Jeanne de La Brouhaha
Marquise Jeanne de La Brouhaha is a Consular Legata of the Chancellery of the Golden Republic of Frankonia. As one of the Republic's clandestine diplomat-adventurers, an important part of her mission is to gather and compile information about kingdoms, organisations, and people of interest, in addition to providing mobile, albeit severely limited, diplomatic representation. Following her return from an extended vacation, Jeanne was promoted and assigned to manage the Vicariate's investigation into the emerging Revenant threat.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Jeanne was a seeker of knowledge and enrolled in the State Academy of Ponvarus in 3696 AM, mainly studying linguistics, history, and geography, but she also took duelling classes and partook in as many of the Academy’s and Ponvarus’ social events as physically possible. During the last year, she taught intermediate Elvish and Dwarvish before applying for the Republican Civil Examination. Her background scrutinised under Zone of Truth by the Golden State Inquisition, and after undergoing short, specialised field training, she was cleared for service, and assigned to work under Joruba de Ponvarus in the Consular Vicariate.
The first posting was to the Extraordinary Mission of the Chancellery to the Kingdom of Scaelor, which was cut short due to unforeseen variables. Alongside a group of fellow adventurers, Jeanne became entangled in a demonic conspiracy in Honeyport. Whilst the conspiracy was exposed and the main perpetrators were killed or brought to justice, a man of many faces was able to elude that fate. For her involvement in this, Jeanne was marked for assassination in the capital of Freywharf, which turned out to have been personally ordered by Johnny. This ordeal resulted in a fake assassination being carried out against Jeanne, perpetrated by the adventurers. Lastly, a highly classified action taken by her in Honeyport was notified to the Cobalt Inquisition; the only people aware of this was the party and the elusive cultist. Categorically certain that the adventuring party was no longer to be relied upon for safety, Jeanne composed a grave and ambiguous communiqué at the Grand Embassy, signed only in the name of the Consular Vicariate, and subsequently withdrew from Scaelor. A full debrief was sent to Joruba de Ponvarus.
After serving aboard the Swift Mermaid as part of the Chancellery's joint strategy to ease tensions between the crown of Aeryon and a group of adventurers, Jeanne was promoted to a Consular Legata and immediately went on a personal journey towards Helonia. At some point during it, a Consular missive arrived that placed her in charge of Operation Secret Paladin, the Vicariate's novel response to the continued attacks by the Revenants.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Long (theoretical) exposure to various cultures, existing and dead, is a driving force in her everyday life, and particularly in the acquisition of new languages. Her extensive background as an academic is not something flagrantly advertised. Duty, and perhaps a will to be recognised, are also important for Jeanne.
Social
Mannerisms
The mission to Scaelor left Jeanne somewhat distrusting of strangers, especially those who espouse strong religious conviction. She exhibits some manners that are expected of Frankonian representatives, like joviality and strict concern for dress codes and appearance, and eschews a few others, like overt pride and love for money. She almost exclusively writes in ciphers and likes to draw maps in her free time, as well as creating fictitious identities for future uses.
Relationships
System
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Class
Rogue
Roguish Archetype
Mastermind
Known Languages
Markus Lewenkopf
Victorine Sentinelle
Josephine Trevelyan
Charlotte von Edelweiss
Diplomatic Coat of Arms
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Class
Rogue
Roguish Archetype
Mastermind
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Current Location
Species
Age
24
Birthplace
Classified
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Light brown
Hair
Dark brown
Height
5'9
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Related Reports
Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Frankonian, Giant, High Draecovian, Infernal, Mavari, Minotaur, Orc, Thieves' Cant, Undercommon, Zimean
Markus Lewenkopf
Victorine Sentinelle
Josephine Trevelyan
Charlotte von Edelweiss
Diplomatic Coat of Arms
After Action Report: FD-13/SRS
19 kuratorien, 2397 AR
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
AFTER ACTION REPORT
FRANKONIAN DIVISION, SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE SECTION
AFTER ACTION REPORT
FRANKONIAN DIVISION, SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE SECTION
On 11 kuratorien the Frankonian Division of the SRS sailing with AN/SA0-ARN-UR ('Swift Mermaid') received intelligence of a recondite temple located on the central eastern shore of the Stavigian continent. It was agreed that a limited expedition to the location was warranted. An ad hoc tactical group, Panther,1 was formed. The personal account of the officer-on-site and a tactical evaluation are appended in supplement I and II.
As an extraterritorial mission, no formal chain of command was observed, nor were standard protocols. Panther disembarked from the Swift Mermaid on 12 kuratorien 2397.
The provisional objectives of Panther were to:
A. establish a local presence and identify potential hostile targets.
B. scout out the marked temple.
C. clear and secure the interior and exterior temple area.
D. recover items of strategic interest.
E. exfiltrate via rowboat to the Swift Mermaid.
12 kuratorien: A concealed camp was established fifteen kilometres east of the temple at 1800J hours. An attempt by Panther-2 to provide a subtle means of reconnaissance was unsuccessful. 13 kuratorien: At 0615J hours, Panther made the journey westwards to the temple. Upon arrival at 0915J hours, two teams, Avatar Element (Panther-2 and Panther-3) and Rainbow Element (Panther-1 and Panther-4), were created to cover the entrance and outskirts of the temple. None of the teams encountered any resistance at this point in time. Avatar Element made note of the various bones that were decorated in an organised fashion at the entrance. Upon regrouping at 0950J hours, both elements of Panther entered the temple. A statuette of a serpent was seized shortly after entry. Three female C-type-LV humanoids were sighted at around 0955J hours. After a host of other C-type serpentoids were sighted, Avatar Element decided to approach them diplomatically whilst Rainbow Element remained concealed. At around 1020J hours, Avatar Element decided to engage a number of hostiles, including the local commander. During the first skirmish, seven hostiles were killed in action, whilst three hostiles committed suicide after Panther-1 eliminated an abormally large six-headed C-type serpentoid. The local commander retreated from the premises after failing to bring down Panther-3. During the confusion, Panther-2 managed to recover a written order intended for the local commander. When the first skirmish had subsided at around 1022J hours, although sustaining significant injuries, both Panther-1 and Panther-3 decided to establish a perimeter around the point of contact. One additional hostile was killed in action by Panther-1 during this but the enemy managed to regroup quickly and Panther retreated in an orderly manner from the temple. The enemy gave chase, and Panther managed to reach the camp at around 1555J hours. After discovering that the enemy had managed to track them down, Panther exfiltrated to the Swift Mermaid. During the way to the Swift Mermaid, Panther-3 took the statuette from Panther-1 and discovered that the large serpentoids seemed to relent upon making direct visual contact with it. 14 kuratorien: After recuperation and deliberation, Panther, now reinforced with Panther 3-1, set ashore at 0800J hours. Panther 3-1 secured a new camp, and a new ad hoc team, Oxide Element (Panther-1, Panther-2, and Panther 3-1) set out to clandestinely chart out the remnants of the temple whilst a rear guard, Hercules Element (Panther-3 and Panther-4), stayed behind. Oxide Element successfully charted the temple, but were compromised by a gargantuan six-headed serpentoid and had to speedily exfiltrate. During the pursuit, another of the same type of serpentoid joined in. Panther-1 used the statuette and it had an inhibiting effect on the creatures; however, it could only affect one of them at a time. At around 1030J hours, Panther-2 was instructed to go ahead and inform Hercules Element of the situation, and shortly afterwards Panther-1 put the statuette on the ground, leaving one of the serpentoids immobile, and led the remaining creature to the outskirts of the camp. At around 1100J hours, the second skirmish commenced. Another serpentoid joined mid-battle, but ultimately, the two were killed in action. It was after discovered that the immobile serpentoid seemed to have broken the statuette's effect and returned to the temple with it. After regrouping at 1105J hours, a forward ad hoc reconnaissance team, Concord Element (Panther-1 and Panther-2), went to the edge of the jungle to maintain visual of the temple's entrance and make note of any irregularities. Concord Element was joined by Hercules Element shortly before midnight. 15 kuratorien: At around 0015J hours, the temple was breached by Panther. The entry room was guarded by three serpentoids: one large six-headed and two smaller snakes. One of the small snakes made notice of the entry, and though it was dispatched quickly, it managed to alert the others. The other two were killed in action. Panther decided to exfiltrate after another six-headed serpentoid showed up. At around 0300J hours, the camp was reached, and Panther reunited with the Swift Mermaid about thirty minutes afterwards. FINAL TABULATION:2
Total friendly strength: 5
Friendly losses: none
Estimated hostile strength: 25-30
Hostiles killed in action: 16
1 The initial roster of Panther is detailed in FD-10. Panther 3-1 is described in appendix I.
2 A supernormal artifact designated ZS/SA4-EL bolstered Panther's numbers significantly, though it was temporary and only affected the first skirmish. Consult the related report for further details.
A. establish a local presence and identify potential hostile targets.
B. scout out the marked temple.
C. clear and secure the interior and exterior temple area.
D. recover items of strategic interest.
E. exfiltrate via rowboat to the Swift Mermaid.
12 kuratorien: A concealed camp was established fifteen kilometres east of the temple at 1800J hours. An attempt by Panther-2 to provide a subtle means of reconnaissance was unsuccessful. 13 kuratorien: At 0615J hours, Panther made the journey westwards to the temple. Upon arrival at 0915J hours, two teams, Avatar Element (Panther-2 and Panther-3) and Rainbow Element (Panther-1 and Panther-4), were created to cover the entrance and outskirts of the temple. None of the teams encountered any resistance at this point in time. Avatar Element made note of the various bones that were decorated in an organised fashion at the entrance. Upon regrouping at 0950J hours, both elements of Panther entered the temple. A statuette of a serpent was seized shortly after entry. Three female C-type-LV humanoids were sighted at around 0955J hours. After a host of other C-type serpentoids were sighted, Avatar Element decided to approach them diplomatically whilst Rainbow Element remained concealed. At around 1020J hours, Avatar Element decided to engage a number of hostiles, including the local commander. During the first skirmish, seven hostiles were killed in action, whilst three hostiles committed suicide after Panther-1 eliminated an abormally large six-headed C-type serpentoid. The local commander retreated from the premises after failing to bring down Panther-3. During the confusion, Panther-2 managed to recover a written order intended for the local commander. When the first skirmish had subsided at around 1022J hours, although sustaining significant injuries, both Panther-1 and Panther-3 decided to establish a perimeter around the point of contact. One additional hostile was killed in action by Panther-1 during this but the enemy managed to regroup quickly and Panther retreated in an orderly manner from the temple. The enemy gave chase, and Panther managed to reach the camp at around 1555J hours. After discovering that the enemy had managed to track them down, Panther exfiltrated to the Swift Mermaid. During the way to the Swift Mermaid, Panther-3 took the statuette from Panther-1 and discovered that the large serpentoids seemed to relent upon making direct visual contact with it. 14 kuratorien: After recuperation and deliberation, Panther, now reinforced with Panther 3-1, set ashore at 0800J hours. Panther 3-1 secured a new camp, and a new ad hoc team, Oxide Element (Panther-1, Panther-2, and Panther 3-1) set out to clandestinely chart out the remnants of the temple whilst a rear guard, Hercules Element (Panther-3 and Panther-4), stayed behind. Oxide Element successfully charted the temple, but were compromised by a gargantuan six-headed serpentoid and had to speedily exfiltrate. During the pursuit, another of the same type of serpentoid joined in. Panther-1 used the statuette and it had an inhibiting effect on the creatures; however, it could only affect one of them at a time. At around 1030J hours, Panther-2 was instructed to go ahead and inform Hercules Element of the situation, and shortly afterwards Panther-1 put the statuette on the ground, leaving one of the serpentoids immobile, and led the remaining creature to the outskirts of the camp. At around 1100J hours, the second skirmish commenced. Another serpentoid joined mid-battle, but ultimately, the two were killed in action. It was after discovered that the immobile serpentoid seemed to have broken the statuette's effect and returned to the temple with it. After regrouping at 1105J hours, a forward ad hoc reconnaissance team, Concord Element (Panther-1 and Panther-2), went to the edge of the jungle to maintain visual of the temple's entrance and make note of any irregularities. Concord Element was joined by Hercules Element shortly before midnight. 15 kuratorien: At around 0015J hours, the temple was breached by Panther. The entry room was guarded by three serpentoids: one large six-headed and two smaller snakes. One of the small snakes made notice of the entry, and though it was dispatched quickly, it managed to alert the others. The other two were killed in action. Panther decided to exfiltrate after another six-headed serpentoid showed up. At around 0300J hours, the camp was reached, and Panther reunited with the Swift Mermaid about thirty minutes afterwards. FINAL TABULATION:2
Total friendly strength: 5
Friendly losses: none
Estimated hostile strength: 25-30
Hostiles killed in action: 16
THE EMPIRE IS SECRET
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
1 The initial roster of Panther is detailed in FD-10. Panther 3-1 is described in appendix I.
2 A supernormal artifact designated ZS/SA4-EL bolstered Panther's numbers significantly, though it was temporary and only affected the first skirmish. Consult the related report for further details.
SRS Profile: EPIMETHEUS
14 kuratorien, 2397 AR
OFFICE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE /// SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE SECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
COMPILED 7 ordinarien, 2397
FINALISED 12 kuratorien, 2397
CASE FILE SUBJECT:
Foreign contact AD/IS103
Name: Kazagal Headsmasher
Affiliation: Hellknight Order of the Nail (formerly)
Rank: Armiger (formerly)
Codename: EPIMETHEUS
Aliases: None
Date of birth: UNKNOWN (estimated 50-60)
Gender: Male
Race: Jötun
Territory of origin: UNKNOWN
Citizenship: None held
Laterality: Right
Height: 229 centimetres
Weight: 136 kilograms (approximate)
Eye colour: Brown
Hair colour: Ginger
Relatives: Son, Timothy Headsmasher-Volontis; ex-wife, Catherine
Known relations: Lover, Klara
Marital status: Single (divorced once)
Languages: Common, Giant
SNV classification: L/EV SPECIALIST FIELDS
Engineering
SN-natured mechanical improvisation
Kazagal Headsmasher originates from an UNIDENTIFIED MOUNTAIN VILLAGE presumably located somewhere in the general vicinity of STANDARD QUADRANT TE-218A-D. He encountered AD/IS102 ('DAMOCLES') at some point between 2388-23961 and accompanied him when contact was made with AD/IS101 and subsequently the other crew members of the SWIFT MERMAID.2 Headsmasher became personally involved in a feud with a non-physical entity2 shortly after debarking in PONVARUS on 15 julien of 2397. Acting against counsel, Headsmasher enlisted with the HELLKNIGHT ORDER OF THE NAIL, becoming an armiger, citing divine encouragement and urgent necessity as chief reasons for this undertaking. On 20 ordinarien, Headsmasher conscientiously objected to a test of loyalty3 imposed upon him by his instructor. He escaped from the premises of the Swift Mermaid afterwards, and is now presumed to be a wanted fugitive of the Hellknight Order of the Nail whilst the exact circumstances surrounding situation ES/PON remain obscured. Headsmasher has described himself as a friend of DAMOCLES.
Headsmasher has demonstrated a certain cunning behind a somewhat bumbling personality. His primary concern is the well-being of his family, and can be expected to take action accordingly with minimal regard for personal endangerment. Further, Headsmasher is the instrument of the Swift Mermaid's undersea transportation capacity, as he successfully reverse-engineered this effect from a seized enemy sail during OPERATION AKKONITE HORSE. When he was last seen, Headsmasher casually dressed in a dark brown longcoat with ZIMEAN CHARACTERISTICS over a matching tunic and trousers, though he tended to wear a set of white-and-gold dwarvish plate armour inscribed with the symbol of FULMINATUS for most engagements.
His fickle behaviour renders him a moderate threat to integrity. Elevated discipline is recommended.
Field officer’s addendum: Headsmasher was the source of several unwarranted romantic advances directed against me, starting from the very first time we spoke. Whilst I am no stranger to this line of behaviour (which in itself is quite tragic), he was particularly persistent. Annoyingly so. Despite me being grievously offended at the concept and openly hostile in demeanour.
Note for the Bureau of Control: Internal SRS Regulation V/1 allows field personnel to express themselves freely about occupational matters in official documentation as part of the voluntary personal evaluation. I consider my addition to be just, pertinent, and fully comprehended by the confines of 'occupational matters,' but they are strictly non-advisory and non-essential in relation to the profile at large. My interpretation of this formulation is supported by OMI directive SVK-H/SRS-X. In the absence of a therapist, ventilation becomes necessary; and this experience may serve as one of many empirical examples emblematic of the hostile social environment that women in the SRS will face during extraterritorial assignments.
1 There have been contradictory accounts on the matter. Headsmasher maintains that they have known, and travelled around the world, with each other for eight years; DAMOCLES is known to have served in the SUCCESSION WARS which ended approximately two years ago. Headsmasher made no reference to this event, nor does he possess any practical reason to have interacted with the high aristocracy of the KANG prior to this. A wide estimate of the timeframe is thus provided.
2 See file AN/SA0-ARN-UR.
3 Codename TARTARUS. See incident report ES/PON for details about Headsmasher's situation.
4 The instructor demanded that Headsmasher execute his own son. He correctly refused to carry out this order.
THE EMPIRE IS SECRET
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
1 There have been contradictory accounts on the matter. Headsmasher maintains that they have known, and travelled around the world, with each other for eight years; DAMOCLES is known to have served in the SUCCESSION WARS which ended approximately two years ago. Headsmasher made no reference to this event, nor does he possess any practical reason to have interacted with the high aristocracy of the KANG prior to this. A wide estimate of the timeframe is thus provided.
2 See file AN/SA0-ARN-UR.
3 Codename TARTARUS. See incident report ES/PON for details about Headsmasher's situation.
4 The instructor demanded that Headsmasher execute his own son. He correctly refused to carry out this order.
SRS Profile: ASTERION
13 kuratorien, 2397 AR
OFFICE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE /// SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE SECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
COMPILED 7 ordinarien, 2397
FINALISED 12 kuratorien, 2397
CASE FILE SUBJECT:
Foreign contact AD/IS101
Name: Dormaruk Stonehoof
Codename: ASTERION
Aliases: None
Date of birth: UNKNOWN (age mid-30’s)
Gender: Male
Race: Minotaur
Territory of origin: Nova Aera
Citizenship: None held
Laterality: Right
Height: 249 centimetres
Weight: 159 kilograms (approximate)
Eye colour: Dark blue
Hair colour: Russet
Relatives: Mother, Esteme; father, Gunvrak; cousin, Merturrok
Marital status: Single
Languages: Common, Minotaur, Dwarvish1
SPECIALIST FIELDS
Marine navigation
Axe fighting
Self-defence
General-purpose survival
Captain Dormaruk Stonehoof’s early life is mostly unknown. Stonehoof once served as first mate on the PITCHED WANKER;2 a mutiny resulted in him being marooned on a small island east of the kingdom of Fyre. During this time, he developed a habitude to embody the spirit of animals, which he shows with tattoos. To date, he is devoted to the bear and eagle. By 12 julien of 2397, he joined a group of irregular venture seekers in AMARLEY where he was contracted by local authorities to resolve a targeted abduction by an organised hostile force. Afterwards, Stonehoof travelled to ZARASTIL where it is highly probable that he took ownership of the SWIFT MERMAID.3 Stonehoof has a deep attachment to the ocean and seabound voyaging and considers inland travel to be highly offensive. He is stubborn, grudge-bearing, and hostile to institutional authority. Likewise, he exhibits high confidence in those he deems trustworthy, values honesty and prowess, demonstrates a nuanced state of mind, and is quick to reject suggestions that are actively detrimental or otherwise harmful to the well-being and the ‘mentality of independence’ of his ship. He is normally dressed in an embroidered shirt that he keeps unbuttoned along with a pair of linen trousers.
Stonehoof’s distrust of authority and personal disposition makes it remote that he would disseminate classified information. Caution should nevertheless be exercised.
In accordance with (1) the Judicial Code of the Army, 28 K.J.H. § 1691, and (2) the Directive regarding Extraterritorial Officers, SVK-H/PR-LXV, Stonehoof has been approved for limited agent empowerment for the purpose of ensuring the completion of the primary objective of OMI/ST directive Disciple/Uniform-1 in the event of AD/FRA IRIS' death. See attached copy of the TO order for details.
1 A supernormal artefact designated AN/SA1-FRN seems to have resulted in Stonehoof’s rapid acquisition of the Dwarvish language. Refer to attached incident report.
2 Codename PARAMOUNT WARHORSE. Their elimination was the secondary objective of OMI/ST directive Disciple/Uniform-1. This was accomplished 21/7/2397.
3 See file AN/SA0-ARN-UR.
THE EMPIRE IS SECRET
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
1 A supernormal artefact designated AN/SA1-FRN seems to have resulted in Stonehoof’s rapid acquisition of the Dwarvish language. Refer to attached incident report.
2 Codename PARAMOUNT WARHORSE. Their elimination was the secondary objective of OMI/ST directive Disciple/Uniform-1. This was accomplished 21/7/2397.
3 See file AN/SA0-ARN-UR.
SRS Profile: DAMOCLES
12 kuratorien, 2397 AR
OFFICE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE /// SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE SECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
CONFIDENTIAL /// INTERNAL DOCUMENT /// SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
COMPILED 7 ordinarien, 2397
FINALISED 12 kuratorien, 2397
CASE FILE SUBJECT:
Foreign contact AD/IS102
Name: Kang Nakor
Affiliation: Spears of Heaven (formerly)
Rank: General (formerly)
Codename: DAMOCLES
Alias: The Blue Rider
Date of birth: 2247 AR, third quarter (aged 150)
Gender: Male
Race: Aasimar
Territory of origin: Skygarden (assumed)
Citizenship: Kang
Laterality: Right
Height: 170 centimetres
Weight: 50 kilograms (approximate)
Eye colour: Brown
Hair colour: Black
Relatives: Exact number unknown; estimated many
Marital status: Single
Children: Estimated many; largely illegitimate
Languages: Common, Celestial
SNV classification: U/CRR
SPECIALIST FIELDS
SN-assisted infiltration
Internal affairs
Offensive SNV capacities
Prince Nakor of the DIVINE MANDATE OF KANG was born in 2247.1 A diplomat and ambassador for some eighty odd years, his last known posting with the Mandate was as a field general in the SPEARS OF HEAVEN2 during the KANG INVASION OF DAGETOV during the wider SUCCESSION WARS3 in 2390, after which he left and linked up with AD/IS103 who gave him cranial blunt force trauma which resulted in memory loss. After joining what eventually became the staff crew of the SWIFT MERMAID4 in julien of 2397, Nakor regained his memories during incident DS/ARN # R/1 in ZARASTIL. Nakor possesses an inflated sense of the self and of the divine ramifications of his celestial ancestry. When faced with what Nakor deems to be pure evil, he channels his angelic heritage into an aspect of uncontrolled rage. Nakor is disinclined to compromise on terms put forward by third parties, and tends to favour immediate, and often violent, means to resolve disputes. He has admitted to having an unspecified number of affairs in the line of duty and has frequently made references to having a large illegitimate progeny. He carries on his person a small bag with an extradimensional space in which he cultivates oranges and manages a small poultry farm. He is normally dressed in a yellow hanfu robe bearing a heraldic silver brooch of the Kang dynasty alongside a blue cloak.
Nakor’s unpredictable and uncompromising nature renders him an extreme threat to integrity and sensitive information must be exercised with unyielding discipline. Immediate termination is recommended if ever encountered with hostile intent.
Field officer’s addendum: He is a ticking international incident, arrogant to a fault, unpleasant to work with, and maintains a fickle and arbitrary sense of justice. Despite this, Nakor is highly competent in what he does: I have personally witnessed him sink a galleon, survive an expedition to EG/3, and convincingly impersonate an H-type-XVII non-physical entity in a meeting with an accomplice.
THE EMPIRE IS SECRET
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
SECRECY IS OUR SURVIVAL
1 Own statement. Like many details of his person, it is very likely inaccurate.
2 A regiment-sized standing unit of Kang bodyguards.
3 Series of conflicts involving Kaliyev-Yarskovy, the Chagoryn Khanate, the Kingdom of Dagetov, and the Mandate of Kang.
4 See file AN/SA0-ARN-UR.
Insult to Injury
9 kuratorien, 2397 AR
Soldag
9 kuratorien, 2397
9 kuratorien, 2397
THE REWARD OF DELIBERATE IGNORANCE IS DEATH
2000J hours Hello me,
Um, or whatever speaks through his person, has confirmed my worst suspicions. It is an entity of a high threat classification that he has made some type of covenant with. However, unlike what I initially suspected, it appears that Um was forced into a scenario wherein this entity provided the least of many terrible outcomes. And only at the cost of my most treasured secret can I establish a line of communication with it! Hard pass. Not my area of responsibility. I will feel less on edge as long as no murders are committed. Still, considering how his life must have been, what with the daily shifts in age and maturity, he keeps himself together remarkably well (barring when he finds himself at the extreme ends of the spectrum of life). Conn keeps reinforcing his extremely boastful personality; no danger is too much, apparently, since he slew a dragon in single combat, one arm tied behind his back, blindfolded, restricted by honour, with absolutely no help whatsoever in any way, shape, or form by anyone present. No sir! He might as well have phrased it as such and given us a laugh; instead, I am left with immeasurable disappointment. The inexhaustible braggart may have seen the effects of terrible commanders in the war he fights, but that does not inoculate him from the unpredictability of the battlefield. The fields are littered with the corpses of great warriors who failed to account for the armoured spearhead.
This morning, I was about to brief the group about the journey ahead. Which, by the way, they are strangely, suspiciously, annoyingly, accepting of. If they expect clarity as a result of not being obstructionist they are gravely mistaken. Before long, however, Nakor did nothing at all and I was beset with laughter. I found everything to be earth-shatteringly hilarious and fell to the ground whilst the rest observed. I once told him that he could not plan a trip to the privy without causing an international incident. I now consider that an understatement. The magic (that he did not use) was of the foulest kind, as it rescinded my free will for belittling purposes; if I possessed even a hint of judicial authority he would have been put before a civil tribunal long ago.
With extreme prejudice,
Jeanne
In the Name of the Republic
Sextidi, Fructidor, décade 35, MMCCCV (3701 AM)
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC
CONSULAR DISPATCH TO THE EMBASSY IN ASHDRABAD To Her Excellency Anaïs Chateaubriand, Ambassador to the Alliance,
A provisional investigation conducted by the High Office of the Consular Vicariate has uncovered the presence of a criminal organisation known as the 'Firelights' who operate in Ashdrabad's Nightstalls district. Whether or not the presence of these Firelights were known to local authorities and other vested interest groups is currently irrelevant, as the danger that this organisation poses far exceeds that which could reasonably be expected for a middling criminal enterprise in an urban metropolis, which the following paragraph should make clear.
Two days ago, a small number of Firelight agitators riled up approximately four dozen locals and had them attack a group that contained an authorised representative of the Golden Republic. The mob was notably supplied with several flasks of acid, which were thrown at the group, and it is by the fortune of circumstance that no-one suffered any permanent injuries or fell victim during the attack. As an organisation, the Firelights maintain a structured hierarchy of leadership and have a clear internal division of roles. The Great Serpent appears to be their leader; the 'Bluesnakes' act as their armed enforcers; and the 'Orange Scarves' are the organisation's fixers, spokespeople, and apparent middlemen. The full range of their activities is at this stage in time unknown. However, they are known to target the destitute and desperate, promising them food and shelter by relocating them to the southeast. This is a ruse: during this process, Bluesnakes periodically elect people for 'special tasks' which ends with the person being sacrificed to the Great Serpent. It is not known what happens to the people who remain. My qualified guess is that they are used as slave labour. The Firelights are locally known for being able to erase peoples' identities and make them disappear. Whilst it is possible that everyone who comes to them is eventually sacrificed, thus 'disappearing,' this seems the unlikeliest alternative. The Great Serpent rules the subterranean black market in the Nightstalls, and it is not inconceivable that the Firelights have agreements with its stall-holders to send them people in exchange for materiel support.
At half past midnight today, I assumed temporary command of a small detachment of Golden Legionnaires in order to extract a compromised asset from the Nightstalls. During the operation, we encountered the Great Serpent in person. I would like to present the exact details at your earliest convenience.
FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT CAELUM
IN THE NAME OF THE REPUBLIC,
Marquise Jeanne TENASSETTE de La Brouhaha
Consular Vicariate of the Chancellery of Frankonia
Written on sextidi, Fructidor, décade 35, MMCCCV.
Consular Vicariate of the Chancellery of Frankonia
Written on sextidi, Fructidor, décade 35, MMCCCV.
Hidden Allegiance
4 kuratorien, 2397 AR
Sentendag
4 kuratorien, 2397
4 kuratorien, 2397
THROUGH DIFFICULTIES TO ABSURDITY
0010J hours Hello marquise,
The conditions surrounding my assignment have become far more demanding as of two days ago. Um, which by his own admission is the correct spelling of the name, has been in the shape of a newborn with the personality of a pompous pretend-upper class dandy since soldag. A talkative baby is not on any list of inconspicuous behaviour. Indeed, I expect unwelcome attention should this expired joke of a person continue to maintain this appearance. At least I now know that Um is cognisant of his previous actions. He stated that Bartholomew "had it coming" and has pestered Nakor about wanting him to store fireballs in a ring, and mutters about "power" whenever fire is mentioned. Bearing in mind that fire was used in the murder of Bartholomew, I now harbour serious concerns about Um's stay at the ship. In addition, when questioned about his past and apparent imprisonment by Kronos, he claimed that he was saved; this is in direct opposition to the initial statement which held that he escaped on his own. Um could credibly have defended this by saying that his first comment was made out of an abundance of caution, seeing as we had just met, but he reversed course entirely. He "helped himself," a formulation that Conn, who was present, somehow seemed to believe. Thus, I have to operate on the assumption that Um conceals a contact or liasion, possibly an H- or D-type entity, and this poses an unacceptable risk to both the life and well-being of myself, the people I accompany, and the crew of the Swift Mermaid: an investigation must be launched and appropriate action be taken upon its termination.
And on that subject, during a business visit to an enchanter in Ashdrabad's Nightstalls, the owner and proprietary of the Madame's Watcher seemed to fancy herself an intelligence operative of some description, as she very bluntly greeted Conn as one of the dragonslayers of Harasan, and was quick to tell us that she was aware of who we were (though she did not address me as a slayer of dragons). This uncareful display was probably an attempt to establish herself as being much more knowledgeable and connected than she actually is. She missed the part where you are supposed to gradually, not instantly, reveal what you know to the other party. In any case, on our return, we were beset by an angry mob who pelted us with rotten fruit and flasks of acid. This little riot was likely orchestrated because we refused to give in to the demands of three thugs who accosted us when we entered the district. I was hit by two acid flasks; fortunately, they broke on my enchanted uniform instead of anywhere exposed. As such, whilst no permanent damage was inflicted, I do not plan on letting this indiscretion slide. No one provokes me with impunity. And no one throws acid twice with the intent to injure.
Ever vigilant,
Jeanne
Malevolence Manifest
1 kuratorien, 2397 AR
Krondag
1 kuratorien, 2397
1 kuratorien, 2397
TRUTH BEFORE GLORY
1800J hours Hello injustice,
I was not mentally steeled for last night. After the arena fights, we headed to the Respite to share conversation and to perhaps enjoy a night of more responsible consumption of alcohol. This was inaccurate. Around midnight, again, Ohm turned into a pensioner of an even more advanced age than last time; no time was wasted to get into a verbal altercation with another aged gentleman in the tavern. The two exchanged fierce insults, mainly concerning mothers and sisters, and eventually resulted in mutual threats of physical violence. Conn Dhuine's intervention and my presence as a "young woman" were sufficient to avert Bartholomew from taking a potentially drastic course of action. Ohm, who had started to laugh at everything, probably due in part to some fiendish ploy by Nakor, did little else at the time. After calming down, Bartholomew revealed that he was in possession of a map. It was likely between 1000 or 2000 years old, but may have been copied several times over; nevertheless, the damnable prince could not stand such a fine historical object being in someone else's possession, and he convinced him to hand it over in return for a share of whatever was found there, due to be collected either by Bartholomew or his living descendants. They verbally confirmed this agreement in sight of two witnesses, not counting Ohm.
Just before leaving the Respite, Ohm shouted an obscenity at Bartholomew, who retaliated by throwing an empty bottle at him, which hit him. Ohm visually and verbally answered this by evoking very potent fire magic which burnt the man to a crisp where he stood. Desperate to become an accessory to premeditated murder, Nakor transformed Bartholomew's body into that of a young blue dragon, and exclaimed that another dragon had been slain by the ""dragonslayers"" of Harasan. This caused bewilderment and confusion, and I convinced Gimgen to clear out the tavern; this turned out to be very temporary. Where I pointed out irregularities and highly deviant behaviour from someone who was supposedly a blue dragon, Gimgen only saw supporting evidence to the claim that Bartholomew was one. The crowd later stormed in and began moving the "corpse" of the "blue dragon" to the adjoining square. I will now stop recapitulating in detail. Nakor decided to turn into an Angel of Blatant Evidence Tampering and hurled massive fireballs at the corpse, enveloping the "dragon" in blinding fire and leaving nothing left. It is not my wont to utilise crude language. But this display, this miscarriage of duty, this abuse of trust, this refusal of due process, this fucking manifestation of pure malevolence, is unlike anything I have personally witnessed being committed by what I believed to be a man driven by good intentions, however flawed his methods were and how obnoxious his personality could be. I remarked four days ago that Nakor seemed to tacitly endorse cruel displays when it suited him: now I see the logical continuation. Every day, he preaches and screeches about an imperative to destroy evil everywhere. But never has he looked inwards; he himself is possessed by ill intent. He exploited the murder of a man and managed to spin it into a tale of bravery and heroism, elevating his ego to the centre of attention, and destroying Bartholomew's reputation: consequently leaving his only surviving child with a tainted falsehood of his father. In the official statement I authored, the name of Bartholomew was deliberately absent. A futile effort, and my one extraordinary communiqué to the emir hinges on an a very loose interpretation of Frankonian law, the Eternal League's bilateral agreements with the Republic, and the jurisdiction of the State Inquisition. And even then, the threat of legal recourse is inadequate to this despicable and abhorrent cunt of divine detritus. End usage of crude language.
Ohm committed murder. Without Nakor's great lie, Ohm would have faced justice in the fashion of the Eternal League, who, like many other Leagues, have a customary method of financial compensation for murder: the diya. But Nakor's grand manipulation started mere seconds after the murder. And who would believe my version of events, that of an inexperienced career diplomat of an insignificant background, whereas the other party is a prince belonging to one of the oldest dynasties in the known world? In most corners of Terrasynt, nobility as an institution sadly carries weight. The accords of distinction and merit run silent. Unless Conn could claim an even more high-strung heritage, he too would be dismissed.
Also, manipulating Ohm, whose memory currently seems in line with that of an octagenarian, into believing that he genuinely did slay a dragon, is just another demonstration of low character. Absolutely shameless. And my charges being framed as hysterical nonsense by the lout is infuriating. It takes a lifetime to establish a reputation and moments to bring it down; Damocles has shown that brilliantly.
ORDEN ATTENDAT EAX VERENZEN
In utter disbelief, Iris
Tale of Trevelyan's Triumph
31 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Staatendag
31 ordinarien, 2397
31 ordinarien, 2397
ACTION AND WORDS; BOTH ARE PREFERRED
2200J hours Hello there!
Fame is a curse. It opens a door to unrivalled scrutiny, public recognition, expectations of impossible perfection, and is generally not conducive to a long life in some professions. Nevertheless, a plurality of the group has embraced this status. Nakor tossed around silver coins to our welcoming committee as if his life depended on it. Now that I have seen how he publicly handles money, I can replace my earlier reservations about fiscal incompetence with major reservations about gross fiscal incompetence! False magnanimity and noble arrogance distilled into a single person; it could, of course, be part of some deliberate charade, and the conversation we had at Gilgenon's Garden 17 days ago leads me to suspect the latter. Though no longer a representative in any official capacity, Nakor still adheres to those standards of "otherwordly" conduct that members of Kang's extensive family are expected to abide by. Perhaps warming up before his act of rebellion? Well, I am one to make many premature assumptions about clinging on to organisational social codes and self-regulating behaviour. Sarcasm.
Later that day, I presented an ultimatum without clarifying what would happen in the case of rejection. Indeed, I failed to even word it as such: it probably sounded like an order, or bureaucratic complaining. Thus, I suppose I insisted on the crew employing specialists to better prepare for ridiculous excursions, which happen too frequently, and which lead straight to certain doom and disaster. Specifically, an alchemist. This non-negotiable proposal was met with unanimous approval, and on the subject of alchemy, Conn thought it appropriate to demonstrate his hobby (or hijack an excuse) and produced one of those primitive fuse-lit bombs that have no right to the designation of hand grenade. And he claimed to have single-handedly de-handed 500 Osnarians. To his credit, he initally claimed 1000, so we are dealing with a man of incredible humility. It is no wonder the resistance in Killbarrow appears to be failing; its supposed leaders care more about sawing off hands than they are with formulating battle plans.
Afterwards, I brought up the subject of the arenas. Conn, sensing a handy opportunity, was willing to give it a try. This was followed by a trip to it, where we were treated as guests of honour, and we watched the evening fights. The locals had managed to arrange a themed battle which was supposed to imitate our fight against the dragon; I am concerned about how the "dragonslayers" in the scenario managed to somewhat match our physical description. Are we that visually striking? In such a short timeframe? A black-and-white uniform is perhaps slightly out of place here. And Nakor's blue robe screams blue blood. Concrete personal information is, as of now, still personal. In the name of caution, I have decided to pose as Josephine for the foreseeable future. I needed to craft a legend of her regardless, and this is a reasonably good time and place to do so. However, the commemorative fight was followed by a long night of revelry at Master Mountain Respite, where I employed myself as a barmaid. I only changed clothes and combed my hair, but that was sufficient to make the others not recognise me at all! The notable event of the night was when Ohm, whom I have now determined to age randomly, became thirteen years old at around midnight. His cognitive functions are also affected by this, and he evinced a certain obstinate and angsty temperament; in short, he ignored my plea to leave, and plotted with the household troublemaker to consume large amounts of hard liquor. His alcoholic tolerance, even as a teenager, far exceeds my own. This is not a difficult task, but still!
The fights at the arena the next day were a simple affair. Josephine Trevelyan, émigre of Helonia, stood against Krork Deathsnarl, overcompensator of surnames. With strength unmatched, Deathsnarl swung fiercely; the air, unable to defend itself, suffered grievously; Trevelyan, seizing the advantage, felled him decisively. Conn was pitted against the local champion and won: not as handedly. Derision aside, it was an earned victory. Perhaps there is some truth in his boastfulness. This I say cautiously. The man charged a dragon, but bravery can be no substitute for survivability.
With all my love and creativity, Josephine Trevelyan
The Ends do Not Justify the Means
27 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Sentendag
27 ordinarien, 2397
27 ordinarien, 2397
YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE EVIL IN ORDER THAT GOOD MAY BE MADE FROM IT
2000J hours Hello me,
The negotiations were cut short by the wanton interference of Ohm and Nakor, but ultimately, the blue dragon was struck dead in its own lair alongside its known immediate family and one servant. The seven aspiring adventurers that Aledein and Nakor conned into joining this death march did indeed suffer that fate, and the others, save for Aledein, sustained significant injuries. Indeed, it is unlikely that they would have survived without the intervention of whatever morally indefensible magic Aledein brought with him; likewise, I would not have rated my own chances of survival favourably in such an event. Even if I managed to exfiltrate from the tower safely, the open desert would be difficult to traverse safely with dragons on the prowl. I digress. We fought a dragon and we lived! Now, it is only in good order to evaluate the situation and summarise new inferences.
(1) After convening the survivors and ensuring that the injured were in a stable condition, EVERYONE WHO COULD split up and began rifling through the hoard and made claims to whatever they could find. It reminds me of those stories they tell about les Continentaux in Ponvarus, that the only two constants that motivate these transients are death and plunder. Personal health be damned! They remain stories, but these people are no exception to its underlying assumptions. The massive hoard was not going anywhere, but why regroup and take action that would benefit all when you can break cohesion and loot instead? Of course, I counted the dead and sent word to the emir. If not me, then who? The flame in the dark and all that.
(2) The issue of the magic that Aledein used. It ended the battle. However, it evidently used the power of ensnared souls to generate some form of beam of pure death. I am concerned that no-one in the group has any real qualms about this. Conn even defended it from an essentialist view: that going out fighting a dragon is "what any orc would want." A fundamentally disgusting line of argumentation. Nakor made the point that there are few rules in war, and whilst accurate, the peace that follows must deal with the evil that was committed before it. Besides, this was not a war. For someone who is so zealous in his opposition to evil in all forms, he seems dreadfully accepting of it when it benefits the side he stands on. Furthermore, Aledein's evasive answers regarding the nature of the magic he used leads me to believe that it was not created with the consent of the orcs, and his dodgy behaviour in general makes me uneasy. He clearly had an ulterior motive in mind, as he has now ascended to become one of the emir's advisors, a ceremony which was conducted on-site; clearly expecting the outcome, as he immediately, without hesitation, offered the emir his mentor's ring (which supposedly held a deep sentimental value). I do not want any involvement in this. Aledein is familiar with unknown magic and recognises himself as a "strange man," and I am not trained nor motivated enough to deal with this. All I will do is send an update to Joruba.
There are a few remaining observations. Ohm is seemingly cursed with accelerated aging, as he has gone from a man in his prime to a pensioner in the week since he linked up with the entourage in Harasan. He has also asked to join us, for reasons unbeknownst to me. If his predicament is cause for sympathy or further concern remains unknown. Since he can fight, the captain will take him in, no questions asked. Nakor has surprised me by proposing to do something beneficial with his gold for once: by establishing an orphanage. How he intends to throw the gold in order to solve problem comes next. Perhaps he will seek counsel from those who have experience? I doubt he was raised in one, or had even been inside one, prior to Ponvarus.
With regards and love, Charlotte von Edelweiss
Diplomacy is Not an Option
23 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Staatendag
23 ordinarien, 2397
23 ordinarien, 2397
LIFE IS UNCERTAIN, DEATH IS MOST CERTAIN
0010J hours Hello to myself of tomorrow,
Three crewmembers were killed in the battle that ultimately saw the sinking of the enemy ship. And during the initial boarding I, for the first time, put another mortal being to death. Not the head of an M-II or the animated body of an M-VII parasite, but a regular human. A pirate, but ultimately, that has little bearing on how it feels. Which is why I wish to dedicate this day to matters of morality and philosophy, starting with the nuances of war and diplomacy. A famous passage from Kang's progenitor Sol declares that the most successful form of warfare involves subduing the enemy without fighting. This concept is utterly alien to the resident noble on the vessel, who is increasingly becoming an adversarial nuisance and dismissive of all suggestions not originating from his deficient royal faculties. In fact, I will reiterate my earlier assessment (entry of 17 jul. 7/2397) of him exhibiting a gravitational ego; upon returning to Harasan to debrief the emir of the battle (where rumours of our deaths had been greatly exaggerated) and as a result of the worthless oratory skills of Aledein, the adventurers that had foolishly gathered to slay the blue dragon wisely started to leave, whereupon Nakor became ENFLAMED BY RIGHTEOUS FURY, COMMANDING THE LOWER CLASSES TO CONDEMN THEMSELVES TO CERTAIN DEATH: SO SPAKE THE SEVENTH SON OF THE SEVENTH SON OF HEAVEN. He accused the people of the Alliance to be gloryhounds and thus inclined to go and perish in battle, but the one true whore of self-instilled vainglorious honour is painfully clear. Nevertheless, a small number agreed to venture along with Aledein the Fully Reliable and Upfront Guide to the lair of the dragon. Sarcasm.
Conn Dhuine has been a welcome change to the crew; surprisingly, he has a sense of self-preservation and ability to calculate risk on a scale from "Nakor's threat level" to "Nakor's own perceived threat level." The self-described freedom fighter was hence unwilling to connect to this caravan of death, but a faint moral obligation resulted in a discussion which terminated in a shared agreement to join them, but only in order to keep Aledein from doing anything nefarious on the way. I decided to pose as Josephine for this endeavour, but Dhuine felt comfortable enough to engage in friendly banter which produced two new personas entirely: Charlotte (surname von Edelweiss, created after the fact) and Bob, son of Bob. In two days, he has managed to inflict upon this madhouse an air of reasonable normality, long assumed gone after it went out for a drink at the inn and never returned.
This afternoon, a servant of the blue dragon confronted us, demanding that we leave whilst providing us with the repugnant reasoning behind his apparent father's actions. Nakor, ever the diplomat, attacked him immediately. Luckily, further hostilities could be averted, and I made a less confrontational case to him. An audience with the blue dragon itself is now on the table, and Nakor does not like tables. In all fairness, none of the other venture-seekers are interested in a three-step solution or an alternate conflict resolution. What I plan on doing is ensuring an immediate cessation of the dragon's indiscriminate rampage against civilians, which can probably be attained by "recognising" its claim to the area, and agreeing to a system of local tribute. Afterwards, I would inform the emir of what was said, what we saw, and say that any tribute that the dragon collects can be repossessed from its source. And also that there is no shortage of professional dragon-hunters in the world. The most successful form of warfare involves subduing the enemy without fighting; but victory is only achieved when the enemy is annihilated. And it is better to annihilate with guile and precision rather than by sprinting blindly into the problem with no regard for the loss of life caused as a result. However, I maintain no illusion in the matter; everyone in this haphazard task force, save for Dhuine, wishes to fight, not talk. There are days when I am tempted to skirt around ethical safeguards and make known the reasoning and process behind these types of long-term strategic solutions. But they exist for a reason.
There is a changeling amongst the adventurers. His past is suspicious, and of course it relates to a deity. This should be a concern, but I am more than glad to let Nakor shoulder the main responsibility of conversation with this Ohm. Or is it Um? Om? Uhm? If he tries to have me assassinated, I will write /ʌm/, /əːm/ in the personnel file. Oxide-type designation Upsilon-4.
Secrecy is my survival, Charlotte von Edelweiss
Stranger in Danger
21 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Venatdag
21 ordinarien, 2397
21 ordinarien, 2397
IT IS LAWFUL TO BE TAUGHT BY AN ENEMY
1900J hours Hello to me,
The ship is currently heading towards the storm that, according to one eyewitness account, shelters the pirates that emir Tahef of Harasan has issued a bounty for. Details are scarce; it is likely a warship (by TE standards), crewed by irregulars, chiefly by humans. Active fighting strength is unknown, likely to be numerically superior to our own. I would feel more confident in our prospects of success if we had a solid corps of properly outfitted people with tactical mindsets and a knack for adaptability. As it stands, there are three of those onboard, and one of them was recruited just yesterday at the Spring of Peace. Hailing from IK, the troubled far west, Conn Dhuine approached me and Nakor, inquiring about "our" vessel. By his subsequent statements, this half-elf is a native of the occupied province of Kilbarrow, and he claims to be a ranking member of one wing of a broader resistance movement. This movement is apparently structured into "cells" and they answer to the "central cell;" likewise, whilst they are somewhat organised, Dhuine rejected the label of being a soldier, instead preferring "freedom fighter." A term so abundant and conceptually meaningless that it has destroyed the meaning of both its constituent nouns. At this stage, I have been informed about what this movement is fighting against, which is the state of Osnary, the occupying power. The organisation he represents does not appear to have a code of conduct, and despite having a leadership role, Dhuine did not affirm the existence of a clear chain of command, even within the cells. This could be explained within the context of organisational recency; however, the movement is apparently a century old. If an active paramilitary organisation needs several generations to establish even basic frameworks for responsibility amongst its soldiers, something is abhorrently wrong. Entrusting governance of a nation to those who are unable to govern their own behaviour is a dangerous business and a gateway to continued tyranny. However, Dhuine made it clear that his cause was one of his people's very survival: and this I can only commend.
I operate on the presumption that he is truthful. This is subject to future change; still, repeated initial attempts to discern holes and inconsistencies in his story have not yielded anything. He seems to be a legitimate fugitive, fearing for his well-being, and despite Nakor and I providing a disfavourable history of the recent events of the Swift Mermaid, Conn Dhuine still wanted to board it and serve as a temporary crewman. This indicates desperation. It is within the realm of possibility that this is all a very elaborate legend that he has crafted for some ulterior motive, and for now, there is no way to verify his claims. Assuming that he has been forthcoming about the movement and his own activities (killed a dozen men, burned down the Osnarian navy (which was an embarrassment to the term per Dhuine's account)), he has willfully compromised the movement's operational security. Again, this suggests desperation in the face of untenable circumstances. All in all, the list of unusual personalities on the Swift Mermaid's roster grows ever longer.
Due to his unclear background, uncertain personal motivations, and apparent prowess, I will assign him the codename ZAGREUS in formal correspondence.
In watchful anticipation, The Goddess of the Rainbow
P.S. The owner of the Spring of Peace also made the insolent assumption that I was the spouse of Nakor, and did not even address me directly when I was going to order. Should this ever happen again I might consider causing a diplomatic incident. With extreme prejudice.
Flight of the Armiger
20 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Sentendag
20 ordinarien, 2397
20 ordinarien, 2397
DO YOU KNOW WITH HOW LITTLE UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD IS GOVERNED?
2300J hours Salutations,
Today saw the departure of armiger Kazagal Headsmasher as one of the transient not-quite-crewmembers of the Swift Mermaid. The conditions surrounding this made him an enemy of the Order of the Nail, which is inadvisable but morally sound. Hopefully they have better things to do than track down a disgraced recruit. Of course, if Hellknights had one shred of dignity in them, they could have my latent support in this endeavour; however, they do not and never will. I also owe him after he saved my life, so I shall stand ready if he ever returns, without allowing my reservations against him to take precedence. He proved dependable in that rotten temple at the bottom of the ocean, and separating the personal from the professional is a necessity on this vessel. Nakor has explained some of his ideas about a proposed revolution in the Mandate of Kang. It is clear that he seems to think that willpower and arrogance are the two ingredients needed to serve the Heavenly Avatar a leave of permanent absence. This is incorrect. Given full control of this plot, Nakor is bound to end up in the vast graveyard of former anti-Kang pretenders and usurpers. I am personally reluctant to involve myself in this, though my mind was clouded by the aftershock of a pure Fyreboran distillation which resulted in me being slightly more forthright than usual. I advised him to form a working group (that drunkenly included me in some capacity) as this would actually enable this dream of his to enter the realm of reality. The government of Frankonia is not interested in fundamentally altering the political landscape there, but I can probably mold the hermit noble's expectations into something that is more temporally feasible and less detrimental to regional stability and life expectancy in general.
What happens in the Princely Leagues is the guess of anyone. I intend to fight in the arenas under an assumed name; the insane normalcy of the adventuring life has long since trespassed into my own, and I will answer this provocation by preparing for the eventuality of death. I have already arranged the proper documentation and issued death-bound instructions to captain Dormaruk in order for directive Disciple/Uniform-1 to be completed. Not entertaining the possibility of an unforeseen mortal demise is, at this stage, irreparably irresponsible. And it would be a most rude inconvenience.
Perhaps, just perhaps, I may be able to enjoy a few days of careless distractions without becoming party to yet another assassination attempt?
Always vigilant, The Goddess of the Rainbow
Death's Door
17 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Krondag
17 ordinarien, 2397
17 ordinarien, 2397
IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT, DARKNESS REIGNS
1130J hours Hello me,
I am alive. Fear not, unauthorised reading will continue to be met with extreme prejudice. And for future reference, the events of today mark the moment when I stopped writing my personal diary in the vague likeness of a field intelligence report; I will make my style more precise whilst textual integrity will be maintained via CC-XV-styled encryption with an irregular system of keywords. I will consign codenames and impersonal analysis to the official registry when the time comes to compile the adjudication accounts. Then, to whom does the honour of making me forsake this practice of mine go? A good-for-nothing, dastardly, cowardly, uncivilised, many more PEJORATIVE adjectives, utter runt of an infernal mage and his gaggle of UNRULY and DISHONOURABLE philistines. He cast something so utterly vile that it began to drain my very being of life and essence, and I would surely have left this world had not Kazagal, of all people, brought me back to the brink! Afterwards, I did sink my estoc into the dagger-wielding gnomish would-be assassin's back, which sent him back to Hell one dagger shorter (than he already is). Anyone who uses daggers offensively can not be trusted. What a ghastly manlet. Vile. This orchestrated attempt against the life of Nakor, and by extension all of us, was "not personal" according to the ghoulish pack's self-declared leader Timothy, corrupted son of Kazagal, and in a sense, this is accurate, since these hellspawn have surrendered their personhood to the supreme dung-pit of Hell's unholy backside. "Jean-Luc Filavandrel" has consistently resorted to base attempts on our lives, and it has reached a breaking point whereby I can no longer, in good faith, argue that anything short of termination with extreme prejudice is the correct approach. No contracts; no words; no remorse. Captain Dormaruk expressed righteous anger at Timothy, who, like the waste of space that he is, dissipated into smoke and retreated to a forgotten crevice in the basement. Whilst the captain's verbal assault was gratifying, Timothy is undeserving of even the slightest hint of recognition. In fact, this is the first and only time I will directly acknowledge the pinheads. Those who betray their mortality to darkness abandon all rights. And we, the uncompromising few, are and must be, the light that remains.
In other news, I did retrieve my personal brooch, which is one rainbow: shame that the treasure at the end of it was an assassination attempt. The only wholly positive development was a charitable contribution to a local orphanage. Nakor, who has serious anger management issues, also demanded an audience with the Prince-Mayor, which by some irregular stroke of luck, has been scheduled for tomorrow. He seems intent on securing support for some type of literal treason against the government of Kang. I will cross-examine him tomorrow. However, I will be massively hung-over, owing to the fact that after the conclusion of this entry, I will celebrate my survival by imbibing hard alcohol, so he may actually perform above average; order is attained by drink.
WE ARE THE ETERNAL FLAME
In admiration,
The Goddess of the Rainbow (who lived)
Introduction to Politics
14 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
14 ordinarien, 2397
14 ordinarien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
I have tirelessly, and for the most part futilely, arranged meetings and suggested various avenues of interest to Asterion, Epimetheus, and Damocles in Paramount. There exists not one thread or trace of collective care about anything outside the scope of crew and family in the mind of the captain of the Sara Militant and in that of the aspiring Hellknight. Asterion seems to subscribe to a philosophy of reactive isolationism and scoffs at the very concept of making connections and creating social networks here. This worldview is as dangerous as it is crackbrained, especially for someone who is already responsible for a crew of seventeen. Friends and allies are useful, a reality that Damocles at least is aware of, though his princely heritage has shown its biases. I do wonder if what he told me at Gallant-2 is true. If so, his motivations must be established: does he maintain contacts in Kestrel in order to avert assassination, lay the foundation for rebellion, or does he simply enjoy the art of interpersonal consultation? He is talkative, and has begun to show signs of independent forethought in his actions. Epimetheus, however, faces a reckoning, either by me or the order that he has sworn himself to. I find his flustering excuses as regards his inappropriate comments to be unbelievable. He has demonstrated a capacity to retain knowledge, as evidenced by the strategy employed against TARTARUS, so I must assume that he merely plays the part of a social imbecile.
For more positive developments, I commissioned three silver brooches, two in the image of the Sara Militant's ensign, and one in the likeness of my coat of arms. Hopefully Asterion sees the potential commercial and reputational advantages in projecting the image of the ship in public, and if not, they can still be used as map markers or weapons. Or toothpicks! The GALLANT ICARUS have agreed to a meeting tomorrow, and I have an idea of where to look for the unorthodox mercenary from Zenobia, who apparently is the twin of another mercenary soldier who previously accompanied the Sara Militant. Also, I have begun entertaining the idea of employing an adjutant to assist me in matters of underhanded importance: at the moment, the loyalty of the crew. The captain has recruited a number of new sailors, and since I never had the time to carry out a proper vulnerability and risk assessment, now would be appropriate. I have formulated a standard Purple Team approach in line with KRHS Regulation S/117, and assuming that parts of the crew can be compromised, I might be able to convince Asterion to, at the very least, implement crew guidelines and a mission statement for the Sara Militant. Increased individual responsibility, clarity of purpose, and fixed salaries with clauses for hazard pay and employment benefits are important in ensuring that subordinates feel appreciated and thus less susceptible to being corrupted by the allure of material temptation.
Quote of the day: TRAVEL ALONG WHILE DOING GOOD. A simple mantra that I hopefully live up to.
With Extreme Prejudice
13 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
13 ordinarien, 2397
13 ordinarien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
Subject TARTARUS, now confirmed as being an H-type-XVII non-physical entity, has been temporally excised with extreme prejudice by EPIMETHEUS after he managed to persuade it to accept a duel as the means for a final resolution to his infernal entanglements. The relative success of this process must be attributed to a combined effort. Epimetheus carried out a thorough deception operation after my subtle exhortations to that end, and was further strengthened by irregular augmentations by Damocles during the duel itself. TARTARUS was left unable to transport itself away after I activated a GL/SA1142-LTE in the vicinity, and around thirty seconds after the commencement of the duel, TARTARUS yielded. An extraordinary display of defeat for an entity of that nature in and of itself; however, it stands to reason that this retreat is merely temporary. Even then, for the first time in two months, I can finally enjoy an extended leisurely stay without the impending machinations of murderous shapeshifters and marauding contract-makers suddenly striking me down.
In the coming days, I intend to resolve two debts and continue to establish a favourable rapport with Asterion, Epimetheus, and Damocles. CALLIOPE'S stay at the Sara Militant turned out terribly, and compensation is in order, as well as an apology, as I severely underestimated the repeated and excessive mortal danger of the journey that I brought her along for. The GALLANT ICARUS provided critical and irreplaceable support in Epimetheus' endeavour, and regardless of Asterion's negative disposition towards institutional authority, it is now our honourable duty to reset the scale of obligation. This also has the added benefit of creating contacts, and considering that the Sara Militant has, in the span of a month, generated 9000 gold ducats from independent contracts with the SUZANNEIAD, it is high time to establish this type of network as Asterion and his crew are only bound to become more involved with the politics of Fontus from now on. Demonstrated competence draws the attention of all kinds of morally bankrupt venture-seeking, "risk-averse," and profit-incentivising monsters of the market in Fontus.
Word of the day: DUEL. A venerable tradition to resolve civil disputes by barbaric means. This day also marks the first time I have seen someone utilise the form of a dragon as their weapon of choice in one.
Enemy of the World
11 ordinarien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
11 ordinarien, 2397
11 ordinarien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
I have spent around two weeks gathering information, constructing hypotheses, and determining probable causes of motivation for the entity TARTARUS; I employed rational methods of inference to establish with the highest degree of confidence the nature of the threat facing Epimetheus and Damocles. Up until now, TARTARUS was of tertiary concern since I am not a direct party to this feud, but it is still good practice to ensure a totality of awareness in case that were to change. It has changed thus: I have been provoked.
TARTARUS is the apparent source of degrading and objectifying stories about me in Paramount, and now, amongst the tavern-tier topics of discussion, sailors and scoundrels speak of a libertine diplomatic official who sleeps around with archdukes and male mariners (at the same time, of course!) whilst revealing classified state secrets. I can not comprehend the utter lack of forethought, sense, grace, decency, and subtlety that went into this! It is clear that this thundering abomination performed zero investigative work and took no precautions whatsoever, as even an intoxicated crewman could identify it in the resulting disinformation channel. The content of the rumours? Farcically lazy. Literally everyone I call friend is aware of my sexuality, and most of them know of at least one real incident involving me that could be massively distorted into something that equals those libellous and abject fantasies, but why would this invertebrate rakefire deign to actually do groundwork? A blind, deaf, and comatose lobotomy patient would have done a better job! As a countermeasure, I openly acted as my own girlfriend, and so this obvious contradiction, in combination with the generous amounts of alcoholic beverages that can be attributed to the hospitality of Josephine, should suffice to cancel the proliferation of TARTARUS' mercenary inventions of the imagination. (Note to self: Asterion is owed 15 gold ducats. His advice was highly effective.) Also, it is somewhat reassuring to have observed that even a primordial manifestation of cosmic waste resorts to a type of discourse analogous to that of a hormonal teenager. Is this behaviour perhaps a sign of aberrancy?
I am not excluding the possibility that the counterfeit-carpet-selling cretin crafted outrageously contrary rumours consciously. It has provoked me. And no one provokes me with impunity. But even when driven to anger and malediction I must maintain the surreptitiousness of all courses of action. This wanton yokel remains an outsider to this world and its laws, and regardless of how many rumours it spreads and how many souls it manages to pilfer via hellish contracts, the simple arithmetic of ontological reality has TARTARUS outnumbered by an order of magnitude that is inconceivably arranged to its disadvantage. My understanding is that our unlicensed fishwife from Hell has historically managed to avoid attention by operating in the legal anarchy of Noble Avatar. Fontus is my secondary home by choice, and I know her terrain by heart (being a trained cartographer is an added bonus). TARTARUS is the transgressor and will be treated with extreme prejudice.
Disciple/Uniform authorised the usage of Broken Arrow-level response. I am considering the actions by TARTARUS to be unwarranted interferences on my mission parametres and it is my hostile intention to compromise the operational security, frustrate all reconstitutive efforts, and eradicate any guarantees of mission assurance of the temporal network that TARTARUS represents. TARTARUS is an enemy of the world. Adversor varen veltan. And the appropriate way to handle that is unequivocally the following: by bringing order to chaos. No one provokes me with impunity.
Phrase of the day: DAMNATIO MEMORIAE. Condemnation of memory. An ancient and rarely-invoked practice in Fontus.
Leap of Lunacy
29 julien, 2937 AR
Diary of Iris
29 julien, 2397
29 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
I have now been sworn in as the (woefully unqualified) medical officer of the Sara Militant, with Asterion presiding. The fact that he agreed to do so was an unexpected act of "bureaucracy" (read: following a code) on his part, though I am relieved either way. However, Damocles and Epimetheus decided to concoct the single worst operation that I have ever seen in my life; the honour of second-worst goes to me, naturally. I never thought I would be surpassed in bad ideas after the 'Hercules' Incident, but here we are: after presenting fragmentary, hazy, and circumstantial information after a trip to the Uniform-Concord of Noble Avatar, Epimetheus suggested we travel to the House of Certain Death and No Return housing the Meteorite Fragment. As expected, my calls for restraint in the matter were deemed irrelevant. They proceeded, and I followed: I even got the opportunity to do some day-shopping. Note for threat and risk assessment: Epimetheus is a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR. But for what reason? I have a thousand theories, but none of them will ever be falsified if he and Damocles never return.
This operation, an utter leap of lunacy, was rejectable on five objective points, and sixteen subjective ones. In the spirit of professionalism, the latter will be excluded. 1) The excursion was directed towards the extradimensional plane of the afterlife. 2) They possessed little reliable information about local terrain, expected resistance, and knowledge in general. They even borrowed a book on the matter; how much information they managed to retain from it is unknown. Not enough to warrant the fulfilment of this disaster. 3) No method of exfiltration, or even expecting to leave in the first place. 4) Not communicating what the observers (me and Asterion) would do in worst-case scenarios. 5) They packed light. Sure, Damocles has his oranges, but conventional sources of nourishment may be useful to have on hand should anything happen. A Cornucopia is great, but relying on one thing for survival is injudicious. Redundancy is paramount. After this amateurish forgery of competent behaviour had been carried out, I was left with Asterion. We waited for two days, with no sign of their return. We played cards, looked for dinosaurs, and spoke about the steps ahead; I lost five copper ducats in total. Hard school of the sea once again proving its worth in very measurable terms.
I may have divulged more than necessary to Asterion. Without the Sword of Damocles invisibly looming over me, I talked more freely than usual. This may turn out to be conducive to the retrieval, as he exhibited clear signs of heavy suspicion buried under a grain of curiosity, which should make it all but assured that Asterion willingly goes along with this expedition to the so-called Sea of Silent Demise. The reality is far more horrifying for people who distrust authority, codes of conduct, and signing forms!
Asterion and I are returning to Noble Avatar in the morning and staying there for a week. For what it is worth, I hope the black pit that swallowed Damocles and Epimetheus spits them out a month wiser. Whilst there is life, there is hope.
Quote of the day: GAZE FOR LONG INTO AN ABYSS, THE ABYSS ALSO GAZES INTO YOU. And if you jump into an abyss, you have jumped into an abyss. Hope that you can bounce back, or perish in eternal regret for your deleterious decision-making.
Hippocratic Oath
24 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
24 julien, 2397
24 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
Today I had the pleasure of making a Fontus acquaintance at Concord Two; a Suzanne-Célestin contractor designated DOLOS, with whom I exchanged information and offered favours. It seems that the H-type-D/F non-physical entity, hereafter designated TARTARUS, has nestled itself into becoming a business partner of the dynasty. This poses an opportunity in the event that TARTARUS remains unaffected by Epimetheus' contractual termination: that of it being placed under Fontus counterintelligence. This crew does not need any more issues than necessary with that entity, and neither do I. Upon concluding this discussion, Asterion emerged from a rough night alongside a priest of Rainbow-Terminus. He had a plan to save his father from the C-type-IV parasite, and I agreed to perform the operation necessary to remove the parasite. It was apparent that no-one else was a qualified medical officer, aside from me, and I barely fulfil the criteria. Military first aid does not encompass brain surgery. Regardless, the risk was great to begin with, and I acquiesced to the captain's request. Damocles filled in as a surgical assistant. Contrary to my expectations, it went flawlessly, except for the process of revival that the priest was supposed to cover; it eventually worked by what I can only attribute to an inordinate amount of luck. I spent most of the day afterwards in a vomit-ridden daze.
When I was just about able to stand again, the others returned from the temple after having left Asterion's parents there. Damocles sought to investigate the city's Hellknight Order of the Nail, with which he and the others had some critical history. He convinced Kakia to accompany him, and so I felt compelled to follow if only to avert eventual misunderstandings. In that respect, I failed. The Order's headquarters had burned down after a small-scale pogrom, and Kakia lost interest. On the way back, Damocles ran into a former initiate of a local academy, who quizzed him about a deck of cards. In a usual bout of unthinking and malicious foolishness, he pretended to not know of what the initiate spoke of, and then produced the deck of cards that was the target of his inquiry; however, Damocles said that it was a normal deck of cards, and to prove its insignificance, asked him to draw a card. The man drew a jack of clubs with a skull on it; a spectre with a scythe materialised and instantly slew him where he stood. Damocles turned invisible and I had to deal with the fallout. The responding city guard was incredulous, but was unwilling to investigate the matter. Logically, he decided to throw the body in a well. Evident of an inefficient and lethargic government. I kept the card as a memento, and I WILL SHOW IT to Damocles everytime he is about to commit a mistake. Afterwards, I spoke with him about morality and logic. It was interesting, but not particularly enlightening; I used Russeleaux's baguette to explain my stance on the burden of proof, whilst he was more interested in the actual problem of the baguette.
Due to the surgery, I feel obliged to undertake the Declaration of Gareva. To put it in writing and in the vernacular,
This is an unprecedented step, though I will strive to make good on the oath. I am no doctor, but I must abide by their principles if I am to continue providing medical treatment and perform surgery; it is unethical to be in charge of somebody's health without having sworn by all the powers available to do your duty with accord and distinction! Of course, I need to confirm it verbally, and who better to officiate it than the captain? Phrase of the day: FIRST DO NO HARM. Phrasing from the original oath. Somewhat difficult to live by under current circumstances.
I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE myself to consecrate my life to the service of mortality and order;
I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;
THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT the secrets which are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
MY COLLEAGUES will be my brothers and sisters;
I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, creed, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for mortal life;
I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate fundamental rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.
I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;
THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT the secrets which are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
MY COLLEAGUES will be my brothers and sisters;
I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, creed, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for mortal life;
I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate fundamental rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.
This is an unprecedented step, though I will strive to make good on the oath. I am no doctor, but I must abide by their principles if I am to continue providing medical treatment and perform surgery; it is unethical to be in charge of somebody's health without having sworn by all the powers available to do your duty with accord and distinction! Of course, I need to confirm it verbally, and who better to officiate it than the captain? Phrase of the day: FIRST DO NO HARM. Phrasing from the original oath. Somewhat difficult to live by under current circumstances.
I am the Eternal Flame?
23 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
23 julien, 2397
23 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
By unluck and terrible circumstance, I find myself in the rancid heap of Noble Avatar alongside the crew of the Sara Militant. There were five mortally wounded, with most of the remaining crew suffering non-lethal injuries. This brings the casualty rate of the Sara Militant to nine killed in action out of a total of twenty-two, not counting Epimetheus, Damocles, Kakia, and Calliope. Thus, approximately forty-one per cent of the Sara Militant have perished in less than a week. I am a fool and a jester to remain here, yet someone needs to provide a pragmatic voice, some sound insight, and reasonable advice to this doom-driven disaster, lest they all sail away to their ends tomorrow. The hard school of the sea? I much prefer my, mostly untested yet comprehensive, education to be the guiding flame in the dark corners of this forsaken vessel. Besides, this statistic can be utilised as leverage, which is always in demand.
I have divulged the bare minimum of information regarding Disciple/Uniform alongside the prospect of the Lost Sanctum to Asterion. He was receptive to the idea, though it is bound to raise an inordinate amount of questions. Naturally, I shall endeavour to answer them: why yes, of course I am covertly delivering an ancient manuscript to an enclave of the Pathfinder Society; I do have a conscience, but they also they pay well. The story may need to be adjusted as no plan survives contact with reality and so on and so forth, but this line should satisfy the crew's moral inclinations, material motivations, and distaste of bureaucracy.
Paramount can not come quickly enough. Or anywhere but here, really.
Word of the day: SUBVERSION. An acquired way of life and a constant reminder of the contradiction of my vocation.
Across the Ocean
22 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
22 julien, 2397
22 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
Away across the ocean, I heard my country call,
Across the waste of waters, she summons me by fall,
Her companions at her side, her banner in the ground,
And round their flanks are clamouring the weary and the downed.
I hear the songs of war, the thunder of her march,
I haste to thee my mother, a soldier in thy charge.
And there’s our ancient country, I’ve heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that know her, most solemn in their woe;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her Justice;
Her fortress is a resolute will, her pride is entrusted;
And land by land and graciously her radiant bounds increased,
Though her ways were ways of forcefulness, and vengeance unceased.
From generations of war to eternal peace the black Eagle endured,
And though our home remains lost, a glimmer of hope’s assured.
For she carries the torch of righteousness, a duty most austere;
And her stone-etched rally-cry forever goes, “order is attained by fear.”
Across the waste of waters, she summons me by fall,
Her companions at her side, her banner in the ground,
And round their flanks are clamouring the weary and the downed.
I hear the songs of war, the thunder of her march,
I haste to thee my mother, a soldier in thy charge.
And there’s our ancient country, I’ve heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that know her, most solemn in their woe;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her Justice;
Her fortress is a resolute will, her pride is entrusted;
And land by land and graciously her radiant bounds increased,
Though her ways were ways of forcefulness, and vengeance unceased.
From generations of war to eternal peace the black Eagle endured,
And though our home remains lost, a glimmer of hope’s assured.
For she carries the torch of righteousness, a duty most austere;
And her stone-etched rally-cry forever goes, “order is attained by fear.”
— C. S. Rahnen, Renewal
Some days call for verse. This was one of them. Next time, I wish to use my own, but imitation is supposedly a form of flattery. A proverb by and for fools, an excuse for plagiarism. Fortunately, I have no intention of submitting this to the Faculty of Classics anytime soon. Your loss, Professor Burnson.
Phrase of the day: see above. A sense of longing and belonging betwixt the wild uncertainty of the current calling.
Darkness Reigns
21 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
21 julien, 2397
21 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
The PARAMOUNT WARHORSE has been decommissioned and its crew relegated to the bottom of the ocean. After sailing into the storm that Asterion apparently prognosticated in his dreams, I took part in the attack on his turncoat brethren as part of the vanguard of boarders, fighting side by side with Asterion and the Sara Militant in the thick of this battle. The opposing crew was quite clearly not alive, being animated by M-type-VII undine organisms, save for their leader Terminus, who was in control of aforementioned organisms. It will be recorded that I managed to best one of them. Kakia, in spite of his ludicrous ideology and previous indifference, elected to employ his skills this time; probably exceeding the efficiency of the entire crew put together twice. In the end, Terminus was rendered unconscious by a furious Asterion, though not before he had inflicted significant injury of supernatural origin on him. Around five casualties were sustained during the course of the battle: of these, four were mortally wounded. Though little more than familiar strangers, I grieve for them. May they be welcomed in honour by their gods and goddesses, if they observed any. It did not seem the time to ask. Also, Calliope went through this ordeal unscathed. It was probably not her first round in the ring, which means I missed her debut. A shame.
Somewhat concurrently, measures began to relocate trophies, supplies, and other items of note to the Sara Militant. Myself, Asterion, Damocles, and Epimetheus went to secure the vessel. Of course, I only sought to acquire the mission objective of Disciple Uniform. The captain's quarters was a downright stinkhole decorated in the likeness of what I can only describe as that of a mental asylum for codfish and seaweed. The floors and walls were inscribed with the same repeating message which Damocles graciously translated for us. Asterion and I spent considerable time collecting the disorganised logs and records of the PARAMOUNT WARHORSE. It was Damocles, on sovereign initiative and in the company of himself, who wandered off and managed to find the one chest that contained notable evidence and contraband, including the objective of Disciple Uniform. Fortunately, he had not started to read it, though any naturally curious individual will want to know its contents and how my role relates to it. Its return will be complicated. Some liberties may have to be exercised. In summation, I am not looking forward to this.
When all was done I had a short talk with Epimetheus. He felt at guilt for the losses sustained today. I did what I could to alleviate this misplaced grief. Listening and understanding is a part of the job, after all. Though I do not understand why he has begun to trust me so quickly. I am half his age, and yet he thinks of me as some form of inspiration! I am not. I am a wreck, always surpassed in excellence by those closest to me. I am an act, and my life is built around it. Also, "you're like a wall?" Does it mean plain? Boring? Unresponsive? Devoid of personality? I am most definitely none of that! His language also needs to calm down. The CADUCEUS PROTOCOL is dangerously close to being implemented.
The interrogation of Terminus was a mostly barbaric affair. Asterion and Damocles are under the delusion that physical violence and torture are viable means of extracting information, which it is categorically not. Products of their environment and all that. Terrible basis for morality. Of course, the legal masterminds of Fontus agree with them, since Terminus was a cultist and insurrectionist, and thus deserving of cruel and unusual punishment. Or an "application of reasonable corporal punishment for the crime of ABYSSAL HERESY," in their terminology. Damocles even utilised his powers to extend Terminus' life after a particularly savage beating. The state of Fontus would accept this infraction in light of Terminus' crimes. I pretended otherwise and asked if he knew the punishment for this type of arbitrary prolongation under the law of Fontus; one human lifetime, though he did not care to listen, and instead invoked the non-existent law of the sea to serve as the defense for his brutality. In the end, Asterion denied me the opportunity to pose a few questions of my own to Terminus, instead unceremoniously executing him. This whole travesty of justice has made me feel ill, and I almost feel obligated to compile personnel files in response. Almost. If I survive the coming days, that is what I shall endeavour to do.
Phrase of the day: STUBBORNNESS AND SPITE. Asterion's colourful description of what makes the Sara Militant run, or float, I guess. A fitting mantra.
Necessary Evil
Nonidi, Messidor, décade 30, MMCCCV (2397 AR)
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC
CONSULAR RESCRIPT AQ. IV To the Esteemed Vicountess de Ponvarus,
I have now been with my charge for five days and will thus provide an initial account of the situation. The captain of the Swift Mermaid, with the unanimous agreement of the crew, decided to leave Ponvarus in violation of earlier commitments. This was the convergence of a multitude of causes; firstly, the captain himself seeks revenge on his former crew, the Pitched Wanker, on which he served as first mate. He was left to perish after a mutiny, and he believes that they can be intercepted nearby. Secondly, the jötun companion of Nakor, Kazagal, has become embroiled in a dynastic affair. This resulted in him becoming a knight-errant, whose current test takes place out on the waves. These developments led to the captain deciding that the Swift Mermaid should leave Ponvarus.
On the state of the assignment: my duties have been threatened, but not adequately so. In particular, the captain verbalised a desire to throw me overboard, though this was obviously not acted upon. Furthermore, the Swift Mermaid was the target of a pirate attack on 8/D. 30, which was successfully repelled. I do not believe that these nuisances will stop anytime soon. Concerning Nakor, he claims to be a prince of the Kang, but has so far not presented credible documents to prove it. Severe administrative irregularities also resulted in transported goods being omitted from the ship's manifest. I attribute this to the crew's institutional neglect of bookkeeping. My attempts to encourage this to the captain have been met with ridicule.
I will do my utmost to convince the captain to return to Ponvarus once current events have terminated. Any legal sanction issued against any one person currently on the Swift Mermaid for the abovementioned infractions would likely impede the consular assignment. Deferral is preferred.
FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT CAELUM
IN THE NAME OF THE REPUBLIC,
Marquise Jeanne TENASSETTE de La Brouhaha
Consular Vicariate of the Chancellery of Frankonia
Written on nonidi, Messidor, décade 30, MMCCCV.
Consular Vicariate of the Chancellery of Frankonia
Written on nonidi, Messidor, décade 30, MMCCCV.
In the Absence of Light
19 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
19 julien, 2397
19 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
Anxiety becomes me. The Sara Militant is a floating powderkeg, notwithstanding the ammunition storage. Epimetheus seems to be reaching a critical moment, exacerbated by Kakia to no small degree. Though it is the unceasing air of unperturbedness amongst the crew and overconfidence of the OF-V that dismays me the most. It is true that most of the people on this ship possess some skill in combat; we faced one hostile crew yesterday and emerged victorious: one casualty, the first mate, now recovered; opposing force neutralised, hostile commander MIA. What of the next battle? And the dozens that are surely to come? It only takes one loss for the undefeated to become defeated, and here, on the vast open sea, the only retreat leads downwards. Fitting, then, that the new runes and sail allow the Sara Militant to traverse underwater. I am not one to oppose innovation, though the limited understanding of this process unnerves me. My only wish in this matter is that it does not come with any unforeseen consequences, though it is unlikely that Epimetheus would have taken those into consideration in the first place. And I am part of this bandwagon, whatever befalls it.
I did not expect to end a life this early on the journey. It is something I have never done and yet have steeled myself for since conscription. Even if that life turned out to be a vessel for a C-type-IV parasite-hijacker. Will I have to get used to this? The facade can conceal much. I think? On the one hand, these creatures are impossible to empathise with; on the other, facing off against them equals immense danger to life. And if current intelligence is any indication, the PARAMOUNT WARHORSE is connected to these mistakes of creation. Still, the daily possibility of death and ruination agitates me. I can not let this impact ongoing efforts. At least the puzzle of Damocles seems to be solved. And if need be, the operational safeguard is in place. Alas, what good did it do last time?
Word of the day: DRUGS. What seafaring vessel is complete without copious amounts of drugs?
Action and Consequence
17 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
17 julien, 2397
17 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
Dear Me,
I am re-evaluating my earlier assessments. In addition, I wish to use more colourful and precise language: otherwise known as VENTILATION. Consequently, encryption via CC-XI will be performed to maintain textual integrity.
ANARCHISM; DESPERATION; UNCERTAINTY; LEGALISM.
(1) The situation with DAMOCLES. I regret that codename for Nakor. He is a menace. A man whose thinking is rigid, set in stone, arrogance given form; Torquemada would more aptly describe him and his tone. Violates every conceivable principle of diplomatic conduct with glee. I have spent most of my life in training, learning languages, customs, and social norms from over a dozen cultures in the name of duty, owing to my love for the unknown, in order to safely navigate this temporal battleground of extradimensional interests. But for this excuse of an envoy? For him, the world is merely a backdrop for his gravitational ego and a stage for his antics. Sure, this zealot is dangerous to his enemies. But that does not give cause to his beliefs. I would like to see how Nakor would reason in a proper intellectual debate, even though I know half of it would be derived from his meaningless title. But of course, he has been in school longer than I have been alive, so how could I possibly argue against his enlightened wisdom? My own opinions aside, he has evidently led a long life following this creed, and if my interpretation of Kazagal's comment is accurate, then he may have been the victim of long-term memory loss, now recovered. Likewise, his dialogue with Artaash, the new aasimar woman, seems to indicate that a drastic shift in personality has occurred, having once been an UNHINGED HEDONIST. Which I am almost certain would be more manageable than his current self. I will remain vigilant.
(2) The derangement of EPIMETHEUS. An oblivious father and now an aspiring Hellknight, Kazagal is quickly careening down a dark path in pursuit of his son's return. A Hellknight. Those who preach the virtues of 'order' whilst providing little in the way of a stable society. They who demand absolute adherence to the letter of the law, not the spirit of it. Who allow no appeal, see no extenuating circumstance, maintain no presumption of innocence, and make no distinction between civilian and military spheres of society; they make a farce and call it a system to be followed. Hellknights are the worst example of a consequentialist mindset. Despicable, abhorrent, damnable scum. Their only redeeming factor is their martial effectiveness. I can not stop Kazagal. Who does seem to be impossibly unaware of everything. An effect of extreme tunnel vision? He was unsure if gods existed, which is the single most outlandish, ridiculous, and provably untrue statement I have ever heard. Nakor, who he is very well acquainted with, is aasimar, a literal descendant of a celestial being, who share neighbourhood with parts of this world's pantheon of recognised deities! This was immediately followed by him believing that he was personally chosen by Torag, a notable inhabitant of the so-called heavens, to become a Hellknight. I am at a loss for words. Or not, judging by this paragraph.
(3) The trials of ASTERION. The ship's captain and a vanguard of reason. Top graduate of "the hard school of the sea," which I hope is a different variation from my early naval experiences. I suspect that Dormaruk Stonehoof is a strong, or perhaps the only, reason the Swift Mermaid managed to escape the wrath of Aeryon. After all, even in its exaggerated form, the rumours credited a pirate captain with the angel's escape from the king. He has an intricately chosen crew, is willing to heed my advice even though he has every right to ignore it, and is ready to alter the status quo of his sailors' loose routines in preparation for the coming tribulations. Whilst his record is mostly unknown to me, I have no doubt that he has the fortitude to endure the burden of leadership. The burden of Nakor, on the other hand, I am not quite so certain that anyone is equipped to handle.
On a general note, I am happy that Gen accepted my offer to accompany me on this journey. Another voice of moderation, and reasonable company, despite the vow of sobriety! And will surely have a positive impact on the readiness of the captain's crew. Though I am less excited about Kazagal's Hellknight instructor. Hopefully the two can learn to tolerate each other's existence.
Phrase of the day: UNWESENTUM KURATEN NON LEGAT. The law does not consider the insignificant. Another legal practice averse to Hellknights and their ilk.
Again?
15 julien, 2397 AR
Diary of Iris
15 julien, 2397
15 julien, 2397
UNAUTHORISED READING WILL BE MET WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE
And so the insane normalcy of the adventurer's life rears its ridiculous head again. Yesterday, I accompanied the crew of the Sara Militant, by coincidence, as they were led by Mr. Fontus to Concord Erudition. I elected to not only walk with them, but to speak with the curious entourage, consisting of: Asterion, Damocles, and Epimetheus.* Together, they reminded me of the people from the wild rumours coming from Zenobia, which, as happenstance would have it, they also turned out to be. I must remark that the tavern tales were KINETICALLY EXAGGERATED. Well, in the physical sense. The people of the Sara Militant mostly exhibit the same traits as the group I encountered in Hercules. Asterion is headstrong, stubborn, and naturally attractive to sailor-types. Damocles is arrogant, clever, and a walking international incident. Epimetheus is thick-headed, single-minded, and an open enigma: parts of his personality could be an ingenious ploy, as he demonstrates exceptional ability with technological/magical constructs. They were interviewed by Juno, whereupon I requested permission to travel with them in my capacity as Concord Victoria. Due to Incident AD/FRA # K/1, I wanted, and still want to, earn the Sara Militant's trust, or at the very least, acceptance, so I insisted on Asterion conducting a formal admission. Translated from sailor terminology, this amounted to: "Can you kill? If so, welcome to our floating poison pill!" (Note to self: still need to work on the poetry.) In the end, of the same day, my admission was supplanted by a battle against an M-type-II natural aberration. Because Epimetheus's son was involved. If anything, I must conclude that the adventuring life attracts the suicidal, the reckless, the desperate; on the Sara Militant, all are welcome! Except anyone who displays basic literacy and who employs reason in judgement. The dead do not claim riches.
The events of today are what led to the aforementioned conclusion. Epimetheus's son and his friends had been manipulated by an H-type-D/F non-physical entity into giving up their souls. A diplomatic game of perseverance, one-upping, and bickering ensued. I attempted to minimise loss of life; either outcome would invariably result in death. Understandably, though regrettably, Epimetheus did not see it that way. The Sara Militant, spearheaded by Damocles, wished to fight the entity, and provoked it numerous times. Ultimately, Epimetheus unilaterally signed a contract with the entity. I will spend the night searching for any loopholes in this unnatural covenant.
On another note, Damocles is allegedly a diplomat, though the ink of his papers was barely dry when I inspected them. And he eschews the usage of a personal crest! How daring. I suppose the need for formality comes secondary when you are a SON OF HEAVEN, used to GETTING MY WILL DONE. Further, it is not difficult to see why Asterion was made OF-V of Sara Militant. He is surprisingly level-headed, and even engaged the entity in a contractual debate. Sadly, he seems to have missed a course or two in extradimensional law. I certainly did. Finally, Epimetheus made some coded suggestions. I wish the situation with his son averts that attention. If not, I will implement the CADUCEUS PROTOCOL. Again.
*Personal reminder: codes are adjudicatorially determined after SRS Cultural Remnant Codex M/H.
Word of the day: RESIGNATION. Self-explanatory.
Priority Disciple/Uniform?
7 julien, 2397 AR
URGENT DIRECTIVE TO AD/FRA
KRHS # D/U-1
— — —
ORDER BY:
Major Viktoria Ryvannen
Curatorium of the Star Tower
Office of Military Intelligence
Imperial Army TO:
[REDACTED], callsign IRIS
Special Reconnaissance Section
Office of Military Intelligence
Imperial Army Subject: Retrieval/Retribution
Origin: Director MAX AGGER, IBC # I/31
— — —
Adjudicator,
Kuno Halthusen, Procurator
Special Reconnaissance Section * Also, (5) very guilty of wasting our time.
— — — The Empire is secret. Secrecy is our survival.
KRHS # D/U-1
— — —
ORDER BY:
Major Viktoria Ryvannen
Curatorium of the Star Tower
Office of Military Intelligence
Imperial Army TO:
[REDACTED], callsign IRIS
Special Reconnaissance Section
Office of Military Intelligence
Imperial Army Subject: Retrieval/Retribution
Origin: Director MAX AGGER, IBC # I/31
— — —
Adjudicator,
This order is issued at the behest of the Director of the BUREAU OF CONTROL [IBC]. Hostile actors breached the BLACK LINE at NO-02 and stole a confidential ledger belonging to the IBC; the hostile actors are identified as pirates belonging to a vessel under the name of THE PITCHED WANKER. In line with 17 K.J.H. §§ 402, 1812, 2012, and 2041, the pirates of THE PITCHED WANKER are guilty of (1) several territorial infractions, (2) piracy, (3) espionage, and (4) grand conspiracy against the EMPIRE OF DRAECOVIA;* the ruling by K.H. JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL'S CORPS is herein attached. Your objective is to retrieve the ledger and to uphold the PRIME DIRECTIVE. To this end, BROKEN ARROW RESPONSE is authorised against the pirates of the THE PITCHED WANKER. They are currently believed to be in the vicinity of FRANKONIA.
Respectfully, Kuno Halthusen, Procurator
Special Reconnaissance Section * Also, (5) very guilty of wasting our time.
— — — The Empire is secret. Secrecy is our survival.
K . A . V . D .
Comment: Disciple Uniform? IBC involvement? Wartime protocols? Sounds like these pirates are out of their depth and in hot water. It will take significant resources to accomplish this, though anything is preferable to dealing with Scaelorian incompetence and bad company. Back to Ponvarus, then. I am in need of a new weapon or two, and I can only hope that the invisible hand of Frankonia's "market" does not hold one to my throat when I arrive.
Also, Pitched Wanker? Seriously? Military records will forever document the legend of the seamen of the Pitched Wanker, who braved all reason and penetrated Imperial borders? Colour my excitement flaccid. (Note to self: omit this section from all official documentation.)
