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[RPB]

Ramades and his workers spend most of the year working diligently in the newly constructed mechanic's workshop. Assisted by their magical machines they cut stones to fit the walls going up with breakneck speed and produce a dizzying array of mining machines: scaling up the city's works will require more ore than the token amounts discovered near the surface.

While most of the city's workers are engaged in engineering projects, Amnarchis gathers the wisest and most trusted of the city's scholars for another purpose. Inspired by the how useful the animated tools are for building defenses, he proposes to turn them to a more direct use for defense.

Spoiler: Crunch (click to show/hide)

1 labor: work tile 1 (irrigated watermill river plains, +5 food)
1 labor: work tile 5 (quarried watermill river hills, +3 food/+1 stone/+1 wool)
1 labor: work tile 6 (quarried watermill river hills, +3 food/+1 stone/+1 wool)
1 labor: work tile 8 (hunter camp watermill river forest, +3 food/+2 wood/+1 leather)
2 labor (+50%): construct mine on tile 16 (gold mountains, -1 wood)
2 labor (+50%): construct mine on tile 18 (iron hills, -1 wood)
2 labor (+50%): construct watchtower (-2 stone)
2 labor (+50%): construct stone walls for city tile
1 labor: research towards making combat-worthy animated constructs

[RPB]

Doh, just noticed that my resource counts were off; I changed part of my plan halfway through doin the crunch and forgot to adjust, so I'm 1 stone short.

Easy fix: one of the watermill hills switches production bonus to stone and watermilled forest switches production bonus to food (it was described as being designed to assist wood processing, but presumably the labor saved therein frees up more workers for hunting and gathering.) This makes resource output:

Gross: +14 food/+3 stone/+1 wood/+2 wool/+1 leather
Consumption: -14 food/-5 stone/-2 wood
Net: +2 wool/+1 leather/-2 stone (from stockpile)/-1 wood (from stockpile)

[Strife26]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Alastair: The zefies are at war once again. Cia. Your report.
Cia: Sir, we have serious problems with our ability to mobilize. As I’m sure we all know, the research into rediscovering our advanced weaponry has gone somewhat unfinished. Therefore, we are being limited to fighting with wooden spears and bucklers.
Zefie Forester H: My men are trying to get the wood into the city to provide the materials for the army, but even with improvements in the forest, we don’t have that much forest to log.
Cia: All told, my workers and the foresters can provide enough weapons and shields for a mere 100 zefies per year.
Alastair: So, at best, I’ll have four companies of regulars to fight with. And I can’t even depend on militia forces because we have neither the weapons to arm everyone, nor a system to get them out. Damn.
Tikhon: There have been request for the construction of a market place for the zefies. If we can get a demand for armament, we can get the people armed as quickly as possible.
Cia: I only need three labor groups for all of my work. Building inside the city is a helluva lot safer than growing more stuff.
Alastair: We’ll have to maintain a strong presence within our lands. I want no lawless areas. I’ll have to attack them soon, I suppose. No other choice. Get the marketplace set up.
Tikhon: We also expect a generous increase in revenue with the system. Not that we are lacking in hard currency anyway.
Alastair: Now then, research front.
Zefie Advisor A: Minimal progress sir, I regret to report.
Alastair: The hostiles used projectile weaponry that we are unable to replicate. Look into it along with the usual metal working and expansion control. I want breakthroughs as quickly as possible.
Zefie Advisor A: How much labor will I have to use?
Tikhon: How many can you use?
Alastair: The max number of zefies that can study without starting fist-fights.
Zefie Advisor A: We can have three units working hard in the ‘Techie containment building.’ I’d suppose that another two could work in the newly created library.
Alastair: We don’t have any projects this year that demand a lot of workforce. We’ll focus on smashing these bandits into the ground with the army that I have. It’s not optimal, especially when I’ll have to leave some troops to protect the city, but it will have to do.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

5) Farm the river tiles (20 food)
1) Work tile 3 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 silver (stored as metal))
1) Work Tile 9 ( 1 food, 1 wool)
1) Work Tile 18 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 stone)
2) Make Clothes (-4 wool, +4 Clothes sets)
1) Work Forest 7 (2 wood, 1 food)
2) Military production (-2 wood, +1 spears, +1 shields)
1) Quarry Tile 10 (+2 Stone)
3) Build Mobilzationary Market (-2 stone)
5) Research (see below)

Food:
   24 produced
   21 eaten
   1 for two luxury points
   2 stored
   12 remaining (up 2)

Wool:
   3 produced
   4 used (-1 from stores)
   None left (down 1)

Clothes
   4 produced
   2 used for 20 luxury
   4 remaining (up 2)

Wood:
   2 produced
   2 used
   1 remaining (no change)

Stone:
   3 produced
   2 used
   1 remaining (up 1)

Silver:
   1 produced
   2 remaining (up 1)

Gold:
   <Unsure, does the market take effect this turn?>

Military:
   4th Warrior company raised.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Research details (From Zefie Advisor A‘s department objective report):
1) Spoils of war: Look into the bandit’s projectile weaponry. Also look into prisoners. What species are they (rouge zefies are a BIG deal). How hostile exactly are they? What sort of force are we opposing? The more information Alastair has, the fewer casualties we will suffer.
2) Metal working: We’ve had over three labor unit years on this stuff. We’ve got two more now. The troops need better equipment as quickly as possible.
2) Expansion: We’ve had one group looking at this sense the discovery of writing. We have some insight into the importance of communications for a decent colony/2nd city. The more strong-points the nation has, the better suited we’ll be to dealing with threats and pressures, and the better we’ll be able to rebuild the world.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

From: CINC-ZAOC: GEN Alastair
Recipients: CO-FDF: COL Cia
1CMP-CO: CPT Hadrian
2CMP-CO: CPT Thorston
3CMP-CO: CPT Rio

A) 2CMP, 1PLT-CO: 1LT Geronimo is removed from command of the 1st Platoon of the 2nd Warrior Company. Geronimo, in recognition of outstanding commanding in the Battle of the Western Banks, is promoted to Captain and placed in charge of the provisional 4th Warrior Company. Subsequent promotions within the 2CMP will be handled internally.

B) State of war currently exists between the Zefie Army and bandits of unknown origin. In pursuance of the defense of the Zefie Nation and Fortress, General Alastair will be leading a scouting excursion and assault against the raiders.

C) 2CMP and 4CMP (Provisional) will be tasked with the defense of Fortress. Overall command of force (designated Task Force 1) will be under Colonel Cia.

D) 1CMP and 3CMP are temporarily formed into 1st Zefie Battalion under the command of General Alastair. The 1BTL will be moving on operationative maneuvers in near future.

E) Objectives of Maneuvers (Code named Operation Dominion):
   1) Disrupt any raids against Fortress or Zefie Lands
      - Destroy raiders if possible

   2) Find source of raiders
      -Determine technology level
      -Attempt to establish relations

   3) Destroy or capture any raider forces or infrastructure.

F) All Company Commanders,  Platoon Commanders, Task Force Commanders will discuss further in Governmental Fortifications at 0800 on June 11.

Abstract: Alastair leads two units of warriors into the western lands to disrupt raiders and attempt to find/destroy their camp. Negotiation will be attempted to a minor extent. Some provision will be made for enemy non-combatant life. Prisoners will be taken. Technology and Infrastructure will be attempted to be captured, but will be destroyed if hostile retaking is probable. One unit of warriors along with those who are newly formed will be guarding Fortress. 3 platoons (60 zefies) of the 2nd company will be authorized to leave the walls if needed (the raiders will, hopefully, be unable to mount an attack on the city, even if it is undermanned).

[Vanigo]

Okay, it's pretty late, so I don't really have time to update the stats in the third post. I'm leaving tomorrow and I'll be out of town all week, so I won't get a chance to do it for a while; I'm afraid you'll just have to deal with outdated info on the front page.

Neo-Tyrgani

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(For the record, your grenades don't explode; they splash.)
The hammermen like their new weaponry, and soon excel at burning stuff to the ground. The grenades are powerful weapons, and well-trained horses can deal reasonably well with the fires left behind as long as they're kept away from any firebursts. Researchers looking into the design and use of slings soon work out the basic principles involved, and are working on designing ammunition. They're confident they can make a decent weapon, but they're not sure whether they can make a sling-launched grenade or not.
Research on trade is more immediately fruitful. Gold coins begin entering circulation, and commerce begins picking up in the city, while eager prospectors build a gold mine in the hills.
Late in the year, Keyrio's expedition returns to the city, reporting that they have finally found the goblin city. It's in the mountains, by the source of a second river to the west. They had a bit of trouble with some unusually violent goats on the way, but were able to drive them off with little trouble. At the goblin city itself, they had to quickly retreat from the numerous defenders, but were able to avoid serious battle.

Trade researched!
Population grows to 15,288
1 food, 1 tin, 2 wool, 1 wood, 3 stone stored
Mine built
Hammermen upgraded to grenadiers (6M/3/15/1 Throwing 6 fire; upkeep 2)
Fire grenades made

Zefies

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The zefies, having declared war on a vaguely defined enemy, pitch into their efforts with an inspired will. They put a great deal of effort into researching new and better weaponry, and finally work out ironworking to everyone's satisfaction. They've also managed to duplicate the bows the (assorted humanoid) bandits were using through a combination of experimentation and interrogation, so a serious modernization effort is anticipated. A leader of the researchers has emerged, as well, and if he's a bit... eccentric, his methods are undeniably effective (as long as you keep a safe distance). Meanwhile, civilan life is as hyperactive as ever, and buisness is booming as a market square forms near the city center.
Alastair's forces explore the lands to the west, with foothills to their south and open plains to the north. They find little of note.

Archery researched!
Metalworking researched!
Population grows to 22,166
2 food, 2 clothes, 1 stone, 1 silver stored
1 wool used
Warriors trained
Market built
10 money collected, 4 spent

Zlrv

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The goblin sages manage to tame the quillwolves brought back, and work out a way of saddling them. It's a pretty complicated affair, since it needs to protect the rider from the beast's spiny mane, but it works. They've also discovered a way of evoking minor magical effects with runes painted in blood - nothing particularly useful as of yet, but great things could certainly come of this in the future.
In the summer, a small human force is spotted coming from the east, armed with peculiar wooden blades. The military rides out, and they quickly flee.
The year is otherwise largely uneventful. A second watermill is erected, and the harvest goes pretty much as expected.

Wolf riding researched!
    Allows wolf pens (as stables)
    Allows wolves (1 labor, 1 food, requires wolf pens)
Zlrv blood magic researched!
Population grows to 16,317
2 wool, 1 leather, 1 iron, 1 glowing mushroom stored
7 money collected, 2 spent

Asykos

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Antemnon bustles with activity this year, as magically-assisted construction projects rush to completion. The city is surrounded by a strong stone wall, and a great watchtower is erected on a hilltop to provide warning of approaching enemies. Mines are built hills to produce iron and the suddenly useful gold, and the researchers in the library look into new magics that could be turned to war. They don't find much; the constructs they've made so far are simply far too stupid to be of use on a battlefield.

Population grows to 14,527
Stone walls built
Watchtower built
Mines built
2 wool, 1 leather stored; 2 stone, 1 wood used
6 money collected, 2 spent

Baneriant

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ragt'icth is recovering nicely from the famine, and the the city is regaining its old slightly malicious energy. The expedition north finds the edge of the forest quickly, and further north they discover a river with a small town on the banks! Eager for loot, they approach the city, but, being less eager for a difficult fight, they try to avoid engaging the well-armed defenders that show themselves. The city's defenders are armed with stone-tipped spears better than the fire-hardened ones Baneriant uses, but they have no bows. After a bit of skirmishing, the attacking forces plunder the farmland outside the town and leave. They return with stolen food and goods in tow.
Things at home go pretty well. The harvest comes in as planned and the granaries continue to fill, and the farms northeast of the city are expanded and improved. The literacy initiative is finally getting through to the people, as well, once some enterprising types realize how much easier it is to cheat people when you can read and they can't.

Literacy researched!
Raiding successful! 4 money, 1 food plundered!
Population grows to 13,114
Morale drops to 7
Production bonus lost! 12 labor available next turn.
Irrigation built
5 food, 3 wood, 2 leather, 1 spice, 1 wool stored
7 money collected, 4 looted, 4 spent

[Pandarsenic]

((If Upkeep 2 means something particularly significant, please give me a chance to change my turn if I need to. Also, when you say 1 gold in upkeep costs, you mean 1 money, right?))

Spoiler: CRUNCH! (click to show/hide)

0A. Research Slings (weaponry)
0E. Expedition to find animals big enough to possibly ride without a fear of fire
0G. Train second unit of Grenadiers
1-9. Work Tiles 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18 (16 F, 1 Tin, 2 Wool, 2 Wood, 3 Stone, 1 Ember Rose, 4 Money)
10. Produce Mine at Tile 16
11. Produce Mine at Tile 16
12. Research Slings (Weaponry)
13. Produce Fire Grenades
14. Produce Fire Grenades
15. If I can get the 2 money from Working Tile 16, do that. Otherwise, Research Animal Taming

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"The people love it, don't they?" Shi Shotan mused, holding a gold coin up to the light. "They can't get enough of it."

"Aye, General," Keyiro agreed, playing with the bone necklace he wore. "You know, General, High Elder... I had a thought while out riding recently."

"What would that thought be, Mitheinous?" the High Elder asked. He was in his standard robes and had refused to accept any of the new coinage being distributed.

"Well... we have all manner of bizarre and aggressive beasts in this land, do we not?"

"Oh, we do," Shi Shotan agreed, fingering a scar he'd gotten from a boar's tusk in his youth. It ran all the way along his arm, which he'd had torn open the whole way down. If it weren't for that injury, he'd likely have been a soldier like any other, but he hadn't possessed the strength in his arm to wield a spear or shield properly since.

"Surely there's one big enough for us to ride, sane enough for us to domesticate, but aggressive enough that the fire grenades wouldn't disrupt it."

Dremmeur Sai stroked his beardless chin. "Yes, perhaps there might... and if we can find one, we won't have to worry about the grenades spooking our cavalry...."

"A wonderful idea. If you can locate a source of them, Keyiro, we would be eternally grateful."

"It is merely my duty as a Falcon of Khas," Keyir Mitheinous replied, dismissing himself.

[Nirur Torir]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

1st laborer work city's mushroom farm (+3 food)
2nd laborer work mountain/river tile 5 (+3 food, +1 stone)
3rd laborer work hill/river tile 6 (+4 food, +1 wool)
4th laborer work forest tile 9 (+2 food, +1 wood, +1 leather)
5th laborer work mountain/river tile 15 (+2 food, +1 stone)
6th laborer work hill/river tile 18 (+3 food, +1 wool, +1 glowing mushroom)
7th laborer work mountain/iron tile 14 (+1 stone, +1 iron ore)
Gross resource intake: +17 food, +3 stone, +2 wool, +1 wood, +1 leather, +1 iron ore, +1 glowing mushroom

8th, 9th laborers build wolf pens (-2 stone)
10th, 11th, 12th laborers build iron shields and light iron armor (-3 iron)
13th, 14th laborers build a clothing workshop (-2 stone)
15th laborer builds wooden spears (-1 wood)
16th laborer researches practical applications of blood runes for making weapons more deadly, particularly for making blood not coagulate in wounds they cause.
General leader trains a squad with light iron armor, iron shields, and wooden spears.

Net resources:
17 food - 17 food eaten = Oi, they just keep eating and eating.
3 stone + 6 stone from storage - 4 stone used = 5 stone stored
2 wool + 25 wool from storage = 27 wool stored
1 wood + 5 wood in storage - 1 wood used = 5 wood stored
1 leather + 4 leather in storage = 5 leather stored
1 iron ore + 2 iron ore in storage - 2 iron ore used = 1 iron ore stored
1 glowing mushroom + 3 in storage = 4 stored

Glrk'nr was planning out the upcoming battle with Xengbubukza. It would be a glorious affair. The new wolf riders would allow all sorts of new strategies, many of them involving such tactics as This information is classified. Only two goblins are authorized to view this document. Reading it anyway will result in you becoming Glrk'nr's new torture slave. Yes, we are sure to win. You go train another unit of goblins, using whatever equipment is best. Xengbubukza bowed and left. Glrk'nr wrote down orders to have wolf pens built, to help train wolves not to eat their riders. At least, not until the riders died.

He then picked up a report from the pile, and his hand started hurting slightly. He frowned, read the report, then smiled. It was from Kazastrugu, who had found a way to create magical symbols out of blood. The blood from tortured prisoners were particularly potent for these runes. He needed more research to actually make them useful, but an example of one was on the parchment. Glrk'nr wrote back, agreeing to send whatever workers he could spare to help with the research. He touched the rune, and his hand started hurting again. He groaned with annoyance; the brilliant goblin would kill himself with his research one day. He added onto the letter to never send him examples of blood runes again.

[Luke_Prowler]

John gave a little smile. looking over the now much better looking reports, it appears that every thing was running smooth and normal, aside from the occacional lynch, theft, or/and destruction (which in itself is normal for the Baneriant). And even better news, Jen had returned not only health, but carrying a fair amount of loot with her, causing quite a celebration. At this point, there wasn't much to improve the city.

It did not take long for john to realize that was a problem all by itself.

"Ok then" John started the meeting. There were quite a few people there. Jen and Richard were of course there, along with several unnamed mooks, who's whole exsistance is to make it look like there was actually stuff going on at the castle (built around 374 AR, built by an unknown mason/furniture maker* and his crew, it was their third attempt after the first two had sunk into the swamp which it was built on). "What ideas do we have?"

"Well" Said random advisor #281 "We keep running out of wood, we could build a few lumber mills, or maybe a quarry so we can get stone out of the hills" Luke thought this over. It would be nice to be able to build more things at one time.

"What's your name" ask John. RA-281 hesitated, but finally answered with "Tom Fritzgerald". John reached behind his desk, and took out a 2 by 4**, and touched Tom on the shoulder with it "I here by name you 'Tom Fritzgerald, Foreman'. Now leave before you're renamed Tom the Headless"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

4 harvest tiles 2, 3, 8, 11 (14 food, 1 wood, 1 leather, 1 spice)
2 workforce build a Quarry at tile 7
2 workforce build a Woodcutting village at tile 6 (-2 wood)
3 workforce research Mining
1 workforce make 2 leather armor (-2 leather)

Net gain:
14 food, 1 wood, 1 leather, 1 spice
-14 food (consumed)
-2 wood (Woodcutting village)
-2 Leather (armor)
-1 wood, -1 leather +1 spice

Stored goods:
5 food
2 wood
10 Leather
3 spice
2 wool
2 leather armor

*who would later become the Bandit King
**Pine, if you must know

[RPB]

The new directions of research Amnarchis proposed send a ripple of controversy through the city. The streets of Antemnon are normally host to any number of spontaneous philosophical debates, but now the ambient discussion turns to more immediate concerns.

"Why do we turn our efforts towards the study of war? We should concern ourselves with higher goals. Have we not already spent enough time and effort arming ourselves?"

"Indeed, but there is wisdom to the young patriarch's methods. If he can produce magical machines to fight for us then we can fully concentrate on our own endeavors while they defend the city."

"Do not forget that our ancestors ascended from constructs not unlike those that he attempts to develop. His plans are tantamount to creating life--no good will come of such hubris."

"No good? I fail to see how anything that adds to the bounty of life is anything but a positive boon. It is thanks solely to our creation that the knowledge of the Old Empire lives on at all."

Due to the controversy Amnarchis's efforts are slow to win recruits; the research retains a somewhat tentative aspect, lacking the manpower to commit to a full-scale development program. No one is wanting for work as construction efforts continue apace, however.

Spoiler: Crunch (click to show/hide)

1 labor: work tile 1 (irrigated watermill river plains, +5 food)
1 labor: work tile 5 (quarried watermill river hills, +3 food/+1 stone/+1 wool)
1 labor: work tile 6 (quarried watermill river hills, +3 food/+1 stone/+1 wool)
1 labor: work tile 8 (hunter camp watermill river forest, +3 food/+2 wood/+1 leather)
1 labor: work tile 16 (mined gold mountains, +1 stone/+1 gold)
1 labor: work tile 18 (mined iron hills, +1 food/+1 wool/+1 iron)
2 labor (+50%): build forge (-2 stone/-1 iron)
4 labor (+50%): build quarry and watermill on tile 15 (river mountains, -2 wood/-1 stone)
2 labor: continue research into battle-worthy war constructs

Net output: +15 food/+3 stone/+3 wool/+2 wood/+1 leather/+1 iron/+1 gold
Consumption: -15 food/-3 stone/-2 wood/-1 iron
Gross output: +3 wool/+1 leather/+1 gold

[Strife26]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Research Briefing (prepared by Zefie Advisor A)
3) We’ve put three units behind developing the C&C necessary for effective settlement, we face problems with overpopulation in the near future if we can’t stretch out.
1) After the efforts of our research teams last year, we’ve gotten decent control of Iron working techniques. However, we lack a sufficient supplies of said ore. Therefore, we must make what we have stretch. 2nd group will be looking into methods of making low supplies of iron stretch in two primary categories, first of all by examining the possibility of pproducing smaller weapons for general civilian use, then by attempting to adapt the current wood armaments to iron advancements (with a focus on coating our wooden bucklers with an extra iron shell).
1) Iron is an effective metal, but the zefies once commanded much more advanced technology. General Alastair has expressed an immediate, personal interest in this line of research. The quicker that we can rediscover steel, the better we will be able to defend our home and the home of others. There is also some belief that Steel may be easier on our limited Iron supplies, but we’re not sure exactly how at the moment. Have fun!

All RG members: Several notable zefies amongst you have shown great skill in advancing zefie knowledge. There will be a party for all of us at some point this year. We’re not sure when, but there’ll be cake!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

State of the Army address from Col. Cia (CO-FDF)

The Zefie Confederacy was not attacked by hostile forces last year. This is cause for celebration. However, we do not know what other disorganized raiders may exist. Thanks, in no small part, to our friends in R&D, we have several new technologies. The practical application of Iron ores can not be understated. We will be able to equip our troops with decent Pikes, Halberds, and hand weapons in the near future. The possibility of proper tower shields is also being considered. At some point, light chain (perhaps even plate) armor will be issued. This is in the future though. We lack sufficient iron supplies to equip ourselves. Additional mining facilities and metal working areas will be built this year by our civilian comrades. The 2nd major advance made for weapon technology is in regards to the bows that we faced from the invaders. We will be raising two companies of bowpuffs this year. R&D’s preliminary findings imply that zefies may not be the best suited to the use of short bows, for this reason, all bow units will be accompanied by traditional veterans. With a ranged component behind our experienced spearmen, we will be able to kick ass and take names. The fourth and second will be conducting patrols of two platoon teams throughout the year. Hostile forces will be promptly crushed by the combined might of the first, third and any of the newly raised fifth and sixth. We do not foresee any heavy resistance, although raiders are very much possible. Two platoons (40 zefies) of the third will be stationed at the iron mining areas at all times.
Also, any attempts to crash the techies party will be dealt with . . . somehow.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Construction guild report (from Chief engineer Tikhon)
Primary construction projects for the year:
Irrigation project in the hills.
Construction of Mining facilities in S mountains.
Metalworking facilities in military quarter.

Report to your section leader for further orders.


Farm Guild
<Is absent, the guildmaster had more important things to do, apparently>

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

5) Farm the river tiles (20 food)
1) Work Forest 7 (1 food, 2 wood)
1) Work hill 18 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 stone)
1) Work hill 3 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 silver)
1) Work plains 14 (two food)
2) Make silver trinkets (-2 silver, +2 silver trinkets)
3) Build Mine on 12 (-1 wood)
3) Build metal smithy (-2 stone, -1 silver)
0) (Mech. Bonus) Irrigate 14
2) Build bows (-2 wood, +2 short bows)
3) Research Expansion
1) Research Iron saving
1) Research Steel

[Vanigo]

Neo-Tyrgani

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(It's three labor to make a mine, not two. You can finish it next turn. Also, you don't have any more hammers to train hammerman/grenadiers with. And you can't send your explorer out by himself; you need to attach him to a unit. Upkeep 2 means that that unit costs 2 money a turn instead of 1.)
The Neo-Tyrgani researchers develop slings that can launch fist-sized rocks a fair distance. They haven't managed to make decent grenades that are small enough, but instead worked out a heavier sling that uses a wooden staff for improved leverage. The staff slings can fire heavier projectiles, and make effective grenade launchers, although the fuses occasionally get blown out by the rushing wind.
The harvest goes as planned, and the city's coffers begin to fill.
(Also, I guess I forgot to mention that you've got -2% growth from overcrowding.)

Slings researched!
    Allows hunting camps
    Produce slings
        2 labor, 1 leather or wool
    Produce staff slings
        3 labor, 1 wood, 1 leather or wool
Population grows to 15,646
1 tin, 1 wool, 1 wood, 3 stone stored
7+4 money collected, 6 money spent
Fire grenades made
Grenadiers trained (3/3/10/1 throwing 6 fire; upkeep 2

Zefies

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(Huh. I did say you could use any ore for the smithy, didn't I? You didn't say if you were raising the archers this turn or if you wanted to wait and make them some armor or something.)
The Zefies' enthusiasm for battle continues in spite of the lack of suitable targets, and bows are made to support their forces. The Zefies' lack of hands makes them poor archers, but they're quite capable of putting pointy things in the air. An iron mine is built in the mountains, and a smithy is prepared to work the ore it produces. Some workers are already experimenting with better ways to use iron, but they haven't come up with anything really usable yet.
Meanwhile, development of more sophisticated government has started to bear fruit. Written messages sealed by wax can be carried from the city to colonies and back, providing slow but passably secure communications. (A giant message-launching catapult was considered, but the notion was quickly discarded when the researchers realized they had no idea what a catapult was.) A local government can be set up to manage day-to-day affairs, so quick communications are not essential.

Imperial colonization researched!
    Produce settlers
        5 food, 5 wood, 5 labor, 5,000 people
    Build colony
        Poor production and population growth
        Sends resources to parent city
Population grows to 23,495
Production bonus! 25 labor available
Mine built
Smithy built
Irrigation built
2 food, 2 wool, 2 silver trinkets stored; 1 wood, 2 silver, 2 clothing used
2 bows made
16 money collected, 4 spent

Zlrv

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Zlrv military continues building up, with its newest unit heavily armored with iron shields and chain mail. The wolf pens are built, and the trainers, anticipating high demand, are teaching apprentices. Somehow, in the midst of all this hustle and bustle, a cluster of tailor's shops emerges, making clothing more available to the populace.
Research on the blood runes is slow. Several potentially useful runes are devised, but there are many practical problems with applying them to weapons. Fresh blood is strongest, and most runes have little or no effect after they dry. What's worse, the runes are invariably ruined if more blood is spilled on them, which poses some obvious problems for weapon enchanting. The researchers do learn a bit about blood magic in general, however, and are experimenting with the different properties of willingly given blood and blood that has been forcibly taken.

Population grows to 16,869
Wolf pens built
Clothiers' workshops built
2 wool, 1 leather, 1 glowing mushrooms stored, 1 stone, 1 iron used
Iron defenders trained (5M/8/20/1)
8 money collected, 3 spent

Asykos

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The researchers continue to struggle with the mindlessness of their creations in their search for ways to make artificial warriors. Their current constructs are barely able to tell the difference between moving objects and stationary ones, let alone identify enemies. War golems seem as far from reality as ever, but a few militarily useful devices have been created. One team has created animated arrows that have a limited ability to guide themselves to targets - they're as stupid as any other modern construct, of course, but still quite a bit smarter than normal arrows. Another has made blades that swing themselves to augment the strength of their wielder. They're not what the researchers were hoping for, but they promise to be useful nonetheless.
The city's more mundane efforts go well. Gold and iron are brought into the city alongside the more familiar stone and wood, and a smithy is built to work the iron into useful tools and weapons. The city's steady population growth poses a problem of its own, however, as overcrowding begins to become a concern. No one finds the situation particularly bothersome, but the city's growth is hampered.

Weapon enchanting researched!
    Produce magic arrows
        1 iron, 1 gold, 3 labor
    Produce magic weapons
        1 iron, 1 gold, 4 labor
Population grows to 15,108
Overcrowding! -2% population growth
Smithy built
Irrigation built
Watermill built
3 wool, 1 leather, 1 gold stored
7 money collected, 2 spent

Baneriant

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ragt'ich is having a good year. The projects to improve the city go improbably well. Tom Fritzgerald proves to be as adept at engineering as he is at bullying his workers into productivity. The city's researchers also do well, finding a source of silver in the hills to the east. Working out efficient mining techniques was pretty quick after that. The city's soldiers, meanwhile, have decided they don't like getting stabbed and manage to scrounge up some more leather armor from... somewhere in between victory celebrations. They're currently fighting over who gets it, apparently not realizing they've got more than enough for everyone.

Leader emerges: Engineer!
Mining researched!
Population grows to 13,932
Woodcutting village built
Quarry built
2 leather armor made
1 spice stored, 1 wood, 1 leather used
7 money collected, 4 spent

Jericho

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The people of Jericho have had a quietly prosperous few years. They fought off a group of bandits armed with bows, which they then learned to duplicate. The western fishing village was rebuilt, a hunting camp was built in the north, and a source of iron was located in the mountains.

Archery researched!

[Pandarsenic]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Also, you don't have any more hammers to train hammerman/grenadiers with
The harvest goes as planned, and the city's coffers begin to fill.

Slings researched!
    Allows hunting camps
    Produce slings
        2 labor, 1 leather or wool
    Produce staff slings
        3 labor, 1 wood, 1 leather or wool

Those were dedicated grenadiers, not hammer/grenadiers. Also, does my military workshop also apply for slings?

[Vanigo]

Those were dedicated grenadiers, not hammer/grenadiers. Also, does my military workshop also aplly for slings?

Okay, I'll change that. And yes, it does.

[Nirur Torir]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

1st laborer work city's mushroom farm (+3 food)
2nd laborer work mountain/river tile 5 (+3 food, +1 stone)
3rd laborer work hill/river tile 6 (+4 food, +1 wool)
4th laborer work forest tile 9 (+2 food, +1 wood, +1 leather)
5th laborer work mountain/river tile 15 (+2 food, +1 stone)
6th laborer work hill/river tile 18 (+3 food, +1 wool, +1 glowing mushroom)
7th laborer work mountain/iron tile 14 (+1 stone, +1 iron ore)
8th laborer work hill tile 7 (+1 food, +1 wool)
Gross resource intake: +18 food, +3 stone, +3 wool, +1 wood, +1 leather, +1 iron ore, +1 glowing mushroom

9th laborer makes 2 clothing (-2 wool)
10th, 11th, 12th laborers build iron shields and iron polearms (-2 iron, -1 wood)
13th laborer builds leather armor (-1 leather)
14th laborer trains wolves (-1 food)
15th, 16th laborers continue research on blood runes.
General leader trains a squad of wolf riders with iron shields, iron polearms, and leather armor
Explorer tries to find more civilizations with the weak warriors.

Luxaries:
2 glowing mushrooms used = +1
2 clothing used = +1

Net resources:
18 food - 17 food eaten - 1 food used = No waste
3 stone + 5 stone from storage = 8 stone stored
3 wool + 27 wool from storage - 2 wool used = 28 wool stored
1 wood + 5 wood in storage - 1 wood used = 5 wood stored
1 leather + 4 leather in storage = 5 leather stored
1 iron ore + 1 iron ore in storage - 2 iron ore used = 0 iron ore stored
1 glowing mushroom + 4 in storage - 2 used = 3 stored
2 clothing - 2 clothing used = 0

Glrk'nr watched the goblin on the wolf run 6 prisoners through with his iron pike in seconds. He lacked the momentum for a 7th, but the wolf took care of that. Glrk'nr grinned cruelly, and turned to Stozuagun as the crowd cheered at the military demonstration. Get a squad of those trained within the year. With them, we shall be able to easily beat the weak humans. Now go, and send Xengbubukza off to find someone else to fight after we win this war.

Glrk'nr called a messenger over as Stozuagun left. Tell Kazastrugu to hurry up with blood runes, they could be useful against the humans. The messenger left. Glrk'nr decided that it was time to begin making clothing out of the wool stores, and time to distribute the glowing mushrooms to the populace. Happy goblins would help with the war even further.

Edit - Typo removed. I was thinking 3 labor, and typed in 3 for iron. Heh heh.

[Vanigo]

10th, 11th, 12th laborers build iron shields and iron polearms (-3 iron, -1 wood)

It only takes two iron to do that - which is good, because you don't have three.

[Strife26]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

NOT REALLY THAT SECRET
From Office of Zefie Statistics

   With the advent of a colonial era, several the ever-present risk of overcrowding has been alleviated to some extent. However, we are faced with several major problems in regards to the system. The projected plan involved using Fortress as a great people generator, with the extras being sent to different areas when the city was filled. Due to the wood requirements of settlement groups, we will be able to send out people every three years. This leaves little wood for civilian purposes (mine construction, windmill construction ext) or military produce (javelins for civilian use, hafts for pole arms). Therefore, it would be helpful for the first settlement to be located in an area with sufficient food and wood generating resources.
   We are also facing serious problems in iron stocks, with only one applicable mine able to be run from Fortress, a second colony with access to one or more iron providing areas may be necessary. The military shows great worry if we are only able to arm one unit with full iron kit every three years. For this reason, it is suggested that the wooden equipment be kept in service, possible put into the hands of newly commissioned troops, while veterans receive iron equipment. If the lack of wood could be dealt with, we could bolster our regular force with less well equipped guard forces to protect the colonies.
   Fortress will be overcrowded before we can gather enough wood to send out a colony group. We believe that we can forestall this somewhat if access to luxury products is restricted to the populace somewhat. In the long term, extra luxuries (from food surplus and silver) could be intermitted ally put into circulation to get growth rates of up to 10% (unconfirmed, but believed to be accurate).

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

PRETTY SECRET
From Office of Zefie Research

   There have been requests from military liaisons to attempt to provide weapon systems that would allow flexibility in moving between different strong points (a faster mobile reserve). We believe that creation of cavalry units might be possible.
   Although it works, the Imperial Colonization system is still somewhat rough. It may be possible to decrease the resources necessary to send out settlement groups, or have secondary locations that may be more efficient than the currently projected poor performance.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

KINDA SECRET
From Construction and Engineering Department
   
   Informal studies into the effectiveness of multiple fortification systems were relatively unsuccessful. However, a best case scenario would allow troops fighting in a fully fortified Fortress center a 209% increase in ability. It is currently unknown exactly what aspects of our combat troops would be improved. A worst case scenario would make for an increase of 135% in relevant (unknown) fields. It is currently not possible to use the stocks of wood necessary for a complete defense. Additionally, the construction of a fortress would not provide significant advantages to defenders within the city sprawled sections. Meaning that the city outskirts could be facing a possible increase of 60% (assuming that the watchtower is finished). Upward estimates range from 65% (without wood defenses) to 106% (best case, with wooded palisades). Once again, we are unknown exactly which combat aspects would be enhanced by our fortification system.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

TOP SECRET
From Zefie Army: Planning Section

   We face serious problems in providing sufficient numbers of weapons that are also technologically advanced enough to be effective. As of right now, we have the technology to field several different ‘classes’ of troops. First of all, we have light wood based units. They would be Light Bowpuffs (armed with only a shortbow) and spearmen (wooden javelins). We could commission two companies of these per year, assuming that all of our wood production could be diverted to military matters (which won’t be happening in the foreseeable future). The next tiers of our production are our Warriors (wooden bucklers and spears). We currently have four companies of warrior troops. Then we have the possibilities of iron gear. We can produce enough iron to equip one company with one type of equipment per year. Ideally, one of our assault battalions would be made up of one company with halberds, one company with pikes and secondary weapons, one company with hand weapons (mix of swords and axes preferably) and shields, and one with bows. All units should ideally have light metal armor as well, although the bowmen could get away with leather (assuming we get our hands on a leather source).
   Fully arming a standard assault battalion would require 8 units of iron, 1 of wood, 1 of leather. Eight years of preparation to do that much mining would be needed. Doctrine suggests that major assaults (such as those that require removal of enemy fortifications by siege) be conducted in no less than Brigade strength. A normal Brigade strength unit would have at least two assault battalion along with one ranged group (two hand weapon units and two to three of bowmen) and a scout group (assuming that we redevelop cavalry or light ranger units). Approximately 26 years of iron production needed. This would be sufficient for offensive operations. A defensive Battalion would be necessary to defend Fortress (essentially a ranged one with additional polearm armed troops). Three companies to defend any other cities that may be built and one company groups to defend colonies with two battalions of reserves (one traditional, one assault).

   

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Conclusion: If the Zefie Confederacy finally encompasses Fortress, along with two sister cities plus four colonies, we are looking at a supply problem of monumental problems. For the zefie army to be fully in the field, we would require the following troops
(provision was made to allow the possibility of Guard units being armed with leather armor)
3 Assault Battalions
1 Ranged Battalion
2 Scout Battalions
1 Defensive Battalion
2 Minor Battalions
1 Broken Battalion

This would give us unit requirements of:
5 Units of Pikemen (3 iron each)
9 Units of Halberdiers (2 Iron each)
9 Units of Guards (2-3 Iron each; 0-1 leather)
11 Units of Bowpuffs (11 wood, 11 leather)
4 Scout units (?? 1 horse, 2 iron each??)

The fully deployed army would therefore be 38 units strong and require 59 units of iron, 20 units of leather, 11 of wood, and 400 mounts. Upkeep costs would (it is possible that scouts may be more difficult to maintain) amount to 38-42 gold per turn. There would be 8 additional gold in expenses for the colonies. Worst scenario would be 50 gold per turn for a fully marshaled army.
Assuming full development of market systems in all cities, 70,000 zefies paying full taxes would be required to keep this army in the field. The tax paying mechanisms of colonies are unknown, and are ignored here. This would require each city to maintain a population of approximately 24,000. This is within the current tolerances of Fortress, but precludes the possibility of Fortress being used as a settlement base (with 5,000 civvies leaving every few years, the population would not remain constant).
The concept of a population sink city was put forward. If a city was fully developed (six sections of sprawl) it could conceivably take population amounts of 45,000 zefies without overcrowding. It would be a serious undertaking to feed such a population, however (requiring over eleven areas or farmland equal to that which is on the River by Fortress. The proposed city would almost certainly be able to be used as a manufacturing center. Resources would be a major problem, as mines, quarries, and irrigation is not compatible with urban sprawl technology.
   
   In the short term, the Army must be kept as large as possible, utilizing obsolete technology, while we get our iron production up. If an organized enemy faces us with immediate war, we will have to make do with what we have.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

5) Farm the river plains (20 food)
1) Farm plains 14 (3 food)
2) Farm internal plains 2 & 4 (4 food)
   Farms subtotal (27 food, 8 labor)

1) Work Hill 3 (1 food, 1 silver, 1 wool)
1) Work Hill 18 (1 food, 1 stone, 1 wool)
1) Work Forest 7 (2 wood, 1 food)
1) Work Mountain 12 (1 iron, 1 stone)
1) Work Mountain 11 (2 stone)
   Land subtotals (3 food, 1 silver, 4 stone, 2 wool, 1 iron, 2 wood, 5 labor)
      13 labor used

2) Make Clothes (-4 wool, +4 clothes)
1) Make Silver Jewelry (-1 silver, +1 trinkets)
      16 labor used

2) Build 2nd Granary (-2 stone)
2) Build Watchtower (mech bonus; -2 stone)
      20 labor used

5) Research (see below)
      25 labor used
Raise Two units of bowmen (armed with bows only)
1st Warrior goes north (see below)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Results (resources):
   30 food produced
      -24 eaten
      -0 luxury
      14 + 6 = 20 stored

   2 wool produced
      -4 used
      3 – 2 = 1 stored

   2 wood produced
      2 wood stored

   1 silver produced
      1 silver used
      0 stored

   4 stone produced
      4 stone used
      1 stone remaining/stored

   1 iron produced
      1 iron stored

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Results (luxury items)
   4 clothes produced
      0 clothes used
      6 stored

   1 Silver craft produced
      0 used
      3 stored

      Totals:
         0 (0 * 1000) luxury from clothes
         0  (0*1000) from silver items
         0 (0*.5) from food
            0 luxury/23495=0 moral from luxuries

            +1 ability
            +1 shrine
               7 morale
                  23495 * 1.06 = 24904 zefies for next turn

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Research Notes
Prepared by zefie advisor A
3 => Horse riding (First research)
   Our troops need more effective means of war. If we start building dispersed colonies, a mobile reserve that can move between them will be necessary. Pursuant to this goal, we believe that we can regain the use of cavalry units. If we get horse riding back, the number of troops we will need to defend ourselves with will be decreased.

2=> Better settlement (First Research)
   We have a rough form of colonization, but we believe that it could be improved. We’re not sure whether this will take the form of better returns, (increased efficiency) entirely new cities, or even less wood to send the buggers. Figure something out.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Military Orders
TOP SECRET
   We will be sending out settlement groups before very long. The first Warrior Company will be returning north to find a specific location for settlement. We need a location that will provide the colony with sufficient food supplies. The primary export of the colony will be wood. If an area with iron or other metal is found it should be noted.
   The other three companies will conduct patrols in Fortress controlled lands.
   We will have a watchtower to bolster local defense after this year. It will allow us to better identify invaders.
   Stout hearts, stay frosty.