LINESII- Into the Darkness

North King said:
Oh, I have a bit too much on my plate to effectively contemplate making grand and destructive war in this NES right now. :p

So go for a nice, relatively peaceful rise somewhere much like Trinlin and Guangfei have done. I considered that before I decided to make poor, abused Kehexou a major power instead.
 
Still, NK, join. If not now, then a bit later - there should be enough chaos for some new states to emerge (and I know you're still here Contempt; you have only yourself to blame for everybody speaking about your collapse as of a fact ;) ).
 
There is another continent(s) out there, almost totally unexplored. For all we know Iggy could be developing Industrial Age empires, and we're just squabbling over the corner of New Zealand. :p

You should join, NK. Almost everyone else has. :)
 
I rather doubt there is a lot of it left out there.
 
das said:
I rather doubt there is a lot of it left out there.
Not true. Iggy has stated that the map is the size of a normal world map.
 
The Gerbers know him as Iggur-Chronist, Oneists speak of as Ignacius the Historian, Khemri and the Crystalists recognize the Recorder Igari. He is the Scribe Yi-Gi in Guangfei, Scholar Iganus in Trinlin, Igyex Skybrius in Kehexou, Priest Igi of the Bladeists, Historiographer Igraferrus in Nurmafer, Scrollkeeper Iguri Borooshar to the Northwesters, and Igan the Inscriber to the Lengels.

He is Iggy, record-keeper. His word is the way of the world, he determines and records the fates of empires, from first rise to final fall.

It is he alone who knows the deepest secrets of the world, and the universe beyond.

He records the stories and history of his world incognito.

And he knows the continental layout!
 
Scribe Yi-Gi

Some have attributed a mildly higher position to him. ;)

Well-written. Reminds me of Zelazny's "Lord of the Light". Anybody here read that, btw? It certainly helped me work out the "Gerber scroll" style to a certain extent, and a great book beside that.
 
The Rise of Sundiata

Free from foreign influence The Assembly could now turn its attention to the growing discontent in its western districts. Recognizing that at least some of the grievances were legitimate some council members were sent to meet with Sundiata, nominal warlord king by this point.

A tent was constructed outside his main camp and lavishly outfitted so that they might discuss his terms in comfort and privacy. I do not mean to overstate the amount of intrigue in a warlord’s life, but Sundiata could recognize a trap.

He had his men pull the fabric cover off the tent and distribute the victuals, and then he entered the barren frame and sat down. “These people have not gathered here so that I can sell them out in some secret deal, I am here to see that our government concedes not to their demands, but to their needs.”

Knowing that the Elders did not have the authority to negotiate, he presented his terms. He was careful that they be fair, but also extensive.

“We will consider your requests, but what you ask affects areas outside our districts. We will need to consult with the full Assembly in Lux.”

“Have you only come to stall us? Maybe you hope we will all stave or become so desperate that we turn on each other and your soldiers finish us? That was indeed their plan, but with troops diverted by the Khemrian invasion and the addition of the resulting refugees to Sundiata’s ranks the balance of forces was not what it should have been.

“That is certainly not the case” one of the Elders protested lamely. Eager to extricate them selves from the deteriorating situation he blurted out, “You may come with us to Lux and see for yourself the urgency we assign to the problems of our people.”

“You expect me to march into The White Chamber where you will declare me a traitor and have me arrested?” Sundiata asked with a raised brow.

One of the Elders rose and shouted so that all could hear, “I give my oath to this man that he will find no harm from the council.” To the Elder Guards with him he commanded, “Protect him as you would protect one of us.”

Sundiata caught the slip and saw his victory. “It is not that I mistrust your word, but I have not the time to collect a personal oath from all who may oppose me in Zarz. However the Elder Guards are sworn to protect council members; make me an assembly man and I will entrust my safety to them.”

Flabbergasted one elder blurted out, “It is the people who elect elders. We have no authority to grant what you demand!”

Indicating the angry mob around him, Sundiata asked “Do you wish to take a vote?”

The rebellious crowd shouted their approval. The elders saw no option but to save their own lives and swear him in.
 
Whatever, we all know its the same person. ;) A humble eccentric Emperor by day, a legendary scribe and cartographer by night! :p
 
Different people, I'm not eccentric.

*writes 8 page penguin story when he should be sending orders*
 
Jonak stared at the cup of tea in his hands, looking at his reflection in it as he sat at the dinner table of his father house. He was thinking about the sea, how he had only seen it once in his entire life, and how he had fallen in love with it that very day. Its not often that people from Gorin city go to the city, or even people from the Empire itself. It was indeed a rare treat to visit the sea, which, for over a thousand years, had never existed to the Gorinese people. All there was was the Crystal Ridge mountains and the Wardash. Now a new road to expansion was open, and everyone would pounce on it, including Jonak.

For months he had been thinking of joining the navy, a new prospect for any Gorin citizen, and even more for someone who had lived in Gorin city all his life. Ever since he had seen the sea, he knew it was his destiny to go there, to live there, on the sea. It captivated him. All he could think of was the sea, the waves, how they crashed against the shores. You see, Jonak had visited Drago during a storm. He saw the great waves, smashing against the shore. He saw how powerful, how terrible and utterly terrifying. He saw a house on the beach, become nothing more than twigs as if it were simply brushed aside by the great waves. Image, battling that great beast, imagine taming that. It was the dream of any Gorinese citizen to do that. They had tamed Ramids, what else would stand in their way to glory?

Jonak sighed, he knew he had to tell his father. He knew his father would not allow him. He knew his father would kill him before he let him join the military. Almost every son in this family had volunteered to join the military. And all those that did, died in battle. His three brother volunteered to join the army when they invaded the Lengel. They had all died in the battle of Magi. Ever since then his father swore that he wouldn’t let his only son join the military. Never to let his sons die for the Empire. He was by no means, a hatter of the Empire, but he had lost so much for it.

Jonak looked up when he heard the door close. He had run from this for so long. It was time to face it. His father walked in, looking worn, his elbows burnt and his face sparsely coated with ash from the furnace. His father worked in the small family blacksmith business. It was a pride of his life, and a pride of many Gorin citizens, since it was the glory of all. His father’s clothes looked a bit tattered, and as he came and sat down at the dinner table and let out a deep sigh.

“How was work?”

“Tough, we had an extra shipment of swords to Drago to put through by today”

“Did you get it through?”

“Yes, but Dasu broke his arm and Boma fainted from exhaustion”

“Will they be alright?”

“Yes”

There was a silence that fell over the table that seemed to last forever. Neither Jonak or his father said anything, they simply stared, seemingly into nothing. Finally the silence was broken by Jonak’s mother, who entered the room and gave his father a kiss before going into the kitchen. Nothing was said between them, just a gentle squeeze of the hand as she moved off. The sound of pots clinking and the smell of tea brewing slowly drifted into the dinning room. Still nothing had been said. Soon his mother returned with a cup of tea for his father, placing it before him and rubbing his shoulder as he took a sip of it.

“Father... I have found a place to work, a job”

His father looked up from his tea, staring at his son, already knowing what he intends to say, but praying to Dula that he is wrong.

“What is it my son?”

“It’s a good job” Jonak said quickly “We get land if we do well, and a home for the duration of the work...”

“What is it” His father interrupted, his face looking more tired than ever.

“The military...”

“No”

“But father you haven’t even!”

“I said no Jonak”

“Its not dangerous father, it’s the navy I...”

“I said no!”

“You aren’t even listening!!”

“YOU WILL OBEY ME!” His father screamed as he slammed his fist on the table. His tea falling over from the impact, the liquid spreading out on the table as silence fell on the house.

“Father please” Jonak said in a whisper

“No, no my son, you will not do this to me, I will not loss you” His father’s face returned to its tired look. “You are all I have left Jonak, I have given three of my sons to the Empire, they will not take my last from me”

“Don’t you understand”

“I understand more than you could ever know my son”

“For once in my life I can be something”

“No”

“For once in my life I can do something worthwhile, for once I can make a difference!”

“No”

“For once I can do something that will change things in the Empire, in the world! It’s a new section of the military father”

“I don’t care”

“It’s the navy father not the army! I won’t die like my brothers did, I will explore, I will conquer lands far away for the glory of the Empire! For the glory of Dula!”

“Do not do this to me Jonak, please, do not do this to your father”

“But”

“And what of your mother?” Jonak’s mother had been staring at him, looking grave, her grip tight on his father’s shoulder “will you rob her of her only son?”

“I won’t die!”

“How do you know, Darma and Arajun said that to, but they never returned”

“Father you don’t understand” Jonak said quietly, hanging his head.

“I UNDERSTAND!” His father screamed as he suddenly rose, knocking the chair over. His knuckles grinded against the table “I understand Jonak, but this is not what you want, its just a phase my son”

“No you don’t father, for once in my life I can make a difference, for one I can do something important. Something that no one else is doing. I want to be a part of this and I don’t care whether I have your permission or not!”

His mother backed away slowly as his father looked down at the table in shock, and then, in sadness. He had lost this, he knew he could not stop his son from leaving. He was a man now.

“I have packed my things already, there is a caravan leaving for Drago in an hour, I must go now if I want to make it but I want your blessing before I go” Silence again fell over the room. Finally his father sighed.

“Very well, you have my blessing my son, go, bring glory to your family, and to the Empire, and to Dula”

Without another word Jonak rose and went to his room. The rustling of bags could be heard from the dinning room, where his father held his mother, who weeped. He patted his wife’s should, whispering comforting words into her ear as she sobbed. Soon Jonak returned from his room, with two large sacks with all his things in them. For a moment Jonak stared at his parents, the ones who had razed him so well. His eyes moved around the room, taking it all in one last time. His eyes finally fell onto the spilt tea, staring at it for so long. It would leave a stain on that wooden table that would never be removed, a reminder of this day, this moment.

“Good bye mother, good bye father” Jonak said as he turned and walked out of the door.

His parents moved to the door after him, watching him walk away.

“Jonak I love you!” his mother said, his father simply held her and stared at him.

“I love you to mother” he said, before turning and walking off to town. He never looked back east, he only looked west, towards the sea, his new home.
 
Lord_Iggy said:
That's Yi-GA, not Yi-Gi.

That's because technically there is no "Gi" in the Chinese language ;) Of course, unless you consider the various vulgar forms of it involving certain genitals.... :eek:
 
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