If you’ve been keeping up with things here on An Epic Substack, then you know Freemount is of great significance to the Ennead and all of Athea herself.
(If you haven’t been keeping up, or if you’d like a refresher, click here or here.)
When I began drafting Ennead the conflict was between two nations that shared a mountainous boarder. The Volosheen Peaks sat between this once single nation after a cataclysm sent half of it drifting out to sea; the cultural divide that grew as a result created two superpowers: Tuur and Uthern.
The role that Norligh played in these original drafts was ultimately handed over to Freemount once The Republic Kingdom’s main geo-politcal foe was now to their west. Freemount Keep is built into the Freemount Mountain range right above the mouth of the Westmount river giving a major strategic advantage to any who wish to hold the lush lands to the east. The switchback road that Ulius and co. arrive on was purposefully kept narrow and is easily defensible from above. Battlements that run along side this road make Freemount Keep virtually impenetrable… from the west at least.
When Melchior, Tullius, and the King all meet in the great hall it is the first time any of these men have seen each other since Ulius took the throne at the beginning of the 3rd generation of the Ennead. While there are (presently undisclosed) reasons for the falling out between the three we won’t get into those here, just know that if you’d asked them beforehand it’s likely that at least one of these men would’ve told you it wouldn’t go well.
A lot of history is wrapped up into this place. I wanted the art to convey that. The keep is literally a part of the mountain; for the first time we are seeing art displayed in Athea; the ornate design of the keep itself gives off a more elegant vibe than we are use to thus far. All of that to set up a key “say it without saying it” moment when we introduce Divine Fire: this world is old, its history includes things worth celebrating, as well as secrets that are worth keeping.
Let’s check out the script:
*NOTES TO THE ART TEAM:*
Ulius and company arrive at Freemount (see ref # 1). Freemount is a beautiful castle built along the cliff of a small mountain. It is known for its defensibility due to its unique location. Switchback “stairs” are built into the side of the mountain that lead to the keep (see ref # 2).
On each “staging area” on the way up the mountain small towns have been built. There are 2 levels like this before reaching the keep at the top. (See ref # 2.5, just imagine a higher mountain behind the buildings.)
The keep they enter is decorated magnificently. Bright colors, paintings on the wall. Everything shines as though it is buffed daily.
### PAGE 4 (4 Panels)
Scene 2 (/1/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
BIRD’S EYE/HIGH ANGLE
Ulius, Udonis, and Miika approach the main doors of Freemount Keep. Behind them, their men are still making their way up the switchback stairs carved into the mountain. The cliffs overlook a beautiful forest. Trees here are some of the tallest in the country.
1 ULIUS We are here by the request of Captain Tullius, pay little mind to Lord Andion’s… *piety*.
1 UDONIS Weren’t the “9 Nights of The Divine” his idea?
2 ULIUS His *first* official action upon his coronation. Melchior wasn’t always a man of the faith. Now, he’s among the most devout.
2 UDONIS I’ve got a word or two for him.
*Panel 2*
Ulius, Udonis, and Miika are treated by a guard dressed in a long burgundy cloak, with billowing sleeves, wearing a hood as they walk through the keep’s main doors. The GUARD, an East Asian man, doesn’t have any visible weapons, his face is visible, but cast in shadow. These cloaks are fancier than the cloaks worn by the men in Dunport.
1 GUARD I see The Divine has granted you safe passage, Your Grace. Lord Andion was pleased to receive word of your… *work* in Theton.
1 ULIUS We are thankful for the many prayers undoubtedly said in our favor to make it so. Where is my Captain?
2 GUARD He is with our Lord, Your Grace. This way.
*Panel 3*
The three enter a large hall, the guard waits at the door as they proceed. LORD MELCHIOR ANDION sits on a large embellished chair, atop a dais. He was wearing a cloak the same color as his guard, though his was trimmed with gold. Unlike his guard, Lord Andion had his hood down, revealing long, dark hair that fell passed his shoulders; a nicely trimmed mustache and goatee. He looked like most modern depictions of Jesus Christ. CAPTAIN MARKO TULLIUS stands at his right side, wearing a long gambeson that fastened down the middle. He wore a short arming sword at his hip, hands clasped behind his back. His face was clean shaven and his dark hair neatly cut short. He was an oddly handsome man, not pretty, though his face was noticeably symmetrical.
1 ULIUS Lord Melchior Andion! The Divine shines brightly on you old friend!
1 ANDION Your Grace, it is with great honor I welcome you to Freemount. These cannot be your sons!
2 ANDION Has it been *this* long since I last visited the capitol? My… how time fades from us, and often without our noticing…
*Panel 4*
Andion steps off the dais to greet his King properly, as does Captain Tullius. Both men wear big smiles as they approach the king and his sons, who also look happy. This is a joyful reunion.
1 TULLIUS Your Grace, you made short work of the rabble in Theton. You have yet to lose your edge it would seem.
1 ULIUS Ha! A blade that often meets the whetstone never dulls. Nor does the man who wields it, old friend.
2 TULLIUS Practicing poetry are we? You considering retirement, Your Grace? Best finish this war first- -
3 TULLIUS Nonetheless, this was a bold move… even for the Senators at Tumahan.
2 ULIUS Indeed. Though, we took care of those we happened upon in Theton. Found the rest hiding in the woods, half day’s ride away.
### PAGE 5 (3 Panels)
Scene 2 (/2/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Ulius, Andion, Tullius continued their conversation. Miika and Udonis stand still and listen.
1 ANDION A provocation such as this cannot go unanswered. But take heed…
2 ANDION …your actions are not only an extension of the rest of the Ennead, but of the *beneficence* of The Divine as well.
3 ANDION We must be cautious when doling out justice in her name, she has shown us great favor.
*Panel 2*
The men continue their conversation as they were.
1 ULIUS I agree, Lord. The Divine humbles me daily with her blessings.
2 ULIUS But this is the *3rd* such attempt this year alone. I fear it may be a sign.
*Panel 3*
Tullius steps forward with his arm extended towards the door. Lord Andion begins to walk towards it as he speaks.
1 TULLIUS *If* Tumahan plans to march on our border we *will* be prepared. Much headway has been made, Your Grace.
1 ANDION Captain Tullius is right. We have plenty to share with you. Follow me.
### PAGE 6 (3 Panels)
Scene 2 (/3/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
The men all walk the halls of Freemount. Its vaulted ceilings make them all seem small. Sculptures line the halls, art is framed and hung up on the walls.
1 ANDION As you well know, my purpose is to serve the will of The Divine, honor the Ennead, and protect the people of Freemount…
2 ANDION …what Captain Tullius and I have accomplished achieves all 3. And if your intuitions are correct these attacks will continue to grow larger.
*Panel 2*
The men all make it to a terrace overlooking the keep’s inner bailey (area within the protective walls surrounding the castle) Andion, with his back to it gestures the men to look down into the bailey. We can’t yet see what is below, but the bailey to the Freemount Keep overlooks the other side of the mountain, so in the distance we can see the edge of a cliff with the horizon in the background (see ref # 3, it looks just like this, though 10x as big, like a soccer pitch).
1 ANDION My Alchemists have traveled as far as The Provinces to speak with Shamans and poured themselves over the ancient T’sin tomes…
2 ANDION …they prayed for clearer sight and I asked The Divine to share her wisdom, so this thing may be done.
*Panel 3*
Below the ledge there are men training with bows and slings. A large number of them wearing the same cloaks as Andion (using slings). The rest were dressed similarly to Tullius (using bows), though they had breast plates overtop their gambesons. They are firing gunpowder filled projectiles. Bursts of fire and flame going off in the air and against shields propped up by scarecrows.
1 ANDION In turn, she bestowed upon on us a great gift. One that’ll be used to fight for and protect all that she has granted us.
2 ANDION A *boon* for our ability to see the truth in her teachings.
3 ANDION She’s given us *Divine Fire.*
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It just occurred to me that I may be divulging spoilers when I share these script pages. Am I? Let me know in the comments if I should be reading these script pages before I share them!
JL