Ironsides Family/Bowie/Chapter Eight
Contents
Demon of Dwilight, Chapter Eight: The Nightmare at Nightmarch
Resumption of Nobility
After finally returning to the Dwilight University in the Winter of 11 YD by rejoining at the new campus of Muspelheim, where the History Department bears Bowie's name, his work on the Aquilegion Civil War was submitted.
Bowie visited the campus and enjoyed a ceremony held there along with his friend and sometimes opponent, Ordermarshal and Duke Bustoarsenzio. During the ceremony, Duke Bustoarsenzio revealed a plaque that christened the History Department of the Muspelheim campus with Bowie's name. There is also a bust of Bowie near one of the entrances to the Department. Also, during the unveiling ceremony, Bowie made his controversial "Muspelheim Address."
- The Duke's Palace
- Touring the City of Muspelheim
- The Inauguration Ceremony and the Muspelheim Address
- The After-party and Museum Visit
Before the Winter ended, Bowie received news from his brother Armstrong that their younger brother Raphael was killed defending the city of Fengen, capital of Enweil, from Monsters. Bowie felt the sting of his brother's death, especially because he was the one who told Raphael about the Fourth Invasion.
When Bowie returned to Nifel from Muspelheim, he was visited by his long time friend Ambassador Pierre von Genf. The two made the pilgrimage through Nifel to the shrine of the fallen Grandmaster Deverka Cryfdwr. Shortly after they arrived, and during lunch, both were called to other duties.
"Visitor of Thulsoma"
Bowie was given permission to visit Storms Keep and begin his new historical project on the war with the Libero Empire against Thulsoma and Summerdale. His plan is to create the same type of series as he did earlier with Astromancy at War!. After a spending some time in Storms Keep, Bowie published his first article in the Conquest of Northnastrond! series, titled "A Glimpse of Thulsoma." The next day, he added the sequel to that first article, "The Dynamics of the Nifel Peninsula."
"Allison's Ire"
In the Spring of 11 YD, during Bowie's trip to Thulsoma, Duchess Allison Kabrinski announced that she would lead her Aegirian ducal army into Summerdale to capture Bowie, she cited his position against her religion as the cause for this. At first, the realm assumed this was Morek's excuse for entering the war with the Libero Empire against Summerdale, but it turned out that Grandmaster Bustoarsenzio, and other members of Morek, did not approve of her actions and she was acting independently. Duchess Allison issued an ultimatum to Summerdale to turn over Bowie to her army or they would invade the capital. The Aegirian force even marched as close as Odenir and plundered the region before they turned back, either because they would not cross the line of their own ultimatum, or Grandmaster Bustoarsenzio reined them in first. It is unclear if Allison truly intended on attacking Bowie, or she was attempting to create a pretense to invade Summerdale. As far as Bowie is concerned, he did not remember offending her personally, although considering his public opposition to Astromancy, it is likely that Duchess Allison is just a zealot. On this, Bowie has become the target of Allison's ire.
After a long while tending to the regions of Summerdale as its courtier, Bowie finally completed his article on the beginning of the war against Thulsoma. "How the War Began" was published in the "Conquest of Northnastrond!" series in the Fall of 12 YD.
The Voyage to Nightmarch and Expulsion to the East Continent
Accepting an invitation by Sir Garret Artemesia to the elders of the Dwilight University, and after settling some matters in Summerdale, in the early Spring of 12 YD, Bowie began his journey to Nightmarch. With open intentions, the Demon of Dwilight and Dean of History looked forward to meeting actual daemons of the Zuma Coalition. He hoped that they were as curious about him as he was of them. Instead, when Lord Bowie arrived in early Summer, he found his friend attending business elsewhere. Ignoring a warning to remain safely in the city, he decided to take a trip to the Ruins of Walfurgisnacht through Volcano Nightscree. This action, and his announcement to the Zuma of his many titles, especially Demon of Dwilight, offended the daimon society enough for him to be dismissed from his academic mission. After pleaing to return to the set agenda successfully, he returned to Nightmarch only to be ambushed. The Zuma declared a warrant for his arrest and execution. This incident caused the Zuma to declare war on Summerdale in order to carry out their ambush, where Bowie was captured and deported to the East Continent.
Westmoor
When Bowie landed on the East Continent, he planned to visit his family estate in Dulbin to catch up with his brother Armstrong and visit the family graves. Instead, he was confronted by Armstrong and told to leave for good. The two erupted into a spectacular death duel which left Bowie severely wounded - but ultimately still alive. This is the third death duel Bowie has survived, further evidence to him of his "immortality". Now Bowie is forbidden from returning to Dulbin and once he recovers he must leave Westmoor.
After recovering from his ordeal while escaping Westmoor, Bowie received new revelations updating his conceptual religion Mysticism. He was instructed about a new path to divinity alternate to the one prior taught. No longer must a mystic slave to a god hoping they will earn a recommendation - as was the case for those who follow the Soul Trade; now they can follow the Path of the Mystic and become an immortal Demigod!
Sirion
Fleeing Westmoor from his brother, and intrigued by the existence of elves, Bowie joined the realm of Sirion and became a knight of Sirion City. His time was quiet and he did about twenty hours of civil work in Blaastambar. He stayed in the realm for two tax shares until he had enough gold to buy a ticket back to Dwilight. He departed from the city of Avamar. During his time on the East Continent he saw how turbulent the realms were and that they were constantly on the thin line of war and peace. Allies and enemies changed frequently and many were at arms for the very existence of their realms. Quite a different place than Dwilight and he appreciated returning to his ways.
The Return to Dwilight
Concluding his second exile, in late Autumn of 13 YD, Bowie returned to Dwilight and landed in the grand city of Chateau Saffalore. It was his intention of visiting the city of Chesney on his return journey from Nightmarch, but as he was deported his trip was postponed. Becoming a noble of Terran and a knight of Chesland the reemergence of the Demon of Dwilight of course brought vocal concerns from the Terrans. They claimed his title would offend the daimons and attract their marshal wrath against their realm. Instead of addressing their concerns, he threw a party at his estate to meet and entertain his new neighbours. Many nobles expressed disinterest and did not attend, for those who did they witnessed the usual antics of Bowie. It was also during this time, in the Winter of 13 YD, when he published his articles on "The Breach of Storms Keep" and "The Collapse of Hrēdmōnath and the Entrance of Averoth as ally of Thulsoma" for the History Department of the Dwilight University.
"The Damned Duke of Rettleville"
In the Spring of 13 YD, Bowie decided to join the colony effort to Rettleville. It was a joint effort between allies Terran and D'Hara to give diaspora nobles from the defeated Kingdom of Giask a new home. With a strong military contribution from both Terran and D'Hara, the colonists set out to Rettleville and colonized the city. Bowie acted as the food bearer and when the realm was formed he was appointed Duke of Rettleville. Shortly after, the Zuma revived their blood feud against Bowie and declared war on the Terran Colony demanding his execution or they would destroy the colony. In response, for the sake of the realm and on their request, Bowie stepped down from his position. Now, worried he would ever face the harassment of the Zuma Bowie has challenged the leader of the daimons to a death duel.
Also, as this event occurred, Bowie completed his series "Astromancy at War!" by publishing his article "The Restoration of Aquilegia Ends the War."
Near Death at Nightmarch
On the journey to Nightmarch, expecting to meet and duel the daimon lord Haktoo, Bowie was captured in Eregon and imprisoned by the Zuma. While there he had a brief conversation with Haktoo then prepared for his imminent death. After a day or so in prison he was tortured by Screamer and then just before the daimons took him out of his cell to be executed he escaped to freedom! An unexpected triumph proving that fate spared the Demon of Dwilight's life once more. Afterward, he escaped to the Morek Empire seeking asylum and was warned by Haktoo and Ambassador Garret that he is never to go to the Occidens again lest he revive their blood feud on him.
