frigidmagi wrote:"Sir, a border guard station ahead." Reported one of his guards.
"Ah. Right Then, thank you Sgt. Best go make a good impression yes?" He said with a grin as he nudged his horse forward.
The Border Station was.. A bit odd. Only a few of the guards bore swords or other melee weapons, instead having some manner of holster for small wands. The ranking officer appeared to have a scepter of some kind. "Not much of an invasion force, captain." One of them commented, which earned some rolling of eyes.
The one with the Scepter stepped forward. "Travellers, welcome to the Republic. We'll have to check you for any dangerous magics before you proceed, but assuming none of you have a small siege train in your pockets, we'll let you rest up here. You look like you need it."
Half-Damned, All Hero.
Tev: You're happy. You're Plotting. You're Evil.
Me: Evil is so inappropriate. I'm ruthless.
Tev: You're turning me on.
Agent Fisher wrote:Taldarin bowed to the Minister. "My lord, I have come to discuss the boring matters of trade and of a possible alliance. I shall endeavour to not take too much of your time. I am sure you have much more important things to attend to." He said while gazing at the Prime Minister. It was the first time one of the council would meet this half-ogre, and Taldarin had been sent, not just to discuss matters of state, but to gauge this leader of state. And what he saw so far, impressed him.
"Alliances are tricky things." Malkamar replied, gesturing for the Praetor to follow him to a nearby chamber with a table and some food laid out. "They cannot be entered into lightly. But trade is always good for all involved. And I'm given to understand the Republic offers quite a few goods unique to these realms."
Half-Damned, All Hero.
Tev: You're happy. You're Plotting. You're Evil.
Me: Evil is so inappropriate. I'm ruthless.
Tev: You're turning me on.
SirNitram wrote:"Alliances are tricky things." Malkamar replied, gesturing for the Praetor to follow him to a nearby chamber with a table and some food laid out. "They cannot be entered into lightly. But trade is always good for all involved. And I'm given to understand the Republic offers quite a few goods unique to these realms."
Taldarin followed him to the chamber. He stood until the Minister sat first. "Trade can sometimes be just as tricky as alliances. We would like to offer some of our precious gems, as well as some of our silver, in exchange for your steel. Republic steel is well know in the region as some of the finest. As for alliances, the council suggests a mutual defense pact. It would of course be only for self defense, not to be used as a way to drag either of us into a war we do not want."
Morpheus:I remember that I am here not because of the path that lies before me but because of the path that lies behind me.
Charon wrote:Near the Morkan Fishing Town 'Rimeline' (Eastern Northern Ocean)
The dark-skinned crew had been in heavy furs, unused to the extreme cold that they now experienced, when they're ship stopped and they began to hear voices, many panicked, yelling in a strange language what sounded like they could be prayers. Another voice quickly yelled out after, a male voice. "Quiet down you rabble. These are no daemons."
As the kraken peeked above the waves they could see a group of men and women standing together, unlike their brethren though, they were not cloaked in heavy furs, they stood with naught but pants and shirts on, though deep scars in definate patterns could be seen on their dark skin. One of the men stepped forward and looked at the kraken, completely unafraid.
"You commit violence against a diplomatic vessel Kraken, nor do we appreciate your undue suggestion that we are spies. We come to barter a trade with the Morkan, and to make a protected sea route between the Kainan and the Morkan."
"We do not see to such matters..." The female voice rings out. With a slosh of water falling back in on itself, the visible Kraken falls beneath the waves, "We shall bring her." The ship lurches, singing back into the wave, creaking and groaning, but unharmed. Two dark, blurred forms jet under the water toward the harbor. The bodies of two Kraken rise on either side of the iceberg, and upon the Icoplor activity--Urskan warriors and Aurora mages can be seen gathering at the sides of the thing. A few moments pass, the Kraken disappear, and several Urskan leap into the water, swimming to shore, off to deliver a message.
Without surfacing, the thoughts wash across the minds of the crew again, "She will know this evening, when the sky tells it's secrets. And she will arrive in two days time....we shall watch, and wait.." And then, only the sounds of the sea.
The one with the Scepter stepped forward. "Travellers, welcome to the Republic. We'll have to check you for any dangerous magics before you proceed, but assuming none of you have a small siege train in your pockets, we'll let you rest up here. You look like you need it."
Maltian smiled and nodded.
"Thank you Good Sir, for your kindness. My name is Maltian, I am an envoy from the Taurian Nation. My lord PriestKing Alessian as sent me with insturctions to speak to your head of state... I believe his title is Prime Minster? As such, I would be in your debt even futher if you could insturct us on this. Tomorrow if you don't mind, it has been a long trip and you are correct about us requiring a rest." He said. A good, nonoffensive speech he thought. No one back home would be happy if he started a war on accident.
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
Agent Fisher wrote:Taldarin followed him to the chamber. He stood until the Minister sat first. "Trade can sometimes be just as tricky as alliances. We would like to offer some of our precious gems, as well as some of our silver, in exchange for your steel. Republic steel is well know in the region as some of the finest. As for alliances, the council suggests a mutual defense pact. It would of course be only for self defense, not to be used as a way to drag either of us into a war we do not want."
"Mutual defense is not free of these troubles." Malkamar sat into a chair that had to have been specially made for his bulk, and gestured. "Sit, eat. If nothing else, I intend to be a good host. And yes, your precious metals and stones would be a useful trade for steel." He said.
An apple in hand and being slowly eaten allowed him to meditate on the question of a defense pact. "What, for example, is the Republic to do if you activate the treaty against a trading partner of ours? Tricky business, as I said. However, I beleive there is merit in bringing this question before the Parliment." That strange body of the Republic that decided things instead of a king.
Half-Damned, All Hero.
Tev: You're happy. You're Plotting. You're Evil.
Me: Evil is so inappropriate. I'm ruthless.
Tev: You're turning me on.
"Thank you Good Sir, for your kindness. My name is Maltian, I am an envoy from the Taurian Nation. My lord PriestKing Alessian as sent me with insturctions to speak to your head of state... I believe his title is Prime Minster? As such, I would be in your debt even futher if you could insturct us on this. Tomorrow if you don't mind, it has been a long trip and you are correct about us requiring a rest." He said. A good, nonoffensive speech he thought. No one back home would be happy if he started a war on accident.
"I will send word along. We'll have you a proper diplomatic escort to the nearest transition point to the capital by morning. It's a few hours ride as it is." The Captain nodded simply. "The Prime Minister's.. A bit odd, to warn you. But you and your lads rest up. We don't build these things for looking good."
Half-Damned, All Hero.
Tev: You're happy. You're Plotting. You're Evil.
Me: Evil is so inappropriate. I'm ruthless.
Tev: You're turning me on.
Taldarin sat, and plucked a grape off a vine. "A good question, Minister. Of course, we would have to hammer out the details, but that is a job for your Parliment and my Council."
Morpheus:I remember that I am here not because of the path that lies before me but because of the path that lies behind me.
"Isnt it?" he said mirthfully. It wasnt as if he really needed guards. But diplomatic protocol required a ceremonial one. No use wasting real troops, or dealing with finding food and lodging for them on the road.
His escorts remained outwardly stoic as they brought the ambassador through the second gatehouse in the massive inner curtain, and back around again to the main entrance to the great keep. In the inner bailey, there were far more knights than commoners, both in armor and out of it. If the ambassador were to look behind him, he would have seen one or two of them staring intently with faintly blue-rimmed eyes for a moment before going back to their business.
The guards that had escorted the ambassador from the gate stopped at the keep entrance.
"We leave you here, milord," said one, continuing to stare straight ahead. "These men will take you to the King," he continued, obviously meaning the pair of fully armored knights in ornate livery who were stepping up to them at that very moment. The guards nodded to the knights and spun smartly on their heels to march back to the gatehouse.
"Please follow me, Counselor," said one of the knights, addressing the strange amphibian man. "The Great Hall is just through here. May I ask your name and proper title?"
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." -- General John Stark
"A fortress circumvented ceases to be an obstacle.
A fortress destroyed ceases to be a threat.
Do not forget the difference."
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." -- G. K. Chesterton
"I will send word along. We'll have you a proper diplomatic escort to the nearest transition point to the capital by morning. It's a few hours ride as it is." The Captain nodded simply. "The Prime Minister's.. A bit odd, to warn you. But you and your lads rest up. We don't build these things for looking good."
Maltian shrugged, Altian made all things as he saw fit and Mairen cared for all her childern. Expect the snakes, the never to be enough damned, slaving, baby eating, monseterous snakes. Those would all burn in the hottest hell.
"I thank you. We are at your direction then."
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
"well, I would normally depredate a termite mound, or woodant colony for my supper, but I thought it wise to gather more conventional fare. Besides, I have taken a liking to Kainan food... As for the length of your stay, we can only hope Dahhok has purpose for an extended visit"
The elder cleric turned toward the firelight, and walked toward it with a spring in his step. Literally
Gregori sat beside the frogman as they ate together, telling him of the Ogres to the South, of the foul necromancers who took the form of both man and snake further to the Southwest and his brief fights with them. He told stories of his trip to the floating city of the Netherese where magic is everywhere. Finally, his stories ended with his trip North where he fought the dark beasts that lived in the mountains.
"It has been a tiring year old friend. Sometimes I believe that Dahhok should have chosen another for the purpose."
Without surfacing, the thoughts wash across the minds of the crew again, "She will know this evening, when the sky tells it's secrets. And she will arrive in two days time....we shall watch, and wait.." And then, only the sounds of the sea.
The Leroani cursed loudly and turned away from the direction the Kraken had been. Runes began to glow a soft blue as some of the Leroani spread out. Any magical effects within the area began to dim, and then fade out entirely. "Do they expect us to sit in these ships for two days while we wait?"
Another of the rune-carved spoke up. "I told you this was a bad idea. I don't like them talking in our heads either."
The first shook his head. "Don't block them out, seems like it's their only way of communicating to us, and if we can't hear them we may be sitting out here for weeks before we finally get a meeting."
The other Leroani sighed and shook their head. "We should at least make contact with home."
"Not until we have something to report."
With a nod, and a few faint whispers the runes faded out once again and other magical effects resumed.
"Get a rune going."
A few runes on the base of the ship began to glow red, giving off heat to keep the Kainan warm in this frozen environment.
Another beautiful cold bright day. The surf was good and Elemental Master Shante had just finished nearly an hour of body surfing among the crashing rocks lining the shore here, a few minutes walk from Relief Settlement. He had woken early from unsettling dreams and had managed to almost forget them entirely.
"Ah the water's just right today." He sighs to himself, floating on his back as the surf crashed on the rocks nearby. "And if it weren't I'd soon make it better." He adds almost absently.
Another flat head bobed out of the water nearby, unnoticed by Shante. With a sudden jerking motion the newcomer spit a stream of water into the back of Shante's head. The newcomer let out a fast laugh before ducking under again, persued by Shante. This carried on for several minutes before the newcomer, a young Skarklagger Shante recognized but couldn't name, leapt out of the water onto a rock, a newly caught fish in her mouth.
Having lost the chase, Shante decided it was time to return to Relief Settlement. There had been few traders lately and he didn't want to miss the excitement should any show up.
Besides he thought, if Dollindereum needed him he would be easily found, and the scouts might be back soon with all sorts of amazing stories.
"Please follow me, Counselor," said one of the knights, addressing the strange amphibian man. "The Great Hall is just through here. May I ask your name and proper title?"
"Archmagus Lorak, at your service" The mage said graciously
He was impressed by the efficiency of the guard here, as well as the defenses of the city, at least mundane. He had no doubt that the magical defenses were no less impressive
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
Gregori sat beside the frogman as they ate together, telling him of the Ogres to the South, of the foul necromancers who took the form of both man and snake further to the Southwest and his brief fights with them. He told stories of his trip to the floating city of the Netherese where magic is everywhere. Finally, his stories ended with his trip North where he fought the dark beasts that lived in the mountains.
"It has been a tiring year old friend. Sometimes I believe that Dahhok should have chosen another for the purpose."
Asmodeus listened quietly as his old friend discussed the previous year. He listened extra attently to the snake men who ate sapient beings. He vowed then and there that no Hylidaeian would ever, ever fall victim to that. Though he did so silently.
"You may wish that someone else had been chosen my friend, but it seems through your exploits that no better person could have been picked."
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
"Greetings, Archmagus Lorak," responded the knight with a slight bow. "I am Sir Amargein of the Order of the Crown. Please follow me," he said. He and the other knight pointedly ignored the illusory guards, obviously forewarned that they were not real.
Great double doors matching the ones on the outside of the keep stood open before them at the end of the entrance tunnel, opening into a large grand hall. The trestle tables and benches were stacked away against the walls, and the rush-strewn flagstone floor was occupied by buzzing courtiers and nobles, attending to court business and not so businesslike court gossip. Sir Amargein leaned over to a man in an ornate uniform, obviously a herald. The herald nodded and raised his voice above the din.
"ARCHMAGUS LORAK, AMBASSADOR FROM HYLIDAEUS, WISHES TO BE ANNOUNCED TO KING ARTAIR, HIGH KING OF EIRE, MERTHANE OF PICT, AND EMPEROR OF YUCCA ISLE." The room quieted significantly while he spoke, as various men and women of the court turned to take stock of the newcomer.
"Archmagus Lorak, you may approach the throne of Eire," called out the king. He sat in a large throne of state on the dais at the end of the hall, with an empty smaller throne to his right, and a robed man standing to one side of him and an armored knight on the other.
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." -- General John Stark
"A fortress circumvented ceases to be an obstacle.
A fortress destroyed ceases to be a threat.
Do not forget the difference."
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." -- G. K. Chesterton
Not forgetting his courtly graces, Lorak walked carefully toward the thrown, his illusory honor guard arraying themselves in a pattern appropriate for such things. As he walked he took the time to crittically examine his surroundings. The king himself, the robed figure next to him, and the knight next to him. As well as the courtiers.
The courtiers alone are one reason to never ever have a monarchy, he thought to himself. But then realized guild heads werent much better.
WHen he approached the thrown he bowed in a human like manner, before descending futher into a Hylidaian greeting crouch, complete with the same warble he gabe to the guard, only this one was longer. His illusory guards did the same, sans the warble.
"It is an honor to be in your presense Your Majesty"
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." -- General John Stark
"A fortress circumvented ceases to be an obstacle.
A fortress destroyed ceases to be a threat.
Do not forget the difference."
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." -- G. K. Chesterton
The mage rose on to his feet, and the illusory guard did the same.
"Well, you did summon me sire. I suspect you sent requests for envoys to several nations, I am just the first to show up. Or the only. However I am not without a specific agenda. I would like to discuss the possibility of opening up a trade route between our nations." He pulled a map out of his robes
"The roads are... patchy at best, but there are many nations and city states along a potential trade route here" he pointed to a potential path* which use existing road systems, and a path or two which those would logically take
"Both our nations would benefit from the increased trade, and if we can get our neighbors involved, it would cut the initial investment. Everyone wins. We both get access to unused markets. "
**Path to be determined by exent of existing road networks
Last edited by Comrade Tortoise on Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:19 am, edited 2 times in total.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
Elemental Master Shante arrived at Relief Settlement quickly, finding no ships in the harbor and no landwalker traders. Mixing anticipation with dissapointment he ventured further into the marketplace. It was a funny looking place, he mused. Built of stone with wooden shops and stands it appealed more to the outsiders than him. Straight, harsh lines and mathematically placed doorways, it just felt unnatural to him.
It wasn't long before a familiar voice boomed out clear and happy (it was always happy, come to think of it) and Ambassador Shemnolld loped out of a shop on all fours. She jumped up to her full height before colliding with Shante in an enthusiastic version of the traditional greeting. Grinning widely, Shante returned the greeting, just more properly and sedately.
"What is new Shemnolld? Seen any funny landwalker beasts after my last visit?"
"Naw, they don't come often lately. Or ever really, we are awfully out of the way for some fish the sailors tell me. But especially lately--not a single funny beast in weeks! Why I remember the last big ship what came through here! It was full of people from somewhere down south... where was it again? Some Republic... oh yes 'The Farnian Republic' they said."
At this point Shemnolld started wriggling with excitement, pleased she recalled the name she hadn't thought about in months. Shante, caught up in the story, couldn't help asking.
"The Farnian Republic? I've not heard of it, and I think I might remember a name as funny as 'Farnian'!"
"They're somewhere south and east of us, around the ice nation and down the other side. You know," she said leaning closer with barely contained excitement, "I hear they gots a great big dragon on some isle down there!"
"By my tail, a dragon you say?"
"Aye, with great terrible fangs and--oh yes I forgot, I'm to tell ya to get down to Dollindereum's place!" Her eyes started looking from side to side, to ensure the other merchants were out of ear shot, "The scouts just came in this morning, and I hear they have some mighty tall tales to tell ya!"
Shante couldn't quite imagine what they might have to say, but he was all ears and loped toward to harbor quickly. Although not without managing a hasty farewell sign. Bounding across the rocks he lept into the air and dived in. Without so much as a splash he slid into the depths, his power lending him unnatural speed he raced to the bottom and flattened out, heading for the entrance to Dollindereum's cave.
It was hard to see, but familiar to him since he was very young. A long winding tunnel led to a chamber with air and guards who recieved all visitors. They knew Shante by sight and let him pass into the back chambers. He knew the way easily although a newcomer would quickly find himself lost, even with the dim lighting provided. Soon he found himself entering the Ruler Room. Dollindereum was alone, save for a few guards. Shante was dissapointed, no scouts meant no stories since Dollindereum never let himself get carried away during business. Ah well, later today I will hear some.
Dollindereum was quick to business. "Our scouts came in today as you've heard. Most found nothing interesting to a nation leader, but one returned from our neighbors to the west with news. It seems the smaller city state and the larger nation are having some tensions. That can be good, or not good for us and I'm sending you and Ambassador Shemnolld to find out how to get the former and not the latter. Shemnolld knows what gifts are appropriate, and I'd like you to leave as soon as tonight. I'm not thinking they can read our writing, but you'll carry paperwork all the same, Shemnolld tells me that is popular among landwalkers. Go and ensure we end up well.
King Frodi Arnesson, the young ruler of Adalstein, took off his winged crown as he stepped inside the main chamber of the Celestial Tower, a picturesque silvery-white spire jutting hundreds of feet above the rolling hills around it. The king scratched his short beard, and then nodded a head to King Hywel Knethell II, the ruler of Brynmor.
"I suppose the time of year comes once again," said the elderly king, "The time that all three of us meet and discuss what troubles the Alliance."
"You never have liked these meetings, prefering to use the divining orbs, but it was my grandfather's idea," King Frodi smirked. "And I think it is for the best."
"Perhaps," frowned King Hywel. "I'm personally getting too old to continue such traveling, just to meet with you and Thiniell for a few hours."
As if on queue, Queen Thiniell, ruler of the elven haven of Faer Elloth, entered the room at a serene stride, smiling at the two kings as she walked up to them. Thiniell was tall, litheful, and inhumanly beautiful, her elven ears hidden by tresses of raven-black hair that went down to her waist.
"It is always good to see you, Frodi and Hywel," beamed the elf. "Though age has slowed you, King, your resolve is as strong as it was when you were but a child."
"Thank you, Queen," Hywel nodded, mustering a smile under his thick white beard. "I try. What's on the agenda?"
"Mainly an idea I had," said Frodi. "I think we should consider expanding our trade."
"Indeed?" replied Thiniell. "Do you not think our society is prosperous enough to endure and grow?"
"One can never have too much growth, m'lady," Frodi stated. "I think we should send embassies out to our neighboring powers. After all, is not LahkNi right across the Mermaid Straight?"
"Aye, but I would advise against any ambitious plans of yours, boy," said Hywel. "Our only other close neighbor holds us in contempt, while the Agon Holds are only reachable by crossing the orc-ruled Wildlands. An embassy would be slaughtered, aand any army sent to escort them would upset the current peace we have with the Bloodstone tribe. Anything else is simply too far to be practical."
"Then the best course of action would be to do our best to improve the Koronans' opinions of us," Frodi smirked. "They seem to have this idea that we are backward, let us show them our countless examples of art, philosophy-"
"No," Thiniell stated. The two men paused and looked at her in shock. The elf knew the true nature of the Empire's contempt, and she would not allow the humans to further escalate matters. The kings saw in her sparkling and timeless gray eyes a stern finality that told them she was dead serious.
Finally, Hywel cleared his throat, and said, "Then... the matter is settled, I expect, for the moment at least. We shall send one embassy to LahkNi. Milady, could one of your famed ships send them?"
The elf looked uneasy for a moment, and said, "I am not certain on this."
"M'lady," Frodi urged, "You have always been very stern on keeping Yoratha rather... isolated from other powers. I respect that, but I honestly do not see its benefit. I do no know the reason you chose to do this."
"No, you do not," Thiniell smiled bleakly. "But it is for your own safety as much as it is the elves'. Please, friend, do understand this. It would grieve me to no end if our peoples were brought to harm. Though I do not see any true harm if we were to contact our neighbors in LahkNi, I merely think it is time for humanity to step forward, and make the offer."
"As you wish, wise Thiniell," said Hywel. "However, your people can merely remain in the ship if you wish."
"Very well, I will dispach a scout vessel to send the embassy," Thiniell conceded.
"I expect Dame Ariana Caffyn can serve as our embassy," Hywel said. "She is a very levelheaded and honorable lady, and she helped negotiate the most recent truce with the Bloodstone chieftains. King Frodi, do you have any objection to a Brynmoran knight serving in this position?"
"I do not," answered Frodi. "The question now; what will we negotiate?"
"A truce, possible economic cooperation, trade," answered Hywel.
"What do they need? They export timber just as we do."
"They import fruit, which we export some of as well," Hywel answered. "She can offer them that. Does the Queen approve of this?"
"I do," Thiniell said, smiling kindly at them. "We shall prepare the ship at once, friends."
"Excellent!" Frodi answered. "So, what else is on our agenda for this day?"
"There is the matter of a corsair wandering the Great Basin," Thiniell said. "He has been harassing my fishermen, and has already sank one of them..."
============
Dame Ariana Caffyn was dressed in her polished suit of armor, which gleamed brightly in the morning sun, as she stepped aboard the elven scout ship that would bring her on her mission. Behind her, several men worked to load a tribute aboard the ship, and the beautiful stone buildings of Faer Elloth glowed with a pink tone in the sunrise.
"Are we almost ready to set sail, Captain?" she asked.
The elven captain nodded, and said, "Yes, m'lady. We have most of the tribute loaded, and your guards are already below deck."
"Excellent," Dame Ariana smiled. She then looked at one of the elven archers standing on the bow, and said, "Are they coming along too? Your Queen was somewhat uneasy about bringing along even this ship."
"They will serve to defend the vessel in the case of us coming upon pirates or some sea monster," said the Captain. "They - along with myself - will remain below deck when you go to meet with the LahkNi leadership."
"Very well."
Moments later, the elves dropped the sail of their sleek vessel, and it pushed out, soon getting underway as it sailed off to LahkNi. The scout vessel stayed extremely close to the Yorathan coastline as it proceeded, and eventually arced out into the human-coined Mermaid Straight. Little did the Alliance know the Koronans they so wanted to avoid had already beaten them there, but there was still the narrow hope that some accord could be reached with the islanders.
Jonathan McKenzie
Half-Insane Snakehead | MSPaint Acolyte | Wierd TGOD'er
"Every time you stay abstinent...Kitten kills a god."
Comrade Tortoise wrote:Asmodeus listened quietly as his old friend discussed the previous year. He listened extra attently to the snake men who ate sapient beings. He vowed then and there that no Hylidaeian would ever, ever fall victim to that. Though he did so silently.
"You may wish that someone else had been chosen my friend, but it seems through your exploits that no better person could have been picked."
Gregori sighed and stretched. "Yes, but never before was there this much fighting." Gregori sighed again and looked over at Asmodeus. "Though I suppose, being who I am, I should not be questioning the will of the One God." Gregori chanted a brief phrase from the holy book in Pendran, one of shouldering the yolk for Dahhok would not put upon you something that was too great for you to handle.
Nikolai Kainus rubbed his brow as he read over the military reports again. They were getting better now, but they weren't good enough. The tiny nations to their South could likely beat the mighty Koronan Empire at the moment. Nikolai leaned back in his chair and looked at the tall stone cieling. 'Kainus', it was supposed to mean 'Ruler of the Kainan'. Now though, they had been broken, shattered, all because of one man, Adolfo. It gave some pleasure to the king that the man's skull was still attached to a pike somewhere on Denhoon.
There was some good news though. Spies were telling of their Yorathan neighbors beginning to show signs of movement that was non-military. That meant trade was coming. The Taurian were growing more and more powerful, and may soon be able to crush the Necromancers that surrounded them. The Elves to the North were as quiet as ever, and there was no movement from the dragon.
A messenger came rushing into the room as the King finished his ruminations and knelt before him. Nikolai looked over at the young man. "Speak."
"My lord, word from the diplomats. The Leroani say they have reached the Morkan to the North safely, but no other news has come from them. Jiham has made contact with the people of LakhNi and will soon begin negotiations. Heilman will soon be reaching the Southern peninsula. No word from the other two yet, though they should soon be at their destinations."
Nikolai nodded once and then shooed the boy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jonathon Fitz was an old man. An ancient man in many regards, but he was still healthy. He had just finished his morning prayers and still had some time before the Head Fathers came to bother him again. How he hated that old useless position. He had been chosen to become the head of the Church, and yet they countered him at every step he took to speak in Dahhok's name. There was one thing though that they would dare not stop. And that was the purging of those cities that had fallen from Dahhok's grace and into the clutches of the Daemons. Gregori was a loyal servant of the One God. He would not contradict the express orders of the Holy Father to save every last man, woman, and child in those cities through the cleansing ways of fire.
The missonaries of the Head Fathers were apparently doing their jobs well. This only served to anger Jonathon, as he despised this wishy-washy way of converting, the sword had always been the best way of dealing with heathens and heretics.
Comrade Tortoise wrote:Asmodeus listened quietly as his old friend discussed the previous year. He listened extra attently to the snake men who ate sapient beings. He vowed then and there that no Hylidaeian would ever, ever fall victim to that. Though he did so silently.
"You may wish that someone else had been chosen my friend, but it seems through your exploits that no better person could have been picked."
Gregori sighed and stretched. "Yes, but never before was there this much fighting." Gregori sighed again and looked over at Asmodeus. "Though I suppose, being who I am, I should not be questioning the will of the One God." Gregori chanted a brief phrase from the holy book in Pendran, one of shouldering the yolk for Dahhok would not put upon you something that was too great for you to handle.
"Indeed. But also remember, it is in our nature to Question. I know you are often literally guided by Dahhok, but you are also Kainan, as I am Hylidaeian. The One God created us with the ability to question, and he did so with purpose. To enrich our lives and strengthen our faith in him."
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
The Leroani cursed loudly and turned away from the direction the Kraken had been. Runes began to glow a soft blue as some of the Leroani spread out. Any magical effects within the area began to dim, and then fade out entirely. "Do they expect us to sit in these ships for two days while we wait?"
Another of the rune-carved spoke up. "I told you this was a bad idea. I don't like them talking in our heads either."
The first shook his head. "Don't block them out, seems like it's their only way of communicating to us, and if we can't hear them we may be sitting out here for weeks before we finally get a meeting."
The other Leroani sighed and shook their head. "We should at least make contact with home."
"Not until we have something to report."
With a nod, and a few faint whispers the runes faded out once again and other magical effects resumed.
"Get a rune going."
A few runes on the base of the ship began to glow red, giving off heat to keep the Kainan warm in this frozen environment.
The Kraken were true to their word. Two days passed. Clouds seemed to skirt the area, always allowing the sun--so distant and cold seeming, an almost bleak light to it--to shine down upon the Koronan vessel. The seemed to be some sort of occasional shift-based ritual aboard the icoplor--which remained in the harbor. Once or twice, several large groups of Morkan--dressed in hides and furs, or not dressed at all (as it really mattered little to them, excepting the latest fashions.) would gather on the shore of the town, and point at the ship, talking amongst themselves, but ever going back to their business, cureing whale-leather, herding the sparse Mammoth population of this village, carving and the generaly drudgery of life. An ominous forboding almost, for that short time.
However, on midday of the second day, there was a turn of events. A great form appeared on the horizon. Slowly moving through the sky. Sails shimmering in the light, and a good wind blowing from that direction. It was impossible to make out shapes on the shining object, seeming to reflect the sunlight like oh-so-much ice. In the distance--the clear weather making it visible, the thing lowered to the ground. A great boom echoed across the harbor, and there was a bustling of Morkans in the town, making their way out toward the thing.
After another hour, the group returned, milling about a great polar bear who walked upon all fours, some twenty feet tall at the shoulder.
You may make for shore, Men of the South. Though the Morkan have no docks as you do...beware the cold waters. The mind of Lyngbakr washed across the crew again, suddenly there after two days of quiet. In the time following, the Morkan gathered some hundred feet behind Helalsius upon the shore, and there she sat, intently watching the Koronans as she waited.
One of the female Leroani spit on the ground at the announcement. "About time."
The apparent leader of the mages glanced back at the dark skinned woman and narrowed his eyes. "Keep your tongue in check Marie. Even we wouldn't stand a chance against those bears."
"Easy for you to say Tobias. You don't have breasts to freeze."
Tobias shook his head as the ship made it's way towards the shore. Once close the ship turned and dropped anchor again, letting off small boats stocked with emissaries and a few sailors. When they reached the shore the Leroani jumped out into the ankle deep water, not seeming to even notice the freezing cold touching their bare feet for a few brief seconds. Tobias took the lead, with 5 other Leroani behind him.
"It is usually custom to at least give emissaries a place to stay while they wait."
