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Interview from Commander in Chief Broderick. 
version 1.0 by Herv� Musseau
An interview from Commander in Chief Broderick of the New Alphatian Confederate Empire, by Dorrik Rockforge and 
Belzamith Cutterfingers.
Belzamith : Commander Broderick, thank you very much for receiving us in your new headquarters here on the fantastic 
island that is Ionace. I guess no one can enter in this sensible building without a good reason.
Broderick : And you're right. This building, as well as the Parliament a few blocks away, is well protected. Not only by 
mundane means, such as guards, but also with powerful magical wards. All magical knowledge was not lost when Alphatia 
sank beneath the waves a few years ago, and this building has been enchanted with wide-area, permanent spells that protect it 
against such things like magical spying or unwanted teleportation, in the manner that was done with the imperial palace.
Belzamith : I see, but do you have plans to make it look, well, better? I mean, it is so spartan... Maybe some paintings on the 
walls would...
Dorrik : It just looks like a military building, stupid gnome. Practical and effective. In one word, dwarvish. In fact, I would 
even say it goes along quite well with the city of Denwarf-Hurgon. Why did you choose to establish the center of the 
government here, Commander?
Broderick : Well, many reasons converged to this place being chosen. One of them was that we needed many buildings that 
could host our government officials immediately until we could construct new ones, and the abandoned buildings of Denwarf-
Hurgon, that had resisted the sinking and earthquakes...
Dorrik : ... they had been built by dwarves...
Broderick : ... were a good solution.
Dorrik : But there are other free buildings elsewhere, including the ones on Aquas, where former Emperor Zandor had his 
quarters. Certainly not as sturdy as good old dwarves' works, but...
Broderick : Definitely. But the seat of the confederated government is a very symbolic place to the people of Alphatia. Ionace 
is doubly symbolic : It is not situated on any of the member state, making it a sort of neutral ground, and it was once part of 
mainland Alphatia, helping giving to the peoples that form the NACE a sentiment of unity and loyalty to the old ways of 
Alphatia and Empress Eriadna.
Dorrik : Since you mention it... Is Eriadna still alive in the Hollow World, as the rumor goes, or was that only a plot to make 
the various kingdoms unite together?
Broderick : Indeed she is. The Hollow World exists, as has proven the return of the now famous Karameikan Polar 
Expedition. And Alphatia exists down there. The Council does rule in Empress Eriadna's name.
Belzamith : Then, why did you keep the information for yourself all that time, until you had to unveil the secret because of 
the return of the polar expedition? What other secrets are you hiding? Do you intend to take the Hollow World for yourself?
Broderick : There is nothing hidden here. The existence of the Hollow World had been made public long ago, even though 
nobody really believed in it until recently. We didn't reveal the survival of Alphatia within the Hollow World because at the 
time the NACE wasn't united and stable, and this event could have caused troubles with the population of the Confederation, 
or even an aggression from an outside power. Now that the country is stronger and more stable, we don't have such concerns 
any more.
Belzamith : But the initial revelation of the existence of the Hollow World wasn't the fact of the Alphatians either, but 
Claransa's famous book. Isn't there someone out there trying to hide the Hollow World? Are you trying to keep it for you 
alone?
Broderick : Not at all. The Hollow World is not ours, and the NACE has no plans to conquer it. As the Council declared, all 
friendly nations like Karameikos are welcomed to use the North Pole route and establish permanent contact or trade with the 
Hollow World nations, including Alphatia.
Dorrik : Commander, you say the NACE has no intentions to conquer the Hollow World. But your have conducted more than 
one successful war lately, in Esterhold and elsewhere, and you seem quite aggressive, military speaking. Does this mean you 
intend to launch wars in some areas of the outer world?
Broderick : Not at all. The NACE is a peaceful nation, or, I should say, alliance of nations. The wars you are speaking of were 
not actually wars, but internal interventions to overthrow dictators and help reestablish order. I don't think anyone will regret 
the fall of the kings of Esterhold. We have signed treaties with various nations, and we've ratified the Isle of Dawn Treaty 
with Thyatis.
Belzamith : Now, does that have to do with political or economical reasons?
Dorrik :  Hmmmff. Who cares? Most people only want to know if there will be a war, not why. They don't care 
why their house will be burned, just if it will.
Belzamith : Well, I think all people have the right to know precisely what is going on in our marvelous world, from the actual 
effects to what is going on behind the scenes. After all, there must be some mastermind behind everything...
Dorrik :  By Kagyar!
Broderick : Well, if you must know, it's both. Our money is going into rebuilding the Esterhold Peninsula and the Isle of 
Dawn, and no one wants to conquer anything else either. No, there is no mastermind trying to make peace. It's just what 
everyone wants right now. The last war with Glantri was enough for Alphatia.
Belzamith : So you claim...
Dorrik : Oh, give it up... most people figure that out anyway.
Belzamith : It's the principal of the thing that you have to ask all the question.
Broderick :  Please, gentlemen, you seem more warlike than the NACE will ever be...
Dorrik : Oh, sorry. It's just that Belzamith's questions are so stupid.
Belzamith : What?
Dorrick : So, not war but market ventures?
Broderick : Yes. Within the Confederation, since we have a vast market and different regional products, and goods are no more 
taxed when traveling all around the Confederation. Also, with other countries : The Council has signed trade agreements with 
Karameikos, and hopes to sign other such agreements with the Western Defense League or other countries soon. We also hope 
to find a way to establish reliable means of communication and travel with the Hollow World and Alphatia.
Belzamith : So, dear Commander, if the NACE has no military plans, you'll have spare time. You see, I believe that everyone 
has someone with whom he is destined to have a great love story. Maybe you'll have time to find that woman now?
Dorrik : Bel, you bother him with your questions.
Broderick : The army is my family and Alphatia is my love. I serve Empress Eriadna and answer to the Council.
Dorrik : What is this Council of the NACE exactly, Commander?
Broderick : The Council is the ruling body of the Confederation. It is the existence of that very body that turned the New 
Alphatian Empire into a Confederation, because it is composed of the rulers of every nation that composes the NACE. It 
decides policies that concern more than one country, like foreign policy, treaties, trade agreements, and such. Votes are held at 
the majority, except for very special matters, with the Commander in Chief having a vote in case of a tie. The Council rules in 
the name of Empress Eriadna of mighty Alphatia, who lives and rules in the Hollow World. Note that the Esterhold Peninsula 
has only one siege at the Parliament, held by the President of the Republic.
Dorrik : Concerning the Republic of Esterhold, what will it be like now? A republic like that of Darokin? I also heard a rumor 
of a true democracy, similar to what the Hin have in the Five Shires or Leeha.
Broderick : Frankly, I don't know. I know Favian Vern quite well, since we have fought together in Blackrock and then in 
Verdan. I deeply respect him and his idea, and I know of his profound belief in the virtues of democracy. But I don't know 
how he will do this on such a scale. I mean, the population is not much more numerous than that of the Five Shires, at least if 
we don't count the wild Jennites that live scattered throughout the Peninsula, but the country is one hundred times bigger. 
And most of the population, especially the Jennites, is illiterate. But I'm sure Favian doesn't want to restrict voting to the 
rich, as is the case in Darokin. I don't believe there will be any election for some time, I would say at least not for another 
year.
Belzamith : So, what is your favorite candidate for those elections?
Dorrik : He just told you there would be no elections in the near future, so how could he have a favorite, uh?
Broderick : Yes you're right, it's too soon to tell. Moreover, I wouldn't tell you. Whatever, I can't see any other candidate for 
the moment; I think Favian Vern is the only person capable of holding this position.
Dorrik : With this new system being set up in Esterhold, and the fact that the Council, as you described it, seems also to be 
run in a democratic way, will the whole NACE promote this new system at the level of the Confederation? Will the countries 
of the NACE all become democracies, and the NACE the biggest democracy of Mystara?
Broderick : I don't think so. At least, I'm not in favor of it. Democracy is appealing, at least in theory, but I strongly believe in 
a strong, firm rule. Democracy may be dangerous. Remember that the NACE remains an empire, ruled by Empress Eriadna. It 
is true that the Council functions as a democracy at its level, but this is a democracy of kings, not a democracy of the people 
like it will probably be in Esterhold. And it not the role of the Council to dictate the kind of government each member state 
must have; each nation retains most of its prerogatives, including the right to edict its own laws, taxes, and of course form of 
government.
Belzamith : Commander, don't you think that illusions are neat spells, capable of making a bunch of bright lights and fancy 
noises? How often do you cast them? Are they effective on the battlefield?
Dorrik :  Commander Broderick isn't a stupid illusionist gnome. He isn't even one of those 
haughty wizards, he's a soldier, like a sturdy dwarf. He can't cast your little tricky spells.
Belzamith : Oh, right, but he has many wizards at his service, doesn't he? They can cast illusions...
Dorrik : Oh by Kagyar! Commander, please excuse my friend and his *stupid*  
questions, and thank you for your time and your truthful answers.
Broderick : I thank you for your interest in the NACE.