Ozzyoverlord

Renatus! You dare accuse us of hypocrisy? You who are so willing to forge an alliance and attack us when not so long ago it was you who felt the sting of isolation! You, who were attacked by a combined force which sought your destruction but then deigned to grant you the freedom of existence. And yet now you would simply turn and do the same as that which you condemned? If Godfrey has not declared then what are his noble houses doing? Truly this nation is not ruled by divine right but by wealth and privilege! Godfrey, if you are truly a King with authority and power over your own lands, then you should reign in your attack dogs! Your nobility moves autonomously to war with a neighbour while you simply sit on the sidelines. Should they succeed, I do not doubt you shall simply step in and share in the spoils of war. Should they fail and limp back to you humiliated and bleeding, then I don't doubt you will simply deny all involvement and walk away without consequence. The actions of a coward! Remember the Battle of the Boot. Remember the coalition that rose against your people then. Remember the isolation. Remember the mercy WE deigned to bestow upon you and grant you your sovereignty. Retreat into neutrality. Do so and you are a man. Allow your nobility to run wild and unfettered to attack Salvus, and you are not just a coward but an impotent fool. I pray for your conscious.

It's a joke. I'm sorry but I hope you are not actually taking him seriously when he said that...

HA! I wish! ... Maybe not. I'm imagining "emoting" in real life. I suppose I'd shout at the man "Aserisk (insert my name here) charges forward!" *hostage-taker and police all stare dumbfounded as young man charges like it was some video game.

I agree that it is normally a very stupid idea to charge a criminal with a hostage. However, indulge me in a little story. Someone took a hostage, a 17-year old girl, on the roof of a 3-story building. I was walking around and spotted them and decided to take a look, climbing up from the back of the building. I then heard the kidnapper shouting he wanted a ransom or she'd die. He then strolled around and spotted me (by walking around he logically did not have her in his grasp, only close by). As soon as he saw me, I ran up to the top of the roof and then emoted charging forward. He emoted grabbing the girl and holding her in front of him with a blade to her throat. I decided to take a chance and continued charging. After a sparse OOC interaction with him restating that she was in his grasp, and me affirming that I was still charging him, he agreed to roll for the outcome of my charge. I won and slammed into the girl with my shoulder and the resulting force pushed all three of us clear over the edge of the roof. The man obviously lost his hold and when he hit the ground he was killed by civilian arrow fire. The girl and I were then treated for injuries suffered in the fall and everything was right as rain after that. This is a true story. As true as a video game can be I guess. Point is, I'm just saying crazy stuff can happen if you just take action. But only once in awhile. Things could have gone very differently and much much worse. But hey, sometimes the unexpected is the best strategy. Don't imitate me kids, I'm a professional.

Sounds awesome, do you have to sign up?

He sprinted with all his might along the paved path, his leather boots crunching in the snow. Conrad's breath turned to mist in front of him as more and more snow fell from the sky, mixed with the ash of burning buildings. The city was burning. Alras was burning. A quick skip and Conrad severed the head of a zombie blocking his path. He continued on without breaking step, heading for the next set of inner walls, the last ones standing. He could just see the gates now, raised and men pouring through them, civilians and soldiers alike. Conrad's heart leapt at the sight of his friend, Shas'O Kais as he hurried along with the crowds through the opening. Conrad spared a glance behind him and saw a half dozen men behind him and beyond that, a horde of the living dead. He willed himself to move faster, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts. "Hold the gate!" He shouted. To his horror, the portcullis began to lower. No, it simply fell. There was no longer even a man at the winch, they had simply released it and let it drop. The spikes impacted into the ground, embedding themselves inches into the stone. Conrad slammed into the gate, clutching at the bars. "Open this damn thing! There are still men out here!" His pleas were returned only by Kais who echoed him. Standing on either side of the gate, their eyes locked. They both knew it was pointless to try and dislodge the gate, let alone raise it high enough to slip under. By that time, the pursuing creatures would be upon them. "You damn cowards!!" "I'm sorry." Kais murmured, nearly drowned out by the roar of flames and screams of the dying. Conrad's eyes hardened and his hands moved to his sword. "Not your fault. Go on. No matter what, I'll live. Promise me the same." "I swear." They clasped their hands through the bars, locked in a steely grip, both knowing just how easily such promises could be rendered null. Behind Conrad, a sergeant called for the group to form a battle line. A pause, and then Conrad turned, unsheathing his blade, the light of the flames dancing off it's polished steel. He did not look back as Kais left, sprinting after the remaining forces heading for the palace. Conrad stepped in beside the men, all hardened soldiers, ready to accept their fate. "Fight hard and die well." whispered one man. "Suicide is not a part of valour." Conrad retorted. The man had no chance to reply as the first of the zombies reached them. Many fell to the first swing of blades, the others simply collided with the men in a wave of rotting flesh and snapping jaws. All discipline was lost, every man fought for himself. Martial training turned into wild swings and kicks and punches, desperately trying to get free of the mob. Conrad swung a wide arc, cleaving a zombie in twain and slicing open the chest of another, its organs spilling out onto the snow. Two men already lay dead, their chests torn apart and being feasted on. Conrad stumbled back from the melee. There was no victory here, this courtyard, the whole city, was lost. With one last look towards to the palace and a prayer for his friend, Conrad sprinted down an alley, the last man screaming as he was overwhelmed. Conrad ran past the burning houses and shops, through the pools of blood and fields of corpses, and finally to the edge of the city, and the edge of the miasmic cloud. The acrid stench assaulted his nose immediately, making him gag. Drawing his tunic over his mouth and nose, he plunged into the miasma, nearly blinded and stumbling as his eyes watered. He lost all sense of time, his only focus being straight in front of him. Suddenly he burst through the cloud and onto the main walkway, falling to his knees and coughing wetly. Staggering to his feet, Conrad turned towards what remained of Alras. He could see the red glow of the fires just above the walls and turrets, illuminated against the night sky. Conrad felt limp and weak as the magnitude of what had just happened dawned on him. There was no stopping the corruption. Every city would fall like a stack of cards. In the face of the miasma, there was no defense. They could slay monsters but not the air. And what of Kais? What of his dearest friend? More and more escapees emerged from the cloud and moved past him. What else could Conrad do but join them in their flight? He would survive... as he always did, whether he wanted to or not. The morning sun had begun to crest over the horizon...

In the darkness of the cold night, a figure emerges from the water. Conrad trudges heavily up the grassy banks of Salvus and sheds his dark cloak, the cloth hitting the earth with a wet "slap". He pushes his soaking wet amber hair out of his eyes, plastering it back onto his scalp. He re-equips his sword, scabbard, daggers, and bow which he had kept wrapped and held above his head as he swam the expanse of water from Galahar to Salvus. Pausing for a moment, he looks up at the grand windmill and smiles. The lights are off and not a soul stirs at his coming. All for the best perhaps he thinks, better they all meet in the morning when the sun is as high as everyone's spirits. Conrad turns to a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye and Kais steps out from the doorway of one of the houses. "You've been gone a long time." Kais says, his great height forcing him to duck through the doorframe. "Far too long for far too little I'm afraid. You've left Galahar?" "Forever. It seems I chose the most 'unfortunate' time to pick sides." Reaching Conrad, the two stand silent for a moment, then embrace. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you..." murmurs Conrad, "I couldn't stop those basterd nobles." "We both live, we are both strong and hale, and now we are all home. That is enough, brother." "Aye." "Come. Let's get you rested and warmed up. Tomorrow we'll get you settled in permanently." As Kais leads him away, Conrad gazes around him. So many houses and construction, it's as if it had always been their home. His nose stings at the lingering smell of sulfur, a grim reminder of the tragedy of Winterfell. He hurries insides, stifling a sneeze.

I could not agree more with Dawn. It is sad to me that, after losing Al'khazar in such a sudden fashion and when the kingdom lay fractured and for a time, leaderless, a group of malcontents saw it as an opportunity to seize power for themselves and further divide and harm the nation and those players who were a part of it rather than work to help unite it again. So far as I'm concerned, Oren is done. Dead. Kaput. Salvus is a chance for many of us to begin anew under a benevolent, understanding, and above all, intelligent (as evident by her replies on this thread) leader that is Dawn. I am happy to soon be a part of Salvus and to finally regain a sense of normalcy and actually having a place to stay instead of having literally everywhere I try to stay either be blown up, flattened, or being turned into an anarchic cesspit. Looking forward to seeing Salvus in all it's glory, Dawn.

Conrad Adolphus stands at the edge of the coast, hidden and observing the small island he knew his Lady and companions occupied at the very moment. Gazing across the water at the proud windmill and mansion, he yearns to cross and return to them, to return as the leader of the guard but he cannot. Blades and blackened hearts threaten his closest friend's life and Conrad knows that protecting him must be his greatest priority. He can still smell the acrid smoke emanating from the ruins of Winterfell. Her city. His city. Forgive me my lady but you shall be well protected I am sure. We shall meet again soon. But not before the blood of evil men has been spilled and I return to thee with a stained blade and heart. Drawing his cloak closer around him, Conrad shivers as the bitter chill gnaws at his bones. He turns to leave and does not look back. Cold fire burns in his eyes, the yearning to visit retribution upon those that deserve it. He smiles despite himself; a small, wry smile.

For all the years we have been together, travelling, fighting, and seeing this glorious world ... I never expected our paths to diverge from each other. You have stood beside me every step of the way and I shall feel incomplete until the gap in my heart has been filled. Only time shall accomplish that. They could not have chosen a finer man for the position and though we must take every opportunity and not refuse based on personal preferences, life is not fair. Take pride in your new rank and take comfort in my promise to you: the Winterfell guard shall remain strong and grow. We shall become a force worthy of your command. Stand tall, speak with conviction, and give those pandering bureaucrats hell, old friend. May fate reunite us in peace or in battle. Congratulations. And if you do not regularly and visit at least once in a full moon, I shall personally walk all the way to Galahar and slap you senseless for such gross rudeness. Best wishes.

Al'khazar is by all accounts likely impossible to recover at this point. Not to say Enor isn't beyond rescue though. Alras is the closest city to Al'khazar. As the new home to refugees and the surviving members of the Oren leadership, it is a likely target. Defenses must be strengthened there and made into a bastion against any Undead forces emerging from the ruins of Al'khazar. The forming council of Oren leadership will determine the best course of action from there though an attack on Al'khazar would be foolish and costly. It is not a battle to be won by steel. Magic and science must first lift the miasma before we even think of re-entering the city. Guards from Winterfell have successfully skirted Al'khazar and the miasma cloud and have reached Alras. Travel is possible but time-consuming. Connections to New Alstion and Winterfell would be beneficial overall, even if all that can be made are dirt paths. It would be best to begin shifting refugees out of Alras and sending them to diverse locations such as Winterfell and the other cities further south. The current concentration of refugees and officials will only make Alras a more viable target. Alras should remain only populated by armed forces and other notable residents now, being so close to Al'khazar.

*Conrad stands amongst the crowd and listens to the hidden man speaking. He raises an eyebrow in surprise and skepticism. He is almost shocked by the hypocrisy and near lunacy of it all. He moves gently through the crowd, shaking to his head and thinking to himself:* How in God's name can this man be commanding anyone's attention? Do they not see the contradictions and holes that riddle his speech? He speaks of Edmund as if he were some sort of paragon, as if the events of the portal and the sage's betrayal were just a fiction! Edmund lost his soul and with it all respect when he fell to darkness. This man calls for the people to cast Enor down from the throne? Madness! Have they all forgotten how close the city came to civil war following Edmund's death? Parties and opportunists scrambled for the throne! Familial relations, radicals, and even traitors to the nation were mustering support! Had Perea not returned (disregarding the circumstances) then chaos would have surely flourished. Can there be no certainty in the royalty of this nation? The fall of Edmund, the manner of Perea's return, the accusations of Enor... Whatever his true intentions, unless Enor is tainted then he cannot step down. That would only leave opportunity for those enemies who would masquerade as friends. All I can do for now is watch and hope that when the time comes, I can act accordingly for the people, however that may be.

~ Joma 13th of the Deep Cold 1330, I write this journal for several reasons but chief among them is an ever-increasing sense of dread. I would almost prefer the blood-soaked fields of my homeland to the inescapable paranoia I feel every day here. This continent of Aegis is a wondrous and often beautiful place and yet, it is the most dangerous land I have ever set foot on. Before crossing the ocean to be here, I had seen thousands die for naught, I had smelled the sweet scent of burning flesh, heard the screams of women and children as their lives were snuffed, and I had seen the dawn itself stain the sky red with the blood spilled the previous night. I have seen hell descend upon earth. I fled all that, leaving behind my wife and daughter, disgracing my family name, even fleeing with a man whom any one of my countrymen would execute on the spot as a sworn enemy of the Republic. Yet here I am. A foreigner in a land where the stuff of fairy tales is reality. Where creatures of green skin, immortal things of nature, and shortened images of men stand alongside us. And where the dead walk. I have seen much to challenge my concepts of reality. I still do not believe in magic and yet... I have battled a fire demon in the royal palace of Al'khazar. I have slain giants and dark servants, I have defended royalty from assassins, I have helped defend Al'khazar from the undead hordes, and I have even commanded an army. I am not native to this soil yet I have declared it my home, and I will take the greatest of pains to see that the tragedies that destroyed my people do not destroy these. A home is what you are willing to fight for, not what you inherit. I have suffered failures at great cost to myself and others but I have witnessed even greater failures in "great" men here and it is for that reason I fear the worst. I write this journal in the anticipation of my end. Perhaps I shall continue to document my adventures, my triumphs as well as my failures so that others may learn from them and learn of me. Should I be destroyed, I pray that I at least rest in peace and am not resurrected by the foul machinations of these "undead". It seems that I have only arrived in Aegis in time for the end... If so, then let my final moments be during the battle at the end of all things. Conrad Adolphus

~At an FoA outpost, a chicken hops onto the windowsill and taps the window with its beak. Let inside by an member, it is discovered that there is a roll of parchment attached to the chicken's leg. It is a message, addressed to the Followers of Aeriel, it reads: To the Followers of Aeriel, My name is Conrad Adolphus. Long have you been lauded as protectors of the people and foes to the Undead. Given your title, your reputation, and your goals, I write this message asking for your aid. I cannot reveal too much on this parchment, foul eyes and ears are everywhere these days. My matter is of great urgency and importance. However, know that my goals collude with yours and that to lend support to me and my fellows would only further your own cause. I must meet with a representative face to face as quickly as possible or, should you so desire, send another message containing the details of our request along a more private channel. ~Ever an ally and friend to good souls, Conrad Adolphus. ((If I can, may I personal message you here the details of my request, IC of course but this thread is too public. Thank you))