Difference between revisions of "Unti Family/Nerta/A5S2"

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{| class="infobox" style="margin: auto;" border="2" cellpadding="4"
 
{| class="infobox" style="margin: auto;" border="2" cellpadding="4"
 
|-
 
|-
| [[File:Winter.png|500px]]
+
| [[File:Vore.jpg|600px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
! width=45% | Ar Agyr
+
! Trouble in Vore [[File:DuelingVankocuf.png|200px|center]]
! width=30% | Irondale
 
! width=25% | Thalmarkin
 
 
|-
 
|-
  
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|Type=Roleplay
 
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Cold.
+
|Content=Entering the city with Balin, Nerta bristles in the crowd as they head to the Azure Plaza.
Already the blanket of snow was thick leaving Nerta to rest in her small camp and reflect on how things had changed in a year. Last winter she had fled from Mhed wearing only a rough wool tunic and now she had a letter requesting coin from some Patrician. A request she could now fulfill.
 
  
Ignoring the Old Man as he reads off a litany of titles from the bottom of the letter, Nerta glances around the small camp.  
+
"A lot more soldiers than last time I was here."
  
A stew bubbles away, her tent pitched near by, both a marked improvement from last year. Though some things were the same: she was still helping Plebeians with their monster problems; still alone. Despite all the adventures of the last few weeks she'd not seen Wren or Jacinda for some time. Hopefully they were all right.
+
A jostling teamster sends Nerta into the red head earning one of them a muttered apology and the other a hiss.
  
"You have the money to fulfill the request, though you'll need to get to the bank... You're a league away Nerta."
+
"I doubt we'll have to fight a horde of zombies, but we should check the temple. Someone's going to need our help."
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 +
}}</center>
 +
|-
  
"I know Old Man, I know." Scrubbing her face with a sigh, Nerta collects some stew. "How did you... How did you do it back in the day? How did you handle," she waves a hand about, "everything."
+
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 +
|Width=100%
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
 +
|Content=Happy to be away from the crowd, Nerta taps at the quest board outside the Temple to the Old Gods.  
  
Her ghostly companion smiles, "A solstice miracle, you ask for my advise." A hand rising to forestall the retort, the scholar sighs, "Yet I don't really have an answer to your question. I tried things; sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't. All you can do is try and hope that others will as well."
+
"Usual stuff for a city. Couple hauntings. Missing kid. Merchant needs needs someone to collect his lost cargo."
  
"Others are trying I'll give them that..."
+
She rubs at her injured arm. It feels hot. What she gets for catching a death knight blade.
  
The shade chuckles, "Yes, they can be that as well. But overall things are going well."
+
"Compared to Bessimir this stuff should be easy. Especially if the temple has any elixirs. You could probably handle it all on your own while I heal up..."
  
"Well? Every day we get reports of doom and the undead marching around."
+
The thought is cut short as a young woman clutching a parchment intent for the board steps into view. Her flaxen hair is pulled in a tight bun, and she wore a washerwoman's skirt. But most telling her eyes shimmer with tears.
  
The Old Man laughs, "Yes, it is winter after all, but spring will come and some will have survived."
+
"S-Sir, Miss... p-please..."  
  
Rubbing her temple Nerta sighs, "Cold Old Man. Cold."
+
Nerta slumps and closes her eyes. Her voice warm for the first time since Balin met her.
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
 
 +
"Brother or son?"
 +
 
 +
The washerwoman swallows hard and points toward the slopes of the mountain.
 +
 
 +
"My F-Father...the quarry. A..A landslide."
 +
 
 +
"Heh... that one's new. Let's hope the Dark Mistress hasn't welcomed him to her court just yet."  
 +
 
 +
Squeezing the woman's arm, Nerta waves Balin to follow. No monsters this time, but someone still needed help, and that’s why they were here.
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Grante Le Monte
+
|Sender=Vidkunn Thrane
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Fellow Faithful,
+
|Content=Vidkunn snarled as he finished reading the missive bearing the seal of House Luitolf. His fist became pale as he crumbled the parchment tightly before casting it to the ground. He turned his gaze upon the Temple of the Old Gods and gave a heavy grunt. He drew his dagger and began to pray.
 
 
While I have not written to this chamber much, or spent much time in one of our temples (I have yet to explore the one in Firbalt as I wait for a time when Hierophant Ryosuke might give a tour of it), I nonetheless have spent much time reading any old tomes or scriptures I could find since my first discovery of the Old Gods. And you can find quite a lot of forgotten ones when in the south.
 
  
With my new appointment as duke and lord of Fianik, I will be opening a temple here in short time once I have the time and gold to do so. If possible, it would be great for a priest to visit here as it seems an old Daishi temple is still standing, and we do not need the peasantry getting confused.
+
​​​​​​…Forgive me, Emperor…I shall endure as you have commanded…I am ashamed to have sought false redemption in these Old Gods. Take of my flesh this sacrifice and have mercy on my soul…
  
For the Old Gods,
+
His grasped the blade of the dagger with his left hand and slowly pulled with his right. He closed his eyes and felt the pain pulse through his body.
|Title=Duke of Land’s End, Margrave of Fianik
+
|Title=Knight of Yipinalke
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=There's no doubt a lot to read given just how many books there are. The Old Man suggests digging out the vellum and stone tablets if you want the real crazy stuff, but wants me to add that if you have any trouble with translations he can handle it with the Stone Table in the Agyrian Academy.
+
|Content=Running hands through her hair, stone dust scatters and Nerta takes another sip of water.
<br>
+
 
As for some old temple: That's the third time it's come up in Irondale, maybe we should hold a conclave and get to the bottom of all these strange ruins?
+
She needed it.  
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
 
 +
The digging had been sweaty work, and her injured arm throbbed. But either the Life Taker or the Weaver of Fate had spared these people.
 +
 
 +
Moments like this are fleeting. Usually families aren’t reunited, they’re mourning. So Nerta enjoys the relative calm and leans back till her hood falls away so the sun can play across her face.
 +
 
 +
But even the sun sets eventually.
 +
 
 +
“This is the ''thing''?”
 +
 
 +
The sneer guard captain blocks the light as an underlying prods Nerta’s shoulder with a spear.
 +
 
 +
“Yes sir, one of those mountain folk.”
 +
 
 +
“Folk? You give these beasts too much credit Cedric.”
 +
 
 +
Nerta scans the small contingent. Forty… she could take them, but only if she was willing to kill some….
 +
 
 +
“I said stand up beast! I know you speak language.”
 +
 
 +
… most.
 +
 
 +
“It has been a good day Captain and I would rather it continue, for both of us. I am indeed from the Roof of the World, but I mean your people no har….”
 +
 
 +
The prod of a second spear cuts her off as the captain with the curly moustache scowls.
 +
 
 +
“No harm? There was a Crystal-Cursed landslide. Everyone knows your kind cause disasters and ill luck.
 +
 
 +
“I just '''saved''' those people.”
 +
 
 +
The woman’s tone flat, her eyes glitter with malice but the array of spears hold her back.
 +
 
 +
“I will not debate with the likes of you. Cedric! Take this thing to the dungeons, this will be a matter for the duke.”
 +
 
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|Captured!
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
You have been spotted and captured by enemy patrols.
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
 
|Recipients= Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=May I suggest asking the Dashi to close their temple in the city and move on?  While it is up to each regions Lady/Lord what to do, I'd rather not have the influence of the Dashi in any region I controlled and asking them nicely to depart gives them the chance to do so gracefully.
 
|Title=Keeper of Law of Irondale, Viscount of Aesh
 
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|
 
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Anyte Luitolf
+
|Sender=Soren Navaar
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Good luck getting Daishi to agree to anything. So much as speak about their temples and they start throwing fits about religious oppression.  
+
|Content="Prison?" Soren sighed, shaking his head. Probably Thalmarkin. Probably for something stupid. That was where he had last seen her, and he didn't doubt she was still out there. He pondered over if he could even help her or not.
|Title=Duchess of the Bathory
+
 
 +
Katria, the first daughter of one of the river lords, stepped forward with a smug look on her face. "If I may, sir? That woman doesn't deserve your time anyway. She's uncouth, a drifter hardly better than an adventurer, and I can't see why you would spend your time with her."
 +
 
 +
Soren shook his head again, this time at his assistant. "Then you haven't been paying attention," Soren told her, ignoring the offense she took at that statement. Setting aside the latest harvest reports Katria had originally come to deliver, he took a blank piece of parchment and picked up his pen. "There's more to her than just what you see on the surface, Katria."
 +
 
 +
"She seems to hate you."
 +
 
 +
Soren laughed, but didn't give her a response.
 +
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients= Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=If there was a temple in Aesh when I took over they would have already been asked and, failing to be pleasant about it, I would have converted it into something more useful already and kicked out the clergy. Aesh needs more brothels...
+
|Content=It's hard to tell time in a dungeon. But the pale woman is able to count heartbeats by the throb of her injured arm. Five hundred beats after the Old Man had decided to look around the citadel, the door to her cell opens with a screech.
|Title=Keeper of Law of Irondale, Viscount of Aesh
+
 
 +
Expecting a guard, the appearance of a nervous young man dressed as a page is curious. As is the medical kit thrust toward her.
 +
 
 +
“Uh… miss Nerta, y-you need some medicine and bandages right?”
 +
 
 +
Her breath steaming in the cool air, she swallows hard to clear her throat.
 +
 
 +
"Thank you, lad. I hope the Old Man wasn’t too big of a scare.”
 +
 
 +
The boy fidgets with his tunic while Nerta opens the pack to pull out salve and alcohol.
 +
 
 +
“It’s alright miss. I heard about what you did down at the quarry…”
 +
 
 +
A faint smile turns to a wince as she cleans the wound, and the page fills the silence.
 +
 
 +
“The Captain is just worried about the war, the army was routed in Qual and there’s been looting.”
 +
 
 +
The splash of alcohol has Nerta hiss and tense, leading the page to nearly jump out of his skin. As the pain subsides, Nerta shrugs.
 +
 
 +
“The captain arrested me for the same reason you’re staring.”
 +
 +
The boy had the decency to flush and look away, leaving Nerta to fill the silence.
 +
 
 +
“It’s alright. I’m used to it.”
 +
 
 +
Working the salve into the cut, she continues.
 +
 
 +
“I heard others being released but I’m still here. Why?”
 +
 
 +
The boy rubs his head and glances over his shoulder.
 +
 
 +
“The Duke’s busy with the war and the Captain wants you transferred out of the city and to the judge.”
 +
 
 +
Nerta snorts as she winds the bandages around her arm.  
 +
 
 +
“The Royal Judge for little old me? I guess the Ice Queen was in a hurry to balance her scales of fate.
 +
 
 +
Tying off the bandage, Nerta folds back up the pack and pushes it toward him with her foot.
 +
 
 +
“Thank you lad, now get going before you get in trouble. I have to clean up my cell for company after all.
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Report
|Sender=Tristan De La Fere
+
|Sender=Elios Everlight
|Recipients= Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=I shall be there Dear Duke!
+
|Content=Most Honoured Duchess Anyte, Senex Nerta:
  
Yes closing the temples is a good idea, but its worthwhile to wait until most of the population believes in right things. We do not want the brainwashed cattle to murder each other.
+
The Temple in my city has never looked so impressive. How has Vore come to be bestowed with such an honour?
  
With Respect,
+
Senex, I do not believe that we have met. I wonder that his Majesty has not noted your presence, what with the war and all. Would it be wise to trust that your intentions here are all above board? Not to throw bald suspicion upon you, Lady; I ask openly of a peer.
|Title=Earl of Baqua
+
 
 +
For the North,
 +
 
 +
|Title=Duke of Vore
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=With the way you guys were talking I thought you meant some old ruin. But it sounds like they're active temples.
+
|Content=Nerta squints in the morning light as she steps from the citadel as a free woman once more.
 +
 
 +
“Here,” the captain sniffs and extends her cloak, “if you must be released among honest folk, have the decency to cover yourself.”
 +
 
 +
The woman says nothing to the guard’s sneer, but as she adjusts the hood another figure trots up atop a splendid charger. The resplendent man is bearded with hazel-green eyes and sandy hair.
 +
 
 +
“Senex, I do not believe that we have met. The Temple in my city has never looked so impressive”
 +
 
 +
The horse stamps and he pulls at the reins.
 +
 
 +
“Still, I wonder that his Majesty has not noted your presence, what with the war and all. Would it be wise to trust that your intentions here are all above board?”
 +
 
 +
His smile earns a grumble from the guard captain.
 +
 
 +
“Not to throw bald suspicion upon you, Lady; I ask openly of a peer.”
 +
 
 +
Checking her gear, Nerta cranes her neck to eye the looming man for several heartbeats. Based on his comfort in the saddle and claim to the city, this must be the Duke of Vore.  
 +
 
 +
“You’re a peer, are you?
  
Why do you want to close them down?
+
The very same Duke who’s dungeons she’d spent a week in.
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
 
 +
“Well, why didn’t you say so...”
 +
 
 +
Alarm bells ring for the captain at the tone of the ‘thing’, but he’s not fast enough to stop Nerta snatching her spear and launching herself in a run. Crossing the distance as a scuttling blur, the woman springs from the ground toward the cavalier.
 +
 
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|Training Match
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
Elios Everlight, Duke of Valour, Margrave of Vore meets his challenger Nerta Unti, Dame of Agyr, Priestess of The Old Gods for the agreed training match.
 +
Both participants are using the 'overrun' strategy, so that neither has an advantage.
 +
After a series of blows, Nerta wins the training match.
 +
|-
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Alice Schwarzherzig
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients= Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Why would we tolerate temples of other false faiths? Constantly leading the faithful astray with their non-religion. Daishi exists purely as a glorified message group. The only messages ever sent there are complaints about temples being torn down, and Nothoi's war coordination.
+
|Content=Nerta crashes into the Duke before he draws his sword, but Elios holds his seat through training and reflex. Adapting quickly, the woman plucks a knife from her belt to lunge. It forces Elios to release the saddle and parry with his bracer.  
|Title=Viscountess of Porl
+
 
 +
Legs alone control the dancing horse as the blade switches hands for a second swing. But the Duke grabs her arm and ripostes with a heavy crack to her ribs.
 +
 
 +
Thrown back against the neck of the panicking charger, Nerta grabs his arm and pulls Elios forward into a right hook.
 +
 
 +
Dazed and unable to pull free, Elios hammers with his left. The flailing metal crunches Nerta’s injured arm to a hiss of pain.
 +
 
 +
From there everything about the woman is a blur of fabric and hands. When things settle, the Duke finds his left arm pinned as well and Nerta peering up at him close enough to taste the sweat on her brow.
 +
 
 +
Eyes wide she clicks something in the back of her throat before swallowing hard.
 +
 
 +
“Peer?”
 +
 
 +
Her breath washes across his beard and, despite the tremble from adrenaline, her hand remains steady as the knife presses to his throat.
 +
 
 +
“Maybe I should put '''you''' in a little box for a week...”
 +
 
 +
“THE DUKE! TO ARMS!”
 +
 
 +
Sweat drips from Elios’ nose to splash on her own, but Nerta’s gaze never stops boring into those hazel-green eyes.
 +
 
 +
“Now Duke, tell them to stand down. This is between ''peers'' after all.”
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Why would we not tolerate such a thing? After all, does not the mountain tolerate some grass upon it's face? We, the greater, need not fear the lesser.  
+
|Content=Nerta knew that a man like the captain is a coward. He will do nothing while a knife sits at the Duke's throat.
  
​​​​​​If this faith unites a great many people and allows them to speak and share, then it serves a small part in the quest to win the land for humanity. Those who are receptive to the truth can join us in winning the love of the Gods, while the others can continue to serve their small part in ignorance.  
+
But the captain is not alone. There are soldiers, torn between duty and their petty tyrant. There are peasants, cooks, and groundskeepers- all transfixed at the sight.
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
 
 +
But there is also a young boy who wants so much to honour his grandfather. A young boy who bravely ventured alone into the dungeons with medicine. A young boy who does what's right.
 +
 
 +
So while the crowd stands frozen, the young page picks up Nerta's spear and places the tip against her side.
 +
 
 +
"Lady…"
 +
 
 +
Nerta's grip tightens on the knife, her knuckles turning white.
 +
 
 +
"...please."
 +
 
 +
The blade falls from her hand and she finally closes her eyes.  
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 +
|-
 +
 +
|-
 +
|Captured!
 +
You have been spotted and captured by enemy patrols.
 +
|-
 +
 +
|-
 +
| Huge Battle Fought
 +
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Vore:<br>
 +
Ar Agyr vs. Thalmarkin<br>
 +
Estimated strengths: 830 men vs. 290 men<br>
 +
The Angry Agyrian Army (Ar Agyr), sponsored by Queen Aibhlidhn Dubhaine, were led into battle by Marshal Rowan Hawk.<br>
 +
Duke Aeravon Velaryon is spotted wearing the Cruel Ring of Sartania, the Shield of Battle & the Scythe of Vlaanderen<br>
 +
Count Bergelmir Crownguard is spotted wielding the Grisly Mace of Angmar.<br>
 +
Countess Lady Nostalgia Fate is spotted wearing the Blessed Chain of Piety.<br>
 +
Attacker Victory!<br>
 
|-
 
|-
  
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|Type=Roleplay
 
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Letters.
+
|Content=Deep in the Vore Citadel sits a spider. It makes a home for itself in one corner of their cell, catching careless flies as they buzz about.
 +
 
 +
“Shouldn’t you be somewhere else Captain? It sounds like a war outside.” 
  
Sitting in a familiar Fronepu tavern with a bowl of stew, Nerta notes how quiet it is this time. The chill of winter and the armies of the Sunken Kingdom on the march gave a far more oppressive atmosphere than a tournament rioting in the streets.
+
The man’s moustache twitches in the dark.
  
She'd come out of the sewer with the head of a bogwraith to the tavernkeeper's insistence on a meal. It was an added reward to the posted bounty, but a welcome one.  
+
“A war you brought, ''creature''.
  
The letters less so.
+
Nerta smiles and shifts against the cold stone. 
  
The Old Man had frowned and tisked, muttering about the Valentic Order throughout reading her the exchanges. Finally she'd interjected with the stab of a spoon.
+
“First I caused a landslide, then I tried to assassinate the Duke, and now I brought a war. Despite all appearances, you must think highly of my abilities.” 
  
"What does it matter what some Patrician on the other side of the world thinks about temples?"
+
Sour breath curls around the bars to the cell.
  
"Nerta, I'm going to assume your tired after hunting beasts in the dark." Pretending to sit next to her the shade sighs and gestures to another scroll, "This faith they speak of is expansive and by these very accounts, militant. Nevermind that conflict between humanity is one of our greatest weakness, to anger this faith is to invite some crusade or another."
+
“I think, it would be a shame if you escaped justice.
  
With a sigh the woman leans back and scrubs her face with one hand, trying to wake herself, "Okay, so why then? Why are we even talking about this?"
+
The jingle of shackles cuts the deepening silence.
  
"Well..." The specter scratches at his beard, ethereal grave dust drifting, "Though many adopt the the old ways and seek to win the love of the Gods, they retain newer ways of thinking. Valentic ways, we called it back in the day."
+
“If you open that door, I will kill you.” 
  
"Yes you muttered about them, with the same tone you use for 'barbarians'," her tired voice dry, the woman shifts in her seat and tries to stretch her back against the corner.
+
A crossbow rises along with a sneer.
  
The Old Man smirks, "Good catch. The Valentic Order was alwasy more militant, more concerned with orthodoxy, truth," he pauses, "and power."
+
“And what will you do if I just shoot you from here?”
  
"Mmmm," she winces and adjusts the digging pressure, "So you figure these guys are just, what? Itching to prove they're right and Daishi is wrong or something?"
+
Bowing her head, Nerta’s hands clench behind her back.
  
"A man who will lead a rebellion is a man of conviction, and those who will follow him are comfortable with risk." He raises a finger, "And power."
+
“Still a coward even with all that wine…”
  
Signing the woman turns back to her stew, back still tight, "And you weren't?"
+
Nerta flinches as the door rattles, and the flush face of the captain presses against the bars.  
  
The shade's smile is almost boyish, "I had other avenues of power. Besides, the quest is too important to play dice for the fate of Beluaterra."
+
“You think you’re so clever. Tricking everyone. Pretending to be a noble. You’re not better than me. You’re nothing.
  
"Your piety still surprised me at times, so at odds with your cynicism."
+
Eyes glitter in the dark as the man spits the words.
  
"Piety is not as impressive when it comes from knowledge rather than faith. Before my death I walked the halls of the Gods and after," he frowns, "they made it clear the price of our failure."
+
“The Duke punished you, so now it’s my turn. But despite being chained naked in a cell, I’m terrifying. So you’ve been drinking and brought a crossbow. I have to say, I’m not impressed.” 
  
"Ya... Humanity under the talon of a dragon, forever."
+
The man purples with rage and drink, his voice echoing in the tiny cell.
  
They sit in silence for a time, the stew growing cold as appetite fades. Finally Nerta sighs and pushes it away, "Fine, I'll get some scribe to write your reply."
+
“Shut up you bitch! I’ll kill you.
  
"It would be easier if you learned how to write you know..."
+
The door rattles again as the bow swings into view, but this time Nerta doesn’t flinch and instead rises to her feet.
  
"Don't start with me Old Man," rising to her feet she smiles faintly, "Besides if I do, what will you have to do all day?"
+
“I know you will. But that’s not what you really want. No. You want me… crying. Because if I’m just some little girl sobbing at your feet, you don’t need to be afraid anymore.”
  
​"​​​​​​Relax?"
+
The screams of the vanquished are muffled by the citadel’s thick walls.
  
Nerta snorts and pushes out into the cold, "You don't know how."
+
“But the army’s coming, Captain, so what’ll it be? Shoot me from there or come and take what you really want?”
  
"No," he smiles, "I guess I don't."
+
The drunk’s laboured breathing is cut by the screech of the door. Lurching toward the prisoner, the stock of the bow cracks Nerta in the head as the man screams.
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
“Shut up you half-breed! I’m not afraid of monsters like you! You ''are'' just a little girl and I will make you cry, and beg and and…” 
|
 
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Ryosuke Guile
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=For me, I wish to see the common folk of Firbalt enlightened as I have been. The temple of Daishi that exists in my city is increasingly derelict and abandoned by both noble and commoner alike. I do not like having such an eyesore within the city limits, nor do I personally agree with the Daishist hold over my peasants.
 
  
When I manage to return to Firbalt from my rounds, I will reach out to the elders of their faith and notify them that they can come and close their temple down, or leave it for my Dawnguard to do. It will depend on how long it would take them to come and dismantle the remains of the structure...
+
Nerta chitters as blood runs down her chin. 
  
But to put it as plainly as possible, for me it is a matter of desiring my peasants being of a like mind, at least in faith. Nothing against Daishi, as I have heard next to nothing about/from them.
+
“I was wrong about you, you’re not a coward. Just a fool. I said I’d kill you if you opened that door, and I ''am'' a monster.” 
  
That being said, Irondale still remains open to all faiths, and Lords are entitled to build or destroy temples on their own lands as they wish, according to the ancient rights of nobility. Provided it is not a Mordokian temple being built. I’ll have the hands, tongue, and teeth of any of those cannibals that I find in my domain.
+
Fury’s scream changes to fear at the sight of her ''grotesque'' grin. He tries to pull away and level the bow. But she strikes and the fly dies in agony.
  
Under the Masked One’s Sight,
+
Vae Victis
Vox Noctis,
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
|Title=Hierophant, Defence Minister of Irondale, Margrave of Firbalt
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
! Sack of Vore [[File:fire-silhouette.png|200px|center]]
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Alice Schwarzherzig
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=Grass does not turn the mountain into more grass. If we allow this "grass" to turn more of the mountain into grass, how much of the mountain will be eaten by goats and the like?
 
 
 
One nibble is too much.
 
|Title=Viscountess of Porl
 
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Ryosuke Guile
+
|Sender=Ioulas Hwitt
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=I thought we liked goats, though? Duke Remus is quite a goat-minded man, after all! There is Honour, and Beauty, in the goat!
+
|Content=Ioulas' heart beat in his chest louder than the war drums that resounded over the battlefield.  Strangely, this battle worried him more than the first one a day previous.  Scaling the walls and overrunning the relatively meagre defenders had been child's play.  His sister Calypso back on Dwilight had told horror stories of the attack on Libidizedd, of the thousands that had died upon the walls.  Compared to those stories, it had seemed a training exercise.  Not a single one of his soldiers had fallen in the battle, and Ioulas had drunk wine and broken bread with his soldiers in honor of their victory.
 +
 
 +
Now he saw what seemed to be over a thousand thousand men and women arrayed against their army, and Ioulas had to work to hide the fear that threaten to tear his breast apart.  He could not let his soldiers see his fear, and so he sat atop his mighty horse, Bucephalus, and tried his best to look imposing.  He wore the armor of his family back on Dwilight, with stylized muscled cuirass and silvered greaves.  He wore a classical helmet, a deliberate homage to antiquity,  plated in gold and bearing a motif of a mighty lion.  On either side of the helmet were two pink and white peacock feathers and adorning the top was a bright plume of royal blue.  Ioulas certainly thought he cast a dashing figure.
 +
 
 +
The horns suddenly blared their order to attack and the army moved as one, Ioulas and his Pezhetairoi locked their shields and extended their long pikes, called sarissae among his people on Dwilight.  The force moved forward deliberately with Ioulas wanting dismounting his horse and joining the first row of soldiers as they neared the enemy army.  His captain, a Beluaterran man named Madred, warned him against this, but Ioulas waved the concerns away saying, "The Gods will punish a coward that hides in the back behind his men!  Glory is on the front lines!  I will show this continent how brave the Hwitt's can be!"  Ioulas hoped that the men did not hear the shaking in his voice.
  
Perhaps I’m just not understanding the mountain/grass/goat metaphor.
+
Before too long the tide of battle reached them.  Ioulas was surprised to see that what he had thought to be a huge army was in fact a rabble of countless peasants, throwing themselves at the ordered line of soldiers like swarm of angry insects.  They died like insects too.  The unarmored and undisciplined mob threw themselves onto the awaiting spears of the Pezhetairoi, and any that made it past the wall were cut down by Ioulas or some of the others easily.  Ioulas himself slew five men in the span of a few minutes, not a real soldier among the lot.
  
Regardless, I like goats. They are delicious.
+
Ioulas swung his sword, dispatching another unlucky soul who had attempted to hit him with a rusted and worn woodaxe and just like that it seemed, the battle was over. What remaining forces there were among the enemy were fleeing.  Ioulas took a moment to look over his soldiers and was elated to note that there was not a single fatality among them, only minor injuries. His earlier trepidation was replaced with excitement as Ioulas knew that the defenders would take time to reorganize themselves, now it was time take glory and reward among the enemy city.
  
Vox Noctis,
+
"Men!  To the city streets, we will find where they hide their coffers and take our due!  Let us sleep on gold this night!"  Ioulas shouted to a general cheer among his soldiers, who looked forward to a chance to loot the enemy city.  The soldiers moved into the city in orderly fashion and before too long found a building bearing the city seal.  "There!  There men!  Let us go!"  Ioulas shouted, and before he could do anything more, his men surged forward.
|Title=Hierophant, Defence Minister of Irondale, Margrave of Firbalt
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
A few brave soldiers tried to stoped the two score soldiers from entering the tax office, but they were cut down easily as the Pezhetairoi were met with a stacks of gold coins that covered the small vault room from floor to waist height.  The soldiers swarmed it, filling their pockets, the sleeves, anything they could, while Madred ensured that Ioulas received the lion's share.  A noise suddenly arose from outside as the few sentries that had been posted outside the building raised the alarm.  Ioulas went to the window and was horrified to see that a mob of nearly 300 people had come out to try and kill his soldiers while they looted.  "Defend!  Into lines men!  Into lines!  Make rank!"  Ioulas shouted, and his men, feeling the danger, stopped their looting and obeyed.
|
 
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=Fellow Followers,
 
  
When I came to Irondale I joined the Dashi because that's what the people of my region worshiped, as did many others in the realm; I saw nothing wrong with it at the timeAs the days and weeks past, I noticed how stagnant and self-serving many of the followers were and prayed that there was a better alternative, like the gods of my father: The Old GodsMy prayers have been answered and I see no reason not to share this faith with others as well as remove the temptation of corruption and sloth from those who don't know better.  The common folk need to be shown and told what is right, they can't be trusted to make such decisions on their own, that's why they have us.   
+
What followed was a second slaughter, as nearly all of the 300 people were killed.  Ioulas could only watch as they impaled themselves one after the other on the spearsSoon that too was over, and the streets were quiet once moreIn this chaotic fracas, Ioulas had nearly been surrounded, trying again to lead from the front, but the peasants had come from every side, and he had to kill even more people.  The soldiers held no mercy though, already high on battle, blood, and gold, and set about the task of putting down the peasants as efficiently as a farmer threshes grain.   
  
A decision to remove the Dashi taint is a decision to empower the Old Gods and the peopleI will always do as much as possible within my power (reasonably, of course) to keep my people on the right path.
+
Soon the cobblestones of Vore were nearly ankle deep in crimson blood, as a pile nearly three feet high of dead became an impediment to their unordered attackers.  But through the din of the fight, Ioulas could see that the back numbers were beginning to run, as the peasants could see that their unruly attack had failed"Stop!  Stop men!  Let them go!  There is no more glory to be had in pointless slaughter here!  Let us take our prize and let our spears pierce the heart of soldiers!" 
  
Iron Within and Sexy Velvet Without,
+
Ioulas hoped it was his words that had stopped his men, rather than the lack of available targets, but stop they did as the peasants broke, running back into side streets and alleyways.  Screaming could be heard from the dying all around as Ioulas and Madred quickly took stock of the battle.  Not a single of his men had fallen, but hundreds lay dead before them.  This was not what Ioulas had intended.  Madred shook his young master, nearly shouting to him, "Ser Ioulas we must go before another waved tries their luck, or we will never make it out!"
|Title=Keeper of Law of Irondale, Viscount of Aesh
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
Ioulas nodded and the soldiers quickly began an ordered withdrawl, pockets and sacks laden with the riches of the city. Within half an hour, they reached the safety of the Agyran camp and the soldiers collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Over 400 gold coins were counted among Ioulas' share of the haul, an amount he had never seen in one place.  Out of combat, the soldiers began to finally cheer their good fortune, and soon lifted Ioulas upon their shoulders, cheering his name and calling out, "Ioulas the golden lad!  Ioulas the golden lad!"
|
 
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Tristan De La Fere
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=Whats next? Somebody tells us to live peacefully with the Children also? Share bread with the undead? No. We must prove our worth.
 
|Title=Earl of Baqua
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
Any guilt Ioulas felt evaporated at the praise, and soon all were enjoying wine and food freely, and they celebrated the night away, waiting to see if the next day would bring repeated fortune.
|
+
|Title=Knight of Ieara
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Alice Schwarzherzig
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Content=I joined the Daishi once too. I was told to join by old man Willy, and I quote, "because Daishi is the tool which Nothoi uses to coordinate its wars." I for one cannot tolerate such a vile lie. A message group masquerading as a religion is disgusting.
 
|Title=Viscountess of Porl
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=It is good that everyone is passionate.  
+
|Content=Soldiers pillage. The city burns. People scream.
 +
 
 +
All under the Banners of Four Duchies.  
  
Alice; the noble defender, worried for the sake of the common folk and disgusted at hypocrisy.<br>
+
Arfordir rampages by the Azure Plaza, Havilmark holds the gatehouse, Avalon ransanks tax offices, while Jylmark is down by the quarry turned charnel pit.  
Quincy; the champion against corruption, seeking to shepherd others as a father would a child.<br>
 
Tristan; reminding us that conflict between humanity is fruitless when there are monsters to slay.<br>
 
  
And of course Ryosuke; the bringer of enlightenment.
+
"Looks like only Agyr is missing, but then Bob is too old to enjoy conquest, Rahger is nowhere in sight and I’ve been a ''guest'' of the Duke.
  
All of these are noble goals from noble men and women. Righteous fury at the injustice of the world is the only reasonable response. But we must ask ourselves: Do we seek justice? For if we do we must be prepared to surrender ourselves as well.  
+
Nerta leans back from the window as Page Gavin returns, his arms piled with her clothes.
  
Alice, a woman who despises the hypocrite and the faithless, will not shy from the truth. Humanity invaded these lands with the intent to win them. When force of arms was not enough some of our ancestors lost hope and fled. Others chose to learn; to win the love of the Gods. Quincy's grandfather might say that such was a corruption of the ways of our ancestors: To leave our powerless faiths at the sea and adopt a new one tied to this land; but it is not so. Like Ryosuke, Quincy's father sought enlightenment and in finding it, realized the gravity of our injustice to the Children of the Old Gods, and of our forebears to the Dragons. But as Tristan reminds, we did this for a noble end: For a bright future for our people. So while we have done these terrible things and shall continue to do them, we must do so with full acceptance of who and what we are.
+
“Nerta, I-I know you must hate me…”
  
The Daishi are hollow. Tragic.<br>
+
The woman snags pants and laughs.  
The Daishi are corrupt. Inexcusable. <br>
 
The Daishi are militant. Ignoble. <br>
 
The Daishi lead the people astray. Horrible.<br>
 
  
But we are '''not''' the Daishi. We are the Followers of the Old Gods. <br>
+
“Hate you? Given what I just did downstairs, I’d be a Crystal Cursed hypocrite if I hated you for winning a fight by trickery. You had no idea what the Captain was going to try.
We know the truth, of this land and of ourselves. <br>
 
Through that knowledge we will bring about the golden age of humanity on this continent. <br>
 
Do not let righteous fury seduce you into what you despise. <br>
 
  
We are not hypocrites because we do not hide what we are. <br>
+
Averting his eyes, Gavin remains a coat rack while Nerta dresses.
We are not corrupt because we allow our youth to reach enlightenment by merit of it's own worth, as a father would to a cherished son.<br>
 
We are not prone to the squabbling of others because we keep vigilant watch on the real enemy. <br>
 
  
We are a passionate people, but that passion is tempered by '''wisdom'''.  
+
“I… I still need to ask for your help and I don’t deserve it.”
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
 
 +
The woman squeezes into her shirt and adjusts it with a tug.
 +
 
 +
“No one ever does, but that’s never stopped me before. So let me guess, you’ve got a family you want to keep safe and you don’t think the Citadel will for long.”
 +
 
 +
Boots roll toward the lady as Gavin nods.
 +
 
 +
“It’s not just my family. People are dying out there, and… I dug into the reports after they locked you up again. You really do help people.”
 +
 
 +
Cloak settling around her shoulders, Nerta pulls up the hood.
 +
 
 +
“Someone has to. Come on, we’ll round up your family and anyone we can and hide them in the temple. Damn thing has to be good for something more than just books and statues.
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 +
|Width=100%
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
 +
|Content=Driving off a pair of Pezhetairoi soldiers from Arfordir with light wounds, Nerta rejoins the mob of peasants moving through the inferno. She had collected quite the congregation marching from the Citadel. Apparently religion is more appealing when death is close…
 +
 +
As both the temple and a familiar red mohawk come into view, Nerta raises her spear to shout.
  
 +
"Balin! I got tired of waiting for you to break me out. Care to help my new friends find a place to stay?”
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 +
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
 
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Followers,  
+
|Content=Balin, a hero in his own eyes, had just finished telling of his heroic deeds in the north, where scores of zombies fell to the might of the Old Gods who personally intervened to save their worthy followers. He spoke in hope to inspire those that watched him speak. The city was still burning, but a story of hope was good for folk to cling to while the going was bad. He nodded to himself pleased as he felt he managed to not only raise their spirits (morale rises by 5 % to 16 %), but also cause the watching citizens to become more patriotic.
  
I appreciate Lady Nerta's urging of caution and tempered wisdom.  As a matter of fact, my reaction is quite tempered from my initial urgings when I left the Dashi to literally burn all their temples to the ground.  Now my desire is simply to convert these houses of ill-repute to places more wholesome like brothels and strip clubs.  Win-win.
+
He was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned to see Nerta, leading quite a congregation of war torn peasants, all trying to find refuge.
  
All this is hypothetical, for the moment, anyways since there is no Dashi temple in my region.  Should I acquire a different region in the future, the untitled 'Dashi to brothel' project will be enacted for the betterment of all.
+
"I didn't know you were here, but it makes a lot of sense. You would be where the need is strongest, even if the place is in enemy lands."
  
Iron Within and Sexy Tempered Velvet Without,
+
"Perhaps we should head to the temple and see if it still has room for a few more. I hear it was recently rebuilt and enlarged."
|Title=Keeeper of Law, Viscount of Aesh
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Grante Le Monte
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Fellow Followers,
+
|Content=Nerta snorts waves the people forward.
 +
 
 +
"The temple better have room or else I'm throwing the books out in the street no matter what the Old Man says. Gavin you see to that."
 +
 
 +
She didn't want to think about Balin's calm assurance that Fate had brought her here. She had enough trouble being tethered to the Dark Mistress let alone adding the machinations of Ice Queen.
  
I am glad this has stirred up discussion. I do not intend to tear it down immediately as I am still getting to know the peasantry here and believe that would start that relationship off on the wrong foot. Thus why I requested that a priest come and help begin the process to opening their eyes to the Old Gods and how we must prove ourselves to them so that we gain their favor over their children. I do not believe that is possible if too much of humanity believes in false gods.
+
"Come on Balin. I managed to chase off a couple bronzed phalanx, but we need to set up a barricade before they come back with friends or else this will be Bessimir all over again."
|Title=Duke of Land's End, Margrave of Fianik
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
! Mourning After [[File:smoke-silhouette.png|200px|center]]
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
|-
 +
 
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Gadwin Ardent
+
|Sender=Dancer Rea
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=What is this 'strip club' Lord Quincy spoke of? Is this a wood working facility or some religious site of the Old Gods? I am wholly unfamiliar with this term.
+
|Content=The 'royal' trio made their way though the broken streets of Vore. Bodies were piled at every corner; fully half of the population had been slaughtered by the Agyrains. As the group approached the temple, they found themselves stopped by a large crowd......
|Title=Viscount of Daisha
+
|Title=King of Thalmarkin
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Lord Gadwin,
+
|Content=The temple grounds held most of the survivors from the sack of Vore, thanks to the ad hoc defenses made from carts and desperation. When the King arrived the next day the refugees turned militia still manned the ramparts, but they allowed him to pass.
 +
 
 +
The space beyond is crowded but orderly, and centred on a makeshift tent. The surrounding tables are swimming with scrolls where a few scribes work to sort the mess of reports. Occasionally the page Gavin glances up to a hand mirror propped against a sack of beets.
 +
 
 +
Despite the activity, Nerta dozes in the shadow of the tent. She’d had a long night, but the morning might be just as busy.
 +
 
 +
At the sight of the King the trio of scribes rise to bow.
 +
 
 +
“Your majesty.”
 +
 
 +
A soft and speculating fourth voice echoes the other three.
  
It is most certainly a 'wood working facility' and should be a religious site for everyone, especially the Followers.
+
“Your majesty, curious…”
|Title=Keeeper of Law, Viscount of Aesh
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Gadwin Ardent
+
|Sender=Anyte Luitolf
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=I am slowly becoming more familiar with the lore of the Old Gods. Enough that I may gave a few questions worth asking.
+
|Content=Groggily, Anyte peered around the room she was in. The last thing she remember was seeing the armies of Ar Agyr marching to the city in the distance, and getting what meager defense for the city she could muster, then hobbling to pray to which ever of the gods were listening that the city might be saved. Ar Agyr marched to force Thalmarkin to suffer the presence of a man that caused so much turmoil he was actually accused with hiring one of her many would be assassins.  
  
Who is this 'Old Man' I have heard referenced so often?
+
Slowly, she sate up from the soft bed in which she had been placed. Bandages had been placed over the wounds of her most recent assassination attempt, and it was clear she was being tended to by someone. Soon, the door opened and a lesser Guardian walked through.
  
Where have the Augurs gone?
+
"Your Grace, it is good to see you-"
  
Have there been no Augurs of gods aside from the Ice Queen? Those touched by other gods or goddesses?
+
"Where is my cane?" She cut him off with a grunt.
  
Where did our knowldge of the Old Gods first come from? Was it the Elemental Scroll of Time?
+
He stared in disbelief at the duchess as she breathed heavily, still recovering from the wound she had received in the church.
  
Who first brought knowldge of the Old Gods to the people of Beluaterra? Was this Aldo Unti?
+
"Duchess, you should rest more. You were severely injured, we were not even sure if you would make it. Besides, the King has arrived in the city once he heard of your injury. I am sure he would like to see you."
  
What happened to the man or woman who brought these truths to us all?
+
The confusion gone, replaced with anger, Anyte seethed. The King that had claimed to love her but in the end had betrayed her. Fury muddled her still exhausted brain. "Bring me my cane, and take me to the King," She barked with a low snarl, "If you know what's good for him you will ensure we are not alone."
 
+
|Title=Duchess of The Bathory
I am sure I will have many more questions but I feel these are a good start. I thank any who may respond in advance - your guidance is most appreciated.
 
|Title=Viscount of Daisha
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
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|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
+
|Sender=Dancer Rea
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
|Content=Heavy
+
|Content=Three people, four voices. Dancer lightly squeezed Jax's sides, and the 'horse' came to a stop near the trio. Bearthomew stopped as well, and sat down with a light thump. Milky eyes swept the area, but there was no indication of where the fourth voice had come from. Curious. Dancer let his eyelids half close, and began to focus very carefully, casting his senses out to the tent and it's inhabitants. Simultaneously, he growled at the group.
  
With a grunt Nerta loads another sack of flour into the cart, "How do you want to respond?"
+
"Don't waste my time with pleasantries. Is the Princess in the temple?"
  
The confused plebian miller holding open the letter furrows his brow, "Pardon?"
+
As he spoke, his sense reached the tent, and within. Four souls. Two, relatively normal, although Balin's form was very bright in comparison to most humans. The child on the cot felt strange, although he was not sure why. It was....almost like she'd managed to drench her very soul in the stench of a monster. However, it was the fourth soul that caught his attention.....namely because he could not see a physical form standing in that location with his half open eyes. Interesting. Perhaps some sort of invisibility magic?
 +
|Title=King of Thalmarkin
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}}</center>
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|-
  
Shifting another sack, the woman waves a hand, "Sorry, not you. My ghost."
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|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
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|Width=100%
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|Type=Roleplay
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|Sender=Anyte Luitolf
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|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
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|Content=Through the temple the couple slowly hobbled, Anyte still healing from the attack and therefore even slower than before. Several times she had to stop and catch her breath, leaning heavily upon her cane, treating it more of a crutch than ever before. They eventually made their way to the courtyard, where she saw him sitting up that dreadful beast he called a horse. The duchess straightened her self up with all her might and approached the king.  
  
Bemused the bearded specter glances back, inclining his head to the shade of the miller's wife, "Self-effacingly of course."
+
THWACK
  
"Careful dear, they're talking politics," the flickering shade with a flower in her hair wrings her hands and ushers the poor man along. "Let's go get them that ichor ale we promised for all the help with the attic mite and let them talk."
+
Her cane had found the meaty part of his leg. "How dare you? How can you show your face after declaring that man, the man that has had me stabbed and treated your people as if they were mere play things, not a traitor? How can you come to see me after that?" She creamed, voice dripping with the vitriol that comes from years of having people hunt one down for reasons beyond your comprehension, "You of all people, I thought would understand.
  
The miller turned letter stand, rolls up the paper and sighs, "My dear, we've not had any ichor ale since the old Lord Kedri passed."
+
Quickly the cane found the ground again as her head spun from the sudden burst of action, she needed it as a crutch once more, breathing heavily again, "Of course you don't understand, how could you. I came here two decades ago seeking refuge, and have spent that time building a life for people. Providing, defending, improving, and even smoothing over the transgressions of others. What have I gotten in return? More assassination attempts than I can count. The cannibals of Mordok ran free, not one person targeting them, but the woman who has done nothing but toil for this realm is almost a prize to those that skulk in the dark. And you declared one of the men that hires them not a traitor?"  
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|Title=Duchess of The Bathory
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}}</center>
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|-
  
"Oh right," turning to the extra hands of the day the shade curtsies, "So sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be."
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|-
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
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|Width=100%
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|Type=Roleplay
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|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
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|Recipients=Everyone in Vore
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|Content=Nerta of the twisted soul jumps in her bed as the ebony cane of the Duchess connects with the leg of the inquisitive King.  
  
Nerta lets out a grunt and pauses to wipe her brow with one sleeve, "It's alright, I have to put up with him after all."
+
Scrubbing sleep away as the lovers quarrel, the foederati woman groans in the light of day.
  
The miller nods and moves to pick up another sack, but Nerta waves the bent man off leaving him to harrumph and sigh, "So you say m'lady. Still don't know why I can't see your's. Ghost's a plenty in the north by your 'Old Man' won't make an appearance? Not that I'm calling you a liar, you understand, just mighty strange. "
+
“You two need to stop. It’s the army that’s to blame, not any of you. Now give Gavin there your names and by all the Gods, ''quietly'', go and get some food. Some of us were up all night protecting your asses.
  
"It's alright miller. He doesn't... know, either." Tossing the last flour onto the cart back Nerta stretches and sighs, "You're taking all of these to the lord's manor, right? Might I hitch a ride? I need a scribe and I'll guess your hand isn't as steady as it once was."
+
Nerta’s glittering eyes finally focus on the pair. Taking in their appearance, she frowns and tugs her cloak closed.
  
The miller lets out a chuckle and holds up a hand, "Steady as the Kadara but no, I can't read. If you want a ride I'll take you into town, least I can do. Just let me get the horses and we can go."
+
“Oh. You’re not plebeians. Crystal Cursed…”
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
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|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
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Latest revision as of 07:47, 2 September 2021

Vore.jpg
Trouble in Vore
DuelingVankocuf.png
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Entering the city with Balin, Nerta bristles in the crowd as they head to the Azure Plaza.

"A lot more soldiers than last time I was here."

A jostling teamster sends Nerta into the red head earning one of them a muttered apology and the other a hiss.

"I doubt we'll have to fight a horde of zombies, but we should check the temple. Someone's going to need our help."
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Happy to be away from the crowd, Nerta taps at the quest board outside the Temple to the Old Gods.

"Usual stuff for a city. Couple hauntings. Missing kid. Merchant needs needs someone to collect his lost cargo."

She rubs at her injured arm. It feels hot. What she gets for catching a death knight blade.

"Compared to Bessimir this stuff should be easy. Especially if the temple has any elixirs. You could probably handle it all on your own while I heal up..."

The thought is cut short as a young woman clutching a parchment intent for the board steps into view. Her flaxen hair is pulled in a tight bun, and she wore a washerwoman's skirt. But most telling her eyes shimmer with tears.

"S-Sir, Miss... p-please..."

Nerta slumps and closes her eyes. Her voice warm for the first time since Balin met her.

"Brother or son?"

The washerwoman swallows hard and points toward the slopes of the mountain.

"My F-Father...the quarry. A..A landslide."

"Heh... that one's new. Let's hope the Dark Mistress hasn't welcomed him to her court just yet."

Squeezing the woman's arm, Nerta waves Balin to follow. No monsters this time, but someone still needed help, and that’s why they were here.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Vidkunn Thrane
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Vidkunn snarled as he finished reading the missive bearing the seal of House Luitolf. His fist became pale as he crumbled the parchment tightly before casting it to the ground. He turned his gaze upon the Temple of the Old Gods and gave a heavy grunt. He drew his dagger and began to pray.

​​​​​​…Forgive me, Emperor…I shall endure as you have commanded…I am ashamed to have sought false redemption in these Old Gods. Take of my flesh this sacrifice and have mercy on my soul…

His grasped the blade of the dagger with his left hand and slowly pulled with his right. He closed his eyes and felt the pain pulse through his body.
Vidkunn Thrane (Knight of Yipinalke)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Running hands through her hair, stone dust scatters and Nerta takes another sip of water.

She needed it.

The digging had been sweaty work, and her injured arm throbbed. But either the Life Taker or the Weaver of Fate had spared these people.

Moments like this are fleeting. Usually families aren’t reunited, they’re mourning. So Nerta enjoys the relative calm and leans back till her hood falls away so the sun can play across her face.

But even the sun sets eventually.

“This is the thing?”

The sneer guard captain blocks the light as an underlying prods Nerta’s shoulder with a spear.

“Yes sir, one of those mountain folk.”

“Folk? You give these beasts too much credit Cedric.”

Nerta scans the small contingent. Forty… she could take them, but only if she was willing to kill some….

“I said stand up beast! I know you speak language.”

… most.

“It has been a good day Captain and I would rather it continue, for both of us. I am indeed from the Roof of the World, but I mean your people no har….”

The prod of a second spear cuts her off as the captain with the curly moustache scowls.

“No harm? There was a Crystal-Cursed landslide. Everyone knows your kind cause disasters and ill luck.”

“I just saved those people.”

The woman’s tone flat, her eyes glitter with malice but the array of spears hold her back.

“I will not debate with the likes of you. Cedric! Take this thing to the dungeons, this will be a matter for the duke.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Captured!

You have been spotted and captured by enemy patrols.

Roleplay from Soren Navaar
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
"Prison?" Soren sighed, shaking his head. Probably Thalmarkin. Probably for something stupid. That was where he had last seen her, and he didn't doubt she was still out there. He pondered over if he could even help her or not.

Katria, the first daughter of one of the river lords, stepped forward with a smug look on her face. "If I may, sir? That woman doesn't deserve your time anyway. She's uncouth, a drifter hardly better than an adventurer, and I can't see why you would spend your time with her."

Soren shook his head again, this time at his assistant. "Then you haven't been paying attention," Soren told her, ignoring the offense she took at that statement. Setting aside the latest harvest reports Katria had originally come to deliver, he took a blank piece of parchment and picked up his pen. "There's more to her than just what you see on the surface, Katria."

"She seems to hate you."

Soren laughed, but didn't give her a response.
Soren Navaar (Count of Seven Rivers)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
It's hard to tell time in a dungeon. But the pale woman is able to count heartbeats by the throb of her injured arm. Five hundred beats after the Old Man had decided to look around the citadel, the door to her cell opens with a screech.

Expecting a guard, the appearance of a nervous young man dressed as a page is curious. As is the medical kit thrust toward her.

“Uh… miss Nerta, y-you need some medicine and bandages right?”

Her breath steaming in the cool air, she swallows hard to clear her throat.

"Thank you, lad. I hope the Old Man wasn’t too big of a scare.”

The boy fidgets with his tunic while Nerta opens the pack to pull out salve and alcohol.

“It’s alright miss. I heard about what you did down at the quarry…”

A faint smile turns to a wince as she cleans the wound, and the page fills the silence.

“The Captain is just worried about the war, the army was routed in Qual and there’s been looting.”

The splash of alcohol has Nerta hiss and tense, leading the page to nearly jump out of his skin. As the pain subsides, Nerta shrugs.

“The captain arrested me for the same reason you’re staring.”

The boy had the decency to flush and look away, leaving Nerta to fill the silence.

“It’s alright. I’m used to it.”

Working the salve into the cut, she continues.

“I heard others being released but I’m still here. Why?”

The boy rubs his head and glances over his shoulder.

“The Duke’s busy with the war and the Captain wants you transferred out of the city and to the judge.”

Nerta snorts as she winds the bandages around her arm.

“The Royal Judge for little old me? I guess the Ice Queen was in a hurry to balance her scales of fate.”

Tying off the bandage, Nerta folds back up the pack and pushes it toward him with her foot.

“Thank you lad, now get going before you get in trouble. I have to clean up my cell for company after all.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Report from Elios Everlight
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Most Honoured Duchess Anyte, Senex Nerta:

The Temple in my city has never looked so impressive. How has Vore come to be bestowed with such an honour?

Senex, I do not believe that we have met. I wonder that his Majesty has not noted your presence, what with the war and all. Would it be wise to trust that your intentions here are all above board? Not to throw bald suspicion upon you, Lady; I ask openly of a peer.

For the North,
Elios Everlight (Duke of Vore)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Nerta squints in the morning light as she steps from the citadel as a free woman once more.

“Here,” the captain sniffs and extends her cloak, “if you must be released among honest folk, have the decency to cover yourself.”

The woman says nothing to the guard’s sneer, but as she adjusts the hood another figure trots up atop a splendid charger. The resplendent man is bearded with hazel-green eyes and sandy hair.

“Senex, I do not believe that we have met. The Temple in my city has never looked so impressive”

The horse stamps and he pulls at the reins.

“Still, I wonder that his Majesty has not noted your presence, what with the war and all. Would it be wise to trust that your intentions here are all above board?”

His smile earns a grumble from the guard captain.

“Not to throw bald suspicion upon you, Lady; I ask openly of a peer.”

Checking her gear, Nerta cranes her neck to eye the looming man for several heartbeats. Based on his comfort in the saddle and claim to the city, this must be the Duke of Vore.

“You’re a peer, are you?

The very same Duke who’s dungeons she’d spent a week in.

“Well, why didn’t you say so...”

Alarm bells ring for the captain at the tone of the ‘thing’, but he’s not fast enough to stop Nerta snatching her spear and launching herself in a run. Crossing the distance as a scuttling blur, the woman springs from the ground toward the cavalier.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Training Match

Elios Everlight, Duke of Valour, Margrave of Vore meets his challenger Nerta Unti, Dame of Agyr, Priestess of The Old Gods for the agreed training match. Both participants are using the 'overrun' strategy, so that neither has an advantage. After a series of blows, Nerta wins the training match.

Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Nerta crashes into the Duke before he draws his sword, but Elios holds his seat through training and reflex. Adapting quickly, the woman plucks a knife from her belt to lunge. It forces Elios to release the saddle and parry with his bracer.

Legs alone control the dancing horse as the blade switches hands for a second swing. But the Duke grabs her arm and ripostes with a heavy crack to her ribs.

Thrown back against the neck of the panicking charger, Nerta grabs his arm and pulls Elios forward into a right hook.

Dazed and unable to pull free, Elios hammers with his left. The flailing metal crunches Nerta’s injured arm to a hiss of pain.

From there everything about the woman is a blur of fabric and hands. When things settle, the Duke finds his left arm pinned as well and Nerta peering up at him close enough to taste the sweat on her brow.

Eyes wide she clicks something in the back of her throat before swallowing hard.

“Peer?”

Her breath washes across his beard and, despite the tremble from adrenaline, her hand remains steady as the knife presses to his throat.

“Maybe I should put you in a little box for a week...”

“THE DUKE! TO ARMS!”

Sweat drips from Elios’ nose to splash on her own, but Nerta’s gaze never stops boring into those hazel-green eyes.

“Now Duke, tell them to stand down. This is between peers after all.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Nerta knew that a man like the captain is a coward. He will do nothing while a knife sits at the Duke's throat.

But the captain is not alone. There are soldiers, torn between duty and their petty tyrant. There are peasants, cooks, and groundskeepers- all transfixed at the sight.

But there is also a young boy who wants so much to honour his grandfather. A young boy who bravely ventured alone into the dungeons with medicine. A young boy who does what's right.

So while the crowd stands frozen, the young page picks up Nerta's spear and places the tip against her side.

"Lady…"

Nerta's grip tightens on the knife, her knuckles turning white.

"...please."

The blade falls from her hand and she finally closes her eyes.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Captured!

You have been spotted and captured by enemy patrols.

Huge Battle Fought

Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Vore:
Ar Agyr vs. Thalmarkin
Estimated strengths: 830 men vs. 290 men
The Angry Agyrian Army (Ar Agyr), sponsored by Queen Aibhlidhn Dubhaine, were led into battle by Marshal Rowan Hawk.
Duke Aeravon Velaryon is spotted wearing the Cruel Ring of Sartania, the Shield of Battle & the Scythe of Vlaanderen
Count Bergelmir Crownguard is spotted wielding the Grisly Mace of Angmar.
Countess Lady Nostalgia Fate is spotted wearing the Blessed Chain of Piety.
Attacker Victory!

Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Deep in the Vore Citadel sits a spider. It makes a home for itself in one corner of their cell, catching careless flies as they buzz about.

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere else Captain? It sounds like a war outside.” 

The man’s moustache twitches in the dark.

“A war you brought, creature.”

Nerta smiles and shifts against the cold stone. 

“First I caused a landslide, then I tried to assassinate the Duke, and now I brought a war. Despite all appearances, you must think highly of my abilities.” 

Sour breath curls around the bars to the cell.

“I think, it would be a shame if you escaped justice.”

The jingle of shackles cuts the deepening silence.

“If you open that door, I will kill you.” 

A crossbow rises along with a sneer.

“And what will you do if I just shoot you from here?”

Bowing her head, Nerta’s hands clench behind her back.

“Still a coward even with all that wine…”

Nerta flinches as the door rattles, and the flush face of the captain presses against the bars.  

“You think you’re so clever. Tricking everyone. Pretending to be a noble. You’re not better than me. You’re nothing.”

Eyes glitter in the dark as the man spits the words.

“The Duke punished you, so now it’s my turn. But despite being chained naked in a cell, I’m terrifying. So you’ve been drinking and brought a crossbow. I have to say, I’m not impressed.” 

The man purples with rage and drink, his voice echoing in the tiny cell.

“Shut up you bitch! I’ll kill you.”

The door rattles again as the bow swings into view, but this time Nerta doesn’t flinch and instead rises to her feet.

“I know you will. But that’s not what you really want. No. You want me… crying. Because if I’m just some little girl sobbing at your feet, you don’t need to be afraid anymore.”

The screams of the vanquished are muffled by the citadel’s thick walls.

“But the army’s coming, Captain, so what’ll it be? Shoot me from there or come and take what you really want?”

The drunk’s laboured breathing is cut by the screech of the door. Lurching toward the prisoner, the stock of the bow cracks Nerta in the head as the man screams.

“Shut up you half-breed! I’m not afraid of monsters like you! You are just a little girl and I will make you cry, and beg and and…” 

Nerta chitters as blood runs down her chin. 

“I was wrong about you, you’re not a coward. Just a fool. I said I’d kill you if you opened that door, and I am a monster.” 

Fury’s scream changes to fear at the sight of her grotesque grin. He tries to pull away and level the bow. But she strikes and the fly dies in agony.

Vae Victis
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Sack of Vore
Fire-silhouette.png
Roleplay from Ioulas Hwitt
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Ioulas' heart beat in his chest louder than the war drums that resounded over the battlefield. Strangely, this battle worried him more than the first one a day previous. Scaling the walls and overrunning the relatively meagre defenders had been child's play. His sister Calypso back on Dwilight had told horror stories of the attack on Libidizedd, of the thousands that had died upon the walls. Compared to those stories, it had seemed a training exercise. Not a single one of his soldiers had fallen in the battle, and Ioulas had drunk wine and broken bread with his soldiers in honor of their victory.

Now he saw what seemed to be over a thousand thousand men and women arrayed against their army, and Ioulas had to work to hide the fear that threaten to tear his breast apart. He could not let his soldiers see his fear, and so he sat atop his mighty horse, Bucephalus, and tried his best to look imposing. He wore the armor of his family back on Dwilight, with stylized muscled cuirass and silvered greaves. He wore a classical helmet, a deliberate homage to antiquity, plated in gold and bearing a motif of a mighty lion. On either side of the helmet were two pink and white peacock feathers and adorning the top was a bright plume of royal blue. Ioulas certainly thought he cast a dashing figure.

The horns suddenly blared their order to attack and the army moved as one, Ioulas and his Pezhetairoi locked their shields and extended their long pikes, called sarissae among his people on Dwilight. The force moved forward deliberately with Ioulas wanting dismounting his horse and joining the first row of soldiers as they neared the enemy army. His captain, a Beluaterran man named Madred, warned him against this, but Ioulas waved the concerns away saying, "The Gods will punish a coward that hides in the back behind his men! Glory is on the front lines! I will show this continent how brave the Hwitt's can be!" Ioulas hoped that the men did not hear the shaking in his voice.

Before too long the tide of battle reached them. Ioulas was surprised to see that what he had thought to be a huge army was in fact a rabble of countless peasants, throwing themselves at the ordered line of soldiers like swarm of angry insects. They died like insects too. The unarmored and undisciplined mob threw themselves onto the awaiting spears of the Pezhetairoi, and any that made it past the wall were cut down by Ioulas or some of the others easily. Ioulas himself slew five men in the span of a few minutes, not a real soldier among the lot.

Ioulas swung his sword, dispatching another unlucky soul who had attempted to hit him with a rusted and worn woodaxe and just like that it seemed, the battle was over. What remaining forces there were among the enemy were fleeing. Ioulas took a moment to look over his soldiers and was elated to note that there was not a single fatality among them, only minor injuries. His earlier trepidation was replaced with excitement as Ioulas knew that the defenders would take time to reorganize themselves, now it was time take glory and reward among the enemy city.

"Men! To the city streets, we will find where they hide their coffers and take our due! Let us sleep on gold this night!" Ioulas shouted to a general cheer among his soldiers, who looked forward to a chance to loot the enemy city. The soldiers moved into the city in orderly fashion and before too long found a building bearing the city seal. "There! There men! Let us go!" Ioulas shouted, and before he could do anything more, his men surged forward.

A few brave soldiers tried to stoped the two score soldiers from entering the tax office, but they were cut down easily as the Pezhetairoi were met with a stacks of gold coins that covered the small vault room from floor to waist height. The soldiers swarmed it, filling their pockets, the sleeves, anything they could, while Madred ensured that Ioulas received the lion's share. A noise suddenly arose from outside as the few sentries that had been posted outside the building raised the alarm. Ioulas went to the window and was horrified to see that a mob of nearly 300 people had come out to try and kill his soldiers while they looted. "Defend! Into lines men! Into lines! Make rank!" Ioulas shouted, and his men, feeling the danger, stopped their looting and obeyed.

What followed was a second slaughter, as nearly all of the 300 people were killed. Ioulas could only watch as they impaled themselves one after the other on the spears. Soon that too was over, and the streets were quiet once more. In this chaotic fracas, Ioulas had nearly been surrounded, trying again to lead from the front, but the peasants had come from every side, and he had to kill even more people. The soldiers held no mercy though, already high on battle, blood, and gold, and set about the task of putting down the peasants as efficiently as a farmer threshes grain.

Soon the cobblestones of Vore were nearly ankle deep in crimson blood, as a pile nearly three feet high of dead became an impediment to their unordered attackers. But through the din of the fight, Ioulas could see that the back numbers were beginning to run, as the peasants could see that their unruly attack had failed. "Stop! Stop men! Let them go! There is no more glory to be had in pointless slaughter here! Let us take our prize and let our spears pierce the heart of soldiers!"

Ioulas hoped it was his words that had stopped his men, rather than the lack of available targets, but stop they did as the peasants broke, running back into side streets and alleyways. Screaming could be heard from the dying all around as Ioulas and Madred quickly took stock of the battle. Not a single of his men had fallen, but hundreds lay dead before them. This was not what Ioulas had intended. Madred shook his young master, nearly shouting to him, "Ser Ioulas we must go before another waved tries their luck, or we will never make it out!"

Ioulas nodded and the soldiers quickly began an ordered withdrawl, pockets and sacks laden with the riches of the city. Within half an hour, they reached the safety of the Agyran camp and the soldiers collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Over 400 gold coins were counted among Ioulas' share of the haul, an amount he had never seen in one place. Out of combat, the soldiers began to finally cheer their good fortune, and soon lifted Ioulas upon their shoulders, cheering his name and calling out, "Ioulas the golden lad! Ioulas the golden lad!"

Any guilt Ioulas felt evaporated at the praise, and soon all were enjoying wine and food freely, and they celebrated the night away, waiting to see if the next day would bring repeated fortune.
Ioulas Hwitt (Knight of Ieara)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Soldiers pillage. The city burns. People scream.

All under the Banners of Four Duchies.

Arfordir rampages by the Azure Plaza, Havilmark holds the gatehouse, Avalon ransanks tax offices, while Jylmark is down by the quarry turned charnel pit.

"Looks like only Agyr is missing, but then Bob is too old to enjoy conquest, Rahger is nowhere in sight and I’ve been a guest of the Duke.”

Nerta leans back from the window as Page Gavin returns, his arms piled with her clothes.

“Nerta, I-I know you must hate me…”

The woman snags pants and laughs.

“Hate you? Given what I just did downstairs, I’d be a Crystal Cursed hypocrite if I hated you for winning a fight by trickery. You had no idea what the Captain was going to try.”

Averting his eyes, Gavin remains a coat rack while Nerta dresses.

“I… I still need to ask for your help and I don’t deserve it.”

The woman squeezes into her shirt and adjusts it with a tug.

“No one ever does, but that’s never stopped me before. So let me guess, you’ve got a family you want to keep safe and you don’t think the Citadel will for long.”

Boots roll toward the lady as Gavin nods.

“It’s not just my family. People are dying out there, and… I dug into the reports after they locked you up again. You really do help people.”

Cloak settling around her shoulders, Nerta pulls up the hood.

“Someone has to. Come on, we’ll round up your family and anyone we can and hide them in the temple. Damn thing has to be good for something more than just books and statues.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Driving off a pair of Pezhetairoi soldiers from Arfordir with light wounds, Nerta rejoins the mob of peasants moving through the inferno. She had collected quite the congregation marching from the Citadel. Apparently religion is more appealing when death is close…

As both the temple and a familiar red mohawk come into view, Nerta raises her spear to shout.

"Balin! I got tired of waiting for you to break me out. Care to help my new friends find a place to stay?”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin, a hero in his own eyes, had just finished telling of his heroic deeds in the north, where scores of zombies fell to the might of the Old Gods who personally intervened to save their worthy followers. He spoke in hope to inspire those that watched him speak. The city was still burning, but a story of hope was good for folk to cling to while the going was bad. He nodded to himself pleased as he felt he managed to not only raise their spirits (morale rises by 5 % to 16 %), but also cause the watching citizens to become more patriotic.

He was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned to see Nerta, leading quite a congregation of war torn peasants, all trying to find refuge.

"I didn't know you were here, but it makes a lot of sense. You would be where the need is strongest, even if the place is in enemy lands."

"Perhaps we should head to the temple and see if it still has room for a few more. I hear it was recently rebuilt and enlarged."
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Nerta snorts waves the people forward.

"The temple better have room or else I'm throwing the books out in the street no matter what the Old Man says. Gavin you see to that."

She didn't want to think about Balin's calm assurance that Fate had brought her here. She had enough trouble being tethered to the Dark Mistress let alone adding the machinations of Ice Queen.

"Come on Balin. I managed to chase off a couple bronzed phalanx, but we need to set up a barricade before they come back with friends or else this will be Bessimir all over again."
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Mourning After
Smoke-silhouette.png
Roleplay from Dancer Rea
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
The 'royal' trio made their way though the broken streets of Vore. Bodies were piled at every corner; fully half of the population had been slaughtered by the Agyrains. As the group approached the temple, they found themselves stopped by a large crowd......
Dancer Rea (King of Thalmarkin)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
The temple grounds held most of the survivors from the sack of Vore, thanks to the ad hoc defenses made from carts and desperation. When the King arrived the next day the refugees turned militia still manned the ramparts, but they allowed him to pass.

The space beyond is crowded but orderly, and centred on a makeshift tent. The surrounding tables are swimming with scrolls where a few scribes work to sort the mess of reports. Occasionally the page Gavin glances up to a hand mirror propped against a sack of beets.

Despite the activity, Nerta dozes in the shadow of the tent. She’d had a long night, but the morning might be just as busy.

At the sight of the King the trio of scribes rise to bow.

“Your majesty.”

A soft and speculating fourth voice echoes the other three.

“Your majesty, curious…”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Anyte Luitolf
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Groggily, Anyte peered around the room she was in. The last thing she remember was seeing the armies of Ar Agyr marching to the city in the distance, and getting what meager defense for the city she could muster, then hobbling to pray to which ever of the gods were listening that the city might be saved. Ar Agyr marched to force Thalmarkin to suffer the presence of a man that caused so much turmoil he was actually accused with hiring one of her many would be assassins.

Slowly, she sate up from the soft bed in which she had been placed. Bandages had been placed over the wounds of her most recent assassination attempt, and it was clear she was being tended to by someone. Soon, the door opened and a lesser Guardian walked through.

"Your Grace, it is good to see you-"

"Where is my cane?" She cut him off with a grunt.

He stared in disbelief at the duchess as she breathed heavily, still recovering from the wound she had received in the church.

"Duchess, you should rest more. You were severely injured, we were not even sure if you would make it. Besides, the King has arrived in the city once he heard of your injury. I am sure he would like to see you."

The confusion gone, replaced with anger, Anyte seethed. The King that had claimed to love her but in the end had betrayed her. Fury muddled her still exhausted brain. "Bring me my cane, and take me to the King," She barked with a low snarl, "If you know what's good for him you will ensure we are not alone."
Anyte Luitolf (Duchess of The Bathory)
Roleplay from Dancer Rea
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Three people, four voices. Dancer lightly squeezed Jax's sides, and the 'horse' came to a stop near the trio. Bearthomew stopped as well, and sat down with a light thump. Milky eyes swept the area, but there was no indication of where the fourth voice had come from. Curious. Dancer let his eyelids half close, and began to focus very carefully, casting his senses out to the tent and it's inhabitants. Simultaneously, he growled at the group.

"Don't waste my time with pleasantries. Is the Princess in the temple?"

As he spoke, his sense reached the tent, and within. Four souls. Two, relatively normal, although Balin's form was very bright in comparison to most humans. The child on the cot felt strange, although he was not sure why. It was....almost like she'd managed to drench her very soul in the stench of a monster. However, it was the fourth soul that caught his attention.....namely because he could not see a physical form standing in that location with his half open eyes. Interesting. Perhaps some sort of invisibility magic?
Dancer Rea (King of Thalmarkin)
Roleplay from Anyte Luitolf
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Through the temple the couple slowly hobbled, Anyte still healing from the attack and therefore even slower than before. Several times she had to stop and catch her breath, leaning heavily upon her cane, treating it more of a crutch than ever before. They eventually made their way to the courtyard, where she saw him sitting up that dreadful beast he called a horse. The duchess straightened her self up with all her might and approached the king.

THWACK

Her cane had found the meaty part of his leg. "How dare you? How can you show your face after declaring that man, the man that has had me stabbed and treated your people as if they were mere play things, not a traitor? How can you come to see me after that?" She creamed, voice dripping with the vitriol that comes from years of having people hunt one down for reasons beyond your comprehension, "You of all people, I thought would understand.

Quickly the cane found the ground again as her head spun from the sudden burst of action, she needed it as a crutch once more, breathing heavily again, "Of course you don't understand, how could you. I came here two decades ago seeking refuge, and have spent that time building a life for people. Providing, defending, improving, and even smoothing over the transgressions of others. What have I gotten in return? More assassination attempts than I can count. The cannibals of Mordok ran free, not one person targeting them, but the woman who has done nothing but toil for this realm is almost a prize to those that skulk in the dark. And you declared one of the men that hires them not a traitor?"
Anyte Luitolf (Duchess of The Bathory)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Vore
Nerta of the twisted soul jumps in her bed as the ebony cane of the Duchess connects with the leg of the inquisitive King.

Scrubbing sleep away as the lovers quarrel, the foederati woman groans in the light of day.

“You two need to stop. It’s the army that’s to blame, not any of you. Now give Gavin there your names and by all the Gods, quietly, go and get some food. Some of us were up all night protecting your asses.”

Nerta’s glittering eyes finally focus on the pair. Taking in their appearance, she frowns and tugs her cloak closed.

“Oh. You’re not plebeians. Crystal Cursed…”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)