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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 16:26:14 GMT
Mirielle,
I pray this parcel finds you well and that you are attending to your studies. We all feel your absence keenly. Hardly a day goes by that some duke or wizard doesn't inquire after your hand. I know that you might not take that as the compliment it is. Rest assured that I remember our bargain. None of the included letters is an invitation to your own wedding.
Instead, with the help of a trusted enchanter and an equally trusted courier, I have included a series of important dispatches related to the security and prosperity of Ashdell. It is imperative that you come to understand our current situation, with all its risks and potential rewards. The Sovereign Guilds would be cross with me for revealing all these items to you; they are less than pleased that even I have access. But toothless ceremonial king that I am, I am still the king, and someday you will be required to counsel me or my successor. Therefore, by the aid of certain rituals enclosed in the package, please render what advice your reason suggests, seal it, and return it by the same courier that I sent.
All our love,
Father
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 16:39:19 GMT
Report on an Incident at HallenrulA Furriers' Guild trade caravan, comprising half a dozen wagons, a dozen woodsmen, and Stormwall the Centaur as guide, became lost in the mountains east of Ashdell. The caravan encountered one @aldaecer, a dwarf of Idmidum, who led them toward a small town called Hallenrul. The caravan was set upon by a force of corporeal and incorporeal unquiet dead just outside Hallenrul. A small group of locals assisted the caravan and gave it shelter. The locals included an unusually large and impressive gryphon, who proved crucial in repelling the dead. The dwarf Aldaecer also demonstrated friendship toward the caravan and efficacy against its assailants. The town's Elder offered assistance and shelter to the caravan, and mutually profitable trade ensued. Hallenrul is now considered a waypoint on a potential route to the great eastern lake, whose river system -- as you know -- leads past Idmidum, Elbion, and other points of extreme interest. The gryphon, it transpires, has made a bargain of physical and magical protection with the town. This gryphon, whose name is not known, appears exceptional in not only size but also judgment and magical virtue. The Guilds consider friendship with Hallenrul a priority.
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 16:49:42 GMT
Report on a Scouting Mission to the Northern Mountains Pursuant to reports of 'castles in the mountains' and 'the smoke of great furnaces,' the Sovereign Guilds dispatched a scouting mission through the northern forest and wastelands to the distant mountains. The party comprised the following, all experienced scouts: - Sturn, halfling
- Marek, human
- Stormwall, centaur
- Whills, halfling
- Leith, human
The party located and mapped a number of heretofore unknown castles and cities, collectively known as the Leichenfurstenbund, or the Vampire Bund. Their main contact with this nation was one Mondlywin, ruler of the Moon Keep, which lies within the caldera of an extinct volcano. Mondlywin and her kind are blood-drinkers who rule over largely human cities. They can field large numbers of elite cavalry, both human and vampire. The party made generic declarations of friendship and adjourned as soon as was polite. The Bund is considered a neutral but extremely dangerous neighbour. It is crucial that Ashdell explore its options in relation to the vampire legions.
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 16:57:09 GMT
Diplomatic Report: Mystmarch The nation of Mystmarch comprises four territories: three large islands, all shielded by a perpetual magical storm which repels unauthorized ships, and one recently annexed region on the mainland of Ardell. Mystmarch is located to the extreme west, not far from the mouth of the great river into which ours feeds. Contact prior to the Empire's fall was intermittent and insubstantial. Recently, the Sovereign Guilds dispatched a diplomatic representative to seal a trade agreement with Mystmarch. The agreement includes the following elements: - Sale of Ashdell timber to the shipyards of Mystmarch
- Availability of Mystmarch's opportunities for higher education and magical learning to citizens of Ashdell
- A general statement of non-aggression and friendship, though not a formal alliance
- Free exchange of arts and commodities, likely to the great benefit of the Guilds
Mystmarch is not close enough to prove an effective ally in hazardous circumstances. However, the Guilds have high hopes that trade with Mystmarch will open numerous markets to Ashdell's merchandise. Mystmarch is not considered a threat. However, it is certainly expansionist, and has expressed interest in various regions of southwestern Ardell.
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 17:05:09 GMT
Military Report: Silverclaw Valley You will note that previous reports outlined the failure of a magical barrier around Silverclaw Valley, which is located quite close to Ashdell, to the east. The barrier had both protected and concealed the valley. The valley is rich in silver, salt, and dressed stone. Recently, the King and Barons of Silverclaw Valley began a low-grade civil war. Since each noble house only had a few hundred men to call upon, the King and the various Barons called for foreign assistance. Certain foreign powers took the invitation as a rationale to take control of most of the valley. Notably, an armed force from Mystmarch now controls Postern Fortress in the south; a professional mercenary band from Perona has coopted the militia and armed forces of Shivercleft in the east; Martton in the west is reporting incidents involving ratfolk; and the Vampire Lords of the Leichenfurstenbund have occupied the capital, Rustfall City. Both the Bund's cavalry and the Perona mercenaries with their Shivercleft allies have moved on the central town of Leterton. The town's fate is unknown. Notably, a dragon was also observed in the area. This incident should be taken as proof positive that the Bund is an expansionist power with interests very close to Ashdell.
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 14, 2017 17:14:30 GMT
Report on the Deamhan Fhole Highlands Recently, an operative of the Sovereign Guilds encountered a traveler, believed to be vampiric, who was intimately familiar with both the Vampire Bund and with the region west of their territory. The region is known locally as the Deamhan Fhole. It comprises scattered towns and villages, occasionally raided by nomadic clans of vampires. It appears that these distant cousins of the Bund are not susceptible to daylight. The traveler was hired to participate in an exploratory mission with a threefold goal: - Evaluate the Deamhan Fhole vampires as a threat
- Gain actionable intelligence on the Bund
- Explore possibilities for trade with the larger and more accessible highland towns
The third goal may necessitate making actual contact with the vampires. This mission entails significant risk and was the subject of hotly divided debate between and within the upper echelons of the Sovereign Guilds. The master enchanter Gilderoy Gilmour has been consulted on the feasibility of erecting some sort of magical barrier or means of awareness specific to vampires, all along the northern border of Ashdell.
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 17, 2017 3:34:04 GMT
Father,
I've read the reports you've sent me. I'll pass along my thoughts later. I'm writing this from the deck of a mindboggling vehicle, a flying ship of sorts. Its dwarven crew have treated me well.
I came north as we discussed, but my party was waylaid by orcish raiders north of Arlek. We soon found ourselves in company with survivors of caravans and towns, all fleeting the orcs. The horde numbered at least two thousand. My maids and guards were killed or scattered. Several dozen survivors and I took shelter in Ethenveld Castle, the abandoned fortress south of Pakellan. The orcs took the castle.
If not for the intervention of the dwarves and, more crucially, a stranger of a unique race, I would have been killed. I must discuss the stranger and his people with you in a more private setting. They are saurian, with the bulk of a large orc. They speak little, preferring to communicate with writing. They are highly intelligent, but their civilization bears hallmarks of barbarity -- sentient sacrifice, for example. I believe I am en route to their hidden city. My companion called upon his god, and was astonished that the god decided to commune with me, albeit in riddles. I asked the lizard-god how to help you secure Ashdell against the vampires. It said, and I quote: "Who can bottle mist? Can a creeping fog have substance? What light can spring forth from the heart of a cloud?" I believe more information can be found in the city.
By this point, I expect you to be as angry, fascinated, and terrified as I am -- perhaps somewhat angrier. I wish I could explain the things I've seen. When I return, we need to talk.
I'll pass this to the dwarves. It may take a while to reach you. Until then, all my love.
H.R.H. Mirielle of Ashdell
Your Miri
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Post by Mirielle Merlon on Jan 17, 2017 4:40:55 GMT
Item I: Monarch King Kastel IV is prone to creating new laws and reviving old ones, and is unusually fond of the death penalty. He tacitly encourages competition and infighting between his bannermen. Banditry has risen since he took the throne. Item II: Comparative Wealth Aureus and Ashdell have a similar level of wealth and trade power. Item III: Territory Aureus is significantly larger than Ashdell. Aureus can almost certainly draw upon a larger draft base in time of war. However, it would experience commensurate delays in gathering and repositioning forces. Item IV: Stability Aureus is known for internal dissent, has often been in a state of de facto civil war, and treats its serfs relatively poorly. By contrast, Ashdell is far more stable and the average subject has far more opportunity due to the role of the Sovereign Guilds. Item V: Demographics Aureus is perhaps six-tenths human and perhaps two-tenths elvish, with a smattering of other peoples. By contrast, Ashdell has almost zero elves and is two-fifths human, two-fifths halfling, and one-tenth dwarven. In terms of average physical capability in an army draftee, Aureus would have a decisive edge. Item VI: Military Focus and Preferred Terrain Ashdell has significant numbers of experienced woodsmen and archers, as well as guild guards, local militias, etc. Aureus is much more focused on military capability, with forces comprised heavily of military archers and men-at-arms (often cavalry). These forces are led by landed and/or professional knights. On open ground, without question, Aureus would prevail in most instances. In forest, such as the enchanted woods around Ashdell, we would retain a decisive advantage. Item VII: Diplomatic Relations Merchants in Aureus and Ashdell have often done business by virtue of the kingdoms' proximity and comparative advantages. Ashdell's timber and metalwork are well received in Aureus, while Aureus' agriculture helps feed Ashdell's citizens. In the aggregate, Aureus has no real incentive to risk a bloody nose by attempting to assimilate or raid Ashdell. Nevertheless, Aureus' perennial political instability and unpredictable monarch present serious long-term risks. Item VIII: The River Ashdell retains control of the southwest-bearing Twistheart and the northwest-bearing tributary into which it feeds. In this system, Aureus is downstream of Ashdell. This position allows Aureus to, potentially, choke or tax Ashdell's trade with Mystmarch. Conversely, Ashdell's upstream position and robust riverine ship force, based out of the great harbour at Charran's Wake, allow it any number of hostile options should an escalating situation demand them.
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