The Immortal Knights of Balance!

[Amric]

The Immortal Knights of Balance


It all started over a thousand years ago, in the land known as Egypt. There had been for as long as anyone could remember a legend of immortality granted to those who drank a special and mysterious potion. But where was this potion to be found? For hundreds, nay, over a thousand years nobody had found the answer.

The Western Roman Empire was rotten to the core and yet the Eastern Empire was still strong and still held Egypt in his strong right hand. One of the last western Roman legates, a Khossus Vaillius, was determined to find this mystery potion. Of typical Italian lineage, with dark hair and dark brown eyes, he stood at five foot eight inches tall. A tall man for his times, yet still a slender man.

He was not the only one. A barbarian from the far north Germanic tribes along the Baltic by the name of Alaric also wished to find the potion. Alaric was a veritable giant of a man, standing at six foot six, with blond hair and piercing blue eyes, he was broad of shoulder and slim of hip.

An Arab man by the name of Abdul also quested for the potion. A darkly tanned man with the windswept look of a man who had spent decades out in the desert, his dark hair starting to grey and his oddly grey eyes that seemed to bore right into you. He was a man of middling height, for he stood at five foot four inches. His desert robes hid numerous knives that he has secreted upon his person.

Yet a fourth man was involved. He is known as the Guardian. He is the keeper of the potion. He has been around for thirty years keeping the secret of the potion. He is the latest in a long line of those who guard the secret. His order of monks are nearly extinct. He is the last one left alive. He is likely the last keeper, unless the prophecy is fulfilled.

What is that prophecy? Well, why don’t I tell you.

There will come three men. Each from a different land, yet questing for the same reason. To restore order and balance to the land.

The keeper will join these men in a quest to restore balance between nations. Whether it be by war, diplomacy, or trickery, the balance must be restored and maintained.

The four will make an alliance and drink deeply of the potion, thereby creating a powerful brotherhood that will be a force for neither good, nor evil.

But balance. For balance is all. For if good becomes too powerful it will become corrupt and eventually turn to evil.

If evil becomes too powerful it will extinguish the light and hope of the world. Balance must be maintained, for the good of the world.

Who am I? I am the Guardian. I am Egyptian, with the dark hair and eyes of my people. What is my real name? I don’t remember. I was the apprentice before I took over as the Guardian. I am the keeper of this tale. Yes, I know. I have jumped ahead in the story.

The four of us haven’t even met yet. I apologize. I am just excited about the opportunities present for the four of us. Well why don’t I start with Alaric. He had the longest distance to travel.

Alaric’s Tale

Guardian says I need to tell my story. So I talk, and he scribbles down what I am saying. Good enough, for I don’t know how to read or write anyway. He says I need to stop rambling and get to the point.

I was born on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. My forefathers once lived in Svealand, but the Sverge threw us out and took over our lands. Over the years I have watched as the strong overpower the weak and savage the lands and ravage the peoples all around me.

Yet there is always someone stronger, eventually. It is an endless cycle of war, destruction, and depredations against the land and the people. There has to be a better way. So I begin traveling, searching for an answer. I go south. Always south. Even in the far north I have heard of the Roman Empire, the most powerful nation in the world.

I get to Rome. Although it is a mighty city, already I can see the downfall of its people. They are decadent, cruel, and lazy. They can’t possibly last much longer. Apparently absolute strength, after awhile, turns to complacency and torpor. A shame, really. There is much to admire about them.

They are mighty builders and have constructed amazing buildings, roads, aqueducts, and other engineering marvels. But they are doomed. From what I have gathered they are not anything close to what they once were. But I do hear of a potion of immortality. Somewhere deep in the depths of Egypt.

I decide to travel to Egypt. It is a long, unpleasant trip over the sea. I find out I don’t enjoy sea travel. I am sick most of the time, until I arrive at Egypt. I had spent two years in Rome, which was fortunate. Some of the people here speak Latin. I begin acquiring information about this mystery potion.

I find I must travel south. It’s hotter than Surtur’s lands here, I think. My skin has burned, peeled, and burned again during my time here. My skin is far to fair to really appreciate the heat and molten sunlight.

I finally make it to the headwaters of the Nile river. Not even the Romans have gone this far. These are descendents of the original Egyptians. I don’t know there language, and will have to learn it. It takes time, but I finally manage to find out more about the potion.

There is a cave in the hills of the headwaters. One of numerous ones. But there is a keeper of the potion. I shall try to find him.

Abdul’s Story

I am, or was, a caravan guard. I survived an attack by bandits deep in the deserts of Arabia. Yet again I was stranded deep in the desert without supplies or even a camel! I prayed to Allah for strength.

I traveled at night and slept during the day. I did this for three days. My strength was giving out when I found a small oasis in the rocks nearby where I had collapsed. I managed to drink a little water and eat a few wild figs. It took a few days but I finally recovered my strength, for the most part.

Sand lizards became a staple in my diet. One night, shivering in the cold of what the westerners call January I had a vision. A potion that grants immortality! Allah wished for me to find it and drink of it.

I questioned why. My answer? To insure that the strong do not terrorize and do undo harm to the weak. To show an even handedness to all. I was shown that there would be others to help in this task. I was warned that they were not believers, but that it wasn’t important that they be believers in Allah.

I was shown that I must travel to the realm of the Eastern Roman Empire and enter the land of Egypt and go to the headwaters of the Nile river. So I did as my God orders. I travel there and am told I must seek a cave where the keeper of the potion resides.

Khossus Vaillius’ Story

I am the last Western Roman Empire legate in Egypt. I have been here for over ten years. Struggling to insure that the interests of Rome are protected. Rome depends on the grain of this land. Without it, she would starve.

But my time is nearly done here. My Eastern counterpart, Lucullus, has demanded from my emperor that I be recalled. I fear I will have no choice but to leave. I have heard for years about a powerful potion that grants immortality. I want it.

I see the writing on the wall. Rome will fall. There is no doubt in my mind. Even the Eastern Roman Empire is likely to fall, eventually. There must be some kind of replacement, or darkness will fall throughout Europe. So much learning will be lost.

Something must be done. So I will seek this potion. I follow the trail of two others who have gone before me, asking the same questions. They are going to the headwaters of the Nile. I must try to get there before the wrest the knowledge of this potion from the one who guards it. I must get it and use it for Rome. Or at least a successor to Rome.

I must succeed!

Guardian’s Tale

The villagers have told me of three strangers who seek the potion of immortality! They are from three different lands! The prophecy must be about to be fulfilled! Wonderful! I am growing rather old, being nearly five and forty years of age.

They are here! They seem to be arguing amongst themselves as they approach. In latin. It is fortunate that I know this tongue. They each feel that they alone should partake of the potion.



“Greetings, strangers! I am Guardian. You wish to partake of the potion, yes?”

“Indeed,” Alaric agrees,” Give it to me.”

“Nay,” Abdul snorts,” It should be for me!”

“Not so,” Khossus snarls,” I need it. To save Rome!”

“You shall all taste of the potion,” Guardian intones,” As shall I.”

The three men look at each other, and then the keeper. They shrug. Guardian takes the first drink and hands it to Khossus. He drinks and hands it to Alaric, who also takes a deep draught before giving it into the hands of Abdul. He also drinks deeply. He hands the empty clay cup back to Guardian, who tosses it aside.

The four men look at each other. They start to sway gently, as if blown by a gentle breeze.

”What have you done!” Alaric shouts,” Have you poisoned us?”

“No!” Guardian bellows,” It is part of the effects of the potion. It will pass. I think. I don’t really know for sure. It has been in that cup for as long as I remember.”

“Allah preserve us,” Abdul moaned,” It likely is poisoned!”

The men fall to their knees, their lungs gasping for air. They collapse inward, facing each other. Three days later the villagers come and carry them further into the cave and place them on stone shelves.

“Adding that strange herb to the mixture seems to have done the trick,” One mentions to another.

“So it seems. I still think we should burn them.”

“They are dead. What is the point? Leave them.”

Years pass. Many years pass. The clothing of the four men rots away. Seasons come and seasons pass. Empires rise and fall, nations crumble to dust and are forgotten. Religious wars erupt between Christians and Muslims. Blood is spilled in small rivers along the deserts of the ‘holy’ land. Still the four men lie unmoving.

[Meltdown1986]

Very good start, I like that mystical style of yours. And in what epoch will they wake up again? No wait, let me guess: Somewhen around the start of the 15th century, say around or about some January 1st?

[Braedonnal]

Interesting start! So, um, who is this about anyways?

Anticipates the reply being similiar to this,

"Who are you?

"No one of consequence."

"Tell me. I must know."

"Better get used to life's bitter disappointments."

"Ok."

[Tem_Probe]

Interesting

I shall follow where this leads us to.

[coz1]

Very curious tale you have begun. I look forward to see where you take it, but surely we have not seen the last of our four fellows.

[Farquharson]

Hmmm. You've got me curious now. For sure this will be one to follow!

[zacharym87]

Great start. When do we get more?

[redwolf]

Oooh! A new AAR from Amric! Will be following this one closely...

[Judge]

Another AAR - again, promising start Amric

[Amric]

Meltdown1986- Hm, you think so? You may well be right!

Braedonnel- I shall explain presently, I promise!

Tem_Probe- Glad to hear it! Hopefully you will continue to enjoy the story as it progresses.

coz1- No, you will see them throughout the entire story. They are immortal, remember?

Farquharson- Good. Intrigue is good for you!

zacharym87- You'll get more soon enough!

redwolf- How closely?

Judge- Glad you like it so far...


Okay, fellows. Here is the deal. Grand Campaign, July 23 beta 1.07 of course. The concept is of course four immortal men trying to preserve the balance of the world. This will be a multicountry game. I will start with Byzantine and try and stop the Turk from taking Constantinople.

From there it is the idea to stop giant blobs, such as the giant white blob of Austria, or the giant brown blob of Poland, or the giant red blob of Russia, etc, etc. Where I go next will depend on what the AI is doing...

I will try to have a new update later this week. Which will still be pregaming period of time. I fully expect to fail at some nations, but will continue on, going where the balance needs to be preserved.

[Semi-Lobster]

Fantastic start Amric! Good luck at blob fighting! Are you going to try to stop England, Spain and France from becoming blobs in the New World to?

[Farquharson]

Oh dear, Amric - you have decided to try and take on Mr Blobby, the curse of free peoples everywhere! I fear he will not go down without a fight...

The evil Mr Blobby!

[Rirre]

Where do you find the time Amric, I strugel just to have time to play the game (and await CK).

And yet again, this is great... now I have something to do while at work

[Braedonnal]

Very interesting idea to stop the blobs before they get out of hand.

[Craig Ashley]

*After some effort to find it, clicks subscribe*

[Amric]

Semi-Lobster: To be honest I hadn't thought about it, usually in my games they don't end up doing a great deal in the New World, other than Portugal, but in my Lenape they sure did more. I'll have to think about it...

Farquharson- I shall take down Mr. Blobby! No Matter where he rears his ugly head!

Rirre- Glad to see you again! I hope that the end result will please you as much as the beginning...

Braedonnal- Yes, I thought it might prove an interesting thing to try!

Craig Ashley- Glad to see you! Hope you continue to enjoy it as it goes on...

[klink]

A noble quest it seems, cool.

[Amric]

klink- Well I hope so....

Everyone- Here is the next update! Extra credit for anyone who guesses which nation I really go to after Byzantium. I kind of went a little nuts with them and annexed the Turk within 50 years...so I may have to quash them a bit down the road...


March 15, 1416

Guardian moaned, echoing the groaning from the other three men in the cave. It was a cool 55 degrees, and they shivered. Their emaciated bodies showed all the classic signs of starvation. The protruding ribs, the stick like arms and legs, yet the stomach jutting outward seemingly belying the concept.

With shaking limbs the four men sat up, trembling and shivering. Their clothes were long gone to dust. They looked at each other in consternation. Each man visibly stiffened and looked away from the others.

“What in Hades name happened?” Khossus whispered.

“Someone must have tampered with the potion,” Guardian replied softly.

“Then why aren’t we dead?” Alaric licked his parched lips.

“An excellent question,” Abdul agreed, trying to stand up.

“The potion must have canceled most of the effects of the intrusive ingredients,” Guardian also stood up on trembling legs,” But time has passed. Quite a bit of time, if the condition of our clothes or the lack thereof is any indication.”

“Undoubtedly,” Khossus nodded slowly, also standing up slowly,” We will need to go out and gather new clothing and discover what has passed in the world since we took that potion.”

“Quite,” Alaric forced himself to stand and walk toward the cave entrance,” Let us go to the village.”

The other three followed along behind him. The trail up to the cave had become completely overgrown. Each one had taken what money they had, which had been left on their slabs when their purses had rotted away, in their hands. It wasn’t much, but ought to be sufficient to buy clothing and other sundry items.

“This isn’t going to be enough to get us to Alexandria,” Khossus sighed,” Which is too bad. If my stash of coins has stayed safe all these years we might have enough to return to the Capital.”

The men trudged slowly onward and upon turning a corner of the trail it opened out to the village. It looked much the same as it had when they took the potion, save for the fact that it was marginally larger. The men continued to walk to the village when one of the village women at the well noticed them and screamed.

More villagers arrived, and began chattering at each other in Arabic. Abdul frowned as the others looked at each other in consternation.

“Villagers,” Abdul began,” We are strangers. We have no clothing, no food, nothing but a few coins to pay for something to wear for each of us and some food.”

“Your Arabic is archaic,” the headman replied, his features stern,” But I can understand you. Come, to the square, and we will give you some clothing and feed you.”

It was done. The four men ate voraciously, like bears coming out of a sound hibernation, and listened to the villagers chattering around them. Abdul frowned more and more as he could understand what was being said about them.

“This could be bad,” Abdul told his fellows,” Apparently things have changed mightily since we took that potion.”

“How so?” Alaric inquired.

“This land is controlled by some nation known as the Mamelukes,” Abdul shrugged,” I have no idea how much territory these Mamelukes control, but it seems to be considerable. We really must be careful how we conduct ourselves. I agree with Khossus, we must get to Alexandria. Peruse the library and see what has transpired.”

“Agreed,” Guardian nodded,” We’ll have to learn this Arabic you speak, Abdul. If it is the lingua franca of the world now, we must all know it.”


January 3, 1417

Within the library of Alexandria, what there was of it left, the four men had been studying for the last month and felt that they would continue to do so for at least another year. They were not only learning Arabic, but Greek as well as Italian which was a descendent of Latin.

“This is tragic,” Khossus frowned,” Rome is no more and the Eastern Empire is barely alive as well.”

“All empires fall at some point,” Abdul shrugged,” This Mameluke empire will fall some day as well. It is the nature of the beast.”

“Did any of you dream while we were out?” Guardian cautiously inquired.

”Yes,” Alaric nodded.

“Indeed,” Abdul agreed.

“It was a strange dream,” Khossus replied,” But in the end, I agree.”

“As do I,” Alaric cracked his knuckles.

“I do, as well,” Abdul turned to Guardian,” We are the Knights of Balance. It is our duty to try and keep nations from expanding too greatly, becoming empire’s like the Mamelukes, or Rome, or Alexander.”

“To protect the weak from the strong and the innocent from the corrupt,” Khossus continued.

“To use our skills, individually, and collectively to accomplish these goals,” Alaric intoned.

“For the entire length of our lives,” Guardian finished,” Excellent. But should we start here in Alexandria, or should we go to another land to practice our skills?”

Khossus grimaced, but spoke up first,” I think we should go to Constantinople. We must try to keep the Byzantine Empire from complete collapse!”

“I thought you agreed that empire building was wrong,” Guardian looked at him dispassionately.

“Bah!” Khossus exclaimed, “ They are an empire in name, only. They have but two provinces left and the Ottoman Turks are pressing them hard. It is only a matter of time before they fall. The Turk already is treading the path to empire!”

“True,” Alaric rubbed his bearded chin,” And we are learning Greek as well as Arabic. I thought when you asked us to also learn Italian that you were going to ask us to restore Rome.”

“I’ve seen the maps,” Khossus sighed,” I have no hope of doing such a thing. Plus it is against the tenets of our Knighthood.”

“But what about the Mamelukes?” Abdul inquired,” They are an empire in fact! They own quite a bit of the former Eastern Roman Empire.”

Guardian raised his hands,” How about this as a compromise? We shall go to Constantinople to save the Byzantines and then deal with the Mamelukes. What say you?”

“Very well,” Abdul huffed,” We can do it that way.”

“It is fine with me,” Alaric shrugged.

“Excellent,” Khossus smiled,” So perhaps we need to buckle down and continue our studies.”

[Tem_Probe]

Originally Posted by Amric

Everyone- Here is the next update! Extra credit for anyone who guesses which nation I really go to after Byzantium. I kind of went a little nuts with them and annexed the Turk within 50 years...so I may have to quash them a bit down the road...

Well, my guess is, if you stay in the region, the Knights to curb down Byzantine and Mameluke's power, or if not, then probably a nation in Western Europe, like Navarra, to curb down France and Spain's growth.

[Semi-Lobster]

The blobulation of the planet may require the knights to split up! Good luck with your crusade! You may have created a monster out of Byzantium though!