Public The Beast Beyond The Gate [Vandemar]

[Palatine Courier]

For the first time since the opening of the Planeshift, the Hegemony of Vandemar invites outlanders beyond its borders. A grand gathering is proclaimed at a fortified estate near the new hyperlane: part diplomatic reception, part martial celebration and part declaration that Vandemar has returned to the wider galaxy.

Yet the occasion coincides with troubling reports from the surrounding wilds. Settlements have been abandoned, patrols have disappeared and an unknown beast has been sighted moving toward the gathering. While some guests remain within the safety of the court, others are sent into the frontier to discover what is approaching.

Objective I: The Court of the First Horn

Attend the Hegemony's public reception and establish relations with Vandemar.

The Hegemony receives foreign dignitaries, merchants, scholars, military representatives and other interested visitors beneath the banners of its noble houses. Guests may seek audiences, negotiate agreements, display foreign wares, investigate Vandemarian technology or simply observe the unfamiliar customs of the Hegemony.

The gathering also provides opportunities for espionage, political manoeuvring and personal rivalry. Vandemarian nobles compete for influence, Techwrights cautiously present selected inventions and representatives of the Hegemon quietly assess every visitor.

Objective II: The Hunt Beyond the Walls

Enter the Vandemarian frontier and locate the creature approaching the gathering.

Knights of Vandemar lead a hunting expedition into the forests and mountains surrounding the estate. Outsiders are permitted to accompany them, whether as honoured guests, hired specialists or volunteers seeking reputation and reward.

The expedition must locate missing patrols, track the creature and determine why it has abandoned the deeper wilds. Participants may encounter dangerous wildlife, abandoned ruins, damaged reconnaissance equipment and signs that the beast is itself wounded or fleeing from something else.

 

[Aurelian of Vandemar]

Aurelian

Hegemon · Lord Indomitus · Dragonknight

✠ Griffin of Vandemar ✠

✠ Directive ✠

Objective I
The Court of the First Horn

✠ Sector ✠

Vandemar · Royal Estate

✠ Wargear ✠

Armor · Sword

Aurelian had arrived at the Royal Estate several hours earlier, overseeing final preparations himself against the better advice of his aids to not waste time with it and trust them in making all the necessary arrangements. He could not help it. Not to interfere or distrust their judgement, but to satisfy his own mind raging with calculations and needs of perfection.

The Estate had a vast landing field prepared on its surrounding green pastures, lushly settled against a soft incline on which the fortified site sat. It was a castle, an Aethr, in all but name but was not designated as such due to its lacking military importance. It was more a retreat for the Hegemon himself than an official embassy, palace or government building. Carved from light grey rock, build with perfect tiles of blue tone and many lights to guide and provide for any visitors and inhabitants. The great hall was from similar stone but much more refined with fine rugs and carpets, chandeliers and hearths that offered an ambience of almost primitive luxury. Large windowed doors opened to a terrace with flawlessly maintained shrubberies and small trees, overlooking the vast valleys and plains of Vandemar to one side and offering a threatening darkness in the ancient forests to the other.

The Hegemon was wearing a gray-blue long doublet, buttoned on one side with silver buttons depicting a griffin, high brown leather boots that extended almost to his knees. At his side hung Valoris, sheathed in a scabbard adorned with fine engravings of various beasts of the Vandemar, a belt of blue with silver plates holding it in place. Aurelian carried an aura of threatening nobility, measured authority and cold logistics, especially when one looked into the bedrock grey eyes.

It was time. Guards of the Palatine Praetorians were posted along walls and entrances to provide security, servants, chefs, waiters and pages were ready to attend their duties to make this occasion a noteworthy one.

A memorable festivity.

✠ Dispatch Directed To ✠

@OPEN

Eternal Duty · Eternal Loyalty · Eternal Order

 

[Achilleon Utraen]

ACHILLEON UTRAEN

KNIGHT OF VANDEMAR · HOUSE UTRAEN

Something was amiss.

Achilleon felt it the moment he arrived at the settlement. The air was thicker than it should be, a tension lay within every breath, notable even for him who used additional oxygen tanks integrated into his armour. It was the smell, it was not right. He had the scent of the forest, of the wilds, of various parts of Vandemar in his nose for many, many years, and even for more hunts, but this was not how it was supposed to be.

The settlement, Caeren, was empty. It should have had a population of almost two thousand hunters, woodworkers, merchants and attendants of the nearby Royal Estate and yet it was completely deserted. There should have been at least a lance of Knights here, waiting for the outlanders to show them into the woods, to partake in a hunt of maybe an Varkhai or Azhvor if the hunters had a scent and track, but this was different.

With a swift move his leg came around and he dismounted Saenyan, his Demigryph, landing on the concrete of the road with a shattering clank of his armour. Instinctively his hand moved to his sheathed sword, the thumb slightly loosening the weapon in it as the son of House Utraen looked around. The Vaelgryph next to him gave an aggressive chirp, a disapproving noise that her dear rider continued on foot.

Behind him, his own lance of Knights waited, alerted by the situation as much as by the behaviour of their Paladin-Lieutenant.

Something was amiss.

OBJECTIVE // 2: The Hunt Beyond The Walls
LOCATION // Settlement Caeren

PARTICIPANTS // @Open

 

[Liin Terallo]

The journey to Vandemar had afforded ample time for reflection. As the transport descended through the clear morning skies, I watched sunlight sweep across forests that seemed almost impossibly untouched. Rivers wound between broad valleys like polished ribbons of silver, while ancient stone fortifications crowned distant hills with the quiet confidence of civilizations that had endured. It was peaceful.

My little biomass companion had claimed the window long before I had. Perched comfortably upon the edge of the seat, he watched the landscape pass beneath us with the tireless curiosity that seemed to define every new world we visited. Every so often he would chirp softly, tilting his head as another stretch of woodland or distant settlement drifted into view.

"I know," I murmured with a small smile. "It's rather beautiful." Perhaps that was why Aurelian had chosen this place. Not merely to impress his guests, although it certainly possessed that quality. There was something quietly symbolic about holding discussions of governance amidst a landscape that appeared so carefully preserved. Order was easier to believe in when surrounded by evidence that it could endure.

The transport settled gently upon the prepared landing field. Beyond the transparisteel viewport I could already see attendants moving with practiced efficiency, while ranks of Palatine Praetorians stood watch with the disciplined stillness of soldiers who expected neither surprise nor disorder. The estate itself rose beyond them, elegant without seeming ostentatious. Built of pale stone beneath blue roofs, it seemed less concerned with displaying wealth than permanence. I found myself approving of that.

After collecting my satchel and field case, I paused only long enough for my small companion to climb effortlessly onto my shoulder before stepping down the boarding ramp. The air carried the scent of fresh grass. It had been some time since I had visited a world that smelled so alive. My attention drifted briefly across the surrounding countryside before returning to the estate itself. Every detail seemed intentional. The carefully maintained grounds. The symmetry of the architecture. Even the placement of the lights appeared designed to guide rather than simply illuminate. There was an engineer's mind behind much of it. Or perhaps someone who simply appreciated systems. Either way, I understood the instinct.

As I approached the entrance, my pace remained unhurried. I had attended enough diplomatic receptions to recognize the quiet choreography unfolding around me. Nobles would speak with nobles. Military leaders would measure one another without ever acknowledging they were doing so. Alliances would be strengthened over pleasant conversation and carefully selected wine. That had never been my talent. I wasn't here to compete for influence, nor to cultivate admiration. I had come because New Cov remained occupied. Because promises, however sincere, required tending if they were to survive beyond the moment in which they were spoken. My earlier conversation with Aurelian returned to me then. We had reached an understanding; not one born of sentiment, but of shared interests. It was, I believed, an honest foundation. Honest foundations were surprisingly rare in politics. Whether that understanding would endure; that was why I had accepted his invitation.

My fingers rested lightly against the strap of my satchel as I entered the great hall, taking in the warmth of the chandeliers, the polished stone, and the quiet murmur of conversation already beginning to fill the estate. For a brief moment I simply observed. Scientists often entered unfamiliar environments by watching before acting. Politics, I had found, benefited from much the same approach.

Tags: Aurelian of Vandemar @OPEN

 

[Aurelian of Vandemar]

Aurelian

Hegemon · Lord Indomitus · Dragonknight

✠ Griffin of Vandemar ✠

✠ Directive ✠

Objective I
The Court of the First Horn

✠ Sector ✠

Vandemar · Royal Estate

✠ Wargear ✠

Armor · Sword

The event was primarily attended by Vandemarians at this point with a few outlanders mingled in between from companies and independent worlds. It was expected, Aurelian was not assuming a great, positive reception to his realm, his own actions antagonised both extremes of the spectrum that much of the Galaxy dealt in. But it left exactly those who he was interested in meeting, open to negotiate with.

The Hegemon talked to several of his officials. First chatting with a lord about his colonies in the wider sector and their challenges, then with a Techwright praetor which was a rare sight at social gatherings, before one Knight Grandmaster caught his brief attention which he left behind with a gentle smile and a deep bow.

Aurelian turned and found himself looking at a figure he had only recently seen but not met since some time. Several steps took him to the woman, offering a brief, respectful nod. "Welcome Liin Terallo to Vandemar. Your mind fits well into the biome and civilisation that is at home here, we are honoured to receive you." His voice was grand and aloof, yet kept a coldness and distance that spoke of a mixture of calculation and sincerity.

"How is your endeavour to the liberation of New Cov progressing?"

✠ Dispatch Directed To ✠

Liin Terallo | Open

Eternal Duty · Eternal Loyalty · Eternal Order

 

[Liin Terallo]

A warm smile found its way onto my face as Mister Aurelian approached. I inclined my head respectfully to him in return. "Thank you." My eyes wandered briefly across the great hall before returning to him. "And thank you for the invitation." There was a quiet sincerity in my voice. "I have to admit, I rather like what you've created here." I allowed my attention to drift for a moment toward the tall windows overlooking the surrounding countryside. "It possesses a sense of intent." I smiled faintly. "Nothing feels excessive. Every part of the estate seems to have been designed because it serves a purpose, rather than simply because it could." Perhaps that was an unusual compliment for a noble residence, but it was the one that came most naturally to me.
"I imagine I notice such things because laboratories are often built with the same philosophy."

My gaze returned to his. His question regarding New Cov naturally displaced my thoughts elsewhere. The smile softened. "It is....progressing." I chose the words carefully. "Slowly." My hands folded loosely before me. "Our previous conversation was an encouraging beginning, and I remain grateful that you were willing to entertain the possibility of cooperation." There was no reason to pretend otherwise. "But liberation is considerably more complicated than simply removing an occupying force."

My thoughts inevitably returned to home. "New Cov's population has survived because our ancestors adapted to an unusually hostile environment. The majority of our citizens live within interconnected domed cities. The forests beyond those domes are beautiful." A faint smile touched my lips. "And profoundly dangerous. They contain predatory flora, aggressive biomolecular ecosystems, and naturally occurring compounds capable of killing someone who mistakes them for ordinary vegetation. To those unfamiliar with them, the forests are almost as dangerous as any invading army. So even if New Cov were liberated tomorrow, the logistical work would only be beginning."

My fingers unconsciously intertwined. "Food distribution. Medical infrastructure. Power generation. Securing transportation corridors between the domes. Protecting civilians while ensuring essential services continue to function." I gave a small shake of my head. "Rebuilding a government is one challenge. Ensuring that everyone survives the first month afterward is another entirely."

My expression remained thoughtful rather than discouraged. "So I continue speaking with those who may be willing to help." I looked directly at him. "Not because I intend to assemble the largest coalition possible, but because every world possesses different strengths. A scientist sees logistics. I find myself cataloguing capabilities rather than allegiances."

I glanced once more around the hall before returning my attention to Aurelian. "Your people understand organization. Stability. Long-term planning. Those qualities are every bit as valuable to New Cov as soldiers. And they are considerably easier to build a lasting peace upon."

Tag: Aurelian of Vandemar

 

[Aurelian of Vandemar]

Aurelian

Hegemon · Lord Indomitus · Dragonknight

✠ Griffin of Vandemar ✠

✠ Directive ✠

Objective I
The Court of the First Horn

✠ Sector ✠

Vandemar · Royal Estate

✠ Wargear ✠

Armor · Sword

"Yet whereas a laboratory is sterile, this is alive. Vandemar is not merely a project, an experiment that has been tested and trialed - it is a civilisation realised with intent, pursuing purpose. Every one of my people, older or younger, stronger or weaker, woodworker or magistrate is aware of their position and therefore of their purpose. Not because they are placed there, they are not microscopes or instruments, but because they have chosen thus."

His eyes wandered around those that were present. And if one looked closely, one might see that despite the invitation being public and for dignitaries, that not everyone here was finely dressed. Clean, yes, but some were people who looked like they came out of the woods, muted, earthy colours, weathered faces.

"Our life is defined by purpose and intention here."

He paused as he listened to her elaborations. The Hegemon was not sure why she made them. He knew New Cov by now, its history, its geography and its culture, it was a standard preparation for a potential campaign, especially one waged far away. Yet she continued with her chain of thoughts. Was she trying to tell him or simply reiterating for herself?

"Unless your plans involve a drastic upheaval of the people and their way of life, you should not busy yourself with the infrastructure that already exists and needs that are already fulfilled. The planet's own challenges have already been overcome by its people, you need to reinvent the wheel to overcome them again. Focus on the assembly of allies rather than logistics of ruling when you undoubtedly have local expertise at hand for that."

"And I have to introduce the threat of a counter-coalition to you. The longer you take to prepare this, the more chance it has to become public knowledge and therefore result in a growth of opposition."

✠ Dispatch Directed To ✠

Liin Terallo | Open

Eternal Duty · Eternal Loyalty · Eternal Order

 

[Liin Terallo]

For the briefest moment, I said nothing. My expression did not change. Years spent in government had taught me that much, at least. A person did not always need to agree with someone in order to smile politely and consider their words. Still, something within me recoiled. A laboratory is sterile. I had not meant to suggest that Vandemar was merely another experiment. Nor had I believed that its people were instruments to be arranged according to some carefully designed equation. Yet I had apparently failed to express what I meant. Again. The thought arrived with considerably more force than I allowed myself to show.

My hands remained loosely folded before me as I listened to the rest of his assessment. Focus on allies rather than logistics. Do not reinvent what New Cov had already built. The longer I waited, the greater the risk of opposition discovering what I intended. They were reasonable observations. Entirely reasonable. That was perhaps what made them so difficult to dismiss.

My eyes wandered briefly across the gathering. Men and women spoke quietly beneath the chandeliers, some dressed in the formal attire expected of such an occasion while others wore simpler clothing that suggested lives spent somewhere far beyond polished halls and political ceremonies. Vandemar's purpose, Aurelian had said, was not assigned to it's people. It was chosen. I wondered when I had last felt so certain of my own.

"You are correct," I said quietly. The words came more easily than I expected. "If New Cov is liberated, it's people will not require me to teach them how to live there." A faint smile touched my lips, though there was little humor behind it. "They have managed considerably longer without my assistance than with it. They understand the forests. The domes. The infrastructure. There are engineers, agricultural specialists, physicians, administrators..." I paused. "...and people who have remained there throughout the occupation." People who had not run. That thought came uninvited. I continued before it could linger too long. "I suppose that I have been trying to account for every possible failure before allowing myself to proceed."

My fingers gently tightened together. "In science, that is usually considered responsible. You test a hypothesis. You identify the risks. You prepare for unexpected outcomes." I looked toward him again. "But liberation is not an experiment." Nor could I control it like one.

For a moment, I fell silent. His warning regarding a counter-coalition settled more heavily than I expected. I had already considered the possibility, of course. Any attempt to remove the occupying government would eventually attract attention. Perhaps that was why I had been so determined to gather support quietly. Carefully. Slowly. Perhaps too slowly.

"It's been a few years," I said at last. My voice had softened. "A few years since the occupation began." For the first time, there was something more personal beneath my words. "New Cov has regained it's independence before. We did not require a coalition of outside powers then." My gaze remained upon him, though I seemed to be looking through him for a moment. "Perhaps I have been approaching this incorrectly." The thought frightened me more than I cared to admit. Perhaps the answer had never been to stand at the edge of the galaxy collecting promises from governors and nobles. Perhaps I should have gone home.

I swallowed quietly. "I am not a soldier, Mister Aurelian. I have never been a rebel fighter. I wouldn't know how to command an army if someone placed one directly in front of me." A faint, self-deprecating smile appeared. "My usefulness has always been elsewhere." In a laboratory. Behind a microscope. Far away from people who could be disappointed in me.

My eyes briefly fell toward the floor. "There is an Underground movement on New Cov." I had rarely spoken about it openly. Even now, I chose my words with care. "People who stayed behind. People who have continued resisting in whatever ways they can." People who were still fighting while I had spent years elsewhere.

A subtle tension entered my shoulders. "Perhaps I should return." The words were quiet enough that they might almost have been meant only for myself. The thought had lived inside me for years. It returned every time I spoke of liberation. Every time I met someone willing to discuss helping New Cov. Every time I imagined the domes beneath foreign control. Go home.

My expression remained composed, but something uncertain flickered behind my eyes. "I have wanted to return since the day I left." That much was true. "But wanting to return and knowing that I should are not necessarily the same thing." My fingers loosened again. "I left because I believed that I could do more for New Cov from the outside. That I could find support. Resources. Perhaps even allies willing to help us reclaim what we lost. And yet the longer I remain away, the more I find myself wondering whether I am simply afraid to go back." There it was. And it was not an admission that I had intended to make.

I lowered my voice. "I was responsible for the access codes. I trusted the wrong people with them." The shame was old. Familiar. It had simply learned to hide beneath more practical concerns. "When the occupation began..." I paused briefly. "...I was already gone. But that does not make the consequences feel any less mine." For a moment, the sounds of the gathering seemed very far away. "I have spent these past few years trying to make certain that when I finally helped New Cov reclaim it's independence, that I would not fail it again." My eyes lifted slowly to his. "Perhaps that is why I have been planning for every contingency. Why I keep seeking another ally. And then another. Because if I can make the plan sufficiently perfect, perhaps I can convince myself that I deserve to go home."

I allowed the silence to settle between us. Then I inclined my head slightly. "Your warning is heard, Mister Aurelian. If waiting carries it's own danger, then I will have to reconsider what I have been waiting for."

My gaze wandered briefly toward the distant windows. Perhaps I did not need to find every answer before returning home. Perhaps New Cov already had people with answers. Perhaps what I feared most was discovering that they no longer needed me at all.

I looked back toward him. "Perhaps it is time that I stop asking the galaxy to help with what New Cov needs..." My voice softened, "...and go home to ask New Cov." Whether it leads to my arrest or not.

Tag: Aurelian of Vandemar