(RP PUBLICS means that this place can be accessed by a God even while he is in his own Realm and several other places; however, as a REALM SAVAGE, the God must first find a way to reach the Realm Savage before he will be granted access. One cannot just rock into the Realm Savage, after all.)

The Kingdom of Apath is a reasonably-sized nation found in the Realm Savage. It is a politically and economically unstable theocratic nation led by the Kaiyaash ('King') Apath, who most of the Shage in the place revere as the incarnation of the sun god Apatheastus. He does not rule by an iron fist - he cannot. His guards are mercenaries and those devout enough to kill for him. While everyone respects him as the spiritual leader of the land, there is much debate over whether or not he is fit to rule the Realm, and Apath has seen many a civil war over that issue alone.

A large part of Apath's instability comes from the fact that it is frequently, and repeatedly, struck by meteorological activity. Meteorites strike the place up to fifty times a day, and thus the establishing of settlements and the like in Apath has been difficult. The main city of Apath, Astus Ogur, is relatively untouched, but many smaller villages are struck often and without cosmic remorse. Occasionally a large meteor hits Astus Ogur and destroys thousands of lives, but it is rare; there are certain places, the mystics of the Shage know, that are relatively safe.

There is an upside to Apath's misfortune: there is a huge amount of rare minerals found within the Kingdom, bringing of wealth to the place. Treasure hunters and adventurers are almost a more common site than actual citizens. Living Metal is as common as lead, there, and is used for all manner of purposes. Kharm Oil often saturates some of the smaller ponds and rivers within the jungles of Apath, making trespass dangerous but profitable. Most important of all is the rumoured existence of witchstone: if a large deposit is ever found, Apath will easily become one of the greatest powers in the Realm Savage.

Apath is bordered by the Nation of Karnala, a relatively peaceful coastal kingdom, and by various border kingdoms that formed in the safety zones about Apath. The most dangerous of these is the Theocracy of the Nhaal, a warlike people who have often skirmished with Apath and wish the natural wealth for themselves. Luckily, ninety percent of Apath is incredibly deadly jungle, and an invasion - unless it is extraterrestrial in origin - seems highly unlikely. Conclave intelligence points to the Cult of Osiris-Ra being interested in the prospect of owning Apath, however, and believe that they may have already established a minor House within the troubled kingdom.

Ruse arrives here, and looks around. His goal is to head to the conclave fort Craterborn first, if possible.

(Noted, Ruse.)

Ruse awakens upon shattered stone, the ruins of a once-grand pavilion. Now, the courtyard is riddled with savage, spiked - poisonous? - weeds, and brutally majestic flora surround the small square. The square is closed off, it would seem - tall walls at the east, west, and south obscured further view of what Ruse assumed to be the jungle. A small gateway led into what might be the city proper. The courtyard itself contained two Shage, known for their jagged teeth and wild hair, each dressed in as little clothing as possible. They played at a game of strategy using bone checkers, and paid Ruse no heed.

It was very warm within Apath. Ruse broke out in a sweat. Overhead, it was overcast, but that didn't change anything. Ruse felt his misty properties start to wane.

Ruse easily shrugged off the heat. His misty properties weren't as fragile as before. He was not as fragile as before.

COMMAND: SUIT, please SCAN the entire Kingdom of Apath and establish a file that has maps and other useful information in it. Feel free to access conclave databanks, using high lord level access, to obtain information for or to complement your SCAN and data collecton. I want all information that the Conclave has about the kingdom of Apath to be copied and stored in a file in your memory, so that I can access it easily later as needed.

COMMAND: Determine the location of Fort Craterborn.

Adapting to local patterns..
Patterns confirmed.
/Realm Savage/
Efficiency decreased by thirty-five percent..
Chance of further drop..

The SUIT whirred away, performing its function, but Ruse knew it to be struggling a little: something about this place, it seemed, messed with Earthborn technology. Perhaps it was simply the nature of this world, or perhaps it was a drawback in the SUIT's design.

SCANNING Kingdom of Apath..
File generating..
File opened.
Copying from Conclave Information Vaults..
/3%

It started to rain, heavily. The rain was hot and sticky.

Searching for Fort Craterborn..
Spike located.
Information gathering..
Gathering..
Gathering..
Located.
Fort Craterborn is roughly three kilometers to your immediate northwest. Conclave stronghold. Would you care for directions?

Ruse's form shifted into mist, and he took to the air. He sped northwest towards the fort's location.

COMMAND: Yes, plot the best course for me to reach the fort, but note that I will be flying there through the air.

COMMAND: Continue creating the file on the Kingdom of Apath. Try your best to adapt to the surroundings to boost your effiency.

Course plotting..

Registering..

Plotted.

Ruse was given directions to Fort Craterborn, which he saw in the distance - a squat, if large, building made of light wood and built on stone. It was built so that the breeze could work through the entire fortress, and it was heavily guarded - soldiers on every side, and patrolling the roof.

Copying from Conclave Information Vaults..
/8%

Warning.

Warning: The SUIT is experiencing various power-fluxes which is tampering with its efficiency. It is suggested that you remove the SUIT and take it to a specialist.

Source: Flood/Radiation/Other

Ruse knew that he'd be able to provide the SUIT enough energy to function at least at a minimum, but he did decide to heed the warning and would go see a specialist. Someone at the fort actually might be knowledgable about this. If not, he could head back to the halls of the sun and commandeer a conclave technician to do give SUIT some upgrades.

COMMAND: I want you to run in safety mode for now, drawing only the minimum power needed to maintain your basic functions and your AI. You can shut off all functions besides your base AI, so avoid further efficiency loss. When I make queries from now on until you are fixed, make them on an individual basis as needed, being on safety mode at all other times.

COMMAND: Try to adapt to the local patterns as best as possible, if feasible.

--------

Ruse landed in front of the fort and announced himself. He made sure that his oathblade was visible, but also flashed his high Lord badge.

"I am High Lord Ruse of the Conclvave, and I demand entrance to this fort. Take me to the warden of this establishment at once." he declared loudly.

Cancelling copy..
Canceled.

Switching..
Running on Low-Frequency Mode.

The soldiers nodded at Ruse, smiling at his High Lord arrogance.

"We've been waiting for you, Conclave-Lord," said one of the soldiers. "If you would follow us, we will take you Fort Warden Hale."

((Yea arrogance is a high lord triat, I've discovered. And ruse is one of the nicer ones too.))

Ruse entered the Fort, following the soldiers to the warden. He takes note of his surroundings as he does so.

Hale was a broad, ancient man, an Earthborn with wise eyes.

He smiled at Ruse and clasped him on the shoulder.

"SUIT playing up, is it? No wonder.. it isn't fitted for these kind of areas. Welcome to my own private hell, High Lord Ruse - welcome to Apath. I have been instructed to treat you as the Conclave-Lord you are, and offer you the finest suite available. My name is General High Lord Alexander Hale, strategist to the Council and Fort Warden of Craterborn. Drink? Wine, coffee?"

Ruse looked at Hale curiously. He wasn't expecting the warden to also be a high lord, although he knew that since this was his feifdom, Ruse's orders would trump any other high lord. Although the man seemed friendly enough, and while arrogant Ruse was never flat out cruel to people who didn't have it coming.

"I will pass on the food, but thank you. You are intriguing for an Earthborn - I am sure we'll have plenty of interesting conversations. I would like you to acquaint me with apath first, as well as share with you some of my base plans and thoughts. While I am the owner of this feif, I do accept counsel from the wise and will delegate authority to those who are competent. And while this may be a hell now, perhaps we can work to help fix that, if only somewhat."

Ruse tapped his chest a bit, and added,

"You wouldn't happen to have a technician on hand who could help modify SUIT. Really, I would like a run-down of all conclave personnel besides myself currently present in apath."

"We do have an arms-master on hand, but not a particular artificer who could modify or repair your SUIT," said Hale with a sigh. "We're woefully understaffed. When the, uh, previous Conclave-Lord of Apath was killed, the Conclave redacted most of the troops stationed here, believing the Kingdom to be more trouble than it is worth. It is only with the recent finding of witchstone - for it exists within those jungles, let me tell you - and the advent of the House that they've decided to give us what we need - another Conclave-Lord and an increased budget."

He smiled.

"Of course, I am Warden of this Fort - much like the captain of a sailing vessel - and while I understand that you have complete authority in all matters regarding Apath, understand that that does not rise over to Fort Craterborn, as this place is technically - for all matters of politics and law - a part of the Valley of Ten Towers. I have an extremely luxurious suite laid out for you, and will assist you in any matter, but you cannot question my authority, not here; I have a tenuous grip over the men as it is."

He smiled. Ruse knew he wasn't trying to be rude or presumptuous or greedy; he was simply a man trying to do his job. The last Conclave-Lord messed things up good and proper, and Hale was scared of it happening again, for another tragic mistake could mean the demise of the Fort.

"I would, of course, like your input in regards to our expanded budget and the operations of the Fort."

Ruse grinned, and replied,

"Ah, well...I guess we'll have to balance the power out a bit here then, won't we - you have the fort, but I have the ground it is laid upon? I do hope we can have a fruitful relationship though - Roid speaks highly of you after all, which in my book is a mark in your favor. I have no desire to quarrel with my own faction. And if your men give you trouble, let me know and I'll whip them into shape. Insubordination is unacceptable here in Apath."

Ruse walked with Hale, and continued,

"So tell me, Warden, about the current situation here. The Feifmistress was most insightful, and your information aligns well with hers. I will be sniffing out the cultists soon, but first I need to solidify my own power base and authority here in the kingdom itself. I do not want to kill anyone, but I will not hesitate to make examples if necessary. Could you tell me about the last conclave-lord, how they succeeded anf failed, as well as the Kiyaash and how I can possibly win the shage over to my side without having to be tyrannical about it?"

"The last Conclave-Lord was known as Atthias, Lord of the Dog, and he was a fine enough Conclave-Lord in most respects," said Hale. "We butted heads a few times - mostly on the application of our - then greater - military forces, but he was a good person. A friend, even. We had an issue with spies and assassins.. not from Osiris-Ra and his House, thank Christ, but from the Khaiyaash himself. We succeeded in rooting most of them out, but - at Atthias's suggestion - the public execution we employed, no matter how by-the-book it might seem, was not a fine idea.."

Hale grimaced.

"When the Honourable Frater Accordus - thirty-second degree Architect and Sorcerer of Alkan, so major business for the Fort - came to Apath to investigate the claims of witchstone found in the deep jungles, Atthias escorted him. He was struck by thieves, it would seem, on the way back - they took the witchstone and killed both Atthias and Accordus. We have reasons, however, to believe that it was no common thief that killed him - rather, a cult of highly-trained assassins death-bound to the current Kaiyaash. I haven't been game to work any further - our troops are limited as it is. Agrippa used the death of Accordus as an excuse to cut our funding, and with Atthias gone no one - not even I - could stop the motion. So we've let the Kaiyaash consolidate power."

A sigh.

Ruse grimaced.

"So the Khaiyaash is going to be a problem, it seems. If you have definitive proof that he was behind the assassination, I would like you to submit it to me immediately. Otherwise, I will still trust your "hunch" none the less."

"I am going to need to see this Khaiyaash personally and establish myself as the conclave lord of apath. If I understand you correctly, a public execution would be really detrimental to us. I am willing to assassinate him - personally if need be - should it come down to that. But really, I need to see this "sun king" first before making rash decisions, in case new information or opportunities present themselves."

"Could you please give me the lay of the land first? I need to know what is in each province, any interesting facts about apath that I may find useful, as well as where the Khaiyaash is."

"We have no 'definite proof'," said Hale. "There is no such thing in the savagery of Apath. The Kaiyaash has the finest seers, so our magical efforts cannot even get the drop on him. Intelligence is thin - we've got some of Wyrn's people, but not many, and most have been posted to Karnala. As a general rule, I am against torture - not that it matters, as most of the Shage are impossible to capture. They'll die fighting.."

He rose suddenly, drew a large sheet of parchment from within his desk and rolled it out. It was a map.

"Apath," said Hale. "Bordered by the River of Kingdoms to the far east, the Nation of Karnala to the far west, and Adooridalu to the far north. To the south, the sea. But we're looking more locally, I'd imagine - I don't believe that international politics is what concerns you at this present stage." He pointed to a solid, curling glyph to the south of the map. "This is the city of Astura Ogur. This is us. We're south.. hunting in the jungle is difficult, and agriculture won't even be considered by the Shage, so seafaring is their main operation. Huge. There are occasional piracy problems, but the accords with Karnala state that the sea is a free place and that Apath might fish where it wants, so the main diet is seafood."

He pointed to the center of the map, where a similar glyph had been described in between the sketches of flora.

"This is the Palace of the Forever Rising Hjadash, hjadash being the native word for a circular plant which devours insects and children. They believe it to be made in the image of their sun. It's practically a city in itself. We can't get in - the sole palace of the Khaiyaash is walled off entirely. There, he trains his poisoners, his fanatic death-priests, the spies and the ceremonial warriors. It is the safest place in Apath for any who the Khaiyaash trusts."

He moved his finger to a few other areas.

"The east - we have mountains. They are sacred to many, but it is a much older tradition that takes root there - not the worship of the sun-deity. Some still live there, praying to their own gods. We have many warehouses there - as do, perhaps, hundreds of others - and the cliffs span for a thousand miles. One could hide in that place and never be found.

"The west.. and the north, completely unexplored jungle. That is where the witchstone rests, and much, much more before. It is the most horrible place on this world, Ruse, I assure you of that."

Ruse inspected the map, and then replied,

"Hmmm...the east mountains would make an excellent place for cultists to hide. The jungles would too, although if they are as dangerous as you say, the cultists would be stupid to have an operation there too long. The shage seem to live primarily in this southern city Astura Ogur. They won't farm but are very much into fishing operations. Some piracy occurs but for the most part it's okay. Then there's the central provice - the Hjadash. To the far east is a river kingdom, to the far west is the lovable Lictros, and north/west is jungle. Interesting - we have something to work with."

Ruse draws a few imaginary lines on the map with his finger, doing some inscrutable caluclation.

"Hmmm...I think that I will head to the city of Astura Ogue and Hjadash first. The Shage need to know that I exist, and that I am the legitimate Conclave-Lord of this Kingdom. They may not let people freely into Hjadash, but they will see me. Do you reccommend that I head to Astura Ogur first or Hjadash? If the former, is there a mayor or some other offocial, or should I just go around announcing myself?"

"Good luck getting into Hjadesh," said Hale, at once sincere and pessimistic. "It is a closed city, as I have said, and you will be immediately recognized as Conclave-Lord of Apath - a position very much despised by the Khaiyaash. As for Astura Ogur.. you're already here. Fort Craterborn is a simple ten minute stroll from inner Ogur. For all intents and purposes we operate solely within the city.."

He smiled, tapped his fingers on his desk.

"You can only get into Hjadesh through the Gates of the Glorious, and they are found within Astura Ogur, so the city there would be best, I think," said Hale. "As for a mayor.. they have three ministers - a savage, jungle-raised sailor-adventurer Shage named Hansh, who is immediately unpredictable; one of our men, the Shage Jkord, who is quite reliable and has served Astura Ogur for many years under the Conclave's word; and Yaash Merth, a zealot of the Khaiyaash. Things are quite strained.. much of what Jkord wishes to accomplish is blocked by Merth, and vice-versa, and while Hansh has the position by right of conquest he isn't present much to break the lock. Regardless, they all listen, to one extent or another, to the Khaiyaash - to do otherwise would be folly, and we cannot blame Jkord for it."

Ruse pondered, and then nodded.

"Well I will not bend a knee to the Khaiyaash. To do so would weaken my position - and the conclave's - here in apath. They will admit me into the city, or I may just walk in. But I am currently more intrigued by the three mayors of the town. I think I will start there. Once I establish that I am the conclave lord there, I can try to see how the mayors can help us. Jkord is a conclave member so I will see him first, and I will give him extra consideration - we need to treat our own decently in normal circumstances. Hansh seems to be a neutral wild card - I'd love to win him over though. As for Yaash...I will tolerate him but will make it quite clear from the get-go that my word is law, not the Khaiyaash. I will then proceed to assess the current problems the town is facing, and then fix those problems. By the way, please let me know if pirates attack - they will think twice after I destroy their ships with a flesh-rending mist."

Ruse then was about to leave, but another question came up.

"What are your thoughts on assassinating the Khaiyaash? I am fully willing to do so if he becomes a problem. Even better is the irony that would result - he assassinated my predacessor, then he in turn is assassinated by a conclave lord. But enough of my whimsy - I'd like to hear your thoughts on that possibility."

"Flesh-rending mist?" said Hale, an eyebrow raised. "Impressive stuff, Ruse. Assassination on the Khaiyaash will be difficult.. see, he is an Earned Khaiyaash, and has thus received the Rite of Shagmotha. As far as I can tell, he is immune to all poisons, toxins, and gasses because of this - and most blades bounce right off him. To be a gifted Shage prince is to be given near-immortality.. it can be difficult, but not impossible. If you can best him in solo combat, you might take his place as Khaiyaash, regardless of nation, creed, or species.."

He thought for a moment.

"If you are interested in forcing him to abdicate, perhaps there is a man you might wish to meet. We haven't met, but he is a fabled martial artist said, I have heard, to reside in a small island beyond Karnala's shores, in the Sea of Oil. If you could find him, his art is said to grant the secret to defeating any Shage in combat, but.."

Hale drifted off.

"Forgive me. It is a myth, and you do not have the time.."

Ruse's eyes lit up with curiosity. Becoming the Khaiyaash himself...that was a great idea1 He considered it breifly, but dismissed the notion as he thought it was shage-only. But that would solve a lot of apath's problems.

"Well...the gas immunity is a minor inconvenience, but my mists do far more than sicken things. I can make them harder than living metal if necessary, so his resistance to blades is not a concern to me. However...this artwork thing is intriguing to me. Since this is another world, I should be able to send a separate manifestation to Karnala while also remaining here. At the very least, I'll be able to see more of the world Savage."

Ruse looks at the map, noting that Karnala was east of Apath. Thankfully, the opposite of Lictros' feif.

"I would like you to tell me everything you know about this man, as well as direct me to where he may most likely be. Please point out the sea of oil on the map, as well as let me in on interesting facts about Karnala. I can portal over there quickly, although will probably come out in a random area - but as a god I have a great photographic memory so can orient myself easily."