Nation Building Lastlands: Pawns of Muurdaan (Process)

[Beckoncall]

TipToeToast : TURN 2

"Here lies Smythe Mason -- won a duel, lost a war."

 

[Beckoncall]

Crocodile :


Actions

Intrigue Play
Oznah will commence rituals to court and negotiate with the spirts worshiped by the Lion People in the hopes of brokering peace, alliance or subjugation. Wealth open to spending to improve chances with offerings.


Action 1
Dispatch Hardened Outlaws to scout Aflil for resources/deposits.

Action 2
Oznah orders the development of clam farms to increase Meat and Pearl production.

Additional Notes
Establishment of original Bastionic Code in holdings.


Oznah learned all he needed to about the Spirits of the Lion Tribe before beginning his communing rituals. spending Two Wealth Plied the spirit they feared, and the spirit they paid, while giving an aloof respect to the spirit they loved. (populist 3) -- with the appropriate rites and payments, the spirits ruled that if foreigners were going to live in AFLIL, They would need the blessings of Oznah... For the Lion people killed defilers and heretics, But the newcomers -- Oznah, who knew how to show appropriate respect as an alien -- would declare which newcomers stayed in the lands of the Lion Tribe, and who were to be "Cast through the windows of fear and flame."

Trektek Xion of Parsifal had also settled in the region, and attempted to court the larger forces of warriors... The Lion Tribe asked Oznah if the Lion Tribe should kill them all.

Decision Point: Officially sanction House Parsifal's presence in AFLIL or turn the Lion tribe against them.


The Outlaws used their new freedom to roam the territory, and discovered a glade of (6 units of Elvenwood) the Lion Tribe seemed indifferent to it... but investigations might be in order. There was already amber and Pearls in AFLIL, so the province could still be considered rich.

The clam farms were developed quickly with excess labor and pearls and meat began to be raked into port. Additional industries would pop up on their own due to the market (on turn 3).

 

[Beckoncall]

Trektek :
Intrigue Action: Gather the two most powerful Lions on opposite sides of dissent in order to offer assistance. If peace would not be made, Xion would ally with one faction over the other. (Gaining Lions would be a boon to his own forces)

The Lion Tribe were fascinated by Xion's heavy Cavalry -- And surprisingly polite since House Alder and House Parsifal came to settle here.

"We are thinking we will like your armor after you are dead. Oznah talks to the Loas, and the Loas talk to us -- You will not spread dissent among our people, but your treachery can be seen as a joke if the people of the port say it is. We are not the monkey tribe or the backbiting dog tribe -- so not think you can use a brother's hand as a hammer to strike his brothers head as an Anvil to build some foreign temple or castle. The spirits wait for a verdict on whether you are merely jesters who mistake us for pawns, or hardened meat that must be pierced through your armor so coughing and shitting you die on the plains. We have fought armored folk before, your bones break when you fall from your horses and make muffled screams in your helmets as spears are thrust through your visors. Now we too are jesters. Everyone is a Lark, until everyone is not, demon."


Move Action: Xion and 10 Paragon Heavy Cavalry move to assist House Alder and House Malsa in their treasure hunt, keeping them safe from bandits and monsters along the way. PROCESSING IN DISCORD

Action 1: Construct a Barracks and begin training militia

A militia rapidly volunteered and/or was pressganged among the intrepid and the Idle of the Trading post community. Their skills were lacking, but those mustered had a surprising level of quality and variability to the weapons and armor they brought to practice with.
"A mercenary company had come not so long ago to hunt the gresh with pampered rich folks, and they all died horribly by the lakeroads. We knew their remaining and salvaged equipment would come in handy... though it's sad to say the company's paychest sank in one of the lakes..." The militia trailed off, going back to slapping each other as hard as they could with wooden weapons and honing their iron on sandbags and dummies. (Militia level 20)

Action 2: Patrol along the roads to keep caravans and merchants safe along the routes to House Alder's Port and House Malsa's settlement

Just the sight of a Knight of Parsifal was enough to cause the most notorious outlaws along Xion's road to relocate to provinces further south... if the horribly violent animals in the region could be curtailed Xion was confident the region might even be declared pacifiable... that is, if the Lion Tribe wasn't going to try to kill them en masse.

Order increased, lawlessness collapses in west AFLIL.

 

[Beckoncall]

Twist :

1. Employ the local militia, soldiers, veterans within Nerry as members of Lord Dejan's retinue (Military influence (2) used) (Lord Status used). Good/ill well gained from Intrigue action will be used, if possible, to garner more interest.
2. Expand the Deep Woods around the Birch Shadow. Mallachdan the Faery Drake, Thallid will help if possible. (Consume/Rot Descriptor used) (Arcana Skill used)

Intrigue
Punish the Loggers in the name of the Unseelie. Formorian Giant and Dark Sprites will oblige while Dejan keeps his hands clean. (Shadow/ Envelop/ Engulf Descriptor used) (Intruder Skill used)


_______________________

When night fell, the dark fey used their tricksie magicks... "Bones and ties, and drool from the honeymakers, blood in the combs and darks in their homes... Winter's rage becomes Springs killsie magics and murderous play where the Unseelie roams!"

It cannot be said if the logger community in Nerry made a sound when the Unseelie came for them -- for none who heard their slaughter yet lived or stood to tell. The animals of the wood wandered aimlessly in the streets and homes of the taken, such was the peace of their absence... but not a trace of blood or even carnage was left to see. If a pot fell, it was replaced. If a table flipped, it was replaced and reset in the style and habits of the owners as they were dragged into the deepwoods in a huge bag by the Fomorian Giant. The following morning -- everyone expected the worst, for not a soul in the logger community remained... but not a house was robbed, every valuable left or put back in place.

In the center of the community was a collage made of leaves that spelled out a simple message:

"To prune and take the bones of the wood is blest, to raise a treesie roof and drink a sapsie berrywine, but hammersaws the wood and laugh, and the truthsie joke is whatever happened to you -- your mensie gone, your ladies charmed to sisters in the wood, and your children now changelings in the lands of the fae."

_____________________

Moving in their place were not loggers, but elves and men who would be caretakers and stewards of the wood (Wood resources are not lost) -- and welcome they were for their were empty houses... a whole empty community for them to settle.

As for the militia -- They did not join the retinues. Nothing lead back to Dejan -- but many of the militia had ties to the loggers, and many people were afraid. As the Deepwoods grew around them, The settlement shrank... at first. But the people of the wood who respected the Fae were urged to come to Nerry, and the population ultimately blossomed despite whispers of "The culling"...

Elf and Gnome population increases in Nerry. These new races/cultures can be leveraged moving forward.

DEEPWOODS growth in NERRY. (Map Updated)

________________

The Retinue grew, but it was the Unseelie who answered the call.

Lord Dejan Gains:

10 Hexen (gorgeous men and women of the wood that do not fight, but charm and mislead enemies)
(3 points, seduce, illusion, turn blade descriptors)

15 Alp (hideous sleepdealers cursed of form, the assassins of the Unseelie, who are not afraid of a stand up fight either)
(5 points, illusion, reactive-blink (when hit), sleep (they cannot harm waking foes, fear 10, immunity 5 to fire-smelted weapons)

_________________

NERRY PACIFIED, though orcish residents only maintain an uneasy peace with Lord Dejan... this should be addressed.
Concrete border forms between Esau and Nerry forms. Wood grows wilder south of the border and the Unseelie enforce this boundary.

 

[Beckoncall]

TheGreyEminence
Turn processed on discord with player moving into BAUMUNG.

Brusius was killed, his son RadCleeve is now a sleeper agent controlled by Camus Kent

 

[Beckoncall]

General Deth Glitch : TURN 2

Actions
1. Join Baris in finding spider mounts for my soldiers
2. Investigate the ecosystem of the spiders, mostly to see what they hunt and their behaviors and to see if there are spiders bigger then the elephant ones already discovered and if there is any hierarchy to them, do they serve an even greater spider? (Investigation)
Movement
N/A
Intrigue
Learn more about the mining guilds, when they will meet exactly to discuss their council and which groups are the most powerful and what their protection consists of(Is this acceptable intrigue?)
(Investigation, as well as Influence |Nobility| [3])

____________________________________

THE GLAND:

The skull of the questioner kept spurring Delavizh on... They both saw an order -- a hierarchy among the spiders that was not obvious, but definitely at play. While The lord and his Relic advisor walked the wilds with Shock troops to fend off the more adventurous breeds of spiders, The investigation hit a breakthrough -- a large spider, the size of a tree, had to be slain for it's territorial hostility. When this happened other smaller species of spiders mustered and presented with hostility -- but why would they do this? what connected them? Backing down and away from the situation to assure their safety -- the faint smell of bitter coffee filled the air. Phermones, explained the questioner -- the spiders -- at least the larger ones, had developed organs that released scents that could govern the other spiders. The larger the gland, the bigger and more comprehensive the hold over lesser strains. Not to be Deterred, Delavizh marched back to the body of the tree-spider and reached into the back of it's broken head, pulling out a gobbet of flesh that looked like a kidney the size and shape of a great mango.

Delavizh brandished the gland, and stroked it gently with his thumb -- and the air filled with a yeasty scent that calmed the violent spiders in the process of swarming and biting the noble lord.

With the (secret of the) Gland, pacifying spiders for riding became much easier. (Choose shock troops or Lightbringers category of troops and give them +2 point spider mounts)

it was not long before Lord Baris palmtree219 began a stumbling mastery of the gland as well, and both lords gained commodity SPIDER LIVESTOCK, and SPIDER SILK as commodities.

________________________________________________

The Elephant spiders were certainly the largest breed/caste of the monstrous critters clearly wandering loose in CHOSS, but there was much to suggest their were spiders bigger, or more dangerous, than there -- only that they were very reclusive. Too many times had Delavizh had found strange tangles of brittle crystalline webs with elephant spiders long dessicated as prey -- and at one point two Lowland mines, Draped and lined with silken traps and curtaining, suggested a very large, perhaps ancient caste of spiders who seldom left the privacy of their nests, if ever.

Points of interest:
Glade of Brittle crystals (where no live spiders were seen, but plenty preyed upon)
Sleeve-Caves of Silk (Where truly massive spiders (or great colonies of small ones) gather unseen.

___________________________________________________


Finally, there was investigations and dealings with the highlands miners. The lords agents returned with news that the Mining collectives were gathering soon to discuss the very issue of the Muurdaan in the CHOSS lowlands... and that representatives of the Muurdaan would be invited to hear the concerns of the council and have their say about how the collective would be reacting to them.

Potential Scene: Baris and Delavizh meet the grand Choss Mining Council.

 

[Beckoncall]

Kent : CAMUS TURN 2

"So much to do, not enough mana to do it."

Camus transported himself, his retinue and all his materials to CHAINWOODS with a wave of his hand. This was a considerable feat, even for an archmage -- but Camus was behind schedule and couldn't be slowed in his objectives.

So he summoned a Trio of Angels. Bird Angels of Rus, an extinct culture once known as the Sons of Heaven. With the powerful disc of circles a Treble-summon was possible, but ill advised. After already pushing his powers to the limit, the summoning of the Bird-Angels was utterly exhausting. The ritual carried on as normal until the time of arrival and binding, when Camus, in a frail state, lost control of his summonates. The Githyanki pulled Camus up off the ground, the ritual area a shambles of broken ritual effects and blinding radiance. The Angels had escaped. In Camus' moment of weakness, the Gamayun STOLE Camus' Magical Coin that he'd hoped to assure the obedience of the angels.

With the angels loose -- the rest of Camus' plan lay in tatters...

SCENE: Communion/Dismissal/Binding of the Angels.

The rest of his troops overcame their summoning sickness and fortified their position in Chainwoods...

...But Camus' plan to materialize, summon multiple angels, then go on a political killing spree with even more high level magic was stopped before it could really even start.

Luckily... the tribes of Chainwoods were not onto him... yet. However it was only a matter of time before a patrol or working party of one tribe or another stumbled onto them...

 

[Beckoncall]

Obsidian : TURN 2

People flocked from neighboring provinces and arrived by caravan and other means of immigration, swelling the population of cornucopia as a place of safety and new wealth in the Lastlands. But this was not without a price. (Grand Market costs 2 wealth) -- with the construction of the grand market the Darius' venture was all but penniless, but had the logistics and the goods in place to be the merchant/trade hub if not in all the annexation endeavor, then definitely in the west. Crocodile Oznah of house Alder had a port in the east that could present some competition for the movement of goods, but House wosk could not be defeated for pricing or variety once it truly got started.

(Pick two commodities with GM on discord that are encumbent on the market operating, they are considered renewable in supply and generate wealth every T4)

Creatures of every race, and folk of many many creeds filled Cornucopia... so much that it gave many of the muurdaan an eyebrow to raise. The diversity brought the widest range of goods and novelty... but without rigid structures in place cornucopia would quickly develop into something outside the range of what an expected Muurdaan "Capitol" would consist of.

DECISION POINT:
A) All business is handled through Human proxies and intermediaries (cuts profits, but assures human supremacy)
B) Non-Humans are given additional taxes and levies humans are not party to. (Generates an additional +1 wealth per turn but generates unrest)
C) No holds barred. Unrestricted trade means unrestricted growth and wealth.

____________________________________

Haruspex, in tandem with the astral eye -- yielded fruit almost immediately. Two sites were discovered, both magically veiled so that they could not be found without magesight or other arcane avenues of discovery.
One location was a mythical "Swamp of Ur" -- locations of powerful nature magic concentration, it is said that these places were highly sacred in the green age, and in all the ages since the magic has still not left these sites. Swamps of Ur were Dangerous for a variety of reasons, but if one could tap it's power, even a little bit -- the rewards could be considerable. This particular swamp was full of MUSHUSSU, Degenerate dragonkin with the front quarter of a lion, the back legs of an eagle, the tail of a snake and the head of a drake.

POTIENTIAL SCENE: Seek to tap this magical site for treasure/nature sparks.




The second site was not as vaunted, but equally if not more strange -- A Glade of Pleasures Unattained. These sites were areas where the prime material and the feywild were especially closely connected, with the laws of each twisted in strange and wonderful ways. It was said that to open such a Glade was to invite turmoil to the region, but the enjoyments promised were real -- House Wosk might seek to monetize this site, or at the very least control it for their own. The alternative was to forget it had ever been found and let it re-vanish into obscurity....

Decision Point:
A) Open the Glade of Pleasures unattained to the Public
B) Open the Glade to the elite and invited only
C) Seal the Glade and forget of it's existence.

 

[Beckoncall]

CaptainSully :

The slaughter of Bandits began apace. At least most of them they were CONFIDENT were bandits... in convincing disguises? No matter. Bandits or Peasants, they were all part of an example to be made.

Nearly everyone from Sulpass to Estmarch wound up upside down on a cross, flayed open with a wolf brand. By the time the Orpheus' retinue arrived in Estmarch his reputation WELL preceded him and the people were willing to do anything in their terror.
The Few Grey Men that were in the Province were promptly handed over -- doing anything to cooperate with House Varghul.


The Governor of Estmarch assured the populace that he could establish a rapport with their newly arrived Muurdain Masters -- which calmed the people for a time, until he was summarily executed for apparently no reason.

The People of Estmarch panicked at this, and everyone fled like rats in every direction.

The following days were tiring, but the work was worthwhile. The villagers were slotted for slaughter if they caused any trouble, and it certainly was trouble rounding them all up. The Terror Team beat every peasant, villager and yeoman found to death with maces then mounted them similarly all over the landscape. Then the Community was razed to the ground and anything of value was taken as loot and prize for Lord Orpheus. Only the children were spared, delivered to Orpheus' Pavillion in the center of ESTMARCH'S newly made ghost-town. (Gain 1 wealth) -- The terror troops did their work happily, but even they questioned the eagerness their lord was for bloodshed.

Economy of ESTMARCH severely harmed. Remaining Citizens decentralized/in hiding.

"This is a DARK path Orpheus and Varghul are taking us down" the terror troops surmised.

However, if Orpheus and Varghul's goal was to sow fear and terror in all who would not bow (and many who would?) it was not for the Terror troops to question. It was more an issue of making the crosses fast enough to mount the bodies, and making sure the Flayers could keep up with Orpheus' demand for corpses to be adequately desecrated.

__________________________________________

It came time to stop rounding up fewer and fewer civilians and dragging them to the cross. It was time to meet with the Dwarf and Gnome community, and see if they did not already receive the message that they too were expected to bend the knee.

(SCENE: Audience at meeting point with Dwarven and Gnomish Emissaries.) -- to be handled on discord.

 

[Beckoncall]

eloise :

Action 1
Head to and explore the cave near Larkbella Estate

Lady Larkbella did not have an opinion on Xyphon's place in Her province, despite frictions between the houses. ESAU belonged to Varna... the rest of the nobles could pound sand, it would seem -- Phaidra was preoccupied with other matters. She was happy to walk the new beautified grounds of her estate, and explore the great cave behind the Manorgrounds to reflect and perhaps find something of interest.

Phaidra entered the cave and stood in the bright moonlight shining behind her, lighting everything in a black and white canvas of half glow and half darkness. The light stopped dead like a wall a certain depth into the cave, and Phaidra entertained what kind of light she would produce in order to proceed, when she saw two yellow gleams in the darkness before her, almost blinding her in how they reflected what little light there was and concentrating it back at her.

There was a bloody enormous werewolf in the cave. That was what she found. It pounced without warning, grabbing the initiative before Phaidra had time to react.

SCENE: Encounter with Werewolf!) dawnfallstar

 

[Beckoncall]

Abstracty :

While the Gleeb was still recovering from the terrible battles there, the "Ceslaus Monastery" was just being completed along the main pilgrim's road into the lastlands. Tall and domineering with no sacrifice to defensiveness, the structure was as much a Fortification as it was a holy place.

From it's excellent position is could both serve the traveling throngs of people on path through ESAU as well as keep watch on the surrounding region and whomever should come this way through the lastlands.

+1 populist OR +1 church influence for completing the project because of the site's strategic location.

They even had the fortune to spot Sapphon the Black, The Capitol's High Game-Warden, enter the region heading east... despite the fact that this agent wanted her presence to very much remain a secret!

The scouts of course assured that Wernhard's retinue arrived in GLEEB without incident.









TURN THREE IS OPEN!!!

 

[Beckoncall]

Femboy

Faraleth Gaenshar lowered her banner when she first crossed paths with Ul.
"The Supposed Eternal Empire seeks to claw these lands into the bosom of the beast? We elves have contemplated the situation, and we have decided to join you as the Devil we know, among so many other hyrdan heads we do not. Make enclave for the woodfolk and the Empire can say what they want about power of ownership... if you can protect us and point our arrows where they belong. -- Take Spriggan as you have made Baumung -- and if the Touryans mean ill, cut them down."


Faraleth joined Ul-Dyril then and there, her delegation of 50 springborn archers also casting their oaths in kind.
Faraleth is a Martial 3 hero (Grappling, Relentless, Monster Hunter)
JOINING IS CONDITIONAL ON:
*PLANS TO TAKE SPRIGGAN
**CRUSH THE TOURYANS IF THEY MEAN ILL FOR THE ELVES

PROVINCE OF BAUMUNG KNEELS TO HOUSE NYRAEL. (Map will be updated showing ownership)

Interestingly Faraleth being a monster hunter was not an obstacle but rather a boon in meetings with the powerful nature forces in Baumung -- which could be construed as monsters by many. The Earth mother was a 20-foot "Primitive Venus" in a manfested form, the "Stag One" a giant Bipedal Stag also of great proportions.
Faraleth discovered that both of these spirits existed in conflict -- The Stag One sought to bring fear to people not of the wood, and to spread the wilds into lands thought tamed. The Earth Mother merely wanted Tranquility and to develop the wilds in peace with rampant growth and herds of animals. Both sought the adoption of Ul and Nyrael to recognize one and not the other as a local god... effectively cancelling out the unchosen spirit. Ul-Dyril would have to choose which spirit to support, or to leave them in conflict.

SCENE: Meeting with both powers (Stag and Mother) and deciding to support either or neither.

Aside this, House Nyrael projected their populist influence on Spriggan fully, Laying the groundwork for positive relations at least and full annexation at best.
Her agents met with "The Green Constabulary" (A force of sprites, gnomes, and a majority of pacifistic wood elves) -- and learned that bloodshed and fighting with the Crested Lizardmen and Bullywugs was only escalating, and by the day it was getting worse. They asked for military aid immediately -- nothing short of meeting the reptile forces on the field of battle and driving them from the province. For this, They vowed to give their best ears to collusion and cooperation with house Nyrael.

Battle? (if backed by an action, gnomes and sprites will cooperate. Free action if local help is not expected/required)

 

[Beckoncall]

Pat

Like a phoenix from the flame, so did gleeb rise from the ashes, piled high with natural basalt borne from the lava well, and an endless train of marble replacing mundane rock and wood. The aquaducts were not just restored but expanded, filling the three settlements with a feast for the eyes as water played with fire and steam. No expense was spared -- and before the building projects were finished the mining confederations came from the highlands to enjoy some of that coin as well as meet their new neighbors. Expert miners, sappers and life-support engineers made the New Gleeb a cool 73 degrees inside and out all day and all night.
The steam fed large vertical towers of plant life, carrying aerated minerals and water to the highest boughs... giving life to the stone settlement. The Mercury lighting was not commonplace before the restoration, but it would be afterward: MERCURY LIGHTS become a luxury good for the region.

NEW GLEEB BELONGS TO AKCAY AND HOUSE VASHNA. "White Pyrite" becomes a renewable material in the province.

Akcay utilized great assets and the greatest focus to give him mastery of the fire sphere. Normally a leap to Fire 3 would not be possible, but with tapping the lava forge as a catalyst for his new power -- not only was the acquisition of power going to come to pass, he would be spared many of the dangers of such rapid ascention and acertaining of power.

Akcay attains fire 3 with the use of all resources. No other spheres are gained, but this power is gained safely.


Finally, Discussions with the Gleeb mining collectives were initiated to establish order and true ownership of the province. (This will be done in scene, but at advantage because the mining collectives have already been cooperating for a slice of the sweet sweet 5 wealth poured into the new city. Map updated. (SCENE)

 

[Beckoncall]

Obsidian : Darius and his Market City, Cornucopia...

The development of Cornucopia, and it's embracing of a variety of cultures and races made it a swift answer for many displaced by the initial arrival of the Muurdaan Empire. The industries for all their goods and materials would have risen on their own, but with investment and encouragement -- and leveraging the unique abilities of House Omnis, the corners of the great bazaar developed into a special center of industry -- The Production Center. The production center could acquire raw materials from any other trading province and use it's supply chain to make it's own goods for the city and export, as if all of the lastlands resources were it's own!

How Production Center Works: If this city produces a finished good using a raw material from another province, that province gains +1 wealth on T4s, and Cornucopia gains the wealth benefit of sale at slightly reduced return (but is considered to have renewable amounts of the finished good for purposes of morale and development bonuses.

Advertisement and promotion of Cornucopia as THE trade center for the lastlands was further established by spreading word and incentives to establish semi-protected and carefully overseen trade between the city and Port Green Star in the east. This promised to bring goods swiftly and from faraway lands by sea, as well as place the city as the scale that poured money and trade goods in both the east AND the west.

Soon, the Regional market would open -- and with it would come what Omnis hoped would be a deluge of wealth. Already the heartblood of commerce was pumping...

Darius Gains +3 Wealth. Some might not consider this the grandest sum... but that is how it always is in the beginning... always small.

SCENE: Amul Ranne ambush at the Mansion of Darius! (Agents must be killed or evaded!) -- The Amul Ranne hope to quickly replace Darius with a more "Sympathetic" Family Member...

 

[Beckoncall]

ThatWhichShouldBe : ORTES TURN 3.

Mishak.

Let's face it. Ortes had bought Mishak. Like a juggernaught, like a glacier, money and steel rolled over all things -- and his message was clear. Change was coming -- and time was short to have any say in what form that change would take. The Academy closed it's doors to House Parsifal, and many of the students departed the school for "Practical training" at the Arena of Mikhail Sukumvit. All but shuttered, it's influence was removed... like a weed... and replaced with a river of Muurdaan gravel and gold.

With the twin settlements of Shadrak and Mishak (Orteshold) under one ruler, and with plenty of money for the reconstruction -- the two cities united in a highly defensible location surrounded by highlands in a single Gloomy Fortress City that was worthy of both the Power of the Muurdaan and the harshness of the lastlands. It's black walls and tiered fortresses lay one atop the other, belying that any siege of said city would be gruesome and bloody. Each tier of the city overlooked the one below, and the length of each district would have to be run before ascending to the next tier. Built upon ancient caves, the city had water to spare and ample -- if disgusting reserves of food in the giant woolly Larvae that crawled under the cities darkness -- even without the Sampo's generous gruel... No -- the city of Parsifal would not be starved out, and every block would need to be paid for in blood.

Surveying the land revealed an old strip mine of apparently no value... just a nesting doll of pits each smaller than the next, with less and less traces of minerals the farther you went down. But that was not all that was found:

The Black Cenote: So called because no light touched the water at the bottom, the roiling waves of some disturbed flooded cave system could be heard from far below, and howled on the wind on the coldest nights. This area was clearly a site of somewhat powerful water magic -- but the Parsifals knew little what to do with it other than plant their flags and protect their claim...

Grand Armillary Sphere: This was a device of ancient giants -- the first giants. Not the degenerate giants that came after -- no, this was a device made by them all called "The builders" -- Humongous beast-men of the Beast Age -- They would be considered abomidable monsters in our time, but in their own time, they were like hares running from an ecosystem so violent, of animals so huge and aggressive, these giants learned to be clever to survive. Like the Cenote, little could be gleaned except that it was a massive network of gyroscopes that represented planets and celestial bodies seen and unseen, known and unknown. Astral mages could do great things with such a device in such good condition... but to the Parsifals it was little more than a curiosity... Used primitively as a great planetarium it marvelled the masses, so it at least had a use for break and circuses... but it's real potential could only be uncovered by great astral mages or masters of machinery like House Hegemon. Still, it was a great toy for now, and increased morale in the region. (+ populist influence token... this is 1/3rd of a populist influence point)

Also in influence, The sword of quickness became a treasured item in the parsifal reliquary. (+ military token... this is 1/3rd of a military influence point)

SCENES:
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO SKIY -- Potential conflict with bandits, Clash with "The Host" (Unknown Cult), potential investigation for Mother of Noble Niki.

IT'S BACK! *INFERNOMORPH RETURNS* -- unbanished and utterly pissed. It can be fought at the Black Cenote, or from the Tower expressly bulit to protect from it.

 

[Beckoncall]

Twist : DEJAN TURN 3.

The Noble Dejan's meeting with Nerry's Highland Orcs was NOT an easy one. It turned out the orcs reacted with great fear and revulsion upon his arrival -- Dejan learning that the troops he brought, Hexen and Alps -- were longtime hunters of the orcs for sport and sustenance.
the orcs are horrified -- The Hexen and Alps are their natural predators. Dejan arrives wanting to speak to their chieftain, but at his heels are everything they fear in the region. The Hexen capture orcs and subject them to long, starving waking dreams, and the Alps seldom allow orcs captured in this manner to get home alive... slaying them in their exhausted states when the Hexen are done with them.

The orcs were a loose confederation of tribes, the largest settlement bordering ESAU named the various families "Greenwolven" -- and it turned out the Greenwolven were rivals of "The twilight river children" -- a different tribal union of goblins, bugbears and orcs that lived on the border between NERRY and BAUMUNG. In the end, Dejan convinced The Greenwolven that he would bring the River Children to heel as part of his quest to liberate his lost love, the Fae Princess Wicca. The Greenwolven would absorb the River children into one nation under Dejan -- and Dejan's monsters would eat prisoners and River children instead of the Greenwolven. This would work out nicely -- if it were successful.

But there was a catch -- much of the Twilight River Children lived on the other side of the BAUMUNG BORDER -- hidden from Femboy Ul-Dyril they were nonetheless her subjects... at least on paper. Dejan had no time for diplomacy or tarrying on the issue of borders and ownership when his lost love was at risk -- The River Children planned to Sacrifice the princess to their "Deep Loa" who lived in a massive dark temple within a hollow stump in NW BAUMUNG, right on the border with Eastern NERRY.

SCENE: The Dark Temple Ritual to Marry Wicca to the "Deep Loa" must be interrupted. Dejan must martial an army to attack or a task force to infiltrate the event.
(You may use your own forces or up to 100 "Greenwolven Hunters" (3 point troops) as part or your full force.) There are also 50 "GreenWargs" (6 points) that are the best troops of the Greenwolven, but they will only serve you if you can bring the River Children under the greenwolven banner.

__________________________

The construction of the Great Hall of Birch Shadow into a trading post was managed swiftly with Dejan's populace workforce... but something interesting... almost disturbing -- was discovered. With recent rains in the province, The numbers of the Thallid had seemingly exploded -- there were hundreds more than before, and most of them were considerably larger. The Fungusaurs too had increased in number, and surprisingly in size. Where it was difficult to tell if there was even more than one of these giant beasts before -- they were almost part of the landscape at this point -- trampling younger-growth trees to make swampy decay patches to -- as you would guess -- Make ground for more thallid and fungusaurs. Decisions would have to be made:

A) Cull the Thallids before they become out of control.
B) Watch the Thallids carefully, but do not intervene yet.
C) Encourage the Thallidification of a designated portion of the province, and let them run wild there.

_______________________________________

The "Tower of Doors" was rapidly completed on the nature sites next to the Great Hall and Trading post -- Made of simple materials and Dryad wood, it was surprisingly solid both for the adhesive qualities of the Dryad wood and the powerful magics used to construct it. This was a vital objective for house Laeraslae -- and it was everything Dejan and his patrons could have dreamed of. 5 stories tall with numerous doors on every floor -- it immediately became a waystation for planar travellers moving from the capital, through the empire, or to strange locations further afield. Tower Generates 1 wealth per turn as passive income. Immigration through the tower of Doors into the lastlands increases population/development in NERRY.

_____________________

POINT OF CONTENTION: Femboy
Planeswalker agents have been disregarding the sovreignty of House Nyrael's borders in their hurry to uncover the whereabouts of Princess Wicca.
Dejan disregards the border in his rush to stop and defeat the Twilight River children.

 

[Beckoncall]

Trektek : Turn 3

Another Raid! Was this shipment cursed?!

The Paragon Cavalry were worn out and injured. some leaned over in their saddles to rest, some had arrows sticking from their armor where they could not reach to pull them free.

If the road to the port had already been built, the great treasure they protected would already be enroute to the capital. Instead their path was beleaguered by giant predators, bandit mercenaries... and Haakon Raiders. At least that is what they appeared to be -- what House Parsifal was being lead to believe.
When the shipment finally reached the hands of House Oznah protectors it was bundled up on a ship -- given some terrible fearsome guardian -- and the great wealth that was found in the lastlands was shipped express and under great protection to the Port City of Attolia to the North, where shortly after it would most certainly reach the capital safely. Xion's greatest charge and mission was accomplished... for the most part. After being free of their treasure transport mission, the paragons healed their wounds at Port Green Star and went after these Haakon scoundrels directly... this, their harassers did NOT expect, and when the harrying of the paragons turned to a hunt for their assailants they quickly learned it was house Touryan Agents faking activities by house Haakon. The majority of the Touryan operators were run down or hanged, until the heart of the conspiracy was found -- A Touryan Diplomat by the name of Lukan Gold. Lukan surrendered to the knights of Xion and was taken back to AFLIL in chains. Lukan assured Xion that he could explain everything "If Parsifal would just be reasonable."

________________________________________

A road To Port Green star and a more direct path through the hills to WES were constructed shortly after. The Retributor and the rest of the paragon Knights slaughtered countless predatory beasts, leaving the corpses dead on the ground for the Lion tribes to render and capitalize on when they could no longer carry the skin and bones of the monsters. Relations with the Lion Tribes improved, and by the time the roads were complete the Lion Tribals were helpfully driving and hunting any predators that strayed too close to the road -- those that were too stubborn, Xion's Knights rode them down or beat into their heads that the superpredators had a new place in the food chain. The biggest predators kept to the interior of AFLIL, only a couple of great beasts gave the Paragon cavalry much trouble. By the time Oznah excercized their own spheres of influence the province was pretty much PACIFIED. Sure, the biggest beasts and game were in the interior, but the Tribes did not brook the presence of banditry and those that remained were ground into nothing between Alder's holdings and the Holdings of Xion. The new and improved roads were well policed by new militia and funds were raised for the protection and oversight of trade along the spine of the eastern trade routes. 3 units of battle leather and 3 units of monster bone are retained from predator hunts. The Lion tribes and the Retributor consume all else that remains in contest.


(The Retributor crushing the last Bandit in AFLIL with the tip of it's finger)
_______________________

The Militia that were trained up by Xion were rough and ready heavy infantry, but steps would need to be taken to define, equip, and pay them.
Troops produced through training and outfitting, expenditure of wealth will determine size and disposition of unit(s) -- to be handled in discord.

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon : Turn 3

New problems require ancient solutions?

The re-invention of Pointe Province continued in earnest -- the manyfold passes and obstacles were tackled one at a time and point was quickly turned into a "province of three roads" -- one was exclusively for goods and people coming into the lastlands, a second for goods and people leaving, and a middle road where fraternization and trade in the province was the center of emphasis.

The capital existed for all the changes -- and new cheap and expert labor waa in steady infusion -- but dwarves long hidden in the province emerged with a grim but potentially appealing proposal...

Seeing Orhan was a student of bone magic, a council of dwarf mages came forth with a proposal --

"Point is well known to be a place of abandoned battlefields, mass graves and where many a bandit has died where they stood -- but what it is not known for is that long ago Dwarves used dead humans and other races to create Morthagi -- "The geared dead" -- We wish to see commerce and great work return to pointe, so in return for promises of continued and preferred residence we will gather and clear these sites of the dead and combine them with the Morthagi frames buried deep in the earth and needing new bones to rove again... Morthagi have rarely in recent times been used as defense or fighters, but they are tireless workers and could reawaken the mining of ores in the region, as they can dig deep where it is difficult for all but the most hardy dwarves to tread."

Work with us, or eschew roaour help and work on your own -- it does not seem like you have much influence except military guidance to aid you in the use of your blasting devices, skills we could double for free.

For our end, you will grant one of the following:

A) Morthagi will improve the province on the surface, but yield ores to the dwarves in the deeps.
B) Morthagi will primarily serve house Hegemon is every capacity, but the Dwarves want 30% of tarrifs from the province to line their coffers, with enduring land claims.
C) Nothing. We don't want dwarven misbegotten autonomous dead, nor the ingrainment of dwarves in the region...

_____________________________________

The use of Gypsum added a pinkish/pearl glow to the previously foreboding countenance of Pointe... and it was well known for it's beautiful roads as well as trading caravanseries -- of fine linen pavillions and whitestone warehouses. Pointe, as an exit for trade goods, was secured as a title and tendency in the Northwest, though Esau was better known for it's moving of people, particularly pilgrims -- into the lastlands.

________________________________________

With the use of Gypsum and the Lava Forge in Gleeb, the organic troll toxins were burned away and disposed of quite tidily -- though it would be some time before fertility returned to the region. Small signs of rebirth showed here and there already though... and this was encouraging.

_________________________________

SCENE(s): Communion/Study of adventurers camps and leads into Bluacia, and the confrontation with the Mother of Greed...

 

[Beckoncall]

Crocodile :

The festival of the Lion Tribes was dying down only in time enough for a new bustle to take over the Port City of Green Star -- The influx of nobles patrons arriving to investigate the first blushes of Muurdaan accomplishment (or failure) in the region. The Port was seen as the fastest if not safest route to the lastlands, and representatives and agents of great and cadet houses alike were buzzing in the city as the new wave of celebrations waxed as the Lion festivals waned.

However, among the strangest and farthest traveling guests was Nogam Yekiva, "Ivory Father" and diplomat from the distant lands of Matchka. A Bandar (Great Ape kin) from Matchkas deepest jungles, Nogam had all the majesty and daunting demeanor of a Silverback mountain. His massive frame was constantly swarming with tiny Markata monkeys, grooming his fur and eating or cleaning anything that landed on his pristine fur. Little Atavi (monkey-kin) servants constantly cooked, read, translated, and entertained him, giving him the impression of his own little ecosystem. Nogam had arrived with the mutilated tatters of a letter with alders signet upon it -- his missive to "High Priestess Zevra of the Atavi"...

"Nogam teaches you how to be an archmage of blood, and how to blood hunt provinces for suitable offerings to the things that thirst for the power they give us. In exchange, you forget Priestess Zevra's true identity... and perhaps later on we talk of greater trade with Matchka."

Studied are difficult and strenuous, but Nogam Yekiva grants Oznah Alder BLOOD 5 upon completion of training. Once done, his wealth establishes a Matchkan Embassy to discuss further trade, and be an eye for his people in the lastlands.

______________________________

The reception of so many Muurdain nobles did not go unnoticed in the capital or in society at large -- Alder gains +1 Noble influence -- but the tensions it brought with it were palpable. Many houses for reasons known and unknown were already tense or at each others throats. The festivities were barely enough to assuage the tensions.

General Asata Touryan Herself had come to the port as representative of the Patron house to house Alder, and her narrow eyes looked out of place on her smiling face when she addressed Oznah on the docks of Green Star...

"I see no silver or gold mines to bequeath -- though there is no disputing you have built a great and new settlement in the lastlands... For House Touryan, no? Or is this place your own ambition at the expense of the fealty you owe the High House Militant? Don't Answer. You sent a great throne home to the capital -- a Trow Throne, no less. Such a statement deserves a reply without further discussion."

"You Alders may slip the yoke of Touryan if you can build a Throne to Rival that which you have sent to the Capital to be your own, and show to us you have the sponsorship of no fewer than THREE other high houses. You have climbed in bed with the Parisfals, so they may take house Alder as worthy of sponsorship -- but we do not recognize their authority outside of the capital. We want houses like Wosk or Laerslae to tell us you stand on your own now, demonstrating value to the entirety of the Eternal Empire. I will be back (on Turn 8) to see the Monumental Throne and to hear the sponsorships of the three high houses. Then, and only then can you slip the Touryan Riens... which if you are not so comfortable to keep them on your wrists, perhaps they can be moved... to House Alder's Neck? We shall see."

ASSIGNMENTS FOR TURN 8:
-Monument/Throne greater than the Trow throne sent to the Capital to represent Alder autonomy
-Sponsorship of three "high houses" stating Alders service to the entirety of the Empire, and it's right to stand on it's own, no longer Cadet to House Touryan.
_____________________________________

(Parlance with Lion Tribe and summonation of the Pale Maiden Resolved on discord)

 

[Beckoncall]

Abstracty :

Wernhard was satisfied. First Wentiliana was subject to the rigors and flaggelation of repentence, now -- Lord Ceslaus used the Fan instead of the cane to learn more of his new vassal. Wentiliana explained that she achieved her goal -- she was finally rich and had risen above an army of bandits in the lastlands... and beyond it saw nothing but fear and disappointment. The Muurdaan would take her lawless home wherever she cared to hide and eventually bring her to justice. The gems and coins had no shine to them as she thought they would while she chased them. Again she used the metaphor of water on stone. "Stone is harder than water -- but the ever-running water, with purity and unending devotion, will surely, one day -- wear away the rock. The Muurdaan come to the lastlands in a deluge, and no matter how hard the lastlands may be, or its inhabitants rise to fight -- they will be worn down or swept away. The pain and judgement was purifying, but it is not why I changed my heart. It is because I know now what must take place here -- and that House Xyphon must lead the way. Sever the wicked, purify the corrupt, and elevate the downtrod. So mote it be, in our hearts and in the eyes of the Pantheon."

Born of this philosophy, Wenzel was trained. As water defeats the stone surely and inevitably -- Wenzel was trained by Wentiliana in an art of "Elusive Attrition" (Descriptor) and the art of "Rain of Missiles" (Descriptor) -- The weeks turned into months, but in the end Wenzel was a match for even his savior Wernhard (Wenzel is two dice marital - Master of "Delugian Combat") Wenzel offered his appreciation and thanks for his training and forging into a true man of holy war by presenting Lord Wernhard with his own Regiment of Delugian Soldiers -- 30 strong, all young wayward nobles like himself or deep and sincere penitents like his primary martial instructor Wentiliana. It was then that he also confessed to Werhard Ceslaus of his intentions to marry his former captor -- and that he and Wentiliana would, With the Delugians, wished to serve Wernhard as his personal bodyguard -- or in whatever other capacity House Xyphon would use them as holy instruments of compassion and wrath...

_____________________________________

The Pantheon was completed along the pilgrims road east of the New and emerging city of Gleeb. While the structure was gigantic -- it was largely empty to maximize the structures use of light and shadow to convey the holiness of the site, and to give space for however many shrines and gods it would be necessary to contain. Although it was a site of great splendor, many said the best was yet to come for the wonder-in-the-making... and that the light off the top of it's high parapet shone heavenly protection, and warning, into the further ahead lawless lands of Bluacia. Holy sites in the province, long since abandoned, began to reopen in Bluacia, and with them trains of pilgrims to protect from whatever grimness yet lurked there. The High Cantor of Xyphon himself reported that he was well pleased with the construction of the pantheon, and that he presumed that Lord Wernhard Ceslaus of Xyphon would grow in influence of the Church. However, it was not with the Church that Ceslaus found renewed influence, but with the beggar, the commoner, and the pilgrim who saw and enjoyed the new protection of this lord (+2 populist influence) ... Faith in the Gleeb grew and the name and figure of Wernhard was spoken of in near holy tones -- icons of St. Vitus were carried as talismans of faith and of protection... and from the mouths and hands of the people Werhand learned of a new power that grew for him to wield... the public smiled upon his new union and the old power of his holy muurdain house.

___________________________

Kappelburg, which basked in the light of the Pantheon each sunrise and sunset was downriver of the great work and in the west of BLUACIA, as was foretold and as was done.
The Sacred wood and light enrobed the settlement and it was built with fortifications and foundations of Sacred Wood.
and it was a good thing it was, for it purified the unhallowed ground of Bluacia and the very soil jumped during construction Exorcising ghosts from the ground.
Shortly after the settlement was completed, the deep woods to the east of Bluacia boiled forth with great but staggered groups of Longdead fleshless skeletons and soulless zombies. They dashed themselves on the rocks of the ridge below Kappelburg and on it's outermost defenses... no losses were sustained but the populace were very scared and concerned about the waves of restless dead that seemed to come in increasing number.

Until they didn't anymore. Instead a dark herald appeared -- None other than The Shade of the mother of Lord Niki. dawnfallstar

Bearing a Baneblade and a torch licking black flames, she brought a simple ultimatum.

"Your persistent incursion into BLUACIA will be suffered for little longer. Dismantle Kappelburg and send your own herald with offerings of contrition to Lord Razmuhz of the Depraved Origin. You have been beneath the notice of the Vampire knights until the holy sites reopened, but the deathknights cannot turn a blind eye to your litanies any longer. Bring your aggression or expect our own soon enough."

(Potential scene)

 

[Beckoncall]

palmtree219 : Turn 3

Intrigue (Gleeb): Many of the dwarves come forward in Gleeb to talk about the Calliach key, It was indeed in the hands of Serra, and she had showed it to more than one master smith. Apparently Serra had learned that the Calliach were the original builders of the Menhirs (standing stones) in the Province of SKIY, and from a particular peak the first three stones that cast a shadow from a certain vantage point triangulated (Serra Believed) the secret location of the Vault of Od'Nua... an ancient vault of the first giants, and the first base of operations of the Calliach when they broke through to the surface world to confront the Ancient Trow. If such a assertion were correct it could unravel some of the mysteries of the Wind Age -- so named because so much history of that time was lost.


Baris would need to travel to Bluacia, climb mount Tempestas, and observe the menhirs from a site the dwarves had directed Senna. From there, he would know where Senna was headed -- if indeed she survived the perils of Bluacia to learn of her destination in SKIY... the plot thickened.

_________________________

1 wealth was used to fortify, train, inform and pacify the most populated region(s) in CHOSS to make the barely eking-by settlements into a more substantial fortress and settlement. Once knowledge and skill with the Directive-Glands became a drilled secret of Haakon, Baris could dictate where and where not the smaller spiders (Horse sized and smaller) tended to congregate... creating the first commercial causeway into Choss Province for over two centuries, and creating numerous areas where people could work in peace, although they would need to be careful, of course -- as reckless travel or the encountering of truly enormous spiders was a threat that still loomed.

The Settlement was Formally Called "Haakonton" until Baris deemed another name more worthy. The first immigrants in for longer than anyone had lived to remember began to arrive in Choss to work for the Haakons, and to recieve the great house's protection...

__________________________

Searching by vigilants taking care not to disturb the spider population was ridiculously fruitful. The corpses of overconfident heroes and mages seemed to almost dot the landscape, some wearing the trappings of the previous (16th) age. Very old Elven and dwarven equipment was found still cocooned in ancient vertical graves, and two such sites were particularly large -- apparently sites where smaller more festidious spiders cleaned whole areas of the deepwoods of gems and metals to avoid their glimmer from drawing attention to areas selected as particularly good for hunting prey. Baris finds FOUR "Troves" in Choss, the contents to be rolled up in discord, along with 1d2 units of ancient dwarves and 1d2 units of ancient elven wargear.

In addition to these finds, two sister sites were located -- an ancient Dwarven Minewell that reeked of undead (and undead spiders that were immune to phermonal influence) and a Great Tree Settlement that once belonged to elves now overrun with very large and aggressive Red Spiders unlike those seen anywhere else in CHOSS. Note these sites, as they may be investigated as actions and/or Scenes.

______________________

SCENE: Baris enters "Witch-Haven" -- to take to the trials of the three witches that proclaimed they determined who truly rules the province of Choss. It was Baris intent to take the mantle for House Haakon, or perhaps more ambitiously, for himself....

 

[Beckoncall]

General Deth Glitch :
Exterting power in the Gleeb from CHOSS was a tall order. It seemed with so many nobles in the region it was a situation of "Few teats and too many piggies" -- as Delavizh had one door after the other closed on him in the Gleeb for arrangements that had already been made with House Xyphon, Hegemon and Vashna.

...But not all doors. Investigation and Inquisition had uncovered secrets for them, and doors unseen by the other nobles...

One of the deepest mining guilds (The Copperdust Syndicate) in the Gleeb refused to be part of talks with newcomers -- until they realized all other mining companies were working together against them now. They offered Delavizh exclusive contract through house Haakon if the Lord could prove the focus of his house was worthy of their reputation for relics and Artifacts... For they had built their base of operations deep below the Gleeb, in the skeletons and husks of Dwarven machinery that had been abandoned and wasting away since the end of the last age -- "Sunquest" technology, they said -- From before the dwarves broke the surface and met most other races, but were soon to do so.

There was a water treatment plant and a Great Drill and a Rock Tumbler that Haakon would be allowed to investigate -- if they could be brought to some level of functioning rather than just stripping for parts -- Haakon would have purchase and placement (Deep under) the Gleeb... and the dwarves explained -- all the marble and Granite that Haakon could want (Marble and Granite are gained as renewable resources.)

Work with the old machines and relics was initially promising as well -- with House Haakon having replacement parts as relics and artifacts that could be exchanged for those demonstrably broken. In the end Haakon was invited to a fortified mountain fortress in the northern highlands to work with. Whether he and/or Haakon would keep this position, or more to the point be allowed to project their presence in the Gleeb by other interests, would have to be seen.

So objectives had been met for the moment -- a new home, a supply for stone, and an interesting enterprise to take part in the power plays going on in the Gleeb.

 

[Beckoncall]

dawnfallstar :

Actions
1. Hold a ceremony for Heveron--
The Ceremony was not resplendent, but rather a holy and somber affair. Indeed, he was a warrior and defender of the faith and his loss was a shock among the faithful, but Heveron's replacement, Hamlet the Polite, bore Heveron's holy symbol and carried the hilts of his weapons as holy relics to strengthen their faith and add the holy might of Heveron to their own. (New head knight gains Descriptor "Dauntless Faith" -- +20% to any rolls partaining to belief or prayer.)


2. Get people to give the "church"(her) money just in-case
The influence Niki had with the church was further leveraged to make a profit for the noble -- so far all seemed above board, and as a muurdain noble she was subject to little scrutiny among her own followers... still, Niki had to wonder if church agents would take notice and attention to the wealth she had begun to garner on behalf of the faithful... and what if the purity of her intentions might come into question. (2 wealth gained)


Movement
Niki to Reilor


Intrigue
Have a talk with Phaidra Larkbella about her town :

The meeting with Phaidra never occured... Indeed, Phaidra Larkbella was popularly thought to be absent, or even missing. Niki was haunted by nightmares of a great beast hunting Phaidra, the last of the Larkbellas, And Niki could not shake the notion that she might somehow become wrapped up in her disappearance.

As Phaidra remained missing for longer and longer -- influence in ESAU by the Larkbellas began to slip... Niki had to make a decision quickly, or lose the opportunity to gain in power:

DECISION POINT:

A) Cite the absence of Lady Larkbella as evidence of dereliction of obligations to the Empire. Demand control of, then Annex PROVINCE ESAU from House Varna... Provoking the rival house, but growing in power and control in the lastlands.

B) Watch and Wait. Niki would not attempt to wrest control of ESAU from Phaidra Larkbella, but would instead watch.... and wait.

 

[Beckoncall]

Kent :+ -

CHAINWOODS: The Tangle of blood and fire
Camus leveraged every resource he could, and the deepest of his understandings of astral magics to seize the best intelligence before he moved, coupling magical manipulation of luck and fate with conventional skullduggery and manipulation of odds. With almost Heuristic relentlessness the social, literal and martial terrain was scanned and doctored until the perfect constellations of events and conditions existed. His influence and prestige among the bird tribes quickly unquestionable... for he had himself removed in advance all who would question. The honeyed words of his angels assuaged the losses of the skeptics, Camus claiming to be the embodiment of Aurifex, The great Eagle of Providence and Prophesy among the bird people, and spoken of in various myths and legends.

With the Bird Tribe preoccupied with it's own subversion... it was kept insulated from the simultaneous rash of assassinations and recriminations among the other animal tribes. Assassinations and deceit fanned into a full blown inferno of real and self-propagating unrest and hatred between the other clans in Chainwoods, and while the Bird Tribe peoples licked their wounds and looked inwards, Camus' knights killed a few key personalities to cause a complete and utter chaos of war in the region that only Camus alone, in his full splendor, could hope to subside.

Camus watched as his rivals mutually destroyed one another, sprouting new heads like a hydra only to be subjected to more of his pushing and machinations causing his would-be rivals to behead themselves... until no more rivals rose to contest each other -- much less him. It was seen as a religious cataclysm, and Camus did nothing to disabuse the notion that was the truth, nor did he dispute at all the growing chorus that asserted he was the only one and true deliverer from all the infighting and mayhem... in the end, all tribes took on the mantle of the Bird Tribe and Camus -- the Avatar of Aurifex.

CHAINWOODS FALLS TO CAMUS OF HOUSE KESHURGEN. Province however is in a state of chaos and depression until the end of next turn (Turn 4)

Watching the conflagration he masterminded -- Camus set to indentifying the relic sites of the Deer, Bear and Wolf Tribes.

The Deer Tribe had, now abandoned, a small collection of holy Mastabas that Camus sought to plunder.

The Bear tribe had an ancient ritual training ground that was full of traps, where the first chiefs of the Bear tribe laid their bones, and relics, for Camus' taking.

The Wolf Tribe had a collection of silver skulls, one for each shaman of the tribe going back to the first settlement of Chainwoods. In aggregate, Camus could smelt these perhaps into a worthy pile of treasure.

None would oppose him -- he knew. For the fates and the future had told him who would move against him.

-- And Camus had already seen that they were Dead.

 

[Beckoncall]

TURN 4 is OFFICIALLY OPEN!

Keep in mind that before any orders are processed 3 special steps must be done:
PROCESS WEALTH FROM MARKET
PATRON AUDITS
RECRUITMENT/CHANGES IN INFLUENCE
(these steps may lead to you wanting to edit your posts to account for new wealth/troops/etc. so get these steps done with me first on discord first perhaps as a rule of thumb.)