[b]24th Mid Year, 205 4E Coast North of Woodhearth, Valenwood[/b] The last Redguard ship faltered in the waters. The Maormer battlegroup was highly displeased at both the lack of naval presence and the paltry quality displayed by the ships they'd encountered. “Only a dozen kills and not another ship in sight.” grumbled the captain in charge of the force. Shrill, hissing trumpets sounded from the faster scout ships. They other captains were displeased and low on resources. “All ships to [i]The Hydra[/i]. I want half the fleet to return home. The other half, WE SAIL NORTH. Somewhere in these Satakal forsaken waters is a piss poor excuse for a navy.” More trumpets sounded and the battlegroup unloaded as many resources as it could into the boats sailing north. The Captain in Command consulted his map. Stros M'Kai... it would provide his people with a great location for launching ships into all of western Tamriel. He bet the Redguards would have a small naval base there as well. They could take the harbour and resupply before sending a message back to Pyandonea. “All right men. We assault Stros M'Kai. Our orders not to molest Altmer ships unless in self defence still stand. Prepare for battle.” The southern detachment opened full wing-sail for Pyandonea. The northern detachment followed [i]The Hydra[/i] up the coast. They came to signs of battle further on as the sun set. The crow's nest reported Altmer sails, heading the same bearing as they were. The Captain in Command started for only a moment. His next orders were issued with an excited tone. “Follow the Altmer, then. Everyone on alternating shifts. Be ready! We won't arrive too far behind them and will aid in their battle.” Orgnum would promote him to admiral if he managed to not only take on an impressive fleet but also broker a peace between the Maormer and the Altmer. Orgnum was keen to never see the combined fleets of Tamriel on his waters again. True there was old hate between his people and the High Elves but they were also the closest relatives, in both blood and culture, to the Maormer. Summerset wasn't going anywhere. With any luck, they'd be in Stros M'Kai at midday. ----------------------------------- [b]25th Midyear, 4E 205 Eltheric Ocean[/b] [hider=First half of this conversation]http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/30768/posts/ic?page=6#post-1340709[/hider] One of the Dunmer crew was shocked at the sight of the Khajiit being served up on a plate, his jaws dropped once King Orgnum slid a bowl in front of them with a piece of the meat, expecting the crew to eat it. The emissary who kept his composure earlier almost broke down on his seat, as his duties as a diplomat demands him to practice the culture of the individuals they are sent to, in this case, the Khajiit dining King Orgnum. “We are..uhm..honored to dine this, new cuisine with you, King Orgnum.” The emissary says before nudging the crew who was shocked into opening its mouth impolitely. “Indeed our people have long co-existed with no accounts of conflicts written in the books, we.. assure you it is only the truth that my people tells you.” says the emissary who was taking a chunk of the Khajiit meat into its mouth, then chewing it lightly. The taste of the meat can almost be compared to the meat of a Nix Hound in Morrowind, but more sweet and surprisingly savory. “Uhm.. is this really Khajiit my lord? The taste is far different from what I think a Khajiit would taste… this is wonderful!” King Orgnum took a bite and smiled widely. “I’m quite glad you like it, it was difficult to prepare on such short notice. Now, let’s return to my question of what magicks Morrowind can offer us and requests in return. You will find the magick of Pyandonea quite different than your own. For example, the stunning lady I called on earlier. My people can do things such as this. What do yours offer?” “Ah, yes.” the emissary says before wiping his lips with cloth beside their plates. “Morrowind over the years, have mastered the arts of conjuring destructive spells, that our knowledge about it is sought after by the provinces of Tamriel. Of course, only few are given the chance to learn it, but for the Maormer, I’m sure Morrowind wouldn’t hesitate to share it.” Taking a pause to drink from the cup of water, the emissary continues to speak. “In return, we only ask the King of Pyandonea, knowledge to resurrect and control an Emperor Crab in our land. The crab we spoke of is of great importance to Morrowind for it protected its people for centuries, in life and in death.” stated by the emissary before bowing his head lightly while remaining seated. Orgnum refilled his cup before speaking. “We can exchange some Priests to aid in your research in return for your mages’ help in destructive spells. By the ancestor spirits, this is a great alliance indeed. I admit that I am surprised by how easily the Dunmer can make promises such as these… though I suppose our promises, which are every day for us, must seem gargantuan in their strangeness to you.” The King of Pyandonea raised his glass to the emissary. “Truly, we look forward to such auspicious agreements being upheld. We can send a carrier of our men to Morrowind if you’d like to wait for an escort. This ship, [i]Storm’s Wrath[/i] can stay docked with yours until your departure. In the meanwhile feel free to request any cuisine you desire of the crew. They will conjure,” Orgnum finally let out a shrill giggle at this word “Up anything you can imagine, I assure you. I would take you to Pyandonea itself, as you no doubt expect, but it is closed to outsiders. My apologies. Is this agreeable to you?” “Our king will be pleased to hear of this, these agreements won’t be forgotten by the people of Morrowind. I must admit that your traditions are indeed different from us, but I’m sure, as time goes by, we will be able to learn and appreciate them, like you do.” said the emissary, before standing up from his seat, and bowing before the King. “We would be honored if you can take us to Morrowind through the use of your carrier. Maybe, we could show you some cuisines we have in our lands, along with the goods we mentioned on this meeting, before you depart.” “After tasting the delicious Khajiit dish, we would love to taste what other cuisines your crew has up their sleeves.” True to their word, the Maormer conjured up sea flora and fauna cooked in exotic ways the evening and morning over. At mid morning the beetle-like carrier, this one spotted black and white, was laden with a full capacity of troops and the massive boat dwarfed the Dunmer ship. Thirty other Maormer ships were launched as an escort to Morrowind, ten of them to return with mages, goods, and news. They departed promptly after lashing the Dunmer ship to two other boats so it wasn't left behind. Orgnum pondered the odd appearance of the Dark Elves. Allies indeed. ----------------------------------------------- [b]26th Mid Year, Stros M'Kai[/b] “Damn, the Altmer ships are faster than they were. Guess a whole era will do that to you.” The Maormer fleet led by [i]The Hydra[/i] crashed upon the oceans with their heavy might. It was just before mid day and the apparent battle between Hammerfell, the Captain Commander guessed, and Alinor was already under way. “We're late to the party, but let's show 'em how to finish one. WINGSAILS TO ONE QUARTER. MAGES! ARCHERS!” He bellowed. Over the shores came a dark thunder caps and a pouring tempest while the ships further out remained dry. The mages weaved their work, arcane words flowing from their mouths. [i]The Hydra[/i] was first to come into range with its heavy mages, pummeling the fortresses ashore. A catapult seemed to still be working but within a minute it was a smoking wreck as the ship beside [i]The Hydra[/i] brought its priests into range. The heaviest ships hammered the bay before turning their spells shipward. The resounding echo from each crack of magic sounded as if the sky was ripping itself apart. Maormer cruisers leaped ahead of the heavy ships and began raining spell, arrow, and elf on Yokudan ships within range that were harassing Altmer ships nearby. They crumbled beneath the extended fire of Pyandonean ships. Storms on the shore eased and a favourable undertow sped limping Altmer ships away from the battle. Contrary winds began slowing the quick Yokudan vessels, hampering their ability to coordrinate. The smaller ramming vessels skirted around the cruisers and plunged themselves bow first into whatever vessel they could find. Yokudan soldiers bravely leaped aboard to Maomer ships to land in a pit of constrictor snakes and a people accustomed to naval raids. Expert archers picked off Yokudan commanders as ships approached, taunting the Redguards to board their ships. The Altmer, for their part, didn't fire on their ancient enemies and the Maormer were much to reverent of Orgnum to dare disobey even if they wanted Summerset. The Captain in Command had taken a risk coming here. Stros M'Kai could very well have been a barren rock. The Altmer could have opened fire, or even just sailed somewhere else. The gamble has worked out, though. He loved the sea, and he loved putting ships at the bottom of it. ---------------------------------------------------- [b]1st of Sun’s Height, 4E 205 Mantu, Pyandonea[/b] Aayandorin was recovered and listening to the reports from Khael. The serpent neither decayed now swam, and Aayandorin felt a weight lift from his heart. The ritual was a success! Unfortunately, the giant snake was reluctant to listen to the calming spells of the priests and resistant to the command spells. They'd been unable to tame it so far. The High Priest slipped on an exquisitely ornate dark armour and cleared his throat. “We will go today to tame the beast. Together we can overcome its fear and soothe our creation to our presences. By Kahtanti we will deliver Orgnum a new creation!” They stepped out into a small blue chitinous vessel overcome with open mouthed serpentine carving and silks dripping from the fangs and extended the winglike sails. Aayandorin's colourless eyes burned with holy conviction as they met the rising sun's glare. They landed on Khael and were immediately greeted by the slithering crunch of vegetation beneath the newborn serpent. Aayandorin cast soothing spells and whispered to his magical offspring. “Daughter of Kahtanti, wife of Orgnum, fear us not. I am Aayandorin, High Priest of the Satakimeri Order. We are your kin through service to Orgnum, whom we know as the god Satakan.” The great snake let out a soft hiss. It was calm, and seemed to be listening. “Resist us not, we mean you no harm. You are new and confused, a species never in this world before. Ours is the power granted to us to work with your kind, to watch over you and guide you to be healthy and plentiful. In return, we will call upon your power when needed for the cause of your father King Orgnum. We are the true Aldmer, the Maormer, banished to this land for holding our righteous beliefs in Anurbis and Pyan-Do-Mai, our serpent ancestor spirits. Come, sister, to us and await the reunion of all when King Orgnum finally grows young enough to die.” He alighted the command spell with these words, writhing its power towards the snake's head. It began to bow, but its eyes grew wide and it started to pull back. It hissed alarmingly. Aayandonrin hissed serpentine words back to the creature, pushing his spell forward more. The other priests joined, switching from calming spells to command spells. Within half of an hour of this conversation, the High Priest has his hand on the serpent's mouth and was filling its ears with words Tamriel would never comprehend. -------------------------------------------------------- [b]Etho Sul, Pyandonea[/b] Fusing summoned snakes with destruction magic was proving difficult. The priests hadn't been able to create inherently explosive snakes, but they were able to make them take on a volatile nature that lent itself towards explosion and combustion. For ignition, the priests had casts basic fire runes on the snakes' mouths. With this combination they were able to achieve the same thing. They'd shortly be able to weave the rune into the summoning spell but it was a taxing ritual which weaker mages couldn't handle. ----------------------------------------------------------- [b]Wega Harbour, Pyandonea[/b] The Water Skins, as the riders were known, watched their serpents play in the waters. Wega was a jungle city in contrast with the beaches of Abbarbas which was bordered by the Banta Desert on its north and west sides. The serpents there were waiting to be outfitted with their rams, the first of which had already been do outfitted. Its rider was petting and soothing the serpent whom hissed a distaste for the new adornment. The water sparkled over the Pyrrah Bay but characteristic mists could be seen in the distance. One could make out Khael and a small vessel headed in that direction. The rider of a particularly energetic red serpent was laughingly trying to convince it not to speed off to see what was going on. By the end of the day each serpent's ram was removed and they swam off tiredly. Training had begun. -------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Abbarbas Harbour, Pyandonea[/b] Shipsbuilders were in a frenzy. How could one vessel require even [i]more[/i] chitin than the carriers? Those were utterly monstrous and they'd had to build twelve of them. Twelve! This “floating harbour” the High Admiral had thought up was large enough to port three battlegroups AND a carrier. Plus, he'd gotten the bright idea to put in a diplomatic room and personal cabins [I]as if the thing wasn't just massive but was his personal summer home[/i] They couldn't even build other boats while this was under way. Even the name was egregious. T'MOL. Was that even a word? The outer shell was finished growing, it was the inner shell which concerned them. It was complex and required careful placement of wood into chitin foundations. Their schedule was tight, and so the shipsbuilders were in a frenzy. -------------------------------- [b]Actions Follow Altmer ships to Stros M'Kai. Join Stros M'Kai battle Conclude successful deal with Dunmer. Send thirty ships and a carrier full of men to Morrowind for training. Ten will return with goods and mages. Land serpent pliant to command spells. Taming commenceth! Training of Water Skins under way Construction of floating harbour under way.[/b]