The elfin mistress smiled knowingly, nodding. It wasn't hard to fall for the very influential human ruler. There were numerous women who were tried of centuries of chafing beneath the rule of the elven patriarchy. The men here seemed so happy even though they were in bondage. Farthia nodded and pushed the stone to the queen. We have come to hopefully accept these terms and we are glad they are offered. Our followers will take up residence in your kingdom, you will shelter us, and in return we will provide our scholars. We understand if we do not have full citizenship in your lands. However, there are more than a few looking to partake in the delight of being able to control men, and they would like to be inducted into your religion. I imagine this will be worked out int time."<br/><br/>The deal was simple, the cult of personality of Sun Queen Luxoria was indeed strong. "I shall remain at the capital to facilitate communication, of course." The delegation's needs being satisfied by the auspices of the Sun Queen they excused themselves to stay in the guest rooms of the palace.<br/><br/>The next day the queen would have to hold court with the ever growing throng of people who vied to have their petitions heard by the queen. Her empire grew more from the acquisition of spheres of influence than its own population growth, but that was fine. There were still human tribes that could be brought in, orcs from the tribes, and elvish dissidents.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Sun Queen Ileosa Luxora I's stats<br/><br/>Influence: 150% (Quite the potent master of cultural control)<br/>Mana: 120% (The first real lead)<br/>Power: 80% (More elvish friction, war looms and some light skirmishes have broken out)<br/>Gold: 80% (Some money was used to set up the initial elven enclaves, but in general the economy is good, however elven mercenary groups are beginning to harry trade caravans.)<br/>Food: 110% (Elves are naturally good agriculturalists and botanists.)<br/><br/>(Alignment: True Neutral tending toward neutral good.)<br/><br/>Months pass from the tournament and the first anniversary of the Sun Queen's rule passes with an observance but the looming border friction with the elvish forests and the actual pushback from more established human kingdoms. The kingdom of Korsova controlled no warm-water seaport. All of their warm water rivers flowed form the hearts of other lands. The empire was beginning to feel the strain of its growth being checked. However, while they were not the most powerful empire, they were not the largest, nor even the richest (though they came close). They were the most cultural and scientifically and magically advanced, even beginning to take strides over the elves. As the education of slaves was not forbade, both men and women plied their talents. A truly smart or strong male slave was often found quickly by the queen's maidens and brought to the capital.<br/><br/>The meritocracy of the queen's theocratic rule was absolute it would seem. Despite being a monarchy the philosopher queen had no competing nobility. The closest thing to an aristocracy was the cadre of slave-owning priestesses that ran the harems in the other towns and cities and spread the message of the sun. First up as always was her general:<br/><br/>Marcus Pellus who had been too far removed from the bed of the queen lately, having to ride out to the front every few weeks. He was only back in the capital to head to the other end of the empire and check the southern front against the other human empires.<br/><br/>"Your highness, we need to decide what will be done about the elves. They grow bolder. Our overt moves against them have pushed them into bolder and bolder actions. They have a small but highly skilled army and they can use magic to a degree that no one else can. What are your orders?"<br/><br/>A.) Wait for the elves to formerly declare war.<br/>B.) Declare war first.<br/>C.) Rally a coalition against them.<br/>D.) Foster counter raids, focusing on plunder and capturing elven males to be taken to the elven enclaves for conversion.<br/><br/>As always the queen had knowledge of every possible move she could make, or possibly make no moves.<br/>Next was her financial minister, Al-Sad. The strong foreigner had yet to become Ilesosa's slave in the strictest sense, but there was not one in the court save a she-elf who had yet to know the delights of basking in the glory of the sun.<br/><br/>He knelt and rose hastily. Things were happening with some urgency. "Mistress of Light, how shall we allocate these funds?"<br/><br/>A.) Military spending by way of raising armies and equipping them.<br/>B.) Fund foreign mercenaries for defense and raids.<br/>C.) Build defenses like walls and forts.<br/>D.) Something more personal for her or her champion.<br/><br/>Next was lady Rika, as splendid as ever. She smiled but it did not reach her worried eyes. Bowing she gave a quick rundown on the strength of the culture of Ileosa's burgeoning empire. "Your grace, there is a question of citizenship that must be addressed. As more orcs, foreigners, and elves enter our empire every day and take up positions in our temple bureaucracy, it is clear that some think that being Korsovan doesn't mean just being a human for the cold north. Several female orcs and elves petition for a change in the laws allowing them to actually hold male slaves not of their race as has been the defacto custom."<br/><br/>She unrolled the parchment with her lady's choices on it:<br/><br/>A.) Full male and female citizenship. Males are still slaves but tallied as Korsovan. Females of any race are full citizens and can hold any male in bondage.<br/>B.) Full female citizenship. Males are slaves in the empire if they have been captured but are not treated to the rights of traditionally Korsovan males (no military service, barred from education). Females are given the same above rights.<br/>C.) Residency programs. Foreign females are allowed one male slave of any race and can attain any office except priestess as long as they pay a yearly tax. But are not considered Korsovan<br/>D.) Status quo is fine. Females of foreign races are still foreign, and can only have slaves of their own race.<br/><br/>Her task done, Rika stepped back into line. The last to approach was her champion. His education complete, his armor polished, his weapon honed, and his collar denoting his slavery to his beloved queen was all in proper order. He knelt, his powerful body on display. Despite wanting to Thorain had not been invited to the queen's bed, mostly at his own insistence. The earnest young man wanted to come back with something his queen sought, earning his way into her sheets. As rape of males was still illegal in the empire, not even the sun queen could force the young man into her bed.<br/><br/>"Holy mistress..." He said, "I am ready to track down the first lead to find what it is you seek. Morrigan has provided a list of places and rumors to track. It will take time, but I swear to return to you without empty hands."<br/><br/>A.) Tales of a great dragon in the southern seas.<br/>B.) Should I sneak into elven lands and examine their holy Father Tree?<br/>C.) Tales of a long lost library in the sky.<br/>D.) Should I plumb the depths of a long forgotten dwarven outpost?<br/><br/>The queen could follow his progress through his armor, including seeing him to make sure he was still on task, and she would know if he died. Though that was doubtful. He was a great champion and her armor was of superior quality even before the magic was factor into it. Still, he must go forth at her command and her command alone.