Age of Blood and Fire [Medieval/Fantasy RP][IC]

[Hallimas Islands]

snip

"Very well, I agree to your tarriff plan. May I also suggest we combine our efforts in rebuilding and improving the old Alcenian highways? A combined infrastructural project would benefit both our peoples and traders. You know how terrible those forests are, my scouts report of feral dwarves and banditry. We must ensure our trade is protected from these threats that somehow survived the hell that was the Age of Woes. Do you agree, Grandmaster Heinrich? My architects have made a plan already, we only need men to enter the area and your Order can protect our builders from the feral beasts and then we can station watch guards to protect the merchants in the future." Thukrar stated.

Looking around, no one spoke against him. Without their leader, Thukrar and the High Priest had silenced the Ultra-Traditionalists from speaking. Thukrar felt uneasy, his position had just been threatened by a very powerful Low King. He calmed himself down, however, below him was his most avid supporter... The Clergy, as long as they remained loyal, his position is safe. Thinking even more, he has the most respected and eldest Low King on his side, old 'Ironside' Khelsar and the forward thinking, young Chemkar Uldoril. Thukrar eased his mind and awaited patiently for the Grandmaster's reply.

---

Hemekar-Khal, the most northern mountain - Khul's Cavern, the Mines | Two Weeks before the Embassy

"Bloody 'ell, lads. We found an interesting thing 'ere!" shouted Huldar, leader of the Hemekar Deep Mining Expedition, "Oi, Gorin, ye bloody oaf! Come o'er 'ere and blow this bloody obstacle sky high! I have a feelin' there's gonna be a good surprise under 'ere."

"Alright, Huldar, bloody git you are... Thinkin' you can see through the bloody rocks! Ye may be the leader of this 'ere expedition, but if ye find nuthin' King Homor Jahberdil will tear yer beard t' shreds! So don't go callin' me a bloody oaf." replied Gorin, setting up the explosives, "It's ready. Get back lads!"

BOOM

"Now, let's see what we 'ave 'ere... By Khul! What in Khul's name 'ave we done! Bloody feral beasts!" shouted Huldar as he saw the wretched and blind clan of cave goblins. They all looked up and stared at the expedition. A cacophony of screeches, shouts and growls were heard. They began to retrieve weapons and climbed up. The expedition ran. Scrambling up the cave, one by one they were killed in the horde. One by one they died. The horde moved like an unthinking wave. Crashing and drowning the intrepid explorers. With clubs and axes. Wood and shards od metal, the cave goblins have returned to the Fifteen Peaks. Gorin and Huldar were left on a small overlook, looking over the goblins.

Huldar ordered, "Gorin... We gotta go! Now! Come on now ye bloody oaf!"

Gorin answered, "No, Huldar. I am going kill those bastards. They aint getting away with this!" He set down his explosives, "I will light this bloody thing, if its the last bloody thing I ever do! You go! This'll hold 'em off for a while. Notify the Guard and the King. May Khul by with ye, Huldar."

Huldar, with tears in his eyes, ran. Clambering up to the outpost. An explosion would be heard below him with the cries of the goblins. He went to the outpost and reported everything. However, the wave hadn't been stopped. A full evacuation of Khul's Cavern would be called and a strict quarantine and guard would be stationed.

One Week Later

Homor sat before his commitee, goblins had not been seen in a century. These blind monsters had only been seen before the Command of the Elders. He opened up an old edict made by his great-grandfather, Thurin Jehbardil. Considering it he looked towards his nobles.

He asked, "What do you think?" They were also rather discombobulated, they had no ideas, Homor sighed, "Very well, I re-enact the Goblin Command made by Thurin Jehbardil and thus I call for the conscription of the Hemekar-Khal troops. I order this, enact it now." The nobles stood up and walked awkwardly outside the room.

Meanwhile, the goblins have stopped, they set up camp at the old outpost. Their chieftain built a large tent built with the materials of the outpost. They were there to stay and with the capture of the gold an jewellery, also in the outpost, they lusted for the riches above. Raids were common and the Dwarves were completely caught by surprise. This time, the Chieftain would lead a committed large attack on the Dwarves. He would attack in a week and show to his kin that he would lead them to gold or even... The surface.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Eastern Border near frontier town of Hall, Iniki Lands

"Greetings to you Mayor Xuxi" said Vasara, relieved that at least one amongst them spoke Imperial. "We have ridden west because we have heard of what great warriors you are, and seek good terms and a potential alliance against the evil one and the darkness that is to come. Who amongst the, er"

Vasara struggle with the name for a moment.

"Who amongst the Tynoki Nyai Iniki is leader? And where might we find this great leader? For we wish to meet and talk of a potential alliance against the coming darkness".

[Ralnis]

Eastern Border near frontier town of Hall, Iniki Lands

"Greetings to you Mayor Xuxi" said Vasara, relieved that at least one amongst them spoke Imperial. "We have ridden west because we have heard of what great warriors you are, and seek good terms and a potential alliance against the evil one and the darkness that is to come. Who amongst the, er"

Vasari struggle with the name for a moment.

"Who amongst the Tynoki Nyai Iniki is leader? And where might we find this great leader? For we wish to meet and talk of a potential alliance against the coming darkness".

The Docile tilt her head a bit," what darkness is this? What great evil is such a force that we must allied with you. Is it the Imperials, tall Greenskins, maybe other Beastmen?"

She gives a sigh," no one, especially Wolf-Greenskin or any, to see the Divine Two-Eyed without good measure. If you have something of these visions of doom and this dark one that makes such a great stench."

[New Socialist South Africa]

Vasara nodded. "Our diviners and shamans have indeed seem such omens, those of fire and blood. I speak not of mere beastmen or of feeble Imperials. I speak of a greater evil than that. I speak of the evil one whose minions ravaged the lands during the age of woes. The great shaman has seen a clear premonition of his coming, a cockroach amongst the bones in the bone bag, one that had no doing being in there. It is a monstrosity whose name we do not speak unless we must. A beast with the body of a giant snake, giant wings like that of a cockroach and the face of a human, but with goat horns upon its head and a snake's fangs. When this monstrosity awakens, he will release his wrath upon this land, a fury that made the tide of the beasts in the age of woes look like nothing in comparison. We come to seek an alliance against this darkness, for divided it will destroy call before it. Only united can we defeat it".

"We have brought with us a young diviner" she said, motioning back to the sixteen year old she goblin riding with the group, stationed back with the other three riders up on the hill, watching from a distance. We hope that she and I can confer with this Divine Two-Eyed one of who you speak, and share what we know of the coming of the evil one".

[Ralnis]

Vasara nodded. "Our diviners and shamans have indeed seem such omens, those of fire and blood. I speak not of mere batsmen or of feeble Imperials. I speak of a greater evil than that. I speak of the evil one whose minions ravaged the lands during the age of woes. The great shaman has seen a clear premonition of his coming, a cockroach amongst the bones in the bone bag, one that had no doing being in there. It is a monstrosity whose name we do not speak unless we must. A beast with the body of a giant snake, giant wings like that of a cockroach and the face of a human, but with goat horns upon its head and a snake's fangs. When this monstrosity awakens, he will release his wrath upon this land, a fury that made the tide of the beasts in the age of woes look like nothing in comparison. We come to seek an alliance against this darkness, for divided it will destroy call before it. Only united can we defeat it".

"We have brought with us a young diviner" she said, motioning back to the sixteen year old she goblin riding with the group, stationed back with the other three riders up on the hill, watching from a distance. We hope that she and I can confer with this Divine Two-Eyed one of who you speak, and share what we know of the coming of the evil one".

" I don't know what that means," she meowed," but if she is magically trained and attuned then I can call for a White Fur, a magi of our race, to see if what you say is true or should you see the Divine Two-Eyed. It will take time, a week at most, to get one from the capital. What I can offer you is hospitality under a close guard until then."

The cat's eyes focus into slits as she awaits a response and the grips of the guards tightly on their spears to see what would come of the Goblins.

[Tysklandia]

-snip-

1200 Iniki Tribals
Yon-Sur: powerful mage, rides on a Leashfiend
Minded Wei-xei: Mage second, rides on a Leashfiend
600 Brave Coats
100 Prowlers
50 Night Eyes
200 Tamers on Bigurz
250 Striped Knuckles

Yon-Sur's Warband

The knight, wide eyed and smelling of fear as he saw his fellow knight burnt to death, muttered incoherently after his mind and willpower evaporated due to the spell cracking his mind. Needing a few moments to regain his senses, he managed to speak, begging for his life as he did so.

"Please, my father serves king Ealfred of Mercin, he has raised his banners to hunt you down, he camps a day's travel east of here... Please, grant me life, I can convince them to let you escape with your lives, I beg of you. "

War camp of King Ealfred, King of the petty kingdom of Mercin

Hundreds of small campfires illuminated the encampment of king Ealfred and half a dozen of his bannermen. nearly two thousand men, levied peasants and men at arms, sat and drank the night away. Rumors swept through the camp as the party of knights returned, bloodied and without the son of lord Greal, the liege lord of Londinium, a port city that had sway over much of the kingdoms coin. He had taken much of Ealfred's knights along with him, hoping to find the roaming Warband and put them to the sword. Apparently, they had been more numerous as expected and vicious enough to send a host of knights on the run... One of the knights had even said they feasted on the flesh of women and children, in the middle of a battle! Many drank themselves to sleep that night, fearing ever facing them in battle, others prayed to Odum and Kav for the strength to send these creatures into oblivion.

"WHERE IS MY SON HULMA! GOD DAMNIT, I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF YOU DAMN COWARD! I WI-"

Two bannermen held back lord Grael as he attempted to draw his sword inside the tent of King Ealfred. Illuminated by candles, the king and his lords listened to the report of one of the knights who had rode the entire day and night to return to the war camp.
After hearing that his son had been captured by these cannibalistic monsters, he had lost his mind in grief, demanding the head of the knight that had dared to run from the battle.

"My lord, he told us to run, he told us to escape so we could meet them in the field, if he hadn't I would have ne-"

-

"MARK MY WORDS, I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD ONE DAY, HULMA, I SWEAR IT ON MY LIFE"

As the two bannerman pulled the enraged lord out of the tent, king Ealfred remained silent for a moment glancing at the map in front of him. Several Red markers marked the map, ranging all through the Alcenian plains, cutting through a dozen kingdoms and marking a path to the south-west.
The king spoke with a weary tone as he gave his marching orders.

"These beasts have cut a path of murder and destruction throughout the kingdoms of Alcenia... Their path of destruction marks their origin as the westerwoods... It seems likely that they will continue east, as they have done so for the past weeks and months... They will march our way eventually. Let us send our scouts so we can pick our field of battle. The gods be willing, we will burn their corpses under kav's blessing soon enough... Froromir, what about the Rohirim?"

Frororim, one of the less influential bannermen, holding a rather large, but sparsely populated region of the kingdom, had arranged a meeting with the Rohirim that had a sprawling kingdom in the shadows of the world peak mountains. Known for their mounted riders, archers and hunters. Even their young and women learned to ride a horse. For coin, they often sold their services as mercenaries for the surroundings kings and warlords, fearing the raiding band to be beyond their own capacity to defeat. So by the order of the king, he had arranged a party of 300 riders to join them in battle.

"They have encamped in the valley two leagues from here, my lord. Given word, they will join us by morning."

Ealfred nodded and dismissed his bannermen for the night. They would need their rest, for battle was imminent.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Eastern Border near frontier town of Hall, Iniki Lands

"My companion is a young diviner of the Varna clan. She has skill reading the stars and the skies for signs" said Vasara. I'm not sure if your white fur will be able to see such training and power, but if they can then so be it. We will be more than happy to accept your hospitality while we wait for this white fur. Let me go and inform the rest of my party, and we will come and join you in your town. We have brought some smoked deer meat and some drąsa with us, so let us share some of it as a sign of the good faith between us".

Vasara was a little perturbed by the extreme suspicion the catfolk viewed her and her companions with, but she said nothing of it. Goblins were far from loved, and it seemed this strange species had little love for them either.

Laužas, Wolf Forest, a week before the first Knight-Catfolk clash

"And they say they have been burning a path of destruction as they go" said Ehrahm, pointing at the map. The frontiersman was back in the camp, celebrating a successful hunt with the goblins with a feast around the camp fire.

"Some of the pretender Imperials have gathered something of a force up north here" he said indicating part of the map.

"How many?" asked Greitas.

"I'm not sure" said Ehrahm. "Could be as few as 1 000, could be as many as 5 000. But they will likely mostly just be peasants. They will have some knights amongst them however, and some men-at-arms, those mounted and those on foot".

"And the catmen are the same of those we seek alliance with in the west?"

"It seems so" said Ehrahm.

"And how many are there?" Greitas asked.

"That I don't know" said Ehrahm. "Some say thousands, some say tens of thousands. Reports get wilder every time the story is retold. Likely a host of around 3 000 to 5 000. They have been clearing a path of destruction, so they must have strength as a host, but if the humans seek to fight them in the open, rather than retreating to their castles, they must think they have some hope of defeating them".

Greitas looked at the map carefully.

"What are you thinking?" asked Ehrahm.

"We know the Baron and some of his host will have headed off to Fifteen Peaks" noted Greitas, tapping its place on the map. "That would clear any real threat from the east".

He tapped the place the armies were said to have assembled. "We can expect a clash soon, and unless one side breaks quickly one force or both should take quite some casualties in such a battle, weighing them low. If the catfolk win, the Imperial pretenders will be left weakened. If the Imperial pretenders win, it will leave them tired, and likely depleted of men. If we ride fast we may arrive in time to reinforce the Catfolk, or at the very least arrive in time to clean up whatever humans are left standing and go pick up some food. Such a move could help us secure our alliance in the west, and remind these Imperial pretenders that they best forget their dreams of trying to restoring their evil upon this land. We can pick up some more steel weapons and food in the process".

"You'll have to cross the plains" noted Ehrahm.

"We will ride fast, take only the supplies we need to support our riders and the poisons for our bows and spears. Leave the petty kingdoms, villages and towns unscathed for now, pass by them before they have time to gather strength against us".

"How many shall we call?" asked Astri, one of Greitas' three bodyguards.

"All the riders we have". He said simply. "Call the seven thousand. We ride for the bloody hunt. Any who enter our forests while we are away with face ambushes from the trees. Let all those who can make it at the north eastern edge of the wood ride. Those who cannot make it will stay behind to carry on the hunt here".

Astri nodded, and produced a strange howling sound with her mouth. Soon the direwolves around in the camp began to do so as well, lifting their great heads to the sky and howling a deep and sonorous sound. Soon, in the distance, howls were answered. The clans were gathering, for war.

[Kaledoria]

"Very well, I agree to your tariff plan. May I also suggest we combine our efforts in rebuilding and improving the old Alcenian highways? A combined infrastructural project would benefit both our peoples and traders. You know how terrible those forests are, my scouts report of feral dwarves and banditry. We must ensure our trade is protected from these threats that somehow survived the hell that was the Age of Woes. Do you agree, Grandmaster Heinrich? My architects have made a plan already, we only need men to enter the area and your Order can protect our builders from the feral beasts and then we can station watch guards to protect the merchants in the future." Thukrar stated.

"Yes, yes," Sir Heinrich answered. "West of Eichenried, the old highway is in serious disrepair. But the area is not as bad as further up north in the woods. The Karlswald has usually been left to govern itself and besides a few hermits who chose this lifestyle for respectable reasons, this mostly had been appealing to those in conflict with the law elsewhere. I will take my Knights there and we will sort the area out: The decent people and minor offenders will get integrated in the project, while the dangerous subjects will be transported to the Ulgor mountains. Maybe in the quarries, they can provide their share, too."

Heinrich was content. Lot's of money could be made here, as the dwarfs were basically a whole different culture and line of crafts but without the costs of shipping goods once across the continent. He knew that his vassal of the Order of the Weltenhorn would take advantage of the privileges granted to the islands of his realm to undercut tariffs but the Isles were poorly populated and would not be a reasonable trade hub. A port along the dwarven coast would be a natural center, however, if the lesser King who had just left the room stood for more then just himself, then this might fail due to local resistance against to many foreign merchants coming into Suthkar-Khals and then the large, rich towns in the west of his realm could have the opportunity. How well they would be able to use it was also depending on the people of the Basilea .

[Ralnis]

Yon-Sur's Warband

The knight, wide eyed and smelling of fear as he saw his fellow knight burnt to death, muttered incoherently after his mind and willpower evaporated due to the spell cracking his mind. Needing a few moments to regain his senses, he managed to speak, begging for his life as he did so.

"Please, my father serves king Ealfred of Mercin, he has raised his banners to hunt you down, he camps a day's travel east of here... Please, grant me life, I can convince them to let you escape with your lives, I beg of you. "

The Warmatron's Ears perked up and twitched in his direction as he spoke.

" The Kingdom of Mercin?" One of her retractable claws pop out as she scratches her fur.

" The Kingdom is in my way to the Mountains." She meowed to herself.

Her eyes were moving around the ground as he she sniffed the ground. This was bad as she had expected as Humans always are. The ancient stories told of Human warriors and what the Iniki Tribals had to do to free the Dociles from their servitude. However, the Humans of Mercin was blocking the way to Kal-Jurnmeir, the Iniki's new colony where they could learn ancient dwarven secrets.

She started to converse by meowing with the head Prowler to see if their any trails that could go around the army. It was a difficult thing to ask as the trail was so close and new paths would have to be sniffed out but it could be done. Yon-Sur talked to the Wei-Xei about food for the trip to see if they had to raid another village or two to keep their food stocks up.

While they were talking, the smell became pungent with a mix odor of thick wood, dog, and a familiar stench that made the back of Yon-Sur arch up in instinct.

" Goblins! Weapons up!" Yon-Sur meowed as the rest of the Iniki huddled up around the Knights and saw the mounted horde of Goblins wielding arrows and wooden weapons on the backs of direwolves the size of their Bigurz.

Yon-Sur couldn't believe her eyes. Goblins on the topside, riding wolves no less! It was a nightmare for her as she knew of the cave-dwelling Greenskins that caused the catfolk grief when they were trying to expand their great city underground to survive the Age of Woe. She gripped her staff tightly as a spell was being ready to cast as the Goblins got closer.

Eastern Border near frontier town of Hall, Iniki Lands

"My companion is a young diviner of the Varna clan. She has skill reading the stars and the skies for signs" said Vasara. I'm not sure if your white fur will be able to see such training and power, but if they can then so be it. We will be more than happy to accept your hospitality while we wait for this white fur. Let me go and inform the rest of my party, and we will come and join you in your town. We have brought some smoked deer meat and some drąsa with us, so let us share some of it as a sign of the good faith between us".

Vasara was a little perturbed by the extreme suspicion the catfolk viewed her and her companions with, but she said nothing of it. Goblins were far from loved, and it seemed this strange species had little love for them either.

The Mayor meowed to the garrison commander to put their spears away for now. The garrison commander groaned at her but the Mayor express that they were outnumbered and a White Fur was coming so things could be safe. The garrison commander knew not of the magics the Spirit-Touched had but has heard of the Divine Two-Eyed being like a demigod in the eyes of them.

The cats put their spears to their sides and stood at two single-file lines. The Goblins were escorted in the city but their wolves had to be left out as the Iniki didn't like the smell of dogs, making their backs arch up and eyes focus with near-deadly intent. The Tribal Brave Coats were use to the smell as they fought werewolves and eaten direwolves but still wanted them away.

The Mayor sent a messenger who went to one of the many underground tunnels that went into Enderbright but it would take days to get word of this envoy. From then on, the Goblins were treated fairly, but watched as the Dociles gave them food, room, and drink to keep them waiting. There was no feast in their honor as pre-conceived notions of them being a scheme from the Cave-Dwelling Goblins were still on the minds of the Iniki and the Brave Coats watched them for the sign to snap and show any hostile intent so that they fight them.

After days, the large hole opened up and came with large, heavily armored Iniki that wore platemail and had a disciplined look as they carried hailberds, spears, and swords with kite shields as one spoke in Imperial for both Goblin and locals to understand.

" Greenskins, Iniki, we are honored to bring forth the Spirit-Touched! Bow in honor and reverence for the great Magi Sakoto!"

All the Iniki bowed and prayed to the Jokai as they awaited the arrival of the White Fur. After a few minutes, there was some commotion in the tunnel as the White Fur was pushed on its stomach and a servant meowing at the White Fur about proper etiquette. The Iniki bowed its head in asking for forgiveness but the servant just held his hand and she took it to hoist herself up.

The White Fur dust off her clothes and grabbed her staff which had the ceremonial dream catcher at the top adorned in the bones of other Iniki White Furs that magically attuned it. She walked over with and had a more youthful look than others of her breed but she was taller than the Mayor and the Goblins.

The Mayor bowed and wondered why they sent someone young to this important event. The Magi bowed in apology that the Mistress didn't think that the Goblins pocessed anything and wish for her to practice her Astro-scrying and magic sensing. The servant assured the Mayor that the young magi is no apprentice and is a capable magi for what is needed.

The Mayor understood as she still worried about the Magi's capablities. Sakoto went towards the Goblin shamaness and the group as she bowed.

" My name is Magi Sakoto. By my Mistress command, I will be a more, offical connection, to the Iniki and the uhh." She was stammering as she looked to the servant.

" Forest Goblins!" He shouted to her.

" Oh yes! I'm sorry Forest Goblin. This is my first time ever doing this ever since graduating from my studies. But I assure you that my skills and magical knowledge will be enough to for my duties. Now, may I see this young diviner of yours?"

[New Socialist South Africa]

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

A leading wolf gave a loud bark, and the wolves came to a steady stop, forming the broad front rank of what looked like a large force. The wolves stood, breathing hard from their long ride, with goblins and wolves alike watching the catfolk with curiosity.

One of the goblins rode forward from the rest, and shouted out in heavily accented Imperial. "Greetings to you great warriors of the west. We come to you as allies against the human Imperial pretenders. Let as ride together to battle and help you destroy their ranks. We seek only their steel weapons, and some supplies from this land, then we may part our ways. Will you join as as friends? Will you stand alongside us against our common enemy of the Imperial pretenders?"

The goblins and wolves watched the catfolk curiously but cautiously. Some 5 000 had been able to assemble in time to make the ride, some 3 000 mounted archers, 1 500 mounted spears and almost all of the 500 or so fierce Fanatics of Įniršis. Three of the five clan leaders had ridden to battle: Akmuo the Savage, Speniai the Venomous and of course Greitas the Cunning. Grandmother Uoga and Mother Daryiti had stayed behind to defend the forest, and to carry on the vital job of gathering berries, fruits and roots and some hunting to feed the population while many of the hunters were away.

They waited to see if the catfolk would accept their offer of help. If not they would simply ride onward to devastate the Kingdom, its armies forced to face two separate threats. But the goblins hoped to join the catfolk, and help them face and defeat their enemy together in battle.

Frontier town of Hall, Iniki Lands

Two goblins had remained outside the walls to ensure the direwolves were carefully fed and tended, and to ensure no harm came to them, and more importantly that they did not harm any others. The other four of the group had entered the small town however, and had awaited the coming of the White Fur they had spoken of.

Vasara was the only amongst the group who spoke the Impeial tongue, and so she served to introduce the diviner and to translate any communication between them. She called on Mirksi to step forward. The youthful sixteen year old she goblin diviner did so.

"Greetings to you Magi Sakoto" said Vasara. "I am Vasara, emissary of Greitas the Cunning. This is Mirksi, diviner of the Varna Clan".

Mirksi stepped forward, and extended her arms in the traditional forest goblin sign of friendship, smiling at the White Fur.

"Mirksi does not speak Imperial, so I shall act as a translator between you two" said Vasara, waiting to see what Sakoto would do or ask.

[Hallimas Islands]

Snip.

Princess-Ambassador Judith tried to keep herself calm as she weighed the loud argument that had occurred; she was not able to translate the words of said argument, but the fact that this public dispute had happened in the first place showed that the Suthur-Khal society was showing cracks in it. Civil War might be coming soon, and with it, a chance to make the Dwarves indebted to the Basilea for their support. That and Roken's.

She turned to High King Thurkar, "I accept your offer of an economic and military alliance on behalf of my people." The Princess-Ambassador then shifted to Sir Heinrich. "We also wish to request a pact between Roken and the Basilea, too."

In her mind, the Princess-Ambassador was already writing up a secret memorandum, one that she was only going to write up once well inside Basilean territory. It detailed how to support High King Thurkar in a war without making him look like a tool of the 'foreigners'. Food is the most important thing we can provide, as well as medicinal herbs. Our armies will be at a disadvantage in their tunnels. But all these relies on the gate guards being faithful.

She looked towards Chemkar Uldoril, the one who had proposed the naval treaty. He seemed to have a mercantile spirit; would that make him a good ally? She smiled at the Dwarven Low King, saying, "I hope that our ships can trade with each other soon. We always appreciate good merchants."

Chemkar replied, "Aye, ma'am. We are building ships in our ancient docks right now. They shall ne ready in about two months from now. 'Til then, my lads are training in nautical affairs. We shall soon be trading with you. Please note, ma'am, when you return to Sophiapolis that you tell them that to be kind to these lads, lest they cause trouble. Most of 'em have never even seen the blue sky, let alone the wide, open oceans." Thukrar nodded along to the young Dwarf's words.

Thukrar then said, "Let us all make a great alliance in the west... The Great Western Alliance! Of the Orderlands of Röken, the High Kingdom of the Suthar-Khals and the Basilea! We shall all protect eachother from enemies that come and exchange in free and friendly trade for the benefit of all our nations. We are the new bulwark of the civilised world, not as conquerors but as different races joining together to ensure peace and protection. Do you agree, Grandmaster Heinrich and Princess-Ambassador Judith?"

The Low Kings nodded along. Since it was Thukrar who announced it, the Ultra-Traditionalists couldn't touch him. However, one Low King, Homor Jehbardil - Low King of Hemekar-Khal - most northern of all the Fifteen-Peaks, stood.

Homor stated, "Hmph, Thukrar... You are too focused on the foreign matter. May my High King pay attention to domestic affairs? Goblins have been terrorising Hemekar-Khal for a fortnight and all you have done is post letters to foreigners! I came to this High Council thinking that you were going to address these issues but it seems you are blinded by the sun to see." He turned to the embassy, "Get this over with and agree, I must be getting home now."

[Dragos Bee]

The Basilea

Princess-Ambassador Judith smiled as she was addressed by Sir Heinrich. "Indeed, you show wisdom."

Then turning to Low King Chemkar, she said, "Indeed we shall; we also have books and manuals for naval matters to trade, and some of those include dealing with seasickness and shipbuilding. We also advise you to keep a store of pickled fruits and vegetables in your ships in order to avoid the sailor's disease called scurvy."

Back to High King Thurkar, "Of course we agree, High King. The Great Western Alliance shall be the glory of the world." A pause to listen to High King Homor's words, then the Princess-Ambassador spoke again. "However, and I hope I do not overstep my bounds in saying this, but there is a time for discussing foreign affairs and there is time for discussing matters of the hearth."

A breath. "Goblins are the common scourge of all goodly folk, and it is dangerous to allow them to flourish in one's backyard. So if there is any way we can help in their purging, please tell us. And, not to risk overstepping my bounds again, but you should not alienate any more of your people in your quest for peace with others; I think it is time to focus on the security of your Kingdom."

[Ralnis]

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

A leading wolf gave a loud bark, and the wolves came to a steady stop, forming the broad front rank of what looked like a large force. The wolves stood, breathing hard from their long ride, with goblins and wolves alike watching the catwalk with curiosity.

One of the goblins rode forward from the rest, and called out is heavily accented Imperial. "Greetings to you great warriors of the west. We come to you as allies against the human Imperial pretenders. Let as ride together to battle and help you destroy their ranks. We seek only their steel weapons, and some supplies from this land, then we may part our ways. Will you join as as friends? Will you stand alongside us against our common enemy of the Imperial pretenders?"

The goblins and wolves watched the catfolk curiously but cautiously. Some 5 000 had been able to assemble in time to make the ride, some 3 000 mounted archers, 1 500 mounted spears and almost all of the 500 or so fierce Fanatics of Įniršis. Three of the five clan leaders had ridden to battle: Akmuo the Savage, Speniai the Venomous and of course Greitas the Cunning. Grandmother Uoga and Mother Daryiti had stayed behind to defend the forest, and to carry on the vital job of gathering berries, fruits and roots and some hunting to feed the population while many of the hunters were away.

They waited to see if the catfolk would accept their offer of help. If not they would simply ride onward to devastate the Kingdom, its armies forced to face two separate threats. But the goblins hoped to join the catfolk, and help them face and defeat their enemy together in battle.

Yon-Sur's staff stopped glowing as she stood there curiously. The Goblins were wearing what could be leather jerkins compared to the steel the Iniki wear or some of the platemail Stripped Knuckle wear. The warband still cling to their weapons tightly against the sight of the Goblins. Yon-Sur went up to the Goblin on the Leashfiend that howled in response of being climbed on.

" I have heard a little of Wolf-Riding Greenskins coming to make friends with my race." She spit on the ground," but I still have no love for your filth in the caves that I hunt, or the topside."

She stopped for a second to catch her from being too angry, looking at the broken Knights and the son of a noble.

" I care not for the destruction of the Kingdom of Merclin. They are in the way of my mission to my Mistress but if they wish to stand in my way then so be it. I will ride with you Goblin and should this deal prove fruitful, then I will throw in my support for an alliance."

Frontier Town of Hall, Iniki Lands

The White Fur gave the gesture and then started to think as she breathed in the air through her nostrils.

" There's no inherit magic from your diviner, but magic is a mysterious thing and despite me not sensing the ebb and flow, there's always ritual." Sakoto said to the envoy.

" My field of magical study is in Star-Scrying, which is mostly to tell the ebb and flow of energy from the heavens and forecast weather. We're used to mostly predict seasonal conditions for good harvest and if its time to trade since we're still bound to them. If she's good at reading the stars and skies then perhaps I can share this message if we can recreate the ritual for her to see such things?"

[Spindle]

Councilship Complex
Ferial Tialle
Shi Tialle

Sereth watched, for that seemed to be his task now. To watch, observe, and record with his mind. He wasn't sure if he knew how he was supposed to do that, but as the listless one pulled some object from the pouch at her waist he realised he was in a bad position to do so. Even so, the description of their God of Chaos was more than enough for him to have a handle on what the situation entailed. It seemed...not the most easily discarded of warnings, but even so Sereth frowned. He'd seen enough of the world to know that the gods didn't like coming down to the mortal plane if they could help it. And if there was a god actively attempting to enter the world of men...

He shuddered. If it were true, they were in trouble. If it weren't, things could rapidly become very interesting.

"A claim which could be used as leverage in any negotiation as easily as it could warn in good faith." Hal-Hardan noted bluntly, "I would advise caution here, High Councillor."

"But in the event of possibility becoming actuality, preparations would become the most invaluable of all actions." Sierene countered, "Information freely given, see? No price attached, no strings illuminated by the candlelight they have themselves shed, or indeed by the candlelight of my own mind."

"Which makes it a perfect distraction. Throw this evil god at us and let us chase our tail trying to hunt it down before rolling in and taking us down hard."

Sierene giggled at that.

"Hashiir?"

The thelai simply shrugged.

"If I attempt a reading centred on this god and it exists and is awakening, I might stir it into wakefulness faster, or focus its attention upon us if and when it does awake."

"Then ponder what you know already."

"From the description it's Sun'nuri'intos, Lord of the Fourth Throne." Hashiir considered, "Corrupted, one way or another, but still bearing similarities in the name and physicality. That would make some degree sense, since the Fourth Throne can be described as goblinoid in origin, even if it is usually the Giant which represents it in the Deck. But if this is Sun'nuri'intos, I should be able to scry upon the Three Thrones and infer how the war goes from that. Though I wonder if we could just ask directly - Illynies?"

Sierene cackled.

"The Lady remains ascendant, yes, even as her husband wanes, yet does this ascribe victory or defeat? For those caught in the moment, alas, it is impossible to say."

"We don't know." Hal-Hardan snapped, "It's hard to tell how it's actually going, especially since I suspect the forces at play range beyond...us."

Sierene cackled again, and Sereth gulped. This was the woman responsible for producing munitions. He didn't like how...unhinged she seemed to be. Although it did explain where the sappers got it from, he reflected sourly. Mad bastards, the lot of them.

"Which means there's a possibility, but not a certainty." Hashiir noted, "So let's run some tests."

"'Tests' is an interesting word to use. What did you have in mind?"

Hashiir drew in a deep breath before nodding over to Akys.

"I want to pool with her and scry the future." He explained, "It won't be perfect, but it should give us a point of reference for their trustworthiness."

Sereth watched Morog close his eyes for a moment, before nodding slowly.

"Very well. Sekme, will you permit this?"

[New Socialist South Africa]

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

The goblin smiled at the agreement to ride with them to battle. "Then it is settled. We shall ride together, and help you clear this little obstacle from your path. My riders will need to rest tonight, although we will be sure to send out scouts in case our enemy attempts a night march on us. Come dawn we will ride with you however".

He turned to his riders. "Kačių vyrų ir Gaisras Vaikai vienija!" he bellowed, and the riders cheered, and slowly moved to set up camp for the night.

The rider turned back to face the leader of the catfolk. "What is your name warrior? Will you sit with me and my commanders and share some food and drink with us, so that we can get to trust one another and make our plans for the battle to come?"

Frontier Town of Hall, Iniki Lands

Vasara passed on this information, and listened to the response from Mirksi.

Vasara turned back after the response. "She says that such a ritual will be possible. We shall need to make a great campfire and wait for nightfall, with the stars clear in the sky. Then she shall put some of the dvasinis lapai she has brought with us into the fire to burn, and she shall inhale the smoke and drink some drąsa. We shall need to do so outside of the settlement however, for we need the chants of the goblins and the howl of the wolves for the trance, and then she will dance in time with the trance. Then she will see the stars, and tell you what she sees".

Vasara asked, "would this be possible?"

Councilship Complex, Ferial Tialle, Shi Tialle

Sekme listened to what the council said openly intently, but he looked confused when Hashiir said "I want to pool with her and scry the future."

"You want to get into river pool with her?" he asked, looking confused. "And I do not know this other word. What does it mean to scry? We would be more than happy for you to meet and talk with Akys, and to see her divining powers first hand, but our rituals and methods for divining do not involve river pools or ... er, what did you call it, scry. I do not know what this means".

[Spindle]

Councilship Complex
Ferial Tialle
Shi Tialle

Sereth blinked at Semke's response. They didn't use the standard vocabulary of magic - of course they didn't, he sighed. They'd arisen from an entirely separate civilisation - and an entirely separate style of civilisation. It was more than probable that they didn't even subscribe to the same theories of magic as Tialle mages, and that could prove to be problematic. Even beyond the simple issues with communication, if they didn't pool and draw as the Tialle were used to it was possible that their magical styles could prove entirely incompatible. That could be more than an issue in the long-term.

Sereth could see the other Tialle processing this with variously well-hidden expressions of dawning realisation, with the exception of Sierene whose grin simply broadened. Hal-Hardan's glance across to the other priestess was met with a mad cackle, before Hashiir stepped forwards and ran his hands through the air. Lines of light traced their way through the air, forming two crude stick-figure representations of people; one red and one blue. Each one pulsed gently as the thelai arranged them side by side, closed his eyes for a moment, then began:

"Scrying is simply farseeing, or perhaps a review of an entity." He explained, "It's a weak form of mental projection, effectively imprinting the mind onto a certain subject in order to gain more understanding of it. Pooling is...harder to explain. It's...like a rope, with mages being the strands and the pooling being the weaving. But more than that, for the duration of the pooling there's a...link between all of the mages involved - they stop being separate people, and become more like one for a while."

The stick-figures in the air merged together to form a single, purple figure.

"It's difficult, and we've had mages literally burn themselves out from prolonged pooling before. If you don't want to risk it, I would understand. The first time's by far the worst. But if you do, we can go sort through this faster."

[New Socialist South Africa]

Councilship Complex, Ferial Tialle, Shi Tialle

The Goblins looked at the figures in the air with a mixture of apprehension and confusion. Even Sekme looked a little lost. "So you want to see the future with her?" he said, pointing to Akys.

"That is not how we see the future though" he noted, "not amongst the goblins, and I do not think Akys even knows of how to form such lights. She is not a shaman, she is a diviner. The diviners of Wolf Forest dance around a great fire, to the chanting of their kin and the howls of our wolves. They inhale the smoke of dvasinis lapai and drink deep on drąsa, and this and the dance allows them to connect with the spirit world and see what is to come. We would also need to be outside in the open, as it is the stars that the diviners read".

He thought for a long moment. "Unless all that is required is your magic, and not the ritual of Akys, for then perhaps you can learn the truth with that alone. But she can't make the funny light man, we do not know how amongst our beings, and Akys is a diviner, not a Shaman. She has not reached the deep enough realms to become a true Shaman yet".

[Spindle]

Councilship Complex
Ferial Tialle
Shi Tialle

Had Sereth been allowed to laugh, he would have been rolling on the floor at the look on Hashiir's face. The mage was doing his best to hide confusion, worry, frustration and fear from having a visible war over his expression, and neither his emotions nor his self-control seemed in danger of winning any time soon. Frozen in a half-rictus, the thelai's face shifted from snapshot to snapshot before control was finally slammed back down over his expressions and he took a deep breath. Sereth couldn't blame him. He was going to have his work cut out for him to get this to work. The goblins were using Old Magic.

"Her skill and potential should not matter." The mage considered, "It is more a case of Aspect - resonance, if you will. The paths of her soul can be retreaded when pooling, and we can use that."

[New Socialist South Africa]

Councilship Complex, Ferial Tialle, Shi Tialle

Sekme looked genuinely lost now, mouth slightly agape, not least because he had no idea what the words "aspect", "resonance" or "retreaded" meant. The goblin was used to talking to humans that used more straight forward terms like "part of", "loud" and "walk the paths again", and so the flowery language flew over his head like a missed arrow.

He still seemed to think he got the just of it however. "So, you're going to look into her soul then?" he said, struggling to quite get it. "Never mind, I'm sure its something like that. Let me ask Akys is she is willing".

He turned to the 30 year old diviner and spoke in Goblindygook. "Vyras nori pažvelgti tavo siela. Tai jiems padės pasitikėti".

Akys looked taken aback by the comment, as did many of the goblins present, but nodded and said "Jei tai padės, leiskite yam tai padaryti".

"She says she is willing" said Sekme, turning back to Hashiir. And Akys stepped forward, reaching out her hands to the mage.

[Ralnis]

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

The goblin smiled at the agreement to ride with them to battle. "Then it is settled. We shall ride together, and help you clear this little obstacle from your path. My riders will need to rest tonight, although we will be sure to send out scouts in case our enemy attempts a night march on us. Come dawn we will ride with you however".

He turned to his riders. "Kačių vyrų ir goblinų vienija" he bellowed, and the riders cheered, and slowly moved to set up camp for the night.

The rider turned back to face the leader of the catfolk. "What is your name warrior? Will you sit with me and my commanders and share some food and drink with us, so that we can get to trust one another and make our plans for the battle to come?"

Frontier Town of Hall, Iniki Lands

Vasara passed on this information, and listened to the response from Mirksi. "She says that such a ritual will be possible. We shall need to make a great campfire and wait for nightfall, with the stars clear in the sky. Then she shall put some of the dvasinis lapai she has brought with us into the fire to burn, and she shall inhale the smoke and drink some drąsa. We shall need to do so outside of the settlement however, for we need the chants of the goblins and the howl of the wolves for the trance, and then she will dance in time with the trance. Then she will see the stars, and tell you what she sees".

Vasara asked, "would this be possible?"

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

The Iniki looked at the Goblin intensely for a minute and meowed," Warmatron Yon-Sur".

Then she meowed the Warband to stand down. Steel was lowered to their sides as they look towards the Goblin and knights.

" Me and my Second will sit and eat with you and your commanders. Your riders can share our fire if you wish but as for food..."

She meows and the warband descended upon the prisoners as they ripped muscle and bone apart in a hungry frenzy. It was a cruesome sight as the Tribals descended upon their prisoners. They screamed and begged on deaf ears as steel silenced their voices as they canibalize their enemies.

" My warriors have enough food to eat with until the battle."

Frontier Town of Hall, Iniki Lands

Magi Sakoto scratch her chin," it could but I would need to be part of it."

She grabbed her book and started to flip through the pages, each one with different spells of Star-Scrying and funny drawings. She started to realize that this was similar to the oldest forms of magic when communicating with the Jokai before more sophisticated forms were needed to draw from the Veil.

" Hmm, it seems that the ritual is very basic, very old magics to communicating gods. Its similar to how we do our magics, or our foundation to our Jokai since we're Spirit Touched. But for the purpose of throwing our souls beyond the Veil." She said to herself in her native tongue.

" Alright Varsara", She turned to the Goblin envoy," I will need to be part of the ritual. Your diviner's ritual is similar to how we used to contact our Spirits. In some ways, this is still true when we cast our magic. I can partake in the ritual and should there be any magic, which there should be, I can attuned to them and see what she sees. Though because these are not my gods or deities, the Jokai can't protect my spirit. I maybe lost beyond the Veil, or awaken your god faster than it should, or get a curse from the Jokai themselves.

Anything can go wrong with these sorts of rituals but if successful then I can see the vision and understand what to do from there."

[Tysklandia]

The kingdom of Mercin, banks of the Calipus River.

The lowlands of Alcenia had bled and groaned under the bloodshed of the past weeks, the Iniki had cut their path crudely, stopping and resupplying regularly in most hamlets and towns unfortunate enough to sit in their path.
Meager resistance was cut down instantly and few could muster enough men quickly enough to be of a threat.

News spread quickly across the continent of the Iniki raiders that eat the dead, cursed the living and murdered children. kings were surprised, unable to act in time, others were too afraid to leave their meager castles to meet them in battle. But once they past the mountains that hid the ancient walls of Alcenia, they met with men who still remembered the time where the armies of men stood on the field of the battle and vanquished all stood before them.

As Mercin had mustered its men, others did the same, messengers sent to the nearby kingdoms, bringing stories of raiders, pillagers, murderers. Of those who brought back the nightmares of the age of woes. Few could muster enough men quickly enough, fewer still dared to send their small amounts of men into the field against a foe that was already rumored to number ten thousand strong. It would take time for them to march east, time would tell if they would make it before Mercia burned by Iniki and goblin hands.

However, the monasteries of Kav, hidden away on their island, were bartered and bought, promised gold and land on the mainland in return for their knights to bring the fury of the god of war upon the enemy. The Shi'Taille, unable to watch such horrors be committed, agreed to muster men to counter the threat.

Ealfred, king of Mercin retreated his army, fleeing the field upon receiving word that thousands of goblin riders had approached from the south. He nestled his army on the border of the Rohirim. On the bank of river, his two thousand men, breaking bread with the now five hundred Rohirim that had responded to his call.

Their king, believing none could stand against the Rohirim riders on their own fields, did not answer the call. Only a minor lord, sitting on the border had ridden on the field with them, adding two hundred to Ealfred his forces.

On the coast, the men from over the sea had sent their armies, the Templi of Kav had mustered what they could in such a short time, sailing the ocean and dismounting by boat in Londinium, a port town built on the ruins of a once great Imperial city. News was they rode hard to the south numbering thousands, knowing both Ealfred his forces mustered here, as well as the Iniki and the rumored goblin horde that had rushed in from the woods further south.

From the south-east, a column of near three thousand marched from the cities of Shi'Taille, answering the plea for aid from the petty lords of the lowlands. Fighting for gold, honor or fearing the beasts their march further east, who knew...

Situation:

* The Sword of Kav have sent a horde Templi horse, landing at the coast, riding hard south, numbering thousands.
* The Shi'Taille, have sent a force numbering thousands, marching from their cities to the south and east.
* The Rohirim horse lords that nestle in the foot-hills of the mountains refuse to see the true threat, but some lords of their king have sent their men, a further three hundred rode to their aid.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Plains, Kingdom of Mercin

The Goblin smiled, patting his direwolf. "We usually feed them to our wolves, but you method seems effective as well, in some ways more effective". He dismounted and pulled a large hunk of quickly smoked deer flesh from a deerskin much strapped to the beast, feeding it to it. "If the battle bodes well, there will be plenty of flesh for the both of you" he said with a grin.

He called the leaders of the group over, and soon they had gathered around a fire with Warmatron Yon-Sur and her second, while for the most part the other riders avoided making fires. Fires right reveal their numbers if a night attack was made, and their direwolves were all the warmth they would need.

The goblins took seats around the fire. "This is Akmuo the Savage, Vadas of the Įniršis clan" said the goblin, introducing a bigger, tougher, meaner looking goblin, who had a heavy steel battle-axe tied over his back. The goblin nodded and grunted. "And this is Speniai the Venomous, Vadas of the Gyvatė clan", the young, skinny and lithe she-goblin greeted the Warmatron Yon-Sur with the extended arms of a traditional friendly greeting, before taking a seat. She had a bow stranded over her back, while a deerskin quiver full of arrows was strapped to her direwolf. Severals knives and an arrow of little pottery bottles were also strapped around her.

"And these are my bodyguards, Astri, Dovana and Pagirti" said Greitas, indication the two she goblins and male goblin standing nearby, equipped with a bow and sword, a bow and daggers and a spear and shield respectively. The three nodded in greeting. "And I am Greitas, Vadas of the Gaisras clan", he concluded.

"Let us drink" he said, and a deerskin gourd canteen was brought forward. There had been no space for bowls for a long ride, and so Greitas drank the drąsa straight from the canteen, before offering the goblin delicacy to Warmatron Yon-Sur. The goblins brought out smoked deer meat, and pulled at the hardened meat with their teeth, offering some to the Warmatron and her second.

"So Yon-Sur" said Greitas, after chewing on a bit of smoked meat. "What brings the Kačių vyrų this far out east?"

Frontier Town of Hall, Iniki Lands

Varsara passed on this information to Mirksi. The sixteen year old responded briefly.

Vasara turned back to Magi Sakoto. "Mirksi says she can help guide you when you enter. She says she knows the second plane well, she first went there when she was five. She says she can take you to the third, but she dares not take you to the fourth, as she struggles there by herself as it is. She says that by Varna's will you and her will be guided however".

By nightfall, a large bonfire had been made, and the goblins stood outside their walls with their direwolves. Mirksi spent much of the rest of the day preparing a strange concoction, taking strange green herbs, removing their seeds and cutting them up with a knife fine in a bowl, before crushing them and putting them in a small human made pot. Into this a large amount of drąsa was also poured. The fire was lit, and once it was burning high, Mirksi placed to pot on the edge of the fire, for the concoction to boil. Mirksi then removed a large amount of strange green herbs from a small pouch, and placed them carefully in the great fire, and inhaling the foul smelling smoke deeply, motioning for Magi Sakoto to do the same. After they had done this for a while, the conception was brought forward, and amounts carefully ladled into bowls. Mirksi drank a bowl and motioned for Magi Sakoto to do the same, and they drank again and again until the pot was empty. Then more drąsa was brought as it was, and the diviner drank until she could drink no more.

By now, a strong uncontrollable tingling sensation had started to come over the diviner, and should also be coming over Magi Sakoto, the herbs and concoction taking effect, along with the alcoholic drąsa.

Then the dance began. The goblins howled, and the direwolves followed suit, with the goblins starting to chant, the direwolves howling in unison with the chant. The goblin that had carried the banner brought out a small drum with a deerskin top, and beat of the stretched deerskin. Mirksi danced around the fire in a strange and twisting wild manner, feet bare and always seeming to step remarkably close to the fire, motioning for Magi Sakoto to follow her lead. She grabbed ahold of Magi Sakoto's paw, and led her forward in the dance, faster and faster she danced, as the chanting grew faster as well, the howling wilder and wilder as the dancers spun.

Mirksi's eyes rolling back in her head, and then suddenly she collapsed onto the ground, facing up towards the stars. She convulsed, and entered the second realm. With any luck Magi Sakoto would also be upon the ground, and right there with her.

[Ralnis]

-snip-

Yon-Sur drank it and felt it lightly hit her, it was a light drink to her as she drank much more powerful drinks. Wei-Xei was different as the second was still getting use to the many strong drinks needed to induce the trances or mental fortitude to cast war magic. She was hit with a bit of a stronger taste to it.

" We travel on rumors of an ancient dwarven city that has powerful warmachines when the Humans had their Empire. I was sent by Mistress to claim the city and it's secrets but I was allowed to do things my own way. Hence the army after me. However it doesn't matter as my Coats need food and must be under the cavern roof."

The Second meowed to the Warmatron and she gave a nod," I need your speed Greitas, if these Humans were to catch me like those Knights, then they will come with an army. We need to ride by midday should they try to fight or send scouts."

The Next Couple Days To a Week

The Goblins and Iniki rode with speed around farmlands and villages of the Kingdom with impunity. Iniki and Goblin raided and kidnap children while also getting their food to continue their speed. Yon-Sur had to hold back their feast of man-flesh but cows and wheat weren't away from the hungry paws. The buildings and crops burned in a firestorm of destruction as they made sure that the blame of the King was upon them. It was still a sacrifice to the Jokai for their continual watch and blessing of warfare and plunder for the Tribals but they didn't have time to do a through dance like they always have done.

Still, the speed of the Goblins was swift, the swiftest that she had seen from any Greenskin in a long time.

Beyond the Veil,
Magi Sakoto

The body of the White Fur was by the Goblin, her eyes were a glowing white with energy as the staff next to her was glowing. Beyond the Veil to the Spirit Realm, the Magi looked different from how she was, she was a glowing white cat with tribal markings on her fur. Her power made her ethereal to the diviner as she was born from the Spirit Realm instead of the physical world.

" This is my form Goblin" She spoke in her tongue but put her paws over her mouth.

" Oops, forgot that you don't speak Imperial or my language. Let's just try to find this vision in the Heavens while my staff can channel the attunement." She extended her paw to the diviner so that she can be guided in this unknown part of the Veil.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Kingdom of Mercin

Greitas smiled. "It is a far and dangerous road you travel for such a city. We goblins of the forest have no interest in Dwarven war machines. Such machines would likely do poorly in the forest, and we tend to do poorly anywhere but the forest. May Varna smile and watch over you".

Greitas looked at the catfolk army. "There are many amongst you close in size to our own, and we have some five thousand wolves here. We will carry the lighter amongst you with speed, our wolves will handle the weight, but I'm afraid your heavier armoured fighters must ride on your great wolves you have here".

When Greitas and Yon-Sur learnt of the King's army being in full retreat, and the gathering storm being prepared against them. Greitas turned to Yon-Sur and said "It seems the humans can rally more than we thought. If I were you, I would give up your aims on the mountain and turn back, or ride south with us away from these enemies. I am not sure if Dwarven war machines, no matter how wondrous, are worth such trouble".

The two sat down, and they quickly devised a simple plan.

The army of Mercin had retreated and gathered with its allies where it felt it could win, on the banks of the Calipus River, on the edge of his kingdom, where it bordered the great lands of the might Rohirim. Here they seemed to wait, both for the three thousand marched from the cities of Shi'Taille, and for the heavy cavalry of the Templi of Kav.

It would have made for a magnificent battle, it really would, the river running red with blood as the great alliances clashed. But Greitas knew it would likely end in defeat, or at the very least in heavy goblin casualties. And so he and his new Catfolk allies moved their lightly armoured mobile force, outmanoeuvred whatever heavy cavalry rode directly for them rather than to gather with their allies, and unleashed it instead on the now undefended farmland King Ealfred and his army had forsaken in their rapid retreat.

They raided fast and ruthlessly, not bothering with trinkets or weapons, not that the peasants had much in way of either, but seeking two things and two things only. Food and children.

They took only what food they could carry lightly, and only what they thought might last, often eating what food they needed to sustain them as they rode. Their focus however, became the children. They were easy to take. Small and weak, with few if any left to protect them. The horde spread wide, and strafed the land, until every rider or virtually every rider had a small Mercian child gagged and tied to the back of his or her wolf. They preferred to take the boys. Fewer to one day rise up against them as men in an enemy army, but they took girls when they found them. They weren't picky, speed was the key. Scouts kept an eye out for when the enemy would inevitably hurry back, as well as for potential threats from other directions, and getting out was more important than having exactly one child for every wolf. And then, almost as soon as they had arrived, they left. Except, now with a Mercian child tied to the back of many wolves.

News would spread of course, but how fast it would reach the ears of the king was unclear, as the left no horses for the few peasants who had any. And how fast the king could act or would act when he heard the news was more questionable still.

When they knew their enemy were coming, rode south hard and fast, making for Wolf Forest, with their loot of food, and thousands of little children tied to the back of their wolves. They knew once they made it to the forest they would be unstoppable. And they knew that their enemy, camped on the edge of their border, could not catch them if they were quick. The heavy cavalry of the Templi of Kav could be outmanoeuvred, and they could not catch lightly armoured goblins on wolves, and the Shi'Taille was famed for its Infantry, not cavalry.

The only one's who might have a chance in catching them were the Rohirim, and these were the ones Greitas and his scouts watched most closely for, the greatest reason for their haste. But with the Kingdom located beyond the Calipus River itself, and with the kingdom's riders not rallied for war as it was, they should have time enough to make their escape, and outride the Rohirim, even if it took them all the way to the edge of the forest to lose them. If the Rohirim even rode out that far, if their king was goaded into action even by this when it eventually reached his ears.

Greitas left an old woman to pass on a message however, after he had swept the little village of all its children. The message was a simple one, and one meant for any who would chase him:

"The faster you chase, the faster we ride. The faster we ride, the less time we have to give water to the children. The less time we have to give water to the children, the more children die".

The Second Realm:

Mirksi pointed around them. Strange smoky shapes on animals seemed to dance about. Deer, wolves, even a bear. She held up two fingers. She pointed up above them. High in the sky above, the stars were dancing. Amongst them, a strange red one seemed to streak violently across the sky, leaving a red trail behind it, that seemed to almost be bleeding. Mirksi held up three fingers, and suddenly started shaking violently, blood dripping from her nose. Her arms slowly turned into the wings of a Raven, and her head and face became the beak and head of a raven. "Craak" she said, through the beak. She led the Magi through a dark forest, along an invisible path she seemed to know by memory, the shadow creature's watching them suspiciously. Then, in a glade under the full night sky, she led Magi Sakoto up a cliff that appeared to have emerged from nowhere, the abyss falling away on either side. "Craak, craak, craak" said Mirksi. They were entering the Third Realm.

The Third Realm:

They were in the sky, hovering over their bodies, that lay in the grass by a large fire, with wolves howling about it and goblins chanting. Their rolled back eyes saw nothing. They turned in the air, and up above were the stars, dancing again, but this time a little more vigorously and a little more wildly. The red star continued to slash its way across the sky, and this time it appeared to have a fiery tail, like that of a comment. Mirksi, transformed into a full raven now. "Craak" she said, motioning at the star. The star seemed to shiver for a moment, and faintly, ever so faintly, the glint of what looked like scales seemed to shine through the fire.

There was a sudden "AWOOOOOOO!", like that of a wolf the size of an elephant. Mirksi gave a "craak!" of alarm, and dived back down towards the cliff, that sat in a forest. Something in the fourth realm had heard them, and it would be best not to disturb it. They needed to get out, now. Back trough the Second Realm, and quickly back from there to the first.

[Kaledoria]

The Basilea
(...)
A breath. "Goblins are the common scourge of all goodly folk, and it is dangerous to allow them to flourish in one's backyard. So if there is any way we can help in their purging, please tell us. And, not to risk overstepping my bounds again, but you should not alienate any more of your people in your quest for peace with others; I think it is time to focus on the security of your Kingdom."

"May this alliance be blessed by great fortune and stability." Heinrich said cheerfully.

He went over to his men and addressed his closer bodyguards: "Okay, time for some celebration, but-" he peeked over to the Centaur and the Half-Orc, so they did not hear him and wispered: "- no alcohol though. We need to show our best side and there are many myth about dwarven ale and this is not the time to find out, which ones are true. Also, send a messenger to Felsheim, the preparations to drive the bandits from the Karlswald can begin without us."

He heard something behind him, he could not get all that Princess-Ambassador Judith said, but it was something about a Goblin scourge. He turned around: "Goblins? They are more of a nuisance. Although maybe the most intelligent of the old Westerwood races, they lack perspective and vision. They are selfish cowards and have no honor. That's why hardly any Goblin Chief will ever hold power over more then the people he can personally oversee. I ... happen to be cursed with quite a few of them in my lands and even though petty thievery among them is higher even then among the Cat-people, they wouldn't risk their lives easily by marching up against an actual army."

He didn't speak the thought out till the end, because the end was: 'Unless they are driven by something or someone of that they were even more afraid then the spears of the opposing soldiers.'