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[Bluemen](/wiki/bicolline/species/bluemen/) are an ancient civilization shrouded in mystery. The first historical records of them are when [Emperor Polignac first encountered them](https://ghoria.org/pages/lieu.php?&id_lieu=1&id_type=0&id_guilde=1000) in [Ozame](/wiki/bicolline/regions/ozame/) during his attempts to expand the [Empire](/wiki/bicolline/regions/empire/) to the south.  Not much has been written about them except that they were accomplished hunters and fishers and their territories were rich in minerals. Bluemen are also known for their strength and resiliency, which the empire unfortunately used to their advantage by exploiting them as slaves in the diamond mines of Ekengrad. This began the long [suffering of the Bluemen under the empire](https://www.facebook.com/bicolline/photos/a.102704433148887/4916096548476294/?locale=ms_MY&paipv=0&eav=AfY_CQ-71xdgNdYMVAD5EapWi6rJa56YNtrisHFD_BwV_7bG9FPlFqn52qOFtSUy7us&_rdr).

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[Emperor Polignac](/wiki/bicolline/people/emperor-polignac/) was the one who ultimately withdrew from the [northern conflict with Nasgaroth](/wiki/bicolline/events/war-between-the-empire-and-nasgaroth/). Instead, he redirected his efforts to the south, encountering the blue men, an ancient civilization with territories rich in mineral resources. Unfortunately, the Emperor swiftly enslaved them, exploiting their resources, and many were sent to the diamond mines of Ekengrad.

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From 999 to 1004, [Gar III](/wiki/bicolline/people/gar-iii/)'s reign faced various challenges. Tensions escalated between [Dark Elves](/wiki/bicolline/species/dark-elves/) and the empire, with Prince Morath of [Nasgaroth](/wiki/bicolline/regions/nasgaroth/) declaring war on both Gar III and the new [King Solar](/wiki/bicolline/people/king-solar/) of [Andore](/wiki/bicolline/regions/andore/) over the loss of the dark elf artifact, the [moonstone](/wiki/bicolline/artifacts/moonstone/). The loss to the dark elves highlighted the divisions and wekanesses in the empire. The construction of the Port of [Marienburg](/wiki/bicolline/regions/empire/mariembourg/) provoked the [Orcs](/wiki/bicolline/species/orcs/) of the [Forgotten Lands](/wiki/bicolline/regions/territoire-de-loubli/) (Terres de l'Oubli), and discontent grew due to the treatment of slaves in the Ekengrad mines and the repression of dissent.

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Emperor Gar III's cousin, [Inqul de Saqual](/wiki/bicolline/people/inqul-de-saqual/) exploited Ekengrad mines until his death. Every year under his reign, hundreds of slaves and prisoners of war fell under the whips. Malnourishment and exhaustion carried the others. Saqual was ruthless and his cruelty was equal to his wealth. More resilient, a few blue men survived detention, some managed to escape by diving into an icy vein of water, others were eventually released.

Fruit of the deaths of thousands of his fellows, Jaeir, the Blue Man, had swore to keep a secret on a treasure sleeping at the foot of the [Chkôl mountains](/wiki/bicolline/regions/empire/chkol-mountains/). But the Great Evil and Disease were right about his convictions: to take care of his relatives and his clan, he sold his secret. The location of the cache, where Saqual's spires dropped the precious ore, was now known. The information was sold and resold, and in a short time, groups of mercenaries set out. The bait of gain was great and the soldiers, seeking glory and battle, braved the forbidden, ignoring borders. Within a few weeks, hundreds of fighters scoured the mountains of Chkôl, in the north of Ekengrad province.

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The captain has established a safe and quick route that will avoid leaving the main roads. We will first join the imperial road of the Tracé de Polignac where we will ride west to Ekengrad and, from there, we will turn north towards the Chemin du Corlieu, to finally join [Ghoria](/wiki/bicolline/regions/empire/ghoria/) on the said path.

Despite my apprehensions about passing through the heart of the province of Ekengrad, newly under [Redemptorist](/wiki/bicolline/organizations/order-of-our-lady-of-the-redemption/) jurisdiction after mysterious events took place there in the village of Logneraie and the chaotic city of [Garganesh](/wiki/bicolline/regions/terres-dauquesse/garganesh/) extended its influence there, I must admit that Wardon Capum speaks the truth when he says that nine lightly armored people should not attract too much attention from the Lady's men, who have many other cats (rabid lions would be more accurate) to worry about. These arguments make sense, but as an Adept I will not feel safe until we leave Ekengrad. There is no doubt in my mind that our departure will not go unnoticed and that our ride will be under intensive surveillance.

Departure is planned for the day after tomorrow. Today the weather is gloomy, the rain is falling heavily and doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. A north wind portends a rather unpleasant road ahead.

Year one thousand and two of the [Central Lands](/wiki/bicolline/regions/empire/), twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month, Trévoux-le-Haut Domain, Imperial Province of Ekengrad

Trévoux-le-Haut… This corner of Ekengrad at the foot of the mountains is not very populated, but we were still able to find a small and discreet village at the eastern end of Chemin du Pic. The locals told us that the place was once called Adamas, which in the old imperial language means "diamond." At that time, the region was rich in the numerous diamond mines that surrounded it, hence the name of the village. Then, around 950, when the imperial authorities lost interest in the mines which had been exploited as much as possible, the village, which emptied of its population, was renamed Fin-de-Pic, because it was located at The eastern end of Chemin du Pic. This name has stuck with him until today and in my opinion suits him wonderfully.

Lady Fortune having us in her good graces, we were relieved to find a small inn, deserted of course, apart from a few regular customers living in the tiny hamlet. “L'Auberge de la Pioche Brisée”, named thus since the fire which ravaged it twelve years ago, certainly does not stand out for the originality of its name and certainly does not allow its tenants to dress in gold, but it is nevertheless very welcoming. The innkeeper and his wife seemed very happy to see nine people arriving asking for meals, alcohol and rooms. I wonder, moreover, how many travelers can pass through here in a year. After all, there is nothing to see further apart from mountains and old abandoned mines. Perhaps some people tried their luck believing they had found diamonds. I doubt they found anything.

A downside, however. Yesterday, a soldier who accompanied us stopped the trip. He pointed to the east and we all looked there. In the distance, there was unhealthy-looking smoke, even at this distance, and everything around seemed dead. Thus, we were able to see, from afar, the extent of the devastation caused by the sacrifices at Ténamhuac, we had before us a desert of Garganesh. I have often said to myself that I would have to go and study these devastated regions one day or another, but this simple vision makes me fear that day which, I suppose, will come sooner or later, when I will have to tread on this blackened ground.

Plus, I can't help but imagine that men dressed in black and white are watching our every move. We can’t wait for us to reach Ghoria and finally leave the “Land of the Lady”\!

Coming back to the trip, we traveled the Polignac Trail for seven days and left heading north four days ago. The first three days of the ride were very difficult because, although the weather was neither hot nor cold, we saw a few flakes, the rain often took over. Traveling wet in cold weather is a very unpleasant experience. Since then, the clouds have passed overhead without dropping any rain or snow. Today the sun was shining in the sky, making the trip almost pleasant. The captain estimates that we will reach the Chemin du Corlieu in ten days and, from there, the road to Bethel should take a week, at most.

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Year one thousand and three of the Central Lands, tenth day of the seventh month, Trévoux-le-Haut Domain, Imperial Province of Ekengrad