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

[Beckoncall]

UPDATE: "The first lower-end excavation"

Spacekitty :

The Troll finally pulled a key piece of petrified vine-root and impacted earth free to make a hole into a void beyond -- they had already burrowed twenty feet into what appeared to be a corridor much wider and taller than even the troll had cleared... once a hole was made, the troll placed both of his massive claws inside the gap and pulled a larger and larger portal into the darkness. The air beyond smelled bitter and slightly acidic. The Troll was unfazed, but his handlers notified to rest of the workers and had word put forward to the capos. The troll, while massive, was a subterranean creature itself and it was impressive the size of the hole it could enter through if it was willing to dislocate it's limbs to pull through. It was assumed that any aperture smaller than it's torso was breachable by a troll -- from the looks of it. It would not be allowed far without getting permission and guidance from the capos, but additional torches were lit and a couple of workers, drawing the shortest straws... found their way into the cavern beyond.

The void beyond the tunnel was huge, and the ground and walls were sticky with mould, slime, and some kind of excrement. All over the floor were the corpses of ants -- red chitinous shells the size of dogs, some intact, some shattered or scattered, but all thoroughly demeated by decomposition or who could guess what else. The bodies of at least 50 ants lie just in the realm of their 30' ring of torchlight.

...and in the deeper darkness something moved... it sounded like both great slithering, in tandem with the strange cadence of a xylophone, if it were made out of or struck with hundreds of reeds...

...The Finecian workers left IMMEDIATELY and sealed began to seal the tunnel, when they suddenly recalled they'd be entombing the troll, who was just standing around in there, gaping stupidly at the cavern with undoubtedly better dark-vision than the Foxfolk had. Not wanting to be punished for forfeiting such a valuable asset, the grizzled thug "Growler" ran back into the darkness and berated the troll to leave the cavern with him.

Without thought, the troll took the instruction literally and scooped up Growler like a porridge-pot and crawled back outside with him. Growler was covered in dirt and the unpleasant odor of the troll by the time he emerged. Having had enough, growler scratched the Troll reflexively, reaching as high as it's thigh -- the wound immediately knitting itself shut.

The Troll stared blankly as it ever did. Hard to imagine what the company did to these things to make them so complacent -- Growler had heard Trolls to be creatures of cunning and anger. This thing was a dope...

Not content to just call themselves safe on their side of the excavation -- the hole was closed and a good 4 feet of dirt was packed back into the tunnel. They'd get instructions on how to proceed...

 

[SpiralErrant]

So things at the mine hadn't gone exactly as Orm had hoped. At least they'd gotten something out of it this time... and no one had come close to death, that was always a blessing as far as that place was concerned. Being a minotaur with little knowledge of metals beyond which were good for killing or hitting things he wasn't sure what to make of this strange blend Shul had brought back with him. Gold mixed with silver sounded rare and plentiful but it wasn't half ugly to look at. He wondered if they would have to separate the two or if it would only be good for some magic like how the elves had used the silver before. After talking to the merchant wagons he managed to get word that this stuff would still be good to use for coins and bars. From what they told him Orm learned that older cities and eastern traders had used this blend of metal in their money for a long time. Something about the mix making it rougher and tougher than simple silver or gold, letting the pieces stand up to the tough task of being passed from hand to hand.

It was good enough for Orm. With their treasury as strapped as it was since the slavers had arrived they needed each bit of coin they could get.

But... it was a world known adage that you had to spend money to make money... and there were those in the caravan that could see where this sort of sturdy shinery could come in handy if they made use of it. The fox folk had come to their hills in the recent days and Orm was loathe to trust them after what they'd pulled on the beach. In fact it had taken some weedling and fancy talking from those they'd sent to get the scarred minotaur not to pick one up and punt them off the hilltop.

It turned out they had come to talk about the runner lizards and trade offers. Orm had growled in their faces that he had little to trade with slavers. They had pleaded that they had released those folk in chains and that it was all their chief's idea and that he had gone mad. People were still making up their minds when it came to these desert foxes... but Orm supposed there was no getting rid of them and if that were the case then it was better to find a way to live with them rather than always keeping an eye open for their passage. He'd had enough of that with the gnolls and this way their town might well profit from it. And with the plan they put together a proper town they would make indeed.

The Blooming Lamb was open for business. Hrun'Taras' first public house! One of the new buildings of stone and quartz with a blooming canopy of the new feeling flowers got its doors swung open and marked with the crudely painted image of a sheep with its fluffy body replaced with a flower's blossom. The foxes had proven happy to trade their booze and could give a steady supply of the stuff not yet available at the platz, at least they would soon. In the meantime the tyren could provide fresh food from around Hrun'Taras done in that fancy Sylvan style. With all the vegedables and dairy they had on hand the meals they had to offer would be a lot less salty than the stuff at Donkeyrats. Though Orm would always have his soft spot for shark ala shark. Woolen bedding for those staying the night and Sylvan sung furniture. And fancy half gold platters and flagons made for better eating than bull iron.

[The Blooming Lamb Tavern opens in Hrun'Taras.
Tyren provide one of their new buildings, goods from grocers and luxuries guild. Menu includes mutton, root vegedable and twin-leaf salad and dairy foods.
Fennecs provide beer and alcoholic beverages from their brewing facilities.

2 Skilled Tyren, 5 springborn help with the setup and decorating of the tavern. 2 Springborn stay on as cooks and servers. Electrum cutlery and dinnerware (negligible effect on supply)
Fennec workforce: 5 Skilled Jewelers to assist in decoration and 2 Skilled Workers to serve as house brew-masters.]

Beyond that the Tyren were still hard at their usual work outside the public eye. The springborn set to planting proper patches of the bushel plants that had proven so popular along the nearby riverbed. If they were going to keep up the supply of lights and jewels then fresh harvests would be needed and no one was willing to constantly risk heading into the swamp. Who in their right mind would.

Meanwhile in the name of the continued cooperation and togetherness that the colony was developing the hillfolk prepared for war! Since they couldn't be paid the coin they'd lost in Anais' escape Orm figured the least he could do was see them better armed. With the Attolians offering up their piston weapons the Faith of the Rich could double their reach and with all the bull iron and silver going around for all to claim they'd be ready for any threat the woods could throw at them. If they ever made it home these lads would be the envy of all their comrades. They'd even get to show it off once the troops from the hills joined in the joint training that the colony was starting.

[1 unit of Electrum is converted into coins for wealth -- Works out to 3 wealth)
Faith of the rich mercs are equipped with piston loaded weapons and bull iron/silver mix
Tyren and mercenary forces join colony joint drill exercises.
2 Skilled Tyren, 10 Springborn, 5 unskilled Tyren plant crops of bushel gems by the river]

 

[Spacekitty]

Spoiler: Orders Summary

1. “Network Marketing Program” expansion is halted on the Finecian’s side. Current “Market Analysts” are kept under tabs and the “Business Insider” is applauded for his success and new position as an executive of his own company! The Finecian’s will continue to provide him with a wide range of “assistance”, “training”, “oversight” and keeping the money flowing! The current beers and foods supplied to him will continue, although BONE JEWELRY will no longer be sold, along with jewelry in general. Additionally newly gathered excess will be added to his inventory. A good company is always expanding to new fronts, and so he is ordered to expand to the newly opened market to cut deals and sell goods. New goods are on the way! He and his sales team are to spread the word about the high quality of their sourced brews. “Sweet as a Fox without the bite!” (2 Influence spent) (Exotic Wine, Exotic Beer/ale, “Heavens Aroma”, Muddy Lake Fish, Mushrooms and Water-Plants are being sold. 2 Hitmen, 1 Capo (Andrei))

2. Fishing in Muddy Lake continues. (4 Hitmen, 6 thugs)

3. Finecian’s first joint project is started with the Tyren! SpiralErrant The Finecian will be sending Jewelers and two skilled brewers to help in the design, decoration and running of a new Tavern! The Finecians will supply brews and some food and leave behind the two skilled rewers to help run the shop! (7 Skilled workers. 2 to remain after project completion)

4. Study of automaton parts is put on hold due to lack of available experts.

5. Excavation of Arena/Pyramid continues. Total excavation of all layers only. Forgo decorating until complete structure and all rooms are revealed. Focus is uncovering the Ruins. (2 Trolls, 12 Skilled workers, 14 thugs, 2 capo)

6. Expansion of farm is over. Farm is now maintained until crops can be harvested. (1 troll, 5 Skilled workers, 5 thugs, 1 capo)

7. Teams lead formerly lead by the master biologist are sent back out into the forest with a troll escort to tap trees, search for honey, and collect native fauna to study their possibility as a food source, medicine, drug or other uses. (1 Troll, 5 Skilled workers, 5 thugs)

8. Lead Biologist and his assistant are sent back out into the field to further study the Runners. He is to follow the herds as they travel, studying their behaviors, pack structures, movements, diet, reproduction (where are the males? Maybe they are one singular gender and reproduce via non traditional means). It will be an extensive study to fill in the gaps in their knowledge and prepare for a mission to capture/tame some. This is a precursor to a future joint project with the Tyren and possibly Highborn. (1 Capo, 1 troll, 1 Skilled worker)

9. Production of slime mold, Brewing of "Heavens Aroma" and exotic alcohols, to meet demand of Business Insider and new joint Tavern. Directed by Master Brewer (10 skilled workers, 1 Capo)

Jus’ a lil’ bit of Samplin’
A flurry of birds exploded from the green canopies as a high pitched squeal broke through the silence that veiled the forests around Muddy Lake, echoing across the water to the opposing Colonial and Finecian forces across it. The Fennecs would give the disturbance little notice, one of their large sensitive ears twitching and rotating to face it’s source as they continued their work. The Highborn and Attolians would perhaps glance towards the direction of the source curiously, but seeing nothing more, turn their attention back to whatever tasks they had been doing before, waving it off as one of the Fennecs perhaps (and hopefully) having been gored by an Alpha Runner or something of the sorts. They were only half wrong.

Deep within the westernmost forest surrounding the Finecian side of the lake, Whisk, a rather excitable cream colored fox, was scampering up a large pine tree like a squirrel, circling the trunk and leaping from needle covered branch to branch.

“One of the Lizards things’ is commin’ right for us!” He squealed from halfway up the thin trunk, pointing down at something hidden to the view of his comrades on the ground.

Duanty, another excitable Fennec, albeit it in the opposite manner, looked towards the direction his friend was pointing, squinting as if to activate x-ray vision and peer through the underbrush. He moved his head up and down, side to side as if to get a better angle. Giving the area a quick sniff, his whiskered muzzle flaring rapidly up and down with each sniff, he rotated his ears to face directly in front, the left of which giving an odd twitch. After a moment of doing this, he relaxed.

“I ain’t see, smell or hear nut’in Whisk. Gecht yourself down from there and help us gather the stuff Bossman wants.” He replied in a heavily slurred drawl as he went back to plucking mushrooms and other plants from off the forest floor.

“No, no! It’s commin!” Whisk shrieked back before scrambling to hide himself on the opposite side of the tree trunk. Shaking with fright, he slowly peered his furry little head around the curvature tentatively, ducking back quickly after “seeing” the Runner.

“Bah!” Daunty scoffed, shaking his head and beginning to make his way to the brush. “Yur mistakin’ a rock for a Lizard again Whisk”.

Suddenly, the bush just in front of him shook, and a wet, crunching noise could be heard coming from it, as if someone- or something was chewing on a fresh piece of meat.

“IT'S ALREADY EATEN ONE OF US!” Whisk cried, clambering up to the tippy top of the tree. “RUN! EVERY FOX FOR THEMSELVES! SAVE YOURSELF DAUNTY!”.

Duanty grumbled, whipping out his knife from his trowsers and clutching it tightly in his right hand. “I’ll be damned if i’m gunna let sum dumb Lizard thing scare me outta the woods again…”. They had been scavenging the forest for several days now, but the presence of aggressive Alpha Runners had kept them from really exploring the forest and finding anything actually useful. Just some boring mushrooms and starchy water plants. Anytime they tried to go near anything exciting there was always a herd of Runners there to chase them off. Daunty was sick of it. He was going to take care of the problem himself, getting gored be damned.

He approached the bush slowly, holding his knife out in front of him and taking slow, calculated steps towards the bush, sticking one foot after the other as far out in front of him as his little legs could reach. Eyeing the bush nervously, he leaned backwards in an attempt to maintain some sort of distance from the bush as he approached just in case it’s inhabitant decided to jump out at him.

When his right foot was planted just in front of it, he paused, slowly leaning forward and reaching out with his free hand to pull back at the tall reeds to expose the creature hidden within. Up above Whisk peered through the upper branches, his black beady glimmering in the darkness. He whimpered and shielding his eye just as Duanty pulled back at the reeds…

Readying his knife to stab at whatever monster lay within, he was surprised when he ripped back the reeds to be met with a fat white fennec crouching within. The fox looked up at Daunty from the delicious red berries it had been munching and staining its furry paws with and let out it’s own high pitched scream, instinctively throwing its snack at Daunty before curling up into a ball and hiding it’s face.

Daunty quickly raised his hands in an attempt to shield himself from the torrent of half eaten berries, just a half second too late a prevent a particularly juicy berry from splattering all over his face.

Daunty groaned and grumbled to himself, wiping the juice from out his eyes, knife still in hand.

“For pete’s sake Muncher. Yur worse than a fox in a henhouse! Stop messin’ around and help get this crap done. Got plans to sleeps at midday you know.”

The stout, almost ball like Fennec untucked his head from his fat folds, red juice staining his muzzle and stared up at Daunty hesitantly for a moment before bursting out into a gluttonous laugh/spasm, rolling around on the ground and pounding his fists as he whooped and hollered.

“Oh oh oh!” He half laughed, half coughed as he gulped down the few berries he still had in his hands. “I thoughts you were a runner or sum baddie or sumthin! Boy am I glad to see yur grumpy face!”. The happy Fennec beamed up at Daunty with a jovial smile, his mouth full of half chewed fruit.

Daunty muttered to himself and looked away, leaving Muncher to wallow in his own filth while he got Whisk down from the tree.

“Eh’ Whisk!” He shouted up the dark trunk to the canopy above. Not hearing a response, he called again. “Hey, Whisk ya’ there? You can come down now. Coast is clear.”

More silence. Cursing to himself he squinted and look for his friend among the dark leaves and branches. Just peeking out from the edge of the tree he could swear he saw the tip of an orange sticking out.

“I see ya! Little bastard.. Get down here! Help me pick up Muncher. I think he’s stuck again!”. Behind him the fatter fox poked his head up.

“I ain’t stuck!” He said as he tried to roll of his back. Grunting, he swayed from side to side, but was unable to pick up any real momentum. Panting from the 30 second burst of activity, he collapsed back down to the ground. “Yeah… I’m stuck” He wheezed. He reached out for a beery that dangled above him. Finding his outstretched arm to be too short and the weight of his fat rolls tiring him out, he resigned to his fate with a sigh.

Hearing yet no response from his friend, Daunty decided to take matters into his own hands, bending over to pick up a rock and tossing it up at Whisk. He heard it make a hollow, soft sound as it impacted a fleshy object. Whisk let a whelp..

“Their attacking us! Retreat!” He shouted as he scrambled around the trunk and branches.

“It’s just me numbnuts.” Daunty shouted back. Whisk paused, looking down at his friend.

“Oh. Where’s the Runner?” He asked, glancing nervously about as if he expected one to appear at any moment.

“Wasn’t no Runner. Just Muncher munching’ on some berries. Now get down here before the others find us messin’ around!”.

Just as he said this, a loud THUMP shook the forest from behind them. Instinctively all three jumped and turned to face the direction of the noise, in time see a tree start falling towards them with a loud crack and a series of earthly moans. The trio yelped and threw themselves to the side, narrowly avoiding being trapped and rushed beneath a needley tomb.

From this hole in the forest, a large shadow cast figure began to emerge. Whisk quickly ran towards the nearest tree, ready to scamper up at a moments notice, Muncher curled up into a ball and Daunty readied his knife, nervously rotating the blade in his hand. The figure was huge, and preceded by a distinctive smell…

It was a troll. Reinforcements had arrived! New figures entered the small clearing, the troll crashing through the barrier of small trees and bushes noisily and carelessly followed by 7 smaller forms in his wake.

It was the rest of their little team and the Troll sent to keep the runners at bay, the later carrying a large sack/pouch on it’s back and a large wooden tree trunk/club in his hands. The Troll’s muscle and size would keep the Runners at bay while the smaller Finecians foraged the forest and tapped trees. Having cleared his fiftieth path in the last hour, the dull green giant took the moment to crouch down, resting the large pack on the ground and groaned, a bored expression on its toothy pimply face.

It’s Finecians entourage filtered out in front of him, the five skilled workers reaching into the Troll’s pack and protruding pipes, buckets and hammers and beginning to tap sappy looking trees around them. Missing was their boss, the Master Biologist whom had been called to go and study the Runners, leaving his assistant, Mallep in charge. Mallep and his fellow skilled workers were Master Biologists by no means, but skilled in their own right. Most of them had studied biology at university or had picked up foraging and tapping skills along the way, so they were more than up to handling the rather mundane task alone. At least there were the Runners to keep things interesting.

“Stop messing around you three!” Mallep shouted at them. “Boss wants us to fill the bag with sap and fauna to study. Help the other thugs gather stuff. Dig up whatever you lot find interesting. Pick up everything, us educated folk will filter through your junk later. Try not to mistake any rocks for mushrooms again.” He shook his head, chuckling, and turned his attention back to tapping trees.

He glanced back at the trio one final time, a confused expression on his face when he looked back before doing a double take. He sighed.

“Please don’t tell me Muncher is stuck AGAIN”.



Sweet as a Fox Without the Bite!
“Yes, yes friends, of course we are open for business!” Harud exclaimed to the crowd that had gathered around his stand. He raised his massive, tattooed arms up live a victorious champion and then bowed, sweeping his arms under and bowing his muscled frame. He wore only the finest silken clothes, gold and silver pendants and rings displayed his wealth. One would be shocked to know that only a week or so before he had been merely an ex-convict shark hunter.

The crowd before him, more so a modest gathering than an actual crowd, was full of a variety of people, from his fellow merchants who admired his “plight against the Coppersmiths” and random passersby who had been drawn to the spectacle and hooked by the many glass jugs of nectar that adorned the wooden stand behind him.

“Just give a moment and I can begin selling the finest brews this side of the depression!” He said with a jovial laugh as he ducked around to his side of the stand.

“These” He began again, elegantly sweeping his hand above the rows of glass vials. “Are my piece de resistance”.

The vials truly were magnificent specimens. A row of wonderfully colored liquids, from blue, purple, green exotic wines to red, orange and golden-yellow ales.

“Ever since I was a kid I had a passion for drinking. In my time before the colony I was an explorer of sorts, I traveled to all corners of the Empire and tasted all the brews different cultures had to offer. Some were better than others. And the best I’d have to say, out of EVERYTHING i’ve ever tasted… my personal favorites would have to be..”. He paused.. Whether to think or for dramatic effect, or perhaps both.

“It would have to be the Fennecs. For all their thieving and stealing, they are the ones who have perfected brewing. It’s not the watered down crap the Attollians label as “fine beer” and it ain’t so strong it’ll kill a man like Dwarven ale. It’s the perfect combination of flavor and alcohol. Best stuff you’ll find- and I have it!”.

“Small guy, or interesting flavors more your style?” He questioned, moving to stand behind the wine vials. “Then Finecian wine is for you. Won’t find anything like it!”.

“Big fellow and like your alcohol?” He asked again, sliding towards the Ales. “Then Finecian Ale might be for you! Still got a flavor, but also the kick you're looking for. Drink a few jars and forget about the night! But at least the morning will taste good!” He laughed.

“Come, come, try some! By a bottle if you’d like, a keg even! While supplies last. I promise you it ain’t overly expensive and snobby like the Elves stuff. Best of both worlds, well, all in this case!”

“Sweet as a Fox but without the bite! Warm as a Fennec but without the trouble!”

((2 Influence spent to promote Finecian brews))

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon :

"Black rain from dark trees"

Sir Lothar and the Falconer moved out quickly to examine what had fallen from the tree. Scattered about the area were a variety of animal bones, roughly in a circle of the main point of interest --

It was nothing resembling so much as a hideous scythe-clawed insect... curled up with a rounded back like a pill-bug. Multiple perforations were visible in the back of it's bitter-smelling shell -- the Falconer drew a direct relationship between it's own sycthe-arms and the wounds in it's back... also when they pushed it, it was surprisingly light for it's size -- Lothar and the Falconer could easily pick it up and carry it themselves.

The falconer deducted this thing, dead or alive, was quickly set on by several of it's companions, sucked dry of any substance that existed inside of it's shell, and in the frenzy, by accident or by intention, it's empty husk was cast down like the rest of the bones -- though shells of these creatures were never found in the bone-pit before... neither did it fall in a manner that would put it in the bone-pit as most bones seemed to fall.

It was without a doubt that the armor "Walks in Cull" was said to wear was made of the shells of such creatures... an incomplete picture of the thing, if it was "The Cull" -- was all they could get from this specimen... no eyes or abdomen, anything that would be in the class of organs seemed festidiously removed -- by the smell and smoke in the distrurbed shell acid was implicated in how the shell was made vacuous. As it was, it was simply six empty legs, the back two of which ended in hoof-like feet, covered in VERY spiky and nasty looking hairs. the mid and forelimbs were all identical scythe-like affairs, like praying mantis, but instead conceived in hell... so wicked were the serrations and spikes on these claws.

Curled up as it was, the beast did not look so large, but it seemed it could, if folded to full length, could stand almost thirteen feet high... though the semi-bipedal nature of the back feet suggested it likely moved hunched over, merely 8 feet high, perhaps shorter if it curled it's backmost parts to the front to further protect it's underbelly, as it seemed constructed to in this "pill" configuration.

But worst of all, is it had an AURA of PURE DEATH. Sir Lothar spit as a speck of bile boiled up into his mouth and throat -- his body had a reflexive disgust of it. The falconer's bird would not go near it, squawking desperately to be loosed rather than approach the creature, taking high to the air and flying in circles giving the great trees a wide berth.

And that was that -- 13 feet of grotesque, nausea-inducing chitin, weighing in the vicinity of 25 to 30 pounds... but despite it looking punched through like tissue paper -- the chitin was strong. Lothar could not even scratch it with his weapons, though it was easy enough to move. Sir Lothar ended up picking it up at the end of his lance and holding it high, took it back to the Platz as a curiosity, Trophy, and perhaps the best clue so far in the worrying mystery of "The Cull"...

 

[Beckoncall]

SpiralErrant Heyitsjiwon :

UPDATE:

Indentured Thralls ask Attolians to allow them, even as they continue to work for Attolian and colony development, to heed the call of Harun'Taras... as it is where they'd like to live.

The Kobolds on the other hand, say "Oi! Cahootie!" and "Tigh-Tau, Tigh-Tau!" -- which apparently means they intend to stay in the attolian housing district, where their taskmasters can find them easily.

Reactions from players appreciated.

 

[SpiralErrant]

SpiralErrant Heyitsjiwon :

UPDATE:

Indentured Thralls ask Attolians to allow them, even as they continue to work for Attolian and colony development, to heed the call of Harun'Taras... as it is where they'd like to live.

The Kobolds on the other hand, say "Oi! Cahootie!" and "Tigh-Tau, Tigh-Tau!" -- which apparently means they intend to stay in the attolian housing district, where their taskmasters can find them easily.

Reactions from players appreciated.

One of the rules of this indentured business was that the freed folk be given land by the colony leaders. There's plenty of that land in Hrun'Taras and the tyren in the square repeat that the thrall and kobold folk are welcome to it. All they need do is come to the hills and present themselves to Orm or the shaman and they'll see they're sorted.

The tyren plan to start work on the government hall soon and everyone will need to be fit and ready for it.

 

[Beckoncall]

SpiralErrant :

"And the men came unto them, like sheep they did..."



And that was that. Tyren influence had spread the word that had captured the imagination of the as-yet hopeless thralls... would there really be freedom for them?

"YES. COME BY THE HILLS." Was the reply of Moros, a leader of the herdfolk, a recent devoted student to speaking common at the learner's square, and the first to greet them and direct them to their new homes in Harun'Taras.

And the men came unto them, like sheep they did. Such sadness and hope in their eyes, in their hearts, as they heard the old song of the caravan -- where they were escorted to new lodging, explained what was theirs and what was all's.

There were much tears. Weome too, but mostly the thralls -- who asked to be known as Hillfolk if the Tyren would have them near.

To the herdsclan, this was the strangest thing yet. The men... HUMANS coming as flock and kin when everywhere else in the old world they brought only word to move on or rattling of sabers.

For the first time, Some of the older Tyren saw change they could not deny as the fleeting courtesy that often went with the fleeting patience of men... these people wanted to join their family.

Strange days, Indeed.

Ummush remarked to himself that were his day not long ago, this would surely have given him a heart attack... and on laughing again, a little life, for the first time in tree-age, returned to those old bones...

(50 Thralls, now "Hillfolk" relocate to Harun'Taras)

Prince Vaethorion -- With this demographic shift, Highborn win complete competition for upper-end housing, with natural living by the river and the unbeatable amenities of the highborn quarter. (+1 Influence, Highborn)

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

"Here are the plans as you have requested, My Lord." The Architect came into Caelis' office. Caelis nodded in response. He did not look well as if he didn't sleep much for a few days. "Are you unwell Lord Wolff? Should I fetch the Doctor?" Caelis shook his head and replied "No, it is quite fine. Just a bit tired." He had been up at night as he couldn't sleep. He had heard of the lost laborers in the Agora District, and the heavy losses sustained in the Theater District. 10 men were killed in the past few days all under orders that Caelis had given. No man could be able to sleep knowing that. The Architect remained silent. Unsure as to mention what he wanted to bring up, the Architect hesitated, but it was something that had to be brought to his attention. "My Lord, the Freedmen wish to make their way to the Tyren." Caelis said "Then they are allowed to as long as they continue to contribute to the Colony. I am not their master, but the Colony is." The Architect replied "As you wish. Then do I have your approval for the beginning of the Colonial Manor?" Caelis nodded. "Very well, get some rest My Lord. There is much that we must work on. For now, construction will begin and we will start making bricks to help supply our construction efforts." The Architect bowed and left. Silence befell Caelis' domicile once more.

---

The Chemist examined the quartz that was entering the market, and it was then that he shouted in Attolian "I KNEW IT! WOOHOOO!" Everyone around him in the market just stared at the odd man who seemed to be ecstatic about the rock. "I have to get to my lab to confirm! These yellow streaks, evidence of sulfides! Pyrite is commonly found in quartz deposits. I knew some would be found even in these blasted lands. Decompose these pyrites and extract the sulfur... we have the bat guano from the caves below... and charcoal is plenty! We're going to have things go boom very soon! AAHAHAHAHAAHA!" The Chemist then scurried away from the market to the bemusement of all present.

---

The Attolian Engineer just looked at the Farm and quite honestly... there wasn't much more that he could do to help make the farm any better. He would need to bring in other experts or something, but that would cost wealth. However, this project was likely worth it. Securing a source of food for throughout the winter. It was crucial that this farm became functional. Thus, he put some of his assistants to oversee the rest of the project. He had other things that he had to tend to. He walked to the Depression and down into the Silo. There the three Housemen stood in silence. But the resonance that emanated from their helmets seemed to be... practically in sync. These freaks always unnerved him, but he counting his blessings. He was glad that he wasn't the target of these Housemen and that he was Attolian. The Empire was a fearsome enemy to have. Anyways, the silo was still half filled with sand, so who knew what else was in here. But, one thing was certain. The portcullis had yet to be opened. He walked up to them and looked. The Mud Elves had made small scratches on the iron... those poor bastards. God knew how desperate they were. Regardless, he had a job to do at the moment and it was to figure out what was in this silo.

---

Cassandra slowly flew over the ground leading the Sundered Kings, Halberdiers, and some laborers into the Theater District. She knew that Lord Wolff had taken the news hard, and she felt like she had to at least return and make sure that the job gets done... otherwise the deaths would have been for waste. They were heading to the same amphitheater again to reclaim any bodies if possible and to search it for anything useful as well. No longer would people wander and explore the ruins alone. No, they would be escorted heavily by Cassandra and the military. Thus, the excavation of the Agora District was halted, for now. Regardless, they were going to go back. Especially to explore that deep vent that seemed to go down 30 stories down. If there was a way down there, then it would be important. To both retrieve the bodies and to see exactly what extent the city had developed, underground.

---

Dr. Fleming loudly burst through the door of Caelis' office and approached Caelis' desk carrying a mass of spiny... insect shell? Caelis was surprised and caught off guard. No one had ever burst into his door like that, and he never expected that mass of insect shell to enter the room. Dr. Fleming plopped it on Caelis' desk and said "This is what Lothar found at the Trees." Caelis just stared in amazement. Was this the Cull? It was a swarm of insects this large? How in the world were they supposed to fight a huge swarm of these... this is what lived up there? How many? Questions raced through his head, and they all made him unsure of what to do. "Are you going to keep standing there looking like a fool or are you going to help me examine it?" Dr. Fleming was one who never minced words. No, he was a man of few words, but all action. It was this nature of his that enabled him to act and save many lives especially when time was of the essence. Maybe this was what Fleming was trying to tell him and get him to realize. After all, did Fleming really need Caelis' help to examine a corpse? No, Dr. Fleming was always good at making a point with few words. Thus, Caelis nodded and asked "Lord Fleming, your orders?"
---

Orders:

1. Colonial Project - Building of Colonial Hall to serve as the seat of power for the Colonial Government nearby the Amphitheater, Commons, and Learner's Square
Architect, Castellan, cranes, 50 Freedmen, 50 Kobolds, and all the building materials available, 10 Skilled Workers, 10 Constables

a. Brickmaking - Mass production of fired bricks
Clay, Sand, Ovens, 5 Skilled Workers, 10 Unskilled

2. Create Black Powder by mixing saltpeter from guano, sulfur from pyrite (aka iron sulfide, which is commonly found in quartz veins), and charcoal.
Chemist, Preserver (make things stable), Geologist, 5 Skilled Workers, 10 Unskilled

3. Cultivating and Harvesting of Tea and Spices (and Jade Saffron)
5 Skilled Workers, 20 Unskilled Workers

4. Make Improvements to Subterranean Farm
Ovens to provide heat and prevent too much water, 1 wealth, 5 Skilled, 10 Unskilled, 10 Sirens (if they have any ideas to help control the inflow of water, then that would be awesome)

5. Excavation of the rest of the Silo/opening the portcullis
Engineer, 10 Skilled Workers, 10 Unskilled, 3 Augmented Stone Constructs

6. Continued Repair of the Clockwork Soldier, but brought to the Mages Guild for aid
Nicholas, Linguist (to study and help fix the speech disks), 5 Skilled Workers

7. Return to the 3rd Largest Amphitheatre to Clear it of Undead, reclaim any potential bodies left behind and to search for anything useful
3 Sundered Kings, Falconer, Cassandra w/ BloodScourge, Ivory Scepter, Braidmail w/ Vase (in light armor mode with 2 arms, 1 to carry the vase), 15 Halberdiers, 10 Unskilled Workers

8. Study of the Shell of the Insect Carapace
Dr. Fleming, Caelis

 

[Beckoncall]

Zaltusinel :

"Of blood, fountains, and bargains."

The Fountain was silent for a period of time, perhaps long enough for the Nylor to almost conclude it would remain so to them henceforth -- but then, just before they turned away, It made a self-satisfied noise in it's eerie voice and replied:

"If you knew me, won't you remember? Perhaps you will, and perhaps you will not. It seems you have made a point, and that is that I am in a position of tremendous strength. I can recall much of what you have forgotten -- help YOU recall it... but there is a question of what you have to offer when I can offer so much. I imagined you had nothing to offer me -- but surprise me and I shall field questions about things of your past, or read objects from history to see if some association with the Nylor is indicated."

"Right now there are a few things I can think you could offer -- WORSHIP ME, and I will be most pliable to your supplications... But if you will not, find ways to protect me from these newly arrived religious fanatics -- I feel a confrontation with them will before long become inevitable... thirdly, For my services I would also accept if every Nylor cut their hand and offered up to me some of their essence -- their blood, most specifically... Blood might buy you answers... or at least some interesting questions..."

 

[Zaltusinel]

[Ryleon has started the memory meeting as of the beginning of this post.]

Kuva studied the fountain as he listened to the ramblings of the fountain. His heart quickened, though not much so to matter. The proposition seemed interesting, though Kuva silently laughed at the fountain. Supposedly knows so much about them, yet asks the oddest way for their essence? There are better ways to collect Nylorian essence, mostly safer and increased practically. Before the fountain could finish, Kuva manically laughed, rolling upon the ground in a short radius. As the fountain ceased, Kuva kneeled again, though out of amusement and observation. He kneeled there for even longer than the fountain before grunting in a simple form of wave off. He had no intention of worshiping this puddle of human blood. The fountain’s demands made sense and while Kuva couldn’t determine most of the details, he drew the connection anyway.

“Believe in you? Perhaps we will, perhaps we will not. You never have to ask, not like your word means anything at the moment. Though, if would like not to be laughing stock out of your shocking ignorance, I will oblige. It seems you have made a blunt, taking your strength with great stupidity and pissing it away like worthlessness. Maybe you want that? If you had pants, perhaps you would be pissing them now. I’m not sure what position of strength you have now, with little room for deceit. Telling too much my friend, though even my fractured memory can detect a faint hint of our similar ties. Maybe this is why you are so kind?” The lightless eye continued to gaze at the fountain, sinking deeper in gaze. The blood delighted it in its curiosity. But Kuva continued, “What race, if you have one, do doth hail to? As you claim, you, puddle, have knowledge of my people. Proposing to help us with our recollection. So riddle me this, if blood is what you want, then see to other races. Why waste your time on the one race of great value whom will likely be the hardest catch? The people of the Platz have alluded to these fanatics that you speak of, and if you had any clue of who the Nylor is, since there is no wuzzes or weres, you should have not even spoken. I would have left honestly. Though, now that you are a point of interest, I sense you have a connection with me. That you are reaching out to me. IF you want ANY-TH-ING, you will reveal yourself. Period, this could have gone better perhaps, but I will leave you with that. Answer yourself, if you are one of my kin. Then I shall welcome you, because the breed we may hail to is rare indeed. However, I actually wish to continue.” Kuva stood, sheathed his katana and breathed out slowly. His mind had wandered slightly again before returning to the fountain.

“You are a peculiar being. Forged from something clever and subtitle, and I understand those beginnings. Your slight wither is apparent to me for my acute sense of deceit. You, puddle, have a likeness to me and maybe I can help you alone. Nature’s dream flexes and adapts to add greater beauty to her spirit. You can have a place in it, join us and we can help you in ways that these colonists cannot. I can help you return to what is true and proper. You surely know many things, but you do not know everything. Even some Nylorian secrets are valuable enough that only one man may know. So, fountain of blood, will you tell of yourself. Speak in our tongue and no one will understand but us. And you so cleverly want my companions to leave, then they can. I am willing to face you alone to discuss this. And we can form a relationship where these fanatics can be kept off your backs, for a much better reward.” Kuva held his hand out, towards to fountain.

“Nylor are better deal makers anyway, we actually give benefits to those who work for a friendship with us. More than mere compensation. All you need to do is answer questions and all of your problems with these colonials can fade away.” Kuva turned to his companions, beckoning Jadius forward. Jadius tiptoed slowly, his hood continued to be raised, letting nothing of his face be seen by the enchantment on the hood. Kuva pulled Jadius close to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, whispering as a ghost into his ear.

“If you need to leave, alert Ryleon of the fountain and send her here. I need her input before I do any promises. I’m glad you came with me, now go friend. My brother in kin, go then to beauty and tell her of my discoveries before she fears the worst. Though I should mention, I hope Urun hasn’t made a scene. He has surely noticed our absence. However, if you can stay, then stay. I would appreciate your company, I noticed your armor. I so faintly remember you and your brother. Maybe we were friends?”

Jadius, if could be seen, smirked ever so spectrally, “Yes…fountain is peculiar. I remember thee as well. I remember you over for dinner, much younger. Faint. Good work, dragon one.” Kuva snickered as he returned his gaze to the fountain. Not a foot moved, Jadius let his hands spread on the ground as Kuva smiled with the lightless black of an eye stare into the fountain. Never blinking, never flinching. His mask gleamed off of his face, contrasting the ever dark cloud smoking over Jadius's face.

References: Beckoncall [Anyone else nearby too]

 

[Enemy Standoo]

"We take it all." Domision's voice rang out like a the harsh tones of a church bell through the empty ruins.

He was met with no disagreement from the other knights. The chapter's funds were running slim thanks to their early expendatures and it was a common duty of Victorian knights to liberate abandoned relics of antiquity for study and future generations. This first skirmish into archaeology would be a tone setter for the chapter as they went about noting down detailed cartography of the area and early theories as to the living standards and cultural quirks of the ancient mage kingdoms.

Sir Bruford sat positively victorious in the saddle of his steed, a small chest of antique coins and jewels rattling on its side while it trotted along next to the squires charged with transporting the more delicate goods. "This takes me back. It truly reminds me of life on the road. There's a purity to living as the knight errant, never knowing what each day will bring and taking each challenge as it comes. If I found something like this out on my own it'd make my month. And probably take me a week to transport!"

"I wouldn't know." Domision nodded. He had spent a relatively small amount of time as an errant crusader and thanks to his own skill set and 'interests' his path contained him to urban areas. He'd never understood the allure of life in the open wilderness. He didn't care to try and understand either. What he did know was that the chapter master would be pleased with their findings.

And indeed she was! The monks of the chapter were already finding a place in the garrison vault for the artifacts that had been reclaimed and were setting themselves to work in penning their first studies of 'The urban populations centres of the mage kingdoms.' Between all the hoped for volumes of the Aboleth tomes and the potential finds here in the lost kingdoms they were going to need more ink and paper. Elien shook the hands of the knights that had done so well to bring such a find for the chapter, with the news of the Attolian attempt at clearing the district spreading the cleric knights were fast at work in devising strategies for handling these longdead. One of the more obvious answers was to work in combined force tactics that the colonial military had been training. There was also the ring of flame to think of, as some aming their number believed that if the undead could be herded to the surface then they would crumble under its power as others had.

For now they would set to work in preparing for their next foray. With Sir Kinsey working with the guild of smiths they had access to the materials needed to better equip the devout for such a battle. Faith was their shield and their fire, trusted to guard their eternal soul, but demon burning silver and iron would do a good job of guarding their mortal bodies.

It was with some surprise that Sir Abel saw himself given custody of a portion of the relic instruments that had been found in the theatre district. As a bard himself he knew how to tend to a musical instrument and was possibly the best judge as to whether they were still in any condition to be used. Of course some would need to be kept as they were found, for the sake of study and respect but if some could be used to help form a better choir come the opening of the church then all the better. It would no doubt help to improve Sir Abel's performance once the first chapter of his epic had been completed.

'The soul of this colony is in poor condition. If we are to save it from its own darkness then it shall be a war of attrition.'
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"We are Spire-spire-spire 9. Respond. You are Spire Remnant 7? Respond. Explain prisoners, no facilities for prisoners. Report: Artist returns -- potential for repair of key'ed one. Destruction awaits -- are you prepared?"

Prisha was stunned, never in all her days had she witnessed something of such marvelous advancement. For a moment she was lost for words, even in their current state of disrepair they were a treat for the eyes. Something to be admired as she looked over them, drinking in each detail. Their weapns and talk of destruction helped shake her back to the present. With a curt motion of her hands she signalled to the devout that served as their escort to take position and the dark garbed warriors followed with their own mechanical precision silently formed a shield wall between their charges and the mechanical sentinels. They may have been outnumbered but in their rusted state Prisha felt confident her force could outpace them while beating a tactical retreat.

It took her a moment to desipher some of the meaning but after looking at their body language she managed to discern some of their intent. Looking down at her own steel plated hand Realization came to her. 'It thinks we're automatons like itself.' Evidently detailed eyesight was not one of this guard's strong points of design. For a moment she dared entertain the prospect of lying to it, to try and pass themselves off as these machines.

In the end Prisha deemed it not worth the risk. At best they might bring them into the spire and decide that the monks and squires were to be disposed of. Besides, a true knight should not lie, not during their first attempt at diplomacy at least.

"Hail to you, fair guardian! We are not of this spire remnant you speak of but of the distant tower of the glorious Saint Victoria. We come in peace, seeking only to share faith and knowledge with the citizens of this land. If it is artists you seek then perhaps our order may be of service, there are many great artists within our ranks, capable of making works within countless mediums. Pray tell... do I speak to the master of Spire Nine, as you say? As a student of your... works I would be honoured to speak with them, as would the master of my chapter." Prisha was not the diplomat of the knightly chapter but she could at least offer a polite welcome. And should these beings open their doors to them and she might see their designs in greater detail... oh the possibilities.

Spoiler: Action summary

The knights take ALL the items found in the theatre district. 2 wealth/1 unit of cultural artifacts/2 units of ancient instruments

1 cannonate (archivist) 15 monks - Set to studying cultural artifacts and 1 unit of ancient instruments.

1 knight (skilled bard) 5 monks, 5 squires - set to studying other unit of instruments and making careful repairs if possible.
_______________________________________________________________
15 squires sent to assist with the government building
________________________________________________________________

40 squires, 10 monks, 1 knight (skilled mason) set to gathering supplies for the church from the abandoned ruins of the platz and safe areas of the theatre district.
____________________________________________________
The devout have their maces and shields enhanced with silver and bull iron from the smiths guild.

 

[Beckoncall]

Spacekitty :

Much talk about business, but a lot of deals had yet to come through... time would tell where and how far the Finecian business would reach.

Fishing from Muddy lake continued, and was quite productive. Use of heavier fishing weights kept bringing up larger fish... though any lines cast beyond the shore of the lake needed to be cut lest fennec and/or fishing-rod be sucked down into the vortex. A couple of the hitmen mused... what could a Troll catch in the lake with a sufficient line, weight, and securing? Hmmmm...

SpiralErrant :

"Blooming Lamb" becomes the premier dining establishment in the colony! "Donkey Rats" still has a more convenient location for many colonists, but the highborn already demonstrate a strong preference and the bard lindar, upon enjoying the generous attentions of springborn barmaids, soon begins to demonstrate his own preference, moving some clientele who seek entertainment more than rat and sharkmeat. The odd Reinen ranging away from homestead, the reappearance of ratkin, and the bottomless hunger of the Scarred Aymaran (who have since learned to "shop") brings much wealth from the general populace into the market. With the official public extinction of precious elven wine -- the new variety of beverages at the blooming lamb are greatly and greedily welcomed!

(+2 influence to Tyren, +1 influence to Finecians! In addition, +2 wealth to market from populace (current market wealth = 6)

Finecian Crops will have one quick reaping of wheat and barley, but it can already be seen to be modest harvest before the first frosts. For Beer and other beverages to flow at optimum levels, Grain will need to be acquired from market, but this is not anticipated to be a problem unless Attolians make it so Heyitsjiwon -- who are the primary producers of grains. Secondary crops, as expected, are meeting expected yields.

Finecian Searching of the woods reveals a great number of blackbirds, and strangely -- a LARGE and highly social raccoon population. While it seems most species are just beginning to bounce back from the reaping of the Cull, the Racoons apparently were spared.

While a source of honey or syrup is not found in the Forests of Muddy Lake, a modest supply of grubs as a food source can be found by harvesting hives of "bone-house" wasps. The Biologist knows these tiny creatures get their name from feeding on ants and filling their hives with the exoskeletons. After thoroughly searching the wood, it seems the trees are unfit to yield honey or appetizing sap -- though there is still plenty to be had on the river!

GRUBS are now a viable food source for the colony... if anybody but the fennec will eat them!

The bitter sap of the forest lake DOES yield an entirely different prize however -- the workers assigned to dig in the forest find another bounty from the trees -- that of AMBER. It is so plentiful at first gathering, 3 units of Amber are immediately gathered... with AMBER now being a harvest-able resource!

______________

Lead Biologist makes breakthrough regarding the breeding of runners!

As observed, no male runners can be found (at least not without perhaps going deep into the swamp where the runners are presently disinclined to travel, so cannot be followed there) -- but even if there are male Runner-lizards -- the Runner herds do not need them for reproduction -- they are in fact "Parthenogenic" Lizards! When Two herds draw close to one another -- both herds are seen to become very stressed... Later, with no other obvious stimulus, both alphas and smaller runners lay and tend their own unfertilized eggs... which seemingly would explain why so many runners are hard to tell apart -- most if not many of them are actually clones of a single female parent!

Besides being a very interesting scientific curiosity, the idea of livestock that breed themselves independently might make them additionally valuable...

________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Beckoncall]

Elendithas KamiKahzy Spacekitty Heyitsjiwon SpiralErrant Enemy Standoo Prince Vaethorion @Tori_98 General Deth Glitch :

CONSTRUCTION OF SEAT OF GOVERNMENT BEGINS!
ALL FACTIONS WISHING TO CONTRIBUTE LABOR, WEALTH, MATERIALS, OR OTHER FINERY ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO! AFTER A TIME, THE PROJECT WILL BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL TOUCH ON THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY GAIN INFLUENCE.

So Far:

Attolians:
Architect, Castellan, cranes, 50 Freedmen, 50 Kobolds, Wood/Brick/Stone, 10 Skilled Workers, 10 Constables.

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon :

With all the vital ingredients acquired, Production of Black-powder began in earnest... and with the right team, their work yielded splendid results. 4 units of saltpeter (and amounts of other materials) translated efficiently into 4 units of black powder... and what fine powder it was! So fine in fact it had some unique properties... it could be poured like sand, or caked into bricks if compressed. While viable applications for this had not been pontificated, the stuff sure stored away neatly and was easy to keep dry (as the compressed bricks were naturally an abatement to moisture)...

...This raised the question however -- where was it safe to keep such a large and concentrated amount of explosives? to what end could they be used?

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Attolians gathered a fair share of tea and spices -- and too began to lay plots of them nearby their other growing plots. Jade Saffron seemed to only take on the riverbed -- the Saffron planted would likely not rise to the pinnacle quality of that they gathered by hand -- but these luxuries and cash crops became part of their agriculture. (Attolians +4 units Tea, +4 Units Spices, +3 units of Jade Saffron.) -- Tea/Spice will become renewable after time has passed cultivating it.

______________________________________________________________________________

The subterranean farms gained an additional level of climate control with the addition of banks of Clay heaters -- but these would only become viable in the cold of winter -- as it stood, the ovens produced large amounts of steam which threatened to subject the wheat and barley to rot, but in the colder months it would maintain a more balmy temperature and keep the water flowing. The Sirens attached to the task did indeed demonstrate their worth, locating two clogged drains under the water that if blocked or uncovered helped control the level of water in the tunnel, invaluable if rain or snow was heavy. The Sirens also took happily to the underground water-garden... and sought to spend time there singing in the closed acoustics and loop of clear water -- which for now had become much like a man-made "lazy river." When not tasked with duties, The Sirens were content to congregate there, and some migrated additional water plants and flowers to both "sop up" excess runoff and to actually beautify the place. The "Underground Arboretum" would eventually become a place of repose not just for crop-tenders and sirens, but for all manner of folk when possible.

(Attolians gain +1 influence for "Underground Garden!")

______________________________________________________________________________

Finally, The chamber behind the portcullis was opened in the silo... It was a simple task for the constructs to tear the portcullis off of it's hinges, especially with the damage already done to it by the desperate mud elves... one must wonder what might have happened if they succeeded in their task!

...Within seemed to be an ancient area for confiscated trade contraband and likely also volitiles that were not safe to store beside regular cargo. Practically everything in this area was long since decayed to worthlessness, boxes of various dust and ash, utterly shattered and inscrutable bits of apparatus, but amoung the shelves a few things had been found...

The first find was a decayed husk of a great quiver of some kind, which seemed to have held, now in a scattered mess, a dozen or so missiles of unidentifiable kind -- their shafts had long since decayed - were they arrows? Javelins? Spears? What had remained intact were the tips of the missiles -- 7 pointed crystals that seemed to contain tiny sleeping fires, and 6 similar crystals that looked like warm but unmelting ice... They would need further study!

The last thing of note behind the portcullis was almost disregarded as just another rotten, blackened, or pitted container... until one of the unskilled workers accidentally kicked the disc-like object -- it's length of a modest end table -- when it suddenly began to whine in increasing frequency and pulse with a green glow...

...Instinctively, the Unskilled worker kicked the thing again -- and in that moment everyone dove for cover or silently prayed for a miracle against an anticipated explosion...

...Instead, the "Kelly Colored Landmine" went back to it's silent slumber. They had no idea what it was actually -- but everyone was terrified to find out.

Once fully searched, the silo was completely cleaned out and the excess sand, debris, and stench of the mud-elf prisoners was washed from the area, buckets of water brought up from the sewers enabled them to splash the silo down thoroughly, and send all effluence back down into the central floor grating...

______________________________________________________________________________

Coming soon:

Attemped repairs on clockwork soldier, Study of the strange carapace, and a return to the battle-site in the ancient theater district....

 

[Spacekitty]

Beckoncall Heyitsjiwon Enemy Standoo SpiralErrant Prince Vaethorion

The Finecian's offer to contribute food and drink for workers, along with limestone (to be polished and cut on sight) and amber for decoration, along with skilled jewelry to decorate the place, skilled engineers to assist in construction and manual labor to build the place. They even donate a wealth point to the project!
((Finecians contribute Mushrooms, Water-Plants, Fish, Beer, Ale, Wine for the workers. 1 unit of Fine Lime Stone, up to 3 units of Amber for decorations, 1 Capo (Master Jeweler/Metallurgist), 2 trolls, 20 skilled workers (Jewelers and Engineers), 15 thugs for laborers, and 1 wealth))

 

[SpiralErrant]

The hills were buzzing with motion in the coming days as the thralls made hillfolk made their way up the slopes and their home at the peak. It was more than Orm could have hoped for when he first spread out the word to grow their little settlement. It was more than other elders had ever imagined when it was first founded. First these tyren gave up the wheels of their wagons to make roots and walls, now they were making company with elves, ents and humans of all the unlikely things.

What would the caravans of the old world say if they ever saw this?

Well these folk were a part of the caravan now and like the elves before them they'd need a proper greeting if they were to be calling Hrun'Taras home. It was on one of the following nights, when they'd all huddled down in the new cottages and longhouses that Orm called a town meeting.

With numbers what they were these days folk couldn't just gather around a big fire pit to hold talks anymore. The town centre turned into a little market practically as families and wagons around the edges held their own affairs and meetings, too far off to hear or interrupt the chief properly. Some of the elders from each of the distant wagons would go in the place of their groups to pass on what was said and speak for them if needed.

All knew the true matter of this meeting was the new humans. They were what made up the bulk of the central crowd where Orm and the shaman sat. Springborn and other tyren were scattered around in places where they could fit. The tyrenborn, back from days of training stalked the shadows, moving from group to group and learning of all the gossips and goings-on they'd missed. Even some of the regulars from the Blooming Lamb were poking their noses in.

"Alright everyone settle down, looks like we can make a start of this." Shul called out as a host of conversations died down. As usual he'd be helping out as Orm's translator. The chief's common might have been getting better but he was nowhere near explaining legal matters to folks.

"So you folks know about the deal with you and the rest of this place, right? Now there aren't many around here who'd blame you for what you did, not to someone who held you in chains. But you can't go around killin' folk! It scares people and it tends to make for more killing. So you gotta work back that trust back. That's a lot like we'd do around here anyway." The smaller minotaur went on, going over what notes he had on the matter in his own broad and scrawling script. "Now it says your supposed to get homes. You got those. You're supposed to get paid too... can get that seen to..."

The shaman went over the scraps of details they had as the four minotaurs all muttered to each other in conference. "Some stuff still needs sorting I think but point is you'll be working stuff off for the council chiefs and you get the same protection from all of them. Anyone gives you trouble you tell a warrior of theirs or if you 'aint sure then go to Orm, right chief?"

Orm gave a snort and a nod as he slammed the shaft of his new axe onto the ground. "In Hrun'Taras no one goes cold or hungry. If you live here, you are part of caravan. Part of... this people. This caravan... we people look after our own." Orm went on, halting and blunt in his speech as usual... but not as much as he once had been.

"And since we're doing things the caravan way, we figured we'd start things the caravan way." Shul said, picking up where a shaman should.

Tyren caravans were small things and were often close knit groups for it. Hrun'Taras was quickly outgrowing the old world caravans but they still had their ceremonies and traditions. And when new wagons joined a caravan it was customary for them to share stories of their travels and trades around the night fires, so their new kin might know who walked beside them now, before the caravan elders shared their own tales.

So this was their chance. With drink and food being passed around the newly arrived hillfolk were invited to sit in the firelight and share their stories. Who were they before this new world? Who were they before the thrall chains? How did they become thralls? What were the legends and trades of their people?

How much they shared was up to them but it was considered polite to answer questions and to give a good account for the caravan. Or at least to speak of what skills they would bring to the whole before their hosts went on to share their own history. Especially after they'd been given their greeting gifts to help set up their so far simple homes.
[Lore check: The hillfolk are invited to share their stories and history around the community fires of Hrun'Taras.

1 wealth point is given to the hillfolk to help them set up in Hrun'Taras.]
*****

It was in the days following that the hillfolk rallied. If this great caravan joining of a colony was to work then it would need symbols to show the joined chiefs held company with it. As well as a hall where so many folk could each meet and bring issues. Orm had already thrown himself into his later life chances at the learners square and tyren were always flowing through the place. It was Orm's own hope that by building this hall nearby the square itself would grow.

It was a convoy that came down from the hills, with blocks of stone, mounds of clay and worker bulls eager to show off the skills they'd gained from their time with the grim knight. And the flag born from their own ship's sails would fly above it. There was pride in that for the tyren, in the idea that somewhere in the world was a hall of law where they wouldn't be turned away as vagrants. This, to them, was the joining of the colony made real. And it was an attitude they were all too happy to spread.

Come on! Come everyone, they called out. This the first time in history a minotaur has built a place of government besides humans and elves and all else! The square was where our people all came together to share speech, now it's where we'll shape our common rule. This is to be a place that speaks for all of us, so make your mark on it and nobody can deny you or your dedication to this place. Whether you be building or even giving water and shade to those that do. Here and now you can be a part of history, of the world, of the colony!
[Workers and supplies for main government building: 5 skilled tyren, 5 unskilled tyren, 10 springborn. Clay, remaining mine of vine stone.

2 influence spent to raise morale of the building work force and build up public opinion on the project.]
*****

Back in the glade, those that weren't building set their minds to matters of livestock.

These lizards were unlike any livestock the tyren had found before. Sheep, goats and cattle were their stock and trade, not reptiles. Yet both highborn and fennecs had come to them for advice on catching and rearing them. How they bred, or didn't was a thing of concern to the elders. If you wanted to tame an animal then you'd want to have the chance for future generations to spring up as well.

But the uses for them spurred the elders on. Mounts for smaller races. Helper animals for the tyren, something that fast could make rounding up the flocks like a dream. Even just for their scales and meat they'd be valuable. Imagine if they could survive a boat trip, you could sell them in the old world as exotic pets for a fortune! If the three groups put their heads together they could no doubt catch a herd or two.

"Capture them as a whole. Then focus your best tamers on the alpha. If they fall into line then the others should follow." So thought the elders.

[ Prince Vaethorion Spacekitty
Aid offered to highborn and fennec attempts to capture and contain Runner lizards: 2 skilled tyren, 5 unskilled tyren, 5 mercenaries.]
*****

In terms of magic the combined minds of shaman and elves kept themselves to the working of the ancient gold wood and seeing if there was any hope of their restoring the old trees or their resident ent.

While Anais the watery sage was still pressed with questions from Orm about the Cull and its kind. "If The Cull could be banished before, is there a way to banish it again? Is there any way it can be killed?"

[Ongoing actions: The 3 shaman and remaining springborn are still looking into ways to heal Whipporwill the ent and if there are any sylvan friendly uses for the ancient wood beyond giving it to the mine.

Lore check: further questions for Anais on how to defeat the cull.]

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

Attolians bring additional materials for the construction of the Colonial Manor:

Glass, Quartz, and Iron

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

The Highborn seeing the additional improvements to the Colony, the added competition and the additional man power decided that the Colony needed some additional improvements. There were some luxuries items that were needed in the Colony, some services and some buildings that would be an asset. Life at the Colony involved hard work and the Colonist needed to have relaxation and to remain clean. The Highborn had their own personal baths (it was part of their domiciles), but what was needed was communal Bathhouses. The Highborn would acquire materials and begin work on six Bathhouses. Three would be luxurious and three would be very simple and practical. The Largest luxury one would be in the Highborn quarter and be made with marble, beautiful pottery. There would be one near the Market that would be basic but naturally beautiful. In the Bathhouse there would be perfumes, oils, and relaxing tonics made available, wine would be served and this would be a place to be social, get clean and unwind. The second ones would be at the HighBorn villas, It would be a natural one fed from streams from the river with water heated by coal. One would be nicer and smaller more upscale, and the other would be very rustic (for Highborn standards). There would be saunas, and mud bathes. The third location would be at the learning square, the smallest would be at the Learning Square and nearby the Highborn Embassy. This one would have a barber, small individual baths and one luxury communal bath. This was for officials and Nobles to be clean and groomed. The other bath at the learning square would be larger and open to the public.

The bathhouses had multiple purposes, one was for proper hygiene, for the colony to be sanitary. The other was for Colonist to be able to relax and socialize. A nice warm soak at the end of a hard day labor is just what the Highborn and others needed.

Order:

Using existing structures or even a former bathhouse. The Highborn set to build three bathhouses.
1) Large one in Highborn district for upscale people (cost $) Simple but elegant. one In Platz nearer to Market for (Public hygiene)
30 Unskilled labor 10 skilled labor and engineer (TOTAL IN TWO TEAMS) The engineer will help draw up schematics for all six

2) A natural one at the Highborn villas in nature for outside and one for inside.

15 un-skilled labor and 5 skilled labor

3) A small one for Officials and Higher ranked members at learning center (must be a member) a medium sized one for general use at Learning square.

15 unskilled and 5 skilled

The Highborn request additional labor from the Colonial labor pool for the three communal bathhouses.

3) A smaller one at the Learning Square for Higher Ranked members for discussing politics

4) A very large communal one at the learning center


A Tailor Shop
The Highborn set up a Tailor shop in the Highborn district. A place where one can have clothing made or repaired. It assigns one their skilled workers to this task using an existing structure.

Order: Build (retrofit) building to become tailor shop.


2 skilled and 10 unskilled

Finding New Materials to Make Fine Clothing

The Highborn needed materials to make clothing. Among the ideas were to grow hemp. To use Reads to make a fabric. To search for and cultivate silk worms.
silk?
Wool?
Cotton or cotton like materials?
From Hemp or reeds?

Order:
Send five skilled to search ask about for materials to make clothing for HIgh end customers.

Making Clothing For the Public.

Construct reams and looms to make clothing.

5 skilled laborers

Order:
Build looms and reams to make clothing assign 5 skilled laborers

Open Up Weapons Shop to sell weapons and armor made at forge
Services would be An Armorer to repair armor, and weapons.

Order:
Assign 2 skilled laborers to convert space to shop near or adjacent to forge.

Order:

The Highborn assign their tactician to work on defenses for Seat of Power. They contribute coal, very large ceramic heaters quartz art, mana crystals (, *once mined), paintings sculpture and craftsman to beautify the Structure. The Drill master helps train exiles (with permission) to serve as ceremonial guard. The Highborn donate matching wealth to building the structure. 15 unskilled laborers ten skilled laborers. The Engineer while working on the bathhouses nearby will devote his half of his day to overseeing its construction. The High Elves design (or help design) the gardens that will surround the seat of power.

There will be an inner council table.
This is how the High Elves envision the surrounding walls and inner gardens would like.

Beckoncall
*****NOTE: Luxury items and labor are queued to be dedicated to the refinement of the Seat of Power. The Highborn will make an accounting of both the labor needed and the items needed. The paintings, sculptures, murals, ceramic heaters and finishing touches will not be ready to put in until the structure is build and cleaned.

Items such as fine goods like paintings will be dedicated to the Seat of Power. For now the Engineer, and labor dedicated, the Tactician, the drill master will be working on the Structural and defensive aspects of the seat of power. In time, weapons and other additions will be installed. This will be a work in progress.

note: the free slaves are part of the Colonial Government labor pool and their contribution are not attributed to one faction or another, but from the Colonial Government contributions. Additionally, materials, wealth can also be contributed directly from the Colonial governments budget. The Highborn put their vote in to use Colonial labor to help build the Seat of power.

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

SpiralErrant Heyitsjiwon Enemy Standoo General Deth Glitch KamiKahzy @Tori_98 Spacekitty Elendithas Beckoncall Zaltusinel

Concerning the Seat of power. First off, the Seat of Power is for the Colonial government. Only Four factions have thus far officially agreed to join (not including the Ratkin who have demonstrated willingness to join). For the sake of unity, We request ALL colonial members in good standing to join. The questionable status of the Dwarves and the on probation Fennec needed to be discussed before them joining. It must be addressed that that they have no official charter and arrived to the Colony unsanctioned. The Fennec are on Probation and will not be able to become full members until that is resolved. The Reinen have shown reluctance, and we are unsure where they stand. The Amaryan have shown interest but have not been vocal as of late, but have been contributing members of the Colony.

It is of the Highborn belief that all contributing factions should have a section decorated and designed in their own fashion or at the very least there should be recognizable aspects of that cultural contribution. In truth, most non Highborn made structures are hideous, but that is not for us to judge. The Structure should also be laid out with the idea in mind that it will be expanded upon in time and that each new Colonial faction can build. In the meantime, it should be discussed if there can be a status placed on Non colonial government participants. Responsibilities and privileges are bestowed upon full members, but what of fledgling members? Should there be a time elapsed before one can apply? should there be a non-member status and how will that look? Perhaps the fledgling, non-members can have "observer status" and they can express their opinions, but not be able to vote? I think Observer status is a good compromise.

From the Perspective of the Highborn, there is need for complete unity. Any other factions, rival governments, shadow governments (including "Covenants") are NOT to be tolerated. There can be individual alliances and relations between factions naturally, but ANY rival, competing, or contradictory organization should not be tolerated, because they undermine the authority of the Centralized colonial government. This will lead to chaos and instability. We are only as strong as our weakest link.

In terms of the Seat of power, the structure will be the center of what is becoming the capital of the Colony. This means the footprint of the main structure needs to be large. This also means the defenses need to encompass a large compound where also individual embassies of each faction will be. If we envision that this Seat of power will become the Capital of the Colony, therefore city planning should be laid out. This means that practical things such as sewers, sanitation, roads, stores, warehouses, walls, defenses, towers and all of the infrastructure should be planned out with the idea that over the years, decades, centuries, millennia (assuming the Colony survives the cull) should have room for expansion and improvement. We cannot afford to plan poorly. The terrain must be suitable for expansion and quarters, districts should be envisioned with the idea they will be expanded and refined.

I think we need a status report on the standings of each faction regarding the Colonial government.
Tyren - Full Members/Good Standing
Attolians/Exiles - Full Members/Good Standing
Order of St. Victoria- Full Member/Good Standing
Highborn - Full members/Good standing
Ratkin - Non member Observers /Good standing (awaiting formal application, but have agreed to join in principle)

Amaryan- Non-member Observer status/Good standing (the Amaryans have proven themselves as productive to the Colony)
Reinen - Non member -Good standing (The Reinen have been asked to join Colonial government)

Firebrand Dwarves - Non Member - Charter status questionable/ Average Standing
Fennec Non-member on probation/ Charter status questionable/ Poor standing
Night Elves Non Member no charter-indigenous group,/Standing undetermined

Question: Are the Exiles, Countrymen and remnants of Sylvan and Merchants/Trade company have any separate status or are they respectively combined into the Tyren, Attolians? Will they have a voice?

For those factions in Good standing that are on the fence in joining the Colonial government, the should understand that if they do not contribute to the building of the seat of Power that this will be a strike against them. For those factions that want to contribute to the Seat of Power but are in poor status, questionable status this will be considered in a positive light. Those standings with undetermined status, they must indicate what their standing is towards the Colonial government.

If a Faction is on probation but expresses interest in joining once status improves, there can be the possibility to put their own touches on the Structure/Compound wants their status improves.

This is a decision point. From the perspective of the Highborn, you are either with US or Against US. If Any faction wants to benefit from the Colony, it's facilities and it's members, then they should become active members and full participants. This is in the best interest of the Colony and the individual factions in our opinion. The time for sitting on a fence is over. We have enemies. There is the Cull, Mud Elves, Gnolls and other impending threats like the Winter. Winter is coming.

 

[General Deth Glitch]

Grimdr was approached. People needed weapons and he looked the best to supply. He couldn't deny it, those were likely the facts. Yes the Elves could create beautiful workmanship that seemed to defy the laws of the land. Tool so thin they should shatter but don't. Despite his dislike of elves he wouldn't deny them their skill. Humans, too, seemed to be able to achieve anything, with time. They could adapt anything into what they needed. Their work was often crude but, by Dracos, they always seemed to have what they needed. The Dwarves, a race known for their craftsmanship, didn't use elvish trickery in their work, nor could they 'make do' nearly so well as mankind. It was the last part that was the issue. He was surrounded by skilled craftsmen, dwarves who could turn their hand to anything.. given the right tools. That was indeed the rub. They had tools, sure. Hammers, picks, shovels, axes. Everytool you could think of. But Dwarvern crafts required Dwarven construction. He needed Anvils, stronger then the mere steel ones used by men, forges hotter then depths of hell. He needed fuel and materials to power it all. And that was just for the basic smiths. For his craft, the master art of Runesmithy he needed many more specialist tools and many of the other master craftsmen had their own requirements too. That was his response. He would make weapons and tools for elves, or who ever would provide him the tools he needed first, for exactly that. Nothing more then the workstations he needed. If they could provide him with Dracos fire from the Molten rock and Anvils stronger then Dragonscale then he would fill their request. ( Prince Vaethorion Anyone else willing to make the deal)

Currently however he had a bigger issue. The monsters in the cave. He was sure if he blocked the hole they would not only have increased difficulty tunnelling through, but also would likely reduce their forceful attempt at doing so. Hearing of the Fennics own monster issue he was willing to make a deal, sending off a young Dwarf with the message "I am Grimdr of the Firebeards, we will willing offer our numbers in culling your monster population if you will in turn help us with out own such problem." He then sent another to put up posters around the town and dock requesting help from the citizens in return for a small sum of gold. ( Spacekitty )

One concern of Grimdr was this Government he kept hearing about. Now he assumed there was one when he arrived but they were being kept out of the loop for the most part. Until they suddenly heard that their input was hoped but not expected and that they were actually forming and building the government as he arrived. While he felt annoyed he figured it was his own Isolationism that caused it. So he decided to petition this government, he offered manpower to build something for them. If his people were to join this government they would expect some form of subterrainian access in the future. To help acheive this he would offer his men in building an underground region to this 'Seat' as well as a Vault Crafted by Dwarves with Dwarven security deep under the ground and a section of tunnels, that would eventually connect to his hold, that could be sealed and would, eventually, have stores of food and other tools to allow survival in the event of this 'Cull'. He offers all this in the expectation that he and his people will be considered members of the colony on an equal standing. He also states that his people joining of the seat is requiring two factors. Firstly he is willing to follow the law of the Government in their buildings and everywhere outside the Firebeards Hold, provided his own peoples traditional and cultural law still be allowed where possible in these regions between each other and, that the same laws apply to all who enter his halls. ( Prince Vaethorion Heyitsjiwon SpiralErrant and The other member of the governments whose name I forget and anyone else interested in my joining)

Now he had to look at what he had and what he needed. They had supplies of salt, this was good. It could be traded for supplies. He decided he would use the salt, or one unit of it, to trade for food supplies for his dwarfs for as much as they could afford and store. But they needed to be able to farm true Dwarvern food. With that in mind he gave the order for the most basic form of food to begin being farmed. Once the first harvest was brought about they would be able to survive off it, but it not exactly a food of flavour. However it was likely to be necessary, especially if they needed to 'ride' out the Cull. So he ordered a branch mine from the bottom of the deep decent. One that would lead off and then spread into a small group of Fungus Farms for growing Mushrooms, or 'Mush Bread' as Dwarves called the slightly more traditional variation. As it was often used with other food to soak up sauce and otherwise help eat.

(Please tell me if I missed anything. I just want to catch up now so I don't spend yet another month trying to catch up as I fall further and further behind due to the attempt)

Actions:

-Made offer to the Highborn, Weapons to the tools to make them
-Offer to the Fennic, Fight their threat for help with their own threat
-Postered the town asking for help with Cave Fishers
-Made offer to the fledgling government
-Began trading 1U of salt for as much food as possible
-Began work constructing Much Bread farms

 

[Beckoncall]

Heyitsjiwon :

Continued repairs on the Clockwork soldier were relocated to the Mages guild, as Tinkering had taken the machine far, but only as far in that it was not a magical construct. SpiralErrant Bruul found a peg inside the back-housing that when turned, seemed to restore a good deal of mobility to the skelature of the thing -- it was speculated that there was perhaps a hidden or even obvious crank on the back of the mechanism that determined how rapidly it could move. It was only after bruul used some of his battle-magic shifting force inside the chassis until certain pieces fell out (and others joined in place) that the hole to this part of the device was evident, but the layout of it's inner workings from the front seemed to make more sense even to the artificer in it's new configuration. The highborn mage cast spells of freedom of movement on it's limbs, which once enchanted in place took some of the labor off of the machine and it began to hum and tick rather than grate and stutter. It's communication device, it was speculated, would take months to fully repair, but an ordering of it's discs from scratched to utterly warped should assist the automaton in making better use of the words it had intact.

Finally cassandra read the individual loose pieces of the device in her hands and tried her best to explain where they went. After 20 or so such bits were restored, the device started repairing itself! It's pin-hole "eyes" were still practically shot, but it moved with a semblance of grace, and with new or polished armor over it's skeletal structures it was as close to complete as it was likely to become.

Upon the completion of the labor, the creature wandered outside the mage guild on it's own, with several folk in tow.

It stopped, again confused, when it saw the spire of the lighthouse to the south glowing brightly, and the spire of .... well... the SPIRE... to the North.

"Requesting guidance to Spire 9. Destruction. Spire 3 Annihilation? Spire 11 Extermination? Points of reference...(whirrr)... incontinent."

_________________________________________________________________________________

THE CARAPACE:

Dr, Flemming studied every inch of the creature as best as he could, with Caelis standing as his second -- they must learn all they can if this find was to be of use to them before they inevitably faced the cull.

Yet, it had few secrets to tell beyond what was already seen. It was true that whatever creature (lived?) within this shell was surgically slain, melted with digestive acids, and disposed of sloppily and hurriedly in a manner unakin to other (normal?) prey. It seemed the soft(er) parts of the creature were all gone, to a grain, in fact! making Caelis and Dr. Flemming wonder how much of the creature they were truly seeing. Dr. Flemming used a series of magnifying lenses on the chitin and discovered it seemed to be made of endless interwoven strands of what he estimated were 3 different types of natural proteins... one spongiform, one crystalline in structure, and a third most common protein that seemed to "cure" the combination of the other proteins. Traces of digestive acid of INCREDIBLE strength (only glass failed to react with it seemingly, and they rapidly ran out of samples to test more materials.) Physiologically it seemed like it had some hallmarks of arachnids, but clearly there were only six limbs in the exoskeleton which suggested it was an insect. The carapace, when utterly cleans, had a slight sea-water smell to it.

The blades on it's fore-limbs were wickedly sharp -- it had a hardness index in the realm of diamonds, though they didn't have a quality specimen to test it's full relative hardness. Nothing about it was brittle, and the edge on the blade arms was so fine it looked invisible under lenses full centimeters away from the collective mass of the blade -- suggesting the limbs cut by PASSING IN BETWEEN MATERIALS rather than rending them apart. Caelis wondered if breaking the limbs off for use as swords would be viable... but beyond this, it was a monster's coat -- and nothing more...

________________________________________________

THE RETURN TO THE THEATER DISTRICT:

The Attolians returned, and in FORCE this time.

The Amphitheater was EXACTLY as they found it last -- not as they left it.. but amost as if they never visited.

The same audience and the same throngs of skeletons sat in the rows and stood backstage. With the exception of the 3 corpses on stage and some blood in the band-pit, you'd have never guessed a mote of dust was moved. The audience saw the larger retinue descend the stairs, and got more attentive and chattering -- anticipating what was to come...

"The first act -- I didn't get it... something to do with audience participation and a staff-dancer? I thought this was supposed to be a tragedy!"

"Then the band started playing the strangest cacophony of what would pass for music WHERE?! NOT HERE! If I didn't know better you'd think they were screaming!"

"You think that's bad? The same three contortionists have been on stage for who knows how long..."
(this was clearly in reference to the twisted bodies of the three halbardiers than fell in the battle.)

"Well, it looks like the intermission is FINALLY over. The staff dancer is back, and they've brought more actors and even finer props this time. Perhaps the second act won't be so much of a let down..."

...Let down -- The Attolians had slain hundreds of longdead in the fight, only a matter of hours ago -- and they come back to see their target area for pacification exactly as bad as it was. Audience blithely pantomiming the eating of snacks, now dust, and expecting another "performance" by the Attolians...

______________________________________________________________________________

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

Zaltusinel

Night Elves in the District
The Highborn bystanders did not know what to make of the curious visitors, the Night Elves. Yes, they were distant relatives of sorts, but they seemed odd even for High Elf standards. The Highborn Linguist was observing the the Nightelves. He was dictating mentally notes onto a long parchment which to someone not versed in the arcane would seem incredible, but to the linguist, to other students of the arcane it was practically a parlor trick that one learned as a child. The Linguist was interested in Anthropology and he acted like he was on a field trip examining a lost tribe. In fact in some ways he was. Not far from the War Mage who eyed the Nightelves with curiosity, but with some wariness, were part of the security detail assigned to this assignment.

In a low voice Athoril Chamaere an archer said to Fiiar Grayaen a Spearman, "These Night Elves are very peculiar. Is this how we seem to the humans?" Fiiar replied "Nooo, The Humans recognize our superiority. We look nothing like these odd ones." The much older by several centuries, superior officer and seasoned Sword Master Armiandial Lighihre who knew better, looked at the other two with mild annoyance, rolled his eyes and just shook his head.

The Arch Battle Mage was a bit concerned at this new development. The bits of knowledge he had learned of the Night Elves was unsettling to him. Even with his brilliant mind, remembering lessons from a thousand years ago was a challenge at times. The magic they used was familiar to him, but remotely so. There were still practices, rituals and spells as ancient as the Night Elves. There were also the songs that remained, the humming in tune with the stars. Now history and present day reality have collided.

The Prince was off dealing with the Pest called the Fennec. He would sense this, but would be too absorbed to respond presently. The whole old world had magical currents flowing through it, and it took a very high degree of sensitivity to detect each one. It would be like detecting that an instrument had 4 strings instead of six while an entire orchestra played.

The Prince would not allow anything bad to happen to the Sylvan and the Highborn through their alliance with the Tyren would be honor bound to protect the Sylvan Elves whom were just adolescents. This must be made clear to the Nylor. The Arch War Mage summoned an Archer, a very fleet footed Archer. All he did was think of him and the Archer came to him. Send a messenger bird to the Prince informing him of the awakening of indigenous Nylor and that they seem to have a score to settle with the Sylvan Elves. The Archer saluted and ran off.

Meanwhile, the Nylor were writhing, undressing, dressing, and acting rather odd. The Linguist was humming, trying to remember the ancient Nylor he learned years ago...

Orders:
The Linguist studies the Nylor.
The Prince is informed by messenger bird about the Nylor and the potential threat against the Sylvan Elves

General Deth Glitch
Trade with the Firebrand Dwarves
The Highborn are pleased to make tools for the Fire Brand Dwarves in exchange for weapons, especially cannons for point defenses. The Highborn enchant their coal supply to burn hotter. They search for meteorites to make anvils with and make fine tools for the Dwarves to use. The Highborn knew the value of Dwarf craftsmanship.

order:
-Make tools for the Dwarves,
- enchant coal to burn hotter and to make hotter coke,
-search out meteorite materials to make weapons and anvil from. Use divination to find.

Heyitsjiwon
Attolian Weaponry

The Highborn insure that Attolians have been rearmed with superior weaponry with HighElven craftmanship even if it means to bring their existing weapons back to the forge and improving them.
-Order: Bring back Attolian weapons to Highborn blacksmith and improve Attolian weaponry

SpiralErrant
Tyren Help with Runners

The Highborn are grateful for the Tyren help to tame the Runners. Two groups must be captured for mating to occur.
- Order, the Highborn work with Tyren and other factions to tame Runners and protect them from predators.

Enemy Standoo Heyitsjiwon
Gifts for All Colonial Leaders.
The Highborn Prince knew that Humans and many other races, including his own were ego driven, jealous ,proud and greedy. The Prince believed the Colonial government to be an incredible feat and he wanted to show his appreciation to his fellow leaders of Colonist. To the Tyren he had given an Axe. At the first Colonial Government official meeting, after the annoying Fennec affair was resolved he would present the Attolians, and Order of St Victoria with their own enchanted weapons. They were made from the same materials that they made the Tyren Axe from, a true fusion of the materials available. These gifts were gifts to solidify the Alliance of the Colonial government and were fine gifts indeed.

For Caelis he ordered made a Lance that was fit for HighElven Nobility.

For Elien, He ordered a HighElven Great sword forged for her, but light enough to wield.
Here you see the before and after.

Order: Present weapons to other Colonial leaders once the hearing is adjourned.
The Prince says sincerely without any trace of haughtiness.
"These weapons are bestowed upon thee, my comrade at arms and fellow leaders of our fledgling colony. It is with friendship and honor that I gift these fine weapons to you."

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

Various Attolian Responses to Events Going On

Nicholas leaped with joy as he watched the automaton practically repair itself before his very eyes. While, there might have been something that could have been done to fix the bells and whistles of the automaton... at this point the construct was effectively fixed. In fact, it seemed to think that it was healthy enough already by itself that it went scurrying on outside to take a look around its surroundings with its somewhat functional pinhole eyes. The gears, at least to Nicholas, was a symphony of finely tuned gears and servos that hummed an angelic symphony of various moving and self correcting and tuning parts. It was truly a marvel and helped Nicholas form his own ideas and served as a fountain of inspiration. The automaton simply emanated innovation. This kind of technology back in the Old World would have been literally revolutionary. No longer would people fight over land with the strength of men. No, they would be fought to control the means of producing such automated constructs who can do the work of hundreds of men. These automatons could out pace the means of production of any country or nation. Thus, whoever controlled these new means of production would be the most powerful and wealthy. Course, Nicholas was not too keen on the actual using of technology to gain power. He was interested in the intellectual pursuit of it. It would be up to someone else to seize the means of production.

Regardless, it appeared that Nicholas had a new job to do. Thus, he walked up to the newly fixed automaton. He remembered the speech of the other automatons. It appeared that the spire served as a base of operations for the automaton, and that there were numerous ones. However, the one to the north seemed to be Spire 9. It seemed to want to return home. How oddly human-like despite its mechanical nature, Nicholas thought. It seemed to be able to think and imitate human speech and behavior. Nicholas was immediately reminded of a colleague of his who was convinced that a human brain could be made. It seemed ridiculous, at the time, but here he was thinking that somehow the mages of the old did manage to succeed somehow. Nicholas went up to the automaton and said "I, the Artist, will bring you back to Spire 9. Follow me." Nicholas then gleefully went along his way to return to the Spire with his accomplishment. Surely the other automatons wouldn't mind that he had borrowed some inspiration from their design anymore after finishing this job.

Nicholas escorts the Automaton back to the Spire

---

As Caelis looked at the carapace, the idea of blades and weapons from the limbs of the shell appealed to him. Thus, he planned to have them removed. However, more importantly... what more could this chitin shell tell them? It was light, but as strong as diamond. If used as armor... it would be invaluable. Thus, there was only one option left in Caelis' mind. They had to learn more about the chitin. Perhaps it would deteriorate in certain conditions? Or, perhaps it can be used as inspiration for stronger metals? Maybe a new synthetic material? Caelis didn't know much about the options available to him, but someone that he knows did.

The Limbs are detached to be used as the foundation for weapons
Chemist is also brought over to study the shell for anything useful. Especially if it is weak to anything like certain chemicals

---

Lothar looked around the Amphitheater. They were practically surrounded when it should have been cleared. He turned to the others and said "We must leave. Now. This is beyond our control. If we must put them to rest, then we must find other ways to do it. Lothar then looked at the bell bearer and said "Start ringing it and we will begin to retreat back, quickly. If they start chasing, then we must push through. Sir Bors, I believe you have the pleasure of having done that once before." Sir Bors snorted and said "Unfortunately." The bell gifted by the Zebani then began to ring, and the group began to fall back. Cassandra remained ready though. Bloodscourge was not fitting to force these long dead to rest. However, the Ivory Scepter, could be used to control them, and maybe put them to rest as well. Thus, she wielded the Ivory Scepter with both hands and readied herself in the event that things went south once again.

Expedition back to Amphitheater attempts to fall back

 

[Enemy Standoo]

It very quickly became clear that the workforce for this seat of government would far outstrip anything the order had been witness to during their short time in the colonial territories. It also became clear that their initial estimate of labour had been grossly off. With so many excess hands brought to the front with the varying methods, languages, not to mention the aggressively grandiose plans of the elves what was truly needed here was administration. The monks of the chapter would have to take the squires they had sent under their wing, and harness their youthful vigor as runners as they used their own skills to see that the various foremen of the construction forces didn't end up at each others' throats.

And with these fresh pieces of grandstanding and new recourses coming to the chapter's holdings thanks to their work with the glaziers perhaps they could afford to leave their stamp on this place. Other chapters had attempted more audacious acts.

(A change has been made to the Victorian labour sent to the government building.

Staff list: 10 Squires/10 Monks/1 knight - jeweler)

 

[Beckoncall]

Enemy Standoo :

The artifacts were taken back to the garrison and laid openly for study by the members of the order -- what one completely lacked any knowledge of, would light a fire in the eyes of another... entire workteams passed about their finds, made rubbings, notes, and study.

There was no doubt a strong connection between the spirits of the Platz and their personal effects. It was as if the very particles of their souls suffused every object in the ruin... by far the worst and most comprehensive haunting they had ever seen, and now that these artifacts were secure, ever studied. On every object were the bones of hunger, of want, of confusion... sometimes literally the fragments of bones themselves were extracted from instruments and objects.

What was unexpected was that some of the shinier bits that were picked up looked like a prismatic, diamond-hard material -- mostly dust, but one piece easily large enough to be a man's forearm -- except it was in the shape of a forefinger. The archivist had heard tales of the Zebani -- but this seemed to be something different altogether.

Of the Bard's team, wild archeological finds were to be extracted from the ancient instruments. While some devices were broken beyond reimagination, and others seemed like they were held together by parts long decayed (or perhaps only existed in a semi-corporeal sense!) -- one instrument was a particularly stunning find -- A Pyrmathrax -- an ancient instrument the knowledge of construction of which was lost during the wind age, and since the last instances in the old world slowly vanished to fire, theft, or war in the ages that followed, the item could only be recognized because it fit a description!!! The instrument in fact was even able to produce notes in arrangements totally novel to the Victorians... They wonderd if such chords would be novel to the ears of all. Three of the instruments were Illuruum, likewise instruments headed for a similar genuine extinction.Truly Priceless, for a historian and a bard.

Materials for a church were easier to come by than first imagined -- while wood was still relatively scarce, it could be bought from freelance woodcutters in sufficient amounts at market -- taken freely from the woods of muddy lake. That plus the surfeit of stone in the platz and what could be "cherry picked" from the Agora district by the skilled eye and command of the mason (2 units of black granite) was topped when it was revealed the blocks cut and carried were the heart of a larger pillar -- buried in the fine sand of the ruins and the work of ages laying over it... the base of the singular pillar was made of a brown gemstone -- Brown in color, but with fiery brilliance -- a massive chunk of beautifully grazen ZIRCON! (1 unit) -- if it were not for the epiphanies of the mason-canonate and the size of his work-team, such FINDS would be impossible, much less making them acquisitions... the finds were clearly within areas searched and mapped by the Attolians, but wholly missed by them. The Mason Cannonate mused that if he could look upon the maps and studies the Attolians had made of the Agora district as well, his "checking for errors" might yield other such points of interest. After digging in three other areas looking for other columns that might have been part of a row with this one... the team packed up and brought it's treasures back to the lighthouse... the areas purged of longdead in the streets seemed truly pacified -- few if any integrated skeletons were seen, and where they were, they sat unmoving or laid haphazardly -- only once or twice was did longdead shuffle past the work-crews... their eyeless skulls shaking their heads in bewilderment at what they must have thought they "saw."

It was a fine day to be in the Order of St. Victoria. No doubt.