Naltor Nalimuk

[Gamemaster]

Starmet Uloresh (Ulor's Palace)
Lorekan
Salan Uvinshakh Voint (Peninsula Interior Province)

Oron 1, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Vylor Cledman VI
(Day 1, Month 1, Year 41 of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI)


Ulor Zemt was leaning on the stone battlements with a dark cloak draped over him to keep off the cold. He rested his elbow on the cold stone and his chin on his fist.

He was looking out over the town of Lorekan from one of the guard towers of his palace. The sky was growing light in the east. Dawn would be breaking in just a few minutes. Mist hovered over the forest beyond the town.

Two men came up the stairs of the tower and stood behind him. Ulor Zemt glanced at them. He knew them well. One wore a sword and helmet. The other wore a green cloak. The one with the sword was an Ilanian general named Tildan. The other was named Ayvilas. Ayvilas had served as Zemt's advisor just as he had been advisor to other Ulors before him. Ayvilas was not old, but he seemed somehow timeless as though he would continue in his hubmle way to endure the ages. Ayvilas was one of the native forest people of Lorekan who were now a minority in their own lands and seemed to be fading away with each passing year, as though they belonged to the ancient era of legends, and not to the modern era of the Zekresh Empire. They had been an important nation once, so many centuries ago it would be difficult to count them. Their time was the time of the principalities, of Toralin and the War of the Duel and before. Theirs was the time when the Frayeth wandered the lands as a lost tribe, looking for a home, before they built and lost an Empire in the South, before they came here as ragged refugees over a millennium ago and their descendants created the Zekresh Empire. Even then, the forest people were a fading memory of an even earlier era, a time beyond history, beyond memory, when the world was young and even the principalities had yet to be born.

The forest people remembered those times in their legends, but they did not share those legends with outsiders. Zemt looked down on the town below and saw merchants setting up their stalls. In the stone houses where the Zekresh, Frayeth and Flitrai townspeople lived, no one seemed to be awake yet. The cooking fires had not been lit yet to prepare breakfast. But on the roads from the forest, the natives were already coming into town, carrying bundles of things to sell when the market opened.

Zemt felt a connection to these people. Even though he was Zekresh, only some of his ancestors were Frayeth. He was actually named after an ancestor from the other side of the family, the ones descended from the tribe called the Shell People whose lands had become the imperial capital of Zekran. The Shell People had been a peaceful people, who lived on the shores of the Gateway Waters, collecting shells on the beaches of their homeland. Now, the shells and the beaches were still there, but the people were no more. They were all assimilated. They had become Zekresh. They had, in fact, become Zemt and others like him. But something about this place had changed Zemt in his years here. He felt more at home here than in his own homeland. He felt like he no longer belonged in Zekran, the city of his birth, unless he could overturn its foundation stones and turn back time sixteen centuries.

Ayvilas waited patiently. He knew his master's moods too well to interrupt Zemt's reverie. But the Ilanian was not so patient.

"Your excellency, may I ask why you have called us here at this hour?" asked Ekanor Falan (Lieutenant General) Tildan. He was the commander of the Zekresh Imperial Army garrison for this province.

"I thought the Army taught its men to awaken early," Zemt said sarcastically.

"Not this early, your excellency," Tildan said.

"Forgive me, but time is short... very short. Soon it will be dawn and another day will begin. This day I must make my decision. It can be put off no more. I have received another message from Levorek demanding that I acknowledge him as Imperial Regent or he will dismiss me. As you know, I received a letter from Lord Chancellor Rubanya some time ago saying that he was the Imperial Regent and then another letter dismissing me as Ulor so that his grandson could take my place. As you know, Naltor Nalimuk is already here with his entourage, staying in the guest chambers of this palace. This same story is playing out in the other provinces around us with other members of the Lord Chancellor's family arriving with letters appointing them to replace the Ulors. Some have given in, Ulor Altuk in Salan Kast and Ulor Pelasig in Salan Tanan. Ulor Steldranuk is still holding out in Frayethay, but he is wavering. He will give in, I have no doubt. But Ekanor Falan Balmuk in Kast still holds the great fortress of Kast Yvar against Naltor Shalimuk even after Ulor Altuk has resigned. Now we hear of an armed attack on the palace of Ulor Tremalkan in Salan Kajakan Folon. I had hoped this crisis could be resolved peacefully. Now, I fear it is too late for that. There may be a column of soldiers coming for me just as they came for Tremalkan. I dare not delay another day, yet another day comes. It comes now and finds me yet undecided which way I should turn."

"Whatever you decide, I have my orders from Gurikan Falanorata (Field Marshall) Krulmuk," said Ekanor Falan Tildan.

"And you, an Ilanian of all people, have no thought but to obey orders from that butcher," Zemt said with disgust.

"He is the Imperial Army commander," Tildan said.

"Lord Chancellor Rubanya says Krulmuk is dismissed. He claims the title of Imperial Army commander for himself and ordered me, as Ulor, to take control of the garrison, to give you orders. Would you now take orders from me?"

Tildan smiled reluctantly, "Zemt, I don't know what to do any more than you do."

"If I were to take a stand and give you orders, would you obey them?" Zemt asked.

Tildan looked worried. He chose his words carefully. "Your excellency, I have not forgotten the times we have spent together nor the stories of ancient times that we all enjoyed. I am proud of what Ilania once was, but as you say, dawn is coming. We are not camping in the forest hearing ancient tales together anymore. We must face what the new day brings. I am an Imperial Army officer, not a warrior of old Ilania. The order from the Lord Chancellor was that I should take orders from the Ulor, but since then he has said that you are no longer Ulor. If I am to obey the Lord Chancellor, I must give my allegiance to the young prince, Nalimuk."

"Will you?" Zemt asked. Ayvilas also looked interested in the answer, but said nothing.

Tildan said, "I wish it were that easy. I have orders from Krulmuk that contradict the Lord Chancellor's orders. I also have reports from Kast Yvar that Nalimuk's brother Shalimuk is threatening civil war if the fortress of Kast Yvar is not handed over to him. And of course, there is the news of fighting at Angenmar Paven now. If there is to be a civil war, I dare not take sides against Krulmuk. They say he is the best soldier in the Empire, and the most bloodthirsty. But I dare not side with him because the law is on the side of the Lord Chancellor. You may think you cannot delay any longer, but I feel as though I have no choice. As I have explained to you before, and to Nalimuk and in letters to Krulmuk and Rubanya, I will attempt to keep my men out of any fighting if there is any possible way. I will remain neutral if I can. It is that simple. Every other option is fraught with peril."

"So is that one," Zemt said.

There was an awkward silence. In the distance, a rooster crowed.

Ayvilas quietly asked, "What do you mean to do, your excellency?"

Zemt looked down at his boots for a thoughtful moment. It was not clear whether he was still trying to decide or whether he was just seeking the courage to announce a decision he had already made. Then he looked up and said, "I am too much of an intellectual for this job. Especially in these times. I know Rubanya is right that the empire desperately needs reforms, but he is not the man to do it. He is too old. I've met him, he can barely keep his train of thought during a conversation. His son is like a greedy spoiled child and his grandchildren are probably the same. I fear for us all if they will rule our future. But I know that Levorek is worse and Krulmuk is like a barbarian disguised as a civilized man. I am a man of humble birth, but you have seen how I have ruled this province. Have I not been just and kind and understanding? Have I not cared for my people better than any Ulor before me?"

"You have, your excellency, and the people love you for it," Ayvilas said.

Tildan frowned at Ayvilas for he considered his words mere flattery.

Zemt said, "I could never be an imperial councillor or a Lord Chancellor, but is there not in the royal family a man who could do better than I? Is there not in the leading families of Zekran, someone worthy of the high offices of the Empire? Every time I look up to my superiors, I feel as though the world has turned upside down and I am gazing down into a cesspool. Tildan, you say that the memories of our history are but campfire tales that fade when daylight comes. But I tell you this, history is our only source of wisdom. If we heed it not, we must learn again every harsh lesson it has to teach us. This Empire that calls you to do your duty, however loathsome that duty may be, it was not fashioned by the gods. It is not immortal. It is not unbreakable. You see in the North two provinces have broken away. Everyone else here seems to think it matters not. They were uncivilized provinces on the frontier anyway, they say. Well I say it matters a great deal. I have read every scroll on history I could get my hands on. I cannot name any other province at any time that broke away from the Empire. What does this forbode? It is not only day that is breaking," he gestured to the east where the sky had grown considerably lighter during the conversation.

Zemt continued, "It is the Empire that is breaking. Men like Krulmuk and Shalimuk will shatter it. Do you think that when that happens, that you will be able to put it back together again by doing your duty? Or by remaining neutral?"

Tildan said nothing.

Zemt looked to the east, brightening by the minute, "I have made my decision. This day I am no longer Ulor of Uvinshakh Voint."

"Your excellency, no," Ayvilas said, bending down on one knee and clasping at Zemt's hand, "stay with us a while longer."

"No. My time here has ended. I must resign this day, this very hour. And I must depart. If I remain in Lorekan or anywhere in the province, Nalimuk will be suspicious of me. I shall go... home."

"To Zekran?" Tildan asked.

"Yes. Or near there. Perhaps I shall take my savings and retire to a small house by the beach."

Ayvilas said, "But what would you do there?"

"Walk along the beach, maybe collect some different coloured shells."

Ayvilas stood up, "Can I not sway you?"

"No, Ayvilas. I am decided. I will withdraw from this cauldron before I am boiled alive in it. I shall let the powers that be battle themselves instead of bringing their wrath down upon my head. And if, as I foresee, war comes and the Empire destroys itself, you and your people will know where to find me. I will be collecting shells on the beach in the shadow of the ruins of Zekran. And if then you ask me to, I shall return."

"Shall I inform Nalimuk?" Ayvilas asked.

"Yes. That would be good," Zemt said, "And instruct my servants to begin packing my scrolls and other belongings. Have my carriage ready. I shall depart before noon today."

"Yes, your excellency," Ayvilas said, then turned to depart.

Ekanor Falan Tildan waited a moment longer to see if Zemt had anything more to say to him, but Zemt turned to gaze again at the town of Lorekan one more time before departing.

Ekanor Falan Tildan left him and hurried to catch up to Ayvilas as he went down the stairs. When they were out of earshot of Ulor Zemt, Tildan said to Ayvilas who was still a step ahead of him, "What a pretentious, arrogant madman. Can you believe all that nonsense?"

Ayvilas turned his head to face him. Only then did Tildan realize that tears were running down Ayvilas's face. Ayvilas gave him a hostile look and hurried on. Tildan did not try to keep up.

[Gamemaster]

Nalimuk awoke with a start. Someone was shaking him. It was his servant, Erdoman.

"Your highness, wake up. It is morning and there is wonderful news. Ulor Zemt has resigned. You are the Ulor of Uvinshakh Voint now."

[Naltor Nalimuk Cledman]

Naltor Nalimuk Cledman awoke with a start. He had never been a deep sleeper and was normally roused at the first sound or movement. This talent had served him well in the past (after all, the life of intrigue in Zekran had left little time for sleep and the Naltor had always been content to leave it that way) and he was sure that the talent would serve him well in the future. The ability to rise at sounds would also be useful in case anyone tried to kill him in his sleep - not that the Naltor suspected anyone would, but it was just a precaution, like so much else, nothing more.

Nonetheless, it took a few moments for the Naltor to fully gain consciousness and awareness of the world around him, so he politely asked his servant, the reliable Erdoman, to repeat what he had said. Naturally, the man complied, and upon hearing it, all the weariness that accompanied a sudden waking up dropped away from him. Instead, his veins rapidly filled with exhilaration. At least one thing that had been nagging him was out of the way. The Naltor was intelligent enough to realize that more would just come up, but there was not reason to avoid celebration.

He had been wondering, throughout the entire joyous festival of Oronoran, what to do with the Ulor, a man named Zemt. It had been clear that the Ulor did not want to give up his position - understandable enough, had Nalimuk not been Naltor. It had also been clear that the other man was simply delaying, and Nalimuk had allowed himself to be talked into delay. There was no need to hurry, after all, and he had begun to like the man. The Ulor seemed to be a decent sort, but Nalimuk had been raised in a world where he had been taught not to base judgements on appearances.

However, the question of what to do with the man had still nagged persistently in the back of his mind. Several times, the Naltor had thought of simply killing him, his advisers, and the Ekanor Falan, the military commander in the area. Nalimuk was intelligent enough to note that any such aggressive maneuver would have been met with anger from the populace and the thousands-odd soldiers loyal to Tildan, the Ekanor Falan. There had been other such options, but the Naltor was very glad that the Ulor - the former Ulor, at least - had seen sense and decided to resign.

"Dress me." Nalimuk quickly commanded Erdoman, and his servant began to comply. The Naltor's mind was working quickly - if he wanted to solidify his image and show that he really was worth it (and a better alternative to any member of his family or challenger to their titles), he needed to manage this province well. Zemt had done a good job financially and had had the respect of the people - it was necessary for Nalimuk to do the same. The Naltor looked at the wall in front of him. The coming weeks would be very tough indeed.

As Erdoman finished dressing him, the Naltor spoke sternly and quickly. "Summon all of the main advisers, military leaders, and other people of note - don't forget the richer traders and factors! Tell them that I'll meet them in the Starmet Uloresh, in about one foss. This is urgent!" As the servant scuttled away, Nalimuk adjusted his clothing in preparation for something very important indeed.

[Gamemaster]

Erdoman goes to carry out the Prince's bidding. In the meantime, other servants bring breakfast to the prince.

After a while, more than one foss, Erdoman returns and says, "I have assembled the people you asked for. They are waiting in the main room of the palace."

[Naltor Nalimuk Cledman]

Prepared, Nalimuk felt weariness drop away from his shoulders. Striding into the room, he put on a confident expression, watching the men he had had summoned look upon him, his ramrod posture, his well-built body, his deep eyes. "You have heard the news, have you not?" he asked, but it was not really a question. "There must be much you are feeling or want to ask me. Go ahead. Take your chance."

[Gamemaster]

A portly bearded man had a question. Nalimuk did not know who he was.

"Do you think there is a going to be a civil war?" asked the bearded man.

[Naltor Nalimuk Cledman]

"A civil war?" Nalimuk's brow furrowed slightly as he prepared a response. "I hope not. I will not lie - the chance is not low - but if everything goes all right, there won't be a war." He nodded, as if trying to tell himself that his response was the truth. "If only everyone in this kingdom had as much common sense as you and me, we wouldn't have this kind of problem," he added, slightly wishfully.

[Gamemaster]

An elderly man with a grey beard asked, "Do you have any changes planned for the provincial government?"

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: You need to catch up to the other players. Let's wrap up this scene fast and let about seven days go by.)

[Naltor Nalimuk Cledman]

"Not that I can think of. From what I see, this province has been run fairly well - I am looking into expanding the road networks and perhaps several pro-trade initiatives...nothing major." Nalimuk seemed casual, as he asked and then received assent that there were more questions.

The evening progressed as he continued to answer questions. He hoped this day would make a good impression.

(OOC: There you go! You said fast end and I gave you fast end. Okay, let's let seven days pass.)

[Gamemaster]

Starmet Uloresh (Ulor's Palace)
Lorekan
Salan Uvinshakh Voint (Peninsula Interior Province)

Oron 8, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Vylor Cledman VI
(Day 8, Month 1, Year 41 of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI)

Naltor Nalimuk Cledman had now been in power nearly a velasik (9 day week of the Zekresh calendar) and was beginning to get settled in. He still didn't know all the names of the provincial officials, but there was one he did know: Ayvilas. Ayvilas was the advisor to his predecessor and from his brief opportunity to see them together, he was concerned that Ayvilas had too great a fondness for his old boss.

Having mentioned to his valet, Erdoman, that he might want a new advisor in the presence of some other servants, he found that the news of this had spread faster than if he had officially announced it. Candidates for the job were already lining up. How the word spread so quickly, he didn't know, but already four candidates for the job had presented themselves at the palace.

The first of these was Denant, a man from an old and well connected family from Zekran. He has prior experience as a magistrate. He boasts that he is a relative of Ulor Nemt of Kopixer who is a famous war hero.

The second candidate is Keligan, a respected Verronese merchant who has made good money on trade between Lorekan and the Verronese lands to the west. He brings a letter of introduction from his uncle, Vortelan, a prominent landowner in Kajakan Folon (West Bearland). The letter reads as follows:

To Whom It May Concern:

My reputation as a leading citizen and landowner in Kajakan Folon is well known. I am greatly pleased that my nephew, Keligan, is seeking to enter the civil service as an advisor to an Ulor. My own son, Kortelan, is currently the Ulor of Kajakan Tros. Ulor Kortelan is well known for his anti-corruption stance so he can hardly hire his own cousin as advisor since that would be seen as nepotism, but Keligan is more than qualified for the job. I have turned to him many times for advice on the running of my sizeable estates and I have always found him to be trustworthy, diligent and very knowledgeable in the ways of the world. He has also established and run his own trading business on a profitable basis for many years. I recommend him very highly as an advisor to any Ulor. In fact, I recommend Keligan for any job.

Vortelan

The third candidate is Traslan from Trayavix. He has previously been a secondary advisor to Ulor Tervin of Trayavix and has worked in the provincial treasury there. He claims to be a personal friend and longtime confidant of both Ulor Tervin of Trayavix and Ulor Nashlan of Nassavix. He says that he knows everybody who is anybody in Trayavix and that Ulor Nashlan is from Trayavix originally.

The fourth candidate is named Hervanie and he comes from Shasa Falan province where he says he has until recently been chief tax collector for that province while working for Ulor Yavuk Vergriman.

(OOC: As part of a new experiment to make the game easier to run, new players who become Uloro (Ulors) will have advisors who are partly controlled by other players. As you can see from the description of the advisors, each of them has some connection to at least one other Ulor or province. You should expect them to have a bias towards that other Ulor or his province. Also, you should not be surprised if the player who plays the Ulor of that other province posts as your advisor. The connections may not be obvious, but here's the list:

Denant is a cousin of Ulor Nemt and will be played by Nemt.
Keligan is a cousin of Ulor Kortelan and will be played by Kortelan
Traslan is a close friend of Ulor Nashlan and Ulor Tervin and will be played by Nashlan if he is willing or otherwise by Tervin.
Hervanie is a member of one of the Trond tribes whose homeland is in Helmarie which recently seceeded from the Empire and is ruled by Ulor Esinie. Hervanie will be controlled by Esinie.

All of these advisors will be controlled some of the time by gamemasters, but most of the time by the player listed. If you wish to have an advisor controlled by the gamemaster you can keep Ayvilas as the main advisor. You could also try to recruit someone else, but competent advisors are not easy to find and, as you will soon see, time may be short. Keep in mind that you can always fire an advisor later if you decide you don't like him.)

As Naltor Nalimuk was contemplating who should replace Ayvilas as advisor, Ayvilas himself came into Nalimuk's office.

"Your highness," Ayvilas said, "pardon the intrusion, but there is urgent news from Kast Yvar that I am sure you will want to hear. There has been a battle there two days ago. Your brother, Naltor Shalimuk, was attacked in his palace by thousands of soldiers. It is said that Krulmuk himself was there, commanding the attack."

"We have heard rumors for days that Gurikan Falanorata Krulmuk was marching from Zekran towards Kast Yvar with an army. That same road leads from Kast Yvar to us here at Lorekan if he continues on his way so we have listened keenly to such rumors. There has not yet been time for that army to reach Kast Yvar, but it is said that a small group of Imperial officers arrived at Kast Yvar by horse ahead of the main army. Krulmuk is said to have been with them."

"Even though your brother is the Ulor of Salan Kast, the garrison commander has refused to acknowledge his authority and continues to hold the great fortress of Kast Yvar against him. That fortress is the strongest fortress in the Empire except for Kast Ravelon in the far south. Kast Yvar is also the headquarters of the North Peninsular Region military command headed by Gurikan Falan Gamuk to whom Krulmuk has given command of all garrison forces in this region. The rumors say that the garrison commander at Kast Yvar, Ekanor Falan Balmuk, sent the garrison troops against Naltor Shalimuk, their own Ulor."

"The most shocking news of all is that even though your brother was only defended by two hundred men of the Rizado Uloresh (governor's guards) and forty men from the 1st Kantora Slythia, that somehow they beat back the attack and were able to escape. Nonetheless, your brother is now on the run and Salan Kast to the south of us is now held by the enemy with a strong force and thousands more troops from Zekran are due to arrive at Kast Yvar any day. Worse still, I cannot give you any assurances that Ekanor Falan Tildan, the garrison commander here, would refuse the sort of orders that Balmuk got if Krulmuk showed up here. I know Tildan very well and I can tell you that he is trying to remain neutral in the conflict, but I doubt he would disobey a direct order from Krulmuk if Krulmuk had an army behind him."

"I do not wish to see Krulmuk win this war and still less do I wish to see Naltor Levorek as emperor. I implore you to take action before it is too late. Tanan province to the north of us is devoid of troops because your sister, Naltor Evanit, has taken both the kantoro of the garrison to Yishil, leaving the province defenseless. If Krulmuk's army can march through here and also take Tanan, they could attack any or all three of the Verronese provinces from the East with nothing in their way."

"As you may know, it appears that the two largest garrisons of troops in the Verronese provinces are already on Krulmuk's side. If his army picks up reinforcements from Kast Yvar and from the garrison here and moves to Angenmar Paven where thousands more troops loyal to his cause await, he could cut off reinforcements to your grandfather's army in Yishil, take the troops from Angenmar Paven, march south through Verronia, picking up five more kantoro of troops that are already on his side and fall upon your grandfather's army with a vast force, more than twenty kantoro. The whole war and the fate of the Empire may hinge on what happens here at Lorekan in the next few days, your highness. Krulmuk must be stopped."

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: Different people react to high levels of stress in different ways.)


Naltor Nalimuk considered the situation carefully and at great length. After an hour of considering what to do quietly in his office, he began to feel overwhelmed.

Krulmuk had so many troops. Nalimuk had only a small detachment of Slythians he could rely upon. The garrison was not accepting his orders. Even the palace guards might not be reliable. His brother had already been attacked. He knew he would be next. Krulmuk was probably marching towards him with the largest army in the Empire.

He felt like he should run, run now, not pause to consider options. Yet Ayvilas might be right. If he just ran away, it would allow Krulmuk to add the Uvinshakh Voint garrison to his army. The empire might fall. Levorek might become emperor and wipe out Nalimuk's entire family. It would all be Nalimuk's fault. Then they would come for Nalimuk wherever he might run to. Terrifying visions of the future haunted him.

Then, without warning, a terrible pain struck him in the head. He looked around almost expecting that something had actually struck him a physical blow, but there was nothing of that sort. It was only a headache, but a more extreme headache than he had ever imagined possible.

Not long afterwards, Naltor Nalimuk was on the floor of his office writhing in agony. Erdoman and Ayvilas came running when they heard his shrieks of agony. They did not know what to do.

Soon, a doctor was called. The doctor said he could not be sure what it was. Possibly a fever. Possibly poison. Also, he could not rule out demonic possession.

Erdoman looked panicked at the suggestion of this.

The doctor said, "That is very rare. Put him to bed, let him rest and hope for the best. I'll stop by tomorrow and perhaps by then I will have found some medicine that may help."

[Gamemaster]

Starmet Uloresh (Ulor's Palace)
Lorekan
Salan Uvinshakh Voint (Peninsula Interior Province)

Oron 15, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Vylor Cledman VI
(Day 15, Month 1, Year 41 of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI)

Ayvilas approached the prince's room as the doctor was leaving.

"How is he?" Ayvilas asked.

"Perhaps improving a little," Erdoman said hopefully.

"I see no sign of improvement," the doctor said, "His condition remains unchanged."