FSTGOD Main Story Thread

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2004-10-01 12:00am

Across the world, the tremors were felt. It was not sharp, but something slow, methodical, a beat not unlike an army marching to war. In the depths of mountains, darkness stirred. In the marshes and forests, silence shrouded the natural way of things. In the rivers, lakes, and oceans, whispers flowed. In the cities of civilization, the machinations of spies and warlords were ticking ever forward to their inevitable conclusion, all the while blind to what the world would soon discover once more.

A ripple slowly flowed across the continent, from where, none could be certain. Oracles, seers, diviners, all began to have erratic visions. For a moment, they would imagine seeing the purest clarity, only to lose it in a torrent of nonsense. The only constant in these visions was confusion. The weakest of these diviners were overwhelmed, losing the last vestiges of sanity they had left after years of disassociating themselves from reality and peering into possible futures.

And then, as silently as it had appeared, it vanished, as though it were little more than the stain which breath gives glass in winter. Only a select few knew the import of this event, and of them, none left alive knew what was responsible.

All that was, all that is, and all that will be. Let it all begin here.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2004-10-01 12:08am

Haleth strode into the Great Hall.

Sitting at one of the tables there was his son Haldir.

"Haldir, my son. What news do you bring?"

"Not much father. My rangers have returned after six months on patrol. And we leave in a week. I came to visit."

"Well, I am glad you have come. A meeting has been called, on the island of Cyprus. I want you and your younger brother Thengel, to attend. Take ten of your best men with you. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the growing Jihad, though it bears little concern upon us so far. Now, tell me what has been happening in my kingdom?"

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-10-01 12:12am

The Imperial Coucil gathered in the Great Hall in the Rivan Citadel.

His Imperial Majesty addressed the council:

"There is to be a gathering of forces, leaders, and diplomats conerning the imminent jihad. The island will need to be readied to recieve these guests, and the military mobilized to maintain order. There will be no hostilities among the assembled during the conferences. You are dissmissed to your provinces; ready yourselves."

The council responded as one:

"So let it be written; so let it be done."

[edit] Missed some words

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-10-01 12:14am

The night was dark and still. Nothing moved, nothing dared breathed. The trees became to moves, swaying to a wind that was not there. Shamens groaned in their sleep, twisting and turning on their cots. The eerie silence was broken by a low moan raising to a high shierk. The spirits were screaming and their Shamens screamed with them.

Beldoth awoke screaming and sweating. His wizen frame shook and trembled.

"The Darkness is moving. The Evil is birthing, the Demons are returned."
He gasped to himself half hysteric in his terror. He grabed his staff has he fumbled for the door of his hut which stood alone in the dark wood.

"Warning, I must give warning..." He gasped.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-10-01 12:25am

Cyprus

The HMS Slayer and HMS Dauntless pulled up to the docks. The Slayer let down her gangplank, and down it rode a knight in full harness, his shield emblazoned with a red cross with a crown around its top, an upraised silver gauntlet on its right, and a silvery full helmet on its left, on a white field. Simultaneously, the gryphon crouching on the deck of the Dauntless sprang over the side, spreading it's wings as observers on shore thought it would hit the water, and with one powerful stroke propelled itself to land on the dock. Sir Gilchrist raised his visor to look around as Sir Borin landed just behind him and did the same. They rode onto shore together, Borin's gryphon keeping just behind Gilchrist's charger as they sat high in the saddle, lances held upright. The men and dwarves of their respective diplomatic entourages followed, as did a man in a Lincoln green traveling cloak, with a bow slung as his back. His hood was drawn up, so that the casual observer would only catch his nose and chin in the light.

Gilchrist suddenly shivered in his armor as a feeling of blackness swept over him. He turned to his friend and compatriot. "Borin, did you..."

"Aye, I did. Somethin' didn't feel right, but it was a passing thing."

"Yes, I know, but passing or not, it makes me feel no better, especially concerning our mission here. We must go to the capital, and quickly, for this conference."

Aratheal the Ranger simply walked behind them, saying nothing, as the small band of functionaries and armsmen followed along, unaware of what their three magically gifted leaders had barely been aware of. But back home...

Dunsbane Castle, Eire

Rynskald bolted from his bed, eyes wide at what he had seen. He hastily pulled on a robe and rushed out of his chambers, grabbing his staff as he went. He grabbed the nearest guardsman on night watch. "Corporal, get the king. It is most urgent." The guard nodded at the wizard's obvious need for haste, and jogged off in the direction of the royal chambers, but he didn't get very far, being met at the end of the corridor by the King himself coming the other way. He hastily went to the wall and snapped to attention. King Artair ignored him, rushing towards the robed sorcerer.

"Rynskald, I'm glad you're awake. I take it you felt it as well?"

"Yes, your Majesty, I did."

"What was that dark presence? I felt cold... Like we were spinning into darkness, the kingdom left behind or consumed; I could not tell which..."

"My vision was a little more specific, but I cannot make much sense of it either. The only prevailing theme was chaos."

"What does it mean?"

Rynskald paused, and heaved forth a great sigh.

"Your Majesty, I know not."

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2004-10-01 12:31am

Cyprus

A Gondorian Frigate pulled up to the dock. Once the gangplank was lowered, twelve men in full armor rode horses of the ship. Two of them had their helmets removed. Haldir and Thengel looked around the dock. Down the way two riders, one on a gryphon, strode off the docks.

"Well brother, it seems there are some interesting groups attending. If my memory is not wrong then they are from the kingdom of dwarfs and men" Said Haldir.

"Doesnt matter to me." Said Thengel. "Come on lets find some food."

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » 2004-10-01 12:34am

Alidrial Territory
Eyzaathe Region, Eyzaathe

Yvela frowned as his eyes slid over the latest reports arrayed before him. Although he was powerful and the first of the pillars, he understood his place upon the world; There were far more potent forces scattered in the light and the dark. His concerns were purely for his people and his nation, and the times had seemed to take a turn against them. The first problem was of course the vast armies of the Jihad arrayed to their south and west. Yvela did not presume to know what those forces planned to do. However, it would have been foolish in the extreme to expect that such might would stay contained within its own borders. The problem to the south had been building for years, and the Alidrial had not interfered for it had not been their place to do so. He admitted to himself that there was more to it than mere desire to be left alone; the Alidrial lacked the strength to clash against the forces to the South, especially without cause. And as such, they had concentrated on their own concerns while the cancer grew around them. At the time it was the only thing that could be done.

The future bore with it great promises. The Masotan had proven to be receptive to an alliance, and even now steps were being taken to solidify such a union. The Masotan were elves, and that simplified matters a great deal. Furthermore, the Masotan navy was considerable. It was not the most powerful in the known world, but it was undeniable. It was the view of the Pillars that the easiest solution to the problems to their south laid in Naval strength. It did not matter, how much force the Jihad could gather as long as its forces could not assail their homeland. With the assistance of the Masotan, as well as a handful of other nations the Jihaddi navy would not be as fearsome as it was now. Without a navy, the people of Alidrial would be safe from the scourge of the Jihad.

Any further thoughts on the matter were dispelled when a familiar presence entered his private chamber. His head turned, eyes noticing Amel as she strode towards him every one of her movements was laced with elven grace. She was not Yakiba, but she did not need to be. Her golden orbs fixed themselves upon him, her expression hinting at some of her anger. Her lips parting as she spoke.

~Five of my hand maidens lay dead Yvela. They were struck down by the sheer force of a vision, a plague of the mind that snuffed out their lives.~ Amel’s words were a near hiss, the loss of five of her most gifted seers a blow that would take time for her to recover from.

~I was more successful in keeping the power of the vision away. I cannot tell you exactly what it meant, I caught glimpses and images little more concrete than that. These are dark tidings Yvela, I fear the years to come will be far more difficult than any of us could have anticipated.~

Yvela sighed softly and nodded. His eyes watching Amel for a moment, before his right hand moved a motion for his fellow pillar to join him at his side. ~I am sorry for your loss Amel. And I admit, the future does seem as if it will be a difficult one. However, all that we can do is do all we can to guarantee the future of our people. I fear that we all will come to rely upon your talents more and more, diminished or not.~

Amel sighed softly and joined Yvela in outward contemplation…

Post by **Beowulf** » 2004-10-01 12:46am

Sunda Mizu Mura

The legion marched onto the parade field. As each century reached certain points, they made a left turn. When the legion had finished marching onto the field, they formed a block of men 40 wide and 40 men deep.

"Cohort commanders! Give your cohorts present arms!"

"Present!"

"Present!"

"Harms!"

Two more men walked onto the parade field. One was wearing the single silver star insignia of a Rikugunshokan, or legion commander.

"Cohort commanders! Give your cohorts order arms!"

"Order!"

"Order!"

"Harms!"

"By order of Lord Patrician Denethor, Shireikan Kawolski Richard is hereby promoted to the rank of Rikugunshokan, effective 1 Sektober."

The man with the star on his shoulder, removed the insignia from Kawolski's uniform, and pinned a single star on in it's place.

"By order of Lord Patrician Denethor, Rikugunshokan Kawolski is to take command of the 2nd Striker Legion, effective 1 Sektober. Rikugunshokan Frankowski is ordered to report to Lord Patrician Denethor to join the War Planning College."

Frankowski pulled a brightly colored banner from it's stand, and handed it over to Kawolski.

"Cohort Commanders! Pass and Review!"

"Column of Centuries! Right column! Harch!"

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-10-01 12:47am

Aboard the Destiny of Man

Tapper stood on the foredeck as far forward has allowed, enjoying the feel of wind in his face. It was a cleasning feeling after... Last night. Tapper was no Shamen, but he was not deaf either. He could hear Malrissa screaming through the wooden walls of the ships. He heard the sound of a skin slippered foot touching the deck behind him and spun to behold the lady in question.

She was tall, slender, her curves well shown by the leather and skin garments she wore. Marks of her postion and power, from the medicne bag on her hip and the blue qruatz around her neck blended well with her.

"Malrissia? Are you well? I heard..."

"The spirits are afraid, Tapper. Has am I, but I do not remember what I saw... I think it a mercy of the spirits that I do not. But I feel... Cold... Darkness..."

Tapper steped forward, this was fearsome news.

"What is it?" He asked quietly.

"I don't know. But take care Tapper, more is in motion than what we can see..."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-01 12:51am

Destiny of Man was merely the first to arrive. The Vigilance and Noonday Song arrived shortly after, three huge Dreadnoughts, true signs of the Principality's commitment to keeping this island free. As graceful as birds but far more massive, the metal behemoths touched lightly down onto the ground and opened up doors. Ramps slid down, and people exited. Wolgar and other powers had taken the Principality up on an offer for transport to the conference.

Edward stood apart from the rest as he adjusted his uniform slightly. He was newly promoted to the rank of Admiral, and as such was still getting used to the behemoth ships he had at his command. Even more strange were the people he moved with and spoke with. Still, he was the Principality's voice here. Strange dreams of the past few nights had troubled him deeply as he saw visions of darkness and foul play, of technology without ethics, of magic that shreds reason away to leave only chaos and pain.

He shook it off. The meeting was soon.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2004-10-01 12:55am

Haldir looked up and was amazed. Three massive Airships had arrived.

"By the stars Thengel, I didnt think something that big could really fly! I had heard of these flying ships but never anything that massive!"

"Yes it is impressive. Now come lets see if they have anything to eat here."

With that the delegation from Gondor set off down a street to find a place for food.

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-10-01 01:01am

Cyprus

The fields surrounding Rive became a sea of tents. The various factions were seperated by large swaths of land, and everywhere the might of the Imperial Army could be seen. The dignitaries were housed in the Citadel itself, awaiting the rest of the nations to arrive. The negotiations would beging presently

Captain tycho · Post by **Captain tycho** » 2004-10-01 01:03am

-Post eliminated until ratification-

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2004-10-01 01:13am

Once upon a time, the island nations of the Eastern Mediterranean had eaten Aegyptian grain, from the delta. Once upon a time, the Nile had been ruled by an ancient and peaceful civilization of farmers and God-kings. That time was gone, the Pharaohs murdered and the farmers enslaved or turned to slavering fanatics.

Now the grain that fed the people of Cyprus and Alidrial came all the way from Southern Masotan, and the plains of Valencia, on great sailing ships. The shipwrights of Valencia, Lisboa, and Cartaga knew little of the crafting of nimble warships, but much of building large and sturdy vessels for fishermen and grain merchants. Someday, centuries in the future, the diviners said, such ships would mount weapons of thunder and sail from Lisboa and Oporto far across the blue Western Ocean to realms brimming with gold, silver, and strange plants and animals. Meaningless words of an unknown land came to them... "potato," "olmec," "inca."

Fever dreams. The people of Andalus had never set much store by diviners, whose prophecies were always vague and as often wrong as right. The Andalusì were practical-minded farmers and craftsmen, who expected their mages to set their thoughts to the building of the here and now.

For the diplomat Iago Diema, the here and now was Cyprus and a meeting of great importance. He stepped off of the grain ship and onto the dock with steady legs, and with his small entourage of a translator and a single bodyguard he made his way towards the servants of the King of Cyprus, waiting to receive him.

Bugsby · Post by **Bugsby** » 2004-10-01 01:25am

The small inn was on the northern border of Tear, and tonight business was not good. Rain hammered against the roof, the wind howeled outside. The inn's typical custom of farmers and local shopkeepers come in for a drink after a long day was nowhere to be found, as those same shopkeepers and farmers stayed at home, warm in front of the fire on this cold night. Yet the common room of the inn was not entirely empty. Four travelers had made their way to the inn that night and they sat and drank, sharing tales.

"Tear is in for better times, I tell you," the first man, Jareth, was saying. "I just come up from the City. The High Lords really are doing their job. The military is out in bigger and bigger numbers, recruiters sweeping the land to find the best men. Tear is small, but we won't be no longer. Pretty soon, people all over the world will be listening whenever Tear speaks up."

"Fagh! It's all madness. Militaries? High Lords? Who needs em! We been livin peaceful here for all our lives, and there's nothin as can change that. The High Lords just like to strut about - rattle the saber, as it were. They ain't makin Tear better, they makin themselves feel better." That was the Feldron, a country man from the next town over.

"You best watch your tongue," Jareth growled. "That's treason talk, that is. The High Lords will have none of it. If words gets around, you'll be hung. On me mother's honor, you will."

"The High Lords are far away from here. See what I care what they say. They set up their castles down in the City and they leave me alone up here. That's how its been, thats how it will be. Anyone who says otherwise is foolin themselves," drawled Feldron.

"But the High Lords say it. Change is comin, and if we're ready, we can all be Lords ourselves one day. Why, High Lord Samon gave a speech in the Square the other day saying-"

"Samon? I never heard of no Samon!"

"He's the newest High Lord, raised no more than a month past. He's got ideas, he does. The talk of the City. Yep, good things are comin for Tear, that's true enough."

"Don't be so sure," said the third man, Gregio. "You got a new High Lord. So what? This Jareth fellow's right, nothing's going to change. Tear has been small and Tear always will be small. That's how things are."

The two men glared at Gregio. Even Jareth glowered. "What are you talking about, man? You want to see Tear fall, is that it?"

"Wouldn't mind it. Lord Brend is making the Council strong. We'll see who the new world power is when all is over." Gregio stared defiantly at his two companions. As he spoke, Jareth and Feldron stood up from the table in unison, unsheathing their swords. "Illianer," Jareth growled.

"Get out of here, swine. I want to see you heading north out of Tear as soon as you can get your horse saddled, or so help me, you'll find this blade in your innards." The fourth man at the table, silent to this point, looked at his companions. He was obviously surprised, but hadn't even twtiched when steel was beared. He watched with interest. Gregio managed a defiant sneer, then spit at their feet and bolted from the inn. The two men exchanged satisfied looks and resumed their seats. The fourth man gave an amused snort as he watched the two resheathe their swords, then proceed to bury themself in wine. What an amusing exchange. No blood had been shed, though. Pity. With a nod to the two men, he slung his harp onto his back and under his coat to shelter it from the rain. He left. He had other places to be that night.

_____________________________________________________________

People had long called this area the Wilderness, and avoided it like the plague. East of all settled nations, it stretched for thousands of miles beyond the knowledge of any living man. It was the home of savage beasts and strange plants, and in it was the bastion of the Dark One. Here, in a great hall beneath a dark mountain, the Forsaken would come to hear the words of their Dark Master from beyond the world. They came one at a time, but tonight all were present. The last of them had been freed, and it was time to work the Dark One's will upon the world. They stood in a circle, evenly spaced, trying not to look at each other. The Forsaken trusted no one, each other least of all. Even though they were the Chosen, not all could have favor in the Great Lord's eyes, and they fought amongst each other to please him.

The hall they occupied was dimly lit, but no light source could be seen. Light came from everywhere and nowhere. None of the Forsaken could doubt that they were in the presence of the divine. The light went out altogether as they heard the Dark One's voice echoing in their minds, shutting out all other thought as his might consumed their will.

"You are my Chosen, my agents in this world. It has been many years since you walked, and now you walk again, to glory. I have been forgotten. You have been forgotten. But now all will know us and they will fear and worship. Let the Lord of Chaos rule."

The hall shook with the threat of the Dark One's pleasance as euphoric blackness gripped them all. The blackness spread out of the room, leaving the Forsaken in the hall lying on the ground and gasping. Slowly they picked themselves up and regained their composure. Simply hearing the Dark One speak to them from beyond the world was.... draining. Sammael was the first to open a gateway out of the Hall and away to other parts of the world, and the others soon followed suit, each to their own different destination, a place where they could create power for themselves and bring destruction to the enemies of the dark. They had their orders.

Let the Lord of Chaos rule.

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-10-01 01:31am

The Great Hall, The Citadel, Rive, Cyprus

His Imperial Majesty Dalleth IX welcomes the dignitaries as they enter. Once they have all assembled, the talks can begin. A large, cirular table is conjuered up. The table allows for every diplomat to have their own little area where their translators and bodyguards can be close at hand. Not that the bodygurads are much use; they all deposited their weapons at the door. Imperial Guardsmen stood guard at the door, and by the throne. Although the atmosphere was tense, it was overlaid with a supreme confidence in the gathered military power.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2004-10-01 01:43am

StormtrooperOfDeath wrote:Imperial Guardsmen stood guard at the door, and by the throne. Although the atmosphere was tense, it was overlaid with a supreme confidence in the gathered military power.

"I resent being given the same size table as all these other people," Diema whispered to his bodyguard.

The man shrugged, "What would you do with a big one? There's only three of us."

"It's the principle. Not to be arrogant or anything--"

"Of course not."

Diema kept whispering, "--but the other countries here are... well, small. Very small. In about five minutes I'm going to bow and scrape before his imperial majesty the Grand Poobah Emperor of Cyprus. Who is Emperor of a territory smaller than that which my brother Ismail controls as governor of Aljazair. And I don't have to call my brother an Emperor. I call him Izzy."

"How did you ever get to be a diplomat?" the bodyguard shook his head ruefully.

"I told you, my brother Ismail is governor of Aljazair."

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2004-10-01 01:49am

Haldir glanced around the room. They had been in here for ten minutes and no one had said a word to each other.

"Delegates from far and wide, we have been called here today to answer the threat of the Jihad. Some of us have more to worry than others. I know one thing that worries us is the Jihad navy. I know we desire to keep the sea free and open. So lets here some ideas on how to do it." Said Haldir.

Bugsby · Post by **Bugsby** » 2004-10-01 01:53am

The ambassador from Illian arrived in moderate style. Enough to convey the power of Illian, but not enough to be pretentious. Illian was one of the smaller nations present, and it was never idea to rise above your level. The Illianer ambassador took his seat just as the meeting was about to start...

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-10-01 01:54am

Sir Gilchrist sat at the Eire table in half-plate, his helmet, greaves, and upper arm plating removed, leaving his breastplate and gauntlets. Borin sat next to him, and Aratheal leaned on the wall behind. They listened for now, Gilchrist leaning forward to rest his right arm on the table in front of him, steel lightly clinking as it came to rest on the solid oak.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-10-01 01:57am

So lets here some ideas on how to do it." Said Haldir.

Tapper stood. He was a tall man, from a tall people. He looked completely out of place but he did not show any signs of showing it. His leathers fringed with wolf fur made him look like a feral force from the wilderness.

"I am not a subtle man, my people know not the myarid ways of you outrealmers or your many laws. But I know how to deal with enemies and madmen. The horde must be broken, else it will just rise again. Burn their great boats, shatter their armies, humble their rulers into the dirt. Only then will there be saftey."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-01 01:58am

Oh gods. Thought Edward as he sat in the Delegates chamber. Please, please, may all of you hear me. Make sure all these.. Gentlefolk.. Had baths recently. I don't want to smell horse dung through the whole thing. Or their own dung. Or any kind of dung. The young Admiral was now being exposed to many people of many interesting and unique cultures, and he was deathly afraid. Mostly of the smell. It was not the nice clean smell Principality chambers had.

"Ah.." Wow, there was a terrible start. The Steaming Land's diplomat cleared his throat and tried again. "Greetings, one and all. Let us not, ah, dally around it. We are, er, here to speak on the growing threat to the East of here. With the lands of Cyprus, Crete, and Andalus directly threatened, we seek to act to prepare them. The Principality's air power has been placed at the disposal of our gathered friends, to move troops and provide information on our common foe's movements. Three Dreadnoughts; we, ah, cannot spare more. The Wonderous Insight is, ah, currently in dock after an incident of no consequence to the North."

Another one of Phileps inventions had forced a Dreadnought to the dry docks, at this of all times. The Admiral swallowed hard.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2004-10-01 02:00am

frigidmagi wrote:
So lets here some ideas on how to do it." Said Haldir.
Tapper stood. He was a tall man, from a tall people. He looked completely out of place but he did not show any signs of showing it.

"I am not a subtle man, my people know not the myarid ways of you outrealmers or your many laws. But I know how to deal with enemies and madmen. The horde must be broken, else it will just rise again. Burn their great boats, shatter their armies, humble their rulers into the dirt. Only then will there be saftey."

"That is a plan but we are here to defend ourselves not make war. Just because a few of the members of this confenrence want to make war, does not mean the rest of us want to be dragged into it."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-01 02:21am

Agent Fisher wrote:"That is a plan but we are here to defend ourselves not make war. Just because a few of the members of this confenrence want to make war, does not mean the rest of us want to be dragged into it."

"One can't really, ah, expect to just fight a defensive war. You have to, ah, strike them. Their supply lines, means of transport." The Admiral spoke up. "The Horde's fleet is, ah, rather more vunerable than most of the rest. Especially while in port and not in use. Destroying it would reduce the avenues of attack and let us concentrate troops along the threatened borders."

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2004-10-01 04:34am

Taladanai, Potala Palace

Emperor Godric was standing at one of the windows of his small but comfortable private office. It lacked the grandeur of the Dragon Hall and the throne, but for pure working matters, this was by far superior.

Outside, the day was still early. The sun had only recently climbed above the vast and immense mountain tops of the Potala mountains. Snow-covered and glittering in the sun, they warmed his heart.

The city of Taladanai, the marvel and pride of the Taladani people, stretched below the base of the powerful palace and fortress that was his home. He heard the screams of the smaller dragons, flying across the sky, bringing people from all over the Empire.

His head turned around as he heard a knock on the door.
"Enter," he said.
The door opened and he suppressed a smile. His son opened it and walked in. They were an odd pair. He was a glitch, a botch in the family line. Diminuitive of stature, just a hair shy of 5' tall, he also lacked the Imperial family's natural talent of magic. If his brother hadn't died all these years ago in a tragic accident and fell of a cliff... He shook his head. That was now over 50 years ago. But he had to admit, his reign has been a good one. What he lacked in other talents, he certainly had made up with cunning and an intricate understanding of Taladani politics.
But looking at his son... Standing over 6'6, he was toned and muscular, the pride of the family and interest of many men and women. But he was a peculiar creature. When one looked closely, one could see a slightly golden shine of his skin, and his eyes were...well, special. Deep green, peppered with golden freckles. He was the true evidence that the legends were indeed true. The Family once had dragon blood bred into them.
And whatever he lacked in magical talents, his son made more than up for it. Not only was he an expert and skilled dragon rider having a beast that dwarfed even the largest of the Dragon Riders, he was also the most powerful mage in the Empire, even High War Mage Elituas had to grudgingly admit it. He was not an official member of the Obsidian Order, the Empire's guild of powerful mages, he just was a honorary member of sorts, but they all knew that here was no one in the Empire that could stand up to him and survive.
Which was a problem many of his advisors were always busy to remark. If Crown Prince Calinar ever decided he wuld be a better Emperor, that would be his end. But luckily, Calinar had the Family's telltale loyalty to the Family. He would never dream of taking the throne while his father was still alive.
So far, he thought, shivering. For he was taking on more characteristics of his mother than he liked. Ruthless, arrogant, aggressive, he was known and somewhat feared throughout the Empire only as the Dark Prince.

"You wanted to see me?" his deep basso voice rolled out from his deep chest.
"Yes, my son. I wanted to discuss some of the newest developments we've been aware of."
"I just came back from the northern regions. I hope it is important..."
"I would think so. Please, sit."
Taking a seat, both looked at each other from across the table. He handed his son some papers.
"As you can see, there seems to be a development regarding this newly conceived threat of these 'Jihad'. Our contacts and spies have just sent back word that there seems to a conference of sorts on the island of Cyprus."
Calinar scanned the reports and looked up at his father. "Shoulld it concern us? I mean, that nation would be hard pushed to come knocking at our door anytime soon. And get a bloodied nose doing so."
"Surely. But we should observe this. If there is an alliance developing, I wouldn't like them being too close to be a danger to our interests."
"That many nations would be easy to split and set at each other. They have just one common interest. Apart from it, I don't see how they could be a functioning unit on that scale..."
"Yes. As I said, we will observe it. Which brings me to the next point. I've been slowly opening the Empire up, and so far, it did us good. The relations with the Caliphon are promising. They are not interested in our lands and through their vast sea power are quite an asset to have. But we should open contacts with our neighbours the the north-west. As you know, we are not well protected by high mountains from there. It is, so to speak, an open flank. And I wish to close it somemore."
"I understand. A wise move... But can I make a suggestion, father?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"We should look beyond the Raladans. To the south and southeast. There is still territory for us to grab. People to subdue."
The Emperor sighed slightly as he saw the darkness and eagerness roll through his sons eyes. "Yes, I have thought about it. But we should not rush things. I, of course, have sent operatives there. When the time is right, we can and will strike."
"Yes, father..."

They talked for nearly an hour, before they were done. As he was about to leave, Calinar stopped and turned. "Oh father," he said, "before I forget it... There was a disturbance. A powerful ripple through the world. I don't know what it was. But we should be wary..."
With that, he turned around, his long black coat billowing behind him as he left the room.

***

Envoys were sent with letters. To the Caliphon and to the Kingdom of Anarchia. They wished to sent envoys, regarding the current situation, and the future to come.