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The gods awake, and once more the actors take their places.

>>4244141
1.
The missing piece of the Halg'ala, the acidic slime, right in front of the Cravers the whole time! Great Vats of electrified slime are contructed, spiraling(double helix) around the obelisk.

2.
To the Jungles of the Karnis, packs of Chern'bolg take to lashing together dwellings of flesh and timber.

Action 1: Internal improvements
As the Tarns once again begin to muddle about, they suddenly notice that much of their infrastructure is aging and dilapidated. This must be remedied posthaste. The Tarns embark on a journey of revitalization, cleaning up roads, repairing bridges, and modernizing where necessary. The most notable improve by is the construction of a road along the Jaakal River. Rather than being used as a traveling method in and of itself, the road is used by tuskers to drag riverboat cargo up the Jaakal.

Action 2: Grease
For a long time, lubricants have remained mostly unchanged, derived mostly from animal fat and oil and going rancid after just a few days. That all changes with the invention of greases. By mixing soap with mineral oils, a solid substance that lubricates with the application of shear an be produced.

>>4244141

>Action 1: Miner Improvements

With the new mining innovations of steam-pumps and motion-cages successfully implemented at the coal mines close to Kendt'koldrag, other mining clans and companies, along with the priestly goldminers, begin adopting these now-proven technologies to make Gylden mines nationwide both safer and more efficient.


>Action 2: New Survey Program

The Gylden Geological Survey and Logistics Charters begin a new program of land survey, building further on their historical efforts to evaluate the Gylden lands for mineral wealth, focusing their efforts mostly within the north and the south in areas which had not been or barely been part of the Gylden state at the time of the last surveyance. They claim it is simply overdue, and the fact that the newly formed Dukkezop Groundwealth Consortium is planning their own series of fresh surveys and test-excavations across the nation is a simple coincidence.

>Diplomacy: Deepaun/Akkhar
The Gylden state is interested in making purchase of burning devices for a number of purposes, including weed control and grassland management as well as the arming of supplementary forces. However, they are unsure who's devices best meet their criteria... the Akkhar devices are no doubt made with Dwarves in mind, but the Deepaun have held the technology longer and so presumed to be more advance in the field. To that end, the Gylden ask both for a demonstration so they can assess which would be the better buy.

>>4244888
The Akkhar Dwarves would be happy to sell our flamethrowers to the Gyldenthrog if they have any form of useful technology to offer in exchange. It would be explained though that Akkhar Flamethrowers have been created with purely military purposes in mind. Thus not being optimal for weed control or grasslands management. The Flamethrowers in fact shoot out not just flames, but rather a highly flammable mixture of superboiling water, plant oil and limestone. This mixture was chose because while burning extremely hot it also lingers on enemy troops and also for it's low cost as no special materials are needed just abundant limestone water and plant oil from any type of plant. We do believe though that this mixture might be refined to create a pure stream of fire for your purposes. As for the design, yes the Flamethrowers are created with Dwarves in mind.

>>4244141
Action 1: Botanical Gardens
Plants are not just a source of ale and oil, but of many more interesting resources and in fact can just be beautiful to look at. The Dwarves put in a lot of effort in creating a huge complex of Greenhouses in Guthlagz. The grand hot water aqueduct is used to keep the greenhouses at temperatures optimal for each plant whereas the glass roofs of the greenhouse are created to compress light (make it stronger) for photophillic plants and disperse light for photophobic plants (weaken it). Work is put into creating habitats for plants based of their neutral environments creating a complex of multiple connected domes divided by doors. Each dome presents a biological niche showing off the plants like their would grow in their natural habitat. The Greenhouse itself will exist as a testament to the glory of Dwarven technological achievement, but also to examine each type of imported plant for useful properties and find the perfect conditions to mass grow them if such properties are found.
> GLOBAL DIPLO FOR EVERYONE
Send me samples of all the wild or domesticated plants you can. They don't have to be native to your land. Just send me plants.

> Action 2: The Coldmaker
Having learned of the basics of compressing and decompressing gases one Dwarf got fascinated by an odd idea: "What if I compress a gas until it gets very hot, let it cool down in said compressed state and then Decompress it?". Said Dwarf would be soon known as Olvarf Nofingers the inverter of the coldmaker.

As he planned he did. He commissioned blacksmiths to create an extremely thick steel box which he would then use to compress air in. He and his workers would pump and pump and keep pumping the air into the box until the box even if made of thick steel started inflating like a balloon while being hot like a blacksmiths furnace. Then he had them stop. For weeks the box was left unattended until it cooled to room temperature and then Olvarf opened a gas valve and put his fingers in front of the valve to see if the air coming out was cooled. He felt a quick breeze, but it did not seem that cold. Disapointed he slammed his hand on a table only to see the two fingers he held at the vent shatter like ice... it was in fact very cold.

Over the months this invention would find many uses the pressurized boxes would be produced and shipped out to forges where the released cool air could keep the Dwarves working there cool. It would also revolutionize shipping as goods could be transported over long distances while being kept relatively cold and thus preserved for a very long time in a fresh state.

>>4244141
Actions:
-Mercury is clearly not to be toyed with, and even Nethula is left baffled that any ant, including the former Matriarch would ever partake of it. Yet its affects cannot be denied. With Lychgate seized, the work on coming to understand the full potential, and danger, of this substance can begin. But it is left in an utterly poor state. Before the excavation of mercury can begin, the Karnis work first to shore up the colony's inner and outer defenses, replenish its food stores , and repair some of it's more vital infrastructure which has clearly been neglected.

- The Ash'Karo stand ready within the heart of the mountains, and with the support of Karnis workers they begin to clear out the rubble of the ruined capital. That which is deemed irreparable is torn down and the tunnels are cleaned of their gore and blood stains, where possible at least. The project is aimed at one other task as well, to find any hidden chambers or vaults where the dwarves might have left some valuable artifacts or treasures behind during their fall.

>War: Sable
Emboldened with their latest victory, the Karnis expect the Catacombs to be in similar disarray to their sister colony. Yet Ti'Tora was nowhere to be found within the hearts of the Lychgate. Assuming that she and some of her brood might have somehow escaped and are taking refuge within the final hold of the Sable, the ants prepare for a full assault from all sides. The Might of the Karnis are split in 3 groups, 2 of the smaller ones take charge through the highways from Lychgate and the Crypts, while the larger force rushes from the surface. Their orders are clear, seize the former capital of the ants but take Ti'Tora and Kukusia alive if possible.

>>4246763
>>4244888
>Diplo: Gyldenthrong
With word of dwarves crawling over the mountains having reached the Matriarch, diplomats are sent to the Southern folk to invite them in for Sigord's spine is dangerous and it would be a shame for their adventurer's lives to be as short as they are. The following message is conveyed to the dwarves:
"We've taken notice of your attempts to traverse the frosty mountains. If you seek warmer travels, the Karnis have no qualms with you taking the tunnels. To foster peace, we extend this invitation without asking for anything in return other than a mutual respect from both parties to one another should they cross paths within the stony pathways."

>>4244141
>1: Megalo's cleansing
Megalo, our nation's pride, has been enveloped in toxic cinnabar! Efforts to clean it will begin immediately. Seeing as it's not good to inhale, our hired workers will be wearing protective gear, like face masks. They will have to collect the cinnabar, so it can be disposed safely, rather than blowing further out into our precious plains.

>2: Megalo's cleansing
As soon as possible, we want to have our capital up and running. Over in Dynatos, the representatives have ordered local researchers, and those who've migrated over, to try and find a way to keep our cleaners safe from the toxic cinnabar.

>>4244141
Action 1:
For the longest time the cult of obadina has been confined to only a few families outside of depau, and of those only really among the tarn.
If the world will not accept faith we will need to develop to be more like that of the vossiks, whose fire priests inspire aw in their people and bring them to commit great acts of faith.
Thus a new faction of amplect society is formed, the storm priests. They invoke a most primordial thing of worship, that being the great aw which thunder storms and rain brings to the lesser races.
Their formation coinsides with a great effort of writing a central book of obadinan theology, it shall supercede the many other books which have been written by depauns over the years preaching a message of unity under the he whose influence lies in thunder and rain, alongside the sea.
The new book, called the Arch-Lituatid preaches a message of reverence towards he who lies in the void, it tells of the stories which support the fact of his existence and of those races who embraced him and thus ascended to be able to wander the voidworlds just as the depauns do. It speaks of the Teistulids, Ctararchs and Baoriens who to wander the void in this state of permanent flourishing.
The faith offers to the souls of the dead a means of reincarnation into a body of one of the worshiper races of Obadinia upon being launched into the grasp of death and even this opportunity for the otherwise righteous relatives who never had this opportunity, although specifically only if they never had the chance, those who rejected the good word have no chance.
The faith does not deny the existence of other "gods" but names them as lesser entities when compared to obadinia, perhaps they may be worthy of worship if they are willing to cooperate with the faithful but those gods who reject the notion of even tolerating the faithful are said to not be worthy of worship, unless they to relent.
The book also contains a variety of other useful informations, such as recipes for certain medicines and a basic guide on how to do electromantic magic, although this form is basic, filled with cautions and only supposed to be useful for such things are lighting candles or fires or perhaps killing small pests.
The secrets of greater electomancy will only be available to the highest of faithful and that fact is not promised in the book.
Action 2:
Construct a great temple to obadinia on the shores of the mainland desert, in a position in a perfect spot of trade in land which is otherwise useless to all but a few hunters.
It shall be called Haulmio and it is where holy men of other nations will go to train in the faith and in the future, train in electromancy.

>>4246653
Provided standard payment is provided the tidal empire sends a supply of seeds of all of the major plants of their islands, though their jungles are not fully provided for in the seed department because of the unlikelyhood of those seeds doing anything meaningful in that fridged realm

>>4244141
1.Advance the study of chemistry
2. Improve the submarines
I'm creatively dead right now. Need to move my mind mojo.

THE END OF WAR

Further bloody conflict is averted, as news reaches FHR generals of troubles in Andreth, forcing the Men to retreat from their Nomach and Heathen-Temple campaigns. What could cause such an imposing force to withdraw, that is for the Gods to know. As for the Elves, they too face adversities within their borders. Outlying kosts rebel at the ever increasing taxes, against the luxury of the Vossaya at the expense of the common Elf. The army refuses to turn on their own kind, and breakaway Voss are established. There is even rumblings of Hacmosi cells returning.
In short time the ceasefire is officialised, land ceded, blood-debt paid, treaties of movement signed with steep restrictions. The two Republics remain at odds, and in stasis, but no longer at outright war.

END OF INTERLUDE.

>>4247853
The Akkhar are thankful, but wish to also buy samples of jungle seeds and explain how they are making heated glass domes which should make it possible to grow jungle plants as well.

>>4244888
The Akkhar Dwarves wish for the Gylden to introduce them to the rest of the world. There is many parts of the world they do know, and many people's they never met or heard about. They do not wish to live in ignorance anymore and wish to learn about the rest of the world.

>>4244141

It has become clear that Geiriau Grym is not for enhancing things necessarily, but instead causing effects. As such, tests on how much these effects can go are tested. These include a few odd words that weren't ever expected to be tested, such as 'Poen', 'Blinder' and 'Cwsg' among many others to see just how far this could really go. The more negative effects, like Poen or Pydru would be used on animals, while things that were temporary and non harmful like Blinder and Cwsg would be tested similarly to the first tests of Geiriau Grym, with things like bowls activated by touching them on people who agreed to do so. It was clear, either way, that initially Rhisiart had gone about this the wrong way, but better late than never to find out what really works.

Meanwhile, due to certain events that were cause for concern, Llychlyn, or more specifically Llewellyn would make many larger vessels with one goal in mind, catching fish and taking them to port. The largest of these larger ships for fishing would in fact carry boats and have the aim to 'hunt' certain fish that couldn't be caught normally that had been seen in the sea plenty of times before by merchant men, such as whales and sharks. Of course, it would likely be some time until they discovered the actual best ways of going about 'fishing' or 'hunting' these kinds of sea creatures, but it certainly would help the growing population, and offset the dwindling ice fish stock.

>Rumor?

>Action One. Continue work on Geiriau Grym.

>Action Two. Fishing Fleets.

(Small post I know, made on short notice. I thought I had one last day and the deadline wasn't now.)

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SCENE ONE

(As the Republics are in a strange mix of stasis and slow decline, I will reply to diplo to either nation, though do not expect much generosity from the failing states.)

>>4244230
>Cravers
The Vats encircle the stone. Now what?
The ape-beasts find the Karnis jungles like home, and when not stationed as guards find great pleasure in reliving their pre-Fleshed existence in the trees.
It's an odd sight for the Flesh, as more Men arrive at Vadna. From what little can be overheard before they begin packing their things there is trouble in... dandruff? That's what you get for having hair I suppose. There is little more than a wave as the Men abandon their outpost.

>>4244231
>Tarn
Not only are the bridges within cities repaired, but more within the kingdom are built over the many rivers of Tarnia. The Tusker Road is a welcome addition, especially to travellers on foot, no longer having to deal with navigating the congested waterway.
With the introduction of the odourless grease, no more do machine-housing workshops stink of the abattoir on hot days. As an unforeseen benefit, rats no longer infest the equipment, with their disgusting free meal now gone.

>>4244888
>Gyldenthrong
In total six of the already most prolific and important mines adopt the new technology outright, with minor improvements (I chuckled at your pun) being made throughout the kingdom. Of course, as with any change, Ashen Dwarves kick up a stink and complain about the loss of "good an' honest pick an' shovel work".
The survey begins, and by chance the reports come in from south-to-north starting with additional iron veins at the Ashen Breweries, [CHOICE! Peridot, Jasper, or Agate] just south of Torz'vogaz, a gravel pit in the forests north of Daitaz'gatjag, and finally the remnants of the successive inhabitants of the Kahro Delta watermeadows; Elf, Dwarf, Kahro. With so many Dwarves sent out though, other things are being noticed, foremost the poor quality of the roads in the south, especially the weak wooden bridges, little more than a few nailed planks.

>>4246653
>Akkhar Dwarves
[B] While giving offerings to Therkuunaz in the volcano a priest is struck with a terrible vision from the God, he stumbles and is caught before he too becomes a molten offering. When he is recovered and refreshed with ale he speaks of his vision. "A creature stirs in the southern seas, far away from this island of ours, a creature of hate and destruction worse than any king. It will upon this land, how soon I cannot say, we may have eight tyrns, we may have eighty. We Akkhar will be safe in our mountainhome, far from the waters, but others will not be so lucky."
Thousands of the clearest roundels are ordered from the Gylden for the construction of the Botanical Gardens (>>4244888), and worked into frames of iron into large panels, then built together to form the greenhouses. With this built, now the Dwarves must wait for the trade vessels to come, and also to somehow improved the rocky soil they stand upon.
The Coldmakers were indeed an incredible achievement, but the legend of the ice-like fingers is just that, for the temperature created by the thing was barely below freezing. Such devices may be of use in hotter climes, or deep within the mountain, but some of the more rural Dwarves wonder why such a thing is necessary in their frigid home.

>>4246763
>Karnis
The Sable filth is flushed from Lychgate, and filth is an understatement. Corpses, excrement, rot, the place reeks of decay, how the black Ants could possibly have spent a day in this mess is incredible. With that foul task complete, work must begin on "replastering" the earthworks and reinforcing the stoneworks after a legacy of neglect. Perhaps it is the stench, or just the lingering madness of the Sable, but the air of the place is, off.
The Ash'Karo, many still visibly Dwarven in make up, are kept on the Karnis side of the Spine, in respect for how the Gylden may react to such a sight. Mixed with the rubble are inevitably more corpses, along with the mundane artefacts of the dead civilisation; arms & armour, metals and stored coal, cups, plates, tankards, combs, a mishmash of coins from every culture, jewellery, dolls, tools, the list goes on and on. The bodies so far had been those of soldiers, but as the Swarm continues to pick over the detritus they find the inevitable, those of children, of the elderly, of those who chose their own way out of the misery. Though the Dwarves had been the mortal enemy of the Union, they cannot help but stop, how could it have come to this?
The highway is drained, the charge commences, they destroy the frail-bodied and weak-minded Sable to an Ant! The broodmothers are cornered in the royal chambers of the Crypts with no escape. But O, the beating of Her wings! She is heard, Her presence felt! The Queen The Queen The Queen ! ! !

>>4246965
>Meluzina
Work begins almost immediately, brushing the red dust off every surface, even the walls are speckled vermilion. Every care is taken to protect the workers as they sweep and scrub the entire city and outskirts. Each den, each hide, each watering hole, must be cleansed. However even the most advanced Meluz equipment isn't fully protective, and volunteers begin complaining of coughing and headaches, but they must push on. Researchers are late to find that the fine particles of mercury ore can become trapped in the pores and between scales, not just the face should have been covered, but the whole body. For the task, a new fabric is patented; tightly woven Elezen cotton is coated with a boiled, gummy plant-oil, making it impenetrable and water-proof. It is too late for many of the early cleaners, infested with the dust, but new recruits are sent covered with the new oilcloth head-to-tail which while protective hinders movement greatly. Two full tons of cinnabar is gathered in drums, including barrels of contaminated water, felled trees, and cleaning equipment, and by conservative calculations over 200 Meluz will begin to suffer the effects of mercury poisoning in the coming tyrns. The cleaners are hailed as heroes. Many see themselves as martyrs.
It's an odd sight for the Snakes, as more Men arrive at Vadna. From what little can be overheard before they begin packing their things there is trouble in Andreth. There is little more than a wave as the Men abandon their outpost.

>>4247849
>Tidal
"The Priests of Obadinia the Storm, of Thunder and Hail, Chief of the Gods, Master of the Void, Bringer of Rains and Harvest", or simply the Storm Priests, are selected of those most blessed by Him with powers of electromancy, to spread His word and presence to those in need of His mercy with the use of the Arch-Lituatid and oratory skills, and perhaps a little domineering presence. Aping what makes the Scarlet Robes of the Elves formidable, there is made for the order robes of serene blue, or else darkest black possible, along with face-coverings including masks and simple veils, which heighten the mystery of the God Above and Below All, Obadinia.
In the shadow of the few remaining marble columns of the Temple of the Mare, the Great Temple to Obadinia is erected. As the first above-water abode of the God it should become a site of pilgrimage for those lesser beings who cannot visit the Trench.

>>4247857
>B'yogi
(Without much to go on I'm stuck too I'm afraid. You get what you're after, but please expand upon them if you can.)

>>4248604
>Llychlyn
(rumour next turn)
A deer is lashed for the tests, the first being a simple arrow shot, the creature gives a yelp, kicking and struggling, but is eventually calmed. Next is the 'Poen', the rune carved deeply into the shaft before the arrow is fired, now the creature screams and cries, and takes three Children be subdued. The attendants beg Fanw and the beast for forgiveness before commencing the third animal trial, 'Pydru', again the rune is carved into the shaft, the arrow loosed, and immediately the wound sinks with rot, the stench of it filling the air. The beast is finally put out of it's misery, and the wounds inspected. As expected the first is a simple arrow wound, the second is red raw, and the third, checked with immense disgust is black and yellow with decay. With such a gruseome task done, it is a relief to only be testing with the Geiriau Grym may make a bearer sleep. Both 'Blinder' and 'Cwsg' are tested one after another, with very similar success, the holder yawning with heavy lids as if preparing for bed, but still certainly awake. Curious.
The 'Armada Pysgota' sets out in search of the fabled giants of the waves, it may be a tyrn or two before they return with their prize.

END OF SCENE ONE.

>>4248647
Action One: Better boats
As the ships of Tarn grow bigger and bigger, they are buttressed more and mor with ribs of steel. Eventually, an epiphany is reached: why build many smaller ribs when the same effect can be achieved with sheets of steel? The Tarn set about making these sheets posthaste.

Turn 2: Send reinforcements
The Tarns see the slow crumbling of the republic and recognize there the same signs of inevitable decay they saw in the Soghoian and Jackrabbit Empires. Listlessness, apathy, lack of initiative: these are the signs of a civilization about to end. To that end, the Tarnsmen begin to reinforce their Great Ships. These three huge ships were first sent to the FHR full of troops and supplies to help with the war effort. Now, they are joined by a large portion of the Tarnish army and navy. Ostensibly here to help the FHR in their war effort, these soldiers in reality take more of a peacekeeping stance, helping to enforce rule of law in the port city of Senday. Meanwhile, the rest of the navy continues its preparations to take the port city of Volodek.

>>4248647


>Action 1: Yet again, we strike the Earth

The Gyldenreally generally feel the Ashen are grumbling about little, as no matter the improvements made to working environments or acessable depths, the workface of mining itself has only changed very little. But if the Ashenbeards want good honest pick and shovel work without these improvements for depth-working, why, there's still open cast. A gravel-quarry is struck to dig out the pit with good honest pick and shovel. The Gylden Dwarves in the area of Æblekag, meanwhile, delight at the discovery of these olive-green gems and strike a mine for Peridot using what they judge to be the most effective and efficient mining practices.
>Action 2: Roads away from Ruin

Poor Quality? POOR QUALITY?? The very words trigger a gnashing of teeth and stand as an offense to all that is gold and Dwarven. If this is the worth of a roadly gift from our Ashenbeard cousins, then perhaps it is as well they fell, rather then continue to exist to know such shame. The Gylden invest in solid Dwarf workmanship and roadbuilding experience to bring our nation's scrabbly roads and tattery bridges up to the fine, solid standards of Dwarven architecture.
>>4246624
>Diplomacy: Akkar
The Gylden would be pleased to make purchase of these weapons designed for Dwarven hands, after some testing to demonstrate their effectiveness. In exchange, well; the Akkhar may be interested in recent Gylden innovations of pump and pulley-cage powered by steam that are revolutionizing the mines of the Gyldenland. Or instead, they might prefer some examples of our 'Guldfar's Gaze', blessed mechanical devices of steel, glass and brass that can turn shining light into far-off blazing heat and flame. Or they might just want some of our defense-engine designs... though the Gylden believe it more likely that the Akkhar already have some of these.

In response to their requests for seed, the Gylden offer the Akkhar some of their wheat and barleyseed. They also offer to send the Akkhar a couple of saplings of their Gylden apples, if they are also willing to accept a Guldfarite (and Æblemorine) priest to give them the care and attention they will need?


>>4246778
>Diplomacy: Karnis
The Gylden extend their thanks to the Karnis for this invitation. They also inform them of the recent find of Artifact beds. The Karnis have been good enough to return Dwarven Artifacts to Dwarven hands; the Gylden will intend to honour this favour by returning all Kahro artifacts they might find on the site. Do the Karnis have an expert on the Kahro and their history who might be able to assist with excavation and evaluation?


>Diplomacy: Free Voss
Hearing of trouble in the republic, the Gylden send an emissary up from Zvamholm to treat with this new-declared independent community on the Gylden border, and determine their claims and causes.

>>4248652
(Previous actions explained. B'yogi start catalogue the different chemicals they discover and how they react to the physical world. With improved chemistry, B'yogi research a way to strength the submarines to with stand extreme pressure and force of waves and objects.)
1.With the S'umaries improved, it's time for for a test run. B'yogi send a small group of S'umaries to explore the seas mapping the sea floor.
2. With new metal comes new things to make. Iron is semi-good for the pipes and other water diverting constructs, but it does rust easily. B'yogi will rework the pipes in Simhyn to improve sewage, irrigation, water used for hygiene, and so on.

>Diplo to the Dark Ones
B'yogi deem it is time to finally interact with the Dark Ones to the east. Lately they haven't been antagonistic. They have noticed from their spies' reports that the Dark Ones are having troubles with their lands and government. B'yogi know an oppunity when they see one. The B'yogi send C'thus, a research of Dark One culture and politics to establish diplomatic relationships. B'yogi are eager sto study the Magic Stones they long for years...

>>4249303
The Akkhar Dwarves agree to the trade. They will sell Flamethrowers, and buy the Steam powered pull-and-pump systems in exchange.

All the plants are gratefully accepted and the Priests are permitted to set up small temples near the Greenhouse Complex in exchange for helping to tend the plants.

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>>4248648
> Action 1: The Zoo
> ||GLOBAL DIPLO|| - Now the Dwarves ant all the interesting animals your country can offer. We're making a Zoo.
With the Botanical Garden being a resounding success a more ambitious project is thought up. A zoological garden! Giant complexes of buildings is made to comfortably house animals ranging from desert dwellers to swamp dwellers.

> Action 2: Liquid Air
With Coldmakers completed Nofingers would be disappointing to see that while able to produce cold... it's not much. He wants more, he wants to feel that same cold that shattered his fingers many years. He'd be gone for many months meditating in the frozen wastes... only to return having understood what needs to be done. A machine as grand as a Mountain to bring fourth cold. For months he calculates based on his experiments and notices an interesting law: pV = mCT
(C is a constant dependant on the gas)

If one can precisely controll the volume, pressure and mass of the inserted Gas he can get temperatures so low... so low... maybe a 0?

The grand machine is constructed. A huge cube with a smaller cube inside which is connected to the outside world. To the giant cube a pump meant to reduce pressure inside is connected. Additionally on each side a giant improved Coldmakers would be connected. Ones as huge as a building with a giant rock hanging above them to compress the air. That said giant rock is pulled up by an assortment of dozens of steam engines and locked in place by inserting metal pipes under it. That way when the rock is loosened it can compress air to a ridiculous degree especially when the steam engines can be switched to be pulling on it instead.

From Nofingers's calculations it seems possible. If he can keep pressure in the cube at 1/100th atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the Colmakers at 2000 times atmospheric pressure he should be able to reach -2000 Celcius! By operating the 4 coldmakers 1 at a time the central cube is cooled and so is the tiny box inside, sucking in air trough the pressure regulated valve into the smaller box. (pressure in small box falls as it cools pulling in more outside air).

Work continues for months with Nofingers mourning over failure after failure. It is cold, but not cold enough! That's at most -140C! The Cold gases stream out untill during an especially cold winter night... it happens... first a clear blue liquid with tiny blocks of ice leaves trough an exist valve from the tiny central box... then the blue liquid becomes clearer and clearer. They have finally done it! They made air into liquid reaching what they believe to be the lowest temperature possible.

Nofingers happy with his accomplishment puts another two fingers of his in the liquid, puts them up in the air and triumphantly smashes them on a nearby table into a 1000 tiny pieces.

>>4249303
>>4248940
>>4248604
> Diplo the 3 of you
You are informed of visions of a Giant Sea Monster one of our priest hand while looking in the volcano.

"A creature stirs in the southern seas, far away from this island of ours, a creature of hate and destruction worse than any king. It will upon this land, how soon I cannot say, we may have eight tyrns, we may have eighty. We Akkhar will be safe in our mountainhome, far from the waters, but others will not be so lucky."

The Akkhar Dwarves inform the other races that they frankly don't have any way of dealing with a giant Sea monster and ask if they do and could maybe help.

>>4248647
1. Farms.

2. (If Senday got fucked) Fix Senday. I've been out of the game for a month, give me a break Lux

>>4248652

After the recent experiment, the deer in question would have its bones taken care of in a respectful way, given to Fanw. It was the least that could be done after having to deal with such pain and suffering. After however, Blodwyn would be swift to have the Poen arrows utilized for psychological warfare when combined with the Saeth Ganu. As the sound and accompanying pain would be extremely effective in breaking morale of even hardened warriors. For even if the arrows only made a light cut through the heavy layers of gambeson and plate, that was all which was required to make them suffer from the runes effect. Still, with this Rhisiart would be able to focus on other things, as the workings of Geiriau Grym had been discovered and examined in great detail at this point. Nothing more was to be gained, other than some more obscure tests. Instead, he'd spend the time to relax for once, and read a few of the books that had been able to be imported from abroad...It was then he realized something. The books, specifically the ones from the largest book producer in the world, the depaun, all had similarities with their text. As if written by the same hand over and over, yet never changing. Soon, he'd contact an artisan and request a wood cut of letters, and with ink, just to see for himself the similarities...While some had used blocks to make books faster in Llychlyn, it would become apparent that there were differences, and the amount of books they made simply wouldn't match doing it by hand...Their traders had claimed it was magic when asked...So, if that was the case, maybe there was a way to do so with science? If so, there were a few possible ideas, all involving a machine of sorts...

Meanwhile, the Dadeni continued. While it certainly had taken longer for new things to become a part of Llychlyn culture, something soon would arrive. Grand plays and plenty of poems would start to rise in Llychlyn. The former inspired and somewhat imported from the Gylden but turned into something distinctly Fanwyic. The latter more of a result of playwrights branching out into more than just shows on the stage. Regardless, it was clear the Llychlyn Dadeni was not going to end any time soon, even if its newer effects would slowly trickle in rather than constantly flow like it had earlier.

>Action One. Work on a potential machine that could drastically speed up the production of books.

>Action Two. The Dadeni continues once more and playwrights come to the fore.

>>4250709

The news would be quite a shocking revelation. It would be made clear that the sudden disapearance of food from the south was not in fact caused by a creature, or any event, but one by Fanw...A sign not fully realized until now. Of course, Llychlyn already had spent plenty of time on other work at this point, but it was clear at this stage that something to face the beast of the sea would need to be made. Llychlyn needed a first, and only line of defense against this threat. A wooden wall. They would thank the Akkhar for this key information, and work to prepare would be soon...

>>4248650
>1: Hot air balloons
This next vessel will be the biggest one yet. 4 main "engines", one on each corner of the hull. Speaking of which, the hull will be equipped with windows on all sides, including one on the floor and one on the roof Inside the hull. Occupants aren't given much for seating, but it's not like they need it. On the other hand, the vessel has been equipped with a single furnace, which is ventilated through a chimney on the roof. This beast is more of an observation vessel, and it will be used to see things at greater heights.
Its first flight will be at night, and it will be anchored to the ground with ropes that are more than long enough.
A few of our now slightly famous void researchers will be going up as the main crew, accompanied by a handful professional pilots.

>2: return to Megalo
One final sweep of Megalo's streets and internals is done, and with confidence, the leaders behind the operation can confirm that the capital has been completely cleaned of the foul cinnabar. It is now safe to return! Megalo's former residents will be informed of this, and will be welcomed back into their homes.
Those who got sick from the cinnabar's ill-effects will receive compensation for what's been done to them, mainly in the form of rations, which could last each and every one of them quite a long time. They just have to say the word, and we'll give them a meal ticket for a specific market stall, which agreed to help with the cause.

>>4248648
The treacherous queens are seized, the sable all but crushed, and victory within the grasp of Nethula. Yet, the troops are visibly shaken. The battle was not easy, but their terror lied elsewhere. They spoke of hearing the Queen's voice throughout the colony, echoing as if it was a legion without number speaking in unison. Her presence itself was felt, with some soldiers collapsing after clawing their own heads to shreds. While Kukusia had remained deathly silent throughout her apprehension, Ti'Tora had been cackling like mad. What has this zealous spawn done? Nethula must get to the bottom of this, and fast.

Yet for the first time in what seems to be forever, the ant kingdom is once more united fully with the Karnis at the helm as is their rightful place. The Catacombs was at least kept in better condition under Kukusia's leadership, but it's no longer fit to serve as the capital of the ants. That honor remains the Labyrinth's, the cradle of the Karnis in which their loving mother nurtured them

Actions:
-The Karnis can begin to extract Mercury and continue their studies of it. Scholars revisit their mercury/joyous honeydew concoction that was used to treat the Matriarch so long ago. The create Mercurial honey, mixed in different ratios for testing. However, without subjects to test its affects on, little can be said for sure. Nethula thus approaches her fellow Karnis with a simple request, "Those of you who are ailing with a terminal condition, let not your suffering be in vain. If you are to depart, then offer that final breath in service." A recruitment drive is started, and ants that suffer one condition or another doomed to die offer themselves, choosing to face death with meaning rather than have it creep upon them slowly. Yet more hopeful ants sign up as well, "what if this can cure me?" crosses their mind. Regardless of the individual ant's motivation, no lies are told to them. They are told upfront what to expect, and those that consent are administered the drug, kept under strict conditions and monitored daily.

- The treacherous siblings are imprisoned within the depths of the Labyrinth. Ti'Tora has not seized spouting her insane nonsense. "You can't stop her, resist as you might! She will return and crush you all with one swift crunch of her mighty mandible! Your futures blown away under the gust of her majestic wings! The Karnis will know only despair, despair, despair!". Normally her ramblings would be written off as lunacy, but after the experience in the Catacombs, the Karnis can't be so sure she's wrong. Nethula herself leads the interrogations of the two sisters. Every method they can think of is used, but they're as tight-mandibled as if they'd mistaken a jar of sap for honeydew. To aid them in studies, as well as antagonize Ti'Tora, Ti'Clika's corpse is offered for the Kahro to animate. The Mercurial queen's corpse is examined and used by Rikal himself to ensure the birth of a quality hybrid.

>>4252845
>>4249303
>Diplomacy: Gyldenthrong
Truly a splendid gift that the Gylden have returned to the Kahro, Rikal and the High-alphas are most pleased to have a piece of their long lost history returned to them. At the dwarve's inquiry, the amorphous court offer to send one of their elder keepers, an old Kahro tasked with studying and maintaining the knowledge and history of the Kahro. It could aid them in their efforts should they choose. With the Kahro's response, the Karnis send one of their own. It is the swarm's hope that the former capital of the Dwarves be remade into a new city where all races can come together and share a space be it for comradery or business. To this end, the Gylden are asked if they would be interested in helping to rebuild it and help to preserve some of its previous splendor. The Gylden are welcome to any artifacts and wealth they might find during this project as well.

>>4252543
>>4252845
>>4252409
>>4248940
>>4244230
>>4246763
>>4247849
Emissaries from the Free Human Republic come to each nation. The Republic once again stirs to action, trade is to be had, the Vossiks appear to have splintered, and seem to be weak. But over all, The Republic is back.

>>4252970
What can you sell and what do you wanna buy? Coldmakers are for sale. They're basically not!fridges.

>>4252970
Trade will be fully resumed

>>4248650
The tidal navy is recalled once more.
Action 1:
Begin vigorous research into how the weather works by cross examining ship and local records and making observations of current weather patterns.
Action 2:
The vossiks have grown weak, and if we cannot conquer them then we must try something else. After opening trade proselytize in the coastal regions and through the major trading port of volodek.

Posted on behalf of the Cravers

1. With the men gone, the Cravers seize those tiles in absolute, and soon Chern'bolg are seen with bone scythes and chained to plows, to continue the food production.

2.
The Nucklavee moves to the Obelisk, let him carpet the stone in spores and flesh.

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SCENE TWO
(take two)

>Vossik
Nobles and Officials are secreted away from Nomach high into the mountain Voss, leaving behind a minor power vacuum which soon fills with Elves of, lesser, birth. The road into ceded territory is bouldered, and a new road to Terrata built. In addition to this construction, two new sturdy forts guard the reservoir and gold mines of Gilden, along with a sloped and rounded wall set with thick iron gates erected against the Southern Pass. Priests of the Colours once more begin worship in the Cathedral of the New Sun. And lastly negotiations begin with the breakaway "Free Voss".
As written in The Treaty of the Dam, the outlet aperture is gradually widened on said dam, allowing a managed increase in the flow of the Sendack River. (>>4251556)

>>4248940
>Tarn
The process of flattening steel is no small task, even with water-powered hammers the process takes days, but it is said that the recently refreshed FHR have a mechanical way of creating sheets of metal.
(The FHR and the Elves have signed a ceasefire, which you are made aware of when your soldiers dock in Andreth harbour. Whether you wish to honour that is your own prerogative) Shipments of grain, cloth, ale, salted meat & fish, and countless other necessities make their way into the ports of both New Andreth and Senday, along with army & naval forces. Ostensibly this is the "keep the peace", but Gods know how those fidgety Elves will see it. (>>4251556)

>>4249303
>Gyldenthrong
"Now that's good honest work there." Ashen miners take pride in their work, and though open-cast lacks the dankness of a "propa" Dwarvern mine, it'll do just nicely. As for the peridot, this mine sees the implementation of the eighth powered lift, soon bringing up shining green stones by the cart-load.
The roads, or more accurately tracks, leading all the way from Alumjorg to Kezvogaz'unteg are brought up to true Gylden standards, as well as the building of three bridges over the two southerly rivers.

>>4249499
>B'yogi
With just the right mixture of iron, fluxstone, copper, and bone (how B'oo!) an improved alloy steel is created, with incredible strength, but also flexibility when needed. With this new metal, improved S'umies may be cast. The first new S'umie is sunk, and merrily crawls over the mud and sands beneath the waves. Now, not only will it be used to expand the knowledge of the B'yogi, but to improve their lives as well. Though the more ethereal B'oo are not so worried about the gross matters of the material, those more closely tied to this plane most certainly are, not to mention the poor H'yomi! Streets are torn up, ditches dug deep, and reservoirs built, for the most needed of worldly works.

>>4250687
>Akkhar Dwarves
Every habitat imagined by the Dwarves is prepared inside the Zoo, though there is only so much that can be done with hot water and rocky soil.
Now with only five digits remaining, Nofingers cheers his success! The liquid however did not remain in such a state for more than a second outside the machinery, evaporating before hitting the ground. No matter. The Dwarves had changed the very course of Nature.

>>4251556
>FHR
(The war posts have been struck, the only battle was that in the ceded territory against Elven farmers. Troops prepared for war in the forests, but were called away by the Daiimad, along with everyone in Vadna, which the Elves allowed to safely travel back to Andrethi lands. The "Trouble in Andreth" will be explained below.)
The soldiers are called back from the front, strangely so too do the Elves retreat to their own cities. Shortly afterwards, The Treaty of the Dam ceasefire is signed at the Elven reservoir, ending the impending total war. The stipulations are as follows:
>An end to hostilities between the two Republics
>The New Vossik Republic cede the land taken by the Free Human Republic
>The Sendack River is brought back to its former self in a controlled manner
>An end to the blockades of Volodeck and Terrata
>A withdrawal of all spies from either nation
>A blood-debt paid in gold to the families of those killed in the Field Massacre
>Free, but monitored, movement of Men through the Southern Mountain Pass, with limits on those armed moving through
>The cessation of Elven propaganda being dispersed to other nations
With the treaty signed, Men are pulled from Vadna as well, for there is trouble in New Andreth. Sajaak has granted the Men a warning of things to come. For in the south a great beast has awoken, a leviathan of unimaginable terror rises. Already there are signs of its coming, the fish are moving north, the waters have cooled, the waves grow taller. How much time there is to prepare, not even the Gods know; the priests & priestesses of Caladre say Her voice grows dim. Fear has gripped even the Sajaak-Kah, wise and hardened Men. All are needed to ready the city, no, the world, of the thing's nearing. Gods help us.
Farms are planted in the most fertile ground along the border river of the Shadow-, things, who insist on taking approximates of the sacred Human form and waving at the farmers trying to work. Farms are dug into the bloodied soil in the north, a convenient place for spying, also, should the need arise. As for Senday, here the Tarn graciously provide supplies of food and ale, along with a contingent of well trained Men.

>>4252407
>Llychlyn
If Rhisiart hadn't spent so long study the small details, he would have surely missed it, a tiny imperfection in the Ϥ-character. He scanned the next page for another, and, yes! the same defect! This lead the artist to the conclusion that not whole pages, but individual letters are carved? cast? wished into existence? how the Dragons had done it he could not say, as for the Children of Fanw, these would be the way.
From soaring Gylden epics, of heroic battle, tragic defeat, of the grace and vengeance of the Gods, comes more subtle, supple poetry. And why should it only be heard? Why not seen, too? And so theatre is reborn on the island of Llychlyn! Troupes and companies spring up in the cities and even no-name towns to perform, though in more rural areas they often take on a religious feel, tales of Fanw's celestial deeds are most enjoyed.

>>4252543
>Meluzina
It is a tight fit and a slow climb inside the vehicle, which gracefully rises into the night sky. No sooner has it reached the end of the rope does a message scream from the Void: PREPARE.. DANGER FROM THE SOUTH EMERGES.. WATCH THE WATERS.. For the first time the researchers are struck with an emotion with the message; Fear.
It is a slow return to the capital at first, but with time the city retrieves almost all of her population. Those who had made the place inhabitable once more were hailed profusely, and greeted warmly in any establishment. The symptoms were as yet only mild, occasional headaches or coughing fits, spotty vision, or general malaise; They would could and go, sometimes with weeks between bouts. Though there was no formal hospital in the Megálos, a clinic is set-up specifically for those who heroes who may need it.

>>4252845
>Karnis
The capital is moved to Labyrinth, and with the title, the jade pillars of Nethazar's royal chambers, her first act of royal prestige. All other traces of Formic royalty are brought from The Catacombs to Labyrinth so that there is no doubt who is the rightful Matriarch.
Mercurial Honey to a lucky few is a blessing, but to the many it is a final, painful sting before death. Too much one way brings bodily failure, too much the other is just a dangerous meal, but in a sweet spot (pardon the pun) there is a half-expected outcome; Her. Her wings, Her chitters, Her presence. Most are simply driven mad before dying, others become catatonic, and those few who witness Her, O what news they bring! She speaks to them, Her wayward children, forgives them. Warns them. Something is coming, She says, something even She, Goddess as She is, cannot stop. In the south it stirs. Even Nethula feels it. The beating of Her wings, inside her head. Madness runs in families, after all.

File: Wind and Waves.png (213 KB, 2048x2106)

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>Karnis cont.
"Sister! Sister! Tell them! Tell them of Her majesty! Te-ll the-m!" It seems in her madness she mistakes the Kahro-animated corpse of her sibling for the living thing, so much for torment. With Ti'Tora's babbling unceasing, even when the body does quite impossibly survivable feats, there is no use in the mad broodmother. Kukusia however was quite forthcoming, after some, persuasion. The crazed Ant had followed in the footsteps of their mother, imbibed deeply of the Red Dew, and for her troubles seen much the same all mad Ants do; Her. What was discussed, or what knowledge was shared, she didn't know, she swears on her antennae. As for the mercurial Kahro, there were, complications. It appears the damage done to the flesh & chitin was on a more fundamental level than a simple battle scar, the essence of it had been destroyed somehow. Rikal could puppet the thing, but this was little more than performance, incorporating the body into his or anothers being would be quite impossible.

>>4253234
>Tidal
With the wide spread of the Tidal navy, and additional vessels sent north and west, the Depaun plot the course of the winds and waves onto the map of Sigod. (see image)
In the trade centre of Volodek, though customers are lessened, the market still thrives. Here, the grip of the Church is weakest, and here is where the Dragons find purchase of another kind. They preach openly of Obadinia, and though a few Hacmosi and Gylden gather to hear, it is of little concern to servants and stall owners which madman makes the square his pulpit.

>>4253286
>Cravers
In a ghoulish play at Humanity, the Chern'bolg take up the plough and scythe. Though the Men leave little else of use, Vadna is a nice enough place to rest ones weary pseudopods or tendrils.
With the Emerald Dwarf-things dealt with, the Nuck'lavee is brought to his new monument, the Strange Obelisk, now a truly fitting for the heavily modified stone. Slowly he begins to seed himself over the ground, but, halt, could the thing not still hold enough power to down even the Nuck'lavee? There is hesitation, as his attendant Flesh-priest runs his own risk calculations...

DIPLO
>>4249303
The Gylden are met at the wooden gates by a mixed group of Hacmosi and Elezen, when their mission is stated they are lead into the Free Voss of Wyrum to discuss the matter. As it happens they are already in negotiations with a delegate from the Mountain Vossaya, who groans rather loudly at the presence of the Dwarves. The Elves talk amongst themselves in heavily Pokan accented Elezen, and to the Dwarves in the Volodek dialect of the Elven Trading Language. As it stands, both the Free Voss and the Vossik Republic claim sole ownership of the marshy territory, and both also recognise the Zvamgatt Line as the rightful border. Though he is loathed to admit it, the Gylden reputation for fair judgement is a well earned one, and so the delegate invites the Dwarves to sit in on the debate.

>>4249499
C'thus arrives at the Cathedral of the New Sun, an enormous structure of stone and yellow glass, which glints like the newly discovered amethysts. It soars higher than anything around for miles it, beaten only by the tallest of the tallest B'oo towers. Inside there are Elves, both dark and golden, milling around, praying, meditating, or just conversing, among them are Elves in white robes who seem to be performing some ritual to Elves in normal Elf clothes. There are Elves in red robes too, in a separate wing of the church, they are arguing about something, but in that quiet way the H'yomi do sometimes. In the centre, open to the air, are the magic stones they had viewed long ago, and in their centre, a single white-barked tree. There is a mix of the two beauties of this world, the natural, and the built, together they inspire a new emotion in the Shadow; Awe. C'thus cranes their neck to stare at the inlaid gold and silver, the precious stones, the marble, the polished limestone, but also the sound of hymns, of birdsong, of the gentle breeze. This was why they had transplaced from the In-Between. The B'oo makes their way into a side-chapel, and soon is greeted by a confused cleric in white robes. She speaks in Elezen, a language C'thus does not know, but when she tries Nomachian the shadow perks up. "Hu- hullo little one? Are- are you, real?"

END OF SCENE TWO.

>>4253340
>>4253286
Action 1: Economic Imperialism
Well, the peace between the two nations frustrates our plans, but there’s more than one way to skin this particular cat. The Tarns begin to buy up large sections of the port facilities at Volodek and Terrata Voss. Along with the purchases, bribes are paid to high-ranking officials within the city, large enough to represent a significant portion of their overall income. The payments are framed as “considerations” for the Vossik charity of allowing the Tarns to continue docking there. In practice, though, they should ensure more lenient treatment of Tarnish merchants and sailors as they begin to dock at the two ports with increasing frequency.

Action 2: Forge improvements
The forged in Jaakal are further improved. Now, they are optimized for steel fabrication, taking the metal from the FHR and converting it into large plates for shipbuilding efforts.

>>4253357
Real? It's a H'yomi word that always befuddled B'yogi. Real is to exist in a reality and B'yogi reality is not H'yomi reality to them. But enough about meta physical questions that will split lesser minds, it's time for business.
C'thus says, "assuming you mean H'yomi reality thrn yes. We are real. For a long time, we B'yogi have avoided contacting you Dark One cousins for you took over our friends' land, but it's time to move on. We have heard you have governmental difficulties and we want to ease the troubles. We want to oversee the eastern borders of yours. We have reason to believe the Violent Ones will attack soon and we don't wish for you to disappear. We shall provide sanctuary and order. Of course, we shall negotiate on beneficial trade and payment as well to you Cousin Ones."

>>4253345
1. The ceasefire is as such, a ceasefire. Prolonging the inevitable. Vaygr knows the forces called back are restless. The elves cannot be trusted, we know this. However, before any sort of continued effort can be made, infrastructure in Senday is a major concern. Bulwarks against the tides, both from the river and the sea.

2. Gunpowder. Oh that most elusive of substances that once propelled the FHS to greatness. "We must have it again!" Speaks the Varke-Sah behind closed doors. Without her public garb, her half-Awoo nature is fully on display to the rest of the Clan Higher ups. Varke would have their powder, though Technii knows how long it shall take...

>>4253340
1. Times are peaceful as of late, or at least in Simhyn. But there was one B'yogi who wasn't feeling peaceful at all. This B'yogi was named L'tu who lived in Shine. He was a meteorologist studying the patterns of the winds when M'ed started to whisper in L'etu's dreams. These weren't the kind and sweet whispers M'ed says to his followers. They were malicious, harsh, and grating to the mind. L'tu's dreams became more and more vicious every night. Until one night, he dreamt of standing on a tall tower while rampaging storms surround him as a lodestone. Before he could process it, lightning struck him ending the dream. L'tu was distraught for days until he mustard up the courage and sanity to do what the dream had shown him. He ordered a large lodestone enchanted with shadow magic to be put on a tall tower and wait. After a while, lightning hit the stone super-charging it! Now B'yogi need to harvest this new power. They shall call it M'ecity after M'ed.
2. The Bone Mother is our dearly adored Saint and we should treat her with a gift. We shall construct a underwater home where the river near her home flows into the ocean. There she can she safely explore and rest whenever she feels like it.

>>4253382
Oh, [R] and [NM] as well if you please.

>>4253538
Rumor as well

>>4253345
With both projects a success it is time to rejoice and work harder. When liquidizing air with cold an odd thing would be noticed, depending on how cold you manage to get the liquid the less "blue" it becomes.

> Action 1: Destillation
By modulating how cold exactly the liquid Air get's the Dwarves learn that you can isolate 4 separate substances:
1. Dry Ice
2. Blue Death (liquid oxygen is extremely deangerous)
3. Mini Ice (Argon also becomes solid)
4. Unflamer (suffocates flames, liquid nitrogen)

indeed a marvelous discovery. With the principles of distillation applied to the machine now we can get whichever one of the 4 air elements we want. The only problem is storing it. Producing large amounts at a time helps... what can we do to preserve it for longer? (I'll think about that next turn)

An additional offshoot of distillation is applying it to our vine. Separating the alcohol from the wine. Creating pure alcohol. Something which will surely revolutionize Dwarvenkind we'll call it "Bimber"

The principle of distillation can also be applied when forging to purify metals etc. It's useful overall.

> Action 2: Icecream
Inventing Icecream is no small task. You need to prepare the right goat milk, get some honey and berries and then freeze them in a way where it stays puffy and soft and not hard, but after years of trial and error the delicacy is invented. Many variants of Icecream spring up with alcochol for Dwarves, without it for foreigners, with many tastes, such as: Wine, Berry, Bimber, Honey, Cheese and Bread.
It's bound to be a hit among Dwarves working in hot forges or among priests sitting in the Vulcano all day.

>>4253348

With knowledge gained of the threat in the south, and Rhisiart more focused on words rather than science, plans would be made swiftly on methods of dealing with some sort of giant sea beast, lead by Aerona Tudor. A plan would swiftly come into being. A explosive device dropped into the water with a timer that would explode after the set amount of time. Of course, the grenades the humans made were too small for this purpose, didn't work under water, and the actual knowledge of the chemicals involved wasn't really existent in Llychlyn. As such, work would be done on something a bit...different. With Blodwyn returning as the war between the two republics was over, she'd be the one to give the go ahead on the project. Naturally, it was known well enough that the project would require many different resources, and with Blodwyn's support, and Eheubryd naturally giving a go ahead given the situation, it was more limited by what other nations had and time than anything else. Practically every resource, from Cinnabar to Asbestos would be bought and many tests done with as much safety as possible, with cloth utilized to cover the mouth shortly after to not breath in any dust, fumes, or anything else that quickly became apparent as an issue and impairment to, well, breathing. There was consideration to actually focus more on the construction of ships, but it was deemed more important to try this instead for a number of reasons, including that Blodwyn, much like the rest of Llychlyn, would rather not needlessly throw away lives in order to defeat some sort of sea monster that threatened the entirety of Llychlyn. And while she knew full well casualties couldn't be avoided, they could be minimized. Additionally, modified merchant ships could be used, as well as a interesting idea of 'bomb ships', ships without a crew sent off into the waves and given a timer to explode.

Meanwhile, Rhisiart would find coming by resources for his project would be a bit difficult...Unfortunate, but certainly not the end of the world. It simply meant there would be delays in his work. At least his hunch was confirmed...

>Action One and Two. Work on some sort of explosive substance. Import as many different resources as possible for testing.

>>4254316
The Akkhar Dwarves at least vaguely know of Llychlyn runes, this they wish to commission a rune. A "Lightning Rune" it obviously does not have to be as strong as lightning, but it should be able to imitate it.

>>4254321

Clan Nist, being the one clan to take commissions, would ask what they'd like it on and the purpose for it. As to activate one of lightning would likely require something to activate it. Of course, Clan Nist doesn't know how to make runes, but they can make the thing the rune would be engraved on.

>>4254331
The purpose is for our scientific research. A few moons ago thunder hit a pipe submerged in a lake said thunder left the lake trough another pipe on the other side off it. An odd smell could be felt, and when a guard approached the other pipe with a torch his beard got blown off!

As such we think that thunder hitting water in a specific way can create said Boomgas. If you ask for what to engrave it on, best would be metal, metal that lasts for long and does not corrode, like silver bronze or gold.

How to activate runes... we don't really know how runes work... how are other runes activated? Would sacrificing a goat to the runes to activate it be enough?

>>4253340

>Action 1: Is knowledge the real treasure?

No. Very clearly, treasure is treasure; that's why they call it that. But the rich artifact site still has a worth, and so with the aid of a Karnis representative and the say-so of the Kahro (>>4252853), the Gylden delve both Dwarven and Antish digging skills along a tangent into an archaeological investigation of the Artefact site. As we excavate, everything will be clearly and methodically recorded for posterity, and as promised, any remains or artifacts of Kahro origin dug out from the site will be offered back to them through the Karnis.

For the rest of the Artifact trove, the Gylden Kingdom will pay for Golaetur'kot to keep the bones from any Dwarven remains they find, and a grant for the establishment of a museum to publicly display the ancient artifacts that that might be found here - and, indeed, those that might be found elsewhere.
>Action 2: A warning from godly warmth

With word of a monster stirring in the far southern seas of the cold ocean, the Gylden begin to worry and make plans and contingencies. How far from the waters might it reach, they wonder with dread? Though Gylden Dwarves have been prey to monsters from the waves before, that happened back in the Cravic war, and many of the remaining veteran contingent who saw those engagements is now in their dotage. Nonetheless, they are sought for defensive and drainage advice; and the first practical steps are taken in announcing the construction of new town walls for Gnavkop and Lapizkad - as southerly towns close to the sea, they are considered most highly at risk from the threat announced.


>>4250657
The Guldfarite priests thank the Akkhar, and bring with them both Apple saplings and samples from many different soil-types not found in the Akkhar realm to help grow the botanic treasures they plan on keeping.

>>4250709
The vision from the Volcano's heart brings great worry for the Gylden, as news of a vision from Therkuunaz is seen as if one from Guldfar, by way of an obscuring haze and a different accent. The Akkhar priest is gifted casks of potent Ale and Gylden beers and cider in gratitude for the warning. Whatever cold creature of Snehvid approaches, at least now there might be some preparation for its coming. Will they tell the Deepaun, the Akkhar are asked? The Tidal Empire knows the waves like no other nation. Whatever might be out there, the Deepaun would be best placed to find out how far it might be away.

>>4252853
>Diplomacy: Karnis

The Gylden thank the Karnis for their offer, they're sure that many Dwarves would indeed be interested in the idea of rebuilding and preserving the splendor of the former Ashenbeard capitol.

>Diplomacy: Free Voss of Wyrum and Vossik Republic
The Gylden emissary accepts the invitation to sit in on the debate, if both parties agree to it.

>>4255372
The Akkhar Dwarves are happy to inform the Tidal Empire, but wish the Gyldenthrog to vouch for their honesty as they do not know if the Dragons would trust them considering their turbulent past..

>>4253195
> Diplo 2nd Tidal Empire
You are informed of the visions of the Kraken by Akkhar Dwarf diplomats.

>>4254481

The dwarves would swiftly be informed its quite simple. All one needs to do to a rune is use what causes it to activate, which can be anything from being struck, touched, impacting something with force, or anything else similar. As such, sacrificing a goat near it could potentially work, but something more abstract as a way of activating a rune hasn't been tested. Using metal that doesn't corrode would also be easy, as Platinum didn't, and Llychlyn had a monopoly on the stuff, though, naturally that made it more expensive. It'd be best they provide the material they want to work with and Clans Nist and Tudor do the rest.

>>4254128

A letter from Blodwyn would arrive. It was quick to the point and stated something from the south will come in time, some giant sea creature that posed a threat not only to Llychlyn, but any and all cities and civilizations on the coast. Numerous plans are being devised to actually fend off the creature in Llychlyn proper, though it'd be advised that the FHR work on its navy and protection for its coastal cities. When the creature would come, Blodwyn didn't know, all she knew is it would be somewhere within a slightly longer than average human lifetime.

Posted on behalf of the Swarm

>>4253348
Actions:
-The Queen's warnings are repeated through many an unfortunate ant. Yet even Ti'Tora has gone silent after these experiences. Oddly, within her cell, she can be seen occasionally staring at the southern wall silently for hours on straight, visibly shaking while muttering to herself "It comes". These experiences are enough to cause Nethula to begin preparations, starting first with the resources of her lands. While the wars were raging, the domain of the ants had expanded, but little of it was truly explored. In order to ready themselves, they would need to exploit every advantage the land could offer them. Scouts were sent forth to survey the land for natural resources and minerals they could make use of. Some parties were sent to collect the specimens that had rumored to have returned within the deserts and the oasis after the droughts had ended, most notably the lizards which had been so widely seen.

-The attempts to understand the mercury had seemingly reached it's conclusion as it stood. Ingestion would mean eventually insanity, then death, while the dead were far too damaged to see any use. But what about that were not yet dead? A request is sent to the Cravers for their support in studying the mad ants, noting that with their mastery over flesh they could observe and understand the conditions of the living with relative ease. Those that have their psyche shattered by the Mercurial Honey, are sent to the Mosoleum for study. Ti'Tora herself is transported as well, for she is a prize specimen after all. The Cravers encase her within an observation pod where she is kept sedated. Numerous sensory nerves grow from within the pod, extending towards her and worming their through the exposed openings in her chitin before eventually burrowing into her. With this, she is kept alive while the monks are able to monitor her vitals and extract other physiological information in realtime.

Posted on behalf of the Cravers

1. The Obelisk is disconnected from it bone and flesh socket, laid flat upon the ground, and with expert care and with measurements known only to Grist'thromir, the Nucklavee directs the sectioning of the mighty obelisk into great bricks for transport to the old ruins of the Oppressor now claimed by the Karnis, some grand design has caught the Nucklavee's attention, leaving it in a hurried fugue screaming about blood-mortar to reform the obelisk "into Grist'thromir's hands", whatever that means. But now a great many of the Chern'bolg work away with chisels and hammers, while great carts pulled by Rutra begin baring the base pieces to the now captured and cleaned ruins. The surrounding metal implements, Halg'ala, and bone wiring are tore down, and brought to the inside of the mountain if possible, to aid in what the Nucklavee calls 'resonance'.

2.
The covering is peeled away from the tunnel, and a small team of Cravers and Rutra enter the tunnels to see what is the fate of the greenskins, and to document the fleshspore's effects in a concentrated area.

>>4253348
>>4253382
>diplo: Tarn
A few of our researchers politely ask if they can investigate the tarn's southern sea border. There's a rumor going around that monsters lurk in the waters, and some of us wish to put those rumors to rest, whether they be products of our imagination, or gentle giants lurking in the deep.

>1: beef military
If these dwarves want a fight, then it's a fight they'll get! Through greater knowledge of our enemy, we create drills that would specify in slaying short tarns. Their bodies don't like our poison, as nothing seems to make any living organism on this planet panic more than an envenoming. Strike fear into their hearts as our stealthy rattlers fire venom-coated arrows as they hang from the ceiling, where dwarven arms cannot reach.

>2: Dynatos Thorivos Underground
Right next to Dynatos Thorivos is the mining town of Exoryxi. Many workers in those mines sleep their nights away in Dynatos Thorivos, as they simply cannot stand to sleep in the mines. The representatives have come up with a plan to help our favored workers in their efforts to supply our nation with emeralds, and other wetland riches. Dynatos Thorivos will be given burrows, which extend deeper into the dirt. Those homes will then be linked up with the underground burrows of Exoryxi in a wide tunnel known as the Dynatos-Exoryxi Bridge.

>>4253354

1.
The Obelisk is disconnected from its bone and flesh socket, laid flat upon the ground, and with expert care and with measurements known only to Grist'thromir, the Nucklavee directs the sectioning of the mighty obelisk into great bricks for transport to the old ruins of the Oppressor now claimed by the Karnis, some grand design has caught the Nucklavee's attention, leaving it in a hurried fugue screaming about blood-mortar to reform the obelisk "into Grist'thromir's hands", whatever that means. But now a great many of the Chern'bolg work away with chisels and hammers, while great carts pulled by Rutra begin baring the base pieces to the now captured and cleaned ruins. The surrounding metal implements, Halg'ala, and bone wiring are tore down, and brought to the inside of the mountain if possible, to aid in what the Nucklavee calls 'resonance'.

2.
The covering is peeled away from the tunnel, and a small team of Cravers and Rutra enter the tunnels to see what is the fate of the greenskins, and to document the fleshspore's effects in a concentrated area.

>>4256381
>Diplo Meluzina
The same stories have arrived at the Councils doorstep, and it concerns them as well. The council is willing to lend the snakes a large Tusker-hauler to act as a mobile airbase for their airship, as well a portion of the naval fleet to serve as protection.

>>4253562
Rumor or lore, first.

>>4256121
The Dwarves are happy to provide Gold for the project as we got a mine of it. They would most like it if the rune got activated by hitting stuff maybe then they can put it on hammers too, to get thunderhammers?
Well, that is a debate for another day.

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SCENE THREE

Waves in the southern waters, including the usually calm Sea of Glyndon, grow in size and strength. It is nothing to the seawalls of many coastal towns & cities or the mighty vessels sailing over them. For now.

>Vossik
Huge sand- and earth- works are piled around the southern coast, the seawalls of Volodek are substantially fortified. For the waves come harder now, and shall only increase in ferocity.

>>4253382
>Tarn
[R] Ships sailing through the Sea of Glyndon have noticed strange earthworks being constructed through the low-lying lands of the Elves, all along their southern coast it seems. Oddly, their trade city is left outside the new fortifications/levees.
[NM] With the sudden and terrible death of the previous Augursoul, the priests dreaded the drawn out, possible tyrns long process of finding the next. These fears are allayed however when a maiden enters the shrine with a simple message; "I think I'm the Augursoul. And I think I'm the last."
Tarnic gold is taken happily, in front- and back- hands. The Tarn soon find that many existing Elven ships remain anchored in the harbours of the two port cities, with only small fishing vessels sailing in and out. The second is that Volodek hosts Depaun street preachers, an odd turn given the purported fervour of the Elezen. Perhaps they are like the Hahreshi of old Tarnish faith, giving into gold over their god.
Given the opposing nature of metal to timber, the planned ship of steel would have to be drastically downscaled from recent Tarnish nautical endeavours. But this setback would come as a welcome one to the public purse given the immense costs associated with the project.

>>4253538
>FHR
[R] Reconnaissance vessels sent through the Sea of Glyndon report the Elves have constructed massive siege? works along their southern coast. Notably Volodek is outside these earth-walls. They also appear to have abandoned their settled peoples along the shores.
Walls of stone are built against the sea and river, ringing the earth beneath Senday.
Oh that sweet and pungent powder, how long it has been since it has graced the barrel of the musket. Yet none now live who remember its make-up so well, and the tomes of Clan Varke speak of reagents and ingredients not yet known to reside in this place. Word arrives that the wolf-men of Llychlyn are following a similar path. (>>4254316)

>>4253562
>B'yogi
The stone hums with potential, as does L'tu the poor thing. What should be done with it? Of course, there are those B'yogi who say it could be a weapon! and those who say it could be an object of veneration. Once L'tu regains his bearings, maybe he'll say what he actually wanted to do with it.
Though the Bone Mother does not immediately leap into Her new gift, the B'oo around Her feel She is appreciative of the gesture. Over the next tyrn She is seen gliding through the flood columns and arches gracefully, Her gemling eyes and iridescent turquoise scales glittering magnificently, though in the nights She returns to Her temple. As thanks for their deed, a golden hoop is deposited on the steps of her sanctuary. But it is not merely an ornament, when the B'yogi discover it, in the handling it revolves around and in on itself to form a globe of concentric rings and on each band are stars and moons. It is a map of the night sky! (Armillary Sphere)
[L] It is time for the first real journey of the Soul of Simhyn, she has sailed the coast, and even dared venture into Cousin One waters from time to time, but she is meant to travel the world! With the Bone Mother's most recent present, the B'yogi may always find their way home by the stars. So to cheers and dance, to turquoise and amethyst blessings, the mighty Soul of Simhyn sets out south around the shores. (You'll get a third diplo-like action to plot the journey of the ship until she's anchored back home)

>>4254315
>Akkhar Dwarves
Ah, a purer drink one will never imbibe! Bimber by the thimble or Bimber by the flagon! And what better treat to follow it? Iced cream!
[D] But the celebrations of these fancies are cut short, for a rumbling beneath the earth sends ripples through the mountainhome. Tunnels collapse, chambers cave-in, and worst of all, the molten heart of the volcano lurches skywards flooding the lower levels with superheated rock. However small thanks it is, it is not a full eruption, more a deadly hiccup. How many are killed cannot be discovered, but the cries of the trapped echo terribly.

>>4254316
>Llychlyn
Of the many disparate stuffs imported, some are found in certain cases to have the desired effect; Coal dust, Dwarven rock fertiliser, a stinking yellow crystal from the Tarn. However these would only work in air, in water their potential is, well, dampened. Of course, everything is tried, every reaction recorded, every mixture, every failure, everything.

>>4255372
>Gyldenthrong
In the sodden field it is hard graft pulling fragments of bone, copper and rust from the muck, but the artefacts drawn out of the ground tell a small piece of the rich story of the world. The first finds are those of the most recent, visitors?, the Elves; bones far too long to be Dwarven, rotten crossbow bolts, a diamond ring. Next is the Ashen layer; chunks of carved stone, a goat horn drinking vessel, copper axeheads. Last is of course the Kahro, at least, they could be Kahro?; a grotesque stone carving, a rock drilled? with holes all about. No doubt more will be dredged up as Dwarf and Ant continue to work.
Walls are thrown up around the southerly cities, and with leftover dwarfpower around the port of Daitaz'gatjag too. They offer minor defence against the wind and waves, but more importantly it offers peace-of-mind.

>>4256255
>Karnis
Close together in Old Othin are two metals found, Gold & Copper there. As for the fabled crawling things, two there were here also, Scorpion and Lizard. Of the former, a nasty sting, and of the latter, the witnessed power to regenerate its limbs. The process was slow, weeks long even for the tiny reptile, but in the right hands... O what a wonderful gift!
Not only a wonder she has survived the devastation of mercury, but the invasion of her body by the Flesh. Numbed, docile, out of the way, perfect. The Cravers' study of her shows how damaged mentally and physically she is, barely able to regulate bodily functions, her social stomach closed up, her lower glands withered, and her mind addled. For what? Visions of a relic? As to her usefulness to the Flesh, there is little she can offer, as the master Kahro had stated, something about the very nature of her being has been damaged by the mercury. Now this raises a troubling question. Had the same happened to Nethazar?

>>4256381
>Meluzina
Like the Ashen themselves, the battle is short and brutal, every Dwarf fighting til his last breath. Though stealthy and shadow-kept, the silverbeards are masters of these halls and tunnels, and manage to kill a full third of those Meluz sent against them. What small glimpses the Snakes had previously had of the Dwarven town of Vikolaet'dun are sullied by the squalor the Dwarves had fallen to; Blood, excrement, vomit, all line the corridors and coat the walls. Eventually the smell is too much, and the Meluz must retreat, but at least the Ashen tribe has been removed.
The underground highway between the two settlements is dug at lightning speed, finally eliminating the extended journey around the crumbling Outer Soghoia wall.

>>4256420
>Cravers
Rather unceremoniously and with typical Craver regard for Chern'bolg life, the strange obelisk and all it's gathered trappings is torn down from it's plinth. Then with rough worn tools in hand the monument is hewn into pieces. The apes then go about hefting the stones onto carts to be taken on the arduous journey into the hall of the Oppressors. Noticeably the Chern'bolg are no longer being electrocuted by the stone, not a single piece still holds the power of the thundercloud! The attendant flesh priests flagellate in prayer that the potency be restored, but as yet with no effect, and so the prayers fall to restoration when the obelisk is once again whole.
The sphincter had done its job and so is pulled away to inspect the wreaking of the spores. At once hundreds of rice-sized fleshrooms begin to dawdle out into the light, along with a handful of slightly larger specimens, still no bigger than a coin. Trampling over these creatures, monks go in search of their prey, the greenskins. The walls are stripped of all other fungi, eaten? starved out? who's to say. Deeper in they are found, the lot of them, bloated, bloodied... alive... When prodded they simply cough up spores, and let out a haunting wheeze. Even for monsters this is a rather gnarly half-demise.

DIPLO
>>4253486
The Elf is a little taken aback at the statements of the little shadow, it takes her a moment to parse them. "You mean, the Men of the north? We're aware of their nature, but another attack? What wou-" she catches herself, "Apologies, this is a lot of information, especially from, well, a thing such as yourself. Wait here, I'll- I'll fetch someone-" without finishing her sentence she leave C'thus alone in the chapel. The slowly closing eye of H'pabi sends beams of sparkling light through the windows. At last another Elf arrives with the first, they speak in their own tongue before only the second remains. "I have been informed you are of the guarded creatures of the west and have a message for our people from your own. Your, offer, while gracious, will not be taken, you may however move freely through the lower kingdom (old Nomach) and the pass should the need arise. I must thank you for your warning, an outside opinion may be just the motivation needed to force the hand of the Vossaya. As for trade, it is a Vossik talent, and a most welcome opportunity." Here the second Elf is called away before C'thus may ask more questions, leaving him once more alone in the dimming chapel.

>>4255372
The Dwarves take their place at one end of the long table, and settle in for a good debate.
>Vossaya
The land had been settled on the word of, and with the financial & military support of, the Vossaya, without whom the land would remain a mismanaged Ashen backwater. Without them the fledgling voss would be overrun with the Dwarven mena-, Silverbeard's soldiers within days! You live here by the grace of the Vossaya, and to the Vossaya you owe your due.
>Free Voss of Wyrum
That is the past! It is we who grow swamp-root, we who lay the stones of new kosts. We who live here, we who guard here. We are thankful to the Vossaya for their aid, but would the debt be held over us for all time, who would rightly settle these marshes? Wyrum feeds and nurtures it;s people without the intervention of the Vossaya, why should the mountains have a say in that?
With their pieces said, they fall to bickering, which a loud Dwarven cough should put to an end.

There is a commotion in Cewri'jotregk, Jotte had been visited in his sleeping hours by a terrible apparition of Cewri since passed. They come to him bloody and battle weary, half dead and rotted they come. The Giant tears from his abode into town and with a heavy fist wakes every member of Rathi's household, and those on either side. In the starless night Rathi is quite annoyed at being so rudely awoken but when he sees the fear in Jotte's eyes he realises the seriousness of the visit. His voice shaking, more quiet than he has ever been, so much so that the elderly Dwarf must strain to hear, Jotte repeats the message of his forefathers; "She wakes. She of the storm- of the storm and waves comes. Timna rises. The tales are true, the proph- the prophecies are true. My friend- the end comes."

END OF SCENE THREE.

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>>4256792
The sudden warnings from the Akkhar and Meluzina strike fear into the Council. The Tarnish navy is its strength, yes, but also its greatest liability. A creature like a kraken could permanently cripple their wealth and power. All other efforts are temporarily put on hold while this new threat is investigated.
Action 1: Special boats
Two new types of boats enter the ranks of the Tarnish navy. The first is a modified tusker hauler, specially built to accommodate a Meluzina airship, along with all the necessary crew and equipment. These ships will work with the Meluzina to allow their airship a far greater range than if they were land-bound.
The second type of ship is a tiny(by Tarnish standards) schooner-style sailboat with a stripped out interior and narrow hull. The tall mast is embedded with nails that allow a sailor to climb to the top and survey the seas. Each is equipped with a square of color-changing cloth before being dispatched to the Gylden sea. Their duty is to report the current weather and sea conditions through the cloth back to Xycthos. Through their reports, the council hopes to triangulate the center of the waves--and thereby divine the location of the monster.

Action 2: Operation Shorefall.
As the seas grow increasingly violent, all nonessential Tarnish trade is halted and merchant vessels are sent back to harbor. Those ships that are judged too old or decrepit to be worth the effort of relocating are devoted to this operation. With the consent of their allies, they are scuttled just outside of harbors to create wavebreaks. Under the water, they disrupt the growing swells, causing them to break far earlier than they would otherwise. The result is a far calmer and safer harbor.

>>4256794

In their quest to find something that works as a good explosive, they were able to quickly and easily eliminate certain materials and substances from their pool of testing, either proving to only do the opposite in the case of asbestos, not provide the desired effect, or simply provide too weak of one. As such, the number of proper materials to test with was cut down significantly, and knowledge on chemical reactions certainly increased. Still, it was some time until they'd be able to properly come across what they are aiming for. While the current options were promising, there was more reactions to try and further tests. At the moment, however, they'd do tests not only under the water but above ground. Additionally, further tests under the water would involve cases containing the explosive made of iron or lead as a way to make sure the explosive in question sinks and also to better see its effect under the water. This would be done further with runes initially, before delayed fuses and timers would be tried, the latter of which would be mechanical and very early, but certainly new. There also was concern over what to do with the varying ports that Llychlyn had, as all of those were at risk, yet for the time being, there was a major focus on being able to do something to hurt the creature, after focus could be diverted to making sure the people in the towns and cities at the coast were less at risk.

Meanwhile, despite the delay, many printed and much more swiftly produced works would take Llychlyn, allowing further spread of the poetry and theater works in Llychlyn.

>Action One and Two. Continue to work on the current candidates for the best explosive substance. With any luck and such dedication, Fanw will bless their efforts

>Also finally get that rumor and hopefully what happened to that fleet.

>>4256907
>>4256968
>>4255372
>>4253562
The offer of constructing wavebreaks is sent to all of Tarn's allies with holdings on the Gylden Sea.

>>4257036

The offer would be extremely appreciated and accepted, seeing how currently Llychlyns focus is to stop whatever beast in the sea there is from destroying their major cities, country, and people.

>>4253354
Action 1:
Using teams of powerful electromancers we develop the powers to create tornados. It is done via manipulating the energy of different parts of the air so that a storm funnel forms which then can rapidly form a tornado. These tornados cannot last very long without constant help but it only takes a few powerful mages to maintain one which means that as long as there are a few over the minimum required to form one many medium sized tornados can be maintained at once. Now this cannot be easily done on all different types of terrain, to put it shortly the best situation is flat open terrain or the sea during a storm meaning that while it is limited in its use it has great potential. Sadly as of yet this skill is difficult to learn and can only be reliably done by only the best of storm priests but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Action 2:
Refit 6 of our warships for trade and set them off to join the network.

>>4256026
The Depauns will take heed of this prophecy and prepare for the worst. The Dwarves are thanked for their cooperation.

>>4256792


>>4257036
>Diplo: Tarn
The Gylden gladly accept the Tarnish offer to help by constructing wave-breaks, and offer their own assistance to the project...
>Action 1: Breaking Waves together
Hearing of the Tarnic plans, the Gylden approve of the principle; but they worry that sunken ships alone will not proove strong enough if the waves grow fierce and full of creatures. Perhaps we could weigh them down with a ballast of gravel, if these ships are strong enough of hull; and make use of quarried and wrought stonework to carve fresh breaks for deployment elsewhere - after all, they don't imagine the Tarn plan to sink their entire merchant navy, and there is a lot of coast that needs protection. The Gylden begin work, both on their own and alongside the Tarn, to try and make and enplace more breakwaters - better to have something rather then nothing when you don't know how much time is left (though that is not an excuse for a shoddy job).
>Diplomacy: Tarn and Soghoia
>>4256907
Perhaps we need to look into other materials, too, to fashion truly effective breakwaters, the Gylden propose. It is rumoured that the Soghoians have a mouldable stone of some form, and so a dwarf would be sent to ask (unless the Tarn would prefer to handle this themselves). And for heavy, weighty substances that might be of use for keeping items on the seafloor... well, there is a little lead that comes into the Gylden markets from Deepaun traders, so the Dwarves have some faint idea of the properties of this heavy material; but the quantities are of course limited and the Gylden have no doubt the price will soon rise. Perhaps, the Gylden venture, now might be a time for the Tarn to open up a mine to dig for the lead vein in the Jotregk mountains?
>Action 2: Solid Dwarven Walls

With waves starting to strengthen in the southern waters, the Gylden council gathers to discuss and debate a nationwide response. Dwarves have built themselves defenses since the earliest times; now we face a threat from beneath the waters, but were the earliest Gylden fortresses not founded out of concern that Monsters might come from the sea?

The Gylden Geological Survey and Logistics Charters are sent to asses the coastline itself, to take note of the lay of the land and the motions of waves and currents; and in their wake Dwarf masons begin laying coastal walls. Pragmatism will be needed; the geography might make some areas harder to protect, or even indefensible; and knowing to avoid protecting these areas and building our defenses on solid ground behind them might make the line of coastal walls stronger overall. We will save as much land as we can honestly expect; but the greater priority is to make these walls steady, sturdy and strong enough that they might help save the nation.

>>4257181
>Diplomacy: Tidal Empire

The Gylden have a proposal for the Deepaun, but the Dwarves don't think they'll like it much... nonetheless, they feel they have to ask it. The Deepaun have perhaps the most natural kinship of all with the waters, and the tales of their ancient navigations are the oldest. Right now, all nations are starting to make preparation; but we are doing so blind. All we have to prepare against are rumors and visions. If any ships were to head into the waters of the south to try and get some true assessment of what might be on the way... well, the Gylden consider that a Deepaun crew might have more chances of returning home with warnings to tell then peoples from other lands. To find out what comes for us, the direction it heads, and how far it lies away. The Gylden will offer to support with the knowledge they have, providing provisions and longsight-tubes and some fishing devices; but the Dwarves know that they do not have the expertise or ships to lead a mission themselves.


>Diplomacy: Jotte.
Rathi can see the fear in his Giant-friend's eyes, and knows from the fear within that this is serious. "What comes? What more do you know that can be told to us?" he asks, preparing to take notes. "Timna... what is she? What do the prophecies say?"


>Diplomacy: Arguing Elves

A Dwarven cough might put the bickering to an end, but the Emissary knows he is only a guest here; and has not been asked for his input, nor can he think of easy resolution in the current circumstances - the land clearly belongs to the local community, but surely that community should be part of the nation in their turn? It sounds to him as though the Vossaya have more of the right of it, and the Free Voss are being negligent in their duties, he is aware he doesn't have the full picture. So he waits a while for the conversation to lull - only clearing his throat to speak if there seems a pause, before asking; how did this 'Free Voss' came to break from the Vossaya? Was it permitted?

>>4256792
The Bone Mother has given us a great boon!
1. M'ecity. A new wonder in this world and we discovered it. It's a new feeling to get used to, but a one at least. Now, how shall we use it? Worshiping it? We created it so it doesn't deserve to be worship. It would be a insult to our gods. Use it as a weapon? Perhaps, we do need new weapons, but we shouldn't think one way of using it. Utility? Now there's a way to inspire. H'yomi always ask us to improve their lives in different ways. It's tiring, but they do help us in many ways and give us new ideas. Very well; we shall find a way to improve H'yomi lives first. How to harvest M'ecity? It seems to be attracted to certain metals. Maybe that's how we should manipulate it and trap it. The H'yomi keep complaining how difficult it is to see at night and how fire is unreliable when it's windy and animals eating their livestock. From observations, the wires get extremely hot and shocking while conducting M'ecity. Many experiments were started to sort this problem. It seems some of the power is nullified when the wire is touching or cover in earth and other material with elastic properties like rubber. There's one problem down. The next one is produce a much brighter light then in its natural form. We used different types of metal since M'ecity is attracted to it. Iron was fine until it started to melt so did steel. Until we used T'ugten wires. The produced light hurts our sight, but the H'yomi like it. Finally, it was time to find a way to hold M'ecity. We thought just putting any clear covering would do it, but it kept on exploding. Much injuries were had in the process. Glass was last on the list of covering and it worked! Unfortunately, the T'ugten becomes useless after a while. Was it the wiring or the air? We went with the air theory. We pump different type of gases to see which would work. C'bon D'xode? No, it just blew up the lab. O'xey? Same as before, but a fire broke out. Things were getting dire when M'iehsu suggested we use the King of Airs (Noble gases) since he observed, they didn't much interact with the material world. After much tests, we found A'gon to be the best King of Air for l'it B'ubs. During this research, a wild animal touched a live wire while we were conducing outside experiments and was shocked to death. Sad a creature would met its end, but fear not, creature, for you have gave us the idea to make fence wrap with live wire to stop your breathen from eating the live stock and other food from the F'amers! (Invent light bulbs and electrified wire)

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>>4259498
2. While M'ed stopped his malicious whispers towards L'tu, there was another B'yogi being harass by a god. This time it was a Dark One H'yomi named F'eyro Shadowleaf who lived in Fright since he was born. It's rare for H'yomi to live in t B'yogi centric cities for few minds can handle the strain, but it seems some can if enough meditation and being rise there. He always wanted to be a priest of the Three, but B'yogi thought it was strange for a H'yomi to do so. They weren't created by the Three so why would you worship them? Either way, F'eyro was determine to become a priest for he has faith like any B'yogi! S'cie took notice of the zealotry of this strange H'yomi. Most intriguing creature indeed; pining for gods who don't care for it. But S'cie wasn't one to ignore for long for He yearns for any company he can find; being lonely and being the god of it is tiring. While F'eryo was praying, he struck with divine inspiration and fell into a coma. There S'cie personally met with him. He bluntly said to F'eyro that the Three do not care much for the B'yogi's pets (That's the gods' view of them, not the B'yogi themselves!), but they may change their opinion of them if he and others complete tasks for the three gods. F'eyro with all his soul said yes to S'cie's demand! Then S'cie threw him into the Shadow world, B'yogi home dimension, exposing him to the horrors and wonders of it then he went back to the physical world back his body. It was a miracle F'eyro's mind wasn't shattered into millions of pieces, but he survived intact though with some B'yogi related quirks. He threw his divine task; he must bring the Shadow World into this world! He went to Fright to tell them of his quest; to bring bits of their home dimension at least for a while. With the help of the Watchers and the strongest of shadow mages, B'yogi and H'yomi went hand in hand to research a dimensional doorway to convert land into the Shadow World. The B'yogi mages began a ritual just outside of Fright for it was the closet link to the home dimension. The H'yomi built a grand rod made of polished and flatten gems and crystallized magical essence of theirs with F'eyro on top chanting. It took a whole week, but they did it! The land slowly became blacken with pure shadows, creatures B'yogi missed roam, emotions became dull, and the beautiful screams of the enteral was sung! Sadly, it was only for a little while, but B'yogi and F'eyro will not give up!
(Exploring action) 3. The Soul of Simhyn, guided with the A'milry S'here, swam the dark waters of the Cousin Ones; mapping the unseen coast. Such wonders the B'yogi have been missing out! But progress first. Soul of Simhyn continue onwards among the coast. What lies up ahead?
>>4256797
A most unhelpful part of the Cousin Ones for not gifting them land! Oh, well, Time will tell if they change their mind. On the H'pabi's side, now the Dark Ones can freely meet with their Cousin Ones family members. A most gracious event for them.

>>4256792
1. The Farming project continues. We must be able to feed our people when the war begins anew, and well after.

2. More research is put int gunpowder. Some surviving scraps of documents found indicate that Charcoal was used in the production, but how much and what else is completely unknown.
>>4256968
The FHR ambassadors in the embassy wish to arrange a joint research program to rediscover gunpowder with the Children of Fanw.

>>4259984

After a bit of conversation, Blodwyn would agree to such a program and would be swift to get Eheubryd to agree as well, though given current rate of progress, Blodwyn doesn't think such an arrangement would really be needed for long as there was quite a bit of work that clan Tudor and Aerona had done already, and they felt they were close to some sort of explosive, be it this 'gunpowder' or something else. Still, Llychlyn was willing to share the discovery with its ally of sorts. Additionally Blodwyn would mention the idea of a small port town or city in the FHR similar to Porthladdgweddillion. It'd also serve as an easy place for the FHR to request weapons or armor of Blessed Steel from clan Nist, once the danger of the creature on the sea's was dealt with, anyway.

>>4260568
The Idea of a city inside the borders of the FHR is an...interesting notion, however, the Children demonstrated a lot of trust with the FHR embassy, and the two nations were fairly close relations-wise. As such, said request is approved by the Daiimad, for now.

>>4258733
The Dragons will do so, however if this expedition ends up fulfilling the prophecy by waking it up the dwarves will need to be held responsible for causing it, even if the intention of them is not this. We will send our current expedition ship with an escort of our three submersibles equiped with the finest equipment both of our great empires can offer.
>>4248650
Action 1:
Found the Steus Unit, an elite unit of underwater specialists equipped with special great weapon clamping shears, they work using a design similar to a bear trap, utilizing an activation system which is activated using electricity. Their purpose is to shear into flesh underwater, especially against large targets. They are also equipped with specialized push daggers as well which are supposed allow for the infliction of bleed damage on weak spots while underwater. Another one of their weapons is a kind of extension of their jaw which allows for them to use their powerful bites without taking a mouthful of a potentially dangerous substance.
Action 2:
Send our expedition ship alongside our 3 submersible ships into southern waters in order to discover the beast of prophecy and perhaps even kill it using prototypes of the weapons used by the steus unit alongside fine dwarven tools.

>>4256795
>1: clean and claim the tunnels
Who knows what kind of horrid plagues that such a stench could give our poor explorers? They are to enter with protective gear, the same protective gear that was developed in the cleansing of our capital city. Following the explorers will be quite the large cleaning crew, who will also be covered from head to tail in gear. Any and all workers going into the tunnel will be paid handsomely for their duty towards the meluz that will soon come to call these tunnels home.

>2: investigate the sea in the south
Given permission by the tarn to investigate the sea, the meluzina researchers use a variety of tools to observe the water. First, a few replicas of the hot air balloon, initially used to observe the sky. The glass parts of their floors will make for the perfect viewing ports. Second, some meluz tag along on the Tarnic fleet, in order to be closer to the water, and further out than the balloons that've been tethered to the ground by the shore. Third, a special division of divers will be equipped with a new kind of technology. Using the Gylden's glass-making techniques, our smiths have made a pair of transparent goggles, which can be tightly fastened to one's head for extra visibility while swimming. The swimmers will have tanks mounted to their backs. These tanks are repurposed hot air balloon tanks, which have been slimmed down, cleaned, and filled with clean oxygen, for divers to breathe through their special masks. >>4256907 The Tarn will supply us with rubber to make the dive-gear's hoses, as well as stretchy head-straps for our goggles, which will make them one-size-fits-all, for the most part. The rubber will also be used to fasten the oxygen tanks to our bodies, so that they don't float away.

>>4256797
1.
The scattered corpses of the greenskins are gathered, and pieced together in grotesque ring like formation at the peak of the hollowed mountain, The Spore'Lung.

2.
Down below gateways are fastened as the Cravers lock themselves within the mountain, transfixed upon their work, the transformation of the Obelisk into the Spire.

>>4256794
A tragedy has struck Dwarvenkind. Our holy Volcano has decided to spew it's liquids into our tunnels killing many and destroying a lot of our stored food. The only reason many civilians managed to be saved was the brave efforts of the 51st Shielddwarf Divission of the Revolutionary Army. At the time drinking in the Bigbeard in they heroically rushed out containing the flow of lava with a shield wall even as their hands were building and feet were burning, buying valuable minutes saving lives of thousands. Their great deed will never be forgotten. Neither will be the deaths of those less fortunate.

> Action 1: Porcelain
Porcelain was recently invented by Harld Claybeard a renowned potsmith of the northern reaches of the nation. Wishing to create a better material than Clay. Porcelain has show remarkable properties, especially heat resistance being able to stand heat impossible to handle even by gold. Thus finding much use outside of just fancy pots.

> Action 2: Contain the Vulcano's destructive capabilities

We create a system which will keep our people safe. Huge stone doors with which can be dropped from the ceiling quickly (but take hours to be put back up) are installed every 50 meters in underground tunnels to make sure that if lava just leaks into one part of a tunnel the other's stay safe.

Additionally an automatic system of pumps is set up. Said pumps are connected to long metal+porcelain pipes going into the volcano. If the level of lava rises above a certain height (a golden rod goes into the volcano if lava reaches it is heats up and expands triggering the pumps) which then powered by steam engines pump out the lava to the outside very quickly into specially for that prepared holes in the ground. Considering the lava-pumps have been triggering quite often recently maybe we can find some use for the pumped out lava down the line too?

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Rolled 1 (1d3)

SCENE FOUR

At least twice every cycle of the moon the waves crash high, flooding docks & decks; It is worst around the full and the new moon.

>Vossik
The increasingly isolated Republic of the Elves continues folding into itself, losing direct command of a large swathe of their southern coast. The client kingdom of Nomach sees an increase in autonomy as Elezen migrate northwards, countered by the Vossaya assuming the reins of the client kingdom of Tyr. On the northern head of Othin, a private college for the study of terrible pyromantic arts is established.

>>4256907
>Tarn
The port of Terrata in the Vossik Republic begins a slowing of trade. Each day fewer Elves and straggling Othinians show to their stalls, in their stead come Elves in armour of high-shine and priests in heavy scarlet robes.
The tusker-carrier with its wide flat deck sits heavy in the water even before being weighed down by the Meluz air-contraptions, but given the versatility of the tusker-hauler generally, it is a willing and necessary sacrifice. The Weather Watchers brave the worst of it in the ever angering Sea of Glyndon, finding the further south the worse the seas become. Given the shifts in wave and weather patterns, something big is stirring deep within the ocean. When they resupply they tell tales of a serpent of shimmering turquoise scales and shining eyes, diving into the Golden Gyre without ill effect to itself. Meanwhile dozens of relic ships are sacrificed along every coast to dampen the coming waves, calming the waters around each friendly port.

>>4256968
>Llychlyn
[R] (below)
1 or 3: The fleet returns triumphantly, for they sail into Lunedannedd heavy with a mighty catch of an enormous species of fish covered all over with blubber. Inside the creature a stinking oil with which to light lamps, and further within an orange stone which smells even worse, but yet draws the fascination of the Children for some unknown reason. Many of the ships have their own haul of the creature, whilst others have barrels of salt-fish of a hundred kinds. It was certainly a success! The sailors tell daring tales of waves taller than the spires of Eglwys fawreddog y ffyddloniaid! of waters darker than night! of the huge and terrifying monsters that dwell out there.
2: The fleet, or rather, what remains of it, limp into dock. The harrowed Children aboard are in a catatonic state of fear, the very soul within them dimmed. "The- the waters- She- It-" little can be learnt from the terrified crew.

>Llychlyn cont.
With the wide array of minerals collected and a translation of the vague instructions left by yester-Men, it is seen that should the correct ratios be found and supply lines secured this "gunpowder" is a sure thing. So it is set that the proportions of each ingredient is to be discovered. Charcoal was in no short supply, neither was the rock-fertiliser from the Dwarves, though at notable expense one might add, and last was sulphur from the Tarn. This last came in very limited amounts, sometimes no more than a spoonful on an entire ship! Should more rigorous testing be tried, this would be the final hurdle.

>>4258524
>Gyldenthrong
The Tarnic plan is most certainly a good start, creating artificial reefs around the port cities of the south, but even they sank an entire navy their size it would not be enough to protect them all, and so to supplement these the Dwarves craft for themselves additional breaks of stone, then placed strategically around ports and river-mouths to lessen the impact of surges. As for the material of the Frogfolk, the moldable stone of theirs has only been briefly studied by the nations around them, no doubt the machinery or magicry required to produce the stuff is still extant somewhere within Soghoia. Truly how strange a time it is when walls are built to defend against water, and not war.
The Gyre once more calls out, she promises safety in her riches, comfort in her treasures, if only they would sail to her...

>>4259498
>B'yogi
[B] Another gift is granted to the creatures of shadow. For now both M'ed & S'cie have given Their boon, but H'pabi had remained aloof. Now He had decided to outdo His fellow gods. A shock and a scar? Ha! Now see the power of the God of Anger! Shaking the very stones of the Temple of the Three He imparts His message on the priests. Should they ask of it, though only once He clarifies, He the Eye of Heaven, will blink for the B'yogi, and blot the sun from the sky so that day becomes night. It will be as if the sun had never risen that morn, and the darkness shall be threefold. Such is the power of H'pabi.
The Gods truly are gracious to the B'yogi, for with their magics and smarts they have made for themselves and their friends a light to shine in darkness! They are costly, fragile, and more than a little temperamental, but the H'yomi have lived with fire trapped on a wick or in a hearth for, for forever! what's one more danger?
Where the Darkness of the Betwixt graced the land of Sigod, the grass never again grows, the snakes and owls never hunt, the few H'yomi who trade there will not tread. Like a stain of ink the Darkness is upon the world. F'eyro's eyes are wide in awe, blessed to be a part of this re-creation. With enough will, enough faith, perhaps one day soon all of Simhyn may become Shadow. Or maybe- maybe all of Sigod.

>B'yogi cont.
Along the coast of the Dark Ones and the Cousin Ones the Soul of Simhyn silently glides, even in the growing waves. Expecting an expression of greeting, how B'oo do to ships passing through their waters, they are saddened to sea the shore abandoned, only the occasional fishing hut dots the sands. How strange, for the E'levs had been seen here before. With the nasty emotion of frustration birthed, the crew continue along the land into the Gyldenthrong. (>>4258524)

>>4259984
>FHR
Additional farms are funded along the Sendack and Shadow rivers, so close to the city of the dark creatures however makes the workers uneasy at best.
The forest which lays in the shadow of the Onkankan Hills is razed for the making of charcoal, for so much will surely be needed. At the Charcoal Pile (term is for where it is made, not just a heap of charcoal) the furnaces run day and night without rest, the air is choked with smoke visible from Dezna.

>>4261884
>Tidal
The manipulation of weather patterns relies at present on the perfect conditions, lest a mage be spent of his innate charge and have caused little more than a light breeze. Given the extensive surveys of wind and wave the Tidal Empire has conducted, they understand the ideal times their most magnificent of feats may be performed; The Tarnic Trade wind must coincide with the rise of the Mare's Tail headwind, and whilst the Tirod Bay is calm. Or else if such a task be carried out in the Sea of Glyndon, here it is that the Gylden winds must be boosted by the Fanyuic cycle, a much more common occurrence.
The Steus Unit, first of its kind, is formed, and immediately sent with living ship and sailors deep into the southern seas. At once they become aware of the increasing salinity in the water around them. All but the hardiest fish have ventured north, and the sea flora floats limply grey & brown. Underwater currents grow vicious and unpredictable, causing the teams to rise as they risk being trapped in the hidden eddies. Acute hearing warns of powerful disturbances still further out, but with the land of Sigod already out of sight, and nothing to catch or reap around for sustenance, the Dragons are forced to return.

>>4264141
>Meluzina
Dozens of Dwarven corpses are hauled out, and then dozens more, near a hundred bodies in the main chamber alone; The battle had not been so immense between former lord and vassal, had it? An inspection of the dead reveals the truth, they had been killed by the hand of their brother, Ashen killed Ashen. It is shocking even to the stalwart. What could have possibly spurred them to this?! The next gruesome discovery lay further in, for in a side-tunnel are found the semi-skeletal remains of non-combatants; children, mothers, the elderly, cut down. Not even lye can remove the stench of blood from the halls. Yet after the warning of the Void, perhaps beneath the mountains will be the only safe place, when whatever foulness befalls the land.

>Meluzina cont.
The air, as far as the ballooners can tell, is undisturbed, but the water seen below their crafts tells a different story. Waves crest higher, crash harder than ever before. This is only verified by the Snakes aboard the Tarnic tusker-carriers, so violent is the sea it's near-deafening. Thankfully further in land the water calms, ever so slightly, were the coastal seas this angry, they'd not be one stone left atop another on the shore. Always ones for adventure, the Meluz divers scoff at the waves, they had come to see what lies below them, and by Castor there were going to do just that! The diving contraptions are cumbersome, weighty, and uncomfortable, not to mention relatively untested, but the threat from the waters is too great to dally. The dive is disastrous, goggles shatter, tanks give out, rubber snaps; Still enough is seen, brief as it is, to report that life beneath the surf is minimal, even the seaweed is grey and dying. The Meluz resurface, clacking their tongues for the sea is far saltier than anticipated.

>>4264177
>Cravers
At the peak of the world, the apex of Sigod's Spine, the Spore'Lung is planted. Soon it will be joined by the reborn Obelisk. Revived with flesh and bone the Spire stands proud. The prayers of the Cravers had been answered, in part, for though now once again charged the stone has lost an untold level of power. Still however, it would thankfully be enough for what the Lord of Flesh had planned.

>>4265611
>Akkhar Dwarves
Ah, porcelain, so clean and perfect in its white purity, chief of all other (non-metal) materials! The stuff is immediately put to use towards the protection of Dwarvenkind in the pumps, pipes, and probes of the early detection system. The belch of magma from the volcano's heart has since rescinded, hardening into porous lavarock within the flooded halls & chambers. By Therkuunaz, it shall not be a tragedy of such a scale again!

DIPLO
>>4258733
Before the representative of the Free Voss can speak, the Vossaya delegate interjects, "The breaking away of a Voss has happened only one other time in the history of the Republic, at the birth of the nation when every kost was ruled by a self-named 'king', had the people not rallied together, the Republic would have collapsed before it had even been buil..." Here the opposing side cuts him off, "We breakaway from tyranny, not to become it! The Vossaya sends no aid to us, yet expects our own weight in gold as thanks! We eat only what we can grow or forage, we work with the bent trees and weak stone of this land, it has made us hard, and resolute. What good is it be a 'member' of the 'Republic' if our cries fall on deaf ears?!". There is again indecipherable bickering between the two, fingers are pointed, arms thrown up in frustration, language that would make even the Ashen blush. A huff, and then, silence. "We were at war, we could be soon at war again. And here we are, squabbling over a swamp." "Our, home. Built with Our hands!" It threatens to explode once more, a perfect time for a level head to intercede.

"She comes from before the age of Men and Dwarves, before Guldfar's gifts of gold, before even the gods were born. She- She just, was..." Jotte struggles to find the words to describe Her, for he still thinks in the language of the Giants. Were he to better comprehend Gylden, he would call Her "Primal", or "Chaos", for She was the darkness from which the world was birthed, and She is the darkness to which the world will return.

END OF SCENE FOUR.

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Paranoia and Madness are endemic to Sigod...

>>4265638
Seeing the opportunity for a strategic acquisition, the Council makes an offer to take Volodek off of Vossik hands. After all, what good is a port that can neither be controlled nor traded from?

Action 1: Net of Chains
The hammers of Jaakal work at maximum speed, reforging steel plates into long, interlocking chains. Each net is forged to match each harbor When a net is completed, it is dispatched to the appropriate harbor posthaste. Priority is given to securing Tarnish ports, but nets are made for all allied nations. In addition to this, another net is constructed out of the strongest materials the Tarns know of. If worst comes to worst and the creature must be battled with, this final net will be thrown over and entangle it with the aid of a ballista.

Action 2: Lullaby
As the Tarnish navy repositions you defend its allies and interests from the coming storm, a lone tusker hauler sails south, directly towards the monster. On board is a full Tarnish orchestra, commissioned by an eccentric titan of industry who believes that this creature is angry due to insomnia. As the ship approaches the resting place of the dragon, the musicians aboard begin to play the most soothing tunes they can think of. At the same time, the ship begins to puff gentle clouds of opium smoke(used to set babies to sleep in the Tarnlands) behind it. With luck, these gentle lullabies will have the monster sleeping like a babe in no time.

>Diplo Gylden, Lychlyn, Boo, Akkhar
The following nations are appraised of current Tarnish efforts to mitigate the threat. They are given the blueprints to construct their own net-chains, and the Tarns offer to build these for any who cannot. Finally, the Tarns state that, in case this creature cannot be defeated by mortal means, it would be advisable for those nations that can to designate a single port as sacrificial. If necessary, the protections around this ports would be dropped, and the creature would likely choose to attack the easier target first. Better to lose a port of ones choosing than attempt to defend everywhere and leave it up to fate.

>>4265683
The Akkhar Dwarves would be thankful for the blueprints, but would explain that said design would likely not work in their waters due to them periodically freezing over. The tarnish would also be shown the pipe which is spewing out lava from the mountain and would be asked if bathing the Kraken in lava might work "It's not like we can't make the pipe longer."

>>4267171
The lava idea could work, and any idea for defeating the monster is better than nothing at this point. What if a steel-hulled tusker-hauler was filled with lava, then sacrificed to the beast? As it destroyed the ship, it would get a face full of molten rock. Now that would be unpleasant.

>>4265638

The great beasts at sea were like the ones at land. Respectable prey that gave plenty after being bested. Be it bone, meat, or other more unique uses as found with these sea creatures. While undoubtedly not as powerful as whatever comes from the south, it inspires confidence in sailors none the less that such great beasts can be felled and brought back. Additionally, with the success and the discovery of the oil that could very effectively be used in lamps, a few idea's for lighting up cities at night with special lamps come to some's minds. Needless to say after such a victory, Llychlyn truly rules the waves...For now...

Work would continue and be focused still on the creation of this 'gunpowder' or powdwr gwn. Though at this stage the work started to diverge from purely making the powder to the canisters and timers required for what was had in mind. They had done much testing after all, and were sure close to what they were looking for at this stage, and as such, it was only natural for work on the applications and uses the substance had and was planned for Llychlyn would be worked on at this stage. The main thing of work would be a proper canister that would sink in water, yet was water tight. The design for this would be easy, but the much harder part of actually getting something like that to sink and have a timer set it off was much harder. In fact, most of the naval applications for this powdwr gwn required some sort of timer, mechanical or runic. As such, a number of tests would be tried, some with the proper finished product if it was finished soon enough and there was time to test.

>Action One. Powdwr gwn...?

>Action Two. Mechanical Timers. (As tests with rune based timers I doubt to actually work as well)

>>4265683

The blueprints would be appreciated and accepted. While there were plenty of cold water ports in Llychlyn control, the ones on their home island were practically all warm water ones. The idea of a 'sacrificial' port however, would not be accepted in the slightest. Llychlyn didn't do 'sacrifices' of its own people, and no Child of Fanw would willingly let their clans home be destroyed with many of their kin inside. If it would not possibly die to mortal means, surely Fanw would aid us. Besides, Llychlyn has dealt with seemingly hopeless and futile things before, and rose victorious despite them with minimal loss of life. Many miners instrumental in the destruction of the cursed place of the south still were alive today after all...With any luck, some fifty thousand days from now many sailors would live to tell the tale of how they defeated yet another unholy thing from the south.

>>4265638
>Diplomacy: Golden Gyre
The last Dwarf who ventured into the Gyre lost his life as he fell through the Gyre into cravic lands. There is no truth that has been seen in the comfortable whispers that have long snuck at Gylden Dwarf minds, only lies and the shine of false gold. Only the true gold will be able to turn aside these deceits. A Guldfarite priest by the name of Astos Strongshoe is sent to the lighthouse/study station, carrying with him casks of Gylden Ichor and a ballard written by one of the leading national Operawrights. If the Gyre brings us whispers, he will answer their speach with pride and golden song. Astos will serenade the Gyre with full Dwarven Opera for all days from dawn to dusk, casting down all lies with alcoholic blessings and letting Guldfar's holy name ring out across the waters in strength and song for as long as the true golden light will shine upon them.


>>4265683
>Diplomacy: Tarn
The Gylden receive news and designs of these Tarnish efforts with gratitude; and share with them in turn their designs for the experimental fishing devices, in case these should proove useful to development. Although the Gylden dislike the idea of a 'sacrificial port', they begin to make preparations to evacuate Daitaz'gatjag of civilians and try to draw any blow there, in the event that the monster comes. A shipyard will be of little use when then seas become unsafe, after all.


>Action 1: Age of Steam
The Gylden engineers of Kendt'koldrag have been making devices powered by steam since the discovery of the concept, but their requirements for steel and coal have grown along with their inventiveness. It is from proposed improvements to their supply chain that the next idea comes, the idea of not relying on road and boar-cart or the vagueries of wind but of using the devices themselves to speed the travel across the land and truly earn themselves the name of Engineer.

Engines, made of steel and powered by steam to drive the wheels that will carry them across the land, to bring them the col of the mines; to bring them the steel of Jorgaster and the phosphates of Vogaz; to bring the copper of the north and the wood of the south to the beating heart of Gylden industry, and to lay the tracks that will guide these engines along the path of progress.

>Action 2: River Gates
The Gylden lands are crossed by many rivers; now with an unknown threat from the sea, these channels of water are seen as greater vulnerabilities in potentia. To try and mitigate this, the Gylden work to design and to build strong and sturdy river-gates that can be opened or closed with comparative ease across the mouths of their rivers. They will also offer to build these river-gates for other nations at risk:
>(Diplo: Tarn, Lychlyn, Akkhar, Boo, Meluz, Vossik)
; though only a few of these are actually reckoned to have rivers in need of such defenses.

>>4265644

>Diplomacy: Squabbling Elves
No aid, states the Dwarf emissary? Surely the republic sent an army when the Ashenbeards threatened the Elven colony, didn't they? Whatever justifications there might have been in the action, surely when the colony had been threatened; the republic came for them. That much is known history, unless the Gylden were not privy to something?

However, he adds, a people can not live on moss and stone alone. What taxation has the republic been attempting to extract, that the free Voss claim they have been asked for goldweight?


>Diplomacy: Vossik
Another Dwarf emissary heads into Elven lands, this one through Volodek and toward the Vossik heartlands. There is much has leave to offer in trade; mining equipment and steam pumps and cages, crossbows and defense engines; even the machines of the Guldfar's Gaze, for do the Vossik not praise light itself? But he knows what he wants would be pricey indeed, if even permitted. The Gylden wish to discuss purchasing some tamed Vossik Griffons.

>>4264141
Diplomacy: Meluz
With news of the cinnabar accident slowly having made way to the Gyldenland, the Gylden Dwarves offer the Meluz access to their mining technologies, hoping they might be of some use in pumping in fresh air and pumping out waters or noxious gasses.

>>4265641
Action 1:
Establish the port-fortress of Goniat on the poorly held shore of the vossik coast. Pay off local nobles and the authorities and explain to the centralized government that this will be important for repelling whatever the prophecy of the southern dwarves may bring, along with securing trade incoming to volodek along with repairing depaun trade ships.
Action 2:
Send surveyers to figure out if we can found a colony and possibly found a colony in the thermal vents of the eastern ocean reach. That area may be sparse when it comes to food but its important that we have somewhere to raise our young in peace if the mothertrench is threatened

>>4265642
With porcelain completed it's time for doing more work.
Action 1: Liquid Atmospheric gases mass production and storage. The more we produce at once the easier it is to store. If we store them in a Dwarf sized container the liquid gases only loose 50% of their mass every 2 weeks. If we make the containers as big as a ship it becomes 50% every few months. We set up many more air liquidation devces and start creating huge containers for storage of Blue Death (liquid Oxygen), Dry ice and Liquid Nitrogen.

> Action 2: Nitric and Sulphuric Acid
Ammonia is something found in Goat-pee and Aulphur can be found in Goat poop. An odd trend among Dwarves become getting rid of goat pee and poo by drying and burning it. One smart Dwarf now known as Hrthrold Bonehand thought to himself that it might be a good idea to catch said escaping gases, as they were really hurting his throat. Trough dissolving them in water and then condensing trough distillation he would notice that they seem to dissolve everything they touch except porcelain and glass... he learned it the hard way melting away his whole hand leaving only the bones. It seems if you condense it further it easily dissolves Iron and even bronze! You can also make the acids stronger by first burning the pee and poop in blue death instead of normal air. (The Discovery of Sulfuric and Nitric Acid)

>>4265642
1.
More work must be done until the Spire can be declared complete. Great cauldrons of bone are filled with water to boil at the base, and the air flow of the hollowed mountain is directed to pass out through the Spore'Lung.

2.[NM] Geneforge
The regenerative properties of the small reptile the Karnis found is picked over, seeing if the possibility of having regeneration for Craver Flesh Buildings is there.

>>4265638
>>4268615
1. In conjunction with the Children, the recipe that we have managed to piece together has been shared. Soon enough, we will have our guns once more. And soon, once more, with the power of Gunpowder we will march into the Vossik lands and slaughter the deceitful and soulless elves! For the Republic!

2. Rearmament efforts are put forth. per-prepared siege engines using Shock Magic, Expanded Shock rifle production, explosives, propaganda. This time, we will wipe out the filth that is the Vossik Race from this world!

>>4265638
Actions:
-Seize the riches of the land. Dig out the pits leading to the Gold, Copper, and Crystals deposits and establish the convoys.
-The studies of the monks reveal the true extent of the damage one suffers if having fallen so far. However, perhaps having learned where to draw the line, they might be able to assist the Karnis is the improvement of their Mercury honey. By mixing the formula with additional ingredients and chemical fine tuning of the Cravers, the ants might be able to produce an elixir of sort that allowed one to tap into that same state without degrading the body. The volunteer patients are sent to the Mausoleum as well where they are encased in the same examination pods through which they are also administered the new mercurial honey. As for the concerns of her essence, that would require some diplomatic assistance to solve...

>>4259501
>Diplo: B'oo
A messenger arrives at the port of Jubilation and arranges a meeting the leaders of the shadow men. She explains to them the Karnis' recent studies, as well as the warning they received through them. In order to learn more, the ants require their help in order to learn the nature of the damage done to one our subject's essences

>>4265640
1. Our warriors, trained by the Garnish Ones and empowered by the Three, are a sight to behold. Byt there's something that worries us. We have heard rumors of the Violent Ones' "guns"; supposedly they are hollow stick that explode to rocket small balls of metal. At first, it doesn't logical; why use tools that will break on you on the first try? Then we heard those metal balls can penetrate armor. The madness! If the the Violent Ones set their eyes against us after fighting the Cousin Ones, what will we do....? No...No...No! We will not give into dread; we will give our antagonists something to dread! We will not copy theViolent Ones' weapons for we do not want to be them. If their sticks can hurt metal then we will make better metal. In Passion, we gather our greatest blacksmiths and alchemists to work on this project. A metal that contend with explosion while keeping the user alive and powerful.
2. The B'yogi extend their influence into the abandoned space the Cousin Ones left.
Exploration
3. The Soul of Simhyn wave at the coast, but they move on. They continue southeast.
Diplo
>>4257036
B'yogi apologize for being late, but will send help they need. Sending architecturers
>>4269346
We shall accept the offer. Will hoards of gem suffice?
>>4271548
A'mam (study of souls, spirits, and other metaphysics) is a subject we're experts on. We will begin a joint research venture if you wish.
>>4271491
It is time to meet with the Violent Ones. We do not wish the Cousin Ones to destroy and we must save what we can. We will send L'ala and two bodyguards on boat across the Hazy River to Lead. We wish to parlay.

>>4271572
It is likely that L'ala and her guards encounter FHRDF patrols. The men and women are fairly surprised to see something finally come across the river, however that only leads to suspicion. They wait for the others to make the first move. With any luck, they are merely here to make contact, then depart.

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>>4265641
>1: prepare for the worst
Before we alert the public of the oncoming tide, we must prepare for their safety. In our attempts to gaze beyond the sea, we noticed the rubber that fell off our people's shoddy dive gear. This has given us quite the idea. Flotation devices, designed to hold the belongings of our people after the violent tide rolls over. They will be tested off the coast of tarn.

>>4265683
>diplo: tarn
I am once again asking for your rubber.
In return for this rubber, we will give what we make with it. If the tarn fears the flood as much as we do, then they will accept our help.

>2: further cleanse the dwarven tunnels
The dwarven inner sanctum must be cleaned! It is our best bet at surviving the tide.

>>4271613
In times of crisis we must band together. The Tarns vow to provide as much rubber as they can to the Meluzina cause

File: Map59.png (569 KB, 2048x2628)

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SCENE FIVE

Only the bravest or most foolish captain would sail the south seas. Sea wall and break are battered day and night, the wind whips the shore, the tide swallows jetties, never has the water raged so.

>Vossik
The Elves continue their movement of peoples into the mountains, and soldiers into Terrata, Dravana, and Coertyha. Where possible additional walls and iron gates are built into the steep mountain paths.

>>4265683
>Tarn
The Weather Watchers in the Sea of Glyndon send panic rounds of Red! Red! Red! the worst possible conditions, they would be returning to the nearest port for safety.
In total five standard nets of steel are forged, along with the fireable net kept in reserve. It is now to be decided where each should be gifted. Of course those Tarnic cities on the sea, Xycthos, Tempel, and Roodkhaane, are sent theirs without delay, is Jaakal in need of one, or should the others be sent to the Gylden?
In the terrible storm the "Lullaby Ship" sets sail to wet and stoic crowds. The crew is mostly recruited from the poorhouses and asylums with promises of fame! though truly many join to fill their bellies. It's not the Royal Xycthon Philharmonic, but with the time it will take to sail so far south, there will be plenty of practice. Speaking of such time, it will be a tyrn at least before their efforts are proven.

>>4268615
>Llychlyn
The proportions are finally realised, and the dark, stinking powder is made. Given the difficulty in the acquisition of yellow sulphur from the Tarn, as much is made at once as is possible, and then stored in a specially built tower to keep out the damp air which would ruin the batch. The structure is situated between Allfshys and Porthladd Gweddillion, the surrounding woods cut away to prevent any possible disaster. As for how much is produce, it is, unfortunately only two barrels-worth.
Of course Rhisiart would be called upon to trial runic timers, but his art would be his own as the minds of the Prifysgol Frenhinol Cadigan work to construct a timer of mechanical means, taking inspiration from the machines of the Gylden with their clicking gears and flying wheels. Their combined efforts had produced as of yet only plans and loose gears, but with the inspiration of Glanmor of Clan Tudor, a coiled spring which may be cranked to apply tension and which then slowly releases that stored energy. Said coil can then be placed within a series of gears, cranks, and other complexities to become a turning-timer. Given the nature of the thing it is rather temperamental and will need further perfecting.

>>4269346
>Gyldenthrong
A short length of test track is laid in the flat plains south of Kendt'koldrag, a wheeled engine placed upon it, and Dwarves sent hiding behind their beards. There is a great plume of smoke and steam as the engine is fired, and then, slowly at first, and then faster and faster it shoots along the rails! until finally crashing into the bump-stop at the end and careening over it in a magnificent arc, and landing as a pile of expensive scrap. Cheers ring out through the Dwarves, for it was a success! Unfortunately it would be that the machines could only go straight, and across flat ground, anything more than a grade of 4 and the engine will merely spin the wheels.
Expense being no issue, every river of the Gyldentrhong save the ferocious Aster are gated, guarded against the ever more common surges. The Vossik thank the Dwarves for their kindness, and offer to donate half the cost in gold for the construction of the Volodek-Zvamholm river-gate.

>>4270630
>Tidal
The Dragons arrive to abandoned sands, the fishery once used as a navigation aid has fallen into disrepair, and the locals have long since looted anything possibly of any value. With no objections being raised they set down a fortified port, from here may be more easily made agreements with the Hacmosi of Old Nomach and the B'yogi of Simhyn. The former, it must be said, have been granted more autonomy in these uncertain times, and no longer with Tidal traders be harangued into paying the Elezen taxes, but instead the much more fair rates set by the Dark Elves.
A colony is set up along the thermal vents in the east, where the waters are warm, calm, nurturing. Depaun researchers sent with the explorers note the high levels of minerals including calcium and iron around the vents which may benefit those who wish to lay here, as opposed to live-birthing as is popular in the western reaches of the Empire.

>>4271334
>Akkhar Dwarves
The porcelain manufactured for the use in the lower levels has begun the slow migration into civilian life, especially those of the more privileged, which is to say the party. It is cleaner, more refined, and even more beautiful than the wooden, stone, and grey-metal wares Dwarves are used to. It is a small badge of usually discouraged pride for a household to own more than two porcelain plates, which are often displayed like art rather than eaten off.
Horrid grey tanks of the liquid air loom over the Guthlaqtz. Even for the tundra they are cold, surrounded by a cloud of frozen mist which, should a Dwarf not accept his re-education, may be used as a slow, torturous execution.

>Akkhar Dwarves cont.
Acids produced through the waste of goats is wondrous, but disgusting, even to the Dwarves. Such a project would have to be carried out at the gulag, it should certainly help speed along their desire to conform to the party norms. The former of the two is far easier to produce, as all goat urine can be used, but only a small percentage of goats produce faeces containing that valuable sulphur. A study of which goats these are will be most beneficial.

>>4271416
>Cravers
Everything is in order, already the flue of the hollow mountain soars up through the Spore'Lung into the clouds, whether they will take is another matter. Perhaps they will be tossed around within the firmament, only to rain down as little fleshrooms across all of Sigod, oh how novel and mysterious it would be!
Dozens of the little squirming creatures are gathered up and dumped into the Geneforge which has rested for so many tyrns. They are masticated, digested, analysed, and their properties filed away. Whether the incorporation of their talents has been successful, it is too early to say.

>>4271491
>FHR
[B] The Daiimad is briefed of undercover work which has been carried out by members of Clan Belde
(see >>4268615)
The armouries are reopened. The Republic moves for war.

>>4271548
>Karnis
Uniquely suited for such a task the Ants get to mining up every gift the world has given them. Through countless trials, potions and elixirs of all sort are tried, plants, animals, minerals, all are minced up into the mercurial honey. And all with the same disappointing results. That is, until a Karnis researcher assisted by a trainee Cravic flesh-monk discovered the strange (al)chemical world of amalgams. For you see, if gold is hammered thin it is "eaten up" by mercury until the two are merged into one shining globule. If an Ant were to ingest the nectar and then chase it with an elixir of gold, perhaps the same would happen within the stomach, diluting the effect of the mercury. Well, it's worth a shot...

>>4271572
>B'yogi
Though the B'oo-Enhanced-Steel was perfect for S'umies, even it cannot stop the explosive projectile the Watchers have seen the Violent Ones obsess over. Though the B'yogi cannot test against these new g'ons, they can at least try with bolts from the Serpent-gifted crossbows, for when imbued with Dark Magicks to move through 'Twixt-and-'Tween they approach much faster than they normally would. After repeated tests, and a few very tired priests, a solution is found. Not a new metal, but layers of metal. The chemistry (really it is physics, but the B'oo are yet to discover that this is a separate science) of it is not understood, but lots of thin sheets separated by just a grain of sand, the magic bolts cannot pierce through them!

>B'yogi cont.
There's an old Garnish saying; "Just like the snail, where the B'oo go, darkness trails behind them", though meant in jest, and not literally true, there is a small grain of truth within it. For as the shadows scour the once Elven sands, picking over the stones and rifling through abandoned fishing shacks, there is a change in the air; Not evil, per se, just, an uneasiness. And so in just the exploration, the B'oo somewhat unwittingly lay their own claim to the shore. It is in this exploration they run across the Dragons of far away setting up an outpost of their own (>>4270630).
The Soul of Simhyn weathers the worsening waves, hugging the coast whenever she can. She glides through Gylden waters, waving at the surprised Dwarves as she goes, before cresting a fortified headland to find... More Gylden! Goodness they must eat well for there to be so many! After such a long voyage in the rough seas, the captain calls to dock in the closest port (Daitaz'gatjag) for repairs and resupplies, where they find it to be dwarfed by only a skeleton crew. That is, not many Dwarves are there, not that all the Dwarves there are skeletons, even to the B'oo that would be too spooky. (>>4269346)

>>4271613
>Meluzina
Worked into hollow rings into which additional air is blown before being quickly patched up, the rubber devices are crude and ugly, not unlike a Dwarf. Hundreds of these floaters are made, in various sizes, and proportioned out to the populace. Extra are continued to be made as spares and gifts to the Tarn.
The once-Ashen hall is cleared of the remaining bodies and rubble. Every day more gruesome discoveries are made. But with them comes rays of hope, Dwarven artwork, everyday crafts, instruments, fine worked stone, it is a reminder that they had not always been savage, and a warning that civilisation is held together ever so lightly. Sweet-smelling brush, and even some Tarnic opium is brought into the caves to be burnt. All the flues and vents are opened to air out the stench of decay.

DIPLO
>>4269346
Song and libation drown out the whispers of the Gyre, and tangled within the opera are prayers and rebukes against greed, for is that not what the wicked whirlpool had preyed upon within the Dwarves? As if to combat such a dirge, the Gyre grows brighter in the churning waves and calls herself the Fourth Gift of Gold, if only they would reach out and grab it! "Come! Take it!"

"They ask for gold we cannot give, grain we cannot grow, and soldiers we cannot spare! They send Hacmosi like pawns, not Elves of Coloured Robes who could have easily cast aside the Ashen, a token gesture!" The Vossaya representative scoffs, "We ask for gold to pave roads, build bridges, drain stagnant water. We ask for grain to feed the poor and the kostless. We ask for soldiers to guard against the encroaching Barbarians. You have no gold? send us copper. You have no grain? send us marsh-root. You have no soldiers? the Vossaya and her colleges will gladly teach whoever you can spare. We ask not in callousness or greed, we ask in compassion." Now it is the Free Voss delegate's turn to laugh, "Compassion?! Compassion he says! Was it compassion that allowed the Othinian Riots? Was it compassion that hanged dissenters? Compassion that wishes to steal from our hungry mouths? Ha!" Both sit back into their chairs, head in hands or else in disbelief. "The Vossaya sends me to negotiate, to bring you back into the fold, back into the brotherhood. Should you wish to be a truly "Free" Voss, then we can do nothing for you should Men wish to seek against you."

The Gulvaz'Gaz, as it is interpreted by the Elves, would certainly be a welcome addition to the armoury, as would the magnificent steam pumps, but at such a price, it would be difficult to part with even a single Gryphon. The cost would have to be discussed with the Master of the Beasts, and then even his superiors. A much more favourable arrangement would be the loaning of goods from each side. We shall arrange accommodations for you here in Renthum while it is discussed at higher levels.

END OF SCENE FIVE.

>>4271584
L'ala speaks as whisper-less as she can in the Tarnish language and echoing in the Vossik Trade tongue . The H'yomi words are a chore to speak.
L'ala says, "We, the B'yogi, have come to establish diplomatic relations with your country. We know you wish set ablaze the Elves. We do not wish for that or at least you not raze everything. We want to make a deal with your leaders."

>>4271668
And L'ala doed charades to better explain.

>>4271668
Fortunately, at least one of the Soldiers spoke Vossik Trade. He had this to respond:
"We are soldiers of the Free Human Republic Defense Force. We can escort you to the nearby keep, as there are diplomatic staff there. However, It is at least my belief you will not stop us from wiping the foul mountain elves from this world. However, such is not up to me."
They would, as he said, bring them to the fort on the coast. It was a large structure, manned by shock riflemen, Awoo shocktroops in their heavy armor, and dozens of standard storm and pikemen. They would be allowed inside, and a diplomat would be brought to them.

And the full boon to the FHR, because I'm a dumb dumb

>>4271491[
B] The Daiimad is briefed of undercover work which has been carried out by members of Clan Belde. The Vossik have amassed troops in Terrata and Dravana, and a small force has taken up in Coertyha. Gilden has been evacuated and is left undefended. The Dark Elves have been granted greater autonomy as the Elezen have withdrawn their leaders from Nomach. Tyr and their surrounding farms are being fortified. Of concern is the Elven garrison at the reservoir-dam, they've been seen doing work of some kind and may have rigged it to collapse. The heathen temple is crawling with the Scarlet Robes, it's a costly target. There is also evidence of additional interior walls being constructed along the mountain roads, along with the collapsing of alternate routes. By this humble servant's estimates they are sacrificing Nomach for the safety of their mountains. A prolonged siege or cooperation from the Ant-creatures would be necessary to cut off their supplies of grain from the northern face, as well as an embargo against Gylden and possibly Tarnic trade with the nation. It is unclear if the rumoured Snake-Grittidim and Flesh-creatures are working alongside the Elves, but it is certainly a possibility.

>>4270630
>>4271416
>>4265683
>>4271548
The time once again approaches for the dismantling of the Vossik hegemony. The Free Human Republic asks for support once again. This time, forces sent will not be wanting for action. The Belden gathered intelligence will be shared to anyone who agrees for support.

>>4271664
To both the Hacmosi, and the so called "Free Vossik", the FHR is willing to recognize the independence of both nations should they assist the FHR in their assault on the Vossik proper. Arms and what supplies can be sent will be if the terms are agreed upon.

1. With the importation of sulfur, Gunpowder production begins, outside the city of Denza, the industrial heart of the FHR. Along with that, Guns are produced, They are an easier feat to produce then the powder itself.

2. Lead is to be mined, as safely as possible, for bullet production.

>>4271657
Of the final two chain-nets, one is sent to Volodek to protect Tarnic interests in the area and the other to Gyldholm Port to ensure that our greatest allies’ port does not fall.
The damned Tidal haven’t stopped their machinations, despite the far larger danger they ought to be paying their attention to. For now they will be left uncontested, but at the very least the Tarn can keep an eye on them. The watch-ships are ordered to fall back to Volodek port and report on the comings and goings there.

Turn 1: Continue to help our allies
Surveying the piecemeal efforts that their allies are taking, the Tarns decide the best thing they can do is help coordinate all of their efforts. To that end, the full weight of the Tarnish empire is placed towards ensuring that the mitigation efforts of the Meluzina, Gylden, Tidal, Lychlyn, etc. are a success. Tusker haulers full of rubber are intercepted and delivered to the Meluzina. At the gas mines, sulfur is purchased at top dollar to be sent to Lychlyn for their experiments while nearly all gas is devoted to Meluzina reconnaissance efforts. Tarnish soldiers are devoted to building the river gates of Gylden design, not just in Tarnia, but where ever they may be needed. And of course, the forges of Jaakal work at maximum speed to create more chain-nets for distribution. Together, the whole continent shall persevere.

Turn 2: Tramh’s Lullaby
Encouraged by the lack of cataclysm, the billionaire pushes forwards, sending his whole merchant fleet, loaded down with musicians, instruments, and opiates to soothe the beast. Among the sheet music they have been provided are folk tunes, traditional lullabies, and a few pieces that the sponsor himself has composed. Though the seas grow dark and stormy, the ships ride forth, playing merrily all the way.

>>4271701
Unfortunately, given the deteriorating conditions in the Gylden sea, all nonessential sea travel has been halted. The Tarns encourage the FHR to hold off on this course of action until the southern danger has passed.

>>4269346
>>4268643
>>4267171
>>4270630
>>4271572
>>4271613
The Tarns inform all their allies that they are willing to provide whatever they can to help the protection effort, whether that be raw materials, experts, laborers, or anything in between. Simply ask and it will be yours.

>>4271723
We wish for experts as we are always happy to learn.

>>4271676
L'ala is a bit amazed by the Violent Ones structure. Everything is so organized. She begins to speak to the diplomat.

"Greetings again, I am L'ala of the B'yogi people. We wish to persuade your nation from completely destroying the Mountain Elves as you say. It would be a waste to raze all that history for nothing. If this is a religious matter, we can prove their gods are false idols not worthy of wasting your military might. We long to study their holy site in the name of secular scholarly pursues. What do you wish in exchange?"

>>4273935
"I am Sirlin Fenth Taiida, diplomat for the Free Human Republic and fourth cousin of the Taiida-Sah. This is not a religious matter, the Vossik filth have tried again and again to undermine the government of the Clans that make up the Republic, our people and our lands. They have been nothing but worthless parasites upon this world the likes of which have not been seen since the enslavement of our ancestors by the Elves of their time. There is likely nothing you have that would convince us against our course of action. This has been a long time coming."

>>4273959
L'ala is getting frustrated with H'yomi and their base desire for revenge. It's very illogical for a creature to waste energy and time on it. But it seems nothing will change their minds.
"How about you "sell" us the some parts you plan to raze instead? The Cousin Elves are too weak to fight against our influence and you will have more time to deal with the rest of them. Less fighting and more bodies to battle their main forces."

>>4273989
“If you wish to assist in the campaign, then the Republic is willing to recognize all claimed land your forces take, so long as it does not belong to the Hacmosi Dark Elves or the So-Called “Free Vossik” we have heard of. Be aware that any attempts to harbor refugees from lands being occupied by the FHR will be seen as assisting the enemy.”

>>4274015
L'ala sighs. This is not going anywhere, but fret not.
"We are sorry, but we cannot take that deal. It's not in our nature waged war; we meant convincing them to surrender to us peacefully. So we will be neutral in this. We do wish we can live together in peace albeit without unnecessary...interactions. A good day to you, sir and the gods bless us with mutual peace." With that, L'ala and her guards slowly leave taking in the sights.

>>4271657
It is time for action...
1. The talk of allowing us the claims on the Cousin Ones was futile. As expected, but one needs to try with anything. We must be discrete about this or lest the Violent Ones turn their ire to us. At the dead of night when not even the moon of S'cie is glowing upon the world, the Watchers grab as many Cousin Ones they can, especially their scholars to the shadows and bring them to Jubilation. There we will calm down and tell them what has transpired. They will be given the choice of staying here and live a good life or go back, have their minds wiped making it so this was just a bad dream, and be butchered by the Violent Ones. It is their decision.
2. We will need a place to hide them and luckily our own M'odis, earth carvers moles, to help. While they begin creating tunnel networks, we need to find ways to ensure H'yomi can live underground; they do tend to die without air and sunlight. Hmm, while not in the same state, air and water share similar qualities. They flow and are contain in objects that are closed off. We shall create secret air vents and pipes to let fresh air flow underground and install lines of light bearing orbs and steel to enforce the ground while the M'odis create the network.
Exploration
3. The crew of the Soul of Simhyn tell grand tales to the dwarves on they have seen underwater. Large man-eating creatures devouring humongous fish. Underwater pipes that spit out acid that could melt even the S'umies! And go into town and "lub the harties"? Whatever that means. Afterwards, we continue onward.
>>4271723
This is project is too exciting just for us so we must share with our closest allies, the Garnish Ones! Y'ev the Mind Eater gives a message to the Garnish Ones studying in the Underground Lab. It is an offer to join together to create underground metropolises.

>>4274047
The strangers are escorted all the way back to the border by FHRDF troopers, who remain until they are confirmed to have gone back across the river to their own lands. The FHR would not just allow them to wander in their lands after all.

>>4271657

With the means to making 'Powdwr gwn' discovered and a timer made, there was but four things for Llychlyn to focus upon now. The mechanical timer, the actual device which at this moment in time was refereed to as a 'gwefr dyfnder', a means to produce the explosive in quantity while maintaining quality, and improving and making new ships in order to fight the threat from the south. Naturally, the main priority would be on perfecting what Llychlyn had first. The reason for this was simple. Better ships wouldn't mean much without the actual effective means of dealing with such a sea monster, and without the timer and powder in quality and quantity, the charges wouldn't be able to be tested very well at all. Regardless, to solve the issue of producing gunpowder, lands within Llychlyn, especially those in the frozen wastes would search for the one ingredient that was lacking, sylffwr. And if it wasn't able to be found in any quantities in Llychlyn controlled lands, be it deep under the ground or near the surface, a simple letter to the Tarn for them to increase production would be good enough.

Meanwhile with the timer, the task would be a simple delegation of tasks to Glanmor and a team under him from Clan Tudor. Seeing how he is the main one who got the ball rolling for this timer, it was only natural for him to work on the rest of the design. As with him in charge, improving upon either the spring, or otherwise innovating a new way for the gears, cranks or other mechanical bits that were in the timer itself to run smoother would be much easier. That was the hope anyway. Still, even if he himself doesn't contribute too much to this, with most of Clan Tudor focused upon the construction of better timers, it wasn't an effort that relied solely upon him. Still, with the key mechanism required in place, not only would one of the four key focuses of Llychlyn's defense be solved, but by extension, most of the work on the gwefr dyfnder so that many more which worked effectively could be made and be used in the defense of Llychlyn's shores...Hopefully, they'd have enough time to prepare and deal with this creature, and their work would not be in vain...

>Action One. Search for any sort of location of Surfer, either deep below the ground or in the colonies.

>Action Two. Prefect the timer. It is a key part of the plan for getting gwefr dyfnder.

>>4271723

The one key thing Eheubryd and Blodwyn ask for and Llychlyn requires is a stable, large supply of Surfer at this moment in time. Efforts to extract the materials locally are under way, but expectations on the possibility of the success of the searches in Llychlyn's colonies and homeland are not high...

>>4274474
Over centuries of habitation, the Tarns have built over their own buildings time and time again. As such, they have quite developed undercities of their own. Perhaps these could be renovated, or even connected to the Boo's undercities as the Lab is? This is a very exciting possibility indeed.
As to the evacuation of the elves, the Tarn's plan on saving as many as they can as well. Though for us that will mean conquering their lands before the FHR can...

>>4271657
>Diplo: Vossiks(through Lux)
It's no secret that the FHR are gearing up for war once more, and this time, the Vossiks are too weak to stop them. The port cities of Volodek and Terrata Voss are on the front lines, but they may also be the safest. The Tarns contact the officials they have been bribing for some time. They are willing to help liberate these port cities from Vossik control. All the cities have to do is declare independence from the Vossik Nation and pledge themselves to the Tarnish Nation. From there, the Tarns will protect them from the anger of the FHR. In any case, its a better option than certain annihilation.

>>4271701
The order of amplect shall inquire into obtaining allies for this new conflict, as though the tides of this empire may be receding their resurgence could greatly harm this world order. Although they would prefer not to ever have to fight around the denizens of flesh, their kin the ants may be tolerated but unless it proves absolutely nessesary they will not be fighting with them.
>>4271657
The dark elves have proven to be a good potential ally to the empire. They have shown themselves far more fair than their less savory kin. Thus we quitely contact many of the major dark elf nobles about a potential pact of aid if war ever comes to the vossik empire. Because we assume that they would most prefer to not be put under the influence of another power who may treat them poorly. Instead the clan of amplect wishes to form a longterm friendship of mutual benefit, so that both races may walk in the spoils of rich trade without the threat of foreign domination.

>>4271657

>Action 1: The Grades of Travel
Such a shame that these marvelous engines are so limited in where they can travel! Gylden charters evaluate the land between towns and locations worth running these rail-routes more closely, making topographic note of the lay of the land. If we can find routes that are -mostly- flat within the permitted grade... why, then a little Dwarven digging or bridge-building could even out the remnant of a straight-line route; for Dwarves have never been shy to dig or to build. And we must also see if the rail-engines have even the slightest turning tolerance as we prepare these new rail-routes; even a slight percentage would allow for tracks to make turning arcs, even if these need long distances to complete. Using these criteria and experimentations, the Gylden would map out routes between their towns, and begin construction of rail-engine routes where the engineering committee judges valid.


>Action 2: Preparations for the Storm
The Gylden Dwarves keep working on building defenses against the threat from the oceans, coordinating their efforts with the Tarn and others to put the skills of all nations best to use. Drainage systems are improved and expanded, architects careful that the systems they develop will not easily over- or back-flow. River gates are built for Tarnish rivers, and those of other interested parties. Coastal walls are strengthened and expanded, and on the low-lying sand-flats near Zvarnholm (and other locations the Gylden might think are too flat toward the sea) reserve breakwaters are built inland.


>Diplomacy: Gyre
Astos Strongshoe keeps up his operatic serenade, drinking from a cask of Gylden Ichor to keep his throat moist between stanzas. And more Ichor is released to ceremonially bless the Gyre beneath Guldfar's light as the gaze is readied, but left in the hands of our god; let Guldfar's truth shine upon this gold. Let the true golden god prevail through strength of will and lungs!


Diplomacy: Vossiks
"Don't mind taking young 'uns you can't ride yet. Imagine they'd take to new keepers better." Are the Emissary's parting words, as he settles down to wait for labyrinthine process to complete. But it is Griffons he is here for, and he will not be content to exchange grand Dwarven secrets for lesser treasures.


>Diplomacy: Arguing Elves
The Emissary tuts, and strokes at his beard.This seems long, complex, and touches on matters of history he hasn't been briefed on. So he remains seated, and continues to watch this play out.


>Diplomacy: Jotte
"She is Darkness?" Rathi murmurs, teeth a-clenching. "She comes from the places of deepest cold?" a question, as much as a statement. "Is she the one we Gylden Dwarves know by the cursed name 'Snehvid'?"

>>4274474

>Diplomacy: B'oo
The Dwarves listen with interest to the tales of the B'oo, making the strange creatures as welcome as they can be in the local Tavern, despite how empty the place is right now. With the seas rough and rumours of evil on the waves, the Gylden Dwarves wouldn't want to send out their own ships into these terrible conditions. They gift the B'oo with food and ciders for their continuing journey.

>>4271660
>>4271662
As technological progress continues it shall continue the more!

> Action 1: The Superforge
Trough our understanding of heating and cooling and the discovery of very heat resistant porcelain it is time to create a forge able to forge better than any other forge! Using the reverse principle as cold makers we heat up types of ore we were unable to melt before to see if another metal lies beneath. Steam powered hammers hit the metal harder than a dwarf even could and the furnace burns so hot even hardy Dwarves need to work in 40min shifts unless they wish to risk heat death. (start smelting and producing extremely heat resistant metals like Wolfram and Tungsten)

> Acid Research
The New goat piss acid being rather abundant becomes a favorite among Dwarven alchemists one things of a more unorthodox use for it. He notices it can make somethings which usually don't burn burn... what if that's work for water? Water is put in a tightly lit box and Blue Death + some Goatpiss Acid is added. The result is an odd acid which turns meat white if you put it in it. The same thing as with the water is tried with pure alcochol too.
> the discovery of Hydrogen peroxide and ethan peroxide.

>>4274646
Still waiting for thunder runes.
I need 'em real bad.

>>4271662
>>4271662
1.
The defenses of the mountain surrounding the Spire are quaint, but not sufficient to house the Craver's greatest creation yet, and most importantly, protect it for long enough for it's work to finish. The entrances to the Spire's chamber (except for the one used by the Cravers) are sealed with flesh.

2.
The first test must be done, when the winds are blowing west, the Spire's energy is channeled through the water, generating great amounts of steam, which pass through the Spore'lung- which saturates the water vapor with it's spores. The tiny red spores are carried in the newly created clouds, and drift west- to the lands of the Vossik.

>>4271663
>1: figure out how to grow crops in the mountain
How did the dwarves manage to eat down here? We hope they didn't eat each other. As such, castor's dirt will be transferred from the plains, and into special pottery, so that it can harbor edible plant life. More importantly, without sunlight, what could grow down here?

>2: livestock
In the mountain, we must also keep a steady supply of livestock, so that we may feed a population that has been taught to grow. Near the highest tunnel, we will keep a designated livestock area, which is also where we will keep the designated crop area.

>>4274985

The plate with runes in question would have arrived in port some time ago. A mere accident in transport to the mountain home would have been responsible for the delay.

>>4271657
Action 1:
In preparation for the coming conflict construct three more shelled krakens, designed around troop transport and coastal combat. They shall be called meroceras, cotoceras and azyceras.
Action 2:
Prosletythize in thesi an exoryxi alongside other snakefolk lands which have been seeped in our influence.

Diplo: Terrata voss and tyr
These lands so close to the FHR are at the ideal point where a final resupply station could be created, and alongside that they are in danger of genocide by the FHR. This is of course not an ideal situation for the nobles and people of the region, thus we send delegations through our trade in order to quietly establish a pact of friendship which will give us the justification needed to aid them into their own “independance” once the renewed conflict begins. Alongside the dark elves they shall be our close ally in the region

>>4274658 (diplo - tarn)
The lands south of rookehane, north of the forests has for the longest time reminded fairly underdeveloped. Thus the clan of Paitoy wishes to purchase land in the region in order to extend their tracts of farmland. While in their lands they will act as citizens of tarn, obeying the law and giving fourth taxes as any other would. They will develop this farmland and sell the product to the highest bidder, just as any other would.

Posted on behalf of the Swarm

>>4271657
Actions:
-With the latest straws they are bestowed with, the Karnis seemingly reach the height of their endeavors. The final combination is attempted , and the golden elixir begins being administered shortly after mercurial honey in attempts to see what the results would yield. This method was prepared and administered to the sickly and again would undergo monitoring. The generous assistance offered by the B'yogi is quickly accepted by the ants. Ti'Clikas corpse and those that shared a similar fate are transported to their facilities. The ants can barely understand the methods of the shadow men, and simply observe with bewildered amazement at a field in which they had no expertise.

-Their prized drill will finally see some of its first real use. Tasked with humble beginnings, it is assigned to complete the ant's latest construction efforts: Roads. Starting from the Labyrinth, it's might gears spin up with thunderous noise as the numerous ants powering the giant device tirelessly work away, connecting the cities with wider highways dug beneath than before. Finally, the 5 colonies of the ants are connected after so long.

File: Map60.png (573 KB, 2048x2628)

573 KB PNG

SCENE SIX

The seas give a final tidal force and then are calm. Had defences not been built, southern cities could have been flooded knee-high (or, thigh-high for the more vertically challenged races). Fish stocks boom in this quiet time, though the weather-watchers of the world worry it is only a passing peace.

>Vossik
Heavy ballistae are brought down from further up the mountain to Dravana, and that city's weapons are sent to Terrata. Gryphons too are brought into the port city. In addition to both these measures, boulders of waste stone are heft into the shallow port to prevent the approach of ships.

>>4271701
>FHR
The Tarnic supply of sulphur, as Llychlyn is well aware, is spotty at best, arriving in very limited amounts, sometimes no more than a spoonful on an entire ship! The Remnant Men are made aware of the Childrens' efforts to source more of the yellow stone, solely for the production of more powder. Of course, Deznan hands are never idle, and in preparation for a more secure source of sulphur being found, a powder tower ready to store it is erected. Construction of an accompanying shot tower awaits approval. As for the manufacture of gonnes, the process is yet another line of hurdles. Many of the stored stocks have been either reused for shock-rifles or succumbed to the march of time & woodworm, likewise without maintenance the locks have rusted & seized. The barrels however may be of use, if gone at with a stiff brush and elbow grease.
The mining of lead, no matter the conditions, is never a truly safe endeavour, and though every precaution is taken to ensure the health of the workers, it still commands a high salary and turnover rate.

>>4271715
>Tarn
Three Gylden-copied rivergates are installed in Tarnia, and after much assessment other rivers are deemed safe given current data. Every scrap of sulphur is gathered up, scraped from every surface amounting to a single full barrel, then shipped to Llychlyn for them to divvy up (it's arriving with this update >>4274643). The gasworks are pushed to their limits to the chagrin of the foremen. Lastly are another three steel-chain nets manufactured ready to be transported.
Against the better judgement of his advisers Tramh takes the quieting of the the seas as proof! He brushes aside the wind-watchers (wind-bags more like! Ha!) and sends out his entire fleet. When they come sailing back he'll be declared a hero, Saviour of Tarnia, no, Saviour of all Sigod! Just another tyrn or so and the first ship will be returning with news of their victory.

>>4274474
>B'yogi
The silent kidnapping of thirty-eight Elves from their beds in the cloister of the Cathedral of the New Sun goes surprisingly smoothly, but then as much is to be expected of the masters of shadow & illusion. Even on horseback it would be daybreak before the captors reach Jubilation, so a space in Heed is made comfortable to H'yomi minds. Here it is that what the Watchers have seen and L'ala has discussed is made evident to the Elves. Twenty-six of them are Hacmosi, the remaining twelve are Elezen, and most of those captured are layelves, who only recently were made aware of what waited behind the western wall. Of the Dark Elves half wish to return to Nomach, and of the Elezen only two wish to remain in Simhyn. So it is that these twenty-three are secreted back to their beds, and for the others letters left of news back home, in hopes of not arousing too much suspicion. This leaves fourteen saved Elves of potentially over a hundred still within the temple around the stones. But they were given a choice, to which they chose poorly.
The M'odis are set to dig tunnels hither and thither all under Simhyn, followed by B'oo steelworkers. When at last they have finished, an underground thoroughfare connects Ire to Insight, adjoined by another from Heed all the way to the sea! Along their length are poked air vents, but even with them it is rather stuffy down there.
The clouds part and the sea is calm, the B'yogi thank the Gylden for their hospitality, once more sailing down the coast. More Lowland Dwarves, more Lowland Dwarves, More Lowland Dwarves, goodness gracious they're everywhere! Another headland is crested and expecting to see yet more Gylden the Shadows on board are initially disappointed that yes, more Lowland Dwarves, but then- no! Grey beards! Seeing nowhere to dock they carry on south, until- W'ulvs! W'ulvs that walk like H'yomi! And they have a port! The massive Soul of Simhyn crashes into the shore, eager to meet two new peoples. But by S'cie it's cold! A B'oo has never before been so chilly.

>>4274643
>Llychlyn
Sulphur, it is soon discovered, is more rare than gold. The efforts have turned up deposits of iron beneath the ice, but not the hoped for brimstone. There is however rumour that the Dwarves in their volcanohome have in some way produced something sulphur related, and given the overall stench of them, it is not hard to believe. Some of the Children who have had dealings with the Akkhar joke that one could possibly just wring the sulphur out of them like a wet cloth.

>Llychlyn cont.
The timer, with all its gears and turning, had been a wonder, but one which was far too costly to be used only once. Stripping everything away it is clear to see that all that is truly needed for the task is the coil, the crank, and the casing. The coil may be wound manually, set against the crank, and methodically unravel. With the insight of the runesmith Rhisiart, the end of the coil may then make contact with the engraved casing ("Cyffwrdd Gwreichionen") to produce a small not noticeable spark. This can then be placed with the gunpowder to create a timed explosive.

>>4274844
>Gyldenthrong
[D] So focused have the Dwarves been on matters of the earth, that the matters of the heavens have been all but neglected. This is made shatteringly clear when the Shrine of Emergence, shored up by stopgap measures since that fateful day, collapses totally, temple-and-all. The high priest of Guldfar, his two attendants, and roughly a dozen pilgrims are presumed dead in the tragedy. And though the destruction is small, at least compared to other disasters which have befallen the world, it is a obvious and terrible omen.
It is quite possibly the single greatest achievement of Dwarfish skill ever even attempted, and yet when the work is done, a single line of tracks runs from Zvamholm to Torz'vogaz. It entails the construction of no fewer than six bridges, two tunnels, five stations, the removal of literal tons of earth and most tragically the loss of at least thirty-seven good Dwarves. It is suggested the first service be a memorial run, in their honour.
In combined effort with the Tarn, sea defences of one form or another stretch from Gnavkop to Zvamholm.

>>4274983
>Akkhar Dwarves
The "Super"forge is born of countless dwarfhours of renovations and rebuilding work. Water- & wind- powered wheels turn bellows and hammers, so loud are the workings that a full floor above the thing is given over to storage and the deaf (and storage of the deaf), which soon comes to include many of the forge workers themselves. "Beatin' 'eart o' the mount'n" they call it. Added to this cacophony is the work of engravers and etchers, who use the newly discovered acids in much of their broader work. Of them the water-forged acid is most appealing. One mad Dwarf-woman however has found an alternate use for this alchemical find, bleaching the roots of her beard.

>>4275085
>Cravers
Bulargh'let, pulses. Fluids bubble up through the stack and repairing wall and nest.
Five slabs of Flesh are drawn gruelling up into the mountain and braided into the stone. Cutting off the once dreamt of super-highway between nations. Bah! What are nations to the Lord of Flesh! At the peak of the mountain, when the winds blow west, the Spire is charged into the surround vats, the resultant steam forced through the once-Tallaght Spore'Lung, and great gore-stained clouds rise into the sky. Now it is only a matter of patience.

>>4275090
>Meluzina
The once Ashen-ruled Bull Meluz of the farming commune are called upon again for their specialist knowledge. Through a translator, so thick is the Dwarfy accent, the Meluz learn that the Dwarves grew a vast array of mushrooms in the dank chambers, and with them an odd wheat-like grass which grew well enough in the dark. Plenty of goat dung is what they used, hence the smell of your average Dwarf. It is a lucky break for the Snakes that small family plots still existed in the warrens, from which larger fields may be seeded. As for livestock, well, it seems only the Ashen and ants can live in the underworld, even the hardy goat needs sunlight and fresh air at least once a day. Fact is, if the Ashen weren't reliant on goat manure for their farms, they probably wouldn't have ever left their holes in the ground at all.

>>4275127
>Tidal
An additional three Shell Krakens are recruited and converted into fierce ships, utilising every hard-won design and genius breakthrough from throughout the long reigns of the Tidal Empire. To the bow (head?) of Meroceras is affixed a horn of sharpened steel, for within her nature is a will to charge headlong into danger, and with such an addition, hopefully also doing damage.
The Word of Obadinia is preached in Thesí and Exóryxi, on the edges of Outer Soghoia. Pamphlets are handed out, Obadinia's gifts to the world praised, tidings of the waters whispered. (>>4275090)

>>4275162
>Karnis
The golden elixir is effective roughly half the time, it seems to be sheer luck if one is grasped totally or merely caressed by the mercurial draught. For those lucky enough to be simply grazed by the stuff, the visions of Her Majesty come blurry, but without many (though still some) side effects. To some it may be given as a final rite, to others a dangerous dalliance with madness made flesh.
Fascinated by these new objects of dissection, the B'yogi become a frenzy of activity. First an Ant which died of natural courses is taken apart, so that a baseline can be established. Then a mercury-laden drone is pulled apart, notes furiously scribbled of the differences in colour, texture, smell- taste? More curious than even the Karnis are the shadow creatures. More mad drones inspected, and a conclusion given; Through some means, as yet unknown, the mercury in droplets smaller than the natural eye can see, invades into every fibre of the ingesters being. Perhaps Ant bodies are filled with tiny, hungry reeds (straws)? Or maybe this space was made for mercury, and that's how it got there. The B'yogi ask the Karnis if they may keep a half of the bisected broodmother, so that they may display her, for posterity. (>>4274474)
Underground highways criss-cross the Karnis marsh & jungle, eliminating any need for the average drone to brave the barbarous overworld. There is a small celebration where pheromones are laid and very quickly the Ants are back to work.

DIPLO
>>4271701
Skirting the gaze of the Elezen within their towers and Cathedral watch, the Men find their way to Oldek where many tyrns ago they aided the Vossiks in the (mostly) peaceful joining of the two Elven nations. To the same guild hall in fact they come, for it seems not a single Mountain Elf remains in the city. Straight to the Prince of Oldek they go, and to them give their offer. The offer is received, and lodgings offered in return, as the matter will have to be discussed. There is of course lingering resentment against the Vossaya and their ilk, but too are there links of blood and covenant; The Prince himself is known to have illegitimate Pokon (the Elven name for mixed-race Elezen-Hacmosi Elves) children. There is talk in Nomachian between the Prince and his retinue which the Men cannot understand, before he turns back to the Men, "We would hear your offer in the Assembly Hall at the next..." there is brief chatter "Excuse me, there is a difference of timekeeping, we would hear your offer fully in five days hence." (Opening further diplo now)

Managing to slip through the fields of Nomach, the FHR messenger is stopped at the gates of the Free Voss of Wyrum by Hacmosi guardselves. Given current tensions the guards are understandably wary of the Men and will not let them pass.

>>4274658
In Terrata the motion is shut down at once, the conspirators thrown out of the customhouse, and heavily armed Elves escort the Men to their boats. From the towers around the city, the ballistae are loaded, ready. It is a clear message. In Volodek however, there is, consideration. A council is called, ostensibly to discuss 'ongoing matters in the trade of both raw & dyed Tyrian cotton in exchange for both coloured & colourless Tarnic & Gylden glass to the mutual benefit of the Vossik Republic and the Kingdom of Tarnia in the city of Volodek, in manners which may avoid Dwarven tariffs', the sort of boring merchants assembly that not even the hardiest of chamberlads could sit through. In this manner everything may be done publicly, and contrarily therefore more secretly.
Outside this covert arrangements however, an Elezen officer in dark armour picked out in gold approaches one of the merchant ships in Volodek he has heard there is a member of relatively equal rank aboard. He gets a cabinboy's attention, and tells him to fetch the Man, if he is in fact present.

>>4274714
"To the Depauns, commonly called Dragons, of the mighty Tidal Empire, from the council of the Prince of Oldek, you are invited to talks on the secession of Kingdom of Nomach from the Vossik Republic within the Assembly Hall of the Guildhall of Oldek." There are then listed some extraneous details, including directions and the fact that representatives of the FHR will be in attendance.

>>4275127
As the Tarn before them, the Dragons are unceremoniously ordered to leave Terrata. In Tyr however, local governance is more, self-preserving. Should the Barbarians, the Andrethi that is, break their oath and launch such an invasion then Tyr will gladly, declare themselves a neutral party. It is clear that though the nobles here are mostly Elezen, Othinian blood still runs through at least some of their veins. The Dragons are offered quarters in the Tyrian palace complex as a base of operations in the north-west. "The specifics can be worked out between us". The 'King' of Tyr is little more than a smarmy brat, but if it grants the Empire a foothold on the other side of the continent it is worth putting up with him.

>>4274844
The whispers of the Gyre grow weak, but only as her eddies glow brighter. "Gold from gold am I, gift of God of Gold! Reach. Take." Astos hiccups in his mug and the slip is enough for her words to grasp an innocent. It is too late for him, the fool, but the priest once more bellows over her murmurings.

"In exchange of four of these Gulvaz'Gazes, the knowledge of their operation, and details enough to perform upkeep upon them, the Vossaya has agreed to grant you two juvenile males. They are the more docile and manageable sex of the species, and are in the beginnings of being broken. With them we would send a nestlad to ensure their safekeeping and to educate potential riders. We feel this to be a, generous, offer."

A Dark Elf slips into the kost, making his way to the Vossayan delegate; He whispers something to the Mountain Elf which straightens his back. There is a brief conversation in Elezen between the delegate and the messenger before the former stands. "The Vossaya has decided to recognise your claim," there is shock from every gathered party "Should you stand against the forces of the Men rallied against our kind. You will not be called to service to the fatherland, so long as you do not raise arms against us. Remember, you are our brother." Before anyone can protest, the Elves from the mountains depart. "Well, I suppose it could have gone worse..."

Jotte's knowledge of all the Dwarven Gods is limited, as the Giants had turned to worship only Guldfar who was already so close to their own old god, but this little he does know, "Snehvid, She- She is to Timna as a wave is to the sea," the intensity of the Giant's eyes burrow into the sobered Dwarf, "lucky would we be if only Snehvid were coming."

END OF SCENE SIX.

>>4275203
With the rising tensions between the FHR and Vossiks, as well as the insulting eviction of their diplomats, the Tarns decide to take full advantage of this calm, however temporary it may be. The plans drawn up not long ago for the amphibious attack of Vossik cities are redesigned for the taking of Terrata Voss. The majority of the Tarnish navy is also sent north, their hulls filled with supplies and sailors. If the elves will not listen to reason, they will feel the consequences for not doing so.
At the same time, the negotiations within Volodek continue, backed by large sums of gold from the vast (albeit rapidly shrinking) Tarnish treasury.

After a quick, hushed discussion within the ship, the elf is ushered inside. Within the spacious ship is indeed a man of great importance, though one of a caliber that the Vossiks could not have anticipated. For in the flickering light sits the Councilman of Xycthos head of the Council of Cities and the single most powerful man in Tarnia. He salutes the standing elf.
“Welcome. I’m surprised that you had heard of my arrival. Few usually do. If you would be so kind, pray tell. How did you manage it?”
The purpose of the elf’s arrival is also requested.

Action 1: Bulk up the navy
With the distasteful specter of waging two wars simultaneously rearing its head, the Tarnish navy begins to work in overdrive. Taking advantage of the calmed sea, the shipyards of Xycthos and Gyldenthrong begin to work at top speed to build new warships. These new ships are designed primarily to combat the sea serpent, the hope being that their presence will free up the more traditionally built ships of the navy for the northern campaign. They have large, heavy hulls and sit deep in the water, reducing the risk of capsizing among heavy storm swells. Their ballista turrets are sturdier and canted downwards, ideal for firing at undersea creatures. And in a final touch, each is outfitted with a large iron porthole in the bottom of the hull. Should all this Lychlyn nonsense actually produce a useful weapon, these portholes would be perfect for deploying them underwater.

>>4275203
Action 2: Destiny
The sudden calming of the sea is taken by the tycoon as further proof of his lullabies effectiveness. But he’s sure that if this peace is to hold, he’ll need to send even more assistance. The merchant spends the entirety of his considerable fortune, sells his ancestral family homes, and takes out enormous loans in order to commission as many quality musicians and ships as he can. No half-measure’s this time: every person on board should be a master playing the finest of instruments, coordinated by the only man with an impeccable ear and a gift for conducting: himself of course. This is his life’s work, his masterpiece, his Pieta: the largest orchestra ever put to sea, in order to save the world itself from devastation. His money had never bought him happiness, only temporary satisfaction. But this...
As he watches his flotilla form up behind him, tears spring to his eyes. After all these years, he had finally discovered his purpose. The is where he was meant to be. This is what he was meant to do.
And for the first time, he finally feels happy.

Oh, [R] if you please.

[NM]A woman as the Augursoul!? Not to mention an adult, approaching the council with his, no, her powers rather than the other way around! Not one of these had ever happened once in the millennia of recorded Tarnish history, let alone all three at once. This so-called “Augursoul” must be tested at once. But what if she’s a spy, sent by some foreign nation to obtain intrigue about the Council? Even the questions they ask her could reveal important information about the Councils‘ priorities. No, the question they test her with cannot be matter of actual national import. It’s answer must be impossible to figure out through mere guesswork or social manipulation. And it cannot be a waste, for if what she says is true, every question from now on becomex infinitely precious. But what could possibly fit those criteria?

Aha! Down at the docks, some poor fool is amassing a flotilla of musicians. Rumor is, he plans on sailing out and calming the beast “with the power of song”. Unimportant, possibly valuable, and, most importantly, completely unpredictable. Let’s pose this to the “Augursoul” and see what he thinks. What she thinks, i mean. Damn, this is going to take some getting used to.

>>4275127
The Amplect are given permission to do so, with the caveat that the Trans be allowed to have first pick of the crop

>>4275203

>Action 1: Make it Golden again

The howls of outrage at the collapse of the shrine of emergence are echoed even in the highest halls of the land. Whilst those who constructed the shrine are now all long dead, those charged with maintenance and repairs of the edifice are taken into the custody of the Teimgandt, as are a number of church accountants as the organisation's books are audited - care and upkeep of the shrine had been one of their primary responsibilities, and the collapse of one of the two great sites speaks ill indeed. After studious evaluation, a couple of further arrests are made in the priesthood - though as the primary suspect behind the decades of negligence died in the disaster, there is judged little else that can be done in his case aside from the interment of his remains in a lesser Golaetur'kot then tradition for a Dwarf of his status.

With the absence of the shrine as a viable venue, the Gylden priests gather for a conclave in the grand temple of Gyldholm itself to determine their new leader; selecting Snorri Kartruv of Zuvraktuv. His first decree, as suspected, is that the Shrine of Emergence is to be rebuilt with the full effort and resources of the church behind it; making the edifice grander and more golden then before.

(The second, less prominently announced decree, is that that the current repair status of all church properties is to be determined and that maintenance and repair of these is to become a consistent and ongoing process)
>Action 2: Steam Defences
With the new railway running from Torz'vogaz, the exposure of the Artillerists academy and their proximity to the engineers of Kendt'koldrag; the desire to incorporate this new drive system into the Dwarven engines of war results in a great number of new tests and experimentation. A steam-winch for the catapults is considered the easiest application; but the sight of the continuous and rapid momentum gives some Engineers ideas and perhaps flights of fancy as they work to discover just how rapid this motion can be made and unleashed to throw things out - Perhaps a steam - driven ballista of sorts, unleashing great hails of projectiles at the greatest of speed? And perhaps small, shaped projectiles of brass might prove easier to use and more effective...


>Diplomacy: Vossiks
A mere two, and both males at that? The Dwarven emissary shakes his head. "With this deal, you'd have the Gaze and the secrets behind it; an' in a Tyrn or two y'd be craftin' out gazes of your own. Whilst we'd have two Griffins, and two Griffins still 'till they grow old and tire. Don't think we can accept this, not without females, and more of 'em."

>Diplomacy: Wyrum
With the abrupt Vossik departure, the emissary turns his attention squarely to the matter of the Free Voss of Wyrum. If they're even planning to use the term 'Voss' now that they are officially separate. Can they sustain themselves, without provision from the Republic?

>>4275211
With the Commissioned Thunder Runes having arrived the Dwarves can finally continue delving deeper into the world of Chemistry.

> Action 1: Electrolysis
Using the thunder runes they invent electrolysis at first just of water managing to create 2 gases that if mixed explode on impact and make water. One was identified as Blue Death as such the other one will be known as Waterboom Gas. Then more odd forms electrolysis are attempted. Isolated sea Salt is heated up and molten into a liquid and made to undergo electrolysis the result is a green gas which burns away your lungs and an odd metal which very easily reacts with water.

> Action 2: Electrolysis derived Chemistry
Combining Green-Gas and Waterboom gas and then putting that in water gives an acid it's pretty strong too! (HCl)
If you put the Green Gas Waterboom gas mixture into Peroxide you get the strongest acid we saw yet! (HClO3)
The weird new metal we'll call Weirdmetal, because it's weird. It burns easily and creates Waterboom Gas if added to water. Then it changes water into magic water which makes acids non-acidic again. Odd, odd shit.

>>4275211
>>4278803
Changes in Dwarven Culture, with the bleaching properties of Peroxide discovered and the creation of porcelain the color white becomes associated with progress in Dwarven lands. Scientists and great thinkers (or ones who see themselves as suck) would bleach all their clothes and their beard as well as fashion their homes painted in white.

If asked why? "Well, if you wear white it's easy to tell if you spill something dangerous on yourself in the lab!"

The culture of keeping fancy porcelain plats also takes off with families often keeping an especially fancy one as a keepsake. Until to one Dwarf Brunhlda Hathkrnken... an accident happens. She drops the beautiful porcelain plate passed down from ancient times, in a hurry she glues all the pieces together into a whole using gold as the glue. The mosaic is beautiful. And so a trend takes of of breaking porcelain wares on purpose so the breaks create beautiful patterns once glued back together with gold.

>>4275209

With the calming of sea's, and the main work on a gwefr dyfnder simply being its container, work on the Navy would be key. Firstly, much to Clan Wynn's disappointment, Blodwyn would organize the navy such that Clans would not be permitted to have warships and would streamline its training similarly to her army reform. Instead warships would be put into service under 'Y Llynges Frenhinol' and given LLF in front of the name, standing for Llong y Llynges Frenhinol, just like the LCL Llewelyn ships have, or LCN Clan Nist ships have and so on. The first order of business for the newly organized navy was new ships, and after some time of testing a single design and 'class' of ship would rise to be prominent, the Brenhiniaeth class. A large, long ship with three raised platforms for archers, one at the bow, the stern, and a long one along the centerline of the ship. Due to the fact that the ship was made with military intention, the position for the oarsmen would be under the deck where they'd be protected from any fire, as the speed of the ship was important to maintain. Lastly the ship would have four masts for sails, which would be slightly taller than normal and have the end of the main sail of each mast a bit further above the deck. Regardless, the ship would likely be the largest and fastest warship in the world, discounting the Depauns ships anyway.

Another thing that would be worked on is the conversion of small fishing ships and other 'expendable' vessels into 'Llongau bom' or bomb ships. They'd be ships loaded up with gunpowder and given a timer, the idea being they'd be pushed from the docks without a crew and the current and wind would simply cause the thing to drift, with any luck into the monster which would probably be attracted to the thing, or potentially in the future, an enemy fleet. Due to the massive amount of gunpowder required for the design, the plans would currently be a few tests, and mostly a side show to the Brenhiniaeth Class, but it was still notable and had to be mentioned. Further testing of them would, like with the gwefr dyfnder, be only possible with more quantity of gunpowder...Lucky that Llychlyn has a potential replacement...If the Akkhar would be so kind to share.

>Action One and Two. Create the Brenhiniaeth Class Warship.

>>4278803

A few of Clan Nist's merchants would make a strange request when they ask for payment for future works, that being that they'd prefer to be payed in surfer. The reason why would be quickly apparent in that Llychlyn had found a use for the stuff and there was rumors that the Akkhar had a decent amount laying around, or at least some kind of substitute.

Posted on behalf of the Swarm

>>4275215
>>4274474 The B'yogi have offered the Karnis a great hand in their examinations, and thus their request is gladly accepted. However, the ants have no more use for the traitor's corpse and it is offered in full as a morbid gift fit for their display. Perhaps someday in the future this knowledge can be expanded on, but for now it is put to rest.

The mercurial administrations see their continued use, but slowly the recruitment drive is reduced to accept less ants until only a handful are taken quarterly. Scholars would continue to record the experiences of their patients, waiting and listening for any more details the Queen might leak through them.

Actions: 2x Development
-With their colonies connected, the Karnis move their focus once again to the bore.More precisely, they would endeavour to replace it. A new highway is built from the Mausoleum to the mountain fortress, and then unto the now sealed ruins of the Sigord's peak. Once the new route is established, the old rout of the bore is sealed off and abandoned.

With this done, they begin to repair and rebuild some of the former Ashen capital, aiming to turn it into a semi-functioning colony. The infrastructure of the dwarves too damaged to be restores is replaced, however special care is taken to preserve more prominent, and intricate designs of the core architecture, without erasing more of the city's former identity than necessary. In time, the Gylden would be invited in to properly restore these pieces, once the city is more presentable and habitable.

>>4278915
The Akkar Dwarves would explain that the amounts of Sulphur we have are modest, as currently our only source of Sulphur is Goat feces. The amounts we have now is not useful for industrial use, and is barely enough for scientific research.

We do have Arsenopyrite though. What do you need sulfur for friends, maybe we have something which could substitute that function?

>>4275215
>1: dig near the peaks
We must connect the peaks to the inner sanctums of these mountains if we wish to raise livestock within. A route to the surface, so that they may graze at the peaks. We hope that we do not find it too cold. Several air-ships will ferry miners back and forth between the ground and the peak. A temporary base of operations will also be set up at the peak, which will allow workers to stay warm by any nearby fires, if need be.

>2: expand the inner sanctum
If we plan on fitting all of meluzina down here, then we will require more space. Sure, certain species love spending time in cramped spaces with one another, but others do not. Titan Gogola and Kirill Lasko specifically want their people to have lots of space to themselves, while Cynthia Collias and Horace Pepi are content with being in a cramped, scale-filled space. It's just their own ways of life.

>>4275203
1. Transform the Underground Lab into a true city of science and testing.
2. Dig more underground tunnels for more cities in the future
Explo:
3. B'yogi leave a lurker B'yogi to stay with these new furry creatures. They set sail, but happy with the cider, they drunk! (QM can decide which direction they can go)

>>4279242

The reason that there is a need for sulfur is simply because of a explosive Llychlyn had made required it. The sulfur speed up the ignition process, which was key for the use of the powder in question. At the moment, Llychlyn didn't know of a substitute for sulfur, and that was simply why it was sought out...

>>4275211
1. & 2.
Work is done to construct a covered vein from the Mausoleum to the Spire. The great flesh Slabs are shaped to be the Maw Doors.

>>4275215
1.
>Sulfur alternative
With Sulfur a rare resource, and while the stocks of gunpowder steadily grow, it could be a lot faster with more sulfur....or an artificial, magical, or otherwise alternative for the material. Anything that could also be mixed with Charcoal and Saltpeter would prove vital to our rearmament efforts.

2.
>Shock Rifle variants
The shock rifle is going nowhere, even with the reintroduction of black powder weaponry. Now, certain variants of the rifle are produced. Arc-Lock Jezails are very long ranged rifles, using two parallel bars to help further refine the range, accuracy and power, in exchange for a slightly slower firing rate and a much longer "barrel". Next are the Bolt Carbines; which are shorter weapons, designed for mobility and a faster firing rate at the expense of range. To achieve this, Gold leafing is put onto the focusing rods, an ancient technique of the Moon elves, and partially the reason their armor was coated in Gold. The gold is a "conductor" of the arc magic, and takes the strain of firing off of the foci rods, allowing for a faster rate of fire without overheating. Finally is the Split-rifle. By splitting the end of the barrel into separate prongs, multiple arcs of lightning are produced. While not as accurate or with much range, at close ranges, it proves devastating to the enemy, hitting two or three foes at a time.

Rumor as well if it is time for one.

>>4275218
>Hacmosi
The diplomats are a bit bothered by the 5 day time gap, but regardless it's nothing too major. They would accept the hospitality the Dark elves would give, especially seeing as they had no quarrel with them.

>Free Vossiks
If they cannot pass, then they as that a representative would be allowed to come speak to them. All they wish to do is spread the word of their willingness to assist the Free Vossiks after all.

>>4275215
Action 1:
Start a program in amplect and among the other clans to get aspiring mothers to move to the thermal vents in the east in order to take advantage of the better mineral contents alongside the relative safety. Those vents may not be as harsh of an environment as the main trench but they will grow up safe and sound; they may not grow to be warriors but the safety will allow their minds to grow sharp
Action 2:
construct a museum in bothrio, it shall hold and show the history of our nation and of other nations. Many artifacts will be there as well.

File: Map61.png (574 KB, 2048x2628)

574 KB PNG

SCENE SEVEN

The peace holds another tyrn, with shipping nervously returns to the southern reaches. Harvest is bountiful after much needed rains, a small blessing from the Gods it seems. Far on the horizon roil dark clouds, but they are overmorrow's worries.

>Vossik
A pink speckled rain falls on Tyrhen, Coertyha, & Gilden, along with the surrounding unincorporated kosts, which is quickly blamed on the dyeworks in Nomach picking up tormentil production. Pokos & Renthum are spared the red-rains. After the wet weather some complain of itchy skin and an intermittent cough, once again pinned on the dyeworks newest acquisition; They are ordered to cease production immediately. The sick are gathered together in field hospitals away from the smokey cities to clear their lungs and ease their conditions.

>>4278462
>Tarn
[R] A nightwatchman has claimed that with the rain, lightning was seen shooting up(!) from the mountain tops. Afterwards a cloud of pink smoke flew into the air! It's true! True he says! His post is searched and a half-empty bottle of expensive Akkhar brandy confiscated.
[NM] "Tramh fills his fleet with music, but it will not calm Her. He fills his fleet with poppy-smoke, but it will not soothe Her. He sends these Men to their deaths. And where he seeks purpose he will find only Nightmares."
To simply drop troops straight into port would be, brash, and so merchant ships are sent to Senday with a cargo of Men-at-arms. From Senday they may coordinate with their Human allies against the Elves. (>>4279378)
Bringing in hammered sheets of steel and hardy, costly, lumber from Outer Soghoia, the docks of Gyldholm are abuzz day and night. A statistic floating around from some news pamphlet or another is that the Tarnic Navy and her surrounding industry employs more Men than all the farms and mills this side of the mountains. It's not far from the truth.
The continuing calm seas bring credence to the mad-lord's ideas. Musicians from every far corner of Tarnia come to be a part of the 'flotilla that saved the world'. Even a Meluz and a couple of Dwarves are welcomed aboard. Conducted by Tramh himself, the assembled crew play a soaring rendition of the national anthem, 'The Rising Sun Shall Never Set'. They depart not to jeers, but jubilation. The happiness and hope are overwhelming, for no one is yet to see the coming flotsam.

>>4278775
>Gyldenthrong
Whilst it is debated in the council chambers and the streets what should be done with arrested, work begins on the building of an even more magnificent shrine than before. First, of course, the holy site is made secure with ample use of steel and hardwood, as well as relieving stress placed upon it. Atop this is constructed an opulent, shining temple dedicated to the second gift of gold, flanked by a chapel to the first, and another to third, on each side. Here other holy relics are venerated, and the King himself brought to plant a sacred apple tree.

>Gyldenthrong cont.
From the foot of the mountain one is dazzled by the golden columns of the edifice, and may marvel at the expertly carved statues of the Gods. Plans for continuing the splendour down the entire processional way are floated whilst the gold is flowing.
The steam-winch is easily whipped up by the engineers for use in siege weaponry, which cranks quicker and smoother than any Dwarf can. Next is trialled the ballista to much less success, for whilst reloading bolts one becomes jammed in the mechanism, causing a backfire and quite a nasty explosion. Miraculously no one was hit by flying debris, but that puts another idea in Dwarven heads.

>>4278803
>Akkhar Dwarves
The electrolysis of liquids is stymied by the constant halting and restarting of the runes' power. What the Children of Fanw had neglected to mention is the fact the runes must be watched at all times to continue to function. In opaque solutions it is a coin-toss if the blasted scratchings will work or not! Thankfully, they cooperate long enough for two experiments to be conducted, if over a painfully long time. With these infuriatingly acquired gasses, experiments can begin. Of course the first is mix-and-matching, resulting in two very strong acids, if only a thimble-full of each after an entire moon cycle of work.

>>4278908
>Llychlyn
The 'Ffrigadau Llychlyn', as they would come to be called, were definitively the fastest non-Tidal vessels ever built. For the Remnant built for power, the Tarn for capacity, and the B'yogi for some odd reason. The beauties were agile, manoeuvrable, perhaps even graceful. It is an honour to be any member of the crew of the magnificent ships, for even as new as they are, they are a symbol of the skill, power, and artistry of Llychlyn, of the Children of Fanw, and Fanw herself. (I'm sorry, I'm not really a boat-guy, I've not got much to add)

>>4279195
>Karnis
The ramblings of the mad, mercurial Ants are collated for teams of researchers to pour over, picking out patterns amidst the noise. Most common are the mentions of Her wings beating (one researcher jots 'possible second earthquake?'), of something in the south, and of 'family madness'. Rarer are more specific details, water is a running theme, as is abandonment.
The bore cuts straight to the heart of the mountain. There is no fussing about it. It is begun deeper than any other before it (save the strait-way), so that it does not disturb, and is not disturbed by, any passages that already cross the underworld. However when the Karnis go to conceal the original borehole they discover a Cravic vein as dug it's way in. The Ants are a little confused, then go back to their work, making sure not to damage the work of the Flesh.

>Karnis cont.
The job is a surprisingly easy one, for with the bodies and rubble removed, the gore and graffiti scrubbed, and an awful lot of ventilation to get rid of the smell of Ashen, the old Dwarven capital is relatively undamaged, and loathed as they are to admit it, beautiful. The thoroughfare tunnels will have to be enlarged, as will most of the doorways, but the grand scale the silverbeards built? carved? in is still awe-inspiring. There are even traces of blue Gylden paint, gold leaf, and points to attach metalwork extant.

>>4279295
>Meluzina
[B] In a region of Zedfeld where the canisters of Tarnish gas are manufactured and repaired, there is also a small amount of, tinkering. It is one of these tinkerings that has resulted in an improved valve used in the firing machines. It is, of course, too complicated to explain, but with rubber, steel, and good old fashioned smarts, a Garter Meluz (of all Snakes!) has managed to tinker up an otherwise simple looking piece of metal which has the ability to almost double the amount of airtime a single canister gives. Something about 'leak prevention' and 'flow differential', though even the council think he's just making that bit up.
With the calm winds as of late, flight to the lower peaks is not only now possible, but rather pleasant. The highest point of the "mountainhome" as the Ashen had called them, slopes gracefully down to a sheltered valley of sorts where the goats may freely graze. From this Peak-Outpost the Meluz begin their tunnelling descent towards one of the existing Dwarven thoroughfares, and with some minor adjustments do just that. For now, with so much focus on setting up the base camp, it can just about squeeze two Bull-Meluz side-by-side. The air is cold, but manageable, though in the coming winter, that may not be the case.
With all this clearing and expansion, you know, it's actually rather inhabitable. The surrounding mass of mountain keeps the worst of the heat and the cold at bay, and with all the vents open you can hardly smell the Dwarf. Of course, it is foolish to light a reed in one of the chambers, but with upkeep the oil-lamps don't put out too much smoke. Now all that's needed is a name for the old-new place.

>>4279332
>B'yogi
The Underground Lab of Insight is expanded in all directions with the help of the M'odi, who join it with the existing tunnels. Almost as soon as the earth is stamped flat are more dissection tables, uncomfortable seats, bubbling beakers, and all other manners of B'yogi science equipment plopped down. With so many more experiments being carried out, the name "underground lab" is far too mundane, and so the name of Inquiry is floated, and just sort of, sticks. Sisters they are, Insight & Inquiry.

>B'yogi cont.
The M'odis are hard at work digging, digging, digging. Heed to Shine, Shine to Fright, Amethysts quick to Avarice, with a short stop at the Temple of course.
The Lurker is excited by the work the tall ones are doing when, goodness! These tall ones must have been trodden on! Look how small they are! Gruff Akkhar Dwarves have come to do their regular business in the cold wastes, and it must be cold because even their beards are white! (>>4278803 The B'yogi are sailing around, and have just dropped off one of their own to check out Castellpwyntrhew. Some of your Dwarves have come to check on how the Wolf-Women are doing when you and the B'oo meet eye to eye.)
The Soul of Simhyn continues her journey, unaware of the Lurker's meeting with yet another new peoples. The vessel struggles through the icy waters, when even the frightful B'yogi are filled with fear, which rolls over them like a fog as the crest the Cape of Udron. Shivering from both the chill and their nerves(?) they carry on past another port of tall wolfy creatures, before floating into a natural bay. Here would be another good place to stretch one's shadow, and check out those ruins! (>>4279491 you see a very tall ship brimming over with excited B'yogi sort of just, run aground near the Ursic ruins, they haven't really gotten a hang of the whole docking and anchoring part yet)

>>4279348
>Cravers
Aided by the Re'Karo a thin vein burrows through jungle soil 'round root & river before meeting the Karnis tunnel up to the peaks. Here it fans itself out and crawls along the ceiling like creepy ivy, before reaching the old Dwarven capital. Now guided by assisting Flesh-Monks the thing is a tracked to the Spire and joined to the Flesh there. It is a profound success. But with it comes some doubt, as it is now the longest vein ever laid, what if it cannot sufficiently circulate? Nearby, the enmeshed flesh slabs are bisected carefully to allow attending Flesh-Priests to work on the construction of let'iren, "maw doors". Into these new half-creatures are implanted fang & tooth as closures, iron-bone as reinforcement, and lastly small, polypal eyes to see who is coming, or going.

>>4279378
>FHR
[R] Scouts in Gylden lands have brought news of something happening in the mountains. Lightning has been seen sprouting from the highest peak(!), followed by a rising cloud, and there is worry it is the signs of a waking volcano. Tremors may soon spread if this is the case.
From Llychlyn it is heard that a race of 'half men' have developed an acid of sulphur from the leavings of their animals. A few foul-smelling tests reveal this not to be the case with any animals the FHR rears. It is also told that only a small portion of their animals give enough of the substance in their droppings for production to be viable. Given the source, it seems likely that the diet of the animals is the determining factor, and so a sulphur-bearing plant of some kind exists wherever thes 'half-men' raise them.

>FHR cont.
Foci rods in a multitude of designs are tested, many resulting in disappointment, and one in dead donkey. Which puts that old adage to rest at least.

>>4279491
>Tidal
Many feel the changes in the water, and jump at the offer of a safe place to lay and rear. There are still those born in the Trench, of course, but almost a third of those born or laid will be at the Vents. It is now to time what will come of it.
On the outskirts of the ever-expanding city of Bothrio is built a second museum of Tidal design, now not only a display of old Kalkahn and Soghoia, but of all the wonders of the lands of Sigod has to offer. The call goes out along the trade lines that the Depaun will pay a fair price for artefacts and works of art from each culture, even ones no longer, prospering. (>>4278462, >>4278775, >>4278803, >>4278908, >>4279295, >>4279332, >>4279348, >>4279378) The Elves of Volodek offer up the defaced head of a statue of the Othinian statesman, Diotones. With the attached label 'Date unknown, likely carved in Othin then later brought to Renthum in the Great Migration, damaged in the First Othinian Revolt'. It is a prime piece of history, both Othinian and Vossik.

DIPLO
>>4278462
The Elf surprises the councilman when he salutes in the Tarnic fashion, "My apologies, seigneur, I was unaware a Man of such rank was aboard, I expected a lower officer, such as myself. My information, was indeed lacking. You see, in the Republic there is an old saying, 'the Othin are the gift of Baalur', I am sure you understand what is not being said," (Othinian spies) The Elf struggles with Tarnic, slipping into the more simple Xyctho-Tarnic here and there, "Now, as to my reasons for coming. It is well known in the Vossaya that the Men of the west, I'm- unsure of the Tarnic word, 'Remains'?, no matter, these Men wish to lay siege to the Vossik. I fear they wish for no less than the total eradication of the Elven races of Sigod. Seigneur, I am only a brigadier, but you can see that I am flesh and blood, a soul-filled being. I would beg of you if it did not insult your station, that as fellows you are with -Barbarians- (here the Elf slips and uses the Elezen word for the FHR) to pull them from the brink of annihilation."

>>4278775
"I am afraid then that there is no deal. The Gryphon are the pride of the Vossik, and we cannot give them so freely as you had imagined. Good day." Humph! Elves!

"You are kind, but we shall manage. There is plenty enough here in the marshes. Though we have little to trade, save our labour and hospitality, we pray to Him above that relations between the Free Voss of Wyrum and the Gylden remain as pleasant as this." The Dwarves are offered a dark coloured bread, salt-fish, and goat's milk as a simple meal before they must head home.

>>4279412
The five days pass without incident. The Men are free to roam the inner city, though warned against venturing outside the walls for fear of the Elezen (over)reaction, but there is plenty to see and do in Oldek, second city of Nomach. When finally the day comes the council gather in the Assembly Hall, the Men shown to their seats, and a short prayer given in Nomachian. For the benefit of the Men the council have agreed to business in Elven Trade Common. "We are assembled this day, new moon of the seventh cycle, gathered by his highness Prince Tehtuli of Oldek, for the discussion of..." The speaker drones on and on, breaking things down to the smallest detail, it seems government moves at the same snail's pace all over the world, "...-ends, and most honoured guests, the Men of Andreth." The party is snapped awake by this, laying out their mission brief to the assembled Elves far more succinctly. There is a pregnant silence as dozens of dark eyes scan the faces of the Men. They cannot be serious? One Elf stands, "You- you would go to war with the Republic? Are you all mad? Suicidal?!", another stands to speak over her, "It would be death to go against them, and you ask us to place our necks on the chopping block with your own?!", a third jolts up, "Now is our chance! Can't you see? We may overthrow the tyrant and be free Hacmosi once again!", a fourth voice cries out, "Free to hang in a gibbet!". The chamber falls to shouting, slipping more and more into Nomachian until it is totally unintelligible. The Prince rubs his brow in disappointment as the Speaker feebly tries to regain order. "ENOUGH!" Finally there is silence. "Men of Andreth, would you be so kind as to, for my sake, repeat your proposition clearly, without the hysterics of the rabble."

"Assist?" the two guards whisper something together in one of their blasted Elven tongues, before one slips through the gate, presumably to fetch someone. There is an awkward stare-down as neither side is particularly keen on the other. At last a Pokon Elf arrives, notable for their almost lavender coloured skin and shining eyes, as always it impossible to tell the thing's sex, even when it speaks. "I am told you come to aid us in some way. I am afraid at present we are hosting, other, guests, though I am free to negotiate here. What is it you have ventured here to offer the Free Voss of Wyrum?"

END OF SCENE SEVEN.

This is the last Scene of Part 8. Part 9 will be posted on Friday, with Scene One being posted on Monday.

>>4280199
Only now understanding what the Llychlyn runes actually do and how they work a new profession is born within Dwarven lands. The Thunderdrummer. Dwarves will stand for hours only drumming on the Llychlyn plates containing Thunderrunes, to have them work properly.
(2 experiments was Water and NaCl electrolysis)

> Action 1: Soap
The odd metal discovered trough Electrolysis recently (Natrium) is being heavily experimented upon. Seems useless as a supplement to any metal ingots... what is it useful for? One day as he was experimenting with the weird metal a Dwarven scientist accidentally dropped it in his favorite meal: Pure Goat Fat. After hearing some sizzling and waiting for some time until he stops he'd notice that his favorite food is weirdly white now and tastes weird... dismayed by this awful turn of events he'd take his bowl to the aqueduct only to see bubbles rising from it and all around it. Astounded by his discovery he'd choose to continue investigating it. Experimenting with not just goat fat, but also plant oil. Giving birth to soap both solid and liquid.

> Action 2: A job from the Tall Fox-Humans
I mean... Dwarves know of a lot of things which explode. Blue heaven sometimes does, Waterboom gas does... but those are hard to control. What if we made something which explodes on purpose?
> Invent Nitrfication (Nitrocellulose)
Finally one Dwarf has a bright idea mix goatpiss acid and goatshit acid and put some dry wood into it and boil it. As he happily boils the wood after a few hours he takes out the wooden block which while seemingly much frailer looks remarkably the same. Thinking he failed he throws it out trough his window only to turn around and see that the house of the neighbor living across the street has collapsed. A GREAT SUCCESS! ( and he didn't like that neighbor anyway)

>>4280950 (diplo - new dwarves)
The amazing advances of the dwarves of the tundra have recently been the buzz around the high courts of the empire. Stories of advances in chemistry and related fields which go into areas which the depauns are unfamiliar with.
Premier among these interests is that of icecream. The treat has been tried (or at least similar recipes made using snow) by merchants and such a treat has not been known in depau. The closest thing available in the empire to it is imported ice, which is scandalously expensive to import. Thus we desire to purchase a few units of those machines alongside the knowhow needed to repair them.
We can offer in return our watertight container craftmanship, utilizing the shells of deepwater cephalopods combined with fishleather-metal caps creates a watertight container which can last quite a while before being breached. However it is not fully airtight. They also utilize failsafes in their nearly watertight shipping containers, allowing for the partial salvaging of dry trading supplies inside after a few hours underwater through the use of water absorbent materials.
We also wish to exchange information on chemistry, as we have holes in our understanding of mineral related chemistry while you must have holes in your understanding of bio-chemistry and trace toxins. Alongside oceanic and weather science, as we assume the dwarven knowledge of geology is on par with our specialties.

>>4280197

>Action 1: Fragmentary Knowledge
Intrigued by the generated explosion, and the heavy flying debris it generated, one of the Dwarf weapons engineers concerned in the initial experiment sees possible future uses in the Gylden arsenal, and tries to replicate the 'explosion-and-shrapnel-scatter' in controlled fashion through building devices specifically designed for the purpose.


>Action 2: What to do with a disgraced Dwarf?
The Gylden prison population, recently added to by a number of disgraced church officials, is not large, for the Gylden are generally a lawful people; but it does suffer in that those dwarves who are convicted of dishnourable but non-capital crimes will often shamefacedly refuse to return to society upon completion of their sentence, as public knowledge of their crimes has destroyed all reputation for them in their communities. It almost seems to some of the released that those who received capitol punishment were the lucky ones. But a solution is found, when they find their numbers joined by a former Ashbeard dwarf, his eyes haunted by the things he did in the Ashen collapse to stay alive - but what is life worth without honour? He tells of the oaths he swore afterward, to seek out the sworn foes of the Dwarven races and meet them in combat, to fight and to kill monsters until death in battle can was away the honour-stain.

Near the town of Gnavkop, for the Gnavkop clan are understanding of unfilled blood-oaths in a way many other Gylden do not, the disgraced in search of redemption start to gather. Making new oaths to Guldfar-Therkuunaz, to Gnaven and of obedience to the Gylden King that only their deaths will fulfil, they shave off their beards and inter them in Golaetur'kot to symbolize that from this moment they are already dead. From this day until honour is restored, they are to practice battle. They will live apart from society, and bear only the cloth beard of the mountain that itches the throat upon their chins as hair. They will only join other Dwarves to fight alongside them, and travel to the harshest places to meet deadly monsters unbound by treaty that wait there in quests for an honorable end - but an end is only honorable if not invited, if you try your utmost to triumph and to save the lives of others and meet it anyway. Taking an old Ashen word as theirs, the Drthakrig are born - let foul beasts and monsters tremble.

>Diplomacy: North-West Kezgrate
The Thane of Duzzekop re-gathers his party for a new adventure. Though not all of the old crew come back together, their numbers are filled by newcomers, including some of the Ashen survivors his first mission bought back. This time, his mission is not mandated by the Gylden state - he seeks to use permitted travel through the Karnis-controlled tunnels to venture northwesterly, and to regain contact with the Ashenbeards of the old border-mines; if any survived the turmoil of collapse or aftermath.

>>4280204
>Diplomacy: Wyrum
With their independence and freedom agreed by the Vossik, the Gylden too recognize the Independence of Wyrum as a nation of their own, and their possession of the lands of the marshes at the foot of the mountain. The Gylden inform them that, according to old Ashen maps at least, their marsh might be a source of precious stone. Quite why the Ashen never dug for it if true, the Gylden are not quite certain; but they nonetheless offer support of their mining industries if this is found to be the case and Wyrum do have access to precious stone beneath their marshlands.


>Diplomacy: Pokos
With their offers to the Vossiks rebuffed, if any Hacmosi happens to come to the Gylden merchants to buy old or surplus weapons... why, the Gylden might now find themselves willing to offer discounts, and extend lines of credit against pawned property. And it is, of course, mentioned to any that might come the desire in some quarters for griffons, and how much their acquisition, even in egg form, might be worth...


>>4279412
>Diplomacy: FHR
With scouts in Gylden lands, apparently, ( >>4280203 ) these new arrivals are greeted with a curiosity - and, if visibly human, an accepting nonchalance. "Ho, Tarnman." the Dwarven guards would greet them with a wave as they cross the border. "Care to stop for a beer?"


>>4278513
>>4279295
>>4278915
>>4282272
>>4280950
>Diplomacy: Tarn, Meluzina, Akkhar, Llychlyn and Tidal
With the first Gylden railway now successfully in operation, the nations of the south and east are invited to come and see it in action. And, of course, to hear sales pitches from Dwarven engineers looking to build more of these...

>>4280197

Also, requesting [R]umour...

>>4282488
The Akkhar Dwarves would literally jump on the opportunity, and y opportunity I mean the diplomat bringing the News. TRAINS?! That sounds like something that could revolutionize the world!

The Akkhar Dwarves would pack up and travel on mass to admire the beautiful train.
We want one!? What do you want for building us a train line? Coldmakers could be useful. (not!fridge or not!refrigerator)

>>4282272
The Dwarves are happy to exchange the Icecream and ice-cream recipe for knowledge of watertight containers.

As for exchanging knowledge they are happy to do so as well. An optimal way to do so would be setting up an University with research Lab at the Akkhar-Tidal border, where the brightest of both nations could work together on advancing the world.

>>4280203
> B'yogi Diplo
The B'oo would be an odd sight to the Akkhar. Many lesser races might be terrified or disgusted upon seeing such creature, but Dwarvenkind has changed in the last years. The Dwarves have become a people who put their hands in acid to check how strong it is and melt away their tools to help construct an aqueduct. Nothing can stop an Akkar Dwarve's longing for progress and curiosity.

As such whatever the B'oo are with Llychlyn as translators the B'oo are invited to our Capital.

If the B'oo agree, first they would be taken to the Gran Zoological and Botalical garden in Guthlaqtz. Where while in a frozen wasteland they would enter glass domes housing animals and plants which clearly come from tropical regions, swamps, deserts and all the climates of the world. There the Dwarves would explain that if the B'oo have anything to contribute to this treasure trove to life they are welcome too.

The travelers would continue along the Boiling-water aqueduct to the Dwarven capital which would be a marble of modern industry. Lava pumped out of the volcano to keep it calm. A city made out of Porcelain and Stone with Steel pipes running trough every corner of it. Steam-engine powered pumps pumping water to every house upon request. Every house equipped in a Coldmaker for keeping food fresh. Dwarven salesmen selling Icecream on the Street. Later if the boo wanted they would be shown some of the more experimental Dwarven technology such as electrolysis, liquid nitrogen and oxygen. Various powerful acids and even waterboomgas (hydrogen)