[Declassified] The Granpaloma Dossier

[MunaZaldrizoti 5766]

Mood

 

FOREWORD

This document, dated the 12th of the Amber Cold, 110 SA, was discovered within the princely palace of Rostampur following the death of Her Serene Highness, Princess Daria I of Ba’as. The ascension of her daughter, Princess Asria I, put into motion a great collection of old documentation and correspondence between Ba’as and its allies to serve as historical reference. This particular report was written by Sarson al Granpaloma, otherwise known as ‘The Great Pigeon’, an elven scribe in service to King Alexander I of Balian. The dossier was later delivered to Ba’as in the hands of Princess Lydia Novellen, as part of her vast personal collection of her father’s letters, following her marriage to Prince Ambros Rostampur in 124 SA.

 

This historical document acts as a window into the initial planning of the union between the then-Prince Hadrian Casimir and the Rhenyari Princess Andromeda Rostampur, when the Novellen monarch sought insight into the political intrigues of that distant land.

 

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12th of the Amber Cold, 110 SA

 

As an intelligence officer in the court of Ba'as, I am tasked with documenting the complex political landscape that exists within the principality. Ba'as is a great power in the eastern continent of Rhen, with a rich cultural heritage of the Rhenyari.

 

At its helm is Prince Balthazar, a legendary general and warrior of Basrid and Pertinaxi ancestry, who ruled for forty years before being forced into exile for three decades. He has since returned to his throne, wearing an enchanted set of armor that keeps him alive, and continues to campaign against the Rudran Empire. However, as a result of years of magical enhancements, Prince Balthazar is more armor than man, having lost much of his senses, and much of his soul.

 

There are several factions vying for power in the court of Ba'as, each with their own ambitions and desires. The Rostampurs, descendants of Balthazar's eldest son, Rostam, are historically proud and powerful, but have been greatly diminished by war. They are led by Daria Rostampur, a young captain in Balthazar's army, and her two young daughters and young son, who serve as her heirs. The Lyraides, descendants of Balthazar's daughter Lyra, are known for exploring new islands and powering naval expeditions. However, in a bid for survival, the faction has bound itself to the Rostampurs, with Daria's husband Vasili serving as its leader.

 

The Caspaides, descendants of Balthazar's son Caspian, are led by Lysander, a sixty year-old high priest who intends to push his daughter to the throne. The Parsipurs, descendants of Parsi Basrid, control the society of Barraman, responsible for all siegeworks and alchemical innovations in Ba'as. They are led by the geriatric, crabby, and altogether vindictive Iris Parsipur, a 90-year-old granddaughter of Balthazar.

 

Finally, the Mahsadokhts, descendants of Mahsa Basrid, have staggering influence in court, with their leader, the fifty year old groomed and cunning Iskander Mahsadokt, an ice sorcerer, regarded as the master of the palace. He uses his ice sorcery to track and monitor court intrigue, glamoring mirrors and doors with wards and enchanted ice.

 

The first vizier, Nicomedes Cirillo, is tasked with juggling the wills of these factions for stability, while his deputy vizier, Theophilius Saffar, seeks aid from outside realms, large and small. They are faced with balancing the court intrigue of these many factions while also ensuring Balthazar’s wars do not destroy the state.

 

The inevitable crisis that will emerge once Balthazar succumbs to age and death looms large over the court of Ba'as, and it will be interesting to observe how these factions maneuver for power in the coming days.

Sincerely,

Sarson la Granpaloma ‘The Great Pigeon’,

Principal Secretary of Balian

 

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Spoiler

Just some Rhenyari/Ba'as lore-posting for those who play Rhenyari personas! Hopefully more will come in the future, along with some Rhenyari-oriented roleplay I am thinking of starting up.

If you're interested in Rhenyari-Ba'as related roleplay, please feel free to message me on Discord: munazaldrizotii

Though I wrote the foreward section, the rest was written by: @Cracker