For several months the isle of Zanzibaar languished under Caspiite occupation, the citizens suffering beneath the lash and the knife. From within the palace, Azaxon, Seventh Priest-General of Blessed Caspia strove with a will, drenching the throne room in blood as he sought to enact his ritual. The Priest-General spoke often of a God reborn, the voice of the erstwhile Sea God guiding him towards the resurrection of that very same Elder. Meanwhile, countless adventurers threw themselves against the blockade of Tritonic citadels patrolling the waters near the island, destroying and being destroyed in turn as naval warfare raged unchecked.

As time dragged on and Azaxon's efforts became more frenzied, a cerulean light grew above the palace of Zanzibaar, gaining cohesion with each new sacrifice in the name of Father Caspian. Shouting that the time was near, Azaxon ordered more citizens be brought before him, even as the combined might of Sapience's seafarers descended upon the island. Breaking the blockade with no small amount of effort, the adventurers landed at the docks even as the energies formed, battling their way through countless phalanxes reinforced by skilled bands of peltasts. Dragon claw and breath battered down the doors to the throne room just a moment too late as Azaxon drove his kraken-tooth ritual blade into his own throat, gasping out a plea for Caspian to avenge him upon the heretics in his final moments.

Called forth by the will of the lowest Priest-General of Blessed Caspia, a paramount servant of Elemental Water rose in wrath and ruin from the bay, intent upon drowning all those who stood upon dry land. In a great tide did it sweep across the harbourlands, laying many low and entirely consuming others to nourish the myriad predators within its ecosystem. Yet in time the forces of Sapience laid this foe to rest as well, only to find an enormous, glacial wave looming on high. Borak, Guardian of the Northern Seas, Avenging Son of Caspian, had come. Preparing a strike to sunder island and adventurers alike, Borak stood poised atop his hammer of oceanic might, commanding the waves to obey.

They would not.

Rising from the depths, Neraeos Pelagia, God-Emperor of All Thalassa cast His piercing gaze once more upon the lands beyond the Undersea. Bonds of salt and spray rose at His command, seizing Borak even as He Who Reigns Eternal decreed in no uncertain terms the fate that awaited. Death for this upstart was His verdict. As for the Father, so too for the son. Intent on carrying out the execution Himself, the Tyrant of Tides drew His blade, Imperial Will made manifest in bronze and still-living coral, and struck.

Before that dread arc could reach a terminus at Borak's throat, the Caspeid vanished into a helical of mist, borne away and elsewhere. In his place resided Notia, the tempestuous spirit of the Southern Oceans, blowing her sometimes-love, sometimes-foe a taunting kiss before vanishing with her prize in hand. With His quarry stolen, Neraeos Pelagia returned to His seat upon the Unfathomed Throne, the realm at large earning again His full scrutiny.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: After breaking the occupation of Zanzibaar by the armies of Caspia, adventurers were met by the rise of Borak, Caspeid of the Northern Seas. The spirit's intended destruction of the isle and all upon it was thwarted by the intervention of God-Emperor Neraeos Pelagia, the Divine Ruler intent on execution of the upstart rebel. In the moment before His strike landed however, Notia, Guardian of the Southern Oceans appeared, thwarting Neraeos' will and stealing Borak away for her own ends. Though enraged by this turn of events, the attention of the Sea Lord turned inexorably to events beyond the bounds of His Empire. At least for now.

Penned by My hand on the 1st of Valnuary, in the year 974 AF.