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Aqua Mint Sugar
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As to learning about the situation globally, things do not look good for any of us. According to Dorz and the most historically inclined among the Elz, twenty years ago a war beyond anything ever imagined prior began. A nation, the Fulgurine League, known for its seemingly magical powers and terrible lightning weapons somehow gained a power greater still, and unleashed a conquest of the entire known world. Citing divine authority stemming from a newly discovered star, the Fulgurine League unleashed armies clad in strange metals and riding great, aerial machines, possessing the power to speak to one another at great distances and unleash bolts of lightning strong enough to tear through stone walls.
Many nations fought against them, including the Empty Elz former homeland, but the Elz of Dorz chose to surrender and work alongside the Fulgurines instead, hoping to avoid destruction. This somewhat backfired when remnants of fallen armies ravaged their homeland. Something also changed just before Dorz's village was enslaved. Previously, their soldiers had always been present, with at least a small garrison in each village and patrols along every road, with the occasional flying ship sent by to protect the area. The latest conquest was declared on a place called 'The Pale Kingdom', and then, one day, all the soldiers simply left. There was no word from the capital, or any advance warning. The Fulgurines simply left in the middle of the night, and no more ships came by.
Aside from the vast and powerful Fulgurine Union, and the swarms of bandits and raiders made up of the armies they crushed, what she knows is that there are reputed to be people roaming the steppe to the west who might trade for weapons or food but are not well know. To our north there are great mountains said to hold madmen and prophets who dwell there for the isolation and harsh conditions, while the Fulgurine Empire's capital lies far to the south, past the rivers, lakes and swamps by a distance I have never traveled. To the east, all she really knows of is The Pale Kingdom, which she has nothing more than rumors that it is a wealthy utopia ruled by a single ancient family, and even that has nothing to substantiate it besides the fact that the Fulgurines declared it a conquest target.
Dorz does warn that while the Fulgurines are not wantonly cruel, they ARE ruthless in their conquest, and desire the entire world to be placed beneath their banner. They are obsessed with their 'divine right to rule as ordained by the Prophet Star', and their High Electrician has claimed to speak to it. They cannot be reasoned with in terms of sovereignty, and will demand fealty and service or simply smash their foes with their armies till they submit. Trade could be started easily enough, but would most certainly attract the attention of higher ranking members of the Union.
Regardless, I am now confident in my numbers to start exploring the world. With the technologies and skills shared by the Elz, and my ever-increasing population, I am now capable of moving Myself, Melora across regions with supplies enough to ensure my own safety. I feel something now that my requirement for survival is sated... Ambition. I have no desire to serve underneath the Fulgurines, and from how they 'helped' the Elz I have no illusions of their competence. Where should I explore first? The Pale Kingdom, who might be powerful enough to defeat the Union? The steppe peoples, of which little is known?
Exploration shall take a number of weeks regardless of the direction chosen, however for example heading north into the mountains will cover a smaller area than heading south to the Union or west across the planes due to terrain. Terrain is not the only possible danger however...
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