Fury Family/Arden

My Lords,

As most of you do not know, I shall now tell you of how Sir Milmice and I came to Fissoa. It was in Caerwyn that Sir Milmice first contacted me in a most unusual way - asking me for my coat no less with nary an introduction. My first thought was that he was a batty old knight (apologies, Sir Milmice!) who spoke strangely and talked of daemons.

In time, I have found him to be the most noble knight I have ever known - one who clothes himself with honour and chivalry. An adventurous explorer who delights in all things Dwilight. There is no fear of him overthrowing anyone. On our journey here at the invitation of Duke Leon (the reason of which I shall leave for another time), Sir Milmice has confided much in me and it would be extremely unlikely that he has any ulterior motive other than the welfare of the Grand Duchy of Fissoa.

I do not say anything lightly of any man, and the fact that I have followed him here for hundreds of miles should speak volumes of my respect for this great man. He has suffered much and in return has much to offer. I trust him with my life.

Eternal Fury Earl of Mangai

I am returning to Fissoa after the disaster at Nuas with all my men wiped out. I had my squire hold all messages while I took a long nap on a long trip to the capital and it seems I've missed all the excitement. As such, I will now speak my peace.

The Grand Duke has his reasons for doing what he is doing and he will make things known in good time. The realms are uniting and it will be the Duke's prerogative to explain... or not. The flurry of protests will not hasten the explanation. He is of sound mind, sounder than any with foresight and vision. The threat we shall be facing shall be explained by the Grand Duke and it is not my place to step before him. It is our duty stand behind him that he may be able to present a strong and united Fissoa before the realms of Dwilight.

As for Sir Milmice, Judge of Fissoa, I shall also speak my peace as one who knows him better than any here save one. Sir Milmice and I have travelled from Caerwyn. We are not natives of Fissoa but have made our home here. It may be that the local Fissoans have a different way of reacting to things but I know Sir Milmice as a knight who upholds honour and chivalry. Insults, intended or otherwise - directly or indirectly casts a slur upon his honour and his code of chivalry will always demand a duel and I have seen it happen. While he may be new to Fissoa, he is a knight with much honour and experience behind his armour and it would be in the better interest of us all to court that experience and honour rather than confront it. He has no notions of power or holding on to it but rather uses it as a tool to serve the realm. In fact he has a greater destiny and confronts his future with humility - and this too I have personally experienced.

So, forgive him should his words cause concern for they come from a heart that cares and suffers not slights to his honour or to the realm that he serves.

Eternal Fury Earl of Mangai

On his return to Mangai, the region of Fissoa that sits upon a narrow gulf creating a safe and natural harbour from the treacherous storms of the southern seas and characterised by its generous expanse of grassland bordered by a desert of wild palm trees to its north and and a close-knit forest to its east, Eternal Fury found himself invited to a spiritual ceremony in the clouded peaks of Mt. Mangai.

Mangai, which takes its name from Mt. Mangai - a mysterious mountain that cuts a solitary figure opening into the gulf, is a popular destination for pilgrims of all faiths who come from afar to make a spiritual pilgrimage. As Eternal made his way to the top accompanied by his squire he was warmly welcomed by dozens of pilgrims who rose as he approached and bowed deeply.

"Arden! Arden! Lord of the land - Lord of Mangai! May you be blessed." And the pilgrims departed swiftly and silently as they descended the mountain with low murmurs of "Arden...Arden...".

It was then that Eternal realised his spiritual annointing and blessings. He was and will always be Eternal Fury but to the spiritual pilgrims he is, in the ancient and forgotten languages of Dwilight, Arden - desire, fervour, passion and intensity. Arden pondered upon the meaning of it all as he surveyed the view from the top of Mt. Mangai that extends beyond the seas of Dwilight into the unknown...

Arden Fury Earl of Mangai

At last, our first sighting of Daimons... The heart skips a beat then must steel itself. From its size, it looks like an advance scouting party. Certainly not large enough for a takeover unit.

The undead and daimons converging in Thysan may prove to be to our advantage. Reports have shown that they do not... get along. There may be battle and the outcome will be a weakened party that should no longer threaten us.

What is of utmost importance now is that the surrounding areas of Rettleville, particularly Thysan is scouted. If Sir Vertigo can do this then we need not have our vanguard arrive first. Otherwise we will be going in blind. The areas that have not been scouted - Nark, Kydonia - may hold an undetermined number of forces. As Sir Vertigo is not yet a part of us and his reliability in scouting has not yet been ascertained, I would prefer our vanguard to arrive first and scout the lay of the lands. With more and more threats appearing over the horizon, moving as a single unit may not be advantageous anymore.

If we:

   * don't know ourselves and the enemy - we'll lose 100% of the time
   * know ourselves but don't know the enemy - we'll win 50% of the time
   * know ourselves and know the enemy - we'll win 100% of the time

I am now en route to Rettlewood. Estimated time of arrival is 26 hours from now. Rettleville is 10 hours away after that. Let us take one step at a time and adjust our strategy accordingly.

Arden Fury Earl of Mangai

The four nobles stood at the edge of the wood before the clearing leading to the walls of Rettleville. They had travelled far from a distant land - Fissoa. They had sailed the seas of Dwilight and marched through danger. But by Zisa and Tyr, the daimons and the undead were confounded! And the spiritual pilgrims, warrior monastic knights with steely determination and endurance had made it unharmed to their soon-to-be capital. And to think that:

It(the quest) started out as a feeling

Which then grew into a hope

Which then turned into a quiet thought Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder

Till it was a battle cry

And the men, over 200 of them all cried out as one:

I believe in Zisa, gentle mother, shaper of heaven and earth. She is the bringer of life, the first blossom that marks the end of winter. I believe in Tyr, wise father, guardian of the balance, who fought for our salvation on a thousand worlds, and led man through fire. I believe in the teachings of our mother, given to man in the first age: That we should put the good of our brothers and sisters before our own, so the whole might be made stronger and our world be made whole. I believe in the teachings of our father, given to man in the second age: That we should guard ourselves against the shadow, against greed, and hatred, and envy, so that the daemon shall find no shelter in our hearts. I believe that the world is poised on the brink of oblivion, for the heretic and the daemon are ever among us. Through unwavering faith we steel our souls, that no false gods shall again threaten us. We are the children of the gods, and we are forever.

Arden Fury Earl of Mangai

Arden walked through the city enjoying the sights and sounds. He was in great spirits, the burden of ensuring safety for the party in reaching the final destination having being lifted. It has been a long way from Caerwyn to Fissoa and then back the same way again. He even recalled speaking briefly to Lady Catalina - now desposed - in Port Raviel.

However, his thoughts were now focused on Grand Master Milmice. There were reports of his sudden poor health and Arden had even seen with his own eyes that he had looked pale as of late. Could it be the sudden stress of the takeover? The arrival at the end of the final destination? Demon fever? No - perish the thought. But yet there seems to be something to all this.

"What are you up to, Milmice?" Arden muttered to himself. "Surely you're not ... ", Arden stopped with a startle. He had been about to say, " ... going to have me take over the running of the realm?" But he suddenly realised that he knew.

Grand Master Milmice was having an awakening.

Arden Fury Earl of Mangai

Welcome Sir Francis, Sir Osmund to Ordenstaat - a colony of the Grand Duchy of Fissoa. We trust you will respect the hierarchy established by the ruling and founding council. The monks of Wi-Ki have already begun keeping records on our realm of Ordenstaat.

In short, Ordenstaat has been organized as the first line of defense against the daimon invasion of Dwilight. While other realms may bicker and tend to their own backyards, we - Grand Master Milmice, Brother Justicar Eddard, Brother Furiens Reynevan and myself, Brother Bellator Arden are spiritual knights of the Order of St. Iestyn - warrior monastic in nature.

In the matter of our quest in eradicating the daimon threat, I wish to say that if we have nothing which we are willing to fight for, nothing which we care more about than we do our own personal safety, then we are miserable creatures who have no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than ourselves.

Should your hearts beat with anticipation at this, and your souls are at peace with yourselves then join us. Brother Justicar Eddard will have more detailed information for you. Soon, the hierarchy will be established.

Arden Fury (Noble)