.W.E . A.R.E . T.H.E . A.M.E.L.L.I.A.U.S.

.W.E . A.R.E . T.H.E . A.M.E.L.L.I.A.U.S.

Yorkshire: The Ruined City of the Daithilus Amelliaus
Central Ayenee

Aethaeril Falls Gate, Blue Sector

Secrets were rarely well kept, the exact location of Yorkshire was something of a myth – while it had been compromised more than once during the wars, the nature of city was illusive and enigmatic. To Ayenee it was the seat of power for Adrin as Chancellor, and to Noria and Lorenz it once served as the nation’s most populated capital in the Elysium Spiral – even greater than the mighty skyward reaching skyscrapers of New Surrune which now laid in radiated ashes on the Eastern Continent. It was a city of opulence and majesty, embodying both the modern and the tradition, towering skyscrapers marked a city of commerce and authority, while the majestic white halls of the Amelliaus centered at the upper reaches of Aethaeril Falls clearly called attention to the urban center’s rich and diverse history. On the surface the place had been set to ruin, while beneath the surface the slumbering secret of the hidden city awaited it’s wake up call.

The very structure of the city spoke volumes as to it’s purpose and history, from above it appeared as a massive sprawling lily with clustered prefectures of urbanization that spiraled inwards, in a labyrinth of complex walls and integrated defenses, towards the heavily built up city center which was unmistakably engulfed by the massive White Citadel and the surrounding military and government buildings. Like most cities on Ayenee that had been developed by the Norian people it was a mesh of traditionalist and technologist designs – accommodating for the Xythael, the traditionalist military power that had elected to serve the homeland in their own distinct and brutal manner.

 Originally Posted by Tears of the Builder

O.N.E . V.I.S.I.O.N

Yorkshire, Central Ayenee
Home of the Shadowguard Amelliaus

Condensation dripped down carved stone and the broken arcitecture of the ancient and clandestine halls of the Amelliaus, like caves the interiors had become ingrown by nature with the spikes and spires of stallagtites and stallagmites. One single drop of moisture, one tear of the builder herself fell from above and into the shallow pool that had formed in the center of the Circle of Fiends. Impregnated by the power drawn from the blood of the returned manifestient and Unya herself the drop created a ripple which moved across the glassy surface, ring after ring of disruption following it as the energy was discharged into the pool. The strone blocks beneath shifting as they became active once again, the water being funneled away from the surface to reveal what laid beneath. Obsidian glass formed the curvature of a structure that resembled a magnifying glass which rose from the center of the circle, it’s surface illuminated with the glyhs which had been etched there centuries before. The sun rose within the sky to it’s highest point and it’s empowering rays breached the top of the dome, beaming down upon the activation assembly. It was the spart to light the flame, the domes shaking causing loose stone and stained glass pane to crumble and shift as it rained down upon the interior. Two Asune Dimensional Energy Taps initiated upon the reception of the signal and deep beneath the circle that which had slumbered within ice was called to wake.

Stone and metal shifted, a labyrinth – one of illusion and structure encapsulated the secrets to which had been left to time. The triggers didn’t know the difference between brothers separated by space and time. All it knew was that the time had come and the signals had been recieved. Ancient technologies that exceeded even the advancements of the Federation and the Umarian hordes had been kept there, reserved in waiting for the day that the fortold return would occur. Through translucent blue panes the faces of men, women and beast could be seen in their last moments of sleep that had seemed almost an eternity.

Yorkshire had not been bombed by the enemy, however it was the works of Adrin himself that had turned the city to ruin. In an attempt to ensure its safety its surface had been bombed and its population tucked into a deep sleep in the subterranean structures below the ancient city. It was a move of desperation on the part of those left to carry out the instructions, however it had made possible what was soon to happen – for a thriving capital to awaken from its slumber. The city was far from tame, time had allowed natures invasion, crumbled buildings had become overrun by grass and weeds, some even had trees growing within their broken confines. Wild life, of the normal and more sinister nature had moved in to accompany traps and carefully assigned guardians that served as protectors of the home of the Amelliaus.

Overtures and chorus had been sung of the mighty halls and men who had made Yorkshire their home, defenders of Ayenee – guardians of the realm despite their own distant origination. These were the heart of Adrin’s following, the armored spine of a regime that now had returned. This was one of many goals laid out in a complex plan, one that would hopefully lead to answers to the vicious time anomalies that had splintered.

-

The GATE Network was once a series of teleportation gates that connected the Norian/Chancellor controlled cities on Ayenee – and at one time even connected to cities on distant worlds such as Lorenz. Naturally occurring energies that emitted from the rock-face of the granite shield that stretched across the region prevented normal teleportation into the city, traffic was auto-routed to GATE stations at the city’s edge unless internal pads were utilized. This helped prevent invasion and also made logistics manageable and controlled. Reconnecting the Morsoram GATE to the Yorkshire GATE had taken almost two days, a clashing brawl of mages and technologists arguing over technology that had predated the times of their forefather and beyond.

A team consisting of Adrin, Lieutenant Giana and six of her vetted elite soldiers were permitted to make transit. As predicted they were transferred to the Aethaeril Falls Gate, located in Blue Sector. The Gatehouse’s main chamber was a massive octagonal room with stone walls and glass windows that had been shattered and broken. Grass grew between the empowered stones and the rushing flow of Aethaeril Falls could be seen through one of the crumbling walls. There was a small control room to the right of the GATE platform  which also served as a sentry station protecting access to the corridor which lead out to the street. The GATEhouse was littered with debris, the people had been given very little time to prepare.

Lieutenant Giana

Dawn marches and arduous training sessions had prepared the Elite squad of six men from the Stone Fortress on Morsoram Island under the command of Lieutenant Giana. The disciplined and hard core troops were hand selected by the General, knowing full well that Lieutenant Giana expected nothing less. Day after day, the General kept watch on the squad that had broken all records that had been set by previous ranks. Even in the blistering cold of night, through rain storms and then scorching heat, their regime continued, to build both mind and spirit in preparation for what was a top secret mission. Whispers abound around the Fortress when the platoon did drills out on the courtyard lawn. The Lieutenant was not one to stand back and let her team do all the work; for she was right down there with them. Matching them. Mile for mile, through the rugged terrain of the tropical Isle. Carrying full packs, splattered with mud and dripping in sweat; Lieutenant Giana’s voice rang out encouraging them to push harder, further than ever before. The setting of the sun, brought the silhouettes of the platoon, jogging back towards their barracks. A hardy meal at the mess hall, then all accounted for; the platoon would bunk down for the night, to be ready to rise early for what would be their greatest test.

Lights out, and Lieutenant Giana left the men to rest, to head back to her room. All she wanted was a hot shower, and then to pack for the mission. Standing under a light post, the General was waiting; blue eyes piercing through the darkness watching the svelte Lieutenant descend the two stairs of the barracks. General Rortaya took a last drag of his cigarette. Letting it fall from his finger grip and then grinding the butt into the dirt with his boot. The smoke snaking up from his parted lips, as he pushed off from the light pole, to walk along with the Lieutenant. There was no mistaking it, he was surprised at her ability to keep up with the men of her troop, and had made passing comments to other ranking officers, that the Lieutenant was one to watch. The crunch of his steel capped boots on the light gravel caused the Lieutenant to stop and glance back. She immediately went to attention, and saluted him appropriately.

“General..”

“I think you can drop the formalities for now, Lieutenant.” the General said with something of a casual smile. “I see you bunked down your men. Good job. They have a big day ahead of them tomorrow. Wish I was going, to be honest. But…as it is, they need good leadership here, for what is to come.” It was clear by the General’s tone, that he would have given his right arm to be part of the squad, especially after seeing the brief, and knowing just who they were accompanying and where they were going. General Rortaya paused for a moment, and then he reached up and ran a finger down the jagged scar on his face. This did not go unnoticed by the Lieutenant. Standing at ease, the younger officer asked; “Sir, if you wish to go so badly, then you can take my place. The men admire and look up to you, even heard them tell stories about the tours you led.” The Lieutenant was genuine in her offer, but the General shook his head, and patted her shoulder lightly. “Now now, no need to patronize me, Lieutenant. I am needed here. You however, were specially chosen, and I sure as hell am not going to go against those orders. Now…you best be getting to your barracks, you got a long day ahead of you.” Both the General and Lieutenant faced each other, and saluted formally, before the Lieutenant was dismissed, and General Rortaya watched her with pride, as she marched back to her barracks.

-

A new day dawns, the light of the sun barely cast over the horizon, and the specialist unit are already long out of their cots, and dressed in full kit uniform. Backpacks and utility belts hoisted on, weapons holstered and additional ammunition clips fitted. They were the pride of Morsoram Island, and many of the other officers and their men came to see the six crack troops and their Lieutenant boarding the shuttle for the Morsoram GATE. News had come from the boys in communications, that the effort put into making the GATE operational was considerable, with a war of words erupting between the mages and the technolgists, who argued about the reconstruction of what was a unique way to travel between the island and other cities of Ayenee. Dramas before the trip had even commenced, but it was to be expected when you had those that clashed in their ideologies. Reaching the Morsoram GATE took only thirty minutes from the barracks, and when the troops dismounted from the shuttle, all stared at the dilapidated remains of what was once a renowned travel port. Long grasses had grown up between the stone blocks, and debris as well as glass littered the ground. All accounted for, the troop met up with the leader of this mission. One that was known very well by the young Lieutenant, for she had studied everything about him from many dusty tomes in the archives on the mainland. The troops remained silent, till they were commanded to speak, and simply followed Adrin through the GATE and arrived at their destination. Aethaeril Falls Gate. Lieutenant Gianna ensured that all were at the ready, their plasma bolt rifles held out before them, as they came through the GATE, one at a time. What met them…was a shock to the system.

The rushing sound of the waters of Aethaeril Falls was the first to reach their senses. All around them, crumbling walls, smashed glass window panes, and debris long since choked by the grasses and plants that had claimed the Gatehouse as its own. Lieutenant Gianna, turned her left wrist and said into the LTS bracelet; “Location…co-ordinates” Lights flowed across the bracelet in a matrix like pattern, before replying in a metallic drawl. ” Aethaeril Falls Gate, Blue Sector. S-D-C 345-7″ Lieutenant Giana replied “Confirmed.”

Keeping their wits about them, the six elite troops spread out across the massive octagonal room, checking for anything that could be of a danger to their leader; Adrin, whilst the Lieutenant came up alongside him, her plasma pulse rifle at the ready.

“Your orders, Commander?” Lieutenant Giana asked, keeping a sharp eye out for any sudden movement in the abandoned Gatehouse. But the only movement, was the odd butterfly, or brightly coloured crawling insects, that made their way along the grassy tufts between the stone.

Wrtiers : Adrin (Severece)  and Lieutenant Giana  (CharlotteCarrendar.)