The Letter That Lost a City

In 4432 a renegade faction of Yalthum patriots infiltrated the royal shipyards at Sandeep and attempted to steal a powerful new ship. When they were captured it was learned that they intended on using the ship's massive size and power to kill Empress Anethia Lidioth Duianna on her official visit to Yalthum. Royal Admiral Rana Halabi of the Western Ocean Fleet wrote a letter to the Alliance Council suggesting that the royal shipyards be fortified with a permanent garrison of at least one regiment.
The letter was debated hotly as the representatives of Sandeep were peaceful and unwilling to be subjected to martial requirements because of the misguided efforts of a few discontents. The preserved minutes of these meetings showed that Admiral Halabi's suggestion gained a lot of support and a resolution was prepared for adoption which would create a new imperial army honor regiment to be funded and stationed at Sandeep.
On the mid-spring day of the vote, Merdi Tarudyt 19, 4432, Velia Telesinus, the last Sandeepian to be publically seen since that day asked to address the council. On being granted permission to take the floor she stood and silently looked at each major representative eye to eye. Famously not one noble or politician present could look her in the eyes. She bowed to Empress Anethia and proceeded solemnly to say, "Sandeep shall never be a danger to the empire or the world again. Our society cannot permit a military presence in our city nor control of that of which we have sworn to protect. Sandeep remains loyal to the Empress and her descendants for all time. From this moment on, Sandeep is protected by its own hand better and more properly than anything possible by those who are not raised in our ways. Vivant et imperii decus est famuli tui Duianna Sandeep."
Bowing one last time Velia Telesinus walked from the Council Chamber amongst loud protests by all present. Only the empress did not protest. Royal reports by more than one representative claim Empress Anethia bowed back to Velia Telesinus and wore a small smile as Velia Telesinus exited the chamber.
Empress Anethia called for a recess and then sent servants to find Velia Telesinus. However, no one could locate the Sandeepian anywhere in the imperial complex or capital city. No guards saw her pass the gates. The imperial palace in Gracia as well as the city and port were sealed while an extensive search was conducted. No ship carried any person nor rider was seen who could be Velia Telesinus, her family, or staff. In spite of careful watch, no Sandeepian was seen leaving Gracia while they searched or the week after. The Sandeep representative, her family, all her aids, and all other Sandeepians living in Gracia had impossibly vanished from the most-watched and guarded city in the empire.
The next day reports were received that all Sandeepian representatives to all nations, their staffs, and families had also vanished on the same day. Many suggest they all disappeared at the same moment. A call was made to locate any Sandeepian anywhere in the world. None were found. All Sandeepians that lived in other nations were found to have vanished without a trace. Homes were left clean but bare and empty. Even small cottages in the elven forest were similarly abandoned with the elves reporting they did not see or sense anyone leaving.
An imperial army patrol squad was dispatched to Sandeep to ascertain the situation there. That squad returned reporting that the entire city of Sandeep had vanished without a trace it had ever existed. Two imperial regiments were dispatched to search the entire area of Skogen Huit forest that once held the vast society and city of Sandeep. They returned after months of careful investigation reporting that no traces of any habitation could be found.
From Tarudyt 19, 4432 until Ogier Spucci’s explorations of Sandeep in 9203 not a single Sandeepian was seen and the city of Sandeep fell into legend.
Even after Ogier Spucci’s travel logs were published claiming to have visited Sandeep encouraged many adventurers to follow in his footsteps no other expedition succeeded in finding the vanishing city.
In 14,781, Damega and Shar-Lumen claimed to have visited Sandeep . For proof of their visit, they claim that the incredible flying ship Emerald Heart was built in the lost imperial shipyards. The Emerald Heart is truly magnificent and totally unique in the world, still many discredit the claim it was built in Sandeep.

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