Ísbjörn and Dreki

[Haruspex]

(Co-written first part of a role-play between respective nations and characters. Ateenia in green, Haru in blue for speech text)

Somewhere over the Haruspex skies.

Ena is awakened from her slumber by the “Royal Dragon” pilot’s announcement.

“Royal Dragon, this is your captain speaking. We are approaching the destination, please prepare for landing in the next 10 minutes.” 

The Queen continued lying on her comfy bed for a few more minutes and then finally decided to get up and get dressed for the occasion. With no time wasted, she decided that the dress covered in the snow-white fur of Ísbirn, from the northernmost Ateenia was the right dress for the day and put it on along with boots made from the leather and fur of the Oslandi reindýr and the pants made from the skin of the same deer. As she was about to leave her cabin she remembered to take the ceremonial axe “Drottvendari”, meant to be by the queen’s side always, while also putting on her golden crown with the shape of 3 tree roots twisted around each other, with a flat surface with the emerald Trélíff carved into it, in the front.

When she was finally dressed, she exited her cabin to her office to get seated and wait for the landing. As she sat down she noticed Torvi, her minister of Foreign Affairs, rushed to her seat in the same room and quickly buckle her seatbelts as the seatbelt lights turned on and the plane began descending. She took a moment to gather her breath and looked at the queen, 

“so… any idea what to expect once we land?”

“No, but looking out of the window, I'd say they are ready for our visit, certainly know how to greet us.” the queen responded, pointing towards the escorting fighters of the Haru air force. “Hopefully once we’re there, there will be more walking involved, tired of sitting on the same seat for hours.” Torvi continued. 

“You didn't sleep?”

“No! I can't sleep when this damn plane keeps shaking as if Hilli herself was trying to hold us back.”

Ena laughed, “ha ha, you really need to fly out more often, the turbulence in this flight was barely noticeable and if anything I’d say Hilli was giving us more speed.”

Torvi started looking out of the window and sat quietly for the rest of the trip, mumbling to herself, the greeting speech she was gonna give upon arrival.

Once the wheels of the “Royal Dragon” finally touched the runway’s of the Prathen International Aerodrome, the queen packed her bag and left her seat, to stand at the exit door, waiting for the plane to stop and open the door, She made the last adjustments to her outfit and advised the minister of foreign affairs to do the same.

When the plane had taxied into position, it would be at the precise placement of a long, red carpet, stretching for nearly twenty meters to a convoy of ebony vehicles waiting in a line. At either side of said pathway, in a row of twenty, six deep, were legionnaires of the Imperium, fully adorned in military attire as if they were to be deployed at that minute. Men and women alike, heads cocked to the left facing the Ateenian royal aircraft, berets of a light blue hue. A few hundred boots clicked in unison at the appearance of the queen and her entourage, and in the center of the carpet, waiting before the steps that came down from said craft, were two very high ranking individuals. 

On the left, that of General Elena Yars Orn, overall commander of the Imperial Royal Guard - IRG, and on the right, Duke Sias Hu'yan, highest ranking official of the Third Circle, a ministry that focused upon Foreign Affairs exclusively. 

Elena, for her part, looked very much what one might expect a Haru legionary officer to appear as. She was fairly tall at just under one point eight meters tall, angular features suggesting a Cussian heritage, more than likely that of Black Augustine. A neither thin, nor thick build of frame, short, auburn hair with a shave on either side, a style of cut known as a Very Short Pixie. A long scar that ran from left eyebrow, across the bridge of nose and stopped just at the cusp of her right cheek finished off the look under sweltering watery-green eyes. As befitting one of the military, the woman wore as those subordinate officers under her command did. A double breasted coat with sleeve stripes worn with ribbons, medals, badges, and a black dress belt. A raised collar white shirt with black neck-tie was worn underneath. with highly notable awards such as the Imperial Honor Mark, Chosen of the Imperium Cross, and or various service medals. The uniform was colored black and the double-breasted jacket had ten brass buttons and a matching peaked cap.

Hu’yan stood approximately the same height, and with a similar hair colouring as well, it was reddish of sorts, cropped very close to his scalp and shaved on the sides. He, unlike Elena, did not share in the same features however. His were slightly softer, rounded just a bit, yet even for his age, he was fit and well, his three piece suit was not ill fitting nor stretched from obesity. Neat and tidy. He bore no facial scars, though he did carry himself with a slight limp on the right side. A cane was leaned upon somewhat, and it was not ornate, just a simple black piece of lacquered wood. He was also older than the officer beside him. Elena in her thirties, he in his fifties. 

As befitting royalty, especially related, however distant, both knelt upon one knee to greet the queen and her entourage, eventually rising up and each stepping to one side, gesturing at the automobiles in the distance. It was Hu’yan however who spoke first.

“My Lady, Queen of Ateenia, welcome to the Imperium. May your visit bring good tidings and cheer.”

“Thank you! I am glad to be here. I’m a little disappointed that the empress herself couldn't be here to greet me. I'm guessing she has other matters to attend to?” Ena asked, as she began walking towards the vehicles.

“Ah, she is attending to matters of the royal court, thus she could not attend. However she will be present when you arrive at the palace within Prathen.” General Yars Orn commented towards the Ateenian Queen as they strolled towards the vehicles. 

An officer waiting, opened the rear door of the command staff car that lay in waiting between two SUV’s. Overhead a pair of Dymuh class gunships thundered overhead, swirling the air and leaves about as royal guard security officers slid into the SUV’s, and the more obviously military vehicles behind the three piece entourage. The general and the duke would also sit in the back of the staff car with the queen and her minister.

“Should be a pleasant trip, the old city has been well prepared for your arrival. The citizenry have just been informed of the link to the Kalinka bloodline. There is a surge in popular support for your nation, and for the visit.”

Ena looked out of the car window and looked at the city and all of its people, and responded. “That's good, I wish I could say the same about my people, the truth is, most Ateenians both fear and hate the outside wurld and all that comes from it. It’s been this way for at least a hundred years. I'm not really sure how well my people and my jarls will take this visit and the increasing relations between our people but I do hope that one day an Ateenian can call a Haru a brother or a sister. That is why I'm here, to bring us closer to that goal.”

She fell into thoughts for a bit and then looked at Torvi.

“How do you feel about this Torvi? And be honest.”

“Well my queen, I do believe we are moving in the right direction but I'm not sure how this will impact Ateenia as a whole, if you and our government keep pushing our people and our jarls too much, i fear all of our progress might come rumbling down as distrust and dislike for you and the government grows, i fear your brother can use it to her advantage and take the throne from you instead and i feel that he would not have the same vision as we do. Overall, I'm glad that we are building our relations with our lost brothers and sisters but must advise you to not rush this because all of it can come crumbling down faster than we are building it.” 

Ena fell into even more thoughts with worry on her face. She knew that Torvi was right and that to get the desired result, she must take her time. While Ena was too busy in her thoughts, Torvi started her conversation with Hu’yan.

“So… how’s life as the minister of foreign affairs of Haruspex? I'm guessing you are as busy as I am with this profession?”

The duke smiled before responding. “I am busy with a great many affairs, not only the running of the ministry itself, the representation to a select few nations in person, but the training of those who are placed in positions of representation, and the managing of the city-state that my bloodline has ruled for nearly eighty years now. So yes, quite busy.”

A traverse of gaze to the protective windows, the crowds at the side of the road, the waving of small Ateenian flags by said people, the banners of the Imperium flying from some buildings above in the wind. Eventually, to not be impolite, attention was brought towards Torvi again.

“I warned my Empress, same as you warn your Queen however, that we must be cautious, the kingdom of the old line is quite far away, no telling how we as a people differ. For example, our two people speak different languages, despite being of the same heritage, our languages differ so much that you could not tell that they are related in any way based on words and letters alone.”

A slow lean back into the soft leather of the seat. A light tapping of the index finger against the cane for a moment. “We are at the crossroads, yours and mine, to determine not just the fate of the Kalinka line here, but of interactions in the future. It should prove interesting.”

Torvi lit her cigarette and nodded.

“It sure will be. Hopefully things go well rather than bad, it's about time Ateenia got more involved in international politics, we’ve been rather isolated since my kingdom first fell almost a hundred years ago and well, a foreign affairs minister of an isolated kingdom is no real foreign affairs minister.”

She continued smoking in silence and just as she finished her cigarette, her silence was interrupted by Ena.

“Torvi, once I'm at the destination, I need you to continue on to the Ateenian embassy here to inspect their work and to check up on them. I believe they will be honoured by your visit. I trust it won't be much of a problem.”

“No, not at all, I was planning to visit the embassy at one point anyways, glad i didn't need to bring it up myself. I wonder how Björn is holding up, he sure didn't like the news when I assigned him here 2 years ago. Time to pay my old friend a visit.” Torvi looked at Hu’yan and asked. “Will I get to the embassy with this car once Ena gets off?.”

“Ah, yes, if you would be willing to keep an old man company, this vehicle will take you to your embassy. It is on the way to another destination of mine anyways.” His words coincided with a passing of a checkpoint, the Haru legionary with the half masks in place, the nearly universal sea-water green eyes focused and attentive to the passing of the vehicles at hand. As the SUV’s pulled to one side, the staff car proceeded up a driveway towards what could only be described as a castle. Passing through another checkpoint, this one at what was once a gate house, perhaps it still was. Then another, and another, the outermost rings, the innermost, and then the central ward, the royal palace loomed upwards and outwards. Everywhere were legionary, standing at rapt attention. 

The vehicle slid to a stop before another carpet, the co-driver and a security officer stepping forth and acting as a valet, pulling open the suicide styled doors to either side to allow the passengers within, exit. More rows of legionary, though these were much different then those at the plane, these were the elite, the commandos of the House Renor Elemmiire, the primary bloodline of the Empress, and the current reigning house of the Landsraad. 

Duke Hu’Yan remained within the vehicle, and spoke to Torvi. “Now the real dragon awaits, and with her, the Imperial Court.” 

[Haruspex]

(Co-written first part of a role-play between respective nations and characters. Ateenia in green, Haru in blue for speech text)

Once Ena was off the car, she began walking towards the palace while also waving goodbye to Torvi as the SUVs began driving away. She checked her pockets, her bag and her axe to make sure she didn't forget anything and then continued walking all the way to the palace door where Empress Kira'Karn and her wife were waiting for her. Once she reached them she extended her hand for the forearm shake to greet both of them.

“Good to see both of you again. Your last visit to my kingdom left little time for us to actually talk about the matters of our two great realms and about our history.” She said while finishing up her forearm shake with Ayn.

The greeting was taken in stride from both of the women, and a faint nod of head as Kira extended her right arm and hand in a walk with me gesture. Her two tone dress gown was of a popular style, not just for the royals, but for many women across the Imperium of late. The hues of black and red, proving to be her choice today as eventually placed both arms behind back, hands clasping one another. Ayn trailing behind in a fairly modest three-quarter sleeve godet styled dress of a soft golden hue. 

“I do apologize for not meeting you at the landing of your aerocraft.” Kira began. “I was taking a conference call from my senior officers of the Kaldana expansion operation. ”She mused further. “It seems to be going well, despite the dangers of an Anglian presence within the region and other powers that be.” A pause to look upon a piece of art. “They say this piece has survived four centuries, the archer upon the mount, the spear piercing the heart of a foe, under the burning sun, and the weeping sky.” Kira made a slight tilt of head. “We are close sister, but far apart as well. Whatever query you’ve burning within, feel free to ask it, and anything else you’d desire to know.” A slight reposition of her body, facing Ena. “We are kin, you are afforded our attention to the fullest.”

“Yes, yes, sure!” Ena responded while completely ignoring Kira after they entered the palace because she was too busy looking at Kira’s cousin, Ajax who was watching them both enter the palace. Ajax could not get his eyes off of Ena and neither could she get her eyes off of him. When Kira noticed them two, distracted by each other, she turned to Ena to introduce her cousin to her.

“That is Ajax Hur Elemiire, my cousin. Cousin, this is the queen of Ateenia, Ena Kalinka and she will be staying with us for the next few days. Come Ena, let me show you to your room where you can unpack, we’ll be going out in an hour.” She then took Ena to her room where she left Ena to unpack.

After a few minutes of unpacking, she heard a knock on the door. It was Ajax, when she called him in, his eyes were met by Ena who just changed into her spare clothes, wearing red pants and shirt made of linen and a coat made of wolf fur, she asked him. “How do I look? My dress is warm and nice and all but it's heavy and I really don't like being burdened by heavy clothes.” She tied her hair and asked again. “So, how do I look?”

Ajax being stunned by Ena responded; “You uh, you look better, i feel like these really suit you, somehow you manage to look better in common clothes then you do in fancy clothes.”

“Ah, very good, I thought so myself.”

She then put on her armband of Valdahöll and the amulet of Estrid.

“I like your armband and necklace,” Ajax noted.

“Oh, it's an amulet not a necklace. Every Ateenian gets this armband upon reaching maturity and the amulet is worn by any woman that wishes to carry the glory of the Allmother with her.”

“I see. I assume this allmother is one of your vjoldinist gods?”

“She isn't just any god, she is the queen of all gods and goddesses, the mother of all.”

“I apologise for my ignorance, I do not know much about your religion, despite it having a strong presence here in my homeland as well.” 

“It's not just my religion, it's the only religion that is true.” Ena answered with a more aggressive tone.

Ajax, not wishing to cause any more conflict, apologised and asked to talk about something else.

“Of course, my apologies, let's not speak of this any more. Say, what do you think of the palace and my homeland in general?”

“I find it both different from my own but at the same time, familiar. It's a beautiful land I must say, though I will always find my own home more beautiful. This palace looks bigger than my own, a lot different too. So far I like it. Now if you will excuse me, I will speak to you later. I have more unpacking to do before we will be on our way to wherever Kira wishes to take me.”

“Of course, I will see you later.” Ajax responded to Ena as he left her room. When he closed the door behind him, Ena resumed her unpacking.

Half an hour later, Kira knocked on Ena’s door and asked her to get ready. Ena quickly got her things and left her room and followed Kira. When they reached the vehicle, both of them heard Ajax run outside of the palace towards the car, asking both of them to wait for him.

“Cousin, Ena, may I join your trip?”

“Sure, I have nothing against it. Do you not have other duties though?” asked Kira in response.

“No, I have some time.”

“Well alright then, you may come too.” Kira then turned to Ena. “I hope you don’t mind my cousin coming too.”

“Not at all.” Ena responded.

Gazed upon Ajax a moment, cool eyes studying the prince who was normally well put together. This was not a side known to her, and it was somewhat worrying to see him so tame, as if a yoke of beauty had been placed about his neck by Ena. “Cousin, such an interesting side of yours. Truly unexpected.”

Ajax blinked, then composed himself, seeing Kira’s studious gaze and the somewhat menacing undertone that came forth with her words. “A true man does bear his sensitive side at times, my Empress.”A slight tilt of the woman’s head as she leaned back within the plush leather of the staff car. “Mmn..perhaps, though if you wish to pursue her, you will need to remember your duties. Should be interesting.”

“My cousin has funny jokes sometimes…” Ajax told Ena while laughing nervously with a little blush..

“Huh, I see…” Ena responded and then looked away out of the window showing a faint smile.”

A faint flick of fingers, a gesture to the driver of which nodded and the staff car began to drive down the roadway. An armored SUV was leading the way, with an APC following behind. Passing through the checkpoints, saluting soldiers and the banners of the imperium swaying in the wind as the rising sun’s light pierced the heavens and downwards.

As the convoy left the palace grounds, Ena started searching around in the car, looking under the seat, under the rear window and in the sides of the seats until her search was interrupted by Kira.

“Did you lose something?”

“No, I'm just… where do you store the mead in this damn car?” Ena asked in response.

Kira sighed a bit and then nodded to Ajax. An area between the fore seats, on the other side of those occupied by herself and Ena, held a cooler that appeared to be a seat. The prince lifted up the container lid and brought out a bottle of local honey wine, aka mead. A slow pull of its top, an easy swing cork lid style. A little over nine and a half percent, the green glass was of a dark hue. “Here.”

Ena took the bottle and took a few big sips to satisfy her thirst.

“My gods, this is almost as good as the ones we have at home, you Haru truly are our descendants it seems.”

She then gave the bottle to Ajax, offering him a drink, which he accepted and took a humble single sip before giving the bottle back to Kira.

The rest of the trip was spent, drinking mead and chatting. Once they arrived at the destination, all they could see was the Vjoldinist temple of Heilagur Kitra. With walls of stone covered with wooden frames, a roof reaching the skies with a tree made of gold at the very top, guarded by stone statues of the god Hamirr and goddess Sverðeti that sit at the front, guarding the large wooden doors that give access to the temple, Ena could do nothing but be amazed by the structure dedicated to the gods in all of its glory.

Kira stepped free of the chariot that had brought her, alongst with cousin and the Ateenian Queen. A slow, studious gaze passed over the front of the temple, noting its intricacies, and design. “It appears very old, though it is not. A recreation I am told of that which is in your home country.” Slow steps taken to the base of the stairs, hands behind back, clasping one another, a preferred style. “Perhaps we shall have to make a visit to the main temple of Tyng Sudran, here in Prathen. Third oldest hall of worship in all the Imperium.” Tilt of head towards Ena. “The style of build will be drastically different.”

“Perhaps we shall, it will be interesting to see what your temples will be like, despite being dedicated to false gods.”

“You really need to learn to be better with your words Ena, that wasn't very diplomatic of you and wars have started for less offenses than that. Cousin, please excuse Ena, she clearly hasn't had much experience with diplomacy.” Ajax responded, trying to avoid a conflict between his cousin and Ena.

“If I could be goaded by such a statement, I would never have ascended the throne, cousin.” Mildly vexed, dismissive wave of hand towards Ajax. “We are chosen of the gods, their will be done, their dreams manifest, their voices, songs to our ears. Do not forget that cousin.” Drawing herself upwards somewhat. “With that in mind, the Imperium tolerates specific religions, so long as they remain where they belong, in the minority.” Eying the temple some a bit more, afterwards a calming look overtook her appearance and she was once more, cool, and collected.

[Haruspex]

(Co-written first part of a role-play between respective nations and characters. Ateenia in green, Haru in blue for speech text)

The party proceeded to walk inside and found themselves in a dim hallway where they were to leave any weapons they were carrying, with a priest standing guard making sure they would do so. Ajax and Kira were not sure why the priest opened a locker meant for any weapons carried by visitors but learned quickly when Ena began relinquishing her weapons, starting with her ceremonial axe “Drottvendari”, followed by a concealed daggers on her left leg, under her dress and another dagger in the inner pocket of the fur coat that is part of her dress. Once she relinquished her weapons, she was permitted to enter the temple and it was then that Ajax and Kira and her bodyguards began relinquishing their weapons, Ajax relinquishing his side arm, Kira her blade and her bodyguards stayed at the front door.

Once the party relinquished their weapons, they continued on inside the main hall of the temple, which was just as dim as the hallway, being lit only by the sunlight and torches and candles. The statues of the twelve Æðstir’s, the main gods of the Vjoldinist faith, ran across the hall with the statues of the allmother and allfather standing at the end of the hall. The hall itself was huge and could fit thousands of followers inside.

While Kira stayed mostly near the entrance to the hall, Ena and Ajax went on to explore the palace. They found themselves in front of the statue of the goddess Ungrilla, where Ena made an offering, taking a single wolfsbane out of her bag and putting it on the offering basket in front of the statue. Quietly, Ena said something but it could not be interpreted what she said, other than it being a prayer. Ajax, clueless about it all, asked Ena, “Who’s this?”

“She is Ungrilla, goddess of love and beauty, among other things. She is one of the 10 Æðstir’s that watch over Sungard and all the other wurlds.”

Ena answered while continuously watching the Haru made, almost perfect depiction of Ungrilla. She noticed that they paid attention to every detail, giving her long hair, beautiful body and face, and clothing made from the skin of two wolves, Ger and Mer, that leave all but her private parts naked. She was holding her golden apple of fertility and desire and with her other hand she was petting her female pet wolf Rur that she adopted after she made clothing from its brothers Ger and Mer. Below the statue, on the stone it is standing on, lies a plaque with the following words, “ᚨᚢᛊᛏ:ᛖᚱ:ᛖᚲᚲᛁ:ᚹᛖᛁᚲᛚᛖᛁᚲᛁ;ᚺᚢᚾ:ᛖᚱ:ᛊᛏᛁᚱᚲᚢᚱ:ᛟᚷ:ᛊᛏᚢᚾᛞᚢᛗ:ᚹᛟᛈᚾ;ᛊᛏᛖᚱᚲᚨᚱᛁ:ᛖᚾ:ᚾᛟᚲᚲᚢᚱᛏ:ᛊᚹᛖᚱᚦ:ᛖᚦᚨ:ᛁᛟᚲᛊᛁ.” which translates into “Love is not a weakness, it is a strength and sometimes a weapon, stronger than any sword or axe.” quoting Ungrilla in the “Vjöldabók'', one of the holy books of the Vjoldinist faith, when she revealed herself to Ása to convince her to save Eluf from the ten wolves in the caves of Myrr.
Below there is the same quote translated into Haru-Dakat.

Ajax took in the knowledge of this other faith, well not other, the  Vjoldinist’s were of a sizable minority within the imperium’s territories, harkening back to the days of yore. He at least was educated upon the history of the imperial throne and its roots. A tilt of head some, looking upon the depiction of this goddess. 

“ In some ways, we are like this. Though the names and deities have changed places, the belief of the old gods is what keeps us still as the wurld moves on. Even the k’hil’matine are progressing, whilst we stay on the course of before.” 

A slow step backwards after a moment before he continued. “ If you seek to build a bridge with my cousin, and the Imperium, perhaps you should visit the temple she mentioned.” A slight glance back towards the statue as words poured forth. “ She can be much too serious, or perhaps it is the throne that makes one, perhaps something you both have in common, besides bloodline.”

“Maybe I will, though I will not honor her gods for they are false gods and honoring them would surely earn me the wrath of the true gods.” Ena says, as they move on to the statue of Ungor, the god of good luck, peace, forest and harvest.

Ajax looked at the statue curiously as Ena began telling about the Ungor.

“This here is Ungor, god of harvest and forest and nature overall. He is the one that rules over the forests of Sungard, Vjöld and other wurlds and hates it when we fight in his forests, not that it has stopped anyone from fighting there in the past, just make sure you ask for forgiveness.”

She observed the scar in its upper right shoulder and continued. “I see you people kept to every detail. Do you know why he has a scar on his shoulder?”
“No?” Ajax responded.

“That scar comes from the bite of Rur, who attacked him to defend his sister Ungrilla from being punished for killing the 2 wolves Ger and Mer in his sacred forest of Friðarskógur, which not even the gods are permitted to visit without his permission. Needless to say, he hated his sister for it for a very long time but being a god of peace, he never took revenge on her.”

Ena also observed Ungor’s body being that of a man, his head being that of an elk with the antlers, his skin covered in the fur of a wolf with the clothing made of leather, having a ragged shirt and pants. On his antlers sits a squirrel, meant to represent his watcher squirrels that are his eyes and ears in all forests and inform him of the events happening in his forests.

Eventually Ena turned to Ajax.

“You know, there is this one tale where back in the days of the old, there was this man that cut down trees for a living. Well one day his business grew so big that he was able to cut down trees faster than they could regrow, which got him trapped in greed to a point where he almost cut down all the forests of Sungard.

Ungor, unhappy with him cutting down his forests, revealed to him and asked him to stop cutting down forests needlessly, as most of the wood went to waste. The man of course refused, not wanting to lose the riches of his business, so one day when he and his party went to chop down the last forest of Sungard, Ungor revealed once more, giving them a last warning to stop, which the man ignored. This left Ungor no other options but to stop him, and stop him he did, in the split of a second,

Ungor used his power to turn the man and his party into trees, as well as the rest of their co-workers and their families that eventually grew into a new forest, a forest that regrow the forests of Sungard. 

This is one of the rare instances where Ungor seeked to take revenge on those that would wrong him. Perfect example that even the most forgiving have a limit to their forgiveness.” 

[Haruspex]

(Co-written first part of a role-play between respective nations and characters. Ateenia in green, Haru in blue for speech text)

 

She took a moment to search her pockets and then placed a coin on the altar of Ungor as offering to him in hopes that Ungor would forgive her for any wrongdoings she had done to displease Ungor, though she did not openly admit in-front of Ajax to having done any wrong in the eyes of the god.

Ajax and Ena continued to the next statue, one that was dedicated to the god of justice, strength and battle, the god Jorling, whom was ancestor to both Ena as well as Ajax and his cousin Kira.

And here be…

Ena could not finish her sentence before Ajax interrupted.

Jorling right?

Yes, I see you are familiar with our common forefather then?

Oh yes, most certainly, I just didn't know you people worshiped him as a god.

Well he is the son of our allfather Vrjoln…

Wouldn't by the same logic, all his descendants be gods?

Well yes and no. It is true that you and I and even Kira over there, alongside many other Jorling’s descendants, have divine blood in us, but it isn't enough for us to be gods, we are mere mortals after all. Jorling himself only ascended to become a god after his death, being collectively accepted by the Æðstir as one of them.

I see, but why?

His legacy was always to become an Æðstir, from the moment he was born as a direct son of his mother Lida and the allfather Vrjoln. He fulfilled his destiny when he succeeded in what was prophesied, he was to unite the people of Ateenia under a single kingdom to stop the fighting between brothers and sisters and to make them stronger through it.

She took a moment to inspect the statue of Jorling, where he was standing strong, leaning on his great sword 'Faðirnautr', a legendary weapon gifted to him by Vrjoln and forged by Járfigg, the god of blacksmithing.

Wait, why would the gods pick certain people out of all? What makes Ateenians so special compared to the rest of their creations? Would they not want all of mankind to be united? Continued Ajax.

I do not know, I don’t speak for the gods, I am only telling you what has already happened, though i suspect our job is not done, I believe the gods have chosen us to reunite all mankind under a single tribe once more, for we are a single family who share the same ancestors.

I see…

Remerging into the conversation, Kira listened for a moment as she came to a stop beside Ajax, offering nods and so forth to his queries before replying;

We cannot be gods. For we are gifted flaws that make us less than those we hold to a higher standard.

A slow walk around the two, noting the artwork and the statues with a keen eye. Gentle place of a hand against the Ateenian statue.

When Jorling arrived in our lands, in times of yore, there was a savage, dark of mind race, barbarians. Through cunning and guile, they became one, sharing in the bloodline that through their creations, defines us even to this day.

A tilt of head some, letting the smooth finish of the wood be felt through a slight caress of fingertips before continuing a furthering education, a divergent surely from the Ateenian belief no less.

Those were not Haru however, they were the Tyngmehkc (Pronounced: ‘TEaen-gemeay-ha-kuk-ku’, translated to Darklings in Anglish)..Descendents themselves of an ancient line, Jorling Kalinka infused it with new life, and through them, the Haru themselves were born. This has become interwoven into our society, culture, daily lives, the people believing the major houses are descendants, bloodlines of this ancient union,, of whom would become the main gods of our faith, overlooking the hall of pantheons beneath them, of whom the citizenry of this time, place their faith within.

Kira looked upon Ena for a bit, hands coming to rest behind her back. A very informative trip to one of the rising yet still minor Vjoldinist faith within the domain. Amused her to some length that there were more followers here then population wise of Ena’s own lands. The gods sense of humor was not lost on her.

We indeed do share a bloodline, though it remains to be seen what we shall do with such in these modern times. A temple is not where I wished to discuss the matters of the domain, but it’s fair to say it is more secure than some places. 

I wish to make your lands a trade partner in the full. North Korinion is becoming a fast trade route for the colony, and here. By doing so, that would mean a port being used by transports and naval vessels.

[Haruspex]

Co-written first part of a role-play between respective nations and characters. Ateenia in green, Haru in blue for speech text)

“We will have to see what the future will bring, maybe our two nations will bond even closer, maybe they won't. But yes, my kingdom would be more than happy to become a trade partner of your imperium.” Ena responded to Kira’s offer.

After that, the party started walking out of the temple, back to their vehicles but were stopped just at the entrance by the Haru Minister of Religious Affairs and Applications, who greeted the Ateenian queen.

Thei’de Kantra Velven stood as almost a tower, nearly fifteen centimeters taller than the average Haru, who were already on national average of one-hundred-eighty-two centimeters, considered tall people. Perhaps not so beyond the Occidental of the Europan continent, but such was believed to be here. 

Thus, the representative, leading officer, head of the Eighth Circle (Ministry of Religious Affairs and Applications) stood above even those masses. Adorned as one might expect of a clerical order, yet the robes were of a red hue with ebony edges. The emblem of Tyng on the left, and Sudran on the right at the shoulders. An Imperial emblem of the national insignia that denoted the Imperium hung from a chain about neck to lay between them.

He stood neither thin or thick, proportionate to his height. The cowl normally worn, pushed down, piercing sea-water greens peering forth from the angular face, as if chiseled from stone. Grey hair, much like many seen before, cropped close to the scalp. At the Ateenian queen’s approach, he swept forward with both arms coming to rest against his chest in a bow. As rising up, he spoke. “ Welcome, on behalf of the gods and those whom serve them.” Similar dressed clerics lined either side of the walk and held heads bowed. 

“The Empress, in her wisdom, wishes to conclude business within the main temple. While the Voldjinists and the main faith do not always agree, perhaps common ground can be had before you return to the Kingdom.”

“Gods forgive me for such heathenry…” Ena whispered to herself before responding “Fine I shall come.” 

The party sat in the car and continued towards the main temple.

Thei had a mostly neutral expression to the Ateenian Queen’s slight hesitancy before offering a bit of a nod. The escort vehicles from before were used, although instead of the commandos from before, it was clergy of the Eighth Circle. A slight difference in their BDU’s, being a red/black/grey splotch scheme, and ebony berets. Those that were armed also carried the HBAS bullpup rifle instead of the GAR-01TB that the standard Imperial regulars utilized. 

The ride inside the vehicles was quiet, their speed moderate, and the route cleared. There were however crowds alongst the sides of the road. Tiny banners of Ateenia’s royal crest and those of the Imperium moving with the wind as cheers thundered against the glass. This was a momentous day after all. 

The entourage of vehicles went through a checkpoint more akin to what one might see from the days of yore when castles and fortresses reigned supreme. A massive gate-house was passed through and under. In the distance, a rather large pyramid shaped building arose from the carefully managed gardens of stone and rare flowers. Composed of basalt stone and smooth volcanic rock, the building stood out amidst its surroundings. A single entry visible to the naked eye lay in the center.

At either side, stone statues stood guard, pikes raised towards the sky and slightly at an angle of which banners of the reigning Imperial House sat upon the throne of the Imperium, fluttering in the wind that stirred up now and then. Beyond heavy oak and iron doors that were as of yet, opened inwards and inviting, lay the interior corridor that led into the main hall. White stone faced inwards and bathed the insides in a soft glow as light radiated from on high. To the left, more banners and stone statues of Great Lords of Host, Emperors and Empresses from the distant past, to the modern times.

Black tile upon the floor clearly marked a path towards the centerpiece of the temple itself. A massive sculpture of the twin deities, Tyng Sudran and Dra Crehehk Cuh. The twin beings were depicted as great dragons of which beneath their talons, a globe of the known wurld.