Lords of Europe [IC]

[Lord_Asmodeus]

A great shadow has fallen over Europe, the Roman Empire in all its glory has fallen, and feudal lords fight over the remainder. Empire's rise and fall, and kingdoms are built on the ashes of the fallen. This is a time of great men, great deeds, and great kingdoms (and Total War ) However, this age of dark promise has a twist...

Bastions of strange creatures, merely glimpsed by humanity in times past, sprung up over the land, ruled by superhuman lords, these fantastic new lords have a chance of becoming the True, Lords of Europe.

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[LongVin]

Titus Velius

Titus Velius, the self stylized Warlord of all-Italy sat in his war room looking over the maps that were laid out on the table. He was surrounded by his Orcish and Naga generals. Goblins hurried to and fro cleaning the floors and serving their superiors. Occassionally they became too grabby and required a from those assembled. Filthy little creatures.

The War Council searched for a weak mortal lord nearby, their eyes quickly fell upon the Kingdom of Naples and its queen Joan an inept young girl who has brought only confusion and chaos to her people. She would be the first target of Titus. But first she would be granted the oppurtunity to willfully submit to his rule.

Drafting the following message an emissary is dispatched to the Kingdom of Naples to make clear the intentions of Velius.

Message:

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Joan the first, Queen of Naples,

The most powerful Titus Velius, Warlord of all Italy has surveyed your lands and have seen them most fitting. In his most infinite wisdom, he grants you this one option. Submit to him and make him your lord and sovereign and you shall be allowed to continue ruling your lands as you see fit and shall be granted the protection of his legions.

If you refuse this offer the full might of my lord will be brought to bear against all of Naples.

Accompanying the Orcish emissary are 2 additional Orcs, 6 Nagas and 2 Minotaurs serving as guards and a not so suble hint to what awaits rejection.

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

Lord Unai pushed the papers away from him, finally finished with the hours of tedious work. He had plotted out the land designated to be farmed by some of his goblin servants, so that he could replenish his limited supplies and build up a stockpile for the future. His eyes turned to the map on the wall next to him, specifically the Kingdom of the Teutonic Knights to his north. But that would have to wait.

He called in his Orcish generals and discussing the current situation. He would be sending out Orc raiding parties with Gryffons to support them from above. Slowly but surely, he would extend his rule. Next, he chose the more civilized of his Orcish advisors to be sent as emissaries to the surrounding powers. News of a powerful warlord to his south had reached Unai's ears. He was top priority. Another group would be sent to Golden Horde. Lord Tressevian hoped to establish trading and military ties to both men.

He also needed the necessities to be available close at hand. He ordered a blacksmith and granary to be constructed inside the castle grounds.

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Designating 200 acres around the castle for farming. I'll also send out raiding parties of 200 Orcs and 10 Gryffons in all four directions. Their instructions are to offer the locals a chance to swear obediance to him, and kill those who refuse. They'll avoid large settlements that could cause significant casualties among my men. Also, Orc scouting parties of 10 in all directions to look for more mythical beasts in the surrounding lands.
I'd like the Orcs to set up an armory/blacksmith to provide weaponry and armor and a granary to store food in as well.
Finally, emissaries offering trade and friendly relations to Puppyavenger and the Khanate of the Golden Horde.

[puppyavenger]

Prince Adame Therik

Mobs of goblins begin holding up and looting trade caravans and messengers. Captured humans are used as servants and farmers. If any metals can be found they're miners, and so on.

After a few weeks of this, an orc messenger is sent to the nearest five communities. They demand that the local Nobles swear fealty to Prince Adame. if they refuse, a thousand goblins swarm into each town, and 5 hundred Keberous led by 10 orcs riding some of them. the town is looted, pillaged razed to the ground etc. those who tried to fight back and their families are enslaved are used as servants, miners and so on. the rest of the village is brought back and used as farmers, pages, and normal people, treated about the same as the other ruler treated them, maybe a bit worse. the local ruler and his faimily are used for the most degrading tasks.

The messenger is intercpted a while away from the castle, the goblins, confused by the fact that it's an orc, send for someone higher ranking. 3 centaurs escort him to the castle. the prince is wearing silk cloth of royal blue, a lot of symbols, and so on, looking a bit like a fop. he says.
You have a message?

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

The Orc bows low to the Prince, addressing him in polite tones. "I bear a message from my master. Lord Unai Tressevian, Warlord of the Black Stone, from the north. He offers trade and friendship, a friendship that includes an army to rival your own in times of war. He hopes that you will accept his offer, as a neighbor and an equal. What answer may I bring back to my Lord Unai?"

[Blockhead]

King Shtaal Tundra

Looking out over his keep, he breathed in heavily. The winds of change were here and the world as he knew it would begin to change drastically in the next couple of years.

Just a moment ago, he had ordered the various farmers and huntsmen to gather food in abundance to be stored in the castle and granaries that were soon to be built by the many craftsman orcs he had ordered to build them. Calling upon his master craftsman orcs, he instructed them to begin construction of boats, so that they might venture into the world. He also had ordered 50 Gryffon messengers to be dispatched to a placed called Ireland, in the hopes of contacting the the mysterious lord there, some sort of Wizard, to discuss a possible trade agreement.

[puppyavenger]

The prince spoke back Very well, but let us divide the country, all those in the north are yours to claim, and all those in the south are mine (if I got the directions wrong ,tell me and I'll switch them)

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

"Very well, this is acceptable. You may expect a caravan from the Castle of the Black Stone within the coming months. My lord hopes that this relationship will prove beneficial for all. If you are ever in need of help, do not hesitate to call. We will come to your aid."

With that, the Orc bows again and requests to leave.

[puppyavenger]

Very well, you are dismissed, leave

LA, what do the various people we intimidate to serve us say?

[imp_fireball]

Phillius sipped wine and ate delicacies of varying sorts, grapes and such that he'd recieved. Wine had already spilled onto his silken frock.

"Pontificus! Have you got an inventory on these *slurp* items, ah oh my!"

"Aye, yes, lord," the clearly sycophantic orc chortled in a throaty voice that seemed prevalent among all physically under-par orcs in the region, "It is 2 years yet before we run out."

"Dear god," Philius' fat face almost spontaneously began sweating profusely at this comment, "Start mass farming escapades now, grapes, fruits, vinyards like the pope's own personal gardens... oh please order it Ponty!" Philius was now fanning himself, "And order a legion to start mining wherever it takes them," He added in a mumble.

"But-but lord, all this will take land! Lots of land!"

"Let it be done, oh!" Philius dismissed him in a shrill voice.

"Lo-!"

"Figure it out! Invent something!"

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Actions Pontificus (not his real name) has ordered on behalf of the lord of state:
- Legion of orcs equipped partially with weapons and partially working gear and rations (distributed evenly) to begin digging expeditions in search of minerals and the claiming of land for said expeditions.
- Another legion is sent to slash and burn the surrounding countryside to make way for farm land; also equipped partially with working gear and weapons distributed evenly with rations (spare wood and decaying meat are to be sent to resource stockpiles later on, but gathered as quickly as possible in specific piles throughout the region during the tremendous work order for collecting; meat from dead wild animals can be cooked and consumed to preserve rations)
- 100 centaurs have been sent to scout the surrounding countryside ahead of the two orc legions, equipped with rations, weapons and mapping/surveying equipment (whatever the heck helps); avoiding settlements but nevertheless recording their locations and reporting to legion officers
- Legion officers will quickly offer ultimatums (they must conform to the state of Hammer by allowing a flag bearing Hammer's banner to sit upon their own land at a location of the officer's choosing; removing the banner, or sullying it in anyway is considered a hostile action; the banner is required for soldiers to recognize which communities are essentially friendly) to small settlements with large escorts (at least 100 soldiers each), as well as large settlements (few hundred soldiers per escort), but avoid those settlements the centaurs mark down as having their own fortifications with indications of likely another large state or kingdom/nation (wisdom is required on the part of the orcs to recognize this sort of thing)
- Third legion will train amongst minotaurs and gryphons (minotaurs complement third legion), prepared for recruiting initiatives at a later date; they will also construct warehouses for the storing of resources and granaries in an attempt to preserve left over rations during this time, in addition to push/pull vehicles for caravans (aids in resource transportation). Some of the constructed houses will remain empty to be used at a later date (husbandry and crafts?)

[Lord_Asmodeus]

The Queen sent a counter-response.

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As the duly born Queen of these lands I'm afraid I cannot simply bend knee to an unknown self-proclaimed lord of the Italian lands. Furthermore if you think to move against me the fellow lords of these lands can and will come to my aid in the face of the threat you so obviously pose.

Queen Joan

---

A general among the Golden Horde took the ambassadors to his personal tent. He is a strong man and owns a small number of horses, warriors flank the one exit to the tent, insisting on the rest of the group stay outside. He pours the ambassador a drink. So, what can the Golden Horde do for this... Lord Unai, and why should we not simply count him among the countless others who we will no doubt conquer in the years to come?

---

The Orc raiding parties of Unai are mostly successful, however a local lord calling himself Lord Treval has sent a few cadres of knights and several hundred soldiers to end this new threat to the lands you have begun to encroach on one raiding party has fallen to this small force, but not without casualties on both sides. Already forces are moving to join this small army, though they are not actively opposing you yet, they will receive any further raids on their lands as a declaration of war.

As for your efforts into locating mystical creatures, a small village of goblins lead by a small number of trolls is located in the forests the north.

[LongVin]

Titus Velius

The Warlord of Italy read the reply from the queen, his hands clenched the letter tearing it in two. A kick sends the Goblin which had been cleaning his boot sailing across the room, crashing into a wall.

"So be it." Jumping from his throne he shouts to the monstrous entourage assembled "Ready the legions! We march on Naples!" The beasts of the court hoot and holler as the rush to the grounds outside the courtyard to spread the word to their cohorts.

The army of Warlord Velius quickly forms together an army that will march on Naples and dethrone Queen Joan.

Army:

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Orcs:
1 Legion
2 Maniples
2 Centuries
Total: 10,000

Goblins:
2 Mobs
Total: 1,000

Naga:
Force of 150
Total: 150

Kerboros:
1 Pack
Total: 100

Centuars:
1 Lance
Total: 250

Minotaurs:
2 Hordes
Total: 100

Gryffons:
2 Hunts
Total: 100

Trolls:
3 Clans
Total: 150

Ogres: 25

The forces that are not rallied to advance on Naples stay behind in the fiefdom tending to the needs of the land be it farming or crafting.

The remaining orcs also begin construction a number of siege engines.

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

Lord Unai slams his fist into the table after receiving the news of his defeated raiding party. This Lord Treval would have to be dealt with immediately. Lord Unai orders 2 Maniples of Orcs, 2 roosts of Gryffons, a lance of centaurs, as well as 3 horns of Minotaurs to prepare to march. The lord of the Black Stone does not take insults lightly.
Pleased to hear some good news mingled with the bad, Unai sends out an Orc emissary to the goblin tribe, as well as a guard of 10 Trolls and 30 Goblins, to show that these creatures would not be alone if they were to join him. He instructs the Orc to offer protection to all those who join him, as well as training and a place in his army. This situation must be dealt with peacefully.

---

The Orc bows respectfully to the General, repeating the words he had been carefully instructed to recite.

"My Lord Unai wishes to extend an offer of friendship. He controls the whole of Northern Lithuania, and would make it known that these are not hostile lands to the Golden Horde. If you will accept my Lord Unai as a friend and ally, you may count on him to answer all calls in times of war or peace. His army is vast and powerful, his domain is ever-extending, his power growing by the day. It would be most wise to keep the Army of the Black Stone as an ally."

The Orc bows again, attempting to remove any hint of a threat from his words, and waits for the general's response.

[imp_fireball]

Philius Phen sat back, massaging his brow, "Mmm, uneventfulness bores me as it is.... ah, uneventful, oh my yes!" Craning his neck he called, "Oh Pontificus, do send Gryphons to scout the broader uhm... expanse, yes. Do do that, will you?"

"Y-yes lord..." Pontificus called back, jogging into the chambers and adding, "Er... perhaps it'd be ever more wise of the lord if he gave Pontificus a location?"

"Oh..." the Lord's eyes rolled lazily for several seconds before stopping half-drunkedly at a decision, "west. How about west? Far west would be delectable, mm... yes I'd say." Lord Phen made an arc with his free hand as he said this, muttering in more significantly slurred sentence variations of 'yes, I'd say' and 'yes, says I'. And then he waved the orc off repeatedly with rapid hand gestures, his face providing the illusion that it might have been an exhaustive effort for him. Pontificus wasn't his real name.

It merely, ah... amused Philius that it did. Pontificus was a friend of his until he had been stabbed in the back one day by one of his former allies (and Philius didn't choose to remember which for it disinterested him and they had grown apart in between the intervals of life). The orc praised his imagination for his choice of names that he did. Things seemed, what was the word? Preppy enough around here.

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- Send 30 Gryphons with orc emissary riders directly west far beyond the legion. Their instructions are to establish relations with any significant states bearing a 'lord' and fortifications. Can include NPCs.

"The lord Philius Phen of Hammer, his humble associate Pontificus and this benevolent emissary bear greeting to you on this day (whatever the weather brings). We offer a [equivalent of masterwork] longsword (keep spare in addition to actual weapon) as a gesture of good faith. This is merely an indication of the things to come should you acknowledge the state of Hammer and choose to offer aid in times of need. The state of Hammer may wish to establish trade relations to you should it prove capable. We hope only to establish a good friendship between our two states for the time being."

The emissaries will arrive bearing the duplicate message at states in pairs of two. One will deliver the message and the other will stand guard (carrying rations, provisions and cross bow as weapon as well as surveying of the landscape to ensure a safe get-away for the both of them in case trouble brews; they may or may not refuse to dismount their gryphons depending on the circumstances and only if the soldiers they address insist).

- Send four gryphons (in convoys of two each) to each legion (the one mining and the one slashing and burning) to request info on what progress has been made and then report back to the castle

[puppyavenger]

,so what did mine do?

[imp_fireball]

OOC: I'm pretty sure you're free to invent something yourself.

[Innis Cabal]

Abdul-Matin

The castle had been built well, The orc’s made great help, and his empire was cemented. It didn’t matter what other cities were here, grand Allah would deal with the infidel’s soon enough. Food was growing scarce, but a simple order to the Naga to begin fishing and gathering operations of the sea’s would clear that up.

The city would need defended of course, another order to the orcs to begin mining under the city, using what ever materials at hand they could find to form walls and towers around the city would hopefully begin the needed protection.

The third order was one of higher importance. The order of trade with the other nations surrounding his waters. Sending several orcish emassaries to the nations on the mainland, and what other cities could be found on the island would hopefully net him some good trade.

[Blockhead]

King Shtaal Tundra looked at the reports that his Goblin servants had presented him with. Extra food from hunting was coming in nicely, a few granaries built to store the extra food. His master-craftsmen orcs were still busy gathering and assembling the materials needed to build sea-worthy ships. In order to speed up the process, he had ordered some of his lesser-craftsmen orcs to begin mining lumber and materials from the surrounding area. The King was still awaiting a reply to the Gryffon messengers he had sent to Ireland and began to worry if something bad had happened. Putting these thoughts aside, he put down the reports and headed off to bed, awaiting what new things tommorow would bring.

[imp_fireball]

Philius suddenly felt external vibrations throughout his frame.

"Me'lord, me'lord..."

Ponty? Ashes, I was having the most wonderful dream.

"... it's the gryphons, me'lord."

Ponty could only barely succeed in rocking Philius' frame; moving it would have provided an obvious impossibility. He almost consider slapping the man until...

What... what.

"What's the news pontificus." Philius stated flatly, refusing to even open his eyes.

That's right, you have to speak out loud, not simply think things all at once or at all times. Feh!

"Gryphons have arrived bearing news." His aid croaked.

"Can it ever wait?"

"You told them to collect information on the expeditions as quickly as possible sir, I..."

"It was a rhetorical question!"

"Forgive me, m'lord."

"Just..." He motioned with right hand, taking into consideration the effort it would have proven having recently been so rudely shaken awake, "just get on with it, the processes and all that."

Wordlessly, the orc scurried away.

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The gryphon riders report the construction of a gradually expanding tunnel network having been established at the discovery of iron a few dozen miles outbound to the east.

Copper was discovered also, but was disregarded because of prospector estimates that proved true deeper. Iron extraction has begun in earnest. A few hundred orcs are returning home to seek new tools and perhaps request the procurement of grander tools and mechanisms for mining. Shafts (tunnels retained by columns, etc.) have yet to be established as the operation has involved mostly digging, extraction, collection, etc.

Word has already spread of the clearing of wilderness south and west for farmland, and orcish families have begun experimenting on the fields in earnest. The legion remains ever prevalent with direct orders to preserve the sanctity of Hammer should land disputes ever rise up (really this means no killing each other and seeking land elsewhere if someone has claimed it before you... rather cut throat currently, but it'll change).

The clearing still continues and construction has begun on site for the construction of specialized siege engines that might accelerate the process (cart plows for farmland, and ballista-like trimmers for forests). Wheel crafting has become a popular trade, some wheels of which measure in sizes nearly equal to that of a minotaur.

Burning has become a less popular method in clearing due to its propensity to quickly become uncontrollable. Some animals (camel and hyena; middle eastern animals?) have been tamed during this time. Desert regions are being mostly avoided, however workers are educating themselves on survival should the nightmare of individual abandonment ever become a reality.

- Pontificus is considering whether or not the third legion should be split to help in both farming and proper land maintenance (roads, etc.) while the latter part would head to the mines. However, granaries and housing is still being established for the basis of trade which Philius wishes to keep a tight watch over. Some have brought forth the idea of containment areas (kennels, ranches) for animals that have been brought back and mill-like machinations to help in the production of wheat, leather, butter, etc. Some have even gone so far as to attempt to invent blueprints for water filtration systems, however only so much can be brought forth to the agenda at one time.

Most importantly however (due to a potential mass influx of material), containable stone furnaces have been recently established in some of the larger buildings where multiple smiths might go to work. Perhaps the four orcish cohorts will be sent to finish up with construction, while the all the minotaurs will be assigned to transporting goods in the future.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Abdul Matin:

A number of the messengers return from the lands they visited with good news, cities and nations surrounding have agreed to trade, some did not return, and a select few came with refusals, though these were generally more inland nations, distrusting of this new power. It is impossible to tell if the messengers were killed, lost in turbulent waters, or attacked by pirates or bandits.

---

(Blockhead, are you sending it to a player in Ireland, or a lord or something else?)

---

Prince Adame Therik:

Only two towns refuse, and each are crushed. With this display of force the others are quick to fall in line. Some more powerful lords farther from you, who have lost caravans, have sent messengers demanding an explanation.

[Innis Cabal]

Abdul Matin

Abdul looks over the trade agreements. Shouting to no one in particular.

"Begin more digging operations. Prepare the army. We take this island in the name of Great Allah!

[Blockhead]

(I was trying to contact Wizard of the Coat)

King Shtaal Tundra sighed. His orcs had found only a handful of lucrative mines in the area and precious mineral were coming in very slowly. Still, it was a start and lumber operations were going fairly smoothly. His mighty ships were beginning to take form, although were months from actually being considered finished. He cheer himself up, he decided to go hunting with his huntsmen, in the hopes of finding some good game.

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

Lord Unai was excited. His armies were on the move, the granary and blacksmith were nearly completed, and his goblin farmers were bringing in valuable food. He ordered 300 Orcs to begin searching for valuable minerals, both for trade and for weaponry. Unai also ordered a quarry to begin excavating more stones to strengthen the defenses of his castle. Lord Tressevian glanced out the window, hoping for news of his latest military campaign against this upstart lord.

[imp_fireball]

OOC: Any news forthcoming?

------------------------------
The orders had been carried out and the splitting of the final legion was made. Drek'nal 'Esh Tar (or Pontificus being his name in human tongue) only hoped things wouldn't dissolve into total chaos, as his race had a propensity for stirring such things to happen out of pure jealousy or defacement or some other semi-idealized issue altogether; the 'honor' of one orc might kill another and then cause enough blood feuds between family lines to actually throw all of society into disarray. Though that was probably the reason why humans had mostly been the rulers in the past. Humans, he learned, had feuds too, however a human often seemed wise enough to know when to 'strategically back down', else he wasn't intelligent at all; and yet humans were also free to practice their strange customs. Perhaps the generations of orcs before him had never been civilised enough to learn of such things. Perhaps this state, as it was referred to by his lord Philius, would be a sort of salvation for his people, though it might take generations for them to become used to it.

Civilised. A part of Drek told him that he would liken to that word some day.

Now nearly the entire population of Hammer (aside from the infirm) had gone to work. Even children were expected to ply their way in trades now, and it's already become popular for one orc to adopt the child of another family. Small disputes have risen over this issue, however it eventually sorted itself out as the guilds have become almost independant powers. Soldiers keep them in line however. Soldiers have the greatest honor of all, answering only to the lord and his aid.

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- Third legion has been split: 3000 orcs work in the mines, while 3000 either join the clearing legion to help with road maintenance/construction or help farm depending on land distribution (and how much land has been claimed thus far)
- The 800 minotaurs in the third legion are now helping with shipping goods (either carrying upon back, or pulling by way of cart). They depend on messenging systems: they receive a notice telling of there pick up location and destination... a few dozen centaurs and a handful of gryphons (however many remain) now act as communications officials delivering notices to the minotaurs; the other centaurs are still scouting the outlying regions for further clearing and claiming and delivering reports to legion officers regularly

[Lord_Asmodeus]

The Forces of Lord Treval met with Lord Unai's host. Lord Trevals force held their own, but were defeated, though Unai's forced had taken casualties. The remainder of Trevals forces regrouped with the reinforcements which had arrived, and marshalled at a nearby hill, where they were digging in.

At the homefront Treval was calling militia and hiring more troops as well as some mercenaries to deal with this new army. He was trying to marshal support with some lords, but it would take time to get messages from them.

The goblin tribe agreed to join.

---

(OOC: Is there anyone else I missed, I've been rereading them and I don't see anything, but correct me if I'm mistaken)

[imp_fireball]

OOC: If you didn't regard me on purpose, then no, I don't think you missed anything.

[Blockhead]

It had been some time since King Shtaal Tundra had heard of any progress, but today was different. After reading the report that had been handed to him by a Goblin servant, he smiled. Food was stockpiled and supplies would last several months if not years. Mining was still slow going, but by luck some of the miners struck gold, a valuable trade item. Not only that, but most of the wooden boats were finished and ready to set sail. King Shtaal Tundra instructed the fleet to wait until he had received word from Ireland, for which he was getting concerned at the absense of his messengers. He ordered some of his orcs to begin research new technologies that would benefit the kingdom.

[JaviSua]

Lord Unai Tressevian

Knowing when to deliver the finishing blow, Lord Unai wasted no time. An additional 2,000 Orcs, 250 Centaurs, 300 Gryffons, and 150 Minotaurs to be sent to crush Lord Treval before he could muster a larger army.

[puppyavenger]

Prince Adame Therik:

the response to the Lords demanding explanation

The caravans were destroyed by some of the creatures in the forest. I had not fully gained control of it at that point. After now, a tariff of 10% will be levied on all caravans passing through the forest

In the towns who agree, the ruling family and their court is replaced by orcish administrator's, the former rulers were brought to the fortress to serve as a court. They serve as advisers, with the most competent member of the court that isn't the member of the ruling family begin the new head o the towns.

Iron mines are found about a days travel away, and many of the slaves are sent there to mine the iron.

all able bodied men in the towns are trained as militiamen, and 1 in 20 is trained a soldier, with either a longbow or pike.

the process is repeated with towns within a days ride of nay of the territory claimed, with the same forces used to destroy refusals.

diplomats are sent to the major power bodies near by( tectonic order, powerful dukes, and so on.) requesting trade relations.

[imp_fireball]

The news had travelled. Hammer had recently recieved an abundance of food stocks, as the farmers finally paid their due in what they had yielded a variety of different foods: grape vines, potatoes, corn, carrots (whatever might grow in the middle east).

Hammer would have years more supplies, however only a small portion were preservable, which would be stored in granaries for soldier rations. The farmers would sell or keep the rest, rejoicing at the opportunity to finally ply their own trade in life. However the 'ration tax' still existed, as parishable items would have to be given over to Philius' stocks.

Lord Phen hoped however they he could establish contact with outsiders some time soon, so that perhaps they could see the benefits of either becoming a part of, or trading with, Hammer.

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Iron and lumber are quite high. The tunnel network created by the many miners who have been working has now become rather vast. The remaining warehouses are now nearly filled to the brim with these supplies and smiths and carpenters have been purchasing them for the building of their own homes or the crafting of further tools. The major stone furnaces are also kept hot nearly 24/7 now, as basic labourers and master craftsmen alike smelt metals in an attempt to achieve better results (metallurgy research).

Copper and tin are now being mined because of the excess discovered in the tunnels, thus already leading to bronze alloys. Shafts are being erected to help maintain tunnel integrity and carts are being brought in to help ship the influx of minerals. Some rare metals as well as very bland metals (salt, sulfur, sand stuff, etc.) have been discovered as well, though Philius, in one of his rare spouts of common sense, is wondering what the rarer ones could possibly be used for if not in industry, so they have been stashed away, possibly to be traded with outsiders (speculation purposes).

Private and public speculators as well as merchants (some of which are retiring officers and thus wealthier; new officers are promoted in wake of retirees) are now diving upon the land, opening up a sort of real estate business. Though law states that they have Hammer citizenship and so buying land still qualifies as it being a part of the state of Hammer and thus available for expropriation at any time.

Machinery research (mechanical, combines wood with metal) is now being made, though it is in its birth.

Engineering is also making its own forays into siege engines, studying the effects of mass distribution, and push and pull forces in conjunction with different aids.

Brave centaur surveyers continue to venture further out into the land, always recording information and attempting to discern whether or not potential potential budding civilizations would liken to establishing trade relations. They have kindly conversed with inhabitants, not so much as hinting the presence of Hammer back west.

Finally, a new privatized mine, is being dug to the western shorelines (private merchants under Hammer have joined together to form Vein Harvest & Speculators Co.), with the aid of slaves that have been apprehended by mercenaries hired by the merchants. The mercenaries number in a few hundred, and include some minotaurs, some Naga, as well as most being hardy orcs (none of which ever served Hammer; for Hammer, it's treason to be a private soldier and recently soldiers are now swearing a vow that they must serve the state in a peerless manner). This enterprise will likely soon become legalized as public, at which point Hammer will be more careful with what they do.