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[Knight Otu]

Spoiler: Skik's Vision (click to show/hide)

"The green lights over the sea." The green lights over the sea? Is there a likely suspect? Skik sees Algrathon's sanctuary, green eyes and claws orbiting. Slowly, she finds herself inside, next to a green claw holding something. A sword. The sword hovers up, where Algrathon seems to examine and then destroy it. Then bits of Algrathon swirl off, and form more green eyes. The mass of green eyes spirals upwards and outwards, out of the ocean, becoming green lights far in the sky.

Spoiler: Haskanara (click to show/hide)

Is bigger better? The research in better longbows results in even bigger bows, unwieldly enough to prevent all shield use even by Haskanara. The population also seems to think that bigger is better, as an unexpected population growth floods the city.
The goblins think that it's time that the Haskanara do deliver the clothing, and that it may have been for a year or so, they'd have to check on that, but they won't. The various gifts have been greatly useful, and the goblins are close to reigniting their magic.

Random event: Population boost: 500 additional people
Astral Nexus and Sewers completed
Metallurgy needs more research
Greatbows researched
Academics needs more research
Dreamwalking needs a little more research

Taxation provides 19.5+5 money. Military requires 8 money in upkeep.
Received 2 Mushrooms in trade.

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 3%, adding 759 people.
Population is now at 27,364. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 3%.)
30 labor units will be available next turn, with [7/10] in the excess labor pool.
27 food will be needed this turn. 2.8 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 8/20 wood, 1/20 wool, 4/20 Stone, 5/20 leather, 11/20 copper, 3/20 tin, 0/20 bronze, 6/20 silver, 4.2 Mushrooms, 1.5/20 Clothing, 0.4/20 silver jewelry, 5/20 red pearls
  Granary: 15/20 Food
  Treasury: 85.5

  Buildings:
    Apartment Houses
    Astral Nexus
    Clothier's Workshop
    Docks
    Granary x2
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Military Workshop
    Mint
    Museum
    Observatory
    Sewers
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Temple
    Tombs

  Leaders:
    Astronomer Skik
    Explorer Skiin
      Special Ability: Master Archer
    Scientist Skan

  Military:
     Trained First Legion (Scouts) <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Second Legion <A6/D5/H(19)23/S2/M7>
     Trained Third Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Fourth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>
     Trained Fifth Legion <A6/D5/H21/S3/M8>
     Experienced Sixth Legion <A7/D6/H(21)23/S2/M7>
     Trained Seventh Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Eighth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>

  Technologies:
    Advanced Ship Construction
    Agriculture
    Animal Training
    Archery
    Astral Magic
    Astral Theory
    Astronomy
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Fishing
    Deep Mining
    Education
    Engineering
    Farming
    Fishing
    Greatbows
    Great Ship Construction
    Integrated Excavations
    Literacy
    Longbows
    Mechanics
    Metalcrafting
    Mining
    Museums
    Organized Religion
    Residential Planning
    Sailing
    Sanitation
    Sea Farming
    Tidal Mastery
    Trade
    Tactics: Far Shot

Greatbows
  Requires Longbows
  Allows Greatbows (3 labor, 2 wood, better power; no shield use)

Spoiler: Lactosia (click to show/hide)

Where the last year held little advancement in research, this year provides in great numbers. About everything the Lactosians touch turns to proverbial (but of course not actual) gold.
The explorers to the north make a good pace, exploring the plains to the east of the forest, and capturing a large herd of horses in the process. The explorers in the south zigzag northwards a bit


Herd Captured: Horses
Alchemist's Workshop completed
Statue constructed
Improved Firearms researched
Advanced Physiological Alchemy researched
Academics researched
Organized Religion researched

Taxation provides 22.5 money. Military requires 3 money in upkeep. Alchemists require 3 money in upkeep

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 4.3%, adding 1326 people. Morale is high enough for a labor bonus.
Population is now at 32,185. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 4%,)
35 labor units will be available next turn, with [8/10] in the excess labor pool.
32 food will be needed this turn. 3.3 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 6/20 wood, 2/20 wool, 2/20 stone, 1/20 Iron, 1/20 silver, 0/20 Steel, 3.0/20 clothes, 0.9/20 silver jewelry, 1.1/20 gold jewelry
  Granary: 31/40 food
  Treasury: 66.5 money
  Herds: 1 horses and 1 horses with explorers

  Buildings:
    Alchemical Laboratory
    Alchemist's Workshop
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary x2
    Hall of Learning
    Heavy Smelter
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Museum
    Music Hall
    School
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Statue Park (10 statues)
    Tombs

  Military
    1st Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D7/R6[3/-]/H23/S3/M8/Ab:Shield Wall> (osseogens)
    2nd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D6/H21/S3/M8/Ab:->
    3nd Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D6/H20/S3/M7/Ab:->

  Alchemist/Caster Units (Away)
    Physiological Alchemist <3 compounds>

  Away (0.6/1 food)
    Lactosian Infantry <A5/D5/H10/S3/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>
  Away (1.7 food)
    Heavy Scouts <A7/D8/H22/S1(3)/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Dr. Donlan
    Governor Cheddarius
      Special Ability: Hope for the future
    Sage Airag
      Special Ability: Librarian

  Technologies:
    Agriculture
    Alchemy
    Blast Powder
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Education
    Engineering
    Explosives
    Farming
    Firearms
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Improved Firearms
    Improved Physiological Alchemy
    Literacy
    Mechanics
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Museums
    Music
    Physiological Alchemy
    Residential Planning
    Sanitation
    Sculptures
    Steelmaking
    Trade
    Tactics: Shield Wall

Improved Firearms
  Requires Firearms, Steelmaking
  Allows Refined gonnes (2 labor, 1 steel create 1 refined gonne; better base attack over gonnes, no separate ammunition; Military workshop applies)

Advanced Physiological Alchemy researched
  Requires Improved Physiological Alchemy
  Allows Workalot Distillate

Workalot Distillate
  4 compounds
  Applied during the creation of a building or terrain improvement, this formula reduces the construction cost by 1 labor.


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Spoiler: Eredor (click to show/hide)

After the troubles last year, the new year goes surprisingly well. Plans for semi-autonomous colonies are drawn up, steel is now a reality, and the explorers find the mountain range west of Lactosia rich in metals of all sorts and the field south of it fertile. But the explorers do also find the edge of a forest, and they get the feeling that they would not be welcome there very much.

Windmill on tile 10 completed.
Watermill on tile 7 needs 2 labor and 2 wood or stone
Academy completed
Taxation provides 25.5+6 money. Military requires 5 money in upkeep. Casters require 12 money in upkeep
Steelmaking researched
Crossbows researched
Colonization researched
Constructors trained

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 5%, adding 1706 people. Labor bonus
Population is now at 35,833. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2.5%.)
40 labor units will be available next turn, with [1/10] in the excess labor pool.
36 food will be needed this turn. 3.6 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 75.5
  Granary: 15/20 food
  Warehouse: 13/20 wood, 0/20 wool, 2/20 stone, 2/20 gold, 9/20 Iron, 1/20 strong iron, 1.5/20 Clothing, 1.9/20 Gold jewelry, 0.5 silver jewelry, 1/20 pearls, 0.1/20 pearl jewelry
  Herds: -


  Buildings
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Constructor's Guild
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Museum
    School
    Sewers
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Stables
    Statue Park (10 statues)
    Temple
    Tinkerer's Shop
    Tombs
    Watchtower

  Military
    Trained Mounted Spearman Brigade <A5/D4/H21/S5/M7> (osseogens)
    Trained Mounted Pikemen <A5*/D2/H23/S5/M8>
    Trained Mounted First Archer Company <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H19/S5/M8>
    Trained Mounted Second Archer Company <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H19/S5/M8>
    Trained Mounted Third Archers <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H20/S5/M9>

  Caster units
    First Constructor <5 mp>
    Third Constructor <5 mp>
    Fourth Constructor <5 mp>
    Fifth Constructor <5 mp>

  Away
    Second Constructor <5 mp>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Fret Rikend
    Sage Heron Redson

  Technologies:
    Agriculture
    Animal Taming
    Archery
    Basic Artifíce
    Ceremonial Burial
    Colonization
    Construction
    Construction Magic
    Crossbows
    Deep Mining
    Earth Dowsing
    Education
    Engineering
    Farming
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Museums
    Organized Religion
    Residential Planning
    Sanitation
    Sculpture
    Theory of Elemental Earth
    Trade
    Unified Currency

Crossbows
  Requires Archery, Mechanics
  Allows Crossbows (2 labor, 1 wood create 1 crossbow; better range than longbow)

Colonizations
  Requires Trade, Engineering
  Create settlers and colonies (not player-controlled; produce ~ 4 resources at start, but can grow)



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Spoiler: Enlightened (click to show/hide)

...

Stables completed
Taxation provides 15 money. Military requires 10 money in upkeep.
Deep Mining needs more research
Think the Unthinkable researched
Units recruited
Blessed recruited

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 2%, adding 415 people.
Population is now at 21,175. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 3%, -1 Morale.)
21 labor units will be available next turn, with [9/10] in the excess labor pool.
21 food will be needed this turn. 2.2 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 58.5 money
  Granary: 6/20 food
  Warehouse: 1/20 wood, 20/20 wool, 11 stone, 2.6 clothing, 1.8 gold jewelry, 6/20 blessed obsidian
  Herds: 0.5 elephants, 6 firedancer

  Buildings
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Idols of the Unknown
    Library
    Marketplace
    Military School
    Military Workshop
    Night Temple
    Palisade on City Hex
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Stables
    Temple

  Military
    Trained Obsidian's Call (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:-)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:-)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:Blood Revelers)
    Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H26/S2/M7/Ab:-)
    Raw Recruits (A3/D2/H10/S3/M5)
    Raw Recruits (A3/D2/H10/S3/M5)

  Caster Units
    Blessed "The Late Incognito" (5 mp)
    Blessed (5 mp)

  Leaders:
    General *replacement*
    High Priest -The Chosen One-

  Technologies:
    Animal Training
    Beast Taming
    Blessing of the Unknown
    Construction
    Engineering
    Enlightenment (Unique; Prerequisite for magical technologies)
    Horseback Riding
    Landscape Stripping
    Literacy
    Mining
    Mobilization
    Organized Religion
    The Shallow of the Unknown
    Think the Unthinkable
    Trade
    Truths Unknowable

Think the Unthinkable
  Requires Truths Unknowable
  The growth penalty from indoctrination is removed entirely. The research penalty is reduced to 10%.
  Blessed get +1 mp

Touch of the Unknown
  5 mp, Sacrifice the caster; Requires Think the Unthinkable
  Adds a 3% magic bonus to population growth for the turn.
  Bonuses of the same name don't stack.

[abculatter_2]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The Enlightened had become almost drone-like for these past years, their minds and bodies possessed by a peculiar thoughtless, almost as if they had become machines whose operator had to go off on an errand. Even the Chosen One, as he busied himself with the preparations of war, could feel the sense of automation pervade his thoughts and actions.

And on top of this were the peculiar lights dancing upon the sky to the west, which the Chosen One couldn't help but feel as if they were somehow connected to this reverie. But that was a matter which had to be pursued later, now was the time for war.

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

1) Work hex 2 (4 food)
2) Work hex 3 (4 food)
3) Work hex 1 (3 food, 1 wool)
4) Work hex 11 (3 food, 1 wool)
5) Work hex 5 (2 food ,1 fire dancers)
6) Work hex 8 (2 food, .5 elephants)
7) Work hex 4 (1 food, 1 gold, 1 wool)
Work hex 14 (1 food, 1 iron, 1 wool)
9) Work hex 18 (2 food, 2 wood)
10) Work hex 13 (3 stone)

+22 food, +4 wool, +1 fire dancers, +1 gold, +1 iron, +2 wood, +3 stone

11) Research (Deep Mining)
12) Research (Deep Mining)
13) Research (Summoning the Unknown)
14) Make Blessed-Forged Iron Elephant Armor (-1 iron)
15) Make Wooden Long Spears (-1 wood)
16) Make Wooden Torches (-1 wood)
17) Build Woodcutting village on hex 7 (-1 stone)
18) Build Woodcutting Village on hex 7 (-1 stone)
19) Make Clothes (-2 wool, +2 Clothes)
20) Make Jewelry (-1 gold, +1 Jewelry)
21) Make Clothes (-2 wool, +2 Clothes)

Train Moon Iron Elephant Rider
Equip Raw Recruits with Fire Dancers and one unit with Wooden Torches
Train Raw Recruits x2

Spend 3 gold on additional recruitment

Recruit Elephant Rider (Blessed-Forged Iron Elephant Armor)
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders

[Vanigo]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The year was like any other for most of Rennad, which is to say, busy and chaotic, but for some, it was little short of revolutionary. The city's new academy opened its doors, with all the rough edges you would expect from a new institution with an inexperienced faculty and staff, but it nevertheless had an almost immediate impact on research efforts, and competition for seats in the next year's class was fierce. The army, excited by the possibilities offered by steel, was busy gearing up to modernize its equipment, even as a unit was assembled to gague the effectiveness of the new crossbows. Two separate projects to improve the efficiency of steel creation were underway, as well - a state-of-the-art smelter was being built, and Tokk researchers were looking into how their magic could be used with the process.
The council mostly ignored these developments. They were more focused on the city's increasing crowding, and while plans to found colonies outside the city proper had been drawn up, arguments about when and where they should be built raged.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 8 gold for +50% research

5) Work 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 (28 food)
4) Work 1, 2, 10, 18 (7 food, 3 gold, 3 silver, 4 wool, 2 stone, 1 badgers)
1) Work 8 (2 stone, 2 iron)
3) Work 3, 12, 16 (3 food, 6 wood)
1) Work 7 (1 food, 2 stone)
Cast Mage's Mine for 1 gold
Cast Mage's Mine for 1 iron
14 labor total
Total: 39 food, 4 gold, 3 silver, 3 iron, 4 wool, 6 stone, 6 wood, 1 badgers

5 labor -> 7 construction +1 Arcane Servitor
3) Build heavy smelter (-2 stone, -1 strong iron)
3) Finish watermill on 7 (-2 stone)
2) Build second granary (Arcane craft for 2 stone)

11) Research Spellsmelting, Geomancy, Heavy Crossbows
(I figure I should be able to use magic to improve the efficiency of smelting and refining metals. In particular, I'd like to be able to reduce the wood required - with that much wood involved, I have to assume a lot of it is basically wasted. It makes a great prerequisite for magical alloys, too, but I'm not expecting any from this tech.)
(For Geomancy, I'm hoping to extend the repertoire of my constructors to include some more general-purpose magic. Walls of stone, swamps, maybe some summoned elementals, etc. An instant road spell to improve overland travel would be pretty sensible, I think.)
(Heavier crossbows, by using some sort of cocking mechanism, can fire much farther and harder than simpler ones. They should probably use metal instead of wood.)

1) Make gold jewelry (-2 gold, +2 jewelry)
2) Make clothing (-4 wool, +4 clothing)
1) Make silver jewelry (-2 silver, +2 silver jewelry)
1.5) Make light flexible iron armor (-1 iron)
3) Make light flexible iron barding x2 (-2 iron)
1) Make crossbows (-1 wood)
0.5) Make iron bolts (-1 iron)

Raise fourth archers (badgers, light flexible iron armor + barding, crossbows, iron bolts)
Give barding to spearmen
Use Oleum Osseogens on pikemen
Send first archers exploring further south of Lactosia
Send pikemen exploring east of Lactosia
Second archers survey potential colony sites on the peninsula

Use 3 spirituality + .6 silver jewelry, 2.6 gold jewelry + 1 entertainment, 3.6 clothing for luxury

+3 food, +5 wood, +2 stone, +2 gold, +1 silver, -1 iron, +.4 clothing, +1.4 silver jewelry, -0.6 gold jewelry

Edit: I seem to have left one of my constructors idle initially. I put them to work in the gold mine.

[Cheddarius]

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

Spend 8 money to get +50% research and improved breakthrough chance
Spend 10 money to get +1 labor: 35 labor

36 labor left, 31 food, 1 iron, 3 stone, 6 wood, 2 wool, 1 silver, 3 clothes, 0.9 silver jewelry, 1.1 gold jewelry

Work tile 2: 6 food
Work tile 3: 6 food
Work tile 4: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 7: 1 animal, 1 wool
Work tile 8: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 12: 6 food
Work tile 13: 5 food
Work tile 16: 1 stone, 2 silver
Work tile 17: 2 stone
Work tile 18: 1 food, 1 stone, 2 iron

Cast Mage's Mine: +1 iron

Trade 1 iron to the giants for 3 wood

26 labor left, 57 food, 3 iron, 7 stone, 10 wood, 3 wool, 3 silver, 3 clothes, 0.9 silver jewelry, 1.1 gold jewelry

Build Academy: 6 stone, 6 money, 6 labor
Build Stables: 2 wood, 2 labor
Total labor: 8. With Mechanic's Workshop: 6 labor

7 research Developed Physiological Alchemy
1 research Advanced Firearms

1 operate Music Hall

0.5 make 1 clothes: 1 wool
0.5 make 0.5 silver jewelry: 0.5 silver

3 make 3 strong iron: 3 iron, 6 wood
2 make 2 steel: 2 strong iron, 2 wood
2 make 2 refined gonne: 2 steel
1 make bombs: 1 strong iron, 1 stone

2 train alchemist: 6 money

Equip Heavy Hand Cannoneers 3rd Company with refined gonne
Train Heavy Hand Cannoneers 3rd Company to "trained"
Equip Heavy Hand Cannoneers 2nd Company with refined gonne
Heavy Hand Cannoneers 2nd Company train Shield Wall tactic

Heavy Scouts heads northeast, avoiding the forest and canvassing any unexplored land and trying to get to Lactosia
Lactosian Infantry heads northeast, exploring unexplored land and heading for Lactosia

0 labor left, 57 food, 2 wool, 2.5 silver, 4 clothes, 1.4 silver jewelry, 1.1 gold jewelry

Use 32 food to feed populace
Use 3.3 clothes to raise morale
Use 2 Entertainment and 1.3 silver jewelry to raise morale
Use 2 Spirituality and 6 food and 0.1 gold jewelry to raise morale

Get 3 wood from giants

0 labor left, 19 food, 1 iron, 3 wood, 2 wool, 2.5 silver, 0.7 clothes, 0.1 silver jewelry, 1 gold jewelry

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The Lactosians rejoiced in their new technologies. This year, to ensure that their technology finished, seven thousand Lactosians worked on developing even more powerful physiological alchemy. The Lactosians hoped for another miracle drug to reduce labor costs, or perhaps some revolutionary advancement in laboratories that would enable the alchemists to produce and store more compounds each year. The Lactosians also spent a small amount of time researching firearms. Better weaponry would enable the Lactosians to better defend themselves from foreign threats. However, firearms research not the focus this year. Forges blazed as two hundred refined gonne were molded into shape. Craftsmen hammered at a huge strong-iron shell, packing it with explosive powder to smash the walls of the niDano. These would do for now; better firearms could wait. Soon the Lactosian army would march on the niDano with the giants, gonne fire raining upon the skeletal citizens.

The builders were busy this year. They built a stables, so that next year, the Lactosian army could train to ride horses and maneuver with lightning speed. A master alchemist was trained to accompany the soldiers to battle. Labor was thin over the Lactosians' many ventures, and the Lactosians were forced to dip into their food stockpile. Luckily, the extra luxuries from last year let them finish all their plans.

The explorers attempted to search the last of the unexplored area to the south. If they missed a small portion, they would not worry; it could be explored later, and the most important thing was to get back to Lactosia. The horses that the heavy scouts had found would be extremely useful for the hand cannoneer army.

Spoiler: Lactosian Canon (click to show/hide)

The city is called Great Lactosia.
The citizens are called Lactosians.

One Lactosian mass unit - that is, unit of wood, stone, metal, food, or other heavy substance - is called a "wheel".

The river is called the Stilton River.
The mountains at 16-18 are the Hills of Iron.
The forest at 4, 5, 14, 15 is the Southern Woods.
The plains are called the Bountiful Plains.
The hills are called the Far Pastures.

Lactosian Infantry is led by Lokhagos Asiago.
Heavy Scouts is led by Lokhagos Gjetost.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers is led by Lokhagos Leyden.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers 2nd Company is led by Lokhagos Jarlsberg.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers 3rd Company is led by Lokhagos Liptauer.
The Lactosian diplomat is called Penbryn.

[IronyOwl]

Spoiler: Schism (click to show/hide)

  The Council was in an uproar. Normally, the Haskanara were adept at maintaining order and civility, but the threat of the Dark Lactosian menace had once again surfaced, making the inhabitants of the city agitated.
  Adding to this was the recent discord between the rising intellectuals and the established mystics, which had somehow come into conflict. Skik and Skan had been resolute in presenting a united message of accommodation, and neither was entirely certain how such a conflict had come to be in the first place, but angry shouting matches between those who followed the stars and those who valued knowledge had begun erupting in places, notably the Councils.
  Furthermore, the Odammites had grown in power with the Dark Lactosian threat, their message of power and battle resonating well with the shocked populace. With so many factions vying for power and simply existing, it seemed the city was becoming far more chaotic.

  None of this particularly bothered Skan, however. The city was, after all, under threat from an unknown foe. They had a good idea as to where they had come from, but knew little else other than that vengeance was due. Adding the issues of a growing city to the mix, it became clear that there would be issues. The dispute between academics and mystics, and thus the implication that the stars and knowledge were somehow opposed, still baffled him, but he chalked it up to the people running out of real arguments before they ran out of zeal for solving problems.
  So yes, they were improving crop fields while war loomed. Yes, they were splitting their research among numerous things, many of which had little to do with war. And yes, they were ignoring the threat of Algrathon in favor of this new enemy- but these were passing troubles. Soon, they'd right themselves and resume their more focused approach to progress, and then things would look up again.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 Money on 1 Labor
Spend 8 Money on Research Boost
1) Work Tile 1 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
2) Work Tile 2 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
3) Work Tile 3 - Ocean/Wharf/Deep Fishery = 4 Food
4) Work Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Mine/Quarry/Windmill = 1 Food, 2 Wool, 1 Silver, 1 Stone
5) Work Tile 7 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
6) Work Tile 8 - Mountains/Copper/Deep Mine/Quarry/Windmill = 3 Stone, 4 Money
7) Work Tile 10 - Ocean/Wharf/Deep Fishery = 4 Food
8 ) Work Tile 15 - Forest/Hunter's Camp = 1 Food, 1 Wood, 1 Leather
9) Work Tile 16 - Forest/Hunter's Camp = 1 Food, 1 Wood, 1 Leather
10) Work Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Quarry/Mine = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Stone, 1 Tin
Subtotals: 27 Food, 3 Wool, 2 Leather, 2 Wood, 4 Stone, 1 Tin, 1 Silver

11,12,13,14) Build Two-Field Farm on Tile 2 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill (ready for next turn)

15,16,17) Make Longbows and Greatbows (-3 Wood, +1 Longbows, +1 Greatbows)
18,19) Smelt Bronze (-2 Copper, -2 Tin, +4 Bronze)
20,21,22) Make Flexible Heavy and Flexible Light Bronze Armor (-3 Bronze, +1 Flexible Light Bronze Armor, +1 Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor)

23,24,25) Make Clothing (-6 leather, +6 clothing)

Spend 8 Money for Research/Breakthrough bonus
26,27,28) Research Metallurgy
29,30) Research Astral Calendar (Astral tech, removes omen effect from academics and allows Astral Calendar- requires stone, grants spirituality)
*) Research Dreamwalking


Skik's Vision: "Our archnemeses, the Dark Lactosians."


The First Legion swaps out Bows for Longbows.

The Third Legion will escort the mushroom/clothing shipment.

Raise Ninth Legion using Greatbows, Flexible Light Bronze Armor.

Taxation provides 19.5+5+4 Money. Military requires 8 Money in upkeep. Labor/Education costs 18 Money.
Net Gain: 2 Money

Food Produced: 27
Food Consumed: 27

Luxury Needed: 2.8
Luxury Produced:
[+1]2.8 Spirituality
[+2]2.8 Clothing
[+3]2.8 Mushrooms

Receive two mushrooms in trade. Lose 2 Clothing in trade.

Warehouse: 7/20 wood, 4/20 wool, 8/20 Stone, 1/20 leather, 9/20 copper, 2/20 tin, 1/20 bronze, 7/20 silver, 3.4 Mushrooms, 2.7/20 Clothing, 0.4/20 silver jewelry, 5/20 red pearls, 1 Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor, 1 Bows
Granary: 15/20 Food
Treasury: 87.5

[Knight Otu]

(I'm pretty sure that I mentioned that barding and armor are the same and don't stack somewhere... I hope it wasn't only in a PM)

Spoiler: Skik's Vision (click to show/hide)

"Our archnemeses, the Dark Lactosians." The Dark Lactosians? The Enlightened? The Endarkened? Skik sees a city, of Gold and Obsidian. Its inhabitants, like drones, working on strange and mundane projects alike, with little regard to personal matter. Temples and shrines, offerings to an unknown god. Preparations for war, the great tusked beasts, and horses with flaming hooves. And then there is some partially free spirit... or is it? Skik sees before her a man looking exactly like the leader of the army that had attacked the Haskanara. Coincidence? 'So she watches us right now?' A shudder - she had seen entities like Algrathon and the Derangers in her visions, but they could never gaze back as far as she knew. 'A pity we couldn't meet last time I was there. It could have been interesting.' But he died, didn't he? 'He doesn't let go easily, you should know.'.

Spoiler: IronyOwl's Haskanara (click to show/hide)

The schism between followers of the astral path and the intellectual path continues unabated. Any research dedicated to undoing the schism remains fruitless when the source of the schism remains mysterious.
The Third Legion reports that the goblin Grugrob has attained some magical power and has demonstrated some kind of red lightning blast. Grugrob hasn't elaborated on whether further magical abilities have been attained.
By the end of the summer, a scouting troop of small humanoids and what appears to be insectoids approaches Skethorum from the north, mounted on large badgers. Skik recognizes them from two of her visions.

2-Field Farm on tile 2 completed
Metallurgy researched
Academics needs a bit more research
Dreamwalking researched

Taxation provides 21+5 money. Military requires 8 money in upkeep.
Received 2 Mushrooms in trade.

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 4%, adding 1094 people. Labor bonus
Population is now at 28,458. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 3%.)
34 labor units will be available next turn, with [2/10] in the excess labor pool.
29 food will be needed this turn. 2.9 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 7/20 wood, 4/20 wool, 8/20 Stone, 1/20 leather, 9/20 copper, 2/20 tin, 1/20 bronze, 7/20 silver, 3.4 Mushrooms, 2.7/20 Clothing, 0.4/20 silver jewelry, 5/20 red pearls, 1 Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor, 1 Bows
  Granary: 15/20 Food
  Treasury: 89

  Buildings:
    Apartment Houses
    Astral Nexus
    Clothier's Workshop
    Docks
    Granary x2
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Military Workshop
    Mint
    Museum
    Observatory
    Sewers
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Temple
    Tombs

  Leaders:
    Astronomer Skik
      Special Ability: Astral Talent (3 mp to cast astral spells)
    Explorer Skiin
      Special Ability: Master Archer
    Scientist Skan

  Military:
     Trained First Legion (Scouts) <A2/D2/R4[4/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Second Legion <A6/D5/H(19)23/S2/M7>
     Trained Third Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Fourth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>
     Trained Fifth Legion <A6/D5/H21/S3/M8>
     Experienced Sixth Legion <A7/D6/H23/S2/M7>
     Trained Seventh Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Eighth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>
     Ninth Legion <A2/D2/R5[4/-]/H20/S3/M7>

  Technologies:
    Advanced Ship Construction
    Agriculture
    Animal Training
    Archery
    Astral Magic
    Astral Theory
    Astronomy
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Fishing
    Deep Mining
    Dreamwalking
    Education
    Engineering
    Farming
    Fishing
    Greatbows
    Great Ship Construction
    Integrated Excavations
    Literacy
    Longbows
    Mechanics
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Museums
    Organized Religion
    Residential Planning
    Sailing
    Sanitation
    Sea Farming
    Tidal Mastery
    Trade
    Tactics: Far Shot

Dreamwalking
  Requires Tidal Mastery
  Allows Message of the Stars
  Increases mp of Astral Mages by 1

Message of the Stars
  2 mp
  Allows the caster to send a message of up to 25 words to any being on the same plane known to and specified by the caster. That being can respond in kind.

Spoiler: Cheddarius' Lactosians (click to show/hide)

The Lactosian scientists stumble upon an unorthodox formula that sort of sates the eater for a while, though the alchemists wisely do not share the actual formula with the populance. It's no cheese, but it'll do.
The hand cannoneers receive their new weapons and special training for the coming conflicts, while the explorers partially make their way to the city, avoiding the great forest.

Academy and Stables completed
Advanced Firearms needs more research
Developed Physiological Alchemy researched

Taxation provides 24 money. Military requires 5 money in upkeep. Alchemists require 3 money in upkeep

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 4.3%, adding 1383 people. Morale is high enough for a labor bonus.
Population is now at 33,1568. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 4%,)
37 labor units will be available next turn, with [4/10] in the excess labor pool.
34 food will be needed this turn. 3.4 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 1/20 bombs, 3/20 wood, 2/20 wool, 0/20 stone, 3/20 Iron, 2.5/20 silver, 0/20 Steel, 0.7/20 clothes, 0.1/20 silver jewelry, 1.0/20 gold jewelry
  Granary: 19/40 food
  Treasury: 58.5 money
  Herds: 2 horses (1 with explorers)

  Buildings:
    Academy
    Alchemical Laboratory
    Alchemist's Workshop
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary x2
    Hall of Learning
    Heavy Smelter
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Museum
    Music Hall
    School
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Stables
    Statue Park (10 statues)
    Tombs

  Military
    1st Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D7/R6[3/-]/H23/S3/M8/Ab:Shield Wall> (osseogens)
    2nd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D7/R7[4/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Shield Wall>
    3nd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers <A2/D6/R7[4/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:->

  Alchemist/Caster Units
    Second Physiological Alchemist <3 compounds>
    Third Physiological Alchemist <3 compounds>

  Alchemist/Caster Units (Away)
    First Physiological Alchemist <3 compounds>

  Away (0.5/1 food)
    Lactosian Infantry <A5/D5/H10/S3/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>
  Away (1.6 food)
    Heavy Scouts <A7/D8/H22/S1(3)/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Dr. Donlan
    Governor Cheddarius
      Special Ability: Hope for the future
    Sage Airag
      Special Ability: Librarian

  Technologies:
    Advanced Physiological Alchemy
    Agriculture
    Alchemy
    Blast Powder
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Developed Physiological Alchemy
    Education
    Engineering
    Explosives
    Farming
    Firearms
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Improved Firearms
    Improved Physiological Alchemy
    Literacy
    Mechanics
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Museums
    Music
    Organized Religion
    Physiological Alchemy
    Residential Planning
    Sanitation
    Sculptures
    Steelmaking
    Trade
    Tactics: Shield Wall

Developed Physiological Alchemy
  Requires Advanced Physiological Alchemy
  Allows Aqua Kaolinae

Aqua Kaolinae
  3 compounds
  Reduces the need for population food by 4 the turn it is applied, but not by more than half.

Spoiler: Vanigo's Eredor (click to show/hide)

The research of the Eredor is quite fruitful. The explorers on the peninsula report that the northern portion of the mountain would make a good outpost for mining the suspected magical iron and wool industry, and may remain self-sufficient for a bit - there is a tiny brook that could help with irrigation. They may want some wood imports, though, as no true forests are to be found. The far west of the peninsula would make a good spot for exporting food, but they would want all kinds of building material. And to the east, where the peninsula meets the mainland mountains and a great river flows could be an important strategic point.
The first archers exploring to the south come across a city that they cautiously approach.
The pikemen, meanwhile, as they explore east of Lactosia, find themselves ambushed by several ratmen.

The battle is vicious, but while the ratman give no quarter and get in numerous attacks, ultimately they are no match for the well-trained and -equipped Eredor. The tokk mention that they believe that more ratmen were watching the battle, possibly to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the warriors.

Watermill on tile 7 completed
Heavy Smelter and Granary completed
Taxation provides 25.5+11 money. Military requires 5 money in upkeep. Casters require 12 money in upkeep
Spellsmithing researched
Geomancy researched
Heavy Crossbows needs more research

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 5%, adding 1791 people. Labor bonus
Population is now at 37,624. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2.5%.)
41 labor units will be available next turn, with [7/10] in the excess labor pool.
37 food will be needed this turn. 3.8 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 80.5
  Granary: 17/40 food
  Warehouse: 18/20 wood, 0/20 wool, 2/20 stone, 4/20 gold, 10/20 Iron, 1/20 silver, 0/20 strong iron, 1.9/20 Clothing, 1.3/20 Gold jewelry, 1.9 silver jewelry, 1/20 pearls, 0.1/20 pearl jewelry
  Herds: -


  Buildings
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Constructor's Guild
    Granary x2
    Hall of Learning
    Heavy Smelter
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Museum
    School
    Sewers
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Stables
    Statue Park (10 statues)
    Temple
    Tinkerer's Shop
    Tombs
    Watchtower

  Military
    Trained Mounted Spearman Brigade <A5/D4/H21/S5/M7> (osseogens)
    Trained Mounted Pikemen <A5*/D2/H20(25)/S5/M8> (osseogens)
    Trained Mounted First Archer Company <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H19/S5/M8>
    Trained Mounted Second Archer Company <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H19/S5/M8>
    Trained Mounted Third Archers <A2/D2/R5[2/10]/H20/S5/M9>
    Mounted Fourth Archers <A2/D2/R6[4/10]/H18/S5/M8>
  Caster units
    First Constructor <5 mp>
    Third Constructor <5 mp>
    Fourth Constructor <5 mp>
    Fifth Constructor <5 mp>

  Away
    Second Constructor <5 mp>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Fret Rikend
    Sage Heron Redson

  Technologies:
    Agriculture
    Animal Taming
    Archery
    Basic Artifíce
    Ceremonial Burial
    Colonization
    Construction
    Construction Magic
    Crossbows
    Deep Mining
    Earth Dowsing
    Education
    Engineering
    Farming
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Museums
    Organized Religion
    Residential Planning
    Sanitation
    Sculpture
    Theory of Elemental Earth
    Trade
    Unified Currency

Spellsmithing
  Requires Metallurgy, Construction Magic
  Halves the wood cost of creating alloys, including strong iron and steel (to a minimum of 1/2 wood)

Geomancy
  Requires Construction Magic, Earth Dowsing
  Allows Wall of Rock, Earth Elemental

Wall of Rock
  5 mp
  Creates a temporary stone wall improvement on any city hex, or surrounding an accompanied unit. When the caster creates a new Wall of Rock, the old one vanishes.

Earth Elemental
  5 mp, 1 gold
  Creates an earth elemental unit with A5/D5/H30/S1/M9 that cannot be further equipped or trained. No more than one earth elemental may exist per constructor on your side. When an earth elemental dies, the winner of the battle gets 1 gold (the one used in casting)

Spoiler: Abculatter_2's Enlightened (click to show/hide)

About anything happening in the Shining City is geared for war. Even the mining and woodcutting is more martial than a casual observer would be comfortable with.

Woodcutting Village on tile 7 completed
Taxation provides 16.5 money. Military requires 16 money in upkeep. Caster units require 6 money in upkeep
Deep Mining researched
Summoning the Unknown needs more research
Units recruited
Blessed recruited

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 2%, adding 423 people.
Population is now at 21,598. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 3%, -1 Morale.)
22 labor units will be available next turn, with [5/10] in the excess labor pool.
22 food will be needed this turn. 2.2 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 50 money
  Granary: 7/20 food
  Warehouse: 1/20 wood, 20/20 wool, 12 stone, 4.4 clothing, 0.6 gold jewelry, 6/20 blessed obsidian
  Herds: 1 elephants, 5 firedancer

  Buildings
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Idols of the Unknown
    Library
    Marketplace
    Military School
    Military Workshop
    Night Temple
    Palisade on City Hex
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Temple

  Military
    Trained Obsidian's Call (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:-)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:-)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:Blood Revelers)
    Trained Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H27/S2/M8/Ab:-)
    Trained Firedancer Rider (A3/D2/H12/S6/M8)
    Trained Torch Rider (A5/D2/H12/S6/M8)
    Moon Iron Elephant Rider (A7/D4/H26/S2/M7/Ab:-)
    Firedancer Rider (A3/D2/H12/S6/M8)
    Firedancer Rider (A3/D2/H12/S6/M8)
    Firedancer Rider (A3/D2/H12/S6/M8)

  Caster Units
    Blessed "The Late Incognito" (5 mp)
    Blessed (5 mp)

  Leaders:
    General *replacement*
    High Priest -The Chosen One-

  Technologies:
    Animal Training
    Beast Taming
    Blessing of the Unknown
    Construction
    Engineering
    Enlightenment (Unique; Prerequisite for magical technologies)
    Horseback Riding
    Landscape Stripping
    Literacy
    Mining
    Mobilization
    Organized Religion
    The Shallow of the Unknown
    Think the Unthinkable
    Trade
    Truths Unknowable

Voices in the Nowhere
"Is it His work?" - "I cannot know it. Thus, it has to be."
"What about the other?" - "He thinks, knowingly. I would assume it is him."
"What of Algrathon?" - "It serves itself. It serves destruction. This may make it an enemy. Or an ally."
"So there still is hope?" - "Yes."

[/i]

[abculatter_2]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

He looked upon his hordes, years he had been building up this army. Now, a sea of smoldering embers blackened with the dancer's sooty bodies, behind it the mighty leviathans, greatest of the beasts of the plains, towering like grey cliffs. The echos of the Blessed could be heard in the palace, their shrieking cries of torturous worship the only sound above the crackling of embers.

It is time, at last! He thought, soon repeating outward,
"It is time, at last, brethren! At long last, may our noble warriors and exalted leader be avenged! At long last, may the bloodlust of the Unknown One, festering within us, known but never spoken of, be quenched! At long last, we go to WAR!!!"

At that, He thrust his sword unto the air, the deathly silent mass before him doing the same in unspoken cheering. His speech continued, elaborating upon the points just made as well as largely meaningless religious drivel which nevertheless awoke within soldier and animal alike a burning desire for battle. When the Blessed finished their prayers in mid-speech, they filed through the ranks, several of them still limping and whimpering, and claimed their steeds. Soon afterward, His speech ended and at last the order to march was called, the stygian force surging forward across the eternal twilight of the plains.

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

1) Work hex 2 (4 food)
2) Work hex 3 (4 food)
3) Work hex 4 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 gold)
4) Work hex 7 (1 food, 2 wood)
5) Work hex 14 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 iron)
6) Work hex 18 (2 food, 2 wood)
7) Work hex 1 (3 food, 1 wool)
Work hex 8 (2 food, .5 elephants)
9) Work hex 5 (2 food, 1 fire dancers)

+20 food, +3 wool, +4 wood, +1 iron, +1 gold, +.5 elephants, +1 fire dancers

10) Research (Summoning the Unknown)
11) Research (Summoning the Unknown)
12) Research (Summoning the Unknown)
13) Build Deep Mine on hex 14
14) Build Deep Mine on hex 14
15) Make Obsidian Swords (-1 wood)
16) Make Obsidian Swords (-1 wood)
17) Make Obsidian Swords (-1 wood)
18) Make Obsidian Swords (-1 wood)
19) Make Obsidian Swords (-1 wood)
20) Make Iron Long Spears (-1 iron)
21) Make Clothes (-2 wool, +2 clothes)
22) Make Jewelry (-1 gold, +1 jewelry)

Train all untrained units

Equip Firedancer Riders with Obsidian Swords x3
Equip spellcasters with Fire Dancers x2
Rename Blessed to The Unseeing

Spend 3 gold on extra recruitment

Recruit Elephant Riders (Iron Long Spears)
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders (Obsidian Swords)
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders (Obsidian Swords)
Recruit Fire Dancer Riders

Attach the General to The Unseeing
Attach the Chosen One to The Late Incognito

[Cheddarius]

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

Spend 8 money to get +50% research and improved breakthrough chance
Spend 10 money to get +1 labor: 38 labor

38 labor left, 19 food, 3 wood, 2 wool, 2.5 silver, 0.7 clothes, 0.1 silver jewelry, 1 gold jewelry

Work tile 1: 1 food, 1 horse, 1 wool
Work tile 2: 6 food
Work tile 3: 6 food
Work tile 4: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 7: 1 horse, 1 wool
Work tile 9: 6 food
Work tile 12: 6 food
Work tile 16: 1 stone, 2 silver
Work tile 17: 2 stone
Work tile 18: 1 food, 1 stone, 2 iron

Trade 2 silver, 2 food to the giants for 6 wood, 1 iron
Standing order: Alchemist in Eredor does not use Aqua Kaolinae

28 labor left, 44 food, 5 wood, 4 stone, 2 iron, 4 wool, 2.5 silver, 0.7 clothes, 0.1 silver jewelry, 1 gold jewelry

Build Temple: 4 stone, 4 money, 4 labor
Cast Arcane Craft twice: +2 stone
Total labor: 4. With Mechanic's Workshop: 3 labor

7 research Elevated Physiological Alchemy
6 research Advanced Firearms
2 research Unified Currency

1 operate Music Hall

1.5 make 3 clothes: 3 wool
1.5 make 1.5 silver jewelry: 1.5 silver

1 make 2 strong iron: 2 iron, 4 wood
1 make 1 bomb: 1 strong iron, 1 stone

4 train 2 Physiological Alchemists: 12 money

Equip 1st Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers with horses, bomb
Equip 2nd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers with horses, bomb
Equip 3rd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers with horses
3rd Trained Heavy Hand Cannoneers train Shield Wall tactic

Heavy Scouts heads (unfinished - please notify)

0 labor left, 44 food, 1 strong iron, 1 wood, 1 stone, 1 silver, 1 wool, 3.7 clothes, 1.6 silver jewelry, 1 gold jewelry

Both alchemists cast Aqua Kaolinae twice: -8 food needed
Use 26 food to feed populace
Use 3.4 clothes to raise morale
Use 2 Entertainment and 1.4 silver jewelry to raise morale
Use 2 Spirituality and 7 food to raise morale

Get 9 wood, 1 iron from giants

0 labor left, 11 food, 1 strong iron, 1 iron, 10 wood, 1 stone, 1 silver, 1 wool, 0.3 clothes, 0.2 silver jewelry, 1 gold jewelry

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The powerful new Lactosian compound would greatly reduce the amount of food needed to sustain the Lactosians. Not taking salaries into account, training an alchemist would more than pay for itself within two years. In addition, the new Academy enabled Lactosians to work on all the technologies they desired. They hoped to finish a new alchemical compound within the year; if all went well, they would find a drug that would enhance thought and make new technologies better or researching them cheaper. If they discovered a compound that catalyzed compound synthesis and let alchemists produce more compounds each year, that would also be useful. In addition, they labored to work on improving their gonnes yet more; if successful, their improved range and (if the Lactosians were very lucky) increased power would enable the Lactosian armies to decimate invaders from afar. Finally, two thousand Lactosians attempted to research a new design for standardized currency and currency production. With these new technologies, the Lactosians could build a mighty mint that would churn out new coins every year. Scavenging discarded impure silver from the mines and stamping it into bright new currency would supplement the Lactosian government's income, allowing it to pay its team of physiological alchemists without putting too much of a drain on the coffers.

The military arm of the Lactosians was hard at work. Two new alchemists were hired and trained; they might stay at home to produce vast quantities of food substitute for the hungry Lactosians, or march on the niDano with ample quantities of spiritual distillate and white vitriol to rally the troops. Two herds of horses were bred in the fields and brought in. The 3rd Company finished their training, and all companies were issued horses. The elite Lactosian Mounted Cannoneers would descend upon kiDano, a fearsome sight to behold, charging to the heart of the city and unleashing a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which had never been seen on this earth.

Meanwhile, a huge temple was erected to accommodate those Lactosians who had been turned away at the shrine and tombs. The feasting that had been ordered to pacify them could be stopped, further reducing the drain on food. Despite this, the Lactosians let their granaries run low, focusing more on production than keeping some food for insurance. Would their hubris lead to a famine and untold numbers of deaths? Only the great Otu, He who rules over the earth and sky, knows.

Lastly, the explorers attempted to get back to Lactosia, to deliver their cargo of horses and help defend Lactosia, along with new troops to be trained later, while the armies of cannoneers were away.

Spoiler: Lactosian Canon (click to show/hide)

The city is called Great Lactosia.
The citizens are called Lactosians.

One Lactosian mass unit - that is, unit of wood, stone, metal, food, or other heavy substance - is called a "wheel".

The river is called the Stilton River.
The mountains at 16-18 are the Hills of Iron.
The forest at 4, 5, 14, 15 is the Southern Woods.
The plains are called the Bountiful Plains.
The hills are called the Far Pastures.

Lactosian Infantry is led by Lokhagos Asiago.
Heavy Scouts is led by Lokhagos Gjetost.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers is led by Lokhagos Leyden.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers 2nd Company is led by Lokhagos Jarlsberg.
Heavy Hand Cannoneers 3rd Company is led by Lokhagos Liptauer.
The Lactosian diplomat is called Penbryn.

[Vanigo]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

Our new spellsmithing techniques dramatically reduce the wood needed for making steel. That's good. Major bottleneck removed. Fret Rinkend looked around the warehouse, which was nearly overflowing with stockpiled wood. So now what are we going to do with all this?

With a major military modernization effort ramping up and several potential enemies known, the Council was doing something that surprised no one. They were arguing. (It was often said that the only reason strong coalitions never formed in the Council was that the councillors were simply too argumentative to get along.) The usual impromptu factions had sprung up, with an average amount of reshuffling since the last major debate, and the room reached a fairly standard noise level. After a typical period of shouting where the less experienced councillors got hoarse, the more restrained members began hammering out an unremarkable final position.
Finally, Tailow Weatherbeater summed up the end product. "So we're agreed, then. A reconnisance in force to make contact with these Enlightened and learn what they can, ideally avoiding conflict, but strong enough to hopefully escape if they prove as hostile as the Haskanara would have us believe. No action will be taken against the dragons until our modernization program has largely completed. Any objections?"
There was some halfhearted grumbling, but nothing more than that.
"Motion passes."

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 8 gold for +50% research
Spend 10 gold for 1 labor

5) Work 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 (28 food)
4) Work 1, 2, 10, 18 (7 food, 3 gold, 3 silver, 4 wool, 2 stone, 1 badgers)
1) Work 8 (2 stone, 2 iron)
2) Work 3, 12 (2 food, 4 wood)
1) Work 7 (2 food, 2 stone)
Cast Mage's Mine for 1 iron
13 labor total
Total: 39 food, 3 gold, 3 silver, 3 iron, 4 wool, 6 stone, 4 wood, 1 badgers

0 labor -> 0 construction +3 Arcane Servitor
3) Build stone wall on city tile (-3 stone)

12) Research Heavy Crossbows, Soil Affinity, Basic Accessory Enchanting
(Soil is a kind of earth, so I figure earth magic should be able to do soil enhancement for better food and possibly wood production. Not sure if a spell, terrain improvement, or building is most appropriate.)
(Basic accessories would be your rings of protection, your cloaks of resistance, your gauntlets of ogre power, etc.)

6) Make strong iron->steel (-6 iron, -9 wood, +6 steel)
2) Make steel swords (-2 steel, +2 steel swords)
3) Make steel tower shields (-2 steel, +2 steel tower shields)
3) Make light flexible steel armor(-2 steel, +2 light flexible steel armor)
1) Make clothing (-2 wool, +2 clothing)
1) Make gold jewelry (-2 gold, +2 gold jewelry)
1) Make silver jewelry (-2 silver, +2 silver jewelry)
17 labor total

Reequip pikemen with steel swords, steel tower shields, steel armor; rename first cavalry (Keep the iron armor; I might give it to some archers)
Raise second cavalry (badgers, steel swords, steel tower shields, steel armor)
Train fourth archers

Use ossseogens on second cavalry

Send spearmen, first, second archers exploring southwest of Skethorum

Trade three stone to merfolk for three food

Use 3 spirituality + .8 gold jewelry, 2.8 silver jewelry + 1 entertainment, 3.8 clothing for luxury

+5 food, -5 wood, +2 wool, +1 gold, +1 silver, -3 iron, -1.8 clothing, -0.8 silver jewelry, +1.2 gold jewelry

[IronyOwl]

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 Money on extra Labor
Spend 8 Money on School bonus
1) Work Tile 1 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
2) Work Tile 2 - Plains/River/2-Field Farm/Watermill = 6 Food
3) Work Tile 3 - Ocean/Deep Fishery = 4 Food
4) Work Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Quarry/Mine/Windmill = 1 Food, 1 Silver, 2 Wool, 1 Silver, 1 Stone
5) Work Tile 7 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
6) Work Tile 8 - Mountains/Copper/Deep Mine/Quarry/Windmill = 3 Stone, 2 Copper
7) Work Tile 10 - Ocean/Deep Fishery = 4 Food
8 ) Work Tile 15 - Forest/Hunter's Camp = 1 Food, 1 Leather, 1 Wood
9) Work Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Mine/Quarry = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Stone, 1 Tin
Subtotals: 27 Food, 3 Wool, 1 Leather, 1 Wood, 5 Stone, 1 Silver, 1 Tin, 2 Copper

10,11) Construct Fishing Wharf on Tile 4 - Ocean (-2 Wood, ready for next turn)
12,13) Construct Deep Fishery on Tile 4 - Ocean (-2 Wood, ready for next turn)

14,15,16,17) Construct Deep Mine on Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Mine/Quarry (-2 Wood, ready for next turn)

18,19,20) Construct Stone Wall around Skethorum (-3 Stone, ready for next turn)

21,22) Smelt Bronze (-2 Copper, -2 Tin, +4 Bronze)

23,24) Forge Bronze Arrowheads, Bronze Tower Shields (-2 Bronze)
25) Forge Bronze Scimitars (-1 Bronze)

26,27,28 ) Make Clothing (-6 Wool, +6 Clothing)

29,30,31,32) Research Bodkin Arrows (Archery tech; allows more damaging metal arrowheads)
33,34,35,*) Research Reinforced Masonry (Construction/Engineering tech; allows stronger walls)

*: Skik's research.

Skik casts Vision from the Stars: "The location and status of great bulky reptiles near Skethorum."
Skik casts Message from the Stars.

Raise Tenth Legion using Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor, Bronze Tower Shields, and Bronze Scimitars.

Ninth Legion Trains.

Sixth Legion escorts mushroom-clothing shipment.

Food Produced: 27
Food Consumed: 29

Luxury Needed: 2.9
Luxury Produced:
2.9 Spirituality
2.9 Clothing
2.9 Mushrooms
(+3 Morale)

Taxes: 21+5
Expenses: 9+10+8 (military+labor+school)
Net: -1

Exchange 2 Clothing for 2 Mushrooms.

  Warehouse: 2/20 wood, 1/20 wool, 10/20 Stone, 2/20 leather, 9/20 copper, 1/20 tin, 2/20 bronze, 8/20 silver, 2.5 Mushrooms, 3.8/20 Clothing, 0.4/20 silver jewelry, 5/20 red pearls, 1 Bows
  Granary: 13/20 Food
  Treasury: 88