The Gravetenders
Turn 10
Sersi The Pale
Diplomacy - 2 || Military- 3 || Economy - 2 || Faith - 10 || Intrigue - 2
Actions:
Spoiler: The Pax Arctica
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Within the aegis of the Blossoming Sequence, the Annointed Prophet of the Eternal Communion and Sersi The Pale speak to the assembled representatives of all the local powers.
"Rejoice!" proclaim the Prophet, "No more need the nations of these frigid seas fear their neighbor! War is ended and belief is free!"
Sersi steps forward, addressing the gathered representatives. "Much, nearly all, of our collective lands follow either the insights of the Blossoming Sequence, or the Eternal Communion. Freely, they have come to us for guidance, and this must be given consideration. Therefore, we lay out here the Pax Arctica. No member nation shall be subject to conversion they and their people do not welcome, as none so far have."
"Such peace is extended to outside faiths," explain the Prophet, an abortive lance of polyps jutting towards the representative of the Residuum, "But like the treacherous Pattern before them, tampering uninvited in neighboring lands will be met with the combined might of both of the Polar Faiths and the offending confession rooted out and exterminated."
Sersi continues, "And between our member nations, we will forbid war. We are, none of us, truly enemies. Let us not change this, let us enforce our peace. Any who would break the Pax Arctica must find the arms of those who follow Communion and Sequence alike raised to defend it. Primarily, we expect this to be a shield against outsiders, and not our member nations."
"As new members of this Polar peace, every nation represented here is guaranteed protection under these terms. Where possible, we will ourselves use the bonds of faith to restrain overreach." Here, the Annointed Prophet gestures towards Sersi. "Where necessary, we will all proceed under the understanding that an assault on one is an assault to all."
"While it is to our mutual benefit for all to dedicate themselves to the defense of our Pax Arctica, we understand that this is beyond the limits of some nations, and beyond the sensibilities of others. Those which wish not to be protected may withdraw. And even those who do are offered our spiritual guidance, should they refrain from violence upon member nations.
"Of course, we understand that there are costs to enforced peace," admit the Prophet, "Much more to enforcing it. And so we, the heads of the Polar Faiths, offer incentive in addition to the miraculous relics that we may see fit to grant. Member states who abide by the terms set out, and who strive in all ways to keep these realms in peace, are invited to plan public works projects for the benefit of their peoples. Applications may be submitted to either Head of Faith, and in mutual conference, we will determine which is most worth pursuit."
Sersi nods, once, raising one hand to gesture towards a window, through which can be seen the Blossoming Icons. "You have seen the shining results of our faith and dedication, and our friends of the Eternal Communion are no less capable. Every decade we will begin and complete a grand work in pursuit of Pax Arctica's collective prosperity. With the aid of the Communion, perhaps even faster.
The Anointed Prophet seem to swell with holy fervor as several Gravetenders step forward, ready to offer their skills to the coming constructions. "Thus begins the Pax Arctica!"
1: [Faith] Exalt Domain.
Shortly before the Reef In Bloom, Sersi calls many of her people back to the Dead Cities, their first homes. Here, a massive celebration commences. Well, massive by Gravetender Standards. Certainly lively. All faithful to the Sequence, be it Blossoming or Tidal, are invited, as are those dedicated to their fiercest and most respected rivals, the Eternal Communion.
Spoiler: EXALTATION
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Gravetenders do not generally smile in a way perceptible to organics. The subtle shift of Silver and Stone which signifies Sersi's joy is not clear to biological visitors... But her tone couldn't be more so. Dead City Tacca is unusually alive with activity. The halls are lined with displays of the sheer variety of the Sequence's adherents, the different paths that the faithful have created.
Sersi, herself, stands upon an elaborate dais, welcoming all. Nearby, Akathi and Nasko fervently debate the particulars of the Tidal Sequence. Gravetenders of both the Blossoming and Tidal Sequence chime in, often, unafraid to speak their minds. Laksha speaks softly to a new Gravetender, unseen before. This new Gravetender's pattern and form are somewhat strange, though not exceptionally so. Into their body they have worked shards of crystal from Dead City Urodela, fragments of old Maker relics, and one hand appears to be made of Rimestone from Kar-Nath.
When Sersi goes to speak to the gathered faithful, Dead City Tacca goes near silent, a rarity in these waters. "Faithful, friends, and all who visit us this day, we rejoice. The Blossoming Sequence has brought much to our frozen waters, and now, on this day it shall be immortalized. All things fall, and all things feed the Sequence." There's a pause, a moment of contemplation, before she continues. "We have, in recent years, spread far and wide, shared understanding with organic life and collective life alike. We are not exempt from death, merely distant to it, and it is our charge, our chosen duty, to see that its place in our world is understood. Today, marks our next step. We establish ourselves as a true, sacred nation, here in the lands of our Makers. Today, I invite you, adherents of the Sequence, seekers of understanding, to make this oath alongside myself... And my disciple, Elkelt."
Here, the new Gravetender amongst their elite steps forward, head bowed. "We, children of the Makers and heirs of the Dead Cities, make this oath in contemplation of the cycle unending. That we may continue to be a bastion of knowledge and understanding. That the Sequence we study never be brought to end. It is our sacred vow. Contemplation and comprehension."
A few moments later, many Gravetenders speak the same words. "Contemplation and comprehension."
[Translator's Note: Disciple means 'child' for most intents and purposes. Further details below.]
2: [Military] Contribute to Crescent Companion.
3: [Military] Raise unit.
4: [Military] Raise unit.
5: [Military] Raise Unit.
Non-Actions:
[Free Action] Create Holy Order [Sacred Oath Of Silver Currents] in the Dead Cities [78] as part of Exaltation.
[The Reef Which Never Falls Silent: Host the Reef In Bloom. Followers of the Blossoming Sequence may attend as a faith action.]
The Reef In Bloom sends out a special invitation this year, paired with messengers from the Eternal Communion.
[Blossoming Icons: Seek Aid on Kar-Nath's colonization of 64.]
[Continue sending Kar-Nath Hard Metal via trade rout.]
Spoiler: Stat Changes
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Stats for next round:
Diplomacy - 2
Military - 3
Economy - 2
Faith - 10
Intrigue - 2
Spoiler: Statistics
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Spoiler: Special Actions
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Special Actions Available:
Special Actions Used: Diplomacy 5, Economy 5, Faith 5*2, Faith 10
Spoiler: Diplomacy
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Reputation/Favors
The Abyssal Stewards: Rep 1, 1 Favor (Expected Change: None)
The Chelonian Chora: Rep 0, 0 Favor (Expected Change: None)
The Divine Nacre: Rep 0, 0 Favor (Expected Change: None)
International Prestige: Rep 3 (Expected Change: None)
Cultural Exchanges
Deep Blue
The Shifting Ennead
Cultural Identities
None
Spoiler: Military
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Units: 1 (Expected Change: None)
Aristocratic Support
78, 76
Generals
None
Fortresses
76
Perfected Tactical Doctrines
None
Military Technologies
None
Spoiler: Economy
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Treasure: 0 (Expected Change: None)
Trade Posts
Total Owned 0
Mercantile Support
78
Cities
None
Trade Routes
The Seatide Confederacy
Kar-Nath
Specialized Ships
None
Civilian Technologies
Megafaunal Tailoring, Graduated Symbiosis, Photospore Signaling, Supernatic Propagation, Trophic Deconvolution, Composite Grafting.
Electrodialytic Staurozoa A specialized variety of sessile jellyfish, engineered by the Divine Nacres to partially desalinate seawater through electrodialysis across its outer membrane. Attaching them near the gills or other water intake organs provides cleaner and safer water at the cost of a buildup of supersaturated seawater inside the jellyfish’s body and precipitated calcium on the outside, which must be periodically expelled or scrubbed off, respectively. [Effect: May ignore the increased effective distance from a Briny border up to twice per round. This does not reduce the effect of Briny borders on distance loss calculations. Requirements: None.]
Spoiler: Faith
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The Blossoming Sequence
Faith Holy Sites: 15
[78.1]Dead City Urodela: This Dead City is placed such that the light which streams from above is channeled into a series of crystals, all sculpted into abstract forms.
[78.2]Dead City Tacca: Known for its meditation chamber, and the series of elaborate Reliquaries the faithful have built inside.
[78.3]Dead City Chantrieri: Chantrieri towers above the rest, precipitously built along a sharp dropoff.
[69.2]Neoplastic Monolith: A great roiling mass of hard, stone-like flesh grows near the [direction of nearest waste or toxic border] border of Danabae. It shifts, grows, and consumes constantly, and is revered by some few who dare approach it. The Gravetenders have taken to reflecting upon it, and have built a temple nearby.
[76.1]Pardalis, The New City: The first city truly built by the Gravetenders, now dedicated as a holy place of the Blossoming Sequence.
[76.2]A Study Of War: A battlefield of the Makers, significant now to the Gravetenders as where they made their first steps to understanding violence.
[77.1]The Rime Gorge: The Rime Gorge, and the ritual it represents, is of great interest to the Blossoming Sequence. Many die, and those few that survive flourish with power.
[77.2]Grand Schola:
[77.3]Temple of Deep Currents:
[75.1]The Plains of Sarkenos:
[75.3]The Plains of Sarkenos:
[79.2]Seatide Crag:
[79.3]Stillwater:
[58.1]Core Site:
[58.4]Core Site: The Silvered Oath of Ecumenical Exchange
Clerical Support
78, 76, 75, 58, 77, 79,
Organized Faith Bonuses
+1 to holy site conversions.
Artifacts
None
Holy Orders
The Silvered Oath of Ecumenical Exchange [58]
Miracles
The Reef Which Never Falls Silent: Hosts the Reef In Bloom event every round an a non-action, and allows followers of the Blossoming Sequence to attend as a Faith action.
Spoiler: Intrigue
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Spies
Spoiler: Claims
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78 - Historicity
76 - Integration
Spoiler: Wonder
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The Blossoming Icons:This wonder allows the country in control of Bastion (76) to take a modified Seek Aid action which reduces the effective distance for a Diplomacy and/or Faith action, rather than giving a bonus to the action roll. When taking this action, roll 2d6+Faith and subtract 11. Up to a roll of 18, this is the number of regions they subtract for the purposes of distance penalties. After 18, they subtract one more region for every 2 higher. (8 regions for a roll of 20, 9 regions for a roll of 22, etc.) In addition, they can Seek Aid as a nonaction once each round, for Diplomacy and Faith actions only.
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