History of Man - The Ancient Times (IC, OPEN)

[Horusland]

The History of the World
The Ancient Times
OOC

The Thracian tribes were many, scattered over a large area of land, ranging from Pontus Euxinus¹ to the Western Mountains, where a large Empire was slowly expanding. They were bordered by the Scythians to the north, the Greeks to the south, and the Celts and Illyrians to the west. Though there weren't many language and culture differences, the tribes lived independently since anyone could remember.

The Dacians were polytheistic, with their primary god being Zalmoxis. Mainly a militaristic people, the Dacian tribes resolved any conflict by battles and wars. Their powerful and well-thought military strategies proved to be an advantage against all nations of the world. Though the Dacians were fierce, they only wanted to defend their own lands. The Dacian people, and their leaders, have never wanted to conquer another nation.

The Dacians had then separated themselves from their southern neighbors, the Thracians. They formed a council, including all tribes to the north of the Danube river. But even this could not stop the Dacians from fighting among each other. Such wars between tribes happened often, and nothing had changed until² it became obvious that the foreign empires arrived at the borders of Dacian lands were not going to stop there. It was clear that something needed to be done, and thus, with tensions rising, a leader named Cothelas, from the Getic Plains, succeeded in uniting some of the Dacian tribes, and declaring war on the rest.

¹ Roman name for the Black Sea.
² Alternate history begins.

[Rumostan]

The Celts had grown more powerful, the original people of Britannia had been destroyed centuries before. Now the British Isles were divided between the Picts, Celts, Scots and Irish people's. the Celts though had the most power, they may have been a fragmented group of tribes for centuries but they were now joining together. The Kingdom of the Celts now stretched from Cornwall in the South to the Pennines in the north, from Anglesey in the west to the flat and fertile lands of the East.

There were still some tribes that remained independent but most were either joining voluntarily or being forced to join. This was a social as well as a political experiment, for the first time groups of tribes, some very different to the others were joining together to make a Kingdom. The King also faced new challenges such as making sure from his capital city in the Midlands that the people in the far south or far north were not rebelling against his rule.

The hierarchy of the Kingdom was King, Tribal King, Villager. It was different from every other nation in the Islands, now known by the Celts as the Celtic Isles. Never before had a nation combined in to a nation-state. They were now in the position to consolidate and grow, the King (Aalan) hoped that soon the entire archipelago would be his.

[Neo-Assyrian Empire]

Ostyrlonia had changed very much since the last time we have seen them. Ahnki began to become a large city with about 200 houses made of wood aswell as about 40 houses made of stone and wood. The largest house in the city undoubtebly belonged to the Evris. The house sat upon a hill, over looking the entire city.

However, it is hard to say where the Ostyrlonians really changed from then on. They had discovered new metals and put good use to them and began to pray to higher beings, such as Eridon, lord (The Ostyrlonians referred to their gods, as well as their overseers, as lords) of the Skies. Aside from these changes, the Ostyrlonians were still a large group of people sitting along the ocean. But, that was about to change.

The citizens of Ostyerlonia were beginning to want more land. They were expieriencing a heavy famine, none like they had seen before. A lord, Terrisus, began to blame the famine on the fact that they had not appeased the goddess of the harvest, Lelia. But, there was another lord. His name was Merinius. Merinius began to blame the harvest on the fact that they had failed to appease Eridon. They failed because they had yet to become glorious and spread the Ostyrlonian culture.

The citizens began to agree with this idea and began to slowly expand from their small, little territory. They began to travel west, towards their ally tribe. They slowly began to get a little bit of land, but they barely conquered any at this time. But, there were still going to be settlers trying to settle the gap between the Byrthonian tribe and their own.

[Altito Asmoro]

The military now is in an expedition to controls all of the areas they can find. Numerous attempts from them to peacefully absorbed the smaller tribes had been successful and they had control half of the Hokkaido. Even then, they still want to expand more.

Agricultural had been expanded, with medium-scale farms, domesticated animals, and fish ponds, the food resources had been increased greatly, but they still use bartering as the means of trading since they haven't know about the advanced version of trading. Rumors had indicated about a powerful tribe at the other side of this area. The boats have not been able to explore more areas, but they will send in scouts on horses.

The copper had been researched for awhile, and the leaders had discussed whether they can use it as bartering systems. Copper had been used now as weapons and armors, they have research that kinds of technologies and innovations.

The military had began to controlled half of Hokkaido, although they suffered from casualties. Now, they began to regrouped first and to coordinate the next attack.

They began to learned about the basic tactics of war and the strategies of war. The importance of logistics, military tactics, and coordination are the parts of military education they learned. They also learned how to built a more advanced ports from the other tribes's cultures and educations. Now they also began to establish an education center centralized to the importance of military education and the use of drawing to the education.

Now, they will try to develop a tools for better and faster movement with the boats and the other uses of the horses.

[The Ottish Empire]

Odessia Becomes an Empire

With little, to no real resistance, the Odessians expanded unchecked for ages. Since the great Aynee, who first united the tribes of Cappadocia. To Tayiut, who conquered the lands to the east, stopping only when his leader recalled him to defend against invading barbarians. They now controlled a vast amount of land, consuming Cappadocia, Armenia, parts of Syria, and even some settlements in Georgia. Though defending this expansive border was near impossible. Much like in the days of old, bandits and raiders alike terrorized the border settlements, stealing livestock, and killing thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

Copper, and a whole other wealth of minerals, was soon discovered to be abundant in the Odessian empire, particularly in regions bordering the sea. This fueled and era of innovation, as the metal was morphed in blades and shields, even armor, and armor additives. Jewelry and furniture was soon fashioned out of the material, even pots and jugs.

So far, they only knew of themselves as being the only expansive empire in Anatolia. Sooner or later, they had to run into someone's armies, and they had to be well prepared for that faithful moment. Military service was now required for citizenship, and, often times, border regions were forced to hand over their children to the army. From there they'd train and fight, defending the empire from possible threats and invasions, and after ten years, they would be allowed to return home. For now they had met only one other group of Turks to the south, but communication between the two civilizations was limited at best. Hopefully that was to change soon.

[Kryskov]

Bardipolis
Capital of the Kingdom of Illyria
Part of the Greek Empire

There stood King Nikias, King of the Illyrians and descendant of Illyrius and Greconias. Indeed, this title came from the absorption of the Greconian Royalty into the Illyrians, giving part of the Greconian state to the Illyrians. This expanded Kingdom then joined with that of the Dorians, and created the Greek Empire.

The issue on how the Empire was to be ruled nearly caused its own demise. But then, it was decided that the Kings of Illyrians and Dorians would rule jointly and consult in times of great strife in the Empire. There was also an elected Council of Generals, who would assemble when the Kings disagreed, and their vote would break the tie.

(Anyways, back to Nikias)

He stood there as the sun sat on the horizon. The King said the prayer;

"O Gods, my people call me Nikias!
O Gods, let this be a gift!
An offering to assure your guidance and good fortune!
O, let it be known that we deserve this not!
But let it be known that, in the month of Zeos,
That we humbly serve your bidding!"

And with that, the sacrificial goat was slaughtered, and portions of it eaten, before the rest was burned. This was an unusual prayer. Up until now, the monthly sacrifice was performed only to one or two Gods, but Nikias saw troubling times coming. It was not that he didn't have an heir. No, his wife bore him five legitimate sons and his concubines and various priestesses over a hundred more (for Nikias seduced anything that moved). No, he could sense the coming of a new era, one that the twenty-two-year-old would be a part of. Nikias knew now that the Gods needed to guide his people more than ever before.

[Alleniana]

The Empire of Alleniana lay sprawled across the coast. A band from the base of Denmark to Calais and further inland, it ruled fertile, flat lands. It was highly populated with a population of over 200,000, which, they did not know, but was the largest in the world. All over it lay houses of mud brick, shored up at the bases by rock, covered in wood or thatch and clustered together with paths in between, and primitive windows and doorways of cloth.

These settlements grew large. With them, grew other things. Language developed, along with a number system; both rather primitive, but still good for everyday use. The rocks that they had discovered leaked had slowly been developed, first put into stone bowls, then clay ones, then eventually, rooms specifically designed for it where a clay kiln stood, isolated and being burned with fire to melt the copper. Not only copper though; lead was still in use. Gold had also been discovered in small amounts; a soft, malleable material, especially when hot, it was used to make things that did not require hardness.

Now, the government had come into existence as well. A man had taken control; the Emperor, his position hereditary. He lived in a grand, stone building; the first of it kind in the land, where he ruled over things. He collected tribute from the people, who each had to pay a certain amount when the calendar came to a certain point, and he used this to build grand things for various purposes; rooms for storage, places of manufacturing, buildings for himself and others, and also keeping people who could fight, armed and ready all the time, as to keep things under control. The calendar had also been developed; now, the central circle was a sundial.

Fishing was also widespread, with coracles of leather and wood floating into the sea, and with nets made of fibres, collecting bounties of fish. It seemed it was a golden age.

[Miracum-Izmir]

The tribe of mirca had upgraded to a nation based in Istanbul. (Named Mirca) However this legacy city was only a small village corresponding to less then 1% of the population. The leader Alexander told the people to look for Colored powder called Stisti. this is after he mixed the Stisti with water making a hard substance called brick.The king tells them that rewards will be payed to the finders. Also, A girl named Izreafell is born and she is a prophet. Mirca tells it's people to go to vilages like Nicomedia because the city will be get loud.

Alexander also wants to increase the milltary to a third of the people. Doing so he will be the strongest nation. however only 400 people want to join.
Alexander then increases the money gaven to milltary soldiers so he can get people to join. People use salt as money. 1 Saltier= 1 NSD. 10 grams of salt is 1 saliter. 1 salt is 1 grain and means 1 NSC.

[Alleniana]

After some wild men from the land from whence the sun rose attacked, the king hired men to take weapons and go forth and kill them all, and take the land for the nation. It was popularized by legend and myth as a "land of bounty" as even now, the land's riches were beginning to disappear by the hands of people, and so many people also made a trip to go and live there. Meanwhile, developed out of records of grain, the calendar and such, a formalized writing system was developed, with words, sentences and grammar rules.

[Miracum-Izmir]

Mirca countiunes to build the City of Mirca. A huge stisti suplly was found somewhere in the north, allowing the people to build houses out of Bricks.
Isreazfell begins to preach the message of Islam and Miraca decides on a vote on whether to accept Islam. 98% of the people say yes and Miraca becomes the first Islamic nation. But the people that don't accpect Islam are allowed to follow other religons. All of them say there is no god but they never get into conflict with the Islamic Mircans. The army is at 9,401 and 600 more are needed.

[Alleniana]

Slowly, the houses began to change. More and more were built more of stone and clay bricks, rather than old mud bricks with straw mixed in, and wooden roofs were becoming much more common than thatched. This was likely due to the development of a sort of shingle; wooden plates that could be placed on, so that water couldn't drip in. They also got larger, as people lived for longer, and got more furniture; already, most houses had beds of furs and textiles with straw or reeds or such underneath; some even having feathers in woven bags, pillows of some sort, a table or bench, chairs; so far, mostly log stools, and usually pots and boxes for storage. The people were getting wealthier, and it was reflected clearly, but not only in their houses.

After the expansion to the east, trade had really taken off. People now would venture about, bartering local goods, travelling elsewhere and bartering them off for more. This created well trodden routes, which gradually became very roadlike, as the plants were trampled dead, the ground flattened by feet and the lumps smoothed out by wind, rain and foot. They crisscrossed the land, as did the growing settlements, all nominally ruled by an emperor, who had for the first time, gotten his name recorded. He called his first year Year 0, as according to the calendar; the year of the beginning of the reign of Emperor Dardens.

[Altito Asmoro]

The establishment of the Royal Shogunate was began when they heard about a strong shogunate on the southern side of Japan. This shogunate was said to be strong and rich, albeit rumored to be without a good ally. The Royal Shogunate quickly sent in emissaries to there, with guides and a small army to there to establish an alliance and perhaps, a trading alliance.

Settlements had became more and more stronger, with woods and mud used as the new materials for the houses and buildings. The system of government and military organization were established, albeit unfamiliarity and rigidness tampering the progress of the establishment. The royal family lived within a large house with stronger materials within the walled city of Sapporo. Infrastructures began to be established, with mud roads and ports established, each with smaller scales.

Economy being organized with the nearest clan, from which they also learned about the basic of the clan's educations, which they perceived as better. They also learned about the basic of development and the basic of military leaders importance to the military itself. They also began to build a bigger place for their gods.

[Alleniana]

The town was probably the largest in the world. A mass of nearly 25,000 people inhabited it, with sprawling farms all around. It wasn't particularly dense, but it was quite urbanized. The river through the middle provided water and a means of transport, and several rough bridges had been built over it; stones piled up, cemented with lime where possible and planks laid over the top. All around were houses of wood, clay, stone and mud, a mottled mix of buildings. A few were even two story, although the 2nd storey was usually not like the first; more of a storage-relaxation type area, which often also stopped it getting too heavy. Of course, all the trees had been cut down.

With this had come government sophistication. Taxes were now collected regularly, laws enacted, soldiers to enforce them, punishments, even wars against nomads and barbarians. It was quite unique in being a very equal society; apart from the emperor, everything was elected, and indiscriminate. All the government officials who did things like commissioning buildings and even art, collecting taxes, managing funds, etc. were all elected by popular consent, with a ballot box. Corruption was vigorously hated, as was racism and sexism, though they were barely into infancy. Overall, it had the beginnings of an excellent society.

[Altito Asmoro]

The establishment of the Royal Shogunate was began when they heard about a strong shogunate on the southern side of Japan. This shogunate was said to be strong and rich, albeit rumored to be without a good ally. The Royal Shogunate quickly sent in emissaries to there, with guides and a small army to there to establish an alliance and perhaps, a trading alliance.

Settlements had became more and more stronger, with woods and mud used as the new materials for the houses and buildings. The system of government and military organization were established, albeit unfamiliarity and rigidness tampering the progress of the establishment. The royal family lived within a large house with stronger materials within the walled city of Sapporo. Infrastructures began to be established, with mud roads and ports established, each with smaller scales.

Economy being organized with the nearest clan, from which they also learned about the basic of the clan's educations, which they perceived as better. They also learned about the basic of development and the basic of military leaders importance to the military itself. They also began to build a bigger place for their gods.

The temple for gods had been almost completed. So far, the monks had preached about their gods and the importance to worship them to the civilians at the far-flung towns and villages. Even though there had been floods lately that hindering the advancement, they still trying to get there.

Soldiers and skilled builders were gathered at the flood points and strengthen the flood defense while still improving the evacuation system. The roads system had been covered all with mud and advanced tools made the roads to be able for walks and transporting goods, supplies, and soldiers from towns to towns, from villages to villages. The walls of Sapporo began to be improved with the additions of mud that had been developed to be able to enhance the walls. Archers had been put atop the walls for defense.

Education had been improved, although they still calculated the dates and years with the star system. Writing and drawing had been improved so far. The importance of ports as trade economy became known and all of the ships had been added with larger spaces for goods and improved armors and improved weapons to armed themselves. As of now, a large immobile slingshot was being developed for attack and defense.

[Galnius]

Paco Lise viewed the decimated remnvants of a
once great city. They had tried to stand up to the
Rok-To-Dric. Sadly for them, the gods were
against them, favoring Paco. The previous leader
stood at his feet in ropes made from vine. He
had fought bravely. "You shall join your ancestors today Toltech. For your courage, this city shall be
rebuilt in your name. I shall make this my capital.
You should feel honored." Toltech spat at his
feet. "Your bravery still holds, sadly, your time
has come." With one quick swipe Toltech fell.
Within the nearby temple a strange metal was found. To the north, diseasebegan to spread.

[Alleniana]

The use of the wheel was spreading. It wasn't quite clear how it had been invented, but apparently it was someone who had used a calendar to rotate a pot while making it, then the calendar had broken and rolled away, or something like that. However it happened, it was now spreading. Two round objects with a hole in it, a stick through both holes, a pipe around the stick and something on top of the pipe. Then repeat the process, except the same thing is on both pipes. Then attach something to both ends of both sticks, and you have a cart.

Animal domestication was also coming along well. Horses, oxen and other large animals were important beasts of burden in farming. They helped increase output, which increased taxes in turn, allowing the government to build even more; now, they were paving roads; a novel idea. They were also planning towns more, by trying to get wider streets, more spaced out, larger houses, etc. as well as digging ditches which were covered over to carrying sewage away. Nobody ever likes poo, do they?

[Altito Asmoro]

A foundation of domestication for the horses had been implemented, first as the another factor for farms, then for transporting goods, and later as a factor of attacking enemies, with the army using them as shock troops, although they still need times to climb the horse due to the lack of tools for climbing.

In addition to this, the other clan had gave their knowledge about wheels, another new inventions that increased the improvement of infrastructures, delivering goods, and transporting army between towns and cities. The shogunate currently still trying to think about a system of nation that will make the transportation to be easier to conduct.

[Neo-Assyrian Empire]

Heridos
The capitol of Ostyrlonia that once was Ahnki, Heridos, was still in chaos. Protesters were crowding in front of the Evris' Palace, complaining about the lack of food. Minius, the current Evris, had to think fast. It was obvious that the scouts to the east and west were not procuring enough land to make food for the citizens of Ostyrlonia. He called upon Gyrius, the leader of the Ostyr Guard, an elite group of warriors that controled scouts as well as soldiers.

"Gyrius," said the Evris, "It is obvious that your scouts have not secured land for Ostyrlonia. Why is this?"

Gyrius stuttered for a moment. "Well, Evris," he said, "It appears that our scouts and settlers have been facing some rough conditions in the wilderness. We can't move fast or far enough to find food for the peoples of Ostyrlonia."

The Evris nodded. "Yes, yes. But, why have you not sent out any more settlers to try to make a trail, to make it easier to send more scouts, soldiers, settlers, and so on and so forth."

"Sir, you have not requested the movement of scouts to the east and west."

"Well, Gyrius, I am asking you now. Move more scouts and settlers out to the east and west. This famine cannot last any longer, our people are starving as is!"

"Yes, sir." Gyrius bowed before the Evris and left his home to seek out more scouts and settlers to end this famine. But, it was too late. Several hundred citizens were malnurished, and almost a hundred were lying, dead, in Heridos alone. This only fueled Gyrius' determination to send more citizens to the wilderness, to end this crisis once and for all.

[Alleniana]

The conflicts with the small tribes on the borders was taking it's toll. However, it was driving a new breed of technology; that of war. Now, instruments were specifically needed to kill large numbers of humans quickly, safely and efficiently, and to destroy what they built in the same fashion.

Spears, other blades, spiky things on poles and even bows and slings were all very well, but they were not good enough. Quickly, heavier, more covering armor was developed, along with helmets and improvements on them, such as reinforcing and padding. Also, more weapons were made, better and faster.

But that was only for killing people. Of course, what they built needed to be taken down as well. A large bow, mounted and turned using cogs, invented by a particularly smart man, was in existence. Large arrow-bolts could be loaded into it to shoot projectiles that could take down walls; at least, the old walls. New walls were being developed; great, large, thick strong ones of stone and mud, piled upon each other in great layers, so large you could march men across the top. They had places to shoot from and towers along them, another innovation.

All in all, the art of war was developing rapidly. The developers, however, had no idea what they were getting themselves, history, and the human race in general into.

[The Ottish Empire]

Southern Border

Deslec and his entourage marched proudly through the forestry which bordered the Southern nation. Along this border sprouted some of the largest settlements in the young country, something about being bolstered up between the two largest powers in Anatolia attracted a large sense of security. However, there was never any diplomatic talk between the two powers, an unspoken truce was understood between the two, occasionally their armies would cross paths on their way to a far away land, and sometimes they even shared the same ambitions in expanding, but no one ever dared approach them, nor they to us.

This was to change today, Deslec, a trusted and experienced ambassador, had spent the past few weeks trekking through unexplored forests, and populous towns, on a mission to establish some kind of understanding between the two warring nations before a misunderstanding sent the entire region spiraling into uncontrollable warfare. Death was always an ever present danger, either via a disease contracted in the forests, or beheading for insulting these unknown kings.

He took a look behind him, and then a glance ahead, he was strategically placed in the center of his guard, though he envied to break the slow pace the soldiers were going and rush through the forest. On any other occasion, he would, but there was too much at stake to break custom now. Not to mention he knew these men, this wasn't the first mission they'd all gone on together, he knew them all by name, even met some of their families, he trusted them to get him their and back safe.

Finally the woods broke, and gave way to a plains area, in the distance a city loomed, likely a border town, but a good step in the right direction. They certainly made their presence known, the soldiers armor glistened in the sunlight, nearly blinding the poor residents of the town, and they spoke loudly in a foreign accent. These people certainly were not royal, and looked perplexed at the situation at hand. They finally decided, after a few unsuccessful attempts at conversation with the locals that it'd be better to simply resupply and move on to the next settlement.

The Great Westward Migration

For too long had the Odessians been afraid of the rumors and legends that dominated the lands to the west. For too long had the remains of age old battle stricken fear into the hearts of the young soldiers. With the winds at their backs, settlers, fueled by government subsidies and propaganda, and backed with leagues of soldiers recently enticed into service with the promise of plots of land secured in the endeavor. God only knew what monsters they were to stumble upon, or if there was even anything out there for them to fear, only time would tell.

The build-up to this much awaited moment was just as epic, if not more so, than the actual action itself. For months, servants of the state intermingled with border settlements, setting down temporary roots, and spreading rumors of great riches out west. Soldiers had to be recruited, but copper was no longer wildly demanded by the neighboring tribes, as they had either been assimilated into larger nations which had their own copper resources, or discovered sources of their own, whatever the reason may be, there was no way to pay for these soldiers. They would have to be volunteered, unwilling as they may be, a sword would find its way into their hands.

The promise of land happened to be the most driving force in recruitment. The rich were notable exceptions, but otherwise, hordes of poor citizens flocked to the army, so much so that it became nearly impossible to arm them all, some were even given flimsy wooden spears to fend off any potential attackers. It was a poor army, but an army nonetheless, and more than enough to support strides out west, perhaps even enough to bolster the veterans in the east with their push through Georgia.

[Khanastan]

The Confederation of Igryl
Prologue - The Cities and the Steppe-men

Since even the eldest of the Elders could remember, the Igrylic tribes had lived, hunted and foraged on the steppes of Central Asia. They are a simple people, living on horseback for the most of their lives. They herd cattle, sheep and goats across the wild lands they inhabit, rarely inhabiting an area for too long, else their stock will turn the plains barren, and the next people to move their will have nothing to feed their animals with. Aside from herding, people keep healthy by hunting wild animals and foraging the rough plants that thrive here. Buildings are small, made out of skin and sticks that can be folded away for moving on. The people dress in animal skins, shedding layers for the scorching summers, and putting more on for the freezing winters.

A few permanent settlements have arisen, the largest home to around eight thousand people. The city folk, though lesser in number from the tribal nomads, live different lives from other Igrylic peoples. Most of these cities are farming communities, rising up along the edges of lakes and rivers, where they farm wheat, tubers and fruit. They are often home to markets, where traders exchange crops for meat, fur and whatever else the nomads have to offer. The cities would often produce woodcrafts and metal tools, which the nomads would trade their sacred items for; silk, spices, art and even people.

This is how the Igrylic tribes would become a nation. The vast and varied nomads would swear allegiance to cities, offering their men for work and war, in exchange for materials and food made by the farmers and artisans of the cities. The cities would grow prosperous and well fed, their people living rather good lives for the time. However, this would make other nomadic tribes and cities jealous, and they would often attempt to raid each other's caravans and villages to take their wealth, so, some cities banded together, combining their resources and manpower to make a confederation of cities and tribes, ruled by the leader of the most powerful city; Samarkand, King Osmer Amar.

---

Samarkand, City of the Igryl King

In the heat of a summer day, the city seems to fall quiet. Puddles of water disappear into the air in minutes, and exposed skin can burn in minutes. The people only go outside when necessary, aiming for canopies employed by various shops when they do. The only real place anyone would be going at this time is the market, right in the center of the city. Here, people come from miles around to barter their good in exchange for food and trinkets.

Recently, strange men from the East have been appearing in these markets. They bring strange idols, speak in odd tongues and bear strange weapons. They attempted to trade our good for small copper coins and odd stones.

The encounters with Easterners have encouraged the people become more cautious. Cities are now garrisoned by a number of soldiers in defence, increasing our military population slightly. Walls of mud and stone begin being constructed around the cities. The foreigners have been invited to take council with the King, so we can learn of their intentions and their ways.

[Nytavuthar]

Selfus looked over the Seven Hills of Lapis, all of them being inside the stone walls. He walked all the way around the hills and to the Tiber, bored of just the regular day. He stopped walking one day, right at the gate of the walls. He took his horse, and rode with his bodyguard to the edge of the border. In modern-day Genoa. Along the way Selfus stopped at all the major villages in the united tribes... No, they weren't tribes anymore they were The Tribe. They were so united that the tribe could consider itself as a country. Selfus kept thinking about the idea of a kingdom. Anyway back to the stopping at the major villages part. Selfus stopped at all the major villages, picking up civilians along the way. Once they arrived at the border, Selfus marched on through Southern France and Northern Iberia, scouting the area. Now in Northern Iberia, Selfus stopped. He ordered that the citizens (which were the strongest in the strongest their villages) to build a stone wall at the base of the Pyrenees. He claimed the rest of southern france to be part of the Kingdom of Lapis. The resisting villages will fall under the Sword of Wolfus. Selfus was going to form an empire so large that it will be remembered forever.

[Reatra]

The Free City of Rynatoo. A port city on the North Western coast if the Italian Peninsula. A population over 100,000. A man made bay lined with rocks to protect the harbor. Even cobbled roads that led out of the city on nearly all sides. No nearby enemies except for the barbarians who wandered around the countryside means that the city can survive without walls. Not the wealthiest city, but newfound Mediterranean trade could change that quickly.

Rynatoo's position on the sea provides an excellent position to control ships going to the continent.

"Levy as many ships as we can afford to lose the money over." The Impirren said.

A DECREE FROM IMPIRREN RILEY SOTO THE FIRST OF RYNATOO;

Any and all able bodied men with the previous knowledge are permitted to join the Rynatooan navy.[



SIGNED,
IMPIRREN RILEY SOTO THE FIRST

[Neo-Assyrian Empire]

Scouts and settlers continued to push the boundries of Ostyrlonia in hopes of food. Many of the settlers carried little food and some even died of hunger in search of food in the wilderness. Small settlements were being made along riverbanks and such, due to the lack of food. The settlers figured that they may as well harvest what they could in the surrounding area rather than search in vain to find a food source that may not even exist.

But, this did not go over well with Minius. He ordered for armed guards to force the settlers to move, and if they still refused, then the guards were ordered to ransack the small settlements to gain the resources from the dead. The Evris also announced that citizens of Heridos should push the boundries of Ostyrlonia in hopes of bringing in a feast for those who were starving in the streets.

"People of Ostyrlonia, I ask of you to push the bounds of the Empire, and claim what wilderness there is for the starved. This terrible famine has affected many of us, but there are some of you with bountiful amounts of food whom of which I ask upon to either give up excess foods or go out in to the forests and make food for those who lie in the streets, dying of starvation."
~ Evris Minius, part of Minius' Decree

[Alleniana]

The marketplace was really the heart of culture in the city. There, the pottery which so recently had been made with glazes of cobalt, iron and more was widely hawked there from stalls. What was in a way the national dish could be brought from vendors; rolled grains stuck with eggs, honey, a small amount of cream or milk and flavored with various herbs, spices and flavorings and roasted over a fire or even fried in plant oils, also a new product, created by using a lever device to squish various edible plant matters. Many unique plants were sold there too; isl, a small, nutritious, thin shelled grain that grew well in temperate and colder climates, quot, a tough, leafy plant that thrived in poorer soils and had a surprisingly mellow taste and a few others. The eggs of the dozens of spaces of fowls slowly being domesticated were marketed there by many, as were other goods including pieces of metals and rocks in different combinations for making fire, along with tinder, gathered by children. There was cloths, woven by hand tediously of natural fibres from trees, grasses and other plants coming to the forefront for the purpose for a decent price, furs, cheaper but dirtier and more prone to damage, as well as heavier and warmer, takne from hunted animals, and a whole variety of tools. In fact, it had also become a fad to try and purchase the tools with the most outrageous and unique shape that still worked, spawning things from naginata-like heads to double halberd-looking objects, though simple axes and knives were still very common. All of this was slowly increasing the vocabulary of the spoken language with so much socialisation and new goods, creating a more cultural environment with merchants from afar coming as well as much talk, and much more. It was even helping to flesh out the written language for records, tax organizations and other profit innovations by merchants. And, of course, it began the development of a currency, which, at present, was usually metal, which was slowly developing into shapes.
(population: 1.8 million)