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#Post#: 620--------------------------------------------------
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia vol. I Story One: Prelude to the
Dragon Riders
By: Dungeon Master Date: October 29, 2023, 11:39 am
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[center]
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia
vol. I
Story One
Chapter One: The Dragon and the Knight of no sign[/center]
Characters created by Douglas Niles
High Clerist Tower, Solamnia
Set days after the great explosion at the High Clerist and the
retaking of Palanthas from the Knights of Neraka, some secret
clandestine group almost saw it done. But for a couple of
heroes.
The emperor and the Knighthoods of Rose, Swords, and Crown stand
victorious over the enemies of Solamnia.
With the Half-Giant Ankhar, the Truth was dead and his army
broken and scattered, the peoples of a new collective nation
breathed a sigh of relief.
This day finds Emperor Markham is surveying the work needed to
repair what they destroyed. He discusses it with his old friend
and new building advisor Dram Feldspar.
When a Gold Dragon flies up and talks with the new Lord of
Solamnia.
He is a Magnificat beautiful Giant Gold Dragon
Waves of dragonfear roll down off him
It lessens over minutes
“You there, you are the King?” The Dragon asks
“Close enough, what can I do for you?” The emperor asks
“I come far from far away but I come on behalf of the Elven
Nation of Inath-Wakenti, The Valley of Blue Sands, I am pleased
to make your acquaintance. I am known among your kind as
Giltarald." It does not have expected response the ancient
Dragon was looking for, not that he his name would down in-
The emperor is baffled, as is his dwarven companion, but a
random knight on duty is confident he is right in his answer and
calls out.
“You were the mount of Lord Gunter Uth Winston during the War of
the Lance.”
“I am indeed he. I have come to bear you back to the Elven lands
to make a treaty, should be your wish.”
“Go, on your back? to the Elves, in Northern Khur.” The emperor
asks, making it sound like a dissolving good idea into air.
The Gold Dragon tries to reason through his reasons. “Ah, you
are trying to decide whether it is politic or not, let me allay
your fears, when times are moving fast, you hold on and don’t
let go.”
The emperor gets down off the pile of rubble and climbs over the
fence. Giantsmiter at his side. He waves goodbye to Dram and
tells him “I’ll be back, I’m pretty sure. “
“Well,” Dram says, “don’t fall off.”
Jaymes says “Thanks” as he climbs onto the mount. He takes the
reins and keeps them loose.
The Dragon asks if he is secure.
The emperor looks and makes sure all the buckles are fastened,
and he moves around and tightens up the sides. And moments
later, he says, “Ready.”
The Gold Dragon takes off into the blue sky. Jaymes Markham can
see the need for better clothing already. He is not miserable;
bearable is more like it.
#Post#: 622--------------------------------------------------
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia Chapter Two: Dragon and the Knig
ht of No Sign part two
By: Dungeon Master Date: October 29, 2023, 4:34 pm
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[center]
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia
Book One
Chapter Two: Dragon and the Knight of No Sign part two
[/center]
In the air, over the Plains of Solamnia
“May I ask you a candid question if you don’t mind?” The Gold
Dragon Giltarald inquires.
“Ask”, The Emperor says
The Gold Dragon plunges into the conversation “I went to
Sancrist first, I knew that Lord Gunther was dead, but I wished
to speak with the Knighthood’s successor. When I spoke to Lord
Tagill, he was under the impression the Knighthood had chosen a
new Lord, the Knight of No Sign. My question is sir, what are
your intentions with meeting with the Knighthood Leadership on
Sancrist”
Jaymes Markam answer defiantly at first “They did not send help
during the raids across Solamnia, they never came, but I did,
that is why I sit in the seat of Power in Palanthas now, it why
the men are loyal to me. Solamnia is together for the first time
since before the Chaos War. So, meet with them, they can come to
Palanthas, and I will meet with them on my terms, with the
understanding that I am the head of state and they will be
acting as my advisors, and that is a generous offer compared
with what some call dereliction of duty when they decided to
sacrifice the Solamnic Plains and our allies in Kayolin, for
their own armies's safety on Sancrist.”
Giltarald concedes “Perhaps a fair assessment on the facts of
the matter. My Lord Pal… my friend and spiritual advisor
believes the term Emperor is such a harsh title, too much like
the Emperor of Anslaon that Lord Arikas fashioned himself as.
King is much more noble, whereas the other promotes a more
dictatorial mindset from the head down to the Knights, into the
people. Perhaps you want more than Solamnia?”
Jaymes laughs, mostly to himself “I have no designs beyond
Solamnia, save I want Throt and the gap under my control, I have
a lot to deal with before the minotaurs come. I want us to be
ready. I want a navy, I would love Dragon assistance should the
Minotaurs come, maybe we can use this alliance as a deterrent to
their future aggression. Besides, the head of state of Northern
Ergoth is styled the Emperor of Ergoth, is he a threat?
“I can see you are well enlightened for a human; I will not
press you additionally on the matter of my friend's request,
only that I ask that you think about it and the future of
Solamnia. Do they want an Emperor, or do they want a King? There
is wisdom in the answer.”
“I will set my mind on the task of finding the answer and get
back to you.
“I see it is the best I can hope for, given the circumstances,
still, King by your own hand is a powerful fate, I can see that
you are your own man, see that you never fall.” The Dragon says
#Post#: 639--------------------------------------------------
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia Chapter Two: The Speaker of the S
un and Stars
By: Dungeon Master Date: November 6, 2023, 1:52 am
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[center]429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia
Book One
Chapter Two: The Speaker of the Sun and Stars[/center]
East Central Ansalon
Southern Khalkist
Northern Khur
The Gold Dragon Giltarald is cautious as he enters the region of
the Skyfire Mountains. Comes in lower, and lands in the Valley
of the Blue Sands. Some activity has returned to the surface for
the elves. Mostly military, but some civilians gathering
supplies to return underground. Groups of civilians have
returned to the surface to see the sun once more. Some children.
The all-clear has not been sounded. But there has been no attack
for three days. Everyone is on an alert for a return of the
Dragons.
Several Wildrunners welcome the Gold Dragon, and word is sent
back to the Cave that a Special Visitor has arrived.
The Emperor of Solamnia looks at the destruction wrought by the
primal force of Dragons. The toppled Tower, scars across the
grounds, destroyed structures, and knocked asunder trees.
Not quite hell on earth, but the dragons have made an impact on
the landscape, which, besides the destructions he sees, other
the land is amazing. An amazing oasis in a region that is less
than hospitable and is downright dangerous. He cannot fault the
Elves. They lost both of their nations. And now they are up
here.
Several high-ranking officers come along with what has to be a
close aide of the Speaker.
Seneschal Amrynn introduces himself gives a polite greeting and
introduces the top Generals of the Elven Army. General of the
Army, General Hamaramis, and General of the Wildrunners General
Taranath.
I give you this message from Speaker of the Sun and Stars. He
bids you welcome to the Elven Refuge and invites you to come
below into the Tunnels under the Valley for we have had recent
Dragon Attacks and We want you to have a safe visit.
Seneschal Amrynn politely offers the emperor to accompany him
below so he may meet the Speaker.
Jaymes Markham takes in the scene. He notices every detail and
takes it all in so that he can give a full and accurate
accounting to the Library Order of Aesthetics for prosperity.
The people here seem rattled. The kids play as the welcoming
party walks past and enters the entrance to the underground
Tunnels.
Soon they have entered the section that is being used as the
court of the Speaker. So many elves down here. His ice-cold
heart breaks a little that this is what they have been reduced
to. Hiding in the dark. He walks behind the seneschal and he is
announced as Emperor Jaymes Markham, the sovereign of Solamnia.
Jaymes sets foot into the stage of international diplomacy, and
let the drama unfold.
The seneschal introduces the Emperor to the Speaker of the Sun
and Stars Gilthas Kanan.
Jaymes looks to see a rather young-looking man, (which means
he’s hundreds of years old or something) and at his side, the
Wild Elf the Lioness is a legend in her own time. tales of her
guerilla tactics have reached his ears. He plans to have the
subject studied at his new War College. Either way, He nods his
head to them both.
Noble sir, I welcome you to my curt, such as it is. Currently,
my agents are operating to coordinate a mounted and armed Force
that I hope with present a deterrent to further bloodshed.
Please, come, sit with me.
The Speaker moves to a divan behind his makeshift throne and
offers the emperor the other divan. The two world leaders sit
across from each other. They are brought refreshments and settle
into a discussion, they talk about building the future and
preparing for the future conflicts that will be coming. They
agree the Minotaurs will be coming. Gilthas speaks of the power
of the Ogre-Titans which are still a threat to return.
Jaymes is acting on pure instinct right now. Now this is his
pay grade. The others have backed away, giving them space. He
has some reservations about committing to a full alliance. But
he can hear Coryn tell him in his head, that this is the best
thing he could ever do. It is right. It has historical
precedent. Solamnia is a signer of the Swordsheath Scroll
agreement in 1791 PC.
They agree on the Framework of an alliance agreement, along with
the framework for joint orders of Dragon Riders to foster
coordinated tactics. With possible eventual goals of claiming
the Throt Gap, and taking back Qualinesti and Silvanesti.
#Post#: 678--------------------------------------------------
429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia Chapter Three: Solanthus
By: Dungeon Master Date: December 2, 2023, 11:52 pm
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[center]429 AC The Emperor of Solamnia
Book One
Chapter Three: Solanthus
[/center]
Caves below Inath-Wakenti
With treaties signed between the two leaders of Solamnia and the
Elven Nations, the two leaders went over what needed to be done.
It is here in the Tunnels under Inath-Wakenti that Emperor
Jaymes Markham of Solamnia met two of the Chosen of Reorx, Torin
Stonebeard, and Ragrim Shattershield. The Dwarves were part of a
group that formed in Digfell that ventured to Southern Ergoth
and retrieved the Silver Arm of Ergoth. They tell the Emperor
about Bale Ironforge, the wielder of the Silver Arm, and the
blacksmith who forged these Dragonlances.
Jaymes sees that this is something that has been building for
time. He sees the hands of Gods at work, most assuredly.
The Speaker asks an elven wizardess to transport the Emperor and
General Damara to Solanthus, and then take the emperor to
wherever he needs to go next. She agrees and When Damara and the
Emperor are ready, Lashia teleports them to Solanthus, where the
good dragons and Knights are gathering.
Solamnia
Solanthus
Long thought of as the center of Solamnia. Solanthus is a major
city of Solamnia, it is the capital of the Heartlund Province
and once served as the capital of Solamnia, until most recently,
when Emperor Jaymes Markum moved the Capital of Solamnia to
Palanthas at the close of the Half-Giant War. The city has been
taken by the Dragonarmies, and later by the Knights of Neraka
during the War of Souls, but they fought off the Half-Giant and
his army with the leadership of the emperor. Dragons are in the
sky above Solamnia.
The emperor walks among the people, he feels them uplifted by
the presence of the Dragons. Kids run past, pointing to the sky.
He meets with the Knights that have gathered. He tells them he
has made an alliance with the Speaker of the Elves. The Knights
cheer, “Elves will be coming here and then you both will be
flying to Northern Khur with your Dragon. A joint Dragon Knight
group will be forged. This is General Damara Ambrodel, she will
be commanding the attack,”
“There is reason to believe the Chromatic Dragons have sensed
the Metallic Dragons in the region and are plotting their
attack. We need to get everyone to start building Dragon War
Saddles. I have the blueprints here. -” He calls for the senior
Knights to step forward and spends some time with them to
determine which of them has what it takes for command. They meet
with the guilds and commission them for the materials for the
saddles and the necessary tradesmen to construct them, and the
Blacksmiths to forge the necessary pieces that go into the
construction. The people of the city join to help in whatever
way they can. He puts the senior officers with Damara so they
can begin a dialogue. The emperor makes his diction and puts in
place a council of three Rose, Sword, and Crown to see to
coordination efforts between the Dragons, General Damara, and
finding the right Knights to Ride into battle. He leaves a
caveat, Knights of the three signs must all be represented.
Emperor Jaymes Markum asks the Elven Wizardess if she can take
him to the Nightlund Tower. Lashia agrees and they teleport to
the Cyprus Forest
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