[EMPIRE!] A World-Building Game of People & Discovery

[lt_murgen]

The Jeweled Cities Round 8 (366-370) actions:

Previous round increase: +1 Diplomacy, +1 military

Events
366- Amber, Regina of the Jeweled Cities, gives birth to twin boys in the fall of the year. Evidently, twins run in the family.


Action #1 (diplomacy) Withdraw technicians teaching Crimar people to build ocean-going ships and expel their students from the academy./edit- action rolled into Cantus Sai/ (diplomacy) Donate all building materials from dissoultion of Ryazen Bay to Celero for rebuilding efforts.
Action #2 (curiosity) continue intensive study of gift of model ship (that flies) that was from Blazing Avatar.
Action #3(diplomacy) Attend the Final visitation /EDIT Cantus Sai / with a formal delegation.
Action #4(curiosity) Conduct a research and archeological expedition to determine the potential ancestral home of the Islanders/edit (diplomacy) Investigate claims that Islanders are actually and offshoot o the Quill people of Tar./
Action #5(diplomacy) Build 1 unit of deep sea, unarmed, transports for delivery to Scla'ca.

THis rounds potential increase: +1 curiosity, +1 diplomacy

Diplomatic activities at Cantus Sai:

Spoiler: Agreement of Sun and Horizon

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The Jeweled Cities shall give to the Ignato Empire in this year 366 the technological specifications of building ocean-faring vessels and shall in return be granted land along the coast of Woodwind to construct a port city under Jeweled City jurisdiction but with respect and deference to Imperial law.

Furthermore the Ignato Empire will send students to the Naval Academy of the Jeweled Cities to learn how to properly navigate and use the ships who's design has been granted to the Empire. During this time of training experts from the Jeweled Cities will assist the craftsmen of the Empire in any boat construction activities to ensure their sea-worthiness.

The Jeweled Citied and the Ignato Empire jointly commit to providing non-military aid to ships in distress along their coasts.

Lastly an ongoing trade shall be established of Jeweled City Kelp Oil for Nyrothian Silk"

Spoiler: Dissoultion of the treaty with the Union of the North

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The Jeweled Cities port at Ryazen bay will be dismantled. All portable building materials will be returned to the Jeweled Cities at their cost and cartage.

The buildings constructed by Ashenia on Jeweled Cities soil will be dismantled and construction discontinued. All portable building materials will be returned to the Union at their cost and cartage.

The Jeweled Cities will no longer pay 1 unit of gemstones to Crima for territorial rent.

All students at the Academy of Navigation in the Jeweled Cities are expelled permanently.

Spoiler: Agreement with Wenyavuk

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The peoples of Wenyavuk will gain 1 unit of tropicl fruits from the Jeweled Cities.
In exchange, the Jeweled Cities will gain 1 unit of treated furs from Wenyavuk.

Rumors:
The rumor is that Amber, Regina of the Jeweled Cities, is in hiding, fearing for the lives of her twin boys.

The rumor is that Jonas Grumby, Amber's father, has joined the temple of the Blazing Avatar.

The rumor is that Black Sam Bellami is organizing a pirate fleet, preparing to break away from the control of the Jeweled Cities.

As she has taken no husband, the rumor is that Evelyn Grant, Amber's sister, prefers women.


Fluff:

Spoiler: Crimar and the out of school suspension, action #1

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The Coral Skipper bobbed in the harbor at Ryazen Bay. In the distnace, she could spy the docks and buildings of their base of operations. It was everyting her father had desired- a strong, safe, port on the Continent from which to build and maintain ships. Now, however, it was a barbed hook that had caught her people.

The war had been inevitable. The Union of the North and the Grand Coalition fought in Celero were the big sharks in the reef. They had to settle with each other. In Celero, they fought even now. But that was not her concern.

She re-read the letter brought to her from the city. It was buzzing with the death of Umajin and a significant portion of his family. The rumors seemed to be true, from what her people cold tell. But did that bode good or ill?

She glanced over at her lover, one of the best of the officers in her fledling army. Her hand reflexively covered her stomach. The future did not bode well for their growing family.

“What are your thoughts?" She asked him.

“Everything we hear say casualties were light on both sides.” He replied. “They both have enough reserves for this to carry on for a few more years.”

“But will they?” She struggled to her feet and waddled over to him. “Or with all the leaders' sacrifice and death, have they sated their bloodlust?”

He turned and embraced his woman. For the moment, it did not matter if she was the Regina of the Jeweled Cities. They were here, on a cool, cloudless night, together. He wrapped his heavy cloak around them both. “That is not what interests you.” He whispered.

She responded quietly, and with great sadness, “We want peace. We want the sea to be safe. But both sides used the blessed waters to move troops, to wage war.” She looked up into his eyes. “Should we have stopped that? We could have.”

He thought for a time, saying nothing. Yes, they could have prevented the Scla’ca troops from being transported. But it would have meant directly opposing the GC. They could have stopped Crima from using the transports too. But they didn’t. From everything they could uncover, though, those few troops would not have sawyed the outcome much either way. But he knew his woman. He knew rationalization would not satify her. Only action.

“We recommit.” He advised. “Our expertise and their labor built the Crimar ships they used. We pull our experts out.”

She agreed, “They lost their experts in the hurricane, and never replaced them.” She was referring to the people from Crima who had been training at the academy to learn the techniques needed to build ocean-going ships. They had been lost when their outrigger overturned in a hurricane. “There are a few merchant’s kids and others from Crima who made their own way to the academy. They will have to go as well. ”

“That would set them back a decade, at least.”
“But what about the lizards?”

“There is little we can do there.” He told her. “We explained our dedication, and they chose to bring Guilder ships in to move their troops. We had to honor their request for peaceful transport. In turn, they did not bring the actual ships into combat, like Crima did.”

Amber looked out at the lights in the harbor. “And if we lose our docking ports from all this? They were father’s proudest accomplishment." Her man had no answer for that. They stood in slience for a time, staring off into the darkness of the night, and the future.


Much later..
Again, the Coral Skipper was at Ryazen Bay. This time, to give the order to tear it apart. The materials would be donated to Celero for rebuilding. Stacks of wood, piles of stone littered the ground. The word had been spread- not a single stone, a single submerged pylon would be left.

Across the water, a crash echoed as a guard tower fell. The noise made Amber weep.

Spoiler: The Origins of the Islanders, and the Quill Senior Council, action #4

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A Missive from the Shamans of the Wild to Amber Grant, Regina of the Jeweled Cities,

Greetings!

It is with significant imprort that we write this missive to you. We Shamans have uncovered some startling information that calls into question the ancestry that we all claim.

As part of our mission, we have sent Shamans our onto the continent, to learn and begin to understand the nature of the beliefs of the multiple cultures and races upon the Continent. One particular pilgrimage took us to the cities of Tar. The people there, called Quill, are roughly the same stature as the Islanders, but with shallower chests and longer arms. They lack our hand webbing and inner eyelid as well. Beyond that, their skin, hair, and eye color are close to ours.

Tar’s religion is remarkably similar to ours. They worship the spirits of nature, and their main spirit Atur is in the form of a tree. This echoes our use of carved trees to represent the spirits of nature. In our discussions with them, we found we had more in common dogmatically than was dispirate. They believe the birds carry the spirits of the dead. We shamans venerate the creatures that inhabit our Isle of Birds.

Culturally, our pilgrims found much that was similar as well. Their capital resides amongst a confusing morass of swamp and is difficult to find without guides. Similarly, our capital of Pearl lies hidden amongst the vast waterways of the Grand Banks. Both the Quill and the Islanders have a strong, innate desire for precious stones. We both decorate our bodies- the Quill with paint, we with ink- taken rom sources in nature. Our decorations are a part of who we are, strongly represented in both cultures. Even the practice of noting the mother’s family on the right side of the face is the same. Our Council and regent structure is virtually identical to theirs. Our pilgrims found it odd that two cultures with so little contact could be so similar.

We investigated further, as far as we could. The Quill have a greater historical archive than we do. With some negotiation, we were able to learn some of it and examine their cultural relics. We saw some ancient tools that clearly were made from star oyster shells. Yet the Quill had no knowledge of that species- it was not native to their shores. Several items had paint we recognized as the pruple you get from our spiny anemone, yet they claimed it was a color lost to them. It was curious.

As we discussed history, the Quill scholars from their Elder Council were saddened we knew so little of our ancestry. Everything beyond roughlt 300 years ago is simply gone. Too many storms made paper and vellum records unrecoverable. All we know is contained in the earliest spirit poles upon the Island of Birds. They tell of our first ancestors being led to the island by the spirits of the air, fleeing persecution from the big lands and seeking the safety of the sea. This seemed to excite their scholars.

They broght forth several scrolls which told of a legend. In ancient times, there were two groups of Quill- those of the coast and those of the swamp. They lived in harmony, cooperative but separate. Something came between them, and warfare broke out. Here there are two different accounts. The first says the coastal Quill were wiped out because they were ‘impure’. When we asked them about this, the scholars believed that it meant they were deformed. The Quill culture treats birth defects quite harshly. The second account says that the spirits of their ancestors led the leader of the coastal Quill to a land far away. He returned, and his people left in exodus. It was the opinion of their council that this was merely a way to re-write what was essentially genocide.

Since our initial contact, we have made several other discoveries. Some of the oldest spirit poles in the Islands are made from a kind of wood not found in our lands. We inquired, and the wood is found in Tar. These poles also seem to hold birds, as the spirits of the air, in higher regard than we do now.

While we possess no central piece of evidence that links our Islanders to the Quill, all the evidence points to a close association between our two peoples. It is possible that we are descended from the Quill who left their shores, possibly to settle in the islands. The Elder Council agrees, and their signatures append this missive. Both the Quill Senior Council and the Shamans of the Wild request resources be made available to further investigate, and potentially reunite, our cultures.

[Slayerofundead]

Last round increase + 1 military +1 Diplomacy

complete colonization of region 30. 1 point diplomacy

Go to Guilder Visitation. 1point diplomacy

[Zap Dynamic]

Raaneka, the Painted Lands
((Attribute increases last round: Curiosity +1))
((Attribute increases this round: Curiosity +1))


Year 366
Many children were born in the years following the coronation of Lady Lomadi and Lord Ujval, and there were few deaths. The love and serenity of the people joined up with the wine of their country, and Lady Lomadi declared forever after that it should be known as Heartwine, finest wine in the world.

"A love potion lovingly created, cure for heartache and for solitude, and lovingly shared with the world." Lady Lomadi raised her glass. "What finer nectar could be found?"

May it be known that in 366, Lady Lomadi and Lord Ujval Devdano attended Cantus Sai in the land of Sanctuary.

Year 367
By decree of Lady and Lord, the miracle child Shvedrishti Pure Eyes and her family are welcome to take residence in the home of Prince Tikta and Princess Cassandra--heads of House Satato--near the Miracle Pools in the north of Raaneka. May all of Telluris know the magic of this glorious babe!

"I remember the magic of milky white eyes," Prince Tikta said, reflectively stroking his beard, "but I cannot remember from where. Was it a dream, perhaps?"

Year 368
No decrees.

Year 369
With the blessing of Lady and Lord, Princess Anguri Adite calls upon the mightiest warriors of the land to take up the reins of the berunda. May the ten most worthy of them join the Raaneki Berunda with pride.

Her voice was thunder and lightning. "Come, ye who seek glory and plunder! Come, ye who would live forever! We take to the skies! For Raaneka!"

Lamentations! Sirius and Urani, twin children of Prince Tikta and Princess Cassandra, died of Thirty Day Plague at age 11. Cassandra tattooed a single black mark beneath her chin in her grief. Prince and Princess carried their names to the placed at the Last Visitation.

Year 370
When eight years had passed after the Second Raaneki Games, constructed on Raaneka Stadium entered its last phase. The Stadium gleamed in giant blocks of purple sandstone, with 30,000 seats of golden stone for the pleasure of spectators from around the world. The people rejoiced, and the first blocks of the Harbor Stadium were laid in Bandar of Many Colors.

Spoiler: Actions

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1. Convert Raaneki Wine [Good] to Raaneki Heartwine [Great] (Curiosity 5)
2. Invite Shvedrishti Pure Eyes to live in the home of Prince Tikta Satato and Princess Cassandra, and proclaim her wondrous gift to the whole world. (Curiosity)
3. Attend Cantus Sai in Sanctuary. (Diplomacy)
   
   • Cancel ongoing trade of Raaneki Lumber for Razdisi Iron.
   • Adjust ongoing Raaneka-Crima Trade: Raaneki Lumber for Crimar Horses (previous trade of Raaneki Lumber and Wine for Crimar Horses nullified)
     
     • Bhavi Asane, a young Raaneki noblewoman, will wed Anton of Solus to seal the agreement.
   • Establish ongoing trade of Raaneki Lumber for Solusian Glass.
   • Establish ongoing trade of Raaneki Heartwine for Nyrothian Silk.
4. Train 1 Berunda Aerial Unit. (Military)
5. Great Project 3/5: Construct Raaneka Stadium. (Curiosity)

[Tychris1]

A Tale of Blood and Iron!

Far away from the world, perhaps not geographically, but politically, there lies a little tavern on the border of Celero. A quaint shack, hidden away via valleys and hills, that now slowly eases itself to sleep. The torch lights have flickered away, and the candles are dim. The sun hangs wearily on the edge of the world, ready to plunge into the magenta beauty of sunset, and pull away the curtain for the night sky. The denizens of the tavern, few as they may be, drink to their hearts content, and prepare to go home. Tired and worn out from a hard day of work, they laugh and exchange stories to ease the time as it flits precariously by. The Barkeep, a grizzled Crima veteran, wipes a mug clean as he shouts out

"Last Call!"

They gather together, buy one last drink, and prepare to head off into the waiting twilight. But not before hearing one last tale, the one that has been saved all night, for it is the greatest tale of all. An elder Sympol pulls his chair closer to the table, raising his mug high and drinking in deep the spirits. His eyes, golden globes like the moon, are scarred and glazed over. He's completely blind in the right eye, and the rest of his body is in similar condition. Grey, patchy fur, a half gnawed on tail, and wrinkly flacky skin shroud his body. His snout is cut and dried, caked with some kind of a mucus he's too senile to notice. With gnashing, broken, yellow teeth he grins and sets his mug down. Looking over his fellow alcoholics, he leans in, and begins to speak with his reeking breathe.

"So, you want to hear one last story eh? A story about nations and empires? Life and death? Father and son? Well then, I have just the right story for you. Takes place some 30 years ago, back when I still had all my good fur, and still had a job as a royal guard in Sympolemou. Listen closely, because I will only say this story once, and I am not one to backtrack. Especially not on a story such as,"

The Tale of Ironfang!
Part 1: Fall of a Son

The Heart of the North is dead silent. Oh, there are certainly Sympol's moving about, doing their daily business, and the average hustle and bustle of a nation. But that is merely noise, within the confines of the Heart there was no sound. No laughter of children, no merriment, no blades drawn or prides wounded. Only the cold, seething void of hatred. It radiated outward, emanating from the Duke's Iron Castle, and oppressed any attempt at joy within its frigid glare. Strangling the life out of any emotions. Within the hallways of the castle, it was practically palpable. A physical presence that bogged down movement, and made moving through the castle feel like swimming through an underwater mausoleum. When one entered the Duke's throne room, they would find the source of the cancer. Bloodfang was completely unmoving, petrified by despair, and rigid in hatred. His eyes were locked eternally in a condescending glower, as if they would shoot fire and consume anyone who approached him. Yet they also seemed to bore deeper through any guests, straight through their core, and out the other side; As if they were never there in the first place. Staring vacantly into the void, fuelled by nothing but anger, the Duke was an enigma. An untouchable, unapproachable statue, a monument to his self appointed failure in protecting his two sons.

Flanked on both sides by his advisors, for the first time in decades the royal Harem was disbanded. The Duke had no need for children or pleasure, for both were murdered on that fateful day when he buried his sons. His advisors, nervously manuevered around him, discussing the business of Sympolemou and the ongoing war. Logistics, strategies, new discoveries, reports, everything necessary to keep Sympolemou strong and operational flowed around the Duke like the ocean around a massive island. The Duke said nothing in regards to these topics, merely continuing his eternal vacant vigil. Seemingly nothing could snap him out of it. Until his son Virmiscus entered the room. The Dukes eyes gained a slight level of sentience, and they shifted a few centimetres in order to accomodate his son in their vision. Dressed in a simple set of Sympol armor, Virmiscus bowed to one knee, and adressed his father.

"Father, it has been five years since this war has started. Thousands of Sympol lay dead on the fields of battle, and we lay no closer to victory then the day we started. Do you truly think it so wise for us to continue this bloodshed? We must seek peace with the humans."

The advisors grew dead silent, a look of morbid dread plastered on their face. None of them dared move a muscle, afraid of what the Duke would do. Were it not for him having once been alive, one would think the sound came from nowhere. So gently and easily did he move his lips, that the Duke seemed almost still as stone.

"A true Sympol does not question his orders. If you do not approve of the war. Leave. Get. Out. Now."

"I am a True Sympol! I am the heir to your throne! I am your natural born son, I care as much for this nation as you or anyone else here!"

Moving away from his father, Virmiscus gripped the edges of a massive stained glass window, peering out into The Heart of the North. He saw the life that roamed around this steel, barren lump, and he sighed.

"No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail.
She is eternal
Long before nations' lines were drawn.
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
My land was born!

And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair.
She is the constant, we who don't care.
And you wonder will I leave her - but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now!"

Turning to face his father, Virmiscus clutched his paws together, and began to plead.

"How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart!"

Tired and disheveled, Virmiscus waited for his fathers reply. There was a long, silent gap between Virmiscus' plead of nationalism, and Bloodfangs reply. Broken only by the Duke's snarl.

"No."

Virmiscus took a step back, surprised.

"You are not the true heir, you are not a true Sympol! QUEEK WAS A TRUE SYMPOL! Queek died fighting, he died here, where you stand, blade in his hand soaked in blood! Queek was the true heir! Queek was my true son! You are nothing but a mote, a fragment of his potential! Queek came with me, he saw how a true Sympol must handle politics with the Humans. Queek fought and bled for this country, HE understood the necessity of violence, of showing our strength! Of respecting our honor!"

Regaining his footing, Virmiscus strode forward to rebutt his fathers assault.

"There is a difference between Sympol dignity, strength, and honor compared to this tyrannical mad butcher spree you have set in moti-"

But The Duke was having none of it today, leaning forward from his throne, his snarling verbal bombardment hailed one insult after the other, slamming his son in an ocean of anger.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU INSIGNIFICANT WORM. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THIS FAMILY, A LEECH WHO IS STEALING THE THRONE FROM MY TRUE SON. I will not be the Duke forever remembered for failing this war, for failing my country! I WILL RISE AS A BLAZING BEACON OF GREATNESS IN THIS BLACK SEA OF WEAKLINGS."

Fuming, Virmiscus began to climb up the stairs leading to his Fathers throne, teeth barred, snarling and roaring all the while.

"Thousands lay dead! Hundreds have lost their homes, their families shattered! This is not the same battle against countless rivals you had years ago, THESE ARE ARMIES STANDING READY TO FIGHT US TO THE DEATH."

Standing up from his throne, Bloodfang took a step forward and pressed his snout against his sons, staring down Virmiscus. His voice resurging with all the vibrancy and power of youth, fuelled by the roaring inferno of rage within his chest.

"Because some Sympol aren't looking for anything logical, like wealth. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with."

"THEN LET THERE BE DEATH. LET THE WIDOWS MOURN, LET THE CHILDREN STARVE, LET THE WORLD TREMBLE AS I CUT IT OPEN WITH MY BLADE AND WASH THESE NATIONS IN AN OCEAN OF BLOOD AND MISERY. SO WHAT! IT WILL BE BUT ONLY A FRACTION OF THE DESTRUCTION AND DEATH I HAVE IN STORE!"

"TWO OF YOUR SONS LAY DEAD BECAUSE OF YO-"

BAM

Virmiscus looked about, his head dizzy and shaking. He finally focussed in time to see his father punch him in the face again. And again. And again. Screaming bloody murder all the while. Virmiscus began to choke up blood, feebly trying to resist his fathers pounding. Grabbing his son by the throat, Bloodfang raised him high and threw him off of the throne. Rolling down the throne stairs, Virmiscus heard an audible CRACK and whined in pain as he felt his arm go numb. Finally his rolling stopped, his breathe haggard and uneasy. He tried to move his right arm, but was only met with a sharp shot of pain coursing through his whole body. Raising his head, he looked down at his arm and noticed a bone sticking out the wrong way. Had he the breathe to do so he would scream, but Bloodfangs claw was around his throat and mouth. Picking him up again, Bloodfang stared his last son in the eyes, and whispered to him.

"You. Are. Nothing to me."

And with that he bullrushed forward and shoved Virmiscus into a massive iron bowl, full to the brim with a roaring flame. His charge did not end there, and the Duke thrusted his son out of the stained glass window and threw him out into the Heart of the North. For once in years the silence was shattered.

Broken by the broken scream of Virmiscus.

"Some Sympol just want to watch the world burn......."

[Shnur]

Year 366
[Diplomacy] 5
Our delegation will travel to Cantus Sai and will take part in this event.

Year 367
[Diplomacy] 5
We will try to finish colonization of region 42.

Year 368
[Faith] 7
Another missionaries will be send to Tar in order to ingrian our true faith (Cult of the Sky )

Year 369
[Faith] 7
We will send religious advisors to Alydaxis. Their goal is to convert majority of local lizardfolk to Cult of the Sky and establish local head of Cult of the Sky.

Year 370
[Curiosity] 4
City walls of our capital were finished. Now, the most important part of building of our town starts. We need to build houses and workshops for inhabitants.
(4/5)

Conversion rolls:http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...&postcount=118

[Silverbit]

[Year 366, Razdis]
The dwarves of Razdis wore white mourning; the former Mormaer, Razkai the Elder, had passed in his sleep. His last months were spent blind, in quiet retreat, contemplating the state of Telluris as a whole.

[A short time later, The Mormaer's Hall, Razdis]
"I am Mormaer, son of stone and scion of steel. The clans are mine, the dwarves are mine, and the very rocks themselves are mine."
Razkai II finished intoning the ceremonial oath of the Mormaer, and rose off his knees. The Hall was silent with the hushed breaths of the heads of clans.
Slowly, the Red Rock priest nodded.
"The clans accept you, the dwarves are your family, and the very rocks themselves support you."
Wild exuberance filled the hall, and the new Mormaer placed the steel crown of Razdis upon his coal-black locks.
"I am Razkai son of Razkai son of the unnamed! I. Am. Mormaer!"

[Year 367, The Mormaer's Hall, Razdis]
A whoosh could faintly be heard; a steel-plated small hovercraft careened round a pillar in the Mormaer's Hall, and came to a shuddering stop.
"How… interesting. As long as I never have to ride in one, I approve them for use by our cavalry. May the noble sediment protect them…"

Year 367, The Mormaer's Quarters, Razdis]
The scene was intimate; a coal fire crackled in the heath, the smoke drawn cleverly up the long flume to the surface. On the walls hung dull-edged swords, and the mounted head of a particularly large Awl Bug. The three sons of Razkai I gathered around a long and crumbling horsehide vellum scroll, crammed with crabbed handwriting, spelling out the names of Sulvan dwarves and Eyrecradian Ore elves long dead.
"I see… the line of succession is complex, in both cases. Yet if we straighten out the roots of the family… yes. We-or rather, I, with you acting as my proxy, may claim both thrones."
"Brother, this must be done. Razdis should not leave these nations without a strong leader; anything could happen. I shall go, as you suggest."
"Aye, brother. Or should we call you Mormaer now?" Iron-haired Elder Ambvard chuckled. He still could barely register that his older brother was now the Mormaer; now only Tuthin amongst them hadn't ruled a country, and this was set to change.

[Soon after, The Mormaer's Hall, Razdis]
"Dying, is he? I never knew the man, but father spoke highly of him. Tuthin, would you kindly attend this pre-funeral of his? It's all rather ghoulish for me."

[Later, outside Kalpraz, nearly in Lyradis]
The walls rose high outside Kalpraz.
"If father could have seen them, despite his blindness, he would have been proud," thought Razkai II. "He designed them. The gate bears our arms, and there's an Unbroken Line blade sunk in the foundations. Kalpraz, and thus Razdis, is protected."
They truly were elegant, blending geometric Razdissi design with some Lyradissian influences. A ring of towers and walls were set around Kalpraz, with a single gate, protected by a steel portcullis and Domhan Abhaile wood gates. Tunnels stretched beneath the towers, linking them. Each was equally as well fortified, with murder holes, sub-portcullises, and stalwart Razdissi and Elbarazi guards. Only a few top courses left, only a few deep tunnels to dig, and the wall would be finished.

My actions:

Spoiler

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1. [DIPLOMACY] Send Tuthin to Eyrecradia to speak of succession.
2. [DIPLOMACY] When he's finished there, send Tuthin to Sulvan's Fury to speak of succession. Edit: [MILITARY] Recruit 500 Elbarazi heavy infantry, 250 Elbaraz hovercraft troops, and 250 Elbaraz skirmishers.
3. [DIPLOMACY] Send Tuthin to The Last Visitation. Whilst there, agree a trade of Wenyavuk amber for Elbarazi bronze.
4. [MILITARY] Continue building the Kalpraz wall 5/5.
5. [MILITARY] Upgrade cavalry to (steel plated) hovercrafts.

[Arutha]

1: Attend the Cantus sai
2: Lead an expedition into the black wood
3:learn about the blue gemstones (2/5)
4:assist the GC in taking Sympol
5: Herzog personally goes out to speak to the monks at the blue volcano.
5.5: Herzog dies in his sleep.

[Elemental]

Stat increases from last round: +2 Military

Fluff to come later, it's late here.

Spoiler

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1: Attend Cantus Sai. [Diplomacy]
-End the 353 Treaty of Ryazen Bay between the Jewelled Cities and the Union of the Northwest
-Sign the peace treaty ending the war:

The peoples of the Union of the Northwest (consisting of the Kingdom of Ashenia, the Bordeux Concordant and Sulvan Primarchy) and the Grand Coalition (consisting of the Hurosha Empire, the Ignato Empire, Gunung, The Kingdom of Celero, Guilder, Pryonia, Calorum, Keldagrim and Lyradis) agree to under no circumstances come against one another, in whole or in part, for a period of at least twenty years.
Lord David of Bordeux agrees that neither he nor his descendants and heirs shall make any claim on Eyrecradia. In exchange, High King Feldin Grimhammer agrees that neither he nor his descendants and heirs shall make any claim on the Sulvan Primarchy.
In addition, the Union of the Northwest (consisting of the Kingdom of Ashenia, the Bordeux Concordant and Sulvan Primarchy) agrees to limit their armies to eight percent of their population for a period not exceeding twenty years as a gesture of good faith.

Signed sealed and dated at Aes Shinchuu in the year three hundred and sixty-six.

-Arrange the betrothal of Syana Ignato, daughter of Emperor Olwyt, to Korath Toranath, son of Princess Regent Idrisa. They will marry in 368 and reside in the Ignato Empire.

2: -The Academy construction work is stopped and the work completed so far razed by fire. The silver that was to be used in its construction is divided amongst the hired labourers as compensation. [Diplomacy]

3: Invade region forty-three with the Ashenite army. Three thousand light cavalry, one thousand heavy, one thousand heavy infantry and one thousand light archers. [Military]
Our army vastly outnumbers theirs.
From the table:

Hartigan - 4000

Ashenia - 6000
Bordeux - 9000
Crima - 7000

Idrisa has seven military and mithril forging grants an extra plus two.
All up, our roll is thirty-eight, give or take one or two if I miscalculated.

4: Finish the Great Observatory at Severikand. Finally. [5/5] [Curiosity]

5: Launch a scientific study of the effects of Somnorum (Hallucinatory Flowers) to better understand how they affect people and whether or not it is wise to allow their use beyond Kyaralath, and if so, what is the safe dosage. [1/5] [Curiosity]

[tortor]

Send an Emmissary to establish trade with the Catfolk... Diplomacy

Greetings Gracious Hosts!
I am Rial Wordsmith, Emmitt are to the Geographic Limitations Of The Western Informational Hub. You're Feline culture is rather bemusing to behold, and I for one am certain that my Tiefling brothers and sisters at home would be enamored to hear that you yourselves are a non violent culture.

However.. often therthere lurk... violent elements, radicals beyond our control and variables which we cannot forsee.. And it has come to our attention that your nation boasts naturally occurring weapons grade material. This is a grave threat to the stability of your nation and one which I have been sent to assist you in rectifying.

My people have Iron to spare, and request only that in return, you spare a yield of your Bountiful grains with the hungry mouths of our children.



Investigate Better Mining Techniques - Curiosity

Investigate The Properties of Coal - Curiosity

Investigate Thermal Energies - Curiosity

Secret Biddness - Curiousity



Fluufffy Tings TBA

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Round 8 Actions for Lyradis (subject to change):

1[Curiosity]

Assist Celero with the construction of the Memorial. [+1 to aid construction]

2[Curiosity]

Work with Rhino Leather from Selyra to develop saddles for animals within Lyradis' Training school.

3[Curiosity]

Continue work on a Training University for animals and trainers. [Great Project 4/5]

4[Curiosity] (for learning the technology to ride Griffons)

Attend the Last Visitation

-Trade Lyradissian Crops for Grmanhillian Bees
-Change Trade of Celeri Wood to Celeri Griffons for Lyradissian Craftsmen, as well as the Tech for Griffons.

5[Diplomacy] Roll - 7

Use my unit of ocean faring vessels to explore to the Land on Region 60, bringing along the 1 [good] supply of Crops as a diplomatic offering of peace. Attempting to colonize country, or if there are people there, Royce offers a peaceful union of the kingdoms in return for Lyradis' protection and sustenance of Resources.

Non actions -
Converse with Razdis and the Union of the North and the citizens of Sulvan's Fury to host an event to decide whether Razdis or Lyradis claims leadership Sulvan's Fury. (set up for event Morph will be hosting next round)

[Logic]

Spoiler: ACTIONS

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• [Curiosity] Resume construction of the Hanging Gardens of Basia (3/5)
• [Curiosity] Build a memorial at the site of the Battle of Aldbury Field. (1/4)*
• [Diplomacy] Pending EDIT: [Curiosity] Explore the area just west of region 39, specifically the island there for a possible colonization site. EDIT: Bring along a unit of Wood for bargaining purposes.
• [Diplomacy] Attend the Last Visitation EDIT: SPECIFICS TO TRADE
  Alter current trade agreement with Lyradis from Celerese wood for Lyradian Craftsmen to Celerese griffons for Lyradian Craftsmen. Technology {Griffon Riding/Taming} is granted to Lyradis for 2 years of assistance on great projects. (1/2)
• [Curiosity] Begin research on advanced vessel structures and designs based on the ships of the Great Western Ocean.

The memorial lists everyone that perished at the battle (provided the UN releases the names of their dead to Celero for the memorial), with their names facing the nations of their foes. Ignato and Celero Troops are listed on the West facing surface, while UN troops names are facing the Grand Coalition. The memorial is built as an arch over the road into UN territory, just a few hundred feet from the border. A special alcove has been set aside specifically to honor Gareth of Lyradis in the northern leg of the arch, with a statue of him performing his act of self-immolation.

[WaylanderX]

The World is a Strange Place Indeed....

Fluff W.I.P.

Spoiler: Actions

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1. Defend Zargrim with 5000 Kasumori Insect Cavalry. Meanwhile, Invade the southern half of 4B with 4000 goblin troops and 1000 Kasumori Cavalry. The invasion is timed in such a way that Eyrecradian troops are busy helping Sympol so that the defense of Eyrecradia and 4B is weakened. (Mil, Locked, actual numbers not locked.) (Roll Eyrecradia attack: 10 roll + 5 Mil + 5 troops + 3 Tech=23)

2. Visit the Cantus Sai (Will visit the Last Visition also, but will make no treaties there). Take along the teachers from the Academy of Research in Culture and Prowess to the Cantus Sai. The Blazing Avatar asked for this in his letter.

-Also, at the convensation, Helga Grimhammer is married to Yarick Moonshatter, who is part of the branch family.

-Sign the treaty of Awakening.

-Sign peace treaty with the UN.

-Trade agreement with the Frozen Waste, amber with cotton.(Dip, Locked)

3. Continue Building The Academy of Research in Culture and Prowess. A Training Dojo is added and new teachers are assembled to teach different fighting styles. Pyrion Proudflare donates the Scrolls of Prowess to the Academy. (Cur)

4. Pending (Cur)

5. Colonise 7B. Colonists go with tributes of Squid, Furs and Obsidian to convince the natives. (Dip) (Diplo roll: 5 roll+5 mod+resourse mods?=10 or more)

[Chacmon]

Who knows I might get to adding fluff again
(last round increase +1mil, +1cur)

1-(diplo)Attend Cantus Sai
-Polar peace pact,Woolly furs from Wenyavuk for steel from Gunung
-(forgot to post this before oops, buth Gunung transports one unit of farm produce to P1)
-trade with jeweled cities?
-sign GC-UN peace treaty
2-(curi)Finish Collonization of P8 (2/2)
3-(mil) train 1000 troops(adamantium shields and spears)
4-(mil) help G.C. invade sympol with all troops (5000 ground troops, wielding adamantium shields and spears And another 1000 riding Mantids, (total 6000 troops wielding a 2 tech bonus))

5-(curi) Collonize 46 (1/2)

[zabbarot]

Genivana Round 8

Alizaliwa tena! Atazaliwa tena!

The cry rang out in every city in Genivana. The watafiti spread it door to door. He is born again! He will be born again! The Chuo wa Mashahidi had foreseen it. The reincarnation of Mosi! Yet now he was something greater. His soul was bound to Mwalimu. They rose together!

But nobody knew where. The watafiti were partially going door to door to spread the word, but there mission was twofold. They needed to find a child that might be the reincarnation of Mosi to prove the mashahidi right.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

• Convert Aloren [Faith]
• Convert Woodwind [Faith]
• Convert Nyroth [Faith]
• Attend Last Visitation [Diplomacy]
• Secret[Faith]

Rolls

[BladeofObliviom]

A Heart of Ice

Glazfell. The name is obscure, and to most is simply some cursed land in the far east of no consequence. But to those who have seen it? The very utterance of it is chill incarnate, a curse of cold upon all who hear it. Its invocation alone conjures an unending tide of images, from the depths of the fiercest snowstorm to the biting hoarfrost, and dozens of nightmarish creatures from the merely loathsome Hoar Spiders to truly monstrous indescribable things that climb from the crevasses in the night to drag their prey into the depths.

But even here, in the depths of winter upon the World's Edge, civilization thrives.

Tune here

Born of ice and blessed fair
And all of our strength defining
The Boreal King would freely dare
Go Northward Colonizing...

So fight through the fog, Knights of Hoar!
Strike for the hunt and strike in war!
Oh, spread the Goddess' Lore!
Manifest across the North!
The King is coming Forth!

Beautiful!
Powerful!
Dangerous!
Cold!

Frost has power, ours is old!
Stronger than one! Stronger than ten!
Stronger than a hundred men!

Born of ice and blessed fair
And all of our strength defining
The Boreal King will always dare
Go Northward Colonizing!

So fight through the fog, Knights of Hoar!
Strike for the hunt and strike in war!
Oh, spread the Goddess' Lore!
Manifest across the North!
The King is coming Forth!

Spoiler: Actions

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I figured I'd do something a little bit different with my first post for the Glazfell. King Hroar is...much less approachable than Umajin was. Though probably less sociopathic too.

1) Found Holy Order of Yphine, the Knights of Hoarfrost! I'll elaborate on them a bit later. [Faith 5] (Faith)
2) Raise 1,000 Line Infantry (Military)
3) Raise 1,000 Infantry Javelin-throwers (Military)
4) Begin (peacefully) colonizing P3 for that True Ice, because I want to know what it is. (Diplomacy)
5) Offer Sycia a trade deal: A unit of their crops to meet internal demand for either Bronze or for Meat. I'm happy either way. They want the Bronze. (Diplomacy)

[Tychris1]

The Tale of Ironfang!
Part 2: Reborn in flesh of Iron.

Bloodfang stared intently out into the world, his rigid and uncaring demeanor returning after he so brutally maimed his son. Silence returned to the throne room, and no one seemed to acknowledge what had happened. Slowly but surely, his advisors began to return to their average duties and chores, ignorant of the chain reaction that had been set in motion.

Tumbling down the side of the Iron Castle, Virmiscus screamed in horrid pain, his body scraping and crashing against every rock and bump on the way down. The leaves of a tree exploded in a blaze of glory as Virmiscus crashed through them, and finally slowed him down enough for him to splash in a river. Steaming and broken, Virmiscus laid motionless, carried away on the stream. Sympol's turned their head in respect, some whispered prayers or recognized their future Duke, and yet none stopped to aid him. And who in their right mind would? Experiencing something so brutal and traumatic, how could anyone, even someone as sturdy as a Sympol, survive something like that? Condemned to death, Virmiscus was carried away on his watery grave, doomed to die an ignominious and dishonorable death. No sane person would consider rescuing the dead.

"But sometimes, aid comes from the unexpected. Sometimes it comes in ways we cannot understand."

An Old Sympol, withered and weak over the years, had recently left the castle. Away from his job as lead researcher on these mysterious eggs that have popped up in Sympolemou. His methods were..... Unorthodox to put it lightly. His fellow researchers called him delusional, or thought he was out of his league and his mind. But he'd show them all! He'd show them just want it meant to be a true Sympol in the fields of study! Hobbling slowly, he progressed his way through the Heart of the North, completely oblivious to the atrocity that took place mere minutes ago. That is until he smelt the smell of burning fur and skin. Looking around, he followed his withered snout, and came upon Virmiscus' drifting body. Mortified, the Old Sympol grabbed a hold of his future Duke, and dragged him out of the river. Pausing for a moment, he felt his back crack, and grumbled in pain.

"I'm too old for this s***."

Dragging him out, the Old Sympol banged his walking stick against some younger Sympol handyrats and bought their services. Namely in dragging Virmiscus out of the Heart of the North, and back to the Old Sympol's home. Buried deep within a mountain, the Old Sympol's home bordered on the territory of a rather distinctive Red Fur clan, who had thoughts of becoming messengers and delivery rats for the international scene. Gathering all of his assistants, the Old Sympol began his work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Virmiscus faded in and out of reality, his vision a discordant mess of scathingly bright light, or all consuming darkness. His ears ringed continuously, as if a Sympol War Drummer was leading an army within his mind. Thump thump thump thump. Occasionally he could see vague, blurry images, distorted beyond all recognition. More akin to blobs of color then anything Virmiscus could recognize. It was as if he was seeing life through a cracked hole, sprayed and covered with a thin mucus barrier, able to occasionally puncture it and hear what happens on the other side.

"Alright everyone, lets get to work. Grab the knife, we're going to make a cut here."

.........................

"Move his head to the side, good. Grab the bandages, stop the bleeding....."

....................................

"How's he doing?"
"Fine, fine."
"Ok, today we have to put the arm back in place. Ok, good, good, NO NO NO STOP THE BLE-"

............................................
.................................................. ....
...............................................

"I think he's waking up."
"Put him back down, quickly."

.....................................
.....................................

"Did it come in yet?"
"Yes, the Delivery Rats dropped it off."
"Well damn, that looks more vicious then I thought."
"Set it to the side."

..........................................
.................................................
.......................................

"...I think it's healed, grab the bandages, ice, and knife. Time to amput-"

.................................................. ..
...............................................
.................................................. .
.........................

"Excellent! Lock it in place, set it down slowly. Good."
"The drill is here."
"Good, lets get this fully secured."

................................
.......................................
..............................

"Ok, that should hold it in place."
"Doesn't it look a bit.... ridiculous?"
"Do you want to avoid it breaking?"
"Fair enough."

.................................................. ...

Virmiscus stirred to life, his vision swelling with an overload of senses and sights. The light around him swallowed him like a blazing sun was thrown at him. Wheezing, he rocked his head back and forth, the world spinning around him. He tried to stand, but felt his legs buckle underneath him and wobble. He fell over, smashing against the ground.

CLAAAAAAAAANG

A pounding ringing sound filled the room and Virmiscus roiled in agony. His entire body felt cold and weak.Trying to steady himself, Virmiscus tried to focus on the hazy blob infront of him.

"What the....."

His voice, as dried and raspy as sand paper, scratched its way out of his throat and slipped free. Trying to swallow some saliva to moisten his throat, Virmiscus raised his right paw to comfort his throat. What latched around his throat nearly made him scream. He did not feel the standard, warm, furred paws that he knew and used all his life. Instead he felt 4 massive talons, cold like iron, tightened around his neck.

"Oh, you're awake. Good, try not to stress yourself too much in your current state. You need to rest and recuperate. My names Husker Pint, but you can call me Husky. All my friends do."

An Old Sympol, presumably Husky, rose from his workbench and turned to Virmiscus. He had an assortment of strange and eccentric devices on his person. Virmiscus scratched at the back of his mind, trying to draw on vague memories of this Old Sympol sitting on a clutch of eggs to hatch them. He felt slightly ashamed that he hadn't known his name all this time. Turning back to his workbench, Husky held up a mirror for Virmiscus to look into.

Had his voice been stronger he would scream.

His body, from head to toe, was wrapped in full plate. His right arm was gone, fully wrapped in metal. At the end of his arm were four massive, iron talons attached to some strange rotating system. A bulky band of iron wrapped around his wrist, and several interlocking plates lined up his arm to form a protective brace. A bulky pauldron rested on his right shoulder, and from it jutted out a long metal tube. Another metal tube jutted out of the metal band, and they connected together through a rotating brass ball. His other arm was equally armored, though he could actually feel his hand and fingers on the left. His chest was heavily reinforced and segmented with various armored layers. A black iron helm wrapped around his head, bolted in and permanently affixed to him in several areas. It covered his entire skull, with a row of spikes rising up the center of his head. His vision was tinted green by two slits of green stained glass placed over the holes in his helmet, two slits for his eyes. The only part of his body that was exposed was his tail, and his jaw, which had a large amount of hair growing around it.

"What..... Did you........ Do."

Husky set the mirror down and smiled. Putting his decrepit paw around Virmiscus' armored pauldron, and raised him up high.

"Why, I've rebuilt you. Made you stronger, better. I've given you your lease on life, and now it's your time to take back what is yours."

Virmiscus looked down at his iron claw, raising it up so that it obscured the light before him and cast a shadow on his face. Sneering, he clenched it with all his might and roared out. He would have his throne, he would fix his nation, he would slay the Mad Duke.

Virmiscus is dead, long live Ironfang.

[Chief]

Calorum Council chambers

'It is decided, I will travel together with Sir Cheops and Master Edward to the Last Visitation and meet, the revered monk honorable Paco Çimar Guzman.'

The Council members all nodded in approval. Originally Combulei was instructed to send the great teachers, but since He was no longer amongst them Vilindrae would have to take His place.

'There is one more notion on the agenda I wish to address. As you are all aware, the teachings of Combulei are hard to explain to anyone outside of his bloodline. Most of you' Vilindrae said, as she looked at the faces of the council priests. 'only have a basic understanding of what his teachings implicate. It is therefore no more than logical that this council is disbanded and the Council of Truth is instated. The Council of Truth will only accept members that have successfully passed a test of understanding. This test is to be given and judged by the High Priest herself.'

A grave silence... nothing more....

One man, old and venerable, rose from his chair. He heaved his hand and shouted; 'All hail the Council of Truth, all hail the Lord!'

Vilindrae spoke again; 'I expect that the rest of you are also certain of your understanding of Combulei's teachings, therefore I declare this council to be disbanded. The Council of Truth will be excepting appliances tomorrow.'

And with these words Vilindrae left the old council and went back to her office.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

1. Visit the Last Visitation and meet with monk Paco. Two great artists from the (not yet completed) Academy of arts also join and then travel further with Paco. [Faith]
2. Continue Working on the Academy of arts [Curiosity]
3. Continue Working on the Holy book of Flames [Faith]
4. Send Priests along with the Kashumorian expedition to explore region 7b [Faith]
5. Create the Council of truth, (faith 5 special, holy order). [Faith]

Spoiler: Council of Truth

Show

Basically the only people to be accepted in this council are people from the Divinorum Bloodline (the High priest, His or Her spouse and children) but exception are theoretically possible.

[ImperatorV]

Actions:

Spoiler

Show

1: Move the mysterious child, and his family, to the High Guildmaster's palace. The High Guildmaster will also graciously provide a scholar to educate the child and any siblings, while reporting on any abnormalities. [curiosity]
2: Secret [luck?]
3: Raise 1000 troops [military]
4: Raise 1000 troops [military]
5: Raise a second seagoing ship squadron [military]

[Tychris1]

Part 3 of the Tale of Ironfang! Is yet to come. Stay tuned!

Actions:

Spoiler

Show

1. Continue Development of Combat Drugs Medicinal Academy (3/5) [Curiosity]
2. Forge the Iron Vermin Suit and fix its kinks for Ironfang [1/2] (Curiosity]
3. Begin Colonizing Region 18b (1/2) [Curiosity]
4. Beging Colonizing Region P3 (1/2) [Curiosity]
5. Send out two Sympol medicinal scholars to Genivana to work with Monk Paco Çimar Guzman [Curiosity]

Ironfang overthrows his insane father and takes the throne.

[Morph Bark]

End of Round Eight.

Any edits to actions in posts edited after the time of posting this one are considered not valid. (Excepting the OP, of course.)

[Morph Bark]

Round Nine: Begin!

Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make for Diplomatic colonization checks, Military battle and tactical maneuvering checks, Curiosity tech-stealing checks, Faith conversion checks, and 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 count for your current ruler, but may provide greater bonuses to their heir.

Good luck!

Lucky!
+1 Luck for…

…SamBurke!
…TheWombatofDoom!
...Chacmon!
…aspi!
…Tychris1!

Another +1 Luck for…

…TheWombatofDoom!
…aspi!

Investigate!
Bordeusi and Crimar scholars study a scroll the former Blazing Avatar, Yosi Cedro, sent to Umajin prior to their deaths. It appears to be a ritual with incantations, and the words glow fiery red when read aloud. Images depict beings made of flame.

Bordeusi scholars study the Pillar of Solus that fell from the sky. It is hard as steel, grooved, and when looked at from above appears to be hollow and broad enough to fit a man.

Fabula’s researchers continue to study the magical pan sent by the former Blazing Avatar. No further results have been made. Perhaps new methods of investigation or perception need to be discovered first.

Islander scholars from the Naval Academy in the Jeweled Cities continue study of the flying model ship sent by the former Blazing Avatar. The wind seems to change when the ship comes near, as if it has some control over it. Little else has been found. Perhaps new methods of investigation or perception need to be discovered first.

Islander scholars investigate ancestral ties to Tar. Their results are stupendous! The people of the Jeweled Cities bear ancestral ties to the people of Tar!

Pryonic explorers are sent into the Black Wood to investigate it. Half of them don’t return, but the others bear reports of a giant heart made of ice. It’s beating.


Explore!
Alydaxis has discovered region 49! It seems it borders the region they are currently colonizing, as well as the region Scla’ca is colonizing. Across the bay, its territorial waters do not go far, for there is land on the other side! Region 49 has access to the sea, but ships from there have to go through the waters of the adjacent regions to get to open ocean. The region on the other side of the bay shares borders with region 41. Both that and this region thus border region 41 and are eligible for making a Great Kingdom.

Bordeux has discovered region 49 and 70!

Lyradis has discovered… wait... this land looks familiar…

Ignato explorers have found tunnels deep below Heaven's Blade, Aloren's central mountain. The Khanate has only heard of this through a written message found just outside the sewers of a coastal Aloren city demanding random for the captured explorers and for the Ignato Empire to never interfere with the Tunneldom of K'braashriix again, lest their mothers be defiled and thrown for the drakshurom!


Colonize!
Gunung finishes colonizing region P8!

Grmanhil finishes colonizing region 30!

Alydaxis finishes colonizing region 41!

Scla’ca finishes colonizing region 42!

Guilder finishes colonizing region 53!

Guilder finishes colonizing region 54!

Sycia begins colonizing region P3!

Sympolemou begins colonizing region P3!

Sympolemou begins colonizing region 18B!

Sanctuary begins colonizing region 18B! They have 5000 troops supporting them, though they do so diplomatically. Sanctuary is more successful in round 8 and will receive a +3 bonus in round 9 to complete colonization, unless Sympolemou rolls higher and forces out their troops as well.

The Glazfell begins colonizing region P3! Since neither Sycia nor the Glazfell (nor Sympolemou) linked any rolls, it is unknown who was more successful, so neither receives a bonus to finalize colonization and determine who is most successful and therefore acquires the region. Sycia is the only one to have linked rolls and is thus most successful this round. They'll receive a +3 bonus to finalize colonization this round, but can still be opposed by Sympolemou and the Glazfell. Using military is also still an option.

The Hurosha Empire begins colonizing region 7B! Calorum sends priests along to ensure the Lord of Fire is known there. Properly.


War!
Sympolemou is attacked by 7,000 Imperial Ignato troops (5,000 from Woodwind, 2,000 from Aloren) and 6000 Gunung troops (1000 being mantid cavalry) under command of Khan Olwyt Ignato. Through inaction and confusion and struggle within the Sympol ruling family, they manage to overtake the region and gain a dominant position. [Conquest 1/2]

Region 44, ruled by Hartigan Biûrkahâd, is invaded by 22000 Union troops. [38 vs 26]
1000 Ashenian troops have been lost in battle.
4000 of Hartigan’s troops have been slain in battle. Hartigan Biûrkahâd has been captured. It was discovered that the insides of Hartigan’s deerskin coat was lined with small ritual knives made out of the bones of various creatures, including human fingerbones. Hartigan’s burnt brown skin is marked with black spots on his legs and under his arms.

The Salterri Imperium has declared war on their northern neighbours! The cause is baseless attack by forces from the north! Soldiers march towards Hrathan-Tuor, unaware that region 30 has recently been colonized by the Grmanhil orcs. Should Grmanhil try to stop them, the Salterri Imperium will declare war on them as well. 22000 soldiers in plate armour have been counted, flying the banner of a green screaming face.


Convert!
People in Nyroth convert to Radurja!

People in Woodwind convert to Radurja!

People in Aloren convert to Radurja!

People in Tar convert to the Cult of the Sky!

More people in Alydaxis convert to the Cult of the Sky!


Terror!
nopenopenope soooo much nope


New Map!

Spoiler

Show

Region 49 (as discovered by Alydaxis and Bordeux) has 52000 inhabitants and two Good undetermined resources.

Region 61 (as discovered by Lyradis) has 20000 inhabitants and three Good non-food resources. They currently pay all their tradeable goods in tribute to the Salterri Imperium.

Region 70 (as discovered by Bordeux) has 109000 inhabitants and two Good non-food resources (to be determined by the first colonizer, as long as they’re not edible).

Other!
Shvedrishti Pure Eyes comes to live in the home of Prince Tikta Satato of Raaneka and Princess Cassandra, formerly of Bordeux. Rumours get started she might be the reincarnation of the Blazing Avatar, as the former one was also born in Raaneka with a Bordeusi mother.

Monk honourable Paco Çimar Guzman thanks the teachers from Guilder’s Technical Institute, the artists from Calorum’s Academy of Arts, the Sympol medicinal scholars, and teachers from the Academy of Research in Culture and Something who have come. He yet awaits result from others he’s approached and will continue to attend major events to gather support and find the new Blazing Avatar.

Tar has fallen quiet! It may soon see some noise again, however, as the Jeweled Cities have recently discovered ancestral ties with the people there, and thus have claim! Handy.

A competitive event is going to be held in Sulvan’s Fury very soon to determine the next Primarch. People from Razdis, Keldagrim and Lyradis have been invited to come and take part as well. The royal family of Sanctuary will likewise be present.

Ashenian soldiers hesitate to come near the Heartgouger’s Tower, with its decoration of staked former enemies and blood-soaked walls. They know Hazael III is in there somewhere, but does he yet live? From within the tower, unearthly wails can be heard that make the men shiver even in these hot lands.

The regions of Sanctuary have gone into a political union with Domhan Abhaile and Eyrecradia, with whom they had connections of trade and promises of bonds before. They are now one kingdom under one ruler. Elder Yuuhi, however, appears confused and without guidance. The Yorukuninin aristocracy has largely disappeared. 2000 people have gone from Yorukuni. Another 3000 inhabitants of Yorukuni have moved to Tekorva, largely Heartwaste peoples. Elder Yuuhi has ordered the Eyrecradian troops to stand down and not interfere with the wars of the Sympol, nor with Kasumorian expansion in Shikurai.

There appears to be a small amount of people in the country of the Geographic Limitations of the Western Informational Hub who suffer from bodily malformations. A few superstitious people claim this is because they ‘had relations’ with the beastly folk from Felitora.

In Woodwind there has been a large outbreak of Tellurian whooping cough.

The unexpected peace with the Union of the Northwest has caused uprisings in Gunung, Calorum and Lyradis who demand punishment and reparations from the guilty nation of Crima, now part of Bordeux. Some vigilantes in Gunung have initiated border skirmishes with Bordeux. Gunung and Calorum each now have a rebel force of 1000 people that demand their kings punish Crima, or they will do it for them. The Lyradisians appear calmer in this ordeal, but no less dissatisfied. People pray the new Blazing Avatar be found quick to stifle this unrest. When contacted about the situation, Monk Paco stated “si.”

Rumours have begun to circulate in Kasumor that Eienguard Nyllana’s eldest son Wayve is illegitimate, conceived with Khan Olwyt Ignato outside of marriage!

Rumours in Genivana that Tendaji is going slowly insane have people crying out, asking why Mosi’s new form has not yet been found. Some think Tendaji is threatened by the idea of his father returning from the dead. Many are intrigued by the idea, some offended, mainly those who compare it too much to the cycle of the Blazing Avatar.

Rumours in Celero tell that the late King Andust is still receiving love letters after his death from a woman in distant lands.

Apparently some Frosten Berapi playwright in Sycia has written a play about the history of Yphine and Irfrin (whose name is used as a synonym for the Lord of Fire in the play, due to little knowledge of Irfrin outside of Wenyavuk). The play may seem to start of dramatically, but is quite clearly a comedy, and ends with the Blazing Avatar and the High Priestess of Yphine settling down on a banana farm on the north pole with three children: Dissi, Umbradink and Felix.

[Lord_Burch]

Spoiler: Actions

Show

1. Colonize 70. (rolls if applicable) [DIPLOMACY]
Rolls-http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...1#post17231526
2. Colonize 49. DIPLOMACY. Roll:http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...1#post17237237
3. Continue to investigate the Pillar, looking for volunteers to step into the hollow in the pillar.[CURIOSITY]
4. Send two medicinal scholars to Raaneka, accompanied by twenty royal guards and Lord David, to ascertain whether or not this woman is the new Blazing Avatar. Bring the scroll, as well, to test the theory of whether it can be used to determine the Avatar. [FAITH] Never thought I'd write that .
5. Send all but 1000 in troops in Bordeux and Crima defend against Salterri invasion in Cassia. The defense is led by Khan Olwyt Ignato.-MILITARY
Roll: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...1#post17233700

And Lord Cedrik, first of his name, takes the throne!
Rolls:http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...&postcount=151
Curioisty: +2, for a total of 6.
Diplomacy: +1, for a total of 5.
Military: +1, for a total of 2.
Faith: Unchanged.
Luck: Unchanged.

[QuintonBeck]

Attribute Increases Last Round +1 Curiosity +1 Diplomacy

Year 375

"My liege, the Salterri stand mobilized and our scouts report seeing a small fleet out near the shore."

Olwyt didn't respond, or even lift his head from his hand where it now rested.

"Very good Commander," Syana, who stood next to him in iron and leather armor said, "It seems they shall throw themselves upon the beach just as we had hoped. Dismissed."

The Guilderene commander saluted and left the tent.

"Father, you need to be here for this. The Salterri are dangerous and coordinating the armies of this many nations isn't easy.

"The High Guildmaster will lead the armies when he arrives, not me. The man has more experience pulling our asses out of the fires set by my father than I do."

Syana grit her teeth and looked at her husband who was dressed in Ashenian Mithril, a personal set. He cut quite the regal warrior figure on the other side of her father, but his face was grim. He could see just as she could the life that was gone from his father in law's eyes.

"Rebdin and Garthuna wouldn't want you to lose everything grieving over them. We all miss them father, but letting everything fall apart is not the way to honor their deaths!"

"Grandfather would say they died honorless deaths, consumed by sickness. They died in bed, coughing and sick. 'That is not where an Ignato dies,' he would have said. Well, it happened because everyone is too busy fighting his wars that he left behind!"

"Sitting around blaming grandfather doesn't change things father. You must act."

"Loki will be here soon, he can act, let me grieve my sons in peace thirdborn!"

Syana stiffened and Korath came to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder to remind her of the greater presence. She breathed out a steady breath.

"Very well father," she and Korath turned and exited the tent.

Outside she turned to address the Woodwind guard outside,

"Inform any looking for orders and coordination to report to my tent. Logistics and planning is to be handled there until such a time that High Guildmaster Loki arrives."

"Yes princess!" the guard pounded his spear to the ground in recognition of the order.

"Your father is sick with sorrow." Korath whispered to his wife as they walked, "His words are not his own."

"You may be right, but this is not the time for such things. If he cannot push them aside when needed to lead he shall be pushed aside."

Korath only nodded, he had learned when it was wise not to press a point with his wife. This was one of those times. He knew she too felt sorrow over the death of her brothers but there was no denying the Emperor was taking this incredibly hard and at a time when such things could not be afforded. Syana was proving herself very capable and he doubted many would get in her way. He knew for certain he would not be one of them.

Year 375

"Princess, the Emperor has gone. He took a compliment of troops and began to march north, his orders claimed he was going to aid in Cassia's defense by Bordeux."

"Thank you Centurion," Syana said, her voice calm despite the apparent rising anger, "You are dismissed.

The Centurion pounded his spear to the ground and left her tent.

"What in Telluris is father doing?," she shouted to her husband once the Centurion was gone, "Marching off without telling me? Taking away troops needed here to aid Bordeux? What is he thinking?"

"Perhaps he believes he can be of more assistance taking out Salterri in Cassia, with the Guildmaster leading troops here his honed skills are hardly needed." Korath said, calm and logical as he always was.

"But that doesn't explain why he left without talking to me, especially in his state of mind. He's been grieving over Rebdin and Garthuna and blaming grandfather for their deaths for a week. He is not well enough to lead an army. Nor do I understand why he would suddenly turn to aid Bordeux, they are the new rulers of Crima, and blood between our nations was turned bitter decades ago."

"Perhaps you have answered your own question. If your father blames your grandfather for all this and it was your grandfather that brought bad blood between the Empire and Crima and the Union perhaps he sees it as his duty to reverse that action. Certainly steps were made already," Korath trailed off, looking at his wife with his pale grey-blue eyes.

"Yes, but our marriage," she stopped, it had been political in origin, no matter what it had become, she couldn't deny that, "Well, that step worked out, we have no idea how this fool's errand will fair."

"Perhaps leading this battle in Cassia might give your father a chance to grieve and come to terms. In any event, there is nothing that can be done about it now, battle stirs with the Salterri, we must focus our minds and efforts here. One missing Legion will not alter the plans drastically."

Syana nodded, reluctantly, "You're right, of course. Damn you Korath." He smiled slightly at that, "We must begin the eastern push, bring them to the sea and out of the wastes..."

The two returned to planning and coordinating plans to be sent to the Guildmaster for approval, and though Syana found her mind mostly distracted by the planning the moments of respite led her to wonder and worry about her father. She hoped he would prove her fears wrong, but she could not help but feel dread in her stomach.

Spoiler: Actions

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1) Continue Great Project: Senate (3/5) [Diplomacy]
2) Continue Project: Expand Enclave of Existence: (2/2) [Curiosity] EDIT: Utilize Winning Tactics: Coast to force a coastal confrontation with the Salterri forces in Hrathan-Tuor/Grrmanhil; The battle in Cassia should be a coastal battle by default due to the nature of the attack and thus will benefit from the Empire's winning tactic without need for maneuvering. [Military]Roll
3) Send Watafiti Kilwen Ignato & Avie Barasa to Genivana to meditate and pray for one year in preparation of completing the Osuru ritual to become Mashahidi [Faith]
4) Small sites and shrines of worship for Radurja are constructed throughout the Aloren Province [Faith]
5) Send 6,000 troops to face the Salterri invasion around Grrmanhil/Hrathan-Tuor and 1,000 under Olwyt Ignato (Mil 8) to aid Bordeux's repelling of the Salterri ships in Cassia.[Military]

Spoiler: Non-Actions/Rumors/Happenings

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Year 371: The first of the students of oceanic navigation are sent to the Jeweled Cities Naval Academy to begin studying the ways of ocean travel and mapping. Volunteers are mainly men and women from Nyroth, though Aloren and Woodwind send compliments as well. (Rumor has it a few from Aloren are drop outs of the Enclave, seeking a more adventurous lifestyle) In all, around 50 students are set to take up careers as captains, commanders, and teachers of the future Imperial fleet.

Year 371 At the age of 41 Malyn Shaeldtae, former King of Aloren and still a prominent political figure saw the birth of a set of twins, one boy and one girl, Frelick and Jana. These are the former king's first children, having married late to an Aloren noble of high standing. While fear of Whooping Cough in Woodwind has kept them confined to Aloren there has been talk of having them integrate amongst the youngest generation of Ignato children, an idea that seemed impossible until the marriage of Syana to the Ashenite Prince and Yelfis to the Guilderne Explorer opened the door for non-Woodwind marriages.

Year 372: Once again Dras-Ta is proclaimed Mistress of the Weave in Nyroth's weaving competition. However, at 12 years of age the lizardfolk weaver grows old and desires to pass on her knowledge. Thus, she has taken under her tutelage 3 of the finest weavers in the Empire, included among them Syana Ignato, the third child of Emperor Olwyt!

Year 373
Progress on the Development of the Imperial Senate: Eligible voters (land owners) have been registered and recorded by census and a census group has been formed to keep track of changes within the Provincial populations. Candidates, primarily former nobles in Aloren and Nyroth, and prominent tradesmen and military commanders in Woodwind, have begun to organize themselves within Senatorial fashion, changing titles and adopting uniform dress to identify themselves as senator potentials equivalent to their former noble ranks, many of which are still kept in an honorary capacity.

Year 374: With the Jeweled Cities help in creating the first ocean faring trade ships the trade pact between the Ignato Empire and the lizardfolk of Scla'Ca and Alydaxis kicks in. Regular shipments of Aloren goats to Scla'Ca in exchange for gold and Aloren spices in exchange for Alydaxis silver will begin to be carried out.

Year 374: The Tellurian Whooping cough, while mostly confined to the common people has found its way into the Royal family. Rebdin and Garthuna, first and second sons of the Emperor, as well as Marana, wife of Rebdin, are said to be deathly ill with the disease and despite attendance by the most advanced medical doctors in the land, their fate looks grim. The Emperor and his family are praying to the Great Ancestor daily that the heir, his wife, and the crown prince are cured.

Year 375 The Tellurian Whooping Cough has claimed the lives of Rebdin, Marana, and Garthuna Ignato. The Emperor has declared a month of mourning and those who have seen the Emperor note that he looks weak and incredibly tired. Even now Syana, now the eldest, foster mother to her niece Sharas, and apparent heir, has begun to take on more and more the roles of her father. It is unclear how much longer the Emperor has to live.

[SamBurke]

Spoiler

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I'm now using Humperdink, everyone. Let it be known! Last round's boosts were +1 Mil, +1 Dip, bringing me to 6/3 on Mil/Dip. (That's mostly for my own help... gotta remember now.) I messed up on the tags from last round, Wombat, because I thought Colonization was Cur, not Dip, which Morph stated was not true:

Spoiler: Morph

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PM question:


I'm paying little attention to the tags people use since Wombat's handling stat increases. While exploration can be Curiosity, colonization is certainly diplomacy or military.

You are allowed to not tell someone about it if you notice that, though in good sportsmanship I'd say I'd prefer you did tell and leave the consequences to doing or not doing it to their fault. Rolls that aren't linked aren't counted (or rolled by the GM if absolutely necessary). For first-round colonization, not posting rolls will mean that if others attempt to colonize the same region and they do post their rolls, they automatically win. For the second round of colonization, they don't automatically win if that happens, because in such case, I will make the roll if there is none to be found.


I figured this might be important to some, so I posted it now. I am now off and will answer other questions later. Good night.

Next round's increases will be Dip/Mil.

Actions:
1. [Diplomacy] Colonize Region 55. [1/2]
2. [Diplomacy] Colonize Region 56. [1/2]
3. [Curiosity 5] A Guilderene mapping investigation uncovers the terrors of region 54, a group of fearsome beasts that are being called "Dinosaurs." Dinosaurs are hereby a [Good] resource of 54.
4. [Military] Raise one unit of hyper-teched Guilderene infantry, armed with Adamantine, Steel, Griffons and Plate Armor. Would it be able to be also armed with Hovercraft?
5. [Military] March 5 units of Guilderene Infantry in defense of Hrathran-Tuor.

[Zap Dynamic]

Raaneka, the Painted Lands
((Attribute increases last round: Curiosity +1))
((Attribute increases this round: Curiosity +1))

Year 371
At the request of Lady Lyra of Lyradis, Princess Anguri Adite will accompany a team of builders with her Raaneki Berunda to Lyradis, where they will combine labor with knowledge of husbandry to complete construction of the Lyradissian University of Animal Trainers.

"We shall see what these Lyradissian's know about flying," said Princess Anguri hotly. "Dear sister," replied her Lord brother, "remember that you represent all of Raaneka in this endeavor. Bring some Surian Spring to keep a clear head."

Year 372
May it be known that Prince Tikta and Princess Cassandra Satato will attend the Summit on the Summit in the land of Sycia. Shvedrishti Pure Eyes and her family will attend the event as personal guests of Prince and Princess.

"They say you are the Blazing Avatar reborn," said Princess Cassandra, ever-cool. "Perhaps this summit will teach us more, darling girl."

Year 373
Alas, Lady and Lord bear sad tidings. The Salterri Imperium, whom Prince Tikta has seen of old and whence Lady Aditi and Lord Devdan seemed to travel when they departed on their grand adventure, has made acts of aggression against the Southern Triumvirate. Rumors abound of the slavery and cruelty wrought by the vile Imperium. They would march through the lands of our allies in Grmanhil, and would visit chaos and death upon the innocent commonfolk of the north.

By decree of Lady and Lord, Princess Anguri and Prince Krama Adite shall lead the Raaneki host, join themselves to the Host of the North, and repel these invaders. May our warriors return safely when the Imperium has been beaten back. May much revelry and praise be had in each city, that our warriors might know joy before marching off toward terror.

Year 374
After twelve years of labor, Raaneka Stadium stood proud in a new thriving heart of Sarabi. The racecourse charted a challenging course through the back country of southern Raaneka. Bandar Stadium was well underway, where nearly half of the blue seats rose like a wave over Bandar Harbor.

Year 375
Many of Raaneka's neighbors are home to many vast caves. Prince Tikta Satato, guided by the histories of our people, shall lead an expedition into the north of Raaneka to seek evidence of a subterranean realm. Princess Anguri Adite shall lead a flight of Raaneki Berunda in surveying the lands for her half brother.

"No roads lead from the north," said Princess Anguri, "and there are no tales of ruins. What do you hope to find?"

"Caves," smiled Prince Tikta. "The caves of our ancestors."

Spoiler: Actions

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1. Complete construction on the Animal Training University in Lyradis. (Curiosity)
2. Attend the Summit on the Summit in Sycia in 372. (Diplomacy)
   
   • Confirm ongoing trade of Raaneki Heartwine for Guilderene Bronze.
3. Send all 5 Raaneki Military units to the Host of the North (+6 total bonus). (Military)
   
   • The Raaneki Host will consent to be commanded by an appointed allied general.
   • The Raaneki Host will defend the lands attacked by the Salterri Imperium, but will not press any attack.
4. Great Project 4/5: Construct Raaneka Stadium. (Curiosity)
5. Explore for underground region 11b (roll result=9). (Curiosity)

Dice roll link for 5th action (please ignore the second roll... my action changed)

[BladeofObliviom]

[The Icemen Cometh]

It was a cold day in the Glazfell. It is always a cold day in the Glazfell, except when it is a cold night in the Glazfell. Never is there a warm day, or a warm night. Merely less cold, and more cold.

The point is that the place is very, very cold.

Today, though, was certainly in the "more cold" category, which meant that even the Frosten had largely moved indoors to wait out the storms until such time as the weather became less intolerable. Even now, the winds and hail raged under an uncaring sun.

But that was insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Spoiler: Into the Orient!

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What a candid world in which we live, unstressed by lies and machinations! But outside the Glazfell, this is not always so. Not even a decade ago, war broke forth in the west, far beyond our borders, prey to cloaks and daggers between them all. Thousands of humans and rat-men were slain in this bloody foolishness for no other reason than their leaders petty hatred of one another.

Here, we fight for the Glory of Yphine! No matter how the Westerners characterize us, we are not savages and we are not fools. Nevertheless, we should prepare: Someday, their hate will spill outwards and drip upon us, and we must be ready for that day.

Our missionaries and scholars shall ride into the Orient for the Glory of Yphine! The lands to our east are said to be rich in materials we can use here and elsewhere, and we will need more if we wish to safeguard the Holiest of Holies from the Western Heathens when they do come.

Onward and Eastward, and may the Frost not grip your heels!

Spoiler: Over and Over, Auster and Auster

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Though our people is perhaps best suited for Yphine's frosted lands, we are strong and may survive anywhere we wish. What we ask of you today is not an immense task, but it is a daunting one: You must gather your scholars and missionaries and travel to the southeast, outside the Glazfell and into the great Frosskov Expanse.

We would benefit greatly from their resources, and true rulership will quiet the warring barbaric... ...creatures living there.

May Yphine's Blessing aid you even at the fringes of her lands. With some luck, we might yet go further south before the climate becomes intolerable.

Spoiler: Consolidating Power

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We, King Hroar, hereby decree that one-thousand of our finest hunters will be raised into service within the next three years. It has come to our attention that military aggression has been seen used like the threat of a cudgel against our allies in Sycia. This is not acceptable.

We will not strike the first blow without reason, but if this is precursor to invasion we will be ready to defend ourselves and our friends.

Spoiler: A Letter to the Lord of Sanctuary

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Regards to the High Prince of Sanctuary:

These are dangerous times. War brews to the south and to the west, and while that is far away now it can only grow closer as the years pass by. Nevertheless, we are mutually blessed by peace today, and I hope it goes on as long as we may sustain it.

To benefit from the relative safety of our routes, I have sent this message in the interest of securing trade between our realms. The process is unlikely to be difficult unless we face hostilities with the Sympol. I am on friendly terms with the Sycians, so it should be simple enough to move goods between their ports and the shores of Domhan Abhaile.

Namely, it is my belief that the Glazfell could benefit from Domhan's surplus of Goats. Further, we have surplusses of Copper and Tin, as well as the unusual and nutritious meats that we have managed to extract from the mighty beasts found in Frosten lands. Trade for either of these would be acceptable.

I have but one more offer: Betrothal between one of my daughters and one of your sons. Neither is of marrying age yet, I believe, but they will be within the next decade. Such a marriage would go far to ensure continued friendship between our lands, and to remind us both of the others' support.

May Yphine's Blessing spare your people the worst of the Northern cold and storms.

Regards,
King Hroar of the Glazfell

---

Spoiler: ACTIONS!

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1) Peacefully colonize Region 58! (Diplomacy) [1/2] roll
2) Peacefully colonize Region 57, which is hereby known as Frosskov unless someone overrides me! (Diplomacy) [1/2] roll
3) Peacefully colonize Region 56, because I have the action for it. [1/2] (Diplomacy) roll
4) Send offer to Sanctuary [See Letter/Spoiler] (Diplomacy)

Spoiler

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1. Trade of Bronze or Meat for Goats
2. Betrothal between Prince Ameneschi of Sanctuary and Princess Encir of the Glazfell. Princess Encir will come of age during Turn 11, and Prince Ameneschi is the older of the two.

5) Raise 1000 troops (Military)

[lt_murgen]

[QUOTE=lt_murgen;17151636]The Jeweled Cities Round 9 (371-375) actions:

Previous round increase: +1 Curiosity, +1 Diplomacy
Events

Action #1 (diplomacy) Start construction of Emerald City/port along the Emerald coast of Woodwind (project 1/2)
Action #2 (diplomacy) Press claim to rulership of Tar through diplomatic means and ancestral claim [9!] http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...&postcount=155
Action #3(Curiosity) Curiosity 5 action- upgrade tropical fruit resource from good to great /edit/ (Military) raise 1 more unit of naval ships (armed merchantmen)
Action #4 (faith) Turn gift from Blazing Avatar over to Shamans of the Wilds. Perhaps where sicence ends, faith may find a solution.
Action #5 (military) Send all 4000 (eqv.) naval units to assist in blunting the Salterri Incursion /edit/ by attacking the small fleet pacing the main army advance.

Expected increase this round +1 diplomacy

Rumors:
Rumor is that, despite being married to a MILF, Jonas is shacking up with that earth shaman he took with on the trip a few years back. He's in his 70s for goodness sake!

Rumor is that Amber Grant mis-negotiated an agreement at Cantus Sai. Instead of trading tropical fruits for mammoth hides and furs, she got actual mammoths!

Rumor is that Amber refused to help the Ahsenites when their colony on the southern peninsula was attacked.

Rumor is that Amber offered her navy to assist the Ashenites, and was strongly rebuffed.

Rumor is that Black same Bellami is holding something over Amber's head- that is why she allowed the assault upon the Salterri.


Fluff:

Spoiler: mammoths! We no need no stinking mammoths!

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“Hey Boss!”

Evelyn hated that call. The locals had adopted it as their way to tell her there was another problem she had to handle. She glanced towards the call. Sure enough, a group of Continentals was headed towards her, that jackass grin on their faces.

“What is it this time?” Every day brought her new problems. If it wasn’t for that Ignato official and his large…

Their laughter cut off her reverie, “You gotta see this!” They began walking back the way they came. Evelyn followed. “You know that deal your sister cut with those snow-people?”

“Amber, Regina, if you please. Some respect is required.” Various rude noises met that comment. “Yea, yea, she’s a peach. Tropical fruits for animal hides and fur, right?”

A small crowd had gathered by now. Laughter greeted her question. “Yea, they sent hides and fur all right.” More laughter. “But it kinda walked here.”

They reached the small hilltop. Down below, a group of strangers were herding the largest and most unusual creatures Evelyn had ever seen. Huge, furry, with massive tusks and some large fleshy appendage dangling from their face. They grumbled and rumbled deeply. She could feel it in her chest. One raised its appendage and made a large trumpeting noise, startling her but bringing more laughter from the crowd.

More angered than embarrassed, she charged down the hill. “Who is the leader here?”

A short, skinny pale man with dark hair, loped over. “Ya, ya , is me.” His trade tounge was heavily accented and hard to follow.
“What are these creatures?”

“Mastadons!” He seemed quite proud.

“What?”

“Mass Toe downs” He repeated slowly and a bit louder.

“I got that! But we were supposed to get hides.”

“No. No hide mass toe downs. Bring them to you!”

“We were supposed to get hides and furs.”

“Ya, ya, hides are furry.” Again he seemed quite proud, and patted the side one of the beasts.

“Aarrgh! No you idiot! Not animals, just parts.”

“Ya, we part with animals here. Are yours now.”

“How am I going to get them out to the archipelago? We don’t have ships big enough!”

“Ships? No, no ships. Mass toe downs not like ships. Make much mouth mess.” More laughter from the crowd at the thought of sea-sick wolly mammoths.

She dropped her head and took a deep, deep breath. “OK, what are we supposed to do with these damn things?”

The man became even more animated. “No. Not beavers. Good boys and girls.” He reached up and rubbed a furry ear. “Eat grass. Play nice. Will listen to person with stick.” He handed Evelyn a large carved staff. “Haul sleds. Lift loads. Carry people. Watch!”

A few yelled commands and a quick climb later, and the man was atop the beast. He offered Evelyn a hand. She gracelessly climbed aboard. The pair rode the beast around for a time, as he taught her how to command it. Evelyn began to realize that this trade was greater than Amber had intended. These beasts could haul more and lift weights a half dozen men couldn’t. They were exactly the force she needed to get the port back on track.

Spoiler: A Declaration of Cultural Assistance

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The Elder Council of Tar, representing the Quill people, and the Senior Council of the Jeweled Cities, representing the Islanders, do hereby jointly delcare the following:

We share a common ancestry, seperated by years and cataclysm. We jointly resolve to continue delving into our joint heritage.
We honor the disparate traditions, developed over so many years apart. We will continue to honor the cultural practices of both the Islanders and Tar.

We recognize the value of the insular nature of the Quill as well as the adventurous nature of the Islanders. To honor these values, we call upon Quiver Char to take the place as Marshall of the West, protecting Tar in the fast interior of the Continent. We call upon Samhell Bellami to take the place as Governor of the port city of Hart and act as our primary ambassador to the world. We call upon Coal Char to serve as his second in command.

The Senior Council of the Jeweled Cities and the Elder Council of Tar will send 1 representative to serve on the council of the other, to share their wisdom.

We honor the Islander’s commitment to non-violence upon the seas. They will patrol our common ancestral shores.

We honor the desire of the Tar to protect and preserve their culture. They will continue to train military troops as they see fit.

Free trade of tropical fruits and meats will flow between our people, strengthening our bodies as well as bonds.

Ordinarium metal shall be redirected from the Jeweled Cities to Tar for the immediate future.

From these first tentative steps, we are resolved to build a community of cooperation, trade, and friendship.

It is signed by all the members of the councils, as well as Amber Grant, Samhell Bellami, and Quiver and Coal Char.

Spoiler: Action 4, the new Senior Council

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Amber met with her new Senior council aboard her new flagship, the Endless Sky. It was the pinnacle of all the research and development from the Sailing and Navigation Academy. Sleek, fast, and well armed, it could still haul significant amounts of cargo. It was the first to have sails of silk from Nyroth, dyed a pale blue. Its hull was painted as well, darkening from pale blue to almost purple at the water line. It was beautiful, she thought. Her council awaited her in the starboard half of the aft cabin, a combination conference and dining room.

The dwarf Thrustone was still the representative from the City of Turquoise. The City of Amber was still represented by the Air Shaman Whisper, and Pearl by Ginger, Amber’s Mother. The city of Opal was represented by Indigo Summers, Gil Egan’s and Mary-Ann Summer’s son. Samhell Bellami Junior stood as the mercantile representative. Atura Timber, a Quill from their council also took his seat. It was clear he was uncomfortable amongst the half-breeds and non-Quill in the room. Amber knew, however, that the Quill’s true lust was for knowledge. This position put him at the forefront of the opening world.

The topics were wide ranging, and for the most part congenial. The threat of the Salterri was far off. Most agreed that they were seeking to divide the Continentals. "Junior" Black was of the opinion that they should throw in with the Salterri, and seize the coastlands. He was, for now, in the minority opinion.

Atura indicated that allowing the Jeweled Cities to handle their contact with the outside world was, for the most part, well received. Of more concern to many scholars was the continued preaching of the lizard-folk priests of the Sky. Their beliefs seem to be very popular with the normally insular Quill. Amber polietly refused, sighting their agreement that it is an internal matter for the Quill. She conceeded that she would pen a letter to the Chief of the Scla’ca, asking for a respite.

The last item of the meeting concerned the gift from the Blazing Avatar- the flying toy boat. Whisper was very interested in this. Jonas had spent a decade studying it with the best his academy had to offer. It had revealed numberous tweaks to their sailing and rigging that improved their sailing ships. But he had not uncovered the secret of its flight. Whisper was certain where science failed, faith might uncover something.

Amber didn’t agree. The argument went on for some time. Amber had her supporters in her mother, "Junior" Black, and Indigo. All held religion in general and the shamans in particular in poor regard. Whisper had herself and Atura, of course. Oddly, Thrustone sided with them. His belief in the power of the volcano was stronger than she realized. With the council evenly split, her vote should be the deciding one.

During a break, Black Sam spoke to Amber privately. While neither would say what passed between them, Amber chose to allow the investigation by the shamans after all.

Spoiler: Action 5: War or Peace or War and Peace?

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This time, the Council met at the Isle of Birds, at the city of Amber. It was a hot summer day, but the wind raring through the trees brought a cooling wind. It was needed, as the discussion was itself very heated. Amber Grant, Regina of the Jeweled Cities, had been forced to convene a meeting to discuss the attacks of the Salterri.

“War is coming. Your father’s pacifism will doom us.” Samheel Bellami Junior was adamant.

“And your dad never forgave mine for the loss of Blue Monkey. So let that drop, Junior Black.” Amber’s reply was harsh. “Free trade has been good for our people. We travel everywhere, to every port. Why risk that?”

“Trade at the cost of our pride? Our dignity?” He shot back

“How many lives is your pride worth, Junior? How many good men and women will you send to die?”

“Life is short, and death is everywhere.” Whisper spoke quietly, barely heard above the rushing winds. “We live for what honor we can gain in this life.”

Amber turned on the older woman, “You agree with this? The Shamans think a war is acceptable?”

“More spirits for the birds.” Ginger opined sarcastically. She despised the Shamans.

Whipser ignored her. “The seas are a cruel mistress, the very air feeds the coming storms. Let those who chose to prove themselves against this storm do so.”

To the Regina, it sounded like the same pablum most of the shaman’s spoke. But she knew Whisper better than that. The shamans saw the navy as a threat to their spiritual leadership. Perhaps she sought a sound defeat so the people would turn back to the Shamans.

“So this would be a religious crusade?” She smiled evilly.

“No, but we will be there to support those who lose cousins, so you need not worry over their lamentations.”

“I will cry over each live lost.” Amber said sadly, then her harsh tone returned. “We owe the Sea of the Golden Sun peace. For decades, we stained it with the blood of those taken in raids. We owe the air peace for the cries of the woman and children we brutalized in our barbarism.”

“And yet, we failed to intervene in the wasting of Celero, and the spirits sent that storm upon us.” This was a common sentiment amongst Ingido’s constituents on Big Boy. That odd hurricane years ago still rattled them.

“The Salterri are coming. There is no avoiding THIS coming storm.” Junior Black warned.

“They are coming because the Ashenians settled lands they held sacred.” The Quill, Atura Timber, spoke for the first time, startling everyone.

“Lands we attempted to colonize as well.” Thrustone Howell added. The dwarf rarely spoke, but he was always pragmatic in his points.

“We bear some responsibility for bringing this upon the Continentals.” Indigo commented.

"No!” Ginger would not let them blame her duaghter. “That bitchy little princess brought this upon everyone. Her and those too busy kissing her ass rather than spanking it. If it had been us, we wouldn’t have made permanent settlements, only provide trade.”

“I know that. It is why our people have accepted yours. You honor our ways.” Atura nodded solemly. A small measure of consolation, then.

The dwarf Thrustone cut in, “Irrelevant. We either fight or not. I vote no. I will lose many good miners and porters to your fleet.”

“Let us vote, then. All for assisting the continentals?” Junior Black, Whisper, and Indigo. “Against?” Thrustone, the Atura, and Ginger. A split decision, exactly as she suspected. “I need some time. Let’s meet for dinner.” The meeting broke up.

She made her way down to the water and went for a swim. The rocky shores of the Isle of Birds created difficult currents to navigate. Still, it always seemed peaceful under the waves. She dove deep, meandering through the rocks. Schools of fish darted about, disturbed by her presence. A dark, sleep shape darted up out of the depths. A yellow-tipped reef shark was hunting for a meal. The fish she had disturbed were easy prey.

Life in the ocean was often harsh.

Amber swam until late in the day. Dinner was simple- fish, boar, rice, fruit, and wine. Iaz and her kids joined the council for a meal. Looking at her boys almost made her lose her resolve, and her eyes filled with tears. Iaz caught her gaze, and they shared one of those unspoken conversations those in love often have. Peace, a safe reef for the kids to swim. War, then, to keep the sharks at bay.

[zabbarot]

Genivana Round 9

Spoiler: Actions

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1. Attend the Summit on the Summit as part of an attempt to find the reincarnation of Mosi. Hopefully someone has heard something. Bring the teachers promised to the Blazing Avatar along for monk honourable Paco. [Diplo]
2. Convert Nyroth Send 2000 troops to join in the defense against the Salterri. [Mil]
3. Convert Woodwind [Faith]
4. Convert Aloren [Faith]
5. Secret [Diplo]

[Chacmon]

I'l probably post some anty rebellion fluff atleast.

-(diplo) quel rebellion (Close borders with Bordeux and parade around the soldier who fired the adamantine Arrow that slew Umajin, the leader truly responseble for Crima's crimes)
-(mil)Send Gunung 7,000 troops to face the Salterri invasion under the comand of Olwyt Ignato (techs are adamantium and insect cavelry)
-(curio)Colonize region 46 the rest of the way (2/2)
-(curio) lava canals 4/5
-(mill) 1000 troops

[aspi]

[372] "You can not be serious!" Inaun exclaimed, his head slowly taking on a shade of red that matched the crimson robe he had begun wearing during summer months. The mystic paced furiously through the cieftains study "They are worshipping Syivine", he said while stopping and turning to Näiyop "Worshipping it, for Irfrin's sake! They will doom themselves and the rest of the world with them if they keep provoking what stalks in the snow. Sleeping tigers should not be woken!" Näiyop listened calmly. He had expected Inaun to react in this way, and while the mystic certainly went overboard with his rethorics, he wasn't entirely mistaken. He raised his hand to stop Inaun in his outburst and asked "I share your concerns. But isn't that all the more reason to go and see for ourselves? The Sycians seem to be peaceful people, even if they are misguided." Inaun objected immediately "You don't know that they are. They appear to be. But they also appear to be half men half cats. Shouldn't that tell us something?" He made a valid point and the chieftain knew it. Still he pressed his point "Cowering in a hole will not save a man from a tiger, so the Na'nuk will not. I will attend the summit and that is final!" Inaun grunted but seemed to calm down quickly, now that the decision had been made "If you feel that this course of action is best for our people you know I will support it. At least allow me to accompany you to make sure they do not try to poison your faith." The chieftain nodded "Very well, you may accompany me. But remember that we are there to seek dialogue and to observe. Now please let me begin making preparations."

After the mystic had left to make preparations of his own, Näiyop sighed. With Inaun attending the summit as well, a favorable first impression was called for. He would have to put some thought into a meaningful gift to offer to the hostess. As he pondered, a couple of bananas in a bowl of fruit freshly imported from the Jeweled Cities caught his eye.

[373] The caravan stopped below the enormous stacks of Nyrothian timber that had been piled up at the foot of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, slightly north of the Terkovan and Pryonian border. Their trek to the south had taken just two months, a third of the time it would have required before way stations had been placed in regular intervals along the now well scouted route. The mammoths' drivers dismounted and artisans climbed from the sleights the beasts had pulled all the way south, moving around to dispel the cold that had crept into their limbs. They began to raise large tents made of furs, but it was obvious that these were just temporary.

Once the camp had been established, most of them would begin working on erecting buildings to accommodate southern travelers and to shelter the caravans prior to their trip to the North. Others would construct even larger sleighs, to be fitted with steel plated runners once the metal arrived from Gunung. The Tears of the Sun would not remain separated from the world for much longer.

[374] The light of the low sun shone through the window of the chieftains study and was refracted into a complicated pattern of thousands of golden, dancing motes by the amber sculpture that Elina had bestowed upon him as a wedding gift. Absentmindedly he watched the pattern shift and finally diminish as the sun slowly sank below the horizon. Just as the last ray of light flickered through the gemstone and bathed the chamber in warm hues of red and gold, a curious thought arose from his subconcious. He sent for his advisors and called an assembly of scholars and artisans to be held the next morning.

The sun had barely risen and it was still freezingly cold. Most of the scholars - used to working in buildings heated by steam and warm water from the springs that surrounded the lake - stood shivering in the cold at the lake's shore, their breath forming puffy clouds of white whenever they exhaled. Änyiop stood with his back to the lake and made a wide gesture that encompassed the entirety of its surface where the vapor from the warm water slowly rose and dissipated in the cold winds. "What do you see?" he asked the group before him. No one responded, since everyone knew he wasn't looking for the obvious answer, but no one had an idea what he was getting at either. The chieftain stepped closer to the beach and picked up a piece of amber, cleaned it from the sand and mud and presented it to the scholars. "What do you see?" he repeated, "Where does it come from?". One of them, a mystic from the First Tear, was quick to answer "It is the warmth of Irfrin that crystallizes when..." "Yes!" Näiyop interrupted him, "That is what our tales tell us. Crystallized warmth. But is it really?" He raised his hand to appease the religious scholar that sharply inhaled at his words and smiled "I do not doubt our lore. I too believe that it is a gift from Irfrin. We have burned it for generations in his honor so we know there's warmth stored in it. But if it is a present from him, should we not seek to use it as well? Find a way to release the warmth as slowly as it is released from the lake?" The puzzled looks on the faces of the scholars told Näiyop that he had given them something to think about. But he would have to tread carefully if he wanted to avoid confrontation with the mystics on this topic.

The chieftain stayed after the scholars had left, looking out on the water. Not all of the scholars had been present today, but a majority. Sadly, that still didn't amount to much in the grand scheme of things. He would have to do something about that as well. Now that they imported resources from the south, they needed less hunters and fishers. It was time to start educating his people about the world outside these valleys.

_____________

Spoiler: ACTIONS

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• [diplomacy] Send a delegation to the Sycian Interfaith Symposium
• [curiosity] Finish the construction of a trade route south by establishing a trading point (2/2)
• [curiosity] Build large cargo sleighs able of transporting timber and ore into Wenyavuk
• [curiosity] Investigate if there are ways to use amber for heating without burning it
• [curiosity] Begin construction of the Arctic Institute (major project 1/5)

Spoiler: stat increases

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Last round: diplomacy +1, curiosity +1
This round: curiosity +2