While it's entirely possibly that you'd come out of this thing alive, (You've certainly been through worse) there's little guarantee that anyone else will. If you're going to keep your "rescuers" alive, you'll need to be unhindered.

"What're you doing?!" Jennifer asks as you leap on a horse.
"I'm getting off this thing, and I suggest if you don't want to be a big target you will too, there's another horse here, jump on it and we'll unhitch the wagon!"

Sensing that you're going to do this whether she likes it or not, she realizes that she doesn't really have a choice. She jumps on a horse and you take your sword and cut the harness. You tell Jennifer that she should order everyone else to concentrate their gunfire to the left.

"Where are you going now?!"
"I'm going to take care of the ones on the right!" you shout and ride in their direction.

The orcs are so agitated about you heading directly towards them, they practically stop focusing on the caravan and begin firing arrows at you. Of course you anticipated such a thing and cast a shield to protect you and your horse. With your other hand you spray a cone of cold on the orcs closest to you, freezing them quite literally in their tracks.

This feat of magic is enough to cause the orcs to attempt to rear up their boars and change direction back towards attacking the caravan. Others are undeterred and continue to head toward you with large weapons in hand. You aim your next spell at their boars, which consists of a couple fire blasts. The pigs go up in a blaze and soon so do their riders who end up dropping their weapons in an attempt to beat out the flames.

You turn your attention at the orcs who decided to attack the caravan instead. At first glance the expedition crew have held their own fairly well considering none of them seem to be warriors and they seem to have fended off most of the orcs on the left side. However you see orcs getting the best of a couple of them when they close the gap and begin jumping onto the wagons.

You ride back to the caravan and put your own combat skills good use. Orcs may be fierce and unrelenting fighters sometimes, but without the heavy armor that you remember they used to wear for the Empire, they get killed as easily as anyone else if you're skilled enough, and you're more than skilled enough. As you battle the orcs, the remaining expedition crew tries to help, though you're nearly shot a couple of times in the process. You end up yelling at them to stop "helping" you before you start firing at them with something a lot more accurate.

Soon after you've killed your last orc after hopping from wagon to wagon, you hear Jennifer shouts to everyone that you've won and the rest have rode off. The caravan stops for a moment to take some time to clean up dead bodies on the wagons, and gather up any equipment that fell off during the fight.

Jennifer comes up to you as you're cleaning off your own sword.

"Well that was exciting to see a real Eternal in action! I knew we were going to be safe with you!"
"Hmm, yeah well I almost wasn't safe with your people, because I nearly got shot a couple times!"
"Yeah, sorry about that. Fear of the orcs actually on the wagons was probably causing higher nervousness than usual."
"You should get some soldiers on these trips. Then at least you'd have some people who actually know how to fight when things get a little close."
"We do have soldiers, can't you tell by the uniforms?"

Honestly you hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that several of the people on this expedition crew do have similar outfits. It's just regular clothing though, none of it is proper armor, light or heavy. You also now notice that the firearms are much different too, namely they can fire multiple shots before being reloaded. A very handy improvement indeed.

You realize that time has definitely marched on, it would seem that shooting someone with a rifle or pistol is the order of the day. Not much use for the old armor if that's indeed the case. Still, you're also reminded of the Felkans and their over reliance of such weapons. It would seem the Nalin Republic has the same technological disease. And these people are the supposed "successors" of the Empire.

"Guns." You say shaking your head.
"What's wrong with guns? You don't think they're honorable or something?" Jennifer asks.
"No, I believe they are very useful and it would be foolish to not employ such weapons of fantastic destruction during battle and war. I just have a problem with the reliance of them in place of natural combat skill, because one day you're going to run out of bullets and then you see who the real soldier is."
"How is using a gun any different from casting down lightning from your fingers or throwing fireballs around?"
"It isn't in the scheme of things. I just said I don't have a problem with gunpowder weapons. However you also noticed I didn't just toss around magic like I had unlimited energy either. I used it when it was needed and engaged in close combat for the rest of them. I could've easily just rained down a firestorm and wiped out all of the orcs, but that would've taken out the caravan too. Something I'm sure nobody wanted. The Empire used firearms AND magic during the Felkan War, but individually the soldiers were still some of the toughest warriors you'd ever want to face. The Felkans soon learned that fatal fact. Perhaps if their soldiers still had the formidable close combat skills of an Empire soldier, they might not have lost so many battle when physical prowess was needed."

Jennifer doesn't debate your views or experience, she just thanks you again for your help and you're soon underway. The rest of the journey is relatively silent.

Eventually you arrive in the Nalin Republic. The landscape here is more like you remember, though it isn't until you get towards the capital of Dalt that you start seeing a resemblance to civilization, but even that's different when it comes to the architecture and such. You get a few stares from passing citizens.

Jennifer and you disembark from the wagons when you arrive at Quintus' house, or rather his very large mansion, which has guards posted at the gates. Honestly it's the closest thing resembling the Empire you've seen since you got here.

"You wait here, I'll have to speak with Quintus about all this first. While I'm sure he'll really want to see you, there is protocol to follow."
"Sure, do whatever it is you have to do, I'm not going anywhere, but who is this Quintus anyway?"
"Quintus Arillicus is one of the most influential leaders in the senate and as I've already mentioned an admirer of old Empire history, but he'll tell you more when you meet him."

As Jennifer walks through the gates, you're left standing around with a few guards who give you the stares that you've come to expect from everyone. You wait for about ten minutes before you begin to wonder why you're even entertaining this again.

Then you remember, it's because you don't have much else to do right now. Though you're wondering what place you're going to have in this new world. You imagine that maybe you could be a soldier again though it doesn't look like there's a war going on. Doesn't even look like this place is suffering from any discontent from the citizens, but then looks can be deceiving.

Jennifer eventually comes back to the front gate and waves to come with her.

"You can come in now. Quintus is very excited to see you!"

At this point this Quintus better be just as impressive, because from what little you know of this guy, you're not nearly as excited to see him.

You and Jennifer walk into the mansion and while it's certainly fancy and has a design style similar to Empire architecture, it isn't nearly as extraordinary as the first time you saw the Emperor's palace. Of course you're a harder sell from those old days. Jennifer and you enter what is apparently a conference room. She says that he shouldn't be long and you both take a seat at the table.

Soon a middle-aged man walks into the room with some guards, but he dismisses them at the door so that you three can be alone. He's dressed in an older style suit that looks more like those you remember Empire bureaucrats wearing and carries a staff of some sort with him. He also wears several rings. You sense that they all might be magical.

Either way you fail to be impressed, just as you suspected you would be. Quintus on the other hand, now that he sees you in person, he's very impressed.

"I never believed in all these years…all the digging…all the research…everything. And none of what I've found compares to this! Yes! This is indeed a glorious day! A real live Eternal! Not just any Eternal either, but the one who served the Emperor himself!" Quintus exclaims as he sits down across from you.

"Now let me stop you right there. I know you're all excited and shit, but for me this is going into unknown territory. Possibly even enemy territory. I have no idea WHAT exactly you want with me. I'm going to tell you right now though if you're thinking of putting me in some sort of museum or some weird aristocratic version of a sideshow like they have at the fairs peasants go to you better get that idea out of your head right now."

Jennifer tries to temper your words, but Quintus raises his hands as if no offense was taken.

"It's alright. Our Eternal friend is quite right to be suspicious of me, but I can honestly tell him there is no reason for him to be because I think my goals will fit his honorable ideals. I'm still sure there is much he wants to know and questions that he has, but I will say that it is my hope that he and I will change history together!"

Quintus and Jennifer try to get you fully up to speed on everything first…

The Cataclysm (Fall of Civilization)

One of the first questions you ask is to be caught up to speed on what the current situation is on the land. Jennifer fills you in on most of this topic though Quintus interjects when it comes to more political matters on the subject.

Jennifer starts off by stating that the cataclysm that destroyed the Empire not only led to a dark age, but as you might've been able to tell it changed the very landscape. Quala, which was once the heartland of the Empire, is now a wasteland. She mentions that besides the numerous orc tribes that live there, the place is also home for outlaw types.

Quintus remarks that the Nalin Republic has made a bit of an attempt to tame the southern most portion of it along the borders and says that he would like it to do more, but then complains that his hands are tied due to pacifistic fools in the senate.

Jennifer tells you Delerg got it even worse than Quala as most of the land just fell into the ocean! Delerg consists little more as an archipelago though a small portion of it is still attached to the mainland. She says there are rumors of horrors that were awakened and now dwell on several of the islands, but the main danger is that the place is now a haven for pirates.

Quintus remarks that the Nalin navy has problems dealing with them on their eastern coast. Again, he'd like to do more about it, but once again most of the senate claims it isn't in the budget and is thinking about dismantling the navy altogether.

When you ask about Rask, Jennifer states that there isn't too much to tell other than wilderness has reclaimed most of it. She says all that's known is that it's now infested with orcs, ogres, giants and worse. There are rumors of a warrior "guild" of some sort, but she can't imagine that they'd be sane living in such a hostile environment.

Quintus doesn't have much to add other than he's sent a few adventurer types up there to explore, but none of them have come back alive. He'd like to send a full expedition up there, but he barely gets approval from the senate about the one he sends to dig up the Quala Badlands. You're sensing a pattern here…

Jennifer next moves on to the more "civilized" areas of what once was the old Empire. She uses the term loosely though.

Arat is fairly lawless though it currently consists of six city-states which supposedly have an agreement of mutual protection (The Arat Alliance, but in practice they're all out for themselves or at the very least concerned with their own problems. In some cases that means attempting to gain control over the rest. Particularly Lenay, which is the most powerful of the cities and is run by svelk.

You interrupt Jennifer.

"Excuse me? Svelk? They finally managed to settle down?"
"Oh yes, for quite a while now. Sovereign Eldolith has been running it for…"
"Wait, Eldolith?!" you interrupt again.
"Yes, do you know her?"
"We were acquainted. She was only a mercenary captain when I knew her." You answer.
"Interesting…well she's come a long way from a simple leader of mercenaries. She's currently ruling Lenay unopposed and has influence over those weak willed idiots in Atinil and the criminal dominated Valizza." Quintus interjects. "As you might expect the svelk treat the non-svelk little better than slaves, if they aren't already."

Quintus goes on to tell you that he's been warning the senate that having a strong unified svelk dominated power nearby would not be a good thing, but as usual his warnings are mostly going unheard. He says that at the very least there should be steps to support more independence amongst the cities if only to keep Eldolith from gaining more power. He says one of the cities, Regnik is fairly friendly towards the republic and basically the most reliable source of information of what's going on in the region.

Telis is the most isolationist of the bunch, but at least it isn't under the influence of Eldolith. Not much is known about it save that it seems to be very well defended.

The last city is Zo. Though Zo is currently in such dire straits that the six cities may soon become known as the five cities. Zo constantly suffers attacks from orcs. How it remains standing is certainly a testament to its citizens' resolve, but if the frequency of the attacks keep going the way they are, it won't matter how stalwart the citizens are.

Jennifer finally comes to what was the newest edition to the Empire during your time, the territory consisting of the Felkan Kingdom. Jennifer says that it mostly consists of small hamlets and even a few towns, but none of them are united like a nation or even as big as one of the six cities of Arat. There is one small nation though that calls itself the Red Cap Kingdom.

The Red Cap Kingdom is a small nation of militant gnomes. Only gnomes live within its borders and they are fiercely independent and hostile to anyone who isn't a gnome. They are extremely well defended too and probably the most technologically advanced. They call themselves the Red Caps due to being so merciless in battle that they supposedly dip their hats into the blood of their fallen enemies.

"Bloodthirsty gnomes…now I've heard everything…" you say nearly laughing. "Well considering all that happened to them, I can't say I'd blame them for abandoning their pacifism. Always knew we didn't get all of them. Surprised they came back to the area though."

Jennifer is a bit confused by your statement, obviously not really knowing the whole story, though Quintus seems a little more up on the topic.

"My dear Miss Mol, during the time of the Empire, the Felkan Kingdom was secretly run by gnomes who did everything in their power to destroy the Empire. Gnomes as you might imagine were specifically targeted to ensure the safety of the Empire." Quintus explains to Jennifer.
"Yeah…something like that. Though to be quite honest I believe the Emperor just really hated gnomes. He explained his reasons, but I always thought there might be another deeper personal motive. In any case never did learn it, and I didn't need to. His will was mine and I followed orders." You remark. This causes an outburst by Quintus who bangs his fist on the table startling Jennifer.
"You see that Miss Mol!? Utter dedication! A ruler gave orders and his soldiers carried them out! This why I wish the old Empire still existed! Shit got done back in those days!"

Considering how much Quintus bitches about the senate he's certainly right about the Empire getting shit done. Jennifer continues.

"Well the gnomes may have re-entered the area due to being on the run from the other new nation that has reportedly arrived in the area, the Xi Hive."
"Now who the hell are they?!" you ask.
"A great danger if the sources are even only half correct." Quintus interjects. "And a perfect reason for the senate to get their shit together, but will they listen? No of course not! I just get accusations of being a warmongering troublemaker when in fact I'm trying to save all of their ungrateful asses!" Quintus shouts causing you and Jennifer and you to stare at him.

Quintus hasn't really told you what his goals are yet and what role you might play in them, but you can already make a good guess at what one of them might be.

"Sorry. Please continue explaining the Xi Hive to our guest, Miss Mol." Quintus says.
"So, the Xi Hive is apparently ruled by a race of insectoid creatures. Almost ant like in nature, they're probably even directed by a queen. They don't really have any proper settlements. We think they might be primarily subterranean, but that doesn't stop them from attacking the humble villages that are on the surface. They don't leave anyone alive and take survivors as captives; presumably underground where I can only guess they might eat or enslave them. They haven't attacked any of the major powers yet like the Red Cap Kingdom or one of the six cities, but they have been slowly moving east, so it's only a matter of time."

You sit there taking all of this in. Orcs running amok, a new gnome nation, united svelk, ant people…and you haven't even heard the whole sad story on the Nalin Republic yet.

"Tell me something is there ANYTHING that didn't go to fucking hell when the Empire fell?" you ask.

Quintus and Jennifer aren't sure how to respond. They think for a moment and then Quintus thinks of something.

"Um…before the cataclysm, Empire was in the process with wiping up gnoll rabble on its western borders wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, they must've never recovered from it, because there hasn't been a gnoll seen in nearly five centuries!"
"Gee…well thank the Empire for small victories." You say shaking your head with your hand on your forehead.