Editing The Courtier

{{inll}}
A servant and rumormonger in the royal courts of [[Erathia]]. He serves as the source for several legendary accounts of events around [[Antagarich]] during the events of {{homm3}}.

==Stories==
* [[The Courtier#Introductions|Rumors from the Court: Introductions]]
* [[The Courtier#The Letter|Rumors from the Court: The Letter]]
* [[The Courtier#Annihilation|Rumors from the Court: Annihilation]]
* [[The Courtier#Death|Rumors from the Court: Death]]
* [[The Courtier#Battle Results|Rumors from the Court: Battle Results]]

== Rumors from the Court {{wll}} ==

It seems as though a new guest speaker will be appearing at the board now... He claims to be somewhat of a rumor man, and speaks of many things said in [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King Gryphonhearts]]'s Court Room. He has already made refernces about [[Xanthor]] and [[Marcus Finch]], I personally wonder if they will be returning... Anyway, he only posted the following below so far. Now being that he is a rumor man, the info he may refer to could be phony and/or real. This makes it all the more interesting really... But anyway, I will try to post my personal thoughts after each of his to express what exactly I make of it. But all you see in quotes are the exact words of the Courtier and not mine, my messages will appear in a <span style="color: #{{teal 1}}">different colored font</span>. Here is what has been said so far, and if we do get important topics, we may develope a frame.

-- ''Narrator unknown''

=== Introductions ===

Well, if you're here for rumors, you've certainly come to the right place. Half the things said here are made up anyway, usually by some local Baron attempting to gain [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King Gryphonheart]]'s favor. It's nonsense, I tell you! Why just last week a letter arrived from some poor fool claiming to be a descendant of the family of [[Phynaxia]], claiming that troops were needed in the east. He claimed that an army "greater in number than there are stars in the sky" was massing in [[Eeofol]].

Sounds to me like some insane farmer saw an [[imp]] steal a chicken, but that wasn't the end of it. The very next day we received a letter from the [[University of Erathia|[University]], claiming that [[Marcus Finch|one of their professors]] had [[Marcus_Finch#Parallel_world|seen this army from a gremlin skyship]]. But wait, it gets better! According to the [[Marcus Finch|professor]], he was travelling through some sort of dimensional gate when it happened! Baaahhhhahahahaha! Insanity, I tell you! I can't believe they allow people like that to actually teach others!

Baaahhhhahahahaha!

<nowiki>*cough!*</nowiki>

Hmm, please forgive my outburst, *snicker* but it really was quite amusing *chuckle* when that letter arrived. We read it aloud several times, and it just got funnier every time. I do wonder what the [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]]'s opinion of it was, though come to think of it, I don't think the letter ever made it TO the [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|king]]. Ah well, he needn't be bothered by such lunacy.

Well, stick around, I'm sure we'll hear more soon.

=== The Letter ===

Bah! Another letter talking of armies. Not the [[Kreegan]]s this time, though. No no, now it's the [[Dungeon Overlords]]. Will these people never cease? And this one… [[Xanthor|another professor]] at the [[University of Erathia|University]]! Are they ALL mad!? What was this one's name… ah yes, [[Xanthor]]. Said he was on his way here with a first hand account of the story. Hah! We should all get a good laugh out of this one, mark my words!

Bah!

<span style="color: #{{teal 1}}">Yes, this is really something for me... I love when the guest speakers post and after waiting months to hear from a new one, we have [[Xanthor]] returning to tell another story!!! Remember [[Tatalia#Tale_from_the_Swamps|Tales from the Swamps]]? It could be as highly anticipated as that... His story will appear on a new page entitled "[[Zoological Accounts]]."</span>

=== Annihilation ===

Well, we've finally received word from one of our *official* outposts on the [[Eeofol]]/[[Nighon]] border. Apparently there *is* some truth to what the locals, and even the [[University of Erathia|University]] Professors, have been saying. According to the report, two massive armies, one formed from the [[Inferno]]s, the other from the [[Dungeon]]s below [[Nighon]], are moving toward each other. The [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]], it seems, has decided to hold off on sending troops to the region. If they wish to annihilate themselves they apparently can do it alone. It's a smart move, because having an [[Erathia]]n army in the area might cause the [[Kreegan]]s and the [[Dungeon Overlords]] to decide they'd rather kill *us* than each other.

I must admit this is not the first time these two nations have fought with each other, but if these numbers are to be trusted then this is something more than just the [[Dungeon Overlords]] attempting to put down another [[Kreegan]] rebellion.

Ah well, fear not, for we are safe here under the wise leadership of [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King Gryphonheart]].

=== Death ===

A terrible thing has happened! The [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]]! The Kiiiing! *SOB* He… He… *SOB* [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King Gryphonheart]] is dead! DEAD!

They say he died in his sleep… but… bwahhhhhhh! *SOB* How could he be… dead? I mean, he was no spring chicken, but 54 years isn't THAT old, even for a [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]]. Ack! What am I saying!? Bwahhhhhhh!

It has just come to my attention that the [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]]'s personal food taster also died in his sleep! Since none of the other guests at last night's feast took ill, this can mean only one thing… POISON! Oh what has this world come to!?

<span style="color: #{{teal 1}}">The [[Dungeon Overlords]] and [[Kreegan]]s rise to power and the [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|king]] unfortunately died, how can [[Phynaxia]] possibly survive a time of war while missing their beloved [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King Gryphonheart]]... The story continues...</span>

=== Battle Results ===

I was listening in at the door of… well, I can't say, really, but let me tell you what I've heard! The [[Dungeon Overlord]] and [[Kreegan]] armies met just south of [[Eeofol]] in what was sure to be a spectacular battle. Instead, they set up camp for two days, and according to the scout reports, the [[Dungeon Overlord]] army gradually vanished! Thousands of creatures just disappeared! After that, the [[Kreegan]] army split in two. One broke camp and headed north back toward [[Eeofol]]. The other, however, turned west. They overran the border into the [[Contested Lands]], laying waste to everything in their path, including the [[Erathia]]n [[Garrison]] forces stationed there! I did not hear an exact number of casualties, only that the [[Garrison]] was a total loss.

What will we do!? The [[REMC|Military Command]] already have their hands full keeping the peace throughout [[Erathia]] following the [[King Nicolas Gryphonheart|King]]'s death, and it took the full might of the [[REMC]] to stop the [[Kreegan]]s two years ago. How will they stop this attack!?

[[Category:Supporting character]]