Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Knight Otu]

Spoiler: The Drake Fight (click to show/hide)

The Lactosians begin an orderly retreat into the open plains, away from the river, but the large creatures follow, making futile attacks along the way. As the Lactosian Infantry has reached the position of its stand, creating a shield wall, the leader notices movement from the south-west - bow-wielding and armored crab-men are following the river upstreams. They're coming from a different direction than the drakes, and from the look of things, are surprised at the battle in front of them, as they scurry into what little cover and hiding is available.

The drakes, meanwhile, continue their assault on the Lactosians, and soon one of the drakes is cut down by a sword thrown at it while flying over a Lactosian. But the Lactosians are not without casualties - while some more drakes are killed by the brave soldiers, several warriors die to the sharp teeth of the beasts when they can't bring their shields to bear quickly enough. In the end, though, the Lactosian Infantry prevails, and the drakes lay slain.

With these foes dead, the leader turns towards the other side of the river, where he knows the crab-men to hide. Seeing this, the crab-men, who didn't act in the battle save to observe, leave their cover, their weapon stowed away but reachable. A few of them walk towards the Lactosians, and say that they wish to communicate, asking whether the Lactosians understand the language in question (which, to the astonishment of both, they do).

(If the Lactosians and Haskanara enter talks via PMs, please include me.)

Lactosian Infantry takes 2 damage, and may learn Shield Wall (+1 Defense with shields. Units with Tower Shields may also choose to get another +1 Defense for a -1 Attack).
Lactosia obtains Tactics: Shield Wall.

[abculatter_2]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

First I'm trapped within my own body, then I'm forced to not only endure but cause the gradual degradation of my society, and now I'm addicted to some twisted half-god's jizz!
The Chosen One lay upon the floor of his balcony, the funnel-like idol above him seeming to slowly absorb the night sky and twirl it into a thin black mist. It seeped down the funnel sides and congealed into that beloved semi-liquid, known officially as 'Essence of Night', which slowly, oh so slowly, agonizingly slowly, combined into small droplets which fell upon the One's face. The substance invigorated him, intoxicated him, sent him into wild fits of euphoric madness. It was the essence of his lord, the Great Unknown, concentrated into physical matter, its power and will focused upon the mortal realms. But too slowly!

He sighed. The high was beginning to wane as the Unknown One willed him upward. He lifted the idol and put it in a hidden alcove behind an amorphous statue, made sure it had a good view of the night sky, then placed a crudely shaped chunk of obsidian below it. As he walked out, he considered the vile substance's growing popularity among the populace, then had a sudden epiphany. It was training them. Like dogs, being pet by a master. He then thought about how he had begun making analogies between him, his people, and dogs with increasing regularity.

We are becoming slaves. He thought.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

1) Work hex 1 (3 food, 1 wool)
2) Work hex 2 (4 food)
3) Work hex 3 (4 food)
4) Work hex 4 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 gold)
5) Work hex 8 (2 food, .5 elephants)
6) work hex 13 (2 stone)
7) Work hex 18 (2 food, 1 wood)
Work hex 11 (2 food, 1 wool)

+17 food, +3 wool, +1 wood, + 2 stone, +.5 elephants, +1 gold

9) Possessed by the madness of the unknown, this population seizes the obsidian quarries and set to work upon the stone! (Idols of the Unknown, -1 stone)
10) Possessed by the madness of the unknown, this population carves strange, flowing designs and runes within and around the city's temple which seem to correspond with the stars! (Idols of the Unknown, -1 stone)
11) Research (Expand quarry production)
12) Research (Expand quarry production)
13) Research (Engineering)
14) Research (Engineering)
15) Build irrigation on hex 11
16) Build irrigation on hex 11

The Unveilers greet the brains graciously, they surely must already know of the Unknown One's blessing! In either case, they may make interesting allies.

The Obsidian's Call worship their idols zealously, sometimes even becoming lax in their duties as town watch. They call upon the Unknown one for his blessing, and nearly every night they secretly drink of the wispy black fluid which collects within their idols, which has many and varied mental (and limited physical) effects on them (not all of them beneficial).

[Cheddarius]

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

9 food, 2 wood, 2 stone, 6 iron, 2 silver, 4 wool, 0.1 clothes

Spend 10 money to get 1 more labor point: 21 labor available

Work tile 1: 3 food, 1 wool
Work tile 2: 4 food
Work tile 3: 4 food
Work tile 4: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 6: 2 food, 1 wool
Work tile 7 w/ animals: 1 wool, -1 animal, no labor used
Work tile 9: 3 food
Work tile 10: 3 food
Work tile 12: 4 food
Work tile 16: 1 stone, 1 silver
Work tile 18: 2 iron, 1 stone

12 labor left, 34 food, 4 wood, 4 stone, 8 iron, 3 silver, 7 wool, 0.1 clothes

5 research Increased Crop Yields
2 manufacture clothing: -4 wool, +4 clothes
2 manufacture Strong Iron: -2 iron, -4 wood
3 manufacture Strong Iron Tower Shields: -1 Strong Iron, +1 Strong Iron Tower Shields
Lactosian infantry scouts in plains area for other civilizations, carrying the new shields if possible as a trade good
0 labor left, 34 food, 4 stone, 6 iron, 1 Strong Iron, 3 silver, 3 wool, 4.1 clothes, 1 Strong Iron Tower Shields

Use 19 food to feed populace
Use 2 clothes and 2 spirituality to raise morale
0 labor left, 15 food, 4 stone, 6 iron, 1 Strong Iron, 3 silver, 3 wool, 2.1 clothes, 1 Strong Iron Tower Shields

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The burgeoning Lactosian population was immense. Cheddarius worried about how to supply it. The fields were almost all worked, but the population would soon require more food. Airag led his researchers at a breakneck pace, ready to research crop yields once again. The tombs were full, and the temple always had too many worshippers; spirituality would soon run out. The infantry were sent out once again, in the hope of finding a new civilization that could meet their vast food needs. Mighty new shields were worked to offer in trade.

Spoiler: Lactosian Canon (click to show/hide)

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

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

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

[IronyOwl]

Haskanara, Year 14

Spoiler: Abrupt (click to show/hide)

"Skiin!" Skan said with some surprise, "Didn't expect you back so soon."
"Indeed! We found some humanoids, apparently upriver of Skethorum itself," Skiin replied, motioning Skan over to the table.
"Really? Fascinating, were they like the goblins?"
"No, not at all. Said they were good metalworkers, offered something called a tower shield. Anyway, how hard would it be to tame and ride this?" he said, motioning to the drake corpse laid out on the table.
Skan paused for a moment.
"Skiin, that's insane. That's even more insane than my idea."
"Oh? What's your idea?"
"What? Nothing! Don't worry about it. What did the humanoids have to say?"
"Well, they slew the drakes, so they've got something going for them. Ones we saw had cheap metal weapons and shields, not the tower shields they were selling either, so I guess they were a scouting party or they've been too busy to properly arm. Said they'd sell tower shields for massive food shipments. Anyway, about the drakes?"
"No drakes! I can't just poke a body and have you riding the damn thing before sundown! What would they even eat? F-"
"Humanoids," Skiin said with complete seriousness. Skan stared at him a moment.
"Skiin!"
"What? That's what they were trying to eat, humanoids."
"We don't have any humanoids!"
"Well, we have goblins..."
"We're not buying goblins as drake food, Skiin. Why do you want them so badly anyway?"
Skiin's tone became more serious, losing the joking demeanor it had.
"Well, we're supposed to be scouts, but we're talking about needing an escort, plus we can't cover ground particularly fast. If we started riding drakes, who knows? Maybe flying would get us over difficult terrain faster, and it'd be harder for things to catch us, much less hurt us. Plus, we'd probably be more useful in actual combat, not just good at scouting."
"But we're already trying to get a ship for you, and besides, we don't know if ranged combat would suit them. It could be better to have an armored warrior riding them, if we can ride them at all."
"I know, but I'd appreciate it if you'd at least try. I know you have a lot to work on even without whatever crazy ideas you've come up with, but give it some thought."
Skan sighed, looking at the slain drake.
"We'll see what we can do, Skiin."

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 Money for 1 Labor
1) Work Tile 1 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
2) Work Tile 2 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
3) Work Tile 5 - Forest/Woodcutting Village = 1 Food, 2 Wood
4) Work Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Quarry = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Stone, 1 Money
5) Work Tile 7 - Plains/River/Irrigation = 4 Food
6) Work Tile 8 - Mountain/Copper/Mine = 1 Stone, 1 Copper
7) Work Tile 16 - Forest/Hunting Camp = 2 Food, 1 Wood
8 ) Work Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Mine = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Tin
Subtotals: 19 Food, 3 Wood, 2 Stone, 2 Wool, 1 Copper, 1 Tin, 1 Money

9,10,11,12) Build Deep Mine on Tile 8 - Mountain/Copper/Mine (-2 Wood, ready for next turn)

13,14) Make Clothing (-4 Wool, +4 Clothing)

15,16) Smelt Bronze (-2 Copper, -2 Tin, +4 Bronze)

17,18,19) Research more advanced shipbuilding
20,21) Research Animal Training
*) Research Museums

*: Skik researches Museums at the Observatory

The First Legion scoops up a drake corpse, assuming the Lactosians don't take them all, and follows the river south to Skethorum. After resting and relaying news, they explore south along the coast, returning to Skethorum by the year's end.

The Second Legion marches north to the goblin cave, escorting whatever civilians are necessary to handle fine negotiation with the goblins over sustained importation of the mushroom. They try to establish how much the goblins could potentially provide annually, and how much and of what the goblins would want in return. The Legions are available to provide armed escort for the shipments, so brainspawn attacks will probably not be an issue. It's expected to not be feasible, but they also look into the possibility of growing the mushrooms in Skethorum.

The Third Legion trains Far Shot.
The Fourth Legion trains.

Food Produced: 19
Food Eaten: 17

Luxury Needed: 1.8
Luxury Produced: 1.8 (Spirituality) + 1.8 (Clothing)
[+2 Morale]

Taxation provides 8+1 Money
Military requires 4 Money in upkeep

Warehouse: 1 Wood, 3 Stone, 2 Wool, 3.4 Clothing, 4 Bronze, 1 Leather Armor
Granary: 15 (13+2)
Treasury: 9 (14+5 - 10)

[Vanigo]

Man, this RP just didn't want to get written. Here it is, though.

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The Council was... a bit confused. Nari was not present. Nari was always present, even if he was too injured to talk. Which had happened. Twice. (Not that it mattered much; everyone knew pretty much what he was going to say anyway.) Rumour had it he had standing orders to haul him to Council meetings even if he was in a coma.
So, really, this could only mean one thing. Someone spoke up: "Is Nari dead?"
"I'm afraid so," replied a newcomer. "My older brother was killed in a freak accident last week."
"Really? What happened?"
"Fell down the stairs. Onto a bed of knives. Well, knives and a few poisonous snakes."
There was something of an awkward silence from most of the councilors, with the notable exception of one Dresk, who had won the pot.
"...Ah. I suppose that makes you the new clan head?"
"Yes. My name is Ekkin, and I'm sure it will be a pleasure working with you."
"Right, then. On to buisness."


"...And our new iron mine is operating at full capacity. On a related note, our ironworking capacity is expanding on schedule, and we expect to complete the project by the end of the year..."
Korgath, the Dwarven master miner, was reporting on the city's latest industrial developments. Ekkin was staying quiet and keeping careful notes. The rest of the Council liked him better already. A few moments later, Heron spoke up:
"Wait, why are we expanding the gold mine first? Wouldn't the iron mine be more practical?"
"Well, we can't really use the iron for much until we've got the smithies up and running, now can we? Expanding the gold mine is more useful for now." The real reason was that the gold was more profitable, of course, but he was hardly going to admit that in front of the whole Council. Not that it was wrong, really; he did have to look after his guild.
Heron scowled and sat back down. That excuse (and he was sure it was one) made too much sense for his liking.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 gold for 1 labor

4) Work 5, 6, 14, 15 (15 food)
2) Work 1, 18 (3 food, 2 wool, 2 stone, 1 gold)
1) Double-work 1 (1 gold)
1) Work 8 (1 stone, 1 iron)
1) Work 3 (1 food, 2 wood)
19 food, 2 wool, 2 wood, 3 stone, 2 gold, 1 iron

1) Make clothing (-2 wool, +2 clothing)
1) Make gold jewelry (-2 gold, +2 jewelry)

3) Research sculpture, construction magic

5 labor->7 construction
4) Build deep mine on 1 (-2 wood)
3) Build smithy (-2 stone, -1 iron)

[Knight Otu]

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

The Second Legion and some diplomats march east to the goblin cave for talks on importing the mushrooms, and learn that the goblins have the following ideas for a trade - initially, the goblins want equipment that can harm the brainspawn like the Haskanara have - two units of armor, and two units of weapons, sent over the course of two years, in return for 2 units of mushrooms each year, for ten years. After that, an equal exchange of clothing for mushrooms.
The goblins explain that they wish to retake and defend their old village, and not act directly against the brainspawn. Should the Haskanara wish aid in terms of scouting out the brainspawn caves, the goblins would request an additional unit of weapons and armor each, in the third year. For directly attacking the brainspawn, the goblins would request two additional units of each, in the fourth and fifth year.
The First Legion travels southwestwards, crossing the river that led to the Lactosians earlier, but the warriors under Skiin find nothing new.

Clothing created and provided to population.
Bronze Equipment created.
Deep Mine on tile 8 completed.
Animal Training researched
Museums researched (will be added to reference post)
Great Ship Construction requires more research
Taxation provides 8 + 1 money. Military requires 4 money in upkeep.

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 4%, adding 698 people.
Population is now at 18,151. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2%.)
20 labor units will be available next turn, with [5/10] in the excess labor pool.
18 food will be needed this turn. 1.9 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 1/20 wood, 2/20 wool, 3/20 Stone, 3.4/20 Clothing, 4/20 bronze, 1 leather armor
  Granary: 14/20 Food
  Treasury: 9

  Buildings:
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Military Workshop
    Observatory
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tombs

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

  Military:
     Trained First Legion (Scouts) <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Second Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>
     Trained Third Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Fourth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>

  Technologies:
    Advanced Ship Construction
    Animal Training
    Archery
    Astral Theory
    Astronomy
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Engineering
    Farming
    Fishing
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Mining
    Museums
    Sailing
    Trade
    Tactics: Far Shot

Museums
  Requires Literacy and Construction
  Requires Library
  Allows Museum

Museum
  5 wood or stone, 5 money, 5 labor
  Requires library
  Increases max researchers to seven

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

The Lactosians are nervous. Stories of red rain falling onto the fields travel through the city, and every eye is on the growth of the plants, and on the granary, wondering if the food would be sufficient in case of another catastrophe. Even Cheddarius' words cannot quell the fear of this bad omen, even when the crops turn out to be unharmed.
Airag meanwhile finishes his agricultural revolution, though Dr. Donlan grumbles that the work that has been put into it could have gone to watermills easily.
The Lactosian Infantry, emboldened by the success against the drakes and the meeting with the Haskanara, scours the Bountiful Plains for more inhabitants, but fails to find any.

Random Event: Bad Omen! - 1 morale!
Clothes created and provided to the populance.
Strong Iron equipment created.
Taxation provides 15 money. Military requires 1 money in upkeep
Improved Agriculture researched. (Will be added to reference post)
Steelmaking requires more research.

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 5%, adding 905 people.
Population is now at 19,775.
20 labor units will be available next turn, with [2/10] in the excess labor pool.
20 food will be needed this turn. 2.0 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 3/20 wool, 4/20 Stone, 6/20 Iron, 3/20 silver, 1/20 Strong Iron, 2.1/20 clothes
  Granary: 15 food
  Treasury: 35.5 money
  Herds: 2 work animals

  Buildings:
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tombs

  Military
    Lactosian Infantry <A5/D5/H10/S3/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>

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

  Technologies:
    Agriculture
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Engineering
    Farming
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Residential Planning
    Trade
    Tactics: Shield Wall

Agriculture
  Requires Agriculture, Literacy
  Requires Library
  Allows Three-Field Farms

Three-Field Farms
  Requires Improved Agriculture
  Replaces existing Two-Field Farm
  6 labor
  +1 Food

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

As the gold mine is expanded, the workers spot a pack of large badgers - mountain badgers, which happen to be viable mounts. Quickly alerting some capable townsfolk, the animals are caught and kept in a makeshift pen.
With the smithy also completed, an aura of enthusiasm begins to cover Rennad, even if the research work has been delayed somewhat.

Random event: Mountain Badger herd caught <slower than horses, but move faster over mountains and hills. Farms for this animal are built on hills or mountains>
Deep mine on tile 1 completed.
Smithy completed.
Clothing and Jewelry created and provided to population.
Taxation provides 13 money. Military requires 1 money in upkeep.
Sculpture needs some more research.
Construction Magic needs more research

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 6%, adding 1099 people. Morale is high enough for a labor bonus
Population is now at 19,427. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 1%.)
21 labor units will be available next turn, with [7/10] in the excess labor pool.
19 food will be needed this turn. 2.0 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 23
  Granary: 13/20 food
  Warehouse: 2/20 stone, 1/20 gold, 1.8/20 Clothing, 0.3/20 Gold jewelry
  Herds: 1 Mountain Badger

  Buildings
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tinkerer's Shop
    Tombs

  Military
    Trained Spearman Brigade <A4/D2/H11/S3/M7>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Fret Rikend
    Sage Heron Redson

  Technologies:
    Archery
    Basic Artifíce
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Earth Dowsing
    Engineering
    Farming
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Mining
    Theory of Elemental Earth
    Trade

Spoiler: abculatter_2's Enlightened (click to show/hide)

The newest report from the Unveilers indicates that the brain creatures barely seemed to acknowledge them before departing to parts unknown, but definitely north-eastwards. Reluctantly, the reporting warrior also mentions a sense of approval, but whether it came from the brains, he isn't certain.
Growth continues to be slow, though the treasury continues to fill. Perhaps it might be time to put the money to use.

Engineering needs more research.
Landscape Stripping needs more research.
Irrigation on tile 11 completed.
Idols of the Unknown built
Taxation provides 11 money. Military requires 2 money in upkeep.

Morale is at 6. Population growth is 1%, adding 154 people.
Population is now at 15,608. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2%.)
15 labor units will be available next turn, with [6/10] in the excess labor pool.
15 food will be needed this turn. 1.6 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 25 money
  Granary: 7 food
  Warehouse: 1 wood, 10/20 wool, 1 gold
  Herds: 2 elephants

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

  Military
    Trained Obsidian's Call (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields)

  Away (0.7 food)
    (Trained Unveilers (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields))

  Leaders:
    General
    High Priest -The Chosen One-

  Technologies:
    Animal Training
    Beast Taming
    Blessing of the Unknown
    Construction
    Enlightenment (Unique; Prerequisite for magical technologies)
    Literacy
    Mining
    Organized Religion
    Trade

[IronyOwl]

Haskanara, Year 15

Spoiler: Precarious (click to show/hide)

"Are you sure this is wise?" Skik asked.
Skan looked at her, head tilted. "Which decision?"
Skik looked down slightly. That probably wasn't a good sign.
"Well... I guess I meant the stone."
Skan shrugged. "I know it doesn't seem wise, but we've always need of stone, and it's difficult to get. From the sounds of it, those humanoids have it in abundance. It seemed a fair trade."
Skik nodded reluctantly. She suspected pursuit of the stars would require a lot of stone before they were done. Still, trading away so much food to get it worried her.
"And the ships?"
Skan shook his head. "I know it seems odd, but the seas will open up endless possibilities for us. It's vital that we get a vessel out there at some point, and neither me nor the Councils want to waste time with less than our finest."
"But still, you could go on perfecting vessels for ages. Why stop now?"
"I understand we can't spend forever on it. But I don't want something we can obsolete immediately. I want to make sure it's the best we can do under the circumstances. I feel we're coming up on that."
Skik considered this for a moment. She thought about pressing the issue of why now and not sooner or later, but decided on a different question.
"And the drakes?"
Skan laughed a bit. "Ah, yes. We'll be... looking into that at some point. Not sure when."
Skik tilted her head. "Does Skiin really want to ride them?"
"Eh, somewhat. I think he'd be happy just to have them in our service, or even maybe to know that it's not feasible. But he does want it looked at. He sees potential, that's for certain."
"Mm. And the stars?"
Skan looked at her for a puzzled moment before responding.
"No, no. There's nothing pressing right now, it's best you continue improving our understanding on that path. I'm just sorry I couldn't spare any researchers this year; once our current work is done, we should be able to focus properly on it."
Skik envisioned the glories of the heavens for a moment before returning focus to the conversation at hand.
"Uh, I suppose." She looked at Skan. He tilted his head questioningly. "Do you have any other thoughts?"
Skan seemed mildly surprised by the question. "On research, you mean?" When Skik nodded, he continued a bit quickly, "Yes, actually. Fishing. Skethorum's..."
Skik lost track of the conversation for a moment. She could swear there was something he wasn't telling her...
"...which ought to deal with our food issues, as well as having quite a bit of potential elsewhere. What do you think?"
"Very... ambitious," she responded, wondering what sort of plan could take precedence over what he had just described.
Skan nodded, pondering secrets in his mind. He wasn't sure how they'd turn out.

-----

Skiin looked out at Skethorum's river, beaming. Normally he preferred exploring the unknown, but today he had a special task in mind.
"Well then," he said, turning around to address his rangers, "Let's go find some drakes."

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 Money for 1 Labor
1) Work Tile 1 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
2) Work Tile 2 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
3) Work Tile 5 - Forest/Woodcutting Village = 1 Food, 2 Wood
4) Work Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Quarry = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Stone, 1 Money
5) Work Tile 7 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 4 Food
6) Work Tile 8 - Mountain/Copper/Deep Mine = 1 Stone, 2 Copper
7) Work Tile 9 - Plains/Irrigation = 3 Food
8 ) Work Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Mine = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Tin
Subtotals: 20 Food, 2 Wood, 2 Stone, 2 Wool, 2 Copper, 1 Tin, 1 Money

-8 Food (exported to Great Lactosia) [Guarded, Third Legion]
+4 Stone (imported from Great Lactosia)
+2 Mushrooms (imported from goblin cave) [Guarded, Second Legion]

9,10,11) Build Mine on Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Quarry (-2 Wood, Quarry replaced, ready for next turn)

12,13,14) Build Marketplace (-2 Stone, ready for next turn)

15) Smelt Bronze (-1 Copper, -1 Tin, +2 Bronze)
16) Make Clothing (-2 Wool, +2 Clothing)

17,18,19) Research Mechanics
20,21) Research Great Ship Construction
*) Research Astronomy-related technology

*: Skik researches Astronomy-related tech in the Observatory

The First Legion scours the regions near where they met the Lactosians, hoping to discover more about drakes. They explore further north to and around Great Lactosia if they run out of things to discover on that task.

The Second Legion escorts the mushroom shipment, assuming there is one. It simply returns home otherwise.

The Third Legion escorts the food shipment to Great Lactosia. They also escort the stone shipment back to Skethorum if convenient.


Food Produced: 20
Food Consumed: 26 (18 +

Luxury Needed: 1.9
Luxury Produced: 1.9 (Spirituality) + 1.9 (Clothing)
[+2 Morale]

Taxes: 9+1
Military Upkeep: 4
10 Money for Labor

Warehouse: 1/20 Wood, 7/20 Stone, 2/20 Wool, 3.5/20 Clothing, 2/20 Mushrooms, 6/20 Bronze, 1/20 Copper, 1 Leather Armor
Granary: 8/20
Treasury: 5

[Vanigo]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

"Giant badgers, huh?"
"Yep."
"Where'd they come from?"
"Dunno."
"What do they eat?"
"Dunno."
"How well do they get along with each other?"
"Dunno."
"Well, don't you think you should go find out?"
"Dunno."
"Gah!"


"So, let's get this dreadfully secret and not-at-all-open-to-the-public meeting going, shall we?"
Tailow looked oddly at Ekkin, then mentally shrugged. A bit of eccentricity was the best that anyone could hope for from him, really. Then he glanced at his mug and shouted, "Barkeep! Another round!" The tavern was a bit crowded, but a group of councilors could generally expect preferential treatment.
"Sure, secret and all that. So, we're agreed that we need to put a stronger military on the planning board, what kind of forces should we be raising?"
"I say we should compensate for the generally smaller size of our troops by emphasizing ranged combat. Be good to get them riding those badgers we caught last year, if we can swing it. Range and mobility go well together."
"I say heavy weapons, heavy armor. Just march forward and chew everything up."
"Eh, a good solid line is great, but it's much better if you've got a couple brigades of archers backing them up. Maybe a few war machines, too, but that'll be a few years coming."
"Airships."
Everyone stared warily at Ekkin, who held his face straight for several seconds before cracking. "Nah, just messing with you. I like the idea of heavy cavalry, myself. Especially if we can get the mounts fighting, too. Have you seen the claws on those things?"
The debate continued for several hours. Lots of beer was drunk, and very little was agreed upon. Par for the course, really.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 money for 1 labor

5)Work 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 (17 food)
2)Work 1, 18 (3 food, 2 stone, 2 gold, 2 wool)
2)Work 3, 12 (2 food, 4 wood)
1)Work 8 (2 stone, 1 iron)

5)Research animal taming, sculpture, construction magic

1)Make clothing (-2 wool, +2 clothing)
1)Make jewelry(-2 gold, +2 jewelry)

5 labor->7 construction
2) Build farm on 4
4) Build deep mine on 8 (-2 wood)
1) Start building watermill on 18 (-2 stone, -1 wood)

Use clothing, jewelry, spirituality for morale
Net effect: +2 food, +2 stone, +1 wood, +1 iron

[abculatter_2]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The city was becoming darker... not only literally, but spiritually as well. Walking through the city streets was always an unsettling affair, they were rarely densely occupied and the sheer silence was more deafening then the loudest of noises. When one did hear a sound, it was almost always some addict singing drunkenly before the now-commonplace 'night distilleries', likely naked and kneeling in a secluded corner of their house, attempting to communicate to some higher power through a dazed and insane mind.

Anyone who had not endured the enlightening ritual would've looked upon this degradation with horror and disgust, though the rare outsiders which visited them would more rarely still remain 'unenlightened' for long, whether they wanted to or not. They would be taken to the grand temple at the very center of the central mesa, often kicking and screaming, but the moment they passed out of view any noise they made would immediately cease. When they came out again, that silence would remain, their eyes became sunken, dark, and blank, and any future attempt to show them the sun would be met with reluctance at least, and open hostility at worst.

They came out... changed, and few would argue it was for the worse, though they were still better then most of the citizens of the 'Shining City'.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 money on extra labor

1) Work tile 1 (3 food, 1 wool)
2) Work tile 2 (4 food)
3) Work tile 3 (4 food)
4) Work tile 4 (1 food, 1 wool, 1 gold)
5) Work tile 8 (2 food, .5 elephants)
6) Work tile 11 (3 food, 1 wool)
7) Work tile 13 (2 stone)
Research (Engineering)
9) Research (Engineering)
10) Research (Engineering)
11) Research (Landscape Stripping)
12) Research (Landscape Stripping)
!3) Build Military School (-1 stone)
14) Build Military School (-1 stone)
15) Build Military School
16) Build Military School

Unveilers: Follow the brains, find out more about them. Continue to attempt making them allies... send a small-scale night essence collector back with the messenger, try to show this to the brains if possible.

Obsidian's Call: Perform unholy, insanity-inspired worship at the new Obsidian Idols.

High Priest: Pray for knowledge, preferably something useful. If this fails or such is demanded, make a monetary or other resource sacrifice (if humans are used, try to make it either inconspicuous or hock it up as them going straight to paradise)

[Cheddarius]

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

15 food, 3 wool, 4 Stone, 6 Iron, 3 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 2.1 clothes

Spend 10 money to get 1 more labor point: 21 labor available

Work tile 1 w/ animals: 3 food, 1 wool, -2 animals
Work tile 2: 4 food
Work tile 3: 4 food
Work tile 4: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 6: 2 food, 1 wool
Work tile 16: 1 stone, 1 silver

15 labor left, 29 food, 2 wood, 5 wool, 5 Stone, 6 Iron, 4 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 2.1 clothes

2 research Steelmaking
4 research Music
9 make Two-Field Farms in hexes 3, 4, and 12 (MW bonus)
Lactosian infantry scouts for other civilizations
Give 4 stone to crab-men

0 labor left, 29 food, 2 wood, 5 wool, 1 Stone, 6 Iron, 4 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 2.1 clothes

Use 20 food to feed populace
Use 2 clothes and 2 spirituality to raise morale

0 labor left, 9 food, 2 wood, 5 wool, 1 Stone, 6 Iron, 4 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 0.1 clothes

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The Lactosians rejoiced in their wondrous new technologies, which would let them supply their massive population with less labor. Relying on their strong food stockpile, the farmers relaxed this year, and worked on improvements instead. Five thousand man-years of labor had been invested in making steel so far (not counting what it took to get to Strong Iron), and this year two thousand more researched it in an attempt to finish the research. Airag disapproved of such barbarism, but accepted it amid rumors of a slave-trader civilization amassing an army and readying itself for war. In addition, four thousand more researched music, in an attempt to appease those who were turned away at the tombs and shrine, at maximum capacity already. Finally, almost half the Lactosian population worked to improve the farms, digging new fields for crop rotation. By the sweat of their brows, they hoped to create a future where fewer Lactosians had to toil in the fields for their food.

Spoiler: Lactosian Canon (click to show/hide)

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

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

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

[Knight Otu]

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

The trade caravans sent out and received by the Haskanara remain unmolested by beasts or bandits, and neither drakes nor brainspawn are found in the surrounding lands. The drakes, Skiin determines, must have come from the mountain range east of the river split, north of the goblin mountains, and thus north-east from Skethorum.
Skan finds himself mildly frustrated, as he seeks that last bit of perfection to his ship construction plans, yet it remains just outside his grasp. Skik, meanwhile, finds herself drawn to the power of the stars again, but this time, intuition does not quite come as easily as last time.

Clothing created and provided to population.
Mine on tile 6 completed.
Marketplace completed.
Mechanics needs more research
Great Ship Construction requires a little more research
Astral Magic needs more research
Taxation provides 8 + 1 money. Military requires 4 money in upkeep.
Received 2 Mushrooms and 4 stone in trade.

Morale is at 7. Population growth is 4%, adding 726 people.
Population is now at 18,877. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2%.)
21 labor units will be available next turn, with [4/10] in the excess labor pool.
19 food will be needed this turn. 1.9 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 2/20 wood, 2/20 wool, 7/20 Stone, 3.5/20 Clothing, 2/20 copper, 1/20 tin, 6/20 bronze, 1 leather armor
  Granary: 7/20 Food
  Treasury: 14

  Buildings:
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Military Workshop
    Observatory
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tombs

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

  Military:
     Trained First Legion (Scouts) <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Second Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>
     Trained Third Legion <A2/D2/R3[3/-]/H21/S3/M8/Ab:Far Shot>
     Trained Fourth Legion <A6/D5/H23/S2/M7>

  Technologies:
    Advanced Ship Construction
    Animal Training
    Archery
    Astral Theory
    Astronomy
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Engineering
    Farming
    Fishing
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Mining
    Museums
    Sailing
    Trade
    Tactics: Far Shot

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

The Lactosian sages are overjoyed at their breakhtroughs this year - not only are the elusive secrets of steel no longer elusive, but the research into music proved fruitful as well. The two-field farms are created on schedule as well, and thus the leaders wait on news from the Lactosian infantry...
And the infantry reports that they have, in a fashion, found a civilization in a forest east of the eastern woods, divided from that by a smaller mountain chain. An empty city of living plants, with a grove of trees, surrounded by a strange calm.
Asiago further reports that they were, on the way home, peacefully intercepted by human-like creatures calling themselves elves, who explained that the empty city once was the home of creatures that were one with the trees, and had then taken this a step further. The elves requested that the forest surrounding the city be left alone, stating that other forests grow just as large.

Clothes provided to the populance.
Two-field farms on tiles 2, 3, and 12 completed.
Taxation provides 15 money. Military requires 1 money in upkeep
Music researched.
Steelmaking researched (will be added to reference post).
Received 8 food in trade.

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 5%, adding 988 people. Morale is high enough for a labor bonus.
Population is now at 20,763. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2%.)
23 labor units will be available next turn, with [0/10] in the excess labor pool.
21 food will be needed this turn. 2.1 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Warehouse: 2/20 wood, 5/20 wool, 1/20 Stone, 6/20 Iron, 4/20 silver, 1/20 Strong Iron, 0.1/20 clothes, 1/20 silver jewelry
  Granary: 18 food
  Treasury: 39.5 money
  Herds: -

  Buildings:
    Apartment Houses
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tombs

  Military
    Lactosian Infantry <A5/D5/H10/S3/M7/Ab:Shield Wall>

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

  Technologies:
    Agriculture
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Engineering
    Farming
    Horseback Riding
    Improved Agriculture
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Metallurgy
    Mining
    Music
    Residential Planning
    Steelmaking
    Trade
    Tactics: Shield Wall

Steelmaking
  Requires Metallurgy
  Requires Library
  Allows Heavy Smelter
  Allows creation of Steel - 1 strong iron, 1 wood, and 1 labor -> 1 steel

Heavy Smelter
  Requires Steelmaking
  2 stone, 1 strong iron or bronze*, 3 labor
  Doubles production speed of alloys
*or an equivalent material

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

It is a quiet year in Eredor, as the handling and care of the mountain badgers and the creation of great sculpture are researched and completed. The Tokk and gnomes have some solid ideas on using magic for construction as well, but indicate that they are still theory.
With the creation of the smithy, the populance feels safer than in a long time, even if no actual weapons are forged yet.

Deep mine on tile 8 completed.
Farm on tile 4 completed
Watermill on tile 18 needs 3 more labor
Smithy completed.
Clothing and Jewelry created and provided to population.
Taxation provides 15 money. Military requires 1 money in upkeep.
Sculpture researched. (Will be added to the reference post)
Animal Training researched
Construction Magic needs more research

Morale is at 8. Population growth is 6%, adding 1165 people. Morale is high enough for a labor bonus
Population is now at 20,592. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 1.5%.)
23 labor units will be available next turn, with [3/10] in the excess labor pool.
21 food will be needed this turn. 2.1 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 27
  Granary: 17/20 food
  Warehouse: 1/20 wood, 4/20 stone, 1/20 gold, 1/20 iron, 1.8/20 Clothing, 0.3/20 Gold jewelry
  Herds: 1 Mountain Badger

  Buildings
    Clothier's Workshop
    Granary
    Hall of Learning
    Library
    Marketplace
    Mechanic's Workshop
    Military Workshop
    Shrine
    Smithy
    Tinkerer's Shop
    Tombs

  Military
    Trained Spearman Brigade <A4/D2/H11/S3/M7>

  Leaders:
    Engineer Fret Rikend
    Sage Heron Redson

  Technologies:
    Animal Taming
    Archery
    Basic Artifíce
    Ceremonial Burial
    Construction
    Deep Mining
    Earth Dowsing
    Engineering
    Farming
    Literacy
    Metalcrafting
    Mining
    Sculpture
    Theory of Elemental Earth
    Trade

Sculpture
  Requires Construction
  Requires Library
  Allows Statue Park

Statue Park
  Requires Sculpture
  2 stone, 2 labor
  +0.1 Entertainment luxury for each Statue in the park. Starts with 5 Statues.
  1 stone and 1 labor to add an additional Statue to the park, to a maximum of 10 Statues

Spoiler: abculatter_2's Enlightened (click to show/hide)

Lacking the ability to follow the brains over the ocean, the Unveilers continue to follow the coast, which soon bends towards the east. The Unveilers cross a river with some litter and sewage, which they note, but for the time being ignore. Making good speed, they soon see a city in the distance. While certainly not a city of Gold and Obsidian, it is splendid in its own way, and the Unveilers decide that they would best not be seen by the inhabitants yet. It is a bustling city, though...
In the Shining City itself, a brute force approach is taken on the matter of resources, or at least the possible treatment of them. At the very least, it will become easier to gather the prized obsidian.

Engineering needs more research.
Landscape Stripping researched (will be added to reference post).
Military school completed.
Taxation provides 12 money. Military requires 2 money in upkeep.

Morale is at 6. Population growth is 1%, adding 156 people.
Population is now at 15,764. (Overcrowding! Population growth is reduced by 2%.)
16 labor units will be available next turn, with [4/10] in the excess labor pool.
16 food will be needed this turn. 1.6 luxury units are needed to raise morale.

  Treasury: 25 money
  Granary: 8 food
  Warehouse: 1 wood, 13/20 wool, 2 gold
  Herds: 2.5 elephants

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

  Military
    Trained Obsidian's Call (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields)

  Away (0.6 food)
    (Trained Unveilers (A6/D4/H11/S3/M7/Ab:-) (Wooden spears with obsidian, wooden shields))

  Leaders:
    General
    High Priest -The Chosen One-

  Technologies:
    Animal Training
    Beast Taming
    Blessing of the Unknown
    Construction
    Enlightenment (Unique; Prerequisite for magical technologies)
    Landscape Stripping
    Literacy
    Mining
    Organized Religion
    Trade

Landscape Stripping
  Requires Construction
  Requires Library
  Allows Great Quarry
  Allows Landscape Stripping - You may choose to double a worked tile's production, and the tile becomes exploited for three turns. If an exploited tile is worked again, it becomes barren for 10 turns and produces nothing. Should an exploited tile be worked via landscape stripping, it becomes barren for 20 turns.

Great Quarry
  Requires Landscape Stripping
  Requires and stacks with existing quarry.
  4 labor
  +1 stone

A silence hovers somewhere, nowhere. Uncried tears, forgotten memories. Koritu charges at the Greyhorde. And he is lost.

Stirrings. The Sidhe recognized early. The Kodama felt early. The gods had died to the Grey, or had sacrificed themselves. And had sacrified those who would be the Sidhe.

Awakenings. Dim recognition. Whispers. Glances. Powers confined for eons, or maybe moments. Rebirth? But great weakness yet.

A sight, terrifying. A strong presence, not quite existing. Another one? Or the same? But closer to the Younger World focused upon. A danger, grave. Death again, so soon?



No, thought the Earth Mother and Odammon. Hope yet lives.

[IronyOwl]

Haskanara, Year 16

Spoiler: Omen (click to show/hide)

  Skethorum was agitated. Apparently the Odammites had suffered some sort of bad dream, and were now storming around the city, preaching for readiness for battle. Skan had already been accosted by them several times, insisting he research better weapons, and he'd seen numerous armed citizens and homes being fortified. An infuriating overreaction.
  Skan arrived late, as he had expected to, and from his companions' expressions they hadn't been fooled either.
  "The usual," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Skiin chuckled.
  "We were just wagering on what kept you busy," Skik joked.
  "Best to get the obsolete currency out of the way, eh?" Skiin added.
  "Mint's according to schedule, if that's what you were wondering. As for these damned Odammites..."
  "Hm? So you don't think it's the brainspawn?" Skiin asked.
  "The deranger, or whatever's worse? I somehow doubt the cult happened to sense it when no one else did."
  "There's power in dreams," Skik reminded him gently.
  "Can we please focus on something that isn't a ravening psychopath?"
  "Like me?" Skiin asked far too cheerfully.
  Skan sighed. "Yes..." he trailed off doubtingly. Skiin laughed again.
  "So, magic. Real magic!" Skik said excitedly.
  Skan nodded. "Yes, impressive."
  "And drakes?" Skiin asked jokingly.
  "No," Skan responded, pointing a finger as though he were scolding a pet. Skiin was having far too much fun.
  "Well what about Skethorum then? Mind if we poke around out here?"
  "I suppose, but I'll warn you, the ship won't be done for quite some time. If you want to explore a land route, don't think you won't be back in time."
  "Mm. I don't particularly feel like walking, but I'll give it some thought. Probably wouldn't hurt, though."
  "So about the mechanics?" Skik asked.
  "We've mostly got it, just needs a bit more work. Same with ship construction, and of course you'll get researchers to help with the stars. That clear everything up?"
  Both nodded.
  "Oh! One other thing," Skiin added. Skan looked at him askance.
  He pulled out a platter covered in cloth, then lifted it. Skan laughed a bit.
  "Oh yes, the mushrooms are ready, aren't they?" he asked, taking a piece.
  "VERY worth the trade," Skik added, popping some in her mouth.
  "And it's all because of me," Skiin added jokingly, laughing as Skan made a strangling motion at him.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 Money on 1 Labor
1) Work Tile 1 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
2) Work Tile 2 - Plains/River/Irrigation/Watermill = 5 Food
3) Work Tile 5 - Forest/Woodcutting Village = 1 Food, 2 Wood
4) Work Tile 6 - Hills/Silver/Mine = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Silver
5) Work Tile 7 - Plains/River/Irrigation = 4 Food
6) Work Tile 8 - Mountain/Copper/Deep Mine = 1 Stone, 4 Money
7) Work Tile 9 - Plains/Irrigation = 3 Food
8 ) Work Tile 16 - Forest/Hunting Camp = 2 Food, 1 Wood
9) Work Tile 17 - Hills/Tin/Mine = 1 Food, 1 Wool, 1 Tin
Subtotals: 22 Food, 3 Wood, 2 Wool, 1 Stone, 1 Silver, 1 Tin, 4 Money

10,11,12) Build Mint (-2 Stone, -1 Silver, ready for next turn)

13,14,15) Forge goblin-fitted Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor (-4 Bronze, +2 Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor)
16,17) Forge goblin-sized Bronze Weapons (-2 Bronze, +2 Bronze Weapons)

18 ) Make Clothing (-2 Wool, +2 Clothing)

19,20) Research Mechanics
21) Research Great Ship Construction
22,*) Research Astral Magic

*: Skik's research

Skiin leads the First Legion in scouting further west.

The Second Legion proudly escorts the weapons and armor to the goblin cave, and escorts the mushrooms back. (-2 Bronze Weapons, -2 Flexible Heavy Bronze Armor; +2 Mushrooms)

The Third Legion pokes around Skethorum's forests, hoping to find something of interest.

Taxes: 13.5
Mine: +4
Military Upkeep: -4
Labor: -10
Total: +3.5 Money

Luxury Needed: 1.9
Luxury Produced: 1.9 (Spirituality) + 1.9 (Clothing) + 1.9 (Delicacy)
[+3 Morale]

Food Produced: 22
Food Eaten: 19

Warehouse: 5/20 Wood, 2/20 Wool, 6/20 Stone, 2/20 Copper, 2/20 Tin, 3.6 Clothing, 2.1/20 Mushrooms, 1 leather armor
Granary: 10/20
Treasury: 7.5

[abculatter_2]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

His master was coming closer...
The violating yet invigorating touch could be felt even by the youngest of the Enlightened...
And yet it was so far away...

He could now hear its voice speaking, whispering to him. It spoke of blood and sacrifice... of death and destruction... of darkness consuming the world...
And he had soon learned to love it, to cry out in ecstasy whenever his master deigned to communicate with him...
He had fallen at last, accepted that his fate was now to herald the coming of the end, he was powerless to stop it...
But it needed blood, and the only blood here was his own and his people's...

"Chosen One."
It was the messenger of the Unveilers. He made a gesture of acknowledgment, and the man stepped closer.
"We have found a new city, Chosen One, one who's size and splendor matches our own. We have not made contact yet, as far as I know."

There soon rose within the palace's black walls a chilling, almost ethereal laugh, sending chills down the spines of even the insane night-drinkers which have begun to linger about the temple.

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

1) Work tile 1 (+3 food, +1 wool)
2) Work tile 2 (+4 food)
3) Work tile 3 (+4 food)
4) Work tile 4 (+1 food, +1 wool, +4 money)
5) Work tile 8 (+2 food, +.5 elephants)
6) Work tile 11 (+3 food, +1 wool)
7) Work tile 13 (+2 stone)

+17 food, +3 wool, +4 money +.5 elephants, +2 stone

Build Great Quarry tile 13
9) Build Great Quarry tile 13
10) Build Great Quarry tile 13
11) Build Great Quarry tile 13
12) Make clothes (-2 wool, +2 clothes)
13) Make jewelry (Whatever conversion rate it uses, use gold)
14) Research (Engineering)
15) Research (Engineering)
16) Research (Further path down Enlightenment)

Unveilers: Attempt to learn as much about the city as you can, and bring back reports on everything which may be important, from layout to defenses to food production. Do NOT let them know you are here. If black-skinned humans do not seem out of place in the city, send a few men into the city under the guise of merchants selling rare obsidian artifacts to learn as much as they can.

Obsidian's call: Get yelled at for their horrid decent into debauchery and madness, then have the general personally whip them back into shape. Also, attempt to train them further.

Have the High Priest recruit from the populace enough soldiers for 2 legions of elephant troops. If I require weapons for this, replace the make jewelry with make wooden weapons.

[Vanigo]

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

"What does it mean?"
"We don't know."
Several councilors, along with a few priests of the Earthmother, were worriedly discussing the premonitions of danger the latter had been having. The group sat in the back room of the shrine. Officially, they were discussing the possibility of a larger temple and what would be necessary.
"Well, let's start with what we do know, then." Heron Redson was a big fan of starting at the beginning.
"Not much," began Terrek, the high priest. "We've been getting a sense of some sort of grave danger on the horizon, but no real details. We're pretty sure that it's not total doom, but we're not quite certain."
"That's not terribly reassuring."
"No, it's not."
The assembled group briefly looked at each other in silence.
"Well, then, how do we learn more?" Heron was also a big fan of gathering information.
Tailow spoke up first. "We don't really know much about this world. We need to explore our surroundings."
"Agreed. We'll have to raise another brigade to guard the city, but we needed to do that anyway."
"Sounds good." Heron looked at the rest of the room. "Any other ideas?"
"We could probably learn more from the Earthmother," said Terrek, "but our connection to her is still rudimentary. If we look into improving it..."
Heron nodded. "We've already committed to a project on improving our farming efficiency, but I can definitely add that to the agenda."
"What about badger riding? That would help our scouting efforts a lot."
"No reason we can't do both."
"But in what order?"
"I'd say badgers first. That would help us with more mundane threats, too."
"But those are less threatening, I'd think."
The argument continued for several minutes before winding down.
"All right, we can continue that discussion later. Do we have any other options to look into?" Terrek said, hoping to guide the conversation back to something productive.
"Heron, do you think there's anything we could do with arcane magic?"
"I doubt it," he answered. "Tokk magic is good with metal and stone, and artificers with any kind of tool. Divination, not so much."
"Makes sense. Anyone else have anything to add?"
After a moment, Tailow asked "So do we tell the public anything?"
"I'd say no. Last thing we need is a panic."
The debate that followed was fairly one-sided. The civil unrest a few years ago was fresh in everyone's mind, and no one wanted a repeat.
"It sounds like we have a plan, or at least the beginnings of one," said Terrek. "But there's one more thing we need to consider. What do we say we decided about the temple?"

Spoiler: Actions (click to show/hide)

Spend 10 gold for 1 labor

5) Work 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 (18 food)
2) Work 1, 18 (3 food, 2 stone, 2 gold, 2 wool)
1) Work 8 (2 stone, 2 iron)
1) Work 3 (1 food, 2 wood)

4) Research construction magic, agriculture

5 labor->7 construction
2) Build badger farm on 18 (-1 stone, -1 badgers)
2) Build statue park (-2 stone)
3) Finish watermill on 18

3) Make 2 flexible light iron armor (-2 iron)
1) Make iron pikes (-1 iron, -1 wood)
1) Make clothing (-2 wool, +2 clothing)
1) Make jewelry (-2 gold, +2 jewelry)

Raise unit of pikemen (iron pikes, flexible light iron armor)
Send spearmen exploring south along river

Use 2.1 clothing, 2 jewelry, 2 spirituality, 1 food for luxury
+1 stone, +1 wood, +1 light iron chainmail, -0.1 clothing

[Cheddarius]

Spoiler: Turn (click to show/hide)

18 food, 2 wood, 5 wool, 1 Stone, 6 Iron, 4 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 0.1 clothes, 1 silver jewelry

Spend 10 money to get 1 more labor point: 24 labor available

Work tile 2: 5 food
Work tile 3: 5 food
Work tile 4: 1 food, 2 wood
Work tile 16: 1 stone, 1 silver
Work tile 17: 2 stone

19 labor left, 29 food, 4 wood, 5 wool, 4 Stone, 6 Iron, 5 silver, 1 Strong Iron, 0.1 clothes, 1 silver jewelry

Build Three-Field Farms in hexes 3, 4, and 12: 9 labor
Build Woodcutting Village in hex 8: 2 labor, 2 stone
Build Heavy Smelter: 3 labor, 1 strong iron, 2 stone
Total labor needed: 14
With Mechanic's Workshop: 11 (=14.6666 labor = 15 labor)

1 make Strong Iron: 1 Iron, 2 Wood
1 make 2 clothes: -2 wool
6 research Cannons

Lactosian infantry scouts for other civilizations

0 labor left, 29 food, 3 wool, 5 Iron, 5 silver, 2 wood, 1 Strong Iron, 2.1 clothes, 1 silver jewelry

Use 21 food to feed populace
Use 2 spirituality and 0.1 jewelry to raise morale
Use 2.1 clothes to raise morale

0 labor left, 8 food, 3 wool, 5 Iron, 5 silver, 2 wood, 1 Strong Iron, 0.9 silver jewelry

Spoiler: RP (click to show/hide)

The Lactosians were satisfied with their accomplishments. This year only a quarter of the population would work the land, a far cry from the olden days when half the population toiled in manual labor. Three-field farms were built in the fields, further ensuring the prosperity of the Lactosian people. A Heavy Smelter was erected; the Lactosians had the most wondrous metal in the world, would use it extensively in future projects (as well as other alloys), and the smelter was needed to save labor. To fuel their steel production, a second woodcutting village was built, doubling their wood income.

Spoiler: Lactosian Canon (click to show/hide)

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

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

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