"I love it here!" he blurts like an excited little kid. "It's incredible! This fortress, all the dragons, and everything I could learn. . . ! It's overwhelming, really." He feeds Robin a bit of his food.
Tya smiles. "That's wonderful."
Before she says anything else, they are joined by Hithrol, who greets them all, welcoming Azril to the table. "No Maicyn?" he asks.
Before she says anything else, they are joined by Hithrol, who greets them all, welcoming Azril to the table. "No Maicyn?" he asks.
"I couldn't find her," Tya replies with a sigh.
"Maicyn's missing?"
"Oh, I doubt it," Tya says, "She's just hiding again."
Dernis leans over to Azril, adding, "She's done this before. It doesn't last long."
Hithrol nods. "He's right. There's no need for concern, Azril. Tell me, how are things back in Alsene?"
OOC: So, you have a few different options for replying here. If you want, you can just talk about Azril's home and his family. You could also discuss Alsene as a whole or the entire Shattered Kingdom. In case you want to do one of the latter, I'll provide you with some information about the situation as of the departure of the Riders, about 25 years ago.
In the north, some of the most powerful fiefdoms had formed an alliance and were pressuring or attacking their nearest neighbors. Meanwhile, just north of the southern fiefdoms (Alsene, Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim), Prince Melek of Yuksetach had formed an alliance and marriage with Duchess Alinor of Sumuik and together they marched to war against the southern fiefdoms. With the aid of the Riders, the southern fiefdoms were able to gain assistance from the peoples of the independent forested peninsula to the west and the mountains to the east. However, this was not enough. At the last moment, the scheming and treacherous Viscount Dror of Serci made a deal with them, promising to help them fight the invaders if they supported his own move for the crown. This would ultimately result in three factions during the immediate aftermath: The northern alliance, the Yuksetach-Sumuik alliance, and Dror's alliance, consisting of his neighbors in the center of the center of the continent and the four southern fiefdoms.
As for Alsene in particular, it was led by Duke Arthurian and his wife Alycie. They did not yet have any children, so the heir was Arthurian's brother, Demiu. The remaining succession consisted of Arthurian's cousin Urbien, the aging Lady Valerie, and Valerie's son Daniel. They have had warm and mutually beneficial relations with Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim for decades.
"Oh, I doubt it," Tya says, "She's just hiding again."
Dernis leans over to Azril, adding, "She's done this before. It doesn't last long."
Hithrol nods. "He's right. There's no need for concern, Azril. Tell me, how are things back in Alsene?"
OOC: So, you have a few different options for replying here. If you want, you can just talk about Azril's home and his family. You could also discuss Alsene as a whole or the entire Shattered Kingdom. In case you want to do one of the latter, I'll provide you with some information about the situation as of the departure of the Riders, about 25 years ago.
In the north, some of the most powerful fiefdoms had formed an alliance and were pressuring or attacking their nearest neighbors. Meanwhile, just north of the southern fiefdoms (Alsene, Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim), Prince Melek of Yuksetach had formed an alliance and marriage with Duchess Alinor of Sumuik and together they marched to war against the southern fiefdoms. With the aid of the Riders, the southern fiefdoms were able to gain assistance from the peoples of the independent forested peninsula to the west and the mountains to the east. However, this was not enough. At the last moment, the scheming and treacherous Viscount Dror of Serci made a deal with them, promising to help them fight the invaders if they supported his own move for the crown. This would ultimately result in three factions during the immediate aftermath: The northern alliance, the Yuksetach-Sumuik alliance, and Dror's alliance, consisting of his neighbors in the center of the center of the continent and the four southern fiefdoms.
As for Alsene in particular, it was led by Duke Arthurian and his wife Alycie. They did not yet have any children, so the heir was Arthurian's brother, Demiu. The remaining succession consisted of Arthurian's cousin Urbien, the aging Lady Valerie, and Valerie's son Daniel. They have had warm and mutually beneficial relations with Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim for decades.
OOC: This is great information, thanks. ^.^ Now, does any of this affect the lifestyle and/or culture of the people in Alsene?
"Oh, I doubt it," Tya says, "She's just hiding again."
Dernis leans over to Azril, adding, "She's done this before. It doesn't last long."
Hithrol nods. "He's right. There's no need for concern, Azril. Tell me, how are things back in Alsene?"
OOC: So, you have a few different options for replying here. If you want, you can just talk about Azril's home and his family. You could also discuss Alsene as a whole or the entire Shattered Kingdom. In case you want to do one of the latter, I'll provide you with some information about the situation as of the departure of the Riders, about 25 years ago.
In the north, some of the most powerful fiefdoms had formed an alliance and were pressuring or attacking their nearest neighbors. Meanwhile, just north of the southern fiefdoms (Alsene, Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim), Prince Melek of Yuksetach had formed an alliance and marriage with Duchess Alinor of Sumuik and together they marched to war against the southern fiefdoms. With the aid of the Riders, the southern fiefdoms were able to gain assistance from the peoples of the independent forested peninsula to the west and the mountains to the east. However, this was not enough. At the last moment, the scheming and treacherous Viscount Dror of Serci made a deal with them, promising to help them fight the invaders if they supported his own move for the crown. This would ultimately result in three factions during the immediate aftermath: The northern alliance, the Yuksetach-Sumuik alliance, and Dror's alliance, consisting of his neighbors in the center of the center of the continent and the four southern fiefdoms.
As for Alsene in particular, it was led by Duke Arthurian and his wife Alycie. They did not yet have any children, so the heir was Arthurian's brother, Demiu. The remaining succession consisted of Arthurian's cousin Urbien, the aging Lady Valerie, and Valerie's son Daniel. They have had warm and mutually beneficial relations with Ejadha, Kolgea, and Ksigyeim for decades.
OOC: This is great information, thanks. ^.^ Now, does any of this affect the lifestyle and/or culture of the people in Alsene?
OOC: Well, that depends. If the succession has changed or the power dynamics on the continent have shifted, the leaders could make changes that affect daily life. In addition, if the conflict has continued, war would be a standard aspect of life throughout the fiefdoms. It could have been the status quo for Azril's whole life. And since his dad was a soldier for Alsene at one point, it would have an even larger impact on them.
OOC: This is great information, thanks. ^.^ Now, does any of this affect the lifestyle and/or culture of the people in Alsene?
OOC: Well, that depends. If the succession has changed or the power dynamics on the continent have shifted, the leaders could make changes that affect daily life. In addition, if the conflict has continued, war would be a standard aspect of life throughout the fiefdoms. It could have been the status quo for Azril's whole life. And since his dad was a soldier for Alsene at one point, it would have an even larger impact on them.
OOC: All right... So, does that mean many of the male members of Alsene are away, off fighting in the war? I'm just trying to get an idea of what Azril's daily life is like in the kingdom.
OOC: Well, that depends. If the succession has changed or the power dynamics on the continent have shifted, the leaders could make changes that affect daily life. In addition, if the conflict has continued, war would be a standard aspect of life throughout the fiefdoms. It could have been the status quo for Azril's whole life. And since his dad was a soldier for Alsene at one point, it would have an even larger impact on them.
OOC: All right... So, does that mean many of the male members of Alsene are away, off fighting in the war? I'm just trying to get an idea of what Azril's daily life is like in the kingdom.
OOC: That's possible. Again, the situation I'm describing was 25 years ago, and I don't know how it may have changed since then. That's your call.
OOC: All right... So, does that mean many of the male members of Alsene are away, off fighting in the war? I'm just trying to get an idea of what Azril's daily life is like in the kingdom.
OOC: That's possible. Again, the situation I'm describing was 25 years ago, and I don't know how it may have changed since then. That's your call.
OOC: OK. I'll try to imagine what the lifestyle there is like with the history in mind.
IC: As he digs into his hot meal, Azril replies, "Things are all right, I guess. Everyone's still trying to get back on their feet after all that war years ago, though, it's normal to me."
OOC: That's possible. Again, the situation I'm describing was 25 years ago, and I don't know how it may have changed since then. That's your call.
OOC: OK. I'll try to imagine what the lifestyle there is like with the history in mind.
IC: As he digs into his hot meal, Azril replies, "Things are all right, I guess. Everyone's still trying to get back on their feet after all that war years ago, though, it's normal to me."
OOC: Okay, awesome.
IC: Hithrol nods. "Of course." There is a pause. "You told me about your father earlier. . . . Would you mind telling me more about what happened?"
OOC: OK. I'll try to imagine what the lifestyle there is like with the history in mind.
IC: As he digs into his hot meal, Azril replies, "Things are all right, I guess. Everyone's still trying to get back on their feet after all that war years ago, though, it's normal to me."
OOC: Okay, awesome.
IC: Hithrol nods. "Of course." There is a pause. "You told me about your father earlier. . . . Would you mind telling me more about what happened?"
Azril's fork hovers over the food for a moment.
OOC: Was there a particular way his dad died, or do I have creative liberty here?
OOC: Was there a particular way his dad died, or do I have creative liberty here?
OOC: You have total control; it's your backstory.
I mean, unless it's fundamentally altering to the world we're inhabiting, I guess.
OOC: Awesome.
IC: "He, uh..." Azril clears his throat and replies, "He got sick. He had some wounds from his time as a soldier that wouldn't heal, and it weakened his body. He passed away a year ago."
I mean, unless it's fundamentally altering to the world we're inhabiting, I guess.
OOC: Awesome.
IC: "He, uh..." Azril clears his throat and replies, "He got sick. He had some wounds from his time as a soldier that wouldn't heal, and it weakened his body. He passed away a year ago."
"I am so sorry," Hithrol says somberly. "He was a good man."
IC: "He, uh..." Azril clears his throat and replies, "He got sick. He had some wounds from his time as a soldier that wouldn't heal, and it weakened his body. He passed away a year ago."
"I am so sorry," Hithrol says somberly. "He was a good man."
"It's all right," he mumbles. After a moment, he ventures warily, "How... how did you come to know him?"
"I am so sorry," Hithrol says somberly. "He was a good man."
"It's all right," he mumbles. After a moment, he ventures warily, "How... how did you come to know him?"
"Well, when Olifin and I founded the Riders, the first to join us where a dwarf named Korin and his Companion Cloventail. When they retired about thirty years ago, they went to work on diplomati missions with the Dwarven Citadel. One of those brought them to your continent, but when the ship went missing the Riders were hired to find them. We landed in Ksigyeim and gained the favor of Marquess Harfor, who then took us with him to meet with the other southern fiefdoms in Alsene. Not long afterwards, we learned of the alliance between Yuksetach and Sumuik, so while some of us went to search for Korin and Cloventail a few stayed behind to help the southern fiefdoms. Your father and I were part of a group that went to the Mountains, hoping to make an alliance with the Wildmen. During the voyage, we were attacked, and while we fought an avalanche broke out on the slopes above. I was knocked off the edge, but your father managed to catch me just in time. He saved my life. Later, we fought together against Yuksetach and Sumuik."
"It's all right," he mumbles. After a moment, he ventures warily, "How... how did you come to know him?"
"Well, when Olifin and I founded the Riders, the first to join us where a dwarf named Korin and his Companion Cloventail. When they retired about thirty years ago, they went to work on diplomati missions with the Dwarven Citadel. One of those brought them to your continent, but when the ship went missing the Riders were hired to find them. We landed in Ksigyeim and gained the favor of Marquess Harfor, who then took us with him to meet with the other southern fiefdoms in Alsene. Not long afterwards, we learned of the alliance between Yuksetach and Sumuik, so while some of us went to search for Korin and Cloventail a few stayed behind to help the southern fiefdoms. Your father and I were part of a group that went to the Mountains, hoping to make an alliance with the Wildmen. During the voyage, we were attacked, and while we fought an avalanche broke out on the slopes above. I was knocked off the edge, but your father managed to catch me just in time. He saved my life. Later, we fought together against Yuksetach and Sumuik."
"Wow. . ." Azril breathes, eyes wide with wonder. He adds more to himself than anyone else, "So he really hadn't been exaggerating, when he told me those stories. . ."
![[y]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/WYWPH2VRo26pOFDid7QZ.png)
