The Kingdom of High Ishtahnos
By the Light of the Sun, His Royal Highness, John IV, High King of Ishtahnos
First Minister Johnathon Royston Rageclaw
2013-2015 IR, 2046-2048 IC
Thousands of agents dispatched to Kildora who work with the Doomweaver's government begin to make deal after deal after deal, vast quantities of money changing hands as thousands of contracts end up under Ishtahn control and more and more sorcerers are left with a diminished workforce. Each formerly indentured soul is given the chance to be resettled in Ishtahnos and gain all the benefits afforded to citizens of the Kingdom. Even free individuals at risk of falling into servitude are given free transport for them and their families if they wish. It's a monumental undertaking and bound to miss a few people, but it's far easier and quicker than risking the sorcerous might of Kildora.
The contracts bought up by the Ishtahn are treated two ways. Those resettled to Ishtahnos have their contracts ritually burned by a magnifying lens in the cathedral of the city they are settled in. Those who choose to remain in Kildora remain technically owned by the High King of Ishtahnos so no unscrupulous sorcerer takes advantage of them again, though the agent responsible for purchasing them swears a sacred Kildoran oath that the High King shall never compel them to perform any service.
2: [Diplomacy] Attempt to press a confederation claim to Region 67. Success!
After receiving approval from the Group of Seventeen, a crack team of Ishtahn elite forces are dispatched to the bunker buried deep in Mons Orochos. Their shuttle lands at a safe distance from the entrance and they step out onto the dusty slopes, weapons at the ready in case of trouble only to find that they were beaten to the site mere hours before by the Vesperites. A short, tense and very awkward standoff with the Vesperite support team on the outside later, the Ishtahn commandos settle in for the long haul deciding that they might as well stick around in case everything goes horribly horribly wrong and the Vesperites need backup. It's never too early to start mending fences after all.
The Spicers of Mekhala are cursed to Hell and back in the mercantile halls of Ishtahnos. No amount of gifts, friendly introductions or "special one time payments and administrative fees" has managed to sway them towards agreeing on an even remotely reasonable price. The head of the trade delegation gets so fed up he nearly strangles an individual referred to in documents as the "Grand Spicer", likely a mistranslation, to death and ends up being arrested for assault and battery. The remainder of the money earmarked for "special one time payments and administrative fees" has to be spent hiring a lawyer fleeing from conflict elsewhere in Mekhala to represent him in court.
Needless to say this debacle has become extremely embarrassing for the government. Extremely. Embarrassing.
Nonactions: Resist all unauthorised conversions, buyouts, etc. etc.
Prime Marcus and his Prime Paragons are declared personae non grata by the Ishtahn government. Their vocal support of the institution of slavery has soured relations between the Illumined Utopia and the High Kingdom and the First Minister delivers a impassioned speech before the House of Delegates decrying them for their foolishness:
Quote"Prime Marcus is a fool! We can all see it, he cannot tell a slave from a free member of society and we shouldn't be surprised from one who considers himself the paragon of paragons! No I say, a slave well treated is a slave still for if one cannot refuse to labour for threat of punishment then that is what they are! I very much doubt he even thought to ask the Fiorids what happens to their slaves who decide not to do what they're told, to those who wish to leave!
"No. The Illumined 'Utopia' has let themselves become blind by their own purported light! We here of Ishtahnos know our society has flaws but we here in Parliament do not compel our constituents to labour to serve us like the pathetic princes and nobles of Verdalfheim!
"Their claims that it's 'just a cultural caste system' are no better! For what is a caste system but slavery wrapped in tradition? No. We are all equal before the Light of the Benevolent Sun, from the most unfortunate soul lost in the deserts to the High King in his palace and only His Grace the Emperor has any claim to be above another soul! And don't think we didn't notice that Joar d'Altosteinn's interview was cut short! They speak of the soul's expression but cut it short when it's inconvenient for them! This is the clear hypocrisy expected from the self-righteous!"
He pauses as the Delegates in attendance voice their agreement and approval.
"This is why my government and I will be taking a stand against slavery in all its forms. From here on we will be embarking on a campaign to end chattel slavery, indentured servitude, military conscription and penal labour beginning here on Veehra before moving on the rest of Tekhum. We call upon our fellow Elect to join with us in bringing about this new age and let all who stand against us be consigned to the wastes of history!"
The Delegates cheer and give the First Minister a standing ovation and it takes several minutes for the Speaker to get things under control again.
As part of the above government position the Kingdom of High Ishtahnos declares their borders open to all those fleeing persecution, enslavement or military conflict. Though it may strain the kingdom's resources it's an important first step in the process.
The general downfall of the Basu-Rahman Group draws little interest from the Ishtahn. While any BRG employees and assets within the Kingdom itself are under their protection they make no effort to extend this protection, but nor do they make any effort to hinder the organisation.
Difficulties integrating existing track with the Counts of Mirage's new technology have caused the Ishtahn efforts to begin the project to meet with a brick wall, not to mention how to get across the Crescent Sea of Nadiratna. A new approach is needed, especially as the government has failed to actually acquire the schematics.
By 2015 IR it has been nine years since Prince Lauren embarked on the Rites of Kingship with only the final Rite left to perform. Many of the Rites were conducted in secrecy, but his parents John and Isolde are said to be very proud of his progress and he has certainly acquitted himself well in the public Rites. The last Rite, the Rite of Liberation, must be performed alone and without witnesses and after a grand feast he heads into the western deserts with only Calamity the nightmare as companionship. He must find a demon and return with a trophy or die trying. He will likely not be seen for many months as even the common demons have become rare and some worry that the Rite of Liberation may soon have to be abandoned
Now that things have calmed down and the Kingdom is no longer at war, the Ministry of Arts sends the Arkhive a gift. They've packed a container with copies of important historical artworks from Ishtahnos; paintings, tapestries, illuminated books and scrolls, statues, along with ornamented practical objects such as furniture, weapons and ceramics. Five percent of the pieces are the originals and they are marked as being on permanent loan. In addition there is a panoply of modern works created specifically for the Arkhive, including a life-sized calligraphy portrait of Queen Constance by Marcus Langton Dusthide.
Snake News has branched out from just news and begun filming cultural programmes and documentaries for those inevitable slow news days and non-prime time slots. One such programme is the brainchild of the Ishtahn office and it explores the arts by interviewing artists and touring their studios. Their first episode features an Ishtahn artist from the city of Sarcorov, noted master of Gramarye and third place winner of the Festival of Ability, Marcus Langton Dusthide. It's hardly thrilling television, but the tour is doubtless fascinating to anyone with an interest in the arts as he explains his work process in a friendly, down to earth way and the demonstrations of Gramarye are bound to be clipped and put on the InterPlaNet. The sit down interview especially gets clipped when the topic of the Mekh Gala comes up.
"You weren't at the Mekh Gala, why was that Marcus?" asks the interviewer, a middle aged woman and long time veteran of Ishtahn news media.
"I never got invited," he shrugs.
"Really? I seem to recall you won a lot of money."
"I can't speculate, but it was a pretty high class event and I'm hardly some sort of upper class guy."
"They invited Baladisilab Tesela."
"Really?" it was almost as though there was a record scratch in his brain as his demeanour changes from relaxed to slightly miffed, "He didn't even win. But then I suppose he's local to-"
"They also invited Raoic Tàirn."
"Oh Sun damn it, now I'm pissed! Baladisilab was at least local, Tàirn's from Sansar! And they didn't win either! Make a weapon of war and you get to go hobnob with royalty but actual artists get snubbed!"
At this point in the interview the subtitles that translate Ishtahn into Low Imperial don't exactly match what he's saying, but everyone can tell he'd inserted a few swear words into that last bit.
The Duel of Honour
Negotiations with the Twilight League of Vesper come to an end and as neither side actually desires anything from the other it is agreed to allow the matter to be resolved through an Honour Duel. Of course, there are cultural differences to be hashed out and the ever present question of fairness. To this end, Dame Susan Rowan Shadowclaw, the Master of Nightmares, and Sir Logan Stephens Riverrun, the Royal Physician, sit down with their Vesperite counterparts and over a few days and a bottle or two of whisky work out a workable set of rules. Blades only until blood stains the arena sands red, dismemberment is permitted but purposeful lethal strikes are out.
The place chosen for the duel is the Planum Khassia with Varsa Soom kindly serving as referee. The Ishtahn set up a temporary arena two days east of the pass into the Green Lands. Pride of place among the spectators is a grand wooden chair for the Chieftess and a lesser chair to each side for the High King of John IV of Ishtahnos and Lady Violetta, League Coordinator. Various dignitaries and spectators fill the rest of the stands and musicians sing traditional battle songs from Ishtahnos and Vesper while everyone waits. Snake News cameras sit unobtrusively on the sidelines and a quickly assembled panel of 'combat experts' from across Veehra has taken up residence in a booth to give their opinions for the viewing audience at home.
The Vesperite champion, Duellist Black, a member of Seraphine's inner circle, enters the arena first. She is clad in head to toe in black with not even her hair or eyes being visible. Who she is or was is unknown to all in attendance, with the possible exception of Violetta and her retinue. She steps gracefully before the referee and salutes the referees. In each hand she carries a curved and hooked short sword clearly designed to cause as much damage on the way out as in, the metal is darkened to near black though the edge shines with a wicked gleam. Violetta gives her a nod and she moves to stand and wait for her challenger.
The Ishtahn champion, Pace Carroll Darksand, the Master of Arms of his clan, enters the arena next. He is in his lupine form and stands seven and a half feet tall. He wears a long black cloak of lightweight cloth, a broadbrimmed hat low over his eyes and out of respect for the Soom a red cloth that covers most of the rest of his lupine face. Across his chest is a sash of purple, red and black in what some recognise as a traditional Ishtahn clan pattern. He approaches the referee and raises his sword in a wordless salute, the sun catching the bright metal of the blade, its gilded hilt and the silver fur covering the back of his hand. In his other hand is clenched a parrying dagger. The handguards of both weapons are studded with short spikes that show signs of use. With a nod from his king he moves into position and adopts a combat stance.
Varsa Soom isn't one for wasting everyone's time with speeches and once the two champions are ready she gives the signal, a single word spoken with the clear commanding voice only a leader such as herself can manage. "Begin."
Meanwhile in the commentator's booth...
"Sir Pace is quite the feared duellist back in Ishtahnos, is that not so Sheriff?" Ophid Sarn, lead sports commentator for Snake News, begins in a low voice.
"That's correct Ophid, I've fought him a few times myself and let me tell you never again," said a grizzled Ishtahn sheriff and professional duellist, "He has a nasty habit of suddenly being behind you. Still, my money's on Duellist Black. Pace's techniques are known to everyone, but he's up against an enigma."
"I find myself agreeing, the Vesperites are not to be underestimated," an Agbadan leopard with a scar over one of her eyes agreed, "Physically Pace is stronger, but strength only gets you so far and Vesper has bred a stalwart people who don't give up easily."
"Luciana, are you able to give us any hints about just who Duellist Black is? The viewers at home have been bombarding us with questions ever since she was announced," Ophid says to a Vesperite soldier, as beautiful as she is terrifying, who just smiles mysteriously.
The champions begin to circle each other slowly like predators, neither one seeming inclined to make the first move. The arena is silent as the crowd waits with bated breath. Fortunately for their general health they didn't have too long to wait as a slight movement from Duellist Black causes Pace to charge at her, very nearly going down on all fours as he all but leaps the final five metres at her. It's a feint however, one that very nearly proves disastrous for the Ishtahn as a black sword rises to meet him. At the very last moment he manages to twist his body in the air, the sword cutting through the cloth covering his face and exposing his silvered muzzle. With a great cloud of red dust he lands, rolling as he does to end up on all fours and facing his opponent with a smile.
Rather than returning to the waiting game he rushes the Vesperite, his coat covered with red dust as he enters the fray. Both combatants clearly know what they're doing as the noisy clash of steel begins to fill the arena. Both move with deadly grace, dodging, parrying, deflecting. The melee is drawn out into minutes with no sign of advantage to either side, at first. The more predictable and known fighting style employed by Pace eventually proves to be a liability as Duellist Black probes his defences and embarks on a bold offensive. Clouds of disturbed dust fill the air as Black moves like a whirlwind, a lifetime of struggle allowing her to leverage her greater agility against her larger opponent, dancing around him to strike from all sides as he's forced to focus solely on defence. Though to a regular human his speed would be blinding, there is hardly anything regular about a Vesperite and he is unable to close the holes in his defences fully.
"Amazing, I've never seen anyone move with such speed," whispers a very aged Kildoran sorcerer, how he sees despite clearly being blind is anyone's guess, "I feel ten years younger just watching."
"She might find it difficult if she can't keep up the momentum though, if she slows for even a moment and lets Pace go on the offensive..."
"I see what you mean Sheriff, but it'd take something big to distract her right now," Luciana said, her voice clear with confidence.
A Tina Wilson who'd somehow become a notorious brawler shook her head, "She's going to have to press her advantage sooner-"
At that moment Pace's sword was sent flying, the shining metal skittering across the dust to land metres away from the duelling pair. The entire arena, commentators included, going silent. Was this it? Was the werewolf beaten? Black certainly seemed to think so as she allowed herself a momentary pause. Pace wasn't about to give up just yet though and out of either brilliance or more likely desperation he grabbed his cloak and swung it up to wrap around one of Black's arms and with a tug that would break a human's arm in at least three places pulled down and reduced her to a single blade as well.
He followed up with a flurry of blows, the sophisticated and graceful duel devolving into a vicious fistfight as the cornered werewolf lays strikes against the Vesperite with the spiked handguard of his dagger. She doesn't take long to respond though and the battle resumes with a new intensity, but Black is unable to utilise her sword to its full extent as Pace keeps right on her and doesn't allow her to gain distance.
Eventually the commentators regain their voices.
"What an upset!" Ophid Sarn exclaims, "Viewers at home did you catch that? I'm not even sure I did!"
Tina shakes her head, "She thought she'd won before she'd won. Maybe against most people, sure, but you don't get to their level by giving up just because things look bad."
"This is definitely a fight for the ages, but I'm down a hundred Marks," says the Ishtahn sheriff with a sigh.
"I'd just like to take a moment to remind our viewers to gamble responsibly," Ophid grins as the sheriff begins counting out banknotes.
To her credit Black makes certain that Pace is forced to work for every blow, even going so far as to land a vicious cut on his arm, the hook of her blade very nearly tearing his sleeve clear off. The wound itself is shallow though and his blood merely stains the torn fabric before his body begins to restore itself. He grins viciously and doubles his efforts, wearing her defences down bit by bit until at long last he drives his dagger into her shoulder. He draws it back in triumph, an arc of bright red blood following the blade through the air as it falls down into the dust.
Varsa Soom rises from her seat, raising a hand to silence the crowd before they start to cheer. "Victory goes to Ishtahnos." With those four simple words the crowd erupts into cheers, some in victory but most were simply there to enjoy a good fight. Pace holds out a hand to help Duellist Black to her feet and once she's up and he's sure she's not bleeding to death he holds his dagger to the sky in triumph.
Following the Sun - The glare recedes
The aid of the Knights of Kildora is indispensable in uncovering the secrets of the past. Their sorcery compels the truth from ancient demons and their influence opens doors closed to the Ishtahn. All but forgotten through a thousand years of darkness with what faint memories remained lost in the glare of a resurgent Sun, the truth is at last made bare. The Mother Serpent has awaited the Ishtahn all these centuries, her benevolence unceasing despite their inability to truly see her.
Archbishop Colton calls a synod of all the bishops and canons to proclaim the truth of the revelation. The Sun and the Serpent are one and the same and the light is her blessing upon the Ishtahn! Across the Kingdom the woven solar icons are taken down from their pride of place above the altars of the cathedrals and new icons depicting a serpent crowned with solar light take their place. A great religious awakening begins to spread through the Highlands.
The question as to whether the Valley of Kings is real or allegorical excites Ishtahn archaeologists, as does the potential of finding the Temple spoken of in the poem unearthed by the Kildoran Knights. No one knows where to begin, but aerial surveys begin to be conducted of the entire Kingdom as old records are examined for any hints of ruins left unexplored.
Not all agree with the Archbishop however and a splinter faction forms led by Bishop Marsden of Dantenon who feel that the rest of the synod are rushing things and needlessly abandoning tradition. The debate goes back and forth and though Bishop Marsden has the backing of no more than ten percent of the canons he refuses to back down and is ultimately expelled from the synod until he's willing to accept the decision of the clear and overwhelming majority.
Ruler Information
First Minister Johnathon Royston Rageclaw
Diplomacy: 7
Military: 9
Economy: 3
Faith: 3
Intrigue: 2
Age: 66
Expected stat increases: +1 Military, +1 Diplomacy
Trade Details and Technologies
The Highlands of Ishtahnos, Region 65, TP1: Veehran Aurochs
Treasure: 1
Dust Hardening
Nuclear Fusion
Xenolinguistic Cataloguing
Arcane Amplification
Algorithmic Imagination
In Vivo Modification
Aclaustrophobic Psychology
Other Bookkeeping
Grounds units: 4
Space units: 3
Max units: 8