MjMNES IV - A Fresh Start

[Frozen In Ice]

The Religion of the Songtu People - Kohanism

Kohanism has been the religion of the Songtu people ever since the individual tribes began to unite into a single entity. The religion is largely based of the beliefs of the largest of these tribes, though there are influences from some of the smaller tribes as well. There are five gods and goddesses in Kohanism, and the sacred scripts hold that all these gods came into existence at the same time in an empty world. The gods and goddesses were saddened by the void of matter and other life, and they also knew that their presence in existence was limited, that over time they would simply fade away.

At first, they did not know there was a way to extend their lives, so instead the Five, collectively known as the Kohans, decided that before they disappeared they wanted to leave as much of a positive impression on the blank canvass that was the universe as possible. So with their enormous, although limited, power they created Earth with the plants and the animals (as well as the other stuff in the sky). Ko-Meel (after which Songtu's capital Maheel is named), the God of life, created the spark for all the life on Earth. Ko-Yuln, the God of Love, allowed life to beget offspring. Ko-Sol, the Goddess of Light, created the Sun so that life could see and so they would not freeze. Ko-Mae the Goddess of Death, allowed for a circle of life that allowed for life to begin anew once someone's time had come. Ko-Forol, the God of Valor, gave life the will to live through the good and bad, as well as honor. Though Ko-Meel is credited with creating life itself, life could not have survived or prospered without the help of the other Kohans.

For a long time there was no life that was intelligent, as not even the Kohans could figure out how to create life in the image of themselves. But then one fateful day, with all the Kohans working together, the first humans were created. This was a glorious day for the Kohans and humanity. The Kohans populated the humans around world and were delighted to watch as their children, modeled after themselves, grew. The gods wanted to reward their best children, those who believed in the Kohans, and soon they found a way that benefited both their creations and themselves. Upon death, the souls of the humans could be merged with the essence of the Kohans, as the essences of both were similar, resulting in an afterlife paradise for the person and extending the life of the Gods. Now the gods could continue to live as long as there were people who believed in their creator, and the faithful joined their creator.

To the dismay of the Kohans, as the humans spread out, some of the people began to be led astray by some of the more imperfect creations. They started to believe in different creators. But the Songtu have remained faithful the entire time. They have become the chosen people to reteach all of humanity the truth of the Kohans. The Kohans will protect the Songtu and help them prosper, as the Songtu make sure that more and more of humanity can feel the blessing of the Kohans as well ensure that they live for many more millennia to come.

 

[erez87]

SADEMONI

THEOSIS GROWS
A few months after the colony was formed its populated grew far beyond expectations. The successful military occupation of the peninsula made many tribal people to join the Sademoni rather than oppose them. Some joined the farming communities but many settled in Theosis, increasing its populated ten folds. It was quickly rising in power and influence. Not four years have passed since its settling and its population was already quickly growing to rival that of Sademon city itself.

The farming communities around Theosis enjoyed far more freedom than those on Sademoni Island and many who lived closer to the city chose to move to live between the walls and use wheeled carts with horses to reach their fields.

The city itself was officially managed and ruled by Theo Lumilos but under extreme pressure from the farmers under the leadership of Do'or Namir Theo agreed to relay some control to the city council in a similar fashion to Sademon city. This allowed the rich farmers who moved into the city to grow in influence and power and continue to mix around the class ideals of Sademoni.

SADEMON IN CRISIS
While the colony of Theosis was on the rise they city of Sademon continued to see population problems. Large numbers of farmers migrated away to the peninsula and those left begun to understand their power over the city. The hiring of artisans to work in the farms and the mixing of classes of Theosis also arrived at Sademon city and brought powerful politicians to new heights.

Hagor Memoric, a powerful granary holder of the western Sademon Island, settled in Sademon city and joined the ranks of artisans. His influence grew in the council as he bribed and used his wealth to gain in power. He considered himself one of the farmer classes all of his life and nearing its end he managed to get the Sademoni council to order the building of a second colony, this one in eastern Sademon. His true achievement was getting the council to agree that in the new colony, that was to be named after him Hagorsis, the farmers will have an official political sit in the council, to be filled by him and his closer allies. Like in Theosis he was chosen to be the official ruler, but like with Do'or the council will have the true rule of the new colony. Hagor will not see the day his colony rises from the ground, as he was found dead in his house a few days before the first settler group left. His son, Nikor Memoric, took his place.

HAGORSIS – A NEW JEWL
The news of the building of a new city with an open sit to farmers brought great joy in the area. Many farmers chose to use their wealth to move into the city and leave their eldest child in control of the fields and the artisan workers who were hired. Second and third sons with no land also moved into the city to become artisans and politicians, some even gathered together and formed trading guilds, competing with long lasting traders who thought they could easily control the trade in the new city.

With the new city declared a free reign over settling begun, little towns started to grow all across Sademoni Island and even on the peninsula.

THEOSIS CHANGING
The biggest event of the time was the untimely death of Theo Lumilos who was found dead in the street, apparently on his way to the council chambers. In his place Sademon city council decided that the Theosis council could continue to rule in his name. Do'or Namir, already famous even in other countries had the largest influence over the city. He quickly managed to bring more farmers into the politics and used his power also to let farmers enjoy port benefits and slowly stepped on the traders toes in Theosis. This final act truly made a twist of the classes' ideals and would forever be remembered. Do'or eventually left his first grandson as his voice in the city and left to Sademon, where he bought Hagor Memoric great villa in the city and joined the ranks of the council there.

Do'or had plans, and his influence among all Sademoni brought him quick successes. The council gave him control over a large military force in return for his promise to not bring this force near Sademon City. He had no plans to do so. He became the first known single ruler of the Sademon, a sort of council chosen tyrant, who had control of the army. The merchants went insane with this move. He was a farmer! But they could not stop this change of classes. The farmers were slowly finding themselves allied to the artisans and using their control over food prices to become rich, and eventually rich traders, made them pay a part of the mercenary forces. This gave them greater influence than ever and Do'or will take this influence to new heights.

Do'or quickly looked for a strong general in nearby countries and found one among the Greeks. This mercenary general joined him in his villa at Sademon city and together they made plans…….

 

[erez87]

from SADEMONI

to Cyrenaica:
Ha, your trade looks very lucrative! We wish to increase trading between our nations.

to Numidia:
Trade is a good thing always, will you trade with us more?

to Clusium:
Are you interested in a treaty to divide the rest of Peninsula among us?

 

[Abaddon]

To Sademoni
From Numidia

But of course!

 

[nutranurse]

Conspiracies of the Tun-Peoples: A History Channel Exclusive Documentary​

...Early in the reign of the first 'Queen'[1] of the Tuntun land she found herself facing great opposition from the northern 'Princesses'[2] of her realm[3]. Between 510BCE-480BCE the Tuntun had undergone a political and economical revolution, simultaneously looking inwards with the creation of city-states[4] and outwards with the creation of a carefully crafted system of trade[5]. Interacting with other Central American tribes brought a new awareness to the Tuntun society by further stratifying themselves as 'Us' and 'Them', but increasingly the Northern Tuntun began to see their southern cousins in the category of 'Them'.

The First Tuntun 'Triangle' of Tunte, Tuntitlan, and Tontua. Later the 'Triangle' would become the common mode of settlement among the Tuntun peoples. Note that the script above the translated Tuntun names dates from a few centuries after the first Tuntun Cities.​

The Princesses of Tunte and Tuntitlan, Princess Teptepetl and Princess Intec respectively, were overcome by greed and envy when they looked upon the riches of Tontua and its queen, A'axaca[6]. From this greed an alliance was born and the northern principalities sparked the first 'secret war'[7] to challenge Tontua's authority. Tontua responded in the creation of a more organized priesthood appointed by A'axaca herself and given express religious authority over all Tuntun peoples. Tunte and Tuntitlan responded in kind, appointing their own priests and recognizing their own deities over that of Tontua's[8].

The Northern Princesses, however, were ultimately outmaneuvered by the clever A'axaca who played upon the Tuntun ball-game rituals. She created the first 'Great Game' ritual, to be held each year in Tontua and Tontua alone. She ordered the construction of a massive ball court--the remains of which still amaze people today--while recognizing the 'New Gods' of the Tunte and Tuntitlan. The 'Great Game' ritual was to signify the trinity of Star, Sun, and Moon (respectively Tunte, Tontua, and Tuntitlan) and the synchronized paths they traced across the sky.

The remains of one of Tontua's many ballcourts, behind stands the city's grand temple.​

Commentary on History Channel's Tuntun Special Provided by Rudger P. Habbershon
[1]The use of the word 'Queen' is a grave mistake in understanding the early Tuntun polities. There was no 'queen' or 'king' in the sense of a hereditary ruler whose power was absolute. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Tuntun 'Queens' were simply Head Priestesses of the major temples, whose femininity was rarely acknowledged and they were in fact always referred to in the masculine. The Tuntun did this as a reflection of the fact that their Gods were hermaphroditic.
[2]See above note, the Head Priestesses of Tunte and Tuntitlan were not hereditary monarchs of any sort.
[3]The extent to which Itolpa A'axaca controlled anything outside of the temples in Tontua is dubious. To refer to the Tuntun lands as her 'realm' assumes she had power far beyond the realms of her era. However, A'axaca marks the beginning of more centralized Tuntun leadership.
[4]This is just wrong. Tunte, Tuntitlan, and Tontua were nothing near the city-states that would populate the Mesoamerican valleys some centuries later. To be more correct they were more akin to poorly organized municipalities of a peoples with a unified belief system and desire for trade.
[5]The system of trade referred to here will not come about for another half-century. Early Tuntun trade was sporadic until Yaxtua was given governorship of itself.
[6]As mentioned above, A'axaca was not a queen nor was she 'envied' by the Head Priestesses of the Northern states. They were, in fact, remarkably cooperative with one another.
[7]No such war occurred at all. A'axaca's institution of a sect of priests chosen by her was never opposed by any Tuntun, man or woman.
[8]The Tuntun had always believed in the existence of the Star, Sun, and Moon as Gods. In fact, the three cities were given their association with the deities by A'axaca during the first 'Great Ballgame' (which was simply a smaller part of a much larger festival).

 

[skeptikalz!]

^ Very cool approach, got a few chuckles out of the commentary

 

[Angst]

Raka Story: Historical Composition I
Source: Engraved in the clay walls of one of Ekdhan's music schools

~

The King of Seas

Listen here. (Notes: My microphone is horrible, so expect a lot of noise. Also, there is a lot of volume dynamics in it, so don't be surprised when the volume jumps up a little.)

One of the most central aspects of Raka culture was their musical tradition. They had a mass of musicians and composers writing songs for almost all aspects of Raka culture - which was reflected Raka rites of passages, mass meetings, marketplaces, naval life and their military tradition.

It was not rare that musicians were comissioned to compose for something as mundane as birthdays or even trips across the country. However, while many of the songs dedicated to dry, everyday tasks, many great pieces have survived time to today. One such is The King of Seas, an old myth of a great Rakad who destroyed a great leviathan. The song was regularly played during naval battles.

The following lyrics are translated from the Raka language:

Rakade lu vrå dhade såttar! såttar!
Rakade lu vrå dhade så!
Rakade lu vrå dhade såttar! såttar!
Rakade lu vrå dhade så!

Land of seas, king slayed leviathan! Slayed!
Land of seas, king bested leviathan!
Land of seas, king slayed leviathan! Slayed!
Land of seas, king bested leviathan!

A few other accounts talk about the Sea King, although they are equally vague, suggesting to historians that the Sea King was actually a figurative avatar of the Raka themselves; this might be why the Raka used the song so often in naval warfare. The find was also one of numerous puzzle pieces that etymologists have used to find the origin of the word Raka: Raka has some relation to the word råkad, meaning water; as such, Raka meant something along the lines of "water-people". Rakade furthermore has a relation to rådhe, meaning people-land, was used as a suffix to place names. When rådhe was added to a word, Tylråvi for example (From the Raka form of Tyravus), you had Tyåvirådhe, or "people-land of the Tyravi". Rakade was a traction of Raka and rådhe, somewhat loosely meaning "people-land of the water-people".

 

[justokre]

I very much enjoyed listening to that Joakim. =)

 

[SouthernKing]

Katan, An Ancient Megacity: After the Sea People Raids​

The city of Katan was one of the largest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world, and the capital of the Ravusate of Koyunlu. It had been the center of the Koyunlan world for years before the Sea Peoples came, and after the Sea Peoples left, as Koyunlu recovered, Katan continued to be its heart and soul.

The center of Katan was a lush, green park where the Palace of the Ravus was. The park was open to all, and some lucky folks could meet the Ravus during his daily recreation.


What the palace is believed to have looked like during the time of Ravus Menza

There were several other city parks in Katan, as the Koyunlans believed in having a balance between man and nature.

The Katan Market was the center of trade for all Koyunlu. The market traded in goods from all corners of the Ravusate, and beyond.


The ancient Katan Marketplace, today

 

[MjM]

You did it

Great update, just sad i didn't improve my trade

It will come with time, as long as nothing disrupts it!

Fantastic update MjM! Good work keeping everything refined, smooth and succinct, yet stylish at the same time! It bodes well for the future of this NES!

Thank you Iggy! I want this one to last longer than my others, and I will always try to deliver the update when I say I will.

Also, in case anyone else is wondering why the next deadline is so far, my birthday is October 13th, and I will be kinda busy this week, so that's why I made it for the 15th. I know it's pretty long, but others won't be as long.

Great update!

MjM, you may consider this letter a part of a story, especially if the proposal is accepted; if that becomes the case, I will write a follow-up.

Thank you! And sure, if they do and you write about it, I will count it.

to Clusium:
Are you interested in a treaty to divide the rest of Peninsula among us?

From Clusium
To Sademoni:

We will take what we want, thank you. The peninsula will be ruled by our hand through military might and Clusium superiority. If we sign a treaty, we will be giving away more than we are entitled to.

^ Very cool approach, got a few chuckles out of the commentary

As did I!

I very much enjoyed listening to that Joakim. =)

I can't listen yet, because someone is sleeping in here, but I will soon and I'm sure it's great!

All the other stories are wonderful guys, the modern documentary-type stories are very unique indeed.

Agent_89, I finished your part of the update! Sorry it took so long.

 

[erez87]

SADEMONI

to Clusium:
Why would a honorable nation like yourself would speak to us as if we were enemies? We have nothing but friendly wishes towards your people and nation, why would you speak aggressively towards us? And is that message a threat you are meaning to invade our colony in southern Peninsula? Why would you harbor such feelings towards us? have we ever caused any insult towards your people? We were only offering an idea out of good will, we have no intention of taking many more lands in Peninsula and wanted to make sure our armies will not accidentally meet on a battlefield for we wish to never draw blood from a Clusumi.

OOC: What do you mean disrupt it? There is more than one nation in the world, and if anything that should support my economy as we will be the major trade point in all of the central and western Mediterranean.

 

[erez87]

SADEMONI


OLYMPIC CALENDER
For many years the Sademoni had neither real need nor interest in the counting of years. Their record keeping was below average and their written language was usually used very little, mostly for trade and sometimes for writing papers of wisdom of new knowledge. The meeting with the Greeks slowly brought the Greek language to become the educated language among men, especially with the large number of wise men from Greece that visited Sademon city. The Greeks considered everyone who did not speak their language to be barbarians, and usually lesser people and so in order to fit among them Sademoni educated elite had to learn the language. Egyptian language also caught on but the Greek writing was far simpler than the Egyptian one and even more than the Sademoni one.

And so slowly the Greek writing took over Sademoni. Greek language remained an educated elite thing.

As the educated elite grew and a need begun to date works, especially to keep track of historical writings, and for a while an arbiter method based on politician men names became the norm. This system was far too complicated to last long and on his second year of total politic control over the Sademon council Do'or took forward the counting of years by Greek Olympics. Already Sademoni free men, who spoke Greek, sometimes joined the Olympic games (none of note ever won) and so it wasn't a far stretched idea. Under the influence of his Greek mercenary general Do'or officially introduced the Olympic calendar into Sademoni for the counting of years. The year was 287 (489 bc) on the Olympic calendar. The calendar was quickly adopted by the educated elite and other elite people. The farming communities would be slower to adopt the counting as they still had no need to know how long it passed but it will eventually be the way of counting time in all of Sademoni for a very long time.

MILITARY PLANS
On year 286 a peaceful diplomatic message to Clusium was met with a harsh and unfriendly message. Do'or saw this as a slow growing threat to the Sademoni but their army was far superior in numbers to that of Sademoni. In order to prepare for such a problem the need for more mercenaries became obvious.

Do'or again had a total victory in the council when half of the money that was to be spent on the Hagorsis colony was to go into hiring new mercenaries. A small constant garrison was kept in Theosis and the forces were reorganized in preparation for strengthening the Sademoni position for its future plans.

 

[Terrance888]

To the Kingdom of Daragi
From the Retokimas Confederacy

We wish to remind you of our trading agreement in which we lower tariffs and allow the flow of trade through our nations.
-King Kuas of Daretoki, Overlord of the Retokimities

To Koyunlu
From the Retokimas Confederacy

We wish to remind you of our trading agreement, as well as our pact of friendship. Whenever you might need us, we are there.
- King Kuas of Daretoki, Overlord of the Retokimites

The Obscure History of the Ancient World Volume 82; The Mesopotamian World Part D
Chapter 6: Trade and Cities of Retokimas, 500 B.C.]
Preface

White is Caravan-Based Trade, Red is Raft-Based Trade​

By 2000 B.C. , the strange Retokimite peoples begun settling down. As we've seen in the last chapter, their unique culture came from the mixing of a Semitic and an Indo-European migrationary pattern, leading to chaos and distrust. This culture of fame and disinheritance leads to a remarkably adaptive people capable for brilliant effort by all to achieve glory. Ancient writings at the small town of Retoki tells a tale of a mystical leader who managed to stabilize Northern Mesopotamia enough to allow the growth of the Retokimite cities in the first place. These cities have much power and wealth, and in the rugged hills asserted their independence. A thousand years later, their myraid city states were humbled by the legendary Dareso of Daretoki, who defeated the Seven Challengers, including "Jerritok of Jerutoki" and the "Kakas and His Horde." 500 years later, we come to the reign of King Kaus, who established new avenues of trade throughout the region.

While the capital of Daretoki focused on mining, the nearby city of Jerukimas and the town of Tigraki controlled the main trading routes from the Mordemas down the Mesopotamas. While the ruling council of Daretoki dominated the merchants of Tigraki, the Jerukimas still maintained their ancient independent streak.

Downriver we meet the key trading towns of Jonakimas and Konutoki. The town of Konutoki stands guard along the ridge separating the Anatolian Koyunluns and participates in local trade. Jonakimas, nearly a city in its own right, controlled the land trade of central Retokimas.

To the farthest corners of the confederacy we find the towns of Navikimas and Euphraki. The Navikimite town is still the largest and most influential town on the Mordemas coast and holds the most consistently moving and consistently raided trade route with Koyunlu. Euphraki, meanwhile, holds much influence among the border with Daragi and the raising of Tariffs from the endless river trade.

As we detail the intimate history of these cities and towns, remember the countless semi-independent hamlets and villas, towns and outposts between each city. Although Daretoki dominates the Retokimites, they hold direct sway only over the Tigrakis. As Kuas expands the Tigrakin hold on trade, this will soon change.

Mordemas-Black Sea
Mesopotamas- Mesopotamia
Note: Yes, I am using unoriginalish city names. Get used to it.

 

[MjM]

SADEMONI

to Clusium:
Why would a honorable nation like yourself would speak to us as if we were enemies? We have nothing but friendly wishes towards your people and nation, why would you speak aggressively towards us? And is that message a threat you are meaning to invade our colony in southern Peninsula? Why would you harbor such feelings towards us? have we ever caused any insult towards your people? We were only offering an idea out of good will, we have no intention of taking many more lands in Peninsula and wanted to make sure our armies will not accidentally meet on a battlefield for we wish to never draw blood from a Clusumi.

To Sademoni
From Clusium:
We never said we will attack your colony. If you don't wish to expand much more, there isn't much of a point in a treaty. We have had trading relations with your and many other nations, but this recent expansion onto the peninsula is alarming, to say the least.

OOC: What do you mean disrupt it? There is more than one nation in the world, and if anything that should support my economy as we will be the major trade point in all of the central and western Mediterranean.

Oh, I know. I was just being sarcastic, mostly.

 

[skeptikalz!]

To the Kingdom of Daragi
From the Retokimas Confederacy

We wish to remind you of our trading agreement in which we lower tariffs and allow the flow of trade through our nations.
-King Kuas of Daretoki, Overlord of the Retokimities

To: Retokimas Confederacy
From: Daragi Kingdom

Of course. Many years have passed, but we shall continue to view this agreement as written in stone until a time comes where either of us speaks otherwise.

 

[~Darkening~]

to Cyrenaica:
Ha, your trade looks very lucrative! We wish to increase trading between our nations

We are open to suggestions.

 

[erez87]

SADEMONI

to Clusium:
Oh. We have no intention of causing any alarm. Out population is exploding in our city-state and our need for new farmlands and space forced us into creating a colony. We have no aggressive intentions towards Clusium.

 

[Abaddon]

Economy Rule does not seem to follow what is shown in stats...

 

[MjM]

Economy Rule does not seem to follow what is shown in stats...

What do you mean?

 

[Abaddon]

Nevermind, mis-read it