Eternal
Year 18
“Tell me son, how would you go about dealing with a potential rebellion?” The Emperor asks you.
“I’d crush the dissidents of course.”
“Yes, of course, but how would you go about doing it? Especially if the rebellion primarily consisted of people who served a vital purpose?”
“Crush them anyway and have them replaced.”
“Heh, what if there is nobody that matches their level of expertise?”
“Then use a competent substitute in the meantime.”
“What if there were also external threats to deal with as well?”
“Try to maintain a defensive position until the internal one is fully dealt with, then move ahead with crushing the outsider threat.”
The Emperor nods at you.
“A simple yet conservative strategy is probably a wise one. The problem is can all things be accomplished within a specific time frame? Anyway, I suppose I should stop being so cryptic. There are basically two problems the Empire has to deal with right now, one being the Shadow Guard and the other being the Felkan Kingdom. As you know Jacob Mol, had a couple of your classmates infiltrate the shadows to see what they’re up to, unfortunately after following up on them, he’s learned nothing of importance, save that he believes they’ve been indoctrinated to be loyal to the shadow god rather than to the Empire. It was a waste of time, money and resources mainly because I already knew the shadows were up to treachery a LONG time ago. I certainly didn’t need Jacob’s grand plan to tell me that.” The Emperor says shaking his head. “The Shadow Guard has actually never displayed any sort of outward disloyalty since the first day their little cult swore to serve the Empire. Naturally at first I was distrustful of them, but as time went on I actually began to believe that they might actually be the most loyal group in the Empire. However, after a couple centuries service, I started to realize that they’d been playing a long game right from the beginning. Of course I play the long game too and I’d made plans also from the beginning to destroy them immediately if they got the courage to ever actually go through with their plans to bring me down.”
“I’m surprised you did not wipe them out when they first displayed signs of treachery.” You remark.
“If I did that to everyone that plotted against me, I’d soon have nothing left to rule! The sad fact is, some of the most efficient and useful types are also the ones that want to see your demise. They keep the unwashed masses in line for the most part who are a lot more numerous and quite frankly a lot more dangerous. Nothing worse than hordes of pissed off peasants who have nothing to lose, because even if you put them down, you’ve effectively destroyed what you’re ruling over in the first place. The shadows have the knack of instilling that fear into the ignorant and it’s been incredibly useful. So useful that’s why I’ve allowed the shadows to go on with their little plot for so long despite the fact Jacob and some of his predecessors have urged me to do something about them, though that time might be coming soon. Just wish the fools didn’t have to force my hand like this when I’d like to get on with destroying those upstart Felkans.”
The Emperor’s tone gets a little angrier sounding when he mentions the Felkans.
“Are they planning to attack us immediately?” you ask.
“Of course not, the whole place is run by gnomes. They’re almost like the shadows in their wait and build up tactics, though a whole lot more devious actually.”
“I thought it was run by a traditional king and queen.”
“Bah, that entire government is nothing more than a puppet state created by the gnomes because they prefer to hide within the walls of other civilizations like the weaklings they are.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t been doing much studying on the gnome race, Emperor. You remark.
“There’s not much to study other than they’re a race of parasites. Some foolishly believe that they’re some sort of relative of the derro, but they aren’t. First off I’d never insult a derro like that. Anyway other than their short height and their penchant for invention, the gnomes couldn’t be anymore different. They’re pacifists for the most part.”
“Doesn’t that make them less of a threat?”
“Just because their pacifists, doesn’t make them any less conniving and sneaky. In fact it just makes them more so, and frauds to boot. Long ago the gnomes actually once served the Empire in a very useful way much like the Shadow Guard do, though it a much different way of course. They loyally served as builders, inventors, advisors and seemed very happy with their lot in life and why not? They enjoyed our protection and everything else we provided for them. This short peaceful race even had me fooled. I mean the shadows? While I briefly thought they might genuinely loyal for a time, I still had a contingency plan for them. The gnomes though, their betrayal came as a surprise. I assume you’ve probably read enough history to know about the Halfling Uprising correct?”
“Yes.”
“Who do you think encouraged it? The Halflings or screets as we called them were basically dim witted yet fiery cousins of the gnomes and again don’t ever suggest any sort of lineage connection between them and the derro. These two races lived side by side. In fact the screet were basically protecting the gnomes from extinction by the orcs before we came along and assimilated the lot of them. I guess you might even say the screet were the doers while the gnomes were the thinkers. Since this was something that worked well for them, I saw no reason to break up their symbiotic relationship and as I said the gnomes seemed to be happy serving the Empire. So it came to a surprise one night when the Empire was suddenly attacked by several thousand screet in key locations. During this uprising gnomes were making their escape. They probably saw that despite their treachery, there was no way their pitiful strategy of taking over was going to work like they planned so they fled before most of them could be brought to justice. Scoured the surrounding countryside for months, but didn’t come up with much and their were more pressing problems in the Empire at the time such as putting down the rest of the screet along with establishing a foothold in Arat and Nalin at the time.”
“So the gnomes took control of the Felkan Kingdom?”
“Took control? They practically built it! There was no structured government in Arat at the time, let alone further west of it. Scouts said it was much like Quala when I first found it. By the time I settled Arat and pushed its borders westward, there was the newly formed Felkan Kingdom along with its brand new black powder weapons that I know damn well the gnomes helped them build!”
You’ve never seen the Emperor get so angry before as he explains the situation with the gnomes. His normally calm demeanor has been completely abandoned at this point. You almost feel like you should say something to cool him down, but he continues with his rant which only gets more volatile.
“I have more respect for a single idiotic orc, or a backstabbing svelk than I do for the entire gnome race! They are a cowardly parasitic race of hypocrites that can’t even do their own fucking dirty work! They lie and hide behind other civilizations for protection while subverting it from within. First they used their braver screet brethern, and then they tried to use the Empire, now they’ve got a powerful puppet that is ultimately at their whim. I’ve underestimated them twice already. Once when they served under the Empire, and the second during the Empire-Felkan War where we only fought them to a stalemate. It won’t happen a third time that I can promise you. I guarantee that the Felkan Kingdom WILL lie in ruins for the offenses of their gnomish masters. And as for the gnomes themselves? I’m going to personally make sure they join their screet cousins in extinction!”
The Emperor at this point slams his fist on a nearby table knocking over some of the glass bottles that were on it. The shatter of the glass follows then silence.
You decide it’s your turn to speak.
“If it is your command that they be destroyed then that is what will be, my Emperor. It could not be anything else.” You first say, but you continue. “However, I would have to agree with Jacob that the shadows pose a greater threat. While I have no doubt we could easily destroy the Felkan Kingdom, it would be a strain on our resources if the shadows suddenly decided to go through with their plans. We should eliminate one enemy first; rebuild our losses and then strike at the next enemy. It sounds as if the Felkan Kingdom has a siege like mindset, and won’t actually go on the attack, but will just continue to build up.”
After finishing your dialog, you’re somewhat anxious about what the Emperor’s response is going to be as he composes himself from his previous outburst.
“Heh, well that build up is what concerns me, however I suppose the shadows have been building up even longer than that. (Sigh) Very well we shall move ahead with putting down the shadows first.”
The Emperor turns to you and you are silently thankful that he doesn’t look mad at you for speaking your thought on the matter.
“I suppose it was a good thing I had a new impartial logical mind on the matter. As I have said, I am normally a man who plans things out methodically, but I am perhaps too emotionally invested in my desire to crush the Felkan Kingdom. Thank you for speaking honestly. I shall make the necessary preparations to wipe out the shadows. It won’t be immediate, probably next year. I need to start thinking about how to reorganize internal security before we actually get rid of them, among other things. I need to contact the derro as well since their help on this matter will be vital. In any event, I shall keep you informed since you will be playing an important part in this.”
“I hope so Emperor.” You reply eager to serve as always.
“Tell me son, how would you go about dealing with a potential rebellion?” The Emperor asks you.
“I’d crush the dissidents of course.”
“Yes, of course, but how would you go about doing it? Especially if the rebellion primarily consisted of people who served a vital purpose?”
“Crush them anyway and have them replaced.”
“Heh, what if there is nobody that matches their level of expertise?”
“Then use a competent substitute in the meantime.”
“What if there were also external threats to deal with as well?”
“Try to maintain a defensive position until the internal one is fully dealt with, then move ahead with crushing the outsider threat.”
The Emperor nods at you.
“A simple yet conservative strategy is probably a wise one. The problem is can all things be accomplished within a specific time frame? Anyway, I suppose I should stop being so cryptic. There are basically two problems the Empire has to deal with right now, one being the Shadow Guard and the other being the Felkan Kingdom. As you know Jacob Mol, had a couple of your classmates infiltrate the shadows to see what they’re up to, unfortunately after following up on them, he’s learned nothing of importance, save that he believes they’ve been indoctrinated to be loyal to the shadow god rather than to the Empire. It was a waste of time, money and resources mainly because I already knew the shadows were up to treachery a LONG time ago. I certainly didn’t need Jacob’s grand plan to tell me that.” The Emperor says shaking his head. “The Shadow Guard has actually never displayed any sort of outward disloyalty since the first day their little cult swore to serve the Empire. Naturally at first I was distrustful of them, but as time went on I actually began to believe that they might actually be the most loyal group in the Empire. However, after a couple centuries service, I started to realize that they’d been playing a long game right from the beginning. Of course I play the long game too and I’d made plans also from the beginning to destroy them immediately if they got the courage to ever actually go through with their plans to bring me down.”
“I’m surprised you did not wipe them out when they first displayed signs of treachery.” You remark.
“If I did that to everyone that plotted against me, I’d soon have nothing left to rule! The sad fact is, some of the most efficient and useful types are also the ones that want to see your demise. They keep the unwashed masses in line for the most part who are a lot more numerous and quite frankly a lot more dangerous. Nothing worse than hordes of pissed off peasants who have nothing to lose, because even if you put them down, you’ve effectively destroyed what you’re ruling over in the first place. The shadows have the knack of instilling that fear into the ignorant and it’s been incredibly useful. So useful that’s why I’ve allowed the shadows to go on with their little plot for so long despite the fact Jacob and some of his predecessors have urged me to do something about them, though that time might be coming soon. Just wish the fools didn’t have to force my hand like this when I’d like to get on with destroying those upstart Felkans.”
The Emperor’s tone gets a little angrier sounding when he mentions the Felkans.
“Are they planning to attack us immediately?” you ask.
“Of course not, the whole place is run by gnomes. They’re almost like the shadows in their wait and build up tactics, though a whole lot more devious actually.”
“I thought it was run by a traditional king and queen.”
“Bah, that entire government is nothing more than a puppet state created by the gnomes because they prefer to hide within the walls of other civilizations like the weaklings they are.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t been doing much studying on the gnome race, Emperor. You remark.
“There’s not much to study other than they’re a race of parasites. Some foolishly believe that they’re some sort of relative of the derro, but they aren’t. First off I’d never insult a derro like that. Anyway other than their short height and their penchant for invention, the gnomes couldn’t be anymore different. They’re pacifists for the most part.”
“Doesn’t that make them less of a threat?”
“Just because their pacifists, doesn’t make them any less conniving and sneaky. In fact it just makes them more so, and frauds to boot. Long ago the gnomes actually once served the Empire in a very useful way much like the Shadow Guard do, though it a much different way of course. They loyally served as builders, inventors, advisors and seemed very happy with their lot in life and why not? They enjoyed our protection and everything else we provided for them. This short peaceful race even had me fooled. I mean the shadows? While I briefly thought they might genuinely loyal for a time, I still had a contingency plan for them. The gnomes though, their betrayal came as a surprise. I assume you’ve probably read enough history to know about the Halfling Uprising correct?”
“Yes.”
“Who do you think encouraged it? The Halflings or screets as we called them were basically dim witted yet fiery cousins of the gnomes and again don’t ever suggest any sort of lineage connection between them and the derro. These two races lived side by side. In fact the screet were basically protecting the gnomes from extinction by the orcs before we came along and assimilated the lot of them. I guess you might even say the screet were the doers while the gnomes were the thinkers. Since this was something that worked well for them, I saw no reason to break up their symbiotic relationship and as I said the gnomes seemed to be happy serving the Empire. So it came to a surprise one night when the Empire was suddenly attacked by several thousand screet in key locations. During this uprising gnomes were making their escape. They probably saw that despite their treachery, there was no way their pitiful strategy of taking over was going to work like they planned so they fled before most of them could be brought to justice. Scoured the surrounding countryside for months, but didn’t come up with much and their were more pressing problems in the Empire at the time such as putting down the rest of the screet along with establishing a foothold in Arat and Nalin at the time.”
“So the gnomes took control of the Felkan Kingdom?”
“Took control? They practically built it! There was no structured government in Arat at the time, let alone further west of it. Scouts said it was much like Quala when I first found it. By the time I settled Arat and pushed its borders westward, there was the newly formed Felkan Kingdom along with its brand new black powder weapons that I know damn well the gnomes helped them build!”
You’ve never seen the Emperor get so angry before as he explains the situation with the gnomes. His normally calm demeanor has been completely abandoned at this point. You almost feel like you should say something to cool him down, but he continues with his rant which only gets more volatile.
“I have more respect for a single idiotic orc, or a backstabbing svelk than I do for the entire gnome race! They are a cowardly parasitic race of hypocrites that can’t even do their own fucking dirty work! They lie and hide behind other civilizations for protection while subverting it from within. First they used their braver screet brethern, and then they tried to use the Empire, now they’ve got a powerful puppet that is ultimately at their whim. I’ve underestimated them twice already. Once when they served under the Empire, and the second during the Empire-Felkan War where we only fought them to a stalemate. It won’t happen a third time that I can promise you. I guarantee that the Felkan Kingdom WILL lie in ruins for the offenses of their gnomish masters. And as for the gnomes themselves? I’m going to personally make sure they join their screet cousins in extinction!”
The Emperor at this point slams his fist on a nearby table knocking over some of the glass bottles that were on it. The shatter of the glass follows then silence.
You decide it’s your turn to speak.
“If it is your command that they be destroyed then that is what will be, my Emperor. It could not be anything else.” You first say, but you continue. “However, I would have to agree with Jacob that the shadows pose a greater threat. While I have no doubt we could easily destroy the Felkan Kingdom, it would be a strain on our resources if the shadows suddenly decided to go through with their plans. We should eliminate one enemy first; rebuild our losses and then strike at the next enemy. It sounds as if the Felkan Kingdom has a siege like mindset, and won’t actually go on the attack, but will just continue to build up.”
After finishing your dialog, you’re somewhat anxious about what the Emperor’s response is going to be as he composes himself from his previous outburst.
“Heh, well that build up is what concerns me, however I suppose the shadows have been building up even longer than that. (Sigh) Very well we shall move ahead with putting down the shadows first.”
The Emperor turns to you and you are silently thankful that he doesn’t look mad at you for speaking your thought on the matter.
“I suppose it was a good thing I had a new impartial logical mind on the matter. As I have said, I am normally a man who plans things out methodically, but I am perhaps too emotionally invested in my desire to crush the Felkan Kingdom. Thank you for speaking honestly. I shall make the necessary preparations to wipe out the shadows. It won’t be immediate, probably next year. I need to start thinking about how to reorganize internal security before we actually get rid of them, among other things. I need to contact the derro as well since their help on this matter will be vital. In any event, I shall keep you informed since you will be playing an important part in this.”
“I hope so Emperor.” You reply eager to serve as always.