[Forum Game] Agorath and the Maegi Prophecy

[eidur]

Ruler name: Yarpen syn Światowida of Mahakam clan
Age: 64
Ruler trait: Masterful Schemer
Location: Galadriel (preferably NPC #2 Land)
Race: Dwarf
Heir: Zoltan syn Yarpena (23)
Daughters: Żelisława (23), Czcibora (18), Gościrada (14), Lechosława (10)
Vassals: Zoltan syn Yarpena, Sulibór syn Radgosta, Radomir syn Stanisza
Champion: Zawisza syn Sulibóra


Born a son of a well-known artisan – Światowid the Master of Scylla clan, Yarpen spent his childhood in his clan’s settlement in northern Highathar. It was a very peaceful and secluded place. Members of the clan were very rich, using resources from local mithril mine they produced one of the finest weapons and armors in all of Agorath. Over the years many outsiders tried to steal the secrets of Scyllan blacksmiths, but they failed. Dwarves from clan Scylla were very different from others, because of their isolation with time they abandoned traditional customs and adopted some from the traders that came to the Mount Carbon (that’s how outsiders marked the village on the map, from the name of the mountain at which feet laid the Scyllan settlement, and that’s how Scyllans started calling their home and eventually themselves - Carbonites).

As the Carbonites got richer, orcs from the Nylf’gaahrg’dy tribe started to look at them with greedy eyes. They were a bunch of thugs and vagabonds, mercenaries for hire that no one wanted to employ. 24 years ago, on the day of the winter solstice when Yarpen was celebrating Shinbyu – coming of age – The Enemy appeared at the gates of Carbon. Starving orcs attacked the village with a great power and quickly overwhelmed defenders. Some of the dwarves managed to retreat to the mead hall, very heavily fortified building in the center of the village and defended it as long as they could. If it wasn’t for the brilliance of Master of the Scylla clan they would all die, Światowid commanded his son to take all goods from the mead hall and rescue as many dwarves as he can using the old mine shafts that ran under the whole Mount Carbon. Yarpen and 50 others escaped and fled north, to Galadriel.
Survivors from Mount Carbon settled there and Yarpen, a dwarf who saved their lives and led them safety founded Mahakam Clan. Although they lost all they owned, they didn’t lose their skill and soon started producing famous Carbonite armors and weapons again.

Mahakam clan established friendly relations with neighboring elven rules and trade started to flourish. Dwarves from Mahakam clan adopted many customs from elves but are still using traditional dwarven language and runes. They don’t trust any orcs, althought they do understand that what happened to them isn’t a fault of the whole race, the resentment and hatred still remain. Since they came to Galadriel they started to appreciate nature and joined the ancient cult of Magna Mater. With time they became zealous and devoted followers. Every night they go to sleep they pray and every time they go to battle they sing, spreading fear and horror in their enemies:

„Magna Mater, Pantea-Wszechbogini. Regina-Królowa, Genetrix-Rodzicielka, Creatrix-Stwórczyni, Victrix-Triumfatorka, Felix-Szczęsna. Boska Panna, Virgo Caelestis. -Oto matka przyrody, władczyni żywiołów, astrorum Domina, odwieczny początek wszechrzeczy. Największa bogini, królowa cieni, pani promiennych wysokości, nieba, życiotwórczych tchnień morskich, ciszy podziemi. Ta, której jedyną boskość o wielu kształtach czci cały świat pod rozlicznymi imionami i w różnorakim obrzędzie. - Descendet sicut pluuia in vellus. Zstóp jak deszcz na trawę, jak deszcz rzęsisty, co nawadnia ziemię.! Za dni jej zakwitnie sprawiedliwość i wielki pokój, dopóki księżyc nie zgaśnie. I panować będzie od morza do morza, od Rzeki aż po krańce ziemi. I tak będzie aż do skończenia świata, bo to ona jest Duchem. - Skłoń się przed nią. Przyjmij i pojmij jej władzę. MAGNA MATER!”

In the memory of his father, Yarpen syn Światowida forged a blade and engraved an ancient dwarven words on it “Na pochybel skurwysynom”. Since then every time he goes to battle he shouts: “Magna Mater, Na pochybel skurwysynom!”.

 

[BlackBishop]

((Welcome Eidur, good to have another Dwarve ))

 

[Plutonium95]

Master Yarpen syn Światowida, it is good to see you have finally been able to join the assembly, I was wondering when we would see you here. I do hope your army will aid in the purging of the provinces in Galadriel, we cannot let the corpus spread.

An updated map of Galadriel

 

[eidur]

Yarpen syn Światowida was woken up in the middle of the night by Zoltan, his son and commander of the elite division of Mahakam army called “Sierotki” – Orphans, blood thirsty zealots who pledged to serve Magna Mater and avenge their ancestors
“Father our scouts reported that the Corpus plague is spreading in Galadriel, if it hasn’t already it might reach us soon”
“You know what to do, gather your Orphans and prepare to march, you’re not a child anymore, you’re 23, it’s time to prove you’re worthy of the gavel*, take 4000 soldiers and leave me alone!”

* Gavel is held by a Master of the Clan. Unlike other lords who use crowns, rings and fancy clothes to show off their status, Carbonite master holds gavel as a symbol of justice and tradition. With it he opens and closes sessions of Gathering of the Elders.

Yarpen tried to fall asleep again, but he couldn’t. His wife Urszula was right beside him she smelled like freshly trimmed grass and honey.
“Maybe it’s time we had another child, The Great Mother blessed us with many already but only one son…”
Yarpen gently kissed his wife and started unbuttoning her robe. She started waking up, her robe was unbuttoned now and as she turned towards her husband it slid down. Yarpen was delighted to see her breasts. Breasts are beautiful.. small, large, mature, perky… His hands just had fondness and his eyes were drawn to them and he couldn’t do anything about it. Or well, he didn’t want to. His lips longed for full contact, he’d love to rub some oil into them or rub something throbbing against them, tapping it lightly at times with the head, sometimes teasing, gliding across one nipple at a time.. Breasts of any size or shape are absolute heaven!
Unfortunately Urszula said “Not now darling, I’m not in the mood”.


Zoltan syn Yarpena leads army of 4000 dwarves to purge the plague from Starostwo Mahakamskie

 

[BlackBishop]

The Scourge in the North​

As Monsoon draws to a close, the Golden Army picks up camp, and under the leadership of Lord-General Ra'Gru, begin the long march to the northern wilds. Marching in the other directions are a band of armies intent on stopping the spread of Corpus that had infected the Hronidian, Elvish, and Dwarven lands. Under the command of Mistress Elyinn, the armies came together in Green Chasm, Galadriel where the Corpus infection had already taken a firm hold. In order to keep another horde from forming, Mistress Elyinn ordered the armies to fan out from Green Chasm to Coamenel before purging the rest of Galadriel.

The Countrysides of both provinces were wracked with the disease. Entire villages were turned to the walking dead and the tranquil forests were stalked with the once living elves. The biggest challenge to the force, was not the dead themselves, but covering the large area of the provinces. Forming roaming bands, and traveling light and fast, the Armies were able to cleanse the provinces with minimal casualties.

Victory!

Mistress Elyinn Mindrilla gains prestige!

Green Chasm and Coamenel are now deemed safe!

Negligible Casualties!

House Krestarii sends 2000 Troops
House Coamenel sends 2000
House Frostverd sends 2000
House Mindrilla led by Mistress Elyinn 1500 Troops
Zoehfers sends 2000 troops
Friedrich Von Arlburg, House Saxon 1000
Justinus of House Celestian 1000

Liquid Fire

With the support of the Great Houses Urists, Mindrilla, Kalare and Rostani, Deagrin Wrothiron was successful in crafting a fire oil deep within their halls. The liquid fire, mass produced to the provinces in need, have proven to effective against Corpus and have been distributed across Agorath over the months of Monsoon and First Harvest. House Deagrin seen a return of 30 chests of Gold as well as prestige in the Assembly, whereas the others receive 20 chests.

The Siege of Necro's Keep​

As the wet season of Hroniden ended, the filth of Corpus was washed away. Though the dunes and settlements of Hroniden still teemed with the Corpus infected, the immediate camp of Lord-General Ra'Gru was safe. The commander of the joint army ordered the march, and as First Harvest came and went, the army finally found themselves in the northern Wilds.

It was wild country of jagged cliffs and choked weeds, where the only living thing seemed to be the odd crow. As they neared the Haunted Forest, however, the land gave way to more twisted and gnarled trees and vegetation, and mists settled on the land day and night. Ra'Gru marched the men hard, dead set on reaching the fortress he had spied in the Seeing Stone.

One morning his outriders returned in a panic. It seemed, just as Ra'Gru had spied the Necromancer in the stone, the Dark priest had also spied him, and knew he was coming. The scouts reported an army of 40 000 strong had gathered under the banners of the Dark One. The sight of the army had confirmed their worst fears, the Corpus outbreak was indeed the work of the Dark One.

Ra'Gru ordered Emir Saladin to cover the flanks as Arl Kvothe brought up the reserves from the rear.

A familiar battlesong rang out from the deep guttural voice of the Orc-Nord. "Death!... Death!.... Death!" All the army took up the song as they charged into the ranks of the Necromancer's Dark minions. Orcs, wildmen and the undead fell upon the warriors of Light with an intense ferocity. Men's shrill screams of death filled the air as a mist of Dark poured out from the fingertips of the Necromancer, whose dull grey eyes watched the battle unfold from the top of a hill. A black void swallowed up the battlefield and turned the courage of Ra'Gru's army.

"Fools!" Cried the Necromancer. "So gladly you look upon your own deaths? You would come into MY land and sing MY song. The Dark will eat you all!"

And so it did. The black mists seemed to hide the monsters of the Dark army and swallow up soldiers whole, their screams cut short as their lived ended terribly. Many turned to run, losing all hope in a victory.

They would have lost too, if it hadn't been for a sudden blast of Light that radiated out from a mercenary captain who stalked the field. The Light he emitted burned the eyes of the Dark Ones and lifted the spirits the Golden Army.

The fleeing Golden Army now turned back to the battlefield and charged into the Necromancer's army once again. Ra'Gru, followed by his Captains, rushed the hill and attacked the Necromancer. The Old man, taken aback by the blast of Light hissed and cursed at the Orc General. Before the twisted old priest could speak any venom, Ra'Gru cleaved his axe through his neck, and took his head with a mighty roar. The Captains, who had been close behind him and watched the exchange with suspicious eyes, now lowered their swords and sang the praise of the Lord-General.

Victory!
Saved by the Light!

Lord-General Ra'Gru
Gains Prestige!

Captain Jacob Won Prestige
For his Liege, Count Krestarii

The Dark Army has been Scattered!​

Golden Army led by Lord-General Ra'Gru 4000 troops
Clan Goi'Orks led by Chief Ra'Gru 4200 Troops
House Krestarii led by Captain Jacob 1100 Troops
House Urist sends 1500 troops
Emir Asad sends 3000 Troops
Emir Saladin commands 2100 Troops
House Deagrin leads 3800 Troops
Armen Coamenel leads 1200 Troops
House Kalare 3300 troops
House Mindrilla sends 1500
House Saxon led by Leopold Von Stockholm 2000
House Huaindren sends 2200


Return home

Emir Asad , 500 Troops
Emir Saladin, 500 Troops
House Deagrin 500 Troops
House Zoltan 5000 troops

The Corpus has been stopped from spreading, however there are still some Provinces that have outbreaks reported. The Assembly will open in two months time. Until than, players may want to use this time to complete a diplomatic mission, and replenish their ranks or clear out any Corpus infestation. The political landscape of the land has changed from the beginning of the year, so you may wish to re-propose a diplomatic mission - such as a wedding proposal - that was cancelled due to the Corpus Crisis. As of now, NO ONE has been married.

Every player gets ONE Diplomatic Mission, ie wedding proposal (may select new mission if proposal is declined) and ONE War Order, ie Reform ranks, and ONE Plot. The Assembly will be open again in two months time (Sunday). Think of this as a free turn for players who just begun, and for the veterans who had their missions cancelled because of the Corpus.

No Quests until the Assembly Opens!

 

[BlackBishop]

((When posting plots, always include a list of your backers.

When posting war orders always give me the name of your commander and an EXACT number of troops your committing.

In every order, state the name of your character.

doing these things makes my life that much easier and gets updates done faster. Thaanks!))

 

[BlackBishop]

((One other thing, I just gave you all a very broad outline of the battles and trials this turn, so I'd love to see some IC's of your results. Did your character slay a mighty beast in the battle? Let's hear about it? Did you stumble upon a village of corpus victims and have to kill small zombie children? That's a juicy IC right there that I want to hear about. Did you defend your lands from a shipwrecked vessel filled with pirate corpus zombies? We all want to hear about that! So give us an IC. The Light demands it! ))

 

[alexander23]

Treaty Of Mutual Friendship between The Kalare Family and the von Saxon family

1.The oldest daughter of the Kalare family: Navaris Kalare shall marry the oldest son of the saxon family: Wilhelm von Saxon
--Clause 1.a) The second child born from this marriage shall be from the Kalare Dynasty as Navaris is second to succesion in the Kalare city and its territories and this are dangerous times.
--This marriage garanteess full military alliance between both houses
2. Mutual Trade between the Saxon Province and the Kalare City states and its territories
3. The merchants from The saxon province hall sell mainly agriculture products thought other products are welcome.
4. Merchants From Kalare city will export fish, other seafood and wood from its territories, thought other products may be exported at their discretion as needed.
5. Both parties shall protect traders from either party from bandits, looters, and other criminals.

[x] Erl Kvothe Kalare from the Kalare city states and its territories
[] Count Gunther von Saxon

 

[Fingon888]

Signed Count Gunther von Saxon, Count of Saxon.

 

[Sneakyflaps]

THE DAY OF THE BATTLE
​

The sun had just risen over the camp, it looked to be a nice day all things considered. Together with his commanders Ra'Gru went to eat breakfast, as always some of the lords fought about who had the most powers in battle. As the breakfast went on the commanders started to discuss the days plans and how to make best progress, Ra'Gru expected to be by the necromancers fortress by the end of the day. Now that the rain season had stopped we should be able to make good progress. His men where tired and anxious to get this mission done, hunting down a necromancer was not a favorite of theirs and it quite frankly made them worried.

Ra'Gru then ordered the army to pack up and march out, many of the soldiers had laid with the wildling women during the night and where annoyed that they had to leave already. Just before they set out Ra'Gru looked into the Orb to get a final confirmation on if the necromancer was still in the fortress, as Ra'Gru saw him he mounted his horse and started to march north towards the Haunted Forest.

When the army got closer to the haunted forest a scout came with information Ra'Gru had feared, he said “My Lord the necromancer knows you are coming and has prepared, there is an army in the tens of thousands waiting for us over the hill”. Ra'Gru pondered what to do as he found out the necromancer had also spied on him and his troops. He then ordered Saladin to ride out on the flanks to protect the army and wait for his signal before crashing into the enemies flanks, and ordered Kvothe to guard the rear and get ready for battle.

Ra'Gru then marched his army up upon the hill where they could see the enemy, many of the men started to shake. It was here that Ra'Gru rode out infront of them on his horse and said “Men this is the battle we have all been waiting for, it is here that we will end the source of the Corpus. Many of you have family and friends with the plague and whom already have died. Down there stands the source and i ask you all to follow me into battle and avenge them, they died so we would not and now it is our time to return the favor.”

The Orcs then started to chant Death, Death, Death as they ran down the hill together with the rest of the army and engaged the enemy in battle.

The battle started out as any other battle would, the swords clashed between the army and the wildmen and he the Corpus then started to attack aswell. Many men where killed against them but they took many more with them, Ra'Gru was also down fighting together with Aesar and his bodyguard.

Now a laughter could be heard and Ra'Gru turned around and looked at the necromancer who said “So gladly you look upon your own deaths? You would come into MY land and sing MY song. The Dark will eat you all!”

The black started to spread around them, and the men quickly got worried and started to slowly retreat, it would truly be a miracle to turn this around. As they fought on slowly losing ground the man called Jacob turned up and cast a spell showing the light and dismissed the darkness and burned the necromancers eyes.

The army then turned around and hit hard into the undead army, Ra'Gru with Saladin, Kvothe and his captains then marched up the hill to the necromancer. Before the necromancer could speak Ra'Gru raised his axe and cut his head off with his axe and the necromancer fell to the ground together with his army.

 

[alexander23]

I kovothe Kalare Order the buy up of a manor in the Golden city to work as his personal querter meanwhile he is in the city

 

[Plutonium95]

Beasts of Galadriel​

The forests of Galadriel are filled with a wide array of flora and fauna. There are deer, wolves, foxes and the like in the north, but in the south, where the forest can be more tropical, there is an even wider variety of animals. There are large jungle cats, snakes, monkeys, and more in the south, and they all pose a significant risk to the uninformed traveler. There is a great deal of respect for the lives of these creatures in elven culture, as they exist in the Light just as the elves do. They are still hunted for food however, as the elves respect the natural food chain.

There are several creatures which are much more unique and deadly that exist in the lands of Galadriel however.

Ent​

Living trees, ents are thought to be similar to golems, in that they are trees with an elven soul bound to them. It is said that they were created in the ages of darkness and heroes to combat the forces of the Dark One and protect the elven peoples, but once the Dark One was defeated and magic left the world they were outcasts. They lived with the elves for a time, but as generations past and they did not die the elves forgot their original purpose and drove them out into the forests. When they were driven out, most ents gathered into groups called groves, which can be found anywhere in Galadriel, making them even more dangerous. This is of course just one theory on the origin of ents and the truth has been obscured by time.

Ents will rarely leave the forest to attack settlements, but if a foolish traveler gets too close to a grove they risk being attacked. It is speculated that this is a kind of preemptive strike on the ents part, to stop them from being driven even further from their ancient homes. Others have become crazy as a result of their prolonged lives combined with being bound to a tree. These ents are rarely a part of groves and are much more likely to attack travelers and settlements.

Rock Trolls​

Rock trolls tend to live deep in the forests, far from civilized cities. They are a constant threat and source of grief for the tribal elves for live in the central forests of Galadriel. Unlike their frost cousins, they tend to gather into groups or clans in order to work together. Smarter than most animals, they frequently plan ambushes and raids to steal food and supplies. They are known to build traps and other small gadgets to aid in their raids, and they even have primitive campsites. Much like their cousins in Norseland, they are weak against fire.

Mngwa​

Typically found in the southern forests, though not unheard of in the north, Mngwa are extremely large and dangerous jungle cats. Mngwa are as tall as an elf when full grown and weigh nearly a ton. They typically hunt alone, relying on their size to overwhelm prey, after stalking it through the jungle for hours until it is tired. These creatures are said to be able to kill a person with a single bite or swipe of their claw, and it is said to be even faster than a leopard when striking. Unlike other creatures that are more likely to go after someone for getting too close to their home, or for supplies, these giant cats will stalk prey simply for the enjoyment of the hunt. Their unpredictability makes them a constant danger to travelers and as a result there are several elven tricks to avoid them or get them to leave one alone if they are being stalked. As a result it is recommended that everyone who wishes to pass through the southern forests brings an elven guide.


((I would love to see the other people in Galadriel add some creatures that might be more common in their neck of the woods. And I don't know what it would be, but I would love to see something like this as a "dragon level" beast in Galadriel, any ideas?

))

 

[unmerged(271387)]

Master Urist orders to build a Mansion in the Golden City.We also want to continue our heir's marriage with the Coamanel daughter.I also want to apologise to mercenary captain Jacob for my mistrust to him.

THE DAY OF THE BATTLE - URIST FAMILY



​

While Urist Wonorm himself was researching together with the other dwarves liquid fire,his vassals were fighting to save the Golden Army from the Necromancer.However,there was Rythr Sonn,the one who died in the tombs of the Under-King and was re-animated by the Corpus disease.It is believed that he was the lord who was organising the mad armies to attack Highathar.There was also however his son,Rythr Golovin.

However,the truth is,that that wasn't Rythr Sonn,but an illumination that the necromancer formed out of pure darkness to demoralise the Dwarven armies.A dialogue issued between the illusion and Golovin,as "Rythr Sonn" entered his mind through magic.

"Join me,together we can rule all Highathar instead of the Urists!We always deserved our rightful place on the throne there"Whispered like the cold air the illussion.
"No,I won't join you!The Corpus disease has coorupted you,my real father was always loyal to the Urist Family"Screamed Golovin.
"I can feel it inside you,you crave for power!"Said the shadow
"No!..."

Rythr Golovin passed out in the battlefield,with a painfull screech in the other side of the battlefield.It seemed like what was percieved like Rythr Sonn was leeching the life force out of Golovin.The dwarves under his watch saw that they couldn't help him in any way and began to run away.
Suddenly, a light appeared out of nowhere and the shadow dissipated into the Astral plane where it belonged.It was Jacob,the mercenary captain.He saved Rythr Golovin and all the Golden Army.From that day,master Urist believed that he was indeed a follower of the Creator.Rumours said that he was a bastard of Ecclesiastus...

 

[Groogy]

The Unwanted help​

It was a long way to Galadriel, The Pale Ones do not like to travel trough the mountains and have to do a long detour because of it. The only thing comforting him on the long journey was his new little friend, she was growing well. As they had setup camp at the foot of Mount Kistair they could see the enormous forest in the distance. But their rest was not long, the eastern scouts returned with reports of banner-less men walking towards them. The Crownless assembled a smaller band to meet them. Though it was more of a pleasant surprise for them when they actually faced these men, because they were no men.

- "My liege! We could not sit by as our husbands are dying in battle" It was some of the wives of the soldiers in his band of four hundred men. More specifically, shield maidens who had housecarl as husbands.
- "Ah it's good to see you brethren!" He yelled out with open arms welcoming their leader with a brotherly hug "But I do not hope you are the only reinforcements Blekborg sent?"
- "No my Arl, we've been doing a force marsh ever since we first heard. Her eyes drifted away to among the men in his pack and she started smiling "The others... are coming to Green Chasm...."

Alföðr laughed and waved her away and she ran into the midst to her husband, and the rest did the same. Alföðr almost got crushed in the middle of the families reuniting. But there was someone waiting for him there as well. His son Freyr.

- "Son? What are you doing here? You should be home being tutored!" He yelled mad at his son being so near to where Corpus is.
- "I'm sorry my Arl, but the Steward as nothing more to teach me, he sent me to be taught by you" he responded courteously. His father started laughing.
- "It is clear that the steward is Imperial, you should not be so formal with your own father, come here!" Alföðr enveloped his son in his pelts and hugged him.

As they neared camp, more shieldmaidens and housecarls were united, this was just the morale the men needed in order to go on fighting the mad men. Alföðr on the other hand had a present for his son, the little hedgehog. Freyr named him Rakkr. Then the next day they continued into Galandriel.

As they were walking trough the south entrance of the chasm, Alföðr ordered a full stop, listening to around him. He turns around.
- "Why are the walls swarming with warriors filled with hatred?"

Elves ran out of hiding and formed a shieldwall in-front of the nord warriors, bowmen on the cliffs aiming on the Arl's men, begging their master to let them. Alföðr put his son behind him and wrapped his cloak over him. He approached the elven wall of hatred but was stopped by an officer yelling at him

- "DON'T YOU TAKE ONE MORE STEP YOU FILTH!" he screamed "I WILL GUT YOU LIKE A BOAR!"
- "I don't understand, what is this?" The Arl was confused "I came because you asked for assistance with the mad men"
- "Have your people never heard of forewarning?!" A young, female voice echoed from behind the Elves. Eylinn came riding through the shieldwall on her horse."What if we had opened fire? It's custom to send a courier in advance when in foreign territory for that very reason.

The young boy looked out carefully from behind his father, mesmerised by the view, he could not look away from the elf. Alföðr felt how his sons hands grasped tighter on his clothes.

- "I am not familiar with your customs. Besides we have been marching relentlessly ever since we heard to hurry to your aid." he looked up on the cliffs "Why does every soul here want to see us dead so badly?"
- "Tell me my dear Arl, when was the last time you saw an Elf without a slave collar in the land of the Nords? That, milord, would be the reason." her anger were sipping out of her every pour "An unexpected Nord for us, is almost without exception, here to steal our people from their homes."
- "Slave collars? I've only seen those in the imperial city young lady." He responded, raised his hand and a nord thrall ran up to him "We are The Pale Ones, where we come from we have thralls, not slaves, besides the cold would kill the slaves long before they could escape, such a slave collar would not be needed"

The young Elf said nothing, sent a poisonous gaze in the Arl's direction, and signaled her men to stand down.
- "Make yourselves at home, albeit not too comfortable. We don't grow wheat for a two armies at once. How many will you bring?"
- "Two thousand strong brethren. The rest will be coming directly from our home. May I as well join you in your war tent to plan the purge with you young mistress?"

Her face manifested a slight reddening in its hue. Her eyes still brimming with distrust that much was apparent. She gave a nod, and then, without saying anything, signalled to the Nords they were free to enter her realm.As they start to leave, he turns to the thrall and puts a hand on his shoulder. Asks him kindly to take care of his son and removes his son from his hiding. As the Thrall accepts the Arl smiles and responds "Faðir's blessings".

 

[GreatSlayer]

New Arrivals​

The water clucked against the canal mound below. The sound, the rhythm, soothed Eylinn as she looked down the river to the west. She had spent nearly six days in Wheat Glade, and had yet to return to Lúrien. She awaited replies, and hopefully, at least some soldiers to join the expedition. She wanted to be as close as possible when any news arrived. “That is, if anyone will even come. Maybe they won’t even answer your letters?” It was clear as the water below her. Not even nature’s blissful serenity could make her mind at ease.

The canal was still her favourite spot, wherever she was in the Chasm. The rivalries between the Mindrilla and its vassals wasn’t an exclusively bad phenomenon. Due to the narrow land, Green Chasm held a ‘finite amount of comfortable living space. Only seventy thousand Deep Elves lived here, and Lúrien, Wheat Glade and Northern Chasm was jealously fighting over their preference. They competed not only in the council, but also through social projects that would lure the population from other parts of the canyons to move and live there instead. The canal was one of those projects.

“Mistress, we should withdraw to the capitol.” Alvon disobeyed his orders. The orders about him leaving her alone.
“I’ve told you. We must be as swift to react as possible when any news arrive.”
“Your vassal grows weary of us intruding on his lands. We can keep the men here, but you staying here too long are regarded as a supraborder intrusion. The law say the liege can only stay for two nights and days and be considered a guest in a vassal’s domain. You really don’t want his disfavour in these times.” She frowned, without even looking at her mentor.
“Even at the brink of extinction, there seems to be a place for ridiculous political games and semantics.” She let out a sigh. “We’ll take the next ferry.”
Eylinn wandered to the docks with a newly acquired foul mood.

But something unexpected happened on their, what would become, very short ride. Halfway down the river, she could spot the beacons getting lit.
“Intruders...” She panicked. “Stop the boat! Let us off! We must return!” The captain immediately turned the vessel towards the edge, and like an arrow from its bow, Eylinn and Alvon made haste back towards the border.

 

[Galren]

Asad had joined the battle against the necromancer despite his advisers warning him against it. Perhaps it was because he wanted to see the face of the man who had forced him to kill his own people. As the battle began, Saladin followed Kamal, his champion, into battle when a strange fog enveloped him. As he tried to move out of the fog, it seems as if the fog was following him. Asad couldn't hear the fighting, but then 3 shadows appeared from the fog. His own soldiers appeared, dressed in armor and equipped with their weapons.

Asad cried out, "What kind of sorcery is this?"

He quickly charged at the Corpus, but one of the Corpus, using a skilled thrust with a spear, dismounted Asad by killing his horse. When Asad got up, he was surrounded by Corpus. He could hear their shrieks and was about to be consumed by them when he heard, "CHARGE!"

A group of men charged into the Corpus. Asad was stunned until Kamal, on his horse, ran by and said, "My liege, get on quickly." Asad wasted no time on getting on his champion's horse.

Asad asked Kamal, "What happened to me?"

"Sir, I think you were in the midst of an illusion combined with actual Corpus."

"Damn that bastard. I think I'll shall have his head."

He saw the flashes of light magic by Jacob. The men took advantage of this and charged the line, defeating the necromancer once and for all.
As the battle ended, Asad rounded up the soldiers and returned home.

---

Asad was at his private room, reading the latest news from the rest of the lords when his steward, Anwar, came to him with a decorative glass bottle filled with a clear red-orange liquid.
"So this is a bottle of Dragon Oil, I assume?" asked Asad.

"Yes sir. Our alchemists have returned with 20 chests of gold."

"20 chests of gold. Not a bad return for our help with for Deagrin Wrothiron. Is there anything else to speak of?"

Anwar shook his head to signify no.

"Good, then you're dismissed."
While Anwar left, Asad took the time to admire the bottle of Dragon Oil left on his table. Then he continued to read some of the latest reports.

 

[GreatSlayer]

United With a Common Cause​

The new arrivals were led to an empty patch by the glen in the outskirts of town. They were to set up camp within a safe distance from the Elven soldiers, just in case. The Arl decided to quickly oversee the first stages of encampment to make sure everything was in order. Eylinn sat on her horse, observing. “Don’t believe a word he says.” She was willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. “They will sneak into town. They will whore, they will rape.” We can’t assume they’re all the same if we’re to win this war. “They will take you. Bring you to their barren lands to serve your master’s oatmeal in the morning, and serve him in bed at night. Is that what you want?” Be quiet...

“What do you make of it?” Alvon sneaked up on her.
“It’s a start.” She tilted her head, as if it would give her a clearer perspective. “Keep some of the Wailers on the wall. Just in case.”
“Yes, Mistress.” He took off. She wondered if he knew he’d overstayed his welcome by far today. She decided she didn’t give a damn.

As the tents began to rise, Eylinn showed the Arl and his entourage the way to the commanding seat of the camp. It was a very modest tent, with only the most obvious necessities. A table, a few chairs, inkwells and parchments, the map. She gave sign they were at liberty to sit, and so they all seated.

“You’ve made it here with impressive speed.”
“My men are no strangers to a fast march. We ran, and our pathfinders ran even more.” The Arl was hard for her to read. He looked kind, but his eyes told a different story. And there was something with his voice she just couldn’t get used to. It was a deep, dark voice. The voice of a leader. Frightening to her now, but most likely something she could get used to. She was getting side-tracked. Not good.

“Did you see the men I withdrew from the Golden Army? Are they on their way?” She swallowed. “Is anyone else coming from there?”
“Your men left only shortly behind us, and the Elves are each sending two thousand men from what I heard. So will also the Krestarii, and Gunther Von Saxon will send his vassal with a thousand men.” Eylinn stopped breathing for a moment. She started counting in her head.
“That’s more than ten thousand men!”
“Aye, or so the scholar’s say.” Eylinn was overwhelmed. She didn’t expect half of that, and especially not from the armies of men. She leaned over the table and with excitement started to draw new plans in her head.

“With ten thousand men, we can afford the luxury of speed! When we break out of Green Chasm, we can destroy the Corpus infestation right here, only a short way north of the upper canyon wall.” She lit up, her mouth widening in an honest smile. “They’ve yet to swarm, but I wouldn’t give it more than a week before that happens. If the rest arrive within the next three days, we will be able to pick off the groups while we send another army up into Coamenel!” She looked up at Alföðr. “The vanguard. That would be you. If you get to their capitol, Coal, you may be able to halt their advance into Mirrorwater and the North.” The Arl met her gaze, without saying anything, his head resting on his arm, clearly listening attentively. She suddenly became very self-conscious about her monologue. She turned her eyes away, leaned back, and proceeded to cross her arms as well, only to change her mind and put them in her lap once more. Very ladylike. “So... What do you think?”
“Sounds all well.” A large stone dropped from her chest. “What about the south?” And the stone was back again. She knew the south had to wait for the time being. It just hurt to hear it out loud.

“The north is the most hard pressed. The entire Highothar infestation moves down the mountain-passes on the north side of the Chasm. What little forces that remain in Coamenel are on the watch for Nord slavers and the risk of the plague spreading by sea...” She stopped talking, composing herself. “...is too dire. It could spread all the way along the river to the Golden City.” She looked at the map again, just for show. She knew it by heart. “That would go quicker than the disease spreading by land.”

“Fair enough. But my men are enough to take care of the North. If you send us up to secure the route to Mirrorwater, we will protect you against the Nord slavers as well, and you can head on to Berandreil. If you would trust me with such a task, that is.” Eylinn looked at him, dead-pan.
“I have no reason to.” He gave a polite nod while stroking his beard. “Until the rest of the armies arrive, we cannot do much more here. We have scouts keeping track of the Corpus infected and their movements. If anything were to happen, we will inform you immediately.” She leaned back and adopted what she at least hoped was a polite and gentle smile. “You and your son, and whatever guards you feel the need to bring, is welcome to live under my roof in Lúrien during your time here. I am afraid we’ve overstayed my vassal’s welcome, and I would not like to offend him further.”

“Before we continue, I need a favour to ask of utmost urgency.” The Arl raised his hand and another of his thralls kneeled before Eylinn, holding a leather parcel in his hands. She watched the display with distaste, but did her best to hide it, and took the item from the servant’s hands. The leather was soft to the touch and skilfully ornate with a crest she recognized from the Pale One’s sigill. She had no idea Nord’s could comprehend, or ever create something as delicate as what she was holding in her hand.
“What is it?” He blinked, just waiting for her to open it. His face was serious, yet patient. Inside lied small pieces of something burnt. She gave the Arl a puzzled look.
“This is the bones of one of your bravest warriors.” She closed the parcel and rose to her feet. The Elven guards drew their swords, and in return, so did the Pale Ones.
“You... Are you insane?! I let you into my realm, and you...” She put the parcel back in the thrall’s hands. “You bring me burnt...” She took a step back and grabbed the hilt of her own weapon. The Arl had raised his hands to ask his men to sheath their weapons.

“I did. A man of great honour.” He rose as well. “He was just a boy. About your age, young Mistress. He fought beside me and protected me on the battlefield and died because of it. I am happy to have been given this opportunity to return his bones home to his family.” Eylinn did not know what to say, or what to do. “In our customs, this service to a fallen warrior is a great honour.” She observed him vigilantly, her heart racing. Part fury, part fear. Whether this man’s intentions were good, or bad, did not even cross her mind. To present it like that, how was she supposed to have reacted? She felt challenged to discomfort in her own home. She let go of her sword, and as such, her guards laid down theirs.

“I will ask the steward to look over the ledger, and give you the name of the families that lost a child in that battle.”
“My sincere thanks, Mistress.”
“But you will bring one of my men with you, and think about presenting it more delicately than you did here. These are not our customs.” Her face turned somber, and she looked upon the thrall, still in the same position on the floor, with sympathy. “Boy, rise.” The servant turned his head to his master. He nodded, and so the thrall rose. “All who place their foot in the Green Chasm are considered free. There’s no servitude here, no chains, no slaves. If you no longer wish to serve your master, you can leave right now if you so wish.” Alföðr looked at her while stroking his moustache.
“Mistress, I do not wish to leave. Master has always been kind to me. I do his chores, and in return, I eat at his table with his children, he clothes me and let me sleep under his roof. I am glad to serve my master however I can.” Eylinn felt squeamish. She put her hand to cover her mouth and studied the boy’s face. He was telling the truth. He was too simple to hide a lie.
“Milord...” She turned her eyes, but not her face, towards the Arl. “...I cannot grasp your customs, and it is far too busy times for me to even try. I am only going to ask one more thing of you.”
“Go on.” He said, leaning his cheek against his palm. He sat comfortably in his chair and had no intentions of standing while a lady present was. That much was clear. So far, it was one of the few things she liked about their differences.

“No one kneels, or bows, to me. Make sure your thralls know this.” The Arl raised an eyebrow, clearly wondering why this was so important. “It makes me uncomfortable.” She was just about to leave the tent when the thrall spoke up.
“Forgive me, Mistress, but I didn’t kneel to you. I kneeled in respect of the courageous dead.” Eylinn stood still for a moment, and then left without a word.

 

[Marschalk]

I, Arnulf the Young, Erl of Stronghelm, the descendant of the Last King , propose the following treaty to Asad Imad Rostani, the Emir of Herasnia:

The Treaty of Rostani-Stronghelm Mutual Friendship

1.The head of Stronghelm family: Erl Arnulf the Young shall marry the daughter of the Rostani family: Arezou Somar Rostani
-Clause 1.a) The children born from this marriage shall be from the Stronghelm dynasty
2. Mutual Trade between the Stronghelm Province and the Emirate of Herasnia.
3. The merchants from Stronghelm Province will sell mainly fur and game, thought other products are welcome.
4. Merchants from Emirate of Herasnia will export the spicery and tamarinds from its territories, thought other products may be exported at their discretion as needed.
5. Both parties shall protect traders from either party from bandits, looters, and other criminals.
6. The Rostani family and Stronghelm family will enter into a military alliance, and will help each other to protect interests of each family.
Signed:
[x] Erl Arnulf the Young, Lord of Stronghelm
[] Asad Imad Rostani, the Emir of Herasnia

 

[BlackBishop]

Green Chasm, Galadriel, First Harvest...

Eris stumbled over a tree root, his heavy steps encumbered by the thick brambles of the underbrush. Raising his hand, Eris pushed a thick branch out of his way and stepped out onto a path.

The elf sensed something. He felt drawn to warmth coming from somewhere up the road. Following his sense, Eris felt a warm body ahead. He loomed closer, gnashing his teeth together and feeling the warm flesh still within his jaws from the meal before.

Closer and closer, the former woodcutter made his way to the warm body. He reached out his hands and let out a groan before blackness enveloped him.

Qylan held the head of a Corpus elf, and threw it to the feet of his underling, the young acolyte who performed wonderfully as bait. "Well done, acolyte."

The young woman stumbled backward in fear of the severed head. "Please, my Lord, no more."

"Steel yourself, woman. We have been over this, baiting these foolish creatures is the best tactic. I am no more than a step away. You are completely safe." That's what I told poor Jonah.

"Yes, Archmage. I... I understand."

"Keep moving." Ordered the ArchMage, his golden eyes following the Acolyte as she disappeared in the brush.

Qylan looked down at the lifeless head, and found himself wondering who it was, what sort of Elf he was and what he did for a living and if he had a family. Qylan pushed the uncomfortable thoughts from his mind and cleaned the blackened blood from his sword before sheathing it.

He heard the young Acolyte scream from up ahead. Qylan grinned and slowly stepped forward after the woman, eager for another kill.

 

[GreatSlayer]

Eylinn Mindrilla of Green Chasm wishes to finish the purging of the Corpus in Galadriel, and then wishes to move into Highothar and help purge the lands there. She ask the troops who came to Galadriel's aid to remain a little longer.
Eylinn Mindrilla orders the building of a Manor in the capitol for her Ambassador's count.