and several rough notations of mountainous regions. On the greater charts, landmasses could be conveniently described by their location designated solely by the chart maker, common descriptive titles to geographic regions of water, plant and mountainous regions or directional locale, like the territories to the north, the south, or the east and west.
For purposes of the Armada, Kamina was ascribed to the western continent as a whole, and our familiar continent to the east, called Free Lands. Our nations are numerous, though to mention a few would be sufficient. Bel-loniea, our beloved city state governs over a sizable region bordered by the Kanns of the mountain ranges to the west of the barren northern deserts of the Raiders. Helandi lies beyond the ridges and icy tundra. The Diano, Tantioan, Walinal and many others lie south and east; even beyond the Gapa Sea. Few traverse the distant jungles for there the Korda dwells in great numbers.
Charts from the Haknords and Kasiisi provided additional elements. The data received from Talni, the Messenger, verified astounding details of the continental borders as well as island groups off each of the continental coasts. Among them was the Kasiisi Resort colony near the median latitude and further north, the Muti Sanctuary of Illysæ Ad Mördi Tăłi.
Adt Dorta’s addendum included the following note:
We obtained several sea charts detailing ocean shoals, islands and shorelines along the western ocean. The Haknords are expert chart-makers. They sold their talents to Kamina, creating detailed maps for the purpose of their expansion.
Andon Janis had added the following:
The global maps consistently specify at least three major continents on Noomas. My own ship’s records had traced their habitable sectors, finding all three mildly colonized: two of them in temperate zones. The third encompassed the southern polar region. However, portions of the data were scrambled when my ship malfunctioned; crash landed and was broken into irreparable pieces.
Vivid details of my galactic journey to this remote region flashed by:
The fourth planet was without question inhabitable, containing three major continents and two smaller land areas. I fed statistics to the computer.…
One was on the snow-capped South Pole, another in the middle of an ocean. The third seemed a more logical choice…off the coast of a large continent.…
* * * *
Report, in brief, of the 1st Council meeting held before Romos, Proctor of Bel-loniea
From: Honored Xkahal, speaker of Wisdom, Senior Advisor of the Great Council
We urge full acceptance of the Mutis as formidable authorities. They are trusted universally and must be given proper respect. The Creed of Allegiance within the covenants of our peoples is supportive to the convictions set by the ancient patriarchs. All historical records and memory slates hail the purity and benevolence of the Muti influence.
From: Proctor Romos, Bel-loniea
We accept the report as it was stated and learn, with great sadness, the Kaminaean Empire has proven to be hostile to all human governments. We have listened to our pundit Muti counselors and salute their advice and the grave urgency of the Messenger’s reports.
From: Croelas Bain, Keeper of the Paths, peaks of Kalfor
I speak for our peoples dwelling in the high places, watchers of the pass. We wish no conflict. However, prudence must be our stance towards any shift in loyalty to our Muti sages.
From: Osah Raton, Proctor of Diano
The recent struggles between our two nations have been set aside. The people have reconciled their grievances and have joined forces with your nation in order to make ready for the coming world conflict.
It is critical all members of this new coalition to be of one purpose. My pundit Muti assures us that the northern culture of Helandi offers great power.
From: Nu-Elka of the Kanns
There is no authority in the universe that outshines the beloved and all knowing and all benevolent Mutis. We vote against combined forces to offer war with a Muti Empire.
From: Master Ammila, Herdsman from plains of Kulaina
In recognition of our questionable unity here today, my following must remind the great council of our honorable elders who abide by the Old World thinking. We adhere to the authority given to Mutis. They have always been our supreme advisors. We intend to continue to venerate all Mutis as one voice.
From: Proctor Romos, Bel-loniea
Misplaced trust is self-defeating. Caution is required. If we must secure our borders, then we should act together. If we must retaliate in order to preserve our freedoms; then offensive action shall be taken, and under one authority. Unity will create a solid buffer strong enough to prevail against any dangerously aggressive nation.
From: Zhoena, Ji of the Nuja worshippers
We are aware of the foreign person Sarleni, who holds influence over the House of Dorta. Her presence parallels the sacred Moons Festival. Omens and prophecies abound. The notion of an empire intending to dominate humanity under savage Muti control is absurd!
Above all, this ludicrous fabrication must not interfere with the most holy celebration of our precious gods.
‘O Holy Clinsol and Nosn, most sovereign Regals of the celestials, may you keep guard over your most dedicated people. Slke, Goddess of the peaceful and Nial, God of the joyful, bless your grateful followers. Tooli, Anos and Insi, how we adore you, for we recognize no mightier powers than yours to protect our blessed Noomas. Thanks be to the Gods who keep our world safe, if we trust! So be it to the end.’
From: Proctor Romos, Bel-loniea
Our advisors respect the sovereignty of the gods, reverent Ji.
However, they also support the Family Dorta and the contents of the Messenger’s report. Adt and Sarleni will proceed north to Helandi. Their work is crucial to all of us.
Our pundit Muti advises we call a second meeting of all international representatives. All voices heard here will be given full consideration prior to the next session. This I promise.
From: Kkua of Dailiano, Spokesman for the Plains territory
What do we know of the Helandi? Fantasy about a land of people so secretive and hidden does not merit our consideration. We have no record of their existence.
From: Proctor’s Muti
Knowing means nothing, if you know nothing. There is much on Noomas that you know nothing about. Being ignorant of these facts does not make them non-existent. It only indicates your lack of information concerning these facts.
The Helandi exist. They are peaceful without guile. And their powers are deeply bedded. We have need of their advanced developments for the full maturity of the Armada.
One voice was heard without sound:
‘We must be inclusive, not exclusive. Bind together within a framework of mutual love and affection, with mutual need to be one in an ever-embracing unity.
‘Willingly magnify your awareness with diversified acceptance. We are only as resilient as our unity and our willingness to expand to new levels of understanding.
‘Only by joining forces can we win.’
The Muti introduced this unseen voice as that of a learned Helandian sage, Moyi. The debate had continued among the tribal leaders. The gravity of the Kaminaean conflict struck deep into their core. I skimmed over those entries. The council meeting concluded with protests and debate.
* * * *
A subsequent meeting between the Proctor and leaders of nations focused on further issues, including the Declaration of Engagement and formation of the Armada. The report given me outlined their widely varying views.
Reluctance among the majority to consider action against a foreign nation prevented them from reaching a unified purpose. Despite the many conflicts, the free nations