Mikotsuhime
Nonbinary Forest Hermit
The continent of Embra has, historically, been a peaceful place. With varied geography, it naturally split into three main kingdoms at the dawn of its creation, and since then trade and relations between the three have been solid. That is, until a decade ago, when a fishing boat from the coastal country of Devlan was caught in a storm, and ended up happening upon a large island that, previously, none had known to exist. Hidden from the coast by magic, the island seemed to have a thriving population and culture, however when the fishing boat tried to approach, it was harshly turned away. Returning to Devlan, the fishing boat’s crew reported what they had seen to their local lord, who in turn reported to the king. The king, a man who prided himself on his honesty, told of the mysterious place - clearly rich in both natural and magical resources - to the other two kingdoms.
Now, at this point in time, while relations between the three kingdoms were still good, each of the three were having troubles of their own. Devlan’s waters had been overfished, and they were running out of resources to expand their industry. The mountainous Kur region, once known for their many exports of fine ore and jewelry products, was running out of useable ore in their mines, leaving them without exports, and thus in a financial crisis. The inland kingdom of Fier, with the strongest military power of the three and the most resources, meanwhile has been dealing with civil unrest, due to many believing that their king and his harsh taxes were unfair.
The appearance of the island represented a solution to all three problems: if its resources could be tapped, all three kingdoms would have more than enough bounty to sustain them, and all thoughts of rebellion would be otherwise ceased, or so it was believed. However the island was well protected, both magically and by brute force, and all attempts to breach its perimeter failed. Any time a king or lord tried to reach out to the island’s people, they were ignored, and the state in the three kingdoms deteriorated until, ten years after first contact, at the annual summit between the three kingdoms, a messenger hawk arrived with a letter stating that, for the first time, the island of Domina would be attending their meeting.
Nobody knows what to expect, but all three kingdoms are in an uproar over the news.
—
The peace summit this year was taking place in the capital of Fier. Apparently the location changed anually, switching between each of the three kingdoms of Embra in order to promote good relations between them, according to the ‘spies’ that had been sent forth. In the end, the location didn’t really matter much, other than it being far from the ocean. It meant that they had needed to walk quite aways to get here, which was frustrating. It left two of the three party members exhausted, and Agni felt antsy as he waited for them just outside the courtyard.
He wore a heavy cloak, since Rowen had insisted that the trio stay inconspicuous during their travels. Agni didn’t think it necessary - a small part of him itched at being treated like a commoner by strangers, but part of it could have been the fact that there were strangers around him at all.
He had never been off the island before. Rowen had, during discreet trips for supplies where they pretended to be a fisherman from an obscure village or another, but for he and May, it was both their first time. In fact, if it weren’t for the high priestess’ controversial decision, he wouldn’t have come at all, but she had been the one to open up their proverbial doors, and while he did have the power to fight her on it, he didn’t have the energy.
Keeping the island hidden for so many years had been a magical drain on its protectors, and he knew in his heart that this was as much for his sake as it was any desire to help the people of the mainlands. That didn’t mean that he had to like it, though, and he had been prickly for most of their journey.
Rowen and May, luckily, did not take long to catch up to him. The two men - Rowen had decided that during their trip he was a man until further notice - wore cloaks much like the one that was stifling Agni, though May’s was made of a much thicker material, and he still seemed to be shivering slightly. Even though it was only fall, not quite yet winter, the temperature here on the mainland was much lower than that of home. Even Agni was feeling the chill in the air, though Rowen seemed completely unaffected as the three met up. The summit was just about to begin, and May was fidgeting, shifting his weight from side to side as he eyed Agni’s hooded form.
“Maybe we should let Rowen do this,” he suggested, causing a small yet knowing smile to grace the older man’s features. May shot him a nervous look in return, because they both knew that Agni’s skill was not in diplomacy. Infuriatingly, though, Rowen simply shrugged his shoulders, still smiling as though this were a very amusing game.
“The little guardian is the one in charge,” he pointed out, and May made a small sound of agony, because he knew that it was right. Still, he had hoped that they could handle this without burning any bridges or bringing animosity to their sect, and with Rowen deciding to take a back seat, that was unlikely.
Agni seemed completely unphased by their conversation, instead pulling off his hood as he strode over to the entrance of the courtyard where many dignitaries and representatives were gathered, still waiting outside of the castle itself for permission from the monarchs to enter.
“Are you two coming?” He called over his shoulder, and May squeaked out a yes as he shot to attention to follow, while Rowen hung outside the gates for a few moments longer, the oldest of the group inspecting the area and making sure that there were suitable escape routes in case they would need them.
He was not nearly as laid back as he appeared to be, it seemed.
Now, at this point in time, while relations between the three kingdoms were still good, each of the three were having troubles of their own. Devlan’s waters had been overfished, and they were running out of resources to expand their industry. The mountainous Kur region, once known for their many exports of fine ore and jewelry products, was running out of useable ore in their mines, leaving them without exports, and thus in a financial crisis. The inland kingdom of Fier, with the strongest military power of the three and the most resources, meanwhile has been dealing with civil unrest, due to many believing that their king and his harsh taxes were unfair.
The appearance of the island represented a solution to all three problems: if its resources could be tapped, all three kingdoms would have more than enough bounty to sustain them, and all thoughts of rebellion would be otherwise ceased, or so it was believed. However the island was well protected, both magically and by brute force, and all attempts to breach its perimeter failed. Any time a king or lord tried to reach out to the island’s people, they were ignored, and the state in the three kingdoms deteriorated until, ten years after first contact, at the annual summit between the three kingdoms, a messenger hawk arrived with a letter stating that, for the first time, the island of Domina would be attending their meeting.
Nobody knows what to expect, but all three kingdoms are in an uproar over the news.
—
The peace summit this year was taking place in the capital of Fier. Apparently the location changed anually, switching between each of the three kingdoms of Embra in order to promote good relations between them, according to the ‘spies’ that had been sent forth. In the end, the location didn’t really matter much, other than it being far from the ocean. It meant that they had needed to walk quite aways to get here, which was frustrating. It left two of the three party members exhausted, and Agni felt antsy as he waited for them just outside the courtyard.
He wore a heavy cloak, since Rowen had insisted that the trio stay inconspicuous during their travels. Agni didn’t think it necessary - a small part of him itched at being treated like a commoner by strangers, but part of it could have been the fact that there were strangers around him at all.
He had never been off the island before. Rowen had, during discreet trips for supplies where they pretended to be a fisherman from an obscure village or another, but for he and May, it was both their first time. In fact, if it weren’t for the high priestess’ controversial decision, he wouldn’t have come at all, but she had been the one to open up their proverbial doors, and while he did have the power to fight her on it, he didn’t have the energy.
Keeping the island hidden for so many years had been a magical drain on its protectors, and he knew in his heart that this was as much for his sake as it was any desire to help the people of the mainlands. That didn’t mean that he had to like it, though, and he had been prickly for most of their journey.
Rowen and May, luckily, did not take long to catch up to him. The two men - Rowen had decided that during their trip he was a man until further notice - wore cloaks much like the one that was stifling Agni, though May’s was made of a much thicker material, and he still seemed to be shivering slightly. Even though it was only fall, not quite yet winter, the temperature here on the mainland was much lower than that of home. Even Agni was feeling the chill in the air, though Rowen seemed completely unaffected as the three met up. The summit was just about to begin, and May was fidgeting, shifting his weight from side to side as he eyed Agni’s hooded form.
“Maybe we should let Rowen do this,” he suggested, causing a small yet knowing smile to grace the older man’s features. May shot him a nervous look in return, because they both knew that Agni’s skill was not in diplomacy. Infuriatingly, though, Rowen simply shrugged his shoulders, still smiling as though this were a very amusing game.
“The little guardian is the one in charge,” he pointed out, and May made a small sound of agony, because he knew that it was right. Still, he had hoped that they could handle this without burning any bridges or bringing animosity to their sect, and with Rowen deciding to take a back seat, that was unlikely.
Agni seemed completely unphased by their conversation, instead pulling off his hood as he strode over to the entrance of the courtyard where many dignitaries and representatives were gathered, still waiting outside of the castle itself for permission from the monarchs to enter.
“Are you two coming?” He called over his shoulder, and May squeaked out a yes as he shot to attention to follow, while Rowen hung outside the gates for a few moments longer, the oldest of the group inspecting the area and making sure that there were suitable escape routes in case they would need them.
He was not nearly as laid back as he appeared to be, it seemed.
