Mythodea / The Great Road by Dagger

05.12.2018

Margrave Balor the Red of Zweiwasser's road commision is complete!

While the road is not yet officially named, after over nine months of steady work, the Realm of Roses extension of the Sandrosenstrasse or Sandrosen Road is complete. The road runs from the Fiefdom of Schönweiler, along the Blauer Strom river then cuts westward over the Rosen Plateau until it connects to the Western Seal at the Westrosen Pass. 

The Margrave Balor of Zweiwasser commissioned the road's construction at the end of the previous year. Ambassador Dagger had been invited to treat with the then Baron, now Margrave, to discuss Balor's desire to have Dagger take over the road contract. Dagger brought with him his assistant Raelene Skie of Sapphire Isle and together a plan was set. The road would be constructed and the ambassador would lead the construction, under the guidance of Balor, until its completion. With one setback occurring about a month before the Summer Campaign, the road was finally completed in the early fall as it can be seen here on the current Mythodean Map.

Ambassador Dagger and Raelene Skie worked tirelessly to organize and plan the construction of the road. In doing so, the Embassy hired merchants and tradesmen mostly out of the Schönweiler region forming the East Blackwood Company. The formation of the company was made official during that spring festival known as the Convent of the Elements.  

I did get to talk to Krysto for some time about dancing next month for our party. The Emperor was supposed to show up but he did not come because the Skaven King was there and the Emperor does not like him so he did not come. I was introduced to a Blue woman that comes from beneath the sea "Aude Sunrise." It was an unusual occurrence I have seen her around the Ragnarok gatherings and in town on occasion. I had to Have the Ragnarok alchemist that was with me interrupt because I do not speak her language and she does not speak any common at all. She put in my hand a kind of soft metal that was Silver in color, sort of spikey like when you drop some hot silver on the floor and when it cools and you pick it up how it is splattered and sharp etc. She closed my hand around it and held my hand closed around it for a few minutes then opened my hand it had turned to a liquid... Pretty crazy stuff, it is called "Gallium" have never seen or heard of it, no idea what its function is, or it's worth.. Worth looking into but pretty cool stuff. I have seen some of the "blue men" around but never really deal with them at all... It was a good gathering and a fun night

Sir Shean O'Quinnlin

Lord of Creathorne

Guild Master of the Realms Embassy 

Realms / Order of the List Invitational 7 by Sayeh

28.11.2018

After taking last year off, the Order of the List Tournament returned with renewed vision and some new challenges.

Sixteen individuals have worked hard throughout the year at different tournaments racking up points to decided who is the top fighter in the Realms, and after a long twelve hours of combat, one winner is decided.

After an injury on the floor in the second round, Sir Theiran took himself out, putting Duke Tao into the top eight standings.

In this round, fighters faced new challenges that involved strategy. Secret new challenges were made, some with names none we had never heard of that required instruction from marshals briefly to explain. A new challenge was named Vuel's Vendetta after he was the victor of the new challenge. These less common forms of combat challenged each fighter until the top 3 fighters were determined.

Then, just when you thought each cut meant it was the end for all the fighters who didn't make it in the first two rounds, comes the wild card.

The wild card tournament was run a little different this year, but it remained true to its roots. All fighters except the top three competed, and for every kill, they gained a point, whoever had the most points in the end, could challenge the person standing in fourth place for the right to compete against the top three.

After a wild ten minutes of stabbing and running, Rillian came out as the victor with 49 victories and won the right to challenge Daekara for the right to fight against the top three. Blackwood's Lord Torolf was close behind him with 46 victories. Rillian proved himself and was able to displace Daekara to challenge the top three, Drike, Seagan, and Vuel.

However, it was not enough in the semi-finals for Rillian as in the end Drike pulled an upset and pulled into the second place position, and Seagan eventually fell into fourth place bringing our final two best fighters of the year to standoff between Drike and Vuel.

The final round between Drike and Vuel was to challenge their stamina, 3 fights, 7 rounds, best of 3 sets of 7 won Order of the list. Both were very evenly matched fighters and most knew that it would all come down to who wanted that championship more. Keep in mind these men had been fighting up until this point for almost eleven hours.

In the end, Vuel was victorious, and Drike was the runner up for the seventh season of Order of the List, but once a victor of Order of the List, you can never compete again. Thus, next year is anyone's game, and could be Drike's chance to claim victory... or anyone else who makes the cut in Order of the List.

Mythodea / Münzfest 2 by Dagger

30.10.2018

This past weekend, the East Blackwood Embassy and East Blackwood Company visited Goldwacht for the Münzfest. It was the hope of Ambassador Dagger that he could further discuss the state of affairs concerning their conflict with the Seal Empires. Varn and his companion Layla arrived in Goldwacht first as Dagger had issues with his horse and carriage. When the Ambassador and Leader of the East Blackwood Company did finally arrive, it was late into the night on the first day of the festival. Still, this provided enough time to officially recruit Layla, Varn's companion, and speak to various people within the Münzquell about the ongoing situation.

Diplomatic Relations

During the Embassy's stay in Goldwacht, Ambassador Dagger had many long conversations with various people of the Münzquell on the subject of their situation in relation to the Ruler's Counsel of Mythodea. In general, there were two primary beliefs that came forward during these discussions. Dagger personally presented the arguments he had acquired in the North, West, and Realm of Roses as the opposing view. The embassy took no position itself rather than to discuss the views of the Münzquell and the rest of Mythodea.

The General Mythodean Argument apears to paint the Münzquell as akin to invaders with a different religious belief system than their own. As was described to Ambassador Dagger during the Summer Campaign this year by an officer of the Northern Empire, "The Münzquell have effectively taken a city belonging to the Ruler's Counsel, claimed it as their own, declared it autonomous and self-governing and asked that their decisions and actions be respected by the Ruler's Counsel."

To the Seals, their Archons and their Nyames, the Münzquell are invaders who demand their freedom to do so. They have refused the authority and rulership of the Counsel. They have even spoken blasphemy against the religion of Mythodea as a whole. In this the Beloved Children of the Elements are also against the actions of the Münzquell. The threat of a siege of Goldwacht remains ever present.

The beliefs of the people of the Münzquell seem to take two paths. One is more extreme and the other more compromising. Some of the Münzquell believe very strongly that the time of the Ruler's Council is over and that Archons and Nyames no longer hold the power to dictate law upon other settlers who have not sworn fealty to them. Through their Golden Heritage, the Münzquell seem to believe that it is the time of mortals and therefore the Quihen Assil are not those who the faithful should communicate with, rather one should directly communicate with the Kral Urien. To many in Mythodea, this belief is considered blasphemy. Indeed, talks of war are common.

Yet there are those among the Münzquell who believe in compromise. They feel that their continued existence requires concessions with the Ruler's Counsel. With the shift in the course of fate and faith only time will tell what will become of the followers of the Golden Heritage.

Goldwacht and the Münzfest

In contrast to the ever-present gloom of potential war and financial ruin, the City of Goldwacht stood proudly as it held its second annual Münzfest. The festival boasted excellent sleeping accommodations, service, food, drink, and music. Every other person in attendance seemed ready with a tune to sing at any moment. Seafarer's games were plenty as was the courtly atmosphere strong. The smiths who were present offered lessons to those who showed interest while the taps in the tavern never ran dry. With a wedding, the Rumtopf ladies and ballroom dancing the festival was a must-see for those wishing for a break from the hardships of war and labor. Should the Münzquell stand proudly next year, the Embassy may like to visit again. As one Münzqueller wished us to remember, "The Münzquell welcome all." 

The Realms / Folkwood Questing Recap and Opinions

01.10.2018

In the early fall of 1018, Sir Shean, among soldiers of Blackwood and other people of the Realms, participated in a campaign against Shape Changers and the Gray Lady were an incident transpired resulting in a conflict. Lord Sir Shean was allegedly assaulted on charges of treason against the Realms. Details on the accounts differ. The first article on the subject to reach "The Ambassador" press came from Sapphire Isle, a small island barony off the coast of the Realms.

The article was quickly responded to by Lord Jean-Louis Charles Alexandre van Heutse Weinveld, the Voice of the West who condemned the actions described in the article based on the information he had been presented at that time. This, in turn, fueled the fire of conflict and put into question the very status and position of Sir Shean as what, the East Blackwood Embassy, has described as Head Ambassador to the Realms. 

The response we received in counter to the claims of Sapphire Isle and the condemnation written by the Voice of the West, details the events as seen by Lakomasoi Nuntiak the Lord of Gau Dring. Lako also describes the state of magic within the Realms which is often in sharp contrast to other lands such as Mythodea. Here at The Ambassador, we feel it is important to suggest that the actions described as "killing someone" is more akin to an attack on them as typically the state of "death" does not become permanent as it does in other lands as the magic that flows through the Realms is strong and steady. - The Ambassador

Opinion - Gau Dring

Letter to Jean-Louis of the Western Seal of Mythodea

Lord Jean-Louis Charles Alexandre van Heutse Weinveld,

As Lord of Gau Dring and the speaker for those events which took place, let it be known the acts taken against Shean O'Quinnlin, who was not at this time acting as a Diplomat or ambassador to the Realms, but rather as another adventurer with us that weekend. Our actions were in response to an offense taken against the Nations represented there. The day and night this aggression happened Shean was responsible for the destruction of several Shrines of the locale we were in, as well as weakening the powers we were using to fight a common enemy.

Later that night he was seen by myself and others to be communicating with an enemy attempting to barter a deal with them for his own means. As the night progressed we found ourselves in a large field fighting a pack of Shapechangers who are in essence corrupted Were-creatures. This is an ongoing enemy we have had a number of larger fights with and have not come out on top. This night we had the chance to weaken this foe, through Shean's actions of theft we were left without needed materials to complete our task. He had taken needed artifacts and left us in a field fighting this enemy for 2+ hours, none knew these pieces had been stolen.

It was after we had failed in our endeavor and the Enemy had become stronger than we learned we had been betrayed. As a collective four separate groups gave over Magics and resources to learn what had gone wrong, each group was given the same conclusion. Shean O'Quinnlin had been the one to steal the artifacts needed and left with them.

After discussing how to handle the situation the Nation of Voraniss, Gau Dring, and Chimeron decided to take action. We found Shean at the local tavern enjoying himself with his nation and friends. We confronted him with our information and informed those around that if things were to turn into fighting they should remove themselves if they saw fit, a number of people did. After questioning him and again casting magics to confirm our information, Shean was asked very directly if he had stolen the artifacts, and he refused to answer. He was given the option of a truth serum, which he refused to take.

In short, he was given every opportunity to clear himself of a matter the Gods, the Stars and the Threads of Reality had confirmed for us took place. He did not opt for that route, it was at this point through no ease of my own I called for his death. Now I understand customs in other realms and worlds may be different than our own, however, in the Realms the custom in a situation like this is to not ask questions, to not give the person the chance to answer. Instead in our lands, it is very Custom to kill someone outright and destroy their body to where the soul can no longer recognize it and is sent to the afterlife. Our three Nations opted out of that.

I chose not to have Shean's body destroyed in this fashion, this is in recognition of the Knighthood at the time I believed he was part of, it is against their tenants to destroy a body in such a manner. I have since been informed he is not part of this knighthood. However we as a group could not let it slide the act that was taken against us, we ensured that his Nation members who died defending them were either knocked out instead of dying or were brought back to life. No adventurer there stopped Shean from being brought to life and none kept him down afterward and he was allowed to go on with his night. For the threat of death, destruction and potential slavery that Shean enacted on us, we gave him five minutes of time in death.

Those Groups gathered there are working toward a better Realms, one where swinging the sword is not the first response, one where we all work together toward a common goal. Shean is a from an older Realms, where death and swords are the first and usually only language known to anyone he deems beneath him. These thoughts are a relic of the past and we work toward a place where thought and word are what come first.

It has been brought to my attention that our lands work differently when it comes to the ways of death, magic and the influence of Gods. Please understand in our lands people can die every day and be brought back to life with ease, this can be done hundreds of times without exhausting the person being killed or the one raising. As for our Magics they are plentiful and powerful, many of us myself included have direct connections with our gods and can use our wide array of magics to garner insight and truth. We have seers who can use their magics to delve into situations to find out what really happened. I myself am able to see the threads of reality and see how things take place, my High Mage is able to divine information from the stars. Please understand that we did everything within our powers to confirm this information to be true.

Lakomasoi Nuntiak
Lord of Gau Dring
Solitaire of Harlequin
Herald of Aerst, The First Reality Dragon

September 22nd Realms Embassy took the field with a small contingent of men, Ragnarok also fielded a similarly small number that took to the field. We were assigned to guard some strategic positions during several engagements the Leader of Ragnarok broke various weapons as did a few other of his men. I believe one pike and three poleaxes were lost. Several of the positions became overrun and a tactical retreat was done putting us into the towns. In such close quarters, many of those fighting in the alleyways and cramped streets the combat reverted to knives and daggers being used only. The forces we were fighting with did very well with this fighting and we were able to fight our way back to more open areas but with depleted forces, We believe that the opposing forces did better than us fighting for Ratatosk.

That evening in the tavern much of what happened at the Grand battle was being discussed some reports came in with some of the destruction the Empire preformed on Haldorf back in August. Apparently what damages they received was quite devastating rumor has it all of their defenses are gone and most of their production facilities are also destroyed, crops burned etc. When I discussed with Emperor Karl what all had happened to the opposing forces, he just smiled ...

Blackwood Court and Feast of Blackwood

The Feast of Blackwood marks the turning of the seasons, as summer comes to a close and the harvest begins to show it's bounty. Baroness Sayeh of Sapphire Isle returned home just in time for this occasion, prepared to make announcements of what happened while she was away for most of the summer in Mythodea.

However, it would seem like many things have gone a miss. She was informed of the attack on Sir Shean, Lord of Creathorne and Head Ambassador of the Realms Embassy, as well as how her sister, Vernice was caught in the middle of the fight. She had not been able to go home yet to see her sisters, and therefore did not have the full story as of yet. It seems that some matters will have to be clarified with Vernice, Voranis, and Chimeron at a later time.

Court was called, and most of the Lords of Blackwood were in attendance. His Majesty was called away often to take care of business, and so Prince Seagan was present and seem most of the time to entertain the many guests and ask for those with business at court. His Majesty made himself ready before everyone at the start of court to welcome everyone.

The Guild of Artisans was formed by some of the craftsmen/women of the Realms to help teach their skills to others. This guild includes weapons, garb, armor, leather, and other items. Currently, there are five masters of the guild.

Kal'lumdaka inducted a new member into their ranks, making her the newest member of the Kingdom of Blackwood serving under Lord Faust and Lord Meds.

Mathias took Pilpus on as a Squire to the Knights of Blackwood, even though he swore he'd never take another squire on. He surprised Pilpus with it at court not having discussed it prior, but the new squire excepted wholeheartedly and with joy.

Sayeh got up in court to announce the Blackwood and Realms Embassy in the Western Seal was at last under contract, which was met with great applause. In this moment Sayeh also asked for a moment of silence for the untimely death of Archon Karl Webber of the Reich der Rosen.

Prince Seagan made an announcement that Voranis and Blackwood made a union to work together, there are different items, some of which Sayeh was preluded to which will come about in greater details at a later date.

At the end of court it came as a surprise to some that the rumor that Sir Shean would be called up in court and stand trial for crimes committed in the weeks before did not come to be. It is unknown was will happen, and some predict that certain items will take place now at the Court of Chimeron, at the Black & White Masquerade to be held one month from now.

Bicolline / BATAILLE DE BICOLLINE - Recap by Sir Shean

21.08.2018

In the year 1018, the Realms Embassy fielded for the Bataille de Bicolline alongside their allies Ragnarok within the Empire.

The Realms Embassy at Bicolline

This year the Realms Embassy entered the battlefield on the side of their ally Ragnarok where they fought honorably for their friends and in the name of Emperor Karl. Head Ambassador Sir Sean was awarded a medal for his bravery and effectiveness in battle by Emperor Karl.

Mythodea / Sommer Feldzug Recap by Dagger

10.08.2018

In 16 Jahre n.d.E., the East Blackwood and Realms Embassy deployed to the Island of the World Forge to aid in the war and secure relations and lines of trade for the future.

Don Anthem De'Vigil del los HORD's Quest

While Dagger was resting in the field hospital near the Viribus Unitas main gate, an officer of the North rush by asking for an Alchemist. The Viribus Unitas camp was mostly empty at that time but Ambassador Dagger knew of an alchemist who happened to work for the embassy. Dagger pointed the officer toward the Embassy camp instructing him to tell Anthem Ambassador Dagger sent him and that if Anthem did a good job, he would get a bonus. Anthem took this mission.

The story of the mission as told by Adalbert the Blacksmith:

"Anthem assisted Adalbert the Blacksmith to re-forge the "Spear of Eternity." His potions, acids and other alchemical ingredients were what I needed to reshape the spear. After that, the spear was tied to 5 people, who fought Shey Ksun'Arett with it at the studio. Before the last lethal blow could be made, she teleported away. Shey tried to reach Kelriothar (the Mirror World). However, because the mirror world was already completely destroyed, she landed in the rubble of the World Forge. So, we set up a hunting party and followed her. I can say with pride that it was me who found her. Then she was killed after a bitter fight with the spearman who was tied to the "Spear of Eternity."" - Adalbert

The Realms / Tournaments of Creathorne 25 - Recap by Sayeh

05.06.2018

Tournaments of Creathorne

The 25th Anniversary

By Sayeh

After many days of travel, I arrived finally in the lands of Creathorne. With letters in hand from Ambassador Dagger, my first task upon arriving was setting up my simple little camp and doing as one would when you first arrive, say hello to friends and then usually get handed something to drink or something to sip because "you have to try this".

My mission for the Ambassador was not the only thing on my mind, we also faced a great threat. The Yellow King had returned after taking my brother of the seas, Jack, last summer, and his madness and insanity plagued many, even some of the members in the Kingdom of Blackwood. A cult was forming and banding together, and for my first night, I was without my brother's Tuilli and Axel. Celestial Beings came to aid us, and a few went through trials to become celestial warriors and champions, but before we could complete those first few tasks we were banished from the celestial realm and returned to Creathrone. Some who had joined the cult of the Yellow King spoke the name of the God of Madness and the attempt to return him, but we would not utter his name to give him more power. However, some of what happened that evening is a bit hazy since His Majesty was in a mood for revelry and asked me to drink with him, his closest court and friends. Who can refuse the King when he asks you to drink with him?

Come the morning, with no connection to the stars in the daytime, I began my work of talking to His Majesty, King Kerrell, about the plans for the embassy in East Blackwood, I produced letters written for him. His Majesty regretted to inform me that Vesper, whom Dagger had written a letter of recommendation, forfeit his challenge to become Lord of Alonis, thus making his recommendation invalid and void. Yet, His Majesty also took the time to discuss the matters on hand for funds for the embassy, and the request for gold, silver, and copper - and copper is an odd thing to request for because copper has no value in the Realms, except for maybe pots? Do they do a lot of cooking in Mythodea?

Discussions of lumber and other items of trade were also talked about amongst the lords, at least as many as I could talk to while tournaments were happening throughout the course of the day. Most of these items will be used to produce and build the port on Blackwood's claim of the Dark Isle. Soon, we will have a much larger port to protect and ships to build to make the long journey across the sea and through the fog. I kept in mind that I would say more at the Court of Blackwood, the next evening.

Nightfall came, and with it, so did Axel and Tuilli, and I told my brothers that the Yellow King had returned. Returning to the celestial realm, I did my best to spare Axel from the madness, as we tried to keep up with what was happening around us. Battles around us got even more intense as our path narrowed. I finally, with the help from Tuilli made a call for a divine force in intervene, calling upon my god to help us make this final push to the end and "blow the hull of this enemy ship open". I reminded him that The Yellow King took Jack's life, only of his followers, and now it was time to pay for what he had done. A divine gift a sanity was given to push back out enemies, and we pushed to the end to complete the final assault. Again, we found ourselves thrown into time and space, and landed back in Creathorne.

We once again enjoyed the evening and enjoyed a night of song and drink.

It was time for the largest competition in the tournaments, we call it the War Tournament, where nations fight other nations to test their strength. I did my best to push our warriors forward, and we took second place against the nation of Invictus and their compatriots. Two of our soldiers were injured in the battles against other nations, each twisting their ankles, but they later recovered.

In a meeting with Sir Shean, Lord of Creathorne and Head of the Realms Embassy, I discussed the items needed to support our presence in Mythodea. Discussion took place to secure items of gold, silver, and copper.

After awards were given I was called to court around the bonfire, and here His Majesty called me forward. He recognized me for the efforts I have put forth in my first year with the kingdom, and thus was given my full citizenship into the kingdom.

There were others recognized and elevated as well for their services to the crown, and in the matter of competition to become the next Lord of Alonis, Sir Aiden and Nova were awarded Stars of Honor, Sir Seeker was made a Stewart of Eroewan to protect and govern His Majesty's province, and Sir Torolf was named the victor and thus Lord of Alonis. Lords Nos of Heminshire and Lord Tao of Clontarf were elevated to the title of Duke. Lastly, for his services and for his steadfast loyalty and true show of leadership, Lord Sir Seagan of Acton was crowned the Prince of Blackwood and His Majesty's heir.

I was then called to court again, this time to speak on Ambassador Dagger's behalf. I asked the people of Blackwood for their aid to raise gold and silver in the coming weeks to aid in the building of our Mythodean embassy, I also asked many of them to send men or even think of one day making the journey themselves to come and help. Anthem and Earn were also recognized for their contributions and aid to the embassy, and that they should be welcomed into our family just as I had been that night as well. All this said, I gave His Majesty a seal, and explained that there are only two of these in existence. His Majesty explained that the seal would be used to conduct Blackwood business and that Dagger had one to conduct official business on the king's behalf. In the future, the Lords of Blackwood would eventually get their own seals made for each of their provinces and nations.

Finally, at the end of the night, Lord Sir Sean, His Majesty King Kerrell, and His Highness Prince Seagan, Lord Sir Mathias, and I were called into a meeting. The requests and the embassy were discussed further, and all was agreed that the refined gold, silver, and copper bars would be made to ship over to Mythodea to be made available as coin.

With this, I was informed that the request for me to go to Mythodea as requested by the Ambassador and to deliver the items, was granted. I leave the only home I have ever known to sail across an unknown sea and into a phenomenon known to me as "The Fog".

As I travel home now to Sapphire Isle to prepare myself to sail east, I think of my brothers, of my sisters, and of the kingdom, I am to leave behind. Tuilli tells me I must do whatever I can to return home by summers end and to not be lost at sea. I have not had a chance to tell Axel yet... and can't imagine as of yet what that will be.

My heart is full of fear, sadness, and excitement. I'm scared of some of the things I will see and if I will make it through the fog into this new world. I'm sad because I will be thinking of my brother's at home wondering if they're alright if they wish I was there. Yet, my excitement seems to build again at the thought of seeing Dagger again after so much time has passed. Months and months of letters and speaking for him in court has all come down to this journey, and now I have the chance to see him again and to stand at his side as I now speak for my kingdom and my homeland.