Dace met Yurgen about 3 years ago. He was hired to escort a Guild Convoy of valuable medicines through the Icewalker territories and Yurgen came to raid rare find. The two Dawn Castes squared off against each other and it wasn’t long before they realized each other’s true nature. Hostilities immediately ceased as the two brothers embraced each other.
Yurgen granted Dace’s company his banner allowing them safe passage anywhere in his lands, and Dace made note to not take any contracts that would put him at odds against the Icewalker tribes of the North ever again.
When the vision of Balan confronting Han-Tha was broadcasted across Creation Arianna and Swan were currently up North at the Icewalker tribes on behalf of Dace to discuss the rumors of military build up by the tribes of the North.
Dace was in Nexus recovering from the humiliating defeat at the hands of Ma-Ha-Suchi. He was only allowed to live because of a debt of honor owed by Ma-Ha-Suchi to his previous Solar Exaltation. Training with renewed effort he asked Arianna and Swan to go ahead of him to inquire why Yurgen is planning an major military push, and that if he required assistance from Dace and his Circle.
Dace at the time was traveling through the Hundred Kingdoms spreading the word of the Unconquered Sun and confronting the propaganda of the Immaculate Faiths.
Harmonious Jade was on board her own ship returning from Yanes after her assassination of Azula’s body double.
It did not take long for Arianna and Swan to realize the magnitude of the event that just took place. Especially when all 8 Solars had the same vision at the same time. It is further confirmed by her communication with her own Circle – via the Tattoos she made on their bodies.
Immediately Yurgen sent word to gather his banners and moved his planned assault on Linowan ahead of schedule to counter the inevitable political fallout of a new Solar power rising out of the obscurity of the First Age. He plans to strike fast and strike hard against the Scavenger Lands. He would put his name on every lip from Haltan to Wavecrest. He would loom so threateningly that no one would have time to concern themselves with Rathess. He will buy the Solars of Rathess some reprieve from the inevitable crushing by the Legions of the Realm. The Unconquered Sun’s chosen beacon of hope cannot be allowed to die stillborn – Rathess must rise and prosper.
Preparations however took longer than expected and Arianna took the time to investigate the newly formed Shadowland of the North and seeking the Library of Quin-Rin. It is there she met the Lover Clad in Raiment of Tears – another Deathlord has creeped into Creation. Arianna escaped by using her Tattoo and teleporting to Swan. Even then the power unleashed by the Deathlord still took their tow on her body and it took weeks for of careful tending by Samea to heal her wounds. That is nothing in comparison to the creepy certain Arianna now holds regarding the Deathlord’s intention towards her. She is certain the haunting beautiful being has marked her for “collection”.
In the mean time Swan has been busy as envoy of Icewalkers to Haltan. He has arranged for the Haltan’s support against Linowan and half a million troops have been promised by the forest nation as aid to Yurgen’s push south.
Dace has already picked up Dace and marched half way to Rathess when Arianna finally recovered enough to travel. She and Swan met them half way. Together Dace, Panther, Arianna and Swan traveled to Rathess on the Azure Chariot Spell and the troops with supplies are to march to the city on their own.
They arrived about 4 days after the Player’s Circle left for the Solar Deliberative and has since then been aiding in the defense of Rathess.
Dace has been using his Tiger Warrior Training Technique on the Adapteus Astartes making them already a force matching the Brides of Arhlat in Valor and Discipline.
Arianna has been aiding in the constructions of the various parts of the city, specifically the manse of Leeayta. While the Mice of the Sun’s automatons are powerful they lack skill and refinement and she has already summoned several magnitude of construction demons to aid in the task. The construction of Rathess is greatly enhanced by her efforts.
Panther has been pouring through the various holy text of the Dragon Kings and has become an disciple of Hastha-sth learning all he can of the old Dragon King’s wisdom. This education is not one way however as his natural facility with Religion often surprise Hanstha-seth with insights and understanding and even opened her to some newer appreciation of their Patron God.
Swan has been busy smoothing over things with the Freeholds of Rakshas. The death of three renegade Fair Folk Nobles were no small manner and it took Swan’s convincing and Panther’s threat of further divine punishment from the gathering Solar Host to force them into an non-aggression treaty. It is Panther’s absolute certainty that swayed the Raksha to accept the deal. As long as Rathess does not seek to push back the Wyld nor to invade it the Freehold will not venture into Creation under military banner. The deal however is temporary with a time set for 10 mortal years. It is without doubt the Fair Folk would be gathering their host as well for the inevitable push by the Solars when the time is up.
Harmonious Jade did not arrive till a month later, only days before the Player’s own return to Rathess. She however, has not been doing much. Mainly assisting Gothalla on scouting missions to locate the supposedly “anathema threat.”
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