The Coming Of Virtue

[Fate]

The Coming of Virtue, Year 1

Spring

We are the ones who waited. We survived - subsisted rather - while our lands blew away around us, like so much dust. Despair had latched itself into our minds, sorrow had long ago devoured our hearts, and strength was known no more to our limbs. And then She came to us, a bright burning light. She is beautiful and mighty, fearsome and strong. She is all we have, and all we need.

She is Qaphsiel, the Watcher of the Gallows, Warrior against the Sun, Princess of the Fishermen, Guide of Souls, the Lady at the Crossroads, and She is our salvation.

I am Yehoyakim the Pious. I was there when she came to us. It was hot, the kind of heat falls like dust over everyone. I stood on the dusty cobble stones and squinted into the sky at the small Dark Cloud that did not evaporate. But it did not rain. Instead, the cloud condensed and opened and She came out of it. At first I confess, I was a little afraid of her. But she is so beautiful.

Not all find her comforting. Ever since she arrived people have been periodically fleeing. Every month there is tell of hundreds or thousands of families running away from Avengel.

She was a little disappointed. We used to be a great empire, but now the lazy workers do nothing, the tax collectors don't pay their taxes, the sun is ever hot, and nothing grows. Even the minor lords that used to be our vassals have rebelled. She asked to be led to our laboratory. There she showed us things we have never known before.

She was only here a brief time before She left. She spent most that time in the laboratory reading. Then she left to bring back the Vassal States. She walked right into the Ironhanded Hills, a place no one in Avengel has seen for generations. She spoke a word of good fortune before flying into their ranks, and none of them could touch her. In the same way she took the Gates of Underhulm.

[Fate]

The Coming of the Virtue Year 1

Summer

Methushelach was the most jealous of her at first. He is the captain of the army such as it is, and the closest thing to a King we still have. He wanted to help bring back the Vassals, and improve his name in the process. So he took the army and attacked Mastree. And he won! Methusalech was welcomed back to the city amid enormous crowds of cheering, joyful citizens. He is the first successful general in over a hundred years and we were happy.

All accept for my brother, Zabdi. I could tell he wanted to be were Methusalech was, leading the army and accepting cheers. But we are not like Methusalech, little pawns in a grand war. We can wait our turn, for our glory is to be much greater.

Methusalech anounced he would cross the straight to Willowshart and go on a Grand Campaign that would subjegate the entire continent. We cheered and sent him on his way, though Zabdi was not present to see him leave with his soldiers.

Qaphsiel sent back news that She had found the entrance. She had come to us through it, but she had to go back to the Gates of Underhulm to find it. There is an Entrance, a grand set of stairs set into the mountain side that climb up into the impenetrable mists. This is where She has entered, and soon many more will come.

Also, She says the next valley over, known as Cloudvalley, should be taken to secure her position as God. Abdastrus, the scout, has looked into that province and there are many fearsome things, things I did not know existed. The Valley is protected by the order of the Three Tempests, who consist of strong martial monks and powerful ascetic mages. The world is much scarier now that Qaphsiel has opened our eyes to it.

Barbarians attacked Mastree. The militia ran out to fight, but the barbarians struck them dead. Thankfully, Qaphsiel was there. She walked sedately behind the militia and even the Barbarians dared not strike her. She struck them with her flaming blade and they fell dead.

Methushelach has conquered Willowshart. Now the Vassals are Vassals once more, and we have taken the first step to re-establishing our empire.

Methushelach sends back word that Willowshart has an Academy of War. Zabdi and I will go to study there. Sadly it takes me away from the city and the constant goings on. I will not know as much.