Grey Wardens

The Isle was the bastion of hope for all mankind. The brave and faithful flock to this symbol of the light and righteousness. Those most noble and committed, destined to leadership, swore themselves to the cause and became paladins to their chosen deity.  The most devoted and selfless warriors humanity could ever produce.  These children of the light wore shinny armor and wielded the most powerful weapon of all time...inspiration. 

Though the wind which blew Nial did not move him to down this path he admired how brightly they shined.  He admired anyone who could dedicate themselves to their craft.  These paladins had multiple orders and stations.  They believed there were many fronts evil, or the shadow, tried to plague mankind so they created orders or branches in their ranks specialized to fight the battles on each front.  Skyriders, Wyrm slayers, Judicators, the order Nial had comes to see were experts in demonology--The Grey Wardens. 

He had heard and told many stories of the Grey Wardens.  Paladins who drank the blood of Demons to gain immunity from their attacks and to sense them when hidden.  They studied demon lore as most paladins studied the angels.  'Know thy Enemy' This familiarity with the infernal races had caused more than one of their ranks to fall from grace.  Its said demons always have to have an invite or an open door to your life and that study or even discussion about them can be seen as that invitation.  Mostly just superstition meant to stir children away from distressing subjects but there was some truth to it.  

Nial was here because his trail had gone cold and he needed the best.  His hunt for Azzazial had continued for over a year, a hunt that caused him to disband his bard school and leave most of his friends.  Yet, he felt he was no closer to Azzazel then he was a year ago.  Perhaps these Grey Wardens could offer a piece of knowledge he lacked. 

What is lifes greatest lie?

Innocence

A less traveled path. (Countdown to halloween)

Quiet and dark even in the day.  The forest did give him a bit of the creeps but he tried to pay it little mind as he was on a mission for the Empire and duty was most important.  He looked at he companion smoothing the folds in his red and black robe and wandered what was next.

He went about his duty and reviewed the morning reports the men were all accounted for. 40 fighters, 10 mages.  As long as they stayed within range of the idol the mist and vistani and every other danger this land had seemed to avoid them.  The first group to scout beyond its limited range, though, they had lost contact.

Veli felt responsible for them.  Kids, they were just kids.  Good soldiers, but just kids who joined the Imperial Ranks for either duty or riches.  It was not bad enough he lost his own children he had to send others to their end as well. It reminded him what he always said, "The only reason to do this is because you believe in the Empire and what it stands for.  No amount of money is worth what you will be asked to do."

In large part he had that speech to thank him for being here.  Terrance had heard it and decided then he was a leader of men. Terrance served under Veli in the crusade when the Warship Galactica was still operational.  But those were thoughts of another time.  Now he was taking orders from Terrance on assignment directly from the Daughter Heir.

His expertise was not Ravenloft though it did hold a fascination for him.  He had made a study of it and new the basics and what to expect.  Though it would seem Terrance knew every turning leaf.  He had a key that got him in and out of this sealed domain and allowed the possibility to study this realm closer.  That was one of the objectives of the mission -- study and record.  But the primary objective was bold indeed -- steal a dark lord from Ravenloft and bring it to the Imperial mage corps to study.

"May the Light save us."

And a child shall lead them. (Countdown to Halloween)

"When the purple mistress came to Castle Barovia, was it the aged who protected us?"

"No." Came back the resounding call of his disciples.

"Who was targeted by her infectious evil?"  He asked calmly

"Parents"  Came the angry reply. So much fear so much anger.

"Yes, the beast,  those who live beyond the 19th harvest and are corrupted by the vanities of the world and the pride of it.  They were ripe to fall to her temptations.  But who survived?"

"The children."

"Yes we did.  Fleeing, as we ran our mothers and fathers and all those beyond a 19th harvest scooped out of the sky by the blood sucking monsters, we found to hide in the fields. and who saves us now?"

"He who walks behind the rows."

"Yes, he loves use and shelters us.  Protects those still innocent of this cruel world. He stopped the vampires from draining our blood and hides us from the Purple mistress.  What is all he asks in return?"

"Obedience and sacrifice." echoed the reply in solemn chorus.

"And that we shall give him.   All who reach their 19th harvest will be sacrificed.  We shall obey his words as shown forth by my mouth. So say we all."

"So say we all."

"SO SAY WE ALL."

"SO SAY WE ALL."

To Sail (Countdown to Halloween)

The cool mist of the sea sprayed on the Intrepid's bow.  Balthier inhaled deeply and did not wipe the spray from his face.  He had been sailing a long time, but since he had no where to go he was not worried about being lost or taking too long.  He figured he would get where he was going, when he got there. . . if not a moment before.

Souske sat around doing nothing as usual and Mist played with the nav charts.  She wasn't content with being lost.

As the mist rolled over the ship again he thought he saw it.  The face he had seen so many times.  He jumped up to the wheel and swung hard to starboard. The ship screamed and the timbers complained at the stress, but he did not care.  Jillian was in the mist and he had somewhere to be.

This hell I'm living (Countdown to Halloween)

Lux leaned against the rusted railing which ran the length of the bridge in her courtyard.
Waiting in the dark she thought, "Isn't there someone trying to save me?  I thought that they would be here, by now.

She thought a lot of things which turned out to be false.  She thought she could save them, she thought the power would save her.  She thought he friends would stick up for her, she thought they would chose her over Raven. She thought she could trust those she traveled with, bleed with.

She had dreamed a dream of a better world.  And now she was here, barely herself.  A dark presence consuming her mind, the mist torturing her.  When all a long all she was was . . . scared.






Theres nothing but the rain,
no footsteps on the ground,
She listened but there was no sound.

WON"T SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE ME HOME?


It was a long cold night.

One door shuts...(countdown to Halloween)

"Come now Burke, Justice does not sleep."

Burke squinted through tired eyes at the mage in the red robes, "Please don't pretend to care about justice."

"I do care in fact i appeal to it now, The Saint, praise to his name, has ordered me to build a prison like unto Ravenloft for him to cast the unholy.  To do that I need the key that can enter it.  purely academic I assure you and will speed my research by years."

"I live for the Saint's will and his word of justice.  But, I've already slotted the key for another mission."

"You can calm the conflict of conscience agent." He said with a positive smile, "I worked with IO.  I know the key was going to the party who destroyed the venom cult.  I went with her to Brendon ford fought with herr companions and at personel expense and risk cleared the mountain.  Also while others rested I used a list of members found in the caves and executed all which could be found.  I have rightfully earned the key."

Burke reviewed the documents on his desk. "it woudl seem you are right.  Thank you for your service to the empire... lets talk about your next mission."

Upon the lofty spire (Countdown to Halloween)

Crows cawed in the distance providing a symphony to the night.  As a well tuned orchestra, the ravens called to each other as she over looked over her domain, all that she had.  At first, it was a lonely solitary caw answered moments later by another.  It was the silence between them which she most loved.  In that silence she could write her own music.  The music of the night. Her thoughts could race to memories of what was lost, and passion for what was about to come.

CAW...

The shriek was echoed through out the sky and into the farm fields below.  It was the only sound made there now.  Her subjects had no more need for food.  Only hatred nourished them, their shared hatred of those who had betrayed their lady and master.  The consumption of hate and malice filled their souls and gave them the strength to do what was necessary.

CAW...

The shrieking was more violent now.  As waves collide against a rocky shore so did these haunting sounds collide against the cold stones of the tower.  Her home which had taught her and given her much, yet remained empty and hallow.  Power meant nothing unless you could use it to extract your revenge.  Revenge, a goal yet out of reach, she could no more grab it then she could strangle the loosed ravens' caw.

CAW...

The fire now joined in completing the orchestra of night with its haunted crackles.  The shadows moved in circles of the dark room crossing the cold bed and slithered across the walls and leapt to the ceiling.  The shadows were all that accompanied her.  Once a life full of friends set empty filled only with the mis-shapen demons of this room.  So it would remain, until those friends returned and her army awoke.  Until then she watched the shadows and stared into the fire.

CAW...

The latest volley of notes landed on her pale balcony banner.  It stared into the fire as well.  That fire which had consumed and sustained, created and destroyed.  The dark omen stared through her into the fire and in it she could see the fire as well.  A cage with wings, that despite all of her fire she was still resting in a cage.
She lashed out and with no effort the rage took shape striking down the harbinger of the nights symphony.  As the winged beast cascaded to the graveyard below two more landed each echoing.

CAW....

She knew she would never be free.

Caw.. caw...caw...caw...caw...

Protect the venom born

"we've lost the top levels an army of kajhitt fights with them we need all the miracles you have, if we are to save the venom born."

Seettth heard the words and one of his heads retorted, "if you would have done your job, they would be dead or chasing a different lead.  You have failed the venom born and nag.  But I will save us."

The six heads chanted and prayed in unison. The filth of power flooded the temple and the corridors.  Those dwarf spirits so long ago lost and slain by Brendon clung to their mine and their treasure.  Now through the power of nag they emerged. Centuries of hatred and venom corrupted their soul as they absorbed hatred and malice from the holy defilers who made their grave a home.

"The unborn now rise and defend the venom born.  One more life lost and chosen child shall lead them on."

To my brother in nog

Marshall,

Bearskin speaks very highly of your skills.  I think you are ideal for a crucial job. 
My father has taunted me with his disapproval and shame long enough now he and his brothers pay the price.
You well find in third chest enough gold to cover any expenses and take care of your mother in comfort the rest of her life. 
Bearskin will help you get in to Ulfric. Kill him and my father will come.  Use the black venom to poison their meal or slots their throats one by one just make sure the stormcloak family is all dead before they leave.

Kind regards,

The leading man

Orders are Orders

Elaina waited.  She was accustomed to being summoned back to the Cathedral wherever it may be, but this time she invited himself.  Now the Cathedral lay on the western edge of the Mei Kong Valley.  A quite and humble province of the Empire that housed the ancient Shogun temples.  After concluding her visit with the remaining masters she learned a disturbing peace of news.  The Saint must be told what Zyr is planning. 

The stain glass windows filtered multi colored light across the hallway of this upper tower.  The doors opened ornate with stone carvings and reliefs of angles heralding trumpets and scales of justice being balanced in perfect wisdom. Behind the doors towered the chief angel -- Exodus. 

While many angels started summoned, captured and compelled into the Saints service this angel served by choice and a loyalty that magic could not compelled.  A thousand years locked in the tower with the Saint and now his second in command Elaina envied his perfect loyalty.  It was no surprise to see the Scion of Justice but the man he was escorting alarmed her.

The Elven man was clad in a black and red robe and cloak leaning slightly against a staff as he walked, friendly and deceitful smile upon his face.  His left hand had a ring of a black serpent eating its own tail.  He smiled at her pleasantly.  Just two days since she arrested him and he was walking out.

Elaina waited for the eel to pass and then stepped into the sacred chapel with both awe and reverence.  The music of chorus of the Gregorian Monastic Order filled the chamber as she looked upon the man who had given her purpose and resparked a passion for good she thought her father extinguished.

"My Saint and my Lord.  I kneel before you with egregious tidings, but first I must understand why that man is being released.  He is evil and wretched."  Elaina said with passionate humility. The Saint responded in calm but forceful tones, "The judgement of the Saint is beyond question Red Paladin.  I pardon or execute according to a higher understanding of justice than you now know.  You will see to his pardon of all crimes through imperial channels and reinstate him to his former positions."

"Of course my Lord.  But could you teach me why?"

"My perfect prison is lost to us. Robbed by Tyr, the Red Prison took hundreds of years to perfect and lost in the dark Cathedral we were so long trapped in.  I need a new prison for those who oppose us and those who deserve punishment beyond normal means."

"And you seek to use Ravenloft as your prison?"

"It is already there and nearly inescapable. At first we will use just portals to send the guilty there to suffer and be punished by the mist.  The next stage is to understand and manipulate the mist in such a way a more perfect prison can be forged from it."

It was then Elaina saw the serpent ring on the Saint's hand. "Yes My Lord." She took a breath his logic made sense but... beyond that faith was ultimately about trust and she had made the choice to trust this man.  He gave her purpose and passion his works and results in bringing about justice fairness and goodness surpassed any other in so little a time. The wretched deserved to be punished and Ravenloft would do that.  It would punish and hold those unfit for a more just world.  "My Lord I came to speak with you about Zyr's plan.  I've learned from one of the demons we captured the details of Skyfall and I think we can stop it if we move quickly."

"Stop it.  My Child why would we want to stop it?"

"Because thousands of people will die if we don't."

"Maybe millions, millions of people who chose Tyr over true justice and supported him after my offer of amnesty.  They were shown the greater light and rejected it.  I can not save them."

"You will not save them."

"Correct and neither will you.  I have different plans for you at this Skyfall.  Plans that will ensure Tyr's failure will be complete and it will usher in the new age.  As the Elder Gods age ended with rise of the Titans and the age of the Titans ended with the rise of the Gods so shall the age of the Gods end with the rise of the Red Saint and an Age of Justice for all begin."

"Yes My Lord, what do you command?"  

Blood Wars

The fiendish codex Hordes of the Abyss dictates that the Blood War is a simple offshoot of the primordial wars between law and chaos. The demons and devils (in keeping with their sadistic and violent natures) simply would not cease their fight, even after the rest of the multiverse had grown more tolerant.^[2][3]

However, the fiendish codex Tyrants of the Nine Hells claims a different perspective on the origins of the Blood war. The mythologies in the codex claim that the seeds of the Blood War lay in the cradle of the cosmos itself; "In the beginning- and even before- chaos was all that existed. Out of it came demons- the living manifestations of chaos...". It claims that the chaos was intolerable to the universe, and thus Law arose to fight it. Initially, the primordial lords of order battled the demons themselves, however after inventing numbers and time, they came to understand the demons were infinite in number. Knowing this, they grew weary of endless conflict, and yearned to build worlds and foster races.

One thing, however, is certain: were one side able to eliminate all opposition, and thus gain control over the entirety of the Lower Planes, the multiverse as a whole would be in great danger. With no enemies left in the Lower Planes, the fiendish rulers could then turn their attentions towards other worlds and planes, and it is likely that no force could hope to stop them. Even the celestial beings of the Upper Planes, formidable as they are, could face destruction at the hands of the tanar'ri or the baatezu, weighed down as their alignments demand by the needs of good and justice—the fiends, having no such compunctions or scruples, could easily use the celestials' morality against them. In the past, agents of the heavenly races have even planted powerful weapons or artifacts among the ranks of the demons or the devils. This appears to be a reliable indicator that even the beings of the Upper Planes do not want the war to end

There is a prophecy that says that the Blood War will end when the One Winged Demon but not by birth, directly enters the Blood War.^[5]

The Hellscape raged with battle and war as it had always done.  Countless millions had flocked to his banner of the white V.  He was the Demon lord of prophecy, and that gave them hope.  Not in the sense of faith hope or charity, but hope for something different than what they had done for ageless eternity.  Hope that they would be able to take their anger and rage to Olympus.  All that ever stood in the way of the destiny of the lower planes was themselves.  Zyr reviewed the battle field impressed that such innate hatred and rage could exist.  They had to fight and destroy something so they fought each other.  The angels knew this and kept even worked among the ranks of both parties keeping them fighting each other.  They knew as Zyr knew, if they could be united it would be the end of their age.  

Oceans of foul creatures collided with magic, tooth claw and horn shredding the demon flesh of their brothers.  Mephastopholis was one of the few demon lords who refused to bow to Vegeta whose pride and ambition lived up to the demonic stereotype and he would rather be destroyed than stop fighting for one moment.  With Skyfall this close he had to wrap this up quickly.  He released his breath weapon of fire, sand and death into the ranks of Abashi soldiers. 

It was then he saw something strange.  His own version of true seeing spotted Asmodean (Angel) bodies among the corpses. With the ranks broken Mephastopholis descended from his tower sword drawn and enlarged himself to 50 times that of his Balor norm.  Zyr embraced this, it is what he had been waiting for. Sword met claw.  Fang met Abyssal Armor.  Magic collided spell to spell and power in its rawest forms waved off of them in avalanches of chaos and power.  

With the final blow the Demon Lord fell but it wasn't a demon lord.  Zyr cast revealing the illusion for what it was. Holding the limp Asmodean in his claw he stood victorious upon the highest tower and roared into the hellscape sky.  The warring demons and devils slowed then stopped in awe.  It was then Zyr spoke.

"The demon lords who still oppose me, the ones who refuse your destiny and conquerers and destroyers of Olympus, are not demon at all.  They are Angels from Olympus so scared and desperate that our time is at hand they cling to their deception to propagate this war. 

What have you fought for?  This Ageless war.  You have fought in effort to eliminate the other, to conquer them and gain the privilege of taking the gods down -- Those who cast you to squallier who drink ambrosia and rest in luxury and scorn and scoff you. I am Vegeta and clothed in immense power, we can fulfill that goal together.  Our only enemy is each other.

This rag of an angel is proof the only ones that still oppose me are only Olympians still playing you as puppets.  It is time to claim the heritage all you have fought for, all your brothers have perished for and all the blood spilled by this war has earned you.  The One Winged is here, lets claim our destiny."

The mountains shook with screams of demons as they swore to follow Vegeta.

With in days all opposing lords and pockets of residence had been destroyed by the demons who followed them.  Convinced they were angels manipulating them from Olympus the horde ripped them all to shreds and Vegeta was finally ready for Skyfall.  

Friends in low places

"very good Tony." Castor said as he thumbed through the book.  He was trying to gather as much info as he could on the cult before they sent in new priests to reclaim their temple.

The book was worn but not old.  The parchment dirty but readable. The not quite black ink was somehow unsettling but he read on.

"the year of the snake shall be a glorious year.  Now with the venom born among us we no longer have to beg for scraps but instead embrace our destiny."

Castor figured that was the reason for the blatant courage of the assassin den.  He read through letters between the now dead high priestess and a man named Sven.  Sven referenced an old dwarves mine in the misty mountains.  Castor knew that was called Dragon reach just outside the city of Brendon Ford. 

"Tony, I want you to send someone to riverwood. It's a small logging outpost beyond an imperial city called Brendon Ford.  See what you can dig up about the venom cult there.  Also in case they do decide revenge is the better option to obedience, take this book to a squealing pig and make sure it makes it to the hands of the agency.  Keep the cult busy with the empire they won't have the time to fight us, they will need our help.  Go ahead say it."

Tony said simply, yes boss.

No, the other thing

You are a genius.

Yes I am.

In the name of the Saint

The Saint had moved his Cathederal to the Steppe near dragon.  He thought the steppe people with their disorganized religion  open to the doctrine of Justice only the Saint could bring.  They has of yet proved unpredictable.  They did not oppose or resist but lacked the ability thus far to commit to the Saints banner. It was not his only goal.

The Empire was his prize.  Red Paladin had a claim to the throne and curing the plague would make him a hero among the people.  Act justly and the treasure will follow.  He had found a way to kill the small golemns but the problem was expanding the area of effect.  For that he had another solution.  The Red paladin was tasked with finding a Kale Star Gate for that purpose.

--------------------------------------

 

Prince Rajah entered the Cathederal flanked by the leaders of his harem.  He had been summonned by the Red Saint.  This Saint showed up from nowhere or so they say.  Prince Rajah's people had been wandering with out homes for over a year since Gulg fell and the Crusader armies marched through their jungles.  He led them to Dragon looking for a home and only found corruption and dishonest cut throats who demanded loyalty tribute and even the selling of his people to slavery for their arena, all whom he did not trust.  His people were a proud people, a good people with honor and the rats of Dragon had none.

So his people continued homeless, some would say leaderless.  The pride was loyal to him as they were his father King Drugo.  He was mighty in battle and the hunt and never gave the pride reason to doubt.  He died as the armies of Gulg attacked the jungle.  Without the king Rajah could not hold their ancient homeland and they fled.

Now he walked through the great expansive room of the Cathederal admiring the lights as they danced through the colored windows and painted the room with strange hues. Organ music echoed and filled the vast space along the columns and pews.  At the far end was an altar of some kind and what seemed like a throne or stage.

"Prince Rajah and chief concubines as summoned by the Voice of Justice.  The Red Saint."  A herald called out among the organ music which stopped promptly.  The man dressed in red and religious robes held a marvelous staff in his hand that must have been made of gold and adorned with jewels.  Was this the saint? The man motioned the Kajitt forward.

The young Prince stepped lightly but with grace through the aisle and approached the altar.  It was then the old man spoke.  He spoke in calm tones with confidence and purpose, "Welcome Prince.  The cause of justice requires something you have in your possession." He is direct and wants something of mine, perhaps this was a trap. "I am attempting to remove the golemn plague from the world and save millions of lives that would otherwise unjustly end.  To do this I need the Horn of Valere."

The prince's hand went to his side grasping the horn.  "This horn is the symbol of nobility to my people.  How our roar is heard across the jungle.  Our pride and heroes are bound to it.  We have so little I can not part with this too."

"With out it millions will continue to die.  Millions will die that you could have saved.  It is unjust for I to take something that belongs to you, so I will not take it by force.  I will offer what I think is fair payment -- to be enfranchised as members of the Red Army and subjects to the Crystal Empire.  You will have a home and a purpose, something that you've been lacking.  If not I will hold you for trial for preventing the cause of justice and when found guilty strip you of your property for punishment."

The prince did not know what to think.  Here was a powerful man who had summoned him with his people on the edge of extinction.  His pride nowhere left to go and with no options were offered a ray of hope.  This Saint could grant them a home, but he also had the power to kill them all and take what he wanted.  Was the fact that he was asking before taking a sigh this man had honor, the stories seemed to say that, or was it simply a sign of arrogance.

"May Drugo forgive me."  He said after a long pause and laid the horn upon the Altar of the Saint.

As embers burn and wait for fuel

So she waited in her chamber.  She admired her fire as it popped and cracked seemingly to a rhythm she could almost dance to.  The embers were low and the flames soft.  The fire had reached a decision point, now it could cool leeching off the small bits left and quietly fade leaving only darkness. Or with the addition of more wood or coal the flames would again spring to life finding a way to consume all with in it's reach. 

She found a strong roundness for this unique time.  A time between warm and cold, beginning or ending, light or darkness.  This time of the fire would last a long while, perhaps through the day.  A fool would consider the coals to cool too early and burn his hand.  The thought made her giggle.  But a wise man would know the flame lingers often hidden for hours and that it waits only for a breath to spring to life devour.

So it was with her apprentices.  Stolen them from family made them immortal and sustained them by the blood of their loved ones.  She knew that a wise vampire would grow his coven to a balance with the population, like wolves and rabbits.  The wolves needed the rabbits.  Like the flame, it can only grow as large as the fuel it consumes.  She had grown her army too fast and there were none left but her vampiric sith.

That was all she needed the largest army possible.  They would come, either in attempt to destroy her or to save her they would return to ravenloft and she would be sure to have the strength to end them all no matter their preparation. It was all she thought about, that and her beautiful Tatyana.

It had taken them longer that she thought. Again she had over estimated their capacity and desire. But she knew they would come, so she ordered her army to their coffins to sleep until they arrived. Then....she threw a long upon the smoldering embers waking the fire and bringing forth ravishing flame...she would have her revenge.

Dragon

In a world full of infinite empires, expansive nations, and what seems to be limitless peoples and power.  They fact that a single independent city would be listed among such powerful and expanded nations alone should speak volumes as to the majesty of the City of Dragon.

Dragon is great city of doubles.  To a native Dragon is the Greatest City in the world.  Most natives are born live and die within the great wall.  Why would they not? The city has wide marble streets, teleport pads for instant travel, and saturated with magical technology that permeates even the most mundane of items and uses. It is home to Temple Square, a mile square area that has shrines and temples to every god in the known pantheon.  Good and Evil gods are represented there as a symbol that people in Dragon are free to pursue whatever religion suits them without the heavy interference and control of a Genevan government for example.  Nero's forum is a great collection of goods from all over the world and flooded with wealth a testament to the power of free trade in contrast to the government run economy of the empire which only favors nobility and the elite. Even with this wealth the people dress simply and handsomely not flashy and vain adorning themselves with jewels like the imperials. City guards dot the streets ensuring the safety of all.  The city center holds the Bank of Dragon that is so safe that in its thousands of years it has never been robbed and considered to be the safest bank on the planet. 

To an outsider Dragon can be a very rough town.  While the outer districts of the city are beautiful and well maintained the inner city -- the old city -- is a hive for poverty and the worst of societies dreggs.  That dark place is home to dens of thieves and cut throats. The Black Lotus is all powerful theives guild that many say run the city.  The people of dragon do not carry wealth or dress well because they would be robbed in broad daylight under the eye of the bribed city guard losing all they wore if so.  Their bank of Dragon is the only bank in the city because every other one has been robbed and corrupted beyond its ability to run.  The freedom of trade with out restriction means no one makes sure the sellers obey the rules and do not cheat or manipulate or coarse their goods. Slave trade and gladiator games are good money and good profit but upset the sensibilities of any person with compassion in their heart.

Evil priest and monsters walk the streets here but the worst is the Frenchman.  Always there to help, he offers to grant the wishes of any who asks if they are willing to trade, everyone has a price and he seems to know exactly what it is for everyone. 

Dragon competes militarily economically and culturally against the Empire Geneva and company with the population of only a few million.  They do this by aggressively defending their independence and freedom.  Another example of duality.  To an outsider this drive is paranoid, hostile and exhausting.  For example they have declared any Genevan citizen coming to the city without invite is an immediate action of war and subject to brutal military counter strikes.  To a native this drive and pride in the city is noble wise and brave.  The imperialist pigs would destroy them if given the chance and it takes courage to stand up against the bigger and stronger aggressor.  

Strength and Honor.

Babylon Assyria

"Men are born live and die like so many insects going about their short meaningless life with no regard to the beauty and history around them." - Seristique Elven scholar in an offical report to the Empress may she live forever summarizing her thoughts after surveying the lands of Babylon Summeria and Assyria. 

On the edge of the known world rests a group of fertile plains fed life by a pair of silt heavy rivers.  This land is the home to small nations of humans who seems to exist in the most primitive and slow of societies.  Mostly pessimistic people who live off of subsistence farming with no education of magic or even the basics to read and right.  With the exception of the few ruling elite these people could only hope to live another day.  

Two large cities did develop. Babylon to the south and Assyria to the north.  Babylon grew around the religion of Marduk and at its center the massive table of Babel a tribute to the their god king.  Assyria was built around a cult to the war god Ishtar. These small kingdoms are full of superstitious people who only see magic as devil work fear unseen demons known to haunt dreams and draw men north to their death.     

Evidence suggests these nations were first settled via the Kale Star Gates as a long range outpost for trade and research.  Some of suggested, with little evidence, that the river valleys were where the first man was created by Kalian Scientists in effort to breed an intelligent work force.  

Regardless of their origins, these societies were nearly wiped out in their entirety by an unholy warrior Khan.  Kahn worshippd the god of Pain Goser an ally of Tiamit, the sworn enemy of Marduk.  Khan was sent to the prime with the purpose to destroy Marduks power base so Tiamit could kill his rival god.  Khan with strategic perfection burned Babylon to the ground salted the earth of all the surrounding fields.  Scarcity of resources led what people left to devolve into a near animalistic barbarian state.  Roaving bands or raiders and cut throats covered the land picking whatever bones they could find.  One man united 42 slaving tribes and forged the legion.  His name was Kaiser. 

Hope came in the form of the Red Saint.  The red army arrived and fought and killed the slaving bands.  The angels healed the fields and food has began to grow again.  The few survivors of Babylon now refer to themselves as the chosen people of Palestine (The home of the Saint's Palace.) Their devotion to him is without question as he has brought salvation and hope.  

The saint easily extended his forces and control north into Assyria destroying what resistance was offered and purging the unjust and the unworthy.  He has brought them education, training, and more than a day to day life.  His priests and angels have provided for the necessities of life so that Assyrians and Babylonians can not see the benefits of prosperity.

Hallelujah to the Saint

Jong Guo

Could man and elf live together?  In the modern sense such a question seems silly.  Elves and humans mingle now freely it seems in most modern societies.  However this was not always so.  The races kept separate and distinct.  That is except for Jong Guo.  Elves from the East and Humans from the west met together on a continent months north of Geneva.  

Waring factions and racial tensions led to centuries of warfare.  The elves superior education magic could not destroy our beat back the infinite adaptability of the humans.  Numerous kingdoms sprung up constantly at war.  It was the machines of economics that forged the peoples together.  Unable to destroy either side traders began collecting elven goods and selling to the world of man.  Elves became fascinated with the crude but durable goods of the human world.  When merchants began to preach trade over war the multiple groups began to seek for each others better interest. Eventually to be found the largest population of half elves in the world.

A strange new type of government emerged slowly to man but rapidly to the elf of a republic.  The multitude of diversity they felt could not be ruled or controlled effectively with out the consent of the governed.  It was thought that no one monarch could possibly understand the large diversity of the population and make decisions that was the best for all.  So they created a large Senate where every faction and nation was represented and it was sure that no minority would be forgotten.  It was highly effective in some regards and very slow and tedious in others, yet it held this melting pot of cultures together for centuries.  

It was not until the arrival of the conquering Seanchan that it was truly tested.  And it failed.  While Jong Guo survived it only could do so by forsaking the old senate ways and placing in its stead an Emperor.  Though he too fell as the shadow Drow rose from the Underdark to pick the bones of the war torn country.  

The political instability was put to rest by the arrival of the Crystal Empire whose war ships and trained soldiers fought back the drow and established civilization yet again for a time.  The great crusade called the Imperial soldiers away and the drow returned.  When the Empire returned to reclaim their territory they found only a wasteland.  Scholars now believe the underdark of Jong Guo was ground zero for the devastating golemn virus that has erased drow from the world and now threatens all elven kind.  

Stands of the plague not only killed the drow but made them ravenous murderous monsters called reavers by some though their behavior reflected that of zombies.  Regardless of their academic classifications the once wonderful gem of Republican representative government in the world sits a ruined waste land where pockets of survivors struggle to exist every day. Their hope now rests in the Red Saint who is now only scouting the area looking for survivors to aid as he has in Babylon and Assyria. 

Temple of Nog

Temple square was beautiful, for those who cared to waste their life devoted to superstitious nonsense.  Castor rarely came to this part of town, as he didn't care for the riff raft that usually hung around.  Viny Tito, Tony flanked Castor as they strode past temple after temple.  The air smelled of insense and the air was painted with sounds of Hymns.  They passed buildings from every culture and design all devoted to some higher power.
 The Great Apollo

   Harri Kirshna

 Inti

 Horus

And finally the Temple of Nog 

The Temple was polluted with horrible carnal images and statues of grotesque forms of debauchery and violence.  Castor liked it.  They were hostilly greeted by the Yuanti Priestess.  They were often hostile towards those not of their kind.
"Outssssssider, what brings you to the nest of NOG?"

She was flanked by her muscle -- an abomination half snake half man creature who breathed in short hisses. 

Castor adjusted the lapels of the coat. Then in a flash drew his cross bow and placed a bolt right between the eyes of the temple guard without breaking eye contact with the priestess, "Hospitality is what brings me in.  Lets say someone walked into your home univited and just killed someone.  Rude Right?"

From every shadow and dank corner and creases of the temple came Yuanti of every breed.
 

Castors men drew swords as they were surrounded and Castor slows lowered his cross bow, "You feel upset and threatened and even betrayed.  Such things would lead to do any number of rash and dangerous actions am I right?"

The Priestess hissed back, "You can angered the Children of NOG poison shall find your veins."

"And still this hostility, I don't understand we maybe in your temple babe, but your temple is in my city."

"It is suicide for you to anger us.  You must know this."

"You are top notch assassins no doubt. We have worked together many times before, I am however immune to poison... so forgive my lack of intimidated nature.  My question is why a friend, a great friend, one that I've made possible to live in this town would pull a job the size of killing an IMperial Nobles' son without at least talking to me.  Like I said, its Rude...Plain rude."

"The Children of Nog need no permission."

An illumination moment struck Castor in the middle of this drawn blade standoff, "The Venom Born must have hatched.  You guys get so brave everytime one of your messiah children show up. And everytime you have to be reminded that we have survived his predecessors and we will survive this one.  And once he is dead the Lotus will still own this town, how can I get that through your head.  It seems like I have to do this every century."

"So long as one of us breath the noxious breath of life this Black Venom Cult will push forward.  Our primary tenants teach that revenge is a holy obligation.  You know as well as I that as soon as you have wronged us there will not be peace for you as long as one spark of life lives in one larva."

Castor took in a deep breath, "Well that's my answer I guess." He turned to mist and Vini and Tito flood the temple with fire and lightning.  Lotus agents flooded into the temple daggers flying.  Screaming, hissing, blood, poison, death and glory. Then silence.

Castor walked over the dead Yuanties to the last living soul.  The bruised and broken abomination looked up with blood shot eyes and gurgled black blood up his throat.  Castor stared down for a long moment and took his hat off his head and kneeled down beside the creature. "Now, I know what she said about the whole last spark of life nonsense.  But see, I believe people can be reasonable.   I believe the Black Venom Cult and the Black Lotus still have a long and glorious future together.  It is your people who made the first insult and your people who spilled all this blood today.  But I think you'll find my lot a forgiving sort."  He placed a Black Lotus blossom on the chest of his foe. "Take that to your venom born, and tell Setttth you run his marks in my city by me first.  Its a rough town you can use a friend."