POV: Kilto Redscale

  Just as the adventurers finished their tale, one of the draconic kobalds, who stepped into the door guard role with the twin dragon guards absence, stepped forward and spoke, “Lord Sterling will now see the Regency Council and their direct assistants. After he will see the Temple's delegation.”

  He promptly returned to his post. I looked over and met the eyes of my fellow councilors. A nod was shared, then as one we walked into the domain of a god, even the seat of the Protection Gods, Miss Josmien Vernilot.

  The first room was breath taking, a field onto which countless battles were fought. The rumored army of draconic kobalds was in fact real and training drills. A small detachment of 6 started to escort us. Behind a hidden door an artifact that transported us to the 'Palace' area of the Forge. Their use metals that can only be gotten in small quantities as you would normal iron or copper. The door hinge was made of adamantine. This amount of wealth and power sends shivers down my spine. Even the pillaging gods don't have this level of wealth.

  “That's mithril inlay?!?!?” I think Ironbelt just noticed what I have been seeing.

  We entered a large meeting room. Servants finishing the scramble to get this ready. The servants them selves are so diverse I was starting to get whiplash. A dragon-kin, a nubian kobald, a arachnocentaur, an imp, a human, a naga, and a few were automatons. Automatons were thought to be extinct, fully sapient constructs. Instead of one large table, each seat of the council had a table with enough chairs for their assistants. On each table was a small stack of paper, not parchment but actual paper. It turned out they were documents, ink still drying on some of the last pages.

  As I started to dig in to the documents, they entered. Thirteen of the most powerful being in the known world. Every one of them I recognized from the murals in the Temple. Sterling himself leading them. As they sat down at the large table at the head of the room, everyone of us from the city looked at one another and prostrated.

  There was a sigh. I glanced up, Sterling had his hand on the bridge of his nose, “Please, save that for the formal ceremonies.”

  POV: Victor Sterling

  I knew this was going to happen, I don't like it but just stop. Until five days ago, I was just a man. Okay just breath. They seemed hesitant, especially the entire table for the Temple councilor. Slowly, they did rise.

  Sighing once again, “Okay I am only going to say this once, I may be a god but, I started out as just a man. I am not a perfect being. No opinion will go unheard, I can't be the only one with ideas dreams and what not.”

  Inhaling sharply after my rant, I moved us back on track, “With that out of the way, lets talk about the treaty, the city, and me. Okay?”

  The dragon-kin in the seat of the guard, “That is comforting to hear. We wish for the treaty to be upheld. I am not a crafter by trade but I respect the ideas that formed the city based on the rumors about how you treated people from the other gods and the retinue's brief contact with the world.” His demeanor changed slightly before he nervously continued, “We also had a talk with the adventurer's that you had entered town with, to get a more resent account of you. Don't worry we had the adventurers and the merchant take a [Oath] to keep your alas under wraps. We will do the same after this meeting.”

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  I chuckled slightly, “Thank you for the honesty, but you can dispel the Oaths. I don't need it nor do I want to impose on others, who have done nothing wrong.”

  I glanced over at the table with the Protection Gods Representative and the empty table for the Pantheon of Rulers, “You seem to be missing a member?”

  The councilor of Merchants spoke, “Yes he had left soon after you appeared. Probably taking the fastest horse to his masters.”

  I shrugged, “That works out. I was trying to find a way to get him out as quickly as possible.”

  “Do you want us to leave?” the soft spoken council woman of the Protection Gods.

  “Not at the moment, but I will be frank with you. I will not join the Protection Gods,” She deflated slightly, “But after I get my territories in order, I will ally with you for the course of the war.”

  “Why do you put it like that, sir?” she asked.

  “I have a differing philosophy, I am the founding member of the Ascension Gods. I wish to raise the population towards my and the Forges sub-masters level. I think an average level of about 1000 should do good things for this world.”

  Her jaw was on the floor, same with the rest of the city's members. Ya, should have expected that.

  Zellora assisting me to be back on track, “That is for the future. Let us talk about today and tomorrow. We have ideas and plans. You who have ruled the city so far will have a say.”

  Xodox explained further, “We will start by saying, after an official ceremony that will be held for the people's benefit. The city, the surrounding villages, and all people that call this territory home will be 'of the Forge', meaning you will be treated no different than those who have lived in the Forge and called it home.”

  Straeddas continued, “First you will learn. We will be training the people. This is a right for those that are 'of the Forge'. In addition those with far too much unused natural talent will get apprenticeships within the Forge itself. We know this will not be easy.”

  Adratheth, “Part of this is the uniting the city's forces and the Forge's. The Draconian Legion that you have seen come to the meeting will be joining the City Guard. To both bolster the strength of the guard and to show we are not going to just sweep in and destroy what you and your ancestors built with sweat blood and tears.”

  Panora, “The Centaur Scouts and Calvary will patrol the roads to clear monsters and bandits. We are accepting volunteers to help with these patrols, mobility skills are required.”

  Zellora, “For governing, yes Lord Sterling will be a King-like figure. But the core five members of the Regency Council will be the first members of a people's council. Your job being bring those complaints and ideas that he may not have time for. You are the voices of the masses.”

  I finished, “Miss Vernilot, you will be the first ambassador to the Forge, until such time that the Protection Gods wish for another to take your place. Is there any questions, comments or concerns?”

  After the stunned silence that followed whore off, the dragon-kin showed his balls of steel, “I was worried for nothing it seems. Every one of us love the city. What you have proposed it far beyond what we thought was going to happen. By the way, what is the level requirement for joining the Legions?”

  The twin dragons laughed, before Queendrabia responded, “Normally, the trainees are at least 150 before joining. But for the first few decades we plan on relaxing that requirement to just 75. Why?”

  “I don't know an outer Guard who wouldn't join up, myself included. I'm sure the others are thinking alone similar lines.” Nods around the room confirm.

  “Oh and who wants to distribute all of the Jewels Of Status we have. The enchanters have been making them as practice so we have too many.”

  Miss Pollenflight's voice nearly cracking, “How many exactly?”

  Zellora, “Well last count was somewhere north of 100 million. We have been making them for nearly two thousand years at a rate of about 150 a day.”

  ...