Pestilence: Rise Of The Pure Undead

"Good news! You are now an official part of the Empire, the Emerald Realm is now amongst the many realms that have been previously conquered" sitting around a table, Dracula brought his hands together as green moonlight poured through a nearby window, he was seated with the two ancestors in front of him.

Who did not look exactly pleased with how things had turned out, but kept quiet as they listened to the vampire lord.

They were currently inside a large architecture within one of the many compact towns that beast worshippers favoured as living spaces, the interior was decorated with simplicity, almost frugally, but perfectly fitted the philosophy of the beast worshippers.

"Listen, I know it doesn't feel good to 'lose' or be 'conquered', but I can assure you that we, undeadkind, are no liars, undeath is a blessed state of existence that I am certain you and your people will soon come to greatly enjoy- For example, thanks to the practise of feasting that originated on Belliste, if you really feel like it, you can continue to eat food even if you all bones or non-corporeal… Or if you are really attached to how you currently look, there are many ways to preserve that when passing from life to undeath" he explained, leaning back in his seat.

"What will become of our realm?" asked the beast ancestor.

"No need to worry on that front, the introduction of miasma will not warp nearly as much as you might imagine, and furthermore, we will ensure that every creature and every form of vegetation is perfectly preserved through the shift, our historians and researchers are rather intense about keeping all records, items and the likes as they used to be- So whilst some changes will definitely occur, the Emerald Realm will not be completely changed, not even close, only a few regions at most…" Dracula stroked his musketeer-style beard as he responded.

"...Also, the miasma shall not be introduced before a little while, our best druid is somewhat tied up somewhere else for now, and we sort of need her expertise on the realm as is before doing anything else, at least the historians and researchers do- Those guys are not considered the most insane solely because the architects exist! But let me tell you, don't try to discuss with them for too long, they will start rambling like they are possessed"

Unfortunately, Dracula's charming appearance and attempt at small talk was not having much effect on the two ancestors, who were too worried about the fate of this realm and its people to want to hear a vampire lord's comments about groups of undeads they didn't even know existed seconds ago.

"There is no need to be so tense, ladies, I once again assure you that undeath will only bring good to your existences, your practices and culture will stand unaffected- Realms in particular get to remain mostly the same as they were before the Empire took over, they are separate pockets after all, there is no land nearby that could influence anything here…"

"...Speaking of nearby land however, Lady Solzmimi, Lady Hirzartanli- May I inquire about what is beyond the edge? You and your people seem to solely live on this one, large floating island above the emerald void, but there are floating pieces of land nearby as well, have you ever explored far into the void? Are they no other great islands far into the distance? If so, are they inhabited by sapient species? Members of the emerald folks, perhaps?" asked Dracula, when night fell and dark grew, he was able to sense far thanks to darkness awareness, and it was clear that the emerald void extended very far into the distance, further than he could sense.

Even an undead's superior senses were helpless to truly fathom how large the Emerald Realm truly was beyond this large piece of land the beast and sun worshippers lived upon.

There were plans by the empire to create many more floating islands, castles and the likes in this void in the future, including a mobile, flying fortress similar to the stronghold that had been created in the four regions of Belliste, but before starting anything too consequential, the Empire naturally desired to ensure that the realm was fully explored and known.

Beasts like the Ahltaizth, floating, whale-looking creatures of great might, could prove problematic if it turned out that if one went too far, that they could encounter hostile beasts that were fully at home in the immense emptiness of the void.

They already knew thanks to a certain skeleton of steel, that one would be torn apart eventually if they fell into the void, and it seemed like the void extended downward for a very long time… Dracula would have loved to just ask Loimos to go check it out, if there was anyone that he could trust to check out what looked like an infinite expanse, it would be him, but alas, he was back in the main world currently, reporting on his victory to King Nitok, and probably busy refilling his facilities.

"Unfortunately, we have never ventured away from our land, at most, he went upon the visible pieces of floating land, but never beyond, if one goes too far and loses sight of the land, it is far too easy to get lost" replied Solzmimi with a shake of her head.

"I see, well, that is alright, we'll bring over some of our flying vessels, I suppose… Let's talk about more important stuff for now, tell me, how many people are you willing to provide as living soldiers per year? With the increase in restrictive realms, we ironically have to rely a lot on them to open up the way"

"Beast and sun worship are powerful ways of power, having emerald folks amidst the ranks would be greatly beneficial, but I am aware that your youngs don't develop quickly, and also that you have suffered a setback in terms of population due to the conflict"

The two ancestors glanced at one another, looking like they were silently communicating.

"What would be a satisfying amount in your eyes, Sir Dracula?" asked Hirzartanli.

"I think a hundred per year would be sufficient, you people seem long-lived and the Empire isn't exactly in a rush to conquer realms or land right now, so we have plenty of time to wait and accumulate troops- And of course, this deal can wait a few years before it comes into effect…" Dracula brought his hands together and slightly leaned forward in his seat.

"Lastly, I would like to ask… Are there any emerald folks who would like to proceed with becoming undead immediately?"

"We can ask them…"