency as the IceWings did- but she could confirm that they took advantage of their power. Sure, they were a bit fearful of them, but a queen always knew that when an animus dragon came, it was time to take advantage of their enchantments. Sure, sometimes they snapped and went mad, but not when there are knives always pointed at their own necks. "Every animus dragon of our tribe has done something useful for the tribe- we make sure of it. If they enchant something, it's something we can have to this day." She motioned to the palace around them. "If they aren't in the books, then they never existed. There is no need for a name since the dragon never existed- we make use of all our dragons with power." Shame they didn't have any at the moment. She would never understand the point of Circles. She decided not to ask further about it- let them have their delusions of grandeur, their limiting way of life where only your status mattered. Of course, that mattered for the SeaWings too- but not as strictly as the IceWings had it. She would never understand why they had to make everything rank based down to the smallest hatchling. "SeaWings are able to fight on land, and we have the advantage that nobody can fight us in the water." she said with a twitch of her wings. "We're not as helpless as you assume us to be. We have power of our own, and the benefits of not being out in the cold lands where nobody can ever visit you. You may be safe because of your wall, but it makes trade and alliances...difficult, to say the least. We have strength and defense yet do not have this problem." She looked up at the palace- yes, it had been damaged rather badly. She waved a claw- "It was old. We're already working on updating it- this should not be a problem ever again." She stared into the IceWing queen's eyes, claws grasped tightly onto the side of her throne. "Yet, we will always take more allied fighters. If you have the resources and knowledge to compete with your battle skills, maybe something will come of these talks." This was looking good so far- but she needed to make sure that she got more out of it. After all, the IceWings only had knowledge of their little corner of the world- and she doubted they had much more than gemstones. They did love jewelry over in the Kingdom of the Sea, but if she made a major alliance just for pretty stones, her dragons wouldn't be happy.
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Post by kingfish on Feb 26, 2021 20:14:32 GMT
BronzewingMoraine nodded. She was quickly growing tired of the informality of this queen-compared to the others, she was blunt and unwilling to flatter her-which, to her own credit, she recognized was happening. That did not stop her from basking in the warmth of the praise that was given to her. “Not every dragon’s name must be remembered to be respected..at least, in our kingdom. Remembrance is not a indicator of greatness among the IceWings-your great traitor’s name, Albatross, is still remembered, is it not?” the queen said, drawing up what spine she had to make such a bold statement. She would never understand the want to write down every dragon to ever exist. One day, they all would fade into obscurity as their ink cracked away under time-but her name would live on, in the stories of IceWing parents to their dragonets. “The defenses of this palace were clearly not enough, yes? And, I mean no disrespect, Queen Ascidian, but not many tribes even need anything but your pearls.” Fine then. If the SeaWing wanted to trade insults, than so be it. However, she kept her unrest disguised behind a mask of no intelligence. “I wish you well in your reconstruction, then.” the queen said, meeting the SeaWing’s eyes with a steely grey-blue gaze. “Our fighters are more than capable, Queen Ascidian. Perhaps it would be wise to demonstrate this with a friendly spar between our guards?” she suggested, glancing back at the thin blue dragon that had given her the spear.
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Post by Bronzewing on Feb 26, 2021 22:16:29 GMT
kingfishThey really liked to sing their own praises, huh? All the things they were saying, all the entitlement in their voice- as if they thought they had the upper hand. Hah! All they had was ice and frost! "It may not be an indicator of greatness, but we know to make sure things don't happen again." she said. Oh, so they were doing this now? Fair enough- she would play along. "Since of our first...animus mishap, we have made sure that no more of these mishaps have happened. Yes, it was bad, but it will never happen again." She narrowed her eyes- "As for you, forgetting the dragons that caused you trouble may cause history to repeat itself. Did not somebody run away with your animus power? Best not to forget that." She wouldn't remember every dragon, obviously, but there were dragons that deserved to have their names written down. Animus dragons or influential dragons were those who remembered it. "Octopus", who ate 10 scavengers one day, would not be in the history books. "They weren't, That is why we are rebuilding. As for our resources, tell that to our other trade partners who don't just take our pearls." she said with a huff. "And I doubt dragons want to take your snow, hm? You have to offer us combat training in order to try to make a deal." She looked at her guards- she wouldn't give up her bodyguards, but they were all well trained and she wouldn't mind having one spar. "But I don't think my guards would refuse a spar." She looked towards one of them with a nod of her head- they didn't seem happy, but wouldn't dare deny her.
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Post by kingfish on Mar 1, 2021 22:48:31 GMT
BronzewingShe chuckled lightly, “Prince Arctic will certainly never be forgotten. Though it could be argued a certain NightWing led him astray, that would say nothing to his own foolishness..” the Queen mused, talon reaching up to stroke her chin, as if thinking. “You’d be quite surprised how large our ice business is- but that is beside the point.” Moraine smiled wryly. Dragons, especially in the Sky Kingdom, were prone to wanting their food refrigerated, so that it wouldn’t go bad. It was a trade of the lower dragons of the kingdom, but nevertheless it was possible. “Combat training is part of our offer.” She nodded, waving a claw to the grey-blue dragon and tossing them the spear, which they caught. The IceWing proceeded from a guarding stance to a fighting one, twining their tail about the end of their spear and huffing an bit of frostbreath onto the end. If the other dragon was nicked, it would be like being struck by dry ice.
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Post by Bronzewing on Mar 2, 2021 0:08:27 GMT
kingfish"I would be concerned if you had forgotten him. He was important to your history, after all." Shame they lost their animus dragons- although with how haughty their tribe was, she didn't feel too bad for them. What was the point of an animus that did one thing? Why couldn't they just have multiple, very nice, gifts at once? No point to only make one thing. "Ah, so you sell ice. Interesting- we have no need for that sort of thing, but I would guess the Sky Kingdom would. Lots of heat and fire around there, after all." They had the water- and what was the point of cold food when the ocean was a perfect fridge? "Although we, again, wouldn't deny it. Sometimes we do need ice for our drinks." She tapped her strong tail along the ground with a thumping sound. She tossed the guard one of her own spears- made of bone and horns straight from the ocean, tipped with strong metal. She called them up to her, pretending to adjust the spear as she whispered to them out of earshot: Make sure to kill them. Not wanting to anger her, the other dragon rapidly nodded before rushing over with their spear to fight the IceWing.
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Post by kingfish on Mar 11, 2021 5:10:37 GMT
Bronzewing“You’d be quite suprised, Queen Ascidian. It’s quite cold in the northern parts,” Moraine mused, turning her head slightly to the side as if actually thinking about it. She was, surprisingly. The SkyWings were an interesting bunch, with the northern bits of their kingdom nearly inhospitable to them. Moraine was highly considering bargaining for the land that the fire-breathers couldn’t use. Breathing fire was so..pointless. Could start a forest fire, for hell’s sake. Ugh. She hated the warmth. So, so much. The guard flicked their ears at the sudden rush, eyes narrowing as their spear went to attention. Normally, the dragon would bow, which they shortly integrated before dancing away from the SeaWing, claws carefully gripping the ivory surface of the spear. For a queen who seemed so nonchalant about the fight, this guard was awfully...thrilled to go at it. Moraine didn’t like that one bit. Her claw went up to her crown, adjusting it slightly. The guard got the message.
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