Growth and Trade
The Gibraly and Romadi have forged trade links between their nations and exchanged oaths. They have promised to work together in the future, should anything happen to the
Oerdan and the Nakar stagnated this turn due to the vacillation of their leaders. There has been no growth in their economy.
Phridian Haekism continues to grow quickly among the Rheni. Along with the strange alien allies from the south and their they recently accepted and the appearance of Risanan Thune traders, many Rheni are greatly concerned over corrupting foreign influences. Several Phridians have been beaten on the streets of Brunica this year.
The Nimosans to the south continue to growth peacefully, expanding trade southwards. Competition has started between the Nimosans and the Rheni for trade with the south, where Nimosa holds the edge, and with the Thune, where only the Rheni have made any real inroads. Both nations continue to grow richer on trade.
Growth among the Dolu remains slow. Though the scars of the Darian War have been dissappeared from their cities and villages, much Syven and Nakar lands are sparsely populated. This free land has fueled what growth there has been this season, but without more settlers from the smallest of the kingdoms, growth will remain slow.
The religious violence that gripped the Bexian late last year has subsided thanks to the intervention of the King himself. While King Ban has quelled the population for now, there is still simmering hatred among some of the local clergy. King Ban has hired scholars to teach tolerance to his people, starting with those at court and powerful rural aikings. This intervention came just in time, as Phridia himself, severing all ties with Validira, has come to Bexuni to preach. (Phridian Haekism increases by 1%).
The King has shown a steady hand in the countryside as well. The land controlled by the Bexian, Romadi, Gamars, and Sunta are among the least developed. King Ban set about correcting this. Large swathes of fertile river land have been cleared for use by the peasantry. Next year’s harvest looks to be the best in decades. The King’s strongest supporters, the Coa, have seen their tribute reduced this year, which they appreciated greatly. Many of King Ban’s new soldiers hail from this tribe.
While the Bexian look to the countryside, the Darian March has turned its attention on its cities. A new settlement named Jadicha was built in the territory of the Jarids this year. The buildings are of very sturdy construction using a large amount of stone. Jadicha’s mighty walls should prove to be a significant obstacle for any invader to overcome. However, a shortage of wool is affecting the Darian economythis year.
King Matteo, long a fixture in Validira, has, in pledging his sword to Haecadem II, abdicated his throne in favour of his second son, Naxis. In doing so he has disinherited his eldest son, Miaeus. Miaeus has not interest in ruling and serves his father faithfully in the north. Naxis’ first acts focused on external affairs. He has sent embassies to the Nimosans and Tessil seeking audiences. Both have agreed to establish trade routes with Validira, though the Tessil will only maintain a trade route if Validira proves to be a benefit to the Tessil. Naxis has also focused on expanding his existing industries.
Despite the war being fought by across the river, life remains unchanged for most in Huroto. Though having the warbands away for the harvest has prevented any growth this year, the peasantry are hopeful that the defeat of the Sunta will bring about great prosperity. The Lokvar especially support the war. They call Cul a great hero and liberator. Many hope that the old Imperial province of Lokvar may be rebuilt with Huroto support, though Cul’s opinion on this subject is not known. Due to their losses at Saal Creek, the Loupor have asked to that they pay reduced tribute and not be called to service for two years in order to rebuild their strength.
While the Huroto keep their perennial enemy at bay, the Teral have made the most of this breath of peace. King Tyrion decided that the key to any economy or trade network is good roads. Thusly, he has begun two great projects. First, a read network has been constructed throughout Teraldur linking the main settlements of the tribes there. While this has had no immediate effect, it will surely facilitate growth in the future, especially if the king’s efforts to rebuild the countryside continue. Additionally, these roads will improve the Teral’s ability to respond to crises in the more far flung regions of the kingdom.
A second road-building plan was begun through the territory of the Kilma Fulanti and through the southern mountains. The presence of substantial Teral forces prevented Hillmen and Fulanti from interrupting the work there. The Kilma grow wary of the Teral and their plans for the future, but for now have help up their end of the bargain and keep to themselves. The road will be a long time in the making, however, as the mountain terrain makes it difficult. Still, it may yield great riches when it is completed. So far it reaches just beyond the Kilma Fulanti.
Five-Arrow of the Four Claw Fulanti has realized that for his people to survive, they must change. To begin this change, he has directed his tribesmen to find a suitable quarry in his domain. Slowly, the Fulanti learning to quarry the stone successfully. While the Seven-Star do this, the lesser tribes are busy just trying to survive. Their tribute this years was set very low, allowing the tribes to regain some of their lost vitality and strengthening the bonds between them.
Jyanna has managed to keep better control over Assfell than Callista has over Varica. Having already earned the respect of the Hrafn and been accepted as one of them, her regency remains unchallenged. Though the newly conquered northern tribes of Assfell aren’t nearly as pleased as the Varican tribes under Jyanna’s leadership, the light hand she has taken to tribute collection is winning her many friends. This light tribute, in concert with efforts to improve farmland, has yielded significant growth. Continuation of this policy will yield even greater rewards in the future.
The Hrafn have built a series of strongholds on their border to serve as rallying points for the people and their flocks using slave labour and the assistance of a few Tessil specialists detached from the Councilor’s delegation to Varica. (5 EP used on top of the gift of kibal, they’ll stay on next year)
The Werar have begun a similar, if smaller, fortification effort in their territory. A series of outposts have been constructed on the border to watch for incursions from the Manische. The main focus has been on Werhold itself, constructing a second set of stone walls for the city.
In the absence of the king, two Kingsmen (royal representatives) rule in his place in Werhold and Thanesburch. Both have encouraged city growth, with the strange but talented Earl Haeastl of Thanesburch seeing the best relative growth. Explorations of Sargotbak have yielded 1 metal this turn for Werhold. Lighter tributes imposed by the Kingsmen are encouraging growth among Haecadem’s vassals as well.
Rumours
A man in the garb of the nomadic western plains tribes has come to the edge of a Seven-Star village on the western frontier of the Four-Claw fulanti. He danced a strange dance, chanting as he did so, for several hours, then departed.
A Dolu village was sacked by raiders on the frontier with the Darian March. The Nakar may also be responsible, as a few of them stayed behind in this land and they have easy access. It may even be an opportunistic local tribe. There are rumours supporting all three theories.
Risanan traders have brought back a two-headed Haecomus from the far north. He is part of a savage and wild people who hunt and kill their one-headed brethren. He is part of a special display put on by his discovers to show off the goods they brought with them from the north.
An Aiking among the Gamars has decided to build a tower on the highest peak of Seven Star Pass. He hopes to see the world as Haeka does from on high.
Diplomacy
To: Lord Haecadem II, the other Varican commanders
From: Your prisoners
Lord Eijion demands, through Thune translators, that his captors release his men at once. They are merely oathmen, bound by their duty and the land to aid his father, the Duke. He and the Blood Brother are the only true men of war and rightful prisoners. He warns his captors that his father will return for him, as it is his duty to protect his sons.
To: Cul Funkard and his generals
From: Duren of the Sunta
You have made this a war of annhiliation. Know that we will fight to the end, Huroto. You will gain not a single slave, nor coin, nor grain of wheat from us when we pass. There will be no surrender. The blood of thousands of Huroto will be on your hands should you continue your campaign against us.
To: Teraldur, Validira
From: Duren of the Sunta (some messengers were intercepted by the Huroto)
Who will be next once Cul slays the last of us? A man of his nature is never sated. The Teral have proven themselves as brave foes in our struggles over the past decades and we respect you for it. We must put our past behind us if we are to survive.
Validirans, you already know the Huroto as your rivals. They will choke your rivers with our bodies and enlarge their armies with our slaves. They will come for you. If you do not come to our aid, then there will be no one left alive to come to yours. Let us fight together against the Huroto, and save ourselves from Cul’s subjugation.
The Map
Varican movements are in black, their enemies are in red. Battles are large X’s. Sunta settlements are listed as blue circles with black lines if they are besieged, blue circles if they aren’t. A similar blue circle notes the current Werar army deployment.
OOC stuff
@Tree151,
keep in mind that schools are incredibly rare and expensive in this age and don’t resemble the schools of today. They’re more like individual scholars teaching students from very rich families who can afford to educate them. Only about 2% of your people even know how to read and write. Your king therefore chose a top-down approach. Your off to a good start, keep it up.
@Tyrion,
I don’t think you spent your 20 EP of starting goods, so I bought you some Nimosan spices (which you wanted to buy anyways) and wool (which you needed this turn for upkeep).
@das
I owe you a PM. It'll come tomorrow.
@Everyone
I need some feedback on the trade system. Many players are confused. Others didn’t use it at all. Of the two players who set themselves up to be traders, one, Nimosa, has already dropped the game. Is the complex trade system worth keeping? If so, what changes should be made. If a majority of players wants to, I’m willing to drop it entirely. If not, what can I do to make it work better? What do you think?
Let me know if I’ve made any mistakes or left something out. It inevitably happens every update and I’m happy to change things.