Ezekiel

Tales of Azeroth: Flames of Chaos

The island nation of Kul Tiras has dominated the seas of the Eastern Kingdoms and beyond since the days of the Arathor Empire. Established by colonists from Gilneas, still but a part of the original human nation, when the influence of Strom

Name: The Admiralty Of Kul Tiras

Held Territories: The island nation comprises primarily an archipelago of islands in the Great Sea, due West of Lordaeron and the other nations of the Northern Alliance. The principle islands include Kul Tiras itself and Tol Dagor, although this has since expanded to include Balor and Tol Barad following the Second and Third Wars respectively. The Admiralty maintains a series of small outposts on most of the world’s main landmasses, including islands near the Southern reaches of the continent and the South Seas. In more recent times the island of Theramore has been settled on the shores of Kalimdor, along with a series of military outposts across the continent’s eastern shore, although these function largely autonomously from the central authority of the Admiralty, due to the large number of Kul Tiran sailors and marines involved in their settlement, they are still considered to be aligned with the Admiralty now that contact has been established. Since the events of the Third War, the Kul Tiran navy has restored contact with the survivors of Arthas’ ill-fated expedition and thus loosely incorporated the port of Valgarde within the wider network of Kul Tiran outposts, although those present likely still feel greater kin for their surviving countrymen in Lordaeron.

Other Assets: The greatest asset of the Kul Tiran people is their famed fleet, the backbone on which the trading empire of the Admiralty is built. It established nautical dominance over the other human kingdoms long before the coming of the orcs, and was subsequently instrumental in maintaining Alliance control of the seas during the Second War. Crafted by the masterwork shipwrights and blessed by the Tidesages, few can hope to match the Kul Tirans at sea, nor in the subsequent success of their merchants in bringing wealth from across the known world to the island nation.

Goals and Motivations: Kul Tiras has little interest in the building rush for land and power on the ravaged continent of the Northern Eastern Kingdoms, instead seeking, as ever, to maintain their hegemony over the tides. With the second largest of the Alliance’s navies, Lordaeron, having been ravaged by betrayal and war, there seems little potential for any of their human allies and rivals challenging this. The nation’s primary future interests lie to the West and South, where their merchant class can continue to prosper from the influx of exotic goods brought in from their nautical exploits. Unlike the other human nations, the less direct way in which Kul Tiras is ruled does, however, create a series of contradictory internal goals. Despite early interactions with the Horde and Kaldorei in the West being far from peaceful, Jaina Proudmoore continues to attempt to bring an end to hostility , while her father and much of the more experienced memory see the exodus as an opportunity to ensure the Horde will never threaten the Alliance again. Others among the ruling elite instead simply seek to reduce Kul Tiras’ commitments to any of the costly conflicts it has been involved in for most of recent decades. Working from within the nation, the Coven has its own aims entirely.

Recent History:

Largely isolated from the disasters impacting the mainland, life on the island of Kul Tiras has largely remained the same, unlike the other human nations, Kul Tiras was largely independent of Lordaeron from both a commerce and agricultural perspective, and has weathered the absence of it with relative ease. The military of Kul Tiras has been active, but in a largely expeditionary nature, and has thus avoided the intense attrition felt by the other nations of the Alliance.

The most notable event for the nation has been the founding of Theramore, the eldest surviving child of the Lord Admiral, Jaina Proudmoore, leading an exodus of refugees from Lordaeron to the far shores of Kalimdor, in order to found a new home far from the calamity of their homeland. While the civilian population is largely made up of those from Lordaeron, the backbone of the Theramore military is formed from Kul Tiran marines and sailors, those sent to protect the Proudmoore heiress during the collapse of Lordaeron, now aligned to her vision of a new home for humanity on fresh shores. The Admiralty has little oversight and control of Theramore, and so there are those who consider this a considerable blow to the capability of Kul Tiras. For those subscribed to this view of the situation, the problem has only been compounded by Daelin’s focus on military matters in the West, seeking to support his daughter against both orcish and elven aggression, even if the two differ wildly in their approaches to such matters.

Ultimately, Kul Tiras remains aloof from the concerns of the Northern Alliance, focusing instead on its maritime pursuits across the Great Ocean, from securing its colonies, to protecting the one beach head the Alliance maintains on Nothrend, with the hope that one day the fight may be taken decisively to the Scourge.

Key Players:

Daelin Proudmoore: Lord-Admiral of Kul Tiras and decorated war hero of the second war, Daelin is a man who takes his duties to Kul Tiras as seriously as any to have held the position. Having been present at the formation of the Alliance of Lordaeron, he took up the position of Grand Admiral of the Alliance, coordinating the efforts of the Alliance’s naval forces during the Second War, which proved the most decisive element of the extended conflict.

While always a hard man of decisive action, bearing witness to the savagery of the Horde during the war, and the loss of his eldest son, only enhanced these traits. Where his daughter seeks to bring an end to hostilities in the West, Daelin perceives all versions of the Horde to be as existential a threat as the Scourge and is no more likely to pursue peace with them. Consequently, while the majority of the Alliance focuses on the pressing issue of the Scourge, Kul Tiras remains divided in its priorities.

Jaina Proudmoore: Previously the favored apprentice and student of Archmage Antonidas, Jaina has long been famed for both her magical prowess for one so young, as well as her impact on the courts of the human (and even elven) realms. While she grew up on Kul Tiras among the rest of the Proudmoore family, she has lived overseas since the start of her adolescence, primarily within Dalaran but equally visiting Lordaeron, Stormwind and SIlvermoon on occasion. In recent years she has been at the heart of important events, helping to combat the early Scourge before it was known as such alongside Prince Arthas and Uther the Lightbringer. When such attempts failed, at the urging of a mysterious Prophet, she lead many refugees from Lordaeron to safety, alongside a detachment of the Kul Tiran Navy, to found the city of Theramore on the mysterious shores of Kalimdor. These new settlers soon came into contact, and then conflict, with both the new Horde and the natives of the land, the Kaldorei. While she has pushed for peace with both groups, she is also determined that those who have entrusted her with their future will not be betrayed, and so lends her considerable skill in both magic and statecraft fully to this effect.

Tandred Proudmoore: Youngest child of Daelin and Kathrine, Tandred is already an accomplished sailor and commander, taking the helm of the Third Fleet, the rebuilt flotilla previously commanded by his elder brother, which suffered greatly during the conflict with the Horde which would claim his brother’s life. He is neither as belicose as Daelin, nor conciliatory as Jaina, instead seeking unity both within his family and his nation.

Morgaera Del’Vecroix: Previously the daughter of a minor Drustvar landowner, Morgaera is a courtier of some note within the Court of Boralus, a thriving environment that has only grown more so as the most stable within the Northern Alliance. Secretly, she is an agent of the mysterious Coven, who look to dominate Kul Tiras from the shadows. Previously the shadowy organisation of witches swore loyalty only to Gorak Tul, banished leader of the Drust, but now perhaps, there are even greater evils lurking within the realms of shadow.

The Daughter of the Sea

Name: Lady Jaina Proudmoore

Faction: The Island of Theramore, Kul Tiras, Dalaran

Rank: The Lady of Theramore, Heir to the Proudmoore Line, Magus of the City. (Titles respectively)

Appearance:


Personality: Those who first meet Jaina Proudmoore often make the conclusion that she is both a bright and compassionate person, regardless of setting, be it at the highest courts of the land or among the common people, she is often able to forge bonds and establish comprmises where before such things seemed impossible. She is more than simply a kind diplomat, however, possessing a keen streak of ambition and duty, backed up by a capability that few could match. It is easy to be impressed by the young Proudmoore heiress, and easier still to underestimate her. Despite this, she is plagued with doubt, considering her role in recent events and her self imposed duty to protect the refugees and sailors under her care.

Powers and Abilities:

As with any Magus of the Kirin Tor, Jaina had to develop a mastery in at least two schools of magic before graduating to become a Magus, and while her skills have manifested in many ways, her two primary schools of magic remain the bulk of her ability. The most overt of these is her mastery of evocation, in particular frost magic, for which she is most renown among those who know her in passing or have little knowledge and patience for more esoteric magics. The school within which she is a true prodigy, however, is transmutation, having already developed a form of mass-teleportation far more efficient than what had been widely accepted as possible prior to her personal studies in Dalaran. While she is some way from being the cosmic force she may later become, Jaina is already one of the most promising human mages, and under the tutelage of the mysterious Aegwynn in Theramore, this is likely to only increase.

Master of The Tides

Name: Daelin Proudmoore

Faction: Kul Tiras, The Alliance of Lordaeron (The Northern Alliance)

Rank: Lord-Admiral of Kul Tiras, High Admiral of the Alliance of Lordaeron

Appearance:


Personality: See Above

Powers and Abilities:

Unlike his daughter (and to a much lesser and well known degree, his son), Daelin has no magical talent to complement his ability. Despite this, he is one of the most capable seafarers alive, both in terms of personal sailing skill and his role as a commander and officer. He perhaps lacks the fine skills of a duelist that many among the Kul Tiran nobility are famed for in the fencing schools of Upton, but fights instead like a marine of the Kul Tiran navy, a skillset that has brought down many pirates and orcs alike.

Tales of Azeroth: Flames of Chaos

The island nation of Kul Tiras has dominated the seas of the Eastern Kingdoms and beyond since the days of the Arathor Empire. Established by colonists from Gilneas, still but a part of the original human nation, when the influence of Strom

Name: The Admiralty Of Kul Tiras

Held Territories: The island nation comprises primarily an archipelago of islands in the Great Sea, due West of Lordaeron and the other nations of the Northern Alliance. The principle islands include Kul Tiras itself and Tol Dagor, although this has since expanded to include Balor and Tol Barad following the Second and Third Wars respectively. The Admiralty maintains a series of small outposts on most of the world’s main landmasses, including islands near the Southern reaches of the continent and the South Seas. In more recent times the island of Theramore has been settled on the shores of Kalimdor, along with a series of military outposts across the continent’s eastern shore, although these function largely autonomously from the central authority of the Admiralty, due to the large number of Kul Tiran sailors and marines involved in their settlement, they are still considered to be aligned with the Admiralty now that contact has been established. Since the events of the Third War, the Kul Tiran navy has restored contact with the survivors of Arthas’ ill-fated expedition and thus loosely incorporated the port of Valgarde within the wider network of Kul Tiran outposts, although those present likely still feel greater kin for their surviving countrymen in Lordaeron.

Other Assets: The greatest asset of the Kul Tiran people is their famed fleet, the backbone on which the trading empire of the Admiralty is built. It established nautical dominance over the other human kingdoms long before the coming of the orcs, and was subsequently instrumental in maintaining Alliance control of the seas during the Second War. Crafted by the masterwork shipwrights and blessed by the Tidesages, few can hope to match the Kul Tirans at sea, nor in the subsequent success of their merchants in bringing wealth from across the known world to the island nation.

Goals and Motivations: Kul Tiras has little interest in the building rush for land and power on the ravaged continent of the Northern Eastern Kingdoms, instead seeking, as ever, to maintain their hegemony over the tides. With the second largest of the Alliance’s navies, Lordaeron, having been ravaged by betrayal and war, there seems little potential for any of their human allies and rivals challenging this. The nation’s primary future interests lie to the West and South, where their merchant class can continue to prosper from the influx of exotic goods brought in from their nautical exploits. Unlike the other human nations, the less direct way in which Kul Tiras is ruled does, however, create a series of contradictory internal goals. Despite early interactions with the Horde and Kaldorei in the West being far from peaceful, Jaina Proudmoore continues to attempt to bring an end to hostility , while her father and much of the more experienced memory see the exodus as an opportunity to ensure the Horde will never threaten the Alliance again. Others among the ruling elite instead simply seek to reduce Kul Tiras’ commitments to any of the costly conflicts it has been involved in for most of recent decades. Working from within the nation, the Coven has its own aims entirely.

Recent History:

Largely isolated from the disasters impacting the mainland, life on the island of Kul Tiras has largely remained the same, unlike the other human nations, Kul Tiras was largely independent of Lordaeron from both a commerce and agricultural perspective, and has weathered the absence of it with relative ease. The military of Kul Tiras has been active, but in a largely expeditionary nature, and has thus avoided the intense attrition felt by the other nations of the Alliance.

The most notable event for the nation has been the founding of Theramore, the eldest surviving child of the Lord Admiral, Jaina Proudmoore, leading an exodus of refugees from Lordaeron to the far shores of Kalimdor, in order to found a new home far from the calamity of their homeland. While the civilian population is largely made up of those from Lordaeron, the backbone of the Theramore military is formed from Kul Tiran marines and sailors, those sent to protect the Proudmoore heiress during the collapse of Lordaeron, now aligned to her vision of a new home for humanity on fresh shores. The Admiralty has little oversight and control of Theramore, and so there are those who consider this a considerable blow to the capability of Kul Tiras. For those subscribed to this view of the situation, the problem has only been compounded by Daelin’s focus on military matters in the West, seeking to support his daughter against both orcish and elven aggression, even if the two differ wildly in their approaches to such matters.

Ultimately, Kul Tiras remains aloof from the concerns of the Northern Alliance, focusing instead on its maritime pursuits across the Great Ocean, from securing its colonies, to protecting the one beach head the Alliance maintains on Nothrend, with the hope that one day the fight may be taken decisively to the Scourge.

Key Players:

Daelin Proudmoore: Lord-Admiral of Kul Tiras and decorated war hero of the second war, Daelin is a man who takes his duties to Kul Tiras as seriously as any to have held the position. Having been present at the formation of the Alliance of Lordaeron, he took up the position of Grand Admiral of the Alliance, coordinating the efforts of the Alliance’s naval forces during the Second War, which proved the most decisive element of the extended conflict.

While always a hard man of decisive action, bearing witness to the savagery of the Horde during the war, and the loss of his eldest son, only enhanced these traits. Where his daughter seeks to bring an end to hostilities in the West, Daelin perceives all versions of the Horde to be as existential a threat as the Scourge and is no more likely to pursue peace with them. Consequently, while the majority of the Alliance focuses on the pressing issue of the Scourge, Kul Tiras remains divided in its priorities.

Jaina Proudmoore: Previously the favored apprentice and student of Archmage Antonidas, Jaina has long been famed for both her magical prowess for one so young, as well as her impact on the courts of the human (and even elven) realms. While she grew up on Kul Tiras among the rest of the Proudmoore family, she has lived overseas since the start of her adolescence, primarily within Dalaran but equally visiting Lordaeron, Stormwind and SIlvermoon on occasion. In recent years she has been at the heart of important events, helping to combat the early Scourge before it was known as such alongside Prince Arthas and Uther the Lightbringer. When such attempts failed, at the urging of a mysterious Prophet, she lead many refugees from Lordaeron to safety, alongside a detachment of the Kul Tiran Navy, to found the city of Theramore on the mysterious shores of Kalimdor. These new settlers soon came into contact, and then conflict, with both the new Horde and the natives of the land, the Kaldorei. While she has pushed for peace with both groups, she is also determined that those who have entrusted her with their future will not be betrayed, and so lends her considerable skill in both magic and statecraft fully to this effect.

Tandred Proudmoore: Youngest child of Daelin and Kathrine, Tandred is already an accomplished sailor and commander, taking the helm of the Third Fleet, the rebuilt flotilla previously commanded by his elder brother, which suffered greatly during the conflict with the Horde which would claim his brother’s life. He is neither as belicose as Daelin, nor conciliatory as Jaina, instead seeking unity both within his family and his nation.

Morgaera Del’Vecroix: Previously the daughter of a minor Drustvar landowner, Morgaera is a courtier of some note within the Court of Boralus, a thriving environment that has only grown more so as the most stable within the Northern Alliance. Secretly, she is an agent of the mysterious Coven, who look to dominate Kul Tiras from the shadows. Previously the shadowy organisation of witches swore loyalty only to Gorak Tul, banished leader of the Drust, but now perhaps, there are even greater evils lurking within the realms of shadow.

The Daughter of the Sea

Name: Lady Jaina Proudmoore

Faction: The Island of Theramore, Kul Tiras, Dalaran

Rank: The Lady of Theramore, Heir to the Proudmoore Line, Magus of the City. (Titles respectively)

Appearance:


Personality: Those who first meet Jaina Proudmoore often make the conclusion that she is both a bright and compassionate person, regardless of setting, be it at the highest courts of the land or among the common people, she is often able to forge bonds and establish comprmises where before such things seemed impossible. She is more than simply a kind diplomat, however, possessing a keen streak of ambition and duty, backed up by a capability that few could match. It is easy to be impressed by the young Proudmoore heiress, and easier still to underestimate her. Despite this, she is plagued with doubt, considering her role in recent events and her self imposed duty to protect the refugees and sailors under her care.

Powers and Abilities:

As with any Magus of the Kirin Tor, Jaina had to develop a mastery in at least two schools of magic before graduating to become a Magus, and while her skills have manifested in many ways, her two primary schools of magic remain the bulk of her ability. The most overt of these is her mastery of evocation, in particular frost magic, for which she is most renown among those who know her in passing or have little knowledge and patience for more esoteric magics. The school within which she is a true prodigy, however, is transmutation, having already developed a form of mass-teleportation far more efficient than what had been widely accepted as possible prior to her personal studies in Dalaran. While she is some way from being the cosmic force she may later become, Jaina is already one of the most promising human mages, and under the tutelage of the mysterious Aegwynn in Theramore, this is likely to only increase.

Master of The Tides

Name: Daelin Proudmoore

Faction: Kul Tiras, The Alliance of Lordaeron (The Northern Alliance)

Rank: Lord-Admiral of Kul Tiras, High Admiral of the Alliance of Lordaeron

Appearance:


Personality: See Above

Powers and Abilities:

Unlike his daughter (and to a much lesser and well known degree, his son), Daelin has no magical talent to complement his ability. Despite this, he is one of the most capable seafarers alive, both in terms of personal sailing skill and his role as a commander and officer. He perhaps lacks the fine skills of a duelist that many among the Kul Tiran nobility are famed for in the fencing schools of Upton, but fights instead like a marine of the Kul Tiran navy, a skillset that has brought down many pirates and orcs alike.

Marvel Comics: Dawn of X

The carousel, despite it being the nexus of the Krakoan community, was not particularly busy at the time, a state of affairs which suited Magneto quite well. Much had been done to establish Mutants in their own nation, a people apart. It had not been the future most had hoped for, but it had been necessary. It was a truth he had known for longer than most, a lesson learned and earned many times over.

Yet here he was, preparing to attend the most human of occasions, a ceremony that, should matters remain as they were for mutantkind, need never again occur for his own people. Before he had been Magneto, however, he had been Max Eisenhardt, born to a people that were bound together tighter than most, across borders jealously guarded by other peoples, but mostly ignored by them. It was a closeness, much like mutantkind, forged by necessity, from the predations of outsiders. It had damned and saved them countless times, and it was not something he could ignore, not forever.

So the helmet had been removed, the white and black of Magneto replaced with a finely tailored suit of the same colouring, a silver chain hanging from the centre of his waistcoat to one pocket. He had been told that this, along with the flat cap position atop his white shock of hair had become fashionable once more, but to him it was simply the style of his choice, from a lifetime of altering tastes among the wider human people. He supposed there were some advantages to being a man out of his era.

He had been preparing to leave for some time, waiting for no particular moment among the sparse spattering of mutants going to and thro. Their presence only amplified the debate within him, these were his people, not those beyond the portal. When he had finally exhaled and taken to cross the threshold, a familiar voice resounded within his head itself.

"Hold a moment."

"I will not be long, Miss Frost, I am sure Krakoa will survive for a day," The sudden thought something had arisen that might prevent him from paying his respects was not a comfortable one, and it was one which convinced him, finally, that is was the right thing to do, even if simply for himself, and those who had been lost along the way. No reply was forthcoming from the telepath, however, and so he did as instructed, pausing, not wishing to risk any ire from a lack of patience.

Then he saw her, the crest of red hair over black and brown, drifting through the air itself. It was a sight many would enjoy, he was sure, but when he beheld her there was more to his understanding. Was that not how the humans depicted their divinities? The song of angels on high, Christ descending among them. As the woman who had been the Phoenix touched down, boot-clad feet onto grass, his mind considered just how much destiny shifted around her, around all mutants. Only her voice, spoken aloud unlike Emma's, snapped him from such considerations.

"Miss Grey, keenly observed as ever, although perhaps knowing the machinations of a certain mutual connection, I believe we may be heading in the same direction." Something of the Head Masterly tone entered his words as he spoke, it was not entirely deliberate, for their times at Xavier's school had never intersected, beyond the somewhat awkward number of times he had been trying to destroy the place. "While I do suspect of the two of us, she considers me the risk that needs managing, I may pretend at least otherwise, and ask if do not mind for me to accompany you?" He tilted one hand towards the portal, as one might have a carriage door, in ages past.

Iron Man's Iron Legion or Superman Marvels of Metropolis?

I'd probably be interested in the Marvels idea if this might still be cooking.

Tales of Azeroth: Flames of Chaos

Ah I see, there were multiple references in the post suggesting that things were happening faster than they did in canon (like returning to the dragon isles) so presumed it hadn't been that long since the divergence. Given that the events of Legion have already happened in the main timeline I suppose this now makes more sense. I'll admit it's a bit of a shame for me because I feel like the masters of the Legion could be interesting characters to still have bumping around but I get the decision.

I'm thinking I might combine the elf idea with the dragon idea to play something of a more formalised alliance of Kaldorei and Green dragons protecting Kalimdor from the new arrivals of the Alliance and Horde, as I would imagine the orcs and humans that fled the North would still have ended up there.

Also interested in something to do with an alternate group of Sunfury Elves and/or Kul Tiras but I'd be happy to wait to see what other people want to write or maybe even collab those with someone. Don't want to hog all my favourite bits right from the bat.

Tales of Azeroth: Flames of Chaos

Let's go!

I imagine I'll do something dragon related, but I am also a big fan of all shades of Warcraft elf and then also Kul Tiras.... decisions decisions.

The removal of the Legion as a unified body brings up the question of if fel magic/demons are still a thing at all? I think cutting them entirely out wouldn't be ideal, I find warcraft demons and fel a pretty fun play on the usual fantasy demons/corruption tropes and it would be a shame to completely remove them. Blood elf vibes for the win.

EDIT:

Collecting my thoughts a bit more on this, I'm not sure why the One Legion thing would mean that the Legion in this timeline would be cut off, as we see in WoD and both Karazhan instances its not that the Legion is only interested in main Azeroth its that they are pan-reality. Until the Legion is defeated on Argus in the main timeline surely they would still be a substantial threat?

From Ashes We Rise : The Imperium Is Born

Memphos

"Witness Glory."

Aristagorous halberd remained aloft for a moment longer. The Thunder Warriors around him misinterpreted his call as a triumphant warcry and the call was taken up, screamed into the faces of the dying as the last resistance of the bastion crumbled. Their commander did not, however, reference their completion of the objective, but instead the prying eyes settled upon him. Gene enhanced senses greater even than his warriors made him alert to the observation, a corona of light from the burning outer city framing the Custodian, even as he finally lowered the weapon, surveying the city yet to come.

The outer defences of the city in most places were in the process of, or already were, overwhelmed. Slithers of resistance remained, but few outside of the Sigilitte's predictions, areas of the city defended best by the natural defenses of the craggy delta, or around key points of cultural and strategic importance.

"My Lord, the Northern Bulwark has surrendered and beg your mercy." The voice crackled over the vox, distorted by the distance involved and the intensity of the fighting, but clear enough. The equipment secured by the alliance with the Achaemenids was already proving useful.

"Tell them to be thankful it is the Emperor's mercy they fall upon and not my own, for he has granted them freedom. Remind them it was Aristagorous who conquered them by the death of one in ten."
With but a collection of words the Custodian signed the death warrant of a thousand souls of the enemy's largest collection of forces outside of their central districts. He spared them no further thought as he continued to regard the battlefield beyond, plotting how more would fall to his army.

"By his will."

There was no further communication as to the matter, no doubt that it should be done. The Custodian was in no doubt that the greater fighting was yet to come, but this was still a moment to relish, the first great test of the Imperial Army now that it could be called such a thing. This was not a conflict to unite scattered tribes of the mountains, but the destruction of a civilisation. This was what he had been made for.

"Come then, Memphos, show me the wrath of your Dynast-Kings, give me your fury."

---

“Do you see now? Do you see the threat this Usurper presents?” The man’s voice was frantic, robbed of its usual authority as Dynast Amsi watched the distance, the fringes of his human vision alight with the fires of the burning outer city. It seemed some great distance now, but in the haze of industry and the desert, visibility was no great scope, the enemy were close, and closing. “This heresy confounds the will of the Sacred Bloodlines, it is the duty of your alliance to aid us.”

The being he addressed was anonymous, cowled in dark robes of black and red, their voice modulated into an even drone when they did speak, concealing both identity and form. Even still, an element of amusement could be sensed in their response. “Desperation is unbecoming, you shunned our alliance for many years before this.” The accusation brought further fear to the wizened features of the Dynast, one of many in this, the oldest of the Dynast Cities, simply another branch on the sprawling tree that was the ‘Sacred’ Bloodline. He would sell his sister or wife for survival if need be. Made all the more convenient that they were likely the same person.

“What does the Patriarch wish of us? Anything that is ours to give, for his aid.” The hooded stranger regarded the frantic noble without comment for several long moments. Despite the meeting taking place among the high pyramidic spires of the inner city, they were far from the frantic turmoil of the command centres. This was a deal made in darkness, and it would beget further darkness.

“Fall beneath his will, bow to the inevitable, and we will fight this Invader for you.”

“You would have us trade one invader for another?”

“The Patriarch cares not for your customs, he respects the power of your ancient blood, this Emperor will shatter you, cast down your temples and impose his order. Perhaps once you could have secured freedom, but the cost is greater for begging our aid now.”

There was bile and hatred in the noble’s words as he gave in, but none the less, he did. “Then do so, save us, and Memphos will bow to your Patriarch.”

“There was no offer of salvation.”

---

As the forces of the Imperium pushed on, the nascant regiments, mercenaries and drafted forces alike, alongside the gene enhanced warriors of the Thunder Legions, resistance began to increase. The density of enemy forces, and their quality, began to exponentially rise. No longer the mad zealots conscripted and thrown into the way of the enemy, but trained soldiers. Still, the advance did not halt, the mortal men unable to hold back the force of the assault.

The a scream howled out from the central spires, despite the volume, carrying over the vastness of the city, even abone the roar of conflict, it seemed to be of a singular, harrowing, voice. A moment later and the sky was rent by an arc of lightning, surging from swirling sandstorm of the air. Ozone stung the tongues and throats of all, yet this was the least of it.

Forces of the Dynasts continued to fight and die, but they did not halt, something foul crackled in the air, the death of each enemy soldier followed by a harrowing repeat of that same scream, ripped from their own throat, before they pushed on all the same, mindless, in their desire to pull down the invaders, foul, baleful energy burning from their eyes.

A Song of Ice and Fire - the Blackfyre Rebellion

Summerhall.

The Serpent’s Dragon

In the long years of the marches there had rarely been a peaceful reason for the Sunspear sigil to fly. The blazing red on bright burnt orange was a sign feared as much as the personal sigils of the Dornish lords more likely to be raiding the lands to the North. Quarrelsome as they may be, the citadels of Yronwood and Starfall still knelt beneath the Sun.

Thus of all the arrivals of the great and good to Summerhall, the banners of Nymeros Martell caused a stir through the camp. There were other Dornish in attendance, but they came as part of the assembled Northern parties, guests of the Crown to secure the alliance which had finally brought the Dornish, in part, into the fold. It was not a vast train, no doubt smaller in many ways than less contentious houses, a set of three wheelhouses, and accompanying Dornish riders. They had taken ship from Sunspear, landing in the South of the Reach before traveling North to the tourney. The mountain passes between Dorne and the Reach were not necessarily safe at the most peaceful of times, roamed by raiders and Bandit Kings, and this was not the most peaceful of times.

“Is it a relief, Princess, to feel the cool air of home?” Opposite Daenerys sat the tall figure of Prince Nymos, the younger, previous estranged, brother of her lord husband. She had never felt hard done by in her marriage to Maron, despite being her elder by some years he was still a handsome man, one who had aged well into it. A fact she had teasingly suggested made her fortunate for the years he had lived before her. Nymos was another matter, he was shockingly beautiful, an easy charm that seemed to work on men and women alike. She could understand now, how cut off from his family and wealth, he had still attained great heights of success as a leader of men. It did not help how he reclined in her presence, a casual display at odds with his largely respectful words.

“The climate is pleasing, dear brother, and I can admit to being happy to see my loved ones after so long, but Dorne is my home now, the home of my children, I will miss it more while we are here than I ever dream of King’s Landing in Sunspear.” Despite her words, her eyes still remained out the grated window of the rolling home, watching the sloping hills of the Reach drift by. She had not seen such uninterrupted green in such a long time and no matter how pleasing to the eye the younger Martell brother was, he could not eclipse the Reach in the last hints of bloom.

The slight hum of approval her words earned from him did fight for her attention though, but not in the way she was sure many young maids would find. It was so similar to Maron’s, the little exhalation of vindication. She smiled at that, warm affection for her family now that the brothers were reunited, she understood what a chasm in Maron’s life Nymos’ rumored death had been. “Considering what we were told about you Targaryens when we were young, my brother is very fortunate to have you for a wife, Princess.” He paused, studying her in a appraising manner which would be entirely unwelcome on someone not so achingly appealing. “They sung songs of your beauty, but they failed to capture your soul, that is the true fortune.”

She laughed gently, a noise as pretty as any of the songs, “You are too kind, but I should have expected it, Maron is the same. You are both far too charming.”

“That is because you have earned our kindness, Princess, we are different in many ways, but we are both warm in love, and bitter in vengeance. It is the Dornish way.”

“You may call me Daenerys if you like, Dany, if you are feeling particularly familiar.” She sat back against the rest of her seat, finally pulling her attention fully back into the shady interior of the wheelhouse, as the glare of the Sun obscured the countryside from her.

“I prefer Princess, lady-sister, it helps me to behave.” He grinned, and that did make her flutter, although it was an interaction only approved because the pair both loved their mutual connection greater than any fleeting heat might eclipse, “And more importantly, it reminds the rest who you are. You are a Princess of Dorne now, Daenerys of House Targaryen, that means something far more than the trappings they aware their women here.”

“Martell. Prince Nymos, that is my house.” She corrected him, but the smile that touched her lips was far from reproachful.

“Of course, Dear Princess, you have earned that more than any others not born to Sunspear.”

Any further interaction between the pair was interrupted by the sudden swell of noise as the Dornish train advanced into the tourney grounds. The noise of human habitation had been building for a while, but is suddenly surrounded them, bouncing between the walls of the wheelhouse. Much of it was far off background sound, knights and their servants preparing for the martial display to come, further away the smallfolk encamped in their wider, sprawling, accommodation as they readied to watch the events of the coming days. The most intense portion of the noise, however, erupted from those clearly responding to their arrival. As far as she was aware, her attendance was widely known, but she considered now that perhaps the connection that this would mean the formal presence of her marriage-house had not quite sunk in.

Finally the wheelhouse came to a halt, a brief, but heavy, knock on the frame of the carriage all the warning those within received before the main door opened, blazing light into the shady confines. She was well used to such things though, and was quickly standing and at the doorway, accepting the chivalrously offered hand of Ser Corbray from the ground to assist her down the stairway.

If the arrival of the Dornish had sent a rustle through the camp, the sight of her pulsed like a wave. Princess Daenerys had been the darling of court in her day, Nymos had not exaggerated the songs, but Northern Westeros had not seen her for what, in the standard of courtly gossip, had been an age. Her beauty had not faded, but blossomed, the mother had surpassed the maid. Silver-gold hair shone in the light, and her choice of gown would not doubt echo through the consensus for some time. She had, of course, chosen Dornish lace, bone-white trimmed with red detail in a style that drifted about her in a way that was entirely Dornish, yet suitable for the more conservative tastes of the North. The red had been a choice of caution, those who wished could read it as Targaryen or Dornish Red, but all the same, it made its mark.

Nymos followed a few moments behind, just as Daenerys thanked Ser Corbray for his assistance. The murmers through the crowd already assembled were of a more hushed nature, a Dornish Prince was a dangerous, exotic, sight, but still certainly an appreciated one. His outfit stood in contrast to her’s, black, and finely cut, the leathers trimmed in details of the same shade. He gave a nod of appreciation to Ser Corbray as well as he stepped clear of the wheelhouse, before offering his arm to the Princess.

“Princess, it does seem they remember you.”

His voice was loud enough to carry to the onlookers, but nothing was quite loud enough between them to eclipse the surge of cheers his words had taunted from the Westerosi.

From Ashes We Rise: The Galaxy At Large

While human still battles across the wastes of its own cradle, the galaxy does not sit quiet, these are those stories

From Ashes We Rise: The Galaxy At Large

While human still battles across the wastes of its own cradle, the galaxy does not sit quiet, these are those stories