Dimir's Informant

Next to Tranquil Cove Diron City sits next to Gontrella with Blackmell Mountains on eastern flank. Known mostly for its culinary arts, arcane, taxidermy, and winery. Going through these streets wasn't difficult as they were created wide enough for two coaches or carriages to move through abreast. As an informant they had to keep their ears open enough for eavesdropping, eyes peeled for anything suspicious while digging their nose into business. One thing they found was a Goblin nether boss starting trouble with loathsome troll as bodyguard. Apparently, a pillar field ox stew they made was dubbed or judged unworthy of a restaurant's menu. Whoever the judge was they were scared to be throttled by a hooded brawler, which is why this mess came to be in the first place. 

 

In response to this threat the Goblin had the loathsome troll bodyguard, or someone impale a hired poisoner with an ancestral cutlass through sadistic obsession. Gawping, nosiness, wannabe looters, onlooking were finished by the time the corpse hauler became involved after this grizzly scene. Witnessed by Griss the Aether theorist the murder was outlined with chalk, but the blood on the cobbled street did not help. No one moved the corpse leaving the authorities to do their jobs. Only thing missing was the murderer and the murder weapon itself. Whoever was found with the weapon would be either tossed in prison or be interrogated. Being called over to investigate was a civil duty; a well-respected, upstanding citizen could perform alongside authorities if they had at least five years of a good record. Alas an Arcane Investigator was brought over to help them. It was his second time to do this however an export was summoned over. They were involved in some form of divination when they received the summons. In the presence of an Arcane Investigator who used their powers to solve crimes and mysteries felt overwhelming. 

 

Right after they checked the corpse the Investigator asked the witness who saw it happen from their balcony window while sitting down in their favorite armchair. Griss the Aether did not want them to know what they were up to inside their apartment revealed to the Investigator of another witness who was chased away from the scene by one of the Goblin's goons. Gossimun verified them as Pepper Diablos, a practicing Conjurer Magician who works as a seamstress. Going to her apartment had to wait until the next day. Sitting down in a separate room to the foyer lobby to the apartment complex was Pepper Diablos, and her attorney Tiag Altrame. The attorney appeared big in terms of physique like an ogre with human like appearances in a suit. Forced to take a seat with the Arcane Investigator taking the lead, Civil Investigator Cageson studied Pepper a little in her seat. Dressed in a handmade shawl over a wool dress with braided decorations, Pepper Diablos apparently brought her orange tiger cat for comfort. Around her neck was a Gwynor made watch. He favored wooden or metal clocks since he did not have to keep up with them. In his own home he had one with a morion cabasset on it as decoration. Pepper gave her testimony to the investigators as Arcane Investigator Artemis Fowlson became a guiding voice for this hunted witness who was apparently with a Tower Worker around the same time. 

 

"Thank you for your time, Ms. Diablos. Who is this Tower Worker you spoke of?" Fowlson got up to leave the witness to attend to her own apartment. 

 

"Tad Wiad, he lives on the floor above mine. He should have more information on who is who." She replied to Fowlson's question. Getting up from her own seat she revealed more of her outfit that made her figure look cozy and warm underneath. 

 

Cageson noticed other things on Diablos, a bracelet of small skulls on the right wrist showing she was a bit of an awkward youth at one point. A coin purse with magical looking eye of foresight hung from her neck. In her left hand she held a weird voodoo doll made for stress relief when squeezed. She did not show the most graceful of movements when exiting the room. Fowlson poked a little at Cageson wondering what he thought. All he could think of where the real culprit was now. Noting it was only 10:00 am the day after the crime Fowlson led them to Tad Wiad's floor. Climbing two sets of stair did not bother them unless they count the sleeping half goblin sprawled on the floor with a bottle in hand. Tad Wiad's own apartment appeared decorated with small cogs, broken tools, iron nails forming the number 838 just under his apartment number, 930. Hoping to have a brief chat with Tad Wiad Cageson rapped on the door. Fowlson did not like that one bit. He squinted his eyes at him. The door swung open revealing a half human, half goblin in brown worker's overalls with pockets, tears, holes. His expression said he was not completely here mentally. Tad seemed a little intoxicated on something. Fowlson quickly shook hands introducing himself, yet he had to make the half goblin raise his hand just to make it seem like he was there. Their mission here was to get information not to arrest him for intoxication in his own home. 

 

"How stoned are you, Tad Wiad?" Fowlson asked him. He looked into his eyes a little closer. Cageson took one good look at him. Checking his eyes for himself Cageson recognized the enlarged pupils. Side effects of a certain drug called Homose Mortalise that gives the user or addict extra time awake. He recalled some four abusers or addicts who were wide awake for 52 hours. 

 

"Why can't they find a good replacement or just a replacement? Or shut down the whole store, another leak was found." Tad Wiad blurted out dropping to his knees in despair. 

 

"Tad we are investigators Fowlson, and Cageson. We are looking for a culprit or suspect in the murder of a culinary judge last night. Do you know anyone the judge may have misjudged or incited a conflict?" Fowlson asked the Half Goblin who seemed to be getting a little more cooperative. 

 

"Yeah, um Nether Boss Nexx, his ah troll bodyguard Fugir can be found near the taxidermist, or the Grand Holk transformed into an inn. Or you can check the archivist, Gendarmes Steone. Do you need any more help from me?" Tad Wiad answered blinking a few times. His head turned to their left down the hall. 

 

"Don't worry they found plenty of help." Fowlson replied to Tad's question as if he was someone else speaking to Tad. He lightly pushed the half goblin back into his own apartment. Closing the door the Arcane Investigator noted to himself to check on this Homose Mortalise drug. 

 

Cageson followed the Arcane Investigator to the archivist Steone to get some addresses and locations. At a Modern University they found Steone overwhelmed with new archives to organize blaming his work on prosperous pirates who have a Buccaneer's Bravado going on. Cageson wrote that down as something to investigate after the discovery of drugs. He wasn't sure if Diablos was mentally well seeing someone like Tad Wiad. Yet it was her choice so he could not say anything. Fowlson took up the conversation with the archivist to find out where the suspects hid. While they conversed Cageson poked around the small archive. Rummaging through a mound of papers, notes, envelopes Cageson discovered what looked like a torch gauntlet that was usually found in Vullan. Either Steone aimed to burn the library or someplace to the ground or he was secretly a member of Vullan's Religious Order. Returning his focus to the conversation, he heard some bits and pieces of what he wanted to hear. 

 

"I don't know where you can really find the Nether Boss unless you check the restored, renovated bailey keep down by the western edge of Diron. It is good you are here Investigator a lawless broker has some crimes to check on. They or she became a trail thrall to more crimes..." he rambled on about something less interesting. What caught Cageson's own attention was the Elf Path Warden of Tajuru Hold close to the western edges of Diron. Certain they would find Fugir near the taxidermist, Georgen Blackburn, they go see an Elf Path Warden of Tajuru Hold.  Just past the western edges they found the Elf at a refurbished homestead where the taxidermy of a croconura, coastline chimera, Bone Picker bird, frilled sandwalla, silver raven, frenzied Arynx Cat Beast, Molder Beast, Rugged Highlands Rootwalla, and Gore Swine sat in the den/lobby of the Home Stead turned lodge. 

 

Not giving himself a name the Elf Warden pointed out the very person they were hunting down. Cageson looked at this figure seated with a Sanctuary Cat Owner known as O'mick. Realizing it was one of the culprits the pair of them were hunting down Cageson nudged Fowlson. From one of the salon rooms an Archaeomancer exited in a bathrobe, he clearly came by to unwind. As for the Cat Hovel Owner who leads a band of 175 or so they needed to be cautious with. Fowlson pointed a finger at the Archaeomancer who froze in fear at the sight of the two investigators. Unawares of the two investigators, Fugir continued his conversation over a shrine to the five deities in the Bymere Country. According to the more knowledgeable Elf Path Warden two colleagues of his Gunnar and Gabrielle went over to see this shrine. Not sure if the Elf Warden was going to rat them out or not, they approached both of them. Fowlson raised a hand to cast create image. Cageson witnessed a very attractive looking exotic dancer appear before the Elf and Orc. Distracting the pair of them, Fowlson was able to catch the pair of them unawares. Ordering Cageson to arrest the Orc named Fugir Fowlson kept the image going until the Orc was completely cuffed. Fugir barely struggled as he looked more drugged than lovesick with his tongue hanging out. The elf was left mesmerized as Fowlson undid the spell to help Cageson move the Orc out of the area. When Fugir snapped out of the delusion he appeared defanged in a mental way. Going along with whatever was actually happening the Elf Warden, Dunn Raleigh got dressed. 

 

"Do they need to cancel sports to make them miserable?" Dunn questioned more to himself as they returned to Diron City. 

 

In downtown Diron City Fugir was brought to a keep turned prison house next to a siege works transformed into something else. Part of the siege works and keep were semi protected by a wall. Apparently more for decoration this wall was surrounded by modernized brick buildings, a complex, a mustering hall turned house or shop, and mason's guild. The keep itself was surrounded by a fence with barbed wires, or spikes at the top. Cageson saw a Tanachorpe Elite Skirmisher of a wandering Uxane group encrust a Seer's lantern on the Rampart Wall to a Diron Town Guard or Watchers in the Mist, someone called Bizarine. With Fugir locked up it was now time to go after that Goblin Nether Boss. For ten days they investigated some other crimes while hunting for the Nether Boss. Forced to check the outskirts, borders, outposts, border constables, Cageson and Fowlson gave up. At a Tavern Cageson liked to visit just outside Diron to escape he heard about some incident that occurred near the docks of Dimcabul City along the eastern borders of Diron. While seating with border guards and soldiers, a Hamlet Captain brings up devious cover up about Pheres Street Band Centaurs show clear path to outnumber Defiant Ogres of 282 near the Massive Harbor the two cities shared. Part of one City-state Diron and Dimcabul shared a Shipyard, Trading Port, Dockyard, Drydock, Steam Drydock, Naval Hospital, Commercial Docks, Basin, Global Trade Menarr, Major Fishery. Both cities did possess their own Trading Port, local fishery, Fishing Fleets, Drydocks. Whatever it was about he did not really care. Yet he heard about the street Chandler lighting candles for a woman of loveliness. Chandlers were meat for making or selling candles in cities or towns. Cageson overheard a Constable Mage did them in with arcane magic. The use of arcane grip tide cleansed the gangs out of the city near the coast.

 

Forced to give up the chase on the Goblin Nether Boss Cageson befuddled a defiant salvager who witnessed a keening banshee at funeral rites for both sides of a family feud. Whoever this defiant salvager was they dug up another relative's grave using a terrain illusion spell. Knowing it was already resolved Cageson could not help but wonder if there were any members of a certain family who would attack the other. Cageson did not recall the other incidents, but he did recall a family member from both sides were tossed in jail. A Hecketto, and an A'vingier were tossed into the prison system. However both were sentenced to the Black Coats, and the VUVR military where both apparently mention a handsome soldier of foreign yet clansmen origins. Another day passed before he found another case to deal with. Closer to the sewers chain room/driftwood traps, a soul summoner summons/lures the drifting shade, which results in a required urgent exorcist on weld fast wing smith they brought over. For this one he brought over a guard, a scout, a priest, and an extra constable. Forced to open the solid wooden door to the sewers they went through the tunnels to find a one-way door to the portcullis that was wide open. Along the way they found some sewer blockage that needed tending to. A whole hour went by before the shade was exorcised out with some extraction spells. 

 

Six days later Cageson kept track of the cases round Diron. What he noticed as that some were either Vullanese sympathizers, Vullanese, Vidothrans, or Vodwanians who immigrated here, yet only a couple of Muskallans. One case involved a firmament sage going missing, which causes a soldier to raise alarm on geist snatching. It was one way to get at least 700 personnel involved to search for the missing female sage who was found at a campsite with some Gontrellans holding them hostage. This revelation would spark outrage among the population. At a meeting with the governor, district mayors, constables, high officials it was agreeing to send someone to investigate. One Timberland Guide and Blade instructor are sent on stealth mission along the borders between Diron and Gontrella. Seven days later both return to report 250 Battle Brawler Orcs fighting a unit of battlefield Soul stinger butchers from Vodwania, hired by the rebel outcasts. Others attacked the unit of Orc Brawlers bringing in 674 Dironee rebels. Just 216 to 538 that force survives according to the 98 remaining Orc Brawlers they ran into. Right along the outskirts was not where Diron's Governing Body wanted a skirmish or battle. At a third meeting each one reported something about 578 bombards being captured and used in the north. It only spelled worse fears of war with Gontrella. Someone discovered vials of dragon-fire being smuggled in using a vessel of Nescency along the coast. 

 

Casualties were unclear, hostile movements barely noted, weapons from Gontrella being used, illegal weapons being brought only meant war was inevitable. Mustering their strength Diron City, Dimcabul, Domoron Mountain City of Dwarves, Haldiron Mountain (Elf), Vussaryan Dynastic, Prolux Kingdom managed to rally 5,425 men, 4,500 Knights and Squires, some 14,000 Infantry. Somehow a Prince who was adopted into a royal family brought over a force of 788 various warriors, adventurers, Muskallans, Orcs, Rangers, Rogues, Berserker Clansmen, Uxane Prowlers, Knights, Marksmen, Assassins, Battle Mages, Highwaymen, Corsairs, and Buccaneers. Mustering the strength under 25,000 Diron City-State and four others felt uneasy facing the Gontrellans in the field. As greedy, corrupt, power hungry, deceiving as the Gontrellans can be their own military can be a hit or miss. Within the span of a few weeks, they managed to rally 30, 975 Skirmishers, Clansmen Raiders, lured Vagabonds, Prowlers, bribed outlaws according to the spies. Gontrella's own transportation system consisted of plenty of railways running through their country. Ahead of time the city-states saw 22, 957 leave, 8,262 make a pact to form a militia, 7,140 decided to relax and wait it out. Among them 944 became prisoners after 1,084 pistols, rifles, revolvers, and lever action rifles were found. 

 

Their assault came on the 13th of the eighth month of the year resulting in minor casualties in terms of deaths. Numbers of wounded sprang up to ten thousand for the combatants. Something the Gontrellans can afford unless the VUVR enter on the hexagon alliance's behalf. Cageson was forced to move his own unit towards abandoned encampments. Here a form battle wise valor was encouraged. Diron witnessed one of their own allies uses electrify spell for victory. Inside the encampments they discovered coins depicting cosmic deities, 3,070 Duffel bags full of military gear, and equipment. One unit found a wounded Ilithid scrivener who lost some abilities due to artillery shrapnel tearing up its body. Among the encampments they discovered 2,074 sets of Ice Style Armor. Nothing enchanted about them just the way the armor was forged appeared like ice. Four artillery pieces from Vodwania fell into their hands along with the ammunition. 

 

Cageson was brought to a keep sturdy enough to use as a prison housing for this wounded Ilithid. Unsure if this monster's wounds would still allow it to control his mind Cageson summoned Fowlson who sent over a rookie Arcane Mind Control Repeller to help. Under the protection of an oval shaped shield Cageson interrogated/interviewed this wounded Ilithid. In broken speech due to coughing fits this humanoid revealed that 23,180 become slaves as tribute and bribery to ward off the Gontrellans. Close to 84 servants are also handed over as means to ward off the Gontrellans, but it did not work. Writing this down Cageson thought of all the cases he dealt with this year. Connecting the dots in his head he thought of the 155,230 known indentured servants within the eastern confines of eastern realms/blocks of Gontrella. Twenty-three days went by before they received a word about the front lines. South of their location in the world the Valde Conflict was going on according to reports. During those days of zero action those who chose or were forced to stay formed their militia of 3,865. Just a quarter of the wounded were ready for more combat. Around this time a Palatine, Dom, and Archduke of three mountain states sent 1,500 Forest Keeper Longswords, 2,458 Elf War Druids, 2,008 Ogres of Numioh Mountain to reinforce the Hexagonal Alliance. Cageson was able to speak to their leaders along with an idle Colonel. On the Forest keepers he noticed their blades were made from Meltix or Meltic, a liquid-like metal that can be hardened in the right temperature. One week later the VUVR sent a force of 30,000 soldiers to boost the defenders. 

 

Several nights later Cageson decided to head towards the southeastern part of the coastline. Days ago, the Nazdar attacked with 128 of their own Flying Wraiths, 26 of which were shot down, and 8 of those down pilots died. That air attack was followed by an invasion by 1,473 Aquattic creatures called Aquanne Hitto who attacked both sides. Their own outposts were harassed by 490 or more Muskallans. His watch shift was given to someone else more experienced than himself. By the warehouse he found a group of figures, a few Vestrisian Guards, and a female figure in a light blue dress with a fur scarf made from a Faux Snow Panther. On her head rested a night blue knitted beret. Stepping closer to her position he noticed her seated in a retractable portable chair she brought with her. In his investigator long coat over a new modern style uniform for military volunteers Cageson gave a slight bow and nod. Vestrisia required one to give a slight bow and nod to any females of high status, high ranks, or positions within society. Calling her Senator Dimir, Cageson gave his own loyalties away in the presence of the night, the coast, and the Vestrisian Guards she brought. Reaching out inside his left pocket Cageson made a move to hand her notes within an envelope on what he found. Just as his hand reached out with the envelope her own hand reached to grab it. From the west a voice from a loudspeaker filled the night. 

 

"Our time has come. For 300 hundred years we prepared. We grew stronger. While you rested in your cradle of power, believing your people were safe and protected." 

 

Monument of Kyrie

 New Starfish-Frog City looked like a golden opportunity to travel for a young handsome Half Dwarf, Part Human, Part Elf. Going with his tall friend and taller twin cousin he travelled to see a monument. The monument itself was not for a frog or starfish, but of a giant carved on the face of a tall rock formation. In order to get there, he had to travel a bit of distance. Through the mountains and valley in the middle of the mountain range his journey brought him to a cabin which his family owned. Two cats dwelled around this cabin. They were only there whenever humans were spotted visiting this cabin. For one night they stayed before moving forward. Earlier that week his father's friends celebrated this chance for him to make this journey. It was the first time in his life to see this monument. Sure, he went to other places, but this one was special. Only he, his friends, and family knew about his adventures around the borders of their state. Whoever comes back home from an adventure or two is granted permission to travel to New Starfish-Frog City Giant. Passing through the mountains they took a cat with them. Along the path they go to a vineyard where the trio shared a bottle of wine. Thankfully for them it was during the holidays otherwise they would be in trouble. Each holiday the youth in their teens can drink alcohol. Lucky for them they only had a single year or two before they turned twenty. While sitting down a pair of foreign Scholars from a university nearby passed by on their own journey. 

When they were done and well rested, they pressed onward with their cat companion. On the road they rested at Two Bear's Lodge where three female pilots serving their current independent state gave them some warm companionship. An encounter like this was kept secret within the walls of establishments. Saying their cute farewells to the lovely ladies they made their way to the next settlement. Another day passed in the journey before reaching this monument. Just sightseeing, the young traveler met a pirate who looked exactly like himself. Seeing this pirate was more of a prickly outlaw who seemed a little disinterested in tourists they sort of left him alone. Yet this pirate approached them but became a little jumpy with them. It was due to the drinking he did this morning. Taken aback the trio tried to make light of this encounter. Taking in the main monument's grandness the young traveler, his cousin, and friend wrote their names down along with their adventures. His adventures numbered three with a mysterious figure for a master whose name he was not allowed to reveal. Roaming around the city a little more they find the pirate again who appeared a little more sober than the last time. This pirate sailed an airship crewed by 79 cat folk, Five to six humans, a few fox-folk, and one lizard man. On board his ship was an adventuring archaeologist who beats up occultists while racing against them in finding artifacts. What this archaeologist found were two-star fighters that new rested in the cargo hold in multiple pieces. A group of pilgrims were mistaken for cultists due to their hooded robes. The archaeologist and his own team of seven confronted the group. Just to ease tensions some locals invited them over to attend a festival. 

Attending two games they joined the same foreign scholars who arrived with a third one via sky skiff. Once the sightseeing, games, attending a fair, and carnival was over the trio returned home. Thanks to their new pirate friend the journey back was made quicker. Making the trip shorter gave them less clothes to clean. At home he made furniture for a while. A day later he took a break to attend a championship being held in a stadium outside of town. It took them three events worth of games to get to the main event. Many called it the winter championship due to the cold season. They did not stay long as the Medieval style cooking carnival coming to town required extra time, and early start to prepare. Once those games were over staff started to prepare for the la Era de Alboroto commemorative carnival. It came once a year or every two years. 

That did not hinder their plans, but he was certain it would not hinder someone else's plan. As they left the young traveler hoped that did not happen. Just a couple of days passed by at home before they found themselves ordered to an academy. For three hours they sat in the audience to a rewards ceremony for students and apprentices. All he could feel was boredom during the event. His thoughts went to traveling, seeing more of the world around their state. Day dreaming about other places in this world made him doze a little. It was not long before he fell asleep. He did not feel himself slump sideways onto the old man next to him who also fell asleep during the rewards. Nobody noticed he was asleep until it was over. Nudged awake this young traveler got off the old man's shoulder who did not notice at all. A curvy voluptuous looking woman in a white dress that covered everything, but her limbs was the culprit. Standing adjacent to him her had faced him but her body faced the empty seat. With her hair in a cute bun she smiled at him with eyes and mouth. He never saw her before. 

She seemed new in town. Curious about who she was he got up to introduce himself, but she waved goodbye. Giving him a smile she helped the old man up. Before he could get a word in he was pulled over to attend a dinner. For seven of the graduating students, one of whom received an award a dinner was held. Dining at a restaurant called Three Bulls with an old friend from the school days at a temple of knowledge. The restaurant rested along a rive close to a waterfall. Here his friend regaled the others about their adventures outside their home state. One included the defeat of an evil wizard and his out worldly creature. Sadly, the story wasn't finished as they were cut off and shot down like deer riddled with arrows. 

Forced to keep quiet each threw in remaining pieces of the story in between bites as they pretty face, he saw got up to the highest level of the restaurant. Reserved for speeches, bands, singers, bards, small concerts, recitals, and recognizing achievements of others. A podium was set up for the speaker who congratulated someone on their achievements. Deep inside he felt a little undervalued as if his own dangerous journey did not mean squat to these people. Choosing to curb his tongue he watched. He saw this new pretty face present someone else with a reward. This was something separate from the academy. It was for a taller figure's ambition to become a renowned Limner, and their linguistic skills that helped win trade routes. Unsure if he wanted to watch this one claim this new figure of a woman, they young traveler got up to leave without a word. All he could think of was you had plenty of girls to choose from, why her? Exiting the restaurant did not bode well with his mom. However, he was lucky she did not pursue him or yell at him as it would cause a scene. Thar would have been embarrassing. 

Doubting he would find anyone else in this town he returned home. Isolating himself at home for a whole day he found a technology or device used to store data or information. Seeing it was no longer usable he set it aside to hand over to the museum. Still angry over the reward dinner the young traveler spent eight days at home. Hsi friends hung out with him after assembling furniture pieces delivered to him each week. Lucky for him he lived close to the beach meaning the restaurant and river rested on higher ground. No more than five days were spent walking on the beach each evening resulted in him seeing the usual families, male runners, old couples, but not a single woman on the beach. Did he arrive too late or did they all just leave? Disappointed by this he returned home not doing much else other than following a gold rule, and cooking for himself. Eight days of assembling delivered furniture, reading, following the rule of keeping calm when zero women are available for him somewhat changed his mood. 

Snow came and went for a single day extending his time at home another two days. All he had to do to keep himself occupied was read, solve mind puzzles, in door exercises, playing with a cat. Dabbling into some poetry turned on the radio since the screen he possessed was still broken from when the cat tipped it off the table. It kept his mind occupied from his own worries. If that pretty face was with other men, he did not want to think about that. Another part of the gold rule was if they find themselves believing a woman is copulating with other men just don't get mad at them. Especially when they are not their women. If he were to ever find out just don't even bother the woman about such things when she is in their life. To get his mind off that he found his gifted lute from an uncle who passed away to some swamp behemoth attacking a castle. While playing his gifted lute he spotted a deer outside his window. It only meant that this weather was some experiment someone dragged out. Deer were scarcely seen when it was winter. As the snow melted, he received a visitor. Someone came to offer him a job to check on two old houses twice a week. After an hour of discussing this with his mom he accepted the job. Four days later makes his way to the houses using a trail through the woods near the main town of Nagiflad. 

Not bothered at all by the eerie trail or the haunting conditions of the houses, Deven began working on the interior parts of the houses. Inside one of the houses he found some bestiary tome, melee weapons, a skeltanr skeleton, helmets, tree ghost, metal spit pike. A Fake spotted horse, some preserved stand for horse blankets, taxidermy calf cows, taxidermy owl on a stand, and taxidermy large striped, white feline jungle cat. Despite his love for cats this jungle predator scared him. During one adventure in the south, he was almost killed by one during an expedition with the temple. Closing the door to this one he went on to check on the other house. Greeted by small lizards that scattered to hiding places in cracks he entered this white brick made house. Discovering the second house became a brewery of some sorts. Sixteen days went by of him clearing out, sweeping, dusting, taking out broke pieces, and barrels. His own mother came by to share a beer with him. She brought over four letters for him. One revealed a personal invitation, the other was about business, the third detailed an order. As for the fourth it read about Dragon Order of Crusaders, inviting him to join them. 

Attending to his duties for a few more days Deven goes to a different place than Three Bulls. At the place called Wellerman he sat down with a red-haired female bard, and an olive-skinned male agent with long black hair, dressed up in a suit, or as finely dressed as the other two. Someone else was there to dine with his well-dressed self. That new pretty face joined them to hear about his adventures. Unhinged he explained how he encountered many dangers along fellow adventures. Deven even told them how he got out of some encounters. It wasn't hard getting the name of the pretty face from the rewards ceremony. Jennyne  the new constable came from a large city across the sea known as Forgehall. A colonial city to a seafaring culture of warriors that became modernized. She did not want anything to do with any form of relationships. To her it would get in the way of her job in this town. A Deby downer revelation to him the moment he heard it spill from his lips. Smiling at him Jennyne gives him a kiss on the cheek then pinches it a little. Blushing from this Deven turned away. He learned a bit more about her before the personal meeting was over. She was more of a dancer, swimmer, javelin thrower, equestrian, a viola master, former house maid who delights in spending time with groups of people. Just before they parted ways the red head asked for him to hang out with her in her mountain house. The male agent told him to let him know when his next adventure was, he would be waiting. Jennyne gives each of them a hug as they depart. One day passed as he fulfilled an order before heading to the houses Deven found another abandoned building. Checking the interior Deven found it empty save for the messy destruction left behind. 

Taking note of this find Deven spends the next day clearing that building out. A few of his own friends came to help him. While replacing the door they find pieces of geodes. Nine days went by as Deven cleaned out the rest of the rooms in the three buildings. He discovered another abandoned building, allowed his friends to cashed in the geodes they found as payment for helping him. Checking off the lists in the evening Deven found two owls eyeballing him. At his feet he found a lizard and frog sort of hiding in the weed like clovers. Sort of bored yet tired he watching the critters escape him into the other parts of the yard. A couple of days later he slowly headed towards the Turtle Archery Range where he riddled several targets with arrows. Being the last one to leave Deven is given the combination to lock up the Archery Range. One a workday he is given no furniture to assemble. It seemed strange to not have any furniture to assemble this week. Taking this as a day off Deven locked up the four abandoned buildings as planned. He handed the keys to the constables the very next day. Somehow, they knew about the business letter concerning another building. Just four constables enforced the law here in Nagiflad. Constables Elizcon, Ghrosy, Natmad, Lageir worked tirelessly to keep the peace and resolve issues in orderly manners. With a fifth constable on board, they seemed less strained. Since he gained favor from a member Deven was brought to the designated location the business letter mentioned. 

For two days he spent hours painting the lower exterior of the building, and setting up for the porch to be painted by his replacement. It was not because he did something wrong it was because the main town pointer Corlos wasn't available, yet he was. More time went by with a few more orders, the new temporary job to run the Archery Range every two weeks. An old friend visited Deven. A female colleague from his adventuring days. Known as Camdyrn, this female adventurer was lean muscled with blonde hair. Armed with a rapier, and a few other weapons this Camdyrn brough a combination to a treasure and a map. Knowing he needed a break Deven prepared for this next adventure. Letting the agent know they received an extra companion, the red headed bard. After preparing to set off for four days the quartet did invite his friend and cousin who declined the offer. With provisions ready, a cat companion, the right songs to sing or enjoy they set off on an eight-to-ten-day adventure. On this adventure they use a lodge as a base while exploring some ruins where preserved mummies rested. On these mummies they found five alien symbols that appear more like characters for words, meanings, and actions. This added another week to their journey as there were more sections of the ruins to explore. 

Returning home with a small amount of loot, more stories to tell, new friends each of them went back to their respective ways of life. Each planned to meet again each week at different taverns and restaurants. Eight days passed with another few orders to assemble tables, and chairs before meeting his friends again. Just in time to see a rainbow outside the tavern they drank at one weekend each were notified they were given some gifts at their own homes. Returning home he discovered five weapons at his house waiting for him. One handed black knight sword, Silver Sword for killing undead, decorative hand axe, a battle axe with a name. The axes resembled the ones seafaring warriors used in the ancient times. On the table rested a sword similar to the same ones that warriors used in that era. Delighted to see these gifts he checked each one out before eating his own made dinner. 

Putting them back in the sheathes Deven put them on a work bench he often used for interior projects. Another day passed before he received visitors. A pair of clansmen from the northern region arrived in kilts, and wool sweaters. These were the types of men who looked like him. At his door they offered him a chance to join them a quest to clear out a castle just outside the borders of his state. Lucky for him he had a few weeks off as scheduled this month. Someone else took up his assembling job while he was gone. Armed with three of the weapons given to him Deven was given some studded leather armor with small plates added to it. Covering his legs this brigandine armor felt comfortable thanks to padding mixed with the leather. If only his chainmail armor were intact, he would have brought that. It was damaged beyond repair. Replacing dozens of the small ringlets cost a fortune. The identical clansmen were called Bruthnol and Aud. Being twins they hailed from a family who were members of a clan known as Denn. One wore a full set of banded armor whereas the other donned a cross between ring mail and padded armor. 

Hand axe, the one-handed black sword, and silver sword were Deven's weapons of choice. Bastard sword, war pick, long dagger, single tonfa were Bruthnol's weapons. A Costencar custom forged Katana or Curved Blade, a Polearm, longbow & arrows, spiked buckle shield were Aud's weapons of choice. Going into the castle upon orders from his own Mayor, and state governor the Crusaders' mission was to clear all five sections of this castle. Known as Fleur Dos castle, this one came with three wooden extensions that appeared reinforced for defenses. Made from a mix of wood and stone Fleur Dos castle rested on a mound-hill encircled by an empty moat. The wooded parts were covered by stone balconies for defending archers to use. Each extension was encircled by a wall for defenses. Inside Castle Fleur Dos lurked a beast creature, one lone horse, an aging dog, some basic blade warlock, two headed turtle monster can be found in the underground catacombs according to a note. Found on a barrel this note was pinned to the wood with a dagger. Mainly empty in the outer courtyard Fleur Dos did not really feel empty. 

On the lookout for the targeted hostile, Deven, Aud, and Bruthnol formed a circle. Moving as one they slowly went through the lowest level first. Leaving their steeds outside with the entrance doors closed meant they trapped themselves, their horses, the dog with the hostile monsters. There was a portcullis, but it was shattered beyond repair. Finding most of the furniture intact the trio came across the dog who gave away the beast's hiding place near the storage in the barracks portion. Aud cut the beast to a few pieces leaving the turtle monster to Bruthnol leaving Deven at his side. The pair of them decided to go up to the other levels. With the halls lit by torches their path appeared clear yet cluttered with barrels, broken pieces, some junk, and box crates. Spider webs covered the walls, ceilings, unused rooms along with various decor from a bygone era. Inside the quarters of the lord or baron they found the Warlock next to an armchair. In their hands this warlock wielded a spell book of some sort. Spewing out spells or incantations quickly the warlock was enchanting the chair or attempting. All it did was reanimate the stuffed taxidermy pheasant, the drum table, the foot stool, and lantern. Doing that screwed the Warlock over as the objects attacked them. 

Whoever this warlock was they dropped the spell book while fighting off the animated objects. Fortunate for Deven, the warlock, and Aud, these objects did not have teeth. Intrigued by this the pair of them watched the warlock race around the room while being chased. It ended up being around the fur armchair for a few minutes until they tripped on the foot stool and fell on the chair itself. What happened next would scar a less experienced, or faint of heart. Any knowledgeable person would warn them to burn such an object. This armchair consumed the warlock whole. As their feet disappeared in the belly of the chair the animated objects dropped dead. Aud slowly approached the objects to ensure they were no longer enchanted. On the table a note was pinned to side of the table. Ripped it off Aud shared it with Deven. On it was a warning saying the chair eats anyone else, but the owner. 

With the quest complete Aud, and Deven met Bruthnol at the courtyard where they reopened the door. An extra horse, a dog, Deven's cat, a spell book bound with a belt, the trio took a road to a fort. Known as Fort Withall or Withal Fortress it was just a day's ride away. At this fort manned by a score or more Happy Ghost Soldiers awaited their reward for clearing out the castle. Aud whispered in Deven's ear that the Happy Ghost Soldiers were one elite unit of the Crusaders. Inside this foot the trio found their way to the headquarters. Withall's headquarters was where a tall blond female knight called a Saxxy Dame awaited at her desk. She was not in the mood to hear or see any visitors. Yet she took them into her office anyways. Seeing the young Deven she smiled and sat down with her legs spread open. Aud looked at Deven, while Bruthnol glared at her then insisted this would be quick. Her expression went from pleased to great disappointment. Called Belle this Saxxy Dame tossed a reward in a coin bag to them. Aud caught it in both hands. In a rude voice she urged them to leave. Outside the headquarters they split the reward of 8,550 Krana between them. Going through the maze or labyrinth like fort they decided to leave it a few gifts. A horse and the dog were left to the soldiers manning the fort. Just the three of them, Deven's Cat, their own steeds journeyed back home, taking five days. An automobile would have helped except the paths, and roads were too narrow and walled along the flanks. 

Deven could not keep a clamped lid on what he experienced. Aside from a third of the reward, Deven received a new dagger from Aud. His family drank with him, celebrating his successful mission with a Crusader's Order. Despite the dangers he faced Deven's family were still proud of him. His own cat Skrap was also unharmed since she stayed with the horses during the event. Six days later his birthday came along. In the state Wadhem of the Donos Republics it is customary to celebrate someone's birthday for three days straight. Each day the celebrant received a gift. On the first day he celebrated with family receiving a thick layered vest that can also attach sleeves. His second day Deven celebrated with friends who got him a belly dancer for his entertainment. One the third day the Crusaders he met sent a lovely majestic priestess of comfort with slick curves to pleasure him. For him it became the experience. Another adventure to add to his list of multiple adventures. 

Twenty-three days passed as his jobs at archery range, assembly orders moved to a workshop took up his time. He was requested to clear out a shed, and an old assassin's guild. What he found other than broke pieces of furniture included two helmets, a prized spear, ten swords, seventeen daggers, contracts, several garottes, crossbows, bolts, arrows darts, various books. Various pieces of armor scattered around 24.4 Krana's worth in coins, some jewelry, and watches. Some of it he kept to himself whereas the rest were given to authorities or to his friends. Around this time the state he lived in received the Crusaders in force who arrived with some sea faring raider mercenaries. Aud and Bruthnol found Deven at the workshop. Joining them again he turned the band of Crusaders to 63 who fought alongside 169. From the port near his hometown, they sailed southwest to relieve a defending force at a Dragon City. Not of dragon's themselves, but the Dragonites as in Dragon Worshipers. 

Some Dragon Tower with four Crystal Chambers came under siege then seized by 490 Jackals, 52 Mutant Beasts. The only capable force available were 12 Sky Pirates, and 37 Sea Pirates who found themselves overwhelmed. It was a boy's birthday at the time. For three days they fought to remove these invaders from the area. During the fighting Deven was injured in the line of duty. Hit in the head with a wooden club the young Devil Crusader was sent home earlier. Back home he spent several days allow himself to heal. Their own doctor or town apothecary warned him to stay out for a few weeks. Ignoring this advice on the seventh day Deven rode off feeling cute to a shire called the Enraged Dragon. he met some new people who sort of enjoyed his company, yet seemed a little envious towards him. After that he attempts to shrug it off by growing a mustache for a month. He visits the main city of their state to see about it after avoiding it for years. Deven spent three days going back and forth to the city with his cat, family and his adventuring friend, Camdryn's family. While they were they oversaw listings of which steer were being selected to herd out to the countryside. Before returning home the herd was pressed to move quickly. Somehow, they learned about a leader being fooled out of information during an invasion towards the east. Playing with the herd for a few days Deven and his companions returned home to relax. 

Regional Flag of Lheobethe

 Part jungle, foothills, rivers, part desert, scattered mountainous regions, Lheobethe is a state member of the V.U.V.R. Its population is mostly desert elf, human, goblin, some Gnoll, nomadic orcs, and nomadic Uxane. Lheobethe used to be carved into several different kingdoms before the Zegrav Wars of the 1830s A.N. As the threat of the invaders came closer Lheobethe's chiefs, leaders, sheikhs, and princes chose to join the Vestrisian Union of the Vestrisian Republics. 

Flag of Naxnonoth

 

Mainly a Dark Elf City-State made up of multiple islands, Naxnonoth is known for necromancy, alchemy, some dark arcane abilities considered illegal.

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. 

 

What they found

Crossing the line by invading the Vullanese Islands was what it felt like as they climbed into the vehicles. In her mind she knew they could face fierce retribution from the two alien invaders. Landing with a force of ten to seventeen thousand the Vestrisians sought to chook a main island off. Yes, it was closer to Vullanese turf, which technically brought them behind enemy lines along the sea borders. Part of a unit made up of different races, backgrounds, types of military personnel Private Jordan Rozback Kazzarie held the military job of combat engineer/mortar team. This job required digging trenches, constructing pill boxes, setting up machine gun nests, or defenses. Even foxholes were required to be dug by her and a team of others who were not pulling mortar team duty. Somehow her attempts failed while in training and her first weeks in this war. She did everything by the book, and what the instructor said by numbers. Choosing not to let this hinder her persistence and determined mindset Jordan rushed on the landing zone. Only this time she was not going the field as a combat engineer in construction. 

Landing on an area called the Sea Gate Oracle this female Orc's unit of 1,248 Orcs, Goblins, half-Orcs, half-Goblins witnessed what mages called Grasp of Phantoms used on their first landing parties. Only a few hundred targets at a time was all the Vullanese could pull off before retreating or finding a bullet in them. Five days ago they overheard the accounts of disturbing Forbidden Alchemy being done on humanoids. Taking this island was a priority. Behind their Orc, Goblin unit, a battalion of 309 Caregiving Clerics would land once the beach head was secured. As their boots hit the wet sand dozens to scores of her countrymen opened fire. Nothing could stop the VUVR from landing more units. Engaging hostiles combatants occupied 320 Borderland Rangers, 380 Highland Berserkers, and part of her own unit. Two hours went by in the fight over the beaches. To the east, their own forces assaulted Vullanese forces on the main island of Asnar. 

Putting all her focus on the island, Jordan raised her weapon, a mortar then placed it on the sand. While their vanguard units, and other waves of units pressed their assault, mortar teams deployed on the taken ground. Setting it up with three others would not be so difficult if they had a building as cover. A hollow metal pipe tube on a metal base with bipod mount and sight. This weapon fired or launched projectiles in an arch pattern where the shell hits the area of designated target. No more than twelve mortar teams landed on the beach sector with thousands of other personnel. Despite being in the back they still succumbed to gunfire or stray bullets. 

On their part of the landing Invasion Jordan's unit decimated 243 Vullanese Infantry, 638 humanoid combatants touched by Forbidden Alchemy, 376 Combat automatons. One hour later Jordan's own unit pushed forward at least a league and a half into the island. With her team she pushed forward following the second and first waves which now blended into one. Carrying the mortar she could see corpses among the blood, carnage, destruction, shot up sheds, guts spilled, bodies with bones exposed. A variety of stenches wafted into her Orc nostrils, blood, filth, shit, burnt wood, torched clothing, vomit, the insides of torn up corpses. Near some of the buildings used as defenses she found a few dozen dead Vullanese in the traditional military uniforms of orange and blue, or in modern military uniforms of tan, or grayish. Some had single breasted uniforms, padded leather armor called Arcane Padding, Nazdar fatigues, studded insulated armor, diagonal breasted, buckled, and laced. Each type of armor and uniform were now stained with blood, covered in bullet holes, punctured by debris. 

In the process of securing another part of the beach head she overheard their colleagues to the southern part engaged a sizeable force. Whatever the island defense consisted of were more than what they could chew. Her whole unit moved south, allowing another unit, a battalion to take their place. Ten days of fighting brought them to the flanks of entire companies and small battalions. About six or more units of 285 Bishop Soldiers, 397 Palace Sentinels, 277 militia, 420 hired Buccaneers, 346 Vullanese Thirsting Shades, 421 Chaine Web Mages, 400 Grevaskii that were sent over. Each day they gained or destroyed a structure. Hours of fighting with the only undervalued music was gunfire, artillery, and grenades creating a ballad. Along these coasts of Asnar's twelfth island, they captured more buildings. These captured buildings included a merchant bank, a Theologian's Master Guild, cannon foundry, Inn, Warehouse, 4 workhouses, a complex, Apothecary Guild, two noble homes, Tavern, a fountain, a large well, and merchant shop. Most of the fighting left 29 other homes shot up, 6 taverns shot up, captured and ruined. One shipwreck was seized along with a Manor by the beach. Nearly 116 houses, 10 shops, lay in ruin from the invasion. A bakery was captured, two intact watch towers became theirs to use, four cemeteries lay in their hands. Prisoners numbered 448, 261 of which were wounded while 87 of whom went turncoat. Among these prisoners VUVR Military Police found five arcane revolutionists in their half traditional half modern clothing styles. Both seemed unimportant yet one of them wielded accumulated knowledge of the invaders' inner circles. One trove tracker who went awol during the fighting to discover pirate prizes found themselves in a trap. A lone spontaneous arcane artist rogue who inspired sabotage got beaten to a bloody mess. It did not sit well with the commanding officers in charge of this invasion. What did not sit well with a neutral faction was the apprehension of 48 alchemist apprentices. The neutral state of Rudeene sent one small fleet of four ships, which only distracted the V.U.V.R. navy in the regional waters. After the confrontation was resolved they resumed operations. One full day of the confrontation delayed a possible takeover by a few days. 

When their forces pressed further they found more islands trailing from the island they just seized. Inside a street within the port settlement a Court Denizen suffered a spell blast and grasp spell from a Champion Monk. Both found themselves capture, arrested, taken prisoner as a result. Entering a less damaged street a small convoy what a turncoat mage called a cobble brute. First appearing like broken up portion of the street and raised heaps the arcane golem rose up to attack the convoy. It destroyed one vehicle while an Elite Skirmisher suffered some seal arcane spell that brought doom to the target. Going towards the other side they found themselves watching over prisoners of war, civilian clearing traps. On this island a total number of 3,441 or more civilians stayed behind, 761 of whom joined the VUVR forces. Within other parts of the streets 178 Elf Warriors sent over arrested 334 looters, their elites came across hundreds of spring jaw traps. Any remaining  Vullanese forces pulled back to a forest island trailing off the one they just invaded. Their forces would pursue, but a mob of 382 vandals defaced 357 statues and busts. It incurs Demon Grasp traps on most of them. Only eight vandals died, seventy-four severely wounded, and sixteen went missing. The rest of the vandals came under arrest while a brigade and a half of VUVR personnel pressed on the forest island. 

Known as Steveshair this island was covered in plenty of foliage that the trees appeared to line the beaches like a palisade. Easy to hide troops in this island became the main go to for the Vullanese. Their own navy would open fire on that island since the neutral fleet lingered and the Nazdar sent a small one to harass them. Returning their attention to Steveshair Isle Goblin free runners were seen racing towards the island using bridges, boats, rafts, and the shallowest parts. Just a couple of their own units went in. One battalion of 330 Hardy Veterans, and a company of 271 under the command of Major Abzon. Just as the combined units of 600 Orcs, Half Orcs moved in their Generals sent more available units. Her own unit spared, 259 of their own. Jordan Kazzarie found herself and ten other mortar team members moving in with their comrades. Inside this forest island they found a few labyrinths hidden inside Steveshair Isle. Narrowing the fighting down to this location their forces engaged a unit of 287 Goblins who called themselves Battershield Warriors, 260 Vullanese Troopers/Allied Knights called the Knights of Obligation, 158 Loyal Cathars backed by 263 Pirates of a Fleet Boarder the Vullanese managed to hire. 

From her position Jordan launched the shells down on the enemy positions. Cracking of rifle fire, rattling of machineguns, popping sounds of grenades, explosions from mortar rounds went in sync with fires that sprang up along with clouds of dust and dirt. Splinters hit as many objects, and personnel in their path. Fires started on the island from various sources including a few accounts of arcane inferno used by a mage who was shot up by a forward firing team. All the noise of war filled the air around this island as their fleet and aircraft engaged the Vullanese for a short period. Screams and gunfire entered her ears between explosions as she loaded one shell after the other. It was her duty yet it made heart sink as it dragged on. Yes she wanted to fight, but she prayed for a quick short war. What relieved was seeing zero civilian corpses among the dead as they cross to the end of Steveshair Isle. Along the way she carried the mortar that was still warm. The Orcish rage in her sort of kicked in, but she was able to maintain it as hardly any combatants were left on the island. Something else was seen on this island. She spotted a Geist of the Moors during a Burden of Guilt the Vullanese held for their dead before surrendering. A Geist of the Moors in Vestrisia/Valde Isles was a humanoid who acted as a fiend to travelers. 

At the end of Steveshair island they found more of these islands some of the prisoners spoke of. More islands to take is all she could think as they gathered their forces. Combining units of companies they fielded 475 to assault this island. Fortune smiled on the VUVR here as commanders pulled 370 sailors from four of six ships. With at most 845 soldiers and sailors they pressed on the next island called the Verdant Haven. Crossing over to this island each member of the invading force witnessed an attack by an estimate of 430 aerial attackers. Through binoculars their captains noted 438 skirmishers using kite gliders to pull off an attack on a destroyer. Several made their way to them due to wind currents. Her own unit opened fire on their ground forces. Each glider went down into the sea while one crashed into the sands near them. 

After interrogating the prisoner, they discovered elven islands forming archipelago. They just took two or three of them. As for the island of Verdant Haven shield automaton constructs defended it. Alongside Vullanese combat mages these constructs were set to be used to fight the VUVR advances. One of their own allies attempted to attack this archipelago. Sending a force of 1,300 this ally found their forces crushed by these constructs. That was last year when the Vullanese had a stronger force to face their smaller enemies. Now it was weakened with mages using whatever they had in terms of spells. One of their own Lieutenants raced ahead only to find themselves partially disfigured by a wave of sand and salt water that rose up to grab them. The work of a major is all they concluded as the mass of sand, foam and shells forced him down. It had to be a powerful grip to keep an Orc down. Some of their own riflemen found the culprit hiding behind some brush before getting shot then pummeled. Each rifleman found themselves hit with arcane blast meant for minimus containment from a handful of mages. 

Just a single mage raced back to the settlement that occupied this island. Three more were shot up while the last mage found surrendered scare out his mind. Revealing themselves as a Touched Soulmender known as Hadda Basilean they unveiled information to them. This Hadda flat out betrayed the Vullanese by revealing there are 33 other Mages defending two Verdant Havens with 278 Armory Guards, 11 combat professors, 276 pupils, 480 Guardian Automaton constructs and 470 Rusted Sentinels. Between the two Verdant Haven Islands, 800 priests, monks, acolytes, and associates run the islands that appeared as one. All the structures on the islands made the illusion of a castle or palace. 

Forced to press further into these islands they found most of the constructs mentioned falling apart as they moved towards the VUVR personnel. Taking out these constructs wasn't as difficult as they first believed. Most had rusted pieces, remained unrepaired from the last fight, or left with no fuel. Yet chasing the humanoid, and living combatants proved a little jolting as they appeared from doorways, alleys, corners, and narrow passages. Some even forced them to give chase in places. A bad idea when y coming against a raging Orc who charges like a bull or bear when triggered. Each of the noncombatants raised a white flag hoping to presume their daily tasks. According to one of cooperative priests who took charge of the constructs, these islands were once attacked by 1,120 attackers who coordinated a charge on them. This charge was halted with help from Rusted Sentinels. Her own commanding officer took note of this as they came across more rusted ones falling apart, jolting, jerking, wobbling with each movement. Claiming these islands in the name of the VUVR allowed them to find bridges to the rest of the islands. It seemed strange for the Vullanese to let these bridges be taken without destroying them. A hint the Vullanese were starting to give up on this fight. Being a part of the Asnar Islands sent mournful feelings towards their fate. She knew whose side she was on yet inside felt sorrow these Vullanese. Orders pushed them across the bridges to the remaining islands. More units arrived to help them speed up the takeover. One company of Rangers full of young faces made the first advance. Directly behind the two Verdant Haven Isles rested an island called Ahenakir. Larger than the Verdants Havens combined this one used to be a volcano that collapsed in on itself. Five villages and one town rested on this island of Ahanakir. 

Towards the center their units discovered some layer of night monster who was slain centuries ago. According to a local 350 or so Dusk Warriors avenged a victim of some night monster that came. A tale that intrigued the Vestrisian mind. Jordan pondered over the culture and lives these Vullanese lived. She thought she overheard that monsters from other planes of existence would come to these islands. However very little resistance was shown from the Vullanese side of this conflict in the Valde Sea. Due to the overwhelming force of the V.U.V.R. assault, this island was given up easily. Six settlements semi-full of the inhabitants. Ahenakr were surrounded by foliage, old ruins, wildlife, downed aircraft, altars, shrines, plenty of wells. Last thing they expected was for the remaining inhabitants to hoist V.U.V.R. colors. Hoping to keep the Vestrisians from watching them or apprehending them, 367 of these people pack up to evacuate. their unit's commanding officer, Major Balagog ordered from them to search these villages for any hidden tunnels, or caches. What they found was abandoned homes, cellars, and shops. One night they slept before pressing onto the next island. The name escaped her mind as it was brief and went past her own head. 

All this island was in this archipelago of islands seemed to be the designated park or pleasure garden-forest. Going through this island appeared easy, creating an eerie atmosphere around the Vestrisians. Too quiet for their comfort her unit sort of rushed to the next island. On the other side of this island sat a castle like city on two close nit islands.  More of a castle than one unleashed something from the gates. As a whole Orcs, half-Orcs, Goblins, half Goblins, half elves, humans, Zedirians wiped out two defiant strikes made on their advance to this castle. One defiant strike used 380 beasts clad in different types of armor mixed with different attire. Defiant strike number two fielded 370 mutations that belonged to a horror story. Some had tubes, metal staples, bolts, wires, alchemist experimentation showing and automaton limbs. Entering this castle, they found an Ogre Jail Breaker dealing with a fake werewolf after a wall of runes was demolished by a blast using an arcane shell in one of the mortars. Inside a chamber they found a Key Master Rogue gored by a tusk from an already stuffed trophy head. No doubt the work of the fake werewolf who now lay dead on the floor. 

Deeper into this castle island they found chambers leading to caverns underneath the castle. Inside was a series of tunnels, cavern, chambers and grottos. Here they came across an Apothecary Merfolk cleric aiding a Vullanese armed with Mattock. Wrapping up their wounds from a recent quarrel that ended badly this merfolk allowed themselves to become a prisoner to the VUVR personnel. While bringing the pair of prisoners up to the main chamber they heard a great deal about intended kill contracts placed on 293 targets using ill-gotten inheritance. Apparently, the entire archipelago was their goal in terms of ownership. Instead, they received enough money to buy a manor. It was not what they wanted in the first place. Yet as they brought them to the commanders being held prisoners was not wat they wanted either as they saw this archipelago fall into Vestrisian hands.