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Scene One on either Monday or Wednesday,

Elven War post soon™

>>4326188
What is the site you use for your map

>>4326687
The generator for the base is here; http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~amitp/game-programming/polygon-map-generation/demo.html
You'll need to allow flash on the site.

From there you remove the dots in each tile, and optionally the borders in the water, then fill each tile white.
Then you take it to GIMP or PS and "threshold" the image to be just white & black.
Then fix up the borders, clean up any static or ugly lines, and then fill in each tile with your chosen terrain.

It's a process and a half, and there's definitely a better way to do it, but it's the one used for this and >>4307862 map.

>>4326188
1. The Grand Transplant continues, an umbilical vein is connected to the Underborn- a being to exemplify the flesh, to allow the blood of the Charnel Lands to still be pumped as the new city fills into a truly monstrous form, sealed and vestigal legged. Alast its growth will take time, as do all works of Grist'thromir.

2.
Great asbestos-iron bone struts are cast within the new city, and inset within maws as frightful fangs. Never again shall Neverborn fall, but merely grow more ravenous.

>>4326188

>Action 1: Misting Up

The Gylden Dwarves need a dispersal device, thankfully many recent Gylden innovations have involved variations of pipes to move liquid around in changing form. A mist-spray device is therefore seen as quite simple, as challenges go; and so the Dwarves get to work. Their first thought is a simple squirt-device to use physical pressure such as a dwarven hand-clench to turn an entrapped liquid into a spray of mist, which can then be inhaled - perfect for imbuing a room or congregation with good and holy alcoholic blessings, but also for providing a more vinegary mist that the mushroom-afflicted Dwarves might breath in to clear out their lungs and inner workings without drowning them out. More ambitious plans of using a segregated steam engine to power mist-dispersal over large areas are also drawn up; though the Ants have promised not to release any more of the chemical - just what were they doing in there, to make a mixture that sprouts tiny walking mushrooms? - there is still much of the local environment that's probably been covered by these spores, and a few vinegar - clouds might help make it safe again.

The Gylden offer these devices in sale to the Volokalnz, Wyrum, the Nomach and Tarnish Volodek - all considered other areas that the red cloud might have drifted across.

>Diplomacy: Tarn(ish Apothecary)

Rathi asks to hear of this marketing campaign first, but as long as Jotte and his fellows would think it fine, then he would be in agreement with the decision of the Cewri in this.


>>4321139
>Diplomacy: Tarn

The hand-held Krigatorz is wonderful in concept, but the Engineers know they need a softer metal to resolve some of the imperfections they've found. To that end, they ask if the Tarn have intent to open themselves mines for the lead on the Tarn-owned mount near Dukkezop. If not, then the Dwarves would be more then happy to do the work themselves - and, either way, the Tarn would get full access to purchases of the Hand-Krigatorz, or any immediate derivations thereof.

>>4326188

>Action 2: Mountain Fastness

The Highland Dwarves found no Elves to talk to within the border mountains, and now their envoys return, having found only ashes and corpses. If the men of the west have destroyed the Vossiks, then who remains to negotiate? An elf who isn't there is not an elf you can talk to... nor one who can stop you. The Invuld of the Volokalnz lays formal claim to the border mountains, and has Dwarves move in to dig out passages and underways and raise new fortresses to let them and their goats and under-farms truly make these mountains their home.
>Diplomacy: Vossik
But even if it seems the Vossiks may be dead as a nation, that's still no excuse to stop trying to talk to any remnants they have left. Are we ourselves not a blend of Gylden and remnant Ashen? More emissaries are sent out (it is hoped new Dwarf-tunnels might make help the journey shorter) to try to speak to any Vossik survivors to get permission from some of them. As well as gold for the purchase, they would offer new sprays from the Gylden that they hope would deal with fungal-lung (that condition making lungs fill with tiny walking mushrooms bought on the red cloud? It seems to be a byproduct of some Karnis measure to protect themselves from the threat from the southern ocean, but the ants have now realized and promised to stop the chemical releases). If no Vossik of even assumed leadership can be contacted, any elves they might find would instead be offered passage through Dwarven lands to Nomach, Wyrum or Tarnia; provided they don't linger.


>>4320318
>Diplomacy: Karnis
Both Gylden and Volokalnz Dwarf merchants turn up to try and offer the Karnis remedies for Fungal-lung... do the Ants even have lungs? But they figure that if the results of the accident can be widely spread by cloud, it's likely the ants might have gotten some blow-back; so the Dwarves are here to try and offer their solution.

>>4326188
>1: rubber plantation
Recently, the ants have offered us a deal. A rubber plantation on their land, in exchange for what we assume to be precious materials. So long as it is flood-proof, and we're able to access it during the coming flood, we are happy to help in its construction. Might we suggest an access tunnel, running from castor's keep to the plantation?

>>4320318
>Diplo: ants
Rubber plantation. Gimmie gimmie. Will give precious resources, or potentially other things. It all depends on what you want.

>2: Reinforce the walls of Castor's Keep
All these vents have us worried. Sure, they are important, but we need to have some sort of safety measure in place to compensate for their closure, if need be. Mechanical devices, which can be turned from the interior, will operate rubber-sealed vent doors on the mountain's surface. Can't have any water seeping through.

>>4320669

Blodwyn was not the same after the incident...She was a lot more reserved compared to her old self, mostly spending her time in her room, usually found either staring at the ring she recovered or writing something. Still, despite the disappearance of Ehubryd, and by extension the second queen in a row, things would go on normally, and with the nation believing Ehubryd to be gone, her first born child and daughter, Gwenith, would be the next ruler, and Queen, of Llychlyn. Her full title being Gwenith o Clan Cadigan, merch Eheubryd a brenhines Llychlyn. However, despite this, practically speaking, Blodwyn would be the one really in control. Partially due to the influence and prestige she already had, and partially due to the fact that she could fairly easily get Gwenith to do what she wanted. However, at least initially, she'd not do much to utilize this influence, but over time, she would utilize it more and more, all for one purpose. Protecting Llychlyn and doing her damnedest to make sure as few children of Fanw have to go through losing a sister, brother, or any family member as possible when the next southern Fanw forsaken thing rears its ugly head.

To Blodwyn, there was three key things needed for the defense of Llychlyn's shores. Something to replace gunpowder, something to work as a propellant, and something that could launch the gwefr dyfnder into the water from the shore or from a ship. The reasons for this were simple, Sulfur was made clear to be forever in low supply, and as such it was clear trying out chemistry as the Akkahar had could lead to something. An explosive capable of being made of materials easy for Llychlyn to get it's hands on, like animal tusk, horn and bone, or anything else naturally made for that matter. Of course, this tied into the work of finding some sort of propellant, which was sought after by Blodwyn simply by the potential effective uses it could have at a larger scale, if what she heard from her time in the Free Human Republic taught her anything. Of course, if there were issues with this work, access to what limited sulfur Llychlyn had would be granted, but hopefully some sort of breakthrough would shed some sort of light on a less costly explosive and propellant...Or at the very least a more effective one. Lastly, the need for something to launch a gwefr dyfnder was fairly obvious, for being able to utilize such weapons from shore based instillation's or even normal ships would be extremely useful.

Meanwhile, a small shrine would be constructed in the hopes to ward off certain curses in the south, with diligent wardens to make sure that a certain darkness doesn't return.

>Action One. Work on a propellant.

>Action Two. Work on an alternative High explosive.

>Action Three? Build a temple near the Fanw forsaken place. In case it returns, and so the lands may be purified, one way or another.
(I think I got an extra action because of misunderstanding last turn. If I do use the third one for it.)

THE ONGOING ELVEN WARS

-Renthum to Rubble-
Buildings once of wood and plaster now cover the city in ash. The black-burnt stone kosts are pulled by rope or explosive. A city of centuries is made a mountain slope of debris in a matter of days. Spolia is set aside, solid columns of granite or intricately detailed relief, to construct or decorate the new city to be built atop the carcass of the old. Recent rains have spoiled the hunt, but with so few options it is clear where the populace have fled. To the east through the pass, lies a fortified city, and likely further on new settlements to house the enormity of the fleeing.

-Coertyhan Decision-
The wail of the mortar drowns the wails of bombarded. As arc-cannons are being wheeled into place the gates of the Voss are thrown open. Elves pour from it, bloody, beaten, pleading. They carry with them their dead, babe and adult, faces grey with ash, eyes wild with fear. Few there speak anything but their native tongue, but their cried words to the Men are understood more viscerally. Now it is time to decide, as iron still hails, whether or not to kill them.

END OF INTERLUDE.

>>4326188
> Diplo B'oo
The Akkhar Dwarves would Travel to B'ooland with an odd request... can we improve out form? For now not all, just part. We have learned of various form of Byogi. Byogi for water, Byogi for land, Byogi small Byogi big off odd shapes and forms. Can such thing be done for the Dwarves? Can something between Dwarf and Byogi be made?
(Dwarves request assistance in Super Soldier Program)

> Pls Gibs me Rumor

> Action 1: Akkar Super Soldier Program
The Dwarven armies always relied on large armies of shield-walls and of slid formations. The problem is, one elite enemy General or Hero can easily break the shield wall paving the way for enemy troops to advance into it. That is an oversight, we Dwarves require out own elite units so either be able to topple mundane enemy mass-formations the same spearhead way or for stopping enemy hero spearheads.

> Action 2: Culinary Luxury
The Dwarves get to work on their own quisine. Cooking is to be treated akin to chemistry. New crops are introduced, if necessary grown in heated greenhouse complexes and work is put in to develop new types of wine, icecream and cheese. May the Akkhar not lag behind the world in our culinary arts!

>>4326188
Action 1:
4 ships are given more expensive full metal hulls:
Cameros (war) --> (trade) - Lyrara (engine - metal)
Trantos (war) --> (trade) - Lyrara (engine - wood/metal)
Inauquas (war) --> (trade) - Lyrara (engine - metal)
Inoponos (war) --> (trade) - Lyrara (engine - metal)
Through the effective use of their metal hulls they are able to go faster than their wooden hybrid contemporaries.

>>4329561
(All the ships lack the wooden monicker and are full metal)
Action 2:
Funding is injected into pthero in order to boost the research being done.

>>4328908
>Diplo: Lychlyn
The Dwarves of the Gyldenland offer the children of Fanw some of the sulfuric crusts found on the lower level of their salt flats. They ask in exchange for soft, heavy metals - they think the Fanw have some lead around that would make a fair trade?

Posted on behalf of the B'yogi

>>4326188
1. We are beginning to understand how life works. It's strange; such limited material can have so many forms like us. But unlike us they can't morph at-will. A sad existence to suffer in. But maybe we can help with that... We will conduct experiments using our shadow magic on the flesh of volunteers those most patriotic and zealous to our ways.
2. The seas still raise, but we have temporarily stopit from eroding our land. Eventually it may overwhelm us... We must take steps. If there's one thing all H'yomi needs is water and food; we will begin with a plentiful sourceof water. We will research desalination and purification of all waters. A machine that will produce drinkable water.
>>4329517
The Council shrieks with glee! The Short Ones wish to be tested on and without us influencing their minds. Not that we would do that... We replied, "We are currently conducting experiments on that subject. We hypothesize you can morph, but it will need much work and sacrifice. Will you still continue? We conclude many in the public will find such tests immortal according to them."

>>4331099
We wish to continue, we have many willing volunteers.

>>4330913

The offer would be very swiftly taken, for sulfur to Llychlyn was much more valuable than lead, and they had built a fairly large stockpile over the years. As such, it'd be easy to ship it to the Gylden in exchange for more sulfur. Regardless, to Llychlyn, the trade was much more than fair, and one they and their merchants would be swift to accept.

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SCENE ONE

[B] With the storm on the doorstep, it is as if the Gods give their last effort to the land. Supernaturally the seas are calmed, the wind which howled now barely whispers, and the rains fall soft. New seams are opened in every mine, caches are found in warehouses all over. The field is bountiful, as the forests spring with game and fruit, and the rivers run thick with fish. Such gifts bring joy to all, and yet a sadness lingers. There is an understanding that it is not to last. For even as the belly and store are full, thunder still disturbs the night.

The weather is that of autumn; that of good harvest and thanksgiving. The waters lap gently on the shore, and the winds blow favourably. Even that damnéd Gyre is of no worry, little more than the eddies of a rock pool.

>Vossik
Karnis are welcomed into the fortified Voss of Tyrhen and Annet, in ready defence of the coming storm of Man. New hill-farms take advantage of the weather, fast-growing strains of bean are planted, for they must feed so many.
With the fall of the capital, and the vassalage to the Ants, the Republic can hold no true claim to the lands they once owned.

>>4321139
>Tarn
The powers of the Scarlet Robes come from devotion to the Lightbringer, for it His holy fire that surges through them. Should they be no longer allowed this religious practice, their powers will fade to nothingness. Little was brought with them to the outpost college, but what is there is brings new knowledge into the Kingdrom, along with the affirmation of previous notions. Faith alone drives the magicks of this world; For the B'oo it is their peacock stone, and if the word of the Chamberlads is to be believed, a minor sect of telekinetics in some Tarnic cult or another.
Tarnish rubber workers bring news of the fall of the Republic, now little more than an array of towers in the hills. They came to the Ants for aid, but what good can an Ant do for one of such dissimilar physiology? Refugees primarily from the capital seek shelter with the Men of the east, who unlike their western brothers bare no true ill will to the Elves. They are of course disappointed when offered such segregation, many being able to offer up coin of gold or silver, else art of exquisite value in exchange for something a little more, cheery. Others have ties to Terrata or Volodek, though whether their holiday homes in the now-Tarnic outposts will be returned to them is another matter.
The further diaspora is sent all about the vast holdings of Magna Tarnia. The City of Shadows, the Port of Flesh, the Harbour of Ants, each with their own struggles. But would they rather sit helpless in the hillside, awaiting Andrethi blade or cannon?

>>4328048
>Cravers
In the dark nights of the lampless Cravic lands, a beacon of flame burns bright in the high mountains. Renthum, the capital of the friends of the Ants, a feast compared to the snack which was Dravana, is alight. No doubt it is the work of those Men, those bone-biters. How little finesse they display.
Flesh atop Flesh. Pierced through with rods of bone and iron. Drinking deeply of the transplanted capital, growing, swelling. A grotesque tick, gorging itself in the Karnis jungle.
Though the work of the Ants has been magnificent, it can always be improved upon with a Cravic touch. Columns hold the city together, and more importantly, the ceiling up. The Karnis themselves are very much aware of the dangers the earth may suddenly drop upon them. Veins are quick to encircle them, to feed the marrow and whatever else may be cast from the struts.

>>4328696
>Gyldenthrong
The device is quickly snapped up by Disciples, eager to heal the pained. The procedure itself is another bitter pain, but one which shall hopefully flush this parasite from the system. A solution of cider vinegar, along with a drop of Ichor for luck, is misted through a mask straight into the affected's lungs. The stuff burns, causing terrible coughing fits, no doubt bringing up the near-invisible semi-creatures. More of the stuff is sprayed liberally over all of Kalnzkag'kupkurg, the mountainside, and all the way down the river. It stinks of the stuff for months afterwards, and on hot days even decades from now. But Læge be praised, for with repeated inhalations, the sick are cured. They are kept isolated from the still sick and the general populace in order to recover, though it is doubted they will ever fully regain their health. There is talk amongst primarily the Ashen of the mining city, who once were at war with the very same Ants, that there must be some recompense, more than an apology and a promise. Those bugs can't be trusted.
Misting of Ichor becomes a local tradition, especially in the chapels dedicated to Guldfar and Æblemor, leaving the floors sticky, and the attendants in a very good mood.

>>4328727
>Volokalnz
With so many old Ashen tunnels still snaking through the mountain, it is simply a matter of unclogging the vents, airing the chambers, and giving everything a good sweep. A new cavern is dug to plant those special cave-loving crops of the Mountain Dwarves, soon enough the Invulden will grow enough to sustain itself.

>>4328868
>Meluzina
As the races of Men before them have, a deal is struck with the Karnis for the growing and exporting of their precious rubber crop. The plantation is built as close to Meluz lands as is possible, with just a brief slither through Craver territory needed for collection. The Snakes are welcome to help of course. The idea of a connecting tunnel is floated to the Karnis, who take their time in replying.
It is not a day since the plantation is established that orders for seals and plugs come in in the thousands. Vents, chimneys, nooks and crannies, all need to be waterproofed!

>>4328908
>Llychlyn
Close connections between the Remnant peoples and the Children of Fanw brings, if not always through official channels, information pertinent to both nations. In this instance it is of an addition to sulphurless powder, which the Men call redpowder. It is the addition to the mixture of iron rust, collected just so. The resultant propellant is much louder than that of typical blackpowder, and imparts far more wear on the bore. Plus, the Dwarves are always tinkering away, who know what they might bring forth.
(>>4329517) In the Bradwrus Hills, a strange yellow moss has taken root. Perhaps on the boots of the Dwarves, for the goats are fond of braving the slipping stones, just to graze on it. Those that do however have the foulest smelling dung, a stench which resident Akkhar breath in deeply. That's the stuff, they say, those good and sulphurous droppings. Those Kids of Fanoo must've done something different with the goats, 'cause this is what they wanted from 'em! So with imports from the Gylden, and the distillations from the goats, sulphur is in perhaps greater abundance than ever before! Of course, there is still research being poured into the formulation of a new high-explosive, just in case.
As soon as the project is announced members of every clan, from every little hamlet and village, from every corner of Llychlyn offer their help. Be it the donation of lumber, of hides, of just their eagerness to halt the Fanw-forsaken terrors of the south. Blodwyn no doubt is touched by such a rally from all of the isle, and like her sister before her, is set to the design of this new temple. Though being far more familiar with battle tactics than buttresses as she is, the result is something more reserved than was expected. Still the offers come, and in less than two turns of the moon, a simple, elegant structure stands watch over the Ice. In the decades to come, side-chapels, towers, courtyards, and all other manner of thing shall be added to it, a show of Llychlyn devotion.

>>4329517
>Akkhar Dwarves
[R] When the first of them settled in the winterberry bushes, they were swept away with insecticides, but on those plots not managed fat worming bugs have covered the plants with thin strands of a glossy white. Who knows why the minds of Dwarves work so, but one fellow takes this strings, and like wool or flax, spins them to a silky thread. (Silk)
The Jotgol family has always bred wide sons, some almost as broad as two Dwarves stood hip-to-hip. The boys are hardy, the men hardier, even the women and girls are a healthy size. They are not just a large family in waist-size, but in numbers too, and with the right training, could be a shieldwall all their own! For the only thing greater than their girth is their resolve. And though the subject was once only hypothesised in whispers, if the right traits can be found in both male and female, it follows they should be found in the offspring.
The Akkhar have a few delicacies of their own, Winter wine, more varieties of goat cheese than one could ever name, and of course every flavour of ice cream imaginable, and some one wouldn't ever wish to. But this is not enough! Though the first round of plant gathering had been mostly decorative or functional, now it was to be culinary. Breweries, distilleries, bakeries, patisserie, chophouses, smokehouses, fisheries, butcheries, the list goes on. More Dwarves are employed in the food industry than even the military at this point! (I'll leave to you what concoctions they come out with)

>>4329561
>Tidal
[D] River Reed of old Soghoia has been used for longer than can be remembered as little more than a city-sized warehouse, convenient rest stop, or a place to spend a lazy day on the Lazy River. However, this all changes in only an hour. From the swamp, hidden tunnels, and sewers of the city spring forth gaunt and pale Frogfolk, as if the creatures of the icy peninsula were here in frog form! They croak in a tongue which hurts the ears and damages the mind, sending out from themselves expanding waves of foul energies. In a panic hitherto unknown to the Depaun, likely the effects of these once-Soghoians' magics, the Frogs perform another ritual, one of blood and sacrifice, which crumbles the concrete structures into the marsh, drowning some as their lungs will with muck. It is over almost as soon as it has begun, leaving the bodies of the last of the Soghoians dead around the fountain where once they welcomed the Dragons.
Advances in shipbuilding, introduction of Gylden steam, and the constant output of the Factory, have made the wooden shells of some vessels seem practically prehistoric. Sheets of steel and copper, needs-depending, are laid and bolted together, forming new hulls for the first four ships presented.
The markets have been good to the Tidal Empire, and in return it is paid into Pthero, the Dragons and Dwarves eager to finance their latest hunches and expeditions. (+ >>4329517 we'll discuss what invention this produces in chat)

>>4331099
>B'yogi
Though willing the flesh will not bend to the B'yogi as it does to the Craver. Experiments of a more hidden nature prove this to be the case without a doubt. But what if...? No, it is too foul. But they have offered themselves up, have they not? Body. And Soul. So begins the work of the B'yogi, a task with which they find themselves preternaturally and innately adept; the moulding of the soul. The H'yomi spirit is a strange creature(?), to inhabit the body, and yet be the body, much as a B'oo is to shadow. Previous dalliances with such forces have been limited in scope, and unfortunately in achievement, but now they have willing subjects! The process is intense, for both surgeon and patient, shifting constantly through the planes to catch the whisper of the soul, to snip, to tear at it, to mould it to the B'yogi's whim. With just the right work, a H'yomi will leave the operating table without fear, without remorse, perhaps without a soul entirely.
The Garnish purchase for the task two fine Gylden Engines which may provide power to the machines the B'yogi are currently theorising. Ideas abound in Inspiration, but few a realistic, and fewer are viable. The most productive method is remarkably the simplest, simple collecting seawater, and boiling it. The steam is then captured and cooled, and freshwater appears literally out of the air! The B'yogi all pat each other on the back, a H'yomi phrase taken a little too literally by the B'oo.

DIPLO
>>4328696 >>4321139
The Giant sees no reason not to, if it will bring him this fraction of the elixir, and the people of Tarnia joy. Jotte speaks not a word of Tarnic, his pronunciation is slow, his tongue tied by the 'X's and 'TH's of the language, but the Man finds this all the more charming. And so with his sister and nephew in tow, the Cewri spread the wondrous sight of Giants, and the message of their sponsor, from Roodkhaane to Tempel. True to his word, at the last stop on their journey the Dwarf is handed a hefty pouch of an opium gum, ready to be distilled.

>>4328727
It is rumoured that long ago the Ashen had made their way to the Elven Republic with a gift of fertiliser. The tale goes they scaled mountains and valleys, fought off gryphons and trolls, and made it to Renthum with only a small amount of their present left. For the longest time it has been just a funny story, but with the Volokalnz now rediscovering old tunnels, there is found a hollow, unlike others in the mountainhomes. A quick whack with a pick reveals a disused channel, partially collapsed in places, heading straight to the Vossik. With torch and pick in hand, another envoy is sent, the smell of dung fills the place.
The path needs to be cleared here and there, and ends at a similar peculiar wall, which once broken through leads out onto the road of the Northern Mountain Pass! Tyrhen Voss, now more wall than city it appears, still stands. This'd be the place to ask.

END OF SCENE ONE.

>>4333082
A1: the new knowledge sparks an age of innovation among the Tarns. Their well developed education networks grow stronger by the hour, transmitting new innovations back and forth. One such breakthrough comes from the novel field of electricity, where it is discovered that electrical current can be induced or disrupted by a sufficiently powerful magnet.

A2: with sulfur reaching ludicrous price points, the northern gasworks are joined by a second of their kind, on a fresh field. This should double sulfur production.

>>4333082

>Action 1: The Gylden Gun
The Dwarves behind the hand-held Krigatorz (Vedrz'krigatorz) are enthused by the imports of lead from Lychlyn. Why, with this new, softer metal to shoot with they can finally work out some of the flaws and stuck bullets that older models were prone to. Of course, the workshop-houses keep innovating; all anxious to make the next big breakthrough that will see their sales dwarf their competitors... internal curved grooves to give the exiting projectile just the right degree of spin to keep a straight and true course, and breach-loading systems to allow the easy insertion of new projectiles once a round is spent. Sights, stocks of polished Oak, Pine or protective Applewood; even guilding or silvering decorations for the customer with too much mone... er, that is, discerning customers of fine and exquisite taste.
>Diplomacy: Cewri
Opium, at last! Rathi breaks open a cask in celebration and shares with his giant companions. With two of the ingredients obtained, he turns to both Jotte and a Tarnish trade representative to ask; have there been any leads on the other ingredients yet? Will the Tarnish trade networks be able to supply them, or might their adventures next have to involve a long journey northward?


>Is it time for a [R]umour? I haven't kept count...

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>>4333082

>Action 2: Mountain Strongholds
Now that the mountains are his, the Invuld of the Volokalnz has no intent of letting the elves return to this land in an 'unknowing invasion', like the one that struck at what is now Wyrum Voss and lent the trigger to the collapse of the ancient Ashen kingdom. Heavy, squat and protective Dwarven Fortresses are to be carved into the mountainsides to control any passages up into the mountains and cover the routes with the barrel of the Dwarven arsenals.

>Diplomacy: ?
Another Diplomatic mission is sent into the tunnels, to pass through the Karnis realm in search of rumored Ashenbeards still living in the east. This expedition is commanded by the Invuld's second son, a Dwarf named Thudukk.

>>4333086

With the interesting discovery of Powdr coch, also known to Llychlyn as Powdr rhwd, it'd be quickly adopted as a explosive used for testing along with a bulk explosive. Of course, the actual limitations it had to proper gunpowder would have to be found out in time, but for now it'd be suitable for Llychlyn's uses. However, given some of the plans that Blowdyn had in mind, it'd be more limited in widespread use for the moment, however the current testing it'd be commonly used in is the gwefr dyfnder, and testing of the powder in use for such a weapon would be tried out, along with a verity of methods to launch the charge. Ideally, it'd be something usable on shore or onboard ships, as both would be helpful, the latter for not causing damage to ships, and the former for being able to better defend the costs from whatever was in the south and headed north. Still, despite this there was a desire for more sulfur, as it was quite clear that it was key to many different explosives, and if it could be found, a higher quality explosive for a specific purpose could potentially be made enough to supply that niche it was a part of, be it as a propellant or high explosive. After all, if greater quantity couldn't be found, greater quality would have to be used to make up for it. But quality alone means nothing if only one barrel's worth is given for the entire army and navy. As such, the yellow moss upon being found out, an idea came, perhaps the moss could be farmed and used with goats themselves to get more sulfur? And maybe there was a way to cut out the goats entirely and save on both time and sense of smell. Regardless, Llychlyn would make a good effort to be able to produce more at home, and store more made or brought in from abroad. After work could go back to further HE and LE research, especially with more possibilities opened up.

Meanwhile, in the cold south, the temple would be constructed. It was more simple and reserved than most if not all of the designed Eheubryd had made in the past, but it did certainly look unique. In a sense, it looked like a mix between a chapel and a military outpost, on the outside, the design of the bell tower was what mainly gave a military look, but with the design of the interior, for those who would be standing guard and would be living here, the places not seen by many who visited and didn't plan on staying would certainly have a martial feel. Despite this, with the exception of the bell tower, the rest of the external building looked like a modest church, as did the entrance and the cangell. Also of note was a specific large blazer in the top of the bell tower. If the Fanw forsaken place ever returned, or any signs of it sighted, it would be lit. The priests of the church were similar to it as well, being chosen from clan Howell as the most adept at martial matters, be it with bow, spear or axe...

>Action One. Work on lansiwr gwefr dyfnder

>Action Two. Secure somewhat more stable Sulfur supply.

Posted on behalf of the FHR

1. Begin consolidation of the 3 claimed and razed cities.
2. Begin work on logistics networks into said cities

>>4333089
When the Dwarves find the weird strings they at first burn the pesky things until one of them thinks to try making cloth out of it... and odd material. Very soft compared to things made out of goat fur! Annoying so! A Dwarves body hair easily cuts the gentle fabric into pieces!
Still it becomes popular as a decorative material for decorating interiors and for weaving pretty patterns into for decoration.

> Action 1: Invest in Silk Production and manufacture of related products.

The Dwarves invent a variety of new food such as Vines out of new types of fruit. Gelatin made out of animal ligaments flavored in ways akin to ice cream. A type of soft and puffy cheese which goes well with sweets as well as a weird white cheese which swims in weird liquid (Mozarella!)... though the weirdest result is Cheese wine. The sour liquid which is a byproduct of cheese production is spiked with large amounts of honey and fermented... creating a strong stinking and extremely sour alcochol. Perfect everyone will love it!

The Jogol family is encouraged to breed much and quickly with other Dwarves with unusual abilities being mixed into their bloodline to produce even stronger offspring. The youngest ones among them are trained to strengthen their will and spirit above all before they are sent to the Byogi for further enhancement. If they return they truly become the Elites of the Dwarven country and army names honoraubly after the B'oo which helped create them "The Jotgol Boomers''
> action 2 more super soldier research

>>4333086
>1: One last taste
For the love in Castor's heart has given us one last hurrah, we take what we can from the plains that harbored us since we were small. Of course, it is not to be eaten yet. We will store our meats and perishables in cold-makers, so that we may have a taste of what once was, while we live deep in the mines of Castor's keep.

>2: A dig for the ages
Our blessed individuals grow more experienced with time, and now that we are able to gain so much from the land, we ask that they open the crevices further, so we may dig freely. Their ability to mold the rock, stone, and dirt is unparalleled, and we hope that they are not too busy in shaping the underground city of Castor's Keep.

>>4329517
>Diplo: Akkhar
So what did you guys do with out Balloons?

>>4336764
Aye, sadly the research went now where.
More pressing matters appeared as the prophecy of the Kraken still looms over us we were forced to invest into food security and military first and foremost.

>>4333090
1. To create emotionless monstrosities like us would be wonderful! But we have grown too attached to f'elins. We shouldnt take away what makes H'yomi so...unique. Their souls are deli-We mean their souls are a wonder. We shall research soul preservation to ensure the M'onsers don't become husks of murderous rage.
2. Much food is still needed! H'yomi eat and eat without end. Such gluttony! Luckily we know the solution. We will research and breed hardy plants that thrive on salt water and poor nutrition.
>>4336755
Excellent! Now there will be less rampant fits of rage and brain dead symptoms.

>>4333084
1.
Raut'let are sent screaming through the skies from Tyr, to drop their Kahro wyrms upon the gore of Men and Voss. Upon seeding, the young dead are to be swiftly gathered.

2.
The Grand Transplant grows ever moreso, ever pound of flesh makes the new designs increase exponentially. By having the Underborn be supported by the earth's embrace, it's sprawling size does not risk collapse. Near the 'Head' of the city, where the Lord of Flesh now rests encased in the Underborn's skull, the underside of the city is starting to be granted limbs, sharp, short twitching things, some cast in asbestos bone, much like the legs of the crab-kahro of Osteoclast.

>>4333089
*ascension of lyrara*
With the turning of time the old administration of the paitoy is ejected in favor of the ever so introspective lyrarans.

Action 1:
The ships of the Altrenatos, the Chazireros and the Hennepos are converted into early metal ships while the Meroceras, Cotoceras and Azyoceras are upgraded with metal parts, although their submersible nature means that they can only be upgraded with more robust hulls and quarters.

Action 2:
A monument is constructed in river reed in order to provide the frogmen with a suitable grave, all of the known bodies alongside all who have lived among them are blessed by priests of obadinia, to have fruitful and tranquil afterlives whether that be with obadinia or whatever place their eternal souls found after death.
May they not have to suffer any longer...

>>4336755
>>4333206
With the advent of steam technology previously seemingly insane projects now seem perfectly doable and even somewhat worth it.
So if one can make a rotor or fan move why wouldnt one be able to automate the strenuous task of digging?
Thus it is proposed, an expansion of the canal between the borders so that the cold peninsula can be bypassed, this means not only faster but safer routes as well for gylden, tarnish and tidal ships alike and with steamships the problem of no wind to call upon is solved.
Thus the tidal empire would like to collaborate in order to construct this expanded canal, to the benefit of all nations involved.
...(behind closed doors)
But that is not all that lyrara would like out of this, if this canal is to exist in cooperation between some of the most important trade benefited empires then it is paramount that interlopers are left out of the equation.
Thus we propose that the llychlyn, whose disruption of the global trade system is a constant problem must be left out. They should be at the very least forced to pay extortionate fees for crossing the canal, while the ships of the tidal empire, gylden and tarns will only have to pay a bit over a maintenance fee.
Also all nations involved must agree to a contract so that no one power can extort the other while on the canal, that means no tariffs for each of our ships and joint ownership and maintenance between us so that not one of us can claim to truly own the canal since the land lies between your two empires and tidal investments will be paying for the vast bulk of the work.

>>4336845
The Akkhar Dwarves refuse the proposal:
"You do not act for the benefit of all your act for the benefit of yourself. If you think the llychlyn disrupt global trade then we can hold a meeting with them to solve this problem. Not only is it dishonorable to stab a friend in the back, but it is plainly impractical to attempt to halt the advancement of another nation. On the contrary we should have as many nations as possible to cooperate to reach heights thought impossible before. We consider your actions highly illogical and immoral and we hope you rethink them."

>>4336845
The Tarn's eyes narrow. This offer is being presented as a benefit to all, but the only true beneficiaries seem to be the Tidals. The Tarns and Gylden have long plied the routes the dragon wish free access to without issue, the former's landships making the trip not only feasible but cost-effective. Why would they invite the Tidal into an arrangement that already brings great riches to both nations? The attempted intrigue against the Lychlyn (and, implicitly, the Akkhar) also leaves a bad taste in their mouth. Both nations are great customers of the Tarns, as well as allies against the threat in the Southern Sea. To intentionally gouge them in such a manner would be inadvisable from both a moral and economic perspective. For these reasons, the Tarns will refuse this arrangement, and moreover, request that the Gylden abstain from this dealing themselves.

>>4336845
>>4336856

Diplomacy: Tidal Empire

The Gylden furrow their beards and tsk loudly at the proposal. Whilst the ingenuity of employing digging rotors certainly holds an appeal, the idea of a canal expansion is simply not one they really see the need for. Transcontinental trade already flows quite perfectly well up the Giant's river from Roodkhane, through the conjoint riverheads of the Cewri spring and down along the bountiful flow of the Gylder. Or the other way, too. And Gylden boats and Tarnish tusker-drawn landships already ply the waters of rivers and canal in the south quite adequately that bring trade between Vogazdun and Gnavkop.

And whilst the Gylden are sure there might be some support from the Dwarven population of Kirurlag to getting better access to the trade routes, there are ancient treaties between the Gylden and the Tarn to keep the rivers and canal open to trade that any construction work on the scale the tidals would envision for their canal project would disrupt. Simply put, even if they were interested, this is a project that the Gylden simply cannot countenance without Tarnish approval. And as that has not been forthcoming, this is simply not a proposal that the Dwarves believe can go forward.

What disruption are the Lychlyn providing anyway, the Gylden ask? They have not noticed any disruption through their own dealings with Fanw's children.

File: Map72.png (602 KB, 2048x2628)

602 KB PNG

SCENE TWO

[D] Alas, peace cannot last forever. There is no dawn this day, stormclouds smother the rising sun. It begins.

>Vossik
Elves depart from the hills for Tarnic and Karnis lands, where some will be little more than slaves it seems. A request is sent to the Ants, to allow for the building of two new Voss in their holdings, in the old hills, or really any flat land with little foliage.

>>4333206
>Tarn
At present these magnets are those naturally formed, and dug from the iron & ironstone mines. Very few have been powerful enough to generate such a force, but those that have are prized possessions of whichever institute holds them. This new discovery spurs further, more extensive searches for these lodestones, and more importantly a method to produce these magnets themselves.
With deeper drilling techniques having already been applied to the almost exhausted northern pump, another round of probing locates the last pockets of available gas, atop which a second pump is built forthwith. (remember the sulphur moss boon you got)

>>4334626
>Gylden
[R] The Gylden Rail Network stretches from the Wending Strait to Grey Cloud Peak, and up again all the way to Zvamholm. Dwarves, Men, Meluz, and even a few Elves travel the line all over, and even with the minuscule fares in place draw in enough to keep the lines running with a little extra for R&D. The deal with the B'yogi is still in the planning stages, and an emissary just itching to be sent to the Men of the north, but there are potentially profitable lines still to be built in those nations already open to them. An freight branch to Guthlaqtz, another to the port of Daitaz'gatjag, a secondary northern to Kalnzkag'kupkurg & Wyrum. More, the Snake-Men have built for themselves an entirely underground rail-road, to service their mountain keep, how freeing could such a system be in Dwarven cities?
The Vedrz'krigatorz sees a surprising split of opinion amongst the populace, for while there are those who praise Gylden innovation, a surer strike whilst hunting, and of course its defensive capabilities, there are those who see the thing as barbaric, an instrument of many names but truly of war, as the last step before the fall. Such dramatics.

>>4334724
>Volokalnz
Forts are cut into the hard stone of the mountain itself, facing out against whatever may strike from the north. Few passes lead into the Invulden, and fewer still are actually traversable, but complacency is the fall of nations, and this nation shall not fall before it has begun.

>>4334943
>Llychlyn
Here yet again the Remnant peoples provide inspiration, for their mortars need be only slightly modified to provide a reliable distance, with so far only one incident. Fanw-rest 'em.

>Llychlyn cont.
The growth conditions of the moss are studied, spreading only further into the rocky hills in a thin yellow layer, making farming it incredibly frustrating. But it can be done, and that is what is important, no matter what the aching backs and feet of the gatherers might say. The process of removing the sulphur from the plant is another stumbling block, requiring even more precision than is used with the dung-method. The Dwarves are a reluctant help in the matter, seeming to prefer the quote "earthy" unquote smell of the quote "real stuff" unquote.

>>4335391
>FHR
Dusk settles on the smouldering city once called Coertyha. Thundering clouds gather from both north and south, and yet the rain is, different. Grey hail falls disconcertingly softly about the voss, and though one cannot say why, it turns the stomach.
Rubble is cleared from all over the mountain, bodies buried or burnt, whatever deemed worth anything at all sent back to Andreth. Renthum and Coertyha, awaiting potential name changes, are the first to see (re-)building works, the Elves of the latter kept in camps awaiting their own potentials. Gilden however is within lands contested by the Hacmosi, most of the city now housing the Dark Elves. This limbo status must be dealt with as soon as possible.
Reinforcing fragile mountainside passes once only used by goats and fools, a stable road is built from Gilden to join the existing roads on the new mountain holdings. Another inlet may be made, reconnecting the ancient road up to Dravana, should the Union of Flesh allow it, and the Daiimad not oppose.
Ants begin wandering into the mountains, spotted first only by scouts, but it may not be long before there is a confrontation.

>>4336755
>Akkhar Dwarves
(>>4336839) The technology was there, as was the gung-ho attitude, all it had needed was that incentive. With an apron of that wondrous fire-proof material the Gylden called mountain-beard, a modification of the tanks, nozzles, and most importantly flame-source of the Meluz balloons, and finally a Tidal willing to risk it, the Torzlgott is born. Using either expensive Tarnish marsh gas, or the laborious Waterboom gas, a harness is attached to the fated dragon, who soars as high as he may go, then, with the twist of a dial, and a little prayer to Obadinia, they should, Gods-willing, literally rocket into the sky.
This new material is perhaps the softest thing to ever pass through Dwarven hands, so fragile that even their breath is said to damage it. It takes colour well, spins finer that goat-hair, and weaves like a dream. The first wares to be marketed are decorative, but as samples are sent to Pthero, there may be another innovation in the wings. This new, gentler, more refined aspect of the Dwarves is enhanced by their many advances in the culinary sciences, nay, Arts!

>Akkhar Dwarves cont.
The matriarch of the family, a staggeringly tall Dwarf at five foot two! and just as wide!, beams with pride as her children, grandchildren, even great grandchildren are set to be an elite above all others. With suggestions from the higher-ups of the Akkhar, she has the final say on who shall have the honour of marrying into the Jotgol family. After rearing, these offspring are trained by the best the volcanohome has to offer, sometimes a Gylden general, or Tarnic officer is allowed to observe, if they don't run their trap. Then, at still a tender age, they are sent on the long train ride to Simhyn, for further, er, training.

>>4336764
>Meluzina
This burst of fresh life raises the spirits higher than any other boon could, to taste fruit straight from the vine, or venison not smoked or salted, morale soars. Of course, much has to be stored for however long the storm lasts, and after a joyous harvest festival all get to work preserving the bounty granted them.
There is a reverence held for the Blessed, almost as saints. Requests come from only the truly needy, for all have an understanding that these still-young ones carry a heavy gift. The State's request is granted, mines are expanded, store-halls enlarged, new chambers made.

>>4336776
>B'yogi
(>>4336755) There is, it is found, a fine line between a good soldier and a dangerous beast. Soul-surgery is difficult, even for masters of the shadowy arts, to much of the right piece taken and a Dwarf becomes a being of pure spite bent only on destruction, which is only really viable in very niche scenarios. The wrong piece taken and a Dwarf becomes half-living, mindless, drooling. And if the whole soul is taken, well, it's messy is all the B'yogi will say, and not in one of the few good ways either. Of those sent to the Shadows, a good three of every ten does not return, but these are the risks taken in such a new field. This however is improving, as the soul is mapped, certain areas are the same of every soul, it is just a matter of squatness, roundness, Dwarf-iness; Making the preservation of that which makes one oneself far easier. There are still accidents, but on the whole fewer every try.
Trying to feed H'yomi shadow proves useless, but no one can say they didn't try! Advantage is taken of the final boon nature provides, but even this will not be enough. Taking hints from the Tidal, many new sea vegetables are planted in the flooded tunnels of the underground cities, fish ponds are dug, and trees with strange roots are imported from who knows where which give nutritional but foul-tasting fruit. Well, it's that or starve, H'yomi.

>>4336838
>Cravers
Under the shadow of the growing storm, the Raut'let are sent forth, their precious cargo held as tender as a beast can hold. The beating of their wings and chittering of their maws would be a maddening cacophony were they low enough to be heard. A few wyrms are scattered over the slipped land, a course of little meat, but oh, Renthum burns too bright, even in the sky the heat is immense, so the swarm heads south, to that unpronounceable Elven city, Coertyha. Here the wyrms will not gorily pop in the fire, but gorge themselves on the shelled corpse of the Voss. However this makes retrieval difficult, so many Men with so many eyes always staring about, and so many tongues with so many stupid questions.
The Underborn shifts, twitches, begins to move so full of life, it will not be long before it emerges from its cocoon? prison? womb? Every advance made, every hardship faced, every thought and action has led here. And soon it will head wherever it pleases.

>>4336839
>Tidal
It becomes rarer every day that a wooden Imperial ships is seen.
The last of the Soghoians has passed, may the anger they held in this life be relieved in the next. A monument to the dead, the Dragons, the Frogfolk, and even the Kalkahn who once called the Lazy River home is erected, the rubble cleared, and a day of reflection begun.

>Karnis
The mushroom farms of which the Ants are so rightly proud are expanded to a full operation in one of the massive caverns they had dug. With them is planted pilfered varieties of underground crops from the Ashen, mostly more mushroom kinds, and a stringy wheat-like plant which had been used solely for brewing, maybe the Ants could try their own hand at that.

DIPLO
>>4334626
The representative looks at the old map, squinting hard at it. "Well, this one 'ere is in Ant-land, Gods know what they've got 'idden away in their nests. And this 'ere is Cravic territory, y'all need a strong stomach to poke ya beak in whatever they're up to," he scratches his balding head, turning it and the map this way and that, "Now I ain't got a clue could be 'idin' in the 'uman Republic, 'specially in the middle o' nowhere."

>>4334724
(SCRUFFY!) The journey through the ancient Ashen thoroughfares is not a particularly pleasant one, for the Ants have sealed their own holdings of the old homeland with terrible doors of ragged flesh and jagged teeth, and from them veins of the stuff creeps outwards like some spreading corruption. They open for the Dwarves in disgusting welcome, revealing the great cavern once called Aeuntirgardun, and now named Cenotaph, perhaps rather more fitting for its new state. This is not to say the Karnis are neglectful of their ward, no no, it has certainly been once more raised to a beauty befitting the capital of the Mountain Dwarves, but it is a far more Formic beauty than before. Dragging his gawking retinue to the next fleshy door, Thudukk has little time for sight-seeing, for they are on a mission to save the remnant Kezgrat. The party is prepared for a repeat of the discovery of the last Dwarven tribe but is pleasantly surprised to see flickering light and hear hearty singing at the end of the tunnel. As it happens, the Kezgrat residing in what were thought to be the ruins of Fadtklot'dun have since thrived! Their city had been in union with the farming community at Vitka'railk, and after the Ashfall, it had taken very little time to re-establish the farms, mills, and most importantly, breweries. The Gylden are welcomed in like old family, after only a little crossbow aiming and good old-fashioned Ashen cursing.

END OF SCENE TWO.

>>4334724
A diplomatic envoy from the clan of amplect reaches out to the Volokalnz dwarves.
During the flesh war the clan of amplect with the support of lyrara warred against the flesh on the side of the dwarves and now upon hearing of a true successor state to the ashen they want to open up formal diplomatic relations in the name of old bonds which they would like to have lead to fruitful relations between us.

>>4338795

>Action 1: Rail Lines

The Gylden get back to railway engineering, for there seems to be a clamour for the railway in every corner of the nation and across many others as well. Although Ulzuntegdun is upon a sharply mountainous protrusion, the land just across the river from the town is not, so considered a better choice for a main line terminus on a track branching off from Gyldholm east - perhaps there could be a small shuttle-rail service with the proposed grip and chain-hoist track to get dwarves into the town? From there, we can run this line north past the isolated museum to Kalnzkag Kupkurg, then cross the border and head into the tunnel network to reach Vomvolokalnz - the Volokalnz may have founded a new nation outside the established borders of the Gyldenland, but they are still fellow Dwarves.

Another line is planned, this to run horizontally across the country. From Daitaz'gatjag it will run east to Æblekag, then Torz'vogaz and Kendt'koldrag then on to Vogazdun to finally give the 'belt' a direct rail connection. From Vogazdun it could then head into Tarnia to link with the network there... if the Tarn would be willing for another rail connection.
>Action 2: Sharp Sight
The Gylden Army sees the Vedrz'krigatorz as the instrument of war it is, and though a few traditionalists are always prone to over-dramatize - did they not for the crossbow, the sky-killer, the phostphate catapult, even the gaze? - all those previous innovations are now established and accepted. And such it will be with the Vedrz'krigatorz, in time. Some line divisions will get additional training of a Vedrz'krigatorz built to sit inside the mount of a Dwarven shield, the shieldwall of old now transforming into potent gun-line. But we will raise new divisions, too; these selected for their sight and marksmanship. Gylden sharpshooters, to specialize in bringing ordered death from a distance, free from the rage of direct battle. They will be given training grounds of their own, on land that has been considered fit for no other purpose.
>>4336776
>Diplomacy: Boo and Nomach
Have the two nations figured out their mutual border, the Dwarves ask? And where would be permissible for a line to run, where would one be wanted? There are Dwarves standing by, ready to work if the B'oo are ready to take action and decide where they want it to run too, and if the Nomach can find a route agreeable to them.
>>4336838
>Karnis and FHR as well but there's no previous post in the thread I think?
Diplomacy: FHR, Karnis and Cravers
The Cewri's quest now hinges on contact with the nations of the north, so picking up a pad of Tidal paper Rathi writes each a letter asking for their permission to visit for Jotte and himself. If they require further information for the reasons, of course they will be provided - indeed, if they find the rumored resources themselves and can make delivery, they might have saved a considerable trip!

>>4338900
>Diplomacy: Tidal Empire
The Invuld welcomes the envoy from the clan of Amplect with gifts of gold and ale. He is not certain how true a successor his state is to the Ashen, as he himself is very evidently a Gylden Dwarf, but he is doing what he can to restore some Dwarf civilization up here, in the mountains that had been the Dwarven people's since the beginnings of time. He welcomes the establishment of formal relationship with a people who had been allies in the old war.
>>4341807
>Diplomacy: Gylden
The Volokalnz are prepared to accept the railway, on two conditions. The first is that they only want a shuttle service between their town and Kalnzkagkupkurg - what the train does outside their territory is not of concern to the Volokalnz, but the service itself inside Volokalnz must be subject to their own oversight, not run on a whim from Gyldholm. The second is that they have seen the misters down south of their mountain, and they want one of their own to fill their halls with the aroma of ale.

(The Gylden Railway Company involved agrees to these terms, after some sighing and rolling of eyes)


>>4338806
>Diplomacy: Fadtklot'dun
Thudukk is thrilled to discover brother Dwarves, living and thriving in Fadtklot'dun. What are their claimed borders, they are asked? Do they still hold contact with the Tidals, with the Meluz? Thudukk tells of some innovations since the fall of the Ashen, of Steam and rail and burning powder, even showing them his ornamented Vedrz'krigatorz with a willingness to demonstrate it, if the Fadtklot'dun Dwarves wish to see and study. He is only too happy to fill them in with details about the world outside if they ask of anything.

>>4338795

With the lansiwr gwefr dyfnder made, ships and shore can utilize them to defend against whatever waits in the waves, not even hiding under the water will keep whatever Fanw forsaken thing is under there safe... However, the mortars tied into another idea. It was only natural that, in order to be a true threat to the people of Llychlyn and the rest of the world, whatever was in the sea would have to rise above it, which would require a different method of attack, and while the bow and arrow would be used and useful in such encounters, it was likely the creature would be massive, and as such, something larger and with more impact would be needed. So, why not utilize the knowledge Llychlyn had to further this area of expertise? For now the desired effect would be something that could shoot a solid projectile at very high speeds, but in the future, maybe it could be made more effective and be used as another way of delivering explosives to the target? Regardless, further work on a propellant would be done to aid in this endeavor, perhaps involving the Cotwm fflach, or goatwood as the dwarves called it. After all, at this stage Llychlyn had a decent supply of Sulfur from the Gylden and made at home, even if the former was a bit treacherous given the generally poor weather. With any luck, the work would be swift and finished soon enough all that focus could shift to a better explosive, and potentially a way to change the shot from solid to explosive. For then, all that would be needed is to set up major defensive structures, both in the colonies and at home, and prepare emergency shelters for civilians.

Hopefully Llychlyn has enough time...It isn't much longer Llychlyn has to prepare to be ready for this...Not too much longer... Fanw willing, Llychlyn will be able to come out of this mostly unharmed...

>Action One. Work on Canonau

>Action Two. Further work on a propellant explosive.

>>4338804
The Ze'Karo, unlike the Ze'Karn, have little in the way of individuality which is unnerving to even the uniform swarm. Each ant prides itself on its own being adding and contributing to that of others to make something greater than any individual could ever achieve alone. Yet these... creatures are cold, distant, and indifferent.To Nethazar they are like a cold breeze to the mind, eventually taking the form of a icy blizzard when gathered in large numbers. Even she has her limits. The Ze'Karo do offer one advantage, however. Their near zero individualism makes it relatively easy for Ze'Karn to transmit their will and instructions to small groups of these creatures. For the sake of her sanity, Nethazar intends to promote such operations.

Actions:
-With strange connection being passed on to the Ze'Karo, the Ze'Karn are guided and instructed by Nethazar on how to lead a concert of these creatures. Arming her initiates with the methods and techniques she's used during their own trials, she hopes that they will be able to lead these otherwise apathetic members of the swarm. Nethzar quickly learned that massing a concentration of these strange creatures could wreak havoc on one's own sanity, but perhaps if divided them into groups led by a few capable minds, the initiates would be able to manage the load of a few Ze'Karo enough to lead them effectively.

-Some of the Vossiks flee from their torn homelands to the only place left to them that feels vaguely familiar: the Swarm. These refugees have seen horrors and hardships that few would ever experience in their nightmares, yet sadly to some of their orphaned children, nightmares are the only places they'll ever be able to see the faces of their parents again. They can point fingers, the ants can point antennae, but all that matters now is housing these poor souls. Temporary housing is managed and erected for the Vossiks around the surface of the Catacombs. To them Nethula grants pity, and allows them to discuss among what leaders they have left. They may choose a territory of the Swarm's, and in it build a new city for themselves with aid from the Karnis.

Posted on behalf of the Cravers

1. A route is prepared to "lead" the Underborn to the west, lest it try to feed upon its brethren when the time comes.

2. Aid ants in fungus fun

>>4341807
>Glyden
The Gold Dwarves recieve their response in about a week, a pale soft vellum-like scroll bared by a Tarn courier that anxiously tries to leave as soon as possible.

>"Board a ship within your port of snakes, hailing a Tarnish flag within the next Tyrn, and you will be escorting where you must go, your giant friend will be forced pay a toll of his knowledge however. For everytyrn spent in research upon the Holy Isle, a price must be paid. "

The carved letters bleed in candlelight.

>B'yogi

One sunny day in the Land of Shadows, two Karnis that are stiffly walking along with a covered cart enter the B'yogi city of Jubilation, having sailed from the northern passage, and deep in a small gore-ship tailored for speed and secrecy, intent on avoiding wandering eyes.

The not-Karnis stumble into an alleyway, before great squelching noises reveal the ruze for what it was, Cravers wearing suits made of Karnis carapace, the excess flesh cast into the seat of the cart, and the canvas is pulled back by wet skinless hands, showing the gleaming blue of Turquoise sitting in open bone casks. They approach the nearest Shadow, gargling out Tarnish.

>"We have questions, and have brought payment for your expertise. We hope that we will find this time mutual beneficial. You make call us two Superior and Inferior, and we are here to discover the soul."

The Superior- the larger Craver with an age so great he has bone plates and spikes through his cranium, extends a hand towards the Shadow, seeking to feel its touch and lack of flesh .

>>4338795
Action 1: Sulfur miss is cultivated at harvested. The moss proves to have a twofold application: after the sulfur has been boiled out of them, the remaining moss can be cooked down into tasteless but edible gruel. Not terribly nutritious, but it’s enough to get the peasants through the winter.

Action 2: Link up the undercities.
I’m collaboration with the boo, the Tarnish Sorcerors Guild opens up passageways allowing free travel between the undercities of both nations. This should make refugee housing easier, though at the cost of a much expanded smuggling network.

>>4338797
Having achieved the ability for Dragons to soar higher than ever before... it is finally time to taste the great cheese in the Sky.

> Action 1: Preparations
An orbital Launch site is constructed at the Akkar Capital volcano. The site is chosen as the Volcano already stretches thousands of meters into the sky reducing how far the dragon needs to fly. The Dragon is also able to effortlessly for up at first on the Hot air rising from the Volcano. Lastly based off the experiences of the last flight improvements are made to the Orbital Suit allowing it to withstand the vacuum and ice-cold temperatures of Space.

> Action 2: Continue Moon Expedition preparations and LAUNCH

Hydrogen tanks for propulsion and oxygen tanks for breathing are prepared. One of the super Soldiers from the B'yogi is to go along with the Dragon to the moon. Everything which is needed is prepared. Supplies to get there and back, astronomers calculate the theoretical distance to the moon as well as some jars to bring back some of the Moon Cheese for taste testing.

>>4338900
The Akkhar Dwarves ask the Draconic state for support in the joint Space program.

>>4343792
>Diplomacy: Cewri (& Cravers?)
Rathi puts on tinted glasses to read the response to his letter, and the cravic statement on the writing-skin of a price. He doesn't -think- Jotte's destination lies upon the Cravic holy isle, but then he's not the one holding the map. This is for Jotte to decide, he ventures; but whatever he decides, Rathi vows to accompany his giant friend.

>>4338795
1. We preserve now we must heal. While it's good stop harm from happening, it becomes better when you fix what was broken. We will research soul healing. May this lead us to new paths.
2. The Cousin Ones are provingto be difficult to work with. If they do notwish to willingly obey us then they forced our hand. We will begin spreading the seed of doubt and fear into their while they sleep. Showing them nightmares of destruction, death, and their end. H'yomi naturally fight death, but what can they do against ideas?
>>4341807
It's a chaotic time, Short Ones, but we forsee new paths opening soon... For now, a maritime routes should satify.

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>>4343792
By the Three, new people have come to our home: exciting times! The B'yogi named C'hyumexes instinctively morphed into a abstract flesh form believing it ease the mind of the newcomers.

In a slight gibberish and squealing accent, it replied, "Ah, you bring the beautiful blue T'quor as gifts so you must be friends! You mustgo the Department of H'yomi Affairs. They lead you to the Temple of the Three to ensure your minds don't shatter, your flesh spliced and diced, and your souls eaten by D'gjoilpoks." People have said it exaggerates, but it thinks it's being polite. C'hyumexes leads Superior and Inferior to said building with a happy hop.

>>4344231
>Upon seeing the shade morph into flesh that seemingly has no rhyme or reason

The Superior throws it's hand back, tapping the Inferior on the shoulder, who quickly pulls out a bone tablet and begins scrawling notes. The elder Craver holds hands the entire time as they walk to the building, holding a candid conversation with the B'yogi on the nature of Tarnsmen, while speaking with a second mouth to the Inferior about the shifting biology and anatomy on his back.

>Upon arriving to the Department
The younger of the two presses a single small aqua stone into the flesh-shadows grasp and the pair turn towards the attendants in the building, many of the other patrons turning to look at them.

The creaking of the cart does not help the awkwardness.

Seeking the first important shade they see, they whisper.

>"We would like a private room before we discuss the sensitive nature of our visit."

>Assuming they and their turquoise laden cart are granted their wish.

The two flesh priests brandish a long list in front of the B'yogi, and the Superior reads it.

>"We of the Charnel Lands come seeking information with great trepidation. The nature at which we live and shape the world around us comes from our profound religioud devotion to the god of Above and Below, Grist'thromir. The very idea of self is sacrificed in his name. Do we possess seperate souls across the Flesh, or is it all One? We fear how this 'plucking' as it were, of these non-mortal essences, may interfere with our magics and creations; and wish to discuss and study to learn about possible defences against it. We have brought a payment and an offering for your graciousness as hosts."

Posted on behalf of the Meluz

>1: final evac measures
Warn those who have decided to stay that this is their last chance, as we will seal the Keep's doors at first sight of the tide. They will be welcomed into the keep with open arms, into safety from the coming storm. Once again, if they choose to stay, there's not much we can do, other than hope they change their minds before it's too late. Of course, if there are survivors, they could always try climbing the mountain.

>2: run an experiment
For a long time, the act of digging straight down in an attempt to see how far one can go has been seen as unsavory, and highly dangerous. However, with the acquisition of our blessed ones, we can't help but wonder what lies in the deepest depths.
In the open air, we conduct the blessed ones to dig a quarry that leads as far down as possible. They will be supervised in the construction of this quarry, so that none of them fall in on accident. Of course, if that happens, they could always stop their descent with platforms of stone, which jutt out from the walls.

>>4344556
The B'yogi agreed to give the Fleshy Ones a private room to discuss their secrets. H'yomi and their silly wants. The Department crew were greatly amazed with the shiny T'quor. About their request... Sharing soul research with strangers doesn't seem productive, but they did bring gifts And to experiment on the Fleshy Ones is too good to pass on!

They reply, "Your people aren't the first to ask about the souls and what they are. As the representative to the Council, we shall accept this task. But we must warn you it won't be easy nor pleasing to morals. We B'yogi have come a long way since our primitive understanding of souls and it will be a boon to research your souls. While we will fix the kinks to a official agreement, please enjoy yourselves in Jubilation! You may stay in the private room we have provided." The Fleshy Ones are legally allowed to travel to Simhyn but will be extremely monitored by the Watchers.

>>4345130
The Craver's thank their host's amicably, and begin drafting some questions and a thesis on the interaction between souls and magic. Taking residence in the private room, they use the spare flesh they brought with them to create a skin covered yurt, and routinely visit the market to buy live animals to be brought back for the consumption.

Some notable questions being namely...

>What happens to the souls of flesh taken from mortals and shaped into Charnel, is it released or trapped within?

>State of Cravic soul, and perhaps the Karnis (not gonna mention the Kharo around the B'yogi.)

>Can one harden their soul from outside interference?

>As the Craver shape flesh, can they mold the material form of a B'yogi, can B'yogi manipulate a Craver soul, and if so are there ramifications?

>Can the soul be shaped via the twisting of the flesh?

>>4343047
1.
Underborn's gestation nears completion, and a 'route' must be prepared for the young altar of Grist'thromir and his mortal Lord and followers. The hunger of the Walking City that Eats will likely be indiscriminate to some extent, by simple virtue of needing to atleast be consuming something as it marches forward. The fields south and west leading towards Renthum are ladden with Rover herds and Chern'bolg dragging rocks to help contain them, as road snacks before the actual prey.

2.
Assist the Karnis for a means of farming fungus, using what we already know. Perhaps attempting to see how the Kahro bodies perform when infested with fleshshrooms.

>>4345346

The B'yogi are more than happy to help with these questions that even confused them.

>>What happens to the souls of flesh taken from mortals and shaped into Charnel, is it released or trapped within?

Research has shown unless the body perishes, the souls cannot leave this plane of existence. Bodies are the anchors of souls to stay in this world and beyond. Without them, souls would never stay put in one place.

>>State of Cravic soul, and perhaps the Karnis (not gonna mention the Kharo around the B'yogi.)

We will need to begin a new experiment for that we're afraid. Will your people be willingly to sacrifice to learn?

>Can one harden their soul from outside interference?

We are working on ways to do such a thing. Despite their resilience, souls can be fragile things and there are many things that can harm or even destroy souls.

>>As the Craver shape flesh, can they mold the material form of a B'yogi, can B'yogi manipulate a Craver soul, and if so are there ramifications?

Silly Fleshy Ones, our shape-shifting is the way we see ourselves; our personality, our will to exist, and our power. A B'yogi without will is just a shadow without thought. For the second part of the question, we can. Our methods are a little unkempt right now, but progress is never made without a beginning.

>>Can the soul be shaped via the twisting of the flesh?

Like we first said, bodies are anchors. Even when you change the shape of it, it still can stop a ship from sailing away. That's not true the other way around though. When you change the shape of a soul you will change the shape of the body for we have discovered souls are the body's "blue prints" in a way.

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SCENE THREE

Again, many apologies for my terrible tardiness.

[D] The first surge is immense. The sea washes over the frozen lands, drowning anything in it's path; Mines are flooded, much of Castellpwyntrhew is wiped off the map, every facility at the re-education camps of the Akkhar is contaminated with saltwater. The wind bites deep into the skin as north as Lunedannedd and Æblekag. Any ship unlucky enough to be sailing 'round the peninsula is likely capsized, crew thrown into tempestuous and freezing waters. The Snake-Men retreat into their hole in the mountain, perhaps they are the most sensible of all.

>Vossik
The Karnis are gracious in their gifts. Around the new town of Formata Voss fields are ploughed, beans, cotton, and even a few crops the Ants may request are grown to support it. There is still great mourning for the loss of Renthum, which only grows as new construction begins on the desecrated land. Hatred for the Men of Andreth has never been greater, nor more vocal.

>>4341807
>Gyldenthrong
The new lines are warmly welcomed by all. The Belt stretches from the docks of Daitaz'gatjag to the markets of Vogazdun effortlessly, with the issue of crossed rails being easily solved in both Æblekag, by using a ground level platform under the existing elevated station, and Torzvogaz, by tunnelling a ways, including giving Kendt'koldrag its own underground stop. As for the north, the line takes the steepest curve ever built just to make a stop at the famous breweries there, the King himself wouldn't have it any other way! The 'Volo-Climb', as it is sarcastically called, is installed along the edge of the tunnel leading between the two kingdoms, a great thumping Gylden engine at each end to constantly cycle the chain lifting carriages upwards.
The Vedrz'krigatorz Range is nestled into the relatively empty hill-land at the base of Sigod's Spine, where the crisp air easily dissipates the smoke, and perhaps more importantly there will be little complaint of all the noise.

>>4342080
>Llychlyn
It is a simple matter design-wise, trickier in manufacture, but done so with remarkable efficiency. A longer bore, a hatch, a little tweak here, another there, and the first Magnelau is rolled out of the shop. Shot of otherwise impractically large iron or lead can be fired with ease, a fearsome weapon if ever there were one.
(>>4343898) Cotwm fflach is a marvellous thing, one for which the Children of Fanw are grateful to the Akkhar. In the joint-, if rather cramped, research facility where the stuff is made, new experiments are trialled most days. It is in these experiments, utilising materials procured from the Dwarven homeland that perhaps the final solution is found. The process is long and delicate, involving boiling acids, various distilled ingredients, and a disregard for one's safety. It is named Powdr Corrach, or Powdr C, in honour of the Akkhar. (Poudre B)

>>4342378
>Karnis
It is with a grudging, draining indifference that the Ze'Karo can be made to do as asked. They, of course, all the while scream for their release from this plane requiring that only three or four of them be gathered at once. When it comes to the task of telepathic relay, the Kahro creatures are a noisy, but still usable connection.
Kosts spring up around the outer walls of The Catacombs, a community of those Elves most comfortable with the Ants. For those who had until that point had little contact with the Karnis, and therefore are a little more guarded, the offer of a small patch of land on which to build a new voss is greatly appreciated. In the dry plains, far from the reach of Men, they build for themselves the town of Formata. Here they plant crops and raise young ones. They have little to give to the Ants, but offer up their expertise in farming and passion for the beautiful.

>>4343845
>Tarn
The pumps of Outer Soghoia are surrounded by rings of the sulphur-moss, greedily supping the otherwise trapped sulphur of the marshes. Harvest of the stuff is tedious, being mostly performed by Vossik refugees. After the sulphurous component has been removed, the resultant slurry is boiled down, thickened with flour and for the very lucky flavoured with something other than heapings of salt, then given to the truly desperate as really a food substitute.
(>>4344199) Shadowstepping is a dangerous practice for one not of shadow-nature, taking a Man truly gifted in magicks or with little respect for his own sanity to attempt such a feat. Of course, with B'yogi help "construction" of a portal connecting the undercity of Xycthos to the undercity of Jubilation is relatively painless, though this is not the difficult part. One not entirely focused on the task of travel may easily become lost in or to the planes-in-between, or else find himself totally mad. Even the precious few of those with true fortitude of will can perform the ritual unharmed by the process; A Man may easily take a decade or two off his life with frequent "steps". But madness and loss of life is of little import, when there is money to be gained.

>>4343898
>Akkhar
(>>4338900) Preparations for the highest flight ever performed are completed only slightly over-budget and late, though of course at a quality to be expected of a Dwarf. Depaun are tested rigorously to be able to withstand the expected hardships of whatever hangs above the firmament of the sky. As well as for the strength required to carry their equipment, a Dwarven explorer, and the Dwarf's equipment. That's one strong Dragon for sure.

>Akkhar Dwarves cont.
With a toast of the strongest wine and stinkiest cheese, the launch begins. A Dragon stands at the edge of the pad, ready for the countdown. An old master of the ancient shouting-arts cries out; Five! Four! Three! Two! One! The laden Tidal sprints towards the updraught of the volcano, something he has done countless times in training, but now it is the real thing... Higher, higher, higher he soars, taking in a breath from his tank already in the thin air. Clank! Click! Whoosh! He sets off his rocket, hurtling himself and his fat companion out of sight. The Dwarves far below cheer the tiny orange flash signifying a successful ignition. Now they must wait for the two pioneers to come down with samples of that precious, luscious, delicious, Moon!

>>4344199
>B'yogi
Oh to heal something as precious and delicate as a Soul! Unlike the flesh it cannot heal on its own, only through the intervention of one trained in the matter. Souls may be 'stitched' together avoid holes, but they possess no regenerative properties to speak of; A jagged cut will remain a jagged cut. Thankfully souls do not bleed as flesh does! The scraps of soul from other worked-upon H'yomi are tried to fill in gaps, but this has results too gruesome even for the Shadows to tell of. Once a B'oo has worked upon a soul, their work is their to stay; At least until the subject expires at least.
The seeding of nightmares is a relatively simple practice with many methods; quick glances out of the corner of the eye, sounds only one hears, vision-implanting, and so many others! The most effective is the most direct, generating the nightmares straight into the minds of sleepers. However, with so many set on the task, this broadcast is just that, broad. Dark Ones, Garnish, even the more planegrounded among their own begin to complain of restless nights. The Dark Ones of their own country have set up a new town across the river, and welcome the B'yogi join in the joy of the land with them. This confuses the Shadows, as it is mostly the purple Elves, not the pink ones that settle. Perhaps something has changed whilst the B'oo weren't watching.

>>4344737
>Meluzina
Few who hear the desperation in the voices and see the fear on the faces of those sent to evacuate those who remain outside of Castor's Keep decide theirs is a burrow they will die in. It is perhaps only a dozen in each city who ignores these pleas, who once all others have fled take to the most base of instincts, looting the little left behind, setting fires, running rampant over their empty domains. The doors of the mountain are shut tight, sealed with extra rubber, and the long wait begun. (With some exploration, it would be found that CK connects to other communities living deeper in the Ashen ruins)

>Meluzina cont.
In the valley between the mountains their task is performed. Inch by inch the ground is moved from their path. Not far in their journey is found a supply of tin ore, but this is not what was sought. Deeper. Deeper they travel, a Gylden engine being brought in to power an elevator for them. Soon less savoury discoveries are made, pockets of dizzying gas, intense heat, and overwhelming pressure, one of the Gifted claims it as if she is being stepped on whilst in a bread-oven. The project must be called off after reaching a height of almost a dozen Meluz stood head to tail, as worries mount in the steadily increasing temperature and forces of the surrounding stone upon the very air inside it. Visions of Castor's disapproval swim in the heads of some.

>>4345550
>Cravers
A swathe of jungle is uprooted, leaving a marshy trail for Underborn to traverse. The route is then peppered with corralled of Rovers and penned-up Chern'bolg. It shall so very soon become necessary.
What aid can be offered in the construction of mushroom farms is done so, though other fungal matters are at hand. Kahro have been an integral part of the Union of Flesh for uncountable tyrns, but even friends must sometimes be sacrificed to the cause. On a rare windless day, the Spore'Lung is activated at reduced capacity, the cloud funnelled towards a gathered mass of Worms. They are of course, as much as is possible, made comfortable in the research endeavour. Being so physiologically different from anything that crawls upon Sigod, it is unsure how long it will be until the literal fruits of the labour will be seen. (Mention it in your next post for the result, or I just know I'll forget)

DIPLO
>>4341807
(>>4344199) The B'yogi Situation has been settled only very recently in fact, with joint control over the land on the Nomach side of the once-dividing river. The Shadows for their part seem to see the place as a wild hinterland, dangerous and exciting, whilst the Dark Elves see it only as a simple farming region. The railway may pass through the coastal territories into Simhyn, with the added caveat that neither farmland, nor the protective earthworks be affected by the thing.

>>4344096
(>>4343792) Jotte looks at the now very well worn map, 'No,' he thinks, 'it is on the continent.'. But undoubtedly there are things the Cravers know which the adventuring pair do not, perhaps a visit even to the mainland holdings of the Flesh is restricted. Still, for the elixir he seeks he will gladly share all he knows with Cravers, if they would be so kind as to answer some questions of his own.

>>4341841
The Ashen of Fadtlot'kun are impressed at just how far the Dwarven race has come, though there is sadness in their voices. They have come to appreciate what had been lost in the rise of the Ashbeard Invulden, a love of the simple, uncomplicated life. To tend the cave-crops, to raise the young, to sing praise in His fiery name. As for borders, they say they keep only what the light reaches, which is to say very little, for there are few to bother them here. They are only vaguely aware of the Karnis in the capital, and rather un-Ashen-like are not particularly indignant at such. The Meluz, the Tidal, even the Gylden had been old memories, stories of old, myths even to the newer generations. There is a worry however that these younguns will now venture to see what wonders await in the overworld, but these old Dwarves are happy here, they would not trade their lives for a thousand barrels of ale.

END OF SCENE THREE.

>>4346657
>>4333082
1.
The Grand Transplant carries on, the final stages soon to be completed, and the Underborn soon to tear out from it's womb.

2. Another spore storm released west, also check the Kahro shrooms.

>Diplo
>Glyden
The Giant and his Gold companions are allowed escort, and their questions shall be answered once the minor panel of questions for the Giant are completed, namely ranging from...

>How many pounds of food did your people eat per day?
>Length of pregnancies, frequency
>Common illnesses/allergies
>Skull measurements, and dental map.

Should the Giant consent, he is asked for a drop of blood.

>B'yogi

The next morning, born on more subtle gore-ships, arrive a team of 10 young Cravers, having just completed their Shaper trials in Neverborn, not yet priest's. The Superior asks to oversee and be on standby for the experiments and studies, and that we begin with the least invasive first.

>>4349384

>Action 1: Neighborly Connections

With tentative agreements for a new overland line across Wyrum and the Nomach lands to Simhyn, and an underground line through tunnels up into the mountains to Vomvolo'kalnz, the Mujroden railway company gets working on these new railway lines to further connect the lands and peoples of Sigod.
>>4351694
>>4349389
>Diplomacy: Cewri/Cravers

With escort allowed, Rathi accompanies Jotte where he needs and wishes to go. The questions are Jotte's to answer (at least, he doesn't think any were directed his way) and ask; he is mostly just here to support his Giant friend.

>>4349384

> Action 2: Egged on
During the time of their possession of the mountains, the Vossik had let the lands go wild rather then building a single Kost in the expansive territories. The Dwarves of the Volokalnz had wondered why, but the few dwarves who risk the surface to graze their goats start finding the losses to wild beasts mounting as they move their flocks into some of the further reaches of the mountains. It appears to the Dwarves that the land had been left wild to attract a growth of the Griffon population. Whilst there is a call by some to bring the Drthakrig up into the mountains, the Invuld of the Volokalnz states a different course. Griffons nest in caves, and the mountain is riddled with many old Ashen tunnels and workings that would form or connect to the network of mountain caves. If Dwarves were to open up these old tunnels and spray a mist of an inebriating ale up into the Caverns, Dwarves could then emerge and lay claim to Griffon eggs whilst the adults sleep off their inhebriations - perfect for hauling them back to hatch new youngsters under Dwarven supervision, for eventual taming and riding.


>>4349389
Diplomacy: Fadtlot'kun
Thudukk nods. The Fadtlot'kun have a nice life here, and not he or any of the Volokalnz would wish to break that; though Ashen have never been known for wishing to leave their mountain homes, so there might be less trouble then they fear. Whilst he is open to resumption of contact and trade, he is also perfectly happy to play keeper to their secret, should he wish. If the Fadtlot'kun Dwarves choose to remain secluded, and block off their tunnel once he leaves; he vows that he would never tell a soul unless other means come to breach their isolation. The only warning he has is that others might still try to reopen the old tunnels; be they Karnis ants or Meluz...

>>4349384

With tremendous storm comes tremendous cost. While Llychlyn's progress had been grand, and such new weapons would aid in the defense of Llychlyn against whatever came from the waves, there was three things that needed to be done to ensure the survival of Llychlyn. Further coastal defenses, shelters protected from wave and water tight, and soldiers and sailors ready for whatever this storm follows. Seeing the tremendous waves that struck the south and the distance that the flooding came with it, specialized structures would be made in most hillsides near settlements. Ones with special doors made to be water tight. In them, stores of food would be supplied, as would as much literature and knowledge as possible. Any Dwarven crop known to be able to grow under the ground would be taken and seeds of the stuff added into these stockpiles. These places would house the people of Llychlyn when the worst hits the island. And, should the military fail, would be the last line of defense and bastion of hope for Llychlyn's people. The hope being that once the waves had finally retreated, the storm finally fading and the waves growing calm, the people could return to the surface and rebuild.

However, regardless of what happens, more defenses against the waves both at home and in the colonies were needed. And not just in the sea, but on land as well seeing just how far the waves could go. In the defense of Llychlyn, every clan, from the recently heavily hit Wynn, to Tudor, to Howell, would do what was needed to ensure that as much of Llychlyn could survive this disaster...These waves were only the first after all, and while their sea based defenses held this time, they'd weaken with further waves battering against them, and it was better to be safe and spend further effort than make a fatal, foolish mistake. After all, it was key that no other suffers as Clan Wynn had, as while many of clan Wynn still alive, at least a fourth of them were no longer, as Castellpwyntrhew, the port that Clan Wynn wished to turn to a castle in the future, was practically destroyed, and the survivors needless to say taking what belongings and dead they could before abandoning it to head to the north and safety...Once all of this was over, maybe Castellpwyntrhew could stand once more...

>Action One. Watertight Shelters.

>Action Two. Further Coastal Defenses against the waves.

>>4349387
> Action 1&2: Secret Bunker
Set up self sufficient underground bunker hidden from everyone known only by the leadership. Have willing dwarf families live there, make it like an Arc to survive the comming of the Kraken. (Dorfs think world will end)

Action 1: The Grand Statue
The statue that the ancient Tarns foresaw begins to take shape in the capital.
Action2: The Great Memoir
The Tarns begin to draft the most comprehensive history of the world ever written. Testaments from every great nation are gathered and synthesized into an enormous compendium stretching across the eons.

>>4349384
1. B'yogi are shrieking with much glee! So many H'yomi to experiment on, but so little time. But we must continue on. We will start the soul experiments on the Fleshy Ones. They are a hive mind; their minds meld as one, but do they individual souls? Are they weak against mass attacks of the mind and soul? Can they made stronger? Do their deities exist?
2. We wish to dabble in thd abstract again. It's been so long to shape things without shape. We will conduct experiment on the minds of the H'yomi.
>>4351694
They are most welcome to stay and see.

>>4349387
>1: Shed Paper
In the depths of castor's keep, we need something to write on, other than planks of wood, or slabs of stone. Over the course of our stay in this land, we have found that other nations have used their own forms of a thing called "paper". It's thin, white, and one can write on it.
This gave us an idea.
Our shed skin is about a [unit corresponding to centimeter] thick. For most reptiles, that's thicc as fu- erm... It's really thick.
In order to make shed paper, we first need to clean it. Shed skin is like a drain cover to what lies underneath. It collects filth and grime to the point where one takes it off and starts anew. As such, shed skin is filthy, but that doesn't mean it can't be cleaned.
After the skin is cleaned, we press it down. Scales aren't easy to write on, rattler scales especially. They must be pressed heavily, evenly, and gently, so as to not create any excess particles.
Once the paper has been pressed thinly enough, it can be bound to a spine, or sold in packs. Really, it's paper. One may do whatever he wants with it, even if he might not have something to write with.

>2: something to cheer them up
Our people who have migrated to the keep need something to keep their spirits high in this time of great confinement. The blessed ones are tasked with forming a great under-ground arena with their stone-molding powers. The arena's main area of play is meant to be nothing more than a flat plane, which will allow us for customization in the future. The seating will ring around the arena's edge, and allow spectators of all shapes and sizes to come in and enjoy the show.

So what's hosted here? Potentially, it could be anything. Playwrights may find themselves comfortable in the full 360 degrees of viewing, though sections of the seating may be limited for hosting plays of smaller sizes. It would be like our old public stage, but with a little more in store. The arena allows for us to bring in equipment of all sorts, including setups meant to mimic the most ruthless and unforgiving battlefields never conceived by Castor, nor the living creatures who walk his sacred ground. complete fantasy, and yet, when two warriors enter combat under such conditions, it becomes all-too real. Of course, gladatorial combat is all for sport. No one's going to die. Think of it as advanced fencing, with a bit of showmanship. It takes a lot of physicality to navigate our elaborately constructed battlefields, made from winding wooden structures and beams. Better yet, those complicated structures can always be dismantled and re-used when hosts feel as though they're needed. Re-arranged in any configuration our minds can conjure, these assets are more than valuable to the public's crafty boredom.

>>4349385
Nethazar monitors the progress of her initiates. They had managed to hold back their twisted sisters' desires but the mental toll is high on those ill prepared. Few were driven as insane as those they dared to command, and soon they too sought sweet release. Yet those with the fortitude manage to keep them in line, and as one connected body manage to act in symphony. Nethazar recognizes the great potential this holds, but equally the danger that comes with it. For now though she will allow her followers to further their training before pressing them on to new heights.

Actions:
-The swarm has known a period of peace that it once thought would never return to them. Yet even in these calm times can they ill afford to be prepared, for the warnings of the Queen still echo in the minds of nobility, and innovation must once more take place. The acidic content of the ant's social stomach is indeed a potent weapon, but previous wars proved there is value in being the first to strike. A new instrument is commissioned, a tube which would allow soldiers to spit the content of their stomachs over greater distances with precision. The smiths of the Swarm get to work, constructing various prototypes made from the various species of trees found on the surface, while forging light pipes out of iron. Hollow darts are fashioned as well, to allow an ant to fill it with acid so that it may penetrate more armored targets which dissolves shortly after piercing.

-Nethula may spend much of her time underground, but unlike her Mother she has a greater appreciation for the natural world above. Animal husbandry is not an alien concept to the swarm, but she wonders what other relationships there stands to be gained from the denizens of the great garden above. She tasks her scholars with a survey, to round the various animals that walk the land and to study them.

>>4341841
The dwarves are thanked for their diplomacy, may this rekindled fire last for all time!
>>4343900
The current Lyraran administration has little interest in this program. But other parties are interested and pledge their support.
>>4349389
Action 1:
Rework ashen designs in order to produce the first waterborne micro engines. Based on the designs of larger vessels these engines can be effectively repaired and attached to dragon sized fishing boats in order to allow for smooth sailing.
Action 2;
Rework the factorial furnaces and supply chain in order to start selling macro metallic constructs. Mainly metal boats as they are known for being more effective with the new engines than older wooden ones. Sell them mainly around the islands but also offer them up in foriegn lands

Posted on behalf of the FHR

1. Continue rebuilding/fortifying
2. Shell Tyrhen Voss

File: Map74.png (607 KB, 2048x2628)

607 KB PNG

SCENE FOUR

[D] The tide is high over every coast, even the Cravers safe on their northern isle feel it. The rain never ceases, rivers & ditches, drains & sewers, fill and flood the streets. The wind howls so that one cannot hear one's own thoughts. Terror comes most every night, dreams of the ruin of once mighty kingdoms, of submerged mountains, of a watery grave. Over the sea, a dark shape looms. It will be no more than a tyrn before whatever it is out there finally, fatally, descends upon Sigod. Gods save us.

>Vossik
The Barbarians have not advanced eastwards as of yet, and there is a great sigh of relief from all Elezen. Life begins to return to some form of normalcy, new kosts spring up all over Karnis lands, in exchange for farmed foods, intricately crafted goods, and all other manner of tasks and trades for which mandibles and antennae are less suited. It is not the glory of the mountains, but it is peaceful at the very least.

>>4351694
>Cravers
With the transplant of the few remaining city-organs from Neverborn, the capital is reduced to little more than a Raut'let nest. But the sacrifice of the old gives birth to the new, as Underborn is flooded with life. Tremors ripple through the earth, shaking The Crypts and the surrounding Tuki pens, loosening dirt from every tunnel ceiling. With everything in place, veins sprouting through the beast, the Lord of Flesh need only give the word.
(west was supposed to be east) The weather is watched diligently, waiting for it to turn in favour of the Flesh. At last, on an especially dark day the wind changes, blowing the clouds east. As before the rods are lowered, the Spore'Lung activates, sending a deep-red cloud bursting with spores over Meluzina.
The Kahro, creatures who thrive on the flesh of the dead, react far better to fleshroom infection than any other subject. With the caveat that Wormlings alone fair terribly, being colonised and then eaten alive by the 'shrooms until almost nothing is left but a dry husk. Established Worms however claim only a mild discomfort. Wicked ideas float through the minds of the attendant Cravers, of Kahro swarming with fleshrooms crawling through darkened streets, depositing their cargo, waiting for them to grow and spore all on their own.

>>4353753
>Gyldenthrong
(>>4354548) Lines are built, stations are opened, and as work is to begin bringing railway to Simhyn the Shadows have a change of heart(?). Workmen are stopped at the border wall, and informed current trade is sufficient. When told of the worsening seas, the steep mark-ups of land routes, of the benefits of this connection, the B'yogi remain steadfast. The rail stops short, a final stop on the edge of the farmland of Zhdek.

>>4353866
>Volokalnz
The stinginess of the Elven offer so long ago is still grumbled about today, but with the Elves now displaced there is no need for their permission to collect the bounty of the land, or the skies for that matter. Ancient Ashen tunnels are cleared, new connections made, artificial ledges and crevices carved. It will soon be egg-laying season, for already Gryphons descend from their heavenly haunts to build nests in the marginally warmer climes. With only a few losses, the Dwarves manage to sedate the parents and abscond with their treasures, eggs almost the size of themselves! They are warmed in nest-boxes awaiting the hatching of little Gryphon babes. The screeching of their loss echoes all over the mountains.

>>4354134
>Llychlyn
Bunkers and shelters are dug into the earth, sealed away from disaster. From the inside any gaps are filled with resin and ground stone, forming a watertight seal. It is unfortunately too late to gather Dwarven seeds, it would be suicide to venture into the Glyndon Sea. Llychlyn must stand alone as a fortress against whatever comes her way. Fanw keep them.
High walls in the bay of Lunedannedd break the force of the waves, earthworks built to divert water from farmland and hunting grounds. The forests of fir and pine help against the sea in their own right.

>>4354215
>Akkhar Dwarves
Choice few families are informed of the project, and of their selection to be saved. They cannot say where they are going, they may only take what they can carry. Dwarves have worked diligently, silently on a series of bunkers deep within the mountain. Sealed doors, upwards and downwards curves to trap water, underground farms of old-Ashen crops, a pipe of sea water to be desalinated when needed. Rooms are already set up for the families to move in, all the same size, rations explained. They are here until after the world has finished ending, to rebirth the Akkhar as the new world order.

>>4354232
>Tarn
The resources are pooled from all over Sigod and beyond. Jewels, precious stones and metals, pearl, tortoise shell, sculptors, painters, artisans too. No expense is spared for it shall be as if the very Gods themselves stand upon the earth. Three enormous slabs of marble are quarried, requiring the aid of a Gylden engine to move them, then the rough shape of each form is hewn, and then perfected in the specially erected studio. The plinth too must be a marvel, telling in relief the history of the Tarn on the octagonal base, from squabbling tribes to the mighty kingdom as it stands, with the eight panel left as rough-cut stone, a memento-mori of sorts. Metalworkers forge adornments for the statues, goldsmiths work their craft to coat areas in leaf, gem-carvers cut cabochons and cameos. When at last the monument is complete, the master sculptor in a religious fervour takes off his own right hand so that never again a work may compare to it.

>Tarn cont.
As the materials are gathered so too are stories. History, folk tale, legend, and religious myth, all greedily taken down. Folios arrive in dribs and drabs, collated down to individual volumes. The grand work totals a staggering 126 of these volumes, each with at least 100,000 words. It is said the weight of them all must be supported on stone it is so immense.

>>4354548
>B'yogi
(>>4351694) On their tables lie three different Cravic forms; A simple Craver, a mass of flesh and eyes, a Flesh-Priest, an elongated thing of similar quality, and a Rut'ra, one of their rebirthed creations. There, 'round the stone slabs, the B'yogi prepare themselves. Smoky incense is lit, turquoise beads are scattered, and the ritual is begun. Outright the Rut'ra is discarded, though it is remade in the image of the Flesh, it is just a beast as any other, soul-lacking. It is staggeringly difficult to locate any hint of a soul in either of the two Cravers, there are flashes caught of something soul-like, but it is like chasing a fly in a darkened room. It is almost as if, it is running from them. The efforts are redoubled, this soul-alike will be pinned down and studied. Through the planes and phases the thing is stalked, always a step ahead of the Shadows, always just out of reach. A new emotion impacts the B'oo, exhaustion. They must halt their experiments whilst they recover. As for the Cravers final question, of the reality of their God, the B'yogi can only offer their truth, the only real gods are The Three, all others are just underlings.
Mindmelding had long been a subject of debate among a certain circle of scholars at Insight, for the B'yogi understood that some things are too fragile to even talk about, chief of which being the H'yomi mind. Still, it has been joked that the motto of the Shadows is "meddle til you can't meddle no more", and they haven't even begun to meddle yet! The first tests begin on the minds of healthy, willing, volunteers, taken from Jubilation. They are given the customary comforts of those undergoing new procedures, and informed the Shadows will merely be observing. Once more the rituals for finding the immaterial are begun, burning incense, chanting, shadow-dancing. Dark hands hover over the head of the Garnish one in the chair. Hmm. Nothing as yet. The hands gently lay on the skull. Zipping and zapping pathways blurily come into 'view'. The hands venture inside the mind of the H'yomi and.. oops. His eyes dart wide, he begins to scream, convulse his body uncontrollably. Another to be sent to Asylum. (New 'misc' building added to store those made mad by B'yogi hands, name is up to you though, alternative ideas were Sanctuary or L'oon)

>>4354561
>Meluzina
Pleading bangs on the sealed copper doors fill the entry of Castor's Keep with noise, sobbing, begging, torrential rain pour add to the din. For outside a cloud of blood has drifted from the mountain tops, showering those poor foolish wretches with its foulness. A hacking cough begins. Soon more will come to hammer at the metal, from Megálo and Dynatós.
The pressed shed can also be treated with a solution of wood-ash to diminish the translucence of the untreated shed-paper. There are some who find the practice not only distasteful but downright disgusting. But others claim it is really no different to the already accepted velum and other hide-papers in use.
The amphitheatre is the largest space the Blessed have ever created, taking most all of their strength to complete. Teams with chisels are sent in to do the finishing work, smoothing any edges and the like. In preparation for it, the once Megálos philharmonic have regrouped to write a new, inspiring piece to be the first performance. It is a soaring piece of music, utilising ever instrument they brought with them, including the Rattlers' tails, a choir of forty Meluz, and for the finale a small amount of smuggled gunpowder will be set off!

>>4354734
>Karnis
A tall, woody grass growing in the Flesh held jungle is found perfectly fitting, growing fast and hollow it can be grown to diameter and cut as needed (bamboo). Without Cravic assistance, the Karnis lung capacity is very much wanting, however these blow-pipes can be worked with bellows, as many other Ant endeavours have been, though they are a little cumbersome. Perhaps those Elves would be willing to help.
The rainforest and marsh over their nests has long been, underutilised. But why? asks Nethula. Had the Queen's Joy not originated there, the Reezwa, the Tuki birds, the Flesh which raised the Sable to the Karnis? What else may be hidden in plain sight? Ants are therefore sent to scour the surface-world for whatever walks upon it. Or crawls. Or squirms for that matter. Much of what lives above ground is skittish prey, requiring the Karnis to sit and wait for animals to wander through. The first beings the Ants spy are birds of countless variety, all manner of shape and colour, but they fly from any who try to catch them. Next, slimy and scaly creatures in shades of green and yellow, that hop about or skitter, even one with no legs! Third is plethora of insect life, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, far too numerous to catalogue. Then are spied two great prizes, the first seen chasing off the second. The predator is not too dissimilar from the kos'tr but with four legs and a long tail, though unlike the Craver's pets their snouts are needle-like ending in a bulbous nose (gharial). The prey is a small deer-like creature, similar to ones described by Elves in the past, but with two ridiculous fangs protruding from its maw (musk deer). More is likely to be seen if the Ants wait and watch for them.

>>4354792
>Tidal
Stripping away all but the bare essentials leaves the Dragons with a much lighter, if slightly more temperamental engine. Disassembly allows for the necessary pieces to be scaled down tremendously, down to the size of the two new volumes of the Teachings of Obadinia! These can be used on personal vessels, fishing dinghies and the like.
Built on the high standing rock, the Factory can watch out over the worsening seas and still remain safe, for now. Huge quantities of ore and fuel are brought in to be worked, and equally huge quantities of hull-parts, metal struts, etc..

>>4355818
>FHR
From high in unclaimed peaks come nightly screams, which some liken to quote, "a mother being stabbed in her belly with a red hot poker".
Renthum & Coertyha are rebuilt to Human standards, gone are the myriad distinct towers, replaced with defined streets and row houses. Much of the lower woods are felled to supply the timbers, for Men are not willing to live in cold and draughty lots, heated only by a coal brazier. More is purchased from the Hacmosi, owners of enormous reserves, for the effort in Coertyha. Many however are loathed to use these old, Elven, names, petitioning for more fitting, Human, names instead.
(>>4354734) Men, fresh from the shelling of Coertyha, are sent through the Pass to begin their assault on the remaining strongholds of the Elezen. However it is in this narrow crossing between east and west that they are stopped by an unusual sight, or rather, a usual thing in an unusual place. For here in the mountains swarmed Karnis Ants, unwilling to allow the Men of the west to pass. There is understandable confusion on both sides. (You're going to have to diplo this one out)
(You still need to diplo me about contested FHR-Nomach lands)

DIPLO
>>4351694 >>4353753
The Giant is slow to answer, mulling over each question as it it asked. He must talk through Rathi, his companion, for the only Tarnic he speaks is the newly acquired "Become fit as a Giant! Sefna's Apothecary now opening in town!" though he merely says the sounds, without knowing their meaning. As to the questions of the Flesh, his answers come methodically, again after long pondering;
>"Two good sized plains-rats a day each, a nice fat fish too when they came to spawn. Fruit in the autumn, and dug tubers in winter."
It is clear the Cewri ate barely enough to survive, that is until the Dwarves welcomed them into the Gyldenthrong. Rathi adds that now they eat their fill, for they help the Dwarves whenever they ask, it is probably between ten and fifteen pounds of food a day, mostly as barley bread, goat-meat, goat-cheese, and ale.
>"Oh, goodness, almost a full tyrn I'd say, as long as the baby needs really. And it's no good trying for another until the babe is a good five or six tyrns of age."
Rathi adds of his own knowledge, that a female Cewri will only ever carry five or six pregnancies to term even over their vast lifetime, as the Gods seems it fit for birth to be more traumatic for the Giants than it is for Men or Dwarves.
>"Aches and pains, aches and pains."
Here Jotte is very vague, though not purposefully so. His Dwarven companion expands upon the very short list. Young Giants are really only at threat of their own bravado, broken bones, black eyes, and the like, though as they age time takes a great toll upon them. (using modern terms for clarity) Arthritis, Dementia, Osteoporosis, Blindness, Deafness, Incontinence, all are basically inevitable, though not always in that exact order.
>The Giant allows the Cravers to take his measurements, giving a circumference of (equivalent to) 34 inches!
As for the blood, he is willing, as long as the Flesh grants him what he is seeking in their mainland holdings.
(Jotte will ask his own questions next update, once I've thought of some)

>>4353866
The last of the "true" Ashen ponder Thudukk's words, trade would mean variety, change, and with it however maybe upheaval. They could not in good faith deny such opportunity to those who wish for it, but the new often does away with the old. More, even if they were sealed away, as this Gylden has said, who is to stop others from breaking those seals? The Elders excuse themselves to talk in private, inviting the group to browse the market, say a prayer at one of the many shrines, or simply enjoy the calm with a mug of something. By the time the Elders return, the fire is low indeed. "We shall open ourselves to you, and you alone, our Brother Dwarves, on the condition that our place not be marked on your maps, that our names not be spoken, that our world remains hidden."

END OF SCENE FOUR.

ADDENDUM

>>4354215
>Akkhar Dwarves
(>>4354792) The party for their return begins an hour before their scheduled arrival. Top officials and head scientists of both nations gather to sample Dwarven delicacies and welcome the intrepid explorers home. As the water clock reaches the hour, a gong is sounded and all await with baited breath for the pair to glide safely down. They wait. The water clock gongs another hour gone. Still they wait. The water clock runs out as the sky darkens. Still they have not returned. The party dissipates, clearly the two are enjoying the lunar surface far too much to return just yet. The next morning farmers in the hills discover the stiffly frozen corpses of a giant Lizard and a fat Dwarf in strange garb, the pub locals don't believe them.

>>4356093
As the farmer returns to the bar to tell his fellows of what he saw ADB (Akkhar defense bureau) agents already retrieve the corpses. News of failure will not reach the ears of the Dwarven people!

> Action 1: Identify the cause of death
We don't know why exactly and when exactly they died a precise cause of death is soemthing we need to proceed.

> Action 2: Thunder-Rune based Heating Systems
Why they died we don't know, but we know that if you go up it gets cold as they ended up frozen. If the world is to be destroyed we need to find a way off this planet. Work on sending thunder quickly and rapidly trough pipes to heat them as a way to quickly produce heat.
(heating and insulation systems for future space missions)

>>4354548 >>4356093
Do the Unliving have souls? Dwarven priests would clearly say yes... but where? What if you could pull back the soul from the Great Flame of the afterlife back to us? The Little Red Book, says now where that service ends with death so we'll figure it out!

The corpses of the Astronauts are thrown into a tank of liquid nitrogen for preservation and a fleet of Dwarven ships swims for the B'yogi homeland. If anyone knows how to do the impossible or to do soul stuff it's those shadowy things!

The Akkhar Dwarves wish for help in contacting the souls of the Dead Astronauts. We need to find out how they died. If they got to the moon. A

>>4356068
Turn 1: The Tarns hurry to complete their final preparations. The ships built so long ago to fight the beast are outfitted with Lychlyn charges and readied for battle. The great chain-nets are raised over every port. Those ships unable to be sent upriver are loaded down with rocks and scuttled to create natural wavebreaks. The empire huddles and begins to ready itself.

Action 2: Great Memoir.
Three copies of the Great Memoir are commissioned. The first is kept at the Library of Xycthos, for use by the Council. The second is substantially revised and condensed before being sent to the Tidal for reprinted, after which it is distributed across the lands. And the third is preserved in salt-cloth before being placed inside the base of the statue for future generations to discover.

>>4356067

>Action 1:
The Dwarven artillerists at Torz'vogaz work with engineers of Kendt'Koldrag to improve upon the power and design of the Krigatorz, using the many improvements wrought upon the handheld Vedrz'krigatorz as inspiration as well as their own ideas for more functional and more efficient working systems in the design of the larger 'Jotkrigatorz', a huge cannon designed to face the threat of the unknown monster from the depths, so given as much protection from the elements as the Dwarves can conceive of and their own and the Tarnish merchants can supply material for.
>>4356333
>Diplomacy: Tarn
Knowing that the Tarn have built a fleet to fight the beast, the Gylden Dwarves would offer to outfit this endevour with all varieties of Krigatorz, and the Dwarves trained in their usage.
>Diplomacy: Cewri/Cravers
Rathi gives his support to his friend, and a sup from his tankard of the Gylden Ichor as Jotte thinks of questions to ask.

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28 KB JPG

>>4356068

>Action 2: Gryphoning it in
The Dwarves of the Volokalnz establish a rearing, training and eventually breeding facility for the Gryphons in their southern ranges on the other side of the high, snow-peaked mountain, in and above a large cavern that opens out onto an isolated Valley high upon the Volo. They attempt to hire one of the Cewri to help them tend to the creatures, figuring that the additional size and mass offered might eventually be necessary for the control of a mature animal. Here, perspective Gryphon-riders (mostly from their own Volokalnz Dwarves, though they will allow Dwarves from the Gyldenthrong and Akkhar realms as candidates if they can pay well) will train to prove their suitability and character to be given the opportunity to one day ride a Gryphon. Once deemed suitable, the Candidate will be given a Gryphon's egg in the later stages of development to rear and protect until hatching, under the supervision of facility staff; and once hatched the Dwarf will take primary responsibility for rearing and training the Gryphon into what is hoped will eventually prove a worthy mount for a noble (or sufficiently rich) Dwarf. The Invuld plans to have all three of his sons attend this facility; for he wishes at least one to eventually ride the great beasts known to the dwarves as Zarvogaz'lulgia.
>Diplomacy: Fadtlot'kun
Thudukk rubs his beard. Whilst this is a promise he would gladly make, the tunnels he came through to get here were controlled by the Karnis. Whilst he can vow not to mark this place on maps nor speak of it, the simple fact remains that the Karnis ants might eventually follow the trail of a Dwarf merchant party, even if they do not venture into the tunnels of their own violation. He will readily make the agreements Fadtlot'kun seeks, but they must know that even if he does they still might not be able to guarantee safety or security.

>>4356070
L'oon is good!
1. Hmm, it seems dissecting the H'yomi mind is more fragile than we thought. Just a touch will shatter it. When their gods were forming them, they must have gotten lazy. Hmph, H'yomi gods are so...H'yomi. Well, we will correct this at once! We will research into strengthening the mind and mapping its complex mechanics.
2. It looks like the Short Ones want their dead to speak again. How silly. Souls are easily frighten entities who long past on to whatever afterlife they made it to. But let it not be said we never conquered the impossible... We will research soul bait and medium. Lure the souls from the land of the dead and put them in vessel where they can speak again. A couple sacrifices, chants in B'yagi, and The Bone Mother's blessing shall do it.
>>4356116
As much we want these silly souls go away, we admit there's a possibility. We are conducting research to allow your dead and others to speak though don't be frightened if you learn something you didn't want to...

>>4357334
The Trans accept and the soldiers are loaded on the warships, many of which are docked at Gylden port in preparation for their final voyage out to sea.

>>4356077
1.
Underborn continues its trek, marching towards the mountains, its step losing their shudders as the legs articulate with a far more active flow.

2.
Kahroshrooms, how wonderfully devious. The simple matter is transport. The Kahro are aquatic well enough, but a gore ship speeding past the Port of Senday does help, as the dead rocket from the large Cravic beast of the sea, and swim towards the alleys and sea markets to drop their loads.

>>4357762
Thank you B'oobretheren. There is no knowledge that is not to be learned. If our minds are too weak to stomach it then we need to sharpen our minds. (have the super soldiers do the talking)

>>4356074
The latest tasks of the ants yield interesting results, but before the swarm can pursue these actions any further, word reaches them that the men of the West march upon their protected allies of the mountains. Progress will have to take a small break, as the Karnis must prepare their response.

Lore: Born from under, One above all.
Even the earth itself is no match against the might of flesh as it tries to hold back that which is below with futility. With every move, the earth cracks until it finally it can no more and simply shatters into the air. As the underborn rises from it's cradle the Karnis marvel at the achievement of their Craver brethren. Slowly, curiously, perhaps somewhat clumsily, the carnal avatar exercises its form for the first time upon the world which is its playground. It's beautiful cries echo across the land, and all life for miles around quake in submission to a form truly superior to any they could ever dream to achieve. Yet even amidst all the admiration, there are those who take it above and beyond. The Ze'Karo cry out, they cheer in zealous passion. Even the governing Ze'Karn put in charge over their usually cold and gnashing sisters are overwhelmed by the flood of joy and love that the Ze'Karo exude in abundance across their mental connections. They sing and dance "The father! The father has returned to us!". Nethula is somewhat unnerved at their reaction. As she looks over Nethazar for answers, her unease grows even deeper as she sees her mother barely hiding her own excitement. Despite standing a short distance away, Nethazar's mandibles chatter with visible excitement and Nethula could barely hear, but she's dead certain she heard her mother whisper "Welcome back".

Actions:
>War: FHR
- The Swarm mobilizes its might once more. From the landing of Cenotaph the deafening hum of the ant's airborne forces drown the world around them as they take flight for the pass leading to Tyrhen Voss. Each equipped with grenades, ready to be rained on their foes. Meanwhile the Re'Karo tunnel through the earth, ready to snap at their heels and back-line. In ordered fashion the soldiers march for the peaks as well, seeking to test their strength against worthy foes once more. Prioritizing advantageous positioning, they strike and retreat across steep inclines on the battlefield, aiming to keep their opponents unsteady on the rough terrain of the mountain.

-The swarm bears it's mandibles from the depths as well. From the fortress city of Lychgate, the great drill of the Karnis eagerly carves it's way to the FHR city of port Senday. Once beneath the city the workers work tirelessly to hollow out the earth below, taking care however to leave in place major supporting columns to keep the city above ground from collapsing into the pit. It would take but a snap of the Matriarch's fingers to change this, however.

>Diplo: Gyldenthrong.
The Dwarves of the south are finally invited to restore the great halls of Cenotaph.

>>4358030
It's me, ya boi, the ants.

>>4357334
Didn't tag you in the diplo, sorry, see >>4358030

>>4356068

With bunkers built, the only real thing to be done was expand them and supply them, putting a few copy's of all of Llychlyn's knowledge in each, so in the event of one failing, the others would survive. This was in the event of a worse case scenario where it was impossible to return to the surface for generations...Considering these preparations, it would have been nice to be able to have Gylden knowledge, instead only the few dwarves stuck on Llychlyn are viable sources for information on living underground. Of course, even then, not everyone was going in the bunkers. Many would stand guard to protect their homes, mainly soldiers and sailors, but also a fair number of volunteers, not expected to help out directly in the fight against whatever is out there, but indirectly, such as carrying supplies, delivering messages, and so on. Still, even with all the preparation Llychlyn had done, and even despite their previous triumphs over the horrors of the south, this was something more. A good deal felt as if Llychlyn's darkest hour was coming, a moment that would see Llychlyn either rise from ashes, or fall and splinter...Hopefully it wouldn't come to that...Yet, a concern was felt by a sizable portion of the population...

In part because of this, many would do as much as they could to have a larger portion of their day dedicated to faith. Be it prayer, sacrifice, or attending a sermon. Likewise, Clan Howell would do much to try and ease the people in these trying times, partially due to their own worries. Something Clan Howell would lean into during this however, is the belief that a sizable minority had for some time now. That Fanw would save Llychlyn in its darkest moment. It was a glimmer of hope in skies so dark. For the lasting thing needed with such a threat so close to Llychlyn's shores is panic...

Boed i Fanw achub ein heneidiau rhag trydedd streic y gwrthodedig

>Action One. Last minute Preparations.

>Action Two. Pray to Fanw...There's nothing more we can do but guard our shores and wait.

>>4356074
From the Gylden, we caught word of this plague. A cloud of blood, causing a highly contagious coughing. Under no circumstances can we let it in to Castor's keep. Surely, it is the work of the flesh monsters. Who else would do such a vile deed? Never could something so accursed happen naturally. However, now that we're locked in here, there's not much we can do about it before the flood starts.

>1: reinforce the gate
With these sickened meluz, there will be more to come. We need to make it so that the door may never be opened again. If we must leave this place, we may do so through the mountain's peak. Exiting through the lowermost door is dangerous anyway, especially with the coming disaster in mind. If it's opened too early, the keep could be flooded.

>2: schooling
Now that we're all stuck in here, everyone has a ton of spare time. The young are no different. They're new to the world, having just barely shed their upper-body scales for the first and last time, and only now starting to speak our language. Their parents help them well, but not all have the drive, nor capability to do so. Back in the rest of meluzina, this was a huge problem. Then again, kids with shitty upbringings usually went into art, which is still something we value highly. The point is, our people need a helping hand during such a stressful time, and those who are experienced enough to teach are glad to lend it... so long as we're paying them, which we are.

>>4357762
>>4357334
>B'yogi
The early results make the thirst for knowledge only greater. Far more invasive measures are approved. The young shapers draw lots, and the one strapped to the table prays for a quick ceasing should it need be; and if it is it will be, the Superior and Inferior both armed with Gastric Blaster stand watching as the shades do their work. They suggest 'nailing' down the soul perhaps, or maybe a trap?

>>4356067
Action 1:
>mobilize the Titan Slayers
With the rising tides the prophecy of the ashen is believed to be near. Obadinia has spoken through the mouths of other races before, and the pointless moonwatching of the other clans is grating, so it is best that this titanic threat be neutralized once it shows itself. Thus a collection of 6 ships is organized. Three submarines and three ironclad warships, and a collection of skilled warriors and electromancers, the finest the empire has to offer.
The three submarines are reinforced with partial metal hulls and spike coverings (spiked armor is a tradition among depauns relating to fighting against tentacled and coiled beasts, as it either stops or hurts the offending beast if it tries to grapple the user) while all frontliner units are given the same.
The three non-submarine ships are meant to pull the three subs along in order to maximize speed while getting to the location of the beast.
The three ironclads have whale hunting weaponry installed (harpoons, mostly throwers) just incase.
The electromancers are to stay on the ironclads and use their powers to either zap the beast if it attacks or calm the seas through the risky and arcane science of electromantic manipulations of storms.
Action 2:
>funding for space
The clans of paitoy and amplect do not believe if the prophecy as much as lyrara. Thus they send their support in the form of minds and funds in order to improve the ashen joint space program
In return amplect asks that a banner of obadinia (made of lightweight, expensive and durable materials) be planted on the moon if they make it while paitoy only asks for this not to be used as a point of great boasting by the nations involved

>>4359947
Me

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SCENE FIVE

[D] Darkness beyond darkness. Horror beyond horror. Timna, Titan of the Storm, Goddess of the Churning Waves, rises from the southern seas. The tempest is Her raiment and lightning is Her crown. Word cannot describe Her visage, which maddens the viewer, which scars the very soul to see. She howls a booming scream through the clouds, clearing the skies, for all shall gaze upon Her and despair.

>>4356106
>Akkhar Dwarves
The two bodies are near perfectly preserved, still freezing to the touch. Given they were found outside the area of permafrost, it follows they froze to death high in the atmosphere. Akkhar researchers scratch their bald heads or stroke their long beards in confusion, for were they not flying closer to the great eye of Therkuunaz which heats the world? Something is most definitely afoot up there.
Following this chilly revelation a method of heating the suits while venturing into the inky beyond needs to be devised. And luckily devising is just what the Dwarves are best at. Utilising Llychlyn runic "magic" a series of tubes shoots warming thunderbolts around the body. Of course, the rune must be observed to function, requiring it to always be in view to continue heating the suits.

>>4356333
>Tarn
Entire fleets are sunk to the seabed as rivers choke with boats from every era of Tarnia's naval history. The temples in every city, the chapels in every town, the shrines in every village, are likewise packed, the great din of prayer rising to the heavens for salvation.
The Great Memoir, History of the World, is safeguarded for future generations, whoever they may be.

>>4357334
>Gyldenthrong
The three Jotkrigatorz deplete the twin cities supplies of iron and copper, there is nothing left even for customary Gylden decoration of them. Some take it as a bleak omen. But is that not what the terrible Ice-Witch Snehvid would wish for?! Nay! Dwarven kind must rally in strength and union, with their brothers, with the Tarn, with all life on Sigod!

>>4357369
>Volokalnz
As the Elves of the Vossik Republic had learnt before them, ""it is the fairer of the two sexes which will prove most difficult, for while the male is docile (at least as docile as 300lbs of eagle-lion can be) the female is a born huntress. Her bloodlust cannot be sated on cuts of meat tossed into her cage, no, she must kill her meal, and woe betide her trainer. More, a rabbit from the field will not do, her prey must be large, around say, the size of a nice plump Dwarf. She is a wastrel, too, killing a wargoat and eating only a tenth of it. Where the male will perform admirably for treats of sweet cakes and liver, the female is proud and deigns only to perform as she chooses.""

>>4357762
>B'yogi
The mind of the H'yomi is much like all else about them, fragile, and yet alluring. With shadowy hands around them those busy blurs of thought are mesmerising. With sufficient time and patients (and patience for that matter, accidents happen) the general pathways are painfully slowly mapped and remapped. The general pattern is roughly the same in every H'yomi it seems, but new and divergent routes are made by the thoughts of every one viewed. Now comes the hard part of working out how to make these little paths into good strong roads, able to withstand B'yogi meddli-, interfere-, help.
(>>4356106) Even as the seas rise up to lap at the stone steps of Her sanctuary, it is the Bone Mother's abode which makes the perfect spot to contact the passed. Re-utilising an old trick, a sphere of purest turquoise is fashioned for the task, and priests of the illusory arts work their craft. The Serpent stirs in Her pool, it is taken as a sign that souls are drawn near. Speaking out into the planes, the chief of ceremonies calls out for the spirits of these lunanauts, as they strike the orb with a chisel to make a single crack in the perfect stone. At once the gruff voice of a very frustrated Dwarf demands what has drawn him from his whores-nest and feast-table of the hereafter.

>>4357964
>Cravers
Shaking off the earth above it, the Underborn rises! Loose flesh sloughs off the hulking form with every step, revealing the enormously powerful structure beneath. The surrounding pens collapse, the Rovers and Chern'bolg scream to be released. The creature walks and all shall know why they should fear the Cravers!
(>>4355818) In the dead of night, when all wicked deeds are committed, a gore ship unloads the bloated Kahro into the waters of Senday. They swim into the sewer drains and docks unseen, and crawl throughout the port city. Of course, it is not long until some are found and destroyed, unknowingly dispersing their fungal miasma. Still there are more that go uncaught, which spread as far as they can wriggle.

>>4358030
>Karnis
(Turn will be part of the coming war post)

>>4358920
>Llychlyn
All that can be spared is squirrelled into the bunkers, which even now are being extended deep into the stony earth. Many treasures of Llychlyn are brought into the safety of the shelters, but still more must be left. Great clay jugs are filled with fresh river water, and wine made of various fruits to keep them. Families huddle together, for the roar of the storm is terrible.
In the bunkers a hall is consecrated and service held to ease the mind. With the gale whipping above them, they pray. For Llychlyn, for themselves, for Eheubryd where'er she may be, for Blodwyn and the rest of the royal family, for the soldiers and all above, for Sigod and its many peoples, but most of all they pray for Fanw's aid.

>>4358929
>Meluzina
What more permanent solution is there but stone? The Blessed are asked another favour. Like clay they morph the surrounding stone over the copper doors until not a sliver is visible. With additional work more is piled atop until one would never know the doors were ever there. A small shrine to Castor is carved into the dead-end, and prayers for forgiveness sung.
In rooms painted to mimic the lost world, younglings are gathered to be taught. First are the lessons of Castor, that of thanks to the earth and for the fruits of the earth, for continued unity between the four races, and cooperation with others. From here the gifted are taken to be taught more advanced skills, the lesser the more mundane, but with the added lesson that each Meluz has a place in society, without whom there would be chaos.

>>4359947
>Tidal
It is prayed the Titan Slayer fleet is not named in vain, for they and their crew are perhaps the most fearsome weapons the Tidal Empire has to offer. The presence of the ships, equipped as they are, inspire hope in the Dragons that swim along with it through the Tidal Islands as they make their way south. Prayers to Obadinia for a successful hunt ring out.
(>>4356106) A second wave of funding and intellectuals arrive in Pthero, their eagerness to achieve the most admirable task of reaching the moon is palpable. They bring with them a banner of Obadinia to be planted once they achieve this noble goal. (again, the three of us shall discuss what this free tech will be in chat)

DIPLO
>>4357334 >>4357964
The Giant thinks long on the question, as the ship sails carefully through Cravic waters. At last he asks his only query, "Who are you?". Rathi relays this, noting that the 'you' is plural here, though perhaps the creature would answer both of him(?)self, and his(?) race.

>>4357369
The Elder nod understandingly, they had worried that after the fall of the Invulden the Ants would crawl in to pilfer the ruins, but knowing they had settled on them was a disappointment. He had hoped, perhaps naively, that one day the Dwarves of Old Fadtlot'kun would reclaim their ancestral capital, alas. Therkuunaz tests the Dwarves even now it seems.
He thanks the prince, wishes for a fruitful relation with the new Invulden, and prays the Ants show kindness to them both.

END OF SCENE FIVE.

THE FORMIC ASSAULT

-Death from the Skies-
Trapped in the Pass, Andrethi soldiers demand to parley, why have they been stopped by these insects?! The Ants however give no answer, only glares from their dark eyes. A droning hum gives away their presence, as from above fall first only small rocks, a test shot. For now the swarm drop grenades of formic acid on the Men! They ready their arms, blasting the Karnis with fire and lightning, sniping Zo'Karn as they retreat. And as soon as it began, it was over, Ants seeming to disappear into the very stone of the mountain. A slew of Men lay dead in the Pass, along with only a handful of Ants. In the aftermath, a Flesh-Captain rides up to the weary Men, "The remnant of the Vossik Elves are under the protection of the Union of Flesh. Attempt to bring your war to them no more." The menace in his voice and form make the underlying message very clear.

-Undermining Senday-
The poor port of Senday is rocked by another menace, for the Ants are masters of the underworld, and it seems this is where they intend to drop the city. They work tireless removing the stone and earth beneath, leaving only columns of support to hold the great vault above. Were it not done in malice, it would be magnificent.

END OF INTERLUDE.

>>4360552

>Action 1: The Clear Skies

The cream from this nightmare clears the skies. And we will pray that they keep clear. For when all might gaze upon her, Guldfar might gaze down upon this darkest creature, surely Snehvid's beast by some twisted form or function. The Priests of the Guldfarite church will lead services from dawn to dusk, to call upon the power of Gold to shine down upon this threat, this force, and call the wrath of the holy and the willing against this unnamed terror; to call upon the high bright powers to show their scorn and lack of fear. With Blade and Bow and Flame and powder, heat and steel, the Dwarves of Gyldenthrong and Volokalnz will ready themselves to stand alongside brother Dwarf, Tarnman, Deepaun and Fanw's child that we might face this imminent apocalypse and deny it for as long as the strength of our people might hold.
>Action 2: We stand Ready

And so, preparations are made for this final war; wherever it might fall, in whatever form it might take. On land, hill or in roiling sea, we will stand with our neighbors and lend strength to their efforts, munitions and armaments to their cause as much as to ours. In Guldfar's light, we will stand as the day to break this night that comes against us. By Guldfar's name, we will fight for as long as there is strength left to stand. With Guldfar's spirit, we will endure, and we will triumph!

>>4358033

>Diplo: Karnis

This sounds like a grand project, a worthy project! Unfortunately, the Dwarven Emissary explains, an ancient goddess from the cold, deep places appears to have arisen in the southern sea and Gylden efforts - along with, they reckon, probably much of the rest of the south - might be a little preoccupied for many a Tyrn to come..

>>4360564
>Diplo: FHR
With their rather aggressive message delivered, the Matriarch sends a more diplomatic response straight after. Greeted by weary guards, the messenger of the ants proclaims the demands of the Swarm. They are simple, to cease this war against the elves and spare what remains of their diminished nation. In return they may hold what spoils they've seized in their crusade, and both sides may spare their people more needless bloodshed.

As an ultimatum, the messenger also reveals that they've already carved the earth below Port Sednay hollow, and with a mere word from the Matriarch the earth will swallow the port city whole.

However, should the men of the Republic choose to accept this offer of peace, the Karnis will fortify the chamber and build access so that the humans may use it as they see fit.

>>4361168
>>4360559
It takes weeks, but in the end, the War is over. The Free Human Republic remains steadfast in it's claims on occupied territory. The Cities were theirs. Whatever Vossiks escaped would be left alone, unless they attempted to assail the borders of the FHR. The Rump state of the former Vossik nation was enough to satiate the desire for revenge.

The Nomach state's claims on joint occupied territories is recognized, in exchange for absolute recognition however, the Cathedral of the New Sun is to be demolished, and replaced with a memorial to those slain by the Vossiks in any capacity; from those resisting initial occupation, to the acts of the Inquisition, to the now settled war in the north.

In the occupied territories, the last of the POW battalions are put down. A quick and mostly painless execution for those that volunteered, all aside from one, singular battalion. As a gesture of good will, the 25th "Sunback" Battalion, mostly made up of civilians and militia, is sent to the Karnis. The rebuilt cities are renamed: Gilden, now "New Vadna" a Vay dominant city; Renthum, now "Raiide" under Clan Taiida, and finally Coertyha, now renamed "Maja", which houses a sizable Awoo, thus Clan Vay, presence.
Actions:
1. The Demolition of the temple and the construction of the monument are underway

2. Improvements to Logistics and roads in the occupied territories.

>>4360554
1. Continue along the route shown in the PM. The piercing legs of the Underborn dig into the mountain under the moving-city's weight. Renthum : The Lord of Flesh is approaching thee. Best not disappoint.

2.
The rising waters noticeable across the Charnel Lands begins a great tension. How much longer until we must make swimming Rut'ra and gilled buildings. Either way, the number of Kos'tr increase, flooding the waters, along with small hand made gore-ships and water skiffs.

Action 1 and 2: Emergency Supply Runs.
Bolstered by large fleets of sailors, the Tarns begin to embark on supply missions to their far flung outposts. These forays have three purposes. First, the simple purpose is to ensure that the port cities remain fed and happy. Second, the trips are intended to assess the feasibility of shipping in this serpentine age. And finally, in the event of an actual attack by the snake, the Tarns will find out if their naval strength is capable of actually inflicting damage upon the monster.

>>4360554

Well, it was time now. All of Llychlyn's preparations would be put to the test, as would its soldiers and defenders. Everyone on the surface knew the cost of failure. The destruction of Llychlyn and potentially all it held dear, especially when the monster in question made itself known. Darkness and horror were things Llychlyn had faced before, perhaps Eheubryd had found what was coming and that is why she vanished? Searching for a way to stop this? No matter. There was little time to think of the past now, for it would all be meaningless if here in the now and future, Llychlyn held strong. Canonau loaded, bows strung, and lansiwr gwefr dyfnder primed to launch...Despite all the rain, thunder, and the howling wind, all seemed quiet in these minutes which seemed akin to weeks... Meanwhile, those in the bunker continue their prayers, for safety of themselves, their kin, and their defenders up there...

Meanwhile, on the surface, Blodwyn waited with the soldiers that were with her. She wrote down all that she knew before this moment, suggestions to reform the military, a book on tactics that may teach her children her kin and her country, and all that she knew about running the country, even if that last one was limited...And just before coming out here, she left an apology for her clan. This was something she needed to do, lead her forces against the darkness she viewed was the same that took her sister, so that it may not take any other of her kin. Besides, with her leadership and the inspiration her presence gave, maybe they could stand out...But, deep down she knew, she likely wouldn't make it out of this alive. But if there was any way to die, fighting to protect Llychlyn was certainly a way she'd be willing to go. Besides, it'd feel wrong not to be out there with the majority of Clan Wynn and the rest of the defenders of Llychlyn...

>Action One. It is time...Try to protect Llychlyn with all available means.

>Action Two. There is nothing more that can be done but to pray for Fanw's protection...

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SCENE SIX

[D] A wave of unseen proportion crashes against the southern shores, flooding the ice and forest alike. Mines collapse, roads are washed away, the Guthlaqtz of the Akkhar lies as flooded rubble. Wells are contaminated, rivers run foul, the groundwater stinks of sulphur. Closer She comes, sending forth more ferocious waters. In the light of day Her true enormity and horror are apparent! Stout Dwarf and hardy Man both quake at Her, indescribable is Her terror.

>>4360564
>Gyldenthrong
Every weapon ever imagined by the Gyldenthrong is loaded onto the ships, along with sailors, soldiers, engineers, and all else needed to kill the beast, Timna. The temples and shrines of all the Gods are packed with pilgrims and prayers, additional nuggets of purest gold are offered at the Temple of Emergence. May Guldfar shine bright against their foe!

>>4361181
>FHR
To the foundations is the Cathedral of the New Sun wrought, however workmen are halted from the destruction of the henge of stones at its centre for they feel, even after the Vossik desecration of this place, that it is holy. They exude an aura of peace, of tranquillity, of hope. Instead, an artificial hill is built behind them, for they were stood on the highest point, atop which the Memorial to the Dead is erected. The ground is consecrated to Vaygr, and the ruined footprint of the heathen temple left as a reminder of the power of the FHR.
Roads are paved, aqueducts rebuilt, tunnels dug, improving life and access of the mountain holdings.

>>4365046
>Cravers
(>>4361181) The titan of Underborn lumbers on, clawing into the mountain stone, cresting over the city of Renthum, now Raiide, terrifying all unfortunate enough to witness it.
Aquatic Cravers of all varieties are birthed from the bloody stump of Neverborn, still somehow active in its reduced state. Kos'tr, flesh barges, and all other manner of horrors choke the Cravic Seas. Do you mean to kill the southern beast, or just crowd Her out?!

>>4366755
>Tarn
Ships set out from Xycthos into the tempestuous Tidal seas, though it is not just rations they carry. For news of what rises in the south floods into Tarnia, now terrified men and women pay whatever they must to sail north. Granaries are plundered, stores looted, for the outposts are far from self-sufficient while the Kingdom is rich and fat. The fleet cuts through the high waves with ease, at least for now.
Warships anchored in Gylden waters too set out, they are ready to die to save Tarnia, and all Sigod.

>>4367020
>Llychlyn
As the other nations have, the Children of Fanw, the Children of Llychlyn, ready themselves for this most momentous battle. All know that for many, it may be their last, but if the beast is destroyed their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Fanw will welcome them open armed to the Hunting Grounds hereafter. They reside now in the eye of the storm, a calm unlike any other, prepared for the worst that is to come.
Braving the weather, a priest from Eglwys fawreddog y ffyddloniai blesses the crews about to set sail, before hurrying back to begin prayers in the bunkers.
Translated from the Fanwyic:
>Fanw, Mother of Her Children, Goddess of the Llychlyn Isle,
>We praise your name in times of peace, and we praise your name in times of war,
>We sing your name in joy, and we sing your name in fear,
>Strengthen us when we are weak, Humble us when we are strong,
>Bolster us when we are in need, Rejoice with us when we have plenty.
>Fanw, protect us.

END OF SCENE SIX.

(this is the final update, an epilogue battle will be up shortly, please do not post more turns.)

EPILOGUE

Steadfast in the face of Death Herself they sail. The combined fleet of the Kingdom of Tarnia, every Kingdom and creed of the Dwarves, the Isle of Llychlyn, together against the beast. Her visage alone sends the hardy mad, but to sail against the Titan of Storm is a madness itself. Ships are crushed between crashing wave and thrashing tentacle, capsized and sunk. They join the Tarnic Melody on the seabed. Cannon ring out, gonnes of steel blast forth, ancient trebuchet and ballistae loose their load. They are like petals in a spring breeze against Her hide! The Guldfar Gaze are positioned, charged, a beam of solid light streaking across the water to Her mass, singeing the creature who roars Her terrible call into the clouds. The Sun Himself shines bright against Her, blinding the monster who writhes in pain and flails Her massive limbs, scattering vessels helmed by only the finest sailors. More is shot at Her, now gouging into flesh, piercing into Her. More She wails, in anger and disbelief, peons rise against Her?! She, Timna, Goddess of the Churning Waves, here in Her domain, struck and marred by mortals! It is as if Her shield were blast asunder by Guldfar, by Therkuunaz, by B'ikka! The stormclouds disperse entirely, cleared by the Gods of the People of Sigod, weakening the leviathan, tearing Her aspect from Her. And from the crystal blue is shot a bolt of purest light, as an arrow from a bow, the Children of Fanw rejoice, for their namesake skewers the monstrosity to the sea floor! The lansiwr gwefr dyfnder are primed, launched, blasting great gobbets from Her. Weapons are reloaded, now She is become prey. But still She thrashes, sinking warships like pebbles in a pond. More shots, more flesh, more shots, more wounds. The sea is wine red with viscera. As if called to it, blood to blood, a cry rings out from the north, a hideous monument of Flesh swims down from the Cravers. Tooth and claw and fang and nail rip into the impaled Goddess, as the ships continue their fire. Her flailing grows weak, the spark of divinity in Her fades, She slumps into the waves. A mighty cheer thunders from every vessel! Even the Underborn, city-creature rumbles with joy. Then! Faster than ever before, a final act of malice against the mortal world, Timna of a thousand titles, coils a sliming limb around Underborn, dragging it to a watery grave, and with it, the Lord of Flesh! There is silence, crews rushing to the decks to witness the slowly rising bubbles. Chunks of pink and grey flesh float up, gore fills the water. Two unstoppable forces die this day.

END OF EPILOGUE.