Chapter 10
11-16-2007 Written by Ian Shirm
Official appointments by Dekari
Kulan’s Legionnaires, Del’goth’s Medium infantry, Qualistay’s Archer-Infantry, and Phalanx from the Bronze Republic camped outside Greendale, an army almost 30,000 strong. The once small sleepy town had turned into a small city as well as a military outpost with the sanctuary it offered, displaced peoples flocked to Greendale. Refugees from Mohawk and near a dozen towns came to Greendale in droves. Dekari worked out a scematic for Dorflum to expand the western and northern walls to allow for the ever enlarging population.
Outside of the Dragonstooth inn there was a porch with a crude overhang where Dekari, Aiken, Draven, Dredskif, Torto and Kane sat eating breakfast. The leaves had started to change color, indicating the inevitability of Fall and the days were growing shorter. The five men sat enjoying scrambled eggs and coffee. Dekari remembered a time when Greendale had been quiet and the people had been primarily of Barbarian decent. He remembered the times he and Aiken had come to town to pick up supplies for their ranch. Instead of quiet streets, as there had been before the war started, now they were flooded with people. Plainsmen, Crimson Elves, and Dwarves were now a common sight where there had been almost solely relocated barbarians in the past. Dekari watched as soldiers of 5 flags walked the streets, some going to taverns while others picked up rations and supplies, not sure of the duration of their stay.
As if reading his mind Kane said, “I remember when this town looked like a ghost town this early in the morning. Didn’t Greendale used to only have a population of around 2000?” Kane asked.
“Yes, before the war it did.” Dekari said
“How many people do you think live here now?” Kane asked
“Probably more than 10,000,” Dekari said. “We cant build housing or expand the wall fast enough for all the people that are coming.”
“Talon has assigned me command of the 1000 crimson elves,” Kane said. “But that’s not nearly enough to patrol and defend all the outlying farms and Ranches. I sent a messenger to my Father, Dryden, King of Qualistay. We should be receiving a larger force to act as garrison for Greendale as well as a force large enough to better protect the countryside.”
“Thank you,” Dekari said. “The cost of importing enough food to feed the population as well as the army is enormous. The few remaining Ranches and Farms aren’t nearly enough to feed all the people here.”
“How long do you intend to stay Governor of this region,” Dredskif asked Dekari.
“As long as I’m needed.” Dekari replied.
“I grow bord of remaining in Greendale with no work and have a money purse growing lighter by the day,” Dredskif said.
“My two Titles, Sheriff of Greendale, and Captain of the Miltia, monopolize a fair amount of my time,” Aiken said. “Dredskif, how would you like to take the role of Captain of the Miltia. A paid position where you can pass on your knowledge of combat to the locals.”
“How much a month?” Dredskif asked.
“I don’t know… What do you think Dekari?” Aiken asked.
“35 gold a month sound reasonable?” Dekari asked Dredskif.
“Reasonable enough. When can I start?” Dredskif asked.
“Today if you wish,” Dekari responded.
“I’ll gather all the militia and begin my training of them today.” Dredskif announced.
“Torto,” Dekari said.
“Yes?” Torto Syrkyst, the Hill Dwarf originally from Palaxis said.
“I would like to form a chamber of commerce. I would like you to be director, and oversee all business, as well as all residential endeavors.” Dekari said.
“I’d be more than happy to,” Torto said.
“Thank you,” Dekari said. “As I intend to remain in Greendale, until the end of the war, and with Marcus’s request for Aiken and I to remain in Greendale and help with supply of the armies, I want to get well established here.”
“Draven are you interested in an official position?” Dekari asked.
“Possibly. Greendale has been my home for a long time. I do not wish to leave it yet and if there’s money to be made here, all the better,” Draven said.
“Dredskif will oversee training of the Militia and he will conduct them in any conflict. You would deal with all aspects of whatever forces are garrisoned or stationed here. Currently there are 1000 Avengers, 1000 Crimson Elves and 1000 Dwarves as our garrison. The Elves would be primarily under Kanes command though. You would oversee scouting operations as well as all other aspects of the 2000 strong force.”
“Thank you, I was worried that you’d give me some public relations job. I don’t want to sit behind a desk,” Draven said.
“Your Welcome,” Dekari said. “Once the force from Qualistay arrives they will be under Kane’s command and he can see to offensive measures against any enemy forces in the territory.”
Meeting at Greendale with Titus Paprius Damaticus
Dekari, Aiken, Draven, Dredskif, Torto and Kane watched as a blue orb appeared in front of the Dragonstooth where they sat with breakfast. Slowly the orb grew in size and The Emperor of Kulan, Titus Paprius Damaticus stepped out from the portal.
Titus walked over to the porch of the Dragonstooth and said “Hello young Ironfists.”
Behind Titus the portal remained open and in rows 4 men wide Kulan Legionnaires marched out of the portal.
“Hello,” Aiken said Dekari said as one.
Titus looked around for a long moment before saying, “You two have done wonders with this town.”
“Thank you Emperor,” Dekari said.
“We try,“ Aiken said.
“You may not have heard, so I will tell you now,” Titus said. “Kulan has suffered a great setback. One of my Northern Generals Trajan, has rallied 7 other Generals behind him and they have taken north kulan as their own empire. I avoid civil war because I do not wish to see my beloved nation destroyed further.”
“I’m sorry,” Aiken said. “What of Southern Kulan?”
“Greendale has become an asset in the south,” Titus said. “I have brought with me half of one of my Kular legions. 5000 men are coming through my portal. They are followed by 1000 Palaxis Hill Dwarves. The 5000 Legionnaire’s will act as garrison to this city to protect it, as it is of great strategic value. I have paid the Dwarves heavily and they will join the 1000 you already have here. They will be building a huge fortress to protect the city as well as work on strengthening the city wall. You can expect several thousand more refugees in the weeks to come.”
“One of your legion generals gave me the position of Governor of this region,” Dekari said. “I have appointed my own cabinet to protect and advance this city and the surrounding lands.”
“Cabinet of what positions?” Titus asked.
“My Brother to Sheriff, Torto to Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Dredskif, the minotaur sitting with me, to Captain of the Militia, and Draven to Captain of the Homeguard or garrison. Would you accept my choices of these men to the stations I assigned them?”
“I will trust your judgment young Ironfist. You have exhibited good judgment up to this point,” Titus said. “Yes the men I have brought you can assign command to.”
“Thank you,” Dekari said.
“Your Grandfather Marcus and his brother Dominus will be sending forces here,” Titus said. “Dryden from Qualistay will also be sending forces. Greendale is currently my only stronghold in this region. It must not fall. There is a treasurer among the 5000 men joining you. He has 10,000 gold which you can use at your disgression for need of the City as well as supplying the army.”
“Thank you for the monetary as well as soldierly assistance good Emperor,” Dekari said.
As the last of the Dwarves came through the portal Titus said. “I have matters to attend to in the capital. I Thank you both. You will be hearing from me again sometime soon.” Titus said
“Farewell Emperor Damaticus” Aiken said.
“I will pray to Panarg, the god of Fate, that you will re-unite your nation and secure the Coral Isle as well as the South of your kingdom.” Dekari said.
“Thank you,” Titus said, giving a quick nod and stepping back into the portal, it closing behind him.
Having finished their breakfasts the 6 men went their separate ways.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meeting of Six Invading Kings
On the large Coral Isle, Six kings sat in the city-hall building. The large, Human, King Jupiter Furius of Redrock, sat at the head of the table. King Fisik of the blood elven nation of Gorwyn sat beside Kanlihn ro'Fistil Zyualesti, King of the Westfyrd Blood Elves. King Tamar, the Minotaur king of Korosodo sat on the left of Noto Bloodrunner, Warlord of his clan, and the minotaur who had taken the Kulan colonies. Beside Noto sat King Firmin Ryynim, a Stoic minotaur, ruler of Gobtel.
“Kulan is a crippled nation, divided in two and ready for the taking,” Noto Bloodrunner said in a deep gravely voice. Noto larger then the other two minotaur kings Tamar and Firmin, was a Black Minotaur. Within the Minotaur peoples, it is believed that once every hundred years a Minotaur is born with black skin and is believed to be a prophet, feared and respected. Noto had lived under the flag of Gobtel as son of a Minotaur warlord who paid tribute to Firmin. Once old enough Noto killed his father and took over command of the Clan. After civil war between the Bloodrunner clan and the clan bordering them in Gobtel, Noto was victorious. Noto’s black skin deeply damaging the morale of any opposing minotaur people, as he was a religious symbol. Victory after victory Noto gained power in Gobtel and choose conquest of the two Colonial Islands rather than further civil war. After Taking the two Islands in the west held by Kulan, Noto and his people, moved there to start his own nation.
“My spy’s have told me that several mainland kings are marching armies through Northern Kulan to Greendale to protect the south,” Jupiter of Redrock said. Jupiter, a monster of a human man, standing well over six feet with broad shoulders and was renown for a mean streak. King Jupiter Furius of the oppressed, human nation of Redrock wore several gold hoops through his ears, nose and lip. At Jupiters hip a large steel scimitar hung. The nation of Redrock consisting of mostly desert Jupiter had slightly darker skin, similar to the color of sand, with long black hair. “Once the armies of Del’Goth and Heath’goth are through Northern-Kulan and are in the south we should attack the un-allied Northern nation of Kulan.”
“I have just joined this alliance,” King Kanlihn, king of the Westfyrd blood elves said. “Seems to me we should gather forces, and use this coral island to our benefit. The gold mines here on the isle and the profitable perl business could be used to fund our war machine. After the costly loss in south Kulan fighting for Mohawk, the majority of the forces you 5 sent there are scattered and vulnerable. The Kings of the east have yet to use this to their advantage.”
“King Kanlihn is correct,” King Fisik of the Gorwyn blood elves said. “We should withdraw our forces from southern kulan if we are to attack the north or if they remain we should have a stronger presence in Southern Kulan. Either way we should choose one half of Kulan to invade not both. Spliting the army cost us before. With the force split and fighting on two fronts lost us many soldiers before. We need to learn from that mistake.”
“If we attack the south it will be our 6 peoples against multiple eastern kingdoms,“ Noto said, torch light glistening off the gold jewelry he wore with rare gems crudely cut and mounted. “If we fight North Kulan we can conquer a land with no allies and our superior numbers and superior infantry will have a higher chance of success.”
“I know well that I am new to this alliance but I have a suggestion,” King Kanlihn of the Westfyrd blood elves said. “Use the shipyards here on the Coral Isle and begin building warships as well as have my navy and the navy of King Fisik moor here. I would suggest months of trips from the west here to the Coral isle and a buildup of Warships and Infantry in great magnitude.”
“After the battle for Mohawk our armies are vastly depleted,” King Fisik said. “I agree with King Kanlihn of Westfyrd. For an invasion of this magnitude we need more dependable supply lines as well as many more soldiers. Here’s the scenario. We six land troops on the Northern beaches of Kulan. We attack, win or lose forces from southern Kulan will come north to attack us and forces from the north will come to attack us as well. We attack the north now we will have to fight the Legions and that alone isn’t an easy task. If we defeated them, the Del’goth, Heath’goth and Qualistay armies would march on us, as well as whatever legions remained in southern Kulan.”
“It would be a definite loss of our armies,“ King Jupiter said.
“We need to gather strength before any kind of offensive.” King Kanlihn said. “Our first priority should be establishing Naval supremacy as well as gathering strength here on the Coral isle. I brought my entire navy here. My warships are faster than anything they have over here and are long enough for the archers on each to take their toll. How many soldiers do the 5 of you have combined?”
“On this isle, near 24,000,” King Jupiter said. “We lost many against the legions that had been stationed here, as well as lost some from the Bronze Republics navy that had been protecting this Island. There are probably another 10,000 dispersed through the port towns in south Kulan.
“I used my blood elves to rally goblin and hobgoblin forces to our cause, easy enough, they swarmed the southern towns after Mohawk fell and have been reeking havok upon the southerners,” Fisik said. “I havent lost as many as the minotaur or Jupiter’s force. My soldiers mainly acted as an archery unit in combat and upon retreat of the infantry we left relatively unscathed.”
“For now I suggest we re-enforce the south with any spare soldiers,” King Kanlihn said. “The south was greatly weakened. With some success in the south I would think it would be a bad idea to leave that land for the enemy to strengthen upon.”
King Jupiter Furius (Redrock)
King Fisik ala'Malas Sheretharal (Blood Elf) Gorwyn (Fighter-Thief)
King Kanlihn ro'Fistil Zyualesti, (Blood Elf) Westfyrd (Fighter-Thief)
King Tamar Bonethirst (Minotaur) (King of Korosodo)
King Noto Bloodrunner (Minotaur King of Bloodrunner Clan)
King Firmin Ryynim (Gobtel) (Cleric[Victor]/Herbalist) (King of Gobtel)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production in Greendale
A Month passed and Greendale progressed a good deal. Two weeks after Titus had come to Greendale, 2000 Elven rangers arrived. Command of the 2000 Rangers had been given to Kane, raising the garrisoning force to 3000 Crimson Elves, 5000 Kulan Legionnaires, 1000 Avengers and 2000 Palaxis Hill Dwarves. The Hill Dwarves were there primarily as skilled labor, working hard on the wall and had started the foundation of the fortress.
Dekari had met with Dorflum and instead of having a separate structure for the fortress, Dorflum had agreed to build a wall of stone around the city that would turn the city itself in a fortress. The Walls would be 100 feet high, 30 feet thick and would surround a large enough area so that the continuing rise in population wouldn’t overflow the city-limits. Torto had established himself as director of the chamber of commerce and had secured several stone quarries. Marcus paid the workers out of pocket for the beginning of the construction and raised taxes to cover the costs over time.
The Army that had been stationed at Greendale had been heavily re-enforced by Del’goth Medium Infantry, A Legion from Kular, Heath-Goth Medium infantry and a force of Qualistay Crimson elven archer-infantry. The Army had left under a week ago. Marcus had attached 2000 Avengers to the force that had marched south to Greendale and they had stayed in the city to act as garrison. Greendale now garrisoned by 5000 Legionnaires, 2000 Dwarves, 3000 Qualistay, Crimson Elven Rangers, and 3000 Avengers.
Dekari had set up 30 outposts in the surrounding 20 miles of countryside. The outposts were large enough for 4 men each, hidden in trees, and the Crimson elves in Greendale would take turns manning them. The objective of the outposts was to record any enemy troop movements through the territory. The men who manned the watch-stations were ordered to alert Kane if any enemy armies were seen coming through the land.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One chill morning, As they did most mornings Dekari, Aiken, Kane, Draven, and Dredskif sat around a table on the front porch of the Dragonstooth tavern. The 3 men, crimson elf and minotaur drank coffee and ate hash-browns with fried eggs and bacon. Fall was upon the land and it wouldn’t be long until the first snowfall. Though snow rarely fell this far south, there was a chill in the air, the local farmers were in town selling their crops at a large warehouse. The warehouse running off the local farmers, paying the farmers and ranchers a fare wage for their goods and selling it for a higher price at stands in the marketplace.
“Dekari,” Aiken said.
“Yes?” Dekari replied.
“Where in Del’goth do you think mother went?” Aiken asked.
“Growing up she told me a few stories of her home town in a small village in the Bear Clan,” Dekari said.
“Henry had said that she had gone there after father died.” Aiken said. “We havent seen mother since the day father died, I worry for her well-being.”
“Greendale could hold her own if we took some time away. Are you interested in traveling north to try and find her?” Dekari asked.
“Yes.” Aiken responded.
“I doubt she ever thought Bruce would die before her,” Dekari said.
“How old was your father when they killed him?’ Draven asked.
“Three-Hundred and Thirty five,” Dekari said.
“Its rare to find folks older than their 60’s,” Draven said.
“Draxis’s blessing of long life,” Dekari said.
“Growing up I remember a sadness with mother,” Dekari said. “I think while she saw herself ageing, she didn’t see father age. I think she knew that with time her fate was sealed unlike Bruce‘s.”
“We killed the men that murdered our father but we never found out who had paid for him to be killed,” Aiken said. We never found out why someone would have wanted him dead.”
“Bruce had many years in which to accumulate enemies,” Kane said.
“Not knowing why someone would want fathers death has plagued me since early spring when he died,” Aiken said.
“As it has me. I do gain some satisfaction from knowing that those who physically killed him now lie dead,” Dekari said.
“Dekari, have you talked with Numa recently?” Aiken asked.
“Yes he came to town the day before yesterday and we talked some,“ Dekari said. “He gave me some coin for the profit that the property has earned. I let him keep a generous share, as he has seen to all the needs of the property.”
“I’m happy as long as the house is still standing,” Aiken admitted.
“The two of you intend to head to Del’Goth?” Dredskif asked.
“Yes,” Aiken said.
“How long will you be in Greendale before you leave?” Kane asked
“A while, I need to see to some matters here before we can go,” Dekari said.
A serving girl came through the double doors of the tavern and walked to the table. “Seconds or more coffee?” she asked.
“More eggs and a refill,” Dredskif said.
“Same for me,” Kane said
“Same here,” Draven said.
“Just more coffee” Aiken said.
“I’ll take a plate of hash-browns,” Dekari said.
With a nod she turned and walked back inside the Dragonstooth.
“I remember when Aiken joined the mercenaries guild as just a lad.” Dredskif said. “Guildmaster Tiberius Billenus Magnus started him picking pockets and pilfering from merchants wagons. I remember, before the spring, for about four years the jobs I did with you. Once we guarded a wealthy merchant that traveled from Greendale to Mohawk. Another time Aiken, Draven, Kane and I with a few others fought a rival guild in Greendale, assassinating their Guildmaster, and taking their members into Tiberius’s guild.”
“The good old days,” Aiken said. “Now that I remember I feel bad for Dekari. I was always sneaking off the ranch to seek my fortune while he stayed behind and did twice the work.”
“I didn’t mind. With the time I spent on the ranch I got to have a lot of long talks with dad.”
“Dekari, a recluse who aimed to spend all his time on the Ranch, at only 22 years old, and his twin Aiken, a thief and a hired thug, I would not have ever thought the two of you capable of turning your hometown into the only stronghold in this region, including the 12 towns and Mohawk.” Draven said. “Leadership is defiantly a quality that Dekari possesses.”
“I was walking through the marketplace the other day and I bought a map off of a merchant that picked it up off a dead goblin, “Draven said.” I deciphered it and from what I can tell there’s a series of underground tunnels a few days travel north. These tunnels are underneath a small goblin village. There are words at the top of the map. I had them translated and it reads…
“Those who come to the village, will meet their end,
If one comes and goes alive they will have bones to mend.
The eye of the gods, protected shall it stay,
Unless a hero can win the day.
Under the ground, the guard slumbers,
A large beast rests, breath of thunder.”
“Sounds interesting. What’s it mean?” Dredskif asked.
“Id guess under the village in the tunnels there’s something worth being protected,” Aiken said.
“There are some symbols on this map that I recognize,” Draven said.
“Recognize from where?” Aiken asked.
“Don’t be mad, but when we were at your house I looked through your mothers library and borrowed a book,” Draven said.
“What book?” Aiken asked.
“The Rise to Immortality,” Draven said.
“What do the symbols mean?” Dekari asked.
“There is an item that has been described in the book in detail,” Draven said. “The Eye of the Dragon. From what I can tell from the book its an orb of farseeing, allowing the user to think of a place and the orb shows it from any distance.”
“Do you think the eye of the Dragon is what the map is leading to?” Aiken asked.
“The inscription on the top of the map says the eye of the gods, in the book it was refered to as that in several places,” Draven said.
“The orb would fetch a good price from the king of any land. Allowing them to see the enemy’s moves,” Kane said. “Or if you, Dekari, chose to keep it you could watch over your territory.”
“You guys up for a little adventure?” Dredskif said.
“Definatly.” Draven said
“Sure.” Kane said
“It would be nice to get out of town for a few days,” Dekari said.
“Ready when the 4 of you are,” Aiken said.
“Leave in 30 minutes?” Dekari asked.
“Agreed.” Aiken said.
“Meet back here in half an hour.” Dekari said.
The party of 5 went their separate ways to ready for the trip.
Dekari: Human Fighter (Bear)
-Governor of the Territory
Aiken: Human Thief-Fighter (Bear)
-Sheriff of Greendale
Torto: (Hill Dwarf) Clan of Syrkyst: Empire of Palaxis
-Director of Chamber of Commerce
Dredskif: (Minotaur) the Clan of Warlord Bolthorpe (Drifter/Mercenary)
-Captian of the Militia
Kane: Crimson Elf Ranger (Bear/Qualistay) 20 Crimson Elf Rangers
-Commander of the Crimson Elf Rangers.
Draven: Human Fighter (Hellgoth) Drifter/Mercenary
-Captain of the Garrison
Firatri: Human Paladin Rockport 10 Paladins
Ancus: Human Monk Rockport 5 Monks
Dorlum: (Mountain Dwarf) clan of Buhrodar: Empire of Haraxis (Drifter/Mercenary)