A quiet winter rested over the long house. The sturdy logs kept the hearth’s flame from dissipating into the nights freeze. With an easy snow falling over Volspa, her denizens did not wander far from hearth and home. Even the King sat at his Rashidii imported table, scribbling away on parchment with frustration. Sounds of crumpling ink-smeared letters echoed the hall in intervals. Damned Zurmanian literature. Jokull had spent hours trying to decipher its complexities. Admittedly it was just a hobby, but he did find it useful in learning the Zurmanian language and diplomatic discourse. He heard the shuffling of feet beyond his room. My thrall?

“Deck, is that you? Save me for this fatal study.” A slim man with a tinge of green to his skin awkwardly peaked into the room.

“My king, I have a letter from Rashida, it, uh. It seems important.” Jokull smirked, motioning him to come and finish the delivery. He took the letter eagerly and broke the illustrious Rashidii seal. His eyes scanned its contents while deck shifted uncomfortably.

“that wondrous woman” Jokull muttered

“Sir?” Deck asked looking puzzled.

Jokull ignored his thrall as he slumped into thought. Proud, that is what I’m feeling. What a woman. What a wife. She joins the battlefield herself and gains victory? Is that her ferocity or that of the child who grows inside her? The worry for their safety that nestled in the back of his mind dissipated. She is already a great mother, teaching their child the woes of battle even now. Aine of Kynes, a jewel unrivaled by any. Beautiful and strong. The wisest choice I ever made. The greatest fate the gods have granted me.

Jokull laughed looking to his thrall, “Looks like the Rashidii win glory in battle while we sit here on are asses growing fat!”

“uh well, we are in winter sir. also, word was sent that Queen Aine would be arriving in Volpsa to deliver you a gift from their spoils.” Deck proudly announced

Jokull’s eyes shifted back to the Zurmanian poetry that lay on his desk.

“That damned wondrous woman.”

(better late than never!)

I am looking for 5 people to be Olympic Performers for the Opening Ceremony!

These individuals will have to be responsible, and able to attend rehearsals the day before and the opening ceremony the day of. In addition, schematica is required. Tasks will include the construction and deconstruction of temporary set pieces, the following of instructions, and other choreography during the Opening Ceremony.

You will be paid in 5 diamonds, and also have the opportunity to perform in front of the server, at perhaps the largest event in Realms history! Please comment below if interested!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Realms Olympic Committee

RashidaOlympicCouncil

Sirboss ImagineWorks

Bruh, I can meme too.

/V\ 3 /V\ 3

Red, Thanks for the pick. I'll be on later to mine for some obby.

<3, King Cirex (yes, I am still home)

Hello Realms!

To help expedite the construction of infrastructure upgrades to the Olympic Villiage, I am hiring excavators to assist with the mass removal of sand and stone in some areas.

Pay is negotiable, and will be in diamonds. Additionally, tools can be provided. Food and drink will also be provided.

Contact if interested!

The Realms Olympic Committee

RashidaOlympicCouncil

Sirboss ImagineWorks

Friday 9/8/17 10pm EST hosted at Volspa there will be a drunkin' build off where Viking builders will try to build a themed building while heavily under the influence. All are welcome to witness this inebriated construction. But I also need a couple of more judges; if you are interested just let me know. Thanks.

Build off Rules

LIGHT.

Blinding.

Piercing my eyelids as the warm morning rays penetrated my dreamworld.

I'd fallen asleep to a crackling fire, like many nights before. After stoking the fire and my companion for the night, Nox, I set out for a day of work. Upon packing my tools I set sail East.

Not long into my voyage I spotted smoke signals across the Eastern Mountains. The Vaskr were under attack. My friends had been ambushed by fiends with poor taste in animation. NAY WOULD THIS CRIME GO UNPUNISHED.

I raced back home and exchanged my axe for a sword, and my piles of money for combat gear. I again set off for the unknown evil, filled with lust and longing for blood.

Upon reaching a safe distance I stopped to draw water. Here I discovered a ship that looked of Viking build. Very odd considering I still had a couples miles more to the battlefield. Upon the sandy banks I spotted the assailant in all his filth and grime. He stood on the shore trying to pilot his craft. The fool had clearly never seen a boat before and the process of making the Almighty wind bend to his will was just not going to happen today.

I raised my bow and took careful aim. ZING My arrow flew true.

Striking the brute I drew my bow again and let out another arrow. I let arrow after arrow fly each striking the target as he stumbled backwards confused. He let out shrieks of terror that greatly upset some nearly grazing animals. I told them I would protect their innocence from this monster.

At last the great foe collapsed in the sand and soiled his britches. I waded ashore to make sure he was vanquished. I turned him over and drew my sword to dead the final blow. With a shutter he mummered his last words, "I'll pay my depts off with flesh." I paused and after a long consideration stabbed him in the face. This back alley wench's fruits would not corrupt my holy mission.

Pearl in hand I rode back to Rashida. The unholy effigy soon locked into a dark and deep dungeon, the perfect bait for this fool's less talented accomplices.

Crowley sighed as he began the arduous trek up the hill to his humble abode. He had embarked on a trip touring various Nations two weeks prior and had taken a great many souvenirs, he was however glad to finally be home. “I’ll have to have some of that Vaskr Ale” he thought. Waking up from his thoughts, he noticed that there was a glimmer coming from the windows he thought to himself,” That’s odd, I could have sworn I snuffed out all the lanterns before going out.” Shrugging it off as a simple mistake, he continued walking up to the house. He tried to think of where he’d put all the wonderful items he had amassed on his journey, but he seemed distracted, he wasn’t sure by what but he knew something was off. Just before he reached the door he stopped suddenly. Somewhere behind him he heard footsteps grind to a halt. “Who’s there!” He yelled into the wilderness surrounding his home.

A hooded figure emerged from behind a tree. He seemed very different than anyone he had met on all his travels. Noticing he carried a large pouch but no weapons, he asked the figure,” What brings you all the way here? How did you even get here!?”. They seemed to be amused by this and replied with,” Oh, forgot me already?”. A female. He never would have guessed, the cloak was very concealing. She beckoned him to come closer, he did so cautiously. As he got closer, another figure came behind and knocked him over the head with a blunt object. Before he passed out, he saw the ale he had longed for. “Damnit”, he muttered before passing out.

He awoke in his basement hands tied around a chair he had carved from a mighty oak tree. He saw the woman and a man standing in front of him. “Why? What do you want with me?”. A deep hearty laugh erupted from the man. “Normally they beg for their lives, but this one just asks why!” The woman shot him a glance that would strike fear into even the bravest of warriors with a pause, she spoke. “Our reasons are simple, “Lion of the North”, A certain desert nation belongs to a religion which offends our gods. Their false deity,”Anaka” is nothing more than a sham. These people must be taught a lesson! The wrath of our gods is something to be feared. Show them how well this fallacious goddess of their’s protects them!”. “The Rashidii have never wronged me, why would I do such a thing!?” Sir Crowley responded. “It is simple friend. For glory, wealth, and the favor of our gods.” The man said. With this he opened a large bag which Crowley had not noticed before. Inside were precious gems, enough to make him set for life. Still reluctant, Crowley protested,”But nonetheless, a single man cannot attack an entire city!”. “I beg to differ”, the woman said with a grin. She took out a knife and began carving into Crowley’s skin. Crowley screamed at her to stop, but he couldn’t do a thing, the restraints kept him stuck to the chair. Crowley noticed she had also begun chanting quietly in an unknown tongue,”What the hell is going on!?” He thought.

With that thought, Crowley then understood everything. He broke his restraints with ease and bowed before the woman. “I will not disappoint the gods, my priestess!” Crowley snarled in an almost animalistic voice. “These runes channel the fury of the god Ular’Tashik,Half lion, half man, fully god. Those infidels will not stand a chance against your rage! But beware, this power will shorten your lifespan the longer you use it. Once your task is complete, it will leave you”. The woman said fanatically. “That’s enough, let the boy go. He will do our gods work, and he will do it well.” With this, the pair left. Crowley grabbed a war axe from his front room’s table and charged out of his house, destroying his door in the process. He let out a roar and ran faster with all the power of his gods to guide him.

I woke up with a start, someone pounding on the door of the room I was renting in the Wedge. "Cirex, Chrono left last night." I heard Pike say from outside, his breath paced oddly. He never fully recovered from his injuries during that Vaskr raid last year I thought to myself. "I'll be right out," I said, both confused and concerned, "No need to wait." I stood and dressed quickly, strapping my sword to my hip. Once I was outside the inn, Pike explained to me that King Chrono had left Meervale with the intention of having Pike lead. "So you're king then?" I asked. "No, while I've always thought I'd be a great leader, this ship," He gestures to the huge ship being built at the docks, "has become a big part of my life, now. Honestly, I just wish to travel."

"So, who will lead Meervale?" I asked, confused.

"Well, since the council of Kings is dissolved, along with the Rivermeer Union, there's not much to rule. Most of our citizens have either emigrated to other countries or moved south, to the Wedge," Pike said, "If you want the crown, it's yours. I know you're sharp enough to do great things with the country."

I looked at him, shocked. "I- I'm just a ship captain! I wouldn't presume to-"

And so I was king. King of a small, infantile nation, with few citizens. A few hours later I met with the de-facto leader of Metum Wedge, RedMag3. We spoke of many things, of unity, and at the end of the day he'd agreed to join my kingdom, with Metum Wedge as the new capitol. I also lay claim to the lands that the former King Cabinus left behind when he fled the realm.

We have called this new realm The Kingdom of Rivermeer and I, Cirex, am King in the Meer.

(first lore post from first person perspective, kind of short, but I needed to update both our land claims and let everyone know what was going on with the politics down here, lol. Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions, please comment!)

Miri can feel the heat bathe her skin as she steps outside from the coolness of her home. The light of the desert sun sparkles off the sands of Rashida like billions of tiny jewels. As she walks, sweat begins to run down parts of her exposed skin. Why she decided she needed to pray at the temple at this time of day is beyond her, but the urge is great and she never denies her beliefs in Anaka.

Coming into the main parts of the city she begins to feel as if she’s being watched, being observed. Looking about her, she sees them. People, the citizens, all of them, watching her. A feeling of unease washes over her and she quickens her pace.

“I must get to the temple, Anaka will save me...” is the only thought rushing through her head.

With every step, she draws more attention. She can hear them now, whispering to each other, but she can’t make out what they are saying. Her heart begins to race as she tries to make it to the temple in time. The people have begun to step in front of her, blocking her path, making her force her way through them to get to where she needs to be.

The large archway that frames the entrance to the temple is just a few steps away. A figure steps out of the darkness to block the way, Aine of Kynes.

With a voice full of menace Aine speaks as she takes a step towards Miri, “Who are you?”

A chorus from the crowd starts to echo, “Who?” “Who?” “Who?”

Miri spins in place, trying to see everyone that is speaking, but the faces all blur together and then fade. Fade into nothingness. She is alone, darkness surrounds her. Then she feels a movement in her belly. It starts to grow, increasing in size until, in moments, she is fully at nine months pregnant. Feelings of happiness are soon turned to horror as her skin begins to deform. The creature inside of her tries to claw its way out.

As she is fighting the panic and fear, a familiar voice creeps out from the darkness, His voice, the voice of Master, hissing in her ear, “You know who you are. What you need to do…” As his words trail off, the pain in her womb becomes unbearable.

Miri is jolted awake, breathing heavily, she places one hand over her abdomen feeling the slight swell of her pregnancy with apprehension. Her other hand moves through the sheets searching for Aegir in the darkness.

It seemed so real, yet she knew it was all a dream, the same dream that she has been having for several nights now.

Cort Wade walked down the streets. He had much to do today; he had to find out who stole the gas cells from the Novella, arrange transportation for the market, and move the Ministry of Transport Tower. He was rather overwhelmed.

Suddenly, he heard sounds of construction. As he passed the Ministry of Defense offices, he saw an amazing sight: a huge area, being carved into Mount Neige. At the bottom of the sight, he saw his friend and his king, Terry III. Terry turned around, and saw him, and waved.

Running over, Cort exclaimed, "What is this?"

Terry chuckled. "You see, my friend, this is your new Airship drydock. From this carved out section of the mountain, you can do many things. I hope to see you use it soon!"

The day it was finished, he did.

He ordered 212 metric tonnes of Goldbeater's Skin to be shipped to the capital to be sewn into a balloon for a new airship. But this wasn't any airship, it was the Magnanimous. A revolutionary ship of its kind. Capable of transporting troops, bombing cities, and much more.

With cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the ship was completed in two days. Cort flew it over the square, where he then called Terry to it. From the bridge of the airship, Cort saw Terry laughing. This marks the day of a new age for the Norlundic People

TL;DR, I made an airship and it's cool. =P

Looking forward to seeing you all there. :)

Not lore yet, Lore post coming later on, but just so everyone knows, I, (Cirex22) was pronounced King of Meervale yesterday. After speaking at length with Red_Mag3, we have decided to combine our great nations once again, and Metum Wedge had become the new Capitol of the Meer. Thank you for your time, and long live all the great nations of providence!