SteppeNomad

Brilliant and Shining, a brazen Hoplite, lad of the Blessed Band of Haelun'or raises his spike alongside his silver comrades in glory! "Hail! VICTORY!"

"SULIAN!" Smiled bright the silver high-priest! "May we be blessed, as the sacred pure waters wash away the tarnish of the 'ata!"

"Haha! Finally! Sulian! I will have to meet this Gymmaster! For now another Gym can stand besides The Iron Temple as premier places where LADS get HENCHED!" The beautiful high elf bodybuilder packs an extra jar of oil for when he visits the dwarves

Another for the pure cult!

A high elven hero, Knighted at the Court of LORD Brae as knight of Du-Loc for his efforts in securing salt weregild from the dwarf war dons his brazen bronze panoply, and sharpens his lance! "As the Valah say! 'Verily'!"

Maehr'Sae Hiylun'ehya

Aher'Dagr: Blessed Warfare

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-Sillumiran changing patrols near a statue of a young Seth Calith

"Poverty comes easily to these soils, this south land where many lessers have trod. Though to us? Courage is native to these hearts. The fruit of Wisdom and Strong Law. Through use of Wisdom we keep ourselves free of Tyranny or Poverty"

-Pamphilos of The Hyptos, on colonizing the south

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Preface: It is true, that to many who have come to the south have done so to escape harsh realities of the lands of the north. Old kingdoms had risen and fallen in the south, even during the time man had held it in his grasp, it was not easily tamed, for they too were picked apart by nomads and their walls lay ruined. Just as the islanders, and of so many more. Yet what separates the wheat from the chaff, that adversary, that trial to overcome? That is where LIFE is had. TRUE life. Where all is to gain. We have many privileges, but always should you seek to see them greater! Always have we embodied that spirit, but perhaps no time more than now! The Silver Soul Sings for her Motherland! For it is by our hands, our spears, our shields that we raise you, and in your embrace we are held!

It has ALWAYS been true! Since even that antediluvian age when Larihei lead the first of the 'aheral to found and defend the first sacred cihi. Not shy to raise heavy blade and shield or staff and spell to take what was needed and guard once gained! Not evil or disorderly, It is an act most sacred and revered. For it is in these ages we shape the course of true eternity. After all, Eternal is our Motherland, our Motherland is Eternal.

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-Larihei of War, leading the blessed citizenry on the solemn duty,

her owl, wide-gazing as they guard their sacred citystate

Let us now speak upon the ways of BLESSED WARFARE!

Aher'Dagr, the way of Blessed War represents a true and sacred method of battle, it is by these ethics and codes we perform so as to stand as one concise unit against all foes! Even if we are made of great individuals. After all, individually a great silvered hero may be able to stand against any foe, but in their discipline, together? None could ever best them. May they be learned by those all, even in passing do they impart the ancient lessons of our blessed society.

Camaraderie - Together, stalwart. Neighbor besides neighbor, family guarding family

Sacred Spirit - Pure, Unbroken, our sacred blood, our ancient ways. We have much to stand for, and more to take

Bravery - Defiant, Mighty, grand of courage and hearty in thought and deed! Never bent

Loyalty - Our ancient bonds are deep, and not so easily should it shatter

All of these epitomized in our Blessed Warfare! Fight! So none extra may bleed our sacred blood!

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-Certain Mali'thilln Hero parading after victory over a Snelven Prince

'Killing is the greatest act of Greed,' quote the BRIGHTLORD.

This is true! For why would you celebrate these acts that would seemingly debase the soul? It is because, in my deed, thought, and action, I seek not to lay mere death upon my foe, but every encounter to better myself and truly become more perfect, the greater hero of my people!

In these times we find ourselves in, it is more important than ever to strengthen yourself and seek to grow to be even greater! Indeed, in this time of ASCENT, where legends are made, and we grow ever-mighty, may we rejoice! For never have we strayed from our most ANCIENT TRADITIONS!!!! Since the most ancient times, the Elven Phalanx has been the premier method of war, it is through these traditions passed on through el'sillumiran and the multitudes of the bands of battle of the various elven citystates, that we can see truly what is right! To battle together, shield to shield, spikes levied against our foe is to be a force stronger than even MIGHTY scattered individuals! If a minotaur charged your line? You have a ton of spikes aimed at it and shields! If a magic user is casting spells? Throw a spear or sling! You have rows of others ready to do the same! If there is an impassable obstruction? Scatter! Reform with discipline to protect your casters and rear ranks! You can count upon heroic specialists to fill out other roles!

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-Least Magical Elven Phalanx

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Indeed, who can ever forget the tale of the Night of Four Drakes! For in that time, Haelun'or was not waging great campaign, and instead, the citizenry was made of the multitudes. Those many and varied who brought their skills as individuals to make our community brighter and wealthier! Wiser and stronger. Though, in that night of rejoicing, quickly did the alarm klaxons sound and worry take over the scene. Fiendish Drakes had flown forth to engage! Though, well-drilled and organized, Mali'thilln rallied before their Sillumiran. The two on duty served their parts well as sergeants of the populace! Defenders of the silver law! For they had drilled into the citizens, the formations of their 'aheral lines, their spears levied they did Hard Battle alongside that brave silver warrior, whilst the specialist sharpshooter, in shining mail drew his bow, and with his arrows, felled two of those invaders of the flight of drakes! The others felled by spikes of the phalanx! SO much rejoicing, as TOGETHER the strong citizenry defended themselves and their sacred motherland! Suffering no casualty, save for injury of the brave sillumir commander, and an auxiliary visitor! Indeed, shoulder to shoulder, defending your fellow citizens is the safest place to make war!

-Wouldn't it be great to have a fellow hero besides you?

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Listed here are descriptions of the various forces in service to the Great Silver Citystate

Auxiliary

Citizen Soldier

Sillumiran

Blessed Band

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-Common is it to see men of the tribe, foreigners and expats coming to take privilege, utilizing their skills

In this era, silver armies are composed of great forces! Many derived not just from the core citizenry and her colonies, but even from lands far afield! Foreigners, and ex-patriots, those who wish to find themselves at the benefit of our blessed society, Indeed, Seek out the benefits that arise when one has served as Auxiliary, as no matter if you are a dwarf, an elf, or even a stunted High-Goblin, you will earn the same great privileges and offers bestowed to even Citizen Soldiers who arise to become Sillumiran! A quart of silver, Land, and the servants to tend it! Auxiliaries who prove themselves superb in character and skill may be asked to directly enter a Sillumiran specialization should they be recommended by their comrades in the silver army to their betters! Their most common roles tend to be to serve as policemen under Sillumir captains, or to fight along with the citizenry in war. Auxiliaries who volunteer for, or perform impressive tasks are most beloved in the city!

Most have come from abroad, places as far afield as the great Scydrian Steppe, who's horse archers and charioteers are greatly prized, to the expats of Starland, who return for the promise of a pure life free of the looming darkness of their claimed land. All are welcome to earn privileges, as it is a deed most blessed!

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-After All, This is LITERALLY us

The Citizen Soldier is the common Mali'thilln! Prepped and capable! With arms provided by the state! For it is assumed that even the most common Mali'thilln in accordance to Maehr'sae Hiylun'ehya has tuned their bodies and minds with drills and practice to make themselves useful even in sudden battle. More often than not the sole reason for our Mighty Citystate's successes has been a populace which has always been ready to don the Silver Helm of Battle and defend their Sacred Motherland with spear and spell! Indeed, from their ranks that magicians and other experts such as alchemists and casters have proven critical! It is around them, that many a wise Commander of Armies has built a force around!

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-“Enact the Silver Law with an Iron Fist, our foes forever kept at bay by the authority of the Blessed Republic...

Sillumiran, The Weeping Blades, it is they who have undertaken the oath to Larihei of Law, to uphold her ways and the mandates of our ancient democracies. They are members of the Citizen Soldiers who have chosen to serve, and in times of war they are known as the veteran forces. Heavily drilled and determined, for in their sacred oaths they undertake the impurity of general battle, of even being forced to harm those of sacred blood in times of dire circumstance. It is these units clad in full armor, and gleaming silver shields that serve as sergeants and vanguard, in the 'aheral phalanx and many varied roles! Starting with the most seldom seen Vihai, whom only whispers are herd of their vital deeds, to the general forces from whom the heavy ranks are drawn the legendary Jaggernoth, the 'Aheral Cataphracts, the Silver Magicians, though in their ancient roles as Guardians of The Silver Order, El'sillumiran serve as the city's guard of the blessed citizens first and foremost.

Sillumiran are subsidized by the state, with their own housing, education, and silver paid in their name. Once promoted to a specialization, el'sillumiranare granted a quart of silver, land, and the servants to tend it! Which is most typically used to expand their Talonnii's holdings and status.

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-A farmer has the tools of their trade, a 'Lad' has tools of their own

TRULY, battle is best only when it yields substantial reward. So if it is WEALTH, and PRIVILEGE, that are best when taken by the tip of a spear, then none can be more gifted with such blessings than that very own Chosen of The Blessed Band! This is a specialized band, which in its wide and varied service has more than once been the key linchpin to securing our great republic and valiant democracy!  Indeed, these are HEROS! Their tools are the shield and spear, for it is by those they take sweet wine from the vine, their wealth and bring blessings to our citystate. If one was to ask the typical citizen what is their profession, be they sillumiran or not, they may answer plainly things such as tailor, or mason, lawman, scribe... But to ask one of the Blessed Band is to get a simple reply! War! War! War!

Amongst this Band of no MERE soldiers, but WARRIORS, those PICKED for this most specialized band. Hand chosen from the ranks of the mightiest sillumiran, or citizen troops, or raised up through ways of ancient sacred training, the 'Gymnos'Yallir'. They must actively practice That 'Blessed Life'. This is a state where one does not need, for he is provided for by his lands, talonnii, or estate, where one is free to display and practice their profession full time just as any other job, for indeed they must be an expert at their field. It often does not allow much room to be toiling for mere existence. Luckily, nearly all of the citizens of our blessed citystate are those birthed into means!

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A final message to those who have not forgotten .......

The Citadel beckons. Elcihi invites you home, mali'thill. Your eternal paradise awaits you. It is the duty of the immortal to live amidst their kin. Forsake the descendants and live with your fellow mali'aheral.. It is the will of Larihei. Your privileges to be vast, and succor you will find.

Still, did Bright Pamphilos sing supple songs of dearest Usamea. Tunes which spoke of those older days we danced in the sun of our isle! As she partook in the great deeds and bring many hearts aflutter... "Oh Usamea... Waving torch and flaming fire, defender of the sacred ways. Always will I sing your name, my great comrade! A silver maid fair!"

"GREAT Heros, Wielder of Foerender, that Axe of Barbarian Heros... GREAT CINGED and GREAT HYPERBOREAN TRUE MEN! May those who have always followed the ways of their ancestors rejoice! For their ways live on, even in these days with the youth of their tribe and the heros who rise to the challenge! Ay' those free men of the open Steppe and woodland glade! Ay-Hero! Ay! Bodbmakos!"

A  beautiful bronzed hoplite raises his spike to the air! Long has he loved his lads, and Bodbmakos prime amongst them!

"SULIAN! Simply SULIAN!" He calls out! The bronzed and toga'd Okarir'Mali smiles! Baring great and tall elven pithoi full of salt, honey, and wine!

Maerh'sae Hiylun'ehya

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FEAST OF THE SILVER WIND

-The White Boar

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Once again we come to a time AND a place, lliran where great deeds worked and great deeds struck have led us and our compatriots to brave new tidings! Progress for the better! It is as though a wild vitality has swept amongst our people! Driving our fervor! OH what JOYS it is to be as blessed as we, champions of our sacred heritages. The most ancient of peoples, the mali'thilln of Haelun'or and the GREAT bortu of Clan Grandaxe! May the people of Urguanistan come, fly! And taste of our great treasures of the southern coasts. Perhaps even food you have never yet seen?

For those rowdy and adventurous, there shall be a round of two challenges! Those who claim GREAT VICTORY in either shall earn a prize of glory, and KLEOS for their citystate!

First, a boar hunt! Participants shall be allowed spears and bows and slings to bring back as many boar as they can within a time period!

Second, a round of wrestling, and a round of armed combat! The winner of both shall fight each other in any manner they choose for any stakes! Members of either's citystate may sponsor this final match as well!

Enjoy the festivities of such a sacred feast!

Ay'Larihei 'Ay'Victory!

(This feast will be held Tuesday at 3pm EST!!!!!)

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For those of you outsiders who come either way to take part of the feast who wish to earn wealth, privilege, and esteem, look no further! For if you show yourself valorous in these games, and prove yourself skilled and learned in your mighty arts, then you shall be given a righteous offer reserved for those deemed most esteemed by the silver state and her blessed populace! Come! Let us roast and let us make merry!

AS DECLARED BY THE MASTER OF ELVES,

Pamphilos Callidora Hyptos - Okarir Mali

A mighty bronzed hoplite, champion of many arenas raises his spear into the air! "HAIL VICTORY, Ha-LEYD"

Commander of Armies, glorious and beaming, polished hoplite of Sulianpoli. "LOK-SCORTHUZ. For we, the Blessed and Pure People, Mali'thilln of Sulianpoli and Haelun'or promote only the highest of Scrothuzian Virtue! Our High-Priests, learned and practiced in these ways. Deep within the Temples of The Pure Waters do we hold our sacred rites. Even the most impure and cursed of the darkspawn and 'ata quiver before the sacred waters for their fear of facing the tests of purity. May those impure be known as pure, learned and true. Or be cast into the immolating flames of the Brazen Bull. Ha-Qarkah! Ha-Scorthuz! Hail victory!"

"Oh what joy! What great revelry!" A bronzemasked high elf peers at the other similarly ancestor-masked cultists in the temple as they perform their sacred water-rites. "May we be blessed, we who walk a real world!"

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First Feast of The Heroes Plenty

 -Dino Riders preparing for battle

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The Body Strong

The Deeds Eternal Mark The World

Kleos Undying, Those Divine Glories

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To the Denizens of ALL lands, near and abroad! Know truly those Brilliant, those TRUE! Those members of The GREAT WARRIOR BANDS! Which had struck for greatness and Hailed Victory! Taking it at the tip of RIGHTEOUS spear! No Kaiju left standing this day, as Oyashiman Mecha met Saurian flesh!

Oh merriment and boasting abound, for truly not often is it that such a victory worthy of song may be etched into history eternal! For it is by OUR victory that we have freed the Pingers to their return! That Taken have we, the many prizes, and still do we have more to be shared!

I, Pamphilos Callidora Hyptos, Commander of Armies, hoplite of The Blessed Band of Sulianpoli, and Okarir'mali of Haelun'or call upon all Heros and ALL attendants of that most SACRED and BLESSED Hunt, come, fly, and let us feat upon leg of beast, and sing songs of our finest moments! May we put together works and make known truly our ways to one another! For those TRULY Heroic in nature, worthy of song and name and great legacy, a second gathering will be had... Let us sing LAMENT and PRAISE! To those fallen so they may never pass from history!

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Bring your friends, loved ones, and allies, for we shall have a well stocked and heroic feast to discuss our 'Aristeias', to sing or songs and let our names be heard, may they never fall from this earth!

The First Feast of The Hero's Plenty shall be held in Haelun'or. If you want an invite to the second and much more exclusive feast, come there and EARN your invitation! This letter extends to all the following groups and their fellows, and amongst the lands between them!

Lord Uther's Herrenite band, may his mens loyalty remain undying

The Warband of the Chieftain Siegfried, may he bring his settled men to TRVE LIFE

Wyrmstalkers of the Order of The Lion, their ways remaining true

The Ronin of Yong Ping and her scattered people, free are they

The Fourth Fleet! Their assets incredible

May this gathering, Hosted by Sulianpoli's Lads, and Haelun'or's best bring us a great time! Song, Food, Games, and wrestling shall be held! If you are a HERO you'd come!

AY'Larihei! HAIL VICTORY!

((Hosted in Haelun'or starting around 3pm est on Dec 3rd! Second feast will be held at a hidden undisclosed bronzed location))

-Those Bronzed Heroes are not new to this Undying Glory business... For they had slain The BIG BLUE TOO

"OH WHAT KLEO, WHAT UNDYING FAME! MAY OUR NAMES SING ETERNAL, MY BRAZEN BAND! My blessed lads!" He raises his polished spear over his head! "HAIL VICTORY!"

"May the Cingedoz tribe be lead by a bright and mindful chieftess!" A sworn-sword of Scydria heads over the tall grass

"May EVERY serpent and their slaves fall before BLESSED spears, may they bend at the knee and submit! May their lines be driven into extinction! It is about TIME that Cursed Star-Land has taken a stance, for many years have they served as stalwart bulwark of defense FOR those most cursed serpents. Ne AGAINST them, such as War-mongering Sulianpoli, and Purest Haelun'or. Let us see if the threat of jihad was enough for them to maintain these laws they enact, or if it will be for show! May the people of their cihistate GROW and open their eyes to see plainly!"

A jubilant hoplite, ender of many lizards stands tall about the Polis. Nodding to those who had come from far off starland with intent to learn about the purest of ways

A stern and jovial high elven hoplite stood beaming the suns brilliant smile over the high walls

"Long has our polis been at war with the serpents, and long have we stood, spears thrust forth, to take Glory from the vine, and shield ready to aid those pure from the clutches of the dragons! Ay'Larihei, may serpent'ata be scourned, and may their TRULY PURE and PATRIOTIC raise to follow the example!"

A long off call from a different citystate repeats "To-ga! To-ga! To-ga!" in defiance!

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Before Our Silver Forums

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*Old Speech papyri circulate through the cihi*

You know me, and gathered we are, here in our great forums, where song is sung and slots are played. I offer to those who listen, my service.

I am a Mali of the community, through my spike I have given you sweet honey from the source, and reached forth to bring many gifts and wonders to Haelun'or. I dream of a vision that all of Haelun'or benefits from. It is thanks to our blessed lives, and the Toil-of-no-Toil, The LEISURE that we may focus on all the aspects of High-Life. Arts, philosophies, sciences both natural and super, Athleticism and health. All these aspects of ourselves are subject of ever increasing perfection. There is a common saying. That it is better to be a warrior-poet than simply one or the other.

Enjoying The Fruits of our City, The Symposiast is free to gather amongst comrades with our vast leisures

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The Iron Temple

-Not Just 'The Lads' Gather To Heft Biggly!

I labor, hours so as to show my beautiful neighbors of our most splendid state the ways of The Iron Temple, this branch of which, I have been spearheading. Moved am I by the efforts displayed by those Truly Beautiful mali'aheral who reach forth to grab with their hands and sculpt their forms into works of art, finer figures, more blessed than can be represented in any marble carved by the most skilled hands. We are beautiful people, why wouldn't we work out? It is a place to gather, where silver tongues and bodies are tempered, and truly, all live in ascent.

-A pair of coconuts are spiked on the bar

And no longer can excuses be made, I have perfected a tool to offer resistance to even the most voidally drained Magician so they too may enjoy max toneage. My Warlock Weights!

Truly, we are most blessed for the freedoms to pursue arts

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-A Hoplite Returns to his Marbled Citystate After Winning Glories

It is often I return from my voyages over the sea, where I represent haelun'or well, and strike out great benefit and privileges. When I come across those silver seas, I often I witness the greatness of Haelun'or, of our mother city, cast there over the bluff! Her great temples and spires striking high! But with all this great opportunity to progress, we must organize and manage the cihi's direction! Support me, lliran, Pamphilos of Haelun'or, as ElOkarir'Mali!

It is my greatest honor and greatest privilege to serve our great Mother-City, Ay'Haelun'or! Ay The Republic! Ay her Colonies!

-Pamphilos Callidora of The Hyptos

((Come to a speech Ill be holding on saturday 26! Let us dialect!))
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*A bronze masked High Priest of Of The Sea peers out over the dry Krugmenistani river. May it one day flood, and ships cast to colonize again*

"Sulian! For these mali seem to have taken much from the MYSTERIES of the lesser spirits, may their higher orders bring them to esoteric truths, and forumlate a true way of life!"

A high elf high priest beams below the bronze mask of a terrifying elven ancestor

"Oh? A worthy vessel for us, the Ladliest of sailors?" The bronzed hoplite smiles, nudging the others near them as they test their recently plundered treasures "Tsk, they're Haensetian. Well, one canne expect it all from a patron, eh?" He passes out the missive to the other lads!

"Truly, this bortu, PINNACLE amongst Ironguts! For it is by HER bravery, and HER TRUE GRIT, was that ladly Fellowship, that BAND of heros able to surpass the darkest of temples, that most ancient Antediluvian challenge. The Labyrinth... Emerging as champions, noticed by Qarkah. May she live eternally! In song and memory! For her name, carved forevermore upon the Stele of Sulianpoli!" Extols the High-Priest of the Temple Complex there in the bronzed citystate, wearing that brazen mask of a terrifying elven ancestor! "May she guide her people well! For I shall bring gifts to her, may she share them amongst those worthy!"

"Sulian! May our High-Walled Cihistate sate the needs of our youth! Truly is the successful state one that guides their youth forward with great intent! Perhaps I shall show them some philosophy and physical education..." Hefty Pamphilos says, rolling up a scroll written in high elven hieroglyphs