Spheres of Influence: Alliance

( dangit I missed the fun D: can I still submit something?)

The First War of Reclamation

Khuln Kalduhr is on the march. Having assembled a vast Army of Reclamation out of dwarven armies and volunteers and human mercenaries, they march northwest to Ahrkalde, and then on to their first target; Khuln Taziduhr, the Coalfire Hold, source of countless goblin raiding parties and scourge of the Alliance. The call has gone out; those who have promised military aid can now flock to the banners of reclamation. Thedrin's war to reclaim the lost holds is only just beginning.

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Sorry, not accepting more apps at this time :( game is a little crowded as it is

"Good news everyfriend!

After hearing about the big debate for the location of the conference, I shall volunteer our humble nation to be the host of the event! You shall taste our unique foods, and be protected by our unique warriors! Don't forget to see the sights while deciding about our future! Maybe even meet our King and the Princess!

Everyone's truly,
Captain Ovis
"

Meanwhile, Capra is having a migraine, because nobody has actually asked the wastes to hold this. He gazes upon workers building a grand council hall in Zmon. People have already gave a nickname to it: the Cube... He hopes nobody will send a message about the REAL location of the council meeting, and everyone will go along with it, because otherwise, he might need to retire early from stress.

The Conquest of Taziduhr

The goblin-occupied hold of Khuln Taziduhr has fallen to the Army of Reclamation.

The High Kingdom

In the wake of Taziduhr's reclamation, King Thedrin has laid claim to the ancient defunct Dwarven title of High King, but has stated that he shall refuse a coronation until it can be done on the Adamantine Throne. In doing so, he has promised the reclamation of the ancient Dwarven capital, and by extension the Dwarven Heartlands.

Following this proclamation, Khuln Taziduhr was granted to King Snorri Aknarthull of Khuln Ahrkalde. King Snorri promptly pledged fealty to King Thedrin alongside Queen Bardina of Khuln Paztdin.

So begins the Reclamation!

The time had come for the tenth convention of the Alliance. All the nations of the Alliance were invited to send representatives to Zmon, in the Kingdom of the Crescent wastes, for a grand diplomatic summit. In addition to the main event, which was voting on new articles, the convention was an opportunity for diplomats from every country to get together and discuss together everything that concerned them.

It would be a summit taking place amidst dangerous times. During the few weeks everyone would get together to discuss, the Army of Reclamation led by the newly-declared High King Thedrin would be marching from Khuln Taziduhr towards its next target. In Nhdit Nuskri, amidst a battle with the Duwkri from the south, the Holy King had imprisoned citizens of the Alliance from Nova Kalla, Tiranóg and the Antipode Coalition on the charge of being foreign spies and being involved in the triggering the Duwkri attack. The king of Praterre would not be in attendance, as it soon became clear to the arriving dignitaries that he was dead, and Dentienne was occupied by the Freed Bay Post.

Still, the dignitaries, leaders and ambassadors alike, would arrive by ship in Zmon. As they sailed into the harbour, they would behold the Cube, sitting in pride of place on the waterfront at the outskirts of the small city...

Captain Ovis, with his arms stretched wide, as if he is about to embrace the entirity of the assembled crowd, stands at THE CUBE's entrance. Wearing khaki shorts and a shirt, wool-like golden hair, tiny thin mustache, and a searing lime green cockade, he looked very comical.  Near him stood his Chief Secretary, Capra, who wore a tuxedo, khaki shorts, a majestic mustache, and the expression of someone who is about to pass out from anxiety. Nearby, you can see a tiny man wearing a purple t shirt, and a tube shaped wooden crown. Behind her, a giant, musclebound woman in a similar purple t-shirt and unsimilarly, purple hair, and a tiara that is seemingly made of teeth: the King and his daughter... 

Ovis yells: "Everyfriend! Welcome to Zmon, my hometown, and please behold our magnificent Cube! We kinda got carried away with it, pushed the Crescent Engineering to its limits. And boy, I am glad we did! This great hall shall be both our meeting place, and a monument to the resolve of our great Alliance! We will be strong, stout, resilient, and mysterious, like this very Cube! Come on in, friends! Lets us discuss the future! And then taste the foods our very own king shall cook for us!"

Hanging banners and decorations adorn the outside, and the interior is a cavernous space as tall as it is wide! Several smaller rooms sit off to one side of the structure for utility purposes, but the roof of the cube itself is tall enough that the top of the interior rooms allows for a viewing gallery to watch the affairs taking place in the main chamber. At the heart, a massive skylight shines down, surrounded by a ring of polished steel to reflect the light down vertically and illuminate the convention space.

The first to arrive was the procession from Khuln Kalduhr.

The 100-gun Sunsail-class warship came into port, sailed by a mixture of dwarves and hired crew. It was a Tiranog warship, previously the 'Ashen Vale', it had been given to King Thedrin upon his visit to Tiranog. It was now the 'Remembrance', whose name now inspired recollection of all the harm done to the Dwarves in the past by the Alliance's many enemies, as well as all the aid and goodwill given by their friends. It represented a new start for the Dwarves, both on the sea and as a civilization. The runic crest of Khuln Kalduhr was now visible on the sales, and the light blue flag of Khuln Kalduhr fluttered in the wind from the highest mast.

Onboard the ship was Queen Durgana, wife to King Thedrin, and her twenty-one Royal Guards. Her translator, Bardina Silvertongue, stood by her side as they came in to port.

Durgana was a fiery red-haired Dwarven woman standing at around 4'9", with a long braided beard and twinkling green eyes. She was strong of frame, as were most Dwarves, and wore a ceremonial suit of steely Dwarven armor. The crest of Khuln Kalduhr was engraved into the breastplate, and a blue cape emblazoned with its crest was hanging from her shoulders. A mace was hanging from her hip, and several pistols were on her person. She, like her husband, was every inch a warrior. She'd met him during his adventuring career, and had spent a significant chunk of her youth fighting alongside the Prince.

Bardina was a bright blond haired, thick-bearded woman of around 4'8". She wore some lighter armor, a simple sword hanging at her side and a round shield hanging on her back. She was actually the cousin of Snorri Manytongues, and was Queen Durgana's personal translator. Funny how that worked out.

Once the ship came to a stop, Durgana stepped off followed by Bardina and the Royal Guards. If anybody was waiting, she'd greet them warmly and properly! If not, she'd proceed to THE CUBE. Or wherever people were gathering for pre-meeting talks.

Invasion of Nhdit Nuskri

As the convention was only just beginning, news arrived from the southern border of the Alliance. Apparently Kor Vurneus had invaded and occupied Nhdit Nuskri, with help from Amakri and the navies of the Freed Bay Post and Nova Kalla.

Meanwhile at the Convention

Meanwhile, dignitaries from the minor states of the Alliance were starting to show up. The ambassadors from the three smaller border kingdoms - Margunkyn, Themaran, and Elblet - arrived one after the other, and then came the representative from Ecrithur. Following this, a ship appeared carrying the old Duchess Tara de Cazou of Des-Accor, who it appeared would be attending in person.

HOO! Ok, we did it folks! A mad ride back to the capital, pick up the mail and the investigation information and appropriate gear, take the guard unit and a boat up North- no no translator we needed a translator- ok good, bye Deputy, have fun taking care of the country, off we go to Zmon.

A mail-ship hit the dock, and immediately a young postal worker hopped off, lugging a crate of mail up to the office.

Right behind that youth though, was the Postmaster, her translator, and her guard. The Postmaster herself was in the gear of High Postal Officials, flaxy and grey. A smart hat with a corded brim, the shorter sleeved shirt, only with pants because this was IMPORTANT- oh damn it, THEY were all wearing shorts? Fuck, she should have brought her shorts, but anyway she had a nice fresh scar on her arm. She actually didn't look as stressed out as she often did, appreciating the marvelous and exact construction of this Cube. Goodness! Felt more and more like a yokel every day!

Her translator, funny enough, was a young Dwarven man by the name of Durgan Hassletongue, who was the third cousin twice removed of BOTH Snorri Manytongues and Bardina Silvertongue. He was distressingly ripped for a translator. People that hot shouldn't BE there, but there he was. Even the postal official uniform couldn't dampen his distracting capabilities.

They both greeted the hosts, making sure to get a hand shake in with Ovis and also the ever-helpful Capra! The Postmaster gave him a pat on the back, telling him it would be alright, and all she'd ever seen of him was the swell job he was doing. Other than that, she kind of wanted to get things going, so she went to go find herself a place. She uhh. Really hoped there was a place and this wasn't going to be an issue. So much shit to get done.

The Unity's delegation arrives without much fanfare, the delegates coming on a regular merchant ship. The group consists of a few elders, demarcated from the rest only by flower wreaths on their heads, the younger druids-in-training, and various people representing the independent merchants, farmers, and craftspeople of the Unity. At the center is Alyn Loras, the current Guardian of Nature, dressed in a yellow-and-gold shirt and vest with frilled edges reminiscent of wheat-stalks, a long flowing black skirt, and a half-cape in orange and red. They are the only one armed, carrying a ceremonial shield strapped to their back and a carved wooden staff. The group proceeds to the CUBE and Alyn waves to any members of Khuln Kalduhr's delegation that they recognize. They also introduce themselves to Ovis.

"Thank you for receiving us so warmly, friend. I am Alyn Loras, and these are some of my fellows."

A familiar ship pulled up into the Zmon port, one that was recognized throughout the Alliance. A Nova Kallan Phenomena stopped at the dock, resting for a moment, before three figures emerge from within, using a gangplank to get down onto dry land.

The first figure was none other than Cassiopeia Porveria of Tourma. Standing around 5'3", with salt and pepper hair in a short bob, and dressed in a flowy skirt and a loose shirt, both in cool colors. She kept her posture straightened, and she carried herself with evident confidence. Upon reaching the docks, Cassiopeia glanced behind her, making sure her two assistants were with her.

To her left was Admiral Isla Lachan, a experienced Nova Kallan admiral, who had apparently been piloting the Phenomena that brought them here. She was tall, around 5'11", with long hair done up in a pony tail. She wore a loose fitting crop top alongside high water pants, with a jacket emblazoned with the seal of the Nova Kallan navy draped over her shoulders. A sword bumped against her hip as she walked. Admiral Lachan stood with a slight slouch, silently observing the area.

To her right was Yahya Sovez, a mousey looking young man standing around 5'9" who stood close to Cassiopeia. He had floppy hair, which he kept pushing out of his face as he wrote, a notebook and pencil in his hands. He was dressed... differently, with a sweater and long pants, and a bag slung over his shoulder. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a hair pin, sticking it into his hair in an attempt to pin it out of his face. It soon flopped right back in front of his eyes as the trio kept walking.

The Nova Kallan trio approached the CUBE, and Cassiopeia's two assistants stuck to her sides as the Emissary approached Captain Ovis.

"Good day, Captain." Cassiopeia greeted. "It's a pleasure to see you. This is an excellent... cube that you've provided for us today, and I'm glad to see there was effort put into an important event such as this. Our thanks for the warm reception." She glanced to the side, and after a moment of staring, Yahya and Admiral Lachan glanced over and gave some thanks of their own. Satisfied, Cassiopeia turned back to Ovis. "We shall see ourselves inside. Thank you again for your studious work here." And with that, the Nova Kallan trio headed into the CUBE, Cassiopeia intent on taking in their new surroundings.

Next to arrive was a massive ship in a possibly-familiar white-and-purple color scheme, proudly emblazoned with the emblem of Antipode Institute. The Nereus, Antipode's flagship and, for the moment, its leader's ride of choice.

A eclectic group of scholars (and exactly one unscholarly type) stepped onto the docks, followed by some kind of hovering, magically-conjured platform that carried various belongings of importance that they'd elected to not just carry themselves.

At the front of the group stood Director Aztra Narilis, a purplish-scaled lizardfolk who stood at about 6'4", with deep blue eyes that matched the blue of the erratic bioluminescent scars across much of her body. Her left arm was some kind of fancy magical prosthetic, and she wore her white-and-purple Director's Robes with about as much dignity and grace as you'd expect from someone whose main specialty is biological fieldwork. Which is to say, she had the sleeves rolled up, the front of the garment completely unbuttoned, and she was visibly wearing shorts that didn't fit the Wizard Robes aesthetic at all. She looked pretty visibly excited to be here.

The same couldn't be said of the lizardfolk man to her right. Dr. Zethya Asanzi, a respected and many-times-published epidemiologist who'd had the misfortune of drawing the short straw among Antipode's various Tenured Academics who wanted nothing to do with this meeting. He stood at 5'10", with pale green scales, a set of robes worn far more properly, and a perpetual sour expression.

Beside Dr. Asanzi stood a dwarf named Dr. Dhunan Graytongue, a... second cousin of the very same Snorri Manytongues and one of Antipode's foremost linguists and cultural anthropologists, brought along just in case of embarrassing cross-cultural incidents or in case of catastrophic translation magic failure. It never hurts to have backup.

To the director's other side was a lizardfolk decked out in frankly excessive naval wear, complete with a big hat, some kind of magical cutlass, a colorful coat, some big Nautical Boots, and all that. They had dull blue scales and stood a head taller than even the Director, and they... didn't look like an academic at all, actually. Admiral Sarata Ssaili, captain of the Nereus and head of the Antipodean navy. They hummed some jaunty tune to themself as the group proceeded onward.

And finally, there was another greenish-scaled lizardfolk woman, dressed not in fancy robes but in something more akin to a well-fitted suit. She was easily the most official-looking of the group, and for good reason - this was Adhisi Vassa, prime minister of Antipode, here to represent the non-Institute side of Antipode's government. And also, here to be the one person in the group who actually knows how politics works. Gotta have one, you know?

The group carried onward, giving looks of varying admiration (or derision) toward the Cube. Depending on which of them you asked, the Cube was either a marvel of engineering or kind of ugly, or maybe somewhere in between. Regardless of all that, the Director approached Captain Ovis, breaking off rather suddenly from her group to do so. Lizardfolk tend to do things very suddenly, much to the chagrin of the easily-startled amongst the world's other species. "Captain Ovis! Good to see you in person." She smiled lizardly. "An interesting building you've prepared for this event. I think we'll get a look at it from the inside now - there'll be time to see dingowls later, I hope. See you at the meeting."

And with that, Antipode's finest weirdos headed Cubewards.

After the Antipodeans came the Forgent and Bulwar ambassadors, who turned up at around the same time. They thanked Captain Ovis for his hospitality and greeted the King of the Wastes with appropriate dignity. Rather than heading straight into the CUBE with the Forgent ambassador, the Bulwar ambassador went into the city to the hotel rooms they'd booked. It seemed they had no interest in further diplomacy before the summit, having perhaps already decided who they would be voting with beyond a shadow of a doubt.

After a while the prime minister of Gundarth, Malcomn af Lanfirth, arrived on a frigate, disembarking into the harbour and walking up with a surprisingly large retinue. The king couldn't make it, he said, on account of an important feast day coming up that he couldn't miss. His granddaughter, Seona of Gundarth, would be in attendance, though, and would be joining them once she had visited the city, since she'd never been here before.

And hot on her heels was a trade ship from Innis Lorel, carrying Paramount Duncan Kirk himself. The man had some substantial grey mutton chops and wore a traditional Gundarth kilt for his official introductions. He warmly greeted everyone who was willing to shake his hand, though he studiously avoided the delegation from Gundarth.He joked that he was glad that he wasn't the only one here with his knees showing.

At last, the Tiranógian delegation arrived, with the Gauntlet of Ashurian flagship sailing into the harbour, with the familiar blood red sails of Tiranog's Red Fleet trimmed with gold in honour of the Tiranógian King of the gods, the Enclosed Gauntlet emblazoned on the main sail making identification of the ship impossible to mistake.

Rioch Geród himself stepped off onto the harbour, dressed simply in a grey cloak with black trim, over a closed over coat braided by a ceremonial bandolier filled with silver icons of Tiranógian gods. A runic dwarven longsword sheathed at his side and wearing a simple wide brimmed black hat with white feathered plume. Alongside him was a simple Tiranógian Scholar, a translator by the name of Séan Ghedric, a scribe to take down minutes of the meeting as well as notes dictated by the king for his perusal later. Behind him came a small honour guard of around ten Crimson Guardsmen.

Rioch Geród makes his way over to Captain Ovis, smiling as he shakes his hand. "Captain Ovis, a pleasure to meet you in person, thank you very much for hosting the convention this year and for receiving us." He gave due respect to the king and princess of the Crescent Wastes as well as exchanging light pleasantries with other dignitaries as he and his entourage made their way to the Cube. It was notable that Geród seemed reserved and a bit tense, although not many knew him personally, perhaps that was just how he seemed.

Next - gods, they really did keep coming, didn't they - came the dwarven ambassadors from Khuln Kalderak and Khuln Garuhm, both clad in ceremonial armour - the dwarves who still dwelled in the mountains never seemed comfortable without at least a layer of chainmail between them and the world. They made courteous welcomes, and set about meeting and mingling. Apparently, the ambassador from Khuln Darihm had arrived a while ago, but had yet to leave her hotel.

As this was happening, Paramount Duncan of Innis Lorel started making the rounds of those already in the CUBE, speaking to whoever he could get his hands on from the minor powers. When he saw that Geród had arrived, he bowed out from the conversation he was having with the Ecrithur ambassador and approached him. "King Geród! It is good to finally meet you face to face!" he said, extending a hand to shake. This seemed to catch the prime minister Malcolm's eye, and he turned to watch what was about to be said.

Meanwhile, outside, one final dwarven delegation arrived. The dwarves of Khuln Thorjron had sent a small column of elite steel-armoured warriors and similarly-armoured aides and assistants, and at their head walked a white-bearded dwarven figure in elaborate plate armour, inscribed with mighty runes. The joints and pauldrons were set with diamonds, and the symbol of the Hazarak family was firmly displayed on the chestpiece in gold. It seemed King Rykarth had decided to show up in person rather than sending an ambassador. He'd done that only once before, at the First Convention.

Durgana had gone around, exchanging pleasantries with the representatives of the various minor powers. When she saw that Rykarth himself had attended, though, she decided to approach him.

"King Rykarth," she said to him. "A pleasure to meet you at long last."

A small, dark blue painted ship sailed into the harbour, slowly and carefully. It flew high the flag of Kor Vurneus, and it's grey sails were emblazoned likewise with the brass symbol on it's flag. A weird design of the ship, seemed to be a large sort of... mesh, as a secondary layer along the top of the ship. It had thin holes for water and wind to pass through, and some work had gone into the ship clearly to have this fabric not interfere with the running of the ship. It had rather pleasant engravings and steelworks done along the metal parts of the ship, and clearly was a pleasure or comfort vehicle, rather than trade or battle. The entirety of the ship was bathed in a lighter shade from the upper mesh and as it docked, the retinue of Cregit Exiro and 19 other members of his retinue disembarked.

Cregit Exiro, chief scholar of Kor Vurneus, was missing his long hair, and while he normally was covered up extensively, dark brown padded clothing, preferring to keep his body wrapped away and hidden, a layer of bandages was around his head, only revealing the gray eyes completely whilst protecting the rest of his face. 10 members of the retinue had parasols with them, the colours differed, blue, green, yellow, but were light items, easy to carry and capable of covering 2 or 3 people, which they did, as 10 of the retinue seemed to be assistants to the other half. Only 4 of the parasols were in usage, and Exiro was one of the members protected from the sun.

He also walked with a visible limp and a steel cane, and with some assistance from his travel partner, a bald, serious and rake thing looking woman, named Anastai Firma carrying a rose pink parasol and a bag. She would be the translator and note taker for him, and also handed over a gift she took from another assistant, a slightly damp and large box of ripe dark red Cruen berries filled with ice. She explained that they had a strong taste, good for waking people up and giving a zest of energy, but the flesh of the berry was mildly poisonous and unpleasant to actually consume.

Cregit Exiro thanked Captain Ovis for the splendid job in preparing to host this event, and he looked forward to seeing what other wonders the Crescent Wastes had prepared, and the honour of tasting the King's cooking of course.

At the loud greeting of Paramount Duncan, Cassiopeia glanced up, finding herself looking at the recently arrived Rioch Geród. She cocked her brow and moved in their direction, followed closely behind by Yahya, who adjusted his hair again. The pair stopped a modest distance away, making sure to place themselves close enough to note that they wished to speak, but far enough away that they weren't focusing in on the conversation.

Meanwhile, Admiral Lachan was shuffling in a different direction, hands stuffed in her jacket pockets. She made her way over to where the Postmaster was standing, greeting the leader of the Freed Bay Post with a stiff salute and a flat, "Uh. Good day, Postmaster. I've... come to thank you. For the help the Freed Bay Post gave at Nhdit Nuskri."

Rykarth had taken off his helmet when he'd come into the CUBE, revealing his bald head and pale eyes. He sent his followers off to go stow their belongings and set up for the convention. When Durgana approached, he turned towards her with a smile. "Ah, Queen Durgana," he said. His voice was deep, and his tone diplomatic. "The pleasure is all mine. I have been following your husband's campaign with some interest."

Outside, meanwhile, an ambassador had arrived from the south, seeking to represent the eternal king of Merhotepre, if it would be believed. He approached Captain Ovis, bowing deeply in ornate lavender-trimmed robes. He understood that he would probably not be permitted to attend the voting, but he wished to speak to some of the assembled leaders of the Alliance before the sessions were closed off for official business.

"Yes, the War of Reclamation goes well so far," Durgana said to him, smiling. "How are things in Khuln Thorjron?"

Rioch Geród turned to look at Paramount Duncan, taking off one glove to shake his hand with a light smile.

"Ah, Paramount Duncan, a pleasure to meet you, I was just about to go meet the Prime Minister Malcolm." He said, just diving right at the elephant in the room. "Care to join me, so we can discuss the matter at hand like gentlemen?"

The Orbonian Ambassador - or some equivalent of an Ambassador anyway - came. He was a "Wolfstooth Talksgood" and he seemed to be dressed in robe made of crocodile, skink, snake - every reptile that can be conceivably found in the forest. Reptiles used to be the symbol of underhandedness and cowardliness in Orbona culture but in the modern times, they had taken on a sheen of victory without violence - the Half-Elven interpretation of diplomacy. He was, unsurprisingly, larger than everyone. Orbonas are jerks.

Duncan's smile grew wider. "If you feel that is for the best. I had intended to greet more of the delegations here first, but if you want to get right down to business, then so be it!"

Meanwhile, Rykarth was speaking to Durgana. "Things are improving," he said, with that unwavering smile. "My efforts to improve the lives of my citizens are finally bearing fruit. We have produced a number of new machines that will reduce the need for manual labour to keep the city operational." He was about to say more, when the Orbona ambassador entered the CUBE.

Every head turned. Of course, it wasn't unexpected for foreign powers to attend the diplomatic forum part of the convention, but it was the first time a half-elf had showed up. Also, he was very tall. Tall enough that he had to duck to fit through the big doors to enter the CUBE, even, though the massively tall interior space wasn't going to cause him any trouble.

"Thedrin did mention they were tall," Durgana remarked before looking back to Rykarth. "Sounds like interesting technology."