Conquest of a New World

[Eldan]

Only half a season of the moon has passed since the ships of these explorers from over the sea have first touched land in our world. A tumultuous time it has been, and we think conflict may be unavoidable, as many of them come not to explore, but to settle and take away whatever they like, back to their own lands.
Still, the highest nation will stand back and leave the fighting to our more warlike neighbours. We are certain that the Aztec and the northern people will gladly take the honour of proving their prowess on the field of battle.
If the Gods will it, the Highest Nation will be spared and the legacy of the spirit people be kept alive...

-The official chronicles of the Maya Nation, Year of Contact

Day 4
I finally convinced the others to tear that disgusting idol we found on the beach down and errect a cross instead. The natives seemed frightened by it, and it seemed they sent their women and children off the island. These savages will soon learn that their heathen dieties can not help them.

Day Five

Five days it has been since landfall, and if anything, this land is worse than india or africa have ever been. Two of my men walked into the forest to gather wood and never returned, though Alejandro claims to have seen strange lights that night...
The natives are bloodthirsty savages, all the fruit are poison and the swampy ground is crawling with bloodthirsty vermin.

Day 6
Ramon was starting fights today. I had him whipped.
Ants have gotten into our seed deposits. Monstrous things, too, half an inch long. We hope to find edible fruit soon.

Day 8
The wounds from Ramon's whipping are infected, and four men have come down with a fever. I had them isolated from the rest of us, but I fear it might be too late.
This country is a living hell.

Day 12
Why did we ever come here... This country is a living hell, and we will never find anything here that is worth our while. We are dying like flies, only that the flies here don't seem to die.

Day 16
Only half of us left now. And we will all die. The thought amuses me. There are bloated corpses on the beach now. We try to burry them, but in the morning, we find them exhumed. It's hopeless, utterly hopeless.

-Last entry in the diary of Brother Francesco of the Spanish expedition.


The Ravenwood Expedition

Thing's are not going well... first attempts to errect a settlement near the shore have proven fruitless, as the men have problems working the local timber and the ground is swampy. Between the constant foraging for food and fishing to stretch the thinning supplies and further travels along the coast to find a more suitable place for a settlement, the people's morale is still surprisingly high, even though they are forced to continue living in their cramped on-ship quarters.


Due to low resources, industrial capacity and engineering, no large permanent structures have been built so far. Living standards are problematic, as a lot of time is spent on foraging instead of other pursuits.

Your espionage reveals you no one else's stats.


The Empire of Umbria

A large tribe, the blackfox tribe, just off the southern border of the empire proclaims that they have met strange people from across the eastern ocean. These people wield strange weapons, clearly superior to all weaponry not enhanced by spirits and wielded by those with mana. The blackfox continue to weave tails of the fantastic prowess and military strenght of these explorers and there is open talk of allying with them.
The supressed masses are whispering already, and there is talk of doing the same, leaving one nation for a stronger one...

The population is worringly close to openly rebelling or fleeing the country as some of them are getting convinced that the empire might, not in fact, have the clearly superior army it claims to have...

Your espionage shows you no one else's stats.


The Confederated Crowns of Scandinavia

After landing in what appeared at first to be calm woodland, dark, pine-like trees of a kind you have never seen before and establishing the first small settlment, your people soon encountered the first natives: while at first glance they seemed friendly, if exotic, clad in leather and living in long, wooden houses, this coastal tribe soon showed their true face: using the guise of diplomacy, they spied on your people and began nightly raids on outlying camps.


Due to your low army and diplomacy, the natives have taken to assaulting everyone who strays from your settlement in groups and taking all possessions from them. They seem unwilling to negotiate, instead laughing at your people's "apparent weakness".

Due to your espionage, you know the following stats:
Ravenwood expedition:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 0; Fleet 4; Industrial Capacity 0; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 3; Population 2; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 1; Support 1

Babbage Hold:
Army 0; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 4; Espionage 0; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 1; Living Standard 2; Lore 2; Naval Combat 1; Population 0; Resources 2; Technology 3; Essence 3; Support 1


Babbage Hold

A strange beast stalks these mountains... catlike, but bigger than even lions and tigers, near the size of bears, with jaws that have, on more than one occasion, crushed a man's skull with their force. It's coat is golden orange, with black spots shaped like eyes.
The obvious solution of shooting it has proven oddly ineffectual so far, as the beast, though apparently fleeing from the noise, has never left behind so much as a drop of blood, though since it only hunts at night, no one is certain if they hit or not...

Due to your low army and espionage values, your people find themselves hunted by a huge, catlike beast which stalks the night. It seems to avoid robot workers and only kills humans.

Your espionage shows you no one else's stats.


The Alchemists

Grumbling at the hard living in the first settlement, there have been repeated cases of small groups grabbing whatever supplies they could find, often more than their fair share, and striking out on their own, intent on founding their own, "better" settlements. Old feuds and twists between rival schools of alchemy are coming up, as followers from different philosophies are openly debating that the colony should be entirely dissolved into smaller groups.


Due to low living conditions and leadership, you are losing people as they walk off to found their own settlments. Your espionage shows you the following stats:
Ravenwood expedition:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 0; Fleet 4; Industrial Capacity 0; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 3; Population 2; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 1; Support 1

Babbage Hold:
Army 0; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 4; Espionage 0; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 1; Living Standard 2; Lore 2; Naval Combat 1; Population 0; Resources 2; Technology 3; Essence 3; Support 1

Cathay:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 2; Naval Combat 0; Population 3; Resources 1; Technology 1; Mana 4; Spirit 2

Scandinavia:
Army 0; Culture 0; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 3; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 1; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 4; Essence3; Support 2

Italy
Army 1; Culture 3; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 0; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 3; Population 0; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 4; Support 2


The Kingdom of Italy

After landing on a promising island, the italian leaders make contact with the local natives, who are seemingly very primitive, with all their technology that is above bronze age niveau traded from the mainland: a handful of iron weapons and tools, two carts for moving heavy loads, a single crossbow. However, the area is amazingly fertile, with clear spring water and fields which, according to the natives, yield three or four harvests a year.
However, these same leaders manage to offend the natives in a spectacular fashion during a welcoming feast, as not only half the officers turn away local food with disgusted looks on their faces, but one of them has the splendid idea to spit a mouthful of chewing tobacco on the ground, splattering the feet of the chief's wive.
Back in camp, however, many of the colonists don't seem to unhappy about the predicament of their leaders...


Low diplomacy and leadership make contact with natives exceedingly difficult, and war with them is looming. Meanwhile, your colonists grumble at their leaders and the supplies which are running low.

Your espionage shows you the following stats:
Ravenwood expedition:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 0; Fleet 4; Industrial Capacity 0; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 3; Population 2; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 1; Support 1

Babbage Hold:
Army 0; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 4; Espionage 0; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 1; Living Standard 2; Lore 2; Naval Combat 1; Population 0; Resources 2; Technology 3; Essence 3; Support 1



The Second Iroquois League

As spring breaks, the Iroquois face a new threat, one never encountered before: from the northernmost coasts and rivers belonging to the league come reports of raiders: groups of men travelling in deceptively fragile-seeming hide boats, clad in furs and wielding cruel bone spears. Accompaning them is an even danger: black and white "spirit whales", fish-like beasts bigger than boats, with jaws wide enough to swallow a man in a single bite. They seem spirit-bonded to the raiders, and boats and whales are fighting together, before the raiders come on land, burning and looting small villages before vanishing back into the northern ice.


Northern raiders use their superior mobility and naval combat ability to raid unprotected sites along rivers and coasts, retreating before warriors arrive.

Your espionage shows you no one else's stats.


The Conclave

Problems arise as this spring is accompanied by extraordinary amounts of melting snow in the higher mountain regions, leading to widespread, catastrophic floods. Poor infrastructure leads to many parts of the territory becoming completely isolated, and there is real threat of famine.


Low infrastructure, tech and fleet lead to problems with floods, some villages can't be reached at all, except in sheer impossible stunts of swimming and boating by the mana-gifted.

Your espionage shows you the following stats:
Empire of Umbria:
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 1; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 3; Mana 3; Spirit 2

Second Iroquois League:
Army 3; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 4; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 2; Spirit 3

The Conclave
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 0; Espionage 2; Fleet 1; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 3; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 4; Spirit 3

Great Planes Confederacy
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 0; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 3; Resources 1; Technology 1; Mana 2; Spirit 3



Great Plains Confederacy

They speak of this as a cursed spring: cold it is, too much rain. The buffalo herds are small, the young barely surviving, and as some tribes, clans and bands abandon their herds to find larger ones, tensions between the groups rise...


Low resources and living standards create the beginnings of a famine, and there is a threat of feud and conflict between several tribes.

Your espionage shows you no one else's stats.


Taguacipa:

While conflicts between the local powers and fear of the colonists might be good for an economy built on espionage, torrential rains and floods certainly aren't. The hidden city of Taguacipa has been isolated from the world outside for nearly a week, and trade is suffering.


You know everyone else's stats:
Empire of Umbria:
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 1; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 3; Mana 3; Spirit 2

Second Iroquois League:
Army 3; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 4; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 2; Spirit 3

The Conclave
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 0; Espionage 2; Fleet 1; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 3; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 4; Spirit 3

Great Planes Confederacy
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 0; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 3; Resources 1; Technology 1; Mana 2; Spirit 3

The Aztec
Army 3; Culture 2; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 0; Espionage 2; Fleet 1; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 3; Spirit 4


Cathay

Life is harsh for the colonists of the heavenly empire: landing on a rocky, mountainous shore, without even enough ships to house the colonists for long, they struggle to feed the population, and unknown diseases and famine are beginning to take their toll...
The natives here seem frighteningly well organized, as passes deeper into the mountains are walled up and guarded by massive watchtowers, manned day and night, and the tower crews seem utterly unimpressed by your force, denying you access.


Due to low living standard, made worse by low resources and fleet, you have health problems, which will only get worse over time.
The inca are guarding their country, leaving you only moving along the coast in either direction as a way out. Scouts report that to the north, the mountains end, and dense forest begins. It is, however, questionable if your people will make it there.

Ravenwood expedition:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 0; Fleet 4; Industrial Capacity 0; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 3; Population 2; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 1; Support 1

Babbage Hold:
Army 0; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 4; Espionage 0; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 1; Living Standard 2; Lore 2; Naval Combat 1; Population 0; Resources 2; Technology 3; Essence 3; Support 1

Cathay:
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 3; Living Standard 1; Lore 2; Naval Combat 0; Population 3; Resources 1; Technology 1; Mana 4; Spirit 2

Scandinavia:
Army 0; Culture 0; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 3; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 0; Naval Combat 1; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 4; Essence3; Support 2

Italy
Army 1; Culture 3; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 2; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 0; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 3; Population 0; Resources 1; Technology 2; Essence 4; Support 2


Aztecs

Traditionally, the Maya nobility have always claimed to be the last direct descendants of the original pacific spirit people and the empire of Teotihuacan, the ruins of which still lie on their territory. To this day, the mana of their elders is magnificient, and spirits walk the land in corporeal forms, freely intermingling with the common people.
Their relations to the Aztec have always been strained at best and now, with rumours and reports of new and powerful men arriving from over both oceans, they are downright condescending towards their "less advanced, warlike neighbours", all but demanding that they slay these invaders, lest they feel the wrath of the spirits of sky, water and earth.


Your espionage gives you the following stats:


Empire of Umbria:
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 0; Engineering 2; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 1; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 3; Mana 3; Spirit 2

Second Iroquois League:
Army 3; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 1; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 4; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 2; Spirit 3

The Conclave
Army 2; Culture 1; Diplomacy 1; Engineering 0; Espionage 2; Fleet 1; Industrial Capacity 1; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 3; Naval Combat 0; Population 1; Resources 2; Technology 0; Mana 4; Spirit 3

Great Planes Confederacy
Army 4; Culture 1; Diplomacy 2; Engineering 0; Espionage 1; Fleet 0; Industrial Capacity 2; Leadership 2; Living Standard 1; Lore 1; Naval Combat 0; Population 3; Resources 1; Technology 1; Mana 2; Spirit 3

[LongVin]

Kingdom of Italy

The savagery of the natives had made itself clear at the feast. With their cursed food and strange unwashed customs. Their mere presence offended the cultured and educated officers of the Italian crown. It was a wonder that they did not immediately come to blows. Now, they would need to put these savages in their place and show them their place in the new Italian hierarchy.

The situation was not much better in the hastily established town of Nuovo Verona. The once enthuastic colonists have adapted a lax and anti-establishment attitude against the noble officers of the expedition. It was bodering on mutiny and it would have to be corrected. The colonists must know that the divine order of noble and commoner still exists in this savage godless world.

Captain Junio Rizzo knew he needed to succeed in this task, the admiral has chosen him above all others to establish this colony before coming ashore to rule the island as its Viceroy. There were many other officers in place who would be eager to steal his position. He would need to show strong leadership here.

First, he would request that the Naval Squadron off the coast with its centerpiece of the giant essence powered battleship come closer to shore. If those natives chose to attack his town they would soon learn the full might of Italian power. He would also up his patrols around the perimeter, the rifle armed soldiers should easilly be able to handle any foe they encounter and hold them off until reinforcements arrive.

As for the general population, he would let the priests preach to them of the holy nature of their mission. Hopefully, that would get the motivated to work and respect his leadership. He did not want to take the harsher measures...though that may become necessary in the future if the attitude of the people does not improve.

[Thatguyoverther]

The Second Iroquois League

The Iroquois Counsel meets to discuss the plague of North Men. The Great Longhouse is guarded, as tradition dictates, by Mohawks on the east and Seneca on the west. Smoke fills building from the dozens of fire's used to illuminate the dark interior.

Today is the night day that the problem has been discussed, an still the hundreds of tribes of the League still can't come to an agreement. Kanawida has yet to make his voice heard in the proceedings and waits patiently, listening to all the sides of the

"We should build more war canoes and take the fight to these savages."

"You've heard the tales of the spirit whales, who devour men and destroy boats. We would be dooming the men to an early meeting with the Great Spirit. We should build bigger palisades to protect our people."

"Don't be stupid, no one wins a war cowering behind their walls. We should take the fight to the enemy. We need to gather a war band and march on these beasts in their lair."

"The war band would starve or freeze before they got there. And we don't even know where there is. We need to send scouts to find out where these raids are coming from, I say we ask the shaman's ask the spirits for guidance."

"These north men are brutal, but they are men. They can be reasoned with, we should talk to them, I'm sure some settlement can be reached."

Kanawida clears his throat, and the meeting falls silent.

"We don't know enough of these North Men to start a war. We should send an envoy and see if they can be reasoned with."

The gathered counsel members explode with protest, especially those who's people have been attacked by the North Men. Kanawida raises his hand and the protests die down.

"I didn't say that we should be idle while the envoys do their work. We'll fortify the coastal villages, and gather a war band in case the North Men refuse to talk. We'll also gather all of the resources needed to outfit the war band for such a hazardous journey."

The gathered men are quiet, pondering Kanawida's plan.

One of the men speaks up. "All in favor of Kanawida's plan?" The ayes trickle in and the plan passes. The counsel disbands and men begin work on carrin out the plan.

Message to Great Plains Confederacy
The League is planning a major northern expedition. We are willing to trade some of our agricultural produce for some of your Big Dogs. Would you be interested?

@Eldan

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right or not. If I'm doing it wrong let me know.

I'm trying to make peace with the North Men, ideally I'd like them to formally join the League. If the group doesn't have single leader or group that can be treated with, the envoys will try to gain favor with single tribes and try to get them to fight one another.

Kanawida will be joining the envoys and treating directly with the North Men

2 for Diplomacy, +1 for Kanawida's Mana right?

4d3v

[Thatguyoverther]

Sorry for the double post. I messed up my roll.
[roll0] [roll1] [roll2] [roll3]

[kemmotar]

"So, what of these newcomers Xok? Is your report ready?"

Asked the woman. She was sitting leisurely on a chair in the conference chamber, her black hair draped over her dark olive skin. A soft white cotton one piece tunic, a simple garment for the leader of a people, protected her from the damp night.

"Yes Taguacipa, the eagles came in yesterday and we've corroborated several rumors and intelligence which was delayed due to the rain. So far we have learned of 6 such expeditions that have landed in several places in the east coast."

"I see, and their skin?"

"It is white, it seems however they are not of the northern people. Their...technology is very different from ours. Actually, we have no idea what it is."

OOC: crap, i'm in the airport going home and they just called the plane, i'll finish this when I get back later today. Sorry:smallbiggrin:

[Freshmeat]

The Conclave

Weekly report from the Province of Lothicua:

The floods in Lothicua have proven to be just as problematic as most of the other affected regions. As ever, our Emperor has made a wise decision by sending a small delegate of High Priests and affiliated personnel to all concerned provinces to properly oversee and direct the relief efforts. Things here would've been far worse without our help.

We have begun evacuation of all civilians and state personell from those regions that suffered worst. Aided by skilled priests who seek to enlist the aid of as many water spirits as able, as well as experts on geography and other relevant fields of study, we have begun construction of dams at key locations (where we suspect they will be at their most effective), but we don't know if they will hold out. Hopefully long enough for the floods to subside.

Scouts patrol the far reaches of our borders daily, on the lookout for those that might seek to take advantage of our current position to attack us. While our army remains vigilant and keeps watch as careful as ever, we deem the chances of an attack relatively low since anyone willing to mount a proper offense now would be hampered by the floods almost as much as us. Still, since it was the explicit wish of our Emperor not to let our current problems cloud our minds from the potential threat of even greater problems, we will continue to guard the territories of The Conclave at all costs.
Morale remains unchanged for now. We have responded to the floods as best we could, and few people direct blame at us, and only in whispers. Again, as per your instructions, we will try to keep morale up even in these harsh times.

Concerning the food shortage: while our food reserves might buy us some time, we cannot deny that the threat of famine is plaguing our lands. Even though I have great confidence that the decision to increase our fishing industry in the coastal provinces of Akatuco and Mothotirac was a wise one, I have taken the liberty of sending a small group of messengers to the Inca territories nearby. While our civlizations are neither close friends nor bitter enemies and we must therefore expect anything from them, I felt that our current situation could be greatly aided by some sort of trade agreement with the Inca. Regrettably, even we cannot make food appear out of thin air. I have not yet received word from our messengers, but expect them back fairly soon. In the meantime we have begun rationing our remaining food reserves. Although we try to enforce strict discipline, we have deemed it advisable to station a not-inconsiderable guard detail at our warehouses.

- Hacuat, third-term High Priest of The Conclave


To the Inca:
A scouting party aided by a number of highly disciplined veteran guards and a handful of priests is sent to the border between The Conclave and the Inca. This scouting party is preceded by a pair of messengers who are to contact local leaders of the Inca settlements nearby and discuss a certain trade agreement, with the main objective to get food.

The messengers have orders to:
- downplay the troubles of The Conclave
- try and gauge the reaction of the Inca to determine their intentions
- try and gauge how much, if at all, the Inca are affected by these floods
- be fairly lenient as far as potential trade agreements are concerned (yet not allowing the Inca to take complete advantage of The Conclave) since solving the food crisis is of great importance to the Emperor
- should the Inca agree to supply food, contact the rest of the scouting party and affiliated guards and have them transport the food safely back to The Conclave, possibly in cooperation with Inca guards.
- (if the following can be accomplished without arousing the suspicion of the Inca) to subject the food to tests to get an idea of its quality and edibility

[Adlan]

The Great Plains Confederacy
The Lodges Meet, called together across the land by the famine that stretches it's hand over all the people of the plain. Their winter food stocks will run out too soon, the spring foods they expected are not going to be sufficient. Those who farm the land have seen their crops washed out by untimely flood, and those that have brought in food will not be sufficent to make up the loss.

And so, a great meeting has been called, and the Chief's meet, At a Camp on the Yellow River, every tribe and language in the confederacy comes, every people's cheif and wiseman sits in one of the lodges and talks of what is to be done.

Wild Eye's, listen's to the arguments. Some call for war, within the confederacy, some tell how the younger warriors are beyond their control, and will soon begin raiding other tribes herds. Others push for war outside the confederacy.

And in the Midst of this, the messenger from the Iroquois league arrives. And this causes great debate amongst the Lodges. The League is the greatest force in the north, and is the inheritor of the 1st league, which was the ruler of the plains before the confederacy fell.

And their offer looks to hold the help needed to get out of the famine, at least for the northern tribes.

'The League Would be Powerful Friends, and they are great farmers, their supplies could feed us, and we cannot feed our herds. Every Tribe should Contribute herds of Sukatanka, and for every beast they supply, they shall receive an equal share of the supplies sent to us. We know they are under attack from men from the north. And so, we shall send with them also, a War Party, to show our friendship.'

Wild Eye's proposal is controversial, But she is the Great Chief. She cannot force the tribes to accept it,it must be agreed by the Lodges, but after the lodge of elders approves it, the Lodge of the chiefs does not veto it.

Indeed, the begin to vote on how to implement it, each chief wishing to gain the greater share of glory, supplies and honour for his people. And to send the most of his fractious youths off with the war party.

Message to the Iroquois Leauge:
Proposal Accepted. Within a Month, the main delivery will be arriving on your borders. Many Thousand Head of BigDogs, and with them, we also send Warriors, to show you how to look after them, and to help you in your comming war with the north.

Actions:
A war party, lead by spotted tail accompanies the supply train of big dogs. Not all the Bigdogs are for trade, some are to carry the food supplies home to each tribe, and some of the warriors will accompany them.
Spotted Tail and the warriors are to be most humble guests, and Spotted tail is to assist the league militarily using the warriors at his disposal, and to strengthen ties with the league.

However, the tribes to the south are too far away, and cannot supply the League due to the time and distance. Their problems must be solved another way. The Famine has been less so here, but they still feel the pinch, In the mountains to the west there is game, and food. Many tribes split off, sending small parties into the hills, expanding the confederacy. Wild Eye's orders that the border be guarded more strongly against the Aztec, increasing the number of raids over the border, stealing supplies and burning their military out posts. In Some raids, there are massacres, but Wild eye's order that the tribes vassel to the Aztec are not to be attacked, only the collection points of tribute grain.

For GM:
Over all actions should result in less demand on our resources in the north, sending animals we cannot support to the Iroquois to feed, and sending those most likely to start raids and feuds to them as well, where they will also be fed at the League's expense. In the south, expansion into the rocky mountains, intending to eventually become a subculture within the confederacy, permentant settlements and agriculturalists as well as hunting and gathering. Historically, this area was generally reguarded as inhabited by the great plains tribes, who gathered wood and supplies from the era seasonally.

I probably shouldn't be attacking the Aztec if I can help it. But I'm roleplaying a warrior people, how can I not? If possible, I'd like to seperate the vassel tribe from the Aztec rulers, hopefully by trying not to attack them (still, you try controlling thousands of ferocious warriors ;).

[kemmotar]

*Continued from previous post*

The Taguacipa's eyes darken at the mention of technology. Xok has been by her side even before she took up the office 4 years ago and has since been the pillar of her strength, a friend to hold her up, a soundboard for her ideas. For him to seem worried, there must be more to the situation than meets the idea.

"What do you suggest we do with these newcomers? Is infiltration possible?"

"Perhaps, though some have met with savages and are suspicious. We have few spies able to infiltrate and fewer that can pass as their own. Larger settlements will make ideal targets for them but for now we must get them to trust us."

"Indeed, arrange for it. Send eagles to all our diplomats near where the colonists have landed. The highest ranking officer attended by two bodyguards and arrangements for an appropriate low ranked officer to replace them while they're gone. Go make ready and send in someone to take down a letter to be copied and given to the newcomers"

Xok bowed low as he exited the chamber leaving Taguacipa alone to order her thoughts. Soon an apprentice scribe was sent in to take down this later and the following was written down:

To all colonists:

Newcomers, I bid you welcome to our land. I am named Taguacipa and though we will not meet I wish to extend a hearfelt welcome. Though are lands can sometime seem strange or dangerous there is great beauty to be found. The person giving you this letter has been authorized to negotiate on my part. I hope we can come to an agreement that will become the basis of a long relationship of friendship and trade.

The letter is carried to the colonist's camps by men and women dressed in long and luxurious robes riding upon lamas. They emerge through the jungle with two darkly clad bodyguards, all great persons that have risen to posts with high demands in both skill and intelligence. Once they meet with the colonists they dismount, approach with one hand help at the level of the head with palm facing them in a universal sign of "look, i'm not holding a weapon". They approach slowly and bow as they introduce themselves and announce that they wish to see someone of authority.

OOC:I'm not sure if I need to roll anything...does this count as an action or is an action one that requires that I roll something?

[Greystone]

I have chosen to land in the West Indies..

Officers Quarters, onshore

"Damn it milady" Captain John Hopkins of the Royal Brittanian navy slammed his hand down on the map "This is no good. Where we have landed is horrible. Half our expedition will die under a month in these conditions"

"Popycock" interrupts Dr. Ammerson, a tall and sandy blond haired man with glasses "It will take at least a four week gestation period for an entire half of our crew to die."

"In any case" a strong feminine voice cuts in "Our people can not continue like this, we need to find a more suitable location." she unfurls a very rough map of the region "Captain Hopkins, take your Juggernaut and a freightor West, I'll take my Juggernaut east with anothr freightor and you Dr. Ammerson will assist Sir Randolph Tully in taking the two frigates and our third freightor down these narrower parts. We shall keep in contact via short length radion agreed?"

"Agreed" the rest reply, before moving to make their preparations.

Cornelia Ravenwood, leader of the expedition turns and sighs rubbing her temple . She is approached by a younger woman, in her teens. She wears more boyish clothing cut to a woman's physique. Princess Honoria raises an eyebrow at her mentor "And I shall be-"

"Staying with me of course"

"Of course"

[Falconer]

The Aztec


Tenochtitlan was easily one of the grandest cities in the Americas. It had been nicknamed "The City of the Waters" by foreign merchants, and the name had stuck. And indeed, Tenochtitlan was a city of water. Canals crisscrossed the city, and fountains were commonly seen along the streets. Tenochtitlan had been built on a lake, connected to the land by four bridges. Once, it was nothing more than a few thatched huts on muddy ground. Now it was a center of power: military, political and divine.

Today, the city was alive with rumors, gossip. Strange peoples had come from across the sea! Were they enemies? Friends? Heralds of the Gods? Demons? Voices were heard all over, speaking and theorizing and guessing and wondering.

In the Council Chamber of the Confederacy, the representatives of the Greater Tribes met to discuss these developments. The chamber was a long hall, lined with chairs. The least esteemed, those whose opinions were deemed worthy enough to be expressed but not necessarily heeded, sat at the far end, closer to the door. The strong, important tribes, who had fought long and hard for the Confederacy, sat closest to the Emperor, Ahuitzotl III. And now, the Emperor looked on passively as the Councilors debated and argued.

The Zapotec councilor began. "These strangers are not to be trusted. Where the land, they desecrate the altars of the Gods and raise up their own symbols. They are a living blasphemy and ought to be killed."

The Tlacopan representative rose in protest. "Surely not! This happening is miraculous; it is teotl. Fate. Of the Gods. I propose that it may be of relation to Quetzalcoatl's return from the East."

"Do you mean to suggest that these strangers are Gods?"

"Not at all; they may, however, be of some notable connection to them."

All looked to the Emperor, awaiting his decision.
"Let messengers be sent. To the Iroquois. To the Sioux. And send most importantly, to these strangers."

"Your Majesty, allow me to speak to these new peoples." A voice from the far end of the hall.

Ever head turned to the golden doors of the Council Hall, which were closing behind Mazatl, the Court Magician. Mazatl was a tall, imposing fellow, clad in simple black robes. He had a great deal of the Emperor's favor, and in many matters held his ear.

Ahuixotl seemed gladdened by the sorcerer's entrance.
"Very well. Mazatl shall be responsible for diplomacy with these peoples, and they shall know our strength."

The Zapotec councilor turned to his Emperor.

"And what of the Maya, your Highness? They say they shall call their spirits to curse us if we do not kill the strangers."

"The Maya are fools, who pretend to divine the wills of their false gods through dark spirits. They forget that not a hundred years ago, they bowed before our every word and trembled at our approach. And despite their temporary delusions, they will do so again someday. Send to them a messenger also. Placate them for now."

Laughter throughout the assembly. The Maya would be brought to heel someday, as all the world would be. All the world would bow before the Confederacy, and the Gods it worshipped.

OoC: Would it be terribly undue for the Aztecs to already know Ravenwood's location, so they can send a diplomat?

The Sioux

Aztec runners deliver a message to the Sioux Chiefs.

Our conflict has been long, and a victor has yet to be decided. But I feel that if we do not put aside our weapons, at least for now, both of our peoples shall be destined for defeat and ruin in the face of these strangers. Here is my proposal: our raids into your lands shall cease. We shall find worthy sacrifices in away from your lands. For now. Likewise, your attacks on our settlements shall stop, and there shall be compensation for our losses. We shall, until we know the exact nature of these strangers, be as allies, with all the benefits thereof. Should you so wish it, your chiefs may gain an audience with the Emperor to outline the terms of this pact. An invitation of the same is being likewise sent to the Iroquois. The Emperor hopes to assemble an alliance which can, should it be necessary, fend off any aggressive intentions these strangers may have.


The Iroquois

Aztec runners deliver a message to the Iroquois.

Our conflict has been long, and a victor has yet to be decided. But I feel that if we do not put aside our weapons, at least for now, both of our peoples shall be destined for defeat and ruin in the face of these strangers. Here is my proposal: our raids into your lands shall cease. We shall find worthy sacrifices in away from your lands. For now. Likewise, your attacks on our settlements shall stop. We shall, until we know the exact nature of these strangers, be as allies, with all the benefits thereof. Should you so wish it, your chiefs may gain an audience with the Emperor to outline the terms of this pact. An invitation of the same is being likewise sent to the Sioux. The Emperor hopes to assemble an alliance which can, should it be necessary, fend off any aggressive intentions these strangers may have.

[Greystone]

(Nope, g'head and perhaps meet one of the three exploration groups)

[Falconer]

Ravenwood Expedition



First they were heard. The steady, rhythmic pounding of drums being beat in unison. On the horizon, a small fleet of canoes can be seen. They appeared to be heading eastwards, towards the islands, and, just noticing the ship, changed direction towards it. Some of them are carrying soldiers clad in what appear to be leopard skins, who hold odd-looking crossbows. A raid? The lead canoes carry people in odd, exotic clothes, with colorful feather headdresses and cloaks; obviously not soldiers. A herald stands in the lead canoe, waving a tree branch, indicating peace.



@Eldan: when players are negotiating, i'll assume we don't have to roll diplomacy.:smalltongue:

[Greystone]

Meetings

The Juggernaut turns smoothly to meet the oncoming natives. It is a massive thing, all iron and cannon. There is very little 'deck', insteadmostly being completley inclosed, with what sems more like the top of a tower where most decks would be.

A man from the 'tower' calls down "Halt, and tell us you buisness!"

[Falconer]

Diplomacy and all that



The herald continues waving the branch, but a tall man in black robes rises and bids him sit down. He takes out a small pouch, takes a pinch of whatever is within, and swallows it. He then turns to the watchman, and shouts back in flawless English.


"We represent the Great Nations of the mainland. You are strangers in this land, and we wish to speak, that there might be no ill will between us."

[Greystone]

Bla-de-blah

The sound of perfect english startles the watchman so bad he almost falls off the tower. He catches himself and calls back "R-right, be back in a jiff"
Then there is silence for several moments. Suddenly a hatch opens on the side and a long ramp folds down and makes a minature dock. Two Brittanian marines, rifles at ease and shining steel armor donned rush down. Following them come three sailors.

"Oi, over 'ere" One shouts, gesturing to the dock.

[Falconer]

The canoes (of which there are six) row towards the dock. Most of the people remain seated, with the tall man, a few of the cloaked people, and few soldiers rise and step onto the dock. All of them are staring at everything, wide eyed. Except for their leader, who glances about for a moment before passively turning to the sailors.

"We are diplomats from the Empire of the mainland. Might we meet your leaders? I am Mazatl, Court Magician."

[Greystone]

One of he sailors steps forward "Yes of course, she is awaiting your arrival in the study"

He turns and leads the Aztec through a confusing path of gantries and bulkheads. Occasionally they'll pass a crewman who stops his work and watches the savages move past them, before breaking into heated whispering with their compatriots.

Finally they entire a room of actual comfort. The walls are painted and the floor is carpeted. Several leather armchairs dot the room. A heavy oak and iron door stands at the other end of the room.

"Please could your guards wait here while you meet Lady Ravenwood?" the sailors tone is polite but forceful.

[Falconer]

The magician smiles and nods. He barks orders in what is obviously these peoples' native tongue, and the guards dutifully nod and take positions just outside, on either side of the door.

A few of the diplomats, while they wait, kneel and run their hands through the carpet. They whisper amongst themselves, wild theories of what this here could be, what that over there might do, or what material this over in here was. Mazatl speaks to them also, and they immediately gather behind him, though they eye the room around them in awe.

[Thatguyoverther]

Aztecs
Your offer of peace will be considered at the next Counsel meeting. Understand that we are a bit wary, years of constant raids have not endeared our two people. We have met these Northmen you call strangers and they pose no threat. The Counsel is concerned that you might have ulterior motives for your proposal.

As soon as the counsel makes a decision we will let you know.

Great Plain Confederacy

The Counsel is interested to hear what the Confederacy thinks of the Aztec's proposal. We have trouble believing that this proposed peace treaty will benefit either of us. We have yet to have any troubles with these 'strangers' they speak of.

[Adlan]

Iroquois League
The Great Chief, Wild eyes, has asked all the Chief's to give safe passage to any stranger who reaches our lands, unless they break our hospitality, she wishe's to meet them, and find out if rumours of their magic is true. We have fought the Aztec of old, and we know of their practices. They say they will turn aside and no longer takes slaves from us, and presumably from you also. But they will take slaves and kill them. The Commanche and Apache will not suffer this on their kinfolk in tribes not of our confederacy.

We would consider peace. But they demand recompense for our booty, that we bled and counted coup for. There will not be Peace, at best, we will stop raids if they also cease. Your response would greatly influence the lodges.
-White Eagle, Speaker for the Commanche, appointed voice of the confederacy.

White Eagle wrote the message to the League, slowly, it is true, but in a fair hand, on a calf hide parchment, in the script that the two people's shared. He was a young man, but already an influential medicine man. He had been made speaker for the Comanche, a non-voting position, but one from the tribe who was to address the lodges with the views, in particular he had the views of the younger men, those serving in the confederacy's war party's. Wild eye's had made him one of the voices of the confederacy, to deal as an intermidiate with dealings in the south, though all his actions were subject to review by the Great Cheif and the lodges.

Reply to the Aztec Confederacy:
We Know your ways of old, and it touches our spirit and our honour for you to take slaves and slay them. Even if they are not from our Confederacy. But there can be peace between us. Our Warriors will hold back, if your raids cease. No recompense shall you have from us, even if there is peace. The Great Chief, Wild eye's, has asked all our Chief's to give safe passage to any stranger who reaches our lands, unless they break our hospitality, she wishes to meet them, and find out if rumours of their magic is true. We will not ally with you to harm those whom we have never seen.
-White Eagle Speaker for the Commanche, appointed voice of the confederacy.

This note was dictated, for white eagle did not speak the Language of the Aztec, though his own tounge was distantly related. It had to be translated by another, and the message was sent off, a Party of Commanche Regular's to accompany it to the border, a Fearsome sight, their long hair flowing in decorated braids, each with their own individual war paint, missing the black that would signify they were going on a raiding party. Their Lances glittering in the sun, they bows at their sides, and shields slung over their light armour.

[Greystone]

"You may enter" A voice, strong and cultered filters from the room across as the iron door opens. Lady Ravenwood, in a rich silken gown sits at a large ebony desk, papers and books scattered about.

"She smiles and stands "I am the Lady Ravenwood, leader of the expedition to this continent"

[Greystone]

For the search
1d3
1d3
1d3
1d3

[DrakebloodIV]

The Alchemists

"And what do you propose we do, philosopher?"

"My power may be absolute, but the separate schools of alchemy wish to form their own colonies. If this happens we will surely fall. In Europe our own separate schools had enough resources to stay separate, but if we do that here we will all surely starve and die. I will speak with the Lords of each school and see what I can do"

*Rolls sent by PM*

[DrakebloodIV]

Apparently the PM sender dosent get dice roller anymore. :smallannoyed:

Well here they are.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[kemmotar]

The Taguacipa was lying on her oversized bed, cushions propping up her back and reports littered around the bed. Markings made with pieces of coal that stained her fingers black.

Head administrator Sharok, come in. Please, what news? I've been expecting some new shipments of linens and informants coming in through the north pass.

Good news milady, these are the transcripts of this morning's meetings. Please have a look at them.

Very well, pass them to me. Also, call for tea, and some for you of course. I have a nice case of your favorite, the cook has it ready to be brewed.

*Official transcripts of the meeting of the trade and resource administrators concerning the matter of rain affecting trade, advisors: master cartographer Sur'ka, Shaman of the mountain spirit Jarok and Head Engineer Martel, for Lady Taguacipa.

Head administrator Sharok: Greetings colleagues and master cartographer. What is the situation with our resources?

Warehouse overseer Tulak: My lord, our resources of fresh meat and vegetables are running low. We did not anticipate rain of such intensity. We had a good harvest of grain and our usage of it is mediocre, but the stores must be replenished. We're also running low on some precious metals. The detailed reports of consumption and existing stores has been provided.

Mmm...I see, engineer. We have been locked in our own fortress. Why is that?

Head engineer Martel: Well ta be honest surr. Tis quite simple. The existin' canals canna carry the water. Tis too much ta carry our. The rivers afloodin and the spirit dun like to open paths through water. If ye be wantin us I can get ma people to divert. But I dinnae know where ta open them. The damn rain's fillin up the damn ridges in the mountain.

Master cartographer Sur'ka: Umm. E'E'E'E..excuse me b'b'b'but I could h'h'h'h'help...help you. I kn'kn'kn'know the area p'p'p'perfectly and if you c'c'c'c...can tell me where you can di'di'divert the water and then we c'c'can open the paths.

Aye, that be possible lad. What say ye administrator?

That would indeed solve many of our problems. How is the spirit faring in the rain shaman?

Shamman of the mountain spirit Jarok: The spirit will never waver under such pitiful rain. You should thank it for not allowing you to drown in the paths! The mountain does not waver in a day, a month or a year of rain. He will be here long after we have left this earth, standing here before our children as it stood before our ancestors.

Yes, if you would like to be simple and crude. The spirit fares no different in rain or sun, wind or snow.

Well, that is very good news Shaman Jarok, thank you. Now then, engineer is there anything you need, technologically? Cartographer any maps?

Well, ta be honest, the umbrians are quite good in comin up with that kinda stuff. I used ta work there some years ago and learned some things there. They quite good in theories but can't really apply it. If we were to get some o'tha info in our hands, we can work it better than they ever did.

Very interesting my friend. I shall speak to the Taguacipa on the matter. Sur'ka?

F'f'f'f'fine sir, we're g'g'g'g'good to go from maps. Th'th'th'thank you.

Excelent. Trade administrators. Make the necessary preparations for the resumption of trade. I will take this report to the Taguacipa. Thank you gentlemen, the meeting is Adjourned.

End of transcripts*

As you can see my lade, we need to contact our intelligence within the technological departments to send us any reports that can help us here. Master Martel is confident his ex co-workers there could provide the necessary information to re establish trade as soon as possible and make the necessary modifications for future similar events. Master Sur'ka has begun work finding paths where the rain hasn't gotten to yet. If you give us your permission messages will be sent out immediately and work as soon as possible. Master Martel is already working on some modifications.

The Taguacipa sipped her tea as she pondered the question.

I want martel to begin immediately. The umbrian technology can be added later to the modifications. But send the messages immediately. It's been a while since we checked up on them tell them to watch out for any technology they learn from the newcomers. I get the feeling if anyone can make sense of it. Also, ask him what the names of his superiors are and we'll have an infiltrator find a few dirty secrets at some point. The researchers may need a promotion.

Very well, it will be done.

Sharok exits the room with a bow and the Taguacipa continues her work with other administrative reports.

Rolls:
engineering for initial maintenance and modifications:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
+3
Total: 4
Espionage to steal related tech from the umbrians:
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
+4 (4+1-1)
Total:4

Btw, I was gonna roll lore but I removed it so that's why rolls don't match. I don't think its necessary because they just need to check the maps I guess. If not it was a -3 from the rolls and base 3.

[AlistairThorne]

The Empire of Umbria

The God Emperor issues the following edicts:

The God Emperor is...displeased with reports of a 'stronger' nation from the Black Fox Tribe. He orders their messengers execution immediately before ordering a full scale assault by the Always Victorious Imperial Legions of Heaven. The Always Victorious Imperial Legions of Heaven shall crush the Black Fox Tribe, enslave their population, and have their chief's head placed on a spear outside of the God Emperor's home. Anyone known to have had contact with the Heathens From Across the Sea shall be tortured to death for information interrogated before their execution.

So the God Emperor Commands. So Shall It Be.

Any found consorting with the Heathens From Across the Sea will be executed.

Anyone found 'deserting' the Righteous Empire will be executed.

Anyone found standing in the God Emperor's presence will be executed.

That is all.

All Hail Caligula The God Emperor.

Messages to Other Folk.

The deliverers of these messages are empowered to speak on behalf of the God Emperor.

Messages to the Iroquois League and Great Plain Confederacy:

To the lowly heathens of my neighbouring tribes,

For the time being the God Emperor deigns to grant you a truce until this newest threat is dealt with. These invading heathens pose a potential threat and must be subjugated.

Any action against Umbria during this period of truce will result in the complete extermination of your people. If you honour this Truce, we are prepared to leave you in peace for centuries.

Any native tribe found consorting with these 'new peoples' will be exterminated and/or subjugated.

That is all.

The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler Of All He Chooses To Rule


Messages to the Aztecs:

To the honourable heathens of the Aztec Nation,

We suggest the complete extermination and/or subjugation of these 'new peoples' arriving on our shores. We have offered truces to all native tribes who are intelligent enough to refrain from dealing with them. Any native tribe found consorting with these 'new peoples' will be exterminated and/or subjugated.

The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler Of All He Chooses To Rule

[Falconer]

Umbria



To the Virtuous Pagans of Umbria,

We have examined your proposal, and must say that, while it is courageous and noble both, it may not currently be the wisest course of action right now. We of the Confederacy believe that we must first test the strength of these strangers; they may be stronger than the both of us combined, for all we know. Furthermore, they use strange weapons and armors and wondrous technologies; the may of great use to us. Now is the time for cunning words, not the drawing of swords. But when that time comes, we will gladly fight by your side, and the world shall tremble before our strength.

For the time being, we of the Confederacy would find agreeable a mutual defense pact, to diminish the potential threats of both our barbaric neighbors and these strangers.




Ravenwood



The magician gives a very ceremonial bow.

"May the Gods smile upon you. I am Mazatl, a great sorcerer of my nation, the Confederacy of the Aztecs. May I be so bold as to assume you are the chieftaness of these strangers that now wander the land?"





The Great Plains Confederacy



You are to cease your raids upon our lands immediately, or suffer the consequences. Furthermore, you shall provide compensation for the damage inflicted by your braves. You are fools if you think that the justice of the Gods can be escaped. We offer you this opportunity for forgiveness and peace, for now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. Prove to us your wisdom.

We merely hoped for mutual protection against the potential threat of these strangers, until the situation could be assessed. Your actions have complicated this, but the option is still on the table. Meet our qualifications for peace, and mutual prosperity is assured.

United, we are strong. Divided, we all shall die.

[kopout]

Well, they don't like noises and they don't like bright light. So I say we build massive essence lanterns and flood the whole camp with light, at lest until the exterior wall is finished.

I say we contact the fortress builders. They have obviously lived here a long time they must know how to defend agents these things.

They build fortresses. Thats how they defend themselves. Not from other people but from the bear-cats.

At this moment comes a knocking at the the door. "Enter" commands Professor Dodson "Sir, a man is here to see you, he gave me this." the mesenger hands a note written in an unintelligible script to the Professor. "Get this to the cryptographers. Henry, come with me it seems the native wish to talk ." "Yes, sir" Says the senor linguist falling into step.


@kemmotar: let the talks begin

[AlistairThorne]

Aztecs


To the Virtuous Heathens of the Aztecs,

A mutual defence agreement is acceptable to us at this time.

Their technology may be 'superior' it may not be. If it is, we can take it from their corpses for they are still small in number. If they are not destroyed in the near future, they will destroy us as locusts destroy the crops.

The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler Of All He Chooses To Rule

[WhiteKnight777]

The Empire of Cathay

Huang Rho, The Phoenix Prince, Lord of the Triumphant Eastern Brigade, stared disconsolately out over the rude encampent his people had clawed from the unforgiving terrain. He was... dissatisfied. It was not that he minded sleeping on the hard ground. It was not that he missed his silken sheets, the legion of concubines of the Divine Palace - he felt for the suffering his people had endured. The overcrowding, the disease the poor food. Something had to be done about this.

He looked at the small group of heroes before him. Small in number - but each was a name worth ten thousand horseman - each man and woman was a legion unto themselves. The Glorious Companions. The Immaculates. The Emperor's Immortals. Each of them had tasted the Fruit of the First Tree, grown in the hidden valley of Shangri-La and blessed with the powers of the gods themselves. And each one was his friends.

"The people's bellies grow empty, my friends, and an army marches on its stomach."

"Bah!" Grunted Lu Bu, bilious as ever "They are your subjects, Rho. They will march as you tell them, until they wear their feet down to nubs."

"And that is because I do not give such orders, old friend." Said the prince with a smile. He looked to Cao Xia, the Radiant Blossom of Heavenly knowledge. Her hair, the color of a starling's wing was pulled back in a severe bun, a pair of jade needles serving as the only form of decoration the woman permitted herself. "I trust you have come up with a solution, oh Builder of Wonders?"

She gave a small, quiet smile "I think I have. With the assistance of Rama Ci, it should be a small matter to provide some relief."

The prince nodded, heading towards the entrance of his tent. "Then let it be done straight away. I will not have my people suffer any more than they must."

Cao Xia walked next to Rama Ci, speaking in quiet tones. Though the vast majority of the Empire's subjects professed faith in the Heavenly Beuraucracy, a small minority followed the way of the Buddha. Ci was such a one - the only one of the Immortals who walked that path. His skills in the Martial Arts were unparalelled, but he refused to ever strike a killing blow. Lu Bu insisted that this made him unfit as a warrior, but every time the two had spared, Lu Bu had been handed a humiliating defeat - the only times the Invincible warrior had ever yielded to another. It was whispered that Rama Ci knew the location of Shangri La, and that he was a Boddhivisatta, a living saint of his faith. But of these things, he would not speak.

Robed in black and white, the warrior monk approached a pile of boulders that had been stacked on a hill overlooking a massive plain. The plain had been cleared some days before, the trees cut down and uprooted to form the settlement's rude structures. Most of the expedition's civilians and many of the soldiers waited, watching and hoping that their heroes could provide salvation in what seemed like immanent starvation.

The Prince nodded, and Rama Ci struck. The boulders flew into the air, and he flew after them. As he and the stones reached the apex of their flight, the monk struck each one with a single open-palmed blow. The stones streaked towards the plain like comets, striking the earth with a sound like a storm dragon's roar. The impacts gouged massive depressions in the earth, and dust rose from the craters as Rama Ci landed, his face as serene as ever. The people stared in awe at the devastation as Cao Xia took her place on the ledge overlooking the plain.

The Radiant Blossom began to chant, her hands moving in smooth, flowing motions as she intoned a hypnotic, liquid series of words in the Old Tongue. Blue-green light gathered about her palms and streamed outwards, burrowing down into the ground. Up from within came water, clear and pure, filling the great depressions in the earth. But Cao Xia was not done yet. With an imperious gesture, she flung her arms outward, and a rain of golden motes fell into the new-formed pools, spreading ripples of golden power where they struck. Stalks of gold-headed rice shot up from the pools, their heads already heavy with a bountiful harvest. The people cheered, and the prince nodded to his captains, signaling them to begin collecting the food. It would not last forever, but the enchanted gifts would provide some measure of relief from both hunger and disease. Hopefully it would be enough to last until they could properly establish their own, more mundane food supplies.

In the meantime, those who held the towers would need to be dealt with. The advance of Grand Cathay would not be slowed by these eastern savages.

[Greystone]

Falconer
Ravenwood smiles thinly "I suppose you could say that, though i serve one more powerful than I"

She pauses and looks him over "We have been sent to colonize these islands" she gestures out the window "I have no care for the continent for that is not my charter. I believe that a... peace could be good for both of our groups"

[Eldan]

Maya, The Highest Nation, State of Heaven and Earth, The Center of All, Empire between the Continents

The high emperor, son of the sky and the storm, ruler of all, stood on the high balcony, looking out over his subjects.
The low emperor, son of the earth and his mother, servant of the state, sat on the ground before his people.
"True Ancestors of the Spirit People! It has come to pass that strangers from the beyond the waters that border the world have reached these lands! The seers say that they are dark spirits from beyond the walls of smoke and fire, bent on destruction of all the spirits hold sacred.""
"Citizens. Strangers have come to our lands, and we do not know their motives. We should be careful, they could be conquerors."
"The High Spirits and the Gods have spoken through me. As more of us ascend to the Higher Planes, the number of our warriors shrink as the numbers of the enlightened grow. With the Transcendent Legion on our side, we shall wipe them from this earth and ascend to Pure Existence!"
"The Maya Empire is not what it was. Our ranks grow thinner every year as more of us die and fewer children are born... Our legions are few in number, and only the spirits have kept us save from the aztec so far. We do not know if we can stand against these strangers, if they come to conquer."

[Thatguyoverther]

Iroquois League

Aztecs
After much discussion and debate the Iroquois Counsel has decided to tentatively accept your offer. We will stop our braves from assaulting you if you reciprocate. We will have to consider deeply any more involved cooperation between out peoples.

Umbria

The Iroquois have no love for your mad despot of a emperor. Most braves would sooner kill a Umbrian than look at him. There are more than a few warriors that have had kin slain at your hands, and some that have vowed their lives to your destruction. Reigning in our tribes from aggression will take a substantial amount of effort, are you willing to offer any compensation for a cessation of hostilities?

[Adlan]

Aztecs
Many times have our raiding party's warred upon your soil, and many times, your slavers have taken captives and slaughtered our people. You ask for recompense, and yet offer none. There shall be no peace bought with our booty, unless we recive rightful compensation for the damage you have brought unto us. If you truly seek peace and forgiveness, you would see the rightness of this. Are these calls for a truce mearly your latest attempt to claw some more blood for your 'gods'. Speak and deal with a straight tounge and there can be peace, but every Commanche knows that an Aztec does not want peace, and all the confederacy knows of your practices.
Peace can come, but not on your unjust terms.
-White Eagle, Speaker for the Commanche, Voice of the Great Plains.

Umbria
To the Ruler of all he choose to Rule, keeper of the property he can hold, master of his slaves, Emperor of Umbria.
There has been a Long War between our peoples. And you offer to call peace, to defeat some newcommers, who's faces have not been seen in all the plains or lands and borders we share. The Confederacy agree's to the truce, and cessation of raids and warfare against you. But, the borders of your mightyness's lands shall still be patrolled, and none of your forces shall be permitted. A Truce Holds untill such times as you break it.
- Red Cloud. Warchief of the Eastern Border, Voice of the Great Plains

Iroquois League

Greetings, from the Great Chief and all the Tribes of the Great Plains, to the Iroquois league. We have received messages from both the Aztec and the Umbria concerning newcommers to our shores and we belive they were also directed unto you, asking for peace and truces. With some of our forces serving alongside yours in the north, it is in our interest to know your plans, and actions, weather you would have our warriors aid you in wars against them, or would wish us to honour a truce you broker. The Aztec demand from us goods, and the Umbria that we serve their emperor and slay any newcommers to our land, breaking the laws of hospitality. Peace is always to be desired, especially when the buffalo grow thin and the grass sparse.
We would know your thoughts, and tell you ours.
We have accepted a peace with the Umbria, but we will not cease our vigilance over the border, and we will not obey their mad emperor's demands. If they launch so much as one brave against us, we will resume our quarrel. We would also have peace with the Aztec, if we can accomplish this without starving our own.
In all friendship and peace
- Great Chief Wild Eyes

[Moody the Wise]

Journal of Richard von Metternich

Day 1
Made landfall today. New world much colder than the old - glad I brought my best furs. The men aren't much for thinking, but good at following orders, strong as bulls. Under Engineering Corps guidance, they should have rudimentary shelter established by nightfall.

Day 2
Met first natives today. They are a curious people. With a little Germanisation, they should prove decent subjects.

Day 3
Ambassador of Black Elk tribe violated *our* cultural customs. Head returned in basket. Native warriors en route, will attack overnight. We'll be waiting.

Day 4
Adult male population of Black Elk tribe: 0. Their women and children will make loyal Imperials soon.

Day 5
Neighboring tribes answered our calls, met in New Salzbourg. Agreed to join 'Austrian Confederacy'. It begins.

[This version of events presumes a bit, but in the interest of time, I'm posting it. If either action fails, which I don't anticipate, I'll change it. The scale of each success is also of course variable at the GM's discretion - the Black Elk Tribe could be 6 guys with a club, and the neighboring tribes could be, in Maldiem's words, "a dude, a teepee, and a quadraplegic bear." I do expect a small scale here, although hopefully I'll get more than ComaBear.]

To the Iriquois Confederacy (and ONLY the IC, please!)
Greetings from New Salzbourg,

Some of the tribes we have spoken to have mentioned your confederacy, and some even claim to belong to it. We would be interested in entertaining some of your ambassadors here in our camp.

Richard von Metternich,
Leader, Austrian Confederacy

[Maldiem]

The Founding of New Amsterdam

Willem jumped from the airship.

He watched as the ocean off the new continent rushed up to meet him, teal and teeming with life, as it was Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, a stark contrast to the dreary, overcrowded winter the Half Moon had left in Amsterdam only three weeks before.

When he could make out each white cap on the waves clearly, he pressed the button on his chest that activated the bulky Stoompak he was wearing, a wonder of modern technology, which wrapped him head to toe in leatherlike, alchemically pliable steel. The jets on the back roared to life, tapping the energy source at the heart of the setup, and he saw black spots at the center of his vision as the engines accelerated him laterally. When his vision cleared, he steered the setup with flaps mounted under his arms and smaller thrust. He flew over the site he planned for New Amsterdam, skimming only a handful of meters over the trees, and looping in a wide circle over the river mouth and the surrounding estuary. He spotted a column of smoke out in the forest, and turned his Stoompak toward it, noting that he still had about a half hour of charge left in the pack.

The Stoompak roared over the pristine deciduous forest, a lush and inviting sight in contrast to the dense, overgrown jungle in the Tropics to the north, as deer, elk, and all manner of birds took flight in response to the light and the noise of the Essence contraption. He covered the thirty or so miles in ten minutes, and was soon landing at a run in a clearing in the center of a native tribe. He deactivated the thrust, and the "wings" (Dutch scientists don't yet understand lift, so they're simply horizontal strips of Essence steel) folded back to give his arms freedom to move.

He nods to the flabbergasted crowds, gives a elegant, gentlemanly bow, and plants a collapsible VS flag in the center of the clearing. He then removes a small bag of Essence enhanced trinkets, which the expedition has in copious amounts as trading favors, places them on the ground, and leaves a map copied from his original mapping expedition, showing the natives exactly where New Amsterdam will be. He then waves, activates the pack, sprints to the edge of the clearing, and takes off once again.

Later

The city was taking shape. They'd already moored the four military airships, the Half Moon, the North Wind, the Krakatoa, and the Unquenchable, that had escorted the civilian fleet to the central keep, and the transports that had brought the settlers were already on their way back to the VS for their second load.

Steam and Fire powered machinery was busily constructing precise, cookie-cutter housing quarters from local stone that Automatic miners were busily extracting from a nearby quarry. They had already begun construction of a fishing fleet from local wood, and the newly-cleared area was being tilled and planted with fast-growing crops, to ensure that the colony can feed itself when their stores of food have run out.

Willem had dispatched diplomats, this time traveling by land on bipedal, lightly-armed all-terrain walkers, to accommodate their load of trade goods. The diplomats had orders to ensure the natives of their peaceful intent, get a basic knowledge of what they had to offer, and direct them to New Amsterdam for further trading.

When diplomats and traders arrived from the native tribes, VS diplomats made sure to give them a tour of all the most impressive achievements of the city. They also try and talk the leaders of the tribes into a loose trade and mutual defense treaty with New Amsterdam, making sure to show off the power (but hide the limited numbers) of Free State Marines, who are equipped with Stoompaks similar to Willem's, except that they also boast a large (.44 cal-ish) essence-powered firearm that uses a belt-fed mechanism to achieve automatic, albeit slowly automatic, fire.

@Eldan

I hope I didn't go too overboard with the Steampunkiness, but I figure if whatever it is that China has in Mana can let them fly, a 4 in Essence with a 3 in tech to back it up should be able to replicate the feat. I have two actions here:

1st: Diplomacy: Set up friendly trading relations with the natives. Secondarily, set up a defense treaty with them, using the impressiveness of New Amsterdam and Dutch military technology to make them think its a good idea. 3 + 1 synergy from Essence -1 for two actions +0 from roll: 3

2nd: Living: Build New Amsterdam into a self-sustaining, high-tech enclave in the fertile mouth of the Hudson River (Rio de la plata). We are, of course, leveraging our understanding of Essence technology to do this. Spending a Fate point to tap either my Industrialists aspect or my "The Devil S***s Dutchmen" aspect, I'm not sure which applies more. 2 + 1 synergy from Essence -1 for two actions + 2 for tapping an Aspect - 2 from roll: 2

[AlistairThorne]

Umbria


Iroquois League

To the heathens of the Iroquois League,

The fact I do not have you executed for your insults should be sufficient compensation.

God-Emperor of Umbria


Great Plains Confederacy

To the honourable heathens of the Great Plains Confederacy,

That is all acceptable to the God-Emperor. We have no interest in your lands at this time, or entering them for that matter, so there is no need for such patrols. However, if such patrols make you happy by all means. We, of course, will continue to patrol as well to avoid our citizens feeling 'threatened' by such patrols near their homes.

You are safe enough in the Plains but the newcomers do pose a threat.

God-Emperor of Umbria

[Thatguyoverther]

Iroquois League

Great Plains Confederacy


It is good to have brothers in arms in these dark times. Don't concern yourself overly much with the welfare of Spotted Tail and his braves. They are our guests and we would never ask them to do something that would damage the reputation of their tribes.

We have made peace with the Aztecs for now. Only the Great Spirit knows how long such a peace will last. The Aztecs are a blood thirsty people but not entirely untrustworthy. I think, given time, the peace may become permanent.

We are currently in talks with the Emperor of Umbria. A peace treaty may soon be negotiated, but it will be tenuous at best. The Emperor is a disreputable violent creature, and it won't be long before his belligerence is focused in our direction once more. We will make peace, but the Iroquois wont hesitate to break that peace if it looks like there is a chance to remove the "God Emperor" from our lands forever.

We are only now making contact with the strangers. The League hopes that these foreigners will come in peace, and we would be more than happy to accept them as guests in this land. Should they by their actions violate the rules of hospitality we will have to reevaluate our relationship.

Your Brothers

Kanawida and the Iroquois Counsel


Umbira
Your words do you no service. We will consider them at the next counsel meeting and deliver a decision then.

May the Great Spirit grant you good hunting.

Austrian Confederacy


Chief Richard von Metternich

Those men spoke the truth. It seems that your settlement has been founded on the edge of Iroquois territory. We would be more than happy to send representatives to your camp. The Great Spirit willing we will be able to come to some formal agreement between our two peoples.

Kanawida, First Among Equals, Iroquois League

[Moody the Wise]

Iriquois League

[I'm not posting this in a spoiler, because it would be a shame if only one player got to see the roleplay. At the end, the actual diplomacy will be spoilered.]

[I'm assuming for the sake of expediency that the representatives are sent, even though technically you just told me you'd be glad to send them]

New Salzbourg welcomes the Iriquois diplomats with a good deal of pomp and circumstance. Several guards meet them at the edge of camp and escort them to the main yard. Tall soldiers clad in blue uniforms with plumed helmets that lent them an even greater apparent height march in formation around the yard with precise military discipline. They all carry guns whose meager appearances do no justice to the fearsome Essence power contained within. A Zeppelin flies overhead and what appear to be small moving huts surround the camp.

The diplomats are escorted past these displays into a large pavilion tent at the far end of camp. Inside the tent, there are lavish tapestries hung all around, a high table at one end and a banquet laid out at the other. To one side, a military band plays Strauss's Tales From the Vienna Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmNoL_OW9xI). A variety of officers - and the few women at camp, mostly officers' wives - waltz around the middle of the tent. The diplomats are allowed a moment to take it all in before one of their escorts signals the band to stop playing and loudly announces: "The ambassadors from the Iriquois League!" They are lead to the high table, where Richard von Metternich sits prepared to get down to business ...

@IC"Honored ambassador, welcome to my court. I am Richard von Metternich, High Chief of my people." At this, some of the soldiers grimace ever so slightly. When Richard stares daggers at them, the expression leaves their faces. "I come to offer our protection to the divided peoples of this world. We have already shown several of the local peoples the benefits of our beneficence." He gestures to the assembled crowd, and on closer inspection some of them do appear to be natives dressed up in Imperial garb. "After the Black Elk tribe refused our generosity, many of the locals saw the benefit in our protection. Speaking of protection, let's get right down to it. Many of the tribes of your Eastern lands are far from the protections of your power and near to the dangers of the wild and other natives to the South. These tribes would be much better served by our protection. Would you not agree?"

@TaguacipaThe representative is detained and questioned by Austrian guards when he arrives. Eventually, he is allowed to stand before Metternich. After hearing the man's speech, Metternich considers for a moment before speaking. "It would seem as though you have nothing to offer us. You say we will never meet your master. He is but a shadow, then, to us, and we have no fondness of dealing with shadows. If your master wishes to deal with us, let him (IC, I don't know Taguacipa is female) show his face. Until then, I bid you good day, sir."

[Eldan]

Turn 2

Julio was standing in the presence of the Holy Cross. Took logical approach, bashed his head in with a censer. José appeared shocked... had his head as well. Others are making pile of skulls beneath cross. Two dozen in last week. Making good progress. God is pleased.

-Last fragment of the log of the spanish expedition. No other remains were found

As more and more colonists are arriving on the new continent from all sides, the reactions of the native people range from apathy to outright panic: a minor spider spirit on the southern continent declares the coming end of the world: to appease him, his tribe, a mere two-hundred people, declare war on all their neighbours and are defeated without much resistance. Alliances are declared as well: the red snake and raven tribes of the territories to the north of the iroquois league make peace for the first time in written history, ending a blood feud that has been going on for nearly a thousand years in one form or the other.
There is, all in all, an uneasy suspense hanging over the entire new world: no wars have broken out, but all powers, small and large, are only waiting for the first outbreak...

[Freshmeat]

The Conclave (turn two)

Hurac the Elder made his way up the mountain trail in silence, his mind almost completely detached from his body, as he contemplated the task Emperor Odokai had charged him with. As a result of the actions undertaken by council delegates in all provinces, the floods that had recently plagued the territories of the Conclave had been sufficiently dealt with and vacated settlements were now being repopulated. Roads and bridges were being rebuilt, better than before, and a team of experts were working on the many ways in which the damage of potential future floods could be lessened or altogether prevented. The threat of famine, too, had been adequately averted for now. In essence, the Conclave was recovering and all measures were undertaken to ensure the safety and prosperity of all its citizens.

Hurac the Elder figured that it was perhaps because of these problems that the Emperor had been so uncharacteristically late in responding to the arrival of new colonists throughout all known territories to the north and south. Undoubtedly these colonists came from the lands to the east and west, as the maps of Columbus’ ill-fated expedition had clearly indicated. While Hurac didn’t know when the Conclave had salvaged or bought these documents, or how long they had been in the Conclave’s possession, he was convinced that those extra tidbits of knowledge might help them to better understand the culture and motives of these newcomers. Early reports suggested none of the colonists spoke Spanish, but until such a time as they could learn the tongue of these people, it would have to do as some sort of lingua franca.

Even though he ascended the mountainous territory with surprising swiftness for someone of his age, Hurac was still dressed rather formally. Long, colourful robes and distinctive jewelry marked him as someone of high status. Despite the harsh terrain, the old man did not show any sign of weariness, as he thoroughly believed that a strong mind could compensate for any physical limitation. Because of this, he had been the Emperor’s chosen candidate to undergo the long and arduous journey through the Andes Mountains. Soon he would reach the colonists that had made landfall there...

To Babbage Hold:
Hurac the Elder introduces himself as a representative of the Conclave (which he claims is situated in the rainforests to the north) and bids the scientists of the Babbage Institute welcome to these lands. He would like to know what the BIETT’s immediate goals are and if they would be interested in either trading supplies and/or signing a treaty of non-aggression between the BIETT and the Conclave.

The wiry old man’s cold, taxing eyes take everything he sees in, yet his expression remains immutable. It’s clear that although Hurac the Elder is very articulate and reasonably diplomatic, he is a man who hopes for the best but is used to preparing for the worst.


***
Meanwhile, on a small boat many miles to the southeast:

To Amaru Atoc, the idea of contacting these colonists seemed strange, but High Priest Hacuat, speaking on behalf of Emperor Odokai, had convinced her of its necessity. He had told her that ignoring the colonists could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect and that it would be far wiser to go out and meet these new people rather than wait for other groups to whisper lies about the Conclave into their ears. Hacuat had also told her that Emperor Odokai, unlike the Maya, in fact had a soft spot for these colonists in that they were not prejudiced and spiteful like so many of their neighbours, even if the vast majority of them came solely to conquer. Amaru could hardly imagine Emperor Odokai having a soft spot for anyone. Not that anyone ever listened to her, but she considered Odokai downright paranoid, if not completely insane, regardless of how much the Conclave had prospered under his leadership.
When she had asked the council what to do with the colonists to the north they had heard about, the only response was that they were of no concern to the Conclave for the time being.

As the leader of the Amazon warriors of the Conclave, all of that still made a certain degree of sense to Amaru. Not that she was much for politics or other affairs of state. The only reason she had been sent along on this diplomatic mission was to keep her companion Hurac the Younger in check. Hurac himself was just like his father, albeit far more mistrustful and impatient. Amaru considered him a poor choice to send to the Dutch but Hacuat and the Emperor seemed confident that he’d be able to handle things adequately. Only time would tell, Amaru figured.
The warrior maiden squinted her eyes as she looked at the horizon. Up ahead in the distance she could see the high-tech settlement of the colonists...

To de Vrije Staat:
The pair introduce themselves a representatives of the Conclave, which they claim is situated in the rainforests to the north. They bid the scientists of de Vrije Staat welcome to these lands and would like to know what the immediate goals of the VS entail. They suggest to sign a treaty of non-aggression between de Vrije Staat and the Conclave and ask if the colonists would be interested in conducting trade.

Hurac the Younger makes an impression of nervosity, extreme wariness and a hint of arrogance and impatience. Still, he seems to do his best to come across as friendly and tactful. Amaru Atoc remains silent but remains vigilant and watchful, never letting down her guard for even one second. Based on the messengers that have been sent, it is clear that the Conclave sees the benefits of cooperation, but that little is needed to rouse their suspicion or provoke their ire.

[Moody the Wise]

New Salzbourg

Metternich stands on the dock of the bay, watching the ships roll in. He thinks with a mixture of relief and a certain disappointment that the Emperor has not forgotten about his expedition. No matter. One day, this will all be mine.

A well-dressed man steps off the ship and bows - perhaps not as deeply as Metternich would have liked. "Captain Haas, reporting to my command, your excellency." "Greetings, and welcome to New Salzbourg. What news from the Empire, Captain?"

Over the course of the walk back to the Pavilion and a long cup of tea, the two men brought each other up to speed. The Emperor is courting a new alliance with the Scandinavians and Dutch, and wishes Metternich to find their camps and open lines of communications. He has sent updated maps giving the best approximations of their landing sites. He has also sent over several of the new Essence-powered Rapid Air Transports to facilitate this, given that the Zeppelin is built for destructive power rather than long-distance transport. Not to mention that it would disgrace a Zeppelin to be put to such pedestrian uses.

Diplomacy towards Scands and Dutch to be added at a later time

[Thatguyoverther]

New Salzbourg

The Iroquois Diplomats are almost dumbfounded by the sheer alienness of New Salzbourg. Every tiny part of the proceedings is met with intense interest. Braves gesture and chatter to one another at the height of the soldier's plumes and the almost mechanical nature of their marching. The procession halts unceremoniously at the sight of the massive Zeppelin. Even the more senior chiefs of the delegation gape in wonder at the mind bending sight of the bizarre flying mountain.

The party is visibly relieved to enter the Pavilion and escape the view of the Zeppelin. The party approaches the high table. The braves stand remain standing while the chiefs sit some can hardly contain their excitement while others seem almost shell shocked from the sheer novelty of New Salzbourg.

New Salzbourg
The Iroquois Ambassador, a wizened old shaman, nods at von Metternich words. "If you will wait but one moment, before continuing. Tradition dictates that we bring some sort of peace offering." He gestures to several of the braves, who are carrying parcels. "Furs from the farthest reaches of the Iroquois League. Tobacco the breath of the Great Spirit. And finally gold from the rivers of our land."

He waits as the braves present each of the gifts in turn. "I also wish to express the condolences of Kanawida, he is just now returning from an expedition to the home of the Northmen, and was unable to come."

He pauses once more before continuing. "We have heard of your... dealings with the Black Fox tribe. I am not alone in feeling distress over the matter. Surely a peaceful resolution was achievable? Is it not said that first the hand must be open before it is made into a fist?"

"That being said, I am confused about what exactly you mean by protection. It could just as easily be said that your people are far from your seat of power, surrounded by hostile tribes and the dangers of the wild. Prehaps it is us who should be offering our protection?"

"That also being said, if protection is our goal, wouldn't everyone's safety be better provided for if we we're to offer one another mutual protection?"

[Moody the Wise]

Iriquois League
"The Black Elk incident was truly unfortunate. While you have been model guests in our home, the Black Elk dignitaries did not present themselves so graciously. They would not eat our food, would not dance to our music, and when given the opportunity to speak, rattled off nothing but insults. They vowed to return in the night to scalp our men and ravage our women and children. Let us not speak further of those savages."

"Let us not kid ourselves. Your warriors are brave and they fight well, we will not contest that. But you have thousands of miles of long, thin border to protect, and here at the Eastern reaches of it, your power is far less than our own. If you wish a demonstration of the military applications of our technology, we can arrange for one outside. All I ask is, in light of our superior capacity to protect the people of this area, a shift in administration of certain of your Eastern tribes. I am not above making this offer directly to their chiefs and seeing what conclusions they reach, but I would rather it be sanctioned from above. It's just that your empire is too large to administer effectively from your seat of power, and we would like to offer to take over some of those duties for you."

"If it would make you more comfortable with the concept, we would be willing to consider more formal relations between our governments. We could allow Iriquois to serve here at court, and we could send a delegation as a great tribe to the meeting halls of your league. We would be like any other great tribe of your people, masters and protectors over their weaker brethren."

[Maldiem]

((OOC: Spending a fate point, making a declaration. Pending Eldan's approval))
Declaration

Understanding of essence technology is gained only through years of intensive study at renown universities, of which there are only a small number in Europe and none anywhere else, under the direct, vigilant direction of an expert. Even a kidnapped master alchemist would be unable to teach his captors the secrets without a world-class laboratory.

Further, because of the already intense clandestine turf wars over this technology in Europe, the machines and automatons that are capable of making other Essence technologies have a number of quite effective booby traps and fail-safes built in, such that those attempting to reverse engineer them end up destroying the machines at best, and killing themselves in a spectacular way at worst. As such, it is nearly impossible to steal the secrets behind Essence technology. This is also the reason why large, solvent nations in Asia and Africa (excepting Japan) have not as of yet gained the capability to produce Essence artifacts.

This does not preclude native civilizations from obtaining the capability to make Essence technology, they can still gain points in it through character development (as Eldan described in the rules). This represents sending students to Europe for instruction, or buying (or obtaining through teaching, or any other willing transfer) the manufacturing technology from European colonists.


Brussels, Flanders, VS military Airship Factory

The crowd of students, mounted on Essence-powered disks, floated by the airborne scaffold. The scaffold had long since been imbued with powerful Air essences so the valuable land it sat on could be redeveloped into housing, so the view was pretty breathtaking. The huge cityscape stretched out below them, while drones and workers lurched around the shipyard, plumes of steam curling from their various and sundry exhaust ports.

The instructor, a grizzled, older man, whose lower half had been replaced with an Essence powered lifter that allowed him to float around after a gruesome factory accident, glared at the class through an adjustable telescope-monocle. "Who can tell me why it costs ten times as much to make a military airship, instead of a trade airship?"

A student, wind whipping her hair around her face, answered after an uncomfortable silence, "Is it because we make the hull out of Alchemical Steel?"

The professor shook his head, "The Omnistaal does cost more, but it cannot account for the difference."

A second student answered, "It must be the weapons. They're bristling with them." Again, he the professor rebuked him. The class was silent.

Finally, the old airship builder grunted with dissatisfaction. "Its the Helium. We use Air-imbued hydrogen in civilian airships, because it is much easier to obtain; an elementary bit of alchemy to separate from common ocean water. But if you put hydrogen into the Vlotterzakken of a military ship, one blast, and KABOOM" he slammed his monocle onto his metal pelvis, the class recoiling in surprise, "Our airships are superior, and they cost more to reflect this fact, because we and few others possess the acumen to distill helium, a gas just as naturally light as hyrdogen, but with none of its hazards, from the ether. Now get out of my sight and read your texts, or I'll bring my combat add-ons tomorrow."

Ledger Purchased at Auction Following Dutch East India Company Bankruptcy

Cash Crops, Their Origin, Alchemical Uses, and Ideal Climate

-Coffee: This simple bean is believed to have originated in Africa, something in the vicinity of Ethiopia. The Italians maintained a monopoly on this good following their defeat of the Arabs, until the VOC began production in Indonesia. It grows best in well-watered, warm climates. Coffee lends itself well to Water alchemy, and can be refined by a skilled alchemist into a healing draught. It is incredibly valuable in Europe.

Cotton: A very useful plant, found in Asia and parts of Arabia, that is made into very high-quality clothing, and a number of industrial products. Cotton is best grown with lots of water, and can be induced to grow in temperate climate. Cotton can be used in both Earth and Air alchemical devices.

Bananas: A highly popular food item, found originally in Indochina. Not useful as an alchemical product, but grows well anywhere warm and well watered.

Oranges: Another popular food item from Indochina, this fruit can ward off scurvy in sailors and airship crews, and has become something of a delicacy in Europe due to its scarcity. This crop needs a lot of sunlight, water, and warm climate.

New Amsterdam

Willem looked at the piles of paper on his desk with scorn. His scouts, and their essence locators, had had very little luck in the vicinity of New Amsterdam. The soil was fertile, and food was plentiful, but without raw materials, New Amsterdam couldn't possibly become the sprawling industrial jewel he'd envisioned. They'd already planted the seeds the expedition had brought with them, and the first harvest had already come in. He pulled out his old VOC administrative guidebook, and began to review what it had to say on the economics of colonies. As he read, he began to work, drawing up a plan for the city to solve its little problem.

The model he came up with is simple; New Amsterdam can and would produce huge amounts of valuable crops, with its ample water supply and large tracts of easily arable land, and it would trade these to Europe in exchange for currency (good solid Dutch Gilders, of course), and then use the money to purchase Essence materials and both technological and Essence manufacturing devices to ship back to New Amsterdam. They would use the raw materials (and native labor, which he was in the process of negotiating) to make finished goods, which they would trade to the natives in exchange for goods not available in Europe for further export. The result of this cycle is an increasingly rich colony with a gradually larger industrial base.

Looking at the finished product in the yellow light of an essence lantern, Willem grunted with satisfaction. He resolved to put it into effect in the morning.

@Eldan

Action 1: Set up trading relations with the VS proper, and other European nations willing to cooperate on this. The basic trade cycle is thus:
New Amsterdam produces coffee, cotton, bananas, and oranges, ships them to Europe for money. We then use the money to buy Essence materials and manufacturing equipment, and ship it back to New Amsterdam. We use the raw materials and factories to make Essence goods, use what we need, and trade the rest to the natives. We then ship back Native goods and more crops, repeat ad nauseum.

Resources Action, Synergy from Diplomacy: 2, +1 from Synergy - 1 from two actions, -2 from the spiteful little dice, spending a fate point to tap the "Industrialists" aspect for a +2, making the result a 3.


Free State diplomats are out in force again, as the new factories and fields require more labor. The diplomats and traders offer some of the natives closer to the city jobs working on New Amsterdam's fields, in exchange for relatively fair wages consisting of regular meals and trade goods. They also try and introduce the Gilder into circulation among the natives, to avoid doing everything on the barter system.

@Eldan

Action 2:
Convince natives to work on fields for fair pay, move closer to the city. Introduce the Gilder as currency.

Diplomacy action: 3 -1 from two actions, -2 from the stupid stupid roll, result of 0. Going to go ahead and burn through another fate point, tapping my "Melting Pot" aspect, to make the roll a 2.

Fate points remaining: 1


@Kemmotar

The emissary from Taguacipa is greeted in the same fashion as most other important natives were greeted, by sanctioned VS diplomats. Since there is no indication of the relative power of Taguacipa (excepting the better-fed and clothed messenger), the diplomats greet them graciously, and offer the same deal they offered all the natives: trade and coexistence.

[puppyavenger]

Turn one

Prince Johan was troubled by the seemingly ceaseless raiding his subject were suffering form the natives. It seemed that as soon as they made landfall and set up a camp, they seemed to be attacking for the fun of it more then anything else.

Bringing himself to the situation at hand, he addressed the planners and architects they had brought with them. Now as I'm sure you're aware, we need some fortifications and living space for everyone, and quickly. So I want you to start work on a fortified harbor at the River mouth. We can;t go huddling in tents surrounded by sharpened sticks forever anyway.

after finishing going over the plans, he gathered the household guard and board them onto one of the more heavily-armed ships. "If the colonists can't fight off the native raids, we'll just have to go and have a talk with their leaders."

[LongVin]

Kingdom of Italy

Nuovo Verona

The attack hadn't come yet and it appeared that the presence of the fleet scared off any native savagery. This however was not good enough, the natives were still there and they would eventually defy the rule of the Kingdom. It was time for them be crushed.

Rallying his troops, Captain Rizzo organizes a regiment of 80 infantry and 20 cavalrymen together to march on the Native village and put an end to their heretical savagery. With the Italians bolt action guns and horsemen they should make short work of the villagers. Those who are not killed will then be sent to work to help in the construction of the town.

"Forward!" Came the command and the regiment was oon on the march.

OOC: Now, I need to roll my army score on a d3 minus 2 correct?

[Cpt. Soup]

The great Empire of Japan has set it's feet upon the shores of the new world.

The Modern fleets of Japan touch alien shores some short weeks after their departure. From their battleships, whole Brigades of Imperial soldiers march forth to claim these lands on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor. Hand picked members of the Imperial Shogunate command the bristling host of soldiers. Alone side the army arrives another power that is privileged to hold the Emperor's ear, a joint force commissioned by the Empire's Zaibatsu, Corporate leaders of Japan. engineers, laborers were recruited in large numbers alongside more then enough mercenaries to police them.

Several tent cities are raised some distance from the shores they arrived upon. In the short weeks since their arrival, the Corporate section busies itself determining the value of the surrounding region and potential as a new colony, while the army scouts outlying regions and sends up recon balloons to assesses threats.

[Maldiem]

@The Conclave

The delegation from the Conclave is given a warm reception, especially after some of the locals identify them as coming from one of the fabled places where men can do magic and talk to gods. The Alchemists, in particular, are interested in getting to know more about these techniques, and offer to take the delegation back to their home via Airship (so they can meet these mages and prophets), instead of the long, long march back to the forest.

The diplomats mention (and their claim is reinforced by the newly-planted fields and factories) that the VS's goal in establishing New Amsterdam is to increase in prosperity and facilitate contact between their two cultures. They heartily agree to a trade and nonaggression treaty.

South Equatorial Atlantic Ocean, 1 week ago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDGXlKamzig&feature=related)
((I think the music is appropriate))

James Perry sat at the nexus of an oily, steaming tangle of cables, supports, and wires, while raw essence and molten iron gushed through transparent pipes all around him. He was spread-eagled vertically, his arms and legs posed like a macabre version of Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, the eerie orange glow of the Essence that powered the ship giving his shining silver Luchtmarine uniform a hellish pallor. Clever use of mirrors and snakelike passages through the ship allowed him to have "windows" in all directions around the dreadnought, giving him incredible awareness of the situation despite his eyepatch. The smallest motions of his limbs and fingers gave him delicate control of the flying wonder's every move. James Perry sat literally and figuratively at the heart of the ship, commander and bridge crew all in one, while his officers attended to other duties, and tried to sleep through the storm.

It isn't like the storm mattered to the flying Dreadnought The Final Argument of Kings. At 200 meters long, 30 meters high, and 30 meters wide, with a pre-Alchemy and Helium weight of about 60,000 kg, it was going to take a lot more than this puny little tropical storm to make Perry think about going around it. The Dreadnought plowed on, heedless of the screaming wind and battering rain, as an assistant on the catwalk nearby read a report from the New World.

"Sir, Hudson sent this report by semaphore right before we entered the storm and lost contact with the Concordat of Worms. It reads:

All seems to be going according to plan here; the natives, while a bit primitive, seem to be basically friendly. We've begun to cultivate the crops we brought with us, and should make this expedition profitable within the first harvest or two; a resounding success. I am concerned, though, with some of the rumors we've been hearing from the natives about people to the North and West. They say they can do magic and talk to gods, which is ridiculous, or course, but some of the things we've been receiving in trade seem to indicate that either someone on this continent has a basic understanding of Alchemy, or there is some other technique at work.

As you may know, the Secretaresse van Oorlog has vested a great deal of authority in me with regard to our new colony. It is with this authority that I hereby order The Final Argument of Kings, and her escorts, the Brandschip Concordat of Worms and the Transport Union of Utrecht to report for duty in the New World."

Perry grinned. He hadn't seen any action since his last tour in the Indian ocean, and that was just trouncing some uppity Arabian privateers who thought they could take down The Final Argument of Kings with some secondhand cannons from half a century ago. He could do with some exploring.

Anyone on the wrong end of that exploring? Well, they were in trouble. The Final Argument of Kings sported two 45 cm gun batteries, three guns per battery, amidships on the side, such that both batteries can hit anything directly ahead or behind of the dreadnought, to the side the gun is on, or directly below it. It also bristled with smaller guns, ranging in size from 5 cm essence-flak weapons designed to pick off lone attackers in Stoompaks, to 30 cm guns designed to cover the blind spots of the main batteries. The Union of Utrecht, an armed transport, had taken on a battalion of Free State marines in Rotterdam, and the Concordat of Worms, called a "flying war crime" by the more dovish of the legislature, was a fire ship; capable of raining pitch, oil, and quicklime on those unlucky enough to be below it, the liquids alchemically enhanced to burn infernally hot for days.

New Amsterdam, Present

Willem stood on top of New Amsterdam's keep, a telescope to his eye so he could examine the loading and unloading of the newly-arrived squadron. He hoped he would never have to use the ships' terrible power, but felt better for having the option to call in the Luchtmarine. "Si vis pacem, para bellum" he says, to no one in particular.

@Eldan:

Spending my new point on Army, as represented by the three flying piles of ouch described above.

[Adlan]

The Great Plains Confederacy
Turn 2

It had been a hard season for the people of the plains, And a movement arose amoung the tribes. Those on the west had long used the High mountains, wood, game, stone, and now ores for smelting they took from them. But they were only seasonal.

But, among the Tribes, amongst warriors returning from their war party's, and finding the herd still small, and the game scarce, they looked to the mountains with a new light, and sent word to their comrades, and their comrades familey's.

A Spontanious movement arose, so fast that it was underway when word of it reached the two lodges and there would have been little that could be done to prevent it. So, like any sensible leadership, they argued, and discussed, and argued, and then approved.

Like the cities that had begun forming a few generations before,, tribes from all across the great plains were forging together. New bands, new tribes. They took tools, and seed and livestock, but not much. Mostly they took extra mouths, and found new sources of food.

Initially, they are simply self sufficient, but they have already found more resources, fertile valley's, rich mountain woodlands, and the ores for many metals.

Eldan:
Claiming the rocky mountains, as I mentiond in PM. This should alliviate the stress on the existing rsources of the confderacy, so I'm spending my Attribte point on Living standard.
What would my action roll be for my collanisation action?

[Thatguyoverther]

Umbira

We have just made our first contact with these strangers. And already they seem intent on taking away our land. We see now the wisdom in the emperor's plan. We will ensure that the borders remain peaceful, provide of course that you do the same.

New Salzbourg
The shamans face becomes blank and hard to read. He talks in hushed tones with some of the other ambassadors.

"Perhaps you would be willing to show us that display you offered earlier."



Open invitation to all colonial Factions (Except New Salzbourg)
We of the Iroquois League are interested in cultivating a relationship with the foreigners from beyond the sea. We have set aside a portions of land on both coasts for settlements. We would be happy to give you a portion of land in exchange for a trade agreement and peace treaty.

[Moody the Wise]

Iriquois Confederacy (I'm not going to bother with spoilers, since everyone's going to know pretty soon)

Metternich looks at the small party of natives before him, in awe of their audacity. "Shackle them. Admiral Plum, prepare the Zeppelin fleet for takeoff. These men want a show, and we would be rude hosts if we did not comply."

@EldanThe shackles being applied to the Iriquois gentlemen are Austrian Shackles of Tranquility. They are imbued with the water essence, and use the calming and purifying powers of the essence to inhibit the body's ability to react violently.:smallredface::smallredface:

While the fleet is readied, Metternich takes a brisk walk around camp, checking that all of the defenses are in place and functioning properly. The camp will be in a state of full military readiness until the expedition returns, and likely even longer than that. He passes the newly constructed production houses where even now the civilian corps is hard at work reproducing the material culture of the Fatherland. [@Eldan: Putting my new attribute point into Industrial Infrastructure]

Once everything is in order, Metternich takes his place at the helm of the fleet's flagship Zeppelin, the Mozart. The fleet sails out of New Salzbourg and heads to the South and West, making for the heart of Iriquois territory. Whenever a minor tribe's village is flown over, a note is dropped informing the tribe to look to the Southwest and watch as the corrupted Iriquois aristocracy, who refused to yield its power over the smaller tribes, is defeated and humiliated, and their people become free again to choose their masters.

[Further description of the inevitably ensuing carnage to follow pending GM ruling on impact of the action]

[Thatguyoverther]

As soon as news of the betrayal becomes known the message of New Salzbourg's betrayal is spread throughout the League by drum, warning vilages in the Zeppelins path to evacuate.

The messages also tell the scattered settlements of the League to prepare for a war.

Great Plains Confederacy

It seems that at least one of these groups of strangers is indeed belligerent. We would appreciate if you would join us in our elimination of this threat to our peoples.

If you cannot send an army we would appreciate if you would allow Spotted Tail and his braves to join us in what Great Spirit willing will be a short war.

Umbria

We apologize for sending another missive so soon after the first. It seems that the Emperor was even more correct in his assertion about the natures of the strangers than we believed

We would like to ask for your help removing one of these cancerous legions from our land. In exchange your men are more than welcome to keep whatever strange creations they come across on the bodies of the enemies.

Edit:

@ Eldan: Putting the point in Military to represent the addition of Spotted Tail's braves and the Northmen to the Iroquois Leagues military might.

[Moody the Wise]

To all Colonial Factions:
Greetings, your excellencies,

I am Richard von Metternich, commander of the Austrian Empire's expeditionary force here in the New World. Within mere weeks of our landing, we have already had war declared upon us by the Iriquois Confederacy. They call us invaders and reject the gifts of our modern civilization, preferring to lord over their primitive peoples in a darkness worse than our own Medieval times. They may whisper kind words in your ears for fear of the power you wield, but know that if they go on unchecked, it will merely be a matter of time before you, too, are driven from this continent. We must stand together and oppose the natives whenever they seek to do us harm.

To Umbria
Greetings, God-Emperor of Umbria,

We have heard tell from the weak tribes of the North of the existence of real men in the lands to the South. Surely you, too, must despise weakness when you see it, and it must disgust you to live in such proximity to the Iriquois, hiding behind their 'confederacy,' lacking even the strength to truly rule themselves.

In your wisdom I trust you can see through the lies that the others spread, that we are foreign invaders and must be repelled at all cost. In truth, we are no worse than any of your centuries-old enemies, and in many cases rather much better.

Between our two great empires, we could wipe the Iriquois from the map with a ferocious swiftness, bringing the people of this world under our wings. We both have much to gain in such a scenario.

Or you could choose to protect the weak ways of the Iriquois, and from it gain nothing but the satisfaction of having allowed the weak and unworthy to live one more day.

Richard von Metternich,
Emperor of New Austria

[Adlan]

Great Plains Confederacy

When word reaches the Confederacy, of the betrayal of their allies, there is great consternation. Not over what to do, but over the fact that Umbria, their enemies, might have been speaking the truth.

The Course of Action was clear to every Chieftain, every medicine man and every brave.

Iroquois League
Brothers. The Great Plains stands with you. These strangers have broken the laws of hospitality and peace. Spotted Tail and all his braves are at their freedom to fight the invaders in co-operation with you. Knowing spotted tail, he would have done so, no matter how the tribes spoke, he is a man of honour.
We shall begin amassing our forces, ready to support you, should you need it. The Medicine Men have been speaking of great magic.
We are with you
-Great Chief Wild Eye's.

Eldan, that Guy over there.
As Eldan suggested, the Iroquois League should now benefit from the aspect 'Confederacy Riders'. Giving them a Bonus when they use them for communication, fighting, scouting and such.

[WhiteKnight777]

Grand Cathay

The people of Cathay had been busy.

Near the cleared plain where the bountiful harvest of celestial rice had been harvested, another sort of clearing had been set up. Piles of unworked stone and fresh-cut timber had been assembled within a vast circle. The Radiant Blossom and her entourage of lesser sages had spent day and night describing a vast circle, and Gao Fen Li, the High Bureaucromancer and Chief Priest of the Celestial Host had spent those same days and nights with his own assemblage of priests and savants setting up a multitude of shrines to the various divinities. This strange soil was proving difficult for the gods of Grand Cathay - the native spirits and godlings resisted with the ferocity of tigers. But the inexorable and righteous potency of Cathay's superior divinities had succeeded in setting up a local Spirit Court. Soon, new gods would grow to bless this land and help transform it into the wondrous paradise that Huang Rho knew it was destined to be.

Standing in assembly with him just outside the borders of the grand circle were some of Cathay's own divinities - here, in this strange new world, they were hazy and insubstantial as morning mist on the Imperial River. They could not yet hold solid form, only project their images using what little power they could spare - but still, they were an imposing sight. Chief among them was The Unimpeachable Lady of Heavenly Design, High Chancellor of the Bureau of Architecture and the Goddess of Cities. Her blessings would be vital in the forthcoming endeavor. She smiled at Huang Rho, her insubstantial hair the color of a southern sunset, and lips like coral. He felt his heart stir in his breast and the hair one the back of his neck stand. Even insubstantial as this, Cathay's gods were an awe-inspiring sight, and a reminder of why they were destined to rule this new land.

In the middle of the circle, the last laborers were depositing the last loads of raw material. As they left the circle, the crowd behind Huang Rho stirred and parted with uneasy looks as the Conclave of Shadows moved through their midst.

Even Huang Rho had to admit a slight prickle of fear when he looked upon the Conclave. Robed in their namesake color, they were a fearsome sight - and the knowledge of their duties made them seem all the more imposing. The Black Conclave were the spirit-hunters of Cathay. Individuals born with the ability to sense and hunt creatures of the spirit world and naturally disruptive of the flows of Chi, they were tasked with dealing with rogue gods, spirits, and demons... and, in times of war, with the assasination and capture of foreign spirit-creatures. This was the duty they now performed - in cages of blackened jade they brought forth the spirits of this land - strange, unwholesome things in the shape of strange beasts and hideously masked men and women. It was good that they would soon be replaced by more familiar and friendly spirits, seeded by the prayers of Cathay.

Cao Xia and Gao Fen Li stepped forward with their acolytes as a hush fell over the cloud. Cao Xia eyed the leader of the Conclave - her own twin sister, Cao Min. The look that passed between the two was utterly inscrutable, and they said nothing. Gao Fen Li began to chant, intoning a prayer skyward as his hands gestured dramatically - despite the fact that some of the objects of his prayer were standing only a few feet away.

"Hear us, oh gods of Grand Cathay. Hear us from across the wide and distant sea, hear us from this strange new land whence we are come, with your names on our lips. Hear us, as we ask for your benediction as we raise in your honor the first true city this barbaric land shall see. And hear us, as we sing your praises and go forth to spread your glory across this untamed wilderness. Bless our arms, our backs, our hearts and our minds, that we should bring the light of your reign with us as we illuminate the darkness!"

He finished with another grand, sweeping gesture as Cao Xia and Cao Min stepped forward. The two of them intertwined their left hands as they began to gesture with their right, and Cao Xia nodded to Huang Rho. The young prince stepped forward, an obsidian dagger in his hand. With it, he cut open his palm and let seven drops of blood fall into the circle, which had been filled with some strange green powder. With each drop, the powder smoked and took on a greater degree of luminescence.

"By the Blood of Heaven do I consecrate this new city. By the blood of my fathers do I make this land our own. By the will of Heaven, I declare this place, The Imperial Landing, as the capital of this new prefecture of the Grand Empire of Cathay!"

As Huang Rho had been speaking, the twins had been working a magic of their own. In their black jade cages, the foreign spirits writhed and died in agony, their essential forces drained away. Out of the twin's hands this power flowed, surrounding the vast circle in a coruscating, howling vortex. The gods of Cathay began their part, shaping this spiritual energy into something useful. Raw stone and wood began to fly, working itself into shapes. Whole building assembled themselves in the space of minutes as the people looked on, awed. Pagodas and houses rose towards heaven, streets were born from the raw earth as Cathay made its mark upon this new land.

The process lasted only a few hours - and when it was done, a city stood, new and gleaming and somehow strange, despite the familiar shapes of its buildings. The gods had vanished as soon as the working was done, their reserves exhausted by the labor.

Huang Rho entered the city, followed by his retinue and the rest of the people. Already ministers were lining civilians and soldiers up, assigning homes. There was much left to do - the city would not hold all the force, and many would have to make do with camps. Proper palaces and temples would take longer to build, given the geomantic exactitude which such edifices required to function properly in channeling the chi of a city. But the Imperial Landing was here - a visible symbol of Cathay's dominion, and its walls were thick and strong. Here Huang Rho would begin to carve out his legacy, and the legacy of all who would come after him.

[Maldiem]

On the Physics of Alchemy, Excerpt, from Dr. Felix Gerhard, PhD., AlD., M.D.'s address to the Dutch Academy of Sciences, 1830 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2-89XZTBOE)
((Link is mood music))

"When Isaac Newton, amongst many of his contemporaries, first proposed the Theory of the Luminiferous Ether, he was, in effect, positing a system that would entirely replace our understanding of the physical universe up to that point. Indeed, what followed was a period of intense neglect of the arts that had advanced European civilization to that level of affluence, and though the unlocking of Essence technology lead to a world of new wonders, we let many of the more mundane innovations of that period fall by the wayside.

This has lasted into the 19th century, and it wasn't until Karl Mohr, a humble refugee from the wars in Prussia, first examined the energetics of an Essence engine that we got a glimpse of what is truly going on. Mohr observed that though an essence engine could run for years before the energy and essence in the mixture of elemental materials inside the engine were exhausted, the time that this took, and that the work that this engine could do before running down, was proportional to the amount and quality of materials placed there in the first place. Something of a common sense observation, but the insight he drew from this was the mark of his genius-- he set forth not just to catalog which materials lasted for how long under which conditions, as so many had done before him, but to actually understand what about those materials gave them this mysterious power.

Mohr developed, over years of intensive experimentation that I was fortunate enough to witness in its final stages, a model for the relationship between elemental energy and the properties of the items that possess this energy. From this list of properties, I have been able to deduce a fundamental relationship between alchemical energy of all four types, and the fundamental physical forces; kinetic energy, potential energy, and chemical energy, that non-alchemical scientists have so strenuously investigated over the past century"

*Dr. Gerhard inserts an image crystal into the Essence projector, showing the four formulas that every Alchemist now commits to memory before even interviewing to join the academy*

"As you can see from the formulas, and the evidence that I have presented to you in painstaking detail in the publication you all received prior to the presentation, not only are these forces related, but I believe they are fundamentally the same. That is, energy is essence, and essence is energy; furthermore, they can be converted and used interchangeably"

*The transcript ends, with a small note: "cacophony from the onlookers", as the various bigwigs of the scientific world argue about the presentation*

Fire Essence, Applications, And Relationship to the Physical Forces, Third Addition, Copyright 1873 (current edition)

Chapter 9, The Magnetic Essence Induction Engine, or Why Airships are Big

As you should know by now from our examination of Gerhard's Theory of Unified Ether in Chapter 2 of this text, Heat, Motion, and Electrical energy can be readily converted into fire essence with the activation of a simple device, such as any of those found in modern Essence motors, through the formula:

*Gerhard's equation*

This is useful for a variety of applications, but there is a problem; it is difficult to store any of those forces for long periods of time, as they dissipate into the surroundings as entropy, as described by Carnot in 1865. Our engineers have come up with an innovative solution to this conundrum, and you may already be familiar with it as the Magnetic Essence Induction Engine, which is arguably the single invention that makes our modern lifestyle achievable.

The heart of a MEIE is essentially a large amount of molten iron, which is used because of Iron's high latent fire essence, magnetic properties, and specific heat. The iron is then fed into a series of plaster or clay tubes, enhanced via the Earth Essence to improve their already good insulating properties and raise their melting point, and the whole system is set in motion with carefully engineered motors in a countercurrent exchange, such that what small amount of heat that does diffuse will tend to diffuse toward the center of the system. This yields by itself a system that will leak heat in only extremely small amounts over very small periods of time, and was called at the time a Molten Iron Storage Core (MISC). This was the state of the art until 10 years ago; it remains the storage option of choice in devices too small to house a MEIE.

At that time, a young Serbian immigrant to the VS, Nikoli Tesla, noticed that when a MISC was mounted in a military Luchtschip as a power source, it tended to build up an electrical charge. Furthermore, the amount of this charge was proportional to the amount of time since the MISC had been grounded, and the distance that the airship had traveled in that time. Tesla pored over the literature, and shut himself in the lab a week, before emerging with a hypothesis. It is a well established fact that a magnetic object, when moving through a magnetic field, can produce an electrical current. Tesla posited that the typical MISC was, because it contained a moving magnetic fluid, essentially a very large electromagnet. When the huge amount of moving molten iron interacted with the Earth's natural magnetic flux, an electrical current was produced in the fluid, that could not go to ground because of the ceramic insulators.

It wasn't long before Tesla developed the MEIE that we know today; an engine that "harvests" energy from the Earth's magnetic field by magnetic induction, and then converts this energy into more heat and motion to drive the reactor, and Fire essence energy to drive the devices that make modern life what it is. An interesting note about the MEIE, is that it becomes more efficient as it gets larger; this is why larger airships, such as those in the Dreadnought class and larger, will only need to recharge their storage core if they exhaust huge amounts of energy in a battle; the MEIE is more than capable of replenishing their essence reserves following typical activity. Indeed, one of the reasons these airships are so highly favored is that they can act as a sort of "fuel tanker" to recharge smaller airships in their squadron, or Stoompaks stored on board.

Note: Because of intense debate on the subject, and an advertising campaign launched by the Edison Essence Company, Essence grids in the VS now run almost entirely on Direct Induction engines rather than Tesla's Alternating Induction engines, despite the fact that in this author's opinion Alternating Induction is far superior.


The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

I've been reading up on the state of 19th century science, and they were actually pretty advanced. Throwing in Essence actually makes me think they'd be capable of a lot of things that we aren't capable of IRL 2009. I'll try to keep it in a non-game-breaking range, but I figured I'd share my take on how things would have worked out.


New Amsterdam

Godfried Ludo, chief diplomat to the Hudson expedition, watched as the porters finished loading the last of the supplies onto the light cruiser Krakatoa. He examined his orders, which detailed his mission; contact as many local empires as possible in the next year, and extract peace treaties and trade relationships, while keeping an eye out for trade goods that the Dutch could replicate, most especially cash crops.

All Native Factions

Assuming Ludo isn't killed by a native faction earlier on his route, the Krakatoa flies into your territory, though they do so as peaceably as possible, the VS flag prominently displayed. Ludo attempts to make contact with the locals, via an interpreter he brought along from the locals that have become semi-integrated into the settlements around New Amsterdam.

[AlistairThorne]

Iroquois League

To the Honourable Heathens of the Iroquois League,

We have no intention of bringing you into our domain through military force at this time. As we said, these 'foreigners' must be removed from our lands. We may parley with them initially, to ascertain the extent of their unique technologies so that we might acquire that any that may prove useful.

As for direct intervention on our part, you will have to provide us with more information. You are not the only ones to encounter these foreigners and we are unsure which cancer is causing you difficulties. We are honouring our truce and our spies have been recalled from your territory, after all.

Signed,
The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler of All He Chooses To Rule


Emperor of New Austria

Greetings Foreign Heathen, perhaps an honourable one, perhaps not,

We see no reason to bring some of the Iroquois under our dominion only to be crushed in turn by foreign heathens. As a token of good will, we demand you hand over examples of all your military equipment. Once we have examined it, and have assessed its capabilities. Only then would we consider aligning ourselves with you against our neighbours.

We could crush them at any time, on our own, after all. We have not seen good cause to do so. There are many Heathens in this world. The order we convert them to the One True Faith is ultimately irrelevant to the God-Emperor.

Signed,
The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler of All He Chooses To Rule

[Thatguyoverther]

Iroquois League

Doing battle with the airships flying out of New Salzbourg has had an impact on the tribes of the League. While it's easy to flee into the safety of the woods well before the lumbering airships even come into view, striking back has proven harder.

The Counsel recognizes the importance of closing the technological gap. Using the mining techniques of their southern compatriots, the tribes or the League start harvesting iron and making steel in large quantities for the first time. Throughout the League there is a push towards invention and innovation. The Iroquois start fashioning the first ballistas, in the hopes of some day being able to bring down one of the flying behemoths. ((Putting a point into technology.))

The Counsel continues to debate how best to eliminate the foreign invaders. Ideas vary from a frontal assault to bizarre ideas like sending sickness infected blankets or convincing the mentally inferior enemy to trade the land back in exchange for beads and baubles. While the Counsel debates many of the tribes in the immediate area take matters into their own hands.

The tribes begin their own small scale war on New Salzbourg. They use every tactic short of an actual assault. Poisoning fresh water supplies, sneaking up to the walls and firing into the camp in the night, attacking and over running fishing vessels. Whenever a party leaves the camp for any reason they are assaulted if they are few and number and harried if the tribes don't have enough braves to kill them outright. All the braves scream a new battle cry

VS
We would be more than happy to host an envoy from your great nation. I think we may have access to goods you will be interested in.

Umbria
Given our pass history we would ask for the same in the Esteemed Emperor's place.

Enclosed is a transcript of all the interactions between the League and the New Austrians, along with a description of all the technologies they have so far displayed, the location of New Salzbourg, and the layout of the base as far as the League's spies can discover. ((Feel free to open any spoilers from them labeled to the Iroquois League.))
[B]

Edit: Waiting to see what the consequences of the attack are.

[Falconer]

Greystone



"We feel that such would be appropriate. Our neighbors are troublesome, to say the least. Perhaps we can help each other. You can grant a few of these technological wonders here to us, and we will assist you in your explorations. Is this acceptable?"



OoC: More to come.

[Freshmeat]

The Conclave

Babbage Hold
Hurac the Elder watches wearily as a tumbleweed passes by...


New Amsterdam
Taking a copy of the now-signed treaty of non-aggression between de Vrije Staat and the Conclave, Hurac the Younger waits for a moment before adding:

"I assume there's much demand in your Europa for all of this", he says while motioning to the vast fields outside, "and other products native to our lands?"

"I'm reasonably certain that much of what you cultivate here can grow in Conclave territory as well, particularly fruit. Given that we've got the means to adapt almost any environment to our will, I'm sure we can match much of your production here and probably provide better quality too, although we lack a way to transport it back to your world. We would, of course, be willing to sell you anything we don't need, although the price would have to be right as there are a wide variety of other colonial groups we could interest with this offer as well. So our question is this: are you interested in trading with us on the scale I am suggesting?"

"If you're going to stay here and, spirits willing, this soil remains fertile, economical cooperation seems like a wise move. Your Spanish Columbus, who I assume must be pretty well known in your world given that so many of your kind have followed in his footsteps, he did not understand this. He made the mistake of treating the native people like lessers, insulting them and trying to subjugate their culture and tempt their citizens with promises of wealth and power, and in doing so he dug his own grave and heralded centuries of wariness between our two peoples. It would be foolish to repeat that mistake."

[Cpt. Soup]

Empire of Japan (Vancouver island region), Regarding the Iroquois League

After several heated conferences, the leaders of the Imperial expedition had made their decision regarding the Iroquois League's Envoy and
New Salzbourg's own missive. In the interests of the Heavenly Emperor, this region would be pacified and made into the first of his holdings in the new world. While the League's eyes were held by the creeping airships of New Salzbourg in the west, imperial soldiers marched forth from the east to drive bayonets into their vulnerable backs.

Lead by the Imperial Samurai, companies of soldiers streamed through the thick forests to capture outlying villages and were under orders to violently crush all opposition. These incursions were supported by a series of auxiliary camps setup along the main coast, with ships ferrying men and supplies between them and the base camp on the Vancouver island.

As an added boon, the Corporate sector's main labour force arrived during initial preparations for the invasion. (Add one point to Engineering attribute) It was decided that they would be put to the task of constructing roads to assist the army.

To Eldan
Attacking the Iroquois League
Using Army attribute, aided Technology
(d3)[1](d3)[3](d3)[1](d3)[3]

Also constructing crude roads using engineering, aided by support
(d3)[3](d3)[3](d3)[3](d3)[1]

To New Salzbourg
I am General Hojo Yorie, I have been tasked by the heavenly Emperor of Japan to bring peace and prosperity to the New World. Like you, we see the Iriquois Confederacy for what it truly is, and so these petty warlords must be brought to heel and understand the futility of their ways. As you read this, know that our forces descend upon our mutual foe; We wish you luck in your own struggle to overcome this enemy and perhaps in time we will have the opportunity to form a lasting bond between our respective people in this savage continent.

[AlistairThorne]

Umbria

Iroquois League

Honourable Heathens of the Iroquois League,

Your cooperation in this matter pleases Us. We shall go over the intelligence you have provided in preparation for actual military action against the cancerous heathens.

Signed,
The God-Emperor of Umbria, Ruler of All He Chooses To Rule

[Moody the Wise]

To Umbria
Very well, God-Emperor. If you wish to throw your fate in with the weak Iriquois - who, I hear, have suffered even further at the hands of Japanese armies to the West - then we will be glad to defend ourselves against a worthy foe for once.

I pray that your people do not question your godhood if you lose to a few upstart foreigners.

Richard von Metternich,
Emperor, New Austria

[AlistairThorne]

Umbria

New Austria

To the Heathens of Austria,

You had your chance to behave peacefully. You have shown your true colors, Heathen. So easily as well. Prepare to Die.

We will take your precious 'essence technology' by force of arms.

Signed,
The God-Emperor of Umbria Ruler of All Whom He Chooses To Rule