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

by **Ralnis** » Thu May 13, 2021 8:24 am

Island of Lo,
Warcyfle

The use of mathematics had allowed for the improvement of the rural centers of the Island as the new center of government was established. Each part of the land was carved up and allowed water to be flowed through the aqueducts. This helped the people more with farming and more people could be sustained. Yet with the attack on the Blessed Peninsula by an outside force this had many of the people raise their fingers at the Aun'kal for pressing the issue but the Aun'kal pointing the fingers for being in a political marriage with the Slavers of the Deep. However the match had already been lit and Su'pokk wasn't waiting.

He had been gathering information from the envoys and saw that the Ithoi were actually lesser than them and even the Aun'kal and that wouldn't do. The Sons of the Storm would be commissioning more ships to be built for them, mostly the standard Pride class ships to be sent to them, as many as 5 to be built. Many more were going to be issued with more troops being drafted and Teslanite being sent to war. With the needs of the Slavers of the Deep wanting to preach their god's message to the people of Lo, the scholars of Tes'la wanted to have their Shamans preach the beauty of the Storm Father in exchange. In this case they offered their ships in order to make the message clear and their want to help the people of the Deep as they had to the Sons of the Dawn. It would be better for them as they needed troops if they were to fight the Aun'kal.

One thing that came from their admirals that it was time to reform the need for their conscripts to get training. An era of professionalism was needed if they were to match the numbers of the Aun'kal and establish themselves as rulers of the Mirror Sea. This sort of reform needed to come from the military and the growth of a thousand man navy. One that already had enough of a balanced to fight their enemies but so be it. The scholars, who had nearly doubled in number, had started to think of new ideas to help their navy.

There will be war and already the Blessed Peninsula had been hit. They will not let this happened. The admiralty was the first priority and the need for conscription is clear. Evnoys were being sent to the Ithoi with the deal. They need to rally everyone soon.

Mandate of Su'pokk: The envoys sent to Primus agreed on allowing the priests preach their truth. In exchange they wish to have their Shamans preach the Path of Tes'la and show them the storm magic they can do. They pledge around 6 briemer to them from the building of it. Telling them that they can replace any ships destroyed when facing the Aun'kal.

The navy is also on high alert, flotillas are sent patrolling the seas between Lo and the Blessed Peninsula with orders to fight whoever attacked them. They don't entirely believe the Aun'kal but will fight them if have to.

by **Olthenia** » Thu May 13, 2021 3:10 pm

The Vale of Ustar, Sorrowfree
Thirteenth Day of the Arc of Wandering Vines, the 284th Year of the Star-Count

‘Much wailing and gnashing of teeth’, was how one wag described Sorrowfree’s reaction to the burning of Three-Brothers-Town. And it was, for once, not an understatement. The modest town just north of the Spine mountains had been the canyon-dwellers first sister-settlement. Their first faltering step into the wider world beyond their canyon home. And the Hesukar had ended it – swarmed in out of the north before the break of dawn. And burned. And maimed.

And now Sorrowfree grieved.

Mothers old and young had tore their linens, wailed as loudly as could be and rubbed ash in their hair. Fathers had shielded their eyes and shaken their heads in disbelief. And the few Freewomen and foreign artisans who had come in off the mountains that spring embraced one another in relief and praised their lucky stars. For what fate could be worse than Hesukar slavery? By a twist of fate had they avoided it – and that, to be sure, was something to be thankful for.

“What, by the dark between the stars, are we going to DO about this?!” demanded angry voices in the Speaker’s Square. The question was one echoed in just about every potter’s shop and spinner’s house – and every garden tanner’s yard also. An entire settlement had fallen to the horrid, horrid Hesukar – and even though no one knew for certain the full extent of the horror – this truly was the most awful disaster to befall the Khortuun in living memory.

“What it means is, we’re still going to work – as usual,” drawled Palla mo Hondar, an old spinster. And she wasn’t wrong there. Come rain or shine, Sorrowfree was still the beating heart of the Khortuun people. Her spinning houses and potter’s kilns, humble gardens and gamper’s meets would still go on, as always. But a people were more than sweat and produce. More than the march of time and song and dance on every Eve of All Smiles too.

“All the cities of all the free folks marched on Skras Tor, some years past. The Spider-Folk and Penithel too – all but the Huang. And the Hesukar laughed and saw us all off.”

That verdict was delivered by a dour-faced Bonadar over by the Mud Gate one rainy afternoon – and it, like it or not, was not untrue. “So what the hell can we do about it, eh?”

Well, nothing, really.

Except try again.

Other:
-200 Explorers scour the ruins and environs of Three-Brothers-Town for survivors

by **The Empire of Tau** » Fri May 14, 2021 11:28 pm

Republic of Machaka - Turn 42

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Sat May 15, 2021 6:35 am

Deepkin

Shores of the Endless Ocean, Unrolvelith
Tenth of Thawtime, Year Twohundred Eightyfour of the Reckoning

It was good that the spring storms had yet to begin - the ground was still, but not frozen as the men began hacking away the layers of sod and soil, exposing the bones of the land to situate the foundations of the new homes. It was a humble settlement, but the long lines of wains streaming in from the east told a story of what would one day be a great city, if the Emperor's will was to be exacted.

There were some who questioned the need for more space for the Deepkin were quiet in their concerns. Several Major Houses had expended no small amount of treasure and political capital to push for the settling of these wide shores of the Endless Ocean. Some claimed that Kharbarinth was at risk, hemmed in by the narrow confines of the Great River, as formidable as they were; an enemy with a powerful fleet might trammel the navy within the rivermouth, and thus the Hegemony be at a disadvantage in time of war. Others claimed that it was clear from the location on the sea that might of sail and oar was the future, where chariotry and the command of horses was outmoded.

To carry on a naval campaign would be one thing, swift, decisive. Marching across the long leagues to Corvus, or further still no doubt to the other nearby cities, all but impossible. Thus Unrolvelith was to become a great arsenal and dockyard, to create fleets with black sails to bear the soldiers of the Emperor to foreign lands.

Others merely wished for new homes, away from the bustle and burgeoning crowds of the Deepkin cities. Even Svalheim now boasted thousands of residents within her walls, and men desired open acreages and vistas to call their homes, land which could be claimed by the brave and courageous of heart willing to forsake security and ease for ambition and advancement.

There were a thousand reasons, truth be told, why someone might just pack up their home and start marching west. And so the new city rose, brave and free.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Sat May 15, 2021 11:26 am

The Land of Penithel

Pennethelli Shipbuilding during the First Kingdom.
Written by Harryn Scaelin for HistoryMash.com

Pennethelli galleys built during the First Kingdom were a masterpieces of craftsmanship in wood. Using iron tools, especially with the large two-handled saws that were almost two meters long and a third of a meter wide. The galleys were around thirty five meters long with a beam of six meters at its widest. There were twenty five oars on each side of the ship for a total of fifty and the ship's crew numbered one hundred and twenty men not including the captain and his team of specialists. These galleys had a cargo capacity of about fifty metric tons.

The ships were constructed by first chopping down a single tall tree and stripping off all its branches. The log was then dragged to the shipyard by a team of unicorns and after being laid on a smooth, flat working surface, it was stripped of its bark. When the log had been completely cleaned, the head shipwright marked where he wanted it cut along its length. A team of laborers then carved it with iron axes and saws, shaping it to nearly its final form. The upward sloping curves of the bow and stern were bent into shape using heat. After the keel had attained its final shape, a long and cleanly sawn wooden plank was "edge-joined" to each side of it by using matching slots that had previously been chiseled out along the length of the keel and the length of one of the edges of the plank. Flat rectangular pieces of wood called "tounges" in the Pennethelli texts were then cut to fit snugly into the matching slots. When the plank fit onto the tounges sticking out of the slots in the keel, the joins were filled with a mixture of resins. Later, when the ship slid into the water from it´s drydock, the water would swell the wood and create a water-tight seal on the seams of the hull.

However, before all that the internal bracing needed to be constructed and before that, the hull needed to reach a desired height. This was achieved in a similar fashion using edge-joined planks. When this was done the decking and rowing benches were installed. The sturdy mast used by the Pennethelli on their early galleys was about sixteen meters tall and sat in a reinforced structure that allowed for it´s insertion and removal, it was secured into position with strong ropes. The mast had a single crossbeam of about ten meters to hold the top of the sail. The center of the beam was held to the mast with a thick ring of rope loosely wrapped around the shaft of the mast. This allowed the crossbeam to pivot in the wind and easily be raised or lowered with ropes that ran through an iron fixture on the mast. The orientation of the crossbeam and sail could be controlled from the deck with ropes allowing the ship to take a zigzag course quite well into a headwind.

by **Lazarian** » Tue May 18, 2021 7:42 pm

Corvus

Spirit-Guide Housing Quarters
Two hours past Moon's Height, Thirteenth of Coldwind

Jevan awoke with a shout, shattering the relative quiet in the housing of the wise men. The moon stared down from above, casting faint light into the crowded quarters where the spirit-guides stayed, often ten to a home. It was a decent living, to divine prophecy and to administer the city for the wealthy - better than the crowded hovels of the day laborers, but poorer than those of the craftsmen and soldiers. Outside, a night patrol strutted by, the bronze scales of their armor rattling against each other like a thousand tiny bells. The others stirred fitfully, and his older brother Anyon blinked awake, his sleepy face framed with faint concern.

"Is everything alright, Jev?" he said, sitting up on the bed. "Did you see something?"

Dreams were important to the spirit-guides. Some said that clever ideas were born at night, revealed upon awakening. Others said that the wall between the Dreaming and Waking Worlds was thinnest as the moon shone above, and that dreams were portents of destiny. While not all dreams had meaning or purpose, glimmers of the truth would ocassionally be revealed.

"I don't believe so." said Jevan, rubbing his eyes. "Or, at the very least, I pray that I have not."

"What did you see?" whispered Anyon, attempting to not wake the others.

"A vision, of a thousand warriors descending upon our home. Men in gleaming armor with yellow faces and gritted teeth, coming to avenge a burned village. I beheld the seas teeming with vessels filled with demons, spewing raiders upon our unprotected shores. The fields of Corvus burnt, covering the sky with smoke, and the soil was watered with the blood of our people." his brother replied with a shudder. "Our protectors were spread across the land, too far and too thinly to save us. They reached beyond their destiny, and the gods punished us for it. The Temple was torn asunder, cast aside into a thousand broken stones. Every item of worth was ransacked, our people brought into slavery and misery, and our gods defiled."

"Ah. I understand your fright. But rest assured, younger brother. This is not a prophecy. Simply a devilish thought placed in your mind by cruel spirits." Anyon said firmly, rolling back over. "Best not to waste your resting hours upon such nonsense."

Jevan nodded, and wrapped the hide blankets around himself once more. But the thought continued to stir in his mind.

Perhaps, this was a future that could have been.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Thu May 20, 2021 8:48 am

中国

Slowly but gradually the wall would rise far to the north of Yuzhou at the future site of the land known has Qindao south of Shenyang.A barrier between the civilized world and the barbarians.Qin would order the construction of the great wall himself, though he would be long dead before it would be complete he knew this was right The Shao were if anything a forward-thinking and patient people. For Qin had foreseen in his dreams a great horde of barbarians, who wielded powerful magicks, not the Xianbei the name given to the northern and western barbarians the myriad of peoples who surrounded them from the Khortuun, to the Corvidians , even the Hesukar. Not the Yue or Nanfeng, people they were more closely related to but still considered barbarians. Some greater threat, that would one day unleash unspeakable evils on the world.

Their armies would march on ill prepared people, subjugating them. In his dreams he saw that these ill prepared peoples could not resist, thus they would strengthen the horde until it would become a force that would become unstoppable.

The Shao would be ready for them whenever this evil would manifest itself.

Zhai Cheng

Population: 4855(+1000 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Guojizian, 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 [Dense Housing,2 Huts,7 Spinning Houses, Jade Tower (+5 Stability) ] |Simple Stone Wall |+I Flat Food Bonus
Urban District IV [5 Training Grounds, Dense Housing, Spinning House]
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 [4 Quarries ]Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District V [6 Cotton Plantations] |Watchposts |+III Food
Rural District VI [1 Cotton Plantation]|Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District VII [1 Farm] | Watchposts| Aqueduct|+III Food
Population Actions:
800 Scholars [Urban District I] Researching [Drama]
500 Bureaucrats [Urban District I]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +V Wisdom, +V Wealth, +V Stability |Plan of Multitudes [XX/XX]|Plan of Fields [IV/V]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXII Food ,+I Timber, +I Galena Ore(3 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
1300 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +XIII Labor ]
100 Peasants gathering food near settlement, +IV Food
100 Soldiers are guarding the Peasants
100 Peasants [Rural District VI]|Working hard [+I Cotton, +I 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 [Rural District V] |Working hard [+VII Cotton, +I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District VII] |Working hard [+IV Food, (2 from Aqueduct) ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Forests (Trapped) ] Gathering Silk,+ I Labor
100 Peasants [Rural District IV] |Working hard [+I Stone, +I 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
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Crafting tools and wares at Bloomery--->-I Charcoal,-I Galena Ore, +II Wealth,-II Wealth, +I Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Weaving silk clothing--->-I Silk, +I Silk Cloth
100 Artisans [Urban District]| Crafting tools and ware at Bloomery-->-I Charcoal,-I Galena +III Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]| Weaving cotton clothing ---> +XV Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Crafting tools and wares --->-I Wealth, +II Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Weaving cotton clothing-->+III Wealth
100 Explorers |heading to the west of Yuzhou to wrangle some horses! [III Wealth spent if this helps]
100 Soldiers| Guarding the Explorers.
200 Freemen [Rural District VI]-Studying the Laoist Classics in their free time [+II Labor]
300 Soldiers (Mount) patrolling in Zhai Cheng
Galley Squadron Patrolling the waters of the Sea of Zhai Cheng

Miscellaneous
100 Freemen educated has Scholars
Plan of Fields [5/5]
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-18 Stability from overcrowding.

Construction
Farm[IV/IV Labor| I/I Wealth]
Farm[IV/IV Labor|I/I Wealth]
Farm[IV/IV Labor|I/I Wealth]
Grand Wall Rises around the Forbidden Palace [Labor I/V| Wealth I/ VI| Industry 0/V|0 /XX Stone].Slowly.
Simple Stone Wall [Labor IV/IV| Wealth II/ II | Industry I/I|V/V Stone ]
Aqueducts[V/V Labor| III/III Wealth|III/III Industry| V/V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 0/VI |Wealth 0/V| 0/IV Industry ]

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

Stability
112

by **The GAmeTopians** » Sat May 22, 2021 1:01 am

The Republic of the Great River

I might put something here if I wake up at a decent time tomorrow. It’s 4 am because my planning skills suck. Enjoy the wall of actions - I sure didn’t

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Sat May 22, 2021 6:37 am

Year 284 of the Reckoning

Turn 42

Eleskar: Efforts to devise Geomantic Finesse have succeeded! There is, however, bad news. The Freemen sent to gather copper have not returned, and scouts sent to look for them have likewise disappeared...

Warclyfe: The peasants given wealth for their education in Warclyfe unfortunately prove incapable of being trained further - perhaps those already educated might benefit from grants to specialize their skills instead. The word from the Ithoi is less good than might be hoped; the Ithoi believe the One God to be lord of all, and though they tolerate the worship of Tes'la, they are unwilling to allow his people to proselytize amongst the faithful, even if this means they do not receive more ships. The scholars of Warclyfe have devised training regimes for her soldiers, who will now become well-trained and professionals in truth, instead of mere warriors attached to a campaign by necessity.

Sorrowfree: The explorers scour the lands around Three-Brothers Town, and their effort is not in vain. Survivors they gather together, men and women fled to the wilderness in the sack of the city, nearly a hundred peasants and common-folk all told. Many said they hid and turned to wild ways because they though the end of the world had come, and that Sorrowfree too would fall to the black tide. Their stories are ones of horror, of being hunted by hooting Kraalen across weeks and months, ever fearful and pursued by beasts with gore-drenched fangs. It is a black thing which has been done to Three-Brothers Town.

The scholars and soldiers of Sorrowfree, working in tandem, have concluded advancements to military coordination - to teach men how to march in formation even when they cannot see each other, and how these advantages might be of great value for sowing fear and confusion in a foe. Clever embroideries and finely woven cloth too have been created by the daughters of the Prophet in their Retreat, which are much valued by artisan and trader alike.

Machaka: The scholars celebrate - a new theoretical foundation has been established, that of the School of Sol. What might be accomplished with this power of the arcane is unclear, but will no doubt propel the Machaka into a bright new future. The great feast is a time of debauchery and grandeur, and beloved by many. Though there seem to be few immediate benefits to the governance, her people knowing plenty and security already, perhaps if ought goes ill the populace will look kindly on their leaders despite a few setbacks in the future. The prospectors in Jokia have had no joy, though their survey is only just begun.

Kharbarinth: Unrolvelith has been colonized without incident. The region boasts 5 Forest, 6 Hills, 5 Coast, and 4 Flatlands. The explorers on their way northeast of Stalheim have encountered barbarians in the region northeast of east, and returned to the city with warning. Southeast of east of east of Stalheim explorers have mapped out a place of thick woodlands, with a river rising here and flowing west. To both north, and east, and south, forests extend as well. The sinister ore is to be found in the hills here, as well as native silver. Vines with thick black edible fruits with a sweet nutty flavor grow in large stands within these forests.

The barbarian encampment east of Forgefend has been destroyed, the enemy broken by archery from stealth before they were even aware they were under assault, and ridden down in their flight. A wealth of ten wealth is retrieved from the pillaged encampment. Scholars in Kharbarinth have devised complex mechanisms with promising applications in warfare and engineering. Dark magicians have also developed, so they say, a method of appeasing the thirsting gods without slitting throats - at least human throats. Workers in Stalheim, investigating samples of Floatstone sent there, have come up with some preliminary applications in moving heavy burdens, as well as a new Rune of Activation.

Avnelin: The difficult flax plant has finally been domesticated, methods of ensuring it grows in the fair soil of the city perfected. It will take more labor to consistently extract the useful fibers from this piece of flora, but this is the first step.

Corvus: News from the explorers sent south and west is ill - wild men have been spotted in a fetid encampment just south and west of Cavon, no doubt massing and nerving themselves for an assault upon the city. Their numbers are few and their weapons crude, but no doubt in time more will flock to their war-banners, and their threat to the people of Cavon will only increase.

Zhai Cheng: The explorers return with a small herd of horses, captured out in the arid plains. They are hardy beasts, less swift than the unicorns but more enduring, and seem to mind heat and cold but little. New traditions of Drama are spreading through Zhai Cheng and her sister cities, and several individuals recommend constructing amphitheaters, where all may enjoy these declamations and impressive acting.

Rivermouth: The prospectors have returned with nothing of interest to report from south of south of south. Efforts to research arboriculture have succeeded, which will be a great boon to the timber-starved coastal city.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:00 am

With the creation of their own native drama traditions, the Shao Dynasty would become the only cultured civilization in all of the East. Actors, and dancers capered on the stage wowing men and women from all walks of life.Epic tales would be on display such has the legendary Monkey King and many, many more plays that would showcase centuries of ancient Huang tales and folklore, tales of heroism, bravery, love , pain, and suffering, the human condition. The creation of a true culture also served to further unify the lands of the Middle Kingdom, by the grace of Heaven itself.

Zhai Cheng

Population: 4855(+1200 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Guojizian, 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
Urban District III [Dense Housing,2 Huts,7 Spinning Houses, Jade Tower (+5 Stability) ] |Simple Stone Wall |+I Flat Food Bonus| Aqueduct
Urban District IV [5 Training Grounds, Dense Housing, Spinning House]|Simple Stone Wall|+I Flat Food Bonus|
Rural District I [5 Huts, Timber Camp,7 Gardens , Galena Scrape Mine]|Watchposts||Aqueduct +II Flat Food Bonus
Rural District II[ Galena Scrape Mine, 4 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watchposts,|+II Flat Food Bonus.
Rural District III [Farm,2 Paddocks (Unicorn)]|Watchposts| Aqueduct|+III Flat Food Bonus
Rural District IV [4 Quarries ]Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District V [6 Cotton Plantations] |Watchposts |+II Food
Rural District VI [1 Cotton Plantation]|Watchposts|+II Food
Rural District VII [4 Farm] | Watchposts| Aqueduct|+II Food
Population Actions:
900 Scholars researching how to better rule all Under Heaven [Early Empire]
500 Bureaucrats [Urban District I]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +V Wisdom, +V Wealth, +V Stability |Plan of Fields [V/V]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXII Food ,+I Timber, +I Galena Ore(3 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
1300 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +XIV Labor ]
100 Peasants [Rural District VI]|Working hard [+I Cotton, +I 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, +VIII Food ,+I Labor(2 from domestic animal source,2 from paddocks,2 from farm,2 from Aqueduct)]
100 Peasants [Rural District V] |Working hard [+VII Cotton, +I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District VII] |Working hard [+XII Food, (4 from Aqueduct) ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Forests (Trapped) ] Gathering Silk,+ I Labor
100 Peasants [Rural District IV] |Working hard [+I Stone, +I 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 +II Wealth,-II Wealth,+I Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Purifying the hematite ore at the Bloomery--->-I Charcoal, +I Iron
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 ---> +XV Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Crafting tools and wares --->-III Wealth, +III Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Weaving cotton clothing-->-I Cotton, +III Wealth
100 Explorers (Mount)|Riding on swift unicorns explore East of East of East of East of Yuzhou [IV/IV Wealth spent on supplies]
100 Soldiers (Mount)| Are guarding the Explorers on their expedition.
200 Freemen [Rural District VI]-Studying the Laoist Classics in their free time [+II Labor]
300 Soldiers (Mount) patrolling in Zhai Cheng
100 Peasants are taking 5 Wealth to Zhongdu and returning
100 Soldiers are escorting the Peasants
Galley Squadron Patrolling the waters of the Sea of Zhai Cheng

Miscellaneous
100 Freemen educated has Explorers
Plan of Multitudes [I/X] +IV Wealth.
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-18 Stability from overcrowding.

Construction
Grand Wall Rises around the Forbidden Palace [Labor I/V| Wealth I/ VI| Industry 0/V|0 /XX Stone].Slowly.
Aqueduct [Labor V/V| Wealth III/III| Industry 0/III|IV/ V Stone]
Aqueduct [Labor V/V| Wealth 0/III| Industry 0/III|0/ V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 0/VI |Wealth 0/V| 0/IV Industry ]
Amphitheater [Labor VI/VI |Wealth V/V| Industry II/II]
Amphitheater [Labor VI/VI |Wealth V/V| Industry 0/II]
Iron Armor [Wealth III/III| Industry II/II|I/I Iron]

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

Stability
112

by **Ralnis** » Sat May 22, 2021 8:54 am

Warcyfle
Island of Lo

Su'pokk had saw this as the writing on the wall and bit his lip. He sent his envoys to open the doors to the heathen god for their support. They need it in order to conquer the Aun'kal but he was already looking at to force the Ithoi to play by their rules once this is over. On the next part the troops were being in the first wargames and naval exercises that were being recorded in human history. Already the soldiers are looking better at fighting for the glory of Tes'la. They were still wet behind the ears but going through intense training to try and equalize the numbers the Aun'kal have. With the garrison finally done, most of the wealth had been funneled from the ships that were being commissioned and to help have a true center of government for their idea of a Kingdom.

It was made of stone and wood, with much of it being a lavished and to keep the forces of expansion at bay. The council itself had started to become known as the Court of Thunder. The Court would assist in managing the maritime kingdom but at the same time it would establish some kind of government beyond just tribal despotism. The educated and the priestly were becoming the first instance of nobility and nobliese obliage for their people.

On the other side of the Blessed Peninsula. Storm-class ships have been being seen with archers and flotillas being used as a simple of Warcyfle might. They also got the pallisade up and sent another shipment of sapphires to help with the construction of the Red Tower. The Red Tower itself was to be the second thing that would be built after the garrison was but the idea of Warcyfle maritime strength were becoming more evident.

On the next thing, the Scholars have started to research the use of making more powerful bows. While the idea of better use of their magic would be efficient, their need to try and make more powerful range weapons that could punch through bronze or even the iron of the Velthari. The idea of Grum's coilbows to perhaps be the thing to give the edge in their ideas for the navy.

Mandate of Su'pokk: The chieftain agrees on the proztheizing of the One God in his lands at the exchange for their support against the Aun'kal. More patrols are being sent out between Lo and the Blessed Peninsula to protect them from hostile forces.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Sat May 22, 2021 10:54 am

Deepkin

Spellbinder's Quay, Kharbarinth
Fifth of Neap Tide, Year Twohundred Eightysix of the Reckoning

Her hands were steady as she worked, cloaked in gossamer thin gloves spelled against disorder and inattention. Once the shaping was begun it wasn't wise to let one's attention lapse - oh the danger wasn't that great, not as great as the artificers portrayed it to both soldier and civilian alike, but there were good reasons many of the masters grew long beards. An appropriately bearded artisan, clad in thick clothing, could easily hide his scars. There was no need to exaggerate the implicit difficulty of working with heat that could boil water in a flash, or set fire to a home, as concentrated Firechar was wont to do if you left it unattended. Even in the early spring her apprentice was working hard on the fan, ensuring a steady stream of cool river air was fed through the workshop, and yet sweat still stood out on every part of the crafter's body.

An errant exhalation, loosed in frustration with the weft of the stone, caused her breath to condensate on one of the jeweler's lenses. For a half a dozen heartbeats she waited patiently, barely even moving air through her body, while the heat of the forge drove the dangerous ossification from the loupe before her eyes. A steady brightstone lamp, as small as a thumbnail, gave pure white light to the process as her tiny silver tools chiseled bit by bit into the lump of radiant red Firechar, each minute tap of the small hammer she held in her right hand throwing off a miniature panoply of sparks.

As she worked she reflected that she wasn't as young as she had once been. Even with hands still steady, unbowed by age, other parts of her corporeal form were flagging. An ache had been beginning in her back since not long after noonmeal, despite her attempts to stretch it into an appropriate posture. It was simply a young woman's game, bending endlessly and unmovingly over the most precise details of spellforging, and working for hour after hour to complete the piece and bind the energies properly.

Still, she was not quite spent yet. By the time the second bell had rung she had finished the sheaf, each lump of Firechar now inert to the eye, the roaring inferno contained for now until it should be loosed from a bow with the counterspell inscribed. The cunning runes of activation she had laid upon the quiescent black stone would trammel the power within the skin of the arcane material, to be suddenly released upon impact with the target of the Guards who would bear her weapons into battle. The effect on practice dummies had proven most agreeable to the Warden of the City of Bells, and he had ordered two hundreds of the armaments be prepared for his skilled fighters by the end of the year. A good time to be an artificer, for the Emperor's Finest never lacked for copper chits, or finer star-iron regals, to splash on their projects.

by **The Empire of Tau** » Sun May 23, 2021 10:17 am

Republic of Machaka - Turn 43

by **Pragia** » Sun May 23, 2021 6:20 pm

86th Year of the Magisterium of the Eleskar, 16th Year of Tyraal

It would be in the Chamber of the Magisters that the council would be in session, the Grand Magister presiding over them. The topic of discussion was the great tragedy of losing two hundred civilians to raiders so close to their own territory. Tyraal would open the discussion with the invocation "May the wisdom of Agor'a guide our words, and may Joranis grant us the courage to act." it was a rare invocation to the aspect of courage, but it made clear to the council the desires of the Grand Magister. She was infuriated by recent events, the raiders making her efforts to arm her people look feeble and fruitless. Her ire was not one of open mania like her mother's was at the end of her life, but a cool smoldering frustration which she was more than capable of channeling to cutting words and galvanizing language. "The losses of the Kelskar in recent years has become untenable. We know that the grip of Skras Tor on the riverlands has tightened to the point that they strike out against us. They see us weak, and it is with great frustration that I must agree." The council would remain silent at this prefacing, letting her speak until prompted. It has been known that during her reign, Tyraal was more than allowing to have her council speak outside of traditional dictates, but in this time, she was seizing authority like a magi seizes power from the earth.

"Twice we have watched our neighbors assault the walls of these dark magicians, and twice they have been rebuffed with great loss. I do not discount the losses we suffered, but we have never been ones to contribute to these endeavors. Now, we have the capability to help put an end to these blood magicians. As my ancestors struck down the northern raiders for seizing our people, we must now strike down the dark walls of the Hesukar." she would propose, "You may now speak, First Magister." she would say, her gaze resting heavily on Magister Torak. Her first magister was old, the man who pioneered the first methods of geokinesis which had gone underutilized in the development of the Eleskar, but his contributions and prowess not ignored. He was a reformer at heart, initiated by her mother to try and loosen the strictures of their traditions in the highest levels of the Magisterium.

"Grand Magister, I must stand opposed to this proposal. The loss of our people, while tragic, does not justify the loss of our people in the field against the Hesukar. As you have said yourself, twice the forces of Skras Tor have slaughtered the armies arranged against them, and our quarrel with them has roots in our limited commitment against them in the second attempt. If we were to make an appeal to them, we could perhaps gain their knowledge and cease our hostilities without sending our people to die." He would be passionate about this, as he had watched the transformation over the course of this generations, the ideas of the men of the south poisoning the thoughts of the Grand Magister. Now so many potential magi and workers had taken up arms, manning the walls and lands of the Eleskar. It was a sad waste, for they had no purpose other than to fulfill the ideals of other cities around them. "I leave this to open discussion."

"I take the discussion." would be called immediately by two of the magisters, Tyraal would select the first dispute as her decision, the younger Fifth Magister Palaara speaking up, his baritone voice surprising given his small stature "We would not dare cast a lot in with these dark magicians, Magister Torak. We have already sided with this wider coalition, and to abandon them would be folly which would invite their ire after the Hesukar's dissolution. I yield to the next discussion" he would say, his words again being picked up eagerly by the Second Magister "I agree with the will of the Grand Magister. We cannot allow for our city to be raided with impunity, it would invite all manner of raiders to take from us without worry. We cannot assume that people can be reasoned with in all times, or that their interests can be made mutual. We have raised a guard specifically for this purpose. If they were to merely hold the walls, then are the lands beyond truly ours?" he would pose, the ending of a speech with a rhetorical question the equivalent of opening it to discussion

The Third, Magister Maatar would wait a few moments before engaging "We simply lack the equipment and ability to combat effectively. We have yet to develop ways to bring our magical prowess to bear on the battlefield, and such methods take time to develop. We have no magic, no beasts, no tactics. We have only metal, which is not as powerful as our allies or enemies, and bodies, which we can ill afford to lose." Things would begin to slow at that, it taking a handful of seconds for the Seventh, Yurah, to speak up "We can stand to gain much from these efforts, the secrets of Skras Tor would be open to us if we participate, perhaps we could even bring their magi to us in order to instruct such things. We need not sacrifice human beings to discern the nature of their magics, and the return of our people could be complimented by slaves from the enemy."

Tyraal would hold out an open hand, speaking above the council "The notions of enslaving and incorporating the techniques of the enemy is anathema, and not to be considered for this time, as it has not been deliberated properly. For now I will call a simple vote in committing of forces. The Will of the Eleskar is in favor, thusly five of seven must object." she would declare, cutting discussion dangerously short. Of course, there will be more deliberation, but there must be a plan of action for the magisterium to move forward.

"Magister Torak" "I object, in the name of El'es and her people"
"Magister Sakela" "I object, in the name of El'es and her people"
"Magister Maatar" "I object, in the name of El'es and her people"
"Magister Niraal" "I am in Favor, may El'es guide our will."
"Magister Palaara" "I am in Favor, may El'es guide our will."
"Magister Carsas" "I object, in the name of El'es and her people"
"Magister Yurah" "I am in Favor, may El'es guide our will."

"Thusly the Magisterium objects insufficiently. It will be noted in the remembrances of this council so that we may again visit it. For now El'es guides our will, and we must prepare to act in accordance with the will of the Grand Magister. Ten maniples of Almakar will be made ready to join the forces of the southern peoples, and for now the Kelskar will watch for Hesukar incursions, the Almakar ready to strike at their advances. High Almakar Beroal and High Kelskar Hamalik will acknowledge the will of the Eleskar, and abide. Thusly I adjourn the council for a quarter-day, we shall return with clear minds to discuss the advancement of arcane knowledge."

by **Olthenia** » Tue May 25, 2021 8:21 am

Songs For Stolen Children
Twenty-Fifth Day of the The Arc of Silt, 286th Year of the Star-Count

“Our is a time of woe,” intoned Hiempsa. Her aged voice carried all around the little chamber, and the faces of her listeners rapt. Eyes dark. A congregation, circled about their priestess, lean and ready in the sacred dark. “Ours is a time of view!” Hiempsa repeated – louder this time. “But we are the Mother-Moon’s children! Her beloved! Her people!”

We must make our foes answer for our fallen.

It seemed so long ago when the first confused rumors of a queer, barbarous people from beyond the western mountains had first reached Sorrowfree. And that was likely because it was. Years, that was. Years and years and years. Even more such years had gone since those self-safe barbarous people had more than likely attacked and abducted a caravan of explorers sent west from the city. Oh, to be sure – many a wise-woman had thought them lost to mere fate, at first. Some blizzard or an avalanche. Some terror born of nature, rather then the iniquities of men.

But no. By chance – or perhaps by the gods’ grand design – news had eventually reached the Mother-Moon’s chosen. News that the red-haired giants and the snarling rock-beasts were real. As real as Sorrowfree herself! And now? Well, even though many a year had come and gone – and the pain of their mischief was old and faded. Yet did the old wound linger. A wound, Sorrowfree’s wisest mothers told themselves, that could only be salved by an old saying.

One good turn deserves another.

Which was silly, in a way. If the so-called ‘Rock Men’ had indeed abducted Sorrowfree’s brave sons and daughters in some far, forgotten past – as well it seemed they had – then that was hardly a good turn. Quite the opposite, in fact! But ah. Then come in mind, dear listener, the next part of that old saying: Likewise does a bad one.

So then.

Now, as summer warmed spring’s coolness from the land, and Father Sun called wary workers to toil in sunlit gardens under his warming gaze, Sorrowfree rose to trade their bad turn. Eight hundred warriors, in fact. Her strength, marshalled at long last – and some of them barely even equipped! To be sure, scarcely more than half of Sorrowfree’s avengers stood sheathed in gleaming iron cuirasses – and scarcely half their number with weapons that were not stone and obsidian. But so what, might one ask. Despite their panoply, their task was not to stand in a shield wall. No, momma. Instead, quiet councils and knife-mouthed war-mothers had folded the following plot into being amongst themselves: they would come at night – as quiet abominations, as slinking Kraalen – and move in on their enemy while they slept.

All in all, if the Mother-Moon smiled upon them – theirs would be a bloodless raid. For their object was not, now to stand toe-to-toe against the foe with all their might and number; but rather to launch such a raid that stole a hundred and a hundred more of the Stone Men’s kin into captivity. Why, perhaps even more, if the Mother-Moon would but bless them! A naïve plan, perhaps. But a plan none the less. And one Sorrowfree’s Nduja soldiers – battle-trained war-mothers armed and armored in gleaming iron – would carry out to the letter.

Other:
-800 Nduja warriors of fair Sorrowfree range west beyond the mountains this summer. Their aim is to visit the abodes of the Rock Men and, with quiet efficiency and brutal swiftness, steal as many of their red-haired tormentors as they can into blessed servitude.
-100 Explorers accompany their sisters in this task. Their labours consist of scouting ahead, of determining the best approach and of deciding the swiftest escape route. Nothing should be left to chance here. For the Mother-Moon will have her vengeance.

by **Lazarian** » Tue May 25, 2021 11:25 am

Corvus

The Gates of Corvus
Tenth of Harvesttime

The crowd gathered at the gates, some cheering and others weeping as the caravan departed to faraway lands. Musicians played with flute and drums, dancers twirled, and soldiers rattled their spears upon their shields. It was a joyful, and yet sorrowful affair at the same time. As the wagons began to draw away, Taeron looked back at his elderly parents, waving goodbye for the final time.

The City’s Soul - the collection of wealthy guildsmasters, ancient priests and crones, and appointed generals which managed the city - had proposed that a hundred volunteers go and live amongst the Deepkin, to strengthen bonds of friendship. To create blood-ties and marriage alliances, as they had with the Aederfolk and the Khortuun.

Or so they said. Some whispered that they were being sacrificed to these people, a blood offering to stay the hand of violence. Little was known about the insular Deepkin, asides from the splendor of Forgefend, their cautious nature, and their impressive weapons. Few Deepkin immigrants made their way to Corvus, if any at all. But Taeron was willing to take the risk.

While Corvus was wealthy, the differences between those who had and those who didn’t was stark indeed. Hundreds lived in luxurious homes, some which even had spare rooms and gardens. But hundreds lived in humble huts, crowded like rabbits in a warren. The poor of the city worked long hours in the quarries and fields, only to return to crammed homes which stank of chamber pots and unwashed men. Some men ascended the ranks - learning to read the curved Aeder-runes of their alphabet, bribing their way through long hours and lavished gifts, and sacrificing their years of youth to Vennon in the ranks of the Bloodred. But many did not have the time, energy, or wealth to become such men of status.

And in this risky venture to Forgefend came a possibility. Taeron and his wife were nobodies. Poor, tired, and clothed in simple hide tunics. But perhaps, in the realm of the Kindred of the Deep...a better future was out there.

There was silence in the field as it flew. Strands of wheat blew gently in the wind, birds chirped their songs to the sky, and a cloud drifted lazily overhead.

And then the dummy, a simple thing of hide and straw, exploded in a gory shower of splinters and grass as the bolt careened through it.

The audience gasped in shock, some cheering and raising their fists. This was the first demonstration of the project which the war-priests had been working on for quite some time - and the spectacle had delivered everything they had promised.

“Impressive, innit?” drawled Ledwyan Foefeller, grinning wickedly. Formerly a member of the Wolves, he had been medically retired after the battle with the Kata Kitai, the barbarians to the East that now grumbled and toiled in the mines for the greater good of the city. A spear through the hamstring had ended his service early - however, Coraen Elder had submitted him into the ranks of the Spirit-Guides as compensation.

The religious mystics found him insufferable. Loud, brash, crude, and foul-minded. But he was clever, sharp, and had a sense of aim that few among the Spirit-Guides could match. Over the last year, the former archer had become a master at converting his art to greater weapons. Under his direction and the guide of a few Mages from Forgefend, the Spirit-Guides had crafted another war-construct of wood, soulstone, and tension. Springs, sinew, coils, and a frame. A complicated piece of work - but one that could further obliterate the enemies of Corvus. One that would put even the Godfists to shame in their lethality and power, perhaps.

“I reckon’ that ought to put any man down. Stone or bone.” Ledwyan said, hobbling over towards the other projectiles that had been prepared. Some were circular rounds of stone and metal, others were seedshot - balls of metal and glass that would shatter into deadly shrapnel upon impact. Others still were shaped like great arrows, with tips engraved with the names of gods that would help them in their path. They would find the most lethal of these armaments, for future use.

Indeed - whether stone or bone - their foes would fall. Whatever it may take.

The wild men screamed and howled as they fell, black-feathered and soulstone-tipped arrows piercing them at every turn. The line advanced slowly, with two hundred trainees bearing heavy round shields in front. They bore a single red stripe under their left eye - a sign of their inexperience. Behind them, two ranks of archers stood, shooting a deadly hail of arrow fire out from the shieldwall.

These men were Wolf Soldiers - the greatest of the Bloodred. To become a Wolf Soldier required nearly a decade in the fighting men of Corvus, and the compensation for such labors was luxurious. These men lived in halls of splendor, their wages paid by levied taxes among the markets and tanners and workshops of the hill city. Some grumbled about such tribute, but few denied that it was better to willingly give a few coins to brothers than the entire stockpile given to filthy barbarians.

Adorned with wolf pelts atop their heads, covered in coats of lamellar armor (small plates of soulstone, sewn together with leather straps) and bearing deadly composite bows, these men delivered a quick demise to those who would oppose them. Two stripes lined their faces, with many having arms dotted with dark black lines, indicating their prowess - and the casualties they had inflicted upon lesser men.

To call such a slaughter a battle was hardly a truth. A purge was more accurate. The chosen of the Aspects, wiping out lesser men who would seek to harm them. Such a thing was only just. It was the divine mandate of their kind - the strong shall rule the weak, and the greater shall impose their will upon the lesser.

Had the wild men actually come to harm the wooded roads and peaceful abodes of Cavon? Not yet. But they would, in time. The Corvidians had learned from the Velendi, the Stone Men, and the Hesukar. Those who could not be reasoned with must be destroyed. The messenger sent to these men had not returned - a fatal mistake upon their end. Only those who were seen as equals received the benevolence of Corvus, such as the vast gifts and splendorous sums of wealth that the City’s Soul had sent to sponsoring Khortuun soldiers or Riverlander ideas.

And thus, the wild men perished. Such was their fate.

Other: Emissaries are sent to the various families and clans of the Aled Aedryn (in both cities), to assess the political situation. Are there clans which have ambition twisted into their hearts? Have any pro-Corvidian sentiments made their way down there? Are there any ills that plague these people? How are relations between Dol Angren and Dol Aelyd? What are the sizes and soldier counts of these cities?

by **The GAmeTopians** » Tue May 25, 2021 10:51 pm

The Republic of the Great River

A crowd slowly formed around the Shadowfist Training Grounds. Civilians were banned from crossing the fence into the area itself - but the soldiers liked to train as close to it as possible, just to put on a show.

On a normal day, small groups would hang out and watch sparring, usually between pairs or small groups of melee fighters. Occasionally, they would haul out the dummies for target practice. But today... today was something special. A mock watchpost had been set up in the open field, with armored soldiers taking standard positions in and around it. A drill instructor stood with a small horn several dozen feet away, and let out a brief blast of its sound to signify the start of the day’s activity. A silent takedown attempt - but not one feasible by mortal means.

A few of the crowd - those who had been quietly told where to look, or had connections to those involved - could occasionally spot the slight disturbances in the air, the imprints in the dirt and grass. They drew closer and closer to the watchpost... and before long, the evidence of the drill’s commencement began to accumulate. The space behind each of the guards seemed to shatter, almost like the air itself was corrupted with an inky black taint. From the gap dark as night emerged a dozen soldiers armored similarly to their opponents, but marked slightly differently for the sake of the drill - most significant was the black mark that covered the backs of their left hands. They tapped their swords to the necks of their compatriots, a few of whom jumped in surprise - the drill was over before it had even begun, and in any other case an audience member might grumble about it being anti-climactic. But that... that was something to behold indeed. Applause erupted from the surrounding crowd, and the Marked flashed grins out at the crowd before disappearing back into smoke and ash.

Sorry for the low quality of this post, it’s late and I have class in the morning. I suspect the battle next turn will prove much more… interesting.

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Wed May 26, 2021 2:50 am

The Land of Penithel

OOC: Sorry, no lore today

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Thu May 27, 2021 7:33 am

Year 286 of the Reckoning

Turn 43

Zhai Cheng: Sons of the Huang have mastered the mysteries of Early Empire, turning the attention of the Shao and Heaven to spreading the Huang over the face of the earth. The explorer dispatched east return much sooner than anticipated - they have come across a settlement of barbaroi up in highlands north and east of the city of Zhongdu, men doubtless massing to raid the virgin city. There is need for military action swiftly, and so they returned early from their travels.

Warclyfe: The work on the Coilbows has proceeded remarkably quickly - working prototypes are swiftly created, and prepared for use. There is black news this year - raiders from out of the jungles have assaulted Mantui, carrying off the peasants who were gathering food into slavery. They had tanned skin, and bore iron armor, but did not speak in their attack. Confidence in the new settlement has been shaken by this attack, and some question the wisdom of colonizing the Peninsula in the halls of Lo. -20 Stability

Kharbarinth: A new Amphitheater has been raised by an artistic troupe and their patrons in Kharbarinth, betraying dissatisfaction with the Emperor's lack of interest in the finer things of life. -256 Stability. The settlement of wild men north and east of Stalheim has been dispersed by a show of force, the emissary dispatched to demand the tribe migrate east received in the affirmative. A gift of five Wealth is paid to the wildmen, as compensation for their actions. The explorers sent east of Forgefend into the nearby forests report a quiet region now that the raiders have been dispersed, a place where the forest stretches on both north and east and the coast marches along the south. Impressive green-pelted tigers roam these woodlands, formidable predators that blend into the deciduous forest, and amber can be found along these coastlines. There is also coal in the hills here. A large wealth of gold has been hewn from the hills of Kar Agala, an impressive wealth for the city extracted by eager hands. +10 Gold, -47 Stability. A population boom has occurred in Svalheim, adding 100 Freemen and 300 Peasants to the populace. -124 Stability.

Efforts in Kharbarinth to refine floatstone in the heat of the Blast Furnace have produced fruit - the pale lustrous purple molten stone being useful to create structures of surpassing strength and ability to soar skyward against the constraints of the earth, and devised reinforced hulls. Architects in Stalheim have also managed to melt and work the lustrous starmetal, light and strong beyond even the qualities of forged iron. Though very difficult to work, it is an exceedingly impressive defense when wrought as armor, and cuts through bone with the greatest easy.

Machaka: The citizens given leisure have harvested a large amount of timber from the forests, clearing out a new Rural District and filling the lumberyards of the city. +12 Timber, -45 Stability. The prospectors have found nothing of interest beneath Jokia yet.

Eleskar: The magi have made great strides in the Geomantic arts - accomplishing some of what others thought could never be done, to bind the earth tides within things no longer moored to the earth itself, merely drawing from the invisible lattices of energy. This advancement opens up who new avenues of mystical research and power. Scholars within Eleskar have devised better methods of raising edifices, to accommodate the city's growing population via the axioms of Refined Construction. -268 Stability. There is, however, fell news. Raiders have struck Kelska-ar's weakened garrison, slaughtering those soldiers which remained who stood in the defense of the city and carrying off one hundred peasants and one hundred freemen. They came from the south-east, so the survivors report, and had no clear distinguishing features, but bore weapons of unfamiliar silvery metal.

Sorrowfree: The reports from the west are still coming in, about the assault on the stone men and their red menace companions.

Corvus: The barbarians wail and gnash their teeth, and are soon so many feathered corpses, laid low by their betters. A trove of ten wealth is plundered from the encampment, and it will doubtless be years before the wild folk of the hinterlands threaten Cavon again, if the Beast has no tricks up his sleeve. A new Urban District has been raised by families seeking more living space out in the flatlands near the hill of Corvus, funded by private patrons and raised by men working in their free time. -79 Stability. Ceston has been established, a formidable city built in a valley in the cleft of high mountains. This region has 6 Mountain areas, 5 Hills, 6 Flatlands, and 3 Forests. Of the merchants dispatched from fair Corvin, only those sent forth to Sorrowfree and Forgefend return in a timely manner, what could be called a route for trade - those sent to other cities return much slower, and with little profit. The inquiries in the lands of the Aederfolk are of mixed results - the Aederfolk seem broadly content, and though there is some tension between the sister-cities, nothing untoward for a land where people are divided in twain. They complain of no deprivation, and seem untroubled by the wider world. Ambition, perhaps, stirs in the hearts of some, but they are few and broadly isolated politically speaking.

Rivermouth: Scholars of the Riverlands have built new model drydocks and impressive ships indeed, with which the River could dominate the eastern seas. The prospectors sent northwest report no interesting news, save of course that surface deposits of native copper can be found here. Men laboring hard at trade and to advance themselves within the Republic have secured impressive shipments of granite from the city of Jokia, enriching the lands of the River who seek this resource for the worship of the Outsider. +9 Granite, -40 Stability.

Avnelin: Laborers in the forests near Avnelin have recorded the discovery and felling of an impressive stand of ancient timber, swelling the stockpiles of the king, though some say it is an ill omen to use such ancient woods for humble purposes. +11 Timber, -42 Stability.

by **Novas Arcanum** » Thu May 27, 2021 9:27 am

Bronze Age Shao Dynasty Theme

The Jade Emperor is the chief deity in Shao mythology. The ruler of Heaven itself. In Huang mythology all the gods are organized in a heavenly bureaucracy more important gods occupying positions of higher heavenly rank, lesser gods occupying positions of lower heavenly rank. The Jade Emperor metes out justice punishing those who are wicked while granting the blessings of Heaven to those who are just and moral. Many origin tales are passed down of how the Jade Emperor gained his enlightened position. Some believe that he was a soldier of the legendary and mythical Great Zhou, the dynasty that preceded the Shao, a soldier named Zhang Xinyi who died in a civil war. The details are shrouded in mystery but it is believed that has the deceased soldiers were granted titles in the heavenly bureaucracy Zhang Xinyi would use cunning and guile to gain the title of Jade Emperor himself. Others believed that the Jade Emperor being a follower of The Way would gain his position through enlightenment helping the poor and needy and gaining his divinity from eons of meditation and contemplation cultivating the Dao. It is believed that after he completed his mission he would give up his postion of Jade Emperor, having believed that wielding such power was unnecessary.

With the founding of Qindao and the perfection of Tianming the first Emperor of Huang Civilization, Emperor Yuan Tao would ascend to the Dragon Throne in Zhai Cheng.

Zhai Cheng

Population: 4855(+1200 Growth)

Urban District I [Granary , Spinning House,3 huts, Bloomery, Guojizian, Monument, Nursery, Shrine (+3 Stability) ,Forge, Charcoal Pit],+I Flat Food Bonus |II Palisade(+II Culture) | Aqueduct
Urban District II[Forbidden Palace(+2 Stability),Garrison, Smithy, Clinic, 6 Huts,3 Cottages(+3 Stability)] +I Food Bonus| Palisade(+II Culture)| Aqueduct
Urban District III [Dense Housing,2 Huts,7 Spinning Houses, Jade Tower (+5 Stability) ] |Simple Stone Wall (+II Culture) |+I Flat Food Bonus| Aqueduct
Urban District IV [5 Training Grounds, Dense Housing, Spinning House, Amphitheater ]|Simple Stone Wall (+II Culture)|+I Flat Food Bonus|
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 [4 Quarries ]Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District V [6 Cotton Plantations] |Watchposts |+III Food
Rural District VI [1 Cotton Plantation]|Watchposts|+III Food
Rural District VII [4 Farm] | Watchposts| Aqueduct|+III Food
Population Actions:
500 Scholars researching [Aboriculture 5/5] +I Culture, +I Wealth
400 Scholars researching [Poetry]
500 Bureaucrats [Urban District I]| Enacting wise and sound government policy +V Wisdom, +V Wealth, +V Stability |Plan of Mines [V/VIII]
100 Peasants [Rural District I]| Working hard--->[+I Labor, +XXII Food ,+I Timber, +I Galena Ore(3 from Domestic Crops,5 from granary ,7 from Aqueduct). ]
1400 Peasants [Rural District II] | Working long hours-->[ +XIV Labor ]
100 Peasants [Rural District VI]|Working hard [+I Cotton, +I 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, +VIII Food ,+I Labor(2 from domestic animal source,2 from paddocks,2 from farm,2 from Aqueduct)]
100 Peasants [Rural District V] |Working hard [+VII Cotton, +I Labor]
100 Peasants [Rural District VII] |Working hard [+XII Food, (4 from Aqueduct) ,+I Labor]
100 Peasants [Forests (Trapped) ] Gathering Silk,+ I Labor
100 Peasants [Rural District IV] |Working hard [+I Stone, +I 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 +II Wealth,-II Wealth +I Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Moving to Qindao taking five wealth [-5 Stability]
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 ---> +XIV Wealth,-II Wealth, +I Industry
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Crafting goods and wares --->+I Wealth
100 Artisans [Urban District]|Weaving cotton clothing-->-I Cotton, +III Wealth
200 Explorers find the settlement of Qindao [-X Wealth is spent] [X extra Wealth is taken]
100 Soldiers Guarding the settlers and moving to Qindao
100 Freemen [Rural District VI]-Studying the Laoist Classics in their free time [+I Labor]
400 Soldiers (Mount) patrolling in Zhai Cheng
Galley Squadron Patrolling the waters of the Sea of Zhai Cheng

Miscellaneous
100 Freemen educated has Scholars
Plan of Multitudes [I/X] +IV Wealth.
Plan of Fields [I/V]
+I Stability from Splendid Isolation.
-18 Stability from overcrowding.
-1 From Culture

Construction
Grand Wall Rises around the Forbidden Palace [Labor I/V| Wealth I/ VI| Industry 0/V|0 /XX Stone].Slowly.
Aqueduct [Labor V/V| Wealth III/III| Industry 0/III|V/ V Stone]
Docks District [Labor 0/VI |Wealth 0/V| 0/IV Industry ]
Amphitheater [Labor VI/VI |Wealth V/V| Industry II/II]
Dense Housing rises on the banks of the Yu River [Labor V/V| Wealth IV/IV, Industry 0/II|III/III Stone|0/ 2 Timber]
Dense Housing rises on the banks of the Yu River [Labor V/V| Wealth 0/IV| Industry 0/II|I/III Stone|0/ 2 Timber]
Dense Housing rises on the banks of the Yu River [Labor V/V| Wealth 0/IV| Industry 0/II|I/III Stone|0/ 2 Timber]
Dense Housing rises on the banks of the Yu River [Labor V/V| Wealth 0/IV| Industry 0/II|I/III Stone|0/ 2 Timber]
Dense Housing rises on the banks of the Yu River [Labor IV/V| Wealth 0/IV| Industry 0/II|I/III Stone|0/ 2 Timber]

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

Stability
124

Action: The Shao Empire adopts the Tier II Celestial Empire

by **The Empire of Tau** » Thu May 27, 2021 10:19 am

Republic of Machaka - Turn 44

by **Pragia** » Sat May 29, 2021 2:52 pm

by **The National Dominion of Hungary** » Sat May 29, 2021 11:24 pm

The Land of Penithel

OOC: Sorry, no lore today

by **Ralnis** » Mon May 31, 2021 8:12 am

Island of Lo,
Warcyfle

The people and the last needed shipments of sapphire had came to Lo, around 300 people made it due to attacks from these Men of Iron. Many had called out the chieftain who was too engrosed in the war with their ancestral allies and it was fine. New housing was being made for them but all of the gathering of the final parts of the Red Tower. That and the making of one of Grum's ideas had came true with the use of coilbows that needed all but the one scholar to fabricate such marvelous weapons but they needed even more tactics than what they were use to. One of the scholars had suggested on holding back on getting the weapons in due to understanding how to better coordinate their navy. The Chieftain agreed and made it known for the people to groan about.

Envoys were sent to the Ithoi to tell them of the time was now and they needed their ships to come aid in the invasion. Though they were to refuse their need to advance their tactics. The idea of ambushing the Aun'kal forces would be delightful going in. Maybe a night attack would also do well.

Mandate of Su'ppok: Let the Primus know that they are going to strike next turn. Have as many warriors as they can and bring whatever they can field for a siege due to understanding the Aun'kal's powerful army and navy. Have the islands patrol the island waters and have people be assured that their chieftain still cares for their safety.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:22 am

Deepkin

Plaza of Red Sun, Forgefend
Tenth of Golden Moon, Year Twohundred Eightyeight of the Reckoning

"The secret is in the shaping, the thickness of the rune - to be slender enough to shape the energies to a fine point, a sharp denouement, but formidable enough to contain fiery strength not merely the power to fracture itself. Too thin, and the power of the enchantment will be spent in destruction of the weapon, with little danger to the foe. Too robust, and the arrow will not fly far at all, and the heat of the stone will be contained by the sheathe, not unleashed as the Magister desires."

A dozen shaggy black heads moved up and down at the words of the red-maned instructor, each man and woman bending down over the long white pine tables with chisel and silver hammer. For several minutes the only sounds were the tip-tap of the hammers as the artificer apprentices labored to replicate the runes of unleashing which the journeyman had scribed on the slate board at the front of the room, and the slow tread of his thick workman's boots as he circulated through the room, inspecting silently.

"Laiman, would you show us your effort?"

The red-haired man with a kind face and the journeyman's stole had returned to the front of the classroom, and gestured now for one of the students to bring forward his labor. His steps were unsteady, then firmer, the student doing his best to put up a brave front. Punishments were few in the halls of learning which surrounded the Plaza of Red Sun, but failure had its own weight.

"See here how the aleph line is sharply tapered, but flares toward the base as it commingles with taniveth?"

A quiver in the air before the adept brought the minute workings on the bolt into sharp relief, displaying the tiny carvings into enough detail that the other students could see where Laiman had faltered. The teacher smiled indolently, and with a few swift strokes of his own hammer removed the excess material, causing the signature lines of the rune to stand out sharp and clean.

"Perfection, as always, is desirable - but keep in mind when dealing with the Guard that there is wisdom in attenuating effort where a result is to be destroyed. There is beauty in destruction, in the impermanent, but the enjoyment of the aesthetic should be tempered by practicality. I know you learned aleph as a character of flowing water, but think of her as a river on a map, rather than the running stream. The enchantment functions as well when her core is clear as when she is embellished, even if a patron won't be amused if you leave out the secondaries on his home!"

Some of the class chuckled at that remark, and Taeron dismissed them for the day after glancing at the sun through a window. Gathering his materials, he padded softly for home, quietly content.

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

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