* religion as a mediator (LENNECK RACE THREAD)

[Neithaή Ąrdemíe]

Neithan had been severely affected by this war. He had seemingly aged a lot since the last time the realm was at peace, and he definitely looked older than his 34 years of age. How long had it been since there was peace in Lenneckor and Guiar, anyway? It might have been 2, 5 or a thousand years for all he knew.

In truth, it had been 5 excruciating years of war, deaths and, mostly, the loss of hope. Right now, the Lennecks were losing and, in his eyes, he had been a letdown for his people. He had hired the best strategists, he had the best commanders and generals in his army that he could possibly have, and they had fought a ruthless and insatiable battle. Still, the last encounter in Tarhoth had left the fauns exhausted and with many losses. Who would’ve thought the Guis would resist the desert and, most of all, who would have imagined that their armament would be so potent and advanced? And how did they have the technology to forge it, he wondered.

And now he had been summoned to Jeven by no other than the high priestess. They had seen each other before, amicably, but never before had the subject of her double race been an issue. Now, in the midst of war, he reckoned that the halfbreed holy woman might have some words of advice. But whose side was she on? The lennecks, which had raised her, the guis, race of her ancestors, or the Divine Light, as she proclaimed usually in her speeches? These speeches had become more and more common lately, and he appreciated that perhaps religion could restore the faith of the commoners and the soldiers alike. So many lives loss to war… he better not think about it just then. He had to be strong.

The king always had to be strong, regardless of his fear, his hopelessness, and his anger. In truth, he wished for this to end, for the men and women to come home to their families, for Lenneckor to be the peaceful realm of Destina once more.

[Imáni Valaş]

Imani felt that, for the first time, she did belong outside of the palace walls. Yes, she loved living in the confines of that wonderful place, and she enjoyed feeling like a member of the Ardemie family. She specially enjoyed the galas, the dinners, the councils that she was allowed to attend to… but now that was a part of the past, a very distant past in which she was simply a well-off girl of a noble family, living her life like it was a dream.
Now, the tides had changed, and she had learnt to retrain herself for her new reality. She had willingly left the balls, the dresses, the gossiping with fellow noble girls. She had decided that, in a war-torn world, she would have to refocus her energy. She decided to continue her swordsmanship lessons with the rest of the noble men and women who had decided to join the war effort, regardless of their status. She had become very good at it, and she believed that her father would be proud.

But mostly, she did it for her sister. Her older sister had always been the fighter, the tomboy, and as soon as the war had started she had decided to join the Lenneck army. Imani did not understand, and she refused to think about the worst possible scenario. She chose to ignore the war, until that fateful day when she heard that her sister had valiantly died in battle.

3 years had passed since then. And although she still mourned her sister, and even though she suffered for the fate of dozens of soldiers who died each day by the hand of those filthy dwarves, she believed that she had a purpose. And so she had created a warrior inside of her, a warrior which would be ready to strike if the time came. She was ready, she was prepared, and she was fearless. Most of the time.

She joined the royal guard, in defense of her valiant king Neithan, and pursued improvement each day. Today, they had been invited by the high priestess; a girl which she greatly admired but had not had the chance to meet. The priestess´s half breed status worried Imani a little, but she chose to see the girl as she was, and to listen intently to her suggestions, so as to support the king in any way she could.

OOC: it´s good to be back!!!!

[Evôn Siras Ąrdemíe]

Evon was bound to be here, seeing as he was the Duke, and in charge of outer affairs. This meant that, in times of war such as this, he had basically the responsibilities of lord commander of the army. When the war began, he decided to take this occupation solemnly, with a cold head, never allowing his prejudices to come forth in any way.

Still, he found himself at times hating the Guis, hating all they had done. Despising them for the war, for the deaths, for their apparent supremacy in the field, for their advanced weaponry and for the valor of their soldiers. He believed wholeheartedly that the Guis would succumb, that his proud race would triumph in this devastating war, and he had done everything in his hands to enlist the humans in the lenneck war effort. His talks to queen Rowan had not served their purpose, and she had blatantly decided to stay in the margins.

Evon realized now that, if the humans did not support them, perhaps the nayelis would, or even the echas. He was even willing to speak to the dragonmaesters, to the summoners and to the magicians of all the realm. He felt guilty to admit that, at one point, he had even considered dark magic. He was desperate for victory, and at times he felt that he would get it at all costs.

In light of this, he realized that being in Jeven actually cleared his mind, and placed his priorities where they should be. He had once believed in the Divine Light, but that had been a long time ago… times had changed greatly, and in tragic ways.

He smiled slightly when he saw Imani, which he thought of as his younger sister. He was very glad of the woman she had become after the terrible loss of her older sister, Yaina. They shared a kind glance, waiting impatiently for the high priestess to arrive. Neithan looked calm, controlled, but he knew his king and his friend. Neithan seemed tired, exhausted even. Evon himself felt drained. This council of sorts was a distraction from all his duties as lord commander, and his exasperation was visible.

“How much longer is the high priestess going to take? I have many worries, my king, my messengers have heard of a new attack being planned closer to the kingdom”. He whispered to the king, careful that Imani and the rest of the company did not hear, realizing that these news might preoccupy the king, but knowing full well that a king had to know what was happening, be it in war or in peace.

[Prisca Vea Leitus]

The rays of the sun were making their way through the roof and into the Jeven temple, making bright yellow stripes in the already golden floor. A group of birds flew into the sanctuary, loudily flapping their wings and making circles in the air, before they decided to go out to the beautiful trees of Belgemíe.

There were 5 chorus women and 5 chorus men who sang every day at this time, near sunset, when the most fervent believers usually came to pay their daily respects. The music was calm, and contained, but Prisca had always thought that there was something in their voices and in the melody that reminded her of the music of the echas. Perhaps it was the violins, or the harps. She always became entranced by it, and it helped her in her worship times.

Prisca Vea Leitus was resting on her knees in her chamber, praying fervently, her long faunish horns covered in golden-frost, as always, her face painted with lines under her eyes. She had always been known for her face painting, and many other priestesses also painted their faces; it was a common tradition among the female believers in the Divine Light. The priestess could feel that the royal men and women had arrived, and a smile formed on her face.

She scurried down the halls and into the sept, where they awaited. She cleared her throat, kneeled in front of the king, and respectfully greeted him. "Welcome to Jeven, may the Divine Light be with you. I am very thankful, and it is an honor that you have accepted my invitation."


She signaled a wide table where they could discuss the current matters, and as they all sat down she ordered wine and food. The tidings were complicated, and the least she could do was making them feel at home.

“I have heard today unfortunate tidings regarding the recent battle. My prayings are with all the courageous men lost in the desert. Let the Light be with them. This is undoubtedly a complicated time for the lennecks’” she sighed. "But not all is lost, and there is always good in the bad. Life is like this, everything has its purpose. Sometimes I think that all that is needed to end the war is to erradicate the slave trade to which the guis have been submitted to. I know this is a delicate time, and that my words and hopes might seem far-fetched, but I speak now in the name of lennecks and guis. All we want is peace, don't you agree, your honor, my lords and ladies?

[Neithaή Ąrdemíe]

He heard attentively what the priestess had to say. You had to give it to her: she was very young, very beautiful and very graceful. She had a way with words that he had only seen in his most trusted counselors, and the oldest ones at that. She seemed to be wise beyond her years, pure and gentle. Was it the Divine Light shining through her?

And was there truth to what she was saying? The king knew that, perhaps, the slave trade had been one of the causes for the war. But it was never the only reason why men and women, every day, were dying. It was not the reason why the two realms were at war.

He looked ahead, deep in thought, waiting for the right words to come through. He could feel Evon's impatience in his back, and Imani close to him, exchanging worried looks. He saw all these from the corner of his eye, but he decided to turn now to Prisca, with a calm smile on his face, hoping his words would make her see the reality of the situation.

"I thank you for your invitation, high priestess. And your words, I see they come from a place of kindness and reconciliation. Believe me, I would love to see this war end, the countless battles we have fought to finally serve their purpose. Believe me when I tell you that I, too, want peace in this world."

He turned with a sad smile at Imani and Evon, and then he faced the young priestess again, her face full of hope. "I am afraid that the resolution is not that simple. Altough I agree that the slave trade might have had something to do with the sudden outburst of war, I assure you that there are many more reasons underlying this conflict. Our races have despised each other for decades, and history has thought us that through wars we can resolve those issues. Unfortunately, this war is a war of a proud race against another one. I see how that can be confusing and unexplainable to you. There is much hope within you, and both races dwell in your blood. You are the embodiment of the peace we strive for, Prisca Vea Leitus".

[Prisca Vea Leitus]

Prisca's heart sunk. She wished she could make them all realize what nonsense this was. If they could only see that every single being in Destina was one with the light... if only they could see that races did not matter. Neither did horns, or wings, or pointed ears. Neither did mortality or eternity. They were all one with Destina, this beautiful world, couldn't they see?

Sometimes, she felt the sorrow and grief of the commoners around the temple and in all Lenneckor get to her. She felt tired, depressed, as if she could listen to their sobs. She did, sometimes, in her sleep. She wanted it to stop. She needed it all to stop.

The king was right. Prisca could not fathom how the two races which lived in her blood were now in a seemingly endless war. In her eyes, it was all inherently confusing. She felt torn, as well. She had prayed many nights for guidance. "Who should I support? What shall I do?"

At first, she heard nothing. Then, as the war took it's course, the Divine Light showed her that she had to approach king Neithan at first, seeing as he was more open and tolerant than the Gui King. King Leomer had a reputation for loving the war, feeling at ease at it, enjoying every victory with ale and women. She feared that she would have to eventually speak to him. Would he listen to her? Would he understand the peril and the tragedy of continuing with this war?

Prisca realized she had been in silence for a while now. She blushed, realizing that she had made them wait while she was lost in thinking, and gently smiled to the three lenneck royals sitting in front of her. "My lord, my king, if you say you want peace, then we have to achieve it. You and your companions have the power to stop this, to discuss with King Leomer, to seek a truce. Don't you see, my lord? The ending is in your hands. Let your pride aside, let the Divine Light enter, and let us all pave the way to peace. That is all I ask of you."

She knew she was asking too much, being too optimistic, but she had to try. "Both races live in me, as you have rightly said, your honor. And they dwell in me with such peace and serenity... one helps the other strive, and I am complete. If only the two realms worked together towards peace, I assure you Destina would flourish."

[Imáni Valaş]

Imani had begun to admire greatly this woman, this priestess, that sat before them with talks of peace and dialogue. She could see it happening: the war ending, women and men returning home to their families and children... younglings who would not live anymore surrounded by bloodshed and violence. Imani wanted her kids to grow in a world like this, if she ever had kids, and a shy smile formed on her lips.

She cleared her throat. "My king, your grace of the Divine Light, Lord Evon... is there any way that these words could come true? Neithan, your majesty, I humbly confess that these words sound beautiful... this talk of peace and serenity. No more deaths, no more men and women leaving their lives to go to war... I do not know if I am being disrespectful, I sincerely apologize, but could you please consider the priestess's words?"

She looked intently at Neithan, hope and innocence shining in her eyes. She had to at least try...

[Evôn Siras Ąrdemíe]

Ridiculous. It was all ridiculous. The words of this priestess seemed like treason… what could be worse than surrendering to the guis? Had they not been humiliated enough? All those deaths, all that suffering… if they backed away now, it would be all for nothing.

And then Imani rose, and talked, and she talked like a small child. Had she even thought her words before speaking them? Evon could feel the blood rising in his face. He was angry, and he felt annoyed at all this talk of appeasement. “I should be directing my fleet. I should be telling them to leave everything in the battlefield, to fight for our lives and our liberty… not here, listening to some priestess.” How old was she, anyways? What could she know about life and war?
Still, the look on Imani’s face… such innocence. Talking of peace and serenity. What did that even mean? Did she even remember a time when there was no conflict in this world? She was so young as well… he was now surrounded by young girls who were sweet talking his king out of war. He had to do something

“This is nonsense.” His look was uninviting, and he tried to restrain the anger, to no avail. “All this talk of peacetime… we have a war going on right there, in our realm. While we talk the day away in this gold-plated temple, there are people bleeding to death in the battlefield, children losing their parents, monstrous dwarves stealing the women of our realm and making them their slaves. Is this what you really want? To have a heart-to-heart about the perils of war?”

He found himself exasperated, gasping for breath. He stood up, looking at his king straight to the face. “Your majesty… this will not do. You, and I, and all of us here now that the only way the guis will accept that this war has ended is if we win, or they do. Only then we will be able to live the rest of our lives with pride and honor. Let us win, let us end this…” He had no more words, only thoughts rushing through his mind. Every single minute in here meant a life lost. The room was finally silent.

[Neithaή Ąrdemíe]

Hell was breaking lose. On the one hand, the high priestess of the very reputable religion his entire realm adored was asking him to stop and consider peace. On the other hand, his counselor was shouting in the middle of said religion’s sacred temple, in a manner he had not seen since the war had begun. And then there was Imani, his friend from childhood, pleading him in the most innocent manner for them to surrender.

Did he really only have those three choices? Fight, surrender or flea? There had to be a way to victory. His race was proud and timeless, they would not admit defeat. They populated the earth in the beginning, next to the Nayeli… how could they be in this position, at a disadvantage?

And what could possibly be done to change the tides of war? He stood up; the silence in the room an evidence of the problem they found themselves in. He turned his back from Evon, knowing full well that his friend was irritated, discouraged and exhausted. As the captain of the fleet and his main counselor, Neithan knew that his friend felt like a failure. Evon punished himself so much all the time.

And Prisca, she wanted the best for her people, for both races, and for the common folk. Neithan clearly saw that her counsels were pure and honest. And Imani… perhaps she was just scared. This poor girl, driven to fight instead of living the life she was meant for of balls and love… she could now see the lenneck girl holding her sword tightly. So much had changed in 4 years. Something had to be done to bring calm to these three, but mostly to all the fauns in every single corner of the earth.

He turned back to the three of them and, sighing, gazed each of them in turn. “It is clear that we will not be able to win this battle alone. All the magic we possess, all the skills we have in battle, do not seem to be enough. I refuse to think that our only choices are to fight or flight or submit to a lifetime of misery. The time has come in which we must talk to the humans, the elves and the faeries. It is our only choice.”

[Imáni Valaş]

Imani looked intently at her king. She knew he was right; help had to be attained from the other races. If not, their loss was imminent, and she did not dare think what would happen to Lenneckor if they were to succumb to gui force. She could picture herself being taken and forced to do all kinds of atrocious things to entertain some lord or duke of the Elke family… she felt nauseated at the idea of it.

No, they had to find allies, and soon. But which race would join their cause? The elves were self-interested, haughty and proud… the faeries despised the fauns, this was well known… the humans were driven by money and power, and they were so feeble. None of them seemed like good options.

However, there was one faerie who did not hate them. Or, at least, she did not hate Neithan. A long time had passed, but they could just try… Imani knew the flame was still there, she knew her king had wanted to talk to the princess for so long now… it was their last chance.

“Your Majesty… Neithan…” she stood up and whispered the words which, she knew, he already had in mind.

“You have to speak to her… the time has come.”