[Alneyan]

It looks like the local situation will be more interesting now, as the past few turns only saw the conquest of provinces, without any unexpected surprise (few independents can stand against a horde of longbowmen). So, without further addendum:

Man - Turn 15:

The void. Ornate figures were swelling, only to disappear moments later. Echoes from the world came, shrill voices crying their despair. And the void, this feeling of emptiness, surrounding her. Memories slowly returned; a lucky arrow hit her, somehow finding its way through the whirling winds protecting her. A meagre weapon, yet sufficient to destroy her. The recollection of the pain that followed, her wiggles as the cold embrace of death came upon here.

But there was more, much more, to her plight. Voices should have risen in unison to call her back among the livings. Thousands of faithful believed in her; only a few muttered prayers now reached her. The chillness of dying seized her again, as she realised she would not see the sunlight for a long while, if ever. She wept.


Spring was nearing its end in the streets of Man, and the air was filled with the fragrance of blossoming flowers. Harvests were bountiful, the famines of Last year a simple unpleasant memory. The Fair Land was once more prosperous, the wealthiest realm of the known world as rumours had it. The bickering Earls, who had divided the kingdom, had been brought under control, and Man was once more a united power, confident of its ability to grow.

A glance at the city below the Castle brought Velimaine such thoughts. Power was now in the hands of Avalon, and so she naturally became Lady Warden of the realm, being the Daughter Superior of the Isle. All of Man under her rule; such responsibilities almost overwhelmed her, despite the customary involvement of Avalon in political matters. But she would have the time to reflect; there was no threat to Man, with its borders securely held by the royal host. The only pressing matter was to ensure the stability of the Summer Lands.

To this end, she summoned the Earl of Sjkomen, the lands surrounding Avalon proper. Sjkomen was now in charge of the administration of Avalon, a concession made to placate the Earls. Sjkomen himself was a not too ambitious nobleman, and talented to apply rulings, so long as he did not have to take decisions on his own; all that Velimaine required. She handed him an innocent, ordinary letter, to be copied and displayed in all parts of Man. Even the usually serene Earl paled while reading the contents of the missive:

“I, Velimaine of Avalon, in the name of my Sisters and Mother, hereby declare that Man is to be ruled under the custody of Avalon. The crown of Man will henceforth be detained by the Daughter Superior, or any Daughter chosen by her Sisters, and will no longer be transferred by the virtues of heredity. Be it also enacted that the current heir, the child Leonid, therefore loses all his rights, titles and duties as king, given his birth, which was not from the marriage between his father and mother, as it is widely known. His cousins do not have a claim strong enough to warrant their accession to the Crown, as per our customs and traditions.

The incarnation known as Ilneoa, whose divine nature led to erring on mortals, had disappear several moons past. Her divine nature whereby she claimed the Crown has been thus disproved, and her pretensions should similarly be dispelled. All citizens of the land are urged to step aside from her cult, and to return to our ancient rites, whereof only good thoughts can be given. Putting power in the hands of a creature full of exigencies was not the best notion to cross the minds of the believers; this shall not happen again.”