The gleaming tower of Delphi has stood for generations. It was built centuries ago, by skilled mages who believed in the dream of one institution open to all races. Delphi was formed as a "school" for young mages who could learn to control their abilities, hone their skills, and in turn teach others to do the same. Over time, its prestige grew, its renown spread, and the city of Haven grew up around it as "neutral territory," where all races could mingle and interact freely. Delphi was built around a dream, but it is a dream that has endured.

Or has it? Nearly two hundred years ago, a group of the most powerful mages in Delphi decided that they wanted to be more than just a school, and that the territory of Haven wasn't enough for them. They launched an attack on the other nations and tried to carve out more land for themselves. The "Mage Wars" failed, but the fear of another attack remained. A secret society of spies and assassins called the Askari was sent to infiltrate Delphi, and prevent another coup. But even with the Askari in place, can Delphi ever truly be trusted again?

The political atmosphere in Haven has been troubled. Some nations felt that Delphi was overexerting its influence, and that it was not as "neutral" as it appeared. Others believed in the ideals for which Haven and Delphi stand, but not the execution. There were even plans afoot to dismantle Delphi and carve up Haven, or to institute new change in the city's government. Would Delphi yield to the might of the other nations, or would it fight back?

The following scenes will reveal what happened when Delphi stood in danger of being divided and conquered.

If you have material related to the "Divide and Conquer" plot that you wish to submit, please e-mail Astraea at apoyser@hotmail.com.

The following scenes all relate to the plot in one way or another. They are listed in order from most recent to oldest. Please make sure you have the permission of everyone involved in the scene before submitting it for posting.

• Let It Be So (46K)
  Featuring: Atif, Cepheus, Gabriel, GreyWolf, Geridan, Mustapha, Raijin, Skyfire, Tsaruko
  11-29-01: Representatives from various governments meet to discuss and agree upon the Delphic treaty at last.
• Sweeten the Deal (15K)
  Featuring: Gabriel, Raijin
  10-29-01: The Aegian of Augustus works out a deal with the Seneschal of Delphi, that should work out to the Empyre's benefit, and should also help Delphi get its treaty passed.
  

• Now Is the Time of Change (22K)
  Featuring: Broadshoulders, Kaitye, Ravenbright, Sharpeyes, Skydark, Snowhair, Tanith
  07-30-01: A meeting is called for Eyotojolan tribal elders to discuss Haven -- and the possibility of claiming Bordertown for themselves and the Outcasts...
• Impasse (49K)
  Featuring: Arius, Cepheus, Gabriel, Hesperos, Jana, Khalid (VI), Niamh, Raijin, Sarojin, Skyfire, Thalia (II), Versus
  07-24-01: A meeting convenes in Delphi's Chamber of Stars, featuring a number of Haven's most influential leaders. Its purpose is to peacefully resolve the growing tension in the city, and institute changes in Delphi that will satisfy each government. However, the meeting is interrupted when the Emperor of the Empyreans arrives and arrests the very man who organized it. Further attempts to settle the dispute are postponed until Delphi can compose a new constitution that will satisfy the two "giants" -- the Empyre and the Varati Kingdom.
• Old Ties Renewed (22K)
  Featuring: Khalid (VI), Shinjukou, Thalia (II)
  06-18-01: The new Orcinus Decemvir, Shinjukou, visits Khalid and Thalia to see if old alliances still exist and to discuss possibilities for settling the current dispute with Delphi in a peaceful manner.
• Speak Your Mind, Share Your Thoughts (50K)
  Featuring: Aine, Alamoana, Gabriel, Jasmine, Kaiulani, Naiadre, Olivia, Selene, Shinjukou
  06-14-01: A trio of Empyreans visit the Korallion in order to meet with various Atlantean representatives and try to glean what they intend to do about Delphi now that the Varati have withdrawn from it.
• The Question of Delphi (33K)
  Featuring: Geridan, Khalid (VI), Niamh, Sumai, Thalia, Zahrah
  06-08-01: Khalid assembles his leaders for a council of state, seeking their opinions in regards to Delphi. However, once everyone has spoken, the God-King keeps his own counsel, and does not yet reveal his final decision.
• Change Wrought in Small Steps (35K)
  Featuring: Gabriel, Olivia, Selene
  06-06-01: Gabriel calls together two of the most socially influential women of the Empyre in order to solicit their aid in deterring the Atlanteans from withdrawing from Delphi, as the Varati have done.
• Be Prepared (22K)
  Featuring: Aja, Kasia, Khalid (VI), Mohid, Niamh, Sumai, Thalia
  06-02-01: The God-King of the Varati comes to Haven in response to Delphi's branding and whipping of Janizar Kedar. Yet, his arrival hints that the Varati have been planning their response to Delphi for some time.
• We Who Will Shape the Future (57K)
  Featuring: Arius, Aurora (III), Cressida, Gabriel, Hesperos, Kalypso, Linus, Magnus, Maximus, Olivia, Selene
  05-28-01: The Aegis is called together to discuss the latest ramifications of the Varati's abandonment of Delphi, and whether or not the Empyre should follow suit and try to seize its chunk of the city while Delphi is weakened and disorganized.
• Exodus (53K)
  Featuring: Aya, Cleon, Dohosan, Fox, Geridan, Kedar, Maximus, Niamh, Olivia, Panyin, Selene
  05-22-01: A couple of months ago, during a festival, a Janizar in the Agni-Haidar assaulted an Empyrean woman after she insulted the Queen-Maharani. He was arrested and imprisoned by the Hounds, and finally the time has come for Delphi to mete out its punishment. Yet the repercussions lead to an exodus of the Varati from Delphi, as dictated by their God-King.

This story was first posted on the IC Rumors bulletin board, but it seemed more appropriate to post it on its own, in a separate section.

• Parable by Grace (9K)
  A story is told, and gradually starts gaining impetus in the Rialto. Does the satire hit a little too close to home?

These bulletin board postings -- gleaned from the main IC Rumors board on Aether as well as from Race boards -- all relate to the ongoing plot. They are listed in descending order by date, from the most recent to the oldest.

Title:	Author:	Date:
Rialto Protest	Maat	7-31-01
Resignation	Dohosan	7-27-01
Meeting in the Citadel	Gabriel	7-25-01
Word from the Docks	Demetrius	7-21-01
Hound Movements	Dohosan	7-19-01
Messengers from the Palladium	Gabriel	7-19-01
The Wall is Lowered	Raijin	7-18-01
Atlantean Action	Asherah	7-18-01
Edict from the Empyre	Arius	7-17-01
Proclamation from the God-King	Khalid	7-17-01
The Varati Reaction	Khalid	7-17-01
Whispered Conversation	Aurelius	7-17-01
Unrest in the Rialto	Lycius	7-17-01
Canopy of Thorns	Raijin	7-17-01
Varati Members of the Merchant Guild	Maat	7-15-01
The Chancellor Speaks	Aurelius	7-15-01
A Ceterva Arrives	Lycius	7-14-01
Delphi Isolation	Aker	7-13-01
It's Official	Khalid	5-26-01
Punishment of an Agni-Haidar	Kedar	5-23-01
A Sudden Departure	Niherlas	5-22-01
Varati Exodus from Delphi	Bat Kol	5-22-01

Image created in Photoshop, with representations from each race superimposed over The Tower of Babel, by Pieter Bruegel, at http://www.artchive.com/ftp_site.htm.  

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