North King
blech
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- Jan 2, 2004
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Frankly, that's extremely unlikely. I think you would do a better job than any possible replacement.
End of Empires - N3S III
- Thread starter North King
- Start date
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Civil wars are just as likely to create juggernauts as to eliminate them.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
Tired of being a monolithic center-of-the-world juggernaut?
Destablize your country and enter a Civil War!
Be a God.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Update Nineteen: Continuations
He finally found her in Taeba a little village of maybe two dozen souls, nestled in the deep hills. Narrow roads had been carved through the woods, fallen trees laid lengthwise along the paths to mark them, grass starting to cover the ground between the ruts. In rain, though, it all turned to mud, and it seemed like it had not stopped raining since he'd arrived on the island. So it had been a long climb up the winding road, through a dozen towns, each one pointing to the next, and saying, seek Her there.
And now he found her. He knew it as soon as he entered the town, for it had a different character from the others he had already passed. Where they had an industrious feeling, this one seemed pensive. As well it should, with a Goddess in its midst.
Indeed, it took him several minutes to even find anyone, and that person walked with the terrible serenity of one who needs nothing more. He felt almost unclean even talking to such a soul, but he had to. Where is She? he asked.
The villager looked at him, not with the hostile look they reserved for outsiders, but with the understanding they reserved for brothers. Seek her in my cousin's house, the man said, pointing. It is the first house around that corner. He nodded to the man, and hurried to the Goddess's house. It was well he had found the right town, for the shoes were falling around his feet, and he could feel the mud squishing between his toes.
The door opened with his knock, and he found a young boy standing there, regarding him impassively. I seek the Goddess, he said. The lad's expression changed in an instant, as he grinned widely.
You've found her!
He let his hood fall behind him, and stepped into the house. It was a humble dwelling rushes on the floor, wattle and daub walls, supported by thin wooden beams, but the child seemed happy enough, and he could smell a stew cooking on a fire in another room. None of that mattered, of course, for his eyes fell immediately on the old lady.
She sat on a rug in the corner of the main room, cross legged. Her white hair had been drawn behind her in a bun, and she did not move at the sound of his approach. She might have been dead, but he could see her breathing, her drawn body moving like waves on a shoreline.
I've sought you a long time, my lady. She did not respond, eyes still closed. But he knew she listened. I sought you in the ports, but they said you had arrived and moved on. I sought you in the fields, but they said they had not seen you in ages. Nothing. I sought you through hill and vale, crossing a dozen ridges. I sought you even as the mosquitos and midges ate me alive. I have wandered through swamp and forest and river and heath. And now I have found you. Still, she remained silent. May I sit? She nodded, and he took a position on the ground near her, cross-legged, too.
By now you have surely heard of the wars, Goddess. A dozen are being fought in your name, and the name of the other one who claims your title. We have been... he hesitated, wondering still at how she felt about the other. We have been lacking in guidance. In wisdom. We have fallen into the dark once more, and though we know what you had commanded of us, we do not know what we should do now. The world is mutable, and all we have is what you told us decades ago.
Please, he said, trying not to sound desperate. Give us the Word, anew.
Finally, she opened her eyes, fixing him with them instantly. They were of the purest blue, piercing, and he found it impossible to look away, or to blink. I have heard of the wars, yes. She moved slowly, adjusting the red shawl that lay on her shoulders. But I do not know that you need my aid. You know what I said, who I am. This should be enough, for through me and my kin you shall find salvation.
His eyes started to hurt. But you left us, he said, in hardly more than a whisper. We have not the wife of Aya'se. We want for the intercessor.
And what would you have me do? she asked. Should I command you on every facet of life. You and yours know what I would have you do.
He shook his head with the barest of movements. We do not know. We can only guess.
She smiled sadly. I may be godhood incarnate, but I am still wreathed in mortality. I cannot tell you what to do in every situation, for to do that would take more than a hundred lifetimes. You must live your own life.
Then write something for us. Give us scripture for the modern era.
She frowned. There is scripture enough on this world. Know this, Seeker I will write no testimony, for the written word is corrupted. Seek further, if you must, for the people of this village... the people of this realm: they know my word, and their deeds reflect mine. Collect your wisdoms from my children, for I am old, and I shall soon pass back to the Ancestors. She looked upon him, and something like pity crept into her eyes. But tell me of your troubles.
He blinked, his eyes stung by sudden tears. Tell me something first.
Speak, my child, and I will listen.
Why did you leave father behind?
The goddess looked taken aback. Your father was...?
Tauras Equilim. Your first companion. Your first shield.
Her eyes gained a faraway look. Tauras. It looked as though she were tasting the name. Yes. I left him behind.
Why?
It was his to walk a different path, Seeker. So shall yours be.
Show me my path, Goddess!
She looked at him curiously. Is it not obvious?
And she would tell him nothing more of that, through the dinner, and through their conversation, though it lasted long into the night. He always probed at the question, but she would steer him away more deftly than he could believe he learned of a great many things that night, but not what his destiny might be. And as he prepared to ask her directly again, she fell asleep with the sunrise.
She was dead by midday.
So passed the Third Aitah, she who had founded the Cult of the Goddess. She who had turned a people from obscurity into a superpower. And though there remained a Goddess in the world, the Seeker did not seek her. He would instead spend his years traveling Auona, speaking to the villagers, collecting her wisdom from a thousand sources men who had spoken to her but once or twice, women who had known her confidence. And he had collected a thousand wisdoms before he realized that this was indeed his path: to seek out the sayings of the Aitah, for she had no Hundred, only the Thousands her children on the isle and the one. Him.
Far from the eye of the rest of the world, the people of Dziltocampal had begun to flourish. The jungle had been a long time in revealing its secrets to these people, but they finally understood its little intricacies. They burned the cut trees but slowly, to mix charcoal and ash into the soil; broke old pots and stirred them in as well, to anchor it. They planted beans and maize, and trees of a hundred different kinds. Many bore fruit, of dozens of flavors. Some bore medicine in their bark, or in their seeds. Always, it was purposeful, for life in the jungle could be quite difficult without planning.
The new techniques let their villages grow, and spread. Soon, a smattering girdled the shores of the little lakes in the deep forests. Some struck down the river, exploring ever deeper. They founded villages all along the waters, and traded with those strange distant folk the Laitra. Legend had it that their ancestors had fought, but hardly anyone cared about that these days. It was easier (and more profitable) to simply meet in peace, and exchange things. Some followed a similar path, exploring into the mountains, where they started to meet with those bizarre folk on the shore the Haina.
Not all was well here, of course. The outlying villages seemed harder and harder to manage, as the furthest flung seemed to feel almost no loyalty to the center of the kingdom. What did they care what the lords of Dziltocampal said? They ignored him. And soon, other villages started to grow into towns, or cities, and they lurked on the edges of civilization down the river, in the hills. It was hard to keep track of them all harder, still, to keep track of their motives. For now, though, the oldest reigned supreme.
OOC:
Still feeling out exactly how this additional content will go. Anyway, I felt like this was a good place to start. I'll probably have a couple more before the next update.
I'll update stats tomorrow or Tuesday. As it stands, I'm not sure if qoou or Starlife (if he's even alive) are still playing... I'm going to assume that unless stated otherwise, those of you who have either posted in here or talked about the update with me are still playing.
He finally found her in Taeba a little village of maybe two dozen souls, nestled in the deep hills. Narrow roads had been carved through the woods, fallen trees laid lengthwise along the paths to mark them, grass starting to cover the ground between the ruts. In rain, though, it all turned to mud, and it seemed like it had not stopped raining since he'd arrived on the island. So it had been a long climb up the winding road, through a dozen towns, each one pointing to the next, and saying, seek Her there.
And now he found her. He knew it as soon as he entered the town, for it had a different character from the others he had already passed. Where they had an industrious feeling, this one seemed pensive. As well it should, with a Goddess in its midst.
Indeed, it took him several minutes to even find anyone, and that person walked with the terrible serenity of one who needs nothing more. He felt almost unclean even talking to such a soul, but he had to. Where is She? he asked.
The villager looked at him, not with the hostile look they reserved for outsiders, but with the understanding they reserved for brothers. Seek her in my cousin's house, the man said, pointing. It is the first house around that corner. He nodded to the man, and hurried to the Goddess's house. It was well he had found the right town, for the shoes were falling around his feet, and he could feel the mud squishing between his toes.
The door opened with his knock, and he found a young boy standing there, regarding him impassively. I seek the Goddess, he said. The lad's expression changed in an instant, as he grinned widely.
You've found her!
He let his hood fall behind him, and stepped into the house. It was a humble dwelling rushes on the floor, wattle and daub walls, supported by thin wooden beams, but the child seemed happy enough, and he could smell a stew cooking on a fire in another room. None of that mattered, of course, for his eyes fell immediately on the old lady.
She sat on a rug in the corner of the main room, cross legged. Her white hair had been drawn behind her in a bun, and she did not move at the sound of his approach. She might have been dead, but he could see her breathing, her drawn body moving like waves on a shoreline.
I've sought you a long time, my lady. She did not respond, eyes still closed. But he knew she listened. I sought you in the ports, but they said you had arrived and moved on. I sought you in the fields, but they said they had not seen you in ages. Nothing. I sought you through hill and vale, crossing a dozen ridges. I sought you even as the mosquitos and midges ate me alive. I have wandered through swamp and forest and river and heath. And now I have found you. Still, she remained silent. May I sit? She nodded, and he took a position on the ground near her, cross-legged, too.
By now you have surely heard of the wars, Goddess. A dozen are being fought in your name, and the name of the other one who claims your title. We have been... he hesitated, wondering still at how she felt about the other. We have been lacking in guidance. In wisdom. We have fallen into the dark once more, and though we know what you had commanded of us, we do not know what we should do now. The world is mutable, and all we have is what you told us decades ago.
Please, he said, trying not to sound desperate. Give us the Word, anew.
Finally, she opened her eyes, fixing him with them instantly. They were of the purest blue, piercing, and he found it impossible to look away, or to blink. I have heard of the wars, yes. She moved slowly, adjusting the red shawl that lay on her shoulders. But I do not know that you need my aid. You know what I said, who I am. This should be enough, for through me and my kin you shall find salvation.
His eyes started to hurt. But you left us, he said, in hardly more than a whisper. We have not the wife of Aya'se. We want for the intercessor.
And what would you have me do? she asked. Should I command you on every facet of life. You and yours know what I would have you do.
He shook his head with the barest of movements. We do not know. We can only guess.
She smiled sadly. I may be godhood incarnate, but I am still wreathed in mortality. I cannot tell you what to do in every situation, for to do that would take more than a hundred lifetimes. You must live your own life.
Then write something for us. Give us scripture for the modern era.
She frowned. There is scripture enough on this world. Know this, Seeker I will write no testimony, for the written word is corrupted. Seek further, if you must, for the people of this village... the people of this realm: they know my word, and their deeds reflect mine. Collect your wisdoms from my children, for I am old, and I shall soon pass back to the Ancestors. She looked upon him, and something like pity crept into her eyes. But tell me of your troubles.
He blinked, his eyes stung by sudden tears. Tell me something first.
Speak, my child, and I will listen.
Why did you leave father behind?
The goddess looked taken aback. Your father was...?
Tauras Equilim. Your first companion. Your first shield.
Her eyes gained a faraway look. Tauras. It looked as though she were tasting the name. Yes. I left him behind.
Why?
It was his to walk a different path, Seeker. So shall yours be.
Show me my path, Goddess!
She looked at him curiously. Is it not obvious?
And she would tell him nothing more of that, through the dinner, and through their conversation, though it lasted long into the night. He always probed at the question, but she would steer him away more deftly than he could believe he learned of a great many things that night, but not what his destiny might be. And as he prepared to ask her directly again, she fell asleep with the sunrise.
She was dead by midday.
So passed the Third Aitah, she who had founded the Cult of the Goddess. She who had turned a people from obscurity into a superpower. And though there remained a Goddess in the world, the Seeker did not seek her. He would instead spend his years traveling Auona, speaking to the villagers, collecting her wisdom from a thousand sources men who had spoken to her but once or twice, women who had known her confidence. And he had collected a thousand wisdoms before he realized that this was indeed his path: to seek out the sayings of the Aitah, for she had no Hundred, only the Thousands her children on the isle and the one. Him.
* * * * * * * * *
Far from the eye of the rest of the world, the people of Dziltocampal had begun to flourish. The jungle had been a long time in revealing its secrets to these people, but they finally understood its little intricacies. They burned the cut trees but slowly, to mix charcoal and ash into the soil; broke old pots and stirred them in as well, to anchor it. They planted beans and maize, and trees of a hundred different kinds. Many bore fruit, of dozens of flavors. Some bore medicine in their bark, or in their seeds. Always, it was purposeful, for life in the jungle could be quite difficult without planning.
The new techniques let their villages grow, and spread. Soon, a smattering girdled the shores of the little lakes in the deep forests. Some struck down the river, exploring ever deeper. They founded villages all along the waters, and traded with those strange distant folk the Laitra. Legend had it that their ancestors had fought, but hardly anyone cared about that these days. It was easier (and more profitable) to simply meet in peace, and exchange things. Some followed a similar path, exploring into the mountains, where they started to meet with those bizarre folk on the shore the Haina.
Not all was well here, of course. The outlying villages seemed harder and harder to manage, as the furthest flung seemed to feel almost no loyalty to the center of the kingdom. What did they care what the lords of Dziltocampal said? They ignored him. And soon, other villages started to grow into towns, or cities, and they lurked on the edges of civilization down the river, in the hills. It was hard to keep track of them all harder, still, to keep track of their motives. For now, though, the oldest reigned supreme.
OOC:
Still feeling out exactly how this additional content will go. Anyway, I felt like this was a good place to start. I'll probably have a couple more before the next update.
I'll update stats tomorrow or Tuesday. As it stands, I'm not sure if qoou or Starlife (if he's even alive) are still playing... I'm going to assume that unless stated otherwise, those of you who have either posted in here or talked about the update with me are still playing.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
OOC: Meanwhile, in the north.
Spoiler :
North King
blech
- Joined
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- 18,165
Cause she was like ninety.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Wait! I AM STILL HERE.
North King
blech
- Joined
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From: Shivasar, Khagan of the Vischa
To: Karal-ta-Asihkar
Agreed. We propose pre-war borders, with assurances of trading privileges at Asihkar and Harasai for all eternity.
To: Karal
From: The Hai Vithana
Between the great hosts we face, we doubt that we can properly entertain your son at the moment. Nevertheless, we would welcome him as a brother should he come to our homeland.
Signed by Tarena, the Dual Empire, the Airani, and Occara.
Good to hear.
Stats should be up tonight.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Stats are up. Let me know of any errors/questions/inconsistencies. The suggested order deadline is Saturday, March 16th, which should give plenty of time for stories and plotting. Does that sound good to everyone?
The suggested order deadline is Saturday, March 16th, which should give plenty of time for stories and plotting. Does that sound good to everyone?
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
That should be fine; it's just after my midterms.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
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Just a friendly reminder that it's about two weeks to the deadline. I've been working on pretty things and may be posting them before then, but probably by then at the latest.
PCs (with some assumptions as to who's staying in):
Farubaida o Caroha
Holy Moti Empire
Brunn
Cyve
Karapeshai Exatai (Karal faction)
Seehlt
Sharhi?
Dehr
Dulama Empire (Mora faction)?
Haina?
Naran
Trahana
Farea?
Leun
Lesa
Parthe
Rihnit
Dziltocampal
Ilfolk
Playable NPCs (in rough order of how much I'd like to see a player):
Kothari Exatai
Dual Empire
Opulensi Empire (either faction)
Dulama Empire (Dula or Aeda factions)
Hai Vithana
Iolha
Laitra Empire
Airani Roshate
League of Gallasa
Jipha
Sechm
Ther
All other NPCs are locked unless someone asks special permission. =/
I've been working on pretty things and may be posting them before then, but probably by then at the latest.PCs (with some assumptions as to who's staying in):
Farubaida o Caroha
Holy Moti Empire
Brunn
Cyve
Karapeshai Exatai (Karal faction)
Seehlt
Sharhi?
Dehr
Dulama Empire (Mora faction)?
Haina?
Naran
Trahana
Farea?
Leun
Lesa
Parthe
Rihnit
Dziltocampal
Ilfolk
Playable NPCs (in rough order of how much I'd like to see a player):
Kothari Exatai
Dual Empire
Opulensi Empire (either faction)
Dulama Empire (Dula or Aeda factions)
Hai Vithana
Iolha
Laitra Empire
Airani Roshate
League of Gallasa
Jipha
Sechm
Ther
All other NPCs are locked unless someone asks special permission. =/
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Whoops, no, slip-up on my part. You're fine.
~Darkening~
Weep, Mother.
I'm in, of course. Could I bum an updated map off ye?
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Naturally.
Fun little map I made that gives an alternative perspective to the political map. All territories without some shade of gold on the economic map were stripped out and other elements were included, namely trade routes. Notable things include nomadic countries such as the Savirai or the Vischa appearing less than fearsome (obviously from population density) and the Dulama and Moti further illustrating their dominance. (The map is a bit rough itself)
Again but with religions! Easthern Aitahism, Maninism and Ardavan in particular appear less widespread.
Again but with religions! Easthern Aitahism, Maninism and Ardavan in particular appear less widespread.
Angst
Rambling and inconsistent
Oh god that is sexy. I love alternate maps of stuff to begin with. To mold my nerd fantasies into alternate maps makes everything a little better.
I weep at Ilfolk however. Isolated and poor. Should've switched back to the Kothari.
I weep at Ilfolk however. Isolated and poor. Should've switched back to the Kothari.
