Only Ruins: Game thread

[Anti-Eagle]

October - Sinan, New Ajivha

Shut, breath, think, understand.

The moon was particularly bright the night he gave his speech and begun again the long forgotten tradition of his home. What had once been called 'Mauna,' what had become after tragedy after tragedy and the language shifted in meaning and purpose 'Mourna,' what had been forgotten after centuries of death and destruction. Mauna, the festival of silence.

A connection to the past only he could make with the world they lived in now, the mere idea in the wake of the cataclysms being abandoned as frivolous and dangerous. In the past, the far past when he was young and the gods were less than a glimmer in his eyes, it was a sacred time of reflection and insight. A time devoted to the spirit, without prayer or sacrifice. A time of silence and solitude, of reflection and understanding, a time without gods or kings.

He missed those times, and he hoped as he attempted to return the tradition to his people that they would understand. Even if it couldn't be done as intended. Even if it couldn't be done as it intended then perhaps it could be done as the Ajivha of his youth. A month without speech in the city, with the more 'devout' seeking to return to the old times going further based on his descriptions and secluding themselves in their homes in study for most of it.

To get around the strangeness inherent in such a thing suddenly being enacted, he had foreigners leave the city for its duration and moved to the outer lands of Onchesmos. Few objected. Old ideas were brought back to get around the lack of spoken word, prices and trade were set in stone, the old values were relied upon.

Sut, prana, cintana, anagma.

Most seemed to understand.

Spoiler: Ajivhan Khaganate Actions

Show

Settling - Assimilate Duskweir (14) and Begin Settling
Settling - Assimilate Dawnweir (15) and Begin Settling
Settling - Assimilate Duskwatch (25) and Begin Settling
Diplomacy - Send a diplomat to the Rising Light
Research - Research Apiculture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Floriculture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Urban Farming (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Viticulture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

---

Atik, The Harconin Protectorate

"Surgical Exploration" was not a new concept to Atik. Days, weeks, months. All being picked apart with a knife was not something new to him. Unskilled, clumsy hands inside his body trying to study him was not something new to him.

Not that he enjoyed it, not that he'd care even if they could sedate him for it. What was pain in the context of one who'd been vivisected, put back together, vivisected, put back together, vivisected, put back together-... By more than he could remember across what had been his life.

Atleast in the past when he was something identifiable, they learned, and realized how they could put him back together a little better each time. She eased it for him. Fixed him. Kept it from eating at him what was being done to him in the name of the war.

The Harconin understood less of their own biology than he did, and they believed they could do something about his degenerating state without actually understanding the problem or what he was before it had occurred, or what he was before that. Not that he himself remembered what he was before everything had happened.

He sometimes wondered if they recognized that their curiosity and that the amusement they got from their learning was at his expense.

Did it matter if they cared?

Spoiler: Harconin Protectorate Actions

Show

Research - Implement Aetheric Currents (Costed 56 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Immortal Anatomy (Costed 42 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Runic Alphabets (Costed 42 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Wild Magic Corruption Research (Costed 56 materials to implement)
Research - Research Marsh Sicknesses (Will cost 42 materials to implement)

Research - Implement Marsh Sicknesses Research (Costed 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Automaton Repair (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Simulacra Programming (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Simulacra Replication (Will require three more actions to research)

---

New Avringae - Kharloan

Time passed quickly and painfully throughout the lands of New Avringae under the watchful eyes of the silver. Deaths came in the night to new plagues as the months passed on, sicknesses running rampant along the Northern coast as even as the monsters and spirits left them alone. Raiders ran wild across the South as the armies of the land failed to keep them from preying upon the mercantile people.

Amongst it all though the silver children kept them unified. Unified against the suffering and the predation, still standing. Work resumed early November throughout their land, towers went up throughout the land and grand cities began construction again. Even as the plague wracked them.

In the North West distrust of the silver children was an unpopular but relatively common belief in Kharloan, the the land attracting characters from across New Avringae to it with it's relative nature of obscurity in the masses that called it home and the kind who'd tolerate living on cursed ground. When the whispers came it was rather interesting the to spies and malcontents that called it home. Whispers were a constant in the city, and they spread as they always did, but the recent flavour was that of a savior in their midst. Word of something come to save them. It was an easy thing to grow attached to the idea of. To put ones faith in with everything that was happening to them.

To some a pleasant replacement to looking to the alien things that had co-opted the land from their rule those years ago.

Spoiler: New Avringae

Show

Settling - Fully Settle Kharloan
Settling - Fully Settle Faolden
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Baerdine
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Kharloan
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Wyndring
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Tarrenvine
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Raethling
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Faolden
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest

---

South Mereton - The Runeforge

Time passed within the Runeforge and the surrounding lands controlled by the cult of Rising Light. Whispers came and went over the days as the madness built amongst the lands, the noise. The horrible noise that came with the dreams, and the feelings they brought with them.

Long awful nights and long pained days were the norm as work went on. Even in the ancient forge found by Liella. The rising of smoke and the sound of hammers was the anthem of the runeforge as ancient machines and laborers worked to fuel the industry of the cult that had formed around it and Liella the proclaimed prophetess come to bring them salvation.

Light spread across the land as the long work went on, as Liella called them to action. Settling efforts, to expand their borders and fortify them went on, and work began on a grand network of beacon towers. Towers to project light across their land, that some amongst the inner circles believed could be used to project their magics.

Perhaps cure the sickness of the mind that had been working its way through the people. They didn't know though, Liella didn't know. Liella knew most, even if she was largely ignorant of the present. There were rumours that she planned to lock the gates to the city, drag as many supplies as she could into the forge and seal that behind her too. Wait it out with her servants as she had the cataclysms.

Those were only rumours though. She wouldn't abandon them. They were only dreams.

Spoiler: The Rising Light

Show

Settling - Fully settle Territory 7
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout the land around the Runeforge
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 2
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout the territory of Westfallen
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 4
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 5
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 6
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 7
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest

---

The Silverplume Confederacy - Stonetide

Days amongst the Silverplume went on. Slowly. The influence of the foreigners amongst the endless revolution had drawn things out and forced sides even further than they had in the previous years as the syndicates slowly took hold.

Their neighbours coming in their time of need had been accepted, welcomed, as their navy bolstered theirs and their people integrated into their works. Even if they complained of the poisons of the island, as many died to them on their barely controlled land. The flow of the magics seemed unfamiliar to the refugees and the wastes were unappealing, the difficulty of finding clean water or land well enough to grow crops was a daily struggle and wells often contaminated shortly after they were dug. Those who lived with them came to accept their lot. Came to accept the poison in time, those who could survive it.

Strip mining resumed in the East to replenish their stocks as scavengers were forced out and retasked, crops were brought from the mainland apparently able to grow more effectively than what they'd been using, and trade routes were opened by the Navasti.

Work with the Xulians was slow, and to some pointless as they tried to find a suitable trade route between the two peoples. Old contacts, mainland Krakar in the raptor states that had long ago banished them, mainland Navasti and Khaganians, a people they call Harconin. Their middlemen asked more than they would have liked to move the goods. Slow to find a solution, something that only emboldened some of the isolationists amongst the syndicates to attempt to sabotage it.

Another war briefly broke out amongst them over it.

Spoiler: Silverplume Confederacy Actions

Show

Research - Research Syndicalism (Will require one more actions to research)
Research - Research Syndicalism (Will cost 9 materials to implement)
Research - Research Controlled Channeling (Will cost 9 materials to implement)
Research - Research Wild Magic Exposure (Will cost 9 materials to implement)

Research - Implement Industrial Engineering (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 Development Materials)
Research - Implement Syndicalism (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 to Subversion defence)
Research - Implement Controlled Channeling (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 to control rolls)
Research - Implement Wild Magic Exposure Research (Costed 9 materials to implement)

Research - Research Wild Magic Corruption (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Preservation (Will require two more actions to research)

[Viirin]

It had been years, but things kept coming up. Finally, someone had the time to go into the chemical research pool and check on the nearly-mindless abhorrent mudfish. They were immobile.
They were checked, but they were alive. Just... comfortable. Sitting in the liquid that should have caused severe pain. But that wasn't happening. Were they now totally immune to it? An easy investigation of their codes revealed the answer. They were. Now to spread the advantage to all others.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Saved: 2
This week: +5

7/5

1. Research Nerve Gas Resistance
2. Research Bloodtox Resistance

5/5 stockpiled

[gawwy]

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Build coffee plantations in region 9 (+food)
Build coffee plantations in region 10 (+food)
Research caffeinated wine (Ray-Das speciality trade good)
Research Old Soul New Body: Cross Species easing
Research Old Soul New Body: Cross Species easing

Crepitus

nine centur... ies your peop... le need you...

It had been many long months waiting to give the answer to Jashikis first questions.

Much had happened in those months. The deep ocean search had revealed many strange and exotic sights.

Sunken ships filled with mute undead. Fields of bones that burn eternal. A strange sphere surrounded by abberated terrors.

Each noted diligently lest they become of use later.

Each failing to distract from the necrotic studies that the reverent's of the Heathen army had thrown themselves into with abandon. Most of them because of the belief that the skeleton embedded deep in blue crystal could provide a link to a soul that could reveal the sunken ships secrets. Crepitus cared little for the skeleton other than the motivation it provided the others. He had high hopes that the improvements in the ritual would allow more time to speak with his god.

Crepitus waited with baited breath.

[Anti-Eagle]

December 1181 (Turn 34)

As winter came, almost suddenly over the first frost the sounds and the dreams that came around them ended, a slow silence to the events of the past year. Spirits slowed at this time as they had in the past, and now the creeping madness of the past year joined it.

Those afflicted by the yellow dreams found peace for the time from them, and slept long dreamless nights for the first time in months. It would take time for them to calm and perhaps they would have it.

Spoiler: Turn 33 Actions

Show

The Ajivhan Khaganate
Settling - Assimilate Duskweir (14) and Begin Settling
Settling - Assimilate Dawnweir (15) and Begin Settling
Settling - Assimilate Duskwatch (25) and Begin Settling
Diplomacy - Send a diplomat to the Rising Light
Research - Research Apiculture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Floriculture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Urban Farming (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Research - Research Viticulture (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (...)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- Research Improved Mind Screening.
- Implement Improved Mind Screening (Costed 27 materials, effective protection)
- Send Renewers to the eastern provinces as "soothers". They will grant those suffering from the yellow dreams mind shields, and hopefully giving them some respite from the wasps mental assault. (effective)
x6 - Continue the previous settlement actions
- Stockpile Excess food leaving 20% more food than needed to support the population

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Great Heathen Army
- Build coffee plantations in region 9 (costs 2 materials, provides +1 food)
- Build coffee plantations in region 10 (costs 2 materials, provides +1 food)
- Research caffeinated wine (will require two more actions)
x2 - Research Old Soul New Body: Cross Species easing (will require one more action)

---

The Harconin Protectorate
Research - Implement Aetheric Currents (Costed 56 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Immortal Anatomy (Costed 42 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Runic Alphabets (Costed 42 materials to implement, +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Wild Magic Corruption Research (Costed 56 materials to implement)
Research - Research Marsh Sicknesses (Will cost 42 materials to implement)

Research - Implement Marsh Sicknesses Research (Costed 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Automaton Repair (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Simulacra Programming (Will require three more actions to research)
Research - Research Simulacra Replication (Will require three more actions to research)

---

The Khaloric Swarm
- Research Nerve Gas Resistance (Will require two more actions to research)
- Research Bloodtox Resistance (Will require two more actions to research)

---

New Avringae
Settling - Fully Settle Kharloan
Settling - Fully Settle Faolden
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Baerdine
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Kharloan
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Wyndring
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Tarrenvine
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Raethling
Development - Construct a series of watchtowers around the territory of Faolden
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest

---

The Rising Light
Settling - Fully settle Territory 7
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout the land around the Runeforge
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 2
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout the territory of Westfallen
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 4
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 5
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 6
Development - Construct a series of light towers throughout territory 7
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
Research - Research Syndicalism (Will require one more actions to research)
Research - Research Syndicalism (Will cost 9 materials to implement)
Research - Research Controlled Channeling (Will cost 9 materials to implement)
Research - Research Wild Magic Exposure (Will cost 9 materials to implement)

Research - Implement Industrial Engineering (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 Development Materials)
Research - Implement Syndicalism (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 to Subversion defence)
Research - Implement Controlled Channeling (Costed 9 materials to implement, provides +3 to control rolls)
Research - Implement Wild Magic Exposure Research (Costed 9 materials to implement)

Research - Research Wild Magic Corruption (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Preservation (Will require two more actions to research)

[Viirin]

Spoiler: Actions

Show

10/10

1. Research Bloodtox Resistance (2/3)
2. Research Bloodtox Resistance (3/3)
3. Research Nerve Gas Resistance (2/3)
4. Research Nerve Gas Resistance (3/3)
5. Research Sister Cities (2/3)
6. Research Sister Cities (3/3)
7. Research Fortification Walls (2/5)
8. Research Fortification Walls (3/5)
9. Research Fortification Walls (4/5)
10. Research Fortification Walls (5/5)

0/10

[The JoJo]

The Ducal Palace, Xule

Mariana was pretty sure something was up, only the grown-ups wouldn't tell her what it was. She wandered into the dining room, almost bumping into an old servant laden with a tray full of full wine glasses.

"Watch where you're going!" he snapped, before realising who he was speaking to. "I mean, be careful your young highness..."

Mariana made a face at him and then ran on, to where she found her mother standing by the doorway, carefully rearranging an elaborate dress with three bows

"Mama, what's happening?" she asked.

"Uncle Cosimo has three young ladies to meet, to pick out a bride," Valencia explained. "You should be on your best behaviour today."

"I always am!" Mariana said, frowning.

"Real best behaviour, this time," her mother said in a tone that made it clear that today, she really meant it.

Spoiler: Currency of Xule

Show

The currency used in Xule and Nova Aurora is a fiat currency, meaning its value is given to it by law, rather than by the value of the metal itself. The standard unit of currency used by the ordinary individual is the denar, a small silver coin. These are often cut into halfs, or even quarters, so smaller amounts can be traded. One hundred denar is the equivalent of one aure, a larger gold coin. Large transactions are often carried out using paper notes, which can be exchanged at the Xulian treasury for the equivalent amount in gold coins.

Spoiler: Actions

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-Research eye glasses for long distance viewing (+Defence)
-Research explosive-resistant city walls (+Defence to cities)
-Research steam-powered sniper rifles (+Combat)
-Research banking (+Wealth, and the ability to loan other nation's wealth)
-Research city sewers (Improves Health and boosts population growth each spring)

-Continue to research eye glasses for long distance viewing
-Continue to research explosive-resistant city walls
-Continue to research steam-powered sniper rifles
-Continue to research banking
-Continue to research city sewers

[Novabomb]

Journal of Awn



1/5
It seems that the wasp threat has abated somewhat. I am not sure if it is the cold, or the improved shielding, but I am glad for it. It is time to address some things long over due. Seeing what the great library of the swarm contains for instance.

1/18
Teris is once more complaining about the difficulties of her tree structure project. I told her to try on an evergreen, she should have started on that to begin with. Even so, her "Wood Charming" technique shows promise, perhaps it is time to open it to the entire college.


1/27
Valen has suggested that we should not drop our guard against the wasps. I am inclined to agree with her, so I have given her permission to organize a small patrol to attempt to track them.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

1) Implement Wood Charming
2) Continue researching Tree Structures
3) Create a permanent delegation to the Swarm's Library. This is not for official diplomatic purposes. It will be a rotating set of individuals, and they are expected to give a report on what they have learned every season.
4) Create a special Ranger Squad (Including Renewer Support) for the purpose of tracking signs of the wasps.
5) Fully Settle (Need to see up to date map to know what number it is)

[Togo]

To follow:

Spoiler: Action

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- Research Expanded Cradle
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Recruit more population from the North Western Mountains
- Settle district 20


- Install Vault Housing district 13
- Install Vault Housing district 19
- Install Vault Housing district 20
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Implement Expanded Cradle

Spoiler: Currencies of the Empire of the Basalt Throne

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Basalt Throne Currency
The Empire of the Basalt Throne uses a wide variety of currencies, issued by various factions and powers, and relying on backing from those powers for their value. Most of them have not survived the original use planned for them.

The Fist, a spikey coin with a hole in the centre, made of electrum, is the most stable currency, as it is issued by the Emperor. However, as they are fairly easy to clip or shave, each coin must be weighed or examined, so trade in them is time consuming, and they see little use outside saving and stockpiling for a rainy day, when coins backed by smaller powers might lose their value.

The Bar, issued by the Imperial Engineers, the largest military faction, is widely used to pay for construction, building and public works. It's considered very reliable, but the actual coins are thick and heavy and don't come in small denominations.

The rather literally named Coin, a metal disk inscribed with the symbol of a metal disk, was developed by the Valthee Port Authority as a trade currency. It's been almost entirely abandoned by them in preference to using coins from other nations, particularly Xule and the Khaghanate. However, it is still widely used by minor traders, pedlars and travelling performers, and is welcomed in rural areas. It also frequently appears in stories about dashing outlaws, spies or eloping lovers, as a no-questions means of paying for passage aboard ship.

The Soldes, or soul disk, are small crescent shaped pieces of a rare alloy, formed by taking a disk and removing a smaller disk shape of material from one edge. It is not officially backed by any Faction, but the idea that it's backed by the Cradle is considered an open secret. This is the currency favoured by criminals, traders in restricted goods, and those who don't want their activities under scrutiny, and as such is probably the most readily accepted currency in the Empire.

Dials are a special currency intended for incentives, wages, bribes and other personal payments, and is backed by the Dark (Imperial Security). It's not popular for this purposes, since it lacks social cachet, not being associated with a particular faction. However, no other currency comes in so many finely distinguished denominations, and as such it's widely used in small amounts in conjunction with other currencies.

Wicks were originally literally lantern wicks, back when light was considered the highest priority for survival. Now they are little metal wicks with a loop at one end. While originally intended as a form of market money, most citizens treat them as loose change, since they aren't worth very much. Mainly replaced with other currencies, except amongst the very traditional Vault-born, or the very poor.

Shells are literally shells, chosen for their beauty, and enamelled to make them more durable. Comparatively easy to forge, particularly near the sea, they're now more of a traditional currency, used for decoration, display, and ceremonial purposes, such as casting into fountains for good luck. Technically they are backed by the Priests, but no one really believes they actually make them.

The Loaf is a token of nickel washed with alchemical silver, shaped like a slice of bread, with the symbol of the Great Library on one side and a muffin on the other. This is a very volatile currency, backed by the Bakhause who have risen very fast due to their backing of diplomatic and academic pursuits. Despite its instability, it's prized by speculators as its value is reckoned to be on the rise. Probably. Despite its origins, it's almost never given to actual academics or diplomats, who generally prefer foreign currencies, but it's widely used to pay the wide range of clerks, servants, suppliers and coffee vendors who haunt the great library. Its also the most popular currency in the Senate.

[Anti-Eagle]

January 1182 (Turn 35)

Winter was a long and quiet time, those who saw snow recognized it was the deadliest time of year if they were ever free of the storms and spirits plaguing the world. Little of the living bothered with the wastes and those who had it come to them lived in forced preparedness by the time it came exceeding that of those who lived on the coasts by stockpile and shelter alone. The bandits who came in these times considered heinous even by the standards of the banditry of the land through the damage they wreaked on the fragile shelters available to bands in the North, and hunted for years after they acted.

As the year of 1182 dawned it was slowly realized by some that it had been months since they'd seen or heard of Shades acting or even appearing. A worrying thought to those who relied upon them for guidance.

Spoiler: Turn 34 Actions - Map and Sheet Updates are in progress

Show

The Ajivhan Khaganate
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (...)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- Implement Wood Charming (you'll be informed of cost once your sheet is updated)
- Continue researching Tree Structures (can now be implemented, you'll be informed of cost in a message after your sheet is updated).
- Create a permanent delegation to the Swarm's Library.
- Create a special Ranger Squad (Including Renewer Support) for the purpose of tracking signs of the wasps. (successful)
- Fully Settle (Map and sheets are being updated, if this action is unnecessary it can be changed)

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Recruit more population from the North Western Mountains (Successful)
- Settle district 20
- Install Vault Housing district 13
- Install Vault Housing district 19
- Install Vault Housing district 20
- Research Expanded Cradle
- Implement Expanded Cradle

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
-Research eye glasses for long distance viewing (+Defence)
-Research explosive-resistant city walls (+Defence to cities)
-Research steam-powered sniper rifles (+Combat)
-Research banking (+Wealth, and the ability to loan other nation's wealth)
-Research city sewers (Improves Health and boosts population growth each spring)

-Continue to research eye glasses for long distance viewing (Will Cost 8 Materials to implement)
-Continue to research explosive-resistant city walls (Will require one more action to research)
-Continue to research steam-powered sniper rifles (Will require one more action to research)
-Continue to research banking (Will cost 8 materials to implement)
-Continue to research city sewers (Will cost 8 materials to implement)

---

The Great Heathen Army
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Harconin Protectorate
- N/A

---

The Khaloric Swarm
- Research Bloodtox Resistance (2/3)
- Research Bloodtox Resistance (3/3)
- Research Nerve Gas Resistance (2/3)
- Research Nerve Gas Resistance (3/3)
- Research Sister Cities (2/3)
- Research Sister Cities (3/3)
- Research Fortification Walls (2/5)
- Research Fortification Walls (3/5)
- Research Fortification Walls (4/5)
- Research Fortification Walls (5/5)

---

New Avringae
- N/A

---

The Rising Light
- N/A

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
- N/A

[Anti-Eagle]

The forests of the grat were silent as the recombinants flew over, the rare sound a whisper-like wind in which what sounded like voices could occasionally be heard.

The sound of animals was lacking, and below no fire or light could be seen within the land of the Grat. No villages could be picked out from the sky and no Grat were seen lingering in the trees.

What few clearings existed were filled with an 'angry' looking red grass that resembled spikes or thickets more than anything else, and the whole land whispered.

It became more and more noticeable as time went.

When they landed, briefly walking and looking upon the ground, little of note happened. The whispering grew as they looked at the trees around them, the strange trees of the forest.

When they landed the second time some distance away... it became dead silent, and as they approached the trees- spikes shot out clumsily towards them from the trunk. Almost half-assedly as it missed them. And then they saw it, a light shining in the darkness about a hundred feet to the North below the thick canopy of trees.

As those of the group capable of walking amongst the thick forest, walked towards the light they smelled smoke and saw that it was a fire, barely kept with what looked to be a small and apparently abandoned camp around it.

When they reached the twenty feet mark, all hell broke loose. A small clicking noise and what sounded like a scream heralded spikes shooting out from the ground at them, and simple wooden arrows coming at them from every direction.

Bodies moving rapidly around them in the treetops as it began.

The Swarm's undead krakari dove to the ground in a somersault, and kicked the Shining One into the air, who immediately began glowing bright pure white. Anyone besides the krakari, who had his eyes closed, and the recombinant dragon above, who had no eyes, were overcome with an unnamed feeling that caused their minds to go blank and their bodies to halt movement.

The spikes slowly retracted back into the ground as the light spread throughout the area and the firing around them stopped. Atleast for the moment.

The Shining One stopped glowing, and the krakari put her down on the ground so she could stand on her own instead of being raised up or standing on someone else's skyward feet.
The dragon continued to circle overhead.

As the light faded the firing didn't resume, but the movement did. A great bustle in the treetops and the area around them, a sensation of being watched.

The krakari looked at the Shining One, and said in a loud voice so he knew he'd be heard, "Unfortunate. I thought the hoblings that lived here were braver than this. I guess they're no stronger than pixies."

The whispering returned shortly after the jest from the Krakar. Loudly, and the movement around them appeared to stop.

A single shot firing near the Krakar, appearing to deliberately miss as a wet voice yelled "Shrage!"

A few moments later amongst the whispers a raspy voice sounded from the distance, near the camp "The ignorant venom-shrage once again come to bother us in our land with their plague-thoughts! Why do you bother us at this late day?"

The Shining One spoke. "You know why. Many of you will be coming with us, and shall not return here. Who shall it be? We are looking for 100 individuals."

"NONE!" Sounded loudly throughout the forest.

"I disagree. One hundred will come. More if they choose. I find it humorous that the grat are so afraid of everything. Maybe cowardice is why they earned such evil reputations."

A second arrow fired towards the shining creature, and the raspy voice replied. "I find it humorous that your kind persists, and your mention of cowardice and evil reputations ironic. We will strike no bargains and offer no sacrifice."

"Eating each other, attacking and eating everyone you see? This is considered good behavior?"

"Invading the lands of others and screaming for their spirits and their flesh? This is considered good behaviour?"

"So the grat don't eat diplomats, then?"

"Diplomats don't enter uninvited and demand slaves."

"Most of our history is lost. What civilizations have demanded grat slaves?"

"Yours, Now. Aurora, Before."

"Aurora doesn't exist in the same way it once did. They do still have slaves, but we've been trying to rid them of that negative quality. Also, we aren't demanding slaves. We don't approve of such things. What we want is to gain a small population of grat so we can understand each other better by living together, which seems desperately necessary."

"You Demand One Hundred. You did not ask. You demand for slaves. There is no understanding in that. We have left the world of the thinking shrage, we have no interest in you, or your kind, or your standing here now."

"Fine. A question. How do the grat deal with the swelling tides of aberrations that attack from the sea every year?"

"They do not come for us."

"They come for the drider, the recombinants, the dustmoths, the ray-das, luug, humans, corvans, krakari, galans, and yish. But they don't attack you?"

"We do not know of their problems, and our people know little of the warp-ed spirits."

"Horrific beasts that spread their attacks and become ever more numerous and each individual more dangerous. Beware, for a single touch by them tears the soul out of the body and even the curse of never-ending re-animation cannot bring them back."

A winding laugh briefly spread throughout the trees, before the raspy voice replied "We are not ignorant, shrage. They are simply rare here, not allowed to reach those unable to combat them."

"Most nations, like The Grand Duchy of Xule, Ajivhan Khaganate, The Basalt Empire, and others all have to build grand defenses and gain exceptional combat experience and militaries just to hold them at bay, and still fail simply due to the sheer amount of them! And the grat are unmolested?"

"We know not of these people, perhaps they have angered them."

"Possibly. However, but for the most part, some of them seem to have only built something akin to a flap of beast flesh to keep the rain off of themselves, and were still overrun."

"And why should this concern us?"

"Then it must not. A different question, then. What is it that angers the forest itself? It seems to pay very close attention, though a tree shouldn't do such a thing."

"Shrage of your kind are not of the covenant. You offer it nothing and ask its passage. You anger it by your very presence."

"What would the covenant desire?"
"There is nothing it desires, you are simply not of it."

"Not yet." The blind dragon broke off a branch loaded with rather boring-looking round nuts, and held it in its mouth. The Shining One climbed onto the dragon's back, and the krakari and dragon departed back to the Swarm's territory.

Spoiler: Note

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This is a collaborative post between myself representing the Grat and Viirin representing the Khaloric Swarm from a month or so back. I've been asked to post it by him.

[Anti-Eagle]

Sinan, New Ajivha

The sun was a bright orange as he sat in his grand garden, watching the world go by, and listening as functionaries and messengers rattled off reports to him. Amirah, Ayin, and Halima were in the distance. Picking fruit and holding what little conversation they could with her. Her mind sharp but very young.

The ancient silver fountain carved in the shape of something resembling the cross of an ash and willow tree highlighted his interest as his as attention went between it and the tree he himself had planted a decade ago as a gift to the late Khagan, soft blood orange-like fruit hanging off of its limbs as it sat happily in the soil. A miracle plant. Atleast as far as they had seen it. Fast growing, constantly flowering, and perpetually bearing fruit. And evidence of his power. He'd dragged its seed from the other side. From Arcadia. A plant wholly alien to the world in its purity and naturalized artifice. A bit of paradise as it had been seen to their ancestors.

He wasn't sure which was more important, but he leaned on the fountain. The fountain was something not of his hands or the gods, it was art from a people almost completely devoted to survival and nothing more. Who'd been forced to abandon their way of life and scrape themselves down to their marrow and see everything in jobs. Jobs. Everything was a job. Do or die. He admired that. The logical conclusion, if far more extreme, of the ways of his people. But it was too much. Everything else was nearly forgotten by them. The fountain survived though. Over four hundred years old and crafted by one of the few men to die a "natural" death since the cataclysms, never to rise. A relic and something taken as a symbol by the people of New Ajivha.

He was slowly snapped out of his thoughts by a man in blue garb being dragged infront of him, blood spattered on his clothing, and an exhausted look in his eyes as the man was moved without resistance.

A young Janissary spoke up as the man was brought to his knees, "This man crossed into the city through a break in the walls, and tried to enter the palace by jumping a wall." After a few moments they Janissary Sinan couldn't recall the name of in honesty continued, "He claims to carry a message from a Navasti Khedive about unrest, the blood he claims is that of a man who tried to stop him near Duskripa."

Sinan motioned to the man on his knees infront of him. The man nodded and warily spoke after a few moments, "Khedive Santon sends his regards my Khagan... I was asked by him and a few amongst his circle to come to you and speak of a rot working its way into my people and yours. Two or three seasons ago what you call a pillar cult sprung up in our southern holds. We executed them and destroyed their bodies, and while we thought we had dealt with the blasphemers several have sprung up since to take their place. Worship of the thing they're claiming to work for has been seen openly since then and it's believed one of the Khedives is supporting it though we know not which. Without knowing who is and is not standing beside us our soldiery is ill equipped to expunge it." He tried to stand briefly before his leg gave out under him and went to his knees again, "We humbly ask for your assistance in dealing with this threat and advise you to scour your lands before they take hold within your holds if they haven't already."

Sinan listened to the man speak with interest, allowing him to complete his... he doubted it was a script, before responding seeing the man to be speaking the truth. "How widespread is this corruption?"

"We don't know, they walk openly in our South and we've seen evidence of them in your lands. One of them tried to kill me as I came to speak."

"Why did you not come through the gates, or speak to the Janissaries?"

"After I was ambushed I was unsure of who could be trusted."

Sinan nodded, "I'll organize inquisitions and ready a guard. What is your name?"

"Lyran sire."

Sinan motioned to one of the guards, "Bring one of my doctors." He turned his attention back to Lyran, "You injured your leg trying to jump the wall correct? It looks fresh. Sit. Tell me what you know."

Spoiler: Ajivhan Khaganate Actions

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Development - Begin canalizing the gap between Duskweir and Dawnweir connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Development - Begin constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Development - Begin constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Espionage - Begin an inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Military - Form an Army (The Blue Guard) and station them in Duskwatch
Research - Mycoforestry (Will cost 11 materials to implement)
Research - Silviculture (Will cost 11 materials to implement)
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

Spoiler: The Blue Guard

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The Blue Guard - A force currently stationed in the the territory of Duskwatch. The blue guard is an an auxiliary force within the Khaganian militaries primarily formed of blue coats from the Navasti enclaves in the Western Khaganate, led by old Navasti captains who turned to the Khaganate after the fall of their land and trusted Janissaries. Formed to protect the Southern Coast and the Western Khaganate in general the blue guard is little respected and often compared to the grey guard in the North, considered relatively poorly armed and unskilled by the standards of the armies in direct service to the Khagan due to their inexperience with fighting on land as their recent comrades have for centuries. Their standard is a blue and white tug banner.

[gawwy]

Spoiler: actions

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10 actions

- Research Old Soul New Body: Cross Species easing (completed)
- Research Old Soul New Body: Permanent
- Research Old Soul New Body: Permanent
- Research Old Soul New Body: Permanent
- Research Old Soul New Body: Permanent (Assuming completed)

- Research caffeinated wine
- Research caffeinated wine (completed)
- Implement Old Soul New Body Project.
- Send Diplomat (Corpus Verde)

-1 action stockpiled.

[Viirin]

(Knock Knock)
[Awn Taps on the door to the Swarm's Guest Wing]

Saltdancer heard the knock, but didn't know who it was. Lots of people had come by recently, and the interruptions were really getting in the way of his work.
But to be rude when in another nation would represent the Swarm as rude, so he had to accommodate. Getting up wearily, he opened the door to see who it was, and was surprised.

"Greetings, Saltdancer was it?"

"It is. I am pleased to make your acquaintance again, Awn."

"May we come in?" (He is accompanied by a single ranger [as all Renewers are])

"But of course! This is your own institution within your own nation, and it would be wrong of me to deny you access." He got out of the way, ushering the two inside, allowing the ranger to close the door. "What would bring you to my study?"

"Nonsense, while you are here, you may regard these quarters as your home. I come on a matter of intellectual curiosity."

He began before he was cut off, "Aliester is much smarter than me about-"

"It occurs to me as long lived as the Swarm is that your have interacted with many many different type of organisms. Have you ever encountered another sentient hive mind?"

He sat in his chair with a thud. "We must have. I mean, most of our records are still severely incomplete, and we know there are things out there that we don't understand, but we dustmoths have mostly kept to ourselves through the ages. Recombinants went extinct for a thousand years, the galans became only a single small colony, and the drider went from huge communities in the dozens of thousands to simply hundreds."
He continued, "All our hives burned, people killed. Dustmoths like me weren't even created by Khalorean. We used to be something else, but hiding changed us. But you asking makes me wonder something."

"Oh?"

"The bees that tend the redpetal growing on landrust might be something like what you're thinking of. We don't know if individual marsh bees live forever, or if the hive lives forever by replacing its individual members."

"They are sentient?"

"Most species have learned from watching even non-magical, non-divinely crafted bees and ants. They might be, but we aren't sure. I don't think the Empress ever looked into it."

"I see, I may have to do some investigating at some point."

"I should inform you that my interest is not exactly casual, I believe we have run across such a species."

"Should I call Ma'thias to come? I doubt she'll say much, but everything any recombinant knows, she knows. Then again, I guess you know that..."

"Only if is convienent. I do not wish to trouble you more than I already have."

There was what looked like a snowy dragonfly replica on the window, but then it moved its wings. It was alive? It flew off across the room and down a short hallway, and the metal-leaf-haired recombinant appeared.

"Greetings."

Ma'thias looked at Awn, and blinked.

"I thought it would be a good idea to let you know that we seem to have discovered a sentient insectoid hivemind race in proximity to our eastern woods. The degree of sentience is a bit questionable, but it is powerfully psychic."

She didn't move or show any facial expressions, body language, or anything else. She was starting to get a little creepy from her motionlessness. But then there was a very loud bang echoing down the main hallway, and one of Awn's own disciples was panting.
"Lord Awn!" the young man could be seen through the only-mostly-closed door. He was picking himself up off the ground, and dusting himself off. "My lord. A passing caravan from the Swarm stopped in the middle of the road, and the carriage driver jumped off. We thought it was an attack, but then he opened the back and pulled off a huge box made of wooden bars. He said it was for us to use as a trap, and to study what uh... you.. I mean we, catch."

"How large is this cage?"

"It's a cube. But each side is fifteen feet."

"Thank you, that will be all Kohai."

The man bowed out and left to resume his duties.

"Is there a reason that it is made of wood?"

Saltdancer looked away from Ma'thias, and at Awn. "She said that they bought it from an Auroran, and were going to break it apart and use it as a trellis so they could grow things on it."

"I see, materials available. I humbly accept this box, and will inform you if we manage to catch one."

"Oh, she says to be careful. The recombinants did meet other creatures able to use similar abilities to themselves, but a lot of them were aberrations using a twisted version."

"May I ask what do you mean by twisted in this sense?"

Saltdancer was looking at Ma'thias for awhile. Finally he replied. "She said that the Corpus Verde traded a prisoner to the Swarm in exchange for something, and he was an aberration. He was able to cough up dead black fleshy ooze and it could force others to become little more than an extension of his own mind. That's why the Swarm protected itself before they accepted him, so he would only fail. He was really two people, and the one that forced others to become himself wasn't taken and instead is left to rot for all eternity in prison without a body.
The recombinants share memories and thoughts, perspectives and senses. Lycus just does a pure over-write. That's one example, she said."

"I see, and thank you for the warning. I strongly suspect the Mind Wasps are similar, except they use their Psychic might to strip away what was there before. They made mention of all becoming one during my parley."

"Is there anything else you need, Lord Awn?" Saltdancer asked, apparently because he was asking it himself this time.

"No. Thank you, and if you have any questions feel free to inquire. I will keep you apprised of the Mind Wasp situation."

"Ah. Empress Dorian Cook wishes to ask you something. How does the mind-shielding work? She's wondering if she can learn how to make her own psychic defenses better by learning yours."

"Well, the original working was merely a flooding the spiritual channels with the goal of blocking any connections. This was problematic for many reasons, but particularly since it meant our traditional magics could no longer affect the individual. The new refined version, Courtesy of Renewer Kaush, focuses on encouraging the Ego, allowing it to strengthen its own natural defenses while creating a fluxuating neuronet. This makes connecting to the target much harder, and the Ego secures against the connections that are made. The enhanced Ego can then support a connection through the neuronet.
I am not sure what prolonged usage would do to your hive mind, but as a short term measure it may be useful."

"She said it was very useful information, and thanks you." Saltdancer looked at Ma'thias again. "Inspired? Really?"

"Thank you."

And with that Awn will wish them well, and go back to his duties. Valen will have new orders.

Spoiler: Note

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Collab between me as The Khaloric Swarm and Novabomb as the Disciples of Awn. Written earlier this week or last weekend or something.

[Anti-Eagle]

February 1182 (Turn 36)

Winter went on, slowly coming to a close as the worst of it came to an end. The quiet continued throughout the lands.

Spoiler: Turn 35 Actions

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The Ajivhan Khaganate
Development - Begin canalizing the gap between Duskweir and Dawnweir connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Development - Begin constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Development - Begin constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require two more actions to complete)
Espionage - Begin an inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Military - Form an Army (The Blue Guard) and station them in Duskwatch
Research - Mycoforestry (Will cost 11 materials to implement)
Research - Silviculture (Will cost 11 materials to implement)
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (If anyone has had contact with possiblyinsane in the past two months let me know)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Great Heathen Army
- Research Old Soul New Body: Cross Species easing
x4 - Research Old Soul New Body: Permanent
x2 - Research caffeinated wine
- Implement Old Soul New Body Project (Details will come in the message I'm preparing)
- Send Diplomat (Corpus Verde)

---

The Harconin Protectorate
- N/A

---

The Khaloric Swarm
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

New Avringae
- N/A

---

The Rising Light
- N/A

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
- N/A

[Viirin]

Spoiler: Actions

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10/10

1. Implement Sister Cities
2. Research Galan Lava Blood (1/2)
3. Research Galan Lava Blood (2/2)
4. Implement Fortification Walls
5. Research Arachnomorph Telepathy (1/1)
Not actually telepathy, but simple pheromone detection and identification.

6. Implement Galan Lava Blood
7. Research Focused Lethargy (1/4)
8. Research Focused Lethargy (2/4)
9. Research Focused Lethargy (3/4)
10. Research Focused Lethargy (4/4)
Recombinants can focus their telepathic abilities in a single direction at a time to cause those seen as enemies to lose the energy needed to carry out their assignments. Like attacking us.

0/10

[Novabomb]

Journal of Awn


3/3
Valen reports that there is no further sign of the wasps, except perhaps burrowing. If they return we will deal with them then. Now it is time to fulfill our obligations to the Xule, and ensure foreign ships need not go up river. A new harbor shall be constructed.

3/8
The swarm brought by an interesting plant. Something potentially quite dangerous, but also super useful. Terris is chomping at the beak to get at it. I will give her something to distract her while I determine its potential.
I think its time we put Terris's latest idea into action. Our food stores are a bit too full, a silo is in order I think.

3/15
Renewer Cirdan, has come to me with a new idea. He wants to try to make a living ship. I gave him my blessings.

3/26
Lord Fredrick has requested the use of more renewers for the town he is building around the harbor. I cannot spare the number he wishes. It is wood that he needs, I will see if we can grow some and let common labors mill as we did before Terris's art. Renewer Jack will do I think.

Spoiler: Actions

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1) Construct Harbor in Fredrick Nest (I need to see map to determine number, its the southeastern most province and is on the bay.
2) Establish Foreign Office in Fredrick Nest. This is under Lord Noventa's command.
3,4) Implement Tree Structures.
5) Use 3 to create a food silo in the capital.
6) Store excess food.
7) Begin Researching Living Ship (Cirdan's Research)
8) Begin Researching Accelerated Lumber Production (Jack's Research)
9) Create a special location in the southmost part of territory 3. It will be a small grove surrounded by a firebreak.
10) Transplant the Grat plant in the special location from 9. If it gets out of control, the firebreak is ready. (Awn is personally handling this [With Backup from his ranger of course.]

[The JoJo]

Spoiler: Xule actions

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-Implement eye glasses for long distance viewing (+Defence)
-Continue to research explosive-resistant city walls
-Continue to research steam-powered sniper rifles
-Implement banking (+Wealth and the ability to grant loans to other nations)
-Implement city sewers (Population bonus in spring)

-Implement explosive-resistant city walls (+Defence)
-Implement steam-powered sniper rifles (+Combat)
-Research trench warfare tactics (+Combat on any territory held for more than a turn)
-Research steam-powered grenades (+Combat)
-Research professional army ranks (+Combat)

[Togo]

Basalt Throne actions

Spoiler: Actions

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- Recruit more population from the North Western Mountains
- joint project on Trade with Khaganate - Constructing a Trade Hub at Senate)
- joint project on Trade with Khaganate - Constructing a Trade Hub at Senate)
- joint project on Trade with Khaganate - Constructing a Trade Hub at Senate)
- negotiate with natives west of area 10

- settle area west of area 10
- Install Vault Housing in the new area west of area 10
- Research advanced social non-integration (bonus to recruiting population)
- Research advanced social non-integration
- Research advanced social non-integration

[Anti-Eagle]

Sinan, New Ajivha

"- work on the Sarandan gate is promising, but as expected it will take months before it's secured. The Blue Guard has been organized and set to work with the Green Guard to guard the work sites, and workers from the local clans have been drafted with little resistance. Stone and metal is being moved to them, and Harconin artificers have agreed to forge the gate and do what work is required of them for its housings and mechanisms, and the canal. The finished designs are being passed to them as we speak, and Basalt engineers we've bought off are being brought to-"

"Have they managed to drain any of it?" Asked Sinan.

"No, sire. We realized shortly after we had begun that it would pointless to attempt that until we had finished the gate housings and constructed a wall along each end to separate it from the ocean. The passage will have to be closed, and the gates will have to be installed before we're able to do any work below the shoreline within it." The advisor responded.

"Have many aberrations attacked the work yet?" Asked Sinan.

"No, sire. They've been rather peaceable as of late. Even along the coast." Replied the advisor.

"Strange. They've been like this most of the year haven't they? Express my approval to the work teams, continue sending them anything they need." Replied Sinan.

"Yes, sire." Replied the Advisor, as he bowed and then walked away.

Sinan turned to his side and looked at the tired Ayin to his right, having watched the various proceedings of the day, and asked him "Have you any word on the cult situation brought to me?"

Ayin blinked his tattooed eyelids betraying that they'd been closed for the past several minutes as they moved, "Yes, but very little. Little has changed of what we already know, outside of the shrine cults and those of the city there are the dragon cults along the East, the ancestor and spirit cults in the North, and the elementalists and leviathan worshipers in the West... we've received word of something they call the 'yellow god.'"

"Yellow god? This is the pillar cult I've been told of?"

"They're still looking into it, though based upon the report of the Navasti they think it has something to do with the dreams reported across... most of the land. They're apparently rather intense East of here and it's making those afflicted paranoid."

"Task some of your order and any local justiciars to study the phenomenon, continue the inquisition, and ready a guard. I'd like this dealt with before anyone follows in their wake if this is a threat."

"Alright. I'll task initiates and start planning."

Sinan looked to another advisor that stepped into his chambers, and motioned him forward "Speak..."

---

Malik, Xule

Malik watched wearily from his seat in the Khaganian trading post as Rose examined and fussed over the young girl infront of him... Alya he'd been told her name was. From what he'd been told she was the first daughter of Bandar's sultan. He wasn't sure if he believed that but from the reports he'd been fed she wasn't one of the court houri and she hadn't been prepared beyond a couple months instruction. He was to keep an eye on her whether or not she was chosen by the young duke- king.

She was the khaganian offering to the throne, garbed in red and orange and yellow silks he supposed from the capital. Shy young thing she was. Or simply demure. He was unsure. It was a strange thing to see in a khaganian child, even more so one that was claimed to come from the marshes. It took him awhile to even realize she was a human with how quiet she was most of the time. He wondered if there was something wrong with her.

Rose looked over from the corner at him across his desk and gave him a nod before directing the girl to wait in the other room and closing the door behind her. She gave a quiet look to him before speaking, saying "She seems smart. It looks like she can read and write Khaganian, speaks it and our common. Seems smart enough to learn more given time, and claims to have been instructed in a few instruments and some other skills."

She walked towards him and leaned into his desk, "I think she'll do fine."

Spoiler: Ajivhan Khaganate Actions

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Development - Continue constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require one more action to complete)
Development - Continue constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require one more action to complete)
Development - Work with the Empire of the Basalt Throne to construct a trade hub around the senate in the Delphic Bay
Espionage - Continue the inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Secret - Secret

Spoiler: Harconin Protectorate Actions - Text coming in next post

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Research x2 - Research Automaton Repair (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Simulacra Programming (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Simulacra Replication (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Living Metal Construction (Will require one more action to research)

Spoiler: New Avringae - Text coming in next post

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Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Rising Light
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Grand Duchy of Xule
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Kingdom of Nova Aurora
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Empire of the Basalt Throne
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest
Unrest - Unrest
Unrest - Unrest

Spoiler: The Rising Light - Text coming in next post

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Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to New Avringae
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Disciples of Awn
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Ajivhan Khaganate
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Khaloric Swarm
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret
Unrest - Unrest
Unrest - Unrest
Unrest - Unrest

Spoiler: Silverplume Confederacy Actions - Text coming in next post

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Research x2 - Research Wild Magic Corruption (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research x2 - Research Preservation (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Navasti League
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Ajivhan Khaganate
Research - Research Third Age Infrastructure (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Vayri patterns (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Syndicate Reliquaries (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Restoration (Will require two more actions to research)

[Anti-Eagle]

March 1182 (Turn 37)

Spring came like a blast from a cannon as the cold turned to warmth over night, feeling as if it had jumped straight to summer in some places. The Southern plains, the Western marshlands, and the lands around the great desert of ancient Ajivha felt the worst of it over the month while the world went on in others, the North continued to become cold as if to compensate and the Eastern coasts saw strange rains that came with no warning and suddenly left as if they were never there.

Life bloomed in all places though as it always did. The long lived continued their ancient paths, the short came anew. Nature or what passed for natural amongst it was a constant amongst the lands and what kept what little beauty remaining amongst the wilds.

It was around these times that the dreams of yellow things slowly returned to those previously afflicted by them. Coming slowly, inching into their dreams, replacing them and then suddenly they were as bad as they had been in the days before they had stopped. Discontent and anger reigned in some places as those afflicted with what the dreams brought on became irrational and disinterested in their state of affairs as they came to distrust those without. Some fought it and tried to stay sane and some amongst the lands where they came, the lonely places, found themselves without the dreams as all around them began seeing them again.

In the East these dreamers began to scream for attention from their people, in the East the dreams began to reign over some peoples. The Meretonians of the cult of the Rising Light and the coastal communities of New Avringae saw this as by the end of the month of March, men in yellow robes walked the streets. Bearing torches and speaking in the old tongues of Mereton and Aurora they called for their people to rise up, rise up against those who'd allowed famine and plague to cripple and nearly kill them when the winter came, those who'd allowed banditry to go unchecked even as they suffered. Any time someone tried to stop them from speaking or capture them they showed prodigious speed as they ran, knowing the streets better than the guards themselves, never rising to violence.

The only people in the South East that seemed unafflicted were the people of the Disciples of Awn and the recombinants of the Khaloric Swarm, and even then at night they heard a buzzing somewhere... in the distance. Always unclear. Always wrong in some way. Almost omnipresent in the lonely places some of them called home, where the dreams came.

It was a long and unnatural month.

Spoiler: Turn 36 Actions - WIP

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The Ajivhan Khaganate
Development - Continue constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require one more action to complete)
Development - Continue constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean (Will require one more action to complete)
Development - Work with the Empire of the Basalt Throne to construct a trade hub around the senate in the Delphic Bay
Espionage - Continue the inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Secret - Secret

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (...)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- Construct Harbor in Fredrick Nest (Map is being worked on)
- Establish Foreign Office in Fredrick Nest
x2 - Implement Tree Structures.
- Use 3 to create a food silo in the capital
- Store excess food.
- Begin Researching Living Ship
- Begin Researching Accelerated Lumber Production
- Create a special location in the southmost part of territory 3 (a small grove surrounded by a firebreak)
- Transplant the Grat plant into the special location (results coming)

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- Recruit more population from the North Western Mountains (Successful)
x3 - joint project on Trade with Khaganate - Constructing a Trade Hub at Senate
- negotiate with natives west of area 10 (Successful)

- settle area west of area 10
- Install Vault Housing in the new area west of area 10
x3 - Research advanced social non-integration (Will cost 54 materials to implement)

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
- Implement eye glasses for long distance viewing (Costed )
- Continue to research explosive-resistant city walls
- Continue to research steam-powered sniper rifles
- Implement banking (Costed )
- Implement city sewers (Costed )

- Implement explosive-resistant city walls (Costed )
- Implement steam-powered sniper rifles (Costed )
- Research trench warfare tactics (Will require)
- Research steam-powered grenades (Will require)
- Research professional army ranks (Will require)

---

The Great Heathen Army
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Harconin Protectorate
Research x2 - Research Automaton Repair (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Simulacra Programming (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Simulacra Replication (Will require one more action to research)
Research x2 - Research Living Metal Construction (Will require one more action to research)

---

The Khaloric Swarm
- Implement Sister Cities
- Research Galan Lava Blood (1/2)
- Research Galan Lava Blood (2/2)
- Implement Fortification Walls
- Research Arachnomorph Telepathy (1/1)

- Implement Galan Lava Blood
- Research Focused Lethargy (1/4)
- Research Focused Lethargy (2/4)
- Research Focused Lethargy (3/4)
- Research Focused Lethargy (4/4)

---

New Avringae
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Rising Light
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Grand Duchy of Xule
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Kingdom of Nova Aurora
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Empire of the Basalt Throne
Secret x3 - Secret
Unrest x3 - Unrest

---

The Rising Light
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to New Avringae
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Disciples of Awn
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Ajivhan Khaganate
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Khaloric Swarm
Secret x3 - Secret
Unrest x3 - Unrest

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
Research x2 - Research Wild Magic Corruption (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research x2 - Research Preservation (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Navasti League
Diplomacy - Send Diplomats to the Ajivhan Khaganate
Research - Research Third Age Infrastructure (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Vayri patterns (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Syndicate Reliquaries (Will require two more actions to research)
Research - Research Restoration (Will require two more actions to research)

[Viirin]

Spoiler: Aberration Attacks, week 1 of 3

Show

You know, probably. Got permission from Eagle.

The cities of the Harconin Empire that bordered the aberration-filled jungle continued as they did since their first inception. They had small patrols going through the cities, watching the borders, watching for any strays. Nothing of much danger had come from there, but it was considered to be overrun and uninhabitable, but there wasn't much of any signs of its truth.

Everyone was told to set up the cities and begin these watches, but it was like the order was given without a leader. Maybe it was one of those Yellow guys that gave the order, and it shouldn't have been listened to. Why else did they disappear once issuing the command?

The patrols continued, but no one really cared much since it never made sense and nothing ever happened. That changed today.

Almost like a calm before a storm or a breezeless sea without waves broken by a tsunami, a rumbling growling sound like hungry stomachs and falling stones began to be heard at distance at the southern edge of the Harconin wall.
Moving swiftly at a speed yet unseen, a mangled pile of twisted flesh, exposed bone, and spiritual essence came north like a solid wave.

Spoiler: Math Attack

Show

Aberrations +5
Harconin +21

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 7
Aberrations v Harconin
Town guard fought valiantly and almost held them off, but finally lost.
One more turn to be conquered.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 8
Aberrations v Harconin
City defended so well that they never considered themselves to be in danger.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 10
Aberrations v Harconin
Fight was close, but the aberrations won.
One more turn to be conquered.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 11
Aberrations v Harconin
Fight was close, but the aberrations won.
One more turn to be conquered.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 12
Aberrations v Harconin
City overrun. Fight was close, but the aberrations won.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 13
Aberrations v Harconin
Lady Luck was on the side of the Harconin today, and the enemy was barely even noticed by a good third of the city.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 14
Aberrations v Harconin + Harconin Army (Opal Sentinels)
The city didn't even need the army present, but its presence wasn't unwelcome. Easily defended.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 15
Aberrations v Harconin
City overrun. Fight was close, but the aberrations won.

Aberrations attack Harconin settlement 16
Aberrations v Harconin
City overrun. Fight was close, but the aberrations won.

Aberrations attack Ajivha settlement 9
Aberrations v Ajivha + Ajivhan Army (The Grey Guard)
Army's presence not needed at all, since the local guard was able to handle the wave of aberrations on their own.

[gawwy]

Spoiler: Great Heathen actions before i go to bed so i dont miss the cut off again

Show

Should really move this to a Saturday so we can spend the day typing D:
actions 10/10
secret
secret
secret
secret
secret
secret
secret
actions 3/10 remain.

[Novabomb]

Journal of Awn

4/1
The wasps have returned. The soothers report that they have been successful in treating the yellow dreams. A longer lasting resolution will be needed as this occupies the bulk of their attention.

4/2
Valen reports that the wasps are back to digging. I know not what they seek, or what they are planning, but I will not let it come to pass. Their excavations must be destroyed and sealed. Perhaps we will investigate ourselves once the immediate threat is dealt with. We will catch one of those wasps while we seal their tunnels.

4/4
Lord Noventa reported that diplomats from our neighbors the Rising Light have arrived seeking aid AND asylum. It seems the wasps are reeking havoc on their lands. We will stand with our flightless neighbors. We are well stocked, the growers on duty will be re-assigned. The Lords-Protector will not appreciate this, so I have lowered their grain tithe until the growers return.

4/16
I have an idea! What if we imbue a tree with mind shielding? Could this provide protection for our yellow dreamers? This could help free up the soothers. I will discuss it further with Terris and Kaush.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

1) Capture a Mind Wasp for study. Deliver that wasp to the swarm for study.
2) All wasp excavation sites will be filled and sealed with wood charmed trees.
3) Renewers will be taken off grow duty, and sent to the Rising Light to help the yellow dreamers. (This will result in less food generated, we will draw on stockpiled food)
4) Begin Research on "Mind Shelter" (Tree Structure + Interference Pattern)
5) Continue Research on "Mind Shelter" (Tree Structure + Interference Pattern)

[Anti-Eagle]

April 1182 (Turn 38)

The events of March continued into April, the unnatural weathers of the previous days slowly spreading and diluting as the month went on across their respective fronts. But even as the strange went across the lands Nature continued its eternal reclamation. Life bloomed, broke down and repurposed the dead and abandoned, and made the ruins slightly more habitable every year.

Scavengers and those who lived amongst them went on as they always had since the cataclysms, the weathers and the rumblings barely fazing them. In the East though, and the South, and the West, and even the North in those lonely places where nature thrived and few lived the dreams continued and the unrest that came in their wake followed as well as they had before.

Spoiler: Turn 37 Actions

Show

The Ajivhan Khaganate
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (...)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- Attempt to capture a Mind Wasp for study (I'll message you in the morning)
- All wasp excavation sites will be filled and sealed with wood charmed trees (I'll message you in the morning)
- Renewers are taken off of their growing duties and sent to the Rising Light to help with the yellow dreamers.
x2 - Research "Mind Shelter" (Will require one more action to research)

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Great Heathen Army
x7 - Secret

---

The Harconin Protectorate
- N/A (A post will come within the next week on their state)

---

The Khaloric Swarm
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

New Avringae
- N/A (A post will come within the next week on their state)

---

The Rising Light
- N/A (A post will come within the next week on their state)

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
- N/A (A post will come within the next week on their state)

[Viirin]

The oddities of the aberrations NOT attacking was getting to the Swarm. But why was it only seawater that the aberrations came from? There had to be a reason, and the ice itself didn't make aberrations. The Corpus even said so.

Since the Swarm could waterbend, they would have recombinants freeze the sea and non-recombinants mine it as large bricks to be transported elsewhere and evaporated, so anything making seawater different from other water could be identified.

In the meantime, the harnessing of the Hivemind's emotional influence was coming along splendidly. Though they weren't attacked, the various hives concluded that focusing all their abilities on a single group would be far more effective than using only one in each direction. Hopefully they swarmed better than their opponents, whoever it would be.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

10/10

1-3: Research Ice Mining (1/3, 2/3, 3/3)
Using waterbending to freeze parts of the sea, then pickaxes to dig through it, smoothly descending tunnels made of ice, leading from the shore to the sea floor, become possible.

4-5: Research Desalination (1/2, 2/2)
Sea ice bricks can be used as heat sinks at Lava Manufacturing centers and other high-temperature areas. Their evaporation is collected in special drums, and any peculiarities are collected.

6: Implement Focused Lethargy

7-8: Research Focused Obfuscation (1/2, 2/2)
Harnessing the collective power of the Swarm's telepathic abilities, those deemed enemies can be affected emotionally. This emotional defensive weapon causes those affected to be easily confused with quickly changing tasks and viewpoints on those tasks.

9: Ruins Search (South by Southeast of Candy Mountain)

10: Ruins Search (East of Red Forest)

0/10

[Anti-Eagle]

Sinan, New Ajivha

Black leaves and red flowers surrounded him as he wandered the fields. Saplings, bushes, vines, mushrooms, flowers, herbs, what looked to be a red wheat or corn, and any number of things. A complex orchard of a design of his and several others. The first of many to be established around the city and its walls, and throughout his lands.

The possibility of a long war or siege against the holds was always a possibility and the reliance of them on the simple farms of the past and the reliance of the nomads and scavengers on forest farms and crops abandoned and left to grow wild in their absence, waiting for them to return when their stocks were low... was something he found weak. Perhaps not weak but unreliable in his mind. Bandits could take from them, aberrations could live in them and surround them... khalorics could poison them.

He liked the idea behind the nomads work, simple, easy, reliable to them. Looked like a patch of wilds to the unaware. So he developed the idea from that, and orchards, and the wildernesses. Something more complex, maintained. Sustainable if kept, and able to keep on its own should it need to be abandoned. In his mind they would be able to provide everything the wilds and the farms they otherwise would be, on their own. Composed of crops and herbs from across the Khaganate, specially attended to allow the output of wine and redpetal his holds were used to. That he was used to.

They were built within the walls, the outer walls, still outside the inner walls and the city as the fields before them had been. Old apiaries and beekeepers were given gold and some authority over the process, the ancient bees of the city respected by some and their ancient purpose somewhat remembered, and with the work going on their keepers told to establish new hives throughout the farmlands to help maintain the new growth.

Instructions and supplies were sent to the other cities, and to some of the forests and plains to begin work on them to supplant their crops, to build walls around them and mark them as under his protection. But not to abandon or replace their other ones, should they be targeted.

Within the city and others he asked similar endeavours to take place, anywhere they could maintain crops should, roofs and gardens and anywhere else they could find. While they lived in a land of plenty, it shouldn't be taken as such should it be lost.

He saw a strange thing growing near one of the saplings as he wandered, and started staring at the fleshy ball on the ground the size of a melon. It took him a few moments to recognize it as fungal, and clearly spread intentionally. A strange thing, he wondered how it was consumed.

---

Bandar

The Sultan and the Musir first heard gunfire as the night fell, rockets in the distance making their distinctive screaming sounds as they went from the walls and the telltale sound of volleys, it took a few moments for the two to notice it. No messengers had come and no alarms were set, and so minutes passed as they watched the map on the table in the candlelight of the meeting room of the manor, diviner cards continuing to be set on it and passed between the two.

Minutes passed before a knock came at the door and a man in red and grey cloth stepped in, eyeing the two men in near darkness before speaking... "A horde came out of the marshes a few weeks ago, and the Harconin lines were breached a few nights ago. They didn't get a messenger out until now and they're not sure how long they're going to be able to hold against them. The spirits followed their runner and the guard are dealing with them but there are dozens out there."

The Musir in his blackened clothing stood from the table and picked up a small pistol, moving towards the man "Once they're clear send a runner back telling them we're coming, while they're waiting send a runner to my Pasha and tell him to round up the guard and ready them to move."

Spoiler: Ajivhan Khaganate Actions

Show

Development - Finish constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean
Development - Finish constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean
Settling - Fully Settle Duskweir (14)
Settling - Fully Settle Dawnweir (15)
Project - Implement the Secure Farming Program [Apiculture, Floriculture, Forest Gardening, Mycoforestry, Silviculture, Urban Farming, Viticulture (+6 Food and +1 Development Materials)] - Costed 77 Materials

Research - Research Basic Mathematics (Will cost 11 materials to implement)

Espionage - Continue the inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

Military - Move the Grey Guard into and attack East Northwall (16) of the Harconin Protectorate in an attempt to reclaim it from the aberrations.
Military (Free) - Move the Green Guard from Dawnweir (15) towards Dawnyett (23)
Military (Free) - Move the Blue Guard from Duskwatch (25) towards Duskripa (22)

---

Atik,The Harconin Protectorate

Surgeries continued. Explanations went on. Lessons. Discussions. There were days where they understood a bit more, saw him as an ancestor and a teacher rather than a subject as he'd become to them. He wanted help, they wanted understanding.

Messages continued to go back and forth between himself and many others across the various lands.

He met with the queen almost daily for simple talks.

He went on... tiredly. Some progress.

Spoiler: Harconin Protectorate Actions

Show

Research - Research Automaton Repair (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Simulacra Programming (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Simulacra Replication (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Living Metal Construction (Will cost 42 materials to implement)

Military - Attack and attempt to reclaim Central Northwall (12) using the Silver Stalkers
Military - Attack and attempt to reclaim Central-East Northwall (15) using the Opal Sentinels
Military - Form an elite unit within the Silver Stalkers, Jet Watchers
Military - Form an elite unit within the Opal Sentinels, Amber Walkers
Military - Form an elite unit within the Opal Sentinels, Cerulean Hunters

---

New Avringae - Kharloan

The people of Kharloan were well versed in darkness. The curse of the land. A cold shadow fell over them as the nightmares spread throughout the people. The silver children rarely looked to Kharloan and they were the first to turn to chanters spreading through the people of New Avringae. Purposefully. They sought a new god and one was offered to them. All they needed to do was revolt. Revolt and everything would be fine.

They were quiet and stayed quiet. That was their way. They would turn on the silver things. The land would be theirs again.

Spoiler: New Avringae

Show

Secret x5 - Secret
Unrest x5 - Unrest

---

South Mereton - The Runeforge

Nightmares came every night. The dreams were wrong and rotten and yellow. The prophetess knew not how to deal with them, her priests were frightened, and their gods were absent. Work continued in the Runeforge, and the city was closed to the outside- a few things let in and out. The Runeforge was fortified, and most went quiet.

Mereton was going to ruin again, the nobility sealed itself in their castles as the people turned to them again and what came was directions to work and organize as they had when the Khalorics returned. To think as they had when they were dealing with the Ajivhans from the South and the West.

Panic.

And then there were the towers. Their lights going on in the middle of the night, reflecting between them and illuminating the countryside. No one knew what to do when the chanters started attacking them and taking them over, blowing yellow over the countryside. Some people lost it entirely when they saw the world around them turn yellow. As if their nightmares had manifested into reality and the world was ending.

The priests that had stayed amongst the people did what they could, some tracking down old Khaganian rockets using them to destroy the mirrors of a couple of the towers they'd started building years ago.

The yellow garbed chanters kept marching, kept screaming for a fight... kept leading to their poisonous beliefs and spreading word of the Yellow god.

Some left for help, some came back with some. They hoped. And things kept going. Atleast for a bit. The nightmares kept coming, and the cult came in its wake.

Spoiler: The Rising Light

Show

Secret x5 - Secret
Unrest x5 - Unrest

---

The Silverplume Confederacy - Stonetide

Stonetide found a modicum of peace as the Syndicates finally agreed to sit down, speak, settle, get back to work. Most of them wanted to. Those that didn't wouldn't be a concern for long. The only real point of contention was the isolationists and those that wanted to work with the mainland. The raptor states had thrown them into the sea for their curses- kept throwing them to the sea for them, and those who came to them came from far away. Xule. A half remembered place on ancient maps, that most amongst them assumed lost like most of the North.

They came, asked a port for themselves, and wanted to trade. Such a long way for what little they could offer to eachother. Work went into planning and more came looking, the remnants of the Navasti and those they worked with, their traders looking to expand their wares and line their pockets with another peoples currencies.

Few agreed on how it should be done or if it should be done at all. They'd been shunned by the mainland for centuries as they lived and fought over their scraps of... everything. Everything. They fought over everything. There was almost nothing on this island. The discussions briefly turned to the idea of invading the raptor states and forcing their way onto the land, taking their resources. It was an attractive idea if distasteful. Some remembered their families or ancestors on the mainland before their various exilings and still thought of them as kin. Some understood why they did it and even forgived them. Others hated them, resented them. Kicking them out of a veritable paradise by comparison to the island.

Talks would continue as industry was resurrected throughout the island. The anarchy for the moment broke and order was being forcibly returned even if they lacked a government.

Spoiler: Silverplume Confederacy Actions

Show

Research - Implement Wild Magic Corruption research (Costed nine materials to implement, +3 R&D Materials)
Research - Implement Preservation (Costed nine materials to implement, +3 to materials)

Research - Research Third Age Infrastructure (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Vayri patterns (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Syndicate Reliquaries (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Restoration (Will cost nine materials to implement)

Research - Implement Third Age Infrastructure research (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Vayri pattern research (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to defence rolls)
Research - Implement Syndicate Reliquaries (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Restoration (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to materials)

[The JoJo]

Spoiler: Xule actions

Show

- Continue to research trench warfare tactics
- Continue to research steam-powered grenades
- Continue to research professional army ranks
- Research printing press (+Wealth)
- Research primary level education (+Wealth)

[Novabomb]

Journal of Awn

5/8
The reports from the soothers sent to the Rising Light, are much worse than previously indicated. Why did they not ask for help from us sooner? I worry that anarchy, and the rise of wasps may not be far behind if I cannot get the leaders of that land to participate.

5/13
Terris and Kaush have accomplished what I hoped. Since trees live, they can hold onto an interference pattern. Obviously the refined varient was useless here as trees are not sentient and have no ego to boost. However, the original method of interference adheres to the trees fine, and if shaped to enclose a space it reduces or blocks outright psychic connections.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

1) Finish Researching Mind Shelters.
2-3) Deploy Mind shelters in nearest Rising Light lands.
4) Send Diplomats to Rising Light, informing the priestess of the aid we send.
5) Study Captured Wasp. (A single Mind shelter/prison will be built to house it)

[Togo]

Basalt Throne

Spoiler: Messenger Network

Show

Messenger Network
When rapid communications were required, many countries put this service in the hands of specialists, who found the best way to send messages quickly from one place to another, and stuck to it.

The Empire of Basalt Throne wasn't nearly so centralised. Instead, message sending grew up as a hobby, one that some took to with a passion bordering on obession. It started quietly enough as a rivalry between the new heliograph engineering pioneered in the Great Library, and the more traditional pigeon fanciers who sometimes acted as field advisors to the Priesthood or the Cradle.

It's not immediately obvious whether it's faster to send a flying bird with a message tied to its leg, or flash a message to the far horizon, to be relayed on its way. After a series of informal and formal races, modifications, and a certain amount of escalation, the races turned into a multi-threaded relay contest between boats, racehorses, foot messagers, kites, trained waterfowl, ravens, drums, smoke-signallers, and more, covering a hundred miles or more and featuring some very specialist modifications. Highlights include the grand array, a heliograph so powerful that it can set careless operators on fire, and a modified 'pigeon' that is fired from ballista and can melt its way through a foot of stone at a range of over a mile while still delivering its ceramic scroll case safely to the other side, intact. And indeed legible, once it stopped hissing and smoking.

There is rumoured to be a second set of contests, where the challenge is to deliver to a location that isn't a participant of the contest, typically a fortified and guarded building, often in another country.

(proposed benefit +1 to Espionage, +1 to Combat, the rest as a bonus to trade)

Spoiler: Actions

Show

- Research advanced social non-integration
- Implement advanced non-social integration (Improves success chance of recruiting population, or special types of people e.g. mages. Also allows recuritment of population fleeing other areas. It even allows recruitment from areas controlled by other empires, although this is expensive and only likely to be successful if there is severe unrest or similar.)
- Recruit population from the Great North Western Mountains
- Settle area 21
- Research Messenger Network

- Negotiate with natives, area north of territory 12, south of the river
- Settle area north of territory 12, south of the river
- Research Messenger Network
- Research Messenger Network
- Install Vault Housing in the new area north of territory 12, south of the river

[Anti-Eagle]

May 1182 (Turn 39)

The strange weathers of the past months continued though mellowing through the passing of time. Dreams came and went and the unrest that came with them bubbled to the surface of society day by day, riots breaking out in the East where they were felt strongest as peasantry lost its will to remain in their place if they are to suffer.

Spoiler: Turn 38 Actions

Show

The Ajivhan Khaganate
Development - Finish constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the North end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean
Development - Finish constructing a gate between Duskweir and Dawnweir on the South end of the gap connecting the Sarandan channel and the ocean
Settling - Fully Settle Duskweir (14)
Settling - Fully Settle Dawnweir (15)
Project - Implement the Secure Farming Program [Apiculture, Floriculture, Forest Gardening, Mycoforestry, Silviculture, Urban Farming, Viticulture (+6 Food and +1 Development Materials)] - Costed 77 Materials

Research - Research Basic Mathematics (Will cost 11 materials to implement)

Espionage - Continue the inquisition into cults within the Ajivhan Khaganate
Secret - Secret
Secret - Secret

Military - Move the Grey Guard into and attack East Northwall (16) of the Harconin Protectorate in an attempt to reclaim it from the aberrations (Attack successful)
Military (Free) - Move the Green Guard from Dawnweir (15) towards Dawnyett (23)
Military (Free) - Move the Blue Guard from Duskwatch (25) towards Duskripa (22)

---

The Corpus Verde
- N/A (...)

---

The Disciples of Awn
- Finish Researching Mind Shelters (Will cost 27 materials to implement)
x2 - Deploy Mind shelters in nearest Rising Light lands.
- Send Diplomats to Rising Light
- Study Captured Wasp

---

The Empire of the Basalt Throne
- Research advanced social non-integration
- Implement advanced non-social integration (Costed 57 materials to implement)
- Recruit population from the Great North Western Mountains (Successful)
- Settle area 21
x3 - Research Messenger Network (Will cost 57 materials to implement)

- Negotiate with natives, area north of territory 12, south of the river
- Settle area north of territory 12, south of the river
- Install Vault Housing in the new area north of territory 12, south of the river

---

The Grand Duchy of Xule
- Continue to research trench warfare tactics
- Continue to research steam-powered grenades
- Continue to research professional army ranks
- Research printing press
- Research primary level education

---

The Great Heathen Army
- N/A (Five Actions Saved)

---

The Harconin Protectorate
Research - Research Automaton Repair (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Living Metal Corruption (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Simulacra Programming (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Simulacra Replication (Will cost 42 materials to implement)
Research - Research Living Metal Construction (Will cost 42 materials to implement)

Military - Attack and attempt to reclaim Central Northwall (12) using the Silver Stalkers
Military - Attack and attempt to reclaim Central-East Northwall (15) using the Opal Sentinels
Military - Form an elite unit within the Silver Stalkers, Jet Watchers
Military - Form an elite unit within the Opal Sentinels, Amber Walkers
Military - Form an elite unit within the Opal Sentinels, Cerulean Hunters

---

The Khaloric Swarm
x3 - Research Ice Mining (1/3, 2/3, 3/3)
x2 - Research Desalination (1/2, 2/2)
- Implement Focused Lethargy
x2 - Research Focused Obfuscation (1/2, 2/2)
- Ruins Search (South by Southeast of Candy Mountain)
- Ruins Search (East of Red Forest)

---

New Avringae
Secret x5 - Secret
Unrest x5 - Unrest

---

The Rising Light
Secret x5 - Secret
Unrest x5 - Unrest

---

The Silverplume Confederacy
Research - Implement Wild Magic Corruption research (Costed nine materials to implement, +3 R&D Materials)
Research - Implement Preservation (Costed nine materials to implement, +3 to materials)

Research - Research Third Age Infrastructure (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Vayri patterns (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Syndicate Reliquaries (Will cost nine materials to implement)
Research - Research Restoration (Will cost nine materials to implement)

Research - Implement Third Age Infrastructure research (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Vayri pattern research (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to defence rolls)
Research - Implement Syndicate Reliquaries (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to R&D materials)
Research - Implement Restoration (Costed nine materials to implement, will provide +3 to materials)