Role

Chapter 9

Salutations to my fabulous Elders of Do'tlar

As the mere seasons turn into years, you will find your spectacular son to
be flourishing upon the surface, single handedly carrying the affections of
the Empire upon such a perfectly sculpted set of shoulders. You may assume it
to be quite the burden but I assure you I take only pleasure from the somewhat
limitless things the armies of the Empire will do to indulge my whims.

However, this missive is not simply to state the perverse pleasure one gains as
the empowering force behind such a beast - this missive comes mingled with an
equal share of sorrow and possibility. The Great Conqueror and Iron Fist, the
Emperor Glikhardiz has taken his final breath as his weary eyes lingered upon
his proud and bloodied reflection. I will of course miss that aura of supreme
dominance he so casually enshrouded himself within, something I would assume to
be gained by bathing in the essence of thousands slain. We digress of course,
the true matter at hand lies in the emptiness of the Imperial Throne along with
the lingering eyes of the Council.

Igos the Brute, Jiouvesh the Splendid and Orzmus the Erotic, such affections do
I share with that mischievous and somewhat defiled Drow, I guess earning himself
the Devil's Mark at such a young standing has only increased his allure in my
infinitely dazzling eyes. The Vote was horridly inconvenient, I had so little
time in which to prepare myself and decide whether pursuing the Throne would be
worth the effort of extending our resources, or if we should simply remain to
be steadfast upon our path of resurrecting House Do'tlar to the glory it once
was.

The seeds planted were subtle. I did not even need to reach out to Orzmus for
I was quite sure our affections were mutual, instead I pondered aloud for the
ears of the Citizens and Shadows alike. Oh, poor Solraen, however would this
brooding Empire cope without his empowerment and affections. Certainly even a
dazzling, magnificent - somewhat barbaric Brute as Igos would recognise that an
Empire empowered by House Do'tlar was an assured Victory. Surely a mischievous
and flirtatious Priest of Greed would understand an Empire with connections to
the House Do'tlar would receive tenfold more than one without. Surely an erotic,
violent and somewhat indulgent slayer as Orzmus would understand the power he
could gain and fuel his dark desires with someone like the Phoenix of Do'tlar
indulging his whims.

Subtle ideas - comparisons to an Empire without yours truly and the resources
of you, my dazzling Elders has led us simply to the greatest foothold in Thera
since our recorded history. If I may advise you now, your other children are of
no further use, send them to grovel at my feet and we shall begin to weave an
illusion around the surface dwellers are we gather the ashes for our rebirth
into Thera.

Yours, truly yours.

Solraen Do'tlar, the Resurrected Phoenix, Emperor of Thera.