Alliance

A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between cities or other groups to achieve a particular aim.

But what is an alliance within?

A grand strategy that unites and unifies all within its circle, yet it is far more.  In any city, as the need for and size of the military grows, the expansion of a grand strategy to encompass the management of the resources of the city emerges.  To prevent invaders, a great consideration is given to diplomacy and the use of the military to achieve political goals; both through warfare if need be and also as a deterrent. The contribution of military force is largely an operational strategy - the planning and control of large military prides. Lydius's grand strategy incorporates diplomacy through which Lydius forges alliances.

In order for any military to succeed, its leader must have faith in his men.  Military cannot succeed if they are not empowered. Trusting your warriors with the jobs you have assigned them is key to any victory, nor does this mean strictly in warfare.  United we succeed, divided anything will fail.  Respect is earned, as is trust...as each goes both ways, you must give it to receive it.  Such is the Brotherhood of Lydius, as we stand strong in our ideals and bonds of Honor.

Our city nae seeks war, yet we have a vast war fleet.  Being one of the four free ports of Gor, we are a thriving trade mecca, attracting a vast diversity in our imports, and our visitors.  Our merchant vessels are accompanied by heavy rams, as I leave nothing to chance. 

Our defenses are such that citizens and visitors alike are safe within our city and surrounding lands. By land, air, river, forest or thassa the City of Lydius's defenses are unsurpassed.  From the huge stone wall that surrounds the city, the massive stone guard towers that rise high above providing a panoramic view armed with arches day and night, the tarn wires strategically placed, the City Guard, City Watch, all expertly trained; Tarnsmen Patrols, Tharlarion Patrols, Kaiila Patrols, their watches extend from the thassa all along the Laurius River and into the Northern Forest past the Sleen Pens, the Lydius fleet patrolling the harbor and the river, all lands surrounding the entry to the Meadowlands, the City of Lydius is secure and her defense forces nae penetrable.

Every plan is to be considered, every expedient tried and every method taken before matters are brought to the last extremity of war.  Good Captains decline general engagements where other methods save the lives of their Brothers. Strategy and finesse are deployed to destroy the enemy as much as possible... without exposing our own forces.  However, there would be little reluctance to become engaged in direct military engagement, prosecuting offensive operations against any adversaries.

Coordinating and commanding the Kaiila Forces of Lydius is an intricately complicated and serious position. The primary duties of the kaiila prides are as follows:
 
Patrolling throughout the city, the span of the Laurius River that borders the city, and beyond past Laura as the river winds into the Northern Forest.  Patrols travel within the forest for several acres, as many seek the city of Lydius for supplies and trade.  The borders to the Meadowlands which span hundred of passangs as we have an alliance which serves both cities. I also manage the Tre'Moon Kaiila Ranch; which involves maintaining the ranch, ensuring the keepers are taking excellent care of the beast and overseeing the training and breeding programs, as both Northern and Southern Kaiila are available.
 
My job, as Captain of the Kaiila Calvary encompasses scheduling the men on their rotations, coordinating the patrols, determining where more are needed, and make decisions with constantly shifting priorities when anything unexpected occurs. I work directly with the Administrator and the other Captains to coordinate the defenses of the city. I take my duties very seriously, as protecting the Home Stone and her people is my primary objective at all times.

My origins are from the dessert, my original home the Tahari as I spent ahns each day riding southern kaiila across the lands.  My journey brought me through a war on the plains and from there I traveled much of Gor. My sword then pledged to Lydius, as I joined the Brotherhood of this magnificent city.  I am indeed fortunate to have come here, and proud to be the Captain of the Kaiila Calvary for the city of Lydius, I cannot think of any other position I would rather have.

HAIL LYDIUS!

I must have paced along the docks for ahns, least so it seemed.  The light of day began to caress over the sea and in the distance ship sails danced upon the thassan breeze.  The port was coming alive as merchant ships began to arrive; slowly I made my way toward the shipyards, the delivery of timber would be arriving from the mill and new orders I would find upon my desk.

My life by the river a peaceful harmony in comparison to the rage and thunder of the sea.  A contrast seemingly divine in its destiny of my life.  The tranquility of our solitude by the river the Kings have blessed us with. 

The shipyards massive in scope, an arena I now manage, I never foresaw what would be.  It had been my home as a child, a refuge from my despair and still it brings an inner peace. 

I go about my work knowing the warriors of the city keep all here safe and within that harmony I design the ships of war, the ships of merchants, the ships of the thassa.  My crews tending to each detail as the vessels take shape.  I build for many although my primary work is for the city of Lydius, the yards able to accommodate several builds at once as I oversee all construction. 

As most of you know I have recently returned back to the shores of our beautiful city from Port Kar.  Never more true the statement. "It’s so good to be Home."  I can only hope you are all as glad to see me back. I have to admit there was a time I had considered not returning to Lydius. Karian blood is what flows through my veins by birth.  But is blood what determines the man you will be or are?  I say nay!  I was happy to be back "home" to be where I was molded into the man I am.  But as I watched the turmoil's in Port Kar unfold before me once more I came to the realization it's not the blood that flows through you, not the lessons that you learned, but the way you feel in your heart.

One of my reasons for thinking of staying was of course Samantha and my children.  All you fathers know that feeling when your little daughter runs up to you with a big smile yelling Da! and grabbing your finger to hold. Makes the heart of the mightiest warrior melt.  The idea of missing all that again was something I nay wanted to even think about.  The longer I stayed in Port Kar and walked its streets, talked with old friends met new ones the more I realized this was not my home any longer.  Though tempted with the offer to return to my position on the COC the more I realized their values of home and family where no longer my values.

  The honor, the respect, the comradery between Brothers like that we have here in Lydius can nay be matched anywhere else.  Able to convince Samantha to return to Lydius with me was a happy day.  When I stood on the deck of the Pride and saw the horizon of Lydius come into my view my heart swelled.  The glisten of the sun off its peaceful buildings blinding to the eyes.  It was then that I knew Lydius was where I wanted to be, to raise my children in the peace and tranquility.   The city I have come to love as if I had cried my first breath of life here.   It was my heart not my mind that told me I was HOME.