NutraNESIV.6: The Dread Kings of Ekra

[nutranurse]

Looking forward to it!

Dreadnought: I still don't have your orders!

 

[erez87]

nutranes! He knows that! After a player misses the due date he just stops and waits for update. What's with MOD's and waiting for every single player? Missed the deadline? Your problem.

 

[Masada]

I don't think Nutranurse is proposing to delay the update on Dreadnought's account, instead he seems to be saying that Dreadnought could still send orders.

 

[nutranurse]

Yeah, dreadnought could still send in orders because he is not in a position that would allow him to effect too many events.

 

[Tecknojock]

I hope the updates up before late Saturday. I'd hate to not get to see it before I leave for a week.

I don't know if you saw in the vacation thread Nutra, but I'm going to be gone all next week with little to no access to the internet.

 

[hbar]

So ... any news on the update? I was lucky enough to get an email preview from your "misclick", and I have to say, I'm extremely excited to see the repercussions of this turn's events.

 

[nutranurse]

I forgot that this forum does that. Update has only one last section to do (Eastern Extent) so it will be out within the next couple hours. For reals.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

Can't wait!

 

[erez87]

I forgot that this forum does that. Update has only one last section to do (Eastern Extent) so it will be out within the next couple hours. For reals.

That is just cruel. Are you trying to make me miss sleep?!?!

 

[thomas.berubeg]

I'm sitting here compulsively hitting refresh (Well, that and responding to the Myriads of people who want to rent my apartment.)

 

[nutranurse]

Update 1
The Dread Kings of Ekra
11HK10-1CE5

‡Grand Events‡

The War of Three Lords
11hk10-1ce1
Major War
The Heartlands
Clan Vir, Clan Prushnak, Clan Erort
vs.
Imperial High King
​

Three treacherous minds plotted the downfall of the High Kingdom—three treacherous lords who would unwittingly thrust Ekra into an era of untold violence, destruction, and fear. Late in 11hk10 Lord Vudush of the Prushnak, Lord Padush of the Vir, and Lord Carrandar met in secret to strategize how best to bring Vice-Lord Regent Hirion to his knees, and with Hirion the whole High Kingdom. The three dread-lords ultimately decided that it would be Lord Vudush who would spearhead the bold attack on the Imperial High King's forces in Urst. They hoped to rely upon speed and surprise to catch Hirion and the imperial forces off guard, and the best estimates of their war-plan would see Urst, and the young High King Gogzur-Garion, in their hands by 11hk13. Things, however, rarely turn out as planned.

Within the first weeks of 11hk11 Lord Vudush of Prushnak paid the staggering reparations demanded of him by Vice-Lord Regent Hirion. Vudush bought himself time, and shifted the Imperial eye away from his realm by appearing the humble supplicant, though in reality he began to muster his clan's whole populace for war. Likewise Lord Padush sent numerous 'gifts' to the garrison-captains scattered across the Imperial domain, and further relied upon his influence with the Gaarouk Imperial Commanders to increase his standing among the greater Imperial army. All seemed well, but the three lords' plans were forced into action when Lord Vudush's wife gave birth to his firstborn son that summer. Lord Vudush never intended to fulfill the second part of the Vice-Lord Regent's punishment, and so he did away with all pretenses to simply march the army he had amassed headlong into war.
«-40¤ from Prushnak, +40¤ to Imperial High King; -5¤ from Vir; +Prushnak Son/Heir; 30† raised by Prushnak (16† "Hastily Assembled Militia")»

Neither one of Vudush's allies had expected their attack to begin so early, but Lord Carrandar had raised his own small force and was on the march by the end of summer. Lord Padush, however, would be unable to provide any meaningful aid for the next year. The Prushnak offensive certainly caught the Imperial High King off-guard, and given the close proximity of Dashnak to Urst Lord Vudush was able to besiege the Imperial capital by the beginning of fall.
«15† raised by Erort (5† "Hastily Assembled Militia")»

Immediately the Imperial forces sprang into action. Vice-Lord Regent Hirion called upon his Noroloth kinsmen, who brought sizable forces from Volir and Bragga's Fist, but no aid came from the south. The Maldaear seemed content to keep Galons, Rission, and Rissdur Keep out of the conflict for the time being. When the small army of Lord Carrandar breached the Imperial domain they did not find the fierce resistance that they had expected and were able to join their forces with Vudush's unmolested. The Noroloth armies were able to enter Urst after a brief battle with the Vudush-Carrandar army that ultimately ended in a draw after Lord Vudush called for a haphazard retreat. For the rest of the year the two sides simply waited.
«-7† from Prushnak, -4† from Erort, -12† from Imperial High King»

11hk12 came and went as the siege continued. Despite frequent correspondence between Lords Carrandar and Vudush and Lord Padush, the Vir clan-lord's promised army did not materialize the whole year. Both Carandar and Vudush feared that Padush was up to some other form of treachery, and doubly feared the prospects of the Gaarouk Imperial Commanders bearing down upon them with the bloody might of the empire, but they were in luck: Lord Padush had secured the loyalty of the entire Gaarouk Imperial Army.

Through liberal bribes and even more liberal promises, Lord Padush had so enraptured the middleborn and lesser-Highborn Imperial officers that they leapt headlong into the rebellion. Padush promised more than just coin—though a great deal was given between 11hk11-12—by proclaiming each high officer who joined Padush in the rebellion would become noble lords, regardless of birth. The idea of ennobling middleborns may not have sat well with Padush's already noble vassals, but none dared speak out against their dread lord. In the mid-spring of 11hk13 Padush's recruitment was complete and he marched the massive army to join Lord Carrandar and Lord Vudush in Urst. Surprising all three rebel-lords, the Maldaear vice-lords also joined the siege.
«-10¤ from Vir; Vir Faction "Imperial Garrison Commanders"→"Ennobled Garrison Commanders" (5/3); 35† raised by Vir (12† Former Imperial Soldiers)"; +Vir Military Desc. "Small number of elite former-Imperial medium infantry wielding spears"»

Late in 11hk12 the passive leadership of the Maldaear vice-lords were ousted by a virulent, young Elven noblewoman called Mivanwen. Barely 105, Mivanwen only managed to secure her position through a series of brazen challenges against her so-called betters, each challenge ending in the death of that challenged lord. Mivanwen was a devilish warrior, possessing just as much skill in swordplay as she lacked in morality. After her slew of political and martial victories no Maldaear thought twice when she proclaimed herself Queen of the Maldaear. Soon thereafter she lead her Elven and Orelf subjects north against the High King. The three assembled rebel lords accepted their new-found ally, though mistrusted her for her youth, sex, and unpredictable nature. Two years late, in 11hk15, she would prove to be their greatest asset and worst liability.
«New Player "Maldaear Kingdom (NPC)"; 20† raised by Maldaear (4† "Hastily Assembled Militia")»

By 11hk14 Vice-Lord Regent Hirion knew that his cause was doomed. Initially his forces greatly outnumbered the armies hastily assembled by Lord Vudush and Lord Carrandar, but Hirion err'd and chose to hide behind Urst's formidable walls. These protective walls fast became a cage, and the massive army quickly ate through Urst's food stores. Though winter in Ekra is normally a mild affair, the winter of 11hk13 was particularly unusually cold and proved to be brutal for those trapped inside the Imperial capital. Hunger and disease ran rampant, and nearly a fourth of Urst's population was dead or dying by time spring arrived the next year. Hirion knew that his army, let alone Urst's civilian populace, could not last much longer, but after the betrayal of both the Imperial Gaarouk army and the Maldaear vice-lords he also knew that a sally would be suicide. Forced between a rock and a hard place, Vice-Lord Regent Hirion chose to wedge himself further.

Queen Mivanwen, however, was not content to let Hirion waste away behind Urst's walls, and so in the summer of 11hk14 she ordered her army begin a mass fire-bombardment of the Imperial city without consulting her so-called allies. The devastation was immense, and the fire spread rapidly throughout the city till nearly all of Urst was one great flame. The other rebel lords were wroth with Mivanwen, but no reproach came because they had also tired of each other and the siege. Bad blood was beginning to boil, and fights between warriors from the various armies were increasingly frequent. Minvanwen's fire-attack was disturbingly successful and within a day the sky around Urst was choked black with smoke;the rebel lords were forced to flee the site for three days before the unnaturally tremendous flames died down. Lord Carrandar was the first to return and he was astonished to see that what lay before him was nothing at all. Urst was little more than a cinder, and nothing remained of the High Kingdom.
«Player Destroyed "Imperial High King (NPC)"; +5 Fear to Clan Prushnak; +5 Fear to Clan Vir; +5 Fear to Clan Erort; +5 Fear to Maldaear Kingdom»

Casualties
Clan Prushnak 12† (6† Regular; 6† Militia) "Battle Outside Urst; Siege of Urst"
Clan Erort 8† (3† Regular; 5† Militia) "Battle Outside Urst; Siege of Urst"
Clan Vir 10† (5† Regular; 5† Former Imperial Soldiers) "Siege of Urst"
Maldaear Kingdom 8† (4† Regular; 4† Militia) "Siege of Urst"
Imperial High King 32† (32† Regular) "Battle Outside Urst; Siege of Urst"

As the once great city of Urst burned to the ground, so too did the High Kingdom.
But, like bloody phoenixes, the Dread Lords of Ekra would emerge from the ashes as kings.

§§§

The Birth of the Chaotic Era
Major Political Event
1ce1-1ce5
Ekra​

The War of Three Lords did not happen in a vacuum. All across the High Kingdom the Ekran dread lords watched the struggle, though only a few contemplated the possibility of the high king's defeat. When news of the destruction of Urst reached the ears of every lord and lady, high and low there was a general apprehension for what was to come.

Among the rebellious victors that had so savagely rent the High Kingdom asunder there were far less gains than they had previously anticipated. Without a common foe Lord Vudush of Prushnak and Lord Padush of Vir quickly fell to fighting among one another. No blood was shed, but Vudush beat out his former ally for the important and ancient castle of Bragga's Fist. However, Padush did not leave empty handed, and with the help of the newly ennobled Imperial Commanders he captured Volir. Queen Mivanwen too wasted no time in staking her kingdom's claim in what was left of the Imperial domain, and she made off with Castle Gar. Lord Carrandar surely would have been wroth to find himself squeezed out of the spoils of war were it not for his untimely death a week after the fall of Urst and the High Kingdom.
«+Prushnak Settlement "Bragga's Fist (Large Castle)"; +Vir Settlement "Volir (Small City)"; +Maldaear Settlement "Castle Gar (Large Castle)"»

Elsewhere around Ekra the now-free dread lords tentatively tested their new found independence. Clan Tortan, once censured by the Vice-Lord Regent, abandoned its peaceful plans for war; Clan Aldaval, once again, declared itself a free kingdom shortly before falling in on itself due to a vicious civil war; and Clan Palinar capitalized on the political confusion to enact a brutal nautical war. All across the island the high king's order was falling to the wayside, and each petty lord soon realized he was virtually a king. Wielding such power the dread lords of Ekra became dread kings, and in the process plunged the island into the Chaotic Era.

§§§

‡Lesser Events‡​

The Heartlands
Coin in the Coffers (Domestic Event; Clan Tellathiel) 11hk10-1ce5
Perhaps anticipating the calamity that surely would come during the reign of the child-high king, Lord Caleron choose to sit upon his clan's hard fought wealth, much to the dismay of their Kevalithsyr-Noroloth vice-lords. A few of the rapacious Kevalithsyr even dared to question their lord why they had not continued their conquest, and when Caleron could give no explanation that would satisfy them they thought much less of their 'dread' lord.
«-1 Fear to Tellathiel»

Fellithil Dealings With the Guagziir (Political/Trade Event; Clan Fellithil) 1ce1
The end of the High Kingdom as all Ekrans had known it may have triggered an era of near-constant warfare, but the Fellithil Clan also knew that trade was paramount. In an effort to keep his clan economically viable Lord Verir granted the Guagziir seaborne merchants exclusive preference to their goods, making the Guagziir the primary distributors of the sturdy Megliost timber.
«+Fellithil favor with Clan Guagziir; +Fellithil livelihood desc. "Guagziir Merchants"»

The Gilded Web (Minor Conflict & Trade/Infrastructure Event; Clan Tortan, Clan Kaanak, Clan Nallviel, Clan Tellathiel) 11hk10-11hk14
While the High King still ruled his censure of the rich Clan Tortan was in effect, causing Lord Zentosh to briefly abandon his violent ambitions for dominance over the Heartlands and beyond. Rather than sulk over his diplomatic defeat, Zentosh launched an ambitious series of projects meant to strengthen the diplomatic and economic standing of his clan. Among his subjects the plan became known as 'the Gilded Web', largely because of the roads Lord Zentosh wished to construct between all of the Tortan settlements and the capital of Tortan's new ally, Lady Silia 'the Grey' of Clan Nallviel. The market of Ganes was increased in size to accommodate the new traffic from the trade with Claan Kaanak; Ganes' local Cult of Many was given a substantial gift of coin, though the Cultists' favor soured quickly when they learned that Lord Zentosh gave similar gifts to Ganes' Goddess Sect minority; luxurious gifts were sent to the High King's Court in Urst in 11hk11, just prior to the outbreak of the War of Three Lords.
«Tortan begins projects: "Gilded Roads of Tortan" (1/4), "[Expanded Market of Ganes] (1/2); -9¤ from Tortan "Religious Donations", -30¤ from Tortan "Imperial Gifts"»

Unfortunately, before Lord Zentosh could call back the rich convoy they were waylaid by a group of Tellathiel and Kevalithsyr warriors who were dissatisfied with their clan-lord's, Lord Caleron, decision to pursue peace. Nearly all the Tortan retainers that accompanied the convoy were killed, though a few escaped back to Ganes to tell their dread lord the tale. Though lord Zentosh was wroth he dared not press for war and simply ignored the affront for the time being. Besides, all his attention focused on watching the War of Three Lords unfold. When it became clear that the High King was all but defeated in 11hk13 Lord Zentosh wasted little time in applying himself to his former plans of conquest with vigor and zeal. Late in 11hk15—the last year of the High King's Era—Zentosh had managed to amass an army of over 8,500 warriors, and come spring of 1ce1 he helped usher in the Chaotic Era with a bold attack on the marches held by Clan Haeeae.
«+10¤ to Tellathiel "Dread Lord's Share of Plunder"; 17† raised by Tortan»

In an effort to catch Lord Calagalad of Haeeae off-guard Lord Zentosh forwent raising levies and immediately took to the field. Between the summer and fall of 1ce1 The Tortan army was able to tear through the outlying Haeeae towns, and by winter Zentosh had settled down to besiege the northernmost Haeeae city of Dolonde. The siege did not even make it into the next year, the gates of Dolonde were thrown open just days before the solstice by traitorous members of the Malmirrin vice-clan. Whether or not the Malmirrin and Tortan had previously colluded to arrange for the bloodless fall of Dolonde is not know, but Lord Calagalad did not stop to consult a sole when he put the majority of the Malmirrin to death shortly after hearing of Dolonde's fall. As Lord Zentosh wintered in Dolonde, Calagalad was busy mustering what was left of his forces after the nearly half decade of brutal battles fought against the Palinar pirates.
«+5¤ to Tortan "Plunder"; -1† from Tortan "Campaign Attrition"; Haeeae Faction "Malmirrin Vice-Lords" destroyed; 13† Raised by Haeeae (5† "Hastily Assembled Militia")»

Knowing that the continued independence of his clan hinged upon the outcome of the war, Lord Calagalad immediately took to the field at the first signs of spring. Rather than face Zentosh head-on Calagald attempted to ravage the Tortan's southernmost territory, but was caught by a rearguard left by Lord Zentosh. A short, but bloody battle ensued and the smaller Tortan army was routed. However, the battle had succeded in stalling the Haeeae army long enough for the main host led by Zentosh to close the distance between the two armies in order to force Calagalad to a pitched battle. Initially it seemed that the Haeaae forces were doomed to failure, but Calagalad and his warriors put forth a fiercely determined effort nonetheless. Within minutes after the first clash the Tortan army dissolved into disarray as the Tortan noble warriors pulled back en masse, leaving the common fighters without much direction. Just prior to the beginning of the battle Lord Zentosh collapsed and shortly thereafter died. At nearly 200 years of age Zentosh was very much old for an Orc, and despite Zentosh's robust nature his heart just could not keep up with him.
«-6† from Tortan, -4† (1† Militia) from Haeeae "Zentosh's Last Battle"»

The various Tortan vice-lords announced an end to the war, though they continued to occupy Dolonde alongside the remnants of the Malmirrin in order to honor the conquests of their late dread lord. Rather than press his luck, Lord Calagalad also quit the field and returned his army to Idhren, though not before terrorizing the lowfolk of Tortan for a few more weeks. A year later, in 1ce2, Zentosh's only son was confirmed by the vice-lords and made ruler of Tortan, though this young orc did not ascend to a mere lordship: the vice-lords of Tortan named him king.
«+10¤ to Haeeae "Plunder"; +Tortan Settlement "Dolonde (Small City)"l +Tortan Faction "Malmirrin Remnants (2/3)"; +2 Fear to Tortan»

The Walls of Varasia (Infrastructure Event; Clan Scalesian) 11hk13-1ce5
Upon learning that the lords nearest to his prosperous, though small domain were waging war upon the High King and winning Lord Arcturus of Scalesian wasted little time in calling together the engineers and builders of his realm to strengthen the defenses of the clan-capital, Varasia. In 1ce4 the project was completed and Arcturus was able to rest somewhat easier knowing that it would take a determined effort to wrest Varasia from Scalesian's control.
«Scalesian completes project: "Strong Walls of Varasia (1/1)"; 10¤ Returned to Scalesian due to fall of High King»

Though far from as rich a target as the other settlements in the shadows of the Gaarouk Mountains, Varasia held near-complete control of the lands south of the Southern Porg.

§§§​

The Elflands
The Worth of Wool (Trade/Infrastructure Event; Clan Amathon, Clan Ealovir) 11hk10-1ce1
At the beginning of what Lord Daechir incorrectly believed to be a new era of peace and prosperity the Amathon began to expand out from their smithies and into the pastures. Shepherding is a fairly common practice all across Ekra, however no clan had yet to pursue it as a commercial activity. Under Daechir's leadership small investments were made into purchasing sheep, goats, and wargs and that were then given to enterprising middleborn Elves seeking to escape the cities. Real success, however, did not come until 11hk13 when the numerous Eredh merchant companies purchased vast herds of their own. Over the next several years the various goods produced from herded animals flooded the Amathon markets. So prosperous was the endeavor that Daechir began an ambitious road construction project shortly before the fall of the High Kingdom in 11hk15, despite the rough terrain of his realm.
«+1¤ to Eredh, Hadlath, Mirdan, Dringol; +Amathon livelihood desc. "Small sheep, goat, & warg herding"; Amathon begins project: "Elf-Roads 1/5"»

To the north the Ealovir mimicked the Amathon's efforts and enjoyed a similar degree of success. However, the relatively flat land of the Ealovir's territory lent itself to warg-rearing so well that they quickly abandoned attempts to profit from sheep or goat products in order to focus on their increasingly large warg packs.
«+1¤ to Bellseril, Nevrione; +Ealovir livelihood desc. "Small warg-rearing"»

Safeguards Against Chaos (Military Event; Clan Amathon, Clan Ealovir, Clan Vanleon, Clan Celenarryl Clan Yrauren, Clan Palinar, Clan Haeeae) 11hk11-1ce5
When the three traitorous dread lords of the north first marched for war against the High King no Elflord of the Elflands contemplated the benefits the destruction of the High Kingdom; instead, they marshaled their realms and readied for war.
«7† raised by Celenarryl; 5† raised by Valeon; 4† raised by Yrauren; 5† raised by Palinar; 6† raised by Haeeae; 6† raised by Amathon; 4† raised by Ealovir»

Scourge of the Seas (Minor Conflict; Clan Palinar, Clan Nallviel, Clan Haeeae, Clan Amathon) 11hk11-1ce5
Lady Oshu 'the Maiden' of Palinar was one of the few high lords of the Elflands that saw the chaos that ensued after the outbreak of the War of Three Lords as something positive. All across Ekra she and her fierce retainers were known to be unscrupulous pirates. She lived up to this reputation in 11hk11 when she launched a series of raids on Haeeae ships shortly after Lord Calagalad refused to pay 'protection' payments to keep the ships of his clan safe. Initially the Haeeae put forth an admirable effort and inflicted a few losses on Lady Oshu's fleet, but in the end the combination of the Palinar's superior seamanship and the war with Clan Tortan forced Calagalad to pull back his navies and abandon his merchants to the ruthless pirates.
«+10¤ to Palinar "Plunder"; -1† from Palinar "Minor Losses at Sea"; -2† from Haeeae "Major losses at Sea"»

Independently of their dread lord the Haeeae merchants sought peace with Lady Oshu and her pirates, offering her a substantial annual tribute. However, Oshu had yet whetted her sanguinary apatite and not only refused the merchants, but kept those foolish enough to entreat with her in person hostage. Lady Oshu made it known to all the ships sailing into her harbor that she was recruiting men and women as bloody as she; she succeeded in turning a few Amathon and Vanleon ships away from their former masters, but her greatest feat was the successful employment of numerous Swiech pirates.
«+5¤ to Palinar "Ransoms"; +1† to Palinar Manpower (Swiech Pirates); +Palinar military desc. "Several savage Swiech mercenary-pirate crews"»

The Swiech pirates under Lady Oshu's control may not have been the greatest warriors, but were disturbingly willing to throw themselves heedlessly into combat.
Swiech approached piracy through a wholly different lens than their Ekran counterparts, preferring to slaughter of whole crews in order for their ships to be commandeered.​

Over the next half decade Lady Oshu earned herself a reputation as more than just a petty pirate, but a true scourge of the seas. Nearly the whole southern coast of Ekra came under attack by Lady Oshu and her pirates at one point or another. Freya became a safe-haven for outlaws of all kinds and a smuggling network quickly sprang into existence. The extent to which Oshu was connected with these particularly unsavory individuals is hard to tell, though she certainly did seem to be reaping in large enough profits to expand Freya's ports despite the increasingly infrequent visits from merchants.
«+10¤ to Palinar "Plunder"; +1¤ to Freya; +Palinar livelihood desc. "Extensive raiding, Smuggling safe-haven"; -Palinar livelihood desc. "Domestic sea trade (Freya)"; +1 fear to Palinar»

The Beasts of Veassen (Monster/Trade Event; Clan Celenarryl)
For the majority of the decade between 11hk10 to 1ce1 Clan Celenarryl was beset by an unusual number of monstrous creatures once thought to be on the decline. Dire-wargs, blink-bears, beastlings, wood trolls, and dryads killed and harassed countless Celenarryl travelers on the once safe forests paths. For the whole year of 1ce2 Talabane was effectively cut off from the other Celenarryl cities due to particularly vicious raids made by beastling packs; several towns towns near Tidurdol were completely wiped out by a handful of wood trolls; dire-warg packs swelled to immense sizes and in general proved to be the worst blight upon Lord Manion's attempts to beat back the forces of nature. However, much of this devastation was contained to the inner-forests of Veassen, which certainly harmed Talabane's economy, but meant relatively little to the coastal settlements of Tidurdol and Isturon. Manion's calls to his coastal Haelaneth vice-lords were met with lukewarm reception, and a few bold low lords even expressed their desire to be freed from the rule of in-land Ekrans.
«-1 Fear to Celenarryl; -2¤ to Talabane "Cut off from trade"»

 

[nutranurse]

The Western Extent
An Unexpected Peace (Political/Trade/Infrastructure Event; Clan Undine, Clan Nhanartinu (Vice-Clan Undotaure)) 11hk10-1ce5
Lord Locien 'the Lame' could not believe his good fortunes when the whole decade between 11hk10 through 1ce5 passed without any further attempts on his life. In fact, Locien did not believe in fortune—good or ill—and believed even less in the earnestness of the Undine diplomat that attempted to make peace between the two clans early in 11hk11. So long as Lord Locien was known as 'the Lame' he would refuse any attempts by the Undine to make peace with the Nhanartinu, however, this did not stop Lady Larina from contacting the Nhanartinu's vice-clan, the Undotaure.

Vice-Lord Draasscan of Undotaure was not as paranoid an Elf as his dread lord, and so when delegates from the Undine arrived in Castle Undorina he not only listened to the peace offer they presented: he signed it. Quite clearly this was a breach of the dread lord-fearful vassal relationship that was the social norm in Ekra, but when Lord Locien rebuked Draasscan the vice-lord responded in kind by denouncing Locien as foolish for not seeing the all-too-obvious benefits of trade between the Norotaure Clans. Locien backed down shortly thereafter, though maintained his ban on all things Undine in the only place he had consistent control over, Tialgoran.
«-1 Fear from Nhanartinu; +Nhanartinu Faction Power "Undotaure (4/2)→(5/2)»

Thereafter the Undine and majority of the lands held by the Nhanartinu enjoyed an unofficial peace, a peace which primarily brought prosperity to Isme, Uruvmerun, and Larethtinu. To better facilitate the somewhat unexpected trade Lady Larina began construction of a larger harbor in Isme just before the fall of the High Kingdom in 11hk14 and saw its completion in 1ce5.

The Dread Road 11hk10-1ce5
During all the conflict and turmoil that plagued most of Ekra during the fall of the High Kingdom, the Nelésdal lands under Lord Simaeion prospered quietly. From the very onset of the War of Three Lords Simaeion seemed to have payed little attention to the distant conflict and did not girdle his realm for war. Instead liberal donations were made to Tinudhen's local Cultist leaders while the rest of the remaining Nelésdal funds financed an ambitious road construction project meant to link Tinudhen, Castle Kivanion, and Mithmireil Keep. Initially Lord Simaeion's advisers projected the roads to be complete in no sooner than two decades, but the Cult of the Faceless Many and Cuyaar Vice-Lords provided unexpected aid. Together the three dominant Nelésdal powers galvanized the population into action and the road, named "The Dread Road" by the zealous elders of the Faceless Cultists, was completed in 1ce5.
«Nelésdal project completed "The Dread Road"; +Nelésdal livelihood desc. "Trade & tolls along the Dread Road (Tinudhen, Castle Kivanion, and Mithmireil Keep)»

What Lies Behind the Grey Door (Political Event; Clan Gorsh, Clan Undine, Clan Nhanartinu, Clan Nelésdal, Clan Oreme, Clan Palinar 1ce1-1ce5
All across the western extent a massive wave of violent murders, smuggling, and other such unsavory crimes cropped up in nearly every major city. Seemingly beginning in the Nhanartinu city of Tialgoran, the crimes spiraled outward till not even the secluded Nelésdal city of Nhataar could claim to be free from corruption. It was not that the crimes were particularly remarkable or unheard of by Ekrans, but never in living memory had there been such organization behind the crimes. When one of the criminals was captured alive, an extremely rare occasion, they would ask "What Lies Behind the Grey Door?" before swallowing some kind of poison that killed them in the next few agonizing seconds. The only other hints they gave was a small scrap of black cloth with a red symbol emblazoned on it. Someone surely was behind it, and a few Highborn pointed their fingers at the distant southern criminal safe haven maintained by the Palinar. To Lady Oshu's discredit her raiders never made it so far north as the Norotaure territories, though she was doomed to guilt by association when a few of the pirates under her 'control' began to fly flags with the same symbols found on the dead criminals scattered throughout the Western Extent.
«+Major Faction "Grey Doorsmen"»

"Four Keys Scattered Across the Land, But None Open the Gray Door; What Lies Behind the Grey Door?")​

Kings of the West (Political Event; Clan Gorsh) 11hk14-1ce5
When it became abundantly clear that the High Kingdom was on its last legs after the rebellion of Queen Mivanwen and the Maldaear vice-lords Lord-Elder Rekor was among the first high lords to preemptively abandon the High King. What separated Rekor from the likes of the Maldaear, Aldaval, and Tortan, however, was his immediate proclamation of himself as successor to the High King's throne. Lord-Elder, now King-Elder, Rekor declared that the High Kingdom of Gorshan had come into existence, and not at his own behest, but at the divine prophesy of the Goddess herself. He then elevated each and every one of his vice-lords to the nominally higher status of true lordship, though most did not seem to care about the technicalities and rabidly supported their new King. Immediately the King-Elder began construction of extensive roads throughout the heart of his new kingdom and a massive shrine to the Goddess in Eärith.
«Clan Gorsh→Kingdom of Gorshan; +Gorshan Faction Loyalty "Erognar Vice-Lords (3/4)→(3/5)", "Voul Vice-Lords (3/3)→(3/4)"; Gorshan begins projects "Her Dark Path (Roads)", "Her Dark Chamber (Religious Wonder)"»

§§§​

The Eastern Reaches
A Happy Union (Political Event; Clan Brishnak, Clan Endain) 11hk11
In the summer of 11hk11 Lord Prazna-Rugelah of Endain received Lord Kugash, his son an heir Eskik, and a sizable warrior entourage within Rabahalon for the wedding between Eskik and Prazna-Rugelah's firstborn daughter, Mirya. Solely due to the efforts of Kugash the wedding was a truly impressive affair that lasted well over a month, bring a rare moment of feasting, merry-making, and general celebration of otherwise hard lives. When Kugash left a month later Mirya left smitten with her new husband and the whole city smitten with the Brishnak dread lord for his magnanimity. However, the Highborn lords and vice-lords all across Endain were quite taken a-back by their southern neighbor's frank demonstration of wealth and soon began to speculate what terrible anterior motives Lord Kugash had.
«+2¤ to Brishnak "Dowry"; +2 Fear to Brishnak "Extravagant Wedding"»

Treachery in the Steppes (Subterfuge/Political Event; Clan Aldaval, Clan Endain) 11hk11
Several Endain spies were captured attempting to rally the Aldaval rural populations around Gannalaegyn, Hothmon Castle, and Eowaradë to revolt against their lawful lords. From what information that could be divulged through extensive torture it seemed that Lord Prazna-Rugelah had intended to weaken High-Lord Orbaradar 'the Strong' before the inevitable civil war between Orbaradar and his younger brother broke out. Needless to say Orbaradar was absolutely livid and ordered the confiscation of any caravans heading from Endain along Bragga's Road for "reparation".
«+5¤ to Aldaval "Plunder"»

Flight of the Red Swans (Trade/Infrastructure Event; Clan Aeralithe, Clan Endain, Clan Guagziir) 11hk10-1ce5
Spearheaded by the noble-merchants of the Red Swan Company and the liberal aid of Lord Horthir II's coin the Aeralithe enjoyed a decade of trade, development, and prosperity while the majority of the realms around them were embroiled in war. Beginning in Nelthor and expanding to Fordaer in 11hk14 the Red Swans were given express control over the construction and administration of the city's docks. Not only were these vital facilities expanded, but under the apt direction of the Red Swans were able to increase the trade that Nelthor and Fordaer saw. This was done in part through the various violent external political situations and the Red Swans' own growing reputation as fair and capable merchants. Soon thereafter Lord Horthir II saw fit to entrust more of his realms' commercial affairs to the Red Swans.
«Aeralithe projects completed "Commercial Docks in Nelthor/Fordaer"»

A slew of diplomatic and commercial victories were to be had for both the Red Swan Company and Horthir when the Swans managed to broker treaties with both Clan Guagziir and Clan Endain in the early spring of 11hk15. Though the High Kingdom was at its death knell and the Endain were caught in a brutal conflict, the Aeralithe traders were given and gave preferential treatment to their two new-found commercial allies. The Endain merchants, who had grown restless after the Aldaval civil war meant a virtual end to west-bound trade along Bragga's Road, happily took to the Aeralithe ports; the Guagziir slavers, merchants, and mercenaries were equally happy to open an arm of operations in Fordaer. As another result of their partnership with the Guagziir Aeralithe tathwood was increasingly becoming a common building material all across Ekra. Lord Horthir II was all too happy to continue to reap the benefits of trade, and in 1ce2 he began the construction of a large merchant fleet for use by the Red Swans, though it would not see completion for some years. Alongside this ambitious project were others, such as the Red Swans' construction of their own grand palace in Nelthor and Horthir's Black Pillars in both Nelthor and Fordaer.
«+2¤ to Nelthor, Fordaer; +Aeralithe livelihood desc. "Guagziir Operations (Fordaer), Domestic (Endain preferred) & Foreign seatrade with Hekra & Elas-Ch (Nelthor, Fordaer); +Endain livelihood desc. "Domestic (Aeralithe preferred) & Foreign seatrade with Hekra & Elas-Ch (Rabahlon); +Aeralithe Faction Power "Red Swan Company (2/4)→(4/5)»

Wars With Toraalsel (Minor Conflict/Political Event; Clan Toraalsel, Clan Laedireth, Clan Minamonno) 11hk11-11hk15
A long series of small, but brutal skirmishes between the Toraalsel and their neighbors to their north and south was sparked late in 11hk11 after a particularly nasty raid forced Lord Taerth's hand. Simply put the Laedireth, both High and middleborn, refused to stand for any more of the Toraalsel's attacks; the Tinutauré, Aldasumé, and Laedireth convened in Malthenhûb to plan the war and not to the surprise of anyone the Blue Swan Company temporarily abandoned its mercantile endeavors to put their full financial support towards the brewing conflict. Just a few months late in 11hk12 warriors were raised, and a few months after that the armies marched—or rather sailed—to war.
«10† raised by Laedireth»

Lord Taerth's armies almost immediately met seaborne resistance from the Toraalsel. Lady Mermethaxa herself lead several of the Toraalsel's attacks meant to prevent the Laedireth from landing the majority of their forces on the mainland, and for the large part she was successful at this for the rest of the year. 11hk13 saw the intensification of the Laedireth's war efforts, though by the summer of that year Mermethaxa's red wave sailors had proved to be more than a match for the Laedireth forces. Strangely enough nothing was mentioned of Lord Taerth's missing heir, Îdhar,, though most Laedireth lords assumed him to be dead.
«-2† from Laedireth "Sea Battles"; -1† from Toraalsel "Sea Battles"»

At the onset of 11hk14 the war looked as if it would be much of the same, however unsuspected aid came mid-spring when Lord Larenésas of Minamonno launched an assault on the Toraalsel's southern territories. Over the past few years Larenésas had watched the northern conflict with keen interest, waiting for the best time to strike; Larenésas likely would have continued to wait were it not for the urging of his friend and most powerful subject: the drake Yiyoa Nightscale. Together to two lead a large force of 10,000 barbaric Minamonnan warriors north, cutting a swath through the Toraalsel's lightly defended territory and besieging the mountain-city of Werthalian. Surprisingly the Drake-Friend met his greatest resistance at Werthalian, and the defending army there, though vastly outnumbered, was under unusually capable leadership. After a few particularly successful enemy sallies Larenésas was convinced of the necessity of bolder action, and so he took to the skies on Yiyoa's back and struck at the heart of the city by himself. By pure luck or some sort of magical drake-foresight Larenésas and Yiyoa just so happened to strike at the exact location of the besieged Toraalsel commander, capturing him in the process and killing a few dozen others. The siege ended shortly thereafter, and though the Toraalsel guards surrendered peacefully they were killed to the last man by Larenésas' brutal army. Only the Toraalsel commander was spared, and that was only after another one of his less fortunate subordinates revealed just who he was: Îdhar, son and heir of Lord Taerth.
«-2† from Minamonno "Siege of Werthalian"; -3† from Toraalsel "Siege of Werthalian"; +Minamonno Settlement "Werthalian (Small City)"; +1 Fear to Minamonno»

Larenésas did not quite know what to make of this strange, new development, but hardly had the time to ponder over them for long. He restored Werthalian to the gracious remnants of the Ondotauré Clan, gave control of the Minamonnan army to his Darag vice-lords, gave them orders to carve a bloody path north to meet with the Laedireth where they would exchange Îdhar for a ransom to whomever would pay the most. Not long after he and Yiyoa flew west.
«+Minamonno faction "Ondotauré Vice-Lords (2/5)"»

The Darag vice-lords followed their dread lord's commands to the very word, and for the rest of 11hk14 they decimated the Toraalsel's mainland holdings as they marched north. When they reached the northern shores of the peninsula they found that the war had been swung very much in the Laedireth's favor. Lady Mermethaxa was dead, shot through the heart during one of the many battles during that year, but so too was Lord Taerth, who had drowned after being thrown overboard during a storm. Vice-Lord Arpantion had become Lord Arpantion, and he had gone on to re-conquer the city of Bernarta, only to lose it again after a fierce counter attack by the ferocious Toraalsel army. Both sides were weary from nearly four years of constant combat and were just about to strike a peace when the reappearance of Îdhar complicated matters completely. Legally Îdhar was to succeed his father, but both Lord Arpantion and his supporters among the Aldasumé vice-lords refused to acknowledge Îdhar on the grounds that he was a traitor to the realm; conversely Îdhar's mother and her Tinutauré kinsmen upheld Îdhar's claim. Further complications arose when it was revealed that Îdhar was technically the Lord-Consort of the Toraalsel through his marriage to Lady Sellondwen, now ruler of her clan after the death of both her mother and elder brother, Rûien. Worse yet Lady Sellondwen was pregnant with Îdhar's child. The deciding factor emerged in the beginning of 11hk15 when the Blue Swan Company not only paid the ransom requested by Larenésas' vice-lords, but supported the succession of Îdhar under a few key conditions.
«+7¤ to Minamonno "Plunder, Ransom of Îdhar"»

At the Council of Gaanlal, held in Gaanlal Keep, the assembled parties on all three sides agreed to the creation of a 'kingdom in the east', with Îdhar acting as the king. However, his only personal holding would be Gaanlal Keep; Arpantion retained his lordship and was given dominion over Malthenhûb and Aeraethlhûb; Vice-Lord Dosthutar of the Undoloth was elected by his peers to be raised to the lordship of the Toraalsel and retained control of Bregcaunion and Bernarta, much to the chagrin of the Laedireth Highborns. Was this peace?
«Laedireth Clan Destroyed; Toraalsel Clan Destroyed; Kingdom of [Player Names This] Formed; +[Player Names This] factions "Lord Arpantion of Laedireth (4/2); Lord Dosthutar of Toraalsel "4/3"»

The Walls of Rabahlon (Infrastructure Event; Clan Endain) 11hk10-11hk12
Just prior to the outbreak of the Aldaval Civil War, Lord Prazna-Rugelah was busy preparing his cities for the turmoil that was sure to visit the region. Grandiose plans were drafted, expert engineers contracted, and raw materials imported from all corners of the know world. In Prazna's mind Rabahlon was to become the jewel of the east, and the later fall of the High Kingdom would only further reinforce in his mind the importance of Rabahlon's transformation into something greater.
«+Endain begins project "Great Walls of Rabahlon (1/3)"»

The Aldaval Civil War (Major Conflict; Clan Aldaval, Clan Aldaval Rebels, Clan Endain, Clan Vagar, Clan Brishnak, Clan Minamonno) 11hk13-1ce2
The Aldaval Civil War began when it became clear that the High Kingdom was at its end. Vice-Lord Draugdol, brother of Lord Orbaradar 'the Strong' and Orbaradar's greatest enemy, wasted no time in declaring his independence and taking the northern half of the Aldaval realm with him in the late summer of 11hk13. Draugdol was joined by Haeval and Rhuidhen Vice-Lords, minor lords when compared to the Ondolond and Celilmang who still supported Lord Orbaradar, but powerful enough to cause Draugdol to win his first few battles against his elder brother that autumn. For most of 11hk13 the battles were constrained to brief skirmishes before both sides quit the field, and both leaders seemed quite content to let the war continue this way while they waited for something.
«+25† (6† "Levies") raised by Aldaval; +19† (5† "Levies") raised by Aldaval Rebels; -1† from Aldaval "Initial Losses"»

As it would turn out both Orbaradar and Draugdol were waiting for foreign aid. Draugdol's materialized first in the form of a massive Orelf host led by the Endain, Vagar, and Brishnak. Lord Prazna-Rugelah was the nominal head of the army, though in reality Eskik of Brishnak and Lord Bal I of Vagar had complete control of their hosts and only humored Prazna-Rugelah. However, they did all agree on one aspect of the war: they were not riding to aid either Aldaval side. It was a war for conquest and the furthering of the Grokar dominion over the Eastern Reaches.
«+16† (4† "Levies") raised by Endain; +12† raised by Brishnak; +6† raised by Vagar»

This much became clear when the Orelves marched into Eowaradë as 'allies', but proved themselves the complete opposite when the army massacred the population and killed several of Draugdol's Highborn allies in the process. All of Aldaval was stunned by the Grokar Orelves' treachery, though Orbaradar most likely saw it as a blessing in disguise till Lord Prazna-Rugelah besieged Hothmon Castle in the summer of 11hk14. Orbaradar doubled his horsemen, who had struck deep into the rebel territory during the confusion, back to defend his capital, but Prazna had retreated the Orelf army back to Eowaradë for fear of the Elven horsemen. Much to the chagrin of Eskik and Bal, Lord Prazna-Rugelah seemed very much content to maintain hold of Eowaradë as a base for raiding various nearby settlements and in general harassing both sides of the Aldaval Civil War. The two lords were prepared to abandon Prazna when the balance of the civil war was dramatically shifted in the favor of Orbaradar with the sudden death of Draugdol.
«-2† (1† Levy) from Endain "Skirmishes/Attrition"; -1† from Brishnak "Skirmishes/Attrition"; -1† from Vagar "Skirmishes/Attrition"; +Endain settlement "Eowaradë (Small City)"; +3 fear to Endain»

Earlier that year Orbaradar had finally forced his brother into a pitched battle, though a battle that had initially seemed to favor Draugdol as the winner. History may not remember it as such, but Draugdol was a very capable commander and even more capable warrior, while Orbaradar was only the latter and not the former. In the middle of the Ovorodol Steppe the two armies clashed; Draugdol's outnumbered riders outmaneuvered his brothers and overtook them from the rear. Draugdol was bearing down on his brother when his horse and his whole army faltered, then began to scatter. Not too high above the battlefield Lord Larenésas and Yiyoa Nightscale were descending into the melee. To Draugdol's credit it was not only his own army that broke, but his brothers as well. The horses—and horseelves—on both sides simply were not used to drakes, and upon sensing one overhead they went wild with fear. Larenésas and Yiyoa flew about attacking indiscriminately, and little did they know one of the many Elves they killed that day was Draugdol.
«-7† (3† levies) from Aldaval; -5† from Aldaval Rebels; +1 fear to Minamonno»

The Aldaval Rebels did not crumble with the death of their leader as Orbaradar had hoped, and instead continued to struggle against Orbaradar for another two years because they knew that a surrender would mean their deaths. Orbaradar forgave Larenésas of the deaths he had inflicted upon his own forces, and the drake-rider proved an invaluable asset for most of 1ce1 as Orbaradar pressed successful attack after successful attack. To the south, however, the Orelf lords Bal and Eskik had come to an agreement and launched a campaign of their own after it became clear that lord Prazna-Rugelah was content to sit in Eowaradë. The two set out west and successful besieged, conquered, and slaughtered the population of Gannalaegyn, though Lord Bal I did little of the slaughtering and instead took hundreds of captives which he summarily released into his service after the Brishnak were finished looking the city. As per their agreement Gannalaegyn was retained by the Vagar, while the Brishnak made off with the larger share of the plunder. No major battles were fought between the Grokar Orelves and Aldaval Elves after that, though it would be another year before Orbaradar subdued the last of the rebels and brought peace to his tattered realm.
«-4† (2† levies) from Brishnak; -1† from Vagar; +20¤ to Brishnak; +Vagar Settlement "Gannalaegyn (Small City)"; +2 fear to Brishnak; +1 fear to Vagar»

All Across Ekra
Strange Mishaps 11hk10-1ce5
All across Ekra a slew of quite frankly odd, and usually unfortunate, occurrences are being reported in more frequent numbers. Hunters from the Celenarryl territories report that blink-bears actually blink out of existence; a woman in Ganes was tried for murder when she 'accidentally' set a Highborn on fire by glaring at him; an Orelf from Gorshan reported that he saw the Goddess rise up from a spring. These are but a few stories that have circled around the island, though all bear similarities due to just how weird they are. Perhaps the strangest event occurred during an Endain expedition to the Isle of Lawaiod returned with news that the entire island was devoid of life, though worn, eerie statues were littered about the island. However, given the recent political upheaval with the fall of the High Kingdom more people are concerned with the all-too-real prospects of short, bloody lives as the Highborn wage the many wars that would characterize the Chaotic Era.

§§§

Clan & Capitals @ End of Update 1
​

 

[nutranurse]

I did not put in 2 minor events (one pertaining to your walls, thomas) as they are minor and I would rather have the update out for you all to read.

I am changing the military system. I am ditching the whole 'manpower' thing because I could not quite figure out how best to represent losses/replenishment, so I will be opting for a traditional "You have 40,000 men" and such. The importance of castles will become their ability to better defend your land and provide better troops or something like that.

Map & Diplomacy forthcoming, stats as well. I urge you guys to not start up official diplomacy just yet and instead talk about tentative plans/lavish me with praise until I get stats and the map and the npc diplomacy out.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

Fun update!

 

[Vylinius]

Hmmm so it begins. Anyways great update.

 

[merciary]

Well that's one way to start a NES, it appears that NW wasn't far off with his guess.

 

[Seon]

Actually, you know what? I'll wait.

 

[hbar]

Yaaarrrrr!

And we start with a bang! I'm glad I decided not to play a builder this time - rampant violence is so much more rewarding, don't you think?

 

[nutranurse]

Oh I forgot some minor things that I will add to the update (i.e. allocation of fear points)


edit: Also I'll be sending out private stats to those that need them.

 

[Seon]

Yaaarrrrr!

And we start with a bang! I'm glad I decided not to play a builder this time - rampant violence is so much more rewarding, don't you think?

hbar.

I'm going to be asking you some questions on the Grey Doorsmen.