[h2][color=chocolate]Caslan Tomb City of Scribes Assembly of the Kycer[/color][/h2] The Tomb City of Scribes sat in the southern mountain ranges, the massive stone towers thick walls of gray and weathered stone shot up across the range like a vast and untamed ruin, with a central courtyard of stone mixed in with grassy hills and small cliffside shrines. To the naked eye, it was difficult to spot, as the towering trees mixed in with the ancient Tomb City, even as it was occupied. Skeletal guards stood with motion at all corners of the city, all while in the recess of the priests who meandered around them who were deep in thought or prayer. Living amongst the dead did not bother them, nor did the smell of the undead workers tirelessly working away at expanding the city give them much distraction. It was during these hours did the priests of the Assembly began to file towards shrines, giving praise to their gods via sacrifice. Of those most noted was [color=orange]Shov Coladdic[/color] and [color=orange]Dylon Geuder[/color]. Both Kerks were similar in many regards, but yet polar opposites. Shov was true to his traditionalism as ever, his gathering of aligned clan members all gathered at the shrine of Saokuv. The shrine was on a raised pyramid-like platform, where Shov laid down a lamb before the shrine and cut into it, spilling its blood and guts expertly onto the ground, spattering on his purple cloak. Shov turned his attention towards the shrine, depicting a deer’s skeletal head fixed to an emancipated figure. Shov coldly began to pray to the god before him, asking him for his mercy and power. A necromancer came over and waved his hands, chanting as he did, and a blue flame consumed the body of the sacrifice. Shov joined his fellow supporters, silently filing into the central structure, but lazily looking over at where Dylon was. Dylon Geuder was at the shrine dedicated Tenera, and was surrounded by all manner of figures. For a creature such as Dylon, he was constantly surrounded by Kerks of import who were both a mix of vicious loyalists and curious onlookers. [color=orange]Pelkov Elkwood[/color] was near him, observing the ritual close by, but scoffed as Dylon took a priest’s knife and cut into a lobster and spilled it onto the shrine. Shov could not see it, but he had known Dylon had brought such a cheap and insulting sacrifice which bothered him to no end. He stopped, staring out as Dylon’s priest burned the sacrifice. Before Shov filed inside, he was soon joined by two other figures. Approaching Shov was a minor priest and representative [color=orange]Lavar Brav[/color], who had been curiously watching Dylon’s sacrifice unfold. Joining beside him was his servant and slave [color=orange]Lila[/color], an Okan who was quick and clumsy in bowing to Shov and his fellow priests, nearly forgetting the customs. Shov ignored the Okan and turned his attention to Lavar and was quick in his tongue to mock. “For a clan as rich as the Geuder’s one would think they would have the consideration to at least bring a proper sacrifice. Lobster. Practically an insult if you ask me. Join me Lavar, we have much to discuss.” Lavar and Lila followed Shov’s group, the Coladdic priests were petty in their mockery of their Geuder-aligned peers. However, Lavar was quick to note a couple things to Shov “You may mock him, but it is smart what he does. As the elections come up, Dylon is set to win the vote amongst the Okan once again. Maybe even the Beurians. He relies quite heavily on it. The slaves and poor along the coasts sacrifice sea urchins and crab to the gods, and ever the populist, Dylon simply follows suit.” Shov scoffed “He should focus on the Kerks then. The election is coming up, yes, but it years away.” “One can never start too early, Shov. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t even Mel Coldfinger himself preparing his protege for such things?” “Do not remind me, Lavar. My meeting with Naya did not go very well. She is studious, yes, but hardly material worthy of the Kycer. I need loyalists to the cause of the gods, not upstarts who think they know how to run things. Our society is dependent as ever on our fealty to the gods. Pretending we are overly political and petty fools like those on the mainland only drags us down to their level.” Lavar kept his mouth shut as the two walked into the main chamber. Lavar stopped, as if knowing his own servant was shocked by just the sheer size of the assembly's main room. The dimly lit parts of tomb city’s insides were normal for any other, dirty caverns and stone hallways with little light. Yet, the main chamber was massive, a central square where the entire assembly of the Kycer met and casually discussed. On each side of a grand stadium, overhanged by a rock ceiling, stood four braziers. Coladdic necromancers chanted into them and light bursted from them, and filled the room with illumination. Then she saw him, a figure which shocked her a bit when she saw it. Mel Coldfinger himself. Mel levitated on an upper balcony near a stone throne, above the entire Kycer itself. He was wrapped in a faded purple and dark green robe, lined with black silk. Dangling cloth swirled around him, his arms folded as he stared off into a book which levitated in front of him. His massive fur cap comically nearly reached out towards the ceiling, and the pages in front of the lich magically flicked. He looked mummified, but it was sometimes difficult to tell, as a great scarf covered his mouth and nose. Only his dry eyes with a dim light shone through the eyeless sockets, peering without care as he continued to look into his books. Lila was terrified at first, but Lavar comforted her “Come. He is more friendly then he looks. Just be sure to take down the Kycer’s business, and pry your attention away from. . .the pettiness.” The Okan only nodded. She had not been brought along as an observer, but as a writer. Lavar wanted to bring back the court’s business due to a fading memory by the time he was back in their home down south. Lavar took his place, giving humble bows to his peers. Lavar took his place and began to intermingle amongst several others in the assembly. It wasn’t until Dylon Geuder and his own confidants entered that things truly began to pick up pace. Dylon laughed and joked with his fellow Zupans and aligned members, but Pelkov Elkwood was pushy and more grim. Despite those in the assembly referring to Dylon as ‘The Grim’, he Kerk was vibrant in personality and humor. “Zupan Geuder, you must take this matter most seriously. The Hazels have no intention of joining the Kycer, and their infernal family continues to hound at my borders, and yours by default!” Pelkov complained openly “You must see some reason in all this? Can you not?” “Pelkov, you worry far too much about them. I have talked to the Hazels on both of our behalfs, and their new Zupan does seem rather open to talking at least. [color=orange]Duman Hazel[/color] has reassured me that he will not fiddle with your underbelly of a country, in turn you will not do the same! Trust me Pelkov, it will take time for that family to join us here in the Kycer.” Pelkov shook his head, partly in anger. Lavar listened in on the conversation, amused that of all of Pelkov’s complaints, the Hazels being slow to join in the Kycer was his top issue. Lavar could only guess, and rightfully so, that Pelkov was trying to pry Dylon’s interest away from aligning with the growing Hazel family. Lavar himself had even talked with Duman, and made trade deals on their behalf. As Pelkov and Dylon took their place in the Kycer. There was a loud and obnoxious slapping of a book, closing with vicious intent. Everyone turned to Mel, as the book that was once infront of his face began to float down to the ground and took its places on a small pedestal. “I call the Kycer to order.” Mel began. _____ Lila may have been writing down conversations and summaries of the Kerks in the Kycer, but could barely understand the politics. Lavar would occasionally interject as the day dragged on, as many in the Kycer made speeches. There wasn’t a lot happening in Caslan, and every small issue was overblown into a major trouble simply to pass the time. One such trouble was the debate over the rising minor family known as the Hazels. The Hazels had a long time ago fought a war of independence from the Elkwoods, and won with stunning victories. The clan was deeply militarized, and was perhaps the 2nd most organized clan next the Geuders themselves. However, the Hazels were poor, distrusted, and they lacked a great deal of ambition. For years the clan had been content, but only recently did the clan seek to slide its way into the election cycle for the coming years. Pelkov made speech after speech decrying the small clan, and mocked them openly, but few were listening to his constant complaining. More so, Shov showed open concern that the Hazels would disrupt the delicate balance of the Kycer. More accurately however, it would disrupt the Coladdic’s majority within it. What had prevented the Hazels from joining the Kycer before was their trouble with money. They were not even present in the Kycer itself, and their single representative was a meek messenger who was simply there to inform the Kycer that family matters kept Duman Hazel at home. Lavar was disappointed that the Zupan again shirked any and all opportunity to join in the politics of the country, but he understood fully his caution. Duman was a great warrior, but a terrible speaker. A trip to the Kycer would have been costly for him, and Lavar blamed himself for disillusioning the young Zupan far too early to the pettiness of the assembly. However, the calm of the Kycer was suddenly interrupted by a sudden speech by Dylon Geuder. “My Lords, and fellow priests of the Kycer. When I was leaving for the Kycer last week, my party stopped by the cities of Kel Felgord, and what I saw depressed me. The north has ports, but we have shit ports, manned by shit sailors. Our ports have little more then fishermen, as Orduin robbed us of any means of building up proper drydocks and shipbuilding. We have ships in the south, sure, but they are used far more for trade. The defense of this island and the Kycer relies on a stronger fleet of galleys and warships, and our forests remain almost entirely untouched. So I have a proposal for our dear Heads of the Ass--” Dylon Geuder was pulling out what looked like a tome at first, but before Dylon even could present it to any of the heads of the assembly, Shov shouted out a very meager and bored “Veto.” “My good lord, you jest.” Dylon fumbled his words, creasing with anger. “I do not remember you having poor hearing, Dylon Geuder.” Shov mocked, and continued “Now is not a year for drastic reform. We have no need for warships, and we certainly do not need to spend the Kycer’s coffers supplying your clan with those ships. I hardly need to ask or guess what you will even do with them.” Dylon shot back, accusingly “Perhaps if you read my proposal first, rather then casting it aside, you would not need to gues--” “I will hear no more of this, let us continue.” “Continue what?” Dylon had a rather sudden realization as Shov was looking primarily at the silent Pelkov. Shov was biding his time, trying ever so silently and unmovingly, trying to see the Geuder’s coalition of Zupans break apart. Pelkov’s anger towards the Hazels had already been in debate throughout most of the day, which only made Dylon mad himself. Dylon looked back, knowing full well what Shov was doing. “My head of assembly, when did our republic become so wretched you would have us endlessly debate over the troubles of my aligned clans rather then the good of this republic? Do you care so little for the Kerks?” Dylon shouted back. The murmurs in the Kycer became shouting as Coladdic and Geuder aligned minor priests were soon shouting and accusing one another. Fists were raised, and only the Ceremonial priests kept themselves away from the small fights already breaking out between the two groups. Shov was looking on in amusement, up until Dylon was descending the stairs upward towards him. The Braziers of the assembly hall suddenly turned a bright blue and dimmed, and the Kerks fell silent once again and stopped. This had a specific meaning, for Mel was about to speak. “Enough of this pettiness, the both of you. I have watched worse things in days long gone, and as I had not tolerated it then, I will not tolerate it now. Back to your positions, or I shall curse each and every one of you till you act less like children.” The groups stopped and calmed, as the brazier’s fire returned to normal. Mel levitated off the stand, keeping his pose as he came in front of Dylon Geuder and reached out his mummified hand to him. Dylon gave his proposal to the Lich’s who then levitated back to his chair and spoke. “Shov Coladdic, I Veto your Veto as of now, you will read the proposal and debate its merits, and you will vote on the Geuder’s proposal. Then you are all dismissed.” Shov turned in a confused state towards Mel “My eternal patriarch, we have only just arrived.” “You will understand in time, young Shov. Now please. Do as the gods demand, and read.” Shov had Dylon’s proposal float to him and reluctantly began to read it. The proposal was massive, far more than what Dylon had marketed it as. The proposal went into many details, from the construction of lumber yards, to the assignment of ship builders, to the buying of galley slaves, and even the apartments for sailors and captains. Shov sighed as he read aloud each individual thing, and the Kycer began to groan as debate continued to rage for what felt like days over each individual piece of legislation. Shov tried his best to rally his faction against every aspect of the bill, but soon found many being intrigued by it. Lavar was vehemently against the bill, speaking out against it alongside Shov, much to Dylon’s personal fury. Lavar didn’t wish to see his own clan get put down, and seeing Dylon’s deathly stare at him, he proposed a mutual exchange. However, this only infuriated Shov, who wanted to shut down the bill entirely. Dylon could read the room, especially amongst the very skeptical Landarric Kerks who did not wish to lose their specialization to the Geuders. Dylon spoke and debated for the new ports to be purely drydocks and shipyard buildings, and that the Kycer would pay effectively for a new fleet on the northern coast rather than a general overhaul. Shov’s immediate agreement made Dylon’s stomach drop, but Lavar was happy with the change and was soon singing the proposal’s changes. Shov and his faction next began to speak on the costs of the bill, and complained of how expensive a new fleet would be. Dylon fought back, claiming these new warships would be primarily used to protect trade and defend the isle, and would in fact boost the income of all clans. Shov was naturally skeptical, but his clan was growing discontent. After hours upon hours of debate, the vote came. With Lavar’s support, Dylon Geuder’s shipyard proposal had passed. Effectively, the proposal would have the Kycer pay for the construction of shipyards, forestries, and support structures in the cities of Helgave, Kel Felgord, Kel Gaven, and Kel Gargath. Individual clans would pay for the wages of workers or pay for the buying of slaves to fill most of these positions. Okan captains would oversee the training of sailors, with Kel Felgord being the main naval training ground. Southern Caslan in turn would no longer need to pay for the maintenance cost of the Caslan fleet, but instead the responsibility of both fleets will go to the Kycer. The Northern fleet would also be captained by both a member of the Geuder and Coladdic clan. Dylon suspected Shov would try to sabotage this as well, but he was satisfied for now by the passing of his bill. ____ As recess was called, Dylon and Lavar spoke to one another with Dylon openly questioning the expert statesman of his neutrality. Although both of them were annoyed with one another, Dylon had a strange respect for Lavar, as much had a strange respect for Dylon. As the two spoke in length, there was a call for a return to the Kycer. Lavar was unsure why the Kycer would meet only to be dismissed so early, and asked Dylon on this. Dylon could only guess, believing it had something to do with Mel Coldfinger himself. Dylon was right, as when the Kycer met again, there was no speeches, only Mel standing above them all and looking down at them. Beside him was [color=orange]Naya Coladdic[/color] and a skeletal elven sorcerer named [color=orange]Gra’vyen[/color]. Mel looked over them, especially at Shov and Dylon with critical eyes, as he spoke directly to all of them. “For a long while I have lived amongst you as Overwatch, and when I left the Kycer, I had hoped they were as mature as me to not need my position as Overwatch. However, your petty feuds today only reinforces my beliefs in your inabilities. A shame before us all. However, fret not, my protege Naya Coladdic will be taking my place as Overwatch, alongside my elder companion, my librarian Gra’vyen. You will come to know them well, and will respect them as you respect me. Shov Coladdic, Dylon Geuder, stand in the middle.” “I will be leaving soon, on a journey across the whole of the world in the ruins of the Orduin empire, and I will be gone for a time. Many of you will see me off at the docks of Kel Trach. I will be looking for many older tomes and magical lores, and I cannot oversee you from a ship let alone on the continent. I will be ever watchful however.” Both Zupans and members of the Kycer dared not disobey the ancient Lich. Taking a silver knife in his dry and crinkly hands, Mel cut into his palm and furled his black blood into two stone goblets. He snapped his fingers and two skeletal figures took the goblets to both Shov and Dylon. “Drink.” Mel ordered. Shov was the first to drink, without question and coughed a bit. Dylon was next, smelling Mel’s blood, and gulped down the vile liquid. Both coughed and gagged as Mel told them of their fates. “My blood is cursed, for so long as you live, no harm will come to my protege by your hand or any hand you command. If you harm even a single hair upon the head of my temporary replacement, you will dissolve and become like ash. I had have you both swear onto the gods, but I felt it wasn’t enough. You are all dismissed.” The Kycer began to file out as Dylon angrily stomped out. Shov looked at Mel, confused and distraught that his own patriarch would curse him with such distrust, but he meagerly accepted and joined his fellow priests. Lavar and his servant Lila were the last to leave. Lila was dumbstruck by the whole thing, but dutifully wrote down what had happened. As they left, the tomb doors closed as Mel turned to Naya who gave a humble bow to him. “Thank you, my eternal patriarch. I wish to not disappoint you, but you think I am ready?” “No. That is why Gra’vyen will be aiding you, my good Naya. Now, I must make my preparations and give some final, makeshift lessons.”