[hr][hr][@YummyYummy][@pantothenic][@Atalanta][@jasbraq][@Ti][@Th3King0fChaos][@Dao Ma]
[hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/fWRGP8V.png[/img][hr][hr][h2][color=gold]A Call to War![/color][/h2][hr][hr]
The southern half of Constantia had been in a stir for the past few weeks, not solely because of the war between the two great empires that had been wracking the continent, but because a supposed miracle had happened. A force of Parrench raiders had come to Meldheim with fire and sword, and had almost succeeded with their goal to burn down the city. However, the “miracle rain” had come in the city's hour of need, stifling the fires and saving the sacred tree from becoming ash and dust. 

The streets of Alshofen were bustling. Not just with the normal commerce and ongoings of such a large city, but with an army who stood on the streets, banners fluttering in the wind. Many on Wulfric’s council had advised him against a war, to simply bide his time and wait, but he would wait no longer. The Kressians, the Hendish, the Huulish, and many volunteers from throughout Drudgunze had come to serve. Even members of the legendary Aeresvaktr were present. For, while the Parrench might have succeeded in some of their goals with their raid on Meldheim, they had also ignited the religious fervor of those who followed the old gods, those who had not yet turned to the Pentad, and saw the miracle rain as a sign that they needed to stand up and fight for what they believed in.

This war was no longer a national affair, it was a war for the survival of their beliefs, of their ways of life, and to them, the increased presence of the Quentics and their orders within their lands signified darker events on the horizon. This army was an army of the gods, and they had come together to strike down the wolf that so hungrily gazed at their lands. Dietrich, once an ambassador and a diplomat to the Eskandish, was chosen to lead this army and join forces with their Eskandish kin in eliminating this scourge from the lands, and he was all too happy to do so. And when he stood in front of the address, of the thousands of soldiers waiting for their order, he felt an immense sense of pride and duty to save his people. It was an honor that he had not foreseen, but it was not a chance he was going to turn down. He thought it might have been the cowardice of Wulfric, to blame him if it all went askew, but he knew it would not go wrong as the gods were with them. How could they not be, after what he had seen in the land of his ancestors.

King Wulfric rose from his chair to address the crowds. The blonde haired, long bearded man had an impressive build for someone of his age. He looked imposing as he stood on the balcony of his nearby palace, and gave a quick nod to Dietrich who stood at the head of the ranks, before speaking. [color=orange]”Children of Drudgunze! Long has our home been the subject of scrutiny from those who live north of our borders. They belittle me, and call me Duke. No more! I declare myself Bretwalda, protector of our people and King of the lands from the Rhengel to the Haskell!”[/color] he declared with an unshakeable confidence, his booming voice enhanced by his gift traveled throughout the streets, met by a mixture of applause from the masses below, and a look of fear from nobles around him. They knew that such a move would invite ire from their ‘brother’ nations

Dietrich stood to address the army he had been given, the men and women with whose lives he had been entrusted. And he couldn’t help but smile. He had been waiting his entire life for a moment like this, and the gods had given it to him. A chance to save his people, and prove himself to the heavens. And so, he turned to address the masses.

[color=gold]”Brave warriors, let me tell you a story. I witnessed the wunderregen, from the Kongesalan itself. I watched the gods save our lives, so that we could save theirs. For if we were to lose this war, it would mean the end of them. So I ask you, great warriors, to join this righteous war, where it is just to conquer their green lands and meet the visitor at his table, to ascend to Grünehalle! Remember the example of your forefathers, who once sailed up the Askell and put Avince to the torch, who brought the hammer of Bruder onto the Avincians! I ask you now followers of the Femrigr, to abandon doubt and fear, and join me to seize a kingdom given heat by the sinful souls of the Quentics who shovel coal in Rotehalle!”[/color]
[hr][hr][color=violet][h2]Two Sides of the Coin[/h2][/color][hr][hr]
It had not been long since Osanna had landed with Asier and Snorri. The three had parted ways, heading in different directions following the victory of the Meldheim raid, and the injuries of her battle had healed. But it was said that a Black Rezandian never sleeps, and so not long after she had arrived in port had she received new orders. In the large town of Saint-Jean de Glane, her client awaited her at his townhouse on the morrow. She had but one night of sleep before her next mission began

On the morrow, the jaunt was surprisingly quick. A quaint abode in a largely residential area stood before her, with a surprisingly well decorated garden. A few knocks at the door and she was greeted by a man who simply introduced himself as Benedict. He prepared them a cup of tea, and took her through the house into a back garden, away from onlookers. A gardener was there, hooded and trimming the hedges ever so carefully.

[color=violet]“Lady Osanna, I congratulate you on your success. What you were able to accomplish in Meldheim was no small feat. However, there is still much work to be done, for the sake of our faith.”[/color] he spoke prudently, sipping occasionally at the cup of tea that was still far too hot. Every so often, he would redirect the gardener to cut a hedge or rose a certain way, and there was no fuss made from the hooded man.

Osanna may have had her suspicions, but she could not say for certain who this man was until he removed a glove from his hand, unveiling a signet ring that revealed him to be a bishop, before proceeding once more. [color=violet]“This task is of the utmost importance and secrecy, and for that, I am regretful that we must work with a heathen. But, much like this garden, some weeds must be allowed to stay, so that greater threats to its beauty be unable to enter.”[/color] he spoke solemnly, clearing his throat. [color=violet]“Your mission is to assassinate Duke Wulfric of Kressia. I have been given assurances and tools to make this a possibility. It shall be no easy task, but there is none more suited for it than you.”[/color] he stated confidently, before finishing his cup of tea. He directed the gardener to pick a single rose, and he handed it to Osanna. [color=violet]“Hand this to a tall blonde woman waiting at the docks. You might recognize her from Relouse. You’re to travel together until you need to part ways, she should serve as a good cover while you travel through heathen lands.”[/color]

Benedict then reached into a bag below the table, and pulled two items. The first of which was a signet ring. It looked to be of Drudgunzean make, and was supposed to be a guise for her assassination. The second was a heavy bag of coins, explained as payment from her previous mission and funds to use in this one should she need it. Soon after, she was sent on her way. 
[hr][hr][color=teal][h2]The Great City of Solenne[/h2][/color][hr][hr]
Long had been the travel of the returning heroes from Meldheim, and words of their deed had spread. The ones that had burned the Grontempel and stolen the youngest prince of Eskand. They had many stops through the Parrench countryside, and Asier had been reunited with his squire, who had come from the steppes of Tourrare. The three of them had shared tales of their triumph, and many other discussions, but the destination remained the capital of Solenne.

When they arrived, the reception from the common people was warm but confused. Solenne had largely been saved from the horrors of war at this point, and many of its people wished to know how Arcel and his Grand Armee had fared in the battle of Relouse, and furthermore. Alas, they did not have time to enlighten these people, for they had a more pressing issue at hand, the mobilization of the Kressians and the advance on the southern front. The city would soon be in peril, and so they had the task of enlisting the many nobles that remained within this city to join the cause and defend their home. 

In the throne room, the seat remained vacant but hungry eyes occasionally glanced at the empty space for far too long, and there was an uncomfortable air about the place. The trio were met by a council held by some of the most prominent figures in Parrench society, to share their tales and news of what was and what potentially would be. 
[hr][hr][color=green][h2]The Village of Juvignac[/h2][/color][hr][hr]
Whilst the taming of the dragon had been a successful affair, and Maerec had managed a great many triumphs on that day, he had also brought ire upon himself when he had consumed the Ambrosia of Oraphe-Sept. The day had been filled with triumphs and tribulations for the young knight, but he had a task at hand now. The army of Eleanor and a large contingent of the volunteers had headed northeast to Chamonix, to aid Arcel in the battle against Hrothgar and the majority of the Eskandr force. However, he was unable to go, as he now had the task of restoring this great beast to its former glory, as a weapon that could be used against the invaders.

His brief flights upon the dragon's back had brought him to a village named Juvignac, where many of the locals were initially terrified at the sight of such a creature. Many refugees from the surrounding areas had gathered here precisely to escape the dragon, but were now curious as to why it was amicable and no longer filled with unholy fury. Before long, he would find himself pelted with questions, of how he was able to triumph, of what transpired on those green fields, and of why he was not headed north to aid his king. There were not just the affairs of humans to consider either. Monsigneus were hungry creatures, let alone one of that size, and the injuries it suffered did little to sate its appetite. To feed a dragon was no small task..
[hr][hr][hider=Interaction Opportunities]Welcome everybody to the Drudgunzean Marches. Following the events of Meldheim, an alliance has been formed between the Kressians and the Eskandr, and a holy war has been declared. The forces are preparing to march north, at the open underbelly of Parrence and strike at their undefended capital. With this great force being mustered, plenty of pieces on the board are being moved, and there are plenty of opportunities for our characters!
- Gerard, Asier and Sasha: Following the raid on Meldheim, the unlikely trio have all made way for the capital of Parrence. Will they attempt to persuade the nobles into marching south to face the Drudgunzean forces, will they cause an evacuation or perhaps they will wage a guerilla war against the oncoming Drudgunzean forces?
– Hildr and Osanna: The duo have been assigned to travel to each other by different parties. Hildr has been given a job by a certain acquaintance of hers, and Osanna has been given something else. How will the two interact? How does Osanna feel about the job that she’s been given? Does she have any more words for the bishop? 
- Kol: The King of Sturmreef has come with a contingent of elite Eskandish warriors and a few members of the Aeresvaktr. How will the group interact with the Kressians or themselves? What are their thoughts on their new allies? 
- Maerec: For better or for worse, Maerec has chosen not to join Eleanors forces and attempt to lift the siege of Chamonix. Instead, he has headed in the direction of the capital, while the massive dragon he has managed to tame recovers from the wounds it suffered. He has found himself in a quaint little village called Juvignac, a place currently full of refugees who have fled the conflict thus far. How will he interact with the townsfolk? How will he maintain, heal and feed his newfound ally? [/hider][hr][hr]