Little Empires 2

[Cetus Amicus]

(Sorry for weird coloring on zoomed, and also fixed red line qualien left. in southern desert.)

Didn't even notice, thanks for that.

arakh

Erm, looks like I rolled a one on my research roll.

I meant the other thing that actually exists in the real world.

I probably should've just described it as a "curved handheld blade."

[Bramzter]

((Heroic effort...x3?))

Vizier Nahzar looks out over the colony form his office balcony (That was styled as a captains quarters on a Victorian ship) It would be injustice to call it a city just yet, It looked more like a shanty town made out of salvaged and cobbled together parts of wood and metal. Yet that was how all of the Yarlian cities looked like form above, From under the water and the pieces of drifting wood the real beauty could be seen, carved and dug out form the seafloor, Caves of sandstone and kelp where the save havens of his folk and their younglings. To an outsiders eye they would like disorganized rabble.

Which was exactly what we wanted.. However, There was some commotion at the gates when the escort arrived back. Luckily he had been informed by messenger birds beforehand, A
long with news and beverage form the badlands colony! They had send more supplies in response to it, Next to that message lay a scouting report..It seemed that there was another tribe in the desert far west.. The scouts would go closer to these people, Hopefully staying undetected for so long.

He looked once more towards the finished message on his desk, Its contents had been written not long ago.

note to GM: Read this

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'To our glorious Sultan Arhka the Prosperous, Many blessings be upon thee,

We are elated to tell you that we have found a suitable place in the Sharlar Desert, This piece of territory is a highly fertile and wondrously diverse. We have gotten a foothold in this location (We have marked it with a map of the recent explored area, which is passed with letter) and founded a new colony in this place.. This land is called the cauldron by some of the native races that inhabit this area with good reason, The inland seem to be as black as night.

We are prospering here, We have established trade relations with the local natives (which there are off a plenty) and have a strong foothold in this position, We are eager to call this land yours my sultan.

We only have one problem, our numbers are thin.. If you could send another expedition to this place to settle in our city and give us more manpower.

In this letter we have included a map to the cauldron, A map of the the explored area. A list of our current armed forces per battle role and the official documents of colonization

With the waters blessing,

Vizier Nazhar of Phos Hilaron, In the sultanate province of Everdim'

He gave one last look over his paperwork and with that he turned to his latest guest who just entered his office.

'I am Vizier Nazhar, Steward over this city, Is there something you need? I have much to do. However feel free to have a drink and sit down'

Knowing that he wasn't really making sense to the creature he gestured to the pitcher and mug and to a nearby chair then sat down himself watching his guest with interest.

[MasterBlade]

(Hey Bram, is that the runaway you're referring to? Just making sure cause I cant see the raft anymore)

[Bramzter]

(Hey Bram, is that the runaway you're referring to? Just making sure cause I cant see the raft anymore)

((Yes, It is the raft is docked at the..well..dock there.))

[MasterBlade]

The Grand Hive prepares their final strike to end the force of ash beings that threatens their monarch once and for all. The six at the summit follow the escaping forces to the pass, stopping at its entrance and bunkering down. There would be no escape to the west. The wall defence forces march to the south and bunker down to the sides of their line. There would be no escape to the north.

At the eastern tower, the one who had gone in the tower escapes its walls to get fresh air. As he does, however, he sees the bulk of the ash army’s remains charging south. He sees the fallen tree to the north, and the unfallen one close to the bank! None of the younglings were close to being ready for this confrontation. The One hatches a quick and costly plan. His brethren climb on one another to give him a boost. He then jumps to the other bank and shatters the old tree before it can be used as a bridge.

Knowing he has saved his brethren, The One kneels before the ash creatures and submits himself to his fate. There would be no escape to the south.

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In the western settlement, construction resumes on the fort with those not standing guard on the mine. A tower to the east is constructed, giving the archanae view of the western volcanic region from the Grand Hive to the Southern Hive. Though focused on construction, the Ash Hunters keep their eye towards the mines, ready to shoot down arrows on anything leaving the entrance.

With the fort too close to the ashlands and the mines unocupiable, the elder ponders placing a large tower in the center of the mushroom fields to serve as her birthing chambers. Much time has passed since the settlement’s founding, and she was well behind. The work would have to be finished soon, else she may grow too old to be a suitable broodmother.

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The runaway stares in awe at the floating city. Their people had always seen the waters as dangerous springs of heat, completely unlivable. Yet these people thrive in the lakes abd build on its surface. There is nothing around that fails to disinterest her; it is as if he were in another wold altogether.

Before long she finds herself in front of the elder of the Yralian’s village. His refined look is greater than what the spirits told her of the Renidab’s settlers. Normally a drone would be sent to learn the language of the others through work, as they did with their allies to the north. The girl could barely speak basic sentences of the Yralian language, and did not know how to respond. Eyeing the ink and paper on the desk, she begins to sketch pictures.



The runaway begins with the volcano in the center, her “home”, repeating this in Renidab and Yralian in hopes that their elder would understand. She then adds more detail; a river to the south and a lake, drawing a fort to represent the village they were in. After a few minutes, she adds in the Renidab and Wend settlements, and sketches the Archanae hives in the center of the volcano. When she is finished labeling everything, she hands the map to the Vizier.



(Yes my people are learning everyone's language. We shall be the Rosetta Stones of the cauldron. :U)

[Cetus Amicus]

Turn Thirty Two

The weather is fair today.

Raziel: The third offering is accepted and a mighty gust surrounds the temple. Cirus speaks.

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You have done as I asked, now you shall be rewarded for your efforts. I will teach you two secret skills, like any skill these must be learned, mastered, and taught. It will take a great deal of effort to master these secrets fully. I shall bestow these secrets upon a chosen few who will use them and pass them down to others.

First, I will teach you how to grow, harvest, and weave plants to make them lighter and stronger than any fabric you have known. With this you will be able to make objects light as a feather, yet large as a house, and so your crafts might be prized for their weightlessness and durability.

Second, I will tell you how to manipulate the winds themselves with only your body and mind. With this the wind will become a tool to you as it is to me, you will learn to wield the breeze beneath your gliders, sailing farther than you ever could before.

Now go, learn to become like the gods themselves.

The winds dissipate and the voice falls silent. Some of your people have learned secret skills known only to the gods themselves. These must be taught, practiced, and mastered like any other skill. If you neglect this knowledge it will be forgotten and lost to you, if you pass it down through the generations your people might rise to greater heights than they ever imagined, both literally and metaphorically. Guard this knowledge well, for it is sacred and not to be used in vain.

Bramzter:

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'To our glorious Sultan Arhka the Prosperous, Many blessings be upon thee,

We are elated to tell you that we have found a suitable place in the Sharlar Desert, This piece of territory is a highly fertile and wondrously diverse. We have gotten a foothold in this location (We have marked it with a map of the recent explored area, which is passed with letter) and founded a new colony in this place.. This land is called the cauldron by some of the native races that inhabit this area with good reason, The inland seem to be as black as night.

We are prospering here, We have established trade relations with the local natives (which there are off a plenty) and have a strong foothold in this position, We are eager to call this land yours my sultan.

We only have one problem, our numbers are thin.. If you could send another expedition to this place to settle in our city and give us more manpower.

In this letter we have included a map to the cauldron, A map of the the explored area. A list of our current armed forces per battle role and the official documents of colonization

With the waters blessing,

Vizier Nazhar of Phos Hilaron, In the sultanate province of Everdim'

And how will you be sending this message? Are you sure your birds will be able to survive a month-long trek over the desert wastes?

MasterBlade: The ash creatures march across the river onto the cramped land they have been forced in, the chitinous ones serving as a rear guard while they retreat. Seeing the tree destroyed and the creature who did prostrated before them they waste no time in swarming around him and devouring him alive. With nowhere to go, the things huddle together and sit in despair, but those who consumed the Archanae use their newly acquired chitin blades to begin burrowing into the side of the mountain.

NPC - Snakemen: It seems the snake people have figured out how to make simple bricks out of dirt and sand.

[Raziel]

Didn't even notice, thanks for that.


Erm, looks like I rolled a one on my research roll.

I meant the other thing that actually exists in the real world.

I probably should've just described it as a "curved handheld blade."

Yea, It is a sickle. But can I not give it a different name?

[Raziel]

That morning Viry woke up, and felt... different... He decided to go on a walk, and see if that helped. He wandered around the village aimlessly for a while, but kept finding himself wanting to go down to the base of the mesa. So he slid down the rope, and starting walking around there. After a couple of minutes, he found himself pacing around the farm. "This isn't right..." he kept saying to himself. "They set this up all wrong..." So he set to work. When he was done, he could almost feel approval of the plants. He was found that day, tilling the crops, with a couple of seedlings already sprouting. He was declared the official farmer from then, and started teaching another, to pass on the skill. Tavi and Anara also woke that morning, feeling a bit different. There seemed to be a slight breeze, but inside the tent. Where ever they went that day, they always had a slight breeze around them. When wishing for a breeze, one always seemed to appear. They realized that this may be the gift Cirus gave to them. They spent the rest of the day practicing, and trying to move the wind to their wills. The rest of the village kept on with the usual schedual, hunting, and gathering seeds for the farm, for expansion later.

[Palamedes]

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NOTE: Bram and Raz should make sure they read this as several somewhat important things are happening regarding their people.

Ekurb is nominated to meet with the leader of the new ship.

"Greetings, I am Ekurb, nominal leader of-"

"The colony, yes I know. I've been briefed by Captain Nomrog. I am Captain Nastad of the Imperial Cruiser Aniroif, and I've been sent to support the colony and order an immediate report back to Her Eminance."

Several audible gasps are heard among Ekurb's group and the surrounding crowd. Tavi, Anara, and Haile (wearing a robe as to disguise his snakeness) have no idea what's going on. Ekurb was, for once, visibly shocked. Zequsav did her best to explain the concept of an empress to the natives.

"The Empress herself!? But usually she doesn't involve herself in-"

Nastad interfered again "Colonial matters? True, but the colony here could be the key to circumnavigating the globe, and taking the only hospitible land on the supercontinent, both of which would give our great empire even further advantage over our rivals. Her Eminance wishes this, and as such she do not want any mistakes."

"Of... of course."

"We should prepare one of your original vessels to return a message to the capital. I trust you have one ready? We have brough materials for repair if they've suffered any damages."

"The Ocalus should be fit to travel back after a day or two sir."

"Excellent. Now what can you tell me of this land?"

"There are constant storms, either sand or far more dangerously, ash. Several of our troops were caught in an ash storm and nothing we give them is having any effect."

"Most troubling Sir Ekurb." Nastad rubbed his chin. "Obviously after we have set up here we'll have to send a regiment further inland to investigate. It's obvious the natives," he says, gesturing at the Tavi and Anara, "have survived tem, so maybe something can be found to save their lives."

"Ah, about natives..." Ekurb laughs nervously. "I have something else. Please ask your men not to fire at it."

Dastan looks at the nobleman with some level of suspicion, but gives the order.

Ekurb walks towards the snakeman. "I would like you to meet... Haile."

Dastan's face goes pale as the snakeman is revealed for what it is.

"What the hell is that thing Ekurb?" He raises his hand immediately to prevent his soldiers from opening fire, but still has his hand cautiously on his sabre.

"We're not entirely sure captain. From what we can tell him and his people came from the other side of the continent... overseas.

"What!? But that's impossible!"

"Impossible? No. Remember that we've never been able to travel east past the Unending Ocean, it's entirely possible that several civilizations exist past there. He even claims that there are people there that are human like us."

"Most curious... Her Eminance will want to know of this discovery right away."

"And there's one other thing. We've discovered more snakemen to the north of the colony. Haile doesn't seem to know them, and they seem far more tribal and barbaric then he is."

"Hmm... we should take immediate action to destroy or subdue them in case they try to attack. And ready this... Haile to be transported to the capital. After travelling to see his... colony, of course."

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This conversation takes place before Tavi and Anara leave obviously.

With three day's work, the Ocalus is fully repaired, stocked, and ready to travel. In addition, a crude but large barracks is built near the cruiser. Tavi and Anara leave to their people with the gifts of farming and a sickle, plow, and shovel, and are offered to exchange further farming tools and produce from the colony's already rich farmlands for the materials they use to make their gliders and help within the Cauldron. In addition, it is suggested that their tribe join the Waykarian Empire so they can benefit from the technological prowress and military protection against all of their, and by association the Empire's, foes.

[MasterBlade]

(Oh shit the Empress :O)

(...you better be careful about that ash army dube. If they get past the mountain your empress is going to be the GM's first target)

[Bramzter]

((Oh..Fuck...I guess The Sultanate isn't going to be pleased with this))

((Writing up a turn atm))

[Palamedes]

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Guys guys the Empress isn't here, I just figured it was a big enough deal that she'd want the colonists reporting to her directly instead of the guys in charge of colonization.

And I'd like to see the ash hordes stand up to the fuckton of soldiers and an imperial cruiser :P

[MasterBlade]

(Oh, Cetus. A question about that eastern tower. hurlingPagan hasn't even logged onto the forums since the 19th; can I wipe his people off the map and make the tower into some sort of deathshrine?

[Palamedes]

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They're all dead Masterblade. All you'd have to do is clean up the mess :P

[Cetus Amicus]

(Oh, Cetus. A question about that eastern tower. hurlingPagan hasn't even logged onto the forums since the 19th; can I wipe his people off the map and make the tower into some sort of deathshrine?)

(Unlike some people he has actually been away as opposed to just ignoring the game, I'm willing to give him some more time. That said, there's not much to kill, in fact all your people see is a strange building full of death and a bunch of fledgling blightcaps growing around. If he comes back just to quit it won't change much, the civilization will just be reduced to native vegetation.)

[Bramzter]

Haile did not like these people, They seemed to be awfully skittish and afraid of him, Had they not met with species other than theirs? These people had the same gift as the native tribe..but in greater mass. They could move in the sky with great ships, a feat unheard of in all of the sultanate. Yet he got a slight feeling of dread when they landed. These were people at a same level of his own, not natives of the land.

These people seemed warlike and rather prejudiced against anything that wasn't part of their empire. They were familiar with such empires and peoples..but never these of this scale, He affirmed he had made a wise decision to have send most of his documents to the Vizier before he left the Aire-sen village...

He wasn't sure if he should lead these men to his own superiors.. But alas night was falling. He would have to have a awnser tomorrow, He had the feeling that these people would not tolerate his presence here for any longer

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The Vizier took a look at the map, Then added his own changes to it.



'You are welcome in our city. We offer you food and shelter for the time being. But enough of that. Allow me to introduce you to our populace.'

He led the Archanae runaway trough the city, Showcasing some of the new buildings. The smelters were shown and how they worked. A various assortment of baubles and trinkets were shown to the runaway. However the strangest things they showed her were large closed carts, The front was of metal and resembled a dragons head. Seeing her confusion he called one of the guards over. It was wielding a miniature handheld device that also had a dragon shape at front beside it where things that looked like the crossbows only giant

The guard and the Vizier exchanged some words and the guard pointed to a empty clearing, The guard walked towards it and demonstrated the weapons power. With a simple motion of the hand a stream of fire burst form the dragons head then dissipating in the air.

The vizier smiled at the display, Hoping that his guest would at least be entertained by the light show.



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The youngling stared at the hooded Yarlian that had summoned him,

He had been out of the protective waters of the lakebed for two weeks now since he had come of age. However he had gotten a message saying he should report to the Viziers office before noon. So confused but excited he had gone, He didn't expect the person he met there however, This figure inspired only a sense of dread...

'So child. It seems you are punctual to boot, i find this another reason we have taken interest in you. But pray tell do you know who i represent?' The hooded stranger said to him a almost fatherly tone.. The youngling was nervous, of course he knew who he represented, The black scales on its face were a obvious sign.

In the sultanate there was a myth of a guild that stretches back to the times that even the sultanate did not rule. Members have been spotted in all of the sultan's courts...They dealt with certain things...You could say that there would not be a Sultanate if the guild never existed..

General knowledge was Vague or poorly constructed at best but there is one thing all scholars agree on: If they asked you something you better damn well do it.

'Yes, I do know what you represent. Although i do not know what you want form me'
'That is simple, I want you to travel back to the sultanate and deliver the letter form the vizier to the sultan himself. You will be supplied with enough provisions and our seal, Use it to get past any...legal obstacles. If you pass this we will consider you for possible admittance, That is if your still interested at the time'

The youngling accepted and began gathering the stuff he needed for the trip, He left in the dead of night.

Map:

[tiresiasArchivist]

((Is it already too late to join? This looks interesting!))

[MasterBlade]

((Is it already too late to join? This looks interesting!))

Nonsense. We could always use a new person to occupy the northern half of the continent!

[Qualien]

((It definitely is interesting! The Cauldron is always open to a new race, I'm sure.))

[tiresiasArchivist]

Alright, here's my application! It's partially inspired by Dwarf Fortress, if you couldn't tell:

Name: The Dwarven Federation of Nil-Ineth
Description: A faction of Dwarves, a reclusive mountain race, which has been forcefully removed from Dwarven society by the new, corrupt monarch. They have set out to build a new kingdom on fertile land.
Diet: The Dwarves eat mostly crops grown underground, such as mushrooms, and fish. Like most Dwarves, they need beer to get through the working day.
Info about your homeland: A chilly, but not frigid highland far to the north is the original home of the Dwarves. They are reclusive and don't deal with neighbors much, but when they do they are fairly peaceful. Most of their cities are built underground in huge complexes, known as Mountainhomes.
Technology: Dwarven technology is fairly similar to the standard medieval setting. They have steel weapons and armor, being excellent smiths, but have not developed gunpowder, using crossbows as their ranged weapons.
Supplies you brought with you: Beer, food, several weapons and armor. Enough to build up a self-suffieient economy.
Mode of transportation to the game map: The Federation arrived on several covered wagons pulled by donkeys.

[Palamedes]

There is always new room for people to be forcibly emigrated to Weykari so we can figure out how aliens other people work.

Nah kidding I'm not as menacing as Bram seems to think and more people are always welcome!

[Bramzter]

Don't believe his lies!
Only Yarlian faces you can trust we have booze! and paranioa

Join the couldron and rely on the arachnea to keep the horrors of the volcano away

*AND DON'T FLOOD THE WORLD WITH MAGMA PLEASE*

[Qualien]

You know, I don't think the ghouls had ever done anything wrong in the first place. Unless I missed something, they never attacked the Arachnae, or anybody for that matter. So far their worst "crime" is existing. Just something to think about.
Anyways, why would you want to ally with those hideous things? They don't even belong here!

[MasterBlade]

With the ash beings in a corner, the Grand Hive’s forces make a loose charge at their flank. Learning from the southern strikeforce, each member of the unit stands out of sword length from one another to prevent striking each other by accident. They aim for the chitin ghouls first, as the perversion of their people insults them greatly. They then push the retreating forces, cutting down their horde till they reach the river.

The western settlement continues work on their keep. With the help of the renidab settlers, the walls are restructured to be more stable and sturdy. Mr. Connors boasts that with a fort this strong, who needs a safer place to live. The elder takes his word into consideration; with a wide wall to the west it may just be a good place to settle.

The younglings at the southern hive watch the ash beings devour The One, learning a powerful lesson towards the worth of life. If they can give their all so others can survive, then their deaths can have as much meaning as his. Out of the six younglings that were tested by the trip, four return to the village as fully-grown drones. One stays behind, believing powerful spirits of the tower to be responsible for the hive’s constant troubles. He plants a spiral of mushrooms twirling inward, believing they may suck in the poison that the tower spawns. He may return sometime later, but for now he has found his place.

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The Runaway is awestruck by the advancements in the Yralian colony. They too seemed to be miners, only they had found a way to make use of the strange shiny ores their quarry had uncovered. The strange metal creatures being melted down caught her eye, however. Beings of hard shells, spirit parted and used as scrap. The similarities between them has her wonder if there were others like it.

The Yralians then took her to the shore to demonstrate their military capacity. The wooden dragons guarding their settlement scared her; to be able to control fire like they had as a casual thing had her frightened; the fish people were surely not to be messed with. With all the trinkets lyig around the village, she believes them to be on good terms with a fire spirit, much like the Wend were with theirs of wind. Besides the parted spirits of the Archanae Elders, they have not had the greater blessings of these grand spirits. If she were to take her spot as elder, perhaps she would pay them further tribute. Regardless, that is a past the Runaway had escaped. There was no interest in her return.

During the night, the young elderling worked in the quarters they had given her. She had seen the Yralian people’s willingness to trade, something she could use to put herself among their people. As Archanae drones usually do, she will provide a service to the people and in turn learn how they speak. It was necessary if she were to exist this far out. By dawn she would have a small stock of fine silk scarves, much like the one she had woven at the temple of wind.

[Palamedes]

And assassins. How dishonourable.

Come on Bram you even called them the Ḥashshāshīn you think you could be more secretive about planning to murder all of us.

Good people do not trust the Yarlian Sultanate, the Waykarian Empire has your true interests at heart! Join the Empire!

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Wait who put that there? That's just silly.