Past Pacifism of Stirring Address on Vullanese Veoth

In the middle of the Vullanese Empire the island of Veoth rested with Yasolle, Ganne, Lasnile, Vascel, Eusvame around them. Made up of 587 islands Veoth was governed by a Voracious "Vampire" who just oversaw the creation of 278 Laboratory Brutes for experimental combat. Known as Cholomondor this Voracious Vampire acted as a governing co-Magistrate. Although his title is Chancellor of the Island Cholomondor Benedictus had to share governing powers with two others. A Maester, and a Prince who did not mess with his affairs at night. His voracious appetite was quelled with blood given to him voluntarily as if they were donations. Being a vampire in a way meant his dominance was set over the island. Consuming blood given to him after a long rest in a chalice, or large drinking vase. Every fourteen days Cholomondor fed his vampiric thirst for blood, which kept him alive. For the 605 years he was a Vampire, Cholomondor consumed the blood of fifteen to sixteen thousand sentient beings. Healthy ones, non-diseased ones, all sorts of races. Before he arrived on Veoth one hundred fifty years ago Cholomondor resided in the regions of Nevora. He estimated close to twenty-four heroes or adventurers who attempted to kill him over the years. There were more than just that yet twenty-four of those stuck out to his memory. Going through his own trophy room Cholomondor did want to be disturbed like few years ago. Due to this news, he spent 66 days dealing with 641 nests of Typhoid rats that spread the disease for at least a year. It wasn't to rescue these people, but to keep his supply of blood untouched by disease. 

His trophy room consisted of three Goblin tribal totems, a white lance, 8 rusty blades of heroes, 2 rapiers of a hired pompous Dark Elf, Katana from a Samurai who came over from Talus. Heavy suit of armor meant for combat. One cutlass of some ex-buccaneer whose skull he kept as well. Having it painted turquois color he displayed it in the center. An Axe with an obsidian blade came from the corpse of an Orc Champion who was punched through by Cholomondor. A set of five different daggers rested in separate glass cases. One regular dagger, another was some clan dagger. One spearhead dagger from an assassin. A bronze Tanto Dagger a Drow was armed with. They hailed from Galaia. A silver sword hung mounted on the wall next to billhook. Some Vampire Hunter from a dead kingdom attempted to slay him with the silver sword. A female half elf armed with the billhook found herself pushed off the balcony of his lair. Just above the door he had a harpoon mounted. Eman Bowerstone the Harpooner was the previous owner of this harpoon they used to kill sea creatures. Merfolk people were among the creatures killed by this Harpooner. Towards the south a leviathan like sea beast with armored scales on its top body from head to its tail. A long snout similar to a sea lizard, belly of a whale with cobbled scales, long claws of a snapping turtle, powerful swimming limbs this beast belonged to the Southern Ocean to the south of Ottante. 

Merfolk on Calorn were not really half humanoid half fish, but more turtle humanoid without the shell. Longer limbs, turtle-like heads, humanlike torso, lizard, or amphibian legs. Four fingers or digits, webbed sea creature like feet for swimming these creatures also have a long thick tail. Pale blue skin, with orange stripes, reddish hair on their heard these merfolk's posture move like a raptor or bird while on land. Over 10.6K of these dwelled the waters around Veoth itself. Cholomondor thought of the payment these merfolk beings owed him. In his commanding voice Cholomondor summoned one of his four dhampir spawn Maxxim Gracen. His spawns were treated more like a servant that a son or loved offspring. Cholomondor gave this dhampir who appeared more like a pale elf the task to collect the payments these merfolks owed him. Could he find anyone else? No he could not find anyone else to retrieve this payment for that cursed idol they found last year. Cholomondor decided to press for answers using a kindled fury of vampire bats on some of them. 

"Have you coughed up enough from them?" Cholomondor demanded from this dhampir offspring. 

"Our Red dire bats did the trick, Master." Maxxim answered bowing his head in fear. Cholomondor struck fear into people he governed or dominated. As for the Red Bats with spikes all over the backs he found obedience. He found some among a hive of 1,400 in the spires of Nevora. 

"How much did they give us?" 

"Five hundred ninety-four Lunas for keeping the Cursed Idol. It um messed up their expectations of a cursed idol. Water Nymphs with lower bodies of reptiles for legs manifested from a black whirlpool portal that opened." 

"From what source, Dhampir?" 

"The Crab Idol's stomach. A strange black crystal emits the portal when light hits it." 

"Who was supposed to oversee the curses lifted? The Dump Drow Sorceress, Miss Zinni Zoosk?" All the Dhampir could do was nod his head yes in response. Knowing where she was now Cholomondor moved on to her private study with the high status. Here he found her in a revealing vampire garment dress, reading a book. Turning around she had a winged reptilian on the altar table near some candles, an orc skull on a shelf laden with books. Out of fury Cholomondor pounced on her. In a near gliding motion he grappled her. Like most vampires he bit into her neck, drained the life from her body. As for her pet her grabbed the small draconic like reptile broke its neck. Before leaving the corpse and animal carcass to be devoured by the wall bat abominations he spied a witness. 

Pale, fat, covered in boils, warts, burns, zits dotting their body, receding long white hair the lab Pit Keeper Dapbelldore stood in the door of the lab. Two white under robe tunic shirts, one torn up brown robe with fading dye, a belt full of potions, vials, tools, utensils in the loops, and pockets. Around his neck hung an amulet, one dirty photograph of a voluptuous half elf in a one piece revealing herself. In his right hand Dapbelldore held a large potion with pinkish bubbles emitting out the cracks in the cork. A pink elixir meant for luring new victims for Cholomondor's thirst. Pit Keeper Dapbelldore back away into the lab. 

"We sent someone to attend one of the seven hundred berry farms across Vestrisian and Klonon. Some pale weirdo outside with no shirt on. Hairy, yet a handsome knight in light plate armor while on quests. Dons a Kronos Korinthus helm. The Sodolite Knight of Vullan he is. Represents the Understanding of Truth." Dapbeldore babbled on attempting to throw this Vampire off. He was lucky his taste for blood was already satisfied for some time. 

"Check with that Fox Fake Boss Bloodmire of experiments. No you stay, I will go, you clean this up or get the servants to do it. Those creatures are starting to die." Veoth was under his jurisdiction on behalf of these Maesters of Vullan. 

Despite his Vampiric ways he still accepted those seeking a master to serve under him. Recently or in the past he accepted a total of 1,254 humanoids, spawn, unwanted offspring, outcasts, cast out mutations. He was allowed as he was currently governing all 87 smaller islands that surrounded Veoth. Leaving this Pit Keeper Alchemist to soil himself and drool himself over the photo, Cholomondor went through the other labs in order to reach the underground tunnels. To the catacombs of Bloodmire's steam powered factory in the center of the island. There he ensured the forging of weapons for some 367 or more Welder Automaton constructs for defenses. This was after he received news of more islands falling to the V.U.V.R. in a disgraceful downfall. 

While touring the Bloodmire Factory this Vampire kept this mad woman or noble woman on her toes over some things. Staff members or craftsmen at blacksmiths, craft workshops, smithies, Iron Master Forges, Armorers formed a unit. Over 940 formed what they call the Horseshoe Crab Battalion. Unknown to any of them was how long it would be before the V.U.V.R. attack would come. Onto this mad noble woman Bloodmire, Cholomondor pressed that she should consider that Veoth was home to over nine hundred thousand six hundred. Defended by a possible garrison of 88,000 plus a reserve of 74,000. Weeks passed as they heard more islands, more parts of Vullan, smaller islands fell to the V.U.V.R. might. Some islands of Veoth suffered an infestation of rats. Ravenous rats caused rabid bites to fest which caused 977 to be infected. 

Enraged Cholomondor ordered for their retainers punished as an example. Approximately 986 retainer servants faced punishment from him. Six hundred seventy-three suffered the fate of Dead Drop. Dead Drop is the current form of execution that involved hanging a person by their feet bound in ropes then dropping them to their deaths. Whether it was from a tall building, scaffold, ship's mast, tall tree branch or cliff it did not matter. What did not help their situation was the 313 remaining would be used to feed his vampire thirst for blood. Several days later a single Pyromancer led an assault with a team of 21 warriors, gunslingers, necromancers, clansmen, alien cat folk. Targeting a Master Explorer's Guild, and Artist Studio they used an unlicensed disintegration automaton. Causing more than 1,300 Lunas worth of damage they killed 19 Veoth subjects, wounded 37. Cholomondor chose to deal with himself this Vampire searched at night. At the coast he found them hiding in a lodge linked to the port via long deck. 

As relaxing and peaceful as it sounded, he made his move. One of them happened to be a Sun Scourge Champion among Dark Elves, half elves, cat folk. Inspiring a charge between them it only ended with him as the victor. He returned the very next week to collect weapons and armor the scavengers did not snag up. As a vampire he did not hold audience with anyone until dusk or before dawn. While sitting at a fine table he received some news. One of the Vullanese allies came under attack in a failed assassination in the island city of Luthalis. Lord Gwurhelle was the victim who apparently demanded extra forces to defend his city-state. To watch these islands Cholomondor ordered Veoth's Head Visionary Augmenter Artificer to create some constructs. His spies failed him in detecting threats. Adding them to the list of failures he ensured the spy network was terminated. As punishment he sent them to the Artificer's staff to help. Cholomondor witnessed 305 Prying Eyes be built in place of the spy network. 

Aside from spies and the patrols Cholomondor had over a thousand Mausoleum Harpies at his disposal for defense. These were also meant for the protection of the deceased. When he congratulated the Artificer, he found the mutated Zedirian with no horns, no ears, bald head holding a large lab flask. Four arms, three fingers with claws, hooved clawlike feet, hunched over, sunken eyes with goggles over them, a maw like mouth Dr. Insanoc the artificer worked on other projects he was tasked with by the Vullanese. 

Another week passed when things got sour for Veoth's fate. One V.U.V.R. squadron of 562 aircraft pulled off an aerial assault. This was the result of a moronic Seeker's Guide or Scout's failure to check the skies for V.U.V.R. aircraft activity. Landmines kept the navy away, while the Nazdar, Gantronese ships kept the VUVR navy busy. Vullanese pilots, collaborators, Grevaskii, Vidothrans, raced for their air fighters. Just over one thousand aircraft were on this island to fend off aerial assaults. In Calorn's year of 1842 Veoth's speedway fanatics, glider corsairs, hang gliders freebooters who once kite sailed trained as pilots. Up to 560 are caught in the bombing raid while 92 are taken out. Scores of buildings are destroyed, hundreds of Veoth's subjects died, thousands injured. Among the pilots who trained 364 suffered a subtle strike of shock. It wasn't as heavy as the V.U.V.R. usually brought to the table according to a veteran pilot. Most of the aircraft suffered sustainable damage. One hundred fifty-one aircraft between both sides became downed in the fight that ensued above Veoth. 

In his ear Cholomondor heard of the damage caused by this aerial assault. This was only the appetizer to the main assault or invasion that was to come. V.U.V.R. forces would either send in a wave of personnel to invade, send another squadron or bombardment with naval forces. Using the two other leaders as figure heads to speak with the public of Veoth this Vampire rallied more. Eighty-seven islands, 211 settlements, closer to a million population, Veoth was officially the target of his V.U.V.R. Something else caught the attention of Veoth's 162,000-man garrison. Out of the sleeves of some unseen force a rather large horde invaded Veoth's Islands, and those of Ganne. From the north in the guise of drifting ghost ships, merchant ships bringing imports, drifting wreckage, barrels, castaways this horde invaded his domain. Despite its surprise attack on the island Cholomondor and their leaders still learned who led the horde. 

Responding to this threat evacuations were ordered. Over three hundred thousand citizens, and subjects fled in the face of the new invaders. Plenty of Veoth's population went underground during bombing raids in the past or scattered into the countryside. This was different as this horde gained footholds on Veoth and Ganne. Through the other two leaders Cholomondor managed to mobilize fifteen to twenty thousand more to repel this invasion. Even though he was a Vampire Cholomondor still sought protection. While their forces fought these new invaders the two leaders, orators mobilized over 600 Perimeter Sergeants from Phid City, and another company from Annaville. Nineteen capable Goblins became available to fight, 334 Syndicate Enforcers, 1,404 Barging Sergeant Kuruks, 350 Night Blade Orcs of Mer-Ek Island answered their call. Five hundred seventy-four strikers showed up. 

Among their Shield Bearers the rounded up over 450 Guardians. Veterans from past conflicts joined, giving them 570 District Veterans, 320 Duelists to fight these new invaders. Naval personnel found themselves drafted to fight on land giving them 260 Sailors of Means as infantry. Religious folks made themselves available. About 680 Night Wielders of Divine Favor, 310 Unwavering Initiates pledged to fight on. Other members of the populace answered the call to what Cholomondor labelled as Past Pacifism of Stirring Address. Meaning no more words could be exchanged so it comes to blows. Veoth was known for its racing tracks, races around the island, beast fighting, Pit fighting with some Operas, Dancing Schools limited. It was also home to art, music, some forms of combat training. Yet to visitors it felt sinister, ominous while appealing in a sense. Audience members or fans of these Speedway Races joined the call giving them 540 personnel. In terms of an extra militia some 2,000 residents formed an ardent militia armed with old fashioned weaponry. 

Further rallying was hastily made as their garrisons held off the second waves. One special battalion of 360 undead Phalanx Soldiers meant to for absorbing bullets emerged just to return the next battle. In terms of armor 286 Fortress Crab Tanks became mobilized to the fronts. Mercenaries mobilized to join the front against these invading abominations. One unit of 438 Jade Sell Swords, a second company under the command of a yellow skinned Orc brought 103 Purple Orcs armed with Nazdar weapons called the Maces. Nazdar forces sent a small force to help them out. They sent enough forces to fight this V.U.V.R. Fourteen hovercraft manned by 46 troops, equipped with machineguns. Three artillery crews with heavy artillery pieces, 103 troopers joined this force sent from Vidothra. Grevaskii were sent over to aid the defenders of Veoth. Under the command of a half elf half Nazdar a company of 105 monster killing Grevaskii arrived on Veoth. Four months of arduous fighting revealed more marched in this army of Abominations. 

Most of the invading Abominations were mutated Zedirians, half-Orcs, mutated spawn, half merfolk, troll spawns, lab creations. Some wore iron masks over their heads similar to actual full helmets. Veoth's populace fled, aided their defenders, found themselves eaten, slain, taken as slaves, or contracted diseases. V.U.V.R. bombing raids did not stop, but were limited due to constant rain, storms, extra air defenses, other targets of military value. Cholomondor watched his own domain fall to a chaotic scene of death and destruction. It did not faze him much as he was undead. While lurking in the shadows he prowled through the island using connected catacombs, and tunnels. Taking out any in his path or those who discovered him Cholomondor learned the V.U.V.R. managed to land on Veoth. A brigade of 2,500 arrived on shore just as the chaos died down. Curious about these V.U.V.R. Cholomondor spied on these V.U.V.R. who sent specific units to this island. HIs prying eye constructs could not be built in time to watch out for these invasions. In the northeast of Veoth 420 members of a unit called Band Together dealt with Abominations, and Veoth defenders. Nine hundred thirty-six elves called the Silk Weavers came with arcane abilities. One Makeshift Battalion of 600 pushed through defenses to a fort aided by one company called Kindled Fury. 

Thanks to living as long as he did Cholomondor possessed connections. One of them being a Forsaken Rogue Dark Elf with lesser forms of Vampirism came to his call. Red hair, yellow eyes, clad in old style patchwork leather armor this connection informed him of the leaders to this horde. Nine leaders to this horde included a Pirate Witch, 6 Nomadic Arcane Wives, a Jarl from Nevora's tribal lands, some Ushi-Oni, or monster female. He recalled plenty of the ones he described including Odanbooru a female monster with legs similar to a scorpion's body, bladelike arms for pincers, and a regular human's body connected to it. He believed they were dead after so many years. How did they survive? Cholomondor summoned some remaining followers. He only five of the original servants, five female Grevaskii monster killers in flexible tight, clunky combat armor donning helmets with thick glassed vizors. Some of Veoth's original army. One by one each bowed to their new overlord. In the lead Cholomondor took these new subjects further into his lair. Deep within his own lair on Veoth Cholomondor found a portal opened by a sacrifice. One female mage brought over by loyal cronies was all it took to activate this portal. Pieced together with some parts missing the ancient gate like portal wasn't the only thing this vampire opened. Along the walls he mounted coffins, iron maidens, mounted capsules connected with chain links set up to open at the same time. Pulling on a single lever Cholomondor awakened something feral. 

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T

Clinging Darkness on Calorn's Moon

On the Moon of Miburtas the lecture got a little wordy for some of the pupils, students, apprentices. She could tell from the way some dozed off. Others leaned on their classmates who were also their pals or as they now call bondage buds. Lecturing a classroom full of 174 squires, star pupil wizards, scholars of the stars, Female Lightning Diadem Master oversaw the lacking interests of Leonin Kingdom. Evangel Palace sat next to the University of Limbero. Built like a castle Limber was where arcane, alchemy, chemistry, planetary geography, potions, elemental magic, anatomy, music, demonology were among other subjects. Lecturing on teleportation wasn't exactly the type of subject one can drag out for a year. One season of reviewing, practicing, introduction, teaching was thought to be enough in her mind. Grabbing their attention again she caught the students off guard. She presumed the lecture ignoring their protests, moans, groans, and cursing. As a Master Professor of the institute, Kerhanos Heck had little hope for these students to pass. Most did not even want to learn magic even if it saved their life while on adventures. It wasn't her fault these lectures were boring. She only hoped they could not end in arguments, tears, mocking battles, fights, tantrums, intercourse or her seeing her ex-lover appearing in the window while on a stroll somewhere. 

While giving her lecture in room 17 her mind went to some family member who ran into a Wizard or someone named Idvig, or Ivaris of Vullan who teleported to the moons often. Whoever the Mages, or Arcane Users were, they creeped her out the most. Calorn was divided up by too many factions. Whatever went on down there she did not want to know. What did not help her mind about Calorn were the factions currently invading the main planet of Calorn. Four of them laid claim to parts of the planet. One was called the Nazdar, an authoritarian government. Another was the Gantronese, a feudal based hierarchy with multiple leaders or something of that matter. As for the other two factions, the CSO, and the Order of the Beast, each were made up of different races and groups. It couldn't have been timed better. From the top window she spied a paratrooper dropping down. All she could think of were the Nazdar or Gantronese invading? Uncertain of how large the invasion force was she barked for everyone to get into the underground catacombs, and basements quickly. Letting the teacher's pet led them down Kerhanos went outside to check on the head mistress of the university. Nazdar dropped down from sky in parachutes giving the garrisons of Evangel and campus security something to tackle. 

Her ex-lover was not present. Multiple students were either shot down or captured. She felt helpless watching students she saw walk through the halls this morning. Devastated she dropped to her knees when someone grabbed her up. In a split moment they teleported her to a chamber.  High Wizard Jullundur rescued her from the invading Nazdar troopers by bringing her to a tower on Evangel. She ran to the window scared for her students. The lecture was over, but were all their lives over as well? Evangel was a mountain sized city that could field just under 8,000 or ten thousand to defend itself. She overheard some of the Dusk Warriors personally who complained over have just 312 when they could easily get about a thousand according to them. Operatives went through extreme training, yet friends she knew pulled through. Among the Dusk Operatives different types of guards, soldiers, police, mages made up the garrison of this Mountain Sized City. Inquisitors who acted as police, investigators, persecutors, inspectors who went after rebels, troublemakers, traitors, ensured loyalty among citizens could only field 323 Militant Inquisitors. A terrified looking half-elf servant in a brown-red open vest revealing a ruffle front shirt, red trousers entered. Another figure, human, stood behind them in a butler's outfit. 

 "My Lord, um your eminence you know that loyal faction within Evangel called the Crimson Contract Cabal? They could only summon Seventy-eight of its members to lead two hundred sixty-nine militants mustered." 

"Awfully quick of them. What of the Knights of the Keep, Perimeter Sergeants, Sentinels, Guards and Sentries?" High Wizard Jullundur rebuked. 

Not bothering to get an answer the High Wizard pushed past them to reach the command center of Evangel. She followed him while clinging to his robes, scared, and fighting off tears. In his bronze robes that appeared very Calornese in appearance Jullundur found Evangel's five leaders in the lobby with well-dressed supporters, bodyguards, a score of Battle Mages encircled the room. In their suite-military uniform mix. She never trusted anyone in the military after breaking up with her ex-lover from university days on the planet of Berlon. Calorn may have Miburtas, Mikka, Samek as moons yet none of them were inhabited by humanoids naturally. Through portals that tore into other planes of existence these kingdoms arose from colonies. For five centuries these kingdoms spread while competing over dominance, resources, while laying claim to parts of this moon. Kerhanos sat in a comfortable seat expecting her ex-lover to enter the room while listening to the five leaders. Brass Noble Jylland Saiyann, Bronze Overseer Ian Gobbels, Magistrate of the Peaks Illus Reptillan, the Archmage Tribune, the Duke of Elves sort of bickered over their summoned forces. Days passed as Evangel repelled the first wave of the invaders. About 576 Knights of the Keep, 901 Perimeter Sergeants, 1,368 Gargoyle Sentinels, 164 Valiant Guards maintained parts of the city from the attackers. From the bowels and outskirts 360 Twisted Abomination mutants, 323 Ogre Sentries, 1,424 Back Woods Survivalist Warriors, just 400 Borderland Marauders, 643 Shadow Gliders, 213 Swift Blade Soldiers gathered to push back the rest of the Nazdar. Heck knew they had more to deploy, but couldn't help if they lost any of those forces. 

Duke Havbir mentioned the garrison of ten to twenty thousand failing to foresee this invasion coming. He commended the successful defense of Evangal. Their party moved to the war room where they heard more of Miburtas' residents starting to resist this invasion. Plenty of beasts, arcane enchanted creatures remained in Evangel's disposal. Some 318 courier Hawks were sent to rally more forces against these invaders. Communication wasn't advanced as Calorn's nations were. It showed the old ways worked well enough. South of Evangel's mountain ranges, leagues of forests became grassland, which turned gradually became desert with distance travelled. Forming a long stretch desert under the equator, Krenok's Wastes was home to various tribes that became a nation. From these deserts Evangel, Leonin beast handlers made use of the various beasts there. For transportations, smuggling across deserts and plains 425 Desert Beast Cerodons, 304 Dromedary Camels. More of these beasts became drafted in advance for any invasions. Due to the attacks, they could only muster 925 Carrion Imps. Beast handlers corralled some 276 manifested rune skinks for attacks on the invaders. Overseer Gobbels pointed out the use of unleashing deranged assistants, undead servants. Ian fussed over this while regretting the possibility of releasing the 411 salvaging gremlins they locked up within two years. 

"Our five hundred skittering surveyor constructs kept their eye on our borders, watched for rivals. Our rivals!" the tribune pointed out inside their secondary panic room in the bowels of Evangel. This Tribune stormed outside in his hooded cloak into the rain, sulking on the balcony. 

"Our rivals face the same threat, get back in here!" Gobbels argued. 

Thirteen days later, whoever handled inmates and undead released 466 deranged assistants, 398 or more undead servants. Kerhanos Heck shivered at the thought of the undead servants that lurked the catacombs, cellars, and underground tunnels of Evangel. She left the room again for her new quarters listening to their own soldiers, neighbors tackle this new threat on a radio Jullundur brought back from Calorn. One full week and a half went by with little action going on. Through their skittering surveyors they assessed this invasion force was made up of 446,000 Grevaskii, Mercenaries, and Nazdar. Spies spilled information about the appearances of these Nazdar invasions, and their Grevaskii servants. Their forces partially surrounded their hills, several settlements within the borders of Evangel, and Leonin. Evangel's allies of Orc Clans, Kuruks, Goblins managed to rally at least 6,000 to attack these invaders. Regardless of the size these allies created a gap in the ranks of these invaders. Knowing the urgency Evangel's leaders showed to hold on to power Kerhanos Heck read messages to these clans demanding they send another force of 15,000 or more to attack the invaders. 

This was going to be a problem for the defenders as most of the kingdoms took their time mobilizing. Time passed as the invaders' forces were chipped away while they decimated armies, settlements, new threats. When the clans managed to reach their hills the Duke and Overseer met the other leaders. Some leaders died leaving their second in commands, or the most popular warriors in charge. Among the assembled Timigle Horde mates, 889 of whom survived the struggle to these hills. Their Krenok Goblin Enforcers had about 421 left out of several hundred. Some 286 Horde's Chief Chosen still stood with pride to face the invaders another time. Orcs brought with them some Vandals. Over 400 of whom had to be held at bay to avoid becoming fodder to the invader's superior weapons. About 273 Pevesi Kuruks reached a village in need of extra defenders. It could muster a militia of 200 or more. Three hundred eighty Orc Hell Raisers arrived after cutting their way through these Nazdar forces. Among them 336 Butcher Ghouls, one Goblin Trail blazers forced a company away from the Keep of Hope to the east. 

Mages felt emboldened to attack these invaders who arrived. At the same time more kingdoms or members of different factions launched their own attacks on the depleting field army these invaders sent. Yet their own losses were staggering. Whoever these Nazdar were had a commander known as Rattast Babus. In one of the enchanted mirrors she watched this Rattast Babus, a half elf with Nazdar skin of red and yellow, order troops around him. His grey crap, gray undershirt, charcoal long coat, same-colored trousers, brown shoes separated him from the rest in either tan, dark red, or black. The chain attached to the collar reminded her of some mage guilds in the other kingdoms. Next to the High Wizard, other mages she watched through another levitating enchanted mirror. A female mage strutted into the room when she was summoned over. Sporting a black dress under a pink jacket, Shermie the love mage had the dress with a plunging v neck to appease some. Both her upper legs were covered except the sides. Pink hair, voluptuous body, this Love Mage pleasured or allowed herself to be played with by the more stressed-mages and officials watching their armies combat the invaders. Shermie wasn't the only one used for relieving stress and anxiety. A blue haired card mage known as Eyug enjoyed exposing herself at tables during card games. Heck did not want any hands on her. She left the room then locked herself inside the cartography room down the hall. 

None of them made it to the point where they lost people. Losing her students in this fashion devastated her. All she could do was stare at the cartography table. Most of the table was a map of their continents under a glass. Compass, magnifying glass, sexton, a smaller map, a skull shaped candle, a ring that came from a continent called Ottante took up some space on this table. Heck sat down in one of the comfortable chairs against the wall. Through the cracks of the door she overheard reports of the casualties their mages inflicted as their voices sounded like arguing. 

"...three hundred nineteen are caught in spectral prisons they laid out...another three hundred eighty-eight in the south...five hundred in the west, six hundred to our southwest suffered attacks from blazing volleys. Our-...."

"...estimate of four hundred thirty-seven died from lighting spears, which cost us a company of defenders." 

Heck got up from a comfy sofa in the corner of this room.  Visiting this one before in the past she recalled some events. She recalled those days when Inquisitors, Battle Mages, the Cabals, and any Chosen were sent to hunt down any deadbeats, chaotic merfolk. Among the deadbeats, chaotic merfolk were the hybrids who seemed conspiring against the rest of the moon as cronies. Some three hundred or more, Theg included, dealt with the Merfolk along the coasts. In one story she recalled in her head, Inquisitors discovered at least 200 or more victims of a Deep Water, Hypnotist Merfolk group bent on destroying coastal settlements using tidal waves. One of those merfolk wound up killed with a lava axe in a fervent strike on some island they chose to hit. Reports of what happened around Evangel seeped through the cracks of the door. Her own ears picked up bits of these reports from the argument.

"...there, three hundred nine of their Grevaskii or whatever they are called fell to charmed sleep...two hundred thirty-seven, found themselves ambushed using necrobites,,,in close quarters...or assassinations."

"By the...three hundred twenty-one are taken out...caught in capture spheres. Mages took out three hundred forty-two..." 

"Just like easy targets. Shermie get over here." 

"Crippling Blight attack spells takes out three hundred thirty-five..." 

She blocked them out with other memories of their conflicts against the merfolk of this moon. None of them looked humanoid with fish tails for legs. That ex-lover of hers fought in that very conflict. Around that time family, friends, family coworkers, family friends played match maker with her. While he ex-lover, Theg was at war she was being married off to someone else. Heck waited for them to pair her up with him. An explosion startled her. It came out of nowhere bringing a bit of shock to the experience. She could only guess the invaders managed to send aircraft to attack them. Constant rain, storms, low clouds, and fog hindered these air attacks. Spared from aerial assaults their own settlements heard rumors of flying machines coming down and dropping explosive devices onto buildings or positions. Machines, vehicles, steam powered engines, constructs were not exactly new to them. Through the sun window she spotted one or two aircraft hit by lightning strikes. 

One of the palace maids found her in this cartography room. One of the thinner ones with wider thighs who was not as desirable as the others entered the cartography room in the typical maid outfit. Red hair was tucked underneath that typical cap maids wore. Called Doyster this maid brought her to the private dining room. There she decided to have a Thyme Slammer. Jullundur joined her at the table having an Unlucky Light Ale in a large glass. Smiling at her he brushed her arm giving off a cozy feeling. Recalling the pleasurable moment she gave him for rescuing her she smiled back at him. Just inside the cafe sized room High Wizard, and Diadem Master shared a moment between each other. 

"Do you remember that one merfolk mystic of the tower waves we imprisoned five years ago?" He asked her, making his own eyes smile. 

"The one who reads tides at 338 leagues?"  she replied. Inside Heck felt as if he was probing her for answers. She only read the articles, and heard her students yammer on about it. 

"Yes, they searched for a sought-after Kraken Hatchling. This same mystic found one about four hundred leagues from the coastline of Miburtas' shipping lanes." Jullundur answered her. His face looked reduced in energy from thinking about the event. 

His hand reached inside a pocket to bring out a fang. Kerhanos Heck recognized the fang as that of a basilisk. Looking at it closely she spotted the green-yellow tips on the fang. In her mind she thought people could only find 91 possible locations for Dagger back Basilisks. Thinner than the average six foot long, eight-legged basilisk, the dagger back species possessed 6 limbs, jaw horns used for spearing prey or targets. On its back were three rows of spikes protruding from its back. Rumors about Daggerbacks spread saying they could be found on the other moons of Calorn, Mikka, and Samek. 

Jullundur did not know of Theg who was always left alone out of respect to his personal space. Remembering Theg reminded her of his undervalued feats, experiences, deeds, and travels. For some reason the Tribune's mutant rogue entered the room. Without warning this crony of the Tribune started to feel her up while mentioning more of their moon's factions resisting. His conversation was directed at Jullundur who gave him a stern expression. Under the leadership of a Mad Prophet some force of 6,000 Gnolls launched their own assaults on the invaders. He put the number down as 5,786 as his hands squeezed a little too hard on her. All she thought of was Theg being a member of a ninety-one personnel unit of Shield Guardians. Shifting in her seat he felt this crony did want to let go, but kept going. The last she saw of him, Theg assembled an advanced team of seasoned adventurers. It turned out to be a five-member party that grew. 

"...Our neighbors have begun assaulting the invaders' positions. The same ones who just received an extra one hundred thousand...Rail Mage's Trick affected two hundred three, oh these feel good..." his hands were in places she did not want him to be. 

"Jullundur they recruited...a flame speaker duo whose rupture spells caused the arrest of two hundred ninety-three, you can feel that can't you, mage?" He went on as if he was carrying a very struggling conversation. She said nothing, did nothing, but sort of liked the attention she was getting from him. He babbled on. 

"...with admonition of course. Yet three hundred eighty-one of ours self-inflicted harm to avoid incineration from a Flame Speaker's Will." He grunted pressing himself against her from behind. She pulled herself forward into the table. 

"Enough Tribune's Pet!" Jullundur got up to get his hands off her. Kerhanos did not need much in the terms of rescue. She got up pushing him away then exited the room. All she cared about were the lives and status of the students she taught. She only heard the Wizard beat the crony into the table. Weeks passed as their conflict with the invaders dragged on. A new ally to the south, a former foe unleashed some 3,342 Ripscale Predator Beasts these invaders. Rumors about beings from other worlds getting involved came through in their reports. One humanoid in particular such as a Mystical Purple furred fox, three banner houses, sentient black hair spider without the typical fangs, a lone bowman from a faction called the CSO. This fox brought over some mechanical golem that shut down outside an abandoned village. It was not long ago when they brought it back to life. To counter this in combat, the invaders sent in their own outside forces. One battalion of 311 Bitter Bow Jackal Sharpshooters from Samek. A second battalion of 317 Naga Warriors, Assassins from the Gantronese ranks of underlings or mercenaries. Another larger battalion of 1,244 Jackal Warriors are dropped off. Thanks to sudden manipulation and triggered traps those Jackals and Naga turned against the Nazdar invaders. This forced the Gantronese to ship troops in order to move on their behalf. In a secure section they heard of the heavy toll this invasion was inflicting while hearing their neighbors struggled to push through the invaders. Some 337 Occults passed under a bridge above a street between the mountain peaks that formed the city. 

Feeling another person's hands slide out of her clothing she spied a lone Moonlight Geist floating along the windows. Unsure if she enjoyed the touch, she returned to her current quarters wondering if any of her students even survived this. Pretending it was Theg only reminded her of the Clinging Darkness that plagued this moon. For over eighty years this moon suffered some curse of intercourse. Gluttony, lust, greed overpowered some, unless they were disciplined enough, banished to Mikka, or enlightened. Others chose not to care enough letting it consume or control them. Around the same time as it this darkness's emergence Divine Favor was gifted to 281 persons. Each of whom became Ephemeral Shields to draw the clinging darkness away from the masses. It became protection from 315 High Tide Hermits who managed to gather in force. These humanoids became a little too hungry over some Angelic Gifts that also settled on this moon. 

Her train of thought became disrupted when the room shook aggressively. Everything fragile or not fragile crashed to the floor. She fell out of the seat on to broken glass as the building shook like an earthquake was taking place. Jullundur grabbed her up with caution then brought her up to his own observatory lab. Using teleportation spells, he brought her to what looked like a portal. Setting her in a tub this Wizard turned a handle to a faucet. Whatever pain she was in, whatever wounds or scars that appeared from the glass healed. She felt the pain subside as the effects of the wounds went away. Jullundur hovered over her, watching the healing process. She watched his lips while the process took its time. He kept muttering something about more invaders that arrived to bombard the mountains and parts of Leonin Kingdom. In her mind it created a tectonic rift as a result of their bombardment. 

"I need to get her to the ports of Grevall!" Jullundur blurted in a comprehensive tone. Next to him stood a Gust Walker Wizard from Samek. A Vine shaper Mystic merfolk hybrid stood opposite the two wizards. 

"One crew of one hundred eighty-six Renegade Dwarf Artificers are ready. Under the leadership of an Aviary Mechanic Dwarves this crude crew included a Night shade Peddler from the inner streets. One loner cursed as an outcast of Gantronese lineage is among them. This one is a Gantron who sought to make a living by attempting this through a life of swashbuckling." the Mystic Merfolk informed him keeping their eyes on the female Diadem Master. 

"Where are they now? Stilling going pirate using the ship, Mammoth Spider?" Jullundur asked looking from her to the mystic. 

"Yes." they replied. 

Master Heck sat up only get pushed back down with a light touch. The process of healing wasn't done according to the wizard. Although he had a hand on her breast, she did not get angry or upset. This observatory acted as a study or its own vessel among the stars. When it was time to leave the bombardment subsided for a few hours. If this were a siege it was going to be a quick one. As they were not really prepared for this. Moving towards the coasts they used the teleportation spells to three different locations. At the ports of Grevall they found close to 382 ships of all classes, and sizes were hijacked for an Archaeomancer the Duke banished several years ago. An illustrious shaman with a crew of 283 Kitsune, which included other humanoids took over the ports. These other members of this crew included a green moss humanoid, a black dog Lairthos, black Orc-Ogre hybrid and a stubby blue ghost humanoid. Off a balcony the quartet watched these ships get incinerated in flames from 822 Scatter Arc Wielders one of the invaders hired to deal with resistance along the coasts. It looked completely hopeless for them until Jullundur pulled another teleportation just for her. The Diadem Master shut her eyes closed waiting for her to be teleported to another location on Miburtas. Holding onto herself in her favorite light blue dress with front ruffles Kerhanos found herself on a smooth sidewalk she heard about from mages who visited the more advanced parts of Calorn. Noises from a vehicle that sounded more like a mechanical goose startled her. She nearly bumped into a half Goblin in a business dress suit. Regaining herself Kerhanos looked around to see the brick buildings that stood tall. Jullundur brought her to the main planet of Calorn to start a new life. 

Flag of Muskalla

 

Once a part of the Khasar-Sagran's vast territory of nomadic life this section of land north of Gontrella, west of the Blackmells held a different name. Allied to the Vullanese Islands, and Gontrella this newly formed nation may struggle to regain any territory back. Especially with the Nazdar invaders slapping Vimsdra as a large territory separating Ossus from the V.U.V.R. 

Muskalla: Borte of the Nomads

Was this a joke or something? The Boathrian Islands going against the Vullanese Alliance. Nymres, Gontrella, Muskalla, Ossus, Arqolith, Vidothra, Vodwania, Galaia, Vimasdra would crush the Boathrians she haughtily thought to herself. Seated on a rock like it was a stump, Borte Baggi kept believing in victory for the Vullanese. She opened one eye to see if anyone noticed her mocking smirk which went away as she did the breathing a stretching meditation. Getting back into her stretch, breathing meditation Borte and several others did this after consuming a booze that causes one to see things after the first glass full. Her hallucination involved ant men fighting lizard folk. The six-legged humanoid insect hallucination fought against the upright large reptiles with the long snouts, strong scaly tails that had muscular arms wielding weapons. One of the meditation participants mentioned their hallucination involved flocks of Atotolin on western islands even though there were no islands around them. Yet to the west of their location lay the coastal regions of the newly made country of Muskalla. Four main islands, two peninsulas made up the coastal region that met the two lakes they shared with Vimasdra, and Vodwania. Khesigan the lake that is home to four Sagran islands. One of them belongs to the invaders. As for the smaller lake north of Khesigan was named Dracon. 

Her own people the Khasar-Sagran once roamed the lands that are Vimasdra, Ossus, Muskalla, and Bisdolan as if it was theirs for eternity. Alien invasion, the Muskallan Conflict took away large swaths, no chunks of their lands. Millions of Khasar-Sagran felt the toll of this invasion of their lands. Forced to quit the nomadic herding life they became stationary horse breeders, ranchers, steed breeders, livestock herders, caravan guards, Caravan Leaders, mercenaries, guards-security. Others chose the lifestyle as goons, thugs, wanderers, scouts, trackers, burglars, highwaymen or bandits. Plenty found professions as equestrian instructors, stable hands, Weapons Handler, saddlers, Tanner, Sages, Harness Maker, Assassins. Few became Toll Keepers along the borders with Gontrella, and the V.U.V.R. Their old nomadic lifestyle had them in competition with Uxane tribes, Orc clans, Gnolls, hostile Lenai. 

Packed within a region of 425,000 leagues, ten million Khasar-Sagran have to call themselves Muskallans. This left them in competition with Troglodyte Tribes over mountains and hills along the Blackmell Mountains. Mostly consisting of humans, half-Orc, half-Goblin, hobgoblin they the Khasar Sagran, now Muskallan appeared more human with acorn shaped eyes. In meditation with others Borte shared three fires. One made from wood with no stones, two of them had rocks around them. Fish cooked over one of them, and a shell creature over the other. Among eight Khasar-Sagran practicing monks, Borte Baggi did the breathing, stretching meditation two more times. Opening her eyes Borte no longer saw the hallucinations or any illusions. What she saw was the old, paved road Gontrella made using and ancient technique. Sixty-five and more Yurts flanked this old road, which belonged to the Azirai Smoke Shapers, Kejutt Barbarians, Alliig Sorcerers, Borbo Trackers, Abajn Monk Warriors. Getting off the flattened rock Borte came close to bumping into a passing ox. A herd of 1,200 Kating Oxen bound for Bovine Vimasdra encircled their camps. Herded around in a numeral eight pattern these oxen wore long plumes. It was surprising how none of these Ox bumped into each other while making the pattern. 

Knowing parts of this old, paved cobblestone road reclaimed by overgrowth she paced a long a part of it. Somewhere this road branched out forming ways to other roads and paths. One of these led to a hut owned by a healing witch who makes potions. According to Ekk the Heavy Rider, one of those paths led to an empty cave. Bored of the meditation Borte did not care to proceed with the pacing back and forth. Going to her own Yurt Borte recalled the number of times they had to stop. Their Yurts acted as house tents that were easily dismantled for a nomadic life. Certain her two or three daggers, pair of fists, strong legs would do, Borte mounted one of her horses to check one of the paths in the road. 

Once mounted Borte witnessed one of the unsavory characters, Du Baxxi, become cast into darkness for making sexual jests at one of the more voluptuous female monks of their group. Sorceress light archer or Kagan, Zuthan was behind casting that spell so Du can learn to control himself. Getting a good chuckle at the crude scum's misery Borte rode out of their encampment for a path to explore. Her own Harrier Companion, a Great Leaper Hawk she named Chaon joined her. Swooping down from a gnarled tree within the camp's interior Chaon rested on her right pauldron. Wearing a set of three rings taken from an open grave. The origins of the rings had more to do with the deceased required to pay the angel of death. Vodwanian Isles was where she got them. After dealing with a merchant who legit violated a female noble alongside their peeping tom spy. Borte offered whatever was in their coin purses to replace the rings in the grave. Yet the female noble committed suicide by drowning herself. Shaking the story away she reminded herself of the payment for the job. 

Astride a gray spotted horse she rode along a partially paved dirt path. She passed through another layer of their encampment. Encircling the 72 Yurts were 233 tents meant for 208 laborers, bondmen, skilled slaves, 3 milk maids, 26 Flower Dancers, 22 Banner carriers, 6 extra Heavy Riders. Out of these 208 traveling bondmen, laborers, thirteen lost their lives. An unlucky number thirteen was. It became taboo to have that number of anything. Thirteen skilled slaves and bondmen became a meal for some Hill Howlers. Just their skulls remained untaken. On this overgrown cobble-paved road she saw one of their Heavy Lancers take out a Hill Howler. Accompanied by a Warlock of Past Ghosts this Lancer was one of the seventeen riders prowling the area in lighter armor over their tunic coats. Convinced she can handle the humanoid beasts she scoffed at the thought of one attacking her. Huge humanoids they were, beast like species, with broad, hulking shoulders, long powerful muscular arms, misshapen head dominated by a gaping tooth filled maw. Blackmell Mountains was home to plenty of that species along with the Gorga Peaks that separated this camp from the lakes. 

Most of the landscape of Muskalla was full of foothills, grasslands, scattered patches of flat plains, small patches of woods, scattered trees, bushes dotting the landscape. Although it seemed their nomadic lifestyle took over the landscape some spots showed fertility for agriculture. Wool, wheat, barley, potatoes, bamboo, berries, tamed Kimbal became the crops her people chose to farm. It gave them a source of agriculture. Passing through the grass, wheat, hills she found an abandoned Lenai house wagon. Checking it out she discovered it was ransacked, looted, vacant. Nothing valuable was found save for a small meditation puzzle. Collecting this up she pocketed it in a coat pocket then proceeded further down the path. At the of this old road, she came across the 'empty' cave she heard about. Entering this cave, she found it littered of bones of skeletons of some long-forgotten clan of goblins. Exploring it further she discovered it led to an old mine under the name of Tahala. 

Four levels deep underground, ten chambers, lost campsite, a subterranean lake, well carved out mine. Only things inhabiting this cave-mine were two feral goblins from some dead clan, a female adventuring goblin warrior, nests of reptiles. Whoever this female goblin was she was found slaying the pair of feral goblins in hard leather armor. Armed with a short sword this goblin had a tail and an earring in the left pointy ear. Two or more sentient humanoid creatures inhabited this underground mine. One sentient Hill Howler in an aging Chlamys-chiton tunic who seemed joyous to see her down here. Exhausted this goblin adventurer found herself trampled by the second living inhabitant. The other was a cristata mole folk, a blind molelike creature focused on mining minerals. Wearing an alchemist solidarity amulet on a leather string this sentient Hill Howler appeared clean of diseases somehow. Calling himself Iggett the sentient howler offered an ancient Vodwanian Hoplite shield, and a claw weapon. Remembering she had the meditation puzzle in a pocket she handed that over to this Iggett as a tradeoff. Iggett studied this artifact pricing it at a 318-500 Soul Coins. 

With the realization of losing out on 500 souls or soul coins, Borte grabbed this goblin by the tai. She marched out of the cave with a new shield on her back, the claw weapon at her hip, new goblin bondsman in tow. Her Hawk companion, Chaon caught a rodent while she was gone. She started tearing into it when Borter approached her mount. As she got to the mount five stegosauruses walked past this cave. It started them a little. Chaon flew away to a nearby tree. Chaon wasn't the type of Harrier Hawk to share her meal unless she had young hawk chicks to feed nearby. Not bothering to lean this Goblin's name the Practicing Monk Warrior tied to the saddle when the large reptile creatures moved away. Ignoring this Goblin's protests, and pleas she returned to camp. Everyone there were intrigued by her tale and captive bondman. Although this Goblin adventurer had a name they dubbed her Jeeves the bond goblin. 

Not even interested in her true name in front of the rest Borte tossed this goblin inside her Yurt. In her possession Borte had a Field Ox as a pack animal, four mounts, a bondman, hawk, five chickens to eat, harvest some eggs. Borte turned around to meet the leaders of their herded caravan, Korag, and Brakka the half-Orcs. They gave her news that came from a courier about Vestrisian, Ottante nations at war with the Vullanese islands. Borte felt shocked by this sudden news. Two continents full of nations against the Vullanese Alliance. Gontrella was losing ground, Vimasdra was invaded, some islands of Vullan already fell. Unsure if she could bear any more news she left for her own Yurt. Set up like most nomadic house-tents Yurts were a home for Khasar Sagran wanderers, nomads, warbands. Outside her own rested a crate of straw, small bale of hay. A street sign she took from a settlement in Ossus, another sign to a settlement her clan ransacked and looted. On her left side next to her Yurt sat a nice crystal formation that she thought was pretty. At the Yurt's entrance she hung an Uxane's foot, which she chopped off. Inside her Yurt she found various tools, weapons, furniture, her two bondmen. One chair, stools, a table, wood folding chair, cage crate, 2 barrels, a keg, drinking keg. Her Yurt was set up with some extra support including a support beam, pieces for a raft, wheels for the cart, cables to connect Ox woke. A ladder lay near the entrance. Next to the beam sat a trap door placed there to cover any obvious hole. 

Tools included push broom for cleaning, large net for fishing, 2 pitch forks, 2 large paddles, small cooking paddle, sledgehammer, long axe, chopping axe, tool axe, dismantling Yurt pole, hook poles. Each hung along a hide, wool, linen wall in their own loopholes. Her current bondman tended to her pliers, socket wrenches, long racket wrench, regular wrench in tool tray. A rope for mount, 2 saddles, whip, 2 bridles, 2 reins, 4 horse brushes, wooden rake hung on the section next to the tools. Useful items included 3 pails, a basket of carrots the bondman plucked, clay pot, gas can for liquid, tin mug, eating bowls, blue candle holder on the table. Borte did not travel without a torch holder, four lanterns, torch on stake, torch lamp on floor while another was on a beam illuminating more of the Yurt. For further decor she had a bongo drum, tribal totem staff, long wood Uxane Wolf Pipe, 2 award ribbon pins she took from an adventure. Three Uxane horned headdresses, Marion helm, crusader's helm, a plumed helm with a vizor, several Uxane shields, and clan shields. For weapons she possessed a katana, curved blade, 2 scimitars, cutlass, longsword, eagle warclub, a ballistae projectile used as a spear, 2 javelins. One staff learned against her bed which lay near the warmth of the small fires. Her own bondmen would sleep opposite her. Firearms included 4 pistols in holster ammo belts, hunting rifle, lever action rifle, 2 old Ossus rifles, 2 small cannons for prizes. She knew this would be listed set of items to keep up with, but she needed to. Among her possessions were five chests, small case full of treasures, clothing, and other equipment. 

She still wore the 2 cuff braces, 2 spurs, green preserved snake as necklace, riding gloves, bow in her hair, bandana on her head. Hanging on the beam she hung her modern cap, riding hat, silver cap. Several days later she forced the goblin bondman, and Lenai Bondman to pack up the Yurt for travel. More of their skilled bondsmen were lost to six members to some Reptilian Confederacies which spread across their world of Calorn. Ancient, mostly lost to civilization these reptilian confederacies consisted of 248 bands to make up the remnants of an elder empire. Some appeared similar to crocodiles, alligators, small blue eyed fat tailed lizards, draconic lizards with tails, others appeared more serpent with four limbs. Each of these reptilian humanoids rarely showed up near settlements. One of these slippery elusive humanoids died by a rifle shot once it was found. Unable to the find the rest their caravan pressed onward in a northern direction. Four days went by as they took the old, paved road to another well-kept road. 

Next stop was to an enclave named White Rex Nest. It was full of witches, mages, female warlocks who call themselves Arcane Wives. Consisting of more than a hundred structures that look like cottages, cabins, peasant stone houses. Each house was three stories tall. Borte heard mixed stories about these Arcane Wives dispersing enemies using divination to fool them with illusion. Ten towers guarded this enclave with a garrison 55 Serpent Dragon Warriors. Whether they were humans, Orcs, half goblins, Elves, half elves, half goblin, half orc. Serpent Dragons held a special alliance with these Arcane Wives, wealthy Lenai, other sorcerers. As their herd passed around the settlement's perimeter they eyed the guards in their scaled helmets. 

Locking eyes with one Borte was sure she would miss the site of Aragosh. Aragosh, a Khasar Sagran tent city surrounded by preserved carcasses or skeletons of dead colossal wyrms. Not their intended destination Aragosh was home to the worm clans among the Kasar-Sagran. Not the most intimidating sounding name, but the Worm Clans had their ways to scare or ward off enemies. Khasar Sagrani were known to eat everything for nutrients, except poisonous plants, bark, certain creatures. Some groups came to be called cannibals, others called them monsters, or monster cannibals. They were a people of mixed blood with necessary professions, skills, determination to survive and make themselves worth coin. When they passed a totem next to the road, they were semi greeted by a scene of an Uxane Druid tied to a tree like it was a crucifix. Some small band of these Worm Sagran members captured this one for sport. Their road steered them westward towards the city of Lucak the Mountain City. A Dwarf built settlement, Lucak rested on several peaks and hills high enough to act as a platform city in the sky. 

She overheard residents or citizens would pull around coops on wheels full of chickens, Harriers, Doves, Ravens, Monkeys, Parrots, Flying Squirrels to give or sell as gifts. Other creatures included ferrets, or large toads. Each type of pet gift was cared for or tended by a dark elf servant. Other rumors or tales say a Dwarf, Halfling, or human cared for these living gifts. Wealthy ones walked around with a bodyguard. Some of these bodyguards were dark elves, Orcs, half Orcs, Khasar Sagran, or Kuruks. This city of Lucak was not the city for them to stop at. Veering off the path they went to a shrine closest to the northern central part of Muskalla called Korgoth. Korgoth was where a cult of warlocks, monks, rogues, gather at night with thick hair. Skeletons of deceased death worms, large worm serpent like creatures left untouched are used as shrines there. Here in a gathering of ten thousand worshipers she met two others while conducting some business. 

First, she met a figure named Captain Val of Evusia who went awol after the war against Redrin went south. Eighty-one other Evusians joined him in leaving their empire. It is no surprise that these Southern Ottante-Vestrisians made it as far as Muskalla. At a well-constructed tavern, she sat with this Evusian Captain. Here she witnessed a halfling serve a large Orc who sat with a few others at the bar. Seated at a table she learned these Evusians were in Muskalla for merchandizing, mercenary work, caravan escorts, Tour Guides, bodyguard work. Just yesterday the lost a thousand Soul coins worth of equipment to a pair of metal eating shell like creatures with long fuzzy antennae or feelers. The second figure she met was a war mage who called herself Vorkol of the tattooed half breeds. A Dark Elf Sagran Mix with tan skin multiple tattoos. Black thin dreads in beads, a bandana over it, pirate style boots over their legs, leather greaves, leather cuirass with belly exposed, one belt with a sash, rapier at their hip. Pauldrons covered her shoulders arm braces covered their forearms. In her story she left a lover at a market in Gontrella. She made attempts to hide her guilt, but it did not work. It was obvious she left a lover somewhere. 

After hearing these tales from the two non-nomads she felt the urge to leave her homeland and see the world. Forty-five Khasar Sagran, Bards, Barbarians, Sorcerers, Rangers, Trackers, Scouts, Archers watched these rituals. Some of their own escort herders, Dren, and Baggi, the monks who meditated participated in the rituals. Borte watched these rituals go on into the night while drinking. She woke the next morning in her own Yurt. Next to her lay Vorkol, Lubash the Heavy Lancer Barbarian. Whatever she did the night before she would rather leave it alone. Kicking Lubash awake Borte made him seek sunrise meal in his own Yurt. She ate up half the portion of what the goblin gave her. Borte gave the rest to the bondman and goblin. Vorkol her guest gave the rest of her own to the bondmen. The dark elf looked out the entrance then made a disgusted expression, which made Borte laugh. 

"I did not realize these rituals involved eating worms." she blurted out in disapproval. 

"You are not one of them. That means you are not required to eat the creatures of the earth. Unless they are rodents, snakes, four legged beasts. I-" she was cut off by one of the caravan leaders named Yatal who summoned her. Getting up from the chair to join Yatal at their own death worm skeleton as a meeting place. Leaving Brakka, Emen, Tejj, Gorga, Murok, Tajab, Abbe, Kang, Scarg, Hagar to watch over their herd they received some news. According to a courier named Morgez the fast, ten thousand Sagran they stationed at the Blackmells were attacked. It appeared the mages, or witches got tired of the raids on various communities. Sleep spells were used on 317 of their own Sagran. Nullify spells were also used on nearly 210 targets. Two hundred seventeen Sagran became pinned to the earth by arcane forces. Lubash took out a cig he got from the traders scoffing at the news. Borte went up to him snatching the cig from his mouth after lighting it. Puffing it herself she shoved it in his face. 

"Would you like to end your pitiful life? Then choke on those cigs. Others want to live." 

"Borte relax those culprits are dealt with. Let's focus on our job." Keth the bearded one ordered her. "Now there is other news unless you add the continuing downfall of the Vullanese defenses." 

Four weeks dragged on with her involvement in this war as absent. Their job was done, a new companion joined her, a new bondman settling in. Her human bondman suffering a stab wound from a fight. She required a new one. Borte knew where to get another. In the southern central settlement of Zhem Deadlock some 458, 000 outlaws resided there as punishment. Between Vodwania, Gontrella, Argolith, Nymres, Vidothra, the Khasar Sagran, the Ossus States an agreement was made about captured outlaws. Any ex-pirates, highwaymen, thieves, burglars, assassins, outcasts, arsonists, rapists, murderers were sent to Zhem Deadlock to become bondsmen or herd laborers. Borte was in the market for a new one along with other members of their 46-member band. Paid a sum of 150 Souls per week earned her close to 1,000 Souls. Selling the dead bondman's belongings earned her 450 Souls. 

Among all these outlaws who were banned from killing each other this city hosted an assortment of useful trades. They were presented with blacksmiths, masons, furriers, cartographers, linguist translators, harness makers, skinners, maids, falconers, messengers, scabbard makers, animal groomers, and butchers to sort through. She just needed a new bondman, nothing special. What she got was a Reckless Scholar named Philupp. His story involved a Gilded sentinel of Vodwania becoming a part of a pirate's prize of 3470. Her hopes that he could be useful weren't exactly shattered, despite his thin physique. Dubbed the name Phipps the scholar was a little clumsy, yet he was a linguist, a cartographer, and animal groomer. That was enough for Borte. Borte, her companion Vorkol, the new bondman bumped into a tooth collector who earned over 437 souls a week. 

Called Scumbag Steve this tooth collector sought to get out of Zhem Deadlock. Hagar the brawling bard could use a tooth collector. As the arrangement was made, they heard about some gathering of 397 Leaders, Chiefs, High Warriors, Khans resulted in the deaths of two suspected spies. This meeting resulted in a pact, deaths two suspected spies, 3 Goblins found near a deflated blimp beaten into the earth. Each leader called for any Khasar-Sagran available to join the fight against this coalition of city-states, communities, and clans of the Blackmells Mountains. Eager to fight she chose to volunteer for her leader of caravans, herding livestock, Gaboss. This was a Khasar Sagran who commanded 800 in the semi nomad clan. Made up of individuals, lone wolves, small clans, gangs, families Gaboss' Horde acted as a company who escorts, guides, smuggles, guards, slays creatures, hunts down any vermin. 

Where were they supposed to meet their boss? On the southern end of the Vimasdran-Muskallan lake Dracon, close to a canal-dam leading to lake Khesigan rested their capitol of Azudem. Here in the city of serpents, serpent hair, snake goddess, 397 Khasar leaders along with trusted followers met. Two days in this city they met, agreeing to send force to the Blackmells. Borte joined 292 of her fellow Gaboss Sagrani who joined the other groups to form an army of 115,000 to reinforce the estimated 9,344 remaining fellow Khasar Sagrani. In their minds they knew to the world they were Muskallans. It was a large number, but more Muskallans were going to fight for Gontrella, and Vullan. Going east, Borte joined Karg, Braak, Lubash, and ten of their original herd's guiding band she made camp with 50,000 others. Stretched across ten leagues, or fifteen leagues 60,000 Khasar Sagran set up a few tent settlements with defenses quickly put up. 

All they heard were more reports of casualties on their side as the mages or communities took their dead from the field. Among these reports they heard their bondmen, or non Khasar Sagrani died while escaping, avenging masters, or grabbing the dead from the mountains. Three hundred ninety-six suffered from searing spears from these Mages. Annihilating fire spells claimed the lives of 358 Khasar-Sagran. Another 311 of their own get lost in a hidden labyrinth at the foot of the Blackmells. Fatal Fumes killed 182 of those who got lost. Whoever got out did the best head count before being thrown in a hole for retreating from a battle. Borte's unit of 3,000 pushed into the Blackmell's feet where they took out a force of 426 Mage Ring Subjugators who joined the V.U.V.R. She fired a round into the scattered mob of mage followers inside a clearing in the foothills. An aerial volley came down on them taking down 440 of their small brigade sized unit. Furious by this her unit hunted these hostile mages, their followers down until their leaders called them back. 

Suffering a blow at the hands of the Blackmell Dwellings they were forced to bring in 313 bombards as artillery. Gontrella, Vodwania, and Ossus gave them these along with caches of Long Barrel 7s, Invortus 93s, Wolf 10 repeater rifles, heavy machine guns of various styles. Some caches included handheld cannon blunder buses, grenade launchers, and a variety of different weapons for toys against their enemy. Three weeks went by with their new bombards, their own cannons setting fire to the feet of the Blackmells. Among their own forces they rallied 352 Archers-Marksmen to fortify a foothold in the south. One battalion of 788 Mounted Berserker Valley Lancers or Valley Riders to scour the northern flanks. Among their own sorcerers or arcane users, and allies, 339 Adept Mages helped them hunt down these Blackmell Mages. She could only assume the ones in White Rex Nest chose Muskalla as their new nation, breaking away from the Arcane Wives. Over 370 Adamat Willing Warriors back their own mages. Anothe unit helped them back the Mages alongside the fronts. Some 400 Kuruks of the Emberhorn Clans. Kor City, a settlement on their Muskallan island sent 360 due to the influence of a Thunderous Orator. From their own unit that barely suffered casualties, 480 Mounted Marksmen, Archers, Lancers went deeper into the mountains with spiteful motives against their enemy. Days went by before they returned successful. Borte overheard that 486 victims were sliced in twain, thousands more were slain. Three hundred of these Mountain Faerie Elf Miscreants were caught. She saw some in their white robe tunics, colorful chitons, blue robes, green trousers, green loose fit shirts. Most either had gold hair, or light brown hair. Most of these elves were sent to pits in the central peninsula to be fed to 231 starving blind wretches. It wasn't Khasar-Sagrani way. Whoever ran those pits were elusive, and tended to arm the hill howlers, or assist any of their own enemies who might as well be rebels to the country of Muskalla. Next year that practice was sent to end in 1842 as agreed by all Khasar-Sagrani. 

Forced to take a child among hundreds of orphans Borte gave it to a family of freed Borte she found close to their temporary tent settlements. The same fate could be said of all the orphans they came across. This was so they wouldn't have to feed them. Killing children, babies, pregnant women, the elderly was not a part of their warfare. As she rode through a path in the mountains one scout mentioned a luminous bond used on a sorcerer. It showed the Blackmell communities were started to split among themselves. She did know of the Gnolls, wild Goblins, Orcs, Troglodytes Kuruks that attacked villages quite often every other season. Some of these mountains were hope to Dwarves, Gnome-Elves, and other small folk who came under attack almost every season. One such community was of humans, Dwarves, Goblin mix who built a castle on the mountains. It appeared carved straight out of a peak. Towers, spires, had neatly laid down tiles. One part of its base formed a round keep with a conical roof. 

Showing some hint of defeat a baron sent a short cut seeker to direct Borte's unite to hideouts of the Mage's causing trouble. What did not help these submitting communities were Muskalla's new weapon, aircraft fighters, bombers. Circling above flew Swiftwing 033s, Gontrellan Hollow Darters. Paid 334 pieces of Mountain Dwarf Coin currency this half-goblin, half elf, led them to a tunnel system deeper into the Blackmells. Whatever path they took it narrowed it enough to a point where they almost went on foot. Deeper in these tunnels within the bowels of the Blackmells her assorted party found an underground city. Some parts were lit with natural chambers, a massive hall took up the center. Here and there steps were carved into the stones. Homes or shops were well dug out chambers in the walls. Some required rope ladders to get to. It appeared empty save one figure who decided to make contact with another plan on the largest flat surface among the upper levels. Against the wall a large white portal opened up. Borte's eyes widened at the sight as wind from the portal blew out any torches or lamps. From the portal spider-like constructs with square or cubic bronze bodies covered in runes marched out of this portal. She estimated close to 413 as they formed columns.

A couple of her own party dragged a hip fired mini cannon along with them. Not caring about the impact it would cause, or cave ins they loaded it rather quickly. She got down behind some stalagmites covering her ears tightly. Firing this weapon into the column the pair of Muskallans (Khasar Sagran) destroyed a portion of these constructs. Parts of the ceiling caved in as a result. Stalagmites crashed into the ground hitting more of the constructs. Unwilling to die the Khasar Sagran raced out of the underground city as it came down on the open portal. Certain their mission was complete Borte led the parties out of the Blackmells to their own cities of Yurts. Her own Yurt was somewhat alive with the bondmen grooming their animals. Vorkal petting Chaon on the head. Excited to see her again Chaon flew to her shoulder. Ordering the bondmen to take a break Borte checked her five chests. Inside were nine gold ore nuggets, a pile of gold Soul coins with jewelry mixed in, rubies, coin sacks partially filled with other currencies. One of them contain her megaphone, 2 binoculars, goggles, maps, and a waving cloth, clan banner. Inside the prettiest chest lay her purple dress, short black cape, toga wrap, poncho, wolf pelt cloak, short gold cape. She did possess other modern clothing to wear every other day. Grabbing one of the coin sacks she found just 32 Gontrellans currency worth of coins. Looking over at Vorkol, the bondmen she asked them. 

"Who wants to see 45 species of elephants in Ottante, and the blue obelisk of Morgadra?" 

Gontrella 1841-1842 An Audacious Infiltrator

Hunter's Edge lay on borders of the Blackmell Mountains. It rested on the foothills near the slopes. Just like an unwanted wart on a butt cheek it stuck out. As for him a small mole rested above his left buttocks. Residing in the heart of Gontrella his piece of shite cottage sat on a rough city style block. His friend were responsible for a painted propaganda against the Gontrellan Leader, some Chief of Warlords and local Lieutenant of the Watch. It was where they were to go as they were ratted out by Hunter's Edge locals. Events delayed their trip back. Two groups fought each other outside the settlement. One group of 428 Hostile Beast Kuruks fought 413 Raging Redcap Goblin Knights. A unit of 576 Cavalry Drill Masters move in to help a school of 299 Half-Elf Monks so they can deal with the two forces. Around that time one of their friends a pupil to a large university closest to the borders informed them this battle stirred a wild herd towards another village. It was while a cog work archivist construct helped with a cram session for 1,035 pupils who watched this herd of grazing glade hart antelope stampede. Alchemist Andylle Ingotz stood outside his own cottage in his tan collarless button up shirt over a white collarless slip-on tunic, trousers with side buttons, maroon outdoor loafers. Andylle's  combed over hair showed signs of thickening since the last time he had it cut. Andylle's friend Lars Blackfire a fellow alchemist-artist from Geverine who also held years of experience as an acrobat due to pressure from family. That was before moving to Gontrella in 1833 AN.  

Lars joined him in his white tunic shirt, leather trousers, leather hide apron. His long brown hair sort of met the same texture as his brownish skin color. A scar over his right eye made it clear that it was blind. Both heard the story about some Towering Wave Mystic between the coasts of Vodwania, and Gontrella. Part of some ancient race of the sea or waters this Mystic was more of a merfolk type humanoid. The types many sailors, and fishermen kept reporting. Every season, hunters, monster killers, adventurers, or knights hunted them down or chased them away. It sounded more interesting than what Andylle was hearing while outside his cottage door. In front of a newly constructed reinforced bank full of safes and vaults a tall female elf Blade Veteran chatted or argued in a blue decorative long coat with propped up collars, gold scarf wrap tunic under a vest made from layers of woven fiber overlapped by a bullet resistance material called Vakko. Only the dyed Vakko could be seen while the woven fibers made up the interior. Her trousers were similar to his own yet under horse riding trousers. As for boots, they were Nazdar issued boots meant for all terrain. Most of their Grevaskii wore this. The person arguing back appeared more human than dark elf in his adventuring outfit that fit over casual linen clothing. 

"Which places were you not banned from?" the Vakko wearing elf continued. 

"Banned from some local taverns across the central portions of Gontrella. The Woodsmen's Guild Pub, Earls Stables Tavern, Boat in the Statue over in Vorgo's Moat. Even the Skeleton's Headache banned me. Delias the Fat Cabana doesn't want me there anymore. Yet that obese Orc-Ogre-Goblin Spawn allows mini Bernes Fortowings and his mother to sit there. He is old enough to marry now, but girls seem to avoid him." The Dark elf unveiled to the Vakko wearing elf. 

"Oh, so he cannot be seen with mom, because it is a turn off. Then he has to be nice to his mom in order to be kept away from the outcast label." 

"You saw her yesterday and last week. Doesn't she tell you anything?" That sort of pissed her off. She stepped into his space almost touch his nose with his own. Roughly brushing past the Dark Elf the female elf blade marched angrily over to a group of five stumps often used as seats. Behind these stumps stood a patch of neatly trimmed trees, a vendor vegetable stand, an isolated shack near a shed to someone else's property. 

"Are you going to watch those two argue? Come on Andylle help me fill these three potion bottles." 

"Just came out for a breath of fresh air and a moment to my own thoughts Lars." He answered turning around to reenter the alchemy lab. His loafer shoes stepped on the dirt and the four tiles with cross designs then on the stone steps that took him to the interior. Inside their lab was messy with shattered glassware, vials, stools at bench-shelves, island table, cylinders, jugs, jars, beakers, retorts, calcinator, alembics, pestle and mortar, scales, oil lamps, abandoned mugs, glass funnels, glass flasks of different shapes and uses, distillers, furnace pieces, large pots filled the shelves. Similar instruments littered tables in two other rooms. Andylle, Lars and three others toiled for hours to create a universal solvent that involved filling up 721 vials. Meant to keep soldiers warm and hydrated while they are on patrol along the coasts and patrols. Andylle checked a window to see the pair sitting opposite each other. 

Those were not the types of conversations Andylle and Lars wanted to hear. Especially when war broke out just last year. War was not glorious, glamours, or hospitable to either side. Yet it happened whenever opposing sides reached boiling points or someone offended another. Trespassing was another reason war happened. An army or intruder crosser over uninvited into another state armed. Yet immigrants, travelers, refugees, wanderers, merchants, entertainers became an exception. Even health workers such as doctors, nurses, apothecaries, healers were granted permission. A loud knock came at the door tearing their attention away from their work. Andylle answered the door leaving the other alchemist lab workers to their corking and sealing. 

At the door he found seven Canal workers, nicknamed Canal Monitors due to their line of work. Andylle spoke to their leader who requested that a workshop assistant construct help them. One Canal Monitor or laborer mentioned a problem caused by a mutiny that started. Under the leadership of a single influential chill bringer mage 302 workers dropped their work. Two of their canals connecting the settlements of Promenth to Willowhill. A road connected those settlements to Westblade in the north of Vorgo's Moat, their current location. Truckloads of stones, boulders, bricks clogged the canals, and a bridge was destroyed. In one settlement a riot broke out during the canal mutiny. A total of 396 rioters and a ringleader became involved who were disgruntled over a shipment of goods coming in late. 

Despite having roads connecting the bridges, traffic tended to drag a little. According to the canal workers parts of the canal were clogged using merchandise in other parts by shady strangers. Andylle road with them to see for himself. Inside he hoped none of those merchandise was one of the shipments they sent over to the front. One nice shipment of 600 bottles and flasks of a substance called stone-sponge. A crafted substance that acts as a cement filler that expands. At the site of the clogged portions, he learned that a goblin smuggler dumped the cargo leaving 426 intact bottles and flasks that required chiseled out. 

"I see the substance works." He muttered to himself. This stone sponge they invented expanded when it came into contact with liquid. Bringing over the construct took time as it required loading onto a truck. It was not the only construct brought over to help. Well into the night some 874 laborers and contractors dug up the debris. 

Sixty-four constructs moved back and forth bringing piles of debris to the mechanized wagon. Most bottles/vials made it whereas 137 of those were lost. Whoever managed the cargo or loading moved ahead with the deliveries. Whatever else had to be dug out were discarded or shipped back to storage. Andylle did not return to his piece of shite home until four in the morning after three days of hard labore. Lars and the others forced him to relax at their lodge in Hunter's Edge for seven days or so. With the radio on loud Andylle hoped to get some news of the V.U.V.R. encroaching on their borders. All he got were reports of skirmishes, raids made by Orcs, Goblins, Troglodytes, Gnolls, Kuruks isolated incidents such as crimes. A knock came at the door that turned into a loud banging jolted him awake. Andylle rushed to open the door. Instead of Lars or any of their associates a sprite pixie was at the door flapping their wings. These were Imp Harpy Spawn that looked like a red skinned goblin with bat like wings. Introducing themselves as Iggitte the Sprite-Pixie belonged to a merchant guild in the southwestern coast. This one came to this door with news. 

"I see you be that Aclossen Alchemist Andylle Ingots. Lars Blackifre sent me over here to warn you. A Vampire envoy met with ninety-two of them rioters, and mutineers. Terms were discussed but the main Vampire ordered 318 of them dropped in a merciless resolve. It was like some spell or something. No it is not a real Vampire just our title for governor." this winged goblin winked. 

"Anything else, what happened to the Chill bringer?" Andylle asked gripping the door. 

"Oh them, the Vampire of the region sent a Syncopate Assassin Mage after them. A female half-elf, or half demon 328 years of age or experience sent for 2,000 Black Gems in coins." This Imp answered Andylle's mind spun around changing his concerns over the Chill Bringer who started the problem. The Vampire reminded him of his own crime of propaganda.

"I don't care about that. Was there anything else. Are Lars and I off the hook about the propaganda?" He demanded forcing the subject away from the leaders. 

"What propaganda?" This winged creature asked with a wink and nod, flapping their wings to stay in the air. It became the code or phrase that meant you are off the hook. "Say what goes on around the borders? We've heard nothing for nine to ten days straight." 

Rolling his eyes Andylle mentioned what he heard over the radio. The region's Vampire, literal tittle of governor oversaw a Burning Prophet's execution with malicious intent. Their crime was becoming a source for acting as a guiding force that inspire over 284 to charge against orders of their superiors. This was through sorcery which became restricted with certain rules. Six days ago, shipments of Invortus93s, Khet Rifles arrived at the border along with a portion of the shipment his alchemists made. Towards the north a group of 50 Ogre-Dwarves run into a Necromancer and five of their zombies near Thestlestand. In the south along the coast a dire fleet hoarder suffered a spectral binding near a church, Master Mason's Guild. Their attempted to get out with an arcane bolt caused a deadly volt charge that shot into the church outdoor meat locker shed. Whoever that fake freebooter was they impacted the job of a Church Curate of Monastery Stephen. It involved preserving the hides and meats of Highland Game Elk. A herd was targeted for sport and hunting for the town of Flokk. 

"Somewhere in a Royal Observatory a Scholar of the stars with a thirst for knowledge suffered from a certain spell. It had something to do with a figure who lured him with hidden strings attack to this deal that ends in them suffering from strangling spores." 

"Where is the figure then?" He asked. 

"Who knows, probably gone to the Vestrisian side of things." In his mind he knew that sounded shady, V.U.V.R. officials letting in a sorcerer or mage that kills innocent civilians. Andylle realized it could be that this figure wanted to stop the scholar from discovering something. Why else kill a scholar of the stars. 

"Iggit does anyone else know that I am here?" he asked the winged creature who just shrugged their shoulders. He took this as a no. 

Taking advantage of no one else knowing he reduced the chances of discovery by leaving on a train. With his head bowed low as if a Vestrisian Dead Eye hunted his head. Acting as a dysfunctional deadbeat who owes money yet needs to meet a deadline he rode like a wanderer stowaway on the cargo cars. While riding in the cargo car with nine black and brown steeds Andylle found two mating inside. Something he did not to witness. Sleep did not come easy due to the noise of horses mating. When they were done a nude equestrian came around from another horse to hug both horses. Andylle shut his eyes tight expecting the female equestrian to get down under horse. Despite the wild night he still managed to sleep into the morning. Whatever the equestrian did with the horses he did not want to know. 

One horse licked his face then snorted into it. Andylle sat up after hours of sleep on some straw, folded horse blankets. Another equestrian girl sauntered over to him with a smile on her face. Going for his pants this one attempted to take them off. Scared for some reason Andylle punched her in the eye. More scare of the others he scrambled up, grabbed his bag and jumped out. The train he stowed on stopped at what had to be the town of Bastionhelm, the center of armory, chainmail, leather tanners, blacksmiths, Armorers, and craftsman guilds. 

By the train station he spotted Chapter Houses of Knights, a Public Bath, Castle Library, an Academy Guilds, some Great Museum, Opera House. Some structures between streets, others near condos, or condominium. In a quickened pace he moved past the tracks to a Tavern with a row of transportations in a garage that used to be a stable. This tavern sat behind the station. As he moved towards it, a red-haired elf-demon from Syrianos appeared from behind an alley between the station and Tavern. She folded her arms in a critique manner. Just the way she appeared in the Grevaskii fatigues that looked similar to the ones Nazdar soldiers wore. Only this one was grayish in color. She motioned for him to approach her. Andylle moved with his head bowed low still hiding his face. His whereabouts were supposed to be in Hunter's Edge. Looking at the ground Andylle thought what it would be like if he lived in the V.U.V.R. What would that be like for him? What would their men be like? Just the feeling of a man's body against his own aroused him. Lars was more of a friend, pal, colleague. Fat men did not appeal to him neither did certain activities with men. Just kissing, hugging, or playing games was all he wanted to do with other men. 

Thoughts on men were disrupted when a creature emerged from an alley they passed. Both stopped in their tracks then turned their attention towards this creature. Often known as an Alley Reaper, this creature was the type that went for prey from alleys or from behind buildings. It was lurking behind a condominium behind the tavern they just passed. The storage structure by the condominium was made from brick with a double hipped roof. It extended a little in size and length creating the corner space to hide. Nothing, but a hooded cloak wrap mixed with a long coat covered this Alley Lurker from head to toe. Multiple belt buckles held this custom crafted clothing together. It approached them in a shuffle when another figure came dancing from around the end of the corner of the storage building. 

Dressed in a gold tan tank top dress a curly blonde with pinkish skin tone danced towards them. She did not notice them until she almost bumped into the elf demon. Andylle thought she was a strumpet at first until he spotted the half-star hair clip. It represented coteis, women paid by the settlement to perform services. Services did include dancing, singing, calming massages, exercises, or motivation. Yet these women would often be used for other services. Strumpets were in the larger cities or the coasts of Gontrella, Vodwania, or Nymres. This one acted a little too quickly by pulling her straps down exposing herself then pulling the dress back up. Andylle backed away while the elf-demon gave her an intrigued expression. Her hands found parts of the cotei as they covered her face in embarrassment. Enjoying her a little the demon elf revealed her name be Lieutenant Cannis Azzoran. Both forgot the Lurker that made a motion to lash out grabbing their attention back to it. 

Andylle was about to ditch the scene when twenty humanoids surrounded them. Similarly dressed as Cannis these humanoids wore outdoor vests, harnesses, bandoliers, bullet belts, holsters, blade sashes. Yet none of these humanoids possessed any weapons or bullets in them. Among these humanoids he only recognized the humans, half-orcs, half elves. Three of the other humanoids races which appeared wolf like, raven, or reptilian shrew in appearance. A barbarian looking figure in uniform among them seemed a little quaint. He marched up to the Lieutenant while the Alley Lurker attempted to get away. The Cotei readjusted herself before running away crying. Not caring at all about the cotei this barbarian looking Grevaskii motioned for Cannis to join them. 

"Pay that Cotei a monthly sum then reports to the Drill School Barracks Trap." This barbarian looking figure barked at Cannis. 

"Yes Captain Grumbar." Lieutenant Cannis answered in a small voice. Her attempted to hide her fear worked a little bit. 

This Barbarian Captain pulled out a long dagger. He plunged the weapon into the Alley Lurker's back. Grumbar pulled back the hood to reveal a grotesque fish lipped, bald, earless head. Most Alley Lurker's looked like skeletal malnourished humanoids. Yet this one looked to be a hybrid of sea creature and whatever the other spouse was. Leaving the corpse for the Morgue collectors the twenty alien looking Grevaskii escorted Andylle and Lt. Cannis through the settlement. Gontrella was home to a population of 84 million humans, Goblins, half elves, Zunia Puck Satyrs, Orcs, half-Orcs. First made up of different states, kingdoms that were once villages or camps, Gontrella became a single unified Monarchy over time. Now it became a single state constitutional monarchy close to becoming a central authoritarianism. It demanded for five million to enlist to fight the V.U.V.R. 

Calorn's year of 1841 A.N. came after the catastrophic stalemate they suffered at the hands of the Hexagonal Alliance. Suffering losses to Diron City, Dimcabul, Domoron Mountain City of Dwarves, Haldiron Mountains of the Elves, Vussayran Peaks Dynasty, Prolux Kingdom did take some of Gontrella's economy out. To the south Gontrella had Boathria, which was currently at war with their own Valde ally, Vullan. Other independent neighbors between Vullan, Gontrella, and Boathria such as Shecaster Isles, Tivine State, Defraysal did not help Gontrella's conflict against the Hexagonal Alliance. Around the same time as this Hexagonal conflict, they fought those three Island City-States. Virec Wren Vieth, or known as Vrec Wren Vieth, a neutral valley that has one city surrounded by enclaves, ranches, farmsteads, hovels, hamlets, and mountains became a key target. Fighting the eight or nine states incurred losses as high as 241,020 dead, loss of 17 ships, 200 million Black Gems, 518, 000 wounded, drugged, indisposed by disease. 

As for the eleven states a total loss of 56,000 killed in action, 145,000 wounded. The conflict allowed Nazdar invaders to claim two of these island city-states Defraysal, and Tivine. V.U.V.R. forces entered the civilized parts of the Blackmell Mountains deterring attacks once made by wild Orcs, Goblins, Mountain Gnolls, Kuruks, Troglodytes. With Lieutenant Cannis, the 20 Grevaskii, 10 Gontrellans, Andylle met a Colonel, Major, and a team of other alchemists. Over six hundred Gontrellans ready for the border under the command of Colonel Graskin. According to the Colonel, Gontrella amassed a force to deal with the hags of the Blackmell hills. Not getting enough time to get acquainted with the other alchemists Andylle prepared more health potions and explosives. Faces were familiar, only a few names became recognizable. Harold, Bergman, or Heebner were the only names he recalled before they had to leave again. 

The return to Hunter's Edge was brief as they rode to the borders of Gontrella and Blackmell city-states. Hollowme Spiral, one of the Hag Witch domains that did not help in the fighting against the Hexagonal Alliance. Neither did Muskalla for that matter. It was around that time Muskalla was still writhing over losing swaths of land Vimasdra, and southeastern Ossus. Each of the Hag Witches were responsible for parts of the skirmishes that went along the mountainous borders. Hallowme Spiral rested on a wide hill covered in foliage, surrounded by thirteen to fifteen mounds, hills of rock, earth, trees, and moss. This terrain encircled the old Hag settlement. Upon approaching Hallowme Spiral they found tall boulders, stacked rocks, stones, branches, hardened roots mingled to form a series of walls. 

Andylle's unit arrived at the limits of the settlement where the road wrapped around its perimeter. Members of his unit knew who this Hag was, but refused to tell who it was. This included some Ex Master-Thief known as Blake Five Fingers who was snagged from getting hanged. Martial Artist Adept called Fume who was sentenced to serve as punishment for a brawl. An ex-swashbuckler, Prudence Disfigured Tattersall pressed into service from Trobbel Port in place of a death sentence over piracy. Two Goblins who were inmates over arson, and mass murder. An Orc named Cagon, a pair of Gnolls whose names he forgot. One local Champion Lutu from Marksville, an archer named Stev. Some Arch Druid called Nankil, one ram horned Kuruk called Arius were recruited from the borders between Muskalla and Gontrella. These selected Gontrellan soldiers made up a portion of the experienced veterans in combat who sort of buddied up to him. Run by some Hag Witch of the Moon Illith, Hallowme Spiral was made up of what looked to be 26 Hollowed Out Trees, two meeting halls, 8 cottages made from stone and brick. Two large cabins, 13 houses, a few refurbished temples. It also had a blacksmith, carpenter shop, a wood mill outside its walls, pottery craftsman, mason, small barn. Outside the main walled perimeter of the Hallowme houses two rings on hills merging into the main one. A dwarf temple carved from stone surrounded by five houses made from brick and logs. One roadhouse, village lodge, and small manor rested on a ring which had the road cutting through it. Within one of the rings Andylle some other sights and structures among the buildings. A training dummy at the ring with the temple, a scare crow near some sunflowers, and cornstalks, small field, birdhouse tower, large keg, a few spit fires, and over a dozen shred fires set up. Four horses at a trough close to a well where a donkey was being tended by a wandering friar. This friar was eyeing those who lived within the walls. 

Inhabitants included a shepherd with twelve or more sheep, some goats herd by a blackwater dog while coming along the fence. A trio of boar hunters assisted by a peasant carried their kill on a long branch through a back entrance. One boar hunter held a hunting falcon that scared the peasant who was then made fun of by the apprentice trailing behind them. Some gaggle of geese herded by a goose herd raced through the area. One farm boy feeding two calves from a different farm. He is assisted by a female farmhand wearing traditional overall dress. Another female farmhand by the bard carried a pale while holding a pet pig on a leash. By the sunflowers and corn stalk, small farm-garden a third dark haired farmhand wielding a pick fork. In her other arm she carried a basket of corn. An apothecary Dwarf, shackled sorceress tackled a scarecrow in the farm patch. Near the farmed section a flower maid with a basket pranced around as if she was intoxicated on something. Peldo flowers was the first thing Andylle thought of when he saw her spin and prance. As they approached the Meeting Hall his unit did not have much use for him at the moment. 

Andylle was let off the hook by the Captain and Major. Wandering around Andylle saw a little more of this Hag Witch run settlement. By one of the hollowed-out trees called Hallowmes a trio of militia had an apprentice climbing up a rope. By their Hallowme sat a large rabbit cage where two owls watched from the branches. Between the other trees, sheds, Andylle spotted a family of Lenai with a dancing bear. One played the tambourine; the father played the Shawm player while the daughter was the bear tamer. Four deer raced past the settlement further into the wilderness of Blackmell. He thought one of them looked similar to a large antlered camel without the hump. Checking out from the edge of the wall he spied two ducks or more in a pond likely preparing to migrate. 

No one bothered him as he roamed around discovering more of the settlement in lower parts of hills. Plenty of trees scattered around with new trees sprouting out of them. At one of the wells Andylle found a billboard with news articles on it. Articles concern a Neolithid found in a tunnel outside a mining town no thanks to the Nazdar expeditions. Some Meenlock was discovered under a city close to Gontrella, Muskallan border. One of the kegs of ale may have 64 mugs left inside it. Ranger's Guile campsite of Bisdolan style was discovered by a Driver of the Dead near a font baptize of fortunes shrine along the foothills of Blackmell. One group of Contractors took advantage of some daughter over unpaid debts rather than murder the family or beat up the youngest member of the family that was not an infant or toddler. His eyes were about to read another article when they spotted a cauldron sitting on a chest stuck within the wall. Next to it sat a throne covered in overgrowth. 

Andylle's attention was returned to the interior as two militia in wide brimmed hats rode through the fenced in settlement on horseback. Their movement drew his gaze towards the Meeting Hall in the northern part where he spotted the cow milker and her farm boy helpers. Summoned to over to this Meeting Hall where he briefly met this Hag Witch who is in control. Her own protection and militia included a Gontrellan Old Guard, 2 beast hunters, ranger, 2 ruffians, one bowman, pair of executioners, 4 Uxane, camping cannibal, lone wolf, a Gnoll, 2 riders. Among these lackey-henchmen she commanded 2 cannoneers who worked several or more cannons. Each came with half a score of cannonballs to fire at any attackers. This Hag Witch Matron possessed 6 wolves, 6 war dogs, vipers in a basket, 4 passels of pigs kept for eating. These pigs would be set out into the wilderness so they can hunt them down like boars, once they are fully grown. Others included 4 female pets, an eagle rogue from Ossus. One pair of fishermen who looked like they had seen horrors and were on their way out. Aside from the hunters, and farmhands she governed fifteen other commoners who flocked to her for protection. This Meetin Hall they just entered could host 160 people with little room left over. It was three stories deep into the hill. One barrel of ale, a cauldron of soup for each guest who entered. Hanging from the ceiling was a training dummy dressed up like their own monarch with daggers, and arrows littering it. 

His unit were not the first to arrive to this Hag Witch's domain. They took seats as a female noble, an envoy from the Hexagonal Alliance brought six months' worth of food as a sign of good faith. While sitting down he spotted someone familiar among the envoy and ambassador troop. His own unit grabbed his attention as their commanders came up to this Hag Matron after the envoys sat back down. One of them mentioned a small castle manned by 26 soldiers loyal to their constitutional monarch Cen-Abalon. Another mentioned this Hag's other command of five half-Orc, nine Troglodytes, four Orcs who used the Dwarf Temple carved from stone. Her hag voice broke the silence. 

"Just get the reinforcements to the front! Keep those other Hags in check! You got just what over a thousand Hag Militia for some five hundred tribesmen, sixteen hundred Gontrellans to handle? Now what would we do about seven hundred fifty Forsaken Dwarves, and Elves? Civilized societies cast them out. Towards the northeast we have five hundred forty-eight Coal Goblins go on strike and pick up arms." This Hag sounded more like she was giving the complaints and pleas. 

"All are loyal to the Monarch." Major Kenos responded. 

"That still didn't stop some groups from attacking me. Nor did it stop this phony gang war or tribal war outside Hunter's Edge. This V.U.V.R. has begun moving in further into Blackmell territory. Also there is an infiltrator operating in the eastern parts of Gontrella.-" she was cut off when a Satyr-Zunia Puck male rushed into the Meeting Hall. 

"Matron Noel Blewcome I sp-spotted some two hundred or more V.U.V.R. war camp mastiff hounds near the border with handlers." the Satyr reported to the Matron as if she was the highest rank or the main governor. 

"Stam the Satyr Grove Dancer, are there more coming?" She demanded. 

"One unit of one hundred forty-three proven combatants of the V.U.V.R. were spotted south of the Mastiff positions. The first wave of units had not moved in twenty-two days." Stam answered backing away. 

"Twenty-two days passed before they moved forward huh?" 

Stam the Satyr was about to speak when some commotion outside drew their attention towards entrances. Andylle hid under the table as gunfire tore into the silence. Normally he was accustomed to this situation because of drugs getting in the hands of the easily addicted lunatics. This situation was different for him. As he peeked from under the table a group of sixty-six armed Gontrellans wearing blue n orange arm bands rushed inside. They wasted no time in taking down occupants of the Meeting Hall. Vestrisians were among them taking command of the group. In moments 17 of their own unit pounced on fellow Gontrellans joining these revealed traitors. Most of the soldiers, militia, and guards fell from this sudden assault. Inside the levels of the Meeting Hall a mix of gunfire, screams, shouts, furniture getting toppled over, glass or mugs shattering. Whoever was not a combatant made attempts to flee the building. Whether they were hit with bullets, tripped over furniture, or tripped over bodies it did not matter as some found themselves prisoners, hostages. Once everything quieted down the attackers o Hallowme Spiral started setting up their own base of operations. He got out from under the table with his hands up when he was commanded to do so. Lars stood before him armed with a pistol wearing civilian clothing with a V.U.V.R. flag as an armband. 

Andylle's heart skipped a beat when he saw his own colleague and friend as a traitor. His body felt numb, paralyzed from the sudden shock of seeing his own pal betray a country a grew up in. All this time Lars was working with the enemy as the infiltrator. In his mind he hoped this was not true. He had to be dreaming right now. Reports about Kuruks and Gnolls attacking the first Vestrisian Units echoed in his mind as one of the turncoats reminded the others. Standing there stunned Andylle allowed other people to bind his hands behind his back. Apprehended in a section of the meeting Hall twelve Broags or Hag Servants, 18 Gontrellan soldiers and one Alchemist saw preparations for something. Whoever Lars worked with set up their operation quickly while forcing the prisoners to clear out the bodies. A cruel thing to do for those who were calling themselves liberators. At least they respected the corpses. R

Days went by during their captivity by these traitors and Vestrisians who monitored the frontlines. Andylle wondered if Diron City, Dimcabul, Domoron Mountain City of Dwarves, Haldiron Mountain, Vussaryan Dynasty, or Prolux Kingdom were behind all this. As he worked as a working prisoner, he could hear conversations between themselves about the frontlines. One report involved 518 Kuruk Skull Cleavers, 330 members of the Bitter Bow Gnoll tribe, 712 Kuruk Abominations, 397 Stalking Predator Beasts assaulting V.U.V.R. positions. Along the Flurry of Horns Peaks, this assault came against 267 V.U.V.R. personnel, and three other units. South of Brushie Town the brigade called Massed Horde engaged some company sized VUVR units. One of those units called the Sand Steppe Outcasts estimated to have 210 members. Another unit of 390 V.U.V.R. personnel called themselves the Kiln Fiends took Utter Hill in the central east. Gontrellans retaliated by sending Dagger Drome Imps, Hazada Snare Soldiers, Celestian City Enforcer Clerics, Boggart Brute Goblins after the Vestrisians at the border. Losses included 588, 158, 285, 411 dead, 1153 wounded, 330 taken prisoner. Their own coasts suffered invasions such as unit of 300 Knights of the Tusk Order from Boathria arrived. 

Mobilization was now in full progress between Gontrella, and Muskalla. There were other units being sent along with notable ones. Names of these units included the Masked Black Guards 387 of whom made it to the front quickly. A second notable one consisted of 666 Tribal Blade Berserkers from the borders, 313 Staunch Shield Mates moved towards the Boathrians who landed. Others included 325 Rage Throwers, 242 Dead Eye Rig Haulers from the western ports. Muskall sent over 386 Azirai Smoke Shapers who are originally from Talus. One of the radio people mentioned another unit of 314 Staunch Shield Mates arrived from Vodwania. One outsider unit of 433 Onakki Ogres are sent over by the Gantronese invaders. 

Their location remained untouched for weeks, showing how much communication was lacking in this region. V.U.V.R. forces pressed further inland. This was forcing Gontrella to sent in its aircraft intended for the Boathrians which were a member state of the V.U.V.R. Andylle overheard that their own Apex Hawks aircraft started making sorties along the mountainous borders. While Gontrellan loyalists bombed the mountainous regions their location needed to be changed. Going further with their infiltration they pressed north. To them it appeared the best option right now. As the hills were left alone and the Hags were wiped out by loyalists. To the north of the Hag Hills there resided a Scientist who was wanted by the six Zhenrai Orders of Calorn. Known as Dr. Shelhoff this scientist was known to unveil up to 353 Entombed zombies along with 358 stitched assistant zombies. According to some witnesses he acted like a rambunctious mutt about it. How the infiltrators and the Vestrisians present managed to recruit him was big mystery. A scary one to those who know of his nightmarish exploits. None of his creations were ready to move on their own at the time of their arrival. These became deadweights already as more V.U.V.R. forces pressed their advance. 

Happy Flag Day

 

This is my own version of the United States Flag. Below is the actual flag of the United States of America.