The Magical Lands

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The Draconic Era was the time period during which the great Dragon Empire ruled over virtually all of Eun. It was a golden age of magical achievements and stability on the continent, with the wisdom of the dragons being passed on to their subjects and the great military enforcing peace among the various peoples. Nothing last forever though, not even dragons. Never conquered from the outside, the Dragon Empire lost its glory and fell from its own internal strife, turning the vast continental kingdom into hundreds of petty squabbling factions beset by civil war. The turmoil last for centuries, scarring and twisting the land itself. What advanced knowledge was saved was turned to war, the effects of which we still feel today in the roaming monster and automaton bands which plague the countryside. New empires and kingdoms rose and fell, tribes united and scattered as quickly as the seasons changed. It was over a millennium until stability as we know it was restored.

Now we have our new world. It's no Dragon Empire, it's far from perfect, but this is the day and age we live in. Let us say to the credit of all civilized people that the yearly gatherings in Malkarath are a huge effort to preserving peace on Eun. And even among the common people, old grudges and differences are being set aside to work for the greater good, such as the large companies of warriors who travel across the continent looking for evil to vanquish.

Yet I cannot help but be concerned. Old tales say that the Dragon Empire fell due to its own hubris, and that Heaven sent warnings of the impending calamity. Two says ago, the star that formed the center of Odessa's Flower disappeared from the night sky. The Lady of Peace is without her emblem. Could this be a sign of misfortune to come?

- Letter from a travelling scholar to the headmaster of Malkarath University

---

The Dragon Home. The Ancient City. The Old Capital. Malkarath had many names across the land, all recognizable by just about everyone. It was the oldest and largest metropolis on the continent, the last vestige of the Dragon Empire. A beacon of civilization even in those dark days following the collapse of the old empire. One was struck by just its size. Not just the sprawl across the hills on which is was founded, but the immensity of the structures that formed the heart of the city. It was built to house dragons after all, dragons with a taste for the grandiose. Many of those dragons still flew or crawled about, making their ways through the throngs of smaller beings that swarmed like ants across the city streets.

Heading into the city in groups small or large, where many more of the those smaller beings. These ones however, had a much bigger influence on world affairs than most of the dragons did these days. Entering the inner city, the new arrivals, ambassadors and representatives of the surrounding nations, would make their way to the old Imperial Commerce Chamber, which for the duration of their stay, would serve as their meeting place.

---

Where Malkarath ended and the small outlying towns and villages began was sometimes hard to determine. Of certainty, though, was that most of the smaller building near the forest did not look like they belonged to the grand ancient city. Which made the one that did stand out very much.

The design indicated it had once been a Dragon army fort. The surrounding settlements might even have been built around it. Whatever its original purpose was, it was now wide open, and a trickle of men and women of all shapes and sexes trickled in and out all day. This was the home of a mercenary guild now. A semi-professional team that took on jobs relating to fighting, protecting, and general dangerous business.

"Okay, what? 'A semi-professional team that takes on jobs relating to fighting, protecting, and general dangerous business'. Seriously? That's how you're trying to sell us?" exclaimed a women who made no effort to hide her incredulity.

"It's true!" said the man whose writing was being critiqued. "The whole point of posters is to let people now what we do."

"But do you have to make it sound so boring?" The woman said. "It sounds like you just took that out of a school book."

"You have a more livelier way of putting it?" the man snapped.

"I... know someone who does!" The woman looked up from the conversation to all the guild members present in the mess hall. "Hey, you lot! Anyone know a good hook for our poster to advertise the guild's services?"

edited 8th Aug '14 12:25:08 AM by Parable

"What a century this week has been." - Seung Min Kim

Guild

The only desert elf member of the guild was currently sitting in the darkest corner of the room. Desert elves were a rare sight outside the Sahara, and ones like this one — Naif of the Hawkeye clan — who were proficient in the mysterious art of Force Magic, even rarer. Whatever drove the mage to actually leave the desert, no-one knew, but she joined the guild a few weeks ago and proved to be a friendly, if a bit guarded, person.
“Generally speaking, we are bodyguards and mercenaries,” Naif told the woman. “Which means, quite frankly, that this is what we need on the poster. The rest people can figure out when they bargain for our services.”

---

Imperial Commerce Chamber

Zahir of the Razor Wind clan hated buildings. He much preferred the open spaces outside, where one could feel his clan's namesake on whatever skin that wasn't covered and see the stars at night. Still, he had a duty for his clan and Sheikh; he would not complain.
He entered the building of the Imperial Commerce Chamber, noticing the large amount, relatively-speaking, of open space inside it; in fact, it was larger than any building he had ever been in before, with all of those large, open arches and tall ceilings. The long table set in the middle of the biggest room seemed small in comparison, even though it was longer than two lizards.
Having left his few companions in their designated quarters, Zahir chose a random chair and sat down with a sigh.

The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground

Dragon Fort

Peter sat at one of the tables near the center of the room, listening to the ongoing conversation. He listened to what everyone was saying, and decided to chime in with a point of his own. He stood up, and although his height already allowed him to tower over most others in the room, climbed up on to a chair, so that his point could clearly be heard by all.

"Perhaps you should emphasise the travel opportunities supplied by the guild? I certainly know that I wouldn't be here today if not for them", he boomed out in his loud, baritone voice, ensuring everyone present could hear his incorrect assumptions about the nature of the poster.

---

Imperial Commerce Chamber

Sul Janorai walked towards the chamber, the sacks of gold attached to her belt clashing and clanging as she walked, announcing her presence to even those who couldn't see her yet. Her bodyguard, who she had found in one of the shadier parts of town, and hired for a not too extravagant amount of money, walked beside her, giving threatening glances to anyone who walked by. As she reached the doors of the chamber, she told her guard to wait outside. The chamber was no place for his profession.

Janorai pushed open the doors, and entered the chamber, looking around at the few others who had arrived so far. She strategically choose her seat, seating herself near enough to where the more affluent members of the council usually sat.

edited 7th Aug '14 12:11:52 PM by MusikMaestro

Dragon Fort

"Our Steel holds the binds that our words forge," Doiġtreṡionn suggested from a corner.

Imperial Commerce Chamber

"Áití ḃéoḃ," Marċaiḋe muttered out a traditional greeting as he took his seat. He was the least adorned, looking at least somewhat like a wild man; however this was still more than he believed they were due. His warriors, he reluctantly left at the door; though they were often good council.

He looked over; this whole thing was bound to be a farce, but the Ṡilcaiġí had some feuds which they hoped to be settled here and so he had been sent. He would do his part not to make this any more of a mockery than it already was, though he believed very little could really do so.

edited 7th Aug '14 12:17:50 PM by Fauxlosophe

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Imperial Commerce Chamber - Malkarath
Yoroi prepared himself for another long day. Like all Pandalorians, his blood itched in longing to prove himself in battle, not sit around talking. Still, this was what he had been chosen to do, and for his clan's sake it was better to endure it than to lose face to Pandalore by claiming to not be able to take it. Besides, the more logical part of his mind had thought of debate as simply another field of battle, he would simply have to rely on it more.

He seated himself at his place next to the desert elf ambassadors from the Razor Wind Clan. "Greetings, Zahir," he said. "I take it you are also eagerly awaiting a chance to discuss the games of state with the humans and others?" he gave a light chuckle to indicate his own feelings on the matter.

---

Adventurer’s Guild - Dragon Army Fort
Meganda was standing towards the center, playing a relatively smooth and calm melody on her flute, which she paused when the question was addressed. "Let the poster speak of our strength and will. That those too weak to protect themselves can be shielded by our might, and those too cowardly to draw blood can have the heads of their enemies delivered for a favorable amount of gold."

She took a deep breath and continued to play her flute.

Imperial Commerce Chamber - Malkarath

Lariel Clearspring walked calmly into the commerce chamber. Quiet and aloof as her people, she looked about for her seat before she awaited for the meeting to begin and business to be discussed. Afterwards, she could approach and discuss what was said with individual ambassadors, however, she didn't want to give an appearance of giving anyone preferential treatment in this, first of their meetings.

---

Adventurer’s Guild - Dragon Army Fort

"Actions speak louder than words. While posters may be good to bring in clients, perhaps something more substantial would grant us better publicity. If there are any open bounties or works that need be done, perhaps we can pursue them and if we are successful, let those actions be our introduction card" says Shae from her seat in the room, as she drinks a mixture of honey and liquor from her homeland.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Imperial Commerce Chambers

"So are we to sit here in silence as awwed fools?" Marċaiḋe said, "Or should we do what we were brought here for; we have been brought to the last city of a fallen Empire. Tyrants to my people, before my people came to be. We do not owe them silence or attention, especially as we came so far on their request."

Dragon Fort

"To suggest what a slogan ought to contain is not to suggest a slogan," Doiġtreṡionn protested, "If none have one to suggest themselves and only ideas of what it is to contain; they might to better to listen for what is spoken and judge for themselves if it suits and what it lacks, rather than speaking requests as though they were solutions."

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Adventurer’s Guild - Dragon Army Fort
"Very well, if you only wish to hear slogans, then use something that doesn't involve steel. We need something that not only says what we do, while making us seem more favorable than the competition. I propose Break Your Enemy's Skull Without Breaking the Bank" Meganda said, and then continued playing.

Imperial Commerce Chamber

“Greetings, Yoroi,” Zahir said, ignoring the Selkie representative for the moment. He smiled behind his veil. “I am simply giddy with anticipation,” he said drily. “Aren't you, too?”
He looked at Marċaiḋe and shrugged. “Patience. There are some latecomers, including, I might note, our hosts. Would you have your people's... needs... be ignored, only because you are late to a meeting?”

---

Dragon Fort

Naif shrugged. She was a mage, not a merchant. True, she still had a few bottles of liquor in her quarters, but it seemed that she would give them to the company at the mess hell rather than trade them away, at the moment. Getting up, she left her corner and sat down closer to the Paung, listening to her music for a while. “That is a bambife, is it not?” she asked.

The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground

Imperial Commerce Chamber - Malkarath
"Of course," Roy replied to Zahir.

"Keep it in your cloak!" he called out to Marċaiḋe. "It is already to the shame of the others that they have yet to appear, impatience now only serves only to shame ourselves."

---

Adventurer’s Guild - Dragon Army Fort
"It is," Meg said to Naif, pausing her music. "It is not common to find ones outside of Pandoa who are familiar with them, even amongst friends. Do you hail from the Sun Ray Clan?"

edited 8th Aug '14 8:16:17 PM by nman

Dragon Fort

“Nay, I am from the Hawkeye clan,” Naif told Meganda. “Our lands, however, are adjacent, and I have seen some men practice with this curious weapon. It is obviously a rare sight outside of your jungles; even the Sun Ray prefer their spears and bows. This is a curious concept; a weapon, yet also a musical instrument. You kill with it, yet you also while away the hours. That is an interesting dualism.”

The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground

Adventurer’s Guild - Dragon Army Fort
"Objects which cannot be used to live or to kill in battle are of rare occurrence among Pandalorians," Meganda replied. "We do not rely upon magicks as so many others do, so we cannot afford the luxury of carrying much that does not assist in survival. Even in music, entertainment and merriment are secondary. The primary purpose is to issue commands across a battlefield that no enemy can decipher, and which carry in the wind far stronger and clearer than one's voice."

Imperial Commerce Chamber

"I agree with the Selkie", Janorai called out. "Time is money, and we should not be forced to waste ours because our hosts don't have the manners to arrive punctually. I say we begin negotiations."

IIC

"It need not concern all; not all matters do," Marċaiḋe smiled at the Orc's agreement, "If nothing else,we ought to speak to eachother and what we wish to share of our intentions here."

edited 8th Aug '14 8:16:49 PM by Fauxlosophe

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Adventurer's Guild

Yevan had been on the stables until shortly, brushing Vilok's fur and bathing her with care. Now she had just entered the main hall with a skin of ale, mainly to see if someone was sharing stories of their own, the young blood elf liked them, made her wonder of her own future exploits.

Imperial Commerce Chambers

Minova had left her trio of beloved guards at the entrance, assuming it was some sort of custom for these meetings, and walked in, her body adorned in layered robes, white decorative markings on her arms and face,black-dyed bone decorations in her long flowing white hair, and of course, her trusty cane always at hand. She made a respectful bow to the rest of dignitaries as she greeted and took her seat.

The graceless warrior, wielder of the edgeless blade, prophet of the old religions, writer of fluent nonsense, saviour of soul and song.

Bye. Have fun.

edited 10th Aug '14 10:57:19 AM by tricksterson

Trump delenda est

IIC

"I tired of waiting and there is only so much to be gained in words with the Daw'lat and Pandoans," Marċaiḋe said, "Noble though they may be; they are scattered far over land from us and no convenant between our people could be of great import."

"I am come from far to speak to the Northern peoples; Leonans, Elurani, Nostrian and those of the Crimson Domains in regards to the trade and practice of magic and the druidic sect which keeps them."

Dragon Fort

Doiġtreṡionn looked around and sighed, if this is how it was to be, perhaps she would be better on the road once more. None, the less, she had a drink and decided to watch how this would play out.

edited 10th Aug '14 11:51:17 AM by Fauxlosophe

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Imperial Commerce Chamber

Clack. Clack. Clack.

An old demon walked in, his staff rapping against the ground with each step. His eyes flicked across the gathered nobles as he slowly lowered himself into his seat, resting his staff across his lap and smoothing out his red robe. He smiled wryly at Mercaide.

"Oh, what impatient younglings. Can't be bothered to sit down and rest a minute." Felgrund stretched, cracking his back muscles in the process. "So impetuous, no matter what harm it does to others."

---

Dragon Fort

Iozia growled as she tore into a piece of meat, foregoing eating utensils for her claws. She slapped her hand on the table.

"Oh, just make the sign something simple." She said. "Adventurer's Guild - Protect or Kill. There. Short and sweet."

edited 11th Aug '14 8:29:42 AM by Kagescorpionakki

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?

Imperial Commerce Chamber

Sashaying into the room, with a heavy air of pride and self-importance, the Ambassador for Wyld took her seat in a royal fashion, glancing around the room shrewdly. It soon became clear that she was unsatisfied with it's old stone walls which weren't especially built for comfort, although the fact that her guards and servants had to be left behind the door may also be a factor. Smoothing her features into a poker face, Laurel looked around the room.

"I daresay that all have converged here, at least all of the major players as far as I am aware, unless they are late. So let us begin, and teach those e are waiting on the consequences of not being on time, or at least fashionably late."

---

Dragon Fort

Looking up from his current activity of devouring a roasted chicken, Ash pointed at Meg and nodded saying in his deep voice, "The panda's suggestion is good. Let our slogan be that."

His opinion now known, Ash went back to his chicken, which served as little more than a snack to a being of his size. In his third bite the chicken was gone, a few bones the only testament to its existence.

edited 10th Aug '14 11:58:54 PM by Tricksen

If you're reading this you have 5 seconds to...

To Marcaide, the Elunari ambassador raised her voice "If you wish to speak of trade, then I would be the person to do it with... however, the matters of the druids are beyond my realm to discuss. That, you should talk with another of my kind residing in the city"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

ICC

"Which of your kind then?" Marċaiḋe replied, now slightly more at ease, "And where abouts should I seek them out? Elsewise, our clans are content and the Druids have done their part for law and trade between our people."

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Adventurer's Guild

Oh its this again? the motto thing? Yevan grumbled a bit in her seat, as they had been going at that for hours. The suggestions didn't help, darn it they were adventurers, and most of the suggestions made them sound like... thugs. Not like legendary wandering heroes, slaying monsters and saving people! She sipped on her ale as it all carried on.

---

Imperial Currency Chamber

"We'd be more than willing to trade with you" said Minova to Marċaiḋe shifting in her seat "As far of the trading of magic techniques however I'm afraid our mage and healer clans are rather protective of their techniques, though prior to my departure from the capital I met with some heads and they might be interested in trading them, if properly rewarded that is"

The graceless warrior, wielder of the edgeless blade, prophet of the old religions, writer of fluent nonsense, saviour of soul and song.

Dragon Fort

Doiġtreṡionn turned to the blood Elf from her drink, "Disgraceful isn't it? I'd sooner have something I could shout with pride than some trite little promise on rates; isn't it far better to promise to bind words with steel than it is to promise to cut throats for a decent rate?"

ICC

"The Druids are not necessarily interested in learning new magics; we understand that some prefer to keep their teachings quiet and far from foreign eyes. What they ask instead is more free reign and recognition within your borders; rights to recruit bards and students from your people, that those who follow their teachings and laws have the right to recognize and follow them and generally promotion of their ranks to advisors and the like. In exchange, you will have at your disposal the same people who have guided our people since times immemorial and all their magic and skills with planting, hunting and healing; knowledge of healing curses and mischevious creates and so forth."

edited 12th Aug '14 8:44:45 AM by Fauxlosophe

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.

Dragon Fort

"Yes! Precisely!" said the young elf "We shouldn't have to be discussing this, our deeds should be enough!" then turned to her "Pardon but, have I seen you here before?"

Imperial Chamber of Commerce

"Ah. I see... Well, I suppose we can agree to recognize your order in the Crimson Domain, free reign is... well it depends on the councils of every city and town, but as long the druids respect their conditions as valued guests they will be protected and taken care of." responded Minova, idly playing with the tassel on her cane as she spoke, always gently, looking to find a point of agreement.

edited 13th Aug '14 10:11:30 AM by sanojutsu

The graceless warrior, wielder of the edgeless blade, prophet of the old religions, writer of fluent nonsense, saviour of soul and song.

Dragon Fort

"Here?" Doiġtreṡionn looked at Yevan, "I don't think so; I've only arrived. I did pass through Elven lands, a couple years past now. I was an auger and a sorcess." She says the last bit quietly but with a bit of an omnious theatrical flair. She pauses and relents with a bit of embarrassment, "As well as a tinker when times were rough. I've only left my last caravan and this seemed like an interesting job."

Commerce Chambers

"Some are used to their authority over the Selkie nation, where in they are effectively our wisest and so often have the ears of our Kings," Marċaiḋe said, "Though it is that more than freedom that they seek; they, both travellers from our own people and those recruited from yours and other nations, wish to travel as valued wisemen and be heard by those seeking wisdom, commoners and Kings alike. The Domains have been kind in that regard, though always we flutter with want for more, as any group is want to do."

edited 13th Aug '14 7:18:28 AM by Fauxlosophe

Mé féin ag daṁsa faoin ngealaċ seanrince gan ċeol leis ach ceol cuisle. DS FC: 4141-3472-4041, feel free to add me.