Chapter One

The beautiful land of Iridia has a wealth of races and incredible beauty about it - and, of course, war beginning amongst the various factions that have now appeared - some time ago, several people appeared amongst this land, with heavensent powers and a natural ability to lead, that brought about several empires of their own. The goblin tribes formed under one banner to produce the nation of Gha^zhakh, the slaves of the Golden Horde threw off their shackles and formed the advanced kingdom of dragon-fall, and the Gal'gai of Alsland have allied with the Giants of Jotunsøy. these empires appear to be gathering forces, and what this will result in, no one can tell...

Dragon's Reach---

King William hammer shot sat upon his throne stroking his beard as he read the latest dispatches from his merchants and the fleet. What he read peaked his curiosity.

William: Goblins? they have banded together?

Standing nearby Arkin Ironshanks went rigid his hands balled into fists.

Arkin: those filthy vermin slaughtered my kinsfolk of the Kingdom of Azbemar a few refugees are all that remain of a once proud kingdom refugees and slaves.

William: That does not bode well however they never asked for out aid their downfall was their own folly i would have marched my army directly into battle without a second though had they ben our allies but the fool King Dain did not listen.

Arkin: I don't blame ye sire no dwarf likes to see the downfall of another Dwarven kingdom however. Too many have already fallen to greed, war, plague and infighting.

William: Send an emissary to the goblins i want to know their mind if thy think they can expand in this direction they will find themselves rudely surprised. If they are a sound mind to leave us be how ever we can open trade with them. I may not like them but we are not in the position to be fighting a war without allies at our side how ever.

Arkin: Its a sound plan sire I'll send a diplomat immediately.

Arkin strode out of the room clearly flustered but not showing many outward signs of it.

An hour or so later a diplomat escorted by a small group of soldiers left for the goblin lands.

Gitilla surveyed the vast plains, followed closely by his unit of wolf Riders. "Oi, hold up, boys. Ulda smells something." Gitilla ordered, stroking his wolf's fur, as she snarled, ears erect. she seemed to be looking at something in the distance. "sounds like People from listenin' to her. Per'aps we'll be able to pick up anotha' batch o' slaves for ourselves." He said, smiling, as he suddenly stood a little higher, patting on his wolf twice as a signal that he understood her. Ulda stopped snarling immediately afterwards. "Alright boys, the usual pattern. rememba not to charge in righ' away if it's not just dwarves though." Gitilla told them. "Fas's lookin' for allies all a sudden lately, after all."

Arve was not a special man by many margins he was no great warrior he had no vast wealth but he did have the great gift of a silver tongue. he road down the great dragon fall highway and crossed into the plains six armed escorts rode beside him armed with pistols and curved scimitars. Arve had never been comfortable with a blade but he was a fair shot with an Arquebus he found himself absentmindedly rubbing at the butt of it as the road. Then the captain of his escort suddenly stopped.

Captain: Something feels off here be alert men and keep your arms within reach I'll bet a months pay we aren't alone out here.

the moved forward slower now the guards in a defensive formation around their charge.

Ulda leapt ten feet in front of the men, Gitilla seemingly unaffected by the leap, despite the large hill she'd jumped down from. "what business you got in these parts, mates?" Gitilla asked with a wicked grin. "If it's trade you're here for, give us yer' valuables. If it's pleasure, turn the other way. and if it's a fight you're wantin..." Gitilla continued, still grinning, as goblin wolf riders appeared behind, and to the left and right, of the men, all with wicked shortbows aimed and ready to fire. "Then I'd say you've got terrible luck in choosin' opponents."

The guards drew their pistols and aimed at the goblin riders.

Arve: HOLD! *he shouted at his guards who lowered their arms.* I am Arve a diplomat of the kingdom of Dragon-Fall we come seeking and audience with your leader.

"Mmmm, and what come ye askin?" Gitilla said to Arve, realizing that there was possibility that these men could become allies. He didn't truly recognize their weapons, but they reminded him of the strange iron-lobbing ranged weapons the dwarves had used against the goblins in earlier days, before their kingdom was decimated. Of course, these seemed smaller, and almost more polished, so Gitilla was rather thankful he didn't have to go up against them quite yet, whilst they still didn't know their capabilities.

Arve: My king wishes your people no ill will he is willing to trade with your government and have a cordial relationship and perhaps in the future if we can reconcile our differences an alliance.

Gitilla considered this for a moment, seeming unusually thoughtful for any goblin, before finally replying. "Well, it's a bit unusual, but a'right, I'll take you to 'im, on one condition." Gitilla continued, before pointing to one of the pistols Arve's men were holding. "Give me one o' those li'l boomsticks yer' bandying about. Otherwise we'll gut ya right 'ere." Gitilla told them. He knew that, even if they did fight off his band, they'd still consider it a failure, given it was a diplomatic mission they appeared to be on, and he was determined to make them work for what they'd came here for. Besides, on further study, the weapons his foe carried seemed lightweight and small - a perfect sidearm for a wolf-rider.

Arve road up and handed Gitilla a pistol belt a powder horn and shot.

Arve: If you need i can teach you how to use it after we have met with your leader.

"We 'ave a deal, then." Gitilla said, grinning, as he took the items. Gitilla had profited quite a bit from this transaction, in his own estimation - the idea of Arve showing him how to fire the pistol did seem presumptuous, but he knew, due to his leader's honor, that there was little chance of anyone killing him after he'd met with their leader. with a signal to his wolf-riders, and Arve, he moved ahead, at a brisk pace, but slow enough for Arve and his men to keep up.

The party matched their pace all was quite as they road onward toward their destination.

riding on, the group soon came onto a forest that Gitilla led them through, on a rather windy and zigzagging path. the forest was dark and difficult to see in even during the day, due to how little light came through the canopy. Neither gitilla or his men were bothered by this, however, due to goblin eyesight being adapted to work better in low-light conditions, though not as good as the eyesight of night goblins. Still, It was obvious the forest was populated with goblins, their red eyes distinctively showing up even in the gloom of the forest. if they were quite attentive, some of Arve's men might even glimpse one or two of the hundreds of camouflaged watchtowers or spear chukka' emplacements hidden within the forest canopy. "we's almost there." Gitilla would finally tell them after a long period of travel, as they were led to one of the most odd-looking castles that has ever existed. Made of varying degrees of Wood, Iron, and stone, the castle itself seemed to follow no set design plan, with varying places being filled with spear chukka's, battlements, and outward-jutting towers. nonetheless, while it was definitely of haphazard design, the sheer size and make of it made a very defensible and grand castle. the gates were guarded by a pair of goblins with spears and black robes, seeming older and more grizzled than most goblins. It was obvious they were smarter too, as they began speaking with Gitilla. Finally, Gitilla dismounted, saying "We may pass" To Arve and his troops. soon, they entered the castle, the areas switching quite randomly between open-air and covered. eventually, they reached the throne-room, several divisions of guards inside the building. On it sat what appeared to be a brown-haired human, speaking with another goblin wearing a black hood and holding a large spear. "Yes, I agree. dwarven castles would be an excellent addition to our holdings, beyond the range of what our people can currently create, and the night goblins are most definitely the best equipped to defend it. I'll grant you Karaz-A-Karak, Skarsnik. Now, I must ask you to leave. Gitilla appears to have brought another audience to my attention." the man said, in a firm but not unkind voice, to the goblin before him. The goblin then left, a large, pink monster soon joining him as soon as he left the throne room. he paused in front of Arve just long enough to show him a wicked grin, however.
"What brings you to my nation, human?" The man asked of Arve.

Arve raised an eyebrow but ignored his comment.

Arve: I am Arve a diplomat of King William Hammershot of the Kingdom of Dragon-Fall. I came to discuss potential diplomatic agreements or treaties our peoples may make.

"Ahhh, very good. Dragon-fall, is it? I do believe I have some new holdings near your kingdom, do I not? Ahh, but I'm being rather rude - I am Fas. Fas Fatum. I don't think it's too much of a problem if we forego titles in this conversation, is it, diplomat?" Fas asked Arve.

Arve: Yes you conquered the kingdom of Azbemar many of our people are not thrilled about that. But king Dain was a fool he did not look to his allies for aid and it proved his folly. As for titles they just make sentences long winded so if you wish to make this a casual conversation then so be it.

"Indeed. In truth, it helped that the skaven of that region had been harassing his kingdom for a long time. Nonetheless, the fact that Skarsnik could secure a victory in that region with how few troops he had, and what they had at their disposal - well, I can understand why Dain, initially, at least, would not think he needed assistance." Fas replied. "Perhaps overconfident, but I would not call the dwarf king a fool - he was a good strategist in his own right and an excellent warrior."

Arve: I suppose I should not be so scornful of him it is not good manners to speak ill of the dead. But onward to business the king authorizes me to offer you a trade agreement i have with me a list of wares we would be willing to trade. Also i have an invitation to extend the Imperial highway from Dragon-fall to your capital for and seeing as you have captured the part that ran to Azbemar it would connect your holdings well.

"hmmm, perhaps I will look at that trade agreement, however, I must refuse the offer of highways. Goblins have excellent sense of navigation, and thus, tend to have little need of roads. therefore, they'd merely be a disadvantage if any enemy were to invade the kingdom. Nor, I must admit, would my people be so content with so many human roadbuilders in our lands for so long." Fas replied. "no, if roads are made, they will be by goblinkind, and sometime in the future from now. For I will also admit, I cannot fully and easily trust your nation, not when you've admitted some within it bear animosity." Fas told him. "please understand, I must be cautious for the sake of my people."

Arve: very well the king will understand you objections to the highway. Here is the list of what we have to offer and also what we seek. But you must understand also that much of the animosity toward your faction comes from our Dwarven population many lost dear kinsfolk to your peoples. Also the king has two final requests witch is not to high a price i think to gain his favor and his trust. He asks that you send any Dwarves that were taken as slaves or prisoners to our capital we will compensate their owners in gold or what ever else they may wish in return. Also the King would ask that King Dain's body be turned over to us so he can be entombed to the traditions of his people and so a proper funeral can be held.

"Hmmm, you do ask some more difficult requests to grant here. the dwarven slaves do not belong directly to me, but are working underneath Skarsnik's employ, restoring and improving the fortress of Karaz-A-Karak to better suit our needs. Skarsnik is second only to me in the command hierarchy, and it'd take some convincing for him to let such valuable builders go. Perhaps we can make a deal here - in one year the fortifications of Karaz-A-Karak would be restored by the current rate of work. In exchange for giving you the dwarvish prisoners for free, allow us to use them to finish completing the restoration of Karaz-A-Karak." Fas replies, seeming thoughtful as he says it.

Arve: I believe the king will agree with that. And as for King Dain's body?

"That is a request I can grant, but one that will likely give you additional grief. While the king's body is indeed within my power to grant, it was heavily mutilated by Skarsnik after he defeated the old king in single combat. though I'm not inclined to believe Skarsnik'd ever let himself in single combat." Fas thought silently to himself on the matter. "he is difficult to recognize as the virtuous warrior he once was, anymore, and for that I must offer deep apology. He deserved better treatment than that, as a worthy and courageous king." Fas tells him. "If you would like, I can deliver his body Via wolf-chariots to a pre-assigned place on your borders." Fas continues "And give him to a group stationed there. I do not feel confident on bringing my goblins farther than your borders with the fallen dwarf-king's body, however." Fas admitted. "Dwarves are known for fits of rage, and while Dain's body will be secure in a casket, I still would not feel that my men were safe so far in dwarven territory. Nor would they show the proper sensitivity and tact in that matter with any they met on their way."

Arve: That is most unfortunate i will have a group of Iron Guard waiting at the border to receive his body even if mutilated he will be give the proper ceremonies. If that concludes our business we shall depart. *Arve extends his hand for a hand shake.*

"That should conclude our business for now. I suppose I'll have to tell Skarsnik the news concerning the dwarves, though I know for certain he won't be happy." Fas said, sighing, as he shook Arve's hand. "A word of advice: In all your future dealings with us, be sure to come to me rather than near the dwarf fortresses of Dain. If it had been Skarsnik who met you all rather than I, it's likely you'd have left in pieces."