Cast Out

 Iznar wasn't safe for him anymore, and Ilbryen Brygeiros knew that. It was past time for little Uguunan the Hybrid Spawn to leave. For Twenty long years Ilbryen explored as a Ranger. Islands of Iznar were his home for 500 years before he chose to explore parts of the world. He returned at just the right time. Invaders from the stars were starting to come down in small groups. Far to the west, lands such as Bedwar, Norvath, Vossa, Syrianos, Daedrathia came under control of some hidden power that showed some sort of subjugation. It was also seen in the regions of Khet to the north and parts of Assumarya to the south. Even the coasts of Hadoras and its jungles started to show a form of subjugation to these peoples from the stars. Ilbryen discovered a bit of resistance to such subjugation in the likes of Syrianos, parts of Daedrathia, Ermentwa, Luvahan, Cydnam, Nevradit, and a larger region called Lesdonia. Two other kingdoms were in alliance with this Lesdonia known as Khazadgul, and Sercane. Even Iznar's trade partners Hradria which is really Rhadeen showed signs of resistance towards this. Kingdoms and states like Jumar, and Luvahan expressed a warry concern over these newcomers from the stars. Vios-Morgas was split once again, and it looked more permanent this time. 

As he picked up Uguunan he thought of Koriv, Grussia, Vunnace, and Eoth who were showing a great deal of distaste towards these newcomers. Thanks to the advancement in technology and the funds for mass producing inventions travel became easier over the decades. If there was a civilization out there with the same technology states of Calorn were taking their sweet time progressing in some areas. Yet some things were expensive, and the cheaper vehicles would break down too often most travelers like himself. The preferred method may have been horseback or some other steed, but the new form of travel cut their journey by sea. It either took a whole day or mere hours to get somewhere across the Iznar sea. After discussing the issue with the council in Iznar's eastern island county Ilbryen chose to leave. For a good five years he stayed home until the year 1844 A.N. A Brygeiros family rival the Caskells sent a package with poison on it. The servant died just hours after picking it up. Four Brygeiros children were in the hospital after touching it. Ilbryen wanted to stay and fight these Caskell pests. His chances were cut off when the issue of Uguunan's birth came to their ears. Some family ally to the Brygeiros would face exile if they did not get rid of that spawn. Since he was one of several dozen travelers who journeyed far to the south Ilbryen was selected to take Uguunan. His reasons for leaving also had to do with rivalry amongst his siblings and cousins who sought a piece of the family wealth. Main Head of the family "Chief Sire" Corym Brygeiros passed away. He only promised them a share of his inheritance and wealth. As for Ilbryen he wasn't there when Corym made the decision. Some Elves chose to live on well past two or millennia. Yet others went off to let their lives die on some adventure if a war or conflict did not kill them. Elves such as Corym chose to poison themselves or have themselves killed quickly if they reached a good millennium or two. 

Holding Uguunan's hand Ilbryen looked around at the port the steam transport dropped them off. On the pier dock they stood next to a cart-wagon full of merchandise some merchant forgot about or left unattended. Ilbryen was now at the city-state of Paserus, a neutral city that chose not to partake in the current conflict with the invaders. Their transport flew the flag of the city-state, the one of neutrality and a few others. Its neutral flag saved them from the Gantronese patrol boats and Mulzaneen brigs. Holding Uguunan's stubby left hand, which felt smooth compared to the right hand. Uguunan was stubby little fellow whose legs did not match his body. Somehow, he was able to move around only with a limping hobble. His pale pinkish skin had reddish bumps allover except for the arms where he was hairy. Maids of the household said he looked like a mix between a hairless monkey and a wrinkled hairless gopher. He or it was wrapped up in a dark blue fabric with the classical patterns along the edges. 

While holding Uguunan by the hand Ilbryen moved further on the pier dock. In the center of Paserus Port stood a violet Dragon carved out of the stone decorated in Saphires, violet glass, purple glass, and amethysts. This statue appeared perched on a stone hill acting as a landmark. Paserus was mainly an elf city-state with a minority of other races that now coexisted. Most of those were humans, half-elves, tall Goblins, Orcs, and Dwarves. Looking around he noticed Paserus was mainly a traditional, religious, and humble population. Forty-nine citizens dressed as monks of both religious ordeal and martial artist style passed them. Each one either looked forward or had their head bowed with the hoods up. Among this particular crowd a female human in a red bodice and white dress trotted about, a sand blonde female elf in a dark blue cotton outing robe waltzed about, and a middle-class looking dock worker wearing loafers and modern khakis passed them. Two soldiers of Paserus in their brown uniforms patrolled around as a merchant in loafers and traditional long tunic tried to get their attention. Ilbryen decided to move through this crowd hoping to blend in and avoid suspicions or attention. He almost bumped into a well-dressed Elf Aristocrat in Ox brown fine shoes. The blonde-haired elf nearly turned on him when a sandal wearing dockhand with a fine tan caught his attention. One casually dressed female Elf in regular shoes also caught the aristocrat's attention about portraits or something. Moving away Ilbryen and his companion come across a travelling Mulzaneen in a Caftan. He could tell this one would be drafted the moment he returned home. However, he was curious if this was why the Mulzaneen was here to escape such a draft. They passed 4 more wealthy looking figures in fine vests, modern looking doublets, and elegant robes. A pair of casual looking humans nearly bumped into them in what looked like denim trousers, and new khakis with either a tunic or plaid shirt. Another figure brushed past them in the most modernized clothing of the era. Not a trace of traditional wardrobe was on them. This caught his attention as they progressed onto cobble street next to the dock portions of the port. 

Aside from the traditional Elf houses of towering shapes that resemble tree shapes Pesarus had those human style houses, and brick houses. Many of the Elf houses held the shapes of towering trees without the actual branches and leaves. Upon closer inspection one could see the roofing tiles almost resemble leaves. Some were made from wood, other stone or brick. Plenty were made from both materials. It was easy to tell which was a house and which was a shop, store, forgery, cafe den, or winery. A few other types of structures could be identified such as loan shark office, bank, cartographer, tailor, butcher, retailer, grocery store, shipwright, ropemaker, barrel craftsman, blacksmith, and other businesses. A pair of younger looking youth caught his eye by the third dock. A male swordsman in an all-black uniform, and jacket stood next to a raven-haired female in a blue dress, apron, and bow. The male wielded a Wakizashi, and the female a cleaver. Both were about to engage a four-armed humanoid in lethal combat. Ilbryen placed Uguunan on a barrel warning him to stay put. He turned around to help the two youth on the street in front of an alley. Grabbing his basket hilted saber Ilbryen prepared to intervene on behalf of the two youth. The young male was too cocky to wait for help or even plan anything. He moved in only to get grappled by the four-armed monster that also had a single eye. It proceeded to rip off the male youth's arms off before taking his own weapon and impaling him in the chest. Tossing the dead youth into the crowd that gathered it moved on the girl who he swore soiled herself. 

Ilbryen could tell she was not ready for this encounter. Her whole body shivered with fear. Another figure leapt out of the crowd wearing monkish robes from Vunnace. It explained the gold iris flower on the front. Coming forth this "Vunnacian Monk" unsheathed a battle axe they hid under the robe next to a longsword.  Ilbryen watched this Vunnacian throw the battle axe into the humanoid's exposed armpit. Roaring in pain it yanked the axe out rendering its upper arm useless. This Vunnacian moved in cutting the other arm off. Ilbryen moved in for the kill as it swung at the "Monk" with the other arms. Attacking from its right flank Ilbryen thrust his blade like a spear into its side. He jammed his weapon at an upward angle hoping to hit its lungs or heart. When his attack was successful, he pulled his weapon out and leapt back expecting it to counterattack. Cleaning his blade Ilbryen watched this monster humanoid collapse on the cobble street lifeless. Bystanders either stayed, left in a panic, or sauntered off seeing the action was over. Ilbryen turned to where the girl was, but found she vanished into the streets of Paserus. Turning his attention to the Vunnacian he thanked him for the aid. Introducing himself he learned the "Monk" was a Crusader named Captain Harold Glade of the 5th Order of the Iris Raven. Harold was sent over to recruit some volunteers willing to fight the Nazdar and the Gantronese. All he got so far was a lone pirate Captain who lost his ship, plus crew, and a female elf Wizard with a hatred for a group called Vearxalls. He also mentioned a young Paladin Initiate from Luvahan. Ilbryen explained his own reason for being here when a group of 12 angry looking soldiers wearing green and blue uniforms. Despite the upgrading in armament plenty of factions chose to stick with certain uniforms. Paserus Elf Soldiers wore a blue or green buttoned coat over white one-piece garments in knee high boots. On their heads rested either a bicorn hat or a shako hat. It could be assumed the styles were valued more, which would make them easier targets when it came to actual fighting. Yet Ilbryen did not doubt the capability of Paserusian Soldiers defending their city-state. On horseback one of the bicorn wearing officers addressed the lot of them over the violence in the streets. 

Ilbryen did not know the laws of Paserus very well and he presumed Harold did not either. He looked for Uguunan only to find him held by the cloak. A female soldier had him in her grasp. After hearing the Officer wanted him and Harold out of the city, he requested for his companion to be left alone about this. Somehow the Officer and the female soldier agreed to let Uguunan alone about the violence. The little spawn poked her log and boots. Ilbryen retrieved Uguunan before he touched the woman where he shouldn't. Getting cast out was not a big deal for him as Ilbryen was only passing through to another city-state between the two great empires, Illician. He followed Harold away from the port area wondering if this Crusader would join him. Knowing his journey was not over by a longshot he followed Harold out of the city and into the outskirts. Past the city limits Harold led him and Uguunan to a large white house that appeared overgrown. It was where he and a score of others hid out while recruiting more volunteers. Taking Uguunan by the hand Ilbryen brought the spawn inside feeling cast out, but not alone.