Togire Oarman

Player Character from the "Westgate" series, played by Josef

Background

The Wavecrest, third ship of Ebon’s armada, headed back home through the dark wyld waters of the Fair Folk archipelago. They traveled with 100 men of iron from the Isle of Rust to join up with Ebon in Spurok and complete the preparations for war. It had been a very long day and lying in his makeshift cot in the captain’s quarters, Togire Oarman was glad the Unconquered Sun had finally chosen to retire past the western horizon. However, the darkness availed to him could not snuff out the events he had discovered earlier that morning.

Little Wave whispered from across the room, “Can’t sleep?” but did not receive a response. Struggling out of his hammock and lighting a waxed thread in a saucer, he carefully navigated the cluttered room past the hairy creature strapped up snoozing in the corner and past the ship’s medical supplies, some nets, and a large bag of feed towards his bunkmate’s cot. Little Wave then brought his candle remnants close enough to make out Oarman’s face, mouth partially opened with light breath and eyes shut a tad bit too tight to be unconscious. Grasping Oarman’s shoulder he gently shook it until he could make out the slight purple in the light between the slits of Oarman’s lashes and repeated the question making sure his face was lit as well.

Trying to fake a yawn as much as he was trying to be left with his thoughts Oarman retorted, “I was asleep.”

Chuckling while trying to keep a caring smile Little Wave responded, “We’ve been traveling for a while together now, and I think I know when you’re having a bad night. I definitely know when you’re asleep; you snore louder than a blue whale’s song.”

“Heh, I wouldn’t know, now would I…” rising to make room on his cot Oarman patted next to him. “It has been a while, months actually, since someone reminded me of my deafness. No one notices it here.”

“We all know you’re deaf Togire, but I doubt the locals are gonna mention it in ear shot… eh or in front of you I should say. You’re a Solar for crying out loud… I mean”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, but no one takes note of it at least. The people here see me with honor and respect my opinion, even if it is marred by deaf speak. These lands past the great waters of the Western Ocean, beyond the edge of the world itself, were places I felt I could start anew. I was beginning to think I could leave my old self behind, my deaf self behind.”

Little Wave put on a face of confusion, “Your pardon, if you want to leave your deafness behind, could you not craft some sort of hearing device or ears such as you did when you made a new leg so that Lord Spurok could walk again? I mean I know you said the Unconquered Sun left you deaf for a reason and that you weren’t sure if He would allow you to even create such a device, but would you not know if you did not try first?”

“Speaking of which, did you feed the legmander this evening?” Oarman shot back defensively.

Little Wave nodded, “Yes, the creature has been fed,” and sat down next to his friend putting his hand once again on Oarman’s shoulder, “but you’re changing the subject. What’s going on, did something happen today that troubles you?”

“Yeah, I guess a lot happened today.” Oarman sighed and stared off into the unlit corners of the room. It was hard for him to think about what happened, much less describe the details to Little Wave. He wanted to share, but he didn’t know where to begin.

After waiting in vain for Oarman to continue Little Wave shifted to make sure Oarman could see him speak. “Why don’t you start where it feels right to begin? I can tell we won’t be getting much sleep tonight, but we’re not going anywhere anyway.”

“Well… uh… I’m sure it’s hard to relate, but I needed this. I needed to get a fresh start and be able to unshackle myself from the baggage I carried back east on Ceryle. There I was just a deaf beggar.

“You see, back home even you would have judged me before I had a chance to explain myself. The preconceptions people form by the first syllable slurred from my own mouth, misconceptions construed by malformed words, misconstrued pronunciations constructed by my eyes rather than my ears defined me. I was not only deaf, I was a deaf. My deafness confined me, kept me away from the open sea...".

Togire Oarman is in his mid thirties and before his exaltation, was already showing signs of age beyond his years because of the rough times he had as a beggar and living on the street for a good portion of his younger life. His eyes are purple and his hair matches, graying with sprayed ends and balding in the back before his exaltation kicked in. His mother still lives in Ceryle, and has worked at the local satrap’s estate for years, cleaning out the guest rooms and taking care of the satrap’s small garden. She lives within the walls of the estate in what could be described as a tool shed, and squanders what little she is paid at the local bar trying to find a man to take her. Togire’s father was a one night stand, according to his mother, from Coral. He rode in on a realm vessel however, docking for fresh supplies at the island, as he was a military man. He had returned once, by chance, and was confronted by Togire’s mother on behalf of her deaf child, whom she was not taking care of herself, but was hoping to make some money off of pity for the boy. At that time, Togire himself was stationed by his mother at key locations throughout the day and left to beg for what he could. Typically, she would find him again, right after work and on her way to the bars in order to grab most of what he had made. When Togire’s father, Ganjou, discovered this, he threw the woman away from him and cursed her for her greed. However, in his line of life, weakness was not an option. So, the next day, before his ship left, he found his lost son and explained to him that begging was not an option. He spent the better part of the morning with Togire and bought him a net and some bait and explained to his son that he would return each year and see if Togire was ready to work with him on the open seas. In the mean time,

Session 1 (bribe for session 2)

The Unconquered Sun has told me to seek out my kindred and unite them to change the world. Little did I know he would be helping me so much. I was so worried when I was first given this new responsibility. I wasn't sure how I would go about finding others like me when the mention of anathema would surely get me killed and when I had never ventured past the corals of Ceryle. Then, when that bloke from down the street recognized me and started yelling to the realm guards, and after stowing away on board another soldier of the Sun's ship and meeting the others, I just knew The Unconquered Sun had set my destiny for me. The others don't seem to be convinced yet, but I'm sure they will come around. It's good that we showed up now too, because I now see why The Unconquered Sun told me to help out. That surf chasing pirate guy seems to be one pearl short of a full necklace. I'm beginning to see how these anathema stories I grew up with started forming. He'll either be dead within the next week or have conquered the entire Ocean. At least we're far away from Skullstone now on some uncharted islands. I doubt we'll be followed here.

It was really nice of that guild merchant to buy us a new boat and supplies and allow me to name one of his islands. I hope the people that live there will like its name. I wonder if the guild plans on setting up some sort of colony out there so close to the wyld. I guess they would be interested in the strange things from the wyld to sell. And it seems that at least for now, the pirates are ok with listening to the captain and not slitting our throats. I guess there's something nice from being an "anathema". They all think the 3 of us are as ferocious as their leader. The last throat I slit was that sea bass a few weeks ago before we left for this journey. Oh and that reminds me, I guess I won't be seeing the mayor's wife or her son for a while. I should have sent them a letter telling her I wouldn't be available for her fish anymore and to talk to the fishmonger about a replacement. I'll miss teaching her son how to fish, but I suppose it's best I don't see him anymore after the accident and all. I just hope he doesn't tell his mother that he was the boy saved by the anathema at the coast. I don't think she would take it the same as he did, and even though I told him it was our secret sometimes boys will be boys, and I'd rather not have the mayor's personal guard escort me to jail as a welcoming party when I get back.

I'll have to remember to conserve my paper from now on since I doubt we'll be able to get fresh from here on out. OK, to do list:

Convince pirate that I'm useful even if he decides to mutiny. (Session 2) Now that I'm back on land this should be easier. He'll definitely appreciate the village.

Convince that nice healer man to not resist if a mutiny happens. I'd hate for him to have to get killed. (Session 2)Check, didn't have to do much, he seemed already on board and is rather quite intelligent.

Catch some supper. (Session 2) Check.

Figure out why The Unconquered Sun wants us to be on these islands and what we are supposed to be doing. (Session 2) So far still unknown.

Find some shelter for myself in case things go wrong.

Talk to the local spirits. (Session 2) Check, and it seems we've stumbled upon a mess. Our voyage here has led the Skullstone Archipelago to the new islands, and not only have they beaten us here, but they have already slain entire villages. We must stop them before this whole place is just a bunch of walking dead.

Session 2 (bribe for session 3)

Whatever is attacking the villages also seems to have a crazy sea vessel. If we wish to stay safe it is probably best we unload everything of value from the ships before they get overcome. Perhaps we can even beach one. Eventually we'll need to head inland for better shelter and to talk to the forest lord and the chieftains of more villages. Hopefully if we can gain support from the native people here, we will be able to route the walking dead quickly enough and make the trades that Iron Heart wishes to gain here. I suspect he is why we've come here and not just some guild mission. Surely he has not told us the entire story for coming here. Perhaps even though we are brothers under the Unconquered Sun he does not yet trust us with his true purposes. It just doesn't make sense that any of the others would hold anything of value or serve the Sun's path by being here. Perhaps we are meant to support each other in their quests back to becoming whole once more before we can

"Ears" seems weary of me. I best not cross him as he seems to be Ebon's right hand man.

I had a bright idea. If we can get the villagers and the forest spirit talking then we may be able to make an agreement between the two. I'll have to talk to the forest spirit first, but he would certainly not like a shadowland here. Perhaps if the villages promise to help the forest, he could help protect us from the walking dead. I don't know how many villages or villagers there are out there, but it doesn't seem like it would be feasible to band the villages together quickly enough for to protect against attacks, unless of course we had far enough warning. Perhaps we could figure out a way to know when the vessel is coming. Eventually we'll need to find out where they're staying. Probably on another island. In the mean time, I wonder if the spirits will get stronger if I build up these houses. If all the houses were connected into one house, would it be one strong spirit? Why do some spirits not talk and others seem sentient. It seems the longer they've lived and the more they're connected to, the more important their position is, requiring a more complicated spirit. Would the spirit of the island know when walking dead traveled it?

Session 3 (bribe for session 4)

(need to attach dwg)

Session 5 (bribe for session 6--omg 712 words)

Two hours until nightfall, I feel like we don't have enough time to prepare. It's too cold to deal with keeping an entire city up and on alert all night and as I walk through the streets I hear many of the men complaining. Even if I had more time, I wouldn't know what else to do. If I weren't deaf, maybe I could stand in front of the poeple here and make a speach or something, but as it is I just have to let the royalty of Graystone prepare their people. I tried to explain to them about the underworld and how the enemy may be sending troops through it that "appear" anywhere in the city, and I got them to section off the city into defensive zones and double the guards at the armory and gates and other key locations. However, all the royalty and officers I speek to do not seem to totally believe me when I say the walking dead will be upon us soon, or that they could appear right next to them, or that some of our men could be possessed by ghosts. Somehow I know it would be better if I talked directly to the people, the men and women standing on the walls, to convince them of the direness of the situation. I was told some of the residents were refusing to give up their mirrors. Many of the women and children are worried or confused and I feel like the royals, without explaining to the public what is going on, is just creating some panic. Maybe when Magnus gets here, he can speak to everyone, since he seems like he likes to calm people and support them, and they should listen to him. To make matters worse, the officers and lords here are slacking on supplies and defenses within the slums of the city. It would probably be best if I went there myself. My type of people will not look down upon me because of my deformity, and they need someone to protect them that understands their needs and can speak with them to get them to open up. I can go with the indigent of the city and learn the small pathways throughout, the nooks and crannies that the guarrds would shy away from and tend to ignore. I need to create a pauper's militia to guard their section of the city and make sure they aren't forgotten or left weak.

If we can hold out until Ebon and his men get here, then he can take over and push back and cut off the enemy. If we can keep the salt lines chalked and Ebon can hit and run against key groups of walking dead, then we'll make it until the minister gets here with his army. All we have to do is keep our losses down, consolidate, and minimize converts to make sure the minister's army of two thousand isn't facing a defended city of twenty thousand walking dead. Hopefully the guards here on patrol will get lucky and catch any incursions on time. Tonight I feel we rely less on our preparation and more on gambling that the undead leader is taking his time or mounting his forces elsewhere. Maybe I should have talked to Whispering Crow since he's Plentemon's friend and next time ask him about tilting the odds in our favor. I wonder if that's how it works. I'm sure he'd be better at talking to the royalty of Graystone and could even serve to convince this undead leader not to attack. I mean, somehow he got that fairfolk turtle admiral to leave. It seems like everyone else would be able to do more in this situation than I...*sigh* Well, all I can ask is that I see the next day and your glorious resplendant face rise from the east, and with your presence, my friends and fellow solars will arrive none too soon.

Looking up from his memoirs and prayers, Oarman scanned the room he was given, well lit, and with a view to the main gates. Thinking to himself "I should be off," he headed for the door and down to the rusty shacks and the people he knew how to talk too.

Session 6(bribe for session 7)

Magnus is gone. That dark giant of a necromancer unleashed his hoard on the city and carried Magnus away on the flying golden shield Magnus used to get around with. He looked broken and unconscious, being held up high by the brute as if he was being sacrificed to some evil forces as the prize of the battle of Graystone. The others assure me that he is dead by now. If the necromancer had not killed him outright, he would surely have finished the job after he figured out how to land. The people are hailing Magnus as the martyr who saved the entire town. After the necromancer had left the battle, the tides of war had turned, and Ebon quickly mopped up the remaining walking dead while Crow finished off that huge person eater machine from the safe distance of the city walls. The men on the battlefield have told Ebon that they could not flee or even tactically fortify themselves as some haunting doom would be realized as long as they did not stand up to the necromancer. They say that when Magnus sacrificed himself, their affliction was lifted and they were able to fall back away from the death machine. I say he made no sacrifice. Magnus is still out there along with the necromancer. Perhaps he was even able to hurdle the necromancer off of his shield to plunge into the woods and die, but in the struggle, damaged his shield and is lost in the woods somewhere. I'll have to go and search for him as soon as we're done here. Maybe I can convince Ebon to go in he thinks he could attain that shield even if he doesn't think Magnus is still alive. I'll call upon my friend Indigotic Resin, protector of the woods, to see if he has seen him. Maybe he will be able to verify my belief with proof to show the others and convince them that Magnus is still out there.

And next time, we will be ready for the necromancer's tricks. It seems I was unaffected towards whatever he was saying, and so we will use earplugs for the men so that they are not swayed by his words. I should have expected something like his oratory when we found out he was posturing as a priest of a dead cult. Next time we will stop his little potions and viles before he is able to unleash them. Next time I will catch the vile personally so that Magnus will not have to act so heroically. Next time we will have Ebon meet him face to face and see if he likes battling a real opponent who has skilled himself in the arts of war as well. Then Magnus and I can stay with the support and keep the wounded safe and alive. Next time we will not be outdone and outwitted by our enemy.

Session 7(bribe for session 8)

I found Magnus! After Ebon basically abducted me to go search for what Magnus is now calling a deathknight, he refused to wait up for me when I rowed back to shore to warn a village that the necromancer deathknight man may be in the area. I think it was for the best anyway, because after hearing how Ebon got into a fight with the lord of Breakwater, and then witnessing the incident with the next city's navel fleet, I would have probably just gotten into more trouble with Ebon had I been at Breakwater. Now he's forcing me to fix the ship he stole from Ironheart because I stopped him from nearly killing another lord by throwing my fishing net over him. It's his fault the ship got damaged and I don't see why I have to make the repairs, but since no one else can do it, I guess it wouldn't have made a difference anyway, and it seems to keep Ebon happy. At least we're all back together now and I think the talks with the Admiral fair folk will go well. An interesting note, two women on my journey to find Magnus were extremely impressed by me, or rather, my body, and seemed infatuated with what they saw. I'm not sure, but maybe they saw the unconquered sun within me or maybe all this exercise is doing especially well for my fitness. Or maybe most men actually don't look as good as I do with their clothes off. I should ask Magnus of this, since he seems to be worldly in such ways. He'll be able to tell me if I should make sure to keep myself covered in the future. I would not want to influence anyone into doing things they would otherwise not wish to because of my appearance. Though it was rather fortunate that woman of the forest and friend of the bandit of the five kingdoms valued my body as more important than anything I could catch with my net. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get across the island in just two days without losing both my net and my clothes. I wonder if everyone else knows about the five kingdom bandit and his road network to anywhere you desire. It could be rather useful if we could get some sort of standard payment arranged with him, and perhaps convince him to not steal from the five kingdoms anymore. Maybe he would like to work with us and steal things from other places in the name of the five kingdoms. Maybe once Magnus is ready to talk again I could tell him about my ideas. Right now he still seems upset that Ebon's crew refused to follow his orders and shanked him while I held Ebon away from killing the vessel lord. I guess distracted or redirected Ebon's anger is a better way of saying it than "held". Hopefully once the ship is fixed, Ebon will stop ordering us around and everything will calm down.

Session 8+9 (bribe for session 10)

Ebon tried to kill me. That pirate is seriously messed up. He "refused to allow" me to leave before I fixed Iron Heart's boat that he stole and then wrecked, and when I stood up to him, he chased me and fired a sail cutter at me. Luckily I dove into the water in the nick of time or he would have lopped my head off with that thing. And it's not like I was not going to fix the boat eventually for him, however he needs to understand that sometimes there are more important things going around him that don't focus entirely on him, his crew, and his boat. We didn't know what came up of the deathknight and it is imperative that someone keeps tabs and relays information of his whereabouts.

So, I've learned that the deathknight and the five kingdom's bandit confronted each other in the woods earlier this season. One of the bandit's men still showed signs of the altercation. His arm was nearly frozen with frostbite and held a darkened hue compared to the rest of his fair complexion. Another of the bandit's men was wearing the clothes given to me by that nice villager gentleman when Magnus and I visited his house after finding Magnus. They were a bit loose on him and so I decided to give him the belt I was wearing to ensure that his clothing suited his frame more properly and to bereave him of any future embarrassment. I spoke at length with the five kingdom's bandit, who asked for the cologne and perfume I had brought with me in return for quick passage and the information he divulged. I was heading to Breakwater to ask of the Lord there if he had lost any more villages or otherwise heard of news of the deathknight's activities, so it was very fortuitous that I ran into the bandit again. He told me that the altercation arose when the deathknight refused to give him the articulated black armor of cold that the deathknight wears. As usual, the deathknights demeanor towards those in his presence was that of disdain and rebuttal, refusing to sway in his considerations or demands even after the loss incurred towards his goals by our forces. The bandit was required to teach him another lesson in pliancy, raising their disagreements to a physical level and eventually dispersing the deathknight's walking dead minions to the depths of the forest. This information was particularly intriguing to me because it let me know a few things which I shared with the others upon my return. First, this bandit must not be strong enough to handle the deathknight head to head. Second, the deathknight was not forceful enough to stop the fairfolk's trickery, but most of all is the interesting note that the bandit can make people get lost in the woods for what he claimed would be an indefinite amount of time. Now the deathknight himself was not lost, meaning the fairfolk's abilities must only equal or be slightly lower than the deathknight, however this turn of events relieves me of much worry that another army of walking dead would be upon our cities' walls as early as next week. Surely we must figure out how to deal with this foe soon, but for now he's been set back again. Finally, the bandit told me that our common enemy fled north towards either Graystone or Spurok.

Session 9 (bribe for session 10)

It was late again. The "insert Ebon's ship name here" had arrived at the port of Breakwater off the western coast of the Island of the Kingdoms of the Sun and eventually laid anchor within the harbor. Ears, Ebon's first mate who was taking care of the ship, had at first kept the ship out of the harbor because of the particular men on board and the possible repercussions they would have with the locals. No one wanted any accidents that could endanger the potential alliance with the men of iron. That precaution proved unnecessary when some of the younger members decided to race towards the shore in a test of strength. Togire Oarman had to go to the shore to handle the situation after having a long discussion with their commander, Ferox, about the upcoming war and their position in it. He was back in his cabin with only a few hours before dawn having trouble to sleep again, however this time his friend, Little Wave, was soundly dreaming in his hammock. The people of iron and the upcoming war was not his only concern and in fact as he walked across the room to his cot holding his cheek with his right hand and remembering his encounter with Oscina, the nightingale Lunar they have saved earlier. He had taken her out in a rowboat to discuss potential options to negate or prevent the upcoming war, a task the men of iron would not approve of, but now he had something way more important on his mind.

"Maybe I should tell her that you can't tell what sound someone is making by touching your cheek to theirs, or maybe I could figure out how to learn the notes she's singing. I wish I could hear her. I wish I could figure out why the Unconquered Sun refused to fix my ears. Everyone else can hear..."

Oarman rolled over on his cot.

Oarman has been busy

After rowing out on a flat raft made out of the pearlesque material of the mast head of the fairfolk's ship to speak with the emissary, The Crevasse that Consumes the Ocean, up close and personal, Togire and his friend Magnus were flying back to the coastal city of Breakwater to warn the people and find the Ocean Father, an immensely powerful spirit whose presence near the borders of creation awoke a being so wrathful and dangerous that its mere words spoken to creation born would rip the fleshy bits of their senses straight off their skeleton. And while Magnus flew the shiny emulation of the great Unconquered Sun, Togire was strapped to the back of his pilot and still hanging on just in case. However, this gave him quite some time to think about the events that kept unrolling in front of him and his circle mates and the innocents he was endowed to protect. He recalled the bloodied and unrecognizable faces of the men being ripped from the ground they stood on by that building sized contraption let loose upon the outskirts of Graystone by the deathknight. Those faces reminded him of the guards standing between Ebon and the now deceased Whispering Crow during their battle, and who could forget those struggling under the weight of years of torment in the hands of the myriad groups of fairfolk surrounding the island, such as the man dubbed Blue because he remembered not a bit of his previous life, but only the foul corruption thrust upon him by his captors and the wyld itself, forced to find substance by sucking out the essence of blue color from creation.

Not requiring an answer from Magnus, Togire instead whispered to the wind itself, "If we heal Blue, will he remember how to be human? Can I even return to him a part of creation consumed by the wyld, or must he retake it himself?" It was too easy for his friend to not realize the philosophical points of Togire's line of thinking, not that Magnus was ignorant or mentally incapable, just too proud of his abilities to consider that some journeys must be traveled by one's own feet.

Magnus looked back, "You say something Togire? We'll be to Breakwater soon."

Togire stretched closer to his friend's ear, "I was just wondering, don't you think it is important to guide lost travelers towards their destinations?"

"Well yeah..sure I mean," Magnus had raised his eyebrow wondering where this was going.

So, Togire pressed before Magnus could finish, "however, if they already knew where they were going, they would not need direction I suppose."

At this Magnus grinned, "Well I've already thought of that, so don't you worry Togire." Confidence had quickly come back to the man as usual. "When we build the trade network between the cities, I've got this idea to build into the roads essence nodes that point you towards the correct location that will be protected from the wyld so that even if travellers lose their way or get assaulted by fairfolk who steal their ability to read, or it is dark out and they otherwise could not see even the earth they stood on, they'll be able to follow these glowing nodes towards their destination." Togire smiled back a warm one trying to look relieved and impressed at Magnus as he continued, "... and these nodes will work with the mirrored communication towers that we'll have installed in all the villages and the 5 points of every city..." and while Magnus carried the rest of the conversation uninterrupted the rest of the way to Breakwater, Togire contended himself on a different vision of handiwork, the place Oscina was enjoying at this very moment, the demesne he had crafted into two mountains with a valley he would dedicate towards the Unconquered Sun and towards the people distorted by the struggles between the the Unconquered Sun's children and the forces against creation. This place would become a refuge towards the people suffering both physically and mentally and become a place of inner peace as they regained their lost selves back to humanity. He was sure Oscina would help him with it and hoped that such a shrine of faith could be enough until Magnus and Ebon finished out their duties here and created a stronghold of creation.

Oarman Training

After the battle against the fairfolk of the crevice that consumes the sea, Ebon's crew returned to Breakwater to celebrate and relax before heading south for Ebon's trial. However, Togire had Magnus fly over and drop him off at graystone so that he could walk to the demesne created there and calm himself within the valley. Togire had decided that it was time to find his missing circle mates, and to do so he needed to receive more information. His previous vision from the Unconquered Sun told him that his missing circle mates were headed west already, however it was very vague into the nature of where and when they would arrive. So, impatient, Togire felt it was time for more information. After making sure Oscina could care for herself in the mountains, he focused on his prayer.

"Your radiance is beyond compare Bright One, and so I wrap my eyes that I not allow these worldly visions beholden to me in creation to try their feeble attempts next to the glory of your rays seeking me. Let me send forth my prayers through day and night and to the zenith of the next day and I will know that you know me and hear me when your golden light pierces the cloth that blinds me of all distractions."

"Oh Unconquered Sun, your warmth is everlasting, and that I may partake of it even when your journeys lead you beyond my vision, please gather your inexhaustible power within this humble shrine of granite built to focus my efforts towards your glorious goals."

"Your ever giving majesty of might and power, I need no sustenance save you and I will show my devotion and trust towards the gifts of strength you have infused into me from your grace. Leave me if I partake of anything save your grace and sit with me through my prayers to guide me along the path of righteousness you have laid out before me and given me the responsibility for."

"There is nothing unknown to you in all of creation and beyond, and it would be an insult to your blazing vision and enlightened intelligence for me to even try, so I prostrate myself to you unclothed as I was the first day you lay your eyes on me on this earth. Let it be known that you are pleased with me. Let your rays protect me and change me towards your most favorite of hues. However if I have spurned you my father, as a sun child, show your wrath unto me and burn your lessons into my skin so that I may redeem myself."

"Oh Unconquered Sun, even my sense of smell must obey you and draw forth your wisdom into my understanding. With your backing I may ferret out the others who have been marked by your will and touch. Your guidance does not fail me and the scent of your being is unmistakably the nostalgia of golden years of our faith to you. I repent unto your mercy for my previous mistakes and go forth with my solemn promise that I will bring your justice returned to creation and unite your children once more."

"I am without hearing. I am now without my other senses as well. My only knowledge beyond myself is you and in this way I come as close as I can to your glorious presence that I may commune with your brilliance and reorient myself towards your direction. I will always follow you beyond this body and the next and every part of me burns off of your fuel. I am the candle that brings your flame to society. May my wick last that your light shines forth to all corners of the world. I am the mirror that reflects your vision to my peers. May I cleanse myself regularly that no dust or particle obscures your glory from my brethren. I am the metal sculpted within your furnace. May my blade sharpen within your company and my will harden against all obstacles. I am the metronome of your epoch. May my countenance withstand the enemies before me and the tests this age beholds."

In this way Oarman deprived himself of each annoyance day by day and became one with his prayer, until he no longer noticed anything but his connection to who his higher essence was and what purpose he was given by the Unconquered Sun this age. For weeks he sat undisturbed on the circular granite pedestal outlined by the 8 reflecting pools flaring out from the dais to form the eight pointed star of the shrine he had built for this purpose. The entire structure stayed warm to the touch from collecting the light beating down on it across the sky and at high noon the pools brightened the inner sanctum to a blinding point to which the edges of the pillars holding up the modest vault above vanished and all material clarity was replaced with a time for thought. The vault seemed to echo the sounds emanating from the central dais up towards the symmetrical hole above and into the sky so that it seemed there was no place above the shrine within the mountains where his voice did not reach. Going about her business, Oscina clearly made out his words even within the highest clouds and occasionally she would return to the shrine, in her different forms, to watch Togire for a time and truly listen to his incantations and mantras in his deeper and resonating Old Realm tones.

On the voyage towards the battle

It has been some months of marginal successes since the last encounter with the isle of walking dead fairfolk and Ebon's assortment of ships under his control have grown in number. As such a small armada flanking his three merchant vessels made their way across the sea to meet up with the chosen of the sun's new allies against the wyld and potential companions lead by of all else, a female Ebon, as like Togire needed a second version to worry him. Oscina was on the deck in her male form, gut bulging slightly out of ragged and too small clothing and with the arms of a workhorse. She was helping Little Wave with his duties there bouts as most of the rest of the crew shied away from this creature that could be both man, woman, and beast. This of course did not bother Oarman in the least, and in fact fascinated him when she showed her tricks and flew through the air or swam through the water with ease of form she chose. He would watch her beak raptly mouth the movements of her song and shape into her supple lips and back again. What did bother him was the odd physical attraction attributed to her even in this less picturesque a physique whenever her cut off trouser hem would rise to reveal the gliding and sinuous silver tattoos underneath which seemed to carry with her through every body she took her natural self in his memories.

As always, Little Wave seemed not only to notice the minute space of time right before Oarman would arrive into Oscina's presence, but also ever so artfully and considerately used his captured moments to step silently out of picture whether to listen in or out of deference, Oarman knew not. And if Oscina ever noticed such a trend, Little Wave's cunning was not questioned as she never showed signs of apprehension and finished tying the thick cords of the main mast's rigging to the rigging before she turned and surprisingly greeted Oarman.

"Oh hello, does Admiral Ebon want to see us in his quarters again?" She did not wish to look into Oarman's mesmerizing eyes and so gave humorous sarcasm towards Ebon's new title and rolled her own eyes to rest on his fidgeting hands clasped directly in front of his waste. It was not that she was embarrassed or flustered in conversation with Oarman and in fact they had developed a decent enough friendship, or at least compatible living style while he cloistered himself in the shrine he had built near her new home. However, she couldn't help but notice that whenever she spoke with him face to face her gaze would be drawn into his eyes and she would no longer be able to think as clearly as before. She knew to herself that it was not because of any feelings for him or some lost memories they shared together because for some time now she had watched this effect occur on almost everyone he came into contact with, mortal or spirit. She had heard of men who could invoke fear into their enemies by striking gazes deep enough into their souls to kill, men with eyes of ice or black as coal that withheld everything from others or pierced one's inner feelings. She had even stood up against enemies such as these who lost their courage in front of her and melted against her will. However, Togire's eyes were different. Their tone carried a warmth with them which changed with the color of the sea and made one lose focus of any misdeeds or animosity between Togire and those he spoke to. And as they worked their magic, his demeanor and facial posture washed a depth of common empathy and caring towards the others. Rather than force entry into their safeguarded secrets, he gladly accepted his companions into his own soul, a place where everyone's intentions were just and misdeeds were effects of misconceptions.

"...and so I was hoping you wouldn't mind having a bite to eat with Magnus and the others in the admiral's quarters. He has been inspired by the fish you caught earlier into making a most delightful dish and has used the rest of those tubers we garnered before we left for a delicious soup as well." Togire was holding her hand in his now ever so gently and encouragingly, and she could feel his slight tugging as he directed her towards the door. However all she saw was the magnificent purples of the flaring brightly almost a deep red reflected from the setting sun off of the waters below and surrounding her while the deeper midnight blues of the cast onto his orbs from his other hand shading his face swam and danced around her periphery.

"Well, isn't that very thoughtful of Magnus, I mean it was only tuna, but I'm sure it was lovely and I'm glad I could help." Oscina let Togire guide her across the deck and as he opened the door, they both exclaimed in unison as the aroma of their coming feast overtook them. "Wow, Magnus, this smells amazing!"

Togire's last month of training

It had been over a month since the solar heroes of the Kingdom of the Sun had joined forces with Skullstone against the fairfolk mockery of the shambling dead, and Admiral Driftcorpse of the fairfolk's armada had been convinced to unoccupy Irontooth in return for the freehold in Antar's province. In that time each of the solars had gone their separate ways to prepare themselves for the final onslaught to come and wipe out the last of the fairfolk on home soil, and Oscina and Togire had once again made their way to the Unconquered Sun's shrine in the lyrical valley of the two peaks formed out of the demense of essence coalescing therein.

Oscina had taken to watching Togire's training right after her lunch on into the evening. Togire had explained to her that his reflection and mental purification had already been completed in their last trip and he was now to train physically as long as his master still toiled in the sky, and through the heat of the day it was known to her that Togire would typically take off his shirt to dampen it in the pools of the shrine and wipe his brow after the sun's peak. However, today she was busy organizing rooms for the first of the orphans from Graystone who were shepherded to her home by monks of the priesthood in the city. Togire had decided the city streets and small dirty hostels were no place for those in need and put in place the notion of a small monastery here to train them into itinerants of the Sun in the near future.

She remembered arguing with him before. "I thought you said this place was mine for as long as I needed it. If more people come here it will no longer be the valley I've grown to love," but he had insisted it would help her in her progress and that the Unconquered Sun would surely appreciate her support helping the children learn to know Him and grow closer to Him. She had demurred at the time, even though she was not totally convinced, and felt painfully jealous at the thought of sharing her place Togire had built with others, but now that the children had arrived she realized how lonely the place would be without them and somehow the magic of the valley mingled the children's cries of play and joy with the nightingale's songs and the babbling waterfalls of the creeks down the mountain seamlessly.

Now that the children had all found order and the two monks had settled into makeshift quarters in the living room of her cabin she made her way through the long shadows of the mountain hoping to join Togire at the peak before sunset. She enjoyed taking part in his little ceremony ending his day's labor with ritual prayer over a small mud brick keystone purified in the waters of the shrine and baked dry in the sun. Each day he would finish off an arch of what he claimed would be a immaculate school of learning for the children and by now he had completed over half the structure which was slowly taking the curve required to mimic the one surrounding the eight pointed star around the shrine below in the valley.

Halfway up the mountain Oscina decided that if she were to make her date with Togire and the Sun she would have to fly up to the top of the mountain. Forming the dark feathers of the nightingale upon her flesh, Oscina leaped into the air and condensed smaller and smaller until she burst through the upper reaches of the tree canopy and flew straight towards the clearing up high. Upon reaching the clearing and she shape shifted to her human self and landed at the large archway aligned along the east facade and looked through for Togire inside. At first her entire vision was blocked by the largest sun she had ever seen, already halfway set and framed a glorious red. Its edges just fit into view between the archway and somehow the bricks caught the sun's perimeter in a fiery glow that focused the light directly back toward her and down into the valley below.

Togire was holding up a section of wall he had worked on a week ago, or at least it seemed as such. Each arch of the entire structure was built upon a double curvature framework for purposes she did not yet understand. Togire had tried to explain it to her, but in the end just told her to wait until it was finished, however what she did notice was that it caused the entire building to look as if it was constantly leaning inwards upon itself and about to topple, and relaxing on the far wall from her, Togire's mass of bronzed skin shone like oracalcum and his wide gate seemed to create a vision upon her eyes of a column of solar flesh and sinew easily holding up the world around them. Oscina had gotten used to hanging around Ebon and Togire during their sea voyages and certainly when matched standing next to each other Ebon was the larger man by far, with muscles building upon muscles. However, Togire's stance and demeanor always suggested that he had not yet fully been tested, and that whatever perils that stood before her or enemies wishing to harm her could be taken within his firm grasp and held at bay. In fact, if Ebon was their commander and aggressor, there to lead the armies against the fairfolk, Togire embodied the perfect image of a protector of the just and defender of the weak. His stance inspired unity among those around him to hold the line of war and let not beast nor foe breach their honor. He held his head high wherever he went, his chiseled face bespeaking his inner nature and his clean smooth skin the texture of a marble statue. In fact she doubted if a whisker even knew how to penetrate his pores and thrust itself out into the open.

Togire lifted himself off of the slanted wall and waved her over smiling heartily. "I'm glad you made it, Oscina, I wasn't sure I could wait much longer." When she came over to him, Togire reached his hand down and lifted her gently up onto the scaffolding and guided her up above her previous view. "Come on, we're finishing the third tier today. Nearly complete and we can start on the window panes for each arch. I think I'll have the children help me with those. It should be a fun exercise for them."

"Windows? The arches are to have glass within them?" Oscina looked about the edges of the archways and now noticed that there was indeed a slight lip and groove etched through each block at different intervals to create a slot that would hold some large expanse of pane tilted forward towards the valley.

"Well of course, but you'll see, you'll see. Just wait until next week and we'll start. You can help, if you want that is." Togire came to a stop up top the highest most scaffold. "Ah, and here we are," and he raised the brick into place and looked out over the arch towards the setting sun to begin his prayers. Oscina placed her hands on the keystone as well, and whether it was Togire's hands close to hers or the heat from the sun baked brick, a warmth grew into her that calmed her entire spirit and made her see more clearly. The prayers were beautifully said and well spoken as usual, and now and again she looked away from the setting sun and instead focused on Togire's presence next to hers, which she thought must be o.k. because she could make out the love and desire of the prayer in Togire's eyes as the sun's image reflected off of them towards her. His purple hair was tied back in a knot to relieve him from it's annoyance throughout the day and his shirt was stuffed through and between his trousers and his belt like a large cotton stonemason's rag and every drop of sweat trickling down his body was akin to the water squeezed out of a porous piece of stonework during the final polishing process of a masterpiece. Each dripplet caught the sun and fanned its rays across his tone so that his maker could see any imperfections left to be chiseled or sanded away and yet she saw none, for while the building and work around the valley was not yet complete, Togire's training was done, and the Sun smiled down upon him and knew that he was good.

His life in Danger

After the battle against Admiral Driftcorpse at the freehold in Antar, Oarman had returned to Irontooth to finish construction of the wyldbreaker for Ebon. This gift was paramount in Oarman's mind, because he had taken heavy casualties because of his actions during battle. Many had thought he went rogue during the fight, but he had not seen any other way of saving the city from imminent danger except for stopping Ebon Surfchaser's deadly march against the fairfolk. He didn't remember when he had thought of cutting the cliff ropes that Ebon's men were repelling down into the pit from, but he would always remember Ebon's face when Oarman's fellow solar returned the favor nearly killing Oarman in the process. Togire was running through what he could say to convince Ebon to spare his life but was coming up dry. First, he thought of bringing it up to Ebon that Antar could not be sacrificed for one small victory on the battlefield. However, he quickly through that idea aside however logical and realistic it seemed knowing that if it hadn't worked on the battlefield, it was not going to work now that Ebon's men were sacrificed instead. He toyed with the idea of quoting the Realm axiom he had read so many times growing up, stories of brave warriors falling in battle to save countless others, the needs of the many outwaying the needs of the few. Yet Togire could not think of a single instance where a pirate held that roll, and knew that Ebon cared more for his men than the entire population of Coral, much less the city of Antar. That is why he had finally decided that the only way to convince Ebon that he should be spared was to convince him that he was worth too much alive. Togire thought of leaving the completed wyldbreaker with a bow and an apology behind him, the first of a long chain of "gifts"... more like tributes, all the way to the Black Isle. However, knowing anything about Ebon convinced Togire this would still not be enough. He would have to stay one step ahead of Ebon the entire way until the last gift was ready. The only way to appease a mad man enraged by his loss is to give him someone else to pore his fury into, and the only vessel Togire thought more tempting than himself would be Admiral Driftcorpse, stripped but not beaten, detained buy not defeated, awaiting Ebon at the harbor of the Black Isle's capitol.

Until then Togire thought he could convince Magnus to help him complete a prototype land ship that could be delivered to Graystone before Ebon's armada passed. Or maybe the landship would await Ebon at the harbor and take Ebon inland to the Admiral Driftcorpse at the death manse they had discovered on their previous journey to the Black Isle. Perhaps the death manse would be a fitting final battle for the two admirals. At least Togire convinced himself of that, repeating the notion softly in his own head for fear of allowing other ideas to worry him, ideas of the death manse as a fitting funeral stone for a zenith.

altered perceptions

The solar circle, (need solar circle name! bring it up with dave), had made it back to the coastal city of the island of the black fleet. Ebon had yet to name it, along with other bureaucratic procedures, because of the intensity of the fairfolk insurgents and their own nightly incursions into enemy territory. Luckily, Magnus had already gone to work on fortifications, rations, and reinforcements for the dragon of soldiers occupying the capitol. Many of the constructs Magnus had created were reported lost on patrol and protecting the local citizenry and small encampment was growing more difficult than the invasion. There were even rumors that some of the constructs just vanished into thin air, and Ebon had to set their patrols to little more than a mile outside of town, unless he himself led them in battle.

The nights in town were gloomy and striking. The fairfolk had sent a river of blood through the city which drenched all the walls up to at least the door knobs and window sills, and the dried blood still caked everything 3 blocks east and west of Main Street and the entire market square. The harbor was saturated in blood and ghosts could be seen venturing forth into previously unmarked territory lapping at the waves as the salt levels of the very ocean gave way to the red tide. Ebon had taken Togire aside to plan for a small reconnaissance and destruction force to breech deep into enemy territory and strike at what must be a source of power for the fairfolk, the beginning of the river, and a fairfolk freehold. They had ventured up the mountain a full days journey with seventy-five men of wyld to an outcropping of rocks that leveled off into a plateau. There, the fairfok had dug a deep pit and littered the area with bodies and stood guarding the perimeter and a large stone heart that had caused the blood river to surge onto the city below. In battle, the heart had opened up anew and the fairfolk queen and widow assaulted Ebon's men in a ferocity of battle that no mortal could withstand. Ebon and Togire were forced to withdraw, swimming down the very river created to withstand them, and go with the flow in order to save the few men left. They had lost half their forces and returned drenched and smelling of rotten death, and not without a few bruises to show for it. The queen had lunged at Togire in battle, not with sword, but with her lips, which confused him utterly but his reflexes took hold and his muscles stepped timely to the dances of Ebon's battle training, ducking aside and into the river in the nick of time.

Now that they had returned, and Togire had more time to think, he took pause to consider what she had wanted with him. Was she trying to steal him away from the group, like the other missing soldiers? Did she prize him for some skill or ability he had? It seemed many of the female fairfolk took notice of him and his very presence influenced their plans, not that he wished for it. He couldn't help but think that from now on the entire party would need to be more cautious in confronting her. Perhaps the late King Issalgath was not the true power of the throned couple and Togire now worried that with her husband gone, this wolf was uncaged and on the roam again.

Invitations to a party

The battles with the island of the black fleet had finally calmed down, leaving a bad taste in Togire's mouth. They had lost another one of their companions in battle. Magnus had fallen to the dragon at the capitol city, and both sides seemed cautiously and begrudgingly accepting the colloquialism, one of your blood for one of ours. In the meantime, Togire was staying in Graystone with the lord there working on some diplomatic paperwork and planning the reconstruction of the island’s depleted resources after so many month’s long battle. In particular, Togire was planning an upcoming party to be held for the queen of Pearl, which was busying his mind away from more unsavory events of the recent past. Lord Graystone was being quite helpful in guiding Togire’s etiquette and recalling his past greetings with the people of Pearl, Togire called upon the guidance of the Sun and invoked his Mastery of Small Manners to produce his first rough draft of an invitation to the Queen.

Your Excellency to
Her Royal Majesty The Queen of Pearl,

From the office of Lord Graystone for 
His Radiance of The Archdioceses of the Kingdoms of the Sun and His Voice in creation
Friend to all peaceful citizens of the Indigo Archipelago 

I write to you pleasantly on account of Her Grace The Lady Oscina to inform you of her wish to hold concert when creation’s moon 
next resembles a pearl almost completely formed.  We can only request the pleasure of Her presence to feast on both sound and 
substance in our humble court and I personally hope that our meeting will be inspirational.  Let it be known to Her Majesty that the 
engagement is held in Her honor and that Her Majesty and Her accoutrements are cordially gifted to invite an audience of five 
pairings and their livery to attend her party to this spectacle of delight that Lady and Lord Graystone most graciously host on 
their lands, the Valley Shrine of Tsuinsanjo.  We esteem Her council and wisdom in discussion following the event and eagerly await 
news of Her arrival.

Upon reaching our city of Breakwater, a naval entourage will accompany Her Majesty for Her and Her guests’ further safety throughout 
our waters.

May our path shine bright before us and our enlightened thoughts spread throughout creation and the wyld.


The Voice of the Sun

After trashing a few more of such letters, Togire finally settled on what he considered to be the best wording he could come up with and went about instructing its deliverance to the nation of Pearl in his most expedient fashion. First, Togire spent a similar amount of time crafting a letter more appropriate towards Lord Breakwater and his wife to go along with the other on a messenger bird towards Breakwater. Then, Togire whipped up small folded parchments of enlaced fine silver, of which he knew was to be one of two colors for the event. The silver matched Oscina’s affinity and was a nicer version of grey, while pearl would beautify the neighboring nation and the symbolic union these meetings represented. Togire then fashioned eleven small invitations out of the parchment, folded so that embroidered pattern faced the outside with space in the middle left for rather lengthy names and personal invitations to the event written on each face of the inside, 2 per parchment, one parchment per couple. He then carefully perforated the folded crease of the parchments to allow for separation, if it were needed that couples could not attend. Finally, Togire went to work on the instructions for Lord Breakwater before he sent the birds with the rolled scroll of documents. Within such, Togire explained that five invitations were for he and his wife’s choosing from those within the court of breakwater, while the other five were to be sent along with the main letter written on heavy and strong but inexpensive parchment to Pearl on one of his ships. He also wrote that the eleventh silver parchment invitation was added in case one of the set went missing en route to him. Togire then wrote briefly about his plans to meet the queen and her entourage either in Breakwater or Spurok on his ability and for Lord Breakwater to voyage with the Pearl ships to make sure they kept out of trouble and to keep them “safe”, but to remember that they are guests to our lands.

The next morning, after some convincing over breakfast with Lord Graystone, Togire agreed it best that he also invite at least Lord Antar and his wife and the other Lords and Ladies as well, but included that he understood if they could not make it because of business, feeling that it gave them an out in case they did not wish to hold court with fairfolk.

Togire's Musings

Sheevawn Lockheart and Togire were still getting used to each other. Togire had put a lot of initiatives in motion in a short amount of time and was starting to hear back from the first of these. The queen of Pearl had accepted an invitation to Graystone's court, the refugees from the blackfleet isle were well on their way to finding a nitch in Solar society, the village and factory for crafters to build a trade network had been completed ahead of schedule, and Lord Breakwater had been more than happy to accept Togire's manufactured silver as payment rather than iron. However, his discussions with Sheevawn on how to speak with the spirits of the area and form a scouting operation against ships not from the archipelago was not going well. She seemed to hold a completely different view as to why spirits and elementals existed. It wasn't the same contempt as Magnus had shown, yes, more of an ownership than enmity. However, it left Togire brooding because she didn't seem to think about things from his point of view at all. To Togire, spirits were put in Creation on orders of the Unconquered Sun to help organize and progress Creation in each of their positions. Just as human beings were born with a purpose, or destiny, in life, so did their entire lives embody such obligations. As such, when dealing with spirits on matters not intwined with their goals in life, it seemed only natural to offer them an exchange of services for what was desired of the spirit. Certainly, while they should be happy to help out the Solar Exalted, order makers and upholders of the Unconquered Sun, to do so would stretch them short of their own orders, and helping them in return could only help Creation as was their purpose. Why then Sheevawn thought it necessary to bind them to her will or refuse to help them seemed solely selfish to Togire. If what you asked of them was so against their nature that it would require you to enslave them, then certainly other spirits existed that would work better for the situation. And if, two spirits who would normally help now refuses because of the others intentions, then such lack of hierarchy and civilty between the spirit courts was the Eclipse's job to ferret out and alleviate the situation. If the water courts and air courts refused to work together, Togire thought Sheevawn should be conversing with them and bringing them to make amends rather than binding them to her tasks. Still, Togire was very hopeful that whoever she talked to eventually would wish to discuss these matters with him personally and he could get down to the business of weaving a network of spirit eyes and ears to alert them when danger arose.

In the meantime, Togire was astonished to find out that their biggest threat to the island, the bone dragon named Storm's Grave, was so easily thwarted, and that their tender relations with the island of Pearl presented its assured destruction so close within reach. Certainly the queen had some ideas of what she would get out of the bargain for destroying the creature in one fell swoop. However, Togire's mind was focused more on the implications such information would have on Ebon and the rest of the council. Did that mean the island would immediately head back to war against the island of the black fleet? Would Ebon rather write up terms for the island, or deal directly with the dragon itself to form a doublecross. What would be the best move and what would be Ebon's? What would be the best for the refugees versus the islanders of creation? If the dragon was destroyed without taking the black fleet, Togire felt assured that the ensuing battles would be long drawn out and losses would be had on both sides. However, if the dragon's destruction in mid-battle led to the admiral's demise, perhaps the rest of the island would be easily conquered or they would surrender. In the meantime, using the dragon against the admiral seemed the most tricky, but the most off handed. None of Ebon's men would be in danger. Still, Togire felt that discussing the issue, first with the council, and then with the Lady of the black fleet herself, while narrowing their choices of surprise attacks, felt the more honorable solution. Togire couldn't wait till they reached Graystone now, so the others could hear the news from the queen of Pearl herself and Togire could then let on to the queen that he knew more of the implications of what her information held.

The Party's Aftermath

On the night of the 13th, before the full moon, the Lord Graystone's evening event went off without a hitch and he was very pleased. Restless from the day's events, and momentarily weary of his current preoccupation with some of the fine young female citizens of his city, he decided to take a stroll among the grassy hills of Tsuinsanjo and donning the hood of his winter robes, he escaped into the twinkling meshwork of torches and campfires spread amid the tents. Many people were still out and about reveling from the party and happily waved to their host as he walked by the fairfolk sections of the temporary encampment, and rounding a corner with his guards Lord Graystone took note of a different light than the warm dim glow of the fires around him. Up above his small party, back towards the top of the nearest of the two peaks of Tsuinsanjo, a light brighter than night should allow was reflecting off the windows of the 3rd and 4th stories of the concert hall where everyone had left Oscina and the other performers after the last encore.

After quick thought of his current guests and their deviousness, Lord Graystone worried that the night had gone too perfectly, and he told his men, "Round up a talon equipped with iron. We may be hospitable towards Lord Togire's guests, but if they're up to mischief, they're guests no more." And after a quick pause, 25 armed soldiers were following Lord Graystone back up the mountain to solve the mystery of the unknown light source and put to sword any fairfolk out of place. "It may be that bandit and his group again men. Stay alert, Lord Togire said that they had left, but probably only to get reinforcements."

Once they had reached the top, Lord Graystone's men quickly spanned out and searched the area. The five men posted at the doors of the concert hall were missing and there didn't seem to be any signs of scuffle. Near the back of the building, a large group of boxes had been gathered in a short amount of time. Finding no one of interest but still seeing the reflections in the 3rd and 4th floor windows, they quickly entered the main hall and divided into two groups heading up the east and west staircases as quietly as possible. On the 2nd floor, really just a six foot balcony stretching around the perimeter of the hall used for stage equipment and other foodstuffs stored for the party, Lord Graystone came across Oscina and his five missing guards. They were moving boxes back downstairs and outside now that the party was over, and once they caught a glimpse of their now reddening lord, they quickly stopped what they were doing and came to attention. "Why are these men helping you Lady Oscina, when you have plenty of performers from the local theaters to do this work?"

Oscina tried her best to play nice and explain herself. "The performers have been working all night, and some continue to do so down at the camp. They deserve a rest. I just thought that since your men weren't doing anything, they could help me pack up the place so that it was ready for tomorrow's meal for the refugees staying here on the other side of the mountain."

Lord Graystone rarely lost his cool, and so where others of his station would have incredulously demanded attention or respect, he just informed Oscina of the grave mistake she had made. "My lady, these men were posted outside for your protection, and without them there, no one was around to notice the disturbance happening above us this very moment. Did you not notice the lights on the 3rd and 4th floors?" At this Oscina looked up a bit worried.

"Is there someone up there now?" Oscina asked.

Lord Graystone then whispered, "It is just my intuition, but I expect that bandit has come back to steal more of our possessions as we revel into the night. We should go up and check that none of your items have already been carried away." And with that, the entire party including Oscina made swift but quiet haste to the next floor above. The stairs on the third floor opened up to a way larger and expansive balcony that was made to accommodate more guests to watch the center stage. All the rows were empty and cluttered with food and silverware, and on the staircase across the open expanse leading to the 4th floor was a lone worker sweeping the wooden steps making his way halfway down the first set of risers. The 4th floor above was much like the second, very shallow and hugging the walls of the hall so that both the 3rd and 4th floor windows could be seen from this vantage, and the entire ceiling, closed at night, was bathed in the bright light shining in from the far windows so that it seemed morning was just upon them as the sun rose from the east. They had seemed to find what they were looking for, but had not yet found the source of the light, and a few guards went around the oculist in the middle of the room along the first row of seats to speak with the confused janitor on the steps.

In the meantime, Oscina and Lord Graystone made their way up the rows towards the exterior wall and peered out the ovular windows letting in the light. Down below them they could make out the temple plinth and reflecting pools shining forth from the middle of the forest below and the columns etched out in darkness stretching their shadows into the forest mingling with the tall trees contained the light along the sinuous line of the two rivers that poured down from the mountains to feed the pools. It was a bizarre site for the both of them, and Graystone blinked several times trying to make out the scene and as his eyes did their best to describe the figure they saw sitting within the central dais. The material boundaries of the place could no longer be defined, rather only the forms of light could be conceptualized as the light radiated from the central figure penetrating the forest like needle points and developing a long cut through the black canvas out of the river basin. Both tree and temple alike meddled into a continuous array of black shadows fraying out from the center and the pools of water reflected so brightly that they looked as light itself rather than holding a weight of their own. Oscina spoke first, "Well that's a relief. It's only Togire, meditating at his pools. May I have your men back now so that I can finish my work here before the sun does come up?"

Lord Graystone still watched the sight in fascination. "Does he always do this? Maybe you should go talk to him. I thought the Solar Lords only glowed when in battle."

Oscina hesitated. "Well, perhaps I should go down and take a look."

"Alright, well I am going to take my men back down to the camp. If you wish to take these five to protect you while going down the mountain, I would rest easier knowing you were protected."

Realizing how concerned Lord Graystone had been considering her close proximity to her previous captors, Oscina looked away abashedly. "Anyway, thank you for your consideration. I am glad you came up here just in case. Um, I think I'll be flying down there anyway, and your men probably should keep guarding the hall as well. The night isn't over yet."

Meanwhile, down at the pools, Togire was brooding. The night had gone horribly in his opinion and he had not held control of the situation nearly as well as he expected of himself. He had tried to praise the Unconquered Sun to get his mind off of things, however it kept going back to recall the pettiness and selfish actions he had seen tonight. First Oscina had deliberately tried to goad the Queen of Pearl with her opening song, pleading out for freedom from the manufactured cage. It did not help that Togire was a bit jealous that one of Lord Breakwater's men had leaped onto the stage to free her, and that she had played out the previous events by kissing the man just like she had Magnus. It certainly did not help that Togire's jealousy was so deep seeded and maligned from his usual more holy thoughts that his inner nature refused to even acknowledge its presence. To top that off, the Five Kingdom's Bandit stole his map even though he had noticed and in a fluke of ironic events, stashed the ruined copy into the very cage Oscina had escaped from on stage. To think that both of these people could not behave themselves and resist their inner natures to rise above their mortal desires irked a part of Togire's higher essence in ways he himself did not yet fully understand. However, at his current state of mind, refusing to curb back his own thoughts, he full heartedly agreed with his older self that they had disgraced themselves and their host here at Tsuinsanjo, so reverent a place. However, repeating his mantras out loud in his head, and mimicking the Unconquered Sun's voice as best he could, he eventually could put aside the thoughts and misdeeds of others and reflect on himself instead.

Rationalized Temptations

Many nights had past since Magnus's death on the docks of Isulgath before Lord Ebon could retrieve the late King's remains from Skullstone and exchange them to give Magnus a proper funeral. Togire had opened the pine casket the fairfolk had given them and checked the body himself to make sure it was legitimate. Within the casket laid a shell of a powerful Exalted, slightly more pale than he was in life, so that Togire thought he looked to be only resting in the shadows of the large wooden box. Magnus's body had already been wrapped and taken care of, his arms tied neatly to his shield, laying crisscross on his chest and his legs woven in extra bandages in a reasonable facsimile of boots. The rest of Magnus's possessions lay scattered neatly on small shelves that were built within the sides of the casket out of driftwood. Togire could see that the smallest detail was not forgotten, as even Magnus's small gemstone and diary lay at his side, near the headboard. Togire picked these up and felt the weight of them reminding him of his loss. Magnus had fallen in battle away from his fellows and this was the first time everyone had laid eyes on what was left. Much of Magnus's body had been damaged in torn in battle, and many small epoxy additions were helping to create the vision of wholeness portrayed on his plasticine smile. After checking the small items to the best of his ability, Togire then carefully lifted the glowing shield bearing Magnus's insignia away from the body and untied Magnus's arms to rest upon his torso. The shield itself bore the finely engraved intricacies of Creation born orichalcum crafted into the small whirring mechanisms of a magitech artifact. To examine the body itself, Togire pulled up from his own reserves a great tide of Essence to bathe the body in Creation, making sure that this was no fairfolk ploy. Then, he heaved the shield back in place and picked the diary back up, hesitating a moment before placing it back in its resting place. Perhaps the diary and stone should not go to Skullstone. Togire had already confirmed to himself that he would consecrate the remains before they could be put into the hands of the necromancers there. He knew without using his social charms that it would be a rebuking offense to burn the body and give Skullstone the ashes, but customs be damned. He was not going to let his friend be turned into one of those walking semblances of former life, no matter what Magnus thought of the matter. He also didn't care if Ebon thought it would provoke animosity between their fledgling nation and Skullstone. The Unconquered Sun would not have charged him with this power to send the fallen to their next incarnation had he not meant him to use it. Still, whatever secrets may lay in the diary itself were Magnus's own and Togire urged his fingers to stop fingering the pages on the edge and place the book back down. On the other hand, the gemstone was a different matter entirely. Togire had seen first hand how the item had helped Magnus craft wonderful artifacts with amazing speed and surely Magnus would wish that Togire use the gemstone in his stead to help build their nation into a fine civilization. So, when Togire finally shut the remains of Magnus back into the sarcophagus and resealed the lid, Magnus's gem remained in Togire's pocket.

Greedy Followers

Midnight was always the best time for these types of meetings. At least Shoreline thought so. He had spent most of the evening gathering the meeting's members as discreetly but quickly as possible, because he was sure there would be more competitors than his crew if he waited any longer. A day ago, Admiral Ebon and his friend had brought aboard a very strange cargo and many of the new crew wished to stay as far away from it as possible. Within the large pine box, it was rumored, was another corpse, this one a fallen of the chosen of the sun, another like the admiral, but obviously not as skilled.

Shoreline respected the admiral. Ebon had caught him a few weeks back trying to lift a small change purse from one of his men in the markets of Irontooth and rather than turning him in, the pirate let him keep it as long as he promised loyalty to the crew. "There is always more where that came from lad, but why don't you steal directly from the source from now on." A few days later, while on voyage, Shoreline was up to his old tricks again. Old habits die hard of course. This time, he waited until the Admiral was sleeping after a long day's voyage, and stole into the lower quarters after garbing himself with some gray trousers and a large gray scarf. On board the admiral's ship there were four types of crew, the admiral's personal men, who came with him from the East, citizens who showed marginal talent from the scattering of villages on the island who were "persuaded" to join Ebon's cause, criminals like Shoreline himself, and the refugees of the Island of the Black Fleet. The first three all stayed in the upper quarters. The citizenry stuck to themselves and huddled in together trying to protect their little belongings from what looked like a ship full of pirates. Meanwhile, the admiral's men made up excuses to spread themselves throughout the lot and guide the new recruits into the admiral's image. "That bunk smells less, it's mine," they would say, and in such a way they would make sure the citizens realized they could only get what they could take, while they kept professionals like Shoreline handicapped enough to even everything out.

This was why Shoreline had come up with the bright idea to sneak into the lower quarters disguised as a refugee. Everything would go without a hitch and while the refugees came on board with nothing, they had been slowly accumulating their fair share on board with each fairfolk raid. Shoreline had never expected Ebon to have planned the entire encounter. It was a test for both sides, much like the mock battles Ebon ran when they were docked at port. Shoreline had gone back to his bunk with his two cronies, a petty thief he knew back in Irontooth, and his cousin from a village over who had been caught with the village chief's wife, with a small stash of baubles and iron ingots and shavings. When sitting around in the hammocks counting their loot, a large white hand suddenly appeared over his friend's mouth right before the lantern was knocked out. It was all Shoreline could do to dive under a bunk with the loot he had in hand and ready himself to make a break for it. However, as quick as it had started, the commotion died down as the lantern was relit and placed back on top a nearby table. A man called Little Wave then helped up his two friends and sheepishly apologized for stumbling into the lantern. This man was Ebon's, and from under his cot, Shoreline noticed five or six of the same now ushering four refugees back towards the main door to the lower quarters. "Now you know these cots are ours. If you've got money or you've got gut, you can challenge me for mine and I may consider. Otherwise, back down to the lower deck with the bunch of you." Shoreline had lost most of what he had gained and couldn't do anything about it at that time, but he was learning, and he knew there would be time to get back at these men and the refugees and gain further favor with the admiral, maybe even replace that Little Wave character.

His chance finally arrived yesterday. The others were a bit concerned but he knew he could persuade them. There were six with him tonight, including the two from before. "Trust me, all we have to do is not get caught."

A big fellow, everyone called Spits interrupted, "Psh, you always get caught. The admiral notices everything." There were a few nods around the circle.

"I'm not talking about the admiral dimwit. Look, we all know his game by now. He's testing us. He wants to see which of us is best and then he has those train the others. At worst one of his men leads a counterstrike and that's that, we get to keep whatever we can keep."

"Nah man, you're talking crazy here. It's one thing stealing from fellow crew members, but none of us have tried to push around Ebon's personal guard. That one kid from Graystone challenged Whoosh and now he's bedridden for months."

"I agree." This was the other cousin, the one who had been pulled to the floor from behind by the pale hand of the refugees. "Let's get out of here Three sails, this isn't worth it."

"Shhhhh, Wait!" Shoreline hissed. I've someone who can convince you, and with that he stepped aside to let in the seventh man on his crew. As the newcomer stepped into the light, everyone noticed he was the surviving member of the twins that were always next to Ebon. His brother had not made it back this last mission. Rather than introducing himself, he took notice that everyone realized who he was and began. "The rumors you've heard and spread amongst yourselves are correct." He paused to let such a vague sentence sink in and do its work. "The admiral thinks your goals are commendable and you'll need help. That's where I come in." Some of the men looked confused, but he kept speaking. "That fool, Togire, and Magnus got too many of us killed back at Skull Island. They don't know what they're doing and just because they're special doesn't mean they get special treatment." The cousins sat back down and he joined them as well.

"Like I was saying, the admiral approves of this type of thing because it makes us stronger, and besides, the self proclaimed priest stole from the dead. Yesterday I personally saw him pocket a egg sized gem that he pried off of that large golden shield before he put it back and I'm one hundred percent certain the admiral didn't stop him just so he would learn what it means to take what is theirs but keep what is yours. It's time to show Togire that if he wants to be like us, he'll have to play by our rules."

The youngest of the group then piped up. "How big is the gem again?" Her eyes were wide and he could no longer hold his curiosity at bay. Shoreline knew he had convinced them. The girl was integral to the plan because he would fit through the porthole outside Togire's quarters while the others distracted the guards at his door. Those on deck had already been paid off, however the two men that served to guard Togire personally had befriended him as well, and Shoreline knew better than to try and corrupt them. One of them was Little Wave himself. However, all they needed was to interrupt his watch long enough for the boy to then sneak out the door and down the hall. Shoreline held up his hand in a fist and waved it slowly at the lad. "It is agreed then. The cousins will lower Sharkbait while Ebon's man convinces the guards to follow him and leave their post. You'll tell them that I started a fight with two guys from Graystone over a stones game and there is about to be bloodshed."

A few hours later Shoreline was smiling as he left Little Wave's presence and rounded the corner towards Togire's quarters. He was sporting a black eye, but it was worth it. Passing Togire's door he noticed the little scoundrel had forgotten to fully close the door, so he lightly shut it tight and went on to the latrines where he was to meet with the Sharkbait. But before he could push the door open, it swung out from the other side, and before him stood Admiral Ebon zipping up his fly. "Good morning Shoreline, how are you today?"

Shoreline was beside himself and could not figure out what to say, so he simply stammered, "yyou.. you're um, I mean up, you're up early sir."

"Salute Shoreline, it's always polite to salute your superiors, don't you think.?" The admiral filled the doorway as much as the previous barrier did. However he showed no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Shoreline quickly saluted with all his might. "Admiral, um... if you don't mind, I believe I need to go."

"Well on your way then..." Ebon stated. "NO... um I mean, to the latrines. I've been holding it all night."

"Oh.. I see! Of course, why would you be here standing next to the latrines for any other reason if you weren't on your way to use them. And here I've already made my business and yet have not nearly parted. A pardon for me Shoreline, I should have guessed."

"Um Admiral?" Shoreline gestured inward. The admiral had still not left the portal.

Ebon then let out a great sigh, "yes yes, that should do it. At your leave then, Shoreline," and Ebon then paced back from whence Shoreline came. Rushing into the latrines, shoreline then checked the 3rd stall on his left, and then all of the stalls, but to no avail. He didn't see Sharkbait anywhere. Where could that girl have gone off too? Shoreline didn't know what to do then, so he decided to make his way up deck and find his crew members up there to ask them what happened. But when he got there, Togire and the Admiral, Sharkbait and his crew, and Little Wave were already there.

Little Wave was addressing the solars. "...found her snooping around near Togire's quarters. I'm sure he was in there because the door was left open when I went back."

Of the nine seas, Shoreline thought, he knew he had shut that door when he passed it. What was Little Wave up too? The admiral then adressed Togire, "Did you find anything missing when you awoke this morning Togire?"

Togire started to fiddle with his pockets and think about it, "I don't think... no.. wait" Alarm grew on his face as quickly as his complexion changed. "The gemstone, it's gone!"

"What gem is this Togire?" Admiral Ebon asked.

Togire was flabbergasted, "You know what gem, what other gemstone have we come across from a manse recently?? Magnus's gemstone is gone."

The admiral looked enraged, and turned on the child. "You will tell me who you gave that gemstone to if you value your skin more than I value my sails." No man would be able to withstand such forewarning held within Ebon's stance and glare. And yet Sharkbait stood before the Admiral with a will that possessed him beyond his own and screamed out, "you'll never get me to squeel Admiral. I'm made of tougher stuff."

The admiral then stood back, to Togire's shock and bewilderment, "We shall see... Little Wave, take this child to Ears and have him show her the treatment. She'll crack then."

Little Wave then hauled the screaming girl out of view and Admiral Ebon left Togire still gaping and walked over towards Shoreline to get to the bridge. "Oh, Shoreline, nice to see you again, great shiner you've got there. You should get that looked at, the twin gives a mean right hook."

And at that moment Shoreline knew the girl would never tell him or anyone else who she gave the gemstone to. She'd never even be tortured, never even make it to Ears, though he nor anyone else would be able to prove any less. At that moment Shoreline knew that his Admiral now possessed the gemstone, and at that moment Shoreline was the Admiral's man forever.

Back in Togire's quarters Ebon flipped the gemstone back over to Togire. "Next time don't let anyone see you've got it."

"Sure sure," Togire looked chagrined, "I hope this was worth it to you."

"Oh, I'm sure it will be, that thief took some hard convincing but he'll be worth it, you'll see. He may even save your butt one day Togire."

Togire sighed and laughed, "you're probably right."

"So when are you going to get that thing up and running so we can find the manse it belongs to?" Ebon asked.

"Oh very soon, I promise, and I'm sure there will be treasures beyond your imagining at Magnus's manse."

"There better be... I can imagine a whole hell of a lot. And make it quick, next time I might just keep it." Ebon winked and as he walked out the door, almost shut it behind him.

Oarman shunts his name, Togire

Oarman lay in a small bed made out of feathers spun from the wyld with his knees dangling off the side and his elbows pressed into a lumpy makeshift pillow allowing himself to stare just over the window frame out into the refugee village near Spurok. It was dark there and many of the families had already shut their doors and windows for the evening. Over the last few days, he had been very busy making the new materials for the Ox crews to extend the rails to Irontooth. Speaking with the refugees had been pleasing of late. Now that the Iron Ox was running, many of the workers would spend some of their earnings to make the trip home more regularly and see their broods. The people were gaining their health from a strong food supply, honest labor, and the sun glowing down their backs all day long. Oarman had talked to them, and they were always grateful and courteous, a hard working and dependable folk. However, Oarman knew that amongst them were those lost souls still confused and deceived into supporting the Fair Folk of their homelands, conspirators like those who allowed Oscina to be captured, who would love to destroy what he was trying to create here for the rest of the refugees. He could not yet ferret them out, but he knew he must if he were to succeed.

In the meantime, Oarman had begun fiddling with the earplugs given to him by Indigotic Resin. They kept growing as the days went by and so he had to trim them periodically. Even so, many times during the day when he found himself not busy enough to forget their presence, their roots tickled the insides of his ears in a very annoying fashion. Constantly, Oarman thought about his reunion with Oscina and played out her rescue in his head over and over again in a myriad of small romantic ways. He had been very upset when he learned of her capture, and afraid for her life. Now however, he had resolved himself to saving her. He would fly in with Admiral Ebon's army and sieze the capitol city once more. While engaged in battle, Ebon would send Oarman and Shepherd to the burial pit and confront the queen of the Black Fleet personally for Oscina's honor. Shepherd would make quick work of any obstacles she had protecting her there, but fall back from the queen's own fury. Then, Oarman himself would stand forth and challenge the queen to battle. Then, at some point in the midst of fighting, Oarman would allow himself to be duped, requiring Oscina to scream out in his defense. Oarman, hearing Oscina's warning, would then turn to deflect an otherwise crippling blow, grabbing Queen Isulgath's thrusting arm and twisting it behind her back and shoving her to the ground. "For the injustice I have born because of your deeds and your crimes against Creation, and for the atrocities you have committed to my love and the utter lack of remorse or regard towards your actions or my sympathy towards your plight, I have judged you in need of exterior guidance. You will see the light forcibly by my hands if you can not be persuaded by my words alone. Accept your new path for it is the only one presented to you, or this last moment will be your final chapter." Once Togire destroyed the queen in a brilliant flash of golden light, Togire would leap down from the blood soaked platuea and swoop Oscina into his arms.

Looking into Oarman's eyes, Oscina would surely wonder in awe, "Togire, what just happened? How did you save me?"

And his reply, "Call me Togire Oarman no more, I am your loving Righteous Guide, and I will lead you to safety," Oarman would seal her love for him and his mind's image playing out the rescue scene by scene, while other acts or locations would change frequently as he replayed the epic, the last moment always ended with a kiss.

Black fleet battle in the harbor

The battle had just begun and things were already going awry for Oarman and his friends. Oarman replayed Ebon's instructions in his head. They were to lure the enemy out by destroying their harbor and fleet. Without a way to attack the armada, Admiral Driftcorpse would only have one option, to send out the large bone dragon against them. Then, retreating, Ebon's fleet was supposed to guard the Queen of Pearl's ship while she personally destroyed the dragon's heart thereby rendering him moot. Instead, after two ships mysteriously sunk from under water, Ebon personally jumped in to handle the situation, leaving Togire with the reins.

Oarman had to act fast. Obviously the Black Fleet had gathered friends or acquired some new weapon and Ebon's ships were out in the deep water sitting like a floating duck. In the meantime, Sheevawn was chomping at the bit to engage the Fair Folk head on. Maybe that was a good idea. Oarman thought they'd only lose more ships out in the sea. So, he turned to search for Ears and tell him that he was in charge and to take the armada in.

Taking the harbor was easy, after all the catapult shots had demolished any opposition in the area. However once they landed, the Black Fleet then decided to send out Storm's Grave. The men had all disembarked and surrounded the market area so they could still provide the Queen cover. No biggie, same as Ebon's plan before, just on land. It only took minutes for the Queen to do her work, and with minimal casualties, the big beast fell from the sky as a hail of bones and sinew. Many of the men took cover in the nearby shop buildings. Sheevawn was destroying Fair Folk left and right with her elementals. All and all, everything was going well even without Ebon.

Ok, what next, remember Ebon's plan. Once Pearl did their job, if the dragon was gone Oarman was supposed to go with Shepherd and find Oscina. Who was then to handle the rest of the Fair Folk in the city? That's right, Ebon said "I'll handle it." But Ebon was no longer here. Oarman didn't think he should let the mortals try to take the city on their own. Maybe that new female Solar knew something about Ebon's disappearance. Maybe she could lead the army... Oarman knew he couldn't. Was it a sign from the Unconquered Sun that she was here? She did arrive as a blazing golden light from the sky. Did the Unconquered Sun know Ebon would become lost in battle? Perhaps she could go find Ebon before it was too late. He probably handled whatever large fish was in the water but was now swimming back to shore. By the time he got there, Oarman would have lost Ebon's entire army. That was no good.

Alright... time for plan B. Togire will follow Sheevawn and the new Solar into battle directly against Admiral Driftcorpse and capture Queen Isulgath. Afterwards, he can demand that they surrender and call off their sea monster if Ebon isn't back. Oscina would just have to wait a while because his circle needed him more.

Obituary of Lord Ebon Surf Chaser

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our acting Aurelian Minister, and my dear friend, Admiral Ebon Surf Chaser, who died gloriously in battle on seas far beyond our own borders securing our right to live, pure and simple. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in mourning our beloved protector and exalted leader. As all Children of Dawn, Ebon served us until death, fending off enemies of Creation itself, the dreaded Lintha pirates who had destroyed his previous home and family and seek to pillage the great nations of the West as he has on our home soil here in Antar against the dragon of bone, Storm’s Grave, and the Black Fleet, or in Graystone defeating the walking dead and destroying it’s mechanized monstrosity before it attacked the city. As a man, the Admiral loved his people constantly meeting the challenges and needs our budding kingdoms require, protecting and saving humanity with a veracity well known to those of us who have lost loved ones to the villainous fairfolk raiders such as the conquered Isle of Chains, who committed vile acts of slavery on our people, or the fallen Five Kingdom’s Bandit who pillaged our villages and plundered our cities. Through Ebon’s might, peace treaties have been formed with the Blue Turtle Navy, next strongest naval presence in these waters, and the Fairfolk and people of Pearl. However, Admiral Ebon Surf Chaser was not just a man, for he lead through example and for that was gifted by the Unconquered Sun himself, to be exalted above his fellow men and serve a greater cause. Lord Ebon, Child of Dawn, a man reborn to carry the weight of creation, lead every charge on the battlefield, carried his own men to safety, refused to accept injustice, and did not cower in front of more powerful foes. Lord Ebon, the exalted, fought for humanity and for honor and for justice for all. Lord Ebon fought to allow us to create a better world, a more civilized world where our enemies have been vanquished and our endeavors are peaceful. Lord Ebon fought so that you family could be here today and so that our businesses could thrive and our nation could stand. Yes, I mourn for my friend, whom I will not see again, but the need he filled in creation has not be satisfied, and the ideals he represented have not fallen with him. They have both moved on to his new reincarnation, one of his own soldiers who was with him at the end, and struggled to carry his fallen commander back from the enemy’s grasp. His name is Ky Aria, a person of the air, and I, Togire Oarman Mouth of the Sun, and as eldest exalted member of this nation, acting Aurelian Minister, will introduce him to each of the cities in the coming week (Conrad: to follow this announcement, a schedule of times and dates of public meetings and gatherings and private/semi public meetings with officials and merchants will be posted to the representative parties involved at all civic buildings, temples, castles, and the iron ox stations). Please come out to the celebrations and welcome Lord Ky Aria reborn, Child of Dawn and reincarnation of Lord Ebon Surf Chaser.

Anto's news

A lot has changed for Anto since the months he spent at the capital training under the Aurelean Minister himself in the ways of enlightenment. Anto had been the most recent in a long line of prestigious tutors for the royal families of Antar. He and his three sisters and two cousins were trained by their grandparents themselves, who had retired from their duties into relative luxury for people of their status. Their family had risen as far as commoners could. At that time though, his own skills had been weaker than his kin, a fact that caused him must grief and jealousy and stopped him from garnering the more austere positions in court for the higher nobles' children. Four months ago, he would fall asleep praying to the Unconquered Sun and the Maiden of Serenity for Lady Antar to come with child so that his sister Tifia would rise to personal caregiver of the next Lord Antar and he could finally come into his own, taking over some of his sister's duties. That was before the proclamation. When the Aurelean Minister arrived in Antar to introduce Lord Ky Aria and Lord Shepherd along with their duties he had also sent out new directives for the city that would change the nature of the island forever. Much controversy and gossip was raised among the noble families, filtered back through his cousin's discussions at the dinner table of what they had heard. Some were refusing outright to change, feeling that many of the new initiatives for the commoner would destroy the nobles' legitimacy. Others waited for Lord Antar to make his move. However, Anto had decided to heed the Aurelean Ministers' call for education, to gather the money it would cost to ride the iron ox to Irontooth and the rest would be provided to him, to train under the Aurelean Minister himself. He knew that the proclamation had called for people from the crafting and fishing trades, and from those not as well off as his family. So, he didn't tell anyone of his last name, claiming he had none, and sent his form and money to the iron ox station for his application to a ticket, reason: education at Irontooth from the Aurelean Minister. At dinner, when he had told his elders of his decision, they did not even refuse his desire. His second sister and own parents chided him and laughed in his face. They had information that over one thousand people had applied for passage to train with the Aurelean Minister, and had convinced his grandparents that he stood no chance of even being picked. The discussion had ended there. For that reason alone, he was able to go, for when his ticket arrived at his home, it was for that evening or the next morning's trip, and there was no delay. People who didn't show for the iron ox would be left behind. He was lucky enough to be the first to encounter the post that morning, and so hid the news from his parents. And later, they were surprised to learn that he was one of the hundreds that had accepted the call and been given position on the iron ox to show up in Irontooth for training.

Now it was four months later and the family had received written word from their youngest all the way from Spurok. In fact they had received three letters, one in each of the three languages of Antar.

My beloved family,

It is with tears in my eyes that I write to you today of the mere beginnings of the greatest adventure of my life. I am sure you have many questions for me considering my very own sister and our personal guards were refused entry three months ago when she came to escort me back to our homestead in Antar. Please understand that it was for the best, and that I am healthy and well. In fact I have not felt better in my entire life. I have new meaning in my life, and have entwined myself with the Minister's desires, which have led me to teaching children in the military schools of Sporok in literature, arithmetic, and poetry. Imagine, the brutes of Spurok trying to repeat the poetry of Lord Antar himself. For that reason it will be many seasons until I can return for good to our home in Antar. But it is not my leave of your company that causes me to well up with emotions today, for the tears that roll off my cheek today are of my joyous engagement to a captain in the 2nd division of Spurok's rapid deployment island protection army. Her name is Aura, and she too has devoted her life and skills to Lord Togire's cause. Papa, I beg your forgiveness in this matter. I know it is not custom for me to have asked for her hand in marriage without your approval, but Lord Togire has approved of the union himself and will be presiding over our wedding next fall. Mother, I will be returning home in two days in the iron ox. I bring with me gifts from across the island for my cousins, so gather the entire family. Also, I bring with me my soon to be wife and her parents, who approve of me and can't wait to meet you. Aura is an amazing woman, more intelligent than me and with a gift of heart that give meaning to my work. How I thought I could write poetry before without her. Please give the other notes to grandfather and grandmother. I know they refuse to read anything in Seatongue or Old Realm anymore. I look forward to seeing you again.

Always your beloved,

Anto

The people who received training were trained 2 dots in charisma, 2 dots in intelligence, 1 dot in perception, 3 dots in performance, 2 dots in socialize, 3 dots in lore, 1 dot in craft earth, 1 dot in conviction, 2 dots in craft air, and 2 dots in craft fire

The family sat silent as Grandfather Anto read allowed the letter in Antar's secret tongue. The cousins were whispering to eachother. "Since when did he learn to write so well." But the silence was broken by Anto's mother, crying out in shock for her new boy.

bribe

Lord Breakwater was still marveling about the speed it took the iron oxen to take him from one side of the island to the other. He stood in the harbor of a bulging Irontooth traveling all the way from his home city to the capital in just one day. The city had changed since he had last visited. The new Aurelean Minister, Lord Togire, had converted it to a training camp on steroids. Lord Breakwater had to wait thirty minutes for a carriage to weave its way through the throngs of populace from the castle to the docks. While waiting he admired the industrious young men and women loading the iron ox for its next destination from a fishery his guards had secured for him just a few steps away from the main industrial cross section between the ox station and the harbor. He had been informed that the other lords were already at the palace having answered Togire's summons and were waiting to start until he arrived.

The palace itself had changed as well. None of the old markings shown from previous fairfolk battles that had besieged the city and the palace seemed to had grown outwards towards the harbor. A full section of wall had been removed from the palace balustrade and had been replaced with a gate so large as to defy imagining what could fill up such a hole. From the gate, large tracks lay in the cobblestone stretching towards the harbor and disappearing into some old buildings near the market. Those buildings were already ruins however, as it looked as if men were deconstructing them rather than building them, and more people were uncovering the tracks and relaying the cobblestones around them. Within the walls, a great maw opened up on the side of a hitherto covered up portion of the castle from which large sparks and a great conflagration of noise echoed out across the city. When he arrived he was welcomed by a full force of escorts, soldiers, and servants of all the colors of the kingdoms.

Within the consulate Lord Breakwater joined the other Lords in hearing Togire's news. He had much to say about the new kingdom he was putting together. That was the first thing Lord Breakwater noticed. Lord Togire kept slipping into using the word kingdom as a singular noun to describe the city states whenever he spoke of the future. Sure, he was nice and polite when talking to each lord directly or speaking of the current state of affairs, but he seemed he couldn't help himself when telling them how their kingdoms would evolve. The thing is, Lord Breakwater couldn't help but agree with what Togire suggested. He liked dreaming of Lord Togire's future civilization, where every person lived a better life than he himself did now, where his nation reconnected to the rest of creation, and where he could trust his sons and daughters would leave peacefully and happily in the future. He looked forward to sending his own children to the new schools Lord Togire was setting up, and he relished at the thought of the Breakwater flags being sailed all across creation. Until then, if Lord Togire needed work to be done, his people were ready to help.

Sea Voyage

Togire was glad they were finally leaving the Kingdoms of the Sun to secure alliances and defenses for their archipelago. It had been many months since he had last been on a ship, much less taken one past the coastal boarders of his own land. The other solars were excited as well, and Togire felt an auspicious air buffet the sails and saw a bright future on the horizon. The solars were going to travel the archipelago to tie up some loose ends, speak with the Blue Turtle Navy and Pearl and the People of Iron about defenses, wipe out the remnant fairfolk of the Black Fleet, and crack that shell of a war manse before heading East. All of that was just a precursor. Togire had his heart set on reconnecting with his friends and contacts back on Ceryle, and against the wisdom of his fellows, he wished to at least try and persuade the little realm satrapy into accepting their help. If that failed... well Togire wouldn't let it fail, but they had plenty of other nations to speak with and find trading partners and allies against the nation of Skullstone. It would be a grueling task to convince everyone to help them and he wasn't still sure about telling the other nations of his Solar heritage or not, or how to go about negotiations with the larger nations, which would not respect him and his nation without some show of force and support. Perhaps if they refused to join the Kingdom of the Sun against Skullstone, they would at least trade to Togire and his group for weapons and ammunition and stock war resources in order to support their nation from failing. Togire thought if he could even open up trade routes to receive fire dust or some light implosion bows from the southern nations it would serve well to support his nation. Togire headed to the deck to go over their schedule with Ky Aria and the others. They would head to the Neck first, using Sheevawn's ship that she can summon from the court of Fakharu. Using Ebon's maps the solars would traverse the land by finding uninhabited coves on the islands of the nations they wish to spoke to and sail to them. Then the group could make contact and garner fair deals with the respective nations before a second group arrived with the orichalcum wyld breaker. If any nations seemed not interested, the solars would not have to tip their hand and would not bring in the wyld breaker, and if any nations seemed hostile, Ky Aria and her group could fly in via the wyld breaker for back up to help the solar diplomat team escape. After the Neck, Togire tried to convince the others to stop by Ceryle. Then they would head south and speak to Coral, skipping the realm satrapy, Wavecrest. Along the way they would stop by other places if they needed help or opportunity rose, but the main goals were to speak with Coral and the Neck. Togire hoped all would go well, and blessed their voyage and prayed before they headed off.

Returning from Pearl

A familiar scene opens up before the audience's eyes. Togire Oarman, solar exalt and now ruler of an entire kingdom, sits on a wooden crate in the cramped quarters of a small ocean going vessel with no light save for the flickering golden flair a lone lamp meagerly plays across the dim silver glow from the moonlight coming in from the hull's porthole. On deck, the other solars no doubt are continuing their reveling and party making with the hosts of this current vessle, members of the fairfolk of pearl. Togire believes without a doubt that his companions are once again falling into the fairfolk arms of seducers and allowing themselves to be tempted to give up part of their humanity. However, Togire can't truly be certain of what is going on beyond his room because earlier he had stuffed the bedding sheets into the cracks of the door to block out the sounds of the revelers beyond. Now, he could only hear the waves of the ocean butting up against the ship, and so when his door echoed a knock across the room quickly followed by a turning of its handle he had ample time to compose himself and refill the lamp oil to produce a healthy glow. Oscina had trouble pushing the door open, not expecting the resistance from all the linens stuffed into the gaps of the door. Hesitantly pushing harder, she opens her view to Togire carrying a second crate over from the stockpile to his own. Meekly Togire issues a greeting, "Hello Oscina," and offers the crate to her by placing it down very near his own and tapping it forward with his foot as he sits. A long time passes between her sitting and the next words spoken. They come from Oscina. "So, uh.. good news from Pearl I hope?" Normally Oscina would rather not talk about her previous captors however something was bothering Togire and she wished to know what it was. Togire takes the bait, as it is not what is truly bothering him and Oscina is not usually the person he opens up to in confidence, though he supposes he might begin to as he recalls Little Wave's disappearance while talking to Oscina about the Queen of Pearl. Oscina can't help but smile from Togire's words. "That is good news. To think they would leave so easily. We should speak with this court immediately. Perhaps by next season we will never have to deal with a Pearl fairfolk again." Oscina is treading carefully. She means what she says of course, but she is most intent on not having to sing again for the fairfolk or otherwise remind her of her captivity. Togire knows as much, but can not blame her. She should never have had to be in that situation and inwardly, Togire blames this small act of cruelty on himself as well, for not being able to come to his mate's aid earlier, perhaps before her capture. Togire sighs as the lamp shows it's first sign of wavering. "The lamp oil does not pierce the darkness long enough." Togire will reach for anything that excuses himself to show some weakness and Oscina buys it as Togire reaches up to a small cup and pores a spoonfull of oil back into the lamp. The lamps were made to hold very little oil and require refilling almost continuously as a sign of decedance in the realm of Pearl. Human beings were required to keep the light going at the parties for the queen, not because she and her brethren necessarily needed light, but to show her power and wealth as hundreds of slaves stood guard throughout the night responding to the slightest flicker of thousands of lights across her halls. This was what was bothering Togire. So many good people creation born were enslaved to these fairfolk.

Related Links

• Character Sheet
• Exalted
• Current Experience
• Oscina