NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Now that the ships have launched, the thread is open to nations of the appropriate era. Sorry I didn't clarify this sooner.

It was a simple enough system in the eyes of the people of Upper Golugan. The Upper Provinces were situated on the hills on the southern and eastern areas of the continent, physically above the Lower Provinces where the ocean currents brought fertile moisture that provided forests to build off of in addition to a rich supply of iron and stone. This proved beyond a doubt that the people of Upper Golugan were meant to rule those of Lower Golugan.

It was a simple enough system in the eyes of the people of Lower Golugan. The Lower Provinces were arid and barren due to the Upper Provinces blocking off the moist winds, save where they were near the coast. The one resource of value Lower Golugan had, oil, was syphoned off by Upper Golugani merchants who had inherited claims from the time when the Upper Kingdoms had conquered the Lower Nomads. If not for fishing on the coast and farming off the rivers, Lower Golugan would have nothing. This proved beyond a doubt that the people of Lower Golugan were meant to kill those of Upper Golugan.

Thus, Golugan as a whole was ruled by a bloody waltz. The people of Lower Golugan would become malcontent with the harsh rule of Upper Golugan, be it over taxes or oil claims or better land. Upper Golugan would reciprocate by tightening law enforcement and executing a few rabble-rousers. This would incite the development of a rebel force that grew steadily as battles between protesters and enforcers continued. The rebels would strike one of the provinces of Upper Golugan, pillaging a few smaller towns before besieging the provincial capitol. The standing army of Golugan would stage a counterattack and annihilated the rebels, pacifying Lower Golugan. Emboldened, Upper Golugan would increase taxes to pay for reconstruction or claim land that belonged to the families of the rebel leaders, beginning the cycle anew.

Each cycle took about a generation to play out, and this one was at an end. The provincial capitol of Choalto had been completely annihilated, leaving only a teenage female as the sole heir to the noble family that had ruled over the province. Despite a tax increase to pay for reconstruction, the province would never be truly restored within a single generation before the next uprising, where Choalto would become a prime target for the next assault. Although drastic, the solution was obvious. Golugan could no longer maintain its isolationist position in the world. Edia Choalto, last of her family line, would present her proposal to the Provincial Council in a month's time.

(OOC: More to come, nothing to respond to ICly yet.)

Edia Choalto entered the chamber of the Provincial Chamber for the first time in her life half a decade before it was her time. Even if it had been, it would have been simply as an observant, silent Heir Candidate, not as a full fledged Head of House. This, combined with the opportunistic nature of those who should have been her peers, made her more nervous than she had ever been in her life.

I need you to be strong for all of Choalto now. Her father's words echoed in her mind, and she took her seat at the council table at the chair positioned in front of her family crest. As per tradition, as she understood it, the Lower families who's people participated in the latest rebellion were removed from the Council until things settled back down. In this case, that meant that only the near-heretical Rivason House was present from among the Lower Provinces.

This meant that the table was dominated by the Heads of the Upper Houses: herself, Lord Miko of the House Golugan, and Lady Tsa of the House Sintain. Lord Miko ruled the most powerful of the Houses, namely because his house never had to deal with being attacked every other generation. Having the standing military stationed within one's provincial capitol tended to prevent that. Miko naturally let the power get to his head. Lady Tsa... That she couldn't be trusted is all her family ever told her, and that was all she needed.

Unfortunately, it was this heavily covered woman that decided to speak first. "Lady... Edia. We understand that this incursion has proven more taxing than those of previous eras, but your request is highly irregular to say the least. What you propose could prove a detriment to our already unstable nation."

The word 'unstable' almost immediately brought Lord Miko to attention, and the look on what of Lady Tsa's face was visible suggested she had planned this. "I believe what Lady Tsa means to say is that you are putting your hopes in some unknown benefactor, which is highly unrealistic. What if we encounter savages who would invade, shrewd merchants who would con us-"

"Powerful benefactors who would demand a better lifestyle in the Lower Provinces in exchange for their aid, or perhaps just empty fertile land that could be colonized." Suprisingly, it was the head of House Rivason who spoke now. Eida blinked in realization, than smiled at the narrow eyes of her 'peers.' They had intended to dominate the discussion, pingponging until her request was overpowered. Lord Juka Rivason, however, had knocked things back toward her.

"There are risks. I understand this. However, just as surely as this are opportunities. The time when we could rely only on ourselves is at an end. It is time that we reach out beyond our shores to seek what we can claim." Lady Tsa raised an eyebrow at Eida's words, and Lord Juka smiled slightly. Lord Miko frowned visibly at first, then breathed deep as he prepared to speak.

Lady Tsa, however, cut him off. "A fine point, Lord Juka and Lady Eida. The House of Sintain casts its support in sending out an expedition beyond our shores of seven ships, one to represent each House."

Lord Juka smiled, and cast his similiar support. Eida didn't get a vote because it was her proposal, so she only looked at Miko expectingly. Even if he voted against it at this point, it would still win by majority. "It seems that the proposal's success is inevitable, but the House of Golugan believes that passing in this Council is the only success it will have. The House of Golugan does not cast its support in this proposal."

The records were noted of the bill's passing by the scribes, and the four Councilers got up and bowed toward the center before departing. Lord Miko stormed out the chamber door, followed by Eida- no, Lady Eida, Lord Juka, and Lady Tsa. Lady Eida watched Lady Tsa trail after Lord Miko a moment before she realized which way down the hall Lord Juka must have gone. She smiled at him politely before turning her gaze forward.

"Thank you for showing your support in this matter, Lord Juka. I don't think I would have been able to turn Lady Tsa if you hadn't claimed priority of the discussion."

Lord Juka chuckled, eyeing her appraisingly. He was an older man who would be soon for his grave. While that would mean eternal rest for anyone outside his province, it would mean his Heir would be initiated by raising him as a spirit into the Council of Rivason Ancestors, who advised the current leader on how to aid the family. Indeed, the mirror around his neck like an amulet has spirits stirring within, waiting for their counsel to be heeded.

"Lady Eida, I don't believe you can properly understand or appreciate what a farce this all is. In time, you may understand. However, you will have to be content to understand two things. One is that Lady Tsa's agenda is impossible to understand beyond her final verdict being the one she always had. The other is that your actions here go against everything everyone has understood about the House Choalto, and Lord Miko will see you as a threat for this."

Lady Eida nodded in understanding. All the Houses had spellcasters, and those of House Golugan specialized at infiltration. What mattered now, however, was that the ships would launch, and the Second Age was coming to a close. "I need to be strong for all of Choalto now."

Lord Juka nodded. "We all need to be stronger than ever now."

- - -

Lord Miko turned on his heel and glared at Lady Tsa, his ebon cloak whirling with his motion. "I thought we had an understanding, Tsa."

Lady Tsa stopped in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at Lord Miko. "That's Lady Tsa, and my statement in there has been my solid belief all along. Did you really think that we could afford to maintain the cycle forever?"

Lord Miko blinked, then nodded in understanding. "You didn't need to accelerate the natural process, though."

Lady Tsa laughed and walked past him, her smile hidden by her veil. "I had to make sure the ships launched in my generation, Lord Miko. For once trust in House Sintain to do what's best for Golugan. We all have much to gain from this. Even Choalto will profit in the long run."

One of the few benefits that the Lower Provinces had in Golugan was that they did not have the coastal cliffs of Upper Golugan, which meant that they did have ground to build ports on. It was because of the extensive ports of the provincial capitol of Noorda that the frigates had been built there.

Three of the vessels had been built in the traditional style of Golugan, essentially larger versions of the Lower Golugan fishing craft. The hull was longer to provide for the quarters on the lower decks, and a steering system had been set up above the captain's quarters. The major difference, however, was the large triangular sail that replaced the rowers.

Three other vessels, however, were designed in a manner similiar to sleek cutters, if for no other reason as to look better than the bulkier Lower Golugan representative vessels. This probability was reinforced by the fact that they were otherwise identical to the other trio of ships, right down to the triangular sails.

The only truly distinct vessel was the representative craft of the Rivason Province, the only province of Lower Golugan without coastal territory. They had built a galley without sails, with a flat top save for the captain's quarters. This was because the Rivason crew consisted of skeletal undead, save for the captain who commanded them.

Each vessel had a spellcaster commanding the ship, trained in the styles of the province they represented. Golugan's captain was proficient in the arts of stealth and suggestion. Sintain's captain, like all their mages, was a master of defenses in both illusions and runic wards. Although little was known of them, the Bicasi captain's title of Master Craftmage said enough. Noorda's crew was supplemented by wind and water elementals called forth by their captain's ritual summons. The captain of Ezdar was said to be a master of manipulating magic itself. Naturally, the captain of Rivason was an adept necromancer. Finally, the last living Inquisition Magus of House Choalto captained his house's representative vessel.

At the dawn of the day after the construction of all the vessels had been completed, they launched off from the port city. The Rivason vessel broke off alone to the north. To the west, the ships of Ezdar and Sintain. Traveling east were the ships of Golugan and Noorda. Following close behind as the followed the coast before pressing south were the craft of Bicasi and Choalto. They had orders to go out for as far as six months rations would allow, before turning back to rely the remaining half of the rations.

With permission from the Head of House Noorda, Lady Eida attended personally. She had not announced her plans for this, and had kept her caravan light enough to remain under Lord Miko's radar. She had been advised against this due to animosity still being high, but friendly smiles from the locals suggested otherwise.

She herself smiled as the vessels broke off before turning to the captain of her escort and the representative of House Noorda. "I trust arrangements have been made for the night's stay before my trip back to my people?"

The representative meerly nodded in reply, gesturing for the entourage to follow as he lead them to the capitol building of Noorda, which was a castle of earth built on an island, connected by a bridge of stone to the main of the city. There were signal torches atop each of the six watch towers, making them seem to be ablaze as they functioned as signal beacons for lost ships.

Once she was inside, the real work of restoring peace began.

Lady Eida departed from her second visit to the Noordan capitol building since the launch a month ago with little fanfare. She had been travelling a lot as the Choalto capitol building was being rebuilt, visiting other provinces to get to know their leaders and agendas.

The Rivason Provinces would be a wasteland if not for the river that the entire living population had built itself around. Its entire militia consisted of skeletal guardsmen commanded by a necromancer in each village. Their traditions of necromancy, cremation, and rule by spellcasters that had persisted after the political unification of Golugan made them the black sheep of the Lower Provinces, so all that they desired was to be able to go about their lifestyle without penalty or social stratification.

The other Lower Provinces had various specific demands, such as Ezdar wishes for the rights to the mines in the foothills that were technically in their territory but were considered Choalto territory due to terrain differences. That one had been a relatively easy sell: give her time to analyze the data since she was familiarizing herself with her province, and if the concession was acceptable than she would be willing to sell the land to Ezdar, provided their Lord Fahlen Ezdar was willing to keep the transaction's potential private until it was formalized. Lord Fahlen eagerly accepted her terms.

The Lords of Bicasi and Noorda both wanted the same thing from Lady Eida, however, and this was something all the more difficult to provide: support in the council on various demands. She leaned back on the state of her provinces as justification for her needing the increased tax and national work force, and they seemed understanding. Lord Tromen Bicasi had even said he would consider his data in the possibility of charitably providing the aid of what craftmages he could spare if he could get her support, and Lady Eida reacted positively to the idea.

Lady Tsa Sintain, however, had proven impossible to comprehend. It was clear that she had an agenda of improving the Sintain Province in some manner, but there was never a point that Lady Eida could reach and understanding of, beyond that she was willing to drop anything depending on the results of the expedition.

She had put off a private meeting with Lord Miko long enough, however. After a stop in the Rivason Province, she would make her way into his territory for a private meeting with him. She felt like she was in a good enough mood to take on the man who seemed to be the main opponent of her agenda of recovery, considering negociations of food shipments to Choalto from Noorda to help the recovering populace had gone well. Her family's vast personal fortune had built up over generations of apathetic rule, and would now go toward recovery, which included relieving her people's hunger by helping to relieve Noorda's tax burden.

Her caravan, now of standard size of her private carriage and three supple wagons all drawn by horses thanks to her activities being common knowledge, was barely a mile outside of the Noordan provincial capitol when it happened. Bandits, most likely rebel remnants, came at the caravan on its left flank. All on horseback, a half dozen carried shortbows which they fired ahead of the remaining dozen wielding spears.

The caravan's escort was quick to react. The longbowmen pulled themselves atop the carriage roofs to draw and fire, aiming to eliminate their mounted counterparts. A warning bell ran, and heavily armored halberdiers with tower shields marched out of the supply wagons to form a perimeter around the now halted caravan.

It was soon apparent that the bandits were not raiding for supplies, but were driven my a murderous frenzy. This made them reckless, exposing themselves almost constantly with a predictable charge pattern. The spear wielding cavalry was quickly annihilated, with the loss of only a single halberdier and archer from the Choalto vanguard.

Without enemies to engage, five of the remaining halberdiers fanned out to bring down the enemy archers, who quickly took the bait to engage the halberdiers man to man with short swords. They were summarily slaughtered by archer support as they charged, save for the one who only took a grazing blow and was instead gutted by a halberd strike in passing after his blow was countered by an arrow laden shield.

The remaining pair of halberdiers immediately reported to Lady Eida's carriage, where they reported some most disturbing news. "Their eyes glowed, Milday, even the horses. They were bound by enchantment."

Lady Eida blinked and nodded in understanding that Lord Miko had arranged the attack, or at least one of his subordinates. No doubt he would make that claim, say he acted without his approval, and give the lackey a slap on the wrist. In any case, she adjusted the dial on the communal mirror she wore around her neck to hail Rivason's personal mirror.

The communal mirrors were crafted for quick communication between provinces, such as in emergency situations or to arrange meetings for diplomatic matters, which were too lengthy and formal to use the mirrors for. Each province had two: the personal mirror for the province's Lord or Lady to keep on their person, and the mission mirror which was traditionally given to the leader of the latest operation by the province. In this case, each ship's captain had been given their provincial mirror.

Lord Juka Rivason's face appeared on the mirror with a smile, knowing that he was to be expecting Lady Eida soon. "Lady Eida, a pleasure to see you. Are you coming early due to swift talks with Lord Noorika?"

Lady Eida shook her head in reply, closing her eyes to speak. "My caravan was attacked by bandits compelled by enchantment, and I do not doubt another attack my occur as I approach your territory."

She opened her eyes to see an expression blending concern with anger had crossed Lord Juka's face. "I will not have the name of the Rivason Province sullied by bandits. You can expect a full regiment of Deadguard Knights to meet you at the Rivason-Noorda border, along with a necromancer commander trained in healing."

At the mention of healing, Lady Eida looked up at one of her halberdiers, who quickly signalled his comrades with basic handsigns. After receiving a reply, he turned back to her. "One dead Archer Sentinel, but we should be able to keep the wounded Halberdier stable until we meet up with the Rivason escort."

Lady Eida nodded in reply and smiled back at the projection of Lord Juka. "That would be most appreciated, Lord Juka. Rivason has my thanks, and I expect to see you in person soon."

Lord Juka nodded in reply, his expression still stricken by worry. "I expect to see you soon too, Lady Eida. We will apparently have much more to discuss than originally planned."

The mirror then shifted to show Lady Eida's own reflection, and she leaned back with a sigh. "Tend to the wounded and the dead, then we make for Rivason, double-time. We'll need to keep our stops in the Noordan outer villages brief to make up for lost time."

The halberdier nodded and signalled his comrades and the riders, and the caravan was off after a brief burial for the archer with a simple stone marker for the grave. Lady Eida hadn't even been ruling for a season, and she was already repelling assassins. For the briefest second, she doubted her ability to do this.

I need you to be strong for all of Choalto now.

Bad news, everyone.
Unfortunately, I don't have time to type up the details of the next post.
Mostly, this is because I'm not sure what the capitol of a necromancer province would look like.
Plus, I'm fishing for time for the expedition to have results other than what I have planned as a contingency.

As Lady Eida's caravan approached the border between the provinces of Noorda and Rivason, a small fortress could be seen on the horizon. At first glance it would appearance to be a stronghold of the House of Golugan, with the red and black banners, but the yellow circle central to the pattern revealed that it was a national stronghold. Such fortresses existed at every provincial border on the main road between the two provinces, which is why rebels were notorious for not using the main roads.

The fortress was divided into two sections on either side of the road, with a gate to pass through between that passed through the courtyard. As the caravan entered, they were signaled to stop once they were completely inside the fortress. Lady Eida could see soldiers training out either of her carriage's windows: infantry sparring with training weapons on her right, and battlemages firing lightning bolts at stone pillars on her left. The latter were the regimental commanders, since potence for magic was also a sign of the mental faculties that made one fit for command.

When a blonde haired woman in gray and white robes appeared on the right of her carriage, she stepped out with a smile to see both provincial forces of the stronghold: the Noordan corsairs, who were famed skirmishers in leather armor and carrying small spears, and the Deadguard Knights, ghostly riders in chainmail with similiar barded mounts. Although it was rumored that only magic could harm the only Rivason troops that had never joined rebel forces, Juka had told her that the only benefits of their ghostly state beyond the basics of undeath was that they weren't obstructed by physical barriers such as walls, gates, or armor, provided all those were without magical reinforcement.

The woman smiled and bowed deeply, and Lady Eida politely returned the bow before stepping out of her carriage. Two of her halberdiers had come out with their wounded man on a makeshift gourney made of clothes and halberd shafts, the warrior's armor having been stripped around the wound. "Lord Juka lead me to understand that you were trained in healing?"

The necromancer nodded and made her way over to the wounded man, kneeling on the ground as the halberdiers set their comrade down. She clapped her hands together, chanting quietly in the First Tongue as she slowly peeled her hands apart so her palms were directed at the injury. Gossamer strands of light stretched out of her palms like so many tendrils, reaching into the wound and pulling along it to restore flesh, dissipating as each strand of light did its work. After two more castings, the wound was fully healed.

One of the nearby battlemages paused to watch the scene, then frowned at his commander. "Sir, request permission to speak freely."

The commander turned, eyeing the necromancer and the battlemage warily. Both were from Rivason based on their accent, but the commander was clearly from the Golugan province. "Granted."

"How come we don't learn healing magic? These bolts are only a little better than those of a crossbow, and stabilizing our soldiers seems more important than attacking the enemy."

The commander sighed and turned his gaze to Lady Eida. "Milady, if I may be so bold as to ask, would you explain to this soldier why your house and the others banned the healing arts from the battlemage curriculum?"

Lady Eida turned and smiled, as she knew full well it was because the healing arts were tied to necromancy, and both the Upper and Lower provinces had issues with that branch of magic, aside from Rivason. However, she stated the official reason. "As my parents lead me to understand, a more focused battlemage curriculum will lead to faster development in the arts of magic in the area they specialize in."

The battlemage in training was apparently as intelligent as such soldiers were expected to be, as he caught the bait. "As your parents lead you to understand, milady?"

"The logic never made much more sense to me than the point that you made, soldier." Before she could see the reactions from the soldiers involved in the conversation, Lady Eida's attention was turned back to the necromancer, who had glances toward the Deathguard Knights before looking back at her. "Ah, yes, my apologies for getting distracted. We should be getting off shortly. Do you have a mount yourself, ma'am?"

The necromancer blinked, as though in surprise, then shook her head. "I did, once, but it was commandeered by the national military after their cavalry suffered some casualties."

Lady Eida nodded, turning to enter her carriage. "You may ride with me then. Lord Juka's words regarding other houses have been abundant and accurate to date, yet I have no understanding of his own beyond the stereotypes from other provinces, including my own. I'd like to get the record straight, if you'd indulge me."

The necromancer smiled and nodded, following into the carriage and seating herself across from Lady Eida, closing her eyes a moment as she projected her thoughts to her charges. Since Lady Eida had been dabbling in her family's brand of magic, she was able to hear this projected thought just like any other word. Escort the Choalto caravan. Two in the front, two in the back, three on each flank.

She heard the sound of something hitting her carriage amidmist the gallops, along with two other impacts down the line before the Deathguard made their way around the enchanted couchs the traditional way. This drew a raised eyebrow from the necromancer, to which Lady Eida smiled in reply. "A mindlink enchantment that allows me to coordinate my escort with a focused thought."

She closed her eyes to demonstrate, and the caravan began moving. When she opened them, the necromancer had a smile on her face. "Most impressive, milady. Now, what did you wish to speak of?"

Lady Eida nodded, leaning forward as an expression of genuine curiosity crossed her face. "Tell me about a day in the life in the Rivason province."

The necromancer would go on uninterrupted for several hours.

Bad news again, folks, but now with silver lining.
Unfortunately I need to hit the hay early tonight. I'm no morning person.
Methinks I have a plan to get around the writer's block induced by the Rivason capitol, however.
Plus, we could be expecting results for the expedition in the near future.

Those first arriving at the provincial capitol of Rivason would think at first that they were arriving at another border stronghold, the exterior wall having a gate along six of the eight walls while the remaining two had openings for the river to flow through. The octagonal city's walls and eight towers seemed to be made of a gray clay. In fact, it was a special mortar in which each brick had cremation ashes mixed in so that the spirits of past generations could watch over the city.

Lady Eida had been there before, naturally, but this is the first time that she had arrived with that little piece of knowledge. She looked out her carriage window, watching the lifestyle of industrious serenity that Tez, the necromancer sharing the carriage with her, had described. The various buildings were either made of wood imported from the Upper Provinces, if housing, or stone gained in trade from the Bicasi. The only structure made of the ash clay other than the exterior walls as the central keep.

There was a courtyard around this structure that was in the center of the city, with gray and white striped banners hanging from the tower sections. Outside to meet Lady Eida at her arrival was Lord Juka, with a skeleton wielding a mace at either side of him. She and Tez stepped out of the carriage when it came to a halt, and Lord Juka bowed in welcome of his guest.

"Lady Eida, a pleasure to see that you have arrived unharmed. I trust that Priestess Tez's assistence met your requirements?" Lady Eida took careful note of the words Lord Juka used. Apparently 'necromancer' was an outsider term the Rivason people found offensive being applied to their priesthood.

Bowing in reply, Lady Eida glanced at Tez with a smile as she spoke. "Her medical aid was crucial, and I have no doubts that whatever attackers may have tried to make a move were discouraged by the Deathguard Knights that serve alongside her." Again, carefully chosen words. She knew now that necromancy was about a coexistence with the dead, not dominance. That sort of attitude resulted in the murderous wild corpses to which necromancy was traditionally attributed.

Lord Juka took note of Lady Eida's choice, and smiled as he gestured for her to join him inside. "Most excellent, Lady Eida. Now, Priestess Tez, I'd like you to return with your men to the Rivason-Noorda garrison. You'll find a replacement for your old horse at the Northeast Gate."

As necro- Priestess Tez bowed and departed Lady Eida gave Lord Juka a worried expression. "This attack has complicated things, but I'm not sure how complicated things have become."

Lord Juka glanced at her and actually smiled as they passed through the entrance chambers, all of which were heavily guarded and reinforced. The security was standard, save for the fact that the soldiers were all skeletons and spectres. "By now, the Noordans have sent runners to Bicasi and Ezdar, which means that Sintain and Golugan found out through their inevitable spies in the area. Meerly there to keep the peace, of course."

Lady Eida smiled slightly at the thought of Lord Miko's men having peaceful intentions. "Of course."

Lord Juka smiled as the final gates opened to a grand throneroom, where a seat crafted of polished bone, heavily cushioned of course, stood above the rest of the chamber on an elevated platform. Above the throne, however, were dozens of circling spirits, each making hushed whispers in the air. "I have communed with my ancestors regarding what this might mean. It means that everyone knows that someone wants you dead, and that those who pursued this goal had failed miserably. Those seeking your favor will send sympathies. Those who guess your attacker to be a common enemy will send aid. Naturally, Lord Miko will deny all accusations."

Lady Eida sighed, closing her eyes and bowing her head. "So, I can't do anything to solve this problem."

Lord Juka shook his head. "You can, just not yet. No Lady Tsa has set actions in motion to thwart the assassins permanently. The Sintain like to keep the world around them stable, and the eradication of the noble family of an Upper Province is too dicey. Lady Tsa won't keep up her veil of mysterious motives on this matter, I guarantee. Which leaves us to address more important matters."

Lady Eida smiled in memory of her conversation at the border stronghold. "I've already had a discussion regarding healing magic being taught to the battlemages. You can expect my support in the next meeting of the council on this matter. Unlike Lord Miko, I value the lives of all the people of Golugan, not just those in Choalto."

Lord Juka nodded in a smirk, glancing down at the mirror around his neck in thought. "Good, good... no word from the expedition?"

Lady Eida shook her head, raising an eyebrow. "The network we have set up to communicate alerts makes that an odd question, Lord Juka. What are you trying to get at?"

Lord Juka let his smile widen as he turned his mirror so his gaze fell on Lady Eida. "I just got an idea I think you might like."

Boy, I'm hungry.
Uunerstand that that
Means I can't think straight.
Posts of an IC sort shall be edited in later this morning.

The foreign vessel was in-sight of land when it was met by a cutter flying a blood-red flag with a single circle embroidered upon it. Pulling close to the larger vessel a man with a megaphone of a voice bellowed out, "Who are you and what is your purpose here?"

For those looking over at the cutter they'd see a motley crew that seemed to consist of a number of longshoreman types armed with various inter-ship warfare weapons. A reactive person would likely think pirates while a thoughtful man would view it as an anti-raider group.

ooc: It can be any of the vessels you sent out.

From his captain's quarters, Elder Priest Naggim felt a disruption among his deck crew. These skeletons, who had been heavily wrapped up to hide their undead state, had spotted another vessel. Thanks to the unnatural sight of undeath being superior to that of a living human, Naggim had plenty of time to prepare for the arrival of the newcomers.

By the time their captain had spoken, the deck crew were standing at attention behind the High Priest, who had donned the traditional black, red, and yellow attire of one working on behalf of the nation as a whole, with the communal mirror assigned to him drapped around his neck. He smiled politely and waved hello before speaking in return with a shout. "I am Elder Priest Naggim, captain of the singular vessel of Golugan's Northbound Exploratory Expedition. My purposes here are to claim uninhabited lands for Golugan, and to make friendly contact with inhabited ones."

- - -

Lady Eida was just preparing to leave the Rivason capitol when a specter appeared outside her window. Knowing the undead could not be swayed by House Golugan's magic, she smiled politely and sat upright. "Yes?"

The specter spoke quietly with a lasting echo, as most of the ethereal undead of Rivason did. "The Northern Expedition has made contact with a foreign vessel. Lord Juka is contacting the Lower Province heads now."

Lady Eida nodded in reply, pulling out her communal mirror and dialing it to the Golugan primary. There was a moment's delay that was typical when that mirror was already in communication, but then the face of Lord Miko appeared. "Lady Eida, I was hoping to see you in person when we next spoke. I was just speaking with Lady Tsa regarding a... border dispute, I believe would be the best term. To what do I owe the pleasure."

Lady Eida smiled, wondering what was happening between him and Lady Tsa, and also wondering what his next facial expression would be. "I'm contacting you to know that there will be another delay in my arrival to strengthen the mirror network here in Rivason."

Lord Miko frowned at first, assuming it was just politics. However, realization crossed his face as he processed her reasoning: The mirror network only needed strengthening if one mirror was going to need to be in frequent communication between several mirrors. "The necromancer made contact?"

Lady Eida nodded. "The priest captaining the Rivason Provincial Galley has made contact with a foreign seafaring vessel. As I understand it, I shall be managing communicating with the Lower Provinces while Lord Juka goes between the captain, you, and Lady Tsa."

Lord Miko nodded. "Three for each... You'll need to be with Lord Juka in person with this. Speak with Lady Tsa on the move. This will certainly change things, Lady Eida."

With that, the mirror went dark. Lady Eida closed her eyes to hail her subordinates, and whispering filled the caravan as she and half of her halberdiers made their way quickly back to the Rivason keep. Along the way, Lady Eida and Lady Tsa conversed on the latest development, although nothing interesting in the conversation occured other than Lady Tsa making a passing reference to an untimely arrival from one of Lord Miko's agents. She was quickly ushered into the central chamber with Lord Juka, her halberdiers waiting outside the main gate. For a brief instant, Lord Juka's words echoed in her mind.

We all need to be stronger than ever now.

"Then be sure to follow us quite closely, unless you want to try swimming to shore." The captain called back as the local environs were fairly rocky. Most vessels that weren't native had the sense to come along the coast rather than risk the reefs but it appeared they weren't from anywhere nearby.

The cutter lead the large vessel through the passage into a very large bay with a large city along the coast.

The Pirate Queen howls into the teeth of the wind. The wind howls back, bellying out the sails of the Nightmare, driving it forward on the cusp of the storm. Hair pale as wave-tossed spray blows around her face, held in place by a circlet the yellowed sheen of ivory. Eyes green as the storm around them reflect the chaos of the sea.

"Majesty!" Her Helmsman turns, gesturing to the pallid sails above them. "The Nightmare cannot survive such speed! We must lose canvas!"

She strides forward and grasps the Helmsman by the throat. "You doubt too much, Honest Gregory," she hisses. "Is this not the Nightmare? Have ye not noted the crown 'pon my head? Mayhaps ye've forgotten who gave it me?"

She gestures overboard, where grey-green shapes break the waves. Slick skin, sharp claws, brilliant white teeth regard them for a moment and disappear again.

"Mayhaps ye should ask them below, if ye've forgotten Him that's the Lord of the Deeps. Mayhaps the Deep Folk -"

"Sail ho!" The voice drifts down from the lookouts upon the masts, cutting short her tirade.

"Do not doubt me, Gregory," she finishes, calmer now. "I am your Queen. Neither death nor the dead can bar my way!"

A hand takes up her spyglass to regard the sail on the horizon.

"Small ship, lateen rig ..." she murmurs. "We can take it."

Turning away, she regards her crew; oathbreakers, traitors, deserters, escaped slaves. All of them have broken the Law of the Isles and fallen to Him Below, her King.

"Prepare for battle!" she yells, to answering cheers. "Bring me my staff."

Swords and crossbows spring into appearance, and the Queen's own weapon is delivered to her hand; seven feet of bone-white wood, the channel for her powers. Dark fires flicker in her eyes; augmented by those of Him Below, it is not only her powers that stream through the wood.

She screams into the wind, and the Nightmare wrenches onto a new course, bearing down upon her prey.

---

Some hours behind, the sea is calm, the storm a shadow on the horizon. Emily Smith leans upon the Sea Wolf's rails, and whistles up a following breeze. The Bone Son's breath is gusty today; the unquiet ghost yearns to be free of his chains of braided hair and blood, and the bag that holds them at her waist.

"We are gaining on her." Victor Tremaine, the Sea Wolf's Captain, appears beside her, and his hand settles upon her shoulder. Emily shivers; his skin is cold and his eyes are dark. It was not always so; but Victor is no longer the man she once thought she loved. He is one of Mary O'Malley's chosen few, now, and his heart lies - literally - with his Queen.

Her gut twists, remembering that betrayal, and she steps away. He lets his hand fall to his side.

"I wish - I wish there were some other way, truly I do," she says into the long silence. "We can save her still, I know it!"

"We must send Nightmare and the Crown of All Oceans back to the deeps first," Victor replies. "You can try your luck at stealing her soul back from the Lord of the Deeps when she's no longer preying on Her Majesty's vessels. I wish you luck in it."

Emily glares at him; it is more than just Victor's skin that is cold, these days. She turns back to the glowering storm, and whistles their wind a little faster.

OOC: Nightmare can meet any of your ships; Sea Wolf is chasing Nightmare and shouldn't meet any yet. Both are galleons, Tall Ships of the Age of Sail - except this Age of Sail has mages instead of cannon, and the immaterial world is very much alive and well.