File: Factor system v1.pdf (578 KB, PDF)

578 KB PDF

>>5912911
First off, for playing, reading the pdf in this post is mandatory (don't worry, it's not really long and has a lot of charts that can be glanced over). It explains how to play, what to roll, gives you a nice summary of all the technical terms and a small example of play within this system of mine.
Second off, all the players (let’s start with the first 3 or 4 players that send their races) will be required to tripfag, as this quest will last more than one thread.
Third, I will require the players to play the game with a understanding that this is a system that rips a lot of control out of the hands of both the players and the QM, where bad luck can and will fuck you over, where poor rolls can break empires up and where stuff will break, get twisted, go bad and be irritating, or even frustrating, which is why this should be viewed as a roleplaying and narrative building game, rather than as a competitive experience. Separatist movements will spring up, swathes of your empires will break off, cities will declare independence, and tribes will revolt.
Fourth, the rate of updates (or turns) will be one every four days. In case a player misses a turn, I, the QM will play a turn for said player. If a player misses two turns in a row, he loses the ownership of his faction and a new player can come in and take over it. Same goes for successful separatist movements, afte a initial period of struggle, I will put them up for adoption.

>>5912913
And finally, all the groups/civilizations/races will be started with them descending from the glacier covered far north of the planet. The method of them appearing/being transported there is magical and not something they understand or know. The information I require about civilizations people are bringing in is:
-a short narrative about the group (who are they? Are they a peasant rebellion that fled into the snowstorm with their families fleeing the blades of their pursuing lords? Or maybe a miliary expedition with their guns and all terrain vehicles? Maybe the shipwrecked Atlantic fleet of the Mali emperor? Perhaps an alternate reality, like a 17th century Burgundian army with its camp followers getting lost in the alps on route to punish the Ottomans for their intervention in the thirty years war? Or maybe it’s a fantasy race, like a misty mountains orc warlord getting lost in a snowstorm? Perhaps its an ancient Turian army clad in steel plate and equipped with pikes and crossbows?)
-species needs to be biologically possible, non robotic and non magical, this means that monogendered species are possible, extremely long lived species are possible, variants (think worker-warrior ant split) are possible, etc
-I do not allow hiveminds or species that are incapable of harming other members of it
-technological level for them is up to the modern day and no further (not that it matters much, as it will definitely degrade very quickly), but I will make exceptions for stuff like steampunk, dieselpunk and such, as long as the player understands it will last a few decades at most
-the names and short backstories of up to 3 major characters within the faction (1, the ruler, is required, if the other two aren’t written up, I will make them myself)
When I am given these, I will approve or reject the faction and give the player a rough number for his starting population (the more individually impressive or the more technologically impressive the race, the lower the numbers). If the player is fine with this, he rolls a number for his starting location.

>>5912914
>What are they?
Metachiropterans, or more coloquially, metachirops or bats

Currently, the life of an metachirop goes like this: A young pup is born in a colony of many thousands of bats living in cities built in caves, or on mountain peaks or in the folliage of great forests, to a couple earning their living getting food and other resources from the communal forests as most bats do. The pup grows up learning from the elders living among them about the world and their history and place in it. The pup doesn't understand much the Great Harmony but he likes how they all get to sing in the end. The pup spends most of his time playing and helping those around him The pup, now of 3 years, starts going on foraging voyages with others, he can't go on hunting voyages since he is too young afterall. There, he, like all youths, are closely watched and taught what and how much to take, he is then punished via a couple of hits with a stick for stuffing his mouth with berries and made to recite the tale of how the foolish clan destroyed their isle of paradise because they exploited the land and its inhabitants too much and they all died.

The pup, now 5, has to stop being a pup and become a bat. He is taken on his first hunting voyage, then tasked with delivering gifts to a neighbouring colony alone, and serving their ruler and elders for one year. He does so and, after many trials, returns to his home an adult. The bat, now 7, starts eyeing the position of head of the hunting and foraging voyages, better know as a flightleader. The number of flightleaders varies, they are chosen by the elders, each voyage having a different flightleader before the cycle starts again. Our little bat however is young and has little prestige to his name, so he offers to help with the religious ceremonies more often, improving his social standing.

Fortunatly, war looms on the horizont, the council of sages has proclaimed a raid on the neighbouring kingdom after their prince commited a murder during his time time as a hostage year of initiation and has ran away back to his father. The bat and others like him muster on an border outpost, each armed with a small dagger and a bow and arrow or a spear, all of which the metachirops use with their feet. They are joined by a warpack specialised in the usage of thunderdust, a defeaning concoction which can maim a bats senses beyond healing. They hear the enemy army, aroused to action by the king's scouts whom have heard the gathering of bats, a deadly game of cat and mouse begins as each army tries to gain a better position while more and more frequent skirmishes slowly raise the number of casualties. Finally, one of the parties is forced to commit to battle, which begins with a salvo of thunderdust.

>>5913370
The bat survives the ordeal, the enemy army having been routed, and is currently on a mad flight with his comrades to reach the enemy hunting grounds and "forageries" to burn them. War is risky, once a battle is won, the attacker needs to rush to burn the enemy forests to force him to surrender else another army is gathered and the game of manuvers starts again. The bat however doesn't need to worrie about that, an envoy from the king arrives to discuss peace. It is often the case that, once the enemy is defeated and their sources of food threatened to be destroyed, the defeated party surrenders and negociations start. In this case, like many other times, the matter is settled with a tribute of slaves whom, once brough in, are forced to endure horrible conditions in the mines of the victorious party. The bat returns triumphant, words of his valiance and discipline persuade the elders to put him in the flighleader roster, which opens in turn a whole lot of possibilities for him should he maintain a good enough record for 5 to 15 years. The bat can remain a flightleader for most of his life, or he can turn towards the matters of war entirely and join the warrior elite, he can also immerse himself further into the cleargy, etc. Regardless, he has many options to ensure he has a smooth flight to elderhood.

I will write about the faction itself tommorow, when it's not the middle of the night for me and I can lament the writing choices I made in my sleep-deprived state

>>5912911
The Hatana are an ethnicity of humans native to other lands. They had risen in revolt against their masters, and had been brutally crushed and cast out of their homeland as a response. In exile, they have chosen new leaders and search for a new home.

Their leader, Eduhard Falke, is a charismatic visionary with grand ideas for the future. He was a well educated half-breed. His good education and fine upbringing gave him the skills and confidence to lead in the failed insurrection. With the other ringleaders dead or fled, it fell to him to carry on the hopes and ideals.

His idealism is contrasted sharply with the pragmatism and cool calculation of Usel z'Fusil. A gunsmith of moderate skill, his real talent came down to organization. He had once owned the largest swath of gunsmiths in the Old City. He was banished along with the others on account of his race and the allegiances of some of his associates. Now in the same boat as the others, he chafes under the direction of Eduhard but understands that the boy's popularity and charisma allow him to do what Usel could not - lead openly.

Closelle Oldurae was not like either man. She represented the average Hatan. Once a member of the regional administration, she had neither the charisma of Eduhard nor the business acumen of Usel. She did have extensive contacts and was popular among the people for her uncompromising positions. She was not afraid of a fight, be it verbal or physical. Closelle embodied the feminine traits most desired: Ferocity, Loyalty, and Charity. She had the loyalty of the Weavers and Bakers, two important guilds with existing memberships.

>>5913370
>>5913373
I did not expect bats, but still, very cool.
I do have some questions regarding the biology.
How long is the pregnancy period?
What's the average lifespan, height and weight for a well fed and healthy individual in the prime of their life?
How strong are they?
Do they have 4 limbs (arm-wings and legs) or 6 (arms, wings and legs)?
What is thunderdust? A refined plant or some mineral?

>>5913492
Could you describe the Hatana physically, the environment (climate) they lived in and the technological level of their society?

>>5913679
Oh and I almost forgot, how much, how fast and how high and far can they fly?

>>5913373
Clan Xohoxia is one of many to migrate during the Times of Trouble, a period of almost omnipresent strife on their world as the previous period of plenty has ended with volcanic activity and changes in the world's climate damaging the carefully cultivated forests that make up Metachiroptean agriculture. The Years of Hunger did not restric themselves to just two summerless years, the diminished food supply was just one domino in a cascade of societal fallout. Bats turned to banditry, coalescing into roaming warbands. To solve the crisis, the central elites looked either inwards, resulting in a push for centralisation and a regular civil wars, or outwards, resulting in wars of expansion as everybody tried to obtain more forests from their own clan. Ironic enough, these attempts to solve the famine ended up prolonging it, as the death toll kept increasing, colonies found themselves having less and less batpower to perform their communal style of agriculture, which in turn drove to more attempts at centralisation and wars of expansion, the cycle continuing downward. Many have proclaimed this to be the coming of the Apogee, the dramatic climax of the Song of Songs(Saharusah), the end of this earth and the begining of a new one.

Harkun Sashtakan Xohoxia is the leader of the clan. He, like many others in his position, decided to abandon their old lands and to migrate somewhere else. He is young for his position, he had to take the mantle of Clanhead at only 14 years old after his father was killed by an invading army. He often tries to play the role of the mediator, convinced that a clan united is unstoppable. He has a subtle fear of acting out, gained during his 1 years spend away, in the central court, and thinks of this migration as his chance to purify himself and make his clan into something greater, better.

Nex to Harkun is the elder Zarasah, the spiritual leader of the clan. He is a follower of the Farsha Canon, a religious creed which holds that the Metachirops are part of the Saharuash, that the Saharusah has ONE eternal singer to whom the spirits of the dead go, that the Saharusah is cyclical, that art is hollistic, etc. He has convinced Harkun to migrate as far away as possible. He is a happy 39 yearold with a taste for mint tea.

Sermiah Shurisah Xohoxia is a 19 yearold polymath and leader of Xohoxia's alchemists. She is has earned her position by process of elimination after most of her rivals were taken by either the central authority, other colonies, or warbands, her character being taught of as untrustworthy due to her ambitious personality and a couple of comments regarding the centralisation efforts. She gives her all to her work in procuring both medicine and armament for the Xohoxia and belives this puts her a step lower only to the Clanhead. Do not disturbe her work without a good reason.

>>5913855
>How long is the pregnancy period?
The pregancy period lasts 6 months. Metachirops are a monogamous species and most births consist of 1 pup.
>What's the average lifespan, height and weight for a well fed and healthy individual in the prime of their life?
The average Metachirop lives 65 years. In the prime of his life, a bat will grow to 1 meter lenght and a wingspan of 2.5 meters. Metachirops enter menopause at the age of 45.
>How strong are they?
Enough to be able to, at most, carry 60kg in their flight.
>Do they have 4 limbs (arm-wings and legs) or 6 (arms, wings and legs)?
Their skeleton possesses 4 appendages. Their "arms" constitue their wings, but they can also make use of them as a support when sitting. Their legs are more peculiar, The meat around the femur is part of the wings, but from the knee down, the tibia and febula are enlongated to resemble human forearms. The legs end in feet with 5 digits, among whom is an opposable thumb.
>What is thunderdust? A refined plant or some mineral?
Thunderdust is their name for what humans call blackpowder.

>>More on technology

>Agriculture and medicine
Herbal medicine occupies the central stage of medical development, the most prosperous states having dedicated groves for cultivating medicinal plants. Making medicine and treating illnesses make one half of the duties of alchemists. Agriculture is practiced communally by engineering forest ecosystems through a number of methods such as fertilising the soil with guano and making rudimentary dams(think of beavers). The bats practice fishing along their damed rivers. Honey is considered medicial and is incorporated into religious ceremonies and the diet of those who can affoard it. Bugs are considered food and are used as rations while traveling. Silk worms are a favourite for insectkeepers due to their dual use. Hunting is the source of most of the meat consumed. Forestkeeping is considered prestigious and is administered by the leaders of the colony. A meal for a metachirop consists of cooked meat and a large assortment of fruits and eggs, to which, depending on the region, are added fish, olive oil, spices, etc.
>cont.

>>5913858
>Materials and chemistry
Wood is the most used building material. Pottery is considered an art, small jars and decorations sometimes being used as currency. Metalurgy is practiced at a lower scale due to the inability to fly while encumbered by arms and armor. Minerals are mined usualy by slaves and criminals. Wools and animal skins are used for insulation and decorating. Clothes are a sign of wealth and worm on the legs, gems, silver and gold serve similar functions.

>Commerce
Money takes the form of silk and thin, perforated silver coins. Trading is divided into 2. 1, individual trading, where one or a small group of bats would fly to a nearby trading outpost to trade with members of other colonies/states, this is limited by the carrying capacity of the bats. 2, caravan trading, where beasts of burden and/or ships are used to transport large quantities of goods to and from colonies/states. It often happens to take months or even a couple of years before a caravan comes back to its starting colony. Banking was in its early stages before the Times of Trouble.lma that I forgot to to change the placeholder name

>War
Armor is rare due to the added weight, so a culture of "glass cannons" makes the foundation of metachiropteran warfare. Bows and spears, often time with poisoned tips, are the main weapons of the bats. The invention of thunderdust forced bats to develope new tactics as one volley of thunderarrows could disable and entire army if the circumstances allow it.

The printing press exists

For other domains, simply consider 15th century Europe a, mostly, technological equivalent

>>5913855
>>5913858
>>5913862

Alright, alright, I'm vibing with this.
This will definitely be interesting and I feel like you will absolutely stomp over a
I'll ask you for a few more things if and when I need to, but so far, I'm liking this. I feel like fourteen thousand batmen, divided roughly half and half when it comes to sex should be a solid number considering relatively advanced technology and flight, combined with small stature and short lifespan. I also need a d20 for the starting location.

>>5912914

Brazenbeard Dwarfs revere the burning flame, for the heat at the heart of the world is the source of all, and all that lives looks to the light and the warmth. In the great cataclysm that felled the Dwarf holds of old our people were lost and isolated; beset by foes. We held the line again and again for an age of woe, until the very earth was rent and the stone of our hold crumbled beneath our boots. Only then did we turn, only then did we withdraw; for ruin had already been bought to all that we had fought to keep. We marched from the ruins of the fallen hold out into the snowfields, and from here our name vanished from the books of Dwarfen lore.

Forbath Coaljaw is the clan's last Thane, a strong sturdy warrior with one hand already long lost to the foe in the great defense. Leadership and command in the 'retreat' (we do not call it flight) has made him de-facto leader of the remnant of the clan; though he is far from the oldest among their remaining numbers, and was not considered nobility before the hold's last war.

Gerna Smeltaxe is Forge-Mother, a Steelsmith of great skill and an acolyte of the burning heart. She has exhulted and roused to keep Dwarf spirits lifted even as we trudged through the frozen wastes of the great cold nemesis, but looks to a time when she can once again express her faith and craft through the creations of furnace and Anvil.

Hostaem Goldseed was a wealthy Dwarf before the hold of old was swept away, his family holding many farms and breweries. Now that wealth is gone, but the Goldseed name lives on; and Hostaem vows that through toil and purchase he will see the family restored to their place.

>>5913881
Alright, dwarves, can't go wrong with the classics, but again, I'll need some biology.
>How long is the pregnancy period?
>What's the average lifespan, height and weight for a well fed and healthy individual in the prime of their life?
>How strong are they?
>Do females have beards?
>What's the ratio of males to females?
Oh and I'll ask about the tech.
>Gunpowder?
>Crossbows?
>How advanced is metalworking and mining tech?

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5913864
rolling

>>5913888
Pretty good position, not that any starting position would harm you much seeing how you can fly. I'll wait for the Brazenbeard and the Hatana before starting (and maybe someone else if they hop in in the meanwhile).

>>5912914
I'll throw my hat in the ring, if that's alright.
The Obsidian Panthera are, in short, a race of Aztec Jaguar Men.
The Panthera I suck at names are a race of Jaguar Men, and the Obsidian Panthera are the Panthera who inhabited the Obisidan City, one of the many city-states scattered accross their native jungle, each inhabited by various beast-people.

>a short narrative about the group
The sky is filled with ash, the lakebed devoid of water. Crops have wilted, prey has fled. The priests are unanimous, the signs are crystal clear. The Obisidan Jaguars must leave, the gods want them here no longer. They pack whatever they can, leaving their great, proud stone city deserted and abandoned. They head North, away from their many enemies and vassals. When will they stop? How many will die before their destination is reached?
Only the gods know.

>Species
The panthera are a mix of Jaguar and Human features, with a bipedal form, opposable thumbs, flat and wide feet like a human, but also robust and stocky limbs, tan-yellow spotted fur, claws ending their digits and a large, teeth filled maw with a crushing bite. They have a mean adult height of 180cm, making them roughly 15cm taller than a human on average. Their weight is great to roughly the same extent. Males are larger then females, as in both Jaguar and Humans. They have good night vision, and are generally agile and strong. Some individuals have black fur instead of the more typical tan-yellow pelts, but it is uncommon.
Gestation is around 11 months, on average, with 1 and occasionally 2 newborns per litter. Their lifespan average, in good conditions, is roughly 80 years, but a healthy, well situated individual can comfortably live up to 100, with 120 being a old, venerable age only few reach.

>Technological level
In short, roughly what the Aztecs had, which is roughly medieval with some standout achievements as well as a few weaknesses.
They excel in architecture and civil engineering, constructing massive stone monuments and building well planned and massive cities with aqueducts, waterways, temples, public schools, the whole package.

>>5913916
They are also no strangers to statecraft, having nobles trained in schools since birth in economics, theology, mathematics, astrology, law, warfare and more who makeup the intellectual backbone of Panthera society.
They know metalworking, but only using soft metals like silver and gold, and have thus no experience making metal weapons, using wood, stone, leather, obisidan and bone instead.
Weapons of choice include spears, maces, bows, macuahuitl's (Aztec obsidian sword, you know the one) and atlatl's (spear-thrower). Tanned leather/wooden shields are common.
Medicine wise, they are essentially medieval, with trained herbalists and healers, but they are also adept at physiology, understanding what part of the body does what, and as such can treat physical injuries well.
I can go into further detail on request.

>Society
Similar to the Aztecs, with some major differences being the ritualistic consumption of captives after they are sacrificed, and that women are required to fight as men do. Warfare and religion are the two main backbones of Panthera society, with constant skirmishes and the occasional all-out war against their neighbours bringing in
a stead flow of captives for sacrifice or occasionally as hostages or slaves. They pray to many gods, with The Great Jaguar being their own patron deity, who is god of the night sky, conflict, obsidian and wind.
One's position in the Obsidian city was determined largely by their military achievements, with commoners routinely being elevated to nobility for great achievements,
and the children of nobility sometimes being cast down to the rank of commoner if they could no prove themselves worthy.
Notable groups include the nobility, the priesthood, the knights, and the commoners, with commoners including anyone who doesn't fit into the prior groups.
Again, I can elaborate on request.

I'll make characters now if the above is alright

>>5913916
The carnivorous Aztec Jaguarmen are a cool idea. I approve. In fact, I feel like this will be a very interesting thing and that you will have a fun and hard time coping with the environment.
I feel like these guys would do well with some twelve thousand souls at the start.
But can we at least call them something like the Ocelopetlatl or the Oceloti or something like that?

>>5913917
>Teokuitlatiiluitl (Golden Feather)
The current king of the Obsidian city. Raised in The Noble School at a young age, he showed great affinity towards theology, and was nearly ready to join the priesthood, when his astonishing achievements in battle brought him the respect and awe of his fellow nobles, and when time came to select their next leader, he was chosen. His headstrong, proud attitude does much to endear him to his people, as is his martial skill and close connection to the gods, but his occasional blunders in managing the economy or handling legal matters have earned him the contempt of some nobles, who enjoy whispering behind his back that he is only king because they always clean up his messes after him...

>Popokateskatl (Smoking Mirror)
A Noble of the Obsidian city. The eldest son of the previous king, he excelled in all of his studies, and grew up to be a peerless stateman and skilled general. By all means, he should have become the next king, but his cold, calculating attitude often came across as irreverent toward the gods in the eyes of the priesthood, and they refused to back his ascension to kingship.
He will readily claim that he prefers the background, and readily advises Teokuitlatiiluitl on how to reign, and often engages in backroom dealings to smooth over whatever trouble the king gets into, but many suspect he is simply biding his time. No one knows the truth but him...

>Teixtli (Stone face)
A Knight of The Obsidian Jaguar. She was born a commoner to farmers, but showed impressive skill in fighting at a young age, and proved her worth just as quickly on the battlefield. She was promptly made a noble for her achievement and Knighted into the order, where she continues to impress with the sheer amount of captives she regularly brings in. Her stony, unresponsive mien has earned her few friends amongst the nobility, but the current king was quick to recognize her potential, undeterred by what most interpreted as deliberate slights or clumsy failure of etiquette. The king's direct patronage quickly earned him Teixtli's loyalty, and she serves him still, bringing captive to his feet...

>>5913679
Hatana are generally olive-skinned, but some are paler than others. They have eyes of gold, blue, orange, and brown, and generally have wavy red or dark hair. Frequently malnourished, they usually are on the lower side of 5'6. It does not represent the limit of their height, but most are fairly short.

The Hatana's original homeland was a warm rainforest, though slow expansion and settlement pre-conquest saw them moving into a fertile plain. The plains were taken and the Hatanans forced back into the rainforest where they would work the land there. They did benefit technologically from their subjugation, learning advanced metallurgy and crude blackpowder - with the Old city being the short-lived center of handgonne production in the Powder District. For the majority, the most important development was actually the water mill, which made life easier in processing grain.

>>5913918
Glad to hear the idea isn't terrible!
>But can we at least call them something like the Ocelopetlatl or the Oceloti or something like that?
Yes, absolutely. I hate picking name for anything, and I felt like if I used a Nahuatl name then I would have to name everything in using Nahuatl and that it would be the death of me, so I gave up. But those are much better names, so lets go with Oceloti.
Maybe Itztli Oceloti? That should be obsidian Jaguar, I believe.

>>5913930
Alright, I'm fine with all of this. I reckon some sixteen thousand would do fine. Give me a d20 for location.
>>5913933
Sounds good.
I'm waiting for characters and a location roll.

As soon as I get location rolls for the two of you, the dwarf's reply and the Oceloti's characters, I think we will be able to start.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5913939
Rolling for location

>>5913929
Will these characters do?

>>5913940
Shit, I missed them, sorry. Yeah, they look good, a king, a (semi) loyaly claimant and a loyal marshal.

>>5913885
>How long is the pregnancy period?
13-14 Months

>What's the average lifespan
An Average of 150 years.

>height
4.5 - 5 feet (1.35 - 1.52 m)

>and weight
190-250 pounds

for a well fed and healthy individual in the prime of their life?


>How strong are they?
Stronger then humans, they are more powerfully built and their muscle is more densely compressed. As such, they exceed human muscle in maximum dynamic force and power output by ∼1.50 times

>Do females have beards?
Most Dwarf Females will naturally grow extensive facial hair if left unchecked, though Female Dwarves are allowed to shape, style and shave their facial hair in ways that would be seen as quite dishonourable for a Dwarf Male to do.

>What's the ratio of males to females?
1 : 1

>Gunpowder?
Yes, but only to the equivalent of the 1500s.

>Crossbows?
Yes

>How advanced is metalworking and mining tech?
Let's go for the equivalent of the year 1500 or thereabouts?

>>5913956
Alright, I need a d20 for location.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5913961

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5913939
Location

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>>5913990
Turn 0 Hatana:
The Hatana column descends down from the glacier onto the taiga with cheers. The excitement doesn’t last however as all that spreads ahead of them for kilometres around is half barren tundra with weak and hardy tufts of grass. Choosing to keep pushing forwards rather than to sit here and starve, Falke organizes scouting parties from stronger and healthier men and orders the column southwards, away from the glaciers, seeking to at least get out of the tundra. Within half a day of marching by the hungry column, the first scouts return, carrying game they caught. Small hardy birds primarily. Some wood and clothes are used as fuel for a fire and a first meal in many a day is had. By the end of the day, the column finds a large valley that it descends into, finding itself surrounded by short and sturdy coniferous trees, rarely reaching higher than a Hatana man. Yet, it is cause for celebration. Fires are lit, hunting and foraging parties are sent, shelters constructed and something odd encountered.
On the outskirts of a camp, a girl cried wolf when she saw a large four legged beast prowling about. It was a good thing she did as a pair of men with wooden spears rushed it down and killed it, but to everyones surprise, it was anything but a wolf. A four legged, wingless bird with a sharp beak about the size of a large goat. You, Falke, were informed of this, and of many other things. By the end of the first day, the scouts returned and a rough map was constructed of the surrounding lands.

You should probably decide how and where you will settle the Hatana and what else should they deal with under your and Usel's and Closelle's instructions. They will do the basic shit like construct shelters, hunt, scavange and such by themselves, you don't need to specify that.

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>>5913940
The Oceloti descend down the snowy slopes in much the same manner as the Hatana, that is, hungry, desperate and cold. Yet unlike them, they almost immediately encounter low, hardy evergreens. Hunting and scouting parties are sent out immediately and the column marches southwards. Yet, unlike the Hatana, the only thing you manage to catch are … giant bugs. Like, cat sized beetles. After initial skepticism, a bonfire is set up and a beetle roasted and eaten.
You continue on with your expedition, noting how large high flying birds are observing you from a distance. After some time, a rough map of the surrounding area is constructed, leaving it up to you to choose what to do with your people.
“The further south we go, the warmer. And if we descend into the valley, the trees turn from evergreens to broadleaf. They are somewhat taller. The center of the valley collects water and is a swamp. There may be good game there.” The scout tells.

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>>5913965
The dwarf migration, perhaps the best prepared of all in here, also emerged from the snow almost directly into the hardy, coniferous trees. Yet, within sight, downhill from them, lay presented a massive body of water. The scouts were, as expected, sent on all directions while the host collected and warmed itself up on fires lit from standing deadwood. Within a day, the excited scouts returned with news of the lake of drinkable water and the lush plantlife around it despite the cold temperatures, along with less charitable descriptors of the animal life present all around, mainly, gigantic bugs. However, the hungry dwarves did not complain as they roasted the gigantic roaches and beetles over campfires.
The only odd thing was the gigantic birds flying somewhere to your east and sometimes following your bands of scouts.
You sit down and consider what to do.

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>>5913888
The Metachiropterans flock walked its way off the glacers and found itself amidst a weak and scrawny forest, one that could poorly support them. Then, as is the form, volunteers and those strong enough to fly well were sent out to scout the surrounding area and hunt food for those less fortunate.
To your great surprise, you were not alone, as two other hordes, one to your east and one to your west emerged, struggling, much like you are, to feed and house itself in the cold and desolate lands.
Yet, your scouts chose caution and flew high and far away from the foreigners, shadowing their movements.
Before you stands a question of whether to descend down and risk contact or to contine your way over the barren highlands.

>>5914145
Teokuitlatiiluitl was confident that their fortune would soon turn. The Itztli Oceloti had finally found their way out of the cold grasps of the lords of winter, their ceaseless punishment finally over. Once again, they were walking lands that bore the familiar signs of The Great Serpent's influence. To see skies not drowned in snow or choked with ash was a sight everyone had sorely missed.
But the question remained... how long must they still go? The priests said that once they arrived at their new home, their patron god would send a sign, as they did when they settled their first, original city long ago, but they had seen no such thing yet.
Popokateskatl advised him to keep looking for a better location, one that is warmer, more fertile and more easily defendable, as the Oceloti would never thrive without a solid foundation to build on.
The King agreed but also calculated that while moving on was necessary, it might be prudent to recuperate somewhat, to recover from the harsh conditions they had endured.
He set about the task of raising his people's spirits together with the priesthood, and carefully make their way down into the valley, and make temporary camp down there, hoping that there will be enough game there to stave off starvation. He hoped to follow the flow of water towards warmer lands later, ideally towards a lake, but he would first see what fate had in store for him.
He instructed Popokateskatl to focus on logistics, to keep the Oceloti moving smoothly, and once they made camp in the valley, he was to coordinate scavenging efforts, so that they could find what they could for the path ahead. Catching extra game to preserve for later, collecting medicinal herbs or cutting trees to repair spears, broken tools and tents. Once they had resupplied to his satisfaction, they would move on, or at least that was the plan.
The king then instructed Teixtli to focus on scouting the land, to get a better idea of lay of the land around them, and what potential threats they may be walking towards, if any. After Teixtli confessed her unease at the large birds eerily deliberate behaviour, the king told her to keep an eye to the skies as well, just in case.

>>5914145
We are meant to say what each three characters do this turn, right?
In brief;
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
Raise his people's spirit, then lead his people down to the valley and set up temporary camp there.
>Popokateskatl
Oversee the logistics of moving the Oceloti, then coordinate a scavenging operation to catch extra game, some timber, and whatever else of use they can find.
>Teixtli
Lead efforts to scout ahead, and scout around. keep an eye to the skies, just in case.

>>5914131
Eduhard was wise enough to call a council. Usil and Closelle both attended, but they were joined by a wide collection of others. Eduhard put forward the motion to settle in the valley, along the river's edge. "We are used to hardship and privation. At least here, our hardship is from the land, and not the hard hearts of our pointed-eared masters. The mountains and ice will provide us protection, and the valley is enough for us for now."
>Falke: Take a vote on whether to settle in the valley, or continue moving south.

Closelle was less interested in the vote than she was in the environment. Woods, large birds, a decent river. Yes, her eyes were already considering how to best put the land to use. She knew which families to give the land to seed and where the best spot for a water mill was. Eduhard might lead, but she knew the people and the families.
>Closelle: Begin land surveying

Usil was there for the vote, of course, but his eyes were more set on ensuring that the people could use the materials around them for survival. Spears, hammers, basic tools they could fashion from wood and from stone. These would be useful regardless of whether or not they stayed in the valley.
>Usil: Toolmaking

>>5914155

The sight of the great birds flying to the east disquiets the Dwarfs, their following behaviour of our scouting parties unnerving.

Fortunately, the food and plantlife reported by the scouts lies away from this strange flock...

>Forbath Coaljaw
Will organise and lead his people as they move south-easterly, moving us closer toward the lake whilst still keeping up much of our pace away from the cold icy wall. The foreguard will watch for new dangers, the rearguard's eyes will turn often to the skies - perhaps the birds will follow us no further.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
As we move out from the chill domains of ice and emptiness and closer once more to warm lands of life, the fire must warm our souls and keep our spirits burning bright. We will gather wood from trees to burn on the fires, so that the dread cold will not lay claim when we stop to sleep, and we might roast our meat and boil our water.

>Hostaem Goldseed
The lush plantlife of the valley is of interest to one who sees himself the scion of a great farming legacy; and so Hostaem will study and evaluate these potential crops as they pass on through toward the lake - perhaps some of this lushness might be put to use as food, fibres or colourings?

>>5914318
>>5914325
>>5914443
>>5914515
All of these look fine for the situation, I will need a 11d6 from each of you.
Also, the batman can give me a 11d6 aswell as soon as he writes his turns up. If somethings wrong or inappropriate, I'll let him know.

Rolled 5, 2, 2, 5, 3, 1, 4, 1, 3, 1, 4 = 31 (11d6)

>>5914750
>>5914443

>>5914786
Turn 0:
Hatana:
Falke summons the council, picking the out the more important members of the present Hatana peoples and proposes to them the settling in the valley. After some initial bickering, they agree when Falke shames the more reserved ones, the vast majority quickly setting to helping organize the settling process.
Closelle finds exceptional success, perhaps because she didn’t much bother with the council, instead collecting trusted and skilled subordinates, then with them, spreading out the populations where they were too compacted, move them closer when they were unnecessarily spread out and deciding who to set to what. By the time the council was ready for much, she had already done a hasty but adequate job and started delivering reports via runners about the absence of good farmable plants, mentions how fishing and hunting will be the main food source and that tending to undomesticated plants and animals is something that will eventually bare fruit for their descendants if set up in time.
Usil used the time much like Closelle, but to a lesser degree, letting the councilors do their job and instead organizing a scavenging and redistribution effort, ensuring that everyone got something, enough to get them by. Tool workshops were set up and staffed by those who knew how to make them best, while the rest were sent to hunt and forage.
Of all the people, Closeslle proved exceptionally gifted in this initial phase and managed to amass a small, but competent core of personal advisors and lackeys.
As Closelle returned from her rounds, she also mentioned a few things. Mainly, that some sickness was starting to spread towards the southern edge of the populated area, that she promptly quarantined off and set an armed guard around and that some of the people are already adapting quite well to fishing.

Rolled 1, 2, 2, 5, 3, 1, 6, 1, 4, 1, 1 = 27 (11d6)

>>5914515

>>5914896
TURN 0:
Brazenbeard:
The movement of the people towards the lake is done well enough. Scouts and hunters screen the mass of people and ensure their safety and a occasional meal while until the lake is reached. The only real complication is the unfortunate encounter where a hunter stumbles into a den of a massive crab that impales him, killing him instantly. The nearby hunters group up, lure the crab and kill it with crossbow bolts, giving the hunter a burial, butchering the giant cow sized crab, bringing its meat back to the marching columns of civilians and continuing on their journey. When the lake is finally reached, you see your scouts did not disappoint as the lakeside is, despite the cold weather, surrounded by a low, yet surprisingly dense forest with surprisingly common flora and fauna, ranging from giant beetles, worms, spiders the size of dogs and flies. The lake too, is pretty rich in life aswell, with aquatic and amphibious insectoids. And a wide variety of berries, small fruits and possibly edible plants is encountered aswell.
Gerna’s rituals and ceremonies, while initially not really cared for by the exhausted dwarves very soon become a ritual of sorts, a common point for communities to rest, relax and converse with eachother. What is initially met with grumbling is very soon a staple of life in the migrating dwarven communities as songs are sung, dances danced and friendships made around the blazing bonfires and under the chants of dwarven acolytes. This is in fact met with such joy that Gerna is starting to take a very revered position within the dwarven society.
Hostaem, despite his good intentions, does not get very far at all, choosing not to risk anyone elses life, he tries out some berries early on and managed to poison himself. Diharreia, stomach pains and a absurd rate of fattening up lasted for weeks, leaving him with a massive gut and a weak and malnourished body, yet luckily for him, his companions chose not to abandon him.
Luckily for everyone, while Hostaem didn’t manage much with his attempt, he at least let everyone know some of the foods to avoid. The common dwarven folk however, managed very well and figured out which foods to eat and which not to, even managing to collect a small stockpile of food.

Rolled 4, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, 1, 5 = 28 (11d6)

>>5914750

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>>5915020
TURN 0:
Itztli Oceloti:
Teokuitlatiiluitl’s expedition will meet success, unlike his attempts with the priests, who put up a good ceremony, yet one that people are simply indifferent to as they, still tired from the long journey, keep marching. A descent into the valley will go off safely, without much issue and his people will encounter similar flora and fauna like the dwarves did, just less densely until they pass into the more central reaches of the bowl-like valley, at which point the flora will slowly but noticably transition into a more warm-weather suited tapestry of life. Deciduous trees will be slightly thicker and taller, slightly lusher, bugs slightly fatter and larger, berries and fruits slightly more common.
The only issue is the swampy environment that so often correlates with the lusher plant and animal life.
Popokateskatl’s scavenging efforts are useful, ultimately focusing mostly on organizing hunting and distribution of food and firewood. A organization of runners and messangers is established, as is a small number of logistics officers.
Teixtli will do her job as instructed. (I stabbed my finger and it hurts so I’ll make a simpler map for you).
In the meanwhile, one thing you have to notice is how a wave of new murders and duels between the nobles follows and how, surprisingly, (at least the ones who arose through meritocratic means and kept their positions) are doing a surprisingly good job at keeping everyone fed and safe.

Rolled 3, 4, 5, 5, 2, 6, 2, 1, 2, 2, 6 = 38 (11d6)

>>5914162
The news the scouts bring are troublesome, the fact that this new Saharusah is privy to other intelligent beings will surely bring about many debates regarding the faith, but that is Zarasah's duty to bear and, frankly, not an immediate issue. The verdant swamps to the south seem like a perfect place to stop, yet their proximity to the feline bipedes spoils the opportunty, it is fortunate that no other people other than the metachirops can fly. In the end, Harkun makes a decision, they will fly south, make a one or two day stop in the forest to resupply, then continue their migration further inland. All Xohoxia are ordered to avoid contact with the other species at all cost.

Meanwhile, tasks are delegated to Zarasah and Sermiah, the old singer is to help maintain order and discipline using his cadre of clergymen, meanwhile the alchemists are to help with the rationing. The Long Flight is not yet done, but its end is in sight.

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>>5915164
>2, 6, 2
The young king does a good enough job at keeping his host moving southwards and organizing the resupply effort within the forest, however the main benefit of his massive flock migration southwards is the surveillance of the territory, the barren highlands dividing the jaguarmen to the west and the dwarves to the east. The points of interest that the scouts spot are two large swampy areas, one to the east, downstream from the dwarves where the river flowing out of their lake joins with a different river flowing southwards and one to the west, in a different bowl-like shape south of the one in which the jaguarmen are settling.
As for Zarasah and Sermiah, the alchemist does a good job in rationing the food, acquiring more of it and minimizing the casualties from starvation.
The old priest however, is having a bit of a crisis of faith and is clearly shaken by the information of other intelligent lifeforms. He attempts to do things, but his mind is simply too preoccupied with more abstract things and for a prolonged period of time, he is more focused on lashing out at people and talking with other priests and theologians rather than in doing his job.

And that's turn 0.
The Hatana are settling into their river valley, the jaguarmen are making a improvised camp on the outskirts of a swamp, the batmen are fluttering around the mountain ridgeline, sandwiched between two other races and the dwarves are on the coast of a pretty good lake to settle on.
I'd say that so far, the dwarves have the best location, while the batmen are in the worst place.

>>5915191
Just in case I wasn't clear enough, feel free to write up your actions for the next turn.

>>5915191
"So far, so good." Teokuitlatiiluitl though to himself. The lands had enough bounty that they seem to be comfortably feeding themselves, and were refreshing their stockpiles as much as they could. Ideally, they would keep moving further, until they find the fateful site of their future home, but since Teixtli and the scouts had brought no news of any threats nearby, he figured they might as well exploit their current good fortune to the fullest, and take some time to rest. Fatigue took time to shake off, and the Itztli had a lot of it to shed, after all.

He instructed Popokateskatl to continue scavenging their surroundings for anything useful that could be easily carried, and Teixtli to continue scouting their surroundings, focusing on heading Southwest, as that seemed to be the direction in which plant life grew thicket and water more common.
Meanwhile, he would instruct the Oceloti to recuperate, then gather priests and nobles well versed in astrology and theology to look for mystical signs around them or in the stars, hoping to find a good omen that would bolster his people's spirit.

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>>5915268
>>5915191

I'm assuming that the Brazenbeard Dwarfs' movement has taken them about to the second marker in the image attached, correct?

>Forbath Coaljaw
Thane Forbath organises scouting parties to venture southward, most particularly toward the Southeast, to further assess the terrain and the topography of the valley. Across the lake he can see the land on the far-side lakeshore rising high, but would shelter south of that small Mesa provide any extra protection against cold winds blowing down from the glacial sheet in the north?

>Gerna Smeltaxe
With the Dwarven migration paused upon the lakeside, Gerna makes use of the opportunity to offer up her smithing services and organise the maintenance and repair of the tools and equipment they'd bought with them.

>Hostaem Goldseed
His mistakes with the local vegetation still throbbing in his bloated aching belly, Hostaem turns his attention to the lake's fauna instead. So many insectoids - it's time to start assessing what's good to eat and what can be easily caught... and perhaps if anything would be valuable to domesticate.

>>5915337
>>5915419

Alright, both of you give me a standard 11d6. In fact, I think everyone can by default give me a 11d6 each time you write up your actions since you guys seem to limit yourself to reasonable actions.

>>5915419

Also
>I'm assuming that the Brazenbeard Dwarfs' movement has taken them about to the second marker in the image attached, correct?
Yeah, they're on the coast of the massive sweetwater lake.
>but would shelter south of that small Mesa provide any extra protection against cold winds blowing down from the glacial sheet in the north?
It would. You could also dig into the side of it, you are a dwarven colony afterall. But establishing a proper organized settlement would take up an action.

Rolled 2, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 5, 1, 2, 3 = 36 (11d6)

>>5915509
rolling

Rolled 5, 1, 4, 6, 4, 2, 2, 6, 4, 1, 1 = 36 (11d6)

>>5915184
The caves of these mountains will serve good enough as a home, until a better one is found, of course. Regardless of other factors such as the presence of the intelligent landwalkers, life must go on, the good people of the Xohoxia must be fed, they must work, the pups must learn and play, which means a return to Harkun's regular duties, if those can be called that considering the time he lives. Small parties of up to 20 bats are still ordered to explore further south for a place not shared with 2 other civilisations.

The old bat is not in his usual state, and that is worrying for more then just the obvious reasons, Harkun would hate to lose a friend like that, but clan integrity must be maintained regardless of personal feelings. A course of action is proposed to Zarasah, he is the head of the clergy, he is too important to leave the clan to search for answers regarding the other intelligent beings, but he can delegate. 2 small parties, each made out of 2 clergybats picked by Zarasah and 2 guards picked by Harkun, would each to and observe the societies to the left and right of the mountains, before returning to reveal what they have found regarding them. The strategy behind this plan is 3-fold: one, Zarasah's outbursts would be quelled or, in the worst case, delayed until the return of the parties; two, Harkun would gain a clearer picture of his people's cohabitants, from both the clergybats and the guards keeping them safe; and three, Harkun would have a better idea who are and aren't Zarasah's confidants. "Ahh, so this song too is marred by trickery."

As for Sermiah, she is given a carte blanche to test and experiment on this world's flora and fauna, granted she doesn't endanger the lives of her fellow clanmembers.

The previous diktat of no contact with the other species still has primacy.

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>>5915337
>>5915512
Turn 1:
Oceloti:
Popokateskatl does a good enough job scavenging food, even managing to build up some stockpiles of food, since there isn't much else to forage that can't be acquired anywhere else.
Teixtli organizes scouting parties that are sent far and wide with the goal of finding good areas to settle in. The land further south is more fertile, the trees thicker and taller and the river and the forests richer with game. Interestingly enough, the highlands and mountain peaks to the south yet again devolve into barren highlands. Some of the scouts even mention how the place might be able to support a significant population off of fishing alone.
And perhaps the most important for him this time is that the priests, astrologers and theologians are confused enough by the lack of identifiable constellations that they may be willing to concede to whatever choices and claims Teokuitlatiiluitl makes. Seeing the opportunity, Teokuitlatiiluitl calls out a good omen in a flash he saw in the heavens. Despite the hushes, the rumor spreads and a wave of positivity not seen since the exit from the glaciers sweeps over the host.

>>5915623
Oh and I almost forgot, as for the unusual happenings, a Oceloti was found in the forest, dead, impaled on a steak, and extensively mutilated. After you were invited to investigate, as were a couple of the priests and nobles, not much was found out and the corpse was removed and given a proper burial.

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>>5915556
Harkuns scouts do a decent enough job scouting southwards and finally discover a new area you might consider far enough and populatable enough to be worth settling in.
The mixed observation parties manage to keep their distance while gaining more information about the neighboring races. You have a pretty accurate physical description and a vague idea about their material conditions and locations. However, there is only so much you can gather from observing someone and trying not to get spotted. As for the idea of finding who is and isn't Zarasah's confidant, you manage to get a list of 4 clergymen who Zarasah considered trustworthy but not beyond putting at risk.
Sermiah likewise does a pretty good job at finding and separating the useful from the less useful specimens, mainly by finding and documenting what can and cannot be eaten safely.
Also, in the meanwhile, some small groups are starting to break off and settle by themselves. Extremely luckily for your goal of keeping yourself undiscovered by the two other races, the settle on the southern slope of the mountainpeaks to the south, well isolated from both the Jaguars and the Dwarves.
Another thing to note is how the "rich" members of your society have basically disappeared from the radar, having lost their wealth in the past and now having lost their influence and prestige.

Rolled 4, 6, 1, 5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 6, 3, 6 = 47 (11d6)

>>5915419
Rolling

>>5915509
>>5915883
Whoops, linked to the wrong post AND dropped my trip.

Rolled 5, 5, 4, 2, 4, 1, 2, 6, 5, 1, 5 = 40 (11d6)

>>5915191
>Eduhard
Attending the needs of the council and acting as the leader for most was an important task. His charisma would be most useful in convincing and assuaging the people's concerns over the lack of domesticated plants and in organizing some form of process toward finding and breeding what might be nearby.

>Usil
Usil is then task by Eduhard and the council with gathering a group of scouts to find the most essential mineral - salt. Without it, there would be no way to preserve what they hunted and they would be forced to live without surplus. Everyone understood that wasn't wise or sustainable. While Usil himself did not know about prospecting, there may be a Hatanan that did among the people that they could rely on. Short of that there was always looking for the ocean. The river had to exit somewhere.

>Closelle
Closelle was different. While Eduhard and Usil managed the resources, she was increasingly concerned about the blight moving up from the south. She would tinker and experiment, to see what she could learn about the illness and determine how much - if at all - of a threat it was to their settlement. If it was catastrophic, then better to move now before people have truly settled than later.

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>>5915883
Forbath attempts organizing scouting parties, yet he can both sense and see the exhaustion setting in with the dwarves. His people are getting too tired from the constant movement and exposure to the elements, the strange diet, the lack of a permanent home. And he see's this. Instead of pushing them to do the scouting, he decides to take a raft across the lake himself. It is a not entirely pleasant, yet very valuable experience.
Gerna will do a good job extending the lifespan of the tools and equipment brought with you from your hold. Yet this is at best a temporary solution. All tools will break, it is merely a question of when. Unless you get forges set up, sooner or later, you will go back to using sticks and stones.
Hostaem will do a good job when he isn't suffering from stomach issues. Before long, you have a solid understanding of what can be edible and a vague idea about the lifecycle of multiple insectoids, with a number of candidates, yet a lot of further work would need to be done.
What is however very worrying is the desire of some of the common dwarves to get rid of Hostaem. It is supposedly a grudge between the a rather large dwarven family with a lot of familial ties and the farmowner reaching back to before the fall and the retreat, only now coming into spotlight because of Hostaem's recent weakness and illness. You don't see it as something that needs resolving urgently, merely as something to be noted and worked around.
Gerna, on the other end, is doing a rather good job at lifting peoples spirits up (by finding some roots and berries that can be brewed into alcohol), or rather keeping them up, as the dwarves still yearn for return to a settled life.

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>>5916017
Eduhard will do a decent enough job at finding volunteers to attempt farming and domestication. This will definitely require more work, both by him and the workers.
Now, as for Usil's task, if this is fine by you, since this is partially my mistake aswell (I didn't colour in the ocean around your peninsula and it should look like pic), I would interpret his task as "establish salt collection and transportation into the river valley". In case this is fine by you, it will be a "Usil will do an exceptional job at organizing a worker colony at the shoreline, where large shallow wooden containers are made, where water is left to evaporate and slowly seep through the containers, leaving some amount of salt. Afterwards, salt is transported upstream by small parties of workers. This is a surprisingly efficient system and your people treat salt use with reasonable caution."
In case you're not fine with this, write in your other idea for Usil's task.
Closelle found her quarantine to be very useful and respected by the locals as the illness got quarantined to a pair of families. Yet, not wanting to waste an excellent opportunity to learn what might save peoples lives later, she experimented with a number of herbs suspected to have medicinal qualities, learning about a fair few of them, and just in time, as further north, another larger outbreak happened. Putting her just learned skills to use, the family was quarantined and safely supplied with suspected medicine, which turned out to work in at least lessening the symptoms and discomfort.
In the meanwhile, an odd thing happened as a Hatana man was caught carving strange symbols into a number of trees. When asked about it, he yelled unintelligibly, pulled a knife and charged at the nearest man. Luckily for everyone, the madman tripped over a fallen tree and fell on his knife.

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And that's turn 1.
Feel free to write up your actions for turn 2 and to roll the 11d6. If the Hatana player is unhappy with what I interpreted his action as, I'll change it.
Also I made a very rough collage of the area the three neighboring species know of.

>>5915623
And another thing I forgot to mention. The river flows into the sea/ocean.

>>5916284
Usil's salt harvesting task is perfect.

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>>5916611
Also, here, a proper map of your area.

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Rolled 3, 2, 2, 6, 4, 1, 5, 4, 4, 1, 6 = 38 (11d6)

>>5916290
>>5916278

Forbath returns to the wanderers of the clan with a glint in his eye and grit behind his bearded jaw. The Mesa; that is the key to the clans' survival and prosperity. South of the stone, the winds will be less bitter; and over time and generations he envisions the clan digging in and turning the lakeside mount into a true new hold. One last push; and then the Brazenbeard Dwarves can start upon the work of building a new future.

>Forbath Coaljaw
Will oversee the logistics of the movement to the mesa's wind-shadow. The lake may be crossed in a raft by a single Dwarf, but one raft too and fro repeatedly over the lake's full width would take quite an age to bring everyone and all their belongings over. Either they will need more rafts, to cross at a far narrower point, or else form a makeshift bridge. Or perhaps some combination of the three...

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Gerna has proven best at motivating the people. Therefore, it is she who goes around from Dwarf to Dwarf to muster their will and courage for one last march. Once in the shadow of the Mesa, there will be no further wandering; with the Mesa giving shelter from the cold northern winds they can at last build themselves a new home.

>Hostaem Goldseed
Disquieted by the grumblings and the rumours over his position, Hosteaem forges ahead of the migration to begin clearing land at the side of the sweetwater lake, close to the proposed settlement in the shadow of the Mesa. The land of the lakeside is lush, just grand for setting out fields of crops - and if the clan grumblings ever become too much, he might well step back from the council to be a farmer once again.

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Rolled 6, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3, 1, 2, 1, 5, 6 = 40 (11d6)

>>5916290
The Itztli Oceloti were doing well. The ease with which they filled their larder reassured Teokuitlatiiluitl greatly, and the reaction to his latest attempts to read the stars also filled him with confidence that things were looking up. With how well everything was going, the king could not help but be greatly exasperated to hear that one of their own was violently mutilated and left for them to find, the perpetrator nowhere to be seen. With no obvious clues to investigate, the priests and nobility had little choice but to blindly speculate, some priests already theorising which of their gods was expressing their ire. Popokateskatl believed that, with no evidence having been found of other intelligent native, or even particularly dangerous wildlife, the murderer had to be one of their own, likely some old grudge they could never act on in the city, but found an opportunity to do so now. Teixtli on the other hand, maintained that the Oceloti were not alone and that the perpetrator was something else, though she provided little evidence besides gut feeling.

Despite everything, Teokuitlatiiluitl knew he had bigger fish to fry, so he decided that his people had rested enough, and had to keep moving.
He instructed his people to move to the South-West, towards the north of the bay they had discovered, red circle on the map as it would make for a better place to set up camp, with the abundance of fish providing a good food supply, and the location being easier to defend in case of trouble.
Popokateskatl was to take command of the knights and other assorted Oceloti trusted with defending the camp and tighten their defensive perimeter, to ensure there would be no trouble while they travelled to their destination, and none after they got there. As he did this, he was to subtly probe the people familiar with the murdered Oceloti, offering condolences and asking for witness accounts, to check if anyone had a motive to assassinate them, just in case Popokateskatl was correct and the perpetrator was Oceloti.
Teixtli was entrusted to continue scouting, particularly instructed to follow along the sea's shore to look for rivers, and to go past the highlands to the south and see if there even more hospitable locations further south. Though the king also asked for a small detachment to check the North and West, just in case there was something nearby that they missed.

>>5916944
Unfortunately for Fortbath, the dwarves are too tired, weak and small in number to bridge such a large river. And even less luckily, local trees do not make for anywhere near enough rafts. So dwarves make some rafts for the young, old, infirm and sick, make large fires on the other bank of the river, grit their teeth, strip down, and wade through the cold water, Gerna leading them. The dwarves make it to the other side, cold, bitter and wet, dry off and warm up, and eventually, continue their journey.

Gerna's contributions have so far made her extremely popular and liked. But she is truly becoming a force to reckon when it comes to dwarven affairs. Her care for the weak and tired, her perseverance and her unwavering commitment to rituals truly make her loved by the people, even more so than Coaljaw. Significantly more than Coaljaw. Luckily, she shows no signs of rebellion.

Goldseed arrives ahead of the host and starts work. It is simple, uninspired and easily doable work, but it's something that the host won't have to do when they arrive.

However, eventually arriving at a place they will be living at and finally starting to dig in more permanent residences fills your dwarves with energy and enthusiasm.

Also, the map is probably at a different scale to what you're imagining, the "mesa" as you call it would take a man since sunrise to sunset in non near arctic conditions to go over from the southwestern to the northeastern tips. So I'll presume that the farmfields are closer to the mesa, or just south of it. And your fourteen thousand dwarves definitely wouldn't appreciate walking that far to farm.

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>>5917062
The migration goes poorly. Your people, already somewhat settled, are reluctant to start moving, and when eventually forced to do so, they do it sluggishly, they are poorly organized and quite frankly, as soon as the reach the estuary of the river into the sea, give up on moving any further.

Popokateskatl's investigation bears some fruit as it identifies the dead Oceloti as a young hunter and the investigations with his co-workers and family reveal little out of the ordinary. No screaming is reported, no feuds or rivalries, simply him disappearing one day. However, it's a good thing that Popokateskatl was assigned to camp protection as larger wildlife starts being encountered, including a giant water beetle that lunges out of the water and grabs a older woman refilling her waterskin, crushing her chest and instantly killing her. After this, the security is tightened and watches are tighter.

Teixtli, likewise, ends up doing a good job, an exceptionally good one this time, surveying the land and on the return trip finding and killing a massive (cowsized) beetle.

In the meanwhile, Popokateskatl, seeing the settling populace organizes a construction of a large smokehouse in which both fish and bug meat is smoked dry in order to preserve it. The building is quite large and impressive, perhaps excessively so.
A certain Kostiixtli is pushed forwards into the position of the the smokehouse overseer by very loud demand from a small number of Ocelotli.
And finally, some of the former logistics officers end up taking charge of small areas of land and people.

Rolled 6, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 6, 5, 4 = 35 (11d6)

>>5916613
>Eduhard
Eduhard continues the work of proper governance. With a settlement established, the time for new laws and rules comes into play. There are not many of them and most of the laws are governing the use and allocation of food and fuel. A lack of paper or parchment leads to these rules being carved into wooden slabs. Another law governs the quarantine of persons found to be with illness.

>Usil
The ocean and island just visible in the distance inspires Usil. There may be valuable resources found on that small island, and if nothing else it was a valuable defensive location for the people to retreat to if threatened in the valley. He begins the construction of a small vessel to make the short trip to the island.

>Closelle
While Eduhard deals with the legal framework of the new settlement, Closelle deals with the development of a small patrol force to keep the settlement safe and respond to cries of distress from outlying homesteads. Armed with little more than spears, but carrying medicine and small amounts of supplies, they act as a combination of local guards, post workers, and doctors.

>>5918055
Eduhard does a pretty good job at establishing legal solutions to existing problems of distribution and quarantine. Laws are simple, practical and easily implementable, signals and symbols recognizable, almost noone needs to be employed when it comes to their implementation and the burden upon the average family is low. All in all, a great boon, with the only real issues being the harsh environment you live in and the lack of writing material.
In addition to that, some of Eduhards advisors come up with an idea of mandating a salt ration to the upstream settlements, which Eduhard agrees to add to the laws.
Usil gathers a number of woodworkers and boat makers, then sets them to work. The end result is a pretty large and impressive raft, which is about the most you can make with the low and scruffy wood around you, yet with some sown together robes making a sail, and a lot of stockpiled food and water, the crew manages a safe trip to the islands, a surveillance of them and a hasty and panicked return as a gigantic sea creature stalks, then in the final stretch, chases them on the way back, only breaking off its pursuit when the raft enters the mouth of the river. Upon their return, they mention how, while the islands do not have much trees on them, mostly because of a lack of cover from the never-ending wind blowing on that island, the soil is rich, dark and greasy, great for farming.
Usil seems somewhat shaken by the whole scenario despite its perfect outcome and is herd mentioning how he appreciates his position a lot because "he doesn't have to go on the raft".
Closelle likewise does a good job as she picks capable volunteers to do what can be done. And just in the nick of time, as a few days later a pack of avian wolf-like creatures are spotted prowling around.

As this happens, partly due to mood, partly due to laws, partly due to the patrols and partly due to the surviving rafteers, a large celebration is organized in a sturdily built hall. Fish and avian meat are served alongside various edible plants that were cooked up, sauces and jams from various berries and some variant of kelp-berry pie for a large crowd of people simply happy that they survived the brutal journey and are somewhat scraping together an existence. Red haired girls serve drinks, hunters and fishermen boast about the game they brought and the festive mood offers everyone a reprieve from the grind of the cold life.
In addition to this, the council starts getting an increasing number of logisticians, primarily those who were concerned with the tool-workshops, included in them. While there is some grumbling, most of them accept that the newcomers have plenty to contribute and that their practical experience is worth having.

Rolled 2, 5, 1, 6, 3, 6, 1, 4, 5, 3, 4 = 40 (11d6)

>>5915654
>"To the very first, when being and non-being were nought still,
>When there was but utter absence of both life-impulse and will,

>When unopen there was nothing, although everything was hidden,'
>When, by His own self pervaded, resting lay the Allforbidden.

>Was it an abyss? a chasm? wat'ry plains without an end?
>There was no estate of wisdom, nor a mind to comprehend.

>For the darkness was as solid as is still the shadows' ocean,
>And no eyes, had there been any, could have formed of it a notion.

>Of the unmade things the shadows had not yet begun to gleam
>And, with its own self-contented, peace eternal reigned supreme.

>Suddenly, a dot starts moving - a primeval, lonely Murmur..." - 1 Scripture of Miovike

The young king knows too well how quick blood can be shed when trying to keep and empire untied, and Xohoxia blood must not be spilled should it run undivided, thus the issue of both freedom and creed must be settled, if not delayed. Zarasah is summoned to be given an utmost important duty by Harkun, he, as the hightest ordained bat of the clan, is the organise the First Synod of this new Worldsong, one whom is to happen under the sight of not only the clergy, but of all heads of metachiroptean familes, thus, representants od the new settlements must come, and that is Zarasah's duty.

In the meantime, Harkun himself and those loyal to him are to help, with organising the event itself. While Zarasah and his followers are to summon the flocks, the king's men are to gain the favour of the other priests. This synod is the perfect opportunity to burn the bridges of that old tragedy, the notes may remain the same, even some leitmotifs may carry through, but a rearrangement is due.
To be clearer, Zarasah is to go out and get the bats who broke away while Harkun is descreetly prepearing the priesthood for a reorganisation by inserting his men into their duties with the excuse of this being a special event.

As for Sarmiah, she has yet to fail when it comes to her duty, but there is not need to risk having a blindside within the colony while preparing for the event. She is to gather a team of specialists and do an indepth survey of the lands south of these mountains, the ones the scouts reported being a better home. Though, she should make sure to not miss the synod.

>>5918221
I will read the
>3, 6, 1
in the order of Zarasah, Harkun and Sarmiah.

Zarsah's invitation is honored with grumbling from some of the separatists/settlers. A large meeting is organized in a sheltered indentation on a mountainside where issues of creed are discussed between heads of families and priests. His proposals about a common commitment to peace between Xohoxia in a world that has other races take root pretty well even amongst some more divisive individuals, eventually managing to pull them back into the fold under the promises of caring for them in a world with potentially hostile neighbors.

Unfortunately, the young kings attempts are extremely unsuccessful. His attempts at replacing/rearranging religious figures are controversial, divisive and unpopular amongst all who are approached and even by plenty of his own supporters. He not only fails, but distances a lot of people from him. In fact, his actions are so unpopular that a riot gathers and he gets forced out of the First Synod by a mob. Fortunately, Zarsah and Sarmiah keep peace and order and ends up re-inviting Harkun back in, but the mood is spoiled and not much else happens.

Also, Sarmiah's exploration is extremely successful. Mainly in discovering that there are significant deposits of both iron and iron rich bacteria in the western swamp (one directly south of the mountainpeaks) from which workable iron may be extracted and worked. Other than that, chunks of shiny gray metal were found on the eastern coast of the lake. She suspects this second metal is platinum.

And that's turn 2.
Feel free to write up your actions for turn 3.

>>5918325
Teokuitlatiiluitl could not help but be deeply frustrated. The gods had sent no signs that this newest campsite was to be their new home, and yet the mood amongst his people was beginning to sour on the idea of further relocations. The commoners dragged their feet at every turn, their objections all but said out loud, and the nobles *humbly* advised him in matters of logistics in ways that made their displeasure very clear.
Worst of all, despite sending his scouts far and wide, he had caught no glimpse of a clear, obvious location to settle on. No freshwater lakes, no vast fertile lands, no thick jungles, nothing. An bay with fish and freshwater river were not bad, but hardly ideal. Hell, they had yet to see any evidence of volcanoes nearby. Where were they going to get obsidian? The Itztli Oceloti, cursed to live without access to their most holy material? Their namesake? Teokuitlatiiluitl was getting a headache just thinking about it.
...well, no use brooding now. The king had work to do.
Teokuitlatiiluitl set to work setting up a more permanent camp on the edge of the sea and river, specifically focusing on getting the two schools up and running. The Oceloti have always had two schools, one for the commoner children, to teach them the ways of war and how to fight (and by extension, hunt), and one for the nobles, to teach them thoroughly on not only how to fight, but also warfare at large, economics, theology, diplomacy, architecture, engineering, medicine, poetry, astrology, history, and whatever knowledge a noble would need to lead the city-state and its people in the future. With the schools, his people would suffocate slowly as every generation became less knowledgeable, and unable to further build on the knowledge of their ancestors. Hopefully his subjects would interpret his focus on the long term as a sign they were settling down and have their spirits raised, even though he had not yet given up entirely on finding a truly ideal location.

Rolled 2, 2, 6, 4, 6, 4, 1, 5, 2, 1, 4 = 37 (11d6)

>>5918569
Popokateskatl was ordered to resume working on logistics, mainly to focus on ensuring a steady water and food supply, be it via hunting, fishing or foraging. With the sea plentiful with fish, the king advised him to pay extra attention to making fishing hooks and spears, canoes to fish in deeper waters and installing weirs in the river. But whatever worked would do. Maybe farming was possible? Perhaps even domesticating the strange bugs that inhabit this place? Truly bizarre creatures those were, everyday they kept finding bigger, more dangerous ones. For all the king knew, Teixtli would bring one the size of a small temple back to camp next at this rate.
Speaking of Teixtli, the king ordered her to continue scouting, but this time, she would explore to the North, West and North-West of their camp. If they were making a more permanent settlement here, it was only right to get a good idea of what was nearby.

TLDR:
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
Set up a more permanent camp, focusing on getting the two schools back up and running.
>Popokateskatl
Secure a steady food & water supply, focusing on fishing with hunting and foraging thrown in, but exploring farming and possibly domestication of the bugs. Is that too many things at once?
>Teixtli
Scout to the North, West and North-West of camp.

Rolled 3, 4, 4, 5, 2, 4, 6, 6, 2, 4, 3 = 43 (11d6)

>>5918325
>Eduhard
Following the celebration Eduhard met with some of the other members of the council. The last and final law, he felt, was the most important. When the Hatana first rebelled they did so in opposition to a king of a different race, with different values. Eduhard realized that he had no taste for kingship, and that the council he had established - mirroring that of the original revolutionary council - was likely the best form of government for the people moving forward. Thus, the final law put forward was one establishing the fledgling Hatanese Republic, along with how elections would be tallied for every adult over the age of 16. Some in the council pointed out that this could give inordinate power to large families. Eduhard and some others countered that if the republic was so successful it needed to worry about having too MANY people, then their work was already successful. This also meant that a new office would need to be established - the Proctor - who would tally the votes and oversee the election. It would be a political dead-end. The Proctor would never be eligible for any other office. It would be an honorable position, and a powerful one, so keeping it from having any other possible impact was considered important. Other positions could be established as necessary.

>Usil
Usil's sucessful mission gave him a considerable amount of clout. It also exposed a possibly very valuable piece of land for later - if the sea creature could be dealt with somehow. For now though he would focus his efforts elsewhere on land - chiefly in forestry and tool manufacture. The trees were small and stumpy, and the settlement would need a more reliably supply of timber. Once wasn't likely to be found nearby, so they would need to establish a wooded preserve to have an emergency supply of trees for housing, fuel, and industry.

>Closelle
Closelle's work with the Rangers continued. The honest truth was that they were not the only predators in the valley. The Wolfhawks, as the wolf-like birds had come to be known, were dangerous in groups. They were also delicious, so it was a constant game of hunt or be hunted. Closelle was intent on winning. The Wolfhawks would be hunted, fences constructed, and the land pacified by martial means.

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>>5918570
>6, 4, 1,
>5, 2,
Oh boy, you lucked out here.

While Teokuitlatiiluitl gets into a series of increasingly frustrated arguments with both nobles and some uppity commoners and does not manage much beyond getting frustrated at people more interested in getting their next meal than sending their kids to school, he does get a better understanding of some core aspects of Oceloti mindset. Primarily how little space anything takes up in their mind when the stomach is empty.
Popokateskatl does a good job in organizing people, setting up rituals and simple supply chains. The farming of plants however, does not find much interest amongst the people. And domestication of bugs even less.
>Is that too many things at once?
Nope. If you had rolled very well, you'd have achieved more, but the more things you set out to do, the worse you'll do them. A roll of 1 with a task of "get roads" would get you exceptional roads. A roll of 1 with "get roads and establish fortifications" will get you a mediocre road and a few watchtowers, while a 1 with "fortifications" would get you a network of fortified houses, watchtowers and patrols.
Teixtli does an extremely good job, as usual. On her path back, she with her group again brings back a large beetle for a feast in Teokuitl's name.

Rolled 4, 5, 5, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 2, 1, 3 = 37 (11d6)

>>5917649
So less an area for immediate farms, but as the society develops and expands connections some subsidiary farming villages could be set up there to support the main settlement.

Called it a Mesa because there was only a single contour line and nothing that suggested a peak, but if you intended it as a more standard mountain I'll correct to that?

>>5918325
>Forbath Coaljaw
Now, the work of building a settlement begins. Even if they later dig into the rockface and construct a true Dwarven hold, such a process will be lengthy and intricate - for now, everyone just needs shelter and a place for their families. Forbath again works upon the overall planning, measuring out a grid system of roads and pathways, and allocating out plots of land to each family for them to dig into and build upon.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Gerna calls upon Dwarf miners and other Dwarfs with prospecting skills to organise a search of the lands around them, to see what mineral resources, precious gems and quality stone the world's flame has left strewn around this land in the time of this world's forging.

>Hostaem Goldseed
With a settlement now going up, Hostaem takes a plot of land for his own as close as he can find to any mountain stream. Here he gets to work on a brewery, to turn those found berries and roots into a true alcoholic brew for the Dwarfs to enjoy.

>>5918826
>2, 4, 6, 6,... 3
Almost lost Closelle.

Eduhard's proposals for the council, after initial skepticism and opposition, find purchase, with the block of craftsmen pushing heavily in the favour of it's implementation, with the questions of the Proctor candidate being asked, alongside the questions of the legal powers of the council, the rights of women to vote, the option for weighted votes, so more important people have more of a say, the option for groups to elect delegates that would vote for them, as not everyone can attend every vote, etc. Eduhard realizes he has more work to do regarding the council.

Usil's work on forestry slowly, but surely brings benefit as primitve, yet useful irrigation is dug, walls erected to protect trees, at least somewhat, from the harsh wind and zones designated. Another thing that is implemented is rationing for wood usage, banning its use on things like flooring and underground walls, with a requirement for either dirt or stone floors and dug in walls being placed.

Closelle's work with rangers continues as you say. Her patrols grow in number as hunting is not only necessary, but also beneficial, foodwise at least, to the settlement. Until a unfortunate event happens on inspection in which she ends up following her hunters as they themselves chase a pack through a forest. As they do so, they get separated, with Closelle eventually getting lost, slipping down a slope, tumbling down and hurting her ankle. As she tries to climb up the slope with her hurt leg, a pair of wolfhawks find her and start attacking her. By the time the hunters find her again, she is covered in cuts, bruises and bites. She gets saved, but loses her left arm up to the shoulder, amputated to prevent the spread of infection.

That aside, the newly re-established council of with commoners included (or at least the ones that showed up due to living close by), despite not being fully defined, does do a good enough job at re-assigning duties with food distribution. A small stockpile is being formed.

>>5918915
>Called it a Mesa because there was only a single contour line and nothing that suggested a peak, but if you intended it as a more standard mountain I'll correct to that?
I honestly envisioned it as just an elevated area, mostly rolling hills, as there is no hard lip like there is on mesa's, but I'm fine with considering it more of a mesa type formation, since it is cooler.

2, 3, 4,
Forbath's planning is going well. Clumps of shelters are designated, often built leaning on eachother, plots of land where improvised farming is being done, hunting outposts, some fishing outposts are constructed, roads are planned, ditches are planned, all in all, the eventual foundations of a impressive city are planned. All that's left is to actually follow through with them.

The search in the surrounding lands does not yield much of use, it seems that the lands around you are not rich in resources and that you'll have to explore further out to hopefully find much of use. There are a few places that potentially promise yields of gemstones, but the ground is hard and dulling good tools on gemstones seems like a waste to everyone involved.

And Hostaem's attempts at producing alcohol are eventually successful. The originally weak and badly tasting alcoholic drinks are eventually made into proper brews worthy of dwarves. The populace enjoys this, yet the enthusiasm is weakened by the numerous deliveries of poorly tasting alcohol before the production is hammered out, and even then, the shipments are small and irregular.

And there is further misfortune as some of the coastal land is flooded, with some dwarves losing their homes and possessions, with some even having to walk a prolonged distance in soaking wet clothes before finding shelter in homes of other dwarves.

>>5918221
Alright, Batman, 1 more day to go before I write in your actions for you.

>>5921494
Go ahead and write them mate, I won't be able to participate for a couple more days.

>>5922301

Gotcha senpai. Hopefully this isn't too far out of the desired for you and it looks reasonable enough to me that I'd do it in your position.

Not desiring to push the situation much further than necessary, Harkun sets to settling on the southern slopes of the mountains and assigning his people areas of the forest to cultivate. He does a more than adequate job, assigning areas large enough to sustain but not small enough to be overexploited by the populace, while also taking into consideration the caves present on the mountainside. Very few people have serious complaints about the allocation of land
Zarasah attempts to further entrench the priesthood into the political sphere and all the smaller groups, yet this backfires when his proposals are booed down and Zarasah, fearing a schism or disrupting what was achieved so far, backs out of attempting to form a regular council this early on.
Xohoxia does a good job with organizing metal harvesting from the swamps and rivers, sifting, sluicing and melting away the impurities until a very basic iron extraction method is established.
Interestingly enough, Zarasah and his priests very quickly move in to secure platinum for the priesthood.

>>5918915
>>5918826
>>5918570
That's turn 3.
Feel free to write up turn 4. We'll be on a slow pace until Batman comes back.

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 2, 5, 3, 1, 2, 1, 5, 6 = 34 (11d6)

>>5922338

>Forbath Coaljaw
The Wildlife hasn't bothered us much since we arrived at the base of the Mesa; but the massive Crab is still on many minds; as is the loss of our former hold. Forbath sets to work organising some defences for the city of his plans.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
The presence of Gems and Solid Hard Stone suggests that someday the Hold we carve here might become resilient and rich; but right now we simply cannot spare the wear and tear on tools for non-essential activities. Gerna Smeltaxe sets to work establishing a forge - whilst we do not yet have new material to craft new tools, at least this might let us repair and keep the edges of those tools that we bought with us.

>Hostaem Goldseed
The flooding of some of the new farmland closer to the lakeside isn't the most auspicious of starts, but seeping water in the fields is an age-old problem that any farmer may someday have to face. And so Hostaem organises the planning and digging of a drainage ditch system to keep the fields and farmhouses from getting flooded out by heavy rain or glacial melt..

Rolled 3, 4, 3, 4, 6, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 36 (11d6)

>>5922338
Teokuitlatiiluitl could do little but sigh in frustration, trying (and failing) not to slump into his seat. He had, after all, spend a good chunk of his recent time trying to convince his people to get the two schools up and running once more, only to, instead, get a impromptu class in "how to tell your king to fuck off as kindly as possible". He had to admit, he had learned a good few flowery euphemisms and poignant turns of phrase he had never heard before. Sadly this new knowledge only compounded his deep sense of defeat.
Popokateskatl had patted him on the shoulder, telling him that his unflinching idealism was what made him endearing, and that his people would see the wisdom in his actions eventually, and that it was only natural they were feeling on edge, with the situation being what it is. All he needs is to be patient.
Teokuitlatiiluitl could do little but smile weakly before thanking his adviser. Doubts he had long repressed, that Popokateskatl should have been king instead, surfaced once more, but he suppressed them quickly. That topic had been buried, and it was better to let it remain as such. No one needed a repeat of the glorified shouting match the last coronation had been. Besides, Popokateskatl was here too, no? Working with him together for the sake of the Itztli Oceloti. Anything beyond that were but details, Teokuitlatiiluitl thought.
...Perhaps it was time to change his approach, try a different angle.
Teokuitlatiiluitl got to work setting up the fishing industry of his new-born city, making equipment and boats and gathering fishermen, hoping to make enough progress that his people might fully enjoy the fruits of the sea they had settle next to.
Popokateskatl meanwhile was tasked with making deliberate expeditions in the surrounding area to forage for food, wood, herbs and whatever they could find that was useful. Rather than simply scavenge for resources however, (though that was certainly part of it) he was tasked with noting down what areas contained what resources, so that they had a clearer idea of what the Oceloti could find around them.
Teixtli was given a different assignment besides scouting for once, specifically to take the helm of the hunters and hunt for as much game as they could. Ideally they would find enough to build up a stockpile of preserved food.

>>5922786
Forbaths fortifications don't amount to much and quickly fall to disrepair as dwarves simply don't find much reason to fear the wildlife, going with the mindset of "it won't happen to me".
Still, at least some plans and some watchtowers are erected.
Gerna's forge is very quick to get going, with a few of the broken tools being re-forged into proper shape and some being sharpened on the grindstones by the best craftsmen and smiths, rather than the average dwarves. However, the lack of iron will eventually erode the dwarven tools despite her efforts.
Hostaem actually does a supreme job, not only in planning but also in organizing and allocating the responsibilities aswell, decreeing that local families are responsible for maintaining ditches after his labour crew digs them, digging canals into the hillsides, between the farmfields and everywhere he finds a need for them. This is definitely a morale boost he needed.

Inbetween all of this, a interesting event happens where someone is spotted being sick at one of Gerna's regular festivals and the whole group is quarantined. Luckily the lone dwarf that was sick is quarantined in time and the illness doesn't spread, being very quickly contained.
In addition to that, the bonfire festivals are very quickly taking on a dual role as they are used for firing clayware that the dwarves start fashioning. The dwarves, being a eternally crafty and productive people take very well to claymaking.

>>5922798
Teokuitlatiiluitl's efforts, while initially good, do not end up well, as when on one occasion a raft breaks apart, he orders his raft forwards to rescue the drowning seafarers. This ends up being a massive mistake as a a massive sea-worm lunges at the drowning sailors, damaging the kings raft. The kings raftsmen try to drive the raft ashore, but the sea worm strikes at the kings raft, while the seafarers and the knights rush forwards to protect their king. A vicious battle ensues in which the king loses his consciousness when the worm lunges at him and shatters the bones of his left arm, taking down four of the kings knights and three of his seafarers, in addition to four more that died at the sea.
Teokuitlatiiluitl awakes a couple of days later with a horrible pain in his left hand, elbow and shoulder. He soon finds Popokateskatl leaning over him. "Gods do not favour you. Maybe you should abdicate." You can easily read the subtext.
Popokateskatl does not report finding much of anything and says he abandoned his search as soon as he heard of your wounds, having come back to secure the city.
Teixtli's hunters bring back massive stashes of food, the most impressive hunt being a cow sized horned beetle with pincers longer than its body. Teixtli has the pincers removed and crossed in front of the entrance to your home.
And also, a knight that had fought to protect you at a beach was found dead. Skinned and hanging upside down from between a pir of tree a bit north from the city.

>>5922338
When is the next turn due?
Did we also loose Hatana?

>>5925788
It's today, I'll tag them and give them like 3-4h in case they missed it or put it off.
>>5918826
>>5918221
>>5922301
As above, if you've been putting it off, write it in, if you can't participate, I'd like a estimate of how many more days until you can.

>>5918826
(As I don't know what Hatana wants to do with the council, I'll leave it unresolved for now.)

Eduhard will do good work on organizing work actions to improve the general infrastructure level. House designs will be attempted, the most heat-conserving, water-proof and spacious designs will be selected and mobs of workers will be sent around to construct them, to ensure they are actually constructed. By doing this, not only will the general living standards be raised, but wood will be conserved in the long run as less of it will be used on heating. The biggest issue with the project is the general slow speed of it and the lack of commitment, as it doesn't get fully implemented before Eduhards attention shifts elsewhere.
Usil will do a fine job organizing a expansion of the forestation effort, pointing to the dual qualities of the trees both as material and as windbreakers. Plots of land are separated by rows of trees, foresters are implemented as a profession paid by communities and valleys are enclosed on all sides by forests, with additional laws about tree-replanting being passed and minimal quotas for trees planted being added.
Closelle, slightly shaken by her near death experience, takes to more civil matters and sets to work on recruiting a large number of patrolmen to bulk up the patrols, both in size and number. The results are mixed as the increased numbers are good, but the inexperienced hunters are of mediocre quality.
The true shakeup happens when the people from the fringes of the Hatana territory request to make their own councils because they don't want to send their representatives all the way to the population center, citing the dangers of travel and the simple expense.
And a very pleasant surprise happens as the forestation efforts end up attracting a lot of smaller avians, including hand sized wood-pecker like animals, brown feathered burrowing avians and odd flightless, wingless avians that leap between trees.

>>5922301
Harkun does a exceptional job at organizing a professional forestry organization, with royal delegates and employees being sent to survey, help and manage the attempts at forest-tending. It very quickly pays off as not everyone used to be a forest-tender and those people benefit greatly from the professional aid, while disputes are resolved faster and easier.
Zarasah takes a break from religious matters and dedicates his time to organizing a professional patrol system to ensure no non Xohoxia sentients end up encroaching on them. The organization is well managed and payment is done in food and platinum that the priesthood has a monopoly on.
Sermiah (I realized I called her Xohoxia on the last post) sets herself to expanding the iron-extraction organization and does a truly exemplary job after some experimentation. Proper forges are set up, the iron extraction is systemized and very soon, simple iron tools and weapons are being extracted from the ground yet again. She is hailed as a truly great individual and cheering crowds greet her wherever she appears.
Other than that, the introduction of platinum into the society has a bit of a relaxing and intriguing effect as the platinum jewelry becomes a fashion trend. One of the platinum merchants, (I'd like a name for him, until you give me one, I'll refer to him as Dvrim Tvar Xohoxia) rises to prominence.

>>5922798
>>5922786
And that's turn 4.
Write up turn 5. Hopefully Batman and Hatana pop back in or at least give us signs of life.

>>5925941
Teokuitlatiiluitl felt sick. His limbs were cold, his stomach heavy, his thoughts muddled and erratic. The reason was not his injury, he had suffered broken bones before, if anything the unrelenting pain provided a welcome distraction from the true source of his anguish, his thoughts. Had the gods truly abandoned him? His mind raced in circles, as doubts and fears slowly drowned him. What had he done wrong? Did his orders lead his people down the wrong path? Or was it the executions of those plans that offended the gods? Was he lacking in strength? Conviction? Nobility? Did his people go the wrong way, settled in the wrong place? No matter how much he wracked his brain, he could find no illumination, and was left with the heavy, suffocating guilt that came with knowing people had died for his mistakes.
He prayed before his personal idol of The Great Jaguar, humbly begging Him for forgiveness, asking if he wished another to be king in his place. He was, after all, the Itztli Oceloti's patron god, and the patron god of all royalty. Who better to prostrate himself in front of and beg like a worm than the God of the Night, winds, conflict, rulership, destiny-
Teokuitlatiiluitl froze.
...conflict?
Was that what they were here for? Not to find a new home, but to kill, to hunt? To conquer?
No, there was nobody here, how could-
Teokuitlatiiluitl remembered the skinned knight that had been found in the north. The second such death since they arrived. No, they were not alone here, he was convinced. There were enemies somewhere here, out of sight.
Teokuitlatiiluitl let his mind wonder, thinking back to their old abandoned city. To the grand temples, their stone altars covered in blood, to the skull rack, filled with the heads of the sacrificed. He remembered the priests, their fur brown from the dried blood they doused themselves in. He remembered the still beating hearts of the sacrificed, lifted into the sky, offered to the sun. The skin of men flayed and offered to the earth for a new harvest, the tears of children offered to the clouds for rain.
...Teokuitlatiiluitl understood what he had to do. He had grown complacent, blind to what truly mattered. The Gods bled everyday to ensure the world lived on, and it was their duty to pay that debt back, be it in flesh or blood.
A dark, determined gleam appeared in Teokuitlatiiluitl's eyes. He would find whoever else was here, and do what he had to. The Gods demanded it.
As he prepared to leave his tent, he remembered Popokateskatl's warning. Would his people tolerate him much longer? Had their patience run out already? Either way, it mattered not. If they wanted him gone, there was little he could do to resist his trained and armed population. But if his time was not here yet, he would serve while he still could. And when he would be allowed no longer, he would go. Until then, he had work to do.

Rolled 3, 4, 1, 5, 6, 4, 2, 3, 1, 6, 3 = 38 (11d6)

>>5926182
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The king will focus all of his efforts into investigate the recent death of his knight, and find the culprit. Whoever or whatever it was, it would be found, and pay dearly. Enough was enough.
>Popokateskatl
He ordered Popokateskatl to look for stone, and setup mines. The city had to be built in more sturdy materials to resist any assaults, and there was nothing more sturdy then stone.
>Teixtli
The ever loyal knight was sent to continue her scouting again. Wherever the enemies hid, they would be found. They were to focus on heading East, beyond the marshes, as there seemed to be little of interest towards the West but more sea and ice.
Out of curiosity, what happens if the Teokuitlatiiluitl were to abdicate? Would I continue to play as the new king or continue to play Teokuitlatiiluitl regardless? I imagine if he dies then I play as the new king.

Rolled 5, 4, 5, 1, 2, 2, 5, 4, 2, 5, 3 = 38 (11d6)

>>5923229
Clay. The colour rich and deep, the scent an earthy petrichor blend that oozes of the potential within. And with fire, that potential turns to revelation; the blaze of the heat of the world transmuting semi-viscous construct into solidly utilitarian pottery. Gerna looks upon the sight of Dwarves at work, crafting through the application of flame and effort; and it pleases her to see them learning with their practice.


>>5925941


>Forbath Coaljaw
You must always be prepared for tomorrow, whatever that tomorrow might become. And with Dwarves now farming, fishing, hunting, crafting; any excesses that today might bring should be set aside to preserve those tomorrows should lean days come to call. Forbath goes to the architects and craftsdwarfs to have them start work upon some storage sheds and storehouses, so that little by little we might start to build ourselves up a reserve.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Iron is the crucial bottleneck for re-establishing much of our industry, and the lack of it is growing more concerning to the Forge-Mother. Even if a true, pure seam is the fabric of Dwarven Dreams, perhaps we might at least find a place with ferrous ore-stone, or deep rich red iron-heavy soil? Gerna makes plans and organises prospectors before setting out to try for herself; a source of Iron of some sort simply must be found.

>Hostaem Goldseed
His pride somewhat lifted by his success with the drainage ditches, Hostaem cracks his knuckles and sets himself and his family a new task; that of setting up a mill to grind grain down into useful flour.

>>5925941
Have you decided what you'll likely do if one or the other doesn't show back up? Do you think you'd more likely try and re-cast the existing civs with new players, or give some new players a new character inside existing civs to act as proxies when the 'main' player goes absent, or bring in new players with brand new civs from the map edges?

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>>5926183
>6, 4, 2
To Teokuitlatiiluitl's surprise, it was fellow Oceloti. It had not taken too much to find them in the northern forests, just blindly marching and scouting around the uninhabited reaches. At first, it was a scout who disappeared and didn't return to the evening camp. He was found half eaten, tied to a tree and with his guts hanging out, his stomach cut open with a knife. From there, it was no longer lone scouts, but groups who went around instead. When the shouts of battle were heard and when the kings company went north, they found a trio of scouts fighting against a duo of Oceloti twins wielding simple flint tipped spears, hissing and howling like wild animals.
They were cut down quickly.
The following mop-up scouting found nothing and the King, content with his hunting success relaxed. The scouting parties eased up, having covered the surrounding hills as everyone moved southwards, yearning for the warmer lands and fish they were already getting used to.
The King was woken up by the angry shout of his tent guard, followed by commotion. Immediately jumping up and reaching for his sword he was barely ready as a duo of Oceloti lunged at him. The assassins had slid under his scouts noses and while he stood victorious after a pair of vicious blows he exchanged with them, a duo of wounds, one a half deflected spear thrust slid along his ribs, tearing his flesh and skin from his sternum to his shoulder, the other a glancing strike that dug into the side of his thigh.
As he wandered outside, he stumbled to the tent to his right. Peeking inside, he found its occupants dead. Tired from bloodloss, he was about to collapse when friendly hands grabbed him and took him to a tent. By the time he awoke, he was in a tent outside of the city. This expedition was costly. Fifteen of his men were dead for a total of seven of the killers. And he knew no more of them than before.
And that wasn't all the bad news, as Popokateskatl had sent runners in your direction who proclaimed a complete failure to find adequate stone on his side.
Teixtli however, had much more success, finding more of very similar terrain and as usual, holding a feast in your honor.
>Out of curiosity, what happens if the Teokuitlatiiluitl were to abdicate? Would I continue to play as the new king or continue to play Teokuitlatiiluitl regardless? I imagine if he dies then I play as the new king.
You'd play as the new king.

>>5926614
Also, as usual, I forgot the interturn and remembered it immediately after posting the turn.
A capable Oceloti arises from the ranks of the new nobility, Yolpaquiliztli, who got his start as a logistician during the brief travels, then ended up organizing raftbuilding and shelter building. He grew in popularity and wealth and ended up being a major player.

>>5926394
Forbath's food stockpiling efforts turn out successful. Large storage sheds are built close to both the coast and the farms, both erected on stilts to keep them separated from the ground, fish is dried, grain is suspended from sacks to keep it from being eaten by pests and soon, considerable supplies are amassed.
Gerna's prospectors go far and wide, but fail to find much nearby. The extent of found iron is entirely confined to extremely small quantities that can be sifted from the sand in the stream seeping from the lake and feeding the river. It is obvious that more ground will need to be covered to find iron. Way more ground. Perhaps even organized expeditions.
Hostaem('s task is a bit too small scale desu. One mill can't cover the needs of a population of well over a dozen thousand dwarves by now, nor is it appropriate for him to spend a few years working on a single mill, so I'll interpret it as "construct windmills and watermills where appropriate to ease up everyone's lives and improve the general level of agricultural development") does a good job in building them, windmills are erected on hills in clearings, watermills are dotted on streams and rivers, millers are picked and assigned jobs, rates they can charge are specified, yet the rates are placed too low and mills way too common, with Hostaem relying on his experience with organized dwarven farming on fertile soil, not this way less fertile land in the cold climate and the hardy, barely fruitful crops in case they are even grains, leading in millers going hungry more often than not.
In fact, Hostaem's fuckup is so major that millers go on strikes, even going as far as to pelt his home with rocks.
On the other end, the forge workers, working on repairing the metal tools are making a killing with their monopoly on their trade.

>>5926399
>Have you decided what you'll likely do if one or the other doesn't show back up?
I'm not sure, as on one hand, I'd re-cast them, however, noone made any contact with them, so there's no reason for me to do so as this wouldn't be breaking continuity. I guess I'll let the new players decide if they want to take over the existing civs or pop in as new ones. As for letting new players play new characters inside existing civs, that looks like the worst option to me. Both because the main player loses their civ and because a new player doesn't gain a civ permanently. Again, I'll put in a deadline until the next turn, then, put in a post on /qtg/. If you have an idea, feel free to post it.

>>5925941
>>5926632
Still alive, and feeling better. Sorry for the radio silence, I thought my response was clear in that I don't mind you taking over while I am not able to participate. In any case, I'll be back to writing about the bats from tomorrow onwards. Have a nice song as thanks for keeping with my sick ass https://youtu.be/VyVuuXUR7Lc?feature=shared

>>5926645
>I thought my response was clear in that I don't mind you taking over while I am not able to participate.
Yeah, you were, I just don't like taking over my players factions, since I imagine it would be very frustrating as a player.

>>5925941
Hatana:
Eduhard will, still putting off the council reform, start spreading the population downstream, towards the coast. His efforts will be rewarded as the somewhat grown population starts moving downstream, dispersing people in a attempt to provide more territory for the families to subside off of. The effort results in the populace moving halfway down to the estuary of the two rivers.
Usil, in the meanwhile, shall start working on increased raftmaking and will start looking into proper boatmaking, with his efforts finding impressive success along the coasts as a number of families are settled along the coast and tasked with the important work of boatmaking.
And Closelle will continue her work with the patrols. One of the younger and less experienced hunters will run into a cave to hide following an ambush on the patrol by a massive avian beast. To the hunters amazement, they will not only find him unharmed, but will also find the cave to possess small metallic geometric shapes in it.
Usil will play a large role in helping organize a second wave of settling towards the estuary of the smaller river into the larger one.

>>5925941
And batpeople:
Harkun will set to making a fishing fleet on the lake. He will find success as the lake turns out to be full of edible fish, while the surrounding woods are a great source of wood for the rafts. This is a success he sorely needed.
Zarasah will work on the creation of supply-lines between the iron-extraction camps, the fishing villages and the various forestry settlements. This will do little, but will employ the merchants who, having been left with few usable skills, were becoming a burden on the society.
Sermiah will set herself to cataloging animals and plants to hopefully ease up the transition to the still unfamiliar flora and fauna. However, following a poisoning, she will be left bedridden for months and the project will fall by the wayside. Luckily, Sermiah will find a few new plants that are edible and these will join the diet and the food stockpiles of the batpeople.

>>5926394
>>5926183
>>5926645

That's turn 5. Feel free to write up turn 6.

Rolled 6, 4, 3, 6, 2, 2, 2, 6, 3, 2, 1 = 37 (11d6)

>>5929384
>>5926632
(How bad was the error with the crops? Was it just the dice, or the choices? Would have thought some strain of barley might have worked...)

>Forbath Coaljaw
Roads were a part of the plan for the settlement featured on his designs that Forbath had not yet set in motion, and now he finally has the time to take a more personal interest in the project and get a series of roads and pathways organised around the town and surroundings.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
An expedition for Iron it shall have to be, Gerna decides. She gathers together a group of Dwarf prospectors and sets off.

>Hostaem Goldseed
Frustrated by his error, Hostaem sets to work sorting some of the land in the valley downriver, where Broadleaf trees grow. Perhaps this might be better land for grain fields - either that, or he could try to organise an orchard for fruit and grindable nuts, whatever seems most suitable in the conditions.

Rolled 2, 6, 4, 6, 3, 5, 6, 6, 4, 2, 6 = 50 (11d6)

>>5929384
Life is refusing to leave me alone at the moment, so I'm gonna make this short.
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
Takes over surveying efforts and look through the land again for stone. There had to be some somewhere.
>Popokateskatl
Instructed to make armaments for the Itztli Oceloti, be it spears, maces, shields, bows, atlatl's, anything useful and whatever they had the materials for. Ideally, there should be enough arms for every single individual to fight, if need be. But working up to that number was fine too.
>Teixtli
Instructed to go North with several hundred knights, find every last killer, and bring them back in fetters, or in pieces. Ideally fetters, of course. You cannot sacrifice (or question) the dead. Whatever supplies they needed, she was told to take.
Though, if somehow the enemies numbers were too large and she did not feel confident in their odds, she was told to come back. Finding them and getting a good read on their numbers was acceptable.
Is it fine to set two people on the same task? For example, telling Popokateskatl to follow Teixtli help her? Does that make the task easier? Or should characters always take on different tasks?

>>5930212
>(How bad was the error with the crops? Was it just the dice, or the choices? Would have thought some strain of barley might have worked...)
I leave that up to player interpretation, yet I will note that you can (and in some cases, should) spend actions to fix/touch up what you did previously. The millers being a good example of this, as you still have a negative factor that can pair with other factors.
Forbath will do exemplary job in planning and organizing the construction of a network of roads between the various farmsteads, villages and the planned town. The effort is exemplary and inspires both his subordinates and the general populace.
Hostaem will choose to leave the expedition southwards to Gerna as he himself sets to organizing local orchard planting, which will turn out to be one of his rare successes.
And finally, to your great surprise and joy, Gerna will, after organizing a major expedition, return home from a trip to the east. What causes the most joy is the completely accidental discovery of it as a dwarf wanders into a half flooded cave near a river and re-emerges some twenty minutes later to inform his camp of the discovery he made. However, not all is as happy, as the travels took a full month over the rough and unknown terrain and Gerna reckons that at best, the time to travel there and back could be downed to some three weeks by experienced travellers. Any faster would, by her estimate, require clearing paths and roads.
Aside from their works, a particularly rough storm season passed with minimal flooding and spillover, to everyone's surprise. The drainage canals are praised and cared for with additional diligence, oftentimes being expanded beyond their initial scope by eager farmers.
The lack of iron, timed ironically as this development takes place as Gerna is travelling with her expedition, is followed with a further switch of architectural style by the dwarves, as their architecture switches almost entirely to clay brick, rather than to stonework in the hopes of preserving their tools.
And finally, gangs of angry millers start taking over watchtowers and other fortifications Forbath has made, using them to racket and tax their fellow dwarves.

>>5930346
>Life is refusing to leave me alone at the moment, so I'm gonna make this short.
That's fine. We have a 4 day period for each turn for a reason.

Teokuitlatiiluitl's explorations, while of mediocre organization and lackluster energy, doesn't need to go far at all. Merely reaching the first mountain to the south proves enough to find great quantities of obsidian, to your best observations, easy to excavate and of no noticeable defects. How Popokateskatl missed it raises some doubts of either his competence or of his loyalty. The former doubts are quickly affirmed when a runner from the city, a knight loyal to you informs you that Popokateskatl has been attempting to and failing to organize an uprising against you.
With surprising haste and anger, you rally your expedition and send runners to your allies, rallying four hundred Itztli, a surprisingly large army, for such a quick action.
However, as you approach the city, a hunter greets you and delivers you bittersweet news of how Teixtli returned from the north with her company of knights with the goal of engaging Popokateskatl and his forces, only to run head-first into a ill prepared ambush, in which she perished with a number of her knights while causing significant harm to Popokateskatl, who, now not seeing any chance to win against you, offers his surrender.

>>5932023
Oh and:
>Is it fine to set two people on the same task? For example, telling Popokateskatl to follow Teixtli help her?
Yeah. It is.
>Does that make the task easier?
You just have two chances to do it and even if you succeed, you can have the success amplified by the second character.
>Or should characters always take on different tasks?
Not necessary.

>>5926645
Man, I wish batman would go back to posting.

Harkun will focus on ensuring that the patrols are properly equipped with the best iron weapons available, however, his efforts wont go far as protests about the allotment of iron to the weapons instead of tools and he will abandon it after some back and forth-ing.
Zarasah will work on ensuring that the forests are better tended to. His efforts will, while unenergetic, produce admirable results as his people will be moved to action by the frightening comparisons to what happened to them in their past when they failed to take proper care of their lands.
Sermiah, originally set to work on trying to replicate thunderdust fails to do it and in frustration lashes out at one of her subordinates, hitting the young man in the head with a clay pot she threw in frustration. This incident becomes very infamous.
Another point of change is that the bat-people are getting rather good at iron extraction mostly due to their ability to fly about, letting them find and gather iron faster and easier.

>>5930212
>>5930346
And with this, turn 6 is done, feel free to do turn 7.
I'm also putting the Hatana up for adoption, or replacement.

Rolled 3, 6, 6, 3, 4, 1, 5, 3, 4, 6, 6 = 47 (11d6)

>>5932926
>Forbath Coaljaw
Whatever justifications the Millers might have had initially, their recent actions are crossing the line into banditry and insurrection. Forbath uses his experience of matters martial and organises together a guard force to maintain order and security for the settlement, and sends the millers what is at first a polite request to stand down.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Three weeks is a long time to travel, so any matter that might help shorten the journey time to the Iron deposits would be wise. Gerna sets herself organising a team to clear a suitable route, and using her knowledge of flame to burn away bushland and scrub that might block and delay the travel path to the deposit source.

>Hostaem Goldseed
Still aware that the problem with the millers was of his own making (and that apples do not need to be milled), Hostaem searches for good land on which he might grow a viable Barley crop. With a good Barley crop producing ample grain, he reckons, he might be able to talk the millers into striking their grudges and returning to work.

Rolled 4, 6, 3, 5, 2, 4, 4, 2, 5, 4, 3 = 42 (11d6)

>>5932926
Life certainly enjoyed throwing trouble his way, Teokuitlatiiluitl sighed to himself. He felt like his people had arrived only yesterday, and already he has had an arm broken, been nearly assassinated and now... he was overseeing the cremation of his most loyal knight. Teixtli's death would be sorely felt, and Popokateskatl's treachery was a sore blow to the Oceloti's cohesion.
Teokuitlatiiluitl's head was filled with errand thoughts and reveries. The uprising struck him as a strange move, very unlike the usual methodical and patient Popokateskatl... but perhaps it was he himself who was strange? Teokuitlatiiluitl looked at the signs around him and became convinced that honouring the gods via conflict was their goal for being here. Maybe Popokateskatl saw the newfound determination in his eyes and feared where he was leading the Itztli Oceloti?
...Maybe abdicating would have been the correct choice? Perhaps then, Teixtli would yet live...
...Doubting himself would lead him nowhere, Teokuitlatiiluitl decided, no matter his reasons, Popokateskatl has gone against his king, and now would have to answer to the law, and the gods. His punishment would surely be death, the law was quite clear.
Besides... a mountain so close to their city, bearing large quantities of their most holy material? It appears the sign that this was their new home was under his nose the whole time.
They would sort this mess out in time, he believed. For now, work awaited.
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
With both his aids becoming... otherwise occupied, the king needs new people to work with him for the sake of the people. He will begin by recruiting a chosen noble to his side, ideally someone with the skill necessary to undertake whatever tasks are needed to better the city. recruit a character for competence, just to be clear

I'm assuming Popokateskatl, being captured, cannot be used as a character at the moment and is under guard, please correct me if I am wrong. Would I have to specify and/or use a character action to, say, have him executed? I'll recruit a character first anyway but if that's a free action then let it be so.

>>5933732
Forbaths guard force, comprising from some of the most veteran soldiers, is not overly enthusiastic about striking on their own, but the mere threat of them acting on the millers is enough to get them to stand down. Of course, the issue of the material conditions is not resolved, but at least they are no longer acting as bandits.
Gerna's path clearing will prove exceptionally practical and the three weeks of travel will be cut to roughly in half as a mixture of kayaking downstream and on cleared and gravel covered paths will be planned and then set up, along with a selection of roadside cabins and a small selection of dwarves whose duties are to hunt the wildlife and tend to the wilderness. In addition to this, you can see that Gerna is happy with the jobs you've been giving to her and that she agrees with your choices.
And as usual, Hostaem's endevours find little success. The ground simply does not lend itself to produce as abundant as would be required for the millers and Hostaem writes how it might be a good idea to just let the mills fail and let the millers go back to their usual jobs, with the idea that the millers will pick up milling if the need arises.
And finally, a interesting development arose as a rival militia of farmers arose with the goal of scaring or fighting off the millers.

>>5933957
>I'm assuming Popokateskatl, being captured, cannot be used as a character at the moment and is under guard, please correct me if I am wrong.
Entirely correct
>Would I have to specify and/or use a character action to, say, have him executed?
You can have him executed for free. Or maimed. Or pardoned. Or castrated, blinded, sacrificed to the gods, humiliated, impaled on a stake, delimbed, crippled or anything you can think of. Or some combination of the previously listed. None of those would require an action as they are not something that would take significant amounts of time to organize and execute.
>I'll recruit a character first anyway but if that's a free action then let it be so.
If you want, you can describe who you're recruiting, like you did with Popo and with Teixtli.
Oh and another thing, do you intend to hire another character the next turn or will you allow Yolpaquiliztli get into your royal court as a third character?

>>5934711
>Entirely correct
>None of those would require an action as they are not something that would take significant amounts of time to organize and execute.
In that case he is to be put to trial for treason, then executed. Thank you for the clarification.
>Oh and another thing, do you intend to hire another character the next turn or will you allow Yolpaquiliztli get into your royal court as a third character?
My intention was indeed to recruit 1 characters this turn then 1 the next.
I assume I can only recruit 1 character per turn and that getting Yolpaquiliztli means he starts with lower stats? (2 loyalty, 1 competence) If I am correct, then I will just recruit the next person next turn. Otherwise I will accept Yolpaquiliztli as a second recruit this turn. Though I am fine with Yolpaquiliztli being the first recruit this turn if the stats are in order.

>>5934812
Popokateskatl's trial is a bland affair as his crimes against his king are read in front of a small crowd under a cloudy sky, before his sentence is announced. The crowd comprised of primarily nobles stands in silence as their fellow noble is held down by four knights. A priest with a raised dagger approaches and after reciting a poem, lunges it into Popokateskatl's chest. A pained shriek escapes the noblemans lips.
"I know it doesn't look like it." Eztli, the nobleman you had promoted whispers to Teokuitlatiiluitl. "But had Teixtli not thrown herself and her knights at him, it'd be you on that stone now."
Teokuitlatiiluitl rubs his eyelids as Popokateskatl spasms out one last time and the priest raises his heart towards the cloudy sky.
"You have a big role ahead of you to fill Eztli." Teokuitlatiiluitl says as the priest squeezes the heart and tosses it into the river, denying it and Popokateskatl passage to the afterlife. "Let us hope you don't end your life on a sacrificial altar."

In the following days, you notice commotion regarding your choice to pick out a noble, rather than one of the numerous logisticians as your aid, mostly amongst logisticians, however, nothing major comes out of it yet.
What does happen is a celebration organized by common people in the name of your success in warfare against the vile usurper, with some of the hunting trophies brought by Teixtli being prominently displayed.

>>5934812
>>5933732
That's it for turn 7, feel free to do turn 8.

>>5926645
As for the batpeople, unless Batman goes back to posting the next turn, I'm just snapping the batpeople out of existence aswell. Sorry bro, they're interesting and all, but it's been over a month.

Rolled 3, 6, 6, 3, 6, 3, 5, 4, 5, 4, 4 = 49 (11d6)

>>5936743
>Forbath Coaljaw
Gerna has done a very good job in clearing a usable route to the Iron-rich site, now Forbath will set his own skills to work in filling in the gaps, organising the construction of a proper road along the pathway that Gerna has cleared.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
With Dwarfs arriving at the metal deposits, Gerna sets to the business of organising a mining operation on-site, so that the metal might finally feed her forges.

>Hostaem Goldseed
Aware of his repeated failures, Hostaem makes a visit to speak to the Farmers. The farmers are his natural consistency - and this militia they have formed, a symptom of his frequent failures. He listens to their issues and requests, making plans to try and solve some of their problems whilst he is here on hand to do so... but he has already decided that, should he fail here, he will stand down from his council seat and let another take his spot.

>>5936743
Also, If Batman doesn't come back, would it be worth advertising in the /QTG/ Thread to try and pick up some new players?

Rolled 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 5, 6, 2, 4, 5, 3 = 43 (11d6)

>>5936743
Life is busy again at the moment
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
With another hole left to fill, the king focuses on recruiting a knight to do his bidding directly. With the Oceloti's natural respect for great warriors, favouring a knight should be a more palatable to the people than his decision to take a noble into his direct service. recruit for loyalty
>Eztli
He is instructed to set out to the southern mountain and set up for mining operations for the obsidian there. It is a precious material, used for religious rituals, offerings, art, decoration, and of course, weaponry. The sharpness of obsidian is utterly unparalleled, but due to it blunting quickly, it must be replaced often. A mining operation will be key to keeping the city rich with it's namesake material.

>>5936924
Forbath's road construction is a overly ambitious job that ends in disaster as a understaffed crew is assembled and an inadequate guard is placed to guard it, with everything going to hell as a giant beetle skewers a dwarven worker and hurts three more before the workers scatter. While not directly Forbath's fault, it is blamed on him and the specter of responsibility is held over him. Not only is the road not really worked on significantly, it also cost the dwarven race a precious life.
Gerna, as usual, does a more than adequate job, planning and then overlooking successful tunneling operation that results in the partial drainage of the half flooded cave, letting her dwarves work in relative safety, before laying the foundations to a small fortified settlement to keep her dwarves safe from wildlife. Soon enough, carts filled with ore start making their way back to the dwarven civilization.
Hostaem, after a failiure to come to an agreement with the farmer militia, will publically step down due to his repeated failiures and dedicate himself to his trade, rather than to leading his people.
And finally, a failure to properly fire bricks, combined with the high humidity, has led to a large house collapsing and killing four out of the seven occupants of said home. There are cries for establishing laws regarding brickmaking and some standards for brick quality.
>>5936930
I posted in that thread. Didn't seem to grab much attention.
>>5938578
Yeah, mine is aswell.
Itzcali is Teokuitlatiiluitl's next choice for recruitment, and the choice to favour one of Teixtli's knights, especially one that was close to her in more ways than one, is popular with the people, while the nobles don't find much reason to complain, and even less when the commoners cheer him on at a ceremony.
Eztli, while initially stumbling and failing to find a good place for it, has the location of a pre-existing obsidian mining camp reported to him by one of his scouts. It seems Popokateskatl had a secret mining camp set up for his own uses.
And independently of that, three things of note happen.
One is that a bit of a famine combined with a harsh winter struck you, which was endured with relative ease without even significantly denting your food supples.
The next is that a unidentified Oceloti corpse was found in the north, a victim of starvation. The questioning and public displays of the corpse found that noone could identify it. A expedition northwards found a large number of starved Oceloti eating one of their own. Upon noticing they were spotted, they tried to attack the expedition, but the leader, a commoner named Itzel, armed with a new obsidian macuahuitl cut down the two attackers. The remainder surrendered. By the end of the following day, she marched a column of 60 Oceloti into the city and presented them to you, advising sending them into the mines rather than forcing the Oceloti to mine in.

>>5940231
That's turn 8, we're on turn 9 now.

I'm interested in joining. Meant to follow from Lanu's previous quest, but didn't think I'd have the time for a multiplayer civ in the moment.

>>5940596
Oh that's nice to hear.
I'd probably drop you down on turn 9 in the same manner as the previous races, descending from the north.
Any ideas about a race you'd like to play, or perhaps take over (if you're interested in Hatana or the batpeople)?

>>5940601
I was thinking of either making my own or taking over the bat people and then switching over when the original anon comes back. I'll have to delay writing up my race or doing my turn until tomorrow though, since I have an appointment in 50 minutes and have to prepare to go.

>>5940613
Alright, no rush, but I'd advise having your own civilization from the getgo, since, as the batmen haven't made contact with anyone else, there is no reason to have them keep existing.

>>5940233
With two new aides by his side, Teokuitlatiiluitl felt like fortune was on his side once again. So very much had gone wrong lately, but now he felt like the gods had corrected him onto the path he was meant to walk. And between the newfound obsidian mine, courtesy of his erstwhile aide, the famine that has been soundly prevented with their preparations, and the 60 captives captured from the North, it really seemed like the gods were looking out for his people. He had been particularly worried about the hostile Oceloti hiding away in the north, but it seems the harsh winter had hit them far harder than the Itztli Oceloti, which was a blessing. A starving enemy would be far easier to subjugate.
Speaking of, he would have to ensure that Itzel would be amply rewarded for the capture of 60 Oceloti. Killing enemies in battle was mostly considered clumsy and wasteful, while capturing enemies was an act that brought great honour for a warrior, and was a sure-fire way to rise the ranks of society. They *had* surrendered, but 60 captives was still a prodigious number, and since Itzel was already fit to command expeditions, it would not be strange to elevate her to nobility. He would have to instruct some nobles to look into the matter, as Teokuitlatiiluitl had been worried that with no enemies to fight, the gears of social mobility would grind to a halt, leading to dissatisfaction among the commoners. This was a golden opportunity to prove that this was not the case.
As for the captives, Teokuitlatiiluitl insisted that at least 6 be sacrifices to the gods, as sacrifices had been largely limited to game, due to the lack of neighbouring cities to fight and secure captives from. The lack of proper sacrifice had long put the priesthood on edge, and they would surely be at least somewhat reassured by the gesture. If anything, the king would be glad to put the seemingly eternal debate of "how do you sacrifice a giant bug properly" to rest, even if only temporarily.
The rest however, he agreed to send to the mines. Slaves were nothing new, and mining was always gruelling, dangerous work. He deemed it a sensible proposal.
But even with such matters handled, the king had work to do, as always. Eztli and Itzcali both seemed poised to prove their worth, and he was equally eager to test them.

Rolled 2, 3, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3 = 40 (11d6)

>>5942242
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The king will overlook the creation of an armoury for the Oceloti, and fill it with weaponry. With every citizen being trained as a hunter and warrior, there is naturally a large demand for weapons. While wooden spears and arrows could do the trick just fine, it was time to expand on their newfound obsidian source to create more deadly, well crafted weapons so that no Oceloti lack a proper weapons. Of course, most Oceloti keep their weapons with them in their own home, but an armoury could give a convenient place for weapon smiths to sell their wares, and citizen to get a spare or replacement. Not to mention it would allow nobles to keep track of how much weaponry there actually is, which is currently rather difficult.
>Eztli
The noble was ordered to look for a proper deposit of stone in the surrounding mountains. Obsidian was well and good, but to build a true city, the Oceloti would NEED cold, hard stone, there was no way around it. The sooner they found a good source of it, the better.
>Itzcali
The knight was ordered to scout the North, specifically to look for signs of the hostile Oceloti who seemed to originate from up there, ideally an encampment. With signs indicating that they were struggling to feed themselves, the danger they posed was likely not too large for now, so the king deemed that they could afford to take things slow. Once they find their camp, they can lead a proper army and deal with them permanently.

>>5942242
>>5942243
Teokuitlatiiuitl's efforts will go well enough. The old tradesmen more than willing to do whatever is asked of them are eager to return to their former prestigious positions while even the simplest commoner understands the value of the extremely sharp weapons. A central armory is placed close to the royal palace and a line of supply is laid between the extremely crude mine and the city, trading workers, tools and food for obsidian.
Eztli's expedition will find that the lowlands are made of sandstone, while the hills are made from various volcanic rocks. After some experiments are carried out and plans are laid, you determine that you have more labor for the workers and the slaves to do.
And interestingly enough, Itzcali's expedition thoroughly scours the countryside and manages to send lone scouts all the way up to the glacier. A number of smaller camps are found, yet almost no resistance is carried out as camps of half starved Oceloti surrender one by one, with the most violent encounter being a scout that got captured following getting ambushed by half a dozen enemies before he talked them into surrendering.
By the end of the expedition, some fourty more Oceloti are brought back in ropes and the countryside is cleared of both major wildlife and anything intelligent when the expedition basically runs into another major group of them that lays down its arms. By the point the group returns back to the city (which could use a name), they are bringing back a hundred slaves.

Rolled 5, 5, 6, 2, 6, 5, 5, 1, 5, 3, 4 = 47 (11d6)

>>5940233
>Forbath Coaljaw
His failures upon the roadbuilding project ringing in his ears, Forbath returns to town suitably chastened - the good work he had done on on the local roads had made him quite overconfident to attempt such a task on a far wider scale. Perhaps what is needed is to return to his roots. Hearing of Hostaem's failures, Forbath makes a visit of his own to the farmer's militia group. A useful thing to have, he thinks; here on an untamed frontier filled with giant and deadly invertebrates those who have chosen to take up the mantle of a defender should be honoured and supported. He sets about trying to establish a working relationship between the militia and his own guard force, to provide them with training and coordination and keep them guided.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
With carts full of ore arriving at town, the long metal-drought is over. Gerna, her subordinate smiths and apprentices busy themselves working on essential repairs - and, for the first time in this strange land - forging many new tools for the many tasks that still await us.

>Hostaem Goldseed - Snorri Ironeye
Hostaem has decided to stand down and given his notice, the only task now is to finish off the recruitment then hand over his chair and sigil of office to the Dwarf who will take his place upon the council. Snorri Ironeye, a lawspeaker with a stern manner and piercing gaze selected for his competence in matters legal and administrative. The matter of introducing and reviewing the brickmaking laws and standards are expected to soon fall into his remit...

With the brazier passed, Hostaem returns to his land to farm and brew, his service to clan-council over.

>>5942689
Yet again, there is a failiure of negotiation between the farmers militia and a authority figure. Yet this one ends in bloodshed as the farmers militia, being overly cautious, lets loose a rain or arrows and bolts at the kings guard, killing a few and wounding a few more. From there, a brief but bloody fight leaves a dozen farmers dead for the price of three of the guard. Upon Forbath's insistence, or better yet, enraged yells, the guard retreats, taking their dead and wounded. This has all went to hell.
Gerna, despite difficultires with iron transportation, does a good job. Iron tools are forged, many are repaired and, upon learning of the clash, some weapons are manufactured aswell. This ends up resulting in a small stockpile of weapons and tools.
Snorri settles into his position quite well, making connections and promoting some of his trusted men into positions of power. He is aware of the failures of his predecessor and will attempt to outdo him.
As for the other aspects, the millers, who had so recently abandoned their banditry are starting to regret it as now. Their reputation, ruined by their banditry, has led them to economic ruin and eventually into selling their properties to a association of potters, who are buying up their meager land. It might be good to resettle the millers, or to employ them in different positions as most of them are now landless, jobless and poor. Even more so because they are now concentrating in front of the royal palace. You fear a bloody repeat of the farmers militia might repeat itself if you don't handle this with tact, or send someone more popular to do so in your stead (like Gerna).

>>5942242
>>5942243
>>5942689
And that's turn 9, feel free to write up your turn 10.

Rolled 2, 6, 4, 4, 3, 5, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6 = 45 (11d6)

>>5943001
Forbath stares into a tankard of ale as he considers everything that's gone wrong. How have the bonds of brotherhood forged in the Final defence and the great migration sundered so quickly among our people?
He goes to have a word with Gerna, in her capacity as Forge-Mother of the Burning Heart as well as a skilled and valued comrade. Are the people turning against him, he wonders? Gerna has their ear, their respect. He is no leader by birth-right or divine ordainment, merely a Dwarven Warrior able enough at his role to salvage something from the wreckage of the former hold. He asks Gerna for guidance; does she still hold faith in his leadership?

>Forbath Coaljaw
Despondent from failures that lead to the death of fellow Dwarfs, Forbath make plans to head out from the city. Perhaps he will train some Dwarfs up as professional hunters, to add a little more variety to Dwarven diets and keep his community that much safer from the encroachment of giant crabs and beetles - and there's probably a few Dwarves about in need of a job right now...

>Gerna Smeltaxe
The Millers are congregating outside the government hall. Their situation is poor and they are desperate, such a shame for Dwarves on a bold new frontier. But they are millers, used to operating machinery and turning parts that take power from the world around them. She goes out to offer them employment; for she sees the need in the Mine-town for motive force to drive pumps to keep the cave dry; to turn cloth and leather belts that move ore and spoil.

>Snorri Ironeye
The matter of regulating standards within the brickmaking profession is the first task that falls to Snorri Ironeye, and he arranges some practical tests and speaks to members of the most highly-regarded brickmaking organisations in attempt to work out some enforceable brickmaking standards that can be used to keep the quality high. Perhaps each brick might carry the imprint of the maker's seal, so each would be traceable and substandard work could be weeded from the profession? If a thing's worth doing well, it's ONLY worth doing it well.

>>5944022
All in all, a successful episode awaits the dwarfkind. Forbath's actions, combined with Gerna's not only deals with some of the jobless dwarves, but weakens the desires of the farmers for a militia by tackling the issues they faced, the banditry and extortion to which their fellow dwarves resorted to when faced with hunger, and the danger presented by the ever encroaching wildlife, as now dwarven rangers, armed with newly carved crossbows strike out in patrols, pelting anything that moves with bolts and bringing it back to the civilization.
True, the numbers of dwarven rangers are low and they could use with more stations, members and equipment, but they are an appreciated step in the right direction.
Gerna, on the other end, has a harder task of dealing with cynical, distrustful and desperate peoples, yet her popularity lets her find success as she talks the dwarves into joining her on a expedition to settle new lands in the far east and deal with the mine and the issues it brings forth. It takes her a full week of fierce negotiation and then, within a month, the dwarves set off, loaded with food and tools, first setting themselves up permanent lodging, then setting to work. By the end of this fiasco, basically all of the dwarves who had been harmed by the milling attempts have been resettled, with the settlement earning a name of Floodcave. (If Forbath dislikes it, he can easily rename it).
Snorri likewise does a good job, establishing a brickmakers guild, enforcing standards of clay purity and grog ratio, the mandatory stamping of each brick, a list of allowed brickmakers is established, tests for average bricks are mandated with the ones failing being made to change their standards and approaches, lest they lose their permissions. It is far from a perfect system, yet it is a very strong step in the right direction and one that will greatly decrease the likelyhood of such incidents.

Rolled 1, 6, 5, 6, 4, 6, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1 = 37 (11d6)

>>5943002
Teokuitlatiiuitl was well pleased with the efforts his people have made. The newly busy weapon smiths have made the Itztli Oceloti more well armed then they have been in a long time, and the capture of a hundred enemies from the North spoke to how thorough Itzcali had been. Many rewards would need to be handed out to his warriors.
Their efforts to find stone had not yet born fruit, but Eztli's men thoroughly catalogued their surroundings and spoke of possible leads, so it should only be a matter of time, hopefully.
Still, Teokuitlatiiuitl could not help but be uneasy about the northern Oceloti. Where had they come from? Who were they? Any attempts that had been made so far to identify individuals revealed they were not part of the Itztli, and they did not inhabit cities, so he doubted they were native to this land. Did they travel here from their native jungles, as they had? He wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery. For that, he would need to be thorough.
There was also the matter of the new captives as well, of course, though here he saw no reason to change his previous approach. Sacrifice 6 of them, and send the rest to the mines. The sacrifices will hopefully lift his people's spirits and appease the gods, and new slaves will spare his own people the dangerous toiling they would otherwise do underground.
Regardless, the city demanded ever more work...
>Teokuitlatiiuitl
The king would look to set up farmland along the river to the East, for the purpose of growing crops. The Oceloti naturally preferred eating meat, but could eat crops if they needed to. Having another close food source not vulnerable to overhunting or overfishing would help to improve their food security, which was essential for any large city, which is certainly what Teokuitlatiiuitl planned to create. Besides, not having access to corn, squash, beans, avocado or peppers made for very repetitive meals. When was the last time the king has had a cup of chocolatl? The very thought was upsetting... I'm assuming the Oceloti brought seeds with them but if that is incorrect then I can revise this action
>Eztli
Eztli was instructed to continue his efforts to find and mine a good source of stone. The city cannot stay wooden indefinitely.
>Itzcali
He was instructed to question the capture hostile Oceloti to find out where they are from, how they got here, what gods they follow, who their leaders are, why they attacked the Itztli, everything he could think of. The methods mattered not, be it gentle cajoling, threat or torture. All that mattered were answers.

>>5945053
Teokuitlatiiuitl's farming ventures will prove moderately successful. Irrigation will be dug, people will be assigned lots to work and plants will be planted. However, both due to unknown and harsh conditions that neither the plants nor the Oceloti were used to and the unfamiliarity with the local plants, the harvests were weak. Yet, this is far from a failiure and a good stepping point from which to work further.
Eztli's attempt to find more stone will end in failure, as relatively early in it, he and his men will be caught in a rainstorm, causing them to hunker down in a cave, which will be an almost fatal mistake as they will end up buried by a mudslide and will barely manage to dig themselves out. A week later, the expedition will somehow dig their way out, hungry, thirsty, delirious and traumatised.
Itzcali's interrogation will not bring much in terms of answers, as the captured Oceloti will refuse to do more than admit their names. Whippings, beatings and even teeth pulling will not net any results. A male Oceloti prisoner is castrated, another is skinned and tortured to death, yet none speak anything more. What does strike Teokuitlatiiuitl as interesting is the determination with which Itzcali did his job, believing this to be something that required Teokuitlatiiuitl's trust in him, trust that he's determined to justify.
In the meanwhile, a interesting experiment is carried out by a few of your nobles before the slaves are sent to the mines, where they are tied with a rope and used to haul heavy loads. It does not turn out well as slaves, already miserable, beaten, hungry and weak from both nature and treatment from their fellow Oceloti try revolting, only to be brutally beaten down again.

>>5944022
>>5945053

That's turn 10 and the first decade.
Feel free to write up turn 11.

Rolled 6, 1, 3, 4, 6, 1, 2, 1, 3, 6, 4 = 37 (11d6)

>>5944041
>Forbath Coaljaw
The establishment of the Rangers has lifted Forbath's spirit from the mood of gloom. Yet more is still needed, and Forbath works to establish more ranger stations for the organisation.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Similarly, Dwarfs at work will always have need for equipment, and the rangers are a specialised role with specialised needs. Gerna and her smiths and crafts dwarfs will make them this equipment; we cannot let our brave first line of defence go without.

>Snorri Ironeye
With the immediate issue of the Brickmakers resolved, Snorri Ironeye next looks the practice of Cartography. Though many maps of the area were produced by Dwarfs on 'the march', since settling down and finding themselves daily work that number seems to have dwindled - have the potential mapmakers among the Brazenbeard Dwarfs found themselves other employment? It is an art that Snorri is keen to re-cultivate, for good maps make good records; so he sets out to open up a new Cartographer's guild - with Ranger patrols to protect and guide them they can get more accurate records of the area, and their maps in turn will be of great use to the Rangers.

Rolled 3, 1, 5, 2, 2, 6, 4, 2, 6, 3, 1 = 35 (11d6)

>>5945592
Teokuitlatiiluitl couldn't help but feel uneasy. The Oceloti they had captured refused to give them any information, no matter which one they interrogated. Given how thoroughly they were rounded up and the their present low numbers, he was tempted to let the issue lie, as they were clearly no threat anymore, but it bugged him regardless.
Teokuitlatiiluitl believed wholeheartedly that the
Itztli Oceloti where brought here by the gods for a reason, but if that was the case it stood to reason that these captives were here for a reason too. What was it? At this rate, he could only guess.
The king had half a mind to isolate himself in meditation and find the answer through the guidance of the gods, but he did not have the time for that. In the back of his mind, he could still feel the premonition he received when he was at his lowest.
There were others here, somewhere... The Oceloti must be ready.
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The King continued his efforts to establish farm crops along the river. The results so far were meager, but promising. If he succeeded, the Oceloti would not go hungry for a while yet.
>Eztli
The nobles poor luck was very unfortunate, but their task was vital and could not wait. They were to resume looking for a source of stone and begin mining it. Any plans the King might have for the city would be delayed so long as there was no stone to build it with. This had to change.
>Itzcali
The knight was instructed to go along with Eztli and look for stone and ideally establish a mine along with him. Perhaps with both of his subordinates on the job, and more people allocated to the effort, they would finally catch a break.

>>5947127
Forbath, while doing good work with organizing the rangers initially, manages to hospitalize himself with a crowwbow to the side of his own head when he bumps into a trigger mechanism in a dark room. He is quickly tended to and provided care, but a scar along the side of his head will remain and he will spends long weeks in a bed fighting a infection. By the end, his hearing will be impaired, yet none will hold this against him, as it is simply poor luck.
Gerna however, will pick up the slack, as she organizes a work drive to properly equip the rangers and, upon hearing of Forbath's injury, constructing stations for the rangers. By the end of the year, a dozen fortified stations have been erected and a hundred professional dwarven rangers, armed with crossbows and spears, clad in thick and padded clothing with sturdy metal plates covering their chest and head are patrolling the countryside, oftentimes escorted by hunters, sometimes as guides, sometimes as auxiliaries. The dwarven rangers are by now in a exceptional state when it comes to their fulfillment of their duties and their military potential.
Snorri likewise, does his job well. Not only are dwarven cartographers given pay and tasks when it comes to the surveillance of the land, they are also tasked with continuing the family profession. Slowly but surely, maps of the new lands will be produced and existing maps will be touched up.
In addition to this, a few things happened. First, some of the fortifications, now outpaced by the dwarven agriculture, have been left staffed. These dwarves have, not having much of anything to do, been experimenting with plantlife and have made a bit of a cataloge of useful plants, including ones that can be used for fiber, a number of teas and a number of edible plants that might be potential crops if tended to properly, as well as listing which plants to avoid.
Next, Snorri has, finding out about this, set to making some new and strong alcohol that very quickly proves popular, involving the fermentation of a root plant that grows close to the lake, producing a reddish liquid that has the consistency of plant oil, yet a sweetish taste. There is also a criticism that people get too drunk off it and way too quickly.
And finally, some of the food supply has rotted away because some form of giant maggot has eaten through the barrels and into the grain. This was only noticed when the maggots emerged from the barrels. Very little was salvaged.

>>5947128
Teokuitlatiiluitl would find success as the local plants started being farmed. By the end of the season, the food grown on the river banks would prove to be a valuable and sizable addition to the game hunted and fished out of the forests and the sea. And while Teokuitlatiiluitl could hear the complaints about the food choice, he was certain they wouldn't be complaining about it when the famine strikes.
Eztli hastily set off with a new expedition to survey the hills and the mountains, only for a thunderstorm to ignite the forest on the southern bank of the river. This time, he scrapes by even worse as fire singes him, burning his fur down to his skin, while a number of his expeditionaries die choking on the smoke. When he and his men attempt swimming across the river to escape the fire, they are swept by the river current, only managing to be saved by a number of brave fishermen who leap into the sea after them, and even then, a number of them drown or die to hyperthermia or exhaustion. By the time Eztil, covered in burns and shivering of fever regains consciousness he begs to not be sent southwards again.
Itzcali splits off from Eztil after they cross the river and manages to bypass the flame, the wind blowing it away from them. From there, they carried out a thorough scouring and found a number of locations where stone could be extracted from with difficulty. After the fire winds down, the group returns through the charred forest and informs you of their discoveries, informing you that it's your call if you want to spend more time looking for locations or if you want to spend more manpower dealing with geography.
It is also now that someone has the idea of making the slaves toil on the fields. Not only does this go excellent as the fields, already enclosed with tall fences, require little manpower to ensure the slaves don't try anything, but the slaves prove quite willing to work here and the farmers don't mind either as more than one farmhand is caught either crossing into or out of the slave pen to find himself some company after a long day of work and about a dozen slaves end up pregnant as a result of these irregular companionships.

>>5947127
>>5947128
That's turn 11, feel free to go to turn 12.

Huh. I had a post up with dice rolls on it earlier, now I check back and it seems to be missing?

>>5947203
Which one? I checked them all and only the first 3 ones don't have the dice rolls on them, but on the followup reply.

>>5940613
So, any ideas?

Rolled 2, 2, 3, 5, 2, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 6 = 40 (11d6)

>>5947149
>Forbath Coaljaw
The study of useful plants has been conducted by Dwarfs manning the fortifications that Forbath arranged, so Forbath takes responsibility for finding these Dwarfs some unused land of good quality for them to grow and tend their experimental crop specimens.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Our forges blaze, the transformative powers of flame turning crude metal into strong and intricate tools by the power of Dwarven mind and will. Now, at last, we can strike the rocky earth to investigate the promising Gemstone deposits discovered; and see what secrets and treasures the burning heart of the world laced through the solid stone.

>Snorri Ironeye
The Maggot infestation in the foodstores suggest either that quality control is missing somewhere in the foods storage process, or else that creatures from outside are gaining access to our storage sheds despite the existing precautions. Either option is troubling. Snorri conducts a review of the current standards and procedures for storage, and assigns a subordinate to look into a repellent for these maggots or the creature that lays their eggs.

>>5947203
Never mind, I think I'm just an idiot.

>>5948456
>2, 6, 4
Coaljaw's efforts will find success and the local plantlife will, after some more testing, turn out to be outproducing some of the plants the dwarves themselves brought. While not a massive boon, the dwarves will definitively experience an increase in agricultural production and frees some hands for other labour.
However, it's worth noting that still, close to 80% of the people, some twelve thousand dwarves, still work in food production, while the rest work in other branches of the dwarven economy. And it is also notable how only some fifteen hundred live in the capital and the Floodcave combined.
Gerna finally meets her match as the expedition she gathers from the hands freed by Coaljaw's agricultural project don't turn out to be enough to man and operate the gemstone mines. At least not yet.
And Snorri's subordinate, while failing to find a solution, discovers two very interesting things. One, that the maggots are edible and surprisingly tasty, resembling a very fatty and creamy meat, the other, that they can survive off of rotten food. He presents this finding to Snorri.
In the meanwhile, while Gerna had failed to make a proper mine, she had taken proper precautions against anything that might come at her expedition and has massively increased the ranger's fields of operation (I'll make a map before the next turn).

File: map17.png (53 KB, 1514x1030)

53 KB PNG

>>5948456
>>5948908
Here.

>>5947149
Teokuitlatiiluitl found himself rather perplexed. Eztli seemed to have horrid luck, with nature doing it's best to make him miserable, and ensure his ventures fail. What could he possibly have done to earn the gods ire? Which gods had he angered so? But that was ultimately for him to know, and if we wished to live longer, for him to resolve. Though he made sure to mention to Eztli that he might want to seek out a priest for help figuring out why fate frowned on him. There was much work to do still, and the king would need all the help he had.
There was also the matter of the slaves. They had partially been made to toil the fields instead, and it seems like some farmers were giving them a... warm welcome. The whole ordeal rubbed Teokuitlatiiluitl the wrong way, as he did not trust the slaves one bit. He still had no clue where they were from, why they had been hostile, or why they still kept their secrets so close to their chests. Ideally he would like for them to be sequestered more heavily and ensured there would be no headaches involving children, but it was true that the farms were a good location for them to work in, and there was only so much he felt he could get away with. Their patron god, The Great Jaguar, was the patron god of many things, including slaves. The only thing the owner of a slave was entitled to was their labour, other than that they were meant to be treated as proper citizen, with their food, clothing and shelter provided by their owner. They could even own property and marry who they liked. Nobody but another slave would marry a slave of course, and they were looked down upon as the lowest rungs of society, but the fact remained that they were for all intents and purposes citizen. To mistreat them would incur their patron gods ire, so the king had his hands tied. He had already pushed his luck with their "thorough" interrogation, but they had been captives of war first, so that much would likely slip by, or at least the king hoped so. Either way, he decided to allow the use of the slaves for farm work alongside mining, and left the rest of the matter in the hands of the nobles in charge of the matter. He just hoped this wouldn't come back to irritate him later.
For now, there was work to do.

Rolled 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 5 = 43 (11d6)

>>5949108
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The King would join the effort to look around the vicinity for sources of stone, and begin mining if possible. While there *had* been some sources of stone that had been found prior, they were far from ideal. His people were no strangers to large mining operations and hauling stone long distances, but it was a slow, tiring process that he hoped to avoid if possible. It was better to be thorough now then regret it later. If he could find nothing better then they would get the stone they needed from further afield.
>Eztli
The noble was given the task of setting up the production of Amate paper, which is made from the bark of trees. The ability to write things down would help the burgeoning bureaucracy of the city immensely, as they would have the ability to write concise reports that could be shared easily and revisited whenever they were needed, instead of having to painstakingly remember information at every turn. Of course, only nobles knew how to read and write, and transmitting information orally was very common, so it was not exactly a game changer, but it would undoubtedly come in handy regardless. Besides, the nobles and priests often fretted that the few books they had brought with them here were unique, and that without making copies they were at risk of losing a great deal of recorded knowledge. Ultimately, making paper would be a great way to ensure that society as a whole ran just a little smoother.
>Itzcali
The knight was charged with accompanying the king in looking for stone. The more people were on the job, the better.

>>5949111
Itzcali had found more success than Teokuitlatiiluitl in finding sources of stone to work. Eventually, a relatively easily accessible source of stone had been found on the western flank of the peninsula and near the coast allowed easy transport by boat or raft to the city. So, with the site found, guards, workers and some of the slaves, according to some nobles advice, males, being stronger and tougher, got sent to the mines, while the females, some of whom already pregnant with bastard children of the farmers, were made to stay in the fields.
By the end of the operation, a simple, yet effective (prison) mining camp was established and a land route to it was cleared, yet this was only a temporary solution as the expansion of the mine would be strongly desired by all.
Eztli finally found some luck in his efforts, as he neither got buried, nor burned and managed to, after some searching, both find people skilled in this and trees usable for this process. And perhaps the best of it all, the joy with which he reported his success. Even while he clothes himself more than most other Oceloti, the burns can still be seen with ease, especially on the side of his neck. It is nice to see him smile after such a series of setbacks.
It is also with joy that Eztil reports, after a quick visit to the mines following Teokuitlatiiluitl's complaints about the progress, that he greatly expanded the mines and the facilities surrounding them, both for staff and the slaves.

>>5948456
>>5949108
>>5949111
That is turn 12, feel free to go to turn 13.

File: Dwarf Map.png (5 KB, 363x260)

5 KB PNG

Rolled 3, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 5, 4, 2, 2, 1 = 32 (11d6)

>>5948908
>>5949176

>Forbath Coaljaw
Studying the map, Forbath taps at a rough area that isn't all that far from a city, and on the route to floodcave. A good place to start up a supplementary community of farmers to grow those crops better suited to a lower altitude and increase the breadth of the Dwarven diet - plus, it'll be a good waypoint and rest-stop along the Floodcave trail.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Brimstone is a substance both intriguing and repellent. And whilst not needed in high quantities, a little pinch here and there can have a multitude of uses. And the site of the Brimstone is not that far from the route to Floodcave - indeed, where the route to floodcave reaches the Floodcave river, the brimstone-site is almost as far away as the mine, but in the other direction. Setting up a small company - perhaps just a family or two - could provide us with all the brimstone we need; and there may be other resources to harvest from the nearby marsh and river.

>Snorri Ironeye
The discoveries about the Maggots presented to him gives Snorri pause to rethink his plan toward them. Whilst he still doesn't want these Maggots eating all the Dwarven stores, by feeding them on food already spoiled - even stuff that Pigs won't eat - we can supplement our diet with their meat. So by organising regular food-waste collection, not only can we keep our city that bit tidier but we can also raise maggot-meat stocks. Though perhaps a more appetising name might be required...

Rolled 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6, 1, 5, 6, 1 = 38 (11d6)

>>5949176
Teokuitlatiiluitl couldn't help but be ecstatic. Stone! Finally! With this, the Oceloti could finally begin constructing their new city in earnest. It would likely take a great deal of time to rival their prior home, but it would be worthwhile endeavour. He was already imagining large pyramids stretching towards the sky, and grand plazas bustling with activity. The road there would be long indeed...
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The king take charge of expanding the stone quarry ensuring that it provides a steady flow of material for the city. They would need much stone to build their city, so expanding production now struck him as a good idea.
>Eztli
The noble was instructed to find every architect he could scrape together, draw up plans for the the construction of their new city, and begin putting them into action. For now, he was instructed to focus specifically on roads, pavements and foundations. The city would need space for it's districts, marketplace squares, public buildings, waterways... and a large square in the center for the temples, of course. But all that needs to be built on solid, lasting foundations, so it was best to start there.
>Itzcali
The knight was instructed to assist in expanding the stone mines and ensuring the logistics carrying stone back to the city ran smoothly. The more people they have on hand, the better, once the mines provide a sufficient flow of stone, the city can be built in earnest.

>>5950797
Forbath's settler colony, while managing to set roots and start rudimentary farming struggles from the issue that there simply isn't enough dwarves willing or needing to move from the Maesagrad. In the end, the attempt turns into a fortified village outpost that serves as a mixture of a overnight inn, ranger outpost and local supply cache, eventually embracing the name of Wetdowns.
Gerna's expedition however suffers from poor planning as the swamps the dwarves try traversing through end up way less hospitable than expected, with the party being attacked by eagle sized mosquitos. After the first three dwarf dies of mosquito related issues, the expedition flees backwards and ends up camping at Floodcave before returning back to Mesagrad with a haul of ore.
Snorri likewise finds little glory in his endeavors as a rumor spreads about his intent to force maggots as the primary food for the dwarves, with a angry and drunken mob demanding he swear to never feed dwarven children to the maggots. Snorri is forced to abandon his attempt for now.
In the meanwhile, a claymason (as the dwarves refer to him) rises to prominence. Durmec Greybrew, having grown in wealth from his brickmaking and pottery spinning ventures now controls (relatively) vast estates and holds much sway in the local politics as he pays and organizes hundreds.

>>5950819

Teokuitlatiiluitl and Itzcali struggle with their endeavors as both working and supplying two large mines so far away from their realms agricultural heartland proves a major challenge. Yet the true issue arises when a pack of amphibious insects arise from the waters and attempt to advance upland, probably to hunt, only to stumble upon Teokuitlatiiluitl, Itzcali and their retinue. The fight with the cow sized, dozen-limbed, flat and carapace encased insects proves a vicious one and a almost fatal one for Itzcali as he rushes forwards to protect Teokuitlatiiluitl, only to be wounded and knocked uncountious. When the fighting gets rough, Itzcali and the retinue retreat, leaving Itzcali for dead, only for the knight to reappear in the local mines, found by a guard. To say it was a surprise to find him alive is a understatement as the knight had lost both the majority of his left hand and his right eye and ear.
Eztil however did a adequate if small amount of work, as plans were laid out, labour allotted for the future and a small stockpile of stone was amassed, with future work being left for after the mining operation went underway.
And finally, Eztil had, while personally surveying the land, found a small pagan shrine in a cave close to the capital. Upon hearing movement, he hid behind a cave pillar and waited as a young Oceloti entered the shrine and upon hearing him silently chant in tongues, sprang at him, tackling the youth to the ground. Unlike the elders, the youth proved more receptive to interrogation, if you could even call it that. A firm glare and some caning over the rear end made him spill the beans. Apparently, according to the youth, the Oceloti that had harassed and eventually given themselves into slavery due to starvation had split off early in the wanderings and had been changed by something the older members refused to speak about. Upon the question of if there were any more of them, the youth initially refused to speak, but more caning and a eventual punch to the gut by a fully grown man caused him to speak up. A column of knights brought in fourty more Oceloti as prisoners, none older than a decade and a half, tho surprisingly well fed. It seemed like the elders chose to starve themselves so the youths wouldn't have to.

>>5950797
>>5950819
That's turn 13, feel free to write up turn 14.

>>5950875
>>5950853

>Forbath Coaljaw
An official quarry is perhaps overdue, though with the long-term aim of turning the great Mesa into a full, great Dwarven settlement we wouldn't want to dig recklessly into what will someday be home and hold. Nonetheless, there is sure to be suitable stone of good quality somewhere around to excavate for use in the city.

>Gerna Smeltaxe
Returning to her forge after her minor disaster of a mission, Gerna attempts to set her mind to rest by instructing her smiths to work in making better Ploughs for the farmers to use.

>Snorri Ironeye
Grumpy that his maggot-meat plans came to nothing due to a Mob who hadn't even tried tasting his 'new meat' before judging it, Snorri sets his mind to a new task - that of devising a sewage system (and, naturally, regulations for the composition, use and maintenance of it). For the actual work - the Claymason Durmec Greybrew's company has the skill with long-lasting ceramics, so Snorri drops by to see if Durmec would be interested in taking government work. A Dwarf of Durmec's sway and societal influence would certainly be welcome to sit in on meetings of the Clan council in the future to coordinate ideas - though Snorri understands if Durmec's business is taking up all his work hours.

Rolled 2, 4, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 2, 6 = 32 (11d6)

>>5952433
Forgot to roll

>>5952433
>>5952434
Forbath only manages to find multiple easily accessible source of stone that, while not really good for construction, is pretty good for flintknapping. A small mining operation is established and the ideas are laid in front of Forbath regarding either organizing more distant mining operations or simply sticking to baking clay bricks and using them to line the walls of the future dwarven halls.
Gerna's efforts with aiding the agricultural sector pay off very quickly as the dwarven farmers take to working larger fields when finally supplied with proper equipment and tools. The almost immediate boon is followed by celebrations and a festival in which pastries and fruit and bug-meat cakes are served and the relative abundance of food for the relatively small populace is bound to lead to a boon in population growth.
Snorri's efforts, while admirable, are ultimately wasteful as the population of fifteen hundred is more than capable of dealing with their own waste, however, with some re-evaluation, a small stream is re-directed towards the center of the Maesa-city an directed into a large underground cylinder to be used in case of drought or siege.
In the meanwhile, after failing to find a source of stone useful for him, Forbath redirected some of the workers intended for the new mine to the floodcave mine. While the mine functioned well before, the new dwarven workers spotted some sloppy and unsafe work and decided to remedy it. The inside of the cave is now lined with safety lines and ropes, wooden beams and pillars crisscrossing the caves and additional air tunnels. Forbath hopes this will make the mine safer.

Rolled 2, 3, 1, 5, 3, 6, 1, 1, 3, 5, 2 = 32 (11d6)

>>5950875
Life is busy, might do short updates for a bit.
>Teokuitlatiiluitl
The king will focus on expanding the stone mines, and increasing their stone output to fuel the construction of the city.
>Eztli
Continue mapping out plans for the city, and begin laying the foundation of the city, along with roads, pavements and waterways.
>Itzcali
Set up a defensive line around the stone mines and the routes back to the city, to ensure that whatever decides to attack the mines are quickly met by prepared defenders.

>>5952963
That's fine, we're here to have fun, not to stress about fictional civilizations.
Teokuitlatiiluitl will do a good job, mines will be expanded, facilities constructed, people contracted into working in the mines, slaves will be properly equipped, overseers positioned, soldiers informed of their new postings and in general, an adequate distribution of jobs, duties and rewards planned out.
And in addition to that, Itzcali will do a truly exceptional job with the defensive lines, watchtowers and patrols, even going as far as to expand it so it properly surrounds both the city and the farmfields to the east, creating a truly impressive defensive network, going as far as to properly organize some of the soldiers into a permanent job, creating a standing and professional military force dedicated purely to patrolling and staffing the forts.
What however, doesn't go as well is Eztli's planning efforts for the cities, as a log falls over and breaks his leg on multiple positions. Even after his recovery, Eztli keeps walking with a very strong and noticeable limp.
And, independently of this, the state armory working on the obsidian weapons has been outproducing its quota, leading to a noticeable surplus of weapons and equipment.

>>5952433
>>5952434
>>5952963
We're off to the new thread:
>>5953011
>>5953011
>>5953011
>>5953011
>>5953011