Update Three
“Dis is not a superstitious city, Gentlemen. We listen to the words of prophets, and the Almighty brings us truth. We give him offerings, and he gives us prophecies. It is the pragmatism of our city that shows the world the glory of Dis and the glory of the Almighty. We practice none of these obscene pageants like tracking the flights of birds, or drawing the paths of the stars and the moon. We touch no wood when we hope for things, and we bury our dead where they belong inside the walls in the powdery soil of the riverbank, where we can dig easily. This is the pragmatism that lets Dis prosper through rain and snow and plague and fire. This is the greatness that sets apart our nation from the Barbarians. We listen to the word of the Prophet, and interpret the prophecies, and determine the truth, without superstition. This is why Dis is great.”
This is what they always say to diplomatic parties from random far-away cities who decide they want a boat ride up the river. It is a picturesque journey, as many of the official buildings can be seen near to the banks, and the slums of the Ulerian are overshadowed by the great sewer. Still, on this day it was beginning to rain as the barge passed through Yglissy and headed up the river, and soon the rain was quite torrential.
On this day, as the boat neared the bend in the river, amid the squalor that all can see spilling out of the tunnel could be seen bodies and skeletons. The graveyards of the Kings’ Hill and the Ulerian, many full of hastily dug plague victims, had emptied into the river with the torrential downpour from the hill, which was funnelled through the main streets into the drain. Yet more bodies, as the ship rounded the bend, were spread out along the nearest streets of the city and even in the market. Those that were beneath us were in the streets and no-one ignored them. There were many protests at this apparently man-made disaster, and the citizens take it that this is some sort of divine omen either against the Assir or the Hlyngbanites. (All mercantile stalls in the market are damaged in terms of business and structure, resulting in lost profits. -1 Assir prestige. -1 Hlyngbanite prestige.)
However, the torrential downpour, which continued for several days, washed out large amounts of sewage from the Ulerian downstream, and this had the effect not only of fertilising the plantations lower down the river, but also of washing through the soil on the riverbank, and this had a good effect on the plantations’ fertility, and more grain than usual has been produced in these Demoite plantations over the last few years. (+40 shillings for Demoites.)
The Assir Clan attempted to bring the University back under their control this year, but although Hereclius, the Hlyngbanites’s leader had promised to evacuate the University, the members of the movement were having none of it. Despite their conviction before the Senate of theft, they refused to hand over the University, and in belligerent form they replaced Hereclius and fought the Assir soldiers as they arrived.
When the Assir soldiers saw that the Hlyngbanites were far more numerous than them and, besides, apparently armed to the teeth with weapons that had popped out of nowhere, they reported back to the Assir leadership who told them not to endanger their lives by attacking a strongly armed stone building. This incident highlighted that, seemingly, the Senate and even the An’Topi are pawns in the Assirs’ hands. Opposition to this flaw in the justice system has increased to the advantage of the other elites and to the Assir’s disadvantage. Also, the Assirs’ troops’ ineffectiveness has lead to them not receiving the volunteers they sought to join their ranks: they will have to pay any new soldiers fully. (-1 Assir Prestige; +1 Hlyngbanite and Demoite Prestige.)
The Hlyngbanites have reformed the University anyway, with fee reductions and the abolition of the curriculum in favour of professors choosing what to teach. They have made sure of teaching religion from a neutral perspective, and the scripture of the Temple is studied thoroughly at the University. The Tralysan built their extra college building on the campus too, and this is expected to be a useful tool of research even if no financial gain has been made for the Tralysan Clan. This, and the other reforms, have attracted more students to apply to the University. (+1 Tralysan Prestige; +1 Prestige and +20 students for the Hlyngbanites.)
The Hlyngbanites also made a good profit out of their fair that they held in Hlyngba. Plenty of upmarket traders appeared to buy goods there and to watch the copious entertainment and refreshments provided. This fair has encouraged most people in Hlyngba to think that the Hlyngbanites are not just a load of rowdy students, but maybe a respectable and erudite clan in their own right. Their prestige and creditablility, though, still languishes below the other elites’ prestige. (+1 Hlyngbanite Prestige; net profit of 40 shillings on the fair for the Hlyngbanites.)
The Hlyngbanites also sent some academics off to Bok to find out about their numeral system. The system might well be useful for trade and commerce, and some private traders are asking the Senate and Temple to pass a decree to enforce its adoption for mercantile and bureaucratic activity in the city.
The Temple spent plenty of money this year on hiring seventy-five missionaries to spread the faith in the Loresian Quarter. They had a greater amount of success than previously, and many of the Loresians have started attending the demi-temple in the Loresian Quarter. The Temple’s prestige and revenue have increased accordingly. Precisely what “enemy” they might have become receptive to is completely unclear. (+20 shillings to Temple income; +1 Temple Prestige.)
The Demoites have started raising funds for their clan by mercantile activity along the river, operating a barge and selling fish on the Ulerian Hill. They also build a homeless shelter on the Ulerian Hill, where it actually proved useful to some of the poor there. (+1 Demoite Prestige; +40 shillings to Demoite income.)
However, their kitchens and homeless shelters in Yglissy have started to be extremely popular, and it appears that gangs of homeless people are emerging in each one, not only living off Demoite handouts, but also using them as bases for various illegal activities. Theft appears to have increased in Yglissy, and violence has sprung up between the two shelters and pantries at either side of the fishing village between two gangs of criminal fishermen calling themselves the “Trout” and the “Cod”. (-1 Demoite Prestige.)
More interestingly, perhaps, for many elites, a brand new upper-class brothel has opened in Hlyngba, using slaves imported from far away. This use of female slaves is novel, but many find it somewhat horrific and disgusting, and the elites face demands to prohibit their members from using the brothel.
It is also widely known now that there is a clique of assassins available in the city, and they can be found at a place that is revealed by none, but known by all. (Contact the moderator for further information about the brothel or the assassins if you are interested.)
The An’Topi dispatched riders to the Muren, despite rumours that the Assir are about to press for an attack on them, to build a rapport with this band of stone-mine-owning barbarians. Not only did they apologise for the Muren’s rebuff 6 years ago, but they also emphasised the benefits of adherence to the city’s faith, promising the Muren safety from slavery, trade with Dis, and use of An’Topi troops in any defensive war they might fight. While no Muren acknowledged the total supremacy of the Almighty, they expressed significant curiosity, and the An’Topi, as a result, built a shrine for them. The Chief has not converted at all yet, but has expressed interest in Dis’s beliefs. He does not desire a mansion, although he thanks the An’Topi for their concern on that matter. (+2 An’Topi Prestige; see below for diplomatic consequences.)
Nevertheless, the Elites have been expanding Dis’s military resources, riding on the wave of popular military enthusiasm from the previous few years. This is a step that has been widely praised among the people of Dis. There is plenty of support for offensive war against the barbarians to acquire resources or land for the city, provided that it is well-planned, successful, and glorious.
The Mercantile Clans have also been busy. The Tralysan Clan have successfully built their new building at the University. The Haji Clan have begun to trade in iron as well as stone through the cities of the coast to the East, all of whom produce iron, and this has also brought them some profit. The Antulan Clan has also expanded its business and begun research into cheaper and more effective armour, tools and consumer goods, and their new research house was built for the purpose. They also managed to sell armour to several of the enthusiastic young men who volunteered to join the senatorial and An’Topi armies. The Tal Rynn clan has built this research house, but otherwise have found little business and have been surviving on small private projects. The Kah Ryl have been quietly lending money in the city, although they have not yet been paid back on any of their loans. (Increased profits per turn for the Haji , Tal Rynn, and Antulan; +20 shillings for the Antulan’s treasury.)
In the election campaign for the Southern City, Hlyngba Major, and the Ulerian Hill, the Demoites made grand speeches, while the Hlyngbanites gained reputation with their fair, and the Assir tried to demonise them. The An’Topi did very little in campaigning, but nevertheless they managed to hold the 1st District and Hlyngba Major. The Demoites surprised no-one by holding both of their seats in the Southern City, and the Demoites actually gained the Ulerian Hill from the Assir, on account of the sewer flooding and the Demoites’ more populist attitude.
One of the Figlianig Kings has died. It is now the Senate’s responsibility to appoint a new senator from the elite clans to fill his place.
Diplomacy: An envoy has arrived from the Muren tribe. They see something in the An’Topi’s proposal, and their chief is interested in the prospect of conversion if they receive the benefits that the An’Topi have enumerated. They also require their own subsidiary demi-Temple and use of the prophecies. Lastly, their envoy requires the same permission that you denied so long ago: their envoy still wishes to speak with one of the citizens in private.
An envoy from Kyly has arrived. Kyly protests your actions against the Hlyngbanites and declares that it was them who provided the Hlyngbanites with weapons. The Senate and People of Kyly say they were justified in their defence of their investment in the Hlyngbanite University, and that the Assir should have compromised more willingly. They state that they may be forced to take further action if the safety of their investment is endangered any more.
Bonuses:
Best orders of the turn: Hlyngbanite Clan, 30 shillings.
OOC: The following districts are having elections: All Ferante Quarters, Hlyngba Minor, and Hlyngba South and the Temple.
Kentharu, sorry about not trying harder to retake the university, but I figured you wouldn’t want to put more soldiers’ lives at risk (as, in your orders, you mentioned not endangering the safety of your soldiers). By the way, the link in your sig doesn’t lead anywhere.
qoou, if you want more out of the update for your clan, I could do with more detail in orders. Here, I just had to go with 300 shillings = 75 missionaries. There was no corruption in the Temple; I thought it was clear in the last update that the claims of corruption were merely malicious rumours.
Owen, you can’t tell your members to do that sort of thing. I hired you a labourer as a crier instead.
Vertinari, not that you actually needed to, but you’d have to arrange any loans explicitly with Anonymoose. I’ve got rid of Hereclius to explain your OOC volte-face, so you now need to use a different leader name (if you find it useful to have one).
merciary, your stone workers cost less than you expected because you hired them for less than a turn.
Bill/Kentharu: The Assir did not order the arms that the Antulan expected them to.
Stats:
The Senate has a treasury of 92 shillings, and levies a tax of 10% currently from all clans' incomes except the Dean's. This tax income comes to 269 shillings this turn. The senate also owns 2 ships, 34 soldiers, 26 slaves, 24 labourers, and 2 horses, costing it 238 shillings’ upkeep to pay this turn. The senate also holds tools for 80 stone-cutters, allowing it not to pay double upkeep next time it wants to hire 80 stone-cutters.
Net Senate funds for this turn: 123 shillings.
In the city, there are around 60000 people.
“Dis is not a superstitious city, Gentlemen. We listen to the words of prophets, and the Almighty brings us truth. We give him offerings, and he gives us prophecies. It is the pragmatism of our city that shows the world the glory of Dis and the glory of the Almighty. We practice none of these obscene pageants like tracking the flights of birds, or drawing the paths of the stars and the moon. We touch no wood when we hope for things, and we bury our dead where they belong inside the walls in the powdery soil of the riverbank, where we can dig easily. This is the pragmatism that lets Dis prosper through rain and snow and plague and fire. This is the greatness that sets apart our nation from the Barbarians. We listen to the word of the Prophet, and interpret the prophecies, and determine the truth, without superstition. This is why Dis is great.”
This is what they always say to diplomatic parties from random far-away cities who decide they want a boat ride up the river. It is a picturesque journey, as many of the official buildings can be seen near to the banks, and the slums of the Ulerian are overshadowed by the great sewer. Still, on this day it was beginning to rain as the barge passed through Yglissy and headed up the river, and soon the rain was quite torrential.
On this day, as the boat neared the bend in the river, amid the squalor that all can see spilling out of the tunnel could be seen bodies and skeletons. The graveyards of the Kings’ Hill and the Ulerian, many full of hastily dug plague victims, had emptied into the river with the torrential downpour from the hill, which was funnelled through the main streets into the drain. Yet more bodies, as the ship rounded the bend, were spread out along the nearest streets of the city and even in the market. Those that were beneath us were in the streets and no-one ignored them. There were many protests at this apparently man-made disaster, and the citizens take it that this is some sort of divine omen either against the Assir or the Hlyngbanites. (All mercantile stalls in the market are damaged in terms of business and structure, resulting in lost profits. -1 Assir prestige. -1 Hlyngbanite prestige.)
However, the torrential downpour, which continued for several days, washed out large amounts of sewage from the Ulerian downstream, and this had the effect not only of fertilising the plantations lower down the river, but also of washing through the soil on the riverbank, and this had a good effect on the plantations’ fertility, and more grain than usual has been produced in these Demoite plantations over the last few years. (+40 shillings for Demoites.)
The Assir Clan attempted to bring the University back under their control this year, but although Hereclius, the Hlyngbanites’s leader had promised to evacuate the University, the members of the movement were having none of it. Despite their conviction before the Senate of theft, they refused to hand over the University, and in belligerent form they replaced Hereclius and fought the Assir soldiers as they arrived.
When the Assir soldiers saw that the Hlyngbanites were far more numerous than them and, besides, apparently armed to the teeth with weapons that had popped out of nowhere, they reported back to the Assir leadership who told them not to endanger their lives by attacking a strongly armed stone building. This incident highlighted that, seemingly, the Senate and even the An’Topi are pawns in the Assirs’ hands. Opposition to this flaw in the justice system has increased to the advantage of the other elites and to the Assir’s disadvantage. Also, the Assirs’ troops’ ineffectiveness has lead to them not receiving the volunteers they sought to join their ranks: they will have to pay any new soldiers fully. (-1 Assir Prestige; +1 Hlyngbanite and Demoite Prestige.)
The Hlyngbanites have reformed the University anyway, with fee reductions and the abolition of the curriculum in favour of professors choosing what to teach. They have made sure of teaching religion from a neutral perspective, and the scripture of the Temple is studied thoroughly at the University. The Tralysan built their extra college building on the campus too, and this is expected to be a useful tool of research even if no financial gain has been made for the Tralysan Clan. This, and the other reforms, have attracted more students to apply to the University. (+1 Tralysan Prestige; +1 Prestige and +20 students for the Hlyngbanites.)
The Hlyngbanites also made a good profit out of their fair that they held in Hlyngba. Plenty of upmarket traders appeared to buy goods there and to watch the copious entertainment and refreshments provided. This fair has encouraged most people in Hlyngba to think that the Hlyngbanites are not just a load of rowdy students, but maybe a respectable and erudite clan in their own right. Their prestige and creditablility, though, still languishes below the other elites’ prestige. (+1 Hlyngbanite Prestige; net profit of 40 shillings on the fair for the Hlyngbanites.)
The Hlyngbanites also sent some academics off to Bok to find out about their numeral system. The system might well be useful for trade and commerce, and some private traders are asking the Senate and Temple to pass a decree to enforce its adoption for mercantile and bureaucratic activity in the city.
The Temple spent plenty of money this year on hiring seventy-five missionaries to spread the faith in the Loresian Quarter. They had a greater amount of success than previously, and many of the Loresians have started attending the demi-temple in the Loresian Quarter. The Temple’s prestige and revenue have increased accordingly. Precisely what “enemy” they might have become receptive to is completely unclear. (+20 shillings to Temple income; +1 Temple Prestige.)
The Demoites have started raising funds for their clan by mercantile activity along the river, operating a barge and selling fish on the Ulerian Hill. They also build a homeless shelter on the Ulerian Hill, where it actually proved useful to some of the poor there. (+1 Demoite Prestige; +40 shillings to Demoite income.)
However, their kitchens and homeless shelters in Yglissy have started to be extremely popular, and it appears that gangs of homeless people are emerging in each one, not only living off Demoite handouts, but also using them as bases for various illegal activities. Theft appears to have increased in Yglissy, and violence has sprung up between the two shelters and pantries at either side of the fishing village between two gangs of criminal fishermen calling themselves the “Trout” and the “Cod”. (-1 Demoite Prestige.)
More interestingly, perhaps, for many elites, a brand new upper-class brothel has opened in Hlyngba, using slaves imported from far away. This use of female slaves is novel, but many find it somewhat horrific and disgusting, and the elites face demands to prohibit their members from using the brothel.
It is also widely known now that there is a clique of assassins available in the city, and they can be found at a place that is revealed by none, but known by all. (Contact the moderator for further information about the brothel or the assassins if you are interested.)
The An’Topi dispatched riders to the Muren, despite rumours that the Assir are about to press for an attack on them, to build a rapport with this band of stone-mine-owning barbarians. Not only did they apologise for the Muren’s rebuff 6 years ago, but they also emphasised the benefits of adherence to the city’s faith, promising the Muren safety from slavery, trade with Dis, and use of An’Topi troops in any defensive war they might fight. While no Muren acknowledged the total supremacy of the Almighty, they expressed significant curiosity, and the An’Topi, as a result, built a shrine for them. The Chief has not converted at all yet, but has expressed interest in Dis’s beliefs. He does not desire a mansion, although he thanks the An’Topi for their concern on that matter. (+2 An’Topi Prestige; see below for diplomatic consequences.)
Nevertheless, the Elites have been expanding Dis’s military resources, riding on the wave of popular military enthusiasm from the previous few years. This is a step that has been widely praised among the people of Dis. There is plenty of support for offensive war against the barbarians to acquire resources or land for the city, provided that it is well-planned, successful, and glorious.
The Mercantile Clans have also been busy. The Tralysan Clan have successfully built their new building at the University. The Haji Clan have begun to trade in iron as well as stone through the cities of the coast to the East, all of whom produce iron, and this has also brought them some profit. The Antulan Clan has also expanded its business and begun research into cheaper and more effective armour, tools and consumer goods, and their new research house was built for the purpose. They also managed to sell armour to several of the enthusiastic young men who volunteered to join the senatorial and An’Topi armies. The Tal Rynn clan has built this research house, but otherwise have found little business and have been surviving on small private projects. The Kah Ryl have been quietly lending money in the city, although they have not yet been paid back on any of their loans. (Increased profits per turn for the Haji , Tal Rynn, and Antulan; +20 shillings for the Antulan’s treasury.)
In the election campaign for the Southern City, Hlyngba Major, and the Ulerian Hill, the Demoites made grand speeches, while the Hlyngbanites gained reputation with their fair, and the Assir tried to demonise them. The An’Topi did very little in campaigning, but nevertheless they managed to hold the 1st District and Hlyngba Major. The Demoites surprised no-one by holding both of their seats in the Southern City, and the Demoites actually gained the Ulerian Hill from the Assir, on account of the sewer flooding and the Demoites’ more populist attitude.
One of the Figlianig Kings has died. It is now the Senate’s responsibility to appoint a new senator from the elite clans to fill his place.
Diplomacy: An envoy has arrived from the Muren tribe. They see something in the An’Topi’s proposal, and their chief is interested in the prospect of conversion if they receive the benefits that the An’Topi have enumerated. They also require their own subsidiary demi-Temple and use of the prophecies. Lastly, their envoy requires the same permission that you denied so long ago: their envoy still wishes to speak with one of the citizens in private.
An envoy from Kyly has arrived. Kyly protests your actions against the Hlyngbanites and declares that it was them who provided the Hlyngbanites with weapons. The Senate and People of Kyly say they were justified in their defence of their investment in the Hlyngbanite University, and that the Assir should have compromised more willingly. They state that they may be forced to take further action if the safety of their investment is endangered any more.
Bonuses:
Best orders of the turn: Hlyngbanite Clan, 30 shillings.
OOC: The following districts are having elections: All Ferante Quarters, Hlyngba Minor, and Hlyngba South and the Temple.
Kentharu, sorry about not trying harder to retake the university, but I figured you wouldn’t want to put more soldiers’ lives at risk (as, in your orders, you mentioned not endangering the safety of your soldiers). By the way, the link in your sig doesn’t lead anywhere.
qoou, if you want more out of the update for your clan, I could do with more detail in orders. Here, I just had to go with 300 shillings = 75 missionaries. There was no corruption in the Temple; I thought it was clear in the last update that the claims of corruption were merely malicious rumours.
Owen, you can’t tell your members to do that sort of thing. I hired you a labourer as a crier instead.
Vertinari, not that you actually needed to, but you’d have to arrange any loans explicitly with Anonymoose. I’ve got rid of Hereclius to explain your OOC volte-face, so you now need to use a different leader name (if you find it useful to have one).
merciary, your stone workers cost less than you expected because you hired them for less than a turn.
Bill/Kentharu: The Assir did not order the arms that the Antulan expected them to.
Stats:
Spoiler Elites :
Spoiler Merchants :
Spoiler the Dean :
The Senate has a treasury of 92 shillings, and levies a tax of 10% currently from all clans' incomes except the Dean's. This tax income comes to 269 shillings this turn. The senate also owns 2 ships, 34 soldiers, 26 slaves, 24 labourers, and 2 horses, costing it 238 shillings’ upkeep to pay this turn. The senate also holds tools for 80 stone-cutters, allowing it not to pay double upkeep next time it wants to hire 80 stone-cutters.
Net Senate funds for this turn: 123 shillings.
In the city, there are around 60000 people.
