~Darkening~
Weep, Mother.
Well, I haven't ripped anyone off lately so i thought there was a need for it.
Orders in progress.
LINESII- Into the Darkness- Part II
- Thread starter Lord_Iggy
- Start date
Well, I haven't ripped anyone off lately so i thought there was a need for it.
Orders in progress.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Lord_Iggy said:
Well, I'll take my time then.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Thanks for answering my questions, Iggy. In return, you get some stories, tomorrow and after I've finished my update, of course. 
LittleBoots
The Bloody Banner
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,979
Swissempire said:
FROM: Gerougia
TO: Swade Ascendancy
While we are unaware of what you mean by "affected our religion," our philosophoi are currently investigating your religion and debate will begin over whether it is a revelation of Autogenes or not. Your diplomats are of course excused and they will be outfitted in our finest clothing. We do warn you, however, that Valin emissaries reside in our halls. We will brook no violence within Gerougia - your wars are foreign and are not our concern.
We wonder why you should want to try to defeat the One God, if that is what you mean, and, in truth, wonder at your belief that you could, in fact, defeat the One God. While our philosophoi have not fully analyzed Oneist Scriptures, we believe from their cursory reports that their religion is a manifestation of Autogenes, the Only True God. Perhaps your Blademaster is Autogenes as well and you are both fighting a foolish battle. Perhaps these long years of war you speak of are God Himself trying to speak to you.
But we are not men of the world and perhaps there is deeper meaning as yet unseen by our eyes. We will continue to watch and learn. We thank you for your embassy and your respect. As the Thinker said, "Peaceful trade proves most profitable to all."
As to your last point, as best as we can tell, these Valin are some relation to our people. We are neither barbaroi (though we forgive you if you did not imply such a thing), nor are we newly urbanized. Since the time of the First Nostos [1] we have thrived in our cities. Perhaps newly unified would be appropriate, but we do not believe it would even be possible, much less productive, for the Valin to attempt to destroy so friendly a people if they are truly in as dire straits as you describe.
Again, we thank you for your help and for you histories of the strange lands you mentioned. Your merchants and your diplomats are welcome, as are your philosophoi. Until next we speak.
Thlayli said:
((OOC: Sorry, don't think I've responded to this yet))
FROM: Gerougia
TO: Valin Republics of Veritas
We most graciously thank our kind benefactors for the gifts they have bestowed. Until next we speak.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
From: The Valin Republics of Veritas
To: The Union of Ardan, Citadel of Knowledge
We three nations are the primary naval powers of the Exodian Ocean. And all of us have a tradition of exploration and discovery of new lands.
Therefore, we propose that our nations mount a joint expedition to the unknown waters of the East. What exists past Exilsium is unknown to us all, but perhaps we might find the promised lands of the One, those that were spoken of. The expedition should only require 3 ships from each of us, with well trained crews, and the knowledge they bring back could be of great value to us all.
To: The Union of Ardan, Citadel of Knowledge
We three nations are the primary naval powers of the Exodian Ocean. And all of us have a tradition of exploration and discovery of new lands.
Therefore, we propose that our nations mount a joint expedition to the unknown waters of the East. What exists past Exilsium is unknown to us all, but perhaps we might find the promised lands of the One, those that were spoken of. The expedition should only require 3 ships from each of us, with well trained crews, and the knowledge they bring back could be of great value to us all.
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
I've written suggestions for update titles for those that were still unnamed. You're free to do with it as you like. (yes, you can scrap it all and no, that would not actually please me. But it's your NES. )
Update 9: Coalition of Demons
Update 10: From the Ashes; Peace
Update 11: Tremors of Suspense
Update 12: Clash of the Titans
Update 13: The World Ablaze
Update 14: Broken Hammer
Update 15: Crystal of Brilliance
Update 16: Hordes and Exiles
Update 17: The Terror of the North
Update 18: Broken Blades, Broken Lands
Update 19: The Shattered Crystal
Update 20: New Horizons
Update 21: Forging of Empires
Update 22: Fury of the Dragon
)Update 9: Coalition of Demons
Update 10: From the Ashes; Peace
Update 11: Tremors of Suspense
Update 12: Clash of the Titans
Update 13: The World Ablaze
Update 14: Broken Hammer
Update 15: Crystal of Brilliance
Update 16: Hordes and Exiles
Update 17: The Terror of the North
Update 18: Broken Blades, Broken Lands
Update 19: The Shattered Crystal
Update 20: New Horizons
Update 21: Forging of Empires
Update 22: Fury of the Dragon
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
To avoid conflict, is it not best that new peoples not be influenced by the biases and relgions of the old world? Is it not best that they be allowed to escape its war and chaos? Is it not best that they not be subjugated by colonial powers? To this end, we suggest that the Citadel be the only power to explore new lands. We will prepare new peoples for the overseas powers, give them unbiased views of all other countries, and help set up their economies for trade. We will share our knowledge of the world as it becomes available, and would welcome funding for these expeditions. We hope you agree, so that the follies of the old world are not spread to the new one.Thlayli said:
OOC: Yay double negatives!
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
Are you trying to find me or something? 
I highly doubt you will, since Iggy said it was a miracle that Viski Lasi even made it that far, yet alone landing on an island in the middle of the ocean.
I highly doubt you will, since Iggy said it was a miracle that Viski Lasi even made it that far, yet alone landing on an island in the middle of the ocean.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Orders sent.
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
Orders: Map the islands so that the rulers might have a clue of the shape and size of the realm. (I won't accept a written description next time...) Spend equally on expansion and building galleys. Explore the waters around in hopes of finding new islands or even passages to the Neverending Lands beyond...
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: YES! I get an update title named after me! 
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
alex994 said:OOC: YES! I get an update title named after me!
I (kinda) have two!
Although it refers to the CRA (hey, nobody's perfectly unbiased! 
), and one is about our defeat...
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Short governatorial orders sent. (With a touch of ultraviolence)
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
Iggy, have you considered the title suggestions? Are any of them of use, or are you just holding back the bad news?
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
End of Exile
"The battle for the earth was not lost this day, for it has always been lost as the forces of darkness and madness wax strong on this corrupt day. No this is not the losing of the earth, but the winning of the Multiverse, for the stars are right!"
-The Lord in Green
Epilogue:
He had barely stepped into the Stratikrator's chambers before the voice of Thanatos rang through his ears.
"I had a very strange dream last night, High Elder."
Palerian blinked. The Stratikrator was not one to dream.
"There were two armies, arrayed against each other across a field. They were vast beyond number. One army flew the banners of Khemri, and it was a mighty host. But the men...they were all rotting corpses, following the will of an evil, insatiable master."
"The One has granted you this vision, to make your path clearer."
Thanatos shrugged his broad shoulders. "The army facing it was smaller, but there was bravery in the soldiers eyes. And there were phoenixes, brilliant and flaming. It was beautiful."
"How did the dream end?"
"The army of Khemri came forward, endless and unstoppable. The other army killed thousands, and even called down tongues of living fire from the sky itself...but they all died in the end. There were just too many of those rotting Khemran soldiers."
"I see."
They both fell silent for a time, looking out towards the city below. A few lights flickered in the temples, or on the guard towers...but everything besides was dark, and waiting. The walls loomed beyond that, massive behemoths built by centuries of toil and fear. They saw nothing there, but the men knew that Phoenix Archers slept under crevasses, and in the hidden strongpoints, all of them waiting as they were. Beyond that the land burned with campfires, and it seemed like the marble city was an island of darkness and stone in a sea of flame.
High Elder Palerian glanced at the Stratikrator. He was holding a book, a very slim tome covered in black velvet.
"What is that book, Thanatos?"
"It is a treatise on Divotheism, written by a Citadel scholar."
"You mean, the Sky Gods?"
"Yes. I suppose I picked it up by chance."
Palerian knew that the Stratikrator never did anything by chance. But he let the matter go. In these times, it was usually best to leave a man to his own devices.
"Lord Stratikrator," he began, "I know that this is a difficult time for us all. We are cut off from our comrades, our people..."
"I know that," the Stratikrator interrupted. Then he sighed. "Forgive me. This siege has tried my patience. In all my planning, I had hoped..."
"None of this is your fault."
"But it is! Have you seen those men, the proud soldiers of Veritas, living on starvation rations with no hope for survival? Have you looked into their eyes? Who is to blame, if not the Stratikrator? Conaivium died, trying to prevent this. His line, which for ten generations had led the fleet, is extinguished! The One was not nearly as merciful on me."
Palerian frowned.
"Thanatos. Neither of us are men who enjoy talking very much. Vandrios chose us because of that. And that is exactly why we hate this siege. There are no battles to win, no victories to be taken..."
"Only waiting," the Stratikrator finished.
"Yes. At this point, you want only to die with honor."
The Stratikrator nodded, looking for all the world like a man resigned to an inescapable fate.
High Elder Palerian drew himself up to his full height. "Then Stratikrator Thanatos," he cried, "lead your men to their fate with dignity."
The Stratikrator turned his head, looking out of the window once more. Then he rose, smiling like a man reborn. "You know, Palerian, you speak the truth. Hiding up in the Tower of Command like this, it's just not right. I am the Stratikrator, and my place is with the men."
"Then go to them."
"Palerian, let's leave the Citadel. We may have to spend quite some time in it later."
"It's been far too long since a High Elder personally led his troops into battle alongside the Stratikrator."
Thanatos winked. "Actually...a High Elder's never led anyone into battle, in the entire history of Veritas! Something tells me that there's a reason that's never happened."
The two men laughed, for just a moment forgetting the horrors of the war, the siege, and the constant death that surrounded them.
"Well, give me a spare set of armor, then! It might be a nice change of pace. After all, you do need all the soldiers you can get."
"Have you ever held a sword before?"
"There's a first time for everything."
"The battle for the earth was not lost this day, for it has always been lost as the forces of darkness and madness wax strong on this corrupt day. No this is not the losing of the earth, but the winning of the Multiverse, for the stars are right!"
-The Lord in Green
Epilogue:
He had barely stepped into the Stratikrator's chambers before the voice of Thanatos rang through his ears.
"I had a very strange dream last night, High Elder."
Palerian blinked. The Stratikrator was not one to dream.
"There were two armies, arrayed against each other across a field. They were vast beyond number. One army flew the banners of Khemri, and it was a mighty host. But the men...they were all rotting corpses, following the will of an evil, insatiable master."
"The One has granted you this vision, to make your path clearer."
Thanatos shrugged his broad shoulders. "The army facing it was smaller, but there was bravery in the soldiers eyes. And there were phoenixes, brilliant and flaming. It was beautiful."
"How did the dream end?"
"The army of Khemri came forward, endless and unstoppable. The other army killed thousands, and even called down tongues of living fire from the sky itself...but they all died in the end. There were just too many of those rotting Khemran soldiers."
"I see."
They both fell silent for a time, looking out towards the city below. A few lights flickered in the temples, or on the guard towers...but everything besides was dark, and waiting. The walls loomed beyond that, massive behemoths built by centuries of toil and fear. They saw nothing there, but the men knew that Phoenix Archers slept under crevasses, and in the hidden strongpoints, all of them waiting as they were. Beyond that the land burned with campfires, and it seemed like the marble city was an island of darkness and stone in a sea of flame.
High Elder Palerian glanced at the Stratikrator. He was holding a book, a very slim tome covered in black velvet.
"What is that book, Thanatos?"
"It is a treatise on Divotheism, written by a Citadel scholar."
"You mean, the Sky Gods?"
"Yes. I suppose I picked it up by chance."
Palerian knew that the Stratikrator never did anything by chance. But he let the matter go. In these times, it was usually best to leave a man to his own devices.
"Lord Stratikrator," he began, "I know that this is a difficult time for us all. We are cut off from our comrades, our people..."
"I know that," the Stratikrator interrupted. Then he sighed. "Forgive me. This siege has tried my patience. In all my planning, I had hoped..."
"None of this is your fault."
"But it is! Have you seen those men, the proud soldiers of Veritas, living on starvation rations with no hope for survival? Have you looked into their eyes? Who is to blame, if not the Stratikrator? Conaivium died, trying to prevent this. His line, which for ten generations had led the fleet, is extinguished! The One was not nearly as merciful on me."
Palerian frowned.
"Thanatos. Neither of us are men who enjoy talking very much. Vandrios chose us because of that. And that is exactly why we hate this siege. There are no battles to win, no victories to be taken..."
"Only waiting," the Stratikrator finished.
"Yes. At this point, you want only to die with honor."
The Stratikrator nodded, looking for all the world like a man resigned to an inescapable fate.
High Elder Palerian drew himself up to his full height. "Then Stratikrator Thanatos," he cried, "lead your men to their fate with dignity."
The Stratikrator turned his head, looking out of the window once more. Then he rose, smiling like a man reborn. "You know, Palerian, you speak the truth. Hiding up in the Tower of Command like this, it's just not right. I am the Stratikrator, and my place is with the men."
"Then go to them."
"Palerian, let's leave the Citadel. We may have to spend quite some time in it later."
"It's been far too long since a High Elder personally led his troops into battle alongside the Stratikrator."
Thanatos winked. "Actually...a High Elder's never led anyone into battle, in the entire history of Veritas! Something tells me that there's a reason that's never happened."
The two men laughed, for just a moment forgetting the horrors of the war, the siege, and the constant death that surrounded them.
"Well, give me a spare set of armor, then! It might be a nice change of pace. After all, you do need all the soldiers you can get."
"Have you ever held a sword before?"
"There's a first time for everything."
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