Mythopoeia: RP of gods and nations (game thread, closed)

[Anti-American Eagle]

Gangari 17/21 AP

Within the mountains of the Grat Shae stood the venerable halls of the Luug Clans. After watching and waiting for a time Gangari appeared within one of the more busy halls. Luug came and went and he could see few if any Grat within it. In his usual guise he silently and invisibly walked to the throne of a Luug named Juagua and revealed himself to the creature.

Juagua was rumbling and making the walls and throne around him shake just enough an almost constant stream of dust falls to the floor. Pounding his arm on the throne and opening his mouth to call out for something he stiffens and jumps to his feet causing a mini earthquake as Gangari materializes from nothing and stands in front of him.

"Gangari!"

Gangari nodded his head and then spoke "It has been some time since I've stepped in these halls. Your people have went through much since then and many things are happening beyond these walls. I need to know, how are your people being treated? How has life been under the Grat?"

Juagua stays standing for several long moments as he thinks over the question. looking at Gangari straight on as he does. Sitting back down in the throne with a thump he ignores the one Grat standing in the back half hidden in the shadows.

"During the war with the Grat we lost many brothers and sisters to their arrows and spears, almost as many as to the Auroran armies. Those who were taken in the beginning were used as beasts of burden to move and cart things from one spot to another, and while the food was not bad we had to look for and make it ourselves as well as keeping much of the Grat's food. After the war finished things did not change right away, we were used as beasts. But though we were they would not kill or beat those who messed up, rather moving them somewhere else and putting someone else in charge of that job. Then when they were going south to the dry area they took many of us, but rather than for our strength they took us for our knowledge, and now they have formed an army using even more of us. Beasts are not used to build homes, or fight in armys. Once we were but beasts to them. But now we are something else, something more."

Gangari nodded again "As much as I thought. Those under Aurora believe you to be slaves. They've asked for my help in Freeing you from the Grat as their reformed army is marching towards here from what I've seen. Do you think it in your peoples best interest for me to stop them? To talk them out of this?"

Juagua waves forward the one Grat in the hall and points at him.

"That was his message, that the Luug in the Auroran states were coming here to bring us back, or kill us. I think it is our best interest if they leave us alone, or join us. They can go back to their homes and leave us their brothers away from their slaughter, knowing that if they do fight we will defend our homes here."

Slamming his hand on the throne arm again.

"This is our new home, and it shall always be. As will the manor, when we take it back from those who have taken it away without cause."

Gangari nodded again "Good. I'll let them know that you don't need their help."

Juagua nods and looks at Gangari as he things about something. Straitening and leaning forward he speaks low to the god.
"Before you go, I wish to know if there is any way for you to help us regain our manor. that was out main place of living till we were forced out just before the fighting there."

Gangari took a moment to think before responding "There are things I can do to help, but I cannot arm you for that. The Krakari have believed the manor to be theirs since their God passed. It having taken them so long to attack your people for it surprised me." He paused again "I'll do what I can to talk to them and perhaps negotiate it from them but you both have claims to it and I doubt either of your people will be willing to hand it to the other."

Juagua sighs a deep rumbling sigh and sits back.
"We know they have a claim as much as us. but they are attacking deeper than just the Manor. Fine, see what you can do and we will wait."

"If you want the land below it, I believe they'll be open to that in time." Gangari grinned slightly and spoke "Good Luck" before disappearing from the room.

He spent the next few days watching them and those in the desert from the sky, looking in on them as they lived. They weren't lying. Slavery would be the wrong way to describe them. They weren't being treated as the Grat but they weren't slaves. It seemed as if the Grat intended to absorb them. He needed to talk to the Auroran Luug, he needed to let them know they didn't need to invade. There were more ways for them to be free again as a people.

[hr]

Keplar raised his rocky arms in greeting as Wos and a Luug he didn't recognize entered the chamber of the Supreme. He brushed aside a set of maps of the mountains spread across his stone desk, many dating back from even before the last war.

"Our army will be at border by sunrise," Wos barked with a salute, "Then, liberation will begin,"

"Good," Keplar nodded, "Who is this?"

"I am Rugan," the third smaller Luug interjected, "I come from..."

He didn't finished his sentence however as suddenly Gangari appeared to the right of them all in a puff of smoke. Noticing that they had stopped upon his appearance he spoke.

"Continue."

"Lord," the three Luug fell to their knees before the deity, Keplar looked up at him whilst the other two kept their head's bowed. "You heard my prayer?" the Supreme asked reverently.

Gangari nodded "Of course. I hear most things and this was quite important. "

"We need your help, oh wise one," the Luug leader replied, "My people are divided between this state and the hands of the Grat. As Luug we cannot suffer this indignity any longer. Help us free ourselves from the rodents and the little folk and we will honour your name before all others forever,"

"I will help you and your kin reclaim your birth rights, though there is something you need to know." Gangari replied "I have watched your kin living with the Grat and I have spoken to several of them, they aren't slaves to the Grat. A good number viewed the Grat coming as liberation and they haven't been chained since the war. Now with the war over there's a belief amongst them that you were in league with Jugaan and the majority of them will fight beside the Grat to keep you from bringing them under your rule."

"A good number you say," Rugan added before Keplar had a chance to reply, "Very few I knew. I've just returned from the Krakari Republic, freed by their army from Quatog's Manor. I was there, I know. It is true that the Luug in the Grat Shee lands are not in chains but nor are we able to control our destiny. Half my friends were sent down to the Shifting Sands by no choice of their own to mine rocks for the Grat. Would you have the Collective live ruled by a foreign power, even if they weren't slaves?"

"Indeed," Keplar interrupted, "They have been deluded by Grat propaganda if they truly believe we are in league with Jugaan, that fiend is imprisoned below this mountain as we speak,"

"No. I wouldn't let them be controlled by others." Gangari replied "But that isn't the point. If your armies don't turn back, you won't be liberating them you'll be fighting them."

"This won't do," Wos growled, "We need to save our brethren, not kill them,"

"Yes..." Keplar added, "They must know our intentions are to free the Luug, not bind them to a new tyrant," he turned to Gangari, "Could you take a message to them, wise one?"

"I can." Gangari replied.

"Thank you," Keplar smiled for the first time in a long while, "Tell them to rise up and join us, to take our mountains back from the invaders. Every act of resistance will help. Those who can, come over the border here so we can prepare for the uprising,"

"I will bring your message to them," replied Gangari, "Though it is likely that the one acting as their Supreme will want to speak to you before anything is done." Gangari paused "Before I leave, where are you hiding Jugaan? I have business with her."

"Down under the mountain, in a specially carved chamber with the entrance blocked with boulders," Keplar growled, "We would have executed her, if she didn't have that wretched curse from Cyth'raul,"

"Interesting." Gangari replied "I'll deliver your message then. Good fortune to you." And then he disappeared.

Later in the day he visited Juagua again and delivered the message to him.

[hr]

Gangari stood in a small graveyard in the marshes. It was between his children's lands and the settlement of Pinnae. It was where the bodies of those his children had shot all those months ago had been dragged after the rail workers realized that his children were serious when they told them to walk away.

It wasn't many compared to the heaps being made in the war as few were shot before the workers walked away. But even one made him feel shame and it was time that he made good on his promise. So he began to dig up their bodies.

After an hour or so of work digging them out of their shallow graves he looked over their bodies one by one. Human and Krakari, each had felt the touch of rot for months now. If he had done this sooner he could have avoided his influences from bleeding through but now with the damage they'd turn out Corvans when they woke.

He shook his head and let his power loose upon the corpses. They would awake healed and alive with the urge to walk to Pinnae, their memories of death being removed from their minds. The pain of it was something they didn't need.

Spoiler: Gangari's Action

- Resurrect those killed in the border incident in the marshes of the Collective at the beginning of the Auroran Civil War.
- Action is difficulty 9, with a cost of 3 AP. Total domain bonus applied to the roll is +8. Autosuccess.

- Should have 14/21 AP at end of turn.

Spoiler: Collective's Actions

Major - Secret

Major - Implement Rune Enhanced Weapons, to improve firearms among other things.
Major - Implement Aerial Warfare Tactics.
Minor - Begin Training and Retraining Legionaries in new tactics and equipment to ensure that they are used effectively.

Major - Implement Economic Planning.
Major - Sign Economic Treaties and Defensive pacts with the Ajivhan Union.
Minor - Officiate the formation of the Ajivhan Union with Grand Ajivha, Nova Ajivha, and Lyseria.

 

[JoJo]

King Indraj-Alika, Onchesmos, Saranda

It had been a long road but the day had finally come in Saranda to hand power back over to the Driders after the chaos of the Civil War. King Indraj and the Ajivhans were among the guests of honour, along with representatives from the Imperial government of Aurora, primarily Lord Aldren who had been chosen by Emperor Maximus as the temporary Lord Deputy whilst Nova Verde was brought to order. The Emperor himself was busy with duties in the capital, so the Lord Seer took his place in the proceedings.

"Today, a new agreement has been reached," Meneloath announced bluntly. The Baselius Agenon had vanished shortly after the Olin Occuption had begun and by now was presumed dead by most. With his previous experience with diplomacy and reputation as a stable pair of hands, Meneloath had quickly become the consensus candidate for pulling the nation together again. "An agreement between the Meritocracy of Saranda and the Commonwealth of Aurora. The restoration of our sovereignty today will come alongside our reaffirming of our bonds with our neighbour and thus follows the ascension of Saranda into the Commonwealth as an independent state. Together we continue forwards in honour of our heavenly Father, Lysei,"

Cheers arose from the assembled crowd of Driders. Indraj stepped forward and handed over a ceremonial solid golden key to the Sarandan leader, the symbol of their regained sovereignty. He had an inkling that the new agreement might be controversial in some quarters of the nation but with the ongoing war up north, the Sarandan government wanted a guarantee of protection and Aurora in turn hoped to avoid the risk of it's tiny neighbour being used as a base to attack it. The alliance suited them both and so for now it would remain.

.​

Elias, somewhere west of Oilean Uisce

Far away on the other side of the world, Elias groaned as he awoke to the movement of the waves around him. The little wooden raft he lay on danced around on the stormy waters, threatening to throw him off if he loosened his grip even slightly.

"Ugh?!" the boy spluttered as a tall wave washed over him, he tightened his hold further. His clothes were ragged and soaking wet, his skin pale and his eyes sunken. He pulled himself up wearily and peered around in every direction in an attempt to spy land, only the mountains of water greeting him in return.

"Where are you now, Mother Zayin?" Elias muttered to himself. He had been adrift for over two days now and even at his young age somehow knew instinctively that he wouldn't last much longer.

~​

Something was happening in Saranda, Lysei didn't particularly care what, he could tell from the prayers that it was good. He was pleased that Emperor Maximus had won the civil war and he trusted his acolyte to run Aurora for the better, for now the god of fire had returned to drifting over the oceans, contemplating the state of the world.

As he moved through the clouds he spotted something small floating in the ocean. The god descended silently, watched the tiny raft as it was buffeted among the waves. A small Auroran boy of about ten was clinging to the planks, looking around in circles as if he was searching for something.

Lysei quickly glanced around too, there was nothing solid for many leagues. His heart was moved to pity, he had no idea how the child got there but he did not deserve this fate. The god thought about teleporting the boy to land but what was the point really? The world was just as desolate now as it had been twenty seven years ago when he'd witnessed a young girl being murdered and lost his innocence, nothing had changed. He didn't just need to save this youngster, he had to save all of the countless children who's lives had ended before they even got a chance to live them.

Lysei reached deep within himself and began to pour his energy onto the surrounding ocean. A prominent undersea ridge lay somewhere nearby, just about visible in the midst of the stormy sea, Lysei raised it up from it's foundations and cast his enchantment over it. Then he brought in the souls of the children lost at sea, those whose bones lay forgotten in some corner of the ocean, reaching back hundreds of years so would seem that the island had been there forever. He shaped a hidden paradise on the island, one that the impure and greedy of the world would never be able to touch, one kept alive only by imagination. Finally, he saw that what he had done was good.

"I will call you... Avagarde," the god smiled to himself as he willed the tides so Elias would be led to the island.

~​

Then suddenly Elias spotted a dash of land on the horizon, surrounded by dark shapes. He started to paddle with his hands, scooping desperately towards the land. As he got closer he realised that the shapes were wooden boats of all shapes and sizes, decaying where they lay in the shallow waters. He recognised Maian, Tianese, Samosan, even a handful of Ajivhan and Ray-Das ships among the floating junk. Crates too, most of which were open with their contents spilling out into the sea.

"Hello?" Elias shouted feebly as he tumbled out of his raft head first, emerging sputtering once again on the foamy surface. He paddled desperately as his legs began to fail him and then when his feet mercifully touched the sandy sea floor, trudged towards the empty shoreline, collapsing onto the wet sand. He was distantly aware of bird song but before he could think anything else the exhaustion from his long ordeal got the better of him and he blacked out.

Spoiler: Actions part 2

(Major) - Research advanced wall reinforcement
(Major) - Research defensive tactics (e.g., dropping boiling oil through a hatch)
(Minor) - Saranda is released from Ajivhan occupation to become an Independent State of Aurora.

Spoiler: Lysei's action

DC-15: Cast a strong enchantment over the stretch of ocean between the Auroran Archipelago and Oilean Uisce. Here forms the mythical island of Avagarde, one that is almost impossible for living mortals to find deliberately, as if it changes location regularly. To it's young inhabitants it seems to a wondrous land where magical beings roam and adults are a dimly remembered tale, to older eyes however it becomes much more nightmarish...

 

[booksv2]

Grat Shee, Crina, First army with First hunters

Crina looks at the group of Birds they had tied down and moving, her orders very specific in this manner and even as much as her hatred burned she had to follow it. Remembering the orders very clearly.
"Any Raptors you take are to be sent back to us, especially the little ones. No keeping them for supplies. We need them, alive and mostly unharmed."

Crina's claws dig into the leather of the map she holds as the lines of taken birds move back deeper inside Grat territory and were handed to others where they were taken to another place. Turning away sharply and thrashing her tail as she stalks away she jerks her head pulling several messengers to her and spitting out orders at them.
"We move! Now! I am tired of sitting here hearing how the birds are taking Grat hostages."

The messengers grin at each other and turn to run, each going to a different commander as Crina moves to her own units and her sharp screech brings them up out of their rest and sends them scrambling to get their gear, none wishing to face their commander as she focuses on Thresh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Juagua, Mountain top.

Juagua stands above on the top of a mountain, looking down at the movements at the base of the mountain that he had been hearing about for weeks. Staring at them he can not make out they are all Luug, even though he knows. Looking down at the child like sized creature standing below a few feet away he rumbles at them.
"Luug pride and duty says we meet them in battle and crush them."

The Grat looks up at the Luug and lowers his spyglass, sighing at the argument.
"I know, Grat duty is to make sure any who attack know their place as Thresh. But the Chief told us specifically that we are to leave them alone. If they attack we will respond, but they are part of the Aurorans. They are... not like most Thresh, we have to leave them alone."

Drash puts his spyglass away in a case and looks up at the hulking Luug.
"Lets go before you start rumbling again and muttering about duty and honor. The only duty is to the tribe and the only honor is keeping it alive."

Turning Drash starts down the mountain a little unsure as Juagua watches after him and back at the army below. Backhanding the rock next to him and sending cracks throughout the rock he turns and quickly makes his way past the slow Grat. Each set making small tremors in the rock as he half falls half runs down the mountain again, new ideas in his mind about what to do to keep the still worried Luug below safe from again being involved in war.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharo

Sharo looks over the plans he had just been given from one of the Grat who had been blessed. The plans had been made just days after he had asked about the possibility and he was pleased, though he could see it was rough and needed more work. Handing it back and looking up as several armed Grat pull a bound and blindfolded Krakari into the room and push him down, several spears against him firmly to keep him down. Watching this blank faced Sharo waited for the struggling to quit before he says subvocally to them.
"Move him to a chair, and take the blindfold off."

They move him to a chair across from Sharo and take the blindfold off, more rope using to hold him in place as the Krakari starts yelling and cursing at them all. Listening for a while and letting him do it Sharo motions to the flap over the door and another winged figure is dragged in. This one much smaller and not as tightly bound it is held by just one Grat, though the wings are tied securely. As soon as the new one is brought in the first shuts up and stares before demanding.
"Let her go! let my daughter go!"

Sharo slaps his claws on the table and makes the adult Krakari look at him as he says to him softly.
"Be quiet and listen to me. You were both taken and were even treated fairly, but you tried to escape with your daughter. Unfortunately for you, this means you come to my attention over the rest of the winged ones. I would not be against my right to kill you both and send you to the cooks to use to feed the army going to battle, but i wont....."

Sharo lets the look of relief spread over the mans face before he says in a harsher voice.
"If you do what i say and do not try this again. Your daughter is going to be moved to a new site, and kept there. If you obey than you will be able to visit."

Sharo glares at the man as he stares back at him, his face a contrast of disbelief and worry and hate. The winged mans head moves from Sharo to his daughter and back again before he spits at Sharo and half screams.
"FINE!"

Sharo wipes the spit away and motions at the man and girl both. Both are soon freed of their ropes about their bodys if not their wings and they hug each other tight crying. Waiting for them to get over it he watches for a while before nodding and pointing at the girl.
"Take her to the Cage."

As half a dozen Grat step forward and pry them off each other as they scream and try to grab at each other. After the girl is dragged out and the noise fades away the man slumps and sits back down, his face ashen. Looking at Sharo with half crazed eyes he spits out at him.
"What do you want me to do?!"

Sharo pulls a messenger tube out and sets it on the table in front of the man, lifting his claws from it slowly.
"For now, take this to your old nation and deliver it to the hand of its ruler. Then come back after. Do not wait for a reply, do not tell them anything important, and do not stop to talk to anyone about anything you have seen. Come back and i will let you have a few days with your daughter before i send you out on another."

Sharo leans back and waves his hand.
"Your wings will be untied when you reach the edge of the forest, and you will be given a rifle and shot to keep yourself safe."

The man stares at the leather pouch and slowly reaches out. His face still twisted in pain and rage he snatches it up and turns to storm out. Sharo stays where he is, his eyes still hard as his claws dig at the wood under them.

Spoiler: Action

Army one with First hunters attacks territory to the north of the Manor.

Army two with luug elements attack the Manor

Army three attack North east most territory of the Krakari nation.

Upgrade a settlement to a citadel; the Cage

Raid Krakari for Grat population.

Spoiler: Messenger

To Krakari ruler,

This war needs to end, now before later.
Thesh as yourself will know what happens, but we have problems and this war is making them worse.
We want to stop, do you?

Spoiler: The Cage

Most northern edge of Grat territory, mostly underground built it has a very large cavers with many off shoots. Built by Luug Half is underground with the rest above, surrounded and built using many dangerous trees it keeps any who does not know how to get in away.

Minor; move all children Krakari to the Cage

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Aerith, Silver claw

Aerith and her Aqualites. That was what everyone was calling her and everyone else that was loyal to her now. She won their hearts in her rallies but now she had to win their trust as well. Even with her power, her word would only carry her so far so she needed action to spur them even further. Much to her family's disapproval, the opening of the family estate allowed a place to establish a headquarters for her political movement. Outside the walls, signs were drawn up vilifying Yoren and his people while pushing for a more just leader. The people were against the war. Aerith convinced them of the nearsightedness of the war and how it would hurt relations in the long run and most people were discouraged after hearing the rumors of defeat in the northern front. The people wanted an end to the war even if it meant giving up the Manor. But, they were still a growing movement against Yoren and his connections.

As the elections for the various cabinet members within the Hall of Raptors was announced, her Aqualites pressed for her to join the ballot and Aerith carefully accepted. There no doubt would be some sort of retaliation Yoren would take upon himself to commit once he finds out that she was in the ballots and Aerith hoped that his obsession would be fixated towards the war rather than internal affairs. Still, she had to be careful.

As she awaited in her room, waiting for the election to come a messenger arrived at her door addressed to her and from Pinnae. She recognized Khyber's writing immediately. She tore open the letter eagerly, wondering what he had to say to her. On the paper, she read the simple and concise sentences but with it came a grave warning.

"Watch the skies... the Goddess of Death returns anew. Hide the worthy." Aerith read aloud silently. Instinctively, she looked outside and saw nothing but gray skies but she still took Khyber's cryptic words. She passed the word to her people to avoid Silver Claw and Talis whenever possible, her spacious lands could hold them for now but Aerith still pried apart the letter to try and understand what Khyber meant.

[hr]

Yoren, Hall of Raptors

He pounded the desk, hearing the news of the loss of the second army. The desk wasn't even his yet he withdrew his hand and made sure there wasn't a mark on the late Aeryn Aquila's desk. Aeryn's office had long been converted to his own yet Yoren still had respect for the Krakari despite the fact that Yoren was the one who ordered him dead.

"We're going to need a new army then." Yoren said bluntly. "We can use this. We can still win the war and the mountains."

"Some of the populace didn't take the news so kindly." Yoshera pointed out. "Even with the clamp on any mail returning from the front, people are still getting the word. The Aqualites are gaining more members the more people hear about the defeat."

"Aqualites... that's what they call themselves now?" Yoren scoffed before looking at the map. "They wouldn't last without me. This nation wouldn't last without me. I am not worried about them but I am worried about those damned reptiles getting more land."

"They also send you a letter." Yoshera said, retrieving a letter from his pouch. A Krakari arrived at the hall today, half mad. He didn't speak a word and handed off a letter to one of the guards. All he pleaded was that this was needed to be given to you. We checked the letter for poison but there wasn't any. All of it seems genuine right down to the ink they pilfered from the Luug."

"Well? What does the letter say?" Yoren turned his head and grabbed the letter out of the Yoshera's hands. Yoren rolled his eyes at the words before crumpling it and tossing it aside. "More, hogwash. Until they present to me the damned mountains then I will think of ending this war."

"So, how should we proceed about this? We still have Krakari in chains." Yoshera asked carefully.

"Tell the army to swing northeast, towards our lands." Yoren said curtly, without a single hint of emotion. "They sweep them up from the rear. While here, get the word out to the recruiters to get a new army together and a new unit. The reason why the second army was destroyed was because of their ineptitude. Form an army with capability. Get the Kraai to get his best men for a new unit as well to help with the second army."

"I must advice that the first army is fatigued from the reports that I read. They've been barely operating without sleep-" Yoshera said before Yoren cut in.

"And they have been conquering land. What is the problem there? They will fight until they are dead or until I have told them to stop. Is that clear?" Yoren snapped. Yoshera nodded solemnly.

"And what of the letter?" Yoshera asked after he penned down Yoren's orders. Yoren hesitated, thinking what do about the message.

"Leave it to me." Yoren said.

[hr]

The Grat-Krakari front

In a quiet spot, one Grat prisoner was dragged out. His head was covered with a burlap sack and his limps were tied until now. The bag was removed and before him was the forest. Hope gripped his hearts as the Krakari soldiers untied his legs but kept the binds on his arm. The Krakari soldiers picked this one out of the group because he looked the quickest and put a letter inside his pocket.

"This one goes" One of the soldiers said to others. "Remember this one."

"Run to your people and come back or else their blood will be on your hands. We will wait here."

And with that, the Grat ran bearing a message for his leader.

To whom it may concern,

We shall do to you what you have done to us. Release our people and we will release yours. Take our lands and we will take yours. Failure to exchange will bring terrible results.

Spoiler: Actions

(Major)Move First standing army northeast, towards conquered Krakari lands
(Major)Raise Second army in Silver claw with gatling guns, battle trains and railway guns
(Major)Train elite unit-Krakari Storm Troopers(Specialization in Sieges)
(Major)Apply defensive fortifications to the Manor
(Major)Hide Yoren from the Gods

(Minor)Deliver a message to the Grat

 

[JoJo]

Nations

Aetherial Collective

Keen to keep their small nation secure despite the instability up north, the Collective implemented rune-enhanced weaponry and aerial warfare tactics into their military. At the same time, economic planning was implemented to keep their managed economy growing and the monetary and defensive segments of the new Ajivhan Union were brought in to ensure this.

Aurora

The Luug Army advanced into south-west Grat Shee land, forcing back Grat settlers and greeting their fellow countrymen with merriment. Soon however the order came from Keplar to halt for the time being as a result of Gangari's intervention and so the Auroran Luug stopped and secured their position, awaiting further orders. Meanwhile in mainland Aurora, Lord Omar's plans for great defensive walls continued on schedule with research into advanced wall reinforcements and defensive tactics.

Grat Shee

With two new armies raised, the Grat experienced a burst of confidence as their renewed forces marched south and east. By the end of the month, territory to the north of Quatog's Manor and to the far north-east of the country had both fallen to the Grat and the Manor was once again under siege, this time by the Grat. The only blight on an otherwise perfect record was the failure to secure the Grat captives held in the Krakari lands, though they captured several times that number of Krakari themselves in the advance. Meanwhile in the north, the first native Grat citadel the Cage was created and many young Krakari hostages moved up there.

Krakari Republic

Unlike the Grat, the second month of winter was not kind to the Krakari Republic. Their first army fought their way north-east, only to be driven back by the Grat forces who remained there from it's earlier conquest. With the resulting drop in morale, not enough recruits could be found for the Storm Trooper elite unit that the Krakari leaders hoped to form and due to the Grat siege of Quatog's Manor beginning, nor could defensive fortifications be placed there.

There was good news among the bad however. A second army was successfully raised in Silver claw, armed with gatling guns, battle trains and railway guns, ready to fight until the end for their homeland. Yoren was also hidden from the gods.

Gods

Gangari

Perhaps a tinge of guilt weighing on his mind due to the deaths that had resulted from his past orders to the Collective, Gangari resurrected the Auroran and Krakari builders who had been shot when crossing the Collective border at the beginning of the Auroran Civil War. The confused builders made their way back to Pinnae and then onto their homes, most unable to vocalise clearly what had happened to them or where they have been for the past few months.


Lysei

Lysei's powers did not fail him and the mythical island of Avagarde came into being, it's apparent history stretching back centuries in the minds of the young souls he placed there. Once it was done, he retreated into the highest mountain of the isle and watched Elias arrive with a contented gaze, happy to block out the chaos of the outside world for the present time.

 

[JoJo]

Emperor Maximus I and Borce, Palace of Nations, Isle of Xule

Borce was feeling almost apprehensive. Standing in the waiting room for the emperor of Aurora he could feel the guards watching him, even though he had come alone and mostly unarmed. Though his thoughts soon went back to the messages he had gotten.

"Come in," a guard motioned to the diplomat. As he entered, he saw Emperor Maximus sitting passively at a large table, three seats pulled up. The Emperor looked tired and perhaps a little aged beyond what his busts depicted, he raised a hand in a causal greeting as the Grat entered.

"Welcome, Borce isn't it?" he asked pleasantly, "I am told you requested an audience with me,"

Borce nods and walks over to climb up on one of the seats, tall for him but he sits in it, almost looking like a child, enough scaled. Looking at the tired Maximus he waits for a few seconds before commenting.

"From dead and gone to back and back on your throne. Lucky."

"I'm not so sure about lucky, between you and me sometimes I wished I had stayed dead," Maximus replied with a dry smile, "Are you here about the war?"

Borce nods and shrugs, his hands lifting.

"Yes, I am here about an Auroran army attacking Grat land."

"The Deep Tribes?" the Emperor sighed, "Yes, I heard. In fact your timing is a stroke of luck, there's someone I'd like you to meet,"

Tilting his head and staring at Maximus Borce nods one and sits back.

"Than let us meet them."

The Emperor gave a wave with his hand and several guards disappeared into the next room. Several moments later they emerged surrounding the hulking figure of Keplar, who marched sulkily into the diplomatic chamber, studiously avoiding the gaze of both Maximus and Borce.

"You may sit," Maximus said curtly. The Luug sat down, grunting angrily.

Borce stares the Luug as soon as he walks in and keeps his eyes sharp on it. his eyes narrowing and put his claws on the edge of the table, the tips digging in as he can feel anger welling up inside himself.

"I don't know how this unpleasantness started but I want you two to settle it here now," Maximus added firmly to the pair. "Keplar, this is Borce, diplomat of the Grat. Borce, this is the Lord Supreme of the Deep Tribes, as I'm sure you are aware,"

Nodding sharply Bruce lets his next words slide through fangs.

"I know of him, we got a message about Gangari talking to him and even that not enough to stop his attack into our area."

"Is this true?" Maximus asked Keplar with a shake of his head.

"Aye," the Luug replied, giving the Grat a dirty glance, "It is fair, they took our lands and half our people not a year ago. Why should we not do the same to them?"

Shaking his head bruce points at Maximus and says softly at the Luug, some of the letters hissing.

"Because you now are under him, and if you do something it is his fault. My guards did not like hearing about what happened, and most of them are Grat of the old feeling. You attacked us, so we should attack back till every one is gone. Only because we have this treaty is it not so."

"Borce is right, in a sense," Maximus replied with a sigh, "I know how the soul yearns for justice, almost thirty years after his murder my brother's assassin remains at liberty. Sometimes justice must be sacrificed in the interests of peace though, to stop further bloodshed the hatchet must be buried at some point. This war of yours Keplar will lead to nothing but aimless destruction."

Borce winces and sits back as he looks away. Frowning hard his claws click against each other as he stays quiet about that. Still feeling rage and wanting to destroy this pile of rocks for what it and those like it have done he things about what to say before turning to the Emperor and talking right at him.

"What they did can eventually be forgotten. But the Raptors are becoming to the point where they can not."

"I have never seen such an... equally balanced conflict," Maximus nodded, struggling to find the right words, "My attention was previously on, eh, domestic issues, but now I can focus on this. Unfortunately the Krakari cut off all diplomatic links when their revolution started but I think I may be able to bring them to the table. Would you join us here too for a peace conference, if they came?"

Borce shakes his head sharply and hisses low and menacing. His claws digging into the table hard.

"Nooooo I would not. they have ignored out chief when he wished to quit the fighting and Thresh statues has been given to all of them not in our control. We do not speak with Thresh, now would we be now if it was not for Gangari and some do not like. The leader of our best army is one you would consider.... hurt in the mind. But she follows Chief Sharo."

Maximus shook his head sadly, he gave a quick signal to a guard.

"Keplar, you may leave now,"

Borce stares at the hulking Luug as he gets up and slowly leaves. The Luug leader was about to speak but before he got the chance he was hauled to his feet and half-dragged out of the chamber.

"Now, we may speak candidly," the Emperor nodded, "The Luug are a stubborn race but I can get them to leave you be and return your land as it was. I'll need your help though," He offered a glass of blood red wine to the Grat diplomat. "I don't know if you drink this but it is good,"

Looking at the wine and shaking his head Bruce pushes it back a few inches.

"I do not enjoy it, we do not have anything like it in our nation. What help do you want from me, and us?"

"Are the reports true that you hold many young Krakari in a fortress to the north of your lands?"

Nodding Bruce stares at Maximus waiting for the next part. Obviously not understanding why that question.

"Regardless of what their leaders have done, the Krakari children are innocent in all this," Maximus looked at Bruce earnestly, "Allow us to take them to the safety of their homeland. You wouldn't even have to do anything, we will airlift them out by dragon ourselves. Do that and I will ensure that by the end of this month the Deep Tribes has returned your land exactly as it was,"

Borce stares at Maximus for a few long seconds before shaking his head. Leaning forward and putting his clawed hand on the table.

"We are keeping them so they are safe. and so their parents and families will not fight and kill themselves trying to escape or other things. They are learning how to further the tribe and to fight or work and fly. They are safe, and doing well."

"We'll take them off your hands to a safe place," the Emperor offered, "Why not? It must be difficult supporting your own population in the midst of a brutal war, let alone so many prisoners of war. We can bear the costs, Aurora is not short of food or gold,"

"It is new and hard in some ways providing for them." Borce says as he shakes his head slowly. "But it is not for me to say yes or no, because Sharo has commanded this and he has not shared with any outside his own group what for."

"I am afraid then it seems unlikely we can reach an agreement on the disputed territory, if you cannot speak on behalf of your leader," Maximus replied disappointedly, "The Deep Tribes will not trouble you again though, I will make sure of that."

Borce nods and waves his clawed hand as he says apologetically.

"I can for many things, but he has given instructions about them so I am sorry, though I can promise that they will not be harmed and will be okay."

"Take my offer for a full peace conference to Sharo, hosted in neutral Xule," Maximus said as he stood up, "If all leaders from all parties were present in one place, then perhaps a solution could be found. We can hardly condemn Keplar for warmongering if we ourselves turn down a chance to talk, after-all,"

Bruce stills for a few long seconds before sighing and muttering to himself, nods sharply.

"I will go, but I can not guarantee that anything will come of it."

"Thank you," Maximus made the sign of the Father with his fingers, "I wish good day to you,"

Bruce nods and gets up, pausing as he considers Maximus before turning and walking out. The Emperor sat back down and after thinking for a moment, sent a short prayer to his two gods.

"Please watch over the young Krakari being held by the Grat and make sure they come to no harm on account of their parents' mistakes."

After that, he returned to his feet and signalled the nearest messenger.

"Send for King Indraj, King Ver-Jie, King Edgar, Lord Protector Quinn and Meneloath, along with my Cabinet from Nova Verde. Tell them to be in Xule by Sirius' day to discuss the final stage of my reorganisation of Aurora."

.​

Lord Protector Quinn, Borderlands, north-east Padonia

The Lord Protector of Padonia watched on as the first bricks of the Great Wall to be built across his and the Luug's Free States were ceremonially laid into the ground. When finished, the wall would not only provide a first line of defence for Auroran lands but also assist in controlling the movement of trade and migration across the border. Workers from all over Aurora, many halflings among them, had come to the region to get employment building the wall, Quinn noted that they seemed particularly enthused even for such an auspicious occasion.

"Why are they so happy?" the Lord Protector asked a worker as he walked past.

"Aye, have you not heard?" the man replied with surprise, "Many men thought dead at the Collective border came back not more than a few days ago, a sign of the gods they're saying,"

"Huh," Quinn chuckled to himself, the stories they came up with, "I hope so, with all that's going on in the world we'll need it," he replied with a jaunty nod.

Spoiler: Actions part 1

(Major) - Implement a Great Wall along the northern Padonian and Deep Tribes border
(Major) - Implement a Great Wall along the southern Padonian border
(Major) - Implement a Great Wall along southern Ajivhan, Suda Auroran and Ray-Das borders
(Minor) - Pray to Lysei and Gangari
(Minor) - Send peace conference invites to the Grat and the Krakari
(Minor) - Raise Auroran worship of Gangari by 2

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Yoshera, Silver Claw

Yoshera gripped the letter, calmly starting at it as he had done for the last hour. The invitation to the peace talk would save many Krakari lives but he knew that Yoren would want no part in it. Yoren barely left his office these days and it was getting increasingly harder to talk to him. His old age was finally affecting him but his madness has cost the people their lives. Protest were commonplace now that Aerith and her Aquialites had cemented themselves in the Hall of Raptors as the new cabinet members. Yesterday, a Krakari was shot in a protest and the streets were clogged once more with factory workers crying for better treatment.

But now in his hand, lay the fate of his nation that he swore to protect. Yoshera remembered fondly when Yoren recruited him for his cause but that was a different time and time was growing short. Yoren was expecting him soon for another meeting. He tapped on the letter and read its contents once more. He could negotiate for peace behind Yoren's back but that meant disarming an angry nation and yielding to a hated enemy. He would be a traitor and a savior at the same time.

After a few moments of thinking, Yoshera drew up a plan and went to see Yoren. He arrived a few hours later after having to get past the crowds of Krakari lining the streets in protest, calling for Yoren to step down. Yoshera entered Yoren's office, wincing at the smell. Yoren truly hadn't left his office for days.

"Master Yoren." Yoshera said, bowing to Yoren. Eyes transfixed on the map, he ignored Yoshera's gesture and only grunted. He was slumped on his chair and only looking at the map. Yoshera opened the blinds revealing a festering Yoren. He could have mistaken him for a corpse if he didn't let out the occasional sigh. "Do you feel well? Shall I fetch an apo-"

"You will fetch no one." Yoren grumbled as he sat up. "Trust is becoming harder to come by these days. Inefficiency is leading symptom of insubordination and I cannot trust those who produce results."

"I agree." Yoshera said although a few moments ago he drew up plans on leaving the capitol. "Insubordination does not yield anything."

"No..." Yoren said, scowling at the map. "Insubordination yields failure!" Yoren yelled in anger and frustration. "How can I trust our generals and lieutenants when all they do is retreat and retreat? It is firearms versus bows and yet we have difficulty. What a shame! Do they not know how to fight?"

"The Krakari do know how to fight, master." Yoshera quickly said, taking the break as a time to propose his plan. "But the Krakari is up against a difficult foe. I've read that for every one Krakari there are at least three more Grat."

"You don't think I don't know that?" Yoren hissed, stabbing the map with a knife. "Krakari technology was supposed to counteract that balance and if they get to the capitol then-"

"But that won't happen, master." Yoshera said. "Remember when you had me swear to you? Remember what my father said?"

"This one will protect you to the death." Yoren began, his eyes lazily drifting towards the ground and remembering Yoshera's father. "From one Krakari to another, I do not want to see our people in chains like this. From one to another I pass my only child-"

"To protect you and our nation." Yoshera finished, remembering his father taking lashes in Yoren's place. "My father believed you could change the States and keep us from falling into slavery. We must do whatever it takes to stop that from happening. He saved your life so we must save this nation even if that means conversing with Aurora."

"No... those men are the reasons for my lashes." Yoren stubbornly lashed out. "They are the reason your father died!"

"Yet they released us. It was they that helped our nation and now I believe they are our answer to the Grat." Yoshera proposed.

"They failed to do anything with the Grat, they failed to reprimand them." Yoren argued.

"Because they were involved in a war of their own but I believe the Aurorans hold sway even with the Grat. Let me go to Xule and negotiate." Yoshera looked to Yoren, hoping he would see through his words. Yoren looked at the map once more, exhausted and disheveled. "They can help us, they always have when they have the chance to. Right now, their affairs are in order so let me talk to them."

"Then get out of my sight." Yoren said curtly. "And fetch the generals before you go, I have a manor to hold."

------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours later

Yoshera packed his things as quick as he could. He hoped that his messenger could get to the Aurorans quicker than he did. He had faith in the locomotives put through their nation and no doubt it would get there. It would be the first time that the Krakari make an official connection since their revolution and it would be the first time the Krakari republic would be formally recognized. Despite its rocky start, Yoshera did have hope that this new nation would be the first of its kind. The people's word would be strong in deciding its rule and not rules based off centuries old tradition. This had to be a new nation of its kind and they still had the chance to do so.

The ride to Talis was quick and painless but the boat ride to Xule would be more turbulent. He had to broker peace between the Republic and the Grat even if that meant consolidation. He would not stand by and watch his people die. He had to save this new nation even if it meant angering it. Yoshera quietly penned a resolution to the King and to the representative to the Grat while his letter to the Emperor traveled eastward.

To the Emperor,

We, the Krakari people, wish to reestablish contact with your nation and continue with the union of our peoples. My name is Yoshera, and I have been sent to represent my nation in the coming talks in Xule. For reasons, I will explain once I arrive, I ask of you to keep the talks confidential and I ask of you to keep this communication confidential as well. All you must know is that I am coming to negotiate peace and that I am on my way to Xule.

Regards,
Yoshera, Chief Adviser

Spoiler: Actions, part 1

(Major)Send Second army to break siege on the Manor
(Major)Send First Army to break siege on the Manor
(Major)Re-establish connection with Aurora

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

The fleet of the Aetherial Collectives Legion had flown high in the sky from their homes. Right over the open water of the channel and the lands of the Krakari. Few had been watching the sky and the few who had either saw high up clouds or the ship of the Sacred Band of Kraai, the few forced to stay well relatively low compared to the heights that the legion ships rose to. It having been found in the early experimentations that air became harder to breathe the higher one went.

Silently and without warning the fleet suddenly descended from their heights and took their positions above the city of Silver Claw and the lands around it.

While by this point the Krakari would have noticed the ship housing the Sacred Band, they were entirely unprepared for the fleet that was above it.

[hr]

Rederick stood upon the deck of his ship as men took their positions and the ship descended. Men were moving to the rails with tubes ending in cones and glass jars attached to long sticks wrapped in oil soaked twine. The sticks and their cones were pointed over the rail towards the ground as the ships descended.

As they started to reach the same altitude as the Sacred Bands ship Rederick started relaying orders. His mind began releasing orders through the web of minds that he had been bound to.

READY

The firers pulled out iron rods from their belts and struck them against the rail. Heat burning through them as they struck the rail.

AIM

The firers adjusted their weapons and turned them in their hands, resting them against the rail and aiming the head towards specific buildings.

And then they reached the right spot, an area around the city that had been decided as their resting place. Ships were now surrounding the city with a good number sitting above it. Men ready to rain down onto the city with Khyber.

Rederick took a moment to savour something about to go so swiftly before he shouted through the telepathic webbing.

FIRE

The firers stuck their burning iron rods against the wicks and after a few moments the rockets ignited and flew away towards the city. Today was going to be a good day.

[hr]

Rockets hit throughout the city and the lands around it. Exploding as they hit the ground in firey conflagrations before their payloads were released. Smoke and fog like gases spread out from them into the streets. Screaming quickly followed as Krakari ran to defend themselves. Krakari came running and flying out of the clouds, horrible images flooding their minds and horrible thoughts overiding their instincts.

[hr]

As an odd almost intelligent wind began to flow through the city, the Legion started flying down into the city. As this happened, the Krakari began to respond in kind by trying to board the flying ships. Though with fire and steel they would be driven back and the city would be taken.

[hr]

Gangari - Silver Claw - 14/21 AP

Peaceful breezes inside the city, powerful winds around the city to keep it in, a controlled airflow to get it into the buildings and the trains. And a few good sharps wind to keep it out of the Sacred Bands target and away from the few safe havens...

It sounded right to him in his head. Of course this was just the way he was describing it to himself. The weather needed to be just right for the gas to flood the city the way it needed to for the invasion to go right.

Spoiler: Gangari's Action

- Optimal wind conditions in Silver Claw for gas deployment and dispersion. A bit of cloud cover in the countryside as well and some better rains for the fields occasionally during this.
- Action is difficulty 7, with a cost of 2 AP. Total domain bonus applied to the roll is +8. Autosuccess.

- Should have 12/21 AP at end of turn.

Spoiler: Collective's Actions/ OOC

Major - Invade Silver Claw, the Capital of the Krakari Republic. Deploy Occultists elite unit. Utilize Gas rockets alongside the normal stuff.

Gas rockets - Simple rockets loaded with a chemical weapon, In this case a gift from Gangari known as Spore Gas. Spore Gas is a hallucinogenic gas that causes those exposed for prolonged periods of time to pass out in a fever created through alchemical means using materials in the marshes. It causes those who breath the gas in to hallucinate and be overcome with mania until they sleep. If one breathes the gas in for an extended period they pass out in a fever. In rare cases the mania and hallucinations may persist past exposure.

Major - Implement Component Miniaturization
Major - Implement Rocketry
Major - Implement Advanced Chemistry
Major - Implement Telepathic Communication

OOC - Sorry this post is a mess, I'm kind of a mess right now. I may go back and put this together competently tomorrow, but the composition and events will be mostly the same. I figured I needed to get this up for everyone else however.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Khyber, Silver Claw

The attack had begun. The sky-ships dominated the skies, descending from above the cloud line and onto the city. Rockets and cannons tore through the air and onto the city below. Khyber and his troops braced themselves as the local garrison fought back, firing bullets and charging through the air in desperate boarding actions.

Khyber's airship lead the vanguard of Collective air-ships, distinct because of the numerous Gatling guns on the sides of the floating vehicle. Gunners aboard his ship shot down ascending Krakari soldiers as they came up but still they came. Gas rockets tore through the air and onto the streets below, clearing a path for Khyber and his men. With Silver Claw devoid of an actual standing army, Khyber and his airship flew close to Silver Claw.

"Sacred Band, prepare to drop!" Khyber yelled out over the sounds of battle. His most battle-hardened soldiers formed behind him as the rest laid down covering fire from the airship. Shells already began flying around them, exploding in the air but Khyber remained stalwart, keeping focused on their landing sight. "Towards eternity!"

Like that Khyber and his troops jumped off the ship. They sailed through the air, cutting through the rockets and bullets flying all around them. Some of Yoren's troops jumped up to face them in combat and soon swords clashed as a battle raged in the skies. Krakari fought against Krakari in the skies like they had centuries ago. Yoren's troops fought bravely, going head-to-head against the Sacred Band. Blood and bodies fell down onto the streets as Khyber's soldiers sliced through the troop formation, towards the center of the city. When they landed on the streets, the usually bustling avenues were devoid of citizens but Khyber didn't have time to lament as he stormed the Hall of Raptors with his soldiers.

More blood would be spilled today but in his mind, he would be saving more lives or so he hoped.

Spoiler: Actions, part 2

(Major)Overthrow capitol with assistance of The Collective, with the Sacred Band
(Major)Give tech to Collective-Gatling guns
(Minor)Move Sacred band back to Silver Claw

 

[JoJo]

Emperor Maximus I, Palace of Nations, Isle of Xule

Maximus read Yoshera's letter with pleasure, he was looking forward to finding out what exactly was happening in the new republic first-hand. That would have to wait until later however as he wrapped himself in his ceremonial red and gold robes and walked out into the meeting room of the Palace of Nations. Around the table were the seven most powerful men of Aurora after himself: King Indraj-Alika, King Ver-Jie, King Edgar, Baselius Meneloath, Lord Supreme Keplar, Lord Deputy Aldren and Lord Protector Titus Quinn. The Emperor quickly shook hands with the ebony-skinned Padonian leader before taking his seat and starting from the beginning.

"If one thing is clear from this Civil War we've escaped, the grip of the nobility over Aurora must be broken," Maximus said, "They were the ones who supported Roland Olin and almost drove our nation to destructive."

He signalled for an attendant, who brought forward a set of documents for the provincial leaders to see.

"What I propose is this. The new Parliament shall be a unicameral chamber of about two hundred rather than bicameral as it was before, and to end to influence of the nobles, only a third of the Parliament's seats shall be reserved for the nobility. Another third will be for our most learned religious scholars and a final third elected by the provinces. Parliament will be renewed every four years, or earlier if no Government can hold the confidence of the House."

"How will the Parliamentarians be chosen?" Indraj asked.

"Good question," Maximus replied, "I will leave the elected third down to the provinces to decide. The nobles and the scholars will by appointed by myself, with the exception of between one and five nobles for each province who will be chosen by each of you. More than anything else though, I need your help in getting the nobility to accept this."

There were nods around the table, the provincial leaders seemed to accept this.

"Now to the question of the Deep Tribes," the Emperor looked towards Keplar, who growled in response.

"We have collected clear evidence that despite the Grat's claims, the Luug were attacked first in the borderlands," the Luug passed a folder of documents round for the other leaders to check.

"You mean a false flag?" Ver-Jie offered.

"Exactly," Keplar grunted, "They then lied to the Commonwealth in order to bring Auroran support and clinch the war."

An awkward silence descended on the room, no-one was eager to consider what that meant for the events of the past year, that Aurora had conquered not one but two sovereign nations under false pretences.

"Do you want independence?" Maximus asked the Luug leader plainly.

"Not right now," Keplar replied in a gravelly voice, "We would only be a small state squashed between Aurora and the Grat, I fear if we were to completely cut ties they would overrun us at the first chance they got."

"A compromise?" the Emperor offered, "the Kingdom of Mereton has thrived from being an independent member of our Commonwealth, though King Edgar has recently asked for full membership in the future if that is possible."

"That would suit us greatly," the Luug Supreme bowed, "Enough freedom to decide our own destiny, whilst being protected from outside interference at the same time,"

"May we accede at the same time?" King Edgar interjected, "My merchants are keen for the full benefits of the Trade Federation, which we can only get through Aurora, and my nobles wish for the right to sit in the Auroran Parliament."

"Yes, you are around the same population size and land area," Maximus replied, stroking his beard in thought, "Though, it strikes me that the Deep Tribes currently does not have enough farmland to support it's population alone. We could rectify that, an expansion to the west shortly after secession would suffice."

He signalled again for his attendant, who brought an official document rimmed in gold and laid it before the group on the table.

"A new constitution, to refound our Commonwealth on a fairer footing," the Emperor added, "Cassianism has served us well but it's time is over, a new paradigm shall lead us forwards. I will call it Maximism. Your signatures, lords?"

.​

Elias, Southern Beach, Avagarde

"Is he dead?" a gruff voice echoed from somewhere above Elias. The boy tried to crack open his eyes but they were stuck together with dried sand and sea salt, groaning he reached up to clear them.

"No Pugsley, look he just moved!" another voice replied, this one higher and clearer.

"Where am I?" Elias murmured, blinking blearily as he opened his eyes to see two figures standing in front of him. One appeared to be a girl of about nine years of age, peering down at him with a slight air of disdain from a pair of dark almond eyes almost hidden beneath an Auroran military cap. Slung around her shoulders was a thick jacket that almost touched the ground. The other figure stood on four legs and was covered in fur, his eyes seeming to bulge out of his flat face as he studied the boy.

"You're... a dog?" Elias exclaimed, not knowing what else to say.

"Why would you say a thing like that?" the furry creature replied indignantly, "I'll have you know I was a tenured professor at Silveroot University!"

"I..." Elias said dumbfounded, he tried to get to his feet but lost balance before he even had a chance to steady himself and fell down again before the girl and canine. They stepped back quickly as he did so and the girl pulled out a small pistol from her belt.

"Stay where you are!" the girl said firmly, "You're not from the Children's Republic, right?"

"Wait, don't shoot!" he put his hands in the air, "Where did you even get that?"

"It's Krakari-made," she replied boastfully, before adding, "If you aren't from the Republic, how we know you aren't a spy?"

"I don't know," Elias shrugged honestly, "Who would I be spying for?"

"Goemagot, who else?!" the girl hissed as she reached down to haul Elias up by his collar, "You're coming with us, spy."

"But I'm not..." Elias said in protest as he was lead away by the mysterious pair, the metal end of the pistol firmly stuck in the back of his neck. "Can you at-least tell me your name?"

"Why should we?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well Daiyu, it's hardly classified information," the dog interjected.

"It isn't now," the girl replied with a sigh, "That's General Daiyu Li to you, spy. This is my comrade of the Children's Army, Colonel Pugsley," the canine did a small bow, "And you?"

"Fine, Elias, just Elias," the boy grumbled as he was pushed up a flight of stone steps towards what appeared to be a crumbling city in the distance. On the walls he spotted several small silhouettes, accompanied by a single figure who towered far above them, maybe by four or five times. He whistled aloud.

"What is that?" he asked his captors, his situation momentarily forgotten.

.​

Lysei, Great Mountain, Avagarde

Once his new island was complete, Lysei had realised it's young inhabitants would need some sort of authority to prevent their society splintering into chaos. Bringing in fallible adults was out of the question, so instead after some thought he took a pile of earth from the mountain at the centre of Avagarde and began shaping it with his hands as he'd seen trademen do with clay pots. First a torso came into being, then long thick limbs and finally a small head with two shining stones for eyes.

"It's perfect..." Lysei breathed, "No free will, no sin. I shall call you a Guardian."

He made another, and then another, and then another. He moved in a frenzy until finally there were countless golems stretched before him. Taking a few dozen, he placed them with the children and breathed a spell into the giants so they would protect their young charges at any cost. Seeing he had a good number left, with a sweep of his hand he took the rest and cast them into Aurora, placing many on the long walls he noticed his worshippers were building. Finally he put last remaining few in the palace at Nova Verde with an attached letter for the Emperor, noting that His Majesty was busy meeting other leaders in Xule.

"What the..." the god muttered as he saw the Collective pouring into Silverclaw, with a second glance though he saw they were accompanied by a number of Krakari and decided he didn't want to know. With a leap, he returned to Avagarde to see how his little experiment was unfolding.

Spoiler: Actions part 2

(Major) - Constitutional reshape of the Commonwealth of Aurora including the partial secession of the Deep Tribes, the full ascension of Mereton and the reopening of the Parliament of Aurora under a revised structure.
(Major) - Saranda settles to the south-west to relieve population density.

Spoiler: Lysei's Action

DC 11 - Create a non-sentient species larger than an elephant - Golems made of magically-induced hardened clay, known on Avagarde as the Guardians. Golems are fiercely protective of any charges magically assigned to them by Lysei.

 

[booksv2]

Grat Shee, Borce, Island of Xule

Borce stands on the balcony of the rooms they had been given here in Xule and looks out over the city as he thinks, the talk he had had with the Emperor months ago was still eating at him as he thought about what to do. Turning his head slightly as one of the guards with his people walks to the door behind him he does not even have to ask to get the subvocal response.
"They are in meeting, we are unable to listen."

Borce nods and looks back over the city, his eyes catching sight of people far out playing or working or just walking. Once again he considers the option of telling his chief to but attack this weak place but again he pushes it from his mind, knowing that as weak as they may seem their warriors are as strong if not more so any Grat hunter and just as adept in fighting. Tapping and scratching his claws over the rock under them he lets his mind flow over what he knows about these people, again pushing that away as he looks at the sun and turns away from the open balcony.

Waving at a squad of hunters sitting around and letting fall in around him Borce says to the leader ahead of him in a normal voice.
"To the library, the one with the map. i want to take another look, and something last time caught my eyes and i want to look is up this time."

Shrie knows which one he means and nods her head to him, making sure her axe is settles and her bow ready she sets out. Not because she is expecting trouble but because it is her job to make sure if it happens she is ready to protect her charge and get them away. Walking down the cobbled streets she scents her way down it till she slams into a wall of smells that she knows means library. Turning and following that scent of old animal leather and ink she is soon right in front of a large building and waves two of the squad forward to check it out before they get there. Behind her Borce sighs softly but lets her do as she wishs, knowing he would not be able to stop her even if he wanted to. When they get there most of the squad stays behind and only Borce and Shrie continue forward, moving through the almost labyrinth of books and shelves till they stop in front of a huge map made out in stone and wood on a wall.

Looking up at it and feeling her tail whip behind her Shrie stops herself and moves against a wall to keep an eye out for others coming closer. Borce knows what her problem was, since this was a world map that was as accurate as Aurorian map makers could create as of just a few months ago. He had asked someone last time and learned they rebuild it each year to make it accurate. Staring at the whole thing and ignoring this time the amount of the map under Grat control he stares this time at an island out in the 'ocean' as he has heard it called. This one was a different color and had a special symbol on it that had drawn his eyes last time but he had not had time to explore.

But deciding to fix that this time he goes searching for the section of books around him that are for that area, eventually finding the same color and symbol as the one on the map he pulls out the first book and runs the back of his claws over the raindrop in a circle symbol on the cover before setting it down and starting to read.

After piecing his way through the first half he sits himself back and can feel the deep frown on his face. Turning and waving Shrie over and sighing as he sits back he can feel his bones and muscles aching.
"Shrie, read this and tell me what you think of it."

One claw resting on a passage in the book.

"The island of Oilean Uisce was lifted from the ocean floor by the god Jashiki, and soon populated by a group of halflings that have power over water. Only a little while later no crimes that cause damage to another person was reported, and has continued to be as such for the last 30 years.

Murders: 0
Rape : 0
Mugging: 0
Assault: 0
Unnatural deaths :0

We fully expect this will continue forever and the original cause is sited to be caused by the god Jashiki before he was killed."

Shrie looks at Borce and tilts her head. Waving at the book and mumbling softly.
"Impossible, it must be a joke or lying."

Borce shakes his head and closes the book, walking it back over and sliding it back into the place as he says back to her.
"I asked the person in charge here about how much truth is in these books. He said that if any person writing a book that is in here and is found lying is punished harshly, only the truth is allowed."

Borce turns to look at Shrie and they can both feel the shiver running down the back of their scales. As one they turn and leave the room with the map, not sure if they ever really want to come back.


----------------------------------------------------
Crina, marching with army.

Crina can feel the army behind her marching to the speed she sets, riding and trying to hold a map at the same time she can feel some contempt on her throat as she does.
Not even able to take the manor away from the birds without help, needing some 'screens' to keep armys off their back. Pha! Should tell Sharo what kind of useless Thresh he has as army leaders.

Looking back and raising her clawed hand she waves at a group behind her and picks up her pace, knowing that soon the whole army will be jogging to keep up and not caring. Lifting her head as a sound lifts from the grasses ahead and then a Grat scout runs out of it she slows long enough to let it catch up to her and catch his breath before he gasps out at Crina.
"Another army is to the east, same direction as us and its us."

Crina can feel the lips pull back over her fangs as she snarls, kicking her mount into motion again she fights as hard as she ever has to keep her temper under control.
Sending three armys to take one building!! What is he thinking!

Rolling up the map and trowing it at one of those behind her there to keep a hand on everything she might need it smacks his face hard and almost makes him fall off his mount as she turns back towards front, her eyes hard and feral as she sharpens her axe and mutters to herself.

Spoiler: Actions

Army one moves to around Manor to stop attacking armys.

Army two moves to around Manor to stop attacking armys.

Army three with Luug elements attacks Manor again.

Research arrow firing guns

Research Krakari strengths and weaknesses.

 

[JoJo]

A new year came, that of DCCXLII or 742 by the Auroran reckoning, and celebrations were held in many parts of the world, though in others there were few parties as civilians sheltered from the war that raged outside. As always, censuses were distributed and population counts updated to reflect growth in the past year.

Nations

Aetherial Collective

Along with Khyber the Collective sent a force to the Krakari capital of Silverclaw and successfully occupied the city, for what purpose exactly would remain to be seen. At the same time, back at home the following technologies were implemented: Component Miniaturization, Rocketry, Advanced Chemistry and Telepathic Communication.

Aurora

As borders shifted and a new Parliament met in Nova Verde for first time, three great walls were built along the edges of Aurora to secure what seemed to be becoming a more settled state. Down south Saranda was expanded to ensure that it had enough room for it's fast growing population of Driders, as the Luug prepared to inaugurate their own new state.


Grat Shee

The three Grat armies were coordinated together in an attempt to push the Krakari from Quatog's Manor, unfortunately the late intercession of the Krakari armies from the east were too strong to overcome and the Grat were pushed back from the siege empty-handed. Meanwhile however their research into guns able to fire arrows, as well as Krakari strengths and weaknesses, were both successes.

Krakari Republic

Together the First and Second Armies of the Krakari Republic were sent to liberate the Manor from Grat siege, the fighting was long and hard but eventually the day was won and the Grat were forced back from their position. At the same time diplomatic relations with Aurora were re-established, however a split in the Krakari Republic became evident as Silverclaw was captured by a faction lead by Khyber, assisted by the Collective. What would be the result of this remained to be seen as the new year arrived.

Gods

Gangari

Gangari's hand ensured that the Collective's gas worked as expected and before long many of the Krakari in Silverclaw were put into a dreamless sleep before they even knew what had happened.

Lysei

The first Golems heaved their way into existence both on the mythical island of Avagarde, and also in parts of Aurora as Lysei thought was appropriate, unthinking sentinels who would patrol for perceived trouble where the god of fire set them. They would be regarded by many in a similar fashion to the Revenants: arbiters of divine justice.

 

[JoJo]

Lord Aldren, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia

"One hundred and forty two yays to thirty eight nays, the motion of confidence is passed," Prince Hwan the younger, the new speaker of the reorganised Parliament, announced as he counted in the last of the votes. Lord Deputy and Seer Aldren stood up to make his speech, still taken aback what had happened. After the government of Roland Olin had been dismissed, he'd been asked by the Emperor to head a caretaker cabinet while Parliament was renewed and purged of the overwhelming noble influence. He had never expected that he would be asked to carry on his role once a new Parliament had convened but there were no other consensus candidates and so the man who had been a mere cabin boy less than thirty years ago had now become one of the most powerful men in the world.

"A new era must begin, honourable gentlemen," he started, "One where the Father's law, particularly that revealed by the Prophet Vallous, must reign over the temporal whims of the nobility," there some grumbles from the right of the chamber, whilst nods from those where the religious scholars took their seats, "All Aurorans must affirm that they hold no god above the Father Lysei, and the Emperor is his son on Earth. Together we must repeat that truth to the entire world and live out that creed as an example!"

Rapturous applause burst from the freemen and scholars, it wasn't really within parliamentary protocol but Aldren couldn't help but smile. He and Maximus would ensure that Aurora was put back on the right track to glory once again.

.​

Elias, Freetown, Avagarde

As the trio approached the town, it's sheer size became apparent to Elias. The towngate and walls stretched high above them, the doors made from thick oak planks whilst the walls were built from a multitude bricks each much larger than him. A pair of seven year old's wearing wooden helmets and armed with rusted swords waved the group through as they entered the town, a few of golems also looking their way briefly but moving on without giving them any further attention.

"Welcome to Freetown, the last city of the world," Pugsley added proudly.

"Why is everything so large?" Elias asked as he glanced around with curiosity. The doorways of the ordinary stone houses that lined the street they walked down seemed to be four or five times his own height, as if they had been made for far larger inhabitants than even grown men and women. Any windows were similarly far above the heads of the many children who milled chaotically around the town, all seemingly somewhere between the ages of five and eleven. Most appeared to be Auroran of varying ethnicities but they paid him little attention, apparently engaged in whatever impenetrable games they were playing at that moment.

"The giants, you must know?" Daiyu replied quixotically, "They built this town centuries ago after they arrived from the mountains,"

"Giants?" Elias muttered to himself in disbelief, except that the huge dwellings seemed to suggest otherwise. He stared at a bronze statue as he was led through a busy square, the figure a boy standing defiantly holding a sword aloft as if facing down an enormous unseen foe. They approached a great stone building with smashed windows covered in wooden boards and graffiti daubed messily on the outside of the building.

"The Children's Republic of Avagarde," it read, with several letters looking as though they had been corrected recently. Above a frayed blue flag with a three-pointed yellow symbol fluttered in the wind. As they entered the building, they were stopped by a dark-skinned girl sitting at a desk covered in junk. She had a bandage around her face so her eyes were hidden, her short hair neatly braided with bows.

"General Daiyu, Colonel Pugsley," she reeled off curtly, "Who's the other kid?"

"No idea Speaker Cosette, we found him on the beach, we think he might be a spy," Daiyu replied brightly.

"Let me check," the girl said suspiciously, running her fingers over Elias' face and shoulders, tutting as she brushed against his nose. Elias didn't know what to make of it. "I don't recognise him, he's not one of us," she concluded, "You may bring him into the Senate if you watch him carefully,"

Daiyu nodded and pushed Elias away with Pugsley trotting behind.

"What's the deal with her?" he whispered.

"Cosette is blind," she hissed back.

"I heard that!" an indignant cry came from behind them.

"She also has very good hearing!" Daiyu giggled as she hurriedly took Elias by the hand and lead him to the next chamber before anything more could be said.

.​

Lysei, Grat Shee Lands

As he was on his way back to Avagarde, Lysei swept across the mountains which the Grat now held, studying the race he hadn't paid much attention to in the past. They were even more warlike than the Aurorans, crashing in waves against the borders of the Krakari and experiencing some measure of success to the north. The god noted however there were shortages of food in some areas, particularly near the large captive Krakari population that seemed to grow by day and consume much of what scant resources could be hunted.

"Let's see if these will help," Lysei muttered as he moved his ethereal hands over the forest nearby, finding ordinary wild boar who hid among the trees. He took them and grew them many times larger until they stood higher than a man at the shoulder and many times of weight. He gave the giant hogs firm footing so they would survive in the mountainous terrain and then noticing that there were also Grat living to the far south in the desert, transported some of the beasts there too with adaptations that would allow them to survive the harsh environment. Finally he let a shower of documents appear in Grat dwellings and scholarly buildings across the land with specific instructions on how to hunt the hogs and where their weak spots were, each signed off by "The Father Lysei". He had to admit he was becoming quite accustomed to that description.

Spoiler: Actions

(Major) - Assist the new Deep Tribes in expanding west
(Major) - Assist the new Deep Tribes in expanding northwest
(Major) - Assist the new Deep Tribes in expanding southwest
(Major) - Secret
(Major) - Secret

Spoiler: Lysei's Action

- DC 9 - Create non-sentient species: giant hogs to provide additional food for Grat hunters, these porcine come in two different subspecies:

[li]Mountain hogs live primarily on steep slopes and are adept at climbing despite their portly appearance.[/li]
[li]Desert hogs are specially adapted to surviving on low food and water diets, storing enough liquid for weeks in their vast rolls of fat.[/li]

Along with instructions to the Grat Shee on how to hunt the hogs. Both sub-species have large tusks which can be shaped into ivory ornaments or weapons.

 

[booksv2]

Great conference in Xule.

The Palace of Nations had been hastily renovated and prepared for the incoming guests from the Krakari Republic and the Grat Shee. To preserve the peace separate wings had been designated for each nation's diplomats to stay and a third for various representatives of Aurora. The meeting room where only last month the leaders of the Commonwealth had agreed upon the new direction of their realm was similarly divided up and readied for each of the groups. Finally, the streets of Xule leading up to the Palace were cleared of pedestrians and lined with guards of honour to keep back the curious crowds of Aurorans who milled around the barriers, eager to catch a glance of the strange creatures from faraway lands.
Maximus himself stood before the Palace in his ceremonial robes as the sun reached midday, ready for the carefully choreographed arrival of his fellow head of states who would be docking at the city's main port any minute.

Borce slowly walks down the plank to solid ground and grunts in disgust as it feels like even the ground is moving under him still. Planting his staff into the dock below him and holding onto it tightly he can slowly feel the swaying stop and the feeling of being at sea slowly fade away. Looking back at the ship he had come on and shuddering he promises himself that after he leaves this place he will never ride on one of those unstable things again. Waiting for the rest of those with him to get past the feeling as well gives him enough time to look around and see where they should be heading, obvious because of the guards lining the street and the guide waiting for them. Pausing another few seconds to make sure the rest of his party is ready Borce starts walking towards the man waiting and can feel the half dozen other diplomats followed by the dozen guards falling in behind him. As the guide bows to them and turns to lead Borce can feel the eyes of those not only watching but the guards lining the roads, whispers about the forest demons reaching his ears make him smile and speed up. After a bit of walking Borce can hear a heightening in the crowds sound, making him look up and catch sight of Maximus waiting for them on the steps of a very large building.
"Welcome," Maximus spread his arms in greeting, "Glad to see you were able to make it back here." His son Aurelius moved from behind him and bowed to Borce, offering a ceremonial golden sash on a cushion to the Grat with a shy smile.
Borce looks at the smaller human and at the sash he was holding out. slowly walking up closer and nodding at Maximus he takes the sash. Saying to them both.
"I said I would come, and I have. Now we must see how this all turns out."

Looking at the boy holding the pillow Borce smiles slightly since he is only a little taller than himself.
?You humans always grow so quickly and so tall."
The news of Silver Claw being taken by Khyber was a hard pill to swallow especially after the fact that he had just narrowly missed the invasion. Yoshera gathered himself and looked to the mirror, making sure he looked prim and proper for a meeting with the Emperor. The occupation of his city served an interesting opportunity that he did not wait to bring up but at the moment he adjusted his collar and straightened his coat. His father would be proud to see his son speak on the behalf of all the Krakari but his father would not like the state he actual nation was in so Yoshera would have to do something about that. He left the room with his entourage of guards and headed towards the spacious palace. He was lead inside where he saw the Grat representative and most especially the Emperor himself. Upon entering, his presence was announced and he bowed humbly.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Emperor Maximus." Yoshera said aloud to him, raising his brown and black, feathered head. Yoshera certainly wasn't as tall as the Emperor but he was surprised to see what the man actually looked like along with the Grat representative. He looked to the Grat with a polite smile while dozens of leagues away, both of their kinds were locked in a bloody struggle. "It is also an honor to meet you. I hope we can resolve our differences soon enough."
"As it is for me, Yoshera," the Emperor replied warmly as Aurelius scampered up to the Krakari to give him his own ceremonial sash like Borce had received. "Come," Maximus added, "We have much to discuss today, I expect,"
Borce keeps an eye on the bird that had walked in as it was offered its own sash and walks slowly around the large table to sit in a special made chair for Grat. Settling back in it and leaning against the table itself he motions the guards to leave and the rest of the party stand against the wall waiting for an inclination on how this was going to go.
"Perhaps it would be best to lay out an offer each first?" Maximus suggested as he took his seat at the round table, "To see what your positions are and then we can work from there."
He was genuinely curious what each side would say, beyond the initial assassinations that had trigged the Krakari invasion it was difficult to see what they were fighting for.
Yoshera gratefully took the sash from the Emperor's son before he seated himself before the table. Now was the moment of truth and it was up to Yoshera to deliver it. Some uneasiness filled his eyes before he got a grip of himself before the delegation.
"Very well." Yoshera said, clearing his voice before going on any further. "I do not ask for forgiveness but only understanding as my people and specifically one Krakari is to blame for the troubles that ail us all. His name is Yoren Oscen. What started as a crusade against a terrorist organization, known as Severyn, has spiraled totally out of control and into Yoren's hands. Through treason, treachery and blackmail, Yoren was able to seize control of power in our government. You see, Yoren and his family have always been very influential because of their gold and as a result, Yoren used those connections to cement himself as a despot among the Krakari. With a heavy heart, I must admit that I was as much as an accomplice to the crimes perpetrated by Yoren such as his orchestrated assassination of the entire Krakari council, the old government. The Grat are not responsible for the war, we are."
Borce who has just opened his mouth to say something shut it with a snap. Staring at the bird person across from him in astonishment and wonder he opens his mouth again but nothing comes out. Closing it a second time and lowering his head slightly and scratch at his muzzle thinking about what was said and how it would effect him and all the Grat. Finally coming to a decision and lifting his head he does not even bother looking at the other diplomats on his side before saying in a clean voice.
"I accept that statement and will add that Grat were and are rash sometimes in our decisions to go to war and fight. For an early end to this battle I will guarantee that in exchange for the Grat people kept in your nation we will give you... twice their number in Krakari from our own. "

Borce glances at the other diplomats on his side and looks away quickly as he sees they are putting their head together and talking in a way no nonGrat could hear. Looking right at the Krakari across the table and setting his clawed hands on said table Borce can feel himself about to take a step into what many would see as insanity.
"To further continue this peace treaty we have now I wish to make a treaty of a thirty five year peace between our nations. Where neither one of us may attack the other for the next 35 years on pain of being struck down by the god Gangari. Do you agree to this treaty to further peace between out nations?"

Borce ignores the stunned silence behind him in favor of watching the Krakari ahead.
"I agree that there should be peace between our nations. Both of our people have suffered and more so in the Krakari's case because of Yoren but there still is a matter that needs to be attended do." Yoshera said, switching topics to the matter of certain recent events. "This was quite recent so I must tell you that Yoren has been overthrown from his seat of power. A faction lead by a rogue Krakari named Khyber Kraai invaded the capitol with Collective forces on his side. You can see that this is a very tricky situation so I must ask assistance from the Aurorans. I propose a peace-keeping force to travel to Silver Claw and occupy a portion of the capitol to help keep the peace, apprehend Khyber Kraai and as a result, the Aurorans can have a hand in the continued formation of the new Republic."
Maximus raised an eyebrow as he listened to Yoshera's spiel, he'd heard the rumours but this was the first confirmation about what exactly had gone down in the capital in the previous month.
Borce sits back and considers what he heard. That the Collective would go into war without calling in their contract is almost unthinkable, unless it is a place that the Grat are unable to fight.
"Aurora would be happy to send a peace-keeping force into the Republic, if it is requested," the Emperor interjected with a nod.
"I would request it to be done as soon as possible." Yoshera said, giving the Emperor and earnest look before looking to Borce. "Another issue I would like to discuss is the release of all the captives from either of our sides. I am sure that both of our people would be very grateful if they could return to their families."
Borce looks back and scratches the side of his neck as he nods. Shrugging and thinking over the idea he sets his claws back on the table and says to Yoshera.
"Many of those taken captive have expressed the desire to go back home, though they are with family's there. In fact I would say that almost all of them would wish this. Though the ones who were born there or grew up into the last few months of adult hood may wish to stay, since rumors about a new army based around Krakari have been spilled among them and the ones who we have been teaching are very interested in joining the army."
"I would be rather surprised if any hatchlings born in the last three months were capable of expressing any opinions at-all," Maximus said with a raised eyebrow, "It doesn't seem much of a peace where captives are kept, a full return on both sides would avoid irredentist sentiments from boiling over and restarting the war. Aurora would be willing to be a neutral guarantee of any transfer."
"I do not mean the hatchlings, im talking about those who have spent time learning and growing. Though even they are not as many as we once believed there would be."

Borce says to Maximus.
"If we can get our people back we will have no problem giving back the people who belong in your nation, as long as we get an assurance on the peace treaty along with the signature of Yoshera there. We will hold him responsible to uphold it in his nation as I will be in my own."
"Then the peace-keeping force will also facilitate the prisoner exchange." Yoshera said while also looking at the peace treaty that the Grat offered. "And the matter of the Luug? We brought them into the conflict and our people would feel guilty knowing that we signed a truce with the Grat but not resolved the conflict between Luug and Grat."
Borce shakes his head.
"We are dealing with the Aurorans about how to deal with the Luug attacking us. So far all I can say on this subject is out chiefs are getting together and talking about what to do and what to offer. I am not in charge not given much insight into these matters right now."
"Then it is done." Yoshera said, finishing with signing the truce papers. "I will return back to my people and tell them the good news. It is sad that our people must know each other through war but hopefully, our relationship between our nations will improve. My people must know that yours are not as barbaric as they think. Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?"
Borse shakes his head again and leans back into his chair.
"I can not think of anything else to talk about at this time about either of our nations."
"We have constructed a great wall along the Deep Tribes border," Maximus added, "That will keep any rogue elements from entering your lands and the same on your side. If the new borders are to be recognised in the treaty then we are done too,"
The Emperor took out a white quill and signed the treaty with a neat mark, attaching a map of the updated borders for all three nations to the document.

Spoiler: Action

Grat Actions

Give Krakari nation all Krakari population.

Join 35 year peace treaty.

impliment Krakari weaknesses

impliment gun firing arrows.

Research Settling pre made packs. (settling bonus)

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Aerith, Silver Claw

The apothecaries were going from one wounded Krakari to another as the injured lined themselves up along the Aquila estate. She made a vow to the people that she would protect and help them so allowing the wounded to be treated in her family's spacious estate was a given. It would gain her even more support but her popularity among the people had already been cemented when she heard that Yoren's government and lackeys were overthrown by the Collective, lead by Khyber himself. She hadn't expected Khyber to come down upon Yoren in such fashion but it did suit the old war bird as fighting was the only thing he knew how to do.

Aerith glanced at the sky, seeing the air ships hanging above their capitol like metallic clouds. They moved through the air easily and could even ascend to heights far above any Krakari. The Krakari had forgotten their ways and now they paid for it. She went to the capitol where the bodies of Yoren's supporters hung from poles, their bodies desecrated and vandalized now swung with a deathly breeze. Aerith covered her face to lessen the stench but it still clung close to the ground. The stench of death was replaced with the smell of burning flesh as apothecaries flung bodies onto a fire to be burnt given the amount of dead that Khyber and his troops had inflicted. The streets were eerily empty as she approached the Hall of Raptors. Marks of battle were still there with broken barricades, bullet holes, blood stains and broken weapons spread out. Cleaning crews were still mucking about while Aerith was lead in by Khyber's exhausted troops.

On the chair that Yoren sat was Khyber, nursing wounds and looking oddly serene. She could see resolution in the old soldier's eyes. The final objective had been reached and he had won the day even though he knew it was temporary. It wouldn't be long before troops we would finally start to pour into Silver Claw. He had committed the ultimate offense of betraying his nation and he knew that the only result would be death, both of them knew that. Aerith sat next to the Khyber. Several seconds passed between them before Aerith finally spoke up.

"What now?" Her question pierced the morose air like a bullet in the dead of night. Khyber sighed deeply looking all around him, seeing the empty seats before him.

"Now the nation can begin anew." Khyber whispered, too tired or too emotional to speak. "I made the mistake of making the change. Now I can say that I have made the right kind of change. They will vote for you. They will want you to be their leader. He told me of the new government. He told me that the people finally have a voice in the new government."

"But I am not sure if I can follow through with them." Aerith fussed. "I am not sure if I can do this alone."

"You won't do this alone. The cabinet will help you. Your minsters and deputies will help you." Khyber sighed once more and looked to Aerith. "But I can no longer help you. I know nothing of this nature. The sword is what I know, not the pen and paper. I have no place in this world any more."

"There already is a place in the people's memories. They will not forget what you did. As long as you have a place in their memories then you will always have a place." Aerith said.

"Memories can be forgotten. Nations can be destroyed. All mortal things must die, it is known." Khyber gazed the empty Hall once full of life. He wouldn't even sure if he would be there to see it full once again. But as soon as he said that, a few of his soldiers burst into the room.

"The First army moves to Silver Claw. What are our orders?" His soldier asked and without hesitating Khyber answered back.

"Lay down your arms, return to your families and live the rest of your lives in peace." Khyber said but his loyal captain hesitated, not knowing what to say. "That is an order. Tell the men that the Sacred Band is no more. Their leader cannot be a traitor to the state."

His captain left and Aerith spotted tears beginning to form at the edge of the captain's eyes as he left.

"Even now, the Krakari scholars are writing and recording what has happened." Aerith said. "Once it is recorded then it will not be forgotten. We still know what tribes our names come from and they existed centuries ago. I will make sure they will not forget you."

"But how will they remember me?" Khyber asked solemnly.

"They will remember you for your actions and how you saved them from a dictator." Aerith said simply. "This new nation can now rise because of you. Yoshera sent me a letter. He told me that he is in Xule and about to speak with the Grat. I expect peace soon. The Krakari will rebuild and will live on because of you. It is better to live freely than a slave to a dictator. I can only pray that I will not be one."

"You will not, I am sure of that." Khyber said.

One by one Krakari leave the Hall of Raptors. The elite members of the Sacred Band fade into the darkness, vanishing away from sight to their own lives as the unit is dissolved. Not many Krakari will remember the Sacred Band or their members but their actions will echo throughout Krakari history.

Spoiler: Actions and OOC

(Major)Move First Standing Army to Silver Claw
(Major)Disband Sacred Band and turn over Khyber to peace-keeping forces
(Major)Expand west of Pinnae
(Major)Release all Grat prisoners
(Major)Sign Peace treaty with Grat

(Minor)Record events-Battle of the Manor, Grat-Krakari war, formation of Krakari Republic
(Minor)Encourage prayer of Gangari- add 3 population of worship

OOC: The First Standing Army isn't there to fight the Collective but to arrest Khyber

 

[JoJo]

Nations

Aetherial Collective

During the first month of the year the Collective implemented Rune Enhanced Life, Identity Documentation and Locomotives, finally fully connecting their nation to the inter-continental railway. In response to their growing population, two new quarters: the Merchant Quarter and the Cult Quarter were added to Collective territory. Meanwhile the Aetherial Legion departed from Silverclaw as the Aurorans arrived and began their long journey back to the Collective.

Aurora

With Auroran help, the Deep Tribes borders were expanded by three settlements into the plains in the west so there would be enough living space for it's population. Meanwhile an Auroran peace-keeping force was sent deep into the Krakari Republic to help administer the Krakari capital in a neutral manner as Emperor Maximus I helped the two sides reach a deal to end the war.

Grat Shee

In the city of Xule, the Grat agreed to sign a thirty five year peace treaty with the Krakari and at the same time exchanging all prisoners with the Republic. Back in their homeland research into Krakari weaknesses was successfully implemented along guns which fired arrows whilst research into settling packs was successfully conducted.


Krakari Republic

The first standing army was returned to Silverclaw, as the Sacred Band was disbanded and turned over Khyber to the Auroran peace-keeping forces who were arriving at that point. At the same time the Grat-Krakari war was officially ended by the treaty of peace signed in Xule and all prisoners on both sides were released. Down south, the territory of Pinnae was expanded westwards until it met Collective borders.


Gods

Gangari

In an act he'd wanted to do for some time, Gangari gifted rotary printing presses to various mortals across Ajivha, the Collective and the Krakari Republic to speed up cultural enlightenment of the masses, or so he hoped. Only time would tell how the new printing presses would be used.


Lysei

In the Spring spirit of new life, Lysei created giant hogs in two forms, one mountain and one desert, both of which would help provide the growing Grat population with enough hunting opportunities for years to come.

 

[drmigit2]

Lysei, Avagarde

It was a nightmare come to life, the world around him had become something akin to hell for Lord Cartlin of Toro. He had hid his alliance with Lord Roland well, but apparently not well enough. Hideous laughter emanated from his surroundings, almost like children but twisted beyond mortal recognition. The world around him was this horrific mixture of oozing flesh, insects and pus. He cried out for mercy, but the giggling intensified. Cartlin got desperate, he fell on his knees, wincing at the horrid smell that digging into the mixture of blood and skin that was the ground produced. Tears in his eyes he pleaded.

"Father Lysei, have mercy! I barely had a part to play in the occupation of Saranda, this is not just!"

The giggling stopped, Cartlin could hear shuffling from around him, but it seemed to grow fainter. The creatures were fleeing. Cartlin uneasily stood up and began to twist and turn looking for the creature that could have caused this. Was it a dragon, a vampire, some other monster? What else could this island hold in store? Cartlin violently met the ground as two large demons burst out of the ground. They were red as their surroundings, with spiked clubs for arms and singular large bloodshot yellow eyes that stared into his soul. The creatures stared at Cartlin who was too paralyzed with fear to even move. Was this his fate? To be fed to some demon? He could run, but what would it matter? A booming and hatful voice cut through the silence like scissors through paper.

"You dare question my judgement?"

There was no other figure to speak to, Cartlin would normally assume he was hearing things, after all plenty of mad-men spun tales of how the Father Lysei had spoken to them long ago. Yet, this was different. In a way, the Lord knew this was the real deal. Lysei was somewhere...judging him. Cartlin burst into tears, gripping the bare foot of the demon nearby as if it would somehow help him communicate with Lysei. "Father, there are worse than I. You saw them, Maximus imposed his judgement! The affair has been sorted, I intend to live my life in peace and I can help people and-"

"You escaped your rightful punishment through deceit. I will not allow my justice to be delayed any longer."

"The Driders are monsters! Surely you intended them to be destroyed by Aurora, they were an obstacle for us to overcome!" Cartlin was speaking insanity now, anything to possibly get off this island. "You didn?t even hold a trial, what kind of court is this!?"

Lysei spoke for a final time to Lord Cartlin. "There was never a need for a trial. You have already been deemed guilty." The demon then raised its foot. Cartlin caught a last glance of its dead eye, he had just figured out what the creature was before it crushed the life out of him.

--------------------------

Elsewhere

Lysei breathed a sigh of relief. He had not punished the wicked in far too long. Maximus was good at rooting out corruption, prodigal even. Sure the occasional civil war would break out, but Roland was trusted until then. Maximus also survived the coup and managed to secure control of Aurora once again. Lysei had forgotten the thrill of exacting his justice upon those who deserved it. He wanted to do it again, he would find more deviants who escaped the law. He would find them all. First, preparations would be needed. He needed a police force, or rather a simple enforcer could work.

Lysei briefly considered Katalia for this role, but she was better used as a direct link to the world, a destructive force designed to show others exactly what Lysei's wrath entailed. He needed something more subtle. He needed a preliminary Judicator, someone to gather criminals for him. Lysei wondered what such a creature would be. His first idea was some sort of giant eye that would float through the skies and kidnap the deserving, but that would be too obvious. Also, there was the issue of such a creature being incredibly fragile, and he couldn't have that. His Judicator would be a hurricane, sweeping through nations and grabbing the deserving fro their homes. His judicator would walk unseen. His judicator would strike fear into the deserving and strike a place in legend itself as something to celebrate. Lysei pondered what such a creature?s body might look like. Then, he looked down. The god's shadow had been quite inactive for the past?ever. He could manipulate it if he wanted, but such an act never proved useful. Lysei finally had an idea for it.

The god of fire quietly imbued his shadow with power beyond measure. He gave it a simple brain and a purpose. It was to root out the hidden deserving and bring them to him. it was to move silently in the darkness and strike where the light was afraid to glow. Those that met its gaze would understand true terror, they would understand Lysei.

Spoiler: Actions

Create a One-off non-sentient creature larger than a blue whale: DC:9

+8 flames

The creature is Lysei's shadow brought to life. It isn't sentient, but it does seek those that Lysei would deem "deserving" as a lion might seek a gazelle. Any criminal that successfully evades punishment is considered prey to this creature. It kidnaps them in a sea of shadow and ember and drags their bodies off to Avagarde for judgment and probably punishment. Magical beings can feel its presence and especially powerful creatures can recognize that it is Lysei's shadow. It is invisible to all those except the deserving, those blessed by magic, and other gods.

 

[booksv2]

Grat Shee, Kesar, The Cage.


Kesar walks into the Cage and looks around. Many of the rooms now empty after they had given the birds back their chicks. As he walks through it and watches as Grat and Luug children go through classes and training he works his way down deeper and deeper into the citadel. As he makes his way to the deepest lowest levels he nods at the Grat and Luug guards that stand here together. The most guards even when this had been to hold prisoners Kesar walks through and into the rooms beyond. Many different things set up and but a hand full of grat to work at them they are all specially picked from those who had been blessed by Gangari, with enhanced minds and memory's. As he watches they Kesar once again reminds himself to find a way for them to work better together.

Walking through the tables and looking from one to another Kesar pauses to watch as one of the brilliant Grat tries a new kind of arrow, using a long dug out area so that it can be tested without worry to those testing it. Early tests having shown that sometimes things went wrong and they had lost several clever ones. Walking from one to another till he gets to his own place and sliding the cover off he can feel a rush of pride, the thing set before him something that he had been working on in secret for many months and was now beginning to take the shake where it could be used. As he starts fiddling with his project an explossion across the room makes him jump. Knocking over several vials he starts cursing trying to get them mopped up when he stops, staring at the mess and his eyes start to widen as he yells out for several of those around. Making them come over and watch whats happening also they rush away as he yells orders out to them.
"Try to make it again! No i don't remember what but try everything!"

Spoiler: actions

Research: Exploding arrows.

Research: Laboratory/research areas

Research: Luug spawning pools frequency. (pop +)

Research: Acid

Implement: settling packs

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Khyber, Silver Claw

The flying ships left and then the armies came. The Krakari soldiers came first, telling tales of their victory over the Grat in the Battle of Manor. The victory was bittersweet as they had lost land in the north and the growing space was getting cramped so talk of expansion ran through the streets.

Khyber was stripped of all his rank, armor and weapon before he was put inside a stone cell awaiting his sentence. He knew he could pray to the Gods. He had connections within the Auroran and Collective army but that would mean abandoning his people once more. He had to serve his people even if it was through this way. He sat there in his cell, thinking of what he had done as the days passed. He could hear and see the Aurorans in the city, the peace-keeping force to ensure order was put back following the chaos of his insurrection.

After some time, he was brought out of his cell and made to walk to the courthouse. A hushed silence cut through the crowd as they watched Khyber being escorted down the street by Aurorans and Krakari soldiers alike. He recognized some of his own soldiers in the crowd with stoic faces and teary eyes. No one dared utter a word while Khyber was in the streets, making him feel like a commander for the last time.

Khyber was brought before the judges of the new Republic, sympathetic to the old soldier but aware of the ramifications of his actions. He was charged with the ultimate crime of betraying the New Republic and the slaying of several Krakari including Yoren Oscen. The hushed crowd let out muffled cries as the judges delivered the sentence of death by firing squad.

[hr]

Aerith, Silver Claw

Khyber's death sentence sent shivers down her spine. She knew why he had to it. All the blame would be on him. He was the one who orchestrated the coup and carried it out. He was the one who had the Collective come in and bomb their city. It was all him. Everything lead to him and he knew that. He could have easily broken out but like a good soldier, it was his duty to serve his country no matter what. But she had to focus on the elections that were coming up soon.

The Aurorans occupied a portion of the city and an encampment was close to her Estate so with the Auroran helping her, Aerith's people set up voting booths all over the city and the other cities as well. Political parties formed left and right to try and fill in the power vacuum left by Yoren. But the Aurorans were hard on their stance on crime so most persuading was relegated to rallies. It was a new time in the Krakari Republic and Aerith struggled to make sure she didn't drown in her work.

What remained of the government sent letter out to the Collective, thanking them for their help in disposing of a ruthless leader but also of other matters not known. Aerith saw Yoshera every once in a while, moving around the Capitol but mostly staying inside the Hall of Raptors. Whatever he was doing, she hoped that it was for the best. Then, another rumor came in that gave Aerith mixed emotions and it was that she was leading in the polls.

[hr]

Yoshera, Hall of Raptors

His arrival back in Silver Claw was met with no rest as the government was picking up the pieces left from Khyber's overthrow. Most of Yoren's members were dead or had fled the country so what was left was a cabinet both thankful and hateful of the Collective even though it was Khyber's men that racked up the body count.

Damage to the city was surprisingly minimal so he didn't have to worry about rebuilding an already fractured city. His new title as the Head of the Hall or Chief Minister relegated him to some duties of a ruler so he went about the hall convincing the cabinet members that the Collective were only helping Khyber in dealing with the despot. So, after convincing whoever listened he went about in writing letters to the Collective expressing an interest in sharing technology for the betterment of both nations. He hoped they would answer soon as he also realized that there was the nature of cramped living space. After pouring through maps with his cabinet members, he proposed an expedition south, past the lands of Aurora. There was much unclaimed space which would solve the issue of overpopulation.

When the news arrived to him about Khyber's sentence, he was just done wrapping up with the smartest Krakari researchers who had an idea of harnessing the powers of lighting. It intrigued him so he passed the notion to the other members who also agreed. The news hit him hard that Khyber was to be made a martyr. It came to him on paper but it was not hand-written. Rather, the ink was pressed with some sort of machine. He sighed as he read the news, thinking of yet another good soul to be fed to the fire.

Spoiler: Actions

(Major)Colonize lands South of Auroran lands and East of Grat lands-specifically on the bay area
(Major)Implement Printing Press
(Major)Encourage praise of Gangari
(Major)Establish Krarkari/Collective Research agreement
(Major)Research Electricity

 

[JoJo]

Emperor Maximus I, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia

Maximus sighed contently as he entered the Imperial Palace for the first time in several months. The negotiations to end the war between the Grat and Krakari had been long and gruelling but eventually the thirty five year settlement had been reached. He only hoped that it would hold to that expiry date. Aurelius dashed past him and up the stairs to meet Amatia, the Emperor was looking forward to seeing his wife too but first he had another matter to attend to.

"Maximus, my boy, you look better than ever," Ramous crowed the Emperor walked in, the prist was one of the few outside the Imperial Family who could dispense with using official forms of address,

"Welcome old friend, I'm glad you could make it," Maximus smiled as he greeted the old monk. Ramous had already been elderly when the Emperor had first met him as a child, now a generation later he was unimaginably ancient. His face looked like a wrinkled brown prune that had been left out in the sun too long and Maximus wasn't entirely sure if he could see any longer or not. Despite this Ramous had served for over twenty six years as the High Priest of Aurora but eventually age had got the better of him and he had retired to a monastery in Lyseria late in late winter last year.

"There is something you wish to ask about?" the old monk inquired.

"Yes," Maximus replied with a nod, "The peacekeeping mission in Silverclaw has given me thought, what the world needs is a dedicated force to protect people everywhere. One that is largely free of bureaucratic oversight and limitations my successors might try to set on them, and with a strong core of faith in our Father Lysei. I want your help to set up this order. Can it be done?"

Ramous sat for a while in thought with his eyes closed, until Maximus had begun to wonder if he had fallen asleep, before suddenly opening his eyes again with a toothless smile.

"It can be done. There are good monks I know in Lyseria and young novices who can be trained specially, it will take time but a true peace-keeping order can be assembled."

"How long will it take?" Maximus asked anxiously.

"If done properly?" Ramous replied, "Much longer than my own short remaining time, I fear this may be the last time we meet in this life. I think about twenty five years, give or take a couple,"

"Twenty five years?" the Emperor exclaimed, "Fine, I trust you, let it be done properly."

"Good," the old priest smiled, "for when we are done, the Order of Lyseria shall be the envy of the world,"

.​

Elias, Freetown, Avagarde

"What is the motion?" the cry came as Elias was led into the Senate chamber, almost deserted despite it's great size. A small group of boys and girls of all ages and races sat high above, looking down disdainfully at the gathering below.

"I found a spy from the giants, right on the beach," Daiyu called up to the assembly.

"Another one General?" a bored-looking girl rolled her eyes, "Do you have any proof that this one is actually a spy this time?"

"Another one?" Elias repeated, looking quixotically at Puggles, who shrugged his canine shoulders in embarrassment.

"Well, not exactly proof..." Daiyu replied slowly, "But none of us know who he is right?"

"Who are you?" the boy in centre asked pointedly.

"I'm Elias," Elias answered honestly, "I haven't got any other name and I've never even heard of these giants, I was floating in the sea before I got here,"

The assembly began talking quietly among themselves for a minute, before turning back to the group.

"We have decided you are not a spy Elias, you may stay here. General Daiyu, you have been asking for more kids in your Army for a long time right?"

"Yes," Daiyu replied through gritted teeth.

"Elias has nowhere to stay, take him as your new recruit,"

"Fine," she spat angrily, turning around and storming out of the chamber. Elias glanced at Puggles who shrugged again with an apologetic look.

"Guess you better come with us,"

~​

"Where are we going?" Elias asked as the group made their way through the town, reaching an isolated spot to the north. A large stone building stood before them, surrounded by all sorts of wooden and metal junk, mostly on closer inspection fragments of ships. There were a few half-smashed steam engine components among the debris and pieces of advanced tech that looked foreign to Elias' eyes, perhaps Ajivhan or even Collective-built.

"Home," Pugsley said simply, "Our headquarters, no less."

"What is that?" Elias pricked his ears, a tortured shout seemed to be emanating from the courtyard outside the building. He peered out of the nearest window but the area of was empty, other than a Guardian standing silently nearby, one arm raised as if in salute.

"Father Lysei, have mercy! I barely... this is not just!" the cry came over the wind, barely audible.

"Oh, that's just a ghost," Daiyu replied with a shrug as she appeared next to Elias, "You hear them a lot around here, sometimes even see their faces for a second. They can't hurt you though, they're just passing through here,"

"Where to?"

"No idea," she shrugged, "Who cares? Come on, you have a lot to learn here if you're to be a member of our Army,"

"How many are there of us?"

"Five, including you," Daiyu admitted, "We haven't had to fight for a long time but we always have to be ready, just in-case,"

"I suppose," Elias sighed. His new home was strange and confusing but it didn't seem like a place which Mother Zayin would be able to get to. He decided he would stay in Avagarde, for now.

.​

Captain Molton, ???, Isle of Maia

Somehow the Captain had made it out alive after the fall of the Olin regime, when Nova Verde had been surrounded by the forces of Emperor Maximus he had quietly slipped away and then found a group of loyalists to hide among. They had been all to ready to buy his spur-of-the-moment story about defecting from the Lord Deputy's side and by the time they had presumably connected him with the notorious officer who captured and brought General Fallan back to the capital for his execution, he was long gone.

He'd spent some time in the southern forests of Maia with a group of other ex-Olinists but found them disorganised and hopeless. Once some started vanishing he wasn't sure whether they were abandoning the cause or being picked off by some invisible force but either way he wasn't going to stick around to be next so he headed north, searching out rumours he had heard of an ally of Roland hiding up there. Eventually after several red herrings and close to giving up he came across an abandoned mansion in the middle of the forest, it's gates covered in moss and weeds. An estate in the Olin family, long abandoned even before Roland's rise to power. A pack of pallid children met him as he entered the house, silently leading him down the stairs into the manison's labyrinth-like interior. Finally they reached a dimly let chamber where a hooded old woman sat at a spinning wheel, watching it turn with a beady eye. Her browned skin was not just wrinkled but also scarred on both cheeks.


"Ah, Captain Molton," the figure said softly, "I am Mother Zayin. Roland Olin told me about you shortly before his regrettable demise,"

"He did?" the Captain asked in surprise.

"Of course, you brought him the traitor Fallan. You wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you or have a use for you,"

"Ah," Molton nodded uncertainly, unsure how to respond to her last statement.

"So you wish to work for me?" she added briskly.

"If the pay is good, I don't have much else to do now half of Aurora wants me dead," he admitted.

"Good," the Zayin smiled cruelling, "There are two other traitors who escaped my grasp who I want you to bring in, the best of mine before they abandoned me. Both young vampires."

She had an attendant present to Molton two hand-drawn sketches. One was a small girl with curling blond hair, the other a pale boy with a long dark fringe.

"Their names are Opal and Elias. Both vanished in the seas around Oilean Uisce, a year and four months ago respectively. There's little reason to think they've perished however, given their race's aquatic abilities, and they might well be working with the enemy by now. Bring them back to me, dead or alive, and you will receive a lifetime's pension as bounty from me, paid annually."

"I will find them, Mistress," the Captain bowed, "However long it takes,"

"Good," the Zayin smiled again, "Be warned these are no ordinary children, they are far older and stronger than they appear and well-trained in martial arts. Act with caution."

"I will," Molton muttered as he studied the sketches again, "Vengance for Lord Olin will come sooner or later, mark my words. For these two and then the Emperor himself!"

Spoiler: Actions

(Major) - Settle south of Mereton
(Major) - Implement a Great Wall within the Isle of Maia
(Major) - Found a new elite unit: the Order of Lyseria

The Order of Lyseria are based primarily on the island of Lyseria but can originate from anywhere within Aurora. They are a unique elite unit in that their primary pursuit is not warfare but rather providing material aid, education or peace-keeping for the most unfortunate of the world's citizens, whether Auroran or otherwise. They are sworn only to enter combat in the defence of innocents.

The Order are also a religious sect, honouring the Father Lysei especially and will preach his name and the Gospel of Vallous along with the aid given to anyone who will listen. They wear loose orange robes, let their beards grow long and typically carry thick wooden staffs around for self-defense, which can be augmented with blades or even steam weapons. The Order works closely with the dragon riders so they can be deployed anywhere in the world at short notice. They are entirely separate from the Auroran military and can deploy without explicit government permission, although they will consider any requests from the authorities for help in specific situations.

Unusually for Aurora, following the example of Katalia there are both male and female monks in the Order (N.B. the concept of nuns is entirely unknown in Aurora). Sexual morality of the Order is held to a higher standard than most Aurorans, noting the wishes of Lysei prostitution is entirely forbidden and regular heterosexual pairings are strongly discouraged as they may lead to monks placing their own desires over the greater good, instead comradely same-sex conduct with other monks is promoted as the golden standard. Fathering or giving birth to a child is grounds for expulsion from the Order, as is any serious crime.