Round Four: Begin
Years 10 - 12
Don’t forget to link to any rolls you make, including 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, which may or may not be your current ruler.
Good luck!
The following events occurred between Year 7 - Year 9
Rules Alerts and Changes!
Clarification: Wording updated for impressing a merchant from: You can only attempt to Impress Merchants in a region either where you own a Trade Post or which is adjacent to a region where you own a Trade Post, and you must own at least one Trade Post corresponding to the region's Desired Import.
To: You can only attempt to Impress Merchants in a region if you own at least one Trade Post corresponding to the region's Desired Import and you either own a Trade Post in the region or an adjacent region.
Discovery!
Explorations, prospecting, and other news from afar
Spoiler: Temperate
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Lux-Glossia dispatches agents to survey the waters to their south and west - they found a rich bounty in the surface waters, but judging by the endless darkness waiting underfin, the seafloor is far, far below the surface....the sheer vastness of the depths cannot help but lend some credence to the paranoia of the Stewards who keep vigil within them…
LUX investigates west of region 100, discovering region 102 - a Depth 2 (currently Fathomless) region with two Trading posts of Bloodbass.
LUX investigates south of region 101, discovering region 99 - a Depth 1 (currently Fathomless) region with three Trading posts of Spinespire Flakes.
Spoiler: Tropical
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The Auros of Kaarme send subtle individuals to report on a site of their own, and find a region populated by a ferociously independent people - so independent that they reject even reliance on the divine.
AOK investigates north of region 9, discovering region 10 - it has two Holy Sites, both controlled by Godspiters, and three Open Trading Posts of Flare Slugs, with 4 Units of native defenders and a Desired Import of Esoterica.
The Abyssal Stewards unearth the Bounty of the Depths in region 13 for HEX; with the hopes of uncovering starfish in mind, and the cooperation of local authorities, they’re able to identify a species of sponge-eating starfish, the
Rocksplinter Star, that was very nearly wiped out by the locals, generations ago. At the time considered a pest, it now survives in only a few isolated areas. The prospect of a market for such creatures, though, opens the possibility of farming them - this would, however, mean using up the vast majority of the region’s surplus Stonesponge harvests.
Region 13’s resource changes to a single Trading Post of Rocksplinter Stars! HEX may choose to revert this change as a non-action this turn only!
Spoiler: Polar
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Having rapidly integrated Bastion into their polity, the Gravetenders seek further avenues of expansion east of known waters. Unfortunately, their envoys, prepared to appeal and intermingle with whatever peoples they might meet, find instead a region almost entirely void of life - only the occasional enigmatic Hatesheer Lily remains, choking threads sweeping in slow, spiraling patterns through the silt beneath them.
GRV send a diplomatic mission east of region 78, discovering region 81 - an Open Waters region, it has a single Trade Post of Hatesheer Lilies.
Growth!
Expansion, development, unification, and similar forms of growth and prosperity.
Wielding the twin claws of addiction and assassination, the Lucent Mistress of the Kucen brings the lords of [Region 28] to heel, vastly expanding her power beyond Senja Bersinar.
The Lambent Syndicate presses their claim on region 28 and takes control of the region!
The Pylet family of the Cyphiri leads a series of expeditions to settle the unclaimed waters south of Cyph-Arel, hoping to expand their influence in the Union Council. Though strictly a breach of past agreements with the Kalan Company, their mercenary work leaves them too distracted to interfere in the colonization process.
The Cyphiri Union Colonizes Region 129!
As Ezcorher grows ever more crowded, more Gotezhar begin moving north to seek new skies. Though the population remains small relative to the other regions under the Profundus’s control, it is still a significant increase in just a few years.
Gotezhar begins the process of making region 128 colonized 1/3
[Region 111] proves a popular destination for new Shades, a combination perhaps of its distance from Matriarchal authority and its proximity to the older sites of the Flowing Way.
The Lux-Glossian Shades begin the process of making region 111 colonized 1/3
Costa Sereia founds a city in (region unlisted assuming region 134).
Driven by the growing power of her rivals, Auroran Mistress Intan sacrifices her pride to secure close ties to another foreign land.
The Lambent Syndicate establishes a Confederation claim on region 27!
The Hymenocera Expanse establishes a weak Marriage claim in region 13!
The Shifting Ennead establishes a weak Marriage claim in region 68!
Statecraft!
Cultural events, diplomatic overtures, foreign relations, and domestic affairs.
The Chorus of the Crimson Choir establishes a cultural exchange with the Lambent Syndicate.
The Lambent Syndicate establishes a cultural exchange with the Lojanese Republic.
The Lojanese Republic establishes a cultural exchange with the Coral of the Protected Statera.
Coral of the Protected Statera establishes a cultural exchange with the Lighthouse.
The Cyphiri Union impresses Merchant Support in Region 123.
The Gravetenders impress Clerical Support in Region 76.
The Riftlings impress Clerical Support in Region 66.
The Riftlings successfully sways Merchant Support in Region 66.
The Gravetenders successfully sways Aristocratic Support in Region 76.
The Gravetenders successfully sways Merchant Support in Region 76.
The Lojanese Republic successfully sways Merchant Support in Region 6.
The Hymenocera Expanse successfully sways Merchant Support in Region 13.
Costa Sereia impresses Merchant support in region 124.
Eternal Spring impresses Merchant support in regions 68, 58, and 59.
The Shifting Ennead successfully sways Aristocratic Support region 68.
The Deep Blue successfully sways Aristocratic Support in region 52.
Trade!
Buyouts, trade routes, and other economic shenanigans
Expanding along their existing major trade route, Cyphiri merchants acquire large stakes in the resources of the nearby regions.
The Cyphiri Union buys out Trade Post 2 in region 122 for Native Gold
The Cyphiri Union buys out Trade Post 1 in region 117 for Biolumiscent Tunicates.
Continuing beyond their previous terminus of trade in Orope, the Cyphiri discover a small concentration of the Flowing Way in the northwest shallows, who are more than happy to deal with their fellows in faith.
The Cyphiri Union buys out Trade Post 1 in region 109 for Swarm Ash.
With the tacit approval of the Otterians, the Lux-Glossian Matriarchs secure a source of chloroplasts for their people.
The Lux-Glossian Shades buyout Trade Post 2 in region 131 for Kelp.
By agreement with the Shades, the Otterian Supremacy receives routine shipments of Leriander’s Luminescent Crystals, satisfying the Otterian need for shiny rocks… for now.
The Otterian Supremacy buys out Trade Post 3 in Region 135 for Luminescent Crystal.
The ancient artifacts of Binar Fajar prove irresistible to those Lojanese driven by exploration and investigation, who provide the Kosong with a great deal of wealth for the opportunity to retrieve and study them.
The Lojanese Republic buys out Trade Post 3 in region 7 for Artifacts & Treasure.
As if one drug crisis was not enough, Lojanese merchants find an eager market for new experiences, which they fill with the purchase of large stocks of Siren Extract for home consumption.
The Lojanese Republic buys out Trade Post 3 in region 2 for Siren Extract.
Perhaps influenced by the name, or perhaps still seeking potential indicator species for habitable waters, the Coral of the Protected Statera take a great interest in the Hardplate Fungus of their eastern neighbors.
Coral of the Protected Statera buys out Trade post 1 in region 27 for Hardplate Fungus.
Shortly after the Otterians, Costa Sereia merchants also arrive in the Glossian Sea, seeking access to the same Luminescent Crystals and willing to pay a respectable sum for the privilege.
Costa Sereia buys out Trade Post 2 from Region 135 for Luminescent Crystal.
The Pepsins of the Seatide Confederacy range farther and farther from Seatide with each passing year, discovering a plethora of new and varied resources. The potential wealth in these exotic goods sparks a competition between the Drifts to acquire the most lucrative deals.
The Seatide Confederacy buys out Trade Post 1 from region 68 for Gravelglass.
The Seatide Confederacy buys out Trade Post 1 from region 65 for Untalented Crabs.
The Seatide Confederacy buys out Trade Post 3 from region 73 for Rust-Veined Pumice
Queen Violet of the Eternal Spring expands her mercantile reach eastward towards the center of the polar reaches.
Eternal Spring buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 51 for Immortal Jellyfish.
Eternal Spring buys out Trade Post 1 in Region 58 for Warped Shells.
The steady expansion of the membership and influence of the Hymenocera merchant guilds enables them to finally take full control of domestic Carapace Armor production, buying out or pressuring into obscurity the remaining unincorporated artisans.
The Hymenocera Expanse buys out Trade Post 3 in Region 3 for Carapace Armor.
Mothers Yetu and Phiso continue their efforts to centralize Kaarme’s Barotoxin production, succeeding in convincing or removing the remaining recalcitrant holdouts.
The Auros of Kaarme buys out Trade Post 2 in Region 14 for Barotoxin.
Faith!
Conversions, organization, and other such matters of faith
(Clarifying Round 3) - The Ironkelp Order organizes the Flowing Way into a Multiple Schools Faith with the bonus +1 to offensive battles!
Sakurado organizes into a One Doctrine Faith with +1 to open holy site conversions and open TP Buyouts.
The Pattern organizes into a (not specified if multiple school or one doctrine) faith with The Omnipresent Pattern with an unspecified bonus
With the Delight crisis at a tipping point, Prime Minister Thnoet forces through a snap decision to legalize the substance, accompanying a sweeping reorganization of bureaucratic requirements to ensure that addiction does not too seriously affect government operations. Though the public eventually comes around, it remains to be seen how the Plo'uogoar will react….
The Lojanese Republic changes their state religion to the Shimmers of Unseen Bane!
Finding much in common between their biological and cultural similarities, Magnus Orator declares that the Protected Statera shall share in the blood of the Crimson Reef.
Coral of the Protected Statera changes their state religion to The Crimson Chant!
The Chorus of the Crimson Choir converts Holy site 2 in region 7 to The Crimson Chant.
The Chorus of the Crimson Choir converts Holy site 1 in region 21 to The Crimson Chant.
The Order of Knights of the Ironkelp of First-King John of Ruhum converts Holy Site 2 in region 135 to the Flowing Way.
Draigiau Residuum Gathering converts Holy Site 3 in region 73 to Wings of the World
Forests of Astral Yearning converts Holy Site 1 in Region 9 to Shimmers of Unseen Bane
Forests of Astral Yearning converts Holy Site 3 in Region 9 to Shimmers of Unseen Bane
Forests of Astral Yearning converts Holy Site 2 in Region 14 to Shimmers of Unseen Bane
Forests of Astral Yearning converts Holy Site 2 in Region 15 to Shimmers of Unseen Bane
Wonder!
Miracles and inventions, ancient relics and spectacular undertakings
The Lighthouse creates the Radiant Sword a striking artifact to aid in battle.
[I]The Radiant Sword: When wielded by a commander in battle, Gain +1 to battle rolls per charge on the sword. The sword gains a charge for every 2 casualties in combat and can hold a maximum of 3. Each charge adds 10% own casualties and loses all gained charges if not used in combat for 1 round.[/B]
Draigiau Residuum Gathering creates the Dragonstone of the Gathered, a gem that gives the wearer strength in battle. When used in battle by an already attuned user, gives +1 to battle roll and +1 to effective unit count. An unattuned user must succeed on a Faith 12 roll at the start of battle to attune. Failure to attune in battle stuns the user and means they automatically fail their maneuver roll to use Battle Tactics. An action can be spent to attune out of battle, with a Faith 14 roll. Loses attunement if the owner takes 50% or more casualties in battle, or if ownership changes, or a new user (ruler) inherits the stone. The stone's creator starts attuned.
The Gravetenders commission and complete a Specialized Ship.
Despite the inhospitable conditions of the unknown waters surrounding the Abyss, certain colonies of the Unity devise a plan to grow and expand into them. They construct a massive Jaderock shell, sealed against toxins and capable of repairing itself if damaged.
The Unity commission and complete a Specialized Ship.
Might!
Military matters of all kinds, be it warfare or strategic developments
The Auros of Kaarme recruit Master Juma as a General with score 9 with an indeterminate Tactical Doctrine.
Great Project continues! The Line of Olgght continues construction (2/5)
The Lighthouse raises a Fortress in Binar Fajar (region 7) with an unknown name.
LIT invades region 19!
Spoiler
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Led by The Vessel (Military 6), 3 LIT Units invade with Unyielding Force, facing 4 native Units led by a Military 5 native Commander attempting to Skirmish.
The Vessel wins Tactical Maneuvering, successfully utilizing Unyielding Force! (+2 to own battle roll, +20% own casualties)
Victory! LIT loses 2 units! Region 19 defenders lose 2 units!
The Kosong army of the Lighthouse quickly reestablished dominance over the border villages conquered in the last invasion and made sure not to fall for the same trap as the previous Vessel did. When Lamp-Lighter Dave ambushed the new leader of the Lighthouse the trap was turned on him. From the dark corners Lamp-Lighter Dave himself thought safe came Kosong reinforcements. While Dave managed to escape with his life, the troops that flocked to his banner quickly dispersed and were hunted down.
OKI invades region 113!
Spoiler
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Led by Knight Commander Amlaigh Tolmach (10) with Military 8 ruler, 5 OKI units invade while attempting to Quiver Hell’s Foundations, facing 3 native Units led by a Military 6 commander attempting to Skirmish.
Knight Commander Amlaigh Tolmach wins Tactical Maneuvering, successfully utilizing Quiver Hell’s Foundations! (+2 to battle roll)
Victory! OKI loses 1 unit! Region 113 defenders lose 2 units!
Commander Amlaigh knew how to deal with defenders, especially defenders that don’t know basic combat tactics. Each battle Amlaigh entered he came out victorious before the first line of his army broke a sweat. The only time the defenders posed a threat was when a projectile managed to pierce his chair while he was having a strategy meeting. This caused the knight to swiftly wipe out the offending army and return to his meeting. A campaign that was scheduled to take months was settled in weeks and by the time Amlaigh declared the region conquered for the homeland there were few in the land that dared dispute it. The only casualties among the knights resulted from an incident involving overeager Bailiffs neglecting to confirm the targets they could dimly see at the edge of their effective charging range were, in fact, enemy combatants before giving the attack order, rather than fellow Knights.
UNI invades region 20!
Spoiler
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Led by Carapace (10) with Military 7 ruler, 3 UNI Units invade while attempting to be Tireless, facing 3 native Units led by a Military 8 commander attempting to Skirmish.
The native commander wins Tactical Maneuvering, successfully utilizing Skirmish Tactics! (-10% casualties for both sides)
Defeat! UNI loses 1 unit! Region 20 defenders lose 1 unit! The native commander is slain!
Carapace leads the warlike colonies among the Unity to war in service of the great Reef in Red, marching his shambling army of bone and coral through the treacherous rocks north of the Abyss into fresh territory. Though the colonies’ great size and mass, and the vast number of sharp, pointy bits on their bodies, prove decisive advantages in battle, the logistics of preserving a force of creatures for whom every blow sustained means the loss of knowledge brings the campaign to a halt immediately after the battle. Deciding that the vast quantities of blood from the slain native defenders (including their commander, whose body was recognized only after being almost completely drained) should suffice to honor the Reef, Carapace declares victory and withdraws, having lost a third of his forces and leaving [Region 20] damaged, but alive.
OTT invades region 112!
Spoiler
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Led by Keith Porkson, the third son of the brother of Yirp the Fearsome’s favorite officer (4) with Military 8 ruler, 5 OTT units invade while attempting to Skirmish, facing 3 native Units led by a Military 5 commander attempting to Skirmish.
The native commander wins Tactical Maneuvering, successfully utilizing Skirmish tactics (-10% casualties for both sides)
Victory! OTT loses 1 unit! Region 112 defenders lose 1 unit!
As the otterians advanced on their new domain there were those that dared stand in their way. This of course came as a welcome surprise to the army each and every soldier longed to show off their skills in battle and relished in the slaughter it could impose upon their enemies. While some areas offered up more resistance than others the otterian advance could not be stopped. Village after village bowed to their might until the entire region had no choice but to submit to Otterian rule.
SEN invades region 74 with 5 units! Lead by Balelia using the Integrate the Captives tactical doctrine
Spoiler
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Led by Balelia (9) with Military 6 ruler, 5 SEN Units invade while attempting to Integrate the Captives, facing 2 native Units led by a Military 6 commander attempting to Skirmish.
Balelia wins Tactical Maneuvering, successfully utilizing Integrate the Captives! (-10% casualties for both sides, free Impress Aristocracy attempt)
Victory! SEN loses 2 Units! Region 74 defenders lose 1 Unit! SEN impresses the Aristocracy of 74.
Prince Antenius has spent three long years nursing his grudge against [Region 74] for their stubborn resistance to Doflein influence and the vile insult of their refusal to accept his sister Diastia’s overtures to marriage. At last he decides upon the simple expedient of declaring her claim to rulership valid anyway and pursuing it by force of arms, dispatching Commander Balelia east to put the uppity aristocracy in its place. The actual campaign is almost insultingly simple, as Balelia happens across the nobles’ major muster point and wipes out almost half of their forces piecemeal before the remaining forces are warned by fleeing survivors and regroup elsewhere. The magnitude of the victory, and the disturbing medical experimentation reported by escaped captives, convinces many of the nobles that further resistance is fruitless, and the region surrenders after another half-year of skirmishing and occupation.
Schemes!
Coercion, betrayals, and spycraft
PGL coerces Trade Post 1 in region 130 for Mineblossom Sponge.
PGL coerces Trade Post 1 in region 104 for Shiv'rchins.
DPB coerces Trade Post 2 in region 55 for Chelonian Hunters
Terror!
Violence, upheaval, murder, and destruction.
The Shark King’s host is large and hungry, and the algae farms of Danaebae are acceptable food for the nomads if not their mounts. The objections of a few peasants are no reason not to eat.
The Shark King sacks Trade Post 1 in region 69 from SEN and gains 1 treasure!
His Clarity Bob, He who Submits to the Currents, attained his position as leader of the Cathedral reluctantly and with the insistence that the Clarity should resign their position as Watcher. As he moves to formally organize the Pattern as a formalized doctrine, however, the community of Watchers begins to become concerned about the possibility that the Pattern has changed since Bob took power - and about the possibility that their own influence will wane with the new reforms. Demonstrations break out near the Pillars of Strife, and many of the faithful refuse to accept the new orthodoxy, clinging to the old rites still led by many of the Watchers.
The clerical support in region 67 become unruly!
Organizations!
Somewhere, a flaw has been fixed.
(Missed in Round 3 Opener - COS indebted themselves to ABS for 1 Favor to gain 2 Treasure! COS gained +1 Prestige for being the first to accumulate 5 treasure in the Temperate zone!)
It has been several more years. The evaluation is halfway complete. Who has impressed, and who has disappointed?
(Shallows Appreciation: OKI gains 6 points! GTZ, PGL, and KAL gain 4 points! OTT gains 2 points! LUX and SKR gain 1 point!)
Spoiler: Shallows Appreciation Current Rankings
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First Place: OKI - 10 pts
Second Place: PGL - 8 pts
Third Place: GTZ, OTT - 6 pts
5th Place: KAL - 4 pts
6th Place: COS - 2 pts
7th Place: LUX, SKR - 1 pt
When the Gotezhar bring the adversary captured by Squall Essensius in their campaign to conquer the Meadows, he does not struggle - jui has, in fact, displayed the epitome of appropriate behavior for a captured officer during juir entire time in the custody of the Gotezhar. During the handoff, jui accepts juir fate with dignity, even turning to give a rigidly formal salute just before the Stewards begin descending with the ex-general in tow.
(The Abyssal Stewards accept the transfer of the former commander of the Meadows of Elyan’dan with stoic reserve. What will come of this?)
The ancient architecture of Lojan and the delicate algaetry of the Hymenocera add to the
(LOL and HEX contribute their second entries to the Coraline Compendium! LOL and HEX both gain +1 Favor with ABS! LOL and HEX may gain no more favors from contributing to the Coraline Compendium! HEX contributes one action to the Coraline Compendium, bringing it to 3/5 actions, but HEX has already received the maximum possible Favors from ABS for contributing, and as such receives no Favor from doing so.)
High King Lord Deca IV entreats the Abyssal Stewards to scour the sponge basins the royal merchants have been engaged with for signs of the starfish his people demand, and they oblige.
(HEX spends one Favor with ABS to earn the Bounty of the Depths in region 13! See Discovery!)
The Chelonian Chora find themselves awash with envoys hoping to gain their attention and affection. And flattery will get you everywhere…literally.
(CPS raises their Reputation with CCA by 1, to a total of 3.
CYP raises their Reputation with CCA by 1, to a total of 2, spending a favor in the process.
KNH raises their reputation with CCA by 1, to a total of 2.
SKR raises their Reputation with CCA by 1, to a total of 1.
CCC raises their Reputation with CCA by 1, to a total of 1.)
The Lojanese seek to deal with obligations early, and use wealth as the medium for it.
(LOL eliminates 1 Favor debt to the CCA by paying 3 Treasure!)
Though all songs must end, there is often a final verse.
(GRV and SKR each spend 1 Favor with the CCA in exchange for assistance!
The CCA’s offer to Seek Aid has now ended.)
Somewhere, an error has been rectified.
(Missed in Round 3 Opener - DPB gained 1 Favor with DNA from contributing an entry to the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare!)
The strange entity that refers to itself as ‘Deep Blue’ continues to assist the Divine Nacres. Given the scientific and theological significance the entity possess, the Nacres are more than pleased to receive it.
(DPB contributes one action to the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare! DPB gains 1 Favor with DNA! DPB may gain no more Favors from contributing to the Genus Taxonomia Gelidum Mare!)
The parents of Caution are Fear and Wisdom. Several countries demonstrate to the Nacres that they possess both.
(COS, CYP, HEX, LOL, and LUX each spend 1 Treasure to earn DNA protection from the dreaded Reavers! Only 5 more countries may purchase such protection!)
All through the seas, members of the ruling class court the approval and patronage of the Divine Nacres. Some among them even earn the enduring interest of the Mensa Rectores…
(SKR raises their Reputation with DNA by 2, to a total of 3, spending a favor in the process.
DPB raises their reputation with DNA by 2, to a total of 2, spending a favor in the process.
LUX raises their Reputation with DNA by 1, to a total of 2.
HEX raises their Reputation with DNA by 1, to a total of 1.
All things must end.
(The DNA’s offer to trade technology has ended.)
Somewhere, a failure has been overcome.
(Missed in Round 3 Opener - GRV gained +1 Prestige for being the first to Settle a Colony in the Polar zone!)
Wealth begets wealth, and money can buy fame.
CYP is the first to have 2 passive Treasure Income in the Temperate zone! CYP gains +1 Prestige! ESP and STC are the first to have 2 passive Treasure Income in the Polar zone! ESP is in control of 4 unique resources; STC is in control of 5 unique resources - STC wins the tie and gains +1 Prestige!
A true hoard, worthy of only the lesser legends of old, but nonetheless worthy, can build new legend too.
The DRG are the first to accumulate 5 Treasure in the Polar zone! DRG gains +1 Prestige!
Violence to a purpose is power, defined.
(LIT and SEN are first to be militarily victorious in the Tropical and Polar zones, respectively, both in maneuver and the field of battle itself. LIT and SEN each gain +2 Prestige!)
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