OBT Forum

I am enjoying mapping this one, so it is no real effort on my part.

Aff They do well. The Clan Fennec would be proud to be their allies if not to enchance our touman by captureing a few of their warriors.

I am getting Dizzy from all the twists and turns

Very well done!

Invasion Eve from the eye of the map maker.

The Clan holdings in the Chainlaine Isle I had no name to go by so made one up.  also, the invasion waves lines are nice and straight, something that will change on the ground.

ComStar First Circuit
Hilton Head, Terra
July 19, 3043

“Primus Myndo Waterly is dead,” intoned Charles Seneca, Precentor-ROM.  Of course, everyone present knew why the First Circuit had been hastily convened.  “Last evening, she had a meeting with an Adept—her guards responded to the sounds of a struggle, but they were too late.  Both Adept Thomas and the Primus were dead.”

“Thomas?  That clown?” barked Precentor Atreus, Demona Aziz.  “The guards must be interrogated and punished for failing in their duty to protect the Primus!”

Focht frowned, and he shook his head.  “They responded quickly, Precentor Atreus.  Yet you wish to subject them to torture and execution for an event that no one foresaw?”

“They failed, Precentor Martial!  That is reason enough for them to suffer.  Why was he allowed access to the Sanctum in the first place?”

Charles shook his head.  “The Primus summoned him—and she dismissed the guards.  The two apparently argued over some matter, and she managed to fatally wound him with a laser.  Unfortunately, her body guards had only just entered the room when Adept Thomas broke her neck with his bare hands.  They hesitated to fire for a split-second in fear of hitting the Primus accidently; her death was not caused by their actions or inactions.”

“So you say!  They are your men, and they failed in their charge.  All who fail must suffer the consequences!”

“I realize that I am new here,” spoke up Gregory Zwick, Precentor Naval, “but I must say that many of our personnel will resent seeing men who did their jobs and obeyed the orders they were given held accountable for the actions of others.  Terror is all well and good, but unless you are planning on inciting paranoia within our ranks, it is often counter-productive.”

“You have no vote here, Precentor Naval!  Hold your tongue, lest I order it removed!”  Aziz spat, and Zwick’s expression darkened.

“You are not Primus, Precentor Atreus,” the Naval officer said quietly.  “But you are welcome to try; I assure you that you will not care for the outcome of that confrontation, however.”

“You threaten me?  Precentor Naval, I will have you torn limb from limb!”

“Precentor Atreus,” Sharilar Mori, Precentor Dieron, spoke up.  “We are getting ahead of ourselves here.  We must first have a Primus—afterwards, we can decide upon what to do with those who do not follow the Word of Blake.”

“Do not utter that holy phrase, Precentor Dieron; you pay only lip-service to your beliefs.  Have you not argued time and again for the secularization of this organization?  Ignoring ritual and tradition in favor of promoting those loyal to you?”

“All that I did, Precentor Atreus, was at the direction and order of the Primus—whom I served faithfully and completely.  She was my mentor after all . . . but since you have raised the issue, yes, I support a loosening of the restrictions placed upon the members of this Order.  Jerome Blake commanded that ComStar stand ready to act in defense of humanity; yet this Order has at times stood opposed to the restoration of civilization.  And what for cause?  Our own power?  Our own arrogance that only we are able to lead the human race into the future?”

“The Word of Blake cannot be compromised!  All will accept it or they shall perish!”

“And so you would start your reign with a purge, Precentor Atreus?”

“I will cull those unsuited for the Call of the Word of Blake from our midst, Precentor Dieron—starting with you.”

Mori just nodded her head pleasantly, as if Aziz were asking her to tea.  The older woman’s cheeks flushed as the unspoken rebuke.

“Just because we do not advocate conversion of the unwilling by force, Precentor Atreus, does not mean we are less committed to the teachings of Blake,” calmly spoke Michael York, Precentor New Earth.

Aziz sneered.  “You remain only on the First Circuit out of deference to your ancestor Hollings York, Precentor New Earth.  You are secundus in this chamber, so I would advise you to remain silent.”

“And let someone as insane as you speak in my stead.  No Precentor Atreus, I have remained silent long enough.”

“HOW DARE YOU!”

“How dare you believe that only your interpretation of Conrad Toyama’s alterations of Jerome Blake’s own words is the correct interpretation?  You ignore that which prevents you from getting what you want, and impose the rest upon all other people, Precentor Atreus!” Michael answered in a fiery roar.  “We have had enough madness and insanity in the robes of the Primus, and it will be a cold day in Hell before you ever wear those white robes!”

“HERETIC!  APOSTATE!  GUARDS!  Seize him!” Aziz sputtered.

But the guards did not move.

Mori laughed.  “Precentor Atreus, there is no Primus to command the Guards—they answer only to Precentor ROM at the moment—one of those you threatened to purge.  Perhaps we should have the vote for Primus, so that we might settle this?  Are there nominations?”

“Aye,” answered Precentor Tharkad.  The old bespectacled man lowered his hood and gazed across the First Circuit with glistening blue eyes.  “I name as nominee for Primus Michael York.  He comes from a good line, he knows well the catechisms, and he bears the intelligence of his great-grandfather.  He is healthy, and young, and well-respected amongst the Adepts.”

Precentor Bryant frowned.  “He is too soft; I nominate Demona Aziz for Primus.  She will restore ComStar to its rightful place.”

Mori nodded and then she smiled.  “I call for the vote—and announce my support of Precentor New Earth.”

Demona whipped around and she only stared at Mori in shock.  She knew that Mori wanted the title of Primus, but she was not contesting it with York—which meant that Aziz’s faction might not have the votes to put her in place.  But Precentor Atreus was too slow, for a half-dozen voices seconded her motion.

In a matter of moments, the vote had been taken, and Michael York exchanged his yellow robes of a Precentor with the white robes of Primus.

“You have won here today, Primus,” Aziz spat.  “But one victory does not win the war.  I will return to my post on Atreus.”

“Ah, Demona.  I am issuing an order in chambers for all of the First Circuit to remain on Terra until the Clan crisis is resolved.  Your deputy on Atreus will have to handle the burdens of that distant station.”

“I AM PRECENTOR ATREUS!  I have a sacred duty!  And no one, Primus or other, can stop me from that duty!”

“Guards, arrest former Precentor Aziz; take her outside and shoot her,” Michael replied calmly.

The ROM Guards moved, grabbing the Precentor’s arms and they hauled her screaming outside, until a single gunshot silenced the woman.  “Anyone else want to defy their new Primus?”  He paused but there was no answer in the now silent chamber.  “Good.  We seem to need to a Precentor Atreus—Cameron St. Jaimais,” he said to the Demi-Precentor who served as Aziz’s aide.  “You will not be receiving that post—guards detain him for questioning.”

A stunned St. Jaimais was hauled away from the First Circuit and Michael began to pace.  “Precentor Martial, can you spare Trent Arian from his post?”

Focht frowned.  “I’ve just promoted him to full Precentor and given him the 85th Division, Primus.  He is an excellent officer.”

“Yes, he is.  And he is a man I can trust—can you spare him?”

Focht bowed low.  “As the Primus commands.”

“To hell with that blessed nonsense that deifies the Primus, Precentor Martial—yes or no?”

“Yes, Primus,” Focht answered with a smile.

“Good.  Then I appoint Trent Arian as Precentor Atreus—unless the First Circuit objects?”  Michael paused.  “No objections.  Good.  Then we are adjourned—Precentors Martial, Naval, and ROM, please stay.  I need a full briefing.”

Ah another York, of course I approve! Thought you might put William Blane who is currently Precentor of Gibson and good friend of Thomas Marik (the only one left alive) in as the new Precentor Atreus. Surprised there wasn't more word play from Precentor New Avalon Huthrin Vandel, Precentor Tharkad Ulthan Everson, Precentor Sian Jen Li, and Precentor Rasalhague Gardner Riis. As of 3052 these four along with Mori and Aziz were the only 6 Advocate (voting representing a House) members. Here is a list of the entire First Circuit which I have plans to reactivate in Clarion Call. Enjoy!

      6 / Original First Circuit Precentors (Primus Jerome Blake - 2785)
   First Precentor of New Earth      
   First Precentor of Caph (Barnard)      
   First Precentor of Rigel Kent (Alpha C)   
   First Precentor of Bryant         
   First Precentor of Procyon
   First Precentor of Dieron*         
      4 / Expansion Reform (Primus Raymond Kaprov - 2857)
   First Precentor of Arcturus         
   First Precentor of Oriente         
   First Precentor of Altair         
   First Precentor of Capella         
      4 / Advocate Precentors (Primus Yin Takami - 2988 - *Precentor Dieron represents the DC)
   First Precentor of Atreus         
   First Precentor of Sian         
   First Precentor of New Avalon      
   First Precentor of Tharkad         
      1 / Free Rasalhague (Primus Myndo Waterly - 3034)
   First Precentor of Rasalhague

I didn't know their names!  I do have Precentor Tharkad with a single line, but for the most part, the First Circuit was of the philosophy the nail that stands above the rest is just asking to be pounded.  They weren't going to put themselves between Demona and Sharilar.  They are, after all, survivors.

Master Arminas