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

[The Grim Reaper]

Lyov, Firsthome
Second Day of Harvestmoon, Year Twelve

Lyov saw images of the past running through his head.

His body bore the familiar marks of an aggravated boar. At first glance, he looked to be a lost cause - bruising covered his entire body, and blood seemed to seep from every pore. However, a keen eye would quickly notice that the beast had not gored him. Lyov saw it clearly.

Alone, without a tribe, his meals were a thing of convenience. He could not risk, nor did he have the ability to, take on the hunt of large beasts, and he wouldn't generally target boar. However, he had seen what he thought was a cornucopia - a nesting of piglets, seemingly abandoned by their mother. He knew it could happen; if the mother was taken by something larger, or if the litter was runtish. And this litter did look runtish. They ailed, seemed to be starved, and one could not even open its eyes. As he cautiously approached, it did not even respond to his presence.

But the mother did. The mother was likely too old or too malnourished to produce milk, and Lyov knew that she would not survive their fight, but she survived long enough. The female boar, of course, had no horns, but even feet weak from starvation could do visible damage to the outstretched, vulnerable body of Lyov, caught as he was reaching towards the smallest of her piglets. The fight was brutal, and Lyov fought with the only weapon that he had to hand, a sharp rock found only by convenience. It would be a death by a thousand cuts for the boar, and much of the blood that made Lyov a terrible sight was hers. He was not faint from blood loss, but rather, from the shock and adrenaline mixing with what had now become a full day without food and drink.

He cursed himself for not seeing the boar, and then, his memory stopped.

It reawoke at the terse voice of Ivan Nemtsov.

A faint, suspicious tone was all Lyov could follow, for now. He gathered that there was an inquiry as to his identity, and his voice was uncertain, wavering, and quiet.

"Lyov. Call me Lyov." He spoke slowly, his voice dry and cracking.

"I am A-Lone. A boar attacked me while I sought food. I am without spirit, but my body is unbroken."

He heard the voice of a little girl, speaking urgently with Ivan.

From there, he again lapsed into sleep, roused again by Maria.

Even now, his eyes glazed over, and his lips only recently moistened by drink and some rudimentary potage, he took a pointed interest in the process of bandaging. It was clear that he was not familiar with the technique, nor the material circumstance, but he had quickly surrendered himself to the care of Maria and Ivan. Although he followed only blindly, his fingers gently reviewed the work made on each of the finished wrappings, and he followed along the lines of his veins as they reacted to the pressure. As he regathered the senses beyond touch, his head instinctively turned towards the comforting glow of the fire. He was familiar with fire, of course, and had become accustomed to producing it, but he quickly deduced that a far larger group was responsible for making this one - there was much ash, and a good collection of firewood indicated to him that there was a definitive long-term orientation to his current hosts.

He chuckled to himself, almost as if at a hidden joke, when he realised the far more obvious evidence of a large settlement - his surrounds. He had not even thought to consider it as anything more than a natural formation, but it was so meticulous, so artificial, and so organized, that he started to suspect that there was no logical alternative to the fact that it was a manmade, permanent construction. He calculated that it could easily fit perhaps a dozen people, probably far more.

He turned to face his carers. Although now possessed more of his senses, he still spoke slowly, and quietly, his mind not yet comfortable with the concept of a group of people. Even when speaking to Ivan at a distance additionally, he simply directed his whispers past Maria. It gave him a deliberate, distant tone, even more so emphasized by the fact that he had not yet grasped a need for an identity, or names, nor had he inquired into theirs. "How many people did it take to build this stockade?" He struggled to put into terms the concept of a permanent settlement, which he understood only intuitively, eventually settling on characterizing residency in the present tense. "How many souls are here?"

Lyov's current agenda: Recuperation, memorizing as much as he can about everyone who comes into the stockade, and their relationships with each other.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Year Twelve

Enough food.
The mud-daub kiln the Clan constructs lasts through firing two clay pots, then crumbles under the heat of its use. Rudimentary Smelting.
Tiny Cotton Planting
Jeth is grievously injured hunting wild boar. His leg is shot through with heavy lacerations, and he perishes in a matter of hours, far from the tribe.
Ice-iron proves harder than anything the tribe has seen before, harder than flint or stone. It has a chill aura that cools the air around it, and the ore does not give under either fist or hewing with simple tools. A few tiny pebbles Whit gathers and carries back to the tribe, their cool white resplendence a sight to see.

Barely enough.
The Circle of Arkane is completed, the last monumental stones raised. As the tribe celebrates beneath the night sky all feel invigorated within the confines of the Circle, and as if they are connected to something larger than themselves. Brutus, lord of the Clan, closes his eyes for an instant in joy, and then finds himself far away atop the hills of the bay. Cadmian Clan has discovered Geolocus Travel.
Marsillia's effort bear rather indifferent results. Some of the weeds no animal will approach, others they eat from readily, but none of the animals appear particularly bothered or aided by the consumption of the various plants.

Enough food.
Small Piled-Rock Shrine (60%)
Cutting channels from the river ends up flooding a small part of the village, and some of the maize is destroyed by the water. During winter, though, the floodwaters retrieve, and the tribe successfully stops up the channel again.
The strange Blackstone does not yield under the tribe's tin tools, bending and blunting the one Zuma wields to try and harvest it. Its secrets, it seems, will not be learned so easily.

Ample food.
Divining the secrets of the arcane must wait until another year. The cuttings of the Rune of Preservation lay cold and lifeless despite Jarn's efforts.
Rudimentary Medical Care.
-Salt, +A bit of stored food. Wellness-Spelled Storage Cave
-Timber. Large Pastureland (75%)
Northeast of northeast the wide bounds of the Great River curve up from the south in the wooded grasslands. Here and there glittering gold marks the ground, alongside deposits of ruddy malachite. Picturesque breadfruit trees make their homes on the banks of the river.
A young girl-child is born to the Nemtsov household with no complications.

Abundant food.
The wild wolf packs are driven back from the cave by diligent hunting.

Enough food.
A sheep is captured by Clan Bryre, bound with primitive ropes and fed by hand. It is weak, and in obvious distress.
A miracle graces the hands of Ferren as he works with the glowtree wood- a curious symbol cut almost by accident begins to glow brightly through the wooden material. Clan Bryre has discovered the Rune of Illumination. As time wends on the glow fades and the wood crumbles almost as if consumed by the power of the symbol, but it is a discovery indeed.
East of east the mountains rise ever higher, up into snowcovered peaks where even thick furs do not truly hold back the cold. Hardy snowberries cling to the crags here, alongside nimble mountain goats. Here and there glittering galena can be espied in the tall spires of stone.
A young boy is born to Sova, but she perishes in childbirth of hemorrhage.

Enough food.
Through carefully sealing the rock furnace with smaller stones suspended in mud from rivulets and clay, the furnace of the tribe grows hotter. Primitive Smelting.
Northeast of the northern mountains, on the frozen ice-sheet, the scouts of Lordaeron wander. Nutritious lichens they find, but no metal ores. To the southeast and east though they find wide lands, stretching farther to the horizon.

Ample food. (+Pelts)
Advanced Flintknapping.
Amberrush field is already massive; small blight prevents further growth despite tending.
Mud-Daub Shrine constructed.
Despite Yuni's rest, her illness and weakness persists.

Ample food. (+Pelts)
The ice-iron refuses to yield to the flint hand-tools of Xing- he returns to the tribe with a few small pebbles.
North of north the tundra grows cold and silent, frozen ground crusted over with snow even in the height of summer. On the grinding ice Ping walks, noting a column of sluggish black water and little else in his long sojourning.
Nanfeng's contemplation of the world slowly leads to a sense of warmth suffusing her body, an enlightenment of the world around her as she sits and listens. Her breathing slows and the trees open their hearts to her, her skin becoming as hard as their bark. Dao of Resilience discovered. The fire within is dimmed by this Dao.
A healthy boy child is born to Yifan. No child graces Nanfeng.

Enough food.
No enlightenment attends Kizirh this year, despite his fasting.
Small Piled-Rock Shrine (30%)
Comprehension of the night sky defies Katya, the infinite dance of the stars too much for her to begin to understand.

Ample food. (+Hides)
The gourds of the south are a welcome addition to the meat diet of the Aslani, proving both edible and water-filled. The Atl-Atl too is an impressive weapon, and can strike down the prey hunted by the tribe from much farther than previously possible.
North the land once more becomes dry, arid dunes and scrub-grass replacing the fertile plains of the Aslani's river-valley. Fruit-bearing cactus mark the desiccated landscape, alongside salt flats and glimmering tin deposits.
By beating and grinding, the Wadj Reed is slowly rendered down into a thick pulp which, when dried, becomes somewhat useful for writing upon. Rudimentary Paper-Making.

Ample food.
Weaving simple dried-grass baskets proves well within the capabilities of the Clan. Rudimentary Weaving.
West of Clan Serys the river of their origin continues westward, filling the land with life. Rocs make their home here, flying to hunt from the nearby northern mountain crags which fill the horizon. Pear trees flourish in the fertile vale, grazed upon by giraffes.
No child is conceived.

---

Kutor:
The attempts to summon Lakmal progress apace. Eventually, the ancestor seems almost at hand to the physical world, intruding on the mind of Kutor even when she is awake in the daylight with her speech and presence. Much of the world that Kutor tells her about is strange, for Lakmal perished long ago, but eventually the two determine that a blood sacrifice is likely needed to open the gates between the present and the past.

Lyov:
Lyov's recuperation continues apace, and soon all of his injuries are healed, remarkably quickly for what he knows of the ways of the world. The medicine the Hvasskyn prepare seems to have something to do with this. He eats and lives with the tribe, eventually being unwatched by the young warrior that the Keen-Folk had initially had watch him, earning his keep by working to gather rice and melons from the tribe's few agricultural groves. The names and roles of the two families of the tribe he learns as well, and much of the innovations they have made as a clan.

[Kelmet]

The Land of Lordaeron

By the Light

(Add fluff later)

Varian-Warrior* and Vestubian - Hunting for food, collecting pelts.
Vistra- Warrior- Scouting with Aiden, on the lookout for others to join the tribe.
Calia-Scholar - Assisting Natalie, Child Care
Natalie-Scholar- Working on smelting Hematite (If that fails, continue working on improving kiln techniques.) , Child Care
Mara -Worker- Improving Housing conditions (Unless Natalie needs help building a better Kiln)
Aiden-Scout - Scouting, specifically looking for resources (namely copper and tin)
(Anveena , F, 8 ) n/a
(Mark, M, 7) n/a
(Baron , M, 7) n/a

[Ralnis]

Xcotl,
Year 13,
Consecrated Village of the Dead

The small mistake was hopefully solved by the winter of last year. Much knowledge was gained in not to do that and just keep the river as it is. The food situation was still good for the village so the Chieftain decided to try and seek on the other tasks that were needed for the village.

Zuma was fruitless endeavour in gathering Blackstone, the stone was harder than the tin pickaxes. Tenochitanzula believed that there must be something more to it, he then looked at the bronze scraps that he made. It was something he had done and saw that it was harder to hit into shape than either tin or copper. It was because the bronze was made of both copper and tin, and common sense would say that it's stronger than either or.

He decided to tell Zuma to go pick some apple seeds for planting while he begins on working on the bronze pickaxe.

The second issue was of Kutor, or Lakmal to be more percieved. The Chieftain had heard of Lakmal and of what the spirit said was the price for Kutor's want to give the tribe more power. It seemed that Lakmal wished to help, or so what Kutor told them. The Chieftain still couldn't, and wouldn't, sacrifice tribe members for this power however animals were different.

They haven't been able to experiment with trying to capture animals, mostly since they just relied on basic hunting for their food. However, the tribe wanted to get the knowledge of the past and it seemed to be a good idea to help make more creative means when it comes with the local predators, maybe even going back to taming the Great Wolves should they be able to use the skill well.

Tenochitianzula started crafting a bronze pickaxe
Opono and Uli finish the small shrine and proclaim it for the Dead and the Ancestors
Zuma goes to grab some apple tree seeds and plant them, despite the long time needed to grow.

[Novas Arcanum]

Cadmus, Great Bay
21st of Midyear, Summer Solstice
Glory to the Gods
Cadmian Music

The sun rose in the east high in the sky. The Cadmians gathered at the Circle of Arkane to celebrate the summer solstice a bonfire was lit as the tribesmen danced and sang. Aurelia had a voice that was the most beautiful and touching of them all it had the power of the divine and swelled and lifted the spirits of the Cadmians to the stars. Marsillia herself would shed tears, Brutus looked with astonishment and was mesmerized by her beauty. They would be joined by the gods, and on their night of marriage would try to shire children.

Meanwhile, Marsillia looked at the symbol of Arkane that Brutus had painted earlier. It was in the form of a star and looked as if holding the very wisdom and divinity of the God of Magic himself. Marsillia was astonished. By some miracle, the symbol had survived the ravages of time and the natural elements as if Arkane shielded his name from the natural entropy of the universe. She saw a glimpse of the divine and soon gathered more wild berries. Using a discarded seashell as a cup for the liquid she would work on the massive stones of the Circle trying to create a new writing system to record the religious beliefs of the Cadmian people.

Brutus would make flint axes to fell the trees. He intended to make a wooden temple to the gods, he knew he would have to use a more pure substance then mud, mud would incur the wrath of the gods, for its lowly appearance. Thus he needed either wood or stone to build the temple. He would try to craft as many tools as possible by the end of the year. Aurelia would pray to Mara for a safe and secure pregnancy under the wisdom of Marsillia she would do very light work, getting much rest and sleep to have a prosperous and happy pregnancy if the gods would even grant such a thing.

Secundus knew the tribe needed more food. Their supplies were running dangerously low, though it may have been because everyone was so focused on building the Circle then gathering food the previous year. Still, he would try his best to enlarge the farm, if the Cadmians where to grow and prosper they would need all the food they could get.

Brutus develops sharpened flint axes
Marsillia works on hieroglyphic writing system crushing berries and painting the hieroglyphs on the stones
Auerila does light farm work resting and praying to Mara goddess of life and fertility
Secundus tries to expand the inland wheat farm
Titus forages for food
Auerila and Brutus try to have baby
Drusilla (Child 5) Plays and collects flowers
Flavius (Child 5) Plays and wrestles with his brother Titus

[Adab]

Will add fluff if I have the time.

Maelon (Warrior/Leader, M, 31) guards the cave, looks after the children, and leads the tribe
Malar (Warrior, M, 33) helps Maelon guard the cave, looks after the children, and occasionally helps Kalamon and Kaina collect the food
Esimon (Scout, M, 31) helps Maelon guard the cave and looks after the children
Asmodeus (Scout, M, 54) helps Maelon guard the cave and looks after the children
Kalamon (Worker, M, 29) collects apples and grass, occasionally hunts for goat, wolf, and bear meat, and helps the guard the cave
Kaina (Worker, F, 30) assists Malar in collecting the food and hunting the beasts, also feeds the children
Maeka (Child, F, 10) spends her time playing and helping the adults prepare the food and light the fire
Maesimon (Child, M, 8 ) spends his time playing and helping the adults prepare the food and light the fire
Haemon (Child, M, 4) spends his time playing
Maelon and Kaina try for another child

[Terminus Pheonix]

Fergdun Clan, Folk of the Cotton-Beaver River and Ruby Hills

Sorrow. Failure. These were the emotions of the tribe in the unlucky year Thirteen.

At first, when Jeth was late returning from his hunting trip, at first the clan wasn't worried - he'd been late before, and hunting did take time. Perhaps he'd bring a large stock of boar meat. But when spring changed to summer, and summer to autumn, Jeth still remained gone. It was clear by the first leaf-fall that he was dead, lost to the clan forever. The spirits that inhabited the South were clearly angered by the tribe, who had previously hunted there with little consequence. For now, the clan decided that the South was taboo. None would enter until the spirits had calmed.

So, as the tribe mourned, it turned inward. The fire-home has succeeded at first, but quickly collapsed. Another sign the spirits were angered - or worse - evil. But the pots produced lasted longer than any made over an open fire, so it was decided to build the fire-home again, using their experience with the first kiln to build a better one this time. An, putting on a stoic face, would sing the Song of Growth and work the garden with the children, providing food and cotton for the year.

Whit would travel Southeast, seeking out other humans, hoping and praying to find a new person to add to the clan.

Maer, Scholar, and Dia, Worker rebuild the kiln, hopefully making it strong enough to stand.
An, Worker, Jean, Scholar-to-be, and Whia, Worker-to-be work the garden, singing the Song of Growth.
Whit, Scout travels to the Southeast, seeking human contact.

[Ulls]

Kutor,
The Price of Knowledge and the Gates

Lakmal was easy to summon for the girl. Her skill in talking to the Dead and throwing her soul out into the ether had became easier over the years and she was able to form a connection with the Ancestor. She talked with him in her mind and she heard many strange stories for when Xcotl was young. Apparently there was more of them and even knew other tribes or peoples before a star fell to the earth. Lakmal believes that this was the fallen of the Dead Goddess and the end of the reign of large animals called Large Scales, which ruled the earth long before Xcotl was a thing and the death of the Goddess.

These strange stories are something that she wished to record for future generations, if they are ever future generations. As she told Tenochitianzula of the price to gain more power, to open the Gates and see what's inside, he got worried. Kutor never wanted to sacrifice a child, not after the bad luck they had years prior and the fear of people dying at childbirth. Instead she focused on getting an animal and learned how to use traps in order to get animals alive to make a sacrifice worth the Dead.

Action: Learn how to make traps for antelopes using bait and primitive ropes. Try to get the animal alive.

[Holy Tedalonia]

Clan Bryre
Reshia's Pasture

"You're certain it will work," asked Vallen skeptically.

Ferren responds carefully, "I am certain, my chief. The flufflings blood should let the shrine live forever, if my studies and understandings are correct. The flufflings spirit should move once its essence is cut out, and poured onto the rune. Allowing the rune to use the flufflings spirit for a incredibly long time, assuming all the soul is being use for is simply keeping the shrine alight."

"Do it then, the flufflings was a sacrifice for our spirits anyways, perhaps the offering can benefit them in more ways than one than," said Vallen.

Vallen let Ferren returned to his shrine work as Vallen walked out into the fields. All he could think about was his lost companion, and how they spent many nights together. He now must continue alone. He recalled Eshins desire to find a companion, and wondered if he must Dome the same. Regardless he must continue his work.

This year he would have to care of the children himself without Sova's aid. Not only he would have to gather food for the tribe. He heard from Ferren and Reshia that they would try again at having a child. Cementing 5 children into the next generation.

Vallen Bryre (Warrior/Leader, M, 31): hunting sheep/childcare.
Eshin Bryre (Scout, M, 30): going south east, and hunting animals along the way.
Reshia Bryre (Worker, F, 29): collecting food and glow wood
Ferren Bryre (Scholar, M, 32): Sacrificing sheep to try keep the rune staying alive and build the shrine.
First Bryre (Child; F; : cared by Vallen
Third Bryre (Child; F; 6): cared by Vallen
Fourth Bryre (Child; M; 5): cared by Vallen
Sixth Bryre (Child, M, 1): cared by Vallen

[Brendislav]

Vestubian of Lordaeron
Year 13, Age 17

Early in the Year:

Vestubian woke up in a cold sweat, his dreams were filled with nightmarish creatures and troubling sights. Unfortunately, this was a common occurrence, the few times Vestubian did sleep, it was filled with nightmares. Visions of an impending doom? He thought not, it was clear when the Light wished to tell Vestubian something, he could feel it. He got up and tried not to disturb the others as he carefully stepped out of the hut. On nights like this when Vestubian couldn’t sleep he would meditate under the stars to see if he could find purpose in the Light. Even in this relaxed state, the meditation exhausted Vestubian, trying to reach and interact with the Light was a difficult feat, even though Vestubian was getting better at it.

This night, like many, Vestubian felt his spirit lift into the stars and soon his sight was blinded as he breached the barrier between the two worlds. Normally, Vestubian would be too blind from the brilliant burst of Light, but somehow he managed to open his eyes and make out some tiny details. He floated above brilliant golden clouds, swimming in a substance that burned his skin and filled him with vigor. He saw shapes moving around, Vestubian thought they must be the spirits who lived in the Light and guided them, but they were too blurry to make out specific details. Vestubian tried to approach them, but he was weighed down by whatever was surrounding him. He tried to speak, but he heard no sound, and his mouth was filled with something that burned whenever it opened.

“The Light will protect you when the darkness come,” A figure seemed to materialize in front of Vestubian as it spoke, “you must prepare the people. Protect the world.”

Vestubian was awestruck, what evil? What will the Light protect them from?

The being seemed to read his mind, “You will not witness this with your own eyes,” the figure answered, “but you will help them prepare.”

Vestubian woke up gasping for air, he struggled to breath as he started to wake up. The dawn was just breaking and Varian left the hut to see what was the matter. Vestubian simply waved and started to stand up, feeling weak as waves of exhaustion went through him. “Are you ok to join the hunt?” Varian asked. Vestubian silently shook his head and started to walk along the coast to clear his head.

Midway though the year:

The vision that Vestubian received that restless night had left him pondering how he could help the tribe prepare for any disastrous situations that could come in the future. As he looked over the tribe, he saw the palisade standing strong and the scholars diligently working at their new furnace. And Vestubian thought of what they could do further to protect the tribe. One of the most important ways he could see is by trying to create larger ships and protecting the waters around Lordaeron. Although it would be a good idea he could do little about it himself, he was not a very skilled craftsman. But one thing he could do is further understand how to utilise the Light and receive its boons.

Vestubian tried to think of how he had invoked the powers of the Light, during that one night he had healed Aiden. He thought of how he had meditated with his hands on his injured tribesman, bringing him to the Light so he may be healed. Surly there would be more to the Light than just healing simple wounds. Vestubian walked over to the three tall, rough, stone pillars in the middle of the tribe and rubbed his hands on them. He then thought to the things the Light had taught him, the importance of Respect, Compassion, and Tenacity. Why were they important?

Then it hit Vestubian, the three founding principles must be how the tribe can use magic just like him. It wasn’t just because he brought Aiden to the Light, it was because Vestubian sacrificed his own life and energy for someone who was in need. Aiden was healed because Vestubian was practicing compassion, and if he embodied the other two values he could unlock greater potentials.

Vestubian would have to put this to test however, and he would have to put his life on the line for the good of the tribe. Vestubian decided he would spend the next few months studying what the virtue of Tenacity could possibly unlock. He would do this by limiting his food and water over the next few months, living in the wilds, and meditating while wrapped in Redkelp. Hopefully Vestubian would persevere through the hardships over the next few months, and fully embody the spirit of Tenacity.

Rest of the year:

Vestubian will set himself on a trial of hardship in order to understand the Holy Light virtue of Tenacity, and what mystical effects it holds. Upon doing this he will be away from the tribe and will not be able to hunt with Varian.

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

The Honori People
Erecting monuments to silent gods

Yuni sat alone in the small shrine-home upon the hill, her weak body still secluding her to no participate in hard labor. She gently nursed the flame in the center of the room with the pile of sticks beside her, and sighed. She felt useless, a burden. Her artwork from the previous year had lead to nothing, and the aches and chills that followed her kept her unable to leave the hilltop. She looked up unto the stars, and saw the millions of fires alight, just as her own. She wondered if someone might be looking down upon her, and might come down from those stars to save her from earthly troubles, and set her free from the shell that was her body. She began to feel light-headed, a symptom she'd felt before, but much stronger than usual. She closed her eyes, and was overcome with a sense of security. This feeling almost seemed to pull her up, up with the smoke from the fire, and out the square hole above her. She breathed in the air, and felt it thick in her lungs. She breathed out, and felt it's heat leave her body. She opened her eyes, and saw the stars above her, and all was still but the flame before her. All seemed the same, but she felt as though her eyes were opened just a bit further, as if some light haze had cleared her vision. She knew not what this new force was, but she welcomed it, for it freed her soul for just a moment, from it's trappings in earthly sickness and pain. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure walk into the room, and sit down beside her. It was Homa, with a bowl of some liquid of sorts in her hands. She offered it to Yuni, who gazed into it's syrupy contents.

"What is it?" She said, her voice soft and small.

"It is the juice of the Assurush fruit, I pressed it just yesterday. Come, drink, it is very sweet, and very strong. Maybe it will help your body with the energy it needs to fight back."

"I thank you kindly."

There was a silence between the two, elder and leader, for what seemed to be forever, them both staring up at the heavens in awe. Then, Homa began to sing in a quiet voice, a song never heard before by Yuni. It was rather simple, but just as emotional. The somber words and slow, steady rythm seemed to call to whatever stretched above them for deliverance from their times of sorrow and pain. When she was done, once again returned the silence of the night. But in the breeze coming through the doorway, a reply, almost inaudibly seemed to echo through the room.
"Ertu mi filia" Homa sang back into the wind in repetition of what she heard, and all was still throughout the rest of the night.

Thank the gods, Juli returned home every time he set out that year, and returned with the bodies of several large dead lamas. Every part was set to good use, and the meat, having been a rarity among the Honori for years now, was quickly put to good use, as not a scrap would stay long enough to spoil. Happily content with his action and the people's ready acceptance of his gifts, Juli would soon set off once again later that year. He told the tribe he would be leaving to bring back the strange and edible grass found just a few years ago south of them, to hopefully try and grow just as they did the Assurush, and provide security against the blight currently infecting their fields.

Suki, the sister of Juli, worked in the fields, mimicking years and years past, tending the Assurush plants, re-digging the irrigation canals, and throwing out all the blighted plants. It was long, hard, tough work, but it was nessecary to feed the tribe. Still, she questioned her work, and why Yuni, the weak and feeble one, must tell them all when and what to do. Still, with great doubts, she continued her work, however this year with audible grumblings.

Shanti and Arki, the two wanderers stuck in one land, were instructed by Homa on what to do next. They were taught by her the method of making a pseudo-chisel and hammer from the flint she had carved, before being shown to a large sandstone rock a few hundred meters away from home. She pointed out the various large cracks in the stone, the fissures that if pried open properly, would loosen a chunk of it just enough to be removed, and from there to be shaped. She then explained to them her vision, that of a grand stone pillar facing towards the rising sun, a rather complex monument for their level of ability, she hoped this may satisfy the gods, and bring the fortune of gentle warmth unto the people once again. Homa herself, however, wasn't sure on one key component- that being how to keep the rocks from falling out of place. For it to be a pillar- a long and strait monument that would reach into the sky taller than any human could, she could not just stack them. And so, she looked for ways to cement the cut stones together, and keep them held in a constant state up towards the sky. And so, the three went to work, slaving away in the name of protection from the evil spirits who plagued their lives.

Yuni stays resting, and attempts to commune with the spirits of the land from inside the shrine, giving up some of the idols as offerings to them.
Suki stays to cultivate the Amberush fields
Juli heads south to collect wheat and bring some back to replant, aswell as eat. Equipped with basic flint weapons and plantfiber baskets.
Arki and Shanti stay to try and quarry sandstone from the surrounding area.
Homa attempts to create a binding agent for the stones.

~Honori Language.~

Ertu- Compound word, can be broken down into two parts. Er-tu
'Er', meaning 'You' and 'Tu' meaning 'Are'
Mi- Word meaning 'My' or 'My own'
'Filia'- Honori word for 'Daughter'

[The GAmeTopians]

-Will do filler tonight, hopefully-

Zhou Wang, M, Warrior - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, Hunting and Fishing in Home Region, Equipment: Flint Hatchet, Flint Fishing Spears, Primitive Baskets
Zhou Xing, M, Worker - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, Constructing Wood Huts, Equipment: Flint Hatchet
Zhou Ping, M, Scout - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, Scouting South of South, Equipment: Flint Hatchet, Flint Fishing Spears
Zhou Yifan, F, Scholar - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, and studying the ice-iron that Zhou Xing brought back, Equipment: Flint Tools, Tribe Campfire
Zhou Nanfeng, F, Scholar - Helping others to learn the Dao of Resilience, and contemplating the underlying forces of the Dao.
Zhou He, M, Youth - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, and contemplating the underlying forces of the Dao.
Zhou Mei, F, Child - Attempting to learn the Dao of Resilience, and contemplating the underlying forces of the Dao.
Zhou Bai, M, Baby ---
Zhou Cong, M, Baby ---
Zhou Chen, M, Baby ---
Zhou Yifan and Zhou Wang attempt to have a child.
Zhou Nanfeng and Zhou Xing attempt to have a child.

[Theyra]

The Aslani

Will try to do later

Kevah(M) Scout/Leader - travel south to collect gourd to replant and find seeds as well.
Atena(F) Warrior - Hunting and fishing
Mahdi(M) Worker - building a farm for the gourds
Zari(F) Scholar - studying the stars while writing down their positions.
Naghi(M) Scholar - Caring for Shahin
Shahin(M) Infant - Doing baby things

[The Federation of Kendor]

Herrian Tribe

No story for now

Kizirh (Leader/Warrior): Continue to try getting magic by praying to Vadim, as well as spending time in the cold and submerging himself in a body of water in the region (but only as high as the chest, and nit too long that it can kill him)
Zikov (Warrior): Defend the tribe and help in the construction of the shrine
Kozlov (Worker): Continue gathering resources to the east and constructing the shrine, as well as tend to the crop when he returns from gathering resources
Katya (Scholar): Continue researching the star, this time by trying to search some kind of a landmark that will help in laying the stars
Kiril (Child): Star training to be a warrior, by helping Zikov (I assume child can start training in a role at 6)
Galina (Child): Being a one year old child

[The National Dominion of Hungary]

Clan Serys

---

No fluff this time I'm afraid.

Artor spends his time being ready to help with the possible pregnancies and studying their progression.
Ellyn gathers sweetplums with one of the baskets and helps Lia care for the little infants.
Lia cares for the two little children and sometimes helps Ellyn with gathering using another basket.
Zvad goes up to the hills to hunt sheep, carrying a spear, bow and arrows.
Zara just does toddler things.
Kharyn the Younger just does toddler things.
Zvad and Lia spend several nights together before he leaves.
Artor and Ellyn spend many nights together.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Forgefeld, Firsthome
Seventh Day of Sunsheight, Year Thirteen

The heat of the forge was overwhelming in the noon sun, and sweat poured off of Petyor in waves, cutting furrows in the grime and soot-soaked exterior of his sorry hide. Up the heavy spearhead came out of the furnace, normal dun brown bronze turned a merry red by the blasting flames, and upon the large stone he placed the blade. Talia's copper head bobbed into the edge of his view, sturdy callused hands feminine unlike his own taking the haft of the spear and holding it firm, and Petyor nodded gratefully as he took up his heavy hammer. Thum-tam, tam-thum the blacksmith's tattoo, hardening the blade and shaping the incandescent metal. The broad leaf-shaped figure was nearly complete, and after a few more minutes of beating against the speartip the whole assemblage was prepared.

After cooling for a few minutes, into the jar of water the bronze weapon went, and the cherry-red metal swiftly plunged into the gray-brown of metal ready for service to man. The hot hiss of the steam was music to a man's ears, understanding what it meant, that the tool would be sharp and hard. Spears needed such quenching, unlike most of the tools the Keen-Folk forged; it made the metal more brittle, and it could shear and break, but there was hardly any use in a dull spear, no?

Talia poured her father a drink from a different water jar, and took one herself after he had slaked his thirst. They did not speak, for the hot dry air of summer was loathe to allow even cool riverwater to cut the dust and smoke of the forge from throats that had been working long hours, but still Petyor was glad the task was done.

"We're going to need more copper soon?" observed the Rurikid's daughter, in tones that said she had recently been checking on their stockpiles. Petyor merely nodded, before deigning to gesture over towards the sea-hills after a few seconds of contemplation.

"Jarn already thought of that. This bronze we are using, it is copper hungry, but needs but a little tin. We are fortunate the Maker gave us a land teeming with blood of orange instead of blood of silver, or else you and I should be forging much less, and walking and mining much more."

The younger worker laughed; it was true. Lustrous copper could be seen even now around on the earth, if one knew what to look for, in tiny pebbles that were the outcast of the sea-hills. The Hvasskyn have never lacked such materials, certainly not now that they understood its value. And from the metalwork of the tribe came many great things.

Jarn Nemtsov (Scholar) works to devise hand-tools for turning up soil and better planting
Maria Nemtsov (Scholar) works with the wood of the tribe to build a small raft and oars
Ivan Nemtsov (Warrior) hunts lightly in the Nightwood and watches the children
Petyor Rurik (Worker) forges and shapes bronze spears for the tribe (10)
Natalya Rurik (Worker) finishes the large pasture
Talia Rurik (Worker) forges and shapes bronze spears for the tribe with Petyor, mines copper
Sylvia (Scout) travels north of north seeking a man
Vladimir Nemtsov (Scholar) refines the Rune of Preservation, seeking success through complexity where his father failed

Nadira Rurik (Young Scout) learns of wood and field with Natalaya near the Nightwood
Kursk Nemtsov (Young Worker) learns about copper mining with Talia

[The Grim Reaper]

Lyov, Firsthome - A Man Without a Name
Year 13

Lyov had come to understand the two families of his new home. In the past several months, he had become accustomed to their ways; familiar with the revelations they brought to him of not just their world, but all the world. On each hand, he could count the numbers of each family, but only just, and have one left over for their enigmatic scout, whom he had only seen but for moments. On the one hand were the Nemtsovs. He gathered that the leader, Jarn, was of this family, and his partner was Maria. Through them was a rich issue - Ivan, Vladimir, and Kursk, the youngest. On the other hand was the scout, and the Ruriks - Petyor and Natalya, and their issue, Talia and Nadira. For the most part, it seemed to Lyov that the nature of Firsthome had - at first - been family business. Children learned from their parents, and would follow along with their trades - both their successes, and their failures.

Talia was working with her father, and they were hardy stock, whilst Natalya put her physical hardiness to task elsewhere. The Nemtsovs, instead, busied themselves with the intellectual - with the exception of Ivan, for whom martial greatness and childcare called in equal measure. But it was to all be upended with the next generation - the young Kursk studied under the Ruriks, whilst Nadira seemed to aspire towards the ever-looming shadow of Sylvia's discoveries.

By now, Lyov had an encyclopaedic memory of the interests and personal pursuits of the people of the tribe. It helped him come to grips with a social world that he did not yet fully understand - it gave him a sense of control over something far bigger than him. He resolved to do something to make a mark; to find himself a name.

He knew, of course, that neither family would begrudge a helping hand, but that would not let him make a name for himself. No, he would have to make his own path.

He had carefully considered the resources available in the storage cave of the tribe, and had found it wanting. Much of it was of little valuable consideration to him - copper tools, while useful, did not offer him a path to making a name. Nor did bronze. And the complexities of rune-carving, although fascinating, was too intricate and introspective to offer him what he craved; recognition and respect of the kind that the two families could give to themselves.

Sorting through the various findings in the cave, he found something fascinating. There was a minute rock, glassy and translucent, in the corner. Although he did not know it, he could guess - this was a sample of jade, the one that Sylvia had shown to the tribe when she first returned from the north-east. It entranced Lyov. And yet, it was so little.

Lyov looked around the cave for inspiration, until he finally saw it. The rune of preservation that Jarn and his apprentice had been working on. Mentally, Lyov did not grasp the workings of the rune, but he did not require reason - understanding was enough for now. And he understood that something so little could define such a large work. The addition of the rune changed this from a cave to an essential part of the Hvasskyn society. So too could he do the same with jade. All he needed to do was the develop the correct skills.

Lyov - Will attempt to obtain more jade using the safest route he can plot, with an eye towards studying its properties and ways of manipulating its shape.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Year 13

Plentiful food.
The newly raised kiln is much better, built of rough stones gathered from around the tribe and sealed with clay and mud to hold in the heat. Primitive Smelting.
South east of the Clan a wide river-country unfolds of verdant plains; great wolves hunt prey through the wide expanses between groves of oak trees, and both malachite and gold glitter here and there in the soil. It is upstream from the tribe, but the scout is not alone- from a distance Whit espies a small wooden palisade with some tents within its confines, and here and there people move in the wooded plains.

Ample food.
Two sharpened flint axes constructed. Advanced Flint Techniques.
Hieroglyphics.
With care and attention the wheat farm inland slowly expands under Secundus' attentions.
A healthy girl-child is born to the tribe come year's end.

Enough food.
The pickaxe produced by the tribe is crude and blunts easily, but it is much stronger than the tin tools they have used so far. Rudimentary Smithing.
The shrine rises high, a formidable form of stones and rock showing the devotion of the people of Xcotl to the Dead God. A part of the health of the two builders departs their bodies, leaving them weakened as they place the last stones. When the folk of Xcotl look upon the shrine the sun seems to falter, and birdsong fade.
A few apple saplings have been placed around the village.

Enough food. (+Pelts)
Rudimentary Tilling.
A small raft is crafted. Rudimentary Boatmaking.
Ten Bronze Spears are forged. --Copper, -Tin
Large Pasture (100%), -Timber.
+Copper
North of north the wide timberlands and meadowed forests stretch seemingly endlessly, though the air is growing a touch drier as Sylvia travels. The land she journeys through is still devoid of other tribes or peoples. Blueberry bushes flourish under the forest eaves here, with veins of lapis lazuli evident in the rock formations and strange blood-red barley grains growing in the wide clearings of the woods.
Success eludes Vladimir, and the Rune of Preservation remains lifeless.

Abundant food.
Little of note happens this year. Strange figures walk in the trees of the mountain valleys, or so a guard reports, but nothing comes of these sightings.

Plentiful food. (+Pelts)
The sheep perishes, its lifeblood spilled upon the Rune of Illumination cut into some glow-wood by the tribe; but nothing changes. The wood crumbles under the power of the Rune all the same despite the sacrifice. Using the strength of animals for this process eludes Ferren.
South-east of the Clan more wide fertile plains stretch, a new river flowing out of the northern mountains giving life to the grasslands. Rude malachite can be found in the soil here, alongside tough granite deposits, but in the long grasses stalk massive spiders as large as a man's torso, and they do not seem overly averse to hunting man as prey.

Ample food. (+Pelts)
The stubborn red-rock of the hills refuses to melt in the wood-fires of the tribe, even in their hottest furnace. Another fuel source, perhaps, or some method of making fires hotter.
Natalie raises another Mud-Daub hut, primitive but another place to sleep out of the rain.
The scouts of Lordaeron travel south and east from the polar ice, into a land where life is scarce and harsh, but in evidence. Here on the far shores of the sea to the east of the northeast of the tribe mighty sabercats roam, alongside wild lynx. Barley ekes out a living in this terrain, and here and there in the hard taiga soil heavy deposits of coal may also be found. It is many weeks journey from their island home, but not too far afield.

Ample food.
The sickness, or weakness, moves into Yuni's bones despite her rest and contemplation. She is now very ill, and can barely move. -Idols
The amberrush field, through careful tending, expands to a truly vast scale. The people want for very little with food so near at hand and easy to gather.
A tiny wheat planting is begun.
Some sandstone boulders are cracked from the ground. Homa's clever mind takes the clay of the riverbed, and uses it to bond stones together when it is dry. Rudimentary Masonry.

Enough food. (+Pelts)
Xing raises two new Huts with much work, using the harvested Timber.
The ice-iron seems cold to the touch, sticking to skin like chill snow even in the height of summer. It will not heat in even the fiercest of fires the Zhou can produce.
No tribemembers seem to grasp the Dao of Resilience.
South of south wide warm plains unfold, the northern coastline fading away towards the west. In this country wheat flourishes, pear trees feeding a large population of gazelles.
Zhou Yifan bears a child for her lover, but the girl-child does not survive its first winter.
Zhou Xing perishes in childbirth, her crying healthy boy her legacy.

Enough food.
Kirizh's quest for enlightenment continues to leave him with little more than a resilience to cold, though his prowess in this area is formidable.
The Small Piled-Rock Shrine grows higher. (45%)
A few patterns does Katya notice in the stars, some being of a different hue, others rising only at certain times of night and year. Rudimentary Astronomy.

Ample food.
A small planting of the gourds begins to flourish near the village of the Aslani, another source of food for the tribe.
With some simple paper and fire-coals to record their positions, Zari begins to notice the patterns of the great celestial dance overhead, and marks them on the Shrine in places.

Plentiful food (+Pelts)
A boy-child is born uneventfully to Ellyn and Artor- his assistance is ultimately not needed, for the child is born cleanly and with little fuss. A new soul for the Clan.

---

Kutor: A few primitive rope-traps Kutor prepares, a useful skill, but her efforts are largely in vain. Though some of the traps she leaves out seem to have been sprung come morning, they do not successfully take any victims for sacrifices. Rudimentary Trapping.

Vestubian: The trials that the child of Lordaeron sets for himself are many, and arduous. But in the wilds of the northern mountains he slowly realizes a strength that has been held inside himself for many years, and this Protecting Light allows him to ignore the childish demands of the body for many hours when he focuses upon it. Light wounds and pains can be banished, hunger and thirst countermanded, but Vestubian is very weak and the demands return threefold when his concentration wanes.

Lyov: Lyov's journey to the northeast, the land of jade, is relatively uneventful. Warned of the Strangleweed after discussing his desires with the tribe leader, Jarn, the Hvasskyn seem to trust him enough to give him one of their pickaxes and a sturdy knife as well as food for his travels. Some of the ways he walks on his journey have already been trod by men of the Keen-Folk mining tin in years before, and when he returns after several weeks to the tribe he does so with large quantities of lustrous green precious stones. ++Jade

[Novas Arcanum]

Cadmus,Great Bay

Marsillia looked at the hieroglyphics system that she created and was proud of what she had created. Brutus would soon learn how to write in Cadmian hieroglyphics as well, and the two scholars realized that there was much that could be learned and gained from this new knowledge. Brutus would gather and create clay-tablets and write the creation myths of the Cadmian people. The Great War where the gods battled with the Titans for rulership of the universe, Birth of Humanity where Kona, King of the Gods, crafted mankind out of the dust of Terratus, various love-affairs between humans, angels and gods and the demigod heroes born from such affairs, and finally the Great Shattering that occurred countless generations before the Cadmians.

Marsillia would look at the Stone Circle, and observe the stars, meteorite showers, and other cosmic events. She would use stones to etch on the Arkane Stones a new calendar-system that could be used for the planting and harvesting of wheat, it was a great endeavor that would take much time still she knew this would be a great boon for the Cadmians. Secundus would take the sharpen flint axes Brutus created and chop wood. He would make sure not to chop too much wood, only enough to create a small temple dedicated to the gods. He suggested to Brutus to replace the mud huts with wooden ones but for now, the gods would come first.

Aurelia held Camilla in her arms happy that she had given birth to such a beautiful gift from above. She wanted another child and would make love with Brutus, to bring another blessing into the world. She rested and ate well, throughout the year to balance her humors and to take good care of Camilla. Meanwhile, Titus asked his parents if he could leave the tribe but was told that he was needed by his people, for now, he would have to wait till next year.

Brutus crafts clay tablets out of clay to write on
Marsillia observes the heavens for planting and harvesting. She also creates a calendar system using the Arkane Circle
Secundus chops wood to make a wooden temple
Aurelia light farm work. Mainly rests, eats well, praying to Mara.
Titus (Scout 10) harvests wheat
Flavius (boy 6) Wrestles with Titus and plays.
Drusilla (girl 6) Wrestles with Titus and Flavius and plays.
Camillia (Baby Girl) Taken care of by mother.
Brutus and Aurelia try to have another baby

[Holy Tedalonia]

Clan Bryre
Reshia's Pasture

Will add description later

[b]Vallen Bryre (Warrior/Leader, M, 32): hunting sheep/childcare. Capturing one sheep for Ferren.
[b]Eshin Bryre (Scout, M, 31): going north east, hunting along the way.
[b]Reshia Bryre (Worker, F, 30): collecting food and glow wood. Trying for a kid with Ferren (hopefully the last)
[b]Ferren Bryre (Scholar, M, 33): Sacrificing sheep to try keep the rune staying alive and build the shrine.
[b]First Bryre (Child; F; 9): cared by Vallen
[b]Third Bryre (Child; F; 7): cared by Vallen
[b]Fourth Bryre (Child; M; 6): cared by Vallen
[b]Sixth Bryre (Child, M, 2): cared by Vallen

[Terminus Pheonix]

Fergdun Clan, Folk of the Cotton-Beaver River and Ruby Hills

(Space for later fluff.)

Maer, Scholar, 34 and Dia, Worker, 29 divert a small portion of the river into channels dug into the ground, planted with edible grass seeds. (Rudimentary Irrigation)
An, Worker, 28 works the existing garden, with help from Jean, Scholar-to-be, 8 and Whia, Worker-to-be, 6. They sing the Song of Growth.
Whit, Scout, 29 hunts beaver.
Whit and Dia try for a baby.

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

The Honori People
Silence, in the face of progress.

Yuni had become weak. Her days were obviously numbered. Her bones felt heavy, and it hurt to move but a few feet around the room. Whatever had happened to her in her pregnancy- it was seemingly fatal. She could do nothing now but meet with her ancestors, and beg for mercy. If nothing else, then she would be at peace when she left this plane. She sat in the shrine, laying atop a bed of furs and sipping what little she could keep down. She stared up at the stars from her place in the room, and tended the sacred flame. "I will be coming home to you, mother, in not too long. But if you will be merciful, I beg you to let me guide my people for just a few more years,and I would erect dozens of pillars in your honor." Her whispers were only answered by the howls of the midnight wind.

Juli had lost all resentment for the poor leader, now incapable of even leaving her restingplace. He left for the east, to hunt for meat, maybe he could make her last days better with good warm food and gentle company.

Homa, on the other hand, was completely lost in what to do. She had tried everything, but nothing worked. All she could do was look towards the future, and in that she looked for ways to help Juli in his ventures. One way of this, was in the contents of a creature he had recently killed in the early of that year. The two sat by the communal fire, skinning it and removing it's entrails the best they could. The pelts were warm, and useful for sleeping in, while the meat was filling, and the bones could be collected. They too were piled, but Homa wished to know if they could do anything with the organs. And she found this out soon enough, with the creature's stomach. It's stomach, when properly processed and trimmed, could be useful for carrying liquids, without the fear of them spilling over like in a bowl. And so, she filled it up with the most precious of their liquids, Amberrush juices, and placed it into storage.

Shanti and Arki, on the other hand, continued their hard labor mining stone and constructing the Obelisk. They placed it upon a ridge overlooking the land of the setting sun, and hoped it's testiment to their devotion might somehow bring the divine mother's mercy upon Yuni- their friend, their leader, their guide in this strange world.

Arki begins construction of the Oblisk with the stones currently cut.
Shanti continues to cut stones for use building the Oblisk
Juli goes east to hunt the Llama
Homa looks for better ways to prepare their abundant food supply (Alchohol)
Suki cultivates the Wheat Fields
Yuni Secludes herself in the Shrine-home and looks for aid in the spirits

[Kelmet]

The Land of Lordaeron

By the Light

At long last the scouting efforts of Aiden and Vistra bared exceptional fruit. Barley for the tribes irrigation field and coal, and ingredient they could use to increase the heat produced by the tribes furnace. Hopefully it would be hot enough to manipulate raw Hematite into useful iron when accompanied by blooming, forcing extra air directly into the heart of the furnace.

Varian-Warrior - Hunting for food, collecting pelts.
Vistra- Warrior- Traveling with Aiden, but gathering Barley
Calia-Scholar - Researching Bloomery, Child Care
Natalie-Scholar- Researching how to make the furnace hotter (Adding Coal), Child Care
Mara -Worker- Working with the Scholars
Aiden-Scout - Gathering Coal
Vestubian- Researching the Holy Light.
(Anveena , F, 8 ) n/a
(Mark, M, 7) n/a
(Baron , M, 7) n/a

[Ralnis]

Xcotl, Concreted by the Dead

With the rise of the mighty, and foreboding cairn shrine that seemed to be bringing the dead energies to reality. To the two builders, the energies taken from them was nearly mysterious, but the effects were a lack of breath and a sudden weakness that startled the rest of the tribe. It was over after a couple days rest, but Tenchitanzula was still worried a bit. Still, the shrine was built, the apple trees were planted and sprouting, so they had some more food that can be used for the tribe.

The first thing on the agenda was about Kutor and her far-sight. The question itself was the tribe that was northwest of their village and to see if they wish to meet them. The chieftain still didn't truly believe in trying to contact someone that could be hostile or something different in entirely. Still, the curiosity grew enough that Zuma was ordered to scout ahead up north and find an end to the river. It would be the first step to finding this tribe and see just how far they are from this neighbor.

The second on the agenda was another thing of Kutor, the sacrifice. While her craftiness did show some good to the traps, her luck didn't seem to favor her. The chieftain decided to send one of the workers to go and help to capture a prey for sacrifice. He believed that Kutor needed to have some help if she wanted to open the Gates and get the knowledge that could help the tribe. If such knowledge from the Dead are powerful, then he still will see if such a thing was still worth how the risk.

The third on the agenda was the Blackstone itself. Tenochitazula believed that the hardened metal pickaxe, crudely made albeit but much better built against the stone. The thing is that the Chieftain itself still believed it may not be enough but even tribals still know of science. He tasked the other worker to go work on cracking the Blackstone vein and see if they can gather some rocks for more experimentation.

The final part of the agenda is of the apple trees. The apple trees itself are known by the time to take years of careful tending in order to bear fruit. The scholarly chieftain had looked at the waste of the crops and the pelt that came up, even the refuse that the tribe made. He thought he could start to trying to grow crops better. If he could recycle from the earth and help the trees bloom faster, then it would be worth the experiment.

Tenochitanzula researches fertilizer to help acclerate the growth of the apple trees
Opono goes to help Kutor with making traps and capturing Antelope for sacrifice using a net and bait.
Uli uses the bronze pickaxe to try and mine Blackstone
Zuma follows tries to follow the river north beyond which had been previously explored, looking for the end of it and searching for more resources that can be put to use. Armed with a copper spear

[The Grim Reaper]

Lyov, Firsthome

Lyov surveyed the jade he had collected. It appeared as a basket of ordinary rocks, concealing the precious treasures within. However, he had quickly realised that what he had thought to be simple rocky outcroppings were actually veins of what we would know as either nephrite or jadeite. With only a little effort, a window into the stone within could be chipped away, exposing the crusty mantle and the hard jade within. It had taken him the same amount of time to realise that, for all its miraculous achievements, the bronze metal of the Hvasskyn could not leave an impression on jade without cleaving it entirely - it was, thought he did not understand the mechanics at work yet, too hard to be worked with metal.

Nonetheless, he surmised that there was some alternative mechanism required - he could not depend on the metalwork of the Hvasskyn to achieve his goals. He took his time to explore his environment, looking for inspiration, and to accustom himself to the achievements of the tribe, lest they offered an outlet for his creativity. He awed at the ambitious pastures that Natalya Rurik had been putting together. He handled the beautiful copper spears of Petyor and Talia, and marvelled at their sharp edges. He considered carefully Jarn's innovations in tilling. But it was only when he spoke to Maria about her raft that he came to understand that which he now intuitively knew. The immense power of nature.

"The raft floats, of course. And the oars let you control the direction of the raft?"

"Yes, that's right."

Lyov squat down, letting his hand swing in the river. Hanging straight down, he could feel it gently pushed along by the vast quantities of water that passed by. He started to understand a fundamental rule about the universe, as he felt, seemingly paradoxically, the forward thrust of the river push his hand upwards, in a wide arc from his shoulder onwards. Pushing his hand back, he quickly grasped that this was analogous to the workings of the oar, feeling the resistance of the water.

Borrowing one of the oars, he tried paddling with the oar from the banks of the river, and noticed with surprise how much more force the oar seemed to exert, easily forcing his arm to rotate back up. It was, he quickly intuited, the additional surface area - by displacing more water, more force was exerted to cover the same distance, and vice versa. Thanking Maria for her time, he took a walk down the safer banks of the river, chewing on what he had learnt. It was then that he noticed a second thing about the world around him.

Along the riverbank, the stones were perfectly smooth. Not like the stones that he had collected, nor even those inland. Could the immense force of water have caused a change in the shape of the stones? How long had it taken? Was it possible to speed up? But this was curious - he knew, of course, that you could not simply force water against stone to cut it. Water was as useless as bronze against jade. But yet, here it was. He resolved to test his hypothesis, with the simple test of placing an inland rock in the river. Sure enough, absolutely nothing happened. But he now had something of an understanding of force - it struck him that, if nature's strength was not hidden in water, but a more fundamental law of the universe, then it could be tamed, as Maria had with her oar.

He already understood that force could be redirected, as he had observed by hanging his hand in the river, from a forward direction to a rotational one. He resolved to investigate this mechanic more closely, before returning to the question of jade-working, hopefully with an improved understanding of the world that had produced something so foreboding.

Lyov - studies the nature of force, attempting to gain insight into how it can be redirected, towards the development of a concept of simple machines.