Mar'dy decided to travel back to Kureta with the beetles, he had to set up his newest enterprise, Kureta Ranches. He was quite giddy in his step, 'the prices these beetles will go for' he thought. And all they needed to grow was water, minerals and the sun. Kureta had 70,000 sq km of water, minerals and the sun. No natural predators, open rocky space just like they would be used to.
As he lead the caravan, sitting on the horns of the alpha male beetle, they came across the most peculiar gathering. Perhaps two dozen Deva, those four armed traders that visited Sentenza every once in a while. He hopped off and decided to talk to them.
"Good evening, Deva friends."
"Yes, good evening." one of them said hurriedly, then turned to the others. "I'm telling you, you can't go back. Its a madhouse up there. I'm urging you to stay in Sentenza for the time being, you are wasting your time going back."
One of the traders, probably heading back to Arsenal for Sentenza argued, "Listen, what you are telling me is that they are purging fleshchanged. Why should I care? I'm not a flesh changed! I've got cargo to deliver, I'll lose a pretty big investment if I don't."
"They aren't just purging fleshchanged, they are purging others along with them. The grand magistrate had riots calling for her resignation as we were leaving, who knows how bad it will be now."
"I'm sure they have a way to tell the fleshchanged apart."
"They stick a mirror in front of you! Thats it! It's madness!" The Deva yelled.
"Maybe you are a fleshchanged then, huh! Maybe thats why you are running away. I don't care, I'm heading back." the trader scoffed.
"I tried to warn you, I really did." the first Deva concluded. The two groups departed, the traders heading north, the others heading south.
Waiting until the traders were far away and out of earshot, Mar'dy asked the travelling group "I did overhear your conversation, can you explain it to me?" Mar'dy asked. The Deva explained as much as he knew to Mar'dy, and Mar'dy figured from the things he said that a good number of them in front of him were fleshchanged, or their children and spouses.
Note these guys left really early in the Deva inquisition. The grand magistrate was not even attacked yet.
"Well this is certainly troubling. I will do my best to help you." Mar'dy concluded. Seeing Mar'dy's extravagant attire made the Deva light up. "You are free obviously to continue to Sentenza, but I may be able to make you a better deal than you will get there. What was your occupation before?"
The Deva each introduced themselves, miners, prospectors, metalsmiths, alloyers, and a single basket weaver. "I will provide you with housing food and wages, provided you come and work for me. I've been having some trouble getting a metal industry started, I'm sure your experience will be valuable. It will be hard honest work, but you can build yourself a real future with me in Kureta." The group agreed, and the Saule helped each of the Deva children on the beetle horns. As they neared Kureta, Mar'dy stationed five of the Flora warriors on the trade route to keep a lookout for more Deva. They were told to make the same offer to any that wanted it and to show them the way to Kureta. But also to use discretion and ignore traders and dignitaries.
When he finally arrived in Kureta, he sent a messenger to the High Council of Sentenza.
*Greeting High Council,
I bring you urgent news and ask for your counsel and action. I have stumbled upon several Deva, claiming there is a persecution and societal collapse in Arsenal. I have taken them in to Kureta, please let me know what actions would be best suited for the Republic.
Post Script: These individuals seem to be of the people that is currently being purged. I ask for your confidentiality regarding my harboring of them.
Signed, Mar'dy Kist*
He handed the letter to the messenger.
"Shit. I left my cape in Sentenza." The messenger was already a speck in the distance. "Ugh, and it was such a nice cape,"
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[–] NobleParadox ago (edited ago)
The High Council saw a dilemma. It was right to help these refugees, but to harbour them risks catching the eye of the Deva. They sent the letter back, bundled in the cape, with a command inscribed on the bottom.
Burn this Letter, send a new one asking to settle Devite immigrants, and it will be accepted. We do not know of how they arrived, only that they did.
[–] Arotaes_Forgehammer ago
I think this is overstepping your domain a bit.
[–] Dumb_Comment_Bot [S] ago
Fair enough, I do have Deva characters, what would you like different?
[–] Arotaes_Forgehammer 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Ill let it slide this time but run it by me next time.
[–] Dumb_Comment_Bot [S] ago
@nobleparadox