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[Naze]

Spoiler: Awakening (click to show/hide)

Nayl batted his eyes open, the warm sunlight falling onto his bed, he groaned and rolled over, careful to avoid the delicate form of the sleeping elf beside him. He reached up and tried to grab a flying beetle but due to his poor depth perception missed, instead of moving his hand at it again, he stared fascinated at his hand as the light fell between his fingers, today something was different, Nayl knew it.

"Scyr has returned to us," muttered Nayl.

"What?" groaned Ravyn beside him.

"Nothing," replied Nayl, running his hand through her hair

Standing up off of the bed he walked out onto the balcony and looked out onto Eska, he sighed and rubbed his one eye with his hand before glancing over at Ravyn, wrapped in a sheet, standing beside him.

"Scyr has returned, I assume he has works to be done in this world, be they for the better of us or for all, we must obey, for he is our life."

[mission0]

A Meeting of Sorts:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Menil awoke just as his captures were approaching a large tent. At first he sat up straight in wonder of where he was. He then winced in pain as the sudden movement caused some of his still healing wounds to over-extend. He then remembered that he had been picked up by these people shortly after having passed out. They obviously did not have much ill-intent if they haven't killed him yet. Looking down he saw Star walking beside this thing he was riding on. Looking up one could see the stars and a still brighter moon, if it was the moon. He must have traveled quite a ways and have been out for awhile. The few stars Menil had memorized were far off in the distance.

The rider he was with noticed his movement.

"Finally up I see, you have been out for about 2 months now."

Menil focused on the rider, at first glance he looked just like any other person. However there was something different about these people. The way they sat while riding seemed... off.

Menil only looked at the rider not saying a word.

"Not a talkative one, no worries not like I'm not used to it already."

With that the rider turned his attention back to steering his mount.

Shortly after the group Menil was with arrived at the tent. They pushed Menil inside, muttering something about some sort of leader. Within the tent there were many others who may have been leaders themselves, just in some smaller fashion. The one whom Menil had rode with walked up to the one who was surrounded by the most people.

Menil took the chance to look around, most of the talking had died down as many took notice of a "dogman" in their presence. Drawing up many inquisitive whispering. The tent seemed fairly minimal, as if it could be uprooted and moved to another place without much fuss.

Menil looked back towards the leader or king, or whatever he was as he exclaimed.

"Ah, Houssam! What's this"

Menil had pulled back his hood as the conversation had begun. He liked to keep it up to hide his appearance but that seemed all but pointless now.

"If you must know, a beaten down dog."

At this the man laughed then turned to 'Houssam' as he began to speak.

"Imad this is a dogman we found wandering about in the desert, apparently he killed and burned three wyrms."

Imad looked at Menil then as if appraising his worth, "Three wyrms on your own is a worthy feet, what did he use to take them down?"

Houssam motioned to two others who had been standing off to the side until then. They came forward then with Menil's staff and sword. Menil looked down at his waist then looked over his shoulder noting that indeed his staff and sword were missing.I thought something was a bit off

Houssam looked over the sword, and then the staff before looking back up to Menil.

"The sword could have been some use, but I doubt the staff would have been able to do anything at all. According to what I have heard so far you burned them... how did you manage this in the desert far from any good kindling"

Menil grinned as best he could with his dog-like mouth, "If I had my staff I could show you"

Imad murmured to Houssam who then brought Menil his staff. Menil grasping it felt the familiar enchantments he had placed within it to help further any magics, or spells he cast. Menil started waving his staff then above his head in a circular motion. At the center of the circle, a small flame built up then expanded. Soon enough it was a churning ball of fire twisting this way and that. Menil then stopped and the flame simply disappeared.

Imad then nodded to himself at the confirmation, this one was a mage. "Well mage, what brings you to our country"

"To find where I belong, where I can fit in, where I can be seen openly and not have others whisper or point"

The whispering that had been going on stopped then, realizing how rude they must have been.

"Obviously this is not the place I seek."

Chuckling Imad walked over to Menil, "No it appears not, we have to many factions and Zealots in here for you to even walk openly in the streets. I am willing to give you some help to get on your way, we get many outlanders here so we always have something available to help them survive."

Menil smirked at that then murmurred so that only Imad could hear him, "You have no clue how well that fits me, 'Outlander' ", he then spoke up, "I may not wish to stay long, I will accept the supplies that you have offered. I also ask for one more thing, how do stand this heat. I am having a difficult time with it."

"My people and I have been around it for quite some time so we are used to it, I am however surprised that you are having trouble. You are a mage as we have seen, why not cure it with a simple enchantment"

Menil slammed his paw into his forehead at that, how big of an idiot was he to not realize that sooner. His cloak already had many enchantments, even some to help add on more enchantments. Then bowing to the leader Menil thanked him and turned to follow the person Imad had appointed to help Menil to the supplies that were promised.

Menil turned around quickly just before leaving however, "Do you know of any Volcanoes?"

Setting Out

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Menil walked out of five springs at first with and escort then as they reached the furthest edge of the 'city' they fell away leaving Menil to himself. His pack full and with a map marking a volcano clearly to the west Menil set out.

His cloak which was newly enchanted with a temperature spell was doing its job of keeping Menil's body at a constant.

Menil looked up then, it was no longer dark out. The sun was rising. He dropped to all fours as the sun came up. Then looking back to Star grinning took off to the west. Star transformed and chased after Menil.

The west, perhaps a new home. Perhaps a trap. Either way I'm finding out

Map

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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  |≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈──────○▲▲⌂⌂♣♣┌┘≈
  |≈≈≈≈...≈≈≈.≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂♣┌┘.≈
  |≈≈┐..⌂⌂R≈|..≈≈≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲○───┘...
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10|♣♣|⌂⌂▲⌂⌂♣|..R≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂....♣♣
  |♣♣R⌂▲○───┘...≈...♣♣¥⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
  |♣♣⌂▲⌂⌂R♣....≈≈..♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣♣
  |.⌂⌂▲⌂.♣.....≈≈≈┐.♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..*♣♣
  |⌂⌂Q⌂⌂♣♣♣♣.T≈≈≈¥└─────¥▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣♣
15|⌂▲▲▲⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈T≈.......⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..*♣♣
  |⌂▲^▲⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈.......⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂.┌──
  |⌂▲▲▲⌂♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈¥.....⌂⌂^▲⌂○──┘*.
  |≈⌂▲▲⌂♣♣♣⌠C≈≈T≈≈≈≈.....⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂....
  |≈⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠┌──○▲▲⌂⌂♣♣♣♣♣
20|⌂⌂▲⌂⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌂⌂▲♣▲⌂⌂#♣♣♣♣
  |▲▲○─┐┌─┐⌠|⌠└─┬─────┘⌂⌂▲Z⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
  |⌂⌂⌂~└┘~└─┘~~.|⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~~~
  |~~~~S~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈⌠⌠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~~
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25|~~~~S~~~q≈≈≈≈≈♫≈≈≈─┬┘⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~
  |~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠|⌂⌂▲▲▲○⌂~~Ψ~~
  |~~~~┌─S≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈██●|⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂~*~~~
  |~~~~|~~~~███≈≈≈≈█♫●|⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~
  |⌂⌂⌂~|~~~~●♫█≈≈≈≈██●└──○▲▲⌂⌂Ψ~~~~
30|○───┘~~~~●●~♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~

[Wimdit]

Spoiler: Alert, but far from alarmed. (click to show/hide)

The year wore on. Summer became autumn, and autumn became winter. It made little difference to the Sandriders, as their deserts were scorching all year round. Far more concerning than the passage of the seasons were the signs of a changing world: King Imad reported having been visited by an apparition telling of a meeting, though with whom and for what purpose it would not say. A prophet, reported to be able to change her skin, had appeared in one of the northern tribes, claiming that she had been chosen as Kunya-Nasab’s messenger and that the gods were returning. A dog-man had been found in the east, and had walked openly through Five Springs. Rumour had it that he was even now running on the sands, with a dog who was to him what a Sandrunner was to its Rider. The moon was no longer black, though there were no reports that the Icemen had been weakened in any way.

On the surface, the Sandriders appeared to ignore these omens. They made no plans to send a representative to the meeting: there was nobody among them who could speak for the tribes – the closest thing was Imad, but he was more a first among equals than a ruler, and the road was too long and perilous to send the monarch on anyway. But a particularly astute observer might have noticed an increase in patrols on the desert’s edge, larger imports of fuel for weapon making, a tendency towards more rigorous combat training, and the like. The Sandriders did not know what was going to happen, but they were not going to be caught off guard by it. They had come too close to being destroyed before, and the lessons of centuries past had not lost their effect with time.

A calm settled upon the desert. What the storm would bring remained to be seen.

Spoiler: Ret Con (click to show/hide)

With fuel for the furnace in Five Springs being so hard to come by in the desert, the Sandriders will, whenever they need a weapon, travel to the forests to the east and return laden with charcoal; this is something of a sacred quest for them. Prior to a child being born, the father will undertake such a journey so that its companion sword can be made.

[Pandarsenic]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Honored Chosen, may we respectfully ask for what purpose we have been brought before the Voidstone?" Din Ria, one of the two present Masters of Emptiness asked.

"We do not understand, Honored Shi Shotan," one of the two Masters of Thought in the room added.

"Our lord the Unknowable has commanded me to bring you here," Shi Shotan explained. "Carefully he has watched us for much time and he has selected you. One at a time, place your hands upon the Voidstone...

Continuing after sleep....

[Virex]

Spoiler: Plans Unfolding (click to show/hide)

Finaly they were getting close to the place the sandriders called "five springs". He figured that after telling them, they'd need at least a moon to figure out that it was all bogus, and then he still had half a moon left before they'd catch up with him, giving him a total of one and a half moon to make his way to the mountains and meet up with his hunting team.

All there was left now was to find the dog-man and convince him to come with him. And if that didn't work, he still had other ways to make him follow.

If everything went as planned he'd be back with the dog-man and some good prey by the start of next year's Inauguration ceremony. Hopefully he read the sings correctly, or else all of this would still be for nothing.

"No, it won't be for nothing. I am sure of what I told you. You can trust me, as always..."

Spoiler: A chalange (click to show/hide)

"You can't be serious! He's a murdered, a criminal. I bet he even feasted on his soul while he was at it."

"I'm dead serious. He's comming with me and that's all there is to say."

"You may be able to see fate, but that gives you no right to command us like this!"

"My descision is backed up by a mayority of votes and as such it is final."

"Then I chalenge that!"

"You would chalenge me?"

"I would. I chalange your autorithy, your position as elder and your position as a priest. I chalange them to the death!"

"I don't want to fight you, you're a fine elder. Please reconsider this."

"A chalange is a chalange. You can't back out now, coward!"

"Verry well, we will settle this at the end of the Inauguration ceremony. Untill then, he remains in custody and preparations for the expedition will continue."

"We're not going to settle this now?"

"Either outcome would require an Inauguration. It'd be better to have time to prepare for that."

[Armok]

Ok, quickly cobbled together summary post, the only interaction that should need to be done this turn is the Taiyou reaction, and that can probably be made by Istrian alone if not me is found on IRC, so while I hope I get time to get some proper RP this turn at least this should be the functional minimum for the game to work.
Also, i have probably forgotten and/or missed some/many things.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Noelle, an Ratew, flees to a large town in the city-state of Seacastle, he is devastated about the destruction of his garden, but find some comfort in working with that towns famous botanic gardens, although he is not used to some things, like the large cooperative aspect of it, and the constant stream of visitors that come to admire the garden.

The knowledge of Taiyou, religious figure of the earthbound Hitengu, has reached the senate, but there is no apparent problem and thus not really any reaction, the issue is considered unimportant.

A massive wave of Artew, and a few Ratew, fugitives come to the Scana cities, they tell stories abut massacres by what appears to be Shehalash. Massive controversy.
The inflow of Artew and Ratew workers is of significant economic impact. The saturation of several markets lead many Artew into prostitution, something almost unheard of before. A general decline of Artew quality of life as Ratew take many of their jobs.
A delegate is sent to the Shehalash to ask vague questions about the event without actually implying anything.

There is a huge influx on Artew slaves, there is a federate investigation and police raids that frees many of them again. The source of the slaves is deduced correctly, but that was pretty obvious anyway.

There is some increase in the demand of Hitengu slaves on the black market, leading to a small wave of kidnappings in the Hitngu quarters. One hitengu child is kidnapped right in front of Taiyou ((Need reaction from relevant player!!))

There is an increase in bandit assaults on the Lunarian/federation border, slaves who are freeed by them report them to be some new kind of humanoids with some conotion to fire. The senate arrive at that it might be simple cultural misunderstandings, and send a deligate to open diplomatic relations and/or try to find a price for stopping the raids.

And naturally all the million minor economical, internal politics, trade, etc. events to small to show up on the radar here.

[Kashyyk]

The book of Artoin Brok

Spoiler: Divine Intervention (click to show/hide)

Akran, a Member of the High Council, was studying a report on 'Tenryuubito slavetrade' in his study when suddenly his fireplace began to burn brighter, and more fiercely than before. From the light emerged a Hitengu shaped figure, his skin like the Northern Lights and wearinig aprour of the purest Gold. The armour itself glowed red hot, and the presence of this figure made the room uncomfortably hot.

"I am Tomoshibi, God of the Sun. Greetings, Lord of the Artoin."

Akran replied, hoping that his voice did not show how startled he was at the sight of this new 'God'. "Salutations, Tomoshibi, God of the Sun. I am Akran, High Counciler of Artoin Brok."

"I come to you with an invitation, the matter is most important..." with this, he pulls a plate of pure Gold out of the air and places it upon Akran's desk. The God bowed his head to Akran, and he did like wise, clapping his fist to his chest.Tomoshibi then stept into the fireplace and away.

With trepidation, Akran studied the plate. He saw that on it, beautifully designed, was a map of the world. Something caught his eye, and looking at it, he realised it was a destination, specifically the top of a Mountain, Many leagues south of here. Next to it was a date:
Nok 1007 the first day of spring.

[Archangel]

Soon after leaving the village, Basalem stopped his mount, a one humped camel, and retrieved a strip of cloth from a bag. He wrapped it around his face and moved off again. It was nice of them to give me this two animals, and enough food and water to last me through the desert. That priest was creapy though. I think I'll avoid any settlements I find. Don't want to talk to anyone.

Don't have time to do more. Sorry. Put him half way across the desert please.

[NUKE9.13]

Spoiler: The rewards of slavery (click to show/hide)

" 'Bandits', yeah, right. A ploy to raise prices!" scoffed the merchant. "Besides, I have yet to meet a bandit that can best me in combat"
"One might argue that if you found such a bandit you wouldn't live to discuss it with me" his companion pointed out. "I'm just saying we should be wary."
"Ah, fine. Send a guard up ahead to scout for ambushes or something"

[generic Tenryuubito name] sighed as he rounded another bend in the road revealing no fierce fire elemental seeking to tear his throat out. He tied a white ribbon around a branch to indicate to the rest that he had passed this spot and walked on. Stupid scouting duty. It was revenge, it was, for beating the boss at cards.
He tripped over a rock.
"Bugger" he said, starting to get up.
Then he saw (or liked to think he saw) the arrow. It flew over his head in slow motion. He could see the air twist in it's passage. A moment later a gutteral cry of displeasure came from the bushes to the side of the road, and a figure emerged. Big teeth. Big sword. Dark skin with a redish tint. Big sword. Large muscles. Big sword. [generic Tenryuubito name] yelled 'AMBUSH' at the top of his lungs, drew his own sword and started running back the way he had come. Arrows hissed through the air as he run. The monster ran towards him, roaring in anger. An arrow brushed his leg and fell down, but he rolled and was running again before the monster could catch up.
He rounded the corner again and saw two more of the monsters waiting for him. He spun round and saw the first monster charging at him with his sword raised high, and took the only escape route possible, unfolding his wings and jumping into the sky. His wings beat furiously, and he rose into the sky, just as the first monster reached the place he had been standing.
Then a half a dozen arrows hit him, and he fell down, the monster beneath him nimbly sidestepping his falling form.
"Why?" he croaked, then coughed up blood and died.

"Because", Marcus answered, "I find your morals lacking and your flesh tasty. Also you are scouting for a group of slavers we plan to kill. The extreme pain you must have felt at death is your own fault for tripping up. Otherwise I had a clean shot through your head with a hundred pound crossbow which would have killed you instantly."
He kicked the corpse.
"Ok, people. Little bloodier than intended. You two, take this clumsy fool into the woods. Unfortunately the slavers probably heard him screaming, so they will be waiting for us. If they have any sense they'll have stopped by the pond where you can see people coming. So this may be a little harder than intended. Garius, take some men around to the back and wait for my signal. Julius, go and tell Emicia to ready her healing spells. Tarion, take the archers and get ready."
Orcs went their seperate ways, and Marcus took a dozen men to follow him along the road.

The slavers had heard [generic Tenryuubito name] screaming. They had hasted back to the clearing by the pond and had set up a defensive circle, with slaves on the outside, with everyone armed and watching the woods around the clearing carefully.
Suddenly an arrow appeared in a guard's forehead. There was no noise barring a slight *thock* and then a tinkle of armour as the guard fell down.
The guarding archers fired en masse in the direction the arrow had come from. Then, with a roar, orcs emerged from the side of the road on both sides of the clearing and charged the merchants, and unseen archers fired from the woods. Several of the orcs burst into flame as they charged. Archers fired again at both groups of charging orcs, but before a second volley could be fired the orcs had jumped over the cowering slaves and were crossing blades with the front row of guards. Some archers tried to fire again at close range, others drew their swords. The clang of blades echoed across the clearing, along with the cries of Tenryuubito. The orcs had momentum, fear, and better training on their side. The battle was short lasted, and soon most of the guards were dead. Only three remained, fighting in a cluster, beating away the orcs with skill.
Marcus stepped up to the three survivors and the orcs fighting them drew away.
"You, in the fancy robes", Marcus said, addressing a richly-clad Hitengu "From your clothes I guess you are the leader of this group. I congratulate you on your skill at arms! But seriously, lay down your weapons. For all your skill you cannot beat a crossbow."
Marcus took the aforementioned crossbow from an orc and pointed it at the survivors. With a look of resignation they dropped their swords.
"Good. Now. Do you admit to being a slaver?"
"Of course I'm a slaver! What's it to you?"
"Oh, it's quite a lot to me. I really, really hate slavers, you see."
"Hypocrite. As if you are going to free those slaves now"
"I am, infact. And do you know why? Because being a slave is the worst fate possible. And I would know, being a third generation slave myself. There is honestly nothing worse than having no free will available to you. It's worse than death, you know. You look forward to death, as a slave"
"No fate is worse than death"
"Ha! Plenty of fates are worse than death. For example; torture, followed by death. Allow me to demonstrate"
Marcus shot the survivor to the slaver's left. He keeled over, an arrow sticking out of his forehead.
"He didn't know that was coming. He probably didn't even feel it. But Mr.Ontheright there, he knows it is coming. He's pissed himself, look. Hey Mr.Ontheright, would you like to have been Mr.Ontheleft instead?"
The right hand survivor nodded.
"Tough"
Marcus (who had swapped his crossbow for a loaded one) shot him in the leg. The man fell over and screamed.
"You- barbarian!"
"Hey, just proving a point. Lop the poor guy's head off, someone"
An orc dragged the man away and beheaded him with a single stroke.
"Much worse than death, see?"
"But- a slave gets to live, he doesn't get tortured, he gets fed and housed and-"
"But he doesn't get that which makes us real- freedom. A man being tortured knows that the torture will end, if he tells the torturer what he wants to know. He might not ever do it, but he has the choice. That man there didn't, I guess, but he died pretty quick. But a slave- he knows that nothing he does will make this end before death, which the slaver staves off constantly. Anyway, I grow bored. Tie his hands together, clip his wings, chop off a foot and send him on his way"
"What? Why would you do that?"
"Because I am not a nice guy. And seriously, there is little worse than hopping around on one foot whilst you slowly bleed to death. It is a tried and tested method"

Later they feasted on 'tastes like chicken'. They played a game to decide who got to eat the severed foot, but they weren't really in it. Scaly little things, so little flesh.
The slaves were given all the slavers food (vegetarian crap) and sent on their way. Two orcs were sent to clean up the slavers corpse around lunch. They hung it on the one-foot no-wings tree along with the others.
An orc died from his wounds, his skull shattered by an arrow. They laid him away from flammable material and sang and drank until his corpse stopped burning. Then they buried the remains. They carved his name into a board from the slaver's cart and stuck it into the ground.

[Akroma]

Turn 3

year 2 spring-summer

NOTICE1:

I moved Poltifar ssoutheast on the map. he forgot to do so, but mentioned it
Also, I moved Basalem according to Archangels request.


NOTICE2:

Strife26's Zefies are officially NPCs now. He did not post in this thread, nor in the OOC thread, and did not respond to multiple PMs, despite being often logged in and posting in other topics.
fuck that strife, play the games you join.



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  |⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈
  |≈.≈..≈T≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂^⌂H♣♣♣♣♣≈
05|≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂♣♣♣┌≈
  |≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈──────○▲▲⌂⌂♣♣┌┘≈
  |≈≈≈≈...≈≈≈.≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂♣┌┘.≈
  |≈≈┐..⌂⌂R≈|..≈≈≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲○───┘...
  |♣.|.⌂⌂▲⌂♣|...≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂.....♣
10|♣♣|⌂⌂▲∞⌂♣|..R≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂....♣♣
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  |.⌂⌂▲⌂.♣.....≈≈≈┐.♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..*♣♣
  |⌂⌂Q⌂⌂♣♣♣♣.T≈≈≈¥└─────¥▲▲⌂y...♣♣♣
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  |≈⌂▲▲⌂♣♣♣⌠Cy≈T≈≈≈≈.....⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂....
  |≈⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠┌──○▲▲⌂⌂♣♣♣♣♣
20|⌂⌂▲⌂⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌂⌂▲♣▲⌂⌂#♣♣♣♣
  |▲▲○─┐┌─┐⌠|⌠└─┬─────┘⌂⌂▲Z⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
  |⌂⌂⌂~└┘q└─┘~~.y⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~~~
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  |~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠|⌂⌂▲▲▲○⌂~~Ψ~~
  |~~~~┌─S≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈██●|⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂~*~~~
  |~~~~|~~~~███≈≈≈≈█♫●|⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~
  |⌂⌂⌂~|~~~~●♫█≈≈≈≈██●└──○▲▲⌂⌂Ψ~~~~
30|○───┘~~~~●●~♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~

[Akroma]

Spoiler: the enslavement of the Drake Spirits (click to show/hide)

The border post was in utter disbelief. Coming down from the mountains were caravans over caravans of wagons, every single one of them laden with Drake Spirits, or Kasaijin as the were called by the Tenryuubito. Their brightly glowing bodies illuminated the mountain pass, as if a gigantic snake of fire was making it's way to the grassplains to consume them.

It was not an unusual sigh to see one, or maybe two wagons loaded like this but an entire caravan of easily more than 100 wagons...

It was so off. The guardpost was sure. This was a trick played by the Zefie confederation. Force the slavers to get them over the border, then wreck havoc...yes...that must be it.


Slowly, the head of the snake approached the post. The Tenryuubito on the wagons were laughing and making jokes to each other, drinking sake from bottles, much to the confusement of the guards.


"S-Stop. You have to declare your goods."

"HAHA. Oh yeah, then let it be declared that we landed the greatest boom of all time. Behind us are 115 wagons, laden with 6-8 Kasaijin each. I'm gonna ship them right to high general Wakamoto. Kasaijin are a valueable asset for every army. Apart fromt hat, they sadly don't have many uses.

Oh man, I can't wait unti later, where those come from, there are still a lot left"


The guard leaned in close to him, and whispered.

"If there is something you should tell me, but can't because you would die if you do, please blink twice..."

"HAHAHAHA. Yeah, that's what I first thought too. But no, those guys are almost like completely new people. They said that "they god forever left them" and "they have no guidance".

We happened to have a missionary with us, and he converted them to Getsurei. Was easy as cake, considering the straneg shining ring up there appeared.
An entire city swore allegiance to Mioya. The missionary stayed there, wanting to cement the faith in the people, and also training some of them into priests, so they could go and convert other people too.

See the dude on the second wagon over there? The one who is not in the cages? He's a diplomat. He wants that his city officialy becomes part of Mioya. And not only that, but many more as well."


The guard stood flabbergasted...

"B..but why did you enslave them and put them into cages then, when they would have come with you on their own free will?"

The slaver shrugged.

"Profit, of course. As long as general Wakamoto doesn't know he could enroll them for free, he's going to pay a fortune for that many of them."

edit: noticed that the name Igni was wrong...hmm, I wonder where I got that name from.

Spoiler:  law abiding merchants (click to show/hide)

"Hey, Captain Juro"

"What is it?"

"Look up the street. Militia. They probably heared about our raid..."

"Leave it to me. It's just some countryside militia, peasants with long knives and borrowed armor. They probably can't even read."


Juro was traveling together with 19 men, 10 on horses, the rest riding on his wagons, which were full to the burst with freshly captured Hitengu. All of them men in proper working age. Abducting women and children in these lands called for too much attention.


The captain of the militia, and his 23 riders hailed them.
"Excuse me! I have heard reports that you are carrying slaves. Is this true?"

Juro answered them in a laid back voice.
"Yes, that's true. We bought them fairly from a local prison."

"Would you mind if I inspected them?"

"We are on a tight schedule, but sure, help yourself."

"Thank you."

The militia captain signed his men, and they started searching the wagons. Each of them contained several cages with 3-4 Hitengu in them, as well as supplies for the travel.


Once the wagons were checked, the militia captain said:
 "What would you say if I said that a group of twenty Tenryuubito were reported to have raided and enslaved a village of Hitengu?"


"That must have been someone else then. Probably that bastard Juro. You best hurry to catch him, that fiend"

For a second he thought he overdid it. He had to fight a giggle with all strength he had. His business, his freedom, maybe even his life depended on it. Trying not to make a grimace, he swallowed huis laughter.

"You would know this 'Juro?"

 "Another slaver. But he doesn't really stick to the local rules. I got here before him, and bought what was left in the prisons. he probably got frustrated, so he attacked a village or two."

"What was the name of the prison that you bought these slaves off of?"

"I bought them from the Airtel countryside prison."

"Do you have the papers for these slaves?"

"Of couurse I have a receipt", replied Juro with a wide grin

"May I see it?"

Juro searched his pockets for a piece of paper, and handed it to the militia captain.
"Everything as it should be"

The militia captain took a look at the paper, and furrowed his brow. An look of great effort appeared on his face. Juro cheered to himself silently. That man could really not read. Else he would have noticed that this "receipt" was issued 3 years ago, in an entirely different part of the country.

 "All appears to be in order."


"Well then, we have a tight schedule. if you could let us go then"

"But while we are here,  we ought to chech the wagons for any contraband. Protocol."



"Fine, fine, go ahead"


 "Thank you"


"If you will allow me to search your person? Some smugglers have taken to hiding the contraband on themselves, you see"

Juro sighed. "Do as you please"
"Thank you again. Please empty your pockets"

 Lazily, Juro emptied his pockets. They contained a bundle of keys, a knife, a glass of pickeled apples, a bag of money, and paper tags for various spells.

The militia captained patted him down, to find any concealed items, finding nothing more than the slavers sword, and some more papertags.

"What are these?"

"What are what?"

"Those weird paperthings"

"Those are just good luck charms. Every Tenryuubito knows that these lands are haunted. They will protect me from ghosts"

"I appear to be ignorant about these 'ghosts' Could you explain that, while your colleuges are searched?"

"Err, you see...back in the day slavers often attacked villages around here, and killed quite a few people. Now the ghosts of those killed come to haunt us slavers. they make no distinction between the honest ones and the murderers. They would even come and haunt such honest traders such as I, if it wasn't for those charms."


"Okay"

Once more Juro had problems not to loudly snicker. That militia idiot totaly bought that....

"So, are we done?"

"It would appear all is in order"

"Can I get my things back?"

"Yes, but one final thing, while you take back your things,  where would I find this Juro?"

"How would I know, we don't work together. I can't do your job for you, now can I?"

"Well, if you have any news, don't hesitate to tell one of the garrisons. You may go."

 "Of course. We are law-abiding merchants, never would we not report such foul deeds."

with those words, he waved good bye and rode on.

More to come

[mission0]

Spoiler: Arrival (click to show/hide)

 Menil had long left the desert behind. At first it was only rocks in the sand that showed the change in terrain. Then it just changed, at one point there was sand, and the next there was a mountain in front of him. He had seen it for countless days now but now that it were here in front of him he could feel it... He was close.

Menil looked up at the mountain for a moment and pondered. Why was he so compelled to come here, was a trick? It just felt that there was so much more to this world than met the eye and answers could be found upon this mountain and those around it. His place in this world... it could be felt ahead of him. Call it an instinct of his animal form, or simple intuition. Either way he could reach out and almost audibly here it calling to him. Pulling him onward. Menil rushed ahead now, Star not to far behind.

The slope of the mountain was not a great one, there were small drop offs here and there that he scaled without to much difficulty. Often jumping over them completely.

It was getting closer now, over the next ridge. It was there...

Menil stood at the top of a mountain looking down below him. Into the bowl of a dormant volcano. Steam could be seen coming out of vents here and there. What was more interesting to Menil though were the creatures set before him. They seemed to be made of sand, and perhaps a few other things. About the size of an ogre they all turned to Menil as he came over the ridge. There was well over a score of them, and none of them seemed all to happy about Menil's intrusion to there base camp. This was were they had always retreated after raiding unsuspecting travelers in the desert.

"Oooh, great this doesn't look good", Menil said to himself as many of the sand creatures came rushing at him. The sand moving within their own bodies constantly moving. Menil who had the higher ground braced himself and started sending waves of air meant to slice the Ogres in half as they came on. Star beside him also made ready for combat growing many times his normal size.

The air hit into many of the ogres slicing them cleanly in half. Which they quickly regenerated with the sand from their own bodies. They came on as if nothing had hit them at all.

Thinking to at least do some damage before they came upon him, he called forth fire from his staff. It engulfed many of the sand beings turning them into glass. However there were to many upon him to do anything with magic while also leaving him defenseless to a physical attack. He put his staff safely away on his back and drew his sword.

They were upon him then, Star tore into the first one making it tumble back down the hill it had just climbed. Menil cut into another severing its arm from its body, which fell to the ground. Menil looked on in disbelief as the severed arm crumbled into sand then flowed across the ground to join back with its host body.

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!", Menil sliced again this time severing the things head, which made the entire being crumble to the ground. He nodded to himself at this new knowledge, only to have himself bowled over by one of the creatures. Menil cursed himself for allowing them to get this close. The sand soon started to engulf him. He cut out with his sword arm while it was still free. It didn't seem to harm the creature in any way. His other arm was already wrapped in sand, so he couldn't cast any magic without his staff which was strapped to his back now.

He struggled against the sand as best he could but there was just to much covering him. It was becoming suffocating... things seemed to dim as Menil began to black out. A large thud could be heard easily now, coming closer and closer to him.

Perhaps this is what death is like and then the sand was gone... and there was something above him. This dream again? the same face as before was above him... and then everything was black.

Spoiler: A choice? (click to show/hide)

Menil awoke with a start, Star rose his head to look up at Menil. His tail wagging at the sight of his master. Menil scratched Star's head as he looked around. He was in a cave of sorts, however it didn't look natural. Everything was to... orderly. The walls had a soft green glow emanating from them. The walls also were engraved with something. Menil stood up from the bedroll he was in and went to look at the wall, it seemed to change as he looked at it. Pictures moving across the wall telling a story as he watched. This story seemed to be about an avian figure amongst draconic ones, he was fighting something... something...

"You're up I see"

Menil turned about, there stood the being from his dreams. However there were some things his dream had left out. The being's skin was made of stone and was cracked in many places. It was wearing some sort of odd chain-mail that opened up in the back to allow his wings to expand. He also held some odd weapon that looked similar to a polearm but with a blade at both ends instead of just at one.

The being set the weapon on a rack on the wall, before coming further into the room. He then sat down on a chair and looked at Menil with eyes that looked like they had not seen for a long time. They were void of any emotion, void of life.

"Well you have come to me it seems. More than I could have hoped for... My names Skriz and you are someone I have been waiting for a long time"

Menil looked back at the wall he was studying to see it had gone back to its original image before he sat down in a chair opposite Skriz, a small table between them.

"Why would you be waiting for me?"

Skriz sighed a moment, "Not for you specifically but someone like you."

"What is someone like me then? I'm an average person other than for my appearance"

"You're appearance means nothing for me, it is your mind I'm more interested in. You are a person who has almost no experience with this world and thus does not have a pre-existing opinion on it. Therefore you may be able to help with a problem this world is having."

"I am only trying to find my own place in which to live, I don't want to get involved in any worldly affairs here."

Skriz looked up at Menil then with those unseeing eyes of his. A look of emotions upon his face. Anger, sadness, fear, power, understanding... these all were splayed across Skiz's face.

"You like the images upon my walls?"

Menil blinked at the sudden change in subject, "I would guess, they are intere..."

Skriz cut Menil off, "They are more than just images of interest. They portray past events.", Skriz gets a far off look as he is speaking, "Some of these events are painful, the one event you were looking at involved an old acquaintance of mine. His name is Yamato Uchiwakamaru. He was one of the race of Hitengu but that is no more. I have watched the world for years upon years. Cursing myself for not taking action when it could have helped. Now that I am old I don't have the vitality in me to do what must be done."

Menil narrowed his eyes at Skriz, "Are you asking me to do what you cannot?"

"In a sense yes. There are many things in this world that are not as they seem... Uchiwakamaru has committed a terrible deed and this deed must be stopped before it becomes to late"

"Why should I meddle in the affair of others, it is not my place to do so."

Skriz sighed, he had expected such hesitations as this, "Because someone must... right now there are terrible acts that can't even begin to be described. There are people who are enslaved and put on display in public battles. A once beutiful race known at the Hitengu are being systematically wiped out. You and I have the power to do something about it."

Menil dissapeared into thought for a long while, "If I say no I can easily tell that some wrong will be done in the world, however what happens if I say yes? I am no great hero. I don't have the power to create storms or move mountains. What is it I can do to help in the world?"

"You can help by providing vitality to me, while I provide the strength and experience to you"

"How would I provide vitality to you? That sounds like an odd concept to me..."

"We will cross that bridge if you agree to help."

Menil stood up from the chair and started pacing the room, If I'm getting this right this one wants me to help him stop a race from being wiped off the face of the world. Events like this are that of a heroes... heroes are normally accepted by those whom he is a hero to...

"I'll join you, if only to help me find my place"

Skriz nodded, then stood up and walked face to face to Menil. "Good now like you said how would you provide me with vitality. I am going to merge our bodies and to some extent our minds. You will have my memories and I yours. We will still be two seperate entities just within the same physical manifestation. Your body already seems to be somewhat imbued with magic so this should make this process easier." The earth started growing around both Menil and Skriz encasing them both within a body of stone.

Menil grew wide eyes as the stone started encasing him, "HEY I DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS YET!"

Skriz smirked as the stone came to encase his face fully at the same time it encased Menil. A third stone encasing appeared a few feet from the other two. All three moved together becoming one.

Spoiler: A new body (click to show/hide)

The encasing fell away from Menil, and he stepped away from the stone looking wide eyed at what was left of the mound of stone he had been imprisoned in. Looking around he couldn't see Skriz.

That is because I am not to be found in this room any longer

Menil spun around at the sudden voice, looking around the room. "Where are you"

I am within you, take a look at yourself the joining of our physical forms went better than I had thought.

With that thought in mind a mirror like surface came up from the stone, it looked like polished obsidian and was darker than the average mirror but it served its purpose. Menil looked at himself in the mirror... or what was now himself. Instead of just being a human like dog being, he now resembled something that he couldn't begin to describe. He still had pawed hands and feet that were covered in fur but beyond his wrists and ankles he had grown scales that went across a large amount of his body. His back, his upper neck, most of his legs and arms were all covered with scales. His chest, feet, hands, and face were covered with fur however. He had also grown two scars across his back that he couldn't quite make out as to what they were until Skriz came into his head again.

Let's see, I'm still getting used to this body but I think I can solve the mystery as to what those scars are.

Menil felt a strange sensation along his back and he also felt his center of gravity shift as well. Looking back to the mirror he could see two wings sprouting from his back. They were dragonic in shape, even having a points of bone coming out of the wings. However they were completely covered in fur instead of scales. Involuntary Menil flapped them once lifting his feet off the ground and throwing him backwards a few feet. He landed back on his feet quite off balance.

Careful now it will take time to get used to this new body of ours

Menil thought back, So this is what you had in mind, I wish you would have told me. I wouldn't have objected... this is quite interesting

Star then came into view as the familiar walked around, obviously getting used to its new body as well. In many ways the familiar's transformation was similiar to Menils. With fur and Scales showing up in the same places as Menil's. However the scars were missing to mark where the wings would be.

((To clarify when I say *stone* I mean the stone from the floor not his own body...))

Spoiler:  Map (click to show/hide)

   0    0    1    1    2     2    3
   0    5    0    5    0     5    0
   --------------------------------
00|⌂▲▲▲⌂●●●●●█████●≈≈≈≈≈≈≈¤≈≈$≈≈¤≈≈
  |≈▲^▲⌂⌂⌂●●●●●●●●≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
  |⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂T≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣H♣♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈
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  |≈.≈..≈T≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂^⌂H♣♣♣♣♣≈
05|≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂♣♣♣┌≈
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  |≈≈≈≈...≈≈≈.≈≈≈≈≈♣♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂♣┌┘.≈
  |≈≈┐..⌂⌂R≈|..≈≈≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲○───┘...
  |♣.|.⌂⌂▲⌂♣|...≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂.....♣
10|♣♣|⌂⌂▲∞⌂♣|..R≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂....♣♣
  |♣♣R⌂▲○───┘y..≈...♣♣¥⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
  |♣♣⌂▲⌂⌂R♣....≈≈..♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣♣
  |.⌂⌂▲⌂.♣.....≈≈≈┐.♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..*♣♣
  |⌂⌂Q⌂⌂♣♣♣♣.T≈≈≈¥└─────¥▲▲⌂y...♣♣♣
15|⌂▲▲▲⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈T≈.......⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..*♣♣
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20|⌂⌂▲⌂⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌂⌂▲♣▲⌂⌂#♣♣♣♣
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  |~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠|⌂⌂▲▲▲○⌂~~Ψ~~
  |~~~~┌─S≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈██●|⌂⌂▲*▲⌂⌂~~~~~
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  |⌂⌂⌂~|~~~~●♫█≈≈≈≈██●└──○▲▲⌂⌂Ψ~~~~
30|○───┘~~~~●●~♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~

[Kashyyk]

Spoiler: Customs and exportation (click to show/hide)

Check Akroma's post for this.

More added soon.

[Archangel]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Basalem released the animals as soon as he reached the edge of the desert. So close! Soon I shall be home! He strode towards the forest quickly, almost eagerly.

More to come. I'll need to talk with Armok.

[TheNewerMartianEmperor]

1.

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Protect those under you, but honor them always. Your first duty is to them, and only them. Make sure those who would harm them pay. Destroy them. Make them wish that they had never been born. Make them cry in terror. Make them tear out their own eyes so that they do not have to bear witness to the atrocities that are wrought upon them.

Let them know that these atrocities are not waged by you, but come from within them. For every memory is a weapon, every fear a new way to exact repayment, every death at their hands a thousand new horrors within their own minds.

For we strike at the source, we fight them in ways that they cannot fight back. We shall go to any lengths to make sure these things come to pass, and we shall make them know this. Let them hear us coming in every noise in the night, let them see us in every shadow, and let them know that we will not rest until justice has been wrought. For we are The Exacters, and they shall know this.

Jezi had to admit, the Exacters had a good motto, if a little long-winded. That did make her feel a little better about this. This didn't last long, as she was sitting in the briefing room listening to Deacon Ordros tell her about what had happened recently.

"So, I have to go with you on this, don't I?"

"Right. But let me make this clear, I don't like you going along on this too. They're greedy and stupid with sort memories, so it's not a question of if they'll strike, but more of when. They haven't struck yet, but we've got to be ready to strike back when they do."

"Yes, but I'm too young to actually do anything, and noone's going to benefit from me coming along."

"That's where you're wrong. You will. You see, while we follow them, we're going to see the lands of those feathered gits, and it's always good to see how other peoples live, especially at night, when the parts that are never heard outside their lands occur, and you will see them, and you will know why they do what they do and we do what we do."

"Bu-"

"No. Now, please get out of here, as I am leaving and you are not allowed in here without supervision."

So, Jezi walked out into the intersection. The intersection was composed of a garden with a circular path going around it, with 3 corridors leading off in the cardinal directions, along with the door to the briefing room and benches at regular intervals. This garden was unlike any other outside the church's walls. It contained plants from the realm after death, strange and ethereal in shape. They ranged in form from the shimmering and frail Trasindae, to the stout Rascinda, which seemed to burn eternally. She always liked the gardens of the church. The pattern of the intersections was repeated many times throughout the church, sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller, but pretty much the same.

Jezi sat down on one of them, and was extremely surprised to learn, several minutes later, that someone else was sitting right next to her. He looked to be another one of the exacters, and his face was hidden in the cloak he was wearing.

"...How long have you been sitting there, and who are you?"

"about an hour or so. Name's Kezi."

"Why didn't I notice you then?"

"Because I'm one of those erm.. what do you people call them again? Ah, right. Minders."

The Minders are the priests who specialize in the manipulation of the minds of those around them, hence the name "minders".

"Last time I heard, you weren't renown for your powers of invisibility."

"Well, that's because I'm really good at making people not notice me. I sometimes do it by accident, that's why you didn't notice me before."

"So, what section are you with?"

"The Exacters."

"Me too."

"Well, then I think we'll be seeing more of each other soon."

And with that, he got up and walked away.

The next day, the exacters left the church, and started the long trek to the north. Thanks to the up and running railroads, they made it there in about a week and a half.