Sultan Pepper

Prelude

Nod

No sooner had Maiden arrived at the gates of Nod than she detected a growing volume of crackling Essence just in front of her person. A lack of signal from any of Maiden's threat sensors indicated that whoever perpetrated this trickery, they seemingly meant Maiden no harm. As the crackling Essence took the shape of a small butterfly and fluttered to her eye level, Maiden recognized an Infallible Messenger -- she'd seen many sorcerers perform the spell and knew its purpose. She listened for whatever the sprite might have to say.

"Entropy Devouring Maiden, I am Aanya Asadhi, chief astronomer at the Royal Nodian Observatory and first cousin to His Royal Highness Sultan Balin Asadhi. His Royal Highness humbly requests your presence at a private audience. The palace staff would be delighted to welcome you at sunset on the eve of the next full moon. Should any of your esteemed colleagues wish to join you, their presence would be most welcomed."

The butterfly hovered for a moment longer before silently dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.

Orissa

The king's audience chamber was not an unfamiliar location for the Rangor brothers. A grand affair decorated with the spoils of unending war, the room was just large enough to permit a socially acceptable distance between the king and his usual guests. The brothers, along with Princess Nimue and Sour Buckthorn, sat closer to the king, gathered around a small table upon a raised platform in the room.

"We stand on the precipice of a true end to the war with Vaneha. Today, the conflict remains a stalemate, but our neighbors to the west have presented us with an unprecedented opportunity: The isolationist kingdom of Nod has opened its gates to the intrepid, the brave, and... the brash."

King Meliodas spoke with an authority befitting his station, although his confidence faltered a bit as he turned his gaze to the Exalt whose presence inspired the "brash" portion of his monologue. Turning his gaze back from Sour, he continued.

"The Kingdom of Nod has been protected from conflict by its unique structure as much as its political isolationism and has had decades to accrue both military and arcane power. I have asked my daughter to travel to Nod and find a suitable suitor, that our kingdoms may be allied through blood. I would ask the Rangor brothers to accompany Princess Nimue again as her escort."

The king stopped momentarily to let the request sink in, giving Nimue just enough time to sigh. Although she understood the realities of political marriage and her station, she wasn't excited about it. For her part, Nimue shot Romael a sidelong glance in an effort to gauge his reaction to the request, but the king continued before she could fully read Romael's expression.

"However, beyond ensuring Nimue's safety in what is certain to be a volatile time for Nod, I would ask that each of you make use of your unique talents in service of Orissa. Romael - do what you can to seek a military alliance with the kingdom. With their might, it would be trivial to end the war with Vaneha. Cetus - while your brother explores the official channels, canvas the underbelly. Nod contains many secrets, and you are best positioned to discover them, whether they be allies of a less... official nature or arcane artifacts that might bring glory to our kingdom."

After a moment's pause, the king finished with one final request.

"Assuming you accept your charge, please take Sour with you."

Vitalis

Unrepentant Harvester of the Forsaken Bounty pushed aside the beaded curtain and stepped into the cramped tea shop near the palace. A dim green lantern hung in the window, although it was daytime. After a long training session at the dojo, Harvester had found a paper brooch in his belongings folded into the shape of a swan. He knew what it meant, although he accepted the invitation only reluctantly. The Sacred Topology was often too political for his tastes. Nevertheless, with all that had happened, he couldn't refuse a chance at learning more.

"Please, have a seat," said Teo, the local operator.

Harvester took his usual place at the establishment's sole table, his back to the door. Harvester was never fond of that particular detail, but the operator of the tea shop had earned his trust over the years. Harvester nodded his appreciation as Teo poured him a cup of fragrant green tea. Teo sat down after Harvester was attended to and wrapped both hands around his own cup.

"You are doubtless aware of the events that took place at the Bridge of Nechara. Although the united forces of the Hundred Kingdoms emerged victorious, the battle was won at great cost, and only with the aid of the kingdom's Exalted champions. To my surprise, even the Seventh-Legion was well-matched by the barbarian hordes under whatever leadership has taken their reigns. I fear we are fast approaching a situation where the Hundred Kingdoms finds itself at the mercy of the Exalted -- or worse."

Teo paused for a moment, and each man sipped tea, as was the custom. Teo continued, "There is more to the story. Numerous, newly-formed shadowlands were found in several places in the Necharan hinterlands between the city and the bridge, along with evidence of necromantic practice. Grim as it may be, we have to consider the possibility that a Deathlord's forces may have co-opted the Arczheki hordes for their own ends."

Teo let the revelation sink in before resuming his briefing. Harvester remained silent, though he was clearly listening intently.

"A complicating factor is the sudden decision by the Kingdom of Nod to reverse hundreds of years of isolationist policy and open its gates. Although I will confess that I don't know how, I cannot imagine the timing of this shift is coincidental. I would ask you to investigate the situation on behalf of the Sacred Topology. I realize this request is unusual, but we find ourselves in unusual times. Nod's secretive nature has left the Sacred Topology weaker there than in other kingdoms, and I fear it would do us no good to ask a lesser mortal, willing though they might be. The Exalted have descended upon the Hundred Kingdoms, and although the champions who turned the tide at the Battle of the Bridge may claim to be allies, we must consider the possibility that the scope of their power and ambition will lead them to turn the situation unfolding in Nod to their own ends. If the forces of darkness are involved, the Hundred Kingdoms needs defenders with pure intentions, and I have never known so stalwart a foe of darkness as yourself. We have not made our suspicions widely known, but reveal them to you in hopes that you find our causes aligned on this matter. What say you, good Factor? Will you determine if the darkness has taken root in Nod, as we suspect it has?"

While Harvester considered his response, Teo added, "Should you accept, I will pray that you return soon, and healthy, to prove us wrong."

Summary

Coming Soon...

Lexicon

A map of interpersonal relationships relevant to this chapter.

Important People

• Aanya Asadhi - Chief astronomer at the Royal Nodian Observatory & cousin to the Sultan.
• Amon Vesh - A patrician native of The Realm who Harvester encounters to get a meeting with Vikram.
• Full Khan Parthik Asadhi - Prince Ali's younger brother who carries the rank of Full-Khan - equivalent to a 5 Star General or Supreme Commander.
• Half-Khan Faisal - Southern General of Nod's defense forces.
• Nikita - A high roller at The Next Best Beaver Inn with strong connections in Nod's crime scene.
• Prince Ali Asadhi - Prince of Nod and son of Sultan Balin Asadhi, a skilled diplomat.
• Ramesh - The head of Maiden's cult of followers who is her most trusted confidant.
• Sultan Balin Asadhi - The ruler of The Kingdom of Nod, and known Dragon-Blooded sorcerer.
• Vikram The Serpent - A mysterious criminal figure whom Cetus seeks an alliance with.
• Zaqim – A trusted advisor of Half-Khan Faisal who handles logistics for Nods army’s, who Faisal assigned to assist Romael.

Important Places

• The Kingdom of Nod - A smaller Kingdom in the middle of The Hundred Kingdoms with isolationist tendencies due to a desire to protect their hidden First age treasures, who has opened up their borders causing interested parties from surrounding regions to take increased notice of The Kingdom.
  • The Royal Nodian Observatory - At the top of the mountain of Nod sits the ancient, recently restored, First Age Royal Nodian Observatory.
  • The Royal Palace of Nod - An immense labyrinth of a Palace in the upper levels of the mountain of Nod where the Royal Family resides and does business.
  • Maiden's Manse - A secret manse controlled by Maiden and occupied by her cult of followers.
  • Rupan District - The forth district up from the bottom of Nod.
    • The Infamous Whisper - A lavish terrace restaurant where Romael meets Half-Khan Faisal.
  • Suneja District - The third district up from the bottom of Nod.
  • Sarasvathy District - The second district up from the bottom of Nod.
  • Rajani District - The bottom and most densely populated district of Nod.
    • The Next Best Beaver Inn - A crowded, low quality brothel where Sour and Cetus make contact with the seedy underbelly of Nod.