Drachenwald/Moving the Capital

The Restoration of Nazia

by Risfou Rigou

It was in the days that an outnumbered Drachenwaldian army failed to defend Tarasac from the joint forces of Cagilans, Tarans and Darkans. Our great queen, Lucela Aegis, had tried everything she could to save the realm and after that she stepped down as promised for free elections. Her successor was the known infiltrator, Si Ju Jarugi Petterson, who should prove to be a real great Drachenwaldian king, despite the circumstances.

Under Si Ju Jarugi the Drachenwaldians came to understand that they fail because they moved their capital from Nazia, where the Dragon lived, to Tarasac, where the money was. They understood that in order to be saved they needed to show their dedication to the dragon once again and move their capital back to Nazia.

Smuggling

On the 15th of December in the year 2005 did Si Ju Jarugi sent a letter to all Drachenwaldian nobles in which he asks whether there is any progress in the moving of the capital. The answer came from a Cagilan prison:

Greetings all,

I was on my way to Nazia with the whole department of military affairs and all our papers saved from the fall of Tarasac. But unfortunately I was captured in Alaise and am now in a Cagilan prison. I will see if it is possible to get out of here.

In the mean time we all need to work on restoring our regions and moving the officials and offices to the temporarily capital.

Yours,

Sir Nemethos

Nemethos Saladi'ilm was the High Marshall of our realm and as he a general he understood that the debates would not save Drachenwald. He managed to smuggle the military department out of Tarasac, which was filled with enemy armies, but when back in our mountains, he was caught by the invaders.

He did, however, not fail! For this action inspired Risfou, the humble writer, and he sent a letter to his colleagues in the council, in which he said it was time for action and asked for permission to lead the operation. At first this caused confusion and lord Envirgar Perfect II disagrees.But this is talked out and Si Ju Jarugi asked him to share his plan. Risfou shared his plan and his king gave permission. Immediately a letter was sent around:

Warriors of Drachenwald,

Nemethos took action and is therefor imprisoned. Let us bring him honor and fulfill his plan: if the departments do not come to Nazia, we will bring them to there!

Of course we can't risk CE finding out, so it has to be done unnoticed and quickly. In short the plan will be to get them one by one out of Tarasac and guide them via the Tarasac-Nazgorn-Galadia-Nazia path, which should be save.

PART 1 - Tarasac: LUCELA will be helped with gathering the departments and paperwork, which must be smuggled out of the city - unnoticed.

VINNIE and SILVER: You will help Lucela. Listen very careful to her orders and if necessary give your life for her, since she knows where to find the hidden documents.

You both should also be known with all hidden passages in and around Tarasac, therefor it will be your job to smuggle the paperwork and guide the department officials unnoticed out of Tarasac.

PART 2 - GUIDERS: We need three guiders. These men will travel between to posts and make sure the department officails and paperworks arrive safely.

PENNY: You will be the guider between Tarasac and Nazgorn.

ARCADIA: You will be the guider between Nazgorn and Galadia.

KRATOR: You will be the guider between Galadia and Nazia.

PART 3 - WATCHERS: We need two watcher, one in Nazgorn and one in Galadia. Their job is to make sure that when a guider delivers a group, the group can stay safely at their post, until the next guider comes to get them.

BEN'S: You will be the watcher at Nazgorn.

I, RISFOU, will be the watcher at Galadia.

PART 4 - NAZIA: GILEAD will welcome the departments and prepare spaces for them.

The longer we wait, the more dangerous it will become since CE captured Nemethos while he was moving the military department. We still don't know what happened with the department.

Also, because the posts in Galadia and Nazgorn must be kept secret, secret information will follow for those who will accept the mission.

PENNY, ARCADIA, KRATOR, BEN'S this will be especially meant for you, so confirm.

Risfou

Ben's Jamin immediately responded and after receiving orders, he left for a long ride to Nazgorn. Also the ones that were not called for this operation showed their Drachenwaldian temperament, as may be best shown in a letter from Greed Warlord: "Wow, good plan, Risfou. Hmmm....wait a minute...hey, where is my name? You don't include me in this project?!! What about me, what about Greed?!"

Also Melissa Audrey should be mentioned, who was the only bureaucrat at the time. She was in Alaise at the time, since she taught that would become the new capital.

Travelling

These are collected stories told about the warriors of Drachenwald trying to save their realm.

Gilead enters Alaise

Just inside the border of Sauvia, a hooded man walked down the center of the main road. Flanked by trees on both sides, dark shadows fell across the man’s scared face. While the man was only 30 years old, matters of state had added ten years to his appearance. The heavy pack he carried sat hunched over his shoulders, keeping his pace slow, and his back hunched.

After several hours of walking through small villages and sparse orchards, the man came to the border of Alaise. Across the road lay a short wooden barrier, painted with the seal of The Cagilan Empire. Slowly approaching the border, the man, with some exertion, climbed over the barrier, and began to continue walking, only to find his way blocked by the a Cagilan border guard.

“Stop! Identify yourself, in the name of the Empire!” The guard’s epaulets identified him as a Lieutenant, fresh from whatever academy trained Cagil’s border militia. The hooded man said nothing, and began walking once again.

“I will not ask again!” the guard purposefully moved his hand to his sword.

Quickly, the man threw off his cloak. Revealed beneath were cloths of a noble, and, hanging at the man’s belt, a long rapier. In one smooth motion, the man drew the rapier, and pointed it at the ground. “There is no need for weapons; as you can see, my rapier is broken,” the man said. And it was true; just above the hilt, the rapier’s blade was neatly broken. “I broke it defending my palace, and now return to Drachenwald’s lands in peace.”

The guard moved his hand away from his sword as the man sheathed his broken rapier. He stared at the man. Defending his palace? Surly this man was a raving lunatic… but… could it be? The guard knew that face; he had seen it in the Tara Times! “You are Gilead Occam! The last Dictator of Drachenwald?”

“Yes,” replied Gilead, “I return to Drachenwald on bureaucratic business, carrying papers and historical records. I am not carrying anything of military value, and mean you no harm.”

The guard practically fainted. “How is it that you go from being the Dictator of an enemy to a single man carrying forms and papers?”

Gilead said nothing for a second, then replied, “Well, it is a long story; allow me to sit down for a minute, and I shall tell you my tale; the tale of the Battle of Tarasac, and the fall of Gilead Occam."

The last dictator of Drachenwald began to tell his story, how he helped defending Tarasac and about the betrayal of Caliber. The guard looked thoughtful as Gilead Occam ended his tale. “So we have taken your capital. I imagine that means the end to this war. What will Drachenwald do now?”

“Since then, we have had, by the Dragon, at least 3 revolutions in hardly a week. I now serve as the Royal Treasurer, as we are now ruled by Divine Right.

For many years, the seat of Drachenwald’s power rested in Nazia. We have long since converted our old governmental buildings into museums and shrines to The Dragon. But with a little ingenuity, and our old records, we will reactivate them. We will return to our mountains, and start anew.”

Gilead knew he had tarried too long. Without another word, Gilead Occam stood up, and continued walking into Drachenwald lands, carrying with him the forms and record they needed to reform their government on its historic throne. The guard made no move to stop him.

Change of plan

Risfou and his two scouts are exhausting their horses on the road towards Galadia, as they see another rider approaching. They slow down their horses and slowly draw their swords. When the other rider sees them, he also stops and from a distance he shouts: "Lord Risfou?" "Yes!" "I bring you some messages." Risfou rides towards the messenger and takes a letter from Arcadia. After reading it, he quickly writes a message with secret orders and hands it out to the messenger. "Is there more?" The messenger hands out a short letter from Penny, which is again followed by the writing of orders. "Anything else?" Risfou asks. "Yes, rumors say lady Lucela and lord Silver have been captured." Risfou thinks for a moment. "Has Olan returned from Eaglin?" "I heard so." "Is he without a unit?" "I'm not sure, but I suppose he is." "Maybe he is willing to replace Silver, but Lucela will be a bigger problem." Risfou thinks again. "There must be an elder one in Nazia, I will ask Gilead to replace Lucela until she comes back." He looks up to the messenger. "That was it?" The messenger responds with a smile and says: "Greed wondered why he was left out." Risfou laughs and answers: "Tell him we need all soldiers to defend, I hope he still has some." The messenger nods and leaves quickly. Risfou writes a few other messages, send his scouts away with them and continues his travel towards Galadia.

Krator sets off

It is a dreary morning as I depart my family’s house in Nazia. The great sun is shrouded by many clouds and there is a wisp of rain in the air. All I can think about is my task and seeing it through. A plan is in motion which will bring the government back to my homeland, back to Nazia. As I set off towards Galadia, I notice that the sun begins to break through the many clouds in its way. I sliver of light lands on my face, I stop, and I can feel it’s warmth through my whole body. Perhaps things won’t end as badly as I feared. I let my thoughts wander over the events of the past week and I ask myself how I got here. There is no answer, and I know I can only look to the future and find solace there.

The spirit of the Dragon flows in me, giving me strength and the weariness that has been creeping over me like a dark veil begins to wane. We each have a part to play in this, and when the people of Drachenwald play in harmony, the music that is brought forth makes the mountains tremble.

The sun is setting as I approach Galadia and my resolve is stronger then ever; I will see the departments and paperwork safely to Nazia. In this task I cannot fail, and I mean not to.

Arcadia sets off

Arcadia and Robin mounts their horses and start their journey towards Galadia and ride in silence as they approach the borderpost between Drachenwald and Falasan. They show their papers to the guard and are allowed to continue. As the light starts to diminish, Robin rides up alongside Arcadia.

"Maybe we should stop and rest for a while," Robin asks, "even if it looks much the same we are no longer in Drachenwald and could easy get lost if we are not on the alert."

"You are right Robin," Arcadia replies with a tired voice, "we will stop as soon as we find a good place were we can make a fire."

A little while later they unmount near a small waterfall to rest a couple of hours, before they continue into the valley were the town they travel towards is supposed to be.

Ben’s’ arrival

Lucela never arrived, but Ben’s did find a small room, that seems to be underground. I am not quite sure were we are but its safe...for now. The barkeeper has given me supplies for a few days, but we may die of boredom.

Sitting in a dark, damp cave under one of the mountains in Nazgorn Ben's thought to himself...

He thought way back to when he joined the realm. Through all the battles and rebellions Drachenwald has gone throw it, it is still here. its because of so many troopleaders that have sacrificed their personal well being for something larger. from Risfou to Jacket, Drachenwald has shown how strong it is, by lasting this long. it may not be the largest realm, but it has some of the most dedicated troopleaders on the continent. we have come so far how could we give up now. The nobles of Drachenwald have proven to the rest of the world that they can still fight on even in the worst positions...

Risfou’s arrival

When arriving at his parental home, Risfou's parents are waiting with a lot of letters from Drachenwald. Risfou does not read them immediately, however, but first explains to his parents that he needs them for an operation to move the capital of Drachenwald back to Nazia. He also tells them that it needs to be kept a secret, since CE might not be willing to cooperate. When his parents agree in helping him, Risfou explains the whole plan and asks his father to come with him. On fresh horses they move about three miles west, where Risfou shows his father a well hidden cave. This will be my post, since it would be easily noticed when we move in and out of our house.

Coming back there are already visitors from Drachenwald. Risfou recognizes Krator and Vinnie and guesses that the other two must be Arcadia and Robin. They all confirm and are shown the cave by Risfou's father, while Risfou reads the letters and writes a quick letter. About the time they come back, Risfou is done and likewise is a tasty dinner.

Krator’s arrival

I am weary, not in the heart or soul, but the body. The eleven hour trip to Galadia was draining. Soon after I arrive, I met up with the honorable Risfou and his parents. They offer a place to sleep and a hearty meal. I thank them for their generosity; it could not have come at a better time. I was not surprised when Risfou took his leave, I could tell he was exhausted by the dark circles around his eyes and I knew he had just traveled nine hours. Risfou’s parents and I talk at length about the movement of the government to Nazia and about the strength and will of our people. After, we retire to bed. I am asleep the instant my head hits the pillow. I dream of peace and my homeland of Nazia.

The Letters

The first letter Risfou read, was one of hope from his king: ”I am on my way to Nazia to announce it the new capital. Hopefully, other Mountain regions will be pleased a morale and loyalty will raise towards Drachenwald once more.” He also pronounces the building of a monument to the Dragon.

Other news disturbs the overworked mind of Risfou. First: Penny will not be able to fulfill his mission, since he has been appointed to count in Alaise – although this was only a minor problem. Second: his king has sent infiltrators to Tarasac to retrieve the needed documents; they would contact Risfou as soon they were done, but still nothing is heard of them. Third: he reads a letter from Gilead, in which he states that he managed to get documents from Tarasac to Sauvia, but had to hide them there and does not know the exact location.

Problems

Discussions followed and people were wondering whether we could move our capital. Many other possibilities were overlooked. They who took position, like Ben’s, asked whether they should come home or not. But there were no clear answers.

In the end the people of Drachenwald came to understand that the Dragon’s blessing was not on their action. We had failed the Dragon. For now we were not pure enough yet to rule the mountains in It’s place.

Thus when Greed asked: ”It is sad we can't have Nazia as our capital. May I know what is our plan now?” The answer was silence.