Ancient History
The First Kingdom
It is not clear why, but at a certain point the Dragons initiated war on the other races, thinking themselves superior to all others, whom they sought to enslave. The other races united against their dragon foes (some scholars say this happened with the help of some of the good dragons, but others claim the war was against all dragons, not just the evil ones). With the help of a powerful dragonslayer sword called Tal Alkeen the knights of Drakendoder succeeded in driving out the dragon threat. The knights then gave the Sword, Tal Alkeen, to the newly elected King to help protect the Kingdom of Seven Isles before pursuing the fleeing dragons to Terra Incognita.
Charlesmagne I
After a thousand years, a shining period of culture developed under the leadership of King Charlesmagne I. He built a capital that was admired by all for its beauty; The Seven White Towers, built by the greatest masters of that time. Science and Magical studies were at their peaks and Charlesmagne I introduced his people to a magnificent way of travel; The Golden Gates. Suddenly contact with other lands and worlds was possible, bringing incredible trade opportunities. When Charlesmagne learned of these other countries, he had the laws scripted in books; he made sure the young were educated; and he ordered art to be made. The Kingdom of Seven Isles became mighty among its neighbors, feared but also loved as the knowledge grew that the King was always prepared to help others.
Charlesmagne I had seven sons by seven different wives. When he chose the youngest son as his heir, some of the older sons rose up in rebellion, joining forces with the Dark Ones from the Netherworld. Lagnoratius, the youngest son, a dragon in human shape, led his people over the mountains into safety. A time of Ice came over the Seven White Towers, now deserted and a Wall of Ice was build to keep out the cursed ones. The Ice Queen was charged with guarding the Wall.
Lagnoratius founded the Citadel in the year 1 AD (after the death of Charlesmagne) and declared that he would be the steward of the Kingdom of Seven Isles. He refused to ascend to the throne because of the sadness still enveloping it. He claimed that he had been visited with a vision, in which after a thousand years had passed, another kind of King would arrive to lead the kingdom. Gradually, the steward began saving what was left of the world for the coming day.
The humans that had survived the journey over the mountains were forgiven for the acts of their leaders and soon populated a large portion of the Kingdom. The dwarves were so disillusioned with the world, that they withdrew into their mountains in Nazareen and were not seen for a thousand years. New gods began emerging, to satisfy the need of the people to worship entities. Interestingly, after 500 years, a contingent of adhiel came from the Western Kingdom with a small religion called Pan, the God of simple and cultivated pleasures and passions (among which arts, culture, wine, and a liberal view on sex). They settled themselves on a large uninhabited isle, which was henceforth known as Pan’s Isle. The priest of Mother Earth declared Pan was Her son and so this arrangement was accepted by all.
Eyewitness account:
Diary of Al Shariem
Citadel & Empire of Seven Isles: History Lessons
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Maeve
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Citadel & Empire of Seven Isles: History Lessons
Last edited by Maeve on Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Maeve
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The Great Battle
Time passed and nearly a thousand years after Charlesmagne I's reign, much of the ancient glory had been forgotten; as was the prophecy of the first steward. At this time, many of the isles saw a new ruler ascend the throne, swearing their alliance to the beautiful steward Lagnora Tal Alkeen, last of her line. In practice Lagnora had little influence, the citadel was too far removed from the reality of the other isles. In actuality, it was each state for itself, and they were not doing very well. Most of the old knowledge had vanished, and only on Dort was the common man taught how to read and write. On most isles, the total number of people was in decline, due to a defects in the diet. Hunger and poverty were common. A trading guild existed, but specialized only in items that fetched the highest prizes, catering to nobles. The possibilities for bulk trade were ignored.
A set of bad omens prompted the rules of the different isles to come together after many centuries and consider the meaning of this divine message. A delegation of the most prominent, yet young, leaders was send to the Oracle to consult the gods. The Oracle revealed that the answer to the displeasure of the Gods lay in the far North and that great doom awaited the world. So the delegation, by now duped “The Party of Light†by the well spoken Duke Erwin, sailed to the Northern of Trothgard.
A dark mage had taken residence in the ruins of Seven White Towers, steering dark forces that were better laid to rest, with a dragon with a dark soul as his companion and mentor. The royal delegation managed to slay this mage after many trials, and considerable loss amongst their retainers. The dragon escaped, but they thought nothing of it. The party returned to the citadel like heroes, and indeed, all the bad omens had ceased. The new friends made some extremely important trade agreements with each other, and in the years to come, the Kingdom of Seven Isles started to prosper. Duke Erwin converted to the god Pecunia, and as the new treasurer of Lagnora, made sure a pre-banking system was established, as well as introducing the standard Mailing system, using Pecunia’s temples as bank and post office.
The rulers were lulled into a false sleep with all their good fortune. The dragon worked tirelessly to bring his own lord, a Demonlord of great power, into the world. With means unknow he created he portal from the Nether to the Tether, and allowed the dark legions entrance into the world.
Although at the last moment, the Party of Light managed to slay the Dark Dragon and destroy the portal, the worst had already happened. The Demon Lord flew to Nipponar, and together with his underlings, fed on the numerous Gnomes, leaving the isle bare. Thus strengthened, they encompassed the many isles, as well as the citadel, where the conventional army was just arriving.
Faced with a difficult choice, defending the citadel or their own isles, the heroes decided, with great pain in their hearts, to come to the defense of the Steward Lagnora Tal Alkeen. This was the Great Battle. It was concluded within a few days, thanks to the sacrifice of Lagnora, who changed into a Dragon to fight the Demon Lord B'aazelmon. She banished him from this world, but died from her mortal wounds in the arms of Anochrim. After a month long council, the rulers elected Anochrim as their new leader, with the title of Ceasar, first among equals. It took the remaining leaders several months to round up the rest of the Dark One's evil army. When they finally had vanquished all of their foes from all over the new Empire, they looked upon the ruins with sad hearts.
Eyewitness accounts:
Lagnora convening the council of Seven Isles
The Chronicle of the Great Battle by Lady Rioja
Time passed and nearly a thousand years after Charlesmagne I's reign, much of the ancient glory had been forgotten; as was the prophecy of the first steward. At this time, many of the isles saw a new ruler ascend the throne, swearing their alliance to the beautiful steward Lagnora Tal Alkeen, last of her line. In practice Lagnora had little influence, the citadel was too far removed from the reality of the other isles. In actuality, it was each state for itself, and they were not doing very well. Most of the old knowledge had vanished, and only on Dort was the common man taught how to read and write. On most isles, the total number of people was in decline, due to a defects in the diet. Hunger and poverty were common. A trading guild existed, but specialized only in items that fetched the highest prizes, catering to nobles. The possibilities for bulk trade were ignored.
A set of bad omens prompted the rules of the different isles to come together after many centuries and consider the meaning of this divine message. A delegation of the most prominent, yet young, leaders was send to the Oracle to consult the gods. The Oracle revealed that the answer to the displeasure of the Gods lay in the far North and that great doom awaited the world. So the delegation, by now duped “The Party of Light†by the well spoken Duke Erwin, sailed to the Northern of Trothgard.
A dark mage had taken residence in the ruins of Seven White Towers, steering dark forces that were better laid to rest, with a dragon with a dark soul as his companion and mentor. The royal delegation managed to slay this mage after many trials, and considerable loss amongst their retainers. The dragon escaped, but they thought nothing of it. The party returned to the citadel like heroes, and indeed, all the bad omens had ceased. The new friends made some extremely important trade agreements with each other, and in the years to come, the Kingdom of Seven Isles started to prosper. Duke Erwin converted to the god Pecunia, and as the new treasurer of Lagnora, made sure a pre-banking system was established, as well as introducing the standard Mailing system, using Pecunia’s temples as bank and post office.
The rulers were lulled into a false sleep with all their good fortune. The dragon worked tirelessly to bring his own lord, a Demonlord of great power, into the world. With means unknow he created he portal from the Nether to the Tether, and allowed the dark legions entrance into the world.
Although at the last moment, the Party of Light managed to slay the Dark Dragon and destroy the portal, the worst had already happened. The Demon Lord flew to Nipponar, and together with his underlings, fed on the numerous Gnomes, leaving the isle bare. Thus strengthened, they encompassed the many isles, as well as the citadel, where the conventional army was just arriving.
Faced with a difficult choice, defending the citadel or their own isles, the heroes decided, with great pain in their hearts, to come to the defense of the Steward Lagnora Tal Alkeen. This was the Great Battle. It was concluded within a few days, thanks to the sacrifice of Lagnora, who changed into a Dragon to fight the Demon Lord B'aazelmon. She banished him from this world, but died from her mortal wounds in the arms of Anochrim. After a month long council, the rulers elected Anochrim as their new leader, with the title of Ceasar, first among equals. It took the remaining leaders several months to round up the rest of the Dark One's evil army. When they finally had vanquished all of their foes from all over the new Empire, they looked upon the ruins with sad hearts.
Eyewitness accounts:
Lagnora convening the council of Seven Isles
The Chronicle of the Great Battle by Lady Rioja
Last edited by Maeve on Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
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Maeve
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Division of Duties for the Inner Circle
Knowing Anochrim was a warrior at heart and not suited to the finer points of leadership in peacetime, they gave the Adhiel two Viceroys to complete the administrative work.
Duke Erwin von zu Dort-Billigh called himself Furst of the West and divided his Duchy between his loyal vassals. He is now the overseer of Dort, Muchislie, the Northern Isles, Nippon, and also of the Oracle’s Isle; though this isle is left to its own devices by it's own request.
Rafao Ionis grudgingly accepted the position of Viceroy, though he insisted that Rafao already means High King. He retained his title in Amun Rah, but also took on the administration of Sierra, The Great Desert, Pan’s Isle, and Kislovan. The Great Desert was of course an important ally and the sjeikh considered the Rafao family through the marriage of his daughter to the Rafao’s nephew. Kislovan was an interesting case. The new Queen did not care much for a new overlord, but the recently discovered connections between the Half Giants, the human slaves, and some adhiel women nearly thousand years ago made the family of Rafao achadhiel in the eyes of the Kislovan Court even if Rafao Ionis begged to differ. At least it made the Kislovan population accept their fate.
The famed warrior Anchorim spent most of his time with the Purple Guard, assisting his Commander Sosa with training, and leaving the day to day rule to his councilors. The Inner Circle of the Imperial Council, all veterans from the quests that saved Tazlure from destruction, divided responsibilities among themselves.
Knowing Anochrim was a warrior at heart and not suited to the finer points of leadership in peacetime, they gave the Adhiel two Viceroys to complete the administrative work.
Duke Erwin von zu Dort-Billigh called himself Furst of the West and divided his Duchy between his loyal vassals. He is now the overseer of Dort, Muchislie, the Northern Isles, Nippon, and also of the Oracle’s Isle; though this isle is left to its own devices by it's own request.
Rafao Ionis grudgingly accepted the position of Viceroy, though he insisted that Rafao already means High King. He retained his title in Amun Rah, but also took on the administration of Sierra, The Great Desert, Pan’s Isle, and Kislovan. The Great Desert was of course an important ally and the sjeikh considered the Rafao family through the marriage of his daughter to the Rafao’s nephew. Kislovan was an interesting case. The new Queen did not care much for a new overlord, but the recently discovered connections between the Half Giants, the human slaves, and some adhiel women nearly thousand years ago made the family of Rafao achadhiel in the eyes of the Kislovan Court even if Rafao Ionis begged to differ. At least it made the Kislovan population accept their fate.
The famed warrior Anchorim spent most of his time with the Purple Guard, assisting his Commander Sosa with training, and leaving the day to day rule to his councilors. The Inner Circle of the Imperial Council, all veterans from the quests that saved Tazlure from destruction, divided responsibilities among themselves.
Last edited by Maeve on Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
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Maeve
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Trade, Smuggling, Piracy and Dark Arts in the Seven Isles
Under the last steward of the kingdom a great deal of lawlessness had entered everyday life and made some people very, very rich. Because most isles were isolated they were at the mercy of trade guilds that charged high prices for the most essential of foods, keeping the isles dependent.
This ended when the young rules of the Party of Light through their personal friendships started exchanging goods and force the steward to outlaw the most excessive parts of the old guild. When Anochrim took the throne, strongly influenced by the Temple Order of Light under the leadership of the paladin Sosa, he further outlawed some of the practises that Lagnora had used to keep the kingdom under control, such as the existance of the Brotherhood, a clan of assassins that until then had been widely accepted as a normal way of ridding oneself of a competitor.
All in all this drove a considerable part of till then respected merchants to smuggling and piracy. This was further enhanced by the rebellion in Kislovan, which added to their numbers.
The crusade to outlaw all things that were not considered honorable and "within the light" also caused many practicioners of the so called Dark Arts, and even mindcrafters, to lay low. The Great Battle had been caused by a dark mage and this had created a situation where even the association with some of the methods was political suicide.
Under the last steward of the kingdom a great deal of lawlessness had entered everyday life and made some people very, very rich. Because most isles were isolated they were at the mercy of trade guilds that charged high prices for the most essential of foods, keeping the isles dependent.
This ended when the young rules of the Party of Light through their personal friendships started exchanging goods and force the steward to outlaw the most excessive parts of the old guild. When Anochrim took the throne, strongly influenced by the Temple Order of Light under the leadership of the paladin Sosa, he further outlawed some of the practises that Lagnora had used to keep the kingdom under control, such as the existance of the Brotherhood, a clan of assassins that until then had been widely accepted as a normal way of ridding oneself of a competitor.
All in all this drove a considerable part of till then respected merchants to smuggling and piracy. This was further enhanced by the rebellion in Kislovan, which added to their numbers.
The crusade to outlaw all things that were not considered honorable and "within the light" also caused many practicioners of the so called Dark Arts, and even mindcrafters, to lay low. The Great Battle had been caused by a dark mage and this had created a situation where even the association with some of the methods was political suicide.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
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Maeve
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Panlings, Demons and the Circle of Seven
In the year 1224 AD the situation was turning darker again. More and more citizens of the Empire dared to explore the boundaries set forth by the Temple Order of Illuminatius, coming out of the woodwork.
Forseeing troubled times ahead Pan, who always had a dark warrior aspect to himself, indulging the passion of revenge for loved ones also known as Pan's Blood, set forth to educate his followers about the dangers of demons and skills necessary to beat them at their own game.
Late Jygust was a dark time for Panlings and the Red Rose Guild which began to experience attacks on some of its students. Spiritual in nature, the assaults left the victim a mindless shell. The work of a group called The Coven or "The Ones" as they chose to call themselves, the inner circle masquaraded as followers of Moonlady. Their ultimate goal was to summon a daemon in accordance with the instructions in a book the coven leader had learned of. In an effort to gain enough strength to do so, the coven leader renewed an ancient and obscur ritual that could suck the memories and life from a person, leaving them alive, but merely a shell.
Unfortunately, the book was intercepted and lost, so the coven had to proceed with partial knowledge of how to control this daemon. Meanwhile, the Purple Guard was closing in on the Coven, disrupting their ritual site in the woods, forcing them underground, literally. Desperate, Lucienda and Eisolf Marcada leveraged some cooperation from the sorceress Thorkatla who had seen the book in the possession of one she was tutoring. She used her knowledge of Trothgardian crystals and runes to open a rift between the Nether and the Tether to allow the coven to do the rest. Near midnight on the last day of Jygust, the coven summoned the daemon. Poorly done, the summoning produced an unnatural storm which swept the Citadel, causing much damage as high winds, wild bolts of red lightening and fiery flying imps invaded the city.
Targeting the Purple Guard in particular, a giant whirlwind appeared, sweeping many of the guardsmen away (landing later in Terra Incognito but that's a different story) and the fiery imps set fire to the barracks and Purple Guard facilities, nearly burning it all to the ground. The daemon tried to break free, seeking for a welcome with Red Rose Guild student Ahren, who rejected him. Thus the coven maintained a fragile grip on the daemon. Needing more power to strengthen their hold and assure their control, the coven increased their attacks and chose Pan's Festival as the opportune time to acquire the power they needed.
Forewarned by the attacks on the Red Rose Guild and the circle of students tracking down the coven, Pan succeeded in bringing together two circles: Seven Warriors and Seven Empaths. After learning of several assaults on festival goers, including one against Isabella, the warriors, led by Andolin, used an artifact found at the sight of the last assault which acted as a compass and lead them to where the inner circle of the coven was hidden.
While the Seven Warriors engaged the circle of seven and the leader of the coven by physical means, the Seven Empaths used Prayer, Love and Song to keep the daemon and the energy under control. Their efforts destroyed the coven leader, opening the way for the Warriors to kill or apprehend the rest. Upon the death of the coven leader, the daemon was released and fled to the sewers of the city, hiding until it could find a new host to act as home.
Most of the coven members committed suicide when they realized there was no hope of escape for them. Two escaped capture and two were taken to the dungeon and questioned. Unfortuantely, the coven always met garbed in hooded robes with masks hiding their faces and the two couldn't reveal the identities of those who had escaped.
No longer trusting anybody at court, and together with Sosa believing that there were several traitors among them at the highest level of government for how else could this darkness have infected the nobles themselves, Anochrim charged the remaining warriors and empaths of the Circles of Seven to help him cleanse his court. Creating a ruse the Ceasar founded the Office of Protocol, putting Andolin Azarin, one of the warriors, in charge, while most of the empaths were swept into the Office as pages.
In the year 1224 AD the situation was turning darker again. More and more citizens of the Empire dared to explore the boundaries set forth by the Temple Order of Illuminatius, coming out of the woodwork.
Forseeing troubled times ahead Pan, who always had a dark warrior aspect to himself, indulging the passion of revenge for loved ones also known as Pan's Blood, set forth to educate his followers about the dangers of demons and skills necessary to beat them at their own game.
Late Jygust was a dark time for Panlings and the Red Rose Guild which began to experience attacks on some of its students. Spiritual in nature, the assaults left the victim a mindless shell. The work of a group called The Coven or "The Ones" as they chose to call themselves, the inner circle masquaraded as followers of Moonlady. Their ultimate goal was to summon a daemon in accordance with the instructions in a book the coven leader had learned of. In an effort to gain enough strength to do so, the coven leader renewed an ancient and obscur ritual that could suck the memories and life from a person, leaving them alive, but merely a shell.
Unfortunately, the book was intercepted and lost, so the coven had to proceed with partial knowledge of how to control this daemon. Meanwhile, the Purple Guard was closing in on the Coven, disrupting their ritual site in the woods, forcing them underground, literally. Desperate, Lucienda and Eisolf Marcada leveraged some cooperation from the sorceress Thorkatla who had seen the book in the possession of one she was tutoring. She used her knowledge of Trothgardian crystals and runes to open a rift between the Nether and the Tether to allow the coven to do the rest. Near midnight on the last day of Jygust, the coven summoned the daemon. Poorly done, the summoning produced an unnatural storm which swept the Citadel, causing much damage as high winds, wild bolts of red lightening and fiery flying imps invaded the city.
Targeting the Purple Guard in particular, a giant whirlwind appeared, sweeping many of the guardsmen away (landing later in Terra Incognito but that's a different story) and the fiery imps set fire to the barracks and Purple Guard facilities, nearly burning it all to the ground. The daemon tried to break free, seeking for a welcome with Red Rose Guild student Ahren, who rejected him. Thus the coven maintained a fragile grip on the daemon. Needing more power to strengthen their hold and assure their control, the coven increased their attacks and chose Pan's Festival as the opportune time to acquire the power they needed.
Forewarned by the attacks on the Red Rose Guild and the circle of students tracking down the coven, Pan succeeded in bringing together two circles: Seven Warriors and Seven Empaths. After learning of several assaults on festival goers, including one against Isabella, the warriors, led by Andolin, used an artifact found at the sight of the last assault which acted as a compass and lead them to where the inner circle of the coven was hidden.
While the Seven Warriors engaged the circle of seven and the leader of the coven by physical means, the Seven Empaths used Prayer, Love and Song to keep the daemon and the energy under control. Their efforts destroyed the coven leader, opening the way for the Warriors to kill or apprehend the rest. Upon the death of the coven leader, the daemon was released and fled to the sewers of the city, hiding until it could find a new host to act as home.
Most of the coven members committed suicide when they realized there was no hope of escape for them. Two escaped capture and two were taken to the dungeon and questioned. Unfortuantely, the coven always met garbed in hooded robes with masks hiding their faces and the two couldn't reveal the identities of those who had escaped.
No longer trusting anybody at court, and together with Sosa believing that there were several traitors among them at the highest level of government for how else could this darkness have infected the nobles themselves, Anochrim charged the remaining warriors and empaths of the Circles of Seven to help him cleanse his court. Creating a ruse the Ceasar founded the Office of Protocol, putting Andolin Azarin, one of the warriors, in charge, while most of the empaths were swept into the Office as pages.
Last edited by Maeve on Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Maeve
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Heal the Ceasar, Heal the Land
The entrance of all sorts of daemonic creatures was not the only sign of the approaching darkness. The Ceasar was suffering from extreme depression. Bound to the land with a secret ceremony spilling his seed in a power called earth empathy , it was the religious task of Anochrim to remove the dark strands of energy from the land by night and heal it. However his depression left him unable to. The core of his depression was his inability to love again, after being betrayed by Lagnora (who loved a companion, which was revealed at her death) and the death of Madeliefje.
The Mother could not allow this situation to continue, for the danger to the Empire became to great. She selected a Rose companion to break the Ceasar's depression. Ahren was already head over heels in love with Anochrim and gifted with an Empathic link that worked two ways with His Love a romance ensued, during with the Ceasar was seduced by the experienced companion.
Just when the healing process had begun and the Ceasar was ready to go on with the rest of his live and maybe even marry and have a heir (for which the the Office of Protocol was busy arranging the selection of candidates in an event called Cinderella's Ball), the darkness stirred again. Unable to accept the growing influence of the Office of Protocol, or the existance of a potential heir to the throne, a member of the Inner Circle intervened.
Ahren was kidnapped. It send Anochrim in a paralyzing depression once again, and on his behalf Sosa and Erwin took up the quest to find the Ceasars lover but had to return weeks later with empty hands.
With his main competitors out of the way, and lady Rioja and Lady Eilish busy healing the Ceasar, it was Silk who took charge of the Citadel. Commanding both his old brotherhood, the remnants of the once legal assassins who had sworn a vow to protect the Empire and keep the balance, and the Purple Guard he accused the followers of Pan, and their most famous exponent the Red Rose Guild, of the recent unrest in the country and had many of them arrested for intterogation. The sentiments of the people agreed with him, as many had watched the frolicing of Pan's followers with disdain and anger.
Sadly Ahren died on board of a sinking ship. The Ceasar felt his dying breath. He was the first but not the last member of the combined circles to die. Several warriors that had not joined Court simply disappeared in the streets. Zaure died in the dungeon. Rees was last seen on a ship to a deserted island. Mer and Henry fled the citadel as so many Roses did. Vanir, Andolin and Isabella were the last to remain in the public eye.
The entrance of all sorts of daemonic creatures was not the only sign of the approaching darkness. The Ceasar was suffering from extreme depression. Bound to the land with a secret ceremony spilling his seed in a power called earth empathy , it was the religious task of Anochrim to remove the dark strands of energy from the land by night and heal it. However his depression left him unable to. The core of his depression was his inability to love again, after being betrayed by Lagnora (who loved a companion, which was revealed at her death) and the death of Madeliefje.
The Mother could not allow this situation to continue, for the danger to the Empire became to great. She selected a Rose companion to break the Ceasar's depression. Ahren was already head over heels in love with Anochrim and gifted with an Empathic link that worked two ways with His Love a romance ensued, during with the Ceasar was seduced by the experienced companion.
Just when the healing process had begun and the Ceasar was ready to go on with the rest of his live and maybe even marry and have a heir (for which the the Office of Protocol was busy arranging the selection of candidates in an event called Cinderella's Ball), the darkness stirred again. Unable to accept the growing influence of the Office of Protocol, or the existance of a potential heir to the throne, a member of the Inner Circle intervened.
Ahren was kidnapped. It send Anochrim in a paralyzing depression once again, and on his behalf Sosa and Erwin took up the quest to find the Ceasars lover but had to return weeks later with empty hands.
With his main competitors out of the way, and lady Rioja and Lady Eilish busy healing the Ceasar, it was Silk who took charge of the Citadel. Commanding both his old brotherhood, the remnants of the once legal assassins who had sworn a vow to protect the Empire and keep the balance, and the Purple Guard he accused the followers of Pan, and their most famous exponent the Red Rose Guild, of the recent unrest in the country and had many of them arrested for intterogation. The sentiments of the people agreed with him, as many had watched the frolicing of Pan's followers with disdain and anger.
Sadly Ahren died on board of a sinking ship. The Ceasar felt his dying breath. He was the first but not the last member of the combined circles to die. Several warriors that had not joined Court simply disappeared in the streets. Zaure died in the dungeon. Rees was last seen on a ship to a deserted island. Mer and Henry fled the citadel as so many Roses did. Vanir, Andolin and Isabella were the last to remain in the public eye.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
Summary disclosure...read at own risk! And you thought I wasn't paying attention 
<hr>The story continues....
Woe be the architect of our city,
cruel leveler,
the hillock strangler....
Bold pusher of the cold bone index
Through the knotted bowels of the old alleyways,
Read the future...
a false haruspex.
Recall how he coaxed us
out of the green plains.
All of us, dumb eyed at the sheer number...
So long ago it does not matter...
Woe be architect in his slumber,
for the Watcher never sleeps,
And on that day there will be rejoicing and dancing streets!
Samheen 19th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8610 - Jayzen enters, spots Two Banner Tom laying down a line of BS to the bartender. Enter Corbin, meets up with a blonde barmaid...Sally...enter Prudence Combs. Jayzen shifted to Corbin, they spoke of Countess Cabernet and her possible introduction between Jayzen and Manyana to help find his long lost father. Prudence dropped and Eva exploded (Mod Caution), and Corbin exchanged with Samatha (red head), a musician, while Jayzen worked with Benedict on the art of knife throwing. (G 9/3)
Samheen 19 ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8561 - Andolin calls upon Kitya (yay!). Aldric meets him, they chat about the Caesar and trade...Pan's Isle is mentioned. Meets Tasha. Gives Kitya a Dragon Eye flower (awww!). Talk of the Western madness, and they then dine. Dessert is a shortcake...yum! After dinner, Aldric gives Andi 100 crowns with the task to double it before Bertram. Andi departs, running into Kitya outside. Kitya must fetch a draught for her sister's swollen belly (?!?) from Amchi, and invites Andi to accompany her. They grab a coach. And...to Amchi's shop, where Andi meets Lord Juricus Braithmer (?), a wealthy son of a merchanter. They collect herbs and move out. They run across a curious messenger who mentions Andolin's father Balik. Back to shop with Amchi and the curious man. He is possessed, and instantly Kitya becomes possessed, and Amchi falls unconscious. Demon/Kitya tries to get Andi to kill Amchi, he tells her to wait in the carriage while he does it. He tries to revive Amchi...to get help...but a lady Appelmar sees them and screams MURDER! The PGs show up, Kitya starts lashing out, the coachman knocks her unconscious and she's brought inside. Amchi continues to hold on, comotose in his efforts to protect Kitya's mind from being devoured. He tries a trick on Amchi and locates a book...Rituals and Rites...while Kitya is bound in the other room. She escapes her bonds and is found to be back in control, but frightened. Andi takes her home, where he and Amchi explain the situation to Alaric (oops!). Poor Kitya will never be the same.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9509 - Finodborn and Valmont arrive at the Temple of Pan. Valsert exits to Alter of Pan's Blood to find Isabella, Vanir is summoned from another thread to counsel Fin. Van and Fin go to the Aether to commune, see the low red moon, nearly die: Tseh saves Fin, though he believes her dead. Vanir, Noland, Celestine withdraw, leaving Father Eric to counsel Finodborn further. Father Eric advises Fin to "do what's in his heart", going so far as to advise him to go to Pan's Isle to join in the fighting.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8989 - Kelsyk is headed off to Dort as part of a mercenary force . The NPC Sharpeye will keep an eye out for him on the voyage and help him sort through his memories and set some goals (Add- hired for 5 circs/week). - Scytale
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8802 - Danomel chases the Stormcatcher to the warehouse in the Outer Ring. He is assisted by a pair of shady figures...a pair of Scouts...who help him isolate Skinny Pete's hideout. Scout is Math and a kid helping him.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9147 - Corbin happens across the Anghiril estate (unbeknown to him) and has a little scuffle with some pranksters trying to release frogs into the Anghiril grounds. He chases them away and earns the eye of Tamrial Anghiril's young daughter. Possible option for Corbin as she gives him a locket and begs him to return to her to share tales of the city (she's interned). (G 9/3)
Samheen 20th ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9331 - Celestine and Vanir meet for discussions. Isabella enters, chats, moves on to alter of Pan's Blood. Celestine and Vanir continue to "counsel" until Finodborn arrives, seeking guidance, taking Van away. Celestine remains with Noland and Tseh (the leaf faerie). Tseh warns Celestine about something evil lurking in the temple, but before she can be specific, Tseh responds to the dangers in Fin's OTHER thread and charges to that one to enter the Aether and save him.
Samheen 21 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9423 - Ulder goes to the stables and chats with the stablemaster (unnamed). Ashari joins and they go for a pleasant and peaceful ride and discuss the past, the present, and a little of the future. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd, MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9745 - Alustrarial finds opportunity to purchase ship to Kislovan. Finds a good ship, meets Ashtallion, the pair elect to use a portal instead. Bon voyage, Urdils! (G 9/3)
Samheen 22 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9743 - Valmont arranges lute lessons with Moira at the Bardic College, to continue after the Commemorative Concert (if he shows). They talk of lutes and the passing Caesar. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9815 - Barrett goes to the Embassy and suffers Thavia's endless flirts until Erwin arrives with Scatha. They go upstairs and discuss the War of the One as well as the artifacts (rosestone, crystal). The Duke reveals to K'mith (wife) and Barrett his plans for Scatha (the next Caesar), and charges Barrett to take her with him to Amun Rah for his investigative trip. He also charges Barrett to teach Scatha to read and write as well as to protect herself from magic. A cover for Barrett is fabricated using the Imperial Trade Guild for both he and Scatha. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9771 - Iorn meets with Smithson, discusses Marcada and possible illicit trade. Learns nothing, but secures an introduction to Baron Marcada. Iorn follows the page taking that very request from Smithson to Marcada and KILLS the page in the Citadel. He intercepts the note and has it read to him: nothing more than a request for introduction to Marcada. His actions spark a response from Crane. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9910 - Farathorn tries his hand at counseling Elaine regarding her depression over her break up with Ulder. His attempt was somewhat lacking and left Elaine rather unimpressed with him...perhaps even angry. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10153 - Danomel exchanges notes with Stanis at the Repository. Stanis sets to the task of learning the lay of the city near Pete's hideout, and Danomel gets a book for delivery to Noland at the Temple of Pan, a young boy that can tell Danomel about magic traps (Danomel is being very careful).
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9780 - Elaine is gifted a nice horse..."Guider"...in a show of appreciation by the PGs. Jarius gave it to her and instructed her it the animal's use. Yay!
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewforum.php?f=220 - Ulder, Valsert, Andolin, Isabella, Farathorn, Valmont, Elaine, Vanir, Sosa attend Procession. Interaction with Aesa, Redault, Etain (who positively bounced), Marcada, Thomas Crane, de Winter, Anzilo, Much of the Palace Staff. Yeah...it rained.
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9736 - Isa meets Nebhotep's Ghost at Carling's Point and they prepare to train in passion craft (adding Rage to her repitoire). Isa learns of the War of the One. -G 9/4
Samheen 22nd - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9045 - Perdita wanders the Patrician's Ring, guided by the demon within her (posing as Pan) to find Iorn Thalas. She speaks to Sergeant Zimphander, who takes her to the Burpin Dragon while he requests information leading to Iorn's mansion.
Samheen 22nd(?) - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9271 - Cyren arrives from afar and instantly falls in with the wrong, wrong crowd. Going to the Kin of the Sea, she bumps into Millie and then Azil Nomin, a small-time operator who sets her up as the patsy for a hit on the Purple Guard. 20 guardsmen corpses later, she flees back to the Kin where she's paid...and arrested by Ulder, who knocks Azil around a bit and clears the inn. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9863 - Gerrard arrives in the Cit, flirts with Karen Barnus (NPC) of the PGs, and wanders on in. Welcome, welcome, welcome!
Samheen 22st ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9929 - Cyren and Ulder speak, a touching reunion. In response to Cyren's involvement in the Purple Guard massacre, she is enlisted until she saves 20 lives. Nicely done thread
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10019 - Ulder, Valsert, and Sosa conference in the bell tower of the Citadel. They iron out a plan in which Ulder will go wild and reckless, forming a perceived schism between he and Sosa and luring the corrupt bad men to him for apprehension. He will begin this with a raid upon the Basilisk's Stare.
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10002 - Barrett and Elaine meet to discuss things. Elaine is introduced to the Rosestone and it's strange qualities. She didn't like it! They adjorn to speak again in the morning.
Samheen 22nd GT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9812 - Iorn conferences with Willem, learning that Willem is only a figment of his own imagination...a coping mechanism for the demon knowledge that Memnoch left in Iorn's mortal brain, keeping the sorcerer at least sane (though undoubtedly addled). Willem advises Iorn to seek the "book" in Pan's Temple that Father Eric has (given to him by Celestine). (G9/3)
~Fin to up the 22nd
<hr>The story continues....
Woe be the architect of our city,
cruel leveler,
the hillock strangler....
Bold pusher of the cold bone index
Through the knotted bowels of the old alleyways,
Read the future...
a false haruspex.
Recall how he coaxed us
out of the green plains.
All of us, dumb eyed at the sheer number...
So long ago it does not matter...
Woe be architect in his slumber,
for the Watcher never sleeps,
And on that day there will be rejoicing and dancing streets!
Samheen 19th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8610 - Jayzen enters, spots Two Banner Tom laying down a line of BS to the bartender. Enter Corbin, meets up with a blonde barmaid...Sally...enter Prudence Combs. Jayzen shifted to Corbin, they spoke of Countess Cabernet and her possible introduction between Jayzen and Manyana to help find his long lost father. Prudence dropped and Eva exploded (Mod Caution), and Corbin exchanged with Samatha (red head), a musician, while Jayzen worked with Benedict on the art of knife throwing. (G 9/3)
Samheen 19 ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8561 - Andolin calls upon Kitya (yay!). Aldric meets him, they chat about the Caesar and trade...Pan's Isle is mentioned. Meets Tasha. Gives Kitya a Dragon Eye flower (awww!). Talk of the Western madness, and they then dine. Dessert is a shortcake...yum! After dinner, Aldric gives Andi 100 crowns with the task to double it before Bertram. Andi departs, running into Kitya outside. Kitya must fetch a draught for her sister's swollen belly (?!?) from Amchi, and invites Andi to accompany her. They grab a coach. And...to Amchi's shop, where Andi meets Lord Juricus Braithmer (?), a wealthy son of a merchanter. They collect herbs and move out. They run across a curious messenger who mentions Andolin's father Balik. Back to shop with Amchi and the curious man. He is possessed, and instantly Kitya becomes possessed, and Amchi falls unconscious. Demon/Kitya tries to get Andi to kill Amchi, he tells her to wait in the carriage while he does it. He tries to revive Amchi...to get help...but a lady Appelmar sees them and screams MURDER! The PGs show up, Kitya starts lashing out, the coachman knocks her unconscious and she's brought inside. Amchi continues to hold on, comotose in his efforts to protect Kitya's mind from being devoured. He tries a trick on Amchi and locates a book...Rituals and Rites...while Kitya is bound in the other room. She escapes her bonds and is found to be back in control, but frightened. Andi takes her home, where he and Amchi explain the situation to Alaric (oops!). Poor Kitya will never be the same.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9509 - Finodborn and Valmont arrive at the Temple of Pan. Valsert exits to Alter of Pan's Blood to find Isabella, Vanir is summoned from another thread to counsel Fin. Van and Fin go to the Aether to commune, see the low red moon, nearly die: Tseh saves Fin, though he believes her dead. Vanir, Noland, Celestine withdraw, leaving Father Eric to counsel Finodborn further. Father Eric advises Fin to "do what's in his heart", going so far as to advise him to go to Pan's Isle to join in the fighting.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8989 - Kelsyk is headed off to Dort as part of a mercenary force . The NPC Sharpeye will keep an eye out for him on the voyage and help him sort through his memories and set some goals (Add- hired for 5 circs/week). - Scytale
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=8802 - Danomel chases the Stormcatcher to the warehouse in the Outer Ring. He is assisted by a pair of shady figures...a pair of Scouts...who help him isolate Skinny Pete's hideout. Scout is Math and a kid helping him.
Samheen 20th - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9147 - Corbin happens across the Anghiril estate (unbeknown to him) and has a little scuffle with some pranksters trying to release frogs into the Anghiril grounds. He chases them away and earns the eye of Tamrial Anghiril's young daughter. Possible option for Corbin as she gives him a locket and begs him to return to her to share tales of the city (she's interned). (G 9/3)
Samheen 20th ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9331 - Celestine and Vanir meet for discussions. Isabella enters, chats, moves on to alter of Pan's Blood. Celestine and Vanir continue to "counsel" until Finodborn arrives, seeking guidance, taking Van away. Celestine remains with Noland and Tseh (the leaf faerie). Tseh warns Celestine about something evil lurking in the temple, but before she can be specific, Tseh responds to the dangers in Fin's OTHER thread and charges to that one to enter the Aether and save him.
Samheen 21 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9423 - Ulder goes to the stables and chats with the stablemaster (unnamed). Ashari joins and they go for a pleasant and peaceful ride and discuss the past, the present, and a little of the future. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd, MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9745 - Alustrarial finds opportunity to purchase ship to Kislovan. Finds a good ship, meets Ashtallion, the pair elect to use a portal instead. Bon voyage, Urdils! (G 9/3)
Samheen 22 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9743 - Valmont arranges lute lessons with Moira at the Bardic College, to continue after the Commemorative Concert (if he shows). They talk of lutes and the passing Caesar. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22 MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9815 - Barrett goes to the Embassy and suffers Thavia's endless flirts until Erwin arrives with Scatha. They go upstairs and discuss the War of the One as well as the artifacts (rosestone, crystal). The Duke reveals to K'mith (wife) and Barrett his plans for Scatha (the next Caesar), and charges Barrett to take her with him to Amun Rah for his investigative trip. He also charges Barrett to teach Scatha to read and write as well as to protect herself from magic. A cover for Barrett is fabricated using the Imperial Trade Guild for both he and Scatha. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9771 - Iorn meets with Smithson, discusses Marcada and possible illicit trade. Learns nothing, but secures an introduction to Baron Marcada. Iorn follows the page taking that very request from Smithson to Marcada and KILLS the page in the Citadel. He intercepts the note and has it read to him: nothing more than a request for introduction to Marcada. His actions spark a response from Crane. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd MT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9910 - Farathorn tries his hand at counseling Elaine regarding her depression over her break up with Ulder. His attempt was somewhat lacking and left Elaine rather unimpressed with him...perhaps even angry. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10153 - Danomel exchanges notes with Stanis at the Repository. Stanis sets to the task of learning the lay of the city near Pete's hideout, and Danomel gets a book for delivery to Noland at the Temple of Pan, a young boy that can tell Danomel about magic traps (Danomel is being very careful).
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9780 - Elaine is gifted a nice horse..."Guider"...in a show of appreciation by the PGs. Jarius gave it to her and instructed her it the animal's use. Yay!
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewforum.php?f=220 - Ulder, Valsert, Andolin, Isabella, Farathorn, Valmont, Elaine, Vanir, Sosa attend Procession. Interaction with Aesa, Redault, Etain (who positively bounced), Marcada, Thomas Crane, de Winter, Anzilo, Much of the Palace Staff. Yeah...it rained.
Samheen 22nd TT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9736 - Isa meets Nebhotep's Ghost at Carling's Point and they prepare to train in passion craft (adding Rage to her repitoire). Isa learns of the War of the One. -G 9/4
Samheen 22nd - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9045 - Perdita wanders the Patrician's Ring, guided by the demon within her (posing as Pan) to find Iorn Thalas. She speaks to Sergeant Zimphander, who takes her to the Burpin Dragon while he requests information leading to Iorn's mansion.
Samheen 22nd(?) - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9271 - Cyren arrives from afar and instantly falls in with the wrong, wrong crowd. Going to the Kin of the Sea, she bumps into Millie and then Azil Nomin, a small-time operator who sets her up as the patsy for a hit on the Purple Guard. 20 guardsmen corpses later, she flees back to the Kin where she's paid...and arrested by Ulder, who knocks Azil around a bit and clears the inn. (G 9/3)
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9863 - Gerrard arrives in the Cit, flirts with Karen Barnus (NPC) of the PGs, and wanders on in. Welcome, welcome, welcome!
Samheen 22st ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9929 - Cyren and Ulder speak, a touching reunion. In response to Cyren's involvement in the Purple Guard massacre, she is enlisted until she saves 20 lives. Nicely done thread
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10019 - Ulder, Valsert, and Sosa conference in the bell tower of the Citadel. They iron out a plan in which Ulder will go wild and reckless, forming a perceived schism between he and Sosa and luring the corrupt bad men to him for apprehension. He will begin this with a raid upon the Basilisk's Stare.
Samheen 22nd ET - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=10002 - Barrett and Elaine meet to discuss things. Elaine is introduced to the Rosestone and it's strange qualities. She didn't like it! They adjorn to speak again in the morning.
Samheen 22nd GT - https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?t=9812 - Iorn conferences with Willem, learning that Willem is only a figment of his own imagination...a coping mechanism for the demon knowledge that Memnoch left in Iorn's mortal brain, keeping the sorcerer at least sane (though undoubtedly addled). Willem advises Iorn to seek the "book" in Pan's Temple that Father Eric has (given to him by Celestine). (G9/3)
~Fin to up the 22nd
Maeve: It starts with ambition
Meridiuz: It ends with Grant
Meridiuz: It ends with Grant
-
Maeve
- The Dragon & Game Designer
- Posts: 15536
- Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:29 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
Tome of Rioja, Imperial Court Chronicler
In 1224 AD the Empire knew great turmoil. Dark Sorcery was on the rise again, in the secret corners of society, tainting the soil of the land, and preparing for the rifts that would occur later that yahren, rifts that allowed the darkest creatures of the Nether to enter the Citadel and other places in the Empire. The Caesar was unable to cure the land using his tie to the nation, a talent called earth empathy, and died, some say of grief for having lost his one true love who was abducted by sinister forces.
Some blamed the chaotic forces in the Empire for allowing the forces of Darkness to rise. From celebrated citizens Panlings became fugitives, their Red Rose guild closing and companions that had been the core of the political scene going into hiding, creating political vacuum, for in truth it had been this institution that had smoothed the way of government between the nobles for a long, respectable time. The Purple Guard, the Caesar's personal legion was temporarily disbanded after accusations of power abuse. The Major Domus was found dead in his room under mysterious circumstances. Amidst this political turmoil created by sinister forces new powers rose.
Here it was that the Gods struggle spilled over from the Aether into the Tether in their effort to keep out the Nether. For there was disagreement among the children of the Mother and the Father. There was One who claimed to be the One and Only God, Dominicus, who blinded to the truth sought to ban all chaos and balance, just focusing on the light without tolerance. He found other gods, but especially Pan and Moonlady in his way. Trying to save their followers and arrange for a full combat of the Nether an enormous host of adhiel was drawn to the Oasis of Amun Rah by Pan, Moonlady and the Mother, yet they were slain by the One God Dominicus. For instead of aiding them in their common cause against the Nether he thought them to be the true enemy of the faith. Blind are the Oneists. Blind to variety, to the real truth.
The Oneists did not stop their advance after the Oasis Massacre. Indeed, they found many reasons to fight good folk all over the globe. Pity our brethren in T'aquar who were supposedly saved from the daemons, but were occupied in return, now subservient to the One Church and the Western Kingdom. The Oneists armies sought to expand their influence in the Empire too, invading Pan's Isles, abandoned by the Panlings and leaving only a small colony yahren before, as well as Dort's Highlands, seeking to convert. They brought with them fantastic new technology that was near impossible to beat with the conventional battle magick of our times: floating ships in the air... the so called airships. They brought about explosions that catapulted boulders with enormous force.
On the brink of war yet unable to muster enough forces that would stop these hords of fanatics, the Empire had to resort to cunning. It was the swift dagger of diplomacy that created a rift between the One Church and the financiers of this war, the Merchants of World's Mouth, who in truth only longed for the export products of Pan's Isle. World's Mouth agreed to submit their colony on Pan's Isle to Imperial authority, and to Imperial taxes, and to provide the plans for some of their latest technological developments. In exchange, the Empire allowed the colonists to maintain their footing on the isle and recognized World's Mouth as a city-nation independent of the Western Kingdom.
This in effect ended the War that had erupted on Pan's Isle in full. Already Royalist, Oneist and Mouthie troops had arrived in the colony to do battle against the Imperial troops in all but name for without a Caesar the Empire was unable to mount a defense. While the Western forces were outnumbered heavily, they had the superior technology which gave them the overhand. The Mouth peace treaty cut all of this short, but not before the royalist and Oneist factions, through some nefarious plotting were slain almost to a man, just a few troops exiting through portal. They took a dead King Balthasar I with them.
After this victory of peace a more quiet time settled on the Empire. With the new Caesar X chosen and War no longer threatening people went on about their daily lives while government picked up the pieces and tried to restore order. The rifts between the Tether and the Nether were now mended, the last by the heroic efforts of Citadelian citizens who slew a great daemonic beast. Yet the divine resentment among the children of the Mother and Father towards Dominicus remained, for he continued to proclaim himself the One God so that much evil was done in his name.
In 1224 AD the Empire knew great turmoil. Dark Sorcery was on the rise again, in the secret corners of society, tainting the soil of the land, and preparing for the rifts that would occur later that yahren, rifts that allowed the darkest creatures of the Nether to enter the Citadel and other places in the Empire. The Caesar was unable to cure the land using his tie to the nation, a talent called earth empathy, and died, some say of grief for having lost his one true love who was abducted by sinister forces.
Some blamed the chaotic forces in the Empire for allowing the forces of Darkness to rise. From celebrated citizens Panlings became fugitives, their Red Rose guild closing and companions that had been the core of the political scene going into hiding, creating political vacuum, for in truth it had been this institution that had smoothed the way of government between the nobles for a long, respectable time. The Purple Guard, the Caesar's personal legion was temporarily disbanded after accusations of power abuse. The Major Domus was found dead in his room under mysterious circumstances. Amidst this political turmoil created by sinister forces new powers rose.
Here it was that the Gods struggle spilled over from the Aether into the Tether in their effort to keep out the Nether. For there was disagreement among the children of the Mother and the Father. There was One who claimed to be the One and Only God, Dominicus, who blinded to the truth sought to ban all chaos and balance, just focusing on the light without tolerance. He found other gods, but especially Pan and Moonlady in his way. Trying to save their followers and arrange for a full combat of the Nether an enormous host of adhiel was drawn to the Oasis of Amun Rah by Pan, Moonlady and the Mother, yet they were slain by the One God Dominicus. For instead of aiding them in their common cause against the Nether he thought them to be the true enemy of the faith. Blind are the Oneists. Blind to variety, to the real truth.
The Oneists did not stop their advance after the Oasis Massacre. Indeed, they found many reasons to fight good folk all over the globe. Pity our brethren in T'aquar who were supposedly saved from the daemons, but were occupied in return, now subservient to the One Church and the Western Kingdom. The Oneists armies sought to expand their influence in the Empire too, invading Pan's Isles, abandoned by the Panlings and leaving only a small colony yahren before, as well as Dort's Highlands, seeking to convert. They brought with them fantastic new technology that was near impossible to beat with the conventional battle magick of our times: floating ships in the air... the so called airships. They brought about explosions that catapulted boulders with enormous force.
On the brink of war yet unable to muster enough forces that would stop these hords of fanatics, the Empire had to resort to cunning. It was the swift dagger of diplomacy that created a rift between the One Church and the financiers of this war, the Merchants of World's Mouth, who in truth only longed for the export products of Pan's Isle. World's Mouth agreed to submit their colony on Pan's Isle to Imperial authority, and to Imperial taxes, and to provide the plans for some of their latest technological developments. In exchange, the Empire allowed the colonists to maintain their footing on the isle and recognized World's Mouth as a city-nation independent of the Western Kingdom.
This in effect ended the War that had erupted on Pan's Isle in full. Already Royalist, Oneist and Mouthie troops had arrived in the colony to do battle against the Imperial troops in all but name for without a Caesar the Empire was unable to mount a defense. While the Western forces were outnumbered heavily, they had the superior technology which gave them the overhand. The Mouth peace treaty cut all of this short, but not before the royalist and Oneist factions, through some nefarious plotting were slain almost to a man, just a few troops exiting through portal. They took a dead King Balthasar I with them.
After this victory of peace a more quiet time settled on the Empire. With the new Caesar X chosen and War no longer threatening people went on about their daily lives while government picked up the pieces and tried to restore order. The rifts between the Tether and the Nether were now mended, the last by the heroic efforts of Citadelian citizens who slew a great daemonic beast. Yet the divine resentment among the children of the Mother and Father towards Dominicus remained, for he continued to proclaim himself the One God so that much evil was done in his name.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
-
Maeve
- The Dragon & Game Designer
- Posts: 15536
- Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:29 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
This timeline is offered for the War:
Samheen 31st
Rosalie Lo Russo, new Ambassador of the Free City nation of World's Mouth, returns to the Citadel and presents the offer of technology, recognition of authority and taxes from Aveas to the Imperial Government.
Samheen 32nd
The Imperial Council meets and accepts the offer, with Rosalie present to witness it. A treaty is written up.
Samheen 33rd
A delegation from the Imperial government goes through the Pecunia Portal to World's Mouth and the actual treaty is signed with the Merchant Council, in the presence of all Magisters.
Samheen 34th
Oneist troops on Pan's Isle launch an assault, with Mouth troops retreating into Aveas town before the actual conflict, leaving the Royalist and Church soldiers up for slaughter before the frustrated imperialists, including the local Panlings and the dark adhiel.
Samheen 35th-37th
Mop up operations
Samheen 38th
Peace announcement. The Free City nation of World's Mouth is declared.
Samheen 31st
Rosalie Lo Russo, new Ambassador of the Free City nation of World's Mouth, returns to the Citadel and presents the offer of technology, recognition of authority and taxes from Aveas to the Imperial Government.
Samheen 32nd
The Imperial Council meets and accepts the offer, with Rosalie present to witness it. A treaty is written up.
Samheen 33rd
A delegation from the Imperial government goes through the Pecunia Portal to World's Mouth and the actual treaty is signed with the Merchant Council, in the presence of all Magisters.
Samheen 34th
Oneist troops on Pan's Isle launch an assault, with Mouth troops retreating into Aveas town before the actual conflict, leaving the Royalist and Church soldiers up for slaughter before the frustrated imperialists, including the local Panlings and the dark adhiel.
Samheen 35th-37th
Mop up operations
Samheen 38th
Peace announcement. The Free City nation of World's Mouth is declared.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
-
Maeve
- The Dragon & Game Designer
- Posts: 15536
- Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:29 pm
- Location: The Netherlands
As the War comes into its final days things in the Citadel have been heating up. The vote of the 30th had been indecisive and Duke Erwin had thrown a celebratory party to both provide some entertainment for the residents of the island as well as to boost the popularity of his candidate for the upcoming elections.
The next day, Samheen 31st, brought the greatest change with the return of Consul Rosalie Lo Russo from her secret visit to the World's Mouth. Meeting with Chancellor Hector Anzillo she presented her offer of the peace treaty between the soon to be Free City of World's Mouth and the Empire of Seven Isles. The Chancellor used the remaining time of the day to inform all the Imperial Electors of the new development and the Advisory Council meeting of the 32nd got a whole new meaning.
Foregoing the vote for the new Caesar, the Council voted on the proposed peace treaty and it was accepted with overwhelming majority; for the first time in recorded history both Secretary Silk and Muchislie representatives voted for the same option. A delegation comprising of Chancellor Anzillo, Secretary Silk and Count de Besnie was selected to go to the Mouth the next day and sign the actual peace treaty. Working through the night the actual document was hammered out and empowered by Pecunian magick taken through the portal early next morning.
Signed by every member of the Advisory Council as well as all nine Magisters of the Merchant's Council, the treaty became a reality at the first mark of Tradetide of the 33rd. A mere mark later communication was established with the Mouthie and Imperial commanders in the Pan's Isle and a plan to end the war quickly was made. The outcome of that plan was the battle that took place the next day, Samheen 34th, where a Mouth treachery became a turning point that ensured the slaughter of Royalist and Church troops. With King Balthasar dead, and Mouth as their ally, the Empire was able to claim a total victory, before allowing the Mouth to take control of Pan's Isle under the name of the city the colonists had founded: Aveas.
It was some time before the Citadel returned to normal operations and during that time even the elections of a new Caesar were postponed. It was not until the start of Yulember that the Advisory Council met to discuss it once more and another vote took place. The time that passed and the recent developments and lobbying had had tremendous effect on the mood of the Council and Andolin Azarin was chosen as new Caesar. His efforts in securing World's Mouth cooperation, and the Mouth's support for his candidacy, had tipped the scale at last.
While the new ruler of the Empire settled into his seat and preparations were being made for his official crowning. It was to be scheduled for the Chyril 30th of the next year, when spring would be in full bloom, so it would symbolize the rebirth of the Empire as a new power. Until then, Andolin would be a Caesar in everything, but his spiritual link to the Empire and would merely not wear a crown. He was however expected to seek out a suitable wife whom she could marry after the coronation. Of course, help would be offered if he failed to produce one himself.
Soon after the elections Duke Erwin chose to return back home to Dort to restore order there, leaving the Embassy in Ulder Synkaaros' capable hands. His votes were still grouped and Ulder voted in his stead. With the new relations between the World's Mouth and the Empire the Mouthie contingent moved out of the Western Kingdom Embassy and moved into a new building that had been given over to their use by intervention of Baron Marcada. Lady Lo Russo was named the Ambassador, and it was she who held the Aveas vote in the Imperial Council.
The most shocking development was the disappearance of the head of the Imperial Scouts Guild Manyana, whose office was discovered to be a thorough mess one morning, with two dead bodies of men reputed to be the members of infamous Brotherhood laying within. No clues as to her whereabouts were discovered, though here and there a story emerged of how she was seen in various parts of the Empire.
But, not all was so bad. The dreaded Seaside Slayer, who had been responsible for brutal murders of several women in the past months, had finally been caught and after a short and rather emotionally charged trial hanged and his body burned. The citizens of the Citadel let out a collective sigh of relief at such news, but it was not long lasting. Barely two months later a new body was discovered, bearing the eerily similar markings to those before it. When the second body showed up whispers began of how the Slayer had returned from the dead, though the authorities assured the disturbed citizenry that it was merely a coincidence and that somebody was probably using the old stories to mask his or hers murders and draw the investigation off.
Furthermore the city had been witness to a rather strange hunt the kinds of which had not been seen in recorded history. On the last day of Darkenry, a virtual tide of disfigured, disoriented and babbling individuals spread across the Patricians Ring, running amok, and soon the entire city was witness to weird behavior and mayhem. The Imperial Guards aided by the City Blues had managed to apprehend all those individuals and it was soon discovered that they were all escaped patients from the hospital in Patrician's Ring that catered to the needs of those that are not fit for regular society.
Travelers from Amun Rah brought the news that the half-giant tribes of the Great Desert were on the verge of civil war, and the departure of Sheik Hassan to his homeland soon after the turn of the year has given substance to such rumors. Grand Vizier Nu'Phuat has been voting in the Council in Sheik's stead and has so far proven to be an adept politician and an excellent orator, standing by Lady Isis' side and together they have been a force to be reckoned with.
Soon after the War debacle, Ambassador Anton Marvik of the Western Kingdom was called back and in asurprising move Sir Frederic Hagen of the Royal Order of Dominicus was appointed acting Ambassador until a new person could be found for that spot. Reluctantly the blond paladin accepted his position and has since been doing his best to thwart the Mouth efforts in the Citadel.
General Stacco of the Muchislie Marines and the Ambassador of Muchislie to the Citadel had been called home and left with utmost urgency leaving the Embassy in the hands of Count Jacob de Besnie. It is rumored that Lady Marie was not very happy with Stacco's performance and some even say that she accused the aged general of treachery against Muchislie. What would cause such a man to betray the country he had fought for for so many years?
The Temple of Pan has seen a new upsurge of followers, though it has been quite slow in rebuilding. With the High Priest Vanir back aided by Fialessa, the people have started going back to the temple of the God of Passion. The Joy, while still present is not so wildly pursued, with a man named Noland preaching on the necessity of balance between Pan's aspects and the equality of them. There are rumors that Eilish, the daughter of Pan will be returning to the city soon, her presence on Pan's Isle no longer necessary now that the war is over and perhaps not even wished for now that the Mouth have renamed it Aveas. She is expected to take back her Council seat back from Isis' hands.
The month of Yulember saw the return of Illuminatus' faithful and it was with some skepticism that the explanation for their disappearance had been taken. Apparently they have been in deep meditation, using the prayers and spells to keep the darkness at bay. With the rifts closed and the threat of the Changer gone, they have emerged back once more, and are working together with the clergy of the Mother to restore the island to its previous glory. Elaine's song only started the process, but it will take some time and a lot of effort before the damage is completely repaired.
The dark mages seem to have all but vanished, though here and there people whisper of the strange events and gruesome sights, all in all it has been strangely quiet, ever since Lord Redault's daughter has been taken to the University of Magic for observation after the massacre at his mansion when she killed all the servants and played a game of cat and mouse with those that still lived. Subdued she was last seen being taken away in a carriage, screaming how she would be back, and take her true demonic form.
Crime however has been on the rise in a terrible way, especially the more savage crimes. Murders, beatings and arson have all been tripled, though for the most part it seems to have been limited to low life, the people of illicit occupations who are not guarded by the City Blues. It is rumored there is a gang war on the loose in the city and while it is good that the criminals are killing each other off, what happens when one side runs out of targets? It is further reputed that Thomas Crane has left the city after his son William was found brutally murdered, floating under the docks with his throat slashed.
The next day, Samheen 31st, brought the greatest change with the return of Consul Rosalie Lo Russo from her secret visit to the World's Mouth. Meeting with Chancellor Hector Anzillo she presented her offer of the peace treaty between the soon to be Free City of World's Mouth and the Empire of Seven Isles. The Chancellor used the remaining time of the day to inform all the Imperial Electors of the new development and the Advisory Council meeting of the 32nd got a whole new meaning.
Foregoing the vote for the new Caesar, the Council voted on the proposed peace treaty and it was accepted with overwhelming majority; for the first time in recorded history both Secretary Silk and Muchislie representatives voted for the same option. A delegation comprising of Chancellor Anzillo, Secretary Silk and Count de Besnie was selected to go to the Mouth the next day and sign the actual peace treaty. Working through the night the actual document was hammered out and empowered by Pecunian magick taken through the portal early next morning.
Signed by every member of the Advisory Council as well as all nine Magisters of the Merchant's Council, the treaty became a reality at the first mark of Tradetide of the 33rd. A mere mark later communication was established with the Mouthie and Imperial commanders in the Pan's Isle and a plan to end the war quickly was made. The outcome of that plan was the battle that took place the next day, Samheen 34th, where a Mouth treachery became a turning point that ensured the slaughter of Royalist and Church troops. With King Balthasar dead, and Mouth as their ally, the Empire was able to claim a total victory, before allowing the Mouth to take control of Pan's Isle under the name of the city the colonists had founded: Aveas.
It was some time before the Citadel returned to normal operations and during that time even the elections of a new Caesar were postponed. It was not until the start of Yulember that the Advisory Council met to discuss it once more and another vote took place. The time that passed and the recent developments and lobbying had had tremendous effect on the mood of the Council and Andolin Azarin was chosen as new Caesar. His efforts in securing World's Mouth cooperation, and the Mouth's support for his candidacy, had tipped the scale at last.
While the new ruler of the Empire settled into his seat and preparations were being made for his official crowning. It was to be scheduled for the Chyril 30th of the next year, when spring would be in full bloom, so it would symbolize the rebirth of the Empire as a new power. Until then, Andolin would be a Caesar in everything, but his spiritual link to the Empire and would merely not wear a crown. He was however expected to seek out a suitable wife whom she could marry after the coronation. Of course, help would be offered if he failed to produce one himself.
Soon after the elections Duke Erwin chose to return back home to Dort to restore order there, leaving the Embassy in Ulder Synkaaros' capable hands. His votes were still grouped and Ulder voted in his stead. With the new relations between the World's Mouth and the Empire the Mouthie contingent moved out of the Western Kingdom Embassy and moved into a new building that had been given over to their use by intervention of Baron Marcada. Lady Lo Russo was named the Ambassador, and it was she who held the Aveas vote in the Imperial Council.
The most shocking development was the disappearance of the head of the Imperial Scouts Guild Manyana, whose office was discovered to be a thorough mess one morning, with two dead bodies of men reputed to be the members of infamous Brotherhood laying within. No clues as to her whereabouts were discovered, though here and there a story emerged of how she was seen in various parts of the Empire.
But, not all was so bad. The dreaded Seaside Slayer, who had been responsible for brutal murders of several women in the past months, had finally been caught and after a short and rather emotionally charged trial hanged and his body burned. The citizens of the Citadel let out a collective sigh of relief at such news, but it was not long lasting. Barely two months later a new body was discovered, bearing the eerily similar markings to those before it. When the second body showed up whispers began of how the Slayer had returned from the dead, though the authorities assured the disturbed citizenry that it was merely a coincidence and that somebody was probably using the old stories to mask his or hers murders and draw the investigation off.
Furthermore the city had been witness to a rather strange hunt the kinds of which had not been seen in recorded history. On the last day of Darkenry, a virtual tide of disfigured, disoriented and babbling individuals spread across the Patricians Ring, running amok, and soon the entire city was witness to weird behavior and mayhem. The Imperial Guards aided by the City Blues had managed to apprehend all those individuals and it was soon discovered that they were all escaped patients from the hospital in Patrician's Ring that catered to the needs of those that are not fit for regular society.
Travelers from Amun Rah brought the news that the half-giant tribes of the Great Desert were on the verge of civil war, and the departure of Sheik Hassan to his homeland soon after the turn of the year has given substance to such rumors. Grand Vizier Nu'Phuat has been voting in the Council in Sheik's stead and has so far proven to be an adept politician and an excellent orator, standing by Lady Isis' side and together they have been a force to be reckoned with.
Soon after the War debacle, Ambassador Anton Marvik of the Western Kingdom was called back and in asurprising move Sir Frederic Hagen of the Royal Order of Dominicus was appointed acting Ambassador until a new person could be found for that spot. Reluctantly the blond paladin accepted his position and has since been doing his best to thwart the Mouth efforts in the Citadel.
General Stacco of the Muchislie Marines and the Ambassador of Muchislie to the Citadel had been called home and left with utmost urgency leaving the Embassy in the hands of Count Jacob de Besnie. It is rumored that Lady Marie was not very happy with Stacco's performance and some even say that she accused the aged general of treachery against Muchislie. What would cause such a man to betray the country he had fought for for so many years?
The Temple of Pan has seen a new upsurge of followers, though it has been quite slow in rebuilding. With the High Priest Vanir back aided by Fialessa, the people have started going back to the temple of the God of Passion. The Joy, while still present is not so wildly pursued, with a man named Noland preaching on the necessity of balance between Pan's aspects and the equality of them. There are rumors that Eilish, the daughter of Pan will be returning to the city soon, her presence on Pan's Isle no longer necessary now that the war is over and perhaps not even wished for now that the Mouth have renamed it Aveas. She is expected to take back her Council seat back from Isis' hands.
The month of Yulember saw the return of Illuminatus' faithful and it was with some skepticism that the explanation for their disappearance had been taken. Apparently they have been in deep meditation, using the prayers and spells to keep the darkness at bay. With the rifts closed and the threat of the Changer gone, they have emerged back once more, and are working together with the clergy of the Mother to restore the island to its previous glory. Elaine's song only started the process, but it will take some time and a lot of effort before the damage is completely repaired.
The dark mages seem to have all but vanished, though here and there people whisper of the strange events and gruesome sights, all in all it has been strangely quiet, ever since Lord Redault's daughter has been taken to the University of Magic for observation after the massacre at his mansion when she killed all the servants and played a game of cat and mouse with those that still lived. Subdued she was last seen being taken away in a carriage, screaming how she would be back, and take her true demonic form.
Crime however has been on the rise in a terrible way, especially the more savage crimes. Murders, beatings and arson have all been tripled, though for the most part it seems to have been limited to low life, the people of illicit occupations who are not guarded by the City Blues. It is rumored there is a gang war on the loose in the city and while it is good that the criminals are killing each other off, what happens when one side runs out of targets? It is further reputed that Thomas Crane has left the city after his son William was found brutally murdered, floating under the docks with his throat slashed.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]