The season changed to autumn and nations found their coffers and food banks restored, while gods powers were recharged as always.
Nations
Aetherial Collective
The Collective sent diplomats to both Saranda and the Grat Shee, hoping to cement further links with these nations. At the same time, their living metal trees came into fruition, bringing new wealth to the small country.
Aurora
In a spurt of building, a new Auroran military base was built in the north of Saranda, complete with a dragon landing strip which could quickly reach any area south of Xule. Meanwhile in Grand Ajivha, the walls of the great city were finally secure enough to confirm it's status as a citadel. Furthermore, navigation research from long ago was finally rolled out to the Auroran navy, ensuring their settlements in the future would be more likely to succeed.
Grat Shee
The Grat Shee's research into rune tech was successful, as was a secret act that the other nations were not aware of, however their research into axes ended in failure when a Grat's head was accidentally cut off and the project had to be abandoned.
Mereton
Mereton's new deep mining techniques were swiftly implemented and brought benefits almost immediately as precious metals were brought to the surface. Their scouts to the south were less successful however and returned with little information of use to the Kingdom.
Raptor States
Unlike Mereton, the scouts of the Raptor States were met with success on both counts, exploring territory both to the north-east of the country and also through the Channel down south. Though separated from the main body of their lands by a long distance, Lot-Vos was nevertheless transformed into the Krakari's first citadel.
Gods
Cyth'raul
Cyth'raul's attempt was valiant but the images in the Auroran's minds became unclear and they weren't sure how to proceed. Another attempt would be needed to cement the idea of the cannon in their minds.
Drya
A small group of mortals of Mereton were blessed with Drya's powers, their eyes turning green and nature itself seeming to do their bidding... to a degree.
Gangari
The Silver Resonators of Animus were formed by Gangari's hand, another part of his plan falling neatly into place.
Sixteen men and women on horseback or in carriage approached the plains of the Grat. Leading them was Justiciar Sarro, a tall man of Ajivhan descent in a green uniform with a bronze star on the back.
Several Grat squads had been out hunting and patrolling when the 16 people had started riding into the plains. While a few sent back scouts to report to the village hidden in the grass more were stalking the people on horses. As they were slowly making their way along and after them a few remembered when they had visited before and what had happened. As they walked their horses along the tall grass one of the squad leaders ran ahead and climbed up on a small pile of stones to sit and wait, seeing the riders a hundred yards off. His bow in his lap without an arrow.
Seeing the Grat, Sarro halted the group and yelled out to it "The Spirit Gangari has sent us to speak to Shaman Kessu." A few of the group subtly readied their weapons as he yelled out. Sarro continuing yelled "We've brought gifts."
Leaning against his knees and looking at the riders Sarte called back to them, motioning them closer. "The shaman of the village will be coming here in a little, Kesar is much deeper in the forest. Lets wait here till our shaman gets here and decides." Calling out to the 11 Grat standing around they all use their claws to cut away at the grass around making 11 pockets in the grass. 4 on each side and 3 behind they just stand there with bows in one hand and an arrow each in the other, but not strung yet.
Unsure of what to think, Sarro rested his hand on his blade and with the other pulled a flask from one of his pockets which he quickly took a swig from. After a few moments he told his group to move closer as the Grat had motioned for them to.
Most of the Grat that had showed themselves slid back into the grass again and disappear. One on each side and Sarte sitting on the rock in front he motions them to dismount, standing and jumping to the ground. "Come on, lets sit and talk while we wait."
At the village the scouts had gotten there and were grabbing some more Grat, the shaman and several who worked with armor and weapons as well. All of them heading back towards where the riders had been stopped about 15 minutes away.
Sarro stretched his arm out slightly and the priests and hunters who hadn't prepared to attack began to dismount taking his action as a signal to do so, while the others stayed alert to the possible threat around them. As the group settled Sarro dismounted and sat down on the ground in front of the Grat. Unsure of what to talk to the creature about he said "What do you wish to know?"
Out from the grass a leather bag flies through the air and lands next to Sarte, which he pulls closer and opens. Pulling dried meat from it and laying it on the edge of the back between them he looks up at the man in front of him. "Well, this is the first time meeting things like you. Mine at least, though i have heard that Kesar has gone to another place to talk to others. Why have you come? What gifts?"
"Among other things we have come to offer a trade of things. Our lands have metals and certain medicines now that Gangari has said could help you that we can harvest and produce in abundance, while there are certain plants and materials in your lands he has told us could help us. With us today we have brought small amounts of these things" he pulled a bronze colored dagger from his belt and placed it on the ground in front of him "such as this. We have also brought a gift from Gangari himself." He reached into a pouch on the leg of his trousers and removed a small red crystalline sphere from it before placing it beside the dagger. "He has told us where to place them but beyond that we're not sure what they do."
Sarte looks at the knife before reaching down and picking it up, testing it on the meat and smiling at how easily its cutting. putting some of the meat in his mouth he offers some to the man while he sets the knife down and pokes very lightly at the red sphere. "Where are we saposed to put them?" Behind Sarte another Grat steps out of the grass and repeats the question. "Yes, where should we plant them?"
This Grat was holding a staff and stayed standing behind sarte, more Grat sliding out of the grass all around the group and many of them walking right up to the people. Some of them pulling the weapons out of their sheaths and looking at them as some of the others start poking and fiddling with the armor on the riders.
Sarro took the offered meat and bit off a piece before answering "We were told that you kept livestock and we were shown where to plant them using our fields as an example. The center of an area in which your livestock's food comes from would be best, either where you harvest for them or they graze." As the Grat approached the group, they stayed as calm as they could and allowed them to act as they were recognizing it as an action of curiosity.
The shaman nods and moves up and sits next to Serta. "My name is Borso, I'm the shaman of the closest village."
Borso grabbed some meat and nibbles on it as he laid the staff next to him and looks past their little group at the Grat fiddling with the weapons and armor, vocalizing at them. Get back, wait till we are done.
The ones who had the weapons gave them back and they all back up to the edge of the grass and keep wathcing. Borso looks at the sitting man.
"They will work better here in the plains than the forest because we use the grass here for them, though its annoying to do so. Is there anything else you wished to talk about?"
Sarte vocalizes at him. "He wants to talk to you or Kesar about trading between us and them."
Borso nods and leans forward.
"Trading huh. What kind of trades?"
One of the priests sitting on a carriage stood and dismounted before opening the interior compartment, he pulled a box from it before walking over to the shaman and Sarro. He placed the box on the ground before moving back slightly. Sarro shifted where he was slightly and opened the box, taking three things from it: A brick of bronze living metal, a nondescript looking book, and a bottle of red colored liquid and placing them where he had placed the dagger and sphere before. "While these aren't all that we have to offer we wished to bring them to you as a gift today. This is a metal which we can produce on a seasonal basis, stronger and lighter than any steel the Aurorans can produce. This book contains assorted teachings of Gangari, but we have brought others with us as well which have other things. This bottle contains a new tonic, that if drunk or poured on wounds has been seen to help with some sickness." He motioned to the group behind him "And some of our mages have come to offer teachings should your people desire. As for what we would desire in return for future exchanges, Gangari has told us of certain plants and materials in your lands which could be of use to us, in particular the bark of some of the trees a group of ours observed."
Borso picks up the metal and looks over it, it not cold against his scaled but warm he sets it down after a few seconds of observation. Grabbing the book he flips through the pages slowly looking at them each for a few pages before putting that down as well. He looks at the man and leans on his knees.
"What kind of tree? i have nothing against making an agreement with you, I'm sure there are things in the forest of teeth that can not be found outside it."
"I'm not exactly sure. There are rumors of the forest whispering and some of our mages are curious about it. One of the men in robes behind me would like to study some of the trees along the border of your forests where they are believed to be."
"They will need to be escorted, even on the edge there are things that will kill you without giving you any warning." Borso gathers the things in front of him and put them together, putting them in a bag and handing them to a Grat who holds it as Borso looks back at the man.
"Well, the forest does talk to itself. The trees talk to one another and to some extent even use each other to grow. It's alive. What are you asking for?"
Sarro smiled "That would be acceptable. As for why, it's an oddity that we would like to understand. We don't know of any other place where they talk the way the soldiers described."
Nodding and nibbling on the meat slowly still Borso waves behind him.
"It is several miles that way. They talk between each other using whispers of the wind. When you can hear trees swaying in the wind and their branches creaking but they is no wind is then they are talking. Though we can not talk to them we know it is alive and even trying to grow and expand."
"Interesting." Sarro took another bite of his meat and one of the priests behind him spoke up "Do you know why they're like that?"
Looking over at the person in the robe Borso talks at him.
"A spirit blessed the forest to become alive, like Gangari has said some others not Grat are alive. This was years and years ago. It has expanded and became many many times more dangerous than it used to be, as well as some of the plants inside it became new and more dangerous in themselves. We have planted some of the more dangerous trees on the plains and its good we stopped you when we did, because ahead is a few that would have killed you before you got to us."
A few of the priests looked at each other but said nothing. Though after a moment of thought Sarro spoke "Thank you for that then. Is there anything else I can tell you?"
Borso shakes his head and stands. picking up his staff and brushing some dirt and fallen grass off of it.
"No, i think right now this is enough. These Grat here will stay with you and escort you while you stay."
"Okay then."
Borso motions a few of the Grat onto the wagon holding more of the spheres and they start moving it away as more come from the grass and stand around.
"These will be your guards and escort while you are here. While no Grat will attack you there are other things here that will if you are not careful."
Borso turns and runs over to the wagon and jumps on the wagon back as it moves away. The Grat driving it having a hard time but still getting it done. After leaving the diplomats behind they make their way miles and miles away to a large mostly flat patch of ground with carved posts sticking 8 feet into the air in large squares. Getting down and watching as the other Grat start pulling out the spheres and go out into the tall grass and digging holes with their claws before planting them and covering them up again. Borso opens the book that they had been given and looks at the instructions in it about how to use these orbs.
When dozens and dozens have been planted he had the rest put evenly into bags and then sent out with squads to the rest of the villages to be planted around and with the animals that each village was keeping or where they ate.
Form a trade treaty between the Grat and the Collective.
Secret action
Implement a researched technology; rune tech
Minor actions
Plant the spheres of animas where the domesticated animals graze or their food is harvested.
The forces of General Fallan slowly melted back into the surrounding forests, the great stone fortress standing alone again on it's mountain. No-one knew exactly how old it was, some said it had been built during the last height of the Ray-Das empire, others by humans who had reportedly lived in the area millennia ago. Halflings patrolled it's walls nervously, recalling the scattered reports from further east of the giant flying beasts the men from the north rode and wondering how their allies held. Due to their isolated position, none realised they were the last pocket of resistance in the entire Kingdom of Ray-Das.
A flash of fire was seen near the base of the fortress. Screams echoed to the top and the guards on the walls drew their bows. It was not clear who the enemy was, as no great force had been seen amassing, but one particularly keen halfling pointed out the single metal figure moving close to the base. It flames were surrounding its form, but what was most noticeable was its lengthy sword seemingly made of fire. Its face was triangular and the whole construct was a sandy bronze. It moved without sound, slicing clean through any scouts who had decided to engage it. Occasional flares emanated from the figure, and the rest of the halflings began to mobilize against it.‏
"Man the gates!" the cries came as the halflings rushed to the east side of the wall where the flaming figure stood. Some rubbed their eyes in disbelief, more Auroran magic? Quickly they gathered together all manner of debris, tools and even boiling oil, which they placed in a heap above the main gate.‏
"Ready!" they shouted to each other as they waited for the figure to come closer.‏
Blood was splattered on her chassis. Her head had a small speck near the left eye. Katalia had not felt this in far too long. "Twenty five years of peace. Twenty five years where my master abandoned me to a life of peace." If her face could express anything, it would be smiling ear to ear. Her eyes stared at those near the top. Those toys would not help them. Katalia easily dodged past a few of the heavier rocks being launched at her.
Raising a finger, the metal being launched a lance of flames at the halflings on the wall. She ripped it to the right and like a razor, shaved off the life from a large portion of the wall. Without a mouth, she spoke. "Ray-Das, today Lysei has decided to end your existence. Come down and accept your end, or suffer a slow burn."
A small battlion of Auroran soldiers followed Katalia, ducking and weaving as the barrage of projectiles whistling past her. They weren't sure how much they would be needed, if at-all, but the General had ordered them to help and so that was what they would do. The men watched in awe as the halflings shouted angrily down at Katalia in reply to her demand.‏
"Fuck you, you stupid whore!"‏
"Come where we can fight you!"
"Slow burn it is." Katalia mumbled as she aimed a rather large fireball at the massive wooden door to the fortress. Those on the walls could see the heat emanating from the ball as all air around it was burned. The ball exploded over the gate, lighting a fire below the Ray Das. Some of the oil also caught fire, and those manning the pots of it were caught in their blazes. Katalia continued to walk forward.
The halflings screamed as they were burned where they stood, those behind them watching in sheer horror. While their attention was firmly fixed on Katalia, none noticed a small group of Krakari half-climbing, half-flying up the walls and into the fortress. With a few quick slit throats, they had entered the dungeons without detection.
"Don't make a sound," Khyber whispered to the others, "Our intelligence is almost certain she's down here somewhere!"
From the opposite side, a squad of Salonian Driders skittered up the walls. They had hand crossbows tipped with their venom, and a vague idea as to where the Queen may be. This operation had to be speedy, so covering both ends separately was the best way to go about this. None of these Driders were young, they moved with calculated steps and quickly dropped the guards nearby, their corpses bound to the ceiling and out of view. The Salonians quietly stepped and scanned for any sign of the Queen.‏
"Psssh!" Khyber hissed as he pointed towards a cell with a long, dainty figure inside. The Krakari approached reverently and tapped on the bars to get her attention. It was a human woman, she stared dully at them.‏
"Hello," she said simply.‏
"Queen Amatia, your Majesty?" one of the Krakari asked.‏
"Yes,"‏
"We have come to rescue you,"‏
"Oh, thank you,"‏
The Queen seemed somewhat dazed by their sudden appearance, nevertheless the Krakari got to work on the bars, slowly sawing through them as fast as they could whilst keeping an eye out for any more guards, or their Salonian allies.‏
A door on the eastern side slowly opened. Before anyone could figure out who was behind it and raise weapons, a single head poked out from the top of the door frame. It saw the Krakari and whispered "Rendezvous secured. Commence exit." The head disappeared from the door frame and about ten or so Salonians poured through the door.
The leader, clearly marked with a green band around her legs scanned the queen, cocked her head and turned the Khyber. "Is the middling alright?"
"I think so," the Krakari shrugged, it wasn't easy to tell with humans. "Let's make a quick exit," he added, the two squads hurriedly making an exit back through the dungeons to the fort on top. There the last remnants of the Ray-Das were variously making their last stand or attempting to flee, finding their paths blocked by spiralling flames.‏
"She promised us gold!" cried one.
"Have mercy!" cried another.
Katalia continued the assault, but her head focused directly on the Halfling who cried out about gold. She sliced the other in half and began to walk towards the warrior, letting the Auroran troops who had followed her begin cleaning up the rest.
Fire surrounded the poor creature from every angle, and Katalia walked through the ring to confront the halfling directly. She spoke in a whizzing voice with a few high pitched clicks, "Who promised you gold?" She was genuinely curious about this, Lysei's hand doubted that a death lament would be false.
"The Zayin!" he spluttered hopelessly, "the Scarred Mother! She said if we took the Queen she would pay us by the boatload... please!"
Katalia stopped for a second and stared. Her face could show no emotion, so the Ray Das simply sat there confused. Eventually, the contract spoke and simply clicked "What's a Zayin?" Before releasing the flame walls. Katalia cut the legs off of the halfling, quickly cauterizing them in order to ensure the creature would live. She wanted that one alive, but obviously she couldn't have it walking away. Katalia created a sword of flames and continued her assault.
"A human... woman," the halfling gasped in pain, "Very... very rich... has lots of... children... who work for her. I saw her gold..." his eyes glazed over, perhaps due to shock or the visions of endless wealth he recalled.
Katalia's voice rang out through the fortress now. She was very clear and concise. "It appears that a new development has arrived. I am accepting four prisoners now, on top of the one I have just taken. If you want to leave this place alive, then submit to my judgement and lay down your weapons." She was actually being honest now, plus in their desperation, she figured this would bring even more chaos to the Ray Das ranks.
There was a clatter as every remaining halfling through down his arms in desperation, pleading and falling over each other to become Katalia's prisoner.
"I swear I won't try to escape Miss!"
"I don't eat much, honest!"
Katalia watched from the tower as the Krakari and Driders escaped from the tower. Her invasion had gone even better than was expected. Truthfully, she figured that the Ray Das would eventually force her to retreat, but this was perfect. The Aurorans around her quickly picked up any weapons nearby and Katalia began to count the amount of Ray Das near her. Far too many to manage. She turned to the leader of the Auroran regiment and said "Captain, what do you think? Who out of this lot should live?" There was a hint of amusement in Katalia's inflections.
"Hm, that one looks like he knows a lot," the Captain grunted, pointing to a bald halfling wearing a golden chain, "that blond one seems pretty eager to live too,"
Katalia chuckled. "Pick the four you think will talk the most. I already have one who is willing to. It appears that there was more to this than a simple kidnapping over a long lost grudge. I want the four survivors brought to me in the next few hours." Katalia hoisted the legless halfling over her shoulders. She could hear the death rattle of the first that the Captain deemed unfit for interrogation behind her. This was going to be fun.
.
Lord Omar, Eagleview Military Base, Saranda
"I figure it's just like another part of Aurora, right?" the dragon rider called back to the elderly Defense Minister, who sat with a thick cloak around him to protect him from the wind.
"Why would you say that?" Tejas Omar asked as he looked down at the newly constructed military base below. It was essentially a wide fortress with long low-lying walls, complete with enough space to land several dragons and stable them too. The buildings were all stone, quarried from local sources nearby.
"Well," the rider said proudly, "The spiders say Lysei gave them Saranda, and Lysei is one of the forms of the Father. Father Matthias said very clearly in the Book of Aurora that his will is for Aurora to one day cover the entire earth, and so how could he set up another nation that isn't Aurora? Doesn't make sense otherwise, you know,"
"I suppose your logic is sound," the Lord chuckled, "Did you think of that yourself?"
"With a bit of help from the battalion priest," the rider admitted as the dragon cruised over the landing strip, crashing down heavily onto it's feet. "After you," he added politely as he helped the elder man down. Omar walked along the strip where he was met by the commander of the base.
"Welcome sir," he saluted, "I trust this is to your liking?"
"It is," Omar replied, "In my day, we couldn't have imaged having a base so far south, nor the beasts that visit it. The operational capacities from here..." he sighed happily, "Before I forget, the Emperor asked me to give you this personally," He reached under his cloak and passed a dossier over to the commander.
"The Padonia plan?" the Commander said aloud, flicking through the first few pages, "Well, at-least it isn't another war and my men could do with something to keep them busy. I'll need reinforcements though. How soon?"
"One month, if nothing else gets in the way," Omar replied quickly, "A third army is in the process of being raised, which will provide enough men to stabilise the halfling lands and secure our newest venture. Can you manage another bunch of recruits here?"
"We'll live," the Commander shrugged, "Now, let me show you the best our cooks here can provide..."
(Major) - Settle territory south of Suda Aurora and Kingdom of Ajivha
(Major) - Settle territory south of Nova Ajivha
(Major) - Raise a third standing army
(Major) - Improve existing technology - Reform military into regiments
(Major) - Implement economic research
THUNK THUNK THUNK as three arrows hit tree different targets spread out over a 100 yard radius, the squad practicing having hit the center of each of the targets within seconds of each other. As the three who had fired smile and lower their bows the other two in the squad practice with their spears and claws, shredding the manikins easily before taking their bows and another two arrows join the other three in more targets.
The five got together in the middle of the practice area and the scout, smaller female who had a smaller bow than the rest, says to the rest. "I heard the shamans and bow makers are trying to give up better and more powerful bows. That would make hunting easier.'
The leader of the squad nods and starts to put his bow away when he draws an arrow and fires into the branches above. A large bird falling through them to the floor he tosses it to one of the other members after collecting his arrow, putting it and his bow away. "We have some more training to do, we need to be faster and better than most. The chief is going to be putting us together with other squads to make a company, where only the best and most accurate hunters get to be in."
The rest of the squad smiles and tears the feathers off the bird and puts the better ones in a small bag one of them is carrying before the meat is ripped apart and given to all of them. as they eat they turn and start making their way out of the area and through a small strip of earth between stabberstrees around the village.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chief Sharo, his private hide.
Sharo looks down at the papers that had been given to him by a messenger and smiles. Grabbing a piece of flat wood and using his claws he scratch's out orders for the shamans and craftsmen on one. On another he scratch's out orders for the squads throughout the nation to under go a tournament of sorts and those who are the best to come to Irontooth for more training in new ways to fight and move.
Train an elite unit; open combat.
Implement a researched technology; barbed hunting arrows
Books began appearing across the lands, first in the small nation of the Aetherial Collective, then in The Raptor States, and finally in The Commonwealth of Aurora with the highest concentration in the Ajivhan province. Though these were the lands in which they would first appear it was likely copies would eventually find their way into the hands of other nations and peoples (*cough*).
The books were odd though, written in an encoded runic script that seemed to shift and change over time. After studying the script for a period of time the book seems to change, the script becoming the primary language of the reader and the exact contents varying based upon the knowledge held by the reader.
It described odd machines filled with water and fire that could among other things function as water wheels do but without the reliance upon a river.
Though most of the text became something that could be understood other parts illustrated arcane devices with little explanation or instruction. Text on those pages remained in the script in which it had came, showing no sign of becoming something to be understood by mortals.
- Teach a technology or system of thought to mortals that will offer significant benefits.
- Steam Power (Engine designs similar to the Watt and Newcomen engines and simple applications of them)
- Distribute to the Collective, the Raptor States, and the Aurorans.
- Action is difficulty 11, with a cost of 4 AP. Total domain bonus applied to the roll is +4.
- Action Pre-rolled.
- Should have 17/21 AP at end of turn.
First Major - Research Dedicated Craftsmen (Wealth Tech), Utilize Nation and Tech bonuses
Second Major - Research Factory System Methodology (Wealth Tech), Utilize Nation and Tech bonuses
Third Major - Implement Silver-root Node Growing (Grow Nodes under current settlement)
Fourth Major - Research Developed Mathematics, Utilize Nation and Tech bonuses
Fifth Major - Research Mechanical Engineering: Clockwork Mechanisms, Utilize Nation and Tech bonuses
The nature goddess sighed, swinging her legs lazily from her perch on top of the monument stone. She was extremely bored, it had been months since the princess had visited and yet no one had returned to visit. Had Hild's words fallen upon deaf ears, or were the mortals of this nation just not interested in worship? Drya did not know, but it was disheartening to say the least. She'd even gone out and bestowed gifts on more of the people, but to no avail it seemed. She sighed again as she watched Nero wander into the clearing and curl up at the monument's base.
"Hello my pet," she murmured with a smile, vines reaching up from the ground and supporting her descent from the stone. Sitting down next to the tiger she scratched behind his ears, rumbling purrs proof of his appreciation.
"I'm thinking of going swimming for a little while Nero. Watch and keep the grove safe for me would you darling?" she instructed. Nero nuzzled her hand in reply, his deep green eyes open and comprehending.
"Thank you my dear," she said, standing up and vanishing in a swirl of lights. The tiger yawned and stretched, before padding back into the trees surrounding the clearing. Drya reappeared somewhere off the coast of Aurora, diving into the depths below.
[hr]
Later that evening, the great tiger paused near the outer edge of the grove. Lights could be seen flickering from a collection of wagons nearby, a mass of men were milling around with axes, torches and swords. A tall, broad-shouldered man strode out from the group and turned to face them, planting the massive greataxe in his hand in the dirt. He wore the skin of a bear as a coat, the upper head and jaw covering his face.
"Men! Tonight is the night we take vengeance for our fallen comrades. Months ago they led a glorious assault on the village that stood here, taking the gold, food and women that were rightfully ours. However, they were then beset upon by foul machinations. Demons attacked, striking down our comrades in a rain of fire and blood, before raising this disgusting monument to their bloodshed! They mock us mortals, rubbing their divine powers in our face!
Pausing in his speech, staring his fellows in the eye before turning and pointing at the grove.
"It is time to show these foul beings that we will not take this abuse lying down! We are men of the river and we are stronger and prouder than any wicked demon can comprehend. Let us do as they would and burn this monstrosity to the ground! Forward!
Shouting thunderously he charged forward, his men following suit. Half of them carried buckets of pitch and oil, the others torches to set it ablaze. Nero obviously could not understand the man's speech, but he understood the threat well enough. With a savage roar he bounded towards the oncoming men, leaping and tearing one's throat out with a snarl. As shouts of alarm rang out he jumped at another, burying his teeth in the man's neck. Delicious lifeblood spurted between his jaws as he ripped his fangs free, growling and spinning to face the men warily lowering weapons in his direction. Dodging around a tentative thrust he swiped the offending man's face with his claws before leaping on to his comrade. This one was lucky though, he managed to get his axe haft between the tiger's jaws prolonging his life for a few seconds. That was all he managed however, the weapon snapped beneath Nero's tremendous jaw strength and another throat was shredded by his long canines.
"Face me foul beast!"
Nero halted at the shout, slowly turning to face its origin. The leader of the band was standing there, greataxe held threateningly. Snarling he stalked forward, before jumping and swiping with a broad paw. The man was deceptively quick though, spinning to the side and swinging a vicious blow with his axe. It caught Nero across the chest, impacting with terrible force. Ribs shattered, the beast stumbled and coughed up a mouthful of blood. Growling weakly he swiped feebly at the man, which was effortlessly parried. Looking upwards, the last thing the tiger would see in his short life was the sight of a giant axe descending towards his skull.
Pulling the axe free from the tiger's corpse, the bandit leader turned to his shellshocked men. "Don't just stand there you peons, get to it!" he roared, grabbing a fallen torch and marching for the grove. As night descended flames flickered up towards the sky, growing into an almighty bonfire.
[hr]
Several Days Later
Drya fell to her knees as she gazed upon the ruin of her home, her most prized creation. It was gone, all gone, wiped off the face of the earth. The monument stone had been toppled and defaced and her beloved Nero, her one true companion, had been brutally murdered defending their home. Tears streamed from her face as yet again, she had to face the loss of her home and family to the jealous actions of man. Dark, viciously spiked vines wriggled and thrust up from the ground around her as black clouds gathered in the sky. Raindrops mingled with her tears as they fell, as if the earth was crying along with her.
The smell of burning metal surrounded Lysei. It had a particular aroma to it, which he rarely ever experienced. He didn?t know why he loved it so much, but the overwhelming power of metal spoke to him. His hammer struck the hot metal. It was a divine make. He was hiding in his own fortress, below Saranda. None would witness, none could hear, but all would witness when he was ready. Lysei had seen them, the mortals were brutalizing each other again. Peace was over, even the Auroran attack on the Ray Das left him feeling a bit sick. It was needed, but his order was needed more. He had to fix it, fix them. Fix them all, and this was the first step. He slammed his hammer down again.
?Citizens of Saranda.? Baselius Agenon began, ?Today we take the first steps toward an Empire beyond time. The Patron Lysei has set our course. We can not sit idle as this world bleeds! When our Patron slew the demon Jashiki, he did not accomplish this by hiding. He did not accomplish this alone, he united the world under a common banner against madness. He united the world to progress and through this, we saw twenty five years of peace. This is now broken.? Agenon was surrounded by his council, War chief Phastus, Spymatron Karra, a Salonian, and Kortence, the great engineer who represented Saranda in the Library of Ajivha until now. They all had come to debate implementation of Agenon?s proposal.
Phastus then stepped beside Agenon and began. ?The Aurorans have set foot in Sarandan land, they now control a portion of our holy land. Barbarians continue to disgrace the gods who let them live. The only answer, is to become strong. There are many ways to accomplish this, but I propose we begin modernization of our own military. We have strengths, let us use them and crush the Middlings who would offend our god!?
?And yet, Phastus, you waste our greatest strength.? Kortence, the Master of Sciences stepped forward. ?I have had great success with my own research into creating addition Matrons. With our own biology, it is entirely likely we could begin?? Kortence coughed a bit before continuing ?bioengineering our own weapons.? There was a grave silence created by the Driders. Kortence was wise, they knew this, and he was smart. He had devised a means to remove their food issues, and had now made an even greater contribution to society. But this was more than what even Naleene was capable of. Phastus turned to Kortence and said ?You speak of dangerous things. Why risk this when we already have greater form than the Middlings??
Kortence looked Phastus in the eyes and said ?I know this, yet we possess within us unlimited potential. I have already begun possible designs?? Kortence began to tug at his own sweater and sighed. ?We are not strong enough to survive on military prowess alone. Saranda must adapt, and this is our best chance. Which is why, as the Drider in charge of all development, I will begin to research modifications on the Matron gene, and how we can further begin to process and bend it to our whims.?
Karra stepped forward, quite a ways skinnier than the other sweater wearing Driders. She was the Mistress of Espionage and came from the Raptor States initially. She heeded Lysei's call and was among those who built Saranda. She had since risen to her position as was natural for one of her biology. She is famous for commanding a large number of other Salonians, each trained within the Raptor States for a majority of their current lives. She spoke softly, but had an air of certainty about her. ?I have traced the last known words of our Patron to lands north of us. There is a man there marked for death. It is unwise for us to do this too often, but I have already set in motion the death of this man. This will be sure to gain us favor with the Patron, and if we can earn his confidence, then not a single Middling will oppose us. Even Maximus bows to the Patron.? Karra skittered off and the Driders slowly began to dissipate from the crowd. Lysei?s hammer could dimly be heard by a few of them.
Lysei:
Create +1 item. +6 flames DC: 15
Saranda:
1-2: Implement Matron and warfare research
3: Begin researching genetic modification of Matrons
4: Secret
5: Secret
Seeing as the Aurorans hadn't quite understand would the deity had attempted to teach them, Cyth'raul tried again. The gap between mortal and divine knowledge was quite big, and this was just another reminder of that. If they needed to know where every part of the damn machinery and every little detail, so be it. Honestly, Cyth'raul expected more of these mortals.
The Collective dedicated a month to research, working on dedicated craftsmen, a new methodology for factories, more developed mathematics and clockwork mechanisms. Further, Silver-root nodes were planted under Collective lands to grow into trees of silver.
Aurora
The spread of Aurora continued, with new settlers making their homes to the south of the Kingdom of Ajivha and it's smaller neighbours Nova Ajivha and Suda Aurora. To protect these lands, more soldiers would be needed and so a third army of Aurora was raised, along with research that organised the Auroran military in a similar fashion to the way the Krakari forces had operated during the Ray-Das war. In other events, long forgotten economic theories from the reign of Kaius were rediscovered and put to good use by the Lord Deputy of the Realm.
Grat Shee
The Grat Shee formed a treaty of trade with the Collective, both hoping to grow their fledging economies. Meanwhile, rune technology and barbed hunting arrows were both implemented, and a new set of elite troops were trained for the Grat army. Additionally, an action carried out in secret was successful.
Mereton
While little of note occurred in the Kingdom of Mereton in the first month of Autumn, the warlord Canute of Rivertribes was found murdered in his bed by unknown assailants. Little clues initially could be found, other than the assassination had hallmarks of the Raptor States techniques.
Saranda
With their defence and future growth in mind, the Driders of Saranda implemented Matron and warfare research and began researching genetic modification of their Matrons. Two more secret actions were carried out, both a success.
Gods
Cyth'raul
Cyth'raul's power was better focused on the second attempt and the minds of the Auroran squad who knelt before her were blessed with instructions on how to build powerful cannons to assist their army, in exchange for the promise of worship.
Gangari
With the gift of knowledge, Gangari gave his followers in Aurora, the Raptor States and the Collective the technology to harness the power of steam and all potential uses that might come with that. The gift was designed in such a way that it could not be given or otherwise taken by any other nation than those three without the consent of all three leaders of the original possessors, however.
Lysei
Lysei attempted to create an item of great power, enough that it would even increase his own. Unfortunately however he was inexperienced at this task and the item melted in his hands, useless.
Chief Sharo hangs off a large branch watching the Grad down below practicing working together as a company, shooting and tracking and fighting. As he watch's another Grat climbs up the tree and looks up at Sharo, calling out to him.
"Chief, more reports are coming in and Kesar wants to ask you some questions about what you have planned."
Sharo sighs and lets go with his hands to stand upside down holding onto the branch with his feet and looks down at the Grat messenger.
"Ya, tell Kesar ill be there in a while i just need to make sure the company is training right."
The messenger nods and Jumps from the tree, grabbing onto a vine yards away and sliding down it as it swings. Watching the messenger leave and staying where he is watching the company train down below.
An hour later Sharo relaxed his feet and his claws let go of the branch above him. Falling through the air and curling up he rights himself and hooks his hands around a vine that changes his angle of decent but not his speed. Flying through the air and sliding down the vine more he watches the ground rush up at him before he lets go and tucks, hitting the ground and rolling along he laughs to himself as he ends up upside down in some bushes. Wiggling and climbing out of the brush he looks himself over and laughs again as he stretches and groan softly.
"Well, that's not something I'm going to be doing again."
Sharo walks into a hollowed out tree just as some of the new barbed arrows were fired, jumping back and cursing at the archers as they wiz past and thud into some hanging meat across the room. Glaring at archers and walking over to the hanging meat he grabs the arrow shaft just where it it sticks out of the meat and gives it a tug. Tugging on it harder and grunting with effort as he pulls on it it barely moves. Looking back at the archers and pushing on the arrow this time it easily slides through the meat and pokes out the back. pushing on it more he watch's the meat around the arrow head get cut up as it push's out. Pulling the whole arrow out he looks over the head of the arrow he whistles softly before walking past the archers with one final glare and dropping the arrow next to Kesar as he scratch's at a wooden slab.
"Impressive, it causes quite a lot of damage when it hits."
Sharo sits across from Kesar and watch's him keep scratching at the wood. He answers Sharo.
"Ya, we found that it kills deer and such quicker because they bleed out inside. We think that with very little changes we can do even more."
Sharo smiles and laughs softly. Grabbing a bow laying on the table in front of him he tests the string and grunts softly at the pull, looking past the bow at Kesar.
"Wow, why are you making bows with such a high pull strength?"
Kesar laughs and tosses a little metal necklace over, a small rune carved into the metal plate on it.
"With this power we can give our people added strength or speed. We just need to find the right ones."
Sharo nods slowly and sets the bow back down. Looking at Kesar levelly and leaning against the table.
"Can you get runes that will help our hunters and others quickly?"
Kesar shakes his head and tosses the slat he had been carving on.
"Not for months, we need to find the exact shape and depth for them. But we will start working on it."
Raise a second army
Implement a researched technology; Improved bows
Research a new technology; Invisibility rune
Research a new technology; axes
Research a new technology; Young mortality(pop research)
The assigned Diplomat of the Aetherial Collective to The Raptor States was a lean Corvan of Ajivhan descent, he wore a green vaguely Ajivhan uniform with a bronze star on its back.
His name was Kavan and he carried an oak box in his hands as he was led into a chamber where he was to discuss national trade amongst perhaps other things.
After he entered the room he bowed to its occupant.
Aeryn returned the courtesy, formally bowing to the the diplomat from the Collective. Around Aeryn were the white guards of the Aquilas but he dismissed them after he had arrived. Aeryn loomed over the man but he hoped that would not affect the meeting.
"Pleasure to finally meet you." Aeryn said. "Forgive me for asking you to meet in such short notice. I had trouble looking for officials to speak in my name so I decided to speak to you myself. So tell me, does the Collective appreciate our weapon shipment? I've heard from our war with the Ray-Das that they work quite well."
"Pleasure to meet you as well and it's no trouble. As for the weapons we appreciate them greatly, I've been told they're one of the few things keeping the cultists at bay." Kavan paused momentarily and continued "How goes the war? I've been told the Aurorans are already forcing fealty oaths but beyond that I haven't heard much."
"The war goes well..." Aeryn gave the vaguest hint of a smile but there was satisfaction in his voice. "It certainly has given our accountants something to do after all this time. Now, to business which is what I assume you are here for. Let me hear your offer."
"Yes, to the point. In our small land we can harvest far more food than our people need and can easily produce more metal than we can use. We are aware both of the appetite of your people and the lack of usable ore in your ground. We would like to open trade between our nations." Kavan placed the box he was carrying upon a nearby table and opened it, he took an ingot of a bronze coloured metal from it and held it out to Aeryn offering it to him. "This is an ore lighter and stronger than anything we know of and it doesn't require refinement, we can offer regular shipments of it alongside preservable foods. In exchange we would like to ask for goods such as your powders and medicines."
Aeryn felt the metal in his hands, weighing it in his palm. Aeryn saw much use in such a light but useful material. He set the piece of ore back down with a question in mind.
"That is extremely helpful for our nation." Aeryn said in admiration. "We are a fragile race and we can't quite carry too much on our backs but with this ore... well things will certainly change. You certainly have my agreement in this exchange of goods for a quick question. How did you come across such an ore?"
"I'm not sure, the letters the messenger brought with the samples of it didn't say anything about its source beyond it being a gift from Gangari."
Aeryn let out an unsatisfied sigh before nodding to the man's proposition.
"As I thought. Anyway, let trade flow between our nations." Aeryn said, dismissing the question as quickly as he had brought it up. "Anything else you would like?"
"There is one thing." Kavan pulled another object from the box, a leather bound book and offered it to Aeryn. "Our messenger found this in his pack when he arrived here and he doesn't remember having it until then. Based on its contents I think it's intended for you."
"Thank you." Aeryn said, inspecting the book before getting up and bowing to the diplomat. "This has been quite a productive meeting. I hope there is more to come."
"Agreed." Kavan said smiling, before bowing.
[hr] Khyber, Ray-Das Lands
With the war an astound success, there was not much left to do in Ray-Das besides collect the spoils of war like the Aurorans promised. Khyber had sent for the Steward to help count just how much the States would be taking in but Khyber also looked to the new army through all the reports he had compiled over the length of the campaign.
Hunched over his table, Khyber was somewhat relived to know that Krakari casualties were relatively low in comparison to the meat-grinder that was the War of the Burning Tides. Still, something had to be done for the wounded that was significantly higher. Some troops would have to return with holes in their wings if they were lucky. He scribbled away at another letter to the Council. They had taken his advice so far so why would they stop now?
The whispers went through his head once more, telling him of a precaution with these newest lands. It would be difficult flying an army all the way from Silverclaw so one had to be formed nearby. Lot-Vos would have to act as a base and a staging point for future struggles but by the way things were going so far, he doubted it yet he did not deny the whispers.
After he was done writing his letters and reading his reports, he pushed himself from his desk and strolled out to the calm night. He sent word for Aerith and for the Krakari that scaled the walls with him when they assaulted the fortress. Those ones were worthy of a new leader and he had one in mind.
(Major)Form trading treaty with the Collective
(Major)Form Second Army in Lot-Vos
(Major)Found Elite unit(scouting)- The White Wings
(Major)Research Advanced medicine
(Major)Research Living Metal
Under the warmth of the midday sun, the Mereton army organised into combat formations, stood to attention. Ahead of them stood the hordes of rebel tribesmen, their scruffy and war-painted body?s a contrast when compared to the disciplined and organised formation of the Mereton forces. The battle that was to come was the climax of a skirmish campaign that taken weeks in an attempt by both commander to position and lure each other to positions of disadvantage. Marshal Deorwine emerged victorious and the rebel forces faced the Mereton army with the Vaelan River at its back and thick forest either side of it. There was nothing left for the rebels to do except fight. The Mereton army numbered 1,000 well trained soldiers and the rebel forces lay somewhere in the bracket of many hundreds. The battle would be large and would determine the coming course of events in the southern territories. If the Mereton army lost, the rebels would have free leeway to raid and pillage in the south until another army could be mustered to defeat them. Marshal Deorwine and his men knew this and all of them were determined to not let this happen.
The Marshal had organised his infantry into an extended horizontal line facing the enemy. The main bulk of the regulars where stationed in the middle with the rest being dispersed on the flanks and being reinforced with the formations of reservists and levy troops. The Calvary was not on the battlefield instead they had been ordered to flank the rebel force through the dense forests which occupied either side of their flanks. This order had been giving several hours and Marshal Deorwine had no idea if they had reached their intended position, only when the battle would begin would he find out. Amongst the Mereton ranks itself very little noise was being made, apart from the odd hushed conversation that young soldiers partake in when placed within a battle line, as a way to ease their nervousness at their unfamiliar surrounds, there was almost silence.
This silence did not originate from the fear or uncertainty which had buried itself within the younger elements of the army. Instead this silence took place due to one factor - eagerness-. The vast majority of the troops that composed the army from regular, reservist to levy were veterans, men who had fought in and remembered the campaigns of their king during the closing stages of the "long war". The horror of the decades long war and the blissful peace that followed it, was a turn of events that all of them enjoyed. Continuous War had been replaced with peace, a peace that allowed these men and their family's too grow and live happy. When they remembered this situation, the men grew angry towards the horde of rebels.
For the vast majority of Mereton troops the ensuring battle would not just be one to defeat their enemy, it would also be one to ensure the survivability of the peace they held dear. As they thought about this their anger towards their enemies grew, silent insults and mutters began to pass through the ranks and as the war-cries and the beaten of shields could be heard from Rebel tribe lines, the men broke their silence and a barrage of jeers and insults were thrown towards the enemy lines.
One Mereton soldier, a middle age reservist complete overtaken with frustration and anger, broke ranks and charged forward into the middle of the ?No man?s land? which had been established between the two armies. With velocity gained he threw his javelin in the air, the weapon sailed forth and struck a rebel tribesman in the shoulder. The rebel fell to the ground in a fit of screaming, blood oozing from his wound. The reservist filled with satisfaction at what he had done ran back and re-joined the ranks, a chorus of cheers and pats on the back meeting him as he returned. The rebels soon responded in kind and amongst them men broke ranks and charged forward, letting loose projectiles as they done so. Other Mereton soldiers done the same and along the lines of opposing armies, men broke ranks and threw whatever they had at one another. Eventually however, discipline was reinforced among both armies and the men simple settled for hurling insults at each other.
A horn was sounded and out from the left flank rode Marshal Deorwine accompanied by his retinue. The old Marshal wearing a suit of chain mail and mounted on a chestnut mare rode down the length of his army. Shields were bashed and battle cries roared as he past formations of men, the spirits lifted to see that their commander was out amongst them and preparing to fight alongside them. The Marshal had a satisfied look on his face as he rode past and expected the ranks of men that stood before him, it pleased him to see his men in high spirits and to be finally able to fight the rebel threat in a straight and honourable battle. Every now and then the Marshal would stop to talk to soldiers he recognised, a short exchange of words and jokes took place and then he would ride on, the man?s spirits raised considerable.
The Marshal was accompanied by two men. On his right rode his standard bearer, a broad shouldered young man in his early twenties dressed in a suit of boiled leather and chain mail. In one hand he held Marshal Deorwine?s' personal banner; a white roaring dragon on a black background and with his free hand in held the reigns of his horse in an attempt to keep balance, the young man obviously more accustomed to walking rather than riding. On the Marshal?s left rode Earl Bjorn, a large hairy river tribesman with a thick neck and bulging muscles which appeared to be barely contained by his chain mail shirt. The earl, who was giving secondary command of the army, rode easily on his mount and now and again passed glances of contempt towards the rebel forces.
?A good sight to see isn't it Bjorn? the Marshal spoke to his second in command turning in his saddle slightly to look upon him ?Finally we have a chance to end this pathetic rebellion in an honourable way, they have nowhere to run but into our spear points, hopefully they?ll see sense and allow us to kill them quickly.?
?One can only hope? the earl responded in his gruff voice ?These fools have casted aside peace for an unattainable and mad dream, I say let?s be done with it an attack, end this quickly if possible?.
The marshal grinned at his subordinates words, ?It shall be so my friend, but first I must speak to the?. With that said Marshal stopped and turned to face the army, realising what their commander was about to do, all eyes turned to him in expectation of what he was about to unfold.
?Men?! Deorwine announced, his authority tone travelling across the battlefield ?Over there stands the rebel army? he continued gesturing to the enemy that lay before them ?they have raided and pillaged their way through our lands for too long, crops have burnt, homes have been destroyed and lives lost to these damn rebels. We?ll all that ends here, watch over the men that stand beside you and fight well, remind these rebels why soldiers of Mereton and among the finest that has ever been and ever will be. For Mereton and Glory?!
?For Mereton and Glory?! The men screamed back at their command as an almost spontaneous wave of shield bashing set amongst the troops. Speech over, the Marshal and in retinue rode back into the lines; they dismounted their horses and took up their predetermined positions. Deorwine along with his standard bearer took up position with the bulk of the regulars in the center, while Earl Bjorn, along a few of his chosen warriors, positioned themselves on the left flank.
?Shield wall?! The Marshal ordered, horns where blown and along the length of the army the men took up the ordered position. The men in the first two ranks overlapped their shields while the rest kept in close order behind the safety of the shields in front. The order to advance was sounded and the army steadily advanced, keeping their pre-determined formation. The rebels too advanced and as the minutes passed, the two armies drew closer and closer together. When the army was within a short distance of the rebels, an order was screamed and projectiles began to be flung from within the lines, javelins, axes and stones flew through the air and battered the advancing line of rebels. Several unfortunate rebels were killed due to their inability to get their shields up in time. The rebel line was stunned and slightly stumbled back due to this pre-emptive barrage. Deorwine seeing this effect, ordered the command to charge and the Mereton army with a tremendous war-cry, crashed headlong into the rebel lines.
The regulars, being the most experienced troops in the army, made the first headway and spurred on by the presence and skill of Marshal Deorwine began to easily cut their way through the center of the rebel army. The poorly armoured rebels could do little to stop the advance of the regulars and soon the center became a scene of much blood shed. On the flanks however the situation was different. Without the large presence of armoured troops on either side, the combat soon descended into nothing more than ramming and brawling match, the men attempt to use their shields and short edged weapons to get an advantage over each other.
The battle raged on and eventually the Mereton center smashed through the rebel lines and began to fold around the flanks which continued to fight on. Upon realisation of what was happening, the rebel flanks buckled, wavered and retreated in full. However, as they done this the Mereton Calvary, with a roar, galloped from the forest and began to cut down the retreating rebels in mass. Spurred on by their victory and the appearance of the Calvary, the Mereton infantry charged after the retreating rebels and began killing any that they could catch.
Groups of rebels managed to escape their fate and swim across the Vaelan River to safety; however the vast majority of rebels were brutally killed and as Marshal Deorwine surveyed the battle field he estimated that the majority of the rebel forces have been crushed. It was a decisive victory and as this realisation dawned on the men they erupted in an explosion of cheers, happy for their victory and their survival. Pleased with the outcome of the battle, Deorwine gave orders for the wounded to be gathered up and returned back to camp; orders were also giving to allow his victories men freedom in taking the spoils of war, something which they enjoyed greatly. The Marshal however decided to return to camp and accompanied by his retinue he left, leaving his troops to their looting.
Several days later
The news of Marshal Deorwine?s victory was met with much praise back in the capital. Although small scale raids continued to take place in some areas of the south, the majority of the rebel threat had been dealt with. For recognition of his victory, the king awarded the Marshal lands in the newly colonised lands of the east but ordered the army to stay in the south to deter any more would be rebels.
The victory in the south however was the only bright spot in an otherwise troubled time. With the defeat and annexation of their nation, refuges from the former kingdom of Ray-Das began to flood into the northern territories, more willing to take their chances in an unknown nation than live under the authority of a puppet state. How to effectively deal with these refugees became a subject of much debate within the elder council and for the time being there didn?t seem to be a universal and united response from the government. Prince Cyneheard finished with his diplomatic mission in Aurora, travelled north with his companions to visit the other nations of the continent. Princess Hild blessed with gifts from the Goddess Drya, continued to experiment with her new found abilities. At the same time rumours of the Goddess Drya spread throughout the country and for the first time more people believing that Drya was the reincarnation of Eostre began to pray to the Goddess for help and protection.
-Research: Advanced smiting techniques
-Research: Dirt roads
-Raise an army
-Scout land south for colonisation
How long had it been since he had used his power in the mountainous homes of the Deep Tribes? It was an unsure question as he wandered invisibly in the shadows of the society, if he was somehow seen the Luug would see him as one of their own, though rather ancient and weak looking.
A little over two decades ago he decided to stop working power openly in their lands, clear rifts in the harmony of the tribes had been formed or deepened by the involvement of any deities. Open work alienating him from those who continued the worship of their creator and in turn increasing the differences between them and those who had decided to follow the paths that he had opened for them. Honestly he could care less if he received worship from them, he hadn't asked for offerings once since his ascension to divinity. All he wanted was to help the mortals, and see them led to better days.
The Deep Tribes had access to exceptional amounts of material and they could feel it in a what seemed to be supernatural way. After watching their mining and forging methods he had some ideas about how to help them. Their fuels were effective but they weren't as efficient as they could be, so after thinking about it he decided to teach them the methods of producing a fuel known to him as Coke, a sort of improved coal that he remembered was mostly smokeless. The second idea that came to him came to him after watching them work their metal, they had more materials then they could work and so they didn't bother mining it until they wanted to use it. While he didn't think it would be good to see them burn through their resources they would likely find the ability to produce better metals en masse useful, and so he decided to teach them how to construct large smelting furnaces utilizing previously unknown methods.
Lacking any qualities that would directly suggest it had come from any of the known gods he hoped that the use of existing Deep Tribes methods and tools alongside entirely new things in the imprintation would lead them to believe that they had been inspired by Therax.
After visualizing the knowledge as he intended, he made a copy of it for each of the tribes and began to cut each of the copies into pieces. Each tribe would receive a copy but each member of the tribe would only receive a piece of the copy. All but a single detail or component would be blurred and distorted requiring tribes to either cooperate with eachother or for entire tribes to work towards putting them together. Realizing that neither of those were likely to work in anything other than the long term he imprinted a half of a copy of both the furnaces and the fuel into the minds of the nascent tribe of Scientists so that it would take less time and still require tribes to work together.
After designing the knowledge and its delivery he decided to make a simple alteration to it. Should his effort crumble a metaphorical thread would tear and it would dissolve into the dreams of the Luug becoming nothing more than at most a shared oddity that would be forgotten over time.
He waited until night had fell upon the lands before releasing the knowledges into the minds of the Deep Tribe.
Rederick's Rest
Fresh blood pumped through the veins of every single man woman and child walking the marshes now. Well not all of them, it was supposed. Most Yish'Tai weren't able to benefit from that particular gift due to majority of them avoiding joining the Tahna.
Fresh blood was what they needed for the coming days with what he was being told. News was that Aurora's army had tripled in size less than a year, other nations were starting to follow their lead as well realizing the inevitability of their constant growth. In less than thirty years they had invaded and conquered two nations. Word was that they had discovered and were now dealing with another group of humans known as the Kingdom of Mereton, who were apparently of the same descent.
Reports had come in that trade agreements had been made with the Grat and the Raptor States, which was good to hear though it would be good to know what happened to the group sent to Saranda. Justiciars were asking to go look for them but that was unneeded. If anything had happened Gangari would have said something.
New ideas from the workshops were coming, while working with the cult one of the workers got the idea to divide them alongside similar lines. Skilled workers could be dedicated to their particular craft to produce a superior work though slower. To compensate for it unskilled workers could be made into groups where each member of a group would produce a single component or do a single job for the group, because each member would be doing a specific job they could learn to excel at a single task and the production would be sped up because each member is only doing a single job during production allowing things to be produced en masse.
As the workers reorganized a technology from old Ajivha was rediscovered. Clockwork works and trinkets were being constructed and the methods behind them taught. Complementing the old mechanisms was a new technology. It was discovered through the reading of the books that Gangari had given them that Steam could be harnessed for use as a source of action, and using the designs found within the books water pumps began to be constructed for use within some of the less stable sections in the marsh in the hope that lessening ground water in some areas would slow deterioration in settled areas.
As the new ideas and systems relating to numbers were standardized thoughts were voiced about the explorations of the numbers, uses in regards to the world. The cults started tracking down and experimenting with old and new ideas in the hope that once they understood the natural world that it could be controlled.
- Teach a technology or system of thought to mortals that will offer significant benefits.
- Two complementary techs equaling one of significant benefits.
- Cold Blast Blast Furnaces (Advanced Smelting) and Coke (Smokeless solid fuel usually produced from coal and usually more efficient than coal).
- Distribute them to the Deep Tribes.
(If this is incorrect, make it just the blast furnace.)
- Action is difficulty 11, with a cost of 4 AP. Total domain bonus applied to the roll is +4.
- Should have 13/21 AP at end of turn.
First Major - Implement Dedicated Craftsmen (Wealth Tech)
Second Major - Implement Factory System Methodology (Wealth Tech)
Third Major - Research Practical Physics, utilize nation and tech bonuses.
Fourth Major - Research Practical Chemistry, utilize nation and tech bonuses.
Fifth Major - Implement Mechanical Engineering: Clockwork Mechanisms
Cyth'raul and Captain Xiad, Southern Obelisk of Accords
There seemed to be a wave of understanding after the second try. Surely it was a sign of mortal ignorance that the deity always had to try and try again when teaching them? Whatever the case, Cyth'raul's voice boomed out of the obelisk, "It is done."
"Thank you, great one," Captain Xiad bowed his ebony forehead, the images in his mind suddenly as clear as if they were laid out as a map before him, "This powder... that must be how the Krakari use their firesticks, it is the same as the one I see them pour into their sticks before battle."
"Correct." Cyth'raul replied, "But simply conjecture. Or are you going somewhere with this, mortal?"
The Captain shrugged his shoulders.
"Not really, it is simply interesting that these... eh, cannons are a larger cousin of the bird's weapons," he smirked, "Much more destructive I assume though,"
"Yes, quite." the Pactforger said, "Then, if that is all, mortal, then say so. I've a mind to wander for a while. Regardless, remember who revealed the secret of the 'firesticks' to you. You know the deal."
"Of course," Xiad replied reverently, "The Army, Navy and Airforce of Aurora shall honour your name every time one of these cannons is fired, I will make sure of that,"
"Good." Cyth'raul beamed as the voice faded away, "Goodbye then, mortal."
Once the deity was definitely gone, the soldiers excitedly made their way back towards Aurora to bring news of the invention they had been given.
.
Emperor Maximus I, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia
Some time later, back in the capital of Nova Verde, crowds had gathered to welcome the return of the Queen. She waved tiredly besides her husband as the crowd chanted praises and songs to greet the returning troops.
"Victory!" "Glory to Aurora!" "Thank the Father for our Emperor!"
"This is your victory!" Maximus cried to the crowd with a broad smile on his face, his speech relay by interepters for those too far away to hear, "Seven hundred years after the death of Turok, our race has finally overcome our oldest enemies. Never again will the halfing threaten our great Commonwealth!"
He was greeted by further cheers. Medals had been awarded to Fallan, Khyber and a handful of others who had been instrumental in the rescue of Amatia, now they stood triumphantly before the assembly. While the Weaver had not made an appearance in Nova Verde, Maximus had had one sent to her too to thank her for her help, wherever she might be.
"Today I come before you to announce two changes to celebrate this. Firstly, I have heard many of your calls for greater freedoms. Therefore a new colony is to be established on the west banks of the Channel, the Free State of Padonia. This province will as autonomous as the Kingdoms of Ajivha or Ray-Das but run by the people for the people, led by a Lord Protector chosen by his peers. I ask you to put as much into this peacetime project as the war we have just left behind, hopefully for good,"
The news had already been leaking out as investors rushed to put their wealth into the new colony on the fertile lands of the west but it was still received with rapturous applause nonetheless.
"Secondly, this is something I've been thinking of doing for a while," he put his hand in Amatia's, "While an Emperor may have many Queens if he so chooses, is it not fitting that he should have one consort who is equal in precedence? I hereby declare Amatia the first Empress of Aurora, to be held for life,"
This was greeted with a more mixed response, the crowd wasn't sure what to make of the new title. A position higher than a queen? But then, an emperor was higher than a mere king and so by and large the innovation was quickly accepted. Maximus waved a final time before disappearing into the palace with his court in tow, feeling more elated than he had for months. A twinge of guilt weighed on his mind, some of the stories the halfling lords had told him about the widows and orphans of his slain enemies he'd rather forget, but he pushed the thoughts away quickly. A small period of temporal suffering was worth peace forever more, right?
~
Back the palace, Maximus sat down for an audience with General Fallan and one of his senior officers. The Captain had brought with him an unusual contraption, what appeared to be a metal tube mounted on wheels.
"What is it?" the Emperor asked with a curious glance.
"We call it a 'cannon', your Majesty," the man bowed, "It is not unlike the firearms of our Krakari allies, just much larger," he held out a dull metal sphere, "These will rip through buildings, ships... almost anything."
"How does it do that?" Maximus wrinkled his forehead.
"Magic powder sire," the Captain nodded authoritatively, "Cyth'raul told us how to produce it, then when lit it explodes and thrusts the ball out at great speed, like what the Krakari use for their arms"
"It's amazing," the Emperor turned to General Fallan, "How soon can these be given to our troops?"
"They're under construction as we speak," the General replied with a smile, "I'd give it two weeks, they'll be mounted on every ship and battlements in the land. It'll revolutionise warfare, that's for sure!"
.
Lord Aldren, Auroran Penal Colony, Albur
The search had taken Aldren several months and across more provinces of Aurora than he could count but finally he was sure this was the right place. The prison officer looked down suspiciously at his signed release warrant from the Emperor himself, but there was no quibble that the Imperial Seal was genuine.
"Yoren Oscen, yer say?" he muttered, "The name sounds familiar, I'll send someone down for the bird,"
Several minutes later a guard returned with a surprised looking Krakari, his feathers long and untamed, his clothes ragged. He fell to his knees before Aldren as his chains were undone.
"Twenty... twenty five years," he said in disbelief. The Lord Seer reached out his hand to help the Krakari to his feet with a smile of satisfaction on his face.
"You're coming home, friend,"
(Major) - Settle the north coast opposite Nova Ajivha
(Major) - Settle the south coast opposite Nova Ajivha
(Major) - Implement cannons
(Major) - Implement regiments
(Major) - Raise fourth standing army
Adjust Auroran worship to 16 for Lysei, 12 for Gangari, 4 for Cyth'raul
The Collective conducted another month of development with the implementation of dedicated craftsmen, clockwork mechanisms and factory system methodology, which would be sure to increase the wealth of the tiny nation. Furthermore, research into practical physics and chemistry was also successfully carried out, albeit with a few unintended explosions along the way.
Aurora
The Emperor's plan was a success and the Free State of Padonia was founded on the western banks of the channel, it's settlers eager for a new beginning in the fertile plains. Meanwhile the military of Aurora was strengthened with a full dossier of reforms, including cannons, proper regiments and a full fourth standing army to safeguard the nation's newest holdings.
Grat Shee
Keen to secure their borders, the Grat Shee raised a second army. Their defences were also strengthened with research into axes, and their future population with the implementation of improved bows and research into methods to reduce infant mortality. Regrettably however their research into invisibility runes failed when their lead researcher mysteriously vanished one day and was never seen again.
Mereton
The Kingdom of Mereton scraped together a second army, bolstering it's defence quickly. Finally their scouts returned from the south with good tidings, which was a relief for the court since fate had not been kind to their other endeavours that month, both their smiting techniques and dirt road research ended in ignomable failure with little of value learned.
Raptor States
The Raptor States formed a second standing army, to be based in Lot-Vos, and an elite unit specialised in scouting: the White Wings. In other developments the Krakari also signed a trade treaty with the Collective and successfully researched living metals, though they were less successful in the area of advanced medicine with the failure of the majority of their field trials.
Gods
Gangari
Gangari taught the conjoined technologies of Cold Blast Furnaces and Coke to the Deep Tribes, though it remained to be seen how useful these developments would be.
Inside a newly constructed amphitheater a crowd of men, women, and children had gathered. Standing proudly infront of the crowd was Rederick upon a podium. After the crowd had settled he began to speak.
"Sons and Daughters of Ajivha. Today marks the beginning of a sacred time. A time of reflection and insight. A time of remembrance and mourning. These past decades have been hard for all of us. This world has been changing and in the process changing us. We all have our scars to show for that, especially us. A wise man once said that by looking within one may find peace within a storm.
Some of you may question why we still carry the ways of old in these strange lands so far from home. Without a past, without the acceptance of our history and the continuation of it we have no future. Without a future there is no hope."
Rederick spread his arms wide.
"Today we begin Mauna. There will be no prayers or sacrifices for Mauna is a time to look within and understand ourselves. If we wish to be whole again this is something we must do on our own."
After Rederick the crowd chanted those old words in unison five times. First in the tongue of the lands and then in the tongue of their ancestors. All knew their purpose, all knew their job, all would be silent.
With the speech over with Rederick walked back to his house as the crowd dispersed, welcoming a time to think.
Grat Shee, north east edge of the forest of teeth.
Chief Sharo stood on the hastily made platform height up in the trees, looking out over the foothills of the mountains beyond. Holding onto the tree next to him to keep himself steady in the wind this high up. Looking down and watching the Grab below as they filter through the trees and start gathering in squads and company's, ready to move out into the hills and mountains beyond.
four Grat make their way up to the platform and stop behind Sharo. One clicking his claws together softly to get his attention they all lower their heads slightly.
"Chief, the squads are ready and we can move out anytime."
The one on the left most said, her bow already in her hand and her tail sliding back and forth in excitement.
Sharo smiles as he stares into the rocks far off.
"Our spy's know what they need to do?"
The one who was second most left nods and leans on his staff as he smiles thinly.
"They know, and are ready to strike the first blows of this new war. Glory to the Grat!"
The other three echo him and Sharo says it under his breath. Stepping up to the edge of the platform and looking out over the edge of the forest he can make out a few score Grat waiting and know that there are hundreds he can not see. Saying to those behind him.
"Crina, Merso. Signal your army's to go. we start now."
Both of the Grat named smile wide showing sharp ripping fangs as they stop forward. Each of them taking an arrow from their quivers and drawing them back they each release at the same time. The arrows flying out and striping the ground just outside the forest there is deathly quiet for a second before a rolling building of roars come from the forest and hundreds of Grat start streaming out into the rocks and beyond.
The four who had come up left even more quickly. Already calling out orders and making sure that the rush is coordinated and orderly as more Grat rush forward. Sharo stands where he is and looks at the mountains, a slow feral smile crossing his face as he says into the wind.
"Glory to the Grat, and death to all who oppose."
Army one attacking upper most left territory of the Luug.
Army two attacking the next territory over from Army one.
"Have you much experience with the Luug Shaman Kesar?"? Maximus asked slowly.
Kesar's head turns to the side and looks at Maximus before turning it right way up.
"Can you describe who that is? We have had contact with some things, but only one other who seemed to be... people."
The last said reluctantly.
"They are living piles of rock, who inhabit the mountains on the west side of the Great Continent," Maximus said bluntly, "They are hostile to outsiders, largely refuse to trade on anything but their own terms and expansionist. Twenty five years ago there was a minor clash between their kind and Aurora but otherwise no real contact. I've never even seen one with my own eyes.
Kesar looks at Maximus for a few long seconds then turns his head back to the group of 5 Grat waiting next to the doors. Talking to them in subvocalization so no one else can hear it.
"Have you heard of living piles of rocks?"
They confer between themselves for a few seconds and the scout says back to Kesar in the same way.
"Sir, there was some talking about to the east moving rocks in the mountains. It was from one of the clans living up against the mountains."
Kesar slowly nods and turns back to Maximus, holding his silence for a few seconds before answering him.
"Living piles of rocks... there is some stories about such to the east of our forest. Living in the mountains. why?"
"It is my belief that these rocks will one day pose a threat to the nations nearby them, which includes yours, mine and the Raptor States, when they run out of empty space to expand into," the Emperor nodded darkly, "There is no need for pre-emptive action at this point, their land is not particularly valuable to surface-dwelling folk such as us anyway. I think it would be prudent however to agree to a mutual defence pact between our peoples in respect to the Deep Tribes, so a threat to either of us by them would be considered a threat to both. My nation already has a defence pact with the Raptor States, meaning we would be triple-protected against any aggression. What would your thoughts be on this?"
Kesar makes a small face and scratchs at the scales on his neck lightly.
"I would be well open for such a thing, if indeed they are those who would turn on others. But... i am not in charge of battle actions of those for protecting our clan. I will take the offer back to our cheif with my advice to accept it but it would be up to him. It.. seperates the leading in case someone is wrong they do not kill the whole clan with their folly."
Kesar turns and orders one of the squad to go out and tell the other squad that had been waiting outside to go back and carry the message about what was going on here. Turning back to Maximus.
"He will know as fast as they can run, but it will take a few days to get there and more to get back."
"Good, there is no hurry," the Emperor smiled, "Now back to more pleasant business,"
.
Emperor Maximus I, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia
Back in the present, the Emperor and his Cabinet had assembled to discuss the hurried note they received from the Grat Shee.
"The Deep Tribes have yet again violated the territory of the Grat Shee," Lord Omar began, "As per the treaty signed in Xule, we are obligated to assist the Grat in their defence,"
"A dragon task force?" Maximus offered, "The people are tired of war, I am hesitant to commit too much,"
"For too long we've stepped around the Deep Tribes," Lord Roland interjected, "We gave them the benefit of the doubt back during the Cytundeb crisis but they are clearly not interested in international cooperation, they are the only nation which has refused any diplomatic links with Aurora, despite our repeated offers. They are a menace to civil society which should be curtailed at the first opportunity,"
There was a general murmur of agreement around the table. Maximus sighed.
"What do you propose instead, Lord Deputy?" he asked.
"Defence Minister," Roland signaled. Omar brought out a large map from under the table and spread it across in-front of the Emperor.
"I call it Operation Trident. We strike in three locations at once, with a central dragon-assisted army securing Cytundeb whilst two other armies are deployed in the north and south coastal regions respectively, wiping away any effective opposition before they have time to react. We then keep pushing west until the Luug have been pacified,"
"Is this not going too far?" Maximus inquired, "Only months after the Ray-Das war, our military is stretched thin as it is,"
"There is more," Prince Hwan the younger, Foreign Minister, added, "We have reports that the Gangari-worshiping minority of Luug have been driven from their lands by Cyth'raul followers, with those remaining forced to convert or put to the sword. It is like something out of the dark days of Octavius' reign. There is a legitimate compassionate justification for the establishment of a Luug province within Aurora, to protect freedom of worship under the Cassian principles."
"Has this been confirmed?" the Emperor asked, to which he was greeted by nods. He sighed again, he only too well remembered the oppression and suffering of religious minorities under his uncle and had no wish to condemn another race to a similar fate. "Fine," he groaned, "Take it to Parliament, if you can get a motion for war through both houses then I'll sign it,"
He stood up from his chair and walked out of the room, sometimes he wished these sorts of decisions didn't always rest on his shoulders. He could pass the buck on to his Cabinet sometimes but the ultimate responsibility to sign an act or not always fell to him.
"Sometimes I think you got off lucky, Kaius," he muttered to himself.
.
General Fallan, off the coast of Cytundeb
A chill wind blew in the General's face as the island of Cytundeb came into view, but today he didn't mind. In the distance he could see rocky shapes moving, but the ships wouldn't need to get much closer to start the operation. The Auroran ships banked suddenly to their right in formation, their newly installed cannons unveiled simultaneously. The figures on the distant shore stayed where they were, unaware of their peril.
"Fire!" General Fallan shouted and at once a hundred cannons fired, smoke billowing around the ships. As it cleared and Cytundeb became visible again, the figures appeared to be in retreat, fleeing in terror as their peers exploded into tiny chunks around them. The Auroran ships approached the deserted shores, their landing gear prepared as dragons swooped overhead, spilling fire down on any remaining resistance.
"It's... beautiful," Captain Xiad murmured from besides the General, "Just like the Pactforger said it would work,"
(Major) - Invade Cytundeb with first standing army and dragon elite units
(Major) - Invade north coastal region with second standing army and drider reinforcements (Driders also deployed in minor roles in first and third battles)
(Major) - Invade south coastal region with third standing army and water vampire elite units
(Major) - Settle land between Padonia and Deep Tribes
(Major) - Build a citadel to be capital of Padonia
The transfer back to Lot-Vos was a sudden one as a messenger arrived shortly after Khyber had inducted and trained the elite unit. What the messenger said brought Khyber back to Lot-Vos as soon as he could, leaving Aerith to watch over the army being transferred back to the Raptor States.
The construction of the new fortifications towered over the remnants of the old but Khyber wasn't concerned with that. He flew tirelessly to the local hall where he saw a face he thought he wouldn't have seen in quite some time. Free from his shackles and looking considerably old was Yoren Oscen. Even at such an old age, Khyber was intimidated by the man and Yoren knew that.
"25 years..." Yoren rasped. "25 years and you still look the same but everything else is new."
"Where have you been?" Khyber asked. "The last I heard of you, Severyn had-"
"Severyn will pay soon enough for sending me to that damned camp and I know where Severyn hides." Yoren pointed out the window and to the ocean. "For years I have been separated from the States but in those years I have figured out where they lay. There was a reason why we had such difficulty finding them and I'm sure you have had difficulty yourself, or have you been quite busy?"
"I have finally crushed Ray-Das with the help of our Auroran allies. Justice has finally been delivered." Khyber looked towards the ocean, where Yoren was pointing and it was towards the Raptor States. "I have a feeling you will ask me to deliver a different kind of justice."
"The rumors of your "whispers" have been unfounded it may seem." Yoren eyed Khyber carefully, pacing around him like a lion despite his old age. "The Pact Forger has been kind to you but fate has not been kind to me. I need your help."
"And what if I refuse? What if I leave an old Krakari to his loathing? Your time is short in this world and I wonder how you will leave it." Khyber said, staring down Yoren.
"An Krakari man knows many things and knows many Krakari. Some of those Krakari have an obligation to that old Krakari that they cannot refuse. The one thing about that guild that not many of its clients know is that obligations can be passed from one to another." Yoren stopped moving. "I have not been completely isolated. Whispers reached me even as I toiled in those camps. They tell me that you still hold power in the armies of the State. The Sacred Band only listen to you. Why not have another power to call upon?"
"If you've been hearing whispers, why did they not free you from your chains?" Khyber curiously asked.
"I was in Aurora. One wrong move and they would have severely ruined our relations with them. Not only that but I need people to know that I am still out of the picture. Most people think of me as good as dead. It needs to be that way." Yoren said, stroking his chin. "You made a good move asking the Aurorans for help but it will not be long before Severyn finds out so we must act before-"
"I still have not agreed to help you and you assume that I will help?" Khyber moved away from Yoren.
"I assume you will help because both of us know what the council truly is. Our Auroran allies grow by the day, expanding their borders. If what you say is true then they will have had most of the lands that the Ray-Das used to occupy. The Raptor States is small but influential. We need to change that."
"We need to change nothing. The only thing we need to do is wipe out Severyn. They already have killed several Krakari and they tried to kill you."
"Tried and failed but you must know where to strike before we actually attack." Yoren said, realizing something in his head. "The order still exists and they only answer to my family but Dehl has yet to even realize their full potential. I will help you take out Severyn. Knowing the council, they will task you in hunting them down. I will expedite that task and you will have the powers of the order, you have my word."
The decision hung in the air, tied by Yoren's prediction with Khyber looking at it like a dog to a bone. Yoren knew the council too well and even his time away from them hasn't changed it. Khyber remembered Yoren before he was taken and when he still a hot-headed child. Yoren had a point and he was right that the council would task him to chasing empty leads. This would change that but also tie him down into his plot. Yet, Khyber saw reason in that plot. He cursed to himself silently before shaking the old Krakari's hand.
"You have a deal." Khyber said.
[hr]
The council, Silverclaw
"If the reports from our scouts to the east are true then an unknown band has attacked the Deep Tribes." Dehl said, reading out the reports. "I remember our trades with them some time ago."
"That is correct but as of late, they have been quite. They might have gone into isolation which hasn't exactly helped them build relations with any of the other nations. But an attack like this is unfounded and barbaric even by Luug standards." Aeryn said to the council. "In the event that our rocky friends do fail to hold back these attackers, we need to expand."
"In any event, we need to expand." Jak said. "Our Auroran allies hold lands and are twice the size of our own nation. It serves in the best interest of our people and coffers if we expand our lands."
"That is true." Aeryn nodded. "Our scouts have come back with good news concerning lands suitable for colonization. Not only that but it will allow us to expand our influence. The people in the southern lands could be a new market for our goods. It will even be easier for us to ship our goods to the Collective."
"Speaking of goods," Jak spoke up. "It will not hurt to send the Aurorans a gift for allowing us to keep some of the spoils from the Ray-Das treasuries. We can also do some research into improving our production of weapons alongside with goods."
"Then it is only fair to send a weapon shipment then." Aeryn said as they all agreed. "Just hope that it does not end up hurting us in the long run."
(Minor)Adjust worship, two more points towards Gangari
(Major)Colonize lands east of states
(Major)Colonize lands south of channel
(Major)Implement explosives, small mechanical parts-Grenades
(Major)Send weapon shipment to Aurora-Krakari muskets, pistols and carbines that are enough for one standing army
(Major)Research factory assembly lines
Jugaan couldn't help but crack a sly smile as she became Supreme. It had been a tumultuous event but in every way it had been a success. Any and all attempts at her life simply failed, leaving a trail of wreckage in her wake, forming a path to the Supreme's domain. However, the mess still had to be cleaned up. Bits of rumble still dotted floors, every piece a reminder of the Golden Ascension. Still, she finally had the power of the Supreme, and more. The Luug drummed her fingers as she reminisced on past events...
"We've found another one!" Her supporters yelled.
Still bearing the scars of Cyth'raul's brand, the Luug charged blindly in his enemies. Even with strong punches and his race's natural might, he couldn't beat the rabid pack wailing on him. Jaw chipped and exhausted, he surrendered. His eyes widened in fear when Jugaan approached. The Golden One towered over the shaking Luug, in his fear he had dropped something.
"Put him with the others." She simply said.
Her troops immediately complied. No one talked about where resistors went when they were caught. Either it was a secret or too terrible to even think about. Jugaan knew, and that was enough. She picked up what the resistor had dropped and bent it in two. A pretty piece of shaped metal, but unless against something such as her.
"Supreme!" A voice broke the veil, it was Wos, "We are being attacked!"
"Oh?" Lugaan said, "And who are foolish enough to attack the Deep Tribes?"
"There are reports of booming weapons, and we are being surrounded." Wos replied.
Just then, something emerged from the shadows. Well, something that should by all rights cower in the shadows like the runt that he was. Lew'Pan's entrance was not welcome.
"What it is?" Jugaan scowled as she turned to the Glass Shifter.
Lew'Pan returned the scowl, "What appears to be a gift from Therax, pieces of a technology embedded in some Luugs' mind. If we could gather them up..."
"Do it. Quickly." The Supreme snapped, "We are at war."
"Of course." Lew'Pan muttered, thankful that the visit was as brief as possible.
Turning to watch Lew'Pan's exit, Wos asked, "And what are we to do of this war?"
Jugaan chuckled, but her hands dug into the armrests of the throne, "We are Luug! Get what remains of the runewrights of the Sliver Tribe on defence, and deploy my Fists! Deploy as much as we can, Luug do not back down!"
"Yes, Supreme." Wos responded as he went off to send the order off.
The Supreme was alone in her den once again, but not for long...
***
Cyth'raul, Southern Obelisk of Accords → Den of the Supreme - 13/21 AP
The familiar voice of Jugaan called out to the Pactforger, "O Cyth'raul, I need your guidance once more."
Following the trail of the prayer back to Highcrag, Cyth'raul appeared before the new Supreme. The deity's question was simple, "What is it, Jugaan?"
"War, war on all sides. A decisive victory is needed, Pactforger." She bowed her head, "Please, assist the Deep Tribes."
The dependency this mortal had on divine intervention was positively delicious. However, Cyth'raul had her life and her nation bent to the deity's service, what more could the Whisper in the Dark take? The world, perhaps? Still, war was so dreary and everyone else seemed to turn on Cyth'raul's little pet. It was only natural to fight back.
"I will, but the price will be high..." Was the Pactforger's reply.
"Name it, then." Jugaan said.
There was nothing but a whisper, but even Jugaan grasped in shock. She nodded, knowing the means would be worth the end. More than worth the end, in fact.
Cyth'raul smiled and went off to perform a little experiment, messing with the world itself.
(Major) Implement Cold Blast Furnaces
(Major) Implement Coke
(Major) Raise an army
(Major) Garrison Cytunteb
(Major) Scout Padonia
(Minor) Deploy Fists of the Supreme near Padonia
(Minor) Golden Ascension "celebrations" -1 Pop, all worship to Cyth'raul
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