Queen's day

Back to Stories , More about Welington
Written by: Sammy

A story leading up to the events of Ascention of Narkul

Annabel in Ascention of Narkul

For more details see Story: Queen's Day

The Noble Queen of Oxtrad, Ruler for a lifeime, Commander through many conflicts, conqueror of the UnderDark. Her list of accolades is long and extravagant yet, the life of Queen grows weary on her mind.
The Guild Masters of Oxtrad's various regions planning a diplomatic overthrow of thier fair Queen. Under the guise of matramony the Masters setting up possible suitors for the Queen who has only ever brushed their constant advances off.

After news of a new nation declaring independence reached her, Welington's priorities shifted, and in a moment of weakness just before she was headed to Reton she agreed to this sutorship..or at least to attuned.

Before the Queen could reach Greyhawk she was set upon by powerful unknown assassins who bested her.

The Queen of Oxtrad was struck down however, weather it was fate or luck her draconic soul was resurrected by a Bardic Necromancer within Reton's borders. Raised as an Undead servant within a body compiled of bits and pieces of other unfortunate victims in an effort to create a copy of the Queen of Oxtrad, Unknown to the Necromancer he had indeed summoned the true Queen, yet with little of her memories remaining intact there was no way to confirm at the time.

The spitting image of the Queen save a few birth marks in the way of stiches and her lack of draconic form. she serves Lord Fenrius to the best of her ability while keeping him out of trouble.
Not a mindless undead with her own thoughts and feelings but Fenris's word is final and she must obey any command given to her.

much of her capabilities were lost but not completely forgotten, and it may be a chance to try something new, evidence of her draconic heritage may spurt up here or there but for now it remains locked deep within her memories.

The Lady of Oxtrad aroused from sleep by tormenting dreams. Alone in her bed, in her bedroom, the size of some farmer's family house.
Welington lay there blinking awake, her mind still swirling with dreams of the night. pulling herself up against her will, Wanting to remain in that dream world despite its horrors.
Elves don't sleep, But the Queen merely takes their form. Most infrastructure is not designed to accommodate Chromatic Dragons. Welington sat amongst the silk sheets, her snow white hair draping an otherwise exposed body, Inspecting the runic text scrawled across her body, covering her limbs, torso and back. She ran a finger over a line close to her shoulder, uttering a soft word in Draconic, Light.
The soft glow of heatless light filled the room from various crystal torches, Officially bringing the Queen into the waking world a yawn escaped her, stretching and shuffling to the edge of the bed. “Another Day begins”

Welington stood, Walking to her closet, looking to the front door, Knowing there were the servants waiting to be summoned. The biting chill of Oxtrad's climate hardly noticed by its Queen. She would be dressed with the fine cloths custom tailored for her figure.
She was there longer than most women, unable to decide on the best outfit. It was an important day, Welington was due to begin her travels to another nation and she needed to make a good impression. their land had recently come under civil conflict and this would be an opportunity to discuss the future of Oxtrad and Reton.
It had been many years since Welington had met the King Solomon and Queen Matilda of Reton face to face. the most recent time seeing the other leaders was during that trial for the members of Blinding Spear.

“Assistance!” The queen called and the servants responded, rushing into the queens chambers.
“Y yes my Queen, How may we assist you this morning?” the four of them stood shoulder to shoulder awaiting the Queen's request. She stood well over all the servants, A towering woman. A dragon may take any form they choose and this is Welington's preferred form outside her true look. Naked before them, Their eyes focused on their Queen's face, dare not stray lower. Yet this was common for the Queen, As a Dragon she held little shame in front of those she leads

Welington asked the servants “The floral growl, the one I wore for the Oclot ball several years ago. Please have it prepared for tomorrow evening's party”
The servants bowed and did as instructed, Taking down off its perch as one of them delicate took it away. the other three left standing awaiting further instructions.
Welington gently walked into her wardrobe scanning the myriad of garments available, something to meet the leaders, sturdy, dignified, easy to move around in.
No armour, she wanted to keep her look off battle, Seductive not lethal.
“There!” Welington stopped. A stylish dress that shone like a dusk sky, Stars filled its cloth, coloured a dark blue purple of the young night sky. Shoulder-less, A slit in the dress to expose her legs, and long, it carried along the ground much like her own hair. “This one, I would like this fitted this morning”

The Morning dragged on as usual, Everything was in place for the Queen's departure to Reton.

The days monotony was interrupted by a shrill voice. “Hellooooooo my dearest Queen, a pleasure to catch you this morning”
Welington rolled here eyes with a grunt. she knew that voice all too well. one of the guild leaders. She turned around to greet him only to be greeted with two other leaders. “Guild masters….this is most improper to be chasing your queen down so early. what have you of me?”
Guild masters Enot, Crosset and Jena. the three of them each head of one of the 5 guilds in Oxtrad, each governing their own city. Welington never got along with any of the Guild masters even before she was Queen, They were corrupt and self centered, each believing they were worthy…no..in their right to lead all of Oxtrad.
Ever since the war ended their usefulness has been shrinking, Helpful during the aftermath of the war but now in peace time they were glorified tax collectors.
Enot, Short with a thin mustache, chubby yet his face hugged his skull tightly, A tall powdered wig sat on his head, the one in the middle spoke up after bowing. “So..my Queen, have you given our proposal any thought? we speak for all the guild Masters and agree it is the best course of action.”
Welington raised an eyebrow in confusion. “My apologies Enot….what proposal? I have been very busy and it seems to have slipped my mind”
The three looked a bit insulted, Coughing and regaining their compotioer before Crosset spoke, A larger man in everyway, braded beard dressed in military garb. “My dearest Queen, our proposition about you taking up…a Suitor. It is improper for Queen to rule alone.”

Ah yes. A few weeks ago the Guild masters had made a formal letter detailing their ideas and concerns about her rule. Welington has been Queen of Oxtrad since the start of the Ashlem war, for over 70 years. The law in Oxtrad is that any citizen may take the crown, they only need to best the current leader in combat. No one yet successful. The Guild masters could never face a Chromatic dragon so instead a more sinister diplomatic idea was born.
In Truth Welington was looking for a way out, Her rule over Oxtrad has been long, most of it in war-time. She believes her time as Queen has almost run its course but this was not the way, To marry herself off.

Welington stepped forward, imposing the Guild Masters. “There is only one throne in Oxtrad, Only place for one ruler in these lands, There is no place…no room for more.”
there was silence as the Master's eyes darted between each other looking for support until Welington spoke again.
“However…call your Queen curios, I think it would at least be entertaining to see what specimens you think are worthy to take my claw in marriage. Once I return from Reton I shall humor your request.”
The Three lit up in mood. “Ohh thank you, Thank you your majesty. your consideration is most honorable. We will of course need your acceptance in writing. ”
Welington sighed, Agreeing “Yes yes I will send you my acceptance signed and sealed before I leave.” And with that she left the masters in the Hall.

Welington had planned to spend about a month in Reton, The flight over would take 12 to 13 days depending on weather (I don't know if The queen is a Dragon is common knowlage enough for her to make the flight over to Reton herself so this will remain blank fornow) The trip is successful

Dragon Hold, the jewel of Reton, a stunning city indeed. the streets bustling but dignified, Royal guards patrolled the streets everything was robust and tidy. no corner stalls or street performers to be found. as expected mostly human citizens walked the streets with some drawf, some elf and various other species speckled the crowds.
it was fairly quiet considering the amount of people about, there was chatter noise, carts being pulled, march of soldiers and all manner of unallocated sounds, but it was almost as if nobody dared to raise their voice.

Queen of Oxtrad did not enter with trumpets or on her wing beats, But on a conjured steed. Entering with many others through the main gate her appearance drew eyes but not attention.
It was early morning, Welington had landed in the mountains several miles away in the night and journeyed down. Reton keep was not far but she wished to see Dragon Hold. This was Welington's very first trip into Reton as Queen.
Welington thought it would be unwise to make a fuss when arriving, she displayed her Insignia on her shield and steed but did nothing else to demand attention.

Walking through the crowds she expected someone to recognize her, Anyone? but nobody seemed to look twice. Thinking to herself, perhaps it was a bit much to expect. the people are probably not sure of what their own leader looks like without a fully armed escort and trumpets. How would they know the leaders of other nations?
Welington was guilty of not visiting every town in Oxtrad and hardly ever made a public appearance in other nations so to expect anything more than this was foolish.

Making her way deeper into the city crowds began to thin out. Thinking to herself “I wonder where I am supposed to meet them? surely they would have a guard or two to show me the way…perhaps I should ask them myself.”
She dismounted her spectral steed, dismissing the spell causing it to gently vanish like a mist.

• would reton citizens know or reconise Oxtrad Royalty
• would Reton's guards reconise her
• would Reton's leaders organize any escort or service to show Welington the way.
• What kind of city is Dragon hold and Reton keep
• Can welington simply wander as any other citizen without hassel?
• Whats the reton royal house like? a mansion? a castle?

Solomon and Matilda Walterus, Welington curtsied when presented with them. “Leaders of Reton, I believe this is our first official meeting. I, Annabeell Welington, Queen of Oxtrad am humbly honored you would have me during what I can only assume is a difficult time.”
Both Solomon and Matilda greeted Welington in return. Solomon speaking up. “the Pleasure is ours. it is true this past year has been a less than desirable one but it warms my heart to know that our allies have not forgotten us.”
Pleasantries were shared, Solomon and Matilda personally showed Welington around their home, the various trophies, art and other items of interest that had bought, stolen or simply fabricated.
The Show was interesting at least. Welington took the opportunity to ask questions, simple to more targeted. trying to get a grasp on who these people were.
It was not until they retired to the lounge for afternoon tea that things got a bit more direct.

There was some talk about fasion, Matilda complementing Welington's outfit, leading to Her talking about her love of fasion, the gowln she brought with her for the party, Leading into Welington's figure being commented on, a bit of awkward laughter then flowed into how Matilda and Solomon met.

Welington told them about Oxtrad's laws on how only one ruler may lead, a bit of discussion on Covania. Welington asked how their leaders are reacting to the news of Rebelion.
How did the rebelion happen, what's their goal, have they made discussion, are they planning further movement?

Solomon coughed “Well never the less it is well comforting that Oxtrad's forces will help us take back Greyhawk” there was a pause. before Welington shook her head. “My apologies King Solomon, But I am not here to aid your blood battle, This is a civil issue and must be handled by your rule alone. I am merely here to check up and understand the situation first hand.”
There was a long pause as Solomon and Matilda looked at each other for support.
Welington stood up from her chair with her cup of tea. “ I do belive this new Country Greyhawk will work in the conglogerments favor, We recently amended the Outlawed species to only include tieflings, yet Decades of bread hatred is not going to go away for many more decades to come. I think, Having them all in one place may benefit every nation”

Welington stood tall. “I don't care, You were placed here from Covania in an Agreement i made with the King. ”

Welington nodded as she bowed “with all due respect King Solomon, You are too concerned with what might be. when your focus should be on what will come. I plan to journey to this new nation of Greyhawk and talk with its leaders. i want to know if I am to welcome new allies or prepare for more needless bloodshed…..I am…so tired of war King Solomon…I will do everything in my power to avoid it if i can..”

Welington curtsied once again at the door to their estate. “I apologies I did not bring you the news you wished to here Matilda and Solomon, I am here to support but I will not aid in the murder of more civilians, If it continues there will only be more civil unrest. a more diplomatic solution I feel should be used. However this is your land and you are fit to rule however you wish, i will not go against your efforts.”

A messsage or disier postponed her trip to Greyhawk, instead returning to Oxtrad's south, Knowing only to late it was a trap that would fell the Queen.