Empire 6: Bright Days, Blight Nights

[Roarke]

Solstice Solarium Courtyard, Dzah
Mid Summer, Fourteenth Year of the Phoenix

Dzah was not the shining city it had been expected to become as efforts by the Triad had focused elsewhere in pursuing a continental unification, building the Sentinels a standing stone, and acquiring pack animals to alleviate the wanderers and tradesmen who traveled the deserts. The outer streets were overfull with the refuse of a thousand people living tightly. A stench hung over the city's edges from various industries and collections of animals. Yet guests of the Triad were swiftly escorted from the relentless desert past the grimy outskirts to the city center where the stench relented and the streets shined cleanly in a square mile around the city's centerpiece, the Solstice Solarium. The Solarium was a squat tan-white building accented with golden arches and filigree boasting an open-sky ceiling at its center and some of the few patches of greenery that was the gardens in and around the holy site. A small number of food and trinket vendors had been permitted to set up shop in this cleared area though under strict orders not to hawk their wares in offensively garish fashion. Outside these vendors the only native occupants were priests of the True Dawn and their leaders, the Revered Triad.

Sani, the eldest at nine decades, was a shriveled red prune of a man whose eyes were milky with cataracts and whose skin hung in heavy loose folds about his neck while clinging like dried leather to his bony fingers. The elder barely seemed cognizant of his surroundings but smiled pleasantly when addressed by young attendants as if the attention alone gave him purpose and life. Next was Yeitso, at eight and a half decades, though he appeared nearly two decades younger. Old but far from infirm the middle Elder appraised his surroundings with a sharp eye and directed much of the goings on with flicks of his wrist directing his finger this way and that. Third and last was Tiba, only woman of the Triad, and her seventy and half year old countenance was that of a scavenger hawk eyeing tasty morsels when her gaze fell upon appealing flesh or valuable objects. A greedy lust radiated from her even at a glance but she seemed to defer overtly to Yeitso and Sani as her elders.

Standing opposite the Triad was the only non-Sha who was not a guest of the processions now arriving. A thick limbed woman of dark skin bearing the signature black iron weapon of a Sentinel. Theodora of Kiswa, whose presence had been ordered by the Sentinels in response to the impending Blightspawn invasion all of Sikar now had heard of. The woman was stoic as she surveyed the capital of her order's Sikarian host though it seemed to the keen observer a tension hung in the air between her and the Triad explaining her location away from the Elders.

The invitations to this gathering had been sent out across Sikar months before the first news of the Argent Swarm had reached civil ears. The impending invasion had only made an immediate gathering all the more important to the Triad though they feared some would turn away in fear of being caught up in the battle. Theodora's Sentinels had already begun deployment towards the Maw's edge and their commander would depart to join them as soon as the gathering had concluded or three days had passed, whichever happened first. Accommodations for retinues of twenty and fewer had been set aside within the city's limits through the temporary eviction of priests and laymen but those who brought greater numbers were expected to camp outside the city proper and provision themselves as much of Dzah's stock went to feeding the Sentinels preparing to defend the region. Still, there was a great desire to discuss not only the Blightspawn but the True Dawn among the many new converts brought in by the efforts of the Triad and their followers with more political matters besides also awaiting a full hearing to discuss.

[Lleban]

It was controversial, to send the Alodite army south to protect the sun worshipers, but Neferkare knew what was best. Aspelta can wallow on his seat, talking and dealing, while real heroes save Sikar. Besides, it was his fault Neferkare couldn't finish what he'd started anyway. The wet northern regions would be there tomorrow, probably. After what felt like an eternity marching through the vituperative sands of Sika, Neferkare arrived with 7 columns of warriors, each spearheaded by 200 Aldotite elites. The largest army currently in Sikar camping on the outskirts of Dzah.

As Neferkare arrives at the meeting area at the head of 20 guards armed with bows, leather armor and short copper blades.

Neferkare roared "Triad reveal yourself, for NEFERKARE THE ALODITE HAS ARRIVED."

[D&D_Fan]

The Soreni approach Dzah.
The group is composed of Gothek, Heskath, and some other, mainly guards, but with others, including religious figures.

Gothek greets the triad.
You have requested a meeting of faith, and while that is certainly important, It has come to my attention that this meeting is not being held at the safest time or place.
Heskath steps forward to speak
I hear you are currently in the path of a deadly swarm of blightspawn
I have already sent my troops and they should be well on their way in fighting this vile blight.
We should be planning a strong defense, else your precious "shining city" will be reduced to shining wastes.
Gothek returns to center.
While that isn't how I would put it, you should look into building a stronger army for these situations.
I understand that there will be a large focus on the True Dawn as well, and during recent times, the lands of the Soreni have fallen under more influence of your faith. I took it upon myself to make it the official faith of the land, to mixed feelings, of course, but I think it is for the best.

Later, some priests and scholars of mine will be speaking more on this.

With that, the Soreni party disperses.

[JBarca]

The Dolod delegation numbers 27, each one young and clearly excited to be visiting a great center of learning. They bring supplies for quite some time, are unclothed and unarmed (aside from the robes worn by a handful of priests), and they look weary. They intend to form a rotation, with nine present in the city at any one time while the rest camp nearby. The nominal head of the party, Lilunulil, informs the representatives of the Triad early on that, barring disapproval, they intend to stay in the region indefinitely to continue collaborating on the truths the True Dawn brings to the Dolod.

When the delegation presents itself before the Triad officially, the Dolod bow slightly. Lilunulil steps forward to speak.

"We are more than pleased to be experiencing this welcome to your great center of learning. Although the future may yet hold surprises, we are cautiously optimistic about the True Dawn. The Quluq hopes that a more active spirit might protect us more directly from the destruction being visited upon us by the nightmare cult.

"While we are traveling, we are seeing few of your people. Are they hiding? We are hoping that our arrival means that safety is likely and are trusting the arms of the Alodites, Soreni, and Sha to protect this meeting.

"We bring to you as gifts a series of vases we are creating that hold the memory of the True Dawn. We are seeing the adherents for the first time and are surprised at how quickly the Urelleru is being repurposed, but are eager to learn more. Here," and they gesture to a scene on one vase, "you can see that I am departing with this delegation with these very vases. Guununuug is forming this scene with pride and asking us to point it out specifically for your pleasure.

"But we are here for business. We will settle and return to discuss matters of import. Thank you again for your hospitality."

[Roarke]

Alodites

"There is no need for shouting Neferkare," Yeitso raised a hand from his perch atop the platform placed before the Solarium, "We are here and not so hard of hearing as one might think. We welcome our allies from Northern Sikar who journey with great armies to slay Blightspawn with our Sentinel allies and whomsoever else marches to our aid. Tell us, do your warriors eat well? Many in this city now fast for glory of God and your victory."

Soreni

"We welcome our friends from the Soreni. Your mighty people were among the first to embrace God as we have and so we shall be eternally grateful," Yeitso's face contorted into a discomforted scowl when offered advice by Gothek, "As for armies you no doubt have seen Great Neferkare's forces marshaled outside the city and those of your own. It is in the interest of all Godly peoples to aid the bringers of Gospel to their lands. We are but meek philosophers not warriors such as yourselves. In the sands of Sikar one must rely on what one does best. For some it is to fight for others it is to preach. We are clearly not short on those who will fight for us as you yourselves attest."

Dolod

"We are glad the Dolod have joined us in the light of the Sun more fully and thank you for your fine gifts. Art is such a precious thing. Art done in the glory of God all the more precious. We are deeply gladdened that others of such conviction will join us on the Path though fear what will become of your people under the biting gaze of the Dream Speakers. What conflict has ridden you so deeply as to clash with the wandering skalds?" Yeitso's face crinkled with concern though whether feigned or genuine was difficult to discern.

[JBarca]

Sha

Lilunulil shakes their head briefly.

"The nightmare spinners are assaulting and kidnapping children, and you ask what conflict there is? The users of dark sorceries are taking too many lives. We are removing them from our lands and they are cursing our people. Memories are being lost, being tossed to darkness by these hexes. We are living in fear, with only righteous anger to sustain us.

We are removing them from our lands in punishment and they are escalating. Larger numbers are being afflicted. We are investigating and finding that they are taking control of our resources by force and subterfuge and demanding that we apologize as we remove them - directly but peacefully, we might add - from our lands."

Lilunulil stops and draws in a breath. Their smaller hands and slowly oscillating in agitation, though they master themselves quickly.

"We are apologizing. You are asking a question and we are answering, there is no call for anger between allies.

"You are asking why we are opposing the Dream Speakers? We are asking how one could not? They are memory-hunters, mind-breakers, kidnappers. They are thieves, brigands, and murderers. They cannot be allowed to prosper."

Alodites

The Dolod approach the Alodite delegation when the opportunity arises.

Lilunulil bows slightly. "Mighty Neferkare Elephant Hunter, we are greeting you and hoping you are well. We are hearing that the Sha have delivered the True Dawn teachings to your people as well and are interested in how you are reconciling the True Dawn with Yemnellenmey."

[Nefarion Xid]

A trio of Ashir royals mills about nearby while the Dolod have Neferkare's ear, drinking from golden cups of a bracing date wine. Despite their experience moving among foreign courts and acclimating themselves to the ways of strange folk, they look plainly exhausted and put out to be here. It's too hot and too early to put on their cheerful faces. Their eyes are painted stibian black and they wear their airy headscarves low.

Neferkare would recognize Amir Omar and Amira Amala il Naila il Liana. Matrilineal Ashir bloodlines were a lesson in frustration and alliteration, but among the thirty-odd royals, these two were worth knowing. They were half siblings by ill-fated Zarhan, who was father to Kasha and Ashina, consorts to Shebiktu. That would make them Zidan's first cousins. Both exemplars of their clan and exactly what you'd expect a warrior prince and princess to look like, except they weren't looking down at you from a horse. Amala didn't quite have the allure of Shebiktu's wives, but few women did. Unlike Kasha and Ashina, she did have the strong arms needed to plant a stone tipped javelin in a man's heart. That was sexy in its own way. Though, by rumor, even Amala was almost comically outmatched by the younger Jana "The Jewel". Al-Zamira was already a legend at nineteen. A shame she did not seem to be in attendance.

[Lleban]

The Sha

Neferkare removed his oxtail helmet, both improving his hearing and exposing his wavy elfen hair made ever kinkier by the glass-like sands of the desert.

He briefly massaged his ears before responding

"My armies are thankfully fed by a train of buffalo, fortunately, there is little we shall need to impose upon you. May we both bask in the light of the sun before we do battle."

Dollod

Neferkare bowed briefly to the Dollod.

"There is a war of poets and scribes over how the sun must be venerated, I am...uneducated on such matters."

Al-Ashir

Neferkae approached the Amala milling about the courtyard. As he got closer he spoke, playfully flicking his long hair away from his face.

"The shapely form of an Ashir princess is an oasis in the desert, what brings you here your higness."

[Nefarion Xid]

Neferkare

Omar had a pressing appointment with the bottom of his cup. He greeted Nefarkare with a clasped wrist before shuffling off to find a shady spot to stand and the third royal followed. Amala made the same customary gesture and took Neferkare into her confidence, tugging down the red scarf wrapped across her nose and lips.

"Are all elves so soft spoken? I think my father's daughters were the lucky ones. Little wonder there are so many half breeds now. Heh. This is of the Ashir: taking handsome foreigners into their pillows to make beautiful children. Perhaps marriage is not so bad."

The princess gave a small bobble of her head and her eyes danced. The meaning of the gesture was lost to outsiders, but they had many disparate theories. Some said it was just a nervous tick as the Ashir thought things over. Others said it meant they were thinking bad thoughts. Shebiktu himself claimed of his wives that it meant "No for now, but keep trying".

"Fuh fuh," she huffed once she'd brought herself back to the question asked. That sound was also cultural and complex, but no mystery. It meant that others may find humor in her misery. "I am here these last twelve years, a guest of the court of the Sha, as is the pleasure of my cousin the Malak Amir, to learn of their language and ways, and to protect trade. But there is no trade. No gold flows to the Vesparre. My talents are wasted. My horse grows old. My ass grows fat. Fuh! This city smells of human filth and the men are old and weak and lazy and only talk of their sun god. Yasha yasha yasha."

Ashiric yadda yadda yadda, apparently.

Amala poked Neferkare in the chest. "Finally some fun is coming, but before we can ride to fight, the Elephant Hunter comes to kill all the monsters himself! And with such an army besides. Ashta hazid, there will be nothing left."

[OmnivorousOgre]

"The Dream Speakers have cursed you? Pfeh. You've brought a curse upon yourselves." The delegation from Ixkarr had arrived without much fanfare. It was led by Thirre, and consisted of a handful of shamans. The female one who had spoken up to the Dolod was accompanied by two youths, a boy and a girl.

"The Dreamers have been blessed with great abilities by the stars," the shaman continued, "and offered to teach those of your people born with the same gifts how to use them. Yet you shunned and expelled them. In doing so you not only rebelled against the stars, but also the Sun whom the stars serve. For this you have deserved your just punishment. I've heard one of your ilk was even judged personally by the Sun, his blood turning to fire." There was not much emotion in the woman's voice, as if she was merely listing facts. But it was quite clear that she delighted in it.

Thirre interjected before she could continue. "We thank you for the invitation to this gathering" she said to Yeitso, "and look forward to discussing matters of faith with the Revered Triad. May this be an enlightening day for us all." While she was otherwise her usual cordial self, her eyes looked weary.

[D&D_Fan]

The Soreni once more come forward and present writing, but with a new revelation;
When you write on clay, the clay is soft and unformed, but when exposed to the sun, the divine light of God will harden the clay, it is confirmed in His eyes. His truths become permanences. Writing is not just a good path, but a holy one.

The Soreni once more offer writing to all attendees.

[JBarca]

Ixkarr

The Dolod are clearly uncomfortable with the presence of the Ixkarr delegation.

"Children are being cursed. We are refusing to bend the neck to such atrocities. We are sorry to see that such strong warriors as yourselves are so deeply manipulated by these nightmare wielders that you praise them for it."

Soreni

Lilunulil nods slightly at the explanation and offer, but refuses.

"We have sun-hardened clay, yes, and it is of supreme importance to us. Our greatest rites are creating memories in clay for Emnellenme. We are not interested in putting words to clay, though we do appreciate the idea."

Ta Seti

Lilunulil bows in acknowledgment.
"Very well. We are pleased to explain anything you may wish to hear, but will not weigh you down with theology at this juncture."

[Roarke]

Spoiler

Show

Sha

Lilunulil shakes their head briefly.

"The nightmare spinners are assaulting and kidnapping children, and you ask what conflict there is? The users of dark sorceries are taking too many lives. We are removing them from our lands and they are cursing our people. Memories are being lost, being tossed to darkness by these hexes. We are living in fear, with only righteous anger to sustain us.

We are removing them from our lands in punishment and they are escalating. Larger numbers are being afflicted. We are investigating and finding that they are taking control of our resources by force and subterfuge and demanding that we apologize as we remove them - directly but peacefully, we might add - from our lands."

Lilunulil stops and draws in a breath. Their smaller hands and slowly oscillating in agitation, though they master themselves quickly.

"We are apologizing. You are asking a question and we are answering, there is no call for anger between allies.

"You are asking why we are opposing the Dream Speakers? We are asking how one could not? They are memory-hunters, mind-breakers, kidnappers. They are thieves, brigands, and murderers. They cannot be allowed to prosper."

"The Dream Speakers have cursed you? Pfeh. You've brought a curse upon yourselves." The delegation from Ixkarr had arrived without much fanfare. It was led by Thirre, and consisted of a handful of shamans. The female one who had spoken up to the Dolod was accompanied by two youths, a boy and a girl.

"The Dreamers have been blessed with great abilities by the stars," the shaman continued, "and offered to teach those of your people born with the same gifts how to use them. Yet you shunned and expelled them. In doing so you not only rebelled against the stars, but also the Sun whom the stars serve. For this you have deserved your just punishment. I've heard one of your ilk was even judged personally by the Sun, his blood turning to fire." There was not much emotion in the woman's voice, as if she was merely listing facts. But it was quite clear that she delighted in it.

Thirre interjected before she could continue. "We thank you for the invitation to this gathering" she said to Yeitso, "and look forward to discussing matters of faith with the Revered Triad. May this be an enlightening day for us all." While she was otherwise her usual cordial self, her eyes looked weary.

Ixkarr

The Dolod are clearly uncomfortable with the presence of the Ixkarr delegation.

"Children are being cursed. We are refusing to bend the neck to such atrocities. We are sorry to see that such strong warriors as yourselves are so deeply manipulated by these nightmare wielders that you praise them for it."

Yeitso watched the exchange play out between the Dolod and the Ixkar regarding the Dream Speakers with interest. When the moment presented itself he spoke.

"The Ixkar may be warriors but they speak great wisdom. If you were truly to care for your children you would not condemn them to nightmares and death by failing to appease those who would help them. Perhaps were the Dolod more knowledgeable of the Twilight Sight prior to expunging the Speakers your actions could be more wisely seen but it seems you now act to cut off your nose to spite your face."

"The current losses from your conflict with the Speakers cannot help but outweigh the slow trickle of loss we see in moderate cooperation with their wandering order. It is your people to govern but an offer of peace from the Dream Speakers may be unwise to shun now with so many lives yet hanging in the balance and so many years of strife yet to pass. Knowledge has been gained that the Twilight Sight may be solved by those outside the Speakers. If you would permit the Sha would shoulder a portion of the burden for reconciliation and aid your efforts to uncover a means to circumvent the Speakers as monopolists of the Sight."

The Sha

Neferkare removed his oxtail helmet, both improving his hearing and exposing his wavy elfen hair made ever kinkier by the glass-like sands of the desert.

He briefly massaged his ears before responding

"My armies are thankfully fed by a train of buffalo, fortunately, there is little we shall need to impose upon you. May we both bask in the light of the sun before we do battle."

"It would do you well to observe fasting before the Argent Swarm arrives. It pleases the Celestial Emperor to see servants surrender earthly pleasures in honor of God's glory," Yeitso knew it was impossible an army of Neferkare's size would leave local markets untouched in their passing lest they were husks compelled by magic and not by material needs, "May the Sun drench the battlefield as precursor to the blood of the Blightspawn."

The Soreni once more come forward and present writing, but with a new revelation;
When you write on clay, the clay is soft and unformed, but when exposed to the sun, the divine light of God will harden the clay, it is confirmed in His eyes. His truths become permanences. Writing is not just a good path, but a holy one.

The Soreni once more offer writing to all attendees.

Negotiations take place and while many in Sikar had adopted the Crow Tribe's writing system at the gathering in Vesparre the Triad decrees the Soreni writing of more utility in the Sands of Sha. That such an adoption would prevent easy conversion by potential schismists was an unspoken side effect. (Acceptance added to Event sub-actions)

[Nefarion Xid]

"Feh!" Prince Omar staggered from his spot in the shade to join the circle of Yeitso, the Dolod, and Orcs.

"The Dolod's affairs are their own and no one else's. Leave them be. The Dream Witches came to Al-Kazar years ago, saying they would take some of our young ones away to train in their strange arts. Feh! To ask just a thing. Al-Ashir are few and our families precious. I would not part with my son and daughter for all the gold in the Sikar. Abin barat, cousin Zidan turned them away. For good or ill, the affairs of the Ashir are the affairs of the Ashir. If the Witches are angry, let them be angry."

[Lleban]

Princess of The Ashir

Neferkare responded, keeping his cat-like eyes fixed on the princess.

"My my my, it sounds like the celestial emperor is content to have you be a candle in his court. Burn brightly as you melt in this cage gilded in ...copper, really this cage isn't even gilded."

Neferkare got closer to the princess extending his hand in outreach.

"How would you appreciate a distraction? After the battle, I plan on making this city far more exciting one way or another."

The Sha

Neferkare raised his eyebrow, commenting.

"Have you seen a hungry elf fight, it's quite pathetic."

As the elf looked around the otherwise barren city, his enthusiasm to defend this place steadly dropped. The Celestial emperor clearly kept the splender to themselves.

"Yes may the light of god bless us before this battle, and may the celestial emperor, give what the owe upon our victory."

[Nefarion Xid]

Princess Amala & Neferkare

"Do as you will, Elephant Hunter. No one can stop you, least of all the ancient Triad," the princess said, drawing closer and patting the man affectionately on his taut stomach. "But for entertainment, my brother and I ride south to lend our companies to young Jana and bring civilization to the barbarians. You have heard of the Jewel, have you not? You would like her. You like strong women. Everyone likes her. Ashta hazid, I would take her to my pillows and I have not yet looked upon her with my own eyes. Alas, she is not here. I will have to find someone else to keep me company while I retire from the sun. Ashta hazid, I will melt like candle wax if I stay out here another hour. Aren't you... hot?"

[Epinephrine_Syn]

There was a critical event going down in the deeps of the deserts. Blightspawn had been sighted, and Zora sent an entire retinue of diplomats to check out the region. Toibae was her primary diplomat, sent to sightsee the area and bring the good word of Catosaurs. Though there was more stuff going on than that so it wasn’t exactly like she’d have much opportunity.

Wyelde was decidedly not present. She was wooing the Orca and Night Elf elites to the east. Neither was Liyae, she was ****ing around doing gods-don’t-know-what in the north.

Toibae instead brought along Azim, her husband of the Ashir, riding alongside a dozen horsemen to keep their travel safe. Along with them, a small Lamia girl who was one of the princesses of the northern regions the Nocturnal Hydra were in deep discussions with. As part of their negotiations, she came along paired with a couple other lamia to help facilitate their relations with all of those within the desert, and to see if the Hydra could be trusted with this little prodigy of theirs.

(This is one of queen’s daughters, so if anything befalls her things may be rough diplomatically).

The sun was beating down on them as they arrived. Despite traveling through the night on horseback (and some on strange bird like creatures from the north nobody this far into the wastes had ever laid eyes on), they only arrived at the palace near noon. Oh well, there’d be days and days to talk with everyone and sort out negotiations.

[Roarke]

"Feh!" Prince Omar staggered from his spot in the shade to join the circle of Yeitso, the Dolod, and Orcs.

"The Dolod's affairs are their own and no one else's. Leave them be. The Dream Witches came to Al-Kazar years ago, saying they would take some of our young ones away to train in their strange arts. Feh! To ask just a thing. Al-Ashir are few and our families precious. I would not part with my son and daughter for all the gold in the Sikar. Abin barat, cousin Zidan turned them away. For good or ill, the affairs of the Ashir are the affairs of the Ashir. If the Witches are angry, let them be angry."

Ah, the Ashir, Yeitso thought to himself. Ever eager to inject themselves as arbiters of Sikar while dissuading any others from doing the same. An army of horse riders and military alliances with the Naherin and Hydra bolstered their ability to dictate terms to neighbors but the horse breeders were only nominally of the Sun while the native Vesparrese were of more pious stock. Multiple attempts to turn the riders into champions of the Sun had been shunned leaving Alodites and Ixkarr as prime competitors for the title of Celestial Champions.

"If only it were the anger of the 'Witches' with which one had to contend. Unfortunately it seems clear the Dream Speakers' powers are more vast than at first perceived causing the immolation and madness of so many young Dolod in their absence. The surrender of a few to serve another vs their deaths which serve none seems a simple choice."

"As I have already stated however, the Quluq's business is their own I offer only the Sha's aid in shouldering the burden of reconciliation and discovery of the Twilight Sight's secrets such that a repudiation of the Speakers could be done over once the Dolod no longer teetered on the edge of oblivion. I know we should not desire to conflict with Speakers, Seers, or Sentinels while an army of Blightspawn bore down upon us. It seemed only reasonable the Dolod may feel similar with no sightings of clay and demands growing louder for it."

[JBarca]

Lilunulil offers what might generously be considered a "smile" to Prince Omar.

"We are thanking you."

They then turn to Yeitso.

"It is true that we are facing backlash from these sorceresses with the Quluq refusing their access to our children. But we are willing to shoulder this burden for a time if it reveals to the others the depravity of our foe.

"They are stealing our children. We are refusing them access to our children. They are murdering our children and their parents. We are speaking out against these crimes. They are stealing our resources. It seems to us that these crimes are not equivalent, that our people have the right to protest kidnapping, theft, and murder. We have not harmed the Dream Speakers, merely denied them access to our lands.

"And to decry our actions as a lack of cooperation is disingenuous, we believe, if you'll pardon the bluntness. It is clear that these witches are responsible for the nightmares. We are removing them from our lands and they are increasing the pressure. Cooperate, you are saying? Kneeling in submission, we call it."

[Nefarion Xid]

"That was many words to say the witches are angry, Yeitso. If someone gave me the choice between stolen children and burned children, I would kill them and then drag them behind my horse until their limbs littered the desert. This is not complicated. The lives of your family are not to be bartered." Omar grunted at his nearly empty cup of wine, then thrust it out expectantly until a servant came to top it off.

"And where is your sun god in all this, hm? Does he permit the burning of children by witches for insults? Why does he not instead burn the witches? Did the Dolod not pray hard enough? Why don't you go pray for them. Ashta hazid, set the witches on fire with the wrath of the sun and I will worship him too!"

[TheDarkDM]

Outside the Solstice Solarium, beneath the notice of the Sikarian eminences inside, two peddlers carried their wares through the gardens. A stolen writ of permission hung prominently from the first man's belt, taken from dead men who had also donated their clothes to the cause, while on his and his partner's shoulders were balanced a pair of wooden poles holding aloft two tall wicker baskets. Tied securely closed by horse hair twine, the baskets' movements were strangely animated for so smooth a path and so languid a pace, but it was easily dismissed as a trick of the heat as the two men moved with a purpose reserved for those unafraid of the Sun's wrath. Pausing in the shadows of a date palm, the leader's eyes scanned for the Solarium's guardians. One pair was moving away, intent on the borders of the holy site, while another pair stood amid a cluster of merchants arguing over whose stall should be closest to the holiest of holies. No eye met his, and with a nod to his compatriot the two baskets were laid on the ground and the twine cords around them swiftly cut. Discarding their rods in a nearby flowerbed, they melted back into the city.

[DoomHat]

As ever, the Thunderpeople could be heard before they could be seen.

All the same, a novice sentry at the Sha boarder raised a brief false alarm, for at a distance, the hundred strong Thunderpeople hunting cadre looked for all the world like a blightspawn swarm. Each of them was dressed in grotesque trophies of bone, shell, or unnaturally colored fur hide, all stripped from horrors they and their ancestors defeated through the Red Sky Times.

Highchief Orgo, a massive wall of a man, sat upon a high throne carried by a crude palanquin. From his vantage he surveyed the distance, and the horde of mighty hunters he commanded. In one hand he held in imposing poll arm tipped the claw or stinger of some long slain blightspawn horror, in the other, a cup of root wine. Both were symbols of his office.

They beat so many drums among them as they moved the ground faintly shook. The rhythm was musical, and helped coordinate the movements of the massive force as it reached the gates of civilization.

[D&D_Fan]

It has come to my attention that the Soreni will be unable to participate in driving off the Argent Swarm.

We at risk of attack by the Naherin, and thus we must defend ourselves.

I hope you all understand. Have a great day.

[TheDarkDM]

The arrival of the Thunderpeople brought conversation inside the Solarium to a momentary halt, as the Highchief's palanquin was deposited outside the gates and he made a grand entrance with his personal guard. Given the bombastic reputation of the easterners, it seemed likely he intended a grand proclamation, but before a word passed his lips another sound followed at his back - screams. Borne by a sudden chill wind, the cries at first of several, then of dozens of the people of Sha slipped past the bright walls of the Sun's holy temple, most ending in pained rattles that could mean just one thing. Half a dozen guards rushed out from shaded alcoves to take positions at the gate, only for their voices to join the growing chorus of the dead and the dying. One managed to stagger back into the courtyard hosting the regal emissaries of Sikar, clutching his belly as he retched blood onto the polished tiles. With the sound of snapping bones, his spine exploded outwards from his back, revealing at last the cause of the commotion. Emerging from its bloody nest, it resembled nothing so much as a ball of writhing scorpion tails, each one three feet long and tipped with five stingers in a deadly mockery of a humanoid hand. Their chitin was the telltale silver of the blightspawn menace approaching from the north, and within moments the blood coating every part of it had flaked away into silver dust. More than a dozen of those tails found purchase in the twitching meat of the dead guard, and finally the core of the creature was hoisted into view. The dozens of tails emerged from a spherical core, which shifted towards the assembled delegations despite lacking any apparent eyes. With the clack of jangling metal, the center of the sphere unfurled into a questing, lamprey maw studded with needle-like teeth. A keening noise went up from the tangle, to be answered in kind by a growing swarm of the nightmarish creatures climbing the walls of the Solarium. The sucking mouth of the leader contorted, as if in a mockery of a human smile, and without warning it hurtled towards the Triad with lightning speed.

Spoiler: OOC

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An unknown assailant has smuggled a number of the argent swarm into the event!
Attendees have the choice of fleeing the blightspawn or standing to fight. Those who elect to fight must choose a primary representative to roll 2d6 plus their Mil, Hero, or half Mil score as appropriate against the blightspawn's 2d6+8. Those who stay to aid the primary defender must roll as above against TN 12, with success adding +2 to the primary roll. A loss to the blightspawn by 6 or more will represent ultimate disaster to all event attendees. A loss by 5 or less will represent grievous injury or death to the majority of attendees. A tie will result in no deaths, but several severe injuries. A victory by 5 or less will represent a hard-fought defense with only cosmetic injuries. A victory by 6 or more will represent a truly heroic annihilation of the menace.

[DoomHat]

A keening noise went up from the tangle, to be answered in kind by a growing swarm of the nightmarish creatures climbing the walls of the Solarium. The sucking mouth of the leader contorted, as if in a mockery of a human smile, and without warning it hurtled towards the Triad with lightning speed.

One after another the those Thunderpeople carrying drums beat the tattoo signaling "Hall Breach!!!".

The hunters closed ranks around their Highchief in an effort to buy time and better assess their surroundings. If they were in a more familiar (and more sensibly subterranean) den, they would spring to action, evacuating the helpless and moving to stamp out the intruding spawn, but this was not their home, and they were not drilled in rooting out a Breach in this strange above ground hall.

"Chitin and Foul-touch!" bellowed Orgo, indicating for the squires in his retinue to supply their assigned hunters with long-hammers and thick coats.

A row of spears stood ready to sell their lives to give the elite the precious seconds they needed to prepare the proper tools against this breed of spawn.

[Roll Result: 17]

[D&D_Fan]

Some Soreni guards attempt to aid the Thunderpeople in their fight against the Blightspawn.
Unfortunately, they are quickly overwhelmed by these alien beasts, and their actions do not provide much help.

Roll: 9 - Does not meet expectations.

[JBarca]

The Dolod, ever more interested in preserving memory than in fighting for it, flee immediately. Three Dolod slow down briefly to witness the various methods used to combat these Erasers, paying particular attention to the Thunderpeople who seem to have taken warfare to a strangely orderly extreme.

[OmnivorousOgre]

The orc delegation hadn't brought any warriors with them, and most of the shamans were both old and inexperienced in fighting. The two youths however stepped up to join the fray. "This must be part of our fate, too" the girl said, ceasing the weak opposition from the shaman who'd proclaimed the Dolod to be suffering divine punishment. She turned to the three younger shamans following the two. "Protect the children of the Phoenix." They gave her no reply. "For the glory of the Attarith clan", one of the males joining the fight said, receiving a nod from the female by his side. The third shaman remained silent. But the fact remained that none of these five were equal to a full-fledged Koxrrit warrior.

Aid roll of 11, fail.

[Lleban]

Princess Amala & Neferkare

The Elf picked up the princess, wielding a devilish smirk.

"Then let us do what the Ashir, do in the shade princess."

Later

After a time on the legendary Ashir pillows, the couple had moved on to lazily cuddling in the Ashir tent, feeding each other salted olives as the sun set the sky ablaze. It was an especially refreshing moment until the tent was unduely penetrated by the screams of the masses outside. The clicks and screech of the blightspawn climbing the solarium became imminently apparent.

Neferkare spoke as he bagan rerobing and arming himself.

"Find some where safe to hide or join me nailing blightspawn to a stick, either way I intend to return here to begin a second respite from the sun."

roll 18