Forcellus Blaad desperately had wanted to fling back his cowl and announce his identity and intentions before everyone at the inn.  But we had all agreed that information was more important than providing comfort to the frightened and that gathering local force should not proceed before intelligence.  The Morits had done their job well.  The innkeeper seemed not to know of any plan for retaking the City.  No general-at-large that they were expecting to pounce.  Fortan, they imagined, had it's own Morits to deal with.  Blaad would not arrive any time soon - even if they had heard of the invasion yet.  Amassing an army, even if they had a plan, would take time and the snows of early autumn would be upon them any day now.  The provinces in the west would take even longer, and they have the dead to recover from the devastating darkness.  Realistically, it would not be until spring before major relief would come.
But winter storms would halt any Morit influx as well.  They would have to hold the city with their invasion force.  If the city was to be delivered before the spring thaw, the city itself would have to do it.  We decided that a journey south to DOM was necessary.  It would be tricky and of course dangerous, but we needed more tactical information if we hoped to help carry any action forward.  We agreed that Forcellus and Veltek should go, and that Karek and I should stay.  Karek's darker Poona complexion and my obvious Raylan appearance would stand out in a crowd.  Before their departure we sought out more discreet lodging in the outskirts of the village in which to await their return.

Starting early in the morning on the second day after our arrival, Forcellus and Veltek donned simple peasant clothes and warm wool coats and walked south crossing fields to avoid the road as much as possible.  They brought only pack and provisions and daggers as weapons. 

At a small farm just outside the city they purchased a sorry old workhorse, which they intended to attempt to sell in the city as a cover.  The sad old creature was not a desirable commodity.  A light rain had begun to fall and by the time they arrived at the Norgat Bar entrance to the wall at mid day, the light rain had turned to snow flurry.  A pile of dead bodies greeted them near the entrance to the city, now receiving a dusting of snow.  The horse resisted moving past the corpses, but was coaxed past by Forcellus.  Were these men killed by the Morits, or by the darkness he wondered.  Probably both, he though, though he saw no gaping sword wounds. Forcellus, Veltek and their nag which they named "stalker" for their amusement, entered a small line-up of travelers waiting to enter the city.  Each in turn came under the scrutiny of the Morit soldiers. Suddenly one of the men in the line, a black-bearded peasant with a large scar across his face pulled a sword out from somewhere in his belongings and charged the nearest guard.  His two grisly companions, similar in appearance save for the location of scars, did likewise.  The others in line then scattered in all directions.  Forcellus would always hate what he did next, and that is, nothing.  Though they shouted "For the Dominion" as they charged, these were desperate, doomed men.  He could not help them.  Five against twenty were odds that he normally would not quail from - especially with an Energeticist at his side.  But his mission was not yet to liberate.  He bit his lip and moved away. To his shame, the three brave but foolish men were quickly dispatched.  The Morits, now sated with blood, paid little mind to them as they waved them into the City of DOM.
Next: The Gaping Maw Tavern

The darkness had lifted but you could hardly tell, a cold and cloudy autumn day greeted us that morning in Giorda.   One great weight had been lifted, but another had been added.  There would be no rest.  We remained in Giorda only long enough to hire a small fishing ship to take us to Dorcer Province.  This was not as easy as it sounds.  At first we decided to pass incognito.  But the rumors of ships of any size being detained throughout the Great Sea changed our mind.  In the event of a search, we might have to hide and would need the Captain to aid in our deception.  Of course we could travel by land, but that would take a week.  If we would be of any help, we would have to move quickly.  In the end we found an old Domish fisherman to help us.  "It would be an honor" he said, and we could tell that he meant it.  As it turned out, we did not need to hide.  We never came closer to a Moritanian ship than a mile or so.  The old salt's ship, truth be told, was not one to inspire fear or even interest.  We were dropped off on the eastern side of the Dorcer Peninsula, halfway down the Furth of Keldrun.  We would avoid the town of New Dorcer on the western side over the mountains, and proceed south along the shore towards DOM.  We felt this would be the place least likely observed by the Morits as no other loyal Province would need to land here to expedite a journey to DOM. And as Dorcer Province which deferred to the Royal Army, could not legally have an army of its own, the Morits would hopefully not fear an attack from Dorcer Province.

We proceeded on foot, and we travelled light.  Forcellus, Veltek, Karek and I.  We reached the village of Northway, and the Northway Inn just after dusk.  A mere ten miles from DOM, the Inn was busy when we entered.  Everyone turned and eyed us.  The few patrons seated near the ale bar silenced their conversation as we approached the innkeeper.  We kept ourselves cloaked, which probably aroused suspicion, but we were not prepared to be recognized just yet.  "What can we do for you?" spoke innkeeper Bardol with forced courtesy. He probably half expected us to answer back in Morit.  "Rooms and meals" Forcellus answered, his Domish Norgate accent declaring our origin.  "No rooms left" the innkeeper said.  "No rooms anywhere in town."  "Rats fleeing the sinking ship" he added sardonically, looking at us as if we were among them.  "We have been away" said Forcellus as if in answer.  Then picking up his voice he added "Is there something to flee?  We have been out in the darkness"  Forcellus added as he eyed the crowd.  Those that were not already in their cups seemed frightened.  There was a communion here of misplaced, fearful souls.  They huddled close together and spoke to each other in low anxious tones.  No one answered Forcellus.  They apparently pegged him as harmless and returned to their own conversations.  The innkeeper eventually answered "the Morits" out of courtesy.  Forcellus continued to play this game for awhile.  The rest of took a nearby table and blended in.  Forcellus managed to arrange splendid accommodations for us in the stable, as well as gather the basic story of the Morit landing and rapid conquest.  Forcellus hid most of his anger at the ease in which the enemy had slipped in and took advantage of the country's weakness.  He had always thought that it was a mistake to place so much confidence in a Grand Duke so at odds with the crown. "Where was the Porthan Navy", he impatiently said to innkeeper Bardol, who simply shrugged his shoulders.  The entire country had given in to this darkness.  "Well, they have it" thought Forcellus.  "But they will not keep it."

Next: The Lay of the Land

The first inhabitants of the area that would become the City of DOM were Isban, a tribe dispossessed from Ezmere in -10,000.  The center of that colony resided in the present day province of Isban but the settlers occupied Fortan, Stammery and Dorcer Provinces as well.  Across the Straits of Isban lived the Petrosians, a group of dipossessed zokeshi.  These two tribes would eventually spread to settle most of the western half of the continent.  Another tribe of humans, the Fuegonites, arriving in minus 9,000, occupied a good portion of the northwestern part of the continent.  In minus 6,000, the defeated Castig tribes of Moritania (the Castans) arrived over the glacial ice during the Glacial Epoch and settled in the north.  They traded with their human neighbors and became a bridge between the human tribes of east and west.  

Sometime around the year 100, a group of the Isbani who calling themselves the Paternals formed a new religion not based on the old Gods of their zorbeshi ancestors.  Around 300, the  Paternal priest "Efrem Dorcer" led many to the relatively new Paternal faith, and moved the seat of the faith from Isban to modern day Dorcer province and founded the city of the same name.

In the north, the Castans held a faith that harkened back to their Moritanian origin.  Called Matmus-Necmus it was based on the concept that there was a constant struggle maintaining balance between good (light, order, Matmus) and evil (darkness, chaos, Necmus).  But there were few fervent believers among these immigrants who had been rejected by their homeland.  And so, when they were exposed to the Paternal faith, they added it to their own with few alterations.  It then spread to the west to the Kingdoms of the Fuegonites, and south to the Petrosians.  Five hundred years later, the Paternal faith had spread over most of the continent.  This did not mean that everyone lived in peace.  Feudalism reigned supreme.  In year 800 there were 316 known human fiefdoms in DOM.  By 850 there were approximately 237.  In 900 there were 158.  This pattern of conquest and expansion would continue for remainder of the millennia.  In the year 1000 there were only 79 human Kingdoms left.

In 1,090, the prophet Esaam was born in Baritor.  Keldrun and Orsan Fane helped to spread his Esaamic faith (an extension of the Paternal faith) during their conquest of 1,115.  Keldrun Fane chose the City of Dorcer in which to establish his new national capitol and renamed it "City of the Dominion Of Man" (or DOM for short.)

Keldrun (and then Orsan) completed a rebuild of the Dorcer Castle of 799 with a higher version that would not flood so readily in the spring when the River Fortan overswelled it's bank during the thaw.  Within the castle walls the street was raised up ten feet.  Each building boarded up its front door, and built a new door on it's second floor window.  This created vast underwater passageways for the spring runoff.  It also created the DOM underground, as each of the original buildings then had a basement with an entrance into the (new) sewer system.  Orsan Fane ordered these entrances sealed for the prevention of disease, but he did not enforce his order and it was ignored. The public soon realized that "the underground" had become a lucrative exchange not governed or taxed by the crown.  King Orsan's increasing madness in his later years and the massive guilt that he carried for the murder of his brother allowed him to give this present to his people. 

Lythe Petros also allowed the popular Underground to remain, though he forced all businesses to arrange seals for underground doors during the spring runoff, when the underground would be evacuated, and the floodgates opened for a spring wash.

Next: MAP OF THE CITY OF DOM

Keldrun (and then Orsan) completed a rebuild of the Dorcer Castle of 799 with a higher version that would not flood so readily in the spring when the River Fortan overswelled it's bank during the thaw.  Within the castle walls the street was raised up ten feet.  Each building boarded up its front door, and built a new door on it's second floor window.  This created vast underwater passageways for the spring runoff.  It also created the DOM underground, as each of the original buildings then had a basement with an entrance into the (new) sewer system.  Orsan Fane ordered these entrances sealed for the prevention of disease, but he did not enforce his order and it was ignored. The public soon realized that "the underground" had become a lucrative exchange not governed or taxed by the crown.  King Orsan's increasing madness in his later years and the massive guilt that he carried for the murder of his brother allowed him to give this present to his people.  Lythe Petros also allowed the popular Underground to remain, though he would force all businesses to arrange seals for all underground doors during the spring runoff, when the underground would be evacuated, and the floodgates opened for a spring wash.

"There is still some fighting in the streets, sir" young Major Adalgar said, standing at attention.  The great general looked up from his reading.  "Thank you Major" he said dismissively.  The younger man turned smartly.  "And Tell Lieutenant General Evard that I would speak with him."  "Yes sir" said the major as he left the room. 

General Gunter Neimann was a thoughtful, calculating man.  His blond hair long ago turned to white, the General knew his limitations. He had a gimpy leg and could no longer hold a sword above his head, but his spirit still loved a good fight.  This fight had been too easy.  He wanted to see fighting.  "I've been on this ship long enough" he thought.   I want to see this city first hand."

He did not want winter to settle in before he set up his headquarters.  And he certainly did not want Master Walthari to set up shop in the best dwelling in DOM.  "Keep that damn Farer and his legion of religious wordsmiths on the ship for as long as possible" he had ordered. Gunter Neimann was not a religious man.  He had heard the proclamations over and over, "DOM was an evil place, now beset by the darkness of Necmus.  The light of Matmus must be brought in to cure the land and it's people."  Perhaps it was true.  Perhaps not.  He was at least sure that his liege, the great Lors Herzogun, The Almighty Emperor of Moritania and Uranta, was not disturbed by any darkness that preceded his advancing navy.  He would see this darkness for himself, and judge whether it be apocalypse or simply extended bad weather with great timing.

The General had expected a harder time of it.  His associate General Ekhard had roundly defeated the DOM Navy in New Portha and sent them packing, yet he expected a greater battle when entering the Straits of Isban that led to the Domish Capitol.  In truth, he was disappointed.  He had lost only one ship to boarding in the action, which he then destroyed himself.  Apparently DOM had no more ships that it wanted to throw at the Morit Greatcog and it's mighty serpentine gun.  What remained of the Domish Navy had fled south into the Portan Province. Had they abandoned the north to them and the darkness?  Perhaps Wathari was right.  Perhaps the land is infected by Necmus.  He shivered at the thought, then laughed at his momentary digression from reason. 

The city too had been easy. Apparently foolish King Lythe II had never expected an invasion by sea.  Or any invasion for that matter.  His advisors had been right, DOM regarded the vast sea as an impenetrable defense.  It had taken only a few blasts from the great gun aboard the Erobern to destroy the castle dockside gate.  His men were inside the castle before resistance even materialized. "It is time to meet the King of this realm." he thought.  "He shall bow before my Emperor if he wish to keep his life, and before Matmus if he wish to keep Wathari from deafening him with words."
He placed the last of his articles in the leather satchel before him and within the hour, he had disembarked from the Greatcog at the Royal Docks.  His entourage, which consisted of twenty officers and men, included Major Adalgar and Lt. Gen. Evard.  They marched up church street toward the market and the Keep of Castle Dorcer.  There was no sign of fighting, unfortunately, though screams and the clash of metal could be heard outside of the central city.  There would be no fighting inside the Keep either, the King had been taken into custody the day before.  "I would not have the city burned" the coward King had said.  The city now belonged to Moritania.  The question in Gunter's mind was, could Moritania could hold it until spring and promised reinforcements just as easily.

Next: 10.02 THE CITY OF DOM

Grand Duke Kalen Portha greeted the news with a cool expression.  He felt vindicated, but also deeply angry.  A man of the sea who spent his youth on the decks of ships, as at home in the rigging as he was anywhere on land, he knew that the vast Marepise was a highway, not an obstacle to hide beyond.  "Lythe is a fool" he thought.  "And now he will pay for it.

"The Colony of New Portha has been taken" the Grand Duke said to the men hastily called before him. Our messenger tells us that he was chased by a fleet that has stopped in DOM. Even now they are invading the capital."  The council broke immediately into loud discussion.  Duke Kalen allowed them to voice their surprise for a bit and then silenced them by holding up a hand.  "The north is dying.  The darkness has destroyed men and the crops and livestock that maintained them.  And now the final blow is now upon them.  The Grand Duke fought to suppress any sign of cunning on his face.  "We must come to their aid" he said stonily.  This announcement was met with uncomfortable silence in the room.  None of those assembled in the room relished direct confrontation with either Moritania or the Darkness.  But the Grand Duke already knew the mindset of these men.  He had picked and promoted them himself.  He had been planning this for a long, long time.  As his father had. They were his captive audience now, and he relished the words that he was about to say. He paused and then repeated "We must help them.  But... for a price.  I, "King" Kalen Portha of the sovereign Kingdom of Portha will be happy to come to their aid."  The council erupted in approval.  The new King went on, scaling his voice to match the enthusiasm in the room "From this day forward, we are no longer a Grand Dukedom of DOM.  And you are no longer Provincial Dukes, but are Grand Dukes of your own provinces.  You are therefore charged with securing your lands against both the Morits, and the Crown if necessary.  Furthermore, the Raylan lands and their DOM-granted rights in Dastan, are hereby forfeit.  DOM will retain the Province of Petros.  We will come to the aid of the crown as long as they recognize the declaration that we make here today." An alarmed Duke Kentas stood and spoke "My Lord" he said, but before he could say more, King Kalen spoke over him "My liege" he said, correcting Kentas "You shall refer to me now as my liege.  And do not worry, we shall send an army to ensure that Petros does not cross your border.  DOM can little afford a war with Portha at the moment… if they ever could.  We will impart this message to Lythe Petros II via his son, Karsh, whom I understand to be in Petros at this moment.  It was fortunate for him that his duties took him out of the capitol before the attack."  This last statement brought on murmurs in the assembly.  Did Karsh know something his father did not?  King Kalen again silenced them with a hand.  "Lords, we do not know all that has transpired in DOM.  If your people ask of you why we have made this inevitable choice, tell them that it is for our own protection.  Tell them that the elements are angry with DOM.  Remind them that there is a reason that DOM is under the darkness and that we are not.  Tell them that we are ready to stand with DOM if they will only allow us to live our lives as we see fit.  Remind them also that DOM deserted our colonies, but we will not desert them.  If DOM balks at our humble request for independence, then convince your subjects that they bow to dark, non-human forces, and are perhaps in league with Moritania."  "They worship a Raylan!" the Duke of Dastan loudly declared.  All of the Dukes chimed in their approval. "Tirian of the Darkness!" he exclaimed.

Next: Gunter Neimann

Begun on the heels of the Elemental Campaign, the main team on this adventure was Karsch Petros, heir to the throne (Kevin), Guwek Tyno of the DOM Guard (Chris), Field Commander Forcellus Blaad, great grandson of Garthon Blaad (Brian) and Vin Verde of the Green Veil (Mike).  Tirian (Dave) went away to attend college, and so Tirian became an NPC and has remained as such from that day forward.  And as a very long-lived Raylan, his voice will be heard again many times in the future.

The DOM colony on the continent of Uranta called "New Portha" was given that name by the DOM province that had begun the enterprise.  The Island county of Moritania had occupied Uranta's northeastern end for at least twenty years beforehand and laid claim to the entire continent.  The nation of Traisge had also established a colony on the southern end of Uranta.  All of this despite a primitive native population that probably emigrated from Tixtlan during the Glacial Epoch.
The colony of New Portha proved a costly endeavor, as violence between colonists, natives and the other colonial powers was ongoing.  King Lythe Petros II of DOM did not see the advantages of the costly endeavor despite the insistence of Duke Kalen Portha that it would prove invaluable in the years to come.  The King repeatedly ignored Portha's requests for aid for the colony.  By 1280, Portha was the colony's sole supporter.   In the autumn of 1300, Moritania attacked both the colony, and the Kingdom of DOM.