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[center][h1][color=crimson][u]Prologue I: Calm of the Storm[/u][/color][/h1][/center]
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[color=crimson]Mentions/Interaction:[/color] Hrothgar the Black [@Force and Fury]
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[hider=A King's Choice]Kol had spent many moons secluded in his kingdom from his Blood Brother and Sister, each of whom had been met with very different things, yet in the same vein, the same thing. War was on the horizon, not everyone knew but almost everyone could feel it in some way or another, every man, woman, and child could feel tension building between the North and the South. As the Greenlanders sent Eskandr kings and nobles gifts, many began to fall to the dazzling beauty of the art, the flavors of their spices, and the sweetness of their Skáld's words. Many of the Kings and Nobles are there for many reasons: Their blood places them in the position of power or their power and hunger carves a place for them so high. Among the two, from both sides they will fall to temptations of the Greenlanders. They turn to the False gods and live their lives like those from there. They swear off their old gods, for any number of reasons, yet Kol could not understand, why would they do such things. Was it for the gold? The luxuries? Good food? Or was it there was something of their idea of gods? Kol didn't understand what would turn men from their gods. Maybe they never held belief in their gods, maybe they just saw them as a piece of culture…[color=crimson][i]No[/i][/color].

Kol would not think of this any further, he had allowed these Greenlanders into his home. Gave them Salt and Bread, allowed them to partake of the greatest things they can offer, and now, it is time for them to leave. Kol went to his guests, the priests and these 'Missionaries' they call themselves. He asked them to leave his land, they were no longer welcomed within his halls, within his lands, nor were they to be near his people. So Kol first asked them first to leave in peace. Yet when they did not leave, Kol became stern, serious, commanding, as he ordered them to leave. Some left from fear, while those who were determined to stay tried, yet the moment Kol gave the command, his guards round up the rest, bound them up, put them on boats, and sent them out to sea. Kol was a softer man than most of those loyal to their ways, to betray the good faith given when entering anothers home, almost churned his stomach. Many called to question his loyalty when he did such things, calling him a charlatan and this might be a charade of his, a way for him to look like he was with them, just to back stab them.  

Kol bit his tongue and bided his time, he knew what was to come next, a summoning from a well respected friend. No well respected was an understatement, the King of Kings is one of the most respected men in Eskandr, Hrothgar the Black, King of Kings called Kol Death's Hand, King of Strumreef. Kol did not know what this meant, was his actions so horrid he would be called to a trial? Kol was called for any number of reasons, yet the most important one was to be seen if he was loyal. When Kol came face to face with Hrothgar, his face stayed as calm, yet his eyes lit up in joy to see a friend again. Yet the face he was looking at was stern, it was the face of a man who was questioning the man in front of him silently. Inspecting him and constructing an idea of who the man in front of him is, as they began talking between each other. Hrothgar and Kol spoke on what should be done about the Greenlanders, Kol wished to speak from his heart, yet he knew his people wanted something more, they wanted war. 

Strumreef is isolated in a way where interacting with the Greenlanders is extremely difficult, those of Strumreef struggle quite often, so the love of their community and their gods is very strong. They are the things that will get you through punishing winters, they are the things you call for bountiful times, and they were the gods you kept with you when you faced the enemy in battle. You asked for their guidance in everyday life, when going to the market, when talking with people you care for or wish to be close with, they are the ones you keep at your side when all else is gone, Kol knew how they felt. They hated those who went to these false gods, call them heathens, and turn their brothers against them. Kol knew what his people wanted, and he needed to give it to them, if he was to deny them such things, they'd never rest, they'd never trust him, they'd never reach Grønhalle.

So Kol spoke for the heart of his people, he spoke to Hrothgar of what must be done, a war must come. These Northerners have been trampling on their people's way of life, they must be stopped. Seeming satisficed with that answer, a feast was to be held that night, and there would be many invited. Kol attended what would be the sounding drum of war. Kol saw many other Noble men there, many wearing strange things he's never seen, some in clothing far fancier than he has known, and some hiding it, wearing jewelry that seemed of fine craftsmanship. Then the 25 guests that made Kol's heart sink, 25 priests from the North, this was when Kol knew what was going to occur. He hardened himself, he knew what was to become of these priests, yet he held his tongue. As they were apprehended, he did not move. When they were chained up, he watched on in silence. When he called his men to carve the Blood Eagle upon the priests, Kol rose from his seat and took a blade. When the screams cried out, Kol held his tongue and dealt the execution. He showed a face of resolve, yet inside his body was churning. As he witnessed men who entered the home of another, was shown generosity, and let their guards down, become carved into a Blood Eagle.

Once the Feast was done, and the dust settled, Hrothgar called his banners, and so, Kol answered. Kol left for his home, Strumreef, there he gathered his people. Giving word to his people that the King of Kings has called for war against the Greenlanders. And to no ones surprise, his people cried for war, families have been preparing for this day, men have been physically pushing themselves to fight at the best they can, and boys have been filled with the ideas of grandeur, trying to inspire the next generation to fight.

As Kol looked out to his people, as they scream and shout in excitement, Kol felt something he has not felt in a long time, fear...[/hider]

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[center][h1][color=crimson][u]Prologue II: the Dawn of War[/u][/color][/h1][/center]
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[color=crimson]Mentions/Interaction:[/color] Hrothgar the Black [@Force and Fury], Vali, Twice Born [@Wolfieh], Ulfhild Ulven [@Salsa Verde], Hildr The Red [@jasbraq]
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[hider= A Brother's Wish]Kol and his army began their voyage to Meldheim, traveling as quickly as they can as from their position, it will take quite a bit of time to make it to the gathering of the great army. Kol knew this, so he dedicated multiple mages and shamans to each boat group. As their ships flew forward, Kol took to the night and used his powers to help the ships move forward. Kol dedicated this time to planning, using the information they had, what would be the best course of action to push forward. As they made great time in their travels, Kol sent some of his people out to deliver word to some of his closest confidents and friends of his presence in this war. 

Vali, Twice born was one of the first among his close friends to be delivered word of Kol's participation, with Vali naturally going to be following Hrothgar's crusade, it was quite simple to find him. Kol remembers with great detail his Little Brother's moments of greatness, his skills in the hunt, his bowmanship and his powers over magic to make himself a deadly ghost among the hunt. Val had great reverence and love to the gods, and Kol knew this well. So it made it an easy search and an almost guarantee that Vali would hear the call for a crusade and answer the call. Kol was curious what his Brother has been doing all this time, the years have passed quite quickly, they have met often yet sometimes he feels Vali holds on to things, sometimes out of his own wish, or maybe just his excitement. So it makes Kol wonder, what if his Brother might have found a woman. Maybe he settled down for sometime, maybe he has a little hunter of his own now. Kol scoffed as he thought this and said to himself, [color=crimson][i]'Better not have, I wasn't even invited to any wedding of his'[/i][/color].

The next to receive word personally is Ulfhild, she was not as close to Kol as Hildr and Vali was, yet he considered her still a good friend. As he sent his people to find her, he thought of the first time they met. It was a funny time actually, Kol and Hildr were searching for Vali as they were in the midst of a hunt, they heard the sounds of battle. There they found their Little Brother nearly wrestled to the ground by a woman who seemed to be trying to go for his throat. Kol remembered how hard Hildr hit him for laughing at Vali as he congratulated him for find such a feisty lover. Ulfhild did not let Kol forget those words, and he enjoyed it. It was almost like having a little sister he never had, someone he could tease about little things. Kol thought about Ulfhild and Val and thought, [color=crimson][i]'I wonder if they are hunting together right now'[/i][/color]

As messages went out, more and more of his close acquaintances and friends heard of his participation in Hrothgar's Crusade. Yet one person did not receive a direct message, and it was sadly someone of great importance to him, Hildr. Kol thought fondly of his many adventures, journeys, and even travels with Hildr. Many had been of great adventure, hunting, yet some were of tranquil times. Many of his most fond memories with Hildr was often found within the calm, and yet he remembered when they first met. The titan of a dragon, a walking volcano of pure destruction, it was a hunt never heard of until then. Led by the young Prince of Skidegaard, Hrothgar, Kol was but a prince at the time as well and wished to show his prowess and joined the hunt, yet the third member of their party was the most strange. Since none others would take the position the hunt was thought dead, until a Drudgunzean wished to stake a claim for the third spot. Most scoffed, yet Kol as more than willing, then soon it was revealed to be a girl no less, most thought she would have been turned away. Yet Kol welcomed her in with warm arms as Hrothgar accepted her into the party all the same. Once the hunt commenced, it was much more of a fight for survival than anything else, During the days they set up traps and laid in wait, as when night came they launched might assaults when Kol was their strongest. Kol remembered the intensity of the heat, the power of the stomps and slashes, and the sheer presence of the beast. And…[/hider]

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[center][h1][color=crimson][u]Prologue III: Feast at the Gate[/u][/color][/h1][/center]
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[color=crimson]Mentions/Interaction:[/color] Hrothgar the Black [@Force and Fury] & Ulfhild Ulven [@Salsa Verde]
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[hider=A Man's Duty]Kol stood at the helm of his ship as he saw land, the capital of the Eskandr Kingdom, Meldheim. Kol saw the shore and imagined the shore filled with ships. His vision created hundreds of ships that are to carry thousands of people. With so many people that there could never be a true count of the amount of people who have answered the call, yet Kol felt as if the Visitor knew. Kol shook his head as they made land, and prepared for docking for a short bit of time. Kol had brought additional ships than the ones he needed for his men, out of courtesy of those who have travelled here by land, they would be able to travel on one of the greatest crafted boats in all of Eskandr. Strumreef is an island kingdom, the seas get quite rough and treacherous to ships near, so Strumreef had to adapt to the seas, they made techniques and crafts to handle the dangerous sea, making them some of the best for long voyages.

Once the ships were secured, Kol stepped off and made sure his people were properly bringing supplies off. As they moved to the city, they began seeing the areas be filled in his mind, the many people sitting around campfires, eating, feasting, and regaling stories. Each one a small flickering flame among what is to become a large inferno of war. A band of brothers under their gods who would head off to war to kill the believers in false gods. A war machine that would burn all in it's path, brothers and sisters will celebrate with each other, but when they are to head off to war, many of those flames will burn out, if not all will…

Kol made his way to the hallowed halls of Meldheim, Kol knew who he was to find, as when his presence was know, he asked to speak with Hrothgar, as planning would be extensive, and Kol would like to know what he is putting his people to do. Once he entered the discussion halls, he found he was not among the first to have made their way here, many Jarls, Nobles, and Kings had made their way here before their armies. Their discussions were heated, as they planned in great detail, they seemed to take notice of Kol, some gave honors, others looked only his way, others gave side glances, and others paid no mind to him. Kol knew this feeling, they were gearing for an intense battle. Those who gave honors were some of the lowest on the totem pole, as they were smaller Jarls who had raised to a certain point. The others who gave mere notice were the ones who knew him and had relative power, Jarls of notoriety and lesser kings like himself, yet gave their attention to Hrothgar and their planning. Then those who gave no mind were the ones who were the ones who knew little of him, didn't care for him, or were all too focused on this crusade to care for much more.

Kol made his presence well known as he made his way to the gathering as he looked to Hrothgar directly and gave a gesture and said, [color=crimson]"Hrothgar, I, Kol King of Strumreef has answered your summons"[/color]. Once Kol took a seat, the talks began. Kol dedicated himself to the talks, his focus was wholly on the talks, to the point where he almost didn't notice it was Ulfhild who entered the conversations. Many people came and went, many wishing to hear Hrothgar speak, others wishing to give honors, and some wishing to participate. Yet once Kol noticed her, he stood and went to try and give her a large hug saying, [color=crimson]"Ulfhild! It has been too long!"[/color] Kol was glad Ulfhild had made it, yet something felt strange, a tinge of fear came to his mind as he looked to her. As he looked to her he saw…[/hider]

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[center][h1][color=crimson][u]Chapter 1: Drums of War[/u][/color][/h1][/center]
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[color=crimson]Mentions/Interaction:[/color] Hrothgar the Black [@Force and Fury], Vali, Twice Born [@Wolfieh], Ulfhild Ulven [@Salsa Verde], Hildr The Red [@jasbraq]
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[hider=A Call to War]Once the feast finished and the army has went to bed for the night, Kol understood the plan. They were to head through Drudgunzean waters. Kol knew that there would be resistance, and he did not wish to upset his Blood Sister, Hildr. He told his people that they will be taking a wider berth than the others to hopfully get around the blockades that would occur from those who had either decided to remain neutral and defending their waters, or those who have turned and were with the Parrench. On which side did not matter to Kol, what mattered is that he wished to respect his Blood Sister's people. There were a few who had listened to Kol, while others decided to follow the main group more closely. Kol dedicated some of his time even during the night to keep up with the main group through using his magic. With doing this, he had tired himself for the days until they finally caught up to the main force again.

Kol had spent this time either travelling forth, or preparing his parties for the plans made. As they neared the Parrench waters, Kol thinks to his Blood Brother and Blood Sister, his close friends, those he knows close. This first push is going to be a tough one, they are not going to get out unscathed, as they neared their target Kol began to prepare for combat. For him, it was through meditation, clearing the mind and relaxing his body, as he began to fill his mind with beasts and monsters. As within his mind he fought them, killing each of them, recreating fights within his head, against these monsters as he began to almost cage them in his mind, taking control of them before the battle. As after hours of this, Kol came out of his meditative state in a drenched sweat. His mouth was dry, his body felt tired, and he started to feel like he had a head ache. He was ready.

Kol knew that, once they had landed, he would take a moment to prepare for the raid. The main force would be charging into the enemies, as for Kol, he and the other Mooncasters would be spreading across many of the areas where they were needed. As he had many a time, Kol would don and ready his gear. Should the gods grant him time, he would make certain that it was well-maintained, as he had people to assist him in that, making sure he looked the part when he stepped out in front of his people. He was to be in charge of a powerful and very quick force, for their work would be the most important.

As the sun sat upon the horizon and the Moons could be seen, perched like ornaments in the darkening sky, Kol looked to them and understood that it was time. This war was to begin here, in flames. As Kol looked out to the enemy encampment he saw…[/hider]