Slugbaby
New Member
You may wish to try this book, it is available on amazon.
PROLOGUE
They say there’s a bit of the Devil in all of us, I suppose it keeps the balance in our everyday actions, but from experience it is fair to say that some people hold far more of the horned fellows attributes than could be considered healthy. The Ajya-Na-ku, certainly consisted of individuals who where of the worst sort, their ranks were full to overflow with thieves and murderers and they supported Highway-men and other such scoundrels. They where, by their own accounting, the Society of Owls, skilled practitioners in the black arts, being able to blend with the night and as such they appeared, enforced their will and disappeared in the thick of the darkest nights. However to others they were the scourge of the Earth who harboured only death, destruction and disorder.
The Hidden Continent, Markesh was the last area on Earth to feel the grasp of civilisation. Slavery was prominent, Females, in general were treated as skivvies and low life. Children starved whilst the corrupt filled their bellies. Here family, tribe or Clan where held in the highest regard and to be born on the wrong side of the lines drawn in ancient times your life had little hope and prospects were dim. Wars had ravaged these lands for centuries whilst outsiders looked on with shielded eyes.
The Twelfth age had seen an increased interest from external nations, for two reasons, firstly the continent was rich in resources and secondly the Ajya-Na-ku had begun to expand their sphere of influence. By the beginning of the thirteenth Age, Broderland, the Largest and most influential of the outside nations had sent a large expeditionary force to the Ports of the Green river. Their order to gain a foothold in the Provinces surrounded by the Dragon Mountains, which in turn provided a gateway to this mysterious continent.
The force despatched to enact the bidding of the western nations consisted of a mixture of Dwarves, Human and Protalien soldiers. They were ferried to Markesh aboard Elvin Ships and after a difficult battle their foothold was secure, but following two years of struggle they had advanced no farther than three miles inland. With supply lines strained all efforts were channelled toward the security of the port and local ceasefires were sought. That was over a century ago and today the Port is still the only area of Markesh influenced by the outer world.
The Death of various Leaders and ever changing attitudes brought about a status quo regarding International involvement in the affairs of Markesh. After all the Ajya-Na-ku was no longer spilling from its borders and the only know entrance to the continent was securely in western hands. The Ports of Green River were well garrisoned and most people cared little for the plight of those oppressed in Markesh.
In the year 1023 of the thirteenth Age a Protalien Chieftain name Izacon III sent out a call for volunteers to undertake an expedition deep into Markesh. An expedition of discovery, for little if anything was known of this ‘hidden continent’ or of the Intent of its inhabitants. The Ajya-Na-ku had disappeared from the Port areas some twenty years earlier and few individuals strayed outside the boundaries laid down during those besieged years. Yet rumours lead to fears regarding a new menace and tension in all quarters was rife.
So it was on the twelve day in June 1023/13 that a small band of unlikely characters set out into the unknown in search of adventure, oblivious to what they may find, but all filled with personal ideas, hopes and dreams. This journey would change them forever and their World would no longer be the same.
PROLOGUE
They say there’s a bit of the Devil in all of us, I suppose it keeps the balance in our everyday actions, but from experience it is fair to say that some people hold far more of the horned fellows attributes than could be considered healthy. The Ajya-Na-ku, certainly consisted of individuals who where of the worst sort, their ranks were full to overflow with thieves and murderers and they supported Highway-men and other such scoundrels. They where, by their own accounting, the Society of Owls, skilled practitioners in the black arts, being able to blend with the night and as such they appeared, enforced their will and disappeared in the thick of the darkest nights. However to others they were the scourge of the Earth who harboured only death, destruction and disorder.
The Hidden Continent, Markesh was the last area on Earth to feel the grasp of civilisation. Slavery was prominent, Females, in general were treated as skivvies and low life. Children starved whilst the corrupt filled their bellies. Here family, tribe or Clan where held in the highest regard and to be born on the wrong side of the lines drawn in ancient times your life had little hope and prospects were dim. Wars had ravaged these lands for centuries whilst outsiders looked on with shielded eyes.
The Twelfth age had seen an increased interest from external nations, for two reasons, firstly the continent was rich in resources and secondly the Ajya-Na-ku had begun to expand their sphere of influence. By the beginning of the thirteenth Age, Broderland, the Largest and most influential of the outside nations had sent a large expeditionary force to the Ports of the Green river. Their order to gain a foothold in the Provinces surrounded by the Dragon Mountains, which in turn provided a gateway to this mysterious continent.
The force despatched to enact the bidding of the western nations consisted of a mixture of Dwarves, Human and Protalien soldiers. They were ferried to Markesh aboard Elvin Ships and after a difficult battle their foothold was secure, but following two years of struggle they had advanced no farther than three miles inland. With supply lines strained all efforts were channelled toward the security of the port and local ceasefires were sought. That was over a century ago and today the Port is still the only area of Markesh influenced by the outer world.
The Death of various Leaders and ever changing attitudes brought about a status quo regarding International involvement in the affairs of Markesh. After all the Ajya-Na-ku was no longer spilling from its borders and the only know entrance to the continent was securely in western hands. The Ports of Green River were well garrisoned and most people cared little for the plight of those oppressed in Markesh.
In the year 1023 of the thirteenth Age a Protalien Chieftain name Izacon III sent out a call for volunteers to undertake an expedition deep into Markesh. An expedition of discovery, for little if anything was known of this ‘hidden continent’ or of the Intent of its inhabitants. The Ajya-Na-ku had disappeared from the Port areas some twenty years earlier and few individuals strayed outside the boundaries laid down during those besieged years. Yet rumours lead to fears regarding a new menace and tension in all quarters was rife.
So it was on the twelve day in June 1023/13 that a small band of unlikely characters set out into the unknown in search of adventure, oblivious to what they may find, but all filled with personal ideas, hopes and dreams. This journey would change them forever and their World would no longer be the same.
