The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=Tuvan Jalay to Gregor]
Your predecessor who founded your outpost had problems with you.  You attempted to overthrow him, and I gave him my aid.  My ancestors assure you I meant no harm to you; I wished only to protect my interests as represented by your predecessor.  He was a useful friend near at hand, and you were a foreigner far away.

Now, he is dead, and I do not begrudge you his death.  Now, my interests are represented by you.  I will, if you wish, extend the same aid to you - allow my hostage to remain in your outpost, and I will see that every man who opposes you in your outpost is sent to his ancestors, and that it will be returned to you in a peaceful state.  Sell-bows have no honor and will not stand before my chariots.

I have no learned woman I can part with at so great a distance.  She is important to my clan; otherwise, she would be a worthless hostage.  My ancestors assume your hostage is equally valuable, for an honorable lord does not send worthless hostages, lest he shame his ancestors.

What do you say, foreigner chief?[/ic]

Name: Egwydor

Government: Theocratic Tribal Council. One councilor from each of the four founding tribes, representing the four classical elements of Earth (Clan Briddo), Air (Clan Awyra), Fire (Clan Fuoco), and Water (Clan Vatn). New councilors are elected by the clan represented every time one of the councilors dies.

Religion: The Religion of Egwydor is based on the reverence of the four elements. There are no specific temples for a single element; all temples and shrines honoring all equally. The four councilors are seen as the embodiment of their specific element, and serve as examples for the faithful.

Egwydorians believe that the four elements exist in balance and that one cannot be allowed to rise significantly above the others. Egwydorians believe that their job is to keep the four elements in balance as well as they can.

Culture: All citizens of Egwydor are seen as linked to a specific element, which determines their profession. Earth produces farmers, miners, and builders. Water produces seafarers and fishermen. Air produces traders, merchants, artists, and craftspeople. Fire produces warriors, guards, and judges. What element you are linked to is determined in an annual ceremony at the age of 13. The element is believed to be linked supernaturally, and the ceremony is looked upon as more of an "unveiling" than a "choosing."

Egwydorian philosophy is that the element allows you do do one thing very well, and doing anything other than what's dictated is to upset the balance of the elements, and shortchange your country and countrymen.

As far as music goes, every element has it's own style, whose melody and lyrics change depending on the activity.

Location: Southern half of the bay south of Otahvy.

[ooc=Orders]
-Send emissaries by land both north and south.
-Send small group into mountains to the west to search for useful things to mine.
-Begin construction on habor in the bay.
-Begin constructing a temple to the four.[/ooc]

[ic=To Beshwur of the Ghehesh]A tall brunette male with a narrow face steps forward and makes the honorary gestures appropriate to the riding-chief.  He introduces himself as Chronicler Chirub, a representative of the Ryvan-Holme, High Council of the Vrenas.

'Please forgive me for any slips on your tongue or customs, we surely do not wish to offend you, we merely have not mastered your ways,' He says with a sincere smile.  Reassured by the lack of hostility and understanding nods, he continues, 'We have traveled far and wide, seeking allies we can trust in our battle against those vile horsemen, the Auri.  For we have fought hard and bravely against them, only to be betrayed again and again.  Alas, our hearts were too pure and the Auri's touch too corrupting.  In our realm, we are all but without allies against the Auri.  Perhaps you have heard tales of the courageous Nargakya, who stood against the Auri uncorrupted by their taint for generations, only to be betrayed by their supposed allies, the wicked Avarderans.  We fought in their city against the Auri for generations, but, alas, our pure hearts betrayed us once again when the Inveranen tricked us into thinking that the Auri would attack a different way that year.  So it was that we were not there for the fall of Great Nargakya, much to our shame, to our broken hearts.  The last vestige of our alliance with the Nargakya is the tales and songs of their glory, which heartens us in battle against the Auri.  I would be most happy to teach your recordspeaker and warriors these songs.'

A shorter woman interrupts him and speaks some Andosen to him in a lilted tongue and sweet voice.  She begins to speak in Axuk, but is hard to understand, so the Chronicler speaks for her, 'Yes, Mistress Adeka is quite correct.  I shall get to the heart of the matter:  You have fought the Auri far more effectively than we have, and we would like to learn how you do this.  We will of course compare notes on what has been successful among our forces, as I am well versed in this.  We are also most willing to gain your complete trust.  We, ourselves, see no reason to distrust you, of course, as your proximity to the Land of Eternity must seep you in honor, unlike those of the west.  We would love to fight with you side by side against the Auri.'

Chirub now wears a blush.  'I hope my candor and earnestness does not alarm you, for it surely does not reflect on our strategies:  I can tell you many tales of how cunning and wise and tactful our warriors can be when the Battle Song calls for it.  It is merely my disposition and the disposition of my people to speak from the heart with friends, er, pardon me, prospective friends, as well, which we consider you.  We also thank you for abiding our presence.'[/ic]

[ic=On the Ivruskan shores]The pot is taken and in its place an amber-adorned spear with stylized ravens and serpents is stuck into the beach.  This time, a canoe is within eyesight of the beach and remains there until it is approached.  This pattern continues, only with piles of amber in place of the spear, whether it is taken or not.  Eventually, footprints are left on the beach leading to a dark, concealing garment with a dark lace mask tied from a fishing-net laying on the beach.  it is stylized to look like a snake's head front on, with its jaws open wide.  After this, figures dressed in the style of the garment are seen openly watching in the cliffs.  They sometimes even allow the people within two meters of themselves.  Any captured will turn out to be unarmed, as they all are.  If there is very little or no aggression displayed towards them, the dark-clad Andosens will attempt to live amongst the natives while always wearing their masks and coming and going as they see fit.[/ic]

[ic Pharaoh Orohtep I to Beitar]Neighbors, we have recently discovered the people of this land, including yours, and would like to commence trade with your country immediately. As a token of goodwill, we are sending you 200 scarabs(our currency; scarab shaped gold).[/ic]

The Grand Warden had tried to protect Kashtu from the ravages of war, and to a large extent they succeeded. But the political cost was great, as their neighbors and allies (and much of their own population) felt they had done to little to aid their brethren and oppose the Kuregn armies. Rocked by a military revolt and the increasing power of the Peshuek, the institution of the Council of Wardens was unable to regain its legitimacy. After several years of political turmoil, a military coup dealt the final blow. The commander Malik Waanuk, with the backing of the Grand Hierarch, marched into Kashtu and declared himself Grand Warden. Grand Warden Malik dissolved the Council, replacing all the Wardens with his hand-picked lieutenants. Although the nominal structure of the Council of Wardens was retained, the connections between the Wardens and the traditional Kashtu clans were greatly weakened. Malik had, in effect, made himself a military/religious warlord.
[ic=Edict of Grand Warden Malik]By the grace of Anwu and Hoohsih, Kashtu declares that no foreign forces will be tolerated within the boundaries of the Ma'a. By my order, all wards must provide an additional levy of men to patrol and protect our lands. I further order the placement of boundary markers to place our lands under the protection of Hoohsih and the blessing of Anwu.[/ic]
[ic=Grand Warden Malik to the Nem-Ammar]To our friends the Nem-Ammar:
The hardships of recent years have shown us the dangers of heresy and foreign invasion. We men of Kashtu propose a pact between the Kashtu and the Nem-Ammar for defense of the Ma'a against all enemies. To this end, Kashtu will raise new armies to expand our protection and we urge you to do the same.[/ic]

[ic=Beshwur Eghke to the Chronicler]
The Beshwur's eyebrows had been steadily raising with incredulity as his visitors spoke; what, indeed, was a "Land of Eternity," and how on earth anyone could speak so much without even mentioning their ancestors?  Eghke suddenly realized they had stopped speaking, and cleared his throat.

"You speak my language well for one who is only a visitor to the land of my ancestors.  Do not give it a second thought.  I have not heard of 'Nargakya' but I am sure our recordspeaker would be interested in your stories."

Eghke thought for a moment, adjusting his leather rein-glove.  He then smiled and looked up at the foreigners.  "Perhaps you would be interested in a story of mine."

"The recordspeaker tells me the ancestors of the Auri were not so different from you.  They were farmers in the far south, a peaceful people who loved right things and spurned evil ones.  They strung no bows and rode no chariots, nor had they ever seen a horse before.  But one season, chariot-riders came from the north; the chariot-riders stole their land and burned their temples, and killed many of them.  Many clans submitted to them and became their slaves.  Four chiefs of the Auri, however, would not be slaves, and took their tribes and fled west and north.

"For the Auri, you see - they have no tradition, only righteousness.  They adopted the horse, and the chariot, and the horse-bow, and learned to the nomad ways, because they will do anything for what they think is holy.  If the mountains face them, they will become climbers, and if the whole world is swallowed by water I imagine they would become fish.

"That is why they have power.  They adapt - and they will never be servants to anyone.

"As to your requests, I do not have the power to agree upon an alliance with you; only the Great Circle of the Sorghedai can do that.  If you wish, I can present one of you before the next meeting of the Circle, and you will be able to present your case to them.

"I cannot simply tell you how to fight the Auri.  Such things must be learned from doing.  The chiefs of our people and their retainers fight on chariots; our warriors fight as foot archers.  If you wish it I will accept some of your warriors into our tribe, that they may learn to fight on the steppe at our side and thus return to you with knowledge dearly learned in battle.  So long as they can shoot a bow and do the common chores required of them, they will be welcome among us."[/ic]

[ic=On the Ivruskan shores]The Andosen noticed the total absence of armed patrols on the beach after the exchange of the pot and canoe.  The warrior bands that defended the shores against the Andosen were replaced by smaller, only lightly-armed gathering parties, searching the shore for amber as usual.  The spear and amber piles were taken by such gatherers - mostly boys and old men.

The first time the masked figures appeared, they were spotted by a group of boys, who fled upon seeing the figures.  An hour later, a full war party returned to the spot led by the boys.  The warriors threw javelins at the figures and chased them with wolves; the Andosen were forced to abandon their heavy costumes just to escape with their lives.  The war party burned these discarded costumes and returned to the north.

So far, though Ivruskan men and small boats have seen Andosen ships off the coast, they have not yet responded or even attempted to approach.  On the contrary, it seems that only the bizarrely dressed visitors have been met with violence.[/ic]

[ic=Message Sent North]
Dear brothers of the coast,

We of Egwydor wish a peaceful relationship, and are willing to open a trade route between our nation and yours.  We send with this message a diplomat, a priest, and 100 copper ingots as an offering of friendship.

For the balance of the four,
Rhodri, Councilor of air
[/ic]



 [ic=Ciriaco's speach to the people of Egwydor]
"Fine people of this land, the four tribes have found it in all of our best interests to pull together.  Out of this effort has emerged Egwydor.  This is a fine beginning, but it's not over yet.  I have grown quite partial to Egwydor, and will not give it up without of fight.  As a proud Egwydorian and as your councilor of fire, I have suggested an army be raised to protect this that we have built.  The matter has been weighed and measured, and is now being put in motion.  All of those with fire found within them who choose to protect this land will go to their nearest military outposting.  Here you will be trained in the ways of combat.  Your dedication to this land and to the balance of the four will secure a safe future for your children, and never be in vain!"
[/ic]

[ooc]FYI I don't think we've invented coinage yet - Inveran tried and it never really caught on.  Most trade is conducted by barter, or through copper or tin ingots of standardized weight.[/ooc]

[ic=Reply to Tuvan Jalay]
Your aid is accepted. Enclosed is the current location of my spearmen, detached to the colony for this purpose. I have ordered them to give your men whatever aid they may need.

As to your request that your emissary stay at the colony, you continue to have me at a disadvantage. My man must be sent many miles from his homeland, yet the colony is convenient enough for yours. I understand your position, but this hardly seems fair. The man I have sent you is a diplomat, specifically trained for situations like this, and is important to my government as well.

Might I suggest that you send a second, less important, hostage to my capital, in recompense for keeping your valuable one so close?[/ic]

[ooc]If I missed anyone, please inform me. [/ooc]

Here is an updated terrain map, since we haven't had one in a while.
[spoiler=Terrain Map]

[/spoiler]
[ic=Tuvan Jalay to Gregor]If you have a suggestion for who might be best suited to journey to your homeland, I am open to suggestions.  A warrior of status could be sent, but he would not be well suited to staying at a prince's court.[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to the Egwydorians]
Hail,

I am Gregor, Dragonlord of the Inveran, traders amongst the Middle Sea. We saw your town and have come to see who makes this land their own. We are a friendly people, and wish, with your permission, to open trading relations and exchange our cultures.

Dragonlord Gregor[/ic]
[ic=Gregor to Tuvan]
I would recommend a lower member of nobility, or someone young, who might best be able to learn and communicate to you our ways and culture. His entourage will, of course, be accepted as well.[/ic]

[ic=Egwydor to Dragonlord Gregor]
Dear Dragonlord Gregor,

We would be more than happy to open trade between our people.  As a gesture of our willingness this message will be brought to you by a diplomat, a priest of the four, and a few young ones that have the air within them and will learn your language and ways.

For the balance of the four,
Rhodri, the councilor of air
[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to Egwydor]
Inveran looks forward to continued trade with your people. This ship contains samplings of all our goods, as well as a contingent of priests and scholars.

It is customary in our land to request an embassy in foreign lands, to better conduct business. We ask this now of you, with the understanding that one would be granted in our capital as well, should the offer be accepted.[/ic]

[ic= In the Chieftain's Council]Chieftain Noil: The plague is gone thankfully.  It would appear rashea decided to have mercy on our sinful people.  the Hippos must be the key.  If only we could get them to work with us without having so much life wasted.

councilman Lart: Chieftain the hippos were given to us by the trinity as a test.  we must dominate them no matter the cost to prove to them that the vands are strong.

Chieftain Noil: your words makes sense Lart. let it be known among the people that we will not yield to the will of these hippos.  We will master them, must master them for it is the will of the gods.

Councilman Krahs:  You know chieftain the plague may have been due to that fact that we are essentially mud people i mean sharing a home with insects can't be the healthiest thing in the world

Councilman T'Kesni:  Bugs are nothing you pansy.  but the bandits on the other are a big problem and the mud isn't helping as much as it could.  

Cheiftan Noil: alright fine we will try and find new building material and in the meantime establish a patrol of soldiers to protect from banditry rebels and assorted unlawfulness[/ic]

[ic=Tuvan Jalay to Gregor]There is no "nobility" among my people.  I will dispatch one of my retainers, Jixhae, but I do not wish that he should remain with you forever.  I will regularly send another to replace him after a period of several years.[/ic]