RACC Backstory : Egilian and Gryphonus (Draft)

Note: The written draft here is under progress and may change anytime.

E g i l i a n

I - Briefly

It is the late 15th Century of the Egilian calendar. The Aristocratic Federation of Egilian have been living peacefully with its neighboring far west nation, the Union of Gryphonus. The two nation have been on feud at territories and resources for many years and generations, but all of it ended up in forgotten quarrels and diplomatic fights. Atleast it went smooth for the past couple of centuries until now.
The Egilians have their homeland on an archipelago named Erecillia. While Gryphonus to the west, another archipelago named Grypthon. Between the archipelagos are the Summer Islands, there marks the borders of the two nation.

It was by this time that in Gryphonus, the new Grand Marshall have been chosen and to step up at leading the armies of the Union. Alerted for the new presence, the Seven leaders of Egilian, called Marquesses, gathers a faithful reunion on a nostalgic spot, not for a long time it has been held.
Egilian is a federation of Seven clans or states: Feras, Whain, Galies, Riorche, Ferethy, Ashyr and Astark. Its leaders being royal nobles called Marquesses, who checks up on their respective states and have created a good relationship to others, though they do have their own differences and fights seldom.

Part of the federation, are also confederal island states found on the numerous east side of the Summer Islands, the Egilian Protectorate States. Governed by Dukes and Barons, each controls one of the 41 islands and represent to the main league by the Archduke of the isles biggest - Cortesias. Together with the homeland states, they form the Aristocratic Federation of Egilian.


The wind breezed upon the snow-capped mountains of the north, where autumn will soon open its door for winter. The afternoon sunlight touches the reddish-orange leaves falling at paths and roads. The waters still flow gently, riprapping on stones and canals leading to one path that ends at falling cliffs. Right beside those wonderful views of nature, is a ruined white castle. Looking from afar, it has been for a long time, abandoned. Vines have crawled in and out on cracks of the white structures, towers and gates. Grasses and moss have invaded much of its insides, and even the wild had made it its home, but nature has not took down the monumental ground. Long have the white castle been a sacred meeting place for the leaders of Egilian, dating back to the fall of their Monarchial dynasty.

On the stepped roads, from different directions are Egilians riding flightless tall avian creatures, bearing different kinds of flags and colors, headed for the ruined yet sacred spot. They are the noble guards and escorts of the royal Marquesses. Numbering about seven parties, from different directions, they are welcomed by the alpine-living rangers that have made preparations of their arrival and within the castle.
The sealed ruined yet functional gates opened, letting them come in. Inside, it was like a meeting of the covenant. Ruined holes on rooftops gave a calm fluorescent light within, supported by numerous lamps that are lighted to further brighten the dark halls.
On the center of the castle, a large circular table made out of marble, has been cleaned. Chairs made out of marbles too, are prepared there for the meeting that is to happen. Seven figures come from different halls, heading for their chairs and sits, facing at each other. They meet again for the first time in 79 years, with faces still looking like at the 40's of a human and grey-to-white hair and beard wrinkled like a 70's. Unlike humans, Egilian lifepans are doubled compared to them, although they're old, they still looked like a human in his age of 40 just with an old white hair and beard.

Coughed one of them, he stands in the front of the scene. "Ain't this nice, the jolly men of the days, now retards, looking at each other." The man said, grinning his face to them all over. A tall figure, with a trimmed white beard. Dressed up in formal suite of aristocracy under a rough red and black long coat. A short yet refined white hair. He is Edwin Phoenixus, the Marquess of the Stratocratic State of Feras. He is the representative of the Federation and is the most skilled fighter of the nation.
"Still the yammering jacket-boy ain't ya'." Replied a masculine, semi-fat and heavily bearded man. Whom wears a blue ruffian long-sleeve, with an inner white and orange striped shirt. Covering his pale blond hair a red bonnet. Identified as Fargus Erethi, Chief of the Thalassocrastic Chiefdom of Ferethy, or the Marquess of the considered state. He is a great warrior of the sea and possesses the largest fleet of the nation.
"Hehe..." Chuckled the shady one. Covered by a black robe and a cape that hid his physical appearance except his face. Blue-haired turning to grey and white, with runes on the cheeks and eyelashes. He is Archaeo Shiv, the Archon of the Magocrastic State of Ashyr, and Marquess of the also considered state. He is a powerful magician of dark magics and arcane.
"Now what's so funny, Arche?" Asked another beside Edwin while grinning. White haired, heavily bearded, with the same physical appearance as the Feras Marquess. Only much formal and armored in white. He is Falalbert Waine, Paladin of the Hierocratic State of Whain. He is a noble lord of the Egilian's northern highlands.
"The fact that the 'big guy' and the 'o'l mighty swordsman' still hasn't change, including the one I'm replying to." Answered Archaeo, shifting his view to Falalbert and giggling.
"Is that so?" Replied Falalbert with another question, his eyes focused on the latter, grinning.
"Ah. Well, getting quiet there - oh..." Edwin redirected his view to another two Marquess, suprised that they were arm wrestling.
Showing off their muscular arms, the jet-black haired and armored Iroch Char - Marquess of the Corporate State of Riorche and a great smith, versus the long silver-haired, formally suited and armored Garren Alisar - Marquess of the Stratocratic State of Galies, and the fastest rider of the land. Judging the two, was the long white bearded and haired man, Coranus Starri, the High Sage and Marquess of the Magocrastic State of Astark.
"Oh, if that's how it is, foods and drinks, bring e'm all!" Joyfully yelled Edwin.
Laughters, quarrels, brags, competitions, foods and drinks, the men enjoyed their reunion. For a long while have they not meet. From all busy politics and leadership, they didn't even have time to visit their neighboring states. But the chance was given, and they enjoyed every second that counts.


At early evening. The Marquesses are about to discuss their future plans, for soon, they are gonna pass their mantles unto their children.

"So then..." Started Edwin. "I believe we can start at the new Union established at Gryphonus. The name, Krukov Gouze. The only thing my men know so far, is that he's a rumored young veteran of the Clesous War." Continued Archaeo grimly.
"And does this person, in particular, arousing military strength?" Asked Garren. "They've recently just recovered, after the eruption of Mt. Grypthon, though they're rebuilding quite rapidly." Answered Archaeo.
"Hm..." Iroch nodded in agreement then continued, "Then we haven't that much to trouble with."
"Yes, but we must retain vigilance. There may be the Protectorates at Cortesa, Medinna and the surrounding island states, but their forces would face hard hits if an invasion were to happen."
"For better or for worse, anyone up for a joint military exercise, its been while since these hands of mine swing axes." Fargus said. "Why not? Let's finish our duel, Coranus." Says Archaeo to Coranus. "Very well, bet your best coffee." "Come ye' landlubbers, one versus three!" "It's on." "Nah I'll take him by myself." "You mean myself." "Oh you ask for one? I'll give ya." "Oh boy..." "Is this supposed to be a joint exercise... or a competition?"
...

The meeting ended with a happy parting on setting sun. Before Edwin and his party could return to their land, Falalbert meets up with them. With a smile and a tackling handshake.

"A good time, brother." Edwin grinned. "Yes indeed." Falalbert replied. "What keeps you here?" Edwin asked. "... the spirits... they spoke to me..." Answered Falalbert slowly and seriously. "Hmm?..."
"It was a long summer. A good time for many harvests and growth. And now, a long autumn, to mark the coming of winter. The current season is long, but the next would be longer..." Spoken Falalbert, feeling the ominous wind that breezed, and watches the sinking of the sun.
"Did the ... Firebird... gave you a vision?"
"I'm not sure. But, there is something coming aside from this winter. Something dark... and it might not just be one, but more..." Falalbert stopped.
"Does it mean... The setting sun... shall rise..."
Falalbert faced Edwin, and changed his mood, "Well, I'll not spoil the good times we have right now, say hello to Ace for me okay brother?"
"Of course brother. Send my regards to your wife and nine children... hehe." Replied Edwin.
"Hehehe, dirty minded sucker." Grinned Falalbert.

The two parted with a tackling handshake. And Edwin and his band leaves the highlands. The sun was at the peak of its setting. Edwin looked at the red sky and spoke, "When the sun... soon... sets... and it has set finally."





The sun rises to the northeast, giving light to a new day. It is the dawn of the 189th day, the year of 1594. At the late of the long autumn, the red trees will soon finish its shedding, the different animals of land will finish their gathering food, and the birds migrated covering the sky with their numerous numbers.
Vangarde, is at its usual peaceful day. As a stratocratic state, Feras mainly focuses on their military ethics and trainings on this spot that lies infront of great mountains and hills.
The large city is known for its layout and architecture. Surrounded by a circular grey wall, and inserted on the front of the great mountains within the center of the great mainland isle. The city is divided into five levels, or Sectors, with varying altitude up to a hundred feet, each surrounded by high walls. A spur of rock resembling an eagle's head jutted out from the front of the city, called Eagle's Rock, dividing the three highest Sectors in half. Every Sectors would delve into the hill as the city rises, each with their own gates that connects them from the lower to the highest.
Every sector is distinguished and classified; the 5th Sector, where visitors, merchants, traders and different locals will enter to begin their daily work or business; the 4th Sector, located are the two plazas, different monuments and statues, as well as where residential homes and the citizens live; the 3rd Sector, another section for residential grounds, temples, banks and industrial buildings; the 2nd Sector, where the training grounds, academies and sanctums are located, the center for training, education and discipline; and lastly the 1st Sector.
In this sector, it is leveled on the summit of Eagle's Rock, serving as the highest tier. In here located is a large citadel - the center of command, judicature and legislature, a wide courtyard taking up most of the space of the summit, and Galadril - the Sacred Tree of Spring that brings life into the city. Serving as the base of command, was Vakr'nir or the Vanguard's Tower, located at the middle of the citadel and raising up as the highest point and apex of the entire state.

At the 5th Sector, where the only entrance to the city is located, the Guardian Gate stood open for years in peace. Everyone who got a proper checkup were welcomed inside and freely do their own business. Even at this early of morn, the guards of the city never lets their guard down and keeps watch within and out.
A usual break of hot coffee and bread, a wall-tower guard notices numerous silhoutes on the open Gale-ad Plains riding on fast running creatures called Galiesars. He grabs the big wooden mail with both of his hands, "The Re'aed has return!" He yelled to the others as he swings and rings the bell with three long *BANG!!* *BANG!!* *BANG!!*. Hearing the signal of the return of the Marquess, the entire gate guards secure the entrance of the already opened Guardian Gate, their shields they raised and their spears straightly wielded.
Upon the view of the incoming riders, they proudly saw the red banners of the black oaken tree on the chest of a white feathery bird on a spreaded wing stance, the Feras banner, hanging in front of Vangarde's walls. With honor to their lands, they quickly hasten their approach and soon arrives. "Welcome back! Re'aed!" The guards all shouted at the same time, referring their welcomes to their honored Marquess Edwin Phoenixus and his escorts, including his son Ace Phoenixus. Walking on their mounts' normal pace, they steadily went inside passing below the Guardian Gate, and into the 5th Sector of Vangarde.


The city was built for the purpose of being the home of house Phoenixus, and the capital city of Feras. Originally and still at its sacred purpose, is to protect the Golden Gate that leads to the sacred flying Icarus City above the valley of Mount Egilin - the extinct supervolcano.
It is said that if ever Icarus City falls to the ground, would revive the ancient volcano to life and spur an apocalypse to the east. That is why the valley is protected and surrounded by an impassable mountain and harsh environment that not even creatures that fly can't reach, and only Vangarde is the entrance to the valley. Simply, Vangarde city is the gate, and the great mountains are the walls surrounding Mount Egilin. But with the development of time, everyone have thought of it as a folklore and fairytales that traditions must keep.

The Re'aed have pass below the Guardian Gate. On their path the many Egilians staring at them, creating an open path for the Re'aed to pass. The people bowed their heads as a sign of welcome and returned by the Re'aed as a sign of gratitude. Following the road, they eventually reached the central square of the 5th Sector. Four roads meet at the circular square, forming a crossroad. On the middle, a fountain and in its center a white statue of a knight riding a Galiesar.

Marques Edwin look valiantly at the statue as they approach the circular roads of many intersections. Egilian runes carved at the base of the white statue, translated it as: "United is to stand in one power. Divided is to stand in many." - Eidhart Phoenixus, the first of Feras.
They revolved from the crossroad circle and continued then straight, still greeted and honored by the people, steadily the ground rises as they elevate to the 4th Sector of Vangarde's hill. They pass the open 4th Sector's Gate and its great walls and into the 4th Sector itself.

Edwin being in front, looked back to his men. "Fasten up! Let's pick up the pace, move!" He ordered to the Re'aed, and looked back to his frontal view. The Galiesars then steadily increases their speed for each step of their long legs, eventually running.
The people clears from the white road, letting the Re'aed pass without being slowed or troubled. Elevated and approaching yet another central square, this time with an intersection of two roads left and right. They proceed at the right path and still elevating.
As they headed east of the city, Edwin and even some of his knights looked at the Eagle's Rock. Its eagle-ine looks glorifies their city. The ground soon leveled with the 4th Sector's walls, giving them view of the 5th Sector and the Gale-ad Plains at more than two-hundred feet. Reaching the center half of the 4th Sector's, the 3rd Sector's Right Gate stood open for them. Passing the white stone road, city buildings, training soldiers and walking citizens, they would so on continue until they reach the 1st Sector's Right Gate.
The gate with two towers by its side is closed. But the guards saw the Re'aed, "Open the gate!" One of the tower guards yelled. Another one raised his hand facing to the other side of the gate's tower, suddenly his hands ignited in fire but wasn't burning. The guards saw the flash and took it as a signal to open the gates, by turning the heavy levers within both towers at the same time.
The iron gate slowly opens, inside awaited red-armored soldiers, armed with long sheathed spears and wide bulwark shields ingraved by the Feras insignia. They are the Vanguards, veteran fighters and royal guards of the Phoenixus, and the elite warriors of Feras and even Egilian itself. The squad of guards split in two columns to let pass their arrived Marquess and his escorts.

"Usual day huh?" Asked Edwin to the one just beside him, his son Ace. "