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Fantasy Lastlands: Pawns of Muurdaan (IC)

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Turn 4
Xion Parisfal
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It was quite in the room of Xion Parsifal. He had been found wanting by his House. He saved them from utter ruin with the funds that had been acquired, but he had not done enough to raise them up higher via conquering the nearby regions of the Laastlands and contained only half of a region, himself. While he trained his army up from nothing, he had been accused of resting on his laurels and underwhelming performance.

And in his deepest thoughts, proving that these were right, he did agree with them. He was so much wanting to prepare for these actions of conquering, that he hadn't yet gone out and actually done it. He was moving at a glacial pace and the HOUSE could see it. He needed to be a swift blow to the head of the Lsatlands and not the lumbering blow of an executioners axe.

His deals with Alders has made them safer in the shadows and a secured line to the Homeland. But now it was up to him to make sure that the dangers of the inner lands were conquered and made whole, made to follow the Banner of House Parsifal.

The armored man sat down in the thick oak chair at the table, reviewing notes. Touryan had been a thorn in not only his family's side, but also that of Alder since their arrival in the Lastlands. But now it seems that fortunes are changing and with it, the tides of who is enemy and who is friend. This new Touryan that has journeyed here and taken the holdings of a former now dead ally and wishes to join the Eastern Alliance.

It could be a valuable path to rising Parsifal from a Cadet House to that of a High House. And if he was the one to do it, it would do wonders to rise his standings within his House and to raise his Cousin up as well.

House Parsifal was one of honor and chivalry. It was not as cutthroat as other Houses between its members. If his star was to rise, he would bring his Cousin along with him. That man has helped crush many ancient enemies and nascent gods in this strange land than any others. And he would deserve it.

He would need to bring up this possible new fold in the alliance with his allies.

But in the meantime, he had a region to raise banners in and a party to attempt to gain favor in.


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Actions

Action 1: With the assistance of Alder, move 150 Half Plate Foreigner Infantry, 50 Paragon Heavy Cavalry and 1 Vaal Retributer into Sulpass to begin discussions of bringing In the Region under the banner of House Parsifal. Once the region is secured, land will be promised to the Foreigner Infantry to help boost their loyalty to the cause. With further land to be distributed once Estmarch is acquired for the House.

Action 2: Spend 3 Wealth to build a Grand Fortress to better train troops and secure future wealth. It will also have a lower section to help keep civilians and traders safe in the event of the region being heavily under attack.

Intrigue: Assist Alder and Ortes with the party, using military influence [5] to schmooze with high ranking officials and warriors to help boost Ortes and possibly Xion up to Martial 4​
 
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Turn 3

Dejan of House Laesarale

Nature/Bone Wizard (3/4*)

Spell Descriptors
Nature: Travel, Envelop, Consume
Bone: Movement, Shadow, Rot

Age and Personality
Young/Bold

Skills
Arcana
Intruder

Alignment
Chaotic

Holdings
Nerry
Trading Post with GuildHall (Birch Shadow)
Deep Woods
Tower of Doors
'Slay' Swamp
Shadow Kurgen

Coffers
13 Wealth

Armoury
Necklace of Eyes: Individual eyes of the necklace can be dropped/hidden to spy allowing you to see in real time, but you can also capture stills. Necklace eyes are immune to negative effects.
The GranitePaw: A bludgeoning weapon that also functions as a shield. it is magical for the purposes of overcoming magic resistance, and does 2x to objects (inanimate targets)
*Beautifuloa Rings: The DarkLoas' vertebrae twisted into a collection of ten beautiful rings, one for each of Wicca's fingers. These boost bone by +1 and can be discarded to summon bane lords.
SHIMMINA -- A red stone, once used by monks and circus folk. Can teleport you nearby, but where nobody can see you. it is a powerful tool and when used properly, a weapon
Praxis Fingernail Earring: "If you wear this, whatever you see, I will know. I'd like it if you wore it, but I don't hold you to it." Praxis

Influence
Military (3)
Populist (+)
Noble (1)

Recent Activity
Defeated the monster, Graniteheart, a dying beast of a bygone age -- it's horrible afflictions from a hundred battles was the only thing that allowed you, to be the one who finally killed it. You gained an item from it's body; the GranitePaw
The Twilight River Children, a confederation of goblins, orcs and bugbears, has your love are convinced your lover/spouse is the bride of some kind of spirit or god, and stole them from their pleasure trip on the edge of the frontier. You must find them. This is more than embarrassment and dishonour, your own spirit is in jeopardy.

Obligations/Ambitions
Take WRUN and develop it both verdantly and civilization wise
Forge an Alliance with Ul of Nyreal on the pretense of shared nature affinity. if an alliance cannot be made, a non-aggression pact.
Build another tower of doors somewhere on the south border of the map, as a jump off point for further conquest.

Closet Skeletons
To be revealed by the other players

Retinue
10 Dark Sprites (1)
185 Planeswalkers (6)
They can BLINK in their own defense and teleport short distances on the battlefield... they may also escape to the Ether or Astral planes, or ambush from them. They are fiercely loyal to Laeraslae, and thus devoted to you.
2 Formorian Giant (9)
The Fomorians were once the most beautiful of the seelie, but sought to usurp the fey court, and were made hideous and driven from the feywild... doomed to wander the eclipse between fey and the mortal realm, these are vengeful creatures with an Evil eye
10 Hexen (3)
Gorgeous men and women of the wood that do not fight, but charm and mislead enemies
(seduce, illusion, turn blade descriptors)
15 Alp (5)
Hideous sleepdealers cursed of form, the assassins of the Unseelie, who are not afraid of a stand up fight either
(illusion, reactive-blink (when hit), sleep (they cannot harm waking foes, fear 10, immunity 5 to fire-smelted weapons)
5 Underbosses (4-5)
10 Taskmasters (4)
35 Outlaws (2.5)
Potential liabilities overall, but they also enhance espionage activities (outlaws x2)
100 "Greenwolven Hunters" (3)
50 "GreenWargs" (6)

Commodities
Common Wood
Dark Wood
Dryad Wood
Diamonds (Limited)
Fungus
Honey
Sap
Glue
Spider Livestock (Limited)

Bonuses
Familiar: Mallachdan the Faery Drake
Thalid: The Thallid cannot leave the magic of your demesne at least not yet, and not without potentially disturbing the balance if you did not accommodate them... and they seem "into" balance... at least for now. Available labour in Nerry, for you specifically, rises dramatically, these are not troops, at least not yet, but any work you do in NERRY will not be short of tiny hands. The Fungusaur you can consider a guard beast of sorts, and a deterrent to outlaws.
Diamond Golem: May request ONE favour from the Diamond Golem for aiding it. Can teleport to the diamond pit in Nerry when called.
Increased Elvish/Gnomish Population: These new races/cultures can be leveraged moving forward.
'Slay' Swamp: The province now has a modest army of Thallid Defenders and you may spend an action to recruit a substantial number of Thallid and Fungusaur.
"Unseelie Calls" (3): This will give you support, albeit briefly, by fae forces for an immediate threat or short-term operation.

Victory Points
9
(For completing two Obligations, Closet Skeleton and Recent Activity

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It had been a long night in Nerry, the sky a desolate darkness across the Trading Post. But this was no ordinary darkness but a creation of the new Lord of Nerry. With the province united under his rule, Dejan had took it upon himself to enjoy his new position and power. Evacuating the Guild Hall of it's patrons, the master of Nerry wasted no time in being alone with his wife. Blood and sweat stained each and every room, his vessel spent countless times, with no surface left unsullied in their lovemaking.

There had been little time spent apart since Princess Wicca's return though their reunion had been delayed, as Wicca attended the trial for her captors, the Twilight River Children. Only years of practiced patience as an assassin had kept him steady as he awaited her return and as she stepped into his grand GuildHall, he had no need to ask her of the proceedings. Or the time. Dripping in blood and adorned with twisted trinkets, her face was aglow with a devilish grin. Within moments she had been upon him, her black eyes smouldering with inflamed passions.

Without hesitation or restraint, they made up for lost time with unfettered abandon, their night of passion extended further and further as the Lord of Laesarale spun his shadowy sorcery until at last they concluded in his private chamber.

Standing naked by the mirror, Dejan assessed the damage. Forever in shadow, the Lord of Nerry had to twist his willowy body away from the light, his dark trained eyes acute enough to pick out his injuries. Already a Thallid toiled beneath his feet, wiping away the blood that dripped from the terrible gashes on his back like an intricate maze of pain. Wicca had held onto him like a python with it's prey, as he whispered savage nothings into her ear, her body quivering as he recalled his rending and torture of the DeepLoa in her name. Dejan played with his own ear, the lobe hanging limply together, a victim of Wicca's perfervid biting, his neck red with teeth marks, before she travelled steadily and enthusiastically down his body. Like an ivory rose, Wicca was a danger to hold but for such a prize, no cost could be considered to great.

Dejan opened the drawer of his Elvish dresser, and reached into it's far corner. Concealed in crafted shadow, were the ten rings he had crafted from the DeepLoa's body for his beloved. Rolling each ring between his fingers in turn, Dejan began to recite a few words under his breath for each ring. "With these ten rings, I vow to forever follow you as your shadow, for now and forever to make you my greatest and only priority, to travel the ends of each and every plane to to make you happy, to enact swift and terrible vengeance against your enemies, to bestow onto you great and powerful children worthy of your line..."

Wicca began to stir behind him, as if hearing his words, pulling off from her the BugBear skin blanket she had brought back with her from the Fae realm. Quickly Dejan placed the rings back into the shadow of his drawer and closed it. They were one of many gifts he had set in motion to bestow to his love, perhaps the greatest, as with them he hoped to unite themselves together in the coming weeks. But only time would tell.

Pulling his long blonde hair back into a ponytail he steeled himself for the coming pleasure that only Wicca could bring him. Eager to begin again, Dejan paused for a moment to glance into the mirror. Wincing as he unclipped the earring from his damaged ear, the Lord of Nerry moved it to the other. In time he would visit one of the Elvish Healers for his injuries, and check on the progress of his gifts but that would be much later. Looking in the mirror, he wiggled an eyebrow. "I hope your enjoying the show, Praxis"

With a dry chuckle he turned back to the bed. Perhaps this time he would tell the Unseelie Princess that they had a voyeur with them.... Or perhaps not. Such a secret was perhaps best savoured until their escapades were close to conclusion. Feeling a loathsome satisfaction at the thought of her reaction, Dejan could only grin.

Ohhh, what twisted games they played together...

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Movement
-

Orders
1. A Black Diamond will be created using Diamonds, Dejan's magic and Darkwood (Shadow/Envelop Descriptor used) (Arcana keyword used). Ritual will be performed at the Shadow Kurgen in Nerry. If possible further enchantment will be done by resident Gnomes.
2. The Crater Pits within Nerry will be excavated to breed the Spider Livestock from Daris of Hakkon in the hopes of making a new strain. Thallid will unearth/ exhume anything of note before Spider Livestock is housed. 2 Wealth will be spent on the excavation and to implement necessary precautions for the breeding rituals. Bone Magic will be used to shroud the crater pit in hopes of adapting and obtaining a new strain. (Shadow Descriptor). Nature Magic will be used to ensure Livestock are kept well fed and ready for brooding (Consume Descriptor). Unseelie will oversee the process.

Scene
A Lost temple in NERRY emanates dark magics... the site must be pacified.

Intrigue
Criminal Retinue (5 Underbosses, 10 Taskmasters, 35 Outlaws) will be interviewed to determine their intent and for any useful and valuable intel. The Crown of Confusion once placed on Wicca's head will be used to ensure complicity. Hexen and Alps will perform the interviews.

Bonus Action
---​
 
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ORTES KETER - HOUSE PARSIFAL

TURN 4
[Note: Beckon plz no more scenes I need every scene I can get]​

Intrigue:
Making Some Waves - Ortes will head to the Black Cenote in Wes, putting his Water 3 [Descriptors: Cold, Inertia, +1 sphere from Orb of Oceans] to good use by investigating how he may leverage the water magic site for the good of House Parsifal and the province.

Actions:
Know My Name
- Help hold a festival and celebration in Greenstar with Xion and Oznah as to celebrate recent victories, for the many House delegates coming in to pick up their ancestor's bones saved from the Demilich as well as the Parsifal delegation, to impress upon nobles of Muurdaan and foreign powers, as well as the many peoples of the Lastlands, the quantity and quality of recent Parsifal victories in purging the Lastlands of threats. Ancient Wood Furniture detailed with images of his battles will decorate the festivities, his allies of course also represented in them, though Ortes is the constant figure. The Demilich, The God-Goose, The Kappelburg Horde(With the Damneo Memoriae left to be forgotten and unknown), The Duke, all these fell before Ortes and those he allied with. Four great adversaries of light and life, that had once plagued the Empire and the world, were vanquished in a mere year. And that is to say nothing of the Infernomorph, the Dire Boar, the Wadjet, and many other foes he's faced and prevailed over. He would have the nobility of Muurdaan become acutely aware of his accomplishments. Thus, he hopes to dispel any stain from his defeat in battle against Haakon, and gain influence. Of course, while his victories alone will accrue him influence, the fact that he is returning so many nobles' corpses to their Houses will earn Ortes its own favor in the empire. (Notably, returning corpses to Houses Xyphon and Haakon) With this, he hopes to use his newfound influence to Find a Martial 4 tutor. (Relevant Influence: Noble 4, Military 4+)
-- PS: as an aside, Ortes will investigate "Xhazz the Fetch" in idle conversation to try and figure out what Xhazz did to merit such a test/punishment as being assigned to Ortes. Out of curiosity really more than anything else.

Let The Banner Fly
- Found the Order of the Shining Hand in the mountains between Wes and Bluacia, an order of Holy Knighthood, constructing a great keep for the Order, together with Wernhard. Ortes will focus on its knightly portion, the sub-order of the Circle of Golden Blades being sworn to the cause of upholding justice(and partially operating as a Courthouse), protecting the peasantry, advancing the Empire's cause through good works, and defeating any monstrous evils that have taken roost in the Lastlands. He will serve as the Grand Warmaster whilst Wernhard serves as the Grand Loremaster. Ortes will spend 3 Wealth on helping build the Order's Courthouse-Keep on the border between Wes and Bluacia, as well as 2 wealth on recruiting the holy Heroes/Warriors of Bluacia, and equipping them, splitting them with Wernhard. Influence: Church 2, Populist 2)

Scene: SKIY FIGHT LETS GOOOOOO (RESOLVED!)

Movement: Wes -> Bluacia -> Wes (Boots of Celestial winds permit passage over mountains, Greaves of Eternal Warring grant 3 movement a turn)

Notes:
Being Tutored by Lady Oriana to Water 3
Marriage between Xion's uncle and a dowager duchess of Xyphon.


Ortes reads the parchment in his gauntleted hands twice-over, just to be sure. Disbelieving eyes scanning the missive, searching for any sign, any possibility that what his eyes were telling him was false, But after the second read-through, it's undeniable. Parsifal's seal stamped into the corner of the message as plain as day. The Sun of Five Wars was dead, murdered-

His emotions explode forth in an expression of power. The parchment is frozen in crystalline ice, before Ortes tosses it aside, the missive skidding across the stone table. There's a terrible look in his eyes, like lightning flickering in a stormbank on the horizon. The assembled knights in the feast-hall fall suddenly silent, troubled by the Lord Keter's outburst. It was rare that Ortes simply lost control like he did now. For him to do react such, must mean it was truly grave news. The only one who dares to speak is his grandfather, Marlan, who regards the massive Ortes as if he was any other young knight.

"Grandson. Speak."

"It's... the Sun of Five Wars. He's dead. Murdered. By... some nameless, Houseless wretch."

Cups crack in hands all across the hall. The silence in the hall is tense now, like an arrow drawn on a bow. Every eye is on Ortes now, filled with shock and wrath and grief. They all remember the old man, know of him. He was sung in song, beloved beyond measure. For some, it was his advice that'd saved their lives, for others, his encouragement had spurred them onwards. Even those who'd ever known him knew of his weight amongst the Knights of Parsifal. And Marlan Keter just... slumps. The two old Parsifals were of barely different generations. The elder Keter remembers helping train the Sun like it was yesterday. Riding into battle alongside them. Old, old victories enjoyed together.

Marlan counts in his mind who else was left breathing from those halcyon days, and finds the number bitterly low now.

Ortes slams his fist into the table once. Even with his wrath as controlled as much as he could, it leaves hair-thin cracks stretching out like spiderwebs across the marble. He growls, his words filled with righteous fury.

"This will not go unanswered."

He leaves for his study. There were messages to be written and sent.

Parsifal would have its due.
 
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As Wernhard Ceslaus slowly left the chapel of Kappelburg, he looked over what had quickly become a town busy with fresh pilgrims. Each and everyone of them had heard the calling of the gods for some reason or another, which up until recently had seemed like a noble endeavor. But the word about an ancient evil slumbering beneath Reilor had hit Wernhard hard. He knew very well, that he had to watch the faithful closer than ever before. Usually he would have seen his only duty as a sheperd to protect his herd from outside dangers, but now it seemed like the enemy was already among them, wolves in sheeps clothing. "Gods, grand me the strength to do what is necessary...", he quietly pleaded, as he knew that thwarting Hun-Cane, the dreaded One Death, would take immense sacrifice.
With renewed determination, Wernhard gathered those he could trust to handle his orders with secrecy and urgency. The good people of Bluacia did not need to know what evil lurked south of them and he couldnt just abandon the pilgrims road project just to prevent some foul cultists from reaching Skiy. They needed to observe the herd closely and cull those who would do them harm before they reached their destination. It took some careful consideration about how to proceed, but soon an inquisition was launched in Esau and Bluacia. Wernhard would thank the gods for their foresight to have House Vashna station their agents among the clergy - or was this perhaps a devils trick too?

The orders given by Creed the Innocent also weighted heavy on Wernhards mind. Peace seemed unimaginable right now, but he wouldnt dare doubt such an esteemed house member. For the moment, he was content with working on the pilgrims road and seeking stable relations and trade with his neigbors. Perhaps peace wouldnt be born out of epic deeds, but out of something much smaller, simpler. As he travelled through southern Esau with the first agents of House Narcellion, Wernhard felt hope that there would be prosperity. As he met with House Laeraslae to discuss the Blackrose Tower, he felt hope that there would be safety. And when he reunited with Ortes of House Parsifal to lay the foundation for a holy order, he knew that his hopes for the land and his people were close to becoming a reality. They had defied the curse of undeath in these lands and they would defy the curse of the wicked. Yet hope wasnt good enough alone, Wernhard knew that dilligent preparation was the most reliable prayer. He would see the pilgrims road spread all over the Northwest and see the people safe from the threat of Hun-Cane.

Orders

Character Interaction/Trade
Akcay Yusuf has pledged to craft an item for Wernhard

Character Interaction/Trade
As per agreement with Darius Narcellion, Xyphon priests along the pilgrims road start to spread the good word of Viridius. The faith of the verdant will be promoted to all pilgrims.

Action 1 - The Shining Hand
Found the Order of the Shining Hand, together with Ortes Keter. Wernhard is named Grand Loremaster and Ortes is named Grand Warmaster. Wernhard will focus on priests and battle pilgrims for the order, they are to make sure that the regular pilgrims and smallfolk are safe. They will tend to the needs of Wes and Bluacia equally, patrolling the streets and wayshrines, conducting sermon and fighting the scourge of undeath - in addition to being the regular infantry of the order. Wernhard invests 2 Wealth into the fortifications, temple and watchtower of the order keep, as well as 2 wealth for recruitment of heroes in Bluacia, splitting them with Ortes. He uses the vast network the Pilgrims Road has already become, as well as his standing among the faithful (Church influence 5, Populist influence 2) to recruit volunteer battle pilgrims for the order.
(Relevant skills: Diplomacy - to rally the heroes, Theology - to inspire the pilgrims, Logistics - to ensure efficient construction, Defensive Tactics - for optimizing fortifications)
(Sandstone and Crystal Wood from Bluacia, Glass from Esau used in construction)

Action 2 - The Holy Spark
Wernhard invests into two holy sites in Esau, making them accessible to pilgrims and act as places of magical learning. The Magma Cave (Fire and Earth spheres) will feature a shrine dedicated to a god of craftsmanship and a careful excavation effort is coordinated by Xyphon priests in hopes of finding Sparks or valuable minerals. (2 Wealth invested. Relevant skills: Theology)
The Blackrose Tower (Nature and Bone spheres) is restored and opened to pilgrims. Here, the priests will attempt to find tomes containing valuable knowledge and also attempt to produce Sparks. A special private study room is made for Dejan Leraesle, only he shall be able to gain access. (2 Wealth invested. Relevant skills: Theology)

Intrigue - Inquisition, perhaps
A covert investigation is launched, to ensure continued safety of travelers and pilgrims. It is to remain secret, so as not to disrupt the steady flow of settlers and pilgrims and as not to cause panic. The goals of this intervention are as follows, from highest to lowest priority:
- Investigating activities of "The Host"
- Blocking access to Skiy
- Detaining and questioning cultists in Bluacia
- Investigating remaining active werewolves in Esau
Access to Skiy will be forbidden. Vashna agents are stationed in temples, as per agreement with Akcay Yusuf - they could help greatly.

Scene
Wernhard sets out to intercept the Bone Mage and his retinue, as they attempt to enter Skiy via Bluacia

EDIT Bonus intrigue
The central bank will officially be sanctioned by the church and House Xyphon, blessing it with the gods of endurance and prosperity.
 
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Turn 4​

Captain Cuggen was seated on a wooden plank suspended by rope on either side, leading up to pullies attached to the rails on the starboard of the Cugona, his ship and the remaining ship of Ghur's expedition. Seaborne ships required pitch-based caulk in-between planks to keep the sea out. The Cugona required a different pitch-based caulking applied in essentially the same way as her cousins did, though for different reasons: thermal contraction prevention, draft prevention, and to protect the paint of the ship. The paint was particularly important because it served to keep weathering at bay in all conditions, and the paint would fail most often at poorly done caulk seams, which led to further wear. Men and their primitive intuition often doubted this dwarfish fervor for perfectionism, but Cuggen had served above more vessels than men had fingers and he knew what was right. Years ago, when he was a fresh mate aboard his first airship, he had the distinction of living in the worst caulked forward compartment against the hull. Old Captain Yarsil had been a careless bastard. The freezing air drafts had led to young Captain-then-mate Cuggen hiding his hands inside of his beard at night to prevent frostbite. Years later, he still never let his ships want for maintenence.

Cuggen produced his caulking mallet and chisel and began to strip old material from inbetween the last of the planks for the day. Cuggen Junior, his helmsman, peered over the railing at his father. "Captain," he said. "The port side is done."

The Captain grunted his affirmation.

"The youngest lad has been peeping about how he wants to know about the other job."

"You mean yourself and the lads wanted to know," remarked Captain Cuggen.

Junior averted his gaze. "It is a lot of powder. All the lads can talk about is the job."

Captain Cuggen finished hammering the fresh caulk into the plank and set his tools back into the box suspended at his feet. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up at Junior. "We start clearing the roads in a few hours. Have the crew get their helmets."

Muted cries of happiness floated over the railing followed by shushes and hushes. Junior cast a quick glance over his shoulder. Cuggen shook his head and began to tug on the pulley to raise himself up. A hasty retreat of footsteps coincided with the squeaking of his pully. He made it to the top and clambered over the rail onto the deck with assistance from Junior.

Junior set himself to inspecting Captain's safety harness that clearly did not need inspection. Cuggen produced a pipe from his belt, tamped in fresh smokeleaf, and set it alight with a dwarvish sparker.

Junior still said nothing and Cuggen scowled. "If they were done then they should have been below on equipment maintenence, not playing hooky waiting on deck."

A metallic clattering came from the forward hatch. The slanted door had two pairs of eyes peering out. Something had evidently been dropped. When the two shadows realized they had been spotted, they quickly retreated--too quickly, for the hatch swung shut on a beard and cries of pain followed. The unfortunate dwarf pulled the long wisps of hair through the other side of the hatch and out of view. A fight broke out on the other side as someone blamed someone else, and the fight continued down the stairs to the belowdecks.

Cuggen fixed a cool gaze on Junior. "Lackadaisical work leads to tomfoolery leads to Yarsil. See to it the crew stop thinking of powder and start thinking of equipment maintenence." The helmsman saluted, which consisted of stamping his boot and putting a fist over his heart, and marched hurriedly off to break up the ongoing fight over a stuck beard.

Captain Cuggen spat overboard and took another draw on his pipe. He permitted himself to gaze overboard after Junior had retreated below deck.

The ship was at dry dock on top of Mount Crag. Dry dock was a stretch, due to the nature of the city. In reality, ten freshly cut logs were propped against either side of the ship to keep it from rolling whilest the landing gear was repaired. The landing had been hard and the mechanisms were inoperable. The many shanty buildings, hovels, and longhalls of the city-yet-to-be-named were a meager sight compared to what the expedition commander, Firkin, had envisioned during the recent meeting of the officers. The mountaintop soil was poor and little grew here. A handful of goats and sheep munched on short grasses. Cookfires burned and were tended to by tired looking settlers. Crag had not been the intended landing site, in truth. The ships had intended to land on Mount Blom but a powerful wild had brought the ships off course and the poor maps of the new continent had been of no help. Now, the expedition would need to make do and colonize Mount Blom however possible.

As the sole surviving ship of the expedition, the ranking officer of the Ghur skyfleet had at once made noises about wanting to commandeer Captain Cuggen's vessel after his had begun being dismantled. Admiral Flintpick had waved around papers with seals and bleated about authority, but as far as Captain Cuggen was concerned, it was his ship. His clan and sons had built it, and he had almost entirely funded it with his life savings. It was his. Admiral Flintpick had learned as much after coming to blows with Cuggen over it during officers meal. Cuggen had considered that the Admiral might actually have friends at high dwarvish court as he had ranted about. That was a risk not worth taking. Cuggen had his sons roll the recuperating Admiral out of the infirmary and down the mountain in the middle of the night three weeks ago. He had apparently realized his fate towards the end, and was still moaning about his high friends as he was kicked from the cliff. The next morning when Flintpicks corpse was found half-eaten by wargs, it was chalked up to a concussed dwarves wrong turn in the night after delirious wandering to the privy. Cuggen slept easier from then onward.

Cuggen was unsure if Nobleman Firkin believed the tale. Firkin was always going off to 'speak' with the wargs. The local ones, not the ones that Firkin had already enthralled who tailed him everywhere and slept in his longhouse. Naturally, wargs had good eyesight at night and the mountain was crawling with them... He had not considered that a warg far below might have seen the falling admiral and 'told' Firkin what really happened. Cuggen took a long draw from his pipe and sent a ring of smoke into the evening air. He doubted any consequences if so. Firkin needed his expertise and his loyalty to keep Cugona's crew in line.

He twisted a lock of beard in between his finger and thumb, and mused the rest of the evening away while puffing on his pipe.
Turn 4 Actions​

Road Work Ahead: The dwarves of the sloop Cugona disembark and use their demolition skills to blow a road clear down to the bottom of Mount Crag. Elevators for cargo and people are built inside and outside the mountain. The Gaia worm can help by digging tunnels as needed.

Scouting: Firkin and Rothca and the Wargs as well as the 20 Aaracokra Skydivers scout the province plus Mount Blom.

Movement: N/A

Intrigue: Firkin tries to negotiate with Krell for their joining Ghur's cause. He reasons that they know other cities have been overrun and disposessed by Muurdaan nobles in the West, but if they join Ghur they will gain legal protection and therefore shield all of their assets and positions.
 
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Oznah Alder
Turn 4
​

Oznah Alder moved with predatory grace amongst the various nobles and agents of the empire. He smiles and talks, all the while observing who was talking to who. This was an event of great import to celebrate the first year of colonization by the various agents. He had gambled much into building his grand port and sprawling manor here in Aflil. He had risked potential conflict with House Parsifal until he had found the curious Cadet House to be one he could perhaps trust to hold to treaties and alliances. They were around here somewhere, the two imposing Parsifal agents doing their own bit of politicking and celebrating.

House Alder was on the ascent. After untold decades if not longer of being stripped of their autonomy, their legions, their fleets by the damnable Touryan. Only now in the hour of crisis did those arrogant bastards dare to give them back even an inkling of what was theirs. What they had earned by blood and cunning under the guidance of the Patriach and Matriach who'd forged ahead together. If things were played correctly, House Alder would become a High House and takes its place in the Capital. That thought made Oznah's skin crawl some. Like many Alders, he disdained the Muurdaan as a culture, taking after their Patriarch who viewed supremacist ideals as moronic.

He let that thought drift away, moving on to talk and politic. There were various houses here who had lost their agents, some of whom he had been aligned to for various reasons. He sought to maximize his growing reach and influence in the empire. To ensure no one could stand in the way of the ascension of House Alder. The Touryans had no choice but to fulfill the offer. All he must do is deliver them a nation's ransom in wealth. Again. A throne would be needed as well and even now he still debated. Would he go to the Capital? Or would he send a Regent? There were benefits to both and he disdained the place if only because of what it represented. Yet it was the heart of the empire. If things continued in upheaval, it might be wise to be there to better position himself for what could be dramatic changes. Such change could come from here admittedly, but that would be a consideration as plans progressed. For now he had to work the Varna, Wosk, Keshurgan and Narvik. The more friends he had abroad the better.​
Days passed and vast shipments of wealth poured forth from Port Green Star. Oznah Alder set events in motion with a great wave of fortune pouring into the coffers of the hated Touryans. A gambit that could make or break him. Other wealth flowed out towards House Parsifal to fuel their military ambitions. He would have it just that way, leaving him to worry more about his coastal ambitions and other matters like this damnable bound god they needed to starve.

It hurt to see all that wonderful wealth bleed out so rapidly. It was the price to be paid for his plans. By the passing of the next year, House Alder would become a High House and show the empire just what it could achieve at such level. Perhaps in the future one could even dare to dream of becoming Overlord? Oznah actually laughed out loud at the hubris of that idea. It was an amusing thought but one he knew would never come. The Muurdaan were too covetous of their power to allow the rise of someone to that seat again. It was now the dance of House politics that tried to keep the empire afloat. Even if it did collapse after all this effort, he would be in a position to loot many secrets and riches from the inner empire before retreating to the true new homelands of the Alders.

Time and patience.​
The various bandit, pirate and other leaders of Shiv had come to Alderhouse. The imposing and luxurious manor meant to impress upon them that this was not a man to be taken lightly. He thankfully had a bit of a sailing reputation after the crazed entrance into the region with Karim and Ortes. A lucrative outcome truly as those captured ships even now served as part of his expanding naval schemes. Daria Alder would soon enough arriving, brining dear Vitor Alder along with her aboard the Regina, her personal ship.

Until then and more so with what was in motion, Oznah needed to get Shiv in order. Thus these figures were gathered and he regarded them with a thoughtful expression. This room opened into a grand balcony, one overlooking a field that none of them were aware was being filled with all the prisoners Odette had gifted him for his grand ritual to empower his loyal cadre of Soulblight monks and Sifus. Oznah paid it no mind while drinks were being poured and food served. The finest meant for the highborn of the empire and not raider scum. Yet it was best to drown them in fortune to help along his control of Shiv.

"My friends, I am glad to see you have come at my invitation. I suppose the offer of riches was enough to entice anyone though?" Oznah offers with some grins and chuckles at the fact he had made his intentions very clear. Already lining one side of the room were various chests that likely were loaded with treasure.

"As you know, the empire is coming this way. You have the option to fight me over coming into Shiv as its governor and owner. Understandable really. But even if I did not do this, another House Agent would come. The difference is that I know how to make a deal," Oznah said with a calm smile and gesture of his hand.

"Embracing my offer will give you much wealth to enjoy and sate your appetites while I go about incorporating Shiv into my plans to utterly dominate this coast of the Lastlands. You can be part of that vision. Profit and prosper from it under my claim on the land. All that I ask is you work with me to better make use of Shiv's resources. To open its bounty to my growing trade and mercantile operations. Doing so will give you access to the empire's various goods and products." Oznah sweeps his gaze over them as he walks to a chest and opens it to reveal the fortune inside. He runs his hand through the coins and lets them flow through his fingers to clink back into the pile.

"Join me and see a new era. Some of you will have to adapt to new trades. But ones that will be needed and valued. The only issues I fear... is I clearly need to establish something." Oznah grabs a cup of wine and gestures for the others to follow. Chairs scrap and boots scuffle as the Shiv leaders come with the pale, muscled figure in his simple if fine clothing to look out at the gathering below. "I need to establish that you do have the option to say no."

With a gesture, the various Sifus and monks move to commence the vast, dark ritual. The Soulgate technique on full display as countless prisoners are strangled to death and their soul essence fed upon as Oznah empowered his retinue of followers. He just watches with a certain grim satisfaction and sips his wine, leaving the Shiv bosses all to stare on in horror at the massive execution and ritual in action.

"Work with me and that will be your enemies down there. Fight me? And I will find a use for you like I did those prisoners," Oznah declared as he takes another drink of wine before giving a sigh. "I also issue challenge to the Sea King. For I know I cannot control Shiv until I hold that title."​
Oznah felt exhausted. His mind strained after days planning and desperately pulling every trick he could in coordination with Orhan. He'd not expected to rush this bank project but then he hadn't expected economic disaster in the Lastlands. The Central Bank was to be his show to the Capital Houses that House Alder was not some joke to be abused and discarded. There was a certain degree of quiet rage as well. That he even had to do this. Matters would be seen to someday, but for now he needed to save himself and his allies from the madness caused by others.​
Character Information
Descriptors
Calculating, Occult

Skills
Martial Arts, Fleshcrafting, Diplomacy, Trade

Martial/Magic
Martial 3| Evasion, Unarmed, Unarmored
Blood 5 | Contracts, Demonology, Evocation, Fleshcrafting, Mutation

Items
Bracers of Martial Might
Ranger Boots
Brazen Vessel
Prayer Beads
Glove of Byung-Lah

Influence
3 Populist
4 Noble

Owned Land
Aflil
Shiv (Acquired for 5 Wealth)

Fief Structures
Great Port (Green Star)
Manor (Lavish, Fortified)

Forces
35 Soulblight Monks (6s)
6 Dark Sifus (7s)
10 Brulen (7s)
4 Mercuials (10s)
10 Hardened Outlaws (?)
10 Blood Nuns (Part Harvesting)

Trade Goods
Pearls
Amber
Iron (Mine Refurbishing)
Lead (3 Units in Mine)
Elven Wood (6 Units Untouched)
Citrus (Matchka/Lanka)
Spices (Matchka/Lanka)
Sugar (Matchka/Lanka)
Truffles (Matchka/Lanka)
Treasury
Reserve: 1
Port: +1 (2)
Trade: +62 (64)
Touryan Payment: -30 (34)
Ulrich Tribute: -4 (30)
Shiv Buyout: -5 (25)
Parsifal Loan: -8 (17)
Noble 3->4: -8 (9)
Standing Stones for Skiy: -3 (6)
Varna Profits: +11 (17)
Morphic Material Liquidation: +18 (35)
Bank: -5 Wealth (30)
Bank Investment: -30 (0)

Total: 6
Actions

Movement
Oznah will move to support Xion Parsifal in annexing Sulpass.
4 Mercurials
10 Brulen
6 Dark Sifu
35 Soublight Monks

Intrigue Play
Oznah will pull every string and trick he can to promote the Central Bank of the Lastlands. He in particular will play up his and Orhan's efforts to protect the region from economic instability. Tapping into Populist 3 for public support, Noble 4 for Imperial support and utilizing his skills of Diplomancy and Trade to push the issues in both courts of opinion to ensure the banks power and prestige are recognized if not empowered. And to get both nobles recognition for their efforts.

Scene
Oznah will engage the Fish People on the Sulpass coast on certain matters

Action 1
Build the Central Bank with Orhan of Hegemon (5 Wealth Bank, 30 Wealth Invested, 60 Varna Wealth Provided)

Action 2
Create 9 Standing Stones for 3 Wealth for the Skiy Cult Issue.
Additional Notes
Shiv Buyout
Central Bank of Lastlands Founded with Orhan of Hegemon to counter financial crisis
Touryan Owed 30 More Wealth at next Audit
Craft Throne for 10 Wealth by Turn 7

Birth in the family: (Play at any time) -- someone close to you has had a child in the family of another player's family or NPC entity. This can lead to bonds or obligations or easement between you and the other party experiencing this event, if you choose to play it.

This is being played upon House Varna.

Daria Alder arrives in Aflil

Vito Alder arrives in Aflil

Sponsors for High House Status ( 2 of 2 High, 1 of 2 Cadet)
Hegemon (High)
Omnis (High)
Parsifal (Cadet)
 
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Ul Dyril of House Nyrael
Turn 4

Actions:
Nature-Blessed Broodmothering - Through deals with Baris Demir of Haakon in order to obtain spider livestock, Ul Dyril and her work-force will make use of the abandoned pit that once held the captive Wadjet in order to convert it into a housing pit and area for the spider livestock received in the trade. Making use of the pit will avoid touching the nature that the Earthmother doesn't want harmed, and will be easy to clean up by using Nature 6 (with a Watershed from the Earthmother to allow its use) as well as Bone 4 in order to clean up the large bone problem that was left behind. With a blessing of nature and her skills, she believes something much more could come out of it. She also thinks helping spend 2 Wealth as well as Building Materials (a +1 wealth in building) could elevate the process into a major inclusion in Nyrael territory. Perhaps with Herbalism or Agriculture she can find something else while the pit is being renovated. (Husbandry, Nature 6, Bone 4, (Herbalism, Agriculture))

A Magical Place For You And Me - Information gathered during the party at Port Greenstar has led Ul Dyril to the somewhat whereabouts of a Narvik agent currently operating in either Baumung or Nerry. Ul should be able to capably locate an individual within her own lands if they are present, otherwise she has sought the permission of Dejan of House Laeraslae for permission to investigate their land to seek them out there. She will enlist search parties to investigate Baumung for the whereabouts of said agents or any other secrets that have yet to be uncovered within the region. After doing so, she will be able to transport herself and a search party to the province of Nerry where she can continue her search whom Dejan has asked to go along with in case investigating his territory is needed. With eyes set on the province of Delecti which proves to be a natural paradise, required expansion, a questionable amount of narcotics and smokeables and need of all the support she can get, she hopes that said agent can help provide the cooperation of House Narvik (Vice) to provide their unique talents to make something truly special work. (Populist 5, Nobility 2)

So They May Return To The Earth (Use of an extra action) - Ul Dyril has recently come under the acquisition of a special plant with some powerful properties, and has decided it would be a good time to bury those Nyrael nobles she had recovered from that one place she went with Ortes and talked a Demilich to death or something. In order to acquire a special item from said plant, the 'Ancestor Thistle', she'll need to grow the plant Ancestor Holly in the ground that acts as a grave for her ancestors which she will do so as a sign of honor and remembrance. She can respect the Earth Mother's wishes by renovating the old arena pit that the Liontaur was defeated in and using Nature 6 and Bone 4 to do so (along with a supporting workforce, of course). By the addition of 3 Wealth and Enchanted Bone as a resource, she plans to renovate the old pit into a major sanctuary of the dead which may also serve as a place of communion and cooperation with spirits and beings of the dead. Life and death are complete opposites, but one couldn't truly exist without the other. It's just part of Nature. (Nature 6, Bone 4) (Necrobarter as a Bone Descriptor, just in case) (Herbalism and Agriculture for investigation during the renovation)

 Intrigue
Short Antisocial Druid Girl Goes Back To Her Room To Be Away From Everyone So She Can Text Her Friends - It's time for Ul to go back to her room that is Temple Grund in order to do some nice peaceful messaging with her friends which actually translates to using her Nature 6 (and/or Bone 4) magic in order to commune with spirits, beings and deities of the nature and world itself. She's already made cooperation with the Earth Mother who resides in Baumung, but perhaps after being eaten by those lizard people in the swamp then the Old Stag will want to pick up to. Or, perhaps some complete other being is impressed by her talents and wants a peace of the big ol' nature cake that is the expansion of Nyrael. Either way, she's putting herself out there to see who wants to pick up. She has important business to do, provinces to expand her claim to, as well as new capabilities or special items she can get. (Populist 5, Religion 1, Nature 6, Bone 4 (Necrobarter Descriptor))

Extra (Something else from Turn 3 to be resolved)
The Earthmother will create a CRYSTAL ARBORETUM which will beautify the province and make Crystal wood renewable. The Pavillion is finished if you roll a 6+ on a D6 at the end of T4 or any subsequent round. (Yet to be rolled) ​
 
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Turn 4

Akçay Yusuf


​

NuGleeb becoming Orhan's was the last thing Akçay expected, but neither agent could profess to know the inner workings of Vashna or Hegemon. Whether or not the Capital Houses would make a mess of things here following the Edict of Purity he announced remained to be seen, but thanks to deft political maneuvering Oktay now had the enviable office of provincial governor, positioned just so in order to curb their worst excesses while simultaneously moving up in society.

As for the future? Wrun, Oreste, and Azar waited for him. Freed of his petty squabbles with Haakon, especially after Delavizh's removal from the field of play, and having not only defended the interests of his new nephew-in-law Wernhard in Esau, but by extension Xyphon and Varna from a Keshurgen plot, he felt... Accomplished. The likes of Underlord Hegemon likely knowing him by name, and finding him useful enough to bid his agent to support Akçay's efforts boosted his ego too of course, and getting the opportunity to meet someone as fascinating as Materia the Vaguely Known was a treat in of itself, not to mention the very real possibility he'll be able to finally witness her methods firsthand in the coming days.

Most people had to die for that privilege, he suspected.

Despite all the progress made, threats lingered on the periphery of his vision, preparing to strike. Whatever confronted him or his allies next, he'd have his brother beside him to meet them. And that was worth paving every mile of the Pilgrim's Road with gold. NuGleeb's stretch was a bargain well-struck by comparison.

Orders​

Movement: NuGleeb to Oreste.

1) 50 pension legionaires are sent to help Materia with Wrun and plant House Vashna's flag.

2) *Drop off all of Akçay's and Orhan's spies in Azar, along with 5 sons of karis, 150 stark agents, and 20 military saboteurs to gather intelligence and blackmail on important figures and the city itself, especially it's defenses, as well as getting into position to strike and wreck havoc upon further instruction when the time is right.

*Skilled in assassination, intrusion, sabotage, and surveillance. House Vashna specializes in espionage.

3) Bremlaut, perched on a houseman's shoulder, travels to House Vashna in the Capital with Cabol Ness and 10 wealth, delivering a request from Akçay to the nobleman's superiors to arrange a deal with House Kher for the delivery of prefabricated modular housing and quality craftsman tools by ship to set Wrun and Oreste back up in the Muurdain style with Cabol Ness' creative input immediately after Materia and Akçay knocks them both down. In addition, Akçay requests boatloads of Vashna settlers to supplement those uprooting from NuGleeb (Populist 1++). If House Kher expresses interest in Akçay retrieving their former archmage's remains and possessions, he offers the service to them as a measure of good faith. Mechanisms for windmills, pumps, and dams would be appreciated to drain the flooded provinces.

Resources: Magilighting, marble.

^ The above order is due to a refunded action spent on learning magic earlier in the roleplay.

Intrigue: Operation Oolong.

Scene: Retinue conquers Oreste with Materia's help.
 
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Unush, the Eternal Laborer | Avatar of the Eternal Sphinx | Genie of Jader

Order 1 & 2: The Great Bastion
Unush, the Eternal Laborer, gazed out from atop the highest peak, surveying the vast plains below with satisfaction. His Grand Army, comprised of various factions including the Bri'unor barbarians, undead twiceborns, golems, and the Triste Dwarves with their machines, artillery, and legions of Morthagi, marched towards the provinces of Vec and Wisp. Behind them, an enormous amount of construction material was being transported.

As the commander of this army, Unush had one singular purpose in mind: to swiftly build the Great Bastion, a massive and impenetrable wall, and fortification that would stretch two provinces, completely sealing off the chokepoint to defend against the Muurdaan nobles' invasion. Unush was certain that if the bastion was completed, it would be impervious to attack, as it would be reinforced by the powers of both himself and the Sphinx.

Upon conquering Vec and Wisp, the army would immediately begin constructing the Great Bastion, overseen by Strovruk Nobledelver, the Great Inventor, and Dwarf Leader. The Dwarves' superior construction skills would be supported by massive amounts of wealth poured into the project, the purchase of different resources, and the use of Godsbranch as the core to reinforce the defenses.

Unush had the plan to make the Great Bastion even more formidable. He knew that the Godsbranch Orchard held a treasure that would ensure its strength and fortitude - the God Seed. This seed had been bestowed upon him by the Eternal Sphinx, and Unush was determined to plant it at the heart of the fortress.

Without hesitation, Unush planned to plant the God Seed at the construction site of the Great Bastion. With the strength of his divine magic, he would nurture the seed, and it would begin to grow into a towering tree of Godsbranch, its roots serving as the veins of the grand fortification.

Then once it's grown to the fullest, Unush will plant another core at the center of the tree - the purest Moonstone crystal. A crystal absent of any impurities, personally refined by the Eternal Sphinx himself from raw moonstone and then blessed by his breath.

Unush knew that this Cored Tree would serve as the brain, heart, and lifeblood of the fortress, reinforcing its defenses and ensuring its impenetrability. He envisioned the tree manifesting all of his reality-bending magic, from the elemental forces of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, to the sorcery powers of Blood, Bone, Astral, and Nature. Unush also knew that the tree would manifest the domains of the Eternal Sphinx, that of Death and Drain, the absence of magic and life.

The completion of this massive project would be the Dwarves' first wonder since their ascent, and Unush was confident that even an entire army sent from the Muurdaan Capital would hesitate to siege it. With the tree of Godsbranch at the heart of the Great Bastion, Unush's Grand Army would be virtually invincible, and no enemy would be able to breach its walls. The tree would represent the pinnacle of his power and the might of the Sphinxite's forces, a testament to the eternal laborer's unwavering dedication to the Eternal Sphinx's cause.

At the end of the Great Bastion, where it meets the coast of Wisp, Unush had another plan in mind. He envisioned a great military port, integrated into the fortress itself, that would serve purely for military purposes. The port would be a crucial asset to the Empire, allowing them to build and deploy their naval forces quickly and efficiently to protect themselves from any naval incursions from the Muurdaan nobles.

Unush knew that this would require an enormous amount of resources and labor, but he was confident that his Grand Army and the Dwarves could make it a reality. With the completion of the military port, the Empire could build a navy to intercept any possible incursions to the east of the region from the west.

As for any opening in the West of the Empire? Unush is confident the Barbarian Queen could handle it.

5/14/2023 Addendum:
The Garrison Commander (Dragonewt Logic Engine) has been summoned from a bygone age. Unush, recognizing the difference in their strategic and tactical abilities, has given the Garrison Commander the title of 'Supreme Commander' of the Grand Army and its accompanying roles. Unush will assist and advise from behind.

Relevant Descriptor for The Dwarf King:
Skills
[Engineering] [Construction] [Architecture] [Smithing] [Mining] [Rune]

Magic
Earth 5 | [Gravity] [Reinforcement] [Tremor] [Earthsense] [Transmutation]
Construction 8 (Unique)

clfleabku000dlj08lwbjve3w-1.jpg

Sigurd Asgnr, Barbarian Queen | Queen of The Bri'Unor Horde​


Order 3 & 4: March to Dragon Pass Cosmo Cosmo
The bronze skinned woman knelt before the Sphinx shrine, her long dark hair was swept behind her, tied back by numerous, small golden braids. Tattoos arched along her brow and ran down her body, but her chest was bare, shining in the morning sun, proof of her valor for not a single scar marred her flesh. She did not expect the Sphinx to answer her, it never truly had, but it did not need to. The simple act of praying to the shrine brought a sense of peace in her heart. A sense of purpose. Sigurd often mulled over the fate of the others, those who wandered this cold, hollow world without the same guiding light she had from the Sphinx, she did not hate them.. She pitied them. But her purpose in life was not to teach, nor to guide, it was to cull. Cull those who stood in the Sphinx’s path, it was little more than putting down a sick dog. An unpleasant chore.

“My Queen,” a rough voice called from behind her, slowly her cloudy grey eyes opened, she did not turn her head from the shrine, when she answered.

“Speak,” she commanded, her voice soft like a gentle breeze that caressed the ears of those lucky enough to hear her.

“Galloway has fallen.”

“Of course he has,” Sigurd said as she closed her eyes once again.

“My Queen?” the voice asked, unsure of why she was so unperturbed, “The Muurdaans are approaching our lands.”

“Muurdaans,” Sigurd repeated, rolling the word around in her mouth, it was cumbersome and clunky. How she abhorred the brutal, inelegant language of the north. Galloway was a failure of a priest. He had gone north to spread the Word, but he had gone.. Native. He rarely spoke the mother tongue, instead speaking the crude speech of the Muurdaan’s and its many offshoots. He was barely a member of the Horde, birth alone kept his place. Sigurd.. Hated him. He was weakness, personified. The fact he, of all people, had been chosen as a priest was insulting to not only the Sphinx but to all those who called themselves its servants. If there was justice, Galloway would be left to rot in the underworld, to be feasted upon by insects as his soul was torn apart by Devils, but the Sphinx was kind… His fate would not be so just.

“They blunder and wander into lands not their own,” Sigurd said as she tilted her head to the side and reopened her cloudy eyes, “Unush summons me?”

“Y-Yes, my Queen,” the man said, she could feel the soft air against her flesh as he bowed behind her.
“Then I go. Prepare the horde. We make for Dragon Pass.”

Action 1 - Sigurd, along with her Bri’Unor Horde, will take Dragon Pass and build shrines [Horde creates small shrines passively] and a fortress to overlook the path.

Action 2 - Sigurd will search for the Lord of Dragon Pass and bring them to the Sphinx side or smote their ruin upon the mountainside.

Intrigue: [REDACTED]
[REDACTED]

Addendum:
ATTEMPT to annex verse by subverting faith
 
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Turn 4
Darius
~ Lord of Reilor ~

~~><~~

~ Market Season ~

1678270444601.png​

  • Finally, the time had come.

    Everything that had been done, everything that had been built and achieved, everything sacrificed, all of it has been for this day.

    Cornucopia, a city that did not exist not so long ago, now brims with the crowds of countless thousands, travelers and merchants and citizens alike all brought here to the Grand Market of Cornucopia, drawn to the city out of the promise made by Darius upon its founding. Cornucopia is to become its namesake, a city of wealth, a city of endless abundance.

    Has the promise been kept?

    The stalls and shops of the Grand Market are filled with goods, each offering something different.

    The resident artist has his own gallery filled with hand-painted Portraits, each accompanied by their own Gilded frames, each portaint displaying much of the beauty that can be found in the Lastlands; of the new and growing city of Cornucopia, of the war-torn viseral hellscape that was once Gleeb, of the port city of Greenstar rested besides a vast peaceful ocean filled with trade ships from foreign lands, of the perilous passe of Pointe winding its way through the towering mountains toward the Imperial Interior itself, and many others.

    Thick, furred rugs and grand, colourful tapestries fill the shops of the rugmakers and weavers. All manner of Regal Clothing cover the manniquins of the tailors shops, made from silk and cashmere and shimmercloth and exotic furs, dyed bright and colourful in adherence to the latest of Imperial fashions. Jewelers hawkishly preside over their displays of extravant jewellery, jewelled accessories, and even Ivory; from rings and necklaces, bracelets and broaches to hairpins and hairbrushes, jewellery boxes and gilded ornaments.

    Bakers and sweetmakers fill their shops full of goods made flesh here in Cornucopia; Cakes, Breaded Treats, Fruit Sweets, and even Iced Cream. Landlords offer the patrons to their taverns all manner of beverages to sate their thurst; Wheat Beer, Vodka, Mead, Gin, Sake, and, the jewel of them all, Heaven's Wine. The carpenters and upholsterers formed their own shops together, selling Furniture both Luxurious and Plush, made from the finest of fabrics and a variety of woods; Dark, Ancient, and Dryad, though more common wood is used to fashion cheaper furniture, painted Colourful to make them more appealing. The carpenters also make available wooden containers for purchase, suitable for stock or personal storage, barrels and boxes of all shapes and sizes.

    Toymakers make use of the wood and paints available, making Colourful Toys for the children. Glass blowers had took the slag glass from the furnaces of the steel industry to shape into malachite bottles for the perfumers, providing them the means to contain their fragances in decorative bottles. Sculpters turned marble into Sculptures, depicting everything from animals to plants to people and even to the Gods. Alchemists brewed available reagents into all manner of Medicinal Potions, to heal both sickness and injury alike. Even Luthiers have been drawn to Cornucopia, using their talents to craft musical instruments, some of them even enchanted and sent throughout the Grand Market to fill the air with music.

    And above it all, perched atop the city at the Peak, surveying all he had made possible. Darius, the Lord of Reilor, watches the prosperity bloom before his very eyes.

    And he cannot help but smile.
 
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Turn 4



Rise up dead man
Let the gunshots ring

Rise up dead man
Let the gunshots ring
Shadows calling
Let the gunshots ring​


Leagues away. Numerous provinces, mountain ranges, and fierce rivers all sat between Orhan and his duties. Perhaps, this was all an attempt by House Hegemon to win some hearts and minds of other Capital Houses, but from what he had heard from others... Orhan was alone in having obligations that required him to depend on and work with numerous others. He had his work cut out for him. His goals were not as simple as taking a province, making a ton of wealth or two or slaying an unruly person. Nay, he had to organize, negotiate, and communicate with other Muurdaan nobles to make things happen no matter what. Even if it were physically impossible to travel to Blom, Orhan was entrusted with doing the impossible. Trade deals, letters, and all sorts of messages were sent out to his fellow Nobles as Orhan worked to piece together the puzzle. Finally, it seemed like he had found a solution and he could see the light at the end of the road, and more importantly he could reach the light within a year.

However, there were still other challenging problems that faced Orhan. Even if he had a means of traveling to the opposite end of the region towards Blom... his base of power was along the north border of the region, consolidated around Pointe and NuGleeb. An army needed more than just men with weapons. It needed sustainment and logistical support. An army could not march indefinitely. It needed somewhere it could call a base. Typically, these bases took the form of castles and fortresses, which exerted influence and might in the region where they were built in. However, given the very nature that they were stationary bulwarks, normal castles and fortifications needed to be built in secured areas where construction could not be hindered during the time it took to build them. More importantly, the further away from such fortifications, the more difficult it was to rely on them for support. This is where the famous Flying Castles of Muurdaan came to play. They could in theory be mobile, though often times they were anchored at one place... the Capital. Hence, the idea of a magical flying castle, sitting on clouds of ash islands came to mind. A new type of construct, half smoke and half flying castle, that could be used to exert might in regions far from places that they could call home.

---

Actions:

1. Construction/Invention of the Ash Islands with the help of Akcay

Orhan
-Technologist, Leadership, Counter-Intelligence Skills,
-Bone 6, Fear, Drain, Time, Necromancy Descriptors,
-Nature 5: Rebirth, Regeneration, Symbiosis Descriptors,
-Astral 3, Mindscreen, Counter Magic, Communion Descriptors)
-The Disc of Circles: This is a flying disc that has summoning, binding, communion and other types of circles engraved upon it. It can extend the range of rituals, and make rituals cheaper or more powerful.
-House Hegemon (Technology)

Grokhim Greatshield
-Genius Tinker
-Jury Rigger,
-Water 3/Earth 3)

Andegasus Hegemon
-Artificer,
-Stewardship Skills,
-Silver Arm of the Cyclopean Forge - Bonus to making magic items

Old Man - Siege Engineer

Akcay
-Bone 3, Movement, Darkness, Ghost Sense, Necromancy Descriptors,
-Fire 3, Barrier, Ruin, War Descriptors
-Astral 3 Counter Magic, Scrying, Movement Descriptors

Greed Peak (Fire Mana Node/Site)

Steam Engines

200 Morthagi Servitors - Mk II

Black Cenote (Water and Bone Magic Site)

Grand Armillary Sphere (Astral Site)

2 Bone Sparks
1 Fire Spark
2 Astral Sparks
1 Nature Spark
10 Wealth
1 Unit of Moonstone

Black Opal (Bone/Fire Synergy)
Morph Material (Bone/Blood Synergy)
Enchanted Bone (Bone/Magic Synergy)
Monster Bone (Bone Synergy)
Secret Alloy
Ametminium (Excellent Heat Sink)
Navy Blue Dawooite (Astral Synergy?)
Seleehousite (Nature Synergy)
Marble
White Pyrite (Fire Synergy)
Smithore
Gypsum
Diamond (Astral/Fire Synergy)
Jade (Nature/Water Synergy)
Malachite (Magic Synergy)
Gold
Coal
Military Influence 3

2. Orhan attempts to pacify or at least befriend/ally the Ghols via the Ash Island that was crafted to look like a giant boulder thanks to the efforts of Grokhim. Orhan will attempt to leverage the Ghols' religious belief and attempt to turn the Ghols into a local auxiliary/regional power to contest and hopefully help secure the province of Vec on behalf of the Empire through their devotion.

Orhan (Savvy Descriptor, Diplomacy Skill)
Andegasus (Stewardship, Politics Skills)
Ash Islands + Modifications made by Grokhim

3. Due to rumors of potential market instability and panic, Orhan makes moves to establish a bank and mint in the Redoubt to establish an Imperially sanctioned, formal banking institution and bureaucracy in the region that can conduct monetary policy and bring a measure of financial stability in partnership and cooperation with House Alder and his assets. This organization will be called the Central Bank of the Lastlands. Orhan leverages his Noble 5 influence to draw dependable imperial economists, bureaucrats, and investors to help run this institution and to gain it legitimacy in the eyes of the Empire. (Extra/Refunded Action due to redundant Action used in T1 to learn magic from another player.)

Orhan (Savvy, Diplomacy, Counter-Intelligence Skills), Astral 3: Counter-Magic, Noble Influence 5
Andegasus (Stewardship, Politics Skills)
Grokhim Greatshield (Water 3 / Earth 3)
5 Wealth to build
Coinage (Gold) + Minting Ability
10 Wealth to Deposit into the Bank

Movement: Orhan travels with the aid of the Faery Road, Time Descriptor, and the Ash Islands to the province of Vec and then Wisp with his retinue.

Scene: Attempt to pacify/gain a foothold in Wisp for the Empire via communion/diplomacy with the Granfalloon, the regional power of the province.

Orhan (Savvy Descriptor, Diplomacy Skill, Bone 6 Drain, Necromancy, Fear Descriptor, Astral 3, Communion Descriptor, Nature 5, Symbiosis Descriptor) w/ CarcassJack
5 Housemen
Ash Islands

Intrigue: As per a request by and favor to Akcay, Orhan attempts to bring back Akcay's dead brother in the hopes of aiding Akcay's mission and objectives.

Orhan (Bone 6, Nature 5, Astral 3, Necromancy, Communion, Regeneration, Rebirth, Symbiosis, Time Descriptors)
Akcay
1 Bone Spark
CarcassJack
Disc of Circles
Bone Magic Site in Blaucia (Akcay negotiated with Wernhard for its use)
 
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Turn 4​

~Oriana Varna~ ​


  • Action 1 : Build
  • Action 2 : Deal with pirates
  • Intrigue : Help my allies
  • Commerce : Train Lord Ortes to water magic level 3
  • Decision : A)

Details of orders​
  • Oriana order her servants to look around for resources in Orin and to start exploiting and refining them. They are also tasked with making her a castle worth 4 golds and of course begin settling themselves.



Well, that escalated quickly.
Rukia tried to make herself small as Murtaugh growled at Lorelei who smirked. "No. We cannot crash our boats on the enemies because it would look "stylish" or "awesome" or whatever you young people say these days," he gestured vigorously, exasperated. Lorelei rolled her eyes. "Chiiiiillll grandpa, ain't tis just some pirates ?" The nayad said, laying on the water without a care in the world.

The last days had been weirder then the last weeks Rukia spent in the back with the other servants. She really should have stick with the cleaning didn't she ?

~Two months earlier~

Rukia thanked the gods every night for a week when she got the contract. Which was a miracle in itself, as she had no prestigious connection or recommendations. Something she thought even the lowest servants was required to have to serve a family like the Varna. Her former masters all very rich commoners. In short, no one important in nobles eyes. It went so fast the young woman wondered if this wasn't a dream or a cruel trick. She sent her applications to the maid agency she was a part of as usual. And one cloudy morning after received a proposition from house Varna itself. Of course she rushed back to ask if this was a mistake. The young woman remembered the envious–and for some suspicious– gaze of her peers as she walked with the letter. The Varna coat of arms on the back and the opulent gold color of the envelope leaving no doubt. But why would a high house hire a servant that never worked for nobles ? Much less a no name like her. There certainly was a catch.
But despite her uncertainty, Rukia knew that this was the chance of a lifetime. Maybe things were starting to look up for her after all. No matter what House Varna wanted, Rukia knew that they would not ask her twice. Swallowing her reservation she accepted, and a few days later officially served Lady Oriana.

She expected to be at least questioned briefly. But after, her guide showed Rukia her dormitory, clean and well lit. But what picked her attention was the lack of uniformity. Beside the bed being done and neat. One person had hanged little potted lilies near their bed, another had painting of what she presumed their loved one, another one had a stack of books on their nightstand and one person in the corner casually hang their bow and arrows on the bed itself. Pointed to her place consisting of her bed, a small bedside table with a drawer and more place then she was used to receive. Rukia was ordered to first settle and relax then follow her roommates to her assignment.
None of the other maids showed disdain for her origins or why she was here. What made it all feel unreal is that she quickly learned that most of them were in a similar situation. Many coming from all walk of life. Only a minority able to be called "proper" employees for a highborn Lady. And those seemed to have served her, and by extension House Varna, for many years. Soon this small core was nicknamed the "unicorn" by some of the cheeky new arrivals. In reference to their uniforms featuring the traditional varnian coat of arms. These older servants teased back by calling the newcomer the "wild horse" a name that quickly stuck. As the two group got closer and formed somewhat of a bond.

The third week, Janice, a unicorn and one of the right hand of the housekeeper Ms Dalin. Informed Rukia that she was summoned and expected this afternoon. Was this the end for her ? Was it because she asked too much questions ? Maybe she was not graceful enough in her manners. Surely this could not be because she broke something ? Rukia remember treating everything she touched and cleaned like glass. Did the seniors maids found her insistence on checking the inventory multiple time annoying ?
As she passed down briskly through the hallway to the left. Smoothed out her uniform for the third time. Rukia stopped at the large oaken door of the housekeeper. One deep breath. In and out. She knocked three time.
"Enter," a low and soft voice said.

Rukia stepped inside and curtseyed.
"Rukia Gardner. At your service Madam. Did you call for me ?"
The housekeeper nodded and gestured for her to sit down. Ms Dalin was a stout woman in her late 30s. Her brown hair in a bun and the shawl around her shoulder, accompanied by a long and conservative dress, made her look austere. But her round features and mellow countenance hinted at a motherly streak.
"Indeed I have. Firstly if I may. I believe it is in order that I soothe your worries," she gave a small smile, "Your superior all told me that you are reliable and hardworking. And have adapted quickly to the standard of our house." Rukia lowered her head slightly. "I thank Madam for the compliment." The housekeeper opened one of the drawer of her desk and took out a stack of papers neatly tied together. After unbinding it she put it in front of Rukia and stapled her fingers. "As clients and beneficiaries of House Varna. It is our duty to ensure the security of our masters. Thus we extensively research any prospective servants that is to join us." She tilt her head to the side. "Lady Oriana is particularly involved. And chose many of her personal maid herself." Ms Dalin gestured to the papers. "This is what your agency have sent along with your application. Is everything correct ?" Rukia took the paper and looked it over.

Rukia Gardner. 20 years old. Unmarried. From the town of Littleleaf. No close living relatives. No allergies and rarely sick.
Qualified for : maid work, clerk, odd jobs
Reviews : Trustworthy and discrete. Extremely brave and seem to fear nothing.
​
Rukia face fell. "This..." She trailed off. The housekeeper eyes narrowed. "Yes. We know more then that. But don't worry. We have a job for you Miss Gardner."
The maid looked her dead in the eyes. "Please. Call me Miss Skulljumper."



​

​



References​

  • Age and situation : 22 years old and unmarried

    Alignment : neutral

    Personality : cautious

    Perks :
    - Healing savior
    20 points can be used to effect people's saves from injuries AFTER they fail/roll them.. or are worth 1.5 points if applied before a save is made.

    Martial : 1 in armor
    Armor : mage armor

    Magic :
    Water: 5 (Archmage)
    Life, poison, weather, dessication, scrying

    Skills : Diplomacy, Seer

    Influence :
    Military = 3
    Populists =
    Church = 1
    Nobility = 1

    Wealth : 9 -4 because of raider tb recovered
 
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Turn 5​

​

The great worm lurked at the surface of the topsoil and watched from afar as a bovine lowered its head to drink from the river. The river was lower than normal. It's banks were pasted with dried mud and crumbling brambles. The subterranean beast flexed its intake orfice shut and expelled as much waste from the last of its digestive tract as it could to unburden itself. It shook it's anterior above the dirt so that a photosensor was exposed to the air. Although not as advanced as a human eye, they were supremely sophisticated for an underground creature. The thirteen total sensory organs were covered in thick mucosal tissue not unlike a permanent eyelid and each relayed blackish flat images to visual processing clusters.

The worm also had two specialized organs for percieving the world: thermal and vibrational. The heat sensor was delicate and resulted in the worm hunting only during night, as it was doing now, for the sun was painfully harsh. The vibrational sensor was spread throughout the worms body. The organs operated by listening for the sound and feeling of movement and vibrations, and passing those observations to the worms brain clusters for decision making.

The complete picture painted by the worm's long nervous system resulted in a surprising proclivity for decision making.

Along its long body, setae fanned and the worm undulated forward as it expelled air and compressed its length to three fourths of its regular span. More of its body became visible above ground. Great globs of transluscent greenish film mixed with clay and topsoil slid off the enormous bulk of meat. The beast vibrated with excitement and its enormous maw gaped wide. Inside of its orfice, a dripping yellow ball of fleshy meat unfurled like a spring flower, and the worm erupted out of concealment.

The yellow ball was a probiscus, which transformed into a hellish tongue-like net as it was projected over the startled bovine. The worms bulk crashed down on a rear leg. The cattle bellowed and fell onto its side. The black and white beast furiously pounded its remaining rear hoof into the nearest slimy flesh. The damage inflicted was superficial and ignored. The worm curled its horrific bulk into a spiral wall around the struggling animal. The probuscus-netting began to burn like fire as the digestive enzymes and paralytics did their work to nerve and muscle. The worm gained ground. Frantic kicking slowed into spastic kicking. The anterior mouth yawned wide, and the probiscus drew the animal to its fate. Bovine eyes rolled in panic and the animal wrenched from side to side. The opening closed and the bovine was gone--gone, and sliding deeper. A long tract of uninterrupted muscular intestine clamped firmly around the bony meal, and digestive juices seeped from linings. Internal prey writhing ceased and the hunt was at an end.

It uncoiled itself and wriggled towards the comfort of the underground.

The worm's mind was long. Each segment of the worm contributed a ganglia, a cluster of neurons, to the whole. This resulted in a line of chattering, argumentative thoughts that worked together like a council to make decisions. This council of ganglia only worked effeciently when lifes most well known dangers presented themselves: fighting and food. In the topsoils that the worm seldom left, it was the king, and therefore rarely had to fight let alone starve. Therefore, this metaphorical council experienced bickering constantly.

'Eat, slow' warned the lengths of annuli which still held the dissolving bovine. The worm slowed its travel through the soil.

'Dirt, dirt' the anterior orfice ring begged. All other annuli denied this request immediately. The anterior ring always wanted to gape and eat, even after catching prey.

The great worm was surrounded by its almost microscopic cousins. It drew nourishment from them constantly as their immature, adult, and eggs alike were enveloped in the daily swaths of soil that the enormous length of monsterous meat consumed, processed, and expelled. At times, equally microscopic thoughts floated past the sensory system of the hunter. The little thoughts were both familiar and strange as they blindly sought dirt, feared, squirmed, and fell away unobserved. The hunter never paid these tiny thoughts any attention.

Though, a problem did trouble the worm. The livable soil that it roamed in regularly was shrinking.

Unlike common earth worms, great worms are extremely particular about their permanent soil. They may pack away water and nutrients for travels through hostile soils, but must have the right environment to live in or else they risk illness and eventual death. The nutrient content of the soil where it matured was perfect when it was half as large as it was currently. Now larger, the few trees and animals above could simply not produce enough composting materials to seep into the groud nor were the hills producing enough biomatter runoff.

Soil exaustion was a semi-regular experience of great worms life cycles and normally the worm would simply migrate. Migration was not possible, however, because the river far above had been drying out. The result was that the worm was almost constantly parched and needed to spend time hunting bloodier prey, such as bovine, and moving through less traversable soil. Without enough water it would die of dehydration before it could find a new food source. The river was the most pressing matter.

The ganglia had argued over the issue for days.

'Risk, go'

'Stay, wait'

'dirt, dirt!'

'no, no'

'Leave, stay, wait'

Rarely, it experienced a sensation of singular thought and one such moment arrived in that instant. The ganglia quieted, and along its body the various annuli, and setae fluttered to the beat of its arterial chamber hearts. It proposed the problem again. Clearly, to venture for new lands was not possible due to the falling water supply, but to stay was also likely deadly. It shuddered and it thought with singular intent.

'see WAaTeerr why nooot flow wwhhy no DIRT!!! liffe fix fiiix and mooove after'

A shudder ran along its slimy body again. The ganglia council fell back apart, and then resumed arguing over details back and forth--literally, while the anterior orfice snuck a mawful of dirt.

...

The worm travelled for the remainer of the day through gritty soil. The falling water content has exascerbated the stoniness which dug at its protective layers of worm-flesh. The hunter wove through the better clay and loam where it could, and just once was forced to dive through the air to sink again in softer straits. At last, it found the base of the tall-soil which the water flowed from.

The soil here was closer to the source, and therefore was still optimally saturated compared to leagues away where the worm had started its journey. The water fell from some invisible cliff down towards a lake, that emptied into the river. Its sensory organs were overloaded with vibrations and coolness from the falling water above and momentarily it was engrossed with opening its little pores and soaking itself. After a time, the worm's multitude of vibratory organs honed in on other movements above ground. These were not four-legged prey beasts, or scampering morsels... These were men. It had encountered men before though never this many. Typically, the men were one or two guarding herds of prey-animals and fled after seeing the worm. Its gut twisted uneasily as the rumble of unnatural rock movements were felt. It's vibratory organs 'saw' as surface rock, stone, and soil, flowed like water into strange shapes around the river. It appeared these were also men of unnatural works. The worm felt the earth shake towards the falling water, and decided that it needed a clearer image of what the man things were performing. It angled itself and pushed a purplish fleshy eye above the dirt.

The visual receptor buzzed excitedly and produced a black and white image of the manshape. Near it, soil was indeed shifting without cause and with it the falling water. Instead of flowing downstream after falling, it was being directed into some sort of oval. The redirected water was not elsewhere, it simply vanished after passing the precipice of the oval. Ten other manshapes were present.

Strange appendages ended in strange shapes of odd things, sharp and long, and sometimes unknown but clearly harsh. Steel/iron/sharp/weapon/death/slicecut... Weapon. It did not know where the instinctual understanding came from, but the ancestral memory made clear that these things were painful. Light glinted off these weapons and some hit the senstive sight organ which throbbed with irritation. The hunter hated these weapons and the menshapes carrying them.

It shook with the sudden memory of the singular thought moment and the council enjoyed its past genius. It was a good idea that ought to be followed, yes. Here was the failing water, and there was the cause. Death, it decided. These men were prey even if they had their weapons. How might the man-things taste? It would find out, yes.

At the greatest speed it could muster, it coiled its bulk and began to accelerate towards the man-thing shifting unnatural rocks. The manthing felt the disturbance made by the worm with his unnatural sense. The worm had come so close to the surface that it was causing the topsoil crust to deform. Ahead, the unnatural manshape shot into the air on top of a pillar of hardened dirt towards the top of the waterfall. It was trying to escape, the worm observed. It adjusted its course and sprang from the dirt in an even greater display of athleticism than the bovine hunt had required. Without the ground around it, the worm lost its vibratory and tactile sensations and was unable to alter course as it flew. This was the riskiest part of a hunt.

The anterior gaped and out went the yellow proboscis. The ganglia howled instructions to aim and gape and twist and --

*GLMP!*

The worm enjoyed the sensation of the manthing's soft tower of dirt sliding against its pale underbelly, and most of all enjoyed the wriggling little man-prey. Subterranean flesh whipped and twisted and returned underground into the moist soil, now closer to the spring. The elevated water content was almost suffocating. It worked to reposition itself away from the spring as it ate.

It did not enjoy the unnatural way the manthing frantically manipulated all of the earth around him in his agonized throes, including forcibly evacuating the worms entire digestive tract and squashing a chunk of scratchy quartz into its posterior dorsal side. As the man thing died, the worm was dimly aware of the oval-which-drank sending enormous gouts of water hundreds of meters away to land loudly on the ground and shake trees, where it had previously only taken in water. It seemed that whatever the water-thing was, was controlled by the strange prey-man. It died as he died.

The worm saturated the manthing with digestive acid and suffocated it with an extremely hard internal crush. The prey-man and his strange manipulations stopped.

The manthings pitter-patter of panic was audible above. The oval-which-drank, stopped its drinking. The waterfall resumed depositing water into the river. It stopped and considered. It had expected a longer hunt but without the strange-man the other men were moving away. Their little pitter-patter vibrations grew dim, soon diminishing to nothing. The only other sensation was the repaired falling water stream. The enemy had fled. The worm secreted slime from its pores and flushed the gash in its posterior annuli to begin the healing process. It began patroling the soil around the stream for any overlooked men, and sensing none, it turned back to where it came.

Back in its burrows and freshly hydrated, the worm set about sliding about and consuming the biomatter slime that had accumulated over years. The slime was composed of the worms own secretions, aged soil, its own waste, and a suspended slurry of decomposing remains. Great worms intentionally permitted this accumulation along the floors of their burrows for this very situation. The slurry was soon all consumed and packed in front of the rapidly decaying manthing. It lurched to the end of a burrow, what a human would have described as 'north and uphill towards an old growth forest' and began to slowly shove itself into from the burrow tunnel into new dirt.


...


Beneath the old growth forest was a thermal hot springs. This was decidedly too hot and the worm decided to travel further East around the forest entirely. It tasted the dirt and found much more silicate. Sand and heat indicated a less wooded zone. It knew this area from when it was a wormling. This was the scrubland that itself lay before an arid sandy place. Neither place was suitable. Course was re-adjusted for Northeast. The worm popped its receptor above ground. The tall peaks ahead were mountains. Mountains had caves, vallies, rainfall, and mountain morsels to feast on. The worm propelled itself forward.

...

With a heave around a rock and a slide forward, it rounded a sunken ruin. It was so close to the mountain range. It could taste an abundance of sweet minerals mixed with decay. It felt the strong roots of the mountain firmly holding soil from shifting too much, and its sensors detected plenty of usable passages and, in-between, vallies. Then why had it stopped traveling? It listened intently...

Suddenly, the sound of aggressive digging came from practically right below. Bad! It pointed its anterior towards the surface and fled away from the unknown stalker.

It breached in an explosion of sod, as if the hunter had been a sunken ship raised in a sudden fit of bouyancy. Its bulk extended into the air like a spire and flopped to the side to land on the ground with a collosal thump. The impact sent gases out of each end of the worm in a simultaneous fit of eructation and flatulence (though wise men would perhaps argue it was either one or the other).

There was no sudden attack. No sharp talons, or fangs, or venom rended its tissues. It sensed no enemy below. Where had the sensation of impending attack come from? It then realized that it was not alone on the surface. Its tenth eye was staring practically eye-to-face with a manthing. Behind the man was a contraption of two trees lashed together and blowing in the wind. As the trees swayed, one rubbed notches in the other and produced a series of vibrations. The blackish silhouette of the man held no manthing weapons and still the worm felt a tinge of apprehension in the reaches of its guts. On some level the beast realized it had been tricked. The council was uneasy about having been tricked and decided that the best course of action was to --

"HOLD."

Where had that thought come from? It felt its sensory system dim and a strange sense of introspection took the beast over.

"ALL HAIL THE MAN."

Aspirations towards the mountain range, towards the sweet minerals, delicious decay, feasting upon prey, and the laying of many wormling eggs passed out of its long fragmentary minds.

"ALL HAIL THE MAN," came the foreign thought again.

The motion was put to table by force. The worm desperately tried to squirm out of the predatory deal. The council resisted and stopped up their thoughts as to shut out the so-called MAN, except for one dissenter.

"All hail the dirt," said the maw annula with surprising depth.

"NAY. ALL HAIL THE MAN."

"If yes then dirt?"

"THE GIVER OF DIRT COMMANDS OBEY, HE WHO GIVES MAY TAKE AWAY."

"If yes then dirt?"

"YES," replied the voice with a hint of exasperation.

Acquiescence overtook the long mind of the worm. The council was dissolved then devoured and a crown was placed upon the traitorous Maw.

A mantra reverberated through the ganglia of the worm...

All hail the man, gnawn by hunger day-by-day, he who gives may take away, upon a morn' a beast he saw, the Maw obeys his word is law...

ALL HAIL THE MAN, GNAWN BY HUNGER DAY BY DAY, HE WHO GIVES MAY TAKE AWAY, UPON A MORN' A BEAST HE SAW, THE MAW OBEYS HIS WORD IS LAW.

​

The city bells clanged twice to mark the arrival of morning. Morning itself, however, had already marked its arrival by shining through the curtains and into Firkin's squinted eyes. He grimaced and sat up from his sleeping mound and threw off his sheepskin blanket. The air was as cool as it always was at New Ghur's high elevation. He stood, stretched, and went to the water basin to rinse his face and comb his hair. He pulled a cord on the wall that went down to the servants quarters. Minutes later, a teahauler arrived with a steaming pewter pot and a dish. Tea was a morning must for Firkin. Teahauler was a special position he had invented for his need. The boy bowed and scurried out of the room. He drank a cup and felt more vigorous, so he opened the curtains completely to let the his eyes fully adjust to the morning. From his quarters he could see the keep courtyard. It was too early to witness sparring matches. His keep was modest as far as keeps went, but a pathetic one by the standards of the settled lords in the Empire whose castles were sprawling affairs of generational greed.

The city bells tolled thrice more. Had it been an hour already? He drank the remaining cooled tea directly from the pot and put on his bearskin cloak and soft gloves. The morning meeting was due.

Across the keep was the debate chamber. The astral philosopher Kerculio, Rothca, and Castellen Larr were all in attendance. In addition, the spokesrat for the Ratking was sitting beside Larr, who seemed unenthused with the guest. Each nodded their heads to Firkin and said their proper greetings.

Firkin sat and slapped the table with his hand. "Let's get on with it."

Castellan Larr spoke first. "Sire, the agenda is small this morning. Resource, race, and external developments."

"Let's have the race matter first," Firkin said.

Larr looked to the ratkin guest. It was a male. The limpness of its ears and grey hair peppering its body betrayed advanced age. It rubbed its pinkish wrinkled paws together in a most rat-like manner as it spoke. "Big Rat hisses justified complaint of the birdmen, master. To have so-called prey grown strong disquiets the Krellians... Jealous birds, they are. Rocks and insults are shamelessly cast at the Big Rat from afar, though his Rattiness is virtueous, finding the insults more damaging than the pebbles."

Firkin raked fingers though his beard in thought. He looked at Rothca. "Announce the casting of stones at the Big Rat is done. Whomever next casts a stone will wear the ball and chain for two days."

Rothca nodded and the ratkin sat back, pleased.

"What else?" Firkin asked.

"The Aarakokraa have not returned in over a week," replied Larr.

"A normal occurance. The Aarakokraa range far because the ground repulses them. What about resources?"

Now Kerculio spoke up from his chair. His studies of engineering while a hermit of the astral philosophers had carried him to the position of city architect. "Sire, the city grows after the installation of roads and elevators. The city still hungers for basic resources. Corrective actions seem essential if the city is to succeed."

"You mean the Lohaians."

"I do, sire."

"I was told by your other fellow scribes that we might build machines and lure the Lohaian's trade to us, instead of the other way around. Also, the fortress below us demands attention first."

Rothca spoke, sensing the matter with Kerculio to be closed. "The construct to the West has doubled in proportions of length and width."

Firkin raised an eyebrow at Rothca inquisitively.

"A construct, seemingly of stone and meant as a fortification. The foundation was spotted four days past whilest you were away on business with the ... Big Rat." Rothca met the ratkin guests gaze and Firkin ignored the obvious mutual distaste. "It has grown considerably. Captain Cuggen sent a new report two hours ago."

"No one told me until now?"

"You were resting, and the matter exists far, far away," said Rothca.

Rothca slide a stamped piece of paper across the table bearing dwarfish scribbles and Firkin leaned forward to examine it.

*REPORT TWO, CAPTAIN CUGGEN OF LADY CUGONA*

*UNDENIABLE WALL. GEMOMETRIC PRECISION AND RAPIDITY OF ERECTION IMPLY DWARFISH ASSISTANCE AND/OR MAGIKA.*

*NIGHT TIME ASCENT FROM: 1,400 LENGTHS AT BLOM MTN | ARRIVED 2,300 LENGTHS SKYWARD. CLEAR SKY AND FULL MOON.*

*SCRUTINY WITH MOST POWERFUL SCOPE SHOWS LIGHTS PLUS MACHINERY PRESENT. EXPLOSIONS AND OUT-OF-CONTROL FIRE IN WISP.*

*RECOMMEND NO APPROACH AT THIS TIME.*

The letter ended with Cuggens signature. Firkin pushed the paper away.

"The constructors are known as Sphinxites," said Rothca. "A band of magicians leads the group. It seems that they are popular with the neighbors and have become a rallying point for those who disagree with the Empire."

Kerculio twisted a lock of his greying beard between his forefinger and thumb. "As you all heard ... The city is quite busy. Quite busy... It would be exhausting to try to intervene so far West after passing through unknown wilderness."

Rothca nodded. "It is not our fight, not yet at least. Our soldiers are too few. The bulwarks busily guide the city watch, and the Krell Warrion are ... Green. This distant party is far too strong for us, anyhow. Let the other nobles deal with the Sphinxites."

The rat emmisary peered around the room, seemingly uncertain if he was still needed. "Plunder too far. Allies further. Shame."

Firkin nodded slowly at the advice of his advisors. "I ... Suppose I agree. I don't like it, but there it is. The best New Ghur can do is to keep good relations with her neighbors, so that these nativists do not spread unchecked."

He peered around the room. "A break is in order, yes? Yes." He clapped his hands three times. The double doors to the chamber opened and two bulwarks were waiting with the large shields. He stood and walked to them and went on to the next duty of the day.

​

Within the great cave was the monestary, and within the monestary were Marley and his brothers. The previous month had been drearily wet as CZART's chaotic weather had woven sheets of fat dark rainclouds day and night. As if that were not enough, some magic radiating out from CZART seemed to be intensifying the heat cast from sky. Brother Kerculio had been quick to gently remind all that woe should instead be spent on the people in CZART who were stuck under the worst of the weather. The wetness had seeped into the very air. The stink of over a hundred men was caried easily by the moisture. The Philosophic order temporarily devolved into a nudist colony during the nights. The cells stank like scummy ponds, and on the uneven cell floors tiny ponds did develop. Marley despairingly soaked at his chamber cell with a rag every morning to no avail. Some of the temporarily bare men lost track of their various articles in the dark, and woke to found them stuck to the damp floor. The hay on which each brother laid was similarly soaked, and soon began to molder. The forbearing philosophers quickly reached their limit, and Brother Kerculio sent the apprentices into the woods to hack down tree limbs for simple elevated cots to ease the daily misery. One brother had been lost during this wet affair and was found clinging to a tree the next morning.

The water had finally abated three days ago, and the torrential curtain just beyond the overhang of the cave entrance was pulled back. The forest had wilted slightly but was mostly standing. Like the floors of their cells, the meadow where the brothers grazed their goats was now a patchy swamp. Again, Kerculio mustered the apprentices and they sqelched through the mud to pick wet grasses, bundle them, and bring them back to dry. Twice did a man fall in the mud and nearly drown before being rescued. Men soon disassembled their new cots to make walking sticks and would only venture out in pairs. Eventually, the goats ate. The poor grass was too watery, and this gave the goats indigestion. The brothers silently cursed their fate as the incontinent goats resumed the befouling of the monestary air and the brothers general misery.

After three days the mire had begun to transform back into a meadow. The birds returned and the air felt comfortably thinner. In the community hall, the brothers were taking their tea, though few touched their steaming tin cups due to the lingering swampiness of the air. Walnut, the new apprentice, brought up having seen the growing newcomers city as he had journied to the monestary.

The brothers present murmured quietly at the mention of the newcomer, Firkin. The newcomer had landed on the mountain months ago and immediately set to work upending their comfortable, albeit spartan corner of existance. The lordling had send many letters and agents to burn monestary candles and ask questions. Of late, the 10 Brothers who had been sent to serve this scribe-breaking mountain lord had seemingly grown fond of him if their letters were any indication. This was an awkward situation for the Order, as brothers seldom even left the monestary but were now involved in temporal affairs.

Recently, Brother Kerculio had announced that the mountain would send reciprocation for the wayward brothers labor. The sky-ship had floated up to the mouth of the cave during the evening. Funnily garbed dwarves used ropes to slowly lower a large white statue from the deck. The council Brothers had overseen its erection in the rear of the cave close to the sanctum of thought. It was an odd statue. The man depicted in it was slightly smiling as if at peace and likely in meditation. It was a paltry piece of stone for ten brothers, Marley thought, though it admittedly seemed right at home in the monestary.

Teacher Marmun stated that the origin of the stones the statue had been covered in was the sea. Marley believed Teacher Marmun. The air around the statue was permeated with the powerful scent of brine, and no amount of washing seemed to completely erase the odor. Brother Kerculio mused that since the statue was of the sea, its experiences with sponges must have left it immune to their minstrations.

The brothers found that they were not immune to the minstrations of it, though. The statue's presence radiated out in the following night, and the brothers awoke to it caressing each head with tender invisible fingers. It was foreign to each mind. It's intent was unknown. The most senior of brothers who were skilled in the arts, raised their mental blocks upon awakening and prepared to smash the statue. Apprentice Walnut had been the only one to notice nothing awry, and had joined the rabble from his sleepy morning privy visit, unsure of the intent but eager to participate. Apprentices gathered hammers at the hue and cry of the older, suspiciously minded brothers, and a mob approached the stone thing. "A trick sent by the jealous half-man," they raged.

Out from the community hall doorway shuffled old Brother Kerculio, his fellow council brothers, and their young attendants. The old man rubbed his eyes and shooed the men away from the statue.

"Let fall from your hands those violent tools, little brothers," He said.

"Feel its nature, it is false!" exclaimed one man.

"A false thing made to attack us," said another.

Brother Kerculio humm'ed. "A false thing it is, but evil? I think not. Our wayward brothers must not have fully appreciated this curiosity. It is an amplifier of thought, we think." He said, and flapped a rhumy hand at his fellow band of geriatrics. "Heed my words and swallow your doubts."

The band uneasily looked to one another and slunk back to their cells, hammers forgotten.

Marley watched from an upsairs window as the council stood around the statue. Old Teacher Marmun was among the councilmen who lingered. "I dreamed a dream of my father's boat. In my old age I had forgotten what it was to dream..."

Kerculio nodded. "I too dreamed. Most curiously, I felt another sensation."

He paused and ran his dry tongue over his lips.

"Yes, I felt another sensation. I felt cool stone and darkness. I felt old, but not diminished."

"And pine," added another elder.

"Such deep pine scents." Kerculio agreed. "The yonder trees were nothing, nor the petrichor of today. And so we we know the Beast is awake."

There was a murmur of disquiet. The Beast was practically unmentionable in the Astral Philosophers home. It's origin was unknown, but occassionally from elsewhere in the province they felt threads of its dreams drift into their deepest astral meditations. Minds were suddenly jumped upon by a hunters thrill intertwined with the fear of a prey animal and men would leap from their trance violently. And so, it had been taboo to seek or speak of the Slumbering Beast since before the time of Kerculio's master, and before many masters before him.

The council was addressed now by Brother Marmun, brandishing a letter that bore a red Ghur seal. "The half-man confirms it. The beast awakens. He commands it."

A pause. "He presumes to command what, precisely?"

"No no, he commands IT."

The old brothers stared, and one said, "Is he sure?"

Marmun waved the letter. "He is self-assured, at least. There is more. He would come to vist us, well, with it."

An elderly outcry ensued. Marmun waved the letter around more, and tried to quiet his brothers down. "Quiet-- Quiet! Good brothers, please. He would beg a favor from us, for this statue. He would have us ... Teach it.

The elderly outcry returned more strongly. "You cannot be serious!" "No." "It is an animal!"

Marmun wrung his hands, still holding the letter, and looked to Kerculio who said, "Brothers, patience. You trample my poor heart with your hastiness. Think. A beast no more! It would be strong but wise. The half-man wishes to have a wise champion, not just a beast that obeys without question. It could moralize. It would know how to distinguish justice from savagery."

The youngest of the elders stepped forward. He had no attendant and his posture was perfect, unlike most others. "Idealism, good brother. Sentimentality for what you imagine to be meek, I think. Could you gurantee that this creature would accept the teachings?"

"No," said Kerculio. "However, Brother Greene, neither could a parent who raised a boy ensure good behavior. To try is all one can do."

"A beast and a boy are two different animals. It might run amok!"

Kerculio stroked his chin. "All the more reason to intervene now, whilst it is under control. The beast may linger for hundreds of years or else return to sleep. The half-man cannot hold sway over it forever."

The young elder looked about sullenly. He shook his head and left.

Marmun frowned as the man exited the courtyard. "The fears that he expressed will likely be the same as what some other brothers will feel. Ultimately, I think, whether to even attempt the modification will fall to popular sentiment."

"Hum. This excitement has tired me. Let us all speak more tonight, or else tomorrow morning..."

Marley remembered he had been eavesdropping all this time and withdrew from the window and into the monastery to tell the others of what he had heard and seen.

Turn 5 Actions​


Delve: Delve into the dwarf fortress. Firkin hopes to repair it and integrate it with his city.

Industrialization: Independent of the dwarf fortress, New Ghur attempts to industrialize. Purchasing shipments of Lohai's plentiful raw resources will probably be important! Could the worm bore oil pipelines? Firkin doesn't know. He leaves the specifics of 'industrialization' to his minions.

Intrigue: The Astral Philosophers are gifted the Monk Statue and requested to greatly enhance the sentience of the Ratking. The philosophers may study the minds of consenting Ghur ratkin to better understand rat thought. Hopefully, the Ratking will draw ratkin to help repair the dwarf fortress. If there is time, he would appreciate the Eurypatid Matriarch's mind being repaired as well but this is secondary.
 
ORTES KETER - HOUSE PARSIFAL

TURN 5
​

Intrigue:
Cleaning House
- Ortes will head to the Black Cenote and the unnamed tomb with the Myrdrall skulls in his province to completely cleanse Wes of any taint. He wants NO shady bullshit hiding out in his lands!

Actions:
An Extended Hand
- Ortes will approach the people and government of Pommer to see if an agreement can be reached to bring them under the Parsifal banner. 7 Wealth will be allotted to smoothing over problems standing in his way, and any excess wealth will be devoted to developing Pommer's military infrastructure as part of a link of provinces leading to the Muurdaan Heartland so that Vec can be more easily reinforced, Vec being the frontline of the Empire's efforts against the Sphinxites. (Noble 4+, Military 4+, Church 3, Populist 5)

Sweep The Homefront
- Ortes will put his efforts towards preparation for challenging Sukumvit in his arena, trying to acquire as much information as possible about Sukumvit's capabilities and the trial of champions he has put forth, so that Ortes can best it with foreknowledge and preparation as much as anything else. He'll spend 5 wealth on acquiring informants and investigators to do so. The loxodons of Wes too have long, and very good memories, so he'd be tapping their recollections as well as best as he could. Battles are oft won before they begin, after all.

Scene: TBD

Movement: Wes -> Pommer -> Skiy

Notes:
Tutoring Oriana to Martial 2
Tutoring Ul to Martial 1 in exchange for item crafting help

Getting Married!

IC WIP
 
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Turn 5

Dejan of House Laesarale

Nature/Bone Spellsword (3/4*/1)

Descriptors
Nature: Travel, Envelop, Consume
Bone: Movement, Shadow, Rot
Martial: Trapper

Age and Personality
Young/Bold

Skills
Arcana
Intruder

Alignment
Chaotic

Holdings
Nerry
Trading Post with GuildHall (Birch Shadow)
Deep Woods
Tower of Doors
'Slay' Swamp
Shadow Kurgen

Coffers
47 Wealth

Armoury
Necklace of Eyes: Individual eyes of the necklace can be dropped/hidden to spy allowing you to see in real time, but you can also capture stills. Necklace eyes are immune to negative effects.
The GranitePaw: A bludgeoning weapon that also functions as a shield. it is magical for the purposes of overcoming magic resistance, and does 2x to objects (inanimate targets)
*Beautifuloa Rings: The DarkLoas' vertebrae twisted into a collection of ten beautiful rings, one for each of Wicca's fingers. These boost bone by +1 and can be discarded to summon bane lords.
SHIMMINA -- A red stone, once used by monks and circus folk. Can teleport you nearby, but where nobody can see you. it is a powerful tool and when used properly, a weapon
Praxis Fingernail Earring: "If you wear this, whatever you see, I will know. I'd like it if you wore it, but I don't hold you to it." Praxis
His/Hers Wedding Attire: Dejan (Movement: (Flow) -- flow allows you to seep into ground and travel safely to another spot in short to mid range. Physical defense (splash/pierce/bludgeon 10). Holy (10)- Holy protection and offensive aura. Undead will ablate in it's presence, as will unwelcome darkness and chaos. Phase (Phase is a chance to not be hit at all while stationary for being half in the astral plane). Tendrils (3 attacks)- Tendrils with the strength of Vine Giants. Beauty - The clothes now provide awe 3)
Wicca: Movement: (Bone Flight) -- Bone flight is magical flight with bony wings that extend/unfold from the waist and train of the garments. Physical defense (splash/pierce/bludgeon 10). Holy (10)- Holy protection and offensive aura. Undead will ablate in it's presence, as will unwelcome darkness and chaos. Phase (Phase is a chance to not be hit at all while stationary for being half in the astral plane).(Form fitting) -- awe 1 and regen 5. Beauty - The clothes now provide awe 3

Influence
Military (3)
Populist (+)
Noble (2)

Recent Activity
Defeated the monster, Graniteheart, a dying beast of a bygone age -- it's horrible afflictions from a hundred battles was the only thing that allowed you, to be the one who finally killed it. You gained an item from it's body; the GranitePaw
The Twilight River Children, a confederation of goblins, orcs and bugbears, has your love are convinced your lover/spouse is the bride of some kind of spirit or god, and stole them from their pleasure trip on the edge of the frontier. You must find them. This is more than embarrassment and dishonour, your own spirit is in jeopardy.

Obligations/Ambitions
Take WRUN and develop it both verdantly and civilization wise
Forge an Alliance with Ul of Nyreal on the pretense of shared nature affinity. if an alliance cannot be made, a non-aggression pact.
Build another tower of doors somewhere on the south border of the map, as a jump off point for further conquest.

Closet Skeletons
To be revealed by the other players

Retinue
10 Dark Sprites (1)
185 Planeswalkers (6)
They can BLINK in their own defense and teleport short distances on the battlefield... they may also escape to the Ether or Astral planes, or ambush from them. They are fiercely loyal to Laeraslae, and thus devoted to you.
2 Formorian Giant (9)
The Fomorians were once the most beautiful of the seelie, but sought to usurp the fey court, and were made hideous and driven from the feywild... doomed to wander the eclipse between fey and the mortal realm, these are vengeful creatures with an Evil eye
10 Hexen (3)
Gorgeous men and women of the wood that do not fight, but charm and mislead enemies
(seduce, illusion, turn blade descriptors)
15 Alp (5)
Hideous sleepdealers cursed of form, the assassins of the Unseelie, who are not afraid of a stand up fight either
(illusion, reactive-blink (when hit), sleep (they cannot harm waking foes, fear 10, immunity 5 to fire-smelted weapons)
50 "Aggreived" (5)
Former outlaws, they have gained Fey truesight as they have plucked their own eyes out to atone for their disrespect and misuse of nature. The penitent, if they need to be quantified as a type of troop, are defined as "Boogeymen
100 "Greenwolven Hunters" (3)
50 "GreenWargs" (6)
50 "Endless"
Undead Elves who fed on their own kind to ascend their own immortality)(6.5 point units with (Life Drain 10) and (Fear 8)

Commodities
Common Wood
Dark Wood
Dryad Wood
Diamonds (Limited)
Fungus
Honey
Sap
Glue
Spider Livestock (Limited)
2 doses of "Potion of Verdancy":This raises the health/life of a biome in a province by one or more levels. Forests become jungles, barrens become grasslands, etc.
5 units of Ambrosia: Absolutely irresistable, valuable to the capital and as an item of trade. Ambrosia is rare even in the highest enclaves of the elves.
10 units ancient wood.

Bonuses
Familiar: Mallachdan the Faery Drake
Thalid: The Thallid cannot leave the magic of your demesne at least not yet, and not without potentially disturbing the balance if you did not accommodate them... and they seem "into" balance... at least for now. Available labour in Nerry, for you specifically, rises dramatically, these are not troops, at least not yet, but any work you do in NERRY will not be short of tiny hands. The Fungusaur you can consider a guard beast of sorts, and a deterrent to outlaws.
Diamond Golem: May request ONE favour from the Diamond Golem for aiding it. Can teleport to the diamond pit in Nerry when called.
Increased Elvish/Gnomish Population: These new races/cultures can be leveraged moving forward.
'Slay' Swamp: The province now has a modest army of Thallid Defenders and you may spend an action to recruit a substantial number of Thallid and Fungusaur.
"Unseelie Calls" (3): This will give you support, albeit briefly, by fae forces for an immediate threat or short-term operation.
The Black Diamond: The Black diamond's inclusion is a ray of stolen sunlight, the world will be forever, though indiscenably dimmer as long as the diamond exists. As such, the black diamond can grow plants in total darkness as if they were in direct sunlight, and no lightspell can exist in it's presence, and even holy radience dims before it. Coach sized, the artifact could not be priced in wealth, and had mysterious and confusing Unseelie powers. Can move large groups of people or matter in and out of the feywild. Likely powers there will NOT approve of you doing this, but I'm just saying it's something you can do in a pinch.It also has a special ability called "The GNAR" -- it can create an extradimensional space where an individual or force can temporarily be held in stasis... ie, an invading army. This may stall the arrival of said forces for even up to 1-2 TURNS.It can only be used defensively.
Spider Breeding: The new breed of spider is called "Rapacious Vorous Unfamiliaris" -- it is ALMOST unsuitable for mounts. They eat endlessly, and are able to switch genders hormono-chemically. As males they gorge themselves on flesh and rotting matter -- until they can barely move. They then drag themselves underground (or burrow) and EXPLODE into many more minute male spiders. Areas where these spiders live can be considered to be "Mined" as stepping on a birthing Unfamiliaris causes them to errupt to feed.they are NOT NEARLY as pacifiable as the original strains from Choss, so they cannot be traded as livestock... but they can produce silk. Rapacious Vorous Unfamiliaris are a mottled red-brown color which is surprisingly good camoflage at night.
Endless Gift(s) : The first gift is a free action to unleash them on a province, which has a chance of granting you the territory out of hand.

Victory Points
11
(For completing two Obligations, Closet Skeleton and Recent Activity

---------------------------

With uncertainty and apprehension, the small group of Twilight River Children took in their surroundings though all around them stood only trees. With trepidation, the humanoids looked to each other for answers but there was none to come. Shackled in iron, or in the case of the Bugbears muzzled too, the group could only wait for their Unseelie captors to return.

However time passed differently in the realm of the Fae it seemed as minutes seemed like days and days like years. Cast into a seemingly perpetual stupor by Unseelie magic, only mocking laughter or agonising screams pulling the unlucky few from their endless haze.

Though for these lucky few within the forest, it seemed the fog had been lifted. A luck that seemed to hold as out of the blue, a flurry of strange almost silent whistles whizzed around them and one by one they were released from their shackles.

Confusion still reigned but some couldn't hold back the joy at their release, with a Bugbear smiling despite his muzzle. With the momentary calm slowly dispelling doubt, a Goblin dared to move and after a few cautious steps it seemed the coast was clear. Turning back to reassure his peers, his bright eyes rolled backwards as something bright pierced his neck in a splatter of blood.

Whatever peace there was quickly shattered as the captive Children ran for their lives in each and every direction. Though as fast and their legs could carry them if was not fast enough as ethereal arrowheads of the faintest blue cut down a few more. With heightened sense's and a nose for trouble, a massive BugBear rushed valiantly to his fellows aid, the wisps of some ungodly Fae lingering in the bushes. Through the shrubbery he barreled through, his claws unsheathed as he hurled himself at the figure. Only to fall through..

Before he could comprehend what had happened, he was brought to one knee as a shot pierced his leg before another quickly punctured his skull. With only the most quick of glances, the figure checked her prey over before she took flight. On withered wing, and delicate pinion, the Fae soared, a bright star in the murky sky, an ill omen for those below as three more fell to the creatures assault. From high above, death rained down, until only a handful remained. Huddled together under the leafy canopy, a small family held their breath, the cries of the littlest one wetting the chest of his Goblin father as he held his children close. Armed with nothing but a stick and the slightest slither of hope, the Orcish mother and wife waited with bated breath.

Up on high, the beat of powerful wings rustled the leaves above, followed by a scream and then another until finally it was silent. No-one dared to move this time, lest they break the sanctity of the shrubby sanctuary. "Come out, Come out, wherever you are..."

A shadow flitted by, giving home to the honeyed voice, a voice that caused these Children of the Twlight River to wince upon its hearing. Their hunter and captor whose amusement and sport came from their suffering. "The games no fun if you all just hide"

The voice grew louder, the shadow longer, as their gamekeeper drew closer. A brilliant blue flash shot through the family's hiding place, barely missing the Orcish matron, as another desperate howl cut through the quiet. "And at last the game comes to an end...."

The child couldn't help but cry out at the evil cackle that echoed through the wood. The crunching of twigs and the faintest rustle amongst the leaves signalled the end as their hunter passed through the bush, the families sanctuary forsaking them in the presence of it's ruler "...Not with a bang but with a whimper."

The stick fell from the Orcs hand, her jaw agape as the Unseelie Princess stood before them. Gone was the fear, instead replaced with the sheer awe of the divine majesty that was Wicca. Falling to her knees alongside her family, the Twilight River Children bowed in her presence.

Wicca smiled evilly, as she raised her thumb, a blue ethereal light quickly taking shape. With a flick of her finger it was over.

Looking down her nose at her handiwork, Wicca could feel herself gripped by some magical force, the holy resonance of her garment keeping it at bay.

"Hello, my dear"

The creeping darkness shot up her legs almost instantly, pooling round her midriff as her husband to be clasped his arms around her waist. "Celebrating the big day early...?" Dejan asked.

Wicca could feel his breath on her neck, closing her eyes, smiling at his sudden heavy breath as she willed his ebony embrace gone. "Is it not unlucky for a Muurdaan to see his wife before the wedding..?" Wicca teased.

With effort Dejan kept his magic in place "Just loving you is all the bad luck in the world"

With a sharp intake of breath, he could feel that she wanted to turn but he gripped her tighter with his darkness, allowing her lapse to push it higher. As it reached her breasts, Wicca gasped, the following pecks on her neck from Dejan turning it to moans.

Looking at the bodies around them, and the ebbing chill of Wicca's body, Dejan found himself increasingly aroused. "How.. about... we... truly...celebrate...this... day..." The Lord of Nerry whispered between kisses "Like... Husband.... And.... Wife...?"

Wicca nodded, nuzzling his cheek. Licking his lips, Dejan cast a glance at the bodies around them one final time, before putting all his attention on his wife to be.

'The guests can wait' thought Dejan as he nibbled on her neck.

-----------

Movement
-

Orders
1. Trading post will be upgraded into a Settlement with a further two wealth on top of the original two wealth for a total of four wealth. (Thallid/Gnomish Labour used) ( 1 unit of Ancient wood used). The Pilgrim's Road will be appropriated into a new road for the build.
2. A great Wedding will be held for five Wealth, uniting the Lord of Nerry, Dejan of House Laesralae to Princess Wicca of the Unseelie Court. The ceremony will be officiated by Spirola Xyphon of House Xyphon. Oriana Varna will stand as Maid of Honour alongside notable guests Baris Demir of House Hakkon, Oznah Alder of House Alder, Xion Parsifal of House Parsifal, Ul Nyrael of House Nyrael, Ackay Yusuf of House Varna and an agent of House Omnis. A dose of 'Potion of Verdancy' will be used on Nerry during the ceremony and Ambrosia will be served alongside a meat or fish dish. An exclusive onion dish will be served to Ackay alongside ambrosia and meat.

Scene
A horror called "The Hound of Tindalos" is using your portal network to cause mischief in Nerry, nearby provinces, and soon parts unknown beyond the network. You must slay and make a trophy of the Horror Hound to restore faith in your supremacy.

Intrigue
Tellemicus Pea and his fellow Formorian Giant will travel to Nephilam to establish a trade alliance and partnership with Nerry. Ties with Omnis, Commodity samples including Ambrosia and the benefits of a Tower of Doors will be used as further incentive. (Travel/Movement Descriptors used)

Bonus Action(s)
Open New Sphere (Blood) with Descriptor (Deceit) for 6 Wealth.
Endless will be unleashed on Wrun; their gift to Dejan. (Unseelie Call will be used, if necessary, to ensure the province is taken)(Bold keyword used)​
 
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TURN 5


Sir Wernhard Ceslaus was still unable to completely fathom everything that had transpired. He doubted that he would ever fully understand what Tartarus had thrown at him, but he was at peace with his choices. Holding Seyda in his arms while they looked at Wiegand and Matthaeus sleeping peacefully delivered all the clarity he ever needed. Everything was at perfect balance right now and he knew what he needed to do to keep it that way. Soon, work would begin once more, but for now, nothing would take him away from his family.

The very next day, Wernhard wrote a letter to Lady Orianna, once again thanking her for her help. It was one of the last quiet moments for a while, as he soon found himself riding out to Esau. Hlora was a demanding teacher, who constantly kept an aura of mystery around her. It was a crueling effort, but Wernhard was more driven then ever before to master the secrets of Astral magic. At the Blackrose Tower, he was no longer a lord, but merely a student and apprentice. Willingly, he accepted all teachings with humility. Exotic ingredients were delivered, ancient tomes studied and each day many hours were spend in solemn meditation or arduous training.

As soon as Wernhard left Blackrose Tower, he was once again ready to assume his duties. He had given exact orders on how to set the stage for the purification of Reilor and he had no doubt that his agents and allies had followed his words dilligently. He understood well, how they couldnt afford a rebellion now, but the longer the problem grew, the more the roots of heresy could grow. He also felt a duty to protect his ally Akcay Yusuf from revenge by the Knights of the Verdant and while he was perfectly confident in Akcays abilities, he wouldnt even think about leaving him alone with this issue.
A lot of careful attention would be needed, but he was confident in his men to handle everything in Reilor correctly, so that the balancing act wouldnt see them tumble over.

There was no way to prepare for what was waiting in the depths underneath Reilor, however. No matter how many times he tried to seek answers, it seemed like all Sir Ceslaus was finding were more questions. Soon enough, no sermon at the temple could do anything to calm his nerves. No amount of meditating in the solace of Bluacias high mountains would bring peace of mind. No prayer was answered, no advice found in any old scripture until finally, he felt the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders when the news of a breakthrough in the underground of Reilor was delivered. There was no more anxious anticipation, no worries left to drag him down. The time had come and the Defender of the Faith marched through a trellis of his troops and the most faithful pilgrims. With hammer held high, he descended into the darkness, guided by the gods. A faint light accompanied him and soon he felt the presence of some familiar company. The twins had arrived. Carnage would follow.


Orders

Intrigue and commerce with Ortes of Parsifal - A spark of magic
Wernhard begins training under the guidance of headmistress Hlora at the Blackrose College of Magic in Esau. He will attempt to gain mastery of Astral magic.
Current astral sphere: 2

From 2 to 3: 1 Astral spark expended. Tomes supplied by Blackrose College. (Desired descriptor: Tartaran Travel, to allow safe traversal of Tartarus)
From 3 to 4: Teacher (Hlora) and tomes supplied by Blackrose College. Astral site of the Armillary Sphere is used. 5 Wealth expended. 1 Void Sparkler, 1 Moonstone and 1 Godsbranch expended. (Desired descriptor: Fate)
From 4 to 5: Teacher (Hlora) and tomes supplied by Blackrose College. Astral site of the Armillary Sphere is used. 6 Wealth expended. 1 Void Sparkler, 1 Moonstone and 1 Godsbranch expended. (Desired descriptor: Duel)


Action 1 - An Inquisition, most definitely
After the recent takeover of Reilor, House Xyphon begins to secure control and establish a new order. Priests and agents will attempt their best to handle everything peacefully and smoothly.
The Viridites are deemed heretical. Worship of Viridius is outlawed and the Knights of the Verdant are offered a chance to surrender themselves and undergo trials of confession and penance. Any remaining knights and verdant cultists are hunted by inquisitors.
Regular Muurdaan pantheons are brought back into focus and House Xyphon will do its best to keep the transition smooth, allowing all Viridites an honest chance to rennounce their old faith and return to church sanctioned ways.
New market regulations are set up, so that the market can no longer be leveraged from Cornucopia. The regulations are meant to ensure the stability of the economy. House Omnis will retain trade rights, if they help a smooth transition.
(Relevant skills: Theology, Diplomacy; Church influence is 5 or 6 for purpose of determining or promoting effects of religious influence in the lastlands; Noble Influence 4; Populist 3; Title "Defender of the Faith"; Close ties to House Varna and Vashna)
With Reilor under firmer control, preparations to deal with Hun-Cane will hopefully be safer.

Action 2 - The faithful healers
A large welfare hospital is build in Kappelburg, run by the church by grace of House Xyphon. Physicians, healers and educated clergy are invited here and will tend to the sick. The hospital will be dedicated to Lady Orianna of Varna, reminding everyone of her status as a brilliant healer. The healers will travel all Ceslaus lands and even further for prominent nobility.
(Relevant skills: Diplomacy; Church influence 5; Populist 3; Dryad Wood, Sandstone, Dyed Glass, Runebone and Crystal Wood used in construction; From Ceslaus provinces: Grim pepper, Bleeding Rosemary and Medicine are available)

Bonus Action (as per DM) - Rally the faithful
To combat the threat of cultists and heretics, Wernhard Ceslaus will call upon those of true faith to defend the people. The call is made to all pilgrims and faithful warriors across the lastlands and beyond. The clergy will preach at every altar, that devout zealots are needed and those who follow the call will rally in Kappelburg. After confession, they will swear an oath to become warriors of faith and their training begins. Since many different people - and those without prior combat experience - are to be expected, a distinction will be made between inexperienced volunteers/commoners (Battle Pilgrims) and noblemen (Crusader knights).
Battle pilgrims will be armed with large Dryad Wood Shields, all to be painted with religious symbols by the recipient and whatever weapons and personal equipment the individuum can provide himself.
Crusader knights receive excellent armor (Spiked Leather, Mithril) and Muurdain Steel Swords, as well as smaller Dryad Wood Shields with their personal heraldry.
(Relevant skills: Tactics++, Logistics; Theology; Diplomacy; Wernhard has been named "Defender of the Faith"; 3 Wealth expended to train troops and improve supply; Kappelburg workshops; Church influence 5(6), Noble 4, Populist 3, Military 2)

Scene: Wernhard will descend into the depth underneath Reilor to face Hun-Cane. Khevdohr and Rhozotz, the twin gods of war are called upon to join. Most regular forces will gather at the border to Skiy, ready to intervene there.

Important note: Khevdohr and Rhozotz ascend to the Pantheon and are officially added to it. As per their request, there will be no lavish celebration of this. Wernhard dons the mask of war fraternal and trains in solitude to honor them.
 
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Turn 5

~Oriana Varna~ ​



Action 1 : Verse

Action 2 : Gor

Intrigue : redacted (see discord)

Commerce : In discord

Special : Exotic fishing

Decision : N/A



Details of orders​


  • (Refer to previous intrigue bonus talked about in discord. Diplomat and seer + armillary sphere used) Oriana will use the agents she planted and all the allies she made in Verse. As well as her involvement in the Sphinxites recent loss of Vec and Wisp. To try to take the province and pacify it at the same time. A diplomatic solution is given first, if Verse surrender to House Varna they will receive Oriana protection and patronage. A gift of 5 gold is proposed in exchange for the city and promise of prosperity to come. The Chorus is left with the choice to either join, leave, or die.

    However if all the offer are refused. Oriana will not hesitate to use force and her magic. She will strike at the knights of the Chorus first by using dessication where she learned they are. To attract giant snakes that will wreck havoc. If that is not enough she will target key spots her agents talked to her about with insufferable and brisk weather change. As well as ordering her allies to continue to push Verse against the Sphinxites. Of course taking great care to use her scrying skill and the armillary sphere to avoid hitting anyone but those and the town she need to.

    Ortes of House Parsifal is also helping.

    (Military 3, Populist 2, Church 1, Noble 1)








My Dear Lise,

The answer to your questions are yes, maybe, and yes. Hopefully this will soothe your nerves.

I know you are pouting right now. But I jest, you can stop. You know I can't resist giving you what you want when you do that songbird.

Lord Xion is a tad older then you (which I know you like. Don't pretend you weren't the one that stole that novel Marie was reading. I saw it in your room.) and is among the best knight and general of our generation. His reputation as a screaming oaf and brute without manners is earned. No, I did not lie when I said that he was a charming and gallant gentleman with a sharp mind. Have faith in your older sister ! You will see what I mean. Trust me that I would have married Xion in a heartbeat if you weren't there.

But I am serious about what I wrote to you. House Parsifal is known to be less treacherous and easier to integrate into. And I have absolute faith that the man I am giving you to will treat you like you deserve it. You can count on Lord Xion to protect you like he and his cousin Lord Ortes did for me. And your older sister to make your husband regret if he doesn't !

Speaking of that. You know how I am songbird. Lord Ortes and me we agreed that we would make for a good match. It is not a very romantic story, but it is the one that I and him willingly chose. And we get along far better, then most of the aunts, you and I grew up with ever will with their husbands. Which granted, is a very low bar to pass. But all I am saying is that you needn't worry for me dear. I am perfectly happy with the arrangement I made.

He is also a knight and show the same ideals. But he is far different from Lord Xion. Height aside (Tell Cyril I will not answer any question about that. And thank Marie and Delilah for dealing with him for me) Lord Ortes is not only a bit younger but also far more reckless. Always charging and defying foes that far surpasses him. We also share the same sense of humor it seem !

As for my mission, everything is going smoothly so far. Orin is peaceful and I don't doubt that very soon Verse and Gor will fall to me. You can reassure mother that I am not forgetting about Marie and Delilah. As for Cyril and Adrian, I cannot promise anything. If I was a suitable noble girl looking for a match and saw those two. The first thing on my mind would not be how to marry them but negotiate my alimony. Truly, I am doing my best.

I cannot wait for you to depart and join me. You and I have so much to talk about and I have so many things to show you.



Always and forever your sister,
Oriana Varna


PS : Tell Dereck it was me who stole his two golden goblet and that I will repay him. Unfortunately one has been chewed on by a goblin.










References​



  • Age and situation : 22 years old and betrothed to Ortes of House Parsifal


    Alignment : neutral


    Personality : cautious


    Perks :

    - Healing savior

    8 points can be used to effect people's saves from injuries AFTER they fail/roll them.. or are worth 1.5 points if applied before a save is made.


    Martial : 1 in armor + 1 martial
    - Purple cloak that give +5 resistance to all kind of damage from grandparent that died of natural causes on the same night
    - Gloves of awe and evermight: +1 martial die (up to 4), awe 2, Inspire 5, Invulnerable 5.
    - Amulet of the Doppleganger: Allows you to assume the form and speak the language of most other creatures. Also gives Stealth +50.
    - Hatchet of Hate: For one turn, this gives you the Martial dice of your opponent and immediately gives you initiative in combat, even if this is an interrupt.

    Armor : mage armor


    Magic :

    Water: 5 (Archmage)

    Life, poison, weather, dessication, scrying


    Skills : Diplomacy, Seer


    Influence :

    Military = 3

    Populists = 2

    Church = 1

    Nobility = 1


    Wealth : 50

 
Oznah Alder
Turn 5
​

Oznah Alder watches from the balcony of Alder House as ships bearing the Alder banner were unloading a great sum of wealth pulled from the deepest holds of the fallen house. The Touryan had raped and ruined Bastion in their greed and ego, but the Alders had always been patient and waiting for their moment. Leo Alder's disappearance had created an opening and the arrogant warrior house of the Empire had betrayed their vassal. Bastion had been a center of trade, innovation and knowledge. The Touryan had pillaged it of so very much. It rankled at Oznah to now have to rely upon them for the ascension of House Alder. Then again it was also fun seeing how much it would grate upon those vainglorious bastards to have to rely upon House Alder AGAIN to pull their tail from the fire.

The Muurdaan were a vile culture and the Alders always enjoyed making them uncomfortable being part of their precious empire of humanity, showing the value of other races they could bring under their own umbrella of power. There was a dark joy knowing the Alder ways would be FIXED into Imperial society. Their occult expertise far to valuable to turn aside as one of the Great Houses in the Capital. To get there would require meeting the demands of his supposed masters. Touryan would need their payments, money needed to fund their survival. Oznah again felt a dark thrill, even if it was a bit nihilistic. If he failed... Touryan would stumble and suffer. They needed his money. His success was a lifeline when the Empire itself was shuddering under its arrogant overextension. He did not wish to fail, if only because the Alders deserved their damn seat at the table for all they had achieved.

How often must we scrape and bow. To kowtow to an empire that history needed to swallow and shit out already. It is gasping for breath, yet here I am feeding the monster that beat down my family, my heritage. I HATE them. I would burn it all if not for the delight the rebirth of Alder as a power in the empire gives me. I cannot kill it. So I will poison it. I will make the Alder name reach deep and root itself like a cancer. I will change the Empire into something more viable. They'll probably kill me when I'm no longer useful. But I suppose the joke will really be on them when that day comes...

Oznah turned away from the procession of funds flowing into Green Star. Much of the Alder wealth being gifted to him by the more quiet members of the family who had been backing the Pale Alders for all these years. The rogue nobles who were gathering power and resources for the family. Influence building as they dug their claws into the Empire's periphery where they were too valuable to kill often enough. Just as Bastion and Leo Alder had been too valuable in that era of expansion. Oznah just smiles as he triggers a hidden switch and vanishes down into the deep and forboding depths of Alder House. His Blood labs built at the very start were finally ready for a great working of fleshcraft and mutation. At the very heart of the labs now was the precious sphere that was his Bioforge made from the slain Dagon.

To think something so small would come from such a grand being. That I would slay it and warp it to my needs. This great engine of Blood magic will set me along the course I have been trapped within. No escape. Only forward. Only death. Damnable angel, using me for her own salvation. The hypocrite. Still, the plan will work. I must uphold my bargain. The Golden Bargain must be given its due if I am to prevent catastrophe.

Oznah began to move about the labs as he already was preparing a vast and powerful Blood working. The Icthiadtids had kept to their word and embraced his patron. Both the marines and greater population must be rewarded with a powerful evolution of their species, both for their own sake and for his needs. To have 3,000 marines was lovely, but they were useless on land without this working. He would make them useful. Just as the dwarves would become useful as well. He would have them forge his throne and use that Godsbranch as a key for various reasons only he and they need worry about. He only needed to check that the various occult and arcane links were in place to feed upon the slaughter of Skiy. Those damnable cultists, trying to awake their Death God would instead fuel the birth of entirely new race of people beholden only to Oznah and his ambitions. A fine usage of all that death Ortes and Wernhard were about to set forth upon the region for daring to side with those Sphinxites.

To think I have found allies amongst the other houses. Born of marriage and mutual gain, yet it seems perhaps parts of the Empire are still worth saving. Let us see just how far our ambitions will take us all together in these mad lands.​
Actions
Movement: Return to Aflil with forces.

Scene: Challenge the Pirate King of Shiv.

Action 1: Give the Dwarves Part 2327199 and request the creation of a impressive throne from 15 Godbranch, various resources in Green Star and 20 Wealth.

Action 2: Carry out a grand Blood Working to alter and enhance the Icthiatids. This will be tapping into the Standing Stones rerouting the Skiy slaughter away from Hun-Cane and into this Blood Working if possible.

Intrigue: Court House Onishu to support House Alder in its ascension to a High House after dealing with the Pirate King of Shiv.​
Notes
-Hosting Varna-Parsifal Wedding in Green Star
-Assisting in Skiy operation as needed to ensure Standing Stones work​
Wealth
Starting: 24
+60 (Bastion Shipment)
-20 (Alder Throne - Dwarf contract)
-?? (Icthiatids Blood Evolution)
Total: ??​
 
Turn 5

Akçay Yusuf

​


Azar at sunset. Everything the lord dreamed of was his or within his reach, even if only for that electric night atop the city's battlements, he reflected with a note of melancholy as he watched the renewed comings and goings of the port below from his chair. Sacrifices had to be made of course, he learned and applied that lesson well from Materia, or so he had once thought. All his life, there was no harm in spending and being spent to his patron Vashna so long as the next day's victories justified the cost.

It was different when you bore that cost with the life of your brother.

Much as he'd like to change the past, Akçay could only recline in his seat, close his eyes, and dream of what tomorrow might bring.

Order​

Intrigue: Operation Pu-er.
 
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Turn 5

Orhan (House Hegemon)​

In a cavernous, dimly lit workshop, the scent of oil and the rhythmic clinking of tools filled the air. Orhan and Andegasus stood before a cluttered workbench. Unfurled before them lay a sprawling blueprint, a detailed design for the automatons that had once been considered masterpieces would see the light of the world once again. With meticulous attention, Orhan studied the intricate patterns and interlocking gears on the blueprint. His fingers, stained with oil, traced the lines, and his eyes danced with excitement as he envisioned the mechanical wonders he was about to create.

Orhan muttered to himself in satisfaction, his breath visible in the cold, steamy atmosphere. "We follow in the steps of old masters, and are on the verge of surpassing them." Orhan said as he turned to his eager companion, a young and passionate soul who shared his ardor for automata, Orhan's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Are you ready, Master Orhan?" Andegasus asked. "More than ready, my dear. Let us bring them to life." Together, they approached a colossal, partially constructed contraption dominating the center of the workshop.

"This, Andegasus, is the heart of our enterprise."

"It's incredible." She whispered

Orhan nodded in agreement as he sipped a cup of tea, savoring the tea's warmth against the workshop's chill.

"Heat, pressure, and precision engineering—those are the keys to our automaton's power."

Andegasus nodded with earnest determination, her gaze locked onto the humming machine as her third, silver arm idly stood by, ready to make fine tuned adjustments.

"We start by calibrating it. The slightest miscalculation can lead to catastrophic failure."

With precision and care, they adjusted valves, turned dials, and monitored pressure gauges. The machine came to life, emitting a low hum as gears spun and steam hissed, captivating Andegasus with its mechanical heartbeat. Orhan grinned, his eyes gleaming with pride, and they continued their labor of love. Limbs were meticulously assembled, affixed to the central frame, and adorned with intricately sculpted plates. With each delicate step, the automaton's form took shape.

---

Scene: Expedition to explore the ruins unearthed by Akcay's little volcano incident in the previous turn with a taskforce.

(15, 15) (57,54 = 111) (Married by a 5) "Pointe is hit by a heavy bombardment which causes the side of a mountain to fall away. It reveals a massive cavern filled with 7th age structures... (age of giants)... at this point it's not clear how valuable the site is or how much loot is in it, but it's laying exposed in the rain now."

1. Creation of automatons inspired by the Tome of Bavan Naske and his inventions (Spyders, Skirmishers, etc. etc.) and with other recent technologies that Orhan had invented/discovered to further fortify the Hegemon forces in the Lastlands.

Orhan

Technologist Skill
Artifice Blood Descriptor
Disc of Circles
Astral 3 (Counter Magic, Communion, Mind Screen)

Andegasus

Silver arm of the Cyclopean Forge- give you the ability to make other magic items, and grant a bonus to doing so if you lopped your arm off and attached it
Artificer Skill

Grokheim (Earth 3/Water 3)

Genius Tinker

Lava Forge

Hegemon Automaton Factories

Tome of Bavan Naske

Morthagi Tech - Mk.II

Ametminium
Seleehousite
Navy Blue Dawooite
Secret Alloy
Euxperaladite
Diamond
Jade
Gold
Malachite
Black Opal
Oil
Coal

29 Wealth

9 Units of Moonstone

2. Expedition to Nominae to pacify the region

Intrigue: The Devoid awaits
 
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Turn 5
Xion Parisfal
1672773768477.png


Action 1: Train additional Paragon Heavy Cavalry for replenishment of Elite House Parsifal Troops

Action 2: Train the 2k Goblins as Pseduo Knights so that they can become better fighters and follow directions. ((This will include training on various Goblin sized mounts))

Intrigue Action: Hire large numbers of Mercenary Forces with the promise of not only Wealth as its own reward, but also for those that want it and prove themselves, to join in as part of House Parsifal. ((This would include the distribution of land holdings for future conquests))

Free Action: (( Through Player Discussion))- Orianna will fully heal Vaal Retributer so that it can function at its best.

Free Action ((Unlocked due to Military 5))- Under the pretext of War with the Sphynites and their elimination, move all of Xion's troops into Triste.

If possible, troops will cause enough enemy bloodshed to count as : CREATE SEA OF BLOOD BY TURN 7 for Powerful Golem Army and New Province​
 
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