Eoth's Lost Altar

 Not caring for the laws of a modernizing era she wanted to ensure an Eoth victory. Grussia stood as any ally all the way through. Vunnace and eight city-states pledged to fight these invaders. Shabbilne gazed upon the temple altar expecting an answer from the gods. Wearing the traditional Eothan poncho Shabilne had two other companions accompanying her. Captain Grechin of the Eoth Jaguar Warriors, Walod the Mage brought a volunteer for a sacrifice. Shabanna, an Eothan enchantress who made a mistake in a spell. While enchanting a dagger for a youth seeking to be a Jaguar Shabanna had the dagger stab the poor youth. Elders of the village banished her to service of the cults who still practiced the old ways. Shabbilne was a priestess to the altars of Nemarho Yerza, the god of sacrifice, and payments. At the overgrown temple of Nemarho Yerza the four of them were at the very borders of the Unknown Lands. Wedged between two mountains, the temple altar sat as a doorway into the lands of vast jungles, extended mountains, marshes, tribal lands, and grasslands. All of such landscapes filled with savages, monsters, beasts, and wild carnivorous animals. Tales say the tribes are cannibals that kill and eat the outsider upon encounter. 

They were within the mountain range itself that separated them from the Unknown Lands, the Dyhrex Mountains. A large mountain range that acted as a thick natural wall for them and Grussia. A rather large lake was shared with Grussia as well. Lake Nixorne, they called it, another natural border between them and the Unknown Lands. Fishing, diving, swimming, rowing, and sailing could be done on that lake. Nixorne bordered the Dyhrex mountains acting as an extra border between them and the Unknown Lands. Shabbilne had little time to waste. Eoth, Grussia, and Vunnace could hold out for a few years with combined forces. Their new allies in other parts of the world can increase their chances of holding out by a few months. Would that be enough to cripple the invaders? She doubted that it would even force the combined forces of the invaders and their collaborators to quit their offensives. More allies is what they needed and a miracle, according to her point of view. Leading the trio closer to the altar within the temple Shabbilne prepared the dagger. 

"I don't know if this will work Shabbilne. It has been centuries since anyone has made a sacrifice here." Walod warned her. 

"Bah! It will work Walod, it will! I have read the ancient texts on how to do this. Come now Shabanna, come over here." She beckoned for the enchantress to approach the altar. The young Eothan woman hesitated with a concerned expression on her face. 

"What will you do to me?" She asked sounding like she wanted to back out of this. 

"Just a slit of the palm or finger. Several drops of blud should drip onto the altar. Come on now. It is clean." Shabbilne urged her. 

"You mean you have been here before?" Captain Grechin asked her, gripping the torch in his left hand. The lantern they used to traverse one of the mountains to get here ran through their tinderboxes. 

"Several times, Captain Grechin." She replied as Shabanna approached the oval shaped altar with a small bowl crevice in its center. 

Grabbing Shabanna by the wrist she pulled her over the altar drawing the dagger closer to the enchantress's skin. To her surprise the enchantress did not pull back or attempt to resist her. In her grip Shabanna's hand rest in her control at the moment. The enchantress bared her teeth and shut her eyes closed. She even turned away like some scared child or youth made to look at something or do something undesirable. Shabbilne chose to ignore her with some strands of her wild hair draping over her face as she began to press the blade into the palm. Making a cut into the sacrifice's palm she drew blood. Her hands acted on their own squeezing some blood out into the small bowl-shaped crevice in the altar. The red fluid seeped out of Shabanna's palm and onto the altar. It filled the bowl-shaped crevice. That was the only amount of blood required. Looking past the altar at the back walls she waited patiently. Do not fail me. Was all she could think as she released the enchantress from her grasp. Stepping back she placed the dagger on the altar in a position that it faced the center at an angle. From the altar itself stones grounded against each other from the altar's interior. It sounded as though a mechanism was built inside and the blood acted as the trigger. 

Without warning the altar rose a few feet and the wall opened up. Stones grounded against stone, cogs, and other levers squeaked and groaned. Amazed by the success of the attempt they stood idle for a moment. Slowly the wall separated become two sliding doors making way. A secret door opened up behind the shifting walls revealing an outdoor tunnel like hall covered in vines, and overgrowth along the sides. The infamous dreadful Unknown Lands lay before their path. to the four of them this created a new path to take into the wild lands most civilized cultures avoided. Shabbilne could only guess how long it would remain out of the invaders' reach. Shabanna quickly wrapped her hand in a piece of cloth from her leather hide handbag. 

"How many days of provisions did you bring with you?" Grechin asked from behind. 

"First we need to let someone know we are here." Walod informed the Captain. 

Hearing their voices annoyed her. When travelling with them they brought a few weeks' worth of rations. They even stayed at several villages along the way riding in Grechin's automobile that broke down a few times. Hunting and staying at a few settlements helped maintain their stock for each mouth. Shabbilne lived alone these days and lived off the land. She could not say the same for Shabanna, and Walod. Captain Grechin brought two rifles, and a hunting crossbow. The Tiger's Roar 93 bolt action rifle, and the king's favorite, Scorpion Sting 33 breech loader. All three projectile weapons would do them good. Grechin brought a curved machete knife, sickle weapon, and bamboo warclub. All three weapons would prove useful. She possessed a dagger, short sword, metal claws, and retractable staff on herself. At the age of fifty, Shabbilne could still hold out on her own. She was once a Manticore acolyte of the Manticore Circles. 

"Walod, take Shabbana back to the nearest village. Captain Grechin and I will explore this new discovery for the next few days. We will return of course." Shabbilne ordered the Mage. 

"Are you sure Shabbilne? There is only two of you. Who knows what monsters and perils lay beyond those doors." Walod warned them. 

She ignored the Mage plucking up her dagger, and grabbing her own satchel bag. Eager to find out what lay beyond the temple doors she opened, Shabbilne welcomed Grechin to join her. His footsteps behind her said he was joining her. Walod and Shabanna's footsteps faded behind her as she entered the overgrown tunnel. Vines, moss, mushrooms, wildflowers covered the walls of the tunnel. For a ceiling this tunnel did have rough parts of stone overgrown, showing signs of crumbling. Fifty-two lunges away from the last crumbling part the tunnel opened up at the ceiling. Another twenty paces past the opening in the ceiling the tunnel became sheltered by leaves of jungle trees dotting the landscape. With Captain Grechin following her she sauntered ahead for a mile before spotting hints of humanoid life. Various animals chirped, let out caws, loud purrs, and rustled in the foliage. Shabbilne raised her arm to stop Grechin in his tracks. Squatting down she spied what looked like a hut or lodge mixed together. Topped with a flat roof this structure appeared put together with logs, branches, rocks, stones, and mud as the mortar. To her it seemed strange for there to be a structure this well made in an area such as this. Who was she to judge, she had never been here before. 

Drawing closer to the structure they found a few more huts and some inhabitants. Excitement grew inside then faded when she saw some of them had tails. Through some trees, and tall bushes she could see a group of humanoids gathered in the center of a small hamlet in the jungle. Nine horned lizard demons with green scales that looked like armor on their bodies. Each one wore a leathery vest with fur grieves over their legs. On a chain linked leash the lizard demons possessed some bumpy fat dragon of orange, green stripes. Standing on four fat legs this one reminded her of the type of bulldogs Shabbilne saw among Grussians. At a closer glance she noticed these Lizard Demons wielded black ion weapons such as spears, tridents, axes, and machetes crafted in crude shapes. Confronting them or attempting to were three Lizardfolk that held more native appearances. Clad in bones, hides, and shells these Lizardfolk possessed claws, tribal Spears, and tipped tails for weapons. At their flank stood a large, mutated crocodile humanoid fighting one of the Lizard folk archers. In their own language these humanoids held a heated argument about something. Each growled, roared, and hissed at the other. The Mutated crocodile started to swing at the archer, which rolled back to loose an arrow at it. Shabbilne felt her hands reach for her weapons while Grechin prepared to shoot at the lizard humanoids. Just the amount of noise these monsters made gave her goosebumps. Her heart raced as she watched the heated argument turn into a brawl of claws, swinging blades that drew blood. For several minutes it dragged on until something else burst out of the jungles to their left flank. Another lizard beast with a large head and two arms appeared before them. Yet this one possessed two heads attached to another body of another beast. Squinting her eyes, she spotted two metal collars linking the heads to the body revealing it was more of an experiment of some mad scientist who hid in these parts. 

Not taking any chances with any of these lizards the pair of Eothans turned tail and ran from the scene. Knowing what the outcome was they raced back the direction they came. They tried to as there was no clear path to take beyond the tunnel. Finding the tunnel would be rather difficult. What did not help was the sun setting into dusk for the day. Several minutes of sprinting through the jungle one of them lost a boot, and likely a few items from their bags. Neither of them turned around to retrieve anything. Even though she felt like a coward, Shabbilne admitted to herself this was a part of the world she did not know. A Ranger would have helped. She thought to herself when she spied another structure in the jungle. Stopping in her tracks to see what it was the Eothan noticed it was a military aircraft propeller that was usually found on the invaders' choppers for assault. According to the stories such craft were easily taken down with machineguns or handheld modernized cannons. 

"We need to get back to that tunnel!" Grechin shouted as he rushed past her. 

"Yes." She replied taking another glance at the aircraft. Have the invaders already been here or are they just sending scouts? She asked herself before chasing after Grechin. Her discovery of some lost altar opened the door to an older world that was likely alive with monster who could be hostile to both them and the invaders.  

Castaria-Zegrav Borders #9: Insurgents Attack

 His fellow soldier, Sergeant Pumpeen barked at the five palm branch wielding staff. Under his cap his thick reddish hair, and handlebar mustache made him look like a lion trying to be a human. A lion with a big nose, shaven chin, and exposed cheeks. Wind blew around them lifting sand up that hit their clothes, and tried getting in their eyes. Most of the citizens, workers and patrons ran from the blast site. Checking their surroundings Malik spotted two Uxane Horses, a pair of armor wearing twins approaching their direction, a Camel Rider, some Gnome goat rider, and female Drow Mage covered in a tan cloak. To the locals the twins were called Dane workers. Both were fighters and laborers. One Vestrisian Desert Trooper who was Zegrav came up to them. Malik could tell they were of Zegrav background due to the tribal band around their head. It could be seen under the cap, tangerine orange over dark brown skin. Adding another soldier to help wouldn't hurt. Malik had never really been here in Zegrav before. Red Curve was a city he heard about or passed on is travels through Zegrav. Studying the figure in their tan brown uniform they sort of blend in the surroundings. Telling his squad leader what he found, Malik glanced at the Desert Soldier who stuck out because of several light blue tents, orange striped tents, green ones, red painted huts, and colorful vendor stands. 

Handing over his discovery Malik heard the Desert Soldier's voice. Everyone in ear shot turned their heads on the covered Desert soldier. All they could see of her were the eyes above the tan veil. She introduced herself as Corporal Bia Jeerdall of the Desert Unit. Facing North West Malik spotted a Blacksmith at work in his open forge as through nothing happened. Clanking and hammering of metal could be heard from the blacksmith along with other noise as Jeerdall spoke. She once had thirty-five fellow soldiers she called co-workers in a platoon. Now it was just her after a week in Badraan. 

"I heard what happened out there in Badraan, Corporal Jeerdall. A platoon sized unit of thirty-five or more Desert Soldiers and forty local militia set out to hunt down a band of unruly Ghouls led by a Lamia Lion. When they caught up with what they thought was seventeen turned out to be a set up ambush. Caught in the grassy dunes they were first attacked by seventy white spawn Ghouls followed by a wave of eighty Black Ghoul spawn. Both waves were repelled until the Lamia-" Lieutenant Ritherson's story was cut off by fresh screams and shouting. This interruption was followed by sounds of attacks and clashes. 

All their attention was transferred to the southwest. Hundreds of people fled towards them in panic. Several shots rang out behind the fearful crowd. Heading towards the source, Malik's squad was not alone. A total of seventy-seven armed humanoids rushed to defend Red Curve. Malik could tell this was the work of the Lamias of Ottante and their Ghoulish henchmen. No one expected this to happen so soon. Yes there was an insurgency going on. However insurgents acted as guerillas attempting hit and run attacks. They would always melt away or disappear into the countryside or wilderness whenever troops arrived in force. Knowing or believing this was the force they set out to deal with, Ritherson ordered a counter attack. 

Red Curve's populace barely mobilized to face this threat. Citizens, residents, workers, and inhabitants moved towards the defensive castles that formed Red Curve. Malik's squad mates passed a tea salon, practicing dentistry in a cottage, carriage tour guide, bake with a bread stand, and two safari stations against the walls of a castle. Some trio of ex pirates searching for mounts had to give up and join the defenders. Everyone was expected Red Curve or hide in a safe spot. The newly formed VUVR government permitted the Zegravs rights to arms for defending themselves. As long as they don't rise up against the new government. Fortunately this law was not going to last much longer. An enforced law the VUVR's 4th Law of Restraint ensured the Zegrav's would not rise up or form large militias. 

Besides the enforcement and restraining law there were bands who sought to resist. An insurgency arose in Castaria, Zegrav, and parts of Ottante. Yet this day he was facing the Zegrav insurgents. More people rushed pas them in fear. Up ahead they spotted the insurgents near an old mine shaft, an old tower, one saloon, and a bank. Malik's squad mates started firing at the insurgents when the crowds were clear of their line of sight. they lined up near a working blacksmith who was too focused on his work to care. The seventy-seven warriors rushing to defend Red Curve charged at a force of three hundred. Shooting at these insurgents became hindered due to the heroic seventy-seven in their line of fire. 

Forced to watch the Red Curve defenders fight, Malik and his squad mates helped civilians get out. Hiding in a Radio Station within a sand brick structure, a horse riding instructor, her student, chimney sweeps for the castles, a couple of merchants, a family of four, and station master race out. They rushed by a cottage and the stands owned by the merchants. On the vending stands Malik saw they sold saddles, lever rifles, sleeping bags, and other essentials. Among the merchandise they found arrows, bolts, and bullet holes from the insurgents. At other vendors, and structures they found some dead Red Curve citizens. Two ex-pirates selling saddles, and belts, two fire fighters, an operatic entertainer, male surveyor, and older female surveyor-photographer, two kids, a beast tracker, and a merchant. One of these merchants sold essential parts, cameras, small campfire extinguishers, carpets, belts, carpets, capes, banners, circlets, collars, gold coifs, an ale pitcher. Opposite those vendors and particular shop sat the Sheriff Office, a Saloon, owned by nine nobles, and a castle where a noble stood by the stairs. Giving the Tavern a good look he saw it had decorations such as banners, halberds, spears, swords, maces, mortar cannon, and shields. Noting the settlement had ten banks, Malik wondered if the insurgents were after money, supplies, and weapons. Not getting a chance to engage the insurgents was disappointing. 

The engagement of combat between Red Curve defenders and the insurgents lasted for a few minutes. Every Red Curve defender got at least one or two kills. Malik hoped the volley they sent in helped out. Calling this one a second attack Ritherson led the squad over to the site of the skirmish. Just one defender died in the fighting, local sheriff, Lomon Gunari. Whereas the insurgents lost two hundred twenty-five dead, and seventy-six taken prisoner. at their hands a total of fifty-nine Red Curve people died and over sixty wounded in the attack. Knowing the wrath of  Red Curve's citizens these prisoners were at their mercy. As though the VUVR soldiers were not present, fourteen Ghouls, spawn, and Zegravs were hanged. 

As usual in Zegrav every remaining prisoner received the dungeon sentence. Between the eight castles, sheriff stations, and abandoned wells the prisoners found themselves distributed into one of the structures. Corporal Malik knew half these or more would die of starvation, torture, or suicide. He only heard the stories after arriving in Zegrav again when he was a little older. Ritherson took command of the defenders since he was a Lieutenant in the VUVR military. The seventy-six defenders who joined the fight were made up of various professions. A team of seven Swan Knights camped out nearby, another group of five Swan Knights with the swan sigil, stayed at some Tavern. One platoon of twenty regular knights, nine Dwarves, three Crusaders in VUVR uniform, a Tournament Knight on vacation, and a pirate knight came here for new steeds to buy. One female archer, female rogue, Elf Archer, and Dwarf Body Guard lived here in Red Curve. An Elf Blue Blade, female archer, four Tower Shield Knights and Zegrav Tribesman acted as security in Red Curve. Three Blue Archers, a single winged Demon, three Vestrisian locals resided here. Helping the two other Sheriffs of Red Curve, three Vestrisian Troopers ensured the banks would be protected. 

Leaving the prisoners in the hands of Red Curve locals Malik's Squad Mates moved towards the southern end. They were now leaving Red Curve's citizens to clean up the carnage and aftermath. It was not against them. His fellow soldiers did care about the citizens of this member state. Their own duty lied elsewhere in Zegrav. Much of Zegrav remained untamed like Ottante and Castaria. He even heard rumors about parts of the northern regions still had wild bands roaming the country. Bands consisting of Beastmen, wild Troglodytes, Kuruks (humanoids with horns), Fierce Gnolls, and other creatures that should have stayed in tall tales. Looking at the sky he noticed they patrolled Red Curve for over five hours. 

This was normal for patrols and a little short compared to some patrols. Patrols could take days at a time. Depending on where they were patrols would not return for days. Letting out a loud sigh Malik looked around their surroundings at the end of Red Curve. Just the way this settlement was set up in the grassland fields full of hills, it formed a scimitar shape. Old forts, castles, along with the close nit structures allowed for an easy defense. Attacking forces would have to spread out or be caught in a choke point. Either way it would require artillery or bombers to reduce Red Curve to rubble. 

"Alright lads fall on me." Ritherson commanded them. 

The squad of soldiers, now camel riders, or Camel Kols, rallied to Lieutenant Ritherson's position. Corporal Jeerdal joined them, making her part of the squad. Sergeant Pumpeen looked at her up and down unsure about this. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik checked his fellow squad mates with his eyes. Corporal Amun Munn, the second Corporal hailed from Zegrav, Privates Naviddi Calumet, Eric Sextur, Seymour Bleu, Grommni Swannson, Stephen McPaulis, Ed Drommond, Redd Pawblade, Nimor Sedwash, Michael Stonehaven, Walter Olaff, Jasmial Amakiir came from Castaria, and Geverine cities. Then there was Corporal Bia Jeerdall being assigned to his command. Six others used to be under his command under Ritherson. Three of them were dead, one was wounded, and the other two filled in the ranks of another squad in the 1224th. 

"Listen up squad, our presence drew attention of insurgents. We need to move. Our own 1224th just cleared out insurgents while we were fighting the other force at Red Curve. With held from local militia, Zegrav 428th Cavalry Battalion our comrades cleansed a village of 541 insurgents. No prisoners were taken so expect extreme fanaticism. Sort of disappointing, we got nothing, but news about a freed village. Colonel Zepher will move south. A motte and bailey is under the insurgent's grip. In the countryside we have a merchant involved in some rivalry. According to locals and sources they work with a spy who serves a priest. Between the three are four hundred forty-five rebels roaming the country in Zegrav." Ritherson briefed the squad and Jeerdal who was tagging along. 

Castaria-Zegrav Borders #8: Insurgency in Red Curve

 How long have they been planning this? For entire weeks, reports about Kaniima, Badraan, and Zegrav engaging in border skirmishes came in. According to some of these reports along with rumors, many combatants claimed to be loyal citizens. Patriotism towards this newly formed Union of Republics could easily be feigned in his opinion. It would not surprise him at all if they acted patriotic towards the V.U.V.R. just to get them off their backs. Born of a Nochanian Uxane mother and a Zegrav father, Asim-Sugmuk Malik felt more aligned with the Nochanians. Despite his name he showed more connection with his mother's side of the family. 

Before becoming annexed as a new member to the VUVR, Zegrav attempted to conquer the Nochanian Islands. Not only was it to expand and conquer, but to gain better access to trade goods from Valde. Castaria's Empire collapsing left no one to stop them. There was the V.U.V.R., well the members that began it. All the founding states focused on occupation and repairing the whole region. A wave of 106, 276 hungry, greedy, disgruntled, low, and deprived Zegravs invaded. All the Uxane islands had to defend their homes and people. Slaves, land, materials and respect as a new empire were all these Zegrav desired. With a force of 4,535 or more, Nochania fought on the island of Gisugonne. Nochania had 329,250 people leave for Geverine. Most of Zegrav's first wave died in the fighting, and during their occupation. His own mother fired a few rounds out of the window at these invaders. 

Zegrav lost their war to the newly formed V.U.V.R. and became a new member. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik and his fellow Vestrisians passed a herd of forty-five Zegrav Mastadons. They were large in stature, but very timid when it came to small rodents. Asim was glad to be able to see them in Ottante-Vestrisian as a child then again as an adult. His unit of 390 soldiers were part of the 1224th that was called up to deal with an insurgency. Just a week and a half ago they helped another army unit. Part of the 144th Infantry-Rangers scouring in groups of Elves and Dwarves that got caught in an ambush. Both forces fought for exactly four days reducing each others manpower. Mostly chipping away during the battle. When the 1224th came upon them just 37 Dwarves, and 32 Elves. These Rangers engaged 126 Ghouls, 75 Troglodytes, 15 Gnolls, and one Lamia Lion leading the ambush. 

None of the ambushing party lived to tell their reasons behind the ambush. As for the rest of the 144th company, 69 remained alive. The trumpeting sounds of the Ottante Mastadons brought him back to the present. Outside a city called Red Curve they set up a headquarters in the form of a base with multiple camps. Just twenty-seven miles from the borders of Zegrav and Castaria, they prepared to retake another settlement.  In the eastern-central part of Zegrav a total of four settlements remained in rebel hands. Whatever transpired in Castaria also began here in Zegrav. Rumors about a rebellion sparking up in Badraan, Kaniima spread across the regions. Among these rumors the gossip included aliens helping the insurgents and a possible civil war brewing. Asim did not want to know the caused behind them. He thought the 1224th were bound for Zekmar and Dorntalla. Their "real" enemy was the invade not angry rebels upset over some ancient feuds. Every tribe would either be subjects, slaves or dead if the VUVR fell. 

It was still the year 1843 and the Vullanese were getting crushed. More islands fell to the V.U.V.R. and their military started pushing into territories of other foes. All he heard was the areas of Zekmar, Gontrella, and Muskalla were likely to be invaded soon. There was also the rumor of their forces invading Vimasdra. Word about the frontlines seldom reached his ears. He was focused on the borders of Zegrav and Castaria. In a squad of fifteen riflemen, submachine gunners, grenadiers  machine gunners, and Marskman, Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik felt at home. Fields of yellow grass, hills, carious rivers, jungles to the south, and small deserts is what he visited with his own father. His own mother took him along when they were hunting down Zegrav invaders. She also allowed him to reload the guns. 

Under the command of Lieutenant Sallah Ritherson, fourteen infantry of the 1224th broke from the main unit. Another squad followed their example with only thirteen members in the squad. Breaking away from the main force they began searching for mounts. The commanding officer of the 1224th battalion, Colonel Eddos Zepher required the Zedelet transports for carrying the wounded. Loading their own packs on their backs the squad wondered about the mounts. Mules proved capable of carrying heavy loads, but moved slow. Horses were fast, agile, and durable. To the misfortune of the rider, they often scared easily. Oxen were used for pulling carts, wagons and sometimes vehicles. Those beasts were too slow for a mission such as this one. Other beasts would be too wild or too dumb for such a mission. Yackdreth had those thick coats and this climate was too warm. 

Any Yackdreth used for this mission would tire easily from the heat. Looking around the tent, wagon hut, lean-to, and nomadic house filled settlement they spotted what they needed for mounts. Often called humped steeds, or ships of the desert, Camels made the perfect specimen for the deserts, and grasslands. Among the mounts for sale and for rent were horses, Camels, Mules, Oxen, Mastadons, and some unusual ones. Roaming around the settlement they found a total of 557 horses, 338 Camels, one hundred fifteen Mules, Thirty Oxen, Eighteen Ram-Goats for smaller races, Nine Mastadons, fifty-seven lizard mounts, and five horned beasts for rent. 

Just checking the are out they noted the settlement consisted of three thousand one hundred twenty seven structures. Red Curve had more buildings, but the estimation was solid enough for them. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik's gaze concentrated more on the people. Inhabiting these estimated one thousand eight hundred eleven tents, four hundred thirty nine lean-to's, three hundred eighty-eight Caravan houses, four hundred eighty two huts they estimated at three thousand three hundred fifty and more. For settlement like this to thrive meant it had more services than just mounts, and beasts of burden for purchase and rent. Some blacksmiths, horse trainers, tent weavers, apothecaries, bodyguards, saddlers, blade smith, coopers, farriers, merchants pawners, healers, tailors, tanners, wheel wrights, tavern tents, and companionship. Red Curve also held some taverns, and other necessities to keep a settlement thriving and working. 

Rounding the corner they found some suitable camels next to a saddler, and animal trainer. Collecting the Camel steeds they proceed to patrol sectors in Red Curve's vicinity. Corporal Malik did his best keeping a mental note on the scenery around them. A tall portal inn stood at four stories towering above some castles, and old towers. It perched on a nice hill with a switchback pathway for steps. Forming part of Red Curve's foundation, twelve old structures appeared restored and renovated. Eight small castles, four old watch towers seated on hills formed a curve pattern. Each one was constructed from red clay and sand bricks. Thus the name Red Curve was given to it. Very little is known about its pre history, but the founding of Red Curve itself is well known. Its inhabitants retell the story of how nomads settled in some ancient ruins, and transformed the castles and towers into a town. 

Possibilities of finding other inhabitants wasn't difficult. Dozens of customers, scores of workers, and craftsmen could be seen among other structures. A trio of Guild riders, some Gold clad hero/writer from Geverine, and Elf Ranger buying new mounts for their own quests. Two female fire mages in the lose red robes rented a single lizard mount. Near some stands and old well three adventurers, three elf fighters, and three veterans haggled over saddles with four different saddle merchants at their stands. Wearing a light blue robe with orange trimmed borders a water phantom mage petted white spotted horse. This eunuch held the appearance of an aging man because of the shaven part of the head, and white dyed hair. His tan brown skin covered his age well. Any Mage with "Phantom" in the title or name were castrated. A multi-thousand year old tradition that is still practiced even after the scarcity of mages in Vestrisia in this era. For females they dyed their hair the color of their elemental powers. Whether they were a regular mage, fire mage, frost mage or water mage their still had to represent the elemental practices and guilds. Travelling with this eunuch was a female Gnome mechanic-inventor, an Old Knight, and Castarian Veteran. 

The Gnome was easy to identify, but for the rest, one needed I.D. papers, or I.D. cards. Here in Red Curve Malik spotted the Old Knight's sigil of a blue cat sewn to the back of a duster coat, and the Castarian Veteran wore a white armband. Anyone who fought against the V.U.V.R. had two options to choose from. Either they wear the white armband with the broken sword icon or serve a ten year sentence in exile. Most chose the armband whereas nine hundred or so chose exile to other parts of Calorn. Noting those off as customers buying or renting mounts Corporal Malik spotted a Red Curve Police officer in Red uniform. This police officer was escorting a family of elves towards a castle. They passed a colorfully dressed knight, nineteen Gryphon Dames from New Vattoram, two cow herders, three warriors, and Elf Blade seated at an open Tavern tent. 

On patrol as well they crossed paths with a mounted Uxane and five Red Curve Police in search of signs of lawbreaking. Exchanging words with them the Vestrisians discovered a few unsavory patrons. Adding this to their mission the squad of Camel Soldiers pressed through Red Curve. While moving west to make a turn the squad spied a Black Knight and a Cleric in wheel chairs near a cottage. Asim assumed they were visiting a site of a lost companion's final battle. Other inhabitants filled the streets shoulders along with six Uxane, and two local Vestrisians. Aiding the crippled souls was a Druid from Prinn, a Battle Blade Mage, and two younger silver knights. Each one gave a salute to the mounted Vestrisians. Being saluted made him uncomfortable for some reason. The idea of insurgents in the area triggered their battle instincts. How did he know the Ogre Hybrid, Leon Dame and former King's Knight would not attack? Hanging out near a cluster of huts he spotted three adventurers talking to an inspector in slacks, tie, and khakis. Next to the cluster rested a trebuchet that was now vintage decoration for the settlement. 

Still patrolling the area in search of rebels, Malik's squad passed a Legionnaire of Boathria, and ex Gladiator from Nevoran continent. Malik's gaze rested on a pair of Zema Ilam horses when a police officer in an automobile came through. Just as it came to a corner some figure in rags, and torn trousers rushed out of the crowds. Wielding what appeared to be a grenade this one figure attacked the police. A pink haired elf watched in horror as it exploded on detonation. Creating a fiery explosion and chaos the attack sent debris flying everywhere. Dozens of people fell whereas scores more fled the scene. Screams of fear and pain filled this section of Red Curve. Survivors lay on the ground in pools of blood. Everyone else either watched in panic, ran from the scene, or rushed in to help the wounded. Getting involved in the aid did help with the image of the V.U.V.R. military. Zegrav was a recent additional member that was still sort of under occupation. Mainly conquered, but still a member of the newly form Union against the invaders to the west. Seeing carnage wasn't entirely new to Corporal Malik. Similar events occurred in Meze and Evusia. Whatever conflict occurred only lasted for thirty-nine day and a half days. A team of seven Swan Knights, a Badraan dark skin, and a team of twelve rescue-medical personnel rushed over. Helping the patients with wounds they made off with three of them. The rest needed more patching up before moving. Malik's eyes widened when he saw the victims were entertainers, and other inhabitants aside from the police in his vehicle. A juggler, snake charmer tribesman, old female Orc, some tournament knight, six Red Curve citizens, female scavenger, fashionable bard, and an ex gladiator along with acrobats made up the wounded and dead. Whatever type of grenade that was it seemed to big of an explosion for a vial grenade. Either the attacker used a bunch of grenades attached together or something bigger. Studying the impact and black marks left on the ground his commanding officer surmised it was a bigger grenade. Even Malik combed through the dirt uncovering thumbtack needles, small screws, iron nails, and shrapnel. The dampness from the blood did not help with the combing for the grenade's contents. He and one other soldiers were able to collect forty-four pieces. What did not help their search were the Red Curve staffing covering up the blood and smoke with sand. Using palm branches they shifted the sand to cover everything up. 

Flag of Zegrav

 

Acting as a crossroad bridge between Vestrisian and Ottante, Zegrav is home to many dark skinned humanoids, and a few other races. Finding itself a land of grassland, deserts, savanna, jungles, oasis, rivers this land of Zegrav also had a few mountain ranges. Although it is rich in minerals it still chose to invade Uxane Islands north of its bay. It has to share waters with Geverine, Lheobethe, and Castaria. To its south lay the Evusian Empire, which was at war with Zegrav's natives on and off. Now it was a member of the V.U.V.R also called the Vestrisian Union or Vestrisian Republics. 

Draconic Collaborators or Warriors of Retoriam-Fecuvia -Korvatzi 1844

 Was it time to show their true colors? Or should they feign allegiance and die for their new masters? Walking into the room he found his 3rd wife reading to his 8th son, and two youngest daughters. She read from the bestiary of dragons that once flew the skies of Calorn yet still fly on her three moons. According to the dragon books there were thirty two types of dragons. Lung Dragons, yong Dragons, knuckers, ampitheres, Lindworms, Wyverns, marsupials, colony dragons, Dwarf Dragons, stone dragons, firebird dragons, earth dragons, Apophis Dragons, Sea Dragons, Blue crest Dragons, Red Dragons, Green, Black, Metallic, white, fire Drakes, Leviathans, behemoths, nagas serpents, nidhogs, wyrms, hydras, cockatrice, purple and gray dragons. He ha to remember all those dragons. Closing the door to their chamber Baron Blackmire interrupted the reciting of the 350 page bestiary. His wife, one tall beautiful battle mage, Ingrideinne the motherly had a knack for stories, teaching, training, and hard working. Knowing her since childhood, he knew she was afraid of spiders. It was something he always teased her about. Whenever he went too far she would through a small fireball at him. Blackmire also had a angry hedge mage in his armies. 

"Time for bed children, you need your sleep. Tomorrow will be a day of festivities and fun." Blackmire said making the next day sound exciting for them. Each little face had an excited expression appear. His own wife, his mother, gave him a more cross expression. 

Ignoring her Blackmire said his goodnight to each child before taking her off to their own quarters. She was silent in her black gown with silver designs. All he had on was a wool laced shirt with their Black Dragon insignia. Although not the only Black Dragon Clan or Family the Blackmire House felt forced to pledge allegiance to the alien Gantronese. Those light gray humanoids with no noses, scared faces, and large black eyes. Some say these were ghost demons from the skies. However they did provide protection from the other invaders, the Nazdar. Entering their room he saw a Green Dragon wine bottle holder on a counter bar against the stone wall. Next to it lay two chalices. A Duwal Chalice with twin Dragon Blood figures guarding a skull crest. The other was a goblet with a blue divine Dragon holding a blade. Sitting down he pulled his wife in with him. She did not resist as she got in bed while he poured them a little wine. Blackmire started to drink, but his Ingrideinne did not for some reason. 

"What is wrong?" he asked her lowering the wine from his face. 

"Are you going to face them?" she asked him. "Are you going to confront our new masters?" 

"Not yet. They have summoned us to protect our half of the small continent." He assured her rubbing her shoulder. 

"If they haven't already, they will send our men to fight against those Vestrisians. What do they want?" She retorted back at him grabbing his arm with fear. 

"I have summoned the other Dragon Clans. We must march to the south where this new enemy has just landed on our shores." Blackmire responded. 

"You mean the Gantronese lands. This was once home to the Blackhell peoples who are likely to side with the new invaders." she tried to argue. 

"We have new weapons to use against these new invaders. A few Lesdonian vessels went down from a turret they gave us." He boasted to her face. 

"That five man turret that looks like a death trap only sunk small skiffs or gunboats!" She said as though it was a rebuke. 

"Ingrideinne they gave us a Nazdar Tank, well three Nazdar tanks."

"One stolen tank, and two broken down ones." She replied. 

He wanted to tell her about the 375 Assault Rifles, and AA transporters the Gantronese also gave them. That would either have to wait or be shown in a few days. Finishing his wine alongside his wife Blackmire laid back and fell asleep. Morning came as the light of the dawn hit his closed eyes. The children entered their room with the nanny chasing after them. Forced to get up because of the children he ate morning meals with them and his wife. Each one were excited over what he was going to show them. What none of them expected was a bit of company. Seven other guests arrived wearing traditional clothing of their respected regions. Count Redmire of the Red Dragons arrived with his fiend looking maid. Lord Greenmouth of the Green Serpent Dragons, Baron Abbogus of the Gold Dragons, Gantronese-Puppet Commander Count Viggu Rabashi leading the commoners, Sir Eudes the Green Drake had the militia under his command. Looking at each leader he spotted 6 kegs, 8 crates and 6 barrels that were taken from a siege tower some lone Oni made into a home. On the wall hung a ceremonial Dragon Costume with Draconic Bat wings. 

"Welcome my fellow collaborators. The Gantronese have ordered us to repel an attack by an invader. No it is not the Vestrisians, but someone else." Blackmire addressed to his guests. His feast for them was waiting in the other room. 

"I understand the past blood feuds are still lingering over our heads. It would benefit us all, if we stood together while serving the Gantronese. I have offered 337 of my own Black Dragon Warriors to serve them. What about the rest of you?" Blackmire addressed to the gathered leaders. 

One at a time the leaders presented how many they were offering to defend their realm. Count Redmire offered a unit of 715 Red Dragon warriors for this defense. Lord Greenmouth brought over 635 Green Serpent Warriors. Baron Abbogus commanded just 198 Gold Dragon Knights for this fight. Count Rabashi had over 7555 armed commoners and peasants under his command. Sir Eudes commanded over 1,000 militia armed with Gantronese weapons. One company of 210 Foreign mercenaries was given their own commander by the name of Eman Bowerstone the Harpoonist. Not playing around Blackmire insisted they begin moving troops to the south. Gantronese authorities, their rulers, would not doubt have someone executed over any delays. 

"Making the most of the forces were are allowed to marshal, we have to move quickly. These 10,650 warriors we rallied already exceeds what they allow to be marshaled." Blackmire persisted before the other leaders who came. 

"How much time did the Gantronese give us?" Rabashi inquired folding his arms. 

"Just ten days to rest and begin moving our troops." Blackmire answered Rabashi. 

"Moving a large amount of troops is going to be difficult. Most of the motorized vehicles are taken by the Gantronese!" Greensmouth touted before the meeting of leaders. 

"We can march on foot!" Abbogus gave him a sincere glare that would send apprentices in the corner wetting their pants. 

"We have no time to march on foot, Abbogus. A fort of Retainers is under siege by these monster aliens called the Order of the Beast and CSO." Greenmouth pointed out. An argument arose among them over what to do. Blackmire put his head in is hands with his elbows on the table. Hearing arguments when they needed to get a move on created head aches. As they almost came to blows something hit him. Someone else could lead their forces. Another person could do this for them. 

"How about someone else do this for us? Lead our troops or their own troops that is closer to the front." He suggested to them. Every leader fell silent. They knew of whom he spoke of. A loner, who had military experience when fighting the Nazdar, Vestrisians, and the tribes of the Unknown Lands. This person was familiar with the area. 

"Mogg the Ghost Marked Orc is closer to the invader than we are." Blackmire suggested to the leaders. In his mind he knew how it sounded. The invader, if he was a neutral official watching this unfold their Gantronese Masters would be the invader. Fighting for them would make them a traitor to the rest of Calorn. It apparently made them traitors, anyone who fought for the Gantronese or Nazdar. One Grussian Prisoner of War spat the words at his face from their prison cell. 

No one said a word in response. Each one showed a blank yet scared face. He knew what Mogg was like, the Orc Hybrid wasn't what they really cared for nor had the balls to confront. Looking down at the table he spotted the Dragon Letter opener sitting next to some Draconic Sea Lions figurines on the table. Representing real draconic sea lions in the southern seas, the decorative pieces appeared eye catching. These really belonged to the cross chamber full of artifacts his wife arranged. However she insisted on setting the sea lion pieces on the table. For a half an hour he convinced the other leaders to let him contact Mogg tomorrow while they prepared to march south. 

At dawn they marched with a force of over ten thousand. Only five of the leaders went with them. Blackmire kept close contact with them via a radio given as a gift from  the Gantronese. Through this communication he learned smaller forces joined them. One band of 25 fire warriors of Retoriam, a company of 252 Green troopers with Gantronese rifles, one creator wit 25 automaton sets of armor with swords, and another company of 152 marksmen joined them. Blackmire himself had to march down there two days later. A unit of 92 Cat Folk warriors, 6 Dog Soldiers, 43 human collaborators, 468 rifle Dragoons, and 7 barbarians arrived at his home. Leaving the castle-mansion to the defense of a Gantronese Field Marshall, the cat folk guards and Dog soldiers he marched with the rest of that unit. Riding with this unit they arrived at the scene of the invasion. Carnage was all they found as well as the forces they sent over. Corpses of the invading forces, collaborators, some of their own knights and warriors littered the grasslands just before the coast. Signs of infighting could be found in abandoned villages, some coves, and the main bay. Some fortress was under siege around the time their forces arrived. Just 77 retainers to a Gantronese Lord survived a battle and siege. Corpses trailing from a nice grove towards the fort showed how fierce the fighting was. Blackmire surmised the determination of both sides over control in this region. Checking the bodies he noticed their Gantronese Masters seemed less in number among the casualties. Were their masters losing manpower or were they trying to use them as cannon fodder. 

Disposing of a population through war was never seen by Blackmire since 1838 AN. Several nations of Elves and Dwarves were sent to their deaths in the Unknown Lands bordering Mulzan. Although they were gifted cipher wheels as friends to the Gantronese, these humanoids were used as expendable troops. That was something Blackmire could barely forget no matter how hard he tried erasing the memories. Combining the new forces with Red Dragon, Green Serpent Dragon, Gold Dragon, Black Dragon warriors, and their militia, Blackmire's new command found the invaders at a beach further west. Speaking with newly promoted commanders because of the intense combat killing off the original ones proved difficult yet informative. Over a division's worth of aliens invaded marched under the banners of some Order of the Beast, and a Chaotic Surprise Oligarchy that acted like rivals. Eager to send the invaders to their graves or into the seas, his Gantronese masters insisted on attacking them. Claiming they would be finishing them off they engaged a force of more than eleven thousand. Another collaborator unit attacked from the northern flank with just 915 troops out of ten thousand. Hearing this news Blackmire wondered if this army attacked with over 100, 000. 

Knowing this would lead to his death Blackmire attacked alongside thirteen thousand others who made a mess in the fighting. Facing various alien mercenaries they discovered a few rebels joined them. One unit of 200 people of the Blackbell Isle chose to fight against the Gantronese, an island on the southern end of the continent. Another unit of traitors was among them, known as the Lairthos wolfmen, a humanoid race that pledged fealty to the Gantronese. Apparently, it was a fake pledge through their eyes. He drove his blade through the throat of one wolfman as 950 green faced troops engaged with bayonets alongside 708 hobgoblin-wolf like beings called Tessari, 621 Mahadi cat folk. Forced to fight in gunfights, close quarters combat his forces also engaged 809 tattooed warriors called Woadi. For several hours forces loyal to the Gantronese fought off another set of alien invaders preserving another alien's foothold. Taking out these new invaders wasn't easy, but they managed to wipe out the rest of them while driving the remnants into the sea. Either forcing them down into the muddy water face down, or choking them under the water Gantronese collaborators won a costly victory. Ending this battle alongside his fellow Tenmosians Blackmire slew other aliens such as Vanudai Ratmen, Qhelmite Bug humanoids, Chugo pigloid humanoids, Primate Bhitalions, Andazi reptilians, elite blue demons, Chugsin(warthog humanoids), Ogres, and Baubauns (baboon humanoids). Among these aliens they discovered a few Vestrisian Dark Elf collaborators who were likely acting as spies to these new alien invaders. Some of them had fake I.D.'s along with VUVR ID's with the Vestrisian Emblem and flag on the back of the ID card. 

Kezef's fleet year 1844

 His own fleet managed to secure a few spots in this newly found region. It added more islands they counted as out of Gantronese hands. Yet the Gantronese were still up north, and they had several more alien factions to deal with. He now looked at 29 mega ships heading this way. Each one belonged to a different faction other than Gantronese. Hearing much of the islands were cleared in their vicinity proved to reveal mixed results. Casualties were expected, but to deal with a mishmash of allegiances among the strange aliens found was not what he expected. Having more than five factions named through the radio communications gave him an idea of how much of a quagmire the situation looked. Other than the Gantronese and their Aquanne Hitto allies, Admiral Kezef had to think about three or more factions. Some Order of the Beast, the Chaotic Surprise Oligarchy, the Toceanids, and some liberating faction called the IGA. For Kezef this appeared too much to keep up with. 

Although he applauded and saluted the efforts of their troops, he could not believe they could secure the whole unknown region. Called the Platform Seas, this massive archipelago of islands stretched from the Iperantosi Isles to the southern hemispheres of Calorn. Thanks to some maps and willing pilots, he was able to note this blocked region of the sea hosted thousands of islands. Looking out the bridge to his flagship, he wondered if it was a good idea. Did they move too far into these unknown parts of their home world? Kezef read stories about caves leading to undiscovered caverns and underworlds. Even the Ottante continent still had places no one really ventured. For at least a few weeks or more they had been here, and hardly heard any word of Gantronese movements. That is what concerned him the most. Not hearing any news or reports since their victory against the Gantronese. Every privateer they hired barely gave a whisper to them. As unnerving as it was, he just had to remember, the alien invaders had more valuables to loot. Plus they hunted everyone they suspected of piracy before this war began. 

Partially heeding his crews' existence Kezef glanced over at some islands he got to walk on with some escorts of course. Taking a good look at the structures himself he also found some exotic animals living on these islands. A flock of yellow, green, and blue birds called Atotolins roamed around the western islands. These slender bodied, large headed water hens could be found in other parts of the world. Yet to find them here in the platform seas was baffling. He gave orders not to hunt these birds down since they came with enough provisions. Kezef turned his focus away from the thoughts of the birds, and the islands. Next to him one of their new allies came to his side. A commanding officer whose name he already forgot. Yet it was good they forgot his name as well, but not his rank. 

"Admiral if these Gantronese regain any foothold they will still have to contend with ten thousand or more enemies. Ones that are not from our factions. My own superiors are sending in a brigade to help." the alien put in. 

Not intending to ignore the alien elf Kezef signaled for them to send a warning fire at the incoming fleet. With a bolstered fleet of forty-three vessels he felt ready to take on this fleet of behemoth ships. Some appeared the size of islands. His flag ship fired a warning round at the twenty-nine ships. Letting loose a barrage from their own turrets, these enemy ships answered. A sea battle ensued before his very eyes. Although he fought the Gantronese, Evusians, and the Nazdar, he still felt an uneasy discomfort. His fleet along with nearly a division of personnel were in unknown territory no cartographer mapped out, and not a single explorer came back alive. Aliens, wildlife, monsters, and strange structures were all they found in this part along with the same enemy they had been fighting. He did not take it seriously at first until he met some of the aliens who turned against the enemy. Kezef was even more convinced when he came face to face with the turncoats, prisoners, and a new faction bent on interfering here. Even if their faction were to help, Kezef would prefer it if their superiors did not dictate commands to V.U.V.R. personnel. 

"Signal for the Aquanne Hitto to attack along with their Toceanid friends." Kezef ordered. No more than 1053 Aquanne Hitto warriors remained of the hordes that came down to Calorn to fight for the Gantronese. Kezef recalled talking to a General at dinner about them. The General believed the Gantronese were pulling in subjects from other parts of their empire here just to prevent uprisings. Kezef sort of disagreed with him there. He believed the Gantronese were stretching themselves thin. They had to be otherwise they would have overrun the southern islands by now. Watching the sea battle unfold from the safety of the bridge Kezef considered the possibility the Gantronese are holding back. 

His flagship's guns roared as the crew gunners unleashed lethal shells meant to sink or damage a vessel. Following his ship's lead, the rest of the fleet opened fire from a position that protected their gains. Even though they maneuvered ships slightly north of their claimed islands, the platform seas still exposed flanks. Forces loyal to the Gantronese were bound to come down at the bidding of their Masters. Thanks to the cooperation of other alien defectors they had a few airships to transport personnel out of here quickly. Studying each large behemoth vessel he could only guess the size of the crews. A dozen of the shells fired made impact on their intended targets. Every other shot hit the water, or some smaller island nearby. Grabbing his binoculars, Kezef assessed the damage from the bridge. One of their shells hit a smaller turret, another hit the rails to the deck, the rest just hit the side hulls along the bow, starboards, and broadsides. Seeing they did minor damage, Kezef waited for the next barrage of shells, which could be followed by a return fire. 

In command of a combined fleet he aimed to keep as many ships afloat for any future engagements. The Gantronese still had a formidable presence in these platform seas. A small brigade's worth of troops held the islands and platforms north of their positions. Thanks to the six aircraft patrolling the region signaled more forces were on their way. It could take every personnel on their own claimed islands to fend off the size of the Gantronese force coming for them. Preparing for the return fire Kezef ordered his crew to go into evasive mode. His crew sprang into action as his Lieutenant Captain repeated his commands through a phone piece on the wall. Feeling a little secure inside a trapezoid shaped bridge Kezef watched the crews prepare the Hervorne. Her bow turret fired a third round before they received an answer. Heavy, and light shells hit more than two hundred areas just in front of the combined fleet. A few islands were hit with tremendous explosions. Splashes from the impact rose up like large waves. Hervorne and a dozen other ships felt the choppy waves that managed to rock them. Their maneuvering made the rocking feel like they were in a small storm. Turret crews fired whenever they felt level. Kezef wished they would stop firing and conserve ammunition. 

After several minutes of fighting the waves the Hervorne and nearby ships regained balance through some side-to-side maneuvers. Ships behind them fired their turrets backing those who sailed at the front. Kezef felt tense as held on to a hanging handle on the ceiling. Sailors sat at their posts while he stood up in front of his command seat. He would be sitting down in it, but he felt uncomfortable at the moment. A good walk around the ship would give his legs a good stretch. Letting the ship Captain off the hook for his cabin seemed like a bad idea for his own legs. Kezef would have enjoyed an extended stroll through his flag ship. His military mind was needed, the Gantronese had sent their first fleet since the engagement at sea. More ships arrived to engage the alien fleet, which relieved his fleet of being needed there. Another Vestrisian Admiral and her own fleet arrived, a fleet of Elves, Half-Elves, Orcs, Goblins, Half-Orcs, Half-Goblins, Humans, Dwarves, Gnolls, and Troglodytes. Most of the Gnolls, and Troglodytes who chose to assimilate. He met a few dozen of those humanoids who were raised into the modernizing civilized society. 

After another volley of fire each behemoth vessel were hit. Firing at least nine more times the combined fleet brought one of the behemoths down. In a fiery explosion this monster vessel burst into flames as it succumbed to the amount of damage. Watching just one of those sink gave them relief. Cheers went up all over his ship while the gunners were still firing rounds. Eight more volleys of combined shelling brought another one down. One of their own allies lost a ship to five shots out of eighteen from two of the behemoths. Appearing as a blow to their fleet they were still in this fight as a third behemoth went down in ten shots. Kezef watching a fourth one go down in eleven volleys of fire from ten ships alone. To their luck hardly any more of their own vessels suffered any hits except for the one they lost. It belonged to Alagen, an ally of theirs who showed determination to fight. A fifth behemoth went down after fourteen sets of rounds, but it came at a cost of one Vestrisian Destroyer. It went down in six or seven shots. Kezef felt his heart sink as the blow stabbed his heart. Over two thousand sailors were now dead, drowning, suffocating, or afloat at the mercy of this situation. In the heat of the sea battle a sixth behemoth went down, reducing this fleet to twenty-three vs thirty-nine allied ships. Checking the flag on these beasts he noticed the Gantronese Flags, and the Nazdar Flags flying over them. 

"How many rounds was that, Lieutenant Blackbell?" He asked the third in command aboard the Hervorne since Captain Durnvire was in his cabin. 

"Sixty-five Sir." the Lieutenant answered. 

Not bad, not bad for the first day of engagement. He thought to himself. During his time in the Navy he would see hundreds of rounds fired resulting in little or no damage to any hostile ship. Times were a little different now. Stronger ships, more turrets, large carrying capacity along with a slightly larger crew. There was also the newest technology in radio communications, and radars. Some ships did not need fuel thanks to engineering of Gnomes, and Dwarves working with sea Goblin mechanics. A new enemy invaded their home world threatening to expand into Vestrisia, and Ottante. Some new technology to combat them was secretly handed over as well as scavenged, salvaged or stolen. Watching these behemoths slowly move around Kezef could only imagine how much fuel these mechanical monsters guzzled up. More shots were exchanged before the Behemoths started to back off. A flare shot from one of the leading ships ordering the fleet to stop. In a stroke of luck the Gantronese fleet backed off and began to retreat north. Kezef sat in his seat relieved to watch them retreat. 

"They are retreating!" one of the Command Bridge Crew members cried out causing a loud rise of excited voices. His entire crew cheered with joy at the sight of their enemy retreating again. The whole fleet expressed their excitement over this. For them it had been weeks since they saw the enemy retreat like this. In his mind he knew the enemy would return. 

Dawn came as the next day began with the two sides returning to positions. Instead of twenty-three Behemoths they saw twenty-one come after them. Kezef received word their own ground troops on the islands fought off the Gantronese forces. Marines, Rangers, Infantry, Allied soldiers, turncoats, and new allies fought off over 7,000 troops with just 12 tanks engaged their forces on nine different islands. Every tank was destroyed or sank in the muddy shores. Gantronese forces lost well over 5,250 infantry and 75% of the forces originally holding the northern islands. According to prisoners this was the only force they managed to send along with the rest of the defenders who surrendered or allowed themselves to drown. As for their casualties, a few hundred men and women died in the fighting. That did not explain the missing behemoth. One of the Aquanne Hitto had to inform him and other Admirals here that a force of 1,053 Aquanne Hitto launched a night attack on the crew of a behemoth. It was after they slaughtered the survivors of the enemy crews in the waters. Toceanids were preoccupied with summoning something else to help. Not even a score of Aquanne Hitto survived despite massacring the sleeping crew. Other behemoths opened fire on the one they attacked, sinking it as it burst to flames. 

Kezef ordered for the surviving Aquanne Hitto to leave and save their species. However they refused, insisting on acting as spies while the next day of battle commenced. Twelve shots is what it took before another Behemoth to go do down. Another blow to the behemoths, but not as staggering as watching a Sloop sink to five shots, and a VUVR ship sank after suffering three shots. One behemoth ship with a Gantronese and Vorcadam decoration on the bridge sank in fifteen shots. Kezef's fleet suffered more losses. The second Vestrisian ship sank after suffering five shots. One of their own frigates does down after 6 shots. It pulled out quickly with smoke emitting from her hull. An Ivodran ship sinks after getting hit 8 times. To his left flank an Evusian light Battleship sinks after 16 hits. Everyone else either pulled back or helped collect survivors as the Behemoths went everywhere. Two of them were forced to retreat, and three of them had a few working turrets. He could not tell if they were winning or losing. They brought more ships, but these aliens had larger vessels that proved hard to take down. Looking through his binoculars he noticed each one had a different shape than the other. More conventional weaponry was installed over the energy blasting ones he heard about from spies. Nevoran Federation fleets suffered heavy loses to the alien ships that used weapons that shot out beams of fire. Despite the advantage the alien ships still went down after several days of fighting. One report detailed an explosion caused within an alien vessel guessing it used too much energy or something ignited. 

Seeing his own fleet retreat he began to lose hope. Several ships let loose depth charges, mines, and torpedoes. Kezef's heart started to beat harder and faster as he grew tense from watching. His hands squeezed the binoculars shaking them a little. Beads of sweat emerged from his pours as he watched a few torpedoes hit two of the behemoths. This is the end of our expedition. He thought to himself, keeping that from the ears of his own crew. The Hervorne slowly turned around with one of the turrets still firing away. Hoping to outrun the enemy fleet Kezef's combined fleet went full speed ahead. Kezef handed command of the ship to Durnvire while he raced over to a balcony facing the stern. Getting to the stern side of the destroyer he witnessed a behemoth ship hit a reef, or something while another got entangled by large tentacles at an area they had not ventured. From the skies scores of alien fighters attacked the Gantronese and Nazdar behemoths. Turning to face the direction the fighters came zooming in he spotted Yvonnes airship with the Vestrisian Flag painted on it. Leaving the scene of the battle felt difficult due to the loss of thousands of sailors. Just as many sailors were rescued in time before the whole fleet returned to base. 

For the rest of the evening he held a meeting on one large island where the discussions, planning, and apologize grew into tense arguments. No one threw a punch just protested ideas, turned down roles, and threatened to leave soon. Kezef's reminder to them about the enemy losing ships as well and air superiority at them moment, calmed them down. When he mentioned the sea monster they also got angry and scared of that thing before someone on his side managed to shut everyone up. Captain Argosan Vroigson of the Lybresan Frigate Bogam, half goblin-half human, got everyone's attention. He reminded them of new allies, the fleets they had on the other side of the Arm of Lost Souls. 

"...My fellow Captains, Naval Officers, and peers, we have another fleet on the other side of that wall of ruins. More than half the behemoths are damaged. I say we stay and fend them off!" Captain Vroigson slammed a hand on the table. Around the meeting table the other Naval Officers nodded in agreement. Some of them crossed their arms with intrigue, and skepticism. A few muttered their approval. The room filled with chatter for a moment or two as they discussed among each other. 

On their third day the combined fleet let these behemoths have it on the seas. Fore a whole hour the coalition bombarded the first line behemoth ships, peppering them with turret shells. Not caring if their guns overheated, they went at it. Maneuvering was easier in the southern part of the waters they chose to fight in. Although it seemed awfully close to home base, it was still north of their positions in the open water. Six or so shots sunk a behemoth flying Nazdar colors. It resembled a battleship mixed with a blimp. On another one, five good hits destroyed a smaller behemoth resembling a steel shark. As the sea battle dragged on the coalition flanked the behemoths, which forced a portion of the fleet to pull back. Four well placed torpedoes and four hits sank a third behemoth that flew a Gantronese flag. Taking with it thousands of souls, this third one held the shape of a forked blade of some sorts. One damaged behemoth ship with an eagle shape took four more hits before going down in flames. Its bridge, radio tower, turret, and hull became nothing but destroyed debris. Twelve hits took down a lightly damaged behemoth that sort of resembled the shark one. A sixth one went down after receiving hits from multiple ships. Just three hits to the engine following ten others demolished the ship. Four more ships on the coalition side sank on the third day of battle. One of their Destroyers sank after receiving eleven shots, four hits sank a Steel Sloop, four hits sunk another Destroyer while twelve hits sank an allied Cruiser on his left flank. 

Just four more losses in this battle compared to eight more losses to the behemoths. Only twelve behemoth ships remained. Twelve damaged behemoths managed to stay afloat. Was he counting wrong or did more behemoths join the fight. A ship of his own fleet went ahead of the fleet. Not what he wanted, and it was too late to call them back. One single tear went down his cheek as he watched the ship go down with over several hundred sailors he commanded. His heart became heavy. Kezef dropped the binoculars while slumping back down in his seat. Another Vestrisian fleet gone to the enemy guns. Another volley managed to sink seventh behemoth for them. What did that make it now, elven or ten behemoths to worry about? Sure they were damaged from the fighting, but each still posed a threat. Ignoring everyone in the bridge and a few calls to him, he clasped his hands. All he focused on was the heavy loss, the ten or more behemoths still a float and how to get out of this one. In his mind he wondered if this was a fleet cut off from communications with the fleet just northwest of these hidden islands. Taking his eyes off his own hands he saw a Vorcadam Death Bringer went after this one ship caught in the open. As it came upon its starboard side the Death Bringer succumbed to torpedoes from the west. Squadrons of alien craft zoomed in from the skies. A mixture of aircraft attacked the Gantronese and Nazdar behemoths who could only answer back with flak guns, and AA fire. From behind them and their eastern flank scores of aircraft roared overhead towards the enemy. A wave of flying engines created a startling noise that he and some crew members jumped out of their skins. 

Roaring Eagles, Dreamfires, Screaming Hawk, and Holy Angels came to their rescue in a few waves of dive bombers and torpedo planes. Like seagulls and pelicans diving for food these aircraft unloaded on the remaining behemoths. Watching 108 of their own aircraft attack these behemoth ships made Kezef uneasy. Did the Gantronese and Nazdar have aircraft coming in to counterattack them? With wings resembling an inverted shape their Roaring Eagles held the shape of an eagle. Its H tail and cockpit took away its resemblance to that of an eagle. Known for its dive bombing feats the Roaring Eagle-7 became the VUVR's number one aircraft for the job. It was also produced, and shipped over to certain allies. Kezef was astounded by the capability it had against these alien aircraft. Dreamfires held more than one wing shape. The only one he saw was the D shaped nose and the thick Oblique wings, the Dreamfire 5b. An aircraft whose wings can fold upward or backwards to make room. Agile, fast, well armored this Dreamfire could act as a fighter, bomber, and torpedo diver. Its double engines allow speeds up to 625-701mph making it the fastest aircraft in their arsenal. Whatever the engineers did to this aircraft went beyond expectations. Due to its speed the Dreamfire was tasked with escort jobs, and fighters for dogfights. Screaming Hawks showed a more mid-wing aircraft with straight edged, and tapered trailing end. Its mixed engine made a screaming noise thus dubbing it Screaming Hawk. Acting as a dive bomber, and torpedo launcher, the turbo fanned craft can carry nine bombs, and two small torpedoes. Holy Angels flew with three engines, double tails, space for two pilots, and four guns could place a bomb or three on its target at once. Only three of these types came from aircraft carriers while one of them had to be launched from Ruhonthran Islands. Kezef smiled at the sight of twelve behemoths going down ending the battle for the southern platform islands. 

A Luring Site

 Roaming through the dunes of the desert he found himself crossing over into Morgadra. Ottante a he knew it was home to jungles, grasslands, and hills to the east. A large desert rested in the heart of Ottante with hundreds of Oasis dotting the landscape. Only four rivers managed to flow through the center of Ottante. The others flowed through Zegrav or along the borders of Zekmar, Nevkamuu, Dorntalla, and portions of Gaskouth Ladai. Astride his Camel, Igfit, Nomadic Desert Rider, Mirobi Omarnis was alone with his wits, Hunter Blade, Curved Dagger, War Staff, Muzad Scimitar, limited arcane knowledge, and his T.M. 13 Rifle. Mirobi acquired the Hunter Blade from his father as an inheritance, the Curved Dagger from another Dark Elf Noble he fought, the War Staff was hand crafted, the Scimitar was a gift. As for the T.M. 13 rifle, he fought the Gantronese in Zekmar and Dorntalla along with every tribe in Ottante. Hundreds of thousands came to the borders of Zelhinan City to aid in fending off the Gantronese invasion. Members of the V.U.V.R. and other modernized states shipped weapons to help them fight off the Gantronese invader. Recalling those days still traumatized him, but he shook the memories away. How they were able to stop such a force was beyond him and others. Weapons of breathing metal spouting out smoke from their heads, backs of rear ends startled him. Metal monsters of iron and steel that crawled on wheels for legs emitting smoke and making gurgling growls louder than a wailing wraith in the desert. Winged monsters that flew overhead scared off the steeds for a while until others came to shoot them down. Some of the floating scarab behemoths that gave out light over the lands it covered in shadow appeared too much for them. 

Yet they prevailed despite all of that. Around the same time, according to travelers, and Gantronese Prisoners, another faction caught their attention. Another invader called the Nazdar waged war on the Gantronese invaders drawing forces away from the main campaign in Zekmar, Gaskouth Ladai. Tribes and peoples were there including the Muzad Nomads, the Baedur Pirates, Elves of Lheobethe, Camel Kols of Kaniima, outcast Zema Ilam, the Borvadosi, the Badraani, Uxane from the East, Zegrav, Dune Dwellers, and mercenaries. Warriors of other races joined in that year the gathering began. Orcs, Goblins, Elves, civilized Gnolls, hybrids of different races, half-elves, Dwarves, and Lamia rallied to fight off the invaders. It was a hard one fight, costly for both sides, however they the inhabitants of this world could afford such losses. Mirobi kept on the course on Igfit who carried him, his water flasks, tent, bullets, rations, bedroll, lantern, extended rope for quicksand, lantern, 2 oil flasks, spyglass, Tinderbox, torches, extra robes, leather poncho, 3 blankets, soap, extra clothing, signal whistle, water skins, Whetstone, and Camel feed. He did have his mess kit taken off a Gantronese soldier. In his possessions rode a claw knife, goggles, own grappling hook, canteen, helmet that resembled a mix of a bowl with a bell, compass, various coins, map in scroll case, lock, manacles for his prisoners, set of cooking utensils, Gantronese boots, and gloves. He had other equipment, but were useless in the desert. 

All alone Mirobi Omarnis of the Moon Wraith Clan, and Morgadran Dark Elf Circle, pressed his Camel forward. Before his very eyes stood an erect obelisk of black marble decorated in gold, bronze lettering. His eyes gleamed with awe at the sight of this structure sitting alone in the dunes. Bringing his Camel over, Mirobi dismounted when he was close enough. The only sounds he could hear were his own breathing, the desert winds, his camel grunting. 

"Quit your whining Igfit, this is a find I shall tell Miderna about. A Scholarly Shaman of the tribes would want know about this." He said to his Camel despite his Camel not caring about the usual chatter other than commands. Igfit went into a sitting pose as all camels do. Mirobi left his Camel alone to take a better look at this Obelisk. Awestruck by gold letters he presumed were runes or hieroglyphs of the ancient civilizations, he went closer. Getting closer, and closer he laid a single hand on one of the letters or symbols that appeared like a figure of shields, and another of bronze. Tracing his fingers on other symbols the ground began to shake under his feet. 

Thinking it was an earthquake or quicksand he darted for Igfit who immediately got up. Mirobi climbed back onto the saddle on Igfit's back only to witness two figures emerge from the sand. One four armed 10ft tall stone golem, and a bronze one emerged from underneath the sands. Looking at the Obelisk he figured it out. By touching this Obelisk he awoke some guardians or something. Going for the stone golem first he shot at the monster with his rifle causing it to stagger. Turning his attention to the bronze one he saw it was one of iron mail plate armor made from shields. Sucking on is own teeth he pondered on how well he could even handle these two ancient materialistic guardians. Reminding himself of past victories Mirobi gathered courage. At this point it would be courage that would lead to his death. My how curiosity could lead to dangers. 

Urging Igfit not to panic he took a shot at the stone Golem's chest destroying a piece of its chest. From the flank came the shield golem. He dodged a blow from its arms as Igfrit sped up. Knowing these two monstrosities would crush him he tried keeping his distance. Making circles around he tried chipping away at the stone golem doing his best to avoid the metal one. All it did was make it angry and draw the other one closer to the stone one. Coming in between them he managed to get both of them to hit each other. Mirobi had to shut his eyes closed and cover his ears. One of the loudest blasts emitted from stone clashing with metal. Like a thunder clap in the ear the blast almost pierced his ears. Becoming stunned for a moment he nearly fell off his Camel. Making another foolish round to engage them he discovered the two were missing pieces from the clash. Both had huge chunks of their chest, stomach, and heads missing. Stone, and metal pieces scattered allover the place in the form of debris. Steadying his mount Mirobi studied both golems. Each one had a strange orb or spiraling piece of metal in its chest. Getting ideas on what those were and how valuable Mirobi did one more charge in between the two golems. At full speed he had Igfrit charge in between the two monsters. Forced to swing their slow powerful swings the golems hit each other in the chest with what remained of their limbs. Mirobi turned around to see his work. Both the bronze metal shield golem and the four armed golem lay in heaps of destroyed, and dented materials. 

Flag of Gontrella

 

Allied to the Vullanese Empire, Gontrella is a wealthy Constitutional Monarchy that is slowly slipping into becoming more of a Federal Dictatorship. Known to the eastern states of Vestrisia as a hungry state, Gontrella often invaded the smaller neighbors until the VUVR was founded. Gontrella was responsible for starting several conflicts in recent decades, and funding slave business with Castaria until its fall. 

Two Goblets

 Grabbing the Goblets she wondered if this could really work. Do these goblets take you to another dimension, or to a different world? She had to find out for herself. This was too tempting to pass off as some mumbo jumbo. Was she really going through with this? As personnel of the investigative team for the enchanted, divine, occult and arcane, Agent Moonsugar had the job of collecting any artifact or trinket with some signs of magic or paranormal mixed in. Handpicked from the ranks of the Black Coats, Irene Moonsugar held experience with the undead, shapeshifters, ancient dark warlocks, some ethereal monsters, shamans, beasts from folk tales, multiverse creatures, and aliens under her belt. It was a lot to encounter in the course of four years. At the age of thirty-two she felt a little accomplished by this job. She served in the Black Coats from the age of eighteen until the age of twenty-eight. Behind her stood the mechanical dragon lord some knight took down three years ago. Her coworkers put it together, which made her snigger at them behind their backs. It took them three tries to get it right. She checked to see if anyone else was in the chamber before taking them over to her office. 

Inside a vast exhibition chamber of maroon walls and arches with black veins Agent Moonsugar had her office behind a pillar. A good and bad location. If anyone needed to find her they would have to go behind the pillar near the rest rooms at the back. Making her way up to her office she passed display cases on tables containing the most recent discoveries. With both goblets in her hands, she took a second to glance at three of the exhibits no tourist or regular citizen were allowed to see. The Black Crown of Gimassuun, Piggy Bank of  Aicila Nikkison, and the Gauntlets of Liv rested in their designated cases. Looking down at herself she wondered what everyone would do if she went missing. Everyone wanted to suckle her for hours drinking and enjoy her. That is what Moonsugar did not want to happen. Going ahead with what she was about to do, Irene entered her office. Quickly shutting the door, she locked it. Forced to tuck one of them under her arm pit she dropped a pen. Just leaving the pen there she placed the goblets on the desk. Not in the mood to receive any calls she disconnected the phone from the floor plug connection. 

Irene's office was decorated with inspirational quotes from her favorite celebrities within the country. Beatrice Voidriver the singer, Mariette Evenglide the Model-Seamstress, and Noel Icestone the clever dancer choreographer, and actress. Their quotes meant everything to her. Before she could read one of the quotes the Goblets started glowing at the embedded gems. One Goblet was decorated with a topaz, and the other had a finely carved emerald. Seeing them both glow like this freaked her out. Irene went for a bottle of wine inside the side cabinet on the wall. Inside the cabinet she had eight of her favorite drinks. Eager to get through the glowing gem situation Irene snatched up the white liquor bottle. Pouring some in the goblet with the emerald, she prepared to drink from it. Irene's world sort of stopped as her heart beats slowed then quickened. Growing louder her heartbeat thumps engulfed the room. Irene could only hear the heartbeats. Taking a drink from the Goblet she saw the other Goblet Levitate then shoot straight for her. The other one ripped out of her grasp and spun around her while the other did the same counterclockwise. Enshrouded in a whirlpool Irene stood still with amazement and fear, scared of what was happening before her eyes. She wanted to scream for them to stop, but nothing came out of her mouth. Inside a whirlpool of green, gold, and white she felt sick. Expecting her stomach to churn and force her to upchuck the wine Irene sat down. Instead of the fine carpet her hands felt she was sitting on sand. Picking up the sand in her hand she looked at it with disbelief. 

After what felt like an hour the Goblets stopped spinning to reveal her surroundings. Irene's surroundings were no longer an office, but an Oasis in what appeared to be a desert full of dunes. Getting up to check it out a figure came up to the oasis. Astride a camel creature the figure dressed in a blue desert cloak that covered them head to toe. Irene called for them, but her voice did not reach them. Was she in some kind of dream or hallucination? Moving around she discovered an abandoned village in the desert and oasis jungle. Beside the village she found a mechanical golem, shut down for some reason. Approaching this golem Irene was confused by the markings. These markings were unfamiliar to her. Recalling all the runes she studied, and saw, she could not put a finger on what these markings were. She was not on the planet she was born on. All the Golems were either nonexistent, in a museum, or torn apart and turned to scrap metal.  Searching herself Irene looked for a piece of paper and something to write on. Finding nothing to use she looked for a piece to remove and take back with her. Whatever figure she saw noticed her and called to her from the grouping of palm trees. Giving up on the markings Irene snatched up the goblets. Unsure if she recognized the language Irene still went over to the blue cloaked figure. She still tried grasping where she was or if she was sent to some other dimension. Approaching the blue cloaked figure Irene was greeted by a grouping of small green marble sized balls that emitted from their hand. Ducking down she assumed the little balls were shot at her. She was wrong about that. 

Whoever this blue cloaked figure was they sent the green marble lights towards a wooden statue that resembled a winged feathery lizard of some sort. Sitting on a stone pillar the wooden carving near the same village of the golem animated before Irene's eyes. Turning around she kept telling herself this was just a dream and clutched the two goblets. Glaring at the one she drank from Irene suspected this had something to do with a prank. Irene's profession slapped the idea out of her mind. Looking at the Blue Cloaked figure Irene made herself blind to the statue's movement. The figure pointed at her and said something she barely understood. Some dialect of desert elf. From behind the statue swooped at her. Using wooden talons, it grabbed her by the shoulders. At its animator's or conjurer's beckoning the statue brought Irene over to them. Just as it dropped her on the sand, something else burst out of the abandoned village. A brass statue, standing ten feet tall holding an instrument, came alive. Causing the base, and its foundation to shake and crack, the brass crafted statue broke itself free. Emerging from its stance it stood at a towering nineteen feet tall. This was not her day at all. Irene was expecting something different, not something that would try killing her. At least that is what she believed when seeing the wooden carving statue came to life. 

Exiting the village, the brass statue glanced around at the living figures that barely came up to its knees or so it appeared. Resembling a tribal figure with a large hat, and beard, the stature also wielding a brass tribal horn with ornaments dangling from it. Grasping its instrument, the brass put the piece to its metal lips and emitted a horrible metallic screeching sound from the instrument that looked like a horn she saw in a museum somewhere. It had holes like the instrument that was decorated in civil tribal markings. Irene had to cover her ears as did the blue cloaked figure that sent the other statue to attack the brass giant. Watching the wooden carving go after the metallic figure she wondered if the figure could also reanimate the metallic golem. When she turned to the figure another one emerged from the village in a maroon-colored robe. Irene guessed this was some enemy of the blue cloaked figure who immediately threw a knife at them with their powers. 

Irene felt herself up for a weapon but found a small handgun she always kept on her. Drawing her little pistol she shot at the maroon figure in the leg, and side. Not intending to wait for them to react Irene rushed over to the Oasis. Diving on the ground she dipped the other goblet into the water. Quickly gulping it down to see what would happen the sand swirled around her. Experiencing the same effect only with sand, pebbles, rocks, and water swirling around her Irene closed her eyes. The feeling of throwing up grew intense, and she could not hold back. Holding on to herself she waited for it bring her to wherever it took her before throwing up on the floor of her own office rug. One she swore would never get any stains on it, ever. 

Just straight from my mind and interests

During my childhood my interests in fantasy, swords, and sorcery type of genre grew. As any young boy who became nerdy my interests went towards Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Stargate, and a bunch of other movies within that realm. Even the likes of Dungeons and Dragons. Other than the movies, and video games my interests went towards home decorations that involve fantasy themes. Over the years I kept thinking back of the days when I would go to the bookstore at the mall that would have a lot of fantasy books. I did read a lot as a kid, and played a lot of video games, which inspired me to write. Creating my own world came naturally for me. As an adult I chose to collect some things I thought looked cool for my house. 

Spending time alone has given me the chance to go where I want, and write whatever I want while enjoying the day. Collecting dragon statues or dark fantasy stuff that catches my eye is only part of the collection. Deep down I would rather enter a cool shop with all of the neat fantasy stuff rather than have to order it online.