Following the raising of the Vertani fortress in the Dardanic
grasslands, several Vertani diplomats were sighted visiting the leaders
and elders of Achaean villages. The mayor of Thera, Constantine the
jeweller in Tasur'ke, Shanugis of Shastaan, and Vukub in the Dun
Fortress were among those who received diplomatic envoys from the
foreign giants.

Most noteworthy was the visit paid by Vorr of House Cupwr to the desert
oasis of El'Jazira. Upon learning from the Sheik that the El'Jazirans
often suffered from a lack of water, Vorr offered the services of
Vertani engineers and labourers in building an aqueduct. The Sheik
gladly accepted this generous gift, and his secretary Jardon announced
the news to all Achaea on the public newsboard, singing the praises of
the Vertani and pledging to them the El'Jazirans' friendship.

As promised, Vertani labourers were soon seen constructing an aqueduct
from the Pachacacha river to El'Jazira, overseen by engineers from House
Cupwr. Scarcely a month had passed, however, before the bulk of the
labourers were found slain by a Sentaari monk named Muteps and a Shaman
named Pantalaimon. Muteps slew thirteen of the labourers, and
Pantalaimon slew one. The remaining Vertani fled back to the fortress,
construction of the aqueduct halted. Both the El'Jazirans and the
Vertani publicly denounced the actions of the monk and the shaman,
calling for their executions. In shame, Muteps left his city and guild
to attempt to deflect any blame from being cast upon them.

In an unexpected move, the Tyrannus of Mhaldor Khoraji offered sanctuary
for the El'Jazirans in his island city. This was refused by El'Jazira as
Mhaldor's Minister of Security, Cain, had slain several Vertani
unprovoked in Saoghal. Insulted by the tone of the refusal, Khoraji
responded with a massacre of the El'Jazirans. In response, El'Jazira
declared themselves hostile to all citizens of Mhaldor, demanding that
they cast Khoraji from the city.

At the request of the Sheik of El'Jazira, the Vertani constructed a
fortress in El'Jazira similar to the one they had built in the Dardanic
grasslands so that they might help defend the village from Mhaldorians
and other village enemies. Carmell, who had previously been a friend to
the Vertani, had recently joined Mhaldor. When she wandered into them in
El'Jazira along with the Tanjinn monk Mado, the Vertani slew them both
for their trespass.

Soon after, a sizeable force from Mhaldor consisting of Khoraji, Tyn,
Tiamat, Mado, Seraphi, Herenicus, Morthif, Firey, Ramoor, Radagast,
Tsara, Cooper, Zephyros, Kalseru, Karlios, Halios, and others descended
upon the oasis to meet in combat with the Vertani guards and mages
stationed there. Despite suffering grave casualties, the Mhaldorians
managed to slaughter every last one.

Undeterred, the Vertani later sent out many more guards and mages, led
by two Vertani commanders and a Vertani general named Luftyr. The troops
appeared out of the fortress in the grasslands and marched off to
El'Jazira, slaying Karlios, an Apostate of Mhaldor, whom they
encountered in their path. A small party from Mhaldor formed, consisting
of Cain, Proficy, Rameus, Luggs, Seraphi, Halios, and others intent on
ridding the desert oasis of the Vertani. Though they were able to take
down several of the Vertani, they found that they were outnumbered by
the several dozen mages and guards now patrolling there. Despite keeping
to hit and run techniques, they suffered many losses and were forced to
withdraw from El'Jazira for the time being.


Penned by my hand on the 7th of Aeguary, in the year 381 AF.