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ThatBasqueGuy posted:did you settle near Adencia? Yes, Adenica is right there to the left of our capital, split between us and the New Wanderers. Most adventurer formables will start close to where they are expected to settle. Edit - Update on previous page.
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Chapter Four: A Tidier Lawn 1477-1494 New Kheterat, Taran Plains, Newshire, 1490 The Taran Plains were the heartland of the old Kingdom of Adenica, an expanse of rolling grassland that stretched from the forests of Lake Silvermere to the Cursewoods where the Ibevari Elves had made their home. It was in these open plains that the knights of Adenica had bred their horses and tested their mettle in chivalric combat, making them the dominant kingdom west of the lake. However, that had not saved them from the Greentide. All the horses were gone, either fled, killed in battle, or eaten by hungry Orcs and starving Adenican peasants. As their legacy was laid to rest in these lands, a different one would arise. It was perfect, as there was plenty of space for crops, plenty of water from rivers winding their way down from the Godshield Mountains, and plenty of little dales where cosy villages could be nestled. Several enterprising groups of pioneers had already made their way into the nooks and crannies of these lands, establishing their homes regardless of the borders claimed by the different adventurer bands. Now that the question of land ownership had been resolved decisively, these settlements could begin growing in earnest. "That will have to go," Galina Darkdew said, flicking a finger dismissively at the stone structure in the distance. She folded her arms and sat back in the seat of the trundling cart, trying to adjust herself on the cushion to keep the bumps in the road from getting too irritating as the ponies pulling it trotted forwards. "It probably took them months or years to build," said Avery, one of the dogsbodies that she'd dragged along on this little inspection. There wasn't quite enough room on the cart for him, so he had the honour of walking alongside the cart along with their dozen-or-so guards. "Then they can take the same amount of time to tear it down," Galina said, "it's an eyesore." The town ahead of them had once been the town of Cantercurse, sacked by the uncouth brutes and then left to rot with a menagerie of Goblin infestations that only made it worse. It had been cleared out by the Small Fellows, but then the New Wanderers had moved in to make it the capital of their little nation, renaming it New Kheterat. In doing so, they'd made the same mistakes the original inhabitants had. It was a tightly packed nest of ramshackle houses clustered around a stone ziggurat that had to take up half of the town by itself. No consideration for aesthetics, no consideration for personal space, and worst of all they'd left an ugly scar of a quarry within sight of the town, where they'd excavated the stone for their monstrosity. This wouldn't do at all. "Take a note," Galina chirped, "we will need fifty Orcs to begin refilling that quarry. It might make a nice boating pond one day." "You're not going to make the Humans do it?" Avery asked, "they dug it all up, after all" "By Corin, no," Galina replied, indignation flaring in her chest, "I am not some slavedriver. Leave that work to the beasts." "Of course, steward," Avery said. He looked scribbled something and stuffed it into his pouch, probably a message to send back to Tiltwick. New Kheterat, probably to soon be renamed back to Cantercurse, was not really Galina's domain. However, in the absence of any proper authority over these newly acquired lands it fell to her as steward of Tiltwick to tend to the land and shape into something that her fellow Halflings would be happy to settle in. As they approached New Kheterat, a small adventuring party approached them. A few Cannorian Humans in armour, an Elven cleric, and a pair of Halflings in cloaks that might be mages, rogues or similar made up their number. It seemed a bit small to be defending such an important location. In the distance, a collection of Humans with browner skin, the actual folk that Entef had brought along with him to Escann, were watching them from the edge of the houses. "Welcome, fair lady!" one of the Humans, speaking in a very thick Winesbayer accent, "I am Marcel of Roilsard, and I am afraid I cannot let you past. By order of Captain Khesen, the Small Fellows are barred from entry to this town." "Tch," Galina tutted. Not everyone even acknowledged the existence of a Halfling nation. She was a steward of Newshire, not some jumped-up adventurer captain. The group before her posed a problem. She would rate her guards as being able to slay such upstarts, but she did not wish to see such violence before her person. She was a woman of peace, not a lady of battle like Bravefather. This would cost her, but it was a cost she could claim back from the Council with a little big of finagling. "The New Wanderers have been long disbanded," she said, "but your contract can be transferred to Newshire." "Do you dare suggest I dishonour my vows?" Marcel said, his voice light and mocking. Typical Human, looking down on her. "We both know that your honour only goes as far as the money in your pockets," Galina said. She stood up on the cart, bringing her to eye level with the man. "If my honour were as easily besmirched as you suggest, I might instead be the sort to earn my pay through banditry and ransom," Marcel said. He took a step towards the group, causing all the guards to draw their blades. Galina extended a hand and waved at them to stand down. There was no need for this to come to violence. "Double rates," she said, "guaranteed postings, pensions, and the right to settle." Marcel whistled, and turned back to his party to make some snide remark about whether he should take the deal or not. Before he could open his mouth, a bundle of papers bounced off his helmet. "I've got some for the rest of you as well!" Galina shouted at the party, her hands filled with bundles of mercenary contracts. They stepped aside, and the cart began to roll forward again. Galina tossed the documents out as she passed each of them, then watched as they huddled together to discuss their plan. Greedy scum, one and all. Adventurers had torn up the land in search of plunder, stealing whatever the Orcs hadn't gotten to first. But perhaps that was for the best, as it gave her people the bare fields and empty ruins that they could build a truly fresh start upon. Those contracts were only preliminary anyway. If the bean-counters in Braverton wanted to save some money they could cut all of the benefits in exchange for a one-off severance, or re-negotiate once that small party was surrounded by entire regiments of soldiers. Still, it hurt her purse to have to hand out such things herself so she hoped there weren't any more guards around. "People of Cantercurse!" she called out, as they approached the edge of the town and the assembled townsfolk. She trusted there was someone there who knew Common, and to no surprise one of the older men among them began to speak, translating her words into their warbly foreign language. "Welcome to Newshire," she said, "you tallfolk are welcome to stay here, but only so long as you remain neighbourly and accepting. Of course, this town will need to be redeveloped, and you will need to tear down that ugly block of rock you've piled up in the middle of it. Do not worry about wearying yourself with such tasks, though. Our Orcs will do the work of tearing down the blight you've assembled on the countryside." There were raised voices from the crowd as her words were translated to them. Her guards stepped forward, weapons draw, and the adventuring party strolled up and joined alongside them, contracts strapped tightly to their belts. That quietened down the anger to mere murmurs. After all, there was no need for violence. They could fix the mess these people had made, beautify this entire region, and then fill the hills and valleys with peaceful Halfling homes, all without shedding a drop of blood. All very tidy. Excerpts from Days of Verdancy, Volume Two: Claret Fields, published in Beepeck Village Bookshop, 1837  The first days of Newshire, as soon as the political leaders of the nation had emerged from their feast-induced stupor, were filled with the activity of shaping the government. Captain Bravefather established the Council as a transitionary arrangement, where the military leaders of the former Band of the Small Fellows and the stewards representing the villages of Newshire would come together to make decisions on issues that affected everyone.  Decentralization was the order of the day, for no one who travelled all the way to Escann, whether adventurer or pioneer, wished to live under the heel of tyrannical nobility. The temples were given authority over moral matters, the stewards control over local issues within their villages, and the former commanders of the Small Fellow would maintain the defence of the nation. Each such estate was granted the right to call for a session of the Council, so that any pressing matters could be raised and cooperation could be achieved. We get a lot of free crownland to start with, which means easy access to the bonus mana privileges.  At the first session of the Council, all members reaffirmed the ideals of Newshire. It was to be a nation where Halflings could live in peace, freedom and self-rule. No tallfolk would be allowed to stand above them, nor would any breach of the peace be tolerated. Halflings were harmonious folk. If left alone, then they would tend towards stability.  The first matter discussed, the first decision made, the first order enacted, set events in motion that would lead to the future that has blossomed before us. Robyn Greenblossom, the most powerful mage in the Small Fellows, requested that the Chloromancer's Guild, the organisation of mages that he had established, be granted a seat on the Council. He argued that the Guild would be responsible for much of the reconstruction efforts, growing trees and aiding crop fertility, and as such deserved representation. With support from Captain Bravefather, one of his apprentices, Erel Downroot, was granted a seat on the Council, where he quite appropriately set down the roots for the future.  Finally, the Council voted on the leadership of Newshire. It was unanimous that Aucanna Bravefather remain their leader. She would be elevated to be Lady Aucanna of Newshire, first among equals of the Newshire Council, though she also retained her captaincy in the army. Normal elections for the moment. Newshire will get a more unique system later in the mission tree.  There was much for Lady Aucanna to consider. The nation was established, but her work, the work Smallknight had left for her, was far from complete. Escann remained in chaos. The borders of Newshire were pockmarked with settlements of tallfolk and dens of monsters. The actual hard work of reclaiming the land lay ahead of them. She could not rest, and would not lay down her sword or her pen until she could no longer lift them. The opening section of the mission tree is all about securing and developing your immediate surroundings.  Her first aim was to establish the proper boundaries of the nation. Bushranger posts dotted across the forests and the plains, marking a sort of span of control, but adventurer bands and settlers still roamed wherever they so wished. Braverton remained the centre of the nation, so it only made sense for the core to be derived from there. The ruins of the Kingdom of Adenica and the Taran Plains that surround them were open and fertile, perfect for extensive farmland. They would be the heart of Newshire.  Generations of Halflings had fought to bring civilization to Escann, and they would have their peace and safety, no matter the cost. Blood is, in the literal sense, life. She had bled for these people, and she would continue to do so, and continue to command others to do so. A comfortable life was worth just that much.  One half of the fight was diplomatic, to secure new allies in the changing shape of Escann. Lady Aucanna sent out envoys to some of the more distant adventuring companies and burgeoning nations, those who would not stand in the way of the nation she was carving out. The Brave Brothers, the Ashen Rose, even the left-behind Kingdom of Marrhold were among those she sought relations with.  Closer to home, she had a very difficult decision to make. The New Wanderers sat upon much of the land that ought to be part of Newshire, building up their stone temples and bringing in large numbers of Humans from distant lands. Entef of Wibnuat had been a friend, but his successor far less so. She issued a simple demand, that the New Wanderers allow themselves to be integrated into Newshire, or they would be driven out by force.  Raad Khesen was no Entef. In a fury at the Lady's demand, he marched directly on Braverton, intending crush what he considered to be an upstart adventuring company. He was not prepared to face down the wrath of a nation, as Lady Aucanna led the defence of the town and called upon the Bushrangers to emerge from the wilds and completely entrap the New Wanderers. The entire band surrendered in the aftermath of the battle, leaving their lands unguarded.  Meanwhile, other events were in motion. Erel Downroot reported back to the Chloromancer's Guild on the latest discussions within the Council, and was in turn given his own orders on how to push forward their goals. The Lady's agenda of expansions suited them perfectly, as it would give them more space to run their magical experiments in peace and quiet.  The New Wanderers were ended in their entirety. Those members of the band who refused to put down their arms were expelled from Newshire, while the few Kheteratan villages scattered around their former territory were placed under the authority of the stewards of the nearest Halfling village until such a time as a proper population could be established.  However, there was still more work to do to secure the Taran Plains. The House of Riches lurked to the south, greedily holding onto the slowing rebuilding town of Taranton. The Newshire Army, emboldened by their victories over the New Wanderers, swept southwards and seized the regions under dispute.  While war swept through the south, reconstruction began on the White Walls on the northern border. Bushranger waystations would fend off bandits and roving Orc bands, but if Newshire was to fight the wars of nations then it needed proper fortifications. The White Walls, though considered eyesores by many residents in their vicinity, were an invaluable asset in protection the nation from the Orc-dominated lands of Inner Castanor.  This would be the first of many, the 'Orcward Forts' as they were called. Manned by veterans of the former band and placed to have commanding views of the approaches to Newshire, they would give the simple folk under their watch the peace of mind that any invasion by monsters would be spotted and routed long before marching over the horizon. Even if Mercenary only contained this idea, I'd be tempted to take it. Being able to have an elite core of professional soldiers and hire as many mercenaries as you want without affecting their quality is amazing.  The Council was insistent that the northern frontier be pushed further out, and that more Orcward Forts be established to shield against the rumoured Orcish kingdom far to the north. Far beyond the lands of the Bonecarver clan, lay the fallen kingdom of Vrorenmarch, where a vast horde of Gray Orcs dwelled. If they were to push south into Escann, Newshire needed to be ready.  However, the Halflings were not alone in this conflict. They had secured the allegiance of the Brave Brothers, a band of fiery adventurers in the forest of northern Escann who had no end of quarrels with the Orcs. Lady Aucanna trusted that they would serve as a useful northern buffer against invasion, holding lands that no Halfling would like to settle in.  The northern campaign almost came to disaster when Ghad Bloodgorger, an Orc of considerable repute who had amassed a great horde at his back, emerged from Castonath and marched on the Brave Brothers. Halfling and Human alike were slaughtered in their thousands, and Aucanna suffered her first defeat in decades, being driven back behind the Orcward Forts.  To replenish her losses, she called upon the countless adventurers of Newshire, those who were still hungry for battle and yet since the disbanding of the Small Fellows had to sate themselves with simple quests to clear out verminous creatures in the wilds or act as glorified guards. The systems of payment that had performed so well during her adventuring days soon found good use in bringing thousands more soldiers into the fold at a very comfortable price. Mercenary ideas combined with Halfling military is a real money-saving combination.  With this new force she did not engage Bloodgorger directly, but instead led a daring raid into Castonath, where he had assembled his great hoard of pillaged wealth. As the Orc himself was still attempting to sack the Brave Brother's camp, adventurers were left to run rampant throughout the ancient stone city and plunder all of his wealth. Eventually, he was forced to withdraw from the war altogether.  The Bonecarver Clan could not stand against Newshire alone, and surrendered most of its southern land. Lady Aucanna came to an agreement with the Brave Brothers, that everything beyond Westwatch would be theirs for the taking. As they began to forge their new nation of Wyvernheart, they would become the northern bulwark shielding Escann from invasion.  Continuing her diplomatic push, an alliance was secured with Rósande. The former Order of the Ashen Rose was caught between the dark wizards of the Iron Sceptre and the vicious Deadfang Orcs. Their desperation would serve well in forging their nation into the southern shield for Halfling expansion and act as foothold against the monsters, both Orc and Human, who dwelt in southern Escann.  As the Council continued to settle into a clear routine, it was clear that a few prominent families had managed to worm their way into the fruit of power. The Kettlebrooks, the Darkdew, the Swiftvale, and others all jockeyed for influence within the Council, and petty grudges and feuds began to take up as much time as national matters. Lady Aucanna was glad that each steward only had control over their own village, which minimized their ability to do more than snipe at each other across the table. It was starting to look like the future of the nation would be decided by those families who maintained their stewardships. Not sure on the effectiveness of this. Might be better once our beloved Lady has passed on. I'd also like to see how it works with the eventual unique elections.  Only one force stood between the unity of Newshire's heartland. The Sons of Dameria cowered in their camp, mourning their late captain, Rogier Silmuna. They had failed to entice Bluetusk's son to join them and re-ignite the Silmuna cause, and were completely cut off from reinforcement. Though they had allies, they were too distant to prevent Halfling forces from surrounding their camp and demanding their surrender.  In raiding the camp, the Newshiremen found significant stocks of dried tea. The delicious drink, most commonly consumed on one's porch or in one's lounge while enjoying a relaxing afternoon, had mostly been lost to the pioneers as trade from the sole tea plantations in Cannor, all the way in Moonhave, had dried up. It appeared that the Warriors of Ancard had opened up trade with the Empire once more, and with it imported a great deal of tea, much of which had then been sold on to the Damerians who had been missing it almost as much as the Halflings. Naturally, the tea was confiscated and given to those who would appreciate it best.  The mercenary adventurers participating in the war comported themselves well, without too much rough treatment of the Damerians nor much damage to civilian property. A significant portion of the adventurers in Escann as it approached the end of the century were Half-Orcs, those born from intermingled populations rather than the chaos of war, and they were eager to prove themselves as civilized despite their heritage. The Halflings found them agreeable and useful allies, and began to be more welcoming to them, offering them more than just the menial labour that full-blooded Orcs were left to perform.  With the core of Newshire secure, the waves of settlers who had been living in temporary accommodation waiting for their chance to claim a fresh, unoccupied, plot of land began to spread out across the former Kingdom of Adenica. The Goblins who had once dwelt in those lands were long since driven out, the Orcs were pacified, and the Humans who had attempted to settle those lands soon found themselves outnumbered. Their farmland was confiscated, the trees and the rivers were declared property of Newshire, and any who took up arms or attempted to form adventuring parties without authorization from Braverton were expelled from the nation altogether. These were Halfling lands, first and foremost. Tallfolk dominance would not be risked.  Peace returned to Newshire, for the moment. The last stragglers of the Sons of Dameria were driven away and the people could return to their homes and spend some time in quiet contemplation over the great gift they had been given. Escann was empty, but being filled, wild, but being tamed. Most of all, however, it was fertile. Decades of neglect following the Greentide, as well all the blood spilled during that invasion, during the adventurer era, and now during the consolidation of the nations, had given it a chance to be rejuvenated far beyond the usual standards of crop rotation. There was much that could be grown there, a veritable breadbasket that might surpass the Small Country itself.  At the next Council meeting, Erel Downroot presented a four-step plan, the Four Great Tasks, to take the final steps needed to unleash Escann's growth potential. The first of these was to mark out swathes of farmland, begin parcelling up ownership of the farms to each village, agree on crop rotations and management, and begin fertilizing the soil with the effluence of the animals and people that dwelt within Escann.  The second Great Task would require more time and effort. Trees were valuable plants, providing wood and shelter, however some parts of Escann were far too heavily forested to reach their full potential. The Merewoods would be secured and cut down, to provide even more land for farms in the south. That the region was presently occupied by Orcs was a problem that mercenaries could resolve. I missed the screenshot for the peace treaty, but it's just a full annex.  While the farmers got to work sowing and the labourers got to work chopping, Lady Aucanna held other ambitions. Though the core of Newshire was secure, she believed that there were four farthings yet to be integrated into the nation that would serve as prime land for her people. The first of these, the Northern Farthing, would sit along the edge of the White Walls, where Lake Silvermere drained into the River Alen. The only force that still stood against her were the settlers of the Pioneers Guild, who were backed only by the distant and isolated Marrhold.  As more and more members of the Small Fellows retired into peaceful lives in the villages they had helped found and defend, the new generation of mercenaries found themselves at somewhat of an advantage in negotiations with the Council. In times of war their salaries inevitably increased in value, though the stewards were happy to pay if it let them keep their hands on a trowel and watering can, instead of a sword and pike.  The Pioneer Guild surrendered their land beyond the wall in short order, and shortly afterwards the Northern Farthing was declared. A festival was held in the town of Dustinwall, named for their heroic forebear Dustin Smallknight, and there was even an impromptu vegetable contest, as several of the stewards in attendance had brought their finest garden achievements to the celebration.  Peace and safety had been secured, the average Halfling was free to build their home and tend to their crops without fear of being conscripted or subject to looting by roaming armies, and the verdant lands of Escann were beginning to see a transformation. However, danger still lurked. The Orcs in the east continued to grow stronger, only opposed by the faltering Corintar and the collapsing Kingdom of Marrhold. Though Newshire was now a tidy garden, it could yet be trampled upon. To be continued… Vote Ideas Religious – We are a faithful people, honouring both the benevolence of Castellos and the strength of Corin (I'm sure nothing will come of that…). Our faith ought to be taught to the monsters we take under our tutelage, so that they might make themselves useful. Administrative – Newshire is growing fast, and the burden of administering grows along with it. Though we rely on stewards to hold responsibility for managing their villages, communication between the villages needs to be standardized and organised. Infrastructure – We are cultivating a land afresh, and each village alone would struggle to build all the infrastructure to support such cultivation. By combining our efforts, Escann will bloom. Diplomatic – Though we are one of the stronger powers in Escann, we cannot ignore the growing threat of the Orcs in the east or other powerful nations who might stick their noses into our business. Tight friendships will aid us in defending ourselves. Espionage – Though we are one of the stronger powers in Escann, we cannot ignore the growing threat of the Orcs in the east or other powerful nations who might stick their noses into our business. Cunning and wit will aid us in shielding ourselves and striking back at them. Court – Bickering petty politics is a common sight at all levels of Newshire's government. A little bit of ceremony and a lot of judiciously organized feasts and parties will go a long way towards easing tensions. Vote for up to two options by clicking on the image below. The second-place idea group will get bonus votes in the next poll.  Voting will last 48 hours.
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Apr 26, 2024 19:24
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I don't even know what court or infrastructure does lmao, much less a read on our future with various ideas
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Apr 26, 2024 21:49
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ThatBasqueGuy posted:I don't even know what court or infrastructure does lmao, much less a read on our future with various ideas Infrastructure is good for tall play, with improvements to development, construction and the cost of maintaining states. Court is all about internal politics, allowing us to get more out of the estates and increasing reform progress, prestige, and republican tradition.
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Apr 26, 2024 22:49
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Immediately betraying our allies and building a racialized slave caste as soon as we settle down, you love to see it don't you folks?
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Apr 27, 2024 01:07
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If Orcs didn't want to be slaves they would have fought harder to win.
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Apr 27, 2024 01:13
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Wow I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Iron Scepter displaced that far south at this stage. Also lmao we’re just a smol bean ethnostate. Can’t have enough non-halflings that they might outvote us….Newshire has a right to exist folks! Captain Oblivious fucked around with this message at 01:28 on Apr 27, 2024 |
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Apr 27, 2024 01:16
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Blood....and soil?
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Apr 27, 2024 01:39
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The idea of halflings enslaving orcs is actually pretty dang funny, if you think about it.
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Apr 27, 2024 02:05
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Court bonuses don't sound good... but feasts do so they got my vote!
habituallyred fucked around with this message at 05:41 on Apr 27, 2024 |
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Apr 27, 2024 02:05
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I'm just a little guy, you can't get mad at me for slavery and ethnonationalism, on account of how we're such a little guy, c'mon look at how little we are. Plus it's our birthday.
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Apr 27, 2024 02:14
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There was a reason Newshire sat alongside the likes of the slaver drug barons Gnolls, the demonic Oni, and the nazi Elves in the vote for the second campaign. Great food, plenty of ale, the finest pipeweed this side of the Dameshead. Just don't mind who's doing the all the work while Farmer Kettlebrook lounges on his porch. Edit - Though, I will say that betraying our allies was kind of inevitable even if we were playing a more wholesome nation. Mission trees gotta get done, and Escann post settling is a real thunderdome. Sybot fucked around with this message at 07:49 on Apr 27, 2024 |
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Apr 27, 2024 07:46
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Plus the ai tends to migrate into your tribal land and settle down and this ruins the borders. No greater casus belli.
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Apr 27, 2024 11:44
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This is going to be the main theme of our playthrough, isn't it?
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Apr 27, 2024 13:28
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If the road to hell is paved with good* intentions, then Castanor must have hired the same civil engineers, because so is basically every road in Escann. *some restrictions apply
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Apr 27, 2024 18:56
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Captain Oblivious posted:Also lmao we’re just a smol bean ethnostate. Can’t have enough non-halflings that they might outvote us….Newshire has a right to exist folks! lol, glad I'm not the only one noticing a certain parallel here, thought this take would be too hot to share
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Apr 27, 2024 22:49
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GunnerJ posted:lol, glad I'm not the only one noticing a certain parallel here, thought this take would be too hot to share Oof, yeah. When I said I had a specific tone in mind for our Halflings, that wasn't quite what I intended but I can see how it ended up there. I suppose all ethnostates have similar self-justifications in the end.
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Apr 27, 2024 23:08
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I mean I'm not complaining, to be clear.
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Apr 27, 2024 23:38
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GunnerJ posted:I mean I'm not complaining, to be clear. I get that, I'm just laying out my own slight discomfort at the real-world parallels. At least we should start getting into the more fantastical atrocities soon.
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Apr 27, 2024 23:50
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me, voting for this option:  me, experiencing the natural consequences: 
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Apr 28, 2024 00:33
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Honestly, a bit of slavery and ethno-nationalism is fairly small potatoes when it comes to the evil you can do in this mod. But hey, I've played Newshire myself, it's a fun campaign, and there's definitely more fun stuff to come, including a couple of references that made me groan when I realized what they were. Incidentally this thread inspired me to do an Elikhand playthrough. It's a bit more wholesome, though the exposition is a lot more laconic than Newshire's.
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Apr 28, 2024 00:45
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The halfling settlers in the Trollsbay in Aelantir, Thilvis, also go all-in on Orcish slavery. Halflings: a very fun people!
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Apr 28, 2024 12:24
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Being a unifier by way of conquest in Escann mostly isn’t optional, but that having been said, most don’t go all ethnonationalism about it. So you CAN play Escanni adventurer stares without being, well, this.
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Apr 28, 2024 13:55
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CommissarMega posted:This is going to be the main theme of our playthrough, isn't it? SONIC SEYZ THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS AN ETHICAL EUIV PLAYTHROUGH!
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Apr 28, 2024 14:55
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If I learned anything from tales of maj eyal it's that halflings love enslaving and genociding orcs and it's weird that two games have this.
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Apr 28, 2024 17:23
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SirPhoebos posted:SONIC SEYZ THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS AN ETHICAL EUIV PLAYTHROUGH! You know what? I concede the point 
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Apr 28, 2024 23:29
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SirPhoebos posted:SONIC SEYZ THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS AN ETHICAL EUIV PLAYTHROUGH! Lies, there's one right here.  Friendship trolls! Love and giant cuddles for all! (These guys are available in the Bitbucket, near to Verkal Gulan in the Middle Dwarovar)
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Apr 28, 2024 23:40
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Sybot posted:Lies, there's one right here. Shame they don't seem to have their own mission tree yet, but their national ideas indicate they'll be a remarkably neat playthrough when they do.
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Apr 29, 2024 16:22
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SirPhoebos posted:SONIC SEYZ THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS AN ETHICAL EUIV PLAYTHROUGH! The kobolds were pretty wholesome
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May 1, 2024 02:11
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Snipee posted:The kobolds were pretty wholesome They tried, but at the end of the day they created a global hegemon. You don't do that without stacking a mountain of bodies.
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May 1, 2024 02:22
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While true, not all hegemons are created equal to say the least. Also they were a regional hegemon not a global one imo.
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May 1, 2024 03:31
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Sure. #1 global ranked Empire at the dawn of the 19th century that tangled with the powers of If SA became a thing in that Anbennar timeline I'd guarantee you'd have posters saying Balris should be guillotined. I'm not saying that they were just as bad as other possibilities, but when you are on the receiving end those wars the finer details tend to get forgotten. SirPhoebos fucked around with this message at 03:39 on May 1, 2024 |
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May 1, 2024 03:37
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Global hegemon implies a lot more than merely dealing with the powers of Cannor in very peripheral conflicts. Xerlanza really didn’t do much or exert a great deal of influence outside of Haless and the Forbidden Plains. Shar Lupulan is about as frisky as they got. Many European powers with orders of magnitude more colonial holdings than that still wouldn’t be taken seriously as a global hegemon in the 19th century. That ain’t a global hegemon. They certainly had the CAPACITY to be one, mind you. The Gnolls and Orlghelovar could make a much more serious claim at that title, the Gnolls in particular. Captain Oblivious fucked around with this message at 04:25 on May 1, 2024 |
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May 1, 2024 04:21
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There was alsa point where we departed/shifted from the narrative thread rather dramatically mostly for the purpose of extracting as much spirit content as possible Iirc that was a big chunk of the over-much imperialism And hella dope
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May 1, 2024 11:53
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Spirits are naturally pro-imperialism; it was called Space Ghost Coast to Coast for a reason.
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May 1, 2024 14:11
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Theswarms posted:If I learned anything from tales of maj eyal it's that halflings love enslaving and genociding orcs and it's weird that two games have this. Short people are always the angriest, it's a proven fact.
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May 1, 2024 19:28
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| # ? May 3, 2024 00:15 |
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Infrastructure wins comfortably. Court earns +2 bonus votes for the next poll. Chapter Five: An Axe to the Trunk 1494-1509 Dustinwall, Northern Farthing, Newshire, 1504 It was a lovely day in Dustinwall, perfect for a festival. The sun was shining, there was nary a cloud in the sky, and the breeze was cool enough to keeping one from overheating while being not so cold as to leave one chilled. The last few years had seen the town grow up from a collection of businesses supporting the fort over at the White Wall, to a proper flourishing town of peace and celebration. The undulating hillside that stretched down towards Lake Silvermere was now dotted with hundreds of Halfling Holes, little mounds of dirt that hid entire households in warm comfort. One could get lost in the winding paths around these homes, or perhaps wander from an empty field onto someone's roof and get an angry homeowner with a spear chasing you. At the centre of it all was a long, undeveloped, hillside that gently descended through the centre of town, in which thousands were now gathered in celebration. Endless tables of food were arrayed on the grass, being perused by the attendees as they chattered gossip and politics on this most auspicious of occasions. They too were enjoying the weather, seeing it as a perfect sign that this was the right day to be making such decisions. It was a shame then, that Alder Kettlebrook had managed to trap himself in a hell of his own creation on such a nice day. He had come to the Dustinwall Pie Festival in the hopes of sharing his humble creations with the noble ladies and gentlemen of the Newshire Council, all of whom had very hungry work ahead of them as they voted amongst themselves on who would lead the nation. However, his modest estimation of himself and his baking skills were not shared by the those in attendance. His table of dishes had been practically swarmed by gourmets and gluttons, all eager to satisfy what some were calling a shoe-in for winning the title of best dish of the Festival. That was how he'd come to this situation, with several folks all of higher station than himself trying to convince him to bring his skill to their households. Steward Erela Lighthands of Aesawic, a plump woman of forty-and-some years, was slowly hovering her way around his table, sampling each of his dishes and giving him beaming smiles with each bite. He felt a little bit as though he was on the menu as well. An older couple, a distant great-uncle of his and his wife, were loudly pontificating to one another on their skill of their fellow Kettlebrook. Then, occupying the forefront of his attention, was Steward Daran Daygazer of Braverton. "As I was saying," Steward Daygazer said, tapping his fork idly against his plate, "it is far too dull, all the dour Humans and half-breed sellswords that congregate around town. A good pie is not appreciated by those sorts." He tipped his head to some of the mercenaries guarding the perimeter, who were very notably not sampling any of the delights of the Festival. It felt more to Alder as though they were actually doing their jobs. Dustinwall might be well guarded, but Orcish territory lay on just the other side of the White Walls, so a raid was not totally out of the question. The beasts would sooner steal his pie and kill him than let him bake for them, so he was grateful the tallfolk took their money and didn't let themselves get distracted. "Would there be much purpose to me opening a bakery, then?" he asked, "it doesn't sound like I'd have many customers." "Oh, you misunderstand," Steward Daygazer said, leaning forward over the table, "you wouldn't be working in town. I've got hundreds of farmers under my pay, out in the greenbelt. They all need a good, filling dessert after a long day of directing their workhands." "But, sir," Alder said, "I do enjoy my free time almost as much as I enjoy baking. Serving so many would take up my whole day." "You'd have staff, of course," Steward Daygazer said. He took a moment to savour the last of his serving of pie and swallow it before continuing. "And my daughter is very fond a good fruit pie." Alder almost flushed in shock and the sudden proposition, but any hope of a response was immediately drowned out by the other voices at the table. "Oh, come on, Daran!" Erela Lighthands snapped, taking her eyes of Alder to drill spiteful holes, "we all know of your daughter's dalliances with apple pickers, with gourd gardeners, with breadmakers and with ale brewers. She's as flighty with men as with food! As fine a folk as Mister Kettlebrook needs a more refined woman." "You dare-!" Steward Daygazer began to grow red in the face and stepped towards Steward Lighthands, but he was stopped by the heavy hand on his shoulder, from Alder's great-uncle. "No doubt you want young Alder here to take on your family name," he said, "I'll have you know that the Kettlebrook name is sacrosanct. No grand-nephew of mine is getting stolen away from us." "You keep it all in the family, do you?" Steward Lighthands hissed, turning the argument into a three-way knife-fight of invectives and lifelong grudges boiling to the surface. How had it come to this? All Alder had wanted was to show off his pumpkin pie, and maybe earn a trophy he could put up on his shelf. There was a bump at his back, and he turned to find the half-again sized form of Bella Underhill pulling at him, two big boxes held under her arms. Alder recognised them as the ballot boxes for today's votes, for the sampling of the dishes and for the election of First Steward. As a contestant in the former thus ineligible to vote, and of not high-enough station to participate in the latter, he hadn't really paid much attention to the process. "Umm," she squeaked, "the mister over there wanted to talk to you." The girl scurried off as quickly as she had arrived, the two boxes rustling with the sound of paper. The voting must have been done already, though Alder wasn't sure why they'd left the task of delivering them to such a small girl. He put it out of mind as he turned to look at where Bella had pointed. There was a Halfling sat atop an empty crate, a cloak draped over his head and shoulders and the distinct smoke rings of pipeweed billowing from within. As strange as an encounter as that was, Alder decided he would much prefer it to growing vendetta brewing in front of his table. Leaving the others to continue their argument, he grabbed a slice of pie for the stranger and slipped away. "You wanted to speak to me, mister..?" Alder said as he approached, trailing off in his question as he handed over the plate of pie. After a moment staring at it, the stranger pulled their pipe out of their mouth and ate of mouthful of perfectly crumbly pastry with solid and sweet pumpkin filling. One could hardly maintain their mysterious demeanour when faced with such a meal, and he couldn't help but offer Alder a smile and nod of appreciation, which was enough of his face for Alder to recognise him "Valeran!" Alder exclaimed, "why didn't you tell me you were here?" Valeran Pinehand, was a Chloromancer who'd helped Alder in growing his pumpkins. He hadn't asked for anything in return, besides planting a strange little flower in front of Alder's pumpkin patch that seemed to grow and wither with the same seasonal cadence as the gourds themselves. Alder assumed that was part of the magic, but that sort of thing wasn't his forte. He was more of a cook than a gardener. "Things are a little tricky at the moment, y'know," Valeran said, finishing the last of his pie in record time and leaning back in satisfaction. "I said some things at the temple that might've made me a few enemies." "It can't be that bad," Alder said, "it's all about that mural right? That's just what some Elves drew, isn't it? It hardly affects us." "Oh, some folks are taking it real seriously," Valeran said. He peered out from under his cloak, eyes filled with something Alder couldn't quite place. "Corin spilt the blood that now feeds our crops, wouldn't you say?" Alder wasn't sure how to respond to that question. "Metaphorically, maybe," he replied, "what do you mean?" "Corin's a god herself, and we gotta make sure she's sated," Valeran said, "or it could all coming tumbling down." He still wasn't making much sense. Alder had never been one for theological talk of this sort. He attended the Temple of Begga, he prayed and he paid his alms. There had to be more to Valeran's words. Before he could continue the conversation, a loud bell rang from the top of the hill. The announcement of the new First Steward, followed by the winner of the Pie Festival, were about to be begin. Alder turned to watch as Dustin, the current head of the Newshire Council, opened the ballot box and peered inside. Excerpts from Days of Verdancy, Volume Two: Claret Fields, published in Beepeck Village Bookshop, 1837  As the nation grew and developed, trade and diplomacy with greater Cannor began to resume, almost the levels seen before the Greentide. Merchants regaled taverns full of Halflings with tales of the outside world, including the return of the Gnomish Hierarchy, the rediscovery of the Elven homeland by the sailors of Venáil, and the very welcome news of the destruction of the Orcish Frozenmaw Clan at the hands of an army of Gerudian warrior-bards. Nonetheless, it was disappointing for them to hear of the state of the Small Country. The semi-independent counties and towns were being absorbed into Lorent and Gawed, and would likely be a battleground for the great powers when they came to blows once again. A pretty standard-looking Cannor here. The most notable thing is that Frozenmaw/Grombar managed to get wrecked offscreen. Skaldskola are a Gerudian theocracy, seeing them dominate is very unusual.  Discussions remained ongoing on the future electoral system for the nation. Most of the Council were happy to leave most power in the hands of the individual village stewards, but all agreed that a single leader, a 'First Steward' would be required to make more urgent decisions. There would be no need for a constant election cycle; such politics would be too frantic for the common Halfling. As stewards themselves, the First Steward would have the best interest of the people in mind.  The Council also busied itself sowing the seeds of a future economic boom, offering incentives to encourage construction, population growth and business development. New villages were sprouting up across Newshire, and the need for labour, goods, and buildings was growing along with them. While the Orcs were good for menial work, the development of more skilled industries required a civilized hand.  Development was focused on the parts of the nation that had been marked out as the Eastern Farthing. Merescker and Merewood were heavily forested, and had only gotten more so as the land lay fallow during the Greentide. The second Great Task laid out by Downroot, the Chloromancer Guild's representative, was the cutting of the trees and the tearing up of the roots, to convert idle woodland to valuable farmland.  A green army descended upon the region, axes and shovels in hand. Under the watchful eye of the Bushrangers, much of the flatland of region was stripped bare of its canopies of trees, leaving room for younger and smaller plants to sprout. In the span of a few short years, the woods that had defined the southern boundary of Adenica had been transformed into a plentiful breadbasket much like its heartland.  The passing of Aucanna Bravefather, the woman whose tremendous leadership and incredible prowess had carried the Halflings of the Small Fellows from an adventuring rabble into a true nation, was a time of mourning across all of Newshire. Wakes were held in every town and village, and veterans of the final days of the Greentide made their way to Braverton to pay their respects. Her post was taken up by the steward of South Listfield, Otó Burrowtree, an unassuming administrator who promised to take up the task of finishing the transition to the electoral system that the Council had agreed upon.  Lord Otó was an avid fan of the books and arts coming from Cannor as it underwent a growth of interest in the ways of the empires of antiquity. He advocated for including Humans in more of the workings of the nation, for Escann was the heart of Human civilization and they would know best how to revitalize the land. While his policies of tolerance had some effect, it was somewhat muted by the amount of power delegated to individual stewards, which meant those that were less fond of the tallfolk simply ignored him. Almost fifty years late, but we really haven't been feeling it that badly thanks to Bravefather's amazing stats.  The string of wars following the foundation of Newshire had not been without their casualties, young Halflings scythed down in their prime, and there were concerns that they had damaged the nation's longer-term growth. The PLP act was further extended to offer relief to those who had lost loved ones in war, while other funds were spent on expanding the mercenary core of military by hiring from further abroad. The Woodsmen of the River Alen were ferocious fighters, almost as fierce as Orcs in close combat, making them valuable frontline fighters for Newshire. Now we can see Cannor, we can start to get some more interesting mercenaries. These ones do more shock damage.  After a few years of intensive effort the Eastern Farthing, covering Merescker and the Merewoods, had taken shape. Halfling farmers had sown extensive fields and orchards across what once had been rough woodland, and resident tallfolk could be seen working hard in the fields to earn their pay. Fortifications were also rising atop the hills, walls raised against the foul magics the Iron Sceptre were experimenting with to the south.  This would be far from Newshire's greatest extent, however. The Council was ambitious, even with a softer Lord, and pushed for the establishment of the Southern and Western Farthings to extend habitation all the way up to the Godshield and Cursewoods. These would give the maximum amount of arable land to Newshire, and serve as natural boundaries against any tallfolk attempting to smother the Halfling people.  These lands were held by two fledgling adventurer nations that seemed almost at odds in their ideals, and yet they found themselves coming together in unwarranted fear at the rise of Newshire. Ancardia, a nation of soldiers dedicated to the honour and virtue of the common infantryman, and Luciande, a brutal land of blood and darkness, made strange bedfellows. Though, it would be some time before the true nature of events in the Cursewoods came to light.  This was the first war that Newshire fought solely with foreign mercenaries. There was no need for the peaceful and fulfilled lives of the common folk of the nation to be disrupted with blood and death. Those who met the people of Newshire all agreed that they were a gentle folk, though their might have spared a second glance for the army marching by with full purses and full stomachs.  It was not a long war. The claimed lands of the Farthings were secured, and Ancardia's pledge of protection over Araionn, formerly the House of Riches, was broken.  Araionn did not stand for very long, as their fortifications in the foothills of the Godshield were rooted out, the former members of the House of Riches were expelled, and eager settlers began to move in and start digging underhill homes in the thick-soiled hillsides. Surveys indicated that the region was prime land for pipeweed cultivation, an industry that had been much missed since leaving the Small Country.  The reign of Otó was a short one, as he was the subject of regular gossip and rumour about his predilections for other races. He had advocated for allowing the Humans of the new farthings to hold onto the farmland they had taken, rather than having it be expropriated for Halfling settlers, which had been the final straw. After he was voted out of power by the Council, he was replaced by Dustin Bag-ins, who had a great deal of obsession with the 'halfling hole', the common semi-underground dwelling. His policies would be to encourage all new homes and businesses to be built this way, despite the extra cost over plain wooden structures.  Newshire's expansion had not gone unnoticed. Though it had laid out its natural borders, the nations that lay beyond those boundaries began to grow concerned. Corvuria held ambitions to expand into southern Escann, which would put it into natural conflict with Newshire. Meanwhile, the Elfrealm of Ibevar only saw an expansionist nation beginning to press up against the region that it considered to be its own natural boundary. For those who live for centuries, a nation that might be a threat in fifty years might as well be considered a threat tomorrow.  While most of the Council were content to focus on the developing the Farthings, the Chloromancer Guild was the first to reach out, sending a string of letters and forth with the Elf-descended Silcalas dynasty, most of them mages of some renown, of the Marquisate of Arbaran. Eventually they were able to secure Arbaran as an ally, in exchange for Newshire's mercenaries being dispatched to assist the Silcalas in their own conflicts.  Diplomacy and regular contact with Cannor also brought stranger news. Explorers on the distant continent of Aelantir had uncovered a mural depicting the death of the Elven god Castellar, whom most accepted as being the same god as Castellos himself. This would mean that, for thousands of years, the Regent Court had been without its patriarch. As debate began to rage across Cannor, most Halflings were more interested in the fantastical stories depicted on the murals and the speculation about what intrigue and drama was taking place among the Gods, than the theological implications.  The Western Farthing was established with little issue, with the regional capital of Freshcobble rapidly growing to make use of the cattle and sheep grazing in the western half of the Taran Plains. Those Halflings with more interest in managing livestock found their way westwards and quickly outnumbered the few Human settlers and surviving Orcish clans.  Not to say that this was an easy task. Some Orcs did not take kindly to the offers of work that Newshire provided them, and gathered up in resistance. By this time, the Bushrangers had more than enough experience to defend the Halfling settlements and keep such outbursts of violence at bay into adventurers could arrive to put them down for good.  Investment, harvests of ever-increasing volume, continued mass immigration and a booming population all translated to an economic boom across the lands of the Newshire. War had not touched the Farthings for over a decade, and grain and other food goods were always in high demand as one conflict or another damaged harvests somewhere in Cannor. The adventurer bands and their tentative nations that were fighting on the frontiers where Orcs still dominated paid an especially high premium for the supplies to keep the war effort going.  With continued Orcish resistance in some places, the Bushrangers were beginning to get overextended. As peace settled across the land, Halflings found more cause to enjoy a comfortable farming life rather than the rough and transient lifestyle of the rangers. To make up for the deficit, the Council passed a law that each village have a militia established with guidance from the Bushrangers. It did not have to be ready to fight an outright war, as that was what mercenaries were for, but a gaggle of pikes and crossbows would fend off desperate raiders. Ankleshankers go all in on shock offense. I'd rather have the extra defence.  The final of the four farthings was established in the shadow of the mountains, centred in Tipney-under-Shield. Though these lands were not suitable for the massive fields of wheat that could be found across Newshire, the countless streams flowing down from the Godshield fed a collection of small villages in their own dales, each specializing in crops that was rarely found in Newshire at large.  It was in the South Farthing that the halfling hole went from merely the most common form of housing, to almost mandatory among new settlements. Homes built directly into the dirt could become works of horticultural art in and over themselves, and gave their inhabitants a sense of comfort and security as there was a natural distance between each home that kept them safe from nosy neighbours. Calm, low density living was the right of all decent folk.  With the completion of the farthings, the Council could not put off proper elections any further. They hammered out the rules for the election of First Steward, and announced that the election would take place in Dustinwall. It would be a simple ballot. All the stewards and landholders of Newshire would be granted a single vote, and one of the stewards would be elected First Steward, the first-among-equals who would represent the nation as a whole.  As the delegates arrived in Dustinwall, they found attendance far greater than expected. Halflings will take any excuse for a grand party, and some of the stewards had spread the word that there would be great rewards for whoever provided the assembled delegates with the finest meal. Thousands more common folk, those without enough land to have a vote but with a knack for cooking, descended upon Dustinwall in what would soon be known as the First Free Fair.  As Dustin Bag-ins finished off his plate of pie, collected up the ballots and counted them up, the nation held its breath at the outcome. To the shock of all attending, a single mistake had turned the First Free Fair on its head and set the course for Newshire for centuries to come. Alder Kettlebrook was no steward, but he was now the First Steward. However, nobody attending had anything negative to say about Alder's baking skills. The Council immediately convened, and all agreed that a love for the art of delivering a good meal was perhaps the greatest virtue a Halfling could possess. This would be no fluke. From now on, the ruler of Newshire would be decided in a great culinary contest at the Free Fair. That's right, our First Steward is chosen by food contest. The first election under the new system is set in stone, but going forward we'll get a choice.  After all, what better judge of character and skill was there than to satisfy a crowd with nothing but the products of the land? War was the realm of unhinged mercenaries, industry was the realm of materialistic merchants, and common labour was the realm of tamed savages. A skilled farmer, gardener and chef was truly representative of the nation and for certain held the ideals of Newshire within their hearts. I guess political dynasties doesn't actually work with Newshire's elections. Oh well, I get to swap it out for free at least.  The first challenge for the First Steward was a crisis in the north. Wyvernheart, formerly the Brave Brothers, had take advantage of chaos in Alenor following an Orcish invasion, and with support from Newshire annexed the majority of their remaining territory, leaving the remaining Aelnorians hiding in the swamps around the old battleground of Rottenstep.  Alder was kind-hearted, much as Dustin Smallknight had been, and insisted that Alenor be brought under the protection of Newshire. In such dire circumstances, it did not take long for Alenor to be convinced that this was all that they could do to keep from being completely uprooted.  Diplomatic outreach was the heart of his policy, as he sought closer relations and stronger trade ties with the Small Country in one direction, and the Dwarves resettling the Serpentspine in the other direction. With Humans and Orcs still wielding most of the power in the world, the smaller folk needed to band together until they had the power to rise up. Most of the Band of the Iron Hammers soon found their way and settled in Dustinwall, their dreams of a Dwarven nation in Escann crushed by Orcish strength. Alder promised that one day they would flourish just as the Halfling people had.  For all that Alder held love in his heart for proper upstanding folks, he retained a righteous disdain for those monsters that still lurked beyond Newshire's borders. The Venomtooth had ravaged Alenor's lands, and the Severed Ear Clan constantly raided Wyvernheart and Westwatch from their crude forts along the White Walls. A new punitive expedition was raised to drive the Orcs another step back and secure peace.  This was not unopposed by the Orc clans that sat on the ruins of civilizations and adventurer dreams. Bloodgorger entered the war with an army almost as large by itself as all that Newshire could field. In response, the Council called upon the mercenaries of Arbaran who were lying fallow following the end of their wars against Damescrown. With their numbers and experience with the latest artillery, they quickly turned the tide of the conflict.  The Venomtooth were driven away completely, their ragged and disgusting camps torn down so that the survivors had to flee deeper in the swamps around Bal Mire. The ancient Castanorian fortress still lay in ruins, but the new Dwarven arrivals were soon expressing an interest in working on its reconstruction, to ensure the security of the unfriendly terrain that lay around it.  On the other side, the Severed Ear had to give up more territory around the White Walls including the strategically critical Westgate, where the White Walls broke for a moment to allow the River Alen passage in its long winding journey towards the Dameshead. Alder made a showing of baking a hearty dessert for the commanders of the mercenary companies that had led the liberation, and proclaimed that this would be the first step in a long journey to see Escann free of barbarism.  In matters of faith, Alder did not pay very much heed to the simmering debate among the temples. They were left to discuss amongst themselves the implications of the Mural, and slowly but surely cracks began to appear as some temples named Corin as potential successor for Castellos, over the god's own son Adean. Some might call this negligence, but it is only with hindsight that we can see the first spring buds of what would eventually flower.  When pressed on the question, he only referred back to his own adherence to Begga. His purpose was to provide food and shelter for the good commonfolk, and questions of divine succession and lineage were beyond him. He would often be seen reading texts from the Temple of Begga, particularly those that held recipes and how to host a party for as many people, both commoner and landholder, as possible. If your personality matches your patron god in the Regent Court, you get to earn an extra bonus after spending some time in contemplation. With 15-year terms for leaders, it's not that bad for Newshire.  While matters of faith and conflict churned beneath the surface, development of the nation continued apace. Large irrigation projects in the Merewood began to turn the relatively poor soil on the slopes leading down to Lake Silvermere into far more suitable terrain by diverting the streams that would have otherwise rushed through gulleys and ravines into the lake without so much as touching a field.  Some landowners suggested that Orcish labour be formalized into systematic servitude that could even earn profits by selling a menial workforce to buyers in Cannor or even the colonies Aelantir. However, these suggestions did not gain much traction, and not just because the First Steward was a relatively soft-hearted Halfling. There was more than enough work for them in Newshire, as fields continued to spread unhindered across the landscape, so selling them might well be a net loss. It was also considered too uncivilized and tasteless to cart around slaves. Better to toss them a few coins and let them buy the grain that they had just harvested, so they might feel a touch of proper civilization in their lives. Given how well we can stack bonuses to Grain production, it might very well actually be a better trade good than Slaves. This event replaces one province's trade good with Slaves.  There was not just development in the fields, either. Some of the larger villages were developing into towns in their own right, though not the dense urban districts that could be found to the west. These towns were usually comprised of a compact business district surrounded by miles of winding paths that led around and over the underground homes of their inhabitants. There would be a good stroll from one's home to their workplace in town, where industries of cloth, and dye, and pipeweed were all finding their footing as the people of Newshire longed for the same comforts of the Small Country.  Even fine alcohol was not beyond the skilled farmers and the Chloromancers who aided them. Escann was hardly known for its good vineyards, but the aid of magic could grow grapes that could produce good-quality tipple at a fraction of the cost of importing the drink from Winebay. Also, a preview of the next segment of the Newshire mission tree. I wonder when we'll get to open up the left hand branch…  As peaceful development and religious contemplation continued, events were accelerating across the continent. A conspiracy of radical mages projected an image of Castellos' death over the Dameshead, and some enterprising sympathisers replicated the feat over Lake Silvermere. The ordinary people of Newshire woke to see the evidence of their ruling god's death hanging high over their homes. Soon, they would no longer be able to ignore the unravelling of the fates of faiths and nations. To be continued… Vote Castellos, the father, the divine monarch, one of the creators of this world, is dead. He sacrificed his divine life to save the world, preventing the Day of Ashen Skies from causing complete destruction. The Eleventh Pantheonic Council has been called to decide upon who will take up his mantle as head of the Regent Court, but there are murmurs from the population that they might make their own decision on who should rule the heavens. What is the decision of the gentlefolk of Newshire? Adean – As Castellos' firstborn son, Adean is the rightful heir to the Regent Court. He will carry on the legacy of honour, justice and stability, which is much needed in this era of uncertainty (do our best to remain Regent Court). Corin – If Castellos has been dead all along, then where was Adean when the Greentide came? Corin gave her life and mortality to save Escann. She ought to take charge of the Regent Court and lead it to a new age of divine intervention (convert to Corinite at the first opportunity). Wait and see – We're just simple farmers, all of the theological nonsense is above us. We should just take it easy and see which way the wind blows (I will decide, based on how things look as this crisis progresses). Vote by clicking on the image below. Voting will last 48 hours.
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May 2, 2024 20:55
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