The Eastward Pact

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**The Eastward Pact** was a series of meetings and events that transpired during 1275 A.K. between multiple factions of Khanduras and their contemporary regions, resulting in a number of political fruitions, including the forging of the Volonte Fellowship and the negotiations of ending the Brennor Crisis to bring about the stabilization of civil order. Simultaneously, the belligerents of House Rankine remained unaware of the depth of convention.

The name is derived by Aranoch's nonpartisan intervention into the civil conflict, organized by multiple political figures, which became instrumental in deescalating the conflict due to arbitrators facilitation a process of reunification, a sentiment heavily bestowed and incited by the monarchs of the Western Kingdoms. Many of the important meetings were held in the palace of Lut Gholein. Major players included Sultan Jerhyn, Ikeda Cao, Alec Kylar and Sir Rasoul, each with their own reasons for seeking to dispose of the two leader of each faction of House Rankine.

## Prelude

Those involved:

* Rhyia Segovia
* Maria Johann
* Tarja
* Ikeda Cao
* Alec Kylar
* Katheryne Sévérine
* Alka Sévérine
* Ulfred
* Felix
* Warren Corbray

## The Splinter

After months of maneuvering and development between the opposing factions of House Rankine, members on both sides began taking necessary precautions to sue for peace. However, spys under the Volonte Fellowship began to pick up on the activities of their comrade, Rangvald, who had secretly agreed to aid Lord Karras in eliminating his enemies. What began as a solo mission soon became a joint effort through Rangvald's collaboration with the Iron Order, a betrayal to the Eternal Companions in the eyes of the Volonte Fellowship. Conversely, Lord Karras sent his own network of spies to infiltrate the activities of House Rankine and their allies. Among the greatest of agents to provide surveillance was "Blackfoot" Haggard, who eventually became a mole within Karras' court after a thorough payment by The Scarlet Swallow. Before his involvement, Haggard had been a marginal figure within the social circle of nobility of Khanduras.

Instead of confronting Rangvald directly, the majority of the fellowship voted on allowing Rangvald to continue his operation to track and stalk Sunetra, rather than create further conflict. Attempts were made to divert the Iron Order's efforts to find her, but the hunt began when they caught wind of her whereabouts, and Warren Corbray was eagerly sent to guide her to a safer and secluded location in the Khanduras Mountains. Harbingers that aided Sunetra were members among the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye, particullary the Fallen Feathers, led by Rhyia Segovia, to aid her personally. Concurrently, members of the Darkmoon Circle, led by the witch Catherine, were recruited by the partisans to defect loyalists of Lord Karras over to their side and to hinder the movements of Rangvald. Joining Catherine's host were Krea and Zira of the Rune Rogues, both who dabbled in witchcraft, respectively. The party's mission to discreetly thwart Rangvald's efforts proved successful in the long-term, as he was never able to successfully find nor capture Sunetra.

Meanwhile, members of the Eternal Companions who became aware of Rangvald's treachery feigned their alliance with him so not to expose the fellowship's scheme. In Jerharan, Jae and Hannah paired together and journeyed across the desert with the Radiant Sons to Lut Gholein. Once there, they successfully recruited the Undersky Militant group, led by couple Sir Rasoul Castelan and Yesenia Hackett; the Undersky Militant's involvement reunited them with the Eternal Companions for the first time in years. The fellowship were careful to initiate Rasoul and Yesenia into their plan to foil Rangvald's treachery, informing them both in private upon their arrival into Khanduras. Throughout the months Lord Karras remained hard at work indoctrinating members of the Eternal Companions onto his political side, and several members were instructed to feign allegiance to him as well.

In Damhar, The Rune Rogues began a mission to purge the Khanduras region of several Khazra tribes following the Rhinefield Massacre. Assisting them was Rhyia Segovia and the Fallen Feathers while the fellowship was to arrange safe passage through the kingdom. In between the frequent skirmishes of the surrounding region, Fort Volonte was visited by a host of Westmarch soldiers led by the chief smithy and armorer of Westmarch, Noel Villeneuve. The foreigners had initial trouble navigating through the hostile kingdom, leading Alec and his associates to place themselves in peril in order to aid the nobleman and his caravan, known as the Quilion Rescue. Noel would later collaborate with Vargas of the Rune Rogues to learn their methods on enchanted weaponry and armor, and in return offered a signed letter of endorsement to Fort Volonte on behalf of Westmarch.

During a period of reconnaissance, Zira was confronted and betrayed by her lover and ally, Sir Hal Gryphon, who had defected over to the partisans along with a fraction of soldiers. Managing to escape his wrath, Zira turned to Alec for aid. Fearing that Hal would divulge information or return with hostile force, Alec recruited Zira, Ulfred and Alan Simon and assassinated Hal as well as three of his followers before they could report back to Lord Karras. Their corpses were burned and discarded, and one partisan scout, Glynn, was captured and detained in the process. Despite ongoing hostility in the region from the Khazra tribes, the trio and their captive managed to return to Fort Volonte safely and unnoticed.

Later that same month, Tyson and a host of warriors—including Merlin Lionheart, Kendrick, Horvath and Bryan Hodgkin—traveled to the City of Culver to facilitate a meeting between the loyalists and partisans of House Rankine. Their negotiations were successful as they managed to schedule a date and neutral zone within the city; however, former paladin Kendrick who was confronted and interrogated on the spot by Culver's nobility, particularly from Lord Nelson who recognized Kendrick and recalled his wickedness as a marauder in Khanduras. During a heated debate, Lord Nelson condemned the Zakarum Paladins, cursed Kendrick and his kin, and demanded an ultimatum: for Kendrick admit to his crimes against humanity and willingly turn himself in or be denied their request for neutral ground. Seeking redemption and to complete his mission bestowed upon Alec, Kendrick turned himself over and was placed within a a prison cell for a duration. Merlin's request that his trial be delayed was rejected.

## Negotiations

In late Damhar, Rangvald and his followers formally met with Culver nobility and agreed to delivery news of a peace deal to Lord Karras and his partisans. In the weeks following the meeting was agreed upon by both factions, and both parties attended, each with a massive host of soldiers. With tensions high, a select few were granted permission to enter the city to attend the meeting within the neutral zone. Lord Karras, who was notorious for ignoring treaties and conventions alike, surprised his contemporaries with his desire to parley.