A gentle light began to flood into the quiet swathes of jungle, vast deserts, and echoing canyons. Various beasts began to emerge from their peaceful slumbers, moving to forage or hunt. A city had been built on an area of flat land. High up on elevated plateaus, stood mansions and a palace fit for a king... or two. Below and stretching out towards the wilderness lie a bustling town with homes and merchant stalls galore. Further away, small farming settlements surrounded the growing city. Guard towers had been set up around the city as well, particularly to protect the people that lived on the outskirts. There were dangerous creatures beyond their walls of comfort after all and not everyone knew how to fight them.
This city of Avania, gilded in gold, yet.. dark and rotting to the core. Once a monarchy under corrupt tyranny, turned stratocracy by two soldiers. The original ruler had been pushed off his throne, yet managing to escape into the badlands. As it was too dangerous to go after him, there was merely hope that he would perish out in the desert. His immediate family and extended relations had been allowed to live as long as they didn't turn against their new lords, but of course, trouble was guaranteed in this.
With him gone, there had been new, revitalized hope that this nation could be rid of corruption.. But peace only slipped further from their grasp.
Things were alright at first... Not quite tranquil as tensions were high, but there was work to try and soothe these inner demons. However.. Sahdar was soon split down the middle with the advent of these 'loyalists' to the previous king. Their leader, a previous retainer of the old king. Calling themselves the chosen of Sahdar and the rightful heirs of this land and so on, as though they had been gifted with the divine right of the gods. If anything, they were a borderline cult with the way they had acted. Soon they seceded, having staked out their own territory. Due to them and their want for revenge and blood lust, there had been much bloodshed. The once golden sands of Sahdar ran crimson with the blood of many country men. Both traitors and those who chose to remain. They had managed to chase them out, but while they were no longer heard of many were sure they weren't done after they had merely been chased away from their homeland. After all, these renegades had claimed that this land was there's as they were true Sahdarians where any who followed the new lords were of a false heritage.
Other factions, seeing this as weakness or an inability to lead and unite, wanted a chance at power and broke off to form their own nations within this one.. This already crumbling nation only fell into further ruin as time went on it seemed... And as there were already warring states beyond their country and only a set few established nations, it was a dog eat dog world. They were in no real shape to try and start with the states beyond their own, but foreign invaders and rogues were becoming a problem along with the inner turmoil they faced.
A man had been standing out on an open air walk way, looking out over the city. He had short, straight black hair and dark eyes. His skin, slightly browned by the sun. He was lean muscled and of a more middle-sized build. He wasn't thin nor very muscular or fat. He had a long, panther-like tail and the ears to go with it. He had a thin mustache and a bit of hair on his chin as well, but he generally took care to keep it from growing out of control. Adorned in carmine robes that shimmered in the light of the sun, decorated in a shiny, embroidered gold, they were for those of a higher rank and yet intended for leisure. It had been a few months since the old king, Laius, had been dethroned and since his loyal men and women had followed him out. He was thinking on it. While he was generally a more humorous kind of guy, he often thought things over carefully. He liked to sit and observe, making sure he fully understood something before he acted. Planning was everything for him. He had previously worked as a strategist for the old king, not quite a foot soldier, but he knew his way in a fight.
Sevhan was now a warlord of sorts. While he didn't mind the public eye and actually rather enjoyed the adoring eye of hundreds upon thousands... He had even wished to become more well known... He didn't disclose everything. He turned away from the glorious display that was the capital city at dawn. He kept heading down the path, yawning as he decided he probably needed to get ready for the meeting this morning. There were leaders from neighboring kingdoms, Kalal and Wendsford, coming. Their basis: a proposition.. Sevhan was interested of course and he'd gone over it with the council to see what they said. They suggested they hear it out and so it was decided that they would. Sevhan was hoping for the proposal of an alliance. It would help in the long run.. To perhaps aid with inner turmoil and defend against other more aggressive nations in Sahdar's weakened state.
Sevhan had approached a building that was behind the palace on a raised area. His quarters were inside, though he had to share it with his partner, there were quite a few rooms in mainly open air building with a few enclosed areas for privacy. He had to walk across a short, sturdy, cement bridge. There was a small garden in front of the building. As he entered it, he found that one of his personal servants, Lei was setting his clothes out. He was the only one Sevhan generally let in for when he bathed. He didn't need multiple servants out and about, scurrying around as he bathed. That could be more annoying than beneficial. "Hmm.. You were a little late today.." He mused as he moved past the young man, taking his things from him as he did. "Ah.. I did not mean to be so late sir." Lei gave him an uneasy grin to which Sevhan hummed, almost returning the smirk with his own. Lei wasn't that much younger than him. He was in his early twenties and had scruffy, dark hair and a thin frame. He had brownish skin and green eyes. He had these petite cat ears and a short, bob tail he could easily tuck away. Yet, hanging off of his lean body was a rounded belly. The man had a mate and was expecting for that mate. Sevhan had none to speak of or so he wanted to believe. He didn't have any interest in the idea and yet it was alluring in some way. He didn't know how Lei could handle being pregnant though.. But this was.. It was just his own opinion. He'd been told he should think about having an heir if he was going to be one of the rulers now, but he didn't think he'd be able to handle children much more than he would be able to deal with being pregnant... So if he did have a heir, his chosen lover would have to be the one who carried the child.
Pushing the thought away, he headed out to where his own private bath was, which was also open air. He supposed it wasn't exactly private as he also had to share it with his partner and it was open air, but in this society, communal bathes were common place. Originally, this had been the residence of one king so there weren't two of these residential buildings just yet. Columns held the roof up and braziers were hanging off of the ceiling. They would be lit by sunset for either of them if they wanted to bathe then. The columns were decorated with vines and the water was clear and crystalline. Seeing that Lei had already set the water, Sevhan disrobed, settling into the cool water. "Mmm.. That's nice..." He muttered, leaning his head back against the edge of the tub. Lei went to grab his towel, soaps, and something to scrub himself with. "I was late today cause I wasn't feeling all that well this morning, Lord Sevhan." Lei explained as he rifled through a cabinet. "I see.." Sevhan wasn't angry at him. There was no need to be. Lei set all of his necessities where he could reach them before gathering up his discarded robes and hurrying off as best he could. Already, the sound of song from the city below was being carried up on the wind. He could hear the distant, calming melodies to which he'd bathe himself too. He would try not to take too long here. The meeting would probably happen in three or four hours. According to his adviser, they had received a message via thunder hawk from the two stating that they were so many hours away yesterday. They'd probably arrive within three hours and would be allowed to rest for the one... He had time as he didn't take that long to bathe, but still. He wanted to prepare himself for whatever the two nations were going to request and besides, he wanted to oversee the preparations for this meeting of lords and the subsequent banquet. They had been almost complete last night, but in his typical thorough fashion, he wanted to be certain of this.
This city of Avania, gilded in gold, yet.. dark and rotting to the core. Once a monarchy under corrupt tyranny, turned stratocracy by two soldiers. The original ruler had been pushed off his throne, yet managing to escape into the badlands. As it was too dangerous to go after him, there was merely hope that he would perish out in the desert. His immediate family and extended relations had been allowed to live as long as they didn't turn against their new lords, but of course, trouble was guaranteed in this.
With him gone, there had been new, revitalized hope that this nation could be rid of corruption.. But peace only slipped further from their grasp.
Things were alright at first... Not quite tranquil as tensions were high, but there was work to try and soothe these inner demons. However.. Sahdar was soon split down the middle with the advent of these 'loyalists' to the previous king. Their leader, a previous retainer of the old king. Calling themselves the chosen of Sahdar and the rightful heirs of this land and so on, as though they had been gifted with the divine right of the gods. If anything, they were a borderline cult with the way they had acted. Soon they seceded, having staked out their own territory. Due to them and their want for revenge and blood lust, there had been much bloodshed. The once golden sands of Sahdar ran crimson with the blood of many country men. Both traitors and those who chose to remain. They had managed to chase them out, but while they were no longer heard of many were sure they weren't done after they had merely been chased away from their homeland. After all, these renegades had claimed that this land was there's as they were true Sahdarians where any who followed the new lords were of a false heritage.
Other factions, seeing this as weakness or an inability to lead and unite, wanted a chance at power and broke off to form their own nations within this one.. This already crumbling nation only fell into further ruin as time went on it seemed... And as there were already warring states beyond their country and only a set few established nations, it was a dog eat dog world. They were in no real shape to try and start with the states beyond their own, but foreign invaders and rogues were becoming a problem along with the inner turmoil they faced.
A man had been standing out on an open air walk way, looking out over the city. He had short, straight black hair and dark eyes. His skin, slightly browned by the sun. He was lean muscled and of a more middle-sized build. He wasn't thin nor very muscular or fat. He had a long, panther-like tail and the ears to go with it. He had a thin mustache and a bit of hair on his chin as well, but he generally took care to keep it from growing out of control. Adorned in carmine robes that shimmered in the light of the sun, decorated in a shiny, embroidered gold, they were for those of a higher rank and yet intended for leisure. It had been a few months since the old king, Laius, had been dethroned and since his loyal men and women had followed him out. He was thinking on it. While he was generally a more humorous kind of guy, he often thought things over carefully. He liked to sit and observe, making sure he fully understood something before he acted. Planning was everything for him. He had previously worked as a strategist for the old king, not quite a foot soldier, but he knew his way in a fight.
Sevhan was now a warlord of sorts. While he didn't mind the public eye and actually rather enjoyed the adoring eye of hundreds upon thousands... He had even wished to become more well known... He didn't disclose everything. He turned away from the glorious display that was the capital city at dawn. He kept heading down the path, yawning as he decided he probably needed to get ready for the meeting this morning. There were leaders from neighboring kingdoms, Kalal and Wendsford, coming. Their basis: a proposition.. Sevhan was interested of course and he'd gone over it with the council to see what they said. They suggested they hear it out and so it was decided that they would. Sevhan was hoping for the proposal of an alliance. It would help in the long run.. To perhaps aid with inner turmoil and defend against other more aggressive nations in Sahdar's weakened state.
Sevhan had approached a building that was behind the palace on a raised area. His quarters were inside, though he had to share it with his partner, there were quite a few rooms in mainly open air building with a few enclosed areas for privacy. He had to walk across a short, sturdy, cement bridge. There was a small garden in front of the building. As he entered it, he found that one of his personal servants, Lei was setting his clothes out. He was the only one Sevhan generally let in for when he bathed. He didn't need multiple servants out and about, scurrying around as he bathed. That could be more annoying than beneficial. "Hmm.. You were a little late today.." He mused as he moved past the young man, taking his things from him as he did. "Ah.. I did not mean to be so late sir." Lei gave him an uneasy grin to which Sevhan hummed, almost returning the smirk with his own. Lei wasn't that much younger than him. He was in his early twenties and had scruffy, dark hair and a thin frame. He had brownish skin and green eyes. He had these petite cat ears and a short, bob tail he could easily tuck away. Yet, hanging off of his lean body was a rounded belly. The man had a mate and was expecting for that mate. Sevhan had none to speak of or so he wanted to believe. He didn't have any interest in the idea and yet it was alluring in some way. He didn't know how Lei could handle being pregnant though.. But this was.. It was just his own opinion. He'd been told he should think about having an heir if he was going to be one of the rulers now, but he didn't think he'd be able to handle children much more than he would be able to deal with being pregnant... So if he did have a heir, his chosen lover would have to be the one who carried the child.
Pushing the thought away, he headed out to where his own private bath was, which was also open air. He supposed it wasn't exactly private as he also had to share it with his partner and it was open air, but in this society, communal bathes were common place. Originally, this had been the residence of one king so there weren't two of these residential buildings just yet. Columns held the roof up and braziers were hanging off of the ceiling. They would be lit by sunset for either of them if they wanted to bathe then. The columns were decorated with vines and the water was clear and crystalline. Seeing that Lei had already set the water, Sevhan disrobed, settling into the cool water. "Mmm.. That's nice..." He muttered, leaning his head back against the edge of the tub. Lei went to grab his towel, soaps, and something to scrub himself with. "I was late today cause I wasn't feeling all that well this morning, Lord Sevhan." Lei explained as he rifled through a cabinet. "I see.." Sevhan wasn't angry at him. There was no need to be. Lei set all of his necessities where he could reach them before gathering up his discarded robes and hurrying off as best he could. Already, the sound of song from the city below was being carried up on the wind. He could hear the distant, calming melodies to which he'd bathe himself too. He would try not to take too long here. The meeting would probably happen in three or four hours. According to his adviser, they had received a message via thunder hawk from the two stating that they were so many hours away yesterday. They'd probably arrive within three hours and would be allowed to rest for the one... He had time as he didn't take that long to bathe, but still. He wanted to prepare himself for whatever the two nations were going to request and besides, he wanted to oversee the preparations for this meeting of lords and the subsequent banquet. They had been almost complete last night, but in his typical thorough fashion, he wanted to be certain of this.