Armengar as a group was introduced at the Heartland Games. With the amount of plotting going on around the Lions it seemed as though the games themselves got a short shrift. The Calebii sent at least two ambassadors to the Games, however it looks like the Lions will come to agree with the Armengarian stance on the Calebii - kill them all!
IC Report from Midir
OOC Report from Lynn
IC Report from Mactire (Madra)
People of Armengar,
I return from the outside world alive, but changed for what I have seen. The Volksraad will need to make many decisions over the coming months and it is right that the people know as much as possible about the lands beyond Amnor before making these decisions. I will tell you of what happened on our journey and then tell you of my own thoughts on these matters.
A ship from the group of people known as the Lions arrived at Amnor, and encountered the Calebii. The trecherous and villanous Calebii of the only military port that remains on Amnor told the Lions that they were a small village under harrasment from savages who butchered their women and children. Ha! Such lies from the Calebii could fool no one. We have never even seen a Calebii child while they slaughter us as fast and as often as they can.
Captain Shiva was in charge of the Lions and journeyed to see the leader of the so-called savages. Chareos met with this Shiva and explained to her that he too was a Lion who had lived on Amnor for over 9 years. Shiva offered passage for Chareos and a few others to see the Lions command. And so Chareos, Madra and I ventured forth on their strange sailing ship.
We were taken to the island of Roak which lies north of the area the Lions now control. On the way we were given a brief history of the Lions.
It seems that long, long ago the Lions dwelt on a dream land known as Avalon. Their realm was under threat however, by a group known as the Nosta Kar. Besieged, much as we have always been by the evil Calebii but by an even greater force (much as it is difficult to believe of a greater force than the Calebii, however I have seen much and the Lions are strong, stronger than we are and a force to move them must be great indeed) eventually they were forced to abandon Avalon and come to a place called Albion, far to the north of our island of Amnor.
This was where Chareos, Madra, Amos and Rhyan hailed from. They were on their way to the first of the Gatherings, events which have continued every year since that day nine years ago, when their transport circle went arry and sent them to us.
Shortly after this there was a civil war in Albion and the true Lions decided that this war was damaging the Land too much and left Albion to the Lions that only desired war - a group now known as the Harts. When the Lions left Albion they again returned to Avalon, but alas the Nosta Kar were still too great a force and the Lions again left Avalon, this time taking their Holy Isle from that dreaming place and bringing it to this world which they call Edreja.
Due to some meddling by another faction known as the Bears, something went wrong and their Holy Isle crashed into the sea. Yes theirs was the mysterious island that saved our people from being completed destroyed by the Calebii in their last great attack.
The Lions have apparently been given domain over twelve islands that surround their Holy Isle and call this area Lantia. Since arriving they have sent out many ships and encountered the Calebii, a people known as the Arakesh and now us.
All this we learned on our journey to Roak where a festival known as the Heartland Games was being held.
When we arrived we were taken to their fleet commander and then to one of their Council which advises their Queen. Chareos met with an old friend and fellow farseeker named Taliesin, they seemed glad to see each other. It was a very strange feeling to walk about amongst so many strangers and yet not to be fighting. It is a pleasant thing, but all too soon we let our guard down. Beware when on foriegn lands, for it is not as simple as here where there is only us and the enemy.
We then met Rhianna, who you may have seen since she returned with us after the games. She is a half-dwarf, one of many of the strange creatures we encountered. Until now most of you have only seen humans and the occasional green skin employed by the Calebii. Some of us have seen a few of the unliving and I fear to report that we encountered vastly more. The unliving are an aboration and I hope our Incantors will help those of our allies who are under threat from them. At these games however, there were a myriad of strange creatures - elves of every shape and colour, the soul elves, the dark elves, the elf kin. There were Cat people and Chaos Demons, Imps and Nightmares.
There are more things out of Amnor than can be counted. And many of them are extremely dangerous. Beware when travelling.
Rhianna. A strange creature but one with a gift. She told us of a dream she had where she described Armengar and told of a road which forked. We had already started down one way by coming to the games and must keep travelling along this path. It is the path of integration, of becoming a part of the greater world. Rhianna said that her place was by us, and after a while we allowed her to join with us, and now she seeks formal acceptance by the Volksraad. Although I did not think so when I first met her, I say now that we should take Rhianna into our society and welcome her. Her message should not go unheeded.
Chareos then set about making deals with the Lions. Since these were a military matter, Madra and I left him to it. We walked around the island of Roak but alas let our guard down and were brutally attacked and left for dead by six or more of the Drow, the dark elves. We were fortunate that there is a ritual they call The Ritual of Peace, which prevents most wounds from being fatal. We recovered, abashed at having let our guard down and travelled to Lions HQ where some Calebii were in discussions with the Lions and Chareos.
We were not allowed to kill them and I felt my blood boil. We were to see the Calebii again later, and still we were not permitted to kill them. Soon, Chareos promised, but we must be diplomatic. A greater reward awaits if we stay our killing hand.
While the Lions discussed treaties with the Calebii, I joined with a team of Lions to play in the games. Madra and Rhianna also joined. The games were fun, a chance to fight and think without consequence. We had few warriors with our team and this caused us to be defeated in most games. While some cursed and groaned, we had too much of a good time not dying to really be bitter. That night the Lions mustered and warned of a possible attack by the Vipers. Lady Elenor of the Lions, a brave and dedicated Incantor, had dismissed a powerful unliving monster who the Vipers were sworn to revenge.
This could have lead to war, however the Vipers ended up having more problems as a powerful creature called Maar the Faceless arrived at the Games seeking Gustav the Dark Lord of the Vipers. With the Vipers otherwise occupied the Lions had to deal with the waves of undead that appeared from a strange clock device that the mages guild were trying to fix. Every six or twelve hours it would drain life and magic from those nearby. During this time, Prince Ivan, husband of Captain Shiva and one of the three crowns of the Lions, was captured by enemies. No one knows who they were, but we know now that Ivan is dead.
The next day Lady Elenor lead an attack on an island overrun by unliving. With not enough Incantors to do the job properly we lost several good people to the unliving. None from Armengar were harmed though and we made it back to the Lions camp where they bemoaned yet another set back. Life has been extremely trying to the Lions of late.
Warmaster Mog was elevated to Prince to replace Ivan. Now the commanders of the Lions were Queen Saffire, Prince Magnus and Prince Mog. They have also been trying to set up a senate to represent the people (they have no Volksraad) and I was present for some of those discussions. After more attacks, more fighting, and more healing we made it through the night.
On the last day of the games, the Lions were sued by other factions for causing the tidal wave, and more Calebii showed up. We followed them to the transport circle as they left and with the help of Lady Light of the Mages Guild we now know where the Hidden Chamber, the mages guild of the Calebii, is located.
And so we left Roak and were sailed back. Much has changed, and we need to decide what to do about the outside world. Rhianna has shown us the way forward through her dreams. Believe me when I say that although we can and will defend Armengar against any who are foolish enough to attack, that if we wish to travel to the outside world then we will need allies.
Their Healers, like Sister Bethany, or Brother Benedict, have greater skill than I. Lady Light had more control over magic than Madra. And Lady Elenor or Gwion far outstrip our own Incantors abilities. We need to learn from these people if we are to face the dangers of the outside world. Dangers which could very well come to Amnor.
I suggest the following to all. We need to join the Lions. We need to help them fight the Calebii. Their laws are strange however, and I believe that we must not lose our ways just to join with the people. I propose to the Volksraad that we show the Lions that we are willing to try their ways. If we can get help from them to defeat the Calebii port on the lowlands, then we should try and follow Lion law while on all parts of Amnor (and off the island) except for the plateu. Armengar is ours, and always will be.
Things have changed, we must see these changes, embrace them and use the opporunity to crush our enemies and aid our allies. The Lions are like us in many ways - they are loyal to one another, they abhor slavery, they have been under constant attack from enemies more powerful than them. They are like us and we are like them. We should roar with the Lions.
Midir Ard Slanaighear
Thursday 24th, a glorious day, sun blazing in the sky, at 8:30 was wondering if it was too early to ring to check people were awake and moving about, only to discover afterward a certain enthusiastic person (guess who?) had been up since 6am. Adam's texts begin to arrive long before we were all supposed to meet - my favourite sent at 10:16:Armengar Squad One to troop transport... E.T.A.? Gordon was so long collecting the tickets we thought he'd decided to go without us and his gear, he arrived back just as Ads had lit up another cigarette starting a trend for the weekend. One short ferry trip over and negotiations for a food stop began, I passed a Little Chef on the other side of the road and I seriously thought Ads was going to climb out of the car while it was doing 80. We stopped for far too long and learned that Gordon doesn't like wasps and Adam likes lollipops, which he most generously shared.
On site, we got there easily enough as Pat it turns out is very good at reading maps, I got to learn how to put up a tent - with help - it's not that difficult, if you've a normal tent that is and not the monstrosity that Pat and Ads had. Pat and Gordon went off to do work and I somehow ended up in the Tav(ern). Oh yeah, Dessie turned up sometime around then.
Friday morning, the ritual began, we went to Asda, ah a real bathroom, well public toilets anyway, at least they're........I suppose it's best if you find out these details for yourselves. Back on site the lads helped me pick out my axe, they were in fact surprisingly helpful and good at this. I basically went around picking up axes and on Dessie's (I think it was) advice charged Gordon a few times, just to help me decide of course :) Later we helped out a bit in set up. That evening Armengar was introduced, very cool. Gordon mentioned Midir "wasn't too sure about Rhianna at the start" - the guy nearly wasn't getting a lift home he was that damn suspicious of her, I mean would I hurt anyone? Passing around the mead was an idea I came to approve of, lads you shouldn't negotiate after the mead. In Lions HQ later the visit from the Calebii was quite tense and the waiting for the Viper's attack in the dark while the Ritual of Peace was down..... Saturday we managed another Asda trip (eventually - sorry lads) and by the time Adam had procured his choclate milkshake, we'd descended into "you're going to eat/drink that? Ughhhh" attempts at conversation.
The games began on Saturday with a trip to the Oracle and then some fighting and then more fighting and then a little more fighting (this time called Troll Ball). We were shit. That evening the bastard, poxy wanker, scum off a dog's erection known as the Cat wouldn't allow the three of us (Dessie, Gordon and I) into the dungeon. The lads took it quite well, I went away and got drunk. Got to sit by a camp fire though, don't remember seeing Ads at all that day after breakfast. Sunday, we played Battle Chess, it was fun, then I got to go into the dungeon afterall and play on the side that won Jugger Ball, yes I changed team (so from this point on didn't see the rest of the lads for a while). The dungeon looked so different from what we'd set up, when the lighting and smoke machines were on and there were monsters around corners. Dark carnival turned up in the middle of Jugger Ball, I must have had the red mist in my eyes people accuse me off 'cos I went over and hit the head honcho on the head with what I hoped was an enchanted weapon (I nicked it (temporarily) from some poor fucker who was paralysed), I'm just glad nobody got photos of the result, the goat bit was really bad... That evening I discovered that I really like mead, thanks Dessie. Seemly I attended the muster of the Lions that evening, I have some vague recollections of this.
By Monday morning the ritual of Asda had only 3 remaining devotees, which meant I could kind of eat my fry up with cream cake in peace. The Lions were sued and Adam cheated in pass the parcel - what is the world coming to? The Calebii turned up and Dessie listened in while I went off to find our glorious leader, found Gordon instead entertaining a few kids - well letting them fight with his mace, to hear children shouting "sharp! strike down!" is so cool. Found Adam eating, I think this increased his anger toward the Calebii scum. The Lions team (the first one I deserted) came 3rd from bottom. Dessie went home. Gordon talked of Healers guild and Sister Bethany and other such stuff. We (Adam and I) drank and were merry at the staff party and sang a lot.
Tuesday, I woke up and heard no sounds of anyone moving to get ready (though Gordon may have been up and about), so I figured it must be really early - it wasn't. Taking down tents in gale force winds is a barrel of laughs. Adam and Gordon caught up on sleep, except when we stopped for two short smoking breaks - which seemed rather necessary - on the way back to Hollyhead.
Guardians of Erdreja Protect thee,
My friends,
We have returned as we promised you; much has taken place, of which I must inform you. First and foremost may I introduce to you Rhianna, dwarfkin and friend of Armengar. Knowing first hand your reserved nature when dealing with 'Outsiders' let me set your minds at rest, Rhianna is amongst us upon my honour, and I shall be answerable to you for any crimes she may commit, it is however my belief that she will be true to the words she spoke to me upon the Isle of Roak.
Rhianna's calling is that of a warrior, not dissimilair to ourselves. She hails from a race known to Chareos and myself, they are both strong and doughty; fearless in battle, and worthy opponents. It is my hope that she will add to our strength and help to train us how best to defeat the Calebii. I urge you to give her your back in battle, she will protect it as you protect hers.
At the Heartland Games we have introduced Armengar as an island to be recognised, we are less than three days distance from the island known as Holy Isle, the homeland of the Lions. For the time being we have forged an alliance with the Lions, they stand for much the same as we do; trust, honour, standing by your comrades in battle. They are worthy to be our allies. In addition, they too have cause to dislike our enemies the Calebii. Indeed one of their vessels was destroyed by the Calebii with the loss of all hands; this has not been taken lightly.
I watched with interest the Calebii ambassador attempt to explain the contemptable actions of his people, he did not recognise me, and whilst tempted to empty his useless blood on the ground I resisted, this was fortuitous. When the Calebii animals had finished with their pitiful lies, they left to begin their journey back to Caleb. Following them to the transport circle, and with the help of Midir, amongst others, I discerned the name and location of their home transport circle, this gives us a great advantage, we now have the knowledge to strike to the very heart of their homeland without the necessity of sea travel, the only difficulty in this is that a transport circle can take no more than sixteen people at a time. Chareos, Midir and myself are in ongoing discussions with Lions command to decide how best to exploit this weakness.
A lot more than this happened on Roak, but that shall wait until I return again.
Fare well
Mactire Draiodoir