[b]Southern Coast of Naqah, 20,014 YS (Years After Saten)[/b]

An ominous galley of a design only glimpsed at from afar by Naqah sailors drifts closer and closer towards the southern coast of Naqah. As it came closer towards the locals who were starting to gather and watch, it became apparent that it was badly damaged, and had a ring of smaller crafts that were just as broken were surrounding it, trapping it, tied together with chains to achieve such an effect. The ships were stuck together, like the very bloody heap of corpses littering their decks. The colours of the local pirates became apparent, flapping high above the smaller crafts.

It was the result of a recent attempt to curb pirate activity, and the galley once belonged to the Fifth Naval Legion of the Free Republic of Devaldis-Spes. There were no survivors - well, there were a few, but they were barely survivors. While any living pirates had long been slaughtered or abandoned ship, a few Daemonrexa marines were still breathing, but only barely. A Succubus, Imp and Nephilim lay huddled in separate corners of the top deck, surrounded by the corpses of their fellow marines. Wounded, hungry, thirsty, dying from exposure and wishing for death, they were unaware even of each other. All await their fate as the hull of their ship finally runs aground.

The natives of the lands they had drifted to would most likely kill them and take everything on their galley. However, all three Daemonrexa had hope within them, for the founding of the colonies on the mainland had proven that not all of them were evil.

[b]Capital of Devaldis-Spes[/b]

The Sovereign of Devaldis-Spes, Sovereign Drengard, sat before a long table full of important looking Daemonrexa, half of them Nephilim. "What news do you bring from the colonies?" Drengard said, his voice low and ominous - as many Nephilim were.

"Much of the raiders, bandits and pirates infesting the southern shores has all but been purged." Another Nephilim reported, this one with a higher-pitched voice. She was female, yet she towered over Daemonrexa not of Nephilim class.

"We ensured that they die a slow, slow death." A Succubus from another corner of the table added, her voice unintentionally dancing, seductive. She giggled at the thought of her enemies suffering from the elements, "Even as we speak now, I'm sure they're still screaming and begging for mercy. It's been a few days, I believe."

"The humans who witnessed their up-ended crucifixion seemed to enjoy it." A Mediocris added.

"How many? And how many slaves?" Sovereign Drengard questioned.

"The latest estimates put the number of executed criminals down to about 193 - the worst of the worst. We've put the rest, all 591 of them in irons, if I remember correctly." An imp, whose head was just poking out from below the table, reported smartly, "What will you have us do now, your excellency?"

"We must keep wresting away the shorelines from these criminals, and march deeper into the mainland. South of these strange people - the Isbis - and the Northwestern shores will need cleansing."

"Sire, there is another... matter we need to speak about." The Succubus said.

She reported rumours from the colonies, stating that the they were on land and shores that were once graced by the presence of Saten-Dae himself and his followers as they set sail for what had become their capital. So specific were the rumours that they were quite believable, with additional details that there was a valley further up north - the same one that Saten-Dae passed through. However, with so much fighting going on, Sovereign Drangard could not commit any legions to investigate this, as the Succubus had requested it.

"Perhaps much later on." The Sovereign said, "Besides, those Hillmen ((Hel Core)) would likely be angered if they see us, should the myths ring true."