Fall From Heaven NES

Are we voting? I'm in agreement.

End of Turn 18
Start of Turn 19​

Lanun Annex North Corel – Hammerfell

After enforcing strict martial law and hanging some troublemakers, situation on North Corel calmed down. Lanun administration soon arrived, and island is renamed Hammerfell, a name that Lanun explorers and sailors gave to the island long before it was colonized.

New immigrants from Lanun islands arrive daily. First were captains and officers, who claim fortunes of the islands for themselves and act as lords. Many commoners and fishermen arrive as well, making fortune by claiming natives properties and opening business. More members of Lanun nationality make Grigori somewhat less dominant, and Hammerfell becomes melting pot of two cultures.

Grigori people have strong and distinct culture, and so do Lanun. While it is easy to assimiliate weak and primitive cultures, it is hard to do the same to strong cultures. Meanwhile, the latest events that took place in Erebus disillusioned the people of this relatively small and remote Grigori colony, and hopes of reunited Grigori lands now seem a distat and fading dream.

People of Hammerfell approach Lanun Assembly with a request. If Lanun are to relinquish all civil authority over the island to Grigori, and let them live in peace under their autonomy, they would pay them regular tribute and would not oppose Lanun. This would require Lanun to remove any cultural pressure from the island, and keep only military control over ports and forts. Hammerfell would still be a part of the Lanun empire.

However, captains and lords of the city states have different view. They request that resistance in the Hammerfell be squashed once and forever – that entire population of the isle should be enslaved and sold away, all traces of Grigori culture erased, including language, and that isle should be populated all over again with Lanun people. In that case, Hammerfell would never again be able to rebel, and captains would not be distressed as they would be if Grigori were given autonomy.

Lanun: +1 stability
Lanun: Gain full control over Hammerfell (Former North Corel)






Tablets of Bambur uncovered in Khazad


The Umberguard of Kilmorph church, Ran Morr of Khazak, proclaimed that the most holy runes of Kilmorph were recovered recently. Those runes are attributed to ancient hero Bambur, about whom many legends exist to this day. The commerce increase from pilgrims is significant, as is religious fervor in dwarven lands. Luchuirp also prosper from this achievement.


Khazad: +7 gold in capital
Khazad: +4 stability
Luchuirp: +3 stability, +10 gold




Crime rate increase in Khazad lands

Smuggling and crime activities were constantly increasing across the Erebus, but this time especially hurt were Khazad, or more specifically, Hallowel. It was reported that black market was thriving, due to high taxes and economic policies. Some thieves guilds were also reported to form.
The strange thing is that government took little to prevent it, despite protests from priesthood. Though no one dares to say it openly, some senators hold a specific view that crime activity actually helps economy, as hoarded and stashed wealth can not be taxed- stolen and resold can, however. Thieves can also aid intelligence operations... This, in any case, deepens the rift between religious and civil authorities that were supposed to rule in harmony...


Khazad: -1 stability, -10 gold




Pinea Peninsula


Pro-Balseraph Elf Maer Syeen that was preaching not only for Pinean independence but for actually uniting elves under Alfheim banner of Pinea has been attacked by a mad Overlords cultist during a religious ceremony. A human dressed as Balseraph charged at him with a sacrificial dagger, stabbing Maer three times before having his head chopped by Maer's bodyguards. But, Maer survived, aided by powerful healing magic. He will not, however, not be able to walk again, and maybe even not to speak. Fanaticism of his followers increases, as they start looking for Maer's successor, just in case Maer will be too weak to lead them again.


At the same time, more foreign troops land on Pinea. Lanun have now officially intervened in the Pinea- their goal was simply to prevent region from becoming a Balseraph puppet state.

Balseraphs provide ever more money, and their mercenaries take control over most of the peninsula- other side remains in control only over small coastal areas that Lanun army liberated.

As the troops move, final showdown is expected. Lanun move inland while Balseraph mercenaries move to the coast to fight them. Whoever wins the battle, has a decisive advantage, with Balseraphs being in somewhat better position overall.

Alfheim/Pinea: -3 stability
Lanun and Balseraph: -1 stability




Amurite battles

Amurites are preparing for great battles. They start off with battles against Orcs that invaded their lands. Amurites once again try to avoid conflict and use a series of complicated tricks to scare orcs and lure them into Shazaak. But wizards overextend themselves and orcish leaders successfully warn their troops against this illusions. Orcs charge into Amurite army, that now appears to be only one single unit of Wizards. Wizards respond with summoning minor earth elementals and lighting bolts, but can hardly stop entire orcish army. Wizards luckily manage to retreat.

Although Amurites suffered no direct loses, this was still a failure to stamp out orcs, that now move on to take extremly rich gem mines around Cirial, and take whatever they can find. This great pillage lifts spirits of Orcs, and part of Orcs decide that they are now in position to take Cirial, and move on to besiege it.

At the same time, Orcish leader decides that it may be time to negotiate, and makes an offer to Amurites: if Amurites are willing to let Orcs take all gems they have found, and also pay Orcs enough tribute, they will leave Amurite lands and move on to live with wealth they have acquired. They request 70 gold.

Next, Amurites decide to make an unexpected and sneak attack on Lanun territory! Without declaration of war, they directly assault Rinwel isle, which is a core part of Lanun territory, under excuse that 'there are major criminal activities in the area'. Coastal guard of Lanun is not strong enough to stop Amurite fleet, and wizards and crusaders take over weakly defended Rinwel isle.

“For too long we have sat idly by as the Lanun servants of Mammon suck away our treasures and and impoverish our children with their under-handed smuggling operations. The smugglers have been warned and they heeded not our warning- now is the time to teach them the folly of their hubris.”

Amurite people are overjoyed by this victory. They saw Lanun presence as unlawful and as pirate activity. Support of government increases. Also, many goods were pillaged, including some contraband ones, giving cash to Amurites. Lanun are not expected to let the Amurites get along easily, especially with pressure coming from military ranks.

Finaly, Amurites decide to deal with Patrians. Along with military actions, they use propaganda to weaken Patrian influence.

Two wizards regiments and one crusader move on to attack Patrian troops near Witch Creek. Using invisibility they manage to gain better position, and with lightning magic, eart elementals and crusaders, they fight off Patrians, liberate Witch Creek and split Patrians in the area in two. Incidentaly, Hippus attack as well and destroy remaints of the Patrians east of Witch Creek. Amurites Crusaders are badly wounded, though.

East of Nimarail, towards Hippus lands, two Wizards are sent off without melee support. While moving on, they encounter Patrian troops moving directly towards Nimarail. Wizards were caught on defence, hardly ready, and respond with summoning earth elementals to provide cover and with retreating. Patrians are damaged in this fight, but are not hindered in their move towards Nimarail. They move in to one farm to resupply, and they get a host of peasant militia to swell their ranks. Unfortunately for them, part of farmers populace is loyal to Order and heeds the Amurite propaganda against Patria, and rise to arms- fight ensues, and Patria looses about 200 men. Farm is also left behind abandoned, peasants moving to fight, and crops withering without care. Nimarail is now cut off from the rest of Amurite state, as Patria controls road leading to the area.

Despite battles, Amurites still find time to host games in Udenarat, to entertain people and keep their morale up, as well as to strengthen diplomatic ties with Hippus and Khazad who were also asked to participate.


Amurites: Galley fleet takes 20 gold to recover
Crusaders: -30 gold to recover, unable to move for a turn
Amurites: +3 stability, +30 gold
Amurites: Lose mine in Ciriail
Lose farm in Nimarail
Lanun: -5 stability





Lanun and Khazad intervene in Patrian War

Lanun and Khazad have been, so far, spared of Patrian influence. However, it does not mean that Patrian revival did not influence them.

Besides hurting Lanun general interests, death of Pro-Lanun High Chief Brandon left Hippus struggling between two factions-one supporting Patria, and another supporting pre-Brandon Hippus traditions. However, using royal marriage ties with Hippus, Lanun have brought up a juvenile heir to Brandon, claiming that he is a true successor. Lanun troops have landed in Alteriol-ta-Mealthiel, and joined their supporters from Hippus ranks. Together they prepare to fight Patria, and if necessary, Hippus that are disloyal to true heir of throne...
Dwarves from Khazad move to fight Patria as well. They enter Kuriotate lands with goal to restore order and authority of Regency Council. Paramanders and adepts find two regiments of Patrian militia, who retreat instead of fighting dwarves. As a result, Patrian influence in the area drops.


Lanun: +1 stability
Hippus: are divided three-way now
Khazad: +1 stability






We, the Exiled sons of Asena...

A white scourge... A punishment from gods... Sign of nearing end...
Many a name was said, but no one was even close enough to describe fear and terror that struck Grigori lands recently. While many seasons have passed since the end of Eternal Winter, or Age of Ice, it appears that it's effects have still lingered on the far, god-forsaken lands that lied far beyond reach of any ship, or perhaps beyond the interests or sane mind of any captain. It was common sense that nothing existed beyond the Mulcarn Shards, a seas so cold that man could get frostbites simply by washing hands in it's waters, a sea where floating ice blocks set by Mulcarn himself presented constant peril for any ship, and where sea surface could freeze and turn to ice at a whim, locking any ships unfortunate enough to find themselves there.
Sometimes shards of Mulcarn would be so big, that captains believed that they discovered land- blocks of ice bigger than many an island would simply float away next month when new expeditions arrived.
But it appears that there *was* land behind all these perils. And not just huge, desolate floating ice isles, but true lands that were harvestable and supported living.
Because, these men, if they could be called men, sailed out of those Mulcarn's shards, and landed on shores of Grigori lands. First there were dozen, who were spotted running and hunting in the forrests near Midgar. Then more and more came, and finally there were thousands of them. Armed with most primitive, but brutal and efficient weapons, they stormed Midgar and begun slaying. Men, woman and children – all were slain, every single one found. Only handful survived by escaping, so they could talk about it.
Midgar was no longer Midgar. Those strange men renamed it Midgol, and begun reforming it to suit their almost demonic needs. At the same time, they continued rampaging on those disorganized Grigori lands, slaying people that lived in villages and taking food and weapons.
It appears that Lanun guards have, in fact, saw their ships coming. Seeing flagless ships of unknown design arriving in Grigori lands, without being seen coming from east or west, they correctly assumed that ships sailed from north, from Mulcarns Shards, and allowed them to do as they please to their enemies, Grigori. At what cost, it remains to be seen.


Map:

Finally !

Besides Patrians, most interesting this turn, IMO, is Doviello (sort of) invasion, and Amurite attack on Lanun. Pinea is most likely do be decided next turn... stay tuned!

Also, situation up north appears to be nearing a total chaos... and a total collapse of anything even resembling to authority. With so many factions struggling for power and lands, bloodshed is not far away. At the same time, this may be an opportunity for anyone smart enough to gather influence in this very rich region...

Nice update. Glad to see I'm so far unharmed .

Cheap tablet of Bambur souvenirs for sale in Khazaak!
Has your mining been poor recently? No more gold veins, just flint and sand? A copy of tablet XXVII, "Thou shalt mine thy shaft with thy pick", will help you learn the ways of Kilmorph and hit the mother lode again.
Are you disgruntled by the latest policy of your local consul? Tablet XIV, "Dig up and thou shalt reach the surface", will help you find ways to thrive despite the hard rocks bureaucracy sets in your path.
Do you fear for your safety when man and orc threaten your borders? Tablet XXXVI, "Thy axe can also cut throats, thy hammer can also crush heads", will teach you how to convert everyday tools into weapons to defend yourself.
Do you dream of recovering lost secrets, treasures almost forgotten that you think are legends? Order a copy of tablet XVII, "What Kilmorph protects is never lost", in which you will learn that the goddess doesn't let treasures rust in her home, and that persistence will let you reap great rewards.
Countless gems of wisdom are available in the tablets of Bambur, whose wisdom dates back to the age of magic, a dwarf of the first generation who has seen Patria rise and fall, who has walked above and below the soil for centuries, and whose faith in Kilmorph is unsurpassed.
You, dwarf, man or elf, can be sure to find the advice you need in order to live a peaceful and prosperous life in the tablets of Bambur.

Order your copy now, either an individual tablet of the whole set at bargain price, from Bandros and Bandros, inc. Khazaak, Khazad Republic.
(Special edition engraved on marble plates available for a modest additional cost.)

Post Scriptum:
This advertisement has not (yet) been authorised by the Clergy of Kilmorph.

LDiCesare said:

Cheap tablet of Bambur souvenirs for sale in Khazaak!
Has your mining been poor recently? No more gold veins, just flint and sand? A copy of tablet XXVII, "Thou shalt mine thy shaft with thy pick", will help you learn the ways of Kilmorph and hit the mother lode again.
Are you disgruntled by the latest policy of your local consul? Tablet XIV, "Dig up and thou shalt reach the surface", will help you find ways to thrive despite the hard rocks bureaucracy sets in your path.
Do you fear for your safety when man and orc threaten your borders? Tablet XXXVI, "Thy axe can also cut throats, thy hammer can also crush heads", will teach you how to convert everyday tools into weapons to defend yourself.
Do you dream of recovering lost secrets, treasures almost forgotten that you think are legends? Order a copy of tablet XVII, "What Kilmorph protects is never lost", in which you will learn that the goddess doesn't let treasures rust in her home, and that persistence will let you reap great rewards.
Countless gems of wisdom are available in the tablets of Bambur, whose wisdom dates back to the age of magic, a dwarf of the first generation who has seen Patria rise and fall, who has walked above and below the soil for centuries, and whose faith in Kilmorph is unsurpassed.
You, dwarf, man or elf, can be sure to find the advice you need in order to live a peaceful and prosperous life in the tablets of Bambur.

Order your copy now, either an individual tablet of the whole set at bargain price, from Bandros and Bandros, inc. Khazaak, Khazad Republic.
(Special edition engraved on marble plates available for a modest additional cost.)

Post Scriptum:
This advertisement has not (yet) been authorised by the Clergy of Kilmorph.

Click to expand...

AHAHAHAHAHAHA Really really good one

Uh-oh.


I can't believe I was eight hours late to get to this... I don't have time to respond properly right now, but tomorrow is another day.

All right... [cracks neck] ... let's get started.

First of all, some OOC clarification: My interference in Pinea was due to payment by a third party (or parties), who shall remain unnamed.

Second, I have no intention of conquering the Hippus; my interests there lie with the next heir to the High Chiefdom, not in land or cities.

Third, while I knew there were ships arriving to Grigori lands from the north I did not, in fact, know who sailed them. Not that I would have necessarily stopped them if I had...

More comments will come once my postupdate diplomacy slows down.



And back to some IC stuff:

An Extremely Official-Looking Document...

We, the Lanun, declare that the residents of Shazaak are now under our protection as vassals to the empire. As such, they are expected to aid and advance the cause of the Lanun, to provide support in peace or war, and to submit tribute (OOC: trade routes) to the protector nation. In return, they are to be aided and guarded by us from the perils of Erebus.

signed by High Captain Karimir, the Captain's Assembly, and the authorities of Shazaak



******************************

A Not So Official-Looking Document; in Fact, it is More Like a Subtle Note Designed to be Unremarkable in Nature...

To the Amurites:

You shall return Rinwel at once, and pay reparations, else the very waves of Erebus shall rise to consume you.

Love, Karimir

orangelex44 said:

An Extremely Official-Looking Document...

We, the Lanun, declare that the residents of Shazaak are now under our protection as vassals to the empire. As such, they are expected to aid and advance the cause of the Lanun, to provide support in peace or war, and to submit tribute (OOC: trade routes) to the protector nation. In return, they are to be aided and guarded by us from the perils of Erebus.

signed by High Captain Karimir, the Captain's Assembly, and the authorities of Shazaak

Click to expand...

Confirmed by the high authorities of Shazaak

And, finally, to complete a triple-post....

(EDIT: So not quite a triple-post, Thomas is too quick on the trigger finger. No regrets, though, since he was agreeing with me! Thanks, pal.)


I love how the North is just a completely twisted mix-up of destroyed nations, city-states, weak principalities, rebels, invaders, and conquered lands. It's just so much more interesting than the rest of Erebus, where everyone holds these giant tracts of land in peace and harmony... of course, it doesn't hurt that the North has all these pretty blue outlines, either.

Although, to be fair, it looks like Immac is determined to turn the South-Central into the same kind of polyglot.



Oh - and I almost forgot. Change my trade routes to Sidha, Calabim, Shazaak, Hippus.

Thanks! And let's see some enthusiastic comments and diplomacy, all.

orangelex44 said:

(EDIT: So not quite a triple-post, Thomas is too quick on the trigger finger. No regrets, though, since he was agreeing with me! Thanks, pal.)

Click to expand...

No problem

A note from me:

@Thomas: Could you email me?
@Rest: From now on, all trade route changes need to be in Final Orders as well as public. So please mention it in your orders, orange.

Moreover: (This penalty does NOT apply for this turn, however)
There is 1 stability and 10 gold penalty for doing so- Beware of frequent shifts

To clarify regarding Rinwel Isle:
This island was paid to the Lanun (in addition to other payments) in exchange for their assistance with the embargo against the Calabim. They broke their embargo so the island reverts to us (ie- they decided not to go through with the trade). This is not a foreign matter but an internal one involving only the domestic situation within Amurite lands (including this island which is rightfully amurite).
This is not a declaration of war against the Lanan although in their PM to us they wrote:

orangelex44 said:

Strictly OOC:


You had to go and do it, didn't you? I rather thought you would, but really hoped you wouldn't attack Rinwel. You realize that I basically have to invade you now, right? I guarantee you won't enjoy that, given my, uh, penchant for scorched-earth wars. If you give me Rinwel back, along with suitable recompensation, I'll hold off. Otherwise, I'll make you surrender it back to me.

Click to expand...

We consider Rinwel a natural part of the Amurite state (a simple glance at the geography of any map will confirm this). We will not provide any compensation or surrender it back- its not even properly a Lanun matter whatsoever.
Which means we can expect an attack by Lanun forces- ie- they are declaring war on us. Our future orders will reflect this expectation.

I have some problems with the update Jopa and i will e-mail them to you.

OOC:

First of all, you were told before I ceased the embargo and you made no complaint then. Second, your sneak attack against the Calabim was a clear violation of the terms of our embargo agreement, and thus I was fairly allowed to cease it. Third, there were others involved in that embargo that stopped at the same time I did, and I hear no call to them about repaying what they were given.

Not, of course, that it really makes a difference. Excuses don't have to be watertight in order to be used, and no one really cares anyway. Your allies will believe you, my allies will believe me, and the war will continue on it's happy course. It's just a little sad that you're trying to blame me when, for once, it wasn't really my fault. Well, not wholly my fault.


IC:
From Karimir, High Captain of the Lanun;

To the leaders of the Amurites:

If this is truly the way you wish to continue, then war it shall be. I did not wish it, I did not start it, but I shall endeavor to finish it.

I promise you this: I shall not stop working against you, throughout the lands of Erebus with all my powers and abilities, until such a time as Rinwel is returned to my people. There will be no backing down, and no compromise on this.

signed, High Captain Karimir





TO THE PEOPLES OF THE SEAS OF EREBUS:

The Lanun, as the masters and guardians of the sea, declare that from this day forward no person that bears allegiance to us shall sail for the Amurites. From fisherman to merchant, galleon to canoe, citizen of our Empire or resident of another, no man of the sea will work for their nation.

To ensure this decree is followed, we declare a bounty on all Amurite ships, and all those that sail on behalf of the Amurites. Any ship that sinks an Amurite merchant vessel shall be given [*a large sum*] of gold, and those that sink war vessels shall recieve [*a larger sum*] of gold. Of course, they are also to keep whatever plunder they recieve from the ship in question.

signed by the Captain's Assembly of the Lanun




<note: Jopa, it would be really nice if you would respond to my email kind of soon. If for some reason you didn't get it, tell me so I can resend it. Thanks a bunch.>

orangelex44 said:

Not, of course, that it really makes a difference. Excuses don't have to be watertight in order to be used, and no one really cares anyway. Your allies will believe you, my allies will believe me, and the war will continue on it's happy course.

Click to expand...

Absolutely.

From the Twin Courts
It grieves us greatly that blood must be shed.

OOC
Yay, another war. More fodder for great writing!

Weee, a war!!!


Replying to emails right now.

Well, war will only occur if the lanun continue insisting that Rinwel isle belongs to them.
if they drop this demand i have no problem with them (well, i do- but i wont go to war over it).

i.

It does, in fact, belong to me. YOU gave it to me! Don't be that guy, the one that gives stuff away then tries to get it back...