Recent posts
#91
DHS Comix / Re: 2026/12/01 - [RE Volume 96...
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 23, 2026, 09:15:32 PMPages 4 and 5
I did wonder what the Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Aquarius Chaos Powers would look like...
I did wonder what the Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Aquarius Chaos Powers would look like...
#92
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Pax Draconica Chapter 2]
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 23, 2026, 09:03:05 PMFiskul seems hell-bent on assuming the worst about Fardon at this stage, even if they did take off on the wrong feet at first.
#93
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Xer 2 Chapter 3]
Last post by Raskahn - January 23, 2026, 02:47:45 PMQuote from: ProfesseurRenard on January 20, 2026, 06:47:42 PM03-07 - No, they really don't eat RAM.
I now find myself curious what Quirk's mouth opening would sound like...
var audio = new Audio('creaky_door.mp3');
audio.play();
#94
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Pax Draconica Chapter 2]
Last post by Starcat5 - January 23, 2026, 09:51:41 AM02-08 - Fardon knows when to fight and when to talk things out
Staring into the abyss, only to see the next universe waiting to be born. Or something like that. I'll have to listen to Party Snacks' speech on the subject again.
Staring into the abyss, only to see the next universe waiting to be born. Or something like that. I'll have to listen to Party Snacks' speech on the subject again.
#95
Tower of Art / Re: [Writing] Pax Draconica 2 ...
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 21, 2026, 07:43:21 PMThe difficulties of politics, eh?
#96
Tower of Art / [Writing] Pax Draconica 2 - Ch...
Last post by Tapewolf - January 21, 2026, 08:05:29 AMChapter 13 - Atlantia Ascendant
Lord Terror sat at the meeting table. He had been tempted to pick a vinyl cape over his usual catsuit, and hope that a diadem alone would to convey that he was, in fact, the lord of the realm, and not some concubine who had strayed into the conference room by mistake.
In the end, he had compromised and picked an ornate robe to wear over his favourite rubber clothing, wriggling his wings to fit through the slits in the back which had been cut for them by the finest tailors in the capital.
This robe had once belonged to Yyrkoon the Unsteady, and had developed a number of ugly red stains at the end of its tenure, since heads tended make rather a mess once removed. But time and modern cleaning agents had faded the bloodstains to nothing, and Terry only wore the robes on special occasions anyway.
Lady Silver, a snow leopard furre from the Hunters' realm of Atlantia, sat opposite him. And, as Terry had expected, the meeting had got off to a rocky start.
"If it pleases your lordship to treat with beasts..." she was saying.
Lord Terror sat up straight, eyes narrowing. "Mind your tongue, Hunter," he hissed. "That word has too oft been used to describe furres. Dragonkind deserves similar courtesy."
"I know Arstrom has not been welcoming of dragons since the Great Burning," the lord continued. "But that is in the past, and we must look to the future. Once, humans and furres were sworn enemies who slew each other with abandon. Now it is unthinkable that they should be anything other than allies. Why should the situation be different with dragons?"
"It is not for us to state who you should and should not trade with," Lady Silver allowed. "But I beg you remember that dragons are dangerous. They attacked Arstrom before, and may do so again!"
"They have not done so in four centuries," Lord Terror reminded them.
"A long time for us, but many of those who perpetrated the attack are still alive today."
"And they are alive in spite of your efforts," Lord Terror growled. "You forget. I was not born in Arstrom, and I am older than I seem. I have worked with dragons before.
"When I took over here, I researched the Great Burning, spoke to dragons who had witnessed or taken part in it. And just as I suspected, what happened then was not some random act of savagery as you make out, but revenge owed for the abduction and murder of their young. So long as we do not repeat the mistakes of the past, that unfortunate situation should not recur."
The Hunter's representative sighed. "Perhaps you think the dragons will honour your lordship, but you are a furre. Do you truly believe they will see you even as an equal, let alone their master?"
"Look at me," Lord Terror said. "I have horns and wings. Long life. Do you not think that I may have a generous helping of dragon blood in my veins? And if you have read up on me at all, you will know my reputation as a most capable warrior.
"Those who recognise my desire to protect them will likely agree to my negotiations, for I seek an accord with them, not mastery and servitude. For those who only recognise brute force, I assure you I am quite capable of enforcing my will at the end of a dragonblade or a rifle, if that is what it takes. Do you think you are the only ones who can slay a dragon if the need arises?"
"Well, if you have need of our expertise or aid, we will gladly offer it..." the Hunter started. Terry emitted a threatening hiss.
"Apparently you do not fully understand," he said, forcing himself to be calm. "I have met dragons. Fought alongside them. Made friendships and alliances. I have seen the power of a three-race unity and I intend to bring that same miracle with Arstrom. I know what I am getting into.
"But I do not know what you are seeking to achieve here," he continued icily. "The dragons in Arstrom are under my protection, and that is final. Yes, if one of them goes rogue, perhaps they may need to be put to death. But until and unless I give my own personal authorisation, even attempting to slay one of my charges will result in a demonstration of my wrath."
"Let's be clear about this..." he continued. "I am not a simpleton. I know all too well that many Hunters believe their own deaths to be a price worth paying if it will take down one of dragonkind too, as dragons are few and the other races are many. So the repercussions for murdering a dragon in my realm shall go far beyond merely sending the heads of the guilty back to Atlantia, I assure you.
"I can make this realm off-limits to all Hunters on pain of immediate death. If I am feeling generous I will allow most of you to leave first. If I am not... know that while necromancy is a high crime in Arstrom, we have not yet signed any decree against the trapping of souls by state officials.
"This is my realm, Hunter, and my rules apply within it. And if you dare to bring your crusade here, you shall learn why I am called Lord Terror."
Terry sat back, waiting for the snow leopard to storm off in disgust. To his surprise, she remained seated. Privately, Terry was very impressed, though he tried not to show it.
"Your lordship," Lady Silver began, an earnest expression on her face. "Perhaps you assume that I am a fanatic, who wishes all dragons slain on principle. I assure you, that is not the case. I am a practical woman, who sees dragonslaying as an unfortunate last resort.
"It is true that I have no love for dragonkind. I do not trust them, and I strongly believe that humans and furres should be capable of defending themselves when the need arises. Personally, I believe your approach is dangerous and unwise. But you are clearly set upon this, and if you can truly pull off a lasting peace and can guarantee that the dragons of your realm do not harm our kind, then the results will speak for themselves. Slaying dragons is not an easy thing, and reducing the need to do so will save us much effort."
"That's... an unusual position for a Hunter to take," Terry said skeptically.
"This moderate viewpoint is why I was chosen for this diplomatic mission. And I will be honest, the moderate faction is on the ascendant in Atlantia right now."
"Seriously...?" Terry's eyebrows raised.
"It's true. For a long time we have taken it as dogma that the Evil One, the destroyer of the world, was our number one threat, and that by slaying those who associated with him, we would be weakening his powers.
"Recent events in Taria and Thurr's realm have shown us that this was completely backwards, that by eliminating the Devourer's friends, we were instead eliminating his reasons to delay the apocalypse. We were endangering the world ourselves. This revelation was not taken well and has caused profound repercussions among Atlantia's leadership."
"If you had said any of this up front, I would have been far more accommodating," Terry growled. "Let me be clear... it will take time to trust your kind, Hunter. You started with shrill warnings against allowing dragons in Arstrom, so this seems a rather abrupt change in direction. It makes me suspicious.
"As I said, I have had friendships with dragons, and some of those friendships were prematurely ended by the actions of your people. It will take a long time to forgive that... and yet, if the moderate Hunters retain power and things continue to thaw... That would be a good thing, as far as I am concerned."
"If you wish to protect dragons within Arstrom, that is your business," the Hunter said. "You are the lord of the realm and must do as you see fit. I still say it is risky and unwise, but there are more important things at stake for Atlantia.
"If Arstrom should become a haven for dragons, we are worried that it may be treated as a safe-house for those who seek domination and murder. We do not want your realm to become a staging area for launching attacks against your neighbours. That is one reason for my being here."
"If that should happen, those responsible shall be punished accordingly," Lord Terror promised. "I want peace here, not more skirmishes between dragons and the Small Races. What are your other reasons...?"
"Let me be blunt, your lordship," Lady Silver said. "We know that you intend an alliance with Taria. I am not here to try and stop that, if you are determined to proceed with it. What troubles us most is the possibility that Hunters may be expelled from Arstrom as a result of that agreement.
"I know that you have no love for those who would kill dragons, and I understand that. But please try to remember that we are not all cut from the same cloth. There are families here who hailed originally from Atlantia and we would not see them expelled or executed merely for being here, as you threatened to do earlier."
"So what you are asking for," Terry said, "Is assurance that Hunters will continue to be able to enter my realm, if they obey my laws and their business here does not threaten my allies?"
"Yes," Lady Silver said, exhaling the word as if in great relief. "That is exactly it. We know your laws forbid us from slaying dragons without authorisation, and we will obey them as a diplomatic imperative.
"But Arstrom is strategically important, and we do not want to cut ties with you, dragons or no. We trade with you. We have people living here, and those who wish to monitor the situation regarding your experiments with allowing dragons to return. But most importantly, Atlantia also makes use of the Narduran trade route... Which runs through the north of your realm and uses the eastern pass."
"It cannot be denied that Atlantia has the finest weapons and aerotechnology," Terry admitted. "Those are indeed valued imports... but they are not irreplaceable. Other, less murderous realms offer both of these goods.
"Very well," he decided. "Trade will continue. Your people may continue to enter my realm. But if there is any violence against my dragon allies, my wrath shall fall upon you all, swift and harsh."
"Sir Fardon," Lord Terror said as he returned to the throne room. The large brown dragon lay there patiently, waiting for the other's return like a colossal dog, and stood up as he was addressed.
"I was wondering, your lordship," Fardon said. "How has your meeting with the ambassador from Atlantia gone, and it is likely to impact the agreement with Taria...?"
"The Atlantian delegation has agreed to my terms," Lord Terror told him.
"What?! Seriously...?" Fardon looked astonished.
"It was unexpected, yes," Terry said, looking perturbed as he leaned back in the throne and gazed up at the dragon. "The Hunters have agreed to honour my protection of dragons within Arstrom. They aren't happy about me allying with Taria, but they didn't try to stop it either. Hell, their representative barely blinked when the Pax Draconica was mentioned.
"They've even agreed to stop attacking dragons who stray from the trade route between here and Trooland. Whatever they want, they want it badly."
"But you don't know what it is...?"
"I have no idea," Terry said, looking perturbed. "And that worries me."
Lord Terror sat at the meeting table. He had been tempted to pick a vinyl cape over his usual catsuit, and hope that a diadem alone would to convey that he was, in fact, the lord of the realm, and not some concubine who had strayed into the conference room by mistake.
In the end, he had compromised and picked an ornate robe to wear over his favourite rubber clothing, wriggling his wings to fit through the slits in the back which had been cut for them by the finest tailors in the capital.
This robe had once belonged to Yyrkoon the Unsteady, and had developed a number of ugly red stains at the end of its tenure, since heads tended make rather a mess once removed. But time and modern cleaning agents had faded the bloodstains to nothing, and Terry only wore the robes on special occasions anyway.
Lady Silver, a snow leopard furre from the Hunters' realm of Atlantia, sat opposite him. And, as Terry had expected, the meeting had got off to a rocky start.
"If it pleases your lordship to treat with beasts..." she was saying.
Lord Terror sat up straight, eyes narrowing. "Mind your tongue, Hunter," he hissed. "That word has too oft been used to describe furres. Dragonkind deserves similar courtesy."
"I know Arstrom has not been welcoming of dragons since the Great Burning," the lord continued. "But that is in the past, and we must look to the future. Once, humans and furres were sworn enemies who slew each other with abandon. Now it is unthinkable that they should be anything other than allies. Why should the situation be different with dragons?"
"It is not for us to state who you should and should not trade with," Lady Silver allowed. "But I beg you remember that dragons are dangerous. They attacked Arstrom before, and may do so again!"
"They have not done so in four centuries," Lord Terror reminded them.
"A long time for us, but many of those who perpetrated the attack are still alive today."
"And they are alive in spite of your efforts," Lord Terror growled. "You forget. I was not born in Arstrom, and I am older than I seem. I have worked with dragons before.
"When I took over here, I researched the Great Burning, spoke to dragons who had witnessed or taken part in it. And just as I suspected, what happened then was not some random act of savagery as you make out, but revenge owed for the abduction and murder of their young. So long as we do not repeat the mistakes of the past, that unfortunate situation should not recur."
The Hunter's representative sighed. "Perhaps you think the dragons will honour your lordship, but you are a furre. Do you truly believe they will see you even as an equal, let alone their master?"
"Look at me," Lord Terror said. "I have horns and wings. Long life. Do you not think that I may have a generous helping of dragon blood in my veins? And if you have read up on me at all, you will know my reputation as a most capable warrior.
"Those who recognise my desire to protect them will likely agree to my negotiations, for I seek an accord with them, not mastery and servitude. For those who only recognise brute force, I assure you I am quite capable of enforcing my will at the end of a dragonblade or a rifle, if that is what it takes. Do you think you are the only ones who can slay a dragon if the need arises?"
"Well, if you have need of our expertise or aid, we will gladly offer it..." the Hunter started. Terry emitted a threatening hiss.
"Apparently you do not fully understand," he said, forcing himself to be calm. "I have met dragons. Fought alongside them. Made friendships and alliances. I have seen the power of a three-race unity and I intend to bring that same miracle with Arstrom. I know what I am getting into.
"But I do not know what you are seeking to achieve here," he continued icily. "The dragons in Arstrom are under my protection, and that is final. Yes, if one of them goes rogue, perhaps they may need to be put to death. But until and unless I give my own personal authorisation, even attempting to slay one of my charges will result in a demonstration of my wrath."
"Let's be clear about this..." he continued. "I am not a simpleton. I know all too well that many Hunters believe their own deaths to be a price worth paying if it will take down one of dragonkind too, as dragons are few and the other races are many. So the repercussions for murdering a dragon in my realm shall go far beyond merely sending the heads of the guilty back to Atlantia, I assure you.
"I can make this realm off-limits to all Hunters on pain of immediate death. If I am feeling generous I will allow most of you to leave first. If I am not... know that while necromancy is a high crime in Arstrom, we have not yet signed any decree against the trapping of souls by state officials.
"This is my realm, Hunter, and my rules apply within it. And if you dare to bring your crusade here, you shall learn why I am called Lord Terror."
* * *
Terry sat back, waiting for the snow leopard to storm off in disgust. To his surprise, she remained seated. Privately, Terry was very impressed, though he tried not to show it.
"Your lordship," Lady Silver began, an earnest expression on her face. "Perhaps you assume that I am a fanatic, who wishes all dragons slain on principle. I assure you, that is not the case. I am a practical woman, who sees dragonslaying as an unfortunate last resort.
"It is true that I have no love for dragonkind. I do not trust them, and I strongly believe that humans and furres should be capable of defending themselves when the need arises. Personally, I believe your approach is dangerous and unwise. But you are clearly set upon this, and if you can truly pull off a lasting peace and can guarantee that the dragons of your realm do not harm our kind, then the results will speak for themselves. Slaying dragons is not an easy thing, and reducing the need to do so will save us much effort."
"That's... an unusual position for a Hunter to take," Terry said skeptically.
"This moderate viewpoint is why I was chosen for this diplomatic mission. And I will be honest, the moderate faction is on the ascendant in Atlantia right now."
"Seriously...?" Terry's eyebrows raised.
"It's true. For a long time we have taken it as dogma that the Evil One, the destroyer of the world, was our number one threat, and that by slaying those who associated with him, we would be weakening his powers.
"Recent events in Taria and Thurr's realm have shown us that this was completely backwards, that by eliminating the Devourer's friends, we were instead eliminating his reasons to delay the apocalypse. We were endangering the world ourselves. This revelation was not taken well and has caused profound repercussions among Atlantia's leadership."
"If you had said any of this up front, I would have been far more accommodating," Terry growled. "Let me be clear... it will take time to trust your kind, Hunter. You started with shrill warnings against allowing dragons in Arstrom, so this seems a rather abrupt change in direction. It makes me suspicious.
"As I said, I have had friendships with dragons, and some of those friendships were prematurely ended by the actions of your people. It will take a long time to forgive that... and yet, if the moderate Hunters retain power and things continue to thaw... That would be a good thing, as far as I am concerned."
"If you wish to protect dragons within Arstrom, that is your business," the Hunter said. "You are the lord of the realm and must do as you see fit. I still say it is risky and unwise, but there are more important things at stake for Atlantia.
"If Arstrom should become a haven for dragons, we are worried that it may be treated as a safe-house for those who seek domination and murder. We do not want your realm to become a staging area for launching attacks against your neighbours. That is one reason for my being here."
"If that should happen, those responsible shall be punished accordingly," Lord Terror promised. "I want peace here, not more skirmishes between dragons and the Small Races. What are your other reasons...?"
"Let me be blunt, your lordship," Lady Silver said. "We know that you intend an alliance with Taria. I am not here to try and stop that, if you are determined to proceed with it. What troubles us most is the possibility that Hunters may be expelled from Arstrom as a result of that agreement.
"I know that you have no love for those who would kill dragons, and I understand that. But please try to remember that we are not all cut from the same cloth. There are families here who hailed originally from Atlantia and we would not see them expelled or executed merely for being here, as you threatened to do earlier."
"So what you are asking for," Terry said, "Is assurance that Hunters will continue to be able to enter my realm, if they obey my laws and their business here does not threaten my allies?"
"Yes," Lady Silver said, exhaling the word as if in great relief. "That is exactly it. We know your laws forbid us from slaying dragons without authorisation, and we will obey them as a diplomatic imperative.
"But Arstrom is strategically important, and we do not want to cut ties with you, dragons or no. We trade with you. We have people living here, and those who wish to monitor the situation regarding your experiments with allowing dragons to return. But most importantly, Atlantia also makes use of the Narduran trade route... Which runs through the north of your realm and uses the eastern pass."
"It cannot be denied that Atlantia has the finest weapons and aerotechnology," Terry admitted. "Those are indeed valued imports... but they are not irreplaceable. Other, less murderous realms offer both of these goods.
"Very well," he decided. "Trade will continue. Your people may continue to enter my realm. But if there is any violence against my dragon allies, my wrath shall fall upon you all, swift and harsh."
* * *
"Sir Fardon," Lord Terror said as he returned to the throne room. The large brown dragon lay there patiently, waiting for the other's return like a colossal dog, and stood up as he was addressed.
"I was wondering, your lordship," Fardon said. "How has your meeting with the ambassador from Atlantia gone, and it is likely to impact the agreement with Taria...?"
"The Atlantian delegation has agreed to my terms," Lord Terror told him.
"What?! Seriously...?" Fardon looked astonished.
"It was unexpected, yes," Terry said, looking perturbed as he leaned back in the throne and gazed up at the dragon. "The Hunters have agreed to honour my protection of dragons within Arstrom. They aren't happy about me allying with Taria, but they didn't try to stop it either. Hell, their representative barely blinked when the Pax Draconica was mentioned.
"They've even agreed to stop attacking dragons who stray from the trade route between here and Trooland. Whatever they want, they want it badly."
"But you don't know what it is...?"
"I have no idea," Terry said, looking perturbed. "And that worries me."
#97
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Xer 2 Chapter 3]
Last post by Starcat5 - January 20, 2026, 08:20:52 PMAnd thus our dynamic duo discover that their new friend is a cyborg.
#98
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Xer 2 Chapter 3]
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 20, 2026, 06:47:42 PM03-07 - No, they really don't eat RAM.
I now find myself curious what Quirk's mouth opening would sound like...
I now find myself curious what Quirk's mouth opening would sound like...
#99
Tower of Art / Re: [Writing] Pax Draconica 2 ...
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 19, 2026, 09:07:17 PMInteresting chapter.
#100
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [I.G.C. Chapter 05]
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - January 17, 2026, 08:27:04 PMQuote from: Starcat5 on January 16, 2026, 11:07:10 PM05-07 - This would be more dramatic if he didn't also appear in Dark Lord Rising
On top of what the title says, that is NOT the sound of an axe lodging itself into an execution block. More like Wolverine unsheathing his claws.
Heh, indeed. Sounds like the condemned (to whit, Ernst) got some unexpected legal aid.