The Mighty Subudai!

[Samson Option 9652]

His lamellar helmet embracing his scalp, the chains hugging each strand of his jet-black hair as Sauros surveys the land. It is not just him, there are more, as a flood of Mongol Kotansmani sprint across the vast plains as the coloration of green seem to stretch to the edge of what their eyes could see; yet they know that their plains obscure eventually into cumbersome mountains, dry deserts, and gaping ravines. Large strips of canvas, pinned to a sturdy wooden base, swing in their open hands whilst their other holds tabar axes, falxes, and other weaponry of various kinds. Sauros smirks broadly as he travels swiftly throughout the lands, knowing that his intentions will meet execution soon enough.

It was only a few days ago that he had gathered Kotansmani, able to attend and unoccupied with their hunts and scoutings, the people of Enismor, and the people of Boria. They had all gathered outside Sauros's yurt, atop a modest bluff wearing the greenest of grasses as incense hugged the ground like the heavy smoke from a razed settlement. In front of them lied a map outstretched by Sauros and Lykos, pinned by large iron spikes to ensure it would not blow away. Having gathered the last Kotansmani who had just confiscated a large siege weapon known as a trebuchet...

He ushered in Syrmatae Varin, Delthor, Rocco, and Syrmatae Vladivoj like champions for their efforts. Nonetheless, he was quick to change from a prizing attitude to a mood of determination; intent on accomplishing something.

Thus, as Sauros remembers, he convened one of the largest of his Congregations, with guests aplenty. Discussing the need to secure Southern borders against possible attack from the ever-growing and oft-arrogant Empire, he warns them that albeit their military may be strong, their incestuous politics makes in-fighting amongst themselves appealing and inevitable. Assuring that his mobile forces will be at the ready, he takes into account the militarily able of both Enismor and Boria, nodding as he hears hopeful numbers. Reassuring those who have congregated that he is seeking various ways to ensure Southern pathways are blocked, he looks to Varin and Delthor and nods at the idea of placing explosives at the peaks of mountains and allowing the rubble to block passage through the narrow valley by the bridge into the South.

Turning his attention to the idea that their forces would be mobile, he points to the river that runs through the Subudai Camp and informs Torren of Enismor and Arn of Boria that he will see to artificial connections to the river running between their two settlements will be made to ensure a trade route and a waterway to ship military forces be made. Turning to his Kotansmani, he informs them of Askhkhadar gathering piston parts and his idea of creating a chain that could be raised or lowered at certain narrower points of the sea that runs between Ursakar and Enismor. Returning to his cross-legged position and slowly rocking himself, he informs Torren and Arn that he will see to ensuring supplies be given and letters of grievance be redressed.

Returning to his current issues at hand, relieved to have remembered such confident strides he has made as of late, he notices in the distance a farm village under Alras. It was with intrigue that he was welcomed into Vigil Keep alongside Aldjiro Selahiim and Midori Tengu to greet and give signs of well-being to the new king, Aislin Hightower. With a nearby nation possibly worth an alliance, Sauros notes that the Balance of Power he wishes to achieve will take work, dedication, and innovation; to a lesser degree luck and charm. So begins the shaping of Nation-States...

[BannanaToYou 196]

((Another good read Gaius :D))

[EmeraldStag 165]

((Yeah it was!!!!! Also as a note, That day Midori got called a guy, again, by an old man.....she is really mad about that. there are probably going to be emotes about it later.))

[Samson Option 9652]

The smoke from a fizzling flask of liquid began to seep through Sauros's nostrils. Hulegui sits near Sauros's wool-sewn cot within his Yurt and administers a cold rag across his head. Taking a few sips of the concoction, Sauros lays his head back with a fell swoop as he begins to fall slowly yet surely to sleep. He rubs his worn hand against Hulegui's knee and informs him that the Syrmataes will be delegating in a council until his awakening. Sauros coughs coarsely and begins to regain his breathe as the liquid works through what he cannot perceive as his nervous system, invading his brain; conquering his mind. He settles himself into the cot and shrouds himself in wool as he settles into a deep sleep... a deep sleep that perhaps may last for days. Already, as his eyes close shut and block light from hitting his retina, it would seem that his dreams play as a transcending play. The empowerment he feels mentally as he begins to rest seizes his wishes to return awake, but he knows when he has seen enough; it will be time to awaken.

[OOC: Consider this to happen in the afternoon of May 23rd, I am going on a vacation to Eastern Kentucky and will return Tuesday, May 29th.]

[Samson Option 9652]

In his sleep, Sauros is presented with a vast desert, sounds invade the sands as each particle afloat in a raging sandstorm before him lures him forth...

[Viper3X 1056]

As Syrmatae Tavros Archigos rises from his hide-layered bedding, he is greeted by the Syrmatae of the Kirvel Kotan. They greet each other with pleasantries and delve into conversation. Tavros shares with the fellow Kotansmani his intentions on raiding the Platinum Guards. He explains that their settlement's population has been scarce as of late and informs him that he will be scouting their location in the approaching days. After their brief discourse, the Syrmataes part ways to their individual Kotan circles. Later that evening, Mongol Kotansmani Aetos Kynigos and Mongol Syrmatae Tavros Archigos speak with Skyl about his missing and presumed dead brother. The Mongols reassure him, declaring that they will find his lost relative. Tavros and Aetos gather their armaments and equip their leather and lamellar armor, focused on their quest of reuniting the two.

They begin their journey into the depths of the gloomy ravine, inspecting the various paths and occasionally encountering the monstrosities that lie deep within. After a lengthy venture toward the depths of the seemingly endless cave system, they stumble upon a series of complex, abandoned mineshaft tunnels. The two companions continue through the shafts until they discover a small crevice along the cavern walls. Aetos enters through the corridor first, with Tavros following shortly behind. With both of their backs pressed firmly against the bone-chilling stone walls, they grip their weapons steadily before swiftly maneuvering around the sharp corner. Startled by the revolting stench of death filling their lungs, they recognize a corpse left to decay in the remoteness of the caverns. Tavros uncovers the body from the rubble, but the remains were rotten beyond recognition. Unable to identify whether the corpse is Skyl's brother or a miner who met their misfortune, they rummage through the nearby chest to look for belongings or trinkets. Discovering that the chest is empty, they begin to ponder if they are not the first to have stumbled upon the body. They decide that it is time to leave, as they both have grown weary from their adventure. On their way toward the exit of the ravine, Tavros takes note of the directions leading back to the corpse.

A few days later, Tavros and Aldjiro meet together and begin discussing the future of the Mongols. Tavros Archigos shares with him his plans to move the yurts to create room for expansion and a storage tent. He explains that the tent will be filled with many chests that all Mongol Kotansmani will have access to; allowing them to share their goods and supplies with one another. Additionally, Tavros announces to Aldjiro that he aims to annihilate the Platinum Guards, due to their waste of land with their horrid structures. Before their conversation continues any further, Charakas Personatus approaches and greets the two Mongols. Charakas, having overheard a portion of their dialogue, informs the two that the Platinum Guards will be an easy target for the Mongols. He continues, telling them that their siege weapons are foreign to many and would gain them an invaluable advantage against their target. Furthermore, Charakas offers to show them how to operate the weapons. Tavros, having only seen the ballista in use when they razed Rienna, accepts the offer with joy. After the visitor educates him regarding the mechanisms and process of loading and launching a bolt, Tavros grins secretly to himself, knowing that he now has the proper knowledge to write a book detailing its use. However, there is a more pressing objective on Tavros Archigos' mind. The two exchange their goodbyes and part ways as Charakas informs him that he must be on his way.

Syrmatae Tavros returns to his yurt, meeting up with one of his Mongols, Aetos Kynigos. They greet each other briefly before gearing up for the scouting mission. After gathering their supplies, they both set off on their journey to the Platinum Guard's settlement. They begin by traveling through the vast plains towards Enismor. As they arrive, they are greeted by Lord Torren Strongheart and various townsfolk. Tavros informs him that, despite their suspected aggressive demeanor, they do not aim to bring harm to their lands. Rather, Tavros shares his intentions regarding the demise of the Platinum Guards.

As the trio arrives on the shore, they climb out of their canoes and begin to traverse up the sand dunes. Entering the settlements, Lord Torren Strongheart's words flash back into Tavros' head regarding the settlement being abandoned. Tavros Archigos' calls out, searching for a response among the desert winds, but to no avail. Without delay, Ometacan motions for him to lower his voice, due to the sands being unstable. He informs Tavros about the possibility of the land collapsing from beneath them. Thus, they advance...

They continue to explore the sandstone tunnels beneath the searing heat of the sands. Tavros', separated from the others, investigates the lands above ground. He climbs through a broken window and rummages through the crates and coffers searching for any abandoned supplies. Finding nothing of use, he crawls back out through the window. Greeted by the sound of loud outcries and yelling, he recognizes his two companions climbing out through an opening in the sands.

After they return to their canoes, they climb into them and watch as the rest of the sands plummet into the earth, consuming the buildings and structures along with them.

[Lykos 276]

((yeah... I finished the Skyl's missing brother quest a few days ago and have claimed the reward. Gaius just had to go on vacation in time not to update Skyl's dialog.

[Lupus 14]

(( no me and sir wayvernos went down into the caves a few weeks ago and found the corpse and the items in the chest....... Ther was a book some stone blocks, coal, stone bricks and sticks in there. What did you find when you went down Lykos ))

[Josh △ 87]

The Subudai are friends with Enismor, right? ))

[Viper3X 1056]

The Subudai are friends with Enismor, right? ))

[Correct, we are allies with them.]

[Lykos 276]

(( no me and sir wayvernos went down into the caves a few weeks ago and found the corpse and the items in the chest....... Ther was a book some stone blocks, coal, stone bricks and sticks in there. What did you find when you went down Lykos ))

The chest was empty, but I pm'd Gaius and he said that no-one had "found the endgame" and claimed the reward, which would have been given if you would have entered the name inside the book to the chest next to Skyl, which would lead to another chest containing some low-level loot. So he pm'd me what was in the book and I completed the quest.

[Lupus 14]

(( o ok. Do us a favor and send me the details of what happens after you find out what's in the book ))

[EmeraldStag 165]

As she stares up at the roof of her yurt, Midori has a thought occurs to her which she unknowingly says out loud.

"People that enslave others.....where would I find those kind of people?"

She sits upright abruptly and looks outside her yurt. No one seems to have heard her. She goes back into her yurt and sits on her bedroll. Her thoughts are filled with images of her past. Her being sold off, being taken to place after place forced to work. The horrid living conditions.

She shakes her head, getting the thoughts out of her head. She stands up and walks to her chest. She pulls out a quill, inkwell, and a piece of parchment, all of which she had gotten from the razing expeditions. She sprawls a note on the parchment and nails it to a ((What ever it is we can post things on, ie a bulliten board, will fix this when I find out the correct place to put it)).

"It has come to my attention from the things I have heard while at towns and on the road. There are Men who enslave others here in Asulon. I feel that that they need to be dealt with. Please, if you have any information on where they like to sell people or where they are known to trap them, send me a bird or talk to me in camp

~Midori Tengu"

Feeling pleased by writing this, she walks back into her yurt and on a piece of fabric, she starts drawing a shep she had come across on her travels in the area around the camp.

[Lykos 276]

(( o ok. Do us a favor and send me the details of what happens after you find out what's in the book ))

All it does is tell you where to find the reward and the cunlock password for its chest. No more story after you "tell Skyl his brother is dead".

[Samson Option 9652]

Seeing the particles of sand slowly casting themselves into the shape of arrows, Sauros eyes the land beneath him as it changes into the familiar landscape of the territories scouted by the Subudai; the metamorphosis rendering complete within minutes. Walking along the dreamscape, running his spry fingers through the stretches of wildflowers and tall brush, Sauros slowly raises his head towards the blank sky in realization that the sandstorm spins all around him. Clenching his fists as he sees the arrows string through the air all around, he cries out without returned response in fear of his Kotansmani being harmed. The whistling of the arrows causes Sauros to limp and fall onto his knees, yet giving out a surprised guttural exclamation as he notices the sandstorm expand and driving away from his position...

(Coming back from Eastern Kentucky tomorrow!)