After being sent by the temple and the guard to establish diplomatic ties with the independent Holy Order of Cyndarr and its leader, Lady Raptor, Priestess Sarah Nejem returned with a memory crystal containing their talk and the essential information about the various Caste Leaders of the First Kingdom. Below are the contents of her transcript and what was stored in the memory crystal she used:
[09:26] Raptor would seem to quirk her brow at being compared to the feline, though the angel notably doesn't disagree with that, pausing for a long moment, before giving a soft sigh. "Understand... The reason I am, perhaps, easily agitated on the subject of the first kingdom, is because they have been an enemy to me for a very long time. I have watched them consume many kingdoms who were confident in their power in the past, and I loath the thought of seeing it happen once again. If anything, I just want to hear Lismore be ready to admit how unprepared it is to face off against it's new enemy. At least, how unprepared it is for the time being."
[09:30] Sarah Nejem nods in understanding "I understand. And I think we all know that we need the help and support. I would not be here right now if that was not the case. As I said, I think it was merely getting off on the wrong paw, and that is why we d like to put that behind us and start again. So far we do not know much about that First Kingdom. We may have identified one leader though, due to what happened witht he kidnapping of prince Ramuhn, and with one of our infiltrators meeting the very same man in person. What do you know about a Lord Rime?"
[09:36] Raptor would incline her head for some time at Sarah's words, before she speaks... "I hope you are right about that." She says, on the matter of just having gotten off on the wrong foot, before she moves to sit on the edge of the desk, folding her arms one over the other, and speaking... "He leads the Mystic Caste, which makes him the First Kingdom's authority on magic. As with most of the other caste leaders, he has a reputation for being ruthless and efficient."
[09:40] Sarah Nejem looks quite worried. "To think we had that man as a guest n our hotel... an archmage of such power, near the children and the servants. I am glad nothing happened, but... we really need to put out warrants for these people, and inform as many about them as possible. I hope we can work together on this. Our temple forces and the heavenly host led by Archangel Anzhelina is willing to cooperate with your oder, Lady Raptor. I am here to build the first bridges, so to say, so that when we agree to a joint operation, you can then form a war council with our angel commanders and of course Lady Solis of the Lismorean guard, who is also a paladin of my faith."
[09:44] Raptor would seem to ponder on that for a long moment, before she speaks.. "I'm.... Willing to share information, Sarah. I do not know if it is a good idea for our forces to cooperate closely. While I have no wish to see your empire destroyed, I will freely admit that we find many of Lismore's accepted customs to be rather... Blasphemous." She says, bluntly, before speaking... "But before you go, I would at least like to make sure you return with the basic knowledge that our people should know. Do you know of any caste leaders but Rime, and do you know anything of the caste organization yet? Do you know what sits upon the throne of their kingdom?"
[09:48] Sarah Nejem shakes her head "No, so far only this Rime has shown himself openly here in Lismore, and was identified as a leader. Probably made easier by the fact he seems to be a pretentious bastard, if you forgive me my choice of words." The priestess smiles then. "We are grateful for any and all information you can provide on their hierarchy and structure, and of course on that ominous god they want to kill us for in his name."
[09:55] Raptor gives her head a brief nod at that, before she speaks. "The castes largely work in tiers, although in many cases there are one or more castes held in the same esteem. At the bottom are the Broken and Worker castes, both overseen by the First Kingdom's 'Lord Overseer', Mordecai Laroux. These castes more or less encompass the first kingdom's slaves, prisoners, and low-ranking workers. The people in them, asides from the caste's ranking members, are treated universally as slaves or at worst, as inanimate objects that may be abused as one sees fit."
[09:57] Sarah Nejem pulls out a memory crystal and activates it to store all the information inside of it. "While we have those social layers too, we do not call them castes. But yes, slavery and abuse is sadly not unknown to us either. I d have been surprised if that First Kingdom did not have something similar."
[10:03] Raptor gives her head a nod, as she speaks... "I imagine you have them, but I have my doubt that they're such an integral part of life. You are not just less prominant than one who ranks above you in their society, you are by all counts considered a lesser being entirely." She says, before continuing... "The untamed caste is where most of the First Kingdom's more... Feral, less reasoned creatures and individuals are. Until a few months ago, the untamed caste was lead by a sentient, quadrepedal dragon named Vindicta, but it is our understanding that his beta has slain him and succeeded him. We do not know who the new Alpha of the untamed caste is, just yet."
[10:06] Sarah Nejem listens quietly, then sighs. "Ah, is that method of promotion common there? By replacing the former leader with yourself by backstabbing him or her? Despicable really, but I know some society work that way."
[10:12] Raptor would give her head a shake, as she speaks... "Surprisingly, no. To my knowledge, only the untamed caste functions that way. For all other castes, the leader is chosen by their king, and that judgement is questioned by no-one." She says, before continuing... "The warrior caste is headed by one named Warlord Deimos. It probably goes without saying that he is one of the First Kingdom's most gifted military leaders. The Warrior Caste is largely responsible for the organization and direction of the kingdom's forces. It's second-in-command, titled General, was slain recently.." she pauses, to give a hint of a smirk, as she adds, "By me. But I understand that a knight named Fissure is the 'early favorite' to assume this role."
[10:16] Sarah Nejem would pat the memory crystal as it soaks up all the data. "This is all very helpful! Now we get a better picture of what we are up against. It seems they are really well organized. While we do have some institutions and leader figures overseeing certain aspects of life, it is not as clear cut as there. Hm... you know, I think it is truly a shame that they are blind zealots and morally broken. I am sure we could have learned much from each other." She wags her tail then. "I am a pacifist, dedicated to life and healing, so I cannot really congratulate you on this, but you have our gratitude for removing that threat to our life, Lady Raptor."
[10:22] Raptor gives her head a brief nod, as she speaks... "IF it were not for them, Sarah, we might have turned out much like you. But it is the will of Cyndarr that we take blade to these First Kingdom heretics. And I believe at the end of our meeting, you will understand why. Next is the Mystic caste, but I will spare the details since we have already spoken of them here. Near the summit of their society is the Spiritual Caste, those who spread and... Enforce faith in their god-king. The leader of the spiritual caste holds the title of, insultingly enough, 'saint.' The last 'saint' recently died in a sacrificial ritual, his replacement is not known at this time. Serving under the Saint is Archdeacon Javier Triste. Despite the spiritual nature of this caste, Sarah, it's members are some of the last people in the First Kingdom you would wish to underestimate. Their members are often powerfully gifted priests of unholy magic, and even when not, serve as unbelievably powerful rallying figures to their armies."
[10:27] Sarah Nejem nods softly "I understand the need for the sword, Lady Raptor. I wish it were not needed, but sometimes there is only force left to stem against the tide. That is why there is usually two branches within a faith. Like it is with Lady Solis and myself. I am the gentle touch, while she is the armored fist." About the Spiritual Caste she d comment with some sadness in her voice "I dont fear their culture or prayers, but I fear what they do in the name of their god."
[10:30] Raptor gives her head a nod, as she speaks... "It is certainly not their religion you should fear, but instead the hands that cary out that will." She says, before continuing... "At the very top is the ruling caste. The ruling caste coordinates the upper echelons of the First Kingdom's resources and people, and it's High Lord, a creature or person i'm sad to say we know little about, is named Ahlrick. All we know is that he speaks to their king often to hear his directions and instructions, and it is then his job to ensure that orders are distributed appropriately to accomplish those goals."
[10:31] Sarah Nejem chuckles a bit "Ah, church and nobility, standing at the top next to the throne. Now that is something that sounds familiar. The old world had a few kingdoms like that."
[10:37] Raptor would incline her head at that, since she wasn't familiar with the old world, but she'd make note of that either way, before finally speaking... "I'm afraid the final question was a sincere one... We know very, very little of the figure that sits upon our throne. Only that the Caste Leaders alone speak to it, and that it is a creature of incredible power and influence." She says, before slowly walking her way over to the sword-bearing statue, resting a hand against it, and closing her eyes as she speaks... "And that our Lord wishes nothing more than for it to be destroyed."
