A Different World: The Noble Cities [IC|Closed]

by **Lazarian** » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:13 pm

Corvus, Year 68 of Destiny's Awakening

The Temple of a Thousand Pillars
Tenth of Harvesttime, Midnight

"It's a dangerous world out there!" exclaimed Caeron "One-Eye" Sharpeye, pounding his fist on the table. Only half the men sent to the River's Jewel returned, many bearing wounds and scars of their journeys. It was a tragic day, though the Sons of the Wolf swore that an enemy fell for every one of their slain brethren. Many of the survivors had put down their spears, breaking them over their knees at the Pillar of Vennon. They were no longer sons of the Wolf - they had experienced enough of his bloody storms.

"Great pits of demons! Cities of men, with bent bones and leering faces!" he continued, shaking a Hesukar skull as a trophy. "The foes of the children of the gods lie hidden in every crevice, behind every ridge, in the shadows of every forest!"

The council murmured among themselves, scared whispers echoing throughout the room.

"And would you have us do about it? Live in fear? Never travel beyond the mountains?" replied Jaraen Firsttanner, son of the deceased man who had unveiled the temple and sponsored the first aqueducts. "I appreciate the report, Pacate, but what lessons can be taken from this troubling news?"

"My message is not so that we would live in fear. It is simply that we be ready for what lurks in the shadows. I propose a Guild of Soldiers, if you will. Not hot-headed youths, strapped up in old weapons and sent off for glory. The new Sons of the Wolf will be seasoned professionals and veterans. Paid a salary, with the role of training full time. No more part-time patrols, no more marketplace security." Caeron said firmly, crossing his arms.

"And who would pay for such a thing?" exclained Leron Speechsmith. The spirit-guide glared down at Caeron, and the curled tattoos indicating his roles and caste beneath his eyes made him look almost frightening in the torchlight. "The wealthy men of the city will receive no gain from funding a group of bloodthirsty louts. All I've heard tonight are reasons why we should stop traversing beyond the mountains. We have prosperity at home, and few enemies in our lands! And yet, we send sons to die for strangers over, and over, and over again!" he continued, voice escalating into a shout.

"Not strangers. Friends. The Riverlanders would surely come for us, should we find the sons of the Beast at our gates." Caeron replied, unaffected by the councilman's outburst. "Those who isolate themselves will enjoy temporary prosperity, Master Dreamweaver. But someday, when the devils of the world are stomped out and the treaties and alliances of the world are already written in blood and iron...I would not envy people in such condition."

The rumble of conversation returned, as the council continued their discussion for a while longer. Caeron stood stiffly, looking over them with his one good eye. The other had been rendered useless through a strike by a bone-warped soldier - it continued to stare forward, milky white and blind. It was a shame that their city was ruled by this council of quarrelling merchants. A form of "democracy", as the Riverlanders called it. Hmph. He didn't put much stock in it. It was much better when one man had the power to bend the world to his whims. They'd save so much time and energy. The Council took hours, days, weeks, sometimes even months to come to a proper judgement.

Of course, such thoughts were thought by many in the soldiery, envious of the days when the Bloodred ruled the city. But such times would likely never come again. The council argued for some time further, nearly forgetting the captain in their heated discourse. Finally, after many pointless words, Jaraen turned to him.

"Very well, Pacate. We'll discuss with the other great men of the city." he said, waving casually at the door. "You're dismissed."

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:27 pm

Year 268 of the Reckoning

Turn 34

Zhai Cheng: An auspicious year. This year emissaries have come from the lands of the Huanca, the daughters of the mountains, with messages from their peoples - they propose that the fair city be sent an administrator from Zhai Cheng, and their kindreds swear everlasting fealty. The Shao are blessed of the ancestors, they say, and it would be foolish to sunder the sons of Heaven. Huanca, fair and proud, will now be the second city of the Dynasty. There have also been many in the city who say that for too long the Huang have languished in isolation - they have worked in secret on a powerful Galley, to explore the waters beyond this homeland. They present it as a gift to the city council. [-61 Stability] The emissaries that return to the city from Daru say that the Nirari demand an outrageous price - two hundred suits of iron armor - in exchange for their prized birds. Philosophers of the Forbidden Palace have also created refined methods and usages which they term the Living State, whereby a government and a dynasty may live more harmoniously with the needs of her people.

Eleskar: The secrets of shipbuilding, a means whereby men and beasts might pass over the waters of the Violet River at speed, have been consolidated by the scholars of the city. The mages of the people have been successful in creating rites whereby they might focus the geomantic energies of region with more portable edifices and to greater potencies. No doubt this will expand the vistas available to the magi. The butchery of most of the soldiers sent south, for dubious pursuits and aggression, sits ill with many within the walls of the city; each son and daughter slain by monsters out of myth a potential mage, now snuffed out forever. -17 Stability

Sorrowfree: Times are good in the lands of the Khortuun. Vast quantities of obsidian have been mined by intrepid explorers, happy to enrich the city. +5 Obsidian, -42 Stability. However, the news of so many lost beyond the mountains is not handled well by the populace... -20 Stability.

Northeast of north of north, the wide plains expand before the explorers. This region has clucking beasts which are hard on the ears, but succulent to consume, as well as bright red fruit-trees which bloom in resplendent pink and fragrant red pines. To the north and east the plains extend, arid and yet much more welcoming than the lands of desert near home.

Northeast of north, mighty mountains are the province of the explorers. Their heights are snow-capped, and their eastern edges verdant with vegetation, a testament to how the eastern wind and her storms are trapped ere they shower the Vale of Ustar with life-giving rain. There are fragrant trees, incense-bearers, which make their homes on the western slopes, while great veins of some red rock which crumbles under the hands of the explorers run down the cliffs into the earth. Small silver fish also teem in the mountain pools and still lakes fed by tall ice-glaciers, a momentous sight for the Khortuun. Eastward the mountain fall away into fertile plains, and south more mountains march.

Kharbarinth: East-southeast of Stalheim the explorers walk, in a lush and wet forest. To the north familiar mountains loom, and about them the land is damp and full of life, forests extending both east and south. A river enters this region from the mountainous foothills to the north, and merges with another river coming from the east before both flow away south. Small black bears dine on ample pink and orange fish which fill these rivers in great numbers, and the strange sinister ore of the north is to be found here as well.

Three points of power have been mapped out in Kharbarinth. In Stalheim laborers have dredged a wealth of meteoric iron from hitherto unexploited deposits. +24 Meteoric Iron, -240 Stability. At Forgefend, men working on the principles of how to administrate the growing empire of the Deepkin are successful at an unexpected breakthrough, saving both time and expense. -220 Stability. However, in Kar Agala, restive citizens must be placated with a large distribution of wealth, dissatisfied and chafing under their rulers from the south. +8 Stability, 10 Wealth required next turn. Scholars of Stalheim have worked diligently to devise methods to raise strong bastions where few may hold back many, to protect the wild outskirts against raids, the Tel Defenses. Mages have also perfected rites to map Leylines, streams of geomantic force that run from region to region.

Velathrii: The knowledge of the sons of the city is advancing - new ways of counting and calculating called Mathematics promise clever applications in the fields of warfare and construction alike, and are all the rage in the meeting halls of the twin cities.

Avnelin: Workers have raised a set of Noble Estates in one of the outlying agricultural regions, encouraged by a newly wealthy nobility. Though some say this is overreach, others welcome the devotion of the landed to the kingdom. However, this celebration is cut short by ill news from the north - the Coalition assault on Skras Tor has been driven back, and many of the Pennenthelli warriors will not return home, their bodies despoiled and looted by the barbarians... -32 Stability.

Rivermouth: There is no good news from the prospectors scouring the earth of the homeland - though none can say if this means the earth is, indeed, just rock and stone, or whether their talents are not up to the task. There are riots in the street when the warriors return, defeated, from Skras Tor. Some say the Assembly should have raised more men instead of relying on outlanders. Some fear an attack from the Kraalen. Some whisper that a dictator is needed, to face this threat. Few are happy with these developments... -68 Stability

Narjamo: Intrepid miners have opened up new veins of copper on the surface, adding a wealth of easily harvested materials to the coffers of the state. +5 Copper Ore, -3 Stability.

Warclyfe: A strong naval assault of many light craft by the Fog-Men has been turned back by the navy this year - 30 men were lost, and a bireme heavily damaged. It will take one industry and two lots of timber to repair. But at this juncture the men who sail the seas have proved themselves defenders of the city!

Corvus: Corvin has been established, fair and free. The coasts of the ocean lap nearby, and her forested homes lay within sight of the eastern mountains. In Cavon men have harvested much stone, to raise defenses for the city. +5 Stone, -6 Stability.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:52 pm

都在天堂之下

"All Under Heaven"

A unique cultural concept. It was the idea that the lands of Zhongguo where meant to be unified. There where four kingdoms that made up Zhongguo, the Shao, the Yue, the Chu, and the Huanca. There may be more but these where known. In the Year 268, the Huanca would be joined to the Shao Dynasty. Years of cultural assimilation from the Shao, made the two people indistinguishable from one and another. The city-state of Tuodong would formally request to join the Shao Dynasty the people believing that in unity laid strength and prosperity for all.

This was a process in the making the Shao and Huanca enjoyed close relations for the past two generations. The two states traded extensively with one and another up and down the Yu River. A Shao prince would be wed with a Huanca princess. Cultural ideas from Zhai Cheng gained enormous popularity in Tuodong especially the teachings of Lao who's ideas of a just and moral society would naturally gain a following with the scholars of Tuodong.

The Huanca would sometimes send their sons to study the Laoist classics in Zhai Cheng which is how they would learn to write. The Huanca writing system was extremely close to the system the Shao used with practically no differences at all.Given all this and more it was only natural that Tuodong would join the Shao Dynasty and both states would be greater for it.

The Shao Dynasty was a land based power caring little for the sea even though their capitol was near it. This was mainly because most of the threats that came to the city came from land.There are many who say that isolation was holding the Middle Kingdom back, even has it entered an era of unparalleled technological growth and development. Perhaps they where right, while the Shao enjoyed their isolation many ached to see the wide horizons and explore the vistas of the world.

King Qing was more interested in finding the kingdoms of the Yue and Chu he knew they laid there somewhere to the north and east. Peoples who needed to be brought to heel and recognize the Son of Heaven and put an end to their childish antics. Very well the era of Isolation would come to an end the squadron of newly built galleys would be commissioned and lead by Sun Qiao to head to the east. In the meantime a docks district would be built to reinforce the naval might of the Shao Dynasty

Zhai Cheng

Population: 3055(+800 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Taixue, Monument, Nursery, Shrine (+3 Stability) ,Forge, Charcoal Pit],+I Flat Food Bonus |II Palisade | Aqueduct
Urban District II[Forbidden Palace(+2 Stability),Garrison, Smithy, Clinic, 6 Huts,3 Cottages(+3 Stability)] +I Food Bonus| Palisade | Aqueduct
Rural District I [5 Huts, Timber Camp,7 Gardens , Galena Scrape Mine]|Watch Towers||Aqueduct +III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District II[ Galena Scrape Mine, 4 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watch Towers,|+III Flat Food Bonus.
Rural District III [Farm,2 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watch Towers| Aqueduct|+III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District IV [ ]Watch Towers|+III Food
Population Actions:
500 Scholars [Urban]|Researching Construction from the Niari [5/5]
200 Scholars [Urban]| Researching Masonry from the northerners [2/8]
400 Bureaucrats [Urban]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +IV Wisdom, +IV Wealth, +IV Stability | Plan of the Mines [X/X]|Plan of Multitudes [IV/XX]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXI Food ,+I Timber(2 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
400 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +IV Labor [+IV Forced Labor] ]
100 Peasants [Rural District II]|Working long hours --->[+IV Food, +II Hides, +I Galena Ore ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District III]| Working long hours --->[+IV Hides, +VII Food ,+I Labor(1 from domestic animal source,2 from paddocks,2 from farm,2 from Aqueduct)]
100 Peasants serving the state. +I Labor
100 Artisans [Urban] | Crafting wares and tools at the Forge ---> -I Charcoal, -I Galena Ore +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban]|Crafting tools and wares at bloomery--->-I Charcoal,-I Galena Ore, +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban]|Crafting tools and wares at Smithy and crafting silk goods--->-I Silk, +II Wealth,-II Wealth, +III Industry
100 Artisans [Urban]| Crafting tools and ware at Smithy -->-II Wealth, +III Industry
100 Explorers (Mount) |On the lookout for enemy barbarians.
100 Explorers |On Galley on expedition -IV Wealth spent on provisions to find the nearest undiscovered civilization sailing along the eastern coasts . Hopefully to find the city of the Yue or Chu.
100 Soldiers are guarding the Explorers on their expedition.
100 Soldiers patrolling in Zhai Cheng.
200 Straw Hats doing their thing.
100 Soldiers. Pursuing business in foreign lands.
100 Soldiers are being caparisoned for war [I/III Wealth|0/I Industry]

Miscellaneous
+III Wealth from Plan of Multitudes (Wealth) [4/10]
Plan of Fields [3/5]
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-IV Forced Labor
-1 from Overcrowding.
-III Wealth
[10/10].The city of Tuodong, now renamed Yuzhou, is joined to the Shao Dynasty.
The Shao Dynasty adopts the Power of Myriads civic, for a nations strength lays in it's people. +100 peasants in every city, every growth phase. With more people comes increased demands for at least adequate housing, unhoused citizens produce -4 stability, citizens housed in slums produce -3 stability

Construction
Jade Tower[0/VII Labor| VII/VII Wealth|0/III Industry| III/III Timber].Not Complete.
Farm [0/IV Labor| I/I Wealth].Not Complete.
Guozijian [Labor I/I |Wealth V/V| Industry III/ III].Complete.
Urban District [IV/IV Labor|III/III Wealth]
Huts [III/III Labor| I/I Wealth]
Huts[III/III Labor/I/I Wealth]
QuarryMany quarries are dug into the earth [II/II Labor]Complete.
Quarry[0/II Labor]Not Complete.
Quarry[0/II Labor]Not Complete.
Quarry[0/II Labor] Not Complete.
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth| 0/III Industry| V/V Stone]
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth|0/III Industry| II/V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 6, Wealth 5, Industry 4 ]

Economy
+II Wealth from Palace Economy.
-I Wealth from Splendid Isolation.

Stability
55

by **The Empire of Tau** » Mon Apr 12, 2021 8:05 pm

Machaka - Turn 32

Machaka - Turn 33

by **Pragia** » Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:55 pm

It is said that the return of the charioteers to the City of Mages shattered the heart and mind of Myral Eleskar. Her final orders were maniacal things, made in sadness from her hubris, a sadness shared among her people. Though the first Grand Magister would fall that day, her granddaughter Tyraal would be selected by her well-curated council to succeed her grandmother. Exceedingly young at the age of 10, the council saw her potential as a mage to be too high to ignore and her idealism reminiscent of her mother. The final orders of Myral would be acknowledged, that the Eleskar were to use their command of stone and newfound command of the Arkor river to reach out to their newfound comrades.
-Rememberance of the Early Magisters

The Six council members would be at the riverfront of the great City, surveying the bustling district. Finished goods of many sorts were coalesced, a single large stone overhang staying over a yard. Skeletons of a couple vessels were laid bare in the brisk early spring evening. The docks that would some day harbor them still under construction. The seventh member of the council has not yet been nominated by the new Grand Magister, and thus the council was in a stalemate between those having second thoughts on their new policy of expansion and those who would rather maintain internal solidarity. There have been renewed calls among the more curious to explore beyond the bounds of the city of mages. On the flipside, the development in their technology has allowed for the Eleskar to begin to think bigger with their magical pursuits. With the advent of methods to channel the energies of the Violet Queen into greater magnitudes, there have been proposals to create a grand arcanery for the so-called Eleskar Magistracy. These two visions have both been given favorable replies from the new Grand Magister, but there are greater concerns as the crestfallen warriors have returned.

Though the losses of their small expeditionary unit was at levels that left two of the magisters proposing that their Riverlander friends must have punished them for not participating in the first coalition, cooler heads would prevail backed by comfortable homes and full bellies. The mages still provided at great scale, and while faith in the Magistrate's ability to negotiate the wider world has been brought into question, the ascent of a new Grand Magister has bought some time for their leaders. The returned warriors have formed their own organization without the blessings of the mages, the Order of the Seventeen would be a symbol of great loss and caution toward their leaders, but just as well a sign of duty and heroism among the limited soldiery of the Eleskar as well as those who would sympathize with their loss. The Kelskar openly voiced support of the gesture, suggesting that they join them in their proposals to establish a new city northward. The council's lack of interest in the natural resources which surround the eleskar was already a point of contention for many years, but with continual growth of capacities, the lack of progress in such a direction has become disheartening.

Debates in the chambers were getting more and more contentious on the wide array of goals the Eleskar had, and not every magister was abiding by the rules of Agor'a, often interrupting one another and refusing to directly address in favor of broad calls to action and sophistic flourishes. Without a strong Grand Magister to keep the council in check for this time, there was a disunity unseen since the earliest days of the Eleskar.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Tue Apr 13, 2021 3:36 am

The Land of Penithel

Excerpt from 'History of Penithel - First Kingdom Era'.

During the reign of King Minaan, hostilities between Penithel and the northern Hesukar increased in intensity, seeing both raids against Penithel and a failed assault on Skras Tor by the Coalition that Penithel was part of. These conflicts proved the inadequacy of Pennethelli military equipment against their enemies, especially the Hesukar Kraalen. Coinciding with the large extension of Avnelin known as Minaan's City, the reigning King of Penithel had as part of this new district a garrison complex constructed alongside new industries and institutions. This garrison was meant to house a new unit of dedicated royal guards following a new standard model of equipment for Pennethelli troops. These warriors were armed and armored with iron, as opposed to the copper-tipped spears and copper-reinforced leather armor of their soon-to-be predecessors. Following a defensively minded school of military thought, the First Kingdom prioritized the staying power of their troops over mobility.

This new model of infantry were clad in heavy iron armor and carried a small, rather thin and oval shaped wooden shield with a protruding iron centerpiece, allowing the soldier to use the shield offensively as well as defensively with greater effect. Their primary armament however was a long straight slashing sword while they also carried a Pennethelli warbow alongside a quiver of arrows. This was very useful in defensive action on walls but were also used offensively in pitched battles as the Pennethelli troops were meant to advance and loosen an arrow-storm toward the enemy. If the enemy stayed in position, they would be pelted with further arrow-fire until the Pennethelli ran out of arrows, upon which they would advance in close order. If the enemy advanced, the Pennethelli stayed, loosening as many volleys as they could before bracing for the enemy charge. During the First Kingdom period, the new model infantry often carried one or two small javelins or darts which would be thrown at the enemy before a charge commenced. These were later discarded during the Second Kingdom however.

This new model infantry, referred to as the Kingsblades, became one of the mainstays of Pennethelli armies throughout Antiquity with little change in their base equipment even though the techniques used to manufacture it and improve it's quality rose. The largest change in their equipment was the removal of throwing weapons by the time of the Second Kingdom whereupon the weapons were taken over by dedicated light infantry also by the time of the Second Kingdom, the Kingsblades place in the line changed from the center to the flanks when the heavy spear-infantry known as the Shieldsmen took over the role of holding the center line.

Pennethelli Kingsblade of the First Kingdom, visible by the fact he carries javelins

by **Lazarian** » Tue Apr 13, 2021 9:46 pm

Three Cities, Three Stories

Cavon

Second Shrine to the Four
Final Day of Harvesttime

It was the Festival of the Blacksmith, and spirits were high in the provincial town of Cavon. The festival (dedicated to the worker’s god, Jacnon) always took place in Autumn, at the end of the harvest, and it was a particular high point of the year for the townsfolk. Unlike the others, this was a working man’s holiday - well attended and accessible to all. The Festival of the Wolf was celebrated near-exclusively by soldiers and young men attempting to join the warrior class, a long day of sparring and athletic events at the summer solstice. The Festival of the Crone was at the winter solstice, a long ceremony in which dragged on for hours as men told the stories of creation. The Festival of the Crow took place a week after the first green shoots of grain burst forth, in celebration of when Many-Coloured Crow tricked the Beast and defeated Winter. But none of these others came close to the magnificent festival of the Working Men.

Secate Lidaen Longfang, son of the late Laedon Longfang, raised the ceremonial torch high, as the drums pounded around them.

“I would like to honor the hundred men of the city who have gone above and beyond expectations. Six carrens of stone, harvested and donated for the ongoing safety and prosperity of our city! The work of several hundred, done by a proud few! Tonight, we shall call out their names to be recognized. These men, or their children, shall receive first admissions to the new Scriptoran.” he proclaimed, proudly lighting the four torches set atop the nearest table.

The men beamed, their long nights and hard labor vindicated at last. The Cavonians were, like their brothers in Corvus, an individualistic culture. Men were all equal at birth - but some men could rise above others through splendid accomplishment and bold achievement. The greatest in society would receive recognition and praise for their efforts, to encourage others to do the same.

“Furthermore, to each of you, the first selection of tools from Corvus upon the arrival of the caravan!” Lidaen said cheerfully, to whoops and cheers and raucous applause from the crowd. Some men shot looks of resentment and ire at those lucky few, but no man dared raise an objection. It was a well deserved accolade, and one that was hard to dispute. Those who did more for the city recieved more from the city - such was the way of the world.

Corvin

The Coast
Seventh of Firstsprout

Jaena stared at the sea, as the waves beat endlessly against the coast.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” remarked Eraen Stonebreaker, pushing his bare toes into the sand. Formerly an explorer, the man had decided to settle down. But he’d quickly found that the crowded city life wasn’t for him - he felt crushed under the unrelenting sound and bustle of the city and the stench which filled it. When the Council had announced that a new settlement was underway, he was one of the first to sign up for the exodus. Behind them, a gaggle of goats idly chewed their way through the grass, while the dogs kept close watch.

“A little bit. A little frightening as well.” she said, shuddering slightly. “Where’d it come from? And where does it end?”

“There’s a story I heard as a child about it. Some say that Vennon’s lover was killed by the Beast in the Time Before History, and the oceans are filled with his salty tears. The ocean is violent, an eternal beating of waves upon the shore. A reminder of his loss until the end of time.”

“I’ve never heard that one.” she said, tossing a pebble back into the sea. “Where’d you hear it?”

“Aenon Mountain-Singer, believe it or not.” Eraen replied, watching the clouds drift idly by. “He was my mother’s favorite cousin - we’d visit often when I was young. He told us of how he travelled all the way out to the coast with a few friends, far beyond the reaches of civilization. Just to sleep with the whispering of the waves at his back. And as he dreamed underneath the smiling stars, the story came to him in a vision. It’s not an official Truth, but I like to believe that it’s true nonetheless.” he finished, sitting up to look at her.

“Anything can be a Truth out here.” she said with a smile. “We’re far away enough from Corvus to have our own gods watching over us.”

Eraen laughed. “Oh? And who might those be?”

She placed her finger on her lips, lost in thought.

“Who knows? But we’ll find them soon enough. The sun, the sea, the stone - all things have a root in the divine.” she said dreamily, lost in the rhythm of the waves.

Corvus

The Estate of Jaraen Firsttanner
Seventh of Chillwind

“The Huanca have what now?” said Jaraen Firsttanner, Master of the Tanner’s Guild and richest man of Corvus, raising his eyebrows in surprise. Adorned with many elaborate bands of gold and soulstone, and draped in robes made of the exotic furs of bears, mountain apes, camels, and the various small forest creatures, the man oozed luxury and opulence. His estate extended far and wide, homes of servants and concubines sprawling over the verdant fields he called his home. He laid upon a heavily padded couch, reading through ledgers inscribed on Soulstone as two fair maidens ran their fingers through his hair and massaged his feet. In direct contrast, the Pacate stood in front of him, a simple man in a spartan leather tunic and boots.

“They’ve thrown their lot in with the Shao!” scoffed Pacate Caeron, Father of the Wolves, stamping his hobnailed boot on the hide-carpeted floor of the cottage. “Given up their sovereignty to lick the heels of the Yellow Court. Turned to the teat of silk and silver, in exchange for their pride.” he rasped through yellowed teeth, his canine teeth sharpened in an odd facsimile of fangs.

“Hmm.” muttered Jaraen, pressing his fingertips into each other in front of his face. He mused on these thoughts for a few moments, lost deeply in thought, before replying once more. “An interesting turn of events. But nothing to be concerned about.” he concluded, turning back towards his ledgers.

“Nothing to be concerned about?” growled the one-eyed captain, clutching his khopesh tightly. “The servants of Yama grow in strength every day!”

“And so do we.” shrugged Jaraen, taking a long swig of barleydraught. “At this point, aggressive militant action by either city will lead to extraordinary casualties. And as you said yourself just last year - it’s a dangerous world out there. We both stand to lose greatly in such a conflict. Perhaps we shall send them a gift basket of smoked meat and good drink to congratulate their Lord on his new subjects.”

In the background, a clerk scribbled this onto a clay tablet, already preparing for such a basket to be sent.

“They’ll come for revenge. And your inaction towards this rising threat will spell our doom, mark my words!” Caeron swore, annoyed at the rich man’s casual manner. Jaraen was wise and well informed, yes, but he had never truly experienced the dangers which lurked beyond. He’d never seen the Aberrations of the Chasm, or the Demons of Skras Tor. He didn’t know what it was like to watch the strength of a fighting regiment shredded by ungodly fiends. He was content to sit back and rest on his riches, sipping drink as their enemies grew in strength and numbers.

“No, it won’t.” laughed Jaraen, taking another drink. He beckoned to a servant girl nearby to refill his goblet with more barleydraught, waving his fingers idly. “I assure you, the Shao are more than content to lie in their cushioned homes as I do in mine. They consider us little more than unwashed barbarians - if they consider us at all, which I personally doubt. And I'd like to keep it that way. The wars of Craenon are long gone. It’s best for our peoples to ignore the other until the Crow swallows the world and begins the cycle anew.” he said with a yawn.

“My final words to you, Pacate, are that you should turn your concerns to the threats we know, like the Demon’s Den, rather the ones that you imagine in your head. Please send the next guest in on your way out.” he finished, before ringing a small bell of bronze. His steward bowed to the captain, before opening the door and gesturing towards the lobby, where a small line of guildsmen and merchants waited patiently. A harpist played calming music in the background, singing a few of the odes of Lenan.

Caeron stewed for a moment in his anger, before turning and leaving, slamming the thick wooden door on his hinges. Some of the men waiting in the lobby gasped in surprise, one going as far as to clutch his beard. Slamming a door on the way out was an unbelievably rude thing to do to a Firsttanner, something that lesser men would have been punished for in one way or another. But Caeron’s station allowed for such privileges as slamming doors.

“They’ll see. They’ll see one day.” grumbled the soldier as he stormed off, throwing on his cloak to brave the winter outdoors.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:53 am

Deepkin

Plaza of Sudden Flame, Forgefend
Tenth of Longnight, Year Twohundred Seventy of the Reckoning

As one approached the city center, the streets became clear of snow, the chill banished from the air. Though blizzards roared across the Mirror Sea to batter against the hills of Forgefend, those who lived near to the heart of the settlement never truly felt their bite. It was almost incongruous, to the thoughts of the young woman trudging through the city square, that the teeth of the dark season were foiled by so simple a construction of man.

That, of course, just meant that Emilia didn't understand exactly the grandeur of the humble hill of dressed stone and heavy bespelled brick that filled the heart of Forgefend. From outside the weaver's apprentice could watch as cartloads of timber, coal, and other materials were moved through the doors of iron into the interior, could watch the gouts of flame rising toward the heavens. But any child had seen a furnace, a fireplace to drive back the chill. In her ignorance the flaxen-haired woman, just barely old enough to marry, imagined the Everpyre in much the same way - a firepit of large proportions, to warm a settlement instead of a home.

It wasn't that simple though. Not nearly. Years of chanted incantations bound the ferocious heat the ensorcelled inferno produced within the bones of the building, or dispersed it harmlessly as radiative warmth through conduits of hidden rock that laced the land around Forgefend when the mages had no need of its potency. Blood and oath and cold iron trammeled the formidable forces, which would otherwise ignite like a small sun in one blazing instant and turn most of the city to merely so much ash. Dozens of enchanters walked the perimeter of the Everpyre day after day, renewing the binding spells, mostly unappreciated by the rest of the residents of the settlement because it took their time away from more practical concerns, like charms of health or revitalizing weary soil.

But the Everpyre was the pride of the city, at least when the governor spoke to his colleagues in Kharbarinth. With the right incantations and proper preparations it allowed a sorcerer to tap into energies that would otherwise be nearly impossible to summon, a horse to which a cart could be hitched to drive impressive eldritch workings even where those with the gift were few, or sources of arcane might sparse. Already there were those who clamored for the right to utilize this mystical potential as far away as even Kar Agala and Stalheim, for those who worked in the unseen arts were prone to selfish squabbling and divisions over minutiae, and stirring the hundreds of magicians necessary for larger workings from their individual projects could be... tedious, yes, tedious in the extreme.

Golden Age Years 5 and 6

by **The Empire of Tau** » Wed Apr 14, 2021 9:16 am

Machaka - Turn 34

by **The GAmeTopians** » Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:10 pm

The Republic of the Great River

The Burnt Plain

On the southern edge of Rivermouth’s territory lies a broad grassland area, that shines orange with the glow of maize and other warm-colored crops in the daylight - for this reason it has long held the name, “The Burnt Plain.” It is an area not often frequented by the Republicans of the city, preferring to take the beaten paths in and out of the region. Today, however, a formidable workforce is present - digging, constructing, praying.

“May the Outsider bless this sacred ground, and invest the power of the Void in his faithful,” a few recite a quiet prayer as they walk back and forth, carrying building materials and ferrying digging supplies.

The Outsider. If the River represents protection, fertility, and life, The Outsider is the exact opposite: power, emptiness, and death. Some might think it strange to see the worship of such an entity in an otherwise cultured, democratic civilization, but the deaths caused by the fel magics of the Hesukar barbarians to the west had driven distrust in the River - perhaps its power was insufficient to ensure the prosperity of the Republic - perhaps the people need power granted by another plane of existence entirely. The Void calls to the desperate.

by **Ralnis** » Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:28 pm

Warcyfle,
Island of Lo

The shouts of victory could be heard throughout the city. The Fog-Men, the very ones named for their supposed fog magics, were beaten back. The first time they were encountered was when they used their magics to capture a fishing ship and over a hundred people without a trace of blood. The ship itself was all that was left and that angered Grum to the point that more ships were going to be needed for them to fight more. However this fight was different and the battle much fiercer.

From the reports nearly a decade ago, the Fog-Men weren't the Ithoi that they were afraid of so long ago. However much of the Sons of the One God were a mystery to both Sons of the Storm and Dawn but the Fog-Men were a new threat that allowed them to understand the force a bit more. From the making of their ships, it seems they made galleys or something similar. The warships were light vessels, something that was considered lesser than that of their merchant ships, yet were fast enough to maneuver around their warships. That means this had to be a raiding party and even with a few of their ships were either damaged the one that sunk by the combined might of the navy, much of them were a mystery.

However Grum had saw the ship-masters capture a few stragglers who cast off their equipment and were scooped up by the Pride. These people were dark skinned like the Warcyfle but had different tattoos and identification. They looked at the chieftain with an angry sneer and barked at him in their gruttal language that Grum refused to hear. The naval soldiers took him away and already the problem of them just increased.

The Ithoi never raided the Warcyfle and Grum doubted the Aun'kal could help against fast ships. Even thought the reports had only mentioned a few for a raiding flotilla of a little over a hundred with no mention of their weapons or armor. It was already a closer threat that he had to worry about. The envoys from that one new place had didn't come back but he had some hopes that it wasn't another enemy. The reports showed that they didn't have a navy to compete with them, let alone a giant like the Ithoi and their tall ships. However they strange metal could also help them push higher into the mysteries of the Path.

However everything came back to the Fog-Men and the rising threat of another mystery. Another mystery was right in front of his face and he refused to let it stand any longer being just that. He ordered his scholar caste to switch immediately to study the Fog-Men and their language. Only then can they finally interrogate them to learn what they need to learn. What fog magics they have and the location of their home. Once they have they need all it need to do is assemble the fleet and get their revenge.

This would be their preparation for the Ithoi and notify the Aun'kal of what has transpired. However Grum hesitated as he knew that the Sons of the Dawn were looking for new lands for his numerous population. This wouldn't do well as Grum withheld the new stone-walled river people he found from the shallow seas of the mainland till he knew that they safe to trade with. This went for the Fog-Men, he didn't knew how powerful they were and going to the Aun'kal with this information might cause the Dawn Singer to look down on them.

So he witheld it and just went about completing the repairs and the farm, with many now laying the foundation of the new Wharf to be done with the next two years. The scholars did groan but knowing that the growing threat of a reprisal attack to try and get their people back with a harsher truth that Grum didn't want to become a reality. Especially since their magic gives them stealth abilities.

Grum also had to think of something when it comes against stealth magic, or any magic really. It seemed that such a thing was uncommon but a powerful threat against the Warcyfle. So far the Fog-Men had shown to have the power of fog or something related to water. The Aun'kal have the very basics of the Path for them, the scouts had said that the Stone-Walled didn't seemed to have any and the Ithoi were still a mystery.

Still, trying to learn how to dispel such magic would be a boon for the Sons if they met other magically-adapt civilizations. It might also be wise to also learn how to do the Fog-Men's magic for the sake of versatility. It would be something to adapt it to the Path of Tes'la but the idea of learning their magic system would be a monumental task in of itself. But that was all big milestones to the first hill, trying to learn the Fog-Men's language.

As the drydock was repairing the damaged ship, Grum realized that the next wave of adults will be made soon for the rituals. Many of them were taking apprenticeships by the scholar and explorer caste. Many of the sons of navalmen were looking at the taste of the sea and were joining the military. That was good for the lighting smiths as both forges would be at enough power to accommodate the need to bring more arms and armor of the God Metal to bare.

As the new farming section rose high above to accommodate the new people getting ready for adulthood. Once that happens the people will of course need homes but food was the most important thing of the day. All-in-all, a lot to do and not enough time.

by **Olthenia** » Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:46 pm

The Works and Wonders of the Ithoi

Object Details
Title: Buffalo figure
Date: 16th century
Geography: Republic of Atarinda, the Southern Continent
Culture: The Ithoi kingdoms
Medium: Silver, iron, wood
Dimensions: H. 13 3/16 × W. 9 × D. 18 3/4 in. (33.5 × 22.9 × 47.6 cm)
Classification: Metal-Ornaments
Credit Line: Gift of Anne d'Harnoncourt and Joseph Rishel, in memory of Rene and Sarah Carr d'Harnoncourt and Nelson A. Rockefeller.
Accession Number: 2002.517.1

Ithoi silver works such as this silver buffalo served as objects of power and prestige owned by a ruler of one of the kingdoms of the Ithoi in the present-day Republic of Atarinda. In the sixteenth century of Hegemonic Reckoning, the kingdoms of the Ithoi prospered as major centers of the international slave trade. The ithoi kings were important art patrons who engaged court artists to create items that enhanced their status. During annual festivities called huetantu, these lavish sculptures and textiles were paraded through the capital to celebrate the kingdom's wealth and military might. The almost constant warfare that was required to maintain a steady supply of captured slaves resulted in a culture of militarism centered on the person of the king. Precious, metal-covered objects, like these two examples, were filled with supernaturally potent materials to protect the monarch and aid him in his military exploits. During times of war, these sculptures, called bocio, were placed in palace shrines where they were the focus of prayers and sacrifices to Gu, the deity associated with war.

During these times of crisis and before the coronation of a new ruler, the Ithoi leadership might consult fa, the regional system of divination. The buffalo is one of fa's 256 symbols. It is associated with a specific ruler to help provide insights into the events that would mark their life. A ruler was so intimately allied with their emblem that it was believed they could assume that animal's form. Proverbs, poems, and songs are used to interpret each sign and corresponding visual arts. Both the buffalo and the elephant are associated with the Ithoi ruler Queen Guezo (r. 1518–58). Both animals are believed to evoke strength, royal legacy, and enduring memory as exemplified in the following proverbs: "There where the elephant passes in the forest, one knows" and "The animal steps on the ground, but the elephants step down with strength." Through her relationship to the elephant and buffalo, Guezo is known as a ruler who left an indelible impression on both her own realm and those of her adversaries.

This exquisite example, comprised of a wooden core covered in hammered silver sheeting, was created by members of the royal guild at the height of Queen Guezo's influence. Few such silver works were produced and the Ithoi emphasis on uniqueness, innovation, and originality increased their rarity. The excellent workmanship has resulted in an artifact of surprising spontaneity and playfulness. The artist has taken a fresh approach to the balance of naturalism and stylization. He has also enriched the textural interest of the piece through the integration of multiple metalworking techniques, incorporating cast-iron elements as well as silver.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Thu Apr 15, 2021 1:41 pm

Year 270 of the Reckoning

Turn 35

Zhai Cheng 400 Freemen and 400 Peasants are added to the city. 200 Peasants and 100 Freemen are added to Yuzhou.

Machaka: There is something amiss here. The hundred Peasants sent to cut timber far from the city have not returned. 500 Peasants and 300 Freemen are added to the count of the people.

Eleskar: 700 Freemen are gained in the city.

Avnelin: A boon of iron has been extracted swiftly by the workers at Sarhakin. +10 Meteoric Iron has been gathered there. 300 Peasants and 100 Freemen are added to the city of Avnelin, 100 to the south.

Corvus 400 Peasants and 400 Freemen rise now in Corvus; 300 and 200 in Cavon; and 200 and 100 in Corvin.

Khabarinth: Philosophers in deep thought at government hill have theorized the Living State - an empire, a hegemony ruled by one man or woman, but a body of which all are part. This ideology has caused political upheavals... though other scholars have successfully determined that the green ore is an ore of copper. The mysteries of Refined Shipbuilding and the dry dock have also been uncovered.

1100 Freemen are added to Kharbarinth; 800 to Stalheim; 600 to Forgefend; 700 to Kar Agala; and 600 to Svalheim. 300 Peasants are promoted to Freemen in Kharbarinth.

Rivermouth: Prospecting south of south has discovered a great wealth of gemstones, as pure as refined ice. They can only be found in small amounts on the surface, but must certainly lie below. 500 Peasants and 300 Freemen are added to the city.

Warclyfe: The language of the Fog-Men has been successfully translated. They speak of coming from a great land to the south and east, a powerful civilization of unmatched might, and threaten that their comrades will come for them unless they are swiftly released. 400 Peasants and 200 Freemen have come of age in Lo.

Sorrowfree: Clever matrons and crones have fired the black sand, the pebbles of the mountain rivers, and brought forth bars of impressive iron, as hard as bronze. How one might gather much of this sand is unclear, but the iron very useful. 400 Peasants and 300 Freewomen have come of age in the Vale of Ustar.

Daru: There is dark news here. A cult of the Black Kings has been discovered, her roots deep in Nirari society, the downtrodden looking to sacrifice and bloodshed for their future. What shall be done with these infidels? 100 Scholars and 200 Peasants are revealed as worshippers of the Black Kings. 400 Peasants and 100 Freemen are added to the people.

Velathrii: 100 Peasants and 100 Freemen walk the Pukel-Road now as men in Velathrii; 100 Peasants, that of her sister.

Narjamo: 100 Peasants and 100 Freemen are added to the city.

by **Pragia** » Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:07 pm

The new efforts of the Eleskar bear fruit, even as their Grand Magister has begun to prepare themselves for their ascension to the position, the Tyraal Eleskar already proving an adept in the arcane, her command the most considerable in her lineage. Though she would not receive the authority of her position until she reached the age of 16, her word was already giving magi and archmagi pause. These were good omens as the Magistrate worked to advance the agreed upon priorities of the magocracy, namely the great expansion of the docks. The Eleskar were positioned at the farthest port inland, it was thus that new theories of a greater domain from which resources could be acquired and projected to their growing world. The magisters began to have their own visions for their people as the inheritors to the vast tracts that their ancestors treaded centuries ago, the northern woods untamed, but capable of being claimed and advanced like they have on their more forgiving river home. They would establish their first camps north, the Kelskar naming it in honor of their namesake. The material there is of interest to many scholars, who join their more rugged counterparts for adventure on the frontier and very needed early supplies.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:26 pm

Autumn and Spring Era

An era of rapid development and growth, the Shao Dynasty growing more rich and powerful. Cotton plantations, would develop in the outlaying areas of Zhai Cheng making many men and women wealthy in the process. Due to policies implemented by the Bureaucrats the mines would pump out even more ore swelling the coffers with new coin. In Yuzhou the city was coming into it's own and the new generation of bureaucrats would rise there and would help make the city more wealthy and prosperous in the future.

Zhai Cheng

Population: 3855(+800 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Taixue, Monument, Nursery, Shrine (+3 Stability) ,Forge, Charcoal Pit],+I Flat Food Bonus |II Palisade | Aqueduct
Urban District II[Forbidden Palace(+2 Stability),Garrison, Smithy, Clinic, 6 Huts,3 Cottages(+3 Stability)] +I Food Bonus| Palisade
Urban District III [2 Huts ]
Rural District I [5 Huts, Timber Camp,7 Gardens , Galena Scrape Mine]|Watch Towers||Aqueduct +III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District II[ Galena Scrape Mine, 4 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watch Towers,|+III Flat Food Bonus.
Rural District III [Farm,2 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watch Towers| Aqueduct|+III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District IV [Quarry ]Watch Towers|+III Food
Population Actions:
100 Scholars are researching Construction II
600 Scholars [Urban]|Researching Masonry from the northerners [8/8]
400 Bureaucrats [Urban]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +IV Wisdom, +IV Wealth, +IV Stability |Plan of Multitudes [IV/XX]|Plan of Fields [4/5]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXII Food ,+I Timber, +II Galena Ore(3 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
900 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +XIX Labor [+IV Forced Labor] ]
100 Peasants [Rural District II]|Working long hours --->[+IV Food, +II Hides, +II Galena Ore ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District III]| Working long hours --->[+IV Hides, +VII Food ,+I Labor(1 from domestic animal source,2 from paddocks,2 from farm,2 from Aqueduct)]
100 Peasants [Forests (Trapped) ] Gathering Silk,+ I Labor
300 [Rural District IV] Freemen | Studying the Laoist classics in their freetime [+I Stone, +III Labor]
55 Soldiers are guarding the peasants gathering silk
100 Artisans [Urban] | Crafting wares and tools at the Forge ---> -I Charcoal, -I Galena Ore +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban]|Crafting tools and wares at Bloomery--->-I Charcoal,-I Galena Ore, +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban]|Crafting crafting silk goods--->-I Silk, + III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban]| Crafting tools and ware at Bloomery-->-I Charcoal,-I Galena +II Wealth,-II Wealth,+I Industry
100 Explorers (Mount) |On the lookout for enemy barbarians.
100 Explorers |On Galley on expedition to find the nearest undiscovered civilization sailing along the eastern coasts . Hopefully to find the city of the Yue or Chu.[2/3]
100 Soldiers are guarding the Explorers on their expedition.
200 Soldiers patrolling in Zhai Cheng.
200 Soldiers patrolling in Zhai Cheng.
100 Soldiers are being caparisoned for war [I/III Wealth|0/I Industry]

Miscellaneous
100 Freemen educated has Artisans
+III Wealth from Plan of Multitudes (Wealth) [5/10]
Plan of Fields [4/5]
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-IV Forced Labor
-8 from Overcrowding

Construction
Farm [0/IV Labor| I/I Wealth].Not Complete.

Rural District V [III/III Labor|I/I Wealth]
Watch Towers[I/I Labor| I/I Wealth| I/I Industry]
Simple Stone Wall [Labor 0/IV| Wealth 0/ II | Industry 0/I| V/V Stone ]
Simple Stone Wall [Labor 0/IV| Wealth 0/ II | Industry 0/I|I/V Stone ]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor| III/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor|III/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor| 0/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[I/III Labor| 0/III Wealth]
Spinning House [Labor III/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House[Labor III/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House [Labor 0/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House [Labor 0/III| Wealth 0/IV]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth| 0/III Industry| V/V Stone]
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth|0/III Industry| II/V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 0/VI |Wealth 0/V| Industry 0/IV Industry ]

Economy
+II Wealth from Palace Economy.
-I Wealth from Splendid Isolation.

Stability
67

by **The Empire of Tau** » Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:15 pm

Machaka - Turn 35

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:41 am

The Land of Penithel

Excerpt from 'History of Penithel - First Kingdom Era'.

By being part of the Coalition headed by the Riverland Republic, the Kingdom of Penithel was exposed to many surrounding peoples and cultures who shared a vested interest in defeating the Hesukar which periodically raided across the region as mandated my their religion and to fuel it's rites, many of which required human blood sacrifices. This contact with groups and peoples from further beyond the Pennethelli homeland led to the adoption of new technologies as well as participation in events such as the Ustaran Games of Sorrowfree while Penithel also shared it's technologies with surrounding peoples. We see that Pennethelli shipbuilding technologies spread to the Riverlands from the discovery of a very well preserved Riverlander shipwreck which shares much with Pennethelli ships of the same period. Trade between the two also intensified as Riverlander ironworking technologies improved and increased the demand of Pennethelli iron ore. This increase in contact with other civilizations also weaved Penithel into the regional geopolitical web, on a recovered clay tablet we have evidence of a royal decree signed from King Minaan barring Huang scholars from entering the Kingdom, likely a result of Penithel growing closer to the Corvidian state.

by **Ralnis** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:52 am

Warcyfle,
Island of Lo

The maps were brought out of the archives. Clay tablets that show the current maps of the Mirror Sea had showed the map of the mysterious threat of the Fog-Men. It was nearly united to make a punitive expedition against the Fog-Men for their crimes against Tes'la. However they weren't entirely ready with the new warriors being trained and the Teslanite being made into arms and armor. The boats themselves were ready and more than enough of them could be filled with eager fighters that wanted to even the odds.

Grum had been talking with the captains who had fought the Fog-Men raiders. He saw that the ships themselves had no oars and a strange type of mast. Not just that, but they were strange in how one would build a ship itself. It was more narrow than anything they built before which gives their enemies the speed to outmaneuver and heavily damage one of their own warships. If they were going to set out a expedition against the Fog-Men.

It would take some time but with the training of more men they had enough time to do it and to finish up the wharf while also letting the Dawn-Singer know about the Fog-Men.

by **Olthenia** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:43 am

Zhai Cheng's biang-biang noodles are taking the world by storm – yet the dish's name doesn't officially exist.

• By Meghon Strom

A rhythmic thumping sound echoed through the restaurant-lined street in northern Zhai Cheng, emanating from multiple directions, their cadences briefly falling into sync before disbanding once again. I reflexively turned my head in the direction of the nearest thud to see a chef working in front of his shop, swinging a hefty rope of dough between his hands.

The noodles were as wide as a belt!

He raised the strand and, firmly, deftly, slapped it repeatedly against the countertop, each dexterous motion coinciding with a resounding thwack. As he continued slamming it, the dough stretched and elongated to the length of his wingspan. Pinching the centre of the strand, he then split the dough down the middle to form a loop, before tossing it nimbly into a waiting pot of bubbling water.

Curiosity piqued by this display, I approached the chef to request a serving and, minutes later, tucked into a bowl of thick noodles drenched in hot chilli oil and vinegar and sprinkled with spring onions and garlic. The noodles were as wide as a belt and nearly as long as one too, their firm texture offering a satisfyingly substantial bite. The slapping technique, as it turns out, generates a chewy consistency that absorbs the rich flavours of the seasonings.
Here in Zhai Cheng, the capital of the Huang State’s central province and one of the country's oldest cities, the craft of noodle-pulling is so intertwined with that slapping sound that the distinctive noise ended up inspiring this dish's curious name: biang-biang noodles.

The "biang" character is onomatopoeic, meant to mimic the sound of dough hitting a counter. It is also more complex to write than any character in the Huang language, with a whopping 58 strokes (though, depending on whom you ask, this number may vary slightly). Given how much thought must go into writing it, I was surprised to discover that the character doesn't actually exist – at least, not according to official dictionaries. That's because the character is entirely a folk creation. Upon closer inspection of the symbol, I realised that it is also comprised of many distinct elements that, together, paint a picture of Zhai Cheng’s rich history. Hiding in this intricate biang diagram, for example, is the Huang character for silk. Zhai Cheng was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, the vast ancient network of East-West trade routes that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas and technologies for centuries. Along those roads, unicorns not only provided a primary means of transport, but were traded as a commodity. It makes sense, then, that the biang character additionally contains the symbol for horse and appears to pay homage to these animals' important historical role in the region. On either side of the unicorn symbol, the Huang character meaning "long" or "horned" also appears; whether interpreted as a reference to the Silk Road or to the noodles, both would seem appropriate.

It's unclear exactly how the complex biang character originated, but its creation is steeped in legend. One widely told story credits it to a young scholar from the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) who didn't have enough money for his bowl of biang-biang noodles and offered to invent a character in lieu of payment. Today, there are amusing poems and riddles people can recite to help recall of the complicated character's numerous strokes.

You may also be interested in:
Article #1: Sichuan peppercorn: A Huang spice so hot it cools
Article #2: How a Nirari dish rekindled a decades-long feud
Article #3: Zhai Cheng’s rare bird-pies

"[They're] kind of a mnemonic of how to write it," explained Jasonius Womp, whose family originates from Zhai Cheng and owns the Kharbarinth restaurant chain Zhai Cheng Famous Foods. "But [the riddles are] also just quirky. It's just for fun. I think people in the old country have a good sense of humour."

The mystery of the character, coupled with the shape of the noodle – whose sheer girth sets it apart from the predominantly thinner noodle varieties in the area – has given biang-biang a permanent place among Zhai Cheng’s so-called "Eight Curiosities", as Womp refers to them. These are regional penchants and customs that have historically been commonplace among Huang residents, but may have been puzzling to outsiders. Among them is the practice of building houses with half a roof, the habit of squatting on top of stools and a tradition of eating noodles as wide as belts.

"It's kind of like this self-mockery, but in a positive way. And that's just part of the culture."

by **Lazarian** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:50 am

Corvus

Joren's Workshop
Seventeenth of Coldwind

"Hmph. This one'll need to be redone." snorted Joren, looking over the chestpiece. Shoddy work, as was typical from most of the new apprentices. Damned council, muddying up his shop with eager men - ambitious, young, and foolish aplenty.

The Council had pronounced a new decree - that the richest of men must allow those who desire upwards attainment to do so. Many of the tanner clans and smiths had shut their doors to new apprentices and new men, consolidating that secret knowledge for themselves so that they may enrich themselves further. Likewise, the Spirit-Guides admitted few men to their ranks, desiring to keep their status to themselves.

This, however, could not be allowed. Such a thing would lead to stagnation among Corvus, and should ambitious men pursue greatness, nothing should stand in their way. Many of the vast peoples and families desired upwards mobility, and they clamored at the gates. Unrest rose in the city as many learned men were pushed out into the fields, to be mere goat-tenders and quarrymen.

Thus, an edict was proclaimed. For a certain price, the skilled and learned men of the city would be required to admit new members to their ranks. It was quite popular with the vast populace of the city as a whole, though a few of the richest frowned upon the minimal city of the government imparting its will.

Times, however, were changing. The Council had begun to be outpaced by the growth of the city and the sprawl of their people. The Spirit-Guides served as a loose administrative wing of the council, though in small capacity, and the military policed the streets. However, each day, the need for a more established government seemed to grow more pressing.

But as for old Joren Metalmaker, he cared little for such things. With a sigh, he tossed the piece aside into the scrap heap, to be melted and redone once more. Perhaps these apprentices would learn someday.

Someday.

OTHER:
- Patronage is adopted as a Civic.
- Athletes of Corvus (as well as those of the Aederfolk) are sent to Sorrowfree with an escort of 100 soldiers to participate in the Ustarran games!

by **Ingeja** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:28 am

23:ske Kekkijed, Narjamo

Narjamo was growing. Komaka could not only count the new heads, but he could feel the great buzz of so many voices and bodies becoming louder and louder. He had been right, maize had transformed their village. There was now such an excess of food that few ever went hungry. What the Narjakki produced and did not need, they stored in their homes. Although it often went bad. For that reason, the chieftain had decided that a place would be needed to store the excess food for the sake of the common weal.

It had only been a few winters ago that a great light had descended from the stars and brought an evil air over Narjamo. The beasts and the birds had fled the woods. They had been hungry then. Some of the villagers had said it was the work of evil spirits. Some said Uncle Noja still persecuted the descendants of Narja, and that he himself had sent it from the heavens to rain destruction on them. This made sense to Komaka. After all, it was known that the family of Narja were skilled when it came to the creation of fire. Why would Uncle Noja be any exception?

But now, seeing the sandy-framed faces of the young children, Komaka found it convenient to forget the winter of hunger. It was high summer now, Hoinne and Maisane had been fortuitous, and the construction of the granary was underway. It was to be placed near the sacred grove. The priesthood had consulted the signs, and determined that this was appropriate. The chief priestess had used a branch of oak to divine its proper placement. Then the priestess and her acolytes had marked the outline of the sacred precinct with shells from Nertosi. They sprinkled the ground with sacred ash from Maisane and had prayed over it for several days. The signs seemed promising.

The village was very excited for the whole endeavour. The elders had determined that there should be three or four keepers of the granary, they would manage its stocks and perform the daily rites associated with its upkeep. There was to be shrine on the sacred grounds surrounding the granary. It was to be dedicated to Maisa, who seemed to become more prominent in the cosmology of the Narjakki every year. They did not, however, forget the other divinities. The Narjakki kept faith to those who sustained them.

Tonight was Kekkine, the festival of the bear-family. Komakala had not been the one to fight the she-bear, but he had been a part of the hunting party which had slain her and brought her body to Narjavod. It was a high honour among the Narjakki to kill the first she-bear of the year. They killed her after she emerged from her cave in early spring. And although her meat had long been distributed and consumed, her bones still lay at Narjavod, where the people had left gifts for her. Tonight her bones would be brought from their resting place and donned by the hunters. They would wrap themselves in the fur and perform the rites sacred to the bear-kin. And the killer of the bear would lay atop Narjavod, as Narja had done when he had slayed the she-bear. Then the she-bear's bones would be interred forever. Her grave would be sprinkled with sacred ash, and the hunters would pray for the continued renewal of the bear-family.

Komaka looked up. He had been admiring the new docks district, and had become lost in his thoughts in the process. The district had taken long to build, but he was glad it was finished now. He felt such kinship with the sea. Although he participated in some hunting parties as needed, he preferred to work on the great salty strand. Soon a great dock would be built along it, one on which they could dry fish. Although the Narjakki were focused on Maisa now, Komaka kept Nertosi close to his heart. The bounty of the sea would sustain Narjamo against any evil airs. Indeed, the salty breeze that constantly washed over Narjamo kept the lungs and nose healthy, so said the old women. He looked out into the vastness of the calm sea and took in a deep breath. He saw a tiny speck far off in the distance, near the end of the horizon. Probably just a piece of driftwood, he thought to himself.

by **The GAmeTopians** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:32 am

The Republic of the Great River

Wolfblessed District

Laina Mindseeker slipped between the throngs of workers moving about the as of yet mostly empty district, taking in the strange feeling that came from standing in the midst of an empty grassland, somehow surrounded still by the greatest wall that stood for tens, perhaps hundreds of miles around. Only now did it begin to fill - the artisans of the city had long pushed for an updated workspace, and now - thanks to astounding teachings from the Corvidian xenos to the south - a new space they would have indeed. The new district had been named in their honor! Through this new technology the economic prowess of the River’s Jewel would expand tenfold, and it would stand strong against the test of time. But until then - there was work to be done.
Laina ducked under a passing timber stack, being carried by six laborers at once, and slipped into the nearby Overseer’s Tent - a few of the senior artisans had been assigned to watch over the construction of the workshop - and the sheaf of stacked parchments tucked under her arm would be quite valuable to them; it was, after all, the budget allocated by the Council for their little project. The tent was empty, its occupants no doubt scattered across the busy construction yard. The pile fit neatly at the center of the main desk, so there she left it - Laina had another half dozen deliveries, anyway. She ducked back out of the tent flap, her hair catching on the thin hide behind her. Off she went - the Manywater Docks were the next stop.

Elsewhere
A small squadron of soldiers escorted the athletically gifted off to the Ustarran Games. They were quietly confident - may the River and the Outsider give them strength in equal measure.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:39 pm

Deepkin

Chamber of the Father, Kharbarinth
Fourteenth of First Seed, Year Twohundred Seventytwo of the Reckoning

A solemn procession wound through the corridors and halls of the monolith of gray and white stone known as Government Hill. Men and women decked in precious gems, glittering gold finery, iron badges of office, crimson trimmed robes of magi, glittering silver mail, finely woven gowns and adornments, and a dozen other forms of panoply, veritably covered the passageways and annexes of the labyrinth of power which ruled the Deepkin. They had come from Stalheim, fair daughter of stalwart heart, Forgefend, laughing son of the bright seas, Kar Agala, dour servant of the golden hand, and even Svalheim, scion of the mysterious and arcane, all to this land for a single purpose.

To acclaim a new Emperor.

From time out of mind the sons of the Father and daughters of the Mother had been ruled by a shifting allegiance of nebulous patrons, wealthy donors, well-heeled dignitaries, and populist agitators. As a man gave to the city, so a man received in the balance from Government Hill, and as men gave to their patrons, so they received in the tumultuous halls of power. Every man had a voice, every woman as well, so long as they held property and paid the tithe demanded to move the mechanisms of government. But these webs of alliance and fraternal threads were now coalescing, reflecting a reality which had existed for nearly four generations.

The assent of the people was one thing. The assent of the Houses, another. Clans, kindreds, peoples great and small - united by blood, or adoption, or mercantile interest, the Houses had mobilized public opinion for war and peace, building and destruction, and charted the courses of the keen folk which they represented. Now their hands would stand back a pace, forming the great Landsraad which would be second only to the Emperor who sat on the Crimson Throne, master of the Deepkin by right of ascension, of accession, of piety, and of might.

From House Maenad he hailed, Severian his name, a stately man of forty winters grown to the fullness of his wisdom, his hand strong and his sword-arm tempered in the hot blood of the barbarian wars on the eastern frontiers of Stalheim. It was he who had assembled the broadest coalition of the Houses to back his claim before the orators and the plebiscite, backed in no small part by the inexhaustible wealth of his family, who had for generations hailed down the years from Jarnassus Hammerhand himself, controlling the copper trade and the iron trade which had by and large supplanted it.

It was he who walked the long acres of scarlet carpet, treading under the weight of a diadem of midnight iron set with emeralds and amethysts and diamonds from all corners of the newly risen Hegemony. In his right hand was the rod of star-iron, forged of the heart of the fallen moon, and inset with runes of warding, of health, of guard, and shod in glimmering skystone to effect his will. Men and women bowed as he passed, and as he mounted the Crimson Throne all cried out with a loud voice hailing his assent.

No longer a single city, or two brothers, but a Hegemony of might would the Deepkin be. And the world would tremble at her glance.

Golden Age Years 7 and 8

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:01 pm

Year 272 of the Reckoning

Turn 36

The Second Ustarran Games

On the barren deserts not far from Sorrowfree men and women from across the known world gather for a contest of skill, wit, and might - the Ustarran Games! Representatives from the Aederfolk, Corvidians, Pennenthelli, Riverlanders, and of course the hosting Khortuun are all in attendance. Up for debate this year - who shall carry off in glory the six cartloads of silver, soulstone, fine flaxen garments, obsidian knives, and other things of glorious value offered to the winner, and moreover whose stories shall be told of victory? Immortality is on the line, and so the flames are lit and the games begin.

There are five competitions - wrestling, riding, archery, poetry, and singing. Many of the contestants are famed amongst their own people for their skill in these events, but mere triumph in a village chant is not enough to win one all of the Ustarran games. First Bailian Stoneblessed of the Corvidians triumphs over a blue-streaked man of wiry muscle from the Avnelin, facing down all other competitors to claim the crown of the victor of wrestling. Then a fair woman of the River, as thin as a waif and keen-eyed, leads the line of racers to the finish thrice to claim victory upon her own two legs, outdistancing even a fierce Bonadar by three strides who takes the second position. Next an eagle-hearted crone from the hills above Sorrowfree, nearly so old it would be a shame to let her compete, outshoots all comers, handily defeating even a mighty archer from the mountains of Dol Angren by placing ten crow-fletched shafts at the heart of a ring at forty paces. Then a master mariner of the Pennenthelli moves the crowd to tears with his chanted lays of the sea, the tempestuous depths and the God-Isle which moves over her inky deeps, though declamations of courtly love by a young hot-blooded poet from Corvan nearly divide the judges. Finally a woman, a survivor of the battle with the fiends of the Hesukar from the Riverlands, rouses all to martial fury with her song of the black days of siege, and the friends and lover she left there before the walls of the accursed city.

Her victory crowns the Riverlanders as the victors of the second Ustarran Games.

Eleskar: Dark is the word out of Kelska-ar as the seasons turn. Though the settlers are brave and wise, and do their best to hew a home out of the wilderness, the nights are black, and want and fear stalks their settlement. With few supplies sent from the homeland, and hunger gnawing at their bones, eventually the families begin to abandon the new village one by one, returning to the city. The colonization has failed, and will need to be re-launched to be successful.

Machaka: Clever men of the Republic have studied Prospecting from the nearby Riverlanders, and now call this innovation ready for use, instead of seeking to understand it of their own accord any longer. -72 Stability

Avnelin: Wise sons of the city have created caustic substances that prove a ward against disease and illness - increasingly a concern in the growing cities of the Pennenthelli.

Warclyfe: The Aun'kal express concern at this threat, and pledge two biremes and four hundred bronze-armed and armored soldiers to deal with this threat, asking only that any loot be divided evenly. They will happily aid their brothers in the defense of their homes.

The explorers have returned with news - they have located the capitol of the Ithoi, on a vast isle to the south and the west. It is a formidable city, as large as Warclyfe, with a strong navy. To sail or trade to this land is certainly possible.

Sorrowfree: A new settlement has been founded beyond the enfolding mountains, in a land of verdant green the likes of which the Khortuun have ill known before. The colonization goes well, and uneventfully. This new city's region has 6 Mountainous areas, 4 Hills, 6 Forests, and 4 Flatlands.

Corvus: Keen new apprentices, eager to prove their worth in the forges, and seeing the needs of the city, have arranged an unapproved pool of money and purchased a great wealth of copper from the north and east, through private channels. This metal will enrich the city, but has impoverished many wives who grumble against the excesses of their husbands, and the government so incompetent as to necessitate these actions. +17 Copper Ore, -35 Stability

Rivermouth: The prospectors have returned with news of deposits of native silver, found in some streams that wash up out of caverns in the south and southwest. A rich city could be established here, if mines could be dug deep enough to bring up the wealth. With the cooperation of the scholars from foreign cities, weights and measures are devised, a Currency which all could trade with and so allow for the flow of goods between cities and peoples, enriching all.

Deepkin: Sons of the city have harvested much copper, hoping to win favor when the present the wealth to the new Emperor. -152 Stability, +30 Copper Ore. In Stalheim, new scholars have been added to the city, people fleeing out of the east. They have dark faces and a fell aspect, but prove industrious and bear intriguing magicks and beliefs... School of Blood Magic discovered. -173 Stability. In Forgefend a new Delving has been cut into the earth by wildcat miners, and is taken over by the city once a formidable vein of hematite is struck. +Delving (Hematite). -122 Stability.

Researchers in Kharbarinth have begun the mass copying of texts needed to educate men and women from the Royal Archives, to be distributed to the other cities of the Hegemony. These Standardized Texts will ensure the Father's chosen are well-trained for their earthly callings. Mages have also devised method to map new power points, too weak to detect via normal methods, but still capable of driving sorcerous workings. And artisans in Kar Agala have created clever golden finery, which fills the heart with joy, and will fetch a good price in many markets. Siege Tactics are also perfected.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:57 pm

Autumn and Spring Era

Zhang Ai Mountains

Zhan Xinyi rode his unicorn swiftly across the outer plains of Zhai Cheng. He saw unimaginable prosperity, endless farmland, cherry blossom grooves heavy in bloom, and plantations of cotton. He had an espically keen interest in the cotton has more and more plantations rose up in the rural areas around the bustling city. His close friend Wuying had written to him that the fields of cotton in Zhai Cheng reminded him of the snow that fell on the peaks of the Zhang Ai mountains to the north of Yuzhou.

He had never seen snow before Zhai Cheng's climate was warm and there where only two seasons has the people often joked about wet and not wet. He was curious of it and wanted to see what it was like. Though he enjoyed his life in Zhai Cheng he wished to expand his horizons and stake out his own claim. Many talked of rebuilding Zhongdu and indeed plans where already in the process. Some also talked of settling the mountains to the north of Yuzhou.

The young scout had heard that many were interested in the rich deposits of a strange and arcane mineral called Azurium that could be found deep in the Zhang Ai mountains .Xinyi didn't care about the azurium too much even though some were saying it could be the next big thing. He was curious about exploring the mountains and wishing to start a family in and a new legacy in a new land. And okay also see some snow with his own eyes for he couldn't believe that such a thing could exist.

The Explorers would finally return from their expedition by the end of the year. Many were excited of hearing fantastic stories and tales of adventure.

Zhai Cheng

Population: 3855(+800 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Guozijian, Monument, Nursery, Shrine (+3 Stability) ,Forge, Charcoal Pit],+I Flat Food Bonus |II Palisade | Aqueduct
Urban District II[Forbidden Palace(+2 Stability),Garrison, Smithy, Clinic, 6 Huts,3 Cottages(+3 Stability)] +I Food Bonus| Palisade
Urban District III [2 Huts,2 Spinning Houses ]
Rural District I [5 Huts, Timber Camp,7 Gardens , Galena Scrape Mine]|Watchposts||Aqueduct +III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District II[ Galena Scrape Mine, 4 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watchposts,|+III Flat Food Bonus.
Rural District III [Farm,2 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watchposts| Aqueduct|+III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District IV [Quarry ]Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District V [2 Cotton Plantations] |Watchposts|+III Food
Population Actions:
700 Scholars [Urban District I] |Researching [Construction II]
400 Bureaucrats [Urban District I]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +IV Wisdom, +IV Wealth, +IV Stability |Plan of Multitudes [VII/XX]|Plan of Fields [5/5]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXII Food ,+I Timber, +II Galena Ore(3 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
900 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +XIX Labor [+IV Forced Labor] ]
100 Peasants [Rural District II]|Working long hours --->[+IV Food, +II Hides, +II Galena Ore ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District III]| Working long hours --->[+IV Hides, +VII Food ,+I Labor(1 from domestic animal source,2 from paddocks,2 from farm,2 from Aqueduct)]
100 Freemen [Rural District V] |Studying the Laoist Classics in their free time [+II Cotton, +I Labor]
100 Peasants [Forests (Trapped) ] Gathering Silk,+ I Labor
200 [Rural District IV] Freemen | Studying the Laoist classics in their free time [+I Stone, +III Labor]
55 Soldiers are guarding the peasants gathering silk
100 Artisans [Urban District] | Crafting wares and tools at the Forge ---> -I Charcoal, -I Galena Ore +III Wealth,-I Wealth, +II Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]]|Crafting tools and wares at Bloomery--->-I Charcoal,-I Galena Ore, +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]]|Weaving silk clothing--->-I Silk, + III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]| Crafting tools and ware at Bloomery-->-I Charcoal,-I Galena +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]| Weaving cotton clothing ---> -II Cotton, +V Wealth
100 Explorers (Mount) |On the lookout for enemy barbarians.
100 Explorers |On Galley on expedition to find the nearest undiscovered civilization sailing along the eastern coasts . Hopefully to find the city of the Yue or Chu.[3/3]
100 Soldiers are guarding the Explorers on their expedition.
200 Soldiers patrolling in Zhai Cheng.
200 Soldiers patrolling in Zhai Cheng.
100 Soldiers are being caparisoned for war [I/III Wealth|0/I Industry]

Miscellaneous
100 Freemen educated has Artisans
+III Wealth from Plan of Multitudes (Wealth) [6/10]
Plan of Fields [5/5]
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-IV Forced Labor
-8 from Overcrowding

Construction
Farm [0/IV Labor| I/I Wealth].Not Complete.
Jade Tower[0/VII Labor| VII/VII Wealth|0/III Industry| III/III Timber].Not Complete.
Simple Stone Wall [Labor IV/IV| Wealth II/ II | Industry I/I| V/V Stone ]
Simple Stone Wall [Labor 0/IV| Wealth 0/ II | Industry 0/I|II/V Stone ]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor| III/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor| III/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[III/III Labor| III/III Wealth]
Cotton Plantation[I/III Labor| 0/III Wealth]
Spinning House [Labor III/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House[Labor III/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House [Labor I/III| Wealth IV/IV]
Spinning House [Labor 0/III| Wealth 0/IV]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Quarry[0/II Labor]
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth| 0/III Industry| V/V Stone]
Aqueducts[0/V Labor| I/III Wealth|0/III Industry| II/V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 0/VI |Wealth 0/V| Industry 0/IV Industry ]

Economy
+II Wealth from Palace Economy.
-I Wealth from Splendid Isolation.

Stability
68

A Different World: The Noble Cities [IC|Closed]

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