Baifa Monü Zhuan
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To work on the Lore of Atrisia and some things that have been getting worked on in mention for RP's
- Image Credit: Image Created by [member="Shoma Ike"]
- Links: Sei Murasaki
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Event Name: The Unification Wars
- Participants:
Jade Empress - Pearl Prince
- Kiyoma Haung
- Unaga Ike
- The First Yovshin
- Sosokan Sama
- Keiko Hanzo
- The Shining Star
- Nobuna
- The Tiantai
[*]Results: Kitel Phard/Atrisia was unified into an Empire under the Jade Empress who died shortly after the final battle passing it to her son the First Pearl Emperor.
CHRONICLE INFORMATION
ACT ONE
1. THE THOUSAND KINGDOMS:
Not much is known about the early years of Kital Phard.... commonly called Atrisia now to most tongues but there was a time when we weren't always united. For ten thousand years, before starships traveled around, before empires rose and fell across the stars there was us... just us believeing that we were the only beings in the universe on our planet. She fought, we fornicated, we made light of the day and we drank. The warlords fleeing across the mountains with their ten thousand tribes were a long way.
The Jade Empress, the unifier, the destroyer, she had a thousand and one titles but few knew her as Ga-In of the ancient house Lo. She was the fourth born daughter of the fourth son. An unlikely one if ever there was one. Her father was often called unworthy having a hundred concubines that drove his family into ruin. The modest house sold their finest silks, their jewels and more until tragedy struck. Most said it was because he tried to afront the gods but others claimed it was kinslaying by his children to stop his vices.
Ga-In though had another vision, never seen as humorous, never seen as friendly to most but she was renowned for her tactical mind. Leading her family in wars against the other clans and absorbing the, their riches. She would put to the sword any who sought death over the dishonor of living with the failure. A small mercy she rarely showed but it marked the beginning of her ambition. Some said it was more when she worked to recollect her families wealth. Being a minor house that served one fo the larger vassals they didn't have much.
However from their village within the foothills they could see the ancient forests rich with timber and game, they could see the sea with its fish and the river that led to the fabled white Pearl. A castle that all traded with and that grew fat and wealthy from its ambitions. All around her though were warlords, clans, houses and petty lords or ladies claiming dominion over their small little hills and Ga-In wanted more. She saw the mountain men come and raid villages, thickly muscled, tanned skin, massive clubs and heavy armor.
The villages along the coast that were prime with fish and crab, treasures from the sea and a place for raiders. The river lords who controlled trade and had some of the finest archers in the lands often using night soil to attack those who wouoldn't pay their way down or up the river. The forests had the craftsmen and miners those who were skilled in labor sure but they were also honorable and seen as the common folk with the largest numbers to work the land. Often traded with in the harsh times of winter.
A thousand and more villages, kingdoms all ripe for the taking but there would need to be more. One couldn't just claim to rule and control it by themselves. She would need more then that as their small army was just that small but they knew how to talk. They knew how to deal and come up with terms for trades. Seen as some of the more middle men wihtin the kingdoms as Ga-In sent out her family. Each one who was weaker willed and wanted to help raise their family up from the depths of debt before the house was destroyed.
She attracted the interest of five who would become her generals, who would lead her matters of state. Their ideas and advise were important to her cause. They gave her also what she needed soldiers, laborers, equipment and a war chest. The one who seemed the most out of place came from the village of Sno along the coast. Renowned for their ship building they were some of the first to make galleons in a way that no one could touch. Interlocking the wood so it didn't have visible lines and was made sturdy.
The ships she provided would give them a chance in the sea and to move across the coast. raiding where they needed to for riches and valuables to sell for campaigns. The coast was rich in many things but they would also need to go to the river keeps. That was where Lu Bai came in, a river lord with archers that gave them access to trade routes, protection and the more fundamental needs of going to the White Pearl to trade. Spread out across the continent the first goal was to connect and strengthen their supply lines.
They were not looking to rule, they were not looking to contorl it just at first create a place, carve something out for themselves that would become stronger and absorb the others. COmpete with many of the others where they could. Ga-In worked with the likes of ZHang, a strong man of the mountains, black haired and thickly muscled what he lacked in refinement he more then made up for being her friend. Her biggest suported and loyal once he had joined the cause. Bringing with him horses and mines for riches.
The mountain clans also gave them a few other thing, access to what would be the fourth Tai of the north, honorable, strong and offering them something few others could compete with. He had soldiers and supplies, thousands of villagers tending his fields and mines, forests with a small keep of wooden walls and towers. A better place to house and feed an army as it provided in Jar'kai what would be natural protection and a place where others couldn't come and get them. Sending the Ruby Kraken with her ships to raid along the coasts Ga-In was hatching a plan.
That plan involved the final one to her cause, a late comer but they brought something the others could not... mysticism as it were. A Tiantai adept who had been raised by them and was offering knowledge of the other villages who offered ancient secrets, tunnels, passages, shrines and riches for what would be her first borne blood child. Ga-In agreed as for the purposes of what her mind was working on she would need everything in place, gods and men to flock to her side and the Tiantai were renowned for their deals.
2. VISION OF CONQUEST:
Ga-In hadn't sought to rule, merely create a stronghold a place where her family and their allies would be able to carve out a place for their own. Jar'Kai would serve a purpose and they went to work training their military. The forces were strong but they needed steel, flesh could be stronger, flesh could be made to bend and be forged within fires few others would see.... but steel could carve into flesh.
The first provocation as some might call it came when Ga-in became pregnant, her first child promised to the Tiantai for their well for their works and knowledge. She paid the blood price compared to some and had their acceptance as it was needed. One of the petty warlords challenged her after she had given up her child insulting her honor some say... others that he cursed her for having a child but not naming the father.
There were rumors about the father of this child for sure some said it was one of the mountain lords, that is was the price she paid to have the river lord on her side. Whatever the reason, whomever the father it is not for one to speculate. The child themselves went on to be something for the Tiantai themselves to handle and that is another tale.
The warlord though after he did all of this, after her boasted took the care to suggest that she bow to him, serve as his concubine before he swept over her newly allied clans like a plague. Not one to bend or break.... Ga-In being so young invited him and the others in the area, the ones who surrounded them to a party within the home.
She invited their families and for each warrior she got two children, a dozen slaves, a handful of concubines and wives, even more merchants that followed to sell their wares. It all went a long way towards turning this into a grand festival and party as Ga-In's plan went into work itself. She had her men slay their children, bake them with onions, carrots, bacon and spices.
The families were set to be taken captive after she had gotten what she wanted, paying the blood price as they slew them at dinner. Poison in the wine, heirs fed to them and some were even so bold as to demand that they receive more. Ga-In indulged them and as they died she gave an offer to the families... the heirs were gone, the males of the family line removed root and stem.
THe offer was to join her and she slew several of the small houses, absorbed the clans getting them to be some of the first as it was suggested she could do this itself to the rest of the region. THe continent even or the world. What they might be able to do though she was unsure about it here for now. THe plan would require far more then what she had.. they would have to plan this out.
As her eyes looked west towards the past, towards the Nhai mountains where they had come from once upon a time Ga-In instead turned east towards the villages, the holdings and small forts. She didn't just attack, now there had to be an order to it and so messengers were sent out with her announcement. Kital Phard would have one ruler and those who refused to bow would be made to.
THis we know was met with mixed responses at best but there was a great deal that was happening now, her armies moved to the places they held creating a fort at first. Wooden and stone walls, mud in the streets and shelters for all of the people. Farmers in the fields, soldiers on the walls and scouts plotting. Mapping everything that they had to look at.
The scouts themselves were doing an important part where they came back and were making a map. A proper map of the rivers, pathways, hills and mountains themselves. The villages and even farms with areas of forest covered caves. The map was preserved and said to be so accurate to the landscape where it would all be looking to the future plans.
Those who had agreed to her, who wanted to do what she wanted and were willing to bow to her. They came to the fortress of Jar'Kai and they bowed. Going down as lords, ladies and servants. RIsing up as her subjects and those who would have her protection. Ga-In already prepared as they had been training on horse with sword, spear, bow and their blades.
She struck out from the mountains going down towards some of the first keeps and villages as they set up for siege. Drawing out what soldiers who sought to fight them. She had learned a great deal in the months leading up to this and one of them was when you were on horse against foot soldiers.... you could ride them down. She didn't order them to slay them out of anger though.
No Ga-In in what some described as respect didn't hate or want to kill those who refused to bow to her. She gave them as honorable a death as they deserved, seeing that they joined their ancestors and as they charged using bows her riders gave a blood curdling scream that would cause fear. Where the enemy soldiers stood they suddenly broke ranks moving away.
THe third wave of attacks saw them entering the homes and looting, to break them, the women and children were taken and brought before her. She wasn't going to kill them, at least not for now but to keep them in line she took a child from each family. Raising them as wards, they would serve and her family as apprentices, cupbearers.... learning skills.
Ga-In continued with this and the first strike of her unification campaign came. With her riders these jade screamers as they began to call themselves. They swore to her that they would be her blod, her fa ily and among these horse lords it was sacred that they serve with family. Gqa-In encouraged the wives of those who had been killed to marry new husbands. Produce new offspring who would give her a future army.
3. SONG OF SORROW:
The army grew as several more petty warlords and clans came to serve under Ga-In, within the first year the small collection had become its own small state. Jar'Kai had become a fort with a small village around it and within as they constructed walls for protection outside of it. News reports of other lords coming to take notice were there and the different lords were organized.
The first step was a class of governors and men who would oversee the different areas, small and divided territories that she can't be in at all times. THe other was then to have a universal look and design to their men. Where the others seemed to use whatever they could find these men would be molded and organized into a fighting unit. The battle standards came to be made.
There were problems though she couldn't beat that.. years of petty fighting, of arguments would not be settled overnight but it would not do if she had her people fighting each other to the death. A non lethal means of settling disputes and gaining glory for your skills was created. A tournament of sword, horse and archery. The tournaments also boasted prizes and glory.
Quick to catch on to how she was using the tournaments to entice small folk and merchants from other hold out villages with food and riches the other war lords sought to attack. From the east and the north came an alliance between the Houses of Chen and Zhou were working together. They didn't know much in the means of tactics but they had been fighting each other for centuries.
That alliance was one fo the first things she needed to crush, one of the first real problems that could prove a danger as they were sweeping towards her and denying her the area in between. Slashing and burning the farmlands, the villages. Their total war and burnt earth methods did little to endear them tot he people they swept over who knew the area and fed her soldiers information.
They were getting all of it supplies, troop formations, dispositions, mounted riders, artillery, camp girls, servants being brought to handle things. Supples of food and how much wine or sake were being delivered. Ga -In wasn't one tow aste an advantage and ordered that they make getting water difficult while offering up more and more wine and sake.
It seemed strange to for a time poison and ruin the rivers, the streams. The people though understood what was happening. An army was only so good but the ong march through the mountains where her men were picking at them with archers in the night. Depriving them of sleep, feints and false trails luring them deeper and more divided, less water and supplies as they took them.
It served more and more to disorganize and sow discontent within the ranks, some oft hem even going so far as to desert as the two warlords drunk were prone to infighting and killing those near them in frustration more then anything. It served her purpose before the real fight might begin. At the milk water rier they found nothing, the winter was harsh.
Snows nearly ten feet with the river being iced over and you could se it under the surface. The men had run aout of water and were drunk on wine more often then naught, days marching and not being able to sleep at night. Weakened from lack of food and as they had entered the paths of the mountains Ga-In had had her men seal it and block off the supply train.
While her men set up on the other side of the river with their supplies, fires, music, everything that would seem a means to show they were not afraid. The soldiers were well fed, their camp girls beautiful, their servants fetching water and the different units told to make a display of it all. The general she had chosen wore his tiger standard to lead them.
The tactics worked, in the night several of the legions had crossed the river, throwing aside their swords and armor begging for a bite of wormy apple. Wanting some form of warmth and drink that didn't make them sick. Ga-In welcomed them and come morning the remaining forces of the two warlords launched their attack with what they had left. Not nearly enough to best of men.
They both were taken to stand before her, broken and looking sickly from the lack of food they could barely hold a sword as she still showed them respect. Offerign them the chance to serve her, to rise and live. Zhou was from a long line often claiming to be the original line that led the people. Many could claim that as it was said Taito sought to unite the clans and so had given a child to each.
THe truth of that is unknown but the claim was what they had clun to for thousands of years, honorable in many ways and proud. He didn't spit in her face like Chen but also said that his line ended with him and he had been to long a lord... To long the emperor of his house. He could not go to serving under her so he would prefer to die with a sword in his hand.
Ga-In gave him his death eventually, feeding him, caring for him and making sure that he was at full strength. Chen had chosen to insult her and died from decapitation in front of his daughter who swore fealty to her but they stayed there in the mountains. THrough the winter as most left except for her elite soldiers and a few others. ZHou was deserving of honor and it came eventually.
As the snows were melting a small alcove of cherry blossoms were used, the early morning sun, a bard who recorded the tale of the fight that lasted a full day and night. Ga-In was younger and faster but Zhou had been fighting all of his life, over eighty years as some claim, he knew how to fight and win but he was old still and unable to deliver the final blows.
When finally he made a small mistake her blade sliced across the back of his ankle bringing him down tot he ground. With the sun cresting over the mountains he bowed his head and she honored him letting him join his family. The bard reported then that after the death his soul was carried away as the cherry blossoms recording it in verse as it were.
4. OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLIES:
With two of the larger territories under their control, a swath of territory that was burned and ruined but they were working on it. Ga-In also had something new. the Ruby kraken had returned with allies from across the sea. Large ships and galleons that were bursting with riches, weapons, armor, supplies and so many more things. Other ships with soldiers, diplomats.
The ships came to the village of Sno that had been building its first harbor and was growing. An ancient grove of trees was set up as its main gardens where Ga-In met with all fo the new allies from across the sea. THeir soldiers being deployed across the coast in long boats, horse, elephants, exotic tigers and other creatures that have been used in legends as tools of war.
With all of the celebration though they would be able to and would need to work on some more of it. They had two more places to go with their new forces and it was starting to attract attention from the other warlords. Before they had viewed the upstarted coalition as well just that a flight of fancy but now there was more dangerous things happening.
Ga-In had been looking at the other cities along the coast... with it and the allies from across the sea they could send and use information but also do what was needed. Attacking shipping routes and pirating what they needed to. The thousands of islands that had been moderately charted were ideal for creating outposts to monitor and set up a network where she was looking for now.
THe other forces were seeking to organize but their meetings location was sent to Ga-In, the Obsidian Butterflies were the title given to a pair of twins. Sisters who had taken over from their father after he perished one of the richest farmlands in the continent. With forests full of trees, mines that went deep filled with gold, gems and any number of resources that they could use.
The Twins were also courting her as an ally wanting to play in the middle and go to who they believed would best serve their interests. It went a long way as Ga-In figured she wouldn't give them much reason to keep thinking differently. As they were hosting the meeting she swept into the castle and killed them. They had declared against her, had their soldiers and heirs.
So she removed them root and stem with only their wives remaining and married off to others. Their children who could be was taken with her to bear her cups while information from the twins continued to pour in. The armies of the warlords were being absorbed by their neighbors instead of declaring for her and they were only ablento bribe so many.
With the new riches that she had gotten from the ships that had arrived, the new pirates that were working for her and terrorizing along the coast to raze and raid while softening them up for war. Her seaborne raiders were able to come away with riches and equipment, conducting it in a sense of honor as their primary purpose was also to scout and work on mapping the territories.
Ga-In worked on any more things and the twins declaring for her brought a few others thing. Their resentment that they were finally forced to choose a side was not welcoming. THeir knowledge of how to manage and how to invest and make more riches through swelled the treasuries for campaigns and for improving the lives of those who served her faithfully.
Ga-In knew the need to erode the support that others might have and so she spent large amounts modernizing and improving. Villages were important but some fo them could be made itno cities with defenses, modern sewers for waste, everything needed for farming and food production. Water purification that they would be working on.
The construction efforts that would be getting around, where they could build walls from wood and stone, where they could garrison soldiers and new mounts. Everything was intermixing and joined together to really give them plenty of space. The bigger things she was working on was the uniform approach to it with drums and banners to communicate across the battle field.
THe twins were also proving something she would have to deal with in the end, a need to humble them as she married them off to her generals. One from the mountain clans and one from the villages near the sea. To divide them and set up a local government official who would be overseeing their holdings for them as they continued to work for her.
THe appointment to areas like this might not have made them happy but their children were well cared for and dividing the two of them from plotting was important. She didn't want to deal with the dangers as she was approached by the Tiantai... seemed some had come to them seeking weapons and power to take her down. Offering them the riches of their would be kingdoms and her child.
THey had refused the offer, already owing a debt that was being paid to her but it was a telling sign that some were banding together to try and buy allies. TO get as many as they could and assemble them before declaring. Her scouts would have to work harder and find them before they were ready as Ga-In at the time only grinned. Reading other reports.
One of those reports were about Li Mu Bai who had slain his brothers and father to take control of his clan. A declared enemy he seemed to be pressing every man, woman, slave and even child into service to march and come to fight her armies. The disgust in the court that they would have to fight children was mixed. Some not wanting to do it on honor since there was no challenge and others because the boy was proving he had no sense of honor.
It would prove difficult as Ga-In didn't know how effective they might be, her men wouldn't cut down women or children for the sake of it. THere would be no joy or sorrow to it. THey might not even be able to fight back until there could be a knife in their guts... but she also couldn't ignore such a thing. Deplorable and wicked it was a tactic that could take out a squad.
So she was making sure they would be able to handle it and some ideas. Mainly she sent word to others disguised under false flags. He had to march through different territories and if they believed he was coming to take their children, their women and slaves instead of their soldiers who were out in the field. It could solve the problems for her and move others away from where she needed to go next.
5. CRIMSON FIELDS:
Everything was coming together, five years into the unification war as singers had come to call it. Ga-In gave birth to Taito her son and heir. His sister Kato was skilled much like him and there was speculation about who the father was. Ga-In had not been with a man as far as most of them knew and she was a conqueror. The thought she would abandon the wars to raise her children quickly went away though.
THe news reached the ears of a number of the warlords who sought to claim her kingdom, her power by claiming the holding them. With the rumors and stories abounding though that the twins were already destined to control the planet the warlords were organizing. An entire years worth of preparation would be needed and Ga-In had a plan when she was sending out her scout.
By now they had mapped a fair amount of Atrisia, they had a large stockpile of resources and the work going into the fort as it were in the fields. Hundreds of flowers and butterflies in every color imaginable. Some of them as large as a persons hand and some so small they could sit on a finger. SHe had chosen it for another reason as well.
The fields themselves were located just downriver from Jiedushi was up river with their slaves and their pillow houses. Temples dedicated to a number of the older goddesses of love, beautiy, fertility. THey were difficult not choosing a side but they also used their disciples as spies and infiltrators. They had been forbidden and killed by her men within her kingdom and at times it still seemed to be not enough.
THe city they were going to fed to the river and they had damned it opening all of these fields up to them. The fort was unimportant as she pointed out but she wanted all of them to make it look like the most important thing. She wanted a token force that was prepared to lose and draw them into the trap as she and her generals were planning and used the ones who signed up for it.
She had first started by forbidding her men from going there, the city was off limits and talks of them bowing were done... when they refused it was time. First by poisoning their water and food supplies. They were behind thick and strong walls. A siege would reveal what her real plan was. The second part was the dam high above where they were all located.
The fort was put at the highest point with as much as they could get within it. Supplies and the appearance of more men. It was the perfect bait and the enemies of her kingdom walked right into it. Surrounding the fort itself and preparing to lay siege while she was securing sections of the mountain passes. Blocking them off, the dam was being worked on and it was nearly time.
Three weeks into the siege of the fort and as they were sleeping it came, the dam broke as Ga-In watched from the mountain top and the sound of horns were the first thing to wake them up but it was too late as water crashed into them. Pulling them down, it washed around the hill the fort was on and as the bodies smashed against each other and rocks. It made the muddy soaked grass gleam red.
The battle fo the crimson fields was by some considered where she had been losing steam where her army couldn't handle much more but the quick turn around proved more dangerous. Ga-In wasn't playing with many of them and following the river she came to the gates ot Sarnoi at the edge of the world as many believed and was greeted by the Tiantai.
She didn't know where they had sent her son but the news of Jei's destruction was met with indifference. her victory had her appointed by them in a coronation and through their influence the priests and priestesses across the world in the furthest reaches would send and deliver her message. Ga-In returned to see that the fields were still submerged, sections of it all more swampy with a low hanging mist.
The army continued to work and it would serve as a reminder of what could happen to those who didn't bend their knee to her. The other was that her advisors were starting to come up with other ways to secure alliances. One was with marriage, if she or her higher ranking ones could be promised to some then with the larger groups that had started to come together they would conquer.
She didn't seek to marry one but the possibility of promising her men was something that she could work with and to placate her advisors who wished it she promised that is a man could bring to her the riches of the world then manage to best her in combat she would gladly wed him or her. She had an heir and was open to whatever might come in the future.
In celebration of this the news went out far and wide, many sought to try and impress her but it was one fo the lords offering to host a tournament. A fighting competition that would be the ultimate test, the grandest sight anyone could see of the planet. For months invitations were sent out and the people being allowed to gather and join them there.
Ga-In herself though was looking at while the promises of this tournament went u and about who was coming to her. Some suitors offering riches, offering silks, spices, gemstones and any number fo things from across the sea. Strange creatures from the stars but there was one place that didn't come. No one came from the White Pearl.
That was the real prize there, the White Pearl and its family were important they had developed the Jade bank, one of the largest and everyone came to them. Everyone who wanted gold or needed money to fund a campaign to get through the winters. Ga-In approached them and made the offer, seeing the ancient family in their high towers and on the river.
THey came, they visited and they feasted with the head of the clan coming to them from a place within the mountains. Ga-In had heard the story of this fortress where slaves were being taken for now. Ga-In met Unaga the aged leader of the clan a family name that was given once or several times a generation. Unaga bent the knee and the family offered to help fund the war with the usual interest payments.
6. THE LAUGHING WARLORD:
The great tournament was in full swing, the prizes were grand riches from across the world, silks, spices, gems, women, men, bedslaves, positions within minor clans for anyone who was seeking to rise up. There were hundreds of people meeting at this place at this castle and they were bringing everything here. Horses, tigers, elephants, lions, bears, wolves and hundreds of birds.
Everything looked beautiful and then there was the procession of the houses, each one of their men, each one of the standard bearers, each lord with his ladies or her with her man. There were their heirs, their servants, merchants who were following the crowds and setting up shops from across the world, dancers, bards, camp girls an boys. Merchants giving grotesques tickets.
There was the Li clan the tigers of Atrisia, a minor clan by any and all means but they served well. The golden tiger on silver gleamed with its claws, with its stripes and its lord who was bringing his men through. Their armor gleaming and Ga-In knew their swords were sharp. They were some fo the strongest vassals of her kingdom and served without question. Kain Li one of the finest warriors was proud but well respected. A strong general who was leading his clan and armies to victory.
Then there was the crane crest as it came over. The Bu clan served as information brokers and gatherers of her intelligence network. They were beginning to make the Metsuka, spies, informant and little birds or spiders. The emblazoned white and pink on a field of sky blue with it grasping a spiders web in one foot. Gave an impression of what they did.
The crest of the Scorpion house, from the mountains. THey were rugged, they were strong and powerful towering over most others like mountains. Where they were looking around though you could tell that they were sizing them up and with blunted weapons their use of exotic poisons would not come to be a factor Ga-In was hoping. The black scorpion on the sandy grey field.
Something interesting and exotic, the multicolored Unicorn crest passed by and her screamer, riders from across the mountains and plains who served from horseback as riders, messengers, archers. The multicolored had been an odd choice but the rumors of their lord and his dedicated knights had reached her ears. The horns protruding from their horses armor though were what made unicorns seem plausible.
It was time for the White Pearl to gleam. The silver/white Dragon standing on a golden field with different things in its hands. A blade as they were noted for being warriors and gemstones. The dragons horde was something that they would be able to see and she could see the aged Unaga herself leading the procession. A wall of servants and family with her each having their small variations of her crest.
The House Ike waited there bowing to their empress and they spoke bringing forward something she hadn't been expecting. A massive palaquin carved from a single piece of jade and being held up and moved by what looked like a thousand servants... but ti wasn't so. In truth it was maybe a good dozen but more were following to switch out and keep people fresh.
The latest from across the sea a red Lion within a field of gold. Notable becuse it wasn't a male lion. The She Lions of K'Dath, ancient and amazonian. They were fierce and wore instead of armor pelts of lion fure, they had on their gloves claws and necklaces of teeth from their prey. Serving her as vicious and loyal scouts that mapped the regions they were heading into and sending information back.
One of the lesser fisher clans, Mei's pink Crab on a blue field was simple and showed how they lived. Off what they made, simple lives but they were also one of the largest and strongest supporters of the kingdom in terms of what they could output making equipment for fishing, making spears to catch food and netting. They wore fish scales and honored their mother river.
From the furthest regions, from the darkest jungles came the supposed cannibal clan. THeir massive Giant on a field of red spikes and there were different colors. For different bodies... they were dangerous but they were also loyal to the strong and she had slain their master in single combat ending their ruling house yes but they had all sworn to serve her.
The crest of the Ruby Kraken from Sno. One of her earliest supporters, one who had sailed across the seas and into mouths of monsters to bring riches that were still barely touched upon today. Everythig was happening and they would hopefully be able to do so much more while she wore with her soldiers golden fish scales, held bows and spears of heartwood from exotic trees.
The Triple hollyhock crest was different. Black field with golden flowers and a procession of soldiers clad in different armors then she had seen before. The one at the head was jovial, laughing and loud as he was drinking. His women were all over him and bursting out of their clothing.. but he brought tribute and was offering his clan and territory as the prize should be lose.
The tournament of Xiaolang was prepared to begin and everythign that Ga-In was seeing as more and more houses, clans and even rivals showed up. In the spirit of competition but they were also wagering their service same way she was wagering her rule. If one of them won she would be given every boon and prize but also required by honor to take their hand in marriage.
The tilts as mounted soldiers battle on horseback lasted for two weeks, the melee and archery contests for everyone to go through them and have them whittle down from two thousand to just two fighting. The feats of strength and speed, battles of wits, food, costume contests, poetry and music. This tournament had it all but still the woman was malcontent.
There was just something about him, about that warlord who was going through the contests rather easily. She might actually have to face him and the prospect was not her favorite. He was large and powerful compared to the others while still being faster then many would have liked him to be for his size. She was prepared to fight him and as other lost she could see the prizes continue to grow.
7. GEMSTONES:
Ga-In entered the melee itself though, with everything happening she battled against them, thickly muscled men with massive hammers and axes. Water dancers with thin rapier style sword, rogues with their knives, soldiers with katana's and herself with a sword. It was considered unimportant but it was from her family and had been blessed by the Tiantai and other religions on the world.
Some of them had begun to call her blade the Geisha's Thorn, for it was simple it was eloquent and made of jeweled metal folded nearly a thousand times. Treated with blood and power. The blade appeared like mother milk, white with slight shades of color. Cloudy but still polished as the blade itself gleamed at the edge where it cut through most of the armors.
Ga-In herself was seeing something else as well, a soldiers in mismatched armor, smaller then some but still a decent size before they were moving through the Melee and she took out one of her generals. The man laughed falling out fo the ring when he tossed his weapon aside and to the table to go and join the others in watching it. The battle going through the night and into the morning.
As the sun was coming up the ruler won, she had feinted and managed to get her blade behind the armored soldiers leg bringing them down and pushing them out. The good sport went on while the weapons they had used were place next to her throne. Gifts, rewards and boons from across the kingdom were being given as some approached her.
The reports of what was said vary by accounts and records we are not certain of but it is commonly accept they presented her with a crown of green gemstones. Jade from the hidden seas, exotic aurodium from the mines of the white pearl and crystals that resonated with the ancient magics of the cosmos. Ga-In was so impressed by it she wore the crown as a symbol of her rule until she died.
The other prizes were from across the kingdom, over the seas. Ancient treasures, several from potential suitors who brought with them riches they laid at her feet, servants, dancers. The last remnants of Jei, priestesses in chains, their slaves and courtesans, girls and boys from the fames pillow houses that had been out of the city when the destruction came. They had fled and sought refuge but all wanted a chance to impress.
Ga-In herself was deemed the Jade Emrpess, first of what would be the gemstone legacy so it was funded, fueled by all of the glittering gems of the world. Her throne that was carved from a large chunk of solid jade and made to be grooved with her slaves taking her led the procession to see the real boon and prize from it all. The new lands that she had won in the tournament.
From the far eastern provinces in the lands that were winter, where desolate wastes and stretches were nothing but snow, ice and bitter cold. Nothing grew but from it she had the giants, thickly muscled men and women with block teeth, coarse hair on their faces and bodies, pale skin and large dogs who pulled sleds for battle. The cannibal wastes were what they had offered and her domain nearly tripled.
From the southern reaches where the lands were fertile came grains, wheat, rice, exotic teas, fish, new types of game. Mammoths, cat that were like tigers but had thick and massive teeth protruding from their mouths. Elk and deer, monkey's it is rumored and legendary that there was a monkey that so impressed the Empress she commissioned songs about him.
From the areas of the western lands there was the thousand isles, the remnants of something. Lonely watch the furthest island before it went into the sea where a watch tower stood and the beginnings or end of a long road. It was believed it had been part of something, part of a highway that connected some ancient kingdom from the times before the clans divided.
There was any number of other things, snake charmers who brought exotic poisons designed to coat a blade, wyverns, basilisk, fish that would strip the flesh from a person within minutes, reports of cures to sicknesses that were within the jungle.... Which is they worked could prove the most beneficial. There was the promise of wealth but still there were some who held out.
The mysterious armored soldier was there and they were revealed as something of an enigma, not taking a knee nor claiming that they were already part of the kingdom. They were fleeing though back to wherever they came from and mounting one of the horses brought to her. A majestic unicorn with a gleaming black horn made of black diamond and armored in jeweled steel Ga-In gave chase.
THe chase was ahead of her army and she made it to the coast, going east and then south along the coast as it seemed almost like they were going nowhere. The southern reaches here led to nowhere as the soldier crossed the step stones, ancient land bridges that had been submerged but when the tides were low you could cross quickly between the islands.
It was going deeper and deeper across the islands to the jungles of the south, thick with trees and the scent of humid air. A few crossed with her and they came to see the island of Ukiyo-E often rumored to be the floating world. Sparse in terms of resources and value to many but it boasted something other places didn't. Just as much history and the holders here were dangerous.
In truth it was scarcely populated with only a handful of cities but ti was older by some standard. Ancient statues were along the coast line of it, thick cliffs that rose up and up with larger walls on them making it a dangerous climb. trees and rivers that ended in waterfalls where jagged rocks kept the animals of the island continent in. To some it was considered a floating world.
The continent though was still larger then most would believe, with legends saying one flew over it for three years and found nothing but endless jungles, ancient roads that had been overgrown by the jungle, lakes of silver water, cities made of black stone, gold metals and mountains around a desert that sank down to a fiery underworld. No one knows if it is true and exploration fo the continent is still low to this day.
THat is in part to the dangers of it, flies and bugs that plant larvae under the skin, sicknesses that can afflict any who come, cannibals, lizard men and women, shapeshifters, necromancers, witches, warlocks, night gliders, wyverns, basilisk, tigers, lions, bears, wolves, giants, spiders, rats, crocodiles, snakes that were able to eat fishing boats, rancors, tyrant lizards that could move through the skies and the men and woman of it.
They were often considered primitive but in truth they were older then most, while the Tiantai lived int he oldest city of Sarnoi the Oni themselves were ancient. COnsidered short but in truth they spread this to deceive other. The truth is they were large and lithe, the women standing at times some claim eight feet tall, with full figures and golden or silver eyes. Dusky skin that was smooth and smelled of exotic oils and some of them were rumored to be a third neither fully male or female but in between.
Ga-In found them in their ancient city, the network of their ancient cities claimed the continent would take eight years to cross from one side to the other safely, that their people were spread out but the jungles mostly isolated them and had reclaimed many of their cities. The leader of them had sent his daughter to scout and duel this one who wanted to be a ruler.
He challenged Ga-In to a fight but it would not be ordinary, old and considered infirm. He was over ninety years old, balding, nearly blind and toothless but his mind was ever sharp. His young bride the twenty seventh he had taken outliving most would challenge her. While some scoffed it was no joke, the fierceness of the Oni was dangerous and in the muddy waters the pair wrestled in their duel.
What lasted longer then expected came to a close, the jade empress having won the contest of skill and strength by proving she could fight to claim them all and the Oni joined her. Adding the crest of the crocodile to her armies as the warrior women of the Oni marched forward. Becoming what she would call the Onna-Bugeisha. Their outfits were a mixture of form and function with kimono's that allowed them to move, painted faces, oiled skin and hair but they had swords, bows, fan blades, rode on massive rancors as we now call them and giant apes.
8. DEATH OF THE RED HEROINE:
The war continued, traveling through the realm of the Jade empress as she was becoing know proved no less dangerous. Where there was organization there were assassin's. THe ones who felt slighted that they had failed to take the crown and her hand. Males and females, the ones who believed their clan should be free to rule themselves again.
One of the main things that were being done was the construction of further fortifications on Jar'kai. With the recent acquisition of the Oni's loyalty they were sending expeditions to aid in their recovery. If they were wanting to really see what they might be able to discover there. Training a new set of soldiers as the first stones were laid within Jar'Kai.
Well the first set after they were working to modernize the city, sewers, limestone and minerals purification to clean the waters. Streets of stone that went up to hills and sections of the city. Lookout towers spaced around the city, thick walls with a second layer betwen them that would serve to house armies and more soldiers, freeriders from the minor clans who worked as mercenaries and more.
Ga-In was traversing the streets with her generals when they came out of the shadows. Cloaked in black and wielding blades hidden in springs on the wrists. They were sent but who knew which warlord... could have even been one who was trying to end her and take what she had carved out. The battle itself was short, the assassin's were trained but no real threat to some.
One of her generals who had joined her afterwards. One of the first to really come over when she started to and had proven the most loyal moved. Red kimono flashing to the side as her blade slashed through two of the men. A dart fired froma third taking her in the neck as she was pulled to the side by Ga-In. Everythign they had gone through for the years of fighting and this was how it ended.
No Ga-In herself was vowing to ensure a swift form of vengeance. She was normally calculated, and swift but she had lost someone close to her. The pale skinned beauty as her people called her was honored with a funeral pyre. Her own tales coming as there were more clans pledging to her. One who was Hanzo, artists and weapon makers that served.
Others the sosokan sama... a strong clan of judicial servants. They investigated and sought to bring justice to the other clans. Selling their services which seemed strange but at the same time they were regarded for their skills in being impartial. With the week of mourning for the Red Heroine and her armies now enraged. Lu suggested something be formed to protect the empress.
The first group was from the Warlord Nobuna.... she was offering her sympathies for the attack and deaths but also suggesting they they turn to raising an army. Royal guards dedicated to protecting the empress. It was a distraction however as while Ga-In was searching for the killers Nobuna used the time to usurp and kill two of the other warlords declaring herself Empress of The Sea.
A small kingdom but she controlled a larger chunk of the ocean,k using the islands and ports to clami dominion on several continents. She was raiding and reaving across the oceans until the navies that she would be able to use. Ga-In was looking to position herself, trying to handle Nobuna who she was certain was the one calling and doing the dangerous game.
There was much intrigue in the new political systems that were being set up. While all answered to her, they were also proving to be something dangerous. Ga-In had to work at it, she had to make sure they constantly knew what she was doing. The Jad Emrpess herself was working on expanding and the heirs to what were now being carved out kingdoms well they were proving to be difficult.
So her new plan was to unite these empires, fractured and with a brutal total power. The others were wiping them out, she would have to ensure that the people might not completely love her but they would respect her. Through honor and power. Through dedication and through her resolve as they were all going for now. Her generals took to the sea and the jade screamers figured on some ways to move around.
This new era begun in the tenth year of the unifications wars was considered the time of the ten kingdoms. Where before thousands of clans had spread out across the world, hundreds of different people now they were moving into a time where warlords weren't just raising themselves up but they were proving that they were ready for a higher level of war and battle.
Ga-In proved to be at the forefront of that as the ships being developed were made to carry her soldiers, their horses, wolves, beasts and infantry. Her genrals were experimenting with the sciences and magics. Flying machines were being shown in theory with the air being heated in thick synthatex holders. Where they could hover and get to places only birds had reached before.
The other major thing was the discovery of the palace. Ga-In moving to the lands of the Tiantai at Sarnoi, bringing herself about after the campaign to conquer the continent of the Red Heroine in her honor. It led her back to the gates of Sarnoi and while she didn't raid the city, didn't make them bend the knee they were within her domain. This phase of rapid expansion and solidifying troops.
THis new era of making alliances while she moved from continent to continent and thrusted into the hearts to strike at capital cities. To go after different clans and develop resources. Meanwhile there were other things, meteors from the sky bringing metal and rock and creatures few had ever seen. Aliens in every sense of the word who said that there was a vast galaxy.
9. ENIGMA OF STONE:
With the reveal of Nobuna's plans the small Empress was proving dangerous. She had learned a lot more from her conversations with Ga-In then the Jade Empress would have liked to acknowledge. She had learned how best to deploy her own soldiers and ships for maximum coverage from the Crimson Kraken but there was one fatal flaw of her plans.
She as Ga-In noted relied on the water, required it to move her soldiers across the seas and up rivers where they could claim plenty but it was ports and river towns. Once you got inland and away from the waters they seemed to become almost useless as their light armor and weapons were great for boarding and swimming. She worked to have her men in heavier armor and protect them from the initial arrows launched at them while they moved in close to fight.
The Togawa lake was such a place, kept away from the ocean by a massive falls and fed by glaciers in the north. It wasn't much of an ocean but Nobuna had never been there before. She had always stopped below the falls and turned back not realizing what was up there or what sort of traps may be in wait. Using the bends of the river archers were set up to pick at her men first.
THey would fire, take a few and run one of the ships into another to soften them up, then repeat at the next bend while they were letting them go. Her men were fishing the rivers and using any and all means to have its fish disappear or be scarce for the time. Once they got up to the falls a dam was being constructed to hold back the river and it turned more into a secluded lagoon.
Nobuna knew about reaving, she knew how to sail a ship but her tactics were simple always looking to claim something. Seeing this and then seeing the gold, gems and food byond, hearing about it from captured soldiers and slaves how The Jade Empress was celebrating at a fortress built on the lake with walls that would be able to withstand in the end an army. She wanted it.
The lure was too strong, she marched inland up the mountains bringing her soldiers and raiders. THey had given up their naval presence for the promise of a fort that would be stronger then anything eventually,. If she won she could finish it as the sight of the lake with its small island, the fortress itself was there. Nobuna prepared a means to reave it and take its riches.
That first night they harassed and assaulted the smallfolk in the village, they were there knowing that they would likely be attacked but had been chosen from different villages. Different families with the purpose of they wanted revenge. They wanted a chance to fight back against the force who had been killing them, taking their children into slavery and killing their families.
THe attack was sudden and Nobuna took the fort, thick black stone that had been washed with oil to dry in the sun, armies, rooms to hold thousands upon thousands of soldiers and even more. She took it and declared herself the new ruler saying she had won a great victory against the enemy themselves. Before the end of the first week there after the commoners had worked on it.
They had set it up to seal the gates, with stone and hold them inside. Ga-In approached and offered to let her live with unconditional surrender. She wouldn't be killed here but be taken back to the capital. The old stories say that Nobuna knew Ga-In was telling a half truth... she wasn't going to be killed there, killed at the fortress itself. She would be taken, paraded and executed.
Nobuna went inside of her fortress, claiming the thick walls would sithstand the assault. Ga-In had already shown her answer to walls at Jei, she had proven that she didn't fear an overwhelming force as her hands motioned and pitch was added, the oils splashed against the wall and more materials lobbed over. The stone had been made by her men after all and it was special.
As the fires burned the heat and smoke was intense, stpone might not burn but wood does, metal melts, skin bubbles and sloughs off after it becomes charred, the screams from the battlements could be heard, the terror as they tried to jump into the moat into the water and found that it was oil. The great fortress filled with gold, gems and the riches of the continent was true... but as Nobuna learned it was a trap.
Ga-In avenged herself upon them stoking the fire until the stone grew hot and red first dull then hot cherry and finally it was looking almost white hot to the touch. Stone didn't melt but it did cook and it all became an oven against them. Making them pass out from the heat and blister the skin, the scales and clothing didn't mean much, their weapons became heavy, the wood starting to heat and crack.
Eventually the screams ad the Empress of the Sea roasted alive, her closest allies in there with her and when a week had finished and she was certain everyone was done. They collected what bodies there was to collect the molten gold encasing the form of Nobuna who was still alive under a mountain of bodies and burned with most of her skin raw or sloughing off at the touch.
The Empress of the Golden Sea as she came to be called when she was pulled out. A statue of her... well not of her she had been given the crown she wanted, she had been immortalized screaming and in agony as Ga-In had artists work on it and placed it in her throne room at Jar'Kai a reminder for all the fate of false friends and those who kill her people.
There was more developing as she sent armies into Nobuna's territories and gained access to two other continents, thousands of ships and sailors. She had the port of Sno that served well but they were skilled at making merchant ships, trade vessels and galleon's. The raiders from Nobuna were lighter, faster, smaller vessels for getting up rivers and launching attacks.
10. A TALE OF TWO WARLORDS:
There was more happening across the world with everything getting happening and news coming from across the world to them. Kiyoma Haung one of the warlords who had been uniting her people under her father. Taking to task all fo them that they could. Snatching up the smaller clans and villages until they were bursting but they couldn't feed the entire army.
Desperate she turned to the SHining Stara clan that was... different, dangerous and powerful by most. They had resisted Nobuna at sea with their mastery of fire that didn't burn when in contact with the water. THeir sense of honor and protecting their people was an important part. Often considered the most honorable clan on the planet and within the region.
The Shining Star was the head of the clan but she was meeting with his daughter a means to try and ensure both sides would get to work together. Exchanging daughters to act as wards and learn from each other. The Haung clan was regarded as some of the eldest and most vicious. While other clans had swords or armor that was passed down through the family.
THey had been given knives, thin jeweled steel blades that had impossibly sharp edges for making their banners. One fo the reasons they had managed to get the frozen coasts to them. THe people fell in line once they had forced them to move without shoes or boots int he snow until their feet were black and they came to them begging for spoiled food.
Kiyoma traveled to join them and could see this group, the Hanzo's who had sent a child to the Jade Empress.... but they had not joined her. THey had offered to train and teach them armorworking, swords and construction efforts. She could see how they formed their armor, thick plates while having full suits including their faces. Their double blade fighting style made them more dangerous.
Their possibly alliance or war as it seemed much more likely was to get the resources needed to oppose the Jade Empress who continued to expand. Her lords and ladies were leading armies of people and gathering as much of the regions as they could. THe tales of her mercy to enemies, of her strength against the Oni and her destruction of Jei.
Everything going on, all fo the tales were something that they would have to contend with but they were uncertain about it. The rumors that the Shining star himself was going across the sea to battle. The forces that the empress had gotten from Nobuna were raiding the coast to try and draw the naval forces into the open sea where they could swarm and have the advantage.
The major losses at sea were a problem and he was going to treat with them, the Shining Star and his men heading out as she spent a year there learning all that she could about the port city. Its defenses, it guards, the elite soldiers she could see were wearing cloaks of silver with their armor. The more provisional ones who were dishonored wore silver armor instead of the blue and red.
She had been playing at it though seducing the captain of the guards called Daeron who was ambitious but he was also loyal to his brother. The head of the clan the shining star. He wasn't going to attack him or take from him but he wanted it, he wanted the acclaim that came from being the leader... he had plans that he would do and joining their kingdoms to form one to fight.
THat ambition helped as she convinced him to make choices when he was named regent of the clan with his brother away at war. She worked to get him to increase the taxes to put her his mistress up in a number of fancy estates. He got her servants and gems spending as much as he could and then going after the people. His smallfolk, the farmers and merchants were upset and prepared to revolt.
That was the in her and her father needed, bringing an army that was welcomed to the gates they proceeded to sack and take the city. Stringing Daeron up next to his niece who had been abused heavily before taking her own life on the march to the city. The Haung clan itself was taking what they had and killed all fo the means to get a message out.
The Shining Star returned seeing the destruction and sent out what soldiers he could. THey had worked here to survive limping back at sea but sending them out it was said he held the body of his daughter and vowed to bring vengeance. He would join the Jade Empress if she would give him that and bringing all fo his clans skills where they were working together.
With the city taken they used tunnels underneath, family crypts and sections that had been sealed away to hide and then they assaulted. The Jade Empress herself was giving them all of the support that would be needed and from the sea they fired arrows, used cannons and catapults to send attacks to them. They retook the sections fo the city and put to justice those they could.
Daeron had survived his anger, his hatred preserving his body and mind long enough for him to see his brother return and from accounts he wept begging for forgiveness from his brother. Receiving it so that he could pass as the warden of the city who had been given it Kiyoma was found dead in the throne room. A fatal dose of poison being ingested.
The Shining Star himself with most of his family dead, his clan and the people who served them, had joined them for protection passed his blade to the few remaining members of his clan. While he was skilled and would have been a great leader he was also broken against the pain and danger. Taking his own life and having the Empress act as his second as the armies of the Yova joined the Kingdom of Jade.
THey had a new purpose and there was much more to this battle that was going to have to happen. The Haung clan was some of the most dangerous on the planet, sweeping over and holding it through fear and torture. THey had taken the silent hills, a series of mines that had at one point been made aflame smoke coming and covering the towns for years, there was the ancient lands of the first kings in their hollowed hills. The wars had just begun as now these kingdoms could afford to and were going to be able to resist against them.
Not much is known about the early years of Kital Phard.... commonly called Atrisia now to most tongues but there was a time when we weren't always united. For ten thousand years, before starships traveled around, before empires rose and fell across the stars there was us... just us believeing that we were the only beings in the universe on our planet. She fought, we fornicated, we made light of the day and we drank. The warlords fleeing across the mountains with their ten thousand tribes were a long way.
The Jade Empress, the unifier, the destroyer, she had a thousand and one titles but few knew her as Ga-In of the ancient house Lo. She was the fourth born daughter of the fourth son. An unlikely one if ever there was one. Her father was often called unworthy having a hundred concubines that drove his family into ruin. The modest house sold their finest silks, their jewels and more until tragedy struck. Most said it was because he tried to afront the gods but others claimed it was kinslaying by his children to stop his vices.
Ga-In though had another vision, never seen as humorous, never seen as friendly to most but she was renowned for her tactical mind. Leading her family in wars against the other clans and absorbing the, their riches. She would put to the sword any who sought death over the dishonor of living with the failure. A small mercy she rarely showed but it marked the beginning of her ambition. Some said it was more when she worked to recollect her families wealth. Being a minor house that served one fo the larger vassals they didn't have much.
However from their village within the foothills they could see the ancient forests rich with timber and game, they could see the sea with its fish and the river that led to the fabled white Pearl. A castle that all traded with and that grew fat and wealthy from its ambitions. All around her though were warlords, clans, houses and petty lords or ladies claiming dominion over their small little hills and Ga-In wanted more. She saw the mountain men come and raid villages, thickly muscled, tanned skin, massive clubs and heavy armor.
The villages along the coast that were prime with fish and crab, treasures from the sea and a place for raiders. The river lords who controlled trade and had some of the finest archers in the lands often using night soil to attack those who wouoldn't pay their way down or up the river. The forests had the craftsmen and miners those who were skilled in labor sure but they were also honorable and seen as the common folk with the largest numbers to work the land. Often traded with in the harsh times of winter.
A thousand and more villages, kingdoms all ripe for the taking but there would need to be more. One couldn't just claim to rule and control it by themselves. She would need more then that as their small army was just that small but they knew how to talk. They knew how to deal and come up with terms for trades. Seen as some of the more middle men wihtin the kingdoms as Ga-In sent out her family. Each one who was weaker willed and wanted to help raise their family up from the depths of debt before the house was destroyed.
She attracted the interest of five who would become her generals, who would lead her matters of state. Their ideas and advise were important to her cause. They gave her also what she needed soldiers, laborers, equipment and a war chest. The one who seemed the most out of place came from the village of Sno along the coast. Renowned for their ship building they were some of the first to make galleons in a way that no one could touch. Interlocking the wood so it didn't have visible lines and was made sturdy.
The ships she provided would give them a chance in the sea and to move across the coast. raiding where they needed to for riches and valuables to sell for campaigns. The coast was rich in many things but they would also need to go to the river keeps. That was where Lu Bai came in, a river lord with archers that gave them access to trade routes, protection and the more fundamental needs of going to the White Pearl to trade. Spread out across the continent the first goal was to connect and strengthen their supply lines.
They were not looking to rule, they were not looking to contorl it just at first create a place, carve something out for themselves that would become stronger and absorb the others. COmpete with many of the others where they could. Ga-In worked with the likes of ZHang, a strong man of the mountains, black haired and thickly muscled what he lacked in refinement he more then made up for being her friend. Her biggest suported and loyal once he had joined the cause. Bringing with him horses and mines for riches.
The mountain clans also gave them a few other thing, access to what would be the fourth Tai of the north, honorable, strong and offering them something few others could compete with. He had soldiers and supplies, thousands of villagers tending his fields and mines, forests with a small keep of wooden walls and towers. A better place to house and feed an army as it provided in Jar'kai what would be natural protection and a place where others couldn't come and get them. Sending the Ruby Kraken with her ships to raid along the coasts Ga-In was hatching a plan.
That plan involved the final one to her cause, a late comer but they brought something the others could not... mysticism as it were. A Tiantai adept who had been raised by them and was offering knowledge of the other villages who offered ancient secrets, tunnels, passages, shrines and riches for what would be her first borne blood child. Ga-In agreed as for the purposes of what her mind was working on she would need everything in place, gods and men to flock to her side and the Tiantai were renowned for their deals.
2. VISION OF CONQUEST:
Ga-In hadn't sought to rule, merely create a stronghold a place where her family and their allies would be able to carve out a place for their own. Jar'Kai would serve a purpose and they went to work training their military. The forces were strong but they needed steel, flesh could be stronger, flesh could be made to bend and be forged within fires few others would see.... but steel could carve into flesh.
The first provocation as some might call it came when Ga-in became pregnant, her first child promised to the Tiantai for their well for their works and knowledge. She paid the blood price compared to some and had their acceptance as it was needed. One of the petty warlords challenged her after she had given up her child insulting her honor some say... others that he cursed her for having a child but not naming the father.
There were rumors about the father of this child for sure some said it was one of the mountain lords, that is was the price she paid to have the river lord on her side. Whatever the reason, whomever the father it is not for one to speculate. The child themselves went on to be something for the Tiantai themselves to handle and that is another tale.
The warlord though after he did all of this, after her boasted took the care to suggest that she bow to him, serve as his concubine before he swept over her newly allied clans like a plague. Not one to bend or break.... Ga-In being so young invited him and the others in the area, the ones who surrounded them to a party within the home.
She invited their families and for each warrior she got two children, a dozen slaves, a handful of concubines and wives, even more merchants that followed to sell their wares. It all went a long way towards turning this into a grand festival and party as Ga-In's plan went into work itself. She had her men slay their children, bake them with onions, carrots, bacon and spices.
The families were set to be taken captive after she had gotten what she wanted, paying the blood price as they slew them at dinner. Poison in the wine, heirs fed to them and some were even so bold as to demand that they receive more. Ga-In indulged them and as they died she gave an offer to the families... the heirs were gone, the males of the family line removed root and stem.
THe offer was to join her and she slew several of the small houses, absorbed the clans getting them to be some of the first as it was suggested she could do this itself to the rest of the region. THe continent even or the world. What they might be able to do though she was unsure about it here for now. THe plan would require far more then what she had.. they would have to plan this out.
As her eyes looked west towards the past, towards the Nhai mountains where they had come from once upon a time Ga-In instead turned east towards the villages, the holdings and small forts. She didn't just attack, now there had to be an order to it and so messengers were sent out with her announcement. Kital Phard would have one ruler and those who refused to bow would be made to.
THis we know was met with mixed responses at best but there was a great deal that was happening now, her armies moved to the places they held creating a fort at first. Wooden and stone walls, mud in the streets and shelters for all of the people. Farmers in the fields, soldiers on the walls and scouts plotting. Mapping everything that they had to look at.
The scouts themselves were doing an important part where they came back and were making a map. A proper map of the rivers, pathways, hills and mountains themselves. The villages and even farms with areas of forest covered caves. The map was preserved and said to be so accurate to the landscape where it would all be looking to the future plans.
Those who had agreed to her, who wanted to do what she wanted and were willing to bow to her. They came to the fortress of Jar'Kai and they bowed. Going down as lords, ladies and servants. RIsing up as her subjects and those who would have her protection. Ga-In already prepared as they had been training on horse with sword, spear, bow and their blades.
She struck out from the mountains going down towards some of the first keeps and villages as they set up for siege. Drawing out what soldiers who sought to fight them. She had learned a great deal in the months leading up to this and one of them was when you were on horse against foot soldiers.... you could ride them down. She didn't order them to slay them out of anger though.
No Ga-In in what some described as respect didn't hate or want to kill those who refused to bow to her. She gave them as honorable a death as they deserved, seeing that they joined their ancestors and as they charged using bows her riders gave a blood curdling scream that would cause fear. Where the enemy soldiers stood they suddenly broke ranks moving away.
THe third wave of attacks saw them entering the homes and looting, to break them, the women and children were taken and brought before her. She wasn't going to kill them, at least not for now but to keep them in line she took a child from each family. Raising them as wards, they would serve and her family as apprentices, cupbearers.... learning skills.
Ga-In continued with this and the first strike of her unification campaign came. With her riders these jade screamers as they began to call themselves. They swore to her that they would be her blod, her fa ily and among these horse lords it was sacred that they serve with family. Gqa-In encouraged the wives of those who had been killed to marry new husbands. Produce new offspring who would give her a future army.
3. SONG OF SORROW:
The army grew as several more petty warlords and clans came to serve under Ga-In, within the first year the small collection had become its own small state. Jar'Kai had become a fort with a small village around it and within as they constructed walls for protection outside of it. News reports of other lords coming to take notice were there and the different lords were organized.
The first step was a class of governors and men who would oversee the different areas, small and divided territories that she can't be in at all times. THe other was then to have a universal look and design to their men. Where the others seemed to use whatever they could find these men would be molded and organized into a fighting unit. The battle standards came to be made.
There were problems though she couldn't beat that.. years of petty fighting, of arguments would not be settled overnight but it would not do if she had her people fighting each other to the death. A non lethal means of settling disputes and gaining glory for your skills was created. A tournament of sword, horse and archery. The tournaments also boasted prizes and glory.
Quick to catch on to how she was using the tournaments to entice small folk and merchants from other hold out villages with food and riches the other war lords sought to attack. From the east and the north came an alliance between the Houses of Chen and Zhou were working together. They didn't know much in the means of tactics but they had been fighting each other for centuries.
That alliance was one fo the first things she needed to crush, one of the first real problems that could prove a danger as they were sweeping towards her and denying her the area in between. Slashing and burning the farmlands, the villages. Their total war and burnt earth methods did little to endear them tot he people they swept over who knew the area and fed her soldiers information.
They were getting all of it supplies, troop formations, dispositions, mounted riders, artillery, camp girls, servants being brought to handle things. Supples of food and how much wine or sake were being delivered. Ga -In wasn't one tow aste an advantage and ordered that they make getting water difficult while offering up more and more wine and sake.
It seemed strange to for a time poison and ruin the rivers, the streams. The people though understood what was happening. An army was only so good but the ong march through the mountains where her men were picking at them with archers in the night. Depriving them of sleep, feints and false trails luring them deeper and more divided, less water and supplies as they took them.
It served more and more to disorganize and sow discontent within the ranks, some oft hem even going so far as to desert as the two warlords drunk were prone to infighting and killing those near them in frustration more then anything. It served her purpose before the real fight might begin. At the milk water rier they found nothing, the winter was harsh.
Snows nearly ten feet with the river being iced over and you could se it under the surface. The men had run aout of water and were drunk on wine more often then naught, days marching and not being able to sleep at night. Weakened from lack of food and as they had entered the paths of the mountains Ga-In had had her men seal it and block off the supply train.
While her men set up on the other side of the river with their supplies, fires, music, everything that would seem a means to show they were not afraid. The soldiers were well fed, their camp girls beautiful, their servants fetching water and the different units told to make a display of it all. The general she had chosen wore his tiger standard to lead them.
The tactics worked, in the night several of the legions had crossed the river, throwing aside their swords and armor begging for a bite of wormy apple. Wanting some form of warmth and drink that didn't make them sick. Ga-In welcomed them and come morning the remaining forces of the two warlords launched their attack with what they had left. Not nearly enough to best of men.
They both were taken to stand before her, broken and looking sickly from the lack of food they could barely hold a sword as she still showed them respect. Offerign them the chance to serve her, to rise and live. Zhou was from a long line often claiming to be the original line that led the people. Many could claim that as it was said Taito sought to unite the clans and so had given a child to each.
THe truth of that is unknown but the claim was what they had clun to for thousands of years, honorable in many ways and proud. He didn't spit in her face like Chen but also said that his line ended with him and he had been to long a lord... To long the emperor of his house. He could not go to serving under her so he would prefer to die with a sword in his hand.
Ga-In gave him his death eventually, feeding him, caring for him and making sure that he was at full strength. Chen had chosen to insult her and died from decapitation in front of his daughter who swore fealty to her but they stayed there in the mountains. THrough the winter as most left except for her elite soldiers and a few others. ZHou was deserving of honor and it came eventually.
As the snows were melting a small alcove of cherry blossoms were used, the early morning sun, a bard who recorded the tale of the fight that lasted a full day and night. Ga-In was younger and faster but Zhou had been fighting all of his life, over eighty years as some claim, he knew how to fight and win but he was old still and unable to deliver the final blows.
When finally he made a small mistake her blade sliced across the back of his ankle bringing him down tot he ground. With the sun cresting over the mountains he bowed his head and she honored him letting him join his family. The bard reported then that after the death his soul was carried away as the cherry blossoms recording it in verse as it were.
4. OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLIES:
With two of the larger territories under their control, a swath of territory that was burned and ruined but they were working on it. Ga-In also had something new. the Ruby kraken had returned with allies from across the sea. Large ships and galleons that were bursting with riches, weapons, armor, supplies and so many more things. Other ships with soldiers, diplomats.
The ships came to the village of Sno that had been building its first harbor and was growing. An ancient grove of trees was set up as its main gardens where Ga-In met with all fo the new allies from across the sea. THeir soldiers being deployed across the coast in long boats, horse, elephants, exotic tigers and other creatures that have been used in legends as tools of war.
With all of the celebration though they would be able to and would need to work on some more of it. They had two more places to go with their new forces and it was starting to attract attention from the other warlords. Before they had viewed the upstarted coalition as well just that a flight of fancy but now there was more dangerous things happening.
Ga-In had been looking at the other cities along the coast... with it and the allies from across the sea they could send and use information but also do what was needed. Attacking shipping routes and pirating what they needed to. The thousands of islands that had been moderately charted were ideal for creating outposts to monitor and set up a network where she was looking for now.
THe other forces were seeking to organize but their meetings location was sent to Ga-In, the Obsidian Butterflies were the title given to a pair of twins. Sisters who had taken over from their father after he perished one of the richest farmlands in the continent. With forests full of trees, mines that went deep filled with gold, gems and any number of resources that they could use.
The Twins were also courting her as an ally wanting to play in the middle and go to who they believed would best serve their interests. It went a long way as Ga-In figured she wouldn't give them much reason to keep thinking differently. As they were hosting the meeting she swept into the castle and killed them. They had declared against her, had their soldiers and heirs.
So she removed them root and stem with only their wives remaining and married off to others. Their children who could be was taken with her to bear her cups while information from the twins continued to pour in. The armies of the warlords were being absorbed by their neighbors instead of declaring for her and they were only ablento bribe so many.
With the new riches that she had gotten from the ships that had arrived, the new pirates that were working for her and terrorizing along the coast to raze and raid while softening them up for war. Her seaborne raiders were able to come away with riches and equipment, conducting it in a sense of honor as their primary purpose was also to scout and work on mapping the territories.
Ga-In worked on any more things and the twins declaring for her brought a few others thing. Their resentment that they were finally forced to choose a side was not welcoming. THeir knowledge of how to manage and how to invest and make more riches through swelled the treasuries for campaigns and for improving the lives of those who served her faithfully.
Ga-In knew the need to erode the support that others might have and so she spent large amounts modernizing and improving. Villages were important but some fo them could be made itno cities with defenses, modern sewers for waste, everything needed for farming and food production. Water purification that they would be working on.
The construction efforts that would be getting around, where they could build walls from wood and stone, where they could garrison soldiers and new mounts. Everything was intermixing and joined together to really give them plenty of space. The bigger things she was working on was the uniform approach to it with drums and banners to communicate across the battle field.
THe twins were also proving something she would have to deal with in the end, a need to humble them as she married them off to her generals. One from the mountain clans and one from the villages near the sea. To divide them and set up a local government official who would be overseeing their holdings for them as they continued to work for her.
THe appointment to areas like this might not have made them happy but their children were well cared for and dividing the two of them from plotting was important. She didn't want to deal with the dangers as she was approached by the Tiantai... seemed some had come to them seeking weapons and power to take her down. Offering them the riches of their would be kingdoms and her child.
THey had refused the offer, already owing a debt that was being paid to her but it was a telling sign that some were banding together to try and buy allies. TO get as many as they could and assemble them before declaring. Her scouts would have to work harder and find them before they were ready as Ga-In at the time only grinned. Reading other reports.
One of those reports were about Li Mu Bai who had slain his brothers and father to take control of his clan. A declared enemy he seemed to be pressing every man, woman, slave and even child into service to march and come to fight her armies. The disgust in the court that they would have to fight children was mixed. Some not wanting to do it on honor since there was no challenge and others because the boy was proving he had no sense of honor.
It would prove difficult as Ga-In didn't know how effective they might be, her men wouldn't cut down women or children for the sake of it. THere would be no joy or sorrow to it. THey might not even be able to fight back until there could be a knife in their guts... but she also couldn't ignore such a thing. Deplorable and wicked it was a tactic that could take out a squad.
So she was making sure they would be able to handle it and some ideas. Mainly she sent word to others disguised under false flags. He had to march through different territories and if they believed he was coming to take their children, their women and slaves instead of their soldiers who were out in the field. It could solve the problems for her and move others away from where she needed to go next.
5. CRIMSON FIELDS:
Everything was coming together, five years into the unification war as singers had come to call it. Ga-In gave birth to Taito her son and heir. His sister Kato was skilled much like him and there was speculation about who the father was. Ga-In had not been with a man as far as most of them knew and she was a conqueror. The thought she would abandon the wars to raise her children quickly went away though.
THe news reached the ears of a number of the warlords who sought to claim her kingdom, her power by claiming the holding them. With the rumors and stories abounding though that the twins were already destined to control the planet the warlords were organizing. An entire years worth of preparation would be needed and Ga-In had a plan when she was sending out her scout.
By now they had mapped a fair amount of Atrisia, they had a large stockpile of resources and the work going into the fort as it were in the fields. Hundreds of flowers and butterflies in every color imaginable. Some of them as large as a persons hand and some so small they could sit on a finger. SHe had chosen it for another reason as well.
The fields themselves were located just downriver from Jiedushi was up river with their slaves and their pillow houses. Temples dedicated to a number of the older goddesses of love, beautiy, fertility. THey were difficult not choosing a side but they also used their disciples as spies and infiltrators. They had been forbidden and killed by her men within her kingdom and at times it still seemed to be not enough.
THe city they were going to fed to the river and they had damned it opening all of these fields up to them. The fort was unimportant as she pointed out but she wanted all of them to make it look like the most important thing. She wanted a token force that was prepared to lose and draw them into the trap as she and her generals were planning and used the ones who signed up for it.
She had first started by forbidding her men from going there, the city was off limits and talks of them bowing were done... when they refused it was time. First by poisoning their water and food supplies. They were behind thick and strong walls. A siege would reveal what her real plan was. The second part was the dam high above where they were all located.
The fort was put at the highest point with as much as they could get within it. Supplies and the appearance of more men. It was the perfect bait and the enemies of her kingdom walked right into it. Surrounding the fort itself and preparing to lay siege while she was securing sections of the mountain passes. Blocking them off, the dam was being worked on and it was nearly time.
Three weeks into the siege of the fort and as they were sleeping it came, the dam broke as Ga-In watched from the mountain top and the sound of horns were the first thing to wake them up but it was too late as water crashed into them. Pulling them down, it washed around the hill the fort was on and as the bodies smashed against each other and rocks. It made the muddy soaked grass gleam red.
The battle fo the crimson fields was by some considered where she had been losing steam where her army couldn't handle much more but the quick turn around proved more dangerous. Ga-In wasn't playing with many of them and following the river she came to the gates ot Sarnoi at the edge of the world as many believed and was greeted by the Tiantai.
She didn't know where they had sent her son but the news of Jei's destruction was met with indifference. her victory had her appointed by them in a coronation and through their influence the priests and priestesses across the world in the furthest reaches would send and deliver her message. Ga-In returned to see that the fields were still submerged, sections of it all more swampy with a low hanging mist.
The army continued to work and it would serve as a reminder of what could happen to those who didn't bend their knee to her. The other was that her advisors were starting to come up with other ways to secure alliances. One was with marriage, if she or her higher ranking ones could be promised to some then with the larger groups that had started to come together they would conquer.
She didn't seek to marry one but the possibility of promising her men was something that she could work with and to placate her advisors who wished it she promised that is a man could bring to her the riches of the world then manage to best her in combat she would gladly wed him or her. She had an heir and was open to whatever might come in the future.
In celebration of this the news went out far and wide, many sought to try and impress her but it was one fo the lords offering to host a tournament. A fighting competition that would be the ultimate test, the grandest sight anyone could see of the planet. For months invitations were sent out and the people being allowed to gather and join them there.
Ga-In herself though was looking at while the promises of this tournament went u and about who was coming to her. Some suitors offering riches, offering silks, spices, gemstones and any number fo things from across the sea. Strange creatures from the stars but there was one place that didn't come. No one came from the White Pearl.
That was the real prize there, the White Pearl and its family were important they had developed the Jade bank, one of the largest and everyone came to them. Everyone who wanted gold or needed money to fund a campaign to get through the winters. Ga-In approached them and made the offer, seeing the ancient family in their high towers and on the river.
THey came, they visited and they feasted with the head of the clan coming to them from a place within the mountains. Ga-In had heard the story of this fortress where slaves were being taken for now. Ga-In met Unaga the aged leader of the clan a family name that was given once or several times a generation. Unaga bent the knee and the family offered to help fund the war with the usual interest payments.
6. THE LAUGHING WARLORD:
The great tournament was in full swing, the prizes were grand riches from across the world, silks, spices, gems, women, men, bedslaves, positions within minor clans for anyone who was seeking to rise up. There were hundreds of people meeting at this place at this castle and they were bringing everything here. Horses, tigers, elephants, lions, bears, wolves and hundreds of birds.
Everything looked beautiful and then there was the procession of the houses, each one of their men, each one of the standard bearers, each lord with his ladies or her with her man. There were their heirs, their servants, merchants who were following the crowds and setting up shops from across the world, dancers, bards, camp girls an boys. Merchants giving grotesques tickets.
There was the Li clan the tigers of Atrisia, a minor clan by any and all means but they served well. The golden tiger on silver gleamed with its claws, with its stripes and its lord who was bringing his men through. Their armor gleaming and Ga-In knew their swords were sharp. They were some fo the strongest vassals of her kingdom and served without question. Kain Li one of the finest warriors was proud but well respected. A strong general who was leading his clan and armies to victory.
Then there was the crane crest as it came over. The Bu clan served as information brokers and gatherers of her intelligence network. They were beginning to make the Metsuka, spies, informant and little birds or spiders. The emblazoned white and pink on a field of sky blue with it grasping a spiders web in one foot. Gave an impression of what they did.
The crest of the Scorpion house, from the mountains. THey were rugged, they were strong and powerful towering over most others like mountains. Where they were looking around though you could tell that they were sizing them up and with blunted weapons their use of exotic poisons would not come to be a factor Ga-In was hoping. The black scorpion on the sandy grey field.
Something interesting and exotic, the multicolored Unicorn crest passed by and her screamer, riders from across the mountains and plains who served from horseback as riders, messengers, archers. The multicolored had been an odd choice but the rumors of their lord and his dedicated knights had reached her ears. The horns protruding from their horses armor though were what made unicorns seem plausible.
It was time for the White Pearl to gleam. The silver/white Dragon standing on a golden field with different things in its hands. A blade as they were noted for being warriors and gemstones. The dragons horde was something that they would be able to see and she could see the aged Unaga herself leading the procession. A wall of servants and family with her each having their small variations of her crest.
The House Ike waited there bowing to their empress and they spoke bringing forward something she hadn't been expecting. A massive palaquin carved from a single piece of jade and being held up and moved by what looked like a thousand servants... but ti wasn't so. In truth it was maybe a good dozen but more were following to switch out and keep people fresh.
The latest from across the sea a red Lion within a field of gold. Notable becuse it wasn't a male lion. The She Lions of K'Dath, ancient and amazonian. They were fierce and wore instead of armor pelts of lion fure, they had on their gloves claws and necklaces of teeth from their prey. Serving her as vicious and loyal scouts that mapped the regions they were heading into and sending information back.
One of the lesser fisher clans, Mei's pink Crab on a blue field was simple and showed how they lived. Off what they made, simple lives but they were also one of the largest and strongest supporters of the kingdom in terms of what they could output making equipment for fishing, making spears to catch food and netting. They wore fish scales and honored their mother river.
From the furthest regions, from the darkest jungles came the supposed cannibal clan. THeir massive Giant on a field of red spikes and there were different colors. For different bodies... they were dangerous but they were also loyal to the strong and she had slain their master in single combat ending their ruling house yes but they had all sworn to serve her.
The crest of the Ruby Kraken from Sno. One of her earliest supporters, one who had sailed across the seas and into mouths of monsters to bring riches that were still barely touched upon today. Everythig was happening and they would hopefully be able to do so much more while she wore with her soldiers golden fish scales, held bows and spears of heartwood from exotic trees.
The Triple hollyhock crest was different. Black field with golden flowers and a procession of soldiers clad in different armors then she had seen before. The one at the head was jovial, laughing and loud as he was drinking. His women were all over him and bursting out of their clothing.. but he brought tribute and was offering his clan and territory as the prize should be lose.
The tournament of Xiaolang was prepared to begin and everythign that Ga-In was seeing as more and more houses, clans and even rivals showed up. In the spirit of competition but they were also wagering their service same way she was wagering her rule. If one of them won she would be given every boon and prize but also required by honor to take their hand in marriage.
The tilts as mounted soldiers battle on horseback lasted for two weeks, the melee and archery contests for everyone to go through them and have them whittle down from two thousand to just two fighting. The feats of strength and speed, battles of wits, food, costume contests, poetry and music. This tournament had it all but still the woman was malcontent.
There was just something about him, about that warlord who was going through the contests rather easily. She might actually have to face him and the prospect was not her favorite. He was large and powerful compared to the others while still being faster then many would have liked him to be for his size. She was prepared to fight him and as other lost she could see the prizes continue to grow.
7. GEMSTONES:
Ga-In entered the melee itself though, with everything happening she battled against them, thickly muscled men with massive hammers and axes. Water dancers with thin rapier style sword, rogues with their knives, soldiers with katana's and herself with a sword. It was considered unimportant but it was from her family and had been blessed by the Tiantai and other religions on the world.
Some of them had begun to call her blade the Geisha's Thorn, for it was simple it was eloquent and made of jeweled metal folded nearly a thousand times. Treated with blood and power. The blade appeared like mother milk, white with slight shades of color. Cloudy but still polished as the blade itself gleamed at the edge where it cut through most of the armors.
Ga-In herself was seeing something else as well, a soldiers in mismatched armor, smaller then some but still a decent size before they were moving through the Melee and she took out one of her generals. The man laughed falling out fo the ring when he tossed his weapon aside and to the table to go and join the others in watching it. The battle going through the night and into the morning.
As the sun was coming up the ruler won, she had feinted and managed to get her blade behind the armored soldiers leg bringing them down and pushing them out. The good sport went on while the weapons they had used were place next to her throne. Gifts, rewards and boons from across the kingdom were being given as some approached her.
The reports of what was said vary by accounts and records we are not certain of but it is commonly accept they presented her with a crown of green gemstones. Jade from the hidden seas, exotic aurodium from the mines of the white pearl and crystals that resonated with the ancient magics of the cosmos. Ga-In was so impressed by it she wore the crown as a symbol of her rule until she died.
The other prizes were from across the kingdom, over the seas. Ancient treasures, several from potential suitors who brought with them riches they laid at her feet, servants, dancers. The last remnants of Jei, priestesses in chains, their slaves and courtesans, girls and boys from the fames pillow houses that had been out of the city when the destruction came. They had fled and sought refuge but all wanted a chance to impress.
Ga-In herself was deemed the Jade Emrpess, first of what would be the gemstone legacy so it was funded, fueled by all of the glittering gems of the world. Her throne that was carved from a large chunk of solid jade and made to be grooved with her slaves taking her led the procession to see the real boon and prize from it all. The new lands that she had won in the tournament.
From the far eastern provinces in the lands that were winter, where desolate wastes and stretches were nothing but snow, ice and bitter cold. Nothing grew but from it she had the giants, thickly muscled men and women with block teeth, coarse hair on their faces and bodies, pale skin and large dogs who pulled sleds for battle. The cannibal wastes were what they had offered and her domain nearly tripled.
From the southern reaches where the lands were fertile came grains, wheat, rice, exotic teas, fish, new types of game. Mammoths, cat that were like tigers but had thick and massive teeth protruding from their mouths. Elk and deer, monkey's it is rumored and legendary that there was a monkey that so impressed the Empress she commissioned songs about him.
From the areas of the western lands there was the thousand isles, the remnants of something. Lonely watch the furthest island before it went into the sea where a watch tower stood and the beginnings or end of a long road. It was believed it had been part of something, part of a highway that connected some ancient kingdom from the times before the clans divided.
There was any number of other things, snake charmers who brought exotic poisons designed to coat a blade, wyverns, basilisk, fish that would strip the flesh from a person within minutes, reports of cures to sicknesses that were within the jungle.... Which is they worked could prove the most beneficial. There was the promise of wealth but still there were some who held out.
The mysterious armored soldier was there and they were revealed as something of an enigma, not taking a knee nor claiming that they were already part of the kingdom. They were fleeing though back to wherever they came from and mounting one of the horses brought to her. A majestic unicorn with a gleaming black horn made of black diamond and armored in jeweled steel Ga-In gave chase.
THe chase was ahead of her army and she made it to the coast, going east and then south along the coast as it seemed almost like they were going nowhere. The southern reaches here led to nowhere as the soldier crossed the step stones, ancient land bridges that had been submerged but when the tides were low you could cross quickly between the islands.
It was going deeper and deeper across the islands to the jungles of the south, thick with trees and the scent of humid air. A few crossed with her and they came to see the island of Ukiyo-E often rumored to be the floating world. Sparse in terms of resources and value to many but it boasted something other places didn't. Just as much history and the holders here were dangerous.
In truth it was scarcely populated with only a handful of cities but ti was older by some standard. Ancient statues were along the coast line of it, thick cliffs that rose up and up with larger walls on them making it a dangerous climb. trees and rivers that ended in waterfalls where jagged rocks kept the animals of the island continent in. To some it was considered a floating world.
The continent though was still larger then most would believe, with legends saying one flew over it for three years and found nothing but endless jungles, ancient roads that had been overgrown by the jungle, lakes of silver water, cities made of black stone, gold metals and mountains around a desert that sank down to a fiery underworld. No one knows if it is true and exploration fo the continent is still low to this day.
THat is in part to the dangers of it, flies and bugs that plant larvae under the skin, sicknesses that can afflict any who come, cannibals, lizard men and women, shapeshifters, necromancers, witches, warlocks, night gliders, wyverns, basilisk, tigers, lions, bears, wolves, giants, spiders, rats, crocodiles, snakes that were able to eat fishing boats, rancors, tyrant lizards that could move through the skies and the men and woman of it.
They were often considered primitive but in truth they were older then most, while the Tiantai lived int he oldest city of Sarnoi the Oni themselves were ancient. COnsidered short but in truth they spread this to deceive other. The truth is they were large and lithe, the women standing at times some claim eight feet tall, with full figures and golden or silver eyes. Dusky skin that was smooth and smelled of exotic oils and some of them were rumored to be a third neither fully male or female but in between.
Ga-In found them in their ancient city, the network of their ancient cities claimed the continent would take eight years to cross from one side to the other safely, that their people were spread out but the jungles mostly isolated them and had reclaimed many of their cities. The leader of them had sent his daughter to scout and duel this one who wanted to be a ruler.
He challenged Ga-In to a fight but it would not be ordinary, old and considered infirm. He was over ninety years old, balding, nearly blind and toothless but his mind was ever sharp. His young bride the twenty seventh he had taken outliving most would challenge her. While some scoffed it was no joke, the fierceness of the Oni was dangerous and in the muddy waters the pair wrestled in their duel.
What lasted longer then expected came to a close, the jade empress having won the contest of skill and strength by proving she could fight to claim them all and the Oni joined her. Adding the crest of the crocodile to her armies as the warrior women of the Oni marched forward. Becoming what she would call the Onna-Bugeisha. Their outfits were a mixture of form and function with kimono's that allowed them to move, painted faces, oiled skin and hair but they had swords, bows, fan blades, rode on massive rancors as we now call them and giant apes.
8. DEATH OF THE RED HEROINE:
The war continued, traveling through the realm of the Jade empress as she was becoing know proved no less dangerous. Where there was organization there were assassin's. THe ones who felt slighted that they had failed to take the crown and her hand. Males and females, the ones who believed their clan should be free to rule themselves again.
One of the main things that were being done was the construction of further fortifications on Jar'kai. With the recent acquisition of the Oni's loyalty they were sending expeditions to aid in their recovery. If they were wanting to really see what they might be able to discover there. Training a new set of soldiers as the first stones were laid within Jar'Kai.
Well the first set after they were working to modernize the city, sewers, limestone and minerals purification to clean the waters. Streets of stone that went up to hills and sections of the city. Lookout towers spaced around the city, thick walls with a second layer betwen them that would serve to house armies and more soldiers, freeriders from the minor clans who worked as mercenaries and more.
Ga-In was traversing the streets with her generals when they came out of the shadows. Cloaked in black and wielding blades hidden in springs on the wrists. They were sent but who knew which warlord... could have even been one who was trying to end her and take what she had carved out. The battle itself was short, the assassin's were trained but no real threat to some.
One of her generals who had joined her afterwards. One of the first to really come over when she started to and had proven the most loyal moved. Red kimono flashing to the side as her blade slashed through two of the men. A dart fired froma third taking her in the neck as she was pulled to the side by Ga-In. Everythign they had gone through for the years of fighting and this was how it ended.
No Ga-In herself was vowing to ensure a swift form of vengeance. She was normally calculated, and swift but she had lost someone close to her. The pale skinned beauty as her people called her was honored with a funeral pyre. Her own tales coming as there were more clans pledging to her. One who was Hanzo, artists and weapon makers that served.
Others the sosokan sama... a strong clan of judicial servants. They investigated and sought to bring justice to the other clans. Selling their services which seemed strange but at the same time they were regarded for their skills in being impartial. With the week of mourning for the Red Heroine and her armies now enraged. Lu suggested something be formed to protect the empress.
The first group was from the Warlord Nobuna.... she was offering her sympathies for the attack and deaths but also suggesting they they turn to raising an army. Royal guards dedicated to protecting the empress. It was a distraction however as while Ga-In was searching for the killers Nobuna used the time to usurp and kill two of the other warlords declaring herself Empress of The Sea.
A small kingdom but she controlled a larger chunk of the ocean,k using the islands and ports to clami dominion on several continents. She was raiding and reaving across the oceans until the navies that she would be able to use. Ga-In was looking to position herself, trying to handle Nobuna who she was certain was the one calling and doing the dangerous game.
There was much intrigue in the new political systems that were being set up. While all answered to her, they were also proving to be something dangerous. Ga-In had to work at it, she had to make sure they constantly knew what she was doing. The Jad Emrpess herself was working on expanding and the heirs to what were now being carved out kingdoms well they were proving to be difficult.
So her new plan was to unite these empires, fractured and with a brutal total power. The others were wiping them out, she would have to ensure that the people might not completely love her but they would respect her. Through honor and power. Through dedication and through her resolve as they were all going for now. Her generals took to the sea and the jade screamers figured on some ways to move around.
This new era begun in the tenth year of the unifications wars was considered the time of the ten kingdoms. Where before thousands of clans had spread out across the world, hundreds of different people now they were moving into a time where warlords weren't just raising themselves up but they were proving that they were ready for a higher level of war and battle.
Ga-In proved to be at the forefront of that as the ships being developed were made to carry her soldiers, their horses, wolves, beasts and infantry. Her genrals were experimenting with the sciences and magics. Flying machines were being shown in theory with the air being heated in thick synthatex holders. Where they could hover and get to places only birds had reached before.
The other major thing was the discovery of the palace. Ga-In moving to the lands of the Tiantai at Sarnoi, bringing herself about after the campaign to conquer the continent of the Red Heroine in her honor. It led her back to the gates of Sarnoi and while she didn't raid the city, didn't make them bend the knee they were within her domain. This phase of rapid expansion and solidifying troops.
THis new era of making alliances while she moved from continent to continent and thrusted into the hearts to strike at capital cities. To go after different clans and develop resources. Meanwhile there were other things, meteors from the sky bringing metal and rock and creatures few had ever seen. Aliens in every sense of the word who said that there was a vast galaxy.
9. ENIGMA OF STONE:
With the reveal of Nobuna's plans the small Empress was proving dangerous. She had learned a lot more from her conversations with Ga-In then the Jade Empress would have liked to acknowledge. She had learned how best to deploy her own soldiers and ships for maximum coverage from the Crimson Kraken but there was one fatal flaw of her plans.
She as Ga-In noted relied on the water, required it to move her soldiers across the seas and up rivers where they could claim plenty but it was ports and river towns. Once you got inland and away from the waters they seemed to become almost useless as their light armor and weapons were great for boarding and swimming. She worked to have her men in heavier armor and protect them from the initial arrows launched at them while they moved in close to fight.
The Togawa lake was such a place, kept away from the ocean by a massive falls and fed by glaciers in the north. It wasn't much of an ocean but Nobuna had never been there before. She had always stopped below the falls and turned back not realizing what was up there or what sort of traps may be in wait. Using the bends of the river archers were set up to pick at her men first.
THey would fire, take a few and run one of the ships into another to soften them up, then repeat at the next bend while they were letting them go. Her men were fishing the rivers and using any and all means to have its fish disappear or be scarce for the time. Once they got up to the falls a dam was being constructed to hold back the river and it turned more into a secluded lagoon.
Nobuna knew about reaving, she knew how to sail a ship but her tactics were simple always looking to claim something. Seeing this and then seeing the gold, gems and food byond, hearing about it from captured soldiers and slaves how The Jade Empress was celebrating at a fortress built on the lake with walls that would be able to withstand in the end an army. She wanted it.
The lure was too strong, she marched inland up the mountains bringing her soldiers and raiders. THey had given up their naval presence for the promise of a fort that would be stronger then anything eventually,. If she won she could finish it as the sight of the lake with its small island, the fortress itself was there. Nobuna prepared a means to reave it and take its riches.
That first night they harassed and assaulted the smallfolk in the village, they were there knowing that they would likely be attacked but had been chosen from different villages. Different families with the purpose of they wanted revenge. They wanted a chance to fight back against the force who had been killing them, taking their children into slavery and killing their families.
THe attack was sudden and Nobuna took the fort, thick black stone that had been washed with oil to dry in the sun, armies, rooms to hold thousands upon thousands of soldiers and even more. She took it and declared herself the new ruler saying she had won a great victory against the enemy themselves. Before the end of the first week there after the commoners had worked on it.
They had set it up to seal the gates, with stone and hold them inside. Ga-In approached and offered to let her live with unconditional surrender. She wouldn't be killed here but be taken back to the capital. The old stories say that Nobuna knew Ga-In was telling a half truth... she wasn't going to be killed there, killed at the fortress itself. She would be taken, paraded and executed.
Nobuna went inside of her fortress, claiming the thick walls would sithstand the assault. Ga-In had already shown her answer to walls at Jei, she had proven that she didn't fear an overwhelming force as her hands motioned and pitch was added, the oils splashed against the wall and more materials lobbed over. The stone had been made by her men after all and it was special.
As the fires burned the heat and smoke was intense, stpone might not burn but wood does, metal melts, skin bubbles and sloughs off after it becomes charred, the screams from the battlements could be heard, the terror as they tried to jump into the moat into the water and found that it was oil. The great fortress filled with gold, gems and the riches of the continent was true... but as Nobuna learned it was a trap.
Ga-In avenged herself upon them stoking the fire until the stone grew hot and red first dull then hot cherry and finally it was looking almost white hot to the touch. Stone didn't melt but it did cook and it all became an oven against them. Making them pass out from the heat and blister the skin, the scales and clothing didn't mean much, their weapons became heavy, the wood starting to heat and crack.
Eventually the screams ad the Empress of the Sea roasted alive, her closest allies in there with her and when a week had finished and she was certain everyone was done. They collected what bodies there was to collect the molten gold encasing the form of Nobuna who was still alive under a mountain of bodies and burned with most of her skin raw or sloughing off at the touch.
The Empress of the Golden Sea as she came to be called when she was pulled out. A statue of her... well not of her she had been given the crown she wanted, she had been immortalized screaming and in agony as Ga-In had artists work on it and placed it in her throne room at Jar'Kai a reminder for all the fate of false friends and those who kill her people.
There was more developing as she sent armies into Nobuna's territories and gained access to two other continents, thousands of ships and sailors. She had the port of Sno that served well but they were skilled at making merchant ships, trade vessels and galleon's. The raiders from Nobuna were lighter, faster, smaller vessels for getting up rivers and launching attacks.
10. A TALE OF TWO WARLORDS:
There was more happening across the world with everything getting happening and news coming from across the world to them. Kiyoma Haung one of the warlords who had been uniting her people under her father. Taking to task all fo them that they could. Snatching up the smaller clans and villages until they were bursting but they couldn't feed the entire army.
Desperate she turned to the SHining Stara clan that was... different, dangerous and powerful by most. They had resisted Nobuna at sea with their mastery of fire that didn't burn when in contact with the water. THeir sense of honor and protecting their people was an important part. Often considered the most honorable clan on the planet and within the region.
The Shining Star was the head of the clan but she was meeting with his daughter a means to try and ensure both sides would get to work together. Exchanging daughters to act as wards and learn from each other. The Haung clan was regarded as some of the eldest and most vicious. While other clans had swords or armor that was passed down through the family.
THey had been given knives, thin jeweled steel blades that had impossibly sharp edges for making their banners. One fo the reasons they had managed to get the frozen coasts to them. THe people fell in line once they had forced them to move without shoes or boots int he snow until their feet were black and they came to them begging for spoiled food.
Kiyoma traveled to join them and could see this group, the Hanzo's who had sent a child to the Jade Empress.... but they had not joined her. THey had offered to train and teach them armorworking, swords and construction efforts. She could see how they formed their armor, thick plates while having full suits including their faces. Their double blade fighting style made them more dangerous.
Their possibly alliance or war as it seemed much more likely was to get the resources needed to oppose the Jade Empress who continued to expand. Her lords and ladies were leading armies of people and gathering as much of the regions as they could. THe tales of her mercy to enemies, of her strength against the Oni and her destruction of Jei.
Everything going on, all fo the tales were something that they would have to contend with but they were uncertain about it. The rumors that the Shining star himself was going across the sea to battle. The forces that the empress had gotten from Nobuna were raiding the coast to try and draw the naval forces into the open sea where they could swarm and have the advantage.
The major losses at sea were a problem and he was going to treat with them, the Shining Star and his men heading out as she spent a year there learning all that she could about the port city. Its defenses, it guards, the elite soldiers she could see were wearing cloaks of silver with their armor. The more provisional ones who were dishonored wore silver armor instead of the blue and red.
She had been playing at it though seducing the captain of the guards called Daeron who was ambitious but he was also loyal to his brother. The head of the clan the shining star. He wasn't going to attack him or take from him but he wanted it, he wanted the acclaim that came from being the leader... he had plans that he would do and joining their kingdoms to form one to fight.
THat ambition helped as she convinced him to make choices when he was named regent of the clan with his brother away at war. She worked to get him to increase the taxes to put her his mistress up in a number of fancy estates. He got her servants and gems spending as much as he could and then going after the people. His smallfolk, the farmers and merchants were upset and prepared to revolt.
That was the in her and her father needed, bringing an army that was welcomed to the gates they proceeded to sack and take the city. Stringing Daeron up next to his niece who had been abused heavily before taking her own life on the march to the city. The Haung clan itself was taking what they had and killed all fo the means to get a message out.
The Shining Star returned seeing the destruction and sent out what soldiers he could. THey had worked here to survive limping back at sea but sending them out it was said he held the body of his daughter and vowed to bring vengeance. He would join the Jade Empress if she would give him that and bringing all fo his clans skills where they were working together.
With the city taken they used tunnels underneath, family crypts and sections that had been sealed away to hide and then they assaulted. The Jade Empress herself was giving them all of the support that would be needed and from the sea they fired arrows, used cannons and catapults to send attacks to them. They retook the sections fo the city and put to justice those they could.
Daeron had survived his anger, his hatred preserving his body and mind long enough for him to see his brother return and from accounts he wept begging for forgiveness from his brother. Receiving it so that he could pass as the warden of the city who had been given it Kiyoma was found dead in the throne room. A fatal dose of poison being ingested.
The Shining Star himself with most of his family dead, his clan and the people who served them, had joined them for protection passed his blade to the few remaining members of his clan. While he was skilled and would have been a great leader he was also broken against the pain and danger. Taking his own life and having the Empress act as his second as the armies of the Yova joined the Kingdom of Jade.
THey had a new purpose and there was much more to this battle that was going to have to happen. The Haung clan was some of the most dangerous on the planet, sweeping over and holding it through fear and torture. THey had taken the silent hills, a series of mines that had at one point been made aflame smoke coming and covering the towns for years, there was the ancient lands of the first kings in their hollowed hills. The wars had just begun as now these kingdoms could afford to and were going to be able to resist against them.
