Story Progression: Distant Shores, Part 1

[OkaDoka]

This is the conclusion to the February 2024 token minigame.

To the Suvial was allotted the lion's share of the wealth, with gold and sympathy from nigh on all the native-born Regalian houses and then some flowing in with the ships that departed west for the traditional rotation of the guard, curiously without the Ambassador aboard, who had at the last minute declared that she would be remaining for another tour of duty. Almost immediately, reports began to trickle in from Daen: some parts of them surely sensation, but others within the realm of possibility.

• Regalian military observers in Osci'ird deliver reports of crushing Suvial victories following a massive and sudden expenditure on turning the loyalties of important Drakon Kathar lords at the critical last moment, along with the supplement of a large army of mercenary Fin'ullen whose Princedom of origin they cannot determine, and have been pushed away from speaking to.
• The Suvial have retaken for the sixteenth and final time the castle of Carcharath in central Osci'ird, making the position of both the Kathar and Allorn armies in the Principality simultaneously much more untenable as all supply lines run through this city sprawled across ashen ravines. Rumor says that the Triton priests who ceremonially rule the fortress city have surrendered the keys to the Suvial governor-general, marking an end to fighting in the region. The war must now move south, towards Ïlha Faiaal.
• The threat of the Allorn Empire having broken the Suvial cycle of reincarnation seems to have dissipated like the morning dew with the unexpected expiry of those Teledden whom knew how to do it. Since the Teledden are skilled Spirit-callers, it makes no sense why they have not just re-learned the practice again, meaning that something material must have been destroyed.
• Paranoid merchants and scholars whisper that with the Suvial securing their position so well, they have been seeing the Suvial fleet of flame galleys massing around the southern islands in Kattumakkal regions. This has never happened before, because the only place this naval position is useful for would be to prepare for a land invasion of the Dread Empire's heartland in Rokhanna, Void-outs be damned.

To the Sihndar was allotted sufficient wealth to continue the duty of eternal war against the Demons, with the Lothar houses and a smattering of Archon and Elves upholding the ties of obligation and sending vast shipments of arms, armor, foodstuffs, and critical Alchemical goods very difficult to source in Drowda. Most importantly, the straining, buckling point of defense at the Sihndar Hold of Milai that is almost entirely upheld by the Regalian complement of garrisoning Knights manages to take back a few key positions. There is no more immediate news of interest from Drowda: which by all accounts, is a very good thing.

To the Sihai was allotted sufficient wealth to set aweigh the anchors of the exiles' fleet and send it drifting East, but largely on the backs of Archon families and the Sihai exiles themselves, whose assets in Regalia were tapped for everything they could provide - consuming almost a century of careful work. The Sihai Ambassador's laconic note of resignation from her position as Ambassador (as she is invading her own war-stricken country to execute a coup d'état) contains the backhand compliment "a favor given is a favor repaid," implying that not everything has gone as intended, and the ghost of diplomacy past may return to haunt the Regalian Foreign Office at a later point in time. The Sihai fleet will need around two months to arrive at its intended destination and commence military operations.