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Letting us deal with the Akaviri that are already here would be preferable to just more hordes arriving. Akaviri have a charm, being a foreign invading horde, but it dries up. It might be prudent to wind it down, especially if you're going to be more absent in the future.
I'll vote for finishing the story with that's already here, but no more reinforcements.
(I have created the poll since I am set to leave either today or tomorrow in real life. It's a straight up or down vote, do we continue the Akavir War in the RP world, or do we end it? I'd note either way for the next month you can still utilize the Akavir and mop them up essentially to make your plotlines smooth, but if it is decided to discontinue the war simply, no more Akavir will arrive and what's here will be defeated freeing up the plotlines to go wherever. If it's decided to continue the war for another month we can add to their forces or twist the war in their favor however you all like.)
The Empire of Tamriel: From Whence You Came 28th Frostfall, 4E 203
The imperial legion under the command of Sir Mazog pursuing the fleeing Akaviri from the battle of Leyawin manage to kill most of the stragglers and captures a handful of Tang Mo. The bulk of the few hundred fleeing enemy, having had a day's head start reach Fort Cuptor where a small legion of the Akaviri that had originally occupied the Niben Basin had captured the small Argonian enclave of Canulusia, taking most of the inhabitants as prisoners rather than massacring them like they did at Blankenmarch. The Argonians being put to labor, and some sympathizing with their captors, have been marshalled at Fort Cuptor, along with the small army of Akaviri and the fleeing few from Leyawin. Bearing news of the defeat at Leyawin the remnant of Akavir left in Cyrodil debate upon making a stand and fighting Sir Mazog's army or hastily withdrawing into Morrowind where the bulk of their army is.
Sir Mazog sets camp in the wilderness to the southwest of Fort Cuptor, anticipating an engagement. The two sides scout eachother out, and a brief skirmish erupts between the two scouting parties. Sir Jaquavis and Trollz with about twenty other scouts clash with the Tang Mo in the swampy forests of the borderlands of Cyrodil and Black Marsh. Archers on both sides exchange volleys at each other, while swift-footed Sir Jaquavis and some Tang Mo light infantry wielding iron rods combat him. With great ease Sir Jaquavis charges in at one, bashing him down. Out the corner of his eye he sees the other monkey soldier lift his arm to deal a blow. Twisting about with his left-arm to which a blade has been grafted, Sir Jaquavis thrusts at the opening, killing his foe. Turning around and finishing off his original foe he ducks just in time as a few arrows pass by.
The scouts fire off a few more shafts at the redguard, but he deflects them. The Tang Mo withdraw some daggers, and one a mace, and charge Sir Jaquavis. Blocking the first blow with his swordarm and slashing out parrying a dagger thrust he fends them off. Four Tang Mo assail the knight at once and he dodges and blocks their attempts dancing around them. As the ballet of blades continues the combatants step into the thick marsh ground and are slowed down. Losing his footing costs one of the Tang Mo assailants his life. Sir Jaquavis pulling himself up from cutting down the unfortunate slave of Akavir finds his foot stuck in the soupy mud. Just in time he blocks a blow and defends against the enemy whom recompose themselves seeing him stuck. Right as all three Tang Mo agree to pounce upon Sir Jaquavis at once a loud trollshriek is heard.
Out of the brush comes three green trolls rushing upon the Akaviri scouts. The Tang Mo, unaccustomed to such creatures and taken by surprise are set upon immediately. They manage to fell one of the swamp trolls but this only enrages the other two further and it is not long before they overpower and stomp the Tang Mo to death into the muck. Sir Jaquavis struggles to unstick himself as the trolls in their frenzy overkill and play with the Tang Mo's body, paying him no heed. With a squelchy popping noise he frees himself from the mire, but the two swamp trolls hearing the noise turn to face him. The beasts run upon him in quick speed tackling him to the side causing him to drop his sword. With the blade grafted to his arm he fights them off for a moment, but with two on him at once, and a few blows of theirs connecting, the redguard stumbles off balance.
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As another punch to the face staggers Sir Jaquavis, out of the brush comes a mighty trollroar and a large frost troll barrels at the melee. The Other two trolls look up curiously as the frost troll barrels at them, thinking it a strong fellowtroll they turn back their attention to Sir Jaquavis. Suddenly the frost troll slams into both of them throwing them out of the way and beating his chest. A green patch on his back in the shape of a T. He grunts out some communications to the smaller green trolls of Cyrodil. They seem amazed at the sight of a frost troll when suddenly they burst out laughing and pounding the ground saying "Trollz? Trollz!"
"I am Trollz". Says the frost troll in the trollzish crude language.
"Trollz was runt of our litter. Trollz and Brother Trollz die many days a go. You whitemaned trollz. You not Trollz." The other two trolls shriek back, incomprehensible except for the word Trollz, to Sir Jaquavis' dizzied ears.
"I Trollz! I not dead. Brother Trollz dead, but I live. I turned to whitemane Trollz. I Trollz." Trollz pleads back with exasperated shrieks to his brethren.
"You Trollz? Prove. Where Trollzhome?" The bigger of the two swamp trolls pounds his fist to the ground.
"Bedrock Break Trollzhome. Mother Trollz and Father Trollz still live?" Trollz looks at the other troll more seriously.
"Father Trollz yes.....Mother Trollz….." The small swamp trollz lets out a cooing sad little troll sigh.
"Mother Trollz die?" Trollz frowns and a rush of tears falls down his face. "Take me to Father Trollz."
"We won't take a Stranger Trollz!" The bigger swamp troll beats his chest and steps up to Trollz, but the much bigger frost troll pushes him aside and approaches the small swamp troll.
"Older Brother Trollz take me to Father Trollz." Trollz grunts out and the smaller swamp troll, Older Brother Trollz, grunts back agreeing and nods.
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Trollz turns around to Sir Jaquavis whom has been watching what appears to him as Trollz grunting and saying the word Trollz a lot with the two swamp trolls. Trollz turns to Sir Jaquavis and fumbles in the common tongue to say that the trolls are his kin. He says he is going to Bedrock Break, a nearby cave, his trollhole from whence he came long a go. Sir Jaquavis surprised but also kind of saddened nods and watches as Trollz and his trollkin disappear into the swamp. He takes note of the cave they enter and departs.
The Redguard and the other scouts whom dealt with the Akaviri skirmish rejoin the main camp. The camp is makeshift with the tents and small stockade. The Imperial forces, not wishing to jeopardize the lives of the captive Argonians of Canulusia, wait to see what the Akaviri have in store for them or whether they will withdraw. Sir Jaquavis after giving the scouting report more privately tells Sir Mazog and the rest of the inner circle of their fellowship of what had happened and Trollz' departure. The orc Elder Councilor's face turns to a frown and he peers off into the unseen distance.
"I suppose I should be happy for him, at least he can be home and with his own kind." Sir Mazog sighs out finally and gives a weak smile.
"Aye that Trollz did more good than any could ask." Sir Plutarch states and Sir Jaquavis nods.
"Cheer up, I do not foresee this is the end of the Trollzakhin." Cassandra the mystic gives a cryptic little smile as she touches Sir Jaquavis' wounds healing them. "He will not end where he began at his home in Bedrock Break."
I'll be posting my next update tomorrow!
The community Elders meet in Fort Cuptor accompanied by a handful of high-ranking survivors from the defeat at the battle of Leyawiin.
Nibenay-Born: Thank you meeting at such short notice, brothers and sisters.
<turning to the Akaviri captain to his right>
Nibenay-Born: Captain Karen-Vas, please update on us on the situation.
Karen-Vas: The cowardsss of the Cyrodiil tasssk force have failed but do not fear, our brothersss in the Eassst are making good progresss! We have alssso sssent ssscoutsss to Black marsssh to get our forcesss there to abandon their raidsss and head to Cyrodiil. Victory isss sssstill within reach, friendsss!
Chases-Her-Tail: I hope the reinforcements do not take too long to arrive. Our own scouts tell us that the enemy have forces nearby under the command of Sir Jaquavis. And an even larger force, under the command of Grand Marshall Warhaft is within striking distance.
Karen-Vas: Do not fear! Our brothersss will not abandon usss!
Chases-Her-Tail: Let us hope not! Remember, we are only your allies while you can protect us. I will not allow my own people to die protecting your cause.
Wanders-Many-Lands: It is our cause, good lady. Don't forget that readily. Our allies here have freed from the Imperial yoke and I will not contemplate abandoning them now!
Nibenay-Born: Let us calm ourselves! We can hold off siege for a week maybe two, so we do not need to commit to anything yet. Let us trust in our good Akaviri friend's promises. If the relief force arrives swiftly, as he has stated, then any siege will be defeated.
Wanders-Many-Lands: Good point, well made!
Chases-Her-Tail: I will trust your advise, old one. It has not failed us before.
<she turned to Captain Karen-Vas>
Chases-Her-Tail: Do not fear, good captain. You have the Council of Elders' support. I will speak to the citizens and make sure they too are charged with the same fervour!
<The Tsaesci captain bowed and thanked the council and they all exited the Fort, besides Chases-Her-Tail who went to the top. She looked over the battlements to the East, desperately trying to spy their Akaviri allies.>
My contribution will be tomorrow actually and may be my final contribution to this event. We'll see, though.
Long live the Emperor!
The Emperor of Tamriel and Canulusia
A messenger came running to the gates of Alofstead. He was Ursicinus Deltius, son of Mehra Deltis (the mayor of West Port, near Adanumuran), and had a large scroll in his hand. The gates were flung open and he was quickly hurried to the Burgrave's Palace.
He revealed that the Akaviri forces would now be unlikely to return to Vvardenfell, news which brought great relief to the assembled Alofsteaders! He continued and informed his audience that the horde had now abandoned the siege of Kragenmoor, as they wanted to conserve manpower, and were now heading South-West to their main target: Cyrodiil.
Their compatriots, who had suffered many losses in the marshes of Argonia, were heading North-West to Akaviri point in Canulusia and would arrive maybe two days after the main force. Most Alofsteaders had long lost touch with their distant relatives in Cyrodiil, but this was not the case for many of the Imperial refugees of the Skyrim civil war. These, for their part, wept and raised prayers to old Talos to protect his beloved province.
This was all that could be done. There were no resources or men to spare for the war effort. The Alofsteaders could only hope that the brave men, women, mer and beastfolk would be able to defeat the vile Tsaesci horde. For they all knew that, if Cyrodiil was sacked, the Akaviri menace would surely come back to Vvardenfell to punish the inhabitants for the humiliating defeat that they had inflicted on the Tsaesci's compatriots!
The Empire of Tamriel: Retreat 4th Sun's Dusk, 4E 203
In the days that have elapsed since Sir Mazog and a small forward army arrived in the vicinity of Canulusia the Elder Councillor immediately created a camp and began fortifying it. Sir Jaquavis leading the light infantry probed the defenses of Fort Cuptor trying to find a weakness, but the strong fortifications of the ancient fortress proved to be solid even though the Akaviri and the Argonians captives have only about half the forces of Sir Mazog. Scouts and messengers from Morrowind and Black Marsh had arrived and informed the Elder Councilor about the surprising defeat of Akavir's main army by the valiant heroes of Alofstead. While this news did boost the morale of the Tamrielites greatly, the scouts report that the remnant of Akavir's main army in Morrowind, finding the province too strong and their own main force being fragmented, have begun moving en masse towards Cyrodil. An army of about 30,000 Akaviri troops, mostly Tsaesci and Tang Mo that had entered Black Marsh nearby are approaching Fort Cuptor.
"We cannot afford another lengthy siege or I fear that we will be overrun." Sir Mazog scowls looking down at a map as his scouts indicate on it where the nearest Akaviri army is in Black Marsh.
"Let us raze the fort with our magics, it will not be hard." Tizona, the female high elf suggests, her tone stinging with bitterness after the recent death of her brother Colada in the Siege of Leyawin. By her side her enchanted blade seems to glow approvingly.
"But what about the captive Argonians? If we raze the city with magic many of them will die." Sir Plutarch protests.
"I do not think they are so innocent. These lizard people allowed themselves to be captured without a fight. None of them have attempted to escape. Our scouts have seen them working alongside the Akavir. They will not be missed." Tizona sneers reasoning off her point of view, and the handful of Thalmor mages with her nod agreeing.
"General Warhaft of Nadd has assembled a large army and is nearing Cheydinhal, their force and Argonia and black marsh could deal with the remnant of the Akavir." Cassandra's red hair bounces as she enters the tent and points to the map indicating this recent intelligence.
"The Canulusians are still citizens of the The Empire of Tamriel. It is not right to kill them. Some may indeed sympathize with their captors, but I think that not all of them are so willing. Remember, these people have been captured, there's not much else they can do to survive." Sir Mazog resolves. "Though this does give me an idea."
Later that night well past the third watch Sir Jaquavis and the light infantry and a regiment of archers sneak near the walls of Fort Cuptor. Locating the portion of the fort where the enslaved Argonians are houses, they silently begin to string their bows. From their packs they produce several leaflets of paper. On the leaflets is written encouraging messages to the Argonians, asking them to rebel against the Akavir. Sir Jaquavis orders the archers to silently fire their arrows with the leaflets attached to them over the walls and into the Argonian's quarters. Sniping a few Akaviri sentries off the wall before they can read the messages, Sir Jaquavis begins to pull back to the swampy marshes with his mission accomplished.
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Just as the Redguard and his scouts and archers get near to Sir Mazog's encampment the gloom of the countryside is illuminated by what must be tens of thousands of torches. In the next moment a rain of unseen arrows begins falling among them, killing many. Sir Jaquavis rushes to the Elder Councilor's tent and informs him of the turn in events. A great cry from outside is heard confirming Sir Jaquavis' message. The camp is in disarray as the soldiers scramble to the defense when the Tang Mo begin pouring into the line and hand to hand fighting breaks out. Sir Plutarch and some heavy infantry by his side fight hard cutting a path out behind them creating a gap and joined by Cassandra and some of the Mage's Guild's battlemages, they defend this gap in the rear of the camp while the wounded and exhausted begin to flee. Sir Mazog and the elite guards rove around his camp fighting the Akaviri and help to hold off the enemy while his army falls back. Tsaesci come up and the fighting intensifies as tens of thousands of enemies overwhelm the Elder Councilor's camp, their numbers are simply far too much for a makeshift camp to fend off.
Her sword flashing with streaks of lighting flying off the blade, Tizona and her Thalmor go into a full fury. Proudly they refuse to stand down and hold off the Tang Mo rush, striking down many of the monkey-like people with terrible ferocity. The Tsaesci come up and though the proud Thalmor try to stand and fight them, the numbers of enemies simply cannot be overcome, though the high elves in their fury do wreak much havoc upon them. Noticing Sir Mazog falling back Tizona allows the Thalmor to begin abandoning the camp to follow the main army. Her elven blade glows and peels with lightning, upon its blade is inscribed the name of her brother Colada. She points the sword at a Tsaesci captain and a thunderbolt blasts out from the tip killing the officer. With a taunting sneer at the Tang Mo round, Tizona and the Thalmor group cast a small low hanging thundercloud, and escape.
Sir Mazog, Jaquavis, Plutarch and Cassandra manage to fight their way out of the assault, but as they and the surviving soldiers make their way clear of their abandoned camp, the dank air is filled with shouts and an ambuscade of Akavir meet them. Taken by surprise many of the soldiers are felled and the thick swampy air is filled with confused clashes. With less than a thousand men left, and the Akaviri pressing hard down on them, the Tamrielites fight for their lives. Just as all seems lost and the enemy tightens around them, from a nearby cave the echo of many trollcries is heard. From out of the cave issues a handful of swamp trolls led by a frost troll and a large older troll. The Akavir are unsure what to make of these native creatures, and this element of of uncertaintly allows the trolls to dash into their lines and begin pummeling them. Trollz spots his friends and rushes to their defense while his trollbrothers charge into the ambuscade and open a route of escape for the Tamrielites. As the survivors flee past the Akavir Trollz turns about to see the old brown troll smash a Tang Mo into the ground.
"Father Trollz...." Trollz whimpers out and his eyes meet his father.
"Trollz go. Go with friendz Trollz. Go." Father Trollz yells back in the trollzish language.
Trollz looks up at his father one last time and nods and turning about charges off into the swamp after his friends as they retreat from Canulusia back towards the Niben River.
News of the Tamrielite defeat reaches the ears of the Council of Canulusia
Nibenay-Born: It would seem, would it not, that we were right to back our Akaviri friends. I hope this latest development now quells any dissent among our ranks.
<He looked at Cornelis and Red-Belly, the two young Argonians who had previously expressed opposition to Akaviri overlordship>
Wanders-Many-Lands: Oh, it will. I've decided to make sure of it.
<He clicked his fingers and six Tsaesci warriors marched in, grabbed the two youths by their arms and dragged them out.>
Wanders-Many-Lands: Let that be a lesson to all dissenters.
Chases-Her-Tail: You go too far, brother. We always resolved to remain a free people. Arresting those who dissent is against all we stand for.
Wanders-Many-Lands: I will not let a fifth column rise within our ranks! Be careful what your next words are, sister. I would not want to misinterpret your sentiments as in line with the two traitors.
<Chases-Her-Tail bowed and kept silent.>
In the prison below Fort Cuptor Cornelius, Red-Belly and two other young Argonians (a female named Yellow-Feathers and her brother, Beady-Eyes) sit chained to the wall.
Cornelius: I always warned you that the Elders did not have our best interests at heart! Look what they've done to us!
Red-Belly: Oh, shut up! If you'd been a bit more respectful during the discussions, then maybe this wouldn't have happened!!
Cornelius: You're lucky that I'm chained up! If I wasn't, I'd come over there and thump you!
Yellow-Feathers: Quiet! Both of you! Do you think arguing is going to help any of us? We have enough stress without causing more!
Beady-Eyes: I agree with my sister. Let's keep quiet and apologise once the Elder calm down!
Cornelius: What good will that do? If my suspicions are correct, Wanders-Many-Lands is planning to seize power with the help of the Akaviri warmongerers! Once he does that all that apologising in the world won't keep your head on your shoulders!
<The group fell silent at this. His assumptions could not be proven, but Red-Belly had seen the confidence with which Wanders-Many-Lands had taken control in the Council Hall.>
Red-Belly: It's best not to jump to those sort of conclusions.
Cornelius: It's best we try to save our lives, you fool!
Red-Belly: Well what can we do?
Cornelius: Throw me that rock next to you.
<Red-Belly did as instructed.>
Cornelius: The chain around my leg is weak. If I just try this...
<He began to smash the chain with the rock and slowly but surely it start to smash apart! A guard came running from upstairs, but by the time he reached the cell, Cornelius had clambered up the wall and out of the barred window!>
Guard: Sound the alarm! A prisoner has escaped!
<Cornelius ran quicker than his legs could carry him. He sneaked up the town's wall and jumped over the top of it. Looking over his shoulder, he ran full pelt to Cheydinhal in the hope of meeting the company of Nadd and offering his assistance to the Great General in charge!>
(Quick question for the Elder Council: my flatmate, who is also an Elder Scrolls fan, was thinking of joining NationStates and starting an Elder Scrolls themed nation. Is there anywhere -area wise- that you would prefer he did not choose? Are we largely trying to keep Cyrodiil under the direct control of the Empire while secessionist places like Morrowind being fertile territory for new nations?)
The general gist is most of Tamriel is self-ruled in smaller or medium states, concepts can be made wherever. The Empire exists but is weakened, it claims nominal control over Cyrodiil, Skyrim and High Rock. In roleplay it is primarily an entity in and around the Imperial City that people can interact with or utilize through characters (as I and Trollz currently do). The Empire can largely be ignored, but someone can also use it with their characters to react and get involved.
To sum up, Cyrodiil is as open as the rest of Tamriel. We haven't designated how much control the Empire has, we intentionally keep it vague. If the concept fits in the TES world, and the area not occupied, people are free to choose as they like.
(As far as I have been following the Empire holds certain control of Cyrodil. Nominally the Empire has influence to greater or lesser degrees in High Rock and Skyrim and Black Marsh are somewhat affiliated with the Empire through the two years I been here with various player controlled factions rising and falling, and so I have taken this to be a degree of autonomy in the provinces. Most recently, a few months a go when we reformed the Elder Council Black Marsh, which has long been totally independent of the Empire and had a war and occupation of Morrowind has become part of the Empire with the appointment of Argonia and black marsh to the Elder Council. Morrowind has since I have been here always been independent of the Empire and usually has a few factions within it. Morrowind when I first joined was occupied by the Argonians, but this ended with the collapse of the two major Argonian factions and when Argonia and Black Marsh rose to hegemony peace was maintained and Morrowind has been free but fractious ever since. High Rock has had several influential kingdoms that are part of the Imperial government in the past few years, but they have also fallen and risen, this has been taken to view High Rock as part of the empire, but somewhat fractious in their internal politics. Skyrim has had several longtime members like Skyrim and nordic peoples and Voljundok mostly in Western Skyrim that were part of the Empire but in a soft power sort of way. Trollz and crew voyaged through Skyrim and some of the now CTE'd citystates of the central and east of the province, Skyrim is taken to be somewhat of an anarchy of city states with some Imperial influence present, but not really in full control. As for the other provinces I haven't seen anyone play as them since I been here, but will make allusions based on lore, or some characters that hail from them in my posts. Elseweyr was partially occupied by the now defunct Nibenean Empire about 2 years a go, but I formally restored Khajiti independence and Elsweyr's borders to that of the standard TES lore recently at the end of our battle of Leyawin. I have noted recently the existence of the Aldmeri Dominion, but since there has not been a Sumerset Isles factions or even frankly much high elf characters all knowledge of them is taken to be incomplete and far off and distant, though I did create the characters of Colada and Tizona recently to try to add in a little Aldmeri Dominion lore and presence to the RP world.)
Welcome! 🙂 To answer your questions in order:
1. You need 1 billion citizens
2. I'm 90% sure this is impossible
3. I set mine up via the Factbook but that's just RP and doesn't have any impact on issues etc. Maybe it's possible to do it more formally but I'm unaware of how!
"You will not find us,
In the shadows we thrive,
And through the veil of disease,
Our hand does arrive."
-First Poem of the Cult
Placed secretly on tables of the Inns around the Empire.
Nadd, Trollz, Dreughia, Alofstead, and 1 otherThe great kingdom of elsweyr
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