End of Empires - N3S III

TO: Avetas, Prince of the Satar
FROM: Fulwarc, High Prince of Ice, King of the Cyvekt and the Northern Lands


It was not you, but your predecessor to whom I owed allegiance. The bones of the Lawgiver were promised to my hands by Redeemer Jahan, and this promise has yet to be fulfilled. We have fought side by side on the peninsula, and great victories were won in the Evyni heartland. The legacy of that battle, where our messengers tell Jahan slew the Lawgiver by his own blade, will live on forever. Surrender unto the High Prince of Ice what is his. So this war may end, victory claimed, and I may see my kingdom once more.
 
Jahan the Conqueror passes. Avetas the Redeemer incarnates. EXATAS!

From: Avetas, Redeemer and Lawgiver of the Satar
To: Fulwarc, High Prince of the Cyvekt


You shall have your prize. Furthermore we offer the Cyvekt a tribute of 1,000 Kashim for their loyalty and their alliance. We hope that the Cyvekt will further serve the cause of EXATAS in the future.

From: Avetas, High Prince and Redeemer of the Karapeshai Exatai
To: Farubaida o Caroha


Your strength weakens. Mine weakens not.

You may be familiar with my late father, Nephrax-ta-Delphis, Sartas-ta-Kargan. I am very much my father's son.

I will return to you the thousands of Faronun I have enslaved, if your Federation ends its petty war on my dominions, and swears peace for a generation. If you refuse, they shall vanish into the darkest mines of the northernmost reaches of the Exatai and know only the taste of the whip for the rest of eternity. Any of their children will suffer the same fate.

I have read my classics, and I sense that such a fate would be...uncomfortable to you. Enclosed with my embassy is the body of your Aramsafaya prince to show my honorable intent. Uneaten, though I am told Faronun hearts are quite the delicacy.

From: Avetas the Redeemer, Heir of Atraxes
To: The Holy Moti Empire


Keep the Sesh, and its sweltering stone cities. You have purchased it in blood, though perhaps the interest continues to accumulate. I would have Onesca returned and a natural border declared between our two realms.

You can go no further against my EXATAS. Let us negotiate in good faith, as Atraxes and Gaci once did.

From: Avetas, High Prince of the Satar, Accans, Vithana, and Evyni, Avatar of Taleldil, Protector of the Manin and the Ytau
To: Xieni


Jahan the Conqueror offered you a princedom twice. I shall offer it to you once, for you have fought nobly. Acknowledge my rule and you will have wealth and glory.

Refuse and you will reap fire.

---

OOC: That was truly a superlative update. Though seriously, what is it with Satar conquests and pregnant women running away? This happens all the time. :p
 
Hi, I'm Thlayli. I have to engage in what amounts to cheating and out of character behavior after orders are due in order to win. But I always have a good nights sleep.
 
OOC: Nice update. I particularly enjoyed the part where the King had to deal with his culturally inclined wife. Brought back fond memories ;)

Though I wish I sent orders :p
 
Ilfolk document in modern history book


A photocopy he oldest map of the Ilfolk, drawn by priests and surprisingly accurate. The blurry shapes that aren't islands are some of the oldest preservated remains of the lost Ilfolk runes and helped significantly in the understanding of ancient Lepian when the map was studied 50 years ago. The original map was lost or stolen 37 years ago.

Ancient music

This song is an ancient melody rooted in one of the Ilfolk's many rites of passages - in this very instance, the female wedding. Men and women were married with each other at different times, where the women pledged herself to the man first, and until their "actual" marriage, one moon after the wife's ceremony, they were free to have as many flings as they liked. This was supposed to "test their love".

The female ceremony encompassed a slaughter of a boar before the bride with strummed drums playing rhythmically in the background. When they reached the heart of the boar, she was to smear it across her chest and throw it away, to symbolize the eradication of "bad" love from her body, redeeming herself from the evil she was born with. When she did this, the drum band exploded in the ancient melody. After it was done, everybody cheered and there was soul-eaters for everyone. The bride usually passed out from overuse of soul-eaters, and it was not unheard of that she went insane from the drug - it didn't stop the husbond's wedding, of course.
 
Mostly internal diplomacy, now.

From: Avetas-ta-Vaxalai, Prince of the Scroll, High Prince of the Satar
To: Arto Rutarri, Letoratta and Tarkhana of the Accans


No one man has been as essential to our victory as you. Most Satar would not set foot on a ship if the spirit of Atraxes himself came and ordered them to. And yet, without the Arks of Atraxes, the conquest of Seis would have been impossible. Your Accans have given the Exatai a powerful weapon it has not had since the ancient days.

In recognition of this, I name you Prince of the Accans.

From: Arto Rutarri, Humble Penitent
To: Avetas the Redeemer of Men


I graciously accept this title. My regnal name shall be Prince of the Sea.

From: Avetas-ta-Vaxalai, Lawgiver of Evyni
To: Dvræsyn-ta-Cellëna


I would have those loyal to the Redeemer prosper, no matter their blood. Your title of First Lord of the Avaimi (second in Evyn to none but the Redeemer and the Princes) shall remain. But furthermore, you shall be Prince of the Nuvn. Your conversion to Ardavan shall be celebrated in a glorious ceremony in my new capital.

From: Dvræsyn, Quim of Cellëna
To: Lawgiver Avetas


I proudly accept this new Princedom. My regnal name shall be Prince of the Storm.

From: Arto Rutarri
To: The League of Gallasa, Tarena


I'd like to propose a peace agreement between your states. Tarena will return to the Maninist fold, and the Aitahist minority will be given the opportunity to peacefully reconvert or leave for an Aitahist land. Then both peoples will withdraw to their natural borders.

Tarena must consider that the Savirai already have many wars of their own ongoing, so their support will be limited, and that if Tarena continues to fight, her northern neighbors may join the growing holy war. An honorable peace is better for all.
 
To: Leunan Empire
From: Farea

We thank your Empire for coming to our aid in our time of need. We thank you for freeing our towns. We will refill our town garrisons ASAP and hope that this does not cause problems within forces who liberated our towns from foreign occupation. They will be shown gratitude and will be fed, but they shall not remain in control of Farean towns. To show our gratitude for your unexpected aid, we will accept your territorial claims on Northen and North-Easter territories of Naelsia/Auona and hold you as its legitimate rulers, just like Farea rules Southern and South-Western territories. Assuming, of course, that your armies will not move against Farean armies or lay claim on our towns.

To: Opulensi
From: Farea

We never expected a sneak attack from our friends. Our trade was fair and our policies were made to know to you. We treated you as friends. Remove your forces from our towns and territories and we will forgive this act of aggression. Let us be friends or at very least, not enemies?
 
Prince Aimadewahr crept quietly through the bushes. He'd heard his target before he'd seen him: a tan 16-year old sprinting down the trodden dirt path. Any moment now the young man would pass him and Aimadewahr III, Leader of the Eastern Army, would jump out in ambush.

3. 2. 1. Aimadewahr leapt out of the bushes, screaming at the top of his lungs and flailing his wooden sword wildly. Before the prince could land any hits, the tan giant grabbed him around the waist and hoisted him in the air.

"Aimu! When'd you grow so big, eh? Where's your daddy?; I have news for him!"

"Over here in the shade Zahru."
"Your majesty, sir! I ran straight here from the docks. A ship just got here with news from Rema! They found someone sir, the expedition! I heard someone say the ships are coming back to Thagnor laden with diamonds! Diamonds as big as a man's fist!"
"Mmhm. Thank you Zahru. Go to the kitchen, see what sweets you can find. Take Aimu with you too; he's ambushed enough advisers already."

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

Prince Aimadewahr set down his fencing foil and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. "What do you want Zahru?"
"Your mother wants to talk to you, kid. Rumor has it you've been fooling around with the ambassador's daughter? How's Trahana nobility in bed, eh?"
"That is none of your business Zahru, nor is it my mother's."
"She hasn't put out then? Tough life kid. You can always go for her sister instead."
Aimadewahr smiled. "Duel me Zahru."
"Again? Didn't I beat you hard enough last month?"

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

Prince Aimadewahr looked out upon the crowded harbor. Merchant ships going in and out, vendors advertising their stock, it was hard to tell that several thousand soldiers had landed here just a week ago.
"A real beaut, ain't she? The port of Farah. I used to come here with my father when I was younger, sell spices to the Dehr. She's ours now. Property of the Haina."
"She is Zahru. She is."

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

Prince Aimadewahr leaned down to his father's deathbed. A shell of his former self the old man was, aged, weak, his lungs killing him.
"Aimu... don't. Don't poke out *wheeze* any advisers' eyes with. With. *wheeze*. That wooden sword of yours."
Senile too. "Don't worry daddy, I won't. It's ok. I promise I'll be good."

Aimadewahr III exited the room. It was early morning now. His father had died in his sleep earlier that night. There was nothing the doctors could do. Aimadewahr had wept openly.
"Zahru."
"Are you ok Aimu? Get some sleep lad, you've been at his side for two whole days now. Don't worr - "
"Zahru. Is the fleet ready?"
"The fleet? Sea's balls man, your pop's not even cold yet and you're asking about the fleet?"
"Zahru. I am Aimadewahr III. King of the Haina. You will refer to me as such. Now, admiral, is the fleet ready?"
"She's all ready your majesty."
"Good. You sail in the morning."
 
Young King Dawentar Thewen looked over the flourishing city of Tarwa. Already, it had three town centers and a growing harbor, fed by Leun trade. Southern Third of Parthe was served by the excellent port he had found seven years ago.

Tarwa was far from the struggles of Parwen, far to the north, where his close brother Wendaren "Heart of a Spear Warrior" leads the fight against the fierce Zarcasen. He remembered those many years ago, returning from Tarwa, that his father Jarca Larecen Thewen chose him as his Heir, among the thirty seven available youths who sprung directly from his loins.

Too, he remembered the returning ships of Sarca to see his father one last time before he died, and of the strange tales he told of Leun's seas and great battles of the mystical west. There, explained Sarca, men have little respect for their families and would as easily as sell a horse as their mothers. There, naval battles stretching from horizon to horizon seem to battle for the sake of money itself.

Sometimes, he wonder if Tarwa is too far away from Parwen, and perhaps that he gave Wendaren and Sarcaren too much power back home at Parwen. But then of course, never in Parcen history has anyone ever betrayed a family bond. If Sarcaren didn't speak so strongly about such things in the West, he wouldn't believe it to be even possible...
 
From: Avetas, High Prince and Redeemer of the Karapeshai Exatai
To: Farubaida o Caroha


Your strength weakens. Mine weakens not.

You may be familiar with my late father, Nephrax-ta-Delphis, Sartas-ta-Kargan. I am very much my father's son.

I will return to you the thousands of Faronun I have enslaved, if your Federation ends its petty war on my dominions, and swears peace for a generation. If you refuse, they shall vanish into the darkest mines of the northernmost reaches of the Exatai and know only the taste of the whip for the rest of eternity. Any of their children will suffer the same fate.

I have read my classics, and I sense that such a fate would be...uncomfortable to you. Enclosed with my embassy is the body of your Aramsafaya prince to show my honorable intent. Uneaten, though I am told Faronun hearts are quite the delicacy.

To: Avetas, High Prince and Redeemer of the Karapeshai Exatai
From: Sayfin Oaeharai, Representative of the Pentapartite Council of Caroha


So the Dahaiaou Butcher has a son. It is regrettable to us that you seem to have grown into such a spitting image of your father, though I do not doubt that you would consider such a statement to be the highest praise.

Extortion is a tool of the Satar which we have not seen before- but as we learned at your father's meat shop, and learned again at the Battle of the Bays, the Dahaiaou are more than capable of learning new tricks.

Your return of the body of the much-mourned Folunlui Aramsayafa is an appreciated gesture. He was much-beloved in my homeland, died fighting for everything he believed in.

Now, however, we stand at the end of one path, and the beginning of many others. Folunlui would loathe to see us abandon this righteous struggle against the forces that seek to undo civilization. Just the same, he would not wish the legacy of his last stand to be the enslavement of his loyal soldiers in dark and distant lands.

We shall consult with our allies. May you remember that every defeat inflicted upon our people has strengthened us, and may you prove to be a better diplomat than the man who denied his own title to embrace the cleaver before the scroll.
 
From: Avetas, High Prince and Redeemer of the Karapeshai Exatai
From: Sayfin Oaeharai, Representative of the Pentapartite Council of Caroha


Is 'butcher' an insult in your tongue? To us, a butcher is a respected craftsman. He separates the usable flesh from the offal, and turns a dead body into nourishment for many. And you say that my father 'denied' his title, but you admit that you 'learned' from him. The hypocrisies of the south amuse me. But I have not come to squabble over what happened at the old family seat. I will even grant Kargan to you for a time, for what is conquered by a foreigner's EXATAS may be respected.

My terms for your alliance are simple. Withdraw from Onesca, the Kotir, Rath Tephas and the Tashal. Let the borders between the Farubaida, the Empire and the Exatai be fixed at a certain number of cubits north of the River Sesh. I shall forswear war upon the South as long as my life and reign shall last. All my subject sartasai and tarkanai shall obey me.

Unless you think I make peace with one ally to conquer the other, let me say this is not so. I will make peace with the Farubaida and the Ayasi both, or I will continue to war against all. For Jahan the Conqueror taught: Victory in a dishonorable fashion is no victory; defeat with honor against many foes is no defeat.
 
Redacted
 
To: Avetas, High Prince and Redeemer of the Karapeshai Exatai
From: Sayfin Oaeharai, Representative of the Pentapartite Council of Caroha


A butcher is indeed a respectable profession, a person who prepares the carcass of a beast for consumption. But Caroha was no beast. It was a city, great then and greater now. That a man would treat a human being as he would treat a beast is fundamentally distasteful us, yet seemingly acceptable to you. Perhaps, O Redeemer, this is the difference between us.

Or perhaps it is your conception of the Scroll. To my people, the Scroll is a symbol of wisdom, and art. Wisdom is beauty and perfection. It is geometric, it is logical, derived and ethereal. The Scroll is not crude earthly knowledge, the likes of which 'taught' to us by your father.

Now, while I confess myself to be fascinated by this tangent of discussion, we both know that our business here is otherwise. Your terms are under discussion. Do not neglect the return of each of our captured soldiers. Your honourable intentions would be noted with cautious optimism, but the Satar have... taught us not to presume.
 
To: Dehr
From: Trahana


We are willing to come to a peace with your nation. It is not in our interests that Dehr be totally destroyed, nor would we wish that to be the case. Instead, we propose a peace along the following lines. Dehr will cede the below territory to Trahana and Haina, and we will cease this war and sign a lasting peace between our peoples. No further obligations shall be placed on Dehr or its leadership. Consider this a joint proposal of the realms of Trahana and Haina.

 
Prologue - Snow and Ash

The priests had fled, fires extinguished, and pools of shadow grew in the corners of the broken temple. A single shaft of pale winter light slanted down between broken timbers. A tile mosaic of the endless turning between light and darkness covered the floor. It was covered in places with a dark red stain that was all too common in this city. Had any priest of Ytauzi remained to see, he would have bowed his head in understanding. The sons of Roech had cast a sputtering torch into the darkness, granting the Avaimi a millennium of light. But the wheel had turned again, and now came the thousand years of shadow. The wheel would turn once more someday, in some place. This was meet with the balance.

But darkness was not evil. It was simply darkness.

The winter had come again, harsh winds sweeping down from the Rahevat. Those old white tyrants loomed in the western distance beyond the city, with their silent disdain for the small concerns of humanity. Far upon the forbidden mountain spires, unbound latakar surely screeched their hatred at the men who rejected the power of the spirits for that of the God of Wind. But the mountains care not for mortal or immortal alike. For no god made them.

The wind hushed against the tiles, blowing small drifts of snow in random arrangements.

He entered quietly, for though the summons had been true, there were Accans about. Accans went about their quiet ways with a patience and delicacy that unnerved him. To lure him to a silent, dark place to cut his throat would not be unlike them.

But he was a Prince. He would be killed by no Accan.

The snow crunched under his boots.

"The god is laughing," came the voice, silky soft.

Elikas was a calm man, but that voice, so serene and confident, almost broke his poise as it broke the silence.

The Prince of the Shield stood in the pale circle of light, and he knelt. It had begun to snow again, through the roof. The falling flakes swirled between the holes in his silver mask and the outline of his Redeemer. The young man in the golden mask was sitting on the altar.

"There is no land where the wind does not blow," quoted the shield-prince.

"Pious as always," said Avetas warmly.

They regarded each other for a thin moment, as the chill deepened. The day was almost over. It seemed like the days were shorter here than in the homes they had lost.

"Why does Aresha carry so many marks?" said Elikas.

"The traitors have said many things of the moon. My father said that she was pure and white once, without flaw. But the spirits were so jealous of her beauty that they scarred her."

"And I shall wear these scars as a mask," mumbled the Shield, half-remembering the old story.

"And a mask shall be my love." Avetas finished.

Silence again, before Avetas slid off the altar.

"Why did you not challenge me?"

"The news from the south w-"

"No."

The Shield took a step closer to his liege. He was taller than the Redeemer. Avetas had not been this close to the Shield Prince for many, many years. Avetas met his gaze, startled to see that the prince's irises had almost no color whatsoever.

"Because, my Redeemer," he said slowly. "I did not want it."

"The silver path..."

"Is mine."

"I came to ask you something."

"Very well."

"I would name you my Tarkhana. This Exatai is vast and barbaric, and it will grow larger still. I must visit each of the Sartasai, and secure each new prince in his lands. The warlords and the southerners must still be subdued."

"You cannot conquer and build at once, for you are one man," observed Elikas.

"So I need another to build while I conquer."

The snow was falling heavier now. The city would be covered in the morning.

"Your will is my fist," said Elikas softly, in the gathering gloom.
 
OOC: Still wondering if certain individuals still exist. Oh well. Still working on stats.

Good to see you, though, Shadowbound. I hope you remain alive for a sufficient length of time to send orders.

From: Avetas, High Prince of the Satar, Accans, Vithana, and Evyni, Avatar of Taleldil, Protector of the Manin and the Ytau
To: Xieni


Jahan the Conqueror offered you a princedom twice. I shall offer it to you once, for you have fought nobly. Acknowledge my rule and you will have wealth and glory.

Refuse and you will reap fire.

Your predecessor was generous and wise both, and truly your mask has proven to be forged in that same mold. To acclaim a lord of your caliber is no burden, indeed it is a privilege. I shall accept your Princedom.

Ilfolk document in modern history book


A photocopy he oldest map of the Ilfolk, drawn by priests and surprisingly accurate. The blurry shapes that aren't islands are some of the oldest preservated remains of the lost Ilfolk runes and helped significantly in the understanding of ancient Lepian when the map was studied 50 years ago. The original map was lost or stolen 37 years ago.

Ancient music

This song is an ancient melody rooted in one of the Ilfolk's many rites of passages - in this very instance, the female wedding. Men and women were married with each other at different times, where the women pledged herself to the man first, and until their "actual" marriage, one moon after the wife's ceremony, they were free to have as many flings as they liked. This was supposed to "test their love".

The female ceremony encompassed a slaughter of a boar before the bride with strummed drums playing rhythmically in the background. When they reached the heart of the boar, she was to smear it across her chest and throw it away, to symbolize the eradication of "bad" love from her body, redeeming herself from the evil she was born with. When she did this, the drum band exploded in the ancient melody. After it was done, everybody cheered and there was soul-eaters for everyone. The bride usually passed out from overuse of soul-eaters, and it was not unheard of that she went insane from the drug - it didn't stop the husbond's wedding, of course.

Really cool stuff! Thanks. :)

From: Arto Rutarri
To: The League of Gallasa, Tarena


I'd like to propose a peace agreement between your states. Tarena will return to the Maninist fold, and the Aitahist minority will be given the opportunity to peacefully reconvert or leave for an Aitahist land. Then both peoples will withdraw to their natural borders.

Tarena must consider that the Savirai already have many wars of their own ongoing, so their support will be limited, and that if Tarena continues to fight, her northern neighbors may join the growing holy war. An honorable peace is better for all.

I'll give azale some opportunity to respond, but pretty soon Tarena's going NPC.

To: Dehr
From: Trahana


We are willing to come to a peace with your nation. It is not in our interests that Dehr be totally destroyed, nor would we wish that to be the case. Instead, we propose a peace along the following lines. Dehr will cede the below territory to Trahana and Haina, and we will cease this war and sign a lasting peace between our peoples. No further obligations shall be placed on Dehr or its leadership. Consider this a joint proposal of the realms of Trahana and Haina.


These terms are quite harsh. Already we have lost much, and we have not so much more to give. Did not the wise ruler say that it was better to take a cow from a man who had a hundred than a man who had one? Our city might have had an empire, but that future is now out of reach. We would simply like to have our homeland remain in peace -- and we will fight to defend that homeland with more tenacity than a badger defends his burrow.

We would propose that peace be had at current borders.
 
I am no writer. My English is not that good and thoughts chaotical. But this is one of the story I've written for this NES. Hope it's decent enough :cool:

Sialei -elder daughter
Hiaof - sworn guard of the Faeoria
Raeli - Hand of the Guard in charge of Faeoria's Mansion
Elagis - Son of Faeoria with military experience and training
Elder male - Father (Title or a rank meaning leader/master) of Unnamed Faeoria
Elder female - Mother (title/rank) of same Faeoria.
Runner - a title for messenger. Named because runners often run from one place to another bearing important news. Runners are loyal and therefor, well payed.

[The city of Haioudau. Less than 24 hours after successful invasion of Opulensi.]

[A mediocre family of Haioudau. In Family house, the Dining room. ]
A elder female, judging by the clothing she wears a wife of influential family head, to her husband (or perhaps a guardian?): "Father, A runner just returned from our mansion, bearing letter written by our eldest daughter. It was sealed and genuine. She said that despite having to travel quickly and facing some minor issues when avoiding patrols of Opulensi, they successfully managed to get all of our daughters and sons, we sent to mansion, in time. She said that they did see corpses of 3 children and unknown amount of elders from Freisian family, whilst traveling to mansion. They were not sure whatever they were killed by Oplensi soldiers or by the pirate scum. She said that the children had most likely been raped and then killed. She also mentioned that refugees from some of the poorer families had also arrived to the mansion and asked for refuge. She had granted them temporary refuge in exchange of a future favor. "

The Elder male to a young male, probably some distant relative: "Bring me our ledger"

Distant relative: "Yes father, may I ask what are you planning to do, my mother would also like to know whend do you plan to make your move to regain our trade depot and living quarters in southern district. I understand that Opulensi are in charge, but they can't just take our houses and depots without excuse or at least without paying us a symbolic fee, we have committed no crimes against them and have not opposed their armies in any way, unlike so many other Faeorias here."

Elder male: "Are you going to talk me to death. Do I have to get the ledger myself?"

Distant relative: "I'm going sir, but my mothers branch of Faeoria would like a reply from you, after all you are the Father of this Faeoria."

Elder male: "Go and bring me that [swear word] ledger or I'll have you replaced by someone more capable and less talktive. I know what I am and I will respond when I am certain in our next moves."

[after distant relative leaves the room]

Elder Female: "Father, My love, with all due respect, why did you have to be so harsh on the youngster, all he wanted to know was within reason of concern. Opulensi have taken so many businesses and houses from us and other families and His mothers branch of the family has suffered a lot having most of the financial income being forcefully taken from them, we can not leave them without financial support, they are our kin after all. If I may tell you, I feel we should try to negotiate with Opulensi leaders here in town and see if they can maybe give us back our property and businesses or at very least pay her a small compensation, that she'll need for her branch to survive, we can offer to house their food and weapons for free to them in exchange, can we not?"

Elder male: "Why did you think I ordered to bring me the damned ledger? To calculate my next year income and grain prices? Of course we will not abandon our family, even if they are from a distant branch, I may not act rashly. Opulensi have taken all the buildings from Southern districts and imposed insane taxes onto our merchants, without a word or a warning. They have given our buildings to Faeorias which have supported them openly in hopes of gaining loyal friends. Those friends... the traitors who had no money, no honor and pathetic ties to other families.

Most likely is that they will not give us back our holdings, if we can not get back our holdings in town, we need to buy land and a mansion for her branch of the family to live in. But I must first try to see if I can negotiate some ownership rights of the buildings back to us. Maybe we can deal with Opulensi with honor and not lose everything we have in the southern district."

[Later that day, during supper]

Distant cousin: "Father, there's a runner requesting your immediet presence. He says he's from the mansion but he bears no letter, yet he claims that he has a very important message meant only for Father and Mother ears. He does bear the amulet of eldest daughter, but it could be a fake, I am not sure. Shall I tell him to wait until you're done eating or shall I direct him into your private quarters."

Elder Male: "How tired did he look?"

Distant Cousin: "Very tired, Father."

Elder Male: "Direct him to my quarters, I'll receive him immediately. For man to be so tired and still arrive so late in the night, he must bear important news."

[To Faeoria members who he was dining with]


"My brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, excuse me for abandoning you, when we were having such a great meal, but I'll better go receive these news. Have a good meal and don't let our leaving from the table distract you from your discussions. There is future in good relations and many good plans are made behind the dinner table."

[20 minutes later in the private quarters of Faeoria elders]

Obviously still of breath man: "Yes, sir Father, this everything she asked me to tell."

Elder Male(somewhat pale and obviously agitated, yet seemingly calm): "Tell me, how many patrols did you see whilst travelling here and what were their approximate numbers."

Runner: "A few patrols sir Father, 5 or maybe 6 patrols, I am unsure, I avoided them as much as possible. Usually at the crossroads. They were simple to avoid, as they were mostly guarding crossroads or looting nearby mansions and houses. I think there were average 10 to 25 men in a patrol, maybe there were more out of sight, looting other roadside mansions, but I did not see them. I did see a lot of smoke rising all around the road tho. I did hear some of the Opulensi soldiers speak, some of them sounded like they'd be native Fareans, My guess is that they are likely volunteers trying to impress Opulensi and gain riches for their pathetic faeorias."

Elder male: "Tell me what road did she pick to head towards Mirof, before you left her?"

Runner: "She went West, on the road that leads from the Mansion to Heng-Mirof caravan route."

Elder female, whilst crying/sobbing, obviously crying over the news she had just heard screamed in terror: "No, not that road, she will be captured once she hits the trade route, Opulensi control that road."

[She throws herself at her husbands feet whilst screaming and crying at the same time] "You have to send aid, you have to pay them anything, give them whatever they want, no more of our children may be killed by them. They already took our twins, they may not take any more.

Please send her aid. She is our daughter, our eldest daughter, there are other daughters and sons with her. You must not let them die. Father, please send them aid."


Elder male: "Be silent woman. Sialei is not a fool, I thought her well. I assume she will turn away from the trade route and will use side-roads to get to Mirof. She is no fool and she has good guards."

[to runner] "You said Hiaof was with her group, was he not?"

Runner: "I think so father, Hiaof lead the retreat from the mansion and organized group when I left. But I am not sure if he stayed behind to aid Faerun or if he accompanies your sons and daughters to Mirof."

Elder male: "Hiaof is no fool. He is honor sworn to protect my faeoria and he shall do it. He has served me well and I've taken care of him and his family well. Tell me, how many refugees travel within Sialeis refugee group."

Runner: "I think about 10 to 15 higher members from 5 different Faeorias. And at least 30 of their lower members, maybe their sons, maybe just servants, I had no time to make friends with them. Many higher members had horses but servants and youngsters did not."

Elder male: "And all sons and daughters from my Faeoria have horses?"

Runner: "Yes sir, they do. Hiaof made sure that they took the most valuable horses and whatever other valuables from the stables and vault before leaving. I think Raeli was put to be in charge of the footmen group, at least he organized some spears and swords and shared them to lower ranking refugees when I left."

Elder male: "Raeli.. A yes, the guard second-in-command, yes, I don't know much of him, but he seemed like a decent guard and if Hiaof has faith in his skills, so do I. What of the group left behind in mansion, you said my son Elagis lead the defense to buy the time for women folk retreat?"

Runner: "Yes father, after Opulensi traitors murdered and raped both of the twin sisters, may their souls travel well, and started looting and burning the mansion, Elagis used that time to gather up whatever guards he could, including me, from Our Faeoria and from refugees. He gave about half us direct order to stay with the women folk and make sure that they get out safely, whilst he would attempt to attack traitorous Opulensi pigs from behind. He hoped to buy some time for the escape and maybe even take back our mansion and revenge for the twins. I do not know if his plan succeeded or not or even if he carried out the attack, as once I got out of the mansion with Sialei, she gave me a direct order to bring you this news. As no messenger from Raeli has arrived hear yet, I fear the worst."

[Elder woman starts to cry even more loudly]


Elder male to Elder female: "For [swear word] stop whining, we may have lost both of our twins and only spirits know how many more from our family, but we still have survivors - Sialei is out there with our other daughters and she is guarded by Hiaof and Raeli. Both are capable warriors and Hiaof will surely give his life to protect our Faeoria. Sialei will make it to our Mirlof holding and her younger sisters branch of our Faeoria - the pigfarmers branch you so disliked - will shelter her and all the refugees and men she has with her. She will reach to Mirlof holding, she is my daughter and she will not fail, as I've thought her well.

Stop crying, as there is hope that Elagis is also alive, he was always interested in arts of swordsmanship, trained with guards ever since he was a small boy and he had plans to join the military as a ranking officer once he reaches the proper age and has my blessing. You know that he is good with a blade and he beats me at Raki [OOC: a tactical game similar to chess and checkers] very often. He'll make it out of the Mansion and he will survive even behind opulensi lines, as he is our blood and our blood is tough. I am sure he will make murderers who dared to defile my ... our twin daughters ... he will make those pigs pay a very hefty price.

[He pauses for few minutes and silence fills the private quarters. Young runner, bearer of sad news, looks around during that time and is obviously feeling left out and ignored, unsure of what to do or what to say to father of Faeoria, that had just lost 2 of his daughters and maybe more of his family. Whilst elder woman, The mother of that Faeoria calms herself (while still lying down on the floor, at the feet of elder man) and slowly stops crying. She is a mother of entire Faeoria, wife of the leader of Entire family and she has learned to be tough.]

[Few minutes have passed, Elder man kneels down, places his wifes head onto his lap, which, no doubt, helps to calm his wife even more. He looks into her eyes and, when he is convinced that she can think (somewhat) rational again, he whispers to her]

"We need to aid our surviving Faeoria members who are still out there and warn of them of upcoming terror. If Opulensi are out here for looting and laying claims on our land and property, then everyone, every Faeoria needs to be ready to leave within a moments notice and be ready to fight back within minutes. "

[he pauses for a minute]

"The opulensi. We could have payed them taxes and accepted them as our masters, but they have unhonorably taken our lands, plundered our houses and now, they have defiled and murdered our daughters. We have suffered much today. But they will suffer more. As will all those faeorias that have joined their forces with these invaders. I promise you, our daughters, our children, our family and our Faeoria that their unhonorable deeds shall be avenged. If not by us, then by our children, our faeoria or our kin. We are not slaves for a long time. We are not warmongers. But we shall wage war when it comes to injustice and dishonor. And they have shown no honor, claiming lands that are not theirs and imposing taxes without even mentioning these taxes to us. And now, with death of our daughters. They shall have little mercy from us."

[he pauses again for a minute ]

"I need you to be strong. I need you to lead our family together with me, as this is the only way we can ensure that our children will survive this horrible war. Our Faeoria here requires strong and certain leadership, if you are not strong, then at least seem so, you've done it before and you shall do it again. As Sialei and Elagis will be strong in our Mirof holding. We need to be strong for them to succeed and survive. Do you understand me, my love?"

[Elder woman sits up, whilst not breaking the eye contact and nods, it is obvious that she is still freaked out but she has managed to calm her surprisingly fast]

[Runner still stands on the spot he stood before, when he brought the sad and terrifying news and where answered questions of rational Elder. Rational, even despite terrifying news. A Father of a rich Faeoria. Runner is unsure what to do or what to say, so he just stands there.]

[Elder man in clearer voice directed to both his wive, as well as to the runner]


"We can not aid the dead but we can still help the surviors." [slight pause] "Tell the faeoria downstairs this news. Tell them nothing of Elagis and his attack on Opulensi. There are those amongst us who might tell to much to wrong ears. Tell them to gather all the runners they have and send word to every branch of our family of this. And tell them to do it now, not wait until the morning. Tell them to take their cash and also cash in all the favors in this town. We need funds in Mirof as our sons, daughters and other Faeorian members, should head there, whilst staying clear of main roads. Order those whom can and are willing to fight to leave the city, to take their guards, sons and daughters to our Mirlof holding. I will not let any more of my Faeoria be slain or violated by these pigs."

[slight pause]

"Sialei is no fool and neither is Hiaof. Elagis, should he survive, will also aid them in setting up Mirof mansion and lands for war. These refugees I've heared about will most likely also join our cause. Mirof has a lot of weapons. A lot of trade from pirates went there. A lot of natives will join our forces in hopes of loot and riches. We can fall back there and take back what is ours."

Elder woman, wiping away tears from her face: "Opulensi will most likely reach Mirof soon."

Elder male: "My love, it will take at least a season for Opulensi to reach there, unless they want to be attacked from behind by surviving Faeorias, who hide in the countryside, they risk overstretching and our survived force will make it to Mirof aswell, they have the advantage of contacts, knowledge of terrain and numbers. It will take some time for Opulensi to isolate and secure even this city and if the rumors, that Leunian Empire has joined the war against Opulensi, are indeed true, it'll take them even longer. Our Faeoria will make best use of the time and training grounds to train volunteers from Mirof and refugees from here and will join fight against these traitorous pigs. Many wronged Faeorias will join with us, whilst small Faeorias will join with us in hopes of gaining loot. My sons shall wield a army and all Faeorias of Farea shall gather an army which like Naelsia has never seen before. We will drive out these invaders and any other invader. Naelsia is ours. No one attacks our faeoria. No one takes our land and no one kills my daughters. We will make them pay dearly for what they have taken from us. I promise you this my love."

*to runner*

"I'll dispatch you to Naeglia family next door. Inform them of what has happened and tell them, that I request meeting with them as soon as possible. Then go and get some sleep, I'll need you tomorrow. There is much needed to be done before their forces gain complete control and support of this town."

Runner: "As you command, my father,"

[Runner has already left and elder female begins to exit the room, but she stops at the door, turns around and asks from Faeorian Father - her husband]
"Shall I order servants to pack our things, when will we leave for Mirof?"

Elder male: "You order them to pack your things, I shall not leave this place."

Elder female: "What! Why ? Do you want to wait just to be cut into pieces by these pigs for crimes you have not committed?"

Elder male: " Some of us have to stay, to not attract suspicion, to make sure that Opulensi supporters here do not get too much control and to provide our troops with information and, when the time comes, to open the gates for our armies. I know that I will most likely be killed, but I am the Elder of this Faeoria and I will serve it until the day I die. I have trust in our children and our family. I am old enough to retire and Elagis or Sialei will lead this Faeoria well. But I am not dead yet and my actions will prove useful to our Faeoria and to entire Farea. I want you to go downstairs. Tell the Family, I'll be down shortly to address the situation"

[elder female, before leaving the room]

"Then it is decided, I'll stay here with you, I've sworn to stand by your side and have faced more than 40 years of life together with you. A year or two of suffering in foreign hands can not destroy my happiness of being with you and my memories of giving birth to all of our 8 children. Whatever happens with you, my father, my love, will happen with me too. As did I swear, so shall I live. I'll inform the family now."

[Elder female leaves the room]

Elder male sits, picks up the ledger and starts making notes whilst mumbling: "Feras family has always wanted that stall, if I rent it to them for 30 a month I will have enough to feed whomever decide to stay here. Smith and his faeoria. Smith has shown no love to Opulensi, but his faeoria is poor. If I lower his rent by 100 ... no by 400 from ... I can... yes. He can pay by... Weapons ... youth ... those faeorias has suffered a lot of injustice ..... They have many ... 100 ... a gift .... perhaps ...hmmh... marriage ... I cannot guarantee that... doctor ...food ...pirates .... ... ... poison..."

[Glancing out of the window, elder male notices moon in the night sky, He stares it for several minutes and then stands up. As he stands up he Hits his fist on the table with such a force, that it throws ledger off the table onto floor. He mutters to himself]


"Oh they will pay for what they have done."

[Having mumbled those words, he hears voices coming from downstairs. These voices belong to his family, whom he had eaten dinner with not so long ago. More than 15 voices repeat one phase in one voice, with force. Just like someone would have said toast when rising a glass in celebrations, but now, instead of glasses, fists and knives are risen.]

The toast is simple.

"WE WILL MAKE THEM PAY"

[He picks up the ledger from the floor and leaves the room, carefully closing the door behind him and heads downstairs, to inform the family and to plan the future]

One thing is sure. Farea will not surrender without a fight.
 
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