This summer was rather calm compared to everything that happened last year because we had time to prepare - somehow. When the merchants from Hazelslide came to visit us, we had hired Lemann Ewomgipest as a broker and had plenty of goods - mostly woodcrafts decorated with shells, but also high quality clothing to give them a run for their money.
Lemann was an veteran soldier - we did hire him mostly as an act of kindness and as a way to thank him for the sacrifices he made for the country - we didn't expected him to do well. But to our surprize, he performed remarkably. Most of our crafts were sold, against an impressive amount of the metal we so desperately crave. He bought every bit of copper, bronze and iron he could let a hand on, and when the merchant left, we had enough material to start supply our brigades with real weapons of war.
We set down an anvil in a corner, and started forging axes and swords. When our initial reserves of metal bars were exhausted, we melted down the other metal item he bought and started tinkering some armor. We're still very lightly armored, but as time goes on our gear keep getting better and we're confident our skill will compensate for our lack of equipment. No doubt we'll have to repeat the same process next year - in the meantime, shellmail still works.
A week after the departure of the merchants, we received a letter from Hazelslide - signed by Queen Uzu Rakedowl herself, promoting one of us to the title of Lord of the Enchanted Swamp, Baron of Watershield.
All hail the lord of the Swamp!
We don't really know why the Queen chose Ryukan Heartduty for the title, but we do know our friend was desiring it dearly - and Xetan relinquished her position as an expedition leader without trouble. We're actually very happy the one she chose was one of the seven founders of Watershield - our effort seem to have been recognized after all !
With the nomination of Ryukan as our lord came a number of promotions, of which the two most important were Imic Lutogoto at the position of Hearthcaptain and leader of the sword squad, and Jamila Thakomimo at the head of the bow squad. Both of them were tasked with the duty to fill their ranks and to drill their soldiers, which they started immediately.
Imic was also given a very sharp serrated iron sword, which we can't wait to see being used.
In the meantime, we built two quick project we felt couldn't wait - the first one being a fitting house for our new lord, the second being a shooting position for our bow squad. The two were completed before the summer was through. We also continued the outer wall - as the village continues to expend, we need to multiply the obstacles between us and enemy forces to protect the citizens. We know a simple wall won't be enough - but we have to start somewhere and it's better than nothing.
Aside that, the summer was tranquil. Zepher, son of Jalew the miner and brother of Apba- and Asin's brother-in-law finally came to age. He asked to be put into the bow squad, and as we need more arms, we gladly accepted. From now on he'll be under Jamila's command. Ser, one of our craftmen, also asked us to hurry the construction of an academy as he wants - as Saren - to dedicate himself to the pursue of knowlege.
The pursuit of abstract thinking always seemed to be as a waste of time and ressources... But I'm also aware that now we're considered by the kingdom as a true fief, our standing matters more than ever and having dedicated scholar would definitely help making Watershield shine. The construction of an academy was therefore pushed up on our priority list.
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We know of one human nation that was destroyed by goblins and titans to the point they lost all their settlements, far up to the north...But it may be only rumors. I don't know to what extent this is true, but travellers report kobolds took over the remnants of the nations and proclaimed one of them the new king. Truely a curiosity.
More nations may have suffered the same fate, but this is the extent of my knowlege about ancient civilizations.
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Topic: Mong Kima - The Nation of Pearls (DF 0.47.05) (Read 254201 times)