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[Armok]

((
Shuld: A)  someone help me get onto the new chatroom.
B) everyone go beck to the old WorldIRC chatroom.
or C) I start spamming this topic whit hundreds of irrelevant questions because I cant simply ask them over IRC?

Any other than these are not acceptable, you've got 24 hours.))

[Emperor_Jonathan]

((A: What client do you use?

B: No. Worldirc netsplits way too much.

C: Don't do that you idiot.))

[Akroma]

to get into the new chatroom, simply type irc://irc.newnet.net in your webbrowser. Works fine for me
and yes, worldirc netsplits too often

[Navian]

Drumroll, please...

Year 3

Seasonal turns might soon begin, as Stuff is Imminent. For now however, let's get down to the annuals...

The Solarans now have a nice Hamlet. This wasn't too hard, in fact it was rather uncontested, although one had a near death experience with a flock of seagulls this winter...

The Empire now has an Outpost safely supported by their Village, and have the opportunity to explode. Explore, I mean. There are a handful of deaths due to the trolls, and likewise a few trolls are slain. The situation stablizes before word reaches the primary settlement, but there's still some tension. Eastward, do they go?

The Khallem work their way into sustainability, and their defenses still hold. They have the equivalent of a Village, after concentrated efforts. It may soon be time to expand in search of more exotic resources, perhaps, or to unveil a new Plan...

The Aviators (and their new subjects) have a Village, an Outpost, and A Little Scout Plane. Wheeee! One cannot build an empire with wood and food alone, however. What's next on the list? I'll bet it's shiny!

The Szaryn grow... Sort of. They have a Hamlet, at least, but it's hard to survive when they're crammed together, and the world is too dangerous for them to spread out much just yet.

The Astroligans have a Village and Two Outposts, now. Expansion, exploration, hardship, cacti, and bubbly lakes... A story for the ages. Rather chilly, though. And about those cacti, um, er, yeah.

The Angels of Elrath have a pleasant little Hamlet. It goes. Hooray. The Xra Kreg still have an Outpost. The Shash-Hash... Establish an Outpost, I guess. And there's that guy that's thereabouts.

Last but not least, the Suin's Village is made quite a bit more comfy by that nearby Outpost. Time to break out the mining tools and load up some wagons, maybe?

In other news...

*Battle?*

A few Szaryn strike at The Empire, but they are discovered. Their poison causes one death, and only two of their strike group survive to return, one maimed and the other traumatized. The Empire can claim the large supply of poisons the group possessed... If they dare.

Maptime!

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00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

Legend:

 ♠♣ Forests or Jungles
 ≈≈ Sea or Lake
 ~~ Deserts or Wastelands
 .. Savanna, Scrubland, Grassland, Floodplains, Moors
 ““ Marsh, Swamp, or Bog
 ◙◘ Invisible Wall Generators
 ▌▐ The Gods' Dam Bridges
 ○─ Water Source and River
 ⌂▲ Rocky-to-Foreboding Terrain, Hills and Mountains

Player Races:

T: Suin
S: Zazackachahaha
M: Astroligans
E: The Elchandaar Empire
Z: Szaryum
X: Xra Krag
H: Khallem
V: Aviators
G: Shash-hash
U: Solarans

Active Non-Player Races:

K: Who Knows?
A: Angels of Elrath
D: Mud River Elves
P: Phoenicians
W: Megadwarves
C: Celestial Cacti Clan
k: Some Kobolds
R: Trolls?

[Istrian]

Spring

Bad News

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Colonial Council had assembled early to discuss the latest message from the Emperor. The content was a request so silly yet so important that it was impossible to deny.

“The Emperor wants what ?” said Kerzon.
“Look, it's written here, in the message. With every single official seal required for such a request.” said Llynoth handing over the message.

Kerzon examined it for a moment, then handed it to his neighbor. Quickly enough it had passed  around the whole table. Everyone was satisfied by its authenticity, but the content was still ludicrous. Kaylorn furiously scratched some notes in his book, this would certainly make a nice headline.

“It is fortunate that we know where to start looking for it, at least.” said Dante “As it happens, now that the real city is nearly finished, I am going to set sail. West is a good a direction as any other.”

“I still think this kind of task should be accomplished by the Cartographic Society” said Scott “According to articles 20-42 and 21-30 of the Imperial Code, 1st Empire, it is up to the Society to explore this world. As the object in question is in an officially unexplored area, I don't think you have anywhere to go, Captain.”
“Try and stop me, grave-brains.”

Belhammer let out a laugh, the kind of laugh that could stop this exchange, simply being louder than all other discussions.

“Sounds like a bet” she said “The first to find it will probably rise in grace before the Emperor.”
“I shall be ready to depart within the month. May the best one win, Master Scott.” said Dante before heading for the door.

Crisis Situation

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The five people looked at each other, waiting for someone to speak. No one dared to open his mouth, but everyone understood the situation was serious. A challenge has been issued to the Cartographic Society, and it needed to be answered. Yet who would volunteer ?

“I'll go.” said Travis. “I doubt there is anyone better suited than me to leading a small party westward.”
“I'll accompany you as far as Akhernaton, I really need to move away before summer.” said Serena. “I will lead some exploration efforts from there.”

The other three sighed with relief.

“Well, that solves it.” said Scott “As for you two, you are going east.”

Esther grunted with dissatisfaction. She did not have anything against going east, but going east with the other “explorer” was a bit too much for her to handle. While Rollek was a good singer, he had a nasty habit of attempting to seduce any woman he met, which got him on the good side of the sailors and soldiers who drank at the inn while listening to his ballads, and on the bad side of just about everyone else.

Getting Ready

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“Easy with that one. It's the last one and I want to be ready for anything.” shouted Dante to the sailors on deck who were finishing bolting the ballista. He had done as promised, the month had not yet ended, and the Radiant was nearly ready to depart. Whatever had been inside had been moved to the storage houses of the walled city, including the magic generator that was used to propel ships in space. Other changes were made, making the frigate ideal to sail the sea.

Provisions were stored for a long expedition. Of course, since they were most likely leaving for a few years, they would have to rely on hunt and fishing, activities most sailors were familiar with. What worried Dante the most were the tentacles that had been seen previously. They spoke of hidden terrors beneath the sea, hence the need to add ballistae and harpoons.

A few days later, the ship left with the high tide.

Summer

Radiant Watch

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“Hoist sail !” shouted Dante.
“Aye cap'n.” answered a chorus of voices.

Sailors were tense, ready to answer any command from the Captain without delay. Everyone knew their life depended on it. Earlier the ship's crew had caught sight of reefs too close to the surface to be safely sailed through. Now part of the crew was dedicated to spotting them while the others were keeping ready to respond. Suddenly one of the seamen watching from the bow of the ship raised his hand.

“Brace sharp !” shouted Dante while steering hard to port. The massive ship slowly turned and barely avoided the reef. Dante was relieved to have competent sailors aboard. He had spent enough time at sea to know that without the discipline his men had gone through in the Imperial Navy everyone aboard would have been dead long ago.

Later he would remember his past, his first reefs which had sunk his first ship. Then there were also chases with the Imperial Fleet within asteroid fields. By then he had been good enough to sail at full speed, easily escaping the law. And now he was serving those who, not that long ago, would have wanted him dead or at least in jail. It was really interesting how a Demon attack changed his fate from lowly pirate captain to Imperial ship captain. If he kept on doing a good job like this he would one day have his own fleet.

“No more reefs cap'n !” shouted a sailor.
“Alright. Check the hull then take a rest.” said Dante, leaving the helm to go to his cabin. There he took out a sextant and evaluated their position. Then he made a mark at 21,12 on his map noting the presence of reefs. He thought he was lucky to have sailed through in summer, instead of winter.

By the mid-autumn they had found a quiet cove to anchor the frigate in for the winter. They also took the time to reinforce the hull a bit, just in case. They quickly built some shacks sheltered from cold wind and spent the winter there, waiting for better days to move forward.

Travis' Expedition

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Travis and his party followed Lakor through the mountains as the dwarf searched for paths that would quickly and safely lead them and their horses west. There were less of those primitive tribes here, and there were less springs too, but still enough to not run completely out of water. Travis took great care to write down the location of every single water source, after all they would have to make it back too, and it was better to know which way to go.

Eventually they arrived to the other side of the mountains and saw... a swamp. It was never a good idea to go through swamps anyway, so instead they decided to go around it, by yet another mountain. Lakor was a very useful dwarf to have around, Travis decided, and Akhernaton was already too far away for a lone dwarf to reach safely. So he was added to the expedition, and proved very useful when the party came to the next mountain.

The trip was mostly uneventful, at time it seemed to Travis that he could see shadows moving around them, but he dismissed it quickly as the most dangerous creature around was the mountain goat. Lakor had a bad feeling too, at time he could (and would) swear he felt something beneath their feet. By the beginning of Autumn they slowed down and began looking for a safe cave to spend the winter in, with a herd of mountain goats nearby, and water.

Firebirds

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“A desert, I hate deserts.” said Esther thinking about the nice days she had spent in Enorian forests, learning from other druids and tending to nature. All the while sending curses and famines on farmers who dared to presume they had too many rights. “Let's go back home along the coast.” she said finally and turned north.

The small party followed the coast along the rolling plains. One night, before starting to look for a safe place to camp, the travellers caught sight of lights advancing upon the rolling seas. Probably boats, and judging by the number of lights, a lot of boats. The party lit their torches and waved them around, hoping for the boats to see. In response many sets of lights detached from the main lights and headed towards the beach.

Esther created two balls of light, one to light the incoming group and the other to light her own. The second light briefly illuminated the others, then disappeared, as if dispelled. In the brief time it had existed, it had shown a small one-masted boat slowly heading in their direction. In it were strange bird-like humanoid creatures with fiery wings. Rollek began to play a tune on his lute, for the enjoyment of the newcomers.

With a burst of flame from their feathers, three bird-men flew from the boat to the beach.
"Hail to you. We are peaceful explorers." said the troubadour.  His companions looked at him as if he had said a very intelligent yet very obvious and therefore very stupid thing that needed to be said anyway. Especially in first-contact situations like this one.

One of the birdmen pulled up and planted his feet in the sand, then pulled out a great flaming scimitar that illuminated every watcher with a blinding fiery glow. He quirked a brow, over a golden eye as his guards took their places beside him.
"Well-met. We are not. Whom do you serve, here?" he said.
“I work for the Imperial Cartographic Office, subject to the Empire, as its name implies.” answered Rollek pulling out his best smile.
“The empire of what ?” asked the birdmen after quirking his other brow.

Now that was a difficult question for Rollek. The Empire was just the Empire in his mind. There were no other empires that could be referred to that easily. He dug in his memory for ballads of the old days and finally found one that could be the right name.

“The Elchandaar Empire” he said. “We have recently arrived in this world so it is likely you have never heard of us” and obviously needing to clarify added “And neither do we know of you.”
“Indeed. Know this, then. The Phoenician Empire stakes its claim here. I would suggest you inform your 'Map Club' correspondingly."

He turned and left abruptly, his guards stepping in to cover his back, and then stepping back to follow him as another pair of birdmen landed ashore somewhere behind.

“So I guess you won't want to visit ?” shouted Rollek. After a short silent pause he added “We are always happy to receive foreigners you know.” as the boats turned away.

“Interesting fellows” he finally said to his companions “I think we'll hear from them again.”

Autumn

Another day, another patrol

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The end of the year was approaching and the rare trees that managed to grow in mountains had already lost their leaves. The horses slowly moved on the rocky ground, occasionally startling the odd mountain goat.

Elwyn looked serene, the last caravan of the year would reach Akhernaton in only a few more days. She also knew that at least for tonight she would have a proper bed to sleep in, as they were nearing one of the few inns that had sprung up on the way between both cities. It was obvious that increased exchanges between the dwarven halls and Ohanis would appeal some prospective people to found such places, especially since a deposit of gold was discovered a few weeks ago. It was a boon too, even though it required more frequent patrols to help innkeepers feel safer.

Suddenly Elwyn ordered the caravan to stop. From where she was, she could see the inn, yet everything was wrong. The low fence had holes in places and the door was in pieces. She motioned for a group of soldiers to follow as she approached the inn at a quick trot. Dismounting, she drew her sword and slowly approached the door, her soldiers behind her.

A mountain fox suddenly darted out of the door, causing everyone to jump back and quickly form a halberd wall. When it looked like there was no other danger coming out, the soldiers entered. The inside of the inn was dark, windows not having been cleaned in a while. Broken furniture littered the floor, with drops of blood here and there.

Soldiers began searching the place for any clue as to the identity of the attackers, although everyone had a fair idea of who it could have been. The strange creatures that inhabited the mountains certainly had the strength to do that, but Elwyn didn't want to report to her superiors without having enough proof. Yet there was nothing to be found here, little food remained although there was ale around. There were also two bodies, the innkeeper and her husband, which meant that their children were might still be alive. If they had enough wit, they would have headed  to Akhernaton. Since it looked like the place was attacked a couple of weeks ago, the children would have already reached the place, or would reach it soon if they had gotten lost on the way. If they hadn't succumbed to hunger or thirst or fatigue first.

With that in mind, Elwyn sent three riders to Akhernaton, to ask them if they had any news.

Winter

Ambush

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Travis and his men had found an uninhabited cave and had settled in it for the winter. Waiting for spring was really boring, so they spent their time playing dice and telling stories about their past. Lakor was a mine of dwarven lore, having lived for a long time. He had a lot to tell about dwarven clans and recent internal conflicts. And his way of telling it was very dwarven too. At the moment he was telling another tale of his illustrious ancestor, Ragnar. In the middle of the tale, he stopped.

“What's wrong, Lakor ? Forgot the end of the tale ?” asked one of the soldiers.
“Shh. We are surrounded.” said the dwarf

An instant before, the party looked like merry travellers telling tales around a fire. Now they looked like warriors who had been in numerous battles, weapon in hand. They slowly advanced to the mouth of the cave. The watcher was still here, still looking out for any menace. Travis peered out to, then turned to Lakor. He motioned downwards. Travis closed his eyes. After a short while he noticed he could feel light vibrations in the ground. The vibrations were getting stronger by the second.

Suddenly the ground behind them roared, as if something had broken through. Travis quickly turned around and fired an arrow at whatever had come out of the gaping hole that used to be their campfire. The arrow struck the wall, missing the creature by inches. Then they noticed they were completely surrounded. Without light they could not distinguish the features of their opponents but they knew they were all around them. Everyone prepared for a quick death...

Colonial Council

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

“So, what are we going to do about the raids from the mountain-men ?” asked Silvar
“The best thing we can do for now is warn people about the dangers of building an inn so close to the mountain tribes.” said Belhammer “From what I have heard we would lose too many soldiers if we tried to eradicate them.”
“Right. And I don't have the manpower to spare, with all the patrols and supply caravans. And I am not even counting those on expeditions. A waste.” added Trolshurga.
“A waste it might seem to you, General, but it is important for us to carry out our duties to the Empire that our explorers can count on the protection of the army.” said Scott. “According to article 24-...”
“Right. Right. We all know about article 24-whatever” said Llynoth who was having a bad headache “Now, if we let those savages run free we are going to have to deal with angry innkeepers and merchants and will certainly not attract any people to our beautiful world.”
“Hmm” said Kerzon in a quiet voice. “I have a plan, but it will be long and costly. Let me just contact one of my friends over in the Tower. He should be able to advise us on the course to take.”
“Make it so” said Llynoth without even opening his eyes. The only consolation was the absence of the journalist, Kaylorn, who had left with the Radiant. At least he would not report news about the inn back to the Empire.

“About last year's attack...” he said to Kerzon.
“Don't worry. It will be dealt with swiftly. The Tower's safety is endangered after all. We will not let the vermin slide.”
“Justice for the family of the slain soldier, Master Kerzon.” firmly said Trolshurga.

Excelsior Herald article

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Shrubberies Wanted !
by Kaylorn Volsang

In a recent attempt at gardening, the Emperor decided he needs a new shrubbery.

The inhabitants of the newly-colonized world Ohane have been recently surprised by an Imperial message requesting a rare item. The request has sent every treasure-hunter into a frenzied race to determine who would be the one to present the requested item to the rules of our powerful neighbor.

The item in question, a Guris Vuluptus, is a rare kind of shrubbery that supposedly grows in plains irrigated by saltwater, west of Imperia Ohanis. The plant however was never been seen before within the Empire. Apparently the existence of this shrub was divined by some mages close to the Emperor, as well as its general location.

Properties of the plant remain unknown, though some have hypothesized that it could be used to extend life, which would explain the Emperor's interest in it. Of course, others say that it just tastes nice with tea.

Whatever the truth behind the matter is, yours truly has embarked on one of the expeditions racing west, on the Quest for the Shrub.

Summary

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Emperor asks for a rare plant and two expeditions depart to find it. One is the Radiant (the colony ship) outfitted for such an expedition, the other is Travis' land expedition. Explorers go as far as the desert, then turn back and come home.

The Radiant has trouble on some reefs but manages to navigate safely past. Then it finds a small safe cove for the winter and remains there. Note : Imperial sextants tend to give the same coordinates as usual map coordinates (it's only a useful coincidence ).

Travis' expedition stops by Akhernaton (dwarven halls) where a dwarf joins to guide them through mountains. They find a swamp and decide to go around it, through the mountains (the dwarf remains with the expedition). Then they continue on to the next mountain, where they find a cave to spend the winter in. While there they get ambushed by underground creatures.

A few inns are established by prospective migrants along the Ohanis-Akhernaton caravan road. One of these gets attacked by the greenskins. Kerzon has a plan to deal with them and contacts one of his friends.

On other news, the walled part of Ohanis is completely finished, with barracks, tower, governor's palace, sewers and plenty of space for housing, shops, guild halls, etc. See image below for general looks (the scale of buildings hasn't been preserved).

Akhernaton is doing well too, living space has been dug out, a few dwarves have migrated there after coming through the portal. At the moment food production (underground mushroom farms) is minimal and has to be supplemented by Ohanis. Ore extraction is doing fine though with a nice discovery of gold veins.

The supply of poison as well as the ratmen bodies were taken by the Tower for study. Their diviners are currently trying to determine where they came from. Patrols are increased outside the walled city due to the surprise attack.

Map

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00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈e⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E.....e~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂e⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙


Imperia Ohanis (a picture)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Poltifar]

Spoiler: The Mad Mage (click to show/hide)

Deep in an overgrown jungle, in the putrid undergrowth layer that never saw the light of day, little stirred except large insects, occasional mammals and reptiles, and sometimes more sinister beings. Poisonous fungi and molds of many colors covered the swamp-like ground near the base of the high trees who's canopies were unseen from this lowly level. Almost no sound was to be heard, save for the occasional dying scream of prey.

A faint ripple went through the forest. A ripple of what, nothing could tell. Just a ripple, silencing the creatures of the forest even more, and seeming to make the air heavier and more tense. Then, between two huge stumps, a thin horizontal magenta line appeared.

The line seemed to swerve or somehow twist and spin, withought actually changing its shape or location in the slightest. The surrounding undergrowth bathed in its increasingly bright magenta light, making it a weird sight indeed. Suddenly, what seemed to be fingers pushed out through the line, then all 5 fingers of a hand were visible, then 5 fingers of another hand, both hands clad in metal gloves. Each hand grasped a side of the line, and pulled apart. A deafening sound, like the ripping of a boulder in half, followed.

From what was now a very irregular and wavy portal stepped out a dark-clad humanoid figure. Its face unseen under a black hood and a metal mask, it seemed to quietly scan the area, while the portal behind it slowly shranked and dissappeared. After what would have been many minutes of quiet inspection of the surroundings, the being seemed to react to something, maybe a sound only it could hear, maybe something else entirely. Whatever caused it to react, it quickly drew a steel longsword from a sheath somewhere on its person and hacked at a nearby tree, getting it stuck a few centimeters into the quite thick bark.

"Gifen, is that you, you bastard?" hissed the creature into the darkness, in a hoarse voice that one might expect from a quite ill person. "Get out here, so that I can rip you. To SHREDS." The humanoid spun around and pointed its hand to a low-lying branch of another tree. Lightning crackled from its fingertips, shattering the branch and starting a small fire in the wood.

The humanoid seemed to calm down after that. "Yes, he wouldn't have managed to get here... now would he have? No, hehe, ofcourse not. He couldn't have known the location I would portal to..." After some more scanning of the area, it muttered to itself once more, "This isn't... This isn't Dreadmist swamp... I'm sure of it. What? Where am I?"

It finally pulled out its weapon from the tree's bark, and set off into the thick undergrowth, hacking at plants wether they were in its way or not, occasionally causing some to spontaneously combust just by passing near them. "Might be better, in the long run... New place, new opportunities, right? Hehehehe..."

Spoiler: Annoyances (click to show/hide)

The mage was really starting to get annoyed. He didn't have a problem with food and water, which he both simply transmuted from the available organic material. His real problem layed elsewhere. Barely a couple of weeks wandering in this dark jungle, and he had already been attacked thrice by powerful giant wild cats. This was a truly savage place to fall in. Luckily, he had recovered from those unfortunate happenings. These beasts were quite skilled in ambush, and he hadn't expected their attacks in all three times. From now on, he'll have to be much more careful.

Better yet, the jungle undergrowth was starting to thin. The mage first thought it might be because of his unnending hacking and slashing of the plants he saw, not to mention the occasional forest fires he started for his amusement. But he then noticed he would have needed much more time to actually thin this jungle's foliage significantly. Concluding that he was nearing the end of the jungle, he hurried to the possibility of not needing to get torn to pieces by giant jaguars every other night.

A month after his arrival in the jungle, the mage had made his way north and out of it, reaching some calm-seeming hills. Turning to the jungle, he shouted, "HA! I bet you didn't expect me to get out, did you, insolent overgrown felines?!? Well, I'll be back, I'LL BE BACK, and you'll regret the day you dared show your claws in my presence!"

After his 'speech', the mage flung a fireball into the undergrowth, causing a small explosion and starting a forest fire. It wouldn't spread much due to the rainforest's moisture, but the mage already didn't care anymore, having turned his back to it and started walking onwards.

Spoiler: Reptilians (click to show/hide)

A few days after having left the forest, the mage was still going nortwards. With much fewer trees and plants to destroy to keep him amused, he had gone into a sort of day-dream trance even as he walked. So engroced he was in his thoughts, that he had failed to notice a group of 3 kobolds right infront of him.

The kobolds were already untrusting of any non-kobolds. Immagine their thoughts when one such creature just walked straight at them, even when they had been shouting and pointing their sharp pointy sticks at it for 10 minutes, while it slowly approached from a few hundred meters away to ten meters away. All while not seeming to notice them.

The mage suddenly stopped, a mere dozen meters away from the reptilian humanoids. "Oh my, my pardons, I didn't see you there. I sometime feel great difficulty noticing inferior beings." Noticing their weapons pointed at him, he continued with great contempt, "And what are you planning to do with those pointy sticks? Tickle me to death?"

The kobolds rapidly chattered among themselves in their native tong. They couldn't understand the mage's language, but his contempt was obvious to even their simple minds. THe figure silently observed them, unmoving.

Finally, unnerved by the mage's silent stare, the supposed leader of the kobolds threw its spear with a shout. It stabbed right into the mage's left arm. "Hey, that hurt," exclaimed the mage, before drawing his longsword. "Heh, atleast you managed to wake me up completely. Now its time for the morning's exercise." The three kobolds lunged at him. He jumped back, slashing the guts out of one of the kobolds. It fell, spitting blood and gasping its last breath, while its two companions stopped for a moment in surprise. the mage didnt miss this opportunity, and layed a hand on one of the short humanoid's head. It spasmed for a moment, and its eyes rolled up into its skull, after which it dropped limp, dead as a doornail.

The last kobold was shaking in terror as the mage pulled out the spear from his arm. "I believe this is yours?" said the mage.

Screaming in terror, the kobold started running. The mage hefted light the spear, and threw it towards the kobold. It missed by a mile. "Tssk, spears are so innacurate." The kobold had almost reached a small patch of forest near a hillside, and was about to dissapear amongst the foliage. The mage raised his hand, and flung from it a fireball, which easily found its mark. The kobold exploded into burning gore. "Now, see, fireballs are SO much more accurate! Wouldn't you agree?" asked the mage to the two kobold corpses on the ground. "Huh? Oh, I forgot. Best get to work then."

Spoiler: More Reptilians (click to show/hide)

The kobolds that the mage had killed turned out to be a patrol group for a small colony of kobolds. The mage had found their cave lair in a cliff face hidden by a small patch of forest. He estimated the kobolds numbered in the three-dozens, definitely a small colony compared to what he occasionally had seen in the past, but a number not to be underestimated, especially since he was alone against them. The mage decided to employ what most would consider a very 'unfair' and 'cowardly' tactic, not that he cared.

The kobolds had obviously noticed that their patrol group hadn't returned, and thus that something was wrong. Because of that, they sent out more groups, numbering from two to six kobolds each. The mage observed and followed them from afar as they left their lair, cloaking himself in spells that camouflaged him against the surroundings. The kobolds could smell him, that he knew, but it only made them more nervous to just know an ennemy was nearby, but not seen.

When he judged that the group he was following was sufficiently far from the lair and any other group, the mage acted. If the group was of just two or three members, he would try to kill them while minimizing the damage caused to their bodies, insuring a fresh supply for his works. To achieve this, he would jump out at them and kill one with a fast Death attack, while killing a second with a sword slice. If there was a third, he would also kill him with a sword or Death attack.

When ambushing larger groups, the mage just didn't bother saving the kobold's bodies. He was far too lazy to micromanage such encounters. He instead opted to wait until they were sufficiently far from the lair, and then simply blasted all four or more kobolds with a single fireball. The resulting explosion and smoke would occasionally attract more kobolds, thus insuring more kills for the waiting mage. What is better than when his prey comes to him?

Eventually, barely a dozen kobolds were left. They never went out of their caves, terrified by the monster that was waiting out there for them. They slowly ate up their food reserves over many weeks, while the mage simply had an unlimited food suply for himself thanks to his transmutational powers. Eventually, the mage got bored of waiting and decided to storm the place. He summoned a fire elemental, which was sent first into the cave. Try as they might, the kobolds could not hurt the creature with their wooden sticks.

The burning kobold's screams were melded with the insane mage's gleeful laughs, as he cheerfully entered the cave when only one last kobold was standing. The mage approached the trembling kobold and layed his hand on him. The kobold didn't simply die. It was ripped to shreds while being turned inside out, staining the mage's dark cloak with blood. Even more blood.

The mage then proceeded to gather all the corpses of the kobolds, wether recently dead or deceased weeks ago, in the cave. It would be his own lair now. The whole 'extermination campaign' had taken a month's time, although it would have been much quicker had the mage not been so lazy.

Spoiler: Necromancy (click to show/hide)

In the 'liberated' cave, the mage sat in a roughly carved stone throne. The smell of decay weighed heavy in the air, not that he minded. He was really bored, though. For the past weeks, he had done little else than twiddle his thumbs, thanks to his new minions doing most of his work for him.

Thinking of that, the mage gestured to a figure standing in a corner. It shambled towards him, a decaying kobold corpse, barely recognizable if not for its short stature and rotten scaly skin. "Get me that skull there," said the mage, pointing to a skull on the ground. The zombified kobold obliged without making a sound, save for the shuffling of its feet on the cold damp floor.

Once the skull was in his hand, the mage contemplated it. A kobold skull. All corpses here were kobolds. More kobold corpses had been added to those of the former owners of this cave, as he had sent zombies to roam the hills with simple orders: "Go, Kill, Return with corpses." These five words alone didn't give very efficient results due to a zombie's quite low thinking abilities, but atleast they gave results without much work for the lazy mage.

But simply killing small kobold clans and raising kobold undead wasn't a very fun thing to do on the long run, especially when you did very little yourself. Thus, laziness was beaten by boredom. Crushing the skull in his hand, the mage stood from his throne and walked out of the cave, followed by three undead kobolds, including the one who had brought him the skull. He hadn't bothered to count all the undead he had raised, but it wasn't enough for him, especially considering they were all freakingly puny kobolds. He needed something bigger, stronger, more useful...

The mage didn't have much time to quietly dwell on this thought, as the instant he was out of the cave, he spotted non-kobold beings about 300m from his cave. Retreating to the coverage of the foliage around the cave entrance, he quitely examined the creatures, unsure wether they had spotted him or not...

Spoiler: Primitives (click to show/hide)

The creatures seemed to be following the trails of kobold blood. That wasn't a very rare sight, considering the mage had blown up many kobolds around here to pieces. They hadn't noticed him yet, but the mage got careless because of boredom. He gestured to the three nearby zombie kobolds, who rushed towards the creatures. "Who are you, tresspassers?" Shouted the mage soon after, stepping out of the foliage. Not that the creatures would understand his language.

The creatures seemed unfazed by the decaying shambling kobolds. They hacked and slashed at them with their obsidian blades, shouting guttural screams, until only parts of the zombies were left.

"Suu~rprise!" Shouted the mage. BOOM! One of the creatures was hit by a fireball. It fell, not dead, but seriously injured, eyes burned out and body covered by 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

The rest of the creatures suddenly seemed very reluctant to fight. They eyed each other nervously for a moment but then threw down their blades. The mage spoke to them again, this time remembering to cast a speak languages spell. "Well, you seem to be smarter than these damned pests i've been killing. What are you?"

One of the creatures walks a little forward and bows to the mage. "We be's tha Shash-hash, 'n' dha bwoys dher' are mien keenes' hunter'. Mi be's Jagradhak, Claws-o'-Jaguar"

The mage takes a moment to understand what it said. "... Seems my translation spells are a bit rusty, I never had such problems understanding what was said when I used them... Well now, tell me, where do you come from, and what do you want? I doubt you came here by accident."

"Dha greatsy witchdoctor Power-o'-Many, nie wa' concern'd 'bhout tha ashings in tha a west, nie Sen' Mi 'n' mie bwoys dha look Tha cause"

"Seems its infact your language that is underdevelopped. Hmph, primitives. Well I caused those 'ashings' or whatnot. What are you going to do about it? I could 'ash' you too, as i did with your friend."

"Oo... No nee' dat. Wie be's har only 'caus dha Witchdoctor wanna'. Maby yuh wanna' go 'n' see Dha Power-o'-many? Dha Witchdoctor wouldee be's happy..."

"You came from the jungle, right? I... dislike... that jungle. Besides, I don't trust you, or your 'Power' guy. If he wants to see me, let him come himself. Or give me a good reason why I should go see him."

"Mi sees yuh ay powerful Witchdoctor Mon, mabi yuh wanna knows mor' 'bhout dha witchdoctorin' 'n' such. Wan care, mon. If yuh nay come, whel, dhar be's no acts mi ken do. Wies like's a hair thou'..."

"Hmmm... I'll come. But I'm bringing my 'pets' with me too. Also, do you need that guy?" asks the mage pointing to the downed creature.

Jagradhak looks down to the whimpering Shash-hash as if he had forgotten him. "Naaa... Nie be's downer. Nie whas dha weak wan anyway"

The mage was walking towards the group as he spoke. Once the sentence over, he said, "Good." And quickly drew his longsword and stabbed it through the downed creature's head. "Now go somewhere else for a few hours. I have some work and packing to do."

Some of the hunters seem a little disappointed at the waste of good food, but gather some of the zombie bits from the ground and go a little walk away to gnaw on them.

"Now, this victim will be much more useful than the other kobolds... All these creatures will be more useful... hehehe, what an unexpeted and fortunate turn of events." muttered the mage to himself after having dropped the speak languages spell.

At this point, Poltifar follows the hunters to their settlement, were he meets the Witchdoctor. After a battle of intimidation, hand burning, and finger cutting (detailed in Nhip's post), he returns to his lair. The whole travelling would take a bit more than a month, having him return in the middle of 5th month.

Spoiler: The Rising Dead (click to show/hide)

It was already late-autumn. The few trees on the hills had lost most of their leaves, and the winds grew colder and stronger. But that didn't stop the mage from continuing his necromantic campaign. It was an upward spiral, the more corpses the Shash-Hash brought to him, as agreed with the witchdoctor, the more undead he raised, and the more undead, the more raiding parties he sent. The raiding parties mostly brought back human and kobold corpses, but the Shash-Hash occasionally brought prizes such as giant wild cats and other big jungle beasts.

His army was really starting to take shape. The kobolds were nothing more than cannon fodded, true, but the humans were much more useful, especially equipped with weapons. The beasts were the heavy-artillery of the group. But the mage got bored of simply raising 'traditional' undead. He needed something more original than that. Thus, he started working on some 'side-projects' in a makeshift lab built in his lair. Poisonous plant extracts, deadly snakes and scorpions, magically prepared oils... he made many different experiments, most resulting in failures. But for every corpse he burned or pulverized in an accident, he had two more available. 'Twas truly paradise for a mad necromancer!

By the end of the year, he had an impressive enough group. Fifty undead kobolds, forty of which were regular zombies with sharp sticks and crude stone axes and hammers, and ten of which were his special creation, 'Swiftkill Assassins', kobold skeletons enhanced with Air flows to be faster and more agile, and having their claws well sharpened and poisoned. As for other kinds of undead, he hadn't receive too many non-kobold corpses. The human corpses, ten in number, and the Shash-Hash corpses, five in number, had all been transformed into skeletons, who were enhanced with Air to me more dexterous thus being able to wield the obsidian-bladed swords provided by the Shash-Hash. These were his elite group, which he mostly kept as escort, or occasionally sent to raid more troublesome kobold or human clans.

Finally, two giant jaguar corpses had also been provided. These were given special attention by the mage. One was enchanted as a skeleton, large and powerful, who's bones were enhanced with flows of Earth to increase its strength, and with Fire to be perpetually burning without being consumed. The other one had even bigger plans in store for it. Through dark rituals, the mage managed to summon from its corpse a shadow, a giant shadow jaguar.

Proud with his work, the mage retired for the winter, calling back his minions from their raids to instead work on digging and enlarging his lair.

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00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂@▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

[Nhiphanter]

Rising

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The jungle air was humid from last nights heavy rain, and Shazhashs hair was glued onto his gaunt cheeks. The still water of the pool stirred. Some globs of ripped underwater plants drifted to the surface. His muscles stiffened, and he raised his nasty looking obsidian bladed sword.
There was a brief green glint under the surface, and the water erupted as a humanoid creature leapt upwards, claws already ripping in the midair. A single flash of a blade was all it took to behead it. Shazhash scowled at the throbbing corpse of one of his race.
"No be's killin' mi, mon"
Shazhash turned around and stared at surrounding dark. There were dozens of green eyes looking at him.
"This on' has failed hims testys, no be's ay warlordsie from hims"
Slowly the surrounding crowd gathered around and stared greedily at the now still corpse. Some even stared at the bloody head Shazhash was hanging from its hair, showing it off to everyone. He grinned a sharply toothed grin at the stares and picked up his spear. He shoved the head onto the spear and lifted it up.
"Tha head be's mine monns, ay troffy ofs Power-o'-Many, mi"
The rest of the tribe set upon the unlucky powergrasper. It took several minutes before the skeleton was thrown into the pool to be gnawed upon by the swamplions, some last shreds of dark meat clinging to the bones. As the water churned with the swamplions swarming upon the skeleton, Shazhash noticed something peculiar. One of the lions had a two headed tail.
"Looks! Tha lions ther' has twos tailes, likes tha greatsy beast! Th's be's a sign Shash-hashs! Ours new sunsarisal has come!"
The jungle echoed with the growling of the Shash-hash

Fire!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Mi has gots talks ay mi boys that dher' be's ashings a west, O' grande witchdoctor, power-o'-many"
Shazhash swirled the murky water in the stone pool with his finger. Slowly a hazy image was reflected upon the water. A sharp eye could make up flames and some canopy trees. But one detail caught Shazhashs eye. It was only an unclear movement but he was sure it was no damn animal. He snarled at the image and stopped swirling, and the images faded.
"Yuh has yu'n keenes' hunters goes a west, tha find dha chobbler"
Shazhash ran his fingers on the forehead of dha-unlucky-grasper. Some blood still dripped out of the severed neck, even though it had been almost a month ago. He plucked one of dha-unlucky-graspers eyes and ate it.
"'n' make sur' dhat yuh dinnae angra mi"
Jagradhak, Claws-o'-Jaguar, lifted two fingers as a sign of acknowledgement and went outside. Soon the jungle was full of growling and screeching as the Shash-hash hunters called for each other.

More meat to the menu

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Shazhash had gathered all those Shash-hash that had had the sense set down permanent nests in the little collective they had begun to call Shangarad. Right now it wasnt much else than several already mossy and wine covered hovels high in the trees and the witchdoctors home in the halfsunk, ancient shipwreck. Apparently some underwater roots was all that held the shipwreck from sinking whole. Still, it was perfect for creating that creepy atmosphere around the witchdoctors abode, wich certainly instilled loyalty in the disloyal.
Shazhash cut the air epicly with his hand to call for silence.
"Shash-hash. Wie be's needin' more meats tha a liv'. 'n' mi has ay solution. Yuss seen dat shmal' tribe o' mankeys nea'?"
There were two fingers lifted and other general signs of acknowledgement, and some were already having a murderous glint in the eye and bloodlust in heart.
"Hunt dhem down."

Arrows through your heart

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mguru was sitting around the campfire with a few of his friends. Last night Abesids son had disappeared mysteriously, and later in the day they had found an ominous legbone in the vicinity of the village. And now... They were watching. The doorways of their huts were circled behind them, and the snoring of the others could be heard. All was fine... until... Mguru thought he saw something. Something green, and it moved fast.
Before he knew it, there was a sharp pain on his stomach. His hands began to tremble as he grasped the long wooden shaft of a spear, gone through his stomach. His last sight was the blood covering his hands.
There was a brief panic amongs the guards, feeble stabbing of the dark, night air. It didnt help much, as the green eyes descended upon them, ripping them apart in a blink of an eye. Those still in the cottages had no time to wake up properly before they were rounded up or killed. All that remained in the morning was a few abandoned huts, bloodstains and the ashes of a campfire.

First contact

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Jagradhak stabbed his spear through the undergrowth. It went straight through with a *slurp* sound accompanied.
"Naw safe foots dhar, looks yuh steps"
Slowly, they managed to circle around the overgrown bog by stabbing and trying. The mage obviously wasnt happy with the situation, feet covered in mud and air so humid that it drenched his cloak. This went on for several days, the swampy jungle not changing much. Gradually the place became more and more misty, soon to be like drifting in the clouds. Wines seemed to be hanging from everywhere, and a spot without somesort of bush or plant obsructing the way was rare.
Eventually, after weeks of drudging, Jagradhak stopped. There was an ancient, halfsunk shipwreck ahead. Some light was coming through a few murky side windows, and a small bridge led to an ominous wooden door, eerie light glowing from narrow gaps. The bridge was lit by two hanging lamps. As the mage gave a more thorough look of the area, he could distinguish few rays of artificial light coming from the treetops too. He could distinguish a dozen "buildings" built into the branches, covered by moss and wines. Some creaky looking hanging wooden bridges connected them.
Jagradhak spread his hands wide and turned around to the mage.
""Dha be's Shangarad. That be's nah all grands, bhut dha be's wie home"
He points to the shipwreck.
"Tha be's Witchdoctors Abode"
"Ah, yes. I hope your wichguy Power thingy doesnt mind me entering his home with a dozen undead. If he does, too bad for him."
The mage and his small horde of undead began to cross the bridge, quite clearly intending to pay visits no matter what. Jagradhak couldnt care less, and he grinned a toothy smile at the mage before going about his own business. The zombies crossed the bridge, the mage coming after. The one on the first line, the hunter struck down by a fireball, prepared to bash down the door. The mage lifted his hand for a moment and shouted.
"Knock knock!"
There was a shuffle inside and moments later, a shout.
"Ooo be's thar?"
 "I'm the guy who you sent hunters after. The 'toublemaker' who caused those 'ashings'. Well I'm here, to complain about the disturbance they caused and the destruction of property."
"Aa? Yuh be's komin' in Dhen?"
"Pardon me, your primitive speech is hard to comprehend."
Before really allowing the voice clear up, he continued.
"Well whatever you just said, I don't care. I'm comming in either ways! Zombie, bash the door down."
The past hunter brought his heavy fist down on the fragile door, crushing it inwards so hard that the frames splintered in their entirety. The mage walked in.
"Oh my, the door was unlocked? My bad. So your men told me I would be interested to see you? What's so special about you?"
Inside, there was an Shash-hash, with more bent back than usual and a painted, demonic wooden mask covering his face. He had a Dhakkari lifted in his hand, ready to skewer anyones head coming too near.
"Ooo, yuh be's interesteds 'bhout dha ancien' Witchdoctor? Wie sees... Special?"
Shazhash walked to one of the shelfs that filled the space, full of jars and herbs and heads and parts and whatever you could imagine. One of the shelves was full of dolls, depicting dozens of different Shash-hash. Shazhash took a long look at the zombified hunter to determine his past personality, and picked one of the dolls.
"Mi lieks beein' redy..."
With a nimble movement, he shoved the dolls hand on the fire of a nearby candle, resulting in the immediate conflagaration of the zombies corresponding hand. The mage... chuckled at this, and made some brief gestures with his hands, which prombtly resulted in Shazhash own hand litting up in fire. There was an *oof* and a splash as the Witchdoctor quickly thrust his hand in to a large stonebowl of water.
"Interesting powers. But I hope you can do better than that."
The Witchdoctor seemed a little offended and disappointed as the mage wasnt impressed by this trick. Usually it got them covering in fear and pleading for mercy... But this man was just too intriguing.
"Yaah... Maby mi shows yuh. But wha' does mi gets?"
"You get? You get the honor of not being killed and raised as an undead slave. I wouldn't have come here in the first place if your hunters hadn't assured me it would be worthwhile."
"Oo... Yuh be's powerful witchdoctor..."
Shazhash began to move his fingers fast, reciting one of his most useful spells, and one he used often. He certainly knew how to do this one. Suddenly he raised his fingers to a level with his chest, and pointed them straight towards the mage. He could see it taking effect... The mage suddenly felt shrudders of cold in him, and sweat pouring on his forehead. It was certainly a strong fever, and it was not hard to figure out that the more the Witchdoctor raised his fingers, the worse it would get. Starting to feel dizzy, the mage decided that this was enough for games. He made a sharp cut in the air with his finger.
*Yyyarrghh!* Shazhash watched his fingers get cut off, dropping down to the floor like snapped twigs. Falling on his knees he desperately tried to collect them, and soon had managed to get them into one pile.
"Enough. You might not be a direct-magic user, but I see your powers can still be... useful. You and your people might serve me in some fashion yet."
"Ja, Ja! Yuh be's graan' witchdoctor! Yuh giv' mi mah fingers bha', 'n' mi side wie yuh!"
"Pathetic"
The mage walked close to the witchdoctor, touched his hand and drew off. There was a strange shruddering sensation within the Witchdoctor, as he saw his fingers place themselves back into his hands, devoid of flesh. Skeletal fingers. He twisted the fingers, felt around them abit, and conceded they were as good as new, if abit strange looking. He gave an angry snarl at the mage, but did not do anything. He would be a fool to try against such power... alone. It would be wise to do as promised for now.
"Yuh be's real badman, mon. Yuh be's real Witchdoctor. Mi be's wie yuh"
"Good. Now, I think I've attarded myself long enough in this retched swamp. I'll be returning to my hills, you can govern your tribe or whatever as you wish, but I'll be asking 'services' of you. To start, I need corpses, wether of your people or animals. And lots of them"
"Deliver them to my lair. Your hunters know its location"
"Aa... Wie has dhes' mankies. Ay near' tribe. Yuh wan' their bonys?"
"Yes, I guess monkey bones will do too. I also expect a messenger to visit me atleast once a week, incase I need something else from you."
"Wie be's doin' as yuh comman', badman"
"Perfect. You better not dissapoint, witchdoctor. Or else you'll be the first to pay the price."
The mage left, disappearing into the swamps, his undead minions with him... We'll respect him for now...

((That tribe of hummies is made up by me, nothing to show on the map, just a small group))

[TheNewerMartianEmperor]

Mountain pass outpost:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The outpost has expanded considerably since last year. Around a hundred meters in front of where the path became impassible there was a steep chasm running from one side of the pass to the other. The outposts lower-class abodes where dug out from the side of the cliff, while the rooms belonging to those of greater prestige were further in. A wall had been constructed on the lip of the chasm, with a retractable bridge built, and battlements along its top. The starting of the tunnel to Icedown rock coincided with the settlers decision to name the outpost "CavernDark Cliff." (it loses something in translation)

Logging, foresting, trading and tunneling:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Benny looked over the new forest outpost, the first thought that entered his head was: "why doesn't this place have a name yet? He looked around and saw it all, the main hall next to the river, the abodes connected to it by metal corridors and the entrance to the new tunnel project that was going to go through the mountains to connect our lands to that of the Aviators. The settlement had grown remarkably fast, this was probably due mostly to the tunneling project as well as the logging one. He was here to make contact with the creatures that had been sighted around the forest, they appeared to be small mammalian beings with a tendency to skulk. He would try to see if peaceful contact was possible, if it wasn't there was always the flamethrower approach.

A dark spike against the setting sun:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The manager of expeditionary affairs had tried all he could to prevent this latest expedition to set up a fishing village next to the strange sea south of the city, he had tried to point out that the city couldn't handle another outpost. This was countered by the argument that the other settlements were already near autonomous anyway and that they needed to expand. He had tried to point out that the people who were going on this were horribly unsuitable for the task, they then pointed out the fact that the founders of this city and the other outposts were too. So, he had to let them go to set up a fishing village next to the sea.

Giant Penguin Ranching:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Asmovos was startled by the size of the things, the size of these creatures indicated that the nearby sea must be very rich in nutritious food, either that or it was some gods idea of a cruel joke, or maybe just the result of an incompetent effort. In any case, they were useful, they kept away the larger collosi that traveled alone and they make a good food source, plus in a very strange way, their existence amused Asmovos. That is why they were chosen to be domesticated.

Kobold diplomacy:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Benny was talking to the strange creature, the conversation was long and not very notable, except for the part about the mage. It seems that there was some form of creature wielding great and terrible power across the mountains to the south, they had apparently heard tales of his terrifying power and his hatred for Kobolds. We agreed to protect them and to help them, to cement this H presented him with a suit of steel amour made especially for him, which he accepted with glee. Unfortunately he decided to take off his old clothes and put it on there and then, that's a memory that he could do without, euch.

Priesthood and Robots:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It had come to Asmovos's attention that it was becoming more and more difficult to run co-ordinate his robots, this was not a problem on the old world where there were many like him, but here there seemed to be no way to deal with it, unless.... unless he could "gift" some of his charges placed in the cult that grew to worship him and those like him with the ability to co-ordinate the droids in their vicinity. Thinking about it and planning the stages of it in his mind, he was sure that he could pull this off with a minimum of disruption. Unfortunately it would have to wait until Benny came back to this settlement. Which reminded him, the tunnel to the people across the mountains is going to need more droids, this in mind he designed a factory made specifically for this purpose. The ones that came from the factory would not be of the same quality as those he made manually, but they would do.

Home and Duties:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Benny was exhausted, after traveling from the camp to Icedown rock, all he wanted to do was rest. But it seems that it would have to wait, Asmovos needed him urgently, he needed to reply to this letter, and he needed to open a building *sigh.* He chose to go to Asmovos first, as it seemed like the most urgent. Walking over to the conduit on the wall he began to talk to Asmovos. It seems that the training of a new class of priest needed to commence, these priests would command the red eyed ones near them, why he couldn't do it he would not say, but surely he must have a good reason..... right? In any case, he needed to attend to the letter. The Coins would be simple enough to make, and the book was informative, despite its name. Overall he was pleased with this trading agreement. As for the building opening, it could wait, he needed sleep. Just before he nodded off a thought struck him: where is general Arck?

Magic:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Several of the magical items gained from trading with the Aviators were being monitored and experimented on by Asmovos. This magic of theirs seems to react in strange ways to the various tools used by Asmovos, responding well to the more crude ones, but becoming inert when exposed to the sophisticated ones. This warranted more study. In a related note, his probes had been studying the most sophisticated looking of the other civilizations on this planet, they appeared to use many different languages but could understand each other perfectly! From his experiments with the items of the Aviators he was able to equip his probes with crude sensors that could sense high concentrations of this magic, sure enough, the city of that strange civilization was positively glowing with the stuff. From what he could see it seems that his probes would be able to communicate with them, but there was only one way to be completely sure.......

Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

00   05   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45
  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─m.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

[deadlycairn]

Istrian, do I put the stuff we talked about in my turn?

[NUKE9.13]

More talks between me and NME, will we never shut up?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Benny stood outside the grand spike with a small party of officials, next to the landing strip, grumbling.
Benny: “I hate meetings. Stupid bureaucracy, gets into everything”
He spotted a strange craft in the sky, and brightened up.
"That must be them."

Far above, in the glider, Hoiral pulled at some levers, and the glider swooped down to the illuminated runway
Hoiral: "Thats definetly it. And I thought Gnuk was just crazy"
She carefully landed the plane on the strip, and deactivated the runes
Miscellaneous official: “What odd lights”
The door on the back of the plane opened, and Hoiral stepped out. She looked around and saw Benny and his small group.
Hoiral:Greetings, friend"
Benny: “Hello, peoples from across the mountains. I am Benny, priest-president of the Astroligans*
Hoiral: “I am Hoiral, diplomat of the Botagarian V aviators. Well met, Benny”
Benny: “Nice to meet you too”
They shook hands
Hoiral:  "We understand that you wish to trade with us?"
Benny:  “Yes, Asmovos says that you are a friendly people, in much the same situation as us, and furthermore that you may have some things which interest us”
Hoiral: “Asmovos is your... god, yes?”
Benny: “Yes, he watches and protects us, would you like to meet him?”
Hoiral crinkled her brow
Hoiral: “Meet a god? Do they not reside in a separate plane?... But yes, take us to your god.”
Benny: “It is really but a conduit, his physical form here. I'm afraid there may be some... difficulties however... it's underground”
Hoiral and her companion recoiled in shock
Hoiral: “No, no! We shall not visit him... Do not be offended, we simply do not wish to swap the embrace of air for the embrace of earth.”
Benny: “I'm not, he told us that you have some grievances with going beneath the earth”
Hoiral shivered
Benny:  “Wear this”
He handed them a surprisingly thin coat that was warm to the touch
Hoiral and her partner gladly accepted the coats
Benny: “Anyway, we should go inside”

He beckoned towards the huge double doors, and Hoiral and her companion followed wordlessly.
The doors opened as they approached blowing a gust of warmer wind towards them. Benny entered, followed by the aviators.
The spike was massive and hollow on the inside, on the roof and centre pillar both nearby and far away could be seen the red-eyed ones walking on the ceiling doing various things. Towards the center were many big structures clustered around the palace, built about halfway up the centre pillar.
Hoiral:  "A fascinating home, Benny"
Benny:  “It is rather unique on this world... but I digress, should we go to the palace?"
Hoiral:  "Yes, let's"
They walked through the town, and it became apparent just how big the buildings were.
Benny: "Our buildings are built to gather and retain heat, there are over a half-dozen families in every building."
Hoiral: "You should consider their elemental balance; their limited surface lessens their exposure to the greatest of elements, air"
Benny: “Buildings balanced towards air are unsuitable for these climes, seeing as they tend to freeze internally”
Hoiral: But anyway, the housing-towers on our homeworld held hundreds of individuals at a time; these simple structures do not impress"
Benny: "Yes they are rather simple, aren't they."
Hoiral: "Yes, they are.”
Benny: "The ones in my hometown could have tens of thousands of families into an area no greater then this.*
Hoiral: "My, isn't that a little claustrophobic?"
Benny: "There is quite a lot of us back home."
Hoiral: "There were quite a lot of us back home... but tell me of your home"
Benny: "Our home? Well, it is inhabited by us alone, it is a much colder place then this, in the coldest places you could only stand outside for 5 minutes or so before freezing to death. But it is not our original home, of it little records are left, save for that we were as gods, and we created those like asmovos to watch over us as we ventured outward into the stars”
Hoiral: ”That sounds horrible. No wonder you came here"
Benny: "We didn't try to come here, we were sent here, by an artefact of the ancients"
Hoiral: "A space-ship?"
Benny: "Nothing so grand, it was (as far as I understand it) the part that makes them move."
Hoiral: "Well, I have no knowledge of such things. Are we there yet?"
Benny: "Almost.”-they turned a corner-“Here we are!"
The palace was built far up from the ground, halfway up the pillar, with a massive staircase leading to it. Several red-eyed ones were working on the finishing touches of the staircase
Hoiral: "Who are the metal people? Are they your mages? I notice they spew fire from their hands"
Benny: “No, they are created by Asmovos and they aid us, they mine, they maintain, they build, and if the situation is dire, they defend.”
Hoiral: "Angels of a metal god... fitting"
Benny looked at the climb
Benny: "Oh dear, I wish we could use the elevator, but it appears to be out of service"
Hoiral and her companion quickly climbed the staircase, with the air of people who do it a lot. Benny climbed up with the air of someone who really wished this was an escalator.
Hoiral laughed
Hoiral: "You must not regret any action that brings you higher"
Benny: “I would- huugh- rather keep my legs... Okay, we're here."
He opened the doors. The first thing they see is a giant replica of the stardrive, surrounded by a double helix staircase.
Benny: "Welcome, to my palace. What do you think?"
Hoiral: "Its all right, I suppose..."
Benny: "Yes, I wanted it bigger, but we don't have that kind of materials just lying around. Anyway, the meeting hall is just through the doors just behind the sculpture on the second level."
They quickly went up. The meeting room was, like all meeting rooms in the multiverse; boring and unremarkable. They sat down, and Hoiral drew some notes out of her bag. She took a caged messenger, and commanded it to record the conversation. Benny went over to the wall console and spoke into it
 
Benny(to device): “Can you see this?”
Device: YES. PROCEDE
Hoiral: "Your god?"
Benny: “Not really. His physical form is able to perceive anything that is viewable from... many devices"
Hoiral: "Down to business. Gnuk said we were to trade with you."
Benny: “As did Asmovos”
Hoiral: "I see you have much metal; this is one of our most wanted resources"
Benny: “Yes, we can provide iron, steel, and fuel. Also, asmovos could probably give you the plans for many kinds of flying devices"
Hoiral: "And what do your people want qua trade goods?"
Benny: "Some of the magic items you have, our old home did not have much in the way of  magic, we may call what we use magic occasionally but it differs in respects that I'm not able to go into right now. Also finely made wooden furniture. We are always willing to experience new tastes And any writings relating to history or culture would also be appreciated.
That’s what we want, the specifics we can bicker over later. Any questions?
Hoiral: "Magic, yes, we can provide. Furniture... odd, but we can provide that also. Our cooks and brewers would happily provide you with delicacies, and I believe the merchant Yiop seeks one to buy something from his spice garden. Books.. maybe not so much. Most of what we have is necessary for our own purposes, although I can tell you something of us. But be have brought maps, a gift for you"
Benny: "Thank you... I have a question for you, what was your world like?"
Hoiral sighed
Hoiral: "Our world was rich and beautiful... it had deep blue seas, towering mountains, lush forests and fertile plains. We lived there, in a great empire, of hundreds of city states. We traded with dwarves, elves, and humans, and the occasional spacefarer. But alas, a powerful human warlord sought to conquer our lands. He had extra terrestrial aid, and his armies swept through our cities... eventually only one city remained...That was my home...The council sent us away to seek a safer land. But secretly we knew that that world would never be safe for us. So when we got news the last city had fallen, in conjunction with the spacefarers had just landed, we decided to travel here"
Benny:  "Why here?"
Hoiral: "The spacefarers advised us to come here. 'Blessed by the gods' they said...Hah, not exactly blessed, as it turns out... but our god told us that we could survive here"
Benny: "Yes, this land, while contested is hospitable."
Hoiral: "Mysteriously so. We two are not the only peoples drawn here; a human tribe somehow found their way to us"
Benny: "I believe that this land was set up as some form of arena, by a great being who was very, very bored"
Hoiral: “Yes... that's...crazy...but I suppose the gods act in mysterious ways"
Hoiral: "Very well, lets go over the details. We can't transport much, but..."
The conversation drifts into numbers and arrangments

Turn 3 actions, Ina spoiler, as ever.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Hoiral waved one last time as the glider lifted off the makeshift runway. It was a long journey home, but they had plenty of time. The messenger had been sent, they would know everything back home shortly. The Astroligans were strange people though. Did they have magic, or not? It appeared so, but Benny constantly claimed they had no magic, that it was part of their god... or something. Meh.


Back in the village, things were going well. The food stockpiles overflowed; alcohol abounded. A small group was sent downriver to the lumbercamp, so the inhabitants wouldn’t have to leave to bring the wood back to the village. They brought barrels of beer and grain on carts, which brought smiles to the faces of the lumberjacks. Then they swapped the carts for the rafts, which were loaded up with wood, the carts being used to move lumber around by the camp itself. The wood was quickly put to use in constructing more housing towers, and extending the old ones.
Some wood was set aside, and carpenters carved from it their best furniture. This went into a stockpile together with various preserved meats and spices.
Gnuk meanwhile shared knowledge with the ex-tribal mages, and worked together to create magical items. Boxes filled with everlasting wind; a pentacle carved onto wood; staffs enchanted with simple spells, and other magical knick knacks. When the glider arrived back, the pilots were given a few days rest, and then brought before the council.

Yiop the merchant spoke first.
“Whilst the trading arrangements you made with ‘Benny’ are quite satisfactory (for now), quantities were not mentioned. You shall take goods to them soon, to trade for metal items. But be sure to ask them how much they can provide, and how much they want.”
Gnuk spoke next
“The maps you made show that it is very far to the Astroligans spike. The maps you brought back, however, indicate an outpost here”-he pointed at the map-“, a good deal closer to us. Also they show a flat area near the rivers source here”-he indicated another map-“Could we make a trading outpost there?”
“From what I remember, there were some clearings there that looked suitable”
“On a related subject, what is this X?”
“My co pilot thought he saw smoke there, sir”
Gnuk nodded.
“Probably nothing, then”

As spring turned to summer, the village’s project became preparing to start a trade outpost upriver. Carpenters and architects carefully built a prebuilt tower, and carts were made to carry it up river. When the preparations were complete, two dozen people were selected to bring it up. They were armed with a few bows, ‘just in case’, loaded up with food, and sent off. The carts were loaded onto rafts first, so that magical winds could get them part of the way, but once they reached the point were the river became rough, the carts were unloaded on the rivers south bank (the river having turned to the west at some point), and the rafts sent back. Travel was hard through the rough terrain; several times the carts broke down, and had to be repaired, and eventually the terrain became so rough that the carts had to be dismantled, slowing their progress, but eventually the river they followed narrowed, and they reached the allocated spot; a clearing marked by a small vortex of air, maintained by a grumbling elemental. They dismissed the elemental, and began to set up the tower.
“Did you ever get the feeling we were being watched, sometimes?”
“Yeah, I did... you know they say one of the glider pilots saw smoke?”
“We should probably build a palisade first... food second”

An interval here. Whilst I would have loved to have been attacked by the mysterious megadwarves, I don’t know what they are, or even if they are aggressive, so they will have to wait till winter to attack me. Navian went offline before I could ask, and I’m probably on my way to Austria as you read this. So they will have to interact with my outpost at the end of winter.
We now return to much actions ina spoiler

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Now that they finally had metal (Hoiral having returned from the Astroligans with some basic tools), village life became even easier. With metal tools, the idea of quarrying came to mind; so the hills across the river were inspected for quarryable locations. Eventually, a location was decided upon, and the grim prospect of working with earth began. Soil was moved, the stone revealed. Reluctantly a quarry was started, the workers uttering prayers to Neuc G’Ie constantly, and thoroughly cleaning themselves after the days work. But none could call their work useless; stone blocks were produced, and they started to reinforce the base of the main tower (that being the one containing the council’s chamber, and Gnuk’s chambers). The village’s small garrison was trained to use the swords that arrived; and equipped with basic metal armour. 

As summer drew to a close, Gnuk surveyed the town, and decided that the time had come, the time many had waited for anxiously. He summoned a messenger, and dictated:
“Dear Benny, we need something shiny here. Gold, copper, silver, whatever. Or... do you people have coins? Either way, we need to make a couple of thousand coins- that’s small inscribed metal discs, made from precious metals. We can make them ourselves, but if you think you’re up to it, that’s even better. In other news, we started producing two new gliders this week, so prepare for trade to triple... the next load will be mostly furniture, as you asked, although you’ll notice that no metal parts this time, since you asked. Also I’ve copied the first chapter of Air magic for dummies, and I’ve put it in the top drawer of the beautiful oak desk with the Tornado elementals inscribed upon it. You can’t miss it.
The weather here continues fine. No, I don’t think I can spare the time to visit you, although Hoiral’s reports fascinate me. Perhaps when everything runs more smoothly. Well, goodbye now, don’t forget those ‘coins’ ”

And so it was that [somehow] coins were acquired. And thus clerks worked feverishly, and two days before midwinter, they brought the council the proposal; and the council decided to introduce the coins on midwinter exactly, to take peoples minds of the (admittedly mild) winter. And so on midwinter a great banquet was held for all the people, with tables and benches held in the air with magic, and elementals summoned to serve them. In the two outposts it was celebrated too, with great magic being spent to open instant-ish communication between the two. And the next day, when hangovers had been healed, everyone entered the main tower, where they were paid, their cost/profit being carefully calculated by clerks. Naturally everyone was given more than they really had earned; there was plenty of excess. Naturally this would handicap the government’s actions; they had kept a large reserve of coins, but they would have to account for their actions nonetheless. But it was worth it to allow the perusal of personal profit.

Not the longest, but I don’t have much time.

Summary:
Initiate trade with the Astroligans: Metal tools/ raw metal for wooden furniture (A status symbol for artic people), fine foods (penguin steak again, yeuch! Not with patented Aviator spices!), and magical trinkets (Asmovos is fascinated by magic).
Build a trade colony for trade with the Astroligans, with palisade. See map.
Begin a quarry, finally. I reckon that the first tower is finished (encased in stone) by the end of the year.
Arm the town, or village (I’m hoping town!)’s garrison with metal.
Construct 2 more planes; also for trade.
And finally, in a grand gesture of (probably) stupidity, CAPITALISM!, featuring metal coins (either made here, or by the Astroligans).

Well, thats me away for the week...
Don't kill me whilst I'm gone! Please?
Magic is my threat response. A small army may be dispatched from HQ to the outposts if they are really threatend. How my trade works I leave in NME's hands.

Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

00   05   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45
  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲v───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─m.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙
Dwarves in RED cos they're SCARY

[deadlycairn]

I won't have access tomorrow, so please hold the turn for until I finish my negotiations with Istrian

[Emperor_Jonathan]

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

00   05   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45
  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲t───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠t♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

~Will be updated as I RP~

Spoiler: Summary (click to show/hide)

Grok:
More houses are built for the growing population, the first wall is upgraded and reinforced with iron, a small stone+iron keep is being built in the middle of the town, however by the end of the first year it is only half completed. Weapons, armor and utilities were being created with the metals sent from Ore Town. The first soldiers are being drilled.

Ore Town:
Houses are built for the expanding pop, ore is sent to Grok. Most houses are built partially within the cliff face, a small stone wall reinforced with iron is built around the small settlement. The forge is rarely used, only for training forgers before being sent to Grok. The smelter refines the ore.

General:
Settlers travel south to the sea to build a fishing village. A road is bult between Grok and this new town, Olkur- Rokum, "City of the Sea."

Spoiler: Found out! (click to show/hide)

A zealous follower of Grok was living in Ore Town, he was casually exploring the outlying areas of the settlement. He came to the end of a small ravine, to his right was a fairly small alcove. This Suin, being an inquisitive being, decided to enter and explore. It was a dark dank cave, going in a fairly straight direction, before turning to the right. At the end of this passage was light, it opened up into a small grove, enclosed to every side but the cave and the sky. There was a single tree in the middle of the grove. This Suin could hear a being doing something.

"Yah! Yah! Yah! Yah! YAH!"

This Suin, being a careful, sneaky sort, sneaked up till he was about the exit of the cave. he peered out, making sure he couldn't be seen. The being training there was a Suin, it was Narok. He was instantly recoginised. Narok was firing fireballs at the tree, the tree was being caught on fire with each fireball, but put out with the next. Narok lapsed concentration for a second, and a bolt of lightning came from his fingers.

"Woah."

The follower, thought this was new information Grok would want, maybe he would be rewarded. He scampered off to go tell Grok.

Spoiler: Bad News for one, opportunity for the other. (click to show/hide)

"SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT LITTLE RUNT MAY BECOME LEADER INSTEAD OF ME!!!?!"

"Y..y.yes sir."

"OK. YOU TWO GET OTHERS AND SMASH HIM."

The news of Narok having magic powers came as bad news to Grok, Grok knew it was very possible that if this wasn't dealt with he could lose his leadership. Lose his luxuries, and possibly his life. Narok had to be dealt with.

Seven Suin went to meet, and smash, Narok. They came up behind his house, three were posted outside his door while the others were posted around the hut. They were all armed with large daggers, two had lengths of rope.

Narok had just finished his first prototype of his new weapon, it was longer than a large dagger, but thinner and lighter. He got up from his wooden study and went out to get some fresh air, when immediately outside his door two large Suin grabbed his arm, and a third punched him, knocking him unconscious.

Spoiler: Hurting. (click to show/hide)

Le'Zelle just finished her hunting expedition, she washed up and was going to have a chat with Narok, he was a great hunter in her eyes, she looked up to him. She was armed with a small dagger.

As Le'Zelle walked around his hut, which was separated from the main settlement, she heard indistinguishable voices from within, she thought Narok had visitors. She walked up and opened the door,

"..Tell me!"

A large Suin was interrogating Narok, Narok was tied to a wooden chair in the middle of the room. It was all torn apart, they must have been looking for something, Narok looked up at Le'Zelle with his one eye, with a look of despair on his face. Six other Suin were in the room, they looked up and saw Le'Zelle, including the Suin interrogator. The look upon Naroks face turned from one of despair to one of laughter, at first he chuckled than he burst out laughing.

Narok burnt through the bonds, making them burst into flames, he slipped his knife in his sleeve into his hand. He punched over the interrogator, the other Suin reacted immediately swinging their large daggers at him, Narok dodged them all, dispatching them in various ways; Fireball to the face, knife to the throat, and so on. Once he was finished he was covered all over in black blood, he got up, dusted himself off and turned to face Le'Zelle.

He forgot about the interrogator. He had the large dagger press against her neck, it was obvious Le'Zelle was afraid.

"Put down the knife or I'll kill her!"

Narok started to step forward.

"Stop! Don't come any closer, DROP THE KNIFE!"

Narok raised the knife, holding it by the blade, with a flick of his wrist the knife flew from his hand, hitting the interrogator in the eye, the interragator clutched at his face, stumbling back and dropping his knife, he painfully pulled the knife out and ran.

Narok exhausted, slumped down on his chair, Le'Zelle afraid from the experience slumped against the wall and slid down to sit on the ground.

Spoiler: Decisions. (click to show/hide)

Le'Zelle, exhausted, afraid, confused, sat there, unable to move with dear. Narok simply wiped the blood from his face, replaced his knife up his sleeve and got up. His eye patch had been ripped off, revealing a disgusting crevice on his face, he had numerous cuts all around his face, blood was still pouring from his wounds.

"Narok... W.. Who were they?"

"They were agents of Grok, no doubt you saw me use magic, Grok was afraid I would challenge him so his men did his dirty work."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Ha, the question is what are you going to do? Now that you've seen them with me they will stop at nothing to kill you. I'm leaving, to parts unknown."

Le'Zelle was shocked as that piece of information sunk in, Narok calmly put another eye patch on and took his bow off the wall, along with his twin quivers.

"I give you a choice Le'Zelle, will you come with me? I have planned for everything, I have supplies for a few weeks for two people. With my magic the cold is no problem."

"Ah.. You give me a tough decision, leave all my family, support and civilization to tromp around the country side for god knows long?"

"I give you adventure, to see sights no Suin could dream of. Will you?"

"O... Okay. I will."

"Good, quickly go and get your hunting gear, meet me back here in ten minutes."

Le'Zelle scampered off to gather her gear, a bow with two quivers, a skinning knife, hatchet and dagger. Narok went to the back of his house, crouched down and opened a hidden hatch, inside was a small cellar with supplies and gear. The gear he took from here were, another knife for his opposite sleeve, a knife the slid into his boot. A hatchet, a skinning knife, a long skinny dagger. A large, heavy dagger strapped to his back and another thin dagger strapped to his calf. He grabbed the two kits with food for a few weeks, he would be able to hunt to supplement food stocks, blankets, clothes, some cloth and furs. He picked them up and hauled them over his shoulders, one in each hand he threw one up out of the hatch and while keeping the other in his hand climbed out. He took both and placed them beside the door and waited for Le'Zelle. It was the middle of winter, although unseasonably hot days melted snow, it was very cold and in the early morning, no one was around. Le'Zelle came down the hill with her gear to Naroks hut.

Spoiler: Traveling (click to show/hide)

The going was tough over the rocky hills, however nothing bad happened. The cold was no problem because of Naroks magic, snow was melted in winter to provide water, and there were many small streams in the hills to drink from. Following the line of the taller mountains, by the start of winter they come to the source of a river, both Narok and Le'Zelle were washing the in the river when they saw the ruins of a town of some civilization.

[Pandarsenic]

The Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

00   05   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45
  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣B♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

Legend:

 ♠♣ Forests or Jungles
 ≈≈ Sea or Lake
 ~~ Deserts or Wastelands
 .. Savanna, Scrubland, Grassland, Floodplains, Moors
 ““ Marsh, Swamp, or Bog
 ◙◘ Invisible Wall Generators
 ▌▐ The Gods' Dam Bridges
 ○─ Water Source and River
 ⌂▲ Rocky-to-Foreboding Terrain, Hills and Mountains

Player Races:

A: Angels of Elrath
T: Suin
S: Zazackachahaha
M: Astroligans
E: The Elchandaar Empire
Z: Szaryum
X: Xra Krag
H: Khallem
V: Aviators
G: Shash-hash
U: Solarans
B: The Biomorph Alliance

Active Non-Player Races:

K: Good Kwestion
D: Mud River Elves
P: Phoenicians
W: Megadwarves
C: Celestial Cacti Clan
k: Some Kobolds
R: Trolls?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"So we're here, mates," one Biomorph declared glumly, waving his hands in mock-grandiosity at the abandoned huts and clay structures.

"What now?" another asked, staring at the abandoned village they'd decided to occupy. It was... shabby, to say the least.

"Now? We set up farms, and... yeah...." the first one's voice trailed off.

"You boys don't know a thing 'bout farmin', huh?" one asked, laughing. "It's easy enough, if everyone will jump in."

"We have to stick together," the first Biomorph to speak agreed. "We're a community. We're going to work together, or we're going to die," he declared shortly.

They set to work...

((Am I doin' it right?))

[Frelock]

Year 2 of the New Solaran Calendar:

Spoiler: Arrivals and Departures (click to show/hide)

Exciting news resounded around the small hamlet.  A new group had been found.  A grand total of 10, they had arrived through another portal.  They were a bit surprised to learn that a over a year had been lost to them, but it didn’t matter too much; they were safe.  There was also plenty of room on Domus for expansion.  They began growing the required bulbs as soon as they arrived.  The city, if it could be called such, had been moved to a higher altitude, to allow for more exposure from the sun, and to hopefully steer clear from those strange beasts that had threatened them last winter.  Everyone had adapted well to the new elevation, and life was good.

Or so it seemed.  Only three knew of the dire problem that was rushing towards them.  Ida, being the chief tender of the farms, had been the first to notice.  The crops were not doing as well as they used to.  Apparently, though multiple experiments by Virgil, the source of the problem was the lack of a few trace elements in the atmosphere.  They were still present, but not in enough amounts to make the crops thrive.  Aeneas had been told, and rations were appropriately lowered.  Few noticed, however, as eating was not high on their list of priorities.  Ida believed that the lowered amount of crops would be enough, so long as the population didn’t change too rapidly.

With the addition of another ten souls, however, the population increased by almost 50%.  Aeneas knew that there would be trouble within a few months.  They had to find a new source of food, preferably fast.  And so Aeneas and five others set out to scout the air and the “lake” as they had taken to calling it, in the hopes of finding more food.  Their mission was known only to them, as a panic over the scarcity of food was the last thing Aeneas wanted.  Everyone else believed it was a simple scouting mission to explore their new home.  After all, between the construction, the farming, and the hauling of water to store in Domus, they had little time for non-essential tasks like scouting, which would take up quite a bit of resources.  Still, with their friends waving them off, the five set off in different directions.  Aeneas to the setting sun, Tiberius towards the rising one, Pyrrus to the right of Aeneas, Flavius to the right of Tiberius, and Marcus to Aeneas’s left.
They flew high and low, attempting to find a new source of food.  Urgency drove them; if they could not find a new source of vital nutrients, they would all become weak and feeble, barely able to fly.  They needed food soon, and as close as they could get it.

Spoiler: Landfall (click to show/hide)

Marcus flew toward the strange green thing he had seen from on high.  The Lake had given way to this strange new layer, and he was very curious as to its nature.  He had wrapped a cloud around himself to hide and hopefully observe unseen.  He flew closer and closer, until he could feel the familiar barrier where the air stopped.  Well, mostly stopped.  As he focused harder and harder, he could feel very, very small pockets of air, trapped with whatever this new thing was.  As he concentrated, he could also feel air flowing in an unusual manner, almost as if something, or hundreds of somethings, were taking it in, and expelling it.  How strange.

Marcus allowed himself to slip a tentacle out of the cloud in order to let his eyes see what this strange new world was like.  “Strange” was most certainly the best way to describe it.  While the lake remained a constant blue hue, with bits of white foam here and there, this new place was made up of a wide variety of greens and browns.  There were sounds everywhere too, originating from the sources of the strange air currents.  However, these could not be seen.  The air was rich with humidity, and Marcus could tell that there would be rain in a few hours, though an electrical storm was unlikely.

Marcus decided the area was safe enough, and he could always escape to the skies if need be.  So he abandoned his cloud, and began to move down, close enough to reach these strange green things.  He sent out a few probing tentacles.  These green things certainly were strange.  Unlike the lake, they parted to reveal quite a bit of space beneath them, though it was all covered in more green things.  Marcus could feel that there was something solid beneath all this, but it was amazing, none the less.

Knowing that he had to find a new food source, Marcus tore off a bit of the green matter.  It seemed to be alive, with air going in and out very similar to the way normal Solarans and crops took air in and out.  He cautiously tasted the plant (for a plant it was, the top leaves of a tree).  It wasn’t too bad; little heavy for his tastes, but not too bad at all.  However, though it provided some of the nutrients he needed, he would have to eat quite often in order to gain enough to survive.  But there were many green things about; they all needed to be tested.  Perhaps one would contain enough to survive with.

After several days of trying different plants, and nearly being poisoned by one, Marcus found one that was decent.  It wasn’t great, but it had enough nutrients to warrant harvesting it.  Still, the sheer amount of variety he had come across was astounding.  There were many he had not tried.  However, time was running out, and the scouts were supposed to be making their way back.  So he took a few samples of what he had found, and began the return trip to Domus.

All of the scouts arrived back at nearly the same time.  Aeneas, Flavius, and Marcus had all found similar landscapes.  They had all come across multiple types of plants, all with differing nutritional values.  Pyrrus had discovered a differing landscape that held quite a bit of one particular type of plant, which was small and lacking in nutritional value.  There were others, but not enough to warrant harvesting in that area.  It was decided that Marcus’s area would be better explored, and more thought put into finding new types of plants to eat.

Spoiler: Map (With Mouse-over Label!) (click to show/hide)

00   05   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45
  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
00◙~~~~◘~~~.◘...♠◘⌂▲▲⌂◘▲⌂“⌂◘⌂≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘..“│◘.“““◙
  ~~~~~~~~....♠┌─○⌂⌂▲⌂▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂.....┌┘...“““
  ~~~~M.....♠♠≈┘k⌂⌂▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂.....♠│♠♠♠...“
  ..........m≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲⌂⌂▲▲▲W⌂⌂│⌂⌂......♠└┐♠♠♠♠..
  ....⌂⌂...♠┌┘♠⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲▲▲▲○───┴─┐.V...♠♠♠│♠♠♠♠♠♠
05◘m⌂⌂⌂○─┐.≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂X▲▲▲▲▲▲⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂└─┐.v♠♠.♠S┐≈≈≈♠◘
  ...~⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈♣⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲▲t⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂.○.⌂⌂⌂└┬─┐...≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  .~~~~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂▲▲▲⌂⌂.T♠♠♠♠..│.....│.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈▐
  ~~~C~⌂≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂♠♠♣♠♠♠♠♠≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈......▀
  ..~~⌂⌂⌂≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂@♠G≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.....~
10◘.....⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂○♣♣≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂K≈≈≈≈▲▲≈≈≈≈...~~◘
  ...♣♣♣♣...≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈⌂⌂⌂...⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈.......~
  ..♣≈≈≈≈▌▐≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈..≈≈≈≈≈○⌂⌂⌂⌂......~~
  .≈≈≈≈♣....♣♣““┌┘Z“≈≈≈⌂≈≈⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈.........~~~
  ≈≈♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣.┌──┘““..⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈P~~~.....~~
15◘≈≈♣♣♣♣.┌──┘.......~~⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂≈≈≈≈≈≈..~~~p....≈≈◘
  ≈≈≈...A─┘..♣♣D♣♣♣...⌂⌂⌂..“┌E......~~~~~...≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈≈──┘..♣♣♣♣≈≈♣B♣⌂⌂⌂...♣♣│♣♣......~~~...≈≈≈≈≈
  ≈≈≈..⌂..♣♣♣♣♣≈≈♣♣⌂⌂H..⌂⌂e⌂│♣♣♣..........♠≈U≈≈≈
  ♣○≈≈⌂⌂⌂...♣♣♣♣♣♣⌂♣♣♣⌂♣“⌂R─┘⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂....♠♠♠≈≈≈≈
20◙≈≈≈≈◘⌂⌂⌂.◘.♣♣.◘♣⌂⌂⌂◘⌂“♣♣◘⌂⌂⌂⌂◘.⌂⌂⌂◘⌂⌂⌂.◘♠♠♠♠◙

Legend:

 ♠♣ Forests or Jungles
 ≈≈ Sea or Lake
 ~~ Deserts or Wastelands
 .. Savanna, Scrubland, Grassland, Floodplains, Moors
 ““ Marsh, Swamp, or Bog
 ◙◘ Invisible Wall Generators
 ▌▐ The Gods' Dam Bridges
 ○─ Water Source and River
 ⌂▲ Rocky-to-Foreboding Terrain, Hills and Mountains

Player Races:

A: Angels of Elrath
T: Suin
S: Zazackachahaha
M: Astroligans
E: The Elchandaar Empire
Z: Szaryum
X: Xra Krag
H: Khallem
V: Aviators
G: Shash-hash
U: Solarans
B: The Biomorph Alliance

Active Non-Player Races:

K: Good Kwestion
D: Mud River Elves
P: Phoenicians
W: Megadwarves
C: Celestial Cacti Clan
k: Some Kobolds
R: Trolls?

[Armok]

Spoiler: Rp, finaly! (click to show/hide)

Things were going mostly as normal, due to the recent time since the jump many of the youngsters ha been out scouting, but due to the amount of dangerous wildlife that task was left mostly to Krikah. This land was unusual, not only due to the large amount of wilderness hazards, but also the climate and geography was strange, even unnatural, but the village had seen worse.

One day in the third year, Krikah spotted a strange bird when coming in for a landing. The bird sat on the nook of a house, it was blue and it seemed to have no actual feathers, but most strange was its beakless head whit one single unblinking eye.

Krikah landed, the bird appears to be watching her, she called to Zarakadah who was in the vicinity, she claimed the thing was a ”theg-nolo-gy” and supposedly had more in common whit Sagoz trinkets than living creatures, they did not understand how this could be and thus called onto him, he in turn called onto Zeeeiirrkh and one thing leading to another and some minutes later a Minor Crowd had been summoned.
Soon a decision is reached, and Zeeeiirrkh steps forward (the bird doesn’t appear to notice) and speak to it:

"Welcome, we wish you no harm"

A square of the chest of the bird folds into it, revealing a strange glowing rectangle, it’s speech is in some strange symbols upon that rectangle, but Zeeeiirrkhs gifts allows her to understand.

*HELLO, I WISH YOU NO HARM AS WELL.*

"Who are you, and what is your origin"

*I AM ASMOVOS, ME AND MY CHARGES RESIDE FAR TO THE NORTHWEST, IT IS A COLD AND FROZEN LAND, FORTUNATELY MY CHARGES ARE WELL SUITED TO SUCH A PLACE*

"Well met, Asmovos, might our people be friends."

*I'M HOPING SO, THERE IS NO REASON FOR CONFLICT*

"Thanks, may our friendship be long and unbroken then"

*YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE SEEM TO BE, LIKE MANY OTHERS, NOT NATIVE TO THIS LAND, IS THIS SO?

"We are recent arrivals in this world, together whit ore village, we have in this world sighted an unusual amount of dangerous wildlife and some of us whit gifts for such things suspect even worse things, thus we ask if you have any information"

*MY LANDS ARE DEVOID OF REGULAR CREATURES, THERE ARE ONLY MASSIVE BEHEMOTHS RESIDING THERE, WE HAVE TAKEN TO FARMING THE [huge flightless birds, black and white, clumsy on land but graceful in the sea were they live of fish]*

"Then it seems to be a widespread phenomenon, altou we have seen some regular creatures the absurd ones tend to dominate and make travel hard"

*YES, I SUSPECT SOME GOD, THEY NEVER SEEM TO KNOW MUCH ABOUT [the study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time] AND HOW ANIMALS ARE AFFECTED BY IT*

Zeeeiirrkh exchange a few quick words whit the other Zazackachahaha.

"We do not know much about gods, but it would seem likely and the climate outside the protective force around our village is certainly unnatural"

*YES, IT DISRUPTED THE FLIGHT SYSTEMS OF THIS PROBE, ALMOST MAKING IT CRASH. THAT'S WHY IT HASN'T MOVED. I THINK THAT THIS WILL HAVE TO REMAIN HERE, SEEING AS IT CAN'T MOVE*

Sahkhkhkaa says something in the Zazackachahaha language.

"We will try to see to its needs, How far away are you/your people, and in what direction?"

*WE ARE HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY, TO THE WEST*

"Is there any other information that might be wise to share between our peoples?"

*THERE ARE SOME ALLIES OF MINE, THE AVIATORS DIRECTLY TO YOUR EAST, IF YOU DON'T MIND FLYING YOU CAN ASK FOR A RIGHT FROM THEM*

"Now that is useful, we will send someone in not to long a time most likely"

*BEWARE, MY LANDS ARE REALLY REALLY COLD. I MIGHT DELIVER SOMETHING TO THE AVIATORS THAT WILL HELP WITH THAT*

"We do not fear the cold, even if we do not love it, but such a protection would most certainly be welcome"

*I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON*

The bird’s chest closed after that. And when she spoke to it the chest didn’t open and it spoke whit another (significantly less intelligent) voice.
The crowd soon disapated, and the bird was taken care of, during the days following the diplomatic exchange Zeeeiirrkh spent a large potion of her time communicating whit it, and after the most important things has been settled she continued still to talk to it regularly.
Many important pieces of information they received from it, and many things they told it as well. (These, as far as they understood, were simply sent to Asmovos for further analysis.)
Among other things they learned more about the Aviators, about Asmovos and his people, and to the delight of the more curiously laid villagers (a majority) also a fair bit of scientific information.
And so upon the end of the year, an expedition consisting of Sahkhkhkaa, Zeeeiirrkh, Zarackn and Krikah set forth towards the aviator lands bringing a large amount of finely woven baskets as well as gifts of food for their neighbours, leaving Zarakadah to keep up the information flow to Asmovos whit the help of Zagah.

((So here it is, I HOPE I've gotten MOST stuff mentioned, but I ended up doing bad planing and I hadn't time for a triple review or nice formatting. I'll need NUKE on IRC for the Aviator encounter, meaning I might have to do than it actually happens as he will be away, the party started late but Zazackachahaha travel fast so they'd probably arrive in middle to late spring of the forth year.))