Reviews:
Guest 1: And all that is extremely true, people get lost and confused because the records of the Middle Ages show such small army numbers compared to the Romans. Missing that the recruitment areas were smaller and more dispersed than Rome, with less Fiat Currency (or at least pseudo-fiat currency) and a higher demand for skill/equipment over numbers (a middle ages knight even without full platemail isn't nearly as likely to get killed by a guy with a sling as a Roman Legainair.
Guest 2: Such dark potential, and all there to be seen. Will we see Chaos Azerotheans, or not, lets see what happens.
Guest 4: The Dawi certainly are the most interesting heavy infantry on Mallus being both armored infantry equivalents AND effectively Grenediers, as well as siege engineers all in one package. Now to see if they would lend any of that to Shandris and the Alliance's cause.
Guest 5: The first story I eddited several times, and right now there's a lot of hard issues that i have to deal with so i have to set aside the editing on my computer for the time being, I still have a date scheduled to do reediting.
JiggyliFAP: Ah the mysteries of military logistics and planning. Both those plans however are very flawed, which I could state the issues, but you can guess or find out via other means.
Jak23: Yeah but imagine how unbelievable that details would be to someone from Azeroth. Even the "Good Gods" either were sealed or had their powers capped in some arbitrary way. Enough to make the Gods dependent on mortals in a very tangible way, or make them more like "evil/good in a bottle". And on Azeroth the most evil beings in existence include the Old Gods (sealed evil), Sargeras...whose mind became trapped in his tomb after his avatar got killed (sealed evil), Deathwing who effectively came back from the dead since everyone assumed he was dead and spent over a decade sealed away in recovery, and before that he was always on the run or hiding. Even the Lich King serves as a sealed evil, first litterally being sealed in ice, then slumbering as Arthas when he dueled for his body.
So for someone from Azeroth hearing "Evil God not sealed" would be like saying "yeah so the planet blew up last week" (which ironically for WHFB happened in the far past effectively and happened again because GW doesn't know how to salvage their products)
Dragon King of the West: Many of the Horrors of Chaos they can dismiss as they've "seen it before" but sadly thats the danger. Chaos has those slight differences, that diffrent mindset, the unrestrained approach, and the diffrent essence that takes you from "I'm ultra evil God of Evil, so i wait until the goodguys have a mcguffin to stop me instantly with before I do my evil plot" to "I just slaughtered half your army, and now you must make a morally damning choice that either way will make you the next me...oh and I'm just some mid tier dude who won't ever appear in the story again." Because it's weird, especially if you try to argue all DBZ: "what does the scouter say about his power level?" style between WHFB and WoW, because technically WoW would take it, but WoW's style and methodology doesn't work in a wider or different narrative, where WHFB has that "technique and skill" that WoW, particularly WoW villains...almost exclusively WoW villains to the extent that characters who had it lose it the moment they go evil, is lacking in.
Hakuryuu (guest 3): Wolfram vs Guilliman is more realism (and quality writing) vs having the world conveniently match the character's presuppositions.
And clearly not all halflings live in the Moot..but where are they the majority.
And as for our dear Boyar, there's just some stuff that a man shouldn't know, but when fighting an enemy you still learns some stuff about them. And obviously there are plenty who have gone into the Chaos wastes and came back...almost fine...
I am hyper aware of Immortal Empires as i have now watched 10 hours of gameplay from its multiplayer AND have been hyping myself up for both Bloodbowl 3 and the new Bloodbowl releases. all hail the most powerful God in all of Warhammer nuffle.
Casus Belli
Alyzz ducked making her already small profile smaller as a Bolt left the crossbow in the man's hand. However as the bolt flew it suddenly stopped mid-air then as if loaded and fired again flew right back at the men who then sidestepped the attack. The Man then lunged forward his sword slashing down towards the supposedly invisible Goblin, forcing Alyzz to block the blade with her daggers.
Then the man darted back, snapping back and away with a preternatural speed. This denied Alyzz even a slight chance to strike back before the man was again lunging his sword tip aimed precisely for Alyzz's throat with a odd circular downward thrust meant to also pirce the Goblin's heart from above with the same thrust. Alyzz moved to dodge rolling aside, but the movement of the man stayed perfectly aligned with the Goblin. Alyzz had gambled on her dodge and her blade wouldn't stop the man's blade, at best she would find his blade thrust into her shoulder. Then Zhang intervined, her clawed gauntlet grasping and pushing the blade away from Alyzz.
The man pulled back and away, saving his sword from Zhang's grasp. The Cathayan Dragon-Blooded then roared at the man her magic conjuring flames that should had swept him away however the man fell backwards his back touching the ground. Seeing an opening Alyzz rushed forward to strike with her two blades, poison injectors ready. But as she neared the man he rolled his shoulders, flats of his feet planting on the ground and he rose back to a standing position his blade lashing out at Alyzz while his hand-crossbow now loaded and readied, when he had done so neither woman knew, aimed for Zhang Genji.
While Alyzz leapt back the sword nearly taking her ear with the slash, Zhang Genji roared in pain as the bolt lodged itself in her arm, landing solidly in the woman's elbow pit making her pull back to see to her arm and breaking her martial stance.
"Cheap bastard! Stop doing the scientifically improbable!" The Goblin shouted as she tried to side step the man whose arms seemed to weirdly flab in the air while he fought the pair.
The man parried a slash by Alyzz's dagger as Zhang Genji looked to the bolt in her arm. The Dragon-Blooded took her claws and cut the bolt just outside her flesh before focusing her magic to give slight healing to the wound. However the Man broke free of his short exchage of stabs and thrusts witb Alyzz and darted for the distracted Zhang.
Alyzz would not allow the man, his back exposed to slip past her unwounded and charged for the man's back, only for him to stop short. A SNAKE, the man possessed a Giant Snake! It's fangs were longer than Alyzz's daggers and dripped a transparent azure liquid as it stared hatefully into Alyzz's eyes before lashing at her with a hiss. The Bilgewater Intelligence subsidiary agent scrambled back, stumbling back and landing on her ass hard, but out of reach of the Snake. Filled with terror that the snake would uncoil from its master and pusue her, Alyzz made an even more blood chilling discovery.
The man's head was pulled back like a hood as the snake slipped back down the open mouth of the man, his deflated chest filling as the snake's mass returened into the body. Then it turned back to clash with Zhang, sword, crossbow and now fangs meeting the magic and martial arts of the wounded Dragon-blooded. Meanwhile Alyzz could feel a mixture of shame in her heart and the pool of her own urine now beneath her.
It was a snake, a taxes damned SNAKE! Could have been a worm, a crow, some sort of vulture or undead beast. But no this thing had to be the one thing that could nearly paralyze Alyzz Kneecord, proprietor and best agent of Kneecord Investigations, in abject terror. Distantly Alyzz could hear Zhang Genji growling in pain as the bolt in her elbow pit dug in deeper as she continued to clash with the now far more leathal snake she was fighting for her life with.
Alyzz looked back to the fight just in time for her eye to meet the distant snake creature's and again Alyzz's heart stopped and a wimper came from the Goblin. The creature's blade thurst at Zhang and she deflected with the back of her hand, it's head also lashed out and Zhang's other hand raked it's scales bringing out a spray of blood and what looked like spores which moments later errupted into a small explosion that enveloped the woman's hand, causing her to now scream in pain, her fingers bruised, bloody and ruined.
Then it fired the crossbow catching Zhang's leg. The Shugengan staggered back, her opponent rearing it's head back to lash out with its fangs. No, if that snake killed Zhang, then Alyzz would be alone. If that snake killed Zhang Alyzz would be next. If that snake killed Zhang Genji, then Alyzz would watch another f...NO! Alyzz got up, and started running towards the fight.
In the fight Zhang knew what her serpentine opponent intended. To counter Zhang lashed for the creature's head with her good claw, she'd tear out his guts through his throat if he thought he could bite her. But then unexpectedly the sword at the serpent's side lashed upwards stabbing through Zhang's hand. Zhang called her magical power to herself ready to breath flames upon the snake but just as the Shugengan blew a torrent of flame the snake's body dodged around the flaming stream and bit into the Cathayan's shoulder. And then the burning sensation started to spread from where the thing's fangs dug into her flesh.
Zhang tried to turn her head to glare definitely into the thing's eye, to cast her magic, but something made moving, even calling upon the winds difficult. Then it stopped, the snakes head suddenly withdrew pulling out flesh as it pulled back with a warbling cry of pain. On the creature's back Alyzz pulled herself up from where she thrust her Blade into the snake's back, then her second dagger plunged into the side of the snake's neck.
"Leave her alone, you cheap peice of shit!" the Goblin growled as her thumbs hit some sort of switch on her knives discharging the poison contained in each into the snake. With a deep shreek of agony the Snake thrashed, his body roiling and shaking as the snake within struggled to escape the pain. Then the serpent threw it's head up, mouth opened wide.
Zhang could see foam and blood gurgling up the snake's throat and out of its mouth. Shortly after that the strange spores began to spread from the snake's open mouth. Recognizing them Zhang tried to warn Alyzz but all that came out was intelligible groaning. Then the serpent exploded the flames consuming or tearing its flesh apart entirely.
Alyzz Kneecord pulled with all her strength, grunting and screaming with the effort until her hand slipped and she went tumbling onto her back. Once again the Goblin fell back with a too wet of a sound, reminding her of her own deteriorating state. As Alyzz screamed in agony for several moments she then silenced herself, breathing in burning agonizing breaths before pulling herself back up onto her feet.
In front of her lay Zhang Genji, the Shugengan Lord was groaning and muttering, and Alyzz was entirely uncertain if the woman was conscious or not. Only that Zhang was still alive for the moment and getting worse by the second. Alyzz wasn't sure how far she had dragged Zhang for, or how far she still had to drag Zhang for. But twice now the woman had muttered under her breath and the ground beneath her shoulder would spring to life and her shoulder would seemingly get better, only for minutes after for the shoulder to collapse again, the flesh giving way as if the bone and muscle that was supposed to be there simply wasn't.
So Alyz started pulling again, each time she would tug on Zhang bringing the woman back with her by several yards before Alyzz heaved for air, prepared and pulled again. Still Alyzz was getting dizzy, she had gulped down the last of her water minutes ago, but she felt cold and parched in the heat of this waste land. Alyzz pulled again for the sixth time since she last fell, this time her pulsing leg giving out and she collapsed onto the ground with a soft groan. The pain was almost unbearable, Alyzz's vision blacked out for several moments while the Giblin cursed herself for not bringing along her pack of supplies, she had over fourty potions miniaturized and hidden away in it yet she decided to leave it back with her Ogre companions.
The Goblin Private Investigator's vision returned to her. She could see again, and she was sure she didn't fall unconscious as well. So either by shock or whatever other state that Alyzz didn't know the medical terms for her leg had stopped agonizing her, again. She really regretted refusing those medical classes now, but at the time her investment versus reward showed that learning medical skills wouldn't have netted her any profit. 'Well right now staying alive seems rather cruical to making a profit' The Goblin bitterly thought to herself uneasily standing again.
Zhang stopped muttering and Alyzz quickly but unsteadily rushed over to check her breathing. Zhang Genji was still breathing, her lips also were still moving as she was almost silently muttering, her raspy breaths the only real sound she was making. Alyzz got in position and then grasped, this time her arms throbed and Alyzz screamed with their pain as she pulled with all she could bringing Zhang Genji several more yards before Alyzz let go with her now almost entirely black and blood caked arms. She was certain she was still bleeding but she didn't know how much or from where...still couldn't be too bad if she was still alive.
Alyzz took a moment to ponder what she was doing. Memory was starting to get difficult in between these bouts of agonized pulling, for some reason Alyzz was starting to forget, and her periods of agonized laying made it worse. Why was she even doing this? If she ran she could get to safety, get to help. The person, the other person she didn't matter...she wasn't anyone important to Alyzz was she? No who was Alyzz kidding people were just suckers to be used for profit, Goblins didn't think of anyone in any other terms, otherwise they'd get used by someone smarter and richer. Alyzz shouldn't be out suffering for someone else's sake.
The reason why was the Goblin was laying here in pain was one she couldn't think of. Something bad happened...to her and to...to her and...Zhang! "Don't worry Zhang I'll get us both home." The Horde spy rasped.
Alyzz jumped to her feet and made to pull, but as she reached over to grab Zhang Alyzz's vision left her and she fell forward...and fell...and fell...and...
'oh, oh money. By the Profits of Business I'm dead! I must have died and this is the afterlife!' The Goblin's terrified mind provided, and then thought left her and darkness consumed her existence.
Shandris stepped onto the Deck of the large vessel that was sailing down the river Riek. Here Uydron and Aethalas both waited for their General on the deck. Here fifty of the two hundred Sentinels who were traveling with Shandris and the diplomat Emmanuelle Nacht all stood in formation. All of the Kaldorei saluted Shandris as she emerged onto the deck. While they did this Shandris scanned the deck, then the shoreline.
At the head of the boat was Lady Nacht looking down river. Towards the side of the vessel Irma Schoff again sat on a stool with her polearm holding a umbrella shading her. Along the shore several small fishing docks and hamlets could be seen stretching across the river front. And far ahead the sails of ocean faring vessels and the spires of the city of Altdorf could be seen.
The city was still hours away but in spite of this Shandris was seeing to the disembarkation preperations and double checking on her travel companions. Her military escort, Her head Druid and her Captain were all ready to both protect Shandris and serve her in the endeavor they had set about in to acquire the Empire's support. Currently several letters of Exchange were being guarded by Aethalas, each letter worth five thousand Marks all loaned and guaranteed by the Elector Count of Ostermark.
Captain Sessler was not with them. The man was leading the Army of Reikland, as well as the last five hundred of the Sentinels to the City of Bissendorf. From there the Sentinels would have a easy time waiting in the nearby forests and be ready for when Shandris traveled down the river to Mordheim. Meanwhile the Captain and the Riekland army would march back to Riekland to return to their garrisons or disband.
Irma Schoff had found some excuse to tag along, officially her work had apparently finished but she had offered her services to Emmanuelle who had accepted out of respect for the other woman's work for her. As for Lady Nacht the Diplomat was both returning to Altdorf but also, until releived, was going going to serve as a medium between the Darnassus General and the Empire.
Still Shandris had been nervous about arriving in the Empire capital. Not only was she marching in with two hundred soldiers, but with the difficulties of what had happened in Mordheim and elsewhere behind her. Still Emmanuelle had given her assurances that a messenger had been sent ahead and that Emperor Franz and the city knew not only what to expect but also would be ready to open negotiations with Shandris speaking for the Alliance.
So when hours later the ship docked in Altdorf Shandris was not too suprised to find formations of Imperial soldiers, gawking crowds, and an entire array of Imperial diplomats and nobles, all dressed in flamboyant and bright, almost too bright, clothing were waiting for her. However even aa she disembarked Shandris was caught by suprise with some of the other individuals waiting for her. First Shandris noted the awed and almost silent air of the crowds and the thick feel of tension in the air as she walked slowly down the ramp. Next Shandris saw the real cause for all the tension and muttering.
First was the carraige behind the Nobility, while ornate and owned clearly by someone of great wealth the Carraige bore the crest of the Emperor on it's side. This meant that one of the Nobles here, or waiting in the Carraige, was Emperor Karl Franz. Next was an oddity that Shandris almost had dismissed thanks to her own limited understanding of this world, and how ubiquitous it was in Stormwind. But here among the Human Nobility were several Dwarves wearing distinct almost armored clothing with ornate beards and covered in runes. And opposite from the Dwarves, and likely deliberately kept apart with all the human Nobility in between the groups, stood a single Elven representative with a bodyguard of warriors about himself.
Shandris knew the Elves of this world were supposed to be different from those on Azeroth...but what was with the helmets? Also why did their leader look so confused? It was only a half a second maybe less, but still. Though now Shandris realized she was staring for several seconds herself and turned her gaze to the foremost human as she finally stepped off the ramp.
As she walked towards the human the man bowed. "The Emperor of the Empire of Man, Karl Franz, welcomes General Shandris Feathermoon of the Kingdom of Darnassus, supreme commander of the Alliance in this world to the city of Altdorf. The Emperor would like to invite..."
"I don't think your guests shall enjoy such superfluous behaviors. And while I am remiss to interupt such formalities for my own interests, I must speak on behalf of the Asur while we still have time, least the woes and burdens of my race slip from our shoulders and unjustly unto yours." The Elf, Asur, leader spoke cutting off the human representative and swiftly earning rebuke.
"Yer kind always have some, woe to spread. Let the people talk and wait your damn turn, Elgi." One of the Dwarves in the other side of the grouping grumbled, his voice rumbling across the dock it was so deep.
The Asur for his part looked entirely unconcerned. "The portal they have come through disturbs the Vortex. The Phoenix King fears that such a disruption invites our enemies, those who are all our enemies to invade Ulthuan, to try and destroy the Vortex which would bring about the end of our world." The Asur leader stated resolutely.
"Ah yes Elgi interests control the fate of the world, because the Elgi say so." The Dwarf complained and Shandris could see the human man between them coloring with embarrassment.
"The Emperor shall speak with our guests first. Please lord Teclis, I shall see that you are afforded your place as their next visitor." The human stated clear nervousness in his voice which Shandris thought odd, was this Teclis really that terrifying?
"Oh he gets first claim, based on what? His self importance? His LONG friendship with the Empire going all the way back to Sigmar himself!? All those vital battles of your history he didn't take part in?" The Dwarf was so red in the face Shandris was almost certain he'd explode as he stomped his foot on the dock, the dwarf's voice dripping with a venom Shandris almost thought impossible. If this was Diplomatic for a dwarf then Shandris could understand why Emmanuelle told her to let the Empire serve as a middleman.
"Actually this was decided by the Emperor himself after careful deliberation and considering the...nature of our new guests arrival." The human stated then stepping aside gesturing for Shandris to walk past.
Shandris hurried past the man becoming increasingly aware of everyone watching her. Hundreds if not thousands of humans looking upon her with a mix of awe and fear entirely unlike what she was used to. The Dwarves all keeping hard suspicious eyes locked on her while the Asur seemed to look on with acedia, never quite showing the interest they supposedly had in her.
Then Shandris cleared the welcoming committee who then engaged with Emmanuelle Nacht, Uydron Dusktree and Aethalas while Shandris walked up to the Carraige. A servant in red and gold colored clothes swiftly bowed to her while opening the carraige door which allowed the General to swiftly jump in finding herself among several people. One a regal looking man wearing a golden laurel upon his short-cut Golden-blond hair and wearing fine clothing. Next to him a a young girl not quite into her adolescence by Shandris' understanding of humans sat her eyes wide taking in the Kaldorei General with excitement.
"Father is that her?" The girl asked attempting a formal tone but with a eager excitement that suggested she was a highly active individual. The young girl's appraising look one more akin to a stratigist or warrior than the look of a diplomat or homemaker.
"I am General Shandris Feathermoon of the Sentinel Army of Darnassus." Shandris tried to formally introduce herself, but her bow was awkward in the low ceiling of the carraige.
"Take a seat General." The man who could only be the Emperor commanded pointing to the bench across from him where a woman with a striking resemblance to the daughter sat. Next to the woman a partially armored man with a readied sword laid on his lap, eyes alert clearly ready to leap to his Emperor's defense.
Shandris sat in the one place that had been made avaliable to her next to the man then looked back to Franz. "I'm suprised you came personally to escort me. It seemed like the Empire wasn't the type of place to be so accommodating." The General stated as she sat.
The Emperor smiled slightly. "After the commotion in the courts your predecessor caused and what little news has managed to safely get back to me from Mordheim and Bechafen. I could say that I am rightfully intrigued, particularly since Teclis has left Ulthuan to come seeking your peoples as well. But my own interests aside, I am acting for the good of the Empire seeing as though we are at risk, but may have plenty to gain."
Shandris nodded as the carraige began to slowlymake it's way through Altdorf's streets all about it Reiksguard Knights stood ready to fight and die to protect the passengers within. "The Asur Teclis certainly made it sound that way. And I know from on the other side of the Portal the Horde would certainly not be adverse to invading if it benefits their allies, and they have allied with rather large rats and Vampires who go by the name Von Carstein."
The Emperor stared gravely at Shandris for several moments. "Yes, that I understand already. But the Empire will need more than that to act. Even as we speak regions of the Empire are recovering from horrific battles with inexplicable occurances. I cleared the Bloodpine woods of their Goblin threat, and both the army and provice of Wissenland was saved from a necromancer by an army of the Undead. Several major conflicts took place or were resolved only two years ago, and Middenhiem is currently threatened by some foul Beastlord and Boris is diverting major resources that pass through the region in order to hunt the threat."
Shandris paused taking in the details as best she could. This Empire was probably as beset upon as the Alliance is, but even so for her people's sake she needed the Empire to recognize the Horde as a threat worthy of annihilation. "I see that there is plenty that your Empire faces. But I can assure you, the Alliance doesn't just ask for aid. The Alliance exists for mutual protection, particularly because the Horde and all its members are united under the banner of mutual gains, mutual conquest, pretending it's to ensure their mutual survival. The Horde will only exasperate your current woes, but if I can get your support we can drive off and break the Horde and the Alliance would surely..."
"Don't act like I don't know what an Alliance is. Like I said before you have my interest and attentions. This is for a reason, but as Emperor there is only so much I can do. I can have some of retainers write up a reasonable loan for your use following the example set by Wolfram if you'd like. Otherwise the best I can do is the invitation to the Elector Counts and Nobility to meet in Altdorf to discuss the current affairs. The gathering will take place in six days from now, if you can convince them to support you, you will have funds and soldiers plenty." The Emperor's admonishment was harsh but the details after were intriguing, had he sent out invitation letters back when Shandris had still been recovering in Bechafen?
No Shandris still needed the Empire on her side, to join the Alliance! "Listen your Majesty..."
A soft coughing fit from the woman to Shandris' side cut the General off. "Mother, are you alright?" The young girl asked the woman with concern written on her face.
"I'm fine dear, just our guest not understanding that a Emperor cannot do as he pleases is making my weak constitution act up. A woman ought to know that the Empire is made up of the sum of it's parts and is no singular man. Rather a man is pulled with the Will of the Empire, but a smart man, or a proper woman knows how to bend that will." The Empress not too subtly commented to the young girl, whose face went from worry to lighting up, though there was some mischief behind those eyes.
"Is that like the Bed bending I heard the maids..."
"hup up up! Let the adults speak dear." The woman admonished cutting her daughter off.
Shandris took a moment to collect herself. "Well then if I may. May I know who would be at this gathering or if I might at least have a invitation?" The general asked understanding of the Emperor's scheme clear to her now.
The man looked sternly to Shandris. "I can not provide you a list, but Lady Emmanuelle von Liebwitz of Wissenland has already arrived, and Kurt Helborg is already complaining about love letters sent by Marius Leitdorf of Averland, and the only other Electors who haven't sent me letters announcing their inability to attend are Alberich Haupt-Anderssen of Stirland, and Helmut Feuerbach of Talabecland. The rest of the guests will have to remain a mystery to you." And as the Emperor finished the carraige came to a stop.
Next the Reiksguard opened the carraige door and Karl Franz Emperor of the Empire stepped out before lifting his daughter out of the carraige followed by holding his hand out to his wife who gladly accepted and stepped out into the open air. Next their body guard stepped out allowed Shandris to exit the cramped carraige.
Now in the open air Shandris found herself in a massive stone courtyard with gates a distance away where guards held back a crowd of people who all seemed incredibly enamored by the presence of the Emperor and the Kaldorei.
Shandris was then lead into the palace and taken to a room that was to be hers for the next several days. While she didn't know about these other nobles and there were certain to be surprises among them, if Shandris had learned anything from her time in Ostermark the needs of the region and the favor of their Elector Count would be decisive for gaining support, soldiers and weapons for when she returned to Azeroth.
'If the Alliance...' Shandris crushed her doubts, while the suprise attack of the Horde had been a shock, the Alliance was always on guard for the Horde's tricks and hostility, they were still there, still fighting, and likely winning on all fronts. She would just be the final nail in the Horde's coffin.
So while in the room Shandris demanded books on Wissenland, Averland, Talabecland and Stirland as well as any papers she could have on their current Elector Counts. When the books arrived Shandris immediately set about scanning them for anything of use, trade, security, pride, if it would lead to them supporting the Alliance she'd have to know it.
However the General's reading was interrupted by a knock on her door. Broken from her reading stupor Shandris darted to her feet and carefully opened the door. There on the other side of the door was a welcome sight. "You both made it. I was worried they still were holding you all up at the Docks." Shandris warmly welcomed her subordinates.
Aethalas smirked as she walked into the room. "No, it was more like a prarade. A very weird parade. The streets were closed off by soldiers and crowds stared at us as we passed."
Uydron himself grunted findingna stool in the side of the room and sitting. "This is very different than Bechafen was. The people have little fear, but are full of pomp and half of them seem to be looking to use us for their profits, or to satisfy their pride." The Druid then shifted on his stool.
"Do you have anything else Uydron?" The General asked, seeing that there was still more than what the Druid had already said which he wanted to say.
"These Imperials are as diffrent to the Imperials we met in Ostermark as a Stormwinder would be to a Kul Tiran. They clearly have whole different cultures to them." The Druid stated gesturing to the fine and decorative walls around them as though to make his point.
Shandris nodded in understanding. "Looks like you caught on to that faster than I did." The General then collected the books she had acquired passing them out to her subordinates.
Aethalas cautiously accepted the four books handed to her before asking the obvious question. "My general, what is this?" The Kaldorei Captain asked holding up one of the books.
"Research. Riekland isn't in a position to help us, and the Emperor's power isn't like Anduin's as High King. So they invited a number of high position leaders to meet with us in a single large gathering. And then the Emperor hinted to me who was most likely to come. So we're reading up, because it's like Uydron said, these regions they're all too different. So we're reading up on each and we're making a plan before we go in." Shandris explained handing some of the books to Uydron explained before picking up her own book to read.
Then the woman pointed to Aethalas. "Aethalas you're reading up on Stirland and Averland, what benefits would they bring us, and what would they likely think of or want from us?" Next she pointed to Uydron. "Uydron you're in charge of Talabecland and Wissenland, same as Aethalas. We need to know if these people will be of help to the Alliance, or is there one we can ignore? And what sort of army can we form with them." And thus with the General's orders the three began to read.
It was silent in the General's borrowed room for hours as she and her aides read through the books before them. The first to finish was Aethalas, then Uydron and lastly Shandris finished reading her books overviewing the Empire. For her own texts Shandris had hoped that she could get a better overall understanding of the Empire or even inaights into the the states whose leaders would be visiting. However everything written was too generalized, lacking context or refrencing other books many of which she didn't possess.
With a sigh Shandris turned to Aethalas. "Alright, unfortunately I don't think I have much. Maybe you have something. What does Averland or Stirland have now that we could use?" Aethalas then stretched preparing to give her summery.
"I'll start with Stirland. The books claim that Stirland in general is poor compared to their neighbors, I don't have much direct context but what I read about Averland gave me some contrxt. Stirland Also is steward over Sylvania, meaning that the Vampires who attacked us are technically hostile occupiers killing and collecting wrongful taxes from Stirland's citizens. However Stirland not only is comparatively poor, but they're one of the more traditional regions of the Empire, their troops look to be decades or more behind their contemporaries both in tactics and technology. But at least the books note their horrifying determination usually dying to a man rather than break and flee with their allies, or at least getting themselves into positions where flight isn't a option for them."
"So we could easily get their favor, but they might not be worth it?" Shandris reasoned getting a slight nod from Aethalas.
"That's partially it. Averland on the other hand is a rich region. Cattle and Horses are common along with vineyards and mines in the mountains. Averland is also apparently set to guard the location known as Black Fire Pass, a site of historical significance and the main route this world's Ork population uses to try and invade the Empire. Their knights have long lists of accomplishments, and their Soldiers and current Elector Count have a long list of victories to their names. But the books also painted a picture of troops who leave allies to be overrun, and a people who violently refuse writen contracts." The Night Elf leaned back sitting on Shandris' bed as she finished.
The General contemplated that for several moments. "Combined with what little i already heard of their Count, Averland could either be problematic or a great help, their inclusion in our plan should be if we fail to get support from the other provinces then, Uydron." Shandris finsiehed by snapping to her chief Druid.
"Well we have Talabecland and Wissenland. Both are relatively well off. Talabecland has a lot of noteworthy regiments that got special note in the books, and it's also apparently mostly comprised of thick forests and so the people there are mainly hunters and lumberjacks. They don't have much in the way of cavalry and even their artillery is called into question by one of the bocks. They also house 'The Cult of Taal and Rhya' whatever that means. They don't seem to really have any singular concern we can use based off these books, but they'd be valuable infantry for sure. Then the Wissenlanders seem more interested in trade and technology. They're home to some famous Empire city called Nuln which is apparently where the best cannons in the Empire come from. They also have generally the best guns and are, as far as I can understand, probably the closest to matching the Alliance in terms of artillery and guns. But they're probably going to be pricey to even try to convince to join us." The Druid rambled off giving both provinces swiftly and easily.
"And I don't know if it was intentional or not but the Emperor suggested just recently they suffered a major and costly battle. Alright we'll set up a order for who we'll seek out first then..." Shandris began her planning only to be stopped by knocking on the door to her chamber.
With a nod to her subordinates the General approached the door cautiously. "Who is it?" Shandris asked close to the door but ready.
"Someone whose come to help, but doesn't have time to wait any longer." A recently familiar voice stated from beyond the door.
Shandris opened the door, her face carefully neutral as she was met with the presence of the Elf from the docks and his escort of warriors. "Lord Teclis..."
Shandris began to greet the Asur but was cut off. "Loremaster actually, Now I will keep this brief." The Loremaster of Hoeth said as he pushed past and into the room.
Both Uydron and Aethalas stared at the Elf angrily, though Uydron with far more caution than his counterpart. "I came her with the intent to support you. The Portal is disrupting the flow of the Aethyr into the Vortex and is starting to cause Aethyr to pool in some places of the world, while disturbing more stable streams, altering their course."
Shandris blinked at the Asur High Elf, half of what he said having no meaning whatsoever to her. "These disruptions, they're bad, have put Ulthuan at risk and as such have enraged my Brother as well as the Phoenix King Finubar, the person who rules over Ulthuan." The elf now simplified, making everything make more sense to Shandris.
"We got that from your speech at the docks." Uydron grumbled.
"I know your not to blame for the current affairs, Aethyr and the Warp can spite us all at times. But typically such disruptions have a source from our, or possibly now, your world. I want to help you but I have been forbidden, only tasked with solving the disruptions so to stabalize the Vortex once again. But obviouslyit should be natural to want to punish someone for a event as large as this." The Asur pressed on, looking over his shoulder as if expecting to be interrupted by someone beyond the door at any moment.
"First to let you know there is no ill will between myself and your Alliance, I wished to give you a gift." The Loremaster pointed then two two of his guards, each bringing out moderately sized chests from travel bags they had on their backs, both opening their chests to reveal jewelry that was absolutely awe inspiring. Shandris had only thought the Draenei or the finest Quel'dorei jewelers capable of such crashmanship for mere trinkets. Then the Guards closed the chests and put them back into their travel packs.
Teclis then continued. "But that gift I can not share with you until we can formally meet for the second time in six days from now. But I came here now, because of my mission and my Brother. Ulthuan needs to know who is to blame for opening these portals and disrupting the Vortex. I fear my Brother intends press the Phenix King to declare war on Azeroth unless i can provide him a name."
The grave finality of the Loremaster's words hit Shandris. She knew that both the Alliance and the Horde had been racing to open the portals early, that neither of them had actually created the portals. But not only was this Loremaster's brother some sort of close advisor to the King of what Shandris guessed was one of the more powerful kingdoms of this world, but he was willing to declair war on all of Azeroth if she didn't provide someone to blame. They'd likely support fighting the Horde without question. All because this Vortex of theirs...just how important was that thing to these Asur? But could Shandris really lie and blame the Horde for what was not only not their fault, but something the Alliance was dabbling in as well.
Across from her Teclis sighed and turnes away. "You can answer me in six days then, after I give you this gift of good will." And the Loremaster walked out of the room with his bodyguards. Shandris moved to follow, finding the Mallus Elves already on the other side of the hallway walking past unmoving maids. Then Teclis rounded the corner of the hall and the maids moved, the one closest to Shandris startling, jumping and dropping a bucket she was carrying.
"Oh lady Shandris I didn't see you step out of your room. Forgive me, I'll get this mopped up right away." But Shandris ignored the woman, her gaze fixed on where Teclis had walked away.
AN: I challenge anyone who questions Franz hair color or the age of their daughter. I spent eight hours scouring the timeline, going over family trees, looking up IRL legitimization practices, and studying dominant hair colors in genealogy that would lead to children with hair blonder than that of their mother, check the family portrait both son and daughter have blonder hair than the mother. I downloaded probable books with Karl's own physical description and that were stated to festure the Empress or their children. I even had to estimate the date the painting was made which could have only happened late in 2512 or after as that's when he officially married his mistress and legitimized his children. And yes I delayed my writing of this chapter for over eight hours just because these details and yes I am so petty to put this here.
