The Black Hand of Death
It was the year SRE 230. The streets of the township of Xia were as busy as ever. Rumors spread like wildfire among the shoppers and merchants. Some rumors told of the legendary Kingdom of Do’rath sending peace envoys to establish an alliance with Xia. Other rumors told of a declaration of war sent from the Kingdom of Do’rath. Whatever had happened, it was clear to all that this day was to be a major turning point in Draedan history.
When the town blacksmith, Arkel arrived home that day he was met with a swarm of guests. All asked him questions frantically trying to figure out which rumors were true. When Arkel told the guests that he was forbidden not to tell by order of King Kearn, they left silently and looking horrified at themselves for going into a blacksmith’s home.
Arkel turned to his wife and 12 year old son Barthamuel at the dinner table and spoke, “Until the King gets more information about Do’rath, we shall be keeping the token safe here. If anyone knocks on the door, don’t answer. None shall pass through our door. We’ll receive daily food and water from the King’s steward. Once things have calmed down outside and the King has found no possibility of danger coming from Do’rath, we shall be able to go about our daily duties and will be presented with a handsome sum of gold to reward our service. Is this understood?”
Arkel’s wife, Faulem nodded her head with almost a look of sadness that she could not go out to the market. Arkel’s son, Barthamuel looked up at his father and asked, “Is it true the Do’rathian guards are”. But little Barthamuel didn’t get to finish his question, he saw something green and slimy run past the window. He let out a loud, terrified scream and in an instant he lay unconscious on the kitchen floor. The Draedan Guard Healer’s Division was quickly alerted to the scene and pronounced Barthamuel dead at the scene.
However, later that night, in the clinic, Barthamuel awakened. He looked around and saw no one in the patient’s room. He stepped outside the room and looked into the waiting area. No one was there. He peaked his head into the healer’s office. Again, not a soul was in sight. But he could see clearly out the window, a big green, slimy sea monster. Barthamuel screamed in fright and hid under the healer’s desk.
The sea monster heard the scream and bashed through the wall of the clinic and stared straight at Barthamuel. “Sssso…it isss true. Come child, massster isss interesssted in ssseeing you.” The sea monster picked up Barthamuel with his trident staring at the boy coldly. “It wasss alwaysss foretold a child would dissscover the token, but I imagined the child to be a bit more of a ssstruggle.” So the sea monster dragged Barthamuel out of the township of Xia and into the depths of the ocean.
At the bottom of the sea, Barthamuel found he could breathe. He looked around and confirmed he was definitely in the Xian Sea. But all the times he had gone swimming in the Sea, how come he had to hold his breathe?
“He wondersss how he can breathe underwater massster,” A low-pitched voice said.
Something that appeared to be a large black cloak moved forward. “It is you, boy, who has discovered the token?” Another low-pitched voice asked.
Barthamuel did not speak. He stood transfixed at the sight before him. There was no man, nor beast, nor even a ghost standing there. It was simply a large, black cloak. Its presence radiated a dark, sinister aura to all in the vicinity. Barthamuel thought, “This is not possible. You’re dreaming. Cloaks don’t talk and man can’t breathe underwater. Xia is still overly populated and mom and dad are alive.” His thoughts were cut short as a trident cut through the water seizing Barthamuel’s shirt and tossing Barthamuel against a cave wall.
“Anssswer the massster,” the first low-pitched voice ordered.
Barthamuel tried to look up at the cloak again but dipped his head quickly. It had finally sunk in upon him that this was not a dream, nor a horrible nightmare. Barthamuel looked up again and screamed loudly in terror at the sight. He swam down the cave tunnel for what felt like miles. He could feel vibrations in the water behind him as he was being followed.
Barthamuel reached the end of the tunnel, slipped through a small crawl space, and stopped to stare. Before him lay a vast underwater castle. Lights illuminated every window. Beautiful flowers littered the yards. And more importantly, it was dry. Air filled the large chamber. The vibrations in the water suddenly stopped and Barthamuel walked forward up the lawn to the castle doors. He knocked twice but no answer came. When he knocked a third time, still no answer came, and Barthamuel decided to let himself in.
The beautiful castle that Barthamuel had seen from the outside was no indication of its beauty on the inside. True there were lights still illuminating the inside, but from the inside they were orange colored. The stone of the castle had begun to gross a strange black-colored fungus and in some areas of the walls, it looked as if it had experienced the worst fire Draeda had ever seen. As Barthamuel crept along the orange torches extinguished leaving nothing but pure darkness behind to cover Barthamuel’s footsteps.
Barthamuel then felt on his shoulder a presence. He turned into the blackness only to see the faint outline of a hand. The hand pulled him by his collar into another shabby looking room barely lit by a small fireplace. A cold female voice said from an arm chair facing the fire, “Please, do come sit Barty. The Queen of Do’rath means you no harm.” And so Barthamuel, still shaking with fright, sat down in the armchair beside the woman.
“So is this true that you have discovered my token?” the Queen of Do’rath asked.
Barthamuel nodded staring into the fire not wishing to look at another soul after seeing the “master” only a few minutes prior.
“Do you know what is to befall your land?” the Queen of Do’rath asked again.
Barthamuel shook his head slightly.
“I’ll sum it up in one word for you,” the Queen of Do’rath started, “destruction.” Barthamuel sensed an evil smile come across the Queen’s face as he gulped. “My Queendom of Do’rath has been plagued for many years by a creature fierce and destructive. In fact since none of its victims can give our records an accurate, or even a vague, description of what it looks like, Do’rathian scientists have merely labeled the beast ‘Y’. They would have named it X but that title already goes to what you Draedans call an orc.” That evil smile was felt once again by Barthamuel. The Queen of Do’rath went on, “You have released this beast from Do’rath into Draeda by discovering my token. I thank you for doing so. It has always been my wish that by planting a token in Draeda, some Draedan fool would come along and open the portal. The same type of magic that attracts the beast.”
Something shattered their armchairs. Barthamuel jumped up quickly and looked back into the darkness to get a glimpse at what happened. But he saw nothing.
“That is all I wished to say boy,” the Queen of Do’rath finished. “Thank you again for relieving Do’rath of creature Y so we may prosper at the expense of Draedan lives. Do write back to me some time so I know how all this turns out.” With that, the Queen of Do’rath disappeared leaving Barthamuel alone in the slowly darkening room.
The fire was running out of fuel to stay aflame and Barthamuel would be left standing in pitch blackness. Quickly, Barthamuel made a run for the door back into the even darker corridor. Once fully in the corridor, a cloak screeched as it slammed Barthamuel against a stone wall. He could now feel blood beginning to trickle down his spine and it pained Barthamuel very much to walk. But he had to get up. As he stood up weakily, a torch emitting orange light sprang to life. On the floor, Barthamuel saw King Kearn lying there dead wrapped in a large black cloak.
The lips of the corpse of King Kearn began to move and a prophetic voice emitted out of it. “Forgive me Dark Mother of Xia for the actions of the Cloak. The prophecy has been fulfilled and I do hereby declare myself free.”
Barthamuel jumped back in fright as now the corpse began to move upward. Slowly the corpse of King Kearn rose. As it soared 3 feet off the ground, the corpse of the once greedy king fell leaving only the cloak behind. And there was that horrible sight again for Barthamuel. Barthamuel again screamed in terror as this time the cloak leapt after him pinning him against the wall.
The cloak spoke, “Barthamuel, do not think you can escape me. Each time you run, I will only catch up to you quicker than the last time. Each time you scream in terror, I will grow another inch. Each time you open your eyes, I will know your location sooner.”
In a terrified voice, Barthamuel spoke, “What did you do with the King?”
“He knew his fate. Royal blood had to spill in this transition. As we speak, my sons and daughters have already spilt the rest of royal blood in this foul, corrupt land. Do not tremble. For your life shall be spared. It is in the terms of our alliance with Do’rath. Your life must not be compromised. Besides if I were to kill you, how could I rule? Minus all the leaders of the land, you have become a symbol of hope for Draedans with your discovery of the token. They will listen to you if I use your body instead of someone like King Kearn…”
Blackness engulfed Barthamuel completely as the Cloak became one with him. He could feel their souls loosely touch as their bodies became intertwined. New emotions sprung up in Barthamuel’s head. Emotions such as world domination and the deaths of opposing Draedans. Nowhere was there love to be found anymore. The black hand of death had passed over the soul of Barthamuel Arkellian to the Underworld and created a new, stronger soul going only by the name of Loki.
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Plagued By Corruption
A long time ago just south of the Union of Saertica lay the Empire of Dakriath. It was ruled by a strong, wise emperor. A fair prince controlled the armed forces, which contained the best archers east of the Draeda Nation. Another prince, strong in his desires to rule, maintained a steady flow of good relations between Dakriath and Saertica. Yet the famed and revered Dragon Knights Order soaked up much glory from the Dakrithian public.
The Dragon Knights were founded by a warrior of Dakriath named Bedivere Odhran. Bedivere grew up as the grandson of Rhonda Odhran, a member of the Council of Elders. As a young adolescent, Bedivere looked upon the rule of Emperor Arthur Rex IV as an absolute tyranny over the people that would soon crumble. The Council of Elders, in Bedivere’s opinion was just as bad if not worse. Something needed to be done to restore the will of the people in government. So Bedivere founded the Knightly Order of Dragons also known as “Dragon Knights” with six close friends.
The Dragon Knights supposedly protected the people from the Emperor and the Council of Elders. Often times, if the people expressed dislike toward a council member, then the Dragon Knights would assassinate the council member, and then vote in a relative of one of their own. Officially, none in the entire empire knew who was and who was not a Dragon Knight. But unofficially, the Dragon Knights always made known they were the famed Dragon Knights. It didn’t matter who found it for they loved the popularity and the aura of fear that surrounded those who knew of their real identity
It was from the Knightly Order of Dragons that the first deity-worshipping faith congregation was set up in the Empire of Dakriath. They taught of the Draedan faith highlighting the importance of family by showing off the family of Ae and Erwe as a perfect model. So as to not alienate the old Dakrithian faith, the Dragon Knights preached of the Dragon Race being the loyal companions of the Aranil. As a result, the teachings of the “Draedan faith” by the Dragon Knights were seen as treasonous by the Dakrithian royal family and Council of Elders. The Council of Elders, unwilling to stop honoring the dragons, glorified a single element of the Dragon Knights’ teachings: the concept of the Seranil named Serposan.
Serposan was the perfect choice for a compromised Dakrithian faith. It did not deny the Council of Elders nor did it demonize the Dragon Knights. In response to the raising of the Serposan faith, the citizens of Dakriath set right to work on taking down the old human-sized Dragon statues by the west gate and constructing a monumental, large statue of a dragon they believed to resemble Serposan by the west gate. Now Serposan and the height of Dakrithian power were publicly displayed for all to see.
The Saertican people looked between the statue of Serposan in the south and their own city. The Saertican Governor Eleazar almost instantly commanded the construction of two monumental statues towering five times higher than Dakriath’s Serposan statue. His statues would not symbolize any deity for a faith in a deity was looked on as a weakness by the Draedan Assembly, and especially by Kearn of Xia. No, instead his statues would symbolize the same concept that which Saertica was built upon: union. Union of two opposing forces, whether they be male-female, black-white, Draedan-walrus, faith-no faith would be symbolized within his two statues. One statue will be that of a man, the other a woman. There was no way Rhonda Odhran in her selfish Council of Elders could beat Eleazar’s great feat. But Eleazar was once again wrong.
Eleven long months after Eleazar’s Monuments of Union were completed; the Empire of Dakriath had completed their own rival project: the first man-made river. Rhonda Odhran looked to her son on a name for it and they called it “The Dragon’s Tongue”. The river was dug off of a corner of the lake near the wedding gazebo in Dakriath and went right under the mill warehouse. The waters within the river then jumped over a small hill into a stream which would lead to the Crystal Cavern. People came from all over the land just to look at it and wonder what kind of arcanic and engineering power Dakriath possessed to have built such a thing.
As the people became more arrogant with nationalistic pride, so did their Dragon Knight Protectors. One by one through the generations, each Dragon Knight with the exception of its chosen leader, fell into the bottomless pit of corruption. Overwhelmed with pride, many Dragon Knights assassinated any Elder who even hinted at a possible alliance with Saertica. Other Dragon Knights took to poisoning those without any faith that came to Dakriath condemning them as National Outcasts and a threat to the hard work of society.
The chosen leader of the Order, the Bediverean Knight, as they called him, was the only one in the Order’s few generations to not become corrupted. The Bediverean Knight stayed true to the foundations of the Knightly Order of Dragons and frequently helped the Dakrithian Priestly Order hold mass celebrating Serposan.
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Unification of the Davohian South
By Garrick Raiden Rex Caeruleus
Throughout the history of Draeda, peace has come about after a conflict or period of struggle between two or more opposing forces. As the Serene Era began, many independent townships formed their own politics, economy, and society. The townships bordering (what is today called) the Xian Sea and its tributaries would especially run into much conflict forcing them into unification.
For decades, the summoning of the Sha’al has served as an important ritual in Draedan society. But in SRE 1, it was decided by majority vote of all Draedans that the summoning be postponed indefinitely as it is a “primitive and uncivilized ritual”. The minority that wanted the summoning withdrew and isolated themselves from Draedan society. This minority that left was the old rich, upper class townships of Draeda. With the economy lords gone, it was predicted by many Draedans that the Draedan economy would not last much longer. The poor will once again be forced to beg the rich to return. But they did not need to. One man by the name of Alexander Xia maintained hope.
Alexander Xia was a landlord of lands south of the ERB-day Xian Sea. He held more land than any other lord in the area and supplied more jobs to the lower class than any other township. In addition, from an early age, Alexander Xia is a strong believer in the philosophies of Davohism. To prevent a collapse of the Draedan economy, Alexander Xia first called forth a meeting of all the landlords of the Davohian South of Draeda. That is those landlords and governors who also believed in the philosophies of Davohism, though of course not quite as strong as Alexander Xia himself. Such a meeting was labeled the Xian Conference. The Xian Conference installed the Treaty of Dakyuir, which exercised four main points concerning the future of Draeda:
· The silver piece is to be the only form of currency used by the townships of Draeda
· The lands being represented at the Xian Conference each are expected to assume an industry that lost due to the postponing of the summoning of the Sha’al.
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Sheep Liberation Movement
By Garrick Raiden Rex Caeruleus
The Sheep Liberation Front was the most significant event in history directly affecting how Draedans live today. Here I will tell the whole tale of this grand event as was told to me by an old man in a tavern.
It was a bright sunny day in the lands of Draeda. The Arcandili and the Sheepdili of Draeda lived peacefully side by side within the many townships that littered Draeda. All were excited at the upcoming Summoning of the Sha’al, which was to be held later that night. The Summoning of the Sha’al of the Serene Era was performed once every year by the most skilled mage of the Arcandili and the most skilled mage of the Sheepdili. The mages would summon the force known as the Wild, a nature force, to harvest their crops better. However this summoning was going to be different…
That night a mysterious servant of the Wild appeared within Draeda. An aura of evil surrounded him as he visited each township until he finally came upon the Summoning of the Sha’al. The man and sheep rejoiced when they saw a servant of the Wild had come to the Summoning. But it did not last long. The servant of the Wild knew magics far beyond any Draedan did. He manipulated their minds and made all those present go against each other. All those present were killed by the hands of their neighbors. When word of this got back to the capital of Draeda, Mundania, the Draedan Chieftain at the time believed the slaughter of Draedans to be the cruel work of the sheep. Therefore the Draedan Chieftain banned the summoning of the Sha’al altogether putting out false propaganda that the ritual itself is primitive and uncivilized; as well as declaring all members of the Sheepdili race enemies of the state and stripping all Sheepdili of their natural rights. Sheepdili who opposed were made into the personal pets of various Draedans.
Twelve years passed, the servant of the Wild had never resurfaced. And now it was time for the second Kelnordahn Games. All was well and cheery in the games until a few Sheepdili got out of control and went on a rampage. This the Sheepdili declared was the strength of the race of Sheepdili and that it did not deserve to go to waste as common house pets. The ringleader of the sheep rampage named Tiresias foretold that if the Draedans did not loosen the chains of the sheep, a violent rebellion will ensue resulting in the domination of the minority radical faiths of the land. At uttering such, Tiresias and the rebel Sheepdili were locked away beneath the deepest dungeon of Mundania. Some say that if you are near Mundania today, you can still hear the rebel Sheepdili chanting the slogans of the Sheepinist Party.
One hundred and ten years later, the ideas of the Sheepinist Party reached again to the ears of sheep all across the land. The new Sheepinist Party went by a new name by SRE 222, the Sons of Feironsar. The sheep involved this time were considered to be an extremist group by the Draeda Assembly. They were led by a Sheepdili called King Feironsar. King Feironsar was a mad sheep after only power. He achieved such by reviving the ideas of the Sheepinist Party like for example “All Dili are created equal”. In this equality, the misunderstanding arouse among the Sons of Feironsar that there should be equal populations of the Sheepdili and the Arcandili. So seeing the Arcandili in Draeda greatly outnumbered them two to one, the Sons of Feironsar went on killing rampages against their owners and anyone they could lay their sharp teeth on to even the populations. When the Sons of Feironsar reached the Draeda Assembly to try to negotiate, another riot broke out and five assembly members were slain by the Sons of Feironsar. History only shows four assembly members being slain because one of the bodies was fully digested by its sheep murderer. King Feironsar now fled to the outer lands leaving only his “sons” to face the consequences the next year. The Sons of Feironsar were all beaten and many fell to the cold dungeons of the Underworld, where no Book of Life existed yet. Those that survived were so frightened of the horrors Arcandili can do that they merely submitted to being house pets of the Draedans. This is why today the only sheep tied to ropes are the black sheep. All black sheep today are the descendants of the Sons of Feironsar. While the Draeda Assembly says the Sons of Feironsar were exiled in SRE 223, it was merely a cover up. Beware for the Sons of Feironsar still lurk about the lands. Stay at least five feet away from every black sheep ye meet.
After battling the townships of Saertica, King Feironsar finally died in the year SRE 232, the same year the three townships of Saertica were united. When he died, his spirit could not enter Aranna and was forever said to possess each monarch of Do’rath. It was through King Feironsar’s possession of Queen Ailyies that a token of Do’rath was planted in a forest beside the township of Xia. And it was by the magic placed under King Feironsar’s orders that the token of Do’rath attract a young Draedan boy nearby. And it was by the magic placed on the token by the orders of King Feironsar that whoever touches the token shall become overwhelmed with greed and stop at nothing to open the gateway between Draeda and Do’rath. All King Feironsar had to do was sit and wait for the token’s finder to force the use of the token opening the gateway and therefore allowing him to move back into Draeda to unleash his wrath upon the Arcandili in Draeda and liberate all Sheepdili. Such did occur. The Year of Shrouds was proof of the massive bloodshed caused by King Feironsar and his new band of white Sheepdili followers. History can not accept that simple creatures like sheep could kill so many Draedans and cause the destruction of the Draedan nation, so history places the blame on Do’rath and chaos being awakened within.
When the Aranil Crystals fell cleansing the whole land, the Sheep Liberation Movement had succeeded and the prophecy foretold by Tiresias had come true. Draeda would now be ruled by the old minority radical faiths. Sheepdili everywhere could choose their own fate: to live with Arcandili or to roam the lands (especially the mountains near present-day Aquila) in freedom. Still be wary, the black Sheepdili are still in chains and are said to be planning another resistance movement.
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The Crystal
[Narrator stands in outer right corner of the stage]
[Zshim stands in front of doorway on other side of stage]
Narrator: Long ago in the Divine Era, a great man named Zshim E’rauthfirk lived at peace in his magical home in Kaoa.
Narrator: One morning when Zshim awoke, he found his faithful horse near death at his front door. A shining, untamed crystal sat lodged within the horse’s thigh.
Zshim: Healer! Guards! Come quick!
Narrator: As crystals were a relatively new substance to the land, the first thoughts running through the genius mind of E’rauthfirk was that his warhorse had been murdered.
[Narrator = Korr’s Great Grandmother]
Narrator: Hear ye! It is now 7:55 AM, Draeda Time!
Narrator: Lord E’rauthfirk calls for the immediate attention of the Red Guard and the Healer’s League at his estate!
Guard Lieutenant: Aye Zshim? What is wrong?
Zshim: Are you blind? You’re stepping right on what is wrong!
Guard Lieutenant: *looks down at the dead horse* …
[Silence]
Guard Lieutenant: *steps back a few paces* I don’t know how that happened sir but I can assure you that no murderer has come within the gates of Kaoa tonight.
Zshim: Lieutenant, were you watching your crystal shop or guarding the walls last night?
Guard Lieutenant: Patrolling the walls of course.
Zshim: Well it looks like someone has broken into your shop, Sir Arden Smellius XXI. *points to the crystal lodged in the thigh of the warhorse*
Guard Lieutenant:
[Guard Lieutenant exits]
[Healer enters]
Healer: *stands up with her medical tool kit to face Zshim E’rauthfirk*
Healer: Lord E’rauthfirk, there is nothing I can do to save your warhorse. He is dying at such a rapid pace that all we can do is pray.
Zshim: Eirose doesn’t let His warriors die. This warhorse before you was given the most courageous Heart of a Warrior of Primal Nature.
Zshim: Surely you can understand that such a heart blessed by Eirose cannot be left to die?
Healer: I am sorry milord but I simply do not have the tools, scientific or magical, to revive a warhorse.
Healer: I shall leave you with my bill now. *hands Zshim the healer’s bill*
Zshim: *eyes bulge* 100,000,000 Gold Pieces!
Healer: Without tax and tipping. *puts on a large red shawl and hurries off back to the clinic*
[Healer exits]
Zshim: Well, if you are to die, then you will go down in dignity and honor without this crystal bulging out of your leg. *pulls the red crystal out of the warhorse’s thigh*
Zshim: Hmmm… *looks at the crystal as if thinking on how to manifest its power*
[Pause]
[Zshim exits silently]
Narrator: Hear ye! It is now 8:00 AM, Draeda time.
Narrator: Zshim E’rauthfirk has sadly given up his life to save his most noble warhorse!
Narrator: We shall always honor and revere the name of the Wizard of Draeda… Zshim E’rauthfirk!
[Silence]
Narrator: Please do not weep. In a few decades, Zshim’s great great granddaughter will become Queen of Xi’a; my great grandson will carry on the family tradition of shouting news to Kaoa at the oddest, most inopportune times; and Lieutenant Arden Smellius XXI’s great great grandson, Arden Smellius XXV will inherit the crystal shop that supplied The Crystal.
Notes:
Between each line allow for a ten second pause.
[Pause] means to allow for a twenty second pause.
[Silence] means to allow for a twenty five second pause
Epilogue of Arden Smellius XXI
Narrator: Following the death of Zshim E’rauthfirk, Arden Smellius XXI discovered one missing crystal from his shop.
Narrator: The next morning, Arte’men Sirus, with two armed guards, came to the Smellius Estate in Kaoa.
Sirus: *knocks on the door*
Smellius XXI: *opens the door* Yes?
Guard #1: Hark!
Guard #2: Who goes there?
Smellius XXI: You bloody morons, this is my house and that’s my line.
Sirus: They’re only doing their job, Sir Smellius. Do not forget, it was you who assigned them to Palace Guarding.
Smellius XXI: Yes because the only word he *points to Guard #1* can say is “Hark”.
Smellius XXI: And the only words he *points to Guard #2* can say is “Who goes there”.
Sirus: Well can we get on with it? I have a very important piece of documentation I must show you.
Smellius XXI: Not until I get to say my own line. *stomps foot letting off an Arden fart*
Sirus: *gets a nose bleed* Fine we’ll try this again. *takes out a handkerchief and wipes away the blood*
Smellius XXI: *steps back inside the doorway and closes the door*
Sirus: *knocks on the door in a royal manner*
Smellius XXI: *shouts from inside the doorway* THAT IS THE WRONG! YOU FOOL! YOU ARE NOT A KING AND I AM ROYALLY OFFENDED THAT YOU KNOCKED IN A ROYAL MANNER!
Sirus: *sighs and knocks again*
Smellius XXI: *opens the door* Yes?
Sirus: Hark! Who goes there?
Smellius XXI: I can’t and I refuse to work like this. I am a professional. *lets out another Arden fart*
Narrator: *slips Arden Smellius XXI an extra golden nugget*
Smellius XXI: *stashes the golden nugget in his trousers* Well, that changes everything! Let’s take it from the top again! *walks inside the doorway merrily and closes the door in a happy tone*
Sirus: *knocks on the door*
Smellius XXI: Hark! Who goes there?
Sirus: The one who has the power to charge a tax on all crystal entrepreneurs within the walls of Kaoa.
Smellius XXI: Hello Great King Sirus *bows letting out another Arden fart for dramatic effect*
Sirus: Zshim E’rauthfirk, as you well know, was on an important verge to discovering the force he labeled the “Arcane”.
Sirus: Such a discovery could have elevated Kaoa high up above our Draedan brethren and me above my third cousin three times removed’s uncle’s step brother’s great niece’s sixth cousin in Orda.
Sirus: I have here *waves the scroll in his hand* sufficient evidence that you sir caused his death.
[ Sirus, type /ex a scroll ]
Sirus: Since I don’t feel like reviving my Ordan genes, I’ll just say this instead of a trial…
Sirus: You shall be executed tomorrow at dawn. When your ghost is rejected in Aranna, I shall personally make your ghost watch me river dance to rock music as well as make your ghost attend The Mime Academy of Draeda.
[ Smellius XXI type /home ]
Guard #1: Hark!
Guard #2: There he goes!
Sirus: Let him go. Arden Smellius XXI is an embarrassment to me, and Kaoa too.
Sirus: On a happier side *marvels at the large Estate of the Smellius Clan* Look at all this free land we now have. This is an excellent spot for the first Kaoan Coliseum to go.
Guard #1: Hark!
Guard #2: Who goes there?
Sirus: It is just a child. Arden Smellius XXII, I presume.
Smellius XXII: *nods fearfully*
Sirus: I’ve never had any children before. Guards, take the child back to the Palace. Destroy his current birth certificate and name him: Antony Sirus. Treat him as if he were a real prince, he shall be the first king of Kaoa one day.
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The Queen
By Garrick Raiden Rex-Caeruleus
Throughout the history of Draeda, kings, queens, grand consuls, governors, and other rulers have been treated not like royalty but like divinity. Often, massive amounts of gold are brought to the throne of the ruler by one who seeks loyalty and sometimes power from the ruler. Other times, various birthday gifts of all shapes and sizes, all of great value in gold was given to the ruler. So then what gift is there to just show true loyalty? Is there truly a gift somewhere within the land of Draeda that can be given to a ruler for purposes other than self-gain? I believe that I have found the answer to such a question and hopefully by the end of this writing, you will know the answer.
To start, I shall pose the following question: How is a Ruler to stay true to his or her belief system and control his or her subjects? In a system like that of Orda, the answer is plainly obvious for within Espilan Orda, control of one’s individuality is very important to Espilan Ordan society. The laws of Espilan Orda coincide perfectly with the laws of its belief system, therefore making it easy for a ruler of Espilan Orda to find the answer in my question. But in a system like that of Urluseddian Xi’a, the answer is very vague and debatable. In both the principles of Erebosia and of Urluseddian Xi’a, the importance of the individual is stressed. The actions of one do not represent the actions of all. In a society such as this, an entire civilization does not have to fall for the actions of one of its subjects. But the question asks us how a Ruler is to remain true to that and control his or her subjects. Life can be made very hard for an Urluseddian Xi’an leader by fellow Draedans who demand punishment upon Xi’an individuals. On one hand, the leader may wish to remain neutral and let the city the individual terrorized, handle the situation. This hand is correct. There is no reason for a leader of Urluseddian Xi’a to get involved in another city’s internal affairs.
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The Borriage
Invented by Garrick Raiden Rex Caeruleus
Why invent a new method of transportation? Of all the years Draeda has existed with horse-drawn carriages, why invent something new now? The answer is simple. The Draedan lands are simply far too big for horse-drawn carriages. Far too many breaks would be needed when traveling across great distances with a horse, therefore shortening how long you can arrive. It is necessary that the abuse and misuse of the natural skills of horses cease and a new method of transportation be put in its place.
To begin one must start with lots of wood. From there simply use the designs of how to build a carriage from your surplus of wood. In addition, set aside one large wooden pole about 6 feet long to be used as the oar. The finished product should look like a carriage and when you get in, one must use the oar to push the Borriage along the land. But again this can lead to the abuse and misuse of natural Dea strength. So a new method must be found.
My next conclusion was to turn to the Arcane for help. So I put on one shield in each of the four corners of the carriage. It is crucial that the shields are made of strong metal and are attached evenly so the Borriage does not wobble. Once the shields are firmly in place, cast a simple sandstorm spell upon them. The sandstorm spell will summon a ball of fast-moving sand winds surrounding each shield so that it can then move the Borriage. Unfortunately, when tested, this method caused the Borriage to spin so fast I could not control where it should go, so it just moved straight at top speeds right into the Xian Sea. As I pulled my Borriage ashore, I thought about how cold the water was this time of year, when it hit me.
The cold spell! It was perfect to use to get the Borriage moving. But this model would not require the use of shields, so I removed the shield. Since the grounds are usually cold this time of year, Resist Cold Spell was the way to go. The Resist Cold Spell warms up the molecules it is affecting so that it does not get cold. Casting a resist cold spell on the whole Borriage will cause the Borriage to heat up against the cold surface and as in nature; seek a warmer spot causing the whole Borriage to slowly yet quickly move along the ground. Though caution to all using this method. Waters during the winter time can especially be cold and sometimes even passed freezing point, so your Borriage will move especially fast across a bridge and/or water. But alas, this method again failed. I could not control the Borriage as much; the oar got stuck in a crack in the bridge, flying me and the Borriage straight into the Xian Sea.
For now the Borriage will have to be manpowered. Man will have to use the oar to push the Borriage along through the dirt. But the Borriage is still largely incomplete, and I am always thinking of new methods to travel without the use of man or horsepower. Step One of creating a mode of transportation without using horsepower has been successfully completed.
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Apology Speech
By Garrick Raiden Rex Caeruleus
Hear ye, People of the Republican Nation of Orda!
One score and two years ago, I, Garrick Raiden Rex Caeruleus, newly independent and only thirteen years old, became a citizen of the Third Empire of Orda, under the leadership of Empress Angel1. A few days afterwards, I discovered the old Ordan Theatre and became very interested in it and its entire sets of works. Later as I experienced the land a bit more, I asked Empress Angel1 about a position with the Ordan Theatre and then it was declared that I would be the co-manager of the Ordan Theatre along with Lynna Urlused. Words here often got misunderstood and I was under the impression that I was the co-owner of the Ordan Theatre.
But none of that mattered yet. With the help of Lady Rya Hawk, I organized the first poetry night in the Ordan Theatre bringing many distinguished guests to the Third Empire of Orda such as the former Queen Xaira of the Kingdom of Kao’a and the present Queen Leannah of the Kingdom of Xi’a. As time went on, more poetry nights were held for the people of Draeda to enjoy.
Then I brought up the idea of acting companies and sent out many calls for actors. Those who did accept the challenge of acting, were often absent from the lands and still in this time I wrote some short plays of my own, though due to lack of actors, none could be performed yet. So poetry nights were substituted in an effort to maintain Theatre activity.
During the Principate of Orda, the first play was held by the Ordan Theatre with the help of a newly revived acting list and an excellent play written by former High Priest Kazimeer As time went on more plays were written, some thrown out completely and others maintaining their spots on the Acting Company Tablet. Comedy nights were then established, though not quite as frequent as Bardic Circle poetry nights. Then eventually, games nights, where a lottery was often part of were established, once again bringing more guests to the now Republican Nation of Orda.
And then I was overtaken with the Orca Virus, which changed my view of the world I lived in drastically. Not for much longer did I feel at peace living in Orda. The life of Order and Very was slowly slipping away, and after reading the Book of Castigan, the life of Order was not what I wanted deep in my heart. I then turned to Erebos, the patron goddess my uncle followed. It was through Her and my reading of the Book of Delphian that led me to my present day home in Xi’a where I finally feel I belong. But in this transition, I also admit that my heart began fading out of the Ordan Theatre. Even though I wasn’t prepared to admit it at the time, I see it now clearly.
In this clearer vision, I see now my wrong action in blasting the Senate of Orda when they rightfully suspended me from the Ordan Theatre business. I apologize to the government of the Republican Nation of Orda, its people, Senator Suzanna, Senator RaShal, and Procurator SkyZack. In addition, I hereby promise to never again harm an Ordan from an offensive stance in word or deed. Everyone standing here today take note of this promise, for if I ever break it, I shall give up my faith of Erebos and my own life.
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Balderdash
Balderdash the gold-axe hobgoblin
Had a very shiny axe.
And if you ever saw him,
You would even say it hacks.
All of the other hobgoblin
Used to be jealous and call him names.
They never let poor Balderdash
Join in any hobgoblin hunting games.
Then one swampy Crystalmas Eve
Tucoros came to say:
“Balderdash with your axe so bright
Won’t you guide Orca tonight?”
Then all the hobgoblin loved him
As they howled out more.
“Balderdash, the gold-axe hobgoblin
You’ll go down in war!”
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The Snowdragon
As a young boy, Garrick Raiden Rex grew up in solitude from the rest of Draeda with his uncle Herodotus. Around the age of five, Garrick began to celebrate the holiday of Crystalmas with his uncle Herodotus. Herodotus would tell stories about the Aranil and their Crystals around the campfire every night throughout the months of November and December. Garrick had a rather extensive imagination in those times and dreamt every night of meeting all kinds of things, including dragons, the Aranil, and the Crystals of the Aranil. Those three topics were of the greatest standing within the mind of Garrick.
When the first snowstorm of the season hit Garrick’s cottage in the north, young Garrick was so excited to finally fulfill some of the Crystalmas traditions. His uncle had told him that the Crystalmas season always began when the first snowstorm hit and lasted until the New Year. The first thing Garrick did was go outside and make a small dragon out of the fresh white snow. Herodotus then placed a spell on the Snowdragon to animate it. The Snowdragon sang and danced all day long to Crystalmas tunes. Garrick thought to himself, “This was the fun life Crystalmas is meant to bring.”
Unfortunately, that very night a bad witch stalked about the cottage. The witch had once lived in that very cottage and was outraged a man and his nephew had decided to “vacation” in it. So she placed a spell on the Snowdragon to turn it mean and do everything within his power to kill Garrick and his uncle. The bad witch conjured a lounge chair and watched what would happen next from a hilltop where she can overlook the fiasco.
The next morning, Herodotus went outside to hunt hobgoblin for breakfast. As he grabbed his spear, he heard a deep growling from up a tree. As Herodotus looked up, he saw the Snowdragon nestled in the tree with a fierce look in its eye. Before Herodotus could scream for help, the Snowdragon swooped down and carried Herodotus off to an Orc nest where the mama orc and her cubs were famished and would eat anything for food. Leaving Herodotus in the Orc nest, the Snowdragon returned to the cottage with the intent now to get young Garrick.
“This is going to be too easy,” thought the Snowdragon as he watched Garrick with hawk eyes.
“Balderdash the gold-axe hobgoblin,” Garrick sang innocently as he fetched water from the well, “had a very shiny axe. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it hacks.”
A small red crystal came plummeting from the sky suddenly and knocked the Snowdragon on the head, then bounced into Garrick’s water bucket. Garrick dumped out the water bucket and picked up the small, red crystal. He looked at it curiously having never seen a crystal up close before, noticing a speck of dirt on it, Garrick took out a rag and began to polish it.
The Snowdragon now was prepared to strike. Then another crystal bounced off his head landing into the well. Then another, and another, and another, and finally a large crystal fell onto the ground around Garrick. Seeing no more crystals in the sky, the Snowdragon swooped down from his tree straight towards Garrick. He was so close. Three inches…two inches….one inch. Then a poison spell hit the Snowdragon. Weakened, Snowdragon stepped back fearfully staring at the child polishing crystals. But the bad witch did not create the Snowdragon to feel death, so the Snowdragon charged again. And again another poison spell hit Snowdragon square in the face.
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Farewell Address
Xi’ans, for the past days you have been reading about a bad situation I got in Orda. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of Draeda.
I have been in these very streets for almost a year now and have never received anything but darkness and encouragement from you Xi’ans. And the occasional poison. *grins darkly*
Look at those grand Arcandili. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his life just to associate with them for even one day?
Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Nyx Shadowcat?
Also the builder of Draeda's greatest civilization, Edward Whatley
To have spent a great deal of my time here with that wonderful little fellow Antubis Coreu.
Then to have spent the remaining time with that outstanding leader, that smart student and teacher of darkness and healing
The best monarch in Draeda today –
Leannah Urlused Whatley!
Sure, I'm lucky. When the Ordan Legion, a guard I would give my right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a hug, that's something!
When everybody down to the bankers and those passing-by curious students of history remember you with trophies, that's something.
When you have a very dark uncle who worked all his life so that you can have an education and build your body, it's a blessing!
When you have a dark council who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed, that's the finest I know.
So I close in saying that I might have had a tough situation; but I have an awful lot to live for!
Post Script…
Keep an eye on Mordez Sally Moi. I have an eerie feeling he’s been sneaking off to the Sha Okarthel de-alphabetizing the book collection.
Post Script Number Two…
All my possessions within my home are to be given to my daughter Catherine, who you should also make sure doesn’t forget to mail me my copy of her and Dameon’s pocket calendar book.
If need be my home must be sold to make room for new Xi’ans I have one thing to say: The new owner will never find themselves unhappy.
Post Script Number Three…
The secrets of Garrick Raiden Rex are open to all to learn and shall lie forever with the Princess in Xi’a.
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