[BigJMoney]

Month 5 – The Year Of THE HAG

More than ever, the people of the home province of Ulm desperately began to pray. While Yohlla was away at war, an earthquake struck their home and destroyed their precious temple. To make matters more grim, the five lords who sat on the throne to guide them were in the temple that day to inform the temple caretakers about new religious tax laws. None of them lived. There was only one man in the Great Keep who was willing to speak with the people. He was the old man, Ruprecht. Ruprecht knew the true reason for the deaths of the five keepers of Ulm. For her to destroy her own temple and ruin a thousand Ulmish lives in the process was mere consequence to old Yohlla – she was among her people, and this would not be the final calamity these people would face in the following years of her ascension. It was up to Ruprecht now to do two things. Most importantly, he had to help his goddess do what she must to bring the people of Ulm into their eternal ruler ship. Also important would be his role in looking after the people during these times, helping them hold on to success.

“Great and strong people,” the elderly man announced from atop the balcony of the Great Keep, “it is no time to be afraid. Though we have lost the wise men who have kept rule over us for many years, the timing of this misfortune is no coincidence. Was it not recently that we found our Mother Yohlla? Was it not only months ago that she anointed the Prophet to spread her word and bring the nation of Ulm into new lands? Was it not only days ago when news came that our armies conquered the land to the south, bringing those people to join with ours in this good empire? In this time of change, these things remain true. In losing our old guides, we have found new ones. And today, I will announce yet another new thing, so that you may have hope. The ancient library and forge that our ancestors used to build the foundation for our empire have been opened and the secrets of the old smiths are available again! As in the days of old, blacksmiths and craftsmen will lead our nation to greatness under the banner of the mighty Yohlla, the mother princess of education; the one who is with us, even when she is far away!”

The first temple to Yohlla in the Iron Range was built. Before it was even dedicated, the local people traveled to worship at it. Such was the affection the ageless woman inspired. Rumors arrived that a major barbarian tribe had risen to power above all others in the neighboring province of Scytha. Erkeborn knew well that barbarians usually remained in small tribes and fought each other into regression, so this alarmed him. One night, he had a dream. In his dream a strong barbarian was running through rain, carrying a baby. It was dark… nighttime, but there were no clouds. Then it wasn’t rain after all, but… arrows falling all around the barbarian while he splashed through a stream. The barbarian made it into the woods and found a clearing. Quickly, he set the baby down and commanded it to stand. The baby was too young and could not. The arrows found them and they ran for a while more. Again, he found safety and placed the baby down on the ground. He shouted for the baby to stand, but it was too young to yet walk. As arrows came down again, he screamed in frustration and then an arrow pierced his heart. Erkeborn realized himself to be walking toward the baby now. As he stared down at the infant, it began to cry and bleed until it died. When he awoke, he realized the meaning. Now was time to kill the infant nation before it found its legs and became perilous.