Round 33: Begin!
Imperial Reckoning 199 - 201
Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make for ANY Attribute checks, plus rolls for rulers you will start using at the start of next round. If you want a new ruler in the next round, you must state so in your action post for this round and link to their rolls. Any increases from actions for this round are counted for the ruler you start your next round with (because it’s handier to account for by the co-GM), which may or may not be your current ruler.
Good luck!
Rules Alerts & Changes!
HC requirements for techs are not consumed on a per tech basis if matching the using player’s State Religion but are consumed like resource tech requirements if not the State Religion of the using player.
Generals leading Troops not from the General’s state still count as a coalition, and provoke coalition losses. The General’s state cannot apply their own techs, other than Tactics techs.
CSC, ETL, and other potential Military primary Organizations now only give 2 units per favor spent, and have a unit cap equal to [4*HQ + 1*Bases]. Surpassing this unit cap with recruitment actions will contribute towards their creation of technologies. Favors for them will now be in line with other Organizations. FOR, BHD, and other potential Military secondary Organizations will still give up to four units per favor, but will only hire out one such group at Rep4; they also have a unit cap equal to [4*HQ + 1* Bases].
Recruiting units from the CSC (as opposed to hiring them) now only costs 1 favor over the standard costs for the given number of troops. Additionally, when hiring large numbers of troops (>6 units) with a single action, one additional favor is levied as a cost for the difficulties involved in amassing that quantity of troops to a given location.
Slandering now reduces a state's Reputation with an Organization by two points if successful.
Purging now Purges all HCs of a given religion from a region; the more HCs, the more unrest. Holy Orders must still be Purged separately. This is subject to change.
Organizations can now use some of the TPs of players with Rep6 or higher as if they were their own.
New Rulers whom gain Inheritance bonuses from previous ruler must roll for Attributes in order, starting round 33.
Growth!
From mercenary servants of the Old Empire to the torch bearers of the Avakonian name Varjik has come far. With the support of Karys and cooperation of Dvatla Varjik sheds its identity as a kingdom to embrace the imperial legacy of Avakonia. United in power Varjik and Karys raise the banner of the Avakonian sun once more over Emjata. (AVA establishes an Empire and gains the ability to take a seventh action!)
Despite a bloody multi front war that seemed poised to reshape Estensule and Regner the Kunai Clans who had been pressed between primary belligerents miraculously emerge from the peace treaty almost entirely restored territorially. Two separate peace treaties one with the Pride and one with Jintha had seen all three regions taken by force returned with the stroke of a pen. It isn’t surprising then when in 197 IR the new Tensar ruler declares again the Clanlands as a united kingdom, no longer subject to the Regno Sultanate but independent upon the world stage. (KNI restores their Great Kingdom and regains the ability to take a sixth action!)
Although some in the region are upset when Sycoraxi banners are unfurled outside the region's capital buildings they are quickly reminded by their leaders that failure to come to terms with Sycorax would likely mean invasion either by the Revolutionaries or more frightening still, Dvatla. A levy of young fighters is called to be present at the official oath of fealty ceremony and presented as a token of friendship to Witness Caliban. (SYX claims Region 114 and gains 1 Unit!)
As the League of White Sails once again descends into anarchy, Dvaltan administrators and judges are swiftly sent in to strip the local lords of their autonomy. For decades this region has been prone to factious infighting between various clans. Feuds over even the pettiest matters would soon break out into mass violence without the intervention of Dvaltan officials. The role of Dvatla as peacekeepers does not go unnoticed by more peaceful local factions who soon realize if they wish to survive this chaos they would do well to align themselves with the Dvatlan throne. (DVT has partially claimed Astrand (14)!)
As Lindeen pounces on the weak flank of the Northern Council whose barracks were depleted by back to back warring with the Cinder Queen Sfair balks more loudly than ever before over their liege’s actions. Dame Elena Blanc is forced by the pressure her own Governor of Rúgari as well as the rulers of Dvatla and Varjik to recognize the King in Dvatla as her new liege as Sfair abandons Lindeen in the wake of this new war. This decision goes mostly unchallenged in the Free Alliance territories but in Cesaria, closest to the Mandate’s font and most infused with those teachings, discontent grows over Dame Elena’s disloyalty to the Mandates and elevation of paltry political concerns over the pursuit of magical theory unrestricted by stuffy churches and reactionary empires claiming dead histories. (SFA switches vassalage from LDN to DVT! Cesaria (102) is in Unrest!)
Diplomacy!
Despite the conflict that had torn down the Regno Sultanate the western subcontinent seemed to be growing closer through bilateral agreements among smaller powers. Whern benefits from this as they successfully establish an embassy in Jintha while New Bhule reaches out to Whern in turn. In Jintha this new diplomatic outpost may help give Whern and Jintha the means to bypass Regno in technological trade. (WRN establishes an Embassy with JTH!)
No doubt hoping to foster a fraternal alliance of small north Regner states the Frostbinders of New Bhule formally establish relations with their neighbors in Whern. Fherharbor and Fherhaven were practically sister cities with a long intertwined history tying them together so it was that even through the Long Winter the two powers established relations with ease. (BHL establishes an Embassy with WRN!)
Despite the occasional conflicts between their peoples the cultural elite of Karys has been heavily influenced by the Kunai clans in recent years. Kunai dress, food, and even the practice of Honmyo have become in fashion among the warrior women. It helps that Karys has served as a sanctuary for a thriving Kunai community since the Abhidi civil war. The establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two powers comes as no surprise in the wake of this recent history. (RKH establishes an Embassy with KNI!)
In Aaenna and Razzak both of the appointed vampiric feudal lords work their lies and dark magics to manipulate the populations back into meek acceptance of their lot. An admixture of propaganda, incentive, and disappearances soon sees order in the streets restored. A happy face greets those who wish to see such things and the ugly truths are buried beneath sickly sweet lies. (Aaenna (38) and Razzak (39) are Stable!)
Reconnecting the severed lines of communication and authority lost in the region’s invasion by Overvann Thae Guceart is quickly restored as a province of the Sultanate. The storm dwarves pledge again their oaths of loyalty to the new Sultana and the region settles once more into spirited mirth. (Thae Guceart (92) is now Stable!)
Faith!
The new rulers of Bhule, foreign colonizers from the Frostbind Isles, have brought with them not only their governance but their faith. Frostbinderism was a dualistic faith that posited the preeminence of two gods, Ignatix and Nixir. Ignatix was a goddess of light and warmth with the majority of Frostbinder prayers centered on garnering her favor. Nixir was the goddesses’ eternal foe, lord of the dark frozen underworld who worked to undo her good work upon the world. For many the arrival of the Long Winter appeared to show Nixir was currently winning that eternal struggle. (Frostbinderism is Organized! Bhule (86) HC 2 is converted from Initia to Frostbinderism!)
Although Lazar’s spiritual authority was cast in doubt by the rising claim of Gwitna as head of Xincoatl’s church Lazar nonetheless remained head of Coatl Perijanism long enough to issue a declaration of heresy within the Northern Council of Ti Linnad. While officially the Orradi Shollarissi debates which questioned the rituals of sacrifice so common to Coatl Perijanism are the reason for this excommunication most suspect the act to be a political move to favor Lindeen in their conflict with Ti Linnad. With war on their border and faith burning more intensely in the Northern Council’s borders than ever before it is perhaps no surprise this declaration has wide ranging effects in the Northern Council’s territories. (Wybrez (18), Gelupar (19), Arfordir (20), and Lascienmo (22) are in Unrest! Ti Linnad (21) is Unstable!)
The discs of prophecy have attracted spiritualists from across northern Regner to examine tales of the portents carried on their surfaces. In uncertain times many take solace in the foresight of Weden as blizzards coat the land. Soon cults to the old gods of Gamle Mater arise across the land as pilgrims make their way to analyze the discs or their prophecies. (OVN gains Relic: The Discs of Prophecy +1 to conversions!)
While the Inyoni Crescent had suffered greatly since the fall of Whitefeather and the sacking of Whitecrest this period of loss has given the once dominant Inyoni a glimpse of the fragility of life. When Ildian scholars come speaking of peace and brotherhood they find welcome listeners eager to begin down the path towards healing. Soon a sizable contingent of Inyoni take to following these Lacian priests and after a few years of study are themselves recognized as the Feather of Echeler, a holy order in service to the Ildian Pantheon. (CAL establishes Pantehon of Ildia Holy Order in the Inyoni Crescent (45)!)
Lazar’s invasion of Aniachaket, and alliance with Lindeen has prompted a widespread backlash among the Coatl Perijanist community. Figures from across the Holy Coatl Empire have decided to elevate the dynasty of Warden Ollin to head of the faith. It helps that the Warden quite recently built the largest Coatl Perijainst temple in history. With near universal support from the remaining Coatl Perijanist states Gwitna elevates itself as the new head of the Coatl Perijanist Church. (GWT is now Head of Coatl Perijanism!)
Even postmortem the power of Brinefather permeates Regner. Eagerly or unknowingly Sigyn sets down the path following in the footsteps of Dafi believing she may yet tame the indomitable power of Brinefather. For now it seems as though Izbefe has harvested it for their own ends, but it remains unclear whether Sigyn is the puppet or the puppeteer. (IZB gains Relic: The Godslayer Throne +1 Defense Against Secret Actions 1/round, reduces user Intrigue 1/round as a Non-Action!)
As the only extant state following the Pantheon of Ildia Lacia claims its position as restored faith head of the small southern cult. While hardly a world influencing faith within Palmor Ildia had stood now for nearly a century as a pinprick of light amidst a vast quilt of darkness. (CAL claims Faith Head of Pantheon of Ildia!)
Outside the Kiin Nor Aba, Firebreathers, holy order dedicated to Xincoatl all other traces of Coatl Perijanism have now been purged from the Pall by it’s new ‘Ridi’x inhabitants. Worship of the dragons has only grown stronger in the years since the Flamefather paid a personal visit to the region. The shared symbology of the cleansing flame between Xincoatl and at least the Flamefather’s aspect of worship allows proselytizers an avenue to convert locals. (The Pall (29) HC 2 is converted from Coatl Perijanism to DRGN-CQ!)
Appeasement vs defiance, mysticism vs rationality, tradition vs progress, these are the conflicts which rage across the Jintha isles. While they at first seemed willing to cooperate with their Initia counterparts, tensions became ever more heated due to the obtuse behavior of the Sycorax and Regnan mages magnifying the growing desperation of the Shamans to provide a spiritual counter to the Long Winter. Amham shamans see the Regnan magi as overly materialistic and more concerned with their own studies than the impeding Long Winter. The battle for the hearts and minds of the Volzen escalates when shamans from Amham awaken spirits against the magi, running them out the holy groves the Initiates had run the shamans off from only a few years prior. (Jintha (108) HCs 1 & 2 are converted from Initia to Jalyeong-bo!)
While Ti Linnad was being cast out of its own church for heresy by a corrupt faith head seeking to aid the assault by Lindeen it seems at least some measure of religious hesitance regarding their affiliation with the eastern church was factual. Orthodox perijanism finds a minor renaissance within this contentious state of affairs and those who turn back to this old pantheon of understanding seek to discover what has led Lindeen’s Perijanists to view Ti Linnad as their enemy. When it is discovered the Perijanists of Lindeen were no more than an appendage to the Mandates these members of the Linnadi orthodoxy seek to correct this perversion. (Lindeen (101) HC 3 is converted from Perijanist Mandate to Perijanism!)
In Wybrez, the villages by Lake Norikstaw have been fairly noncommittal towards Coatl Perijanism, largely paying lip service to Ti Linnad's chosen faith. However, in recent years, they have grown more committed and faithful to the ways of the serpent god Xincoatl. Monuments begin to rise, sacrifices are made, and idols dot the villages. There can be no doubt that Wyrbez is now devoted fully to the faith. (Wybrez (18) HC3 is converted to Coatl Perijanism!)
The infamous Coatl Perijanist Firebreathers of the Pall have seen better days. The banishment of the Quill to the region’s outer jungles had largely fulfilled the orders purpose in cleansing Kina’s dark influence. Coatls withdrawal from the region in addition to Lazars corruption has sapped the organization of new recruits. Fortunately the arrival of the Ridir has given the organization a new purpose. Instead of hunting heretics the Firebreathers have transitioned into the role of administrators and tax collectors for the region’s new masters. Soon these magi would begin erecting altars to the CInder Queen in addition to storing the designs for her boons in Coatl script. (The Pall (29) Holy Order is converted from Coatl Perijanism to DRGN-CQ!)
Trade!
An unexpected technological innovation from the isolationist ‘Ridi’x inhabiting the Pall may see the decentralized governance first given theoretical form in Ti Linnad spread farther and wider than ever before. For nearly a decade now mercantile pressures on the limited supply of Emjatan inks and papers has kept the benefits of decentralized authority from being realized more broadly. The simple solution of the ‘Ridi’x? Toss the fancy inks and paper and utilize the hides and fluids of hunted beasts to mark down important matters that need be known far and wide. It was perhaps not as refined and stuffy as the traditional scholastic tradition created in Ti Linnad but it proves no less effective in ensuring power remains flat. (RDR adapts Decentralized Authority Writing Materials resource requirement to be substituted with Animals!)
While elsewhere under the Northern Council’s banner war threatened to tear the very fabric of northern unity in Gelupar a far more positive development occurs. Sultanate merchants, lighter in coin than they had been a decade prior but still well funded, arrive to negotiate a deal on goats. Land which had been left uncultivated is bought up as are breeding pairs from existing goat traders. In a few short years the Regnan investors find themselves owners of a stretch of farms with profits, and goats, filtering back west into Sultanate coffers. (RGO increases Gelupar (19) Goats from [Minor] to [Good] and takes over TP 2!)
In a rather surprising move Lacia chooses to funnel a great deal of the southern plunder inherited from Azenhal’s governance into northern Regner, Tevrus specifically. The unique properties of the region’s Livestone and its role in the creation of stonespoken warriors has seemingly intrigued the Astérionnag. With a wealth of gold, silver, and trade goods to entice the kobolds Lacia establishes another productive Livestone mine within the hollows of the kobold homeland. (CAL increases Tevrus (90) Livestone from [Minor] to [Good] and takes over TP 2!)
The spiritual activity and competition between Jalyeong-bo and Initia had stirred many supernatural forces around the islands of the Jintha. A few retired shamans and Initiates who chose to remain in the south rather than return home join with a number of local fishermen in increasing the Cloudwing Piranha haul on Cawv Dej. (Cawv Dej (76) Cloudwing Piranhas are upgraded to [Good] and JTH takes control of TP 2!)
A series of bountiful harvests in Ka-ruun have increased the region’s available laborers twofold. The rise of New Avakonia has lead to a surge of demand in available laborers for expansive building projects across the imperial heartland. Not long after springs end, hundreds of laborers and settlers move to the Imperial core at the behest of Karysite merchants in order to help revitalize Marvalo and Belhaz. (Ka-Ruun (62) Labor Guilds are upgraded to [Good] and RKH takes control of TP 2!)
Winter in Deaux becomes more severe, and the cold that once was limited to the mountaintops seems to linger closer and closer to sea-level with each passing year. Some suspect that this is a side effect of the long winter to the north while others claim that the ancient aspect of cold has awoken within the deep forests in the area. Whatever the truth may be, the Hlaali Bark that is only found in areas with frost becomes much more common at lower altitudes, making its collection easier and its harvest more plentiful. Scholars in the area are quick to capitalize on it for the benefit of their people, bringing the strange resources home for study. (Deaux (56) Hlaali Bark is upgraded Grand, and RGO takes control of TP 4!)
Varjik, now calling itself Avakonia, seeks to expand their economic footprint in Emjata without stepping on too many toes. The Omanush receive visitations in Roagan and Razzak where the Convoys agree to exchange holdings to this new Avakonia on promise of favor to be shown the Admiralty by this new empire. (AVA buys out Razzak (39) Allspice TP 2 & Roagan (74) Pearls TP 2 from OMC!)
As the Frostbinders establish themselves as the new rulers of Bhule their nascent trade network expands with the favorable disposition from foreigners keen to make friends with the rising power. In both Amham and Karys the favor of the Amham Federation and the Pall-residing-‘Ridi’x sees this new power secure a much needed supply of fuel and food to help stave off the Long Winter they find themselves suffering under. (BHL buys out Amham (2) Timber TP 1 from AHM and Karys (48) Wheat TP 3 from RDR!)
The rich and far flung Yondari League merchant guilds set their eyes on the long suffering Palanam only recently recovered from a crisis in faith. Bearing more coinage than most in the region had seen in decades the Yondari are able to acquire a rich vein of copper that had been left unmined for years. (YDR buys out Palanam (65) Copper TP 1!)
As Gwitna purchases one of Coatl’s unowned corn supplies Coatl purchases the other. Leveraging the danger the Wings presented upon Uhraiyan investment the Exarch negotiates a rather favorable deal with his subjects. The removal of the Wings leaves many corn merchants kicking themselves for agreeing to the Exarch’s lowball pricing on principle of emergency supply. Individual profits are low but the region angles towards prosperity as a portion of the harvest is redistributed by the church within the Theocracy’s capital. (CTL buys out Coatl (33) Corn TP 3!)
During the southern war, foreign agents flooded into Deaux and managed to take control of the new sources of Hlaali Bark developed by merchants from Hathgjil. Wood has become more important than ever, serving as fuel to stoke the flames of Dvalta’s innumerable steel forges as well as constructing the great kingdom’s navy. (DVT buys out Deaux (56) Hlaali Bark TP 3 from CAL!)
As part of the end of the Regner war a series of resource exchanges had been agreed to among the belligerents. On that list were the granite quarries formerly owned by Regno in the eastern sea that had been seized by Overvann raiders during the war. With peace now between them the Overvann agree to hand over their seized goods, for a nominal fee of course. (RGO buys out Kilkana (26) Granite TP 2 from OVN!)
Moon Opal Jewelry has become quite fashionable among the clan leaders in Gwitna. The rare stone has become a centerpiece in robes, prayer beads, and hair attachments. Fortunately the moon elves of Lascienmo are eager to make coin in order to compete for influence with the increasingly wealthy CSC. (GWT buys out Lascienmo (22) Moon Opals TP 2!)
The Gwitna are among the first to take advantage of Coatl’s newly free real estate. The Regnan merchants fled in the face of the Dragonforged onslaught the Gwitna find themselves facing off against rival merchants from New Avakonia. Gwitnan merchants are easily able to seize any remaining assets and work the lands with the assistance of imported slaves. Possession being nine tenths of the law and a steady stream of revenue from the corn harvests sees Gwitna secure their claim over that of the Avakonians. After a few years a dedicated supply chain of corn is sent to feed the increasingly hungry urban centers of Glen Gwitna. (GWT buys out Coatl (33) Corn TP 1!)
Whether the deals were made before or after Sfair’s dissolution of bonds with Lindeen would be forever unclear, due to the guarded nature of the meetings, several incidents involving falsified records, several more involving more innocent mistakes, and the gap between the declaration in the north and the news reaching the lands surrounding Azenhal, but whatever the case, it seems Sfairi merchants have taken possession of a number of iron mines formerly believed to be depleted. Some would call the new seams discovered shortly after the exchange to be suspicious, but others, merely good fortune. (SFA buys out Azenhal (71) TP 1 for Iron from LDN!)
Delayed due to the nature of Pride economics (rough, tumble, and often through third parties) and the distances involved, the slaves purchased some time ago by Rhunite merchants finally make their way to Confederate markets. (RHN buys out Tarraks Krag (78) TP 3 for Slaves from SMP!)
War!
In deadly Sycoraxistan each man, woman, and child under the Revolutionary Guard’s protection were seen as the highest valued asset worth protecting from the ravages of the world. To this end efforts to lighten the damage suffered by soldiers on march have resulted in the creation of enchanted wickermen whose presence supplemented and amplified a traditional company of fighters. These artificial soldiers could be deployed in such a way as to waste enemy resources scouting out a base full of wicker men or charging a formation that had no more than five real flesh and blood fighters puppeteering the “battalion.” More advanced versions of these manufactured men are even capable of being enchanted to follow simple orders allowing more flexibility in their use upon the battlefield. (SYX introduces Takwin Footmen (Warbeasts and Live Weaponry), Effect: -1 casualty rolls // +1 battle rolls. Requirement: Magical Resource // Magical Resource, North Weed, Magical Earthen Resource (Livestone/Blood Clay), Oil OR Grease!)
The research still being poured over from the first Warcaster creations has led Lindeen to realize the spirits and powers bound to flesh could also be bound to the page. Properly prepared magical scrolls could host bound spirits and spells, though binding up such energy only made it more volatile upon release. These paper spirit bombs are dubbed War Puppets as they provide the semblance of a spiritual army whose power was only augmented further by the awesome might of a proper Warcaster nearby. (LDN introduces War Puppets (Warbeasts and Live Weaponry), Effect: +1 battle rolls // +2 battle rolls. Requirement: Warcaster technology, Ruined Scrolls // Warcaster technology, Ruined Scrolls, battle led by Warcaster!)
Chief Simriq, leader of the Bhulic Frostbinders, appoints his friend and strong right hand man Ahbs to the position of senior general of the Bhulic armies. More renowned for his own personal prowess on the field rather than a deep understanding of strategy Ahbs nonetheless quickly proves himself capable as a leader whipping the undisciplined recently raised Bhulic levies into a serious fighting force ready for their first battle, wherever that may be. (BHL gains a Mil 7 General Ahbs!)
The war with Regno may have allowed the Serene Marasa Pride to claim an empire for a brief moment but ultimately its losses had piled up quickly and without end. The Kunai slaying of Sithara Kkoya had ended a legendary line of generals originating with Tashan, the Desert Scourge. With this moment of relative peace however the Pride is able to address this hole in their defenses as the new Maharaja appoints his vicious elder brother Kildos Barun Ssuras to the position of supreme general of the Pride. The Rakshasa alpha’s favorable education and healthy living seem to have sharpened the warrior’s keen instincts and many veteran Rakshasa quickly learn to respect and fear their God-King’s brother nearly as much as they feared the Maharaja himself. (SMP gains a Mil 10 General Kildos Barun Ssuras!)
In Saaremaa the Margravine errs against angering ocean spirits or their appointed protectors among the region’s Animists choosing to instead risk displeasure among the general populace spawned by the recruitment of eager young patriots to fight in the ongoing struggles Rhune finds itself in. Nearly five thousand young men leave Vislandi and the surrounding area to join the great Rhunic army of the northeast. Local concerns over a depleted workforce caused by such concentrated recruitment are borne out in the months and years to follow forcing many residents of Vislandi to seek a life for themselves elsewhere abandoning their homes as continued business becomes untenable. This influx of older men, women, and young children into the other regional cities causes a great strain which is felt all the way at the top. (RHN gains 2 Units and Saaremaa (95) is in Unrest!)
Krace hunt
Spoiler: Hunt In the North
Show
KRC: 10 + Mil11 = 21
YDR: 11 + Mil8 = 19
KRC: Mil11 Krace the Warcaster + 2 Veknar + 2 Elegy + 1 Wards + 2 Relics + 8 + 5 Tactics = 31
YDR: 8 Units + Mil8 Veras Misstle + 2 Tech + 13 = 31
YDR Casualties: 30%
RHN Casualties: 60%
TIE! The Yondari League loses 1 Units, The United Northern Confederacy of Rhune and Saaremaa loses 4 Units! Krace has been stymied!
Like a plague of locusts, thousands of Lindeen soldiers under Archon Atraxi enter the highlands in an attempt to instal a mandate friendly council. As city after city falls under the power hungry mages, the consensus seems to shift to Ti Linnad’s sudden demise. Fortunately Emperor Däfikä of Dvalta has other plans in mind. As the Lindeen column marches toward the region’s capital they are intercepted by a force from Dvalta augmented by a few thousand mercenaries to face the mages in open combat. While initially the two armies attempt to outmaneuver each other Archon Atraxi, decides to make continue the course quickly seize the council before winter arrives forcing both sides to dig in. Foreseeing this turn of event Däfikä begins the campaign by attacking Atraxi’s supply lines. Now facing near certain starvation Atraxi moves his army to Däfikä’s position at an unparalleled speed hoping to surprise the Dvaltan king. Unfortunately many soldiers are rendered exhausted, with many dying enroute, from the forced march. Despite this they fight with great ferocity nearly annihilating the dvatlan center from the pressure.
While the veteran Dvaltan infantry are pushed back to their camps, the mercenary left and right wings fare far better easily besting their exhausted lightly armored counter parts, dispersing them to the east and west respectively. As the Dvaltan center begins to to crack they are joined by none other than Däfikä and his retinue raising the great flag of Dvalta and reciting a prayer on the front lines. Even with the Emperor’s support The Dvaltan center is pushed into its camp as the large formations get broken up into smaller engagements among the elaborate tents and craggy terrain. Here the Dvaltan devotion to discipline and steel begin to triumph as Atraxi’s soldiers quickly become overwhelmed by their more organized opponents. Worse still for Archon Atraxi the mercenaries begin to converge on the Dvaltan camp. In the midst of the chaos Archon Atraxi rallies as many soldiers as he can breaking through the fairly dispersed Emperor’s retinue to escape back to Lindeen before reinforcements can arrive. As the mercenaries arrive to the Dvaltan camp they find an army in mourning as it appears the Emperor was captured over during Atraxi’s escape.
Spoiler: LDN Invasion of Ti Linnad (21)
Show
LDN Byonic Tactics: 5 + Mil10 = 15
DVT Aerial Bombardment: 9 + Mil10 = 19
LDN: 7 Units + Mil10 Archon Atraxi + 1 Tech + 7 = 25
DVT: 6 Units + Mil10 Däfikä + 6 Tech + 5 + 2 Tactics = 29
LDN Casualties: 10% +2 size losses
DVT Casualties: 10% +1 coalition loss
TLD Casualties: 20% +1 coalition loss
Defender Victory! The Kingdom of Dvatla loses 1 Unit, Crescent Company loses 1 Unit, the Sovereignty of Lindeen loses 3 Units! King Däfikä has been captured by the Sovereignty of Lindeen!
Spoiler: LDN Invasion of Lascienmo (22)
Show
LDN Byonic Tactics: 6 + Mil8 = 14
TLD Aerial Bombardment: 8 + Mil10 = 18
LDN: 2 *Units + Mil8 Warcaster Macra + 1 Tech + 16 = 27
TLD: 5 Units + Mil10 Sibeal Gorman + 4 Tech + 2 Tactics + 15 = 36
TLD Casualties: 20%
Defender Victory! The Crescent Company loses 1 Unit! Warcaster Macra has died!
An undead horde rivalling in terror if not in size the great masses which had in recent memory besieged the gates of Avakon marches out from the dark heart of Khirus on a course towards the Coatl. The kindred who sat in shadowed council wished to end the fiery reign of the Exarch Tizoc and to replace the mighty Holy Coatl Empire with a puppet of their own imperial ambitions. With so many warriors lost to the Cinder Queen’s merciless attack only a few years prior it seems at first the Theocracy will have no chance of survival, no way to win. Then came a most surprising turn of events, the ‘Ridi’x arrived to offer their support.
Under the leadership of the renowned fighter and leader of hunters ‘Xuxavegx the great mass of dragon-born appeared from the east brandishing massive blades and clubs carved from the Pall’s unique flora. Rolling engines of fire and smoke poured black smog into the sky behind them as they entered first the devastated capital of Coatl before continuing on to the Inyoni Crescent where they came upon a faltering Coatl army. Forced to retreat from the border where the Theocracy had hoped to hold back the tide the Coatl regulars were overjoyed to be receiving backup, regardless of its form. Rapidly ‘Xuxavegx took command of the field ordering his hunters to take their massive rolling Pyroclastic Engines deep into Khirese held territory that the war machines could spew their hideous burning payload far and wide within the undead’s ranks.
The reinforcements put Lassoran on the back foot and for a moment as one after another of his subcommanders were immolated by the accursed siege engines it seemed perhaps the Theocracy might repel the assault. However, the vampiric general had been trained by his country’s most elite tacticians, fed by the finest bloods, and as commander of his master’s dark forces was unwilling to accept retreat as an option. Heights tenacity paid off as only a month after the ‘Ridi’x’s surprise arrival the Khirese general had reformed his ranks and prepared to return to the offensive. Distracting most of the Pyroclastic Engines with a feint Lassoran’s main force penetrated the enemy flank left open by ‘Xuxavegx’s aggressive strategy. From here there was no recovery for the defenders and while it was a hard fought retreat eventually ‘Xuxavegx was forced to cede the Inyoni Crescent to the advancing forces leaving Coatl in a precarious position, their fate uncertain but looking steadily more grim now that the undead empire sat an army upon their capital’s border.
Spoiler: Clash near the Inyoni Crescent (45)
Show
KRS: 5 Units + Mil8 Lassoran Heights + 4 Tech + 16 = 33
RDR: 7 Units + Mil9 'Xuxavegx + 3 Tech + 14 - 1 Distance = 32
KRS Casualties: 20% +1 size loss
RDR Casualties: 30% +1 size loss +1 distance loss
CTL Casualties: 40%
Khirus Victory! Council of Shattered Emperors loses 2 Units, ‘Ridi’dreq loses 4 Units, Holy Coatl Empire loses 1 Unit! The Council of Shattered Emperors now controls the Inyoni Crescent! The Inyoni Crescent is now in Unrest! ‘Xuxavegx has been killed!
As a force of Lazarite Mercenaries and Usan salt raiders arrive in Lazar, they quickly fall into a stalemate with the defenders of the northernmost islands. The defenders were equal to the invaders in number but well entrenched on their island bases, and most unwilling to allow the outsiders to replace Matrizia with Waldemir. By the time that Tanya Chalun arrives from Yondar to lead the troops, a significant rivalry had developed between the Salt Raiders and the Mercenaries. The Mercenaries favored continuing the siege, starving out the CSC troops in the island bases, while the Usan Salt Raiders advocated abandoning the siege of the forward bases and sailing around to attack individual islands with the full force in one place. Chalun ultimately sides with her own people and the salt raiders' strategy is adopted: The Yondari force travels as a full fleet island to island in turn, capturing or killing the defenders, before abandoning it and moving on to the next. By forcing the defenders to fight against a large numbers advantage in every instance, the plan successfully demoralizes enough of the defending troops that when Chalun seizes the fort Black Crescent the defenders surrender their arms and the region to Yondar, placing the isles under military occupation.
Spoiler: YDR Invasion of the Isles of Lazar (28)
Show
YDR: 2 Units + Mil7 Tanya Chalun + 4 Tech + 15 = 28
LZR: 2 Units + Mil8 Basilis Ka Feroh + 1 Tech + 11 = 22
YDR Casualties: 40%
LZR Casualties: 60%
Attacker Victory! The Yondari League loses 1 Unit, The Isles of Lazar lose 1 Unit! The Yondari League is occupying the Isles of Lazar!
As the Rakshasa meet the rebels in Tarraks Krag on the field of battle, they see an easy victory before them. Outnumbering the rabble three to two and far beyond them in skill, the battle is over within a few hours, the rebels slaughtered to the last. Yet Tatthan Dalyo is not seen among the bodies of the dead....
Spoiler: Rebel Invasion of Tarraks Krag (78)
Show
SMP: 3 Units + Mil5 Zabaryn Sinja Ssuras + 3 Tech + 15 = 26
RBL: 2 Units + Mil8 Tatthan Dalyo + 1 Tech + 7 = 18
RBL Casualties: 60%
SMP Casualties: 30%
Defender Victory! The Feast of Rieba loses 1 Unit, Tarraks Krag Rebels lose all Units! Tarraks Krag is still in Rebellion!
Unopposed by the Coatl Theocracy the Arndok of the Isles personally leads the charge to annex Aniachaket from the HCE. With no armed forces to repel their ships the lazarite led forces quickly spread through the region seizing strategic sites and assets in the name of Matrizia. The Kansett seem disturbed by the breakdown of peace long held between the eastern Coatl Perijanists but many had worked closely with Lazar in matters of trade for years and so hope this new arrangement will at least benefit their coffers.
Spoiler: LZR invasion of Aniachaket (24)
Show
LZR conquers Aniachaket (24)! Aniachaket is in Unrest!
Discovery! Map!
Terror!
At long last the Brinefather’s Rage upon the Uhraiya is quelled! Whernian shamans of the Frigid Digits have, with the power of spirits, navigated the storm seeking out its eye and pulling the Brinefather’s Wings from the depths of the sea. The relic of 'Gxe'dhok is brought on a long journey back to Whern where the ragged waterlogged wings are presented to the Chief’s Council. The temperamental magic swirling around the pair of bones seems to only intensify the blizzards brought by the lingering Long Winter. (Gelupar (19) Goats TP 1, Glen Gwitna (23) Redcedar Wood TP 2, & Shona (32) Bloodclay TP 3 are restored!)
WRN acquires relic Brinefather’s Grief!
Spoiler
Show
+4 to one Buyout OR Negate 2 distance loss per round. Get wrecked by storms. No one may attack you via naval route. You may choose to cause distance losses for every region of yours another kingdom travels by if attacking past you over a naval route. You may not attack via a naval route without utilizing the Wings. Automatically win naval clashes. Attacking with the Wings has a chance to inflict damage on regions you attack/travel by (including the region you set out from) 1/3 chance of damage per region. Damage is represented by 1d6 where 1 = HC becomes Open, 2 = TP becomes Open, 3 = Open HC is given to DRGN (If no Open, nothing happens), 4 =Open TP is given to DRGN (If no Open, nothing happens), 5 =Increase in instability, 6 = Nothing Happens). If you don’t attack with the Wings, your coastal regions suffer the 1/3 chance of damage. If you have no coastal regions, all of your regions risk damage instead!)
Marauders and warriors personally employed by Järlin Aeshra Hodeskalle have arrived at the Green Way to crack some Dejanist heads. Enraged by the presence of the southern pantheon, and afraid that it may contaminate their native beliefs, the marauders slaughter every Dejanist they can find at the holy site. Scriptures that can’t be edited with the names of the Gamle Mater pantheon are swiftly burned as an antidote to the long winter. (Delwin (84) HC 2 is Purged from Dejanite Cult to Open!)
Merchants and emisassires from Ti Linnad plead for aid at the court of the Jarlin Aeshra. Fortunately the Marauders of Overvann are eager to to strike against Lindeen’s holdings as the valuable ruined scrolls serve as both writing materials and repositories for esoteric knowledge. (OVN raids Region 104 Ruined Scrolls TP 3 from LDN!)
Lindeen is quick to retaliate, though quiet, and sends members of the mysterious Ombran Order to strike at Ti Linnad’s own supplies of the material. Though the shadow mages meet with surprising resistance, they are eventually able to establish control over the merchants and ruins-peddlers that once contributed to the Northern Council. (LDN raids Region 104 Ruined Scrolls TP 1 from TLD!)
Perhaps their preoccupation elsewhere is what enabled the Dvatlans to succeed against them in Regno; shortly after a number of local merchants have their livelihoods ruined by scandals coming to light, and others appear to come into unexpected wealth, the Bani exports originating in Antrum begin to end shorter and short along their trade routes, until they are flowing into Tehlerkhet storehouses; not Mandate ones. (DVT raids Regno (8) TP 3 for Bani from LDN!)
In a surprising twist the Serene Marasa Pride has chosen to ally itself with Khirus and Lindeen, arguably the two kingdoms more hated than the Pride itself. As Lindeen makes its move to pluck the bleeding flesh of Ti Linnad and the Northern Council’s ever-loyal Rhunic Animist vassals answer with an assault on Lindeen’s Lazarite ally the Pride chooses to seek profit amidst the chaos. While merchants from Rhune are quick to try and explain their government’s lack of a role in the assault on Lazar with the bulk of the Rhunic army away hunting the mad man Krace it seems the Rakshasa have no intentions of slowing down. The Darkwood of Yondar which was so valued by the north island is seized by brutish Pride raiders forcing a number of Rhunic merchant guilds to fold. It is hoped the Margravine will soon have an answer to the problems cascading into the capital from this loss. (SMP raids Yondar (98) Darkwood TP 2 from RHN! The Margraviate of Rhune is missing its Required Resource and may soon enter Unrest!)
The people of Carida have become impoverished to an extent rarely seen on Emjata. The land's famous maize has yielded few crops in the last years, and they simply do not have enough to trade for anything the region needs. Those who can leave the region do so en masse to try and find work, food, or anything worth trading. Those unable or unwilling to leave begin making demands of their vampiric overlords, their fear of vampires far outstripped by the extent of their people's suffering. Carida's Prince makes a (very polite) petition to the council of shattered emperors; something must be done to remedy the region's many problems. (Carida (69) is now Unstable!)
An abnormally wet spring has flooded many of the caves and holds the C'tenzi call home. The dispossessed C’tenzi have been forced into the overland thick evergreen forests of the region. In a desperate attempt to keep up the harvests of Facet Cap at capacity, the C’tenzi experiment in breeding a new morph of Facet Cap. Unfortunately the airborne spores of this new morph cannot be contained in an above ground environment causing an outbreak of carapace rot in the community depleting existing stock and causing the C’tenzi to cancel shipments of the mushroom abroad lest the infection spread. (Sumwyr (99) Facet Cap TPs 2 (KRS) & 3 (YDR) are now Open!)
Cycles of drought, heavy rains, and harsh winters have depleted much of the forests that blanket Kilkana. While this doesn’t much affect the subterranean dwarves, the landslides that have begun to plague the region surely have. Dozens of landslides have cut the Kilken off from their preferred trading partners in addition to interrupting food imports. (Kilkana (26) Granite TP 3 (LZR) is destroyed! Kilkana is in Unrest! TP 3 can be restored via a 2-action Project with the completing state taking control of the TP!)
Tëhlër̨khët Polytheiests have been patiently tolerating the prescence of the Mandates influence among the Sfairi elite, but Lindeen’s recent expansionism has made many of the high priests nervous. They fear that their traditions will soon fall under the corrupting influence of the Mandates. Eager to prevent this some argue for secession, while others wish to preemptively strike against their overlords. The rising tensions show no sign of abating and the already unsettled region only grows more volatile. (Region 107 is Unstable!)
Organizations!
After almost a decade of delays caused by war and dragons the League of the Beacon base promised by Mure is finished by Tensar in the Azure Coast. The League are grateful to the Kunai for their assistance regardless of the slow manner in which it came promising to aid the mysterious Clans in uncovering truths in the future. (KNI increases Reputation with BCN to 4 and gains 1 Favor!)
Further negotiations between Jintha and the Omanush sees the two mercantile powers growing even closer. The sea elf admiralty declares Jintha a friend and preferred trading partner in Emjata as well as potential partner for crossing the deep seas. (JTH increases Reputation with OMC to 5!)
Representatives of the Omanush Convoys are treated to the best food one can find in Amham. The ruling family desires the money, connections, and fuel a partnership can offer, especially in these trying times. (AHM increases Reputation with OMC to 4!)
Bo of Amham believes the long reach of the Acolytes of Áhkká will be key to solving the Long Winter. The young heretical spiritualist reaches out to the Acolytes hoping to make friends with the vault keepers based on his family's history favoring the organization under his father and aunt. Hopefully this organization either has or can find the necessary relics to appease the spiritual disturbance of northern Regner. (AHM increases Reputation with AAK to 6!)
No doubt hoping to secure the contended border region from further northern incursions the Regno Sultanate has reached out to the Crescent Company offering a base in the region of Stormvines. Always eager to expand their unparalleled reach across Emjata the Company commanders approve of the chosen fortress but insist Regno provides either a unit or an attache of Regnan scriveners to aid in stocking Crescent Company libraries with legal codes. (CSC requests a Unit or 2-action Diplomacy project to expand the Company’s libraries!)
The bidding war between Councils Northern and Southern came to a conclusion that would surprise some but was entirely expected for others. The Company accepts the Linnadi bid...but also a partial bid from the vampires. The Council of Shattered Emperors in Khirus has received the services of two full regiments from the Company, at their regular price. Ti Linnad has received the same, at a markedly higher price. (5 favors paid to CSC for six units for TLD; 2 favors paid to KRS for six units for TLD)
Other!
As the League of White Sails begins to reintegrate into the Dvatlan hegemony those coastal city factions who opposed this new direction are looking for foreign support to back their own positions. They find this funding in contacts from Jintha who trade desperately needed foreign investment in exchange for information from the artisan guilds. (JTH acquires Alchemical Artisans from LWS!)
Jintha is quick to respond to the Fresian Fly epidemic affecting the stables of Bysthia. With a great well of funding an inoculation and cure for the disease are both found in under a year. After a few more months Jintha even develops a pesticide to drive off the flies from Bysthia’s watering holes. Grateful local ranchers offer their saviors their personal selection of mares and stallions who become the breeding stock for a new Jintha-owned ranch in the region. (Bysthia (63) Bysthian Horses is upgraded to [Grand] with TP 3 under SMP and TP 4 under JTH control!)
With the spread of the Kansett into the isles of Lazar, demand for seafood spikes. It seems that the crablike workers have a difficult time adjusting to the more continental style of cuisine enjoyed by the lazarites. Many who have since immigrated into the isles are reconsidering their choice to move given the lack of good food in their new home. (Each round until a source of seafood is acquired beginning with the end of R23 one LZR TP in Aniachaket will become open!)
Rumor about the cursed lands were never far from people’s lips in the halls and taverns in the surrounding parts of Khirus. Of late, a strangely consistent trend had spawned regarding sightings near the Fresian coast. Sighting of Picians had fast become the talk of the hour, this shouldn’t have been news given it was their homeland, but the tales were quite unusual. The Picians sighted had come not come from Fresia or the ocean, but the cursed lands themselves. None left the ocean or its shores yet still day after day dozens even hundreds of “new” Picians wandered south from the cursed lands. Tales beyond their curious arrival varied - many were claimed to be somehow off with mutations or queer energy surrounding them. Some are said to have been there one moment and vanished the next. Others still claimed to have passed the same pician walking the other way, only to pass them again several more times down the line.
Re: [EMPIRE4!] IC Thread
Reply With Quote