"Lost Continent: Flight From Muurdaan" (BeckonCall's FNB!)

[SpiralErrant]

This was a revelation. Sinea had learned of old stories of their people taking a great migration across the great expanses, as a shaper and a shaman of the first ring for her caravan she had shaped iron pages that spoke of such things. But to see proof of it locked in deathly place was something that would rock her world.

The Pan's words had been true. This speaking darkness and grim display of history had confirmed that. Tyren, centaurs and satyrs, each of the cloven peoples lay here together, and at their core were the Pan who held the monster they'd fled in death.

They had to share this with the others, and from what she could see, this dark creature was not to be disturbed under any circumstances. Lest the magic that held it captive be broken.

The Tyren half of the expedition would withdraw along with the Attolians. Unlike the human troops though they would not look for gems and metal veins on the way back. With the Olm as a guide, she set the mercenaries to gathering up the scattered crates and chunks of the crushed city they had passed through in the sunken cold, searching for artifacts and clues of this lost history they had found.

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon :

CAN THE BARRIER BE LOWERED?:

The keyed one at the top of spire ten spoke in unison with a hovering orb of machinery that projected a scattered, messy picture of the surrounding area, the cliffs, and the barrier -- "Continent under quarantine until further notice. Titans loose as fighting continues unabated across the landmass. Much has settled down in the way of direct military movement and organized attack/resistance -- still, we assess lowering or weakening the barrier to be a measure that will bring several Titans off task, out of their control areas, and at the heels of the rest of the planet. Reply to Query: Yes -- we can lower or weaken the barrier. Counter-Query -- Why would you lose a contained legion of wandering titans upon the world?"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE SNAKE: SpiralErrant

Caelis' aura of dominance struck a hypnotizing chord with the earth serpent -- but in the end it instead had it's own proposal:

"The horned one controlled me for many an age -- but he accepted the terms by which I would serve him -- Surely if you must come forward with your army you have brought, one side will die... but instead I have a modest proposal... gather the ten mightiest warriors of your colony, and If I cannot defeat you all in one hour I will serve your 'colony' as it's protector of treasures... as I had the horned one. If you would rather pit what you have against me now, we shall see who is full at the end of the fight and who is slowly suffocating in a digestive tract."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ESCAPE FROM THE UNDERDARK:

The task force had left much as it came -- but with the help of the great Olm only was this possible -- bracing against the sides of the pit, it became a living staircase that allowed the attolian and Tyren task forces to ascend just as quickly and they had plumbed the depths of the abyss.

Both sides gathered what they could on the ascent, with little resistance from indigenous animals that proved territorial -- manta-like abyssal bats and army spiders -- the task force was ready for such unorganized conflict and merely repelled the animals where they faced them.

Of acquisitions -- the Attolians found jewels of unknown magical nature... scrying them revealed the gems themselves had grown around lost essence -- Massive loss of life at simultaneous moments created bubbles of primal energy... the jewels they found contained ONE UNIT of "Primordial Harmony", ONE UNIT of "Anima Stone" and ONE UNIT of "Unnatural Instinct"... they took these stones, and a small amount of freeable adamantium pebbles and dust with them on their ascent to the surface. all would need to be researched.

For the Tyren... they found stranger things. Ancient Jewelry and weapons in the lost city architecture, and in one place a TEMPLE, who's floor was covered with plates containing stories of the Pa'anni -- the temple of the Pa'anni plates were almost impossible to translate, so changed was the language and seemed to be written in the tongues of centaur, satyr, and Tyren alike.. but amoung the the most non eroded -- in an area where many plates had been pulled free of the floor -- it was told... loosely, that the shamans in exile would wear the plates of history as pennance and reminder of the civilization they lost -- the first wearers of the plates had picked them up from these very halls and those like them... to bear their histories with them into exile from their homeland. Remaining on the floor were countless other tablets of iron, silver and gold -- telling the histories of the Satyr, the Tyren, and the Centaur in the ages of the rule of Pan... this too would require further examination, but they took many tablets as they could with them, as well as ancient artifacts of their lost and forgotten culture...

 

[Beckoncall]

General Deth Glitch :

The church of Dracos was incredibly boldened and improved by the massive influx of wealth. Once a listing but noble structure clinging to the sandslope, it was now a powerful bejeweled building bursting out of it -- a true treasure and symbol of power, one of the first newcomers to the colony were likely to set eyes on. With some of the money a massive effigy of the dragoness was built upon the top of the temple, poised as if to bound over the sandslope and make a beautiful arch of stonework for all of those and that which would ascend up and descend down through the colony.

The Perfection of fortifications at the foot of the Sandslope and the top of the cliffs could also be credited to the firebeards. The massive joint armory provided additional cannon for the project and where once there were choke points leading into the main approach to the colony there were now true "kill zones" for any that would attempt to storm the colony from it's shores. The Sea-wall and port was also improved of defenses, with cliff-mortar stations and hard-points bringing their might to bear either on intruders to the colony or onto the approach to the coast itself.

Rhunks and giant moles carved the defenses from the living rock itself and those that stood underneath the defenses felt small and threatened... as was intended. Watertraps at the lower defense point were likewise a success, threatening to turn major sea-based approaches into bloody messes at the foot of Dracos' vicious defenses.

(Firebeards gain +4 influence!)

The Firebeards continued to propagate their idea for a wall all along the river to protect their eastern border -- (all of the colony except for the stouts that lived beyond the riverbanks) but additional leaders supporting the idea are encouraged to speak up and lend labor and resources.

The church of Dracos with it's current treasury and influx of magical power becomes a new place of power in the colony, lending it's ability to the healers guild and granting it's boons and blessings on the faithful. (Followers of Dracos gain perk: Flametouched)

 

[Beckoncall]

Shireling :

The new bank of St. Nikolai was erected and proclaimed open in record time by the ever experienced constructors of the Stouts. The stouts thusly gained full access to the financial power of the colony whilst still protecting their own individuality and coveted sovereignty. This was attractive to the stouts, but did come at a price...

...Various members among the public began to view the stouts with suspicion, that the bank was just the newest in a stream of redundant entities that the stouts used to maintain full self-sufficiency from the colony, in particular it's founding beyond the normal bounds of colonial authority (beyond the river) and the constant necessity that the stout "have their own" when it came to various projects and structures. It's own defense, it's own bank, it's own Temples -- some of the laypeople in the Colony began to wonder where Standish loyalties actually lay -- and if a stoutman could be considered the truest of allies.

Minor incidents of harassment and crime against stoutmen in the Platz were reported as a result of these emnities that had begun to boil up. They were swiftly condemned and punished, but seemed the first of many signs of growing anti-stout sentiment. The stouts would have to adjust their policies or use their influence to prevent such currents from growing stronger...

_______________________________________________________

Of the theft, nothing could be proven beyond the obvious theft of the gauntlet by professional intruders and better practices were put into place to prevent such diversions from leading to successful capitalization and better security measures overall.

The Zebani had stated the very winds of magic had been manipulated to cover the tracks of the criminals, but a faint trace of blood magic was detected. Rumors began to spread that Dark elf spies were still in the colony, and were up to no good. The Zebani were sympathetic to the Stoutmen for their loss and as a show of good faith lent a small number of "Grav Roc-built" -- small red crystaline sentries and "Roc Heet-built" -- mighty guardians of amethyst-like crystals to stand as eternally watchful guardians of the temple of the godhead, the treasury, and the castle itself. In an official capacity these zebani were guards and troops of war for the standish if they so needed, while unofficially they were all seeing, all listening not just sentries, but accumulators of religious and social currency and culture within Standin.

(Stout gain 15 zebani Grav, and 3 Zebani Roc as followers of the godhead!)

 

[Beckoncall]

SpiralErrant Heyitsjiwon :

THE SPIRE:

In response to Ummush's question the Orb and Key'ed one spoke thusly:

"Power can be redirected to protect or enclose a particular point of interest or defense. Please indicate target."

It seemed indeed that a bubble could be thrown up around the Cull -- though to what extent it would be successful remained to be tested and the stakes remained very high... the question remained... should they do it?

 

[Beckoncall]

Leusis :

The Goblins quickly made their way through the defended port of the colony and up the sandslope into a massive shipping-construction combine that bustled in a dip near the top of the cliffs known as "the depression"...

...Despite their rambunctious youth and strange countenance, the goblins were not greeted with hositility outright, but rather curiosity. The Temple of Dracos blessed them upon their passing, and all were civil save for the highborn which quickly turned their backs to the presence of the goblins ( Prince Vaethorion )

The Goblins when exiting the depression were furnished with a map of the colony:



They could pick any place to settle -- but the greatest swathes of farmlands seemed to be in the area around what was known as "Shadowfields" and the "Reinen Ruins" -- a sight of a previously failed faction venture... the fate of which was unclear.

If the Goblins were going to settle in before winter --they would have to do it fast. If they were to establish ties with their neighbors by their own merit and not prejudice, they would have to be equally crafty and quick...

 

[Beckoncall]

Pat :

"I was sent here by your younger Locusta kin, who wish for their revered Safe Ones to represent their interests in establishing an alliance between Merdwarves and Locusta in order to defeat the Tasoth and the Drakhaina, for which we have brought many gifts. Entry to your domain appears to not be required for our negotiations, so I will not ask for it, but the Living Cave spoke of you having a tear of divinity in your possession, which I, Triton, would like to barter for once our business is concluded." The merdwarf said, bidding his escort to identify the remains and catalog their belongings while they together waited for a reply.

...A reply came, equally small and faint, from inside the giant oyster shell.

"Leave your gifts on the ground where you are, and cease taking inventory of the rest that lie in this chamber. Many have come to bring us gifts, but it has not gained them entry, nor much succor in the face of the fact that to reach us is to be trapped so that you cannot propagate knowledge of our true existence or exactly where we are. The Labyrinth is constructed to allow visitors in, but sadly will not be so accommodating to allow those wishing to leave."

It continued...

"Leave your gifts on the ground if they are sincerely gifts, and if things play out as we expect them to, lay your bones on top of them. You will not gain access to the sanctum of the safe ones, nor will you gain possession of our last line of defense, the tear of water divinity."

The darkness of the chamber loomed large around them... the great Oyster was the only thing in the cavern that could be made out with great distinction. Inky blackness from tiny octopoids made the area even more curtained with concealment... they were in a trap. They could no longer make out which tunnel they had entered the cave from... and were it not for the travelling of bubbles they would quickly lose bearing of which direction was up, even. Confusion began to reign as Triton's followers began to fear for their situation...

...It was then The Kindly Ones appeared. The three sisters, (bright, pastel, and dark) broke through the darkness and surrounded Triton and his task force. It was "Awei'qiu", the bright -- that introduced herself... the great mermaids each at least 20 feet long appeared before, above, around Triton and his troops.

"Alone we sought to be, they were -- A fragment of colony, they were, in denial of this reality, they were, and thus were lost at sea, they were?"

You "play in your aquarium -- lord triton, when you were sent here to be united with the peoples who settled this continent...why do you divorce yourself from those whom are not only meant to be your friends and have been sent to help, but likewise your find yourself short allies without?"

"I wish to know how you plan to escape this trap, Triton -- if it is not without our aid -- which is the aid of the colony and the aid of it's Attolian Governor, Caelis the Undying... Why have you so far squandered all chances to connect with the larger project to settle the new world, why have you left yourself without friends, and worse left the friends of the colony without you? Continue to ply the safe ones with your questions... they are sure to answer you now that they know you will not escape here alive... unless we help you... and indeed tell us why we might be inclined to help you when you have shown since your arrival a complete neglect for care of the larger colony project and it's fate? Methinks you would stand and watch it fall from your position of bounty when it seems at this moment the reverse is true -- why should a colony you've ignored save you, Triton? THAT is the real question that begs wisdom today, in this most dark of traps."

"Consider your answers carefully or Awei'qiu will not be the next to address you, said the second Pastel giant mermaid -- the Kindly one "Ithac'wah" -- Perhaps it will be me, or our darker sister... who ultimately will be your judge."

"Player in your aquarium -- where is your heart for the colony? What fate at all ties you to the rest in the greater story? Or are you just a bright diversion that is gone as quickly as it came? Your time in the Aquarium has been sowed and I wonder is it thus shall you reap..."

"Pride alone, Vied alone, confined alone, then died alone?"

 

[Beckoncall]

Spacekitty :

TASKFORCE: GEW GAW

The are was not only deserted, the winds of last winter had flattened all the gewgaw had made.

The strongest even among them by first thaw were all but beautiful popsickles, and since then almost a year had passed and all of their settlement and structures had been picked clean.

The Fennec could establish a presence here... but there was nothing waiting for them in the footprint of the gew-gaw settlement... just a grim reminder that winter was far crueler even just a bit of elevation higher than it was in the colony below.

The fennec saw the large magnetic mines that slumbered in the depths of the reservoir, the great dam and loom that the tyren and highborn had built, and the makings of the stormforge as well as all of harun'taras from where they stood on high...

...but if they hoped to glean treasure from the gew-gaw, it was long gone.

...Gnolls across the river greeted the massive task force with respect and the fennec suspected a healthy dose of fear... why did they come here though... what was to be gained?

 

[Pat]

"Intention can be a fickle thing, sisters. While I do not know of the governor that you speak, I do know of the masters he serves. The Empire was no home for my people, so I did what was necessary for us to at last escape their reach. I knew consequences such as these would catch up to us one day, but I believe them better than the alternative. Bending the knee to the houses that deserve so little yet has taken everything, and yet will take everything if they are not challenged. My kin have hurt no intelligent being since our arrival, and intend to do no harm in the future so long as every other opportunity for a peaceful resolution has been explored to its fullest extent. The only debt we owe to this venture is the water tear of divinity around my neck and the aid to create the craft we used to reach this distant shore, but I consider our past servitude payment enough for the only gifts we have ever received from those we have abandoned. Perhaps, if we survive, we will join with the surface dwellers in the future, but only on our terms. The risk is simply too great to allow otherwise. You may expect me to lie or beg or plead for your aid in our time of need, but I will not give you the pleasure of leaving beings deserving of their punishment in this suffocating darkness. Leave, watch, help, it makes no difference to me. Act as your hearts find fitting for the heartless, for we merdwarves find value only in the mind. There is one favor I would ask of you. The five locusta warriors primes that are in our company, they don't deserve this damnation if our self-imposed isolationism is what you collectively judge us by. Take them with you when you go if that is their desire, bind them securely in a place of safety, and let them free only when it is too late for them to fetch what would prove the salvation of we who stubbornly remain. They are innocent in all of this. As for how we left plan to survive without your grace, you need only watch a little while longer. Should we fail, at least one truth of your address will be proven." Triton spoke, clutching the water tear of divinity and star tear of divinity tightly in each hand. Idly, he bemusedly wondered if the Safe Ones could even see their victims in this chamber through the shadows and ink that consumed them before turning back to the gargantuan oyster.

"You know the only reason I came was at the behest of your fellows who foolishly entrusted their hopeful future in the fearful past. Perhaps this trap of your's is sufficient to claim us as it had many others, yet if it is not, we will leave this place only to return one day to exact justice. Death and destruction is not a promise I will make for the sentencing, for it is surely as foreign to you as we are, but your world will undoubtedly change for better or for worse. I will only ask this once, Safe Ones. Let us free by your choice rather than by our force. We will take the gifts you refused and the bodies you took to preserve your secrecy, delivering them to the closest living relations of their former owners, and in turn spread not a word of your location. Anyone who does so would be brought here to receive whatever penalty you would give them. Despite the certainty of your regrettable refusal, I regardless wish for you to appreciate the sentiment of my offer in hindsight." Triton said.

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

Nicholas shook his head and said "I believe the shield should be left as is for now... lowering or moving it will likely cause great consequences that we will not be able to foresee. But, we have surely solved the mysteries of the new world one by one." He then looked at the Key'ed One of Spire 10 and said "Continue as is and continue to protect the Spire."

---

Caelis' looked at the Tyren Leader. It was clear that he favored taking on the challenge. The Tyren were a proud folk after all who didn't hide from a challenge. His gaze then fell upon the Earth Snake and he replied "Very well, we shall return with our ten champions." He looked over to Orm and said "Tyren Chieftain, it appears that we have to figure out who among us will take on this challenge. Between the two of us... five each seems appropriate, so let us go and form a council to further discuss our options."

The small army then began to withdraw. The discussions took some time, but the time proved to be productive. Among the Attolians, the challengers were Caelis, the Sphinx, the Beast Mage, the Bone Mage and the Kindly One... the Dark Sister. That seemed to be an odd choice since the woods were not close to a major source of water. However, they had planned to tap into the power of the Stormforge and to call in clouds and water... after all it would help provide shade for the Olm to take action as well. The plan was relatively simple... they had to subdue the Earth Snake for an hour. It would certainly be a long hour, but the two factions were rather confident that they would come out the victors.

---

News from the Underdark Expedition drew a lot of interest and curiosity, especially among the scholars and mages of the Attolians. Curious as to what these jewels and rocks were, several Attolian mages and experts began their work to study them and see if they were reproducible through magic or crystal singing.

Lothar himself emerged from the Underdark to a curious sight. A tribe of goblins had arrived as colonists, and just in time too. They were running a bit amuk… eating virtually anything in sight. He had to yell at a few young ones in their goblin language “Don’t touch what isn’t yours!” He could see the new goblins causing some chaos… and disdain from some. But personally, he had a soft spot for goblins and orcs. They were like little kids. They just needed some guidance and they could be capable of amazing things.

He told some of the more calm goblins to pass a message along to their Chieftain that if they needed aid in settling around the Colony, then they only had to ask. However, he requested that the goblins avoid stepping on people’s toes as things were already tense as is… the last thing he wanted to see was a skirmish especially between the goblins and the Fennec. Those two sneaky factions fighting would be a headache to deal with as it would likely not be a conventional conflict.

---

Once Caelis returned from the Snake, he called Lothar in to speak privately. The two sat casually and talked to each other.

“And so, you’re going to be snake wrangling with the Tyren?”

“Indeed. Strange the things that happen in this world.”

However, one thing was clear, Lothar was a bit on edge with Caelis’ new appearance… he had changed. For better or for worse… he couldn’t tell yet.

“Anyways, I wanted to talk to you about my plan. Since I am now the interim governor, I am expected to remain in touch with the Empire and provide reports. For this reason, I look to establish a continental delivery company where at least one caravel will leave our ports every week with letters and small packages and come back with letters and packages. It will help establish better communication and hopefully immigration between the continents.”

Lothar nodded along with the idea. It made sense.

“I want you to lead our ventures in the Old World and serve as my representative.”

There was a long pause in the room with neither person saying a word.

“You’re trying to get me to leave the New World, aren’t you.”

“To further serve our interests.”

“You don’t think we’ll survive the Cull?”

“Nonsense. I wouldn’t have invested so much into this venture if I didn’t think we would succeed, but it pays to be cautious. Besides… it’s not like I can go back home now… not like this.” Caelis said as he looked at himself in a nearby mirror.

Another awkward silence filled the room.

“I suppose it’s hard to tell if all these ‘gifts” we have been getting are blessings or curses.” Lothar muttered.

“Take care of the family for me.”

Lothar unhappily grunted in reply.

“I officially grant thee ownership of the Wolff Trading Co. and appoint you as Lieutenant Governor of the Colony. May you represent the Colony’s best interests upon your return to the Capital.”

Lothar stood up and bowed. “May this sword protect you, Caelis.”

Caelis accepted Lothar’s gift and watched as Lothar left.

He turned to his desk and began to write.

---

Standing upon the deck of the caravel, Lothar stood, waiting for the men to finish loading the ship. One of the dock workers approached Lothar and handed him a box.

“What is this?” Lothar inquired.

“Reports and other important documents and items that will help you in the Court of the Empire. Courtesy of Lord Wolff and Sir Fendarvin.” The man replied and curtly walked away back to the port.

“...Sir Fendarvin?” Lothar muttered.

---

“To Mr. Fendarvin,

I hope this letter finds you well. As you are well aware, you have been granted command of all the Housemen in the Colony. This is a rather… odd situation as you are neither royal nor noble. It is hardly fitting for a common person to have command of a Houseman much less an entire squad. For this reason, in addition to your recent contributions in reigning in the Fennec and your new responsibilities, I have decided to bestow upon you Knighthood. Sir Fendarvin, may your new found status and name encourage you to further serve the Colony.

Signed,
Lord Caelis Wolff, interim Governor of the New World Imperial Colony”

---

Orders:

1. The Dream Team to Fight the Snake from the Attolians

Caelis with Bloodscourge, Astral Tear, Bone Tear, Gottendamarung, Hydra Coil Armor w/ vase, Torc of the Horned One and Amulet of Backlash, Sphinx, Beast Mage, Talion the Constructor with Skull Scepter, and the Dark Kindly One

2. Study the samples from the Underdark (Help the Tyren with their tablets too if they want it with scrying)
Metal Mage, Geologist, 1 Astrologer

3. Lift the Shipwreck with Cranes and other machines in the Attolian Naval Arsenal. The Sirens are to attach the cranes to the shipwreck while some of them distract the crab and keep it occupied. Once the cranes are secured, the shipwreck is to be pulled up.
50 Sirens, Shipwright, 2 Engineers, 20 Sea Wolves, 5 Former Thralls

4. Awakening the Nereid
Diplomat, Spellbreaker, Death Mage, 2 Kindly Ones, 20 Knights of the Circle, 30 Kriegan Banner Infantry

5. Work with the Firebeards to mass produce various weapons and industrialize the process: muskets, cannons, siege mortars. (Establish a Weapons Manufacturer to streamline land based weapons production in general.)
2 Architects, Gnome Machinist, Gnome Artificer, 2 Engineers, 20 Skilled Dwarven Workers, 45 Skilled Workers, 69 Unskilled Workers, 200 Exiles, Blast Furnace

6. Speak with the Clockwork soldiers in the Temple that the Fennec opened up
Nicholas, Lady Helysourne, 1 Clockwork Soldier (if I can have an escort from one of the Spires), 10 Halberdiers, 30 Attolian Swarm Infantry, 3 Augmented Stone Constructs

7. Pay Back Colonial Debt Early
Castellan, 10 Wealth

8. Establish a weekly delivery system where caravels leave the port once a week to the Old World and come back with letters.
Lothar, Caravels,

9. Expansion of Attolian Farms to get ready for immigration/winter
100 Skeletons

10. Scrying the Dragon and monster bones
Cassandra, 1 Astrologer

11. Help the Goblins settle
30 Mud Elves

 

[Shireling]

The Stoutmen Prepare
​

Spoiler: Music

Late in the evening, Captain Gardver was admitted into the Chapel under the watchful protection of the Zebani's crystalline soldiers. The old warhorse paced measuredly down the central aisle, placing his hand on the tops of the pews. His strength was failing him in old age combined with infirmity. The doctors had told the old captain that he had taken in a grim miasma and that his life was fading fast. He would be the first of his long and storied family to die abroad, buried in the fertile soil of a land that did not spurn his people's tillage. This was some comfort to him as he approached the nave, therein a kneeling Kearney touched his shoulders in reverence and muttered soft benedictions. The rustling of the soldier's night-robe against his legs caused the reverend to open his eyes and speak.

"What seek you here, noble captain of men?" The voice was tender, not unlike how his father had spoken to him in boyhood. These thoughts were ever with him in his delirium. His eyes red and inflamed by tears and by pressure of the swelling brain upon the skull which his physicians had no skill to heal, Gardver slumped weakly down next to Kearney in the candlelight before the altar, whereupon a tray of sweet herbs was burning in the plate of offering, and bowed his heavy head. The sound of crickets and night-birds outside filtered through the open door mingled with the sweet mist of midnight dew falling.

"I had contented myself to lay down to die, reverend, but my serving-boy tells me that you mean to seek out the Cull?"

Kearney was silent a while. "Yes." He said finally, shortly, tersely.

Silence again, finally, "I seek thy benediction, reverend-father."

Kearney rose wordlessly to his feet. Folding back the sleeves of his robe, he took the ashes from the still burning plate of garlands and pressed them onto his thumb. Then, standing before the kneeling captain he smeared his sallow cheeks with the anointed ashes saying, "These are the prayers of the just, which will accompany you to the realm of the Godhead. Take with you thine good deeds, absolution from your misdeeds I grant, and these alone take you to the seat of Wisdom that you may be judged."

He took some of the yet-unburned leaf in his hand and placed this in Gardver's mouth, "Taste this for the last, the fruit of the good and gentle earth which nourished you in her bosom all the days of your life, and who recalls your flesh to that ground to serve as recompense."

Gardver chewed slowly, tentatively. Kearney bade him rise with his hands, and by now two physicians were at the door of the Chapel to recover him and send him back to his bed. Kearney watched them go from the house of worship. Regaining his previous posture, he began to say his prayers with a heavy heart. "My Lord, Creator of All that Exists," he began, and yet faltered. Leaning forward, he pressed his head to the hard wood floor and began to weep bitterly.

---------

Spoiler: Music

The morning saw the ringing of bells which tolled the hour of death. The days of Edward Gardver were expended, and the people came out dressed in black. Kearney himself dawned the black habit, but could not stay to give the rites of mourning. A small cavalcade of soldiers had gathered, decked in cupric-steel armor that shined like brass instruments in the summer sun. The soldiers sat astride runner-lizards with their hands clapped tightly on the reigns, grieved legs fitted into the stirrups, their darkling heads shaded by the bright morions that marked them men-of-arms. They took the trail west, and came before long to the great tree that served as the home of the Cull. There, they pitched tents, flew banners, and made clear intentions of war. Kearney, going before his men, rode instead to the Capitol where he sought out the Highborn leadership to petition their sorcerers to fashion for them a portal at the base of the great tree by which he could gain entry. He openly declared his intention to scout the enemy (The Cull) before destroying them, and invited all who would accompany him to the war camp of his men. Prince Vaethorion @ the rest

 

[SpiralErrant]

Now this was more like it! To settle their issues face to face, a battle of muscle and willpower! This was something Orm could get behind, something he could feel useful in. The small army that had gathered slinked away and each returned to their homes to gather their wits and their weapons for this trial by combat. In the end it was the Attolians and the Tyren confederation that agreed to face the challenge together, as fighters, mages and giants that could work together best were selected to face their giant for.

Orm collected his freshly enchanted quartz axe from the forge, revelling in the budding storm that hovered around its head. While the shaman raided their cache of magic artifacts and charms. They'd hoarded these things for an occasion long enough, if battling a giant serpent wasn't a fitting occasion to break them out then Orm didn't know what was.

The wooden charms of agility were hung around necks, wrapped around giant fingers and antenna, or given on loan to Caelis and his war party. Every bit of speed would be useful if they wanted to avoid being eaten or crushed. Speaking of crushed, the case of mummified hands was broken open and one of the five was given to each of the champions of the hills to shatter. Their ability to stun beasts may have been handy but it was agreed that the luck they bestowed upon breaking could be more useful in the heat of the fight. Hopefully that charm would last long enough...

All while the storm forge whirred and crackled as they readied it to send out a cloud bold enough to cover the sky and sodden the ground enough to bathe a mermaid.
*****

With all that was happening across the river, and with autumn fast approaching, it looked as if the push into the northern swamps would have to wait even longer. The shepherds of the hills remembered how the rains had picked up and driven those ravenous fish folk into a frenzy and at the very least were determined not to be caught unaware again.

Since the blood-touched were left grumbling about not being chosen to face down the snake in the woods, they contented themselves with leading parties of warriors in ranging patrols of the northern hills. While human mercenaries set up more traditional watch posts to see for any advancing threat, the Tyrenborn rangers kept a quiet watch and manned the gold fletched ballista. Ummush and Emme, the youngest of the new shaman worked their magic alongside the sylvan elves. Walling off the hills would be a mad idea but a combination of tree singing and passion magic could plant brambles and patches of vines that could slow and confound any intruders.
*****

It fell to Shul to take the next shift in taking care of the fallen Pan. He was out his deathly state now, but still fading into a fitful sleep most days.

Shul had always been the interpreter of the caravan in their travels, so it seemed fitting for the smaller bull to go over the recovered plates from the sunken city which had proven the talk of the town. There was even wild talk of sending envoys over on ships like had been done for the Proud-Horns, so they might reach out to the Satyr and Centaur clans.

For now though, Shul had his nose in the plates spread around the ground and the sleeping giant.

"I suppose this is all very strange for you. This whole place is quite frightening when you stop and think about it. Here's something a little familiar for you at least, eh? We've got some tea here, you feeling up to a read and a drink?" Shul cooed over the shivering Pan, as if he were talking to a poorly old friend and not the fallen embodiment of the primordial past of his species. But then Shul had no idea how to talk to one of those.

1] Put together the Tyren half of the challenge dream team! Team and gear includes: Heyitsjiwon 5 agility talismans loaned to Attolian champs.

Storm forge fired up to send cloud cover and downpour over the fighting area.

Spoiler

Orm - Lightning enchanted quartz axe. Elite mithril/goldweave armour. Tattoos of strength and fortitude. Talisman of agility. Broken "Hand of glory" for temporary luck charm.

Deryn - winterborn druid. Talisman of agility. Broken "Hand of glory" for temporary luck charm.

Whippoorwill - Sabre ent. Talisman of agility. Broken "Hand of glory" for temporary luck charm.

Sinana Heavywalker - Tyren earth shaman of the first ring. Talisman of agility. Broken "Hand of glory" for temporary luck charm.

The Great Olm - Giant psychic olm of the menagerie. Talisman of agility. Broken "Hand of glory" for temporary luck charm.

2] Northern defenses set up in preparation for autumn.
2 blood-touched, 20 Tyren warriors. 40 FOR mercs, 5 Tyrenborn. Ummush, Emme, 4 treesingers, 20 Springborn.

3] Shul studies the recovered history plates and tends to the Pan.

 

[General Deth Glitch]

Hearing of the coming confrontation, one that could make or break the colony. Cure or create it greatest enemy. Hearing this he knew he couldn't abandon it. "Aye Lads! Lets make an' effort den?" He said as he marched over with a large group of Dwarvern soldiers and engineers to the Great Tree to face the Cull. "Reet lads. Heed o'er there and set up some temps. Once we have shelter get some earthworks up and some temporary gunnery positions. If all goes well wi' the others we should 'ave some Guns up here incase... well incase the plan don't work. I ain't puttin all me' eggs in one basket like the rest 'o 'em." he said when they arrived in their own spot. soon a temporary housing area was set up for the stout lads. Soldiers and workers were soon bustling about and the start of a dirt ring around the trees could be seen. Passing in amongst the other groups, and building the earthworks to accommodate their inconvenient placing of encampments, they would give curt nods to other colonists as they passed by. Thraikin, the fortifier, was walking about assisted by a couple workers, attempting to plot out where to put different seige weapons, where would the cannons go, where would the mortars sit, as he did this he aproached the various camp leaders to ask them what weaponry they could bring to bear and for various specifications so he could build the earthworks near their camps to accommodate their weapons. If anyone issued an objection to the Dwarves work in building a defensive line against a counter attack, should their plan not fail in part or whole, he just motioned to go take it up with Grimdr and continued with his work.

On the flip side of this Grimdr made sure the majority of his skilled workers would be in the smithery and other places helping the forge weapons as he offered since at least one faction accepted help in this regard. His exceptionally skilled Weapon-smith, Armourer and Toolcrafters (Zvilnder, Fraik, Mrailin in that order) met up with the Attolian engineers to discuss the designs, offer their own input in how they can either improve the designs or reduce the cost to produce without reducing the effectiveness of them so that their own team of Skilled Workers would be able to provide maximum support. As they begin working Grimdr travels from the growing encampment and sits in a little corner in the smithy, sometimes one of his very Skilled workers comes up to give him some information about the weapons as he continues crafting runes for a proportion of the weapons.

Pots, the Skilled Brewer, investigates what it would take to send word back to the old world of the wealth and success of the new Firebeard hold and the safe haven it now acts as.

((Waagh))
Orders
14 Skilled Workers, 19 Skilled Warriors, 2 Deep Rangers and 1 VSkilled worker (Thraikin) Set up reinforced earthworks around the tree, working with other factions to design them as effective as possible for each allying faction to use Rhunk help moving soil and resources around while 4 Giant moles 'tunnel' along the surface to create trenches and supply earth for the ramparts. 2 Skilled workers work with the rest of the Moles to create a tunnel from the Hold to the Dwarvern camp primarily as a point to retreat into if they are overrun

78 Skilled Workers and 3 VSkiled workers (Weaponsmith - Zvilnder, Armourer - Fraik, Toolcrafter - Mrailin) along with Grimdr (VSkilled Runecrafter) work on creating colony weapons with Attolians and anyone else that joins. AND TWO FIRE SALAMANDERS, sorry forgot to add them

1 VSkilled Worker, wants to send a message back

 

[Spacekitty]

Weapons Manufactury
In accordance with the Firebeards General Deth Glitch and the Attolian Lordship Heyitsjiwon the Fennec will help in the mass production of Muskets, Field Artillery (Cannons and Mortars), flashbangs, smokegrenades and grenades, putting the factory to use to pump out the desired equipment enmasse! Upgrades will be made to the Factory if needed to achieve this. Enough muskets to arm all of the Fennec and their allies shall be produced and ample artillery to field an army shall be developed and produced. Shouldnt be hard given the others have this stuff already, just take a little looksy at it!
(20 Skilled Fennec, 34 Unskilled Fennec, 34 Hooded Workers, 10 Unskilled Ratkin, 3 Trolls, 30 Miscreated (To feed supplies to the assembly workers/factory), 1 Capo Sontio to ensure things are whipped into shape!, 1 Master Grand Pretender to oversee Hooded)

Standardization
The weapon parts made by the Fennec factory cannot be done as it has been in the fast, skilled craftsmen making an entire gun by themselves, eahc part tailor=made for the specific gun... how horribly inefficient! What horrendous profit margins! No, there must be standardization! Each part must fit together with any rifle, so that one man may focus on one part, his friend on another and so on, each making hundreds of their specific part in the time it takes a single skilled craftsman to make an entire weapon. These parts may then be pieced together through the series of the assembly line for maximum efficiency, maximum profit... MAXIMUM BOOM!
(1 Capo Fendarvin to oversee Standardization, 1 Capo Metalurgist to help ensure quality, 10 Skilled Fennec, 10 Clean Paws to help in standardization and production)

The Three Musketeers^2
The 9 hitmen have served their purpose well. But they have become redundant for others possess their same skills- and more. Thus they shall be reshaped and repurposed! The age of bows and arrows is leaving us... the age of the musket approaches fast and the Fennec shall embrace their fiery weaponry! The Hitmens skills shall be put to good use, training them to be elite Musketeers, wielding Musket and scimitar! Their underhand x-bows shall be replaced with underhand flintlocks, their cloaks for lightweight chainmail and fancy coats, cute little hats upon their furry heads!
The Hitmen are to be turned into Musketeers, elite flintlock infantry who combine flint and steel. Muskets/Blunderbusts for range and underarm flintlocks and scimitars for closerange combat, protected by wrist guards and light chainmail. They shall still stalk the Fennec's operations as guards, but now they are Musketeers rather than lowly rogues.
(9 Hitmen, 10 Skilled Fennec to develop their Garb and tools/weapons. Muskets and designs taken from the above weapons project)

Medical Procedures
The 9 Musketeers are to undergo medical procedures in conjunction with the joint laboratory. They will be given the traits "Thick Fur" to make their currently soft fur thick, corase and hard to form a natural, nigh weightless armor; "Alarcity" to give them unnatural speed and capabilities and "Skrape Mouth" to make their bite and spit even deadlier than them not brushing their teeth!
(3 Black Surgeons, 5 Witches)

Gathering
20 Unskilled Ratkin would start gathering and preserving the black corn growing in the tunnels below.

TROLLS BREAK TREE
The 7 remaining trolls would be sent to knock down more of the petrified forest forest for amber

 

[Leusis]

Black Foots
​

Irmong grumbled under his breath as he led his people through the The Platz, the attitude and disdain from the Highborn obvious. They were a proud people with an ego larger than the tree to the East. Those who followed Dracos had surprisingly cast blessings upon his kin, likely hoping to convert them in some vain attempt. Irmong was no stranger to these worshipers for they had their place within the Empire long ago, and now was not his first experience with them. Zealots by nature they had their uses, regardless of how few, and Irmong considered them but for only a moment. They had likely already found some preacher to follow here, and if not they'd likely never follow somebody who was clearly not a worshiper of their god.

Receiving a message from one of the older goblins of his Clan that the Attolian leader would like to speak with him Irmong simply told the goblin to return to te man and tell him to come see him wherever his people may settle Heyitsjiwon . Irmong had no time to seek out other leaders, his only goal being to found a new home for his people, for winter was approaching fast. His people were survivors and he knew this, but even a single waisted step could lead to many deaths, something Irmong was not willing to allow just yet.
.........................................................................................

Approaching the ruins that were marked clearly on the map he was given Irmong would go about his instructions. Convening a council of those most important to the clan he spoke. "Rhokaan, Dager." Two large Karlaar raised their heads in unison, looking to their leader with determination and a hint of excitement. "You will both secure the area around any further instructions given, assure you watch the banks of the eastern edge of the river for any movement. We don't know what lives here and I have no intention of relying on others to learn and succeed just yet. We must prove ourselves self sustainable."

"It will be done." Rhokaan spoke as he and his fellow stood and stepped away, gathering the fighting force of the Clan and shouting orders to them, focusing most of their attention on the Laar who were to lead the small groups of Goblin warriors. "Deraan Okaan." Irmong spoke with a gentleness he had not before, for he spoke to the leader of the Channelers, the Wise One, and the shaman who acted as his Mother during his youth. "Work with those of less means to bring forth your works, gauge long and deep into the soil with your magics and create a system of irrigation canals so that our people may begin growing crops for the Winter." The female merely nodded in silence, her visage barely visible behind the intricate jewelry made of ivory and bone that adorned her neck and clothing, rattling with every slight movement. "Tuukan Mac, you will lead our people in the construction of their new homes. They will be made atop the bones of the fallen and inferior settlers before us. Before you begin, scavenge whatever materials or resources you may and use them in your work, and if seen as important, bring it to me. Tolkaar, you will lead our people in the initial planting of our crops, use the boars to your ends, driving plows or carrying what material you need. The Black Foot's will not die, we will grow strong and prove ourselves worthy allies to any who WE deem worthy."

Irmong would proceed to the center of the ruins and begin his own task, the creation of a large totem using whatever materials are at hand. His goal is simple and ritualistic in nature, to create a focus for the innate magical energy for each and every Goblin within the tribe.
..........................................................................................

- 2 Karlaar are to organize a defense of all works done by the non-warrior members of the Clan using every Laar (10) and Warrior (50) available.

- Deraan Okaan is to lead the other 3 channelers is the use of their magics to gauge irrigation canals into the soil from the river to help with the production of produce to be eaten by the Clan.

- Tuukan Mac (Very skilled goblin architect) is to lead 50 unskilled goblins and 20 skilled goblins in the search of materials and resources within the ruins that can be used by the clan and then proceed with the building of a new settlement for the clan directly on top of the ruins.

- Tolkaar (Very skilled goblin farmer/herbalist) is to lead 128 unskilled goblins and 30 skilled goblins in the creation of suitable farming land from the northern most section of the Shadowfields to the Stonewood Bridge. Tolkaar is given 40 boars to help in the task and is ordered to plant whatever is available that grows well with plenty of shade during a large portion of the day.

- Rhokaan gives the order to secure the docks on the river and allows warriors to attempt to catch fish as they watch the opposite shoreline.

-Irmong puts his attention towards the creation of a totem in the center of the soon to be goblin settlement and begins the creation of a totem that functions as a magical focus for the raw energy his people exude. The Tear of Divinity within his position is to be a key piece in its construction.

 

[Beckoncall]

Pat :

The sisters alternatively looked saddened, bemused, and nonplussed. Finally the Pastel one spoke.

"Sinners in Pride, Haughty they are."

The bright one, Awi'qui, spoke again...

"You speak of wicked masters, but do nothing here to curtail their influence. You celebrate your own freedom as the cancer of tyranny consumes your would be brothers and sisters. If you will only join the colony on your own terms -- we bid you find them soon, should you survive your current predicament on your own. As for your allies, preach not to me of innocence of brothers when the wages of following are apparently death. Brothers die for a brother's treachery... which reminds us of other business we must attend to..."

They then vanished in a cloud of bubbles, which in turn collapsed on themselves.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Merdwarves were greeted by the tiny voice once more --

"Leave our treasures and their bearers where they lay, restoring them to 'rightful owners' would only stir interest in this place... that is if you are in fact leaving. If you are not able to leave feel free to pick up everything, and scatter it in a new pattern when you die."

The chamber only grew darker, large smoky tube-worms creeping from tiny cracks in the cave and corals. This was now a place of claustrophobia and death... a trap the merdwarves would have to escape...

 

[Pat]

"You've both had faith in me once. One entrusted me to lead them across an ocean without end to establish a home for our people. The other, to destroy evils once thought too great for mortals to end until our arrival. I now present a choice, a difficult decision that must be unanimous. Worship me as you would a god once I consume these vessels of great magic. The powers they possess, in addition to your belief, may be enough for us to find our way out of this cave, especially if any of these objects we've brought or are cluttered around us would do as sacrifices. If that is found to be futile, or it is the shared opinion of those gathered here we should not waste our time with such things, we will collect what is of use to us in this chamber, and then, breach the sanctuary of the Safe Ones with a blinding torrent, dealing the enemy death in our rightful fury until we or they are left standing. Their bravery and vision alike would be lost to them long enough for us to fell many times our number, and we would do their victims justice at last. Even if we fall in battle, they will not be able to endure another Egg Time, a bittersweet comfort that will follow us to our graves in defeat." Triton said, making a telepathic effort all the while to ensure the difficulty of their eavesdropping on his plan. Once finished with his speech, he presented the water tear of divinity and star tear of divinity in each hand, waiting for the judgement of his peers before he absorbs their energy.

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon :

The study of the gems would have been long and time consuming if the attolians were not already versed in crystal magics and their practical applications. These gems, or rather within them, was the ability to give inert matter -- that of rock or crystal, not just life, but intellect and drive as well. The animus stone, of which there was the least thereof, promised to give sense of purpose to that which was unliving matter... The primordial gems were very very old and seemed to provide raw material for new living stone -- whether as a construction material or a substance to animate into new living beings. Structures infused with primordial harmony gems would grow according to their established symmetries... and the attolians could only guess at what other wonders the gems might hold and the applications therof... "Unnatural instinct" was a trickier substance to study... it seemed it could unlock hidden potential in living creatures, and instill natural drives in that which was unliving as well... Magical substances all, The attolians could only gasp in awe at the "Everyday" substances and elements the mage kings worked and played with...

___________________________________________

The wreck of the ancient Muurdaan ship was recovered -- but barely. Something akin to 60 percent of the wreck remained intact when pulled to the surface, all manner of objects and debris pouring from it as it rose.

That which remained was the hull, not the husk, of a mighty ancient muurdain battleship -- it's solid electrum prow bristling with built-in cannon-hardpoints and it's sides where unbroken were sleek and suggested magnificent and out of style shipsmithing techniques that shamed all but the techniques of the highborn.

If the ship were to be restored it would be a devastating weapon of war for the colony -- were the prow sent home it would be a celebrated artifact or perhaps also returned to service...

____________________________________________

The Nerid vault was colder than ever -- the mermen soldiers and the nerid herself were almost completely obscured in a layer of frost and snow which collected of any captured moisture that came to the bottom of the Nerid vault. It was an intense ritual, but the spellbreaker and the knights of the circle found the wards that kept the ice intact and shattered them...

...what they could not do was free the Nerid herself from the ice. It would be high spring or summer of next year before the vault thawed completely -- excavation could remove individual merman soldiers but the ice-filled vault itself would empty on it's own time...

The Nerid, still in suspended animation did not appear to have an opinion of this turn of events, but it was anticipated that the host, when free, would certainly be surprised...

________________________________

Between the Fennec manufactury, Firebeard expertise, and Attolian will and planning -- the standardization of advanced arms came to be in the colony. Several advanced weapons not only became numerous in the colony, they also became saleable, profitable to manufacture. Cannons and mortars became thoroughly reachable for forces to carry and many units unpracticed in carrying these weapons began to do so in the colony. Even the Tyren and Highborn could appreciate the new standardization of weaponry and experiment with it. Mass production of simpler pistols and rifles also progressively became the norm. (Fennec, Firebeards and Attolains gain +4 influence) Spacekitty General Deth Glitch

(Melee fighters in the colony are now assumed to carry backup blackpowder weapons!)
_________________________________________

The clockwork soldiers of the Fennec temple were very Kurt with all but the automaton that was brought from spire 9:

"Facility in full defense mode to prevent escape. All interlopers to be considered threats to security of facility. Do not approach. Crypt integrity must be maintained, present intruders must be locked down by maximum security measures. All attempting entry are deemed threats. Repeat. Containment and preservation paramount."

___________________________________________

Literally Tireless labor from skeletons was invested in the ever expanding farms of boulder fields. While the severity of the coming winter was yet to be gauged, the Attolians used their artiface to make sure the colony was not caught flat footed again...

___________________________________________

Scrying of the monster bones could only reveal what could have been guessed -- long ago a great war of monsters was had in the mountains. Titanic Gryphons clashed with mighty manticores and Ungodly colossal ravens. Dragons entwined with great serpents, Titans of massive size and various description were thrown against one another in what seemed to be a push of a massive monster army moving west, towards Berytos. If the current condition of Berytos was any indicator -- the monster army was not stopped at the mountains...

____________________________________________

Mud elves grant a bonus to Goblins settling (+1 influence attolians)

 

[Beckoncall]

SpiralErrant :

Distressing news on the swamp border... while direct conflict was not something that was actually occuring -- it was disconcerting that the border patrol force was occasionally spotting fishmen scouts taking close note of Tyren troop locations, composition, and behavior. The tree singers scattered the border with natural defenses -- which were also being monitored.

The faith of the rich were on high alert, while the long vigils did not lend themselves well to the Tyren themselves. The springborn however were excellent counter scouts... they hypothesized the fishmen themselves were working on their own defenses along the border as well.

The blood touched? They were bored out of their minds on patrol... but they knew their orders and did not seek conflict where so far there was none.

_________________________________________________

The attolians came to help with the translation of the elder tiles -- and the Pan instantly flew into a nightmare -- whether he was disturbed by the presence of the attolians themselves, or it was somehow aware of their intent to translate the plates was unclear... but the Pan's "rest" was fitful ever since their visit. Shul ministered to the Pan's apparent fever with some of his own "Medicine" but the pan just tossed and turned, speaking over and over the same words, but in a language both similar and foreign to the Tyren. Shul could only make out one bit --

"A Wolf in Wool" -- that was all he understood... and even then he felt a deeper meaning escaped him... What threat was it they could not yet see? Who was this Wolf that walked among their flock, their folk?"

It was distrubing portent -- which distracted him heavily from his work on the tiles. Very little could he make out, as the tiles were in a combination of four languages -- Satyr, Centaur, Tyren, and Pan... Shul could not help but wonder if the Elves were more equipped to help with this task than he was... but he did his best with his visions and appealing to the spirits around him.

Pan'anni translated "everyone, Free under Pan." and was the name of the old nation. Some of the tiles referred to great works of legend on the part of the Tyren and their cohorts... massive monuments, fantastic discoveries. The Pan had their entire nation a utopia under something called "The Global Enchantments" ... but the rest all made him dizzy.

Shul would need help.

 

[Beckoncall]

General Deth Glitch :

The defenses around the tree were cranked out at amazing speed and tremendous sophistication with the aid of the dwarves. The stouts had a small ring of defenses going -- but it was nothing compared to the network of trenches, bunkers, and earthworks the Firebeards had come to set up. Each section of the radius of the defenses was designed for a different faction to occupy, tailored to their own troops, but usable by all... with an escape tunnel leading into the dwarven vaults below.

...It seemed the Stouts and the firebeards at least were not going to wait for the Cull to simply wake up come spring... but there were plenty in the colony that were fearful that they might accidentally kick off the cull awakening before full preparations could be made...

But preparations WERE made... mortar BATTERIES, cannon emplacements, scads of rifles and pistols. The best arms of all the factions, refined by dwarven hands with the best among them rune-bound to make them extra deadly.

It was impressive... even if it could only be guessed how tough and aggressive the Cull actually were... the defenses might have to be proven in combat...

_____________________________________________________________

Pots the skilled Brewer hopped an attolian Caravel set back to the Old world to tell other dwarves of the success of the firebeards... if the caravel was fast, and Pots was influential as he was known to be, by early autumn a response and maybe more dwarves would be coming to the colony...

...Despite the seeming onset of a war...

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

The Highborn recieved reports of the New Reinen encampment. How imprudent and impotent. The Stouts didn't know their place yet. They were above the Kobolds for sure in terms of standing, but not much higher. They would bare their fangs and wait like good servants.

Yet, the Stouts were part of the Colony whether they liked it or not, so the Highborn would tolerate their crude behavior. The Stouts, however were not part of the Colonial government and the leaders of the Colonial government were the only authority the Highborn recognized besides actual threats and might. The Prince rode off on his Lion Mount to meet with Caelis and Orm. The details of attacking the Cull had been laid out. Once the three decided on what action to take, and this was already for the most part decided and drilled. The Highborn and the leaders of the Colony would bring in the other Members in order of their standing in the Colony. The Fennec and the Firebrand were brought in and the Stouts would be informed as need be. If and only if the Colonial government and the acting Governor Caelis gave the go ahead the Highborn would mobilize and take shelter.

Special Armor from the Mudelves made of bones, went over traditional, lighter armor for their purpose had been distributed to those who were to fight the cull. Proper shelter would be taken above and beyond the Spells needed to protect the Colony. The more habitable areas underground, whether under the Highborn sectors, the Dwarven lairs, the Halfling tunnels, and everywhere that was a suitable hiding place that was secure and able to be protected magically would be used. The details were laid out with the Highborn Tactician, Drill instructors, the Spy Master, Mages, and all the corresponding Colonial factions military minds and mages would lay out the final assault. The time had come near and when the moment was arranged the Highborn would sally out in a force needed to combat the Cull which would be determined by tacticians and military minds. The Prince and his Arch Mage,
Chronomancer, Oenel Syldove ( a Mage specialist with Time, dimensions, portals and the way) would help create the portal needed to scout out and destroy the Cull.

(ooc note: We have spoken about this ad nauseum for 3 years . There are page and pages of discussion, on discord, in messages that RPGnation deleted, in character, ooc and so on. So much research and effort has gone into this that nothing is left to chance. The Highborn and the Colony are taking every precaution and the threat very seriously. I have not looked at ANY recent posts because I will never post if I do, so please fit this in how appropriate and if you have any questions contact me)

The next day the Prince arose and the sun shone beautifully. The Highborn have been very busy beavers. The death of Vaethroian's nemesis and would be assassin removed much of the ominous shadow over the Highborn Prince. Yes, there would be those who want to kill him or other assassins lurking about. He was accustomed to this, but none were as deadly as the foe he faced recently. This reminded me to check off the foe in his intelligence files he kept in small portal in his personal safe. The Highborn language of Intelligence operatives were encoded conventionally and cryptically with spells. The scrolls could be very dangerous if read improperly by the wrong person. Spells that were possible defenses, included blindness, going mute, acid attack in one's face, sleep spell (coma really), death, dismemberment, shock, freeze, fire and so on. Needless, to say, one did not simply pry into Highborn paper work without consequences. The Highborn intelligence network was very sophisticated and ancient. The reports ranged from the mundane to the Highly classified.

The Prince thumbed at the report not long before he somewhat hastily decided to embark on this mission to the Colony. The Prince had been sidetracked by the routine going ons of the Colony and had not been focusing on the directives he was given. After the Cull is defeated he told himself.

In a rare silk bound folder that was greyish, the Prince had this report from a Senior Intelligence operative that had infiltrated the Dark Elves.




“Mhaorathil (Noble Dark Elf Nemesis) had enlisted at some expense "The Red Cathexus" -- one of the most infamous Dark Elf assassins among those powerful and unfortunate enough to hear of her. It is believed that none other than she personally murdered one your sisters, Princess Glydaal and her retinue -- and supposedly swallowed your sister, like a python, in a sorcerous coup-de-grace -- to the horror of those witnesses who survived. “

“The enlistment of the Cathexus to assassinate you is one of the driving points to remove you from the old world conflict until it can be sufficiently de-escalated... however, have no false sense of safety. Since learning of the contract nobody has any illusions. This move was only buying time... maximizing the distance between you and making the task of your would-be assassin more difficult. Remember, your Assassin is not above using agents to fulfill her tasks to slay you and some of them may arrive in the new world. “

Now, the Red Cathexus was dead. A shame, since she was so enjoyable in bed, thought the Prince..




Sitting safely from prying eyes in his well protected, personal vault, that was hidden adjacent to his personal quarters, to his dismay, the Prince's papers had piled up. His desk had notes, reports and in his enchanted folder, intelligence reports. Many many intelligence reports all fit on one magical scroll, that could be delved into through simple commands. The Prince yawned, and sighed. Tempted to call in his Spy Master for a briefing instead to save himself time glossing over the comings of doings of the various colonists factions. The Spy Master would entertain the Prince's request, but gently chide the Prince for not coming to the briefing prepared, so the Prince read a bit...




Caelis and Blood Magic.




Caelis dabbling dangerously in blood magic had moved beyond fancying himself Governor, and now fancies him self an Immortal Pretender said one report, his subjects are indulging in self flagellation, blah blah blah, blood magic. Lord Caelis issued a tepid lukewarm response at the Panthenon to this act the report said. Not convincing enough the report continued. The Prince would talk with Caelis about this matter. The Highborn know the dangers of Blood Magic and have been saying so over and over. The High Elven priests had discussed this for much time and then late into the night they consulted the astronomical and astrological charts to come to a decision. That decision was another exorcism of sorts, a purification of Caelis was needed. High Cleric , Aeravansel Aendryr - specialized in summoning, Angels, Titans, Demons and in purification, banning, .




Mud Elves and Dark Elves, and Blood Magic

The increased use of blood magic was the influence of Dark Elves in the Colony, intelligence reports told him. More assassins may be already here they said. The Dark Elves are manipulating Caelis through Blood Magic potentially and definitely his followers are being manipulated into blood magic by Dark Elves who will use blood magic and Dark magic to weaken the colony and strike at the Highborn Prince. The Prince would bring up blood magic with Caelis and propose banning it's use unless special dispensations are acquired. The Mud Elves and all blood magic must be dealt with.




Order: Prince of Highborn bring up Blood magic with Caelis inform him it's the act of Dark Elves.




Reports continued about a Stock Exchange, a Fennec scam it was reported as, Gambling disguised as trade and business, a Pyramid scam, that targeted the greedy, but could be honorable as long as long as the participants knew it was gambling.

Order: The Prince ordered 5 wealth to be placed as a bet on the market. (like betting on Griffin races)




There were multiple reports on the determined Tyren, the oafish Stouts, the industrious Attolians, the tricky Fennec, Sea Dwarves?, and the Stubborn Firebrand Dwarves and on other matters and individuals. The Prince glanced a bit, as he drank his coffee. Yawned. He would call for a briefing after all. This was all very tiresome.




Order: The Highborn extend Investment Company services to outside investors.




The Prince would advance another idea, a central place to invest in businesses without as much as risk . The Highborn investment Capital office be expanded upon, the Highborn already had their own banking system in place. The concept of allowing small investors to invest in larger investments, projects and seeing dividends was appealing to the Highborn.

As hey did sometimes issue something like shares in the form of a contract, and IOUs when it came to family businesses and investments that were abroad. High Elves were honorable, so they always paid their debts. Besides the money, a drop of blood was put on the contract and a spell made over it. Money that was put in would stay in until the business dissolved or until the investors agreed to collectively sell their shares. Contracts sometimes lasted hundred years or longer, often these business ventures stayed in the family and provided wealth. Sometimes business ventures sometimes dissolved after a predetermined time like 500 years. In Elven terms this could be decades or centuries, but for the mortals they would put one year time before one can pull out of an investment. This would be more a stable market than the one the Fennec and Attolians devised. This was not meant to compete with the Attolian Fennec “racquet”, “Money laundering scheme” as it was called among the Highborn. It was a continuation of the Highborn attempt to raise the standard of living of the colonist and to build wealth for his Elves and the Colony at large, not to fleece the naive as the Fennec and Attolians seemed to be doing.




Order:

The Highborn expand their investment model. Allow businesses to incorporate in order to attract investment and development.




Have Assurance!




This matter of insecurity was a concern to the Highborn. The Highborn had their own collective system. It was a Social System. There was a built in safety net in Highborn Society. Families through their taxes recieved many services. Taxation in many cases was voluntary, as was the amount given or asked for. The Highborn recognized that the Government needed money to function. It was a sort of investment. One in return recieved better roads, access to healing guilds, affordable housing and protections against fire, bad weather and premature death. Funds were put aside for such contingencies. Saving was encourage, and investing in Mom and Pop businesses and larger enterprises were also encouraged. The Highborn never had to worry about becoming homeless, or sick, or being unemployed. The High Elf society would not allow it. The Highborn would offer their way of life and that in Elven translated as "Assurance".




Order: Set up “Assurance Office in Highborn Sector, in Market area and in Highborn Villa area adjacent to the Road. Manpower and initial investment is to be advised upon by the Master of Coin. The Master of Coin will be in charge of setting up ALL financial infrastructure for the Highborn and in coordination with the Colonial Bank.




Highborn offer through "Assurance" coverage for those who want to pay additional a periodical fee to protect from fire, weather, sickness and premature death. The Highborn would make a small profit on each policy, but collectively it was expected to benefit others more than make profit. However, it was expected to be popular, especially with the Cull.




Heyitsjiwon

The Prince looked at the pile of the intelligence reports labeled "urgent".




The Attolians, and the Tyren requested for the Highborn Psionist to reach out to the Hive Mind of the Cull and see the Red Mother is the central brain. A good Idea the Prince thought, so he willed it to be. Celeveriel, She was one of the Psionic High Elf twins was an extremely gifted telepath. He would reach out to the Cull, every gently, first sensing around it and then getting a sense for it while under protection. Exonerin, her twin brother was a Clairvoyant with powers of retrocognition. He would try to learn of the history of the cull and to get a look of it in the past in order to bypass its current magical defenses.




Order:

The Prince orders Highborn the Telepath Psionicist to scan the Cull's Hive mind and to so in protective gear from the Cull or whatever methods available for shielding against the Cull. The Psionicist would lightly probe initially, sense the mind first before probing deeply and not too assertively. Exonerin will look into the past and Celeveriel would scan for the hive mind and see if there was a connection to others.

The Psinonicist will deploy first as the rest of the Highborn prep for the main assault.




ALL ABOARD




SpiralErrant

A report on the Tyren found that the Tyren found the new Rail transport to be claustrophobic. The Prince ordered his engineer to make comfortable, luxurious feeling open cars that were suited for the Tyren and ordered for the ride to be cushioned more. Something to take the "shock" needed to be engineered and invented to make carriages, Train cars more comfortable and less bumpy. He ordered the Engineer to take the various races into considerations into his designs. The Trains of the Attolians and Dwarves were also worked on to make non polluting and quieter. The black billowing smoke was offensive to the Highborn acute sense of smell and senses. They would be engineered to not be stinky.




The White Engine was designed with portal use in mind. The metals used, the incantations drawn painstakingly and lovingly all over it's body, chassis, engine, and on every part of the train there was a rune written, spells of protection against horrors, enchantments of direction and saftey, elemental protections against lightning, against cold, heat, and the various elements. The Highborn would not settle for anything less than perfection for an inter-dimensional mode of transport. One cannot take chances with safety. Luxury and comfort were not to be spared either.




Order Engineer ordered to convert cars to be better suited for Tyren and for something to be invented to make Carriages, and transports less bumpy Something to absorb shocks as well.




Engineer, inventor and ten skilled, 30 unskilled.

The Highborn Master of coin goes over the notes of previous agreements regarding banking with the Tyren and Attolian.

BANKING and Commerce done by Master Economist (Master of Coin) Dior Eldar-an expert in economics, trade, balancing the budget and a bit of Alchemy some say.

Other reports were the request for the Highborn to join the Colonial Bank. They already had, they were one of the founders. The Highborn had his Linguist officially remind the Tyren and the Attolians that they three had formed the Colonial bank a year prior and that they THREE were the founding members to make things clear. The Prince had copies of minutes of the Meetings were the Highborn, Attolians and Tyren agreed to this. Now there was a location finally. Part of the original decree was written down

"Executive Colonial Order summary: colonial bank is formed. A very defensible, secure location is to be determined and built up. Discussion as to where wealth should be kept, and what protections to be put into place should ensue. Especially to keep known thieves, unknown thieves and races inherently dishonest from stealing, manipulating or corrupting the banking system."

Noted: "the Attolians, Tyren have verbally agreed to the bank in principle."


The Highborn also make sure their own bank is well established. They will give out loans, help with savings, help its citizens invest and manage investments into the Colony, especially of Highborn investors from abroad. The Insurance company and Exchange will be kept completely separate and with different agendas. The Insurance company was the most conservative. The Banks next were extremely prudent and non speculative. However, the Exchange and investment wing of the Highborn economic wing was willing to take risks and back entrepreneurs, inventors and even non Highborn enterprises. The Highborn main office would be secured in the Highborn quarter, but the Colonial office would be at the Colonial bank building itself. The Highborn send architects, interior designers, and occupy a corner of the building's second story facing the sea and the Highborn quarter.


Promote High Elven Banking in order to represent the Interest of the Highborn at the Colonial Bank.
Have Master of coin set up an office in the Bank building itself to represent Highborn interests.

Research Tears in Mage guild in order to Shrink goods to ship. The Highborn Mages research Miniaturization that would be used to allow for more goods to be shipped via Tears.


Highborn openly discourage blood magic, remind people it's banned, and offer to tutor Caelis and purify him. Prince goes to have heart to heart with Caelis.


Highborn continue their “White Engine” improvements to make them better suited inter dimensional Will use blast furnace technology to improve production of White Engine Cars to make them more durable during inter-dimensional travel.

Highborn Linguist continues translating other Races language into High Elven and Common. Printing this knowledge form their own publishing company called, “Actual Knowledge” publishing.

Highborn bring up the Attolian influence on the practice of blood magic, the Fennec ties to the Dunisian Assassins have allowed for Dark Elves to infiltrate the Colony.

The Highborn find the idea of merging the Colonial army with Gnolls to be revolting, but will however step forth to represent the Colony in trial by combat.
The Highborn do think that pacifying a potential enemy and gaining an ally at this stage in the Colony's development is worthwhile.

The Highborn are curious to know more about the Bitch Queen.

The Highborn suggest locating the Asphodel Blightbloom at the Temple and removing it's influence through nature magic SpiralErrant or other means.


The Highborn purchase 5 “handfuls” of Caravels in order to modify them. They will provide cover for the Highborn explorations in their faster superior vessels. From a distance they will look like Attolian vessels.

The Highborn before Sallying forth call a meeting first of the Heads of the Colonial Government (Orm and Caelis (or Lothar if incapacitated) of the Faction heads to layout the strategy to attack cull.

Chemical Attack
Portal
Spell to Mask Colony While Combating it
Armor to protect fighters against Cull.
Shelters to hide and protect Colony both physically and magically

(this more hostile order below is on verge of going out but is held back). In the meantime 2 influence is spent to counter Stout politics against Highborn

The Prince received a disturbing and insulting report of the New Reiner Leadership attempting to bamboozle the Tyren and weaken the Tyren connection to the colony by forming a rival political faction to undermine the Colonial government. The peasant Village could easily be raised to the ground, but that was imprudent and unjust, thought the Prince. “Fine, let them play their games, and we will play ours.” The Prince said to the Spy Master.



The Highborn seek to both allay the concerns of the “New Reinen “ as Highborn called them, AKA Stouts publicly. However, privately, the Highborn intelligence network is actively undermining the political ambitions of the Stouts in regards to their negative attitudes toward the Highborn and attempt to turn Tyren against the Colony. At the same time the Highborn would favor curry with the Tyren by making their favorite foods and providing them along the road to the Haruntaras. By now the Highborn chefs had an advanced knowledge of the Tyren diet, as they had been providing the Tyren sustenance since the onset of the Colony in the form of Donavan.

Out of the quiet Stout village, Rumors of strange sex acts, bizarre nigh rituals, Priests diddling small children, human sacrifices and unholy acts were coming out of the Stout village. These rumors seem to spread, and by who, no one could say? The Highborn themselves seemed unsure. Perhaps the Fennec? The Attolians? Who was spreading these rumors? Did the Stouts really sacrifice Tyren calves to their Gods? Was it true, that they prayed for Caelis to die? Did the Stouts really make fur coats from Fennec women and children? Why did the Stouts actively mock and make jokes about Dwarven penis size? Enquiring minds wanted to know. Where did these rumors come from?



Order: undermine the Stouts attempt to undermine the Highborn reputation and collapse their political aspirations. Mental suggestion are potentially, used to avoid scrying. Simple minded folk can be told stories by Spy Master in disguise. The Highborn take incredible precautions to maintain secrecy and distance. The Highborn do this enough to weaken the Stouts political position. The Highborn see the Stout elite as manipulating their own people to control their minds and souls and this is repulsive to the Highborn. (note: because of recent events you can put a delay on this order until we can discuss it more in depth) Highborn spend two influence to counter Stouts politics against Highborn interests.

On smaller scales, the Highborn had sophisticated assembly-line production for millennium. When silly mortals think of Elves, they think of Elves tinkering in shops with others elves crafting incredible items. The Elves resented this characterization of Elves, even if there was some truth to this. That was a particular type of Elf. The Skilled worker, not the Career warrior or Mage, but those who designed machinery, cobbled, crafted, build furniture, and created beautiful works of art. The Only thing more insulting was this belief that all Elves lived in trees. The Highborn left the trees epochs ago. The Fennec, besides being a pest, did have some interesting initiatives. The Highborn could not, would not compete to product cheap, mass produced products like the Fennec, but the Highborn would invest in enlarging its production center. The Fennec factory production created a controversy among the Highborn, just as Guns did. The whole industrializing of the Colony could not be ignored or passed up on by the Highborn, nor could any kind of edge in weaponry. The Highborn had been behind the scenes working in Gun technology since the Reinen arrived and even before with the Dwarves. They have been working on their own versions of guns that could be appealing to Highborn warriors and archers.

The Highborn would continue to industrialize in their own manner. The Prince didn't order his Highborn to do so, but persuaded them to. Not all were willing to adapt overnight, but the majority of Highborn had eyes and knew that their ancient ways needed to continue to evolve to remain competitive. The Highborn would organize a more streamlined assembly for high end goods. The less sophisticated goods can be produced using the Fennec factory, but the ones that required greater sophistication would be adapted to a Highborn production and art center using the latest technologies available.

Order: The Highborn lay plans to expand their high end goods production abilities using modern technologies. This is business endeavor. The High standards of Highelves is not to be diminished. Industrialization is good for getting out Highborn products that don't require flourishes quickly like Ceramic heaters, and basic weaponry. Some base items could be massed produced by unskilled labor, and then finished by the skilled and polished by the Artisans. The Highborn come up with their own Branding. High Quality would become synonymous with Highborn.

Order:
The Highborn continue to Advance their gun project they began years ago with the Dwarves.

Order: the Highborn will lay plans, select sight in order to build a place to centralize their Sophisticated quality production center which will be inside a much larger, formidable structure.

Order:
The Highborn continue to explore. To the area that they and the Attolians explored found by the tide. Highborn have permanent encampment. Private orders were given to GM in this regard.


ORDER: UNIFY RAIL On the Condition it can be made to run cleanly without pollution


ORDER: STEAM POWERED VESSELS make universal and spread rail lines throughout. Highborn portal trains will remain on separate line as they are only ones designed for inter-dimensional travel.

Order: Continue building SKELETON OF TEAR WITH ATTOLIANS



(ooc: Note, I plan to revisit and finish it and edit. Please hold off on two things before I get more info. The counter intelligence against Stouts, and the building of the massive complex/Fortress (I need more info). I can also distribute manpower and officers better, but was unsure of the timing of the Cull Encounter and ran out of steam)

 

[Shireling]

The Hunt Afoot
​

Kearney, while he was in the colony riding back towards the Tree, was accosted by a peasant who threw a rock at him and accused him of being a fiend. From his mount, the preacher drew back and cold-cocked the commoner, who flung himself to the ground in a heap. He rode around the Attolian housing district spreading the alarm that the attack against the Cull was at hand and that the Dwarfs and Stouts were already ready for the fight. He hoped that the humans would rush to aid them, seeing as they were integral to the plan as it stood. Heyitsjiwon

Riding back to the war camp, the banners of the Stouts and Firebeards flew high over the assorted tents. 28 Halberdiers in their gleaming armor were standing at attention in the Stout camp, their 15 trained marksmen stood nearby, and a host of 50 militiamen outfitted with cupric steel cuirasses, pikes, and muskets stood nearby as well, having been called from their day labours to serve. A messenger approached Kearney on a runner lizard, holding a letter.

"The Dwarfs have fortified the area well, and we are still waiting on the mages and the Attolians. My lord, some are irritable about your sudden call to war."

Kearney turned his hand dismissively, "I was called forth by the Godhead to do battle here, I can do no other."

Kearney went forward on his lizard and talked to each of the dwarf captains, making sure that they were well and understood their undertaking. The winds shifted seaward, flapping the flags on their staffs towards the sea and Muurdaan far away across the ocean.

 

[Beckoncall]

Spacekitty

Fennec contributions to advancement of weaponry and standardization are one of the keys to making it possible.

Changes to the hitmen to make them musketeers goes over without a hitch, them taking to their augmentations readily and happily.

The Fennec start gathering truly epic amounts of black corn, only to find there are whole swathes of it that are overrun with rats. The hooded eat these rats unendingly without even putting a dent in populations. Something will need to be done about the massive rat populations spreading in the tunnels beneath the colony before they become a health hazard for everyone and contaminate the black corn crop which is potentially so promising!

The trolls smash the rest of the petrified forest, gaining heaps of amber in the process. For the time being, amber is considered a renewable resource, such is the voluminous amounts the Trolls bring back from the field.

 

[Beckoncall]

Leusis :

The goblin perimeter was secure -- the warriors fell in under the Laar, commanded by their finest warriors.

The Reinen ruins were full of useful materials for building a settlement, especially by goblin standards. Scattered Thatch, flattened walls, the hollowed husks of larger freestanding structures. The Goblins quickly reclaimed the footprints of the old ruins and built houses out out of rough stone and broken wood... quickly securing semi-subterrainian dwellings and storage pits. Moreover, there was plenty of wood, as the old settlement was in fact smashed by the destruction of forest flung here from the other side of the river.

As a lucky find, a treasure coffer from the reinen camp looked over by previous folk seeking to bury the dead was found under a pile of particularly large trees. (Goblins gain 1 wealth!)

The irrigation project, gauged by the channelers was initially successful -- but was doubly so when the Tear of divinity overtook the great totem and from thence poured the clearest and sweetest water the filled the irrigation ditches going out to the river, which mixed and exchanged with the river water brought into shadowfields. The Totem seemed to bring river fish into the irrigation channels from the river as well, where they could easily be caught for food or sown into the earth as fertilizer.

Fishing at the docks was terrific, another side effect of the great water totem... and it was only a matter of a week or two before cramped conditions gave way to enough rockpile houses for the goblins to feel they had some space and storage. The flattened ruin was picked clean, the remains of the finest houses in the settlement cobbled together into a pallisade with a little holdfast and training area for the warriors and the Laar.

With such successful irrigation, the goblins hoped that the autumn season would be long enough to get a good reserve of food going for the winter, exploiting great swathes of shadowfields with roots-vegetables and the heartiest of plants that might survive at least early winter before complete harvest.

Then there was all this talk about "The Cull" -- the goblins expressed that they would stand with the colony when the time came, but nothing would get in the way of their current preparations.

With the extra space, some of the goblins began to feel "Frisky" -- but would not stop working until ordered that their projects were complete.

 

[Beckoncall]

Pat :

Could it be this easy?!

Triton took the two insanely powerful gemstones in his hands and looked to the small assemblage ahead of them. They were willing to worship him as an alternative to dying. He opened himself up just as he opened the power of the tears of divinity, each one diametrically opposed -- energy flowing into trintons hands, his arms... his SOUL.

Like a pawn promoted to Queen, suddenly the very limits of what could be seen, could be pondered... seemed within his grasp. STRONGER... AND STRONGER... AND STRONGER triton felt, as the gems now channeled their power unsolicited. The water around them churned violently just as a growing sphere of air first surrounded them, then swelled past them.

The top of Triton's mind as he felt his amazing ascension was preoccupied with the thought -- could attainment of godhood be so easy? At his fingertips incredible power seemed to dance and drip in motes of unguessable energies. Was this godhood? Was merely absorbing the tears enough, with the merest aid of the belief of a small host of followers enough to give him infinite agency, might beyond imagining, power overwhelming?

....Evidently Not.

Triton's soul burst into flames, igniting the ball of gas that surrounded them, collapsing it with the weight of the roiling waters he enchanted and the entire mass of the ocean around it, pulverizing triton and his host utterly and instantly. The ensuing explosion destroyed both the tears he formerly held, obliterating the cave, the safe ones, and much of the solid matter clinging to the cliff face. Triton's home base's floor, not far enough away to escape the cataclysm -- collapsed in a shattering earthquake, drowning the locustas in falling debris and burying the strolites for all time.

The air and water power created a horrible tempest beneath the waves, uprooting a large chunk of the seaweed forest and pretty much exterminating everything beneath the ocean within hundreds of meters from where the merdwarves ranged. Even from the surface evidence of the devastation was obvious -- the sea turned tan with silt visible from the highborn cliffs and the approach to the colony, and a violent wave of water smashed against the sea-wall that protected the colony's naval interests -- partly washing over it and causing minor damage to a handful of caravels under construction.

God-King Triton's reign was supreme, but fleeting. His rejection of the colony as a whole making his death and the death of his comrades an unanswered footnote in the colony's larger history -- another faction that was sent but never arrived.

Pity also that none would learn of his folly experimenting with the tears of divinity. Surely his tale would have been a cautionary one, and an instance to long remember...