SD.Net Kingdoms Story Thread

[Zor]

Missive to the Red Tsar

To His Imperial Majesty,

We have received the gifts of you empire, and we are glad to have them. We the Republic take much interest in the rifles that your envoys delivered and demonstrated. While the Republic has made use of some blackpowder, we find this new and remarkable way to be astonishing. The Republic would like to take part in this and requests trade and the exchange of knowledge between our nations, and in the spirit of that trade, please accept our gifts. I hope that Your Majesty finds his gift of one of the largest rubies we have to be fitting for the Red Tsar. We also hope you enjoy the bounty of the Black Sea in the form of fine sturgeon caviar and otter pelts.

With All Friendship,
Basileus Iason Constantine

To the Basileus of Crimea

Your gifts have been accepted and are well received. On the grounds of trade, the Tsardom would be happy to add another partner in commerce, as well as establishing scientific envoys to whatever universities you have, even if we must keep a few designs and methods guarded trade secrets of the Tsardom.

Tsar Mikhail-I, Tsar of Muscovy and of all the Civilized Russias and Champion of the Crimson Enlightenment

[Dark Hellion]

Gate of the Sun, Northern Egypt

The black rider slipped silently behind the dune just out of sight from the gate, the smaller passenger shifting nervously. The massive man steering the horse slid down, and with one arm hefted the fretting man from the saddle. Despite the desert heat and the strain of lifting a full-grown man the black rider showed no discomfort.

"Go. Tell them I bring word from the Kingdom of David. Tell them I request audience to discuss terms of cooperation. If they attempt to kill you, tell them I will personally come to retrieve your corpse."

With a gulp the small figure scuffled towards the gate. The rider removed a small glass ball from his saddlebag.

"I hate working with translators. You would think speaking the enemies language would give them some bravery in dealing with them. But I digress my lord. What does David will for these Pharaoh worshipers?"

A whispered voice came from the orb. The figure nodded.

"I see my Lord Samuel. Your servant Gregory will do as you command."

He walked his horse to the top of the dune and waited.

[Karmic Knight]

Lord Astarlan had been in crystal communication with Admiral Sabrino, the head of the Duchy's navy, the night before, and so was able to fire off an answer: "We can be prepared for the invasion in two weeks. Yourself?"

"Three, three and a half weeks, lords," responded the map holder.

[Darkevilme]

Captain Armand's log, northern voyage of the Air frigate 'Windblossom'

March 1st
The crew are in good spirits and the ship has finished its overhaul, with the winter storms starting to abate our voyage to the rumoured Baernish regions can commence. This Baerne kingdom is another area of successful civilization on the Northern coast and is rumoured to possess magical some considerable magical knowledge. Whether this is true or not it is our job to investigate. We take flight today, a hand of Adepts have added to our magical complement and seem friendly enough.

March 3rd
Today was our final stop for supplies at a periphery village, from here on out we're beyond the Dominion and in savage territory. The weather is already beginning to worsen as we progress, lets hope its a smooth voyage to Baerne.

March 4th
What a land, we've seen dozens of villages from the air, none of them looked friendly or like they'd share some food. The rations are sufficient to see us through for the voyage though, crew morale remains adequate.

March 6th
I hate dragons, well I do now at least. A starsdamned huge flying lizard attacked us and poured fire on the port side and clawed it up before our archers and the adepts drove it away, took most of our stored water to put out the blaze but the damage hasn't slowed us down too much. The dragon seemed somewhat worse for wear as well, take that ya scaley bastard. Unfortunately we must soon land to take on more water.

March 7th
And now i hate fish men, you'd think of all the rivers in this land the odds of being unlucky enough to find one infested with spear tossing flesh eating monsters would be rather low. Airship suffered no damage, crew morale and number has diminished however.

March 10th
Should be somewhere over the Baernish realm now, the Adepts are asking we stop and ask at the nearest town. I can't see any dragons or fish men so i have no objection.

Some town, Baernish lands

And so it was that a damaged air frigate slowly thuttered its way down to the ground on the outskirts of a Baernish settlement. The five adepts the first to disembark with their shield bearers close by each one. They approach the ranking individual in the defence force between them and the town.

“Greetings in the name of the Three Lords and the Starchildren. We seek the lands of the lord Baerne as peaceful emissaries of our own Lords and as seekers of arcane knowledge drawn by rumours of the great skill of Baernish sorcerors. We hail from the southern Starfall Dominion.” they go silent for a moment and then one adds “We would also like to request replenishment of our vessel's water supply if it would not overstep the bounds of your hospitality.”

[Siege]

He walked his horse to the top of the dune and waited.

Gate of the Sun, Northern Egypt

The Walls-of-the-Ruler stretched from horizon to horizon, an abrupt and painfully white end to the blazing desert sands. From the waters of the Mediterranean the walls extended deep inland, not all the way to the Gulf of Suez like the myth would have one believe – not yet anyway – but far enough: to circumvent it, an invader would have to spend weeks marching through the scorching heat of the Sinai desert, all the while exposed to flanking attacks by the mighty armies of the Pharaoh. Even with magic returned to the world, the Walls-of-the-Ruler were a formidable fortification.

The Gate of the Sun was perhaps the greatest fortress-door in it. Flanked by squat towers rising forty-five feet above the sixty-foot walls the door was an imposing oaken construction armoured with steel bands. Nothing stirred. If there was anyone present, they sure had a good way to hide it. Statues of Sphinxes guarded the gatehouse, staring at the intruding Davidian. The translator gulped, looked around, then raised his hand as if to knock on the great gate.

Before he could touch the wood the sound of an unseen gong reverberated through the gatehouse. With a shudder, the great wooden gate began to move, creaking open at a slow, seemingly inexorable pace. The translator backed away slowly, watching nervously as unseen machineries opened the door. Wind escaping through the door kicked up dust devils in the gatehouse

Finally, three figures emerged from the gate. Two were dressed in the resplendent armour of the Setesh Guard, the elite border garrisons, wearing helmets in the shape of great Typhonic beasts. The third wore the simple white robes of the priests of the Egyptian cult. She was no human though: Her skin was crimson, the colour of dried blood, and where the head of a human would be was a large scarab beetle. This was a Khepri, one of the mute priestesses of Ra.

She moved her hands and head-legs, gesticulating the mystical sign-language of her order. As she did, a deep, rolling Voice echoed through the gatehouse, a Voice simultaneously from everywhere and nowhere, a Voice that seemed to emanate from the very fabric of reality itself. It - for the Voice was neither male nor female - made no attempt to communicate in anything but Egyptian.

“Speak, Son of David. What do you and your master want of the Great King and all his Hosts?”

[Master_Baerne]

Captain Armand's log, northern voyage of the Air frigate 'Windblossom'
Some town, Baernish lands

And so it was that a damaged air frigate slowly thuttered its way down to the ground on the outskirts of a Baernish settlement. The five adepts the first to disembark with their shield bearers close by each one. They approach the ranking individual in the defence force between them and the town.

“Greetings in the name of the Three Lords and the Starchildren. We seek the lands of the lord Baerne as peaceful emissaries of our own Lords and as seekers of arcane knowledge drawn by rumours of the great skill of Baernish sorcerors. We hail from the southern Starfall Dominion.” they go silent for a moment and then one adds “We would also like to request replenishment of our vessel's water supply if it would not overstep the bounds of your hospitality.”

The Lord Finnan, Baron of Lunedain, was most surprised to sea the huge flying vessel - roughly equivalent in size to an Baernish sailing frigate - but was nonetheless prepared for it's landing. Two companies of pikemen, one of crossbowmen, and the town's Spellcorps contingent turned out to meet the strange vessel. He was even more surprised to hear the civilized and, thanks to a quickly-cast spell, comprehensible words to come out of the apparent commanders mouth.

"Of course we would be pleased to replenish any stores you may have lost. For magical knowledge, you wish to speak with the Lord Ragnar, Commander of the Ducal Spellcorps, in Fortress Baerne. We are understandably suspicious of those with such...unusual conveyances, so I presume you will allow my comrades to determine that you are who you say you are?" Here the Spellcorps member at his right bowed slightly.

[Master_Baerne]

Lord Astarlan had been in crystal communication with Admiral Sabrino, the head of the Duchy's navy, the night before, and so was able to fire off an answer: "We can be prepared for the invasion in two weeks. Yourself?"

"Three, three and a half weeks, lords," responded the map holder.

"Most excellent."

OOC: Umm, what happens now? Are we starting the invasion part of the game?

[Darkevilme]

The Lord Finnan, Baron of Lunedain, was most surprised to sea the huge flying vessel - roughly equivalent in size to an Baernish sailing frigate - but was nonetheless prepared for it's landing. Two companies of pikemen, one of crossbowmen, and the town's Spellcorps contingent turned out to meet the strange vessel. He was even more surprised to hear the civilized and, thanks to a quickly-cast spell, comprehensible words to come out of the apparent commanders mouth.

"Of course we would be pleased to replenish any stores you may have lost. For magical knowledge, you wish to speak with the Lord Ragnar, Commander of the Ducal Spellcorps, in Fortress Baerne. We are understandably suspicious of those with such...unusual conveyances, so I presume you will allow my comrades to determine that you are who you say you are?" Here the Spellcorps member at his right bowed slightly.

Adept Vorlen bows slightly in return, recognition and respect to a fellow practitioner as the spellcorps member is indicated then steps forwards “Of course, I trust your methods cause no undue discomfort.” he says volunteering for the procedure.

Meanwhile in the background the Windblossom has been tied down. A few of the crew looking, perhaps with intent to repair, at the nasty burnt and slashed hole in the side of the ship caused by the dragon, the ribs that hold the upper body of the craft rigid quite exposed by the damage.

[Zor]

2 kilometers over Egypt, Near Memphis

The Whur of propellers filled the air as the Airship moved in and began to make it's desent. A modified Markov-class, it was the fastest way of delivering ViPs the Tsardom had, although here it was most definately out of place. A 30 meter long large painted crimson propelled by a pair of Kerosene burning steam engines with it's tail rudders bearing an Golden Star in the golden outline of a shield and (being a diplomatic mission) an Caduceus banner fluttering behind it to indicate it's diplomatic nature. Onboard was senior Diplomat Alexander Lavrov as well as a set pelts for diplomatic gifts to the leader of this strange land. To him 'Strange' was the only word to discribe this land. Save for the life giving Nile River, it's delta and the area immediately around it, what he could see of this land was only streches of burning sands and crops of rocks, not forests and plains, either green and alive or covered with Snow like his homeland. This was also a land of Magic, not one of machines and industry like his home. But more than that it was a bizzare annacronism to the way the world worked in his mind, it was a nation commited to its Past. He was clueless on why anyone would do that. The Past was a Dark and cold Era, a time when life was cruel, brutish and short, it was the future which was a great light to be strived for, not endlessly maintaining a status quo of backwardsness. Never-the-less, the Tsar had dispatched him to this strange land to make contact with their god king.

The craft touched down on a patch of flat land near the great river just outside the city's walls as a pair of areonauts secured it as best they could with ropes and the engines whurred to a halt. After a few minutes, he disembarked with a pair of Streltsi bodyguards and a pair of porters. Due to the heat had to forgo their conventional Greatcoats which were the general Formal wear of the Tsardom's populace or those that were part of the Iconic uniform of the streltsi, instead wearing a specially designed set of Tropical Uniforms. With that, he surveyed the area and he and his company began to walk towards the gate of City of White Walls, folder of notes in hand to open up relations.

[Akhlut]

Isaac sailed with the merchant vessel, hoping to reach Egypt and return to Chersonesos before his son reached his 18th year. With him he carried a letter from the Basileus himself for the Pharaoh.

Missive to the Pharaoh Atum-Ra

To His Royal Majesty, King Atum-Ra of Egypt

I, Iason Constantine, Elected Basileus of the Glorious Republic of Crimea wish to extend formal diplomatic relations to you, as you and my close ally, the Despotate, have already done. Please accept these gifts of sturgeon caviar, smoked fish, otter pelts, and rubies from the volcano Surt, from the Republic, showing the bounty of the Black Sea and the Republic. We wish to have open trade with Egypt and, if not mutual aid in times of need, at least mutual friendliness and trade between our nations.

Sincerely,
Basileus Iason Constantine

[Master_Baerne]

The Lord Finnan, Baron of Lunedain, was most surprised to see the huge flying vessel - roughly equivalent in size to an Baernish sailing frigate - but was nonetheless prepared for it's landing. Two companies of pikemen, one of crossbowmen, and the town's Spellcorps contingent turned out to meet the strange vessel. He was even more surprised to hear the civilized and, thanks to a quickly-cast spell, comprehensible words to come out of the apparent commanders mouth.

"Of course we would be pleased to replenish any stores you may have lost. For magical knowledge, you wish to speak with the Lord Ragnar, Commander of the Ducal Spellcorps, in Fortress Baerne. We are understandably suspicious of those with such...unusual conveyances, so I presume you will allow my comrades to determine that you are who you say you are?" Here the Spellcorps member at his right bowed slightly.

Adept Vorlen bows slightly in return, recognition and respect to a fellow practitioner as the spellcorps member is indicated then steps forwards “Of course, I trust your methods cause no undue discomfort.” he says volunteering for the procedure.

"None whatsoever." Spellcorps Captain Davus assured the adept. "I'll simply be exploring the edges of your mind for a trace of falsehood. Nothing invasive." The spell was completed successfully, and Davus nodded reassuringly to Lord Finnan. "It's quite alright, m'Lord. No demons here."

"Most excellent. May I offer my apologies for the damage caused by our dragon? I'm sure it was either wild or had slipped it's harness, but we are responsible for introducing them to this part of the world." Lord Finnan gestured to the other sorcerer in his group, indicating that he wished the Duke informed of the airship's arrival by crystal.

[Darkevilme]

Lunedain, Baernish lands

"None whatsoever." Spellcorps Captain Davus assured the adept. "I'll simply be exploring the edges of your mind for a trace of falsehood. Nothing invasive." The spell was completed successfully, and Davus nodded reassuringly to Lord Finnan. "It's quite alright, m'Lord. No demons here."

"Most excellent. May I offer my apologies for the damage caused by our dragon? I'm sure it was either wild or had slipped it's harness, but we are responsible for introducing them to this part of the world." Lord Finnan gestured to the other sorcerer in his group, indicating that he wished the Duke informed of the airship's arrival by crystal.

Adept Vorlen smiles “Introduced them from where may I ask? we had believed the creatures native. Though if you truly wish to make amends for the wayward beast our Captain Armand would be happy to receive material with which to affect repairs.” he considers “And with your permission and suitable directions we will set off towards Fortress Baerne tomorrow morning.”

[Master_Baerne]

Lunedain, Baernish lands

"None whatsoever." Spellcorps Captain Davus assured the adept. "I'll simply be exploring the edges of your mind for a trace of falsehood. Nothing invasive." The spell was completed successfully, and Davus nodded reassuringly to Lord Finnan. "It's quite alright, m'Lord. No demons here."

"Most excellent. May I offer my apologies for the damage caused by our dragon? I'm sure it was either wild or had slipped it's harness, but we are responsible for introducing them to this part of the world." Lord Finnan gestured to the other sorcerer in his group, indicating that he wished the Duke informed of the airship's arrival by crystal.

Adept Vorlen smiles “Introduced them from where may I ask? we had believed the creatures native. Though if you truly wish to make amends for the wayward beast our Captain Armand would be happy to receive material with which to affect repairs.” he considers “And with your permission and suitable directions we will set off towards Fortress Baerne tomorrow morning.”

"I am not sure of the precise origins of the dragons, though Lord Ragnar does. I suggest you ask him when you arrive in Fortress Baerne. We will, of course, provide you with any supplies you require." Lord Finnan waved a subordinate over. "See to it, Captain."

[Darkevilme]

((Skipping unimportant parts unless Baerne objects.))

Voyage of the Windblossom
The Repairs and replenishment went swiftly with the superficial damage patched up shortly after nightfall. With that done the Adepts thank the lord and spellcorps of Lunedain for their hospitality and re-embark. The ship thuttering into the air and moving on to Fortress Baerne.

A few days later
They have arrived, some of the crew eyeing the growing bulk of fortress baerne bigger and more impressive than any of the castles in the Dominion. Others are eyeing the dragons in flight around the fortress, Captain Armand doing so with a bit of distrust despite the riders.

And assuming they're welcomed with the same demeanor showed in Lunedain the vessel is soon landed and the Adepts at their expected appointment with the Lord Ragnar and unveiling their proposal.

“Our intention is to further the knowledge of our academy, practitioners and library. To facilitate this firstly we request access to any Baernish libraries in search of tomes not in our possession so that our scribes might duplicate them. In return naturally your own scholars will be allowed access to the great Library of Starfall City so long as they follow the rules set for our own.”
“Secondly we propose an exchange of apprentices and masters between our Academy and your equivalent so as to share our understanding of The Art.”
“We look to this as the first step towards greater cooperation and friendship between our kingdoms. On an aside note we were told you were the one to ask regarding the origin of your dragons.”

[Master_Baerne]

Voyage of the Windblossom
The Repairs and replenishment went swiftly with the superficial damage patched up shortly after nightfall. With that done the Adepts thank the lord and spellcorps of Lunedain for their hospitality and re-embark. The ship thuttering into the air and moving on to Fortress Baerne.

A few days later
They have arrived, some of the crew eyeing the growing bulk of fortress baerne bigger and more impressive than any of the castles in the Dominion. Others are eyeing the dragons in flight around the fortress, Captain Armand doing so with a bit of distrust despite the riders.

And assuming they're welcomed with the same demeanor showed in Lunedain the vessel is soon landed and the Adepts at their expected appointment with the Lord Ragnar and unveiling their proposal.

“Our intention is to further the knowledge of our academy, practitioners and library. To facilitate this firstly we request access to any Baernish libraries in search of tomes not in our possession so that our scribes might duplicate them. In return naturally your own scholars will be allowed access to the great Library of Starfall City so long as they follow the rules set for our own.”
“Secondly we propose an exchange of apprentices and masters between our Academy and your equivalent so as to share our understanding of The Art.”
“We look to this as the first step towards greater cooperation and friendship between our kingdoms. On an aside note we were told you were the one to ask regarding the origin of your dragons.”

EDIT: Having finished what I needed to, I'll just go and make this look nice and in-character now...

Lord Ragnar smiled, an unusual expression from the usually reserved sorcerer. "Ah, the dragons. I presume you spotted the Guard units above the fortress? They're not natural, by any means. My predecessors spent almost a century on them, experimenting deep in the bowels of this very fortress. Are you familiar with crocodiles?" Before the Adepts could answer, Lord Ragnar waved away the question. "No matter. We would be perfectly happy to allow your students to visit us, and vice versa. To spread knowledge is the greatest duty of our kind, yes?"

[Siege]

2 kilometers over Egypt, Near Memphis

The craft touched down on a patch of flat land near the great river just outside the city's walls as a pair of areonauts secured it as best they could with ropes and the engines whurred to a halt. After a few minutes, he disembarked with a pair of Streltsi bodyguards and a pair of porters. Due to the heat had to forgo their conventional Greatcoats which were the general Formal wear of the Tsardom's populace or those that were part of the Iconic uniform of the streltsi, instead wearing a specially designed set of Tropical Uniforms. With that, he surveyed the area and he and his company began to walk towards the gate of City of White Walls, folder of notes in hand to open up relations.

[OOC: Seriously, Zor, this is rather silly. To butcher a golden oldy, one does not simply float into Egypt. Particularly not when you're using an airship, which is slow and visible from a long ways away. Your zeppelin would've been intercepted by a variety of interesting creatures before it even reached the shore.]

The two Sageti had shadowed the great airship dispatched by the Rus since the Pharaoh's scryers had noticed it coming in across the Mediterranean. Strange creatures, the griffins had the heads and wings of falcons, but the bodies of great cheetahs with fearsomely sharp claws. They were unsure of whether they were seen or not; the Russians certainly gave no hint that they had noticed the two creatures weaving through the clouds, keeping a safe distance from the lumbering balloon.

"Interesting" mind-talked Hasada to her wind-mate. "Barely a trace of magic to speak of about them."

"Almost as if they are afraid of it" Lisht concurred. His curiosity was palpable even though the ethereal connection that bound the minds of the two Sageti intimately together. "Why else would anyone forego the use of sorcery?" To a magical creature, not harnessing that very essence of what made them real appeared like madness.

Hasada shrugged physically, a strange gesture for a feline. "Perhaps they pretend that it does not exist, and hope the Great Magic will go away on its own."

Lisht snorted in bemusement, a sound that came out like a strange meshing of a falcon's cry and a cheetah's roar. On the ground, the Streltsi nervously turned upwards, clutching their muskets as they saw the two strange circling shapes.

"They've seen us now", Hasada commented. "Now what?"

"Now we venture ahead and tell the Pharaoh all we have seen. Let the slow-lived come. I'll be interested to see what they wish to offer the Great King."

Missive to the Pharaoh Atum-Ra

To His Royal Majesty, King Atum-Ra of Egypt

I, Iason Constantine, Elected Basileus of the Glorious Republic of Crimea wish to extend formal diplomatic relations to you, as you and my close ally, the Despotate, have already done. Please accept these gifts of sturgeon caviar, smoked fish, otter pelts, and rubies from the volcano Surt, from the Republic, showing the bounty of the Black Sea and the Republic. We wish to have open trade with Egypt and, if not mutual aid in times of need, at least mutual friendliness and trade between our nations.

Sincerely,
Basileus Iason Constantine

Hail, Basileus Iason Constantine, Steward of Crimea

Most generous are your gifts, and wealthy must surely be the lands over which you hold dominion. With such a nation, and with one so generous, the great Kingdom of Egypt will gladly trade. To foster good relations between our two great states, we offer you a gift of gold from the great mines of the south, a fine forge-folded sword crafted by the master armorer of the Pharaoh himself, mirrh and frankincense, five rings fashioned of electrum, and a silver scarab. Let us be friends, from now unto eternity.

Signed, in the name of Ra and all the Gods
Pharaoh Atum-Ra, king of the four quarters of the world

[Dark Hellion]

The translator swallowed, his Adam's Apple bobbing on his sweaty throat. He sputter out his next sentence, "ex... excuse me my lord, I must summon my master over. He has right to speak."

He tightened his hand into a fist and then raised it up, alchemical light seeping between his fingers. The rider on the hill mounted his horse and slowly galloped down. He dismounted and bowed his head slightly to the assembly. He then began speaking quietly in the language of the Davidians, the translator quickly speaking his accented Egyptian to the hosts.

"I am Gregory, Lord of the Province of Southern Isiaac and a servant of David. I am here on My Lord's behalf to parlay for a pact of non-aggression. Ancient enmity has existed between our lands, primarily because of the childish folklore of ignorant peasants. We wish to erase this hostility. We see your kingdom as clearly capable of possessing its own sovereignty and we have no desire to challenge this in the least. The kingdom of David will be expanding. We feel the time is right for us to regain our former glory, but we have no interest in proceeding further South. Africa is yours, wether you agree to this deal or not. If you agree, David will ensure your envoys safe passage though all the lands in his hands, the continual existence of a buffer zone in the Suez and warning of any hostilities to your control of this land we become aware of. We also wish to establish some form of ambassadorial contact between our two states. Since we have every desire for transparency, all has been laid out here. You can pass word to your lord and master, we shall wait here for your response. Thank you for your time"

With that the rider stood, awaiting response.

[Akhlut]

Marc and his small group of attached diplomats were roaming the plains north of the Republic, searching for the legendary Sarmatians, thus far in vain. Those strange warrior women had no concept of a house or a castle, so it was hard to search them out and try to make some sort of peace with them. While the Republic did not know for certain if the Sarmatians have ever attacked them, they did not want the Sarmatians to start any time soon.

So, Marc was bringing a pact from the Basileus himself, along with thirty pounds of rubies and some fine horses to hopefully convince the Sarmatians of a non-aggression pact. The pact essentially stated that the Sarmatians were free to do as they wished to the north of the Republic, but that the shall never encroach into the Republic's lands or to use the Black Sea. In return, the Republic would not turn its attentions northward or otherwise cause injury to the Sarmatians, as well as trade with them.

However, Marc first had to find them in order to bring the pact to them...

Marc, unable to find neither hide nor hair of the Sarmatians, finally returned to Chersonesos and reported to the Basileus.

"My lord, we could not find any Sarmatians; our tracking and rumors were simply not effective."

"That is all well, citizen, for things have changed. We are now firmly aligned with the Despotate, and we might be able to negotiate an alliance with the Tsardom. Now, we have more of an edge over the Sarmatians, should relations go sour. Instead, we have a new offer. Go out with this scroll, and tell them that the Republic offers our magnanimity. We graciously offer to them free reign over Alania and any steppes that the Tsar does not see fit to include in his demesne. We will then work out between all three of us the land that the Sarmatians might claim for themselves. Be sure to alert the Sarmatians that we will view a trespass against the Tsar as a trespass against our own borders.

Be sure to display our generosity, though. Include the prior number of rubies, increase the number of horses to 50, and include otter pelts and smoked fish.

That is all, Marc. Return now to the Steppe and find them."

[Siege]

Gate of the Sun, Eastern Egypt

"I am Gregory, Lord of the Province of Southern Isiaac and a servant of David. I am here on My Lord's behalf to parlay for a pact of non-aggression. Ancient enmity has existed between our lands, primarily because of the childish folklore of ignorant peasants. We wish to erase this hostility. We see your kingdom as clearly capable of possessing its own sovereignty and we have no desire to challenge this in the least. The kingdom of David will be expanding. We feel the time is right for us to regain our former glory, but we have no interest in proceeding further South. Africa is yours, wether you agree to this deal or not. If you agree, David will ensure your envoys safe passage though all the lands in his hands, the continual existence of a buffer zone in the Suez and warning of any hostilities to your control of this land we become aware of. We also wish to establish some form of ambassadorial contact between our two states. Since we have every desire for transparency, all has been laid out here. You can pass word to your lord and master, we shall wait here for your response. Thank you for your time."

The great Voice chuckled as the priestess continued to gesticulate in sign language. "It is the great Pharaoh Akum-Ra whom you now address through his loyal servant. He is his own lord and master" it pointed out. "But no matter. Your terms are fair, and we shall agree to them... For now. You will be granted the honour of establishing an embassy in Memphis, on the condition that no dark magicks be practiced there."

[Zor]

Memphis

After a fair deal of exchanges on protocol, displays of papers and various other complications, Alexander finally managed to his goal and had managed to gain an aundiance with the Pharoh. With that the chests containing the goods were sent down as the ambassador bowed to the rular of this domain. "Greetings," he said in his heavily accented voice as "your Highness. I am Alexander Lavrov, representitive of His Majesty Tsar Mikhail-I, Tsar of Muscovy and of all the Civilized Russias and Champion of the Crimson Enlightenment. Our nation, not long ago an insugnifigant land of Serfs ruled over by a cruel and barbaric nobility in the northern lands of the Rus has now emerged as a Major Power under the domain of our Red Dynasty devoted to the betterment of mankind which now seeks to open up Relationships and lines of talk with the rest of the world. We have traveled far, over mountain, forest and sea to make contact between your mighty kingdom and our glorious Tsardom. By his grace, i have the honor of presenting you with the following gifts." The Porters began to open the chests to reveil their gifts, displaying them and laying them before the God King "Gifts of Furs of Beaver, Ermine, Mink, Sable, Fox and Lynx from the rich forests of our domain. A pair of of fine sets of armor and swords, made of Alchemically enhanced steel and inscribed with defensive Runes by our noble Rune preists and adorned with Gold and Silver. A set of five Revolver Pistols, masterfully crafted by the Tsar's personnal Gunsmiths, and 150 rounds of ammunition. Each shot contains Alchemically enhanced powder, a substance that only our most elite of Soldiers are issued and even then, seldomly beyond times of war. A finely made pocket watch made by the Tsardom's finest Clockmaker, able to recon the time of day down to the second day or night at a size which allows it to be kept on hand at all times without consern. We also offer you a box of Jemstones and gold.

"Onto the buisiness of our diplomatic requests. For the Entirety of our Tsardom's existance, the Egyptians and the Tsardom's men and woman have never spilled each others blood, a fact which our glorious Tsar does not wish to change. We also request that an Embassy be Established, so that our Glorious states may be able to more easilly communicate whenever the need arises, as well as proper docking facillities for our airships. To these humble demands, what does your divine excellency say?"

[Siege]

Memphis

"Onto the buisiness of our diplomatic requests. For the Entirety of our Tsardom's existance, the Egyptians and the Tsardom's men and woman have never spilled each others blood, a fact which our glorious Tsar does not wish to change. We also request that an Embassy be Established, so that our Glorious states may be able to more easilly communicate whenever the need arises, as well as proper docking facillities for our airships. To these humble demands, what does your divine excellency say?"

The great Hall of Receptions of the royal palace was magnificient. Its floor, decorated with floral and faunal motifs, represented the earth, while the towering white columns with their floral capitals seemed to grow toward the heavens. Hieroglyphic symbols on the lower portion of the columns depicted the inhabitants of the earth giving praise to Atum-Ra, while the upper portions showed the Pharaoh presenting offerings to the gods. On the massive gateway that forms the principal entrance to the hall, the king is seen in a ritual pose expressing domination over Egypt's enemies. Red sphinxes in alcoves line the walls, and all the stone doorways to the hall were topped by images of the winged sun disk. Finally the ceiling of the great hall was covered in gold, representing the divine light of Ra.

Finally, at the opposite end of the hall, underneath the all-seeing Eye of Horus, stood the great golden Throne of Kings. It was flanked by a servant waving a palm leaf on the right, and a Khepri on the left, and on it sat the regal presence of Pharaoh Atum-Ra himself.

The Pharaoh was slowly rubbing his chin as he considered the tsarist offer. On one hand, the lands of the Tsardom were far away and the great king was unsure how useful diplomatic ties with them would be. On the other, the peculiar tsarist penchant for the mechanical might prove useful to have on hand should the Kingdom require it one day.

"Very well", rumbled Atum-Ra finally. "You will be granted a plot of land in the capital city whereupon you shall establish an embassy. In return, we will send a mission to the lands of your Tsar, bearing great gifts of our own. As for your dirigibles, we will construct for you docking facilities, but not in the capital. Instead you will be free to moor your ships of the sky at Tanis, Rosetta or Alexandria - you are free to choose one of those cities. From there, should you require travel through our lands, we will facilitate it for you. This is the offer of mighty Atum-Ra. What do you say?"

[Zor]

Memphis"Very well", rumbled Atum-Ra finally. "You will be granted a plot of land in the capital city whereupon you shall establish an embassy. In return, we will send a mission to the lands of your Tsar, bearing great gifts of our own. As for your dirigibles, we will construct for you docking facilities, but not in the capital. Instead you will be free to moor your ships of the sky at Tanis, Rosetta or Alexandria - you are free to choose one of those cities. From there, should you require travel through our lands, we will facilitate it for you. This is the offer of mighty Atum-Ra. What do you say?"

The tall mustached Ambassador bowed "These terms are most agreeable, your highness. In case of the city, Alexandria shall be an elegant location for the airship docking facilities and we shall provide your artisans with a copy of the blueprints as soon as possible."

[PeZook]

Pogoria

The ancient forest seemed to breathe on its own, its trees forming a distant, harmonic melody. Many men grew insane after they listened to its whispers for too long, and wondered too much about what it was that the ancient, timeless trees tried to tell them.

It was a dangerous place, full of mystery and wonder - and yet, there were humans living here, attuned to the eldricht energies which gave these woods a mind of their own. They respected the forest, and it was said they knew how to talk to the trees.

The Pogorian Woodsmen.

Envoys winded their way to their settlements - envoys of the King, the Great Father, ruler of mighty Pogoria. They bore gifts and words of peace, and every envoy was accompanied by a Chosen Druid to add weight to his words.

The elders listened to the envoys. Unlike the tribes which already swore allegiance to the King, they represented the woodsmen which chose to remain independent. Some would call the obstinate and proud, others admired their courage. One thing was certain, however: forming a coalition out of many tribes scattered throughout the woods would be a difficult task indeed - especially when many were locked in perpetual struggle and blood feuds against each other.

King Radoslaw, while young, was a shred politician. Hence, he knew of one thing which could help him secure loyalty of the barbarian tribes...

Deep in the motherwood

"You are here, where it all began", rasped one witch. Crooked and gnarly, her skin looked almost like tree bark. She pointed at the naked druid which stood there, amongst the interlocked, ancient trees.

"Where all that lives comes to die!", cried out another, motioning to animal bones nested in the scant free space.

"Where all that dies...is reborn anew!", a third witch - the youngest one - howled at the night sky, invisible from below the thick canopy of trees. Only a magical fire cast a sickly blue light onto the scene.

The witches fell silent, but a new voice boomed, as if coming from the motherwood itself

SPEAK, it bellowed at the druid.

"Keppers of the Motherwood! I come here with a message from our King!", he said, his voice steady and clear.

WE CARE NOT ABOUT YOUR KING, the voice replied flatly

"And yet he cares about you! He respects the forest and its creatures, and he would not have sent me here as an envoy if he did not believe a terrible danger was about to descend upon your lands!"

There was a brief pause, as if the forest considered its answer carefully.

CONTINUE, it finally decided to say

"A kingdom rises to the east...a foul kingdom, thinking of itself as the better of all others. They march forwards with steel and fire and care nothing about Great Magic, thinking it the superstition of barbaric fools."

The woods seemed to shiver visibly. A lesser man could think the trees themselves grew angry with the insult, and yet The Voice remained calm.

WHAT IS THIS KINGDOM YOU SPEAK OF? WHAT DO THEY CONSIDER FITTING TO CALL THEMSELVES?

"The Red Tsardom is their name."

WE HAVE HEARD OF THEM

"Will you help us defend against their might, then?", the druid asked, staring into the dead eyes of the eldest witch.

With only the slightest hint of hesitation, the Motherwood answered:

YES

[Master_Baerne]

Fortress Baerne
Bellenoirceur Sorcerous Academy
Headmaster's Chambers

"Lord Ragnar, a pleasure as always. How can the Academy be of assistance to the Spellcorps this fine evening?" Master Illmarinen was perhaps the least known, as well as the most powerful mage in the Duchy. His decision to retire from the Spellcorps and take up the post of headmaster of the Sorcerous Academy had vexed the Duke to no end, though Lord Ragnar was a crafty, skilled magician in his own right.

"Master Illmarinen." Lord Ragnar, seated in front of the enchanted crystal in his own quarters elsewhere in the vast fortress, bowed slightly. "Are you familiar with the Dominion of Starfall to any great degree?"

"Only insofar as they concern our own interests. Why?"

"A delegation of their Adepts arrived today and asked after the origins of our dragons. Considering they arrived with only two days warning from Lunedain in a flying frigate, I was a bit hesitant to explain fully."

"Ah. And you told them what, exactly?" Illmarinen's lined face grew somber.

"That my predecessors manipulated ordinary lizards through magical means. The usual story we provide to the overly inquisitive."

"Good. It's not as if they can disprove the tale, in any case." Illmarinen was one of the only individuals still living who was old enough to remember the chaos of the Fall, the horrors and nightmares that appeared almost overnight. The death of a civilization had opportunities, however, for those bold enough to seize them.

And Illmarinen had been. The dark powers served whomsoever could bind them, and no tools were inherently evil.

RESULTS: The mages are plotting...How surprising.

[Akhlut]

Iason strapped the new sword he had received from the Pharoah to his belt, making it a part of the regalia of the Elected Basileus, as well as one of the electrum rings Atum-Ra had sent to him.

Iason was preparing to meet with the chief of the Surtites, Prince Hral. While the fire giants were part of the Republic, and ostensibly elected an archon to lead their provinces as the rest of the Republic did, Hral was the undisputed leader of the Surtites. He even ruled over the other archons in nearby provinces that had but Surtites living there. While he had faith that the Surtites would accept Republican virtue eventually, Iason Constantine had to convince their chief to start amassing Surtite troops so the Republic could finally expand after being stagnant for so many generations. The nearby plains and mountains were filled with potential Republican subjects, but they must first be subdued and educated on Republican Ideals. The Surtites, while already contributing, must be convinced to help further expand.

"Hail, Archon Hral. I greet you as your elected lord and ask for your assistance."

"Hail, Basileus. What do you have need of?"

"The Republic seeks to expand its borders, but we could use the strength of the Surtites to defeat our common foes." Iason hoped that the Prince did not think of himself as a mostly independent sovereign, as previous chiefs had thought.

"My thanes need more pay to feed their families and themselves, as well as better arms. Our rubies alone will not do that."

"We shall make due for now, then, however, once we expand our borders a bit and gain more treasure, we shall certainly put it toward equipping and feeding thanes. Can I count on you to have them training already, though?"

"Of course, lord."

Well, at least he is starting to embrace some idea of republicanism.

Results: The Republic is too poor to afford more fire giant troops, but once we get more cash, we can hire away with no problems. Also, the Basileus has some fine Egyptian bling.