Saga (See OOC/Sign-Ups)

[Servinta]

Andre awoke to the sweet melody of song birds as they sang hymns of the suns return to the earth, a vocal symphony of bluejays and finches with the occasional hawks call to finish off their tunes.He stretched out his short arms and yawned as his eyes, dreary from sleep and reluctant to open tried to see what he was hearing.Through blinding sunshine and with a bit of rubbing with his hands he finally forced his eyelids open and could now see clearly after his vision adjusted.

The clearing he had made into his bedroom was still just as pleasant as he had found it last night and the grass felt just as soft as it had underneath him during his sleep.Emerging stark naked from his slumber as he preferred to be, he felt a slight chill of the mountain air dance around him which reminded him that cloths while constricting had their uses when it came to the colder climates and high places.He walked over and collected his cloths which hung on random low ranches of a nearby pine sapling, smelling the pine scent that now perpetrated his cloths as he put them back on.

Gathering what few other possessions he owned, a small guitar referred to as a ukulele by the islanders who crafted it, a tall steel pipe that served as his walking stick and weapon whenever he couldn't avoid violence, and his trusty but disorganized and overfilled ti-dye knapsack full of goodies.With his gear packed and his senses restored to full awareness, he took one more look at the clearing and bid it farewell.

And off he went into the Oregon wilderness to seek another day of travel, to where he had no idea but he was sure karma would lead him to good fortune.

[Imperialisium]

Vyrengaard City, Imperial Barracks

After ten full laps of the perimeter, when the recruits pace had been reduced to foot slogging with blisters forming on callused feet, Vyn bellowed for a halt. The sagging line of recruits returned to their starting location on the muster field. "Not to shabby lads. Tomys next time don't let our newest of the new bloods get ahead of you so early. Run smart. You never know when it can be a difference."

Vyn, with his weathered face and dark eyes, walked about and corrected poster infractions with swift smacks of his wooden cane. Zephyr himself was not spared from a quick jab to keep his shoulders straightened. Vyn returned to the front of the group and looked at them with arms crossed. Without even looking at the recruit in question he called out, "O'Dalley count off push ups!"

The recruits flopped on their stomachs. A new era of pain dawned as they did push ups. Each recruit lifting off the ground, holding for a few seconds, then lowering themselves down slowly, and then up again. This style was not only for maximum strength training but also for pain. Vyn was inadvertently preparing them for a life were pain could come at any moment. The Army was only effective because its soldiers were and generally superior to the mass levies of the nobility or poor.

This turned into crunches, and finally planking until Vyn dismissed them to wash off, eat, and then return promptly in their uniforms. Which, they did. The uniform of a recruit was basically the clothes a soldier would typically wear when not armored for combat or patrol nor for parades. It amounted too plain thin brown shoes, brown trousers, and a simple black tunic with a hood for in-climate weather.

As the recruits came too in small groups or alone, the ache of their bodies evident and joined by those coming from the fighting pits, they would be stopped by Vyn and put off to the side. They would see the spectacle of the muster grounds being filled by soldiers belonging to the Albion Division. 1,000 troops, which wasn't even the whole Division, organized into companies of 100 were neatly paced and shone in the light of their polished black armor. The soldiers of the Albion Division possessed sallet style helms with an open face protected by a form fitting helmet design and a cuirass with neck guards in the front, back, and on the pauldrons. Their tassets jingled as they marched into positions with uniform efficiency. Thigh high armored boots cleaned and colored with oils and polish. The division specialized in assault but also carried a diverse armament. A full three companies were mounted with one company bearing lances, another with crossbows, and another with bows. The companies of foot sported a company of archers, a company of heavy arbalests, and another carrying greatswords with the tips of their mighty blades resting on the dirt while the pommels reached their shoulders. The remaining four companies had longswords and halberds.

Vyn pulled the recruits to the side of the road and had them line up in ordered ranks of shortest in front with taller behind. Other barracks personnel were similarly marshaling on the side lines of the roads until it was dead silent. Finally after a moment, when the Albion troops were in perfect blocks, did the clip-clop of hooves arise from the gates leading to the city. Soldiers in the black-white-red of the Imperial Guard appeared on horseback. Their red plumed helms and master crafted suits of full plate was a sight to behold. Each one was a proven killer, fanatical loyalist, and sworn Imperial Knight. Meaning they were given the social status of a Knight but did not hold lands and typically even the lowest Imperial Guard soldier held authority over their regular Army counterparts despite the fact they may hold the same rank. In the Vyrengaardian dialect they were known as Ryksgaard. Each member of the Guard squadron peeled off left or right, six on each side, as another figure on a white stallion rode by slowly. It was the Imperial Princess, her golden hair was braided and pulled back from her face. Her lips of perfect lilac pink, and her smile caused many an awe before one bowed their head in respect. As she rode by soldiers and officers alike, all equal before her gaze, knelt and clenched a right fist over their left breasts. The Imperial salute of loyalty.

She wore white gloves up to her elbows, black and white trousers of the equestrian style, and knee high black riding boots complete with spurs. Her torso was covered in a rather form fitting black petti-coat and under blouse complete with a small white neck cravat which showed a small amount of cleavage.

As the Princess approached and she waved and smiled. Occasionally stopping to shake hands with a soldiers outstretched hand. As she passed Zephyr she waved, stopped, and then held out her hand. Vyn's hand shot out and shook it before she moved on. Some recruits in the front who ardently believed she had been looking at them shot glancing daggers at their drillmaster who seemed to break his granite visage with a devilish grin. As the Princess rode to the front of the muster of the Albion soldiers a pair of Knights swung gracefully from their saddles with a speed that would have seemed improbable with what looked like to be at least fifty pounds of plate. One took the reigns of the Princess horse while the other helped her off her steed.

She swung from the saddle and using the Knights outstretched gauntlet she put herself gently on the ground. The Albion soldiers were unmoving, silent, and at attention. An officer of the Division approached, bowed deeply, and took her hand to kiss it. Followed by the two moving between the ranks to observe the soldiers. The officer pointing out small details and orderings. The Princess seemed intent on stopping to say kind words to each soldier and even go so far as to trade words with them.

One might think all of this as dull showmanship or calculated moves by the Crown. It was, but it was also a sincerity. The Princess was presenting herself to them and making it so that they were not just numbers on a piece of parchment. Just as the Crown paid them, fed them, and now talked with them as regardless of rank or social privilege it created a bond of monarch and servant. One dependent upon the other. She would be their future Empress, and she was making sure they knew it.

As the event went on officers on the side lines with the masses of onlookers began to break up the crowds. Sayings of, "Alright fun's over," and, "back to as you were," echoed. Vyn as a result began to dismiss the recruits. But not before one of them said something they'd soon regret. It was a recruit who was of the older cadre that had gone to the fighting pits. His body already becoming more muscled and toned from the physical training regimen. The exact wording needn't be mentioned but it was something about taking the Princess behind one of the fenced areas and bending her over a pile of hay. The luckless recruit was met by the venomous eyes of Vyn, a fellow officer who had over heard, and several soldiers from various units that had lined the barracks roads and paths to watch the event. It seemed like the recruit was going to be seized, taken behind a fence, and in stead of plowing her Ladyship would be receiving an Imperial ass-kicking.

The recruit backed up as one of the soldiers cracked his knuckles and was going to place a left hook of a punch right as Vyn held up his cane to stop it from happening. "Jokes and soldiers talk, much like a sailors, I tolerate to an extant. What you say about our lovely Princess to your bunkmates is your privilege, but out here she is your lord and master. Out here when she says jump and you ask fucking how high!"

crack!

Vyn's cane lashed out and struck the recruit right between the eyes. Knocking him back into three other recruits who shoved him away. Clearly they did not want to face the wrath their comrade was now facing by helping him. A trickle of blood came down from the recruits fore head from a wound hidden in his hairline. Vyn cleared his throat by spatting phlegm into the grass as he spoke, "Since our good friend Merik seems likable to the idea of using foul language in reference to our Imperial Lady. I'm volunteering you all to clean the Palace stables. Not a speck of horseshit by tomorrow night. Dismissed!"

The group scattered with more foul language, this time directed at the hapless Merik, as the Barracks returned to normal routine. The ceremony with the Princess went on for about another hour until she departed with her escort. The Albion soldiers in turn marched out of the Gate located opposite the one leading to the city in which Zephyr had come from. The East or Port Gate led to the Capitals dockyards that wrapped around the Southern half of the city and inner bay. From which they would be ferried across to the mainland to march South bound.

Klamath Mountain Wilderness, North of Loc Druedanann

The party was moving at a good pace North wards. It was Becka, the older Huntress who answered Hynias inquiry with a brief glance in his direction. "Contracts up in Vyrengaard City. Imperial Majesty no less. Didn't specify what exactly we would be hunting, perhaps the Emperor himself does not know with concrete proof yet, but the setting tells us much already."

She went into silence as Folwine, one of the younger Hunters in his mid-twenties spoke up where Becka left off, "I reckon it's Vampires. Higher order though, not mutated enough to stand out in a crowd, but not raving rabid like lower fangers are. They tend to crop up once in a while in more populated areas. Quite a few are rather harmless, feeding off the willing or animals if they have the control over their thirst, others are hacked to pieces once discovered by local authorities."

Guthen, almost like some twins have been known to do spoke immediately after Folwine finished, "You see if enough of these blood suckers get together, or if an Alpha is present, they'll form a hierarchy or coven in laymans terms. Usually seeking to remain undiscovered and rein in any excess by more volatile members of the coven. Hell, some covens actually execute their own for conducting themselves in a way that may lead to their discovery. The good thing is that Vampirism is not rampant. It's actually a long drawn out process to be turned. Just ask Folwine."

Folwine without a word pulled down the back of his hood to show the scars from a bite mark on the back of his neck, the size and shape was unmistakably from a human mouth. Guthen continued, "You see. Getting bitten doesn't turn you. At least into a Vampire. You have to actually consume their blood after being bitten within a 48 hour period of each other. The Elders have concluded the bite is like an initial infection that your body can easily beat. But the blood of a Vampire is like a maximum dosage that turns you."

Gregorian smirked at the young hunters attempt at an expression. Gregorians voice was deep and reserved, "Honestly, it could be a dozen things and all them not so friendly. Just be prepared to go with the flow and you'll live with hopefully more than you bargained for in terms of experience."

Syra, the girl riding next to Arandyn, looked back in her saddle, "Does our wayward companion have a name? Or shall we call you something of our own imagination?"

The forest was dense around them, the mountains high and the ground uneven. Yet, the horses managed to navigate with little problems, the Hunters experienced with the surrounding area. At least until they heard someone coming through the brush off to their right. Arandyn brought himself to a stop and held up a gloved hand for silence. The Hunters listened.

Becka whispered under her breath, "Biped, possibly two stones in weight, moving passive. Stalking us?"

The shape of a male being came into view (Andre). "A Dwarf?" said Syra with a bemused expression while Arandyn kept silent and watched.

Flashback

"These lands are wild, and we care not for trespass unless it is to commit malicious acts. My name is Reginald d'Mortain of the far North-East. Though that is not important as I am no noble. However, who are you and speak plainly if you please?" The older Hunter seemed rather intrigued at the events unfolding. The others remained where they were ready for action.

[Servinta]

-trippy snipy-

Andre was without a care in the world as he trudged along through the thick underbrush that seemed to cover the ground in every direction around him.He didn't mind the odd twig and leave brushing aginst his tie-dye shirt as he walked by, for while it was thick with vegetation he was determined to continue along the animal path that had been traveled by deer and wolf alike in these wild lands.Where there was animals, there was sure to be good amounts of edible food, a source drinkable water, and considering there weren't many man-made paths used in these parts he was forced to walk this one.

He counted himself lucky he had found it none the less instead of a man-made road because while it seemed counter-intuitive he felt safer away from 'modern civilization'.On the roads of the ancients he saw how unnatural the cracked black pavement seemed aginst the natural world, and more often than not bandits would roam that pavement looking to steal and murder out of greed.But animals generally didn't mug you for your shoes or coins, not to say that Andre didn't have to run from a ravenous mountain loin or wolf pack but they generally didn't bother him and he did likewise.

The path seemed to die off into a thicket of low trees and tall bushes ahead of him.This left him with two options, one was to turn around and backtrack to the main trial he had left, or he would have to trust the trail continued and would have to brave the thicket.With the thought of another three hours just to go backwards he grimaced and looked forward at the wall of green.

With little interest in going back he strut forward and into the bustle of bushes that laid ahead of him, almost immediately regretting it as he felt a few thorns poke into his skin.His people had hardy hides like leather, but he still didn't enjoy the discomfort of thorn bushes as he pushed aginst the vines and branches that blocked the path from his waist upward.

"Errrm!" he growled to himself as he was back slapped by a branch that he pushed back, only to have it swing back with tinsel strength and slap him across the face.

"OUCH" He cried out as he was assaulted yet again by another random branch on his back like a slave driver whipping him to work.

Finally he could see direct sunlight ahead of him and without a second thought he charged for the break in the leaves, being stabbed and poked by several bushes before he finally made it.Out he tumbled into the open where he landed squarely on his bottom in the dirt, breathing a sigh of relief before he looked up and saw something he hadn't expected to see in these parts, HUMANS.

"BY MY GRANDFATHERS BEARD!!!" He cried out in fright as such a sight, not that any of them seemed ugly or actually frighting.He was honestly surprised to see a group of humans as he was use to either animals or the occasional lonely trapper.

[New Chataqua]

Oregon

The man seemed to unconsciously brace himself before he replied.. "I am Ignacio de la Cruz, by blood High Marshall of the Republic of Santa Fe, by title Marshal of the North, and by deed...the butcher of Idaho Springs." He gestured to the troop of men behind him. "These are the men of my command. We seek to atone for our sins and preserve the freedom of these lands."

Palmer Lake: The Estamere Manor

"Gilead." Elanna's voice had an edge to it, her husband realized. The sort of edge it carried when she felt ignored. The Lord of Estamere turned away from the map-table with its banners and symbols...representative of the strength of his far-extended, and he feared, far over-extended realm. He pushed his concerns aside and turned to face his wife.

Lady Estamere was clad in a dark green riding habit, the closely laced jacket following the curves of her trim frame, her face flushed from a brisk morning ride, a crop held in her hands. Gilead smiled. Her beauty was a refreshing change from the damned map. She did not return the smile.

"Gilead. Did you forget?"

The Lord of Estamere's mind raced. Anniversary? No. A feast? No. Birthday?...."

"We were to ride together. Instead, you lose yourself in your toys." She pointed the crop at the map-table with its armies. "I sometimes feel as though I'm married to a ghost."

Gilead's smile disappeared. "My love..." he hung his head, "I'm so sorry. I've let my concern rule me. I completely forgot. "

Elanna nodded. "I know." She stepped closer and reached up, resting her hands on her husband's muscular shoulders beneath the thin linen shirt. "I know that your responsibilities are crushing. But perhaps you need a reminder."

Next he knew soft lips were pressed against his mouth. He leaned into the kiss and returned it passionately. A time later, they disengaged, breathing heavily. "Will this help you remember in the future?"

Gilead's smile returned.

[Military Democracy of Birtonia]

Zephyr Alron
Vyrengaard City, Imperial Army Barracks

---

Several grueling laps around the complex later, even the strongest of the recruits to include Zephyr felt the last of their energy reserves being depleted from their bodies. As if every step they took bled their life into the hard ground of the barracks. Thankfully, the drillmaster called them back to formation just as Zephyr felt his legs were going to fall off. Zephyr stood on the far left flank of the formation and smiled ever so slightly to himself when a more experienced recruit was being chastised for Zephyr passing him up.

This small victory was short lived.

Some blunt object jammed itself into Zephyr's shoulders as he stood, still winded from the running. He quickly turned and saw what caused his pain, seeing that it was the drillmaster, Zephyr snapped himself back to attention and rolled his shoulders back, hoping that was the cause of his punishment. With a quick bark of orders all recruits assumed the push up position, their hands extended straight out from the shoulders and legs together all forming a generally a straight line with their bodies. The senior recruit, referred to as O'Dalley by Vyn began sounding off a cadence for the exercise.

"One, two three!" shouted the recruit as they began the monotonous workout.

The recruits sounded off with the number of repetition performed once the leader counted to three, and then they would continue for an amount of time Zephyr didn't bother to keep track of. All together in the first thirty push-ups the recruits were loud, proud, and cohesive. However as their muscles began to fail them so too did their spirits and voices and the end result was a shaky, wobbly mess of voices struggling to get energy out of their lungs. Hearing another shout Zephyr finally thought it was over, but was depressed to find everyone else on their backs starting a new exercise.

What seemed like hours later, the men were finally dismissed, hopefully for the day. Zephyr picked himself up from the ground and kneeled where he sat, a hand was extended to him. He looked up and followed the hand to an arm and finally to the face of another recruit, one that had been here before him, but not quite a senior recruit yet.

"Come on, get up" said the other guy in a friendly, but distanced voice.

Zephyr looked at him, the man couldn't have been much older than him, but the signs of Imperial Army training were already present in the man's face. A smile appeared on his face and Zephyr took his hand, being thrust upward to his feet.

"I'm Zephyr Alron, thanks, what's your name?" asked Zephyr, brushing his plain uniform off. His response was cut off by Drillmaster Vyn shouting for them to hurry off and conduct some personal hygiene and get chow. The swarm of recruits rushed off quickly.

"I'll find him later" Zephyr thought to himself as he followed the tide of wanna-be soldiers moving from the muster field. First order of business was to feed himself, in all of the chaos of training Zephyr had forgotten that the last thing he had eaten was this morning in the market square. Thankfully signs were posted throughout the intersections of the barracks and he had found the mess hall, savory flavors drifted out from the doors as Zephyr approached. It was obvious to anyone with two working eyes that there were two separate lines within the building, one for the real soldiers and one for recruits at training, sometimes affectionately called RATS by the veterans in the line adjacent to them. Finally it was Zephyrs turn to receive some form of sustenance, holding his bowl out he was saddened to find a paltry amount of rather watery stew and a small piece of bread ripped off from an already minuscule loaf.

The recruits were force to sit alongside the walls of the building, not even warranting a table, let alone a bench quite yet. He quickly finished his "meal" and went to deposit his bowl in the rear to be washed and recycled for the next meal period, he spotted what the soldiers were eating, it was nearly a feast for each man!

After their relatively short personal time, the recruits were now being summoned back at the muster field. Curious, Zephyr looked around as he approached Drillmaster Vyn, and saw hundreds of soldiers, clad in impressive armor and armed with some of the largest weapons he had ever seen before in his life standing square in the middle of the field. Vyn grabbed him and shoved him in the third column, on the left flank of the formation. Though events were occurring right around him, Zephyr did not dare break his bearing, lest Vyn smash him with his cane again.

Entire formations fell to their knees and crossed a hand over their heart, creating a wave like effect, Zephyr followed suite as the men to his right did so. This point, he was able to look around, as the other men in his formation did, and he finally saw what the reason behind all of this pomp and circumstance was. By far the most absolutely gorgeous creature Zephyr had ever seen was riding an equally magnificent white horse into the barracks complex. As she approached Zephyr felt some heat rushing over his cheeks as the two of them made direct eye contact, but was broken when the woman took Drillmaster Vyn's hand and passed along the road. They returned to their feet and a long period of time passed before companies were being dismissed, a snide joke from a senior recruit in the rear of the formation warranted a large amount of unwanted attention.

Yelling from several soldiers, officers, but more importantly, Vyn all centered around a man known as Merik resulted in an impressive strike to the recruits forehead from Vyn's cane. Thanks to his foolishness the recruits were now ordered to remove horseshit from the horse stalls. Groans and cursing came from pockets of recruits as they sauntered off in the direction of the stalls. Zephyr walked over to the other recruit still sitting on the ground, rather dazed and some blood dripping off his nose. He extended a hand to the boy.

"Your a fool, you know that?" asked Zephyr.

[Serio]

Helckinger Palace

Dustin looked at his newly constructed palace, it wasn't much to look at but it would do. It was a 3 story mud brick hut with open windows to let the air cool it. It was the tallest building in the village and had guard towers surrounding it with the tribes finest bowmen always manning it. Dustin wished this wasn't needed though, so many guards everywhere this was because of the threat of relatives of the former chief coming to kill him. They claimed the throne even though Dustin was appointed successor, something would be needed to be done to make his claim be undeniable. There were three other villages around his that were ruled by his enemies. He decided that he would take his royal guard and defeat their garrisons. They were still technically under his rule but he knew they would put up fight. He sent out a decree to all of his subjects,

"My royal guard is being sent out to all of your fiefs to ensure your loyalty. If you resist you will have the same fate of a stone dropped in water you will simply disappear."

He and his men set out to go to each village, when they got to the first of the three he found he was welcome with open arms. The rulers there were the nephews of the former chief and recognized Dustin as the ruler of the tribe and were the most loyal to him. The knew of the dissent and said they would gladly join him on his quest to remove the traitors from the clan.

He rested in the village for the night and then set off for the next town. When he got there he was greeted by a wave of arrows. His men scrambled into formation, making a shield wall and protecting themselves. His royal guard of around 800 men lost no men in the first barrage and advanced slowly towards the town under arrow fire. Once there they charged up the towers and barracks slaughtering anyone who seemed to be a soldier. This massacre was followed with the beheading of the village's ruler's family and their heads put on stakes at the palace door of that village. Dustin continued on to the final village.

When he got to the next village he could see a man riding off with a train of wagons, He quickly rode up to him and saw he was the final opposer to his claim. He swiftly beheaded him, his guards stood in shock for a while before throwing down their weapons and swearing loyalty to Dustin as the new king. With this he rode into the town to find the traitors wife sitting on the palace steps, he found her and asked what she was doing. "Waiting to die" she answered. Dustin saw her fearlessness in the face of death and said "Everyone spends their life waiting to die, but now you will wait longer". With that he left her and set off to his home village.

When he got back he found Daniel and Erik, the two nephews, waiting for him. They said to him "We wish to proclaim you king of all who dwell in the sands, all who live around these lands. We wish to make you the greatest king of this land, We will serve under you and do all we can for you. If we fail you you may behead us, take our families and riches, take our finest horses and land." and with that they set out to gather all the nobles to host the ceremony.

They gathered at the coast, a place sacred to his people. The coastline of Baha was said to be the birthplace of the gods, created from the waters of creation. When Dustin got there, all landowners and nobles of significant power (Around 30-40) payed him tribute and sweared loyalty to him . The document that proclaimed him king said "In the waters of creation the gods were born, a king is born. Dustin Helckinger is proclaimed king of all, the hand of the gods, ruler of all."

[New Chataqua]

Bump

[Imperialisium]

Washington State Overview

Washington State was rather an irony of itself, though it was no longer called by that name among the common folk. The land had a few names depending on who was talking, what region one resided, and the language spoken. If one lived in the North-Western quarter of the state the Vyrengaard Empire was practically a monodominant culture. Vyrengaardian could be spoken for miles without a hint of another tongue being present, Imperial tax collectors traveled with modest escort on kept paths or along the few roads available. The land, while heavily forested, was for the most part tame and generally regarded as safe. Moving along the Western half of the state traveling North to South you'd progress into increasingly provincial territory. The regional culture gradually shifting the closer one got to the former land of Oregon. Yet it was still comparatively densely populated (though by 2015 standards that isn't much). If one struck out East the population gradually thinned, wilderness far less tame, and the traveled routes far less inviting.

Waterway was the safest route along the rivers that wound throughout the land. Imperial Navy cutters made routine patrols deep into the territory to protect the barge trade. The Eastern half was a mixed of lawlessness and fenced in hamlets. The occasional wooden fort own by some self proclaimed noble could be expected, though whatever 'unofficial' fiefdom was nothing more than several hectares at best and usually just incorporated a village or surrounding homesteads.

That all changed when Imperial Outriders, armed messengers operating in groups, crossed the river bearing decrees. This land, claimed by the Emperor, was to be officially organized by Imperial Law and standards. Granted the largest ethnic group of settlers was Vyrengaardian this was easier said than done. Yet, some were hesitant with more than one village elder or self proclaimed noble rejecting the decrees, something the Emperor or any Imperial Official would regard as arrogant rebellion. However, some capitalized on this and also sent back offers of assistance in Imperialization of the land in exchange for 'official' titles.

The Empire was moving to press East as far as the Western stretches of the former Idaho.