A Strange World :: Civilization's Dawn (IC/Closed)

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:07 am

Clan Serys

A man from far away

Zvad cradled the little sleeping boy wrapped in warm sheepskins in his arms with a wide smile on his face. "I can feel, he's going to see places we can only dream of." The ranger said, Lia smiled and put her hand on her husbands shoulder. She knew a part of him, deep inside wanted to go, to wander for many days in new lands, bringing tales and goods back to Serrith. But since they had turned their attention inward for many years, they had lived well, prospered and been happy. The Ritual of Houses had been such a joyous event, and so soon after that, the gods and spirits blessed the clan as Lia's belly started to grow once more, now little Harrim Stargrove was the newest member of Clan Serys. Artor knew his own house would grow no more, Ellyn had accepted that a long time ago, indeed, she did not seem that much bothered by the fact she could no longer bear a child. She was happy with her two sons and adopted daughter, they were enough for her.

Artor was happy for Lia and Zvad, though his thoughts turned to other matters, for some time now he had been thinking of designing some manner of... contraption, like a basket, but one that could be carried while the hands still remained free to act. If Zvad wanted to get back out into the big wide world in a few years, such a thing would allow him to carry more supplies and bring back more resources from distant lands. He would have to think on this matter carefully. Another thing that occupied his mind was the coming meeting with the warrior-chief of the Bryre-folk. It would be a thing to remember, an important day. And he was determined that he would prove himself a worthwhile friend to these Bryres, after all, sometimes a story can be the greatest gift of all.

by **Brendislav** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:20 am

Vestubian of Lordaeron
Year 19, Age 23

Early in the Year:

Vestubian found himself lost in the entrails of the sheep. All he really discovered was new ways to cook and prepare all the excess meat and organs that he managed to butcher. The tribe would be well fed for the rest of the year. Frustrated about his failure, Vestubian decided to stop, he wasn’t built for the scholarly work of Calia and Natalie. Furthermore, all this sheep he was eating starting to make him sick, he probably wouldn’t be able to touch the stuff for a while.

A pair of arms wrapped around Vestubian’s chest and he was lifted up into the air, Vestubian looked back and saw Vistra smiling as she lifted him up. “How is our little shaman doing today?” Vistra asked, “Still digging around in sheep are we?”

“I’m doing fine-” Vestubian gasped as Vistra crushed him in a hug, “but I think I’m done with sheep for the rest of my life.”

Vistra placed Vestubian back on the ground and let him breathe again, “I'm sure you will be eating it again by the end of the week. Aiden and Anveena got back from the north, its really cold and terrible there.”

“Great, more snow and sabercats?” Vestubian asked.

“”Yes, but they also claimed that the sun never set overthere...” Vistra continued.

“Hold on, the sun never sets?” Vestubian interrupted.

Vistra shrugged, “They were there during the summer months, when the days are longer. I guess the days are every long there.”

This interested Vestubian, perhaps the lands in the North were blessed by the Light. That might explain why the sun never set up in the North. Vistra saw Vestubian in deep thought, and started getting suspicious, “You are planning on doing something stupid, aren't you?” Vestubian tried to strike up a look of innocence and shook his head, but he did have plans.

One month later:

Vestubian managed to pack the canoe to the brim with food, extra clothes, fuel for fires, and waterskins for his trip. The canoe was sitting low in the water, and Vestubian hoped that he would travel through calm seas. After putting on another layer of clothes he set off. He planned on visiting the far north during the summer, when the sun would never set. He speculated that the north had to have been blessed by the Light to have season long sunlight, perhaps there he could connect more closely to the light when he meditated and worshiped it.

Rest of the Year: Vestubian will travel to the far north until he reaches a point where the sun doesn’t set during the summer. He will then meditate, perform sacrifices of food, and worship the Light for a revelation. He will try to return by the end of the year. Vestubian will try to have a child with Vistra before his trip.

by **Ralnis** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:48 am

Xcotl,
Year 19

Opono hasn't birthed a child, but the Chieftain's studies into midwifing could help with bringing a child into their world. Though they couldn't make healing poultices, they could figure out how to rear a child. Still the crops were starting to become strong with the apple trees growing up and Zuma had found something called hemerite, which seems to be something that can be used for. However Zuma was tasked with trying to help midwife for Opono as she's determined to try and bring a kid into the world.

The chieftain had asked Kutor to help him in studying the blackstone and see what secrets they can use. The Blackstone that they had gathered was able to calm down the hearts and minds of those that comes near it.

While its effects could be felt on humans, the Chieftain wanted to expirement on animals. Tenochitanzula and Kutor both seen what happened when messing around with the Great Wolves and wanted to try and focus on something else.

Zuma had remembered ants as large as wolves but saw that they usually work better than wolves and were capable of doing more like that of a human. The chieftain wanted to figure it out some more so they started to mess with it.

by **Ulls** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:55 am

Kutor,
Using Stones on ants

It was a weird idea to try and use the blackstones on animals, more specifically on ant-hounds to try and tame but she didn't say no. She knew how the tribe had a uncertainty around the Great Wolves but she didn't know much about the ant-hounds but in hopes to study them and see what was so interesting about giant bugs. She also had a worrying feeling about Opono, Uli, and Zuma trying to rear a child in their ages, but the chieftain ensures it will be the last time and he wanted to see the tribe's spirits rise.

She set off with the chieftain and some blackstones to the east of east and study the effects these magical stones have on the ant-hounds.

Action: Go help study with Tenochtianzula on his crazy scheme to use the blackstones and their effects on the ant-hounds for easier taming or training.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:43 pm

Year 19

Lyov: It did not take much experimentation to determine that the shimmerstone, when cut on only one surface, returned a much greater amount of its inner light than when fully cut and faceted. Some, that is, being greater than none. Indeed, through the single surfaces the colors of the stones gleamed more clearly and uniformly, solid hues being more common than the riotous cacophony of the uncut gems. When engraving, Lyov discovered little he did not already know- even the smallest manipulations of the objects caused them to dim and dull, but the roughing process, being the least invasive, caused the least damage.

Vestubian: Vestubian's trip to the frozen north is interesting, but ultimately uneventful. Paddling the tribe's canoe is hard work, and trains the muscles as well as the mind. Living off of cunningly caught fish and the bare lichens and mosses of the utter north where he travels is an experience that enriches the soul. In the deep waters under the ice, as black as night, Vestubian sees strange shapes and creatures, some of which cannot be believed. But no new enlightenment about the Light attends his mind.

Kutor: The Blackstone is a failure, but learning more about the ant-hounds is not. Kutor gains a knowledge of Primitive Trapping.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:55 pm

Brutus thought of the magic, then his mind lit up like the sun itself. He gathered the remaining tools that the tribe had then etched the "Hieroglpyh of Terratus" on the tools. He then placed the tools in the center of the Circle at the thickest conjunction of force lines and raised his hands chanting the spell repeatedly, for the strength of Terratus to enter the tools so they would no longer break. He prayed to the gods that he would have success. Marsillia continued to aid the post-pregnancy of Aurelia. The boy was to be named Marcus, a strong name, Aurelia stated that he had the fire of Mars God of Honor, and Battle running through his veins, and Marsillia divined that Marcus would grow up to become a strong warrior and hunter indeed.

Brutus watched as Aurelia nursed Marcus. "The gods have truly blessed indeed haven't they?" Aurelia said with a smile. Brutus kissed his wife "I've been thinking we need a name that will set us apart, Augustus, that is a great name that shall be our second name".Aurelia smiled once more and embraced her husband, it seemed their large and growing family would have a bright future, blessed by the Divines.

by **Kelmet** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:18 pm

The Land of Lordaeron

By the Light

Another year, dimmed by loss.

Varian-Warrior - Hunting for food.
Calia-Scholar - Researching A way to advance the tribes knowledge in inkling of steel .
Natalie-Scholar- Working on improving boat building techniques.
Mara -Worker- Growing and nurturing the Barley crop. Expanding it if they can
Mark- Worker- Planting wheat in the new irrigation field.
Baron- Worker- Tending the sheep herd. Expanding it if he can.
Aiden-Scout - Scouting for tribes/people to unite with. Focusing on warmer areas were people are more likely to be.
Anveena-Scout - Scouting for tribes/people to unite with. Focusing on warmer areas were people are more likely to be.

Vestubian- Character- Researching the Holy Light.

Child, Male,1- Baby stuff.
Noteworthy relationships
Varian & Natalie - Together, parents of Baron & (*adopted) Aveena
Aiden & Calia - Together, parents of Mark

Noteworthy roles
Varian- Leader
Vestubian- Shaman
Mara- "Den mother" figure

by **The Grim Reaper** » Sat Oct 13, 2018 2:29 am

Lyov, Firsthome

He was coming, he suspected, closer to a resolution when it came to shimmerstone. He had become confident that very little was left to develop in terms of shimmerstone fundamentals. It was unfortunate, because the full potential of the beautiful stone was, possible, totally beyond his grasp, but he had come to what seemed to be a sufficient understanding of the material.

However, he decided to conduct a small number of hands-off experiments while he was at it. The first was to see how shimmerstone reacted to heat, and the second how it reacted to water. Both cases would substantially improve the potential for shimmerstone to be used in interesting ways, even if there were no meaningful results. If heat did nothing to dull shimmerstone, it could be used in conjunction with fire to produce interesting plays of colour and light. More importantly, if water did nothing to dull shimmerstone, it could be used to create the illusion of a smooth, polished stone without damaging the actual physical stone - and its vibrancy - itself.

His second experiment was to add a new grading system to shimmerstone. He had his colour-grading system - river, sand, and sky - which also doubled in describing transparency and vividness. Now, however, he added a second dimension, describing geometry. This system also had three levels; roughs, cleaves, and voids. This system, he decided, could be used to create mosaics, embedding shimmerstone into the earth. Roughs were those that had unusual shape, making them useful as filler - he could select whatever plane he wanted to cleave the rough down, as was necessary for the stones he had already placed. Cleaves had a clearly defined 'best' face, either because their other planes were irregular or they had significant flaws that ran parallel to a good face. Voids were those that naturally had an attractive, comparatively smooth face - these were the stones that the rest of the mosaic would be built around, too valuable to damage or to force into place.

To edge the mosaic, he realised, it was sufficient to use ordinary stone - the contrast would help to emphasise the shimmerstone.

Lyov, however, found that there was still a void within his own soul. It was not an emptiness, but the opposite.

For now, he would settle himself by planning his beautiful mosaic.

The planning of the mosaic would be a careful and physical process. He would bury the stones in ordinary dirt, exposing only their tops, in a safe place far from the river - perhaps in Sunhold. Weighing them down with ordinary rock, he would ensure they would not be disturbed by building a simple cairn on top of the plans as he developed them. He would use the void stones (the natural stones that retained their original plays of colours) to mark out the important features of his mosaic. Around them, he would use faced shimmerstone to fill in around the void stones and to suggest broader fields of colour. The whole mosaic, he envisioned, would have to be of a limited size - although his cart had certainly allowed him to carry a vast load, it still only represented a mosaic, he estimated, of a metre's diameter, including edging with ordinary stone. Still, it would be reasonably interesting.

He intended to have the mosaic be of a sun at midday above the river, with the natural void stones representing Firsthome at the banks of the river - suggesting the coming together of the disunited natural forces into the workings of the human tribe. In the very centre of the mosaic, he hoped to put a large firepit. This firepit would not just generate light to illuminate the mosaic through the nights, but would, in his mind, could be symbolically extinguished at important dawns to be replaced by the sun. The large size of the stones, in contrast to the mosaic, would likely be a stumbling block in the creation of detail. By roughing the coloured, faced stones that surrounded the more important void, he hoped to help imply human figures and buildings without damaging the valuable void stones. He decided to find a location that would be sufficiently tied to the natural forces itself - he knew, of course, that he wanted to emphasize the mosaic's relationship with the sand and the river through its edging, and through the use of water to create its sheen. In order to do so, he resolved to understand the passage of the sun, to better embed the mosaic within the astronomical world.

Lyov:
1. Continue experimenting with shimmerstone, to confirm that it responds like ordinary stone to fire (not at all) and water (gives it a wet sheen)
2. Begin planning a shimmerstone mosaic in soil. In doing so, however, his primary interest is actually to understand the movement of the sun, in trying to find a location suitably illuminated by the midday sun. He, unintentionally, wishes to discover and understand the sun's path, setting him in the direction of aligning his mosaic in reference to the equinox and the rising/setting sun, instead of the midday sun.

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:41 pm

The Honori People
The myth of the Storm

Lightning flashed across the distant horizon, ripping through the black clouds with their blinding light. Hammering, hammering, the strikes from heaven shook the earth, causing the people to run for cover. All but Homa, who stood in wonder gawking at the marvel of the sky. The cold wind that always processeds the storm soon filled the air, and a shiver ran down the old woman's spine. Standing upon the hill, she could clearly see for miles around the basin their home was in. From the dark and dusty mountains of far away, a monster appeared from the aether. A massive figure, wielding a massive club, the size of a tree, and it appeared to move towards the Honori Camp. But through a crack in the clouds, a being of light appeared from the sky, and cast itself upon the figure. A great spear in hand, they proceeded to begin a massive battle in the sky- their strikes ripping through the silence with the booming sounds of thunder that echoed for miles around. They fought, they tumbled, before finally, silence was brought over them all. The dark figure stood there, the light's spear having impaled his chest, and as he began to disipate into the clouds above and mist below, his wound began to profusely bleed. The light one dropped it's spear and walked towards the camp, before vanishing into the aether once he stepped past the Obelisk upon a neighboring hill. And from the bleeding body that turned to clouds, it began to rain.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:57 pm

Clan Serys

A man from far away

"So, what do we need to do?" Artor asked his daughter as she sat and listened to his lesson. She would sit and watch her father work almost every moment that she had, asking questions and learning of the world as her father worked. Indeed, little Kharyn had inherited her namesake's inquisitive and quick mind, no wonder she was fascinated by her father's work. Indeed, Artor was certain that one day, she would make great ideas into realities and make discoveries that would help future generations of Clan Serys. She had often watched him work on the "backpack" as he started calling these new carrying contraptions he was trying to make, just as he observed his attempts at creating pottery, the technique of which had to be improved as the simple vessels he had made fell apart under the rays of the sun. Perhaps... perhaps of he added some ash to the clay? Maybe it would ease the shock of heat... and what if... What if he were to heat the pots in a more controlled way? Maybe put them on small wooden pallets near the fire? Slowly moving them closer and closer? Artor banished the thoughts for now, those were problems for another day.

He looked back to his daughter and the girl shifted as she sat on the log by the fire in the center of the camp where he worked. "We can't use the grass twines because they broke." She said. "Maybe animal skin bits?" She suggested. Artor gave the girl a smile and ruffled the black, almost blue-shifting hair on her head, she squealed as he messed up the bun that Ellyn had helped her tie her hair into during the morning as the broke their fast.

"Good idea, let's try." He said and stated getting to work, tying together a new frame that would be covered with hides later. He had a feeling that these "backpacks" would be of great help when they start exploring their surroundings in a more thorough fashion and when they must bring back the many new things found in these unknown lands. When everything was ready, their time of looking inward year after year would come to an end and they would once again look outside of the Seran Kamelands to what was beyond the horizon. As he fastened the frame with hide strips and Kharyn watched attentively, his mind drifted to other matters for a second. The matter of the Bryres and their chief, he would go to meet with him this year. A curious people like them who traveled far and wide would no doubt have use for these things. If this backpack held together, maybe he would offer them a few of these.

by **Holy Tedalonia** » Mon Oct 15, 2018 8:17 am

Clan Bryre
Reshia's Pasture

Ferren sits next to the fire holding the egg lightly hoping it will hatch, in due time. He had tried to get it to work last year only to be met with failure. Vallen had lost patience as the deadline to meeting Clan Serys grew ever nearer. He came over to announce the bad news, “times up Ferren, time to pack up, were going to prepare for the trip to Clan Serys.”

“Understood,” Ferren said glumly, “I’ll place the eggs in the cage, my dear Reshia made.”

“Good, listen. For your next project, I want you to make something out of our pelts. I prefer to look rather refined upon future meetings with Clan Serys, hopefully to make us look more civilized,” said Vallen as he begun to walk off, “make sure your ready, I don’t want to leave unprepared.”

As Vallen walks through the village he notices Reshia’s change in schedule, rather than collecting food and wood, is now constructing the shrine. The shrine that Ferren spent most of his years working on. During his contemplation, Eshin interjects, “Sova said you wanted to talk to me Vallen?”

“Yes, I want you to start heading to Clan Serys now, to inform the young chieftain of our coming,” stated Vallen.

“Aye, sir I’ll prepare for my leave right away,” said Eshin Bryre.

“Before you go, what is the chieftain like,” asked Vallen, “I’m going to need to know to ensure the meeting go’s well.”

“He’s a observant one that one, nothing gets past him. I was told by Zvad to make sure not to anger him, but during my meeting with him he seemed friendly enough,” said Eshin, “If you plan on making good friends with him, than you best be honest. I doubt he’d be happy to catch you in a lie.”

“Understood,” Vallen nods than turns to face his clansman, grabbing his forearm and shaking firmly, “have a good journey, dear friend.”

“You have a good stay too,” replied Eshin as he let go, and started to head out of the village, “make sure you keep the place well maintained while I’m gone.”

And with that the preparations to meet Clan Serys begun.

by **Theyra** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:09 am

The Aslani

It's been a year since Atena's death and Kevah was still recovering from his loss. She was the one that found him unconscious in the dirt all those years ago and saved him from being food to a crocodile. Working together to find others in Gria Smya and reforming the Aslani. Becoming close with her and eventually becoming lovers. Without her, Kevah did not know what could had happened to him or the Aslani and now Yekta misses her mother as well. However he has to be strong, not for him but for the Aslani and more importantly his children. Kevah knew he needed to be strong like Atena and Yekta had been asking him to teach her what he knows of being a warrior. Despite not being that good at fighting, Kevah took to teach Yekta what he knew and what he remember what Atena showed him.

Partly to help get his mind off of Atena when he is not caring for his daughter and to fulfill Mahdi's wish for a wife. Kevah is going further west. Maghi himself is working on making new huts for the tribe along with tending to the farm. Two for housing as Kevah requested personal huts for the tribe. One for storing the writings of the Aslani and Shahin has started to help him with the farm. Zari had offered to help take care of Mahyar so he can better focus on his duties. In the meantime she worked to find a way to craft a container to store various thing. Food for example and hoped that the plentiful Wagi Reed could be used to make it. Naghi when not taking car of his son, he was writing down record of the Aslani's history and beliefs. It stared from Kevah ordering a list of the Aslani that died so they can be remembered and Naghi thought it could be taken further.

Atena and others will be remembered, it is just now the Aslani lost there only warrior and who knows when another warrior will take their place in the Aslani. The next loss could be worse with three children being raised, a death of the adult could only make surviving harder in their supposed land of their rebirth.

by **Ralnis** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:14 am

Xcotl
Year 20: Wolf Raid for Xu

(There's no post but there's a wolf raid for sacrifices to the Dead and venerate Xu)

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:22 pm

Sunhold, Firsthome
7th of Spring's Hand, Year 20

The thin woven fibers of soft and resilient cotton twined under Maria's fingers affectionately, almost like a child that enjoyed its mother's embrace. It was a strange thing, to have a plant that instead of the stiff wood of the arbor yielded such amenable material to be shaped to the needs of mankind. But that was the boon of knowledge, of understanding the world around the Keen-Folk that the Maker had given to his chosen people. To see more of what had been made for their use was a gift that Sylvia had bestowed upon the rest of the tribe, the weird and beautiful things that she returned to Firsthome with; the Crystal Trees, with their white bark and nearly transparent blue leaves, the bounty of rice, wheat, and melons that the tribe now subsided upon in addition to the tubers and plants of their woodland home...

Yes, there was much to be learned about the world, and great advantage to be gained from that information. That was why she was here, on the shores of the Great River, carefully twining the cotton fibers into what would be, she hoped, a large sheet. It was part of her husband's ambitions, and a recognition of the realities that Sylvia had encountered in her wandering; as she ranged farther and farther away from the lands that the Hvasskyn had taken for their home, she returned later and later in the season. And it would not do to have a valued member of the tribe spending a year or more beyond the horizon just to learn more, not to speak of the danger to any individuals who did so; Sylvia and the Rurik girl, Nadia, were brave, as brave as warriors, but a large part of bravery was approaching risk rationally.

In the river upon the gentle currents the twin-hulled boat rocked, rowed stoutly by Jarn, stripped to the waist and glistening with sweat and the thin oil that the tribe applied to ward off insects and the sun's harsh glare. Maria's brow furrowed as she contemplated the labor that he put in, pushing the contraption up the stream against the natural flow of the Great River's course. It was swifter than swimming, certainly, and the humble vessel could carry many times more than a man could swimming. But still, it could be swifter still. And the speed of the craft was intimately linked to the strength of the rower, and that strength waned rapidly moving upstream, to the lands where things like the meteoric iron the tribe had discovered lay.

And so the sheet of cotton. The observations of the Scholar Lyov about the force of water and wind, and Jarn's own speculations about the laws the Father had created to govern his creation, had led to a realization- where water can force man down the stream with the currents, wind may be able to move man up the stream against those very powers. The powerful sea breezes from the west oftentimes blew strong and consistently, tossing trees and leaves to and fro. Of course, leaves were hardly a suitable material to capture that strength, but this new cotton material which the Keen-Folk had used to make their travel-bags, it had much more potential.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:34 am

Year 20

Lyov: Lyov's planning and experimentation proceeds apace, though with slightly interesting results. The shimmerstone seems to take heat from fires into it much more readily than the cracked generic sedimentary rock the Hvasskyn used in their regular construction, almost storing it to slowly release it back into the world. It seemed to take no harm from this effect, though, and if anything the heating appeared to give greater coloration to the facets of color within the undamaged stones, nearly moving lesser stones up in his grading system for a time ere they cooled. His observations of the sun and its passage across the sky throughout the year soon leave Lyov with a better understanding of the travel of this celestial body.
Rudimentary Astronomy

by **Holy Tedalonia** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:52 am

Clan Bryre
Reshia's Pasture

Description later.

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:22 pm

The Honori People

The gentle breeze sways the grasses surrounding the Honori Village. The cool air drifted through the land, sending the peace of contentment to the people of the valley. When not at work, those various members of the tribe lay in the grasses and on the riverbanks, casually eating the plentiful fruit of their Rush. Their years of isolation continued to grace them with an abundance of wealth long unknown, while their Obelisk to the two gods muddied their thoughts with the most pleasant numbness. Another child joined the fold the previous year, bringing them up to four, and the tribe to ten. Although in isolation, they still looked for some progress, not content to simply sit by and let time go on. Shanti walked off into the unknown to the north to bring back the riches of what is outside, to the bemoaning of a select few, concerned about what might befall their favored scout. Homa continued the same work for years she had learned, and attempted to learn all she could about Arka's childbearing, and the proper way inwhich they are meant to be done. The fields, just as the former years, were still well tended by more than the norm, bringing back several baskets to the home overflowing with enough food to keep them going for the season and beyond. It was casually wondered if the pillar of stone might deteriorate and collapse sometime soon, it was hoped it would stand tall long enough for the new generation to come in to their own before it would need to be restored.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 5:18 pm

Cadmus, Great Bay
12th of First Seed, Year 21

The Grand Temple had arisen from the bosom of the earth. Brutus held the enchanted flint ax with his bare hands, it glowed brilliantly with arcane energy. He feared that his people would never finish this great project but now he knew that the gods stood with him and the Cadmians. They worked hard day and night, putting every stone into place, as the glorious structure reached to the stars themselves. The very blood sweat and tears of the Cadmian people were woven into the glistening particles of the white stone. It told their story of coming from the dust of oblivion and rising to something greater. And it was that rise that would push them higher and higher. They would not stop until they had fulfilled their mission, to honor the gods and themselves.

Drusilla had thought of the foundations of reality. How the stars circled round and round, the concentric nature of the cosmos, how Mundus, revolved around Maelstrom, which revolved around Aetheria which revolved around a force beyond human comprehension an eternal dance of creation and destruction of life and death, Titans versus Gods, Son versus Father. All these cosmic forces spun like a wheel across the circle of reality. She was not a philosopher unlike her father and was not fancied by divine metaphysics.

No, she thought of a practical use for the wheel, and her mind pondered and burned with the passion of a thousand suns. She got to work crafting this wheel and thought of all the applications this wonder could be used for. It could certainly help in transporting the marble, better then the wooden sledge, at any rate, she went hard to work crafting this "wheel".

by **Kelmet** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:38 pm

The Land of Lordaeron

By the Light

Another year, blessed by Light.

Varian-Warrior - Hunting for food.
Calia-Scholar - Researching A way to advance the tribes knowledge in inkling of steel .
Natalie-Scholar- Working on improving boat building techniques.
Mara -Worker- Growing and nurturing the Barley crop. Expanding it if they can
Mark- Worker- Growing and nurturing the Wheat crop. Expanding it if they can
Baron- Worker- Tending the sheep herd. Expanding it if he can.
Aiden-Scout - Scouting for tribes/people to unite with. Focusing on warmer areas were people are more likely to be.
Anveena-Scout - Scouting for tribes/people to unite with. Focusing on warmer areas were people are more likely to be.

Vestubian- Character- Researching the Holy Light.

Child, Male,2- stuff.
Noteworthy relationships
Varian & Natalie - Together, parents of Baron & (*adopted) Aveena
Aiden & Calia - Together, parents of Mark

Noteworthy roles
Varian- Leader
Vestubian- Shaman
Mara- "Den mother" figure

by **Adab** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:02 am

The Maelon, They Who Came Forth from the Mountains

Typing this on mobile. Will add fluff if I have the time.

by **The Grim Reaper** » Sat Oct 20, 2018 9:04 am

Lyov, Firsthome

This was true beauty.

The interplay of heat and light was enough to give Lyov pause, but to consider the ramifications for his deeply-held philosophy was enough to give him a fit of madness. Lucid, euphoric, wonderful madness. For in the depths of the fire, of the heat, he saw colour, and the beautiful starry fields of the shimmerstone seemed to reveal the depths of the universe itself. In his hands he held everything.

The Lyov of the past would have gasped over the obvious - that somehow, shimmerstone had the capacity to obviously convert heat into light, releasing both in close and obvious relationship. The Lyov of the past would have pored over the fact that, of course, it was so obvious - glowing coals did not merely burn, but also stored heat as light, as did shimmerstone, and the glowing bronze and copper implements of the Hvasskyn too were forged in heat released as light. The Lyov of now saw in this fundamental relationship not a physical significance, but a metaphysical one.

He could now see, if not grasp, the ends of the many distinct questions that he had asked over his life with the Hvasskyn. His despair at having so many answers that implied yet more answers he did not have gave way to understanding, of the self. Of the fact that each answer was a step, and not a journey in itself, in a sequence of life. To him, shimmerstone no longer spoke of colours, but of a life in turmoil - of a life split between a void and its own problems, the experiences that coloured themselves in response to every such and so light.

To polish shimmerstone to make it fit was folly, because every colour - every indentation, every flaw and inclusion - represented a beauty of the piece. He was now convinced that it was not just an aesthetic requirement that shimmerstone be understood in its natural beauty, but absolutely resolute that shimmerstone must be designed within systems; mosaics, montages, beautiful bricolages. Every flaw added to the piece. And in the harsh, unforgiving light, bringing those flaws into bright relief, the piece could be appreciated in full.

In fact, he began to question the need for facing at all - who was he to question nature's choice to give him what faces he could appreciate? Instead, with systems, he could demand of shimmerstone not that it reveal its inner beauty, but that it share that beauty with the world. He would not face shimmerstone so that it would proffer a polished texture to the world, but so that they could be brought close together, creating seamless fields of rough, textured, natural light - a single wall, perfect in its imperfection.

And in these systems, he now resolved to show his tribe what he had learned of himself. To see themselves as pieces in a greater universe - not in awe, but in reflection. Not to strive for an unachievable unitary perfection, but to understand the singular beauty in many imperfections - to find perfect imperfection.

Lyov now longed for a project that would help him bring together these two fundamental senses of himself; the growing inescapability of his own insufficiencies, in the face of a physical universe far greater than him, and the light in his soul that remained ineffably metaphysical in a way that the universe could never be without him and his tribe. But for that light to shine, it seemed, he would need to face his own fire.

By day, Lyov will continue to develop shimmerstone facing, but no longer to polish an exposed edge - instead, he will practice facing shimmerstone so that its faces can be brought together while exposing its natural faces as uneven, but unbroken fields. He will also begin limiting wastage by using the removed material as additional filler matter. By night, he will continue to develop his understanding of astronomy, hoping to find a tangible connection between the movement of the stars, the Sun, time and the Earth, in pursuing the goal of a fire-lit shimmerstone mosaic.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 9:55 am

Clan Serys

New Hands

(Fluff comes soon)

by **Theyra** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 5:12 pm

The Aslani

Will add if I have time later

by **Ralnis** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 5:45 pm

Xcotl,
Year 21,
The Summoning of Lakmal

The summoning was a success, such a success that the tribe was somewhat afraid at first. The darkness that came around the shrine and summoning the specter was cold, even more so then any chilling winter. It was when Lakmal healed Opono and sat down in the shrine to watch over us.

The village still had a deathly chill around it but the Chieftain welcomed the shade with reverence. Opono, first to be healed, was tasked to ask the shade what blessings it could give the tribe and form a covenant with her.

Zuma was tasked to go beyond the Frugdeon Clan and search for more wonders for them. Uli was tasked to get more tin while Kutor works on a cuneiform writing system to help record the tribe's history and the spells that they've been able to do.

The Chieftain worked on completing his idea on taming ant-hounds and studying them more for he was fascinated with how they worked.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:57 am

Clan Bryre meets Clan Serys
Vonner Plains

“When will they come,” asked Vallen calmly.

“Any second, Vallen,” assured Eshin, “I believe that Clan Serys will make haste to meet us, after dealing with matters that must be attended to. They weren’t the sort, to leave me waiting without good reason.”

Vallen sighed, “I just don’t like leaving the kids back at home unattended for long, they’re our future. Let’s make this quick, we don’t want to leave them unattended for long.”

Eshin nods in agreement. The pasture where they lived, was calm and without creatures who would feast on men, however one can never be to careful. Vallen who had been uncomfortable with the current situation furrowed his brow. Being the Clans only warrior, security of his people played heavily on his mind.

“Hah! There they are! There’s three of ‘em.” Zvad said and turned back to Artor, his sharp gaze had picked up the silhouettes of the three Bryres standing in the shade of a pear grove, covered from the great rocs that hunted in the skies of this land. Artor and Zvad had been careful in their travel here, always keeping an eye to the sky and spending as much time walking under the canopy of trees as they could.

“Are they armed?” Artor asked, brow furrowed and eyes set on the three men ahead. The Bryre’s had proven trustworthy this far, but it was always better to know what one was walking into.

“Can’t see that from this far away, we’ll have to get closer.” Zvad said with a shrug of his shoulders. Artor nodded and the two men continued forward, he supposed that their chief was armed, after all he was a strong warrior if Eshin’s words were to be believed. As they neared the three men, Artor and Zvad both raised a hand to the men from the distant Pasture, calling out a greeting.

“Good day Bryres! We are of Serys, coming here for words and good company!” Artor shouted toward them as the human outlines in the distance started becoming more identifiable.

“Welcome Clan Serys, we are glad to welcome you to this meeting, I’m Vallen Bryre,” said the chieftain. He had a rugged look much like Eshin, however he had slightly brighter brown hair, and a bigger pelts covering his body. He smiled at the man who spoke, “Who do we have the pleasure of meeting on this fine day?”

“You’re meeting me, Artor Skyspyre, chieftain of Clan Serys and with me is Zvad of House Stargrove.” Artor said and his eyes swept across the man. Large, strong, rugged. Obviously a fighter. Older as well, experienced and skilled in his field no doubt. Armed as well, as was the scout that ran in to Zvad but the third man stood without a weapon, at least as far as Artor could see. Instead he held onto a shuttered wooden cage with two eggs. Some kind of traditional greeting ceremony among these people? Something which is to be eaten with strangers? Sign of friendship? It was interesting to theorize about the customs of these folk. As for the Serans, both were armed, Zvad had a spear and bow while Artor carried their flint hand-axe. These folk had simpler dress than them, their hair was wilder, untouched by bone combs but this Vallen’s smile was warm and friendly, so Artor gave a smile of his own. “I am glad to finally speak to you, Vallen of Bryre, I am sure both our peoples have much to learn from each other and much to gain from this meeting of minds like ours.” He said with a curt nod.

“Indeed, this meeting can only bring benefits,” said Vallen nodding, “I’m certain you’ve meet Eshin, but I’ve also brought our Clan’s shaman, Ferren. He is the one who dabbles with studies and magicks, that a warrior such as I can only imagine.” Ferren gives a nod to the Serans as Vallen spoke, confirming Vallens statement. Vallen continues, “It is my hope that in the future he could visit you, so he can bring your custom and ways to our tribe one day.”

Artor looked at the Bryre scholar with a smile and nod. “A man after my own heart, I too am more of a warrior of the mind. Listen well later Ferren, for the gifts that Serys brings to Bryre on this day are those of knowledge.” He then turned his eyes back to the leader of the Bryre-folk. “I would much like to invite one of yours to our settlement and teach them our way while they let us learn of your own good custom. It is however something that has to come at a later time, we have to make sure we are ready to receive them in a proper manner of course, the spirits would not look kindly on us if we were poor hosts.” Artor said tactfully. “I say we meet again in say, two years and then I’m sure we could take one of your folk to live with us for some time. What say you, Vallen of Bryre?”

“Of Course, nothing can be taken to hastily, lest we incur the spirits of this worlds wrath,” Vallen agreed, “I do expect Ferren would have a good time staying with you though, he is by far the most open-minded of the Bryres, and will adapt well.” Vallen pauses to glance at the drakeling eggs, “Now, as our Clan had promised a gift, from the northern valleys of our lands we had found strange scaled beasts. But what really intrigued us of their flying capabilities. These beasts could glide in open air. So we had captured some egg, as you could see in Ferren’s cage. The method of growing the eggs still eludes us, but I imagine with your knowledge you could find a way of dealing with that. However we have found ways to use animals in our region, and Ferren can provide you with that knowledge. I imagine you will want to ask him a plethora of questions after this meeting, so feel free to ask him later.”

Very good. The man was apparently not induced to anger by the thought of waiting to send a man over to Serrith. Perhaps it was even some form of test on his part, seeing how easy a Clan could be convinced to take in a possible hostile? No matter that now however, there were still things they needed to speak of. “I’m sure Ferren will find himself welcomed by the people of Serys as long as he proves himself to be good and trustworthy.” Artor said, looking over the man carefully, his brown eyes seeming to miss no detail. At the mention of this gift, Artor’s eyes once more shot to the eggs in the carrying cage. They were just gifts then and no traditional element of an official greeting in their own way. Flying lizards? Artor had never heard of such a thing, nor seen it himself, Zvad looked a little uncomfortable at the thought as he shifted his eyes skyward for a second. As he heard Vallen explain further, it all made sense. If they could somehow make these lizard-creatures obey their commands, then they could use them to communicate somehow, they just needed to find out a way to make the lizards obey, and a way to make messages that could be understood by both. ”I’m sure that we’ll find a way to make them hatch.” Artor said and looked carefully at the eggs. “And I do indeed have some thing’s I’d like to ask you about the behaviour of animals, but say. Is that thing not a bit unwieldy?” Artor said, pointing a finger at the cage. “Let me tell you, there are much better ways of carrying things like that. I’ll tell you later after you have answered my questions.” The Seran chief said an turned back to Vallen. “Well, Vallen of Bryre, I thank you for this gift and be sure that I have brought gifts too, they come in the form of tales though. I will share some of the secrets my people have uncovered so that use can use them as well, does that seem like a fair trade to you?”

“Sounds fair enough,” Vallen agreed albeit skeptically, “Ferren is more suited to listen to these stories, but it doesn’t hurt to have all of us listen, does it?”

“Very good.” Artor said with a smile and nod. “So, as I said, you could have used something much easier to handle while carrying those eggs all the way here. Let me tell you…”

After plenty of hours listening and learning one another’s livelihoods and knowledge. The Clans understood each other a little better. Bryre learning some of the Clan Serys knowledge and livelihoods, and Serys learning the everyday life of a Bryre, and some of their more notable traditions, such as Name Days and other notable traditions.

As soon as dusk approached, however the Clans said their farewells, Artor raised a hand with a flourish, showing the empty palm of his right hand before he interlocked his thumbs and laid his hands flat on his chest with a small bow in Vallen’s direction. It was the traditional Seran gesture of reassurance and safety.

This gesture was not familiar to the Bryre Chieftain, bringing surprise and curiosity. His eyes gleaming with questions. “I’m afraid, I’m not familiar with that custom, Artor,” Vallen had said, “could you make me familiar with the custom?”

Artor expected the answer to come in a form akin to the one he received. “Certainly, Vallen of Bryre. Among the Serys, this is a gesture of safety and reassurance, it is given to those you consider close and those you wish to know that you hold no ill will toward them. Consider this a first step to learning the customs and traditions of our people even before a possible visit by Ferren.” The Seran chieftain said in a calm, even tone.

“Understandable, Clan Bryre has a similar gesture to that extent, but its reserved for those with a strong bond, signifying loyalty to one another,” said Vallen rubbing his chin, “perhaps we could do Bryre’s another time, when our clans become more familiar with one another?”

Artor simply nodded. “That sounds fair, and be assured that we shall prove ourselves trustworthy enough for it soon.” The Seran said.

“May the spirits, protect you and your clan, Artor,” said Vallen as he copies the Seran gesture. Unsure whether he was doing it correctly, hoping to garner recollection of Artor’s gesture.

Well, close enough. Artor thought to himself as he saw the Bryre-man attempting the same move. Well, if this relationship between the two peoples blossoms, then the Bryres will have enough opportunities to learn it. “May the spirits keep your health and your happiness Vallen of Bryre, and those of your House and people.” Artor said with a courteous nod. “I have enjoyed our conversation, but I am also sure that you and yours have loving women and children awaiting your return and many things that need attending in your land, just as we have.”

A slight grimace appears on Vallens face when he remembered his departed companion, however he quickly regains composure, “of course, it was a delightful conversation, and thank you for understanding. You may be young, but you have the mind of a true chieftain, a valuable asset for your people, and someone worthy of respect. I do expect they are concerned for you even now.”

“Thank you, Vallen of Bryre.” Artor said in an even, respectful tone. “Words of weight, especially when spoken by a man such as yourself. I am certain that your own are awaiting your return with eagerness, and I shall keep them no longer. Safe journeys to you and to your men Vallen of Bryre, until we meet again.”

“Agreed, Artor, Chieftain of the Serans. May the spirits and the Grey Warden protect you on your journey home, too,” said Vallen giving a respective nod. And so, as the light of day dimmed, the two groups went their separate ways. Each had their business to attend and loved ones to return to. But all wondered, was this indeed the start of a friendship that would last many years? Perhaps through to the lives of their great-great grand-children? That was something only time would tell, time and perhaps the spirits.

A Strange World :: Civilization's Dawn (IC/Closed)

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