In the world of Djemity, news travels fast, borne on the fleetest of Aquienos Ships, flown across the land in Sylphim Floating Isles, or whispered through miles of stone by Teklo Wordsmiths. Of course, as fast as news and official reports travel, rumour and hearsay are quicker to spread throughout the world.
The final carvings have been completed. The Great Citadel of Djemity now lies ready to receive the Council of War. Important persons from all five races have been invited to attend the opening ceremony, though many have had to decline due to martial duties - for any who attend will likely miss the first battles to retake the Northern Isles from The Enemy.
Set floating in the foothills of the deep mountains by the magics of the Sylphim, access is via a narrow pinnacle arching from a great cliff. The imposing towers rise high above the approach carved from the stark white stone that the Aquienos navigators divined was most auspicious for the construction project. Those who walk on it seem strengthened by the ritual magics of the Becquerel surging through the grass under their feet. At present the mighty oak doors of the main entrance are firmly shut awaiting the official opening; within are the great tomes of the Archive, the gift of the Teklo. Many life-like statues of beasts great and small litter the lawn in front of the gate; several of the largest ones are moving around and seem to have some amount of intelligence, explaining that they are spirits set by the Kirlsa to guard the citadel from any harm that may befall it.
As the United Expeditionary Force prepares to embark upon the arduous journey to the Northern Isles, it was agreed by the Allied Peoples that a record of the events surrounding the war should be made and distributed throughout the land. Below are some excerpts.
The Sylphim have contributed the greatest of their Battle Isles, the Gracious Gift, a sleek, dangerous-looking islet that slices neatly through the clouds. Commanding it is the Imperial Emissary, the unofficial head of the Incarnate Order, Splendid Xantu. He is accompanied by the Imperial Court's Artist Extraordinary, Paltri Dun, who is expected to create an 'aesthetic chronicle' of the conflict.
Leading the main body of the Sylphim troops is General Laiwa. Nicknamed the Old Mantis, she has been head of the Imperial Third Legion for twenty years and the finest strategist of the last generation. Under her command on the expeditionary forces are the Third, Fourth and Eighth Legions.
However the greatest advantage the Sylphim offer the alliance is the reconnaissance of the Imperial Ninth, the famed Night Fliers. Their leader, the so-called 'Stiletto' is reputed to be an assassin of remarkable skill, and the fear which I have seen he engenders in his fellows suggests there is truth to this reputation. I am told that the Ninth will leave the Armada before we reach the Northern Isles and fly on ahead to be news of the Enemy…
Dispatch from Scholar Gert Yos Kint to the Senate
And then came the great armies of the Teklo. In massed ranks their grim warriors, arrayed with shield, spear and armour, marching in step.
First lead The Blooded Axes drawn from the Polis of Jerad itself. It was they who were first to battle their way on to fallen Parabai to fight the Sylphim hordes within. It is their honour to lead the Teklo Legions.
…
And last of the Teklo armies, there march The Tenth Legion from the Polis of Seit, who held the pass 'gainst over 800 Kirlsa raiders over a century past. When battle is joined, they will stand front and centre and they shall not retreat, not even one single step. It is their honour that all Teklo Warriors march before them.
Marching with them is Warden Layk Yos Fein, who led the forlorn hope that breached the walls of rebellious Vel. She carries with her the pride and strength of the Teklo, but also the Aegis of Ice, which can withstand any blow, and is inscribed with words so cold that the very air around it freezes.
Finally, there comes the command staff. Warden-General Maan Fra Grest, who, alongside Warleader Asad, has been given the honour of marshalling the Allied Armies. A master strategist: with his Divine Voice guiding battle, no war has ever been lost. Where he leads, so goes The Dolorous Banner that brings terror to the enemies of the Teklo. Alongside him walks Polité Jenn Yos Buruk, whose tongue swayed the Senate to action against the ancient foe, and whose words are the courage, the backbone and the strength of the Teklo force.
The Kirlsa forces' apparent lack of discipline contrasts sharply with the regimented Teklo legions.
But if you look closer, the disparate tribes have aligned themselves roughly into three groupings. The first, led by the King's first-born daughter, Asad Khooni Kaddan and her chosen tribe the Sand Dancers form a substantial ground-based force that has been able to neatly outmanoeuvre almost all opponents with their fast beetle mounts.
The second group has aligned behind the King's son Safardaya Tali Kaddan, born but an hour behind his twin sister and ever in her shadow. He leads his Wyrm Riders - a group of friends more than a tribe, they have spent many years capturing the most powerful beasts they could find, including the Great Wyrm Bheithir on which Safardaya now rides to battle. It is rumoured that the King has decreed that the throne will go to whichever of his children shows the greatest strength against the enemy.
The final group has aligned itself behind the great hero Balthasar Veydr and his Paradise Dune Archers, a tribe with a training regime considered harsh by even Kirlsa standards. Never defeated in a raid since they formed, the Paradise Dune Archers not only have the skill to hit any target with their poison arrows, they are preternatural knife fighters - using their paired “Fangs” they can jump on an enemy from over 30 foot away in the blink of an eye. The scattering of individual Kirlsa who have tamed various water beasts supplement this final grouping, but are currently supplementing the fleet or are on scouting duties.
Taken from the words told by Baoc of the Sounding Branch to Scholar Sama Yos Dench
This tale of heroes I will remember for our people and tell to friends and children…
Taking to the seas in wooden ships are the followers of Lanoc of the Lake of whom the stories have much to say. They say he tracked the Bear of Wyndlock, that he faced and bested wyrmlings of Hrundag as comrades fell around him, and that with great skill and litheness he fought the strangling snakes of the south forest. All those that follow him are the greatest warriors and huntsmen of our age - fast in their movements, wise in their knowledge of beasts and honourable companions one and all.
Above the masts of the sailing forest come five creatures of great marvel. Seawind Hawks match speed with sailing ship and riding them great Arama of the Canopies and her friends. Alone of all the races of our lands, these five have mastered the proud and vicious beasts and bent them to their will. Such great achievements on their coats, to yet more glory all five fly.
The wisest and most knowledgeable of the Druids I hear is named Vemel. Now it is she that leads such a number of the Druids that all Skira will be bent to their will at once. Among them are great storytellers to even match my craft and all that will come shall dearly be remembered.
Yet more come and for each I have heard a story, the well-remembered Coaquol and with him Minen and her father Minai, then the Druids Aecom and Fylem who …
[all following names have been recorded as far as time allowed by Scholar Sama]
The massive bulk of the city-ships of the Aquienos Home Fleet form into a defensive convoy as they leave the northern shore of Djemity. In their hastily refitted bellies, these ships hold the massed armies of the Allied Races. Marshalled by Kiri'Salat'EsTru'Mas, this invasion force is the greatest that the Races can remember, thanks to the End of History. Kiri'Salat'EsTru'Mas has the difficult and important job of co-ordinating the assault on the Northern Isles. Her prowess at organisation is what will be needed to deploy a huge force of troops quickly, establishing a safe beachhead to minimize losses.
This convoy does not sail alone, of course; its vulnerable transports are guarded by the pride of the War Fleet. At the head of the convoy, the great ship Taluk keeps watch. This magnificent ship was named after the High Admiral of the War Fleet Taluk'Taluk'Fra who now calls it his home. Taluk'Taluk'Fra has risen quickly through the ranks, and is known to be one of the most capable Admirals in Aquienos history. He runs his boat like a well oiled machine, and it is a matter of moments for his commands to turn into actions.
Taluk itself is the most famous ship in the War Fleet and is sailed by only the most skilled sailors in the Armada; even a lowly deckhand on Taluk commands great respect among Aquienos commoners. Its weapons are magical artifacts of great power which soak up starlight while not in use and release it as concentrated bursts of light to blow holes in the enemy. The victories of Taluk are the stuff of legend - the ship's fast sail work and carefully timed weapons fire once single handedly took down a great sea serpent by burning out its eyes.
A Proclamation communicated widely amongst the Allied Peoples before the Opening of the Citadel
In this time of Strife and War, the Teklo Senate wish to make plain their dedication to the cause of the Battle against the ancient foe, and to show the unity of their purpose.
To this end, the Rebel General, known as Chent Fra Kat will be cast from the side of the Citadel during the War Council, with the sanction of the due Authority of all of the Five Allied Peoples.
A bill which has been put to the Praetor Council.
The Council notes: Currently the Council is made up of the captains of the largest ships in the Home Fleet.
The Council believes: That the Council members are responsible for representing the interest of their ship, however the interests of individual ships are not necessarily the same as the interests of the Armada as a whole.
The Council resolves: To introduce a number of Council members who are not aligned to any individual ships and are responsible for representing the interests of the Armada as a whole. These members will be selected by a vote, as follows: individuals may be nominated by any Praetor captain and they will be admitted to the Council if more than 66% of the existing Council members vote to admit them. Individuals put forward should be selected based on having expert knowledge which can be used to aid the Council, in contrast to Praetor captains who are expected to canvas the mood of the individuals they are responsible for.
This bill, proposed by the captain of Tomaus, has entered the Council and will now be debated on and undergo many rewrites before it is voted on. Current sentiment is equally split between the 2 factions who want to see more centralized Aquinosian government and those who want to maintain the independence of the individual Praetor ships.
The Kirlsa King has been struck low by a mysterious fever on the eve of battle. Such is highly unusual as he would normally be considered to be a warrior in his prime. Kirlsa diplomats deflect any questions on this matter with the comment that it is an internal matter and that the Kirlsa people are strong!
However, rumours that King Kaddan has promised to abdicate if he has not recovered in time to join the final stages of the war have reached even the ears of non-Kirlsa.
Heard in conversation with Tekoktel on the edges of the Seraphol by 'Wanderer'
I have seen for myself that the trees and canopies that housed the greater number of those that followed Telovel, Resure, Wisht and Quell (these are the four some call the Visionaries among us) now stand empty. All gone. To where I do not know. I would ask any of the Becquerel who knew the Visionaries well but none are to be found thereabouts and I am disinclined to range further into the forest.
Let it be Known that in this Time of Conflict the Empire will not Tolerate those traitors who do not follow the Values of the Sylphim People.
All suspected Seditious activity should be reported at once to the Incarnate Order. Any possible Leads will be Investigated fully and fairly and the Imperial Chithana will Eliminate any Threat promptly.
The Empress requests that her Allies render every Assistance in identifying those who seek to Deface the Unity of the War Effort.