Arcanum - Vendrigoth Rising

[Gorbaz]

The land of Arcanum has ever been an isolated one, an island away from any major landmass with its own population that have grown apart from the main over such a long period that only the oldest have only vague stories of the journeys taken to reach the island. For hundreds of years the island of Arcanum was home to wild magics, the Elves, Humans, Gnomes and Half-Orcs living in their towns and cities, letting the free-flow of natural energies surround them. Only the Dwarves remained in their clan-holds in the mountains, cutting out the rock to fuel their machines and forges. There was no love lost between the Dwarves of the Stonewall range, their cousins in the Grey Mountains, and the Elf-holds of the Glimmering Forrest as technology blocked the free-flow of magic, and spell energy flowing through the mountains caused machinery to sieze up.

But, over in the east is a land where an alliance of Humans, Dwarves and Gnomes have gathered in the name of science, to build a new city where any can learn the ways of technology. Unlike the other towns, the city of Vendrigoth is constantly growing, it's wide boulevards covered with cut stone, poles of iron hang over benches to illuminate the streets while stores and homes of all kinds are build from the abundant stone and iron. Most concerning to the elder races, however, is that this "technology" is starting to make its way into the heartland...

---

The city on Quintarra was noisy this morning. Several groups of Elves were moving through their grand forrest city, the trees of the Glimmering Forrest latched together with wooden walkways between the great boughs so as to allow movement without needing to touch the ground. As ever, enchantments flew through the air, masking the huge city from anyone passing below. It was the same old argument that had been going on for days, and led by the youthful and energetic Arronax - an Elf of barely 150 years who, while nothing out of the ordinary at first glance, had proven to be one of the Elves' most proficient spellcasters. Opposite him were members of the Council - Nasrudin the Elf-Lord and Kergan, most gifted of the Human sorcerers.

"Something must be done, Nasrudin! The longer we wait, the closer the barbarian horde that destroyed Kree comes to us!" Arronax shouted

"I have fait in our Human allies that they will contain the threat" Nasrudin replied, his voice calm

"They didn't contain it before" said Arronax, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Kergan

----

In the east, tucked away from the woes of other nations, sat the fledgling nation of Vendrigoth - there was no distinction between land and city as, for now, both were one. The marvels of the modern age were being shared freely between the inventors and the common public, and the Mayor, a portly fellow called Bylar, wasn't about to let free trade scease. However, the Vendrigoth Times newspaper was reporting disturbances in the south. Apparently a group of barbarians who had been raiding the area for some time had banded together and destroyed the city of Kree. While not a capital, the city was an important trading hub on the south-east of the land, and home to a few hundred souls. The sensationalist press had already named their leader "The Bane of Kree", and, while no calls for aid had ben received, there were questions being raised about the security of their nation.

In other news, a great beast by the name of Gorgoth had vanished recently, following a confrontation with the Elves. Very little could be reported, other than the beast was said to eat anything and everything in it's path and, after the confrontation, had vanished without a trace

[Gorbaz]

The commotion of the debate in the Elven city had drawn people from all over, and Amy'lisin had ended up not too far away. She would recognise Kergan as not only the most prominent Human on the council, but a talented mage, for one not born to it's use. Most of the people in the main plaza were watching the debate, but there were still a few who maintained their distance. First was Kyr'an the smith, standing in his naturally-grown smithy, working on another Elvish blade. Across the way in their own alcove sat the Handmaidens of the Oracle, each one an expert in their own field of magick. One of the locals, a young woman called Tal'Ashe nudges Amy'lisin. "So who do you think will win this time?" she whispers

[MelissaB]

Amy glances to her side as her attention is drawn away from the debate with a tilt of her head she smiles. "Arronax is to youthful he'll be seen as to brash and zealous. Even if what he says carries a hint of truth he's views aren't laced with wisdom that only age can carry. So he won't win." she concludes with a smirk and turns back to the debate with fascination. She looks over the Human Kergan with a small smile. "not bad for a human" She mutters to herself with a mischievous grin just loud enough for Tal'Ashe to hear.

[[Brand_Name]]

Samara gazed in awe upon the city as she stood at the front gate. Other citizens stared in repulsion at her revealing outfit of metal and fine cloth, while they were clothed in nothing more than rags. Occasionally, a nobleman could be seen in fine silk atop a horse, but, like any other city at the time, most men dressed in filth and tattered cloth. Nonetheless, it was a noble city, and Samara wanted nothing more than to explore and expand her mind in the outside world. She stepped up to the gate, guarded by soldiers, and began to walk through, unsure of what she would find on the inside.