Little, save for preparations

1253 AC (Aclian Calendar)

One year since the fall of Prosperio, and the Kingdoms of Aclia were already beginning to acutely feel the absence of Prosperian diplomats and merchants.

With the rich trade they brought coming to a standstill, the other Elven Cities and Human Kingdoms had begun sending scouts and spies to the lands of Prosperio to gather information, many of their high-ranking officials feeling uneasy about the sudden lack of activity.

And their fears proved founded when spies returned bloodied and injured, reduced in number and some even missing limbs and eyes.

They tearfully reported the fall of Prosperio, how its grand spires and wonders have become utterly defaced and vandalised at the hands of monsters of all things - Orcs, Goblins, Gnolls, Kobolds and the like - and their people enslaved to a life of servitude at the brutes' hands.

Many Elves were angry and shocked at this unexpected turn of events, and the City-States agitated for a crusade against the interlopers, calling upon the other Human Kingdoms to end this threat to their borders.

The Aclian Kingdoms, however, were disunited and busy feuding with each other over petty and trivial differences, and other monster tribes who learned of Prosperio's fall were emboldened by this news, launching their own raiding campaigns and thus causing no small number of headaches for all parties involved.

The Dwarven Holds - a collection of independent city-states who answer only to their High King - do not give the news much concern and are content to wait things out behind their walls and gates, which no invader has ever managed to pierce since the days of their founding.

And worse, the Elven City-States themselves were dealing with a whole slew of domestic problems ranging from corruption and civil dissent to outright opposition to such a heavy war footing; the Elves' culture and heavy disposition towards preserving peace meant that the Elves lacked the motivation and morale for a large-scale commitment of resources towards an invasion of any kind, and their respective Kings and Queens found themselves dealing with factions of courtiers who did anything and everything in their power to stall for time.

No one would realise, however, that the situation with the Elven and Human Kingdoms were the workings of Ferdinand's schemes.

Three years had passed since the fall of Prosperio, and its population has recovered splendidly fast from the devastating invasion prior.

With Ferdinand now ruling as de facto King of Prosperio, his ****-wife Priestess Chaenath Chaesandoral silently standing by his side, the damage of the invasion was now nonexistent, and this time its defenses were rebuilt with modern techniques for provision of artillery cannons where possible. With new enchantments and training, the modern Prosperian army was ready to fight with enough supplies for three months.

Peering over a map of the surrounding regions, Diepkutter and Ferdinand were gathered with you to plan your next move.

"The next Elven cities to target are Inyalrius and Caenanor, both of which lie within the borders of the Kingdom of Efros next door," Said Ferdinand, "As it stands, the Kingdom is embroiled in civil war between two princes vying for the throne, and the Elves - as always - have opted to remain neutral despite previous treaties with the now deceased King Volton."

"Bah, Elves being Elves as always," Said Diepkutter, "It's not as if they won't be invaded by the Princes once they decide to put aside their differences."

"Exactly, but the Princes seem more eager to kill each other than the Elves at this point," Said Ferdinand, "Which is what we'll exploit."

"Oh? I like where this is going," Said Iozunk.

"Glad you understand," Ferdinand said smilingly, "While the idiot princes Marden and Malon are busy trying to kill each other, we'll move in and conquer the Elven cities under their noses."

"But they won't ignore a large army moving through their lands like that," Said Iozunk.

"Not unless we pay them a hefty sum, of course," Said Ferdinand, "You see, Marden and Malon, being absolute idiots with the equally lackluster record to match, have an insatiable love for gold. They greedily eyed their father's riches - which he amassed through rich trade with the Elves - and I fully believe either of them killed him to try and get their hands on his treasury."

"But I hear he died in a hunting accident," Said Diepkutter.

"Who says they can't spread lies?" Said Ferdinand.

"And seeing how Prosperio's treasury's ready to burst..." Said Iozunk.

"Aye, but here's the catch: we won't pay them in gold, but treasure," Said Ferdinand, "We'll give them the prized Gems of Erlareo."

"What? Really?" Asked Iozunk, "I kinda like those gems!"

Only because they seem to make my slaves' eyes glitter for some reason... Thought Iozunk, And seeing them all depressed just makes the sex seem a lot less enjoyable.

"We're not giving the Gems to them, per se," Said Ferdinand.

"Oh, now I get it!" Said Diepkutter, "You're just gonna 'loan' it to them, then take it back later, right?"

"Yes! Oh, I'm so glad you get me!" Said Ferdinand.

"Ain't that what makes great friends, Ferdinand?" Said Diepkutter.

Iozunk merely sighed while the two embraced each other.

"But the Elves ain't gonna relax; they know we conquered Prosperio, and they mighta hired help," Said Diepkutter.

"My friend, since when have you doubted my strategy?" Said Ferdinand.

"Bah, just point us where to go, and we'll handle the rest," Said Iozunk, "I, for one, would love to get meself some more Elf booty!"