Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Updated Anima. Please review.
Tangled Fate [Ranma 1/2 / Exalted]
- Thread starter Grounders10
- Start date
- Crossover
- Location
- france
Better, don't forget to have the silhouette follow his movements when he is at the bonfire anima banner stage.
Also, did you take a decision about his craft ninja equipment?
Elsewhere Files -- Rathess Chronicles -- Part Two
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
This sidestory has been retconned and replaced. It is now apocryphal.
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Tangled Fate
The Elsewhere Files
Rathess Chronicles: Part Two
By: Grounders10
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"Are you alright Auntie?" Nodoka grimaced at the question of the eldest Tendo daughter. The young woman with long brown hair was kneeling beside her, well more hovering around in a state of near panic.
"I am fine." Nodoka said, "Sore, but fine."
Kasumi leaned forward and pressed her hand to Nodoka's midsection, drawing a hiss of pain from the older woman. Ignoring the redhead's discomfort she continued to gently prod her. "There doesn't appear to be anything broken." She said after a couple of minutes.
The older woman groaned and pushed Kasumi's hand away. "As I said." She said before frowning. It was true that despite the fall, and the rocks that had fallen on her, she was mostly fine. She glanced down at her feet. Even her ankle, which she had twisted not even twenty minutes previously, felt almost as good as new. She rotated her ankle a few times, but she felt no more pain than the rest of the bruises across her body.
"Auntie?" Kasumi probed.
"Can you walk?" Nabiki asked as she shot nervous glances at the large dinosaur-esque creature who had freed Nodoka.
Nodoka took one of Nabiki's hands in hers. "Calm down Nabiki dear." She said, "I do not think we're in that much danger." She looked at the dinosaur as it was prodding another crystal tank much like the one it had stepped out of. It was… strange. It was bipedal and humanoid in shape with long thin limbs and body. Its legs had an extra joint between the knees and ankles, and they possessed a long sinuous tail. Even their neck was long and thing like the rest of their body with several feet of muscular neck between shoulders and head. Feathers the colour of autumn leaves decorated the back of its crest where the neck met the skull.
Even having witnessed its strength it was hard to believe that it had lifted the large rock that had pinned her to the ground. Almost as hard as it was to believe that she had gotten away with only a few bruises.
As they watched the reptile found what it was looking for and the crystal tank slid open with a hiss as mist flowed from it to pool in the ground. What stepped free from the tank was not, as Nodoka had expected, another sinuous reptile, but it was a reptile. It was broad in the shoulders with limbs nearly as thick around as Nodoka's entire body. Its head was broad and flat, bearing a resemblance to a crocodile in the same way his companion bore resemblance to the infamous velociraptor.
The large creature stumbled as it stepped free of the tank and the first caught it. After a few moments, and an exchange in that strange language they spoke, the second straightened. It looked passed its companion to fix the three of them with a look that Nodoka couldn't place. Whatever it was intended as it certainly had an unnerving feeling of judgement to it.
"Auntie…" Nabiki hissed. Nodoka spared a glance to look at the two girls. Nabiki looked panicked, and were there an available exit she would more than likely have already started running. Unlike her sister Kasumi was stiff, but she appeared more curious than worried. More than likely she had come to the same conclusion as Nodoka. Regardless of the situation panicking was not going to improve it. In the end what happened to them relied upon the good will of the strange dinosaur-esque creatures. Which, for the moment at least, seemed not to be overly hostile.
"Calm dear. Calm." She said to the younger sister. "Panic will do nothing here." As much as she would like to panic, much as the middle Tendo was already doing, it would set a poor example.
"There's two more of those things." Nabiki continued, her eyes flickering from one tank to the next nervously.
"Sister." Kasumi reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Relax, please."
Nabiki swallowed nervously and took a deep steadying breath. She nodded, not saying anything more, but her eyes tracked the two reptiles.
The first had moved onto the other two pods while the second was carefully making its way over to a large crystal box the size of a human beside its' pod. It's movements were rapidly smoothing out as went. The box opened with a similar burst of mist and the reptile lifted out a large bag. The crocodile-like reptile pulled the back over one shoulder and turned to the three of them. The scattered crystals shattered beneath its weight as it walked over to them.
"Auntie." Nabiki hissed.
"Wait and see, Nabiki." Nodoka replied as the large creature knelt by her side. The bag thumped lightly against the stone floor as it was set down. She looked nervously into the teeth filled maw of the reptile. Up close she realized just how large and sharp the teeth were.
"And see if it eats you?" The girl replied, scooting backwards from it.
The beast rumbled something in that same odd language as the other. It reached into its bag and pulled out a roll of cloth. Nodoka looked at it. The beast pointed at it, said something, then pointed at her.
They were bandages she realized. She nodded. "I think the other one asked it to check my injuries." She said to the girls. Nabiki frowned and scooted away a bit more. Her eyes kept looking to the hole in the ceiling.
Nodoka looked to the large reptile and nodded once. It nodded back and placed the roll of bandages back in the bag before reaching out with one, very large, clawed hand. Its' touch was surprisingly gentle, moving carefully across her body as it applied pressure across it. She winced as it touched a rather sensitive spot along her ribs.
The reptile nodded at her reaction and mumbled something as it carefully felt out the area. It hurt, but it felt more like a bruise than broken bones. A bruise was far preferable to broken ribs.
"Auntie." Kasumi said, looking passed Nodoka at the other reptile. "Another one is being opened." She said.
Nodoka craned her neck to look as the mist hissed out from around the door of another chamber. The raptor-like creature quickly stepped aside as a large three fingered reptilian hand bigger than her chest shot out of the obscuring mist and gripped the side of the pod's door frame.
Nabiki squeaked something, but Nodoka was no longer paying her any attention. Her focus was on the creature that was hauling itself out of the third pod. It wasn't larger than the other two, not in height or breadth at least. If the first was like a raptor, and the second a crocodile, then the third was like a humanoid turtle or armadillo. Its limbs and torso were thick bundles of muscle that rippled with every movement.
The floor shook as it stepped firmly out of the pod and it stretched, joints popping as it surveyed the room. Words were exchanged between the first and the third. The third turned to her and for a moment it stared at her before bringing its hand together; one and open palm, the other a closed fist; and bowed to her.
She hesitantly bowed her own head in return as best she could given her circumstances. The third nodded its understanding and barked something to the second who was slowly working its way down her leg.
The second gestured with one hand in a manner that suggested something rude. Nodoka wasn't quite sure what it meant, but the growl that followed from the third implied it was nothing friendly.
The first said something and the third snorted before reaching for the lockbox beside its own pod. It lifted a pair of bracers made from the same material as the pods out and quickly affixed them to its forearms. The bracers were followed by a bag it slung over one shoulder before standing and making its way towards the far wall.
The second tapped her on the shoulder before gently turning her head to face it. It waved a claw in front of her face and she tracked it with her eyes. Her fear was rapidly becoming bemusement and curiosity. These beings were strange, but they seemed oddly deferential to her for some reason. She just wished she could ask them and receive an answer she could understand.
*Innocently Whistling Kitsune* Okay so not Thorns, also WAAAAAY later than it should be. Still, have a snippet.
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Tangled Fate
The Elsewhere Files
Rathess Chronicles: Part Two
By: Grounders10
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"Are you alright Auntie?" Nodoka grimaced at the question of the eldest Tendo daughter. The young woman with long brown hair was kneeling beside her, well more hovering around in a state of near panic.
"I am fine." Nodoka said, "Sore, but fine."
Kasumi leaned forward and pressed her hand to Nodoka's midsection, drawing a hiss of pain from the older woman. Ignoring the redhead's discomfort she continued to gently prod her. "There doesn't appear to be anything broken." She said after a couple of minutes.
The older woman groaned and pushed Kasumi's hand away. "As I said." She said before frowning. It was true that despite the fall, and the rocks that had fallen on her, she was mostly fine. She glanced down at her feet. Even her ankle, which she had twisted not even twenty minutes previously, felt almost as good as new. She rotated her ankle a few times, but she felt no more pain than the rest of the bruises across her body.
"Auntie?" Kasumi probed.
"Can you walk?" Nabiki asked as she shot nervous glances at the large dinosaur-esque creature who had freed Nodoka.
Nodoka took one of Nabiki's hands in hers. "Calm down Nabiki dear." She said, "I do not think we're in that much danger." She looked at the dinosaur as it was prodding another crystal tank much like the one it had stepped out of. It was… strange. It was bipedal and humanoid in shape with long thin limbs and body. Its legs had an extra joint between the knees and ankles, and they possessed a long sinuous tail. Even their neck was long and thing like the rest of their body with several feet of muscular neck between shoulders and head. Feathers the colour of autumn leaves decorated the back of its crest where the neck met the skull.
Even having witnessed its strength it was hard to believe that it had lifted the large rock that had pinned her to the ground. Almost as hard as it was to believe that she had gotten away with only a few bruises.
As they watched the reptile found what it was looking for and the crystal tank slid open with a hiss as mist flowed from it to pool in the ground. What stepped free from the tank was not, as Nodoka had expected, another sinuous reptile, but it was a reptile. It was broad in the shoulders with limbs nearly as thick around as Nodoka's entire body. Its head was broad and flat, bearing a resemblance to a crocodile in the same way his companion bore resemblance to the infamous velociraptor.
The large creature stumbled as it stepped free of the tank and the first caught it. After a few moments, and an exchange in that strange language they spoke, the second straightened. It looked passed its companion to fix the three of them with a look that Nodoka couldn't place. Whatever it was intended as it certainly had an unnerving feeling of judgement to it.
"Auntie…" Nabiki hissed. Nodoka spared a glance to look at the two girls. Nabiki looked panicked, and were there an available exit she would more than likely have already started running. Unlike her sister Kasumi was stiff, but she appeared more curious than worried. More than likely she had come to the same conclusion as Nodoka. Regardless of the situation panicking was not going to improve it. In the end what happened to them relied upon the good will of the strange dinosaur-esque creatures. Which, for the moment at least, seemed not to be overly hostile.
"Calm dear. Calm." She said to the younger sister. "Panic will do nothing here." As much as she would like to panic, much as the middle Tendo was already doing, it would set a poor example.
"There's two more of those things." Nabiki continued, her eyes flickering from one tank to the next nervously.
"Sister." Kasumi reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Relax, please."
Nabiki swallowed nervously and took a deep steadying breath. She nodded, not saying anything more, but her eyes tracked the two reptiles.
The first had moved onto the other two pods while the second was carefully making its way over to a large crystal box the size of a human beside its' pod. It's movements were rapidly smoothing out as went. The box opened with a similar burst of mist and the reptile lifted out a large bag. The crocodile-like reptile pulled the back over one shoulder and turned to the three of them. The scattered crystals shattered beneath its weight as it walked over to them.
"Auntie." Nabiki hissed.
"Wait and see, Nabiki." Nodoka replied as the large creature knelt by her side. The bag thumped lightly against the stone floor as it was set down. She looked nervously into the teeth filled maw of the reptile. Up close she realized just how large and sharp the teeth were.
"And see if it eats you?" The girl replied, scooting backwards from it.
The beast rumbled something in that same odd language as the other. It reached into its bag and pulled out a roll of cloth. Nodoka looked at it. The beast pointed at it, said something, then pointed at her.
They were bandages she realized. She nodded. "I think the other one asked it to check my injuries." She said to the girls. Nabiki frowned and scooted away a bit more. Her eyes kept looking to the hole in the ceiling.
Nodoka looked to the large reptile and nodded once. It nodded back and placed the roll of bandages back in the bag before reaching out with one, very large, clawed hand. Its' touch was surprisingly gentle, moving carefully across her body as it applied pressure across it. She winced as it touched a rather sensitive spot along her ribs.
The reptile nodded at her reaction and mumbled something as it carefully felt out the area. It hurt, but it felt more like a bruise than broken bones. A bruise was far preferable to broken ribs.
"Auntie." Kasumi said, looking passed Nodoka at the other reptile. "Another one is being opened." She said.
Nodoka craned her neck to look as the mist hissed out from around the door of another chamber. The raptor-like creature quickly stepped aside as a large three fingered reptilian hand bigger than her chest shot out of the obscuring mist and gripped the side of the pod's door frame.
Nabiki squeaked something, but Nodoka was no longer paying her any attention. Her focus was on the creature that was hauling itself out of the third pod. It wasn't larger than the other two, not in height or breadth at least. If the first was like a raptor, and the second a crocodile, then the third was like a humanoid turtle or armadillo. Its limbs and torso were thick bundles of muscle that rippled with every movement.
The floor shook as it stepped firmly out of the pod and it stretched, joints popping as it surveyed the room. Words were exchanged between the first and the third. The third turned to her and for a moment it stared at her before bringing its hand together; one and open palm, the other a closed fist; and bowed to her.
She hesitantly bowed her own head in return as best she could given her circumstances. The third nodded its understanding and barked something to the second who was slowly working its way down her leg.
The second gestured with one hand in a manner that suggested something rude. Nodoka wasn't quite sure what it meant, but the growl that followed from the third implied it was nothing friendly.
The first said something and the third snorted before reaching for the lockbox beside its own pod. It lifted a pair of bracers made from the same material as the pods out and quickly affixed them to its forearms. The bracers were followed by a bag it slung over one shoulder before standing and making its way towards the far wall.
The second tapped her on the shoulder before gently turning her head to face it. It waved a claw in front of her face and she tracked it with her eyes. Her fear was rapidly becoming bemusement and curiosity. These beings were strange, but they seemed oddly deferential to her for some reason. She just wished she could ask them and receive an answer she could understand.
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*Innocently Whistling Kitsune* Okay so not Thorns, also WAAAAAY later than it should be. Still, have a snippet.
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- Location
- france
Oh yeah , I forget his race, a Raptok, right?
And now a Mosok.
Ugly phrasing.
And now we have the powerhouse, the Anklok…
I must admit I'm not too sure about who is the Anklok or the Mosok because the description lacked their tails.
Wonder if the last is a Pterok.
Bah. A story is a story and it's still good.
They obviously recognized her as a solar (what with the caste mark and whatnot). Probably thinking she's newly exalted.
Hum… There is no Paths that could help the Dragon Kings to understand Nodoka and the girls.
So lets hope Nodoka can use linguistic charms or that one among them has access to sorcery or they will have to learn High Realm the hard way.
On another matter, the sheer potential of the crystal and plant based artefacts of the Dragon Kings are going to be a big help to the girls.
… As long as they escape the Ghoul-King...
jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
Quick Nodoka, you're still in the tutorial/character creation phase of the adventure so burn a couple of bonus points in the proper linguistics skill.
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- Location
- Seattle, Washington, USA
Given the learning curve of any exalted, especially solars, is 'hard way' the right term for it?
- Location
- france
Given the learning curve of any exalted, especially solars, is 'hard way' the right term for it?
Well no, but they are in Rathess, with the jungle fauna, the wild dragon kings and, of course, the Ghoul-King.
This is outside almost everything they experienced.
The kidnapping by count, but even here, Nabiki could negotiate.
Of all three, perhaps Kasumi is best prepared.
And we still don't know the castes of Nabiki and Kasumi.
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
First one is a Raptok, Five Words Wise.
Second is a Mosok. No name given as of yet.
Third is an Anklok, also no name given.
Fourth is... ???
Second is a Mosok. No name given as of yet.
Third is an Anklok, also no name given.
Fourth is... ???
We're not even 3k words into this side story so she has time.
jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
So one dot of whatever language the Dragon Kings and the rest into manipulation/persuasion.
Why?
Nodoka: "Grandbabies, my manly son/womanly daughter. I must have them. I will have them."
And before anyone starts, I know that Grounders10 is going to be making Nodoka at least a bit more 3D of a character than that.
- Location
- france
I would hope so.
Still, we can say her defining goal is to have a family around her.
Regarding languages, Ranma and co were talking High Realm in Greyfalls.
So I'm wondering if the dragon kings truly don't understand Nodoka and the girls as they know High Realm.
And we still don't know if there are earthlings in the vicinity.
Restarting the debate about Kasumi and Nabiki castes?
Fact: Ryoga is a Lunar and he should be either a full moon (as a martial artist) or a changing moon (geared towards martial arts, survival and travelling)
Nabiki doesn't have an occult bone so I think she'll be a changing moon geared towards negotiation, bureaucracy and awareness.
Kasumi is a little iffy. I could saw her as a no moon (with medicine, social and craft oriented) or a changing moon.
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Ranma and co. were speaking Japanese which happens to be close enough for speakers of Modern Realm to understand them, though they do have something of an odd accent. High Realm would be what the Dragon Kings speak, and that hasn't been spoken by anyone other than scholars for centuries.
There are three in that room. *Amused Kitsune*
*Very Amused Kitsune* Go ahead if you wish~ *Starts popping popcorn*
Nit pick, but that should be Old Realm. High Realm is what a Dynast would speak among pears and at official functions, and is more or less the official written language of the Scarlet Empire (I.E. The Realm)
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Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
<.< ..... >.> ..... I should check my books more often. *Abashed Kitsune* In my defence I have a headache.
- Location
- france
Don't worry, I made the same error… and I bet that many of the posters also did.
Okay… Old realm for the Dragon Kings and..?
Wait a minute… High Realm is the current language of the Dynasts… and Low Realm is the common language of the commoners (which is a bastardization of high realm).
So let's say that Japanese is near-like High Realm and that a Japanese would think that all the commoners of the Realm speak with an Osaka accent (Ukyo is going to love it).
That also mean that almost everyone is going to need Riverspeak which is the most widely understood language in Creation.
And, of course, the written version of High Realm since Ryu noticed the first that he couldn't read the maps in high realm.
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Riverspeak is, like Realm is to Japanese, an oddly accented English.
...
Yes I have considered the metaphysical implication. *Smiling Kitsune*
Actually... languages in Exalted are weird, but indicate not so much languages as language groups that are close enough that they can be understood with some difficulty even across very large distances. Until you cross over to another language group in case things get interesting despite the physical divide literally being only the next village over and several thousand years of linguistic drift would've rendered the local speech more or less comprehensible to nearby villages.
The language of the Dragon Kings' is High Holy Speech. Which probably, depending on cultural equivalency, sounds like native Meso-American languages, given that the Dragon Kings are basically fantasy Aztecs in many respects.
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
That's generally what I've been putting Old Realm down as really. Its writing system is very similar in fact.
Deliberately so IIRC.
That still leaves the question of what language High Holy Speech would be mapped to, but that's actually irrelevant. Unless you want to map more languages spoken on Earth to Creation.
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Off the top of my head I'd say either Babylonian, Ancient Sumerian, or some odd proto-meso-american. Given that it's not really important enough I think I'll leave it ambiguous. It's ancient, old, and long/almost forgotten as far as Earth is concerned.
- Location
- france
Rereading the story, I found something interesting.
The sword Ranma received from Lily is a Blue Jade Reaper Daiklave. The evocations used by its late master showed a tendency towards Ice manipulation.
Ranma was taught the "Soul of Ice" technique by Cologne. This is the technique that enabled him to produce the Hyryu Shoten Ha and also helped him against the flames of Saffron.
In one fic ("Reaver" by Brian Randall), Ranma demonstrated how powerful the technique could be if used with other techniques or artefacts.
In the future, I think we'll see something amazing from Ranma interaction with Mnemon Ice Hand's sword (which isn't named curiously) , on part with "Stormcaller", an orichalkum reaper daiklave (from "Arms of the Chosen").
Edit: And now I feel like an idiot after i reread that Ranma gave the sword to Kodachi…
Sigh… Well, should be interesting with future evocations. Ice Rose Storm anyone?
The sword Ranma received from Lily is a Blue Jade Reaper Daiklave. The evocations used by its late master showed a tendency towards Ice manipulation.
Ranma was taught the "Soul of Ice" technique by Cologne. This is the technique that enabled him to produce the Hyryu Shoten Ha and also helped him against the flames of Saffron.
In one fic ("Reaver" by Brian Randall), Ranma demonstrated how powerful the technique could be if used with other techniques or artefacts.
In the future, I think we'll see something amazing from Ranma interaction with Mnemon Ice Hand's sword (which isn't named curiously) , on part with "Stormcaller", an orichalkum reaper daiklave (from "Arms of the Chosen").
Edit: And now I feel like an idiot after i reread that Ranma gave the sword to Kodachi…
Sigh… Well, should be interesting with future evocations. Ice Rose Storm anyone?
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Reports From The Spymaster's Table
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Dear Reader,
The following has been compiled as per the request of the Lady Castellan Saotome Ranma. Contained within is our first analysis of the Nations of Prandar and Almarath with whom we currently share a border. Though we currently have no issue with these nations the memories of Dynasties are long and Greyfalls stands more vulnerable than ever. As such, in order to be prepared for both peace and war, we have followed the wisdom of our Lady and included any information that we possess. This information is preliminary and, though unlikely, may be contradicted by future reports. Please be careful when making judgements based on it.
Sincerely,
Hinagawa Miyu
Royal Spymaster
A Summary of Nations
Kingdom of Prandar
Located to the south and west of Greyfalls in the Teeth of the Serene Maiden
Ruler: King Giovanni Prandar
Population: 120,00-160,000
History: Founded 233 years before the disappearance of the Empress by survivors of a kingdom whose name has been forgotten. The nation has clashed many times with its neighbours, including the distant Vaneha and the Realm Satrapy of Greyfalls. Its borders have fluctuated many times, and as it currently stands is in something of a regression. A state of affairs its young king seeks to address through whatever means he must.
Exports: Iron, Copper, Coal, Jade, Wood
Principality of Almarath
Located to the South and East of Greyfalls in the Teeth of the Serene Maiden
Ruler: Princess Rayna Prandar
Population: 80,000 - 100,000
History: Founded 120 years before the disappearance of the Empress by the Second Son of the King of Prandar. Almarath is a protectorate of Prandar, on paper at least. In reality it is the single largest cause of lost territory and influence for the larger kingdom. Its rulers have long eyed their cousins in Prandar with jealousy, though such ambitions seem absent in their current ruler the naive and young Princess Rayna Prandar.
Exports: Iron, Silver, Coal, Leather, Wool
Cities of Prandar
City Name: Ester's Ring
Nation: Pranndar
Population: 22,000~
History: The first of Prandar's two cities, and its capital, Ester's Ring draws its name from the ring of fortresses that guard the three passes that lead to the city. Built by the founder of the Nation and named in honour of his Wife. It is said that rather than offer a band of silver or gold as a symbol of his devotion he instead ordered the construction of the fortresses that now guard the great city.
The Ring for which the city is named is not the greatest feat of engineering for which the city is famed. The Keep of Steel and Stars stands at the center of the city, astride the place where all three passes meet. Its walls stand in three rings, each dozens of feet high and each taller than the previous. The entire fortification was constructed in such a way as to be seemingly carved from the surrounding mountains. Indeed an observer can see from the ramparts the marks where many of the pieces were indeed carved if they are observant enough. Guards patrol these walls at all hours of the day and night, even on the hottest days of summer and coldest nights of winter.
Thrice has Ester's Ring been tested. Once by Vaneha. Once by Greyfalls. Once by a Lookshian backed coalition. Though the outer fortresses have been battered, captured and even once destroyed; the central Keep has stood tall and proud for nearly two hundred years. Though Prandar may be going through a period of regression its Capital still gleams with the same pride and ambition that its founder sought to instill.
City Name: Helmin
Nation: Prandar
Population: 15,000~
History: Once Helmin was more prosperous than it is today. Once it was the only City on the Rock River before Greyfalls itself. Once it was the Crown Jewel of Prandar, eclipsing even the Capital, Ester's Ring, itself.That changed one hundred and five years ago when the young nation of Almarath founded its Sister City of Marburg directly across the river. Trade and wealth was siphoned off to the other city as time went by. Wealth and men that have never been made back. Though its outer limits have shrunk and many of its oldest mansions lie deserted, it still stands the greater of the two cities. Just.
Cities of Almarath
City Name: Goldcrest
Nation: Almarath
Population: 18,000~
History: The city of Goldcrest was once just a keep straddling a pass through the Teeth of the Serene Maiden on the eastern border of Prandar. Gifted to the second son of the King to use as his capital it has grown to be the second largest city in the region, just behind Ester's Ring itself. The old keep that was has long since been replaced as the seat of the Nation's rulers with the Palace of Goldcrest that sits atop the nearby mountain of the same name. The City itself sprawls across the valley and up the hill, its streets and roads slowly crawling up the mountain like the claws of an avaricious predator.
As unflattering as that comparison is, it is not without reason. The city is a mess of noble houses, young and 'old', who constantly vie for the favour of the Princess of Alamarath. Businesses, cartels, gangs and other groups vie in the backstreets and alleyways of the city. Not for profit and wealth, though they will take whatever they can grasp, but for the many varied schemes and ambitions of their noble backers.
City Name: Marburg
Nation: Almarath
Population: 11,000~
History: Founded fifteen years after founding of Almarath the choice to place the city directly across from Helmin was no accident. Intent of proving that his nation could compete directly with that of his brother the king of Almarath sought to split the trade that flowed to and from Greyfalls. Marburg has prospered through cunning and might. Luring many traders and tradesmen from its sister city. Just a bit more and perhaps it will be an equal to the Capital of Almarath. As for Helmin, Marburg does not care for the past, only its future.
The Port Cities of Helmin and Marburg
Situated on the Rock river where it passes through the Teeth of the Serene Maiden the Cities of Helmin and Marburg sit on opposing sides of the river, each a part of a different kingdom. Much like their parent nations trade and competition between the two is fierce as they each try and vie for the patronage of the traders who sail the river.
Prandar Military
Prandar has always maintained a large standing army, a fact that has in recent years threatened to send the nation further into debt. Overseen by officers trained at the Eastpeak Academy in Ester's Ring and leveraging the extensive mineral wealth of the nation to equip its soldiers with the best equipment available the army of Prandar is primarily formed from formations of well equipped and well trained heavy infantry. The uniform of the average soldiers includes a cuirass of steel, a mail tunic, a steel cap, a steel tipped spear, a steel arming sword or axe, and a wooden steel rimmed shield akin to a Kite or tower shield. Few of the soldiers who are part of the standing army have training with ranged weaponry. Most of these are equipped with a type of composite short bow that is also used by the hunters who range through the valleys and mountain peaks. When expecting war Prandar's policy is to call upon those hunters to form auxilary groups of archers to augment their main forces. While Prandar is not as Cavalry adverse as the Realm or Lookshy the terrain of Prandar is not conducive to proper cavalry charges, or indeed for the proper raising of horses. What cavalry does exist in Prandar are adhoc formations at best raised from the nobility during times of crises.
Almarath Military
Almarath shares much of the mineral wealth of Prandar. This wealth does not make its way to the military. While the nation does maintain a modest standing army for policing the port of Marburg, the border posts, and for patrolling for bandits most of its military strength instead rests with the many noble houses that pepper the nation. According to reports this was not always the way of things. Ever since the death of Prince Ruth Prandar ten years ago in a suspicious hunting accident, leaving his five year old daughter to inherit, the quality of the military nation's military has been steadily declining as talented officers and men have been wooed away to the private militias of this or that noble house.
Notable amongst these militias is that of House Almarath itself. House Almarath is descended from the second son of the first Prince of Almarath and has, publicly, always maintained a stance of steadfast loyalty to the ruling House Prandar of Goldcrest. The Lord of House Almarath has acted as the Regent of the Almarath since the death of the Prince, and the Princess has remained his ward ever since. Nothing particularly unusual for a society of this sort. However the militia of House Almarath has increased from its traditional levels nearly fivefold over the last decade. Its soldiers march in uniforms equal in quality to the Royal Guard of House Prandar, both of them. Almarath's Hearth, the Castle and town behooved to House Almarath, resembles more of an wartime military camp than a peacetime town. Or so Zeriah has reported.
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I've decided to publicly share some of my world building for this story. Enjoy, speculate, etc. But here is a look into the two major neighbours mentioned by Staedtler in the last chapter.
The following has been compiled as per the request of the Lady Castellan Saotome Ranma. Contained within is our first analysis of the Nations of Prandar and Almarath with whom we currently share a border. Though we currently have no issue with these nations the memories of Dynasties are long and Greyfalls stands more vulnerable than ever. As such, in order to be prepared for both peace and war, we have followed the wisdom of our Lady and included any information that we possess. This information is preliminary and, though unlikely, may be contradicted by future reports. Please be careful when making judgements based on it.
Sincerely,
Hinagawa Miyu
Royal Spymaster
A Summary of Nations
Kingdom of Prandar
Located to the south and west of Greyfalls in the Teeth of the Serene Maiden
Ruler: King Giovanni Prandar
Population: 120,00-160,000
History: Founded 233 years before the disappearance of the Empress by survivors of a kingdom whose name has been forgotten. The nation has clashed many times with its neighbours, including the distant Vaneha and the Realm Satrapy of Greyfalls. Its borders have fluctuated many times, and as it currently stands is in something of a regression. A state of affairs its young king seeks to address through whatever means he must.
Exports: Iron, Copper, Coal, Jade, Wood
Principality of Almarath
Located to the South and East of Greyfalls in the Teeth of the Serene Maiden
Ruler: Princess Rayna Prandar
Population: 80,000 - 100,000
History: Founded 120 years before the disappearance of the Empress by the Second Son of the King of Prandar. Almarath is a protectorate of Prandar, on paper at least. In reality it is the single largest cause of lost territory and influence for the larger kingdom. Its rulers have long eyed their cousins in Prandar with jealousy, though such ambitions seem absent in their current ruler the naive and young Princess Rayna Prandar.
Exports: Iron, Silver, Coal, Leather, Wool
Cities of Prandar
City Name: Ester's Ring
Nation: Pranndar
Population: 22,000~
History: The first of Prandar's two cities, and its capital, Ester's Ring draws its name from the ring of fortresses that guard the three passes that lead to the city. Built by the founder of the Nation and named in honour of his Wife. It is said that rather than offer a band of silver or gold as a symbol of his devotion he instead ordered the construction of the fortresses that now guard the great city.
The Ring for which the city is named is not the greatest feat of engineering for which the city is famed. The Keep of Steel and Stars stands at the center of the city, astride the place where all three passes meet. Its walls stand in three rings, each dozens of feet high and each taller than the previous. The entire fortification was constructed in such a way as to be seemingly carved from the surrounding mountains. Indeed an observer can see from the ramparts the marks where many of the pieces were indeed carved if they are observant enough. Guards patrol these walls at all hours of the day and night, even on the hottest days of summer and coldest nights of winter.
Thrice has Ester's Ring been tested. Once by Vaneha. Once by Greyfalls. Once by a Lookshian backed coalition. Though the outer fortresses have been battered, captured and even once destroyed; the central Keep has stood tall and proud for nearly two hundred years. Though Prandar may be going through a period of regression its Capital still gleams with the same pride and ambition that its founder sought to instill.
City Name: Helmin
Nation: Prandar
Population: 15,000~
History: Once Helmin was more prosperous than it is today. Once it was the only City on the Rock River before Greyfalls itself. Once it was the Crown Jewel of Prandar, eclipsing even the Capital, Ester's Ring, itself.That changed one hundred and five years ago when the young nation of Almarath founded its Sister City of Marburg directly across the river. Trade and wealth was siphoned off to the other city as time went by. Wealth and men that have never been made back. Though its outer limits have shrunk and many of its oldest mansions lie deserted, it still stands the greater of the two cities. Just.
Cities of Almarath
City Name: Goldcrest
Nation: Almarath
Population: 18,000~
History: The city of Goldcrest was once just a keep straddling a pass through the Teeth of the Serene Maiden on the eastern border of Prandar. Gifted to the second son of the King to use as his capital it has grown to be the second largest city in the region, just behind Ester's Ring itself. The old keep that was has long since been replaced as the seat of the Nation's rulers with the Palace of Goldcrest that sits atop the nearby mountain of the same name. The City itself sprawls across the valley and up the hill, its streets and roads slowly crawling up the mountain like the claws of an avaricious predator.
As unflattering as that comparison is, it is not without reason. The city is a mess of noble houses, young and 'old', who constantly vie for the favour of the Princess of Alamarath. Businesses, cartels, gangs and other groups vie in the backstreets and alleyways of the city. Not for profit and wealth, though they will take whatever they can grasp, but for the many varied schemes and ambitions of their noble backers.
City Name: Marburg
Nation: Almarath
Population: 11,000~
History: Founded fifteen years after founding of Almarath the choice to place the city directly across from Helmin was no accident. Intent of proving that his nation could compete directly with that of his brother the king of Almarath sought to split the trade that flowed to and from Greyfalls. Marburg has prospered through cunning and might. Luring many traders and tradesmen from its sister city. Just a bit more and perhaps it will be an equal to the Capital of Almarath. As for Helmin, Marburg does not care for the past, only its future.
The Port Cities of Helmin and Marburg
Situated on the Rock river where it passes through the Teeth of the Serene Maiden the Cities of Helmin and Marburg sit on opposing sides of the river, each a part of a different kingdom. Much like their parent nations trade and competition between the two is fierce as they each try and vie for the patronage of the traders who sail the river.
Prandar Military
Prandar has always maintained a large standing army, a fact that has in recent years threatened to send the nation further into debt. Overseen by officers trained at the Eastpeak Academy in Ester's Ring and leveraging the extensive mineral wealth of the nation to equip its soldiers with the best equipment available the army of Prandar is primarily formed from formations of well equipped and well trained heavy infantry. The uniform of the average soldiers includes a cuirass of steel, a mail tunic, a steel cap, a steel tipped spear, a steel arming sword or axe, and a wooden steel rimmed shield akin to a Kite or tower shield. Few of the soldiers who are part of the standing army have training with ranged weaponry. Most of these are equipped with a type of composite short bow that is also used by the hunters who range through the valleys and mountain peaks. When expecting war Prandar's policy is to call upon those hunters to form auxilary groups of archers to augment their main forces. While Prandar is not as Cavalry adverse as the Realm or Lookshy the terrain of Prandar is not conducive to proper cavalry charges, or indeed for the proper raising of horses. What cavalry does exist in Prandar are adhoc formations at best raised from the nobility during times of crises.
Almarath Military
Almarath shares much of the mineral wealth of Prandar. This wealth does not make its way to the military. While the nation does maintain a modest standing army for policing the port of Marburg, the border posts, and for patrolling for bandits most of its military strength instead rests with the many noble houses that pepper the nation. According to reports this was not always the way of things. Ever since the death of Prince Ruth Prandar ten years ago in a suspicious hunting accident, leaving his five year old daughter to inherit, the quality of the military nation's military has been steadily declining as talented officers and men have been wooed away to the private militias of this or that noble house.
Notable amongst these militias is that of House Almarath itself. House Almarath is descended from the second son of the first Prince of Almarath and has, publicly, always maintained a stance of steadfast loyalty to the ruling House Prandar of Goldcrest. The Lord of House Almarath has acted as the Regent of the Almarath since the death of the Prince, and the Princess has remained his ward ever since. Nothing particularly unusual for a society of this sort. However the militia of House Almarath has increased from its traditional levels nearly fivefold over the last decade. Its soldiers march in uniforms equal in quality to the Royal Guard of House Prandar, both of them. Almarath's Hearth, the Castle and town behooved to House Almarath, resembles more of an wartime military camp than a peacetime town. Or so Zeriah has reported.
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I've decided to publicly share some of my world building for this story. Enjoy, speculate, etc. But here is a look into the two major neighbours mentioned by Staedtler in the last chapter.
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This part is of a different color than the rest of the text. I'll make a guess and suppose it wan't intended
Grounders10
Nine-Tailed Kitsune
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada, Mars
Should be fixed.
- Location
- france
Well… Now we know.
Ah, to be a fly on the wall when the spy offices of other nations will learn about her.
"Greyfalls has quite the skilled spymaster. She's wrecking up too much of our operations."
"Do we have a name for her?"
"She seems to respond to the codename of "M"."
"How did we get that information?"
"One of her spies bragged to a defeated cadre of my operatives. He called himself "James Bond aka 007"."
"A curious name and codename. Seventh member of an elite perhaps? How did he defeat our operatives?"
"Some fancy artefacts he bragged being supplied by a master Artificier named "Q"."
"Fancy?"
"Well, it's not everyday you see a carriage transforming into a warstrider."
Imports would be also useful for further contacts. Also Jade is interesting but can't be used unless they have the infrastructure for it.
I am also feeling quite the future story with the ambitious Giovanni and the naïve Rayna.
Uh… This is quite the feat of engineering. I wonder if they didn't use sorcery and thaumaturgy to make it so solid. Not from exalted except perhaps a few outcaste dragonblooded and, of course, enlightened mortals.
Need a bridge there. Would reboost Helmin and continue the profit from Marburg.
And suddenly, I am reminded of the Conan setting, most notably Shadirah.
This also mean that apart from the keep, the capital is hardly defensible from an attack.
Hum… not too bad… Adapted to the home advantage of course. Slow, ponderous and vulnerable to raiders. They can nonetheless pound the enemy who left himself cornered. I am wondering about their siege ability however. Less vulnerable to logistic raids as they are forced to be near their supplies due to their speed.
More for a defensive strategy than offensive with the establishment of bases with fortifications primordial along their lines of movement… Which means that Giovanni ambitions could wreck havoc his own army.
Uh…. Do not like what i'm reading… Woefully underprepared for any war response.
And the militia of House Almarath reminds me more of the preparations of civil war than anything… Or perhaps a preventive strike against Giovanni ambitions.
No composition but I suppose they are, at least, the equal of existing elite units in both kingdoms.
Last point, the report needs to have the personality/profile of the main VIP of both kingdoms.
- Location
- Ohio
Thaumaturgy is no longer magic science in Ex3, more random miraculous power/tricks