Bazaar of Mammon (by Nikis-Knight)
Commerce is the lifeblood of an empire. A farmer sells his prize horse to buy seed for next season, and the tax collector takes enough off the top to equip a footman. A noble buys a tapistry imported from across the continent, and the King's campaign can continue for another month. As such, it is not discontent that is the greatest threat to a ruler's ambition. Bread and carnivals can asuage unhappiness, or garrison troops should those measures fail. Rather a people's satisfaction has the potentionl to deplete the treasury and starve an empire. If the farmer is content with a smaller gain, from where does the soldier's arms come? If the noble is pleased with his bare halls, shall the war end sooner? Indeed, if the soldiers themselves do not yearn for a better life than their fathers, why will they quite the farm for a mercenary life?
In light of this, the priests of Mammon make an offer which even rulers devout of Junil have a hard time declining. Let the royal market be seeded with a relic of the King of Avarice here, or one of his praying acoyltes there. Let his temples be unmolested in your capital. The people's hearts shall take up a little-- just a little--greed. So will their labors be intensified with avarice, and the nation profit.
Alas, such hubris has brought down empires. There is no such thing as a little greed, for Mammon is not a master content to share his subjects, and a people enslaved by their own base appetites are rare to rouse to the nobler callings of man.
Bear Totem (by QES)
Look for the bear necessities
The simple bear necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bear necessities
Old Mother Nature's recipes
That brings the bear necessities of life
- Graffiti carved into the Great Bear totem of Yvonda discovered after the Occupation by the Balseraphs
Castle (by Gutus)
Castle comes from the Bannor word "castilum" meaning "fortress". This is a diminutive of the word "castre", which means "fortified place". Castles were always something more, than just "fortified places" or "fortresses". This word originates back into the dark times of Age of Ice, when all of the Bannor settlements were fortified. People started to use a separate word for a cultural centre, where local administration resided. These places also became an army concentration centres and big training yards, where the most powerful Bannor units - the paladins, were trained. Back in those days people started to use a shortened form of "castilum", a "castil" and in the end, by binding this with a hard ending of a word "castre", a word castle appeared. Some are also trying to find a connection to a word "astlum", which means a strategic location, but these are yet not confirmed. The problem is, that Bannor language has twenty different meanings for a strategic location. I, by myself however do not exlude this possibility, because indeed castles as such were built in strategic locations.
Or
(by BCalchet)
Hang our banners on the outward walls;
The cry is still, "They come!" Our castle's strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn; here let them lie,
Till famine and the auge eat them up.
(Source: William Shakespeare, Macbeth)
Catacomb Libralus (by QES)
Ipsa scientia potestas est; Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter; Omnia mea mecum porto. Sharing knowledge we carry new power with us.
-Inscription above the gateway to the Catacomb Liberalus
Adventurers' Guild (by the_fish)
"WANTED: Well-rounded adventurer for lengthy quest to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor. All backgrounds considered. Pets optional."
- Faded entry in Contract Book, Junon Adventurers' Guild
OR
(by QES)
"BEHOLD! We arrive at last!"
"Where are we again?"
"We are here! Now we can begin to adventure!"
"What about all that stuff we did to get here?"
"That was just on our way to becoming adventurers..."
"Right but the blue headed toad dragon didnt...."
"It was nothing compared to the adventures yet to come."
"Yeah, but I told the princess we'd be back before..."
"NO! We are commited now to this guild, and to the stories it will make!"
"Stories? You have three songs sung by bards in the county about you. All of which are about drinking to excess and nudity."
"Right. We need new stories."
-Lance Mortam and Jov Kilngold before entering an adventurers guild.
Blasting Workshop (by Black Whole)
I stood in front of the door and hesitated. Should I go in? Everyone said that it would be a dangerous profession but I would like to work there. Eventually I entered the building.
It was a high building, since also big golems had to come through. There were two doors. One of them was open and led to to a room, in which were many pots with different content. A cauldron was boiling, a strange liquid substance in it.
The other door led to the backyard, where the master of this workshop stood together with a golem. I just wantd to go to him, as a fireball suddenly appeared. But it wasn’t the master to summon it but the golem. I applauded. Then, the master came to me.
‘Good morning! How can I help you?’
‘Good morning! I would like to ask if I can become your apprentice.’, I said.
‘An apprentice, eh? Why do you want to work here?’, he asked.
‘I read much abut this profession and I would like to help improving golems and working with arcane knowledge like you do. And everyone said it could be hazardous, but I am not afraid of it. I even don’t know what is so dangerous about it.’, I responded.
‘Well...’
A loud bang interupted him and threw us onto the ground. Some pieces of wood rained upon us. I looked back. There, where the room with the cauldron should be, were only burnt remains of the chamber.
‘... there is only the normal professional risk.’
Or
(by QES)
"Do you think we're in trouble?"
"Naaa, I mean. Its just a small hole."
"Right, but, I mean, I think he'll notice."
"The hole isn't even as big as your thumb, and its a wooden wall, its got plenty of holes already."
"Its not the hole I think he'll notice."
"No?"
"No it's the two blocks of charred, burned, and disintegrated buildings beyond the hole I think he'll notice."
"Right, but the workshops fine. We didn't wreck the workshop."
-Ingrid Perchifold and Warren Kelting before their exile from Lamentown.
Breeding Pit (by Red Boxer)
"...and whatever you do never, ever order a shepherd's pie in Prespur."
-[insert Great Merchant's name, I couldn't find a list] to an apprentice peddler
or
Master Flauroserviam Notar hurried along the muddied path, pulling his heavy livery above his ankles, remembering the last reprimand he received. Even with the torrents of rain, the smell didn't abate as he worked his way down to the pits from the palace. The Broodseers walked amongst their brood culling out those ready to serve their city. Little was wasted, they first took their turn in the palace, where Dominatii drank of them, and from their they went to their servants. Food was always plentiful, even after the worst of seasons, it was just best not to think on where it came from.
Or
(by QES)
"What are they doing down there?"
"What does it look like they're doing?"
"It looks like they're trying to jump over each other, but not quite making it."
"They're breeding."
"Oh."
"....You don't know what that means do you?"
"Yeah I do... it means... um..."
"Look, when two thralls love each other very very much..."
- Masterbreeder Lord Kutal explaining the facts of undeath to an apprentice.
or
(by BCalchet)
Of all the employments, working in the breeding pit was considered at once the most horrific and the most desirable. Horrific because of what we saw day after day, and what we were made to do those poor wretches. Desirable because, once you had shown yourself capable, they valued your continued service more than the blood in your veins. (Source: Alpha Centauri, modified.)
Cave Of Ancestors (by the_fish)
It was dark inside the cave. (name) was nervous. His feet shuffled forward on the dry rock as he edged his way towards the shadowed recesses in the gloom ahead, the ceremonial satchel heavy at his side. Reaching the first, he slowly knelt and, opening it with an incantation, carefully withdrew the glowing sphere that the Archmage had prepared. Red shadows thronged round him as he placed the sphere into the rock, eager to devour the sudden light.
His way thus lit, he straightened, and proceeded to the next recess. Here he withdrew a shimmering azure sphere, the shadows swarming in greedy anticipation, following his hand as it performed its arc. From there he continued his task, spheres casting their eerie glow over the bare rock: brilliant green, deep indigo, raging orange - until the colours merged and ran together into a blinding uniform white.
With the Ritual of the Gifts completed, and the spirits appeased, (name) closed the empty satchel and started to walk back to the cave entrance. The Archmage would be pleased.
Dwarven Smithy (by BCalchet)
Red hot iron, white hot iron, cold black iron. An iron taste, an iron smell, and a babble of iron sounds. (Source: Charles Dickens, Bleak House)
Governors Manor (by Nero's fire)
Mikael held his hand nervously in his hand. He never liked coming to the manor home, rumors of people going in and never leaving were common in the city but he was chosen by villagers to get help.
"My lord, sorry to bother you but the villagers are sick. The aqueducts have fallen into disrepair, animals lie dead in our streets, and desiese has become common place. We beg of you my lord send help some of the townsfolk are beginning to lose faith in you."
"Fear not, I have foreseen this problem and have already dispatched a man to clean up the town. He is a efficient man and when he leaves you have my word there will not be a sick or malcontent person left."
Something in the governors tone made the man wonder if it was actually a good idea to come.
Jeweler (by gandhi rules)
"What is this? A gem i havent seen? How much is it worth? But it isn't the money thats the most important thing, its... Beutiful" - Tampur, famous Jeweler
Velox Workshop
Or
(by QES)
Rubies of red delight,
Emerald's green in sight.
Diamonds galore,
In this very store,
And sapphires every night.
Onyx and Gypsum and Jade
With Gold and fine Silver inlaid.
In necklace or hat,
Ornate mask or cravat,
Find your fit for Masquerade.
- Poem in the ArchJewler's lobby in Kingscross.
Code of Junil (by Gamestation)
Resolve the weaknesses of your heart,
Obey the laws of your providence,
Yield to the goodness that surrounds you,
Grant silence to those who betray it,
Bring wrath upon those who will destroy,
Inspire love of the righteous law,
Vest in you is the Code of Junil
Or (by MagisterCultuum and Gamestation)
Resolve the weaknesses of thy heart,
Obey the laws of thy providence,
Yield to the goodness that surrounds thee,
Grant silence to those who betray it,
Bring wrath upon those who will destroy,
Inspire love of the righteous law,
Vest in thee is the Code of Junil
Or (by xirtaminu)
Resolve the weaknesses of thy heart,
Obey the laws of thy providence,
Yield to the goodness that surrounds thee,
Grant silence to those who betray it,
Bring wrath upon those who will destroy,
Inspire love of the righteous law,
Vested in thee, the Code of Junil
Or
(by BCalchet)
Life's balance is as a star;
On one point is Law, and Law must be upheld.
If the knots of Order are loosened, chaos will spill through.
Next to Law is Duty, and Duty must be obeyed.
If the frame of Duty is broken, none shall weave life's fabric.
Opposite Law is Grace, and Grace must be preserved.
If the strands of Grace are unraveled, its design will be lost, and the people with it.
Next to Grace is Reason, and Reason must be retained.
If the web of Reason comes unwoven, madness will escape.
And above them all is Truth, and Truth must be set free.
If the wings of Truth are clipped, all voices will fall silent.
-The Code of Junil, verse 167.
(Source: Magic: The Gathering card flavour texts.)
Courthouse (by Airwreck)
"Without a place to enforce law, there is no order. Without order, there is no consequence for corruption." - old Bannor proverb
Demons Altar (by BCalchet)
They go willingly, those chosen - no voices cry out in pain,
for doing so would lessen the value of what is given.
A moment of pain and an eternity of torment -
What dread knowledge could be worth this price?
Eyes and Ears Network (by thomas.berubeg)
It is a feeble king, the one who knows not what is happening in his neighboor's lands. War is dependant on inteligence, more than soldiery: the soldiers will fight, but how will they know where to fight: that is the purpose of espionage.
All kings like to be kept up to breast with the knowldge of his neigbors. again, that is where espionage comes in: if the fancy strikes the king to know how his neghbors make thier pretty armor, a spy is sent... we hold the crucial role in all empires.... we old them together. our knowledge and training makes us invaluable.
-Katar Traie, spymaster to the Kuriotates court, addressing a class of trainees.
Form of the Titan (by QES)
"Do you think its big enough?"
"What, the statue? Yeah I'd say so, it took us a month to finish the thing, I'm just glad its done with."
"I feel like it should be bigger."
"Bigger? Its 80 feet tall? It's made of bronze and weighs more than a mountain, why does it need to be bigger?"
"Well, does it remind you of anyone?"
"Well, it kinda looks like the king...now that you mention it."
"Right, and do you remember that remark the queen made when she was mad and a bit drunk at that festival the other week?"
"You mean the one about his..."
"Yeah that one. You remember his reaction?"
"You're right, we should make the statue bigger."
-Engineers Thal and Kornt on the King's newly made likeness.
Or
(by BCalchet)
A man is a man, but when you cast his likeness in bronze a hundred feet high,
he'd better damn well become a legend!
Gambling House (by gandhi rules)
"a game for money is a real game, but there is consequences" - Loki
Granary and Smokehouse (by Airwreck) "since one holds grain while the other meat"
"If you don't finish eating all the food on your plate, the Doviello will come and do it for you." - wive's tale told to scare children during the Age of Ice
Based off the idea that where there is surplus food, people will go.
The straight forward definition or strategy text...
The storage of food allows a city to more consistently feed its populance resulting in better public health and increased immigration
Grove (by gandhi rules)
"The druids meet and talk about strange things they have seen, making potions and get experience from older druids, one or two beasts masters is also telling stories for the childs in there about the big bear they have capured once. They just enyoy theyre meeting they do each year..." – Yvain
Harbor (by Gutus)
A seagull landed on the tallest spot of captain Cyrrik's ships mast. "Aye, a good sig', the catch wer be goed.", thought Cyrrik. His nine children and beloved wife Belladona, were waiting at the ships ladder.
"- Take us with you daddy!" - cried his twins, Akka and Tukka.
"- Die Hannah!", "- Dad! Falamar is trying to poke me with a stiiik!", Hannah, his little three-year-old dauther run through the gangway, followed by his nine-year-old son Falamar, both named after two famous Lanun leaders, both fighting as originals. Cyrrik smiled. He ignored his wife starting with the ordinary yabbing. He inhaled the fresh, salty breeze, he listened to the merchants, fighting over a half-crown discount for a (what looked like) basket of a week old shrimps, he raved about his ship, about the birds and about the gold he is going to earn. A small taint of sadness went through his face, as he thought of the times, when the city had no harbor. But these are over now. Now he can go fishing with no worries, as now he has a safe place to come back.
Or
(by QES)
"What'cha doin' Otis?"
"Sittin' in the mornin' sun."
"Got any plans for the day?"
"I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come."
"Oh...ok. What's the appeal?"
"Watching the ships roll in"
"Right, but..."
"And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah"
"You must really like ships."
"I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay"
"Right, but what about when the ships are just sitting in harbor?"
"Watching the tide roll away"
"I see, shouldn't you get to work?"
"Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay."
"Mr. Cranshaw isn't gonna be happy to hear that. I mean he's gonna say you're..."
"Wastin' time"
"Right."
-Otis and Urlman in Sirisol bay.
Herbalist (by xirtaminu)
"Healing for all", the sign read. "We will treat you for any disease, ailment, affliction or curse that has befallen you. We have the finest herbs and ministrators this side of Kwythellar. All species welcome (except Orcs)." Then written in tiny writing, barely legible at the bottom of the sign , "Our services cost 5000 ruples per hour and all bills WILL be paid."
Marinitux, Nagarythe's finest herbalists.
Hippodrome (by gandhi rules)
"And, now he's also in the goal, what a beutiful race, king Tasunke walks to the winner to ask him some questions. But we all know it's about joining the army. The man in the chariot knows there is no way out of it anyway, since he is going to jail if not. Or even worser..."
Freak Show
Infirmary (by QES)
I stare out the window a lot now. Outside there are children playing, laughing, running, and chasing some hoop one of them had made. They'll never know war. They'll never know sacrifice, and for that I am grateful. To see the sun rise and fall, and never understand old cripples like me is a beautiful thing, and a tragic thing. My nurse comes regularly to me, to tend to my leg, and to ask me if my other still feels like its still there. It does sometimes. I dream that I wander through our old house, your golden hair shining in the sunlight and lightening my heart. I chase you in my dreams, through our fields in Yullda pass, and ride our horses Sam and Louie. I know those days are gone. I know you've found someone new, and I want you to know I am happy for you. I expect him to treat you well, and love you as I did. I have been given an honor by the captain of our guard, and a promotion. I'm now chief warren of the squad. It's just a title though, I'll never see action again. The demon's were driven back - so know that you and your family will be safe for generations to come. Your mother visited me here once, and a tear fell from her face. Tell her to worry no longer Dana. I am in good hands. Feed Louie some of his favorite oats for me. That is all I ask.
- Last letter from Scotticus Simonus to Dana Bolahs while in the infirmary.
Obelisk (by xirtaminu)
What better way to demonstrate the power of belief. A stone. A simple stone standing in a field. Yet we would believe that a simple stone might make our harvest bountiful or our warriors mighty or our women fertile. From miles away they come to pay homage to this stone. Why? The peasants need to believe in something otherwise what have they got to live for?
Nirt Aximu, Professor of Pagan Theology.
Obsidian Gate (by QES)
"Does it hurt?"
"No...of course not. Everyone on the other end has come through just fine."
"Explain to me how this works again."
"It scatters you into a million pieces and reassembles them on the other side."
"See - that sounds like that hurts."
"It's perfectly painless, the magic copies you and sends you as fast as thought to the other side."
"Wait, copies me? Where do I go?"
"To the other side, your copy appears right as the original is destroyed."
"Wait, what do you mean original? I..."
"No time for chit-chat, there's a war on, in you go!"
- Archmagus Milard Frando sending an adept through the Obsidian Gate.
Public Baths (by QES)
"Tee hee hee!"
- Little boys and girls who run past the public baths of Numanoiya.
Ring of Warding (by Gutus)
"- As each of the magical devices a ring is hard to maintain. As you most likely know, or at least should know and yes I am speaking to you Mr. Kmathu, a ring is producing a mass of meta-energy. Its run on the basis of the first Kyorlins law. The power of protection is being sublimated from this chaos with use of the Sammus converters. These are placed in the big monoliths surrounding our city. Sammus was the first to discover the power of flare metal to convert primortial magical energy, by splitting it into all types of mana and then amplifying the enchantment form. So, Mr. Kmathu, what do you think would happen if a summoned creature appeared now in a proximity of up to 100 meters from the ring?
- Guh?
- Ah, yes, we were not paying attention, weren't we? Let me demonstrate.
The archmage whispered a few words of power, making a few quick moves with his hands and a disgusting swarm of bats appeared. He directed it by his hand to the ring. In one second everyone thought nothing will happen, but then a powerful blue-white energy discharge hit the swarm destroying it completely. The blast scrambled the young adepts and the archmage on the ground, injuring some of them. Archmage stood up, cleaned his robe from the dust and said.
- Well, it needs some adjustment. But sure it's working, isn't it?"
Or
(by QES)
"BEHOLD!"
"Behold what? I dont see anything."
"The Ring of Warding. It's complete!"
"Ring of warding?"
"Yes!"
"What does it ward against?"
"Lots of things, creatures most vile, and beasts of monsterous...OW!"
"Apparently it doesn't ward against rocks."
- Wardenmage Ellis Forbarer and his former apprentice Joel Mouthgard
Shrine of Sirona (by thomas.berubeg)
The statue stood in the clearing, vines wrapping around the base. though it now stood at the center of a small village, around it were the ruins of a once magnificent city. To the natives living in the village, the statue was sacred, watching over them, preventing injury and sickness. indeed, the natives were extremely healthy and strong. it was this that inspired the elohim explorer to take it in wagon, and take it as a "gift."
The natives, enraged, pursued the explorer, even striking him a few times with thier arrows. though the arrows penetrated, they promptly fell out, and the explorer was unhurt. in triumph, he brought the statue back to the elohim lands, and was hailed as a hero for all the elohim to follow andadore.
Smokehouse (by OctopusOverload)
Keep those barrels coming, ya louts! If the stores aren't swarming with flies by nightfall, I swear to the Overlords I'll make sausage out of ye all, I will! - Overseer Gromgar
Strategy
Build smokehouses for early health bonuses and increased growth.
Song of Autumn (by Frozen-Vomit)
By Adam Lindsay Gordon
‘WHERE shall we go for our garlands glad
At the falling of the year,
When the burnt-up banks are yellow and sad,
When the boughs are yellow and sere?
Where are the old ones that once we had,
And when are the new ones near?
What shall we do for our garlands glad
At the falling of the year?’
‘Child! can I tell where the garlands go?
Can I say where the lost leaves veer
On the brown-burnt banks, when the wild winds blow,
When they drift through the dead-wood drear?
Girl! when the garlands of next year glow,
You may gather again, my dear—
But I go where the last year’s lost leaves go
At the falling of the year.’
The Internet produced this poem when searching for Song of Autum