The Eleven Marches

The Mercantile Confederacy Eleven Marches

Predominant Races: Elves from tribes, Lizardfolk and sahuagin from the marshes and humans from the imperial cities.
Military: 0
Wealth: 0
Culture: 0

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Covenant's Gate: Capital city of the Eleven Marches and an important trade center of the Empire. This double walled city grew from a small fortification to a complex network of narrow streets and large market square, where all sorts of merchandise can be found and traded.
Workforce: 1
- Precious metal
- Gemstones
- Mercenaries

Elven Wars: It is said that the Creator's victory over the Destroyer at the End of Ages changed the world. For the elves, that meant seeing their homeland destroyed into the barren land that is now the eastern desert. Some survivors stayed faithful to Avencia, knowing that with her teachings, their land would eventually heal. Many however, chose to leave and migrate west. And so, during the early days of the empire, 11 elven tribes moved into the Old Lands. Their settling into the human lands brought then into various conflicts and skirmishes that quickly degenerated into full blown wars, threatening the still weakened kingdoms and their fragile alliances. It is said that, in a twist of fate, one of the tribes decided that Avencia abandoned the elves because they continued to bring destruction to the land and disappeared. Seeing their internal division, the realms that would latter form the Covenant, joined forces to face the common invader and slowly managed to gain the upper hand. Surrounded and outnumbered, the tribes eventually lost their strength and retreated to poor and infertile lands. To prevent further invasions, the emerging Covenant built a borderland fortification. This fort was the gate to the covenant lands, and so it became known as the Cavenant's Gate, which became an important trade center of the Empire, under the protection of the Margrave (local governor).

Tribes in the empire: The new elven homeland, being unproductive marshes, forced the tribes to adapt. Claiming that Avencia was dead, killed by the Destroyer himself during the End of Ages, these elves turned to worship the nature spirits. Having little to give the Empire, trade was difficult, even though some minor routes would be used frequently. However, their great military and combat skills and their endurance gained from being raised on the harshest conditions, turned out to be a great asset for the expanding empire. And this was something they could export: mercenaries. These mercenaries were first hired as travel escorts for merchants using the dangerous trade roads between Covenant’s Gate and the tribes. Their loyalty to the contract owner and their magic and archery skills meant that they were noticed by the Margrave, who deployed as security and patrol in dangerous areas. As a reward, the now pacified tribes were integrated into the Covenant, their leaders being promoted as high as councilors to the Margrave himself. After that, their reputation grew so much as to make these mercenaries the most sought-after bodyguards and, even full army regiments were being exported to boost every lord's army at the time the Covenant recalled their men and the empire went silent. To this day, it is still possible to find their mounted archers, blade singers and druids serving under other noble houses.

The rise of the Marches: But change was coming to the tribes. With the weakening of the Covenant, for one reason or another, internal conflict within the marshlands was brewing, and the ambitious new leader chosen by the tribes, known by the title of The Lady of the Eleven, was quick to act. Raising the famous mercenaries regiments, the marshes were fully brought under her control, and she put an end to the trouble before it started. As the lizardfolk and sahuagin refugees moved from the conquered marshes, flooding the gates of the capital, some for the defeated forces formed brigand squads, disrupting the merchant routes. All this destabilised the region and damaged the Margrave position. Offering to help the imperial governor, the elven forces marched into the capital almost unchallenged, to pacify and stabilise the region. Controlling such a central place of the empire’s trade route, staple rights and tolls were immediately put in place, escort mercenaries became almost essential to anyone travelling in the region due to the rising number brigand’s attacks and, with the lack of an efficient imperial army, an extensive protection racket was established to enforce the tenuous claim to the newly formed Eleven Marches Confederation. The Confederation is now using its privileged assess to trade to gain enough wealth to stabilize the unproductive region where it established itself.

The tribal believes are very distinct from those of the Empire. Their world view is very focused on the nature spirits and the mortal’s interactions with them (fey creatures are sacred). Everyone knows that they are organised in strict a druidric hierarchy, each march rules by an archdruid (some of which have been part of the previous Margrave’s council). The Eleven Marches are a very loose democracy, where all druids (ultimately represented by the eleven archdruid) meet every year to solve internal problems and elect their leader, define laws and external policy guidelines. No druids have no voting rights. Not much is known about their practices: lycantrophy seems to be common, but it is not clear how widespread it is, mostly because these can easily be confused with the tribal shapeshifting abilities (which were some of the most appreciated magic skills the mercenaries used). There are rumours that ritual mixing of blood are common religious practices, suggesting that elves may use magical means to acquire various animal features.

The Margrave is still the Covenant Governor. It is an inheritable nobility title so it can only be legitimacy changed by the imperial council or the emperor himself, who don't seem to be too worried about these matters nowaday... However, the Lady of the Eleven by coming to the Margrave's rescue, has earned the title of Holder of the Key (to the Covenant's gate!), which is the head of local council. The council itself is make up by six councillors, responsible for different (yet slightly overlapping) issues:
* The Commander of the Guard who is more concerned with raising and maintaining an effective security force, both as internal police (see Overseer) and for the Covenant's arm in war.
* The Master of the Guilds who is the representative from the city businesses and industries (see Overseer), but is also responsible for collecting the taxes from their earnings.
* The Overseer of the Roads who is responsible for public works in general. Because most initiative is left to the guilds and roads are fundamental to the trading town, the main activities is to maintaining proper accesses and good flow of trade (see Commander) and mediate guild's investments (sort of a central bank, see Master)
* The Mouth of the Land is the representative of the Margrave on the Empire, responsible for the diplomacy with the other noble families and regions within the Covenant . He is also responsible for ensuring the nobles under the Margrave and kept happy, avoiding both internal and external conflict (see Commander), while identifying opportunities for promoting the March (see Guardian).
* The Guardian of the Library is the wizard of the court, responsible for generating knowledge, maintaining the archives and promoting acquisition of new information. This means that he is responsible for research, engineering and magic, as well as spying (see Mouth).
* The Appraiser of arts is a new councillor established by the Lady of the Eleven, whose function is to evaluate all the merchandise that is forcibly exposed in the capital's extensive markets (staple rights) and collect the merchant tolls. The most promising items identified are them bough to enhance the Marches' status or to be resold in specific trade routes ([i]see Master[i]), to improve the Marches' wealth. (basically responsible for raising culture and wealth :D )

The elven mercenaries from the tribes of the Old Lands are well know for:
* Mounted archers: The elven connection to the natural spirits allows them a supernatural ability to domesticate and command the beasts of the land. Allied with their natural dexterity and years of hunting experience, the elven warriors can easily find a mount from where to fire their deadly enchanted arrows. Equipped with longbow and spear, medium or light armour and always with an animal companion.
* Blade singers: The elven infantry is widely known for its particular mixture of magic and exquisite elven blades. This allows for an imposible variety of combat and stealth tactics, making them unpredictable. Equipped with spear and sword, light or heavy armour and frequently take animal shapes.
* Druids: The elven spell-casters are so proficient manipulating and controlling the natural elements that facing them is like surviving a sentient natural disaster. Equipped with wooden staffs and robes, casting elemental magic, controlling plants, animals and the weather alike and summoning the forces of nature (elementals)

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Special soldier:
* Mounted archers: The elven connection to the natural spirits allows them a supernatural ability to domesticate and command the beasts of the land. Allied with their natural dexterity and years of hunting experience, the elven warriors can easily find a mount from where to fire their deadly enchanted arrows. Equipped with longbow and spear, medium or light armour and always with an animal companion.
* Blade singers: The elven infantry is widely known for its particular mixture of magic and exquisite elven blades. This allows for an imposible variety of combat and stealth tactics, making them unpredictable. Equipped with spear and sword, light or heavy armour and frequently take animal shapes.
* Druids: The elven spell-casters are so proficient manipulating and controlling the natural elements that facing them is like surviving a sentient natural disaster. Equipped with wooden staffs and robes, casting elemental magic, controlling plants, animals and the weather alike and summoning the forces of nature (elementals)

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People:
* The Margrave (Human noble): the Imperial Governor, an inheritable nobility title that can only be changed by the Imperial Council or the Emperor Himself. Holds the Imperial authority and serves as the mediator and the executive part for Confederacy Council
* The Lady of the Eleven (elf archdruid): Archdruid of one of the elven tribes, she has been recently elected leader of the the 11 Marches at the tribes meeting. After the "tribal uprising" she gained the title of Holder of the Key to the Covenant's Gate and now serves the head of local council.

* The Commander of the Guard (elf veteran) : Local councillor responsible for raising and maintaining an effective security force, working both as internal police and army forces.
* The Master of the Guilds (human noble): Representative of the city businesses and industries in the Local Council who is responsible for collecting the the guilds' taxes.
* The Overseer of the Roads (elf archdruid): Local councillor responsible for maintaining proper accesses and good flow of trade and mediate guild's investments (sort of a central bank)
* The Mouth of the Land (human noble): Local councillor responsible for the Margrave's representation on the Empire, responsible for the diplomacy and avoiding both internal and external conflict.
* The Guardian of the Library The One Councillor (elf archdruid): Representative of the wizard schools on the Local Council is responsible for generating knowledge, maintaining the archives and promoting acquisition of new information (including control of the spy network)
* The Appraiser of arts (dwarf merchant): Local councillor responsible for the evaluation of merchandised in the extensive markets (staple rights) and collection the merchant tolls.

* The (other 8) archdruids: Rulers of each March form a very loose tribal democracy, where all druids meet every year to solve internal problems and elect their leader, define laws and external policy guidelines. Non druids have no voting rights:
- Archdruid of the Sea: Elementalist
- Archdruid of the Land: Elementalist -> Overseer of the Roads
- Archdruid of the Sky: Elementalist

- Archdruid of the Fishes: Naturalist
- Archdruid of the Animals: Naturalist
- Archdruid of the Birds: Naturalist

- Archdruid of Songs: Spiritualist
- Archdruid of Dances: Spiritualist
- Archdruid of Arcane: Spiritualist

- Archdruid of Sun: Dualist -> The Guardian of the Library
- Archdruid of Moon: Dualist -> The Lady of the Eleven

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Companies:
* The Winter's Ballad: Sent to Foundation under The Wind's Whisper
* The Wind's Whisper: Sent to claim as much of Foundation as possible
* The Sun's Blade: Sent to Foundation under The Wind's Whisper
* The Earth's Spear: Southvale under the Lady's command
* The Moon's Grace: Southvale under the Lady's command
* The Lady's Dance: Lead by the Lady of the Eleven to meet Running's forces at the western border.

- Precious metal: 1
- Gemstones: 1
- Mercenaries: 1
- military: 3
- culture: 1

With her new powers, the lady of the Eleven makes changes to the local council, establishing the tribes as a discrete majority within the local government. As her army marches in the streets of Covenant’s Gate, it is clear that a new Commander of the Guard is needed and the previous is swiftly replaced by a loyal mercenary veteran. Conferring with the Margrave, she additionally creates the new position of Appraiser of Arts, given to a dwarven sympathizer, ensuring that the council looks balanced to the outside, but 4 of the six sits are under the influence of the tribes. The Lady of the Eleven further convinces the Margrave that the current instability in the region is an urgent matter and the Margrave summons the new council for an emergency meeting. On the table are the many problems plaguing the new Confederacy: the influx of refugees, the lack of food from these unfertile lands and the increased brigand activity. All but the new Commander of the Guard attend the meeting as he is preparing to welcome the return of four important mercenary Companies, including the famous Winter’s Ballad Company, returning with news of Barak of House Bremartin defection to join the undead armies of Macara (which turned out to be in violation of the contract terms, releasing the Company from his service).

The Guardian of the Library and the Overseer of the Roads, the original tribal archdruids on the council, explain the current situation: The new influx of refugees puts a great pressure on the already limited food supplies. With no food or shelter, these refugees are being recruited by the brigand groups who are getting more and more confident. Not only they attack those that travel the Imperial Road, reports of one of these groups has taken control, and dared to claim, one of the northern regions, closer to Widowvale’s border: a strategic place to stage further attacks on the caravan’s traveling through the Covenant’s Gate.

Event: Willowvale approaches the Marches, offering to grant access to their trading network, but what is the price, and is it too high?

The lands are infertile and the recent instability means that the food stocks are dangerously low. A stable source of food must be secured, but the Guardian of the Library and the Mouth of the Land can’t agree on the approach: the Guardian decides to send his spies to the nearby realms to carefully determine which fertile land is more… exposed, while the Mouth suggests a more peaceful approach, sending a diplomatic mission to the neighbours to secure the needed supplies through the opening of trade routes. The Overseer of the Road intervenes "We have heard reports of that the troubles at the Imperial Road extend as far as Zahad. We must set up new checkpoints to secure key locations along the Imperial Road and boost our patrols to reinforced new and existing trade routes". He concluded that new trade routes and more patrols would promote the mercenary business and maybe the lizardfolk and sahuagin could be put to use for the service of the Eleven Marches, instead of being recruited by criminals.

It was consensual that the brigands must be disbanded by any means necessary. As the Lady of the Eleven, joining as head of the council, summarised "We must bring these brigands to accept the Confederation’s authority with words, coin or sword!", so the Overseer’s suggestion was generally welcomed. The works drafting the order started immediately:
1) The Wind’s Whisper Company would be dispatched to deal with those brigands that dared claiming part of the Marches’ lands to serve as an example.
2) Diplomatic missions were to be sent to Southcove and NorthCove ports to establish potential trade treaties and military alliance.
3) A defensive alliance would be proposed to Unilith, who stands alone in the Old Lands

The discussion is interrupted by a dry, repetitive knock at the doors. "Honorable councilors, would I have permission to interrupt?" one of the guards asks, still behind the closed door. "Please, come in" replies the Margrave, who has been mediating the discussion. "A messenger from Willowvale is her to discuss an important matter with the Margrave himself." All except one of the councilors look at the Margrave waiting for his answer. The Guardian of the Library, a key player in the "tribal uprising" looks at the Lady of the Eleven. "Bring this messenger in" the Margrave says with his imperial authority. Willowvale’s emissary slowly walks in with two of his bodyguards, accessing the Confederation’s council composition, quickly confirming the rumors that have spread within the Old Lands. He raises his hand, showing a sealed scroll "I have a proposition from his honor, the Duke of Willowvale" he moves closer to the Margrave and handles the document whispering as he bows to leave "It is for your eyes only".

Event: One of the Eleven's premiere mercenary bands is found slaughtered
The room stayed silent even after the Margrave has left the room with the emissary. "We have used the increased revenue at the guilds’ disposal. This investment will improve industry and manufacturing, further improving the wealth gained the trading activity" the Master of the Guilds breaks the silence, starting the discussion of the local investments. Working with the Appraiser of arts, they have raised enough capital to promote investments on the capital’s infrastructures, remodeling the extensive network of markets to make them more efficient and… taxable. The various guild also welcomed the lower interest loans on their investments. "The boosted production and wealth gained from trade will gives us a trading edge to secure all the supplied we need, including a stable source of food" The Master points out, allying with both the Overseer’s and the Mouth’s previous ideas.

The meeting comes to an abrupt end as the Commander of the Guard burst into the room "The Winter’s Ballad Company did not arrive yet. I’ve sent scouts to meet with them, and…" the Commander struggles grasping the reality. One of the most veteran company was found slaughtered in the Southcove’s lands. Few survivors made it to the border where the scouts met with them. They have been ambushed, but the descriptions were so confusing that it looks like the survivors were in different battles. Arrows flew from the sky, or maybe some dark force followed them, or was it a strange disease? The only thing that seems most consistent was that the Imperial army was present one way or another. This immediately convinced the Guardian to order his network of spies, mages and investigators to join the Commander’s effort to find out how the Winter’s Ballad Company could so easily be defeated and secretly infiltrate the diplomatic mission to Southcove to find what they know about the attack (and gain valuable information for retaliation is needed!)


Meanwhile, in the Margrave’s meeting chambers, Willowvale’s emissary explains the current situation. Unlike what the Margrave expected, the brigands at their border were not the problem. It seems like their merchant ships are being targeted and they need help securing their maritime routes. Rumors suggest there is increased triton activity on the North sea, and they suspect Windrise’s involvement, possibly through their alliances with Terminus or Southcove. The Margrave considers his words. It is true that the Old Lands have been under pressure after the Imperial army was recalled under the emperor’s leadership. Since then all attempts to make a decision at the Imperial senate and court have been fruitless, bringing the Empire to a standstill in an already dire situation. "We have hear of your great success stabilizing your March my lord. We only ask for some military support until this situation is solved. We will be willing to put our trade routes and mercantile fleet for your use." Even though this sounded like a great deal, as having access to the maritime trade could prove fundamental, the request would require Companies of mercenaries to be sent until Willowvale’s situation is solved. "We are expecting the return of some Companies as we speak. I’m sure we can spare some to help a friend in need" the Margrave says as he signs the deal, using his imperial authority to decide without the council’s approval. He wasn’t aware of the recent loss of the Winter’s Ballad Company and was convinced this deal would open up the trade routes that the councilors were hoping for…

- Alcohol *2 components* -> +1 Culture/-1 Unrest
- - |A1| Container *1 component* ✅ 2WF
- - - - |C1| Metal or ✅ 1WF
- - - - |C1| Wood or
- - - - |C1| Stone
- - |A2| Livestock or ✅ 1WF
- - |A2| Crops

- Exported Food *2 components* -> tradable
- - |E1| Livestock ✅ 1WF
- - |E1| Crops
- - |E2| Chemical or ✅ 1WF
- - |E2| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - |E3| Stone

- Currency *3 components* -> +2 Wealth
- - |C1| Stone or ✅ 1WF
- - |C1| Metal
- - |C2| Metal or ✅ 1WF
- - |C2| Precious Metal
- - |C3| Gemstone or ✅ 1WF
- - |C3| Precious Metal

- Jewellery *2 components* -> +3 Culture
- - |J1| Gemstone ✅ 1WF
- - |J2| Precious Metal ✅ 1WF

- Ship, Armed *2 components* -> Water warfare
- - |A1| Cannons *3 components* ❌ 4WF
- - - - |C1| Gunpowder *2 components* ❌ 2WF
- - - - - - |P1| Chemical ✅ 1WF
- - - - - - |P2| Chemical ❌ 1WF
- - - - |C2| Metal ✅ 1WF
- - - - |C3| Chemical or ✅ 1WF
- - - - |C3| Wood or
- - - - |C3| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E3| Stone
- - |A2| Ship, Unarmed *2 components) ✅ 3WF-> Move 1k soldiers across water
- - - - |S1| Wood ✅ 1WF
- - - - |S2| Cloth *2 components* ✅ 2WF
- - - - - - |C1| Textile or ✅ 1WF
- - - - - - |C1| Livestock
- - - - - - |C2| Textile or ✅ 1WF
- - - - - - |C2| Livestock

- Armament *2 components* -> +2 Military Supply
- - |A1| Chemical ✅ 1WF
- - |A1| Wood
- - |A1| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - |E3| Stone
- - |A2| Refined metal *2 components* ✅ 2WF
- - - - |R1| Chemical ✅ 1WF
- - - - |R1| Wood
- - - - |R1| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E3| Stone
- - - - |R2| Metal✅ 1WF

- Guns *4 components* -> +5 Military Supply
- - |G1| Gunpowder *2 components* or ❌ 2WF
- - - - |P1| Chemical ❌
- - - - |P2| Chemical ❌
- - |G1| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - |E3| Stone
- - |G2| Wood ✅ 1WF
- - |G3| Chemical or ❌ 1WF
- - |G3| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - |E3| Stone
- - |G4| Refined metal *2 components* ✅ 2WF
- - - - |R1| Chemical ✅ 1WF
- - - - |R1| Wood
- - - - |R1| Enchantment *3 components*
- - - - - - |E1| Gemstone
- - - - - - |E2| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E2| Stone
- - - - - - |E3| Chemical or
- - - - - - |E3| Stone
- - - - |R2| Metal ✅ 1WF

Post 1: Making of a Lady

(Alea'ana, Archdruiddess of Moon and The Lady of the Eleven)
"You have woken!" the echoing voice of the man by the fire booms through the cave. "Do not fear your new self". Even though the memories of how she got here are still a bit hazy, a mixture of what she felt and saw and what she was told happened, she remembers the moment she sat down with this man very clearly. It was the moment she became a druid. That man was none the other than the Archdruid of the Sun, the powerful Zet’arin himself. With him were two reptiles who turned out to be the druid of the tribe of the snake and the mercenary commander of the late Wind’s Fangs company. They had seen her through her ordeal and, curious about her attunement with the land, decided to intervene and control the wild and ancient magics she was summoning in her delusional state. The outcome, they left for the spirits to decide. She had just undergone the mystical ritual of the mixing of the blood, when one joins with the land by taking their strengths and forms. It wasn’t uncommon amongst the druidic elves, but it required long training and preparation as it was very dangerous and… lethal. But she survived, the spirits spared her for some reason and now, daughter of the mistletoe, she mixed with the serpent: a leaf bathed in venom. She was taken by the tribe of the snake tribe and trained under their druid and serving under their commander in faraway courts, as an elven mercenary for the nobles of the Covenant and the Empire. But then, she had to return. The Covenant was in danger and she was deployed to the far western shores and deserts to fight the frightful enemy. The elves fought well, as everybody else, but it was a pointless war and many died. During the retreat, she proved her skill by regrouping the demoralized mercenaries and bringing them back home, away from the emperor’s ultimate plan… The fall of the Covenant would prove to be a tough time for her people, but her actions and that one time she met with Zet’arin would change everything…

Post 2: The little statue
Event: Your nation's most valuable artifact has been stolen. There are either signs that it may have been perpetrated by clones, or that an extensive series of tunnels was used. Or both.

(Zamath, The Mouth of the Land)
Even though the elves had turned away from Avencia (or maybe was she that left them?), they hadn’t completely abandoned her. Most had forgotten it, but, through tradition and rituals, the elven tribes of the Eleven Marches had kept the last vestiges of the legendary elven homeland hidden and secured. This was a statue of Avencia herself, a small keepsake from the times before the End of Ages. Under the constant protection by the eleven archdruids, this small piece was made undetectable and unreachable by powerful ancient rites and spells. However, as it would turn out, Zet’arin’s quest to control the Marches lead to the sudden dead of almost half of the archdruids, including himself, the Archdruid of the Sun. This was unprecedented and would prove a great blow to the elves down the line. Losing one or two Archdruids would have no effect, the Seal was kept secure with redundant magic. However, the slaughter that occurred, weakened it and allowed other to find the small statue. And so it was that it was stolen…

It was not down to him, who had inherited the entire spy network from the cursed Zet’arin, the previous Guardian of the Library, to find out what happened. It didn’t take long, relatively speaking, as humans had little knowledge of these elven secrets, to find a number of tunnel exits had been opened close to the Sacred Tree of Life, which stood on a space that used to be outside space, and held the statue of Avencia within itself. This was one of those weird elven legends where the spirits of the land did some magics and a tree grew out of it, but it was too esoteric for him to have a full grasp of what they were talking about. Importantly, the tress was supposed to have held the word together after the devastation of the End of Ages through the lost Goddess’ powers and somehow healed the land back to its former state.

Post 3: Roads of rumble
Event: A series of landslides has rendered the Imperial Road impassable in several places.

(Alea'ana, Archdruiddess of Moon and The Lady of the Eleven)
This was a nightmare! After all the Confederation had been through, the civil war, the One Councillor’s scheming and the Ash Armies of Terminus, this happens! It was as if all the spirits of the land were angry and violently turning against the elves. Maybe they were… Didn’t someone just cut the Sacred Tree of Live and stole the essence of Avencia? Most elves believed that the Goddess had abandoned them, but, as far as she was concerned, she preferred the old tales of the Goddess sacrifice to heal the world and the spirits arising from her leaked powers and will. She had always respected that human, Zamath. He was a good one and he was fully committed to finding whoever took the statue. The thief failed to realise that the archdruids were connect to the Sacred Tree and their abhorrent act was immediately noticed. Zamath’s spies were dispatched so quickly that they almost got them in the tunnels beneath the earth. To their horror, all five of them looked like Zet’arin, the late Guardian of the library. How was this possible? Before they got any further, the tunnels collapse, only a few managed to get out in time… Worse of all, this collapsed reveal the extend of the underground tunnel network as the land twisted and waves due to tunnels’ caving in. Scars spread throughout the Old lands and beyond, leaving roads of rumble across the land. Worse, these movements triggered landslides from the mountains, cutting off a great extension of the Imperial road. Thinking a bit better, maybe the spirits were not angry, but helping in subtle ways... As it turned out, all the new roads of ruins seem to be lead to Cloudspire. The diplomatic mission sent to the emerging realm of Valseria were forced back and re-routed by sea. It was now of utmost importance to get the new power on their side, as she felt the shadow of the Cloudspire’s mountains stretching out to reach her…

Post 4: Terminus Port

(Durwar, The Appraiser of arts)
He was but the merchant responsible for evaluating the goods moving through the capital’s markets. Being sent north to Willowvale changed that. Having overseen the shipbuilding industry development, he was sent to the Northlands, almost as a representative of the Confederation overseeing the colonization. And he was happy with that. What he wasn’t happy with was having his axe slashing thought ash good men, elves and dwarves died against the unstoppable tide of Terminus’ armies. They managed to hold them back, but pursuing the retreating enemy while preventing new attacks was an impossible task. And he had never been happier to the Overseer of the Roads, Ilphas-el, show up. The presence of someone with such a stellar military reputation was enough to boost the men’s morale and re-double the war effort. When he saw that the Overseer brought some newly developed technology with him, he forgot all about the strange ash warriors coming back to life. The Ilphas-el took two of the best mercenary companies, The Moon's Grace and the Sun’s Blade and equipped the reformed The Winter's Ballad with those marvellous guns! He felt like the Confederacy would stand against everything, and indestructible might with no equal. The magic and the engineering those elves were capable of was truly astonishing. Unfortunately, he was not a man of war, but a man of trade, so he had to stay behind as The Overseer of the Roads lead the great army of the Eleven Marches against one of the most important provinces of Terminus, their port city. The dwarf knew that nothing would stop a force like that under a leadership like that! Anyway, after all that excitement, he was back to his regular routine: find and track down any remains of Terminus forces still in the Northlands