Honoring Our Western Allies and greeting possible new allies in the East

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       For Morana, Tural had always been like a second homeland! She and the young Princess would often visit the vast land with the former Queen. Because of these frequent visits, they learned about the diverse cultures and peoples of Tural, gaining knowledge of the various names and respectful ways to address different races and their beliefs. They even earned nicknames in the regions they frequented.

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       Sadly, those peaceful days couldn’t last forever. Morana was unable to stay for the right of succession, even though both she and the new Queen, her sister, had been welcomed in Tural for festivals and other events. Unfortunately, the council behind her sister had other plans. They decided to remove Morana from her position as the Queen's Head of the Guard and appoint her as the Royal Emissary instead. 

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       This new role meant she would have to be away from her sister’s side—something she was vehemently against. Morana had always been by her sister’s side, as the Queen had wished for them to be together. With the Queen now gone, Morana’s loyalty and trust were unwavering, but the idea of being separated was unbearable. The King was still alive but in poor health, which mattered little to Morana. To her, this situation felt as repugnant as rotting meat left under the summer sun.

 

       While she could technically fulfill the duties of a Royal Emissary, Morana felt she was ill-suited for the role and lacked wholehearted belief in it. She viewed her skills as being wasted on such a task, and the thought of handing over her role to someone else to protect her sister was deeply unsettling! It was a difficult pill to swallow, but one she had to accept.

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       Rather than entrusting the responsibility to a single individual, Morana chose to delegate it to two people: one of her juniors and a mentor who had assisted in her training. The junior, while still inexperienced, would gain valuable experience, while the mentor, older and wiser, would guide and support them in safeguarding the Queen.

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       Morana remained deeply suspicious of the council’s motives, sensing that something is amiss. The decision to separate from her sister and the abrupt shift in her duties only heightened her concerns about the true intentions behind these changes.

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Truth and Duty: A Journey of Discovery and Responsibility

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       The journey to the shores of Limsa Lominsa would be long for Morana, especially since the people of Sharylan felt her homeland was too insignificant to consider at the moment. They required her to prove her worth elsewhere first. Thus, she set sail for the lands of pirates, though she had initially considered stopping in Ishgard as well, knowing that the cold climate there might be harsh. She decided it would be better to postpone that visit until she had adequately prepared herself.

       Upon reaching the shores of Limsa Lominsa, Morana encountered a group of pirates who, though no longer as unruly as in the past, retained their fierce reputation. She found enjoyment in drinking with them and sparring with those who wielded blades. After engaging with these new allies, she met with the Admiral and then proceeded to New Gridania to confer with Lady Kan-A-Sena.

       Morana felt a certain familiarity in New Gridania's heavily wooded landscape, reminiscent of her own Nation and Kingdoms forested terrain. The locals' reverence for nature was evident and comforting, though she found some of their practices—particularly their tendency to shun outsiders based on the whims of the "elementals"—a bit excessive. This was a point she intended to raise during her meeting with Lady Kan-A-Sena.

       Over tea, Morana and Lady Kan-A-Sena discussed the potential for an alliance between their realms and the mutual benefits such a partnership could bring. The conversation also veered towards why Morana was representing her kingdom instead of the Queen herself. Morana had to navigate these questions carefully, as Lady Kan-A-Sena was aware of the Queen’s previous visits to Tural but questioned the absence from other lands.

 

        Additionally, Lady Kan-A-Sena inquired about Morana’s past role alongside the former Princess. Morana treaded carefully in her responses, careful not to disclose her suspicions about her own council, as such revelations might jeopardize the potential alliance due to concerns about internal conflicts. Despite the delicate nature of the conversation, the meeting proceeded well.

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        Next, Morana traveled to the desert, where her fur and heavy garments proved cumbersome in the heat. She sought an audience with the Sultana and the local leaders. Unfortunately, she faced delays as the people were not available to meet with her in a timely manner. Frustrated by the long wait, Morana was eventually turned away.

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        However, Sultana Nanamo graciously agreed to a private meeting. Although she could not offer immediate assistance, she promised to call Morana back when a more suitable time could be arranged. In the meantime, Nanamo arranged for Morana to meet with Sir Aymeric de Borel of Ishgard and provided her with clothing suitable for the northern climate.

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        As Morana prepared for her journey north, she received troubling updates from her homeland. The investigation into her suspicions was revealing disheartening truths, confirming her fears. Despite her growing concerns, Morana resolved to continue her mission. She remained determined to complete her meetings with foreign leaders and fulfill her duties, despite the mounting challenges.

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​Amidst Northern Valor a Knight of the East stands on her own

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       Even with her new clothes and fur, the cold in the North was unbearable for Morana. She observed that nearly everyone she encountered was of the same race, with only a few exceptions. Many stared at her with curiosity, and while few were bold enough to ask questions directly, her keen senses picked up on their whispered inquiries. To ease their embarrassment, she made it a point to address their unspoken questions openly. Fortunately, Sir Aymeric was straightforward and candid in his interactions.

       Morana greatly enjoyed her conversations with Sir Aymeric. Like the Admiral, he showed genuine interest in what her nation could contribute to the alliance. He recommended that she travel further east to meet with Hien in Kugane and the Steep or head to Thavnair to discuss potential trade with the alchemists and independent leaders there.

 

       The prospect of trade between Thavnair, Bation, and her own land was promising, and she assured him she would consider it. However, she expressed a desire to return home before venturing further, having already visited four different leaders. Sir Aymeric understood her position and wished her a safe journey.

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       Although Morana disliked the cold, Sir Aymeric invited her to stay a bit longer before she departed. He had observed her interest in both the Dragoons and some of the Knights and felt that her stay could be mutually beneficial. Morana laughed, slightly embarrassed at being so easily noticed.

 

       She explained her passion for bladed weapons and expressed her willingness to teach the people of Ishgard the way of the Viper, including her techniques with dual blades. She also offered to share her methods for taming and commanding beasts as partners rather than simply putting them down, showcasing the variety of creatures that followed her and her ability to calm even the most fearsome ones!

       Sir Aymeric welcomed this opportunity for cultural exchange, and thus began their collaboration, blending her unique skills with the traditions of Ishgard. Having finished up her training and teaching Morana is once again on her way to new lands or possible even home!