[Forum Game] The World at Dawn!

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Tuvan Jalay]
That is understandable and Wise. I do not forsee that we will wish to do the same for our emissary, but if the need should arise, I assume that we will be allowed to do the same.

While we are on the subject of trading, my advisors and scribes have asked me whether it would be possible for us to exchange information on the world. No doubt you know what lies to the East better than we do, and we can share information of our homeland to you. Would this agreement be acceptable to you?[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to the Triple Alliance]
A single ship, obviously not fighting capable, approaches Triple Alliance waters under a white flag of truce. It will flee if attacked, and is loaded with valuable trade goods to be used as a gift. The letter born reads as follows:

A gift for the Triple Alliance, from humble, neutral tradesmen who seek an audience with your ruler.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Tuvan Jalay to Gregor]
Very well.  Further north of us are the Chalun, our brethren, an Axuk Confederation like ourselves and the Sorghedai.  To the southeast of us lie the lands of the Prince of Murrhat; to our east is the Dawn Veil, the mountains at the eastern edge of the world.  They run from north to south seemingly without end.  Our ancestors came from the far north, and even there the veil still ran.

To the north of us, the Sorghedai roam the steppes between the the Nifar river valley and the Great Sink, a desolate and dry wasteland between the steppes and the Veil.  Further north of them is the Origin Forest, where mankind was born; there, the world of the gods intersects the world of men, and strange spirits walk the earth.[/ic]

[ic=Sarar Udai, Royal Governor of Roshhan, to Dragonlord Gregor]I bring the greetings of my Lord, the Prince of Cyrenahan.
I have been contacted by the Elder Council of the Triple Alliance; the council is divided as to what to make of your people and whether to accept your tribute or continue to treat you as an enemy of the Alliance.  I have been a long time friend of the Council, and they have asked for me to send a messenger to you to divine what it is you want in their land.  They may yet grant you an audience - with my support, of course.[/ic]

[amikaligula]

[ic=The Chronicler to Beshwur Eghke]The Chronicler had frowned during the ends of the riding-chief's story.  However, when the invitation of having Andosen warriors adopted into the tribe was brought up he smiled, as did several of the other Andosens.

"I welcome the opportunity to learn of your people and fight with them.   I shall send messengers to my homeland at once.'  At this, a tall male barked orders in Andosen.  'Perhaps it is best, however, if I were stay with you longer and absorb more of your customs before I am presented to your Great Circle.  I am concerned, or curious, rather, about your story.  You know a great deal of the Auri, a subject of much importance in Andos.  You also...seem to agree with them.  Perhaps it is just the natural respect one finds in enemies who fight well, but I think I sense more.  Am I mistaken?  I mean no disrespect, I only wish to learn."

During the intervening months that it takes for the warriors to arrive, the history of Andos is spoken of in great detail.  The Chronicler tells of how the first Ryvan-Holme was called into council when twenty-one land-holding women, Vrenas, were guided to a hot spring near Grycham by Ravens.  Here, each woman was overcome by the steam and there bodies obscured from the others until all twenty-one woke up in a circle to find each other, magically disarmed.  Distraught, they bickered about who stole whose possessions until the Earth Serpent shook in annoyance at their foolishness, collapsing the sky on them and trapping them beneath newly formed mountains.  But the Serpent is wise, so he buried them not too far below the surface.  So the twenty-one Vrenas had to cooperate with each other to get out, and in doing so, found that their many troubles and grievances with each other could be a harnessed force.  So they made war with each other and the other Vrenas, forming alliances for the first time.  They did this for many generations, until there where only forty-five Vrenas left.  Then, the Serpents and the Ravens conferred and decided that these forty-five where worthy of having their names set in the magic in the stones.  And so the sacred runes came to be, each with one sacred sound, the magic of which allows us to speak.  The Vrenas where then able to speak with each other rather than constantly warring with each other.  But three Vrenas would have none of this:  The hags W, Y, and Tch.  On the surface they did as the others, but secretly spread lies and rumors and poisonous magic.  They where eventually found out and the other forty-two Vrenas formed a circle around the wicked trio, WYTch, and banished them from the Seven-Fjords, sacred birthplace of the Andos.  So it is that to this day forty-seven sit on the Ryvan-Holme, though only twenty-one at a time.  Each member has her own rune, all of which are equal, set in a circle, except the forsaken W, Y, and Tch, which are trapped in the middle.  These are still used in speech, for their wickedness should not be forgotten.  However, it is held true that the other forty-two must continue on, as they keep the trio bound.  If one where to move outside the circle, one of the evil trio would take its place in the circle and wreck havoc.  It is suggested that the day when the evil trio repents and rejoins the circle to make forty-five again, Andos will have a new glorious age.  However, it is also suggested that the trio was completely wiped out.  The importance of balancing of strength, wisdom, intelligence, fortitude and the Flame of Hearts and Worlds is also discussed, as is Great Rylodyn.  More recent events are glossed over with boasts of seamanship, courageousness, great friendships and sadnesses, the discovery of the Land of the Dead and the new Demon threat from there, and tales of gifted individuals.[/ic]

[ic=On the Ivruskan Shores]A group of more normally dressed tall Andosen women wait near the newest pile of amber.  Whether they are chased away or not, they will drop what javelins where recovered adorned with amber.  After this they will be unarmed.  If they are not harmed they will come back with tasty fish and herbs and other items to trade, as well.[/ic]

[ic=To Ruthern from the Ryvan-Holme]How fare your people?  We are sorry that we have no idea who to address this specifically, but we hope that this has found the rulers of you fine land.  We are afraid that our oral records are lax on their accounts on you and your country and would like to remedy that, especially to update it.  Surely piracy bothers you as well and if there is anything we can do to aid you with this problem, though we are far off, we will try to come to a suitable exchange.[/ic]

[ic]Messengers are discreetly trying to make contact e=with the remnants of the Nargaq, reminding them of Andos' aid and promising rewards and citizenship for any who would migrate to Andos, especially those with knowledge of tunneling, as well as other craftsman.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=To Tuvan Jalay]
Gregor sends with a messenger his thanks, as well as a map of the known world. He is instructed to add to a copy the new information given him by Tuvan.
[/ic]
[ic=Sarar Udai, Royal Governor of Roshhan, to Dragonlord Gregor]I bring the greetings of my Lord, the Prince of Cyrenahan.
I have been contacted by the Elder Council of the Triple Alliance; the council is divided as to what to make of your people and whether to accept your tribute or continue to treat you as an enemy of the Alliance.  I have been a long time friend of the Council, and they have asked for me to send a messenger to you to divine what it is you want in their land.  They may yet grant you an audience - with my support, of course.[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to Udai]
Greetings again Royal Governor,

It is Inveran's hope that our relations in this matter may be better conducted than before. Inveran, to be frank, is growing weary of taking sides in conflicts that will affect us not. We make trading forays up the river, to all nations there, and wish to remain neutral in any conflicts between the nations there. We wish to extend our trading empire abroad as a neutral trading partner, benefiting all with goods from afar.

We have approached the Triple Alliance for two reasons. firstly, we wish to trade with them. Second, with Kuregn currently holding the straights, we are unable to send our ships beyond them. Through the lands of the Triple Alliance, we wish to once again gain access to you and your neighbors through the Snake River.

Please stress to them that any agreement, should one be reached, will be profitable for us both. Accompanying this letter are two trunks, filled with trade goods exotic to your region.

Dragonlord Gregor  
[/ic]

[Wensleydale]

[ic=To Kuregn]Dearest family and greatest one,
We of the Machta-In have lost many of our galleys recently, as you know. We are incapable of any real military action. If it is possible, could you assist us in breaking through the Inveranian blockade, delivering our sizable army to their shores to finally end this senseless conflict and join with you to provide you with ships of our own?[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Beshwur Eghke to the Chronicler]
The Beshwur led out a brief laugh.  "I respect the Auri for their single-mindedness.  One need not hate an enemy; hatred wins nothing.  I respect them, but I would not want to be them - it must be a lonely and barren life, to have no tradition and not be one with one's ancestors.  I have never fought more worthy foes than the people of the Agah - but he is our foe nonetheless.  Our recordspeaker keeps not only the history of our tribe and Confederation, but the origins of the other peoples of the steppe as well, even the Auri.  It is a stirring narrative, is it not?"

"In any case, you are welcome to stay with us until the next Circle of the Confederation, which is three months from now.  Joining warriors to our tribe, however, is a joint decision of the recordspeaker and myself.  The recordspeaker will have to hear the history of your tribe and an... in depth recitation of the ancestors of each of your warriors, back to the Forgotten Ages, as well as their great deeds, victories, and defeats.  The recordspeaker has the greater responsibility, for though I must decide if each warrior is worthy, the recordspeaker must decide whether their ancestors are worthy.  It is not an easy process, but we will be grateful for your warriors, and they will learn to fight with us."[/ic]

[ic=On the Ivruskan Shores]After being sighted by gatherers, the women were met by another party of warriors, though this time led by a venerable old man carrying a carved wooden staff.  The party was armed, but carried items to trade - carved wood, amber and copper jewelry, honey, tree nuts, and tamed wolves.  Through hand signals and simple communication, the women bartered with the Ivruskan party, which then departed.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Sarar Udai to Gregor]I thank you for your gifts, but I believe you fail to grasp the realities of the situation.  Your outpost is a source of wealth, and wealth is power; when you make friends with the Xuk or Auri, you make other enemies.  It is regrettably not possible to avoid taking sides - you must trust me on this, as I have been navigating the currents of trade and politics in what you call "the East" since I was a boy.

If your merchants sell to the Triple Alliance, you will make enemies of the Bashkyrs, and if you trade with the Xuk you will find yourself opposed to the Elder Council of the Alliance.  Even the Bashkyrs are not always united.  You may yet end up provoking a war, perhaps a war against your outpost, if you continue to trade with both sides in an ongoing conflict.  You are dealing in dangerous territory here, Dragon Prince, and my recommendation to you is to choose allies carefully - for if you try and remain neutral and have no enemies, you will soon find that you have no friends either.

I can arrange a meeting with the Elder Council if you wish, but if you insist on neutrality I do not think they will have much to say to you.  Nobody wants profit for all, Dragon Prince - they want profit for themselves, and not their enemies.[/ic]

[ic=Despotissa Koura to the Machta]Now that Yaffa is ours, I will give you the aid of all our ships that can be spared, though I have heard Inveran's navy is formidable.

If we are able to break the blockade, I will dispatch armies as well - I will see that the attack is led by the Agnrian Guard, my best soldiers.[/ic]

[Locknpop4life]

[ic= Confused citizen to Chieftain]Chieftain through exploration we have discovered a a new dry land with green grasses and large trees.  we do not know how to live here for there is no mud to make houses and no river to plant rice in. What are you to do[/ic]

[ic= Chieftains response]Citizen do not fear the dry land. I believe you can conquer given the right opportunities with this letter i send a group of our finest archers to protect you as you venture out of the marsh. may rashea bless your travels and guide you into what is hopefully a fruitful endeavor. have faith

Chieftain Noil[/ic]

[ooc]have unit of composite archers escort this letter back. if i don't have on of those yet then i guess ill have to wait till next turn[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

have unit of composite archers escort this letter back. if i don't have on of those yet then i guess ill have to wait till next turn

You currently have one unit of regular archers (Arc), but you have the technology for composite archers (CAr), so over the course of this next turn you can convert one into the other.  It may just happen automatically if your people find it to be a superior weapon.

[ic=The Nem-Ammar to Kashtu]
We will be ever vigilant against invaders and will surely join with you should our great homeland be further threatened.  Our numbers have dwindled during the great war, however, and we are ill prepared at present to expand our territory or give you a firm assurance of meaningful aid.  As ever, we await the coming of the true Ammar to lead our people to glory.[/ic]

[amikaligula]

[ic=To Beshwur Eghke]Chirub nods in agreement at the Beshwur.  "Yes, one need not hate an enemy.  There is a saying amogst our people.  Er, it might sound course as my translation abilities are far from perfect, but it is beautiful, as are all things of the ancient Vrenas.  'Hatred is blind to the Ravens' Stars and deaf to the Serpent's Whispers', that is, hatred is the most dangerous thing a warrior can succumb to, more than arrows more than death itself, for it causes unbalance that may harm their allies.  That is why all Vrenas are women, they can endure the pain that results in hatred more than any man can.  Why, we have tales probably from your 'Forgotten Age' that tell of men eating the children they had birthed to avenge the pain the children caused them in being birthed.  Huh, but I will have many months to tell of all these tales.  And I assure you we are reassured of your culture's standards now.  I had feared that the lack of culture of the Auri was equated to their adaptability in positive ways, but I see that is not the case.  They merely coexist with each other."

The other Andosens had been having a quit conversation with one another.  One of them pokes at Chirub.  "Excuse me for a moment," Chirub says.  After a long conversation, Chirub addresses the Beshwur again.

"Nothing to worry about, honorable Beshwur.  Only a matter of custom.  I hope you do not mind that their own Motherhouse's Chroniclers do not come themselves, though.  Aside from such cases as me, where twins or greater are born, Chroniclers are too valuable to leave their Motherhouse's hearth.  It is not you we distrust, rather we dare not oppose the laws and customs that our land has bequeathed us, lest the seas turn on us.  The warriors shall be instructed fully in their personal history, though."[/ic]

[ic=Ivruskans]More women join the subsequent trade expeditions, all unarmed.  The wolves are sought after.  But even more, knowledge is sought after.  Customs, tongues, and geography are the most important to exchange.  While humble, however, the women are not submissive to the easterners and tend to withdraw when pushed.  Sometimes they come back the next day and warily reach a compromise, other times they avoid the problematic subject altogether.  They mention mainland Andos and the Ryvan-Holme as little as possible.[/ic]

[ic=Edict of the Strava]Armed patrols of the Ryvalnya are to assemble the scattered remnants of the Arranians with an absolute minimum of bloodshed and deliver this message:

 I, The Strava, as a merciful benefactor, offer to aid you in your time of need.  I will let it be known that our agents tell me it was those wolves in sheeps-hide, the Avarderans, who betrayed you to the Auri.  We will aid you in finding a better existence than you have been living, as you have surely been suffering in the wake of the destruction of your city-state.  Those of you who have had practice in the herbal arts will find a nice place amongst our people and we will happily enlist those with like gifts into a better life.  Indeed, we would like to offer a better life for all of you splendid survivors.  However, we must also take measures to ensure that this never happens again.  To do this, I propose that you lend your labor and knowledge of your ruined homeland to aid us in the construction of a great fortress in the hills between the hills and the sea, one that will bar the Auri from invading our homes again.  We but desire your service.

Obviously there is a hint of a threat, with the Ryvalnya practically holding any Arranians they find at spearpoint.  They do not, however, rough them up, and do, indeed, carry plenty of food and water and fresh clothing and whatever else is needed to help those who come to them seeking aid and agree by their terms.  They are to be initially conveyed to the provinces of the Grychgayte, to be refortified and versed in Andosen building methods.  They are treated well there.[/ic]

[Haphazzard]

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

The council finds your samplings satisfying, and samplings of our own goods will accompany this message.

We cannot allow an embassy in our lands.  Our past has shown that another on your land almost always ends up in a fight.  It is as though you are saying "Let me hold your spear, for surely you will some day hold mine."  Traces of gold have been found to come from the mountains to our west, however locating the veins will be difficult.  Should you help us locate and extract this precious resource, perhaps we may reconsider.  For, to live with a friend is safer than living alone.

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

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Egwydor]
Fair enough, but what sort of help may we, a humble seafaring race with no knowledge of the mountains, give to you? [/ic]

[Haphazzard]

[ic=Egwydor to Dragonlord Gregor]
Perhaps you could send some men who have found the earth inside them.  Morcant, our councilor of earth, has informed me that our projects outweigh our men.

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

[Tillumni]

[ic= in the court of King Meas V]
The King sighed hiddenly...he had allways envied his younger brothers position as the ruler of Avardera....now that envy made him felt ashamed after he had started to take over, due to his brothers sons being too young still.  he turned his attention back to the assempled nobles, and conveyed the plan that he had formed with his elder brother and his scripe.
"The Age of War is over, and now it is time for Avardera to turn toward making the cost of war worth it.  We no longer have to fear that the warring state of Narqag threathning us, and the Auri have proven to be a loyal and strong friend. but even as we have secured Avarderas land, her water remains preyed upon by pirates and corsairs. Therefor, to support the creation of another great fleet, to protect the coast of Avardera, the spearmen of the red shield will be disbanded" King Meas V took great gear to put emphasy on the protection of Avarderas coast, reminding the assembled nobles that it is from the north, that Avardera is now potentially threatned, before he continued "Avardera have also grown to a great size, and so, to ensure that all of Avardera can gain from her prospirity and riches, to ensure that the riches of the Auri can freely flow into Avardera and to ensure the words and laws of Avardera can reaches the furthers corner of her, a great network of roads, connecting the cities and villages of Avardera shall be constructed" He took a carefull pause, then finished
"May we all Prosper"[/ic]


 [ic= in the wing of the royal palace that have been turned to record keeping]
"no no no, that looks too much like >>goat<<"  "yeah, if ya too dumb, to understand the subtleness of" "enough!...I allread said, disagree freely, but keep the insults reined in!" The Kings Scripe sighed....it had felt like an honour when King Meas V had assigned him the duty of leading the progress of formalising the Avarderan written language.....untill he realised, through experience, that he would be working with passionated artists and proud scholars...sometime both in one person.....atleast there was progress, if abit erratic at times and they had started to get proper papyrus to work with, intead of having to carve everything in bark.
[/ic]  

[ic= in the fields outside taripont]
"seriusly, my dad's a stubborn cow, he keep insisting on keeping his grape fields" a young man hugged his girl from behind comforting her "shhh...it can't be that bad, can it?" "not that bad?. grapes have to constantly tendered, unlike grain......I hate it...I don't get as much time to spent with you as I used to" the pair sighed as one "just because he got this idea from the king saying that >>people can only eat bread untill they are filled<<" there was a long periode of silence, before the male voice broke it "you know.....if you lived with me, then you wouldn't had to work on his farm" "....what?" "I said, if you" "no no..I heard you....this is just sudden" "oh..sorry" "stop saying sorry you big cow" "oh, sorry about saying sorry" "I said sto" the complain was broken off by a kiss, then a smile "I know..I'm just messing with you"[/ic]

[ic= on the coast nearby the ruins of Arennia]
A high sun lit up an expedition as it neared the ruined gate of Arennia...not that they had to take the rund-about way to enter the city, with the way must of the city walls had been broken down, either by Auri hand, or by nature and time following the sacking, it just felt like te proper way to enter the city, to pay respect to the spirit of Arennia.
"look for survivors and offer them shelter the King says, bring back any object or lore of use the King says"  Eran looked down what once must had been a busy street, now over grown with grass, weed and even the occasional tree, this expedition no longer seemed as simple as the King had putted it, his thoughts was interrupted by an enthuaistic voice
"woooah, look at the sice of these buildings...back in Avarra, only the kings place is this big"
Eran shoke his head, how a cheerfull, optimistic, happy-go-lucky guy like Sirol had managed to keep up his spirit in a place like this was beyond him, not that he didn't appreciate ha....what was the fool doing now? "hey, Sirol, get down from there" "but I can get a much better view from up here Voice Eran" "but..." he sighed "just be carefull"
"orders Voice Eran?" "search the whole city, see if there's any building that seems to have been scavenged from recently, or have been attempted repaired and if there's any recording, then I want it brought here" "voice Eran..hey..I think I see a village in the horisont....no smoke though" Eran looked up, seeing Sirol having allready crawled to the top of the building "good job...we'll check it out, when we're done in here" Eran looked around, surveving the city and made a mental note to never insult an Auri "oh, one more thing...we're setting up camp, outside the city" [/ic]
(sorry if it seems like I'm stealing your idea Ami!)

[ic= reply to Andos, delivered by mouth through a Kings Messenger]

The King bring this message to the Andosen people.

He commend and appreciate that the Andosen have merited out justice themself, and he agree that the death of your people, have done justice for the death of our people.
But the king feels that the act of agression it self have not been repaid for, and also feels that the Andos are too humble, to not realise that your people indeed have something great to offer. your spear arm and archery.
your people attacked Avardera, a proper reperation will then be to have your people defend Avardera. specificly, to have your ships hunt down pirates that plagues the northen sea.
protect the lives and livehood of Avarderas people, and surely the people will see that as repairement for the life and livehood lost at the hand of the Andosen people.

also, the king adds, less piracy, means more trade.

May We All Prosper[/ic]

[ic= to the Dragonlord of Inveran]

King Meas V greets and commend you, for raising this concern.
after carefull scrutinising the map, Avardera will suggest a border that goes from the south eastern tip of Avardera lands, wherne it connects with the southern Narqag river, and going diagonal, in a south western direction, to the northen tip of the Runethains land. everything west of the border will be considered Avarderan, and everything east shall be Inveran.

is that acceptable?

Avardera also wishes to exchange learned people with Inveran, hoping that what we know will be acceptable, to be able to learn what the Inveran knows.

May We All Prosper.
[/ic]  

[ic=To the Agah of the Auri, herald of light]

Avardera humble greets our friend and ally, and we come with this request.
Avardera wishes acces to the great library of your capital to translate, record and copy the lore within and if the Agah wishes, such records will be made avaliable to all your people.
Avardera will also request the Auri assistance in constructing a great road, connecting the capital of Avardera, Ar-Naghk and the capital of the Auri, so that our people may freely travel between each other as friends and brothers in arms.
Lastly, I will like to request having a teacher of Zhasmunism to attend my court, and teach me the proper way of living by the light and be a person of the light

May We All Prosper[/ic]

[ic=to the league of freeman]
Greetings.

Due to recent develiopement, then Avardera would like to aquire larger shipments of papyrus. Avardera understand that it is a long and dangerous travel for such a fragile goods,and so will offer favorable prices for the papyrus to arrive in Avardera.

May We All Prosper[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Meas V]
I'm afraid that will not do. You take more, I think, than is fitting for an agreement such as this.

I see that your territory in this area is crescent shaped. If you take your southernmost extent and go straight east, leaving everything southward, then I shall agree.[/ic]