[b]Recap[/b]

A basic recap to summarize the current state of things. Matai, Zilak and the Blackwell's story lines have been left out as their stories have been mostly summarized in the previous post. 

[hider=Claus]
After assisting Lycaon in Uzgob, Claus heads to Nyhem with his men. Recently he has discovered Katriana is the bastard child of Helyot Remonnet and true heir to the throne of Ellendia. Along with his new position as advisor of war, Claus ponders if he could use this to his advantage. However, little does he know that her presence poses more danger to the steel fist then he realizes.

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[hider=Alasdair/Lanaya]
After losing both the collective and house Thale and her connection to Eli Blackwell being shattered, Lanaya finds herself between a rock and hard place. However, she has recently begun to gain favour with Alasdair De Reimer and per request of the Circle are both to be married if the Empire wishes to gain the mages, they need to defeat the Blackwells, who are now strengthened by Alice’s collective and blood gems.
However, the empire has been weakened. Religious rebellions across Formaroth have divided the empire’s forces and Isabel De Reimer was assassinated by the Blackwells. Alasdair has been isolated in his room since her death, while Lanaya’s mental state has been declining through her increasing use of her blood gem. 
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[hider=Dyril/Arriana/Kiseo]
After defeating Jain and his pirates, Dyril and Arriana head to Nyhem to warn Lanaya of the danger of the blood gems. Meanwhile Kiseo has found another Mao by the name of Ao. She continues to remain at Fishgrove as she grows the Mandrakes necessary for Ignocious’s golem experiments. 
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[hider=Andris]
Andris continues to grow his forces on Deliverance, using Morian’s treasure hoard to buy mercenaries while using Zilak’s necromancy to raise more undead soldiers. The further Andris falls in with Zilak, the further he falls into madness. After having killed the Mazeltof’s for their defiance, his family now avoid Andris, who is becoming increasingly deformed. The future of house Mandarass looks bleak.
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[hider=Lycaon/Heretics]
With Rhodanthe and Johannia creating a new faith in the south, the heretics grow stronger by the day, backed now by kings and queens, convinced of Rhodanthe holiness. Meanwhile Lycaon, after defeating and capturing Fenick, returns to Sypius. After Alasdair’s inquisitor, Rendon, tried to have Lycaon killed, Lycaon hatches a plan to oppose the self-proclaimed Emperor and heads to Nyhem to meet him.
[/hider]


[hider=Sadatake/Julio]
The Iba states hold strong against the Imperium and the Sadatake family have gained significant control over the kingdoms surrounding Akaiba. However, the Imperium’s overwhelming forces continue to bear down on Seikatsu and the imperium’s most skilled general Neldor Valur and Arch Sorcerer Kolvar Moorlas marches their army to confront the Iba forces. To make matters worse, De Reimer and Blackwell forces that were supposed to assist in the defence of Seikatsu have been diverted to fight each other. Furthermore commander Inigo Orbino was killed by Keya Mirel and her elite group of elven assassins during a attempt on Sadatake Kanna's life. Now only a small elite force of around 5,000 
empire soldiers lead by Julio Orbino will aid Iba in their fight against the elves. Even with the mighty military of the Iba states, Shogun Ayeka may have to look to the kingdoms of Draivim and Naga for reinforcements. Together Seikatsu must stand against the Imperium forces or else risk its people becoming slaves. 
[/hider]