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Cleveraptor𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒏
𝕽𝖊𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓
Year 1252 of the fourth Era. It has been over a century since the end of Thoris' second great war where Smor'Gen'Blok attempted to seize over half the continent with aid from several smaller nations scattered across the world, before being pushed back by the combined forces of Arcadia and Marrenfall. The results of Smor'Gen'Blok's greed, or more aptly, the overbearing brutality and arrogance of their warlord Koal'o, cost them dearly. Casualties numbered in the hundreds of thousands, including over half of the Berserker tribe and nearly all of their otherwise able bodied warriors. Not only that, but Marrenfall was granted access to the eastern stretch of the Ruliman Plateau and the precious minerals within Smor'Gen'Blok's borders as a condition for peace. Many of the nations that allied with the Lok'Sha faced penalties as well. In the most significant cases they were forced to effectively dissolve their borders, join with either Arcadia or Marrenfall, and surrender all of their knowledge to either nation, lest they desire to prolong an unwinnable war even longer. Most went to Arcadia, but the rare resources that Marrenfall gained access too were considered far more valuable at the time than knowledge and people. The Myti Nation of Leias, and Eldi conglomerates across the globe played very little parts in assisting Arcadia and Marrenfall, seeking almost no compensation in return. But even with the agreements set in place after this 70 year war, tensions were at at all time high. There had not been this much caution between the nations since the end of the first great war.
The knights and civilians of Arcadian remain mostly ignorant to the frozen politics that lurk between nations. They suffered the least, keeping their numbers strong with the Paladin Order's aid at the ready at all stages of the war. Trade with Marrenfall had risen significantly as the two Nations established an unbreakable bond on the field of battle and the kingdom's morale remains a strong symbol of unity across Thoris. But as prosperous as the Arcadian Nation has been, all is not well in the ivory city of god.
With so many districts, a spike in population, and the sudden surge of wealth that the second great war brought, Arcadia has begun to suffer from a disconnect between its classes. The city's multi-layered districts that once stood as an example of racial unity and inclusion have become segmented off from one another by the significant discrepancy in wealth. Elemental mages with exceptional abilities prove too efficient to compete with, the advancement of soul magic has come to total halt in the past decades, and the Paladin order shrinks with each passing year as their faithful followers lose touch with Maeti one after another. With the slowdown in medical advancement, limited application of holy magic, and increase in lower class districts, sickness and famine has gone from an impossibility to a common issue. Once glimmering streets where mages of all occupations could thrive have become slums where criminal activity has begun to fester. Likewise the richest districts of Arcadia have become hubs for illegal trade and immoral practices. Private caravans that employ inexperienced and unsightly mages to traverse the wilds for materials, underground fighting rings where lives are taken without remorse, slavery, and more are hidden behind a metaphorical wall of money. Although the knights work relentlessly to correct as much of this as possible, there's only so much that can be done. Sometimes it's just too difficult to find cockroaches in a sea of gold.
It might be easier for the royal knights to focus on the wrongdoings going on in their city if there was not a need for so many Caravans to exist at once. In the past the percentage of knights posted outside of the city was less than 10% of Arcadia's combined force. In the recent decades following their war with Smor'Gen'Blok however, anywhere from 30-50% of the city's forces can be found on the outer defensive perimeter of the city or out in the wilds. Caravan activity has more than tripled with so many patrols and interactions with Marrenfall scheduled, but another issue entirely has the royal guard on high alert. Titan class monsters have been displaying far more aggressive activity. For at least 40 years, the amount of Titan-class sightings have been steadily rising. Casualties in hunting Caravans continue to rise as they are forced to divert, disable, or slay any threats to Arcadia before their targets get anywhere near the ivory city. Due to the constant complications that have piled atop one another outside of the city itself, maintaining society within its walls remains a difficult effort.
But it is important to maintain relations with the surrounding nations, as well as keep the most powerful creatures in the wild far away from Arcadia. If the numerous caravans of Arcadia cease activity for even a single day, it could spell disaster for not only the ivory city, but the entire world. If they superpower of Arcadia was wiped out, there would be nothing keeping the berserkers of Smor'Gen'Blok from running rampant once again. Lord knows that those muscle-headed creatures are waiting quietly for their chance to rise up from the pits of Ruliman. They've already started the two longest wars in history now. Given time, and the right warlord, a third is sure to follow.
Fortunately Smor'Gen'Blok's current leader, Warchief Lu'li'po, has no desire for war. Although she continues to perpetuate the archaic traditions of her people, the last thing that the Lok'Sha need is another war. With their losses from the last war, the Berserker clan has only just reestablished its former might, but with Lu'li'po's guidance, her people have slowly begun to transition away from a culture of sheer violence. Though certain groups within Smor'Gen'Blok do not see eye to eye with Lu'li'po, her power as a Berserker priestess, and unwavering loyalty of Ra'Ja'Ka's children, all but assure her a position of power until her life comes to its end. Considering her age however, and bond with Ra'Ja'Ka, it could be any day now.
Marrenfall's agreement with Smor'Gen'Blok has since expired as well, but not due to any sort of conflict or agreement. The cave system they were granted access to as a condition for peace was never a viable source of minerals for humans from the start. Ruliman's cave systems are not safe in the slightest. After a series of catastrophic collapses in the year 1159-4E, the result of which killed over 2000 workers, the Marrenfall mining corporation pulled out of Smor'Gen'Blok's border's willfully. Considering that this was less than two decades after the second great war, Marrenfall reaped minimal benefits from their operations in Ruliman. Many officials believe that bitterness may reign within Marrenfall's ranks, since Arcadia benefited from the end of the war more than any other nation in Thoris. Regardless, they keep in constant contact with Arcadia through their own mock-Caravan system, and Arcadia's diplomatic Caravans.
Today is the first of May. The spring brings with it comfortable weather to Arcadia, as well as an untold cavalcade of activity in the wilds. With so many possible dangers lurking around the perimeter of Arcadia, nearly every last Caravan is outside of the walls. Only 6 squads remain at the barracks that layer the base of the Ivory Pillar, one of which is being assigned together for the first time. Though some of these knights may have seen each other in the past, they have never had the pleasure of working together. Fortunately, they were under the merciful command of Major General Philip Norwell, a man known for his kindness, and unusually lax personality. For somebody holding such a high rank, one would think it'd be impossible to take official business so lightly. But he manages to address every knight that speaks with him with a warm smile.
* * *
~ 9:42 AM ~
Arcadia's 4th Barracks, Caravan Centaurus.
The six primary Barracks of Arcadia are where Caravans and munitions are kept. It's also where Caravans are prepped and briefed before being sent on the road to one of the city's several gates. The roof stands tall over head, at least 7 meters, leaving plenty of space for training and storage. Barrels were stacked to the ceiling in every corner of the massive building with various supplies stored within; Gunpowder; Weapons of both physical and magical natures; Standard issue uniforms; Rations; And much more. The building itself was built brick-by-brick to act as a final line of defense in the unlikely event that anyone or anything was able to break through Arcadia's outer walls. It was at least 15000 square feet, if not more, and had several large gate-like exits for Caravans to come and go freely. Knights were stationed at every exit to keep track of every squad that left, and the floor was kept completely clean... Most of the time.
Two massive mammals snorted and swayed from side to side in their restraints that tied them to Caravan Centaurus. They were Venbu, some of the most efficient animals that Arcadia had ever domesticated. Massive enough to supply the city with a bounty of meat, excessively quick to mature, and powerful enough to pull the giant Caravans that kept their city in one piece in pairs, they had no match and ate very little. Much like the monsters that lurked in the wilds, Venbu were almost certainly magical in nature. To this day however, magical scientist have come no closer to understanding how these meaty giants were capable of such exponential growth while needing so little nourishment to work without fatiguing themselves. Sometimes it was better not to question nature's gifts, but that had never stopped anyone in the past.
Several of the Centaurus Knights, as they would be referred to for the duration of their service for their aforementioned Caravan, were waiting for Sir Norwell to arrive with their briefing. He was scheduled to drop by at 10 AM, several minutes from now, with the Caravan's assigned captain, and information regarding their mission. Fortunately for the, they were likely going to be stuck with reconnaissance or international travel to speak with Marrenfall's representatives. With so many Caravans already out and about, including some of the most prestigious knights of Arcadia among their ranks, Caravan Centaurus was assured a simple ride.
One of the knights assigned to Centaurus was hand-deep in the Venbu's thick fur. The creature didn't seem to care, and the woman was lost in just how fluffy it was. She was a new recruit, just barely out of the 3-month probationary period that newbies were forced to endure. This would be her first mission outside the walls, but she didn't seem too bothered by it. She didn't seem that attentive either. Marilyn Lia was far more concerned with the creatures that would be pulling them across the wilds. Maybe that wasn't a bad thing though. She was tasked with their care. But that didn't amount to very much in the long run. Still, Venbu were very particular about being piloted. One wrong tug on the ropes, and they would do whatever they damn well pleased. Miss Lia would have her work cut out for her if they were assigned to a multi-day route, though. Venbu pilots didn't get to sleep as often as other Caravan Knights, and the Venbu needed constant attention to stay on route. Marilyn pulled back from petting the Venbu and pulled her red braid back behind her shoulder. The intertwining rows of hair reached all the way down to her middle back, and climbed up into a green beret. She was wearing a standard issue uniform despite her peculiar choice in hats. Black pants with several straps armoring her knees and thighs, a pair of plated boots, and a standard issue grey jacket that barely fit her. She wasn't the tallest girl around, maybe just barely reaching over five and a half feet, but her upper body was surprisingly well worked. Both of her arms stretched the fabric of her coat, and her posture was almost perfect. But she didn't seem interested in anyone else at all. Marilyn lived in her own little world, absolutely soaked up by the presence of her very own Venbu, even if they weren't really hers.
Another one of the knights stood quietly near the back end of the Caravan with his back perfectly straightened. The man's commanding posture ebbed with raw discipline. He stood much taller than Marilyn, well over 6 feet in stature, and wore his own set of armor that resembled that of the paladins. It was thinner and glimmered only slightly in the presence of sunlight, but didn't resemble the standard issue uniform at all. Even if it wasn't anything special to look at, the man's armor looked extraordinary well kept. Each steel plate was polished to a sheen without a single smear to show for it, and his joints seemed to be in top shape. Even his jet-black hair was straightened and cut short to avoid interfering with his eyesight, or besmirching his professional appearance. Noru Peril was not one to disappoint, but his rank as a First Lieutenant might have implied otherwise, considering how long he'd been a knight for Arcadia. 6 years going in and out of the city on Caravans, and not once had he been promoted. Of course, he'd never inquired or shown interest in the first place. He seemed more like a soldier than a Captain, ready to follow orders, but not interested in delivering them. His silence spoke volumes. His vacant expression however, did not. Each one of his deep green eyes seemed to be staring towards the entrance of the Barracks, eagerly waiting for Major General Norwell's arrival.
The other members of Centaurus however...
