Mockshah and Myrsanne

As he sat there with his female drinking companion at the Adventurer's Tavern, drinking commenced. Both drink one beer and the audience cheered. A second beer for both receives a second round of cheers followed by applauses. Beer number three results in cheers, applause, a few coins tossed or placed on the table. Their Fourth Beer saw more applause, cheers, coins, finer mugs to drink from. Drink number five turned into a spectacle as they drank from bigger mugs. It was not long before the pair of them were carried outside in the finest armchairs. Right outside the pair of them drank their sixth beer in larger mugs. One would believe that it would be from small keg sized mugs full of beer. Two wooden chests were placed on the flanks of the tables. Each filled up with coins, trinkets, and jewels. Some fine-looking women were sent to join them despite someone not receiving a date that very week. It hopefully would be for this very night and not a decade of their lives. As pretty as they were it would not be necessary to push them to look good for the pair of drinkers in competition. 

Once drink number seven came along the pair of them looked at each other with zeal in their eyes. All around them the crowd egged them on along with cheering. Some chanted their names as they went to the eighth drink of the night. Mockshah only allowed one of them beauties to stand next to him looking fine and desirable while improving his image for some reason. He viewed it was unnecessary and took away someone else's chance. Two other women in the audience could have stood by him for free or a lower price. While chugging his eighth beer he could not help but wonder if the opponent knew of how many hearts, they destroyed tonight their greed over the number of women standing by them. Not bothering to count the number of women Mockshah grabbed his ninth beer then proceeded to outdrink his opponent. Yes, he was getting drunk, but his victory was in sight. Her hands and eyes could not help themselves. Round number ten came up. His adversary was not ready this time. She swayed a few times, nearly passing out then jolting back up before she slammed her head on the table spilling the contents of drink number ten. Victorious this very night Mockshah forced each pretty face to find a lonely lad or man with no companion. If they did not, he would toss their ass into a chest and drown them. Staggering to get up Mockshah slowly made his way through the audience to find a dark-skinned woman who appeared dark brown in skin town. Black curly, flowing hair, red robed outfit fine features, and curves, a dark elf assassin named Mel waited for her victor. 

What can they do?

 Half of the Vullanese Islands just fell to the VUVR who appeared to be taking their sweet time. When Izvar, and Mothgar fell he knew it was pretty much over. Even though other countries joined the fight alongside the Vullanese Islands it was still a losing situation. Only Vimasdra appeared to push the Vestrisians back a few times. In 1842 the Vestrisians sunk most of Vullan's, and Gontrella's fleets just to pave the way for other points of their invasion plans. Thinking of all the islands they lost to the Vestrisians already gave him a headache. Outside his own villa like mansion, he watched from the interior perimeter of Thestlestand as some fifty Ogre-Dwarves run into a necromancer and their six cloaked undead. Infighting would only make the Vestrisian's invasion seem more like a cake walk. The amount of fighting it took to seize Mothgar, Izvar and other islands took a good chunk of needed forces. In his mind he doubted the Nazdar or Gantronese would even care to send forces to help them unless they became part of their empires. While seated in his chair he watched the argument between necromancer and leading Ogre turn into raised fists and threats. Clearly over the dire geese, and dire cows of Lasnile the confrontation needed to end quickly. Yet he was just a Tetarq mercenary sent over by the Nazdar. A reptilian shrew like humanoid, Contractor Brigadier Treqni Qul, arrived to Lasnile island along with a unit of mercenaries, and contractors. A unit of 394 mercenaries were sent along with 660 Nazdar soldiers, and 800 Grevaskii. They brought 19 heavy tanks, 251 combat vehicles, 8 large troop transports. Under the command of Seer-Colonel Lasdan, Chief Reaper Icash, the Nazdar and Grevaskii also brought over 93 cat folk fighters the Nazdar sent, one handsome pirate named Shelton. Shelton arrived with a crew of 114 pirates, a few triple cannons, extra sail mast for speed, his own banners, arsenal full of katana, rifles, ammunition, 12 wild monsters. They released Shelton's monsters after Vestrisians on an island close to Lasnile. These Vullanese had their own monsters, 392 monsters and spawn attacked advancing VUVR forces on that island. 

Lasnile was one of the last islands Vullan still held. To hold it their allies did send extra forces to bolster Lasnile's gathered forces. From twenty-eight different states a force of 3,655 Knights/Squires arrived. Gantronese Imperial Seers sent over 251 Oni-Slave warriors along with 700 Gantronese thrall or retainer samurai. In terms of privateers, or raiders, 280 Riphook raiders of Monteiro Isle near Vidothra, 840 pirates were hired to help a force of 360,000 Vullanese-Lasnile defenders. That included the humans, half-breeds, Ogres, Orcs, Goblins, non-humans, Gnolls, and heftier species able to fight. Everyone else were ordered to evacuate the islands of Lasnile. It was a large force to hold Lasnile, but it was doubted to hold up against the Vestrisians for very long. Islands between Lasnile, Mothgar, and Izvar either fell or capitulated. It would have made Lasnile's defensive forces number 400,000. Such losses could not be tolerated. 

Someone had to be on trial over the loses. In the middle of a courtroom in a more trapezoid shape he is watching a single female mage among a dozen others force themselves to step up. Nine high officials of the Vullanese courts sat behind a tall wide podium. Behind them sat the Maester of this island whose name he completely forgot. A female mage rested on her knees in shackles wearing a humiliating garment of some ugly color he cannot describe. According to a Knight who stood next to him it would usually be a tattered brown bag dress. This female mage had shortened brown hair with one white streak running along the left side of her head. She did not appear curvy, but plain except the lower parts showing how much she spent exercising. At first glance one would mistake her for a teenaged male. In moments their hearing-interrogation began with the main judge speaking. Her name was Vendell of Izvar. 

"None of us wanted to fight the Vestrisians. Mages, sorcerers, wizards, arcane users, were forced into combat roles. What we did was stall them for months on Mothgar. Paralyzing spells, sickness spells, illusion, conjuring were all used against them. We never wanted to kill!" Vendell of Izvar gave her account on Mothgar to Maesters. 

"How is it that you and other mages and arcane users are still alive?" the Maester demanded. His pear-shaped face had a thick chin that made him resemble a toad with long white hair. 

"We fled from the scene using teleportation after each engagement. Yes, it became cat a mouse chases." She answered. 

"So, you left every settlement on Mothgar and Izvar to fall into enemy hands." the Maestar proclaimed in an accusing voice. Yet his voice held a more authoritative tone with a slight gargle. 

"If you mean to accuse us of abandoning our posts, go ahead. This war is lost. Vestrisian Forces have already taken half of Vullanese forces. We can only fail intentionally and let the Vestrisians win." Vendell rebuked. 

"For failing to kill or hold the settlement You as a member shall be either beaten, tortured, skinned, burned, malnourished, mutilated, or violated." The Courts were not done with her. This was a hearing, so they had access to witnesses or proceeded to bring in loyal commanding officers or those of higher status. Getting bored of this he slipped out of the building. Whatever that was in terms of a trial or hearing it did not involve him. After all these were not his people, not his species. Yet it was his job to be here to defend or oversee the situation in Lasnile. What he was not going to tell these Vullanese was that his Nazdar employers planned to annex whatever the Vestrisians did not take over. Surely the Vestrisians just wanted a certain part of these islands, didn't they? Lasnile's defenses consisted of plenty of personnel, a mixture of anti-aircraft, several hundred tanks, various vehicles, a mishmash of aircraft, a shrinking navy, military constructs, and artillery. Treqni found himself heading to a tavern where he shared a drink with a single Woadi who mentioned a bar on an island within a lagoon. This Woadi went into battle lightly armored and lightly equipped. While at the tavern within their own booth they discussed the defenses for Lasnile. 

For militia Lasnile rallied 56,700 locals to be armed. That also included 330 Dungeoneers both veteran and active under the command of a Champion known as Giacibino the Bishop. Palace Sentinels all over Lasnile numbered about 2,388. Only 156 Gate Wardens were available for defense. As for mages or arcane users 278 lancer sorcerers, 297 Mages are pressed into service. In terms of infantry or military personnel he made attempts to praise 26,580 Vullanese Soldiers, 50,000 reservists, 1,363 Vidothran-Nymres troopers, 1,638 available veterans, 32,783 armed Cultists, 1,800 pilots, 41,800 artillery/anti-air crews, 10, 100 sailors, but it seemed doomed. Checking some other records, he kept in a log he noted more. A total of 574 Line Foot soldiers of fort Cristinne at the eastern edge. One brigade of six thousand Cathar Soldiers, another brigade of 6,000 Sergeant at Arms awaiting orders. From the fronts 284 scouts returned to mention the VUVR began other invasions across Vullan. In terms of movement a whole company of 331 useful Rogues already left after they were rounded up to remove relics. Plenty were pressed into service. More than 740 thieves pressed into service, 350 Market Guard constructs commandeered, 671 members of a Doomed Dissenters, and Travellers were forced in. Over 300 Monks were drugged into joining while 186 were forced to convert.  More than 320 artificers were pressed to create more military constructs. He pointed out the 330 or so tanks that looked like turtles would provide 1,650 available bodies. For a cavalry just 4,000 Cabal Paladin Knights. To create more cavalry, they rounded up 450 Camels and as many horses. The rest of the defenders for Lasnile were made up of city-guards, sheriffs, constables, and enforcers. Among these enforcers 329 Syndicates were given authority to run the capitol's streets. 

Realizing most of the island had to evacuate he noticed Lasnile had to send away plenty of useful skilled hands. Some three hundred two Weavers and their staff leave along with the workers, 393 Gremlin Goblins are moved around between the remaining islands. Vullan's Spikewheel Acrobats could only send 377. Many of these would be soldiers found themselves caught off by the Vestrisians in the field. He realized he would be forced to fight since he was a mercenary the Nazdar sent over. Accepting this fate he found himself going to the ports in the northern parts of the island. When he saw at least over 230 eels be caught for dinner his ears picked up the Vestrisians began their invasion. Starting to feel a sense of dread he looked up at the skies waiting for the air bombardment to start. Noticing it was not going to happen the Tet'arq raced to the frontlines in a cloak with a unit of 228 rallied Vullanese. Some high and mighty bloke called Koth Belledin the Hammer led this charge to meet the Vestrisians at a settlement called Oldreef. There two units of Vestrisians made their landing. One unit of 460 Vestrisian Horizon Seekers who climbed the cliffs. A second unit of 408 VUVR Mage Hunters. Koth had some tricks under his sleeve. Treqni witness some 200 Vullanese weapons receive a weapons surge. Unsure if this was going to prevail, he attempted to stop Koth who needed to wait for reinforcements. 

All gung-ho to push the first Vestrisians off Lasnile's soil Koth proceeded with this assault. The human kicked the alien mercenary away. All he could do was just watch the two hundred Vullanese become cannon fodder to machineguns. Upon hearing this news 1,032 Vullanese believe it was time to give up and sauntered over to the Vestrisians. As prisoners or turncoats no one could say. Yet it upset the Vullanese commanders who released 402 captured Lizard Threshers and set loose 447 raptor like creatures. It could not have been executed at a time when more Vestrisians were arriving near Predator's Bay in southeastern Lasnile. Several days later they see it only delayed the Vestrisians encouraging the Vullanese to send 335 of their Bomber Corps fanatics who only get mowed down unless they attacked at night. Behind them Dark Blade Agents saw 400 of their own sent to the front. As the Vestrisians landed more troops they learned the Dark Blade Agents chose to side with the Vestrisians. A few more days later the Vestrisians then choose to bomb their positions with a thousand aircraft in each wave that was met by Lasnile's pilots. Most of the pilots became prisoners, badly wounded, or went missing. Very few wound up dead or returned intact. Each of Vullan's special units, companies, or battalions attempted to push the Vestrisians out. Not many came back alive as each week saw another settlement fall to the Vestrisians. Nazdar forces did make bombing runs on Vestrisian positions, but those only slowed their advances. 

While on patrol with fellow Tet'arqs Treqni discovered a network of caves and tunnels leading to the underground. Inside those caverns beneath Lasnile's largest city a meeting of rebels was unveiled to disgruntled Vullanese defenders. While hiding he learned of when their next meeting was while their own artillery pounded Vestrisian positions well into the night. A good waste of ammunition unless they hit a target. Returning to his own quarters he warned the new Maester of a rebellion in the works by 266 rebels who were exiled. He kept this information to himself for a week until he was able to gather enough information. Lasnile's Maester ordered for 250 Death Cultists to cleanse the island of these traitors. Another 250 were sent to the front along with the thousands already starting to make some progress against the Vestrisians. Leading a few counter attacks and raids the Tetarq mercenary managed to liberate parts of the north. Thanks to the mages and constructs working with mercenaries Vullan saw most Vestrisians cleared off the island. Yet it only pushed the Vestrisians to use bombing runs and something else. A small band of warriors armed with swords entered the field. According the terrified Vullanese those warriors were called Zhenrai Knights. Descendants of an ancient warrior race these Zhenrai could summon certain warrior spirits or powers to make them powerful on the battlefield. Treqni witnessed one of these summon spirits out of thin air. Some would assume these were necromancers, except the spirits entered their body. Unsure if the Zhenrai could be taken down with a rifle or machinegun he had his own refrain just to observe. What happened next was horror. One lone Zhenrai made a bloody mess of a company of Vullanese defenders who screamed as their fates met a bloody end. He could only describe it as a blood fest. No one among the Vullanese entrenched unit survived. Treqni checked the very next morning to find decapitated bodies, entrails everywhere, and the barracks ruined. He could only ask himself. What could they do? 

More than Just a Taste: Another Gantronese Story

 Galaia fell in a rather nice bloodbath yet according to Echo Tribune holograms victory came at a cost. Ghudran, Galaia, and Giadra put up resistance against Imperial Gantronese forces. Dark Elves, Uxane, Gelru peoples, a few other races fought against their invading forces. Several submissive kingdoms, 48 other tribes from conquered territories aided their Gantronese forces. This was around the same time Gantronese forces engaged stubborn forces in Zekmar. Mulzan bent down to their will, offering its entire kingdom to the Gantronese Empire. Other kingdoms or city-states either fell quickly or became absorbed through submissive annexation. Along the borders of Mulzan, and the annexed parts of Zekmar a force was gathering. 

His very own army was assembling before his very eyes. Ten years ago, he would be the one gathering for another warlord or leader. A pair of independent contracting combat ready figures stood at his side. A single warlock of the "multiverse" known as Havbir Crucvecc. One contractor assassin who called herself Dualwield7. Her real name was Jadaem Masmafta of Rhes Tarim. Both were allowed under his command along with others as a start of his commanding army. Thirteen gunslingers from different nations under the leadership of Mesward, a half-goblin, joined his army. Sceo was more of a rank for any submissive races who sided with the Gantronese. Seventeen renegade Uxane slave owners signed or swore into his army dragging along twenty-three Awokanaks (slaves). Leading this group was Alose Folwark, a half Orc, half Orc half Uxane and her hunch back thrall named Girth. A solo pirate who once sailed aboard an Affite sky ship run by arcane electricity. Others made up the start of his own army. 

Consolidating their power wasn't difficult. Many of the humanoids here saw them as gods. From Koriv to the ends of Hadoras, Novad, Amkha, Zekmar, Giadra, Ghudran, and Galaia their empire spread. As a Gantronese lesser Daimyo, Enemeto Virax acquired more of these humanoids for an army. One platoon of 32 corrupted Elves belonging to a city-state called Lucere on the borders of Mulzan and the mountains. These corrupt beings brought twelve Ghouls on chain leashes. From the subterranean cities under Rhes Tarim hills, he received seventy-five Troglodytes armed with javelins and muskets. Half-Goblins of Novad, and Hadoras sent 304 of their own warriors, pile drivers, and chain twirlers. With these Goblins came 57 Gnomes held prisoners meant for fodder. Regions south of Mulzan hosted a variety of tribes, clans, city-states, nomads, enclaves, kingdoms, and monsters. Eighty-seven Lizard folk, 91 Orcs, 281 Mulzan Mage Ring Bullies, 788 Valley Dasher Cavalry from Koriv, Vorcadam, Gora Via Talus joined his army. In his mind he knew these were mostly sent or forced to join his army. 

Enomoto did not see much need to equip them. His superiors gave him a small force of 46 elite Gantronese, 400 kinetic carbine troopers to aid him. All these inferior beings came with their own weaponry and sets of armor. Rifle from different eras, axes, Kaft Spears, scimitars, Katana, halberd staffs, war scythes, javelins, cudgels, maces, war hammers, lances, bows, and cross bows. He noted other weapons and styles of armor before starting their expedition. It was technically an invasion, yet it was just him probing the area. A series of invasions would follow after his first expedition into the Unknown Lands. It had more to do with curiosity about these regions. Flanked by two large mountain ranges Jurax was to be home to many tribes, cultures, kingdoms, and city-states. Through the months of the 48 Uxane tribes they learned its name Jurax. Virax calculated 32,498 Uxane warriors who became retainers to serve the Gantronese Empire. Among the Dark Elves who submitted 12,156 chose to become thralls. From the underworlds of Mulzan's south they erected a base for 2,000 Guine-Chai Ogre underworld officers. None of those Dark Elves, Uxane, or Ogres would be under his command. His own empire was still at war with the Nazdar Empire. It required most of their forces. An expedition of 1,807 pressed deeper into Jurax lands. Meeting limited or no resistance Daimyo Virax annexed most of the foothills and grasslands. Thanks to the generosity of his superiors Virax received transportation vehicles. Hovercraft for land operations helped in his expedition. Even though they could scout the area using aircraft or reconnaissance machines, it seemed proper to do this. Most of the fields south of Mulzan territories remained unclaimed at the moment. Most of these Jurax groups barely possessed any vehicles to fight with. Just as he was about to begin, he received word there were more groups moving to explore the area. 

Virax and three others were chosen to fix the unclaimed regions. The other two raced for the Sarcagos Mountain rangers, a mountain range that jutted from the ones that trailed down from Mulzan's southwestern borders to the south. High Colonel Tunshi commanded 1,800 Gantronese warriors, soldiers, and retainers among Gantronese, Gantronese Spawn, and submissive non-Gantronese humanoids. Grand General Yangmo Buukai commanded a total of 16,000 Gantronese warriors, soldiers, and Gantron-spawn. With these two racing for the Sarcagos Mountains he saw an open door. Moving towards the east Virax came across some interesting nomadic factions. Calling themselves the Urada, Icashi, and the Dapesh, these nomadic groups provided 5,900 and more mounted warriors. Virax saw these nomadic groups as useful to expedition. Over a month passed with his efforts seeing mixed results. Over thirty-five tribes, cities, and kingdoms either submitted, or fell to his expedition. His army was reduced, but thanks to some reinforcements he was able to stabilize their gains. One independent village had a scorpion temple which he ordered destroyed in order forcefully subdue the village. As he moved deeper with the Sarcagos Mountains to the west, and the larger mountain ranges he came across a mix of terrains. Savanna, or fields of grass dotted by patches of jungle stretched from the southern tips of the Sarcagos Mountains to the Galacho Zoxo mountain ranges. While he camped out with his expedition forces Virax received reports about a Dwarf Kingdom offering 2,000 large pieces of iron ore. The discovery of a metal ore called Rhowhian that was the same as their own metal used for vehicles. It was actually orange-gold in appearance. Sending some scouts ahead of them astride cat like mountains Virax received reports of vast amounts of jungle going on for leagues. There was also some hint of ruins, swamps, larger reptilian beasts, Gnoll tribes, Lizard folk, and some murderous plant they would need to avoid. 

None of these convinced him to stop. Determination filled his veins as his blood boiled inside. Some obstacles he could subdue or swat out of his way. His expedition army did increase as the time progressed into three months. Gantronese flags would one day fly over every settlement once they consolidated their power this vast Jurax region. He had numerous ways to do this. What did not help was that his empire was still at war with the Nazdar Empire to the north and west. One of the ships, a smaller beetle shaped craft came to his location with a company of non-Gantrons, another small company of Gantronese Spawn, ammunition, extra weapons, and rations. The rest arrived with needed vehicles, willing Koriv Cavalry to man outposts. One of the beetle shaped ships came with large stowaway insects, which caused some damage, and fourteen deaths. Furious he sent one of the pilots back without a hand. It took another week before they found another settlement larger than a village. It was here where they started to face some resistance from Uxane tribes to the west. All it did was give this Gantronese a bitter taste in his mouth. 

Ten years later most of the Unknown Lands of Jurax became part of the Gantronese Empire. Yet they were met with resistance from city-states, Uxane tribes, VUVR forces, and their allies. Their wars with the Nazdar came to an end a few years before their empire came to the borders of a kingdom called Borvados. Having those wars end allowed them to move 1.1 million extra Gantronese to the regions called Jurax, to Zekmar, and other borders being threatened. While inside of the constructed castles meant for the Gantronese rulers he received some reports of the usual engagements. One of his subordinates mentioned some Black Dragon lurking in the vast marshes along with various other creatures. Plenty of Gnoll tribes, Lizard folk, Troglodytes, a few city-states, other aliens joined their invasion. It now became an occupation force that was being threatened by the VUVR, and their allied coalition. He knew the Dragon would take out a unit of Gantronese if they were inside its lair or territory. Virax ordered for them to either take care of that or leave it alone. Over a communications line in form of a phone Virax heard of something else. 

"My lord, there is this ship that is identical to one of ours." the subordinate mentioned. 

"What does it look like, Sceo?" He asked addressing the subordinated according to their rank. 

"A headless beetle of metal made from our own affite minerals. It appears to be a shipwreck in the jungles that was transformed into a house or something." the Sceo answered him. 

"Secure that ship. What is its condition?" Virax demanded hearing static come and go. 

"Overgrown, but we are not sure if someone is still living inside it." the Sceo responded. 

"Then shoot any nosy rats, sceo!" Virax hung up the phone piece then rubbed his forehead out of frustration. The Gantronese hold over the lands of Jurax could become limited unless some measures were taken.