The Real Map! (Map, map!)
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| ...
| ...k♣
10| ....♣♣
| ..♣♣♣
| ♣♣♣ ...♣♣
| .Y♣♣♣⌂⌂ ⌂⌂...♣
| ─────Y▲ ⌂⌂...♣♣
15| ....⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..♣
| ..⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂.┌──
| M⌂K▲⌂○──┘..
| ⌠┌≈≈≈ ...k⌂▲▲⌂⌂....
| ⌠|⌠≈≈ ⌠┌─k○▲▲⌂⌂♣
20| ⌠|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|K⌂▲ ⌂⌂⌂.♣
| ⌠|⌠└─┬─────┘⌂⌂▲ ⌂⌂..♣
| ─┘~~.|⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠⌂⌂▲M O....
| ~~~~≈≈≈ ⌂..
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25| ~~~~≈≈≈
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|~~ ~┌──≈≈≈≈≈
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|⌂⌂⌂~|~~~~~≈≈≈
30|○───┘~ ~~~♠
The region between the two settlements is frequented by roadworkers and haulers, at any given time those who are resting, delayed, or awaiting new assignments guard/patrol the area in teams of two, sharpening their skills as always.
Population Breakdown Party!
1 Katytan visiting abroad
7 Katytans working in Agriculture
3 Katytans Exploring
17 Katytans working in Construction
5 Katytans remaining
Net Population: +1
Katytan Diplomacy - The Map
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00|⌂▲▲▲⌂●●●●●█████●≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
|≈▲^▲⌂⌂⌂●●●●●●●●≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
|⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♣♣.♣♣.....≈≈≈≈
|⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.♣♣.♣⌂⌂⌂.....≈≈
|≈.≈..≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.♣♣♣♣⌂⌂^⌂⌂.....≈
05|≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..♣♣♣C⌂▲▲⌂⌂...┌≈
|≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈──────○▲▲⌂⌂..┌┘≈
|≈≈≈≈...≈≈≈.≈≈≈≈≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂.┌┘.≈
|≈≈┐..⌂⌂⌂≈|..≈≈≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲○───┘...
|♣.|.⌂⌂▲⌂♣|...≈...♣♣E⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.....♣
10|♣♣|⌂⌂▲⌂⌂♣|...≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂....♣♣
|♣♣○⌂▲○───┘...≈...♣♣⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
|♣♣⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣.....≈..♣♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣♣
|.⌂⌂▲⌂.♣.....≈≈≈┐.Y♣♣♣⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣
|⌂⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣♣♣..≈≈≈≈└─────Y▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣♣
15|⌂▲▲▲⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈.......⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...♣♣
|⌂▲X▲⌂♣♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈.......⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂.┌──
|⌂▲▲▲⌂♣♣♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈......⌂⌂K▲⌂○──┘..
|≈⌂▲▲⌂♣♣♣⌠┌≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂....
|≈⌂▲⌂⌂♣♣⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠┌──○▲▲⌂⌂♣♣♣♣♣
20|⌂⌂▲⌂⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌠≈≈≈⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠|⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂.♣♣♣♣
|▲▲○─┐┌─┐⌠|⌠└─┬─────┘⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂..♣♣♣♣
|⌂⌂⌂~└┘~└─┘~~.|⌠⌠⌠⌠⌠⌂⌂▲▲⌂O.....♣♣
|~~~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈⌠⌠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂...~..
|~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌠┌─○▲▲⌂⌂.~~.~
25|~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈─┬┘⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂~~~~~
|~~~~~~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠♠|⌂⌂▲▲▲○⌂~~~~~
|~~~~┌──≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠|⌂⌂▲^▲⌂⌂~~~~~
|~~~~|~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠|⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂♠~♠~~
|⌂⌂⌂~|~~~~~≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈♠└──○▲▲⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈
30|○───┘~~~~~~~♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈≈≈
Red: Elves
Orange: Elven Territories
Blue: Half-Giants
Yellow: Hitengu
Pink: The Katytans of the First
Purple: CONTESTED
"Feel free to settle in our lands, under our protection, for we shall be gracious to you. But to those without a peaceful heart: Know thy place or face thy consequence." -- Ginya Sansoresta, Katytan Diplomat; in the articles of the agreement.
Meeting with the Hitengu
Ginya blinked as the curtains closed on the Kabuki theater. She'd been forced to stand against the back wall to avoid blocking the view (or destroying the furniture) and had been very nearly entirely silent for the entire performance. This was very much in contrast to her plantive 'guide', Ryou Madara. Even now he was chirping some critique or other about the 'actors', but Ginya was stuck trying to figure out what to think of the story that had been portrayed.
The play had begun with an elf coming to conduct diplomacy with the leader of the Hitengu, but she was sick, and a substitute had to be found to conduct the meeting. Ginya followed it up to that point. Then it all fell apart.
First one rose to the task, then another, the first being stifled. The other, the brother, was unhappy with being forced to fill his sister's shoes, and goes to pray to their God along with someone else for the leader's swift recovery. Then they were 'caught', though Ginya could hardly understand the conflict; then... Then...
What did it matter? In the end the apparent villain of the story is struck by lightning and it's all over. What was the point? It was all a meandering stream of chaos and misfortune, hardly a story at all! The acting was the only part that held any interest to Ginya, and yet it was at the same time apparently the only source of Ryou's interminable complaints.
Ryou continued speaking. "--can't believe he got the role. They should have cast him as the Hinyuudou, instead, and found a real Shihei--"
"Most assuredly, Ryou. The many flaws of the performance have left me with a hunger for more edible entertainment."
Ryou's jaw dropped momentarily. "What, again? You ate three sacks of potatoes before we came in!"
"That only goes to show just how poor the performance was, does it not? Come, surely you would not deny a growing girl her vegetables."
Ryou barked out a laugh. "Now you're just trying to scare me. I did hear you when you called yourself an 'elder', you know." He led her out of the theatre and into the marketplace, hailing a produce merchant and producing his coin once again. Ginya tried to look innocent. "Perhaps not entirely accurate. I am only eight-six years old, you know, and still very much in my youth..."
The merchant stared between the two of them, appearing mildly flustered as she began repacking the produce from her display. Ginya stepped in. "Oh, no need for that, ma'am. I will stay here to eat, if you don't mind." Ryou offered a few more coins to the hesitant merchant, and she abruptly and smiled to the two of them. "As you wish." Ginya sat down, biting off the end of a cob of corn with glittering white teeth, chewing experimentally with a distant expression. She then shrugged and finished it in four bites, husk and all. "Wouldn't be my first choice..." She chased it down with a swig from the jug of fruit punch she'd obtained earlier.
Ryou sat next to her, embarassed, she thought, snacking on grapes while waiting for Ginya to finish her meal. It did not take long, and they left again, Ginya thanking the merchant once more with a bow.
They walked on in relative silence, Ryou pointing out landmarks and important personages to the Katytan, usually accompanied by some dry commentary. "And that's... a messanger from the palace," said Ryou as the figure in offical garb approached them.
The figure bowed, then reported stiffly, "Ryou. You are summoned to the palace." He looked up sideways briefly at Ginya with a twisted expression, then back to Ryou. "Of course I would not keep our Hinyuudou waiting," said Ginya's guide, remaining unreadable.
Ginya nodded, bowing to the livery-clad servant. The messanger managed to maintain his icy composure despite the fluttering in his stomach caused by the Katytan looming over him in such a gesture, made a bow of his own, and left.
Ryou led Ginya to the palace in the city center. The guards stood aside as the they approached, but they could clearly be heard mocking Ryou behind his back after they entered the palace. "'Please remove your filth before you enter the palace, thur.'" "We'd have to carry him in with an urn!" "More like a thimble."
Ryou introduced Ginya as they entered the throne room. "This is the lady..." He looked to Ginya, who blinked. "Ginya." "...of the..." This time Ginya narrowed her eyes and showed some teeth. "Katytans." Ryou continued with a bluster. "A few months ago, we made contact in Kawareidou, and after teaching this barbaric savage our language, she is now here as a representative of her tribe-thingy. It is a great honour you found time to waste on this, my lady."
Ranpu hushed him with a gesture, and turned to Ginya. "I welcome you, lady Ginya. Please, why is it you came so far out to meet with me?"
Ginya had her eyebrows raised high in a bemused expression after the introduction. "I was informed that there was no one in Kawareidou with the authority to make a trade agreement, and I was directed here to you, instead." She briefly pointed a thumb at Ryou, quickly laying the blame.
Ranpu continued. "That is almost a rare occasion. Our folk have reached perfect self-sufficence; needing nothing, and having nothing that we can offer to others. But I am sure, if you desire so, something can be arranged." Ginya was struck by this. 'Perfect self-sufficency'? It was a quaint notion, but wholely ignorant.
The Hinyuudou continued, turning to Ryou. "Ryou, I appoint you as her guide. Show her the marketplace and the business district, so that she may choose whatever she wishes to trade with us. Don't disappoint me again."
A servant handed Ginya a map. "As it is custom when we meet new civilisations, please mark the land you claim as ours. We will respect your borders when you respect our in return."
Ginya decided, wisely, she thought, not to press the issue of economics to the Hitengu leader, marking the map with Katytan claims and accompanying it with a short document detailing the nature of Katytan dominion. Apparently a race to the west, whom the Katytans had never met had already 'claimed' all the land around the Crimson Inferno. Ginya wondered at the situation, but did not hesistate to overwrite their ink with hers.
Thus concluded, over the following days Ginya searched the marketplaces, visiting glass-forges, viewing wondrous, though tiny toys and crafts, and fine artwork. Most intriguing of all were the glowing jewelry operating on the principles of 'Hijutsu', storing light and then dissipating it, much like sphalerite but far, far more powerful.
Unfortunately, Ginya found it impossible to work her way into the economic structure with Katytan goods that were not even present, so tightly bound were the Hitengu merchants to their own currency. Ginya had never before met a people that had so little interest in foreign crafts and exotic animal products, and she knew it would be quite some time before the Katytans were ready to export raw materials, even if it could ever be worthwhile--surely some other nation must exist who would be more open to trading goods.
In the end, Ginya left the merchants with only a nebulous idea for trading knowledge of glassmaking for that of steelmaking, and a smattering of deals with the lower elements of Hitengu society to exchange various drinks, drugs and other intoxicants.
Overall, the Hitengu empire was looking very fat and very soft. Ginya's positive first impressions were quickly wearing off as she became aware of unfathomably deep rut into which this nation had carved itself, and she could no longer bring herself to care for these peaceful, colourful people who had been so enchanting at first sight.
If the Katytans were not the first to pluck this overripe fruit, someone far less merciful soon would. But what could dozens, even Katytans, do against thousands, even a bunch of fine-boned, martially incompetant birdmen? Well. There certainly would be ample opportunity to find out, given the right excuse or timing...
Big 'ole Summary
After a month spent enjoying the scenery and diversions in the Hitengu capital, Ginya finally gets a meeting with their leader. It turns out to be an insult and a waste of time, as the Hitengu have an isolationist policy toward trade and no central authority with whom to do business.
Ginya finds an abundance of goods that would be worthy to trade for, but ultimately is unable to arrange anything (except the possible trade of drugs and alcohol) due to the intractible economic structure. Though she has no interest in diplomacy after this debacle, she agrees to mark the claims of her people upon a map.
Ison Sanitelna continues to have difficulty in her settlement. For every structure she builds or repairs, another is destroyed or damaged by the harsh winds and hailstones. Crop yield is poor, and grumbling and doubt spread throughout her crew due to the poor living conditions and lack of progress.
Though conditions are even poorer near the Crimson Inferno, the Katytans there have far less difficulty due to their secure lodgings, superior building materials, and Masi's keen oversight. Construction there is less than a week behind schedule.
The first Katytan child is born 'normally'--that is, the child arrived into an already secure caldera, and did not become conscious until roused in the (not yet finished) children's quarters, as is traditional. As a result, there was no screaming or traumatic stress to speak of, this time, and the 'baby', Shana, is learning the basics of Katytan life without fear or anguish. Little Oce remains largely unresponsive.
Due to complaints, the elder Oce has insisted her name be changed to 'Oici', but Icand refused to go back and correct his records, and is calling the younger 'Oce' Oici, instead.
The southern group of scouts returns to the Inferno through the mountains, despite the foul weather. They tell of the empty, featureless lands to the south, and the empty, featureless threats of their inhabitants.
In response, Masi finally orders the production of crossbows, and briefly oversees the construction of an archery range near the road at the base of the mountain. It will take some time for the bugs to be worked out of the crossbows as they have not been in production for decades.
Loose Ends, Chapter Five
"Nasha! What are you doing out of bed?" Nana stormed in to find her charge stretching and rubbing sore muscles, and quickly put down the wooden breakfast tray she'd brought. Nasha leapt over and grabbed a bite before answering. Nana could not help snorting in laughter.
Nasha swallowed and turned back to her aide, beaming. "Mmmph. Trail mix again? It's good though. Hey, don't look at me like that! I told you I'm a quick healer."
"Then what's this?" Nana grabbed Nasha'a bruised arm and twisted, bringing the marks on it under the light. Her smug expression rapidly turned to shock. "What is that?"
"Ow! Hey!" Nasha shook off her captor and laughed. "I told you, the Goddess headbutted me. A lot. I'm not surprised it healed funny."
The arm was mottled with intricate patterns, similar but not identical to the skin markings of younger Katytans. These were bolder, darker, and more chaotic. Nana remained horrified. "That's horrible, Nasha! You've always had such perfect skin!"
Nasha shrugged. "I still do. The markings are underneath, though, just like the bruises were. All the same, I think they're fading. Hey, I didn't know you cared so much!"
Nana blushed. "Er... I don't, really. I was just, you know, trying to look at it from your perspective. If you think it's going to go away, that's just fine then. But! Even if you're feeling better, your head! You should lie down!"
"Tut tut, Nana. Don't make me sic the Queen on you again." Nana rolled her eyes. Nasha grinned. "No, really--it's been three months, I should go harvest the firestalks before they get too hot. We don't have the equipment for a hot harvest."
Still, Nana stood in the way. "I could do it for you, I'm younger than you." She realized the absurdity of the statement. "Everyone is younger than you, any of us could do it. I know it's not so easy for you to deal with the heat."
"That's why I do it, Nana. I may be the oldest, but I'm far from the least heat tolerant, and that's because I don't let it get to me and keep going back. And I'm still the best at the job, because I don't let other people do it for me."
Nana sighed. She could not win this argument. "Fine, just be careful. And eat your breakfast first. And promise me you'll come back and stay here at least a few more days so that I can monitor you and compare notes with Masi."
"Yeah, duh, sure. Sheesh, you couldn't force me to leave without eating--" Dong. "--Did no one else remember my vow? I remember my vow now." She glanced at her arm. "I sure hope this isn't a curse for breaking it."
"...What vow?" Nana was oblivious. Nasha sighed. "I vowed never to eat any food that was prepared by another. I kept it up until you started feeding me, Nana."
Nana whistled. "What a doozy. I always thought that you were just paranoid or a control freak or something." Nasha raised an eyebrow. "Not that I might just like cooking?" Nana shrugged. "Nah, it's pretty obvious that it's about the eating. I've never seen you cook for someone else." Nasha flapped a hand, dismissively. "They just do not appreciate my art."
Nasha had already gone back to the meal, vow or no vow. Nana sighed. "Look, just think of me as an extension of yourself. That's my job, after all. I mean, up until now it's just been helping you with the ceremonial stuff, but honestly I was just a little scared to talk to you about anything else. I mean, you're an elder, the eldest, even, and I'm only 17--"
"Seventeen now? Happy birthday," Nasha interjected. Nana continued, blushing harder. "--yeah, right. Last month, so I guess you get it. I want to help however I can, Nasha. You haven't broken your vow, we're just circumventing it." She nodded to herself. Nasha laughed. "Thank you, then! I guess I can just stay in bed while you harvest the firestalks for me, then. Have you got any more turtle soup? I'm still hungry!"
Nana shook her head and waved a hand. "Oh, no you don't. Go do your job. You convinced me. Turtle soup when you get back. No cheating!"
Nasha laughed and finished off the tray before heading out the door. "As you wish, your apprenticeship!" Nana was a little confused by the title, but remained smiling and waved goodbye to Nasha as she left, before sitting on the bed and grabbing a book.
To the caldera went Nasha, enjoying the fresh morning air and greeting passing Katytans surprised by seeing their leader in good health, with her wits about her; not to mention unclothed. Smelting operations were in progress at the temporary worksite next to the caldera, but there was little other activity as most Katytans were already out in the hills working on Masi's road. The secluded magma pool Nasha had picked for planting had scarcely been disturbed in her absence, and the stalks were already ripe enough to burn Katytan flesh if she were not careful.
Fortunately, Nasha had much practice after dealing with the plants for so many seasons, and first covered her hands with cooler magma from the edge of the pool before breaking the stalks and laying them down. She carefully raked them into a pile with her foot, then bundled them with a length of iron chain kept expressly for the purpose. The links around the center began to glow red, but did not melt as she carried out the harvest. The workshops for processing were already prepared, and she was getting ready to begin work when the furnance operator called for her to halt.
"Nasha! We don't have any cloth! Don't bother with the extraction, just get the seeds. The whole harvest is going to go to waste anyway."
Nasha blinked and slowly bundled up the plants again. "You're sure? You've checked?"
The other Katytan nodded. "It's the truth. We've all known it for weeks. Sanitelna is a failure." Nasha smirked. "The individual or the settlement?" "Same difference." The operator went back to her work.
The gears turned in Nasha's head. Or perhaps they were rolling. It was hard to come up with appropriate metaphors after a brain injury. Nasha had been keeping a secret for a long time, it looked like now was her chance to let out. "Did you know firestalks were edible?"
The furnace operator blinked and turned back. "Uh, if you don't want to be able to taste anything for a week, or maybe even ever again, sure. What of it, Nasha?"
"You heard the polite version. But no, I don't mean edible raw. I mean, the powder can make a great spice. We just haven't used it in a long time, since it's so dangerous and easy to abuse. Come on, Tytia, I need a strong arm for the quern."
Tytia hesitated. "We don't have any querns that won't melt from the heat..." Nasha grinned. "That's why I'm going to make a new one!" Still Tytia was hesitant. "Masi's going to be mad, he only ordered just enough bauxite brought to build what we need for the metalworks..." Nasha clasps her hands together. "Oh, no no. Masi's going to be overjoyed!" Tytia finally gave in. At least it would be easy to blame everything on Nasha, far easier than arguing with her.
They worked together, Nasha with great enthusiasm, Tytia with great reluctance, and Nana with great turtle soup. Soon enough, the fire powder was ready. Nasha picked up a spoonful. "Who wants the first taste?" Tytia practically dove backward. Nana blinked at the reaction, and Nasha laughed. "I'm just kidding. One spoonful of this is enough to season twenty servings. Keep this quern and the rest of the powder under lock and key, Tytia.
"Nana, I'll make you a self-measuring shaker you can use to add this to our food. You'll need to be just as careful with that when you're not using it. Let's try to keep this under wraps. I don't want to see any more accidents with firepowder, they aren't pretty."
Tytia did as asked and departed with the bloodmetal barrel. Nana approached, curious. "Er... What exactly happens in a 'firepowder accident'?" Nasha shut her eyes momentarily, holding her temple. The memory was painful, but also difficult to recall. "Have you ever seen a Katytan burn to death before, Nana? I have." Nana was wide-eyed. "...Say no more." She blinked, staring for a moment more. "Um, back to bed with you, by the way." Nasha nodded and went as asked, wordlessly.
Nana called after her. "You're not kidding?" Nasha sighed. "I'm not kidding." She closed the door behind her. It was easier to brood in the dark.
Katytans at Work
"Hey. Hey, El. Hey!" The younger Katytan had put down her shovel and come back over to where the dirt was being tamped down. Had she found something? Was there a problem?
"What is it, Yane?" Elna leaned on her tool while the younger Katytan bounced eagerly before her.
"You've seen the little Oce, right? Have you seen him? You know what I think? I think he's the demonslayer. Can't you feel it?"
Elna frowned, baffled. "Uh, what? Yane, Akena drowned two years ago. Oici is just a child." Why did Masi always stick Elna with the weird ones?
Yane shook her head fervently. "They never found the body! And it's Oce, not Oici. I think Oce is the demonslayer reborn!"
The older Katytan sighed. "Get back to work, Yane. Spend less time 'feeling' 'little Oce' and more time feeling your shovel turn the earth. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can go home to your inane fantasies."
Yane sniffed. "You have no sense of romance. Look into his eyes. You'll see what I see. Saw. You'll know it's true."
"Work. Now, Yane." Elna tamped the earth in emphasis. Yane went off in a huff. Elna enjoyed the silence for a brief moment before Yane's voice began drifting up on the wind.
"IIiiyyyii've been wurkin' on the daaAAAYYYyle roooad, ALL muh gosh-darned daiyeeeEEEE..."
Elna ground her teeth under the onslaught, signing to herself. "Goddess protect me..."
(More to come, probably.)
Author
Topic: Battle of the Gods IV (Read 71745 times)