Round 35: Begin!
Imperial Reckoning 205 - 207
Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make for ANY Attribute checks, plus rolls for rulers you will start using at the start of next round. If you want a new ruler in the next round, you must state so in your action post for this round and link to their rolls. Any increases from actions for this round are counted for the ruler you start your next round with (because it’s handier to account for by the co-GM), which may or may not be your current ruler.
Good luck!
Rules Alerts & Changes!
Growth!
After decades of regrowth under the slowly unfurled, now Emjata-wide imperial banner of the New Avakonian movement Karys elevates itself once more as a major player at the center of this new empire. With control of the old and venerated Avakonia passing to their stewardship their claim to a mighty legacy only grows stronger on this eve of their elevation upon the world stage. (RKH is now a Great Kingdom capable of taking a sixth action!)
The Baedshah had been a flash in the pan shorter than any modern empire in its endurance but with the mysterious aid of the lazarites the Rakshasa had been afforded again the chance to claim that imperial legacy. Unfortunately for the lions and their would-be saviors from the east their foreign influence seemed only to make a tense situation worse solidifying the lines of civil war that had already begun to erupt due to the God-King’s appointment rather than succession. With war encroaching it would take a miraclulous recovery on behalf of Zabaryn to overcome his siblings and other foes within Estensule and hold on to the legacy set forward by his father - at least without leaning more heavily than he may like on the support of his subordinates. (SMP is reconsolidated as an Empire and is capable of taking a seventh action! This action is being directed by someone other than the God-King...)
After only a few short months of negotiation the arrangement to join the Free Alliance is settled in the northeast. Given the Alliance’s decentralized nature and opposition to the frightening Lindeen the locals seemed eager to enter into what amounted to an intensive defensive alliance. (SFA claims 103! SFA gains a Unit!)
Avakonia grows. The Kunai Clans send their highest emissaries to Aspen Heights to present a formal update to the Derokar Agreement that included in its texts the oath of vassalage to be taken by the Clans to the Emperor as well as exchange of control of the tribal lands of Derokar. Sfair too comes to Avakonia in the wake of Dvatla’s dissolution and pledges their Alliance’s support to the imperial cause. (KNI pledges vassalage to AVA! KNI gains Derokar (53) from AVA! SFR pledges vassalage to AVA!)
Despite being freed from his captivity by Lindeen none can deny the returned Däfikä has been changed by his experience. Disinterested in ruling and gripped with a fatalistic malaise the returned King parcels up his kingdoms, clients and his very home, to be distributed among his allies. Of course many who had sworn their oaths to the King of Dvatla are furious at this sudden betrayal of their contract but others find the prospect of a less iron hand at their throats appealing even if the transition would take some getting used to. Avakonia and its vassals benefit most of all but the new Izbefe government calling itself the Stormcrown Dominion is benefactor to the ever-contentious city-states of Astrand. (AVA gains Llët̨sällë (10), Reflas (11) and D̨vatla (12)! RKH gains Avakonia (51) and Zeměvčel (17)! SFR gains Dažytija (13) and Perivan (15)! TLD gains Zachodnie (16)! IZB gains Astrand/LoWS (14)! Llët̨sällë (10), Reflas (11), D̨vatla (12), Avakonia (51) Zeměvčel (17), Dažytija (13) Perivan (15), Zachodnie (16), and Astrand/LoWS (14) are in Unrest!)
Diplomacy!
With the two powers growing closer under contract of vassalage formal diplomatic communication is established between the Kunai Clans and their imperial lords in the Aspen Heights. (AVA establishes an Embassy with KNI!)
As a major center of learning and trade across Emjata it was only natural the ever diplomatic oamenii of Regno should construct a facility to function as a major central meeting house for the many varying denizens of Emjata staying in their sunny deserts. Though the incoming weather from the north brought unusual fashions to the normally warm halls of Sortis none found themselves dissuaded from making sure they could make their case there where the Sultanate might hear them better. (RGO completes the Sortis Hall of Embassies and gains +1 to a single Supported Action per round, in Capital Regions from players with an Embassy with Regno!)
A brand new temple and royal palace compound at the center of Tloon Redlan in Gwitna marks the legacy of Ollin permanently in the psyche of the Gwitnans. It is a monument to this moment of history as Gwitna leads the largest organized religion in Emjata from the north shore of the Grand Canal. (GWT completes the new capital of Tloon Redlan granting Glen Gwitna (23) +1 on Stabilization rolls!)
While the continued Jalyeong-bo majority outside the capital would likely return to haunt the Volzen's next leader it is for now settled under the current council's administration. (Wuzei Darak (75) is now Stable! Cawv Dej (76) is now Stable!)
Faith!
A dark cloud falls over Khirus and stretches out across Palmor where the wicked rule of the vampires stretches. From Carida to Masdoli and ringing out in Aaenna the call rang out; the Fang of Khirus rose again from its dark forgotten grave! Undead were let loose, wild upon the streets in celebration of this necromantic reawakening. The vile practices kept hidden by the Elysiums for years even in the wake of the Cinder Queen’s vampiric liberation are unleashed uncensored to the streets. Dark magic supplants old faiths as it seems the shadowy powers of Khirus extended now deeply into the supernatural as well as the vast swath of territory held under their sway. (Fang of Khirus is Organized! Organized Religion bonus (5 HCs) +1 to Conversions! Tresten (36) HC 1 is converted from Dejanite Cult to Fang of Khirus! Palendor (37), Aaenna (38), Razzak (39), Atrisia (42), Lior (43), Masdoli (47), Carida (69) HCs 1, the Basins (41) HC 2, and Azenhal (71) HC 3 are converted from Abhidi to Fang of Khirus! Khirus (40) HC 1 is converted from Initia to Fang of Khirus! Tafer (44), Hosra (68), Fresia (70) HCs 3 are converted from Dragon Cult to Fang of Khirus!)
Within the old capital of Varjik and the Hegemony’s capital in Karys the Dejanite Cult holds a twin ceremony officially commissioning holy orders christened in Dejan’s name. The two orders being founded simultaneously have already begun to develop a good natured rivalry in their output of Dejanist material. (AVA establishes a Dejanite Holy Order in Varjik (58)! RKH establishes a Dejanite Holy Order in Karys (48)!)
Created by the monks of the great monastery in Zighëdkär, the Mirror is a near copy of a legendary artifact. Made from an excessively tin-rich bronze and highly polished, it serves as an excellent mirror by itself. But when a thin layer of water is pooled in the concave upper surface and the proper rituals are performed, the mirror causes strange changes in light around itself. Rumors insist the mirror's effects go even beyond that, allowing experienced monks to see hidden things and reveal secrets, or hide themselves and their thoughts from all but the most wary.(DVT creates Mirror of Shadows relic: +1 to Secret Actions! SFA acquires the Mirror of Shadows!)
The influx of more materially minded interests from the Azenhal diaspora and the Eternal Lamp migrants had led the protective nature of the Ildians regarding people to extend to personal and private property as well. Ildian priests begin training as watchkeepers over the economic order now more invested in the well being thanks to culturally expected tithes to come to from a church of substantial size. (Pantheon of Ildia HC 15 bonus set as +1 to Resist Buyouts!)
As the dominant faith of eastern Emjata’s rich Badanese shores which had long ago been divided up between the three powers sitting upon the coastline it was perhaps no surprise the religion now turned further towards what might be misconstrued as greed by those less favorable to the church in its aims to expand its already dominant power into the material realm. Having already adopted some policies aimed towards taking “tribute” from nonbelievers these practices and instincts become the mandated position not merely at mid and low level clerical functionaries but from the very highest magi within the church. Xincoatl was a great god, the greatest of the Perijanist pantheon as held in the east, and he demanded great tribute for his work, let the nonbelievers pay! (Coatl Perijanism Largest HC bonus set as +2 to buyouts against non-CP states!)
In their newly annexed territory of Aniachaket and far across the seas where their spies sought refuge among a flailing God-King’s court the corruptive influence of the Mandates brought by Lazar twists godly men into sinful sorcerers. The temptations to learn more, harness more for the good of themselves and those around them proves a powerful lure indeed and the corruption spreads now across Emjata unimpeded. (Aniachaket (24) HC 3 is converted from Coatl Perijanism to Coatl Mandate! Mareen (77) HC 3 is converted from Perijanism to Perijanism Mandate!)
With much work by Jalyeong-bo shamans to treat the Red Locust infestation in recent years it is no wonder when those who had been fickle enough to follow the dragons out of fear now, in the absence of the great lizards, follow the spirits out of gratitude to their saviors.(Sonil (79) HC 3 is converted from Dragon Cult to Jalyeong-bo!)
Seeking to protect Ildian interests in the care and preservation of the Feathered Cape Ildian priests make the long journey north to Sfair. While they are able to overcome the cold reception of the shamans they find the religious affairs of the Free Alliance’s capital deeply disturbing. While all survive the journey less than half continue to send regular understandable reports back home to Lacia after a year.(Sfair (106) HC 3 is converted from Jalyeong-bo Mandate to Ildia Mandate!)
Delwin is subject to a religious assault at two ends as the Dragon Cult fostered there by the largely unattended crisis of Flesh heads bloating up on dragon meat is at last addressed by Frostbinders and spiritualists of the wild northern variety. (Delwin (84) HC 1 is converted from Dragon Cult to Frostbinderism! Delwin (84) HC 2 is converted from Dragon Cult to Rhunic Animism!)
Goliath slavers are taught of contracts not only with spirits but with their slaves by proselytizers from the Amham Federation. Meanwhile the humans of Roagan are introduced to the spirits through contracts. (Tarraks Krag (78) HC 3 is converted from Dejanite Cult to Jalyeong-bo! Roagan (74) HC 3 is converted from Abhidi to Jalyeong-bo!)
A returning hero the Perivite shamans shall broke no tolerance for contractual Jalyeong-bo mumbo jumbo insisting on the ancient ways practiced in the ancient forms. He restores the Caves of his ancestors to their traditional purpose to the adulation of elders of the tribe. (Perivan (15) HC 3 is converted from Jalyeong-bo to Perivite Shamanism!)
The Acolytes will not accept the subjugation of old Bhule’s spiritual practices by these new Frostbinder invaders lying down! Mt. Anar was a greatly prized holy site in northern Regner and is sought to be reclaimed in the name of the spirits who dwelled there rather than the binary gods of this strange new cult. (Bhule (86) HC 1 is converted from Frostbinderism to Jalyeong-bo!)
The gods of the Cesarian people grow in the north. (Region 107 HC 1 is converted from Jalyeong-bo to Tëhlër̨khët Polytheism!)
Trade!
Seeking to ease the burden on the weary intercontinental traveler the Avakonian Empire advances standardized ship building techniques whose ripple effects would no doubt double the number of travelers capable of taking cross oceanic journeys from Emjata to other lands. Perhaps, some crackpots theorize, it was all a ploy to distract Emjatans with faraway continents while Avakonian reconquered Emjata! (AVA adapts Expanded Holds to use Wood or Ships!)
Proving moral degradation came hand in hand with Mandates practice the already diabolical magics first proposed to create a Warcaster are “enhanced” to function not merely with magically imbued substances but through the ritual sacrifice of healthy worthy thinking men, women, and children. (LZR adapts Warcaster to use Labor or Magical Batteries!)
Reaching out across the deeper Badan sea in trade the Coatl Theocracy seeks to make contact with “Kopanket” to purchase brass from the far eastern continent. However they find themselves outflanked by the Rhunic Aquamancers who move to seize the fruits of their original discovery at last just as broader interest drew eyes to follow their path across the ocean. Experience navigating the Norbar and Badan has made the Rhunites experts at travelling to the islands of Kopanket. Years of minor missionary work in the area gave the Rhunites the edge in translating the Inau language for the purpose of trading giving them a leg up on the flummoxed Coatl merchants. The Omanush Convoys also make an appearance in the east though perhaps not as boldy as they’d wished some of the floating cities do manage to establish reliable trade with the foreigners. (RHN buys out Kopanket (E1) Brass TP 3! OMC buys out Kopanket (E1) Brass TP 1!)
Appeasing the demands of the Camalia tribe the Theocracy acquires camels from Sultanate lands, taking advantage of the sudden downfall of the Dvatlan kingdom. Now they only needed to hold them long enough for the Peledian natives to breed new stock. (CTL buys out Iadesh (8) Camels TP 2 from DVT!)
The Stormcrown Dominion negotiates some level of exchange relating to wood and ships that alongside Avakonian advances in sailing appears to benefit a fair swath of the west. (IZB buys out Amham (2) Timber TP 2 from JTH!)JTH buys out Izbefe (6) Ships TP 2 from IZB! WRN receives Izbefe (6) Ships TP 1 from JTH!)
While Khirese raiders moved to seize Sapphire shipments they found their intel out of date as Stormcrown sailors, notoriously well armed, had reinforced the newly independent shipping companies escorting them home to Izbefe securely. (IZB buys out Jherki (9) Sapphires TP 1!)
Seeking to secure advantages from the Dvatlan collapse before others did both of Dvatla’s former most stalwart allies move to seize some of the former kingdom’s most valued resources. (AVA buys out Regno (8) Bani TP 3 from DVT! RGO buys out Dažytija (13) Dragonsteel TP 1 from DVT!)
At last a source of seafood, however long distance, is secured by Lazar through negotiation with Lacia that resulted in the surrendering of claims to plants purchased in the holy Ildian state. The Kansett of Aniachaket seem pleased with their leaders even if some minority express horror at their new potential utility in the crafting of Warcasters. (LZR buys out Kadangan Wetlands (73) Freshwater Fish TP 1 from CAL ending seafood crisis in Aniachaket (24)!)
With Linnadi support the rich Yondari League easily acquires a controlling interest in the peat bogs of Black Marsh. (YDR buys out Black Marsh (91) Peat TP 1 from TLD!)
Whern seeks to expand its holdings around the capital making an approved move against Amham Federation interests in the region. No doubt these would fuel blockades of Whern’s enemies in the near future given the recent technological development. (WRN buys out Whern (87) Frozen Tears TP 2 from AHM!)
In diametrically opposed approaches Lacia seeks to undermine Lindeen claims in the collapsing Dvatla with an utterance of support from the Dvatlan throne while in Hosra the Lacians peaceably acquire amber from the Kunai clans. (CAL buys out Zachodnie (16) Marble TP 1 from LDN! CAL buys out Hosra (68) Amber TP 1 from KNI!)
With support from their corrupted allies in Lazar the new Archon of Lindeen succeeds in her bid to gain the life contracts of some of the Kansett Domestic Union’s state born hatchlings. (LDN buys out Aniachaket (24) Kansett TP 3!)
Having been free to prosper without interference from merchants the fields of Facet Caps now play host to new bids from old owners including Rhune. Negotiating with the natives proves particularly easy, as they are eager to share this new strain for the proper price. (RHN buys out Sumwyr (99) Facet Caps TP 2!)
As recompense for their slaying of her sibling and sealing of her beneath the earth respectively Avakonia and the Theocracy of Coatl receive the brunt of the Cinder Queen’s economic assault. (CQC buys out Fresia (70) Gold TP 1 from AVA! CQC buys out Whenua Oneone (31) Azonite TP 2 from CTL!)
Following in the footsteps of Whern Amham too sends shamans to clear the Red Locusts from Sonil extracting some of the region’s cacti as payment for their deed. (AHM acquires Sonil (79) Tower Cactus TP 2 from RedL!)
The original owners of Millet in Binpultry don’t take their stock’s seizure by dragon rats lying down. While the rats scales are resistant to many weapons, the spirits of the fields are more than eager to slowly poison these northern invaders with a plethora of fungi and insects at Rhunic Animist urging while the Aspects treat another swathe of affected land. The Sultanate and Confederacy both make the effort to eliminate the rodent infestation of the region allowing their respective merchants to reclaim status within the local millet trade. (RGO reacquires Binpultry (5) Millet TP 1 from DRra! RHN reacquires Binpultry (5) Millet TP 2 from DRra!)
It seems that Khirus’s merchants have been busy - it was well known Fresia was in dire need of meat to prevent a rebellion, and though it may have been too little, too late, the populace of Bysthia is nonetheless outraged that their noble steeds would be allowed to be purchased as feedstock for those monstrosities. What’s more, it seems that many are enraged by the breach in the treaty between Avakonia and the Council of Shattered Emperors...
KRS buys out Bysthia (63) AVA Bysthian Horses TP 2! Bysthia is Unstable!)
War!
From the Palmorian and Xincoatl bred pits of war represented within the Theocracy of Coatl a new brand of army emerges. Toyollo’s reign bears witness to a complete reform to the system of army payment and equipment sure to draw the interest of the military minded for decades to come as the new high standard against which other armies would be measured. (CTL introduces Toyollo’s Reforms. Requires: sacrificial supply lines, pician, weapons, mass conscription, Hide, Food, and Hard metal. Slot: Logistics. Effect:+2 to Tactics -1 size loss -1 casualty rolls!)
Great weapons of war aimed at destroying the advantages of the very sorts of fortifications Khirus itself relied upon to secure their dark rule are unveiled by the vampires. Advanced versions of the elemental catapults crossed with the wicked designs of Palmorian bow warfare leads to the development of engines of destruction ready to be unleashed against the enemies of the undead. (KRS introduces Sky Shatterers. Requires: Elemental Catapult, Obsidian Fire, Magical Wood, Obsidian Glass, and pack Animals. Slot: Fortifications, Sappers, and Siege Weaponry. Effect:+2 to battle rolls, +1 to battle rolls in regions with Fortifications GPs, +1 to battle rolls in which the attacker has a Foothold, +1 to enemy casualty rolls!)
Evolving from the command-focused tactics proposed years ago by the advocate of Headhunting Yven Chalun advances his own tactical theory on battlefield coordination. An entire force constantly focused on harassing the enemy’s supply lines, communications, and command structure while not as direct as hunting down the general themselves could have as large or larger of an impact with less risk to the fighters sent to cross behind the lines. (YDR introduces Yven's Gambit. Requires: N/A. Slot: Tactics Effect: When fighting defensively -4 Enemy Leader Loss Roll, Size and Coalition Losses rolled before battle!)
With a small application of magic to accentuate the natural cold magic of Frozen Tears Whern discovers a devious usage for the unique northern gemstones. A cluster of Tears at the narrow pass of a river or bay froze the entire bay. In this way the Tears were like a mobile blockade capable of cutting off major arteries along the coast or even inland up and down rivers or lakes. (WRN introduces Ice Blockade. Requires: Frozen Tears. Slot: Tactics. Effect: As a Military action, you may blockade a nation. As subactions of your blockade action, you may sack up to two of that nation's trade posts outside of regions they control, rolling the sacks normally!)
Dvatla had always ruled resolutely and definitively right up until the end. It was no surprise their legacy would be one empires would be built upon. Centralized Logistics represented an imperial lord’s answer to an expansive empire provisioning his vassals with the means to cross the continent that they may aid him wherever his armies might roam. (DVT introduces Centralized Logistics. Requires:Preservative//Preservative, Building Material, Food, Writing Materials. Slot: N/A. Effect: Regions controlled by liege (or liege of liege) count as half for calculating distance losses//Regions controlled by vassals under the same liege (or liege of liege) also count as half for calculating distance losses!)
Continued experimentation with drugs, alcohol and magic has led to another breakthrough among the Aquamancers of Rhune. While some nations use steel to defend themselves the Rhunites use a different power. In addition to harnessing the power of Rhunes numerous water spirits, the Rhunic animists have conceived of a means to sway the spirits of the air itself. With the power of Aeromancy, those who take flight will second guess fighting Rhune.(RHN introduces Rhunic Aeromancy. Requires: Rhunic Aqumancy, Drugs//3x Drugs. Slot: Armor & Wards. Effect: +2 to battle rolls against opponents using aerial techs, +1 versus opponents using ranged techs//increase the distance loss threshold on coastal routes by 1 region!)
Desiring a more traditional general to lead their armies Lindeen hires an infamous mercenary named Yasos ejected from the Crescent Company for excessive cruelty. (LDN introduces Mil 7 General Yasos!)
Appointed to the holy warrior title of “Paladin” the warrior Galdean of Belhaz is elevated among the ruling circle of Karys.(RKH introduces Mil 8 General Paladin Galdean!)
A prince of the Stormcrown dynasty has shown exceptional aptitude in war games and personal combat. The child of royal blood is elevated to lead the armies of the Dominion. (IZB introduces Mil 9 General Prince Magni Hestradet!)
Having stepped down as leader of the burgeoning Neo-Avakonian Empire Anivine still remains involved in her kingdom’s affairs as a general upon the battlefield. (AVA introduces Mil 10 General Illuminant Anivine!)
Vyžeikis, a warrior of undistinguished birth rises first to command his own tribe then a great chiefdom in Dažytija. The warrior seeks service in leadership of a great kingdom’s armies, accepting a commission among the forces of Sfair’s Free Alliance. (DVT introduces Mil 10 General Vyžeikis! SFA acquires Vyžeikis!)
A new champion, Qa'ku'raj, has risen through the ranks as a gifted strategist and tactician. While the first battle her people have faced was not in hers or her comrades favor, Qa'ku'raj will ensure that all future battles will fall in the favor of the ‘Ridix! (RDR introduces Mil 10 General Qa'ku'raj!)
Following the instructions created by Lindeen Lazar now too creates a twisted abomination of magic to serve as a warrior for their ends. The former Kansett was now a mutant warrior imbued with the power of strange magics. (LZR introduces Mil 10 Warcaster the Judge of Alam!)
The sorcerers of Lindeen seek to protect their capital from aerial invasion, a wise precaution given Linnadi pegasi and the new Rhunic Aeromancy. A fabricated web of electrical energy powered through magical concentration takes form over the capital threatening any airborne creature that flew too close. Zap! (LDN completes the Crackling Web over Lindeen (101) granting the region +2 defense against flying units!)
Unmet on the field of battle the God-King’s sister Kissin Rieba Ssuras seizes Tarbaryn as her imperial base honing her tactical mind and recruiting further among the cowed populace. She reaches out to the Jintha offering cooperation for their aid in securing her ascendance against her brothers.
Spoiler: Rebellion in Tarbaryn (82)
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Tarbaryn (82) is Claimed by Kissin Rieba Ssuras and the Godsent Pride! Kissin Rieba Ssuras Mil increases from 7 to 8 and she gains 2 Units for a total of 7 Units under her command!
Overwhelming force from Karys discourages Estevan from engaging in pitched combat with the imperial forces backing Emperor Zarikos in the Aspen Heights. Instead a series of small skirmishes loses enough of the rebel army to cause El-Lyz to consider retreat. He had an ally to the west after all and it would be better to survive today to fight tomorrow than lose it all in a glorious but ultimately pointless battle against this large army.
Estevan retreats westward leaving some of his men to cover the escape through a mountain pass and securing communication lines that remained open even after the battles ceased. Indeed, a continued rebel presence gave trouble to the Avakonians assigned to patrol the border. Ultimately, it seemed the region would remain loyal after this display of imperial force, for now.
Spoiler: Rebellion in Aspen Heights (59)
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RBL: 6 Units + Mil9 Estevan El-Lyz + 1 Tech + 2 Foothold + 2 Rebellion + 6 = 26
RKH Coalition: 11 Units + Mil10 Atamina II + 2 Tech + 1 Fortifications + 8 = 32
RBL Casualties: 10%
RKH Casualties: 10%
AVA Casualties: 20%
Defender Victory! Restored Karysite Hegemony loses 1 Unit, The Avakonian Empire loses 1 Unit, Perijanist Rebels lose 1 Unit! The Aspen Heights are Unstable!
Lagos III has somewhat better fortune than his compatriot, but even his momentum falters when faced with his elder brother’s tactical acumen and numbers. Units received from the vampiric ‘allies’ to the east did not fare well in the harsh sands of Xaryx, but they still served to secure the flanks and keep the claimant’s goblin raiders from striking at utmost effectiveness. Despite their losses, the growing sensation of momentum, pinning down and trapping the rebellious warriors emboldened Kildos, who took to the frontlines, hoping to lead his soldiers to strike down the very heart of the rebellion.
But Lagos III Trodje Ssuras was not one to fight alone - there was honor in it, certainly, but so too was there in honoring one’s allegiances. And Estevan did so, yelling a battlecry as they charged down the slopes the Pride’s forces had backed the rebels up against. Lagos himself took the opportunity to challenge Kildos to a duel, brother against brother, in the manner of the old ways. To the surprise of none, Kildos accepted. With both sides devastated by the fighting, and Estevan ordering his men to refrain from interfering even as he worried for the life of his friend, they watched, instead, as Lagos III broke his cousin’s spear; as Kildos threw Lagos into the sands hard enough to create a cloud of dust; as Lagos clawed Kildos’s legs from under him, and the pair wrestled until, finally, Lagos clamped his jaw around his cousin’s neck, and gave him the customary three seconds in which to break free or yield. Kildos managed neither, and his young cousin crushed his spine and throat between his jaws. The remaining Rakshasa soldiers left without further fighting. The matter of control over Xaryx was not settled; not when both parties still had encampments in the area - but this campaign was over.
Spoiler: Rebellion in Xaryx (80)
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RBL: 3 Units + Mil8 Lagos III Trodje Ssuras + 2 Tech + 2 Rebellion + 12 = 27
SMP: 5 Units + Mil10 Kildos Barun Ssuras + 2 Tech + 10 = 27
RBL Casualties: 30% +1 size loss
SMP Casualties: 30% +2 size losses
Tie! Honorbound Rebels lose 2 Units, The Serene Marasa Pride loses 4 Units! Honorbound Rebels have a Foothold! Kildos Barun Ssuras has been slain!
As Krace glid across the surface of the ocean towards Rhune, recently refueled and this more direct route enable by his absorption of the Merad lake spirit, the thought of an arriving fleet carrying the Brinefather’s Wings was perhaps furthest from his mind. Yondar and Rhune had sent their best to confront the mad Warcaster and former godly vessel and he was finding them troubling enough on their own. Their numbers made up for their otherwise meager forms and as he found himself waning, even empowered as he was by the absorptions of power he’d drunk up along his tour of Inyaka, he sought to turn back. Another day he would return and finish these mortals off.
Alas for Krace, he would not have that chance for his retreat was cut off by the sudden arrival of the so-called ‘Dragon Fleet’ of Whern. The storm carried by the Brinefather’s Wings had torn a path of destruction across northern Estensule on its way to Rhune and now as the battle neared another possible escape for the villain the storms came battering at his back, tearing Krace from the sky and throwing him to the warriors on deck below. Though he defended himself for a moment longer than Queen Tanya Chalun va Meera may have liked as she dies to his death throes the madman of the north is ultimately defeated. Yet the moment of peace is only just before the spirits imprisoned in Krace’s flesh exploded out of him collapsing nearby vessels and killing still more.
Yet in the end the explosion settled and became calm. The lake spirit and volcano spirit, displaced by hundreds of miles from their homes amid the Norbar, find a symbiotic adaptation in their shared time of crisis. The freshwater filtered in by the Marad spirit and islands created by Veknar create a convenient and comfortable stopover for travelers in this part of the world. The rest stop also serves as a permanent marker to Krace’s defeat.
Spoiler: YDR Clash w/ KRC near Rhune (96)
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KRC Byonic Tactics (+8): 11 + Mil11 = 22
YDR Headhunting(+5): 15 + Mil10 = 25
KRC: Mil11 Krace the Maddened + 2 Veknar + 2 Elegy + 2 Merad +2 Wards +1 Relics + 11 = 31
YDR Coalition: 15 Units + Mil10 Tanya Chalun + 3 Tech + 2 Relic + 13 - 2 Distance = 41
YDR Casualties: 15%
RHN Casualties: 5% + 1 size loss + 1 coalition loss
WRN Casualties: 5% +1 coalition loss + 2 distance losses
YDR Coalition Victory! The Yondari League loses 1 Unit, The Northern Confederacy of Rhune and Saaremaa loses 2 Units, Whern loses 3 Units! Queen Tanya Chalun has been slain! Krace the Maddened has been Slain! Merad & Veknar have been freed - a new oceanic passage between Rhune and region 105 has been created! YDR gains First Manuscript of the Idlia Relic!
The Brinefather’s Wrath:
Region 107 SFA TP 1 for Sugar Pine has become Open!
Cesaria (102) becomes Unstable!
Taraka (105) is in Unrest!
Yondar (98) CAL TP 1 for Darkwood has become Open!
Rhune (96) TLD TP 3 for Rhune Stones has become Open!
Khirus ransacks the Headquarters of the Order of Vashthiya Sattyathanya, driving out the peaceable monks and their guardians through fire and steel. Many of the ascetics are exterminated with only a minority managing to flee the carnage. With only their base in Masdoli to retreat to many within the Order fear the ancient tradition within Abhidi that had stood against the vampires once but made peace to protect the people may be undone by the trust put into these creatures of the night! Yet the Order had not been entirely lax in the intervening decades since the end of their open war against the undead. Monks had trained and messages had spread so while the vampires now flexed their strength across their dark holdings through the formalizing of their unnatural cult and assault against the Order’s headquarters there was a glimmering of Abhidist hope sparked by this outrageous display of gross power. People who had practiced as Abhidists their whole lives come together to resist their oppression by the dark lords of Khirus!
Uniquely in Atrisia perhaps due to the necromantic workings of Xatax and relative prosperity under vampiric rule the locals do not reject the Fang in favor of their traditional Abhidist worship but embrace the dark cult as their own.
Spoiler: KRS invades OVS HQ in Aaenna (38)!
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OVS Headquarters in Aaenna (38) is Destroyed!
Aaenna (38) is in Rebellion with 3 Units led by Sister Ayalana (Mil 8)!
Masdoli (47) is in Rebellion with 2 Units led by Gherdum the Ihjiasa (10)!
Palendor (37), Razzak (39), Lior (43), & Carida (69) are Unstable!
The Basins (41) and Azenhal (71) are in Unrest!
Atrisia (42) remains Stable and HC 2 also converts to Fang of Khirus!
Discovery! Map!
Terror!
The sea raiders of Overvann seek to pillage and capture towns housing the famed Navigators of north Inyaka. (OVN raids Region 103 Open Navigators TP 3!)
Penetrating into the heart of enemy territory through insidious back channels Khirus manages to seize control of an important textile mill in the Aspen Heights, as well (KRS raids Aspen Heights (59) Open Textiles TP 1!)
Trouble brews on the eastern border, for Ti Linnad. Raiders from Glen Gwitna, taking matters of faith and righteousness into their own hands, assault and burn Lazarite ships set to transport Kansett back to the Isles - presumably to have their holy life energy poured out in depraved Mandate fashion, devoid of the reverence sacrifices should be given when they are sanctified to Xincoatl. It does not take long before the Kansett Domestic Union retaliates in kind, walking out from the sea one day en masse and setting fire to the totems of Totem Grove, burning the holy site to the ground as a sign of what they think of Gwitnan views on proper sacrifice. This, in turn, provokes a response from local garrisons in Lascienmo, claiming the treaties have been broken, and the local captains march on Hoyanuk before anyone can stop them...
(Aniachaket (24) LZR TP 2 for Kansett becomes Open!)
(Glen Gwitna (23) HC 1 becomes Open!)
(TLD loses 2 Units, gains Foothold in Hoyanuk!)
Upset at their apparent abandonment in the wake of their transformation by the Cinder Queen into hideous abominations what remains of the Pician high council whose members had once instilled fear in all land dwelling species south of Avakon plots to regain their rightful place at the top. Chief among these architects of aquatic doom is Mugglurp the Tidebroken, a twisted draconic creature who was still undoubtedly of Pician descent. Claiming the Leviathan spoke through him Mugglurp leads a sizable rebellion against the vampires seeking to place the Picians back on equal footing with the undead sorcerers. (Fresia (70) is in Rebellion with 4 Units led by Mugglurp the Tidebroken (7)!)
Despite victory over Krace it seems the obsession with matters of international importance have left some local interests feeling neglected. In Yondar some of the Rhunic Animists who have sacrificed the most young men to this war against evil lose faith and hang up their vestments. Meanwhile in Sumwyr the temptation of power in siding with this evil the League crusades against seduces some with its enticing lure. (Yondar (98) Rhunic Animism HC 3 becomes Open! Sumwyr (99) Rhunic Animism HC 2 becomes Rhunic Mandate!)
Several of the items recovered from ‘Kidveva’dvu’j’s body are lost during the chaos of Estevan’s rebellion; in particular, the Heart of the Spellfather, intended to be sent to Izbefe, and the Spellfather’s Scale, once held by Estevan El-Lyz himself, both go missing.
Spellfather’s Heart and Spellfather’s Scale have been stolen!
Organizations!
Always seeking to maintain their dominant relationship with the wayward Shushan Clan the Kunai offer up the valuable but mysterious Magatama to the enigmatic courtiers of Emjata to remain in their goodest graces. (KNI gift Magatama relic to SHN and increase Reputation from 6 to 7!)
Realizing the value in an armed and well positioned friend the Sfair Free Alliance seeks to further elevate their standing among the venerable Crescent Company. (SFA increases Reputation with CSC from 4 to 5!)
As longtime allies sharing Rhunic Animist heritage with the Acolytes creators in Rhune it is no surprise Yondar seeks closer relations with the Acolytes especially in the wake of their conflict with Krace. (YDR increases Reputation with AAK from 4 to 5!)
In a surprising move, far-northern, largely frozen Whern seeks to make friends with far-southern, largely underground Cinder Queen Corps. To what ends remains unclear but the Queen is open to all manner of friendships in this new world, and Whern was not directly responsible for the Brinefather’s death even if they did now sail upon her wings. (WRN increases Reputation with CQC from 3 to 4!)
Still in debt over the bail out managed by the Crescent Company against Lindeen aggression on the heels of dragon fighting, Ti Linnad manages to pay off a significant portion with the release of valued technological secrets to the Company. (TLD pays off one Favor to the CSC with Wingknights technology!)
Other!
(Jherki (9) Sapphires Resource become Sapphire Tonic! Sapphire Tonic becomes Good!)
It could be no surprise that the corrupting influence of the Mandate would spread (super)naturally at its epicenter. With the completion of the Crackling Web all doubts about the Mandate’s power was put to rest and the last remaining godly souls collapse under the weight of corruption. (Lindeen (101) Perijanism HC 3 becomes Perijanism Mandate!)
The immense pressures for proper adherence to the Coatl Perijanist pantheon at the center to the Theocracy of Coatl eventually overwhelms the Eternal Lamp-placed presence of Gamle Mater in the region. Nevertheless, the Lamp bred warriors who defended their faith and despite a successful seizing of the temple by magi the streets remain conflicted between Gamle Mater thugs and Xincoatl worshiping mobs - this is not aided by the recent upheaval in government at the hands of the vampires. (Coatl (33) Gamle Mater HC becomes Coatl Perijanist, but region is in Unrest!)
The Dejanist Holy Orders Emperor’s Gauntlet (in Karys) and Hall of Purity (in Varjik) have, in their rivalry, opted to try and channel their competition productively; they’ve pooled their resources in to hold a tournament, similar to the Trodjan Games, through which aspirants might prove their worth and seek Ascendance with Dejan the Risen.
Overvann must choose how to respond to a growing population of wild Dragonbeasts. Will they cull the herd as the Eternal Lamp suggests or foster the beasts as the Dragon Cult advises? (OVN may choose to take an Economy action for Dragonbeasts to become [Grand] but ‘Ridi’r increases instability, OR take a Faith action to turn the region’s Dragon Cult Holy Order to Gamle Mater, but Dragonbeasts becomes [Good])
In the Cays the Jotun have become disquieted with their new rulers. They seek an avenue to express themselves either in military service or perhaps by learning more of this strange new Frostbinderism. (BHL may choose to take a Diplomacy or Military action to hire 2 Units at the cost of Bhule (86) Copper TP1 OR a Diplomacy or Faith action to convert HC 3 to Frostbinderism without a roll at the cost of Cays and Bahwick increasing instability)
Though some may not have the stomach to resist the irreligious whims of their overlords, the priests who look after the Huo-Ke squid in Wuzei Darak are stout, and faithful. They know that Initia will not serve to keep the squid healthy and thriving - and so the Jintha Council are no longer welcome as customers.
Wuzei Darak (75) JTH TP 1 for Huo-Ke Squid becomes Open! Jintha is unable able to support Buyouts or get bonuses to Buyouts of Open TPs in Wuzei Darak until the priesthood has been appeased!
Having lost their laborers “liberated” from the clutches of the Pridelands and other slaver nations Varjik now calls out for more foreign workers to fill its vacant businesses. With so many men and women serving militarily there was hardly enough young folk left behind in villages to provide for their parents and grandparents. A suitable replacement must be found. Varjik (58) becomes Unstable from lack of Foreign Workforces!
Neglected for years by their Rakshasa overlords, the Saretse of Kadanga seem to take heart from their neighbors’ rebellion, just as the Goblins do from the rebellion in Xaryx. If the Pride’s resources turn out to be stretched too thinly to acquire appropriate foodstuffs and goods for the area, it is likely the Wetlands will follow suit.
Kadanga (73) becomes Unstable from lack of Agricultural Products!
Re: [EMPIRE4!] IC Thread
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