Naxnonoth City-State

 "Necromancy at is finest." the princess pointed out to the fellow noble next to her. She leaned against the balcony that looked over the courtyard like street of the city. As daughter of Count Kurn Landtir Onyx Vothir, the princess of Naxnonoth, Nash Angelsin Onyx Vothir was tasked with observing experiments. From the balcony she watched a Dark Elf Aristocrat named Ofathir suffering from Tormenting Voice Spell deal with a walking corpse called Morte. It took every effort not to kill this walking corpse, which would be used in Naxnonoth's defense. Behind her in another room connected to a study one Crypt Creeper was in the process of completion. Using a snare pole Ofathir's thrall pulled the walking corpse away from him. Seeing Ofathir was safe Angelsin gestured for Ofathir to join her. 

"Get your ass up here. Snatch up that glycerin gun along with that Vullanese Windkisser23." She barked down at him ignoring the scene she created. Angelsin did not care who watched her. Her own dark violet dress did reveal a few windows for eye candy, but she was more uptight about intercourse. 

Ofathir took a few minutes to reach where she was with her left foot tapping. One eye wincing at him as he plopped himself on the chair in the study. To be fair with him she gave him two minutes to rest before kicking the chair to get him up. Angelsin moved towards the corridor where other labs were used to create more of the monstrosities her father used against invaders. With Ofathir at her heels she moved through the corridor as another walking corpse began its process of creation. Inside the main laboratory of the city-state the pair of nobles muttered to each other over the current threat of a Vestrisian invasion. Naxnonoth as an island city-state consisting of seventeen islands close together was mainly a Dark Elf City-state. thirty-four islets, and 42 reefs partially surround this city-state. One of the largest islets is where Naxnonoth authorities hold zombie crocodile dread maws, and zombified Hippo Behemoths are held. These were creations of a Dark Elf Scientist called Lazetop. Through the windows she spotted two of the largest islets next to the fortified island of Zago. She recalled the entrances to Lazetop's palace are guarded by a pair of zombie apes chained to the walls, or pillars. As they exited the laboratory she turned around to get a good look at the large structure that was once four buildings. One part was a solitary castle keep, another used to function as an asylum, a third used to be a manor, and the fourth functioned as an alchemist's lab. 

"It is rather a curious situation. Does the rest of the world know Naxnonoth creates its own army using the dead? It does explain our lack of proper cemeteries." She pointed out more to herself than to Ofathier. 

"Vullan would likely cease being allies with us. I do not know about other invaders, but Vullan's allies would perhaps stay close to us or abandon us." 

"Wrong, the world would stop trading with us and wipe us off the face of the maps." Angelsin felt like she had to correct him on this as she passed a skittering surveyor construct in the streets among the citizens of her father's city-state. Through his eyes they were really subjects to her mother's matriarchy until her death. Then her father transformed it into a twisted republic that made it look like they were voting when it was really the elders of each household who chose the council members while he took up the torch. Glaring at this skittering surveyor construct she was certain it was being used for peeping rather than actual observation or spying on invading troops. Ofathir kept eyeing the women some of who walked with their lovers, husbands, children, siblings, or friends. Apparel for Naxnonoth's citizen-subjects included modern style tunics, loose fit jumpsuits, slacks, well-crafted vests, buckled robes, v neck shirts of various designs. Other styles came from other parts with a hint of their own Dark Elf blend. Their choices in apparel came in colors of violet, black, crimson, red, some gold, dark blue, purple, dark green, burgundy, and light gray. Some clothing came with just laces lined up line buttons, others came with silver or gold buttons lining down or at an angle. Among the apparel they wore jewelry from all over the world. Others donned shawls of specific colors while others wore simple modern clothing made from cotton, or denim. It was both jeans, with a long-sleeved shirt, or the average trousers with a button-down shirt, fine suits, collarless shirts with buttons or laces. Hairstyles varied in their culture yet it appeared a mixture of modern styles and traditional. Closer to an alley she caught something in the corner of her eye. One Silver-Fox Darl Elf Slave is returned to owner along with a funeral longboat. It was more about servitude than enslavement, yet the Dark Elves of Naxnonoth did not own them for longer than a decade. It reminded her of a particular foreigner they knew. 

"Ofahir where is that scholarly wizard we know?" She asked looked at a tall dark elf male in a tailored dark blue suit. It would have considered treasonous if the color blue, the Vestrisian flag, was banned. Lucky for this handsome one it was not. 

"Igvurd is at the other Alchemist lab on the island of Zezan." Ofahir answered her as they passed a city guard in traditional style armor that made him appear like a dark elf vampire baron's suit of armor. 

"Let's go there then." She insisted rubbed her two fingers together. 

Memories returned to her that involved the young wizard. Beyond the eastern islands was a group of islands where some wreckages encircled an old city. Using her status she rounded up some lackeys to do her bidding. She decided to send someone to reap the sea graff after a ship malfunctioned near the shipwrecks on reefs to the eastern part of that isolated island. While waiting for the looter to return her father sent over a troop of soldiers who entered the ruins. They discover some species of frog beast found under catacombs of that old city. Only half the soldiers return with the lackey wounded. Mending touch is used by her chosen mage on their paid lackey. At these wrecks one verdant Automaton is sent after beasts that attacked while the rest returned to Naxnonoth. There she ensured the Lackey and Igvurd were rewarded with some obedient dark elves. As they approached the wizard's resident island, she recalled one of his rewards was pregnant with his seed. It made her smile as they came to the island of Zezan. 

Zezan was more of the island for education, studies, experiments, and learning trade. Finding this scholar was no trouble as he was not a Dark Elf, but a white half elf youth of sixteen years old. A brilliant mind, a little timid, crafty, adaptive, and quite an alchemist already. Without much of a word to his advisor, educator, or guardian she nabbed the youth who was one of 10,432 foreigners residing on the islands. Despite his frail appearance he still showed some strength since most of his time was spend picking up heavy equipment, and utensils. Having Igvurd around Angelsin could learn a bit more about alchemy than what her brethren or kin chose to teach her. Roaming around three of Naxnonoth's islands with the youthful scholar wizard she noticed some people missing. Each island would be teaming with people roaming the streets. Most of the missing would be reported to her. She saw hardly any postings of people going missing. Igvurd, and Ofahir took note of this on their pocket notepads. Angelsin would have those checked each time they wrote something down. She realized Naxnonoth could field an army of just twelve thousand or more. Yet that hardly gave this city-state much to defend 150,000 people half of whom were able to fight for this city-state using melee weaponry. In the lead she went to the most secluded parts of the islands. Using the paths underneath the connecting bridges that linked the islands. That also meant leaving the guarded perimeters of the inhabited areas though the paths that lead to the sewers, catacombs, cave systems, and undercities. Trailing a path that cut around the island using old dock ways she avoided those places. At each secluded place Angelsin spotted more than 273 Forsaken Drifter zombies used to prowl the coastal beasts of each part. 

Each one lumbered in the sand aimlessly or in a circle while moving around. Keeping their distance Angelsin could tell the clothing still clung to the rotting flesh. Rainfall did not help with this idea for a defensive weapon. Yet keeping them in this section of the island for long periods of the year was successful with well-placed fences or barricades. Knowing how the watchful guards felt about the living lingering around these "weapons" Angelsin led their small party away from the secluded area of the beach. On the third outer island known as Vurimu they come across a grave digger at a cemetery housing on the island's third islet called Eiroc. This grave digger looked to be half goblin and half human with the big ears chopped off. Pale pink skin was evident underneath the tattered overlapping layers of cloth that became their robe under a freshly given rain poncho. 

"You, Grave Digger of the Cemetary, what is your name?" Angelsin demanded from the goblin hybrid whose face was covered by the hood and a cloth covering its face. 

"Mykero Idurm lady master of the islands." this goblin hybrid responded addressing her as a higher up. 

"Mykero, have any new corpses come through your area?" She inquired from the goblin hybrid. 

"No, I have not seen any new corpses come through." Mykero replied bowing his head. "You could check the island of Onzoss." 

"The dungeons of Onzoss are full of dangers especially they dungeon crawlers." Igvurd mentioned in a comprehensive voice that made Angelsin's skin crawl. 

"Inside those dungeons are at least 370 Dungeon Crawlers in one level, 380ish on another level inside the very dungeons of Onzoss. If we are considering the number of dangers that lurk on that island there should be thousands of creatures dwelling those cavernous dungeons. If recall correctly close to 1,024 Naxnonoths committing Act of Treason were thrown into the pits, cells, the sea, and catacomb-dungeons of that island. Along with the islets we managed to transform into little prisons." Angelsin explained to the pair of them. She knew Ofahir was aware of what happened to those who committed treason. Yet as the daughter of the city-state's leader she thought it was best to give a reminder. 

Moving away towards the bridge to the next island where a third of the island became a runway, one portion became a residency while the rest of the island was left to be a natural cover. Most of the bridges were shielded by well-placed foliage to fool any prying eyes. While crossing the bridge they pass a wing crafter armed with a sniper rifle who just got a kill shot on a drifter that got loose. Not bothering to watch him she proceeds to pass through the island that houses some of the city-state's garrison. On this island she knew there were at least 825 Satyr Hoplites, 370 Bomber Corps soldiers, 200 War Wing siren soldiers, and their newly trained pilots. Her status allowed her to observe the various aircraft given to them by their neighbors. Her eyes squinted suspiciously at the foreign aircraft when an anti-infantry armored car rolled up to her. In Dark Elf Etupali writing read Iguanodon Mount. It was the name given to the vehicle as it acted as a small transport and attack vehicle. 

A Dark Elf Wizard with a small dragon-lizard perched on his shoulder stuck his head out of the driver's seat. Clearly dressed in uniform this Dark Elf had the arcane symbol tattooed over his right eye. Next to him sat a Lumengrid Sentinel Wizard from Vidothra whom the Nazdar sent with their lackeys. Behind them drove a Nazdar Vehicle, some halftrack that arrived with a smaller Nazdar ship that circled around their perimeter. Quick introductions were made as the trio entered the vehicle. Her own father sent for her to be brought to one of his own private manors where he kept his secrets locked away. Further towards the western part of the city-state the manor rested on its own smaller cliff like islet. At first it appeared like a prison turned into a manor on a secluded hill. Seated in the passenger seat Angelsin got a good view of her father's various defenses for his own personal manor. A steel-clad spirit of some banished Zhenrai Knight fought an armed twisted abomination zombie near the winding driveway. When they turned left she got a good look at a single fire blast cannon used on Nyxborn the Rollicker Satyr for annoying the Ox herd. Serves him right she thought. That vermin brought over some infectious host that caused wretched throng to be sent off a neutral island used to graze and breed oxen. Driving past this she could see nothing, but the grotesque trees wet from the deluge before they made it to the door. 

At dinner she witnessed her own father revealed their city-state's own garrison. In the presence of six family members, her sister Cichia Onyx Vothir (Minnhos), son in law Daco Yerdor Minnhos, younger brother Indre Somza Onyx Vother, younger sister Ikeah Avre Onyx Evno, Ikeah's husband Drobsin Erdo Evno, their aunt Pomobo Asosh Onyx Varvol, and his concubine Benekne Curlides-Stenn he boasted. To some Sage of Lat-Nam Isle, Vidothra he mentioned over fourteen thousand Dark Elves, 5,800 Satyrs, 1,200 humans, 2,800 Goblins, 883 Orcs in the garrison of Naxnonoth. This city-state's barracks also consisted of 2,364 Cloak Sirens. In her mind she recalled the barracks also included the sparring constructs, which were used for training. This Lat-Nam Sage offered 515 of his 1,173 constructs to be used as combatants. Her father took this offer with a gift of his own, a chest full of valued coins, and give servants to take back home. One to act as a maid, another as a punching bag, a third to cook for him, the fourth to accompany him, and the fifth as a playmate. Opposite Angelsin sat a Scatter Arc Gearsmith Prodigy Artificer, one of 22 who joined her father's ranks. Her own companions chimed in a few times about the various weapons the VUVR might use against their enemies. Count Kurn smiled slamming his napkin on the table. It made a bit of noise hitting the table. 

"Dark Elf Refugee Pilots will be serving these VUVR. Our own kind are being used against us in this conflict." He boasted aloud drawing attention of the entire table. "These refugees have become weapons to use in this current conflict against anyone who is not Vestrisian. It reminds of what many Vestrisians go through when they are given a choice between imprisonment or servitude, life of poverty or military profession. Somewhere deep those kingdoms 290 children of the Meadow Schools sentenced to the Black Coat training." 

"Shall we change the subject; the war has not even reached our shores. Nor will it come to Naxnonoth." Her eldest sister suggested putting down her spoon to show she was done with her own thick blood soup. It was not real blood, but juices, or contents of tomatoes, and another red fruit that was mashed together along with onions, garlic, and other herbs added. 

"Yes let's do that. Um father there are some people missing in the streets-." she attempted to address what she discovered. 

"Likely sick, stayed inside, on another part of the city-state, away, or at work." He cut her off throwing some explanations. Those did sound reasonable reasons for people to appear missing. Yet most Dark Elves work on a certain island. His concubine nestled her breasts on the table drawing his attention away. She rubbed them on the table while blowing him kisses. Curlides-Stenn gave her this fake "I am prettier than you" expression that was really a way of saying you can leave. Her other sister grabbed the whole bottle to herself. The eldest sank into her seat, and the rest of the family sat in horror. She could tell their thoughts rested on "Mother" Onyx Vothir. A High Priestess who held the peoples' hearts, interests, and awe was ditched for another. He got up to feel Curlides up in front of the table. 

Not sure if she wanted to watch Angelsin got up to storm away from the table. Angelsin's companions got up to join her as she led them towards the Manor study. As the one daughter who got involved in the defenses and overseeing necromancer results, Angelsin possessed keys to his studies, some military vaults, prisons, and dungeons. Pouring through some file cabinets, drawers, and a safe she found some letters with unfamiliar names on them. Plucking them up Angelsin read through the written letters that hinted at kidnappings, abductions, and a massive trap meant to infect their enemies around them. At first she could make sense of if until it hit her. She just found a clue about her father's plan for the city while noticing some people missing. Reading another letter, she discovered his plans on turning the entire population into zombies with the use of some drug they created in the labs with some necromancy involved. Love for her father drained from her as he planned to destroy her only home, Naxnonoth. She visited other places around the Valde Sea, Southern Islands south of Ottante, and Evusia. Stuffing the letters into her dress Angelsin returned to the table hoping to confront him. Everyone left except the guests, servants, chefs, and his concubine. One guest felt up Curlides while he spoke to a Gears Artificer in a suite, and a pin in the shape of a cog on his left breast. The other guest had a male half elf bent over the table as if he was about to violate the male. 

Seeing her father was focused on entertainment she took her leave for her own home in the southeastern part of the islands. A full week went by when word reached her about more hopeful lackeys joined him. A total of 351 Gears Renegades with radical idea join her father's ranks. It was right after she discovered another clue in the city in the center as well as the one on the southeastern part of the islands. One of his scientists, Dr Shelhoff a squat hunchback goblin-dwarf hybrid had his entombers at work near the least populated parts of the islands. She saw just 76 out of 277 of Dr. Selhoff's entomber zombies found fresh victims for her father's plan, the wretched of their thralls. Wondering if she could somehow foil his plans by adding something else to their defenses, she went to the training grounds of some military islands. After negotiating some deals, she managed to get 800 jousting dummies and one piston fist cyclops construct placed in the reserves of city defense. That did not work. Grabbing up the young wizard and other artificers she managed to convince them to side with her and end this necromancy. 

One full month went by as she made orders for 513 explosive apparatus's to be built. With alchemists, and artificers at her disposal she managed to make plenty of the explosive devices and others right as the Vestrisians began their bombing campaign of any collaborators to the invaders, and Vullanese allies. It forced all the civilian Dark Elves, and their thralls to evacuate their homes for Vidothra, and other neighboring city-states. It was one way to foil her father's plans, which she herself did not plan. A few more weeks went by with more of her father's zombie creations being destroyed by bombs, or shot by Nazdar Grevaskii sent to the island as reinforcements. While checking their garrison she noted to a Grevaskii commander that each non-Dark Elf fought in the stead of a Dark Elf of Naxnonoth. In her mind she hoped to leave this city before the bombs detonated upon her command. She gave it a couple of more days before packing up as if she was evacuating. Gathering the small troop she rallied Angelsin stole one of her brother's pleasure vessels and sailed towards the Vullanese Islands. With intensions of acting as a refugee or castaway she sailed around the city-state at night before giving the signal. 1,011 bombs go off on that island port city-state that she once called home. She watched Naxnonoth blow up in a fiery explosion that destroyed most of the cities.