LINESII- Into the Darkness- Part II [Archive] - Page 14

Thlayli

Mar 09, 2007, 10:34 AM

The Crusade

Te, Stratikrator, Ðekeron o`lannos tec`Veritas, a tec`ela`Assemblai, protorion vir’se-ela chatosi, eöntasei Eta-kelaeii, a virikratos Elo`valum`viriae.

I, Stratikrator, pledge allegiance (eternally) to Veritas, and to her Assemblum, as a wall (defending) against her enemies, protector of the One’s servants, and executor of his just will.

-Stratikrator’s Oath of Service, circa 900 P.D.

Prologue:

Passing through the thickening clouds, a light rain began to fall. For miles around, the soft patter of water on grass filled the ears of those still alive. In the predawn light, smoke rose silently from a shallow valley. It was warm, as a soft breeze blew in from the sea. It swirled around the rising tendrils of smoke, and they reluctantly gave way, dissipating into the night air. Even in the mountains of central Exilsium, no place was far from the sea.

As the curtain of smoke pulled away, a shallow valley was revealed. It ran red with blood. Some kind of battle, or slaughter, had happened here. Moving closer to the carnage, there were hundreds of bodies, broken and bleeding, that lay at haphazard angles across the entire length of the valley. Towards the eastern end, a small village was clustered near the worst part of the battlefield. The corpses lay thickest here. A figure slowly emerged from the carnage, pushing aside the two bodies that lay on top of him. Back hunched, he tore off his helmet and ran.

He ran for what seemed like hours, stopping only to collapse in a heap at the foot of a great tree. Gasping for breath, he lay back against the tree, sobbing uncontrollably. This was madness. This was…was…

---

They came in waves. The enemy had cold eyes, he saw. They had been beaten back and defeated before, but there were always more. As both armies moved north, the warfare became crueler, and more barbaric. They were fighting for their homes.

“Men! Now we will break these scum, for honor and glory!”

“For honor and glory!”

The battle was joined, as both sides met in the center of the valley. Slowly, inevitably, they forced the enemy back towards that village. It had been cleared long before the enemy scouts arrived, but abruptly a flaming arrow struck one of the thatched roofs. They burst into flames, as the enemy’s archers dived off the building, shrieking in pain.

They were forming for a cavalry charge. Spearmen were ordered to the front, and the ranks of horse crashed into them like waves beating on the rocks at Krenel. They held, and he drove a spear into the heart of an oncoming horse. It foamed, and collapsed right in front of him. He barely cleared the writhing body, hearing the horse’s scream as one of his comrades finished it off.

They were falling back, praise all! They retreated silently, bowing to numbers and strength. Their gray cloaks whispered as they fled the valley, leaving only smoking ruins in their wake. The men cheered, and one of their captains ordered him and five others to sweep the houses still standing for hidden enemies.

He entered the first house, a simple cottage, breaking down the door with a kick. Inside he saw one of his comrades, holding a child by the hair. She was small, with dark eyes had black hair. Her eyes pleaded for mercy, but she didn’t struggle. Her parents lay behind, in a pool of blood.

He screamed. The blade fell. Something caught fire, and outside he heard a shout. The enemy! An ambush, they cried, the enemy had laid a trap.

Figures in the door, blades in their hands! Darkness.

---

He sat in the shadow of the tree, and dawn did not come. The clouds were thickening. Then he heard the telltale clatter of cavalry. Three horses approached, and their soldiers dismounted. They had cold, bright swords, and colder eyes. The tallest one wore a purple cape.

They were Valins. He would die now.

Kentharu

Mar 09, 2007, 01:31 PM

erez what nation you play?

erez87

Mar 09, 2007, 01:44 PM

Free city of Tigot of course...

Oruc

Mar 09, 2007, 02:11 PM

We will stop blockading you if you pledge never again to wage aggressive war.

OOC: wait where in-character? well considering im about to be invaded, this wont hurt that much.

Fine, Adar pledge's to never again wage an aggressive war.

OOC: I suppose I should clarify something, if your people try and enter Adar's borders they wont be allowed entry. Although your allowed in Zemora.

Shadowbound

Mar 09, 2007, 03:37 PM

OOC: Note to self: It is Sintonia, not Swintopia. Must stop updating in the middle of the night.

Rumors leak out of Sintonia, from the desert traders who bring goods on camels to the nearby Bladeist colonies or the sleek trade-ships that run along the coast of the continent. One of these rumors is that of an artifact discovered in Pelarus, one inset with two crossed swords, held by identical figures in the tablet. They are set over a map of Sintonia, along with the nearby lands and oceans. One sword points down from the Bladeist colonies to the north, crossing what is now known as Sintonia before stopping just north of the lands claimed by the King. The other is perpendicular to the other, leading from the ocean, over Sintonia, and all the way to the river across the mountains. The swords were supposedly lifted out of the tablet, their steel dull but their edges sharp, and where they met an emerald had been set into it, sitting right at the far end of the main pass over the mountains.

King Hazim has claimed that the tablet, and the swords, show what Sintonia should be, and has claimed all the lands from the ocean, over the mountains, all the way to the river. He claims that the Sworded Map was a gift from the All-blades, a unique Sintonian perception of swords as a single being, which had been formed under Veritan control and Oneist influence.

jalapeno_dude

Mar 09, 2007, 04:51 PM

I'll be away until next Saturday. I'll try to send orders, but just in case:

Group #1 will proceed north and west from the Citadel, conquering Gorin, Croyodon, Merhai, and Shalamari. It will link up with Group #2, which will conquer the new world, then land on Veritas. The two groups will then conquer Khmeri. Group #3 will proceed north from our southern city, conquering Guangfei, Magland, etc. All three groups will join up to conquer the Swade and Myocaca. Then world domination will be complete.

:p

Wubba360

Mar 09, 2007, 05:00 PM

The drums beat as the sound reignated across the valley. The men in the Tower stood strong. As the enemy lined up Sunez stared down at the enemy.

"Draw your arrows men...aim..." Holding his arm up as the thunder crackled over head and the wind blew fiercly across the ground. As the heavens began to bleed, it was the sign Sunez needed, "Fire!"

A hail of arrows descended upon the enemy as they began to drop. The enemy general ran to the front on his bigjaur cheering his men they charged the Hamrin Wall. Carrying siege ladder they began climbing up like ants.

The field was black with men. They crawled up the walls relentlessly. Seargent Bradicus rallied his swordsmen to hold the wall. Drawing his sword he slashed upon the first man upon the wall. Hearing the crack of bone against steel the body fell limp to the earth below.

The Yu Yan and refugees at the gate still fired upon their enemy below. The enemy had yet to make any push for the gate. However, the wall slowly descended into man on man combat.

Although the Swade appeared to outnumber them, each man fought relentlessly. An old man drawing his axe broke the skull of a swade as blood spattered upon his face. Suddenly a massive volley came from the enemy, they would kill a hundred of their own if it meant killing one oneist.

Bradicus called the signal all men dropped down and raised their shields as the arrows rattled overhead. The swade around them found themselves without shade. Screams were blasted across the wall.

Suddenly the volley stopped. Picking up a scimitar Bradicus sheithed two swords cutting in an art form. Jumping back and forth weaving in and out cutting and jabbing. Caster stood beside him. The enemy was hardly a challenge. Throwing down ladders only caused more death for their enemies.

But in the distance the Hammer of the One was being put up. A ballistae of the grandest size.
------------------------------------------

In the mean time a battering ram began to march up the ramp. Tossing stones and spears upon their enemies Sunez knew they were to many to keep them away. They had slowed them down but they still marched.

Soon the the ram cracked upon the gate. If the gate broke they would soon be over run. "Methuse get your men down to the gate. Don't let them through"

"Yes sir!"

Methuse ordered his men to seize tables and wood to board up the gate. "Move you dogs, this is your future!"

The wall was the battlefield and now the gate was holding but it was at a weak point, and in the distance the ballistae was being constructed, one finished no man power could hold up those walls.
--------------------------------------------------------

to be continued....

alex994

Mar 09, 2007, 08:16 PM

lmao i really hope you are joking, cause i know i am (hence the oocness) anyway, im going to bed

OOC: The OOC ness of it all simply emphasized the insult and slur against me. I shall not rest until I gain an apology as the OOC ness simply made it personal!

But I digress. I hope all of Gorin will die a death a hundred times worse then Eldrania. :mad:

Wubba360

Mar 09, 2007, 08:55 PM

The Harim Wall dripped blood from its sides. Yu-Yan and refugee armor was hardly distinguishible. All clothes were stained in blood. Bradicus swung his twin scimitars cutting like a mad man. Racking up death after death. The battle had lost all art or order.

It was pockets of men fighting for their lives. Caster stood by him slicing with vigor having abandoned the bow and arrow long ago. It was pointless to try and fight with such weapons now. Another young privet swordsmen, Simeon fought as well.

The three stood back to back jabbing at the horde around them. Simeon carried a regular sword and dagger. Suddenly a massive man descended on him. Thrusting his dagger into the opponent the warm dripping blood fell on Simeon's face. Unable to stand Simeon fell under the weight of the now dead man trying to get up.

Caster looked at the boy unable for one second to release him. The horde was relentless. Any false move and he would die. They still held all the stairs that would lead the enemy down into the tower.

Sill the thunder pounded through the sky and rain descended still more but it could not wash away the stain of blood.

--------------------------------------------------

Sunez saw the wall. He could not allow the men to go un aided. Grabbing 4 men he ran for the stables. Horses would be no use, but Bigjaurs were perfect.

Running down he passed MEthuse still holding the gate. "Sir we are out of wood. We can't hold them much longer."

"Then be ready for a fight, drive them into the ground."

Running into the stalls Sunez grabbed the nearest Bigjaur and burst through the stables with speed. Riding up the stairs with his companions he flung himself upon the enemy.

The tearing of flesh and crack of bone pained Sunez but this was war at its purest most darkest stage. Man against man, to the death on the battlefield. In the fires he could see Bradicus and Caster fighting. Charging to aid them cried, "It is a good night to Die! Kill for the Living, Kill for the Dead!"

Suddenly a new urge swept the men as men began to connect up and drive the enemy back. Caster suddenly bent down shuving something over. Sunez wondered what was happening. Out of the crowd came a man, 7 ft tall. Carrying a hammer suddenly the crack of bone could be heard. Sunez screamed.

A young man got up, Simeon, slashing the man's head off. Sunez charged dropping off to pick up the limp Caster. Bradicus still fought viciosly. "I am sorry, I have failed Myocaca."

"No. brother, you have not failed, it is not over..." But he was already gone.
---------------------------------------

In the distance the hammer was loaded and a massive rock was hurled, the Herim wall would finally fall.
----------------------------------------------

The rock came with an explosion as debris showered over them. Sunez ducked for cover as the wall broke open. The enemy began to pour into the plaza. Bradicus was first to react jumping down in front of the horde he began to hack away.

His face was that of a firey demon from hell. Unstoppable. Simeon soon jumped down with ten other refugees. They joined Bradicus and continued the fight. Sunez knew the wall was lost, now the fight was in the plaza.

Now if the gate fell two holes would open into the plaza. Then they would soon have to retreat. Methuse was far off, hopefully the old man had more to him then met the eye.

"For your freedom men!" Sunez charged down into the plaza with his men behind him. It was far from over, but so was sunrise. The Herim wall had been bloodied, now to would the plaza. In the blood would truth be found
-------------------------------------------

to be continued...

Shadowbound

Mar 09, 2007, 09:35 PM

The three Ky sat on jet-black mares, watching the assault on the Hamrin wall from a hill-top behind the Swade lines. They were dressed in gray leathers, a chain-mail breastplate over their chest and chain gauntlets. Sky blue cloaks enfolded them, inset with the yellow sun of the Sunset Kingdom that was Sintonia, with a sword impaling it, that marked their order. Two curved blades rested in sheaths at each of their hips, another pair, longswords, slung over each's back.

"The Swade are over the wall." The senior-most said, an old man with a trimmed gray beard.

"That means nothing. The Myococans still hold the city, and the Swades have paid dearly." The one to his left answered, a tall man.

"Is the purpose of a fortress not to hold the enemy at the wall? This one has failed." The eldest replied.

"This has failed, but the Swade have not won. The Myococans are still strong." The tallest countered.

"Who wins or loses, it shall be clear by the end and we may report to the King."

"Only report? That is all we shall do in this war? Those who live by he blade should die and kill by the blade, but have we? And the grandmaster has decided to stay out of this because he does not have the will to kill cowardly Myococans?" The youngest said, who had thus far been silent. His mount bristled at the barely restrained energy of it's rider, as a good Sintonian horse should.

"That is the decision of the order. They are Bladeists, Swade and Myococans-"

"Pah! The Myococans are controlled by the Oneists."

-and the young Blade will learn to watch his tongue, before he learns the true meaning of dying by the sword." The oldest finished. The younger Ky wilted under his glare, and the mount took a nervous step or to back from the Oldest's own horse.

"I doubt we can tell what is happening from here. We should get closer to the battle." The tallest interrupted, seeking to change the subject.

"Perhaps... keep the blades sheathed. Remember, this is not our war."

"It may be Sintonia's." The tallest said as he spurred his stallion into a trot, at the same time as the youngest said, "It is a Bladeist's war."

The three Sintonian riders rode towards the battle, pressing their way through Swade soldiers, who's officers shooed them aside at the sight of the Sintonian crest on their cloaks.

Kentharu

Mar 09, 2007, 09:46 PM

i didn't insult you so....

LightFang

Mar 09, 2007, 10:13 PM

Of War and Religion

"War is war, is war, is war, is war. Har har, reflexive property."
-Mathematician Transvit Bakon

Priest Karzt was, by now, an old man. No longer did he take his daily walk around the palace grounds to look at the perpetually unfinished Monuments of Karholm. He hadn't liked this part of becoming old. The walks had slowly become more and more exhausting, until it became weekly, and then monthly, and now he just sat around the palace. He sighed. Maybe he wouldn't get to see the finished monuments upon completion.

And, plus, he could just hear the gossip around the town halls. Zekat visited him every day to tell him the news and such, the juicy gossip that his silly advisor Sevin Floumite didn't want him to hear. So he knew about the rumors flying that he had made an unholy pact that granted him a long life. He hadn't liked this part of getting old either.

To make matters worse, there was the whole Extinction Doctrine thing. Every single day, the Swade diplomat bothered him.

"Today is a fine day for killing Oneists, am I right?"

"Hey, you know what you should do? Destroy all the Oneists!"

"Come on, you know you want to slay them, just like we did!"

Of course, he didn't say that to his face, but Zekat told him of their dealings, and with the people, trying to create an anti-Oneist mindset. Yet, that would never work in Karholm, he knew. Under his decided neutrality, Karholm had grown into a cultural center, a magnet for philosophy and a shelter for peace within the storms of war that blew around.

One day, he thought. One day, we shall even rival the Citadel.

And now, to complete the negative sandwich, his thoughts drifted again to the impeding problem of the heir, just because his brain wanted to keep him up , late at night, in the twilight of his life. Yes, evidently, he had been blessed with this hard decision to make. Only the One knew which way would be best.

Aagi had not stabilized with time. Indeed, he had become more handsome, with exquisite long golden hair and blue eyes as bright as crystal, but his mind still remained an anachronism, childish and delusional. Now in the supposed prime of his life, he was still as crazy as ever. Karzt held no ill feelings toward this bête noire. At least he was happy, his head filled with adventures, people, tales, and such.

Still, he absolutely would not do. He honestly would have rather had Zekat sit the throne, and this he was tempted to do, despite the controversy it was sure to bring. Zekat had grown handsome too, but in a darker way, with jet black hair and haunting, taunting brown eyes. Really, Karzt did not know where they had gotten their beauty, but it surely didn't come from him, nor his now deceased wife.

Zekat was ahead of his time in brains too. He was cool and calculating, and yet he loved to party. Karzt still remembered the bash the prince had thrown on his marriage day. If he recalled correctly, and he usually did, the prince had ridden up and down the palace stairs with his friends on horses and even swung from the palace chandelier. He was wily too, for he had gotten the king drunk enough not to care until later. The king smiled. Yes, Zekat would be good. It all balanced out in the end.

Priest Karzt was interrupted from his thoughts by a light clicking of boots, which signaled Zekat's daily visitation. He always came at promptly three in the afternoon, just in time for his afternoon tea.

"Father," he said, as he entered.

"Son."

"I bring news."

"Speak."

"I trust you have heard of the Extinction Doctrine." Of course he had. That was talked about every bloody day. What should Aryie do? What could she do?

"Yes. And you are my Bladeist son."

"Yes. I've decided on one thing, Father. You might not like it."

Regicide, perhaps? Killing the king would make the most sense, since it had called for the extinction of all Oneists. Karzt found himself indifferent. Was this how he was to die, not caring?

"Go on."

"I've decided that I'm not going to heed the doctrine. I'm going to urge the populace not to either. It's stupid. I figured you might not like it because you've always taught me to honor religious figures who probably know more than I do. I know one thing though. I may not be a good Bladeist in the eyes of Evern III Wilipi, but I've decided, there is no way the Blademaster would condone it. I shall get my just desserts in the end, as will the Oneists. No offense, Father."

He nodded, almost disappointed that the solution of finding a heir wasn't going to be so easily solved with his murder. They talked about trivial things, and at least, Zekat left.

Forged from Bladeist fury and Aryian temperance. Yes...he would make a fine monarch.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 11:41 AM

Don't you mean 'deceased' wife?

:lol:@the Swade ambassador.OOC: Right. So, replace the centers with cities and I'll start plotting out the story sequence and looking for a time to make them centers.

BTW, what does the gray and white on the map mean? I have some ideas, but they're probably wrong.Grey is barbarian, white is uninhabited.

I'll be away until next Saturday. I'll try to send orders, but just in case:

Group #1 will proceed north and west from the Citadel, conquering Gorin, Croyodon, Merhai, and Shalamari. It will link up with Group #2, which will conquer the new world, then land on Veritas. The two groups will then conquer Khmeri. Group #3 will proceed north from our southern city, conquering Guangfei, Magland, etc. All three groups will join up to conquer the Swade and Myocaca. Then world domination will be complete.

:p:rofl:

The three Ky sat on jet-black mares, watching the assault on the Hamrin wall from a hill-top behind the Swade lines. They were dressed in gray leathers, a chain-mail breastplate over their chest and chain gauntlets. Sky blue cloaks enfolded them, inset with the yellow sun of the Sunset Kingdom that was Sintonia, with a sword impaling it, that marked their order. Two curved blades rested in sheaths at each of their hips, another pair, longswords, slung over each's back.

"The Swade are over the wall." The senior-most said, an old man with a trimmed gray beard.

"That means nothing. The Myococans still hold the city, and the Swades have paid dearly." The one to his left answered, a tall man.

"Is the purpose of a fortress not to hold the enemy at the wall? This one has failed." The eldest replied.

"This has failed, but the Swade have not won. The Myococans are still strong." The tallest countered.

"Who wins or loses, it shall be clear by the end and we may report to the King."

"Only report? That is all we shall do in this war? Those who live by he blade should die and kill by the blade, but have we? And the grandmaster has decided to stay out of this because he does not have the will to kill cowardly Myococans?" The youngest said, who had thus far been silent. His mount bristled at the barely restrained energy of it's rider, as a good Sintonian horse should.

"That is the decision of the order. They are Bladeists, Swade and Myococans-"

"Pah! The Myococans are controlled by the Oneists."

-and the young Blade will learn to watch his tongue, before he learns the true meaning of dying by the sword." The oldest finished. The younger Ky wilted under his glare, and the mount took a nervous step or to back from the Oldest's own horse.

"I doubt we can tell what is happening from here. We should get closer to the battle." The tallest interrupted, seeking to change the subject.

"Perhaps... keep the blades sheathed. Remember, this is not our war."

"It may be Sintonia's." The tallest said as he spurred his stallion into a trot, at the same time as the youngest said, "It is a Bladeist's war."

The three Sintonian riders rode towards the battle, pressing their way through Swade soldiers, who's officers shooed them aside at the sight of the Sintonian crest on their cloaks.There wasn't any Bladeist-to Bladeist fighting in New Veritas. The Swades acted there first, before anyone else could react.

Shadowbound

Mar 10, 2007, 12:27 PM

Myococans are Bladeist, right?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 12:29 PM

Yes. Though a few of them were Oneist, and they weren't ethnically Myocacan.

Shadowbound

Mar 10, 2007, 12:31 PM

Wubba's story characters with the names are Bladeist, right?

I'm missing the start to this whole thing, here's what I can tell:

Swade: Bladeist, wanting to kill all Oneists

Myococa: Bladeist, with a large Oneist pop

Swade invades Myococa. I thought the Bladeist Myococans were actually fighting them, or is it just the Oneists?

alex994

Mar 10, 2007, 12:32 PM

OOC: Out of curiosity iggy, what percentage of my population isn't ethnically "Han" so to speak?

And maybe asking wubba would be better then asking iggy ;)

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 12:57 PM

Wubba knows his stories best.

Around 5%.

Wubba360

Mar 10, 2007, 04:08 PM

The men of Herim are mainly oneist but their are many bladeists amongst them. Oneists are scattered in Myocaca and abroad and their is currently an attempt to bring all oneists back and join the army:)

Shadowbound

Mar 10, 2007, 04:27 PM

OOC: Okie dokie. Now for teh storiez!

In the Royal Palace of Sintonia, where King Hazim held his court on the feast-days, the King himself sat. Beneath him were two seperate cushions and a masterpiece that only a foreigner would dare call a mere "carpet", and around him was the gentle flowing of water, and the soft twinkling of musicians in other parts of the palace.

This did not penetrate to him. Beyond the grand hall where courtiers and nobles mingled, night and day, past the double chambers of soldiers, through the rooms filled with artwork and his harem, and another chamber of guards, these Ky, before one could even reach his greeting hall, and beyond that were the rooms where the King himself lived. Very little penetrated that was not meant to penetrate, but one thing could not be kept out by thousands of guards.

"Tell me, Hazim, how did your sword practice go?" His reflection asked him, mockingly, "Oh, yes! You spent half an hour with an over-indulgent swordsmaster, before calling it a day and returning to your courtiers. I'm sure they all told you how 'impressive' they were."

Hazim tried to look away from the mirror, but his face was there again in the silk drapes that blocked out the window.

"Did your meeting with the War Council go well? I'm sure you decided on many... I almost forgot! You fell asleep while they debated the legitimacy of intelligence reports on Myococan garrisons!"

Hazim jerked his head away, this time to the waterfall that poured a gentle stream of the cool mountain water across his quarters, fitting into a shallow canal that the kitchens could put plates of food in and he could take delectable morsels from. His reflection stepped out of the waterfall, face full of scorn.

"Ah, mighty Hazim. I'm sure you will bring certain defeat to your enemies and salvation to your allies... you know who they are, yes?"

Hazim turned away again, this time back to the mirror.

"No! You wait to see who is the strongest, so you may jump upon the back of the weakest."

The reflection laughed. "All hail Hazim! King of vultures!"

"Enough!" Hazim screamed at himself. He grabbed the pitcher of plum wine and threw it at the mirror, shattering both and sending them across the polished floor until they ran into another pile of cushions.

He panted, and stared at the broken mirror for a time, the room having grown dark while he was in his fit of madness. He reached out a hand and pulled a rope, summoning his Majordomo, Buzan.

"Tell the Generals we march in two days."

OOC: Sadly, he's the sanest of his three brothers.

Kozmos

Mar 10, 2007, 04:32 PM

Iggy did the orders I sent you for this update got deleted, because I just read them and the update and it seems to me I didnt do anything. Not even renamed the city.

Kentharu

Mar 10, 2007, 04:46 PM

iggy can i get a reply to my pm?

Wubba360

Mar 10, 2007, 04:46 PM

Methuse had all men forcing their body on the gate holding back the mass that heaved against them from outside. MEthuse could hear the explosion in the distance. It was not a good sign.

Methuse suddenly heard a crack as the next thunk came. "Get more wood!"

"Sir there is none left and their is no point in waisting arrows and spears."

"Well then every man arm themselves with a javelin or arrow and prepare to fire once they brake through this gate. Rubeon, a young refugee picked up a javelin aiming at the door.

Methuse backed from the door as the cracking became louder. "Do not give up one step men. Give them no satisfaction, make them bleed for every step!"

Suddenly the crunching of wood splintered the door. A figure appeared from the brake, hurling his javelin Rubeon pinned the man through the heart. The man dangled.

Suddenly another boom came and the door was knocked completely down. "It is a good night to die men!" Methuse hurled his javelin into the enemy and the wall of men fired into the tsunami. The enemy ran over their own dead as their advance was relentless despite all the death and wounds each man took.

Methuse hurled his last javelin into the gut of his enemy. Drawing his broadsword he cut into the enemy. Rubeon held his round shield and spear and leaped into the crowd pinning down one soul. Ripping through the Swade's ribs into his intestines the man's inside began to bleed onto the ground. Rubeon slashed.

His spear had a four axe like blades and one foot spear tip. Keeping the horde at distance Rubeon bellowed to his men, "To me brothers, Rally to me" Men began to fight through the horde.

Methuse could see his men held the hallway but unless the horde was held they would connect up with the wall and overwelm the defenses. Methuse making his way to the stair way he found the stew he needed. The flammable Swade fire.

Tossing the material down onto the enemy on the gate remains. The wood would burn long to prevent the enemy. Grabbing the torch he hurled it onto the men below. Suddenly the hall was lit. Screams came from below as men burned in their firey hell.

Methuse smiled as the men in front panicked seeing their comrades meet their burning death. Rubeon surrounded the remaining men and began to slaughter them. MEthuse smiled to himself, he had saved the hall from being taken for now. He had given them another hour atleast.

As Rubeon gave the call that they had driven back the enemy the unthinkable happened. As he heard screams of pain, dark figure began stumbling through the flames. Covered in burns and scars the men stumbled out of the flames like demons.

Their eyes blank fried up by the flames. Parts of their body were still on fire. This was truly a gate to Hell. Rubeon panicked unable to comprehend the beast before him. The mutant rose his blade to strike down the horrified Rubeon.

MEthuse jumped down slicing his sword through the enemy's head. Slashing at the forms he killed the men with ease. The Swade were helpless in this attack most slicing out in pain unable to coordinate or see what they did, blinded by fire.

As the men saw MEthuse struggle with the daemons they picked up their blades and charged the men. Firing hrough the flames the enemy fired back. MEthuse screamed as an arrow went into his hip.

The flames began to die. The mob came through once more. MEthuse turned to Rubeon, the young oneist, "Run boy! They are to much for you! Flee to the keep. Gather the men, I will give you as much time as I can." Rubeon hesitated at first but as MEthuse screamed at him he turned with his men and fled.

Only two others stood by Methuse. "This is our destiny men, now earn your legacy"

Cutting his blade into the enemy organs spilled upon the ground. As a giant of a man came through the crowd MEthuse drove his blade deep into the giant's chest Methuse's blade got stuck.

Drawing his two axes he fought bleeding into the enemy. Suddenly an arrow struck Methuse into his chest, and a second. As the fire flames turned into a chilled winter MEthuse began to collapse. Struggling to stay up he slashed into his enemy killing his enemy one by one.

As light turned to darkness MEthuse fell to his knees fighting still. Throwing one axe and then the other two more enemies collapsed. The two other were still fighting. One fell to the ground as he was impaled into the ground on a spear.

Attempting to hold up a massive figure stood before him. Bringing up his dagger MEthuse thrust it into the man's leg. Hearing a scream a thud hit his head. MEthuse felt no more pain, no more sound. All was dark and silent. Hell was gone.

----------------------------------------------
to be continued...

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 07:21 PM

@Cleric- Apparently they were deleted. Not that it would have made much of a major difference, with the forces set against it.

@Ken- Okay.

Kozmos

Mar 10, 2007, 07:43 PM

You mean proto-molotovs and kickass martial arts dont make a difference!? *shakes fist at penguin in a zoo and yells DAAAAAAAMN YOU!!!*

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 07:46 PM

Those were both factored in, and are what let you maintain control of part of the island.

alex994

Mar 10, 2007, 07:47 PM

OOC: I must say I find the prospect of Valins doing martial arts very amusing :lol:

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 08:00 PM

Valins led by Cleric?

alex994

Mar 10, 2007, 08:05 PM

Valins led by Cleric?

Indeed, I see them much like Greeks wearing togas. Stuck up, snobby, and well dressed Valins doing martial arts led by an ah... interesting leader is quite interesting ;)

Shadowbound

Mar 10, 2007, 08:07 PM

I'm sure they look stunning in their dresses. Whether or not they have the Stunning Fist ability is something else...

Wubba360

Mar 10, 2007, 08:09 PM

Sunez struggled through the fighting in the open plaza. The fighting on the walls was over. Swade had abandoned the pointless ladder climbing. Still Myocacans held the wall and managed to fire down on the invading Swade.

Sunez held his sword fighting his hardest.. Caster was dead. Bradicus still fought with vigor like an angel of death. Sunez could no longer command a tactical position. The plaza was a frenzy. Young Simeon fought beside him. The boy fighting bravely. All of them were bathed in blood. The rain did little to purify their faces.

Suddenly he saw a mob come down from the direction of the gate. They were Myocacan, but what were they doing. They were suppost to be holding the gate. Whistiling for his bigjaur it came roaring down from feasting on a Swade soldier to its master.

Leaping on its back he grabbed Simeon on to the cat and rode off. Tearing through the crowd he reached through to the men. Stepping into the crowd a man stepped forward holding a round shield and exquisite spear.

"Sir the gate has fallen, we must pull back to the keep. If we do not everyone will die here. The keep will buy us more time. I am Rubeon."

"Rubeon where is Methuse?"

"I do not know his fate, but he and two others chose to stay back and hold the gate for us to flee into the keep and gather the troops."

"Damn...gather your men, make for the keep. I will meet you there."

Rubeon turned up the stairs with his men behind him. The tower of Herim stood still tall and mighty. "I hope they don't get around to reloading that ballistae before sunrise" Sunez thought to himself.

Course the tower could take atleast three hits before collapsing, one could cause a damage and unneeded casualties. "Simeon go with these men, I will meet you there. You must get out of here."

Simeon dismounted saluting the general and running full sprint up. Sunez went at full sprint on his steed, "Men pull back to the keep as fast as possible. Soon the methodical retreat was in action. Men fired arrows to cover their friends as they made dashing runs for the stairs.

Sunez toar through the crowd searching for Bradicus. He had lost Caster and little hope was left for MEthuse, he was not about to lose his last commander. Pushing through five enemy soldiers Sunez finally saw Bradicus dueling with a hooded Swadist. The man carried a long sword and constantly swung at Bradicus.

Playing it like a game the man chuckled, "You pansy, hit me. You are the slowest bladeist I have ever fought.

"Die heretic. You have betrayed Bladism for these scum..."

"Now you shouldn't have said that..." Diving forward Bradicus reeled around a swing. Striking one blade through the man's gut and continueing his spiral through the man's neck. Turning around he saw Sunez.

"Make for the keep man, or else we will be over run."

"Aye sir!" whistling a bigjaur soon came charging through the crowd. Saddling the beast Bradicus made a full sprint for the tower. Sunez knew there was a small group on the other side he would have to reach.

Bradicus in the meantime ran forward gathering all men he could. Suddenly a massive wall of men came from the entrance hall. Bradicus watched helplessly as the men slaughtered helpless soldiers as they made their way up the stairs. Looking around he ran up the steps.

Getting on the wall he positioned men to fire down on the enemy then sweeping around the rear he assaulted the enemy's flank. Panicking the enemy line fell into chaos. Bradicus celebrated at his move.

"Get those men out of there. We need as many alive as we can." Suddenly a roar came from the sky. A massive flaming bould barreled into the crowd. MEn were flung or crushed. Both Swade and Myocaca. Screaming Bradicus got his Bigjaur to one of the men. Get your archers into that wall post there. Seal up the entrance and don't draw danger until it finds you."

"What about the others"

"The keep is where the smart go, but hundreds are dead now, a few more in the keep won't make a difference, any man not on animal won't stand a chance through that mob. Charging up the stairs Bradicus herded the last men into the keep. The rest had to find their own last stand.
------------------------------------------------
Riding forward Sunez thought he caught something out of the corner of his eye.

Suddenly whizzing across the field an arrow struck his bigjaur through the throat. The poor beast dropped dieing as it bled to death. Unble to watch the beautiful creature suffer Bradicus severed its head ending its suffering.

Getting up another arrow came deflecting it with his sword he heard a chuckle. "General Sunez, remember me. I have been awaiting your arrival. Ready for our epic you promised me at the talk."

"General Gurat, I will make you suffer."

"Oh well this fight hardly matters. Your walls and gate are breached. Soon the keep will fall and you will all perish. Resistance is futile. I knew you would do something like this. You were famous for such schemes as a young corporal. Always disobeying orders, going out to get at the Veritasans first. You especially are famous for your campaigns in the mountains. Shame you had to be born a oneist. No conversion can save you. You were born with that voice that calls for evil and I am here to silence it."

"You filth, we fight now..."

Sunez ran forward. The blade steel on steel resonated around the deathly plaza. Cutting with expertise Gurat seemed unfazed by the constant attack. Casting each blow aside. The General was just playing with him. Sunez soon realized he could have been killed atleast three times already.

"You swine, you are out of your league."

"Hah, I am just getting started. Bring your best, Gurat!"
----------------------------------------------------

In the tower Bradicus slammed the door as the horde came up the steps. Sunez was no where to be seen but it was their only option. There was almost no wood. Only a table was left and a few stools. Bradicus began having the men set up the barrications. Staring out the window. Sunrise was in the distance.

Rogalius would be here soon. With a fully trained army, Swade would have to hault, lest they wanted to start a full war with Myocaca.

But their was no sign yet. All he needed was a little more time. Grabbing spears Bradicus put up everything he could. Only about 250 of them remained alive of the soldiers in the keep. Maybe a hundred more outside. Most were civilians turned warriors. Old veterans were amonst some of them others were young boys looking to prove themselves. To much life had been lost.

Drawing his Sword Bradicus turned to his men, "We fight this day men, We have lived through hell, now let us drive them back through their own gate." AS the door broke open the last great oneist resistance group charged. They had stayed to fight for a country they loved and a king they loved. They did not fight for anyother nation, they fought for Myocaca.

Suddenly in the distance a horn was sounded. The clattering of hooves could be heard.
----------------------------------------
Sunez fought making his best to avoid death. Bradicus was more fit for this warfare. Leaning away from Gurats strike his enemy sliced his arm. Screaming in pain Sunez fell back, "Had enough scum, would yhou like me to end your curse." Spatting at Gurat's words he attacked again. Backing up one step after the other. Sunez was up against the wall, just as he planned. The General swung, Sunez rolled out of the way with a sudden burst of energy.

The General found his sword stuck in the stone itself. So deteriorated it was that the blade sunk in just to deep. Sunez reared around and sliced the old general's jugular. As the general dropped slowly bleeding to death. Horns could be heard over the horizon. Sunez stared out. In the distance he could see a large army charging towards him. It was over. Life had been regifted.
-----------------------------------------------------------
to be continued...

alex994

Mar 10, 2007, 08:19 PM

OOC: With all due respect, the last part of your story could also imply a massive Swade force to reinforce them and continue their attack on the fortress :p

Kozmos

Mar 10, 2007, 08:30 PM

My troops first flash the enemy thus stunning them because they cant believe how well endowed they are. Distracted by my troops dongs they get burned alive or have their insides cut out by vastly superior martial swordmanship, though the swords used are pirate cutlass.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 10, 2007, 09:02 PM

:p@Cleric

Nice story Wubba. Very powerful imagery.

Shadowbound

Mar 10, 2007, 09:03 PM

Note to self: Invade Cleric with Eunuchs.

Wubba360

Mar 11, 2007, 09:55 AM

well my story is not finished, and in this story, war has not been declared yet, it sets the stage

Kal'thzar

Mar 11, 2007, 11:06 AM

When are orders due?

I'm actually intrested in this nes again...possibly due to me playing in a lot of industrial age NES's which frankly do not intrest me as much. (although they train the mind).

Stories to be heralded....(might copy Thy's style...because I like it, although less pomp)

LBaeldeth

Mar 11, 2007, 11:53 AM

Well, according to the 'orders due' thread post, they were due two days ago.

But, given that was last updated in December, it's entirely possible Iggy's mentioned a change to the deadline somewhere in the thread and I've just forgotten. :rolleyes:

Lord_Iggy

Mar 11, 2007, 01:53 PM

@Kal- Do you still have the stories you PMed me in December?

Orders are due next Friday.

JosefStalinator

Mar 11, 2007, 02:22 PM

Hrm... considering I'd like a good stable NES for once, I think I want to join this. Understandably however, I am totally overwhelmed by the unfamiliar world; are there any decent NPC's? Who would you reccomend?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 11, 2007, 02:33 PM

Kalmar, if Insane Panda doesn't move in to take it. Or Gamorrea, if MjM doesn't move in to take it.

JosefStalinator

Mar 11, 2007, 02:49 PM

I'd like to grab Gamorrea if I could... but does MjM have some sort of reservation on it?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 11, 2007, 02:50 PM

You could ask him.

JosefStalinator

Mar 11, 2007, 02:59 PM

You could ask him.

That doesn't answer my question; I was more wondering why he has any sort of claim to the nation, and if so why he hasn't taken it yet? :p

Lord_Iggy

Mar 11, 2007, 04:27 PM

I'm really not sure if he wants it. You can check with hm to see who wants it more.

Kal'thzar

Mar 11, 2007, 05:16 PM

@Kal- Do you still have the stories you PMed me in December?

heck no...:/

well maybe somewhere on my harddrive I'll dig em' out at some point, if I find them.

On that note; do I get eco from my partial territory in former Davarian lands? Or for that matter Kalmar?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 11, 2007, 05:25 PM

The recently captured lands aren't productive yet. They're still in a level of resistance that makes them currently unprofitable.

I still have the stories you sent.

Kal'thzar

Mar 11, 2007, 05:27 PM

oh that would be nice;

I'll send a PM with some other queries and things.

~Darkening~

Mar 11, 2007, 08:50 PM

Hehe.....

*wink*

Fun times.....

LBaeldeth

Mar 12, 2007, 02:36 PM

Orders are due next Friday.

So has the deadline been changed to every second Friday, or is that just for this update?

Swissempire

Mar 12, 2007, 04:07 PM

OOC: Good Stories Wubba. Though you haven't answered the diplo about The Epik Games yet. C'mon, you know you want Bladeist Olympics. And Its good to have you Shadow, but i can you explain this "All Blades" thing? Because, its pretty much the tenet OF Bladeism that...you know...All Blades are a gift from the Blademaster....and thusly intricately linked with him....thus making them holy....yeah....

Kal'thzar

Mar 12, 2007, 04:13 PM

I'm still confused upon why you chose to come up with that as your religion.

My religion and Thy's religion serves an explicity purpose...

yours I'm not so sure about :/

Shadowbound

Mar 12, 2007, 04:13 PM

OOC: The point is, it's not that different. It just uses a different terminology and description of most things, while remaining essentially the same.

And I'm just working with my material. It's going to be a few turns until my dualism variant shows up.

Kal'thzar

Mar 12, 2007, 04:47 PM

I see no central themes

Mine is one of adapting to change, seeking the truth.

Thys is one of depicting the truth.

Bladeism is another depiction of the truth?

They are all tools of the State, I suppose.

~Darkening~

Mar 12, 2007, 04:55 PM

Bladiesm is war. Simply :rolleyes:

Oruc

Mar 12, 2007, 05:08 PM

all nesing religions come down to one thing, controlling people.

JosefStalinator

Mar 12, 2007, 05:12 PM

Well I'm just going to assume MjM doesn't want Gamorrea, ask him next time I see him for confirmation, and send off a PM of questions so I can figure out this crazy ass world.

Kentharu

Mar 12, 2007, 05:13 PM

emu is right

masra isn't about peace... its about my peace

Lord_Iggy

Mar 12, 2007, 05:31 PM

@LBaeldeth- I'm hoping to get this NES back onto a weekly schedule. As you can see however, I'm just coming out of a very difficult schedule. I have more time now because I'm done most of my musical theory course, and I'm finished training for the Canada Winter Games (which at their peak were 5 multi-hour sessions per week).

LBaeldeth

Mar 12, 2007, 07:29 PM

Duly noted. :salute:

jalapeno_dude

Mar 12, 2007, 07:57 PM

Sorry about the delay in responding to PMs. I'll answer them tomorrow, hopefully.

~Darkening~

Mar 12, 2007, 10:29 PM

Iggy was the Sarcophagus evacuated from Ardan or is it still in the city?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 12, 2007, 11:06 PM

It's still in the city.

~Darkening~

Mar 12, 2007, 11:19 PM

Good.

Any damage done to the Cathedral?

alex994

Mar 12, 2007, 11:21 PM

Lost of Piety in Faith

“Woe has come to our world. While the Swades shine in the East, we diminish in the West. While the Oneists have been purged in the East, we have been destroyed in the West. While the Swades stand unopposed in the East, they shiver and cower in the West. What are you, Dragon Empire that hath caused the Blademaster himself to turn his gaze from us?” –Lord Sinistra of Sphinica

It was over.

Everything was over. The dream of his life, the legacy he was supposed to leave, it was all gone, destroyed. Korintos! Why was that battle his doom? Why did the Blademaster turn his gaze from his Chosen People?

Why was it at Korintos? Korintos was always and would always be the climax of his life, all else went into a downward spiral. There, he and Lord Sinistra had led the forces of the cities of Sphinica and Labordina against the Han General Zhi Xuan. O Korintos, you heralded the end of the Twin Cities.

They had led five thousand troops against around six thousand Han soldiers and clashed on the plain of Korintos. As the noon sun shined above their heads, the battle had begun. The finest swordsmen on the world, Bladeists swordsmen had advanced in the center flanked by the pride of the Twin Cities, the men and teens who lived in them.

From the beginning, they were showered by Han projectiles, arrows from their mounted cavalry, bolts from their crossbowmen, and rocks from their weapons of war. And from the dust, marched the Han Imperial Army. Banners flying high in the air as the troops of the Empire marched beneath to conquer the primitive barbarians and bring them into the embracing feelings of Great Han.

He remembered the feeling in his heart as Lord Sinistra leaped upon his horse and led his forces into a frontal charge of the lines leaving him empty handed in the command center. Perhaps if that had changed, it would not have been a defeat. As their infantry surged against the Han lines, dust appeared suddenly from the sides.

The Han Cavalry doomed the Battle of Korintos in his eyes as the Han Cavalry cut through the flanks and surrounded their troops. Thousands fell within that hour as the Han were relentless. Arrows, bolts and rocks were devastating upon the closely compressed troops. He and the few watched as his soldiers and friends were killed by the Han.

The Bladeists swordsmen were the finest of their class, but even they could not hold against the Imperial Guards of Emperor Yue of old. Even as they slew his soldiers, he witnessed and enjoyed the irony of their battle against those Legions.

They had been commissioned almost 200 years ago by Emperor Yue to fight the Valins in the Great Valfei War and now, 200 years later, they were fighting against the Bladeists whom their predecessors had fought with against the Valins. The irony struck him in that melancholy moment.

He and the men that were left had retreated from the Battle, ignoring the sight of the carrion flying over their heads toward the battlefield or the pursuing Han cavalry. Nothing stood between the Han Imperial Army and the Twin Cities. He summoned one of the servants in the room.

“Go to the War Tent of General Zhi Xuan. Inform him that the city of Labordina surrenders to the Empire of Guangfei and ask him to send my best regards to Emperor Shun in Guanzhong. I shall fight no more. Inform him, that if his Lord wills it, I will pledge my allegiance in Guanzhong, City of Cities, to the Dragon Emperor.”

It was over.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b154/alexloo994/Setting20Sun20in20Clouds.jpg

Lord_Iggy

Mar 12, 2007, 11:29 PM

@Darkening- It's intact.

Nice story alex!

alex994

Mar 13, 2007, 06:34 PM

To Leave a Legacy

“How does one leave a legacy for the generations to come? Emperors come and go their names, deeds and lives not lasting more then a few pages in a book of history, how does a simple man leave his own print when the prints of the Emperors have been so little?” –Han Guangfei Philosopher

Guangfei, it was said to be the land of milk and honey, of food unending on sight, the land of gold and pearls. And seeing her for the first time, he was inclined to agree. Wealth, confidence and power practically emitted from her inhabitants. The poorest of the poor had a stride in their bearing, a way that they carried themselves that said that they were someone.

He knew why they had lost.

Against Guangfei, they had been doomed to lose. Korintos? What was Korintos? Even if they had won, they would only be buying time, nothing more. Time moved slowly, yet surely like the waters of the Fei River, unrelenting and merciless. Sooner or later, they would have been crushed.

What were seven thousand to them? Hundreds of thousands lived in the territories he had so far went past with more and more living as they got closer to the City of Cities. The Han were as numerous as blades of grass and made of sterner stuff. That was the past, the Twin Cities were no more. Sphinica and Labordina were no more, both under the banner of the Dragon.

He remembered surrendering Labordina, as his people watched, to the General Zhi Xuan. He had been good on his word the city had evaded the destruction and chaos that an assault would have entailed. Sphinica was not as fortunate, Lord Sinistra had refused to surrender and his city had been cracked.

He remembered as the Han weapons of war rained death upon the city and the assault that came afterwards. Ladders, siege towers with battering rams closed in on the city and took it by the sword. Sinistra was killed fleeing as he watched from afar. Now, he could only wish for the clemency of the Han Emperor, the Shun Di as his subjects called him.

It was a while before he had noticed that they had slowed down and even then he was not exactly sure he was awake. Beyond him was the largest city he had ever seen, stretching to and beyond the horizon blotting out the natural landscape. Compared to this, the Twin Cities were ants in size.

And he could see the Imperial Palace along with the gracing slope of the Temple of Heaven. Walls upon walls he could see, tall, high and thick they were manned with thousands of teeming soldiers. The towers of the wall still stood vigilant, little changed since the time of Ku. And above this all, flew two banners.

The first one was the Dragon Banner, the banner showing an elegant yet ancient dragon surrounded by streams of gold and silver on what was probably silk. He knew that banner was of Guangfei, the ancient, elegant and strong Empire that it was. It was a banner that if rumors were correct, had been hand sewn by Empress Lü Zhi herself.

The second one was much plainer. Nothing more then a yellow flag with black borders, it had one sole identifying trait. There was one large character in the center of the banner, the character Han. It was a banner that flew from far away Qingdao to the Twin Cities.

They had reached Guanzhong.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b154/alexloo994/birdviewforbidden.jpg

Swissempire

Mar 13, 2007, 07:40 PM

A Descent to Madness

Evern IV Wilipi, called Iv by his friends who had known him as Ivin Daofin[1] before he took on the ceremonial name, was quite the chiseled man. Yet, more darkely, he was quite the paranoid and borderline insane man. I should know, I raised him from his Padg[2] to his shining steel. He railed against the people of Guangfei, calling them slippery, no good Ginks. Har har har, he was quite an energetic lad, taking great pleasure in cutting out the toungues of heretics and torturing unrepentant Oneists[3]. I blame his dark demeneor on the abuse he suffered from his father. Ah, physical abuse, the gift that keeps on giving.
-Excerpt unearthed from the diary of Grand High Bladetrainer Revon, the Horribly Humored

Iv cowered in the corner as his enraged father was angrily blustering about, screaming his head off about stalling in the Otarian[4] campaign. In the end this would be blamed on him and he knew it. Forbidden tears rolled down is face. His father turned to him and grabbed the small chain on the end of his throne. He vengeful gaze turned towards Iv, and Iv braced himself for the impact, swallowing a scream that could never exist, and weeping uncontrollable tears that only served to make the pain worse…….

The Ascendant Master snapped out of his flashback and found himself on the throne in his grand and glorious palace. Some breeder had been blithering on about a strain of Albinoism in some Bigjaurs and how action should be taken. But now the whole court stared at him, and he tasted a salty liquid upon his lips. He realized he was crying. Iv became enraged that the whole court would stare at him so. The breeder was the first who would feel his wrath.

“HERETIC!” Iv cried out, extending his finger of death at the perplexed breeder. “The Blademaster grants me tears so my eyes may see the truth. This man, and his entire family, are Oneists spies!” The room gasped. Iv lept from his chair and drew the royal sword. In 3 leaps he came to the now shocked Breeder man. “REPENT YOUR SINS HERETIC!” The breeder stuttered “I repent Holy One”. Iv then ran his blade through the stomach of the breeder. It emerged red and dripping from his back. “I leave it to the Blademaster to decide your fate." Iv looked up to his shocked court, “Fools, clean this mess up, and let those Albino Bigjaurs live. What care have I for a few white mongrels? Oh, and sent in the Gink Ambassador, that slanty eyed Panda Boy, so that I may look as he cowers in my presence. I cannot threaten him to his face, but even he has enough sense to know his life is forfeit if his country betrays us.” Calmer now, Iv took his perch back on his throne.

Iv loved his Bigjaur pup, Schmeg, and played with him every night. He hated having to use him as a lie, but Iv had so wanted to see the parts of the Ayrien captial city his father would never let him see. The lower classes, the bars and the brothels, to find out if the rumored Valin-girls[5] really existed and to see whether it was really true that Ardanese men prefered the "company" of other men and young boys. Iv kept his blade close in case one of those Ardanese came close to him. To find all this out though, he had needed to lie and tell his father he was training with Schmeg. It turned out that the lower classes really weren't that interesting, that the bars and the brothels here weren't much different here than in Swade, and that his other two questioned were answered with a disturbing yes. But when Iv returned to where they were staying, he found his father glowering in the doorway. "Where were you Iv?". Hoping he could get away with it, Iv cursed the studder that precede his affirmation of his lie "Why...why...why..I was with Schmeg". "Really?" Taunted his father, "then why was i able to do this?". With a wholely unwarranted flourish, Iv's father threw the severed head of Schmeg at the feet of Iv. "Son, lies bring only death, look at the Emorians". With a laugh he strode away, as Iv stood there in shock, afraid someone would notice he wet himself.....

Iv woke up sweating. He washed his face in the bucket next to him and put on his robes. He fastened his ceremonial sword to his belt and made off for the strategic command meeting. Before he entered the chamber, he asked the guard what the status of the Otarian campaign was. He instructed him to answer him truthfully. "Well, your Holiness, it has made good progress and extreminated all Oneists below the line of control, but there has been a pause. Something about Toga wearing martial artists and exploding rum bottles." "Thank you, guard, the Blessings of the Blademaster upon you."

Iv then strode into the chamber, and his general rose. One by one they went through their reports, about how the Myocacan Oneists and the Sintonian Oneists were dead, about how the Veritas Campaign had been a complete sucess and how the temple building went. Last, but not least, Iv turned to the Otarian High Commander. A hold-over from his father's regime, he had always expected this old man held back in their meetings. "Report Warmaster."

"Your Holiness, the front is meeting no resistance, the island will fall in weeks. Leave it to me." In a fluid strike, the ceremonial sword at Iv's side lodged itself in the neck of the Warmaster. Unfortunatley, since it was purely ceremonial, it stuck there. Iv had to hack 5 more times for the head to come completely off. Now that the room was christened in blood, Iv wiped some gore off his face and spat upon the body. "Lies bring only death."

A lesson had been taught today. Iv called in the guard who had told him the truth. "What is you name guardsman?" "I am Ioúdas Iskáriōth," he said without a studder. "Ioúdas, you are the Warmaster of the Otarian front". Ioúdas dropped to his knees and Iv blessed and anointed[6] him with the bloody sword.

Iv was in the royal procession through the streets of Swade. A 500 person Retinue struck him as unneeded, but what his father wanted, his father got. Iv looked around at the devoted people who would bow down to him as though he were the Blademaster himself. As he walked though, he saw a starving beggar boy much his own age. Iv stopped and gave this boy 5 Swaderis and a leg of Chikin from Iv's food pouch. The boy looked overjoyed and was thanking Iv when something struck Iv hard in the back. Iv fell to his knees. He spun around to face this attacker, but it was his Father. His Father picked up the 10 year old Iv by his throat and held him 2 feet in the air. "Insolent fukinshiteeb1tchspawn[7], you stoop to the level of beggars. I demand you kill this boy, or I shall kill you both." The angered Ascendant Master tossed Iv to the ground. Reluctantly Iv drew his sword, and with such remorse cut down the Beggar Boy. He lay bleeding in the Alleyway. It was the first person Iv had ever killed. The blood pooled around his feet and he resisted the urge to vomit. His Father stood over him, "You have learned a lesson today. You must either put the poor to work or conscript them. Idle Swade have murderous Blades. I will only flog you 30 times since you have partially rectified your sin." The lashes later that night didn't hurt nearly as much as the pain of the memory of that child lieing motionless on the ground....

Iv was pacing his chambers. The world was against him. His father had purified his allies, and now they hated Iv. Everyone planned against him, they all plotted. The ginks, the filthy, heretical Valin, the boy-humping Ardanians, even the once friendly Myocacan's weren't answering his diplomacy. He ruled the strongest Swade Ascendancy in history, and it was already crumbling. He would stop that at all costs. No price was to big too pay. But how. He presided over the largest religion in the world, yet his devotees rejected his fathers Holy Doctrine. He would win this war then with only heaten, yet loyal, Khemri at his side. Gorin might contribute something, but they could barely even deal with a tiny pony people revolt. They were useless.

Iv had to think of ways he could win the war within and without. His coffers may have had little gold, but he would win a war bought with souls and blood money. Yes, like the raging Ramid in mating season, he would rampage over all others. His followers would blanket the globe in his name. Yes, Yes YES! His father would be forgotten by history, mearly a foot note. He would organize everyone and everything towards this ultimate goal. The Oneists wouldbe wiped out, His allies would prosper, those who dared to betray him would be punished, and all would see he was not a madman like his father. No, Iv would be remembered as a Visionary, ushering in a new age for the Swade. If his path was paved with bodies, so what, they were not his. His yacht would simply sail the river of blood.

Plus, if he could control his populace so, the resentment that stewing about him could be quelled. After all, idle Swade had murderous blades. But what his father had forgotten to mention was that fighting Swade had victorious blade. Iv cackled at his turn of phrase.

The world would be within his hands. Iv was the boss now.

[1] Daofin being the Swade honorific meaning Crowned Prince
[2] The Padg is the first small and padded dagger a young toddler is given.
[3] Historians for centuries questioned the validity of that phrase, since all Oneists were supposedly killed on site. Then the discovery of the Slavers, those who would capture Oneists and bring them back to the ascendancy to be sold to the highest bidder, who could naturally do whatever they wanted with them.
[4] The Swade name for Exilisum(Chipland was a but tacky:p )
[5] Shemale
[6] "anoited and blessed" is much like OTL Knighting
[7] Spiteful Swade curse word.

alex994

Mar 13, 2007, 07:46 PM

OOC: The Han Ambassador, using the great intellect and rational mind that the Han People have been given, long abandoned the Swade Ascendancy on horseback soon after the Han expelled the Swades. The Swades, with their terrible horsemanship, failed to catch up ;)

EDIT: And IC wise, the Panda hasn't been discovered yet :p

Swissempire

Mar 13, 2007, 07:49 PM

OOC: The Han Ambassador, using the great intellect and rational mind that the Han People have been given, long abandoned the Swade Ascendancy on horseback soon after the Han expelled the Swades. The Swades, with their terrible horsemanship, failed to catch up ;)

OOC: Then how can we exchange diplomacy. And a fleeing horse cannot outrun a bloodthirsty Bigjaur.

alex994

Mar 13, 2007, 07:53 PM

OOC: Simple, we don't exchange diplomacy :p And the fleeing horse will outrun the bigjaur because there are no bigjaur riders left in the Swade Ascendancy ;)

LightFang

Mar 13, 2007, 08:52 PM

Iv loved his Bigjaur pup, Schmeg, and played with him every night. He hated having to use him as a lie, but Iv had so wanted to see the parts of the Ayrien captial city

I object! Our capital does not have seedy parts! D:

Interesting story mate, though it seemed rather abrupt at parts. Though, that was probably the intent. :o Gogo writing style!

alex994

Mar 13, 2007, 09:18 PM

The Gods’ Descent upon Tellus

“From the Heavens shall come mighty beasts,
black and white they shall come and be seen.
Yet armed with heavenly might few can stand,
they shall come to terms against the almighty white.”

-Na Shimin, Han Guangfei Philosopher and Seer

“What was that?!?!”

A flash of black and white had been seen yet the figure itself was distorted. It was an eerie and chilling occurrence. The more superstitious of them had taken out their charms to ward off the potential evil. It was not the best first impression of the Han Guangfei Imperial Army to any observer.

They were scouts sent by the Governor in the region to obviously scout the uncharted regions east of Bandong and Faitei which rumor had it was inhabited by vicious man-eating barbarians. Of course, if the barbarians ate men, how did the rumors get back? A slight curiosity on the part of the governor would lead to one of the greatest finds in World History.

The squad of men, armed with crossbows and swords with light armor followed the blurring figure as well as they could. The beast, or demon had left heinous and vicious gaps that was clearly a trail for its pursuers. The problem was that the trail could be so that the thing could fall upon its pursuer and eat them.

It was a difficult thing to say the least to get the soldiers forward. These same soldiers who would have stood their ground against Swade Bigjaurs, Valin Yetis or Khermian Ramids, wavered in the face of this unknown monster or beast. As people didn’t antagonize the Gods, they didn’t want to mess with a demon. They would have returned at this moment, but alas, night fell.

During that night, as the soldiers shivered in their camps with their weapons nearby, they had a great sleep of course. Just consider, demons outside the camp, evil spirits, monsters, and all those other things of superstitions does not scare a man of the ancient era at all. Not at all what so ever did it scare them.

The morning brought a pleasant surprise to most of them as one of the men on watch rang the alarm. As the men assembled, they saw a most curious site. As if by Heavenly will, an animal fell from the sky so to speak. It was small, black and white, furry, and hopelessly adorable. It was a lovely and cute creature.

As the men approached it, two larger versions of the animal appeared, seemingly the father and the mother. They first showed hostility to the men but they warmed up after it was seen the men had no hostile intentions. They were quite friendly and sociable, nudging the men with their noses and trying generally to engage in games so to speak. By now, the men had lost what fear of them and treated them as large friendly animals.

They were brought back to Bandong followed by curious onlookers where the squad of men presented the three animals to the governor. The governor, with his sharp eye for Imperial Favor, sent the pandas along the men to Guanzhong to be presented to the Emperor where they were to ask him for a name.

Needless to say, they won Imperial Favor almost instantly. The Royal Family was charmed within minutes and even the normally sour Prince Liu Ming was seen smiling as he caressed the head of the baby animal. A name was given to the beasts by the cat loving youngest daughter of the Emperor. A cat bear, also known, as the Panda.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b154/alexloo994/giant20panda.jpg

Lord_Iggy

Mar 13, 2007, 11:00 PM

Great stories guys. :D

~Darkening~

Mar 13, 2007, 11:03 PM

:rolleyes:

Davians. Davians. Swiss, for the sake of everything holy, if you wish to insult me, at least do it right. :rolleyes:

alex994

Mar 13, 2007, 11:06 PM

OOC: I find it strange how no one commented on my panda story and what it means... :evil:

~Darkening~

Mar 13, 2007, 11:50 PM

"My men, my very brave men! I have already asked too much of you, far too much! You have done the impossible and taken the fight to the conquers, the enslavers, and the murderers. You have done far better thean my wildest dreams. You have shown the enemy your heart at Zawasae. You have shown him your courage at Dathan. You have, more than ever, shown him your strenght- not only strength of arms but also of strength of faith- at Darkavia. I could- and should- ask no more of you, my brave men.

The Knight knows he strength as we do our own. He knowns we are worn out, tired from the constant skirmishes that have raged across Gorin. Overextended as much as the Gorinese were when we struck. This heartless Knight is no fool. He has us very much on the run and we can do nothing but bide the day until we are forced to make the stand that will never be in our realm of victory. I do not ask you to follow me anymore. You are all free men- do as you wish. Flee now and you may be given safe passage back to your homes. I will think no less of you.

However, I must bid you all the greatest of luck and the Saint's blessing- I will not be seeing any of you after the few weeks the One has given me. I will not retreat again. A final stand must be made, and I shall make it alone if I must. Yet, I am no fool. I hope that none of you will flee, that no of you will seek peace instead of this death. Any man who chooses to fight along side of me- as brother to brother- will forever receive my blessing and the blessing of the One.

Do not take me wrong, brothers! I know what I am asking of you- against my own right- is too much too bear! You may think that I ask you to die, to sacrifice yourself for this foolish ideal of honor! That I am asking you to leave your families to the wolves to save myself!

But I do not ask this of you! Rather, I ask you to do the possible- to give your families a chance! We must slow them as much as possible, hold thier attention long enough for those who can to flee! I ask you to die so your family may live! I ask you to die so that the storm breaks over the kernas! I ask you to die so that the shred of hope that existed once may survive another year!

Do not fear the approaching darkness, my brave men, for the One shall be our guidein this eternal cave! The torch may fall, the fire extinguished, but the embers shall live on! A new fire will be birthed, a fire unextinguishable, a fire consuming the hatred, rage, and death of this world. A fire guided by those who can see more in this world than a sword and a horse!

Now, my friends, let us light this fire. Let us die.

- Styatior Xean, Battle of The Red Hill, Nkondi.

Consider this a prolouge.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 14, 2007, 05:13 PM

Nice story.

But a prologue to what...?

Wubba360

Mar 14, 2007, 06:59 PM

Rogalius saw the burning tower below. His army stood behind him. Rogalius could see bodies strewn across the walls and gate ramp. The gapping gap in the wall made Dorn cringe.

"Men rally to the tower, find all Myocacans and encircle them. Keep them protected. Sentorum you make for the tower and guard the gate. I will make my way around the plaza. Heomer make for the wall and find any survivors. This battle is still officially raging and it won['t stop until Myocacan federal troops get in between Swade and civilian. These soldiers aren't foolish enough to strike down a full army of Myocaca."

Charging down a Swade soldier walked in front of the cavalry's path. Rogalius gave the order to keep charging. Frantically the man realized the men were not stopping. Screaming he told all men to part. With Myocacan army bearing the king's crest they were untouchable.

Rogalius quickly swerved around enemy soldiers. Sentorum managed to block the tower entrance. As Rogalius' men rounded up the oneists and protected them, an old friend of Dorn walked up to him.

Captain Calamie of the 10th sword division. "Rogalius what is the meaning of this?"

"Close your mouth Swade. Do not talk to your superiors like that. This is Myocacan land and as soldiers of that land we have the right protect anything within that sphere including our citizens."

"Remove your troops and allow us to continue the purification process!"

"And what are you going to do. Your king is crazy to try and wipe out a whole people, but he is not crazy enough to abandon his greatest ally. You have neither the power nor the authority to move against me. Your army is tired from the midnight battle and mine is fresh. You have a rabble of recruits while I have a fine tuned soldiers ready for war. A battle with me would be suicide. You have already seen the tenacity of an untrained Myocacan force, I would like to see how you would do against a trained one."

"Rogalius, I remember there was a day when you fought for the Blademaster. A day when we fought side by side killing the treacherous Oneists. This scourge has been a thorn in our side for to long, we must destroy it. It is not to late for you to turn back my friend."

"No, you are wrong Calamie. You once defended the innocent, now you send them to the slaughter. I cannot follow you anymore my old friend. I have orders to escort your army across the border back into Swade territory. Will you follow peacefully, or resist."

"If I had authority over the armies of Swade I would strike you down right now."

"You would not have a chance to unsheathe your blade. Foolishness has dulled your reflexes."

Trotting away from the angered captain. Horsemen began to round up the enemy. Weapons were discarded into the carts and Myocacan militia men looked after the soldiers.

Rogalius traversed through the men. Soon he met up with Bradicus.

"Hey there General." His face was disoriented by the blood, his hair matted with human blood and flesh.

"Lets get your men cleaned up, How many swade did you kill?"

"I lost count at a hundred" Chuckling Rogalius went off in search of his friend Sunez."

----------------------------------------------------

Rubeon pushed over the debris. The army had only about maybe 500 survivors. Over 2000 had been killed in the fighting. Rubeon continued to sift through the rubble searching for Methuse.

He could not think a man of that age would with stand such a beating, but he had to see the man's face for closure. Walking around he saw a body hunched over. He had a blade sticking out of his leg. With a closer look the carvings were deffinately Methuse's.

Pushing over the dead body he saw a crippled old man. *cough*cough*

Suddenly jubilant in expression Rubeon pulled the man up.

"MEthuse! you are alive!"

"Hah, after this long you though a little bump on the head could hurt me?" As Rubeon sifted away more debris he saw three arrow points jutting out of the man's chest.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about those." Chuckling to himself the old man began to spit up blood. As the liquid dribbled down his chin. He smiled to the boy.

"Did we get those bastards?"

"We got them, and gave them hell. And we are sending them back to where they came from. War might be coming soon. A real war. A new Bladeist revolution."

coughing the old man stifled, "War is hell boy. You know that now. But sometimes there comes a time when the only place you can go to take back your freedom, to win freedom, is to go into the bowels of hell, stare the devil in the eye and fight back. You did that this night boy. You have stood up for your people, you have stood up for freedom. I will not be around forever, and you will have times when freedom is at stake, and this is one of those times boy. You must sway the people. You must show them what it all means. You must not let them forget what we did this night. You are a survivor and fighter like I was in my time. But my time is up boy...it's up"

Coughing up one last mouthful of blood the old man closed his eyes. Rubeon fell to his hands crying for his friend. The old man seemed to be smiling in his release.
--------------------------------------------------

Sunez stumbled over the dead body of Gurat. Stumbling across the field of battle he saw a horseman ride up to him. "Is your name General Sunez?"

"It is, what would be your name?"

"Oh just an old friend full filling a promise." Squinting into the light Sunez suddenly smiled. "Rogalius!"

Running to his friend, Rogalius dismounted and embraced his friend. "You fought well brother. Now it is time for you to rest."

"But what about all the men?"

"The Swade have been rounded up. The rest of the oneists are being attended to as we speak."

The two men walked through the decrepid battlefield. They were oblivious to the carnage that would come in the next few months. The bloodshed that would make the battle of Herim miniscule in comparison. It was called Civil War, one of the bloodiest man has ever seen, its affects would rock the world to the very core. It would mark a new era, but for now the world stood still. Oneists had fought back and now held their freedom within Myocaca. But it would be a thousand more battles before that freedom was secure.
-------------------------------------------------
if you can believe it, to be continued...

LightFang

Mar 14, 2007, 07:58 PM

What are you doing, stealing my Oneist refugees? :O

LBaeldeth

Mar 14, 2007, 08:22 PM

OOC: Hm, perhaps a slightly less isolated nation would have been a good thing ... ;)

Ean Samhradh
Provider of the Empire

The city of Ean Samhradh is in fact the largest metropolis in all Syracia, although it is not the capital. This is, quite simply, due to its enormous food supply.

The city is located on the long peninsula which forms the southern arm of the Bay of Khemal. Unlike Jara and Iolar Geimhread, both of which are nestled in the foothills of nearby mountains, Ean Samhradh lies in the midst of gentle rolling hills and broad, flat grasslands. This provides ample room for farms - many, many farms.

Like Iolar Geimhread, Ean Samhradh was once part of the Tsayan nation. When Tsaya fell, Ean Samhradh, like its sister city on the isthmus, fell into Syracian hands. This was a fortuitous happening for the fledging nation, as both Iolar Geimhread and Jara itself have little land to exploit for food, though Jara brings in fish aplenty from the Bay of Khemal, and Iolar Geimhread game from the thick forests surrounding it and lining the flanks of the nearby mountains. Neither city, however, is long survivable without the farms of Ean Samhradh to supplement their own resources.

The same happy accident of geography that gave Ean Samhradh its broad peninsula of largely flat, farmable land blesses it in another way: Rainfall. Regular storms sweep in from the sea, keeping the soil thoroughly moistened despite the lack of any major rivers with which to irrigate. The amount of rainfall gets heavier the further west one travels, gradually increasing to the point where truly fertile soil is simply washed away just short of the forests of Iolar Geimhread, as the mountain shadow of the peaks there cause their usual effect on approaching storm clouds.

The combination of flat land and fertile, well-watered soil makes the peninsula of Ean Samhradh abundant in crops. Farms grow grains for breads and cereals, root and vine vegetables, and a wide array of fruits. In the rolling hills, pastures are set for swine, and coops built to hold the various poultry bred both for their meat and eggs. It is this bounty which has fed the growth of the city, and which is exported to the rest of the empire as well to feed many hungry mouths. With the trade route being extended into Kelios, plans are in motion to send surplus crop to the closest cities, hoping to provide fresher wares than the river-farms of Kelios itself can ship across its nation.

Luckymoose

Mar 14, 2007, 08:37 PM

Whens the orders deadline?

Thlayli

Mar 14, 2007, 09:53 PM

The Crusade

"Your enemies are myriad! Your enemies are legion! We march to death, the eternal gate, as a bulwark against chaos and the corruption of Man!"

-Stratikrator Cendrian

Part One:

The Stratikrator stood, silent, in his stone chamber. Nothing but food had come in for three days. It was a strange, cryptlike place, hidden during the occupation. Within the black marble chamber carved out of the mountain Telerion, the Host-Lords of ancient Veritas had planned the conquests of Emor and Kalmar from this very spot.

It was rumored at in the records saved from Veritas and Redemption, the Great Archives now relocated to Pax. "The Stratikrator went to Telerion," it said. Xenophon discovered it, hinted at in rumor and legend in a dozen texts. When the Forge-Masters returned to Lux at last, and demanded their mountain, the Stratikrator gave them the laborers they needed to restore the tunnels. In return for one thing.

Their maps of the mountain. The maps that led him to the Chamber of Ilianos.

It was a cold, strange place. Columns of a dark stone, somewhat like lapis lazuli, supported the roof thirty feet above. The Stratikrator's eyes widened with wonder when he first set eyes on it. Up and down the columns, a flowing script was etched into the stone with minute detail, which formed a swirling epic that only an archivist with a ladder could ever hope to read.

The Stratikrator knew several languages, including Qual'ae and Khail. But what was written here...it was like Valin, but the words were strange.

Something about this chamber was horrifying. The absolute precision of the geometry, the faultless lines, the utter absence of light and joy at the heart of the world. Things had happened here once. Below it all was a sense of evil, Xenophon knew. But something in it led him closer to the truth that was lost.

At the center of the chamber was a great table, carved out of a solid block of black marble. Even as the Stratikrator marveled at the impossibility of it, he saw that the table was attached to the floor...they were one piece of stone. On the cold, terrifying square was etched a map of Tellus, north and west of Veritas. The rivers and mountains had a dull blue and reddish sheen, but the startling clarity and detail of the map left him in awe. This huge map, carved into a table that seemed part of the mountain itself...it was more accurate than anything Veritasan cartographers had ever created.

What was this place?

There was a throne, he saw. No building of Veritas had ever held a throne, but there it lay. The two, minutely carved handles of the obsidian chair were formed into a man's arms, detailed down to the subtle curves of muscle on bone. In the left hand was clutched a tree, black roots hanging down like a child's matted hair flipped over. In the right hand, a spear.

The Stratikrator's wonder was mixed with a sense of dread. There was something so familiar about this chamber, so right...and yet, something completely foreign, alien...wrong! His heart raced. Pools of darkness grew in the corners, and it seemed as if a whisper echoed back from the forgotten past.

For several days, the Stratikrator abandoned all planning of the war effort to sit in the chamber. His days were numbered, and the ones that came after him would have to know what he discovered.

After many hours in the Highest Hall, the eyrie-like library perched in the hills above the city, he found something. A brief reference in the most ancient scroll he could find, a decaying, barely-legible court record from 389 P.D. that described the Zibonese War...the first war, that captured Lux.

"The city was captured," it read, "and many were killed."

"The men that fought, with spear and arrow, were put to the axe. Many laid down their arms, and of these, one half were enslaved. The others scattered throughout the land."

"The men of Veritas took the city, and discarding its pagan name, christened it Lux, in the holy Light of the One. Many came from the south and dwelt in the city."

"After a time, it was found that the mountains held gold, and copper. Darker metals were found, but none among the Forge-Masters could give shape to these."

"In their delvings, the one called Ilianos discovered a chamber of dark stone. The Host-Lords came to the city, and forbade the Chamber to all but themselves. For many days they stood in the chamber, and naught knew their hearts."

The Stratikrator wished that the scroll had mentioned who Ilianos was, or what the Host-Lords had done in their new chamber. But that was lost, perhaps forever.

But now he knew what he had only suspected: This was not a place of Veritas.

Who had built it, then? The Zibonese were incapable of creating such amazing architecture, and they had never penetrated deep into the mountains. But the Zibonese, most scholars believed, migrated south, fleeing some great cataclysm, in -200 P.D. That was before the founding of Veritas!

If this chamber predated Veritas and Zibon alike, why the Spear and Tree? Was this some relic of the First Exile? No, that Paradise was lost forever, destroyed by the One in his anger at Mankind's sins!

Running his hands distractedly over the ancient runes, the Stratikrator stopped, over one word, carved into the marble like all the others. He translated, and retranslated, eyes widening in horror. A silent scream almost tore free from his lungs. A link in the chain had been made...and it was a horrible link.

In Valin runes, the name of God was written. But the runes did not spell "Eta," the ancient Valin name for the One.

The name written on the pillar was Eldos.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 14, 2007, 10:43 PM

Great Story Wubba! Reminds me a lot of Helm's Deep. I look forward to more.

Orders deadline is anytime on Friday. I'm in the second-last timezone (only 1889 is further west).

I'm on the edge of my seat Thlayli!

alex994

Mar 14, 2007, 10:44 PM

OOC: Sure! SURE! Just give thlayli's stories more then one generic response! I'm so jealous :cry: Does anyone even care about my stories?!?!?!?!

Yes, I'm just being weird. :p

LightFang

Mar 14, 2007, 10:50 PM

OOC: Alex, I would comment, but I'm still mad at the fact that I just walk around at school and you go "lol who will go on the throne" >:|

JosefStalinator

Mar 14, 2007, 10:56 PM

This is some bloody stiff competition for stories... now I know I'm just going to embarass myself with my own :p

Lord_Iggy

Mar 14, 2007, 10:59 PM

?@Lighty and alex

Because I'm really curious about the ancient mysteries of Veritas alex.

~Darkening~

Mar 14, 2007, 11:40 PM

Egh- the prolouge to the ending, of course :rolleyes:.

Luckymoose

Mar 14, 2007, 11:53 PM

I wish I could make good stories.

Thlayli

Mar 15, 2007, 12:10 AM

@Iggy: Thanks! I've been working on the lore of ancient Veritas for about a year now, the only difficult thing is transmuting it into story form. I've embedded lots of clues about the "truth" in stories that I've written over the past few months, on both this thread and the first one. For anyone really interested in discovering an important clue, find out what that book is.

I also started working on the Valin language, and there's an example on the prologue a couple pages back. It works...sort of, I just need to fine tune it a little. Tenses and stuff are hard to figure out.

~Darkening~

Mar 15, 2007, 12:28 AM

Yeah. I've been working on the Theosist tongue for DNESER for quite some while now. If you think about what you need to say and how it should, it becomes easier to peg the tenses down.

Thlayli

Mar 15, 2007, 12:31 AM

Mhm. Valin seems to use a lot of prefixes and suffixes to define possession, or to change the meaning of a word.

~Darkening~

Mar 15, 2007, 12:44 AM

Somewhat like I've done. I've tried to keep rid of the prefixes and use them in the middle, and few very suffixes. Meaning is also pretty fluid, as the word "Eos" alone has around four translations. Through the words pretty much stay the same unless indicated with a heavy vowel.

I'll be posting an example of it after Daft's update.

jalapeno_dude

Mar 15, 2007, 07:01 AM

OOC: Thlayli, awesome story! Hurry up and finish, so we can go ahead and destroy the world! :p

justokre

Mar 15, 2007, 03:09 PM

Divotheism: Strength in Unity and Order

An earnest request has been issued to the following leaders of Azulia on behalf of High Chief Justok Nictuma of Sanx:

The Merchant Council of Chancotol
Chief Kenna One-Hand of Tir Tairgire
Emperor Jara of Syracia

Our peoples have seemingly been half-united and half-divided with our glorious worship of the Sky Gods, and now, in these modern times, our numbers dwindle, and I’m sure you can feel the anger of the skies as much as I can.
Unless we want our people to drown in the furious storms from which the Sky Gods certainly will create, this faith must be enhanced, formalized, and we must truly worship.
My prophet can only provide us with so much information.

I ask that a pact be created; An alliance of men and their undying, true faith.
The Divo League.

I ask that you all cooperate with me in the creation of this undoubtedly beautiful coalition to bring our peoples even closer together. Outside forces threaten not only our way of life, they threaten life as we know it.

With this league, our safety will be much more insured, bringing together the might of my Cloud Warriors with the might of all of the honorable warriors of Azulia. Together, as one force under the clouds.

Agree to this proposal, and you will have a place on the Sun Table, to decide on what decisions the Divo League will make.

Looks to the skies, and your heart will know what path you must take,
-Justok Nictuma, High Chief of Sanx
------------------------

To Kelios
From Sanx
We request that you aid us in reestablishment the true ways of Azulia to your people. Spread our faith, and you will be permitted to join into the great Divo League. Also, NAP?

To the Justiciar Council of Adar
From High Chief Justok Nictuma of Sanx
It our humble wish that you do not oppress my fellow Divotheists. Perhaps you could grant them an independent country on the southern coast? Or better yet, join into our faith yourself, and make Divotheism the official religion of Adar. Imagine what great things could be accomplished then!

LBaeldeth

Mar 15, 2007, 03:34 PM

TO: Sanx
FROM: Assistant Undersecretary to the Emperor Jara's Royal Letter-Opener

While we bemusedly tolerate the beliefs of those Divotheists under our rule, we discourage the spread of such superstition, and will neither force our citizens to follow such unfounded musings nor join in an alliance based solely upon them.

The Emperor does wish to assure you that any treaty not based in religion, he would most certainly be interested in. However, any agreement founded on supernatural folklore that an increasing majority of our populace scorns is unacceptable.

erez87

Mar 15, 2007, 04:10 PM

well my only orders can be to call all Aneyans to the Free city of Tigot :p

LBaeldeth

Mar 15, 2007, 04:49 PM

"Get down from there!"

"Superstitious sot!"

"Pervert!"

"Fools!" the Divotheist preacher thundered as he was pelted with insults and the occasional overripe fruit in the market square of Ean Samhradh, though he remained steadfastly on his makeshift stage - an unwilling vendor's vegetable wagon. "The Sky Gods watch! The Sky Gods anger! The Sky Gods send storms to destroy us all!"

"Hogshyte!"

"Haven't lost a ship to storms in three months!"

"Never had a more fertile year!"

A small cordon of the faithful kept the mob back from reaching the priest physically, though taunts and rotting produce continued to fly. "Blasphemers! Unbelievers! The Sky Gods will bring you down for your heresy! They-"

A worshipper tugged at the hem of his robe, gesturing frantically. "Holy one! Look!" The firebrand priest followed the man's panicked eyes, and felt his stomach flip-flop. A large squad of spearmen were being led in his direction by the owner of the cart he had appropriated, bronze armor gleaming, and they appeared less than happy.

He swung his attention back to the crowd, speaking so rapidly they could barely make sense of his words. "TheSkyGodsdamnyouallandhaveagoodnightImustbegoing!" With no more warning than that, he leapt in an undignified manner from the wagon, robes flying, and with his followers drawn up about himself dashed for the far exit from the square-

And drew up just short of a dozen spearpoints from the small detachment sent to cut off that exact route.

The priest swallowed his fear and put on a front of righteous indignation. "How dare you block the way of one of the Sky God's speakers? Stand aside at once!"

The soldiers seemed largely unmoved, though one or two shifted uncomfortably. Before he could exploit the opportunity, however, the troublemaker found himself grabbed from behind, a strong voice speaking over his own. "You, you foolish old man, are guilty of stealing a vegetable cart and attempting to incite a riot. You're coming with us, and you're not leaving for a long, long time."

The exact exchange was too distant for the local governor to make out as he watched from a balcony of his palace, which fronted onto the square, but he could guess at the content of it. As the priest, struggling, and most of his followers were led away by the soldiers, he sighed. "We've been after that man for a month. He's not the only one around, though. Most people ignore them, some heckle them. An unfortunate few devoid of common sense actually believe them."

"Mmm." The disinterested response came from deeper in the room, the emissary from Jara hunched over taxation and profit figures. "Well, every time you think you've bred out the idiocy, people find a new way to be stupid."

The governor edged his way back into the room. "I've heard talk ... that the Emperor has plans. Plans to give every Syracian a chance to learn properly, and not just from the lessons passed from parent to child ... which can sometimes be lacking."

The emissary sighed, looking up from his work. "I know you've heard the talk, Ezekiah. We've all heard the talk, and the rumors, and the gossip. I'd imagine the Emperor has a great many plans ... but with the treasury the way it is, he's not likely to implement them."

"Perhaps," the governor responded. "But so long as you are here, you can give me the news direct from Jara." He grinned conspiratorially, and after a moment, the emissary did as well.

Contempt

Mar 15, 2007, 04:57 PM

*****

The dead were crying. The blank stares of the fallen stared into the pouring rain, asking a question that was both unheard and unanswered. The torrent of rain drops fell from their upturned faces, so much like tears upon the dead. It was a pitiable sight. The Lengel, once so fond of forcing the same fate upon their enemies, had the same fate befallen on them.

The wheel turns, and each injustice is turned against its makers. The sins of the past come full circle, and the hand that wrought is destroyed. Death, destruction, life, birth. A neverending circle, and perhaps, it was time for the Lengel to die.

The sound of metal upon metal. Smoke rising in the rain. A single soul remains in the scattered village of the dead. An obsidian masked was all that defined the man at the forge, the sound of his hammer crashing down upon the hot iron echoing in the empty air.

You are weak. You cannot even protect your own people...

I can! I will! I will gather my scattered people, and win against these monsters!

That is what they called your predecessors...

The man stopped his hammering, and watched the blade in the fire for many long moments, thinking upon the womanish voice echoing in his head. With an angry movement, he took the blade and placed it upon the iron anvil, and he pounded it into the bladed shape. The sound of iron smacking iron continued for many long hours, until he finally stopped and regarded his work.

A steel blade, mixed with gold and an obsidian hilt lay staring up at him, calling for him to take it. His armored hand grasped it as the rain outside began to cease. The famous golden blade of the Lengelzai's was rebuilt at last. Gold from the original blade, mixed into Merhai iron.

So, you have rebuilt that legacy...

Shut up! Your voice echoes in my head, and I have no need of it!

Ah, but this village awakened me, and I cannot so easily be put back to sleep...

I will rebuild my broken people, no matter what curse falls upon my head!

Ah, but I am not a curse, Khorchi. I can be your...guide. There is a location, not far from here, where the people that did these set up camp. Zealots, I believe their called...

You can show me this...?

And much more, my dear child...

Then what is your name, since you know mine already...

Yesui...

The young man, shaking off the voice inside his head, took the newly forged blade and left the smouldering village. The rain had stopped, and the dead no longer cried. The son of the Lengel, heir to his fathers rebellion was moving for vengance.

*****

Khorchi crouched low in the grassy steppe watched the far off camp fires of the Zealot Gorinese. Their black skin was hard to make out in the deep night, but they passed by the camp fire's occasionally, illuminating themselves.

They are too many, it would be suicide attempting to fight them all.

Poor child, so unsure of your own abilities that you would doubt yourself. A great destiny awaits you, and yet you doubt your power. Your father would be disappointed...

Don't talk about my father! It was his caution that caused this tradegy!

Then prove that you are better than he, child...

Khorchi spoke no words following the woman's challenge, and merely sped stealthily towards the camp fires, moving ever closer to the sentry waiting there. Squinted eyes made out the large muscled forearms, the man's eyes dipping downwards in weariness. Khorchi unstrapped his bow, and drew back.

A meaty twack, and the man fell to the ground, dead. No noise followed the lone sentry's death. The changing of the shift would happen at any moment, so Khorchi moved quickly. Darting quickly inside the camp, he hid in the shadows behind one of the tents, looking out the three men gathered around the camp fire, their banter drifting to his ears.

"Heh, I can't believe how easy this whole campaign is! Weak Lengel bastards, so easy to die, eh?" the man asked of his buddies, laughing as he took a swig of wine.

"At least their women are of a stocky sort, right mate? They last much longer than I expected them to!"

The three men laughed at this, and Khorchi began to see red.

Such vile men. Kill them! Kill them slowly!

A might scream, and Khorchi drew his golden blade and charged the startled men. One was felled in the first moments, reaching futilely for his sword. Another was kicked into the fire, and his screams of agnoy as his clothes caught fire was music to Khorchi's ears.

The air whistled as Khorchi dogded the third's mighty swings with his mace. Khorchi did not think, only reacted and fought against these 'supposed' monsters. The rest of the camp was stirring, and the alarm was raised in the midst of Khorchi's wild charge.

The large beast with the mace, however, did not last for his fellows to reinforce. An overextended swing, and Khorchi quickly darted inside the mace's reach to stick the newly forged blade deep within the man's gut. Shocked eyes looked at his smaller enemy, and the man tried to lift his arms to strike his enemy one last time.

The twang of arrows rang through the air, only to meet the back of their dying comrade. He would never know the sting of their mistake. With a mighty pull, and kick, the man was sent flying towards the two archers newly arrived. Surprised at the large man falling before them, they lost precious seconds in notching another bow. Khorchi closed the distance between him and them quickly, and beheaded one.

The other archer dropped his bow in fear, but did not get far before his back was pierced by his enemies blade. Two more zealots had arrived the meantime, and Khorchi turned to regard them.

Yes! Yes, my prince! Spill their unworthy blood!

Gladly.

Reacting quickly, Khorchi picked up a nearby barrel of wine, and threw it the two approaching warriors. Only one was hit with the wine, and his entire body was drenched with it. The other dived out the way, but he would not be able to save his helpless friend was Khorchi picked up a torch, and charged the men.

Realizing the danger quickly, the soaked man tried to strike first, but to no avail. The torch was thurst into gut, and the man was quickly consumed by flames. His friend moved to strike at Khorchi's back, but was skewered instead by the quick turnaround of Khorchi.

The armored Khorchi struck a fearsome sight, in the camp fire, his obsidian mask dripping in thick blood, and his whole body covered with it. The Zealot leader had finally arrived, flanked by two obviously scared servants.

"So," began the emotionless man, dressed in the standard blue garb of the Zealot order, "Marsa has seen fit to send me the highest ranking Lengel dog for slaughter. He will be pleased with my offerings tonight."

Khorchi took his bloody sword, and wiped away some the blood upon one of the fallen men. Pointing the golden sword at his enemy, he merely waited for the strike. The man laughed at his enemies audacity, and took of his cloak, revealing a large sword, and trunk like arms.

"Come, you'll meet your doom tonight."

Death, life, destruction, birth. All of these are part of the circle of life. They brought death and destruction in my lands. Now, I will bring it full circle.

"May 'Marsa'," said Khorchi, as if spiting the name, "grant you peace in the afterlife!"

Thus, the dance for life and death began. The swing and slash of the swords. All attempts were dodged or blocked, and around the camp fire it seemed the dance between masters would never end. A strike, a dodge, a thrust, a block. The echoing sound of metal upon metal rang out in camp.

"Enough of this, dog! Kill him now!" screamed the tired man, and his sevants nodded. Taking up their bows, they each fired at Khorchi. Two arrows found their marks, one in his leg, and the other in his side. Wounded, Khorchi took his sword like and javelin, and threw it with all his might at the Zealot camp leader. It pierced his blue robes, and felled the giant man where he stood.

His vision blurring, Khorchi took pleasure in his enemies defeat as the two sevants notched two new arrows to their bows. He had avenged the village, and he would meet Tengri at long last...

Not yet, my prince. There are still many battles to fight, and you have yet to meet me face to face...

Not yet...

The sound of hoof beats echoed in the night, rising together with the crackling fires of the Zealot camp. It began to rain once more on the steppe, and the Zealot dead cried. But no Lengel cried that night...

*****

Wubba360

Mar 15, 2007, 05:10 PM

"The relations of Myocaca and Swade have been laid with oil and kindling. All it will take is one spark to set the whole land aflame." General Ishmael Swithrine

------------------------------------------------

Rogalius and Sunez stood in the court of the King. Rogalius still remembered guiding the Swade army across the border. Disarmed they had been disbanded into Swade territory. TAken of their weapons they were sent off. The crazed captain Calamie had stared at Rogalius as he guided his men. There had been no words spoken. But as if on a telepathic level they both knew that as soon as Calamie stepped over that line, he would no longer be the old friend of Dorn.

The King had awoken from his sleep only two weeks ago. He had awoken in the middle of the night. When he received news of the actions in place he sent a massive militia accompanying Swithrine's troops to head to aid Rogalius and secure the border. The other Generals stayed to counsel the King. General Aaron and Seth had been sent out to do prepare defenses.

When Sunez and Rogalius returned Thranduil was elated. The King embraced his brothers of war. When counseled with Sunez and Rogalius, King Thranduil realized action had to be taken further.

Calling forth his personal guard and 600 swordsmen, he marched on the Swade embassy. With Sunez and Rogalius by his side Thranduil marched towards the building.

As the doors clanged everyone suddenly turned their attention to the King in his shining gold plated armor and intricate spear, of Fasra the first King.

"What is the meaning of this? This is technically Swade territory, you have no right to bring armed guards into this palace."

"Do I ambassador? Or have you grown so feeble you cannot even remember your own country's acts." The guards began to move forward seizing Swade foreign official. Some tried to flee, but found the building was surrounded.

Men soon began to resist, but any who did found themselves quickly subdued by sharp eyed Yu-Yan. The Ambassador seeing one of his officials fall screaming to the floor as an arrow protruded from his back panicked.

But he quickly calmed himself, "You insolent fool, you are Swade's adopted child, we took you in while you were young when we could have conquered your lands right then and there. And now once more we have saved your nation by purifying it of these heretics."

Thranduil walked up the steps to the top where the Swade maps of the lands were laid out. "Your people would have been over run in the Lengel invasion if it was not for Myocaca."

"I should have killed you as you lay asleep on your thrown. The drug worked well enough to knock you out and keep you out of the picture, just a little more and you would be dead now!"

Drawing his sword Thranduil held the blade to the ambassador's neck.

"You mad man, you will bring down all we have sought to create. This is madness!"

"Madness! Was it madness when you broke my sovereignty and march legions of armed troops across my land? Was it madness when you marched into my very palace and violated guests of my home? Was it madness when you broke the honor of hospitality of the Bladeist nations? Was it madness when you slaughtered my own people? Was it madness when your king stopped being a protector and became a murderer? Was it madness when 2000 Myocacans gave their lives for freedom when I could not be there to help them? Was it madness when Swade forgot its way, and turned its face from the Blademaster?" The King was now in tears. "MAdness? You do not know what madness is. You have not the feeblest grip on what it means." Crying in tears now the king dropped his blade as the terrified ambassador began to slowly back away.

"I will not kill you ambassador, nor will any of your men face death. You are guests of my house, and it would be dishonorable of me to violate that trust. But punishment you will have."

Walking down the step the Ambassador was seized by guards. The injured men were brought before doctors as the began to bandage and surgically remove the arrows and cuts.

Turning to Sunez Rogalius spoke, "Tell one of your riders to send a message to Swade."

As Thranduil walked out to the steps of the embassy he looked out at Sanctus Tutela. "So the sun burns over the sea. What will become of us now?"

Rogalius came out to meet his lord. "Who knows, but it seems common sense has been cast to the wind, we must now face a new challenge. Darkness has set over our lands, And when it clears either Swade or Myocaca will be in ruin."

Thranduil stared out at the sea. His generals were some of the best trained. But to win a war, you cannot conquer through defense. Offense must be taken.

"And so will soon begin a new war..."

---------------------------------------------------------

To: Swade Ascendancy
From: The Royal Kingdom of Myocaca

You have defiled our lands. Your Bladeist games mock the dead upon the walls of Herim. War will come, it shall bring stars down to earth and brake the backs of legends and heroes will be made. Draw your sword Iv, for you have broken our covenant.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 15, 2007, 05:52 PM

Ooh.

This will be very interesting to update. Pity that Swiss destroyed his economy last turn...

Shadowbound

Mar 15, 2007, 06:09 PM

Ky* Caplin a** Carstares, sworn member of the Royal Household and member of Hazim's Lifeguard, a group of warriors sworn to guard him to the death, knelt before Hazim himself. The King sat on his travelling throne, a massive object of amber and silver-work that happened to weigh only a third as much as the Sunset Throne in Sintonia City.

"Lord a Carstares, I am correct in the belief that you were able to observe the battle at Herim?" The King's leading general, Jakumiuk, asked.

The Ky's head raised slightly, so that he could look at the general. "You are correct."

"And, what was the outcome of the battle?"

"When we left, the Myococan relief was rounding up the Swade soldiers. We would have observed more, but I felt it prudent to leave before the Myococans question why we were with the Swade army."

"And why were you accompanying said army?"

"The army, by then, had encircled the city. The only way to get close enough to observe was with their permission. They were willing to grant it, as they expected a quick victory."

"Which they did not achieve, why?"

"They were forced to assault a fortified city, within a limited timeframe before the relief force arrived. They had left no option of surrender, and their attempts to overrun the fleeing Oneists had failed. Even untrained troops would be able to inflict heavy casualties in such a situation."

Jakumiuk turned to the King, who had remained silent on his throne.

"Your majesty, though the Myococans may have one the victory at Herim, such is not a good reflection of how a war between the two nations is likely to go. The War Council's advisement, that Sintonia would be best benefited by an alliance with the Swade Ascendency, stands. To make best use of-"

The King raised his hand, and fixed Jakumiuk with a short look that advised silence. He turned to A Carstares, still kneeling.

"What would the Lord a Carstares recommend in the course our royal body undertakes between our cousins in Myococa and Swade?"

Jakumiuk nervously tried to gain the King's attention, but Hazim's focus remained fixed on the Ky before him.

"Your majesty, I would recommend neutrality."

"And what would your brothers, who accompanied you to Herim?"

"Ky Khiri believes it is still possible for peace to be made between our northern cousins. Ky Stark believes that we have an obligation to aid Swade in ridding Myococa of Oneists."

The King leaned back, his neck molding with the shaped chair in which he sat. Carstares's face had never looked more haggard beneath his grayed moustache as he continued.

"The decision of the Ky, made between the Jen'e'tai*** upon word of hostilities between Swade and Myococa, was strict neutrality. Even if your royal majesty calls us, we cannot come."

"We are aware of the decision, and not pleased with it." The King, using the royal 'we' answered. "However, the Ky have had a long and proud service even before our house sat upon the throne, and so we shall allow it."

The King raised his voice, addressing the entire tent.

"Long have our advisors recommended that we support Swade, or else remain neutral. Is there any here who would have us support Myococa, who is wronged?"

There was silence throughout the tent, as the officers and the sprinkling of courtiers waited for someone else to state to their Majesty the obvious. It was Jakumiuk who spoke up in the end.

"Myococa, while wronged, is the lesser power." He said. "The less risk lies in support of Swade, who possess a larger army and navy then their less radical neighbors."

The King raised his hand again, having heard enough. Jakumiuk, already surprised at the king's unprecedented use of his authority, who before would have let his generals handle such things.

"Swade may be a mightier power. Swade may be the center of Bladeism. But Hazim, King of Sintonia, the Sunset Kingdom, is not a vulture to prey upon one who's defeat may already be assured. Myococa is in the right, and it's fields tread upon by the boots of Swade soldiers. It is our decision how Sintonia chooses to send it's armies. And we choose to send them into Swade, should war between it and Myococa erupt."

"Ky a Carstares, we charge you as our royal proxy in this matter. Go to Myococa, and if the armies march, tell us."

Carstares nodded, leaving the tent of his own will. None of the guards moved to stop him. They, the courtiers, and the officers of the army looked at the King with a newfound respect. Except for Jakumiuk, whom showed fear on his face.

Outside, thousands of swordsmen and archers bustled about, unknowing of how their foe had been decided in the tent at the center of the army. Some glanced towards the west, to the shared borders of Swade and Myococa's southern cities, which they were encamped near.
------------
To: Myococa, Swade
From: Ky a Carstares, emissary of King Hazim.
It is the decision of King Hazim that, should war erupt between your two nations, that he shall move his army in support of Myococa. It is their borders and people who have been despoiled, and they who shall swing their blades with the added force of righteousness.

*Ky: Knight
**a: meaning 'of'
***Jen'e'tai: Ranking member of the Ky

OOC: *Crosses fingers* Anything else I should do? Or do I just send the orders for the attack via PM?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 15, 2007, 06:14 PM

So Wubba, where is Herim?

Wubba360

Mar 15, 2007, 06:16 PM

orders sent,

I would like Herim to be an ancient abandoned tower from a lost civilization filled with mystery, but if it must be a real one, the fortress out west near the Swade border:)

JosefStalinator

Mar 15, 2007, 06:51 PM

OOC: Are any of the geographical features in Gamorrea named as of yet?

alex994

Mar 15, 2007, 07:31 PM

To: Swade Ascendancy
From: The Royal Kingdom of Myocaca

You have defiled our lands. Your Bladeist games mock the dead upon the walls of Herim. War will come, it shall bring stars down to earth and brake the backs of legends and heroes will be made. Draw your sword Iv, for you have broken our covenant.

OOC: Personally speaking, I'm betting that the words "Royal Kingdom of Myocaca" are vital in this diplomacy. Since if wubba choses to overthrow the Kingdom of Myocaca in exchange for something that is more supportive of the Swades, I'm sure this declaration of war will mean nothing.

And have you also not noticed how quiet swiss has been about this? :p

Contempt

Mar 15, 2007, 07:42 PM

*****

Darkness covered him. Darkness cloaked him and kept him warm. Visions of that forsaken tribal village filled his head as the hoof beats rang out together with the weak beat of his heart.

*****

"Oh Koke, where are you? Koke, please answer me!"

The sobs of a broken women echoed hollowly in his ear. Her death knoll was merely a shadow of the several others already dead around her. A small girl was reaching for a doll, but her bloody hand could not reach it.

Khorchi bent down upon his knee, scouping the doll into his hands. It was a simple thing, straw and a small bit of cloth. A string smile and dark eyes. Carefully, he put the doll into the girls hand, and closed her lifeless fist around her toy.

With slow steps, Khorchi made his way into the cheifs tent. The old man was dead, but he was clutching something close to his chest. Nimbly Khorchi unclenched the man's arms, and gasped in surprise at the obsidian mask that fell, and the broken hilt of a golden sword.

"These are...these are the holy relics of the Iron Face!" he spoke aloud, his voice trembling in anticipation at his find. It seemed that the old man was their keeper, and took them out after the Gorinese had left. How lucky that should fall into his hands! Quickly, he placed the mask upon his face, straping it to his helmet, and then procced to grab the golden blade.

He let loose an blood chilling scream as the blade began to glow red hot, and burn his hand. No matter what he did, he could not let it go.

"So, you are chosen then?"

Gasping for breath, Khorchi collasped to the ground, eyes wide in shock as a naked demonic girl walked towards him, speaking a strange tongue, which he somehow understood.

"Your father would be proud to see you this day, and I'm sure he'll thank you properly soon, my...prince," she purred, before jumping upon him. An intense pain burned inside his skull, and he lost consciousness. He awoke in the dead tribal village grasping the sword, and mask still upon his face, remembering nothing, and with a strange whisper echoing in his mind.

*****

A large bump, and Khorchi was suddenly awake. Attempting to rub the tiredness from his eyes, he winced in pain as the wound in his side protested such movement.

"It was just a dream," he told himself blearily, now wary of the sword he had forged.

You were just tired from your battle. Think nothing of these dreams.

But where did you come from, if not from there?

As I said, I was always with you, the village merely awakened me...

I'm not so sure I believe you...

Shaking off such concerns for the moment, Khorchi instead attempted to figure out where he was at the moment. Raising his body up despite the pain, he looked around him to find himself in a horse drawn cart, with various women all around him.

Blinking twice, he wondered if he'd gone to heaven. The pain in his torso reminded him not to get too exicited, and he grunted at the pain. The woman gaurding the cart turned to regard him, "Ah, you are awake. You recover pretty quickly for a man," she spoke, her Nkondian accent thick.

Hiding his disappointment at not being in Heaven, Khorchi gruffly responded, bluntly getting to the point, "How long was I out, and where the hell am I?"

The woman snorted, before answering irritated at his tone, "We found you three days ago, and this is a Nkondi raiding party. I don't know why your fellows abandoned you after defeating that Zealot band, but they probably had a good reason, with an attitude like that," she finished, smirking superiorly at him.

Ignoring his uneducated insults, Khorchi tried to stand, although his body protested it. The woman watched on uncaring, before finally moving to catch him as he tripped upon his unresponsive legs.

"Watch it, our leader has questions for you, and you can't go dying so soon after waking up, despite your rudeness. She has your possesions, and wanted to see you as soon as you woke."

Perhaps we should kill this wretch, and save the trouble for the Gorinese 'man' that gets the honor?

Perhaps, but I need my posessions back first.

"Then why don't you take me there," he spoke aloud snidely, smirked up at the woman. With a growl, she complied, and carried through the camp as it was being set up for the night. The completely woman raiding party looked in wonder at the lone, injured man being carried by the woman towards the commanders tent.

The woman merely nodded to the tent's guards, and Khorchi was thrown bodily into the tent. Yelping in pain, Khorchi looked up into the eyes of the young commander of the Nkondi, and gasped. It was the woman from his dream!

It...It can't be!

She's a mere physical representation, my prince. Ignore the resembalence for the moment...

The young woman herself was dark skinned, as most Nkondi are. She was quite obviously in her prime, with toned muscles hidden behind her loose steppe clothes. Her hair was long, tied in a ponytail at her back. Khorchi was struck dumb, but the woman was not.

"So, what was a Lengel doing about to be killed in a destroyed Zealot camp, with these in his possesion?" she said, throwing down the mask and the sword at his feet. Quickly recovering from his shock, Khorchi took his voice's advice, and ignored whatever sign this might have been.

"I was getting revenage," he stated simply, ignoring the question about the mask and blade. He had no intention of relieving that terrible dream, especially with this strangely familar woman in front of him.

"Revenge for what? We saw smoke in the distance from the Zealot camp, but all we found was a burned out forge, recently used. Nothing else exisisted. Only a ghost town," she finished, turning her back on him, looking at the map pinned upon the wall.

Khorchi's mouth opened in shock, the little girl looking up into the raining sky, the crying dead still fresh in his mind. There was nothing there? Than what did he feel, on what hallowed ground did he walk? Where did dreams fade, and reality begin? Where, indeed, did he get those possesions?

It was your birth right, prince...

Birth right for what? My father is a coward, and certainly not descended from the Lengelzai's. Only a pretender, hoping to spark the old ways...

You will meet your father soon, and then you will understand...

"So tell me, Lengel, where di you get the sword and mask? I have studied history well, and I know the story of the Obsidian mask, and the Golden sword. Holy relics of the Iron Faces, symbols of forgotten might. The True Lengels will even look to them now that the Gorin move to crush you, but where did you find them?"

Do not tell her prince!

"Why do you want to know? Any hope I can give my people is enough to let secrets go unquestioned," Khorchi spoke, a fire in his eyes.

The woman smiled at his defience, before bringing her eyes close to his, and speaking with a hint of steel, "I have been looking for such artifacts for a long time. I am descended from Lengelzai line, and I have wished to take up the mantle for myself," she said, before picking up the mask.

She placed it upon her face, but before it touched, she gasped in pain as it burned her face. Her hands spasmed, and she was forced to let go. The mask clattered to the floor, and she looked in shock at it.

"What sorcery is this?" she said fearfully, her tone frantic as she stared at Khorchi.

Only the worthy may wear the Mask...

"Only the worthy may wear the Mask," he repeated after Yesui, her words seeming fitting to him somehow. With these words, he picked up the mask, and placed it easily upon his face. It looked as if made for him, and the woman could not help but fell awed.

"Then, you are the sucessor to the Empire?" she asked, her voice disappointed and excitied at the same time.

"Yes," he said, raising himself to his feet, "I am Khorchi, chosen of Koke, and the true Khagan of the Iron Face Empire, and Lengelzai of all Lengels!"

Very good, my prince! Break her will with your power!

A power seemed to radiate from him, and the Nkondian woman was forced to her knees. She could not speak at first, but slowly regained her voice.

"I will, I will follow you, Khagan. I will serve you, as your blood is purer than mine, and you are the true heir to the Iron Face name," she said, her iron desire to be the sucessor shaped as if by magic into a desire to serve him.

"Tell me, what is your name?" he asked, his voice still exuding a sense of power.

"Yesui, my lord. My name is Yesui," she responded meekly, her eyes now avoiding his. His shock at the name being the same as the voice in his head was short lived. He was being to understand the forces at work here, and he knew undoubtly what was coming next.

"Then you will be my first wife, Yesui. Be pleased at such an honor," Khorchi spoke powerfully, before moving to sit and rest his tired body. There was journey now awaiting him, and it would be a long time before he could war against the Gorinese in earnest.

At last, my prince, you have begun to understood! My love, you have broken my physical shell, and now all that is left is for you to meet your father. Go to the mountain Temple of Koke, hidden deep on the edge of Gorinese lands. There you will learn fully of your destiny...

I have lived confused for long enough. It is time for me to claim my birthright...

*****

LBaeldeth

Mar 15, 2007, 07:43 PM

OOC: Waaugh! Big! Too big!

Resize text please, that's just ... huge. :p

The Farow

Mar 15, 2007, 07:49 PM

From Croyodon
To Lengels, Merhai, Citadel, Nkondi, Merhai, Fairhelt, Gamorrea, and Gorin

We purpose that a conference be held in the city of Nkondi to discuss a lasting peace in the north. The wars have been far too bloody and destructive over these lands. Main topics of discussion would include a Lengel state and the future over the Imperial lands of Northern Gorin. Other topics would including Gorin to tolerate all faiths and races in its borders. We ask Citadel help mediate the conference.

This conference requires for all parties currently at war to abide to a cease fire until the conference ends.

All powers will need to make sacrifices especially Gorin but considering the alternative of continued war this is the least costly solution.

Kentharu

Mar 15, 2007, 08:05 PM

From The Gorinese Empire
To all said nations

We will attend this conference.

alex994

Mar 15, 2007, 08:09 PM

OOC: Magnificent, simply magnificent contempt :D I would say that your story style is definitely improving, though your obsession with writing about one character remains ;)

Contempt

Mar 15, 2007, 08:17 PM

OOC: Magnificent, simply magnificent contempt :D I would say that your story style is definitely improving, though your obsession with writing about one character remains ;)

Single characters are always the most interesting to explore. The climax of the story will come about soon, and don't worry, there's a perfect explanation for everything. Mainly, he's either delusional or the Chosen of God. I'll be letting you guys decide.

jalapeno_dude

Mar 15, 2007, 08:34 PM

Oh yay, the world is really going to destroy itself...

:munches popcorn:

JosefStalinator

Mar 15, 2007, 08:49 PM

To Cryodon
From Gamorrea

We will most definetely attend this conference, and hope that it can bring stability to our war-torn region.

LightFang

Mar 15, 2007, 08:55 PM

Single characters are always the most interesting to explore. The climax of the story will come about soon, and don't worry, there's a perfect explanation for everything. Mainly, he's either delusional or the Chosen of God. I'll be letting you guys decide.

Probably both :o

Kentharu

Mar 15, 2007, 09:14 PM

so the citadel isn't coming?

jalapeno_dude

Mar 15, 2007, 09:24 PM

Orders sent, by some miracle. This turn should be interesting to watch...

EDIT: We'll come to the conference. What about the Valin-Khmeri conflict, though?

Kentharu

Mar 15, 2007, 09:32 PM

This is just dealing with the Northern situation

though im not opposed to dealing with that conflict, it all depends on kal and thy and darken

LightFang

Mar 15, 2007, 09:44 PM

Iggy, clear your PM box, or I will hurt you. D:

The Farow

Mar 15, 2007, 09:47 PM

Looking forward to it. This weekend we can debate the terms of peace while we wait for the update.

Gives us something to do instead of bugging Lord Iggy for the update everyday

alex994

Mar 15, 2007, 09:50 PM

Death at its Heart

“I swear eternal allegiance to the Dragon Throne of Guangfei. I swear to follows the laws of the Empire. I swear to take up arms in the defense of the Emperor and the Empire. I swear to forever fight and resist the enemies of the Emperor whether they are internal or external. Glory be to the Han! Empire Eternal!” –Lord Karsa of Labordina

It was amazing how quickly his mind had changed after meeting the Emperor. He was old, yet held a stately presence. He was well educated and did not seem at all repulsed by his Bladeists beliefs though like most he disliked vehemently what the Swades were doing. It was an awkward first meeting at best he was simply not prepared for how… cosmopolitan the Emperor was personally.

In the spur of the moment, in front of the whole Imperial Court, he fell upon his knee and offered to swear allegiance to the Dragon Empire. The hush fell upon the Court, as it seemed like every eye was upon the Emperor. To my shock, the old man I had saw sitting on the Throne came bursting to life.

He leaped off his Throne and drawing a ceremonial sword made of gold, anointed me a baronet, of which I would be a baron of. An insignificant county in the north along the Swade border I was later told, but it didn’t displease me at all. I was surprised, if not shocked at the trust that was so easily lavished on me. Later on, I found out that the Emperor had plans in place if I were to prove disloyal.

But there I went, to my baronet of Dajie. I settled down so to speak, becoming Sinified to my humorous mind. I did wonder many times during those happy days what my father would have thought of it. I, a Bladeist by birth, ended up dressed in fine silk cloth and carried around in a sedan chair in the cities while in the countryside dressed Han armor I rode around on horses.

It is of course well known that the Bladeist people in general cannot stand horses. It is in fact said that Wilipo himself was thrown off a horse, quite strange for a man that had almost been deified by the Swades. Of course, the Swades had their ramids and precious bigjaurs and while I would prefer not to insult them, they are a heinous people. My long dead father on his deathbed with a Han bolt in him cursed the Swades until his death.

It is probable that if the Swades weren’t as aggressive Guangfei would never have attacked and annexed the Twin Cities. It is also probable that if the Swades hadn’t went and committed genocide on a massive scale, I would not have been summoned to Guanzhong. When I returned, things had changed for the better. The large and bustling city had become larger and even more bustling.

There may have been war in the countries around Guangfei, but in Guanzhong, the City of Cities, there was no war. Peace, Prosperity and Progeny were words that the Han eagerly embraced and it was obvious everywhere one went. By now, I was as Bladeist as the hated Vandrios of the Valins. If my father could have seen me then, oh how he would have laughed.

I came from Dajie with my retainers in full military regalia. The splendid armor of the Imperial Han Army was comfortable, relatively light and useful. Entering the Imperial Palace, I found out what had happened that could have thrown the inhabitants of such a serene and peaceful place.

I had been appointed Interim Minister of the Imperial Complex under the now Dowager Empress and thus would be responsible for the succession.

Emperor Shun, was dead.

Swissempire

Mar 15, 2007, 10:13 PM

To: Myocaca
From: The Ascedant Master, Evern IV Willipi

You DARE slaughter Bladeists in agression, you DARE invade a brother for the sake of conquest and gold, you DARE divide Bladedom with your heresy!

The blood of the Myocacans shall stain our Blades reluctantly, but stain them all the same. The River Blade shall run red with blood.

To: Sintonia
From: The Ascendant Master, Evern IV Willipi

:lol: You declare war on me when 40,000 of my Swordsman are stationed in your territory right now, and 16,000 members of your warrior class are the sons of Swade Soldiers who immigrated after seeing their friends die on the fields their fathers did.

Sultan Hazim, you are declared deposed, my soldiers will seize you and your palace at once. A suitable successor will be chosen. If your 4,000 Swordsman and 2,000 Archer army can stop this, then the Blademaster truly smiles upon you. But I wouldn't bet on it.

OOC: LMAO, Shadowbound, there are 40k Swade Swordsman in your country, as well as a huge number of Swade Immigrants. Every update since i invaded New Veritas, 15,000 Swade immigrated to Sintonia. Thats a good 60,000. Declaring war was not such a good idea.

Wubba, i am dissappointed. This could have been defused with a simple Swordfight or a Tournument, but no. I will devour you

And you have all forced me to play my ace.

The Oneists will be spared for now, the dissension in the ranks must be dealt with.

JosefStalinator

Mar 15, 2007, 10:20 PM

Many winds have swept across the steppes of Gamorrea. Whether it be the cold, harsh winds that every winter bring a chill to the very bones of foreigners who set foot in this strange land, and to which the people have so long become accustomed to, or be it the warmer, summer winds that bring with them the ideas and trade of the civilized world. But there was one wind which rarely found its way to the plains and mountain peaks of Gamorrea, a wind which seemed to stop at Citadel’s border as an arrow against a wall of stone. This stone has since eroded to become as effective as a sandcastle in the beaches against the high tide. This new wind, was the wind of change.

Long had Gamorrea lived in its northern wasteland , taking pleasure in engaging its neighbors in unjustified armed conflict. The Gamorrean horse archers had become well known throughout the continent for their ferocity in battle, and its reputation as a tradition based culture was common knowledge. A civil war had been fought to preserve this tradition, to preserve the theocracy and stability that Gamorreans had so valued.

But things had changed. One could ask any peasant, ask any city dweller, about the state of affairs in Gamorrea. One would always receive the same answer. Things were changing. And in that answer, one could find a mixture of contempt and confusion, of anxiety and anticipation. In the south, there was not a town that wasn’t inhabited by a New Eldist, or “Elts” [1] as they were pejoratively called. First they came in small groups, often plying their trade in the more skilled professions and specialties that many native Gamorreans had lacked the knowledge to imitate. Soon, however, many flocked to their religion, with what many in the northern areas and those in Zam Gamorre viewed as nothing more than mass heresy. As these Elts filled the southern cities, and gathered in the bustling trade center and economic capital of Gamorrea, Thula Pax, the Zam [2] could no longer ignore their benefits to Gamor [3] society. Universal religious freedom was enacted in 1640 for the first time in Gamor history, and this formal recognition of the Eltian minority would prove to be a turning point in Gamor development.

It would be this growing Elt minority which would put pressure on the Zam to consider allowing practicing Elts representation in the council. In its long history, the Gamor Zam had never admitted any but the most devout, most orthodox of Gooranists into its ranks. The Elts however, had other avenues of influence. As wealth drives any powerful, modern state, it was beginning to drive Gamor down its newfound path. And Eldists had more than enough wealth.

The Zam traditionally replaced its members as they died in a regional appointment process, but as the southern regions grew so populated with Elts it became increasingly difficult to find adequate candidates amongst the people to staff the Zam entirely. As such, in an unpopular move, the Zam began disproportionately representing the northern regions where Goorists were more than plentiful, and the Elts knew that their time had come.

The Elts may have had little political power, but they still possessed the power of money, and the people of the south grew discontent with this disenfranchisement. As talk of leaving Gamorrea and joining the citadel grew, the Zam began to act. Through what can only be described as luck, or perhaps a blessing from Goora herself, a new high priest had been elected in place of the old Dazra Karatu, and his name was Temuj Azgorra. [4]

Only 42 years old (one of the youngest in recorded Gamorrean history), Temuj was elected with the rhetoric of a pragmatic nationalist (and it is almost without doubt that many prominent Elts, and their money, played a significant role in his election). Recognizing the importance of the Elts on Gamorrean culture, and wanting to preserve the unity of the Gamorrean people and nation, he announced the council of Mursai. Inviting the religious leaders from all throughout Gamorrea, from Elts to Gooranists to Animists from the far north, Temuj began what can only be described as a gargantuan effort to keep his people united.

Records from the meeting are sketchy, as much that occurred has become that of legend, and the members were sworn to secrecy of all but the final results of the gathering. What is certain is that Temuj quickly locked the doors and forced all the participants to listen to a lengthy speech Temuj himself had written, a speech that at first was greeted with jeers and skepticism but soon captivated the participants. Perhaps it was the blaring heat of the Mursaian summer, maybe it was the oratory skills of Temuj himself, but the shock and realization of the potential factionalization of the Gamorrean nation, and the total eroding of its culture, quieted the various traditionalists into hours of intense concentration.

As soon as Temuj finished his speech, silence befell the hall for what would later be described as an eternity. Some claimed that behind Temuj the participants could see the sunlight reflecting off his skin in an almost holy light, a light which left no man untouched by the symbolism and enormity of the situation they now found themselves in. Soon, Temuj broke the silence with one word. Change.

The point of this meeting was finally becoming apparent, and the tired and overheated priests of Gamor (many of whom were nearing the later years of their life, and were actually in a very dangerous state) waited with bated breathe for what Temuj had to say.

All that is known after that point is that Temuj presented to the group a book of New Eldist faith, and some scripture of Goorist faith. Reading aloud excerpts from both faiths, especially those exemplifying the divinity of the one god Eldos and the Godess Goora. This made many within the building stir, and it is said that many Northern Gooranists began vocally decrying this as heresy, only to find themselves berated by the much more skilled, energized, and zealous Temuj to the point of emotional degredation, and few spoke again after the most opposed had themselves been humbled.

It had come the time for formal change. It soon became obvious that many Elts, and many of the more reform minded Gooranists, had come prepared. Almost immediately declaring themselves loyal to a new, syncretic faith, the reformists declared that the church adopt a new name for this faith and immediately adopt it as its state religion.

The opposition was surprisingly quiet. A combination of the heat, the verbal abuse by Temuj, and the sheer number of reformists within the group had limited the strongly opposed to a tiny, yet determined, dozen. They looked on with contempt as the doctrine of New Eldism was integrated with Gooranism, and Goora and Eldos were claimed to be the same and only God. The sex of this God was dismissed as non-important, and the people were quick to adopt a gender neutral article, with very holy connotations, Ket. Ket Gorrah [5], would be the name. Many tenets that had become antiquated, or were just lacked consensus, adopted the New Eldist ideals as a default. It became evident that those Gamorreans of New Eldist faith were also quick to adapt to their native culture, as the peace loving nature of the Citadel’s faith was downplayed in favor for a more nationalistic, self defense oriented philosophy. It also became apparent that the former quest for knowledge, while still there in name, had almost become a quest for wealth. Perhaps the influence of the Elt financiers, perhaps the result of the Gamoration of New Eldist philosophies.

Days would pass, but finally the tenets of the new faith were decided upon. All that was needed was a name. Legend says that one reformist jokingly suggested the name “Gorrahnism”, after Azgorra himself, and the name stuck. Azgorrah was initially reluctant to choose that name, as it seemed almost like idolatry, but his ego, and talk amongst the reformers that Temuj was in fact a prophet, dispelled his uneasiness. The meeting was dismissed and deemed a smashing success by Temuj, as all but a dozen religious leaders (including one councilor) left pleased and had adopted this new faith. However, the uneasiness had once again crept into Temuj’s mind. He knew that it would be no where as easy to convince the people at large to adopt this new syncretic faith, especially in the northern regions where dissenters and heretics were bound to gather. Only time would tell if the peasantry would take to this new faith, and Temuj was certain other reforms would be necessary to garnish their support. He was not going to stop with the faith of Gamorrea, but his ideas would shape the social and political futures of Gamorrea for centuries to come.

The winds of change had come to Gamorrea, and Temuj readied his sails for its impact.

[1] Elt literally meant “coward” in Gamorrean, due to the pacifism inherent in New Eldian ideas. This word no longer carries the negative connotation it once did, and many New Eldists refer to themselves as Elts.
[2] The Zam is the theocratic council of Gamorrea
[3] I got tired of writing Gamorrean a lot, so Gamor is now an appropriate adjective :p
[4] Temuj was a common male name among Gooranists, as was the surname Azgaorra, or lit. Bearer of Goora.
[5] ket Gorrah is just literally The One and Only God, Gorrah (another transliteration of Goora), and is accepted as another word for Eldos in the Gamor language.

OOC: Thats about as good as its gonna get from me, as I lack the skills to write character-centric stories. I'll just stick with this historical story deal (which I lack the diligence to proofread for tense and voice). Hopefully I'll only need to write a few more to keep up with you guys...

Contempt

Mar 15, 2007, 11:13 PM

*****

A decrepit temple. A broken door. Dark eyes stare from shadowed walls. Temple of iron, and fear. Wordless screams, unheard in the night. A shard of Obsidian, lying in the center.

Visions came unbidden as Khorchi rode up the mountain steps to the forboding temple, with the woman warriors of Nkondi traveling behind him. It seemed to so strange, seeing these glimpses of what was to come before even reaching there. He was confused, but he hadn't been sane since he walked in that fateful village.

Or was it a village at all?

Such questions are unwise, my prince. It is best not to dwell on the past, as the future, our future, lies within the temple.

Yes, the temple is all that matters now. I have a sense, that my questions will be answered there, and I will arise to power over the scattered tribes...

Of course, my prince. You will be rule with an iron fist, as your father once did...

Khorchi stopped at Yesui's spirit ambigous statement. He turned his mind back, to the father he had known. A weak, ambitious man. Willing to play the game, but not the price. Only striking at weakness, never teaching his son war or fighting. Not a 'True Lengel' at all, though he fashioned himself as such. His father ruled nothing, only fools.

My father is a weak, pathetic man. He has no more an iron fist than the Citadelers do. He's merely a fool playing with Kings, acting the part, but coming short.

The temple will reveal everything to you...

"My lord," questioned the physical Yesui, stopping behind his horse. The Nkondi woman behind her were not present for his little act in her tent, so they were questioning the sanity of their leader in following this Lengel man. Some were even considering muntiny.

Khorchi knew of course. He wasn't sure how, but he could sense it. He could feel it, even taste the betrayal in the air. It was not all coming from the foolish Nkondi, however, it seemed as though the temple itself was soaked in it. Soaked in betrayal and death.

Shaking off the feelings of doubt, Khorchi pushed past the broken door, and steped into the destroyed temple. The stone walls seemed to hang, as if about to fall but never actually doing so. Khorchi stood to regard the Lengel structure, shoddily made (as Lengels were never stonemasons), before quickly moving down the main corridor.

Iron masks hung upon the wall, and their shadowed eyes stared blankly at every person that passed. Although, it seemed as if their empty sockets followed Khorchi, his Obsidian mask upon his face. It was only the light, he thought, only the light.

We are close. I can feel its power.

The sense of heavy power was strong, even oppression now. It choked him, burned him, drowned him in its sorrow. It was as if one thousand years of torment and suffering was gathered in this place. Every injustice, every war, every death gathered in this single atrium.

Gathered into the single obsidian shard lying upon the broken altar. Carefully, he took a step. With every minute, he took one more step away from the speechless Nkondi. Yesui looked on with muted eyes, and the voice within his head cried with glee, growing softer with each step he took. With each step, the pressure became greater, Yesui's laughter faded, and her physical bodies eyes grew brighter in insanity.

Every step, and that suffering and misery that made him feel so sick began to invigorate him. From war and hate he grew happy, even as the pressure increased around him. Finally, he stood at the edge of the altar, the shard within arms reach. This was the moment he had come here for, the final answer to his questions.

A gloved hand reached out, and grasped the shard. The feelings ceased, the laughter faded alltogether. The pressure lifted, and time stopped. A burning sensation covered his hand, and the obsidian shard began to glow a sickly red.

"My son, I see that you have found me at last," a powerful voice said, echoing throughout the broken temple. From the shadows beyond the altar, a stone statue, the head missing, walked on its own power to the altar.

"I have led you on this journey of your, my son. I gave you the broken sword and mask, relics lost to time, but not to me. I sent Yesui to guide you to me, and even gave you the strength you needed to kill those that defile your lands," the headless statue continued to speak, placing a stone hand upon Khorchi's shoulder.

"Thus you have found me, a mere shell of what I am, kept in this shard hidden deep in the mountains. For my son, I did not do this for nothing. I have a task for you," it spoke gravely.

"Are you, Koke? Is my father a God?" Khorchi asked amazedly, looking in wonder at the walking statue in front of him.

"No, my son, I am not Koke. I am Guyug, a shard of his Obsidian heart. A demon lord, if you will. I am a mere Prince compared to my father, but you, my son, are descended from him and will take up my task where I failed. To bring one thousand years of war and death to these lands, until such time as nation will never war against nation again," the statue spoke, removing its hand from Khorchi's shoulder.

"War? Constant war? Like the Lengels of old?" he asked, feeling strangely exicited at the prospect.

"Yes, my son. Now go, take up your mantle of Khagan from your pretender 'father', and smash army against army for as long as you live," screamed the statue, retreating back into the shadows. Silence reigned, and time suddenly restarted. Yesui gasped in shock, her personalties merged once more, while the Nkondi on lookers fell to their knees at the immense pressure emmiting from the shard.

With a roar, Khorchi released the shard, and a red beam of power blew the top of the temple off. The Nkondi behind him were destroyed at its sight, and only Yesui withstood its power. At the epicenter of the blast, Khorchi stood unharmed. Moments after it stopped, he collasped.

Darkness covered his vision. He was fighting with his a Zealot upon the battle field with his father, and had taken a blow to the head. Darkness clouded his vision. Screams and cries of battle were all around him. Quickly he got to his feet, and reached for his sword.

It was steel and gold, with obsidian flecks within it. An obsidian mask hung loosely in his cloak, and Khorchi could not distinguish reality and dreams. It did not matter, his father had been felled in the fighting. He was the Khagan now, and it was as it should be.

War was coming.

A golden sword and obsidian mask would lead it, but would he go down in history as the insane warrior, or as the god touched Emperor?

*****

~Darkening~

Mar 15, 2007, 11:49 PM

Eh, peace happening now is...funny. I've burned my way across Gorin, aided the people rebelling against him, convinced a third party to invade him, set off a couple of explosions in his heartland, took their capital, defeated his army three times (or two, whichever) and stained a hill red. Peace? Yeah....I want to see this treaty.

Anyways, any peace that is signed must deal with every aspect of this war- including Thy and Kal. And we all known Thy won't sign without Old Veritas, and Kal will never give it up, so there will be no peace. Not to mention the fact there will be no peace with Swiss.

JosefStalinator

Mar 15, 2007, 11:59 PM

Damn it Iggy, clear your PM box!

~Darkening~

Mar 16, 2007, 12:00 AM

Just to remind you Josef, we have a NAP ;]. (I'm your northern neighbor)

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 12:46 AM

Looking forward to it. This weekend we can debate the terms of peace while we wait for the update.After they've sent military orders?

@Croyodon's Suggestion

From: Fairhelt
We and the Merhai tribe will be reunited soon, and we are not going to stop that. However, we have no more offensive plans beyond that.

From: Merhai
Peace discussions would be excellent.

From: Nkondi
We demand full independence for ourselves and our Lengel bretheren. If Gorin is willing to meet this condition, we can negotiate.

EDIT: Though we may have to see how things go... ^

@Contempt- Nice story.

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 07:48 AM

A Pledge

"Man hath fought man since the beginning of time, and when there was none to fight, he fought himself" - Said 4th Alexandrian Dynesty

King Aegis I knelt in front of his father. He managed to contain the awe he felt, felt a bit irritated with the decadence of the whole thing. The Palace Servents were to blame.

And As King Aegis Knelt there, his fathers body was entombed into the crypt, a very lavish crypt at that, no expense had been spared, this was the great King of Khemri and Kehoxu, masters of the world, sitting upon a throne second to only the Heavens itself. The list of platitudes went on.

King Aegis disliked this, this opulance was a waste, frivolous. But when one is as Powerfull as the nation that was now his had nothing to strive for apart from the statu quo this is what resulted.

The Turgid Kingdom begged for change, the former lands of Nurmafer needed to be resettled and made rich. Both their ancient lands and the lands they took when they fled. The Priesthood had been falling behind in its duties, the army was the only area that had been re-energsied and that was due to Aegis' reforms as a Prince, and his four trusted generals, handpicked, loyal, able.

His father had always said that winning the military was the easy bit, and that his years as a Prince were to be enjoyed, the real problems began when you became King and had to deal with the incessant buzzing of sychophants, Priests whining on and on about their theological factions under representation at court and finally the aristocracy, also whining, but about problems dealing with their estates and holdings.

King Aegis would learn this with time, but he pledged before his father to put in place some reforms, but first he would need to consult with his advisors, Generals and others.

Shadowbound

Mar 16, 2007, 08:18 AM

OOC: No one tells me about this? That I have 40,000 of Swade's soldiers in my country?

**** this.

Thlayli

Mar 16, 2007, 08:20 AM

From: The Valin Republic of Veritas
To: The United Kingdom of Khemri and Kehexou

We propose the following peace:

1. All Valin lands east of the province of Mogul are ceded from Khemri to Veritas. In return, Veritas will pay 2 economic points to Khemri.

2. Khemri repudiates all ties with the so-called "Swade Ascendency," and withdraws support for their barbaric and inhuman actions.

3. Khemri and Kalmar withdraw from the land of Davar, returning it to the control of the Union of Ardan.

If these conditions are not met, Veritas and her allies will wage full and complete war until the sovereignty of the Four Republics and the Union of Ardan are fully secured.

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 08:45 AM

I propose the following peace;

Veritas returns all lands, and we reach the status quo again
Kalmar Annex's all Ardan lands that have been taken
Veritas pays 2 eco points

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 08:46 AM

OOC: No one tells me about this? That I have 40,000 of Swade's soldiers in my country?

**** this.

They're not in your country, they're in Exilsium and Swade holdings in New Veritas. And there isn't as much settlement as Swiss has suggested, due to recent Valin naval dominance.

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 09:01 AM

A Knights Tale

"And All the Kings horses and all the Kings Men, had omelette"
-Khemrian Proverb; to make the best of the situation

The Battle of Gyarth and The Battle of The Red Hill; A study in historical record keeping

What follows is the account given by the contempary Khemrian scholar Jupier; who was ordered to record the battles of this Campaign. Contrast this with the details given in the Knights Memoirs.

The Battle of Gyarth

The Battle Began as soon as the Khemrian Horse Archers approached the field, their sleek horses riding through the suprised Ardan army, cutting down the few isolated soldiers.

The Knight upon reaching the battle with the main body of his army, immediatly Pushed the Armoured Ramids and Knights into a charge, A wall of Steel descended down upon the Ardan lines, Pennants and Banners flying the glorious sun bouncing off their armour, the body of the Ardan Army, dusty militia and some few professional spearmen stood to receive this.

The enemy staggered back, as the Knights Lances ruptured the front line of troops, and the War Elephants flung men aside as they crushed others, Ardan weapons bouncing off the armoured sides of these leviathens.

The Khemrian infantry then pushed forward, the Royal Guard spread into the gaps produced by the Cavalry, within minutes of this contact the Ardan General, Xean, withdrew his men, falling back in full retreat.

The Battle of The Red Hill

The Knight had by this point cut off all Ardan Supplies and forced General Xean in an attempt to retreat to Nkondi lands, however The Knight managed to force Ardan into battle due to the superior quality and temperment of the Khemrian forces, the Ardan forces attempting to male the best of a bad situation forted up a Hill from which this battle gains its name.

This effort was all for naught however, as the grass was stained red with the blood of the Ardanese army, and The ever Triumphant Knight moved onwards with his army into the Ardanese lands with assistance from Ithauer to the South.

A Knights Tale; Memoirs

The Battle of Gyarth

The Dawn broke, and I had the men awoken, I was pushing them hard to catch the Ardanese by suprise, I put my armour on and immediatly began to sweat, every single Knight I have talked to says the same, even when Campaigning in Winter.

The Horse archers had been pushed hard, their steeds were noticebly not in the best condition, I sent them out again, they could rest tommorrow, or so I thought.

First Contact was made shortly after, A lone horsearcher had returned to inform me of the battle, I pushed the men into a full march, Cavarly matching them. They produced a small dust-cloud; I arrived on the battle seeing the Horsearcher sowing chaos in the Ardanese ranks. However I saw noose of men tightening round them, so I Immediatly flung the Cavarly and Ramids into battle, to releive the pressure on the horse archers, and also to buy me time to reorganise the Infantry, The battle moved quickly into the last phase as I got all the infantry that were ready to charge into the battle, to support the Cavarly, before they were overwhelmed.

This payed off, as the suprise and numerous breakthrough points threatened the Ardan lines, and they fled. The horse archers made to give chase but I ordered them back, their steeds were in no condition to chase. We stood down and rested the men, as some of the Royal Guard went around the battlefield killing the wounded Ardanese and taking the officers for interogation; unfortuntatly nothing of note was learned from them, most died during the process however.

The Battle of The Red Hill

With my forces rested up I was able to force the Ardan army to do battle, unfortunatly this resulted in them taking a Hill and defending that. Numerous Cavalry charges were not able to break the infantry line, so I was forced to move the Royal Guard into combat, and they made the small progress up the hill, not by virtue of their greater Combat abilities, but by virture of their ferocity, they did not kill those in front of them, instead the mutilitated them, cutting off a limb and leaving the man to scream in pain, as they moved up the hill to the next target. This speeded up the process somewhat, but meant that the whole hill screamed as broken men lay here and there.

The battle ended when Xean was killed, the small remainder of the Ardanese men surrendered, throwing down their weapons.

My men went about the task of silencing the screaming men, and rounding up those who had surrendered, there was some 1000 of them. The battle had been fierce, many men; friends, had died. My men demanded blood, I could give them nothing less.

I ordered the Ardanese slaughtered. This is the true reason why the battle is called The Battle of the Red Hill, regardless I doubt that anyone reading this will care, as it is to be intered with me when I die.

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 09:04 AM

Duty

Never forget, Never Surrender
No retreat, No mercy
-The Void

Ithauer moved Away from the Kalmar official; pondering the question. He watched the progress down below. He had cleaned house so to speak, Kalmar was re-affirmed in its loyalty. No Problem was too wayward that their was no solution, for Ithauer had a strong stomach and was capable of the greatest evils if he thought it would further his duties.

"No my lady; I do not think that the Khemrian Crown will wish to adminstrate that land, we will hand it over to yourselves to govern," He responded the Official, he had thought it out from all angles. Even such simple questions as this required great thought.

"On your way out you ask The Knight to enter; hes the one wearing Full Plate,"

And The Knight was here, Ithauer could not help but feel parental to this mere child. He was gifted certaintly, he loved his men and they him. Was had not totally destroyed him. Yet.

But then he would have plenty of time to depart his fatherly wisdoms to him.

"Ithauer, its great to see you again, no problems I assume?" The Knight was animated, his visor up, but otherwise in full Plate.

"No problems at all, I heard you had more excitement than myself on the way, Feugan,"

The Knight froze; "Where did you learn that name?"

"I know it because it is my Duty to know, nothing more,"

"I would appreciate it if it was not mentioned to any, you know the myths that go with it,"

"I am quite sure that the myth does not refer to yourself but one your descendents, if you ever settle down to have children,"

"None of that quite intrests me at the moment" The Knight replied.

"Don't give me that, I saw the look your giving her lady, she is Oneist you know, might be difficult,"

The Knight blushed; Ithauer Chuckled.

"We leave tommorrow with most of the men, I have put many of my officers and trusted men to advise Kalmar, we will be ranging ahead to meet up with The King,"

"The King? What happened?"

"The King died,"

New travels slowly in these parts Ithauer thought, especially with the Chaos to the south and west. Their friend, Prince Aegis had brought them together for their ability to think, and Now the Prince had become King, and everyone moved onwards.

Apart frome Ithaeur, all he had left was his duty, although he saw something of himself in this Knight, in Fuegan.

Oruc

Mar 16, 2007, 09:05 AM

To the Justiciar Council of Adar
From High Chief Justok Nictuma of Sanx
It our humble wish that you do not oppress my fellow Divotheists. Perhaps you could grant them an independent country on the southern coast? Or better yet, join into our faith yourself, and make Divotheism the official religion of Adar. Imagine what great things could be accomplished then!

Divotheism can be freely worshiped in Adar and Zemora.

Luckymoose

Mar 16, 2007, 09:22 AM

I feel left out who can I invade.

Luckymoose

Mar 16, 2007, 10:44 AM

Orders sent. Wasn't the deadline today? Oh well maybe this update won't take so long.

Azash

Mar 16, 2007, 11:29 AM

Just boost my eco and troops. :p

~Darkening~

Mar 16, 2007, 12:28 PM

Veritas returns all lands, and we reach the status quo again
Kalmar Annex's all Ardan lands that have been taken
Veritas pays 2 eco points

And that, my friends, is why there will be no peace :).

Egh- That was written by a Khermian, wasn't it Kal? Your story is full of holes :).

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 12:53 PM

Of course it was! thats part of my point!

Wubba360

Mar 16, 2007, 01:42 PM

OOC: chip there was no way in rl would my ruler tolerate this, I mean you slaughtered my people, plus in the story your soldiers did slay bladeists.

To: Sintonia
From: Myocaca

Swade has held control of Sintonia for as long as it has been indepedent in land. Stand up for yourself. Speak to your people. You must be a ruler not a puppet. Be a hero not a coward. Be a warrior not a dead man.

Kal'thzar

Mar 16, 2007, 02:21 PM

OOC: chip there was no way in rl would my ruler tolerate this, I mean you slaughtered my people, plus in the story your soldiers did slay bladeists.

The only contentious issue is that he killed people in YOUR lands. The only problem is that due to fact that you've been fighting Onesist since time itself began, so I'm not sure how your population will take it. (good or bad thing).

The killings etc are actually quite common in this NES, and this era.

This can all be explained in stories however ;)

Orders sent

Contempt

Mar 16, 2007, 02:33 PM

*****

The standards of the Rebel Iron Faces flapped in the wind, as the small camp of haggard Lengel men, having been constantly raiding and fighting small Gorinese troops for several months now. There was no rest for them, and so those formerly bright and stubborn banners were now dirty with many months of campaigning.

Yet, those men still stood, waiting for the battle that was no doubt coming. A larger Gorinesearmy had moved to intercept them, no doubt knowing that the young Iron Face Khagan was leading the smaller group of warriors. The sound of iron striking iron resounded in the camp, as the armourers did what they could to prepare the blades, and make the arrow heads that would fly in the coming hours.

The Khagan himself stood watching as the Gorinese army approached, their heavily armored cavalry gleaming mightly in the mid-day sun. It seemed hopeless, but the Khagan was not despairing. No, he did not even shed tears at the thought of death. He was joyful at the prospect of the coming battle.

War had once more come to Lengel lands, and its burning blasts would open up Lengel ears once more to the sound of War drums. Once more would Lengel march for war, only this time, it was in desperate defense. Perhaps that was best, to rekindle the might of the Lengels.

Yet, the Gorinese army ahead of him seemed to slow. Squinting in the distance, Khorchi attempted to make out just what the army was doing. A small detachment broke off from the army, and began to move quickly to his position. It was an extremely small force, must smaller than his own.

"Surely they do not think they can fight us with such a small detachment?" Khorchi spoke out loud, before he began to glimpse the white flags flying at the forefront of the detachment. Rising his eyebrow in surprise, he turned quickly and barked a series of orders at his men. Quickly, a group of his favored captains had gathered the white flags, and had mounted their respective horses.

The Gorin and Iron Face Rebels would parley, instead of being so quick to fight.

*****

The Gorinese commander stood face to face with the Khagan, staring each other down as the two forces snarled at each other in pure hatred. Much blood had been spilt between the two peoples, and the most recent Gorin excursion in Lengel homelands for no true reason (there had been four at this point, with each occasion being Gorinese aggression and their disregard for Non-Aggression pacts, and never a Lengel strike at the Gorinese).

Before the attempt at terms was even begun, it seemed that the two forces would start fighting in the middle of the plains, until a Croyodon observer interceded to stop the brewing violence.

"Gentleman," he spoke sharply, "we parley for peace, not for brawls. Discuss terms for peace, or return to prepare for battle, and make peace with whatever gods you pray."

This calmed down both sides a bit, and the Gorinese commander began to speak first, "The Lord Kaiser, Supreme Master of the Central Plains, wishes for peace in this wartorn land. He offers you your independance, constituting many of former Lengel possesions. Would you agree to such a term?"

Khorchi snorted at this, before speaking, "I do not want most, General. I wish for all former True Lengel lands, and will settle for nothing less. I also seek Nkondian independance as well, as they our are sisters and brothers in this fight."

The Gorinese general gaped at the audacity of such a claim, and it was his turn to chuckle in disbelief, before his voice turned cold, and his eyes narrowed, "The Kaiser would be...unwilling to give that much against such a paltry force of rebels. The Kaiser is kind, and it would do well for Lengel dogs to remember their place. Lengel monsters of olden days have long past, and they should lie there, forgotten."

The Khagan's obsidian mask merely stared at the man for a brief few seconds, before his hands raised to his face, and removed his mask. Bloodshot eyes stared straight into the Generals hard face. Scars littered the man's face, and he was a man that had seen many horrors, but the unmarked, youthful face of the Khagan made him cringe.

The eyes, the eyes of that boy, pierced through him. He felt the fires of war clench around him, and felt the pressure of suffering and despair upon his chest. Taking an involuntary step backwards, the man mumbled a single word, "Monster..."

The Khagan smiled, and replaced his mask. He began to turn, motioning for his men to follow him.

"My people will once called such, General. I will see that they are called that once more. We will meet upon the battlefield, General, I forsee it. Peace is not possible now, if the Kaiser is unwilling to give up what is already lost..."

As the Lengels turned to ride away, the Croyodon advisor yelled out, trying valiantly to stay the course for peace, to stop the bloodshed.

"My lords, please! The Croyodon will host a Conference for Peace, for all nations in the North! This war, this bloodshed has gone on for long enough! Let us end it before it unmakes us all," he said, pleading at the retreating Khagan.

"Gentle advisor, Koke wills my hands, and the Kaiser would refuse our wants. I will do as my God commands, and I will war until our nation has risen once more out of the ashes. Or it is driven into the dirt."

With that, the Iron Face parley retreated back to their positions, and night quickly came. A voice echoed within the Khagan's head, a command that could either have been dream, or reality.

Now go, take up your mantle of Khagan from your pretender 'father', and smash army against army for as long as you live!

*****

Cuivienen

Mar 16, 2007, 03:44 PM

All right, I've decided that I can return to CFC for just this one NES. Once it dies, I'm gone for good, but I can't imagine Kelios sitting abandoned and surrounded by PC nations that will eventually overwhelm it. So I'm back, and taking Kelios again. I won't have any stories this turn, but can I still send orders?

To: Sanx
From: Kelios

What is this, a joke? You need Kelios's power, not the other way around. You deny the true path, and then you would seek to impose your false belief in dieties upon us? Ha! Kelios has always known the path and has never worshipped your ludicrous beings of the sky.

Contempt

Mar 16, 2007, 04:09 PM

Hooray, Cuiv is back! I would celebrate with another story, but I have yet to hear back from Iggy...

Swissempire

Mar 16, 2007, 04:53 PM

They're not in your country, they're in Exilsium and Swade holdings in New Veritas. And there isn't as much settlement as Swiss has suggested, due to recent Valin naval dominance.

Actually, they are in his country, as per the orders. The dealt with Tsarvie and then moved into Sintonia. They then stayed there since the government had been then compliant.

And it wasn't immigration from The Homeland, it was the recruits who were already there going down to Sintonia, thusly the "naval dominance" would have nothing to do with it.....

Shadowbound, i'll give you a chance to make peace.

Iggy, I'm in the hospital right now, i'll try to get orders in soon.

Swissempire

Mar 16, 2007, 04:55 PM

OOC: chip there was no way in rl would my ruler tolerate this, I mean you slaughtered my people, plus in the story your soldiers did slay bladeists.

In YOUR story. Never in history have Bladeists slayed other Bladeists UNTIL you wrote that.

JosefStalinator

Mar 16, 2007, 04:59 PM

Sending orders now, if the PM box is cleared.

LightFang

Mar 16, 2007, 05:00 PM

I sent my orders in. Expect coolio stories soon, if you find that Aryie tales are interesting :o

And they are! Totally. Small country intrigue. It's like a folk tale, it has rustic charm.

foolish icarus

Mar 16, 2007, 05:29 PM

Skilvso to Aryie

As one small country full of rustic charm to another, we'd like to open some kind of permanent diplomatic lines of communication.
Now, we were at first right doubtful that there'd be anything on the Other Ocean that was worth making the trek 'cross those blasted Khemri deserts, but yours is an intriguing land, and you seem a particularly decent folk, even with your Knife-Obsessism.
We've got some princes and princesses and assorted other nobles and would-be scholars that'd like to see the east of this great wide world, and from what we've heard of your peaceful pleasant cities, they sound like the best place to start.
Of course, you're welcome to send visitors to us as well, though we don't have as much in the way of 'civilized' living as some other lands are said to have, but considerin the state of some of those other places, maybe that's not such a bad thing. What d'you say?

LightFang

Mar 16, 2007, 05:36 PM

From: Aryie
To: Skilvso

We agree, for knowledge and such must go both ways. We have some nobles who we are sure would absolutely love a chance to get out of our "boring", "quiet", and "throughly too non-violent" region. Not to mention the scholars who will get to write in their journals about how they crossed to the other side of the continent, fail to put it in a decisive journal, and finally, hundreds of years from now, will get to watch in heaven as history students frantically peace together their writings to know what life was like back then, which would be right now to us.

May this foster peace and prosperity, with all that jazz.

OOC: Technically, to get to Aryie, wouldn't you have to go through the Swade Ascendancy, and possibly Myocaca? :P

itsund3rmykilt

Mar 16, 2007, 05:40 PM

I wanna join pleease!

Tir Tairngire
Cities: Murias, Nog, Shae da Dale, Tiria
Leader: Chief Kenna One-Hand
Religion: Pirian Oneism (54%), Divotheism (44%), Banism (2%)
Government: Tribal Council
Economy: 2- 2/0
Population: Small
Army: 1000 Spearmen, 2000 Swordsmen
Navy: None
Education: None
Technology: Iron Age
Confidence: Hateful
Culture: None
Wonders:
Description: The Tuatha (which simply means "people" in their tongue) are a fierce warrior people. Tir Tairngire is one of the most unstable Azulian nations, due to both its mercenary habits and warlike leaders. It has just recently overcome a civil war, where Divotheist forces overthrew their Pirian brethren and reestablished the nation’s original religion. It remains to be seen whether this will become the new status quo, or if it will be overthrown in the near future, continuing an ancient cycle of instability.

foolish icarus

Mar 16, 2007, 05:46 PM

OOC: Technically, to get to Aryie, wouldn't you have to go through the Swade Ascendancy, and possibly Myocaca? :P

If we're feeling unusually crazy. Being blade-like folks, you might be able to manage that, but our preferred route is takin a boat down from Khemri land, or if we're in the mood for bureaucratic obstruction, exorbitant fees, and amusing incomprehensible ceremonies, we'll travel by way of Guangfei.

alex994

Mar 16, 2007, 06:05 PM

OOC: Bureaucratic obstruction, exorbitant fees and incomprehensible ceremonies? I take offense at that :p

And the problem with your ideal swiss, is that you assumed the Sintonians would allow soldiers to settle down in their territory and you also assume the fact that your recruits would enjoy living outside of the Ascendancy ;)

Thlayli

Mar 16, 2007, 06:10 PM

Actually Swiss, I'm sure you killed SOME Bladeists during your massive incursions into Myocaca and Sintonia. Border guards, at least.

Ironic, that. :mischief:

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 06:13 PM

To Kelios
From Sanx
We request that you aid us in reestablishment the true ways of Azulia to your people. Spread our faith, and you will be permitted to join into the great Divo League. Also, NAP?We are followers of the path, and will not be led astray.

Chief Kenna joins the League, BTW.

The enemy staggered back, as the Knights Lances ruptured the front line of troops, and the War Elephants flung men aside as they crushed others, Ardan weapons bouncing off the armoured sides of these leviathens.Don't you mean Ramids? There are no elephants here, as far as you know.

To: Sanx
From: Kelios

What is this, a joke? You need Kelios's power, not the other way around. You deny the true path, and then you would seek to impose your false belief in dieties upon us? Ha! Kelios has always known the path and has never worshipped your ludicrous beings of the sky.Welcome back Cuiv! I guess my response can be ignored. Though it was almost identical. :p Yes, please, do send orders.
Hooray, Cuiv is back! I would celebrate with another story, but I have yet to hear back from Iggy...Hear back about what? Is it a PM?

Tir Tairngire
Cities: Murias, Nog, Shae da Dale, Tiria
Leader: Chief Kenna One-Hand
Religion: Pirian Oneism (54%), Divotheism (44%), Banism (2%)
Government: Tribal Council
Economy: 2- 2/0
Population: Small
Army: 1000 Spearmen, 2000 Swordsmen
Navy: None
Education: None
Technology: Iron Age
Confidence: Hateful
Culture: None
Wonders:
Description: The Tuatha (which simply means "people" in their tongue) are a fierce warrior people. Tir Tairngire is one of the most unstable Azulian nations, due to both its mercenary habits and warlike leaders. It has just recently overcome a civil war, where Divotheist forces overthrew their Pirian brethren and reestablished the nation’s original religion. It remains to be seen whether this will become the new status quo, or if it will be overthrown in the near future, continuing an ancient cycle of instability.Welcome to NESing, and good luck. If you want to do something now, you still have 8 hours to send orders. Though I usually accept late orders.

Contempt

Mar 16, 2007, 06:19 PM

It is indeed a private message.

foolish icarus

Mar 16, 2007, 06:26 PM

OOC: Bureaucratic obstruction, exorbitant fees and incomprehensible ceremonies? I take offense at that :p

They're amusing incomprehensible ceremonies--we enjoy your costumery and customs, but not when we're travelers just trying to pass through the damn gate in a reasonably timely manner ;)

Have I misjudged Guangfei? Do you not use red tape and pedantic rules to obstruct foreigners' business until they ply you with humble obeisances and give you suitable bribes in the proper ceremonial fashion? :D

alex994

Mar 16, 2007, 06:30 PM

OOC: Please, you have misjudged Guangfei. As Confucian sounding as I may be, I'm very pragmatic when it comes to money :p Of course, I must say I have the irresistable urge to go attack you ;)

Thlayli

Mar 16, 2007, 06:35 PM

Orders are due today? TODAY!?

Yikes, I have to readjust...might go into shock...

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 06:36 PM

Don't worry Thlayli, you're one of the last people I update.

JosefStalinator

Mar 16, 2007, 06:41 PM

And you shouldn't do him until he updates his own NES :p

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 07:17 PM

Now now, I'm above that.

Azash

Mar 16, 2007, 07:22 PM

Not by much, though. :p

Contempt

Mar 16, 2007, 08:03 PM

Eastern Merhai, Lorgi Fortress

Siege of Lorgi

A rumble was felt in the stone and wood walls of the fortress, as its walls trembled at the Fairhelt assualt. The last bastion of Merhai forces in the way of the invading army to the soft underbelly of the Merhai capital and industry. A sturdy fortress built during the wars in the South, when Gorin fought Lengel so many years ago.

It was placed such that no army wishing to conquer Merhai could leave it untaken. It was placed at the river, so that a large force could gather there if need be, and strike out a vunerable supply lines if left untaken. It was defensible upon the hills near the river, and no army could hope to take it with any great number of defenders upon its walls.

Yet, there weren't any great number of defenders upon the walls. The Merhai army was crushed first by Gorin at the disatrous Battle of Two Rivers, where the Gorin Bajo-Oni laid waste to the Merhai armies, and then by the invading Fairhelt. Only a paltry force of archers, with one or two Wooly Ramids inside defended the great fortress. These were men that could not have escape to the east when the larger armies of Fairhelt overran the meager defenses of the Merhai.

Now, even the great fortress Lorgi was a pebble to be swept aside by the Fairfelt armies. The fortress could have held for months and months with a proper force defending it, but no force could have been raised in Merhai. The former prospering republic was crippled by its losses in the south, and now the fortress that should have held off Fairhelt advance for many more precious months, was going to fall in three days. At least, by the men inside's estimation. They had held off the much larger Fairhelt army for two weeks with arrows and stones, having to retreat into the second section of the fortress when the Fairhelt breached the first section.

"We're finished," spoke one Merhai archer miserably, looking out a slited window to watch as the many Wooly Ramids of the Fairhelt pushed against the barred door to the inner most section of the keep. Another tremor was felt through the fortress as the Ramid's did their deadly work.

"Ya got that right. I just hope that they'll take mercy on us and take us a prisoners than kill us," one dirty soldier said, looking at the ground forlornly. A third soldier, the last of the bunch, spit at the ground at his fellows remark.

"I'd rather die a free man than their prisoner," he spoke passionately slamming his fist into his thigh to illustrate his point.

"I'd rather not die," shot back the fearful man, "We'll get no help here, and I don't doubt that they'll torture us and kill us for delaying their forces for so long! The Lengels in the south certainly can't help us, with the Gorinese being the primary thing on their plate! The situation is helpless..."

A silence fell on the room with that, each man silently agreeing with the man, although wishing for different outcomes. Praying silently to the spirits for saftey and help.

"Maybe the Council will manage to raise an army and attack them here?" remarked the first man again.

"This place? They don't have any money to buy food or supplies, what makes you think could raise any army? And even if they could, why would they send it here? The enemy will take the fortress soon, and then it'll be suicide to send any army against it."

Once more silence descended upon the room. The rumble of the Ramids strikes on the final gate continued for several long moments. Suddenly, it seemed to stop, and a great panic was going through Fairhelt army.

"What's happening? What is going on?" asked one man, looking through the slit at the outside. The Fairhelt were trying to organize their army as the rear guard of the army feel to a rain of arrows. The supplies were taken as a force out of view struck the Fairhelt army from the rear, trapping the enemy Ramids inside the Fortress as Fairhelt infantry attempted to engaged the unseen force.

"An army attacked the Fairhelt from behind! Its a miracle! Perhaps the Council did gather an army!"

The three men, surprised by the miracle, but not out of their wits, quickly moved to the wall, grabbing as many arrows as they could. Once they got to the wall, they saw the rest of the Merhai force firing arrows down into the Fairhelt throngs in the fortress interior. Rocks and broken masonary from the fortress were pushed down upon the enemy, adding to the confusion caused by the attack.

The three men looked to see a great cavalry army firing arrow after arrow into the lightly armored Fairhelt masses. The Merhai had never used cavalry before, and the standards flying in the wind came from only one place. The Iron Face Rebels had not abandoned their allies in their time of need.

They had sent an army, perhaps small, but in secret and in suprise. The day was not yet decided, but out of the darkness, a hope grew. If the fortress Lorgi held, then perhaps, the Republic of Merhai would rise greater than before.

Before, the alliance had been merely one of paper and convience. Now, it was entirely different. It was an alliance forged in battle, writ in blood, and confirmed in brotherhood. The Merhai would never forsake the Lengel again, and never would Lengel arrow pierce Merhai flesh.

The Siege of Lorgi was over, at least for the moment. The battle of all Merhai had began, and those Merhai upon the walls continued to bombard, waiting to open the doors for a charge upon Wooly Ramid back into the turned backs of the Fairhelt as they struggled to turn back the Iron Face wave.

All the while, the Iron Face standard flew in the wind, a symbol of Freedom for the desperate Merhai. A word upheld, and an alliance saved, all by the flag swaying in the wind.

*****

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1709/ironfaceempirerx1.png

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 08:44 PM

Nice story!

Silver Steak

Mar 16, 2007, 09:00 PM

Orders Yathai:

Expand navy, boosting fishing and interisland trade. Station coastal sentries on the southernmost islands to watch for possible barbarian incursion. All in all, relate peacefully with them, and try to win them over to Mantea by cultural assimilation. After all, nationhood is way cooler than barbarism. :king:

Luckymoose

Mar 16, 2007, 10:50 PM

I hope you get the update done relatively soon Iggy. I would hate to wait 3 months after being so hyped.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 11:09 PM

*Slaps Luckymoose*

Even if this update proves too complex to finish this weekend, I'll still finish it next weekend. There's no reason that I shouldn't finish it reasonably soon (barring some very severe occurrence), I'm no longer training for the Canada Winter Games, and I'm on top of my work. All I've had to do is ignore all of my RL friends. :p

Odd, as I was typing this up the first time a power outage happened again... I'll be saving extra tonight.

Luckymoose

Mar 16, 2007, 11:14 PM

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/1545/cutecatjpegcz0.png

Aw we still wuv you Iggy.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 16, 2007, 11:41 PM

Aww... it's so cute.

*bends over to pet it, and is suddenly, horribly beaten up. Iggy's last thoughts are of an amusing similarity to Puss in Boots from Shrek 2*

Luckymoose

Mar 17, 2007, 12:23 AM

If I send a PM of questions I need for a story will you answer it tonight?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 12:31 AM

Sure thing Lucky.

Luckymoose

Mar 17, 2007, 12:52 AM

Well please answer it. :(

LightFang

Mar 17, 2007, 01:03 AM

To Kill a King

"How do I want to die? Oh, that's easy. Eighty, in my bed, with [salacious text removed]."
-Prince Karzt

It wouldn't do, it wouldn't at all. Absolutely not.

If the old king had been younger, he would have bolted and jerked his body straight up, probably in some kind of cold sweat. He would have sat in that position and stared, unblinking, into the bed curtains. As it were, he was old and decrepit, and so he stared at the ceiling and sweat collected on his wrinkled brow.

After a while, he pulled himself up, bones creaking every inch of the way. How he hated being old. He pushed aside the bed curtains and got out of bed to the desk conveniently located right next to his bed. He dug out some paper and a quill and began writing.

Can't let Aagi be king. Absolutely not.

The stupid succession laws were in his way. Why, oh why did the king always, always, always have to be a Oneist? It wasn't written anywhere, and Aryie was religiously tolerant, but whenever he timidly approached the area, his nobles always responded in kind.

"It's just not done!"

"That is scandalous!"

"You can't do such a thing!"

Karzt knew, though, why they wouldn't. They planned to take away the divine right, planned to control his crazy son themselves, may the One bless him.

There had indeed been a period of time where Aagi seemed to improve. He had matured, stopped seeing things for the most part, and even appeared as if he were indeed brilliant, just misunderstood. Karzt still remembered when his heart had swelled with pride every day, just because his dear son's mind finally seemed to function properly.

No more of that. Not while I am about to meet the One. It was agreed: he had to spend his time thinking pleasant thoughts. It wasn't running away from his problems, they had purported. He brushed his left hand against his right cheek, feeling the claw marks there. It was a bit too late to forget.

He finished writing, and the deed was done. He allowed himself a smile and a twinkle to appear in his eye, and then he went back to sleep.

I'll have to get that officially recognized, he thought, and then he drifted off to sleep.

--

The next morning, Prince Zekat was the first one to go to his father's bedside, just like he was every morning. He had grown rather fond of his father of late; perhaps it was the fact that he was about to die. His hand brushed over the door and he pushed it open with nary a sigh. He saw his father's shadow on the curtains, still sleeping by the looks of it. He was about to sit on the customary stool near the bed and read a tome, as was his custom when he arrived before the king awoke, when he noticed a sheet of paper on the desk.

What's this?

He picked it up and scanned through it with his eyes. He blinked quite a few times when he was done, and then read it more slowly. He let it drop to the floor with a loud rustle, stood up abruptly, and left. He knew what he had to do.

--

A clattering of boots. They tipped, then tapped. To Prince Aagi, the sounds were delightful. He giggled to himself. He was doing that a lot too. He had regressed quite a bit and had grown feral and juvenile.

He rolled on the grass with his friend, and stared up at the big blue sky. It was a beautiful day, with just the slight bit of wind.

"Look," he said to his friend.

"What is it?"

"That cloud looks like the king!" He laughed.

"is that so?" His friend was always skeptical, but he was nice.

"Yeah." They laid there for a bit, basking in the sun's rays. Aagi's bones were throughly warmed, and his fancy princely clothing all ruined, but it was worth it. He loved his life of idleness.

Suddenly, though, his father appeared. He was old. Aagi didn't know how he had gotten to be that old, but surely he would never be as old as that old fart. He laughed to himself. He was his father, and Aagi loved him with all his heart.

His father, though, appeared not to have shared the same sentiment. His mouth was set in a hard line, a slash across his face. He looked to his friend for support, but he had disappeared in his typical way. Hard to keep track of, that guy.

His father was waving his hand around, and for the first time, Aagi noticed that he was carrying steel. His mouth was moving, but Aagi didn't hear anything. His father unsheathed the blade, and he found that he could hear his father now.

"Aagi, my dear." he said. He went closer and put his arm on Aagi's shoulder. He dropped the sword and hugged him. Aagi felt damp. He didn't know that it had begun sprinkling. He looked over his father's shoulder and saw his brother. He hadn't noticed his brother visit him in the Palace Gardens either. How splendid the gardens were, he hadn't really noticed before either. He noticed how well it complemented the finally completed monuments. Maybe it was the effect of his whole family being there, for once.

They stood like there for a while, the father and son in an embrace while the other son stood with his hands in his pockets.

Aagi's head began to hurt, starting from the top. He whimpered, a pitiful sound that only got louder and louder as the hot pain spread around his head. It erupted into a moan, than a shout, then a full on piercing scream. He hadn't noticed when he'd started lying down, but there he was now, his feet thrashing, kicking rocks and pebbles off the ground, raising dust. He couldn't see either. It was the most painful thing he had ever felt in his life.

--

Zekat read the letter one last time. His poor father had died before he had ever had the change to legitimize it.

...I declare, as King of Aryie, a faithful Oneist, that my heir, Prince Aagi, will assume the throne as planned. However, because he is non compos mentis, my other son, Prince Zekat, will rule as regent until he is fit to rule by himself...I expect the crowning of Aagi to begin as soon as possible after my death...

He crumpled the letter up and threw it into the fireplace, where it was incinerated.

I hope my brother enjoys being king. The coronation ceremony was indeed a success.

JosefStalinator

Mar 17, 2007, 01:15 AM

Is there a point where stories no longer count toward bonuses? :p

Luckymoose

Mar 17, 2007, 01:17 AM

Is there a point where stories no longer count toward bonuses? :p

I hope so.

foolish icarus

Mar 17, 2007, 02:02 AM

An etymological lesson

Skilv'so – The name those long ago people of the north used for themselves and their territory, Skilvso, “Spear Forest People”, literally, [People of] forest (ranks) of spears/spears in the forest.

Nurmafer – When the remnant of the Skilvso army fled to the south, they adopted this name, Nurmafer, “Land of Copper”, into their vocabulary. Literally, full-of-copper land.

Zuoharra – With the mixing of the several cultures, the language has changed significantly from what it was several hundred years ago. The word that has been in use for some time and is now being adopted as the official name of the land and its inhabitants is Zuoharra, “Shore of Bronze”, literally, bronze place-where-earth-water-and-sky-meet.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 02:47 AM

I don't give direct story bonuses. However, frequent story-writers will find that their nations tend to, on average, do better.

Luckymoose

Mar 17, 2007, 02:48 AM

So you begun the update yet?

Azash

Mar 17, 2007, 03:31 AM

Aww... it's so cute.

*bends over to pet it, and is suddenly, horribly beaten up. Iggy's last thoughts are of an amusing similarity to Puss in Boots from Shrek 2*

http://wiki.ytmnd.com/images/e/e1/Happycat.jpg

Silver Steak

Mar 17, 2007, 04:30 AM

NEDM, lolz!

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 02:24 PM

Yes, I started updating around 10:00 PST last night. I'm done the Old World up to Kelios so far.

alex994

Mar 17, 2007, 02:32 PM

OOC: I could have sworn Kelios was in the New World ;)

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 02:45 PM

That's the idea alex.

*Penguinskan Battlefleet opens salvo upon Alexandrine-held worlds*

alex994

Mar 17, 2007, 02:48 PM

OOC: *Massive Alexandrine Panda Army teleports to Guanzhong and launches a full out invasion of Tellus against the Penguins* :p

Abaddon

Mar 17, 2007, 02:51 PM

To continue a theme:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/15941/cookie.jpg

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 03:32 PM

*Alexandrine Pandas are deported due to lack of travel visas and passports. At gunpoint*

LBaeldeth

Mar 17, 2007, 03:46 PM

OOC: A big :goodjob: to the plethora of stories, they're all great. Too many to comment on each individually. I loves the stories.

@alex: "New" world? This land is ancient. Been here forever. Now, that crazy war-torn continent off to the west ... :lol:

TO: Kelios (Now that it's a PC again ... :p )
FROM: Syracia

It is a daunting task to lead humanity down the true path alone. We are both inundated with and surrounded by barbarians worshipping their own superstitions. Worse, they now seek to unite themselves politically. The Emperor proposes an alliance, that our two nations may stand together against the tide of madness.

alex994

Mar 17, 2007, 05:44 PM

OOC: Hmm... I believe there are only Three Emperors in the world now so to speak. The Kaiser of Gorin, the Emperor or Huangdi of Guangfei, and the Emperor of Syracia ;)

Guns are primitive compared to the arsenal of the Pandas! Weapons of bambooy destruction! :p

Kentharu

Mar 17, 2007, 05:56 PM

alex is right... panda's pwn

Shadowbound

Mar 17, 2007, 05:57 PM

OOC: The difficulty with Pandas is that they have a -5 weakness against: Deforestation.

I recommend Napalm. Lots and lots of Napalm.

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 07:12 PM

Yeah! The only thing that can hurt a penguin is global warming and trace heavy metals in the water.

Azash

Mar 17, 2007, 07:13 PM

*Drops Iron Maiden into the ocean*

ETA, then?

Lord_Iggy

Mar 17, 2007, 07:16 PM

I've just finished all of Azulia. BTW, you never sent your orders for Malereficar Azash. Send 'em and I'll put you into the update.

Azash

Mar 17, 2007, 07:21 PM

I put them in the thread. But ok: Expand, increase eco, recruit troops with the rest. Explore.

:p

LightFang

Mar 17, 2007, 07:45 PM

The Usurper

"No innocent blood shall be shed in Karholm. This we do decree."
-Inscription on the Hall of Diplomacy

"No."

The first word out of Zekat's mouth was a simple one, for a simple scene.

"I am sorry, so deeply sorry." Aagi's servant bowed deeply. "I brought you here as soon as I could."

It was a gruesome scene. Zekat had been distraught at his father's death. He had checked his pulse, and found that he had died. A servant found him, kneeling by his father's limp body, perhaps praying. He had bid him come, and although he had not wished to leave, he did, and now here he was in Aagi's bedchamber and looking at the gruesome scene. Prince Aagi was on the floor, crowned in molten gold and silver that had solidified. It was gruesome, to say the least. His beautiful clothing had burned off at the top, where the gold had singed it, near the shoulders.

He whirled at the servant. "Why has the Internal Affairs Minister not been summoned? Two deaths now, in such close proximity! I could be next!"

"Another person has gone to fetch him. He should be soon in coming."

A clomping of boots heralded their arrival. The minister viewed the scene, distraught.

"Find out who did it," Zekat said quietly.

"I'll make him pay," he promised.

--

In the end, there were two funerals on the Fifth of Fermidor. Already, the bards and minstrels were creating names. They had difficulty with Karzt, for there was nothing especially noticeable about him, but with Aagi, it was better, though to Zekat, he didn't know if "better" was the best adjective. Already, he had heard "The Crazy King", "The Mad King", and variations on that. They hotly debated that night, after the funeral, deep in their cups, and a brawl ensued. Harps were smashed, voices silenced, and fingers broken. In the end, though, it turned out that "The Five Minute King" would suffice. It sounded good, had a ring to it, and even made him a tragic hero. It eventually stuck, and so, when it was time to carve the statues for the deceased monarchs, Zekat quietly added that his brother should be included too.

When all that was done, the King's Council called a meeting. They summoned Zekat on a conveniently stormy night to make him trudge out into the rain. This he did, for he knew very well what was going to happen.

He walked into the council chambers, dripping from the rain.

"As you undoubtedly know," the Finance Minister began, brusque, as usual, "the crown by all rights passes to you."

He was very tempted to say something along the lines of "No, you idiotic Valin, the crown doesn't pass to the king's next son," but he realized that it would hurt his chances of claiming the throne. Instead, he nodded.

"You are no Oneist. You do not deserve the wear the crown. Our king has always been a priest." The words cut into him like steel.

He shrugged. "The rest of the council--"

"The rest of the council agrees with me," he said. "Isn't that right? Are we not all faithful Oneists?"

Zekat couldn't remember what was better - the six heads nodded no in almost synchronized disagreement, or the look on the minister's face. He blubbered, face turning red.

The Foreign Affairs minister smiled apologetically. "Well, you know, we just wanted to show how religiously intolerant you were being to our king." He grinned. "Perhaps you don't deserve to sit on our council."

"No, no, I--"

"Stop!" Zekat strode up to the man, ever the elegant man who possessed savoir faire.

"Royal pardons, I'll give, since you have been such a good minister. But only if you bend the knee and swear fealty."

The coronation ceremony took place next week. Zekat was quoted describing it as "awesomely awesome."

--

And so, Zekat found himself on a cloudy Dynador 1st as the first Bladeist king of Aryie. He awoke and went through his morning routines.

"Your Grace," a servant said. "The Swades are here to see you."

He nodded and went to the Throne Room. That was where they would be, naturally, to petition the king. The ambassador looked at Zekat with nervous eyes. Perhaps the Committee of Information Monitoring scared him with its big name. They were there too.

He coughed, a light one, just to get everybody's attention, as if they hadn't noticed his entrance.

"At this time, I would like to announce that I am trapped in my Imperial palace. Due to the efforts of a brave noble, this message may be relayed out to the people.

"I am now effectively a prisoner of a Bladeist power coup that is not under my control. I am apparantly too weak of a Bladeist, and the Extermination Doctrine must have gotten to them. That is all."

When he finished, all hell broke loose. Bladeist soldiers, who had slowly immigrated into the country, flew out of the Palace steps. They seized the Oneists, helped by Aryien fanatics. Heads were dashed against the Hall of Diplomacy and left ugly red marks. People were speared while running from cavalry. People ran, and were cut in half by holy blades, and where they died, leaving pools of blood, other people slipped on, or stumbled over their bodies, or were cut and left for dead. The screams of the dying and the living melded into one, punctuated by sharp shrieks.

After it was over, a noble, sufficiently covered in blood, relayed the information to the few survivors. And yet they pillaged onward, somehow leaving Karholm mostly intact. The bodies lay unceremoniously there. And from there, they went inward, purging Aryie, leaving dead Oneists in their wake.

Zekat drank his tea and waited for it all to be over. He hoped they didn't ruin too much of the city. It was a pretty city, really.