This spring the Lands of Mythodea joined the Duchy of Validar and the Western Seal in Kahl'Hatra to anchor the Temple of Eternal Battle to Mitraspera. As the forces of the Elements and their mercenaries gathered deep behind the frontlines of Crusade of the Elements so too did the Forsaken and Skargen. A Nyame's crown was destroyed and an altar of Skargen gods was pulled out of the Fog. Not all however was lost for it was a good day for Ignis and her children.  

Rebuilding of a Temple and the Skargen Menace

Rinland is dead; Mitraspera is dying and, in Sarkan lay the key to save what is left. This we have known for a few years now. Several ancient temples of the Elements needed to be anchored to Mitraspera and restored before the Settlers, Faithful, Lands and Mercenaries of Mitraspera could set out to Sarkan to find what was needed to save their home. The final temple that needed to be anchored before the great expedition to Sarkan was the Temple of Eternal Battle. 

It was that temple that the people of Mitraspera came for and it was that Temple they called down from the Fog to them.  More below…

Nyame Crown Destroyed!

They all wished to save the Dragonfly Queen from the corruption of the Essence and the Dominion of the Black Dynasty. The Duchy of Validar, the Heartseakers, those of Ignis and even the Nyame and Naches'Re of the South stood by the Dragonfly Queen as she attempted to resist the Black Prince. Last summer those close to Ignis, and many Settlers, promised their support to the Dragonfly Queen with the goal of cleansing her of the Essence and allowing her to return to Ignis. The Dragonfly Queen, the child of the Ember Wall, had long since been bound to the Black Ice, now Black Dynasty.

In the field before the Temple of Eternal Battle, that alliance stood against the Black Prince. The ruler of the Black Dynasty strode before the gathered warband headed by the Dragonfly Queen and forced most to kneel before him with his power. A few were strong enough to resist, the Flamebrood, Naches'Re and Nyame of the South and the Dragonfly Queen herself. The Black Prince took another few steps and proclaimed, "I said kneel!" and planted his foot firmly into the ground. With this, all those remaining but the Dragonfly Queen crumpled to the ground.

Try as they might to stand against the Black Prince, those who had stood beside the Dragonfly Queen could stand no more. From their weekend states, the people of Mitraspera shouted words of encouragement to the Dragonfly Queen, "you can resist him." "You are strong enough." "We are with you." Those words may well have been a thousand leagues away for they were not enough.

Weakly, the Dragonfly Queen half stood half kneeled before the Black Prince. She did what she could to resist but he was too much for her. The ruler of the Black Dynasty struck the Dragonfly Queen and ripped love from her against the protests of the settlers. Again, those voices were not enough and the queen of dragonflies fell to the ground, broken.

Using all the strength she could muster from within herself and from her crown, the Nyame of the south stood once more resisting the power of the Black Prince. She forced her way to stand between the Prince and the Queen. Placing her body before the Black Prince, the Nyame of the South attempted to stop him from harming the Black Prince further. 

The Black Prince used his power to strike the Nyame continuously, beating her into the ground but she did not submit. The Nyame was not able to resist what happened next, however. The Black Prince ripped the Nyame's Artifact Crown from her head and smashed it to bits under his heel. Near as soon as he was finished, the Black Prince was gone. With the Black Prince gone, the Settlers were able to rush to the Nyame's aid, but the damage had been done.

Rebirth of a Queen

During the course of the Kahl'Hatra campaign this past spring, the Draongfly Queen attempted to resist the Black Prince but was unsuccessful. Knowing that, another plan was formed by the forces of the Elements. An artifact dagger was forged. An artifact dagger that was created went to Ser Benedikt von Hohenwacht. Ser Benedikt then used the dagger to kill the Dragonfly Queen.

When this news first reached the writers of this gazette, The Ambassador, we were informed that the Queen had been killed. We later learned the method and the reason. The goal was to allow the Dragonfly Queen to return to Ember Wall where she could be cleansed of Forsaken corruption. No one knew if it would work but time was running out and all other attempts had failed to that point.

More below…

Diplomacy

Two Barons Crowned

The Validarian host recuperated after the forced assimilation of the first battle of the Kahl'Hatran Spring Campaign. The healers worked tirelessly to get their soldiers back into fighting shape intime for both the next battle to come and for a coronation. That first night after the forced assimilation Validar gathered to honor two leaders of hosts of their own. Those leaders were Jarl Loken of the Vaettir and Toman Marbrück the Secretarius Validarum from Waldesleben.

Last year, the hosts of Waldeslaben and the Vaettir joined the Crusade of the Elements in Kahl'Hatra. First, Loken of the Vaettir joined for the spring campaign of that year after meeting with Baron Dagger in Nova Bretonia. Second, Toman Marbrück holder of the Order of Special Merit for the Realm of Roses joined the Crusade during the Summer Campaign to the Gates of Sarkan. By the time of the Summer Campaign, both men had gathered supplies and fighters to contribute to the war effort.

Validar, had since allied itself to the Western Seal, Southern Seal, Märkischer Bund and Münzquell but more permanent settlers were needed to keep the liberated lands in the hands of the Elements. So, during the Spring Campaign in Kahl'Hatra this year, Validar gathered for the coronation of Loken Rúnarson, Goði and Runemaster of the Vaettir Clan and Toman Marbrück of Waldesleben. The Duchess of Validar, Vanadis von Goldgrund, was present to give her blessing to the elevation of new barons marking the first time a Duchess has done so in the young duchy. Ser Balor the Red, Morningstar of Validar, led the proceedings.

When the time came, both Loken and Toman were asked to kneel. They bent the knee and accepted their oaths to the cause of Validar. Both men were crowned before the Elements, Validarians, guests and, Duchess Vanadis von Goldgrund. Duchess Vanadis blessed their elevation and the three founding barons, Baron Tarin of Gorasia, Baron Dagger of East Blackwood and Baron Varek of Zweiwasser welcomed their new brothers into the fold.

West, Validar and the Order of the Wardens

While it is true that the Archon of the West stormed into the Validar camp at the Convent of Elements a couple of years ago in anger, the Validar and the West have since worked together on achieving their combine goal of liberating Kahl'Hatra and Tin'Naral from the Forsaken and Skargen occupation. West and Validar have since allied with the later giving the West a mayoral seat in Validar's largest city and naming its bay after the Archon of the West Colin.

Now, as part of this alliance, the West and Validar have worked together on organizing the Kahl'Hatra Spring Campaign. In fact, their forces were among those who defended the ritual to call the Temple of Eternal Battle to Mitraspera. As the campaign raged, Archon Colin of the West and Validar's faith guide Sir Balor worked together on a plan to establish Temple Guards for the Temple of Ashes and Embers once the fighting was over.

Council of Lords Named for East Blackwood

Two days before the Temple of Embers and Ash was anchored to Mitraspera, Baron Dagger Arkenstone of East Blackwood announced the formation of the Council of Lords (Adelsrat). The Council of Lords serves as the court of law for East Blackwood. The Council of Lords manages matters of taxation and general rule of the Barony internally. The Council of Lords can meet up to three times a year for general meetings. The Law Keeper of East Blackwood can initiate meetings of the Council of Lords if a mater of law requires it. 

Baron Dagger Arkenstone of Blackwood, Knight of Blackwood reserves the right to Veto and be present at the meetings of the Council of Lords.  Baron Dagger may also preside over the meetings but no voting rights.

These are the current voting members of the Council of Lords (Adelsrat).

• Dame Sayeh Sapherian of Sapphire Isle, Knight of Blackwood
• Lady Lowis Arkenstone, the Baron of East Blackwood's heir
• Ser Bødvar "BeerHunter" Tock, Knight of the Storm / Lady Makø Tock
• Sir Logaan of Arven

Archon at the Gates

Sometimes matters of diplomacy spark at the must inopportune times. For instance, during the Kahl'Hatran Spring Campaign, the Archon of Thorns expressed his displeasure about the actions of one Toman Marbrück. In the summer of the prior year, Toman Marbrück sent a letter of intent to his Excellency, Ramirez the Archon of Thorns. The letter may never have reached the Archon of the Seal of the Center. The Archon wished to speak with Toman at the Validar warcamp in person.

The five barons of Validar, Toman, Loken, Dagger, Tarin and Varek gathered to meet with his Excellency. His excellency arrived with members of his court and addressed those gathered with a tempered yet respectful measure. First, he expressed his desire to keep the meeting both civil and short. The reason for this was that Validar, specifically the Barony of Zweiwasser, had lost a soldier that day, Jurik of the Dragon Guard. His Excellency offered his condolences for the loss.

His excellency was displeased by the method in which Toman left the Realm of Roses and the lands previously known as Waldesleben. It was his desire that Toman focus on one realm rather than two and as such he removed title and lands from Toman Marbrück. Baron Toman agreed with his excellency and accepted the decree of the Archon.

His Excellency Ramirez stated that he respects the mission of Validar. The Archon wishes only that both the Realm of Roses and the Duchy of Validar continue to work together as friends moving forward. All present agreed with the sentiment. His Excellency departed the Validar camp in peace leaving Validar to mourn the death of Jurik and celebrate his life in peace.

Allies March to War

The Duchy of Validar welcomed four realms as allies during last year's Convent of the Elements at Bad Holzbrück. One such ally was the Western Seal. The West and Validar were among the first to reach the region where the Temple of Eternal Battle would be anchored during the Kahl'Hatran Spring Campaign, but they were not alone. Validar had three other official allied realms which also send their forces to aid in the mission, the Münzquell, The Southern Seal and, the Märkischer Bund.

When the West and Validar were assimilated, their allies came to break the corruption. The Münzquell, Southern Seal and, the Märkischer Bund took up arms to aid their corrupted allies.  At firs the first the Münqzuell failed to take the field as assimilated Validar pushed them back behind the forward gate.  This was quickly remedied when the Legeo Lona flanked around the Aufbrück camp to take the field against the Black Dynasty and the assimilated, the Märkischer Bund and Southern Seal followed. 

The allies of Validar and the Wesern Seal worked tirelessly from the onset of the assimilation to the final restoration of the Temple of Embers and Ashes.  Throughout the campaig the Legio Lona and Greifenfels destinguished themselves on the field.  In truth, all parties fought well and supported one another.  Ultimate victory was claimed by campaigns end and it was claimed together. 

Trade

Events

Mass Assimilation

The first to reach the location of where the Temple of Eternal Battle would be anchored were those who were part of the ritual to call the temple to Mitraspera and the temple guard. The temple guard were made up of the combined forces of the Duchy of Validar, the Western Seal and the Blutpackt. As the ritual began the Black Dynasty made their presence known. Using some sort of Essence Blast, the Black Dynasty forcibly assimilated all of the Temple Guard at once.

Within moments, the temple guard joined the ranks of the Dynasty Acolytes and formed lines against the other military groups of the Forces of the Elements. The battle that ensued was a desperate fight to dissimilate each and every of the warriors who had been lost to the Black Dynasty.

Some of the first soldiers to emerge from the war camps against the Black Dynasty and the newly assimilated West, Validar and Blutpackt, were those from the Münzquell and Ad Astra. Outnumbered, Münzquell and Ad Astra fought and uphill battle to liberate the assimilated. When these forces emerged from the camps, they were at first confused by the site they saw which led to their lines being broken quickly before they could fully form.

Münzquell's Lego Lona, let by Jindrich Alrickshuber, stood out as one of the few units that held against the combined force of the assimilated and the Black Dynasty. However, even the Lego Lona could not stop the two or more consecutive pushes on the Dynasty's left flank. The right flank of the Dynasty and assimilated line was only threatened when the left overextended.

Eventually, reinforcements began to trickle in, and the following Black Dynasty and assimilated pushes became less effective. This allowed units like the Lego Lona to save some of the assimilated. Once saved, those who had been assimilated could be healed and return to the fight on the side of the Elements. They then targeted their friends and allies who were still assimilated to ensure that their people came back to the Elements. The once fierce battle ended after the Temple of Eternal Battle, or the ruins of it, appeared on Mitrasperan soil.

Rebuilding of a Temple and the Skargen Menace Cont.

The final temple that needed to be anchored before the great expedition to Sarkan was the Temple of Eternal Battle.

It was that temple that the people of Mitraspera came for and it was that Temple they called down from the Fog to them. Throughout the spring campaign the forces of the Elements worked tirelessly to restore the Temple of Eternal Battle after it had been called to Mitraspera. Smiths smithed, masons prepared stone, strong backs moved pillars and great stone blocks into place and much energy was spent in various forms. Duels were fought on the arena sands; rituals were performed, and sacrifices were made. These factors combined over a three-day period toward one goal: the restoration of the temple.

During this work the enemies of Mitraspera and the Elements were not idle. Black Dynasty, Undead Flesh and the Skargen all fought the forces of the Elements for their own goals. In the end, the Skargen were able to pull the altar of their gods out of the fog with the help of the golden chains.

The Battles of the Kahl'Hatra Spring Campaign

Before the Kahl'Hatran Spring Campaign had begun, the Crusade of the Elements had been underway for over two years. Some of the initial forces of the Crusade formed the Duchy of Validar along the banks of the Mother Stream River on Kahl'Hatra's eastern border. After initial diplomatic conflicts, Validar allied alongside the Western Seal, Southern Seal, Märkischer Bund and Münzquell with the common goal of liberating all of Tin'Naral and Kahl'Hatra from the Forsaken and Skargen. Even with this strength, and the initial heavy assistance of the Fortress of Diversity, the front lines had not come close to the location where the Temple of Eternal Battle was to be anchored.

In spite of the difficult situation, the Sword Pilgrims of the Crusade of the Elements combined their force with forces from the North, Roses, Free Cities, Fortress of Diversity, Tribes of the Elements, Band of Knights and more to punch forward deep behind enemy lines. This mean that when the war camps were established, the Forsaken were already nearby to respond placing Element, Forsaken and Skargen war camps close together.

The field which held the ruins of the Temple of Eternal Battle were held by the Tross, Ad Astra and Aufbruch making it the weakest and most in need of active reinforcement. The field housing the Duchy of Validar, Blutpackt, Realm of Roses and Northern Seal camps were closest to Forsaken and Skargen camps causing them to constantly be under attack. Finally, the lower field of the region surrounding the temple ruins was filled with the remaining two thirds of the allied force allowing them to respond to which every battle was needed without hindrance.

Battles on both upper fields were constant and no side seemed to gain the upper hand for long. When the Duchy of Validar marched to defend the Temple, an attack from Skargen Warbands would threaten their camp and the camps of the Blutpackt, Roses and North. Once the field before the temple ruins was secure, Sir Maron von Brandenloh would lead Validar's tired force back to the field where they would do what they could to defend their camp and support the allied lines. Likewise, Kaela was seen leading the Fortress of Diversity from the front in a similarly tireless campaign to maintain the dominance of both battlefields.

Likewise, Ad Astra and Aufbruch faced overwhelming numbers any time allied forces were not present on the temple field. Without the continued support of the lower camps, the forces of the Elements would not have held out to complete their mission objectives. Even in success, however, casualties and loses were high on all sides.

The Death of Jurik of the Dragon Guard

During one of the many battles of the Kahl'Hatra Spring Campaign, the Validar line was temporarily broken. In the chaos, a Drachengard veteran by the name of Jurik was captured by the Skargen. When the Marshal of Validar, Ser Maron reformed the Validar line, Jurik was nowhere to be found. Not able to sacrifice more soldiers, Ser Maron continued to lead Validar against the Forsaken and Skargen. Only later did the reality of what happened to Jurik become known.

While a prisoner of the Skargen, Jurik was tortured to death. As news of victories were just beginning to be celebrated, this fact was brought to light. What everyone in Validar had thought would have been an evening of celebration quickly became a night of mourning as Jurik's name was recorded In Memorium.

Rebirth of a Queen Cont. and the Temple of Ashes and Embers

The Temple of Eternal Battle had been called to Mitraspera but there was much to be done to complete its anchoring.  Duels were fought on the temple's sacred sands while others such as Eridan Crabsbane offered themselves to the Temple.  Crabsbane himself reforged the Hammer which he used to destroy the Beast Crab of the Pestilence there.  He then bound himself to the temple as its smith for the rest of his days. 

Nearby the temple in waters of a sacred lake an artifact dagger was forged as well. This dagger had another purpose, to kill the Dragongfly Queen. Although the mission was not public knowledge, the intent was that the Dragonfly Queen would not be cleansed of her Essence Corruption unless she was returned to the Ember Wall and to do that, she had to be dead. Ser Benedikt von Hohenwacht of the Duchy of Validar and Phoenix Reich was the knight who struck the blow that killed her.

Finally, after months of preparations and nearly three days of tireless work, the final nail was hammered into the restored Temple of Eternal Battle. The Ignis priests rededicated the temple as the Temple of Ashes and Embers and together, those of Ignis and the Elements, chanted in unison. "Alone Strong, Together Undefeatable." The ground rumbled, a fire and spark exploded from the standing columns. From the temple itself a great fireball erupted shaking the ground. Then, the temple glowed a brilliant red.

It is reported that Ignis spoke to their children then. Telling them that great challenges lay ahead but that the people of Mitraspera had all the tools nece

ssary to succeed. Then, from out of the mouth of the temple came first smoke and then the Dragonfly Queen emerged restored to her natural self. Red of hair and dragon fly alike. She was finally free of the chains of the Black Prince and the Essence. Adam von Wintefeld, the man who had sacraficed himself to the Essence to try and save the Dragonfly Queen, wept at her rebirth. 

Rumors

Sir Maron 6

• Rumor has it that Thor's Tacos is back for round two against Sir Maron and Validar Wildfire and Viribus United is sponsoring them!

The Doors of Lowis

• Rumor has it that Lady Lowis Arkenstone is still learning how to close doors.
  

Sir Maron 7

• Rumor has it that Ser Maron von Brandenloh is still somewhere deep in Kahl'Hatra with a lonely banner barer saying, "Validar... WE HOLLLLLDDDD!"