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In the last age, our people were beset by the demonic scions of a dark seducer, who bred with the thirdborn son of the royal family in ages past. These infernal infiltrators found their way into our population and began to work their nefarious plots, but were found out. Their monstrous mother was found, captured and executed, along with one of her children, but the truth of our current Regina being descended from vampiric blood was brought to light.

In the midst of all of this panic and moral outrage, our lord and spiritual guide, the Red Naga, discerned a means to find out those who are descended from evil blood. Eleven scions are found and captured. Passionate debate raged over what to do with them, before the Regina, now forced to abdicate her ruling position, suggests that she and her family form a new group: the Wardens of the Isle. They will maintain a prison upon an island to the north, in which prisoners and exiles can be sent. She, her family, and all of their descendents will protect the civilization in their own way by ensuring no one escapes from this island.

What is not public knowledge was her relationship with the dragon who was close with the royal family, the eldest surviving dragon of our current three hatched. Having grown close during her time as Regina, their relationship turned romantic due to his loneliness (ever since his intended mate perished in the previous age) and her societal ostracism. Their half-dragon children are now among the ranks of the Wardens of the Isle.

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Here is our current regional map.

In the thirteenth age of our world, several new technological achievements were unlocked by other players. The Celtic Elves invented Irrigation. The Greek Minotaurs invented Aquaculture. The Mediterranean Merfolk invented Literature. The Mongolian Centaurs invented Sports. The Sumerian Humans invented Bronze Working.

Magical achievements for Age 13 include: Rank 3 Transmutation by the Incan Lamia. Rank 2 Solar Magic by the Persian Dragonborn. Rank 1 Witchcraft by the Zulu Catfolk. Rank 1 Poetry Magic by the Mediterranean Merfolk.

And, last age, two more players made first contact with each other: the Byzantine Dragonborn and the Sumerian Humans. They are the second group to do so, after the Korean Lizardfolk and Incan Lamia did so in Age 12.

Our civilization currently ranks 22 out of 28 in Culture (based on Culture-boosting techs and when they were invented).

Our civilization currently ranks 13 out of 28 in Production (based on Production-boosting techs and when they were invented).

As a reminder, here is the total list of player-controlled civilizations in the world:

>Aleutian Orcs
>Anasazi Snakefolk
>Arabian Ratfolk
>Assyrian Gnolls
>Aztec Orcs
>Babylonian Giants
>Byzantine Dragonborn
>Celtic Elves
>Chinese Birdfolk
>Croatian Dwarves
>Egyptian Elves
>English Halflings
>Finnish Goatfolk
>German Dhampirs
>Greek Minotaurs
>Haitian Trolls
>Incan Lamia
>Japanese Humans
>Korean Lizardfolk
>Mediterranean Merfolk
>Mongolian Centaurs
>Norwegian Dwarves
>Ottoman Dark Elves
>Persian Dragonborn
>Roman Half-Elves
>Scottish Gnomes
>Sumerian Humans
>Zulu Catfolk

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Our demographics for Age 14 can be found here.

Your chronological list of techs and magic ranks:
Age 0: Stone Tools
Age 1: Fire
Age 2: Weaving
Age 3: Fishing
Age 4: Burial Rites
Age 5: Abstract Art (Rank 1 Divination, Rank 1 Evocation)
Age 6: Society (Rank 1 Restoration, Rank 1 Enchantment)
Age 7: Bladed Tools
Age 8: Domestication
Age 9: Agriculture (Rank 1 Abjuration)
Age 10: Clothing (Weaponry for free)
Age 11: Architecture (Rank 1 Illusion)
Age 12: Advanced Foraging (Furnace for free) (Rank 2 Restoration)
Age 13: Art (Rank 2 Abjuration, Rank 2 Divination)

Exploration-Boosting Techs Unlocked:
None

Current Fruits/Vegetables/Plants harvested by your civilization:
Barley (Cereals, Grains) (Companion plant bonus from growing Red Cabbage)
Breadnuts (Tree)
Huckleberries (Plants)
Medusa Pepper (Nightshades, Peppers) (Companion plant bonus from growing Shallots)
Peas (Grains, Legumes, Peas) (Companion plant bonus from growing Red Cabbage)
Red Cabbage (Brassicas, Cabbages) (Companion plant bonus from growing Peas, Shallots)
Red Grapes (Grapes) (Companion plant bonus from growing Peas)
Rice (Cereals, Grains) (Companion plant bonus from growing Red Cabbage)
Shallots (Alliums, Bulb, Onions, Root) (Companion plant bonus from growing Red Cabbage)
Star Fruits (Fruit Tree) (Companion plant bonus from growing Shallots)
Truffles (Fungus, Mushroom)

Current animals domesticated by your civilization:
Cattle
Herd-Bugs
Horses (Mustangs)
Llamas
Stegosauruses
Talbuks (Colored Antelope-Adjacents)
Wolves

Current animals hunted/exploited by your civilization:
Chamoises (Goat-Antelope)
Devilsaurs
Porpoises
Prairie Dogs
Quagga (Zebra Subspecies)
Rabbits
Rocs
Weasels
Winged Lions
Wyverns (Monsters)

Natural Resources exploited by your civilization:
Basic Resources (Stone, Wood)

Magical Knowledge and Ranks:
Rank 2 Divination
Rank 2 Restoration
Rank 1 Abjuration
Rank 1 Enchantment
Rank 1 Evocation
Rank 1 Illusion

Dragons/Eggs:
1 Adult Dragon (Born Age 10)
2 Child Dragons (Born Age 12)
6 Unhatched Eggs

Artifacts and Cultural Items:
Ancient Shield
Eldritch Orb (contained in pocket dimension)

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Bloodline Updates:

This age, the 13th Rex comes to power, the elder of two sons of the previous Rex. The two sons of the 12th Rex, who got the position due to the ousting of the 11th Regina after her vampiric blood was exposed, competed fiercely for the position. While many tales exist of brotherly rivalry and competition being healthy and promoting good growth, this rivalry is anything but. The brothers seem to hate each other, and the younger brother is viciously angry and jealous of his brother's superiority.

Refusing to accept his brother's position as the new Rex, the younger brother leaves the capital of Anguia and travels south to Taurica. Known for its barbaric roots and with a deserved reputation to this day of favoring warriors and hunters over other professions, the brother makes well known his intent to take over Taurica and rule it as his own domain.

The root of this divide between the siblings soon becomes apparent; they both love the same woman. Unlike a similar tale in ages past, however, there does not appear to be any way to reconcile the brothers. This woman, herself descended from the both the First Rex and the Taurican Barbarian King of Age 10 (and is in fact the sole surviving descendant of both him and the 6th Regina), is a Great Beauty. She and the current Rex love each other, but the younger brother covets her for himself. He plans to take over Taurica, and bring her bloodline back to the barbaric lands which spawned it to bring further legitimacy to his new throne.

Perhaps it is due to the distraction afforded by the conflict between the two brothers, but there are no issues with the now-adult dragon and his descendants upon the Isle of Exile in our society this age.

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It is an Age of Decline. This age, your civilization is plagued with numerous issues that build upon each other, resulting in an overall decline of combat effectiveness, culture, production, research and other facets of society. Expansion, revitalization, and other similar efforts will be difficult this age; in addition, internal conflict is highly likely. Be prepared for difficult times.

If we can overcome this issues, the future may yet be bright. If we cannot, it will only get darker from here.

It seems that conflict between the brothers has spilled over into conflict between Anguia and Taurica itself. Old wounds from ancient conflicts are being reopened, and the brothers themselves are fostering ill-sentiment about the communities. Anquians talk about the brutish and barbaric Tauricans derisively, while Tauricans talk about the weak northerners and their tree-hugging allies the Sylvians. Difficulties with food growth this age add onto these other issues; storing food becomes a high priority, and food storage sites become exceptionally valuable, and conflict over food becomes a daily occurrence.

Perhaps it is a byproduct of the infernal infiltration events of the previous age, but this age our society is wracked with paranoia, suspicion, and regarding your neighbor with distrust. This rampant lack of trust and fear is causing difficulties in religious rites, production of food and goods, and cultural growth.

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>>5880660

Before we do our random events for the age, what is our reaction to the Age of Decline? How shall we attempt to reverse the course? What of the brothers and their conflict? Though it has not outright resulted in civil war yet, it seems there is a growing divide between Anguia and Taurica. How shall we attempt to mend it? What of our dragons, or the naga, and their involvement in the feud (if any)?

Please post your player reactions and we shall continue from there before moving on to random events.

>>5880662
>If the Brothers will not reconcile, then they must fight one on one to the death in an arena.
>Create a cultural exchange between the citizens of Anguia and Taurica.
>Do not involve neither dragons nor naga in the feud.
>Emphasize unity between our people by reminding them of the enemies we've faced, especially using the following:
>Kill the goblin demon things in that cave. What better way to unite the people than to remind them we have such evil entities festering in the dark? Beings that will probably be used against us while we're weak.
Gladiator time. Distract the citizens with bread and circuses and a common enemy.

>>5880662
>Send out a team to capture the younger brother and bring him back alive but bound. He will not be killed, his blood is too pure for that, but he will be studded out. A fitting punishment for one driven by lust and greed.
>Bring a group of warriors from Taurica and from Anguia and have them fight together to kill the goblin demon things in their miserable cave. Shedding blood shall rebind our fraying bonds.

>>5880710
Will that work if Taurica is already on the verge of revolt? Won't kidnapping their new ruler be the spark needed?

>>5880698
I agree, the serpent should stay neutral in this, plus that's probably what he wants anyway.
Bread and circuses hopefully work alongside war against a common enemy.

I almost want to see if we can pull a new line of hero. Perhaps the champion of the Goblin demons pacification campaign.
Or we could always check in on the Wardens for a consul leadership until the title of unified Rex is settled

>>5880698
Supporting. Either can rule, but we must settle the dispute and reunify our people.

>>5880734
I don't think people will take kindly to putting a 'tainted and shamed bloodline back in charge even temporarily, during such a paranoid era and after establishing blood purity as a virtue.

>>5880734
Actually idea I had was to bring a whole bunch of the tauricans out on the guise of a united army but then ambush and kill them. It seems to me as though the vassal villages are getting ideas above their station, and need to be firmly reminded of their place as a military conquest.

>>5880742
Maybe not, but the bloodline did do us good. If it worked it could really help out.
>>5880754
I certainly can't see this going wrong at all

Another idea could be sending each of the brothers on a hero quest and whoever gains the most glory will be made Rex.

>>5880734
I wouldn't recommend bringing in the Wardens or any outside factions, ideally we just frame this event as a small family feud that boiled over to the provincial level and fizzled out. Even leaving it to the non-warden council we currently have in the mainland might be too much, since any decision/compromise could lead to more division and anger.
On the other hand your suggestion could ironically lead to peace by bringing the people together in opposition to any theoretical Warden half-dragon rule.

>>5880754
To be fair brutality against rebelling provinces or against enemies isn't unheard of. It could be set as an example for anyone thinking about seceding from the country or trying to coup it.

>>5880794
>hero quest
>Your Hero Quest? KILLING YOUR BROTHER.

Exile both, they can only return if they bring the other's head

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>>5880698
>>5880734
>>5880742

The elder brother, the Rex, is beset with conflict. His jealous and hateful little brother, stirring up all this trouble with Taurica, is not how he wanted to begin his rule. The Seers and Warrior-Priests put forth to him a potential way to settle the matter; a challenge, brother against brother, one on one, and fate will decide the course of civilization. He does not want to kill his brother, but if his brother must die, then better it be by his own hand.

His beloved, the great beauty whom his brother so covets, comforts him in his time of doubt; she holds no reservations about loving the younger brother, for the Rex is all she desires. But, should his brother win, she confides in him that she would rather take her own life and join him in the afterlife than lay with that man.

The younger brother does not react well to news of the challenge, but the method of its delivery makes it impossible for him to refuse it. The Tauricans are men and women of honor; though descended from barbaric roots, they uphold the virtues of their barbarian king ancestor. When word is leaked to the people of Taurica by Anguian traders, it becomes clear that if the younger brother runs from this challenge, he will never be respected by the Tauricans.

A great arena is being constructed. As a show of solidarity to the people of Taurica, the Rex commands that it be built between the two communities, along a river that feeds into the lake upon which Anguia sits, roughly equidistant from both communities. It is upon this site that the brothers will hold their duel.

In time, the arena will be built up and become a great and grand structure, but for the time being a clear field, a raised platform, and a great crowd will suffice. Tauricans and Anguians gather to witness the melee. Upon a tower of wood stands the Great Beauty, the object of both brother's affections.

The brothers are summoned to meet in this place, and the crowd is eager for blood. Chants and roars reach the skies as the brothers stare each other down. An ancient relic, the metal shield dug up from an ancient battlefield in ages past by the very first Rex, their ancestor. This rusted shield is placed between them upon the ground.

The Warrior-Priests gather around in a circle, ready to attack either of the brothers who attempt to flee, for this must be a battle to the death. The people crowd in closely, vying for sight of the coming battle upon the raised platform.

History does not record what their final words were to each other, only that they spoke very briefly before turning their backs to one another, walking to the edge of the arena, and turning.

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>>5880849

At the sound of the eldest Warrior-Priest bringing down a weighted rod upon the shield before backing up himself, the two brothers charge. Their battle is fierce, one of hand-to-hand combat as they struggle for control of the shield. The younger brother is scrappier, leaner, and somewhat faster, but the elder brother is the stronger and more resilient. He is more than capable of withstanding his brother's attacks, grapples and throws as he wrestles the shield out of his brother's hands. He bashes his brother with the shield, knocking him down, before getting atop him and slamming it down upon his face again, and again, and again.

The elder brother raises the shield up high for a moment and hesitates, making eye contact with his brother one final time through the blood and tears. The cheering crowd dies away, and all that exists in this moment is him and his little brother whom he once so loved. He remembers playing with his brother, eating the food of their mother with him, playing with the dragons of the royal family, sharing his hopes and dreams with him.

Where did it all go so wrong? How could it have come to this?

He cannot go through with this. He casts aside the shield of their ancestor, now stained with the blood of a descendant of the First Rex, and he lifts his battered brother's head up and hugs him, crying. His brother, so wounded and unable to do anything other than limply return the hug, dies in his brother's embrace from his wounds.

The display of combat, while initially thrilling, is humbling to behold. Many who watch find themselves unable to turn away. The circumstances of fate turning brother against brother and the cruel reality of the end result is not lost upon the people. When they return to their homes, they bring with them tales of what they saw, and the lessons within reverberate throughout all of the communities of our civilization. Siblings, parents, cousins, friends, even strangers hug one another and their loved ones.

War between Anguia and Taurica does not come; the two communities are linked, like brothers, and must join in solidarity rather than be divided by conflict, for the end result of violence between loved ones is only pain and suffering.

The 13th Rex returns home with his love, and cremates his brother in accordance with the burial rites of our people. His ashes join those of his ancestors.

The situation with Taurica, though conflict between the two villages has been avoided, is not yet settled. The village is beset with issues of overpopulation, food shortages, infighting between clans, and more. Its people are restless. It is clear that some course must be taken to correct these issues.

Shall we split up Taurica and form a new settlement, or possibly more than one? Or perhaps a campaign of some sort, to send the warriors off on some task and allow the community to settle? Perhaps an expansion of the arena, allowing the Tauricans to settle matters within it in gladiatorial combat?

>>5880858
>Expand the arena. Formalise gladiatoral games as a honoured and required tradition to prove oneself in front of their peers.

>>5880893
Supporting. We're really Romanizing now, boys!

>>5880858
>Send diviners up to Taurica to divine fertile fields near the river there. Send colonists to these places until the food situation improves.

I don't like ritualized combat and we need to do the regular 'reduce population density and increase food harvesting' that ages of decline enforces.

>>5880843
lmao that would've been interesting.

>>5880858
>Expand the arena. Formalise gladiatoral games as a honoured and required tradition to prove oneself in front of their peers.
>Send diviners up to Taurica to divine fertile fields near the river there. Send colonists to these places until the food situation improves.
Why not both?
But also
>See if a campaign against the demon guys in the cave is realistic, or if we need to use the Warrior-Priests and/or dragons to get rid of them.

>>5880893
>>5880898
Expand. That. Arena.
Might makes right

>>5881087
Support for checking the validity of a campaign. Let's give the warriors something to do now that steel is sharpening steel

>>5880858
>>5881087
I can support a combination, but I'd rather keep the arena as a spectacle than as something people just do.

Good to see this back.

>>5880858
>Send diviners up to Taurica to divine fertile fields near the river there. Send colonists to these places until the food situation improves.
>Expand the arena, but keep it as a spectacle for the population.
>See if a campaign against the demon guys in the cave is realistic, or if we need to use the Warrior-Priests and/or dragons to get rid of them.

>>5881231
Yeah it's a good idea to keep them as paet of the 'bread and circuses' the other anon said.

>>5881231
>>5881245
Why not use the arena as a primitive form of a judicial system. trial by combat is both settling feuds of honorable warriors and providing entertainment. Seems pretty logical two birds one stone

>>5880858
>Send diviners up to Taurica to divine fertile fields near the river there. Send colonists to these places until the food situation improves

>>5881258
We already have a more advanced judicial system

>>5880858
>>5881245
>>5881087
+1

>>5881258
>>5881271
Perhaps as an early dueling type of system?

>>5880858
>Send diviners up to Taurica to divine fertile fields near the river there. Send colonists to these places until the food situation improves.
>Expand the arena, but keep it as a spectacle for the population.
>See if a campaign against the demon guys in the cave is realistic, or if we need to use the Warrior-Priests and/or dragons to get rid of them

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>>5880893
>>5880917
>>5881087
>>5881091
>>5881231
>>5881245
>>5881271
>>5881280
>>5881291

The arena will be expanded, and with it, fertile farmland within the region is discovered by diviners; the river itself is a source of life in the otherwise desolate region, and so the Tauricans, growing unsettled by their rising populations, decide to enact a series of resettling actions. Clans that have grown too restless alongside their neighbors decide to move and colonize elsewhere, and the lands surrounding the arena are an attractive spot.

Over the course of several seasons, about a fourth of Taurica's population makes its way to the lands surrounding the arena, establishing a new colony as the arena itself is built up with stone and wood. This solves the current population issues in Taurica. Over the course of future ages, the arena will doubtless evolve into a grand coliseum, and a thriving riverside community will grow around it, descended from the Tauricans who first settled here.

Before we move on to the other events (a campaign against the cave-demons), what shall we name this new colony?

>>5881319
>Harenae
Sandy and also means arena in Latin, unless I'm mistaken.
Also sounds a bit like harenarius, which means gladiator/combatant in a sandy arena.

>>5881328
Fitting

>>5881328
+1

>>5881328
Support

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>>5881328
>>5881333
>>5881359
>>5881432

Very well, Harenae it shall be.

The settling of a new territory reveals hexes adjacent to it that are unexplored; so, to the southwest, the plains region is revealed to contain simply nothing of note. Of course, animals and such in our region still roam there, it just contains nothing new.

In an effort to further settle the restlessness of the Tauricans in this time, a call is put out to all those who are brave enough to delve into the ruins to rid it of the dretches that lurk within its shadows. After several such successful hunts, it becomes clear that these creatures are quite annoyingly persistent, and their population continually bounces back after each purge. It is not known how they breed, if there is some kind of nest, or if some other otherworldly force is at play.

This does have a fortunate side effect, in a manner of speaking, in that rowdy warriors and youngsters looking to earn their blooded marks as a rite of passage have a place they can venture into in which they can slay foul and unnatural creatures to their heart's content. Even so, the dretches can be surprisingly difficult foes at times, particularly if their numbers grow too large and they ambush an unwary or foolhardy adventurer in the expansive catacombs.

And now for the random events of our age:

1) The creation of great food stores in our society occurs. Storing food can assist during times of famine, and can directly counter negative effects of certain random events. Our society once intended to use a small pocket dimension with properties of slowing time as a food storage site, but it instead is now used to contain a dangerous eldritch orb that warps all things around it. These food stores, primarily in Anguia, become culturally ingrained and utilized. They must be protected, both from within and without.

As this does not require a reaction, we shall move on.

2) In the midst of all of the troubles our people are facing this age (food shortages, internal conflict, rampant paranoia) appears a man, a demigod amongst men, promising to lead our people into a new age. This man is taller and stronger than any in the land, which he claims is due to actual divine parentage; he claims that he is a mortal scion of the ruler of a pantheon of deities, and that his great power (both martial and magical) comes from celestial blood. In this age of decline, he begins to amass many followers and believers, and he makes it known his intent to tear down the structures of old and depose not only the Rex but also the Red Naga.

As one can imagine, this draws incredible controversy. Our penitent lord, the Crimson Serpent, has faithfully led our people and advised our rulers for generations. Yet this man, who displays feats of strength greater than any we have ever known, claims to be here to depose the serpent, and that he is the herald of new gods. He appears to be gathering a following out in the wilds southwest.

How do we react to this news?

>>5881471
Send someone to ask him what his gods' tenets are, and what his gripe with the Red Naga is.

While we're attempting to mediate the matter, contact the Dragon and Wardens to see about massing our mightiest forces against him, should it come down to it.

>>5881471
>Offer to meet him in person so as to ascertain his character. Then, when he has been drawn out into the open, capture him using overwhelming force so we can study his divine blood and spread it among out people.

This brings up a good point, can the red naga create any children of his own? Could he do it with a dragon? Could we have a dragon/naga hybrid?

>>5881475
Seconded, we might be needing to call on the wardens so soon to fight and/or house him, it is good that we have them. and Id like them to be on stand by while we hear more of this heresy

>>5881507
>can the red naga create any children of his own?
Probably, but he isn't inclined to.

>>5881471
>Ask this man to prove his strength in magic and ascertain if his magic is like the demonspawn's.
Also, supporting >>5881475

>>5881471
>Have the wardens try and capture him, and have the priests take samples of his blood to verify if he's the demoness' spawn.

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>>5881475
>>5881509
>>5881537

This herculean figure, a man who can lift boulders over his head and crush rocks in his bare hands, holds prophetic sermons out in the plains to a growing crowd of followers. Delegates from Anguia are sent to assess this man and question him.

He claims to be the son of the father of gods, a pantheon who live upon a great mountain. According to him, it was they who wiped clean the world of the filth of snakes, ridding them and allowing mortals to rise and claim the lands the malicious serpents once ruled. The only immortals that can be trusted, he preaches, are those who live in heaven; immortality upon the earth is a sin, for it is destiny that those who die take their place in a greater plane of existence, a place of celestials and gods.

The naga is lying, merely putting on an act of penitence and lordly wisdom, and taking advantage of your people's worship. There are not many of them left, these serpent-masters of old, and all of them wish to reclaim their former power and glory and enslave mortals to be their servants and toys once more. Once the moment is right, the red naga will turn on your people, paying your fealty and prayers and hopes and dreams back with cruelty, malice and slavery. "There are no good snakes," he proclaims, loudly and many times.

Their empire was so vile, so wretched, so evil, that many gods banded together to wipe it from the earth, but some stubborn remnants remain: ancient ruins, their displaced servants and monsters, and of course survivors like the crimson serpent lord of your people, the so-called penitent. He has acted to protect and guide your people, but this is like how a farmer or shepherd protects animals he intends to harvest in some way. Once he has what he needs, his no-longer-needed veil will slip and he will take his place not as a wise and kind lord, but as a cruel and terrible master. "There are no good snakes, not one!"

His charisma and power are clearly winning over many people who come to listen to him and witness his incredible feats of strength. Through worship of the gods he champions, namely his father (though he is admittedly vague on finer details, such as how his father impregnated a mortal and why), he says that the people of this land can truly take control of their lives and destinies rather than putting their faith in a duplicitous serpent (according to him).

How do we react to his words?

>>5881676
Well I'm sold, lets give him some tests, such as the blood test, to gain trust, but otherwise I'll listen to what he claims, he sure has great abilities, If we can all or even some of us get them, it could be a great boon

>>5881676
>Have someone get a sample of his blood, to see if he is truly of divine heritage or if his blood comes from a darker source.
>Contact the Wardens to prepare an ambush against him.
I don't trust him in the least. I still think he's the demoness' descendant.
Besides it would be a shame to kill our snake dad.

>>5881676
>>5881699
I'm also curious if the new pantheon can bless us similarly. But I also want him tested for demons.

Surely we should draw a line in the sand over removal of the rex. Especially after his sacrifices and his successes

>>5881676
>>5881707
+1

>>5881676
Propose a compromise: Snake Dad can go live on our prison island with our other weirdos. If this dude insists on murderizing him, we'll say "okay, but out on the island, where those who worship the serpent won't see"... Then direct the Wardens and their dragon progenitor to gank this guy instead when he arrives. If he agrees to let the serpent leave peacefully, I'm more inclined to believe in his mercy and wisdom and to give him a shot.

Also, ask the Red Naga what he knows about these 'mountain gods'.

>>5881713
Also, yeah, we should keep our Rex in at least SOME position of authority here. He wouldn't want us to think HE'S a power-mad enslaver, right?

>>5881676
adding that clause to >>5881718

>>5881718
The Scarlet Serpent didn't do anything wrong. I don't want to exile him for no reason. But I agree with asking the naga about the mountain gods, we can validate this guy's claims.

>>5881676
His might is cool and all but his heretical nonsense and refusal to elaborate on his origins reveals that he is not to be trusted.

He should be tested and questioned until his ploy is discovered.

>>5881718
Seconding Sending the naga to the island if need be vs killing or attacking him

>>5881724
I wouldn't know how to explain divine birth to a bunch of pre-bronze-agers without developed language either

>>5881723
It need not be permanent. Just to wait out the age of paranoia. Heck, if we trust him, we can use his wisdom to keep the dragon-descended exiles on-side and mellow.

>>5881676
>No feats in magic beyond unworldly strength and charisma
Yeah, no.

>Set the seers to divining a weakness of the heretic brute. Assemble gank squad of mages and warriors (do we have rogues?) accordingly.

>>5881676
>Secure a portion of his blood to ascertain his heritage. It is simply our cultural norms to ensure a level of blood purity after all. Once we have the blood, use our magic to attempt to weaken the herculean man enough to capture him. While we are working on our magic, offer him a chance to fight in our arena to prove his masculinity and virility against any and all opponents.

What do you think of my proposition, my fellow senators?

>>5881744
Preparing a way to weaken him before we spring the island trap (IF needed) could be good.

>>5881736
I can support this too. But I feel like we should involve the Wardens in trying to capture him.

>>5881734
>Just to wait out the age of paranoia.
I don't expect him to just let any type of power that lands into his lap go to waste. He's going make it a tradition to keep the naga away, or cause more unrest that will culminate in sending an assassin against the snake. At least that's what he should be doing if he's clever enough and wants to consolidate his own power.

>>5881744
Not bad, I'll support this as well if it comes to it. He will probably kill any arena opponent lmao.

>>5881718
You're acting like a deceitful serpent-worshipper that he says we are. Won't he see the trickery you're proposing? Why would we go against our lord god over the words of a stranger?

>>5881748
It is why I said capture. I support the island trap. I want this demigod bound and I want him studded. True roman divinity for true romans.

>>5881752
>kill any arena opponent
I do not consider the deaths of the plebs to be anything worth thinking about. The aim is to keep him distracted while we tighten the noose.

>>5881758
You're letting the brute prove his might over the people, earning him popular support. The simple Tauricans would be swayed if we let this happen.

>>5881753
His ego is great, and many of our people are flocking to his banner. He may well think we've just drank his particular brand of kool-aid.

>but the deceit!
I'm cool with using cunning now and again.

>>5881676
This is a populist demagogue of the kind that appear in hard times
>insert spies among his followers to sus out his weaknesses

>>5881762
Agreed, he might gain support in the arena, but he could all the same lose it all. And it would be a good way to turn his current supporters

>>5881730
It's not like that's hard. it's actually very common in bronze age culture

We haven't really asked snake daddy what he thinks about all of this, why is that?

>Confront the Naga with these claims and ask for his counsel in dealing with this

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It is clear that the appearance of this demagogue demigod is disruptive; there is much discussion. The Rex consults with the Red Serpent, who acknowledges the possibility of the man's claims of being descended from heavenly deities. Such things are not impossible, and his kind have done much to earn the enmity of gods and goddesses from many celestial realms.

However, the naga assures the Rex that he takes his penitence of the utmost serious nature. He feels strongly that he was given a second chance to endure past so many others of his kind due to his willingness to change his ways. Though he cannot remember much from before the fall due to some unknown magical cause wiping his memory much like it did the naga empire of old, he would never betray the faith of the people.

When asked if he would step down or accept exile, the naga replies that he would be happy to. It was never his intent to become like a god. If the people were to adopt another pantheon, he wouldn't fight it. However, there exist many evil forces in this world, and they often cloak themselves with promises of a brighter future. The truth must be discerned at all costs, lest the civilization invite an agent of evil into their midst and only find out the truth after it is far too late.

Emboldened by the words of the lordly serpent, the Rex is determined to learn the truth of this man. He sends a delegation to collect a sample of his blood and test it for demonic influence, much like how the infernal-blooded scion infiltrators last age were able to be found out. Furthermore, he instructs a band of trusted scouts to infiltrate his growing followers and see what they can observe that others may be ignoring or not noticing.

He seeks the wisdom of the Seers. Their divination reveals that there is some otherworldly quality this man possesses; there is a direct link between him and the heavens, but the nature of this link is not easily understood. They ponder this information for some time.

A report reaches the Rex's ears from his delegates; the man's blood was acquired, in fact it was offered freely to be tested. There is no evil taint within his blood, his body is pure without a trace of infernal presence. This troubles the Rex, but he is more troubled to learn that the man has finally made his way into one of the communities, the newly-formed Harenae, and is now demonstrating his feats of strength in the arena. Evidently, he is defeating all who challenge him, displaying not only supernatural strength, but incredible resilience to injury as well.

The Rex fears that this may be the end of his regime. If this man truly seeks to supplant both him and the naga, what will become of his family? His wife? His society?

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>>5882331

In the night, as the Rex paces nervously, a scout arrives with a report for his ears only. The scouts he sent successfully infiltrated the following and have been studying him closely. They note that the man never sleeps near anyone else; he always ventures out when the sun is setting and never falls asleep with anyone around him. In the mornings he returns to preach and show off his great feats.

One of the scouts managed to follow him to a clearing, where he witnessed something very strange. The man does not sleep. All night, he stares up at the night sky, his eyes wide open and glowing white. It is as though the stars themselves are burning in his eyes. He does not even sit down, he stands the whole night through.

Then, in the absolute dead of night, the scout saw something he shall never forget: reaching down from the heavens, almost completely intangible, was some kind of illusory serpent. This serpent seemed to stretch onward into infinity, behind the stars themselves. This serpentine specter stared back into the eyes of the man, and light was beamed between both, like mirrors reflecting moonlight at each other.

The scout scurried away before night, and rushed non-stop to return to Anguia to report back this knowledge.

The Rex takes this to the red naga, whose face grows thin as his eyes grow distant.

"And so, it returns," the red naga whispers to himself.

Long ago, many ages past, your people were troubled by a cosmic serpent, a snake god of evil intent, imprisoned for its horrible crimes behind the very stars. This serpent possessed a woman, though she was freed of its evil, and is in fact an ancestor of the Rex himself. Then, many ages later, it sought to possess the Barbarian King of the south that would become Taurica, who led an invasion of the north. That man was slain in a climactic battle with the half-vampire twin sons of the thirdborn of the royal family that age, releasing and revealing the Star Serpent for all to see before it was banished once more back to its celestial confinement.

Now, it seems, the Star Serpent has returned and has a new host, and is once again attempting to subvert your society, but this time through deception and attempting to get people to willingly support its takeover. It has gone to great lengths to hide its true nature from the eyes of your seers and their divination magic; it is learning ways to avoid being found out. Clearly, however, it must continually "recharge" its possession of the man every night. The serpent is still confined, its power limited, and so every night its host seeks isolation in order for the serpent to renew its possession.

The question now becomes what to do next.

>>5882333
Well the question now becomes how we can expose him for what he truly is. Man this guy is a hypocrite.
Maybe we can somehow hold him back from doing his nightly ritual? Get him drunk or something?

He goes on about how there's no good snakes, but gets his special powers from them lmao

>When asked if he would step down or accept exile, the naga replies that he would be happy to. It was never his intent to become like a god. If the people were to adopt another pantheon, he wouldn't fight it. However, there exist many evil forces in this world, and they often cloak themselves with promises of a brighter future. The truth must be discerned at all costs, lest the civilization invite an agent of evil into their midst and only find out the truth after it is far too late.
Anons pls. Snake dad doesn't deserve to be exiled, he's one of the few good people out there.
Besides, we probably need his help around here. Not just for this, but for future situations like this one.

>>5882351
If he were to go to warden Island, it would be for his safety. and that's what I'm worried about. we could still talk to him while and after we figure this out. so long as he doesn't die.

>>5882347
if our Rex can expose his hippocracy, maybe by setting up a guard for the man so more and more people see what he is. just be persistent, our future Rex cant be unguarded, right? combine that with a celebratory feast as the Rex toasts him for a ceremonial "stepping down". it might work

>>5882333
>"Exile" snake dad
>Invite the false king into our midst
>Offer to marry him to our Great Beauty, since he's so great that we'll even give him our wife if only he'll spare the Rex's life and bloodline
>BUT it's all a trap!
>Have the Great Beauty delay, and entice, and entertain, and put off the act of sex and submission until night falls
>Prevent him from achieving his nightly power boost
> in the meantime, have the Naga and our Wardens (we'll send word to them) ambush and capture/execute this bastard
Leverages all our greatest assets.

>>5882379
We have to prove it to the people though, he has supporters, especially in Harenae. we cant have a civil war right now over succession.
(though I support getting the Wardens on standby for the op)

>>5882379
If we capture him, we can execute him publicly and watch the serpent energy fly out of his neck-hole.

>>5882333
I think you guys are overcomplicating this. Why not just gather a small but powerful war party, including the Naga, and gank the Star Serpent during the ritual? We might even get a non possessed great hero out of it!

>>5882333
>Cosmic Snek
I wonder if anything he said had a glimmer of truth within it.

>Invite the snakepuppet to some nightly celebration held in his honor at Harenae. Get our people to always focus the center of attention at him.

Before doing >>5882379, maybe we can reduce Harenae's favorability with this.

>>5882420
>>5882379
I'm slightly disinclined to involving the Naga in this because I don't trust him not to martyr himself to kill the Sky Snake.

Besides that though, how do we kill something made out of the sky? I think any plan that involves trying to convert the demigod should put some obstacles between him and the clear skies. Can our diviners raindance?

I'll just throw this out there (admittedly because I'm going back and rereading things myself)
>1st thread, age 9
>"To this end he bestows knowledge upon your people that he has refined in his time alone, specifically because he knew the Star Serpent would once more rear its cosmic head. A rank in Abjuration Magic has been taught to your civilization, with a special emphasis in dealing with possessive entities. As a school of defense, he means to shield you as best he can."
That and we did get a second rank in Abjuration magic in the last thread from studying the ancient ruins near Taurica.

>>5882333
>Invite the snakepuppet to some nightly celebration held in his honor at Harenae. Get our people to always focus the center of attention at him.
>Have the elder dragon gank the cosmic serpent while the ritual is happening.
I don't care about cunning, so long as we discredit him. Basically supporting >>5882420 but without involving the naga in the actual attack.

>>5882435
>I'm slightly disinclined to involving the Naga in this because I don't trust him not to martyr himself to kill the Sky Snake.
Agreed.

>>5882439
So basically we can do an exorcism on the possessed guy?

>>5882435
We beat the serpent before with a rock to the head of it's host, you think we can't fuck it up with a party of our most powerful people at the point that it is most vulnerable?

>>5882439
Even more credence to the plan of involving our god.

>>5882445
I think he's saying that the Scarlet Serpent will sacrifice himself to permanently get rid of the Cosmic Snake. It's something that sounds poetic, and would fit in with the theme of "leader's sacrificing themselves" these threads have had.

>>5882333
In light of >>5882439 I will vote:
>Use our Abjuration Magic to dispel the Scarlet Snake from the possessed man. Have the elder dragon in standby in case something goes wrong.

>>5882452
It's the second paragraph that I was responding to. We got a real chance to do some damage to this subversive pest here. I argue to involve the Scarlet Snake to raise those odds as much as possible. Plus it makes for a dramatic confrontation, just tard wrangle him before it to mitigate the suicide risk.

>>5882452
Also Scarlet Snake is our god and the Star Serpent is his adversary. The greentext has it wrong.

>>5882333
>>5882452
I will support this too.

Backlink >>5882443
In case my id changed.

>>5882455
That's fair.
But I have to admit I fear for the worst with our snake dad getting involved. I don't want him to an hero. I feel like it's been said before but he doesn't deserve to die and/or be exiled, and he's one of the most reasonable and useful parts of our society.

>>5882445
That's just fucking up his host though, not his actual self. I slightly fear the possibility of the Sky Snake just not showing up when we detain the snakepuppet and it turns out that snakepuppet is a willing collaborator, but putting that off.

>>5882431
>>5882379
>Task the abjurers with creating inconspicious and fast rituals and talismans to banish the evil spirit. Silently invite them in plainclothes as the midnight comes to ward away the snake if he descends.

>>5882481
That's exactly my point though? We can fuck him up directly now and if defeating it's host was deterrent enough in the past then how could it stand up enough to our god for a heroic sacrifice to be warranted? It has to use subterfuge because a direct confrontation would end badly for it so it's exactly what we should do.

>>5882333
>Use our Abjuration Magic to dispel the Scarlet Snake from the possessed man. Have the elder dragon in standby in case something goes wrong.

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>>5882379
>>5882393
>>5882431
>>5882440
>>5882452
>>5882462
>>5882481
>>5882765

With knowledge of the Star Serpent's involvement, our people's most ancient and persistent enemy, the Rex goes about devising a plan, but he knows that he must stack the odds in our favor as much as possible. To this end, he summons the eldest dragon, and asks him to fly to the Isle of Exile and speak to the wardens, whom he is close with. He asks for their assistance. For the ones born between this age and the previous, it would be their first time being allowed to travel to the mainland.

The Rex summons his most trusted advisors and Warrior-Priests and sets them to the task of devising a means of using our knowledge of abjuration to expel a possessing spirit from a host. Ancient knowledge passed down orally through several generations will be required.

Next he gathers his most trusted generals, warriors, wolf-scouts and royal guards, and tells them of the importance of not letting this man escape once he is brought to the capital. He must have eyes upon him at all times, but must be made to feel welcome, that his deception is being believed. To this end, the eyes on him must be seen as little as possible, ideally not at all.

In private, the Rex speaks with his wife, whom he asks for help, using her enchanting beauty to help the cause. She agrees, knowing well the fate of all of civilization may be at stake.

And finally, the Rex approaches the red naga and asks for his assistance and any final guidance he can offer. The naga expresses some despair at the scenario; the incredible strength and resiliency of the host means that if he catches wind of the plot, much damage could be done to those he is nearest. However, he also sees little other option; the nature of an abjuration ritual such as this necessitates preparation and luring him into a trap. He wishes there were some way to strengthen the prison that binds the Star Serpent, perhaps even at the cost of his own life.

The Rex implores the naga to not go through such a course of action, but the naga assures him that even if he would be capable of such a thing, he does not know if he would have the strength of will to do so. He confesses in a quiet and ashamed tone that he selfishly wishes to live, and such an action would doom him to an eternal fate of holding back the Star Serpent. Even so, he admits, perhaps it would be worth it for the sake of the people, whom he has ever sought to do only right for.

The notion of the naga sacrificing himself for the sake of the people upsets the Rex, and he resolves to ensure that such a course does not come to pass.

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>>5882883

Envoys are sent bearing gifts for this man, inviting him to the capital. After many days, he arrives with a host of his followers who sing his praises and tell tales throughout the streets of his feats. Only the highest levels of our society know the truth of the trap, and so for the time being, the people and Anguia must remain conflicted and confused by the words of these believers and the man's promises of a new golden age and gods to worship.

The man himself strides up to the capital square, where he meets the Rex. His boastful words about how small and weak the Rex is are taken with gritted teeth behind tight lips as the Rex stares into his eyes, knowing that the Star Serpent is staring back at him. He gazes into the abyss and does not flinch, instead playing the part of the cowed and meek ruler welcoming the demigod into our midst. He offers his wife as entertainment, as agreed upon in secret, and a great feast is to be held.

The demigod sits at the head of a grand table as food from all across the land is served, and all the while the Rex's beloved wife plays the part of a fawning and infatuated prize for the demigod.

It is difficult to discern how much of this man's personality is true and what is false; are all his words, deeds and personality traits the product of the Star Serpent? Or is it a case of influencing an already-established personality, of nudging someone set in their ways down certain paths? Regardless, the man seems to believe that they believe why he is here, happily accepting the hospitality of his hosts all throughout the feast.

When night begins to fall, however, it is clear that the demigod is preparing to leave for, as he puts it, a nightly walk. The Rex, his wife, and all others do what they can to keep him in place, distracting him with food and drink. They succeed for a few hours, but the more they do so, the more the mask seems to slip. He grows irritated, impatient, and wrathful. He throws aside the woman clinging to his arm and pushes aside a group of men attempting to block his path, storming out of the palace through the forum outside.

This is precisely where the trap is sprung. Abjurer mages form a circle around him, their hands glowing as he steps into the center of a prepared circle. This circle binds him into place with magical chains. He lets out a mighty roar of anger as he struggles against them, his feet cracking the stone underneath him. Overhead, the elder swoops in with the two younger dragons, and warrior-priests gather to keep crowds at bay. The hounds of the wolf-scouts bark as the demigod's eyes begin to glow a bright white. People gasp in horror as a spectral serpent begins to emerge from the man, as though slithering out of his mouth.

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>>5882884

Bringing up a foot, he slams it down upon the earth, smashing the forum floor beneath him and creating a veritable shockwave that knocks the abjurers backwards. The ritual circle is broken as the floor it is drawn upon shatters. The Star Serpent recedes into the man, whose eyes glow white like stars as he angrily turns his attention upon the crowd surrounding him.

The abjurers scatter as the dragons, with the eldest flanked by the two younger wyrms, all unleash their fiery breaths upon the man. He brings up his arms in a defensive posture and holds his ground. When their torrents of flame cease, he stands there, his skin charred in places and his clothes destroyed, but seemingly unharmed.

Men rush up and throw nets upon him, which he begins to tear through. The elder dragon commands the two younger ones to fall back before moving to engage the demigod in combat, whipping his tail at the man, knocking him into the statue of the red serpent. He picks up a chunk of the stone and hurls it at the dragon, who narrowly avoids it. The dragon lets out a mighty roar, though not one to intimidate his foe: a signal.

Hidden figures amongst the rooftops of the capital rise up, their wings unfurling from their backs. Seven warriors, white-haired with brilliant blazing orange eyes, their hands ending in claws, with horns, wings and reptilian tails, begin to circle the demigod in the sky, hurling evocation magic down upon him. Warrior-priests use illusory magic to conjure up false images and distractions.

The demigod is enraged by all these gnats poking at him, and he charges the elder dragon, tackling into the great beast. In a feat that astounds all present, he lifts the dragon over his head, turns in place and throws the beast into the basilica, crashing through its entryway, injuring it. The enemy, towering over the forum, walks towards the dragon with the intent to finish it off.

The Rex darts in with a spear and stands before the demigod, even as the large man is attacked from behind by fiery bolts he shrugs off and ignores.

"You can do nothing," he boasts in an otherworldly voice; the Star Serpent's.

The Rex stabs at the man, only for his spear to break.

The demigod grabs the Rex by the throat, lifting him up. He could snap the man's neck in an instant, but he takes the opportunity to gloat some more.

It is this opportunity that saves the Rex's life, as a great red tail uncoils from the side to knock the demigod down. The Rex's wife rushes to his side to help him up as they both look on and see the red naga wrapping his tail around the demigod like a constrictor snake.

The red naga and the Star Serpent stare each other in the eyes. Suddenly, the man stops moving, and he opens his mouth as the specter of the cosmic prisoner begins to leave. The plan has succeeded; he has been kept occupied long enough to prevent renewal of the possession.

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>>5882886

"I will return!" the Star Serpent declares as it coils upwards towards the stars above, returning to its prison.

"And I shall be here waiting for you," the naga coldly replies.

The assembled masses witness the ascension of the Star Serpent towards his cosmic prison, a winding, writhing worm with no end that fades from sight. Slowly, the red naga uncoils its tail and allows the man to fall down. The man grunts, pushing himself to stand, and confusedly looks around.

"I know not where I am, but does anyone have a drink? My head is killing me."

He explains (over a drink) that he is indeed a demigod, the son of a great and mighty god, but that he is not meant to be here, and by here, he means this world. There are many realms and worlds, domains where different gods rule and creatures of every possible imagining exist, but he was not meant to come here. Some strange cosmic incident brought him to this world, a portal storm of some kind, perhaps natural to some furious corner of existence or the errant work of a wizard or a game between gods, he knows not what. But upon his arrival, he found himself possessed by that serpent when it promised it would return him home.

This explains his great strength, resilience, and odd, rounded ears.

His memory during possession is spotty at best. Brief flashes of what was said and done are there, enough to know that he was used in a way that he would never have acted before. He has no desire to rule; in fact, his godly father's insistence on him being groomed for the throne of his pantheon is what drove him to become a wanderer in the first place, a defiant streak of rebelliousness against his father's strict and overbearing nature. He apologizes for his actions, and asks if anyone knows a way for him to get home.

The red naga informs the demigod that he lacks the power to create portals to other worlds.

"Ah, it's just as well, I suppose," the demigod shrugs. "I've wandered several other realms and worlds, this one is no different. I'll find my way out eventually."

He thanks our people, apologizes once more, and prepares to leave, intent on simply wandering away. After his embarrassing possession, he seems keen on not wearing out his welcome.

>Do we have any further interaction with the demigod before he departs?

>>5882889
He's just leaving? Couldn't he at least stick around long enough to repair the damage he inadvertently caused by listening to some random serpent?

>>5882889
We can tell him that he is always welcome around these parts.
I suppose we could also ask for any tips on how to get our mortals to be as strong as him, if it's at all possible.

>>5882889
>Ask if he knows any magic or divine lore that we may use
>Offer to trade travelling supplies for those if possible

Some demigod should know a secret or two right?

>>5882889
We should invite him to stay, that we might learn of his people and his pantheon, there may well be a connection between us. It is entirely possible that a part of our ancestors were stolen from the world he comes from. Perhaps introducing the worship of his fellow divines might attract their attention and allow for him a way home. I expect that we could benefit from a connection to another world.

>>5882889
He should probably help us fix the stuff he broke.
Also, get someone fertile to seduce him and steal his divine bloodline for our civ

>>5882889
>Ask if he would be interested in consensually impregnating any number of willing adults

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>>5882889
>>5882893
>>5882935
>>5883008
>>5883096
>>5883357

The demigod, upon being asked to help repair the damage that has been done, relents and accepts. It was, from his perspective, at least partially his fault for allowing himself to be susceptible to the possessing snake's influence, and so he will take responsibility for the damage done.

Over the course of several days, he assists in clearing debris, acquiring new stones, and replacing damaged sections of the temple, forum and such. He is a remarkably humble fellow, though one not afraid of having a good time. He does not, however, allow himself to sleep with any women, explaining that he would not leave fatherless children in this world with his divine seed. He may have a strained relationship with his own father, but he isn't about to become an absentee father for several children on a world he may very well never return to once he leaves either.

He does regale the people with tales of the places he has been to. Temple-cities within vast jungles, sailing upon an endless ocean, a massive city overtaken by barbaric nature, frozen wastelands of a northern realm, and realms which defy explanation, physics and easy description.

He also spends some time with our scouts, telling them secrets and ways he has learned to travel. In so doing, he imparts the knowledge of Pathfinding upon us, a skill which allows for the free exploration of a hex at the start of each age and enables exploration actions to cover more hexes. While he is not willing to share his divine blood with your civilization, he can teach your people the means to achieve great strength of their own by sharing a training regimen and explaining certain concepts regarding fitness. Even as a demigod, he did not become the way he is through minuscule effort. He imparts the knowledge of Athleticism to our people, allowing our warriors and scouts to run faster, fight harder, and last longer in any situation.

Having imparted all he feels he can, he thanks our people again for their patience and understanding, and wishes us well. With that, he departs our lands to wander the world until he reaches the next realm on his journey.

>Pathfinding and Athleticism unlocked for free!

We now move onto our final random event for the age.

3) A pillar of our society is competition, in the sense that the Rex/Regina competes each age to see who will take up the reigns of rule. The trials we require of members of our society to earn their positions are also a form of competition, from a certain point of view. This age, we may establish a new form of competition or contest. We may dictate the form it takes, from a martial competition to a footrace to debate to any other form of competition we desire (within reason and technological limitations). This competition will become part of our society going forwards, a tradition carried onward into new generations.

What will this new contest/competition be?

>>5883381
Perhaps a footrace marathon to commemorate our newfound knowledge in Pathfinding.

>>5883381
>Some kind of team sport with large teams, which would test the leadership abilities of the team captains

>>5883442
This is actually a great idea.

>>5883381
>>5883442
>Some kind of team sport with large teams, which would test the leadership abilities of the team captains

Maybe some kind of obstacled relay running or capture the flag? Something the demigod taught us.

>>5883381
I'd like something animal related, like dressage riding, or beast-taming competitions (similar to American rodeo)

>>5883442
>>5883459

Capture the flag seems like a good call

>>5883381
I support a form of Capture the Flag, called "Capture the Serpent" and involving banners representing the Red Naga and Star Serpent, as a sort of commemoration of the defeat of the False King and banishment of the Star Serpent in this age. One part Capture the Flag, one part Civil War reenactment! Host it in big open areas to take advantage of our new skills and abilities, too!

>>5883459
Lmao love capture the flag. +1 here

Wonder what would happen if we invented grifball?

>>5883666
Based, I like it anon

>>5883666
What if the Star Serpent team wins?
I think it's better not to tie the teams to the good and evil.

>>5883926
It can be a form id divination, maybe, predicting a dangerous/bad year.

>>5883929
It's a poor divination when a team can just throw a match

>>5883666
This is going to be funny as reenacting the brother v brother gladiator fight we had every year or so. Probably should replace the sneks with not real ones, like White and Black.

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>>5883442
>>5883449
>>5883459
>>5883577
>>5883666
>>5883703
>>5883896
>>5884317

Very well then, a competition involving a kind of "capture-the-flag" scenario will be adopted, an early form of sports for our people.

>...

The appearance of the half-dragons at the dramatic unveiling of the Star Serpent has many people discussing the deeper implications of these hybrids and wondering just what goes on at that island. Whispers of degeneracy involving the dragons and profane rites, fear surrounding them due to perceived impure blood, and all manner of rumors and wild stories about the islanders proliferate throughout the communities.

It is clear that after the fiasco with the half-demon infiltrators, society may never be able to accept hybrids such as these. Not wishing to make anyone uncomfortable, they fly back to their island home to resume their duties as wardens, rejoining the small number of them left behind.

The Rex inquires of the naga about these curious hybrids, and the red serpent can offer some speculations he himself has been mulling over. Dragons are special creatures, unique in the kingdoms of animals and monsters, a classification unto themselves. All dragons have innate magic tied to their very being, and these dragons in particular are of an elemental origin. Types of beings from other planes and realms can interbreed with mortals, producing curious hybrids; celestials, like the demigod's father, or devils and demons like the dark seducer. Dragons, too, are like this.

When asked if such an origin predisposes a child to good or evil, the naga cannot answer; the subject of nature versus nurture is one that may never be answered, but he does not believe that a being's path is laid out at birth in such a way that it cannot be deviated from. Though people have their fears and prejudices, the wardens were ready to heed the call to assist the civilization when they were needed. He hopes that relationship will not be soured due to the reactions of the common folk.

>...

At the shore of the ocean, a young woman tosses rocks into sea, watching idly as the waves crash upon the shore. She is startled when she hears footsteps approaching her; it is a citizen of Anguia, a young man. He sits near her. "You seem to be deep in thought," he remarks.

"I was just thinking about the waves down there," she points at the beach. "On my home, out there in the sea, the waves look the same when they wash up on shore." She throws another stone into the water.

"Shouldn't you have left with the others?"

"This will probably be the last time I see the mainland for the rest of my life," she says wistfully. "I wanted to look at it a little more, but it's not much different, I suppose. It's the people who are different. They don't make me feel welcome."

He nods, hugging his legs close to his chest. "I know a thing or two about that."

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>>5884489

"Do you?" she asks, staring at him. She notices an odd color to his eyes she hadn't seen before. Her eyes narrow a bit. "Who are you?"

"Nobody really, I suppose. No father, my mother is thought of as a whore. And I'm... different." He looks at her. "I've never really told anyone this before, but you're different, too. Maybe I thought you'd understand, I don't know."

"Different how?"

He holds out his hand, and before her eyes, his normal skin changes from its sun-kissed complexion to that of a dark, purplish-red, his fingers ending in claws. "I learned a while ago that what I'm supposed to look like, what everyone thinks I'm supposed to be, isn't what I really am. I can hide it, and I do, always. You're the first person I've ever shown. If I ever showed this to anyone else, I'd have been killed, or exiled." He chuckles softly. "Maybe I would've been sent to your island and met you anyway."

She's heard the stories of demon infiltrators, the reason why she exists, but something about this young man doesn't strike her that he is an enemy. He seems sad and lonely.

After a moment, she stands up. "Why don't you come with me? I can take you to the island."

He looks up into her eyes, his own curiously-colored orbs meeting her fiery orange ones. "I'm afraid," he says. "I don't want to leave my mother. I love her."

"She can come too," the half-dragon offers.

He looks out at the sea, considering the offer for several moments in silence. "No," he says softly. "It feels like I'm supposed to stay here. I don't know why exactly."

"Then... perhaps I could visit you? It would give me a reason to come back here. Perhaps it could... give us both something to look forward to?"

He looks up at her and smiles, and accepts her outstretched hand that pulls him up. He doesn't mind her talon-like claws or the rough scales of her palm. "I'd like that," he says, and he watches as she steps back to spread her wings and take off. They share another look as she flies away before she vanishes into the distance, both glad to have made a friend.

>...

At the current size of our civilization, we can support three player actions per age. As a reminder, player actions are purely on the initiative of whatever we would like to accomplish, such as exploring, settling, building, or more.

What will our first action of this age be?

>>5884490
>free explore a hex with a river in the grasslands
>explore another such hex next to it
The grasslands should have fertile soils

>>5884490
>Free explore a hex with a river in the grasslands
>Make more cultural unity, this time between the Sylvians, the Tauricians, and the people of the new colony of Harenae.
Interesting developments. I mean it's obvious where this is going.

Also, QM could you share with us what you do to determine your random events? Sorry if you already answered this question.

>>5884490
>>5884516
+1
The Sylvians and Tauricia could still be culturally divided and having the new colony be influenced by pushing for unity could preemptively stop any rebellion in the future.
Maybe we can make a celebration, remembering these times of trouble and how we were able to overcome them.

>>5884531
I was thinking more in terms of starting a cultural exchange between the three. But a celebration could be good too.

>>5884533
We can combine them and make it an annual thing.

>>5884534
Not a bad idea. I'll support that.

>>5884490
>Research the magic necessary to forecast disasters and ways to prevent or mitigate them.
>Seek out more people to train into being seers and start putting the diviners we have on hand into service for the public's good.

If we had known that food will be scarce, we could have stocked more. If we had known that the brothers would be quarelling with each other, we could have acted before one needed to die. If we had known that the Star Serpent would descend, we could have planned a better solution to him.

>>5884490
>Free explore a hex with a river in the grasslands

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>>5884516
>Also, QM could you share with us what you do to determine your random events? Sorry if you already answered this question.
Well not for a while, I think, it's fine. Here's my random generator; pardon its general disorganization, it works for me. The master spreadsheet is where I keep all of my civilization population counts and calculations and such.

Everything in the game is randomly generated, at least when initially discovered. I have a spreadsheet with a ton of macros linked to massive lists I've made to fulfill criteria of what can happen, be discovered, etc. and it also has die rollers on it and other random number generators. When I need something, I click the red/blue button and it generates a number of options which I then roll on to determine what I'm going with, and then I make dice rolls and judgments if I feel it doesn't really fit. So, selectively randomly generated, guided by myself, but I usually go with what it gives me.

I do often reroll things that are wildly out there or wouldn't be possible yet based on things like current technology, societal development, contact with other players and such.

As for events, I tend to generate four, drop one, and selectively reroll the remaining if they don't fit, going with the first one that does. Over the ages, a story for the civilization emerges as they react to events and take actions, which I try my best to honor and reinforce and every once in a while throw a curve ball into.

Each civilization in the game follows the same rules, and is played the exact same, though admittedly I put on my "big boy" hat for the threads and tend to get a little more prose-centric with my updates.

>>5884490
>Free explore a hex with a river in the grasslands

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>>5884492
>>5884516
>>5884758
>>5884877

Traveling upriver southwards from the lands in which we once eradicated the ratfolk, our people explore these plains regions.

In this region of the plains live wild droves of colored boars. These boars feature a rainbow's worth of dull, subdued tones, ranging from earthy greens to dark blues and ruddy reds. There does not seem to be any special significance to the tones of these wild pigs, nor are they magical in nature, nor are they poisonous.

This is a beneficial discovery, as such creatures are capable of being domesticated.

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>>5885148

However, before we can continue on our journey, a horde of monstrous hyena-like fiends descends upon our scouts, taking them by surprise. Their jaws drip with acid and their cackling drives men to madness. Only some of our scouts escape, leaving their companions to be devoured by the others.

Before our exploration can continue, this horde of spiked, unnatural-looking demonic hyenas must be dealt with.

How do we react to this?

>>5885149
Have our diviners try to see if there's anything supernatural about this.
Try to isolate and capture one, dead or alive, for study.

>>5885160
Seems sensible. Know thy enemy and all that. Support!

>>5885160
Support

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>>5885160
>>5885185
>>5885710

Our diviners indeed detect something unnatural about these creatures; their origins lie in the abyss.

Attempts to capture one are exceedingly difficult with our current capabilities. Their acidic bile that continually drips from their jagged maws allows them to destroy any rope or net that is thrown upon them, and dissolve any muzzle one would try to place upon it. These creatures are large, man-sized in some instances, with the largest being as great as a horse.

All attempts to capture one fail. The one instance in which such a beast was killed, only after killing seven men itself, it left no body behind---it dissolved into a black, bubbling, acidic ink that sunk into the earth, killing any plant lift upon the spot where it died and poisoning the earth.

The absolute ferocity these creatures exhibit is matched only by their cruelty; they will bite a man's leg off and allow him to crawl, circling him and cackling all the while as he screams and cries out. They will stomp on his spine with their paws and dig their claws into his back, seemingly reveling in his pain, as though it makes him taste better. They play with their prey before utterly devouring them, bones and all. To watch a pack of these monsters at work is gut-wrenching; they cannot be part of nature. They are demons of the plains, ruling a domain of dust and blood.

Estimates put the pack at two, perhaps three dozen strong.

What is our response?

>>5885731
Consult the scarlet serpent, and lets see if it's possible to lay out a trap for them using our illusion magic.

>>5885731
Bait them with an illusion of a particularly vulnerable torture victim, keep them occupied, and then ambush them from all sides with ranged weaponry if possible. Is our illusion magic complex and cogent enough to do this?

>>5885738
That's a good plan. Supporting.

>>5885738
Lets do it.

Considering how many issues we have with demonic and abyssal creatures we should really form some manner of organization dedicated to fighting them.

Inquisitors or some such

>>5885805
That's also not a bad idea. I'm down for making something that'll help us get rid of the demons and the like. We should get onto creating something like you suggested as soon as possible.
Did we ever fully get rid of those evil cave demons goblins?

>>5885805
Don't we already have that with the Tauricians and the Dungeon? That kind of group, with the right to trespass other people's rights and the dangerous magic required to oppose demons, is going to be troublesome when nothing is opposing them. We should just improve our magic if we want to beat the demons.

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>>5885733
>>5885738
>>5885742
>>5885805

With only a Rank 1 in Illusion, our spells have a range of up to, at most, about sixty feet or so. Illusionists will have to work in tandem, creating sights, smells and sounds, while another group waits in ambush.

Unfortunately, it does not go well. The creatures see through the ruse and instead lay a trap of their own, counter-ambushing the would-be ambushers, flanking them and tearing them to pieces, and of course all the while playing with their food. Only a few of our force who were held back are able to escape.

The creatures are intelligent, it seems; underestimating them is proving more and more costly.

In consulting with the scarlet serpent, the naga advocates that there may yet be another means to capture these creatures, in the form of a great pit. If constructed in such a way, they can be lured into it, and they would not be able to escape it even with their acidic jaws.

However, the warrior-priests tire of these efforts to capture these unnatural creatures; a heavy-handed military response should be implemented. Monstrous creatures such as these warrant wiping out. They want to send a large force to face these creatures head-on and wipe them out; send the dragon, too. Fooling them hasn't worked once, there's no reason to think it would work if attempted again, so meet brute force with brute force.

What is our response? Do we attempt to trap them, attack them head-on with a large force (possibly with the dragon) or leave the plains to these demonic hyenas?

>>5886096
The dragons and wardens have a purpose, and it isn't pest control. Do the pit trap. Let's not become over-dependent on our big guns.

>>5886098
Supporting pit trap as well. I'm also wondering if there's a special school of white/holy magic we might tap into in the future to counter all these supernatural threats...

>>5886096
Try the pit but keep the dragons ready

>>5886096
Pit trap, maybe blast them with the dragon in the pit. I hope they don't poison the water supply

>>5886118
We can maybe experiment with them in the pit.
>>5886098
Agreed, though they may enjoy their usefulness

>>5883896
Phone posting, This ID

>>5886096
>>5886217
At that point, we should just involve the dragons and wardens from the start. Summoning them from their island is already an action. I would prefer using abjuration to reinforce the pit and evocation for non-arrow/spear support.

>>5886098
+1
Dependency on a single weapon leaves us vulnerable if a weakness is ever found.

>>5886096
>attack them head-on with a large force

Lets just kill these bastards and be done with it

>>5886534
Born is a hero Leroyous Jenkin

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>>5886098
>>5886118
>>5886176
>>5886217
>>5886220
>>5886351

With many workers, a hole is dug, steep and deep. The leaping capabilities of the creatures have been observed, but to account for their cunning, the pit's rim will be lined with wooden spikes. Once it is dug deeply and wide enough, the workers are lifted out with a load of dirt and stone with ropes. Now comes the issue of tricking the creatures into falling in.

Guidance from the naga imparts the idea of laying a net with grass and dried leaves upon the pit.

Observation of the creatures shows that they enjoy rotting carcasses and general carrion. An animal is killed, and while most of it is gathered for our use, enough of it is set aside to make juicy bait. To increase the odds, several such corpses are gathered.

This is where our wolf scouts come into play. Once the demon hyenas take the bait, our trained wolves will lead them to the trap by going up and getting their attention and running away. Then, a man surrounded on all sides by the pit will be waiting. The wolf runs around the pit, while the man jumps up and down to get their attention.

The trap works flawlessly. A pack of seven demonic hyenas stumble into the pit when they go for the man. They scratch at the walls, but though their claws and paws are large, they are not suited for digging. A wooden platform is lowered from one side to the central pillar to get the bait man. However, the large demonic hyenas slam into the dirt pillar from below, dislodging it. It falls over and he tumbles down into the pit whereupon he is devoured, much to the horror and dismay of all assembled.

However, we now have a pit of the demonic hyenas. The question remains, what now? There are still others out there in the wilds; this was only a small group of them.

>>5886552
They are smart, right? Let's see if we can exploit the trapped ones as bait for their kin who try to save them.

>>5886558
Seconding

>>5886552
I say we get a dragon over and have a nice pit BBQ. Then we repeat the whole process until eradication.

>>5886552

Kill them, and in the process see if they are particularly weak to anything.

>>5886552
>>5886580
+1

These things are little bastards aren't they?

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>>5886580
>>5887245
>>5886567

It is decided to send word to the capital, to summon the dragon as well as several prominent warrior-priests for advanced study of these creatures.

There is a warrior, sitting guard at night, keeping watch for any sign of trouble. His partner goes out to relieve himself nearby.

Several minutes later, just as the yawning warrior was beginning to wonder what was keeping his partner for so long, he hears his partner's voice... coming from inside the pit.

"Help me, I've fallen in!" his partner says in a hushed tone. "The beasts are asleep! Please, don't let them get me!"

The warrior scrambles, his mind too set on helping his friend to consider how his friend could have fallen into the pit when he had walked in the opposite direction. He lowers a rope into the pit.

A moment later, something very large and very strong yanks on the rope, causing him to fall into the pit, whereupon he is devoured by the cackling fiends. As for his partner, he too is devoured---by the ones who followed the trail of the captured pack and waited for the moment to strike.

The demons, having dragged a fallen tree across the land in their savage jaws, angle it to be pushed into the pit. The demons within escape by climbing up its bark, with the ones at the top biting their allies to drag them out.

From here, the horde of some forty to fifty demons set about enacting revenge against these uppity half-elves. They run across the plains, until they come upon the burgeoning town of Harenae. In the night, these demons set upon the town, and the savagery that followed, the slaughter and chaos, will be spoken of for generations to come. With the town being so new, adequate defenses are not yet in place, such as walls and proper sentries. The demons rampage right inside, past whatever meager defenses have been mounted by monstrously mauling any night guards. From here, they unleash chaos.

The demonic hyenas burst into homes like things out of nightmares, dragging people out into the night. They make parents watch their children be devoured before their eyes, then make husbands watch their wives suffer the same fate, before eating the men. The large creatures trample homes and kick torch emplacements to start fires, they charge through walls and crash into the bases of wooden towers. Fires rage about the town; some of the demons even purposefully light themselves ablaze just to run through more buildings and set them on fire.

Their rampage is short, but the damage is severe. Some two hundred people are killed by the beasts, their acidic jaws leaving horrifying half-melted corpses for the morning sun when reinforcements arrive. The pack is long since gone, having eaten their fill, but they did not leave alone; they captured several young half-elven girls and dragged them screaming away into the night. Whether their fate is to be a snack for later or something far more sinister is something that one shudders at the thought of.

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>>5887568

The outrage at this matter is something that cannot be understated. The people, particularly those of Harenae hunger for revenge. These unnatural creatures cannot be tolerated to so much as exist upon this world, they must be destroyed! If a military measure is not immediately agreed upon, the people of Harenae will take matters into their own hands and hunt down the beasts on the plains.

Cries for unleashing the dragon reach the capital. We have more eggs, after all, and if the beast can fly and they cannot then the dragon will not even be harmed. Send a force of a thousand, no, ten thousand warriors! Let not this grave injustice, this profane display of monstrous terror go unanswered! Seek not to capture the demon, seek not to speak to the demon, destroy it where ever it is found! Have we not suffered enough at the hands of the abyssal, the infernal, the abhorrent? These are the cries of the people.

How do we respond?

>>5887570
Send the elder dragon to scorch these beasts.

>>5887570
>Send in the dragon and the warriors. All of them. Use our divination to find whatever monstrous hole they came from and burn it all.

>>5887580
+1
We must purge them without mercy.

>>5887577
>>5887580
>>5887617
+1
I sense danger, here but there is nothing else we can do... Is there? What about those spooky spider-monster bros... Maybe they can help us?

>ask our Draegloth neighbors for advice or assistance

>>5887570

>>5887570
Respond with a full mobilization, If its a man that can hold a weapon or throw something on fire, send them to the front line. overwhelm and purge these disgusting creatures. I hate hyenas

>>5887570
>Send a massive rescue mission to get the captured Haranae people. Use the Dragon as protection

>>5887674
What if I told you the senate was controlled by a dark lord of the hyenas?

>Always two there are, a gnoll and a hyena...

>>5887570
>Send the dragons, the wardens, the warriors, everyone. But be careful to treat the demons as a peer enemy, not beasts. Expect a trap and prepared defense. Decide beforehand what to do if they threaten hostages.

>>5887869
>Also strengthen the guard in every settlement and leave one dragon in reserve. I would fully expect a raid while our forces are away.

>>5887674
Obliterate them
>>5887783
Are the gnolls responsible for the attack on Haranae?

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>>5887577
>>5887580
>>5887617
>>5887671
>>5887674
>>5887749
>>5887869
>>5887871

A massive mobilization of every settlement's forces is immediately agreed upon, and a force is swiftly raised with the express sole purpose of annihilating these monsters. The elder dragon is brought in to perform advanced flying reconnaissance ahead of the army, and if possible, toast any stragglers on the open plains.

Forces from Anguia, Sylvia, Taurica, and Harenae are marched towards the plains. Such a mobilization, greater than ten thousand in number, may seem disproportionate to the number of enemies, but the hatred for demons within this land is strong, and stories of what happened to Harenae have spread throughout the land. Every man fears for the lives of his children and wife and so they march.

The demons of the plains have gotten confident, and arrogance already being part of their nature, do not expect a response such as this, and thus are unprepared when the dragon swoops down upon them. The fire of the dragon is more than a match for these creatures, blasting them on the spot and leaving nothing but black stains behind when their bodies dissolve.

The dragon catches several packs of these monsters unawares and annihilates them, but identifies a den of sorts. The dragon flies back to alert the army as they close in on the grasslands. These lands are home to curious reptilian creatures, but they are not our focus.

The demonic hyenas have retreated to their dens. Surrounded as they are, there is no hope of retreat for these monsters.

Several warrior-priests approach the den, where the largest hyena emerges, but only enough to speak. "There is no hope of us living if we meet in combat," the monster concedes. "However, the girls we have taken yet live. Allow us to leave, and we will let you have them. We shall trouble your lands no further; we will depart to the south, or elsewhere, someplace your people do not tread. If you do not, we will kill them, and then die."

What will we do? Do we negotiate with the beasts? Accept their terms and save the girls? Or slaughter them all, and if the girls die, then so be it?

>>5887998
>tell them they can leave as soon as the girls are safely returned
>if they agree, betray them as soon as the girls are safe. It's what they would've done
>if they don't, declare to the people that the girls must be already dead and slaughter the demons

>>5887998
>Accept their terms, but first use divination to see if they're actually going to keep their word.
>If they are to betray us then just kill them.

>>5888042
I almost just want to kill them anyway, but I don't want to stoop to their level.

>>5887998
We dont negotiate with terrorists and we certainly don't negotiate with their hostages. Burn them out

Captcha: 20KDR

>>5888043
It wouldn't be stopping to their level, in fairness. We aren't physically and psychologically torturing anyone. We're killing them as efficiently as possible.

>>5887998
>tell them they can leave as soon as the girls are safely returned, unharmed
>if they agree, let them go
>if they delay or if they have mutilated/raped/otherwise badly harmed our girls, kill the hyenas

>>5888238
Support, cant let them roam and breed

>>5888018
Support

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>>5888018
>>5888042
>>5888043
>>5888238
>>5888322
>>5888361

The Rex, flanked by the entirety of the royal guard, approaches the massive demonic hyena and delivers the terms.

"Yes, we return the girls, and you kill us anyway," the demon deduces. "You will send away the dragon, and once he is gone, a hole in perimeter will be created. The girls will be upon our backs. As we run past your men, we will drop them."

The Rex narrows his eyes. There is no guarantee that the creatures will uphold their word---in fact, it seems all the more likely that they will not. He demands to see the state of the prisoners, and the large hyena calls for one to be released.

She stumbles out of the cave, walking on weak and shaking legs, covered in cuts and dried blood. Her clothing is in tatters, and her hair is a mess. But it is the look in her eyes that says it all; the emptiness, the despair, the horror. Her face is a mess of blood and tears as stares off into space, as though not seeing anything at all.

"She's alive," the demonic hyena pack leader says with a monstrous, sickening grin.

There is no releasing these creatures, the Rex resolves. Not after what they have done. This cannot happen again, not to our people, not to any peoples.

The Rex speaks with the dragon, and puts a plan into action. The dragon flies away, but only making a show of it. The hyenas give the dragon time to reappear if that were the case, but the dragon has been instructed to return only in the event of a signal being given.

The demons of the plains emerge from the cave, some twenty or so left, with the savaged girls upon their backs. The Rex gives a signal to allow the army to make way, an opening in the east. The hyenas begin to charge towards it. The nature of their victims means that some of them lose their balance or grip and fall ahead of time.

Now the Rex springs his trap. The wolf-scouts, having moved into position and hidden in the east, charge to close the gap, letting loose their hounds. The hyena demons split up into two groups, heading north and south, only to find the army rapidly closing on that position, mostly normal scouts.

The most skilled priests combine their magic to create a bright white light and send it up into the sky; the signal for the dragon to return. The dragon swoops down, prepared to assist in finishing off these monsters.

Backed into a corner, the monsters fight ferociously, and some of them maul the girls that managed to hang on or use them as meat shields. Those that can be freed from the monster's backs and dragged to safety are, but most of the hostages die.

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>>5888439

The pack leader himself is a beast upon the battlefield, able to trample through formations, but the dragon tackles it with a flying charge and wrestles it down into the earth. The two claw at each other, but the dragon forces open its mouth and breathes fire down its throat, causing it to burst from the inside and then dissolve.

All the beasts, without exception, are put down. Wolf-scouts, having gotten the scent, sweep the surrounding area for miles and miles, but there is no further sign of demonic taint upon the land. Every spot where one such creature died is as though salted earth, a permanent mark upon the landscape by these foul abominations.

There are seven girls who yet live, though it cannot be known if they would ever fully recover. They do not speak or react much to outside stimuli, beyond fearing the touch of anyone and recoiling from it. If the creatures have done something to them, it may be better to put them to death. It is a difficult and horrifying choice.

What is to be done with these women?

>>5888441
Establish a convent

>>5888441
Kill them. Burn the bodies to ash. They might be infected with some unholy demon magic. Plus it will be a mercy for them, whatever is left in there.

>>5888441
>Establish a convent on the prison-island, under care of the Wardens
They aren't prisoners, though. Their section can be a sanctuary.

>>5888441
>Establish a covent under the care of the diviners and priests. Under their guidance we can find out what ails them, if it spiritual curse in nature or merely psychological.
>Consult the Scarlet Snake about this, see what he makes of it.
Don't we have some sort of purifying forest magic or am I misremembering something?
Either way it would be better to keep an eye on them with our diviners and the Scarlet Serpent. Better to be safe than sorry.

>>5888441
>>5888627
+1
This could be the start of something that could help us later on.

>>5888480
>>5888560
>>5888627
>>5888661

Very well, where would such a convent be located?

>>5888683
I still favor the 'prison' island, as a way to shift the Wardens still further from pariahs who police demonspawn to a more positive.

>>5888683
>>5888686
agreed with the wardens, in case they were corrupted in some way. they can bat watched and cared for there. sending some regular half elves might be a good idea to make a support village for the wardens, with how much we are utilizing them. might cut back on their animosity towards us

>>5888683
>>5888705
Is it wise to put them in an island with demonblooded people? The Naga can watch over them right?

>>5888705
I think it's less THEIR animosity (that is, the Wardens') so much as our MAIN POPULACE having animosity towards THEM. They're the mistrusted offspring of an ousted bloodline who used to be the ruling dynasty, after all, and the same impurities-of-blood which got them ostracized is ALSO why they're so useful to us and we keep calling upon them to bail us out.

It must seem very hypocritical from the Wardens' side: we want their powers, but condemn them for inheriting them.

If they keep proving themselves loyal and useful as they have, I'm in favour of pivoting the dragonspawn Wardens back into the succession for Rex and Regina.

>>5888683
I have to agree with this anon >>5888776 I feel that we should have the Naga watch over them instead. He must be lonely, and perhaps in the stewarding of these poor wretches he can find some peace.

>>5888683
I'd much rather put them under the care of the Naga and the diviners. It is much more safer that way, just in case they have an actual curse or something.

>>5888806
>It must seem very hypocritical from the Wardens' side: we want their powers, but condemn them for inheriting them.
We haven't really 'used' their powers much. Unless you count the thing with the Star Snake, but we didn't really NEED them for the evocation magic they just simplified using it with their flight. We could've just used some dragons with riders on them if we wanted something similar, or just hidden people around the area to snipe the magic on the demigod.

>>5888683
Keep under the supervision of the Naga and diviners. Like I said before it could be the start of something that could help us later on.

Backlink >>5888661

>>5888806
>If they keep proving themselves loyal and useful as they have, I'm in favour of pivoting the dragonspawn Wardens back into the succession for Rex and Regina.
They'd have to rule from the island if they became Rex/Regina, unless we want them break the oath of the last Regina from their line.

>>5889004
Having our seat of power be DRAGON ISLAND is kind boss, to be completely desu.

>>5889111
True, could help quell any mainland power struggles that could arise in the future too.

>>5888806
Yes but it only takes a few interactions for that animosity to go both ways. I'd rather be safe with Dragonlords watching over us, than with a Dragon blood feud in striking distance of our capital.

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>>5888776
>>5888810
>>5888916
>>5888989

Very well then, the girls will be kept under the care and supervision of our naga lord.

After a mere few months of attending to the girls with the help of priests and others, it becomes clear that the girls are unfortunately pregnant. The foul and disgusting acts the demons performed yet linger on. Worse yet, the supernatural nature of these unborn creatures renders them immune to traditional forms of pregnancy termination by way of certain roots and herbs consumed in large quantities. The girls suffer throughout this time, their bodies growing ill as they struggle to support the hybrids festering within them.

There is much hushed discussion about what is to be done, but the naga has final say over their conditions. If they can survive the birth, the girls will be spared, and so he will not kill the girls before their time has come, however the "children" cannot be allowed to live.

When the time comes, much sooner than a normal half-elven pregnancy no doubt due to the abhorrent abyssal nature of the spawn, the temple is sealed, with none allowed to enter nor leave. What happened that night is only whispered about in the darkest corners of the seediest places, for all who assisted the naga and the girls were sworn to secrecy.

The girls survived the night, but their wretched spawn did not; the naga saw to that. The nature of the creatures born, the vile and horrendous appearance, will never see the light of day or be known to the common man. As for the women themselves, they will never truly recover, either physically or mentally, and so they formed the beginnings of a convent of holy women, an elite religious caste dedicated solely to piety, sanctity and helping others in matters polite society would not speak of, such as victims of rape, abuse, and attacks by men and monsters alike.

This is a dark and terrible chapter of our history, but our people will endure, and bury the painful memories in time.

>>>>><<<<<

The scouring of the grasslands for further signs of the demonic hyenas has allowed us to explore more hexes than originally would have been afforded by a simple exploration action. Our wolf-scouts and scouts have thoroughly searched the region, and discovered several things:

1) Large herbivorous dinosaurs (Iguanodons)
2) Two-legged reptilian creatures with triangular-beak mouths (Wormmouths)
3) Weda (Fruit Tree)
4) Pumas
5) Black Mulberries (Fruit Tree)
6) Deposits of Amber
And a hex containing nothing of note.

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>>5889313

However, something truly marvelous was discovered as well; the grasslands are adjacent to one of the dragon-meteor landing sites, and someone else has already hatched the egg. The pair of dragons were hatched in the previous age, making them functionally infants this age, but it is the ones who have hatched them and cared for them that are truly marvelous: a group of five female nagas, much resembling our naga lord save for their feminine faces, even bearing similar reddish scales (perhaps a little more on the magenta side). They are kindly and welcoming to our explorers, and provide them food and water.

In speaking with them, we learn that they have lived here for a very long time, keeping each other safe from the dangers of the land, until the meteor landed two ages ago. They used their magic to hatch the eggs and have treated the dragons as their children ever since, communally raising them. The five naga women explain that they have no memory of the lands before a great white flash; they found themselves wandering in the wilds until they met each other and banded together to form a coven of sorts. Upon learning of our society, they very interested in their dragon children socializing with other dragons and meeting our naga lord.

How do we react to them?

>>5889314
Bring them to our Lord and have the dragons beside him. Have the Rex atop one of the dragons perhaps? Has he bonded with one of them or is my memory making shit up?

>>5889341
The dragons maintain close ties to all of the royal family, even if the Rex/Regina title can change families each age.

>>5889350
I mean a specific one, as a mount. Is that the case?

>>5889313
Snakedad definitely ate those babies.

>>5889352
The Regina the Dragon was close to is the one we ousted and exiled to an island, and who he has had a bunch of kids with.

>>5889314
I don't trust them. Most snakes are bad; even the Red Naga has said so. I think we should
>Ask the red Naga what he thinks
before we tell them he even exists, let alone bring them to meet him.

>>5889352
While the bond between the eldest dragon and the Rex/Regina may vary from age to age, I do generally hold that the dragon allows them to ride upon his back.

>>5889398
Then you can guess where I want him to be if this meeting happens. >>5889357 brings up a good point, why not ask him about it first? I do think it's possible they legitimately do not remember since our Lord also does have memories from the reign of serpents, only that bad bad things were done at the time. He should know how best to ascertain the truthfulness of their claims, maybe we should try to divine them as well?

>>5889314
I suppose they should be invited to a formal meeting of with the red serpent and our own dragons as well as the rex. I suppose our own patron is proof that they are capable of not being horrible monsters, though I suppose we should be read in case of any fuckery.

Perhaps it would not be so bad for the red serpent to have some company at that.

>>5889357
It would appear that they are already aware.

>>5889314
>>5889357
+1
And use divination to ascertain the truth of these new naga ladies.

>>5889429
>>5889357
>>5889314
+1

>>5889405
>It would appear that they are already aware.
Ah, dang. One of the scouts must have spilled the proverbial beans. Dangit.

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>>5889357
>>5889429
>>5889461
>>5889405
>>5889401

In asking the red naga what he thinks of this naga women coven, he is conflicted. Of course he would be interested in meeting others of his kind that may have survived the cataclysm, but he has been led to believe that his free existence was due to his penitent nature, and that (perhaps) no other nagas would be like him. Then again, if none of their memories are intact (and admittedly he only knows some broad details and no specifics, such as his own name) they may have survived by purely being wiped clean with none of their former wickedness lingering on.

He resolves to at least meet with these five; they may outnumber him, but the belief of the people has empowered him as well. He believes he will be a match for them if it comes to it.

We attempt to use divination, and no ill omens surround these newly discovered serpents. Great magic encircles them, but our divination tells us nothing bad will happen. While our divination has been wrong before, the seers are very confident their interpretation is not incorrect.

The Rex, along with the dragons (with the Rex himself riding the eldest dragon) accompany the naga along with the royal guard to meet these other nagas in neutral territory and open ground. The five nagas, recognizing that they are in the company of a religious figure and government royalty, show great deference towards both. The two smaller dragons are incredibly curious about the other beasts, and the two child dragons we possess who are slightly older than they play with them while the elder dragon supervises.

"We seek no harm, nor quarrel with any of your people," the lead representative for the female naga explains. "Long have we lived with only our own company to keep. It would be our greatest honor to take a place within your society that does not disturb the workings of it; if we could enhance it we would do so. Our knowledge of magic would become your knowledge. Our lives would be yours."

The red naga inquires, "You remember nothing from before?"

"Nothing at all," she replies, and he detects no lie from them.

The red naga confers with the Rex. He senses no hostility or malicious intent from the nagas, but he does detect an underpinning of an ulterior motive. However, he suspects this may simply be representative of their desire to join with a larger collective. Nagas are inherently selfish and immortal beings; even if subconsciously, they may have banded together not out of a desire to survive, but a desire to belong to a structure that reinforces their superiority. He himself initially rejected being the spiritual head of our society until eventually he was worn down and accepted the role, and even then he was surprised and ashamed at how quickly he readily assumed such a position.

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>>5890190
It is doubtless that if allowed to join with our society, the nature of the people and their worship will mean they will occupy religious roles. They may not be evil, and it may not be a crime to desire a high role in a hierarchical society, but steps would have to be taken to ensure that they do not fall back upon the ways of the ancients and give in to the pleasures of tyranny over their supplicants.

Perhaps they could be kept within the capital, so that the red naga can keep a close eye upon them and keep them in check. To do so however would reinforce the capital as a place of holy power, which could have both positive and negative connotations in the future. Perhaps each naga could be assigned to a settlement? That would be possible, but if one were to go rogue they would have an entire city under their control. Perhaps they should only be allowed to do so after he has tutored them for some time.

The red naga is getting caught up in hypothetical scenarios and overthinking. The Rex asks him how he feels instead, a reverse of their typical relationship that causes both to laugh. He replies that he does not feel these female nagas are a threat, they are genuinely friendly and helpful, and he hopes he can guide them along the right path as he has done with your people.

What is to be done with these five? Do we allow them to join our society, and if so, in what capacity?

>>5890193
I feel it is best they live with our Lord. He is the best fit to keep them in check and make sure they don't stray from the right path.

>>5890193
>>5890198
+1 sounds good anon, I trust snake dad.

>>5890190
Huh. Worship empowers the Red Naga? That's interesting... Is that a fundamental force of nature in our reality, or specific to his kind? Things to reflect on...

>>5890198
>>5890213
What if they turn tyrannical and gang up on the poor guy?

>>5890193
>Send them and their dragon kids to dwell on Warden Island

>>5890193
>>5890198
+1, giving them their own fiefs sounds like something that will lead to them jockeying for supremacy over each other, even if it means the towns have a naga on call.

>>5890220
And leaving them on the island is better? I don't want them to be out of our sight.

>>5890193
QM I have a question. Maybe I missed it, but were we able to domesticate the boars?

>>5890220
They'd be surrounded by diviners, dragons and people coming and going from the capital. I think we'll be able to manage if they do, and perhaps snake dad will be able to influence them positively.
I'm surprised you'd want to place them in the Warden Island, since that's secluded enough of an area for them to plot if they turn evil.

>>5890240
>boars
I don't think we've done anything with them, since we discovered them at around the same time we encountered the acid hyena issues.

>Warden Island
Secluded in the sense it's separate from our (honestly pretty easy to sway) populace, but also under guard by our dragons and half-dragons, and with a noble bloodline as well.

>>5890240
As the boars are nothing significant beyond their abnormal color schemes, they will be automatically domesticated as of next age.

>>5890193
They will take residence in the capital in a specially erected temple, catered for by a monastic order that will cater to their wishes while simultaneously keeping a close watch on them and regularly reporting everything that goes on in the temple to the Rex and the Red Snake.

We will take them up on their offer to teach us magic and send our brightest spellcasting talent to the temple for research and tutelage.

>>5890246
>>5890249
Ah alright, thanks I wasn't sure if we needed to use an action for the boars or not.
Still I don't really want to exile the nagas. They haven't done anything to warrant it yet and seem to be genuine enough.

>>5890261
Also not a bad idea.

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>>5890198
>>5890213
>>5890221
>>5890261

Very well, it shall be so. The nagas, and their draconic sires, will come to the capital to reside there. The dragons shall take their place alongside the others as direct vassals of the royal family, and the nagas will reside with the red naga in a temple of their own.

Under the tutelage of the red naga, they will be guided and their knowledge imparted unto our priests.

We have earned a free rank in Transmutation magic.

>>>>><<<<<

And so we move onto our next action for the age. It's been a minute, but the earlier posts advocated something to the effect of "Make more cultural unity, this time between the Sylvians, the Tauricians, and the people of the new colony of Harenae."

Will we proceed with this action, or have things changed since the first action's events?

Also, consider what we will do for our third and final action.

>>5890290
>Make more cultural unity, this time between the Sylvians, the Tauricians, and the people of the new colony of Harenae.
It's also tempting to make that inquisition that the other anon was talking about earlier since we've been dealing with demon goblins, demonesses, (probably) demonic hyenas and the like.

>>5890290
Unity is good

>>5890290
>>5890298
>>5890318
+1

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>>5890290
Unity through discipline. Establish an inquisition to tamp down on demonic influences and ALSO on internal divisions. Under their auspices, begin the gradual reintegration of the dragonspawn, as well.

>>5890298
>>5890418
Honestly that inquisition could become bad for the future if it becomes too powerful. I'd still support regional cultural unity though, I just don't feel like the inquisition is a good idea. We already have our priests/diviners checking for demon blood.

>>5890333 is me in case my ID changed.

>>5890438
Alright fine, maybe we shouldn't have an inquisition with social or political power. But I still think we should have some sort of demon hunting in our military, since (correct me if I'm wrong) we still have some of those evil demon goblins running around and I doubt this'll be the last time we encounter something similar to the hyenas.
Maybe we can do a decentralized practice for the whole army? Or teach the Pathfinders about demon hunting specifically?

>>5890290
>Promote regional cultural unity between the differing villages. We are all one people after all.

I do not support the idea of an inquisition. It is just another faction to pander to, and another element that could destabilise the rule of the Rex.

>>5890290
>>5890298
Alright I'll formally not support the formation of an inquisition to my vote. These two anons >>5890451 >>5890458 bring up a fair point.

>>5890467
>>5890467
>These two anons >>5890451 (You) >>5890458 bring up a fair point.
Meant to quote >>5890438 in my reply. Fuck, I really need to get some sleep.

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>>5890298
>>5890318
>>5890333
>>5890458

Very well then, an initiative is undertaken for greater cultural unity amongst our three preexisting communities and our newest one. The sylvians and half-elves of each community come together in a series of celebrations to put behind them the nasty business of the demons, both the infiltrators of the last age and the monstrous plains beasts of this age.

In addition, the bolstering of our red naga lord's ranks with five disciples is cause for celebration as well; many from all over the land come to witness the great serpents and speak to them, seeking to earn blessings for them and their families. Anguia is even moreso than in ages prior becoming a capital city, the concentrated place of culture, religion and governance for our people.

Having enemies in the form of demons, devils and whatever other infernal/abyssal entities lurk in other planes of existence further reinforces our desire for purity; those of fey-blooded ancestry, such as our half-elven and sylvian citizens, fall under this category.

Our people adopt a cultural value of Unity, desiring cooperation and friendliness between our fey-descended peoples. This cultural value will help smooth any racial issues amongst our communities, as well as foster more mixing of blood between half-elves and sylvians. Should more fey-descended individuals be discovered in the future, they will be more readily embraced and welcomed.

What will our third and final action this age consist of?

>>5890498
>Found a great water festival along the shores of our lake. This festival will take two weeks and will host massive feasts and orgies along the shore, celebrating the success of those who ply the sea. Additionally, the wardens will be invited during this time as a gesture of conciliation.

>>5890498
Can we explore another hex? If so can we explore the one to the southeast of the wild rice and truffles? Alright now I really am going to sleep.

>>5890498
>Run a campaign to improve the image of the wardens

Focus on the long service of their bloodline in the royal family and their unwavering support in difficult times

>>5890498
>Run a campaign to improve the image of the wardens
A fairy is a fairy, even if it's a dragon.

>>5890498
>>5890512
Changing changing vote to support >>5890506

>>5890506
+1

>>5890498
>Further our studies on the magic that banishes and wards away demons

I like general improvements more than specialization.

>>5890506
Do we have any great occasion to put on this festival though? >>5890522 is alright because they've been saving our asses, but I don't think sailors have did anything of note (besides colonizing prison island) as of now.

>>5890498
>Run a campaign to improve the image of the wardens

>>5890947
We are creating the festival. It doesn't need an occasion to become an occasion. If an occasion makes it more palatable, consider it a celebration of the defeat of the hyenas, and the one place they could never reach. Da oceannnn

>>5890506
I forgot my vote xd
+1 support da oceannn festival

>>5890498
>>5890587
Changing my vote again this time to support >>5890947
Mostly because it's basically what I wanted to do here >>5890451 if we can't have the inquisition.

>>5890498
>>5890947
+1

Backlink >>5890438

>>5890498
>>5890947
+1

>>5890498
>>5890947
Supporting. Demon slaying training sounds good.

>>5890947

Support

>>5890506

Promoting orgies with scalies sounds like magical realm tier

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>>5890947
>>5891110
>>5891182
>>5891203
>>5891250

Turning our energies inwards, and taking the feelings generated by our encounters with demons in both this age and the last, coupled with the new knowledge we can acquire from our new magical naga disciples and the ongoing desire of our red naga lord to protect and empower us, we can be imparted a third rank in Abjuration magic. This rank unlocks spells that, among other things, allow us to banish extraplanar entitities, seal portals, and remove curses. Abjuration is now our most powerful and studied school of magic, fitting given our encounters with hostile forces from beyond the mortal realm.

With magic such as this, we can more capably ward homes, protect from possession, and when the time comes and the demons or devils are found, banish them or even entrap them.

Rank 3 is also the highest possible rank we can achieve for the time being without further tech to support our magical knowledge, namely research-based techs such as writing.

After the tumultuous events of the demonic hyenas, the age of calm returns, and things settle back down. Our people will continue to explore and harvest resources from the newly-explored grasslands, domesticating the colored boars and iguanodons, and harvesting the black mulberries.

The wardens are never seen again for the remainder of the age, keeping to their duties upon the Isle of Exile.

Our naga lord presides over his new five disciples dutifully and diligently, instructing them in the ways of our culture, governance, and religion. Though he is worshiped as the primary deity of the civilization, they will come to find roles within the now-burgeoning pantheon, a concept that has been adopted by our time spent with the demigod we met this age.

As the foremost icon amongst our pantheon, the red naga represents masculine aspects such as power, strength, wisdom, leadership, and through his acts of penitence he represents growth and self-improvement.

Jointly the five female nagas come to represent and exemplify more feminine aspects to be admired and striven towards by both women and men, such as hospitality, fertility, beauty, compassion, and intellect.

As our people grow in number and our population continues to expand, and more and more people come to worship them, their divine power will continue to grow.

And so our society leaves this age behind, and looks towards the next, hopeful that the events of this age and the prior, at least when it comes to demonic interference, will not be repeated.

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>>5891436

We now move on to our final choice for the age in the form of our technology.

As is often the case with me, I am continually expanding and reworking the tech tree as I do research and receive suggestions, so some tech requirements have changed.

I have also gone back and added the tech of Forestry (representing logging, but also the preservation and livelihood of trees) which I have unlocked for this civilization for free, with the internal logic being that the Sylvians possessed this technology and gave it to us when they joined in Age 9. Future chronological tech lists will reflect this.

TIER 2
>Music (Leads to Dancing) (Culture/Happiness Boost) (Tier 2 Completion Bonus Magical Rank)

TIER 3
>Astrology (Leads to Calendar, Sundial, and Numerology) (Culture/Research Boost)
>Early Medicine (Leads to Early Surgery, and Herbology) (Health Boost)
>Numerals (Leads to Calendar, Numerology, Mathematics, and Bartering) (Research Boost)
>Mining (Leads to Stonemasonry, Cement, Canals, and Bronze Working) (Production Boost)
>Pottery (Leads to Herbology, Plumbing, Irrigation, Water Clock, and Advanced Pottery) (Cultural/Production Boost)
>Proto-Writing (Leads to Calendar, Writing, Theater, and Mathematics) (Cultural/Research Boost)
>Sailing (Leads to Shipbuilding, Canals, and Aquaculture) (Exploration Boost)
>Taxation (Leads to Bartering) (Economic Boost)
>The Wheel (Leads to Advanced Pottery, Milling, Siege Towers, and Wagons) (Production Boost)

TIER 4
>Advanced Cooking (Leads to Advanced Preservation) (Food Boost)
>Agroforestry (Leads to Sylvopasture) (Food/Production Boost)
>Animal Husbandry (Leads to Animal Mills, Shears, Aquatic Husbandry, Chariotry, Riding, Sylvopasture, and Falconry) (Animal Boost)
>Archery (Leads to Crossbows, Ballistae, and Soldiering) (Combat Boost)
>Fermentation (Leads to Advanced Medicine, Fungiculture, Advanced Preservation, and Distillation) (Food/Culture/Happiness Boost)
>Forge (Leads to Iron Working, Hydraulic Mining, and Porcelain) (Production Boost)
>Glass (Leads to Optics) (Culture Boost)
>Horticulture (Leads to Algaculture, Fungiculture and Crop Rotation) (Food/Happiness Boost)
>Housing (Leads to Construction) (Fortification/Production Boost)
>Smoke Signals (Leads to Soldiering) (Communications Boost)

TIER 5
>Martial Arts (Leads to Tournaments, Body Mastery, and Warrior Philosophy) (Culture/Combat Boost)
>Sports (Leads to High Culture, and Tournaments) (Culture/Happiness Boost)

Post remade because I neglected Art being unlocked last age, my bad

>>5891445
>Archery (Leads to Crossbows, Ballistae, and Soldiering)
It synergizes extremely well with our flight options.

>>5891445
>Music (Leads to Dancing) (Culture/Happiness Boost) (Tier 2 Completion Bonus Magical Rank)
magic magic magic