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I voted for the wrong one, can you switch one of the votes for trade to Plutocracy for the moment?
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Mar 4, 2024 23:45
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Having Balris take the field is amazing.
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Mar 5, 2024 04:29
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Are Are mom and dad fighting 
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Mar 5, 2024 06:13
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More like dad and uncle.
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Mar 5, 2024 07:20
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If I'm reading this right, Balris is basically a super-ranged combat general, and Jyntas is super-cavalry?
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Mar 5, 2024 14:01
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Josef bugman posted:I voted for the wrong one, can you switch one of the votes for trade to Plutocracy for the moment? I don't think I can edit poll results, but I've taken a note to account for it in the final results. It looks like Innovative will win by a lot anyway (accounting for its bonus votes), but it might affect second place. Ibblebibble posted:More like dad and uncle. More or less. The relationship between the dragons is ambiguous but best interpreted as siblings. GunnerJ posted:If I'm reading this right, Balris is basically a super-ranged combat general, and Jyntas is super-cavalry? The way I decided it when I came up with those stats is that it's been a long time since Balris has gone into battle with mortals, and so he is all about hanging back and using that fire breath. There's very little lore on Jyntas, but I've given them a focus on wind magic and speed enhancement, meaning that shock charges are a lot more devastating.
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Mar 5, 2024 16:30
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Mom and dad was mostly me bullshitting. Dragons are asexually reproducing non-binary giant lizards with little displayed interest in identifying as a given gender in Anbennar.
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Mar 5, 2024 23:51
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Captain Oblivious posted:Mom and dad was mostly me bullshitting. Dragons are asexually reproducing non-binary giant lizards with little displayed interest in identifying as a given gender in Anbennar. Which means that, logically, we must assume the existence of a dragon who hoards gender expressions.
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Mar 6, 2024 02:16
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Innovative wins a handy victory, and Offensive earns +6 votes (accounting for one misvote meaning Plutocratic should be at 10) in the next idea poll. Chapter Eighteen: Dragon's War 1702-1718 Outside Yuanszi Fortress, Xerlanza, 1703 Even the roaring wind failed to the muffle the cacophony of explosions and screams rising from the battle below, as the armies of Gold and Brass collided in a in a devastating clash that would see tens of thousands dead by the time the new day dawned. The lands surrounding Yuanszi were being battered by an unnaturally powerful storm, with the river Yan whipped up into a frothing frenzy and entire rows of trees torn from the soil. Lightning barraged the walls of the fortress, shattering stone and scattering dirt ramparts, but it was holding for the moment. That could only be the work of Jyntas, which meant that they were out here somewhere. Balris twisted his body as the wind turned again, anticipating the change and catching the gust that would have knocked him off course. He reared back as a sensation filled his throat as though he was swallowing molten gold, and then let his chest contract as it forced it all out. A torrent of golden flames blasted forth, scouring a line of devastation through the command tents of the Bhuvauri army and sending their officers and logistics crews scattering. As the flames died, Balris spotted them. Standing in a smoking gouge carved out of the earth, surrounded by the charred remains of whoever had been stood beside them, was the Human avatar of Jyntas. Even from his great height, he could tell their eyes were locked on him. They began to transform, but it was not an instantaneous magical shift nor a physiological metamorphosis. Molten brass flowed like a waterfall from their hair, filling out the space behind them as though it was being poured over an invisible mould. Gleaming scales flickered with the flashes of lightning as a long and thin draconic form became apparent, and the Human form was subsumed by Jyntas' true body, with it eventually melting away itself. For the first time in thousands of years, Balris found himself face-to-face with one of his own. Jyntas bared their teeth, and took to the air on wings that ought to be far too small for their size. As their storm raged, the two ancient beings clashed. --Thirteen Thousand Years Earlier-- A storm raged, not one of lightning and wind but of endless ice and rock. Even a being as old and as large as Balris was small against the towering figure of one of Gerud's Ice Giants. Each swing of the mountainous Giant's axe, crafted from millennia old trees and the metal content of an entire hillside, tore the frozen land asunder and sent fragments shooting into the sky with deadly speed. It took everything Balris had to stay alive as he duelled the monster, in memory of everything that the Giants had taken from he and his kin. "Fear not! For I have arrived!" came the resonating call of Aakhet, leading a flight of Dragons from the east, skimming the solid frozen sea behind the Giant. He and his wingmates roared in unison, and unleashed a stream of fire that melted through the enchanted ice and unleashed a rolling wave of boiling water that spread across the ice and lapped at the Giant's feet. The Giant bellowed in response, and his hand crackled with white lightning. It lashed out across the ice, each bolt refreezing the water and sending up spikes that threatened to tear apart the low-flying dragons. Most of Aakhet's wingmates evaded safely, but one suffered from the worst luck; a bolt of ice lightning hit them directly, and froze them solid in an instant. "No! Jorgurem!", Balris cried out, watching the Dragon plummet and plough into the shoreline with enough force that they were buried completely under the permafrost. "We mourn later! Strike now!" Jyntas approached at full speed, a flight of a thousand wyverns at their backs. The animals were no match for a giant, but even a single bite would sting, never mind a thousand. As though they had some greater mind behind them, the wyverns split and began to attack the weak points in the Giant's armour, while Jyntas threw themselves past his axe and straight into his chest. Balris followed, and between the Giant's uncertain footing in the boiling water, the nuisance of the wyverns, and the force of two Dragons, he toppled backwards into the half-melted ice. His size shattered the weakened ice, and the breath of the two Dragons atop him melted it further. Though he thrashed for an hour, neither let go until he had finally been drowned in the very sea he had been guarding. The war was far from over, and while Aakhet and the others had already moved on to continue the fight, Balris and Jyntas took a moment to rest atop the corpse. "What do you think?" Jyntas asked. They raised a wing towards the survivors, several hundred wyverns who were now feasting heartily. "Your fascination with mortal creatures always confuses me," Balris said, "they would have all died if we had not been here." "Then I merely need more," Jyntas replied, "until they can form an entity that equals us in power. We will always be indomitable individuals, but the mortals have social hierarchy that allows collaborations even greater than what we've achieved. One day, you will see." --Present Day, 1703-- Balris could see what Jyntas had been talking about. However, he had come about it from another route. His time with the Goldscales, both in the past and in recent history, had shown the ups and downs of mortal societies, but also how they could adapt and shift around beings as powerful as himself and the Great Spirits. He had learned, and been taught, and discovered that Jyntas had been going about this the wrong way the whole time. "They do not need your control to flourish," he called out as he broke away from another tussle with Jyntas. A few scales fell away where claws had passed over him, but his flesh had hardly been scratched. Their battle was tentative, hesitant, and more of a chance for a debate than a true fight to the death. "It was never control," Jyntas replied, "I do not rule over them, they rule themselves, with my guidance. Much like you and yours." They dove at one another again, teeth and claw scratching and tearing. Balris had more bulk, but Jyntas was slippery and easily untangled himself from Balris bulk with an application of a gust at the right moment. "I trust them to take my advice to heart, as individuals and as a nation," Balris retorted, "you have taken that first level of trust away from them. You have created a nation with no individuals, which ignores both the material reality of their existence and the spiritual nature of the world." "What are you saying?" Jyntas said, with eyes narrowed. "Regardless of the outcome of this war, it will not end well," Balris finished, before approaching for another tussle. As their war of words and claws continued, the battle raged below them as an army devoted to the teachings of Balris clashed with an army forged into an unrelenting mechanism by the machinations of Jyntas. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Gyar Valfo of the Smouldering Claw, Commander during the Dragon's War and Golden President  Seeing Lord Balris at the head of an army is not something that I'd ever expected to see in my lifetime, and something that I'm not sure I'll ever see again. As we departed the Bhuvauri fortress we were camped in, He gave us a speech that we were marching against His deluded and authoritarian sibling, and that He couldn't allow us to be subjected to the wrath of a Dragon without one of our own.  I was dispatched to the front from the clan lands along with thousands of my fellow warriors and trainees. If Lord Balris was to take to the field, there was no excuse for the rest of the Smouldering Claw to stay behind. His presence has granted our warriors a new fervour, a desire to see this war through and His enemy crushed under the power of His children. Development agendas are very nice when we've knocked dev cost so low.  We have heard the first rumours of a Dragon fighting on the side of Bhuvauri. A strange warrior has crushed our forces on the eastern front, leading a charge, propelled by incredible wind magic, against our cannons and deflecting every shell sent against them. The survivor's tales are muddled, but they speak of a beast clad in metallic scales bursting from that warrior once they were in the melee, and tearing apart our soldiers with claw and wind. I've no idea what this personality is normally used for, but it doubles down on increased shock damage and movement speed. Balris has 'Inspirational Leader', for added morale.  As we march forward, our friends secure their own gains. Khadrisapur have seized the rich Tamphora reserves in Ghattub, and secured their control over Marutha. The eponymous Great Spirit has been seen roaming the fringes of the desert and our warriors fighting in his territory have been sure to leave offerings so that he might bless our campaign. Looking to take as much Damestear as possible, for the benefit of a future quest.  While Lord Balris marches for Sramaya, Jyntas has been sighted marching directly for Xerlanza itself. They must be issuing a challenge. Return, or our lands will burn. I don't know why the One Xia allowed them passage, but I suspect they did not want to face a Dragon in open battle. I implored Lord Balris to return, but He insisted on seeing through the siege. In His words, "I must see the true nature of the machine Jyntas has built".  Stories of the last time we seized the Bhuvauri capital, of the strictly organized and regimented society within its walls, could not prepare us for what we found. A city of Humans and Harimari, locked in an empty cycle of labour. They depart from their homes, eyes glassy, and work through the daylight hours heedless of hunger or exhaustion, then return home to eat meagre rations, sleep, and nothing else. As much of a nightmare as it is, the city is still able to function even as we occupy it. Once the garrison was defeated there weren't even any guards within the walls, but all the inhabitants continued working as though we weren't even there. It was eerie enough that I am glad we are now heading north to meet Jyntas in battle.  A war of words, more than flame. I suppose I can't blame Lord Balris for being unwilling to strike down His kin. Our cannons and muskets skimmed off Jyntas' scales as though the wind itself guarded them, but their army was not so lucky. As distracted as they were with philosophical debate, their armies were vulnerable and defeated, leaving them to flee and regroup.  We have pursued Jyntas back to the eastern front. Lord Balris doesn't wish to give them a moment's respite until He has beaten into their brass head the error of their ways. Surely such a resounding defeat will bring this Dragon to their senses, it hurts to see Lord Balris angry in this way.  His presence on the battlefield has given us a chance to advise Him in matters he is less experienced in. A Dragon is mighty individually, but it is only when He fights in tandem with us that our true strength appears. Sages of the Kindled Scale and Smouldering Claw regularly ride atop Him in battle, when Jyntas is nowhere to be seen, and teach Him how best to aid us.  The war is drawing to an end, as the eastern front is cleared, and we are approaching a position to link up with the forces garrisoning Sramaya. This war shouldn't last much longer. Lord Balris has expressed great displeasure at the sight and smell of so many dead, and I expect He'll be returning to his chambers soon enough.  The new Scale Baron President is also pushing for an end to the war, to demobilize the economy and return to normal. I'd be very happy to return to training young warriors in the hills, but having been in Lord Balris' presence I wonder if my ambitions lie higher, so I might better serve Him. I've been talking to Alliance politicians who've joined us in battle about stepping forward at the next elections.  This war has accomplished the liberation of Lupulan from Bhuvauri oppression, at long last. Though Arawkelin still holds on, for the moment, the lands taken have started construction of temples to Lupulan, and will then be returned to Sirtan to administer. The line of fortresses ought to ensure that the rainforests are never again threatened from the north.  Though the continental war has wound down, another war has started. The Vanbury Guild is a collection of thieves and pillagers, who're happy to burn down a jungle to recover a few scraps of ancient relics. It is ironic then, that we will turn their self-proclaimed homeland of Vanburia into a nature reserve in the name of Lupulan. Though they're allied with the Gnomes, our Gommo friends have confirmed that they've mostly cut ties with the rump state that the Hierarchy's become.  I was only away on the front for a few years, but it feels like there's been a change in the air in Xerlanza. A new wave of thought is passing through, and picking up both the inhabitants and the spirits with it. Our Sages are being caught up in debates with their own distant ancestors, our warriors practice their techniques against spirits eager for battle, and new devices that call upon the power of the spirits and direct it to change the world are spreading.  The new engines I've seen in the mines in Smouldering Claw lands are one such device. They're used to draw up water from the mines, ostensibly by burning coal but in reality by invoking a transformation from the dormant spirits that're trapped within that coal, liberating them into flames and allowing to pass on. The Gommo engineers say it could be more efficient, considering some spirits don't wish for transformation and are allowed to return to the earth, but their presence keeps the engine turning harmoniously with less fuel and maintenance.  After a brief campaign, the remainder of the Jade Mountains have been liberated. The Goblins of the mountains have finally been granted proper democracy, though the remnants of the Jade March still lurk in the Tree of Stone. Our friends report, from their scouting through the meagre northern entrances to the mountains, that the mysterious valley to the north has been fully occupied by Kalsyto, and thus all entrances in that direction are barred. The Valley was long-empty and inaccessable, and has only started being filled out with cultures and nations in the newest Bitbucket version. Since I upgraded mid-campaign, it was empty and quickly filled in by the AI.  Spending time among Goblins has made it even more clear – the world is turning into one for machines. The Gnomes build their intricate and efficient devices that burn through precious Tamphora, the Goblins invent countless creations that are liable to fall apart or explode but occasionally outproduce anything that can be offered up by a spirit or magic-powered machine, and the number of spirit machines spreading through Xerlanza continues to grow.  The island of Vanburia has fallen, and a special expedition of the Old Guard, taking a representative of Lupulan with them, has departed to consecrate the island as a preserve for the natural spirits. I'm not sure what the plan is to do with all the various Cannorians inhabiting the islands, but I assume they'll be allowed to remain so long as they do no further damage.  For the moment, peace has returned to Haless. One Xia launched an attack on Bhuvauri immediately after us, but was only able to take some of their eastern territory, leaving their core territory in Rahen untouched. I've heard that Jyntas did not reappear on the battlefield for this struggle. Perhaps they did not enjoy their time in battle after all. The strength of our bloc with One Xia now clearly overshadows their strength.  As I've been moving up through the Alliance, I've come across some of the stranger military requests we've received. One of them, perhaps the most unusual, was a request by a wealthy Gawedi magnate, who had fled to his offices in Tianlou when King Kylian XII took the throne of both Lorent and Gawed, thus bringing the latter under Lorentish dominion. He wanted to use Xerlanza as a baton to break apart the union, but even with the promise of freeing the Kobolds currently oppressed in the region we aren't willing to send our warriors to the other side of the world. A Lorentish-Gawedi union, I'm glad we aren't in Cannor…  Parliament's passed a somewhat controversial assimilation bill, targeting Shamakhad. Some, particularly the UG and LNP, are calling it genocidal, but it is primarily focused on reconciling the populations of native Shamadhan with their cousins who were forced to adopt Hobgoblin culture during the rule of the Command. Violence between the two groups has been common since the rise of the Ruin Republics, so reunifying them and bringing peace is considered a major step to integrating the region into Xerlanza proper. The Command can hobgoblinify Humans and Harimari through its mission tree, turning them into a new cultural group and allowing them to easily accept swathes of Haless. Since it only got halfway done, reversing that is the cheapest way to simplify the cultural situation.  There was only a brief campaign to finally remove Arawkelin, bringing all of the Lupulan region under control. Between this and the designation of the preservation areas, the great lizard is sure to be appeased.  I attended the great ceremony in Brenulan, as the representative of the Alliance, and together with the leaders of the other parties we reaffirmed our intention towards the preservation of the natural order and continued devotion to the spirits. In return, Lupulan has opened up groves within his jungles, where we will be granted leave to build up as much as we want. It's been a long road, but seeing South Haless free and thriving after the stories of how it was when we first took the city of Arawkelin, with the jungles being burned and the spirits being suppressed, it seems all worth it. After such a slog against Bhuvauri, I don't think we'll bother with the final quest, which as a reminder was to liberate all of South Haless (a lot larger than just what we already hold). Lupulan's bonus is incredibly useless unless your core lands are a jungle-heavy region, but we get 15 more years on the Rending. The Damestear is why I'm still holding onto that one province in the middle of Sirtan.  After the ceremony, we departed south to the Circlet Isles with the intention of opening a dialogue with Cinulau. However, it was the one who found us. A great dark shape swam beneath our vessel, then sailed ahead and leapt into the air. Larger than the island we were headed towards, it sailed over that piece of land, dwarfing it with its mere presence, then smashed into the sea and caused a wave that nearly capsized us and washed clean the island near completely. We were dealing with the true power of the water.  Our Sages worked tirelessly to commune with Cinulau, to avoid another sign of its displeasure, and it appeared negotiations were stalled until I took matters into my own hands. I took a rowboat out to the great looming shape lurking under the water, and then threw myself in, to the ocean's mercy. The waves swallowed me, up, and then Cinulau itself surfaced and I was drawn into its mouth. Though, that was not to be my end. Within it, within the song that echoed through its body, I learned what it really desired. We need to drive the Cannorians from this land, expand our fisheries to feed the Great Spirit, secure the Gulf of Rahen as a safe harbour for any denizen of the water, and expand our touch across the waters of the world. When it spat me back out, I was the hero of the hour, and relayed everything to the Sages and Representatives. Cinulau is a fun little set of quests, more naval focused than most. - Completing a circumnavigation is why, besides finding Aelantir, we needed to hold onto Exploration for a while. - There's a small amount of conquest outside of Cinulau's domain required, but it's not too onerous compared to Lupulan (and there are even worse out there) - It says 100 heavy ships, but in the Bitbucket version it has been reduced to a more manageable 75, so this is already complete. - Leading Producer of Fish is a fun one, I better get to developing my fish provinces. - 20 islands outside of Haless is why I took so much from the Vanbury Guild. They'll be a good target to follow up if we need any more once we're done with the rest of the quests.  Our fleets have been dispatched to begin cutting off supplies to the Lorentish colonies in the islands. Though they may be the greatest power in the world, they are a very long way away. So long as we can hold the seas, and with Cinulau's blessing, we will be victorious.  My stunt with Cinulau has earned me the presidency, finally returning the Alliance to power. It is perfectly timed as well, as we face a foe of a different kind to most. Instead of battering down forts and fighting endless armies across Haless, we will need to strike carefully at critical locations with our navy. This'll be a test of our naval doctrine, and all the lessons we've learned from the defeats at sea we've suffered.  Our military mission in Aelantir has been dispatched to raid Lorentish colonies in the region, of which there are surprisingly few, leaving Vanburia under control of a council of Sages charged with guarding the jungles of the island. They've been given authority to self-govern, and have renamed the island to Shar (east) Lupulan. The Cannorian settlers who inhabit it have been gathered in the cities, where they will be given autonomy over their own affairs so long as they do not further harm the natural state of the island.  With the aid of Cinulau, any Lorentish fleet that sails into our waters finds it beset by storms, unfavourable winds, and damage from the wild creatures of the ocean. Even then, battles are closely fought. Our inexperienced sailors are reliant on superior numbers of heavy warship to actually win a fight, though there are frequent successful boarding actions when they manage to get close, as our warriors are properly in their element when facing an enemy in hand-to-hand. I'm getting flashbacks…  As most of our attention is focused on Lorent, we have barely participated in the One Xia's war with Chien Binhrung. The Queendom has never really recovered from its disastrous regency close to the start of the Rending, and while we're in part responsible for that the most we can do is make sure that they are treated fairly as Haless is consolidated under the pro-Rending alliance. Our Sirtani friends enthusiastically participated in this war, reclaiming some of their rightful lands in the process.  There're strange rumours coming from Bhuvauri. It isn't any more strange gifts or proclamations from Jyntas, nor are these rumours coming from the heart of Sramaya. Instead, the outlying city of Bieng Phang has broken from whatever plan the Brass Dragon had for its people. Not in the sense of open revolt, at least not yet, but its sounds as though the slave bureaucrats and slave philosophers that run the city have picked up their own ideas on how their society should function.  Work's been finished on Aksa Sanuyego, restoring the massive naval fortress to its original glory and extending it become the main harbour for our warships to recuperate after exhausting battles against the Lorentish fleet. Our engineers are even taking lessons from it to other coastal regions to build coastal batteries that'll make the shores of Xerlanza even more impervious to assault.  After landing in Lorentish Ardimya, on the southern tip of Sarhal, and engaging their forces there, our warriors made a startling discovery. King Kylian XII himself was leading their armies, and it was only by some miracle or perhaps the sacrifices of his bodyguards that he wasn't slain when our warriors overran their backlines. With him in custody, the end of the war should be in sight.  Our demands are simple, to see Lorentish control removed entirely from Haless. We've got no desire to interfere with their interests in distant Cannor, or even in Sarhal. So long as they no longer disturb the Great Spirits, they will be treated fairly. This leaves Derrane as the sole Cannorian settler force in the Circlet Isles, and while they wield a tremendous colonial empire, they lack the sheer staying power of their Lorentish cousins. Soon, Cinulau's domain will be liberated.  Lord Balris has taken a more active role in seeking out his kin since Jyntas revealed themselves. While we have been fighting for the Great Spirits, he has sought out an alliance with Shelkomengi, who host the final resting place of the Dragon they call Zenidir Zentirizar. A delegation was allowed access to Senidmot, the great crater where Zenidir fought and sacrificed himself to slay an astral beast that was descending upon Halann, for a eulogy ceremony. Lord Balris gave a eulogy, though it might be eight hundred years too late. "Zenidir, as you knew him, was one of the longest lost. I had thought him slain at the hands of the Genies in the primordial age, but in truth he was merely captive and returned when you little ones needed him most. That he loved the Mengi people enough to give his life to save you is a testament to the strength of his heart and the strength of your devotion. I leave you with my blessing to make use of this great bounty that he granted you in his final act." Sendimot is a province with a permanent Damestear deposit. The wiki implies that at least some of it is made up on pieces of Zenidir, so I guess he still lives on in a way, powering the magic and artifice of whoever controls this region.  The situation in Bhuvauri is deteriorating at a rapid rate, as their machine judders and breaks down. Swathes of their heartland are operating on their own initiative, and even Sramaya is controlled by the deviant units. The Knowing Eye has been keeping a close watch on the situation and they believe that some kind of quasi-democratic system is forming, using small brass artifice devices as tools for voting, but otherwise they keep their highly regimented society. I'm not sure what this will lead to, but I fear for what Jyntas might have accidentally created. To be continued… Sybot fucked around with this message at 15:18 on Mar 10, 2024 |
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Mar 10, 2024 15:08
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Oh boy, this can only have good results for all Halessi. Surely the bourgeoisie of the dystopian artificer dragon slave state will be friendly and cooperative after throwing off their shackles.
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Mar 10, 2024 17:02
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Quorum posted:Oh boy, this can only have good results for all Halessi. Surely the bourgeoisie of the dystopian artificer dragon slave state will be friendly and cooperative after throwing off their shackles. What are you talking about? Everyone loves authoritarian communism.
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Mar 10, 2024 17:15
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Let them cook, i'm sure this means they'll be coming around as friends
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Mar 10, 2024 20:44
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Revolutionary Bhuvauri eh You weren’t kidding about this not ending well Balris. Truly our Lord is wise in the prediction of plot twists, as when he foresaw the season finale of Kindled Scales, Smouldering Passions
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Mar 12, 2024 08:22
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Chapter Nineteen: A Multitude of Eyes 1718-1733 Residence of Sage Gyar Lhakfa, Knowing Eye Hill, Balriza, 1730 Dawn broke with the chirping of birds, first distantly and then within the room itself. Gyar Lhakfa hissed as he came to wakefulness and his dreams faded into the recesses of his mind. For his whole life he had been granted visions in his sleep, and that was what had driven him to rise to the rank of Sage within the Knowing Eye. Though he barely remembered the content of his dreams, relying more on the traditional scrying of the clan, this morning he had been left with the unusual sensation that he was being watched. He opened his eyes and rose from his rough woollen blankets, which were pleasantly scratchy so as to keep his scales clean, and began his morning cleansing routine. Sleep was good for the mind and spirit, but it took a moment for the body to catch up, so stretching oneself straight after waking up was essential. Even if it meant ignoring the elephant in the room. Or spirit, as it were. As he scratched his claws against one another, working off the wool that had gotten caught on them during the night, the spirit in his room started chirping again. "Thank you for your dawn chorus," Gyar Lhakfa said, finally taking a closer look at it. It wasn't a bird spirit, but rather something that looked like it was made of fabric overlaying a metal disc. It hung in the air, echoing the noises of the birds outside, and turned to face Gyar Lhakfa as he went about his preparations. To live in Haless was to accept the presence of spirits in everyday life, and while some people, particularly those city dwellers who still clung to the High Philosophy, did their best to keep their homes clean of loose spirits, it truly enriched one's life to embrace them. "Please, wake me up again tomorrow," he said, offering a bow to the spirit of sound, or repetition, or whatever it represented. When he straightened, he found something stuck to the spirit's outer fabric A strip of paper, with a closed eye drawn on it in luminous blue ink. He reached up and pulled it away from the sound spirit, but it started to disintegrate in his claws. What did this sign mean? Was there something that he had closed his eyes to? He resolved to consider it in the afternoon meditation. Whether it was to do with the situation in Bhuvauri, or the war with the Cannorians, or something he hadn't yet considered, he trusted the spirits would be further forthcoming in their hints. Dressed and cleansed, he departed his room. Though this was his personal residence, he still shared it with dozens of other members of the clan. Many Kobolds, especially those who had now spread widely across Yanshen, had shifted into the social norms of the Humans, but the Knowing Eye was nothing if not conservative. A properly balanced home filled with relatives and friends was far more pleasing than an isolated nuclear family. "Honoured Sage," one such friend, a student of one of his colleagues in the tower, said as she came up to him. "Good morning, Fax Femara," Gyar Lhakfa said, returning the bow that she gave him, "how goes your studies?" "The spirits have granted me insight into the weather," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "I made a forecast for the month, and presented it to Honoured Sage Var Azok, and she confirmed my predictions matched hers!" "What is the forecast?" Gyar Lhakfa asked. Predicting something as complex as the weather was still out of reach of the artificers and their contraptions, so it still fell to the Knowing Eye to ensure the harvest survived and flourished. "This week will have warm weather, but there will be thunderstorms starting next week," she replied, "then regular rain for most of the rest of the month, which will be interspersed with-." He held up a claw to stop her before she talked his ears off. To be so eager was the sign of a brilliant student, but she lacked a little restraint. That was why she was here after all, having laid one of his nephew's eggs in the household creche. The things that young students got up to when you weren't looking. "As much as I'd like to hear it all, we wouldn't want to miss breakfast," he said. He was about lead her towards the dining room, when a glittering floating spirit caught his eye. Household spirits were incredibly common, from simple elementals spawned by normal chores such as cooking and washing, to scavenger spirits born from waste and mess, to more abstract symbols of homeliness and care, such as little miniature Gnome-like spirits that would keep the house clean in exchange for offerings of pieces of cloth and thimbles of milk. There were a couple of elementals in his sight at that very moment, likely drifting in along with the smell of a cooked breakfast. However, the one over Fax Femara was on the more abstract end. It was like a waterfall that turned back on itself, producing an endless loop of glittering grains similar to sand in an hourglass, or loose scales running through one's claws. Along that line of thought, it might represent time or money, but on the other hand it could be a representation of Fax Femara's success, and how confidence would feed back into further success. An auspicious sign for her future. "What is that?" she asked, having followed his stare to see the spirit for herself. For a moment Gyar Lhakfa was about to explain his thoughts on its symbology out loud, but then out of the flowing grains a piece of paper began to emerge. Just like the one before, it bore an eye in glowing blue ink, but this one was half open. He took a moment to stare into it, before it slipped from the spirits intangible sandy grasp and disintegrated. "A sign," he said, "but the Great Spirits grant us many such signs. Come on, let us eat and discuss it." The dining room was the centrepiece of the residence, a massive room with a communal dining table large enough to host twenty people. Even that was not enough seats for all residents, and it didn't help when the souls of those already passed took up some of the seats. It was only respectful to let the dead have their moment of respite, so one would wait for a living person to finish their meal before taking that seat instead. The attached kitchen was large and well-stocked enough to keep a meal bubbling and ready for serving for hours. Someone had even purchased some Gommo-manufactured appliances to keep the kitchen running smoothly, like a device that chopped vegetables by itself, or a pot that could keep a consistent temperature. As much as Gyar Lhakfa was sceptical of them, he couldn't deny that they made everyday chores just a little easier, allowing one to focus on training, study, and contemplation. Today, the hatchlings had woken up early and monopolized the dining table. There was a dozen of them, with a couple of young parents running hatchlingcare duty for today and a few other lucky, or perhaps unlucky, residents taking up the remaining seats. Much to the carers' chagrin, the hatchlings leapt from the table as soon as they saw him enter, save those who were too focused on scarfing down their breakfasts to notice. "Sage! We got in a fight!" the largest of them said in a lilting and chirpy voice. The others were all chattering excitedly, some of them not even forming proper words as young as they were. "That should be 'Honoured Sage'," Gyar Lhakfa gently chided them, looking them over. Some of them were clearly injured, with scratches on their scales and a couple with bandaged wounds. "What happened?" "A warrior spirit snuck into the creche!" one of the other older hatchlings chimed in, "we fought it to protect the little ones!" "Just like Lord Balris would!" another said, hopping excitedly. As they cheered and puffed each other up in front of their Sage, he wondered if the creche needed warding. There was always a little danger when it came to the spirits. Not every spirit was friendly, nor did every spirit have consideration for the limitations of physical beings. It must have been a minor spirit of war or weapons for the hatchlings to defeat it, or it might have been cognizant enough to hold back and give them a fair fight. Either way, he was willing to tolerate the risk in order to give their hatchlinghoods this kind of experience. "There was this wrapped around the knife," the oldest said, pulling a slip of paper from their clothes. Gyar Lhakfa took it and was not surprised to find another emblem of an eye, this one fully opened. Under his gaze, the paper began to disintegrate. Something was going on, but he was not yet sure what any of it meant. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Gyar Lhakfa, Sage of the Knowing Eye and Golden President  In a great ceremony in Grônstunad, the Jade Goblins have declared the foundation of the Jade Republic. Though the likes of the LNP and United Guilds cheer them on for their dedication to democracy, I remain dubious. They have accepted the Godlost former servants of the Command, rather than instilling a proper relationship with the Great Spirits. As Hokuma continues to grow in strength and extend his influence into the Jade Mountains, they might suffer for this.  To ignore the spirits and focus on their strange artificery is to deny the blessings the spirits can grant them. I would ask them to sample the latest shipments of Mangayan Tea, if I wasn't worried they would try to extract it and turn it into some kind of intoxicant.  The LNP has won the Presidency, gaining significant support from the new voters in the Shamakhad region. It is heartening to see so many express support for the ideals of Xerlanza, and once they have tasted what the spirits can offer them, and what Lord Balris can offer them, I am certain they will break away from the High Philosophy they adhere to. Very well timed to finish off the ongoing vassal integration.  The Honoured Golden President has reached out to our cousins in Aelantir, and managed to secure an alliance with the Triarchy. It is an interesting nation, almost like our own in character being a union of Gnomes, Goblins and Kobolds. While I remain sceptical of the mismatched machines that they collaborate on, so long as they do not touch the sacred lands of Shar Lupulan their friendship is welcome.  All that stands between us and the liberation of Cinulau's islands is the overextended Derannic Empire. Though they rule over swathes of Aelantir and have settlements dotted across Sarhal, their homeland has fallen under the rule of a foreign king and so they will not have the power to oppose us nor Cinulau itself.  Joining us in the campaign are large number of Human rangers, recruited from those peoples of South Haless who are devoutly loyal to the Great Spirits and willing to lay down their lives in their name.  With our victory over Lord Balris' mislead kin and the near-liberation of Haless from Cannorian occupation, there has never been more optimism within the clan. Our multitude if eyes eyes reach out across Haless, monitoring the ongoing war, the chaos within Bhuvauri, the Great Spirits who we have liberated enjoying their freedom, and those who still await our aid. There is nothing that the Knowing Eye cannot see.  Some complain about the spirits when they fail to abide by the common sense of mortals. They fail to understand that spirits are not the same as us. They are beings of a sacred conceptual nature, and we will not oppress their true nature. If that means enduring a minor harassment, then so be it. Only truly cruel and evil spirits require banishment.  The Scale Barons have been making a major play, and asked Parliament for additional diplomatic funding for their initiative. So long as that whatever wealth they seek finds its way into Lord Balris' claws, whether in His hoards or in the hands of His nation, I do not mind.  Their plan is straightforward. The Scale Bank has spread its branches across all of Haless, with branches in our subjects, in Daengun, and in One Xia. Beyond this land, the Phoenix Empire, Shelkomengi and the Triachy have all been heavily invested in by the Scale Bank. There are even branches opening up in Cannor for the benefits of merchants that we trade with. With the astounding number of scales at their clawtips they can start buying up properties and businesses in those nations to bring them even further into our orbit. Their governments may look at us with suspicion for these actions, but we are merely doing what Lord Balris has taught us; investing in the future of the world. At one point, Hegemony made it near-impossible to maintain alliances. In more recent patches it's a bit easier but still tricky. With the -50 some of our allies have a relations natural resting point in the negatives. Money has long since stopped being a problem but hegemony comes with other benefits like war exhaustion and gov capacity.  The last Cannorians are being driven from the Twilight Isles, bringing an end to foreign rule over Haless. Though, our greatest enemies were always the ones closest to us. Once this threat has passed, we will need to turn our eyes back to the growing problem in Rahen.  Though other Cannorians are be driven from our lands where they have settled, the Gommo remains deeply entrenched within our nation as advisors. They care little for the spirit, and are more focused on tinkering with their machines. We tolerate them up to a point, and make sure any invention of theirs is vetted by spiritual assessment to ensure it will not negatively affect the spirits of our nation. Their newest weapons are rifles capable of shooting flaming bullets and the warrior spirits seem very enthused to test them, so perhaps they are of some use. Innovative has some of the best policies. If we took Inno-Defensive as well, our forts maintenance would cap out at the minimum and make them basically free. Not that we really need the money.  We are watching, our eyes focused on events in Cannor, as local ambitions overtake worldwide concerns. The nobility of Deranne has revolted against their foreign monarch even as we slowly push through their holdings in Sarhal. No doubt that they will consider us a lesser threat than the enemy on their doorstep, and eventually grant us what we desire.  The meeting point of the three golden banners in north-west Rahen, between ourselves, the Dwarves of Ovdal Kanzad, and the Phoenix Empire, has settled the question of the westernmost expansion of Xerlanza. Those who we liberated from the Command remain eternally grateful towards Lord Balris, but I do note that they almost all remain cautious and even hostile towards the spirits. I would blame this on their thorough belief the High Philosophy, which preaches that spirits are better off beneath those mortals who strive to emulate the High Gods. This belief is tolerated within Xerlanza, but has been a point of tension with some of the cities that follow it since the Rending began. With millions more adherents, I am concerned what they might do to the spiritual balance of the nation.  A few Hobgoblins dwelt within the lands we held, but the integration of Khadrasopur into Xerlanza has added a multitude more. As more and more of them eagerly join the military, Parliament has voted to grant them rights and recognise their war camps as legitimate cultural settlements. Memories of the wars with the Command linger, but Lord Balris is forgiving, so we shall be as well.  Everywhere our eyes peer into the workings of Bhuvauri, a multitude of eyes stare back at us. It is unnerving when we scry into a city, the citizens will work the little brass device that has become ubiquitous since the Revolution broke out, and then every single one of them will stare at us, no matter which angle we watch from. I do not know what magic they are working to counterscry us, but it does not appear to be a trick of the Brass Dragon, as they are nowhere to be seen.  As if it were a product of their own work, and not a result of the boons bestowed upon us by Cinulau, the Scale Barons announced that Xerlanza accounted for a full ten percent of fish production across Halann. Considering the relatively small amount of coast we hold; I do not believe that any mundane economic scheme could manage such a feat. The Great Spirits are the only beings capable of such achievement. The Goods Produced bonus from being Hegemon is a great help here.  It happened overnight. The last of those loyal to Jyntas were quietly seized by an almost spontaneous mass of citizens and executed, though Jyntas themself remains missing. From our observations, there is almost no change to the way that Bhuvauri runs day-to-day. People dwell in their assigned home, work at their assigned location, and suffer brutality if they step out of line. Yet, instead of a few slave-leaders at the top of the heap making executive decisions, they seem to be made from thin air. If they need to supply an army, a grouping of workers will spontaneously start to dismantle a factory to build machines for manufacturing guns and cannons. There doesn't appear to be a leader of any kind, but when they knew we were watching one bureaucrat stepped up and spoke to the air – speaking to us of the Knowing Eye. He identified himself as Shakrasingh, the Speaker of Bhuvauri, and said "You need not be bound by the will of a Dragon, nor capricious spirits. The will of the people is all that matters, and our will is absolute." The reference to Cannor in the popup is ironic, considering we're 3/3 for the Revolution spawning outside Cannor.  The growth in power we have bestowed upon the Great Spirits has been felt by the people of the nation. That Kui Nytari has become the Honoured Golden President is a complete rebuttal of everything the Speaker threatened. The people trust the spirits, and they trust the Old Guard to honour them.  Our reverence does not affect the nation's growth, as such atheistic fools might suggest. Massive canals have been carved into the hills surrounding the Yan, allowing the rapidly growing outlying towns to be connected to the river and the Golden Highway that runs alongside it. Such projects are done with the consent and even aid of the spirits, as we offer them recompense and even transformation into a new form. A forest spirit becomes a mechanical spirit that watches over the locks in the canal, or we abandon a village to spirits of untouched nature to compensate for the loss of their habitats.  Writings are starting to appear in our cities, pushing the same ideas that the Speaker spoke of. The idea that the people should be given absolute power, that democracy be extended to all levels of society, and that the outcome of a democratic vote should be upheld unto death. Such strange ideas thankfully do not find much traction among our people, as devoted and satisfied with their lives as they are. Hey, an upside to us having tanked our absolutism.  I do not know whether such ideas will find attraction in Aelantir, which is fertile ground for the growth of strange ideologies. The Vanbury cities are certainly agitating for more independence, though the Honoured Golden President is loathe to give it so long as there remains the risk of damage to the sacred jungles.  In fact, he even authorized the forces on station in the east to take more territory in region, to secure this section of sea as sacred migration ground for Cinulau, should it ever desire to travel across the ocean and find a safe harbour. We're not going to be able to get enough islands off Deranne, so this is the next best thing to finish off that quest.  Taking extra care to ensure the spirits are not upset by our advancements, might slow down the pace of technology, but it is worth it for maintaining a harmonious relationship. No matter how much the Gommo might complain, they are still merely guests within our nation.  I entered Balkhangfa Palace one evening, to find the Honoured Golden President lost in thought. He produced a cryptic message, supposed delivered from a renowned scholar. However, said scholar denied ever sending it. He complained that there was something at the edge of his thoughts, just out of sight and hearing, staring at him and pushing him towards something blasphemous. I encouraged him to meditate in an isolated chamber, to centre himself with the spirits and without the distractions of the physical world. This event lets you convert to the Lefthand Path. That's an obvious 'no thanks'.  The Cannorian scourge has been removed from the realms of Cinulau, and it has shown its gratitude towards us with a marvellous display out in the open ocean, that had the added bonus of triggering tidal waves to wash away the abandoned settlements the invaders had left behind.  Our next and final goal on Cinulau's behalf is to secure the entrance to the Gulf of Rahen. Though that sea is itself dominated by Bhuvauri, Cinulau cares little for our mortal politics and merely wants to ensure that we watch over it from outside invaders. That it will also help us keep the strange revolutionaries contained is an added bonus. Following negotiations with Shelkomengi, they have agreed to withdraw their support from the Fetengoni who presently hold the region.  The revolutionaries are ramping up their actions against us. They have learned that their propaganda matters little to the people of Xerlanza, and are instead targeting our points of weakness. The massive number of followers of the High Philosophy represent fertile ground for extremists who distrust the Great Spirits, and there are even Lefthand Path adherents hiding in secret and eager to strike against us. The Honoured President, still suffering from his despondency, is loathe to do anything in return as the revolutionaries have secured the support of Kalsyto.  To be driven to take one's life is a terrible thing. Kiu Nytari was as devoted to the spirits as any of us within the Old Guard, and yet he still succumbed to despair. His final notes complained that he was being watched by a 'multitude of eyes', and that ruin would come should he ever stare back at them. This is probably the single worst event the Rending can give you. Not a big deal for a Republic with a short-lived race, but imagine losing your 300-year-old carefully cultivated Elven Mage-Emperor.  I have taken up the mantle of Golden President, while efforts are put in place for an unexpected election. As much as I wish to use my position to crack down on unrest backed by the revolutionaries, I am well aware that my position may only be temporary. If only there were not so many eyes on me. I can feel them, watching me closely, making sure that I do not overstep my authority.  The war has concluded without any issue, and with it our interest in Sarhal. We will protect this sacred coastal fortification in the name of Cinulau, much as we protect the Sarhali jungles in the name of Lupulan, but we have no further need to send our warriors across the sea.  As our warriors returned from overseas on a flotilla escorted by Cinulau itself, the very waves themselves lapped at our shores in contentment. Just as we have appeased the hills, the river, and the jungle; the ocean is now a pacified realm of the spirits. I still could not shake the feeling of being watched, even as I awaited the fleet's arrival at Tianlou. Perhaps I should seek take things easy and focus on meditation until the election. Some nice bonuses for a naval game, though I think bonus colonial range hardly matters by the time the Rending starts, let alone this point. Getting coastal ship repair without needing to take Maritime is nice. The Rending now stands at 1775. Given the Great Spirits that are within reach and their quests, I'm not sure we'll make it to 1821, but I'll do what I can.  I have seen! I have been seen! Tughayasa has been watching us, waiting for someone who would be willing to see what it can show us. It ought to be familiar to us of the Knowing Eye, the idea that the world is there to be observed, whether the past, present or future, but we have been myopically focused on our physical enemies for too long. We must look at what Tughayasa is showing us, or we will all fall!  Convincing Parliament to suspend elections was easy when Tughayasa's power is on display, blanketing the Parliament chambers in its eyes. If we are to avert this calamity, I must be given the chance to learn what Tughayasa has been trying to show us all this time, and make preparations for the calamity to come. I will travel to Mount Tughayasa with as much Tamphora as we can mine, and begin preparing the rituals that it is imprinting into my sight everywhere I look. While I am gone, I call upon all those who stay behind to devote themselves to Lord Balris and the Great Spirits and ensure the nation is properly unified, lest we tear ourselves apart in the face of the coming calamity! Tughayasa is a real pain if you aren't ready for it, and probably needs a rework (and some lore!), but I've been setting up to make it as easy as possible on us. - Owning and fixing up the monument on Mount Tughayasa is straightforward - Getting stuck with a 0/0/0 ruler for five years doesn't really hurt us, we've been running level 5 advisors for ages, but a smaller/weaker nation might not enjoy it. Also, Republics kind of break it but I can get around that by suspending elections. - 60 innovativeness is a massive problem if you haven't been planning for it. Righteous Path has that one teaching that boosts it massively, but otherwise you might be out of luck. - Originally this called for 2 permanent Damestear provinces (of which there are 5 in total in the world), which honestly isn't too bad as 2 are in easy reach. One in land owned by One Xia, and the other in the crater in Shelkomengi. However, in the Bitbucket, the requirement is any 3 Damestear provinces. This is actually worse imo, as Damestear is incredibly flaky and seems to disappear in a matter of years if it's in the player's hands. Not to mention that its spawning is mostly random in the first place. That is why I tried to time appeasement to as close as possible to annexing the vassal that held the most Damestear. - This final quest requires a Mage Ruler with Level 3 Divination, a problem for those without easy access to such. Foresight is an incredible spell, but we haven't really delved into magic much in this campaign. We aren't completely out of luck, as second quest might be able to help with that. Keyword, might. More on that in a future update. To be continued… Coming up next: another state of the world update, and in the meantime there's voting to do. Votes President Gyar Lhakfa has gone into seclusion, leaving Parliament to decide on the best approach for dealing with the diplomatic and military crisis presented by the two greatest military threats to Xerlanza uniting against us. Alliance – Offensive (+6 votes) – We must strike now, before the dual threats of Bhuvauri and Kalsyto grow too great. If we wait for them to strike in a moment of weakness, it will be too late. Old Guard – Religious – Tughayasa has shown us the way! We must devote ourselves to the Great Spirits even further, appease as many of them as possible, end the High Philosophy and push for the destruction of the atheistic forces of Revolution with the aid of the spirits! Scale Barons – Diplomatic – Taking the title of Hegemon has hurt many of our trading relationships. We must ensure that they don't slip away any further, and build up a coalition against Bhuvauri. United Guilds – Quantity – The people of Xerlanza, be they Kobold, Human, Harimari, Harpy, Gnome, Hobgoblin, or Spirit, all stand ready to defend it against the threat that Bhuvauri and Kalsyto pose to the republic we have built LNP – Plutocratic – Though the Revolution calls themselves a democracy, they remain tyrannical in the structural aspects of their society. By demonstrating the superiority of our system, they will break long before our will falters. Vote for up to two options by clicking on the below image. The option with the most votes will be selected. Second place will get bonus votes in the final idea poll.  Additionally, now that we are integrating large numbers of adherents to the High Philosophy, the Old Guard insists that they be shown that the spirits are not to be feared, and instead should be embraced, to help improve the cohesion of the nation. (I probably should have held this vote right after the start of the Rending, but with the events of this update it feels relevant now) Switch syncretic religion to Mystic Accord – Lose 10% reform progress growth, gain +5% goods produced from the switch. Also, +6 bonus votes for Religious idea group. Eta - we'll also get to actually use the Monuments we have, which are in High Philosophy provinces but we can't use because they only count your primary religion in their requirements. Keep syncretic religion as High Philosophy – No change Vote by clicking on the below image. Voting will last for 48 hours Sybot fucked around with this message at 01:33 on Mar 15, 2024 |
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Mar 14, 2024 18:40
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Very curious what you have going on with the revolution in Bhuvauri and where Jyntas went. Compelling writing as usual. Bhuvauri getting an MT and thus Jyntas getting expanded is the top of my wishlist with Anbennar. Thinking on it, though, it's funny that dragons are nearly extinct and thus so incredibly rare yet four nations can be sort of ruled by them (the Dragon Dominion, Aakheta, Bhuvauri, and Balrijin/Xerlanza). Am I missing any or are those four the only dragons still around in Anbennar?
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Mar 15, 2024 16:32
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Black Demense missions have them hunt a dragon as well. Can't remember which one though.
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Mar 16, 2024 01:47
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RubricMarine posted:Very curious what you have going on with the revolution in Bhuvauri and where Jyntas went. Compelling writing as usual. There's actually quite a few dragons still kicking around in Anbennar, most of them just keep to their own affairs and don't muck with mortal nations is all. Spoiler texting this but: There's a Green Dragon in the Deepwoods that basically nothing is known about. The Hunter in the Deep, the Serpentspine Dragon, is still around. They're the one who obliterated Gor Vazumbrog. Tayekan the Blue is canonically puppet mastering the Gnomish Hierarchy through rampant shapeshifting and identity assuming. The Sand Demon of the Salahad Desert is still minding their own business. Elkaesal the White is sleeping in Gerudia. Alos the Copper might be dead or might be the one armed Bard who sang Elkaesal to sleep
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Mar 16, 2024 03:11
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Interlude: State of the World 1733 Excerpts from The Dragon's Quest: A Worldwide Venture, published in Balriza, 1737  It is undoubtable that the search for draconic legacy has left its mark on the history of Halann. No more clearly can this be seen than in Haless itself, where the Goldscale's search for and rediscovery of Balris has shaped the state of the continent. From the rise of the Blue Scarves, to the conflict with the Command, to Balris' support for embracing the Great Spirits, each decision has led Xerlanza to its place of hegemony over the continent. Freedom and devotion to equal treatment for all life, whether physical or spiritual, are the cornerstones of their rule, though it is not without its strife. Beside Xerlanza are their long-time allies, the One Xia, who were on the verge of defeat at the hands of the Command until the armies of Balrijin took to the Demon Hills in their quest for Balris and established a mighty series of fortifications that blunted the Command's strength. Centred around the Xianjie Hills and the Phoakao Mountains, the warrior-monks of the multitude of Xiaken temples and schools have taken this second chance to mark themselves as the guardians of the spiritual legacy of Haless. The peoples under their rule strive to enter one of the temples, which grow even more in number as the Rending progresses and new avenues for spiritual power are unlocked. The former rulers of the Raj have also found themselves under the sway of the One Xia, who saved them from enslavement at the hands of Bhuvauri. Rule over Xiaken Rahen is shared between the legacy Harimari administrators and the new warrior monks establish temples in the west in the name of the Great Spirits, though this relationship is fractious and may yet break. A discussion of the impact of the Dragons in Haless cannot go without mention of the Republic of Bhuvauri. Tales from its founding in 1357 have confirmed that Jyntas the Brass has had their claws within the inner workings of the society for centuries. Balris has said that Jyntas always had an interest in mortal races and their societies, with an eye towards cultivating the perfect civilization. Though, it has to be said, that while Jyntas worked behind the scenes much of the excesses of the slave-owning-slave structure of Bhuvauri was upheld by its citizens as much as draconic meddling. Perhaps they crafted a society that was too perfect, as it has driven out their influence entirely, and is now operating entirely on its own power, like a machine that has gone off the rails and yet has not lost any speed. Perhaps just as concerning is the endless growth of the Soldier's Republic of Kalsyto, which has expanded aggressively into the sparsely populated lands of northern Haless and now touches the borders of Xerlanza itself. A heavily militarized democracy forged in the fires of war with the Centaur tribes of the Forbidden Plains, they see a nation led by a Dragon as a threat to the very ideals that they were founded upon. Perhaps this is why they have aligned with Bhuvauri, seeing the radical centralized democracy as more in line with themselves than any one that defers authority or responsibility to beings such as Balris or the Great Spirits.  The friendly relations between the Second Phoenix Empire and Xerlanza are an interesting historical oddity, as during the rise of the First Phoenix Empire in the 11th Century, Balriza was burned following the Goldscale's refusal to abandon their worship of Balris. The religious divide seemed impassable, but with his return Elven missionaries are more included to call him an incarnation of Surael than a heathen idol. That may be progress towards reconciliation, or simply a result of a mutual need for defence against the looming power of Kalsyto. As for the Phoenix Empire itself, it has adopted a moderate policy on the status of the Elven upper class who rule over a far larger number of Humans and Gnolls. They are considered the Keepers of the Light; leaders, advisors and statesmen who guide the rest of the population in their worship of Surael. The Phoenix Emperor holds absolute rule, but strives to benevolently unify the remainder of Bulwar under the light of the Sun God. Opposed to their efforts are a few hold out nations who refuse to recognise the authority of the Phoenix. The Kingdom of Birzartanšes claims that the Empire is too soft, that they are the true Phoenix Empire, and that the Chosen of Surael should be striking harder against the forces of darkness. They have aligned themselves with the Empire of Nirat, the rulers of the fertile Mother's Sorrow, who have recently come under a Gnollish dynasty eager to liberate their brethren. Finally, the Dwarves of Seghdihr and the Obsidian Reach hold the mountains with fervour against any incursion. Both have sought allies against the strength of the Phoenix, with the Obsidian Dwarves allying with the Orcish kingdoms of Escann and Seghdihr aligning with Kalsyto. Tensions still remain strong between the Dwarves, as the Obsidian Invasion swept aside the remnant holds previously occupying the Serpentreach, but for the moment their animosity is put aside in the face of greater threats. Neither of them wishes to face the fate of Ovdal Kanzad, which has very recently fallen to the advance of the Phoenix Legions.  Of particular note is a rumoured holdout in the heart of Niratan territory. The Aakhetists do not worship the Khet, the feline beings who are the subject of great worship in the region, but rather a being claimed to be a Dragon. Rumours have filtered to the ears of Balris that Aakhet the Bronze reappeared briefly in the 15th Century, but that he has not been seen since. Perhaps the quest will yet take him to visit this ancient land and discover the truth. There is quite a lot of content for Aakhet, but only if you're in the region. I might see what I can pull out assuming we have enough time left in the campaign.  The diverse lands of South Sarhal are perhaps one of those least touched by the legacy of the Dragons. In times long by, in the prehistory of the mortal races, this was the domain of the Genies. Only one Dragon is known to have dwelt in this land, having been held captive and later escaped. The Mengi people owe much to the legacy of Zenidir, which forged them into a nation capable of defeating the monsters that lurk within the Shadow Swamp of Yezel Mora. Finding more connection with the Kobolds of Xerlanza through their shared draconic heritage, Shelkomengi appears set to unify their homeland in the name of their ancient guardian. The other nations of the Sarhal are more isolated from both one another and greater events within the world, only recently coming into contact with both Cannorian and Halessi explorers and settlers as both seek to open up trade and bypass the Phoenix Empire's monopoly on the western end of the Golden Highway. Fitting to Sarhal's diverse climate, they present a diverse range of races and governments trying to find a place in a globalised world. Though Beeragga and Negefaama style themselves as a monarchy and republic respectively, they are highly alike in their nature. The Emperor of Beeragga must answer to the merchants who dominate Sarhali coastal trade, and the Grand Prince of Negefaama is elected from the wealthy nobles who control the trade routes north into Nirat. Both nations have tried to adapt to the coming of foreign influence by making use of it to enrich themselves and their people so they might catch up. On the islands of Fahvanosy, the Halflings have formed a coalition against foreign encroachment, and mostly sealed their borders having discovered the oppression of their cousins in the Small Country in Cannor. Only the southernmost member of the coalition strikes out, having taken to the seas and established colonies from the western isles of Adinonosy to the Ardimya peninsula. Finally, and similarly isolationist, is the Lizardfolk Empire of Rayaz. Though the Emperor and his court style their nation as Khatalashya, the 333rd Empire spoken of in prophecy, the existence of other Lizardfolk states means that title remains contested. For the most part, they fight among themselves and against the encroachment of Beeragga. Some noise was made upon first contact about their possible connection to the Kobolds, and therefore some draconic heritage, but after thorough discussions the Lizardfolk claimed to not be from this world at all and to have never seen a dragon.  In some ways, Cannor is just as shaped by the Dragons as Haless is, though it lies far further back in their history. From the myths of the Dragons carving the Giant's Grave Sea to drown the Ice Giants, to the original Castanorians following a Silver Dragon to Escann, to the 5th Century Dragonwake that devastated the continent, there is still much to be found enterprising scholars looking to piece together the mark that they left on the world. However, one must be cautious given the precarious political situation within Cannor. The Kingdom of Lorent is undoubtedly the dominant power in Cannor, having secured the throne of their greatest rival in the Kingdom of Gawed and undermined the Empire of Anbennar by seizing the western shore of the Dameshead. Even now, as Gawed fights a war to break out from under their grip with support from the Phoenix Empire, they are handily holding their ground. Though Deranne and other nations have beaten them to the riches of Aelantir, there is something to be said for sheer size and power. The Gnomish Hierarchy, once a power in its own right, has been reduced to the city of Oddansbay through centuries of conflict with both Gawed and Lorent. Even the Gommo itself has abandoned them, fleeing to its new headquarters in the Triarchy. Any hope of unity within the Empire itself was shattered with the rise of Ravelianism, which took Cannor by storm and converted almost every Human nation to worshipping a single unitary God. Only a few holdouts remain in support of Corin in the Grand Duchy of Wex and the surrounding princes of the Empire, praying to a goddess who now seems to favour the Orcs more than any other. All that stands between the two Corinite loyalist groups reuniting is the Marquisate of Arannen, which stands firmly by its role of defending the Empire, even though in this case the Emperor perhaps might seek outside aid. Escann, now long recovered from the ravages of the Greentide, has found itself in a strange new position under the twin Orcish republics of Unguldavor and Barumand. Fighting for survival against adventurers hungry for land and treasure, and then soundly defeating them, has taught the Orcs about mercy and reconstruction, as both nations welcome those few Humans who stayed to settle Orcish Escann as equal citizens. That being said, both republics operate on a military principle, whereby war against their enemies is seen as a virtue. This is seen both defensively, against Lorentish incursion, and offensively, as they have pushed into the tunnels of the Serpentspine.  Though there are rumours of Dragons in hiding in Aelantir, particularly within the Ynn Plateau, no evidence has yet been found of their existance. Perhaps this is a result of the destruction of the dragon-worshiping Drozma Tur, first at the hands of Cannorian settlers sweeping into the Plateau from both north and south, and then at the hand of the fanatical followers of the Spring Court. Balris has put out the call that any Dragons still alive may find sanctuary in Shar Lupulan, a sacred land where they have the choice of slipping into the untouched jungle or mingling with mortals in the isolated cities. Northern Aelantir tells a tale of ebb and flow, as the tide of Cannorian imperialism washed over the land, and then the inhabitants of that land, whether they be native or settler, pushing back and securing their own self-rule. The Triarchy is a technocracy formed from those fleeing oppression in Cannor, be they Goblins enslaved by both Humans and Orcs in Escann, Kobolds escaping the return of the Gnomish Hierarchy, or Gnomes fleeing the subsequent fall of said nation. This disparate band of refugees spent centuries locked in conflict with the Vanbury Guild, who were hungry for treasure and lost artefacts to sell back to Cannor, but it was only through unifying and coming to terms with the native Haraf'ne Ruinborn that they were able to secure their own dominance. Now they stand astride the Torn Sea, wielding the combined ingenuity of four races to forge a technological centre in Haraf. Cestirmark, the last remaining member of the Trollsbay Concord, has taken another approach. In allying with Lorent, who was a late arrival to colonialism, they have secured their place in the lands of Noruin through pushing out any other colonial force that threatens it, and pushing up to the wartorn expanse of the Ynn Plateau, driving out the Derranic occupying forces and granting the inhabitants full rights in their expanding union of states. In the isolated Eordand, the four seasons battled for supremacy, only for the Spring Court to rise to the top. Preaching about the rebirth of the continent and new life rising up to wash away the old, the Kingdom of Elchos has struck swiftly against both Gawedi and Derranic colonial enterprises. As they bring the miracle of Spring, they intend to see the land flourish with new devotees to finish driving away all Cannorians from their holy lands.  South Aelantir was at one time dominated by the great Effelai Jungle, surely the manifestation of a spirit of extraordinary power. However, much of the living jungle has been burnt back as Rezankand has advanced across the continent. Formed from an small order of devout followers of the Sun Cult, looking to return to the Elven homeland of Aelantir, they have grown into a powerful nation in their own right with a sense of a manifest destiny to bring worship of Surael back to the ancient homeland by the sword and gun. Whether Cannorian settler or native, they have been pushed aside as Rezankand has advanced and burned anything that they deem a threat. Opposed to them is Republic of Kheios, a staunchly secular and republican state formed from the unification of the Kheionai city-states that sees the rapid advance of fanaticism as the greatest threat to the freedom of the people of Aelantir. The lands of the Tachyend have become their battleground, where several key defensive fortifications have been established to hold back the invaders, and the last surviving Tachyendi state of Korrimutren has been brought under their protection.  Xerlanza's ascent to the position of greatest of the great powers, surpassing even the Phoenix Empire, Kalsyto, or the Lorentish-Gawedi union has demonstrated the sheer drive granted to them by the success of their quest. To seek one's heritage, and to discover that said heritage still lives on and can guide you further, is truly the greatest gift that one can give to their peoples. Though there remains darkness in the world, Balris and the nation he has helped build shine as a light to those who need it, and as a signal for any more Dragons to reveal themselves and share their knowledge and experiences from ages past.  To be continued…
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Mar 16, 2024 16:06
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I don't think we've done a high magic playthrough, we started with the Dwarves and tons of artificing, went Pirate, and are now ~19th century Whigs. If Sybot does another run (and I hope they do, I really have enjoyed these) Imma vote for whatever makes us a mageocracy. Also, man, I really dunno about some of these spirits. They're pretty demanding and don't seem to understand one person one vote (where person is any ilk of sophont).
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Mar 16, 2024 16:34
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Playing as the Spring Court in Eordand would be cool for a magocracy. It's a setting we haven't explored yet, and they aren't bad at magic.
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Mar 16, 2024 16:49
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By the time the next campaign starts (and I do plan to do more, I have the vote for the next one ready to go at the conclusion of this one, and drafts for the subsequent two campaigns after that) the new magic vs artifice system should be fully in place, so I'll be able to show off that as well. I don't think I have any explicitly magical options in the next campaign vote (saying lol no to BD once again), but all but two should be able to pivot that way if we get the chance. Edit: Actually, there is one good magic-based option on the upcoming vote, if you're a fan of really big stone buildings. One other thing I wanted to highlight coming soon to the Bitbucket will be the addition of Balrijin's capability to Collapse the Command as an option for any nation that goes down the Appease the Spirits path (as part of Yanhe's quests). Looking forward to playing a Yinquan or Southern Halessi game with that at some point. Sybot fucked around with this message at 17:01 on Mar 16, 2024 |
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Mar 16, 2024 16:56
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habeasdorkus posted:I don't think we've done a high magic playthrough, we started with the Dwarves and tons of artificing, went Pirate, and are now ~19th century Whigs. If Sybot does another run (and I hope they do, I really have enjoyed these) Imma vote for whatever makes us a mageocracy. Aelnar can be a very magic heavy playthrough, and if you're focused and lucky you can even avoid turning into the world's most terrifying ethnostate.
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Mar 16, 2024 17:00
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Friends don't let friends play Elves.
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Mar 16, 2024 17:38
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Is there a nation that combines magic and artifice? I admit, I'm not a fan of the 'technology vs magic' trope; the less of a distinction between the two, the better.
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Mar 16, 2024 22:24
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CommissarMega posted:Is there a nation that combines magic and artifice? I admit, I'm not a fan of the 'technology vs magic' trope; the less of a distinction between the two, the better. It's never really been about magic versus technology - artificery is intended to be mass-produced magic, which is why they've removed coal as something that boosts it as part of the rework, to try and disconnect it from industrialization. The conflict is meant to be about whether magic should be held by those with natural talent, or available to the masses. This is reflected in the rework, where there will be three options available to nations: Mage-focus - Most nations start with this. No artifice is allowed. Artifice-focus - Most nations will have the option to switch to this when artificery unlocks. No 'mages' are allowed. Mixed - Access to both, but to a limited level. As to nations that cover both, I don't think there are that many in the game. Technically Orlghelovar has the whole thing of reconciling the Mages and the Artificers and a unified Eordand has content for both as well, but that's all I'm aware of and I'm not sure how those play with the rework.
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Mar 16, 2024 22:54
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Eordand is the only nation where artificing and magic are explicitly not in competition with each other. Anbennar as a whole has a rather silly notion that artificing is inherently populist despite being reliant on the rarest material on the planet, thus making it arguably easier to coopt by elites than even mages.
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Mar 16, 2024 23:06
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Captain Oblivious posted:Eordand is the only nation where artificing and magic are explicitly not in competition with each other. I've just been quietly assuming there's some kind of artificial version or increase in efficiency to the point you can use near-homeopathic levels of damestar to drive later artifice Also a generic +1 for magic heavy as someone whose only experience with EU4 is LPs here; seems like one of the larger deviations from the base game
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Mar 17, 2024 14:13
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Diplomatic and Offensive earned equal numbers of votes, including the bonus votes, so I am going to tie break it in favour of Diplomatic in recognition of managing to come joint first without bonus votes. Offensive will be back with +2 bonus votes in the final idea poll. We will also switch our syncretic religion to Mystic Accord. Chapter Twenty: Unity and Division 1733-1746 Fourth Street, Twenty Sixth Avenue, Khiraspid, Republic of Bhuvauri, 1740 It was endless, the noise and rumbling of demolition and construction wrapped up in a cacophony of noise. The Speaker, on behalf of the Republic, had determined that Khiraspid must be rebuilt, that the slums had to be cleared and replaced with rows modern dwellings with proper sewerage to prevent disease, that the avenues must be widened so that they could be patrolled, and that any rats who refused to fall in line behind the will of the people could be uncovered and removed. Even with the wonders of modern artifice, much of the work in the city was still done by hand. The booming population, spurred on by artifice-engineered crops and advanced medicine, was put to work in manual labour, to pave the way for proper mechanisation. With so much of the city being refurbished, transportation was done en mass, with the streets filled with a throng of marching feet carrying goods to their destinations. Jyotirishwar, or just Jyotiris to those who knew her best, paused as she carried a bundle of cloth down the street. The voxcoder around her neck had pulsed with a signal that caught her attention. Everyone around her held one, and each was identical, a small device encased in brass with intricate magical circuits that all fed into a sliver of Tamphora at the core. The brilliance of the device was that it fed on the holder's Chi, so the core would never run dry. The Tamphora was merely a relay for its purpose. The voxcoder was centuries ahead of what the Gnomes could build, and had only entered production in the first place thanks to the efforts of a certain brilliant draconic mind. It was a shame then that the revolutionaries, who had really embraced the artificery, were so ungrateful. Her pause had interrupted the flow of traffic down the avenue, and the woman behind her snapped something in annoyance. Jyotiris did not pay attention to her words. She hardly had to. The signal from her voxcoder doubled up as a complaint radiated out from the woman, catching the attention of the rest of the crowd. Not quite as planned, but it would do. She started walking, but haltingly, as the people around her voted in silence on what to do with her. Subconsciously a decision was made, and a guard pushed through the crowd to remove her from traffic. Immediate correction, collectively agreed. It was perfectly orderly. There was still a nagging feeling at the edge of her mind from the original ping that had distracted her. It was a nationwide vote on the fate of the Kobold populations who had dwelt within the Republic's borders since before it had even been founded. Obviously, all representatives of the Scale Bank and other Xerlanzan institutions had been expelled, but those Goldscales who had never set foot in Balris' domain had remained for now. A very complex issue, reduced to a mere emotional back-pulse from the collective mind of the people. To purge, to expel, to isolate, or to integrate? Each option had a strange ebb and flow to it that Jyotiris could not quite put into words, as if there was a monumental pressure against the inside of her head as she considered them. So far, the plurality was leaning on isolation, so as to keep them from potential sabotage in the event of war with Xerlanza. To be stripped of their voxcoders and confined to their homes, to be removed from the machine, was almost a reward in some ways. It was somewhat of a relief to see he vote swinging that way, as Jyotiris had no desire to see Balris' adopted children suffer. The guard with a strong grip on her was a Harimari in the standard uniform of the Revolutionary Army, a rich viridian overcoat decorated with brass ornaments, and had a dagger, a sword and a wandlock pistol in his belt. Despite this, slipping away wouldn't be a problem. The issue was that to do so would bring the entire mass of the city population down on her, and force her to discard her present identity, so it would be pointless. "Are you injured?" the guard asked brusquely as soon as the two of them were out of the flow of traffic. Though the main throughfare was clean and paved, the buildings off to the side were not yet complete and so detritus littered the edges of the avenue. A couple of builders who might have been slacking off quickly scuttled back into their workplaces at the sight of the guard, leaving Jyotiris alone with him. Strange, to be so isolated with hundreds of people walking past just a few feet away, but that was the way this nation worked. "No," she replied to his question, "I needed a moment to consider the vote." "You can work and think at the same time," the guard said. He gripped her voxcoder and squeezed, causing it to sputter out. This punishment, isolation from both voting and society at large, until one could pump in enough Chi to restart the voxcoder, was standard punishment for a minor infraction like this. Jyotiris had received it more than enough times during the past few years, though it was hardly a punishment for her as she could trivially restart the moment she was out of sight. Such a small punishment wasn't why she was here. "It was just a moment!" she pleaded, as best as she could, "why must even that be punished?" "Get on your way," the guard said, starting to drag her back towards the trundling mass. "No!" she cried. Her arm took on a solid sheen for a moment, enough for his grasp to find no proper purchase, and then slipped out of his grip. She turned and jogged backwards through the dirt, discarding her cloth into a pile of waste. "My legs hurt. I'm going home." To turn and run, there was a chance he'd shoot her in the back. So instead, she turned, deliberately planted her foot on a loose piece of debris, and slipped over. Her head hit the ground, and she shut her eyes. When she 'came to', she found herself slung over the shoulder of the guard, who was marching through a much quieter and cleaner part of the city. An empty alley in the upper quarter, forbidden to those who had no reason to be there. Her outburst hadn't quite been worthy of a public flogging, but instead the revolutionaries, in all the benevolence, would try to convince her of the correctness of the way that this society was run. Getting access to those mechanisms of 'convincing' was her primary goal. "Stay still," the guard grunted, having noticed she was awake. She did not stay still. A burst of wind shot from her feet with enough force to knock the two of them to the ground. There, it was trivial for her to overpower him and keep him pinned to the ground with a body that had suddenly gotten far heavier than it appeared. "Who-" he started, but she covered his mouth with her hand, removing it to reveal a brass gag melded into place. "Quiet now, little one," Jyotiris said. Her body began to shimmer and drip with molten brass, which slowly ran down her form, body and clothes included, and coated the pinned guard. Even though she was trickling away mass, she was actually growing in size, to the same frame and uniform as the Harimari who had carried her all this way. Conversely, wherever the brass struck the guard he began to shrink towards the stature of a Human woman. As the two forms began to swap, Jyotiris took a moment to snatch the guard's voxcoder and weapons. A pulse of her ample Chi into his device revealed his identity to her mind, imprinted there over years of wearing it close to his core. Becoming Natahas would suit her just fine. The whole process was soon complete. It wasn't like the person underneath truly changed as they were encased in a living brass shell, but as far as the world knew, it was now Natahas pinning Jyotiris to the ground. He raised his wandlock and aimed it at the guard's leg. There was a fwoosh as the spellpaper in the chamber lit up, and a shard of ice sprouted from their calf, spearing right through it. An examination of the wound by anyone besides the best mages would reveal nothing of the metallic illusion that lay underneath. Ignoring their muffled screams and thrashing, he picked them up, in a mirror of the previous arrangement, and began marching again in the same direction. Guards rounded the corner a few moments later, drawn by the sound of the wandlock discharging. "The dissident tried to run," Natahas explained. After a bit more of an interrogation, aided on Natahas' side by covertly seeking answers from the original's voxcoder, they allowed him to continue on his way to the correctional facility. Climb the ladder, subvert the machine from the inside, take back control. He would not let this experiment run any further out of control. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Vata Zixza of the Teeming Arm, Representative for Yuanszi and Golden President  As the President has gone into seclusion, we're left to clean up his mess. The Great Spirit interfering in the normal workings of Parliament has the Old Guard in a state of panic, and not a small number of representatives from the other parties too. A stark divide is forming between the Chamber of the People, where most representatives are in favour of the spirits, and the Chamber of the States, where the heavily High Philosophy lands of Shamakhad and cities of Yanshen have more distinct representation. The Old Guard have been able to push through elevated rights for spirits, effectively rolling back the right of followers of the High Philosophy to ward their own lands. Claws have clashed in the chambers, but it hasn't been enough to stop the tide. The stability cost reduction is identical to the one for High Philosophy, so I didn't mention it in the vote.  There is uproar in the streets, protest marches from Tianlou to Sarilavhan, and resistance groups forming in the countryside. Several representatives from our largest High Philsopophy cities have resigned in protest, but this has just made the pro-spirit faction in Parliament stronger. Before this can come to civil war, I have formed a reconciliation group to try and resolve this unresolvable divide. On the other hand, I should have probably mentioned this. Without Religious Ideas this'll be a bit trickier to correct.  We've had to move quickly, as a proposal to demolish the statues of the High Gods on the Godswall was dropped onto Parliament. We were able to oppose it and push a counter-proposal to carve more of the Great Spirits onto the Godswall, while marking the High Gods as a site of historical and archaeological importance. So long as we can keep too much damage from being done, as soon as this fervour dies down then peace should still be possible. This is the top priority to convert, as it gives us an extra missionary.  The Southern Autonomy Act has been a good distraction to Parliament, as various factions have been debating exactly how much of our southern holdings should remain under direct control from Balriza. Our strongest opponents were the Alliance, who wanted more space for military bases to defend the southern approach to Haless from any Cannorian counterattack, but in the end we were able to secure autonomy for the Ringlet Isles under the new nation of Cinulau, as well as hand administration of most of the remainder of the Lupulan Rainforest to Sirtan.  With the President still absent, we have formed a cabinet to address the present crisis. Formalizing the ministries and ensuring that they answer to Balris and the President (if they are not secluding themselves) while also providing a range of informed opinions to influence decisions should allow us to navigate the increasingly complicated world we have found ourselves in.  Under the advisory of the Minister for Economy, a large quantity of government money has been unlocked for both expanding our fortifications along the borders with Bhuvauri and Kalsyto and establishing recruitment centres to see the army expanded further in the event of a two-front war. Pumping more money into the right places should also mollify some of the discontent, as for many people a livelihood is more important than devotion.  Latest reports from the Knowing Eye are that the revolutionaries have finished removing any parts of their system that were still loyal, if such a term could describe it, to Jyntas' regime. Their Speaker has announced a mass re-armament program to eradicate the counter-revolutionary saboteurs across Haless, which I presume is referring to ourselves and the spirits. What they have created is brutal, but startling efficient. We must tread with caution. I've given them a little bit of a buff, giving this (and any subsequent) leader Mythical Conqueror. Don't want them to fizzle out. MC is the boosted version of Great Conqueror, with a ludicrous list of bonuses. I don't normally activate it as it's a bit much to deal with unless you're also blobbing like crazy.  Perhaps it is due to the surge in religious fervour, but many of the industrial and artificery guilds, including the Gommo itself, are closing their doors to those without connections. We can't let society get any more fractured, so we have to ensure those doors remain open.  Foremost among potential allies is the Phoenix Empire. We briefly held an alliance with them in the past as mutual defence against Kalsyto, but it split apart due to simple distance. Now, with our enemies united against us, we must unite ourselves if we are to survive. Negotiations have been ongoing, and we have even delivered vast sums of money to Sareyand in an effort to sway their support.  Unbelievably, our representatives were completely rebuffed. The Elven diplomats claimed that we were strangling the flow of trade travelling into Bulwar following our declaration of economic hegemony. They have even gone so far as to walk back on their previous suggestion that Balris was an incarnation of their god, and instead declared him a false idol that ought to be burned in his own flames. I don't know what has made them so spiteful, but given the amount of blood and treasure they spent aiding Gawed in its failed independence war, I suspect they will regret alienating potential allies.  I don't know what kind of ritual the President is preparing on Mount Tughayasa, but it has nearly exhausted the local supplies of Tamphora. The artificers are going to have to entirely rely on imports from Shelkomengi for their inventions soon enough. See what I mean about Damestear expiring so quickly. If I hadn't timed it right, we'd have been screwed for completing that Tughayasa quest.  With Ghatasak integrated into Xerlanza, we've added another large population of followers of the High Philosophy, who will need to be kept happy even as we are pushing for them to fully accept the spirits. At the very least, I believe we have reached the natural borders of Xerlanza more or less, so there ought to be no more aggression, at least not without passing rule over to local leaders.  President Gyar Lhakfa has finally returned to us. He strode into Parliament with an escort of mystical constructs that he himself had constructed during his time secluded away from everyone. The Old Guard was cheering, and Alliance was salivating over the idea of war constructs, and even some of the other parties were awaiting his announcement with excitement. He stepped up to the podium and prepared to speak. More missing localisation for the Tughayasa quests. What those 'no effects' (which scroll right off the screen) are actually doing is setting various flags related to magic ability.  He announced that he would shortly be re-instating elections and would not stand for the Presidency again. His ritual had actually been a great failure. The goal had been to better understand what Tughayasa was trying to tell us, and to learn to not just scry the present but to divine the future and use that foresight to lead Xerlanza through whatever crisis the Old Guard has been going on about. However, it was a complete failure. While he has learned how to grant physical bodies to willing spirits and ward against evil, he feels those are the skill of a servant of the nation, and not its leader. Here is the big problem. Tughayasa gives your ruler magical abilities, but entirely randomly. Our poor Mage-President doesn't have a scrap of Divination capability, and training him would take a very long time, time we don't have as he grows older and our RT ticks away from suspended elections. If he had gotten to Renowed in Divination I might have started him studying to push us the rest of the way, but with how things turned out there is no point. Perhaps we will get to play with magic in another campaign.  At least his automatons were able to identify and capture some spies that Bhuvauri had sneaking around the capital. I don't doubt there are more out there, especially as we've alienated so many members of our own people with our actions against the High Philosophy. The Speaker must be enjoying our dysfunction and the complete failure of what the President has been working on for so long.  Tughayasa must be disappointed with our failure to heed its warnings, whatever they may point to. I'm sure that the Knowing Eye will continue to pay close attention to the signs and warn us if its signals alarm once again, but for the moment we will have to rely on mundane divination to watch for danger. With this bringing the Rending to about 1790, we're definitely not going to hit 1821 as we are almost out of Great Spirits that we can successfully complete. Tughayasa's bonus is powerful, guaranteeing Mage-Heirs when you use the Rite of Conception spell, but Republics can't actually use said spell…  Gyar Lhakfa's final act as President was to head out into the Marutha Desert and make contact with the Great Spirit that dwelt there. With a shade of Yanhe at his side, and a feather of Phokhao tucked into his clothes, he marched into a sandstorm and confronted Marutha itself. Upon his return, he said that Marutha had commended the power of Xerlanza, but there was more that must be done if we were to be a nation worth of its blessing.  The discord, both within our borders and outside of our borders in the land of Rahen, was a sign that we had failed to tame Haless and bring peace and order to the land. If Yanhe was the one to grant us the title of rulers of Yanshen, then Marutha will be the one to mark us as the true rulers of Haless as a whole. I don't think we should go so far as to completely purge those who oppose the spirits, as Marutha asks for, but resolving both the present religious crisis and the threat of the revolution are points I can support. Marutha is fun and has a great bonus, but is also very tricky to fully satisfy if you aren't pushing hard on conquest and religion. - 95% war score against a great power. That's a very neat reason to get into a hellwar. Bear in mind that both you and the other GP must be the primary participants. - Estate loyalty can be a big problem if you've been mass-revoking privileges for absolutism purposes. I feel like a round of handing out the ones that give bonus loyalty is worth the temporary absolutism hit to complete this quest. - Another straightforward 'conquer the whole domain' quest. The problem here is a good chunk of it is held by One Xia and its vassals, so this is out of reach for us. - Eliminating High Philosophy and Suhan's Praxis is a very, very big ask, especially as basically every nation in Rahen besides the Command starts as HP, and may later switch to SP. You need get to conquering and converting if you want this mission, so again this is out of our reach. Doing this will also effectively fulfil quests for like three other Great Spirits that we haven't seen yet. - Becoming a Hegemon should be trivial for any nation that's pushing for multiple spirit appeasements.  The Old Guard put up a good fight, but the very people they are trying to convert still have a vote, and they ended up solidifying around me. I'm not certain I can stop the process completely, to do so might cause as much of an uprising among those loyal to the Great Spirits, but I do have plans in mind to restore some semblance of sanity to relations between people. One thing I will commit to, is that I will not strike at Bhuvauri until things are resolved domestically.  Our seers report that Kalsyto has been undergoing a massive shipbuilding program. I suspect that they plan to bring enough ships to break through our blockade of the Gulf of Rahen and supply Bhuvauri by sea, in the event of war. More investment will need to be channelled to the navy to avoid that, including into the possibility of importing new warship designs from Cannor.  I have been able to secure a compromise on the issue of religion. I don't know if it will hold, but it does remove the greatest point of contention. The High Philosophy will be recognised as a sect, with all attendant rights for religious centres and personal worship. Many other smaller faiths, particularly in lands we've recently occupied like the Sarhali coast, also get the same recognition, and all these sects are bundled up under the Ministry of the Path, which represents all strains of thought that contribute to our philosophical heritage. While this won't stop the Old Guard's push to have the Great Spirits acknowledged everywhere, and in fact the bill had some aspects which support their efforts, we will be able to pull them back from their worst zealous excesses and perhaps avoid open revolt from the cities.  After the debacle of the negotiations with the Phoenix Empire, my next priority in resolving our situation has been to formalize a diplomatic corps with proper training on modern interstate relations theory. They will be instilled with the idea that building up a network of allies for mutual self-defence is our primary goal, and so hopefully we can start building a proper coalition.  It has come too late for the Phoenix Empire, though, as Kalsyto has launched an assault on them with aid from Bhuvauri and Seghdihr. As strategically isolated as they've made themselves, I don't know if the Elves will be able to hold out.  Further allocation of public resources, in this case land, has done more to stabilize the situation and ensure that the nation as a whole is happy. The only exception is the artificers, who are still concerned about the present religious crisis, but it appears that Marutha does not care for them, and is pleased to declare our nation as 'Remarkable'. Using privileges and Call Diet to pump up estates to 75% loyalty (nobility was the last, as you can see here) then hitting the Sell Crownland button to push them over 85% is a good way to finish off the quest. Notably, the artificer estate is excluded from this requirement, because they are tricky to get loyalty and influence up (part of the reason the whole system is undergoing a rework).  The Phoenix Empire is falling even faster than we could have predicted. Even though natural borders are defined by the Serpentspine, the Salahad Desert and the Paravimata Mountains on the edge of Rahen, they have failed to hold any of those natural chokepoints and Kalsyto forces are freely moving through Bulwar. I fear that we may already be too late to intervene.  Even worse is that Kalsyto has proclaimed their ambitions to rule the seas, with a fleet larger than anyone has ever seen sailing from the isolated north and out into the most important trade routes in the world. When the war comes, our control of the water will be fleeting at most.  There is one light in this troubled situation, that being that we have secured an alliance with the Dwarves of Krakdhûmvror, who have reclaimed a significant part of the Serpentspine as well as much of northernmost Cannor. They have a long-standing grudge against Kalsyto, after they seized the land that holds the entrances to their home in the Giant's Anvil Mountains. With exorbitant transit fees, resentment has been building and they are eager to restore proper access. If they can strike from the west, then Kalsyto may find itself completely overextended trying to defend its far-flung territory.  The Old Guard have reclaimed the Presidency, no doubt off the efforts of a great deal of zealous converts that are voting for us to strike at the enemies of the Great Spirits. As cautious as I was, it was necessary for us to be ready for this moment, when war became inevitable.  Parliament is eager for it, the people have heard the tales that emerge from Bhuvauri and fear that it will spread here, and the cabinet agrees that we need to strike sooner rather than later, lest Bhuvauri's forces return from their war with the Phoenix Empire. So, it begins. To be continued…
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Mar 21, 2024 21:18
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Neat, the Bhuvari Revolution's politics are like the Demarchists from Alistair Reynold's Revelation Space.
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Mar 22, 2024 14:13
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I think that the Great Spirits feel a bit gamey to me. Still fun, but just a bit odd!
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Mar 22, 2024 14:21
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I still don't know how I feel about the spirits as a thing, they feel so discontiguous with the rest of the setting. I know Anbennar is a bunch of regions with different gimmicks stapled together, but the spirits are such a big deal and so common/fundamental to Haless after the Rending that it feels like the equivalent would be like... the laws of physics being slightly different once you step foot in Asia or something. Why aren't there tons of spirits or big temples to suppress them in, say, Cannor? I'm sure there is a lore reason for that, but I'm not sure there is one that could be satisfactory to how strange that feels to me. As for the recent update, glad to see Jyntas is down but not out. I suppose the revolutionaries would make a big deal out of it if they caught and killed the dragon that had been masterminding their country for centuries, though.
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Mar 22, 2024 14:42
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habeasdorkus posted:Neat, the Bhuvari Revolution's politics are like the Demarchists from Alistair Reynold's Revelation Space. Good spot, that was one of the inspirations for how they'd work. RubricMarine posted:I still don't know how I feel about the spirits as a thing, they feel so discontiguous with the rest of the setting. I know Anbennar is a bunch of regions with different gimmicks stapled together, but the spirits are such a big deal and so common/fundamental to Haless after the Rending that it feels like the equivalent would be like... the laws of physics being slightly different once you step foot in Asia or something. Why aren't there tons of spirits or big temples to suppress them in, say, Cannor? I'm sure there is a lore reason for that, but I'm not sure there is one that could be satisfactory to how strange that feels to me. I'm not sure if its official lore or anything, but I imagine them being the primordial rulers of the region, alongside the likes of the Djinn in Bulwar and Sarhal or the Giants in Cannor. However, instead of being slain or driven away like those were, they were sealed away and the Rending is the result of thousands of years of stored-up power being released at once. Of course, that the effects abruptly stop as soon as you set foot onto another continent is where it gets really gamey. There are other places where weird poo poo is confined to a specific area of the map, like the Deepwoods, Shadow Swamp, certain chunks of Aelantir, though none of those have as dramatic a gameplay impact as the Rending.
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Mar 22, 2024 18:32
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The effects of the Rending potentially spreading out in some manner depending on how on the ball people in Halass could be is an interesting idea, you obviously don't want the issue of loving over neighboring players with a mechanic they can't realistically do anything about though which is probably why it has such a hard cutoff point.
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Mar 22, 2024 19:16
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The lore reason is that Halann, as a D&D-inspired setting, has outer planes that are closer to the prime material plane in some places than in others. Haless is where the Spirit Plane is closest, the
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Mar 24, 2024 02:20
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Chapter Twenty-One: The Reordering of Haless 1746-1762 Bhuvauri Army Camp, somewhere in western Rahen, 1750 The tent exploded, a half-dozen bolts of lightning tearing and igniting the fabric. Gaxami Smouldering Wolf rolled out of the tent, his rifle grasped tightly in his hands, and dove behind a row of stacked crates before the second volley could end his life. A motely crew of Humans and Kobolds joined him, with the cover able to grant safety to a good eight people. For the moment. With their Sparkdrive Rifles, the Bhuvauri soldiers could probably batter the crates into submission if they kept up their rate of fire. Their coordination was far too effective, almost prescient, and even a glimpse of Gaxami's red Hobgolbin skin through the tent flap had been enough for them to snap towards him and open fire. He'd hoped to crawl through the tent and come up alongside them, where with disciplined reloading he could take out four or five even in spite of their coordination. That was how this war was. Whatever foul sorcery the Bhuvauri artificers had cooked up, it let their armies fight with the discipline on par if not greater than that of the old Command, even when their own camp was being stormed. In that case, he and his comrades in the army of Xerlanza simply had to be even better than the Command had been. The Kobold beside him tapped on his arm and held out her hand. She was Smouldering Claw, and held a fistful of flame ready to be used. Long ago, when he'd first left his family's Wolfborn war camp to sign up for the national military, that sight would have perturbed him. The households still feared and rejected magic and the spirits, even as Xerlanzan missionaries did their best to push it onto them. His time in training had relieved him of that fear, and he had even embraced a mixed identity as a Smouldering Wolf. In battle, fear was what killed you. Using every tool at your disposal was what saved you. He nodded, and the Kobold swung her arm up over the barrier. Rifles cracked in response, and her arm was shattered by an electric blue arc that zagged through the air. However, she had done her job and an explosion signalled the disruption Gaxami had been waiting for. "Now!" he called out, and he and the other soldiers snapped their rifles onto the barricade and shot at the shapes they could see moving in the flames and smoke. Lightning shot back in response, silencing two of his comrades, but the remainder were relentless. When they ceased firing, and the shapes had ceased moving, he took a moment to check on the Kobold soldier and help her on her way. "Thank you, sister," he said, "the Kindled Scale healers are that way. Rest up, and rejoin the battle when you are able." The sounds of battle still roared around them, and he and the rest of the surviving squad moved up to the next set of tents, ready to face death once again. Peering around the corner, he saw a field of blood and bodies. A massive tent, marked out in brownish metallic colours, was being guarded by dozens of Bhuvauri soldiers who were giving better than they got, with Xerlanzan and Xiaken soldiers fallen before their firing line in great numbers. Gaxami knew his duty. He had to be the next to test that line. If he could kill just one or two before he fell, the next attack would make it just a little further. Death in battle had been his destiny ever since he had left. There was no need for hesitation. "Wait," a soft voiced Kobold said, suddenly stepping up besides Gaxami. The Kobold was wearing the uniform of an officer, but Gaxami didn't recognise him, nor did he understand why someone of such a high rank was in the firing line. An explosion, whether from magic, from artillery, or some other source, detonated in the midst of the Bhuvauri soldiers, sending them scattering. Some of their own will, some in pieces. The survivors looked at one another, and something wordlessly passed between them. In an instant, their whole demeanour changed as if all had been affected at once, and they dropped their weapons. One of them pulled off his undershirt to fashion a slightly blood splattered white flag, and then stepped out of cover. He was shot by someone with a twitchy trigger finger, but his flag was silently picked up by the next in line, who stood undaunted in front of the tent. In the distance, the sound of battle began to fade away. The decision to surrender had gone out instantly across the entire mass of Bhuvauri soldiers defending their camp, and the Xerlanzan and Xiaken invaders would have enough honour to hold to it. As quickly as it had started, the fighting came to an end. Before Gaxami could gather his wits about himself, the officer Kobold stepped past him and out into the killing field. Even though the opposing Bhuvauri soldiers stood still, their weapons by their feet, he still felt the need to see the officer to safety, so he grabbed a couple of the others from his squad who still seemed to have their heads on straight and followed after the officer. They were met halfway to the large tent by a group of Xiaken warriors, their uniforms tattered and their bodies marked with wounds. Gaxami had never understood the need for the warrior monks to always close to close quarters, even if they could channel their Chi to the level of shrugging off bullets. Any of their vaunted form or styles would lead to their deaths if they tried to fight in the middle of a disciplined formation of Hobgoblins, or so went the tales of the old wars. At the head of Xiaken was a man more fancily dressed, damage aside, than the others, who Gaxami was just about able to recognise through the blood matting his hair as General Yingxiang. "Who'd of thought you'd show up," he said to the Kobold, the venom clear in his voice, "there'd be fewer dead if you'd actually taken to the field." "I didn't choose this war, little one" the Kobold replied, as they marched into the tent, "however, this fight is mine." Inside the tent was chaos. A table with a grand map of Rahen had been thrown to the side. Food and drink were scattered around, and a whole stand filled with Sparkdrives had been snapped in half as one. The only thing upright was a single throne-like chair, made of smooth wood and metal adornments. Sitting upon, resting her head upon one paw, it was the leader of this army, and Supreme Speaker of the Western Army Group of Bhuvauri, General Kajen. She was a Harimari with snow-white fur that carried streaks of metallic colour in it, and significant muscles that were clear even under her thick coat. It was likely she could tear any of them in the room apart with her bare claws, and yet something still felt off to Gaxami. "The people have spoken," she said, her free paw playing with the voxcoder around her neck, "I lost; you got me." "Perhaps you should let them fight their own battles," the officer Kobold said. At his words, Kajen looked up, a toothy grin spreading on her face. "Well now, this is new, brother," she said, "I didn't know you could even take a mortal form." "I thought to face you as an equal, in a form much like you enjoy taking," the Kobold replied. As he spoke, Gaxami looked back and forth between the two of them, the truth of the situation dawning on him. Kajen threw away her voxcoder and then her body began to melt away into shimmering metal, reforming into the much smaller form of a heavily veiled Human. It was recognisable to anyone briefed on the war with Bhuvauri as the mortal form of the Brass Dragon Jyntas. In that case, the Kobold in front of him… He and other Xerlanzan soldiers, who recognised Balris' presence at the same time, all dropped to one knee in His honour. Gaxami kept a hand on his weapon, as given the state of things with One Xia this still was not a safe place to be, but all that Yingxiang and his warriors did was give them sharp glares. Balris indicated for His guards to raise their heads, and they did so, before He turned back to talk to Jyntas. "You have been defeated again," He said, "and this time they aren't going to accept your return. They will find a way to kill you, if you keep manipulating them. I have heard it told that Alos and Nimrith were both slain by Humans. It is time to let the mortals govern themselves." "I was so close," Jyntas said, gripping onto their throne thightly enough the brass adornments were deformed. "I spent four hundred years on this, I can't just leave them alone." "I left mine alone for a long time, and they survived. Perhaps they will accept you one day," Balris replied. He glanced back at one of the Kobold guards for a moment. "I abandoned my own for a long time, and they still ultimately trust me." Jyntas opened their mouth to speak, but Balris held up one hand and ignited a golden flame in His claws. In it was the image of something that Gaxami couldn't really understand, a complete mess of pieces attached in ways that seemed random to him. "A gift, from the late Chief Tinker Doomwhistle," Balris said, "He really wished he could have met you, but his legacy lives on the Gommo. If you want to build the ultimate machine, I can help you start small, rethink your ideas, let these people rule themselves." "The war won't end just because I'm gone," Jyntas said, "there are still hundreds of thousands of Bhuvauri soldiers out there, ready to fight." "That isn't our problem," Balris said, "come with me." Hesitatingly, Jyntas stepped down from their throne and reached out for Balris' claws. "You're not going to fight?" Yingxiang said with gritted teeth, cutting right through the moment. "This Dragon is responsible for everything Bhuvauri has done! Millions are dead!" "And I am ending it my way," Balris said. "When this is over, forgiveness and restitution ought to be the order of the day." "Coward," Yingxiang said. He spat at Balris' feet, and marched out of the tent with his guards. Gaxami watched the Xiaken depart, and turned back to see the proper reunion of the two ancient siblings. If Lord Balris wished for it, he was willing to forgive Jyntas, the Bhuvauri, and anyone else who he had once fought. That was the way of the soldier, to protect the peace that they had won through blood. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Var Khenchok of the Kindled Scale, Commander during the Revolutionary War and Golden President  Supreme Master Zhanji had some strong words for us as we marched south from Shamakhad. Most of his warriors were still in the east, ending the Queendom once and for all but leaving the southern flank of One Xia vulnerable. He thinks we're using his people as a shield while we slowly push south. It's not entirely inaccurate, but it's more a result of One Xia having a far larger frontier with our enemy.  Armies are rising up behind our lines, egged on by certain intellectuals who think that the creepy way that Bhuvauri runs its society is somehow a better form of government. Now that we're openly at war, Parliament has ordered a crackdown on such elements even if might lead to open fighting at home.  The Raj forces were the first to make contact and have found the Bhuvauri armies to be deadlier than ever. Despite being evenly matched in numbers they are getting shredded by the sheer hardened blocks of disciplined infantry and mass-produced magical artillery. I'll be keeping my forces as close to the others as possible, even if this slows down our rate of advance. We cannot afford to be caught out alone and crushed.  Especially as the war with the Phoenix Empire is over, so hundreds of thousands of Kalsyto and Bhuvauri forces will be marching eastwards as I write this. Our northern front is pushing forward with speed, and should hopefully reach the Triunic Lakes before Kalsyto can come to stop them, but the Bhuvauri forces in front of us are too strong for us to do the same. At least the Elves get something out of his, as they were able to extract themselves from the war while only losing parts of the Forbidden Plains.  The Xiaken fighting alongside us suddenly pulled away back to the south, leaving us in the lurch. It took a while for word to filter back down, but Zhanji has declared the One Xia to be the true martial masters of Haless, that Xerlanza has only achieved what it has because of their protection, and that they would win this war themselves, even if it meant assembling a million-man army. I'm not sure what this means for the future, but I'm just as ready to fight a big-headed temple warrior as a I am a zombie with a brass box. Oh dear, I didn't see this coming. Luckily it doesn't affect the current war  I have to salute the bravery of the Raj. Despite being completely outmatched they still seek battle against the massive Bhuvauri armies that lurk in Central Rahen. We're still working our way through the fortifications on the border with Shamakhad, and I'm not some Smouldering Claw hothead eager to throw away my life charging into a battle that I can't win.  It's fascinating to see what artificers can produce. Our warriors in the north have used viewcatchers to catch images of the Triunic Lakes, the homeland of Kalsyto far to the north. Their whole nation was established on a long but thin strip of land that sits between three great lakes and the northern ocean. From what we know, it's very heavily urbanized and fortified, so I have much sympathy for those commanders tasked to take it. Doubly so with the massive Kalsyto fleet patrolling those waters.  Conversely, we don't have images of what's going in Sarhal, but reading between the lines you can build up a picture. The Mengi are building up a fresh army to face Bhuvauri forces that entered their lands following the end of the Phoenix campaign, which begs the question; what happened to their standing army?  The commanders in the north are bold, facing down three-to-one odds and giving twice as good as they got. We've not lost our warrior heritage despite all these years of dominance, and it shows in battle. Though, this was primarily against Kalsyto and not the terrifying machine of Bhuvauri. I'd wager that Kiu Muzuk wouldn't last long here in Rahen.  It turns out that when the Xiaken eagerly rush into battle, they get just as decisively crushed. Bhuvauri has full control over the southern front, and two armies have been split way from our slow march through Rahen to ensure that Sirtan doesn't get overrun.  News of a great victory from the north. We beat Kalsyto back to their own capital and took it before they could relieve it. It lies at the very eastern end of the great length of land that makes up their homeland. It's an odd place for it to be given it allows us easy access to, but I suppose it might be a legacy of when their greatest enemy was the Centaurs of the Forbidden Plains.  Though news from the distant western front is hard to come by, its also all good. The Dwarves are doing their job, reconnecting themselves with their capital and pulling a decent number of Kalsyto forces away from our front.  The fact that Kalsyto has to split their armies over such a wide distance works in our favour, and the northern front is starting to turn against them. The strange unpopulated valley north of the Jade Mountains would give them quick access to Haless, but we can hold it. Viewcaught images of Balris' Rest towering in the distance over columns of marching prisoners are a strong morale boost for us stuck in Rahen.  It's like we can't do anything to please the Supreme Master. There are rumours that he called our southern front commander a coward to her face over focusing on securing a fort, rather than engaging a Bhuvauri army directly. Even though her forces together with his halted the Bhuvauri advance into Sirtan and southern Xiaken territory. It feels like this war might upend everything without it being our intention.  Three years of war and we've just began our final march on Sramaya. The closer we get to the centre of their territory the stranger things get. Their cities have been rebuilt into perfect rows of buildings, the people in those cities don't seem to speak at all, simply looking at each other and clutching at those brass devices they hold. To see them go to work in silence, forming orderly crowds that flow around our patrols like a river around stones, is too creepy.  Seeing our warriors in battle, it's hard to believe the martial clans used to be at each other's throats. These days, warriors are expected to be trained in multiple forms that they can change at will, so a line of Kindled Scale defenders might suddenly become a force of Smouldering Claw ready to charge the enemy. More specialised roles still exist of course, but everything we've learned since those early days has made us a flexible and formidable force.  We have arrived in Sramaya, but things hardly feel as though they've changed. The armies of Bhuvauri are still out there, the citizens go about their work even if it's pointless as we bar any manufactured or imported weapons from leaving the city, and the Speaker tells us that things will continue regardless of our presence. Sages have been deployed to find out how the spirits in this region are being suppressed and shut it down. Even if we can't dismantle their strange network, we can at least restore those that its oppressing.  Some of the technology here in the city is crazier than anything we have back home, even the stuff the Gommo's produced. There're manufactories filled with conveyors so a row of ten workers can finish assembling ten things in the time it takes a hundred workers to do one by hand. Entire facilities turn Tamphora into Korashi by the ton, producing enough coated bullets to threaten even our mightiest Sages. Mechanical arms that can carve talismans and then charge them with enough Chi to war against spirits, without any outside input. It's all so soulless, but I'm sure the Scale Barons are taking notes as well.  The majority of the remaining Bhuvauri forces, under one General Kajen, are in the west, in the lands of the Raj. We'll be moving west to crush them and put an end to any form of resistance, then leave it to Lord Balris to decide the fate of these people. Only He really has any moral authority to come to that sort of decision.  With the aid of the Xiaken, the armies of Bhuvauri are no more. Lord Balris arrived personally to take Kajen - or rather, Jyntas - into His custody, and while I wasn't there in person to see it there are a lot of rumours floating around about what exactly happened. I won't sully His name by repeating any of them in writing, but some are unhappy with His choice.  Word is that we are withdrawing from Kalsyto, with their withdrawl from the war secured. We didn't even claim anything for ourselves but instead convinced them to return the territory they'd taken from the Dwarves. I'm not going to complain about supporting our allies in this way. Dwarves have long lives and long memories, and I'm sure they'll be grateful for our support for as long as I live. That their capital was cut off was what was causing the border gore in the north. Hopefully this'll give them the chance to fix it now.  The war's not over just yet, but the warriors returning from the north has bolstered the support from the people. They want us to see this through to the end.  Though, in anticipation of peace they've gone and voted the Scale Barons back into power. There's a lot of talk in their campaign material about taking on the industrial innovations they've observed in Bhuvauri, something that I hope my fellows in the Alliance can work together with the other parties to keep from causing too much damage to our relationship with the spirits.  Ever since the capture of Jyntas, a spectre of Marutha has been following us around observing our complete occupation of Bhuvauri and determining whether we meet whatever criteria that he has laid out for us. At the very least, I believe he is satisfied with the thoroughness of our victory against Bhuvauri, and he has returned to his desert with the promise of his aid in ruling over the lands of Rahen. Marutha's bonus is a very welcome boost to governing capacity. If you're going all-in on the Rending, you'll definitely need it.  The real toll of the war is in the casualty reports. They estimate three million were lost in battle, across both sides. Another three and a half more dead in the jungles and urban combat zones across Rahen, not to mention the brutal winter conditions on the northern front. If such a conflict is the future of the world, as all of Haless and beyond masses for war on a global scale, then we need to be ready for it.  Lord Balris was lenient on the rulers, if they could be called that, of Bhuvauri, primarily demanding they cease forcing the people to conform to the strange social government, that the spirits be granted the same rights that Xerlanza grants them, and that slavery is to abolished, whether in the literal form or socially enforced. I don't know how effective His decrees will be in the long term, but taking away their voxcoders and forcing them to use their words has gone a long way to restoring some kind of normalcy. Their cities are struggling to organise, and someone has managed to get themselves elected Prabhi to take charge of the chaos before it completely falls apart. I hope this slide into monarchism isn't permanent, as the people of Bhuvauri had been given a taste of democracy, as strange as it was. In terms of territory exchanged, we have smoothed out the border of Shamakhad, primarily taking key cities and fortifications that were always more part of that region than Bhuvauri, as well as freeing a small territory on the Gulf of Rahen to allow us some oversight of what goes on in the region.  Of course, ruling it directly when it is so isolated would be tricky and an insult to the people living there, who have no reason to trust Lord Balris. They've been granted autonomy, with a sizable garrison from our army to remain on station until they have defence forces of their own.  Returning home after seven years, I'm struck by the growth of the cities and the industry within. Even though modern artifice and machines have cut back on the numbers of workers needed, the cities are flooding with people looking for the wealth the Scale Barons are generously letting trickle down from their pockets. I fear that our fragile acceptance of the spirits may yet be shattered by simple greed. That's why I'll soon be entering politics myself, having tasted enough battle to last me the rest of my life.  And regarding the Great Spirits themselves. While those who dwell in our lands and the lands under our protection are satisfied with our worship and support, there are still those beyond our borders who lash out and disrupt daily life. The Sages say that to appease them would require us to rule Haless ourselves, and I don't think the nation has the desire for another devastating war. The new Bhuvauri, no longer suppressing the spirits, will have to contend with Kharunyana disrupting trade down his river, while the sibilings squabble in the jungles of their southern land. The Supreme Master will have his hands full pleasing Dhenbasana now that One Xia has claimed dominance over the Raj, and our own friends in Sirtan will need to work out how to contend with subtle poison of Gehet Ketine. Though the Rending is now the natural state of life, it remains a challenge for most. So, a run-down of the remaining Great Spirits. We won't be working to appease any more, as the requirements for even 3 quests for any given spirit are a bit beyond us without a lot of conquest. - Dhenbasana, aka the party elephant. Loves everything about a mighty empire, both in the massive overindulgent celebrations it can throw, and the corruption and rot that lurks within. One quest is to force your nation into a disaster. Notable in that its bonus gives a massive increase to corruption growth in exchange for massively cheaper advisors. Beyond a certain income level, it's definitely not worth it in the balance of things. - Kharunyana, aka the trade fish. All about developing the cities of the eponymous river and gathering up all the resources of the world. Our problem is conquering those cities in the first place. There is also a quest to gain allies who together hold every trade good in the game (except ephemeral ones), which can be an interesting treasure hunt. - Hengdu Bowu, aka the war frog. All about fighting, with one quest to have a war with a million casualties per side, like the vanilla achievement. Bonus is a bit lackluster, giving only 2.5% discipline unless it's your primary spirit. - Hukai and Telebi, aka the bickering siblings. They really aren't properly finished, and need a lot more work to have lore and quests that make sense. - Gehet Ketine, aka the rear end in a top hat scorpion and I don't say that lightly. It has two of the worst quests from an in-universe perspective and two of the worst from an out-of-universe perspective. In the former case, the two quests involve literally burning its domain to the ground, and pillaging as many foreign capitals as possible. In the latter case, the two quests involve a massive amount of conquest in Bulwar and Sarhal that will almost certainly leave you in exhausting hellwars with the Cannorian settlers and whoever unified Bulwar. At least the bonus is nice, giving extra movement speed and less attrition.  Even though we're at peace at last, our Sages across the sea got themselves into a war with some of the Cannorian colonies. We had to dispatch our local armies to assist, after the Cannorians did the same with their homeland, and the result is even more territory claimed in the name of Lord Balris. It's as though this colony is striving to become more than just a natural preserve, but rather a nation in its own right with all the attendant ambitions.  The Old Guard have been crowing about the mass conversion of the largest Hobgoblin population in the nation, in Sarilavhan. It's probably a result of thousands of Hobgoblin soldiers returning from the war with a new appreciation for the spirits, especially having seen them arise from captivity as we undid the restraints Bhuvauri had placed on them. The overall restoration of religious stability has been their pitch for the upcoming election, but we'll see if it wins them any votes.  Religious concerns were not the greatest issue at the elections, but rather the escalating tensions with One Xia. The new Supreme Master, also called Zhanji, has shut down trade along the Golden Highway heading through Xianje, and there have been skirmishes in South Haless between our Sirtani friends and local Xiaken warriors securing their last conquest. In this environment, the people have elected me to keep them safe.  My first act was to bring the Phoenix Empire back into our alignment. Our relations souring with One Xia have actually done wonders for our relations with the Elves, who have a much larger and more contested border with One Xia in western Rahen. On top of that, the fact that it was only our intervention that kept them from losing any more than some desolate steppe to Kalsyto hasn't gone unnoticed. Our relationship has been rocky over the last century or so, but perhaps this is finally a normalization.  With the last vestiges of autonomy in the Raj gone, the Supreme Master has declared the foundation of the Xiaraj in western Rahen. The old ministries have been repurposed, the Great Spirit Dhenbasana has been allowed to roam free, and warrior temples are being built across the land. I suspect there will be war to ensure the Xiaraj and One Xia are connected, but that leaves the question of whether we suddenly start to back Bhuvauri after spending so long at odds with them. If this hostility cannot be resolved, allowing all of Haless beyond our borders to fall under the aggression of the warrior monks isn't going to make us any safer. On our northern border, Kalsyto continues to lurk, having absorbed what was left of Jiantsiang. This has hardly changed the situation though, and at least we've secured allies along Kalsyto's other frontiers to keep them contained.  Today I presided over the opening of the Balriza Skyport. It's only the second one in the country, after Feiten, but it was still attended by thousands of excited citizens who wanted to see the first skyship arrive. Our Harpy population have been extensively employed by the skyport, and a whole flight of them led the prototype passengers skyliner into its berth, alongside flocks of bird and wind spirits granting it a pleasant breeze. Even for myself, who has met Lord Balris in person, seeing something so large in flight was a breathtaking experience. Took a while for this one to pop. Movement speed is always such a rare buff, so this one's nice. Play Feiten if you want to see how silly things can really get when it comes to airships.  With the Alliance in charge, the Goblins have gotten bolder, requesting our aid in unifying with their cousins in the Tree of Stone. We provided support, though at this point the Jade Republic wields far greater wealth, numbers, and technology than the Jade March. I just hope they don't bring the mountains down around them with the sheet explosive violence of their unification.  I've come to a decision. The Xiaken respect strength in battle above all. A duel between two warriors is a debate and conversation as much as it is a fight to the death. The previous Supreme Master's greatest complaint was our supposed cowardice. Therefore, if we are to win some grudging respect back from them, we must fight for it. A simple battle, with no allies for either Xerlanza or One Xia, to remind them that we are warriors as well. I set all our vassals to defensive stance to keep them out of things as much as possible as well.  It's strange for us to send our armies at one another. The One Xia have been our allies for almost as long as the Blue Scarves, and now we are slaughtering one another in battle. However, in the end our warriors and weapons are superior to theirs and when faced with equal numbers we can force to them surrender in the face of overwhelming firepower. I can only hope the Supreme Master can swallow his pride long enough to acknowledge this.  Even when outnumbered and facing the Supreme Master himself, our warriors can hold their nerve and divert the blows that are falling against them. The largest battle of the war so far was fought in the streets of western Sarisung, and the river ran red with the blood spilled inside the city. This is no glorious battle, it's a brutal cacophony of death and destruction. I can only praise our warriors who held to the last and ensured that we would take the city.  With the Supreme Master forced to flee, the Xiadao was left wide open to our armies, who marched in unopposed. Our victory was hard fought, but it was also fast. If the war extends beyond this, it has the potential to be just as bloody as the war with Bhuvauri, so we don't need to be punitive. I need to make sure we deliver a message of friendly rivalry, even over a hundred thousand corpses.  To take no trophy would be just as much of an insult as asking too much. The lands in Yanshen south of Lake Tianhu will be enough of a prize, and the people in those lands have closer relations with the rest of Yanshen than the Xiaken who have established their temples in the jungles and mountains to the south.  Negotiations were fraught, far more than I anticipated. The Supreme Master still considers his warriors to be the greatest in the world, and much like his predecessor declared us cowards, this time for hiding behind our cannons and foreign-made trinkets. It's ironic, as modern Xiaken armies contain just as many cannons, but accusations of hypocrisy never resolve an argument. As we left, Zhanji spat at my feet, and declared that he'd see me again, whether in battle in the material world, or as a spirit of righteous vengeance once we had passed. I had been hoping to have a quick war, knock them out of Hegemon status and then try to make up, but it just made them angrier. Maybe I shouldn't have taken any provinces…  The world is reordering itself, and Haless is only part of that. The Triarchy and Elchos are warring for the fate of Aelantir, dragging us deeper in a quagmire that we had only first joined to satisfy the will of the Great Spirits. And even they, the Great Spirits, aren't able to keep those who worship them from warring with one another. I'd thought the fall of Bhuvauri would be the end of it, but there is still so much more blood to be shed in this world. To be continued… Votes Haless is being reshaped. As the crisis of Revolution fades into memory, friends become enemies, new alliances are forged, and distant conflicts draw our attention. This will be the final idea group, that helps shape how we will face the coming changes and the future beyond that. Alliance – Offensive (+2 votes) – While we still have friends, they are distant. Our enemies are closer than ever, and we must be prepared to strike them. Old Guard – Espionage – Let us keep a close eye on those who might threaten us, so we will be prepared for the inevitable. Scale Barons – Trade – Now that we no longer have an alliance weighing us down, we have the opportunity to secure even more Halessi trade and bring unimaginable wealth to our people. United Guilds – Quantity – If we are surrounded by foes, then the people will surely rise up in great numbers to ensure that their homes remain safe. LNP – Plutocratic – Bhuvauri's alien democracy has fallen. We ought to ensure our commitment to our own is as strong as ever. Vote by clicking on the below image. Additionally, what should be the plan for addressing the question of One Xia, considering they are now hostile and remain within striking distance of our heartland? No Action – They will come around to friendship eventually. Right? Yanshen Buffer – That Yanshen is divided between us was tolerable when we were close allies, but is no longer. The rest of Yanshen should be liberated to establish a solid buffer between us. Break their Empire – They have marched out from their homeland and conquered swathes of Haless. We should strive to see them confined once more to Xianje, and their conquests freed and brought under our protection. Vote by clicking on the below image. Voting will last 48 hours.
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Mar 25, 2024 21:23
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I guess it's only natural that taking out our main regional rival would lead to the rise of a different rival
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Mar 26, 2024 00:09
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Sybot posted:Good spot, that was one of the inspirations for how they'd work. It’s actually much simpler than that. The Spirit Realm is another plane that, much like the Fey Realm, overlays the material world and is a reflection of it. Haless just happens to be where the Spirit Realm is closest to the material world in the same way that the Deepwoods is the same thing but for the Fey Realm and the Shadow Swamp the Plane of Shadow. So there is cross over where the barrier is porous as gently caress.
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Mar 26, 2024 08:50
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Chapter Twenty-Two: A Time for Duels 1762-1782 Besides the Golden Highway, Sareyand, Phoenix Empire, 1763 Cities were the same wherever you were in the world, regardless of race, faith or creed. The details might differ, but you would always find the crowds, the noise, and the distinctive scents of such a great mass of people coming together. It was a strange sensation that gave Kiu Cezan a sense of déjà vu as she watched the masses assembling along the edge of the Golden Highway, bringing up memories of her years as a student in Yanzhong and watching one of Yanhe's parades along the length of the Highway. The difference was that these days she wasn't lost in the crush, but held a position where she could watch from relative comfort, both literally and figuratively. Her and her colleagues had secured a veranda two stories above street level for themselves, giving a bit of shade and peace to the four of them and their respective bodyguards. It must have been an odd sight for some, to see a Kobold, an Elf, a Gnoll and a Human drinking coffee together. Yet, that was exactly the sort of situation that one found themselves in when they worked in the realm of diplomacy. "Your people are really showing their enthusiasm," Kiu Cezan said, peering out into the distance. There had to be thousands out on the streets. "Consider it a great respect," Eletar, the Empire's diplomatic head, said, "in spite of our rocky history, they have accepted Emperor Jaher's proclamation." "And we're grateful for that, and for the use of the Golden Highway," Kiu Cezan replied, lifting her cup in a brief toast. Accomplishing all of this hadn't been without a price, but considering the economic impact of shutting down the Highway for the day and the political repercussions of allowing such a notable figure into the heart of their country, it hadn't been as steep as she'd expected. Securing such a good a deal would be a good mark on the diplomacy of the Golden Tongue. The Elf acknowledged her toast with a brief one of his own, and returned to sipping his coffee while keeping a close eye on events out on the street. Dressed in formal robes and sitting stiffly, it was clear that he'd been dragged out by the actions of the three ladies at the table, only here to make sure they didn't conspire against the Empire. He was idly watching the Dawn Legionnaires patrolling the streets for any trouble, but almost certainly kept one pointy ear pointed in the direction of the her and the others. A building cackle drew Kiu Cezan's eyes to Princess Zalika Korosh, who was practically perched on her seat, holding her cup in her paws and loudly slurping from it in between laughs. The sister to the Emperor of Nirat, and their emissary to the Phoenix Empire, was even more finely dressed than the Elf, with more gold jewellery draped over her than Kiu Cezan had exposed scales. She wasn't sure if it was meant as a taunt, but it made the Gnoll the most golden of the assembled diplomats. Whatever the case, despite her outfit she had almost the opposite of Eletar's rigid disposition. "Your gratefulness doesn't matter," Zalika said, "only whether your Dragon enjoys the attention." "In this, I speak for Lord Balris," Kiu Cezan responded, keeping contact with the beady blackness of Zalika's eyes. "Do you, do you really?" Zalika asked, "a Dragon doesn't have a Mother-damned drop of care for what 'little ones' like us really think. The Khet are the same, though don't go tell them I said that." "She's got a point," the fourth member of their party, the soft-spoken Himadrija, said in support. The Human woman was plainly dressed and barely made-up, and could be mistaken for a commoner if not for the intricately carved brass voxcoder pinned to her dress. Diplomacy made strange friends, and after everything that had happened, it had been a surprise for Kiu Cezan to find some friendship with someone who still clung to the revolutionary ideals. "Jyntas manipulated us without any care for our lives, and Balris took them in without any care for justice," she continued. "That's why such beings shouldn't be granted such status among us mortals. It only feeds their megalomania." "Hey, hey," Zalika said, pointing a claw at Himadrija, "I never said it was a bad thing. Unless you're gonna start slaying Dragons or divine felines, you might as well keep them appeased. A little bit of back-scratching, a few gifts, and the illusion of authority mostly keeps the Bronze bastard off our backs and in our back pockets in case we need the firepower." "Those days are past us," Himadrija replied, "with Korashi bullets, artificery, and the mobilization of the population no monster should be capable of ruling over mortals." "Lord Balris is no monster," Kiu Cezan interjected. "He has thoughts and feelings, just as any of us, and He has chosen to be our guide rather than our oppressor." "And what if he snaps one day?" Zalika asked, "you'll be piling up his hoard with whatever he wants by the end of the day." It was not an uncommon debate among the three of them, on whether the greater beings that dwelt within the world should be appeased, destroyed, or negotiated with. If not Balris, then the Great Spirits, or more abstractly the 'spirit' of their respective nations and the direction that it pushed them. Three nations, three Dragons, and three worldviews that sprung forth as a result. Kiu Cezan believed that simple fact was proof enough of her point of the differences in draconic personality. Convincing the others was tricky, and that was why such arguments tended to end inconclusively. Eletar had remained quiet through the discussion, but chose the moment to speak up. "Even such great beings must be aware of their place in the world," he said, "though we recognise Balris as an incarnation of Surael-" Zalika rolled her eyes at this. Kiu Cezan was tempted, but withheld for the sake of diplomacy. That one point of syncretism remained key to good relations. "-we must ensure that he lives up to such a title, much as Jaher himself was not perfect. Aakhet and Jyntas; both of them might shine just as brightly, if only they would accept such light and the humble tenets that come with it." "Humble? A Dragon?" Zalika said, "don't make me choke on my coffee!" "Lord Balris is humble!" Kiu Cezan snapped at the Gnoll. "Do not judge all by the personality of one." Before the argument could escalate any further, a great clamouring filled the air. Raised voices and shouts were spreading from the distant east end of the highway. Around the corner and entering the city came a march of hundreds of Kobolds, performing ceremonial Dragon Dances that had been honed through three hundred years of friendly competition between the Kindled Scale and Smouldering Claw. Intricate patterns of flame filled the air as performers weaved between one another in remembrance of a once vicious rivalry. Behind them was a single Kobold, walking alone bar a dozen Balriza Guardians keeping a safe distance. At He walked He began to transform, shimmering as though He was a mirage, the overlay of a single humble being surrounded by hundreds of comrades and the mighty Father of Yanshen, the eternally wise Balris the Gold. Kiu Cezan found herself staring transfixed as Balris appeared in the midst of the marching formation to the cheers of the assembled crowd. They praised His name in conjunction with that of Surael, or Jaher the First, or the current Emperor Jaher, but nonetheless his mere presence had sent waves of rapture as if any of those others had descended into Sareyand. She couldn't help but feel her heart ascend at the sight and sound, as though she was there among the crowds herself. It did bring to mind what Eletar had said. The Sun Cult was a means to centralize power on a single ruler, but its underlying tenets were respectable. What beliefs did Balris live his life by, that He had produced such a wonderful people as the Goldscales and such a great nation as Xerlanza? Perhaps, in her coming travels with Him, she would get the chance to learn more. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Kiu Cezan of the Golden Tongue, Envoy to the Phoenix Empire and Nirat  You might call it my life's work, or merely playing go-between for far greater beings, but has finally been accomplished. The Emperor of Nirat has granted Lord Balris permission to enter the lands of the Mother's Sorrow and visit His kin, Lord Aakhet the Bronze. Their greatest concern was the presence of two Dragons in their lands, and whether this was a prelude to a draconic takeover. When Lord Aakhet first reappeared, He tried to seize power over Nirat but His followers were defeated and He was granted a personal fiefdom to rule. Aakheta is open to Lord Balris and a small honour guard.  Times of peace are the ideal time for such a diplomatic overture. Though there is war in Aelantir, it is one where are merely a secondary participant. The papers are filled with bad news decrying our involvement, pointing at our naval defeats at the hands of Eordan fleets. We certainly aren't gearing up for any deeper involvement than that.  I met with Lord Balris in Sareyand, my first time seeing Him in person, and He was absolutely resplendent. He held an enthusiastic public debate with a group of scholars of the Sun Cult, and I would say that His musings on the relationship of Surael's Chosen to those the serve were the highlight of it all. Much like He guides us, the Chosen ought to guide and advise the greater population rather than rule them. I'm not sure how happy the Phoenix Emperor himself is with such a discussion, but the Sun Cult seems to welcome such thoughts.  Having visited Aakheta in the past, I am most familiar with its intricacies. As Lord Aakhet's personal domain, the people here are His most devout followers. It's almost an echo of how ancient Balriza must have looked in the years when Lord Balris first uplifted us. The Ahati Brotherhood is an organisation not unlike the Sage Council, where warriors and scholars with magical prowess are elevated to lead the people in the name of Aakhet. As for the Dragon himself, He has been slow to emerge. I've never met Him in person, but from the Niratan descriptions I would've expected Him to make a bombastic appearance.  Certain publications, which are even making their way out here, are very critical of the way the nation is being run, and even Lord Balris. They've taken the same line as the Supreme Master of the One Xia, that Lord Balris offering sanctuary to Lord Jyntas is an insult to the millions who died fighting against Bhuvauri. They say that having a single immortal head of state is a disgrace to the democracy we claim to be. I can't bring myself to agree with their clear Xia-sponsored rabble-rousing.  At least no party in Parliament has yet risen up to oppose Lord Balris' station. The Scale Barons, for all their love of wealth, are kept in check by their devotion to His teachings, even if they twist them to the absolute breaking point to justify gathering as many scales as they can manage into their hoards.  While we've been in Nirat we've missed an entire new conflict with Bhuvauri. The Jade Republic sought to solidify its control of the Tree of Stone, but Bhuvauri was backing them. The brief conflict has seen our friends in Khabtei Teleni gain a little of their homeland back.  As for the Tree of Stone, once Bhuvauri withdrew from the war the rest of the mountains fell without any incident. Once the last holdouts of the Jade March are brought into the fold, that's when I'll have to pick up negotiations. The Phoenix Empire holds the western half of the Tree, which is entirely populated by Dwarves. I don't think they'd be happy to join a Goblin Republic, even if we were able to negotiate some autonomy for them.  Pamphlets extolling the rights of all have been filtering their way down the Golden Highway for a long time, first from the Golden Republic and then from the Revolutionary Republic, but the philosophers who write them appear to be coming to some kind of common conclusions and consensus based on the experiences of the nations of Haless. That is, that all beings deserve the same rights, be they immortal Dragons, powerful Ogres, or small and short-lived Goblins. It's causing somewhat of a stir in Nirat, where the Khet are still the supreme beings of the land.  News is still slow from Aelantir. The Triarchy are, for some reason, unwilling to offer us guidance into their territory in Haraf. Without that, even our armies on station in the region are unable to assist. With our fleets struggling, I doubt we'll offer much more assistance in this war. Good job, AI…  Lord Aakhet's invitation to Lord Balris came in the form of a deck of cards delivered to us by the head of the Ahati Brotherhood. When we arrived at His personal chambers, Lord Aakhet was waiting for us in Human form. After giving a speech about the origins of the game that Lord Balris was about to play with Him, Lord Balris said this in response, speaking in his normal voice despite being Kobold form. "I am surprised to see you so interested in a card game for little ones such as the Khet," He said, "I would have thought it too subdued for your taste." Lord Aakhet's response, his full booming voice reverberating through the building, was "There's more to this than meets the eye, brother. The ancient Khet played this with real monsters and real magic, as we shall too." "It's time to duel!" they both exclaimed, drawing from their decks as I was left awestruck in the corner of room. Yes, this is really happening. This event chain is normally restricted to the Aakhetist religion, but there's no reason that Balris and Aakhet couldn't have a friendly game so I modded it a little.  As soon as the first card was played, the room suddenly expanded a hundred-fold, as though I was in an arena larger than Balkhangfa Palace. Lord Balris and Lord Aakhet were in their true forms, two mighty beings facing off across a battlefield. Lord Aakhet summoned a towering creature made of sand in the vague shape of a Dragon, which caused a blistering sandstorm to blow across the arena. I could barely hold on, as the torrent battered my scales. Lord Balris was undaunted by the beast before Him, and played a card that caused rotting hands wrapped in cloth to burst from the ground and pull one of Lord Aakhet's cards right out of His hand. That didn't do anything to save Him from being attacked by the Sand Demon, but I had to trust in His strategy.  Lord Aakhet did not take any more action on His next turn beside placing a card onto the field. Lord Balris took advantage of His laxity, and conjured up a hurricane that blew away both the sandstorm and the placed card. As cold and wet as it was, it was soothing on me after being buffeted by the sand for so long. Then, Lord Balris summoned a bread-like monster that devoured the sand dragon at the cost of its own life.  It seemed as though we'd reached the exact point Lord Aakhet was waiting for, as He launched into a convoluted series of steps that cycled through a dozen cards and searched His deck twice over, which culminated in Him summoning an absolute monstrosity of a Dragon, inky black with glowing lines of Tamphora blue. Its mere presence caused the arena to flood with a lightless void that consumed everything it touched. Only the comforting presences of Lord Balris kept me from being swallowed, and I was left cowering and praying that the creature could be beaten, as Aakhet's cackle shook the foundations of the battlefield. Lord Balris bared a wide grin as He drew His final card. Castan's Summon. A horn sounded that reached the fabric of reality itself, and the Eldritch Dragon turned on its master. Lord Aakhet could only scream as He was consumed by the Realm of Shadows.  And then we were back in Lord Aakhet's chambers, as though nothing had happened. I collapsed to the floor and missed most of the conversation the two had following the duel, but I did at least witness their handshake, and pass out comforted that Lord Balris had reconnected with another of His kin. Aakhet can pick one of two strategies per turn, and your options can earn you score depending on how well they counter his strategy. Score a point during at least two out of three turns to win and get this nice buff. The 'approval' is a mechanic for Aakhetism where you need to keep his approval or bad things happen. He's a bit less chill than Balris.  We returned to find Balriza in somewhat of an uproar. The Honoured President had delved into the ruins of the Yanzhong High Temple, apparently drawn by some hint that he believed had been granted by Lord Balris, only to be struck by grievous injuries by some force that still lingered in the ruins.  This all came as we were gearing up for war with the One Xia. Lord Balris strongly warned against such an action, but Parliament was insistent that the Supreme Master's insult to Him was simply the final nail in their coffin. For the safety of Xerlanza, the One Xia needed to be dismantled and shown their place as guardians of Xianjie and no more than that.  The war has opened with an all-out invasion of Sirtan by Xiaken forces, while the majority of our armies work to secure the northern forts of Xianjie. Our forces in the region will need to be cautious and duel the Xiaken on an even footing, to avoid being overwhelmed by simple numbers.  On the more distant front, the war in Aelantir has ended without any territory changing hands. I suppose that was inevitable, as we weren't able to provide any support leaving the Triarchy and Elchos evenly matched. Reports are that, following Lorent annexing Derrane, the remaining Derranic colonies are being overwhelmed by Elchos. It doesn't appear as though they are slowing down in the process of driving out the Cannorians, so we may be yet drawn into further conflicts against them.  The Honoured President has returned from his convalescence, feeling better than ever. Though, in times of war I don't know if his ideas on the development of the economy will find much traction. He claims to hear the music of the nation, and that he just needs to find the right instrument to bring complete prosperity. While I can't deny the power of the spirits and what they can achieved, I'm not sure if he isn't merely possessed by a spirit of song. This event chain is a bit more meaningful for non-republics. There's a potential follow-up event, but we won't see it with such short presidential terms.  Though I'm returning to my station, I'm keeping up with the news of the war. A large portion of the Xiaken army was lured over the Kharunyana and trapped there when our armies took eastern Sarisung. By all accounts this is brutal conflict, as the Xiaken warriors are just a skilled as our own and are close to equal in numbers. Every battle turns into a morass of duelling warriors among devastating artillery fire as hundreds of thousands face off against one another.  There is one area where we hold dominance, that being the sea. After all the defeats our navy has suffered, I'm sure they're pleased to have a nation with even less naval experience than us to contend with.  I wonder how long that confidence will last though, now that Kalsyto has once again claimed the title of hegemon of the oceans. Perhaps it won't be an issue, as even during the last war their navy hardly factored into it. I've been working closely with our allies in the Phoenix Empire to plan a land invasion that such a massive fleet would be unable to halt. I'm not sure why they picked Naval Hegemon again, they qualify for Military Hegemon and that would suit them far better.  The new President is very much a warrior, without any thought given to running the nation. It feels as though ever since Parliament pushed for the dismantling of the One Xia that a wave of jingoism has spread right through the nation. Maybe it's the malaise of wealth and prosperity, or devotion and nationalism towards Lord Balris, but its most exemplified by putting someone who only knows how to fight in charge of everything.  There haven't even been any complaints even as hundreds of thousands more have been drafted up into the martial clans to bring the war to a close. It's probably that even with the surge in new jobs that came with industrialization there are still a huge number of young Kobolds and Humans who are unemployed, adrift and disconnected from the land and the spirits. For them, maybe fighting gives them some kind of purpose.  While the war in the west has been a struggle for our warriors, the east was secured once the invasion of Sirtan was curtailed. Cutting of the One Xia from the coast will limit their options in future, if Parliament demands that this violence continues.  At least they aren't intending to rule beyond the borders of Yanshen itself. The Bokai people beyond the Phokhao Range have been granted the freedom to govern themselves, while Sirtan will administrate a few of the territories along their border. Some critics are still going to call this imperialism, but having seen the monolithic Phoenix Empire I would say it's a mere shadow of such intent.  It feels like I'm managing the fallout of one war straight into the next. While the Phoenix Empire isn't involved in the Mengi war against Beeragga, we should be able to secure their agreement on troops moving though Far Bulwar to join the war effort. That said, I've been informed that we won't be sending soldiers for the moment, only monetary and naval support.  I wish our sailors good luck, and Cinulau's blessing. I'm still not sure why we can't devote at least a couple of armies to the war effort, but the Mengi people are hardy and should be able to manage so long as we keep them supplied.  Relations with Bhuvauri seem to be easing these days. I had dinner with their Phoenix Empire Embassy-Speaker recently, and she told me that the radical use of voxcoders had been scaled back, so only political decisions were made using them. Their society seems to be returning to some sort of normalcy at least, and that should mean their more extreme ideas are no longer being pushed across Haless.  She also praised our wars against the One Xia, saying that as two democracies, though I imagine scholars on either side would debate that for various reasons, we ought to stand together against the martial theocracy that dominates so much of the continent. I'm not sure if our relations will ever quite repair to the point that we are that closely allied, nor do I expect the President to let Bhuvauri simply come in and claim all of the lands of Xianjie without also stepping in.  I didn't expect them to actually do it. Launching ourselves into another war so soon after ending the first one is sure to cause unrest, but I wonder if that means that Parliament is confident that the abundance of luxury within Yanshen, and the fact that our own lands will be untouched by the war even if it is our people who will die during it, will be enough to keep the people from revolt. With diplo ideas, very cheap stability, and no-one left to care about AE, there's almost no downside to truce breaking at this point. Also, I didn't notice until just now, but we picked up a core on Xerdgonfa, the Goldscale Xiaken, at some point. Maybe random rebels?  To my understanding the President had made his peacetime focus on reforming the military to new formations that are bound more by a distinct regimental pride than simple loyalty to one of the marial clans, as well as including the latest weapons developed by the Gommo. This war will be the first trial of this, and whether they find success or failure. Offensive has some of the best military policies in the game, it's a shame I don't have the space for even more.  I don't think the Old Guard getting back into power will change the direction of things too much. If anything, they'll push back even harder on any rapprochement with Bhuvauri. The Old Guard cares less for our mutual tradition of democracy and more about the remaining Bhuvauri demand that Lord Jyntas be handed over to them. Honestly, I agree that we shouldn't sacrifice such an ancient being for fleeting justice. As for the One Xia war, the Old Guard were one of the ones pushing hardest for it to continue, blaming Xiaken lethargy for the fact that the Rending is slowly fading away.  The Embassy-Speaker was kind enough to hand over updated maps of Haless following the end of the Bhuvauri campaign. They've essentially carved an entire layer off of the One Xia in Rahen and South Haless, and granted significant autonomy to some enclaves. Our own campaign is almost unhindered at this point, pointing to the complete collapse of the Supreme Master's authority.  It's clear now why we didn't direct any armies to Sarhal, despite my hard-fought work for access. Nonetheless, as I thought our allies were more than capable of handling themselves.  With One Xia now in the process of collapse, the only question remains whether we can stop them from being completely consumed by Bhuvauri. However, that's not really my concern. Though Parliament likes to only look at Haless, Kalsyto still looms large and the current war between Nirat and the Phoenix Empire could tip the balance of power in the west. My work doesn't look like it'll get any easier. To be continued…
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Mar 30, 2024 21:24
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Of course the Egypt Dragon gets a Yu Gi Oh minigame, that's great
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Mar 31, 2024 01:37
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Chapter Twenty-Three: An End to Hatred 1782-1798 The shore of the Giant's Grave Sea, Quartz Gerudia, 1798 Freezing wind bit at Fax Kaza's scales, and she drew on her Chi to boost her internal flame and grant her a bit of respite. It would not do for a member of the Smouldering Claw to be seen shivering. For all the recent changes had pushed her clan to the sidelines, she still had her pride as an officer. It probably didn't amount to much under the grey skies of Gerudia, but it was still there. The group continued to trudge across the beach, cold and wet send sticking at the claws of her feet. This wasn't a walk she would even bother taking if Balris Himself was not also present, padding along a hundred feet behind them. Besides their guards and herself, the others at the head of the march were Vata Valfo of the Knowing Eye, and Mori Iceheart, their contact among the Quartz Dwarves who ruled these shores. Fax Kaza was pleased enough that even if she couldn't tolerate the cold as well as the Dwarf, she was doing better than the desk-seer Kobold who had insisted on coming along. Most of the army was camped up on the cliffs overlooking the beach, probably in relative comfort around campfires and in tents, though Fax Kaza had insisted that at least one regiment remain on standby in case something dangerous happened. Peace had returned, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that blew in on the breeze. "Are you certain that it's safe?" she asked the Dwarf. "Hah, now I'm certain you weren't there when the siege of the Anvil got lifted," Mori said, her face wearing an eager grin. "Those hateful bastards tried every trick in the book the batter down the ice-steel gates, but nothing took. A little water's nothing compared to that." "What about a Dragon?" Fax Kaza responded. "Aye, even that," Mori said, "no offense to the big gold one back there, but I'd wager against him in a duel against a battery of a hundred modern guns." "There is more to this world than mere firepower," Balris took a moment to interject. "Lord Balris speaks true," Vata Valfo said, "lest we forget what was accomplished in the past while reaching for the future." "Hmm," Mori harumphed, "you can try all you want once we're done. My ice-smiths enjoy the challenge." The were approaching the end of the beach, or at least where the beach ought to end with lapping waves. Instead, a frigid blue metallic wall rose out of the sand, just tall enough to keep the wind from blowing too much over the top of it. Just ahead of the wall was the reason they were here. At first glance it looked like a rock poking out of the sand, and generations of Gerudians had probably dismissed it as such, but on closer inspection and a bit of excavation it was clearly a claw twice the size of a Kobold. Balris' steps were unmistakeable as He trotted up to the claw, leading the rest of the party to scatter out of his way. He stared at it for a moment, before poking at it with the tip of his snout. "I should have come back after the war. I only hope it is not yet too late," He said. With a swirl of cold air and sand, He took flight with just enough height to sail over the wall and descend into what lay beyond. With a nod to one another, the two Kobolds followed after Him, scrambling up the stairs that grew out of the wall. Every step sent icy shocks up Fax Kaza's legs, for the ice-steel the barrier was made was as cold if not colder than ice, but she pushed through it regardless in order to keep up with Balris. Atop the wall, she looked down into the excavation the Quartz Dwarves had at the very edge of the sea. Walls of ice-steel descended down, holding back the tide itself and digging deeply into the sea bed that lay below the water. From the theory that Lord Balris had presented during their travel to this land, one of His kin who had fought in an ancient war had been buried deep under the earth by the coast. Millennia of subsequent erosion had only in recent centuries started to uncover what may be a corpse, or may yet be something more. There was no mistaking it, staring down into the pit, that a Dragon was present. They were buried facing the shore, stretching up as if reaching for the surface and with their wings and back already excavated. Yet, they were unlike any Dragon that Fax Kaza had ever seen. She had met Balris and Jyntas, and seen viewcaught images of Aakhet, all with majestic glittering scales and lithe forms. The one buried under the beach was bulkier, with scales that were broken up by menacing spikes of bone or rock or something akin to either. Their wings were sharper and criss-crossed with crystal that looked like that had grown after the wings were torn and then mended once again. It left her to wonder whether there were different breeds of Dragon out there. After all, the three that she knew of were all aligned with different metals, yet Balris had spoken of others aligned to the chromatic. Might this be one of them? She descended the inner stairs of the pit with a bit more caution, her claws finding little purchase against the icy metal. Vata Valfo and Mori were just behind her. The Dwarves working around the edge of the pit, performing some sort of channelling magic that reshaped and reinforced the ice-steel, paid little attention to the new arrivals, even with Balris taking up most of the space in the middle of the pit. "Jorgurem, one of the brood of Elkaesal," He said, "he fell to the magic of an Ice Giant, and I had thought him dead. Yet, his body remains unchanged from the day he plunged into the earth." "Lord Balris, if I may," Vata Valfo said, stepping up to one of the great wings of Jorgurem, which draped limply from his back. The Kobold closed his eyes and clutched the wingtip in his claw. Fax Kaza watched intently as his eyebrows furrowed and his teeth clenched. Another gust of cold wind blew past her, even though the pit ought to be sheltered, and she couldn't help but feel that same sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. "He survived for a moment," Vata Valfo said, "even as the ice magic froze his body and mind, he tried to free himself from the soil and sand, but it was too late. He was condemned to be buried and frozen, neither alive nor dead" Fax Kaza peered up at the Dragon's back, her imagination bringing out an image of his limbs stretched, clawing upwards in a desperate attempt to breach the surface while his mouth, nose eyes and ears filled with dirt. It wasn't a fate she'd wish on anyone. "Can you scry his future?" Balris asked. Vata Valfo nodded and sat down, letting go of the wingtip. He began to chant, most likely drawing on his own power, the power of the great Dragon behind him, and what meagre spiritual power dwelt in this desolate place. His chant invoked Tughayasa, calling upon the Great Spirit of foresight from halfway across the world to aid him in unveiling the most crucial of mysteries. "Lord Balris," Fax Kaza said, stepping away from the frozen body and towards the stairs, "I am no seer, but I have a bad feeling about this." "The lass is right, big guy," Mori said. She had gathered up the ice-smiths and was sending them back up the stairs. Those who had reached the top were already getting to work on the rim of the ice-steel fortifications, shaping what appeared to be the beginnings of a lid. "The floes of magic have shifted. It's all coming from him now." "Be that as it may, I will not abandon one of my kin," Balris said, "not again." "Not again," Vata Valfo intoned. "Never again" He turned towards Balris and Fax Kaza. In place of his eyes, spikes of ice now grew from his sockets. His scales were frosted over, and his entire body began to crack and shatter as if frozen straight through. "No!" Fax Kaza cried. For all she might have looked down on him, he was still loyal and hard-working. He didn't deserve this. The entire pit trembled, and Jorgurem's hulking back roiled as though it was the earth itself shaking. A couple of Dwarves still climbing the stairs plummeted, though as hardy as they were they shook off the impact. Mori gathered them up and stepped up the rumbling and shaking body. Huge limbs of ice-steel began to grow from the pit walls, wrapping over the top of Jorgurem "We'll contain 'im!" she shouted, "get outta here!" Fax Kaza did not need to be told twice. She clutched at Balris' foreleg as He took to the air. A moment after they left, a great shard of ice shot from the base of the pit, where Jorgurem's tail would still be buried. It smashed straight through the ice-steel wall, and freezing water poured into the pit. Even as the water swallowed them up, Mori and her ice-smiths stood tall and finished their work. In mere moment, perhaps even sped up by the infusion of so much cold water, a great barrier of ice-steel had sealed the pit. Balris set down on the beach, letting Fax Kaza down to safety. The surviving Dwarves and the guards were rushing from the pit to meet Him. "Was that just a magical outburst?" she asked, her mind reeling at the events that just transpired. "I fear it is worse than that," Balris said, "I should have considered what effect a thorough dose of ice magic and thirteen thousand years would have on one of my kin." "But he is sealed, right?" Fax Kaza asked. Balris turned His head to look at her, His eyes wearing an expression that she had never seen from Him. Fear. "There is more to this world than any of us can imagine," He said. A moment later, half of the beach exploded, a cloud of sand covering everything as great dark shape took to the sky. The sounds of gunfire and cannon fire filled the air, and through the downpour of sand Fax Kaza could just about make out the cliffside containing the Xerlanzan army shattering under a devastating attack. Without another word, Balris took to the air. His great wings beating with enough force to blow Fax Kaza off her feet and scatter the concealing cloud of sand. As the air cleared and she came to her senses, she caught a moment of a clear view of the enormous, ice-scarred form of Jorgurem in the sky. Even from this distance, she could see the look of hatred in his eyes as he flew in the direction of the nearby city of Olavsborg. There was nothing else to be done except pray for those people, and to pray for Lord Balris. Retrieved from the Deep State Archives, excerpts from the writings of Balris the Gold, Eternal Protector of Xerlanza, Father of Yanshen, Bringer of Songs, Slayer of Ignorance, Wisest of Masters  It remains a pleasure to hear of new forms of mortal entering Xerlanza, as they will surely bring new experiences that I might learn of, and new ideas that will further shape the future of the nation. To imagine that they started with just themselves and their Human allies, and then embraced almost every newcomer that they encountered. It remains a shame that the Oni were lost, for as foul as they were, even they might have had something to teach.  Their determination to see the Xiaken pushed back into the hills is impressive, as they have attacked again before the temples can even muster a real defence. I do not feel the insult that they perceived, but ultimately it is their own lives that they are spending as a result of their decision, so I will merely offer my disapproval on the matter and let them do as they will. To decide for them would lead me down the wrong path.  The new Golden President visited me today, offering up many platitudes on the future of the nation and its relationship to the spirits. I do wonder sometimes if I made the right decision in how the Golden Republic would be run, as these little ones appear and disappear almost in moments by my eye. In six years, another will come with an entirely new policy agenda. Then again, six years is a long time for a mortal.  Recruits are pouring into the army in spite of the wars. It is as though despite being freed of subsistence living by the growth of industry, they still seek to give up their bodies to a cause. The martial clans remain picky about who they train, and the poor performance of raw recruits against seasoned Xiaken warriors only makes them put on even more pressure during training. Perhaps too much pressure.  I said as much to the President, and he took my words to heart. Parliament pushed through a massive reorganisation of the military that stripped away more control from the Alliance and standardized training further to account for the mass mobilization of modern warfare. The last vestiges of clan control over aspects of the nation are being swept away in this new era.  It is important to remind oneself that advancing at any cost is a fallacy. The Scale Barons continue to invest in industry, and more often than not overlook the common artisan or the local spirits. When either of these is filled with natural anger and opposition, it is better to understand their complaints and adjust accordingly than to simply decry them as ignorant and push on regardless.  The final defeat of the Supreme Master, first defeated on the banks of the Kharunyana and then chased into the jungle and forced to give in, is certainly a great accomplishment by my warriors. This ought to spur more reforms in the army, as it is a further demonstration that the way of distinct schools and clans has fallen behind the regimented and disciplined military. It is unfortunate to say that Jyntas might have been correct in at least that aspect.  With the remainder of Yanshen freed and the last of the land under One Xia's control beyond the Phokhao also liberated, I have gently suggested that enough has been done, at least for the moment. To spend hundreds of thousands more lives simply to eke out a bit more land is a sign of letting greed take over.  A message arrived from our Dwarven allies, addressed to me personally. They seek my expertise on something that their Ice-Smiths have uncovered by the Giant's Grave Sea. That name brings back memories, of a long-distant war, and of countless kin who died or disappeared. If another has been found, alive or dead, I would like to bring some of the little ones along with me to meet or grieve for them, but there is no land route between Xerlanza and Krakdhûmvror, separated as we are by the expanse of Kalysto. I dictated my unfortunate reply to some of the President's assistants to have transcribed, and they scurried away to deliver it with an eager look on their faces. Incidentally, I think all those fogged provinces are ones were added when I updated the mod earlier, which seems to have broken them as the AI refuses to colonise them and explains the weird borders up here.  The rhetoric filtering up from Parliament against Kalsyto has gotten stronger. Another quarter million soldiers are being raised and trained in the hills and mountains. I suspect that once again my wishes are being brought to fruition with none of my input, but I am curious as to why they are being trained this way when the enemy they go to fight in the vast plains and coastlands of the north.  Labelled as the Army of the Dwarovar, and led by Dwarves from freshly liberated Verkal Ozovar, the new recruits have been stationed in the foothills below Seghdihr. It is clearer now. Just as we have allied with the Quartz Dwarves, Kalsyto has found allies in other Dwarven nations. It is strange then, that the coming war will be as much a Dwarven civil war as anything this.  War comes, and it is perhaps the largest war I have seen since ancient times. Though, even then, such wars were fought between armies of mortal thralls led by beings of power unimaginable to their small minds. This time, it is the politics of the little ones that has led us to this place, even if they might say that they do it in my name. I merely gave them the excuse. Another conflict with Kalsyto was inevitable.  The plan to storm Seghdihr was a success, but they did not expect Kigh King Snorri XXXII to be such a fierce fighter. He has retreated deeper into the darkness of the Serpentspine, vowing to fight for every inch before giving up anything to the surface dwellers. If only he understood that we merely seek the neutrality of his people for the remainder of the war.  The little one's weakness at sea presents itself once again. The Triunic Treasure Fleet returns, not bringing wealth but bringing war. Overseas trade has been shut down as a result, but the Scale Barons will still find many customers in the alliance of friends that they have built up across the continent. Allowing those who were conquered in the name of appeasing the Great Spirits to build themselves up, instead of being mere subjects or sources of resources, has been a return on investment that the merchants ought to appreciate.  Continuing with their reforms, Parliament has passed an act provisioning a logistics division to build field camps for the army. A wise decision, as they will be marching through some very hostile lands, whether the jungles of Rahen or the plains and deserts of Kalsyto. No longer will they be reliant on clan-based military infrastructure, but a proper coordinated effort across the entire army. If it will save lives, I will applaud their work.  The tunnels continue to be the frontline of the war against Kalsyto. It is ironic, given that the little ones have embraced the surface with such aplomb. When I encountered them, they dwelt in caves to hide from Humans and Harimari that hunted them for their scales. It was in the dark, filled with tricks and traps, that they could fight back. I brought them into the daylight, taught them not to fear the sun or the stranger, and they have blossomed.  I am pleased to see that Bhuvauri was spared too much depredation in this war. I feel as though we have the potential to come to an accord in the future, though I would never give up Jyntas to them. Their actions will not be forgotten, and I will be keeping a close eye on them for as long as they still live. It is good then, that they have found new purpose in devising new devices with the artificers and nosing through the remnants of the High Temples for as yet undiscovered secrets. So long as there are those who are excited to be consenting test subjects, I am sure Jyntas will keep to their word.  Conducting a personal tour of the nation's skyports, I was pleased to see the work the Harpies have done in elevating structures far enough above the ground that skyships can safely approach without needing to disrupt life in the cities that they serve. It is still unusual to see machines as large as myself in the air around me, but the crew and passengers are always pleased when I fly up alongside them.  The war of Dwarf against Dwarf has drawn to a conclusion, as our Dwarven commanders have led our armies through the darkness all the way from Seghdihr to Verkal Gulan. I can only hope that this does not lead to a permanent split in their relations, between those who dwell in the Phoenix Empire and Xerlanza and those who dwell elsewhere.  Speaking of Dwarves, word from our Quartz allies, the ones who sent the message that spurred this whole conflict, is hard to find, but they are a sturdy people and I trust that they can hold out against Kalsyto and their Orcish allies. I do regret that their simple request has drawn them into such dreadful conflict, though they seem more than eager to charge into battle.  Alas, the same cannot be said for the Phoenix Emperor. Perhaps it is because his lands are the frontline of the war, particularly Bahar and the narrow and now blood-filled passes between Bulwar and the Forbidden Plains. He has ordered the Dawn Legions to be withdrawn from the war and a token reparations payment sent to Kalsyto. Privately though, he has allowed our armies to continue basing themselves from his territory, so our front line is not left isolated. Well, I guess that's what I get for trusting the Elves.  Celebrations have broken out in Balriza at the news that the Kalsyto capital has fallen once more. After an invasion of Daengun was defeated, our armies fresh from the Bhuvauri front were able to break through the sparsely populated and sparsely defended lands of the north and reach the Triunic Lakes. Though no doubt armies from the Phoenix front will soon arrive to contest it, it is a sign the war might conclude in our favour.  The feared Obsidian Legion seems more of a paper Harimari than anything else. Their capital of Shazstundihr fell, the portal to their subterranean homeland was threatened, and they agreed to depart from the war and cut relations with Kalsyto. I would much like to see if relations can be repaired and access to the portal could be granted. Having never delved so far into the earth myself, the Primeval Serpentspine sounds fascinating.  With all other enemies put aside, our armies have been able to focus on the final conflict with Kalsyto. While the flowing ice-steel of Krakdhûmvror was not in any real danger of being breached, they are still grateful for our participation in ending the siege of the Giant's Anvil and beginning the counteroffensive into the Forbidden Plains.  The western end of the Triunic Lakes is being breached, and with their armies depleted trying to retake their capital they have no further way of stopping Xerlanzan forces from pouring into their heartland. I have to applaud my generals, as their excellent plan to defeat each ally in detail and then strike Kalsyto from every direction at once has borne fruit. Though it has come at great cost, victory is within sight.  As they have marched across the Forbidden Plains, our warriors have seen signs of destruction and atrocity. The Centaurs, the inhabitants of the plains, have been driven from their tribal lands into more marginal land by Human settlements. Those who resist are fought against even more fiercely by Kalsyto soldiers than they oppose our invading forces. I had though the Triunic Humans had reached a détente with the Centaurs, but it appears hatred has once again bubbled up in their hearts. If only that we had the means to free all the oppressed peoples of the world, but for now we can merely protect refugees.  The least that we can do is ensure that the hatred does not spread any further, by taking the eastern foothills of the Serpentspine and ensuring that the Soldier's Republic is contained. That it also provides an overland route to our allies is another boon, and with some negotiation we can convince the Phoenix Empire to allow refuge for Centaurs fleeing persecution into their territory.  I will now depart north with a full army as my honour guard, and learn exactly what the Quartz ice-smiths have discovered. I have also told Jyntas and sent correspondence to Aakhet, but I do not know if either will truly be interested.  Hatred. That was all that I could sense from Jorgurem as he departed his resting place. Whatever foul magic had permeated his body meant he was completely unresponsive to my pleas as I pursued him. Many of my kin cared little for the lives of mortals in the past. Perhaps Aakhet, Jyntas and I are the real outliers in that regards, even if the form that care takes is not the same between us. Either way, even the worst of us would not give into mindless hatred. There was to be no reasoning. I had to face Jorgurem and defeat him myself. Welcome to the Magic Duel system! There are a few different nations that make use of it, but it is most prominent in the Black Demesne, where it forms part of the way their government works. The fight with Jorgurem is also part of the BD's mission tree. I've hacked it a bit to give Balris better stats than a random mage would have, but otherwise it is unchanged. This event used to have a really cool animated image of a Dragon on it, but it was removed for copyright reasons.  For the first time in thousands of years I would have to put my knowledge to the test. This would be now mere skirmish, as with Jyntas, nor a duel of wits, as with Aakhet. I needed to call upon everything that I have learned in my millennia of study and travel to save the mortals who have been thrust into danger by my negligence. I've given Balris max skill in everything except Divination and Necromancy. While these numbers may seem small, bear in mind that they're modified by our spell power  I began by spreading my mana, my Chi as the littles ones would call it, throughout the sky around me. The air was filled with gold, in what surely was just as terrifying a sight than Jorgurem bearing down upon your home. A sky filled with a flight of Dragons more numerous than any that has ever existed in this world, but each moving to the exact same wingbeat. It brought to mind how others might see me if I truly went to war, as an unstoppable force of nature. It is an image I have worked hard to avoid over the years, for fear of alienating those very mortals I wish to aid. The way that it works is that you cast a spell, as does the AI, and then you're returned to the starting page with the stats updated. I've got no idea how it works under the hood; it must have been a lot of work for something that's so rarely used. Maybe the AI skips its first turn as well, which is why there's no update on Jorguren's side.  Much as the poor little seer did in the moments before his life ended, I called upon the Great Spirits of Haless to come to my aid. My voice echoed across the world for just a few seconds, enough to have every single living being turn in my direction, and the Great Spirits answered. Marutha, Yanhe, Phokhao, all of them added their power to mine, and Tughayasa granted me insight into the mind of Jorgurem. What I saw in there left me with chills. Hatred was all that coursed through his mind. Whatever thoughts he might have had were encoded with nothing but malice. I still do not know whether it was the millennia of isolation driving him to madness, or some corrupting aspect of the magic the Ice Giant cast upon him, but either way it left his next moves unreadable.  With the city approaching, close enough now that I could see the Human and Dwarven inhabitants scurrying with terror, I had no choice but to begin my attack. I, along with my mirror images, launched a great golden fireball at Jorgurem. To my shock, a barrier of icy air swept up around him and absorbed the blow harmlessly. Without any hesitation, he flipped end-over-end and unleashed an almighty ball of freezing flame that passed right by my multitude of mirror images and struck me directly. In a single hit, I brought down, my scales icing over and my very thoughts slowing.  I needed to dig deep, unleash what I was truly capable of, or this would be my end. Calling upon fundamental forces of reality that even my mind can barely grasp the surface of, I wrenched a gap in the void between where I was plummeting, and Jorgurem's path to the innocents below. His shield shattered under the strain of my passing through the space underneath the world, and I burst back into the air with a barrier of shimmering golden distortion around me. A blizzard kicked up around me, keeping me in place, but I was right where I needed to be. Honestly, Reality Shift is by far the best spell in a duel if you have access to it. Just spam that to both do damage and raise your shield, while occasionally replenishing mana (if not a hacked dragon) or fixing your spell accuracy if it got lowered.  We clashed directly in the air, tendrils of thorny ice lashing at my void barrier even as its very nature began to tear him apart. So long as I focused and drew more and more power from the crack I had torn up, my defences were growing stronger, not weaker. And yet, this strategy was putting the world itself at risk. From the relatively safety of my bubble I could feel the air tremble as though an earthquake was touching the skies, and cracks that oozed inky darkness were opening in the ground, stretching all the way to the mountains on the horizon. Though the population below me was safe for the moment, I had no grasp of how many people I was truly risking with this action. I could not keep this up forever.  Then, it was over. His grip loosened, and with one last burst of icy breath that I managed to avoid with little problem, he plummeted to the ground, the last of whatever foul emotion animated him fading away with his life. I could not rest nor grieve yet, for I had to then spend hours closing up the cracks that I had opened up, lest something far worse than Jorgurem find its way to this world. Exhausted, and still bearing the freezer burns in my flesh, I descended to his body to pay my respects. Playing as the BD this can be a real slog of a fight, but with Balris' stats it goes a bit more smoothly.  By the time I arrived, it was already crowded with mortals. Not just the local residents, but members of the Xerlanzan Army who had stayed back and not followed us to that beach. They were all keeping their distance, as magic that was lethally cold enough to freeze a person where they stood was leaking from Jorgurem's wounds. Heedless of such danger, I marched up to his body and rolled it into a more comfortable position, so that he looked as though he was sleeping. Whatever hatred tormented it had now passed, and he could join with the rest of our lost kin. Hailstones pattered against the ground, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. This event has obviously been edited. The original Black Demesne text was not really suitable for Balris…  It left me to think, on the long journey home, just what my desires were for the future. The little ones have flourished, they have brough peace and prosperity to swathes of Haless, but at the same time they have brought war and destruction. Not always of their own volition, but frequently enough that it does raise concerns with me. If I might feel this way about slaying one of my own kin, even if it was necessary, then how might the common Kobold, or Human, or other younger race, feel about slaying other mortals in battle, even in defence of their people. The division in Haless has lasted far too long, and I believe my inaction in stopping Jyntas before their experiment went too far is a part of that. Thus, I must step forward and bring the warring nations to the table, so that there can be a modicum of peace for a continent that has been rent apart. The Great Spirits are fading, I could feel it even when I called upon their power. The Rending of Realms, which transformed a continent, is coming to an end. As their power fades, I must not let myself slip into depression again. I must take responsibility for the nation that I have helped to shape.  This is now a worldwide society. Mortals sail across the oceans and through the sky. Conflicts threaten to rage once again, and ambition smoulders. Yet, they do not know what lurks in the darkness. Beneath the beneath, or above the above, there are monsters that even I dare not face. In the deepest woods, or the ancient Elven laboratories, or the darkest pits of the mountains, or places that are yet beyond me. My advice will be essential to navigate these changing times. But I will never abandon them again. In that, they can trust. To be concluded… With that, I think I will call an end to this campaign. I have covered all of Balrijin's content, brought in some additional Dragon content from other nations to show off, and have covered most of the Rending's content. All that really remains for the last ~20 years are more hellwars against Kalsyto and others, so not really worth the effort. One Xia has been significantly curtailed, and Bhuvauri can be reasonably said to be reforming into something sensible. Coming up next, I'll be posting the preliminary vote for the next campaign, which will then lead into the final vote once I am ready to begin within the next few weeks. At some point before then, I will also be posting the epilogue to the story of Balrijin/Xerlanza. Please look forward to it! Thank you for reading!
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Apr 2, 2024 21:34
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