The Travel Journal of XiaXhuxi Qwelleran

#### **Entry 1**

As the 17th brother of the K'elle'Han I am deeply moved to receive news of a mission being given to my by my esteemed Borther, the K'elle'Han, greatest among Hans and Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire. Though my memories of the steppe are obscured by the mist of childhood, my heart still lies with the Orde. My studies at the high court of the Celestial Empress, have bestowed upon me many wisdom which will not doubt be useful in the Diplomatic mission. One question merely perplexes me, why shall I Visit the Twin Cities trough the Pass of Senya and land of the Nhi'Orde rather than trough the much safer route from Ting Daodao?

#### **Entry 2**

Being used to Celestial horses it feels odd and foreign to once more sit upon a Tnz'qran mount. While these horses lack the dignity and Grace of their celestial cousins they make up for it with speed and endurance. Still being a famed rider and even winning Jousting competitions in Yoxi Danan, it is more than disheartening to see myself be beyond mediocre among my fellow Tnz'aran peoples.

Still I have been assigned by my beloved brother a retinue of 1000 men on top of the 150 personal guard the Celestial Empress bestowed upon me to guarantee the safety of the gifts we are bringing and me.

#### **Entry 3**

As always rumors float around of my name having been changed by the Empress to a Celestial one, but I do not let them bother me. My esteemed father gave me in the rising of the Celestial Court knowingly, their decisions stand as his.

The land of the Nhi'Orde is rather odd compared to that of the K'elle. Unlike the wreched Hte'Orde reduced to a mere shadow of itself the Nhi'Orde is a powerful subject still adherent to the old ways, though not affraid to innovate. They readily use Itzakodomo (Children of Itza) relics, as well as Dwarven mounts for mountain travel. It is said mounts I need to negotiate for if we wish to pass the Senya Pass successfully.

#### **Entry 4**

In spite of his allegiance to the K'elle'Han the Nhi'Han seems not willing to part with over a 1000 Dwarven Wargoats without compensation. Such behavior would be punishable by death at the celestial court, but the customs of my homeland permit it. A 1000 Tnz'qran Horses and 300 Celestial Steed shall be given in exchange along 10 000 Coins of transparent glass.

Training my men to raid goats, was though an arduous task. Having ridden various mounts unlike them I adapted fast. For once inspiring awe.

#### **Entry 5**

Another 40 000 clear pieces of glass needed to be paid to the tribe of Litreza, so we may acquire their protection while passing trough Itzakodomo land. Protection we would soon find out we dearly need as more than 4 battles with Itzakodomo would follow before we would reach the Twin Cities. A prize of 40 000 Clear Glass pieces while seemingly high was fair as all my private men lost were replaces by those of Litreza as such Under my command I have now 94 Celestials, 700 Raiders and 386 Litrezans.

#### **Entry 6**

The Twin Cities are truly marbles to behold. Two lone peaks entirely carved into cities connected to each other and other mountains by bridges to grand the God's must have constructed them. As by custom first we visited Qian (even though Dou was closer) to pay respects to the younger Twin, then Dou to pay respects to the older twin. By roll of dice it was decided that the diplomatic meeting shall be in Qian as such we returned there.

#### **Entry 7**

It was in Qian that it was revealed to me that my most honorable brother wished for the backing of the Twin Rulers of the Twincities in his claim for the Celestial throne, and also to circumvent their alliance with the Nhi'Orda when it came to trade. Such wish was to be cemented by marriage and in marriage I was offered a daughter of the Ruler of Dao. Offering a first princess of a Kingdom to the 24th in line to an Orde would normally be a generous act, but as per my knowledge of Oni culture it was an insult.
As Princess Nou Hennel, was an only child. Oni always bear twins, one who is born alone is said to have eaten their twin and live with the stigma of fraternicide and cannibalism since birth. Upon me bringing that up the meeting was hastily ended.

#### **Entry 8**

My action luckily was not seen as an insult, and a 2nd meeting in Dou of me alone with the Elder brother was arranged. It is there where I was informed that, as much as I know of Oni custom they know of human custom and that to be born alone is not a reason for shame among us. I felt deeply ashamed to have hurt the Princess with my unkind words, and should have assumed this consideration to have been taken. Apologizing profusely I was permitted, to talk to the Princess on my own and only under her blessing would the pact be renewed.

#### **Entry 9**

The next day I chose to understand the city before moving on. Man, elf, moleman, dwarf and oni all living here trading and bartering for goods. The Twincities truly are a miracle, only here Itzakodomo Artifacts can be found readily sold, only here can the Rare Bettribulb be considered an item of food. As many people's as this place as many it has Gods. Moleman Effiges, stand alongside statues of the Holy Lions overseeing temples to the Red Dragon while Preachers devotees of Gloria-Etalia spread their messages on those same streets.

#### **Entry 10**

Having prepared appropriate gifts and apologies I was finally invited to the lonely mansion of the Princess. Where most oni dignitaries I met had also Oni servants, the princess had none. She truly was lonesome.

We talked and I apologized, but she was hesitant to accept as I had deeply hurt her heart. I was about to leave, when by the Grace of a Divine Lions an idea came to my mind. I was no grand mage, but the Battle with the East's Heavy Eater being recent I took on to learn the basics of bardic arts.

Apparently the Princess not being aware of them she wished for a demonstration and after the demonstration she wished to learn.

#### **Entry 11**

For months now I have been visiting the Princess, I long taught her all I can, but she refuses to accept the offer always promising to do so when I come again. She is a mischievous one, but a more talented bard than I met in the highest Celestial courts.

#### **Entry 12**

Finally she agreed, as I learned why she waited. She prepared a song with all that she had learned and enchanting display of magic it was. In happiness I hugged her, which might have not been an appropriate act, but she excused it and had her servants leave. Slowly leaning over she removed a veil from her head, I was to rub her horns an Oni ritual signifying that we shall be wed. And so I did, then I gave her an untied rope and equivalent gesture among us Tnz'qran. \*though usually the mother of the bride does that)

The wedding was happy, in a temple to the Lions, my mission a grand sucess I was to now return to the K'elle'orde.

#### **Adendum**

This is not an entry merely an expression of anger. The Celestial Empress, that vile wench full of anger. Set her assassins attacking us at the Senya Pass our protectors were slaughtered and so was most our retinue. I lost a leg, and nearly my Princess too. Though I've slain an imperial assassin a deed rare to one untrained in martial arts. Only thanks to Oni Guards tailing us we survived. With only 300 guards left, we quickly passed the land of the Nhi'Han suspicious of him to return to my brother.

He asked me if I wish to discard my Celestial name and I said "No Brother.". If one opposing her is one she granted a name it will be to the Celestial Wench a much bigger bother. There my bother recoiled at my vile words, before sending away his men and laughing aloud.

My men would stay mine and I was granted title of Horselord. I am now an advisor to my brother. And my wife is still mine and will be forever.

> Metanote

XiaXhui still lives as an advisor to his brother, as well as a diplomat. He managed to keep relations with the Eta'Orde relatively stable preventing all out war. Though Oni bearing children is rare, his wife has been blessed with Pregnancy, something both dearly prayed for. Both are always on the look-out for Celestial Assassins.