The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=The Emperor to the Hayrines]Friends,
I am afraid the Empire cannot let you go forth with your plans to attack Egwydor. It is an ally of the Empire and, we hope, is also your own. Hostilities against it must cease now.[/ic]

Quote from: Wensleydale[ic=The Emperor to the Hayrines]Friends,
I am afraid the Empire cannot let you go forth with your plans to attack Egwydor. It is an ally of the Empire and, we hope, is also your own. Hostilities against it must cease now.[/ic]

"Hayrines" could mean any number of groups who are not allied with each other.  The Black Goose Hayrines are the ones who you gave leave to settle in the Empire; they aren't threatening Egwydor.  You don't have any diplomatic relations with Great Hayar, the Confederation which includes the Fine Feather Hayrines, who were the ones to threaten Egwydor.

To recap:
Black Goose - Hayrines in the Empire
Fine Feather - Hayrines attacking Egwydor and Otahvy, part of Great Hayar
White Finger - Hayrines in Avardera, part of Great Hayar

"Far Hayar" is the group of Hayrines who invaded Andos.  They are another, totally separate group.  All these clans know each other, but except for the ones in the Great Hayar Confederation they have no diplomatic ties.

Please clarify who your message is for.

Fine Feather. The Emperor knows they're not necessarily related, but he's not bothered - Egwydor's not THAT important to him.

[ooc]
Well then, that clears things up a bit.  And here I am thinking they're all unified.  Oopsies.
[/ooc]

[ic=Connetar Feryan of the Fine Feather Hayrines to the Emperor]Perhaps, O great one, the tide against Egwydor could be stemmed by a suitable gift, given to my comrades to dissuade them from hostilities.  Egwydor has already refused my most sensible proposal to them; their leaders seem to value mere metals over the lives of their fellow people.[/ic]

Orders for Zorvia:

Establish trade and cultural ties with Kashtu.

Begin trading camels to Egwydor.

Recruit Camelry (if Camelry are not yet available, recruit Bladesmen and research Camelry)

Expand southwards towards the mountains.

[ic]The Vrenas await what words Chief Helmsman Yeren has to say of the north.[/ic]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to the Hayrines inhabiting the isle of Trychoro, more commonly known as Stormshield]We have received and reviewed evidence from Chief Helmsman Yeren that you are not guilty of desecrating our lands, as was previously assumed.  As Trychoro is an island, you are within your right in seizing it for yourself, just as the sea claims any who cannot resist it.  We have also heard lore that suggests that you are what may be regarded as refugees.  Therefore you are not viewed as the precursor to a larger invasion force, and therefore we see no reason to repel you.  We gift you with this amber in promise of peace, and hope of trade.  We would especially prize your shipwrights in future trades and hope our gift is reciprocated.[/ic]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to Gegur, Beshwur of Kheduo]As our honorable ally, I feel it is my duty to duly inform you of some matters in Andos.  With very great hesitancy and many pangs of regret, I have exchanged gifts of peace with the Demons, the Hayrines.  My duties mandate that I must go the course of action that most benefits the Blood of Andos.  So I have:  I have heard of and observed omens and portents which clearly foretell of something sinister in the north.  As such, I deemed continued overt war with the Demons imprudent in the face of this unknown threat.

This peace, though...It is unsatisfactory for far too many.  My people cry for vengeance.  And you can clearly see how the Demons are interlopers, delivering your lands into the hands of the Auri.  Indeed, no people who are enemies with you can truly be allies with us.  Your people have been too great of allies for that.  I do not suggest you ally with them and, once again, I act in accordance with the best course of action for my people:  I suggest, on the behalf of my people, that we bide our time for this just vengeance.  But we will aid your attacks as best as we can.  Moreover, as we enter into more diplomatic terms with the Demons, we hope to learn of their military strategies and maybe even future raids, which we would share with you.  Perhaps we can even dishearten them by refusing to do battle with you and claiming it is because we have done so in the past and found you too mighty of a foe.  Of course, we would never do battle with you.  We have also become aware of the fact that the Demons are in line with our enemy, the Auri, as we had previously suspected and as you had previously suggested.  Our greatest hope is to learn of the Demons and Auri's combined attacks on your lands.

As you may have correctly perceived, such a gambit is less than honorable.  Thus we ask your permission and advice before we move to action.  We do not wish to dishonor you and your ancestors, but do feel this is the best course of action.  And it is your advice we seek, Gegur, as we feel you understand us well.  Remember that secrets carry further with each ear they reach.[/ic]

[ic=to the Hayrines]May we be granted access to your river so that we may once again have access to our ancestral fishing grounds?[/ic]

[ic=A proposal from the Ryvan-Holme, to be distributed to all the Ivran]I have taken your news of sinister stirrings in the north to heart.  We have taken precautions.

However, we know not what to suspect.  And we do not have some of the tools you have, like your sorcery which helped turn the tide of the Demon invasion.

Likewise, I suspect we have many tools you do not have.  Indeed, the Demon invasion has strengthened us, hardened us through war, and taught us new ways to destroy our enemies.

We are both strong peoples.  But we will surely face a surely stronger and unknown enemy in times to come.

However, the thought occurs to me that tin and copper are both metals, bur when they are forged into bronze, a stronger metal is formed.

So I hope you now see what I propose:  Not just an alliance, but such a great sharing that are two peoples are forged together.

No, forged is the wrong word, for I appeal to each of you, Ivran [insert names here], separately in the promise that it is not the flame of war that shall bind us together should you will it, but the clean coldness of rational thought.  Indeed, as I propose that our two peoples remain intact, it is more proper to refer to this as a weaving of strength.

Keeping the Tree,
The Ryvan-Holme[/ic]

[ic=Chief Helmsmen Yeren to the Vrenas]Knowing little of your people, I do not know what you wish to hear of me.  As the Connetar has assigned me to you, however, I will serve you as I can in this capacity.

In Tuarescou your land is called Escay.  It has been generations since we last sailed to your shores - it was decided that Escay was too poor to raid and too distant to colonize.  Since around a century ago, the Hayrines have traded with us from the south-west, bringing gold, gems, and lotus-flowers.  They are unruly but honest people, and I entered the Connetar's service twelve years ago.  Before that, I served the Connetar of the Curled Horn Hayrines.  They are the Hayrine clan who fled northwards after the fall of their homeland.  Since the fall of the western realm to the Eku, the subhuman hunters of the Lisjou, the Curled Horns have come to dominate the Isle of the Heart and what remains of Tuarescou - and some does remain, though it grieves me that my homeland is but a shade of its former self.

I am sure the Curled Horn "Empire" knows of Escay, but I do not know the plans of the present Connetar.  Save the forest-people of the eastern shore, there are none who do not bow to him north of your shores.[/ic]
[ic=Connetar Eney of the White Finger Hayrines to the Ryvan-Holme]Your gift is welcome, Easterners.  Give my regards to my cousins.  You are welcome in our lands so long as your intentions remain peaceful.  Please accept these casks of Avarderan wine, the drink of the Mainlanders and the purest fruit of these new lands.[/ic]
[ic=Beshwur Gegur of Kheduo to the Ryvan-Holme]The Hayrines have indeed fought with the Auri against us.  They are newcomers to this land, however, and the Circle estimates that they are bound to the Auri by honor or blood, but simply by convenience.  The Great Circle would prefer to divide this alliance through diplomacy and suitable offerings; perhaps if the Hayrines are convinced that we are the preferable allies, they will renounce their alignment with the Auri and fight with us, or at least withdraw from the conflict.  The Circle asks that you do all you can to achieve this - I understand your feud with the Hayrines, but sometimes enemies must become friends to achieve the greater advantage.[/ic]
[ic=Far Hayar to Andos]Only if your waters are open to our ships as well.[/ic]
[ic=Ivran Argadh to the Ryvan-Holme]Happy are we to hear that you still keep the Tree.  I do not speak for every Ivran, but I welcome your words of friendship and likewise hope for an ever-closer relationship  between our great families.  I am unsure exactly what you are proposing, but wish to maintain our open bond - you are, of course, welcome in our lands, and should we hear of foul events in the North you will be the first to know.[/ic]

[ooc]Sorry, I've been ill and very busy at work, so not much participation this cycle from me.

Orders for Kashtu
Cease border raids in Kuregn-held territory.
Continue to cooperate with Celend in defense of historically Celenite territories.
Focus military on defense of Ma'a.
Create ecclesiastic courts.
Build new and improved marketplace in Kashtu for coffee trade.
Send priests to Zorvia to study their culture.
Invite Zorvian emissaries to study at our temples.
[/ooc]

[ic=Orders for the Empire]Hand over a small detachment of spearmen and archers, preferably of Invernessi breeding, to Numenas.[/ic]

[ic=Orders for the Machta-In]Continue encouraging the rebirth of the raiding cycle by supplying weapons and giving out samples of the wealth found on Celendi ships to peasants.
Begin converting all galleys to platformed galleys and building more.
Continue fortifying the palace-academy, adding more shrines to the gods, monuments to Invernessi victories and past leaders, and begin construction work on a tomb for Talor (which will probably not be used).[/ic]

[ic=Orders for Kuregn]Continue recruiting for the army.
Mass all possible troops that are not required elsewhere on the south for a sally into Celend to retake the lost lands or repel further Celendi attacks.
Begin constructing new border garrisons.
Construct the ACTUAL tomb of Talor, where he will genuinely be buried.[/ic]

[ooc]
Orders for Egwydor

-Continue researching ships that sail against the wind, and expand offer of prize money to include even those outside Egwydor's boarders.  Spread the word of this dillema and deal across the middle sea.
-Find edible plants in the area west of the mountains that grow naturally, and begin farming those.
-Continue expanding westward.
-Improve gold mining methods.
-Unify laws throughout the land and set up court system with judges.
-Upgrade boat to galley.
-Raise an army to defend against the Hayrines.
-Build a defensive line along the Northern boarder to deter Hayrine attacks.
-Improve roads for easy military access, especially those heading North.
-If neccessary, flee west across the pass.

[/ooc]

[ic=(Year of the) Tree 50]
I
The Broken Spear

Less than a week after the celebration of the Tree's 50th renewal, Tryad Holymen, inventor of the staff-sling, died.  A hero of the craftsmen in Krynam, he was given a fitting funeral.  The arrival of the White Finger Hayrine's gift of wine came in handy for the first phase of the funeral rites, when Tryad's achievements and merits were honored and celebrated.

Now, on the evening of the second day, most were finishing fortifying themselves with alcohol and food for the coming week of morning and fasting, watching the flames of Tryad's funeral boat, or both.  The two figures standing on the seaside palisade wall were doing the second.

Watching the flames below, Glydhawl Stawaryd commented, 'I saw them load firepots with the staff-slings into the boat.  I wonder why the flames have not been more spectacular.'

The man beside him, Hyhadnhe, was the leader of the Wytchehunters, who had been in charge of loading the staff-slings and firepots into the boat as they used them the most.  He replied, 'That's what I like about you; sharp even when drunk.  No, we did not waste our magic.  The pots are empty.'

'Ha, I'm not that drunk.  You have anything to drink?  I have some wine.'

'Pfft.  Avarderan.  I'd rather drink my own piss.  And those sheep shouldn't think they have teeth.'

'Ha.  It's actually quite good, and besides, you sound like an old woman.  '˜Sheep shouldn't have teeth.'  Besides, at least the men get their due there.  Here it's the Ryvan-Holme or the Strava who won the war.  Never mind how your Wytchehunters burned their greatest fortress to the ground.  Never mind us men.  Damn it, if this weren't Kynam those flames wouldn't be up.'  Glydhawl gestured to the funeral boat.

Hyhadnhe grinned sardonically.  'But the Wytchehunters, though they be motherless, are the children of the Ryvalnya.  It is only right they take credit for our actions.  And you, you had a mother.  You should know better.  Don't be ungrateful to your mothers:  your success is owed all to them.  Come, let's warm our muscles.'

'Ack,' Glydhawl spat as they began to walk.  'Don't I know that argument well.  But the men in my family bear the name of our fathers for a reason.'

Hyhadnhe smiled mirthlessly as they walked on in silence.  Glydhawl continued after about ten minutes.  'You know, we are not the only ones who think this way.  Many of the tradesmen don't get the respect they deserve, even from the Grychgayte.  It's shameful and it needs to be changed'¦  The tradesmen say I should change it.'

At this the two men turned their heads to study each other as they walked.  'They, and I, think it is time for a male Vrena,' Glydhawl finished.

Hyhadnhe drew to a stop.  His voice shaking, he declared, 'This is treason and madness.  A man cannot marry Andos as a woman can.  Now, I suspect this is some sort of spell in the Avarderan wine, but if you really have had these conversations, you must tell me with whom.  They must be tried for treason and heresy.  You are my friend, so I will spare you.  But only if you tell me.'

The Stawaryd turned his back and once again looked over the palisade walls.  'I feared you might think that way, my friend,' he replied as he reached over the wall.

He thrust the spear he had stashed over the wall at the Wytchehunter.  Hyhadnhe dodged and captured the haft below the head with his hands.  He pulled and swung and the Stawaryd was yanked with it as he refused to let go.  He fell with a painful dashing of his legs.  But he was not nearly as drunk as he had been acting.  He kicked at the Wytchehunter's legs and the Wytchehunter let go of the spear. Swinging the spear, Glydhawl forced Hyhadnhe to dodge again, but this time he was too close to the edge of the wall.  As Hyhadnhe began to fall, Glydhawl thrust the spear out again, crying, 'Grab it!'

As Hyhadnhe was suspended in the air by Glydhawl, Glydhawl said, 'Now see reason, friend.  Please.  I'll let you up, I'll spare you, if only you see reason.  Friend, please'¦'

With a cry, Vrena Holysend cleaved the spear in half.  As Glydhawl watched his friend drop, the Vrena grabbed him.  'My love, my love.  Do not be foolish, no matter what he would have said, you would be doomed if he lived,' she purred as Glydhawl threw his half of the broken haft into the sea.  She turned his distressed frame and closed his lips with hers.

Then from below, as Hyhadnhe struggled to his broken feet, he cried, 'You are doomed, as I'm not dead, but you soon will be!'  He hurled his half of the broken spear like a javelin, but it only grazed Glydhawl.  Exhausted and in pain, he stumbled backwards ad fell into the beehives.  Whatever he cried out afterwards was lost as the swarming of the bees arose.  When he was retrieved in the morning out of the broken hive, he was not recognizable for his face and body were swollen and covered in welts so.

II
The Bloody Knife

Glydhawl retrieved the spear that had wounded him and stared at it as his lover helped him back to her house.  He finally came to his senses as he entered her threshold.

Detaching himself from her, he said, 'It's not bad.  There will be a scar, but nothing more.  What did you use to cut this?'

Vrena Holysend showed him the ancient sword that was a gift from Avardera long ago.  Shrugging uncomfortably, she said, 'I took it from the Second Hall when the Demons were invading Ryvham.'  After she tended is minor wound, she grined and had him follow her to her bedchamber.

There Chief Helmsmen Yeren lay snoring drunkenly in her bed.  Embracing Glydhawl, she whispered, 'And now you kill the Demon.  The Ryvan-Holme and the Demons must be made to pay for their betrayal of the Grychgayte.'

Chuckling, Glydhawl kissed her.  'And we shall make it look like an accident, my love,' he mumbled into her hair as he discreetly drew her belt knife.

'Oh, we hardly need to, my favored bed-mate.  Declare yourself Vrena and call it your first act of Justice.  It will make you very popular as your first ac--aa--,' she cried as he plunged her knife into her back.  She looked up in shocked eyes.

'We shall make it look like an accident, my love.  Because'",' as he saws the knife along her kidney, 'I will NOT'",' he plunges the knife into her back again, 'be a pawn to the Grychgayte, I will NOT be your pawn, or a pawn to any WOMAN!'  He lowers her and stabs her neck.

Panting, he lays on her for a time with silent tears in his eyes.  Coming to his senses, he stood and looked around the room, staring hard at the sickle-sword and trying to think.  Then Chief Helmsmen Yeren stirred and kicked the blanket off of him revealing himself to be in the nude.  Aghast and furious, he stared at his dead lover and then picked up her knife.  Kneeling over the Chief Helmsmen, he cursed him and his lover.

Then he stopped, and grinned cruelly.  He pried open the drunk man's hand and placed the knife there.  He then smeared some of the blood on himself onto Yeren.  When all was ready, he began to scream 'MURDER!  MURDERER!' and pull at Yeren's hair and face.  As Holysend's sister came in she fell to her knees and wailed.  Finally waking up, Yeren gave a start.  With a quick movement, Glydhawl pulled the Helmsmen's arm straight in and out of his armpit and gasped.  Stumbling back and reopening his wound, he cried 'MURDER!' once again.

Soon the whole house was up and most were wailing.  Someone had summoned a Wytchehunter.  Upon seeing him, Glydhawl explained how he had walked in to find that the fiendish Demon had killed the Vrena.  He finished, 'But do not let his evil blood taint our stones!  Round him up and every other Demon in Krynam!  Send them back to where they came from!'

As Chief Helmsmen Yeren was pushed through the streets naked, drunk, covered in blood, and still holding the murder weapon, he alternated between cursing in the tongue of Tuarescou and, as he sobered up, inquiring as to why he murdered the Vrena and crying that he remembered nothing.  He is even said to have repeatedly asked for forgiveness, but any Andosen who knew anything about Demons knew this to be a silly claim.

III
A Thorny Olive Branch

News that Chief Helmsmen Yeren had killed Vrena Holysend spread like wildfire.  Within two weeks, the Ryvan-holme was gathered.  As all the Far Hayrines were across the sea and beyond their justice, there seemed little to be done, but the people of Andos demanded that something must be done.

The Holme had been going on for several hours.  Vrena Synasbyre sobbed, 'But he is a Tuarescou, not a Hayar!  Should we war with Avardera as well?  Their wine led to it did it not?  Ha, madness, madness!  We judge individuals by their actions not nations by individual's actions!'

There was an uproar and a general cry of 'cowardice!'

But the Vrena  Synasbyre was fierce and unwavering.  She eventually convinced the Ryvan-Holme to unanimously decide not to war with the Demons on her last shred of honor.  After the Holme, as agreed she committed suicide.  Her body was imprisoned beneath the earth in the Grycham Rocks, the first to be buried there since they were reclaimed.[/ic]
[ic=To the Connetar Eyund]As Chief Helmsmen Yeren is a foreigner to you, the Ryvan-Holme does not decree war upon you.  The peace still stands.  However, you are not welcome in our waters for obvious reasons.  We also expect you to bring the murderer in question to justice.[/ic]
[ic=Glydhawl Stawaryd of Krynam to King Arlun Meas VI of Avardera.]To his highness,

I am the most influential person in Krynam and the most powerful man in Andos, but I am forever in awe of your mighty reputation, and my agents have told me that this still does not do you justice.  I know my Blood has been less than friendly with you, but I hope you will see past that.  Long ago, an ancestor of yours gifted Andos with this sword.  I entrust it to your noble presence and as well as my son, Hylandry Stawaryd.  I feel it is best that he leave Krynam and Andos as a moon ago his mother, the Vrena Holysend, was treacherously murdered by the Hayrine ambassador, and I feel he needs a better realm of knowledge than Andos can offer him.  It is my wish that you school him.  From geography, to fighting with that sword, to wine making, to ruling.  You will find him an adaptable and intelligent student, I hope.

In hope of friendship between Krynam and Avardera,
And in most humble regards,
Glydhawl Stawaryd[/ic]
[ic=To the Ivran]As we are both threatened by the happenings in the north, we deem it prudent that we should learn to fight together.  What we propose is that your people form a Holme, a great council, of Ivran.  The decision to be in this Holme shall be left to the individual Ivran, of course.  But we propose that each Ivran in this Holme send warriors to be commanded by the Strava, who would divide them up into smaller groups to be integrated into our own ranks, for no less than three years.  In return, as we understand warriors are needed at home, units of our warriors will be dispatched to the lands of the contributing Ivran in proportions appropriate to what was given.  Here they will alternate between labor (as we have noted that labor is not only necessary, but strengthens ties within groups) and intensive military training.  Also, as a valid Holme, you shall have a aid in deciding who will be the next Strava.  Of course, you will have your same laws, as who knows better the Laws of the Land than the inhabitants?

Keeping the Tree,
The Ryvan-Holme[/ic]
[ooc]These are wrap up correspondences.  I do not think they are necessary to respond to this update, but were posted as they did occur in this 25 year period.  I will post a few of them again after the next update, I think.

Also, Tree 0=247 YOTC[/ooc]

[ooc]Final Orders

Stravam (Military)

Reform military so that Andosens (perhaps even Ivruskans) from different regions are integrated.

Altarnate between reconstructing Andos and intensive military training

build wall approximately midway between the current(last update) southern territory limits of Andos and northern territory limits of Far Hayar on the continent.

build galleys

develop larger and better staff-slings that utilize multiple men.

rebuild outpost on the coast

fortify outposts still standing with stone (possibly quarried from the continental mountains)

Ryvan-Holme

Reclaim deforested areas as farmland

renew roads

build road through forest to connect with the Sorghedai

send orphaned children to learn the trade of chariot making.

build outposts in the north and send parties to explore it more

rebuild Andos, especially the west coast and the holy places

Krynam

expand popularity to the country side

[/ooc]

[ooc]

domistic:  
introduce currency.  the silver leaf and the gold flower, by having any expenses of the kingdom paid with them.(the gold flower is rather rare though, and only silver will be in common circulation) with great care taken to freely hand out scales and explaining merchants the principles behind it.

Found an Academy in the village where the Nargaq forest river and the Avarderan Tower road intersec (I assume that it's natural a village will spring up there) and rename it Ariedne.
the Academy acting as a place of knowledge exchange, storage and research, but also a place for teaching, with the prior informal higher teaching being centralised here.
two sub academy is also part of it, a War Academy and a Academy of the Arcane.

recognise the souther tribes that still lives in the forest the claim on the land they inhabit, in exchange for an expectation from the king that they guard and keep an eye on it.

Foreign: cultivate friendly relationship with Numenas

be ready to assist Auri as needed

accept the child from Andos

explain currency to all friendly nation

Military:

Construct watch towers along the southern border

modernise the army, with one spearman unit being retrained as charioter, and the other having thier armour and weaponry exchanged to more heavy version with the training that follows.

renew campaign against the Hayrine following this battleplan
 [spoiler=plan for Stormshield] phase 1. encircle and isolate: cut off and isolate the hayrines on stormshield, and pick off any lone ships, essentially trying to make them appear dead for all intent and purpose for everybody else.
phase 2. clearing the way: attempt to rout thier navy after it have been sufficiently weakned and prevent them from building new ships
phase 3. landfall: assuming the army is ready at this point, make landfall on a undefende or lightly defended eastern coast Tari-pont and establish a secured position from where supplies constantly can be sent from Tari-pont.
phase 4. assault: attempt to drive out the hayrines, while the navy harasses the coast. spare anybody who surrender and submit and offer them to either integrate, or be sent to great hayar for a price.[/spoiler]

if any land assault comes from the south, then fending them off take priority, with attempts to get help from the Auri. [/ooc]

[ooc]Firstly, my apologies for my extended silence. Finals week had me in its grasp, then I returned for spring break, forgetting I lose access to this site while at home. (No idea why this occurs, but it's been established as something close to fact by this point.) Hopefully I will dive back into the swing of things relatively quick, as none of my classes seem to have anything pending.[/ooc]


 [ooc]
Orders
1. Movements are made to align the wealth of the "Princes" back into line with the beliefs of Father Sea and Mother Earth, vis a vis more efforts at exploration, trading, and resolving domestic issues, as the Princes begin to fear their growing distance from the average sailor will result in a division of the people, and possibly civil war, driven by the events of the Little War.
2. The beliefs of the People of the Isles of Sun and Moon begin to insinuate themselves within the doctrine of the Sea, nominating the Zaratan (island turtles) as messengers and chosen of Father Sea, and the League as his faithful servants. Captain Arkan seeks to establish himself as a guide of the religion, as he has "harnessed the gifts of Father Sea to his favored People." He tries to use this belief to explain his actions to he Priests of Sun and Moon, claiming he was guided by a vision from Father Sea.
[/ooc]