The Eastern Road - called Fen Guxi by the Krissh - is a burgeoning road network that merchants travel, and that is beginning to connect South Kalatoria and Kri Tan economically. In the future, it may even provide cultural or political interchange.

The Eastern Road stretches roughly from Aderun in the Republic of Sedoria, to Keshlin in the State of Mau.

Many dangers prowl the road, either beast or man. Hiring protection is highly recommended.

OOC: Small mistake in my last post. Krissh is the name of the language, not Kri Tan.

Balshad nods along at Li Hua's words, and takes no issue with anything she says. He even compliments her, saying these 'horses' of hers sound better trained than the oxen that graze the western lands.

When it comes time for him to explain things, he dutifully goes over their normal routine. The Legonites - the apparent title for the mercenaries hired by the Sedorian merchants - are usually responsible for guard duty, while the merchants decide the specifics of the journey, such as when to rest for a meal, or if a detour off the main road would be a worthwhile shortcut.

Balshad also informs Li Hua that he is the only one in the caravan who speaks Krissh, so unfortunately she will have to use him for translation if she needs to express complex or difficult ideas to the other caravan members.

Balshad suggests to her to stay in the caravan for the whole journey, but if that is too cramped for her to bear, as long as she doesn't separate from the carriages as they travel or stop, there won't be any issue.

He also explains that half of the six Legonites were brought specifically to protect her, if it comes to that. However, it is clear that Balshad doesn't expect any much danger on the road. Most bandits and wild beasts are immediately scared off by the presence of the Legonites.

---

As the caravan begins to move, quite sets in as the guards sit in the wagons, quietly resting, and the merchants lounge in the carriages, going over reports or dozing off.

The grassy plains of Kri Tan stay consistent for the first part of the journey, and the environment doesn't much change.

Occasionally, small families of critters can be seen walking, digging or flying about, but most creatures seem to instinctively scatter away from the bumping wheels and stomping hoofs of the caravan.

No other humans are encountered. Conversations are short as Balshad is focused on writing a letter, and nobody else speaks Krissh.

Boredom is Li Hua's main companion.

---

As the sunset nears, a city appears on the horizon, but off to the side.

Li Hua recognizes that it must be the capital city of Zhulon. It seems the caravan is passing it by, and not planning on approaching closely.

Understandable, but a bit unfortunate. Li Hua has only ever been to Zhulon a couple times, and it was always a resplendently beautiful place to visit. Sometimes, perhaps, she briefly wishes she could live there. It certainly is a more pleasant place than the gritty and flat Mazan.

Ultimately though, Mazan does have character. And that is perhaps the way in which it is beautiful.

---

Even this far from Zhulon, the traffic is many times greater than the total desolation that was the stretch from Mazan

Several other caravans can be seen moving about, and armed Fa soldiers can be seen spaced out at intervals. That last part appears to be a new feature. It makes sense, the Fen Guxi certainly has been a valuable thing to all of Kri Tan, but perhaps Fa most of all. Lin has failed to recognize the value of trade with the west.

Regardless, Li Hua and Balshad's caravan freely move along, not stopped by anything. Clearly, the presence of armed men in the back of the wagons means the Fa guards don't feel the need to insist that they be allowed to offer their protection.

Soon, the caravan enters the main road, and the site of other caravans, bigger and smaller, become a constant feature. Though, the distances between them are always far enough that - even while stopped and resting - it is just their small group.

---

A couple days pass, and soon the air changes almost unnoticeably. It smells slightly salty, wet and fresh, clearly the scent of the sea.

Li Hua realizes this is the Tsanyi (Divine Sea), what was previously believed to be the edge of the world, but is now known just to be the furthest reaches of Kri Tan. Alongside the Tsan yo Zongfei (Sea of Soul-Oblivion), of course.

The westerners call the Tsanyi the Bay of Cantel, and the Tsan yo Zongfei the Merchants' Bay. Clearly, these were not the edges of the world as previously believed, and the land bridge connecting Kri Tan and the western lands was also not the Fen Ao (Primal Road) that supposedly led to an uninhabited wilderness of endless carnage and hunger

... What was the place it actually led to called, again? The place the westerners were from... Li Hua did not know clearly at all, but has the vague memory that it may be something like "Kalai te Riya" ... no that was still slightly wrong...

---

On the dawn of the fifth day, Li Hua has long understood she is no longer in the land of her birth, Kri Tan. Maybe her heart has even come to accept it, but perhaps not as well.

As a fellow warrior, Zhao Li Hua may be interested in , or drawn to learning more about the Legonites. Perhaps it is their near-perfect silence, to the extent that it goes beyond even 'proper discipline', or maybe it is the excellent , unmarred state of their equipment.

Maybe she isn't interested at all, but it's definitely more likely than not.

overall, today was not looking to be a special day... that was until Balshad approached Li Hua with something in his hands...

Speaking of Balshad, the man had been working tirelessly on that one letter for quite a while. His eyes had gotten darker and more sunken over time, and the pages had stacked up to the point that he had left some with the Legonites in the wagon, since it overly cluttered the carriage.

Him approaching her suddenly like this must mean he has finished his work on that letter... I mean, what kind of letter needs to be that big-

Hold on.

The thing in his hands... a bunch of paper?

"Lady Zhao, take a look at this, if it pleases you"

Balshad gently and carefully hands over the large stack of paper, if Li Hua is willing to accept it.

Looking down at the first page on the massive stack of papers, a shocking sight greets Li Hua

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

A quick guide to Krissh-Sedoric translation / 富巴 占位符 废话

Table of contents / 你好 你在读这篇文章吗
 

| < Introduction / 角色扮演 >

|| < Phonology / 李华 文本 >

||| < Morphology / 角色扮演 >

| ||| < Syntax / 谷歌翻译>

|| ||| < Grammar / 洛雷姆 伊普苏姆 >

||| ||| < Other Thoughts / 船尾 喵 >

| ||| ||| < Practice Questions / 练习题 >

---

With a tired, but slightly happy voice, Balshad bows to Li Hua, "My lady, I hope you find this useful. I am not a language scholar, but as a speaker of both tongues, I managed to depart some of my knowledge. This will hopefully help you go about - should you decide to depart from us in Sedoria, and not sooner."

The man lingers a moment, perhaps expecting some sort of response, or just too tired to quickly leave.

Li Hua took the opportunity to learn the new language. In a place where there was no option but to use the other language she'd heard it didn't take long to get a smattering. Enough to chat and ask 'what's for dinner' or 'any problems'. Li Hua didn't really do boredom. Language learning from the legionites took a lot of work. So did looking after the horses and improving her ability to ride. Occasionally a morning spar with some of the guards. Walking when not riding: the scenary was on the whole spectacular and it was a pleasure to be able to walk without care or concern. Well other than the fact bandits might attack them at any time. Although Balshad's reassurances helped.

She also chatted as much as she could with Balshad when he wasn't writing. Learning from him what she could. How to arrange the camp. How to manage the guards. Where and how to trade. And as much about the places they traveled through as she could.

The five days passed faster than she could count.

She was particularly touched by the letter, and it was obvious in her eyes that she appreciated it as she took it with a bow. Reading some of it, and seeing how that tied in with the handful of phrases she had memorised. "A gift of great value. I thank you friend Balshad. I will put it to good use. Without this description of the foundations it can be difficult to see how things stich together. "

"May I ask how much further than Sedoria you are going. I find I am enjoying this journey and as long as you find my company acceptable, Iam quite likely to continue some distance beyond."

Despite being her guards, the Legonites would only follow her orders in certain circumstances. At first, this may have been due to the fact she was both a woman and a foreigner, but quickly it becomes evident they are equally as unresponsive to the merchants.

The Legonites seem to have their own hierarchy.

Furthermore, these individuals are actually rather offputting the closer one tries to get to them. Li Hua has not seen them so much as touch their weapons once, let alone raise them in a spar.

They are also completely silent. It is impossible to tell when they are sleeping or awake. They rarely move.

This goes beyond discipline. Li Hua doesn't have anything familiar with which to contrast just how ... inhuman ... their behavior truly is.

---

After handing the note over, Balshad smiles tiredly, but relief is visible in his eyes.

"I am pleased you are pleased, my lady." after hearing her question about Sedoria, he speaks up, "That is not the case, Lady Zhao. Sedoria will be our last destination, specifically the capital city of Aderun. Before that, we will pass through the Twin States of Cantel and Andorry, specifically skirting beneath the Andorry capital of Tav Andor"

Balshad continues, "After the Twin States, we will cross another stretch of wilderness. The beasts there will likely be unfamiliar to you, as they are comprised partially of those that cross down from the Iderran Wilds to the north of our South Kalatoria"

Finishing, the merchant explains, "After that, we will enter Sedoria and make our way to Aderun, perhaps stopping at a few of the Lesser Poleis along the way. If the Legonites choose to leave us at this point, we will have to acquire new guards. Once we have reached Aderun, our group will dismantle, and we will all head off our separate ways"

"Tell me more about the Legonites" Li Hua asked. She didn't trust them now. As her training had taught her 'you can only receive trust if you can give trust' and the Legonites wouldn't. Which meant she could not trust them. Which made them as much as risk to her as the things they were defending her from. On the whole she now planned on ditching them as soon as possible. Unless some new information came up. And even then... probably

"So if I wished to continue on this road, what would be your advice. Join a caravan? How would you assess that caravan? Where do you think is a good place to go?"

At the question about the Legonites, Balshad's expression becomes complicated.

He does end up speaking though, "It is... difficult to explain to, well, foreigners. I will assume you know all but nothing about Sedoria, then?" that is a fair assumption, at least. Li Hua has never left Kri Tan before. If not for her noble upbringing, she would not even be aware that anything rested beyond the Fen Ao.

Should Li Hua give her assent for a brief lecture, Balshad begins his explanation, "Sedoria is an exceptionally old civilization. Probably the first in South Kalatoria. It certainly precedes the other major powers." he takes a deep breath to steady himself for the long speec ahead,

"Sedoria is run half by appointed chancellors, and half by the various Temples. The chancellors are usually picked by previous council seats from among wealthy families, merchants such as myself, masterful artisans, or veteran warriors with great war achievement. Every polis has it's own ruling council, and together they make up the Myriad Councils. Each of the Myriad Councils has the right and responsibility to determine a Head Chancellor, who will act as the spokesperson for their polis within the greater Republic of Sedoria. The Temples... are the more complex organization - and the ones more relevant to your inquiry about the Legonites"

Balshad sits down heavily as he continues his speech, the man is deeply exhausted from writing that language guide, and it is clear he was banking on getting some rest soon... some rest he won't be getting right now, though "The Temples are as old as if not older than the Republic of Sedoria, at least as it exists today. As Sedorians, we worship and serve Ader, the greatest of gods. However, there are other divine beings that command our respect and that we can turn to for their favor. Every god and goddess is embodied within their Temple... That is to say, the Temple is made up of the priests of that god or goddess, and they enact his or her will upon the world"

After a sip of wine from a small flask he pulls out, Balshad continues, "All Temples pledge their fealty and subservience to the Supreme Temple, of the greatest god. Religiously, the Supreme Temple dictates the doctrine of the other gods. Politically, the Supreme Temple determines the jurisdiction of the other Templse within the Republic"

With a glance to the side, Balshad continues, "Ad-Legon is one of the gods... He- no, his... hm." Balshad looks annoyed for a moment, "Krissh does not have the right pronouns to use for one of the Divines... I... I will not refer directly to that great being. I do not dare." the man is sweating a little, mostly out of nervousness and embarassment.

Balshad continues, "Anyway, the followers of Ad-Legon built the Temple of Legoniad, and the Polis Legoniad formed around it. Ad-Legon is a higher god... he-- no, his great self... has many domains..."

Balshad takes a pause to think deeply - clearly searching for a memory, then he tkes a deep breath as he prepares to speak, "Central tenets of war and death. Secondary tenets of duty, brotherhood, blood, suffering, trial, bronze and fire. Peripheral tenets of endless time, disease but not pestilence, hunger but not starvation, gold, darkness and ... the last one is difficult to understand... the Legonites call it "Acceptance" but it has a strange meaning... I am... I am not a theologian, but my understand is thus: Ad-Legon subjects all life to hellish suffering, but his great self does so in order to forge great warriors to fight against the Dark Ones. Even amongst the other Gods... Ad-Legon is considered... I suppose what you could call a renegade."

Balshad swallows, "The Legonites... they form their concept of 'Acceptance' around this truth. Unlike most temples, Legoniad does not preach. Unlike any other temple, it does not even recruit. It is very difficult to join their temple... because they try to stop you. Only those who force their way through will be accepted... It is... paradoxical."

Balshad says one last thing, "Usually I - nor any other merchant of Sedoria - would choose a Legonite guard... Because, well, we have our reasons. Let us not speak ill of our protectors... The reason for their presence is straightforward but frightening. Your father, the Divine General, originally met with me to discuss being your escort. When I agreed, he requested of me to bring the absolute best guards I could... and those are the Legonites. It is rare to ever see a Legonite fight... because they usually don't need to. You surely have noticed we haven't been attacked... but you may not have noticed something else. We haven't even been scouted. The Legonites, and I don't know how they do this, seem to stop any dangers from approaching... for that reason... they are very desired. But, they rarely agree to guard a caravan. Most of their activity exists within the walls of their Temple, and I cannot speak to it. I would never enter that place... it feels... wrong. Dangerous, somehow."

As the lecture comes to an end, things seem to be calming down from the tension in Balshad's words... but then, a terrifying feeling emerges in both your hearts. Balshad's eyes open wide, and he looks to something behind you.

A voice emerges from a faceless bronze helmet, "Balshad Hamurat. Tajir. et-Wayur. Ad-Sedor ke elmanam anir sur. Sun kudingir." . For [kudingir].)]

The voice is... wrong somehow... distorted by the helmet? or... no. Flat. It's too flat. There isn't a hint of emotion in that voice.

You only make out some of the words, still very, very new to learning the language.

Balshad immediately clenches up and begins to tremble. His eyes are filled with fear and desperation, as he responds in Sedoric. You don't speak the language, but you can tell he is trying to make an excuse.

The Legonite waits for a long time, giving off a dangeorus aura before he speaks again to Balshad, who turns pale and looks at you, then nods to the man.

He continues speaking in Krissh, but his words stop now and again to be dictated to him by the Legonite. "I have spoken lies about the Legonites. By speaking truth, my sin is forgiven. "Acceptance" is..." he swallows heavily, extremely on edge, "Love is emptiness. Peace is death." the words are more cryptic, but as he speaks them Balshad sags in relief as the Legonite turns and leaves, as silently as he came.

It's insane to think the fully armored man could enter the carriage without alerting anybody... the prowess of the Legonites was not exaggerated.

Balshad looks up at you and speaks again in Krissh, "I... apologize. I did not believe the Legonites would take offense at my words... Still, I do not believe that man knows Krissh... so how...?"

Balshad lets out a breath and begins to bluster a little, "Please, don't be offended. The Legonites have a... startling presence... This is why they usually stay silent. That man was... not threatening us. In fact, he one of the more polite Legonites I've met... He was rather restrained. The Legonites do not threaten others, they consider it pointless."

Balshad stands on wobbly legs, "I will leave you now. Again, my apologies for my mistake."

The story of the legionites just sounded horrific. Truely terrifying. And that was before their use of magic. For that was clearly what it was. Why on earth had her father done this? And at what cost? That creed that he was uttering ... she could understand people that would follow it, but it was madness incarnate. It missed the point of life. The point of life was caring, compassion, love. Peace and happiness came through people around you being happy. From watching children play and listening to their sounds. From watching the old people drink tea and chat and listen to their wisdom and funny stories. Not from voluntarily giving yourself over to the torture of an uncaring 'God'.

"Sleep well Belshad" Li Hua managed to utter before taking herself to the tent and ponder what she was going to do. And wonder why such a group of death worshipping insane cultists were interested in her. And how she was going to get away from them. Because she'd only have one chance and she'd have to do it right.

Despite Li Hua's turmoil, the days continue to pass...

Li Hua occupies her time with whatever activities she pleases, but should she put diligent effort into reading Balshad's notes, she will begin to increase her comprehension of the Sedoric tongue.

Sedoric differs from Krissh in many ways. First of all, the word order is different. While Krissh follows the order of Subject, Object, Verb, Sedoric follows the unfamiliar pattern of Object, Subject, Verb. Phonetically, the two languages are not horribly disparate. Mostly, Sedoric lacks several sounds used in Krissh.

The grammar is more complicated than in Krissh, with a more rigid system of pronouns, tenses and conjunctions.

Li Hua is nowhere near fluid, but is making steady enough progress by reading Balshad's notes. He seems less busy now, and can also make time to converse with her in either language.

---

After two more days of travel (now seven days from Mazan, or about six from Zhulon), the group approaches a grandly decorated gateway, with many armed guards. The style is totally unfamiliar to Li Hua, and weirdly colored cloths fly in the wind, sort of similar to a general's banner. The gateway is central and prominent to the landbridge, and the Fen Guxi (or 'Eastern Road' as it's called in this part of the world) bends towards it. Clearly, this place acts as a sort of funnel. It would be possible to avoid the gate, but it would require going quite a ways off the road.

Balshad has the group approach the main gate. They are stopped, and after some awkward finagling, an individual who speaks Sedoric is brought in order to translate between the merchants and this group of people.

After some talk, things settle down and the caravan is allowed to pass through the city, but also given permission to continue continue along the road without stopping.

For a brief while, the merchants converse. Then, after those moments, Balshad turns to you and asks in Krissh, "This is the capital city of Tav Andor, one of the two hearts of the Twin States. The people of this land are the Caerish. We don't need many supplies, so we can keep going. But, if the lady desires, we can disembark in the city for the day and you can freely move around"

Will Li Hua decide to briefly tour Tav Andor, or will she continue her journey without stopping?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:11, Fri 12 Jan.

"Well this is nice" Li Hua managed to say in her pidgin Sedoric "So very different to home" then she changed back to her native tongue as she didn't really have the vocabulary yet

"I would love to stay and see this city for a day. I think a rest will be good for everyone" Li Hua said after a while and then affected rubbing her rear "Much as I like riding it can be quite wearing. And the oxen will benefit for a day of rest too" this was mostly from what she'd been learning from Balshad. "I would like to not take risks. Where do you recommend going?" Although she suspected the aura of the Legionites would protect her here: no one wanted their attention. Not even her

OOC I am totally fine with fast forwarding through this, or expanding the world. Whichever helps the most with coordinating the threads. Obviously seeing the city helps with 'world building' and I know you like this part of the world

OOC- I like all parts of the world... Don't know if I have a favorite yet. Maybe Sedoria, just because nobody has been there xD
I based it off ancient Mesopotamian empires, such as Babylon, Akkadia, or Sumeria.

The threads are going to take a bit more time than I thought to coordinate. Sigismund's side quest is going long, and Asherah is just now leaving for Kuracos. This is, of course, not to mention that Kavian hasn't appeared yet.

Basically, we have time to explore :)

Li Hua agrees to depart from her carriage. The swordswoman, disguised as a young man, sets foot on the ground. One of the guards at the gate notice she has a sword by her side and begin to speak to her in an unfamiliar language, that she can safely assume to be Caerish.

"Ben matel so narrey? Za thalind tu remonde..." he says, before they notice that she is as uncomprehending as Balshad was.

Sighing, the translator speaks to Balshad, who translates for Li Hua, "They say you are free to wear your sword, but only if you can promise not to draw it. Drawing a weapon is a serious offense, in the city."

The alternative would be to leave her stuff with the caravan. It would probably be well protected.

Once Li Hua has made a decision on the matter, they enter the gates to Tav Andor

(---> Tav Andor)

Li Hua thought about it. The sword was far more valuable than anything else she was carrying and made her a target. A good copper blade like this was pretty rare. And if she gave her oath she would have to keep it... That led to thoughts and the conclusion that it would just suck if she was attacked for it. Leaving it with Balshad would be a mark of trust in him, and he would know it.

"Please guard this for me friend Balshad" she handed over the blade in a very formal way. Both hands with a little bow.

She wasn't going to walk around totally unarmed though, so took a walking staff and tied some small possessions in a little sack to hang from the end of it and then entered the city

--> Tav Andor

(--> Tav Andor)

Back on the road after a one-day and one-night stop in the Caerish city, the Caravan has been completely restocked by the other merchants. Balshad has rested, the Legonites had... well, who knows - and Li Hua had not enjoyed a pleasant time, in all honesty.

Regardless, the journey continues, with Li Hua not desiring at all to stay in this place, and thus heading further west for a nicer land to call home for the next months or years of her young life.

---

The next days fly by for Li Hua, or perhaps they crawl by for her.
Regardless, eleven and a half days eventually pass.

The early days are spent near the main road, but quickly the road swerves south, while the Caravan continues in a straight line, piercing right through the unclaimed land west of Cantel and Andorry.

There is nothing to worry, though. Neither man nor beast poses a threat to the Legonites, and they are always vigilant and ready to shed blood.

---

(--> Aderun)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:11, Mon 29 Jan.

(--> Tav Andor)

Within a day or so Li Hua was feeling much better. Her customary good humour returned. She had a problem... the Legionites..., but one thing her father and Old Lao had taught her well was that often the solutions to problems happen with time. She just had to be ready for the moment when that happened. And she was. She had distrubuted the wealth now with the idea she might 'just want to run' or 'run with a few minutes preparation' or 'run with the horses'. She regarded the trip to Tav Andor as a valuable learning now: showing her lack of readiness. Now she was ready

The journey she enjoyed. The Oxen meant that they traveled slowly... so she had a chance to work on her swordsmanship, her horse riding, a little archery and most especially language. Her brain was aching by the time she went to sleep both physically and mentally tired.

---

(--> Aderun)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Mon 29 Jan.