The Nations of Ederyon Rebooted

[GrieveWriter]

In the world of Ederyon many realms exist. From floating mountains to massive labyrinths these Realms can range beautiful to soul crushingly disgusting. But despite the conditions of some, many of these realms are occupied by a plethora of various creatures who strive in their different environments.


And also residing within these different realms are civilizations, civilizations of various origins and mindsets. Some of these nations were forged from peace, some forged from strife. No matter their origin, one thing remains clear...


...only time will tell where they move from here.

 

[GrieveWriter]

~(Long, long ago...)~

​

"Xanther!" Screamed Ferok as he raised a hand towards his lieutenant, who flashed him a grin before turning to face down the approaching enemy.


Striding ever closer was the Black Knight Weryn, misty smoke trailing from his helmet as one of his dual swords floated behind him.


"Make sure he pays, sir." Xanther said back before holding out a hand to the small group of rebels who stood by him "Men, we have to hold him back for as long as possible! Make every attack count, for our foe certainly will. Ferok and our allies need all the time we can gain!" Weryn tilted his head and clapped as he approached, the other sword being pulled telekinetically from its place on his back to join his twin.


Ferok had to stop himself from turning and aiding his brothers in fighting off the monster, but the goblin at his side placed a knowing hand on his shoulder before shaking her head.


"Let them fly, brothers!" Xanther roared as half the guarding orcs let loose red-tipped arrows towards Weryn, a quick white glow gleamed from within the depths of that smoky mask as the floating swords became a whirldwind in front of the Black Knight, cleaving scores of the arrows out of the air. Xanther hefted his mighty war axe as the Black Knight drew near.


Ferok finally nodded to Klyd, the goblin grinning before gesturing to the rest of their party. They continued on their way to the throne room, and despite the groups of guards they encountered many knew that the majority of fighting was contained in the first layers of the Castle. Finally, they stood before the foreboding dual doors of the warlock who had enslaved their lesser minded kin. Ferok and Klyd stood at the front, and with weapons raised they led the rest charging through those doors to confront him.


On the other side of the room, there he sat writing and crossing things out on a scroll while mumbling, seemingly ignorant of the bloody battle occurring downstairs.


"Dersoth Vellum!" Ferok yelled out, drawing the Overlord's notice


Dersoth immediately brightened at the sight of them and smiled with barely restrained joy as he stood from his throne "Oh my! You actually made it! Wonderful! This is simply wonderful I say!"


"No talking from you, Warlock!" Klyd barked before raising her short sword towards him "Today you-!"


"Ah ah!" Dersoth waved a finger with a tut before unfurling his scroll "I know usually you go first and all but I've been working on this one for hurs and I just can't deal with waiting."


Klyd growled in anger as Dersoth raised the scroll and looked it over before letting it float away.


"Ahem," he said before striking a pose and levitating off the ground "So! You've finally arrived to my throne room, I hope it is to your liking, for it will soon become your tomb!"


He began laughing maniacally as the group of rebels began spreading out and edging closer, "But do not worry, I shall make sure all of your petty vagabond allies will get to see the result of your insolence!" he chuckled before letting a small storm gather in the palm of his hands "Now come, come and meet your end by my-!"


"Master!"


Dersoth's storm immediately shrank to nothing as he turned away from the rebels to see Weryn, the Black Knight, standing in the entrance with an Orc hanging off one of his floating blades.


"Xanther!"Ferok yelled as the Black Knight threw his Lieutenant's corpse to the ground and scratched at a massive hole in his helmet that could only have been from Xanther's axe.


"Gave me trouble, my lord, but as always I find myself above these degenerates." Weryn smiled before taking off the nearly destroyed helmet.


From within the armor the black Smoke surged out, and Weryn's skull floated inside it just above the neck. The misty skeleton rubbed a small chip in his skull before cackling.


"Now allow me to escort these plebeians out of your chambers, milord." Weryn said before letting his blades float down into his hands.


Dersoth sighed before simply tossing the scroll away and sinking down into his throne once more and waving a claw dismissively "Yeah, sure... get on with it..."


And so he watched, watched as half of them got themselves killed and the other half weakened and broken while Weryn's skeletal cackle followed his every move. Dersoth took the time to work on his scroll, to prepare an even better speech for when the next band of righteous rebels came to make an attempt on him. Punishment had been fun, but it was at this point he'd decided to prepare for their eventual defeat at the Black Knights hands.


And that's when it happened... something rolled against his foot.


Dersoth looked past his scroll and immediately dropped it when he realized it was the top half of Weryn's skull.


He blinked several times and looked up to see the smoky body of the Black Knight slowly collapse to the ground as the constant stream of smoke ended. The remaining rebels shakily began raising their weapons to him, and Dersoth had to keep himself from squealing.


Shooting up from his throne once more, the Warlock spoke "Okay, continuing from where I left off." he said before summoning small firestorms into the palms of his hands "Okay uhm... finally made it to my throne room, vagabond allies, Okay!" he cleared his throat before booming "NOW COME!!! COME AND MEET Your end at...."


Dersoth's booming threat slowly died in his throat as he looked closer at the state the heroes were in, most of them leaning on their weapons while their healer struggled to divvy up the last of the healing tonics. Ferok's arm was twisted backwards and half of Klyd's face was covered in in scorch marks and deep cuts, yet they both wielded their weapons s steadily as they could.


Dersoth's eye twitched under his mask at the state of his foils, before the firestorm dissipated and he begn growling.


"No..." he muttered through barely restrained barks as he quite literally glowed with rage "No damn you....."

~(Outside)~

​

The remnants of Punishment held off the ever enriching forces s best they could, numbers dwindling and hard pressed, giving the foreword group as much time as possible when....


All combatants halted when a massive explosion ripped through the castle above them accompanied by a reverberating "NOOOOO!!!!!", ghouls and rebels alike turning to watch as an expanding cloud of smoke drifted into the sky. And as the smoke started to dissipate, there he stood. Dersoth looked down from his monolithic castle, a scowl marred in his complexion as he tossed something out.


When the charred blade of Ferok embedded itself into the ground Punishment forces immediately began retreating, and as the Overlord's rallied forces gave chase, not one would notice the sigh of disappointment uttered by the Warlock.

~(Present Day)~

​

"Okay, now here me out..." Quinn started in her whisper hiss of a voice as she looked up from her brew "What if you simply, and follow me on this, ordered him not to attack?"


Dersoth glared at her from his throne as he sat the small figurine he'd been making on the armrest, "What kind of Dark Lord doesn't take the chance to watch gleefully as his top man tears apart the interlopers?!?"


"Yeah yeah but like," Quinn stared into the brew for a while before looking up again "Couldn't you have said something along the lines of No, my Knight, I wish for the pleasure of tearing apart these heathens myself! or something like that?"


Dersoth looked at her for a moment before raising a finger "And that my dear is why you are stuck making trash potions and I sit upon the throne."


"If I may sir?"


The two looked to the side of Dersoth's throne, where General Thuro sat performing maintenance on his blade.


"As much as I despise the sight of my predecessor attached to that Witch's face, she makes a compelling point milord." Thuro stated with a raised eyebrow "I'm quite certain that, as the Black Knight, Weryn would've let you deal with them in a heartbeat."


"That's not-!" Dersoth rubbed his head with his hand before gesturing to the quivering goblin girl in the corner holding a silver jug "Uh, water dear."


The goblin stepped over carefully as Dersoth lowered an empty goblet to her, she poured shakily and immediately began hyperventilating as a bit got on Dersoth's claw.


"Guh! Milord, please dunnot smite me!" she whimpered


"Geez Althi, water doesn't kill people unless they're mentally deficient enough to drown." Dersoth said as he took a deep drink then thought about it some more "Or deficient enough to swim with something more vicious than them."


"I dun wanna be smited!"


"Yeah, that would involve getting up and I'm really not feeling it kid." Dersoth mumbled before looking over his figurine again "Why don't you go, I don't know, cower somewhere else or something?"


The goblin girl looked around nervously, unsure if she could-


"Oh for god's- go clean a dish somewhere or something."


Nodding furiously she scampered away.


"Why not have her get a nice job as a bar maiden sir?" Thuro asked "I mean you replaced the rest of the staff but her family still sends their youngest so-"


"I tried, every time I send someone over there they assume I'm about to rain hell on them and start readying their nooses to go out on their own terms. And Althi just assumes any new jobs are a trap and starts trying to 'help' me in order to regain my favor or something stupid like that." Dersoth stated as he began clawing flakes off the figurine "I'm afraid if I force her out she'll give herself a heart attack."


Quinn and Thuro looked at each other as a skeletal butler shambled in "Sir, the goblin girl dropped a plate and begun begging staff members for mercy and disrupting their duties, suggestions?"


Dersoth sighed "I bet they don't have to put up with this kind of shite across the sea."


And as the former Overlord sat upon his throne in thought, little did he know about the vast array of events occurring all across the lands of Ederyon at that very moment.


@DefendKebab1918

 

[General Deth Glitch]

The Imperial Collective of Dracos

​

The Drakti, also called the Emperor by some less inclined to the culture and ways of the Imperium, looked out over the city from one of the many balconies on the palace. The City, flanked on either side by sea and capped with two mighty walls, acting as the great gateway to the homes of the Dragons was a sight to behold. But he could not care, the reflection of the light on the shining sea meant nothing for rebellion seemed to be brewing once more, despite the effectiveness of the Sortem. "You come to me, YOU COME TO ME TO COMPLAIN!" he roared, not looking at the man to whom he was talking. His eyes aflame as fire lapped around the base of his cloak, "You wish to complain that your subjects are not showing respect and yet you expect children on the street to grovel and supply you with all they own. Yes you are a Drakitoi, a regal member of the ruling race that commands this land. But you, I, all of us are nothing without the people who serve us. You rule over the largest concentration of dwarves in the Collective and yet I hear nothing but disgust from their Sortem. The day you can look after yourself is the day you can return to me, however until then I strip you of your titles. Grand Dux of the eastern Virak Ranges I hereby strike you from the house of your father and exhile you from Epistylium. You can return for your lands when you have proven your worth, I would advise a tour in the Imperatores auspice, until then you are not allowed within my city and your lands will be governed by the Dwarvern Sortem under the watch of the Sortem grand." It was annoying, but it was the only viable way to proceed that he could see, but to strip one of his own from power? The Dux of Virak has remained in the same family since it was created and no Drakitoi has ever been stripped of power. The Grand Dux of the Eastern Virak Ranges was one of the most powerful men in the collective and he has just made him an enemy, he still had his money and, no doubt, would find a way to continue his luxurious life but the title of Grand Dux in that area would be vacant, a power vacuum had been created. For now he would maintain control of it through the Sortem and hopefully be able to instate the Dux's son as his replacement. Sadly many of his kind still thought that they commanded respect with impunity, that they could do anything and still be treated like gods. They could get away with a lot, but the people knew they had a say now, they knew the Drakti listened. The people wanted change, more autonomy, that could happen but it would only go without war if it happened slowly. "Summon the Arch General, I wish to speak with her about the Imperatores auspice and a potential campaign." he said to a palace scribe who was standing in the corner, writing everything down.

 

[Nyq]

[Gharaib]


The city of Gharaib was always the de facto capital of the Istorian Union,despite official claims that there was no capital for the Union.As one of the most important city within the Union,the citizens of Gharaib had always enjoyed the prosperity and wealth of the city.Tall and extravagant buildings occupied the land within the concrete walls surrounding the city.The streets are mostly paved with marble,and sometimes,gold.Trees and plants can be found in every corner in the city,with gardeners occasionally trimming the plants.To maintain the cleanliness of the city,the Council has recruited thousands of janitors in the city to clean the trash within the streets.


[Within the Great Hall]


The Great Hall,the place where the most important decisions are made.The white marble walls,lavish decorations,and the sheer amount of elite guards patrolling within the building hinted at the importance of the building and the people within it.At the innermost section of the building is the Council chambers,where the leaders of Istoria meet and decide their actions.


At this very moment,the five leaders of the Istorian Union sat within the chambers,sitting on the special seat designated for themselves.A pentagon-shaped table was surrounded by the men and women,with several official documents placed neatly on it.Flipping through the pages of the documents,Emperor Ulgi was the first to speak:"Recently,the Shadow has found and killed several Lokians hiding within our glorious nation,but we lost several men within the process.These secret organizations were always a threat to the stability of our nation,but the Lokians are getting active recently for unknown reasons.We must act before these inferior scum starts the Sixth War."


Upon listening the words of the Guin Emperor,the other four leaders begin flipping through the pages of the first document.After looking through the documents,Emperor Zhao has expressed his concern to the other members of the Council:"Well,the Lokians are really becoming a threat to us now.Project Artificial is now stagnant,and Mister T is too busy hunting down the Scholars.Seriously,he thinks he can handle a large piece of moving stone with magic by himself,that's ridiculous."


President Fred replied almost immediately to Zhao's statement:"As you all know,we are facing a technological barrier in Project Artificial. We can't keep the muscles attached to that metal carcass alive for long.Either we send our navy to abduct some magicians for us,or we somehow find a way to shrink the engines."


Emperor Ulgi waited for Fred's speech to end,before he starts to speak:"Mister T was always our most reliable agent in the Shadow.If he thinks he can hunt down a piece of moving stone,he can.Besides,we can only extract portium from the corpses of the Scholars now.Let's get back to our point,we are going to invent more destructive weapons and make a few reforms to get these scum out of Istoria."


[some random place within the forests of Istoria]


A hooded figure walks along the foliage,carefully placing his steps to minimize the noise he makes.He scans his surroundings with every step he makes as a measure of safety.Soon enough,he finds a Lokian force-feeding a wolf with it's obnoxious brew.


"Meh,more trouble."he thought to himself as he slowly moved towards the tall creature,his dagger in his hand.As the zealot forces the last drops of it's brew within the throat of the poor wolf,the hooded figure has moved close enough to kill it.


"Surprise,motherfucker!"said the hooded man as he tackles the legs of the Lokian.He could just slit the throat of the creature,but it's too boring for him.The Lokian shouts at the hooded figure as it falls to the ground,only to find the hooded man sitting on it's abdomen grabbing it's hand.The hooded man smiles as he prepares to torture the Lokian to death,but the Lokian didn't notice the smile as it was hidden by the figure's mask.


The hooded figure immediately starts slicing off the Lokian's fingers off one by one before it has the chance to react.Muffled screams and shouts were heard as the hooded figure slowly tortures the Lokian to death.Remembering the brainwashed wolf,the hooded man stabs it's heart to free the poor creature from the brain control. After killing the wolf,the hooded man takes out a book from his small bag hung on his shoulder,and starts drawing the innards of the corpse.


"Well,didn't notice that their hearts isn't black before,cut the innards up last time.Next time I should start drawing their brains,I squished this one up" said the man to himself as he finishes his drawing and packs his book within the bag.


The hooded man continues his venture within the forest,leaving the corpse behind.


Meanwhile,a few Lokians arrives at the scene and witness the brutal death of their brethren.

 

[NeoLeaf]

kingdom of Jeynna

Near a forest village...


Chirping sounds from small song birds woke the woman up from her deep slumber.


She opened her dull red eyes and stared out onto the the leafy branches of the tree she had slept on. White light poured through cracks and opening of the uncountable amount of light green leaves. Small swift shadows bounced or flew through the branches of the old wooden plant, causing some small branches to waver and shift in the air. Fo opened her eyes fully and couldn't help but stare out onto the green collage of light as her mind tried to reassembled itself. The first thing she could feel was her back - sore as ever as it seems. Energy surged into her limbs, a cold breeze brushed against her smooth skin and caused her to tremble. Goosebumps emerged and she subconsciously pulled her arms around her chest.


"Gah..." She moaned as the thick slime in her mouth began to ooze down into her throat.


Sluggishly the woman rolled to her left and forced an arm out from her hang bed. The simplistic woven construct shook and trembled as she tried to crawl out from it with her torso. The woman managed to peak out from the cloth with her cheek and shoulder and pointed her dead eyes towards the forest floor. She made a dry bubbling sound with her saliva, retracted her tongue, made an 'o' shaped mouth and spat loudly at the ground.


She rolled herself back into her hang bed and took an arm out to grab something from the opposite side from where she spat. The hang bed is situated between two branches in the upper central area of the tree, both ends are tightly roped around the tree arms and the bed hanging perfectly horizontal. on the right hand side of the bed are a group of smaller ropes that would later help pin the cloth back when it's folded. To the left hands side there were a variety of pouches, packs and jugs.


Her hand slid over a number of jugs until she felt a cool smooth surface, she grabbed the top of the object and pulled out a rough oval-looking crystal container filled with a transparent green liquid. She gulped it down and quickly rose out of her bed. The bitter taste of the liquid shook her from her drowsiness and pumped her body with raw adrenaline.


She climbed out of her bed and began to pack up her things and resume her journey.


The shaman woman approached a village. A village made out of a hundred or so wooden huts surrounded by a wall of tree branches woven and stitched on the trees surrounding the village. A number of stony wells dotted the settlement, the ground is covered with small dark or light green patches of moss and grass, houses are maintained their wooden glossy appearance and the central village remains a clearing.


At the entrance of the gate she was met by eight guards. Most of them old men approaching the end of their prime, as suggested by the dropping limb muscles and the grey areas spotted in their afros and dreadlocks. Fo didn't say anything because these men are doing thier jobs alright and proceeded with her inspection.


"People were expecting you." One man had said. He grabbed the woman's arms and turned them from side to side to identify her tattoos.


"Really now?" She asked half sarcastically.


"Oh yes," He bent the arm limbs to an 'L' shape and looked under her elbow.


"We have ten families that requested for your skills. Otherwise all you have to do is do what you lot always do, inspect the population to see what's wrong and do what you can."


"Ten families?" The old man nodded.


"There is more detail to come once we've finished up here. but I can give you the basics of a number of those patients." He finished with the right arm and began inspecting the left arm.


"I'm listening."


"four of those patients went hunting for something bigger, they were found by a scout and were brought back here - the poor saps been enduring pain for two days now without herbs or alcohol to relieve the pain. Three children are gravely ill and need medicine and I don't know the situation between the other patients that they are keeping in the dark." The man tapped the back of his index finger against the woman's elbow and finally let go of her hand.


"thank you for telling me." Fo nodded.


"Psh. No problem ma'am." The man backed away from her as the wooden gate opened up from behind the men and her.


The village elder was already standing at the gate welcoming the woman into his arms. Fo smiled and hugged the small fickle man back.


Military camp up in the northern drylands...


"Nessy...?" A man called out from the darkness of his command tent. A small hissing sound came from the top of the tent's ceiling.


"Ah, right..." He cleared his throat.


Dys rose up from his sleeping bag and stared out onto the perfectly white vertical light streaming from the entrance. He slid his arm over the covers grabbed them and pushed them aside. With one leg he forced his naked body upwards, stumbled into a lazy standing posture and kept his eyes on the ground. his body began to make small popping noises and faint gurgling sounds from his belly. He heard a squishing sound when he slowly moved his head to the right and left side of his head and stretched his masculine arms upward towards the dark cieling.


"Hugh -! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..." He groaned comfortably as he kept his arms in place.


The commander dropped his heavy arms and stood in silence in the dark. he raised an eyebrow, looked confused for a moment and then turned his face upwards towards a grey object cuddling at the main pole of the tent.


"Can you help me find my-"


Smack! his shirt had slapped him with such a force that one could have sworn someone else in the tent had clapped.


"Cloths..." his belt fell on his head along with his pants, sandals, weapon straps and pouches.


The man grabbed his head where the belt had hit him and looked back up at the grey round object. He grabbed his pants and continued to stare at her - hoping that she shouldn't throw something else at him. As he turned his head back towards the ground something hard hit him at the back of his head and landed on the ground with a soft thud. his sword.


"Ugh..." he moaned to himself.


"I'm starting to regret last night..." he slowly shook his head sideways as he picked up pieces of his apparel.

 

[Anaxial]

The Inquisition rises

Mid-day, the sun was high above the Grand city of Akkan'dar, illuminating the cobblestone streets and brickwork houses residences. Each residence with a communal farm and each farm with a small stock of farm animals. Crowds as wide as rivers rushed on opposite sides of the streets as each individual hustled about their business. Above them towered the Wall that He himself constructed to protect them from their former tribal nemesis, the topic of fallen tribes becoming fresh on every man and woman's tongue as Vicar Algaris and Lady Avra seemed blessed by He himself and unstoppable in their crusade.


However, now the Followers of He would do that which they had never done before: they would leave the safety of their lakebound County and venture forth into this brave new world in order to spread the faith and ascend the minds of all those around them. The volunteer centers in each section of the grand city were flooded with those who hoped to be assigned to Vicar Algaris' Inquisition. Within the Church, the administration was attempting to control the influx of recruits and supplies that had been spurred by the Vicar's success. For the first time since it's founding, the Followers of He had run dry on weapons and armor, even with their stockpile that had accumulated over a few decades. As things stood, the Church was more desperate for qualified smiths than it was soldiers, they knew not what they would face in this wide world but should it become a war of attrition... Some may fear that the Followers would not be able to supply their soldiers with replacement armor and arms.


Still, any skill could be trained and the Church welcomed the influx of supplies and volunteers and put all those who enlisted to work. Many joined in hopes of fighting for the name of their God, most found themselves on construction crews building mass Ironworks and building weapons for those already serving. Such was the logistical side of Church warfare.


Ready or not, the Nations of Ederyon would be facing a storm in the coming years. A storm fronted by the Followers of He, by the heretics that would oppose them, and by the power magics that they both likely possessed. The peaceful times were done and war is on our plates.


Hoary Legion

"Clear a path!" A soldier cried out, adorned in a padded leather jerkin, barbuta helm, and iron pauldrons. The soldier walked with a brisk pace, utilizing his spear as a walking stick as he made his way quickly through the Camp of Inquisitors. The hardened soldiers eyed the recruit with curious intent, the courage it took for him to command Inquisitors was impressive if not disrespectful.


The Camp was quite large, even for an army and segregated by two forces. In the center were the Inquisitors, harden soldiers hand picked by the Vicar to serve as his personal cohort during combat. They wielded a variety of weapons and most were proficient with several different sorts. These Inquisitors only numbers around 120, but their camp was feared by the rest of the Hoary Legion as their methods of extracting heresy were infamous gratuitous.


Surrounding the Inquisitors and by association: the Vicar's camp as well, was the Hoary Legion. A force that had quadrupled in size over the last four years as Vicar Algaris and Lady Avra campaigned to raise an army large enough to take the Holy Land of He. This Legion now numbered well into 12,000 individuals, their numbers alone making up almost 60% of the Church's military, Vicar Algaris was successful in his raising of an army but his success in this Inquisition was yet to be seen.


Approaching the tent of Vicar Algaris, the young soldier bypassed his Inquisitor guards and entered to see the Vicar himself and Lady Avra hunched over a map that had been drafted up by forward scouts. Algaris' head lifted up to look at the soldier, but his metal mask concealed any emotion he wore on his face, the Lady Avra followed suit.


"Ah, Hastati. You've a report?" Algaris asked, his voice slightly muffled by the steel visage.


"Aye, Vicar. The rear supply train has repaired their wagon wheels and the Hoary Legion is prepared to move North." The soldier said, popping up to attention.


"Very good, Hastati. Report back to your Decanus and tell him that I wish to move out within the hour. We've quite some ground to make and know not what heresy may lie ahead." The Vicar instructed and without a word, the young soldier fled from the tent to spread the news. Already the Inquisitors had began to deconstruct the Vicar's tent and Lady Avra placed a hand on his shoulder.


"Worry not, Vicar Algaris. He has Chosen us to spread his faith. We cannot fail." She said with a calming certainty.


"I worry not for our success, but that the ignorance of heretics may alter the salvation of their souls."

 

[GrieveWriter]

~(The Throne Room)~
​

"The boredom... dear god..." Dersoth groaned from his throne, which he hadn't gotten up from in lord knows how long "Just... something happen before I kill myself."


"Can one such as you actually kill yourself?"


"I'M ABOUT TO TRY!!!"


Quintessa took that as her que to just stare down into her cauldron as a strange figure floated in.

Spoiler

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"Sire," the collective of high pitched voices radiated from each floating hand at once as the being bowed towards Dersoth "Thuro and his party have encountered Denar's hunting party and are engaging the Scholar's forces as we speak."


Dersoth rolled his eyes under his mask, Denar was a Scholar of Ishfun that had managed to keep his operations going even during the crusade against crime Dersoth had orchestrated. He'd be more angered with the Scholar's stubbornness but it in truth, it kept his army busy and for that he was grateful.


It was then that brilliance hit him, "Wait, that's a great way to alleviate boredom!"


Quintessa and the multi-handed advisor glanced at each other as Dersoth began chanting.

~(In the middle of the open skies)~
​

Two ships were stuck together by boarding ramps as the darker-themed ship kept bombarding the Mercenary barge. As Thuro kicked another mercenary away and dodged a stray arrow he briefly wondered if he should order their own ship to stop bombarding them while they were onboard, but then he saw a skeleton and mercenary clash with an explosion behind them and decided the scene was just too epic to pass up.


Speaking of which, he lunged sideways as a cannonball soared through his previous position directly into the crossbow wielding mercenary that had been hounding him. The impact tore the mercenary through the side of the ship and down to the ground below as Thuro spun to deflect another blade, clashing against the knives of a mercenary rogue. Thuro's sheer strength outclassed the rogue, who leaped back as the General advanced. Preparing to strike the rogue, Thuro was unprepared for the sudden interruption.


A misty apparition of Dersoth just popped into view right in front of him "Hello my dearest General!"


Thuro immediately stepped back before trying to shake the image out of his head but no matter where he looked the shadowy form of the Overlord stayed glued in his perspective.


"Sir! What are you doing!?!" Thuro tried as hard as possible to keep the sudden panic from showing, but as the rogue leaped through the apparition with a knife flurry prompting Thuro to start deflecting, it was clear that he was failing.


"Oh well, I was in the neighborhood and such." the Warlock said as he seemed to take interest in the hostile situation "And I found myself wanting to drop in and say hello to my loyal general. No need to thank me."


Thuro had to calm his breathing, focus on the situation beyond the one glued to his eyes. This proved critical in catching the knife that came spinning through the air and through the Overlord's projection, Thuro released a breath he'd been holding before flipping the knife over and launching it through the overlord. The gasp and sound of a falling body was music to his rotten ears, and he turned to try and survey the rest of the explosive melee.


"Well sir its just that I'm sort of in the middle of-"


"I know, and it looks so exciting!" Dersoth's form got all giddy as it looked around "Just look at that."


Thuro struggled to see past his master and spotted a skeleton setting itself on fire and leaping onto a mercenary right before a barrel was thrown by another explosion and smashed into the two of them.


"You would never see that at the current capital." Dersoth commented as Thuro suppressed his displeasure


"Sir, I thought you hated projecting yourself like this? Doesn't it leave your body defenseless?"


"Quite, but unlike most times I am currently surrounded by trusted allies." Dersoth nodded

~(Back at the castle)~

​

"Try this." Quintessa offered a bowl of burgundy mush to the advisor who dipped four index fingers in at once and brought them up to its head.


Before using the mush to continue painting stupid pictures on his Master's unconscious form.


Quintessa and the Advisor both began giggling quietly as the advisor gestured towards a bowl of blue mush.

~(The Ship battle)~

​

"The most trusted of Allies" Dersoth stated firmly


"Yeah," Thuro was unconvinced "trusted."


The General shook his head "Sir, why don't you just come along yourself?"


"Have you learned nothing from our throne room discussions?"


As the projected Warlock and the General began bantering in the middle of a melee, a skeleton was distracted by the sight of his lord and paused in battle.


Elliot looked on in interest before feeling metal slide in between his ribs, the Mercenary who had stabbed him had foolishly jabbed in a skewering form, and the blade passed in between the bones harmlessly. Elliot quickly twisted himself, using his own bones to yank the sword out of the mercenary's grip and bash him with the hilt of his own sword. As the Mercenary stumbled back, Elliot yanked out the Mercenary's sword and dual wielded them as the Mercenary drew a long knife on him.


Before the two could clash a pile of burning debris rained between them, and brought their attention to the fire that was now spreading across the entire deck. One of the ghouls roared for all to abandon ship, and suddenly the combatants began scrambling as the Mercenary barge began losing altitude. Standing in the middle of the chaos were Thuro and Dersoth's projection, still going back and forth.


"You just don't understand the intricacies of being a proper Warlock! There's only so many times you can execute someone or burn down a village until its starts getting boring. Once you've seen one Orc beg for mercy you've seen em all! I can't go back, Thuro, there just wasn't enough leniency for me!"


"With all due respect sir, you're the one who kept holding yourself back by following all those accursed fictional villain tropes." Thuro pleaded before shaking his head "And I never said you should repeal this, but your boredom is starting to affect the work of others. You don't have to be a tyrant again, just try and get out more!"


Dersoth's projection looked ready to retort when suddenly something clicked "Get out more."


"Sir?"


"Thuro you're a genius, we need to get out more!" Dersoth practically squealed at hissudden stroke of brilliance "I'll tell you all about it back at the capital... Oh and you might want skedaddle, I can't tell you if you're dead!"


With that Dersoth's projection dissipated and Thuro immediately took notice of the ship losing altitude. Cursing to himself, he ran for one of the boarding planks just as they split with the force of the ship dragging them down. Leaping from the burning mercenary barge, Thuro embedded his blade into the side of the neighboring ship as the other continued plummeting before being engulfed in flame.


Watching the barge explode, Thuro muttered angrily to himself before scaling the ship and hauling himself onto the deck. Skeletons and ghouls wandered around while some kept watch over the prisoners taken from the Mercenary barge, Thuro grumbled a bit more before one skeleton took a knee beside him.


"General!" Elliot said with a laugh "I knew not even a burning ship could leave a scratch on ya! Made a bet with the boys, guess whose sixty Guros richer eh?"


"El," Thuro interrupted "I just leapt off a burning ship. Shouldn't you be trying to alleviate my headache instead of increase it?"


"Can ghouls like you even get headaches?"


"Stop talking and I might not have to find out."

 

[Nyq]

[A random village in the Tesevian territory]


"Alright,soldiers.Time to serve the country!"said a captain as he leads hundreds of soldiers into a village.Under the moonlight,the village emits a strange aura that spooked the soldiers,but they continued to advance silently under the command of the country.


The soldiers soon entered the village,only to be shocked by the sight they saw.Mutilated bodies were found in the roads,limbs and organs splattered in the grass,and heads are impaled on lamp posts scattered around the village.The weak-minded soldiers soon began vomiting on the ground,while the others continued to advance,to avenge the former inhabitants of the once peaceful village.


Once the soldiers went deeper into the village,they find their sight blurred by a purple mist floating around.Most of the buildings were burnt down,while the few which are still intact were identified as the source of the purple mist,with the obnoxious mist rushing out of their chimneys. The captain analysed his surroundings as he orders his soldiers.


"Charge!"


The soldiers has their guns aimed at the buildings,their weapons ready to fire and their bayonets already equipped on their guns.The doors of the buildings were forcefully opened by a strong kick,while the soldiers fired their guns from a distance.As Lokians and their brainwashed minions rushed out of the buildings with their weapons in their hand,more of the purple mist rushed out from the building.


The trigger-happy soldiers continued to fire at the insurgents,while yelling curses at the monstrosities who tortured their citizens.With each wave of fire,bullets tore a hole through a couple of their enemies.But the enemy is still charging towards them,ignorant of the deaths of their brethren.The distance between both sides were pulled closer,despite the Lokians suffering from massive casualties.


Soon enough,the soldiers were met with a wave of magical bolts fired towards them by the Lokian priests.The bolts hit some of the soldiers, killing them instantly.The captain,noticing the priests,ordered:"Fire at the damn priests!"


The magical attacks were soon retaliated with waves of bullets in their face,the force of the impact sent them flying for a few meters behind.With the threat neutralized,the soldiers continued to unleash their wrath on the Lokian warrior rushing towards them,but their distance is already getting too close.


The soldiers continued to fire.Their face showed no panic despite the hundreds of Lokians would spell doom for them if they started to engage in melee combat.


The distance was getting closer as the Lokian elites continued to rush towards those who interrupted their rituals,placing their footsteps on the dead cannon fodder troops which are unfortunate enough to endure the metallic wrath of the Istorian soldiers.


The 40 meters was the sole factor protecting the soldiers from the inevitable melee onslaught.The soldiers reloaded their guns before starting their next wave of fire.


The battle shouts of the Lokians were getting louder and louder,with some Istorian soldiers chopped dead by the shields thrown forward by the dying enemy.


30 meters before the onslaught,


The captain unsheathed his sword,raising it up high.


The horrible faces of the Lokians are now visible for the soldiers.Those who ran out of ammunition took a last look of the photos of their family,bidding farewell to their beloved before preparing to fight their enemies with their bayonets.


20 meters before the onslaught,


More shields were hurled towards the soldiers as the Lokian elite shouted in delight.


The soldiers readied themselves for the inevitable melee combat


10 meters before the onslaught,


The captain roared to raise the morale of his troops.The soldiers rushed towards their enemy,all ready to sacrifice themselves for their country.


The onslaught has begun.It was a one-sided battle as the Lokians were stronger than the Istorians.The enemy easily rushed into the ranks of the Istorians,slaughtering them like pigs.Despite the bravery of the Istorians,the Lokians has turned the tide against them.The soldiers ignored their dead and rushed towards their enemy,trying to stab them with their bayonets.Within minutes,the Istorians were mostly killed,with their heads chopped down as a trophy.


As the Lokians cheered at their victory,they were met with a wave of cannon fire.Hundreds of soldiers rushed into the village,firing their guns as they rushed.The surviving soldiers cheered at the late reinforcements,while the Lokians retreated into the forests under the command of their superiors.


"The enemy was strong,but we have no fear of them.It was all for the country,for those who were slaughtered by the damn Lokians."said a survivor of the battle when interviewed by reporters.The Istorian Union 67th Division was almost decimated,with 658 soldiers dead,325 heavily wounded,and only 17 survived the battle with only minor injuries.But the enemy also suffered from massive casualties,588 Lokians were found dead in the battlefield,alongside with 203 wounded and 167 which failed to retreat.Unfinished potions and cauldrons were found in the buildings,alongside with a few bottles of potion which the priests left behind.The villagers were found to be the subjects of a Lokian experiment,their bodies were mutilated far beyond recognition while potions were fed to them to keep them alive.Documents were found throughout the building,recording the results and various information about the anatomy of the Tesevians.Under the command of their superiors,the soldiers killed the mutilated villagers as an act of mercy,leaving some of them which are still rescuable alive to be given medical attention.In another building,the female villagers were found tied to the walls with chains.The Lokians has done things too cruel towards the women,they even recorded their actions as if it was an experiment.The atrocities of the Lokians were reported to the Council and the People's Party,only to cause a massive public outrage in Istoria.Under the orders of the Council,the women were sent to a secret laboratory in Gharaib for further research on the Lokians.


The public outrage towards the Lokians has sparked an massive persecution of the Lokians and the Scholars within Istoria.Lokian heads were sold on the market as decorations,while those who fought for the Scholars were caught and burnt on stakes.Able-bodied men formed guilds which their sole purpose is to hunt down these criminal organizations.A police force was established under the orders of the Council.Patrol forces are now seen guarding the vulnerable villages of the island.Official sources recorded this event as the War on Terror,but it is more commonly known as The Purge.


The Purge has caused a massive increase of the demand of weapons and armor.New inventions came out every day to produce more products for the market.More factories were built on the lands of Istoria.An industrial revolution has started,and none shall stop it in it's way....


Meanwhile,in a random forest....


The hooded man continues his journey within the forests of Istoria,while complaining about the lack of Lokians recently.Little did he know that,most Lokians either went into hiding after the start of The Purge,,or were killed by the guilds hunting for their heads in the forests.


Soon enough,he encounters a band of mercenaries of the Scholars venturing in the forests.


"Well,at least I had something to play with."said the hooded man as he ambushes the mercenaries.

 

[General Deth Glitch]

Proselytize

​

The Archgeneral walked in as the Drakti was distracted practicing fighting some air. The general stood and waited, she knew that he respected her and would hold no ill will should she interrupt him and that he had indeed called for her, but she could see he was letting off some steam and he rarely needed to or, really, has a chance to. So she let him, he eventually turned away from the balcony and greeted her "Ahh, General, We have a lot to discuss." he said before he took a deep breath. "Its happening like it has many times before, murmurings. Mayhaps all my work was for naught and another rebellion shall ensue, more of my people dying and the cycle to repeat or, if we are lucky, the murmurings will die down in time. Now open, agressive, military action will do little to help but an increased presence both here and in the Virak should ease tension. I want you to arrange that but I also wish to talk to you about new horizons, new lands, new conquests. Your language generally is along those lines and, while I never really disagree with you I also dont see the worth of making new enemies. However, with that said, word has reached me that the followers of he are making agressive, expansionist movements and I wish to curtail those heretics before they become a true threat to us and the world as a whole. I will meet with the ArchInquisitos and arrange for an Inquisitos and some Inquisiti to go and enlighten them but I fear it will be for naught. Should that fail I wish to begin expanding southwards, towards them in the hopes that a show of power will discourage them from over extension and, should that fail, more dire messages will need to be sent. Their god is not proven to us yet and so is to be seen as an enemy until Dracos will be known that he is a god of creation. I hope you understand?"

 

[NeoLeaf]

kingdom of Jeynna

Inside the forest village...


The denizens of the village in circled the clearing where the village elder and Fo were examining every individual. The small skinny brown man sat on a round chair woven out of thin strips of bark and wood, next to Fo who sat on a simplistic looking stool where it was nothing but four wooden legs held together by a few layers of knitted cloth. To her right hand side were her things: A wooden mobile cabinet that is used as a backpack, a bundle made of animal hide leaning behind the small cabinet, A log table and two large jugs of water.


When a person was being examined the first thing Fo did was ask questions regarding the person's diet, levels of intoxication, how they feel and if something felt unusual. She would look into their mouths to look at their insides and feel their throats. Tapping certain areas of the body or pressing against individual organs in their abdomen would soon follow after. Lastly she would poke a needle into the person's finger and have them leave a finger print in her scroll.


Several hours have passed and the sky fell into a purple color.


The gong rang and the men, women and children dispersed again to continue about their evening activities. Fo fell back into her chair and stared onto the ground. She had finished expecting a hundred and sixteen villagers in the last ten hours without taking a lunch break. The small fragile shakily rose from his chair and turned gently placed his dry wrinkled hands on the woman's curved shoulders. Fo turned to stare at the old man with her right eye and dropped her head again.


"Let's go meet the families."


"Right..." Fo grabbed a root of some sort from her compartment and began to chew on it.


Military camp up in the northern drylands...


Dys and Nessy walked out of the tent together and looked over the camp. Soldiers all were huddled together, eating their own types of rations and having conversations with one another. The conversations went from hunting trips, gossip and in some areas nitpicking about the size of each others unspoken appendages. Other men were sleep walking and being clumsy first thing in the morning. The more committed types were doing morning workouts alone or with some partners.


Nessy approached a gourd filled with cold water and dipped her torso in it. Dys used his to splash some water on his face and rinse his mouth. Nessy's torso reemerged from the gourd and moved with her large body into the camp. Inspecting was upon her and she likes to scare the living crap out of the sleepy heads.


The camp broke and the men resumed travelling around the coast of the drylands.

 

[Anaxial]

Unwelcome Guests

Far ahead of the Hoary Legion, something loomed. A sign of what's to come that may strike fear of what follows into the hearts of some, or encourage them to resist the coming storm. The Followers of He were spearheaded by Missionaries, grotesque and malformed these men and women wore their mutilated forms like badges of honor and preached that only through ascension can such a fate be opposed.


More oft than not, the missionaries would resemble humans at a glance. But anyone perceptive enough or close enough would quickly begin to make out the intangible mass of flesh that these beings truly were. They came by the dozens, some bloated and swollen like corpses long dead, some writhing and twitching with skeletal limbs, and elongated fingers, some had faces that were stretched and pulled over their skull, exposing their teeth and some wore tentacled heads like hair in a morbid reflection of humanity.


These Missionaries were peaceful in nature, despite what snarling maws of sharp teeth and muscle-bound arms and dragging knuckles would suggest. They appeared in several small villages along the northern coast of their homeland and few groups began venturing to the larger cities ruled by the heretical Dragon Gods. Along with their sermones of ascension, they brought with them incessant and chants that seemed to nauseate those who listened.

"A curse upon the lands of Heresy!


Weep for heretics, yet no mercy.


A bottomless sea, the power of He,


A curse upon the lands of Heresy!


Listen to our baneful chant, weep with us as one in trance!


Kneel before the merciful He,


For mercy is shown by He, not by we."



​

The Warpath

It had been several days since the Inquisition had finally recruited enough able bodied warriors and craftsmen to be called a significant invasion force. Not only did the army itself contain a massive amount of soldiers and Chosen Ones, but with the fame and Church affinity of Vicar Algaris Pake and Lady Avra the Hoary Legion had effectively become a colonization effort.


Rising to 13,000 soldiers, over one hundred Cohorts of zealous followers of He, armed and armored in ranges as wide as simple farming implements modified to kill, to master crafted Pikes and longswords. Slingers carried their slings with bravado, utilizing such a simple weapon yet as deadly as any archer, peltasts and skirmishes clung to their bunches of javelins ready to hurl them with a vigor. And of course the ever deadly archers that would rain death upon the enemy from afar.


However, these soldiers did not travel alone. Trailing the soldier's march was nearly 30,000 "civilian" Followers, though each was willing to fight, they would only do so should their trained brethren need it. With them they carried cattle herds and wagon trains, caravans filled with supplies and tools to implement hunting and gathering to feed these masses along their path. OF the 30,000 who followed, few would occasionally break off from the main group to establish hamlets and villages within the woods and untouched fertile lands outside of Akkan'dar's walls.


A veritable Garden of Eden awaited the reclusive followers, a world untouched by their hand and ready to be taken in the name of He. Vicar Algaris naturally led this massive colonization force with a prodigious pride. Atop a steed that bore the Mark of He, rather than a beautiful mane of hair, these white horse grew a mass of tangled tentacles that writhes and whipped in the hair as the Vicar trotted along. The horse' legs did not end in hoofs either, but rather in two long sharp talons that resembled something alien and unbelonging of this world.


Lady Avra, atop a golden yellow mare that seemed glow proudly along with her.


"Ah, Lady Avra. I do believe this is will of He!" The Vicar announced suddenly, though no one could see it, he had a wide smile upon his face and he took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. "How else could I, a lowly man assemble such a holy pilgrimage and allow our people to expand like never before!" He turned to look at the fair Lady. "It is in great part thanks to your Strength, Lady Avra. That He has chosen you to be his Goddess."


The Lady Avra looked over at the Vicar, a soft smile on her lips as her blue eyes scanned the gleeful man for but a moment before returning to the trees and the birds.


"It is an honor I take quite seriously, your Holiness." Her voice like silk from a weaver's wheel. "I do not doubt that it is with my holy power that we are successful in our Campaign, but you mustn't disinclude yourself, Vicar Algaris." She looked lovingly at the man and extended her arm to present him to the Inquisitors that closely followed the two. "Without your leadership and brilliance in subjugating those vicious tribals... No such path would be paved. We owe it not only to He for granting me this divine gift... But to you for utilizing it in such a magnificent way."


"You flatter me, Lady Avra!" the Vicar cried out, laughing with glee as he spoke.


"Such flattering is deserving of one of your stature!" She quickly responded. The two laughed and coversed for a short while before they spotted a dark figure ahead of them, one of the Inquisitors that had been scouting ahead. He trotted calmly along, fixed atop his black horse while adorned in a dark cloak and a wide brimmed hat that shadowed his features. He held various tools and daggers along bandoliers across his chest and while one gripped the horses reigns tightly, revealing his steel plated gauntlet hidden beneath the cloak: his other held a repeating crossbow.


"Your Holiness, Vicar." He side, his voice resonating and complimenting his dark and professional appearance. "I've a report... Some hunters from a small town up ahead have spotted your pilgrimage and alerted their town guard. I don't think they'll be able to resist your might, your Holiness. But they may try to alert the Dragon Heretics at their capitol." He made the report quickly upon reaching whispering distance of the Vicar.


"Well, let us pray that these villagers are open minded folk and welcome He into their hearts." the Vicar announced loudly for all to hear before leaning close to the Inquisitor and speaking quietly in his ear. "Take Arthur, Victor, and Eoin... Track down anyone who may alert the heretics at the capitol and put them down. Understood, Gerwin?" the Vicar leaned away from his Inquisitor and rejoined Lady Avra. The Inquisitor said nothing, did nothing, he simply turned his black around and rode ahead of the pilgrimage, disappearing into the woods.


The Hunt

Gerwin, one of the Inquisition's deadliest Inquisitors and a man of infamous report. When the Followers of He required a more subtle approach to their brutality, it was often Gerwin and his Black Riders whom they called. Not above any form of torture or killing, Gerwin was a man who wasn't devoted to anyone or anything aside from the act of murder. Take a life was something of a spectacle to him, like an angel of death sweeping down upon the enemies of the Church and wrenching their life from their bodies.


This was no different.


They had tracked the messengers all day and now night had befallen them, shrouded in darkness yet with a steady stride, Gerwin and the other Inquisitors tethered their horses to far away trees and silently stalked the woods, eventually coming upon the Messengers camp. Illuminated by his campfire, the messenger stirred a hare he'd caught earlier for dinner and the four Inquisitors surrounded the man as he enjoyed his final meal. Gerwin watched him, the anticipation was palpable as he shouldered his crossbow and let the Messenger finish his last bite of the cooked hare.


A sharp whistle escaped Gerwin's lips and the Messenger looked up into the woods with a bit of worry on his face, he needn't worry long as four crossbow bolts simultaneously tore into his body and shattered in his torso. The man jerked violently and drew his sword half-way out it's sheath before he died almost instantly after. Gerwin gave another whistle and the Inquisitors approached the camp, collecting all of the Messenger's things and burning them in his camp fire. His body was hacked apart limb from limb and buried 100ft from each other in random spots along the woods. The Black Horsemen returned to their shadowed steeds and mounted up, there was more heretics that would ruin the Vicar's plan, more heretics to join the Hunt.





@General Deth Glitch

 

[General Deth Glitch]

Heresy!

​

Unbeknownst to the Drakti, loyal villages who had grown to trust teh stability created by the collectives power in the region were being slaughtered. But he had bigger issues anyway. He was being told followers of He were in HIS CITIES. They were spreading foul lies among the already uncertain populous. The ArchInquisitos assured him that every precaution was being made and that this must surely just be a test from Dracos. "No. For one who sees so much you understand little. He, their god, is strong. Dracos must be unable to contain him and her strength may even be faltering against his loyal following. That would be the most logical explanation for... well... all of it. I want all rounded up and brought here, if you can. If not kill the monstrosities before they can spread anymore foul dissent." He ordered, a witch hunt was soon underway and many were rallied to the call (Permission to catch em all and shiz Anaxial?)


Meanwhile, down in the lands of He, the Inquisitos and his loyal following, flanked by some loyal soldiers, logically, arrived on the fringes of the land of He. "We must gather what knowledge we can while we are here and hope to survive the vile temptations of their dark god. His power is in lies and his lies must be strong to gather such a following as he is rumored to have. While the ArchInquisitos remains and official stance of Neutral on he Gods Stance in teh great Celestial battle he wants us to know where the evidence points and it is toward the camp of destruction. He is likely a servent of the Maliksi, if not he himself." he said as the came upon a village of followers of He, somehow avoiding the atrocity that had happened to another village elsewhere. "Let us show these people the light of Dracos, we may save some souls yet in this dark place.

@Anaxial

 

[GrieveWriter]

~{Gillbury}~

​

Gillbury, originally land dedicated to fishing tribes, after Dersoth's takeover it eventualy grew into a large shipyard for the Dominion. Mainly used to craft new airships, the alleviations enacted a year ago allowed Gillbury to focus more on trade and business. But today the everyday citizens stepped out of their homes for different reasons, the procession advancing towards the skydocks where airships were often prepped.


Several mounted ghouls were herding a trail of zombies towards the airlift which would take them to the skydocks, at the front was General Thuro himself standing to the side of a covered carriage.


"This is a terrible idea sir," Thuro repeated for what felt like the umpteenth time in the last four hours


"Oh please, just a quick pop on over to the southern continent and then we'll be right back." Dersoth's voice emanated from the carriage, prompting several of the on-looking citizens to cower and kneel.


"Why overseas?" Thuro tried again "If you want to get out so badly why not journey north? Mingle a bit with our northern neighbors over diplomatic matters?"


"Eh, diplomacy's more of an Advisor type shtick." Dersoth replied "If you want more boring meetings have them make the trip. I see adventure in this voyage! Who knows what we'll uncover? Eighty foot eels with legs, Flying chimps withoverstuffed brains, maybe even a massive Cyclops!"


"We already have Cyclops' sir." Thuro grumbled before shaking his head "Okay fine, but why do you have to go as well?"


"I would never miss out on an adventure such as this, I have a certain respect for adventure?"


"Then why aren't you going as yourself?"


As he said that a skeletal hand pulled open the carriage's covering, revealing Elliot with Dersoth's Apparition floating around him.


"Listen guys, if you're going to have a conversation right now can I jump in?"


"You're giving a Skull Scout secondary reign over this, I want you to stop and think about that for a moment..."


"It's perfect!" Dersoth's apparition said, "The S.S. are well known for their maneuverability and explorative skills, this is an expedition."


"Yes but what if you encounter any inhabitants? At least postpone and have an advisor join you!" Thuro hissed as they boarded the airlift


"Nah, us two and a mass of zombies should be more than enough for this little thing."


"I disagree!"


The airlift stopped and the procession continued towards a group of airships which were being prepped together, surrounding the airships were zombies. Unlike the ghouls which worked with them, the zombies moved around less and constantly dabbed at their eyes and mouths while letting loose deep, throaty grumbles. Many seemed frozen in varying stages of decay, some long open wounds were wrapped up in bandages or concealed in considerably light attire.


"Look," Dersoth's apparition said as Elliot proceeded to ooo and awe over the ships "if we get demolished by something then no big whoop, we lose an S.S. and some walking stiffs, no skin off my bones."


Thuro grumbled a bit but remained silent for a moment "I still think you should reconsider, are northern neighbors remain a more immediate-"


"Then you do it!"


Thuro halted speaking as Dersoth continued "Go link up with the advisors and go, do all the political drivel you wish. I'm going on an adventure."

 

[Nyq]

[A random fleet heading east]


Multiple ships are seen travelling on the waters of the eastern Istorian Sea.The behemoths are armed with several ballistas and a primitive cannon,armored guards are seen patrolling on the decks of the ships.The captain of the fleet was seen on the largest ship of the fleet,heading back into his room after examining his surroundings.


The captain sat on his chair and gulped down a mug of beer,enjoying a few hours of slumber before he was interrupted by a sailor rushing into his room.


"Captain,we found land in front of the fleet!"


The Captain immediately left the room to verify the sailor's statement.As he stepped out into the sunlight,a large piece of land appeared in front of his eyes.Pristine beaches were scoured by the waves,with turtles roaming the seas surrounding the island.Behind the beach was a large,untouched forest.


"This island must be uncivilized."


The Captain was reminded of his task assigned by the Council a few months ago.His fleet is an exploration fleet,tasked to find other nations outside of Istoria.But the ships also served another purpose:to colonize and loot the weaker or uncivilized people found in the vast seas of Ederyon.The concept of colonization is new to the Istorians,and the populace has always thought that Istoria is the best gift for them.Even though there were attempts on exploration and colonization before,but the never-ending wars has destroyed every chance of the brave men departing into the seas.With the Purge escalating in a pace too fast for the nation to keep up,the Council realized that Istoria needs more resources and slaves.


As soon as the fleet docked the island,they were greeted by several arrows fired from within the forest.The sailors soon retaliated with their guns,unleashing a wave of terror upon the attackers.The attackers soon rushed out of the forest,only to be greeted by more bullets from the metal barrels of the weapons.The attackers are now close enough for the sailors to witness their horrible appearances.Their faces were pink in color,with a protruding nose right aboce their mouths and dog-like ears situated on the top of their head.Some of them even have a few layers of fat on their body.Some of the sailors laughed at the sight,while the others cringed at their appearance.


"Woah,so much walking pigs.Men,we'll feast on their corpses today!"


Before the captain could finish his words,the pigmen kneeled in front of the sailors,with their heads on the ground.Some of them even shivered in fear.As the captain begins to think about today's dinner,the leader of the creatures starts to talk in an unintelligible language.


"Gu'guak,oink fuhusha!"


The pigmen slowly moves over the captain,who was shocked of the pigmen's ability to speak,and kissed his leg.The captain jerked at the sight,while shouting:"The fuck,pigs can talk!And they are kissing me!"


The sailors laughed at the sight,while mocking the captain:"Captain,you are the Lord of Pigs now!"


"Stop laughing and help me!"


After hours of attempting communication,the crew has finally understood what the pigmen meant.The loud noise of the guns has mad the pigmen to believe that they were gods,hence the incident earlier.The crew were soon led to a village of the pigmen and were worshiped by the pigmen.The buildings are mostly made out of wood,with only a stone building in the center of the village.Under the invitation of the elders,the men entered the stone building.The building's interior were decorated with exotic seashells and a few pieces of gold,while female pigmen swung giant leaves constantly to keep the building cool.The elders soon carried chairs to the center of the building,motioning for the men to sit on it.The elders left as soon as the crew sat on the chairs prepared for them,leaving them alone in the building.The cautious captain motioned for the crew to prepare their weapons in case something happens.After a few minutes of torturous waiting,the elders has returned,with a few nude pigmen women.


The crew cringed at the unpleasant sight of the bare creatures,as their appearance is totally opposite to the Istorian preferences.Some even vomited the second they caught the glimpse of the women.The elders panicked as their "gods" vomited to the sight of their women,chanting spells to avoid their wrath.


"The fuck is this?This is..."The captain paused for a moment."Unpalatable!"


The captain's words inspired a wave of complaints by the crew.


"That's too ugly!"


"You want us to fuck pigs?"


"No way I'm taking these!"


The captain ordered his men to calm down,as their noise is too loud to be tolerated.While attempting to ask the elders for information of the island,the captain looked at the tribute offered at the shrine.He stood up in shock as he saw three humanoid creatures in chains presented to him.With a bit of anger in his voice,he asked the elders with the pigmen language he barely understood:"What is this?"


The captain examines one of the creature closely.The creature has long,silky hair,with a few seashells stuck to her hair as decoration.The creature is quite pretty in the eyes of the captain,but a fish tail below her abdomen spoiled his mood.It's nose is considered delicate in Istorian eyes.The skin of the creature is as smooth as silk and has a slight tan to it.

Spoiler

The elder stepped up to explain:"This,is the seamen.They live in sea.Hard catch if they don't swim to shore.They might have city somewhere,but us don't know where."


The captain murmured;"So,mermaids?Interesting."


The captain averted his gaze on another head.The creature has a pinkish skin,red hair and horns protruding out of her head.It has a set of wings at her back.When the captain stares at the creature,it winked seductively at the captain.

"This,is the succubus.Lustful creatures.We have a lot in store.They rule the city in center,many many men."


The captain murmurs:"Might be a source of profit."


The captain takes a look at the last creature.Expecting it to be another beautiful female,the captain jerked in shock as a monstrosity is presented to him.The creature is surely tall,with long hand and long legs.It's greyish skin and it's six glowing,yellow eyes is not considered horrible when compared to it's demonic fangs.

"This....They demons here.They attack us,kill us,every year.Took us 58 men to catch this."


The captain murmured:"Might be good warriors."


The crew were soon invited into the houses of the elders,ending their day as they sleep on the hay beds of the pigmen.


"At least better than nothing"


Meanwhile,exploration fleets were seen exploring the seas nearby Istoria,eager to meet new civilizations

 

[NeoLeaf]

kingdom of Jeynna

Inside the forest village...


Fo walked inside the dark room of the isolated along with two middle aged parents and the fickle village elder, quietly one of the grown ups started a fire to better illuminate the home and to find the ill child. Fo dropped her cabinet from her back and caught sight of a number of sheets piled onto one another. She walked towards the pile, then she started to grab and toss the sheets.


It was partly human, beyond a doubt, with very manlike hands and head, and the goatish face. But the torso and lower parts of the body were teratologically fabulous, so that only generous clothing could ever have enabled it to walk on earth unchallenged or uneradicated.


Above the waist it was semi-anthropomorphic; though its chest...had the leathery, reticulated hide of a crocodile or alligator. The back was piebald with yellow and black, and dimly suggested the squamous covering of certain snakes. Below the waist, though, it was the worst; for here all human resemblance left off and sheer fantasy began. The skin was thickly covered with coarse black fur, and from the abdomen a score of long greenish-grey tentacles with red sucking mouths protruded limply.


Their arrangement was odd, and seemed to follow the symmetries of some cosmic geometry unknown to earth or the solar system. On each of the hips, deep set in a kind of pinkish, ciliated orbit, was what seemed to be a rudimentary eye; whilst in lieu of a tail there depended a kind of trunk or feeler with purple annular markings, and with many evidences of being an undeveloped mouth or throat. The limbs, save for their black fur, roughly resembled the hind legs of the giant reptiles that roamed in their forests and terminated in ridgy-veined pads that were neither hooves nor claws.


"Intriguing." Fo said, smiling and having a face of a mad woman.


"This started roughly four months ago after our son went foraging with me." The father of the said boy began.


The pair of foragers ran out of places forage due to other groups already being present at the area where they usually obtain their food. They decided to go to another part of the forest and trekked six hours away from the village until they came upon an area rich with vegetation and small fauna. The strange thing about the area was that there were no predators or any other animals that they usually see present. As they were filling up their baskets, the boy was stung by hand sized creature - By the description it would look like a cross between a bird and a spider. The symptoms gradually grew worse until on the second month the boy decided not to go outside and to remain in the house.


Fo heard about enough and began poking the boy creature with a number of pointy sticks. Some reactions could be seen but others just didn't occur. The boy is probably depressed, going under stress and is losing the will to live as they speak. Fo sat on her cabinet and tapped her sticks against her hands as she was trying to figure out what was wrong with the child.


While in the northern drylands...


Yes. They are still marching the region... Nothing eventful really happens there.

 

[Anaxial]

@Anaxial[/URL] [/bg]


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The Madmen

The madmen that preached the oncoming doom of the heretics if they did not repent, never put up a fight despite their grotesque nature. They would merely go dead weight at any attempt to restrain or drag them away, all the while screaming their chant of supposed Doom to those who would not submit to He. "A curse upon the lands of Heresy! Weep for heretics, yet no mercy. A bottomless sea, the power of He, a curse upon the lands of Heresy! Listen to our baneful chant, weep with us as one in trance! Kneel before the merciful He! For mercy is shown by He, not by we."


Any attempt to communicate with these captured disciples result in them repeating their chant, their monstrous forms seeming to take pleasure in pain and if killed were thankful for the release. The only time anyone seemed like talking whatsoever was when asked specifically what the goal of He was, or what curses would befall the land of heretics. There responses were cryptic still, but this was the only time they seemed to stop babbling long enough to say anything of worth.


When asked anything about He, or what His goal was; "He is merciful, He encompasses all, knows all, feels all. He weeps for your heresy! Know not the fate of heretics! EMBRACE HE! A BOTTOMLESS SEA, THE POWER OF HE! A CURSE UPON THE LANDS OF HERESY!"


When asked about the Curse, or what "Mercy is shown by he, not by we" meant: "A curse! The curse of heretics! This is the fate of we before you! Heresy is an aberration, so aberrations we become! Mercy is His and His alone, he weeps for our cruelty, he weeps for our malice, we are cruel to spare heretics of this horrid fate, we show malice to save their souls!"


The Hamlet

As the Inquisito approached the settlement, it is evident that the village is somewhat new. It couldn't have been founded more than a few weeks ago as very few permanent structures exist aside from a few ramshackle huts and animal pens where cattle and large bipedal birds seemed to graze. The Inquisito would FEEL outnumbered by the ominous nature of the villagers, fewer than 100 walking about, bringing supplies to builders, the aforementioned builders worked on larger structures of unknown intent and various craftsmen worked on a stone statue that was nearing completion. The statue resembled a tall, thin, three dimensional rhombus with long spikes that came out on each of the four corners in the center or the rhombus. Each face of the statue had a different symbol carved into it that had an unknown meaning to the Inquisito.


The lone man was met with the cold, stern glances of the villagers, they knew the man was a foreigner and therefore a heretic but also knew they outnumbered him and so were peaceful if but a big aggressive for now. Everyone once in a while, a villager seemed happy to see the foreigner and would wave politely at him, introducing themselves before returning to their work. Despite this, no one seemed interested in talking and would direct you to commune with He himself at the statue in the center of the town.

 

[GrieveWriter]

~{Small patch of land in the middle of the sea}~

​

"Get off of me!"


Dersoth had to hold in a chuckle as he watched Elliot try to shoo the harpy off of his shoulder. During their journey they'd come across several stretches of marooned land out in the ocean, hardly large enough to take up any space on their map but enough to make home for several harpy dens. Immediately upon disembarking from one of the ships along with Elliot and several zombies, Dersoth's apparition had immediately taken note of the odd residents.


True to their name, the Harpies were winged humanoids with talons and everything. Their torsos and heads seemed primarily human, with most having small noses and short hair. One of the zombie's had immediately began taking notes while lumbering about, while Dersoth watched in fascination as the Harpies went about tending to their nests or fishing.


Initially hostile to the sight of the ships, the Harpies had calmed incredibly once they had disembarked and their anger had shifted to cautious curiosity.


Several moved around the zombies, and one had immediately began using Elliot as a perch.


"Fly, shoo! Curse you!"


This time, Dersoth didn't even try to hold back his laughter as he watched the Skull Scout shake frantically as the Harpy tried to keep hold of him. She seemed to momentarily panic as Elliot began trying to forcibly unhook her talons from the bones of his upper back. Fearful, she spread her wings and took flight...


... taking Elliot with her.


"Now apparently, a single tribe of sirens reside to the west." Dersoth said as he looked over one Zombie's notes, the harpy wildly dragging Elliot through the air behind him "They often use their songs to lure in harpies who fish around here for food. The harpies are able to maintain the balance by being able to eat most forms of sea life and a ridiculously high birthing rate."


Dersoth's apparition clapped his hands together, "Oh, we haven't even made it to the nearest continent yet and we've already found something so interesting!" He gestured to the zombie "Just imagine what it'll be like when we reach mainland!"


"My lord!!!" Elliot screamed as he flailed in the Harpy's grip "Please for the love of all that is right, save me!!!"


"You smell that my fair zombified servants?" Dersoth asked as he gazed in the direction they were planning on adventuring in "That... is the smell of adventure!"


As he said that, Elliot crashed into the ground behind him. As the Skull Scout groaned, the Harpy once again perched upon his downed form.


"Prepare yourselves, we shall rest here for the day and begin the next stretch of our journey." Dersoth stated proudly

~{The Northern Dominion Boarder}~

​

"And remember to keep any urges of shenanigans buried deep deep within your subconscious." Thuro tried to spell it out as simply as he could


The Advisor nodded, which looked strange for a floating inorganic being with a plethora of hands floating around it. The Advisor floated in a covered kiosk that was held up by four large Ogres, each with their massive weapons strapped securely to their backs.


"We must be tactful and wise, I don't know what that witch has been getting up to with you guys so I am uncertain how much trust I can place with you."


ne of the Advisor's hands floated in front of Thuro, and the eye on its palm pulsed as a voice resonated from it.


"Worry not general, we'll be shaking hands before you know it."


Thuro narrowed his eyes at the Advisor before shaking his head "It's going to worry me too much, I'm coming too."


The Advisor just shrugged as Thuro gestured to the Ogres, who lowered the Kiosk enough for him to climb in as well. With the General and Advisor situated, the Ogres turned simultaneously and began carrying their charge across the boarder...


... and into the Kingdom of Jeynna's territory.


@NeoLeaf

 

[general ostruppen]

Castle Sun

"The news"

Lord Tranigus stood outside watching his fellow sword brothers train under the warm sun rays. The castle laid upon on top of a small island, tho it may seem a bit of a disadvantage. The island was in the middle of a vast lake and only one bridge linked to it. Crusaders in the courtyard could be seen training and sparring against each other with the sound of loud clashes of bastard swords and shields clashing against each other. Tranigus watched them before being approached by a messenger.


"Lord Tranigus, you have a message from Lord Itritus."


Tranigus turns to see his captain kneeling with a scroll raised up on his right hand, his head staring down at the floor with sweat coming down from his forehead. It seemed rather strange but he did not take heed and unwrapped the scroll. He studied the scroll when suddenly spotted something off.


"Why does Itritus require my chapter to assist on a simple task?....Captain."


The captain rises with his head up high and no sign of fear or anxiety showed, except for the sweat that he sheds.


"We have been given reports that a fellow crusader has fallen and somehow a villager was found to be the culprit."


Tranigus's face lit up with anger as he heard that. He motions for him to quickly head inside before his anger took over. They both quickly walked into the main entrance hall and luckily no one was around.


"A FELLOW CRUSADER WAS SLAIN BY A MERE PEASANT!?"


The captain shakes his head.


"Clearly sir this peasant is no mere man, we believe it ought to be some sort of dark creature. Tho we aren't completely sure of it and the Dark chapter is investigating the murder. We have been given the task due to the last report of the murderer heading to our province."


Tranigus lowers his stance and sighs, anger in his eyes but holding a calm face.


"Very well...Gather my Companions and prepare them to depart. We will leave now!"


The captain bows and walks off in a fast pace to retrieve the fellow companions. Lord Tranigus would find this perpetrator and would make sure to have him bathed in holy oil and burn him at the stake.A fellow crusaders life will not be ignored or looked over.
​

 

[Nyq]

[Port George,Teseves]


An exploration fleet has returned from the island to the east.Upon boarding the docks of Port George,the fleet's captain begins to introduce the Istorians to the native species they found on the island.


"Everyone,this is the pigmen!"


"Anyone saw a mermaid before,because we have one here!"


"Meet the lustful succubus!"


"Demons from the east,come and take a look!"


The residents of the city begin to assemble around the crew,curious about the creatures brought by the men.


"Captain,where do you found these?"


"Captain,is there more of the succubus?I would like to buy some."


"Captain,my guild could use some of those demons from the east.Do you train them?"


The captain motioned for the crowd to calm down,before answering their questions.


"We found these creatures in the..."


He turned to one of his crew and asked:"What's the name again?"


The crew was shocked back to reality by the captain.Unsure of what the captain is asking about,the sailor murmured in panic.


"Uhm...Eggs?"


The civilians are shocked with the strange name of the island,but they continued to listen without noticing the captain's anger.The captain was about to shout at the sailor when he noticed the civilians,who are eager to know more about this 'Eggs island'.Having no choice,the captain was forced to continue:


"...Eggs Island.There is more of the creatures in the island,but we need some SPONSORING"


The captain stressed the word as the sailors placed a jar on the ground.


"...to begin another journey.As you can see,the Council can't actually fund another voyage as they have other issues to deal with.Without additional funds,we can't even repair our ships.So..."


A rich man stood up and said:"I can sponsor your money,but you'll need to reserve 5 most beautiful mermaids and another five beautiful succubi."


The man's words sparked a wave of shouting within the crowd.


"I'll sponsor 50,000 gold for 10 succubi!"


"100,000 for 15 mermaids!"


"200,000 for 10 demons!"


The captain was soon overwhelmed by the sheer amount of requests,and motioned for them to calm down.


"Calm down,everyone.Everyone has a chance to get their stock."


People started to queue for their chance to sponsor for the crew's next trip,while the captain broad smile was left unnoticed.Little did the men know that their deeds has sparked a craze for slaves,starting a golden age of colonialism in Istoria


[Gharaib]


A hooded man(Yes,he's the hooded man I mentioned earlier in my posts) pulled a wagon through the city gates.People watched as he passes through the city gate,while discussing about the load he is pulling.


"Woah,that must be heavy."


"Did he have the strength to pull such a heavy looking object?"


"I guess he must be a soldier or something,look at his armor."


The wagon was pulled all the way to the Great Haall,with many bystanders stopping in their tracks to find out what is happening.Unfortunately for them,they were blocked at the front of the building by the guards.


The hooded man left his wagon and walked to the Council Chambers.As soon as the man entered the room,he was greeted by the Emperor Ulgi:"Mister T,you are finally back."


The hooded man replied:"Yes,I'm back.Of course,with a corpse of a Scholar."


The Guin stood up in delight,while mocking Emperor Zhao for his previous statement:"See,Zhao.Mister T has brought back a dead scholar."


"I know,I know.Brag about it.I don't care anyway."


"So,how you killed it,Mister T?We all want to know their weaknesses."said Emperor Ulgi immediately after Zhao's reply.


"Meh,they just look strong.Poke them in the abdomen,actually three inches below their belly button to be accurate.Found lots of raw portium there."replied Mister T."Oh,by the way,I brought the corpse here for you guys."


The corpse was soon brought into the chambers for the Council to examine.The face of the Scholar was twisted in agony,with it's limbs in awkward positions.But it was the death-dealing wound that sent chills up in the spine of the five men and women.A hole with a radius of 3-inches is found a few inches below the stone being's navel,exposing the shining light blue crystal within.No cracks were found at the edge of the hole,proving the raw strength that was needed to poke such a hole.


"See,that's the portium.This one is rich in portium.Took me a few stabs to kill it.Neh,this wound,and this wound,and this scratch.Oh,I even stabbed it's eye."said Mister T in a casual tone while pointing at the other wounds on the body of the scholar.


The Council was then forced to listen to Mister T's bragging for 3 hours....


"Mister T,can you please stop bragging?"

 

[NeoLeaf]

kingdom of Jeynna

Inside the forest village...


Fo had looked at the patients from the ten families. One person who accompanied one of the patients never ate what they caught in the spoils out of spite and had knowledge of the area that most of these gatherers have gone. Fo pulled a centipede creature from a tough looking bundle, held the bug in front of her mouth and waited for it to crawl inside. She felt the tiny insect legs on her tungue as the creature reared confusedly deeper into her mouth. some feelers tickled the ceiling of her mouth and the creature soon realized that it was a trap - it was food.


Crunch!


"Your apatite for such creature's is-" The guide stopped talking when the woman turned to face her. Her eyes were half open, uninterested in his opinion, lips were partly covered in a thick lime green slime and fats oozing from the crevice of her mouth. The guide felt a rising feeling of disgust rising up from within his chest and his guts tightened. a large bulged slowly descended downward after swallowing the bug and she spooned the remains around her mouth with her tongue.


"Ech... Nevermind."


"Alright, I've had my breakfast," Fo turned her attention towards the group of men guarding the entrance of the village.


"Onward."


"Follow me." The guide reminded her.


The unusual gathering grounds...


Fo, sat on the back of her feet, crouched and looking at a bush with oddly colored leaves. Her guide was looking around himself, nervous of predators and not entirely relaxed around the shaman's presence. Fo, squinted her eyes at the leaves and began to rustle the branches of the plant. The leaves didn't release any sort of pollen, but it did drop from types of small fruit or berries on the ground. Fo stretched her grabbed the round objects and examined the things in her hand. They smelled sweet, their coat is of a dark crimson color and they were small oval shaped spheres.


"Odd." She said picking one berry with her thumb and index finger and rotating the small good in front of her.


"Why would the herds neglect such a good looking grazing spot?" She thought out loud. She dropped her mobile cabinet onto the cool earth, opened up one of the drawers and took out an small glass jar. She stored the handful of berries inside the jar and took other parts of the plant, such as it's roots, leaves, branches etc. For the next few hours she would remain at the gathering ground, collecting everything that the guide had described seeing the gatherers eat and came into contact with.


Fo and her guide made camp and Fo began to transform her mobile cabinet into a makeshift laboratory. Flexible glass tubes connected with a series of test tubes, jars and small containers, a bonfire blew in it's red fury close around the workshop and provided the camp with much needed warmth and light. The woman began to grind leaves, roots and such and mix the powdery forms with water and other liquids. Her guide only sat in front of the fire, eating jerky and amusing himself with the woman's witch doctoring. Fo took some berries and eyed them in a device akin to a microscope or magnifying glass. She slowly cut open a berry and watched intently on what she would see. Juice seeped out from the crimson berry an seed slipped out from it. nothing is happening. She magnified watched the red liquid like a hawk stalking it's prey for several minutes until she saw dark movement within the murky liquid. She took a mirror and began to move it around the sample to better see what was happening inside the dark fluid.


Parasites. A special breed at that. The fluid was filled with hundreds of parasites. The seed is harmless, clean and uncontaminated for some reason or another. Fo dissected the seed with a small knife and found noting unusual with the seed until the parasites swarmed to it and began to change the plant embryo. It's clear these things go mad when they come into contact with living organisms regardless if they are animal or plants but why weren't they inside the seed? Questions after questions piled and Fo continued her work.


This will take some time...


Somewhere along the mountain range...


Somewhere along their journey down the mountains, the group had accidentally stumbled into a den of predators. These things have a hunchbacked, bipedal reptilian build with long humanoid arms. They stand roughly nine to ten feet tall, with a thick and resilient hide, powerful muscles, and twelve-inch-long, razor-sharp claws that can kill almost any other creature in only a few swipes. They have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, though their eyesight is poor. Their build gives them incredible speed, agility and strength in close combat, making them an extreme threat. They numbered at five and by the looks of it they are angry.

Spoiler