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Next update on Saturday

Currently have turns from Tarn, FHR, Ashbeards, Cravers, B'yogi, Gyldenthrong, & Llychlyn.

Awaiting turns from Vossiks, Meluzina, Tidal, & Karnis.

>>4097805
>Diplo Frogs
The Tarns send an envoy to the frogs, demanding an explanation for the rebuffing of their attempts at aid.

1-2. Military Developments
The concern of the Republic is that its military is steadily falling behind those of other nations. The solution is a two-pronged approach. On one hand, research and development should take place to improve aspects of the general equipment. In particular, the stockpiling of weapons across city armories and country kosts begins anew; with crossbows of both Hacmosi and Andrethi design a common sight in armories in most cities.

On the other, The Republic has the advantage of one of the largest populations seen on the continent and one of the most effective administrations to utilize it. With its eye on making use of the population it turns its intent toward setting up a general conscription plan. In many respects, the conscription plan is little more than the legal codification of what were old Elezen traditions. All male Aan are required by law to enroll in the Reigistrie Nationale which keeps mostly accurate records of the population and places of residence. In times of conflict, these people aged between 16 and 200 are called into service in waves. To support the successive waves of soldiers two measures are taken. Country kosts and communities are still required to uphold the Shield Count, which provides 1 fully equipped heavy infantryman per 10 citizens, or 1 fully equipped cavalryman per 25. In the cities each district is required to organize a separate militia ranging in size between 100-500 soldiers. Militia soldiers are part-time splitting their efforts between military training and supporting peace-keeping operations. They are semi-professional, as many have other duties in the city, but their equipment is paid for by the city coffers and they are given a regular wage for time spent in service. To make it clear when they are doing militia time they wear simple cloth surcoats with the device of their districts or particular patrons.

Between country kosts and city militias, the semi-regular standing army of the Republic is dramatically increased in times of conflict. If needed, the Registrie Nationale can be relied upon to consistently fill battalions with replacement soldiers. A regular training schedule in times of conflict is implemented. The existing standing professional military shifts from being an offensive force to a primarily defensive force intended to hold ground and fight delaying actions in a bid for time. The Republic's military focus shifts from rapid campaigns to buying time for the plodding gears of its bureaucracy to turn out a vast number of decently equipped and adequately trained soldiers to support more elite standing battalions. This defensive focus is cheaper than needing to constantly support a large force of standing offensive soldiers.

>>4097805

>Diplomacy: Llychlyn

The children of Fanw do not have to go far, for the grasslands south of the Vandnor are rich in soil, farms and the many farmers who work them. Not only that, but the coast itself is busier with shipping then in the year of their last visitation; and as well as Gylden vessels they would surely see merchants of both Tarnish and Deepaun stock plying these waters. When they land, they are greeted by a party of Dwarves from Vankung; and as natives of the great feast town they come amply prepared with plates of freshly cooked foodstuffs; bread and pork and fish and bacon and fresh apple pastries, still warm from the ovens. Though armored Dwarves on Boar-back do watch from the rear, even they have come along with tankards for the Ale and Ciders that the brewers are standing ready to breach.

The wolfmen are greeted in the Gylden tongue, and then Tarnish and Cewri are both tried, with a lone scholar speaking a little broken Vossik the only one to try this most recently learned of tongues.

>War Action/
>Diplomacy: Meluzina

The Serpentfolk have again requested aid, and so the Dwarves of the Gyldenthrong March to assist them, and to support the continuing war efforts, bringing with them the hired Deepauns so that this pocket of necrotizing flesh might be burned away from the world.

>>4098134
>Diplomacy: Tarn

When Mercenaries were hired for the northern war, the Tarnish mercenaries made offer of their services, but only on a defensive basis. But there is need too for defenders, and so with the Meluz drawing out their soldiers into the offensive forces the men of Tarn for hire are sought to supplement garrison forces and defensive lines.

>>4097805
Actions:
-The Re'Karo serve well in their function as and underground assault unit, but its crushing maw and rapid speed causes wherever it digs to simply collapse behind it, leaving the ants unable to follow their own scouts. To aid in this, the form of the Re'Karo is modified slightly to add the necesary organs for it to secrete pheramones as it dives through the earth. As these pheramones seep through the earth, The ants will be able to follow them. In addition, should a Re'Karo die, its blood would react with the pheramones in the ground around it, causing a chain reaction a short distance down the trail, indicating danger to any ant that follows.

>Diplo: Craver veins
The recent loss of the flesh mission is a sad event for even the swarm. How dare those barbarians of the South use such underhanded tactics againt our noble allie! The Karnis seeth with rage, but now is not the time for retaltation. As per the Craver's request, the Karnis set out to bury the veins of the flesh that sprawl out over the mainland. As they dig they make good use of the stone to reinforce the tunnels. When the work is done, the ants take care to cover the tunnels with dirt and regrow the grass and plants to cover any trace of their operations so that the location of the veins are undetectable from the surface.

>>4097805
>1: construct a wall around Megalo
Considering our recent attacks on the utterly titanic nation of flesh monsters, we feel as though there's a possibility that we might've just kicked a hornet's nest. As such, we construct a large wall around our capital. Our protectorate city, loyal to its citizens, and to those of the nation.

>2: teaching the homefront
Finally, we have reached the need for yet another education program.
>What to do if the flesh attacks.
Due to our observance of the destruction that the flesh is capable of (that one time when they smashed that wall and killed a bunch of people), we are able to determine the most preferred course of action in the event of a flesh attack.
1. The city won't always save you.
2. If you have venom, use it
3. The ground (castor) is your friend, within the effort to flee.

>War: claim the flesh mission
Our troops, alongside the ashen, the gylden, and our tidal mercs are to claim the sector that was bombed, not long ago.
Two hours before the attack, the tidal will fly over the battlefield, then return and give us as much information as they can.
Once the territory has been deemed "safe" enough, we will march across the border, and claim the mission.

Rumor?

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Rolled 2, 1 + 1 = 4 (2d2 + 1)

SCENE ONE

(War post soon™)

>>4094889
>Tarn
[R] There is a rumour floating around the docks and all those other seedy places the merchant classes dwell, that the FHR has for sale a plot of land far in the north. The land itself is of little quality, but its position is prime for the founding of a trading outpost. The sum for the land is unknown, as is the veracity of the rumour, yet, there is little harm in asking, is there?
[NM] Youth has faded from the boy-Augursoul, such is the burden of prophecy. He is asked again for his guidance, which he gives thusly; Arm yourself with blade and bow / For rousing is the enemy / Who yet battle with a greater foe / But soon will end their pleasantries.
The land of Lower Tarn is whole, with lumber camps throughout the southern forests. Still, gossip persists of flickering lights and a high, hollow cackling at night. There is fear that whatever had attacked the first settlers has returned.
Taking what the B'yogi had taught them, of the power of faith, and of belief, the Priestesses and their counterparts each begin researching what must be done to initially obtain the power of magics. Those of the secular guild find their efforts fruitless, having taken from the B'oo, wrongly, that is is self-belief that grants power. Those efforts of the Priestesses however prove more effectual, for they pray to Persa with selfless hearts, and hold faithfully the pure will be granted Her gifts. In total, another four girls are bestowed with the magics of telekinesis, though weakly as of yet. The Persan Academy as this secret sect is called, begin training the young girls to fortify their minds, and strengthen their faith.
The Cursestone, which had tormented the land with wind and hail for so many years, falls silent, and crumbles to ruin.

>>4095009
>FHR
The first order of business is the construction of those necessary machines; Roller and Turning-Mould. A new building is constructed on the outskirts of Dezna to house them, along with supply stores and barracks for the workers. It is a deal longer than its width, to accommodate the strange mould. After considerable effort in the manufacturing of such things, and transport of much firewood from the east, operations begin. It is painfully slow, as workers pick impurities from the freshly shipped rubber by hand, before it is turned, and turned, and turned, within the rollers. At last a sheet of rubber is laid flat and inspected for defects, alas the rollers were not hot enough and large globules of solid rubber remain. And so back into the rollers. [roll] sheets of good quality are produced before the rollers are again no longer hot enough, and so must be stoked again. A further three sheets are produced before the rollers stick fast, as the now over-heated becomes tacky and a horrid stench fills the building. It is a full days work to get the rollers clean, but the smell lingers forever after.

>FHR cont.
Work must still be done however, so the sheets are cut into strips, rolled on spools, and taken to the spinning mould, also cranked by hand. The mould is first greased, then the spool slowly worked along the shaft until it is a good thickness all along. Next, specially-shaped, cloth-wrapped irons are worked over the spinning tube to meld the rubber together, and lastly a fine cloth is worked atop much like the rubber. All in all a single piece of tubing has taken fifteen men, three days work. Not a single inch should be wasted.

>>4095038
>Ashbeards
The influx of treasures from all over and under the world push the Ashen to construct a grand market hall, open to all. Well, all Dwarves, and maybe a Meluz or two if they ask nicely. Away from the homeland, the Dwarves expand further into the forests, for both resources and security.

>>4095305
>Cravers
The vein to the Flesh Mission shrinks back, withering itself away from the venom lest it too be stricken. With the help of the Karnis Ants, much of the Mausoleum vein is buried underground, where aided my Re'Karo tunnellers who break up the earth, it may worm its way to the nest. Alas many veins remain upon the surface, and the Ants can only work so hard. Still, the vein to the Factory is covered over with stone at the very least.
The Grist'let straddles the Charnel Bridge, sucking all unlucky sealife through its maw. A thick vein travels along the bridge, depositing waste far away from itself. Still, the churned remains of fish, squid, and the odd unfortunate Craver pollute the Straits.
Rover, Rut'ra, & Chern'bolg swarm upon the eastern Steppe, a virgin land to plunder. The coast is stripped clean of fauna, fuelling the ravenous Rut'ra. However the land is not as unclaimed as thought, for there is found in the open grassland the occasional lone or tiny group of Meluz. Likely criminals or other outcasts, for they are weak, easy pickings. The territory stretches down a good way, and outer scouts find that far south there lies a Meluz city, ripe for the taking! They hurry back to alert the rest of the landing party. (>>4096269 Meluz spot the Flesh scouts from Ásteri)

>>4095684
>B'yogi
The soul within the orb quiets her screams, as she resigns herself to her fate. But now, shadows come, with, questions? So many questions! She knows only that, she was a girl, a girl in Xycthos, she was ill, deathly ill it seems. And then, she was here, trapped, surrounded by glittering wonders she could only barely perceive. As far as she is aware, the soul is the person. In life, the soul is within the body, and the body is the person. No, not like a jar. The soul is within every part of the body, maybe the soul, maybe the soul is the body? She is racked with terrible questions of her own! No more will she answer, falling back to sobs and grief at her predicament. Nothing the B'oo say will soothe her. So, being all they can do, they push the orb from its pediment, sending it crashing to the marble floor. It shatters as if made of glass into fine blue dust, and the soul, now free, cries in joy, and is gone. The B'yogi secret embedded within, simply, vanishes? Or else is transported beyond B'yogi reach.
The M'thus pen is built, and the creatures corralled into them. There they seem pleased to remain, though it is impossible to tell, for they possess no emotions other than those a beast drains from a B'oo. Now to figure out how to make more of them.

>>4095884
>Gyldenthrong
This new metal finds its home most comfortably with copper, which in varying amounts alloys to create metals whose colours range from that of bronze all the way to that why rivals gold, all by simply adjusting the ratios of each metal. It may also be used to lower the melting temperature of scrap metals, those offcuts of iron, copper, silver, and whatever else is found upon a foundry floor. This stuff they call "Pot Metal", for the scraps are melted in one big pot, and is best used for those inexpensive things a household does not technically need; toys, jewellery, decorative plates, etc..
The process of creating a lens is far more tedious than the Gylden believed it would be, initial attempts at simply casting the glass resulted in shattered or else cloudy messes. No, first a sphere of iron metal is forged, and from that good curved moulds. Then these moulds are stuck to a potter's wheel, and a puck of Norri's glass pressed into it, along with metal shavings and water. When the glass is roughly in the shape of the mould, the shavings are replaced with sand, and then finely powdered glass, and finally sifted ash before being polished by hand. Care must be taken at each step, for the glass dust is terribly damaging to the throat, lungs, and eyes. But the rewards are great, for using these hard-won lens, the Gylden are the first on the land to create scopes to better see over vast distances.

>>4095889
>Llychlyn
[R] In Volodek, those few still stationed there here stories that to the west reside odd creatures made of shadow, who twist themselves to ghastly approximations of the Elven form. Best to steer clear from them the natives warn.
With the distraction of the additional medical wing dealt with, work concludes on the rest of the University. A crowning achievement of Fanuyic architecture. Already knowledge and knowledgeable minds are being collated from every corner of Llychlyn. Collected too are the stories of the people, legendary heroes, folk tales, and songs of all kinds. For why live if there is no music nor story?
Local and regional infirmaries are constructed all over the island, not only for the treatment of those already sick, but the prevention and healing of any future sickness. In each varying native herbs and remedies are tried. Of some benefit is a small shrub of yellow flowers found in the southern forests, which when pressed produces a red, bitter, oily substance, taken best with Remnant wine. Together this drink shows to not halt the disease, but dampen its effects on the body, especially in the elderly.

>>4098770
>Vossiks
(there's very little I can add, which is perfect)

>>4100632
>Karnis
Learning much from their Cravic friends, the Karnis work more upon the leech-Kahro, the Re'Karo. For now, the organ is directly transplanted from under-performing Ants, as the complexities of the organ are as yet too great for even the best Karnis fleshshaper. (see >>4095305 for tunnelling)

>>4101047
>Meluzina
[R] In the forests, just north of the border wall, there's talk the Flesh are hiding something, something big, in a cave there. A Depaun scout talking off from the Hitching Post says he's seen that there is indeed a hollow of some sort between the trees. On cloudless nights the window blows with the stench of rot and uncanny whines.
Stone walls surround Megálo and her outskirts, built stoutly and ringed with walkways. On clear nights, guards can see the lights of Dynatós from their vantage. They are harsh lessons, but ones each Meluz should know by hearts. All know the drill of "bite & burrow" within the week.

DIPLO
>>4098134
There are no guards at the gates, but when they are tested, they are locked tight. The envoy shouts and pounds at the door, and finally a sallow frog cracks open the eye-slot. He's skin, what can be seen is leathery, and hangs from his bones, his eyes are watery, and one gazes off in a different direction. "The Soghoian people thank you for your concern. We deal now with a terrible plague, and do not wish to infect all of the world," he shuts the eye-slot again, and opens a slot at the bottom of the door. With a bony foot he passes through four large bars of... solid gold! "We feel this is what is owed." With that the bottom slot slams shut, and the sound of webbed feet hurry away.

END OF SCENE ONE.

>>4101185
Action 1 and 2: The writing is on the wall: the frogs are soon to perish, going the same way the jackalopes did. Now, the Tarns must focus on ensuring their own safety. An army is mustered on the northern border between Tarnia and Soghoia composed of the reserve forces expelled from river reed, as well as the aid convoys rebuffed by the soghoians. This army sweeps east through northeast, searching for any signs of life, establishing forward bases, and providing whatever care they can for any frogmen they find. Little resistance is expected, though the army is strictly instructed to heed all Soghoian orders, just in case.
>Basically an double expansion, though conditional on the Soghoians dying this turn.

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>>4101357
Pic related

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Built on the experiences of war, a new guild is formed comprised of the most renowned scholars, tacticians, and warriors, the majority of which already taken part in the planning prior.
Now officially convening under the Korgardun'grutt, plans and executions in war will be conducted much smoother and aid the next focus of these strategists being that of further improvement on existing army formations and training for new recruits so that the common dwarf can be swiftly trained as well.
>Battle Plans Part VI

Artillery has proven itself to be a vital part of warfare.
Engineers study existing machines of the Gylden to create a design of Ashen origin and to fit their new needs for these weapons.
The finalized product stands considerably larger than any previous weapon, and is created so that it may be quickly taken apart for transport and then reconstructed in mere moments. It would also be capable of being wheeled but this would not be very practical, at least for long distances off roads. The standard way is to be hauled in sections by wargoats or gylden boars either in one train or split groups dependent on the situation. A more complex feature gives the machine the ability to swivel in place to accommodate the dynamics of a battle with ease.
Ideally an entire solid stone will be used for ammunition but it would be difficult to obtain in actuality primarily due to the fact mines would be unable to extract the sizable stone without first resizing the tunnels. Instead, a unique change is made when designing the machine allowing desired weights of stone to be fired without much effort.
Normally a shallow bucket to load stone is now a deep container, essentially an iron cage which can be loaded with over thrice the potential weight of a normal artillery bucket, either being loaded from the top or by unlatching it to open the sides for easy access.
Most are fitted with sheets of metal that do not alter the performance but make the weapon appear as a hammer.
Choices of ammunition expand near limitlessly allowing versatility and creativity in the midst of battle. With this change, solid stones can be quarried and supply the machine, but fitting both the tunnels and the bucket in the shape of a rectangle, becoming a massive projectile to devastate their foe as its trajectory changes rapidly and violently in air and on impact. Other common and favored types include simple and cheap rocks that are easily dumped into the cage and can be fired sending hundreds of deadly stone towards the enemy, or with coordination of the army, gravel or dirt to confuse and weaken the enemy. (I don't actually know how big Gylden catapults are, so adjust pic related if needed (or keep current size if they're actually fuckhuge unbeknownst to me))
>Zuvvotuz "Silver Hammers"/Ashen Heavers

-

WTB rumor

>>TIDAL
Upon the next arrival of merchants to Zarjotun'torzdun, the Tidal dragons are met by an envoy of dwarves wishing to form a deal.
The dwarves are impressed with the damage done with the results of the recent attack on the flesh beasts with flight being essential to its success. Believing further successes can be achieved, they seek to discuss potential plans involving their ability to fly.
If satisfactory they would also like to know if their services may be called upon by means of golden coin in the future.

>>4099699
>Diplomacy, Gylden
The expedition would be surprised by the show of pleasant foods, and though initial communication would be a bit difficult, once the Scholar among these short yet friendly folk spoke up, Rhisiart would explain their situation as best he could. He would explain they come from a place known as Llychlyn across the sea, and the expedition was lead by Captain Neifion. He'd also ask if he could try to learn and translate their language by any chance. Regardless, they'd be happy to enjoy a feast, and Neifion would send some of the crew brought along to get some more of the crew to enjoy these feasts, along with some of the food they brought along, mostly consisting of smoked fish and salted meats, with some limited amounts of seasoning and side dishes, along with about three bottles of wine. This first meeting seemed to be off to a great start, at least in the eyes of the expedition.

>>4101195
The work on the university finishing has proven to be extremely useful, not only for providing a centralized place of learning, but also a centralized place for research. Much to Eheubryd's surprise and delight, not just science is taught, as a number of artisans have proven to take up shop to teach their craft there as well. Still, its main purpose could now fully be realized, and clan Tudor got to work looking for more ways to fight the sickness. Now that there was a local new 'drink' of sorts that has been shown to be effective at dampening the plagues effects, their focus would be to further limit spread without quarantine. Specifically they'd take the knowledge they had learned from the remnant people and try to find ways to apply it to villages and cities, ways to make them more clean and life there more sanitary. Of course, doing so would have the added bonus of said places looking nicer and being more comfortable to live in. Though, with the many advances in architecture made over the years due to Eheubryd's projects, a way might just be able to be found out.

Of course, the plague still caused many deaths, but with its effect dampened further, it was starting to become much more manageable. It seemed once one was infected with Melltith yr Anadl Olaf, that would be the final time they would be infected, and this, combined with the fact that its effects could be mitigated, meant that the worst of the disease certainly was over. Deaths certainly weren't uncommon, but the chances of survival were much better than they were at the start of the outbreak. Maybe soon the plague would become naught but a memory, or at least a rare and dangerous yet manageable illness. Though, this was hopeful thinking for the future, and the road ahead was still long and precarious.

>Action One. Work on finding a way to keep cities as clean and miasma free as the medical area's of labs, or at least as clean as possible.

>Action Two. Translate the language of the short, friendly folk of the east. Or at least start to anyway.

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>>4101185

>Action 1: The riches of the ground

With the price of salt from the Deepauns seeming to rise year on year as demand increases, the Golden Dwarves are only to eager to exploit this source of their own once they learn we possess it. On the northern sands, the Golden Dwarves dig for Salt, with some of those who miss this 'salt rush' trying alternate methods for harvesting salt along he shoreline. Whilst in the east, Dwarves start to dig for Phosphates - our Ashenbeard cousins have shown all sorts of interesting uses for this substance.


>Action 2: The light shining on the gold

The Golden Gyre has been a subject of rumors, of mystery, of wonders and of dread ever since the first rumours of it existing started making their way back to shore. Some whisper of it as blessed by Guldfar in unknown ways, others talk of it as a cursed thing made to trick and lure the unwary. The priests cannot reach a true consensus, and even those who quaff enough to bring drunken sleep to noon have not yet communed enough with the Gold and the light to know any true purpose. And so, the Golden Dwarves take possession of small islands close to the Gyre to build up a tall and magnificent lighthouse, like that written about in Deepaun books, to shine Guldfar's true gaze into the Gleam of the Gyre and see what might be seen.

The Dwarves also plan a secondary use for this lighthouse... a light shining from the nearby islands could warn sailors plying these waters of both the rocks and the Gyre, especially in the darker hours, and generally make the shipping lanes safer for everyone.

(As these are annotated-map only islands... if they do not exist enough for the game-map, then I guess Gyldholm can have a lighthouse instead?)


>Diplomacy: Llychlyn

The attempts to communicate in a third tongue clearly tax the scholar a little, as it becomes evident that his Vossik is very unpracticed and limited. But the Dwarves of Vankung make these strangers from across the sea as welcome as they can, and allow them to learn what they can of the Dwarven tongue, helping them to pick up some Gylden terms and phrases as they share the feast. A few Dwarves even try some of the old stories - Of Søvnig and the under-toad, of Æblemor binding Snehvid back below the earth with bindings of Applewood-root, even of Guldfar himself and his blessings of the three golden gifts.

>Rumour

>>4101185
Quick action time
1. Implement Rubber parts into Flamethrower design for working prototypes.

2. Update Arms and Armor of the FHRDF with using the new forges in Denza.

>>4101188

1.

The Nucklavee is driven from Ingil'dra to the oasis where the ruins of Othin lie. The Karnis told of the lost knowledge of the scattered people, and ruins are used as a foundation for newly built Hel'grind (Research Lab). The Oasis is ladden with pens as newly arriving monks aid in cataloging potential beasts for the war effort.

2.

The Cravic dominion of the skies can not be challenged, and as the oppressor brings the nations of the world to bear, we will respond in kind- a 2nd Raut'let nest is crafted and prepared for transport to frontlines to serve as protection from Depaun bombers.

>War
(Presuming the landing party is already marching south on Asteri.)

The newly made Kahro from the flesh of the dead mission are to withdraw to the Raut'let nest to defend it, as reinforcing Rut'ra patrols from the Bulargh'let sweep up the east bank of the river to watch for interlopers.

1. Complete the Grand Cathedral
The grove is finally and at long last converted into a proper place of worship for the followers of the True Faith

2. White Gold
The continuing development of ever greater trade has brought with it new demands for goods. Cotton clothing becomes popular, and both dyeworks and weaving towns begin to sprout in the Pokan province to support trade with the Gylden and with the Andreth - two major textile trade partners. The new developments bring with them increased wealth to provinces that had long languished in financial ruin the provide ample returns to the investors in places like Renthum and Gilden.

>>4101185
Action 1:
>raise half an army in amplect, to be sold as mercenaries to the dwarven buyers and half an army in paitoy, for self defence and potentially as mercenaries
Action 2:
>invest in increasing the magical prowess of those within the Shadow temple along with bringing in new aspirants and training them in its ways
>>4096912 (diplo - cravers)
The meeting place is agreed upon, the diplomacy thus takes place on a sandy, unaltered beach barely within distance of this great citadel.
The Tidal Empire is as of yet uninterested in most of what the Cravers can offer as the hostilities of their anti-craver kin could cause strife in their dominion if such trade were to begin. Instead they come to ask for the point of view of the Cravers in this war as they believe this war could be ended peacefully if mutual understanding could be reached, for they believe that this war was a mistake made through a lack of this mutual understanding.
Thus they would like to hear in person the point of view of the craver's leader alongside any testimonies from the soldiery as they are still not entirely certain that these rumors of the cravers being a "terrible hive mind of evil" are based in reality. They also want to gain temporary residence in a safe area of the craver's civilization far away from war in order to chronical the everyday goings of craver civilians alongside the desire to fulfill the necessity of learning of the language of the cravers.
>>4102464 (diplo - ashbeards)
After a proper Depaun diplomat arrives to negotiate the Dwarves get their answer:
The services of the depuans, namely those of Amplect are readily available for hire, and on top of that forces from both that clan, and the more mentally and magically gifted dragons of the clan of Paitoy shall soon be available for hire as well. Currently the dragons of the north are running at what seems to be a fairly reasonable price per dragon while the soon to be raised southern forces will be peddled at a higher - though what are claimed to be a proportionally larger - price, with special forces who claim to be gifted in the art of electromancy (similar to how vossik fire priests are pyrokinetic), being capable of firing great quantities of the enflaming energy for good distances while also be capable of doing great feats in other ways as well, although these specific powers are not disclosed as of this time.

>>4103625
>Diplomacy, Gylden
Despite the trouble, Rhisiart would do his best despite the limitations, partially by using the language to learn about the language the dwaves have. It seemed to be going fairly well, and despite limitations, they'd be able to understand some of stories they were told, of course missing most details but getting the general idea at least. Of course, seeing how the natives were telling their own stories, it felt only fair to share their own when they got the chance. The most major ones being how their homeland Llychlyn was united, or Captain Neifion explaining the deeds his father Elwyn Llewelyn had done in the past, especially the final task the old queen gave to him before she vanished, to return the bow Ergydcaled to Fanw. Some of the others would speak of a forsaken place under ice to the south of their lands, which was fought back and destroyed, though Rhisiart would give the most detail for that story, specifically the description of the place, and the expedition led by one from his own clan which went into the depths of that horrid place and came out months later, and how after with much work they managed to destroy it with holy pick. Really the only one who could best convey stories to the natives was Rhisiart, but the others would have some limited success, or just drag Rhisiart over to help them tell their stories.

During the feasting, it also would potentially be a bit of a surprise to the natives that the people from the expedition ate quite a bit. Though, there'd still be plenty to eat, partially due to the food Neifion had the crew bring from the ship to the feast. Then again, running out of food was likely not an issue for either party.

>>4101195
Actions:
(>>4103828)
-The work continues on hiding the Craver veins, the same as was done with the other. Hoping to acquire something for the future, while benefitting the present, the Matriarch dispatches numerous scholarly princesses to the dig sites. As the ants continue to dig and build the tunnels, the princesses monitor the Tu'Karn. For Months they observe and study their work, compiling notes on various topics ranging from how the ants conduct themselves during their work to the very structure of the tunnels. After the work is complete, the princess gather within the Labyrinth in preperation for the Karnis to create their first public system of education.

>>4102457
>War: Ashenbeards
-With the Re'Karo introduced to their ranks, the ants push to reclaim the tunnels within the dwarven tunnels. As the troops march through the tunnels, they aim to use their shields to close in on the openings of the dwarven shooters and dig through to reach the dwarves on the other side. Simultaneaously, as the ants dig the dwarves out from one side, the Re'Karo scout the position of the dwarves, paying attention to the routes they choose to retreat hoping to identify key routes while aiding the ants in clearing out the dwarves.

>Sorry, device posted under the wrong name.

>>4101195
>1: prepare Thesi for war
The people who live in Thesi are informed of the likelihood of a flesh infiltration from the north. In order to protect from this, we construct a wall around Thesi. Then, the Asteri tower is converted into a watch tower. This will serve as a line of defense against the flesh who wish to take our plains, and our bodies.

>2: set up a military base along the northern coast
Knowing that this area is often used by our soldiers as a place to rest, we find that a military base would aid them in the event of an attack from the flesh. Truly, if such an event would occur, we would need the attention from all of our units, even if their vacations are in effect.

>war: cut off the flesh
keep them from further stretching their vile tendrils into our land. Furthermore, we encroach on their recently claimed territory. Whatever they're hiding in that cave won't stay hidden for long. Though as preparation for our entrance, we soak our blades in venom, hoping to rot what flesh has managed to invade. If the pain doesn't force them to collapse, then their stony blood will.

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Symbolizing the union of dwarves and Meluzina and their struggle against those who wish them harm and befoul the world, new coins are disturbed across the realms.
Higher value coins are made of an alloy made up of silver and gold whereas lesser value and more common are silver, gold, and copper which all depict a distinct weapon from each nation crossing together, and of course the symbol of the mint on the obverse which is displayed alongside The Visage of Therkuunaz and a motto of the Ashen:
"Da gjedd'hal dur dunvair uhdrthaien ejoturnakt
Therkuunaz kuln vu akt
Gjedd vu tuvakt"

>>4101192
1.Study the M'thus
2.Paranoid about the Bone Mother's safety, B'yogi research glyphs for traps and suchl

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SCENE TWO

>>4101357
>Tarn
[D] Disaster strikes! as the southern reservoir collapses, sending a crashing wave of stored water down the river, washing straight over the levies into Xycthos! Rubble, silt, and other debris surge straight into the city!
The troops find the jungle uninhabited, and later that Quagspire is completely abandoned. Bronze and copper machinery has rusted green in the wet, stores of yellow sulphur have been eaten away from, the inside? It seems it has been an age since these places were up-kept. The canal here is filled with green algae, the cement walls have crumbled, and the path is overgrown. As they sweep west, they find the wall is unguarded, and in parts has crumbled.

>>4102457
>Ashbeards
[R] Did anything ever come of that obelisk?
The Korgardun'grutt quickly gains recognition as a prestigious institution employing only the most knowledgeable and renowned in their fields.
The Zuvvotuz greatly outshine the once dreaded Gylden siege equipment, but such is the case in an endless war.

>>4102502
>Llychlyn
The cities of Allfshys and Lunedannedd are canvassed, and all within them that contributed to foul, disease-causing miasmas, are done away with post-haste. Animals are no longer to be allowed within the cities, waste is to be collected daily to be brought outside the walls, butchers & fishmongers are especially cautioned for the flies and maggots their dregs create. The streets are to be swept with water every other day, and new cesspits dug. An oft ignored problem has been one of rats, but with such efforts under way, a prize is offered to the most prolific catcher by the end of the month. All of this is done, and proves greatly effective in clearing away the malodours.
With the eager help of the Gylden, much of the basics of their language, and even a handful of their stories, are written down. It will be short time before they have another language entirely under their belt.

>>4103625
>Gyldenthrong
[R] There is a rumour floating around the docks and all those other seedy places the merchant classes dwell, that the FHR has for sale a plot of land far in the north. The land itself is of little quality, but its position is prime for the founding of a trading outpost. The sum for the land is unknown, as is the veracity of the rumour, yet, there is little harm in asking, is there?
This large-flaked salt is easy to gather, but must be milled to be of much use. Those left behind by the so-called "Salt Rush" find that shallow pools, filled with sea-water will in time evaporate leaving a layer of salt which can then be harvested. This salt has a dirty taste however, and fetches very low prices. As for the phosphates, the Silver Dwarves have a process through which the rock may be refined into a more manageable form, which may then be ploughed into fallow soil to enrich it. Said process is labour and water intensive, and for far smaller effort manure works fine enough as fertiliser.

>Gyldenthrong cont.
Oh how the Gyre has whispered and been whispered about. That flickering hint of golden treasures, the quiet promise of riches. Oh how it has called! But as yet, leveller heads have prevailed against its siren song. Though there can be little harm in peeking, and a lighthouse has been needed for some years to protect those from the rocky islets thereabouts. On the largest, most stable of these rocks, the foundations are cut, anchoring the stones of the beacon to rock itself. From these foundations, a lighthouse of near-equal design is built to the fabled Pharos of Vacas, which the Tidal command. The Gylden Tower shines brightly through magnifying lens, specially commissioned. From her peak, can be just seen, on the clearest days, the Gyre. Swirling, eddying waters, perhaps twenty miles from the lighthouse. They do indeed glitter beneath the waves, as if just below the surface were a horde of golden treasure.

>>4103686
>FHR
The production of the rubber tubing runs day and night. Enough material is necessary to test the correct lengths, fittings, etc., for the few existing antique flamesprayers' tubing has long since rotted away. Eventually however a decent fit is found, and these drafts drawn up. There is still work to be done however, on the fuel, on safeties, and innumerable other small things.
The new forges of Dezna are stoked, and orders given. Old iron plate and stiff mail are traded in for the latest designs. The FHRDF goes about this to standardise equipment across the country, so that no man is left wanting.

>>4103828
>Cravers
Much of the Othin ruins lie picked clean, by Sable, Karnis, and the few Tyrian Othinians who have dared. The ruins have been re-inhabited however by scavengers of a different sort, for three new beasts crawl over & between the mossy rubble of the Othins' once capital. First, an adorable rodent, who breed quickly and feed on the plant life growing over the debris (similar to pika). Second, grey foxes who camouflage themselves against the stone. And third, a broad-winged corvid, who swoop over the ruins and seas.
This Grist'carn has been gathering flesh for some time, and as the Geneforge continues to rest, a second nest of Raut'let are formed there instead.

>>4103865
>Vossiks
Imports of beautiful materials peak in the final construction and decoration of the Cathedral of the New Sun; Tarnic marble tiles, Karnis jade & crystal, Gylden lapis & glass, all picked out in the highest quality silver and gold. Light floods the building, day & night, as the sun rises or candles burn. Such devotion is not unrewarded, as pilgrims and champions find their gifts of healing magics last longer. Now a day, even two of healing is granted, allowing for an overlapping supply of healers.

>Vossiks cont.
Nomach records show a source of alum-mordant in the south, around which dyeworks would be ideally located. Raw cotton is transported from Tyr, through the Republic to be woven and dyed in Nomach, then traded all over. Though the Gylden still hold a monopoly on blue dye, the Vossiks introduce much more vibrant yellows, reds, and greens into the market, along with the bleached white cloth. Vossik cotton provides a light, breathable, and colourful addition to a world clad in wool and nettle.

>>4103882
>Tidal
Dragons of Amplect are called up and given the opportunity to seek fortune and battle as mercenaries. It is dangerous, but well paid work, no other profession can offer gold and glory in equal measure. Dragons of Paitoy are also called, but for defence of their own kind first and foremost, though there may be the chance in future of more lucrative work. Likewise, aspirants of the arts of Shadow are brought into the sect, whose powers gradually increase. Away from B'yogi instruction, the Depauns work on their magics themselves; A new trick is being learnt, a spell of blindness. By summoning up the shadows around them, a trained Dragon may project them over the eyes of another, and by holding concentration blind them to the world and all about them.

>>4104252
>Karnis
Ti'Clika allows the vapourous mercury to seep into her spiracles. It penetrates into her blood, and then her mind. At first, there is little change, she sighs that it has not worked. Then, slowly at first, her vision clouds, until she sees a new way. Her antennae clear her eyes and there, before her, is the largest Ant she has ever seen; The Queen beats Her enormous wings against the ceiling of Her sealed chamber. "I have been expecting you, child," Ti'Clika cannot think of what to say, she is stunned, "You are rather more late than I had hoped, but no matter. You were of course foolish to seek answers how your hated Mother had done before you, but then madness it appears runs strong through Nethazar's line.". At this the broodmother sputters, she was nothing like her mother! Nethazar has gone mad with power! with corruption! with terrible Karno-Cravic influence! she could never follow that dreadful path! "Oh," exasperated the Queen, "And what has you so sure of this? Does the offer of a second life not entice you?" Ti'Clika is once again shocked into silence. With this her vision once again begins to cloud over. She calls out, but the Queen cuts off her cry, "Madness, child. Madness." and then she is back in her nest. What could it possibly have meant?!

>Karnis cont.
The veins of the mainland are buried or else covered over with mined stone. As the ants work, running on equally instinct and instruction, the princess watch with intense fascination. They observe the Tu'Karn feed each other, lay tracks of pheromones, how they follow these tracks, how they dig and carry refuse, how they lay the stones over the veins, everything they can witness they devour. One princess walks up to a track, and scratches out a small line, then watches as each Ant on the line halts, panics, then finds the track again before continuing. All of this is vital information the brood concludes, and take their findings back to Labyrinth. The gathered scholars listen intently to the princesses, and begin work on the first educational system within the Empire.

>>4104318
>Meluzina
With the Flesh scouts spotted recently from Ásteri, the news reaches Thési to be prepared for an impending attack. A hasty wall begins construction, along with the arming of the populace with the few weapons being stored. The little venom still in stock is distributed to the guards. This will be a stand against the evil Flesh, should it come to that.
A fort and camp are constructed near the coast, a place where Meluz, mercenaries, and allies can rest, whilst still being watchful.

>>4104561
>B'yogi
The M'thus are strangely, cute? Their vacant stares, and aimless wandering. Even the one that continuously cries is sort of sweet. They do not appear to need to eat, nor drink, and with having no outward emotion seem content to simply, be. Checking them over with gloved hands, they seem to be merely lumps of absorbent shadow, though they seem to shrink if left in total darkness. They take on H'yomi emotions, as well as they do B'yogi, but the H'yomi seem distressed when they no longer feel something. It is an accident that finds how they can be reproduced however, when a scythe being used to cut the grass slices straight through one of the M'thus who had been allowed to roam free. Instead of two halves of a dead M'thus, the accident creates two half-sized M'thus who in a little over a fortnight grow in the sun to normal size. The process works roughly [roll]% of the time.
A new emotion has gripped a portion of the B'oos; Paranoia. What if the Flesh were to come back? What if the roof fell in? What if? What if?! Drawing from tales of old, the B'yogi begin looking into Glyphic Magics. So far they have made little but solid progress. They have bound to a glyph, painted with finely crushed turquoise, a spell of alarm, so that when it is touched, it screams wildly. More research will have to be taken.

END OF SCENE TWO.

>>4104634
Action 1: Disturbed deeply by the sights they have seen, the soldiers race to the old mining town of Quagspire. Along the way, they make detailed maps of the areas, documenting supply caches, leftover machinery and small villages.
Action 2: The waters flooding through Xycthos overwhelms the city’s archaic sewer system. Excrement wells up through the city’s streets, producing a foul stench that lingers for weeks. A dysentery epidemic tears through the city, followed soon after by a vicious outbreak of cholera. A pall of death hangs in the air. If there is one silver lining to all of this death, it’s that the Tarnish medical system receives a much needed jolt. The medical practices that had only recently been conjecture are suddenly thrust into a trial by fire. From this come true innovation in the realm of medicine.

Large scale construction of the Zuvvotuz occurs to immediately see action in the north. Plentiful timber and iron cheapen production costs so that many can be made.
Finally making use of their vast stores of venom, the dwarves begin adding to their wide range of ammunition with kegs of the liquid.
Focus is set on dwarven artillery to claim victory in the battles north. Ammunition consists primarily of Torzkez, "Fire Ash" as it's come to be known, or quicklime, followed closely by Meluzina venom kegs, and stone.
>Artillery Focus

To bolster the warriors of the north, the Invuld finalizes a deal with the Mountainlord Dvaldar of Zarjotun'torzdun to send a significant portion of dwarves to the north.
Their trek long but many drills conducted to further enhance their training during their journey as to prepare as much as possible before seeing combat.
>Reinforcements


>>4104318
Along with the artillery arriving alongside dwarven forces to assist the Meluzina, small shipments of Zuvvotuz are gifted to their ally for personal use against the Flesh.
Additionally, all remaining stores of venom not being used in the ammunition is gifted too to do with what they please.

>>4103882
Deeply interested in the abilities of the dragons of clan Paitoy, the dwarves will pay in ample gold coinage and supplemented with Dwarven Bronze if seen desirable for their services to be used in the northern fields past the Gylden wall.
Though their presence a slight blow to the morale of the dwarves, the potential results of their assistance should much outweigh the negatives.

>>4104634
With better ways to prevent Miasma and other such things, along with a better understanding of how to take care of the sick, and the construction of a Clafdy in all villages, the spread of the plague should slow down, and in the long run, be the end of this tragic mark upon Llychlyn's history. Yet, with all the knowledge gained and worked on, the field of medicine and how best to treat wounds has made leaps and bounds, and will likely only improve in the coming years. Yet, now, once more, attention is turned to the plague itself. Those of Clan Tudor who have proven themselves exceptional in the art of fighting disease would swiftly get to work seeing if there was a way to make a more potent version of that red oily medicine which helped ease the plagues effects, specifically one that stopped, or majorly reduced the effects of the most deadly symptoms of Melltith yr Anadl Olaf. After all, if they could turn this from something deadly to something merely annoying that would be a major improvement. Initial work would look to see if the application on honey into the medicine would improve its effects, and depending on the findings, the work would branch off from there. They likely would return to trying to improve the cities and the waste disposal systems they had in order to better deal with miasma for a little bit once this plague was made non life threatening with proper treatment, or at least had a survival rate of over 90% with proper care, though, that would be getting ahead of themselves...

At the very least, the cities looked clean and more beautiful than ever before. Though, in the grand scheme of things, that didn't mean too much when the lives of Children of Fanw were being taken away by an accursed plague. Still, at least it was clear everything that could be done was being done, and that no effort was spared. Meanwhile, in a place currently much more happy and cheerful, Rhisiart would continue his work. It wouldn't be long now, and with the new understandings, the stories told by both sides would become much clearer...It wouldn't be long until another book for Rhisiart to make out of the knowledge he had brought back would be ready to be made...Needless to say, he was becoming quite the accomplished linguist.

>>4105457
(Since I forgot)

>Action One. Find some way to further minimize the lethal effects of Melltith yr Anadl Olaf, if not cure it, using the knowledge gained from the red oily medicine, and possibly honey, among other herbs and potential additions.

>Action Two. Translation continues...Likely to come to a close shortly.

>>4104634

>Action 1: Lychlyn Language

As the wolf-folk learn our language, in turn we study theirs; listening to the sounds they make and linking them to the meanings we can glean to better understand their tales and histories.


>Action 2: What goes around

The innovativeness of our Silver cousins has us in awe, the Zuvvotuz seeming a vast improvement over the once seemingly mighty machines of war we first sent north to aid them. Now it is our turn to take inspiration from the Ashen machines, but mere parity is not seen worthy as an eventual aim...

The earthworks of the grand firebreak have now mostly grown over again with grass, but most farmers have been reluctant to till the land inside the earthen works, knowing it as the site of a great conflagration before, and fearing it to become another in the future. Instead, the land inside and immediately around the firebreak is given over to the newly founded Torz'vogaz artillerist's training academy, where the smiths of Jorgaster and the craftsdwarves of Æblekag might combine their works to make larger, longer-ranged and more powerful variations of these hurling engines, and trained military operators might test out these out for reliability and functionality under field operating conditions and against simulacrum targets, separating the purely theoretical from the practical.


>War Action: Break the second salient

Learning that the flesh-creatures have created a second, more extensive salient toward the heart of the Meluz lands, and that this one is apparently much more precariously linked and supported, Thane Gruznen dusts off the battleplans that broke the first flesh salient and reworks them to turn against this fresh pocket of meaty horror.


>Diplomacy: Llychlyn

The description of the frozen place beneath the ice sets many Dwarf faces in stone behind their golden beards, though most are relieved when the children tell of the destruction. And yet, a few Dwarves remain with gritted teeth and troubled faces, wary about even the past existence of a place so strong with the spirit of Snehvid.

What is the state of this fell place now, they ask? Have the children of llychlyn set watch on the ruins beneath the ice, wary that the foulness might return if left alone? Have they bound the ruins with protective plantroot to keep the malignancy locked away? Have they set shrines of their own atop the blasted stones to drown out the foulness with the light of the holy? Is the place now made sanctified, or left for the ice and darkness to reclaim?

>>4105457
(Forgot to link you in the diplo of) >>4106369

>>4106369
>Diplomacy, Gylden

With the clear worry and questions asked, along with a better understanding of the language they speak and better communication, Rhisiart would ask what exactly has them so worried and if they know anything related to it followed by answering their questions. Firstly, the place always made a ghastly noise of metal grinding on stone which was audible from as far away as Lunedannedd, a town a fair far distance north. However, there was no plantroot placed there, protective or otherwise, as every last chip of the place was broken with holy pick, which he would admit may have plantroot infused with the blessed steel, yet is unsure as the process of creating the things is highly secretive. As for shrines, there was some consideration to make one over it, along with a mine, yet most really wished to stay away from it, yet as it becomes naught but a distant memory, that might change. Lastly, currently the place is left alone, rarely one or two entering just to make sure its gone and returning with no new news. He promises however than on his return, he will write a letter of recommendation to do something about the place, at least to set up a small base there to make sure.

>>4104640
>1: advise the populace to breed more
While our country is rich in resources, our advertising department looks towards the prospects of the future. The amount of resources, and room to grow, allows for one's children to be prosperous, long after their parents have reached the end of their lives. As such, our people are advised to stay of good health, settle down with family when the time allows, and of course, have more children. In order to promote this, a hatchery is constructed, just outside of Megalo. It will serve as a place for meluz to reserve a specific area, and to lay eggs which belong to them. This hatchery is a sort of half-burrow, some parts stretching above-ground, while others are shut away beneath castor's dirt. The young are sensitive to harsh light, after all.

>2: reinforce the wall around Thesi
It's not good enough!

>war: transport the dwarven donations to thesi
That catapult looks like it'll be useful, and we were just starting to run out of venom here. We will place them strategically, so they may help kill the most flesh, while staying out of harm's way.

>>4104637
This new magical development is most interesting and could prove extremely useful on the battlefield. Although we will hold out on using it at this moment for the army of Paitoy is not yet strong enough...
action 1:
The recent near extinction of the noble frogs has been met with much weeping, but now is not the best time for mourning as day by day the jungle and swamp sets out to turn back the just conquest of it by civilization, thus we must colonize this region, and maybe, just maybe we might find some still living frogs among the decay...
>colonize river reed and the tile north of it
action 2:
The recent flood of xythos is most alarming, but our recent acquiring of dwarven gold through mercenary work can help to soothe this destruction and mend the wounds inflicted.
>send the amplect army and the half of the paitoy army sent to work as mercenaries to the rendezvous with the ashbeard dwarves as they have hired us, then use a portion of this money to relieve xythos through a program which will see dragons paid by that coin assisting in the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, along with using the money to buy food to feed anyone who has lost their livelyhood in the flood. As compensation to the amplect derived mercenary money used hand out copies of our holy texts written in tarnish in order to spread our religion

>>4104635
1.
A catwalk of skin and flesh stretches across the wall of Ingil'dra, the slime will not be needing the harsh glare of the sun any longer. From here some of the resident monks try a long held theory, combining the inanimate with the living. Cravic salt is cast in the mold of a series of bone bricks, fed by an inner vein from above. The initial pillars are sealed, coating in a crust of salt, lowered, and then filled. While the slime make take a few of the outer bricks, the salt inside with the coating should cripple them. More are sunk and the bone-salt-coral forms a unified barrier, dividing the slime pool into uniform sections for optimal harvesting.

2.
The Rautlet nest is smuggled back to the relative safety of the Factory as the battle wages, while it's sister moves over the Bridge, gorging on blood in Grist'let, and recieving Kahro Packages in [Pentagon].

>War
A team of flying Karnis bearing in their grasp a skin-tarp, filled neatly with packed Karnis shields, tailored for the Chern'blog, hammer their wings through the air. Planning to fly escorted by flesh ships escorting below through the Wending Straight from the Bridge, and deliver the arms to the Landing Party

>>4107106
>Diplo: Tidal
We ask the tidal about naval aid in fending off the flesh. Currently, they are taking a section of our land, coming in from the sea. If we are able to cut them off, then we could gain the upper hand, and remove their presence from the Meluz lands. Thesi, our main fishing village, is threatened by their overwhelming presence. If the Tidal aid us with naval support, then we will allow Tidal merchants to trade in all our major cities, so long as they specify that they are representing the Tidal nation in some way.

>>4104637
Actions:
-The Karnis assemble their scholars within the Labyrinth. Here they begin the work of discussing, collecting, collaborating and discerning the knowledge they've acquired over their time working within the earth. The ants might be born as intuitive diggers, but new members to the workforce take time to learn their trade, and lack of experience often leads to fatal accidents for young Tu'Karn. Now, for the first time, the scholars pool their collective knowledge together to form the Katak'Zik (Earth Guild), an organisation dedicated to studying the ways of living and engineering underground and disseminating that knowledge throughout the swarm. Young Tu'Karn are sent to the Katak'Ziks where they are taught all they need to know before joining the workforce at large, arming them with the knowledge they need to serve.

>>4103828
-Though the slimes may be gone, the batch left in its place holds potential still. For that potential to be realized, preparations must be made. It might be a dried husk of its origin, but it will require the work of both the Karnis and Cravers to pull off. As the scholars and monks debate and theorize, a consensus is reached and a plan starts to formulate. With their role clear, the Karnis aim to expand the pens of the Tuki birds. The Tuki are used as slime feed, dumped within the sludge pits and left slimy graves. Additionally, the Karnis carve a canal with a feeding gate to control its flow from the river to the North that leads to the Slime Pit, hoping to quench the otherwise parched batch of its thirst.

>Sable
Ti'Clika might have made the same mistake as Nethazar, but she is not her mother. The words of the Queen echo within her head, "Madness" is all she hears. No! She will prove herself to be nothing like her mother, but how? She ponders for a long time before it dawns on her. If Nethazar ran from the Queen, then Ti'Clika will run towards her. "Surely if I return to her, she'll see that I am pure!". Hastily she assembles her court to study the mercury in greater detail, and its affects on the ants. "One day, soon, we shall all be one!".

[R]umor

1-2. Magical Research [NM]
The control over fire, healing properties, and even the lightning magics of the moon elves, are all of intense curiosity to the church. They set about utilizing the Scarlet College and the Chamber to acquire as much information about mystic matters as they can get their hands on. Everything from experimentation to prayers for guidance under the influence of lucium are used to glean more understanding of what lies beyond the veil of the divine.

(map will be updated with turns & war stuff hopefully tomorrow, but definitely by Friday)

THE ONGOING NORTHERN WAR pt.6

-The Movement of Troops & The War in the Tunnels-
Chern'bolg, those foul ape approximates, join the guard at the southern fort. Wary of the extraordinary new weapons the Dwarves seem to hold, they wait and watch. In the mountains, Dwarves continue their efforts in locating and collapsing the Ants tunnels, all the way to the hills. Their fort however cannot be so easily done away with, and Dwarves find themselves slipping into the cavern, where they are eagerly torn apart. But the Ashen figure that, with their tunnels cut off, the Ants will soon surely starve. The Ants, after the grand panic of finding each end of their escape cut off, begin searching for any other possible way out, all the while they are watched and shot at by bemused Silver-beards. A few of the more lithe workers find these holes, but can scarcely register their discovery before they are booted or butted down. Sable attempts to clear the way north are met with Dwarven bolts, for they have view over much of the Fort. By the time the Ants back home know what has happened, it is surely too late for any of the workers, for the soldiers stationed there jealously guard the handful of titanom, rationing their precious nectar. Still, the ambush tunnels may yet prove useful, and the order is given to clear them. The workers sent in protected by thick iron shields over their carapaces, deflecting anything the Dwarves fire at them. Armoured soldiers watch over the workers, spitting at Dwarves who dare too close. In this way, they manage to, ever so slowly, work their way back to the Fort. They find but mandible-nibbled chitin, and crazed Sable soldiers who are swiftly put down. They were still watched by piercing eyes peering over grey beards from all about. At the same time, the Re'Karo are released, squirming and burrowing, hoping to scout Dwarven inlets, finding them to wind and twist seemingly at random. Dwarves having retreated from the acid-spewing soldiers, hear these intruders, ferret them out, and crush them beneath heel. Unbeknownst to these Ashen, this triggers a chain reaction through laid pheromone trails, alerting the Ants that their spies had been not only found out, but killed. In anger, soldiers make their way quickly through the churned stone left by the leeches, and spring upon the Dwarves, snapping and spitting.
After the Meluz attack on the Flesh Mission, and the vein is severed, every quart of viscera which was once sent to that holy place is pumped into the production of ensnaring vein-wire. Wormlings are seeded into decay, and are soon a fighting force of their own. Those Snakes who had caused such devastation call up their Ashen masters and Gylden friends to aid them in their conquest, and with them come those Depaun mercenaries.

THE ONGOING NORTHERN WAR pt.7

-The "Battle" at the Flesh Mission-
When the invaders from the east had claimed the Sable Outpost and had then seemed satisfied, Karnis and Craver forces had both retreated to safer inland territories. Shortly after this, the fresh Kahro having used up that dead flesh of the Mission, withdrew also. They leave behind the nest of Raut'let, and a shallow pool of dead slime, though the former would join them once the Meluz army marched onwards. For save a few of these obstinate insects, and a small band of grazing Rut'ra & Rover, the Snakes meet no resistance, and take the land with ease. But from these newly held lands, they feel the eyes of uncountable demons of Flesh watching their every move.
New Rut'ra patrol the land between the border and their tainted river, it is a considerable force, one which the Meluz did not wish to anger further.

-The Massacre at Thési-
The Landing Party receive word from their scouts, there is to the south a lookout tower, and a city, who have no doubt one given news of the Flesh's arrival to the other. The Priest-Captains rally their army of miscreatures, and begin the march on the Meluz city of Thési. Many fighting-fit Snakes had been enlisted for defence in the north, leaving only city guard to protect the settlement. The populace arm themselves with whatever they can, or else slip into their hiding places. In the few hours afforded them, a wall of stone is erected, stout, but imperfect. It is red dusk when the Flesh arrives, howling into the cooling air. From their towers the Meluz guards fire arrows at the coming horde, only for them to bounce off rigid shields and carapaces of thick bone. There is silence then. Pulled by two-legged Kos'tr, a Priest-Captain fires a strange device at the wall, launching a disgusting glob of viscous slime which sizzles and spits as it lands against the stone. Gracelessly it slides down the wall, corroding as it falls, until it lands in the dirt and eats away at that too. A warning? No, a signal. The Flesh beasts of unimaginable design descend upon the walls, tearing at the stones. In time they have made headway, collapsing a small section onto themselves, crushing them. They seem not to care, for with an entry they pour into the city. First defenders attack the swarm with envenomed blades, but even as their blood thickens and they decay from within, the Flesh fights on. Soon the venom is exhausted, but still they come. It is a hellish torrent, the monsters slay all in their path as they ransack Thési. Each Snake fights if he can, but against the unending carnage their is no respite. The streets run red, Craver and Meluz bodies lay where they died, trampled and broken. With the battle won, though with nearly all of the army dead, the Priest-Captain steers his Kos'tr back to the coast. Only those few cowards who burrowed deep within the earth were saved, and emerge at sunrise to the horror that is Cravic Revenge.

THE ONGOING NORTHERN WAR pt.8

-The Northern Advance-
The Dwarves rally their troops for a final battle. Ashbeard, Gylden, & Meluz are joined by goat, boar, and siege, most notably the Quicklime-Hurlers. They trundle o'er the Field of Carnage, give a brief prayer, then continue their march through the burned lands. At the border, they are seen by Cravic lookouts, who raise the alarm to the creatures stationed thereabouts; Chern'bolg, Rut'ra, & Kos'tr, twisted almost beings of ape, horse, & crocodile. Behind them lay the city-nest of Nu Delta, brimming with Kahro, but they are yet to join the forces of Flesh. The combined Dwarven army press on, readying their weapons, bathed in Rattler venom. As the might of the Dwarves continues onward they are met with far greater numbers than they had anticipated, for those beasts once sent to aid the Flesh Mission were no longer needed so far east.
The Dragons take flight assessing the battlefield, casting lightning into the throng until the sky itself is overrun with Raut'let & Zo'Karn. The combined swarm forces the winged mercenaries out, back to their lines. Now the Dwarves loose their Hurlers, throwing rock and lime into the massed Flesh, the burning stone eating into the raw meat. Next a rain of bolt & javelin descends upon the advancing creatures, who charge toward the Dwarves, only to be met with an unbreakable wall of spears and shields. More, the grounded Dragons provide overhead assistance. In this way many mindless Rut'ra & Kahro are slaughtered, the Dwarves marching over their remains. Again the hurlers are loosed, though now mostly rock showers over the horde. Losses mounting, and the direct approach less successful than before, the Cravers pull back, past their fort. Dwarves move to take the gory tower, only for those first souls to become ensnared by hidden spines. Only when envenomed does the vein-wire shrink back, but not before pumping its dark & venomous ooze into the victims. The fort is cut all over with infused blades, and left to decay, the Dwarves march on.
The spiralling nest-city of Nu Delta creeps into view as the Cravers continue to fall back, retreating to Burlargh'let, though the aerial insects remain a grounding nuisance. With the last of their quicklime ammunition, they bombard the burrow-tower. Mixed with these are pots of venom, hoping to wither away whatever in Therkuunaz's name the thing was. With their message delivered, the Ashen and their armies make their way home.

END OF INTERLUDE.

>>4104635
1. Work on the Fuel is done.

2. The Grenades we have are also worked on,

Rumor as well

>>4104640
The glyphs are minor for now, but in the future, we see we will use for many important things.

1. Is there a possibility we can imbue glyphs with other type of magic? This calls for more research on the mysteries of power made into writing. Begin the creation of S'cie Lexicon
2. The H'yomi had enough time to breed to a suitable number to finally join B'yogi military operations. At first they were bar from joining if they wish since there weren't many of them, but now they can. We will train most into the main army while we select few we secretly train as spies.

>>4109334
Rumor also if I can.

File: Map35.png (494 KB, 2048x2628)

494 KB PNG

SCENE THREE

>>4104677
>Tarn
Quagspire is in a state of disarray & disrepair, seeming to have been abandoned shortly after the collapse of the extraction point. Little of use is left, the imperfect cannisters having leaked their gas long ago, much of the sulphur having been washed away, and what remains being dirtied with age & copper rust. Of the machinery, nothing is in working order, the bronze turning green, the cloth rotting, the little iron rusting stuck. The waste-treatment plant is likewise in ruin, the stench of the mounting sludge reaching the soldiers before they can even see it. There had been around the two towns little in the way of other settlements, save a cabin or two dotted about the jungles, these too having been abandoned. Everything the Men survey is abandoned. Only the walls of River Reed remain standing tall, though even these are becoming overgrown.
Tarnic medical practices for lifetimes had been entwined with superstition and "magic", wise women and apothecaries gave amulets as much as herbal medicines. The two epidemics, one after another, threw into sharp relief that a prayer or a charm is no longer sufficient. The clean-up efforts are monumental, not only of the streets, but of the bodies. New cemeteries are designated outside the city walls, and those dead who are not claimed find themselves at the authorities mercy; though they are as yet to decide if they should be burnt or sent to a mass grave. A Pharmacopoeia is written up, a definitive textbook of which of the hundreds of plants and animals currently in use, are in fact of any use, and for which specific ailments they are useful. The FHR theories of miasmas and cleanliness-above-all-else take foothold, having with these two vanquished in their own way a virulent sickness by the name of 'Elezen Cough'. Roads should be cleaned at least twice a moon-cycle, sewers regularly flushed through, and cesspits dug deep and far outside city limits. Sweet smelling herbs should be planted all over, to deter the build up of malodours, and vermin like rats dealt with without hesitation. The sick should be quarantined not in their own homes, but purpose built wards, whose staff keep their mouths & noses covered, and whose walls & floors are easily scrubbed clean. Medical instruments should be made of steel, or else tusker-ivory which has been boiled with pine sap, and tools whatever their make should frequently be boiled clean for at least an hour. So too should bedding, clothing, and all else which comes in contact with the diseased. If all this is followed, outbreaks should be manageable, and their spread quashed.

>>4104703
>Ashbeards
Zuvvotuz would stand proud on any battlefield, and now with the Northern War won, they stand watch at the Dwarven border. Similarly, those reinforcements called up from the south, are put to the defence of the north.

>>4105461
>Llychlyn
[D] The sea to the west rages, waves crash against the western coast at twice their usual height. It should be no worry to those on land, but ships should steer clear until the storm passes.
With all their trepidation, their efforts pay off. Compassionate testing finds that the extract of this plant may also be boiled dry and the resultant powder more readily dissolved in wine or mixed with honey as a sweet salve. Though it does not cure the disease outright, twice daily administration of the extract in any of its forms lessens symptoms so that they are manageable for even the very weak. No garden should henceforth be without this gracious plant. It is by the end of the month, that only those who have already brought forth blood, the newborn, or the ancient, are the only victims of the accurséd sickness. If caught before the final stages, which is eminently easy to do, any who are unfortunately infected should keep to their bed, take the before ascribed medicines, and boil their linens every night. In this manner they should be once again free of the disease in four moons.
With such help, and the Gylden's own effort in learning the Llychlyn language, it is easy work compiling this third foreign dictionary.

>>4106369
>Gyldenthrong
As the Gylden had aided the Wolf-folk learn their tongue, so too is the favour returned.
The Torz'vogaz Training Academy are quick to enlist those first engineers from Æblekag, as well as recruiting willing members of the Korgardun'grutt for the construction, testing, and implementing of even greater weaponry. Their initial efforts find that the Ashen Zuvvotuz already pushes the limits in terms of sheer size, as larger constructs require such tension to launch that all manner of tragedy befalls them; Ropes snap, beams splinter, fittings give way. Subtle improvements however significantly lengthen the lifespan of the Dwarven siege equipment, with supports here or cuts there, a factor of redundancy is introduced.

>>4107039
>Meluzina
It is before the news of Thési reaches the capital that this newest campaign is dreamt up. The Hatchery is the first thing to be done, with donations from members all over the city, and its construction widely talked about for including the latest innovations in the protection and raising of eggs and hatchlings. More, a small tax deduction is given to families who increase their brood, and prizes given to those mothers with the largest clutches of each breed. These minor incentives are enough to get Meluz to get gettin', and it is only in the following days as word trickles in that the terrible events at Thési dampen the mood.

>Meluzina cont.
Meluz crawl from their hiding spots with the dawn, and find Thési in a terrible state. The streets run red, and bodies of foul creature and innocent Snake alike are strewn all about. The wall it seems had been toppled, and the Flesh begun a slaughter unimaginable. No living thing can be found, not even hatchlings were spared. Horror is found in every home & burrow. The Flesh had not only killed but looted also, stealing anything which shone or showed great work. Smoke rose into the morning sky as small fires burned, though it seems the Creatures did not set them instead erupting from unattended fireplaces and the like, perhaps they do not have the intellect to do so. With noon come Tarnic guards, sent only hours too late. Though how were any to know how quick the assault would be? They help the Meluz clear away the bodies with dignity, at least where they could be distinguished, so brutal was the onslaught. Fires are put out, the Flesh sent to be burnt. Shortly before dusk the Gylden reinforcements too arrive. Mostly new recruits they were not prepared to be witnesses to such terrible grief and savagery. (>>4106369, >>4104677, >>4107172)
Unsure when the next attack may come, a more substantial wall is erected, built so that no single stone may be pried free. With Meluz, Tarnic, & Gylden input, it may well be the sturdiest wall east of the mountains. With these walls, are built two imposing towers, crowned with admittedly outdated catapults. Still, it will give pause to those Beasts!

>>4107106
>Tidal
Depaun settlers travel to the land of the Frogfolk, and find that all outside the walls of River Reed lay abandoned. The jungle to the north, quite distinct from the other forests of Outer Soghoia, has rather dry and rigid ground, with little in the way of ground-cover. In a clearing of said land, lay the green and corroded shell of a large metal beast. As they draw nearer they see it is built as a crude likeness of the Dragons themselves, though its face seems to have, melted? Little else of use is found between the trees. River Reed however was a different matter, for although Nature struggled to retake the concrete walls, the gates were shut and barred. Polite as ever, a Depaun rapped at the wooden door. No answer at first came, and so he knocked again. Faintly he heard the patter of bony feet, and the eye slot of the side door slid open, necessitating the Dragon to stoop to meet the sunken, yellowing eyes of a grey skinned Frog. "We are ill. Turn back and leave at once." Before anything else can be said the slot slams shut again, and the feet feebly flop away. Now the Dragons take air, to survey the city without interference. No fires are lit, though it is a cold day, and no Soghoian can be seen hopping along the avenues. The waterways lay stagnant, and dried poppy wreaths can be seen on many doors, a Kalkahn, and now Soghoian-adopted tradition meaning a death in the household.

>Tidal cont.
Having taken this in, a contingent land in the central square of the city, noting that the fountains run dry, and even the once resplendent town hall hangs now with but a simple, dried poppy wreath. A Dragon holds up her hand, calling for a hush, thinking she can hear, whispers? No, it is just the wind through a leafless tree. Evidently at least one Frog lives, but he has seemingly vanished. A few nearby houses are searched, finding them empty, an eerie repeat of the fate of the Jackalope is feared.
A sizeable mercenary army of Amplect & Paitoy Depauns are sent to Ulzunteg'dun through Gylden lands; They are now in Ashen hands. Also come Dragons to Xycthos, to aid in the relief efforts there after their terrible accident. All they ask in exchange is a little hospitality, and to freely spread the word of the Obadinia, through the distribution of holy texts. (>>4104703, >>4104677)

>>4107214
>Karnis
Truly innate knowledge of the way of things was lost in the glorious transition to Karnis, of course, some intuition remains but not enough to avoid disaster. With the introduction of the Katak'Zik, the collective is brought in line in regards to proper procedure, safety, and design. Each Karnis Ant understands she must play her part diligently, without slacking, without cutting corners or time.
The oft-maligned Tuki, used for so long as only Leech-feed, now pull double duty as Slime-feed as well. With the steady addition of water, the thought dead Slimes resumed very slowly in their movements, creeping gradually from their deepest basin towards meat or drink. The great mass swelled noticeably, though not a large amount, with the "eating" and "drinking", likened to a filling belly. Given continued care, the Slimes may return to a more vivacious state.

>>4107172
>Cravers
It is a risky gamble, but one the priests are willing to make. The slime is sectioned off and each quadrant given a vein to provide it with water and an platform from which the Karnis' Tuki birds may be dropped. It is, with only some losses, a success. One which now allows the Union of Flesh to conduct experiments in situ.
Both Raut'let nests are safely moved. The younger being fattened for the flight ahead, before being given their seeding orders and loaded with Kahro wormlings.

>>4107892
>Vossiks
[R] He shows it off in a small glass phial of Gylden make, it is viscous and barely moves. A fellow chamberlad says he has to be joking with them, it's just piss in a jar, right? No, it's real. Snakes the size of men, and this is their venom right here. But this isn't all he'd pilfered, he had on him two dozen of these phials, though he refused to give away how he had obtained them.

>Vossiks cont.
[NM] BAALUR IN HIS MANY FORMS GRANTS GIFTS TO HIS WORTHY. MEN AND SHADOW HAS HE BESTOWED HIS FOUL BOUNTY UPON. THROUGH FAITH ALONE ARE THESE THINGS GIVEN. Thus an answer is provided.
The Lightbringer has granted the Elezen the gifts they are worthy of, and only through continued belief and thanksgiving will they be kept. The magical fires an adept may cast forth will be only ash if his faith wavers, or else fail and engulf him. Contrariwise, an adept who is bolstered in his belief may raise an inferno, though at great personal cost for it is divine will that flows through his mortal veins. As for the healing magics, which are granted only at the Temple of the New Sun, these too are the flow of divine will. As it can be understood, only with the blessing of a god can their be magic in this realm, either through the grace of His Majesty, or as the foul gifts of Baalur. (at least how the Elezen see it) Of the Moon Elves who dwell with the barbarians, there can be little said. They hail from some outside place. No doubt their powers are too given to them by the Demon. The Lucium was likewise a gift from the Lightbringer, and its ingestion to bring about answers or futures to come, rests on His whims. The dose of the metal within the sacred drink has been relatively conservative, it is risky, but more may be added to an as yet unknown effect.

>>4108935
>FHR
[R] Through Tarnic traders, there come tales of some strange half-men creatures to the north of their own lands. Said grittidim are of generally Human appearance above the waist, but the illusion is lost when one sees that they rest upon the body of a serpent, and within their mouths do grow quite gruesome fangs.
The students who had postulated how to best produce a suitable fuel from coal tar, though many have since graduated, are called upon to put their hypothesised method into practice. They are given a plot of flat land outside of the Engineering District, a team of labourers, and a substantial sum to construct their laboratory, though through an appointed clerk who is to oversee the entire operation. First is constructed a warehouse of a good height and breadth, and a large quantity of rolled metal purchased, along with a high cost three lengths of rubber hosing. Experts from a variety of fields are called in as needed, without however letting them see the whole apparatus. After a solid two months of constant work, as well as being severely over the estimated budget, tests are run.

>FHR cont.
Coal tar is pumped into a tank along with a small amount of crushed iron ore and distilled alcohol, then with an attached bellows as much air as possible removed, before a fire is lit beneath the tank. With use of a hidden contraption inside said tank which requires a flow of cold water, a yellowish and far less viscous liquid is produced. The resultant fluid stinks when exposed to air and leaves a near irremovable residue on whatever it touches. The apparatus can produce approximately a half pint of the fuel, for every gallon of coal tar, along with of course firewood, a near-constant supply of water, iron ore from Dezna, alcohol, and the men to power the pumps and bellows. The team frets it will be seen as a failure.
The once solely handheld devices sometimes called "fire-pots", see some testing as ammunition for catapults. In this manner they may increase both their size and distance, and in turn perhaps their effects.

>>4109334
>B'yogi
[R] The Watcher is adamant it has seen them. Seven, no, eight feet tool they were, with floppy ears and tails, but the body of a H'yomi. They were staying with the Elves, the snooty ones, not the Dark Friends, but were going to be sailing to see more H'yomis, but short ones to the south. No it's true! It saw this with it's own eye!
[D] Terrible winds whip across the sea, swirling, billowing, spiralling, until at last a whirlwind grows. It edges northwards heading straight for Feast. The howling winds blow straight through the fortified settlement, whipping the sands into itself. It carries on over the small desert into the plains, tearing up grass and crop, throwing them all over. They turnm narrowly avoiding Avarice, though showering it with rain and debris. When it is checked, the B'yogi will find little of Feast remaining, and flood waters surging through the streets.
Other spells are tried; ones to cast lights, ones to shroud in darkness, ones to smother in silence. All of these are, at least to some extent, a success. But each requires their own symbol, and none work without the magic turquoise paint. Trials show the bigger the rune, the bigger the effect, though there seems to be an upper limit of about a H'yomi-height wide. This seems to have exhausted the B'yogi spellbook.
Speaking of H'yomis, enough now call Jubilation home that they may join the risky profession of soldier and spy. The Dark Friends may be sent east to listen in on the movements in their home country, and the Garnish can be loaded onto their own ships to sail the world for the B'yogi. It is a good plan, which will bring much to learn about.

END OF SCENE THREE.

>>4110480
1. If more work must be put into the fuel, so be it. The FHRDF will have their flamethrowers.

2. Improvements to magic, both offensive and defensive.

>>4110460
Action 1: A new discovery
The Tarnish shipping market is a cutthroat industry, and even the richest and largest fleets must constantly be looking for an edge over the competition. One of the biggest areas where time could be saved is in the Long Route, the shipping lane that supplies goods to the Free Human Remnant in exchange for steel. The weight of the steel means that every day spent at sea is more expensive than the last. As a result, merchants begin experimenting with ways to cut time off the passage by risking a more direct path, remaining out of sight of land for days at a time. This path carries many dangers, chief among them disorientation. Without any landmarks, it’s easy to get turned around. One such merchant caravan, sailing south instead of west, find themselves on the coast of a new land.
>Discover CoF
>>4105461

Action 2: Mining and industry.
The Tarns leverage their new understanding of geology to delve deeper, aiming to reach the richer veins of iron their scientists have discovered. This iron is purified and forged into cast iron products for the mass market, including mass production of the giant ribs necessary for massive architecture and naval projects.

>>4107106
>Please ping when you make actions that pertain to me.
The Tarns thank the Tidals deeply for their offer of assistance. They politely decline the offer of aid in exchange for proselytization. They are willing to accept whatever the Tidals are willing to provide without need for compensation.

>>4110465
With what can be considered an extremely effective treatment to Melltith yr Anadl Olaf, there would be much relief for the Children of Fanw and Llychlyn. They'd be exceptionally pleased with their work for good reason, and while the sickness certainly was still a annoyance and still very much an issue initially, but soon enough, the numbers truly go on a decline, and it will only be a matter of time before this plague is naught but a memory, or at least the danger it posed. Regardless, things would start to return to normal, with the exception of fishing around Lunedannedd being temporarily suspended due to the waves. At least the small industry that existed in the north would be unaffected.

Due to the fact that there was actually time for it now, and resources could be used elsewhere, Blodwyn would finally be able to do some testing like she originally planned. Armor of blessed steel and arrows tipped with normal iron and ones with blessed steel would be made. The tests initially would be simply to see how well the human armor held up against the arrows of iron, and if they didn't penetrate, which was expected, blessed steel tipped arrows would be used for further testing to see if they could punch through. After this, axes, spears, and swords would be tested on the sets of human armor, specifically those of blessed steel. Naturally, armor used for one test wouldn't be used for another. There was a large amount bought for a reason. After the human armor was tested, that of both home made iron and blessed steel armor would also be tested, experimental designs for effectiveness at surviving blows of arrows and blades would also be done. Eheubryd would actually get involved in this, at least in the attempt to make a design that was both effective and looked nice without taking too much longer to make, though due to her knowledge on smiting being...lacking, combined with Clan Nist's secretiveness with blessed steel, she'd not be able to do too much.

>Action One & Two. Test blessed Steel on Remnant Steel, along with normal iron. We will see how well the greatest armor we know of on the lands across the seas holds up compared to our own works.

>>4106941
The crew of the LCL would remain at shore for now. Not because they desired to, but because Neifion, and a decent number of his Llewelyn brothers and sisters could tell, there was a storm back where home was. Still, it gave more time to feast and have festivities at least.


>>4110776
Likely a bit lost at this point rather than finding an actually effective new rout to the FHR, the ship which ended up sailing south found itself off a cold, snowy cost with a large forest. Initially, one might think they ended up making a wrong turn and ended up back south where the Gylden were, but as they grew closer and looked longer, they'd notice the parts of the trees not covered in snow were not the kind they were used to, instead having a purplish bark rather than a dark brown. If they got close enough, they would potentially be able to see a tall hooded figure. They'd likely not make much more out, but they looked human from this distance...

>>4110460

>Action 1: Engineering Works

Open mercentile trade with the Vossiks and their Nomach subjects has made new goods and materials available in Gylden markets, just as Gyleden produce is now entering theirs. And with new trade comes exposure to new ways and practices, from which we can learn to improve our own. Turning clockwork cog-teeth, wheels driven by wind and water, driving belts and weighted arms. So many ways, and so many combinations. Though the artillerists' academy of Torz'vogaz is a fine place, many of those first engineers from Æblekag see it as limited in scope, the purpose of the place narrow and directed. Petitioning for, and obtaining a charter and funds for establishment the nascent Engineering Academy secures and makes purchase of lands south of the giant's river, reasonably close to Æblekag and Jorgaster as well as proximal for coal. An academy complex and a town to service it are raised at Kendt'koldrag.


>Action 2: Forge Improvements

Since the establishment of the Jorgaster forges, both we and our neighbors have made discovers and advances, and the demand for forged goods from all areas has only increased as new metals and products have hit the market, and new ideas start coming from the minds of our engineers. We make expansion and improvement to the Jorgaster forges to meet our increased demand for the wonders of Steel and Brass.


>War Action: Cut the Flesh

The coastal salient near Asteri and Thesi Psarion needs to be cut out; but the arrival of Tarnish troops to hold and support against the fleshtide convinces us it can be done. We ready a strike toward the landing zone, and Dwarf troops drink from and share out the Gylden Ichor with allied and Mercenary forces in anticipation of battle to come.

>>4107039
>Diplomacy: Meluz
The Meluz are told of our current plans, but of course, this is their land. Their opinion is asked, and co-ordination is sought.

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>>4111912
>(Pic related)

>Diplomacy: Cewri
Rathi Snovighelm bids Jotte a good mid-day as he comes to hold meeting with the leader of the Cewri community. He comes to see how their people are fairing, if they have any needs or requests that can be helped with. They certainly seem to be doing a fine job in the construction trade, and he praises the mastery they are showing at the crafts they choose.


>>4111900
>Diplomacy: Lychlyn

The Dwarves nod. They are worried because it sounded a cursed place, and strong with the cold and dark of Snehvid; but they are pleased to hear it has been so thoroughly broken. The Scholar has heard of cursed places before, such as a fell stone that used to stand in the eastern land of Tarn, and fell mountain face that their northern Kin found and purified by shaping it to the image of the god of the forge. He is glad to hear that the Llychlyn, too, are driving out the fell from the darkness and opening up the light.

After thinking a while, and taking another slice of bacon, the Scholar asks the children of Fanw if they would consider letting him join them when they sail away. He knows he is getting on a bit, but the tales of their lands have awoken a curiosity within him, and to see the things they describe for himself sounds quite intriguing. One last adventure, perhaps.

The flesh is driven back.
Dwarven eyes now turn to the invaders of the west.
Leaving many to guard the wall and fort in the case the beasts seek to spill blood once more. The more fresh and eager warriors from the south are now sent to deal with the ants. Brought with them is half the Zuvvotuz of the northern army that they will use to bring down the wall.
Being that the new design allows for improved travel, they should be capable of transporting the machines in multiple smaller wagons through the forest before they are set down and constructed at a clearing either natural or one to be cleared by lumberdwarves, where they begin a barrage against the wall.
A portion of the army stationed at the hill remains, dumbing any remaining Meluzina venom and quicklime they can obtain into an opening down to the ant tunnels to cut them off, while the majority meet with their reinforcing kin at the wall to aid and protect against any ants that may attack.
>War in the West

Now that relative peace is at last achieved, or at least will be soon, the dwarves can and must rebuild and regrow.
Families once seeking refuge in the underworld from their homes in the overworld return to their farms and mines in the north, finding many of their friends and family lost to the conflict but new relationships are formed with the stubborn farmers that were miraculously spared the wrath of the beasts, now helping each other sow the seeds for a nation at peace, at least they hope.
Workers would also be brought from the underworld to rebuild and continue the work of the Gylden to establish a solid barrier should the northern menace attack once more.
>Rebuild

>>4107195
Any mercenaries of the Tidal that remain paid but perhaps not for their full service are sent to aid the Meluzina in their endeavors.
For now, the Ashen release themselves from struggle against the flesh.

>>4110460
1.
The Dead Fort is hand seeded from Nu Delta with wormlings, while the Bulargh'let's envenomed portions are excised quickly, and examined. Any drop of venom, combined with a viable corpse could spell the key to the Flesh's safety. Should any be recovered, it is secreted away with haste, to Neverborn for immediate experimentation.

>Heal my buildings, and get venom samples for research

2.
With the Gastric Caster's newly proven power, and slime's newly crafted productivity, the Lord of Flesh issues an edict of Open Shaping. Flesh across the Union is told to unite in hands and arms against the oppressor, and communal slime storage units- held high in flesh dwellings of Craver/Kahro/Karnis. Grist'thromir made some races weaker or stronger than others, but the Cravers have made all equal. With the force of arms in the people, a drive of energy against the oppressors. The newborn Kahro, set themselves busy with constructing a border wall to cover the plains from the damned stunted men pour from, before returning to Nu Delta.

>Mass armament of Gastric Casters throughout Union Populace, 2nd Amendment basically, Wormlings make some fun "trench-castles"

>War
The Landing Party and it's Priest-Captain step out into the Wending Straight, carried by gore ships and Kostr. Upon reaching barely within visual distance, the Craver sets about shaping a platform of flesh, maintaining position out in the sea. From here he maintains surveillance of the coastline, directing Kostr up and down the coast.

>Diplo
>Karnis
The Cravers lend their ant friends all the Rutra and aid they could possibly need in the incredibly cheeky and devious plot. "Monument Theft?"

>Vossik
The strange camouflage wolves of Hel'grind are bred for their fur, neatly separated cleanly, with a stony gray pattern almost akin to brickwork. The Vossiks of Tyr awake in the morning with a single Craver offering a pile of furs outside the city gates. If approached, the monstrous being states in the language of the Sable/Karnis, that it is a foreign doctor/priest from the east: hailing from the Charnel Lands. He offers the furs as a gift, and wishes to offer his services to the people of the city. If his services are not required he would be pleased to merely hear of the Vossiks and their history, and perhaps buy goods from them, as all they know is that they are good friends of the Karnis.

>>4111933

The place certainly was cursed and forsaken, even if they don't know who this Snehvid is. But, the plague it put upon Llychlyn was some time now, still a relatively recent memory, but not that new. They would be curios about the cursed places that the Dwarves mentioned, along with how they changed it to a visage of one of their gods. It felt like a fitting way to purify something. Though, with the mention of 'tarn' Rhisiart would ask about them, seeing how they hadn't known or learned about them. When the Dwarven Scholar asked if they'd let him join their voyage home, Rhisiart would relay it to Captain Neifion and, soon after inform the Gylden Dwarf that he has agreed. They'd explain that they planned on heading back to Llychlyn for a short amount of time once the seas were calm once more, and after they would head north to try and find the home of a 'remnant' people who arrived on their shores some time ago.

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>>4110465
>>4110471
The carnage at Thesi is gruesome, that much is obvious. We are unsure if gruesome is enough to describe it, but from the dwarves and the tarns, the help is much appreciated. If it is possible, We decide to leave some of the broken buildings where they once stood proud among their structural brethren, in order to show the world the misery it has wrought. We will never forget the Flesh attack against our beloved Thesi.

>1: loss compensation for Thesi
Though it was the flesh who thought themselves worthy of taking all those lives at Thesi, our leadership takes responsibility for not being hasty enough in its defensive efforts. Many government resources go towards the mental, physical, and financial recovery of Thesi survivors. May Castor heal their scars, as the flesh have cut deeper than anyone could have imagined.

>2: search for stronger materials
Walls of stone and wood work well, and our architecture supports that, but the attack at Thesi tells us that our enemy has many ways of ignoring our craftsmanship. As such, we scour the land, and look below Castor's bountiful dirt to find more resources. We hope to find something that will aid in the struggle against the flesh.
(pic related: red dot marks new dig site)

>>4111912
>War/Diplo: Gylden
We completely agree. The flesh must be stopped, and we have to push them back before they finish off the few survivors of their attack at Thesi.
For our own battle plans, we decide to head into the flesh territory directly. What we hope to do is cover as much of their claim as possible, and confine them to nothing more than a small section of their land.

>>4110465
>Lore: coming of age ceremony
The coming of age ceremony for the Meluzina consists of a journey across the current nation, from end to end. The young will become old as they travel to every corner of the known land. This will allow them to choose exactly the career they like, in seeing all the possible paths they're able to take, or even forge on their own. Once their journey is over, they will head home one last time. An open-armed greeting, and not long after, a farewell, as they will have likely chosen their path in life long before they return.

>>4110471
A change in leadership?
It seems the first age of Paitoy has passed and the first of many second ages begins. Lyrara, once confined to an irrelevant power as their influence waned over 3 consecutive ages have now been elevated to a position few to no Dragons among them remember feeling. Being the intermediate of the two powers which once held dominance they are able to see this conflict from a different angle, and being inclined to desire to protect their interests in their immediate area, and with a fruitful new opportunity available they decide to take action in this war. Especially as the talks with the Cravers did not lead to any major actions by Paitoy.
The time of silence is over, and while an official declaration has yet to be made (doing things with such haste is not the draconic way) a time of building up forces must commence. And though the meluzina have no right to deny the Dragons their birthright their cooperation is still incredibly useful.
The tides of trade must never be obfuscated.

Action 1:
In this new age might weapons of war are needed, as we cannot let the waters be dominated by any other for that is our domain.
>build 3 new ships, which shall be built in a style labeled as "Cameros class warships", they shall be equipped with the finest in ranged weaponry we have available to us and shall have rams which are as sharp as axe heads. Their names shall be "Cameros", "Trantos" and "Inauquas".

Action 2:
The north and south, usually disagreeing on matters can agree on one thing. The Frogs must be remembered.
>put time and effort into a project which will provide a proper burial to all located frog corpses, preserve every frog home so that their dwellings will not be lost to time, even going as far as to move some to higher, dryer ground so that the swamp does not consume them. ( >>4110776 ) Also create a museum dedicated to them in a good spot in the region which contains tomes which outline all we know of them and the jackelopes who came before them. This project will also try to extend itself into tarnish claimed lands but only if the tarn agree to let them do so.

>>4110776 Diplo: Tarn
Due to the refusal of the Tarn a large portion of funding is withdrawn by Amplect. Although a little does remain which is then used by rouge amplect workers to spread the word to a few of the devastated households. The books are kept secret and are not officially recognized by any of the temples of the Dragons.

>>4107195 Diplo: Meluzina
A new administration has taken power in the Tidal region as Clam Lyrara takes hold, they of course are sympathetic to the cause of the snakes once opened trade is brought up and have begun the construction of many proper naval warships which will soon be sent to ravage the infested waters, this will be partnered with an official declaration of war once they are completed.

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>>4110478
actions:
-Once again the pit stirs with slimy life, however lethargic it might seem. Cautious to not repeat the mistakes of the past ad dissolve their latest members, the Karnis take to providing and caring for the slimes. Attention is given to their nature and behavior as the ants nurture the slime, studying how it reacts to them and their methods in an effort to domesticate the gelatinous entities.

>>4113186
-The land is dotted it with strange artifacts that come from times forgotten, such as The Grist'carn. The Cravers have encountered another structure of this nature as well, an obelisk that lies within dwarven lands. Though previous attempts to seize the territory had been successfully repelled, the ants resolve that if they cannot take the land then they'll simply settle for taking the Obelisk instead. The ants tear into the soft earth, the sound of tools furiously digging away at anything in their path near deafening in the tunnels. As the Re'Karo scout the way, and the ants dig, they take special measures to reinforce the tunnels so it will be stable during the heist. Eventually the Re'Karo report the location of the obelisk, and the Karnis prepare a chamber beneath it, with a slope leading up to it so that it may be gently brought down into the tunnels. At the dead of night, they break through to the surface and hastily work to drag the Obelisk down into the earth, where they collapse the opening shortly after it is secured, and with the aid of the Craver's muscular beasts it is dragged back to the Kahro city of (Triangle)

>>4110503
Diplo: FHR
Though they have pride in their own ways and tools, the swarm is not so foolish that it would not recognize that the other nations are indeed quite capable themselves. As such, diplomats are sent to negotiate with the Humans on the issue of trade, most notably seeking their competence to help give an edge in their war. Though the humans weren't underestimated by the trader princesses, they were taken aback regardless when the FHR presented them with not only arms to aid them, but access to their grenades as well. Gleefully a deal is struck between the Humans and the West and the Swarm of the North:
For the duration of the war, the Karnis will accept payment in weapons and armor for the rent of the plantation, while in exchange for the grenades the swarm offer what free ants they can as labor for their production.

>>4116097
The Tarns are fine with this, and contribute their own works and memorials to the project. A number of marble and copper sculptures of the lost races are commissioned and delivered to the museum.
>>4111900
The ship, interested, sails closer to the coast. The captain has heard of how the cravers were first discovered, and is eager to capture some of that same glory. As the ship approaches, the blue and gold flag of Tarnia is waved, hailing the foreigners and intended to show goodwill.

>>4116885

While the ship got closer, the figure in the woods seemed to watch them, and when they waved their flag, they seemed a bit confused. Noticeably, they'd approach the shore, abet at a distance still due to the waves. At this distance though, the tarn would be able to make them out better. A hunter clearly, going off of the bow in their left hand, and would certainly appear human. Though, at the distance they were at, it would be quite clear that this native was particularly tall, likely taller than anyone they ever saw. After a few moments of them simply staring at the ship, the hunter would simply point in the direction of the continuing shore, specifically to the north, and unbeknownst to the Tarns, to Lunedannedd.

1. Study the Venom

The venom procured by the Chamber would have medical uses. These are explored by members of the various universities in Terrata. Of these studies its use as a neuro-paralytic is of unique importance. While many a poor and homeless individual goes missing- lost to the dank depths of surgeons colleges and unscrupulous Human doctors, they do emerge with a greater understanding of anesthesiology. Consequentially, the demand for Meluz Nectar skyrockets in academic and medicinal circles for its use as a painkiller and sedative.

2. Prospecting
The territory of the Republic is vast and riches lie within it if they can be found.

>>4116235
Traders in Tyr and Tyrhen Voss have often traded with the ants. With the raging western conflict the trade turned from goods to foodstuffs. The Republic, with its vast food production, finds an easy market to export the surplus to. Easy to transport goods like grain, beans, and cattle are moved into Karnis lands by means of either ant merchants purchasing the goods at markets in the Republic, or arrangements are made to move the goods by river from Tyrhen down directly to the Crypts. By and large, payment for this comes in the form of precious stones, metals, exotic woods from Karnis jungles, and of course, war spoils.

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SCENE FOUR

(war post hopefully tomorrow)

>>4110503
>FHR
More money, more time, more labour. More must always be done! More must always be given! But, at last, though the methods are obscure, a suitable fuel is produced. Still, it is costly, in all ways, but its refinement is as good as it will get.
Through faith and faith alone are the powers of the arcane granted. The Kahad-Sajaak are given the gift of healing magics, though with the heavy cost of their own fortitude, and the Moon Elves & Half-Elves who pledge themselves in service of Slevni are bestowed with the power of lightning. Little more can be done to improve these gifts, for they are divine will flowing through mortal veins. Would asking for yet more be not petulant or ungrateful?

>>4110776
>Tarn
(>>4111898 They are in Llychlyn hands now, I trust you will find them agreeable)
Tyrns of study in so many fields have granted the Tarn a greater understanding of this rock on which they stand. And more importantly, how to withdraw from it that which can make Men rich. Ironstone is fodder, containing such trace amount of that real prize, iron. Following the tell-tale signs of increasing iron content within the stone, the Men dig deeper and deeper. It becomes apparent however, that the previous attempts to cause damage may well turn back on them, and so a great deal of time is taken in relocating the terrible dump of tailings and collected rubbish. After this is done, the tunnelling may recommence. Down, and down, to the very limit of Tarnic abilities, when at last, ore of incredible quality is discovered. But with it, their neighbour, those Dwarves. Though each is just as shocked as the other to meet face-to-face in the dimly lit and poorly ventilated shaft. (>>4112492)

>>4111898
>Llychlyn
The Blessèd Steel arrows pierce through wool, leather, and iron, only the highest quality steel of the Remnant Peoples halts them, and barely. With sufficient force, spears and thrusting swords likewise skewer through. If made heavy enough to follow through, axe and slashing swords make short work in the same fashion. Armour of Blessèd Steel stands up much as the steel armour of the Remnant Peoples in every test, bar one. For where the metal joins, a skilled armsmaster may find many an opportunity, yet these seem somehow more protected in armour of the same design but of Blessèd make.

>>4111912
>Gyldenthrong
The academy-town of Kendt'koldrag brings together, within her borders, every technical science known to Dwarf (and Elf, and Man, and Giant for that matter) where they may hopefully intermingle and birth further progress for all the world. They grow in friendly competition with Torz'vogaz, and advances of both are freely shared between them, only growing the good-natured rivalry further.
This terrifyingly modern world is one of metal, so fast away from the previous ages of wood & clay & stone. This machine of progress must be fed a steady diet of ore and coal.

>>4112492
>Ashbeards
From hill to hill, and well fortified along its whole length, a mighty stone wall stands against the Flesh. Perhaps talks should begin to connect this stout Dwarven defence with that of the Meluz.

>>4113186
>Cravers
The Dead Fort is subsumed entirely by? into? Kahro, and bolsters the rank squirming within Nu Delta most magnificently. As for the excision of Bulargh'let, this too is given over to the Kahro, but not before it is thoroughly inspected for any of that terrible venom which so harms the Flesh in all its many and glorious forms. It is embedded within the rot and pus that a miraculous discovery is made, the bottom half of a simple earthenware pot, and within, an auric wonder; Venom.
Though perhaps a little more erratic than is ideal, the Kahro perform valiantly in their task of constructing an earthen defence against the Dwarven menace.

>>4115947
>Meluzina
The physical and spiritual reconstruction efforts begin at Thési, leaving untouched a rather central area of ruins so that all the world may know the terrible price which had been paid there. The Flesh had enacted a massacre, and for that there can never be forgiveness, and which shall never be forgotten.
Castor smiles kindly upon His people, for in the very site chosen, is found most spectacularly that most incredible metal they had only been able to acquire from their Dwarven masters; Iron. At once the mine is set up, and operations begin to extract this most gracious bounty from the sacred earth.

>>4116097
>Tidal
Three beautiful and terrible warships are built, may the three sisters strike fear into the hearts of those that behold them!
River Reed is searched, though surprisingly few bodies are found. That is until the discovery of a large pit in the western portion of the city. Somehow the swampy conditions had semi-mummified many of the corpses, though the stench revealed that further down decomposition was well at work. The houses were scoured for any information, but came up blank. For all it seemed, it was another plague, perhaps even the return of the same plague which had taken the Kalkahn so many years ago. But then, what of the guard? Where had he disappeared to? He was a live, flesh & blood Frog, plain as day, though looking to be at Obadinia's Gates. Further investigation would be necessary. For the museum however, the location of Quagspire was chosen, for it already contained a good deal of buildings which may be repurposed, and showed the Soghoians dedication to beauty even in industry. The place was cleaned, which in itself was no small task, and the renovations begun. Though beyond their own knowledge, the pumps were reconstructed so as to appear functional, the tanks restored, and all other manner of things brought to a respectable appearance. It is a fine memorial to those lost.

>>4116235
>Karnis
The Slime seems to contain a very limited intelligence, one of aversion to the negative stimuli of salt, and attraction to those positive ones, sustenance. In such a manner, they're barely on the level of the Tuki bird they're fed. Whether they once possessed a greater intellect, destroyed by the past actions of the Union of Flesh, will perhaps forever be unknown. Having been, killed?, by the huge dumping of salt after their attack on the Cravic pumps, they seem oblivious to much of the outside world, save of course food.
Wanting some recompense for their collective losses in the terrible Northern War, the Ants deem a piece of, unguarded, worked stone in the very north of Dwarven lands. The Karnis feel, strangely drawn to the thing. Aware that such an action will undoubtedly see reprisal from the hairy beasts their efforts begin in the cover of night. From the southern woods they begin their tunnel, headed straight for the stone. It is a good deal of effort, bringing in supports of logs from the forest above, but finally they find themselves beneath the Obelisk. Skilfully they dig up towards it, in a gentle slope to ease the movement of it once they break the surface. At last they do, finding themselves a few feet away from it. Scrambling towards it as the sun rises from the sea, hasty in their efforts lest they be spotted by the Dwarves, a group grasp hold of the stone, and are instantaneously fried sending short arcs of blue lightning from their spiracles and falling down quite dead. Alarmed by this, and any subsequent attempt resulting in the same fate, the Ants scurry away back down their hole, and cover over the entrance. (>>4112492 As the sun reaches its zenith in the sky, lazy Ashbeard farmers wake from their beds, to find a dozen or so charred Ant bodies around that odd red rock.)

>>4117451
>Vossiks
The secret goings on of the numerous medical schools, military institutions, and eccentric individuals are of little interest to the State, until they cause trouble of course, for their, experiments, have proven useful in the past and do so again in the present. And so the blind eye remains turned to them, for now. The Chamberlad was of course a little more forthcoming on his locating of the venom once he was called upon by the higher-ups, and not so subtly shown the pokers & screws they just so happen to have collected. For a hefty sum, the substance was in the possession of both the Golden and Silver -bearded Dwarves, obtained from a small nation in the north-east. They would be the ones to ask on how to acquire more.

>Vossiks cont.
Of their vast holdings, only a small outlying territories in Nomach had yet to be prospected. Of the roughly dozen or so counties, three returned with positive results. The first being an underground cavern of salt, though the nation's appetite for salt mined from the earth may be lacking. The second are small, rather curious rocks found along the Nomachian coastline, which when cracked open reveal the fossilised remains of ancient sea creatures. The third, most valuable find is that of [CHOICE! Kohl, Malachite, or Mica].

DIPLO
>>4111933
Jotte has in his eyes now, the same aged wisdom Papa had had. One of peace, but, weariness. The world it seems weighs heavy on the Giants, even with their great strength. "The Gylden are now, and forever will be the -duella- (A Giant word, for which their is no direct Gylden translation. One which means something akin to "family" though implying an even deeper bond than blood) of the Cewri. We could ask for nothing more than this, yet," he gazes off to the east, "No. It is too much to ask." But Rathi is persistent, a trait he most definitely inherited from his mother's side of the family. "Men once came to Sher-," the Giant corrects himself, "came to Papa, asking for something. It was, I now know, for a debt to be repaid. Not to the Tarnic Men, no no, long before their time," Jotte is silent for some time, lost in his thoughts until Rathi coughs, shaking him out of it, "Ah, ah, yes. I would like to head east, for how long I do not know, but, but there is something I feel I must do. For old Papa."

END OF SCENE FOUR.

>>4119462

To say Blodwyn is ecstatic is an understatement. The fact that their own blades and arrows can make all but the finest armor completely null is a massive boon. Even the greatest armored of foes will fall, and even when equipped in remnant steel, enough strikes will crack it open. The only downside is that it seemed that armor, even of Blessed steel, wasn't much better than Remnant steel. Though, considering the results with the weapons, that isn't much of an issue. Still, there'd still be a good deal of remnant armor left, and if there's one thing Llychlyn is quite fond of its bows. As such, a bit of work would be made to see if they could punch through with the use of different arrow heads. On a related note, one of the smiths on the project, from Lunedannedd, would apply some small addition of a wooden ball with a few large holes that was loosely put on the arrow, tightly enough that it would stay on in air, but loose enough that it would be pushed back when it hit something. This little addition would make a low pitched noise as it soars through the sky. Something Blodwyn has taken and decided to see if it impacted performance or not, because if it didn't, well, it would be great for instilling fear in their enemies.

Of course, while Blodwyn had her side project, Eheubryd still had her own work to do. And, she had some plans a bit more economically intended. With any luck, she'd convince a few people to go south and start colonizing the last bits of Llychlyn that haven't been taken yet. With any luck, in the future, they'll be taken and found to have much in the way of resources hidden beneath the ground. Of course, before any real prospecting would be done, it'd be best to have all of Llychlyn under, well, Llychlyn's control. Considering the fact that there were nations to the east, for safety's sake so that way people from any nation that might have learned of Llychlyn's existence didn't get any bright idea's to 'colonize' land that rightfully belonged to Llychlyn, they'd colonize the eastern coast first, and wrap around from there.

>Action One. Work on different arrow heads of blessed steel that provide more penetration and 'Saeth Ganu' or Singing arrows.

>Action Two. Finally start claiming the land to the south that no one lives in. Enough time has passed that worries about a certain place should have died down by now. Focus on the east coast, though. Just in case.

>>4119464
Lore:
The introduction of the Kahro to Karnis society along with their developments in forestry has slowly caused the philosophy of the Karnis around life and death to change slightly. Some broods take it upon themselves to continue "the Cycle", claiming that it is not only the duty of the ants to provide a final resting place for all dead things, but to also nurture the natural world so that journey of life and death may continue.

>>4117451
>Diplo: Vossiks
As the Karnis scurry throughout the forest and tend to their garden, they notice while traveling along the border that the forests in the lands of the Vossiks, though healthy, seem to be untended and without care when compared to the rest of the Hirudon jungles. Without seeking approval from either the Matriarch or the Vossisk, some broods allow their gardeners to cross over into the Vossik territory only to tend for the forest there out of their sense of duty. With their efforts focused elsewhere, this trespass continues under the nose of the swarm while their bureaucracy is distracted. undoubtedly the Vossiks would learn of these green-mandibled trespassers before the swarm could catch wind, leaving them with the initiative on this rather unusual predicament.

>>4109334
>>4116097
>>4116885
>Diplo: Toads(Tidal) + Shrooms + PoT + B'yogi
Another wave of diplomats are sent to scout the furthest reaches South that the ants have explored. As such, missions are sent to the strange creatures of the Humans, as well as the toads. Though those sent to the shadows locate their holds without much struggle, the alates scour the land around the toads, noting that there had seem to be some changes when compared with previous reports. The area not only contained the Frog men, but sightings of more humans, dragons and even mushroom men were experienced as well. Two camps are established, one not too far from Heed and another, unknowingly, within Tarn lands, within the forests between the Museum, poppy sheds and the mushroomen. Each of these places are peacefully approached by the alate princesses, with some flying overhead to rain down flower petals while those on the ground seem to dance on their way. To each place they visit, they offer the customary gifts of the Ants: the finest Tuki birds they have to offer along with a generous serving of honeydew.

>>4111933
>>4110503

With the sea's now calm, the crew of the LCL Teithiwr would say their goodbyes to the Gylden save one who they would bring back to the city of Lunedannedd. They'd stay there for naught but a short time, as Neifion desired to finally make contact with the Remnant people. With the new language information delivered and in proper Clan Tudor hands, they'd soon set off again after resupplying and informing their kin what they had found. They would allow the dwarf to stay in the city and in the home Clan Llewelyn, and would likely be able to make some smaller ships that would be able to bring him back home when he desired, though if he wished to wait for the Teithiwr, they'd be happy to allow him to stay.

The LCL Teithiwr would take some time, sailing the same route it took them to get to Môr y tywod, yet they'd follow the coast around until they found a port of ships they knew for true belonged to the Remnant people. During the trip, they'd be a bit concerned over 'Gwlad y cysgod' as they called it, or the land of shadow, due to the figures occasionally seen on the shores. The place gave the crew a feeling of unease, luckily, staying a fair distance helped. Eventually, the LCL Teithiwr and captain Neifion would finally complete a old quest they had planned on undertaking some time ago. Find the Remnant people, as they saw a fortress which, after getting closer, appeared to have humans not far from the shore, and after following the coast a little bit further, would find themselves at New Andreth.

>>4119462
Action 1: True medicine
Freed from the strictures of their homeland, the Tarnish apothecaries in the B’yogi territory are able to make leaps and bounds in their understanding of the human body. For the first time, the body is mapped accurately, each of its organs identified and diagrammed on sheets of parchment. With this information at their fingertips, apothecaries can begin to, if not truly understand, at least grasp at the true sources of disease. The most immediate effect of this change is a rapid winnowing of the many traditional “cure-alls” present throughout Tarnia. Those which are truly useful spread across the nation as the others quietly wither and die.

Action 2: Searching for countermeasures
The news of the accidental cave-in into dwarven territory sends a shock through the countryside. Though the Tarns are fairly certain that these mines are on their territory, they are wary of confronting the dwarves about it. The Ashenbeards are a most unreasonable lot and are unlikely to bend to diplomacy. They also are far more experienced in combat the Tarns and would possess the advantage if a fight were to break out in the mines. For now, the supervisor of the Ironstone mine orders the Tarnish side of the tunnel sealed with loose rock and tailings, while his superiors at the capital brainstorm ways to enforce their nations borders without provoking war.

>>4112492
>Ashenbeards
A diplomat is sent to the silver dwarves requesting that they cease mining in Tarnish territory. He is sent with a fast horse and a small retinue of guards, just in case the dwarves decide to try to capture him.

>>4119462
The flamesprayer project has finally culminated in weapons of the like that were used by our forefathers and foremothers. Our technological capacity matches that of the old state, we are no longer merely a Remnant. Our people have proven resilient, both those who came here and those that were found here. We have made new citizens out of the natives of this world, secured our borders, and proven we could recover from the loss of resources and indeed much of our old technology. Our armies of the State and the Clans are now of better quality and given better and more standardized equipment then that of the FHS. A near unanimous proclamation from the Daiimad proclaims the reorganization of the nation. Remnant no longer, the sun shines down on the Free Human Republic. The Sajaak-Khar herself is given a vision from the Gods, and they smile upon our accomplishments once more, proud of their chosen peoples. All but the Othinians seem to be pleased at this, and behind closed doors, the Clan-Sah are told by she who speaks the will of the Gods that the Othinians may indeed be behind many setbacks we have faced. Something may soon need to be done...

1. A new series of governmental reforms are passed aimed at corruption. Those proven to have been a part of such dealings are dealt with harshly. Hard labor, public humiliation, even forced conscription into the FHRDF's small penal battalions are all punishments these traitors to our nation now suffer.

2. Training reform is now underway as well, and the new reforms are pioneered by a joint venture between commanders of Clan Varke and Clan Vay. They combine the tried and true infantry tactics with the new and devastating weapons technologies developed, such as with grenades, Shock Rifles, and now the back mounted Flame Sprayer Mk.3-1s.

>>4119544
The ships are recognized from the reports from the embassy, and the Children are welcomed into port, still by FHRDN vessels, though the marines and sailors aboard give them welcomes. The Awoo members of the Navy are confused as to why there are more of them, but the explanations to who they are mostly put them at ease. The LCL Teithiwr is guided into port proper, where they are allowed to move about the immediate area with relative freedom to those of other races and nations. FHRDF soldiers patrol the streets and the walls, some with Shock rifles, others with spears, swords, Crossbows and other more mundane weapons, but all in the signature Steel Plates they've worn since the civil war.

>>4119462

1. Inspect our homeland to find resources to better supply our weapons and rebuild Feast.
2. Send the Eyes of M'ed (Watchers) to study the Evil Dark Ones in more depth so we can send a task force to infiltrate them.
>>4119536
Curious creatures in hard shells came to our land. They look like t'ichs (ants) but bigger. How can they stay alive at that size? Most strange. We ask what do they want.

>>4115952
>>4111933
Dwarven diplomats meet with their allies to propose a joint effort to construct a port city in the north Meluz coast.
Most planning and details are already done on part of the Ashen and need merely the cooperation and permission of all parties involved to begin work.
(Preferably iron out a few details in discord before posting your turns, please)

>>4120224

The crew is quite pleased to see the city, and are happy to be welcomed to port. Rhisiart of course would do their best to work on finding out more about the city, the varying districts and the major Clans inside it, additionally he seemed to be the only one really curios about the shock rifles some guards had, and the only one to ask about them. Meanwhile, Captain Neifion would plan to have a bit of a celebration with his crew and invite some of the remnant people to a little feast that would take place later tonight if they were able to attend, but first looking for someone of importance to give a gift to. A copy of the map they currently had of the world, with its most recent addition of these lands. Most of the crew for the time being wandered around and took in the foreign sights. It was surprising to them that there was no grand temple to their gods, or really any major buildings in the city bar one, especially upon learning that this was the capitol. It certainly wasn't what they were expecting, but what got most of the crew, who had not met the Remnant people before most surprised was the humans soldiers weapons. Some were weirded out by the crossbows they had, others amused at the thought of those things opposed to a real bow, and one quite upset with the idea, though he'd not mention it. The one member of the crew from Clan Wynn would actually go up to a guard and ask why they saw so many soldiers with swords or spears, but none with axes. They knew how the sword was surely useful at times due to the utility in combat, but they'd state how the axe was more useful against armor and shields, along with the utility out of combat an axe had, combined with the ease of carry and how if made in a specific way it could be used just as well as a thrown weapon as it was to use in melee combat made it their own preference over a sword. They knew that there was certainly some advantages for the sword, but, it wasn't something that every soldier had, or even that many, usually as a side arm for archers if they opted it over an axe or in use by some of the Meistri Rhyfel.

>>4121135
To the surprise of the Children, the people they spoke to informed them of the fact they no longer considered themselves a Remnant. They were now the Free Human Republic. To Rhisiart, the soldier explained the very basics of the weapon, it's use of magic, etc. The soldier asked about axes chuckles, and draws the sword. A large, flat, chopping blade with a spike on the back top of the sword. All the power of an axe with the control of a sword. With an axe, you always needed to be on the offensive, where as with a sword with aspects of an axe, a defense was not only possible, but widely used. As for off the field, Entrenchment tools were used. Short, sharpened on one side and serrated on another spade able to be used as a general utility tool, or even a weapon in a desperate melee. Archers also weren't much used by the military of the FHR, with other weapons having replaced it along the way, such as the aforementioned Shock rifles. as well as Arbalest/Microballistae, and two things called "Flame sprayers" and "Grenades", both of which were seen as closer range, but somehow more dangerous ranged weapons.

>>4119464
Dwarven sleeping schedules are not dependent on the position of the sun in the sky, rather in contrast many are awake in the night on the surface for a myriad of reasons.
So when the ants give no heed to mask the sound their tunneling towards the wall, dwarves stationed along the wall against the north are well aware of what they assume to be an incoming attack, but instead are greeted with a burst of blinding blue light.
Hours passed before they inspect the area further when the threat of an attack dies down, discovering the husks of ants.

>>4115947
The Meluzina are warned of the presence of ants traveling further east than previously known or expected, and to be wary of any plots that may soon come.

To secure strength in the north, dwarven lords agree to a plan involving all three nations of the Union to both magnify trade and prop up the defenses of the Meluzina for both protection of their nation and to keep the flesh away from anyone else they may harm by sea.
A port is to be constructed along the coast of the northern lands of the Meluzina (preferably the eastern one unless Meluz wishes to pick) that is built primarily by the Ashen dwarves, operated primarily by the Meluzina, and affairs of the sea primarily conducted by the Gylden. Here the three will work in unison to aid all involved and hone their cooperation with one another.
>Amalgam Port (Name Pending)

>>4116097
The Tidal are notified of the new port to be soon opened if they wish to trade with both dwarf and snake in the north.

Given the growing events of the obelisk and temporary peace, dwarven lords now believe it the best time to act, and at last the dwarves are able to pool their efforts to research and construct the legendary weapon.
The priest of the grand temple has since left this mortal realm, but what remains are countless writings of how to forge the Hammer, along with the knowledge of events pertaining to the obelisk.
The Hammer of Therkuunaz was used to pulverize the skulls of the winged demons above, and from which the Axe of Therkuunaz was forged to sever the heads of the winged demons. This tool is a common item detailed in the holy texts revolving around the triumphs of Therkuunaz.
If the enemies of the dwarves seek to have this treasure, have it they will.
Starting first, the obelisk will be made safe. While surely Therkuunaz watches over and smites the enemy seeking its glory, it would be best to transport it just beyond the wall so it can be studied in peace. If this cannot be done, a fort will instead be built around it, and study begin.
>Hammer of Therkuunaz (Part 1?)

>>4119600
This unprovoked invasion into the underworld enrages many. Though this rage would not be seen before the tunnels are sealed by the Tarn, possibly to the benefit of both nations.
To invade the sovereign underworld of the dwarves is an issue enough, but to then seek the dwarves surrender their land is nothing but an action of war. The dwarves seek peace but will demonstrate their will if the Tarn so wish.

>>4111933
>>4115947
Dwarven allies are informed of the aggression and the act of war given by the Tarn.

A public declaration is made to all known nations of the Ashen, stating the past and present actions of the Tarn and that they are not to be trusted.

>>4111933
New laws enacted by the Invulden require all Ashen merchants to suspend trade that is known to end up in Tarnic lands.
So long as the Tarn molest dwarven lands and insult their sovereignty, merchants will no longer be able to sell their wares to the Gylden if they are aware the goods will benefit the Tarn.

>>4119462

>>4119466
>Diplomacy: Cewri

Rathi nods. Of course Jotte must go east, if he feels the need. As his uncle Snorri did once, he offers to accompany the Giant on his journey, if company be something he would wish. Will Jotte speak to the Tarn on this matter himself?


>Action 1: Fishing Devices

Kendt'koldrag was built on the side of a lake; technically a reservoir, but much of the distinction is lost to those who look out from the shore at the rolling waters, and those who pull fish from the depths... but they ways used seem almost archaic. And though relaxing with a rod by the water and hoping a fish will bite is pleasant to those who take it as a pastime, to other Dwarven engineers the spark of engineering speculation begins to rear itself. And they start building new devices to suit the new age; great winches and grasping metal claws, deep dredging nets and sinking cage-traps and many more. First testing these devices in the relative calm to weed out those that fail at base concept, the Dwarves then moving out of the prototyping stage as various project teams test their devices on or as ships to set from the ports of Gyldholm, Vankung and Æblekag, new machines to reach into the depths of the ocean and pull up what they might find there.


>Action 2: Guldfar's Gaze

Gnordi Feberson, anointed priest of the god of gold and light, had found himself drawn to the site of the great fire many years ago, and had lived quietly and simply on land once touched by the flames for many decades before the artillerists of Torz'vogaz had arrived to break his repose with their contraptions. Since their establishment, he had found himself becoming priest to the small shrine set up by the garrison; blessing the machines and their operators with holy alcohol to quench their thirsts before commencement of trial, and sharing tales and blessings with both raw recruit and veteran of the northern war. And yet, all the while, he wondered why his calling had led him here.

And then one afternoon, after sleeping off a heady mid-day 140-proof communion, he finds his rest disturbed by a small dwarven child. The beardling has a seeing-lens in hand, and yet holds it aloft, toward the ground but not at an angle to view though it. Intrigued, Gnordi rises and walks closer. The child is looking beneath the glass, but not -though- the glass... for beneath the glass, a small flame dances where the focused light it brightest, and caught in it a miniature creature with six burning limbs and flailing antennae as the flame consumes it.

And revelation strikes.

A few days later, after much calculation, working and prayer, Gnordi approaches the artillerists and engineers with his concept. A grand seeing-lens, on colossal scale, through which Guldfar himself might place his gaze upon any chosen battlefield; and place his golden, fiery, cleansing blessings upon those judged foul or profane.

The Dwarves of the Gyldenthrong are aghast at the rumors of conflict and strife coming out of the mountains. Given that the Dwarf and Human communities in the mountains had gone many decades without conflict, the Gylden had assumed the situation long established, and had not thought to question the working scenario of Ganglies above and Dwarfmen below. And yet, now it seems this situation has become unsettled? Worse, our two most prominent trade partners now seem to be squaring off against one another. Worse still, they do so whilst the north remains locked in conflict with the flesh... and the Gylden are aghast at the thought of their hired mercenaries leaving Gylden service to take up arms against Dwarven interests if the Tarnic-Deepaun alliance is triggered by rash Ashbeard action, let alone the thought of the Tarn invading the Ashen to trigger a war along our longest border. And though the instinctive leaning is still to support fellow Dwarven claims over those of non-Dwarfs, the rash threat made to Gylden merchants by the Ashen does much to harm the natural favour their fellow Dwarves would otherwise have found among the Gyldenthrong.


>>4119600
>>4122158
>Diplomacy: Tarn and Ashbeards

Uncertain of the exact causes and nature of this grievance, the new Gylden King Gvendon Guldhand invites both Ashbeard and Tarnic nations to draw back from threatened hostilities toward each other and send delegations to Gyldholm, where both might discuss the matter in Gylden halls under protected supervision and flag of truce. A team of Gylden scholars will also be sent to both sides to study the lay of the land and sift through historical documentation of the disputed areas and sediments. The hope is that the dispute might be resolved though law, wisdom and fair judgement, and if necessary mercantile exchange.

The initial question made to each is; why is the previous status quo of these mountains no longer acceptable? Tarn above, Ashen below; that seemed to work before. What now has changed?

>>4122411
The Tarns gratefully accept the conditions. They trust that the Gylden will arbitrate this dispute fairly and arrive at a conclusion amenable to both parties.

>>4115947 >>4122187 >>4122411 (diplo - meluzina, also ashen/gylden)
Confirmation of "Warplan Hydra"
A strategic analysis of this war has been done in a joint collaboration between the two northernly clans of Depau, one of which is in power at the moment. They have drafted up a plan which they believe will effectively neuter the forces of the Cravers long enough for the dwarves and meluz to go on the offensive into their territory, they will do this by sending their navy, equipped with large amounts of meluz venom alongside great forces of powerful thunder sorcerers to the great flesh bridge, then they plan on strategically venoming, frying and attacking key points along the flesh bridge which will be determined via scouting. Then they plan on ruining all the theorized large blood vessels which they believe must be in the bridge, by neutralizing these theorized blood points they think that they will be able to cut the war effort on the part of the abominations in half, forcing them to use either less efficient means across the bridge via fleshcraft creatures or isolating the continent from their homeland entirely.
During this they will give the order to their non-mercenary forces to hook up with land forces of both meluz and dwarven origin, bolstering their forces so that they can go on the offensive against this threat.

>>4117451 (diplo - vossiks)
A diplomat arrives from the Tidal Empire asking for advice:
Recently a small colony of giant sentient ants was discovered in the jungles where the recently extinct frogs once dwelled, and due to their beastial nature are believed to possibly be spies sent by an enemy of Depau. The Depauns ask if it would be wise to expel these things from their land before they declare war on their enemy, they ask for knowledge on what these ant creatures could be as they have heard of them lying north of the vossiks and could only think of the vossiks as being those reasonable enough to provide an unbiased opinion, since the dwarves are assumed to be violent towards them by default and the FHR are assumed to be just as if not more biased.

>>4122158 (diplo - ashenbeard)
The merchant circuit is modified and the (amalgam port) is added to its locations and schedule.

>>4122946
"The Sable and Karnis Ants are generally quite friendly. The Ashenbeards likely intruded upon a Princess's lair and did damage to her young. It is the only thing that is likely to rouse the ants to violence. We've neighbored them for centuries and have yet to have anything but positive and fruitful relations with their royalty. I would look sooner to find the culprit of their ire than to rouse them from their nest.Approach them peacefully, preferably with a gift or three, and they will respond in kind. Their Royalty is long lived and extremely defensive. If treated well they will make for amicable neighbors." The Vossik diplomat responds.

Whole lotta diplos.

>>4122173
>>4119600
>Diplo: ashen + tarn
In response to this news of war, we politely ask both our bipedal brethren if they realize that the rest of us simply don't have the resources for yet another war at this very moment. If the two combatants could be so merciful as to settle their differences peacefully, we would be eternally grateful.

>>4120670
>Diplo: ashen
The proposition seems promising. So long as the dwarves fill their end of the deal as soon as possible, work will immediately begin on connecting the port with ashen territory as soon as possible.

>>4122158
>Diplo: ashen
The Meluz are mindful of ants in the north, and hastily begin further construction on the road to this "short port" as some of the workers are calling it.

>>4122946
>Diplo: tidal
The meluz representatives gladly start the export of venom stock to the tidal, though they leave a little for those at Thesi, as it helps greatly against the creatures of flesh when combating them in person.
However, they are surprised to hear that the creatures of flesh have yet another homeland. Certainty was in them when they determined their origin to be from the north, on our own mainland continent. Just how much have these horrid creatures taken for themselves?

>>4122946
War: flesh
The tidal's plan is a good one, and we bolster our offensive capabilities while waiting for their signal to attack.

>>4119463

>1: find a process for refining the iron into steel
We were able to use immense heat to refine silver in the past. As such, we decide to try the same thing with iron.

>2: build a road to the planned "short port"
In the place where the dwarves plan to construct their northern port, we start the construction of a road. This road will first lead back to Megalo, then branch off into ashen and gylden territory.

>>4122144
The crew of the LCL Teithiwr would seem to be surprised by this change, though considering it means major progress had been successful for the humans from the sounds of things, they are fairly happy for them. In fact, Captain Neifion would use this to further justify the little celebratory feast he had planned. Rhisiart meanwhile, would be more interested with this strange 'magic' that he was informed of, and ask a few questions relating to how magic works, if they know, and if there's any sort of ritual in preforming it. Lastly, the one from Clan Wynn would be surprised by the spike on the back, yet would ask how the spike doesn't disrupt the control of the sword? Surely, a spike like that would cause issues for the balance of the blade, and on top of that be more complex to make. As for his argument against the axe, they'd state that for one, offense is a better form of defense and that a shield would do enough to protect one from such worries. Though, their interest would primarily be directed to how the blade worked so well. They would be interested in the 'entrenchment tools' that were described, though would ask just how much the republic could produce to be able to give every soldier a entrenchment tool.

Other than the discussions of magic and weapons, a few members of the crew would buy some alcohol with the things they brought along after they had wandered around the city enough, occasionally asking how the grapes used in their creation were processed to make such a drink.

>>4119463
Action 1:
>ready the fleet and associated entities (electromancers, the loads of venom)
Action 2:
>purchase fairly large quantities of good luck charms (of that one lucky kind of rock) so that our army’s quality is increased
>>4123125 (diplo - vossiks)
The Depauns are thankful that these ants will not be a great threat, they ask for a few vossiks fluent in their language so that they may start communications with them peacefully. They have a good bit of gold and other goods they will exchange in return for their services.

>>4122411
The simplest answer to the question the Gylden have posed is this: such a status quo had never existed, at least not from the Tarnish perspective. How could it, when not a Tarn had even the slightest knowledge of the Dwarven mine’s existence till two Tyrns ago? The Ashen concealed the knowledge of the mine from the Tarns. They did so knowing full well that what they were doing was a mortal crime in both of our nations. And when they were finally discovered, they didn’t request forgiveness or admit to wrongdoing. They placed sanctions on both Tarnia and Gyldenthrong, placing the entire continent in jeopardy.
Make no mistake, this trespass is nothing less than theft. The Ashenbeards never requested permission from the Tarnsmen to delve under their lands, let alone to draw iron from the veins on which Tarnish industry depends. If the Tarns had journeyed to the Phosphate mines of Tula’krel, to mine their own phosphorus without a Dwarven license, wouldn’t the Ashen call that theft? And indeed, theft it would be. If the Tarns had delved for lead without first informing the Gylden and requesting their consent to do so, the Gylden would have every right to call that theft, for theft it would be. Now that the Tarns have discovered the Ashen journeying into their land to mine iron without permission, they must call it theft, for theft is what it is.
There is no possible way for the dwarves to somehow claim ignorance of their trespass. For one, the Ashen are talented miners and surveyors, able to accurately construct tunnels thousands of paces long and arrive unerringly at their desired location. To claim that such a talented nation could somehow be ignorant of a mine that extended deep into Tarnish territory is ludicrous. Furthermore, we have concr FG te evidence that the dwarves knew of their transgression and sought to hide it before it came to light. Many tyrns ago, the Ashenbeards came to our forefathers, requesting to purchase the very plot of land that lies in contention today. First, they offered to pay in gold, then in the blood of our people. We refused their offers both times, but even then there was speculation over why the silver dwarves were willing to pay so highly for such a piece of land. Now, the answer is clearer. Perhaps even then they feared the discovery of their illegal mine. Perhaps this was an attempt at lawful acquisition before they resorted to theft. Either way, the facts are clear. The silver dwarves sought the iron beneath our land, long before the Tarn knew of its existence. When they could not obtain it properly, they resorted to theft. The silver dwarves can make no credible claim of ignorance.

>>4123684
At any point during the however-long time this mine has been operating, the Ashens could have informed the Tarns of its existence. They could have voluntarily requested a mining permit, which the Tarns would have provided, in exchange for sufficient compensation. Even when their illegal mine was discovered, they could have apologized for the trespass and sought belated permission for the mine. They chose to do none of those things. They chose to place an embargo on not just Tarnish goods, but also on merchant-dwarves whose only offense was to trade with our people. Already their sanctions cast a pall over the vast networks that we all depend on. The port of Gyldholm today is quieter than it has been in many a tyrn, thanks to their unjustified sanctions. And make no mistake Gyldenthrong, these sanctions are indeed unjustified. For the only two actions the Tarns have taken towards the Ashenbeards are to seal up their side of the mine and request that the silver dwarves cease mining in the Tarnish territories. It was these two simple requests, intended only to defuse conflict and pave the way to negotiations, that provoked such an extreme response. It was the Tarns right, under the Ashen’s own laws, to apprehend these trespassers into our kingdom and sentence them to death. But, rather than enforce the common laws of man and dwarf,the Tarns chose to seek peace. And it is that choice which the dwarves punish with such reckless cruelty.
In summary, the Ashenbeards have stolen from the nation of Tarnia. They have attempted to conceal this theft, indicating full knowledge of their wrongdoing. And finally, when their crimes were discovered, they chose to risk all three of our nations’ well-beings rather than admit their wrongdoing. They have conducted themselves not as a brotherly nation, but as a petulant child who screams and stomps when its misdeeds are discovered. It is for these reasons the Tarns humbly request that we be compensated for our losses. We ask for a settlement in coin equal to the iron the dwarves stole from us, the immediate closure of the illegal Dwarven mine, and a declaration from the Ashen that they will respect the borders of Tarnia, both above the ground and below. The Tarns do not ask for the Ashen to retract their statement of condemnation. The Ashen have the right to dislike who they wish. The Tarns do not request compensation for the economic damage the Ashens have wrought in both of our nations, nor for the profits the Ashen have undoubtedly reaped from selling Tarnish iron, because our goal is not revenge. We wish only for this wrong to be righted, so that our three nations can continue in peace and prosperity forevermore.

>>4122411
(No threat was made to the Gylden)

The Ashen do not believe anything of value will come of diplomacy as experience in the past shows, but the Invuld designates Regent Lord Kalmr Otan'volag of Aeuntirgardun'kalnz as a diplomatic vessel to indulge the Gylden.

Kalmr would first inform his Gylden kin of the unfounded ignorance and greed known to the Tarn, that any peaceful advances thought to be made here will be impossible.

Along with access to the tunnels, the Gylden would also be given ample documentation of the tunnels including the dates dug which would show the existence of the mine to have been made many years ago.

To answer the initial query, the dwarves have kept close watch of their people as to avoid crossing onto the mountains believed held by the Tarn, but as the Tarn are not known to dwell below the earth as does the dwarf, no issues arose, especially considering their inability to even lay claim to said underworld.
The dwarven claims of the underworld had long existed, and peace broken only by the hands of Tarn invading the tunnels far below the surface.
Dwarves hold no responsibility to inform every nation of their whereabouts and territories, and hold also no ability, for the Tarn fail to respond to diplomatic attempts made by the Ashen in the past.

>>4123684
Countering the frail arguments of the Tarn, Kalmr explains that there exists no mortal crime propped up by the Tarn and that were it to even exist, the dwarves would not know of it.
No attempt was ever made to conceal the existence of the mines, in fact the Gylden would have always had access to such records from exchanges of map information and had been able to also share this with the Tarn. There was simply no need to inform anyone of the existence.
Corroborating the Tarnic claims of dwarven excellence, Kalmr does agree, which only helps the dwarven case as documents would prove the sheer effort to stay far below the underworld as to respect the rights of the Tarnic nation that they sadly do not respect in turn.
Cross examination of documentation may even prove the dwarven mine in question had existed before the Tarn even knew what iron was, defeating any claims to theft.

The Dwarves had indeed sought to purchase these lands and others surrounding it but the Tarn fail to state the important fact that the dwarves offered to surrender the resources of the iron they claim the dwarves seeking so highly. Meanwhile existing sources of iron were able to feed the dwarven industry and more sources existing elsewhere they can harvest if they so needed.
If the Tarn were to have accepted the deals made in the past so heavily in favor of the Tarn, this event would have never occurred and clear borders established to avoid any other potential problems.
But Tarnic greed clouds their judgment.

-

A statement given by Kalmr informs all parties that the continued challenges of dwarven sovereignty cannot be continued ignored. If the Tarn seek peace, they must prove it by a formal acknowledgment of crimes against the dwarven peoples and a toll for said crimes, lest war be declared.

>>4119462
1.

The Karnis are aided in the securing of the obelisk an of the front line. The Kahro lend the force of their forms stacking stone and rubble for further defenses of the dominion. Outside of Nu Delta, walls are built as enfleshening begins.

2.
These Depaun's must be stopped in their efforts of striking from the skies, lest the horrific murder of the Flesh Mission be repeated. The Rautlet swarms are fitted with long stingers of bone filled with the stolen venom. Dragon or not, the Cravers would like to see them withstand an envenomed spike through the eye at high altitude.

>War

Grist'let, the gluttonous nautical maw that it is, bleeds it's foul slurry deeper and further down the wending straight, and it's children growing greater in number and size. The Cravic sea becomes tinged reddish pink, and the coasts. The flurry of activity on the snake's northern shores stirs the beast's into hyperactivity, agitated by the constant spoken dwarven tongue and scent of snake. When the Kraken ships of the Depaun are spotted making their way into the straight, the beasts of the Cravic sea do their best to make their journey a one way trip to the sea floor by striking the hulls of the vessels in mass, seeking to pierce through. If the ramming is ineffective, the Priest-Captain of the Flesh Rig directs the beasts in attempting to slay the crew.

>>4120364
>Byoogi ( should I take this as diplo I assume?)

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>>4123460
The magic just.....works. It's really the best information they're going to get out of the soldier. He can use the magic, summon the lightning and focus it through the weapon with absolutely devastating results, but questions of "where" and "how"? That he does not know. The spike on the sword serves different purposes. One is an anti-cavalry role, gutting mounts, catching riders, etc; the other to add weight to the blade for more effective strikes. In terms of the production, the spike is already incorporated into the mold it is cast from before being hardened and sharpened. It seems that on the subject of Axes, it seems the Human tactical doctrine doesn't call for the use of such tools. The Entrenchment tools aren't every hard to manufacture, as it's a sharpened spade head atop a small pole of wood. It is secured to the belts of FHRDF uniforms by a leather holders. The soldier himself would show it to them, removing it from her holder, and handing the short spade over.

>>4123834
It's an act of espionage and B'yogi would rather not be found out so no. It's begin; really!

>>4119536
By and large the border kosts were accustomed to the ants doing ant things, and as the Ants in general never actually did anything that alarmed or even intruded on the activities of the kosts they found absolutely no reason to be concerned that there were ants still doing helpful ant things in the jungle. Where found the ants are regarded as helpful neighbors, and their efforts were sometimes assisted by neighborly kostermen. The status quo of amicable relations between remains.

>>4120200
A Vossik diplomatic retinue arrives in New Andreth. A surprising change, given that most relations between the two had either taken place in Renthum or in Senday. The purpose of the visit was simple. It was time, in the eyes of the Vossaya, to cement a peace. With trade between the two nations flourishing and a long history of peace, there was no reason that the two should remain uneasy. Let us bury the spearhead and found a pact that would unite the two western nations in an agreement of peace and prosperity that would challenge the warring center of the continent. Together Human and Elf were stronger than they were at one another's throats.

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>>4124365
The city knew they were coming. In fact, they had known of their intention to arrive for some time now, seeing as they were accompanied by the entire 12th Vaydic Cohort "The Mailed Fist" numbering around 250 men and women of who's Cohort had made a name for itself for engaging the 2nd Taiidae Battalion numbering twice their number and suffering only 50 casualties during the Human Civil War. Their purpose was trifold, make sure nothing happened to the elves, get to know them, and if need be, absolutely annihilate them and return to the borders as fast as possible to prepare for the then oncoming war to follow. Fortunately for all parties involved, the very latter needed not be done, as the diplomats kept to their word about their mission, and were thus treated well and with the respect foreign diplomats could expect of the FHRDF, that meaning polite and well meaning paranoia. Upon sighting the city after the long journey from the borderlands of the FHR, the elves were met with the sight of great walls constantly patrolled by FHRDF troopers wielding Crossbows, pikes, blades and shields, and what their intelligence had told them were so called "shock rifles", along with a multitude of banners of the clans, as well as one flag that showed up more then others, one that was displayed at the border post they had come to in order to enter the nation. They were permitted entry into the city, and they are brought to the Daiimad building as the 12th restocked on supplies and made their way back to the border where they would be needed for duties. The Clan-Sah, upon hearing the elves out asked one thing above all else, was this also asking for a defensive pact?

>>4124459
The diplomats converse among themselves briefly but they return to the Daiimad with an answer in short time. Yes. The two Republics in the west should stand united against threats, especially those seeking to disrupt or interfere in the governance of either state. The diplomats express their concern over fighting and over the steady expansionism of both Dwarves and Fleshlings. The east, they explain, has already cemented firm alliance among the Meluz and Dwarves, with the slow integration of the Sea lizards while the Ants were steadily being drawn into the orbit of fleshy monstrosities that would cause concern for both Man and Elf.

"If we cannot form a united front in the West it is only a matter of time before the Central Powers unite to tear it apart. A firm stance between us, that the West will not be bullied nor quartered for the benefit of others, will dissuade the Eastern Hordes or the greedy Dwarves that our lands are not to be coveted. Ultimately, our peace has been a stable one. Allowing outsiders from over the mountains to change what has long been a mutually profitable existence would be foolish in the extreme. Let them fight their wars. Let them know that if they seek to encroach upon the West they will not find us isolated."

>>4124482
Seeing as the Daiimad had not heard of the "fleshlings", "Dwarves" or whatever a "Meluz" is, along with their well established isolationist and inward focused policies since they got here, as well as the memories of elven forces demanding the ceding of land claimed and occupied by the FHR under ultimatum. The trust for an alliance of such permanence and required trust is completely off the table for the moment. The FHR wishes, for the time being, to continue to remain neutral in foreign affairs. Perhaps if the elves commit to a genuine effort at improving the relationships between the two republics, another alliance of the west formed with Human assistance could be forged, but for now, there is little faith the FHR has in the Vossik elves. For the time being however, the diplomats would be allowed stay in the capital, if for little other reason then to show them what the FHR had accomplished in it's long period of isolation from the outside world, and if they wish to be heard again, the Daiimad would listen to what they had to say. The current proposal isn't an insult, just too idealistic and lacking a proper base of mutual trust.

>>4124566
The Vossik diplomats counter with a simple offer. A normalization of relations. "At the end of the day, it is the Vossik Rebpulic who has made all of the overtures of good relations toward the Andrethi Republic. We have given to you our language, offered you a place in our market and universities, even a place in our church. There is nothing more that we can offer to the Andrethi Republic to express our goodwill. Instead, we offer to you this opportunity to express to US your intent of goodwill and an opportunity to build trust as thus far the only thing we have seen is a consistent militarization of our shared border. What are we to think when the only overtures sent in our direction are those preparing for conflict and a refusal to engage with us otherwise?"

>>4124800
The Free Human Republic never asked to be involved with foreign affairs. It was content to be left alone by the wider world. It was not them who asked for anything given unto Humanity. Many of the more religious Clans scoff at the mention of the church of the elves, though it's an attitude mostly confined to those clans. A strong border was a policy implemented far before the Vossik Elves even made contact with the FHR, and just because you exist does not give any reason for us to stop. The FHR has signed a non-aggression pact with your people, and we have kept our word to the letter. We have never once made any overtly hostile act towards your nation, and so far, such has been responded to in kind. The FHR intends to keep this relationship for as long as our relations remain as they are. They find no reason to advance the relationship between the two nations beyond what it is now.

>>4117441
Following the coastline and the hunter’s directions, the Tarns sail to the city of Lunedannedd. There, they finally dock and meet with the local authorities. Communication is actually far easier that expected, as with a few phrases of FHR speech and a Xyctho-Tarnic dictionary a fairly versatile pidgin language is devised. The Tarns request permission to trade with the Lychlynin perpetuity, and ask what goods the CoF can provide. They volunteer the following list of items they have for sale:
>Fur
>Meat
>Bread
>Wood
>Silver
>Copper
>Bronze
>Coal
>Iron
>Tin
>Pewter
>Pewter Tableware
>Statuettes
>Jewelry in glass, garnets, and turquoise
>Shields
>Spears
>Human Corpses(Black Market)(Luxury)
>Steel(Luxury)
>Garnets(Luxury)
>Books(Rare)
>Salt(Rare)
>Gold(Luxury)
>Dwarven Ale(Rare)
>Fine Weapons(Rare)
>Sulfur(Rare)
>Turquoise(Rare)
>A bone map of the eastern continents.

>>4119536
The first Karnis outpost is initially discovered by a group of farmers. While initially horrified by the living ants, the prospect of making money quickly outpaced the fear. Feeding the Kahro scouts wild tales about the Tarnish cities, they convince the Ant people to hide on their farms and do all the farms manual labor for free. Other ant scouts receive similar job offers, working the fields in exchange for a place to live and food to eat. In this way, the nation is gradually inoculated to the sight of ants and views them as friends rather than monsters.

>>4123870
While the description is vague, it gives some idea's to Rhisiart. Maybe words of power were used in order to utilize it, or some sort of trance or ritual. Either way, perhaps there was a way to trap this energy, or whatever it was exactly, and imbue something with it. Its something he'd ponder to himself as he thanked the guard for what he knew, and asked a few mundane questions about the city and how life was like here before eventually returning to the ship and writing down some idea's he had gained. Meanwhile the one from Clan Wynn would seem surprised, as the extra weight they believed would actually potentially cause issues with the blades balance, reducing its effectiveness compared to a straight normal blade. As for the entrenchment tools, they are still somewhat surprised but certainly see the usefulness of it. They would hold it and examine it a little bit, checking both sides before handing it back. They certainly would need to ask some things to discuss it with their fellow clan members when they returned home, and maybe Clan Nist as well...A multitool could be useful...Abet of course, made of cheaper materials...Still, they'd soon after move on to discussing strategy and a number of sparring techniques. Though, eventually they would have to bid a farewell to the soldier they were talking to.

Later in the evening, Captain Neifion, with his crew and any of the Republic who accepted his offer, would start his little celebratory feast on the LCL Teithiwr, with many salted meats, smoked fish, and local food and alcohol they could trade for. It was a simple celebration, but one that allowed some stories to be shared and some news as well. Something that would be made known to any of the Republic, if any, who accepted the little offer, would hear he planned to stay for a little more than a week before setting sail for home.

>>4125078
The ship would dock into a port which had started getting very busy once again as the waves died down to a more reasonable level. One where there was a clear smell of fish, abet, less than expected considering the ports size and activity, along with the fishing boats that existed. The first authorities to arrive would be confused at the flag, and fairly swiftly get one of Clan Tudor who were nearby who spoke the Remnant language to help communicate and translate. While still rudimentary, it would be made clear that trade would not just be accepted, but encouraged, along with a list of some goods that Llychlyn could provide.
>Fur
>Meat
>Leather
>Wood
>Fish
>Opal
>Iron
>Wooden statues and statuettes
>Wood carvings
>Wooden furniture
>Medicine
>Books (Rare)
>Cloth (Rare)
>Salt (Rare)
>Lead (Rare)
>Remnant Wine (Extremely Rare)
>A Map of the west from the last returned voyage, likely to be updated upon a "LCL Teithiwr's" return
>Clan Nist Commissions (Just ask)

While not much, relatively speaking, they express that there are plans to expand this list in the near future.

1. Lucium Experiments [NM]
The research into faith and magic both had suggested that additional power could be held within the Lucium. A Scarlet Robe by the name of Jeanne experiments with a concoction with triple the safe dosage of Lucium. As the sun rises over her chambers and her colleagues of the robe enter they find...

2. The Taming of the Gryphon
Intrepid and impetuous individuals head into the peaks to take from them Gryphon eggs in hopes to raise some young in captivity and thereby begin the slow process of breeding a new type of mount and companion. It had been done once in the past that a tamed Gryphon worked closely with a Champion of yore. It is from those tales that this new endeavor springs forth. With luck, and more casualties than any would care to admit, a small clutch is brought back to Renthum. From this clutch will be the first few Gryphons that would be raised in captivity with elezen of means as their close tenders.

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SCENE FIVE

(sorry for late post again)

>>4119496
>Llychlyn
The singing or whistling arrow performs as admirably as any other in skilled hands, and creates as it flies an irritating and unnatural pitch. When fired en masse, and with the addition of varying sized holes drilled into the ball or nut, produce a cacophony of wails through the air. In a similar vein, trials begin for the creation of an arrowhead with better piercing qualities. Dozens are tried and failed, being too heavy, too unreliable, too flimsy, and all other manner of defects. It is not completely fruitless, as the final design, and the most simple, does exactly as is needed of it. A relatively long & pointed arrowhead, of a three-faced pyramidal shape, which punches through plate much more easily than all others. This is not all, for the triangular wounds it leaves are difficult to suture shut. Truly a fearsome design. (triangular bodkins)
The southern lands are covered in a thick layer of permafrost, and little sign of life manages to reach through the ice. It is bitterly cold, even in furs, much colder than expected. The waters too are chilly, barely a degree above freezing. Coastal land sags into the sea, frequently giving away under foot, and will require shoring up if there is ever any hope to build upon it. Game is rare, for there is near-nothing to eat, venturing only from then northern woods when their animal minds drive them to for unknown reasons. Further south however there is an abundance of a heretofore unseen animal; A blubbery creature with whiskers and tusks which sun themselves on the rocks offshore.

>>4119600
>Tarn
The dissections in B'yogi lands disproved many long held myths about the bodies of both men and women, as well as striking similarities between Human and Hacmosi anatomy. With this knowledge also came the stripping of credibility from no end of panaceas, including blood-letting. Medicines were finally separated from potions & poisons, becoming a true field of study, along with that of the effects of non-medicinal foodstuffs upon the body. Back in Tarnia, the hole is plugged, and hopefully with it any reaction from those hot-headed Dwarves of the mountains.

>>4120200
>FHR
Wherever it can be found corruption is stamped out, from petty bribes all the way to finally proving a political assassination. Nearly a hundred officials from every rank are indicted and punished accordingly. There are even whispers that one of the Clan Sahs is being investigated. Away from the eyes of the Investigation as it came to be called in the street, the military receive their own reforms, and the introduction of the (just-out-of-prototype-) flamesprayers. Though, with little more than parades and guard duties, there is a growing restlessness to see real action.

>>4120364
>B'yogi
With luck, there is found within the hills of Simhyn that most talked of metal, Iron. A mine is dug straight away, a great open pit to harvest all that can be harvested. In this same vigour, Feast is rebuilt, a near exact replica of the old fort.
The Eyes of M'ed fly swiftly and secretly, observing everything that can be seen. (not sure what else to add, sorry)

>>4122158
>Ashbeards
The northerly most Meluz coast is haunted by the imminent threat of attack by the Flesh, a port would only be a target, and so the Meluz agree to a port in the east, though it is a long journey from it to the mountains. It is however protected from the worst of the sea's temper, guarded as it is by the Mare's Tail desert and gentle waters of the Tirod Bay. Further protection is, somewhat, offered by the presence of the Dragons and they fearsome Krakens.
Careful not to touch the Obelisk for fear of becoming a smouldering corpse like the ants around the thing, two vast lengths of rope are hooked around the stone. An opening is made in the wall to allow it to be hauled by a team of wargoats, for nothing else can shift it. Even the remains of the foot of the Obelisk is taken, though strangely it gives off no magical shock when touched, only a handful of red granite fragments lay in the grass. An extra guard is set at the hole.
(>>4119536 The Ants in their thieving tunnel hear the commotion above them, but there are so many boots and even wargoats! Something is happening, something big! The few Karnis alone could not take half the force gathered above, even with the soon arriving Flesh to aid them.)

>>4122348
>Gyldenthrong
Of these tested devices, one alone proves to be both the most effective in terms of yield, and cost. Essentially an enormous net, with either end held between two equal vessels, which trawls through the water taking up everything in its path. With this simple method massive catches are guaranteed, though this includes fish far less appreciated by the general public.
It is a brilliant idea, one which will surely work! Though within the academy there resides neither glassworker nor kiln, the priest would have to venture north to discuss such a matter. But, should such a lens be produced, Torz'vogaz would gladly construct an apparatus to hold it.

>>4123368
>Meluzina
Whilst a valiant effort, the methods for refining silver and those for refining iron are different, moreover the refining of iron does not result in steel. However, when the Ashen within Meluzina hear of what is being attempted, they will no doubt lend their expertise in this area. (>>4122158)
Though consisting of worn dirt picked free of stones, roads now work their way all over Meluzina, linking together the once disparate counties of South (sometimes West) and North (sometimes East) Meluzina, including of course this new port the Ashen have built. It does however bring up an old matter, one of fishing rights in the Tirod Bay. A line was drawn in the sea, where the Meluz and Soghoians were separated, but with the Frogs now seemingly gone, must it remain? (>>4123592)

>>4123592
>Tidal
The fleet is readied, for there is danger on the wind, battle draws near. Every sellers stock of Ammolite is cleared, along with any other charm or amulet they may sell. Crews find themselves calmed by their presence, and the number of "lucky" instances reportedly doubles. A coin flip, a hand of cards, a quick catch. Though whether this is magic, propaganda, or just wishful thinking is yet to be proven one way or another.

>>4123834
>Cravers
A wall is built tightly around the nest-city of Nu Delta, having to leave outside them many of the old structures from before the Union of the Flesh. At the same time, the first round of the enfleshening begins. With their terrible fleshshaping abilities, the newest batch of Raut'let spawned have spliced to them this weapon, using up the venom from the attacks on Burlargh'let. Of the obelisk however, the Flesh would have to wait on the Ants instruction after the initial failure (>>4119536)

>>4125253
>Vossiks
Gold and shining ichor spatters across the walls and furniture. No trace of Jeanne can be found, save a few bones found in the toe of her boots mixed with more of the glittering liquid. Shreds of red cloth hang in the stuff all about. On her desk, covered over with her mask is discovered a note written in her hand
- "The Lord of Sunlight, Creator & Almighty has deemed me to be unworthy of such a gift I see now that I so selfishly stole away. I feel His power within me, it burns my body as it courses through my veins. His holy power cannot be contained within such a mortal form and I fear I soon shall perish from the strain. The balance He provides is delicate and I have upset the scale, forgive me. Father, embrace me, I pray I'm still found fit to come to you." -

>Vossiks cont.
Every young Elf grows up on the stories of heroes on gryphon-back hunting down trolls or other creatures of Baalur, with modern renditions frequently giving those beasties stereotypical Othinian traits. For this, the gryphon is seen as a gallant and noble beast. A reputation which is ill-deserved, for in actuality the gryphon is a temperamental, even downright hostile, creature liable to attack trade caravans & lone wanderers. Their apparent favourite pastime is to swoop down upon travellers, forcing them off steep cliffs or passes, then picking at their broken bodies on the rocks below. The capture of the eggs was either incredibly brave or incredibly lucky, but most definitely incredibly stupid. Of the clutch, purportedly from two different nests, a total of eleven eggs both survived the looting, and were subsequently brought to term. The freshly hatched, things, look nothing like expected. Pink, squirming, and blind, barely able to support their heavy heads and surprisingly already large beaks. They mew pathetically, flapping their unfeathered wings wildly, calling to be immediately fed.

DIPLO
>>4119536
The Karnis see the Shrooms pay no mind to the offerings whatsoever.
There are no Frog-folk to be seen in River Reed, only the Dragons which now control the empty city.

>>4122348 + >>4119600
Jotte nods in return, he would be glad of the company, for his is a difficult task. Of it he would not talk, even Rathi knew now not to force the matter. They would travel over the hills, and through the sandy oasis through Lower Tarnia, before crossing the bridge into Roodkhaane. Such a sight may be a surprise, for the Giant stands almost 14 foot tall, perhaps over! He does not speak the Tarnic tongue, and so asks Rathi to inform the nearest guard that he wishes to speak with whosoever may be a knowledgeable, oh what is the Gylden word? Jotte struggles, coming up only with "old story teller" and "one who speaks the time gone". Should Rathi make sense of this, and should the Tarn supply such a fellow, then the Giant will tell of this journey's need.

END OF SCENE FIVE.

>>4125543
The arrows with the special addition to make it 'sing' are in fact quite nice, some find the sound annoying, and only a few quite enjoy the sound of one soaring through the sky, but if there's one thing it will be useful for, its fear. After all, what better way to instill it then through a volley of arrows that punch through plate making a low sounding cacophony as they fly true to their mark? Additionally, certain arrows, made not to hit a target but simply make sounds could be made for army signaling. Useful, as is the new arrowhead for much more obvious reasons. Still, there is one important thing all these tests need to show, something that was a question for a while but never had any real time put to it. If Blessed Steel could be smelted down and reforged. With any luck, it would be possible, but only if certain rituals were done. As, if this was the case, it would mean we could sell the stuff and not fear it being able to be reforged into something unexpected by any nation who gets it from our trading partners. Though, time will tell with Clan Nist and Blodwyns work.

Meanwhile expansion in the south continues to go forth as Eheubryd aims to convince others to go south, utilizing the interesting and blubbery animals down there as well. For surely, we could eat such a thing if we hunted it, could we not? We just need to, as always, be careful so we don't accidentally over hunt the population, and have something sustainable. Despite the cold though, the Children of Fanw are able to deal with it so long as they wear heavy coats of furs with multiple layers. As proven time and time again, they tend to favor the cold over the heat, and while here is exceptionally cold, every little bit helps. Regardless, with some carefulness, we can hopefully get the remaining snow coated lands south swiftly under our control.

>Action One. Experiment with smelting blessed steel.

>Action Two. Expand south once more, continuing to follow the coast from the last expansion.

>>4125543
Action 1: Eastern/Northern border defenses
The walls originally constructed along the Northern Tarnish border are improved and extended to cover the eastern border as well. The walls are built from loose stone sourced from the many Tarnish mines and mortared with clay harvested by hand from the Jaakal River. Periodically, larger forts are constructed into the wall, serving as gatehouses or watchtowers. The result is a continuous fortification along the Tarnish border with the Ashen, Gylden, and Meluziba factions. The final touch is the addition of a chain of metallic bells, finely handcrafted from steel and bronze. They ring loudly from even the slightest tremor, giving advance warning if the dwarves attempt to tunnel underneath the fortifications. The wall are manned by Tarnish soldiers sourced from Roodkhaane.

Action 2: Surgery
Improved knowledge of anatomy and physiology also transforms the field of surgery. For centuries, surgeons hacked and slashed with abandon, killing their patients as often as saving them. Now, however, new surgical practices begin to take root. Professional surgeons begin to travel the lands, replacing the blacksmiths and barbers that had traditionally taken up the role in their little villages. These surgeons have a variety of tools at their disposal. Sharp steel blades assist in the smooth separation of flesh, while bone needles and threads of animal sinew serve to hold incisions closed after the procedure is complete. The final and perhaps most revolutionary portion of the kit is an opium water pipe. These instruments, crafted out of clear glass and copper, remove the smoke from burning opium poppies while concentrating the vapors which remove pain and induce unconsciousness. For amputations and organ replacement, of course, there is no substitute for a Craver “alteration”. But for those without resources or connections, a surgeon can be the difference between life and death.

>>4125164
The food strapped Tarnish Empires is always happy to purchase meats and other foodstuffs. More exciting, however is the prospect of salt. For as long as anyone could remember, the Tidal Empire has been the only source of trade-quality salt available. While their prices have been fair, new competition in that area will certainly lower prices. Opals, too, would become highly demanded once crafted into jewelry. The Tarnish merchant vessel quickly sells off its cargo, mostly comprised of silver and other goods destinied for the FHR, before loading up to capacity with salts and opal. The bone map is also traded for a map of the eastern continents. Soon, a brisk trade is conducted between the two nations.

Much later, a small, sleek craft pulls into Lundanedd port. The captain is a tall, refined man who confidently requests to travel to Alfshys. His purpose in these parts? To hire mercenaries for a coming conflict.

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A REVISION
The Dwarves begin work on the port, finding the waters to be totally infested with living and dead flesh, along with the waste and viscera of the Charnel Bridge. As work continues, they see now the placement of such a port was folly, as it is an easy target for the Flesh, so close to every one of their holdings. Workdwarves return from rest to find piers slumping in the water, making the already difficult work more stressful, having never built such a thing before now.

>>4125543
1. do the fuckin, air shit for the flamethrowers.

2. Oh yeah, that entire desert and hills we don't own. fix that

>>4125609
Clan Llewelyn would be swift to take the map, something for a 'Captain Neifion' to read when he returned. The Llychlyn merchants also express they expect the amount of salt they have to increase in the future, though how far into the future is never specified. The silver they have seems to actually be a fairly profitable metal, as it is bought up fairly swiftly in the hopes to make nice crafts out of it. However, when the small craft pulls up, and the captain who was fairly short compared to the children of Fanw asked for travel to Alfshys and for mercenaries, he'd be granted the former and not really find the latter. At most when he finally arrived in Alfshys, he'd find two old clan Wynn Meistri Rhyfel, and at most twelve Helwyr Saethwr, relatively young at only past one hundred and fifty years of age, three of which are also from Clan Wynn. However, hearing a desire for mercenaries would draw attention... Some time during his stay there, he would be approached by Blodwyn, naturally accompanied by some of her guards. "I heard rumors you were looking for mercenaries. Might I ask why that is?"

Many scholars ponder upon the idea of magnifying the already booming shout of the dwarves.
After test runs with all known metals of the dwarven realm, an instrument is devised using copper shaped much like the horn of a goat, but much larger.
The smallest portion of the instrument is meant to meet around the mouth of a dwarf with ample room so that the user may perform a Jotedkuln that passes through the copper shape to resonate and louden the already deafening voice of the dwarf.
Later constructions of this would branch out into many other designs to alter the sound or enhance it further by twisting and bending the copper device.
With this, the dwarves may shout further than ever believed possible to transfer information across vast distances, and like the existing shouts, it too can be used greatly in battle, but instead of information, it will deal further damage and chaos upon the battlefield if used in large numbers. New small groups of dwarves join the ranks of many armies for this specific purpose.
>Jotedkuln'uren "Shout of Copper"

While saddened by their lowland kin not assisting in the effort to construct the port, they are not distraught, and instead will find what they need elsewhere.
Diplomats reach out to the Tidal known to have mighty ships, requesting schematics so that the dwarves may build more vessels for use against the flesh. Additionally the new port of Otedkl'latgjal opens its docks to the Tidal for repairs and resupplies, which they hope will greatly help them in their effort in the nearby waters.
Work begins as soon as their hands meet the vital information needed.
Timber is sourced from the nearby woodlands claimed by the Tidal, though if unable Meluz timber would be purchased instead, despite the high premiums as it would be far too costly to transport timber from beyond the mountains. Anything else needed is likely brought through the port by the Tidal.
>Ship Making

>>4123592
The Tarns request a number of books in Tarnish, Xyctho-Tarnic, and FHR. Some of the books requested of the natural science variety, cataloguing a variety of plants and animals of the Eastern Continent. Others are architectural tracts, cultural classics, or technical manuals used by builders and masons. They offer to pay in silver or Dwarven coin.

>>4125878
“The Tarns have long been blessed with coin but lack in a military to defend it. Now the time has come to rectify that imbalance. Our lands are under threat by several different forces, any one of which could attack us from a number of different directions. Those who come with me will be paid handsomely and find good work. If they are unwilling to fight, they will help train soldiers at our military academy in the martial arts. If a fight never happens, they will get paid regardless. We are looking for both mercenaries and teachers.

>>4125897
"I see...Most of Llychlyn, even Clan Wynn, will not engage in a war they know nothing about, however, considering who you are, and the wealth you clearly have, I suppose something can be done. The few willing to join you should best be used to train your people, as the numbers of those willing to assist will undoubtedly be slim. Our own people, while having a good martial history, will likely require reforms however. I will prepare a few willing, and once I feel confident in their abilities, we will assist you. It'll likely take a bit of time however, though it wont be too long. If you'd like, you can remain here as I do what is necessary to prepare for this little excursion. I feel both of us will gain from this event at least."

>>4123684
>>4123685
>>4123760
>>4123768
>Diplomacy: Ashen & Tarn

The council listens as the advocates speak, occasionally making notes, or comparing with prior produced documents. King Gvendon's face seems to grow more dour as the time drags on, twisting a plait of his golden beard as he assays the evidence of both sides.

"I have not before seen a case before with such antiquity behind it. The father's fathers' who placed these claims and laid these shafts have left their descendants an almighty mess, land worked and held as home unknowingly inherited without realizing the nature of the fault their settlements had been placed upon."

"Sadly, the nature of that initial violation has been made clear by both delegates present here today. The Ashenbeard minefather who stuck the first shaft has been proven to have known he dug into Tarnish-claimed lands by our Ashen cousin's own arguments in the chamber today, else he would not have approached the Tarn to offer purchase beforehand. A Dwarf does not need offer to buy permission from a neighbor to sink a shaft beneath a mountain when he truly believes the land he plans mining to have always been open, always been free to be his. That negotiations were broken off, that the land lay beneath and not above the mountain; neither of these change the intent of this ancestor, who we must now look at with shame."

"That being said, the Gylden Kingdom believe it more important to try to maintain the status quo in the mountains and the under-realm integrity. Whatever else, Dwarves have worked this mine for many turns of the world, these descendants ignorant of their founder's deceit; and it would be an ill thing to turf them out of their family holds whatever their forefather's deeds. Therefore, I would propose as a preference alternate compensation for the Tarnish state, in exchange for their officially seceding the Dwarven mine to the Ashenbeard kingdom, and the lands around it up unto the neck between the rivers."

"The Ashenbeard must mutually recognize the Ironstone workings on the Tarnish side as fully Tarnic lands, and agree to respect the extent of the Tarnic borders from hereon. The Ashenbeards will make payment of Gold and silver to the Tarn for the area they are acquiring, proportionally to the area in line with the fee paid by our nation for the north-Cewri purchase from the Tarnic state. As interest for payments denied, they should also pay the Tarnic state by seceding to Tarnia the woodlands of Talagt'heim up until the lines of the Greycloud hills and the Gylden and Deepaun borders. In addition, the Ashen are to pay weregild to the life-weight of historical Tarnish diplomats thrown from the mountains to their deaths on crime of trespass, to make apology for these, and to swear an oath upon the face of Thurkuunaz that they will keep their Iron from the mine concerned on offer of sale to the Tarn, directly or by intermediary, at any time that the Tarn are not actively warring the Ashenbeard nation."

>>4126440
The Tarns gratefully accept this ruling and hope the ashen doesn’t as well, for the sake of peace on this continent.

>>4126478
*do, lol

>>4125543
1. With the new source of Iron, B'yogi research new smithing techniques.
2.To prepare for the next natural disasters, B'yogi research architecture designs to better design and enforce their buildings.

>>4125909
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to train with your troops. I must confess I have always had a fascination with the martial arts, especially those of foreign peoples. It would also be a good opportunity for your men to get used to the physical limitations of our, well, less prodigious statures.”

>>4125543
>>4125897
>Diplomacy: Cewri & Tarn

Rathi believes he knows what Jotte implies, though the giant has not a word for it. A scholar of the histories, and a keeper of them. But he does not know the word in Tarnic himself; though he does speak some of the western tongue, the focus of those who learn it and the lessons provided has always seemed more focused toward matters of trade and exchange. Nonetheless, he does his best; asking around the Tarn of Roodkhaane for such an individual.

>>4122946
>Diplomacy: Deepaun
A bold plan, though for more then a few Gylden Dwarves the image of the leviathans of flesh rearing out from the depths of the water does much to worry them. The Gylden offer the Tidal empire access to our recent work on fishing implements, both those successful in that task and those more outlandish judged impractical. Perhaps among them, the Tidal empire might find a machine or two they think would be of use for hauling those beasts up from the sodden depths into the light of gold?


>Action 1: Guldfar's Gaze pt. 2

Gnordi Feberson continues holding to his new calling, venturing north to Kendt'koldrag and speaking to some of the Engineers, then with those at his side venturing further northward still, on journeys to the Jorgaster forges and then the northern glassworks; all the while the team about him growing as the requirements for the project becomes understood; plans and diagrams starting to take the place of theories and visions, and then concept prototypes and holding-towers as the industry of the workshops increases; the first 'Guldfar's Gaze' device rising thrice-blessed upward, ready for testing on the ranges.


>Action 2: Gylden Fleet

Taking inspiration from both the Cameros class warships of the tidal Empire and the measures of the Tarnic-inspired naval reforms, the Golden Dwarves begin construction of their own new breed of warship, mounting the finest of well-tested and refined artillery devices from the grounds of Torz'vogaz; their hulls protected with reinforcement, their prows pointed to rams of Dwarven steel. Named the Nor'guld class to signify a navy newly reborn, the Nor'guld, Teim'tkag and Dunlotz'kot will be the first three vessels to enter service.

>>4126440
Kalmr is baffled by the Gylden response.
While known ahead of time the meeting would not yield anything of value, how their own kin could ignore the way in which dwarves live as well as the facts provided, and seeming to favor the Tarn in such a way could have never been foreseen.
Revolting is the ruling, to ask the dwarves to give up land and resources vital to the southern mountainhome, and to also pay for the past crimes of the Tarn that had been settled already.

The combined actions and inactions recently made by the Gylden do much to harm the relationship of the two nations, though for now at least, knowledge of this is kept between the dwarven lords.

The Ashen will gladly purchase a portion of the mountain, but refuse the insults suggesting they cede the aforementioned vital land for no apparent reason and to make payment to a debt paid by the Tarnic trespassers already. With current trade restrictions, no trade can or will occur however a single payment of smelted iron can be included in the purchase of land as to lessen the cost in precious metals.

>>4126930
>>4126440
Given that the Ashen are unwilling to accept the judgement of their fellow kin, the Tarns request that King Gvendon come up with a different solution amenable to both parties. They reject outright the Ashen's offer to purchase the land. The idea that the silver dwarves, after all this deception, aggression and damage, would think that they could simply pay for the land as if nothing has happened, is frankly preposterous. The Tarn's sincerely hope that some sort of accord can be reached.

>>4126577
"I suppose that can be arranged. Though, I do hope you have plenty of training already, as the few who will mostly come over are our Meistri Rhyfel, or Masters of War. Though I'm sure they can give some training and advice. I just hope the many years of peace and prosperity haven't dulled their skills at all, though even if that's the case I have plans to ensure quality remains high before we leave. Hopefully you prove to be a be useful in measuring the average human in terms of physical ability to get a feel for the differences between Humans and us Children of Fanw, and even if you are above or below the average, it will give us at least some idea of what we are working with, which is needless to say good enough for now."

>>4127443
"I assure you, you'll find me and my men quick studies. We're all proficient in multiple different forms of combat and As for keeping up with your men"--he chances a quick appraising glance at the 9-foot CoF--"well, we'll do our best with that as well."

>>4125547
4 forces, making up a total of 2 full armies are ready for battle. Each of them is comprised of 1/2nd of a full army.
Connected with the forces of meluzina the 1st and 2nd Mercenary Armies of Amplect (collectively known as the 1st Mercenary army of Amplect) are prepared to undertake the plans of their meluz patrons, with some of the pay now being taken up by the combined finances of amplect and lyrara.
Near to the border of the infested region known as "Landing Party" the National Army of Paitoy has taken up arms against the cravers of this area as they fear that these creatures will commit atrocities against meluz civilians in retaliation for the attack, thus to minimize losses they are being paid at a discount to rid the area of all cravers as none of them can be classified as non-combatants in this area and so are free game.
The last battle ready force is the National Army of Amplect which has taken to fighting alongside the 4 ships which shall be carrying the payload, they will be taking up space to capacity, with non-essentials (besides good luck charms and the ship shrine) being forgone in order to maximize how much damage they will be able to inflict. Any who cannot go due to capacity reasons will be fighting alongside the National Army of Paitoy and will then go to fight alongside the meluz after the region is cleared, under meluz leadership just as the two mercenary forces are.
A minority among the National Army of Paitoy will be volunteering to fight alongside the meluz after the region is cleared as the laxity of Paitoy law allows for them to make such decisions of their own free will.

Lastly there is the naval force, made up of 4 ships, the old model among them is the Bisnocer while the three newer ones are the Cameros, the Trantos and the Inauquas. They are equipped with many heavy crossbowdrakes who each have dedicated reloaders in order to maximize damage output, also among them are many of the dragons who are adept at lightning magic, they will be using their talents alongside the many dragons apart of the National Army of Amplect to rip open wounds in the blood vessels from which the toxin barrels may be thrown at, thus maximizing the damage inflicted and wasting as little of it as possible.
They are not equipped with the hooks donated by the Gylden as those hooks will be going to the six new ships which are being produced in tandem with the most honorable Ashenbeards, although some will be added to these ships at a later date.

>>4125547
Action 1: Execute Warplan Hydra
(pic related)
All armies get into position, but before any major fighting on land occurs the 4 warships beeline towards a part of the flesh bridge deemed to be the most vulnerable, and in that hour the offensive into "Landing Party" begins.
The bombing of the bridge is a hit and run attack, the connected military force alongside the sorcerers scorch and slice into the bridge's weakpoints, trying to get an opening in where the venom bombs can be efficiency used. The electro mages show themselves to be the most useful, using controlled currents of potent electricity to burn huge gashes into the flesh, while also weakening the flesh so that both ranged attacks and melee attacks can better slice into it.
A sizable portion of the forces enter the water in order to protect the ships, using coordinated formations to wear down or rip apart anything which tries to approach the ships, all while the ships unload their heavy weaponry into the bridge and enemies upon it alike, providing the support which those in the air can use to great effect.
After about an hour nearly all the venom has been unloaded into the flesh bridge, and the ships leave immediately so that they can hunt down those who are fleeing from the attack on the landing party region, they do this just beyond the horizon of the shore so that less of them don't decide to stay and fight, because the dragon's element is in the air and the water, for on the land they have such pesky things as cover to deal with.

The National Army of Paitoy, alongside those of the National Army of Amplect who could not be connected to the ships go on the offensive against those fleshies in the area of "landing party", burning down much of the forested areas there and destroying anything enfleshed. Many of them are veteran hunters of the hills of the southern portion of Paitoy's mainland holdings and thus adept at tracking down small and large game alike, they find these rolling hills to be very similar to those they are used to and find a special level of success in cleansing the region of taint.

Action 2: Cooperate with the Dwarves
The most gracious Ashenbeards have offered their services in helping us construct a whole 6 warships, thus we must cooperate. And so we grow 6 glorious shelled krakens to serve as the engines and pride of these ships, we make sure to raise them to the specifications of the blueprints so that refitting is not an issue. Once they are grown it will be a simple effort of putting everything together and since these pieces are being constructed by dwarves this will hardly be an issue. Their names shall be: Stilwaros, Monsognos, Inoponos, Altrenatos, Chazireros and Hennepos.

>>4126930
>>4127173

Diplomacy: Ashen and Tarn

King Gvendon is displeased by the Ashen reaction to his proposed solution to the dispute. The new king had hoped to win himself an international reputation as a fair and just lawspeaker, but the chances of that now seem to be fading away.

He states to both Ashen and to Tarn that he did his best to come up with a plan for action that would secure and stabilize the borders and compensate parties for arrears due; but if his purchase deal to purchase the mine's land fairly for the Ashenbeards is not acceptable to them then it is for the both to suggest alternates; for the Tarn to make suggestions of other things they would accept in place of his suggestions, and the Ashen to suggest alternate payments they could provide of appropriate value. He will try to think of alternate solutions himself, of course; but as his idea for a resolution has already been declined, he cannot vow another quickly. What ideas would the Tarn or Ashenbeards now suggest?

>>4128260
The agreeable outcomes to this have been already laid out, so the Ashen will not spend any more efforts into a deal that will not be accepted.
But Kalmr shall do the duties set upon him and hear out whatever the Tarn offer before departing.

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1. Rear the Gryphons
The success of the mission came as the greatest surprise. These 11 Grpyhon hatchlings demand to be fed, and there is little for their newfound parents to do but feed them. They give the hatchlings chewed up beef in the presumed fashion of their parents. This proves mostly successful. They are wise enough at least to not try cooking it beforehand. The Gryphon is nothing if not a bird of prey, and it demands fresh meat. The question of course, isn't how to deal with hatchlings. They will learn how to live and how to fly on their own. It is how to deal with their appetites as they grow from young to adolescent and their need to hunt outweighs their desire to be fed. For now, it is the task of some of the best falconers in the Republic to train the Grpyhons for their skills are likely best to translate in such an early stage. Under their tutelage the beasts can learn to fly, and even preform some simple orders, but as they grow in size so too does concern grow among the people that they have invited a fox into the henhouse.

2. Saintly Blood [NM]
The Scarlet Robes know not how to waste. Jeanne's body is collected, and her God-touched blood stored away. Under the careful eye of the most attuned to God they study her saintly remains and keep them under guard while not directly under the careful prayer of her holy kin. It is with only mild surprise then that some of the martyr's holy blood falls into the hands of an Inquisitor with a strong connection to a Chamberlad known for getting into guarded spaces. Inquisitor Vayle was a Black Hat, but one with Divine Touch. She too could harness fire, and was even known to heal. She was a rare pink, but one sworn to her Inquisitorial rosette and not to the Church proper. She sought the Blood for her own ends. For her own power.

She drank from the vial at high noon, in a secluded part of the Grand Cathedral, with the rays of the Lightbringer turning the contents of the vial to liquid fire. She was alone, for experience taught her that heresies and controversies were best kept from the eyes of those unacquainted, and waited to see the results. Either she too would expire, or she would be elevated to the next stage of divine glory.

>>4125543
>Posting on behalf of the Karnis since they lack phone access for the moment

1.

The Nucklavee, some sort of religious creature/tool to the Cravers, is required in the Mausoleum; and it is asked that the Karnis aid in it's transport to the city of the Union. There it is settled and begins enfleshening it for protection and proliferation.

2.

The Karnis are invited to the Charnel Isle for the 2nd time, though first they came seeking help, and now help they have came to render. A flesh ship unloads ant workers to aid in the digging of a mine upon the nodes of asbestos, finally directing the porsine rovers properly and getting underground. The fibrous material is tested when weaved into bone/carapace for it's fire-resistance properties.

>War
Karnis Caelum (their flying ants), are armed with Gastric Casters, to fly above the armies of the dwarven menace and soften their armor for deathblows with the deadly slime.

>>4125547

>1: learn the properties of fire
In a controlled environment, a team of meluz researchers are tasked with finding all the different properties and uses for fire. This is done in a place where the dirt below has been picked clean of the easily flammable dry grass, which blankets most of our lush plains. We must learn why the frogs were so eager to spread this stuff around, even allowing it to invade and scorch our land at one point. Sure, this is plenty useful as a light source and a means for cooking food, but what about anything else?

>2: mechanics
Meanwhile, not too far from where fire is being researched, a group of inventors are working with metal and wood to create simple machines. The wheel and axle specifically catch our eyes like veins of silver, glistening in low torchlight. We create carts, which meluz families are able to use in the process of carrying all their important possessions across the land, and to parts unknown.
The hands of our inventors work tirelessly to create new machines, which may aid our advancement in life.
The instructions for these inventions are written down, and given to the public via our advertisement committee. However, the inventors charged a hefty sum for their written instructions.

>>4128145
>Diplo: tidal
With the absence of the frogs, we ask about our ability to go fishing within tirod bay.
The meluz questioning this look like they see themselves as deserving of answers.

>Diplo: tidal
The meluz hidden under the former soghoian capital finally emerge from the sewers, by orders of the representatives.The lack of croaking has concerned them greatly. However, now that they're up and about, they're all the more confused to see only tidal, but still no frogs. What exactly happened here?
Oh, and they're sorry for staying down there. They promise that no frogs were harmed in their little tunneling effort.
They ask if they may keep their little encampment within the still-vacant sewer system. Mainly, we wonder if it may be used as a trade route for meluz merchants within what is now tidal land.
A few ideas are thrown around about using the old sewers as the town square of an underground meluz community, tied together by burrows. Surely, the system of tunnels would offer some prosperity in trade from the tidal.
And still, more ideas are presented, mainly as they pertain to creating a system of underground mines below soghoia.

>>4125891
>Diplo: ashen
We ask the dwarves how they're able to refine iron into steel so efficiently, as we just located stocks of iron in our nation.

>>4128887 (diplo - Meluzina)
While the Meluz can no longer be counted among the adversaries of depau - instead being placed among its allies - the giving up of such a beneficial arrangement - in light of the use of restricted trade for many dynastic cycles in order to coax the empire into fighting a war for the meluz - the Depauns will not be so willing to give up what they have for the sake of friendliness for we do hold many cards in this matter.
Instead for this fishing agreement to be amended so that free fishing may occur the Meluz will have to offer something, or promise something of equal or greater value to the depauns (although it does not have to necessarily be something the Meluz themselves value). Only then will this old agreement be altered.

>>4128260
The Tarns wish for the dwarves to seal off the sections of the mine that violate the Tarnish borders. They offer to pay the dwarven miners the equivalent of two years salary as compensation for their losses. They are also willing to retract the statement of condemnation against the silver dwarves and the Tarnish embargo if the dwarves are willing to reciprocate.

The dwarves can choose to purchase the mountains under which the mines lie. However, if they wish to do so, they must publicly acknowledge that the original mines were illegal and repay the Tarnish nation for the iron that was taken. After that, the land can be bartered for with the offer of an chunk of land with equivalent value. The section of land the Gylden sighted would make a good exchange.

>>4125543
>Diplo
>Tarn (Black Market)

The hastily re erected Tarn patient shanty town lies on the outskirts of [Pentagon], and every inn, villa, and shack recieves a note of skin pinned to their door with a bone nail. The Cravers desire a living specimen of a shroom man for their experiments, and are willing to pay any reasonable offer the Tarns can name for supplying one.

>>4129095
Roughly a week later, the Cravers receive the first legitimate response to their query. An anonymous benefactor is willing to provide them with the mushroom man they desire, but in exchange, the Cravers must supply a flesh-priest cut off from the broader hivemind. The benefactor also wishes for an assurance that the Cravers will not take up arms against the Tarnish nation.
>If the Cravers accept.
A note written on parchment directs them to a abandoned spar of land. There, a Tarnish cargo vessel is waiting. Inside they find two chambers, sealed airtight and constructed of iron. The one on the left contains the mushroom man requested, while the other is empty, ready for the flesh priest. Once the transaction is completed, the Cravers depart the vessel. As they sail into the distance, a boat sails out from behind the spar and begins towing the cargo vessel back into Tarnish waters.

>>4129132
The Cravers gladly accept, and one of ththe experienced healer monks that dod not have access to state secrets was selected from a list of volunteers. The younger flesh priest sheds his skin cloak, dons garments of Tarnish make, and the piercing crimson of his irises shift to a glowing purple. The young Craver-Tarn asks a name be given to him as he takes residency in the Tarnish ship, yearning to see where his practice will take him.

>NAP

The Craver higher ups merely chuckle and say they thought that was assumed, for it is counter intuitive to try to heal a people whilst warring with them, and Craver need any friend that has patience with them; yet perhaps to put such thoughts to words to prevent "misunderstandings" is wise. The Lord of Flesh sends a small statue, a strange tree sapling of living growing bone with a grotesque cow with bulging blood sacs. A note reads -

"Let this budding life represent the Craver interest in the cooperation and mutual peace between the Tarn and people of the Flesh. Plant this tree where you want most protected, nurture it with constant care, may it protect you in an hour of need. "

>>4125543
Oh, last minute [R] and [NM] If you please.
The Tarns go to their oracle for what is likely his final prophecy. They seek guidance on their prospects again the Ashenbeards should war occur.

THE WAR OF TWO FRONTS

-The War in the East, Pt.1-
The Gylden lead the charge against whatever Flesh remains so close to Thési, heading north through the ransacked plain to the coast. Cravic lookouts spot the approaching army and bring word of the approach to the Priest-Captain and the few creatures left from the massacre. The beasts load themselves into the waiting gore ships and snarling Kos'tr. They waste no time hauling out into the Wending Straits, where the Priest-Captain begins with his foul arts to create a platform of flesh, just visible from the coast. The visceral raft sends down struts of bone, harvested from the Chern'bolg brought with him, tenuously this second growing Grist'hiœm anchors itself to the seabed and awaits a vein from the Charnel Bridge to bring it further sustenance. The army finally reaches the shore after a brisk forced march, but arrive too late to battle; The handful of Kos'tr left behind provide little resistance to the combined force. It is not long before the Tidal navy crests the Mare's Tail, sailing into the Wending Strait, straight towards the tower. The Priest-Captain is without an army of his own, save his driving-Kos'tr, but the waters off the Charnel Lands are infested with monstrosities of flesh. Unseen creatures batter the hulls and gauge at the Kraken. Sailing slows immensely, Depaun casting their chained spears at shapes in the dark water. As they continue the sea grows ever more repulsive, filled with churned viscera and filth, reducing visibility to nil. Diving into the stinking channel would mean at the least infection, at worst a torturous death & watery grave. Still they continue until the floating Grist'hiœm is in sight. Electromancers aboard cast their magics at the thing, charring it, and filling the air with the nauseating smell of burning, rotting, meat. The thing slumps, trapping the Priest-Captain inside it, he prays to Grist'thromir that he may remain hidden.
Beset by the hidden and writhing beasts below the waves, the Tidal navy carries on towards the Bridge. A handful of the smaller vessels are sunk, and many more turn back being badly damaged, but the reinforced pride of the Dragons perseveres. The further west they sail the further defiled they find the water. The Shelled Kraken ships are forced out, lest they become terribly diseased. Flying scouts return with details of what lies ahead. The Flesh Bridge is in a frenzy of activity, their flying insect creatures swarm the air, and pollution seeps from every pore. An attack may be almost as costly to the Depauns as it is the Flesh. A decision must be made quickly, for every second they spend within the Wending Straits the monsters deal more damage to the hull. They will take flight, Thunder mages will clear the way and the venom dropped, the ships will retreat for now to clearer waters, and return when the mission is completed.

-The War in the East, Pt.2-
They close in on the Bridge, electricity crackling through the sky, dropping the Raut'let in waves. But the Cravers have a nasty surprise for those who get too close, for they had gathered up venom from a previous attack and funnelled it into the barbs of their flies. It is a shock to the few Dragons stung, unlikely to be fatal, but they must retreat. The fearless Depauns push on, the mission must succeed. More Raut'let are shocked out of the air, until a path is cleared. Thankfully the bombers are unscathed, aiming their payloads well, they drop the barrel bombs onto the protruding veins below. They are fire upon, of course, but the Gastric Casters of the Flesh-Priests do not yet have the range, and pose little threat. A success, the Dragons return to their ships, and await the fall of the Bridge.
However things did not go quite as planned, for though the barrels hit, half exploded on impacted injecting little venom, and those that did pierce were quickly pulled out by the creatures on the Bridge. Damage had indeed been done, the eastern half withers near-instantly, and veins are cut lest they too be envenomed. It is a blow for sure, but alas also a boon, for much of the venom is taken by the Flesh for their own wicked purposes.

-The War in the West-
Ashen soldiers wheel their packed Zuvvotuze down the hill towards the wall of the Ants, flanked by axedwarves and further guarded by crossbowdwarves. Their mission? To send a message that their might is all-conquering, that those Ants should know their place. The Jungle is cut away diligently, ever watchful for the six-legged menace. Karnis watch quizzically from their wall, unsure what awaits them. The distances are judged, the rock-haulers unloaded and assembled. The things are only just visible by the Ants, whose antennae twitch with concern, what could those little hairy beasts be up to? Thirteen trebuchet stand in a clearing, and are loaded. Zo'Karn see the things and panic. Before they can spread word of the machines, they are loosed. In an instant the Sable Wall is obliterated. Concussed Ants stumble about, stepping over their crushed sisters, only to hear the bellow of an untold number of invaders, like thunder. Another volley, this time of quicklime. Anything in range is scalded terribly. Flying Ants try to attack the Dwarves, managing to land few scratches before being shot or cut down. The remainder of the stone is fired, then the Dwarves march on. There are few surviving Ants, and once the axedwarves are done, no surviving Ants. The Ashen squat on the rubble.

END OF INTERLUDE.

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SCENE SIX

>>4125582
>Llychlyn
Picks from the excursion under the ice are dismantled, and the Blessèd Steel is melted down. When reforged without the proper rituals the steel is still of high-quality, but lacks lustre, and when tested performs much the same to mundane steel. Meanwhile the southerly expansion continues. Outcroppings of otherwise barren rock jutting out into the sea are overrun with the blubbery sea creatures, while others are covered in brown seaweed.

>>4125586
>Tarn
[R] There's talk the Flesh, those Cravers, that they could somehow create from Tarnic stock, some sort of, super soldier. It's gossip of course, but what if?
[NM] A dam of tightly woven Gold / Holds back a Silver torrent / But should that brotherly fabric fold / Then none can stop the current.
The Great Eastern Wall stretches over hill and plain, easing the tension within the populace. There had been animosity between the Tarn and their silver-bearded neighbour for many a tyrn, and rumour abounded of a potential sparking of hostilities. With such a barrier now in place, the worry begins to fade.
For as long as any Tarnman can remember, a visit with a surgeon was a coin toss, and horror stories abounded. One would rather deal with the pain of whatever ailment than visit a surgeon, further fuelling the opium trade. Though with the influx of B'yogi inspired clinicians, along with the ever increasing import of a Cravic nature, surgery is seen as far less, fatal. Of course, there is always a risk, but one more and more are willing to take.

>>4125861
>FHR
Air! Air! How could they forget such a thing! Without air the fuel will simply drip from the gonne and set alight one's boots. Tanks much like those which hold the fuel are fabricated, and with recent innovations from those within the Engineering District, a valve of rubber used to trap air inside it. With bellows, and a tireless arm, air can be forced inside the can, to then be used in firing. A single cannister would require perhaps, three hours to be filled, and fire perhaps three bursts before needing to be replaced.
The last unclaimed lands in sight are taken, at last, securing the entire northern coast for the Republic.

>>4125891
>Ashbeards
Jotedkuln'uren of every size are constructed, for their uses are many. From the highland goat-herd, to the marching army officer, even one weak in the shout can magnify their voice with such a device. There is a certain clarity lost with the instrument, but this too is used to the Ashen advantage, for with enough twists and hammerings, the resultant warble is not too far akin from that of the tortured wails of the damned. Meluz farmhands pack their ears with extra goatfluff.

>Ashbeards cont.
A pity the Gylden are so tied up in their own matters. Yet, this presents itself with a learning opportunity, to construct mighty, Ashen vessels! Perhaps they would even rival their brethren's trade-cogs. With designs purchased from the Tidal, work begins on ship construction. Work is stymied by the befouled waters and Cravic beasties, but the Dwarves have dealt with worse.

>>4126509
>B'yogi
These H'yomi are very useful, for within Jubilation there are a few who already know how to best smith iron, and turn it into another metal entirely! Sti'el I believe it is called.
This physical world is one of change, where no one can be certain of anything it seems. Since the first B'oo laid the first brick in the Jakol Plains, B'yogi architecture had been relatively simple. The Bone Mother in her way taught them of post & lintel, and vicarious study of the H'yomi brought them the arch, but there had been precious little more progress. The attack of the wind itself had brought about the obvious need of something more for B'yogi buildings. Stouter walls is the first suggestion, accompanied by lots of agreement, but it is a Garnish one that suggests to the assembled that the B'oo renew their pallet, as it were. Most of their buildings were mud-brick and wood, very few were built of stone, and of these even fewer were, elegant in any way.

>>4126623
>Gyldenthrong
The plan was ambitious to say the very least, a glass of such a size had yet to be tested, Guldfar alone knows how that would turn out. Creating a sheet of glass that size, let alone a lens would be, nigh-impossible! But perhaps with, yes, it should work, an array of mirrors one could harness more of His gift with a more manageable lens. Of course, the large lens could be tried, but there is little hope for success.
The Gylden Nor'guld class warship rivals the very best even the Depauns could muster, they set sail bedecked in banners and garlands, to the clinking of tankards and fanfare.

>>4128145
>Tidal
The Six shall indeed prove glorious, for they are reared to be the best they can be; quick & agile, but formidable & powerful. May they be the pride of not only the Depauns or the Ashen, but the ocean!

>>4128647
>Vossiks
Of the eleven, nine make it into adolescence; four males, and five females. As the beasts mature it becomes apparent that it is the fairer of the two sexes which will prove most difficult, for while the male is docile (at least as docile as 300lbs of eagle-lion can be) the female is a born huntress. Her bloodlust cannot be sated on cuts of meat tossed into her cage, no, she must kill her meal, and woe betide her trainer. More, a rabbit from the field will not do, her prey must be large, around say, Elf-sized. She is a wastrel, too, killing a horse and eating only a tenth of it. Where the male will perform admirably for treats of sweet cakes and liver, the female is proud and deigns only to perform as she chooses. It is with a heavy heart that it is suggested the females be kept as breeding stock alone, to disgrace such a noble creature with such a fate, but they are too stubborn, too haughty to be of use.
The relic burnt as it slid down her throat, and the fire grew within her belly. She thought at once she must be a fool, this was surely to be her end. Her body felt aflame, boiling under her heavy robes. Without shame she casts them aside, scratching at her skin as the flame inside her grows. She prays in scrambled words for forgiveness and reprieve, yet her prayers go unanswered as the fire rages. Her mind reels from the pain, her screams drawing a terrified Hacmosi temple clerk to her aid. As he touches her he recoils, fear filling him. For in the briefest moment of touch he felt a strange power emanate from her. He ran to fetch water, and return to find her laying motionless. A hand under her nose confirmed she was alive, but barely. Covering her, he brought her to the cloister to be cared for. It is a full cycle of the moon before she is well again, but the ordeal has silenced her tongue. When she returns to her post it is with a new gift, one which should prove useful in her line of work. With merely a touch, she knew fact from falsehood. The method was, perhaps more involved than she let on, for within her grasp lay not a simple lie detector, but the exchange of souls.

>>4128770
>Karnis
The twisted visage of the Nuck'lavee graces the Mausoleum, and with the long vein still pumping south, the first enfleshening of a Karnis nest begins. Ants are sent north, to the Cravic homelands, and begin work on a mine to dig the wonder-material: Asbestos. It had been known about for decades, but its only use until now had been the creation of porcine tumours.

>>4128887
>Meluzina
Even by their second shed a Meluz understand the basics of fire, or at the very least not to touch it. As they grow, there is an understanding that fire must be fed, and respected. But what did those Frogs know that the Snakes did not? They held a fascination, a cherishing, of fire that any Meluz would find worrying. And so, in this clearing, a small team of curious Meluz go about trying to find out what is special about the flame. Initial tests prove the obvious, fire was hot, and went out after depleting its fuel. Only things without much water in them would burn, and certain things when burnt produced either pleasant or nauseous smells. A final lesson, was that fire was capable of consuming the very air from a closed room, choking those within.
So soon after the axle, comes a second innovation in Meluz lands, the gear. (have fun)

DIPLO
>>4126623 >>4129169
Yes, precisely what Jotte had wanted, an historian. He waits eagerly for such a Man to be presented to him.

END OF SCENE SIX.

>>4129367
1. An update to general logistics; roadworks, waste disposal, bridges, stabilization of infrastructure in the arid regions, etc. The clans individually have done a good job using their own resources and manpower to maintain and gradually bring such things up to par, but to innovate and overhaul, not so much. Thus, dedicated funding, freed up by recent tax overhauls and corruption purging, is dedicated to such a task by the Daiimad.

2. Once again, the Apothecaries College is established. With the more arcane methods of healing and preserving looked into as much as they possibly could, the physical sciences now in the focus.

Rumor as well.

>>4129367
Among the ranks of Tarnish thinkers, there are a few who believe objects, like people, have a soul. According to them, every humble cup and plate has agency, simply not on a scale that a human can comprehend. Needless to say, the thinkers of Tarn can be quite foolish. But just because something is wrong, does not mean it cannot contain fragments of the truth. Certainly, though it possesses nothing resembling a soul, the city of Xycthos is like a person. She has a body, a personality, an atmosphere. She has a pulse and vital organs and extremities. And, like all cities, she has a memory, one stretching far back into history, before the first thinkers, before civilization itself. She remembers when the Tarns were a race of fishermen, when their first petty squabble divided them. Then, she was a loose cluster of trading villages, cobbled together from stones and sticks. Her people were bare-chested savages, huddling around sputtering fires, swapping tall tales as they waited for their fish to cook. But even then there was an ambition about them, one far exceeding their humble reality. She had felt it then, perhaps for the first time.

In the center of their humble village, the Tarns completed what would be their final act as a single tribe. With nothing but a few straps of sea kelp and their own determination, they painstakingly put together a crude henge of grey stone. Into its pillars they inscribed a prayer to their gods, pouring into the rock their hope that the next time they came together would be in peace and not discord, that this meeting place would be a womb for a new Tarnish nation, one greater than those that had come before. Perhaps their words had magic. Perhaps they did not. Regardless, the result was the same. As they willed it, so it was.

Though the men who had carved their words into the rock so long ago have long since perished, though the henge they worked to build has sunk beneath the city over the millennia, their work remains intact deep beneath the surface, forgotten to even the Sun Himself. It has been a holy place, a refuge, a smugglers den. It has been a birthplace and a mortuary. Now, it holds something different. Eleven stone slabs, each draped with a comatose body. Ten are young boys, the oldest not more than 18. The last slab, positioned in the center of the rest, supports an old man, wizened beyond his years by a great burden. The others are drugged and comatose; he alone is awake, staring at the ceiling, muttering phrases no mortal could parse.

>>4130240

Five figures pad gently into the room. Three wear cloaks of gold, silver, and copper respectively. They are councilmen from each of the great cities, here to observe the procedure and assess its results. The fourth wears a robe of electric blue. He hails from the Sorcerer's Guild, here to imbue the boys’ very bodies with enchantments of protection and power. The fifth is not a man at all, but a violet-eyed abomination. Its name is Polaris. The others keep their distance as it paces the room, examining the bodies. The importance of its task does not make the creature any less distasteful.

Everything is deemed ready. The golden-clad man turns to the abomination.

“You know what must be done. Eleven to ten. The power of one, granted to many. Begin when you wish.”

The creature nods.

It smoothly bisects the old man.

The henge shall be a womb once more.

Action 2: Ironstone mine protection
Now that the border has been secured, the next step is to protect the Ironstone mine. The first order of business is to install chains of bells along the mine walls, to once again warn of any dwarven tunneling. The next is to widen out the walls of the mine. The dwarves are experts at tunnel fighting, so the Tarns wish to ensure that any battle there is on level ground. Additional steel ribbing should be more than sufficient to prevent collapse. The third step is to build up ramparts and post a guard inside of the mine at all times. The guard will slow down an invading party, and the ramparts will allow defenders to hold the mine even against a massive onslaught. The final step is the sinking of a ventilation shaft and pump system all the way down to the bottom of the mine. This will prevent fighters from being starved of air during a battle.

>>4126623
A historian is dispatched from Tempel, along with a tusker-load of various scrolls and archives.
>Feel free to DM me if its a specific thing you need from me

>>4128647
It has been a long time since the Tarns first came to the Vossik lands. Since then, few have stopped by, mostly just itinerant traders looking to snap up a curio or two. Now, however, more ship begin to sail to Vossik port, carrying actual goods for sale.
The Tarns request permission to set up an embassy in the port town of Volodek. They also request a list of goods the Vossiks would be willing to trade with the Tarns. The Tarns can supply the following:
>Fur
>Meat
>Bread
>Wood
>Silver
>Copper
>Bronze
>Coal
>Iron
>Tin
>Pewter
>Pewter Tableware
>Statuettes
>Jewelry in glass, garnets, and turquoise
>Shields
>Spears
>Human Corpses(Black Market)(Luxury)
>Steel(Luxury)
>Garnets(Luxury)
>Books(Rare)
>Salt(Rare)
>Gold(Luxury)
>Dwarven Ale(Rare)
>Fine Weapons(Rare)
>Sulfur(Rare)
>Turquoise(Rare)
>Bone Maps(Black Market)(Luxury)

>>4129367
Craver:

1. The rotting dead flesh of the attacked bridge is excised, and used to make a new kahro form (see war action), attending Flesh Priest use stone from ant tunnels as a plating for the bridges side (having been cemented with a flesh/bones asbestos mortar). The Flesh Rig is sent a thin, weeding vein to supply the bare minimum as the Flesh Captain reduces his consumption and enter a hibernation like state to await rescue or reinforcements. The rig retracts under the gore filled brine, a submerged hidden tumor anchored on the sea bed, waiting like a tube worm.

2.
[NM]
The venom is gathered in mass, a manner of combating this affliction to all that the Cravers have worked for must be found. The venom is distilled and diluted, experimented and pawed over. Even the one of the Geneforges wombs is sectioned off with seperate hearts and lining changed after to devise a humor to neutralize the venom before it can devastate an entire city organism. The Karnis ayfids are bred a caste called Hem'lock (helper/cleaner), with two chambers, one to flush and counteract the venoms rotting, and the other to suction out the gunk to reduce spread.

>War
The crab (Iron/Asbestos) bone shells are crafted separately for the Kahro to fill with dead flesh and add controlling tendons, but they are impressive works, elder kahro of this type have more numerous legs and pincers and spearing arms. Setting out from the Bridge, they crawl along the ocean floor, laying a spool of vein to the submerged Captain, when they arrive they stack ocean stone and silt around the base of the rig to sink it into the seabed and armor it's sides. Surrounding flesh from the straight is taken and added to the rig if possible, worming deeper.

>Karnis cont.

>>4129367

Karnis:

1.
The Matriarch screams in rage and fury while Craver and Karnis advisers attempt to placate her with advice. A Craver messenger bursts into the room, giving a note to the Matriarch -scarred with the sigil of the Charnel Lands- directly from the Lord of Flesh. The ant-mother cuts open the scroll, and upon reading it laughs in relief. Ants in Labyrinth and from the Bulargh burrows upon the Craver Isle begin digging a tunnel to bring the island Rut'ra hordes to Karnis defense.

2.
The Nucklavee produces a strange tool for ants to use within the Mausoleum, a strange small dog sized nodule of carapace covered flesh, with a large eye and two tubes coming from it's "face" and grasping tendrils from it's behind. Karnis take these fruit-like flesh "equipment" and are instructed to attach them to the canopy of the forest behind the wall. Re'Karo hide under the soil in wait, cutting through roots to prepare their ambush. The flesh-fruit is a creature with a limited life and no reproduction potential. The grasping vines hold them tightly to the tree tops, as they peer below. When they spot a collection of dwarf like figures moving, it breathes one of it's two breaths- pushing the contents of one of it's chambers. Inside is filled with packed concentrated spores from the Kharo caves, the ones that makes one's mind abandon them for a time. Then it wait for movement after a short refraction period, then showering any interlopers below them with a slime dilution shower, then dying.

>War
The fliers of the Karnis, armed with Craver Casters, do a flyby of the squatting dwarves upon the ruins of the wall. The longer the dwarves squat, the more fliers sent. Either they will be turned to muck under attrition, lured into an attack into the forest, or driven from the wall.

With the wall toppled and taken, the dwarven warriors are filled with pride as are the dwarves back in the underworld when news arrives of their success.
These beasts will learn from their mistakes or die in the process.
Holding the location indefinitely while also using any salvageable rubble to construct fortifications or a new, lesser wall to the advantage of the dwarves. Jungle canopies will aid against the aerial attacks of the ants as they have done in past, with any managing to break through being met with a deadly hail of fire from both Skykillers and Silverhammers that send a mist of stones into the air.
Shield walls stand ready for any potential counterattack that may occur and the redundant troops in the west now being sent back home for their much needed and deserving rest, particularly those of the south who have begun to show contempt for the war.
>Solidify Peace

Further research begins on the obelisk, first starting by collecting the fragments left by the original location and doing various tests with them, with one smith attempting to work a shard into a potential weapon. The plans of the once thought crazed priest are looked over and attempts made to follow them.
>Hammer of Therkuunaz Part II

During a short window in which it is possible, the Invuld takes a a brief pilgrimage to the holy mountain of the south, bringing with him a series of valuable items to sacrifice unto the magma below so that Therkuunaz may bless him with guidance.
>Rumor

>>4128887
The loyalty and sacrifice the Meluzina has been shown in this long war. A skilled smith is sent to teach their allies the process of steel, also asking if they require any other technological aid.

>>4129367
Seeing how the smelting of Blessed steel without proper rituals turns it to naught but normal, abet high quality steel makes Clan Nist and Blodwyn relieved. Clearly, this material was their own, and would only be able to be made by them. Still, with that little question asked, Blodwyn would gather the Meistri Rhyfel, along with Clan Wynn and set some new guidelines for how one becomes a Meistri Rhyfel and retains such a title. Firstly, they must train with other Meistri Rhyfel at least twice a week and maintain their skills and strength. Secondly, they should be able to hold their own well in a one on one sparring match or archery competition with another Meistri Rhyfel, and beat all of the lower ranked military soldiers with the exception of those who might become Meistri Rhyfel soon enough themselves. Thirdly, should one lose the title of a Meistri Rhyfel through a lack of skill or strength they can regain it, and if they are particularly old, in their four hundreds, even if they don't meet the standards anymore, they still will be considered Meistri Rhyfel in title, as are those who lose limbs in battle, as the title itself is still a honor. This, among other parts of the reorganization should bring the standards of the Meistri Rhyfel up so they may truly be the masters of war and the best of the best, though, Blodwyn already has plans for a number of army reforms, but those are for the future. It was best, in her eyes, to start with the Meistri Rhyfel first in terms of improving their quality and skill by raising their standards and making sure they maintain them.

After some times with these standards in place, a particular ship would return, a LCL Teithiwr, with all the news and excitement it brought with it. And, as this ship came, Blodwyn, and a small group of Meistri Rhyfel would prepare to head off to the lands of these 'tarn' who came to the shores not long ago... Meanwhile, Eheubryd would continue the little bits of encouragement to go south, and those there would take the seaweed and see what can be done with it, perhaps it would be useful in medicine, or maybe just good as a side dish? Something for the Children of Fanw to find out soon enough. Thankfully, sooner rather than later, this short little bit of expansion would come to an end and then all of Llychlyn would be under control of its rightful inhabitants.

>Rumor?

>Action One. Set up a number of standards to make sure the Meistri Rhyfel don't slack off and let their skill and strength deteriorate through inaction after getting the title.

>Action Two. Expand south for the second to last time. It will not take much longer now...

>>4130724
The sent soldier are quickly put to work teaching the next generation of Roodkhanian soldiers at the now enormous military academy. With the final addition of their ranged based fighting style, the Tarnish students become adept in a variety of combat situations. They can fight from far away using bows and arrows as the CoF do. They can mass up and march in formation using now-perfected legion tactics the Tarns originally invented. And in the brutal melee of battle, the aggressive swordsmanship taught by the B'oo makes each of them a formidable individual fighter.

>>4126509
The Tarns seek to hire B'oo mercenaries. They put out advertisements offering gold, glory, and unique experiences to those willing to defend Tarnish soil. Each flyer is adorned with a crude illustration of a mountain vista.

>>4129367
>>4129473
>>4129371
>Diplo
>FHR & Vossik

A Tarnish mediator and a Craver Diplomat float in a single dinky rowboat in the Port Senday, hands in the air and waiting to be taken into custody by the empire men's authorities. They carry with them a supply of strange grey furs. A similar situation plays out outside the city gates of Tyr. With the Tarn serving as a character witness, the Cravers explain the current goings of their Union and the purpose of their trespass... to establish trade relations!


Craver:

[Living Specimens]
>Rover Steaks
>Rut'ra Pack Beasts
>Chern'bolg Laborers
>Kostr Fisher Teams

[Tile Work]
>Vein Aquaducts
>Flesh Walls
>Burrows
>Salt Collectors
>Fertilization
>Sea Platforms

[Products and Services]
>Healing
>Limb Replacements and Improvements
>De-aging
>Personal Alterations
>Slime Solutions
>Teaching/Mission Work
>Commission Work (specialty made beasts.)
>Bone Tablets/ Skin Scrolls/ Books
>Copper
>Iron
>Asbestos
>Crystals
>Cave Mushrooms

[Interested In]
>Books
>New Creatures
>Turquoise
>Venom
>Dwarven War Effort Info
>Non-standard weapons of war
>Magic Services
>Histories

Karnis:

>Tuki Bird
>Slime
>Jade
>Rubber
>Re'Karo/ Reez'wa
>Spiked Steel Shields
>Ant Tools
>Iron


The 2 two man teams sell their pitches and wait at the mercy of the Westerners.

>>4129370
1. Our magic is mostly used for utility and deception leading astray our enemies, but we're getting word the world is getting more and more dangerous. We have to strengthen our faith and magic to stand a chance. In the city limits of Insight, we will conduct research on how to make our shadows solid to affect this world (like shadow weapons, grappling things with limbs made of darkness and whatnot)
2. Speaking of the world, we have neglected researching it. A terrible mistake that must be corrected. Proving souls exist is a great boon so the faith of the Dark Ones have increased tenfold and has enrich our power. Now we will continue more research of H'yomi anatomy and the relationship of soul and body.

>>4131272
Also, rumor, please.
>>4130944
The B'yogi are much for fighting, but this will provide a great opportunity to explore the world and study new things. Death, blood, and saddness; these things are exciting! B'yogi agree to Garnish hired of their people.

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>>4129373
>>4130301
>Diplomacy: Tarn and Cewri

The Tarn have provided Jotte what he wished for, it seems. Rathi leaves his Giant companion to take the next forward step, for only Jotte truly knows what draws him here.


>>4129085
>>4128288
> Diplomacy: Tarn and Ashenbeards

King Gvendon has lost much of the initial optimism that led him to believe he could broker a lasting peace from this dispute, but he suggests that if the Ashen would be willing to consider some version of the Tarnish deal then perhaps the Tarn might consider adding an additional stretch of mountain-land to the sale. Rather then a province to north and south, separated by the river; the provinces would be reorganized into eastern and western, each bisected; the eastern Tarnish and Western Ashen. The Tarn would still hold both resources they currently work, whilst the Ashen would gain access to higher mountains closer to the line of Sigod's spine for building their underworld beneath.


>>4130724
>Diplomacy: Llychlyn

The scholar has had a bit of trouble sorting himself out in the unknown land of the western island, but after a little work setting up a base of operations in the children's town he is ready to see the sights... is there anywhere on this island the Children of Fanw would recommend he see, anywhere they would reckon he would do best to avoid or would wish to show him?

>Diplomacy: Vossiks
Gylden merchants have now been an occasional sight in the Vossik lands for many a year, due to the open trade treaty established with the Elven folk. But some of the things they have seen have interested them, and they have told tales, and those tales have spread. Now Glod Undrakunz, a long-imbued priest of Guldfar with beard still full of colour and vigor comes to the Vossik with gifts of food, noon-blessed cider and a brass horn etched with Guldfar radiating light across the Barleyfields. He asks permission to travel their lands and see the sights, and learn of the Vossik faith and how it compares to his own. Many Merchants have told tales to him that the Vossik seem to worship Guldfar above, bringer of the golden light, after their own fashion and by their own name. Is there any truth to this, he wonders? He would not put it past a merchant's mistake, but still, this is a thing he wished to come and ask for himself.

>>4131534
>>4128647
(Forgot to link the diplomacy act for the Vossiks in the last post, I'm sorry)
>>4129367

>Action 1: Defences for Alloys

The Deepaun are better choices all around to operate the navy from the port of Otedkl'latgjal, the Gylden consider. The Golden Dwarves are relative newcomers to naval ability, and have not sailed the northern waters before; whilst the Tidal empire has been sailing the seas since the start of known time. Instead, the Golden Dwarves set about building defenses for this northern port; strong, sturdy Dwarven walls to protect the port-town and the harbour; and lesser defensive posts and walls along the coastline so that any tide of flesh that comes to strike at town or anchored fleet might be met and repelled.


>Action 2: Guldfar's Gaze; Pt.3

Though a little saddened that the engineers' prototype tests recommend against his vision of a single mighty lens focusing Guldfar's burning sight; Gnordi decides that the symbolism of Guldfar's golden light emboldened by the silvery backing of Æblemor through an array of silver-backed mirrors is theologically appropriate enough. The array is polished and fitted and the machine inscribed, decorated with brass and gold, and blessed beneath the noon in Gylden Ichor, as the Dwarven engineering crew hurries about to ready and prepare their weapon for first testing.


>War
Fresh from the victories against the Flesh on the western salient, the Gylden army digs in to rest and fortifies to secure the land won, raising forts and bombardment positions to strike out at any Cravic structures, vessels or leviathans that might be seen through the spyglass.

>>4131534
>>4130301

The Gylden scholar and Tarnic merchants found themselves immersed in a busy city. One of the first things that were noticed was the clean and ordered living that the Hacmosi lived. The streets were mostly free of filth and there was a common well drawn from every 3rd street. The city was a mix of tall four-story apartment buildings with the first floor commonly shops operated by many of the residents. Word was that most of these housing units even had flowing water internally. The grid system that Volodek was laid out on made movement efficient from the dock to the city center where the largest outdoor market could be found and lined along the rushing river was a series of smaller river docks that moved the plethora of Vossik made goods to market in Zvarnholm. For Tarnic merchants, there was little that couldn't be found in the busy trade port. Dyed cotton cloth, mountain cattle, metal goods of fine make, and even the legendary artwork of Renthum artists could be found in various stalls.

For thr Gylden and Tarnic both, they were treated to the Week End Ceremony, a tradition that blended practicality with religious rite. As the sun descended over Sigord's Spine the city was light in many-colored lights. The central city Kost towered over the city like the citadel it was, and from its highest point a great brazier was lit with a blue light that could be seen from the peaks of Tyrhen. So long as it burned the Elezen would know their kin carried the Dayflame through the night and into the new week. Their reverence for the sun extended to a reverence for light and nothing was considered more an ill omen than the heath fires falling cold and the lanterns going out. While the light they gave was not great, it prevented the city's orderly streets from falling into darkness and permitted the festivities that they could observe. Prayer for the return of the Sun and a profitable week, prayers for the safety of kin and travelers, and of course, a proper send-off feast. While the food was mostly simple it was abundant and freely offered to all be they prince or pauper. They could see that everyone from the wealthy to the poor shared in the same meal from simple bowls and consumed with simple tools and all showed reverence to the white and scarlet clad clergy that lead them in prayer and thanksgiving. For the truly astute may even notice the dark clad figures that circled gatherings. Always there, watching, listening, and always invisible to the crowd. The more well versed may have heard of these shadowy figures. The Inquisition - Black Hats - the hushed secret police of the Republic that enforced orthodoxy and rooted out heresy and dissent against the Vossaya in equal measure.

Guldfar and the Tarnic merchants found themselves not only welcomed among such a ceremony, but engaged in friendly conversation about the world outside of Volodek and the cultures that they hail from.

>>4130945
Even in Tyr the presence of the fleshy monstrosity is simply too much. While the Tarnic emissary is allowed inside to explain, the fleshman is left outside. The emissary finds it easy enough to explain that the Craver is simply too different, too freakish, and too offensive to even the Othinian's mild sensibilities to be permitted within. Trade would need to go through an intermediary, or it would need to come through a less monstrous form.

That said, there was of course, some Othinians more motivated by profit than sensibilities, and while the Cravers was not permitted within the city they did find some trade intermediaries willing to work with them in markets outside of the Republic proper. The most likely location for such meetings would, of course, be found in Karnis. Outside of the city there were, of course, some people willing to trade their meager possessions for Cravic goods, but it was hardly anything of note.

>I'll choose Malachite for my resource
1. Subjugate the Gryphons
Of the five females, four are given to be used as breeding stock. One though, is kept. Efforts to domesticate this one, named Gynwilda after the heroine whose tales started the entire process, continued. It was clear that the city was simply no place to the process, and so she and her handlers left to the mountains near Tyrhen Voss to continue the training process. Closer to her natural habitat with more opportunities for proper feeding it was hoped that they could continue to train her while also meeting the majestic huntress's need to absolutely fuck something's day up if she got antsy- which was often. The four captives were closely monitored and communication was kept between the party outside and the breeders inside to see if there was potential yet to turn the massive females toward something other than spitting out eggs.

2. Soul Magic [NM]
Inquisitor Vayle's brush with death was far from encouraging. For years the woman sat on her newly found gift, silently terrified of the consequences from her own - to say nothing of the Scarlets who would delight in seeing her burned for her transgressions against their august order. The gift and the guilt sat heavy on her and for all too long it was simply easier to pretend to ignore the result. It had its uses in rooting out her quarry. None could stand against her infiltration. She could do more than detect lies, she could literally see the pollution of wickedness. Through her efforts more than one cult of Konyu or sect of Baalurists were dug out and put to the gallows. Even then, with work consuming her life, she found no inner peace. She carefully floated the notions of Jeanne's remains to some of her comrades and trusted confidants in the Scarlet. It was a process made easier by her abilities. After an agonizing period, she found those willing to listen. She confessed her sin and with the artistry of one born to lie and detect lies, she spun a story that both glorified Jeanne and minimized her own guilt. She did it for the Lightbringer, you see? Her gifts were tested, rigorously, by a tribunal. One scarlet. One white. One black. Her peers in the Church. All found her guilty of a crime, but the sentence was to be commuted. There were those that had wondered themselves how to grow closer to the Lightbringer, and if one such as Vayle could be tested in such a way and survive, then perhaps there was merit indeed to her words. Her service record could be little ignored.

Instead another test was set up. This time, one of Jeanne's close brothers in the Scarlet would imbibe from a vial of the martyr's remains and then they would have their proof.

>>4130944
The few soldiers and Blodwyn would do their best to teach the Tarn a few of their techniques and tactics with regards to the bow, and would in turn try to learn from the visit themselves to see if they could gain anything of important value in techniques, tactics or strategy's. Of course, the Tarn likely cannot fire a bow to the same distance as a CoF could, but even so, the information the CoF would be able to give in regards to ranged combat would be useful both in an ambush of an enemy, or a proper battle between two armies.

>>4131534
The scholar would be given the suggestion to go to the nearby church and see the monument in the center of Lunedannedd if he hasn't already, as the local church is second only to the Eglwys fawreddog y ffyddloniaid in Allfshys. If he has seen them, they advise him to go to Allfshys so he can see the Eglwys fawreddog y ffyddloniaid, the Palas Hydref Clan Cadigan, the Prifysgol frenhinol Allfshys, or the Efail Bendigedig. Though, they state that he could only likely see the outside of the Efail Bendigedig, and the inside of a single entrance room to place orders for smithed goods. Other than this, they mention the forest north of the town is a place of beauty, though slightly ruined by a foul smelling herb there. The only place he's told to avoid, and only by a few, is of a place to the south which once had been fanw forsaken before being destroyed with holy pick, which the monument in the center of Lunedannedd honors those who worked on that task, especially those who lost their lives in that horrid place to make Llychlyn and the world a better one.

>>4129370
>action 1:
For a long time the use of poppies for their medicinal and recreational properties has remained primitive, with the methods of refining the plants into something usable have remained primitive, but no longer shall that be the case. Through experimentation done through the bill of the clan of Lyrara a new, more compact and more potent version of poppy based products has been created, and it is called opium. It is a liquid extract of the poppy, collected through a series of insertions throughout the day, this allows it to increase its potency. It is stored and transported through mixing it into a kind of soft, edible dough (which is not cooked) which can then be ingested for its pain killing effects, this dough when mixed with the drug is known as "poppy dough". It can also be transported in a purer form and then smoked for a greater effect than traditional opium smoking.
It shall now be mass produced and sold to allied forces at a low profit margin as a painkilling drug ( >>4128288 >>4128887 ) and will also be administered in a more potent form to our dragons, as we require stronger drugs due to the size of our bodies.
>invent a potent kind of opium drug for use in warfare for our troops called "poppy dough" to be used by allied forces.
>action 2:
>fix the sulphur extracting infrastructure and get to producing sulphur once more
>war action:
>equip the three/four ships which attacked the bridge with gylden hooks roped with strong abaca ropes and send out our 6 new warships to go hunt for flesh creatures around the flesh tower until we can get the surviving shelled krakens who saw battle fixed. Do not go near enough to the tower to be attacks but instead simply see how easy it is to hunt the fleshies in the water

>>4129373
>1 physics
With our recent research on the properties of fire, as well as the invention of cogs, we decide that pursuing the reason why things do what they do is the best way to improve our quality of life. Why does fire burn? What does it produce? How can these cogs and simple machines come together to make something great? Our researchers are hard at work figuring that out.

>2 astronomy
At the great tower of Asteri calls out interest once more. From on its top platform, we gaze longingly into the sky, looking for more than just answers to problems we didn't know we had.

>>4131534
The Tarns find this acceptable, provided all the previous conditions they stated apply.

>>4128887
The sewer fiasco is forgiven. The Depauns ask that only the main tunnel be used by the meluzina, so that it may be used as a trade route. The meluzina will not be allowed to dig any tunnels branching off from that one which a depaun cannot comfortably fit in as the depauns, while they do trust the meluzina government cannot trust the criminals who exist among them, and thus they want to avoid illegal mining operations at all costs. This includes any barracks or resting stations along the route as well.
At the end of the tunnel, with portions above and bellow ground a market may be set up by meluzinan merchants with a road being set aside so that they may travel to the coast to trade with the merchentile shelled krakens directly.

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SCENE SEVEN

(War Post soon™)

>>4129473
>FHR
[R] The Daiimad opens the council doors for the day's addresses, and like most other days it is a tedious drudge of petty squabbles, land disputes, and approving whatever edicts cross their desks. The final appointment of the evening, as the sky grows pink, is an uncommon one. A tanned farmer? No, a Tarnian petitions the Council. He introduces himself as Sefian of Xycthos, a minor noble in that city, and that he offers the people of the FHR a wondrous thing; Rebirth. There is chatter amongst the Clan-Sahs and a general confusion. Sefian removes his gloves & loosens his robes, letting them fall to the floor, leaving the madman in just his breechcloth. Guards are called, but a gasp rings out stopping them in their tracks. For the man's body is a patchwork, each limb attached to his form with aged stitches, markers of successive replacements. Only his head, torso & left-leg appear to be 'original'. The musculature of his arms and that of his right-leg show an obvious abnormal strength, far greater than his chest or left-leg hold. His eyes are wild as he screams to the Daiimad, "Gaze upon the Cravic future!"
With so much focus on the advancements of the sciences and war, little attention has been paid to the upkeep of the mundane. The Clans had kept their own quadrants relatively maintained, but what of the road to Senday? The outer forts? The cess pits & the commons? With the money freed up from the Purging, and projects nearing their end, now is the time to bring it all into line.
Whilst Sajaak provided divine healing, Denok and Slevni in their own ways blessed the world with healing herbs. Imports of that expensive Tarnic gum spike, known to have all manner of beneficial properties in the right hands. The forests, plains, deserts & seas of the FHR are scoured, the Vossiks own apothecaries queried, and the Tidal trading manifest given a good look over. There were available through the most basic means, plants to relieve fever, soothe aches, and heal sores, but unfortunately nothing revolutionary.

>>4130254
>Tarn
The Augursoul lets out his final, painful cry. Polaris works quickly, cutting, grafting, it flits between the slabs. When the abomination finishes its work, there is little left of the once rowdy boy from Jakaal. The boys for their part are terribly disfigured by the thing's craft, the gathered Tarn wonder if the Craver even knows what it was doing. Flesh bulges from the heads, backs, and stomachs of the boys, each one differently. What in Persa's name had it done to them?! The opium haze gradually faded from their minds, rousing them. Though they had agreed to the procedure, all were horrified at what had become of them and their fellows.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>Tarn cont.
1 or 3. And... it had succeeded! The boys were dazed, for when asked a question of something to come, they could see both the present, and an outcome. These too were different for each of them.
2. And... it had been for nought! The boys held no power! The operation had failed! When asked a question of something to come, they saw only the now.
The Western Wall would protect from an incursion by land, but the Dwarves are no doubt creatures of subterfuge, and a weakness they could not possibly resist is that of the Ironstone Mine. Should the bastards try such an invasion, the Tarn shall be ready for them. Ironstone extraction crawls to a halt as the entire mine is fortified against the 'Four-Foot-Menace'.

>>4130381
>Cravers
The rot is excised for the Kahro, and the eastern vein covered over with stone. Another weedy vein squirms it's way out to the Cravic tumour below the waves.
Every test the Cravers can conjure is performed upon the venom, and though many are promising, none as yet deliver an antivenin. However the Hem'lock ayfids sequestered from the Karnis are most welcome. Their speed and diligence helps stop the spread of the infecting venom, though with little thought on which veins are cut.

>>4130396
>Karnis
Diggers of each race begin their long and arduous task of connecting their homelands under the Cravic Ocean.
As instructed, the Karnis install these flesh-"fruit" a distance behind their damaged wall, a final deterrent against any Dwarf who dares sink further into the Queendom.

>>4130425
>Ashbeard
[R] The Invuld himself casts the sacrifices into the chamber, the sulphurous air singes the wisps of his beard. There is movement in the magma as the relics melt. The Invuld closes his eyes, inhales deeply, and receives the word of Therkuunaz. CEASELESS WAR AND CEASELESS WAR. THE UNION OF FLESH MERELY BIDE THEIR TIME. BUILD STRONG OUR WALLS AND GUARD THEM JEALOUSLY. His ears ring, his vision swims, he shudders.
The little shards it is soon found, hold no power, but thank Therkuunaz they had taken them all the same.
The priest's plans are erratic, maddening in their own right, often repeating instructions. It is a task itself to sort them into an understandable order. When it is at last done, the steps lay clear before them. First will be to requisition a wing of forges at Aetur'jotdragg, along with the acquisition of iron, bronze, gold, and silver. The final piece would be to, somehow, collect a single drop of what the Dwarves translate from the ramblings as "The World's Blood".

>>4130724
>Llychlyn
[R] "Do you walk blindly or willingly into war, Child?" Blodwyn is shaken awake at her desk. Cold sweat runs down her spine. She shivers. How could selfless aid possibly lead to war?
This elite that Blodwyn nurtures is already seen throughout society as a great honour, with even the sons or daughters of a Meistr Rhyfel receiving favourable treatment.
The West, some still holding a lingering distrust of that Fanw-forsaken place, is taken. The long ignore source of salt is rediscovered in the otherwise rocky wastes, and more frozen tundra brought into Llychlyn.

>>4131272
>B'yogi
[R] There have in recent days been a growing presence of B'oo at the Bone Mother's Sanctuary, not as mere visitors, but as worshippers. Opinion is mixed within the priestly class, to put it lightly. The emotion of Anger sees her greatest role since the wormy attack on the Sanctuary so many years ago. Is this simple heresy or an evolution of faith? To be met with casting adrift in the space-in-between, or rejoiced?
Is a B'oo not made of shadow? And does he not make impact upon the world? Shadowshaping, Shadowshifting, Shadowmelding, all mean the same, to alter the appearance of the shadow that is the B'yogi. But that is all it is, appearance. What if a B'oo could truly change his shape? To make himself anew. Yes, with Faith it shall be so! The priests are called from their bickering, to begin their rituals, their turquoise dances, their smoky magics. The B'yogi pray they are granted such a gift, and take their first steps towards the forging of shadow.
That the soul of the H'yomi exists, yet cannot be found within the body of the H'yomi vexes the B'yogi greatly. A secret step is taken, the procuring of a criminal from Jubilation, a murderer. That the H'yomi also insist on committing such acts is another mystery they hold. He is strapped to the operating table, and his lungs filled with smoke of imported opium. Knife in dark hand, an incision is made. The soul will be found. Another incision, another soul hiding spot searched. More cuts, more. The criminal expires, the soul escapes, but still it cannot be found. Though it annoys them, the location of the soul within a living H'yomi may need to be shelved for now.

>>4131603
>Gyldenthrong
The Gylden know a thing or two about strong walls, and mindful of their lapse in the provision of shipwrights in the past, this should be a decent payment. Stout stone walls surround the growing village, extending out into sea walls and breaks. Chunks of flesh are routinely brushed from the shore and outlying defences to be burnt, but they keep the worst of the unseen beasts at bay. Of course their construction was no easy feat, at least seventeen good Dwarves lost their lives to the foulness from the waters.

>Gyldenthrong cont.
The mirrors are given a final polish, and focused towards the lens. Light visibly funnels between them for about half an hour, before finally producing an intense beam of light which shoots straight into the grass. The trepidation is palpable, as for a few agonisingly long seconds nothing happens. Then, smoke, and flame! As the lens is moved, so does the beam. There is rejoicing throughout the crowd. Now to build a dozen more.

>>4132134
>Vossiks
The breeding Gryphons were terribly indignant at their situation, at such insolence on behalf of such a pathetic creature as an Elf! For two months they refuse to eat, and tear at any who draw near to their cages. They grow progressively weaker as the third month stretches on, having used up their fat reserves, until finally their spirit is broken. They submit to the Elves. The four captives drop one after another, each having produced a single clutch, totalling only eighteen viable eggs. Perhaps sensing her kindreds' demise, between trainings Gynwilda flies well into the peaks, and does not return. She remains hidden for many days until she is spotted over an outer-kost, identified by the iron ring around her left talon.
He held the vial in shaking hands. Was he truly about to do such a thing? He lifted the glass to his lips, and with a quiet prayer downed the golden liquid. Immediately the wrongness of the act gripped him, as the burning relic made its way into his stomach. The pain was bearable, akin to eating bean soup straight from the pot he thought, but this was not to last. The sensation spread, fire blazed up his throat and down into his guts, the conflagration growing inside him. At last he could no longer stand the flame, falling to his knees and crying out for water. His call is not heeded, he screams, tears at his robes and skin, it is as if he is at the stake. He curses those who forced this upon him, and cries out to the Lightbringer for relief. Then, as soon as it had come, the pain was gone. The broken man lay on the floor and sobbed, thankful that his torment had finally ended. He is dragged to a monk's cell to recover. When he is once more well, though it is noted it had taken longer than Inquisitor Vayle, his abilities are tested, and confirmed. Though he has been blessed by the Lightbringer, his mind is jaded to the Scarlet institution that had forced that terrible ichor down his throat.

>>4132506
>Tidal
With River Reed and a portion of her surrounding land claimed by the Deepauns, they find within the poppy the Jackalopes had hybridised to grow within their swampy borders. This flower, though not as potent as the purer one in Tarnic hands, can be grown readily in the marshland and wet jungles of the Tirod Bay. Perhaps copying the methods of the Tarn, the Dragons "milk" these swamp-poppies, and refine this sap into their new Poppy Dough.

benis

>Tidal cont.
The extraction devices within Quagspire are looked over, for they attach to tanks which contain sulphur. Plans of the plant no longer exist, leaving the Dragons to guesswork. The apparatus hung precariously over a hole in the ground, though within their could be found no rock which contains the yellow sulphur. From recollection, the plant was designed to syphon something from the marsh, which then became sulphur, but as to what cannot be remembered.

>>4132509
>Meluzina
Smoke & Ash. Smoke & Ash, a fire makes. Of the ash, could use can be made in the fields, like the Dwarves the Meluz have seen do. But the smoke, what good use can be made of it? Nothing, it seems. The researchers retire home for the evening. It is in the kitchen of one of these researchers that another factor presents itself; Steam. Steam, if properly directed, can turn a cog, and this in turn another. Unfortunately for the Meluz, such a contraption is beyond their skill with metals.
The gathered Meluz gaze into the Void, hoping that the Void, when gazing back into them, deem they worthy of insight. It is a warm night, a pleasant one, they lay staring into the dark sky comfortably. An elder breaks the silence, pointing out constellations, the immovable stars, the planets in the pitch. Once more they fall to a peaceful quiet, watching the slow movement of the Heavens. A shooting star! A good omen. They smile. There is more waiting, and growing frustration, until just before the break of dawn, one of them speaks up: "How smoke rises. What if we could trap it in a cloth? What if we could rise like smoke into the sky?" She laughs, what a silly notion.

DIPLO
>>4130301 >>4131534
In Gyldentongue the Giant Jotte tells that many moons ago, Tarnmen came to his uncle Papa, and spoke to him his True Name. How they had come about such a thing, he must know, for those who knew it were only the Giants of Old, and an enemy long dead. Do they yet live that spake this name? Bring him to them, for they are surely more ancient than the rivers!

END OF SCENE SEVEN.

>>4132914
Blodwyn would awake in a sweat. She had come to answer these Tarns call for martial assistance for three reasons, to gain insight in their own military ways, to learn of the military of the Tarns enemy through what the Tarn knew of them, and to get more silver and other fancy resources these Tarns seemed to have in abundance. Her minor assistance she didn't believe would lead to war with those the Tarn were worried about, and one certainly wouldn't come to Llychlyn itself. Right?...Maybe she would need to have more talks with Clan Wynn and Llewelyn, to make for sure the homeland at least would never be invaded...Though, it wouldn't be true to say she simply was blindly walking into war, as if anything, she'd be glad to see one first hand, only through assisting one side's strategies and tactics rather than through leading Llychlyn's own forces...Still, she had a reason. For she knew the best way to keep peace was prepare for war, and with how many more people these other nations seemed to have, she'd need to give the image that a single Child of Fanw could take on ten of the western and northerners own forces, to give a view that Llychlyn was unbeatable in combat even despite superior enemy numbers. Hopefully such an image would be able to be shown without causing war however...Yet, maybe she had been too aggressive in her more recent approaches...Still, she would have a lot of work to do back at home once she had returned, which would be soon.

Meanwhile in Llychlyn, with the Tarn occasionally coming to the port of Lunedannedd and the LCL Teithiwr having returned from its voyage, well, its only natural for Rhisiart to go to work translating their own language. Of course, he had some other plans he would like to work on, but translation came first, and at this point considering all the work he had done, it practically was expected of him to work on something like this. With the Tarnish merchants that come around, he'd do his best to translate their languages...Maybe he and the rest of Clan Tudor would find some similarities in something else...Further south, there was only one real place to go, and with some talks, it is agreed that there has to be some CoF presence in the place once Fanw Forsaken, after all, if it ever returns, Llychlyn must know of it so the Children of Fanw can take appropriate action. Additionally, it might serve some use now that it had become cleansed with holy pick.

>Action One, Translate Tarnish. (And maybe find out its connection to certain scrolls)

>Action Two, Claim the last lands of Llychlyn. Am y gras, er nerth Fanw.

Blood of the world is something not known to the dwarves but various attempts are made to figure what it could be. Many materials that can be called blood of the world are tested, which begin first as the easiest to extract, being dwarven blood, followed by ale, magma, and then water.
Luckily the other materials specified are all known and available to the dwarves to be used.
>Hammer of Therkuunaz III

Industry will need to be expanded upon for both the growing realm and for aid in research.
Along the eastern border to the Meluzina, an experimental city is formed, inspired by the Aetur'jotdragg but built upon the surface for the primary purpose of building bigger and better things.
For now, artillery will be produced here at a much greater rate with unlimited ceiling space.
>Zedfeld

>>4131534
Again, the Ashen will accept a purchase of land, but will not surrender land or pay for imagined crimes.
This is the final statement of Kalmr before he must depart as other matters must be tended to. Tarn may either agree to peace or declare war.

>>4132506
A diplomatic mission seeks a non aggression pact between the Tidal Empire and the Amalgam Union.
Current relations would realize benefits from such a treaty with peace of mind of all involved and increased trade from those hesitant to risk selling their wares to a foreign people who are not compelled to keep peace and stability.

(op pls fill my hole)

>>4132908
Craver

1.
The Kahro continue laying vein, crawling along the seabed towards the Sunken Rig, upon restoring life to the Flesh Rig receive orders from the Priest Captain along with upgrade, a bone harpoon for movement and a caster mount on their shells. From there they begin building upon the first tumor upon the seabed, forming the a home for the Crab-Kahro (called Osteo'clade- bone village)

2.
A usage for the flesh slurry produced by the Gristlet is realized, with a single vein comes inspiration. As Flesh above, so below- Cravers have begun lining the Winding straight with the surplus gore, making the sea akin to being in Grist'thromir's dominion. Already rows of bone are being planted in the flesh covered depths to grow to impede ship travel.

Making it a big deal to look like the ocean lining is my buildup.

>War.

On the Cravic Isle, hidden away from all watching eyes in the walled oasis, the shroom man stumbles about. Silently, a Craver in a translucent skin covering beside a small Kahro in the same observe. A slight twitch of the Kahro prompts a Cravic nod, and the shroom man is seized and placed into a Blood Vat. Not only are they going to need it stable while the enfleshening takes place, its fungal genetic structure must be catalogued. Neither of the Flesh have seen something like this before.

Karnis:

1.
The tunnels continue, with nutrient veins crawling along it's length to aid the construction efforts. Waste of workers is pumped out the Grist'let waste vein. The Union must be able to aid it's members should the Bridge fall.

2.
Cravers bring imported Tarnish poppy to Karnis in Hel'Grin. A concentrated product must be made to put the dragons and their krakens to sleep. The Craver's black market Tarn friends were able to get papers showing the rough poundage of Tarnish poppies that the dragons have received. A small amount of appropriate strenght ichor can be distilled, but that is all that is needed. (Heroin)

>War to come

>>4131534
Whatever the Gylden need, the Tarn's will provide to the best of their ability.
>>4132919
>I'm not a hundred percent sure what they're looking for? Whatever it is we get it to them.

1. Expand East
The population pressure in Nomach had long been an issue. As the grip of landed nobles in Pokos extended into the riverlands and the farms there consolidated into estates the next frontier for those seeking more independence lie right across the river. The pristine lands that no one actually lived on. Goaded onward by the desire to settle new lands and perhaps even found a new separate Fourth Republic to join the great union, they packed up and headed east to settle.

2. The New Generation
The trainers busy themselves with rearing the second generation of gryphons. The hope is that they'll begin to be more amenable to training. The females in particular are raised early as chicks to always be around their handlers and are taught commands. Gryphons are far from unintelligent creatures, and it is believed perhaps that part of the problem was the isolation that they were raised in. This time a chick is kept with her handler at all times and only when it comes time for the girls to learn to fly are they reintroduced to other Gryphons. Their pride is not beaten out of them as they had attempted to do with the previous clutch. Instead the next generation is reared to be companions as opposed to simple animals. The hope is that the Gryphons will treat their handlers in the way that Gryphons treat their own kin - with mild disdain but a sense of familial duty. In many respects this track proves successful, although it quickly runs into the problem of that the Gryphons bond only with their trainer and no one else to the point of outright violence if anyone not their trainer attempts to touch them. More than one stableboy is mauled or turned into an impromptu meal this way and soon it becomes the duty of the trainers exclusively to handle their gryphons. There is an understanding among the trainers that it could take several generations of breeding the beasts before they become suitable for anything but eating vast quantities of meat and making a terrifying noise as they swoop around the mountains. Eventually though they think that they'll be in a position to be valuable combat companions to those capable of affording the immense costs of housing and rearing the creatures.

Only one thing accelerates this process, and it is by pure happenstance. Reynauld had taken to the mountains to find the Lightbringer after his long ordeal after the consumption of Martyr's Blood. In the solace and cold of the howling mountains he found not god, but a Gryphon. The terrible and strong-willed Gynwilda and her solitary aerie. He had not found it by accident. In truth, he found it because the terrible beast had swooped upon him in his meditation. She certainly would have killed him were it not for his newfound power. He could see into her soul, feel her pain, and that was shared between the two. The Gryphon, who had known little but pain, found a companion there and the two formed a bond. Only he could touch her and in time could even ride upon her back.

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>>4133622

>>4131534
Given that the Ashenbeard have rejected all efforts at mediation and compromise, both by their brother dwarves and the Tarns themselves, the Tarnish nation sees no further path to a peaceable resolution.Therefore, the Tarnish diplomats sent to the Gylden request permission from King Gvendon to remove the Ashen from Tarnish land, by force if necessary.

>>4132666
The Tarns seek to hire mercenaries in exchange for coin.

>>4132134
The Tarns seek to hire mercenaries in exchange for coin.

>>4133622
Yet another unprovoked invasion upon Ashen lands.
Preparations made for defense will finally be put to the test.
Before any drastic measures are made, nearby dwarves shout and use Jotedkuln'uren to ward off the interlopers. Should their advance not halt, the Riggrakzene are dispatched at rapid speeds through the use of advanced communication, and if the elves should find them selves too deep into Ashen land before the cavalry arrives, lumberdwarves and other settlers of the area stand ready to slay the invaders.
Cavalry would likely be the first to meet the elves wherein they would treated like a herd of livestock while javelins are let loose upon the enemy before they close the distance to finish off the remnants with axe and spear.

>>4131603
The Gylden are informed at once of this invasion so they may protect their borders as soon as possible.
No declarations of war have been declared by the elves, and (assuming the invaders are not identified as uniformed warriors) neither are they made by the Ashen until additional information can be received to assess the situation.

>>4133622
When the dust is settled, diplomats will try to reach the Vossik to ask a myriad of questions to learn more of the situation.

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>>4133650
The opportunity for coin and adventure convinces many to leave for Tarnic service. There are many proles, especially in places like Tyr, that have little other occupation outside of day labor. The chance at steady pay elsewhere is attractive. Othinians rather quickly make up a sizable portion of the mercenary forces offered to the Tarn. With most of their companies based in Tyr and a few even in Terrata the quality of soldier varies wildly. Some companies are clearly just efforts to cash in. Others, mostly those lead by Half-Elezen but one Othinian company make up very effective soldiers. Of the thirteen companies that the Tarn enlist the aid of only eight are actually worth anything in a fight - something not always readily apparent until their first potential conflict. Three of those eight are forminable indeed. One is even lead by an Elezen champion. These three: The Golden Suns, the White Roses, and the Bloody Gauntlet, make up a rather small portion of the overall number. They command the highest price by far, with the Golden Suns requiring an upfront payment of a hundred chests of a hundred Vossik pounds of gold and silver coinage before they even call their banner. They come to the Tarnic mustering ground in full regalia. Glittering mail, wide round shields, gleaming steel helmets. Each man carries a long thrusting spear, a short sword, and a pair of smaller throwing spears. The reason for the Sun's price becomes evident though, as the mercenaries are consummate professionals. Their shield walls and movements are well drilled and they even come with a supporting compliment of light cavalry. The horsemen are similarly adorned as their infantry counterparts, but their steeds are the swift and able-hooved mountain coursers most often used by bards on official duty. They excel at scouting and pursuing the routed remains of their opponents. There is here a difference in Elezen warfare vs. that of the Tarn. The Elezen order of battle is one of rigid lines, with the intent to break through the press of shield on shield. The purpose of the cavalry is to force the opposing side to need to adjust to protect itself, and thus weaken the front so it breaks. Elezen warfare is not focused on killing as much as shattering and routing the enemy formation so prisoners may be taken and ransomed back to their clans. The eight companies fight much in this manner, as it is the Republican way.

The Bloody Gauntlet is a specialist force. Unlike the others, it is primarily a siege force. Among its highest ranking members are siege engineers and builders. Their troop compliment is entirely infantry, many armed with heavy Andrethi crossbows and tall tower shields to take cover behind. It's lowliest infantryman is a builder first and a soldier second, and their ranks can be counted upon to both build the terrible siege engines as well as the basic field fortifications that they shelter behind during their operations.

>>4133681
The Dwarves find little evidence of any trespass for a substantial period of time. Only after some months of searching do they find a small hamlet nestled in the shadows of the mountain in which Aetur resided. The small hamlet is easily put to the torch by bloodthirsty Dwarves, but even from such a slaying word escapes west.
By the time the Dwarves could offer anything by way of a military response the Elves had settled a sizable portion of the eastern side of the river, and a crude bridge had even been built there to facilitate further movement. Moreover, these ones had been warned. They had ample time to prepare themselves against an invading force of midgets. When the small Dwarven police force came to root them out they found that the small town was, in fact, a collection of mudbrick towers. Resistant to heat and of solid construction, it would not stand to proper siege engines. It would be harder to knock down than the wooden buildings they had encountered earlier. That alonr would not have been an issue. What was an issue was the fact that the several hundred people living in the town were quite well armed, and the Dwarven force that came without warning and with violent intent found itself met with a well-organized defense. Armed with spears and stout shields, but little armor, the garrison could defend itself solidly against the small Dwarven raiding party and the casualties among the Dwarves were surprisingly substantial. The Elves were good shots, and their Hacmosi crossbows were powerful enough to shoot through lighter mail and kill a goat with ease. The Dwarves realized rather quickly that not frontal charge would dislodge these Elves. If they were to be removed it would take time to either build the proper siege engines to knock the damn tower down or starve them into a surrender. They could, of course, continue to try to force the issue. There were only so many Elves with so much ammunition, and with time and blood the day could be won, but it would be costly indeed.

>>4133132
>>4132919
Also, Rumor please.

>>4133650
>Diplo: Tarn
The Gylden King sighs dejectedly. He cannot give 'permission' to the Tarn to do anything, as the land in question is most certainly not owned by Gyldenland. In fact, the repeated refusal of our silver kin to pay fair compense for the land in question, despite strenuous Gylden attempts to work a deal for them to keep the mountain and resource beneath, has left the question of the land's ownership quite clearly in the hands of Tarnia. The Gylden kingdom would still consider it a favor if Tarn refrain from taking any but isolative action against this mine, but as he knows now that events have moved beyond him, he asks the Tarn to use restraint in any police action they might take to control this unauthorized trespass, and not to take action themselves to widen this conflict. If the Tarn make declaration of war against the Ashenbeards, then the Gylden will still be honour-bound to come to the aid of our mountain cousins.

>>4133681
>Diplo: Ashenbeards
The Gylden are further dismayed by the Ashenbeard news of more conflict brewing. With the Ashenbeards running into conflict with the Tarn, and now rumours of a possible third conflict brewing, the Gylden ask the Ashen not to move events further on any front which does not already have a state of existent war (as it is so far, only the north flesh currently lies at a war-state). As it is, the Gylden will have to withdraw some forces from the flesh-front temporarily to ensure the security of our own borders against these possible threats. If the Ashenbeards launch any further war by their own hands, then the Gylden will wish them luck, but not be able to assist.

>>4132908
The Daiimad Guard of the various Clan-Sah waste little time, and the man is struck by various Shock Rifle shots, blasting off scorched flesh, the scorching coming from Varken Daiimad Guard bringing flame sprayers to bare, concentrating fire onto the being. He dies before he slumps to the ground. It is going to take quite some time to get the smell out, though the foresight of the ancient stonework building means the Flamesprayers do little more than scorch the stone floor. The tarn have some explaining to do...

Actions:

1. Clan Taiida and Belde have propositioned for the beginning of large scale farming, made possible thanks to the innovations and revelations made by the Engineering district a fair time ago. Crop rotations, the utilization of dead plants mixed with manure for fertilizer, and other old techniques discovered from old books. The crops themselves will be that of all sorts, from food to textiles to even medicinal plants, though the latter might take longer to ripen to usability. The project is agreed upon by the other Clans, and thus the two clans, with assistant funding from other Clan's personal treasuries, begin the farms in the fertile plains to the south of the Capital.

2. In both the north of the Capital, as well as in the newly acquired territories are rocky lands. Prospectors are sent to these two areas to search for usable materials we might be able to use for any number of purposes.

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>>4132908

>Action 1: Guldfar's Gaze; Pt. 4

There is jubilation among the team as the light from Guldfar's gaze erupts into a flaming beam. Of course, testing and further experimentation still remains to ascertain the weapon's true capabilities and potential; but the same is true of all devices, and simply having it functional is a great boost to belief and morale. Production begins on the first batch of these new machines, Gnordi spending much of the remainder of his savings on a Cask of Gylden Ichor with which to bless each new Guldfar's Gaze cleared for deployment as a tool of the divine.
>Action 2: Secure the Borders

Though any Dwarf fortunate enough to run a fortress would not dishnour clan and golden light by letting the place fall to ruin, there are still a number of Fortresses raised in the early days of the kingdom that both architects and military strategists think could use some updating to match with the current state of technology both structural and weapons technologies. And as these are upgraded by their fort-lords, the Gylden raise new fortresses to stand watch over the more remote edges of the Golden Dwarf Kingdom's borders from on high, on mountain and on headland.

>>4132509
>Diplomacy: Meluz

Knowing the love of the serpentmen for the sky above, a Gylden engineer stationed in the north gifts a Meluz comrade a Gylden-made long-sight tube, of brass and with focusing lens. Though it is of course foolish to stare long into the Glory of Guldfar during the brightness of the day, when the sky draws dark they might gaze upon Æblemor as she passes; or else the many points of light that dance with her in the darkness.


>>4132456
>Diplomacy: Llychlyn

Even for a scholar who has tried his best to make some understanding of the Fanw tongue, the sheer quantity of the new words at play sends the scholar's tongue for a loop as he tries some out, quite glad for his beard to hide some of that motion behind. Allfshys definitely sounds a place worth seeing, though, and he remarks as such that he plans to visit, if allowed. Once he's had a few more days in Lunedannedd, at least. He finds the place quite relaxing. Do the children have many other towns about, he wonders?


>>4132100
>Diplomacy: Vossiks

Glod Undrakunz marvels at the celebration of the light on display, the reverence of these Vossiks for the lights of day and night clearly evident in the fires and the lanterns and the glow of the spire. Clearly, he can see why the merchant's stories that reached him had been what they were. He tries his best to contribute, offering a string of pork and apple sausage to those who cook, if they would wish to add it to the communal feast.

When engaged in conversation, he tries to tell a little about himself and Gyldholm, great market city at the crossing of the world; of Guldfar's temple of light and gold; but an explanation of Dwarven light to one who's city is alive with light rings slightly hollow in the telling. And so, he shifts to telling the first tale of the Gyldenthrong.

"The ages before are dark and unknown, for then the mountains were our home. For eras our many-times ancestor's ancestor's ancestors lived in the tunnels below the rock, growing and learning and striving, but never to thrive. For there were dark things, too, at the bottom of the world; and though we were sturdy and doughty and thoughtful, food was ever-scarce and our numbers were ever-few. We were separated, too; long had we told tales to each other of distant kin; but so long ago had we seen sight of them and so distant their rumoured haunts that they were as much a myth as many other. And so, there in the darkness, we dug and we built and we forged to keep the moments passing and keep away the dread-cold fingers of Snehvid in her many forms and guises.

And then came the first gift of gold...."

>>4132100
>Diplomacy: Vossiks (cont)

"Even in the unknown age, our people had love for gold. It called to us, sung to us; glinted brightly as a promise. We worshiped it, and desired it; it was wealth and promise and power. So when the first of the Gyldenthrong came across the seam, perhaps he just thought to make himself a band or broach. But as he dug, upward, ever-yearning; the seam carried on. Through granite, quartz and flint the seam was followed – and if it took a lifetime, or many lifetimes, he and the band he gathered about him kept their excavation, rising as they followed the golden band with passage and shaft. At times it widened, at times it narrowed; but the seam continued, ever upward. Until one fateful day when a miner of the Gyldenthrong struck his pick to stone, and it breached up into the shallows of the world.

And then came the second gift of gold.

And as that stone crumbled, gold was all he saw. A blinding light that made him blink, made him wince, made him stumble; but sat upon the world and basked it in radiance. And that Dwarf looked up into that golden light, and knew it to be Guldfar. The father of the world who had bled the miracle of gold upon it; for gold was his blood as fire was his beard. And all where he shone, the world too was turned golden; and the first Day of counting was at last upon us. Bathed in the miracle of gold, he called upon his clan to gather on these shallows. And gather they did; Dwarf after Dwarf emerging blinking into the vibrant glow of the light. The realm of Snehvid was behind us; we had taken our first steps up into Guldfar's lands.

And then came the third gift of gold.

And as our people ventured further, the world turned, and turned again. Mother Æblemor watched us with pale gaze when the light of Guldfar slipped away from the sky; but every morn Guldfar's light returned to us, and we marched, each day drawing closer to where he slipped below the world to wait and hold court. As as our ancestors drew close, they came again to a high spot to look down upon the world as Guldfar's light was spreading. And the land below glowed with gold. Golden stalks, waving in the breathing air. Golden fruits, growing ripe upon trees with leaves that turned green to russet. And golden nectar, oozing from the nests of buzzers that droned and hummed in song as they worked away. And we knew that this land would be ours, to turn to plough, to bread and to beer and to mead; to make busy and to work and trade beneath the golden day and silver night. Gyldenthrong, those who know the light of gold; those who know the love of gold. Under golden light, we would make our home. Under the golden gaze, we would grow, and we would prosper."

And he coughs, finished. He is unsure this is any better; the city around him seems to glow amidst the dark like that first sighting of the second gift. But it is his tale, his creed, his culture. The Elezen make what they will of it.

>>4134044
The Tarnish diplomat groans. Yes, the Tarns would prefer to keep this conflict as narrow as possible as well. But how? Peaceable negotiations have quite clearly failed. To leave the mine would be an open invitation for others to violate the nations borders. Nay, the only option is to evict the miners. If the Ashen choose to view that as a declaration of war, so be it.
>>4133650
>Trade
The Tarnish merchants gaze agog at this wonderful festival. They begin to make inquiries as to the importation of these celebrations to other nation. Perhaps a traveling boat show? Certainly, it would be a profitable endeavor for all involved.
>Merc
The Tarns find an interesting kinship in the Vossik fighting style. It is similar to their own, but different in compelling ways. The most talented of the mercenaries are diverted to Roodkhane, to train students at the military academy. Their tutelage should help fill in some of the vulnerabilities faced by current Tarnish phalanx tactics. The rest of the mercenaries are dispatched to guard along the newly built northern wall.

Action 1: Quagspire
The Tarns finally complete their settlement according to the treaty drawn up before the fall of the Soghoian Empire. Aided by the maps drawn by earlier scouting missions, settlers reinhabit old frog dwellings around Quagspire. Using their new understanding of geology, Tarnish mining specialists dispatched from the School of Engineering in Jaakal assess the old natural gas plant of the Soghoians to see if the deposits there can once again be extracted successfully. Tidal workers and scientists are welcome to join in, of course.

Action 2: Eviction
Over the past few months, the bells strung up within the Ironstone mine have provided valuable information on the movements and mining habits of the Ashbeards. Using their valuable property of being rung even by the slightest vibration, Tarnish soldiers are able to roughly assess the amount of activity on the dwarven side of the mine. They use this information to time their strike to coincide with a point of minimum activity within the mine.

>>4134946
>>4133681
As soon as news that negotiations have collapsed comes down the pipeline to the Ironstone mine, the soldiers spring into action. The first step is to shift the loose rock that currently seals off the end of the mine. Each piece of rock is moved by hand with the utmost caution so as to not alert suspicion. (As the dwarves placed no special guard on the sealed end of the mine, the chances of detection are slim, though the Tarns do not know this) Each rock was originally carried there, so shifting it to the side should be fairly easy. The next step is to use the newly installed ventilation system to pump a great deal of opiate vapor through both the Tarnish and the Dwarven sides of the mine. Using the water pipe technology pioneered two tyrns ago, the vapor from the poppies can be drawn out without the smoke. However, even if smoke does make it through the ventilation system, it shouldn’t raise any alarms. After all, both the dwarves and the Tarns rely on torches to light their mines. The relatively small amount of smoke from burning poppies should be dwarfed(geddit?) by the smoke from the mine’s torches. These opiate vapors will produce an anesthetic effect in both man and dwarf, dulling the senses, weakening the will, and inducing a deep sleep. However, opiate consumption is as common and habitual throughout the Tarnlands as drinking alcohol is in other nations. As such, the Tarns have quite a formidable resistance to these vapors, and are used to working under the influence anyhow. Their larger body mass also means that a larger amount of opiates are required to cause an effect compared to a dwarf. Therefore, they are able to withstand vapors that would lay out a dwarf in minutes. To further amplify the effects, Tarns use fans made of leaves to push vapors down the mineshaft.

>(cont.)
>>4134946
>>4133681
After roughly 5 minutes of allowing the opiate vapors to percolate down the mineshaft, Tarnish soldiers move down the shaft, guided by a Jaakal-trained Tarnish geologist. As the precise spot where the border between Tarnish and Dwarven land lies (a spot known due to the numerous surveys conducted both by the Gylden and the Tarns in preparation for the peace summit) they install a steel cap and reinforce it with bracings and ribs derived from the larger designs invented in conjunction with the FHR. The bell chain is extended down to this point and the Tarns continue to reinforce the cap and set up defenses surrounding it. The chain should warn when the dwarves discover the movement and begin to attack the cap, but as steel is harder than stone, it should take them some time to break through. If time and the geology of the mineshaft allows, a second, removable steel cap will be placed where the old mine seal was placed. In the middle, a large quantity of burning opium is placed. If the dwarves manage to break past the first cap, they are struck by a wave of pent up opium smoke. If they somehow also manage to overcome this obstacle, they will exit the shaft to find the defensive fortifications that were set up inside the mine last turn and a host of soldiers, alerted and ready.

Any miners apprehended by the Tarns during this procedure will be handed over to the Gylden for returning to Ashenbeard lands. After the first mineshaft is placed, the ventilation system will be switched to pumping in fresh air at the maximum rate. This should quickly clear the Tarnish side of the mine of any lingering opiate vapors. As a further precaution, a fresh set of troops is readied outside the mine to relieve the troops exposed to the vapor ath the first opportunity. Troops in boats and along the walls are also set to maximum alert along the Tarn-Ashen border to warn of any attempted attack.

>A few notes:
>Alcohol and opiates have entirely different metabolic pathways. Resistance to alcohol does not provide resistance to opiates.
>Even if the dwarves notice their drowsiness and cloudy mind and manage to raise an alarm, opiates and Tarnish attack would not be the assumed culprit. Outgassing from rocks in enclosed mines is a common occurrence and produces clouds of invisible gas that silently displace oxygen and cause rapid suffocation and death. From Snopes, “Accounts given by people who witnessed choke damp in action described deaths that came so quickly the victims had no chance to escape. One person, recounting the fate of eight men and one woman who walked into an area where the gas had accumulated, said they ‘fell down dead, as if they had been shot.’” These sorts of deaths were the reason miners brought canaries down with them into mines, so that the bird’s death would give the miners a chance to escape the oncoming cloud. Needless to say, the dwarves’ first reaction would be to vacate the mine and wait for the gas cloud to dissipate, not to venture deeper and investigate. If it is attempted to claim that anything other than retreat would be the dwarves first reaction, this can safely be considered metagaming. Of course, I have full confidence that none of our players would ever do such a thing, so this is merely a formality.
>The dwarves spent no actions reinforcing the iron mine, nor wrote about it reinforcing in any way during the thread. In addition, the dwarves have also moved a great deal of their forces west to deal with the Vossik threat, and are still fighting the Karnis. So, any claim of there being a significant, immediate defense of the mine by anybody other than dwarven civilians is ludicrous. On the other hand, the Tarns have spent a significant number of actions reinforcing the mine against attack and diverting forces to the area. Therefore, any confrontation between the Tarnish soldiers and Ashen miners should end favorably for the Tarns.

>>4133681
>>4132509
>>4132666
>>4132606

>Diplo: Warriors against the Monsters

What next for the northern war, the Gylden Thane asks? On the northern coast, we are winning; that much is clear as the flesh-laced lands are pushed further back and Meluzina grows and rises. But what of the future? Do we keep up the advance, pushing back the tide to the banks of the river? Or do we sit and consolidate; taking further time to fortify and occupy, repair and build in those lands on the border? There is troubling news from home, of minor grudges that have grown and festered between some of our home nations, new rumors of war and conflict and strife. Already, he has had two heavy companies, a porcerie brigade and the Dukkezop guardians ordered home by the seal of the Gyldenhand. Who else has similar tales? The folks back at home seem to be slowly forgetting what we're up here to fight, what we're fighting for. If we sit here, will we let them bleed us away, unit by unit recalled until the flesh-tide can just wash over the remnant?

He is minded to press the attack, to take the riverbank and break the fleshy lock on the water's flow. But he knows that the Gylden cannot do this alone, and that it is the Meluz with heartlands that might suffer most if the wrong call is made. What plan of action can we all agree upon?

>War Action: Take part in the agreed upon plan once a majority is reached on one.

>>4134967
>>4134965
As a result of the ant invasion not so long ago, the dwarves had in fact made special precautions and guards for their tunnels.
The actions of the Tarn are quite quickly found out by the Koztzelet, or Stoneseers, which results firstly in a series of shouts to ward off the Tarn, and if unheeded, the dwarves will begin relocating any nearby stones to block the breach briefly and withdraw a short distance away while fitting warriors can be mustered, which only little are needed considering how combat in the underworld is fought.
While many dwarves fight at the western wall, so too were many relieved of duty and sent back to their homes, which in addition provides most of fighting age dwarves more experience than any other civilized race in the world, but their numbers are hardly needed.
Attempts to pollute the air to harm the dwarves would be virtually impossible as not only should the smell be noticeable but any smoke would be a clear indication, as dwarves do not use torches within their mines. Dwarves should easily avoid the opiates, suffering little to no effects.
If the Tarn continue their advance into the mine, they are met with compact tunnels that force them into awkward positions as well as the pitch black which is ever so common among dwarven mines, as lighting is a luxury in the dwarven realm, making the Tarn either crawl blindly through the dark or produce their own light, making their presence throughly clear.
Dwarves will lie in wait if the Tarn continue yet further, greeting them face to face finally with deafening shouts before spears protrude from the darkness to fight off the enemy. Dwarves being experts in both tunnel warfare, and having trained and fought for so long will give them an unrivaled advantage in combat.

>>4134922
It would be quite swift for the Scholar to learn that there's no reason to prevent him from going to Allfshys. As for other towns, he would be informed that there are plenty of smaller villages that dot the country side, but otherwise, there is only one place other than Lunedannedd or Allfshys that has anything of note or has more than a few dozen clans. That only other place being Porthladdgweddillion. A fishing port made for the remnant people as they were called when they first arrived, however, they have become much more than that in recent years, and as such, the name of the small town is a bit outdated, even if there's no plans or desire to change it.

If at all asked about the Remnant people, they would tell a bit about them, how they came from the sea to the north and made peaceful contact after some time. They would also mention they arrived around the time work was still being done on destroying the Fanw forsaken place to the south. Additionally it would be explained that, when a epidemic struck Llychlyn, the Remnant people aided their sick and taught them some important information on how to best deal with sickness and avoid it, this partially being the reason for the city being quite clean compared to most, with some older adolescent Children of Fanw working on cleaning the streets, often supervised by one or of their clans elderly. Its also why every village and town has what is called a Clafdy.

>>4134993
Active Ashen contribution to the war effort against the flesh is little to none, only keeping watch on the wall at the current moment with perhaps very small numbers of volunteers joining the fight to little affect, but the Ashen can and will provide arms and armor in superb Dwarven Bronze to those participating in the next attack.

Small shipments of quicklime will also make their way into Gylden hands should they need them.

>>4135065
In the embassy port, coming with the newest shipment of supplies and materials for the small contingent of FHR personnel living on the Island of the Children is a contingent of Varken and Dzenian researchers. They come and approach, seeking a meeting with Blodwyn. They want to know, about the hole in the ice...

>>4132908
1. Manifesting the shadows as physical things research is coming along swimmingly. We will continue it. What limits can we make and break?
2. The Bone Mother is a great ally and a wonder to beholden to, but She is not one of our creators. To worship her is to insult our gods. That's not to say She does not warrant praise from B'yogi so she is a protector of our land. We will begin a integration of Her as a "Saint" of sort, a religious term from H'yomi beliefs, into our religion. Not as a god, but a being of importance.

>>4134580
The Tarn quickly dispatch a note of apology to the FHR, expressing their regret for the conduct of the citizen in question as well as reassuring the FHR that body modification is quite illegal in Tarnia. They offer to defray the cost of deep cleaning the Daiimad and reimburse the FHR for spent fuel.

A separate diplomatic envoy arrives a bit later with a request. The Tarns understand and respect the FHRs neutrality in matters of foreign affairs, and were wondering if the FHR would still be willing to sell armaments at a fair price to the Tarns. In case the answer is affirmative, the diplomats are supplied with a considerable amount of coin and orders to purchase as much of whatever the FHR is willing to sell.

>>4135139
After a little bit of time looking around, eventually, someone from Clan Wynn would arrive to inform the Varken and Dzenian researchers that Blodwyn is not in fact here at the moment. They would express she and a few Meistri Rhyfel had left for the lands of the Tarn to train and offer military advice, in exchange for silver and under the belief that an actual conflict would start between the Tarn and some other nation. After all, the best way to sharpen ones strategic abilities is in observing actual war.

>>4134993 (diplo - gyldenthrong)
The depauns believe that in the meantime they should be expelled from the continent in the parts they currently occupy. Their island would not be worth taking until a later date as it would at best overextend us all.
>>4134963 (diplo - tarn)
Interested parties from the clan of paitoy are sent to aid the tarn, as they are interested in the agricultural applications of the substance.

>>4135463
The apology is accepted, seeing as this was a rogue tarnman with illegal modifications. The individual clans of the FHR would be willing to sell weapons and armor made Tarnish specifications with the universally high quality steels of the FHR. In addition, the sale of Grenades is approved. All that is required is money.

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>>4132919
>1 land grab
1/2:
Seeing as there's absolutely no one beyond the wall of the former soghoian swamp, not even the tidal who swore to protect it, we decide to do ourselves a little exploring beyond the wall in our territory. As such, we claim the sector for ourselves, seeing as literally no one is using all this lush greenery. Castor's dirt was made to be used. Who are we to let it go without use beyond the wall? Surely, the moist mud feels nice on our scales.
2/2:
We claim the northern sector, formerly occupied by flesh. We'll be ready for 'em next time.

>2 physics
"That's no silly notion!" Said another researcher. "That's a fantastic idea!"
And so, the next day, that researcher conducted an experiment of his own. He used a light piece of clothing, tied to a flammable platform and stitched in such a way that the cloth would form into a sort of chute, which would capture all the rising heat from a fire below. His experiment hoped to put the researcher's plan into action. Then maybe, just maybe, he would be able to execute this on a larger scale.

>>4132919
Rumor?

>>4136000
Money, of course, is no object to the Tarns. The Tarn distribute the purchased armor and weapons along the Western wall. Grenades, deemed too valuable to entrust to ordinary soldiers for now, are attached to bolts and prepared for firing from the ballistae along the Western walls.

>>4135883
The Tidal are welcomed for their great strength and tolerance of pressure, which makes scouting the former gas channels much easier. The conjunction of these two great nations will no doubt make the task far more efficient and successful.

>>4136102
>>4136105
Both of these are me btw, I know my trip is different