LINESII- Into the Darkness- Part III

you didn't speak to Iggy about it did you? I mean as intresting as syncretism will be, Your approaching this from totally the wrong angle.

Furthermore being able to trace the histories of things from the oldest books whereupon each were seperate gods? Impossible, such writings were probably declared herticial at any one of the councils over the centuries, especially if the King had a say in the matter (which he undoubtadly did, as he did use the title as Defender of the Faith to good effect), the collection of writings change. Certainly you can argue the valins held a perfect history, but I would make no such statement over my own people.

Finally the statement that the Ptolemaics now rule over an exclusivly valin people is a bit rich, At best you have a majority of valins in the countryside, at worst a 50-50 split. Whilst the cities will have heavy khemrian populances, some majorities. You did after all depopulate the place a few times :p

Anyway, from what Iggy has told me, your approaching this from a bad angle, at most I would expect sycretism to be strongest in the valin/khemri lands, and weaken considerably the further west you go
 
Um, why do people always assume that I'm speaking with total accuracy? Obviously my in character perspective has a bias...it's supposed to.

I didn't actually say that the Ptolemaics ruled over an exclusively Valin people. But again, perspective.

What I'm doing is writing from the perspective of an eminent, learned priest in the religious center of Khemri, which has just been captured by Khoraeus and his army. If he doesn't know anything about the religious history of his people, then no one does. I refuse to believe that the Khemran monarchy just decided to wipe out all traces of their religious history.

Whether or not his claims about the past of Nikkal-Rae are accurate could definitely be questioned.
 
From what I'm aware Iggy has told me somthing radically different about the high priesthood of alexandria, i.e. they are rather of a conservative bent on the prospect of syncretism.

Furthermore absolutly Khemrian kings would try and stamp out everything the challanged their power, as would the priesthood. It would be re-interpeted (and it was) to tell the story they WANTED to tell. Now Khemrism has gone through 2 large changes, and I've had several project dedicated to the religious aspect of these changes. And that with the natural erosion of history that my beaurocracy would implement would absolutly change things, just look at the beginnings of the Abrahamic religions for an echo of what I was doing.

Furthermore you switch perspectives, you say that this would be the perspective of a Khemrian priest captive, he would certainly view the former lands of the Ptolemaics as of a more Khemrian bent, than a valin bent :p
 
It would be re-interpeted (and it was) to tell the story they WANTED to tell.

I believe you've gotten the point. I (or rather Khoraeus) controls Alexandria, so we control the priesthood. We can redefine the religion as we see fit. And the Khemran people are EVER so good at taking orders. ;)
 
@~Dark~- Sure!

@Thlayli and Kal'Thzar- You're free to write what you'd like, but we'll see what happens religiously in the update. I would note that it seems that Kyklos Naphar is an Aegyptian Apostate and Oneist, as opposed to a syncretist.
 
“We became slaves of our own creation”
Adari citizen

“Our duty is to protect the weak, our shield is for all creeds and colours”
Apostle Markus

“We will drag them kicking and screaming into paradise whether they want it or not”Apostle Gregorian

Adrax - Arcadia


By Midmorning the streets and markets of Adrax were filled activity, the crowds milling and jostling past the two Justiciars as they patrolled the streets

“Arcadians are like rats, stink like em too”

“It’s a good thing they don’t speak Adari or we’d have a riot on our hands” Tasi sighed.

“Ha! You wish, at least there’d be some excited”. Ageric begun pushing his way through the crowd with little or no care. Most Arcadians tried to move out of his, although one burly individual seemed determined on confrontation

“*Watch who your pushing Heathen*” he Snarled squaring up to the Justiciar. The throng of people kept their distance when they saw Agerics hand on the hilt of his sword, Tasi manoeuvred behind the large Arcadian while silence descended on the market.

“*We will be free Heathen! Our brothers from west are coming, they will smite you*” he spat out wisely thinking better of starting a fight.

The Justiciars left the markets and made their way into the residential districts.

“Praise the Red Lady, I thought for sure he would start a fight, I saw a few others who looked like they would jump in”

“Better for us if they did, we don’t need the ones with backbone alive. To be back in our homeland”

“Malkavia?” Tasi said with a grin

“Why do you crystalists always bring up Malkavia? It’s just a backwater filled with Barbarians”

“I just find it interesting no Adari speaks fondly of it, I wish I could return to Ruby to see the Stone Circle or visit the Vuori cave”

“The difference is simple your homeland has a glorious past, ours was merely the scene of pointless infighting that lead to our eventuARRGGH!”

Whilst conversing both Justiciar’s had failed to notice the skinny out breath man who crashed into Ageric who also failed to notice them as he scanned over shoulder.

A look of dread flashed over the sweaty mans face “* F*** S*** more of em?*” quickly followed by a look of relief as he jumped to his feet “*Oh thank the One!*” and with that he was off again darting down the street into an alley.

“What was that all about?” Tasi grunted as he helped Ageric back up “probably a bloody thief, I really can’t be bother to chase after him”

“Better get off this street then, or we’ll have some stupid old women demanding we go chasing after him” whilst dusting himself off he glanced up the street where the Arcadian had been running from and saw a score of Justiciars barrelling towards them, the leader ordered the men to split to search the alleyways while he stopped to question them.

“Did you see where they went brothers?” They could tell the man was a Harbringer one of the highest ranking officers in the army.

“They? Some blind fool ran into me not a minute a go, scarpered pretty quickly, what is he a murderer?”

“They tried to assassinate Apostle Delagani! He may not make it” his eyes bore into the two men “Well! What are you standing around for go and look!”

At the entrance to alley the sight of an Arcadian retrieving his dagger from a dead Justiciar greeted them, not the same man as before but the Harbinger had mentioned other assassins. He saw them immediately and sprinted off leading them through the haphazard scattering of alleyways, as they gave chase they heard the whistles and shouts of fellow Justiciars, the whistles either signalling an attack on one of their own or a riot.
The man was incredibly agile clawing his way over walls, they would have lost him if it wasn’t for pure dumb look he had ran into other men chasing him forcing him to retread his steps.

“I can’t do this anymore Tasi! Lets stop for a minute,” wheezed out Ageric, he hunched over placing his hands on his knees.

“Fine, I think we lost him again anyway, I can’t believe this happened”

“****in Arcadians *wheeze* they’re animals”

“Come on lets search this house” “What!? That wasn’t a minute”

Tasi kicked down the door, a simple family of peasants occupied the building and the appearance of armed men sent them into a panic, the children ran to their mother and the father placed himself between the Justiciars and the children.

“*Get out you filth! Cowards!*” the father was ready of a fight

“Calm down idiot we just need to search the place” Tasi held of his arms motioning for the man to sit down “Ageric search upstairs” before he could even complain about being ordered around the assassin appeared on stairs vaulting over the banister and crashing into Ageric before rushing out the front door.

“****”


Chaos gripped Adrax and the people rioted across the city.


__________________________


Adar (originally Rascirai), namesake of the Adari people and where the first Malkavians set foot in Azulia. Where the Justiciar council was seated, the centre of power in Zamdar.

It is no rival to the greatest cities of the Old world (or Malkavia as it is known to the Adari), Its monuments and statues a reminder of a time many would rather forget, such as the statue of a Justiciar about to strike a cowering Eldist, especially now that they wanted to attract immigrants from the world over.

The old area of the city is not welcoming at all, largely constructed during Arbiter Wulfnoth’s reign to maximise defence, particular attention paid to the temples in this area with arrow slits, battlements and their own armoury for use by the citizens during an Eldist invasion. Priests still carry knives in these old temples.
The area closest to the docks on the other hand is more welcoming, with Taverns, a large marketplace and many different temples of other faiths, especially crystalism, much large and grander then in the old area of the city.

The largest building that can be seen across the entire city, the Council chambers and the tower of Ascension (named after a religious building in Malkavia) where the Justiciar council along with representatives from Zemora and Nontin decide matters of state.


“The situation in Arcadia is dire, an assassination of one of the Council” Apostle Gunderic stood before the grand oak table and with it the assembled members of the Council, behind but above him was the seat of Arbiter it has stood empty for an age, as he gazed out he let his words sink in

“I thought things were settling down?” one of councilmen sighed

“I think it’s time we talked about allowing them self rule, our current stance is needlessly antagonistic”

Almeno the Nontin representative spoke up “What! Are you insane? The first thing they will do is try for independence, then when you don’t give it to them they’ll revolt. You know what’ll happen then they’ll strike at the closest target, Nontin! I will not allow that to happen”

The youngest man in attendance began to speak, although he was quieter then the others his words often carried the a calming influence and the voice of reason “Allowing them self-rule will go some way in alleviating the Arcadians fears; this is the first step to conciliation” Semevinaras, Zemoran representative was regarded as a voice of reason.

“Fool they will never be content, Arcadians take pride in their xenophobia they think no one is their equal!” Raged Almeno

“HA then I think their utter defeat at our hands has changed their view somewhat” Virconus’s laughter and booming voice was answered by the chuckles of many fellow Justiciars.

“This is no laughing matter Virconus, my people’s lives are at stake imbecile!” Almeno indignant retort served only to rile up the old Generals fiery temper

“Imbecile? I am Apostle Virconus!” he leapt from his seat and planted a boot onto the table “And why you fear these dogs is beyond me, two thousand men give me two thousand men and I could crush the Arcadians and unite all Azulia from sea to sea beneath me!”
The old generals fiery proclamation sent the whole council chambers into action, from laughter to cheering and a couple senile councilmen pledging to raise a million men to aid in this glorious endeavour, Virconus continued in detail describing a mighty armada descending upon the old world deposing the decadent Guangfei King and all like him.
The saner members allowed them time to calm down

“Enough of the theatrics Virconus, we have spoken at length on this matter before and I believe the time has come for us to make a decision” Gunderic placed his hands upon the table and considered his words before continuing “Zemora and Nontin are clear examples that this can work, allowing Arcadia self-rule is letting them know we value them as our equals, that we are not here to control them but protect them. I implore you to lend me your support”

“They will see it as a sign of weakness their pride is hurting, they look down upon all outsiders, to be conquered by one beyond belief, to not be masters of their own fate is unacceptable. They are different to the Zemorans and to my own people; we accepted it grew accustomed to it. The Arcadians are of different stock; they are like Valins they rise again and again. You can crush them hundred times and each time they are stronger for it! They will grind you down”

“What are you getting at Almeno? How will not giving them self-rule go anyway towards stopping what you describe?”

As the council members continued their debates and prepared to vote, they were increasingly drowned out by noises in the council building hallways, at first the sound was distant and did not interrupt the proceedings. But quickly the shouts and commotion was upon them taking them by surprise.

The large doors swung open and emerged three men; the leader who caught everyone’s attention was a burly stout man dressed in the attire of Justiciar with his white cloak with its golden trim he was holding something by his side.
The other two had numerous blue cloaks pilled atop one another.
“My lords” addressed the stout man as the council stared seemingly transfixed “I have grave news indeed” as he finished he threw what seemed to be a small black orb into the largest grouping of men, immediately the incendiary device erupted in flame engulfing a number of men and the three assassin’s sprung into action while shouting “for Arcadia” slashing wildly knowing they had little time.

As the Council members were cut down (being mostly old men and the younger ones being overpowered by reinforcements) explosions sounded in other locations around the Council Chambers, which were heard all over the city as chaos and confusion descended upon Adar.


OOC: Bombs have been used before in Gorin right? I didn't imagine that I hope.
 
It is unclear what caused the blasts in Gorin, but there are a few crude explosive devices that have been used before- some tales speak of the Valins who once lived in the lands of Otaria using such weapons. It is feasible that some Arcadian rebels could acquire such devices. At any rate, the story is great. :)
 
Red Indicates that the player has sent orders. As a note, please put your nation's name and the word 'orders' into your orders- it's hard manually checking 80 PMs called 'LINESII'.

Confirmations:
Achostai: ~Darkening~
Aryie: Lightfang
Bajo-Oni: Kentharu
Croyodon: The Farow
Dengarai: Shadowbound

Destre: a_propagandist
Ecturin: Ninja Dude
Priory of Envia: human-slaughter

Fairhelt: germanicus12
Gamorrea: Abaddon
Gerougia: Matt0088
Kingdom of Gorin: Luckymoose
Guangfei: alex994
Barony of the Hugions: Massive Attack
Iron Face Republic: Contempt
Kelios: North King
Magland: Luckymoose
Myocaca: Milarqui
Neaveritas: Thlayli
Nurmafer: tuxedohamm
Imperial Republic of Paleaveritas: Kraznaya
Rajkutra: Chandrasekhar
Rozan: Nylan
Zamdar: emu
Zuoharra: foolish icarus

Expressed Interest:
Ekolite
Fulton
lord_joakim
TerrisH
Vertinari

For those interested in joining, the remaining NPCs in reverse alphabetical order are Yashala, Trinlin, Tishan, Tir Tairngire, Syracia, Otaria, Norvalin, Kehexou, Kalmar, Guarela, Fwiglo, and Chancosanx.
 
No, I coloured the people who've sent orders red. Seeing as red has connotations as a negative colour, I'll change order-senders to green.

I have your orders. :)
 
just FYI you have me on the list twice.
 
Thanks h_s, I'll collapse the waveform on that.

By the way, for those of you who are wondering, here is a picture of a small species of Ramid native to nurmafer and Zuoharra. The most striking visual characteristic, other than its size (only 2-3 meters long) is its saddlelike back, which stands in stark contrast to the arched backs of all other known species of Ramid.

500343096990_lrg.png
 
OOC: Quantum Mechanics hurts my brain.
 
Well, I've kinda stopped listing the 'expressed interest' at this point, because they haven't yet joined.
 
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