FarowNES02

[Lord_Iggy]

Giamo shook hands with his adversary, King Leon III of the defeated nation of Teraden. Peace was made, the southern Terenan peninsula was secured.

Giamo was a tall man, not muscularly built but not thin either. He had straight dark brown hair passed just a little past his ears, and a short beard. Both were tinged with specks of grey. His eyes were a shade of grey-green, constantly shifting, not out of any particular paranoia but out of his constant observance of his surroundings.

Leon was about a head shorter, with dark curly hair, dark eyes, clean shaven face, and a strong build. Both men were contrasts both physically and mentally. Giamo was a constant thinker and philosopher, Leon was a firm truster in his instincts and feelings. Perhaps this had been what had cost him victory. Or perhaps it had been not his fault, but simply the weakness of his nation at the time.

Regardless of this, both leaders had one thing in common. A deep love for their nations, and a great will to lead them. Giamo had recognized this in his adversary once the man had humbly approached him to request peace, and the right to leave with the remains of his people peacefully.

Giamo was quite willing to do this. He had no particular need or desire to further antagonize the people of Teraden. They had fought well given their circumstances, and did deserve a second chance at nationhood.

The King of Tereno now looked at the mass of humans moving along the valley of the River Tio (not shown on map, too small). Leon and his complement had left, and now led his people west. Away from Tereno, into the inland of the continent. Into the sunset.

Giamo viewed the group fading into the distance with mixed feelings. The people of Teraden were a good group. Perhaps if they had not been born into a location that the Terenans had viewed as rightfully their own they could have lived together as friends, perhaps even allies. Perhaps there would be a new chance for this in the future.

The south of the Terenan peninsula was now securely in Giamo's hand. The time had come to take the rest. But the King of Tereno knew that he would not be the king to see this come to be. He had set Tereno on its path, begun its work. It would be up to his sons and descendants to complete it.

 

[The Farow]

Nice Story Iggy

Edit: PC stats are done. NPC stats will be finished soon!

 

[Lord_Iggy]

The Early Explorations of Tereno

In the later years of the reign of King Giamo I, his focus was firmly on the expansion of his Kingdom. The 'Teraden Problem', specifically, the presence of a potential rival near the Terenan homeland, was dealt with, and Giamo was firmly set on consolidating control over as much of the peninsula as possible.

So Giamo commissioned considerable parts of his military and several civilian groups to explore and map out the lands around Tereno. The plan was to determine ideal lands for agriculture, mining, and settlement, but much more would be accomplished.

Particularly, this was the discovery of other civilizations.

Philipo Marici, one notable explorer, traveled along in the path of Teraden's flight from the peninsula. These lands were rich and fertile, excellent for settlement. After following the valley for several weeks, he turned northwards to find the coastline.

There, he found settlement. But not disorganized settlement. It was the organized patterns of a civilization.

Travelling further into these lands, he was confronted by a military force, and escorted further to the northwest, to a great city.

Ilion.

*****

These people are proving to be fairly friendly, or at the least not hostile. I have been offered shelter to stay in, and have spoken now to several representatives.

Their language is highly similar to Terenan, I suspect that our two nations may have some common ancestor many generations ago. Their verb conjugation is somewhat odd, and some words accented or changed, but the language is similar enough to be comprehensible for a Terenophone such as myself. Apparently, the reverse is also true, though assuming this I worry that I will be taken for a fool who cannot speak anything but a crude pigdin dialect.

The people of Ilion, however, are quite different than those of Tereno. They live in what first appears (and, with a few exceptions, still does) to be totalitarian. Each person is simply an appendage of the state. It seems to be an exaggeration of our system in Tereno, where our king, while highly powerful regarding affairs of state, allows a wide degree of freedoms to his people. Although it cannot be doubted that Tereno also shares much of the brotherhood and camaraderie that exemplifies Ilion, theirs clearly outshines ours.

However, I must not (and generally do not) hold this against them. They run an efficient and powerful state, one to be admired. I suspect that differences between new nations we contact in the future will be even greater, so variation is something we must adapt to.

After spending several weeks in this country, I received word from no one less than King Giamo I himself, or specifically, received word from him to be relayed to the leader(s) of Ilion. I have read the request, and it seems awkward to ask it to my hosts, but I will not refuse the King.

To: Basileus Lycurgus of Ilion
From: King Giamo I of Tereno
Greetings, neighbours to the north.
I am not a man to honey my words, so I will speak simply.

I request that you do not expand further into the Terenan Peninsula. It is the land we wish to own, and we would be most pleased to do so peacefully.

I thank you for your time and consideration, Basileus

-Giamo I

 

[Birdjaguar]

Old stats:
Economy: 1/1/1
Army: 1000 Infantry, 1000 Cavalry
Navy: 15 ships

New stats:
Economy: 1/1/1
Army: 1000 Infantry, 1000 Cavalry
Navy: 15 ships

Update:
T’lur Pa has grown wealthy dominating the southern part of the Great Sea economically bringing much of the regions wealth.
(+2 trade economy, + Riverside Trade Center, -500 infantry, -100 cavalry)

Shouldn't my new stats be:
Economy: 1/1/4
Army: 500 Infantry, 900 Cavalry
Navy: 15 ships

 

[The Farow]

You are right Birdjaguar, I forgot to copy and past your stats.

Thanks for being honest

 

[LittleBoots]

FROM: Basileus Lycurgus of Ilion
TO: King Giamo I of Tereno

The one called Philopos has proven himself in oratory and wit, though his martial ability is subpar (we have taken the liberty to begin training him). This perioikos has represented your nation well.

As such, our answer is similarly brief: We will expand to the Spike of Diomedes (OOC: that pointy looking thing) to maintain control of Iliad Bay. If this is an issue, we will go to war. If not, we offer you friendship, exchange of goods and philosophy, and the possibility of future brotherhood.

Your brevity brings you honour, but words alone do not make a man. We must speaker of words and doers of deeds. What will you do?

- Basileus Lycurgus

The ambassador also informs you that Philipo (Philopos) has been adopted into Ilion as a permanent ambassador. Also, the expansion is just along the coast to the jutting out thing, with a port on its tip and not far inland.

((Also, Perioikoi means "nearby dwellers" and Perioikos "nearby dweller," essentially the highest class of people that aren't citizens of Ilion. Very nice story, captured Ilion rather well, particularly the respect for a few, well selected words ))

 

[Birdjaguar]

Stories an Tales of Waterside: Book 1

Queen Ariana to her people during the Ceremony of the Spring Rising

People of Waterside and all the citizens of Green Reed Place, for another year we celebrate the water’s rising and the riches it bears from afar. Our city, our country, our prosperity is a three legged stool of strength and stability. The first leg is knowledge and the sharing of that knowledge amongst all the people of T’lur Pa. It is knowledge of the wild world, the animals, the plants and rocks. It is knowledge of the skies and seasons and of the sea and the creatures that live therein. It is knowledge of our neighbors. The sharing of our collective wisdom is a great strength.

The second is our army. Their skill and training protects us all: you the people, your wisdom and your hope for tomorrow. They drill and practice and play at war to be ready when real war comes. Our generals think and plan and prepare for war even as they work for peace.

The third is our River Animas and the trade it brings; it flows from unseen mountains and far plains and it bears all the joy and pain of those distant places. It flows out to the wide sea and to our neighbors all around. It mixes with the tides at Waterside as do traders and their goods. And it is upon the ebb and flow of Animas that the known world shares in our prosperity and brings us knowledge and new ideas and better ways of doing old chores.

Upon these foundations we built T’ur Pa. Our culture sits high on this mighty tripod. Music, dance, poetry and laughter adorn our very being and spill joyously to those around like the river in the spring. And to those who find themselves just there, beyond the edge of our domain, reap what we have sown; take from our fruits and benefit from what we know. Share in our prosperity and joy and live in peace as our friends.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

To: Basileus Lycurgus of Ilion
From: King Giamo I of Tereno

Will these borders do?

 

[LittleBoots]

Government of the Realm of Ilion​

I. Basileus

The Basileus is the most powerful single man in the land, although he is balanced by the Ephorate, the Gerousia, and the Apella. He is the general of the armies and generally has free reign in regards to foreign policy, as well as religious matters. He also serves as a magistrate in court cases wherein the crime is a grevious religious offense, almost all universally punishable by death. The Basileus was not a hereditary position - candidates were chosen from male citizens of more than 40 years of age with proven martial ability (both strategic/tactical and personal combat) and wit. The Ephorate approved the Candidates and the Apella voted on their appointment. Each Basileus ruled until death and were essentially above all law, though the Ephorate could submit a motion to the Gerousia for the execution of the King for treason against the state.

II. Gerousia

Literally, "the Old Ones," the Gerousia is a council of all citizens above the age of 60. Their main responsibility is approving measures by the Ephorate for submission to the Apella, though they also oversee court cases involving murder, although in general Ilian judicial law is not terribly developed due to the extraordinarily low rate of crime, almost to the point where it is non-existant. Almost 100% of cases are between Perioikoi living within Ilion, and even those are few and far between. The Gerousia serves as highly respected adivsory body as well.

III. The Ephorate

Composed of nine members of male citizens aged 40 years and up, the Ephorate typically consists of men between 50 and 70. These are some of the most intelligent men in the whole of Ilion, as they are selected for life terms by the Gerousia (and as such are removed from petty politics by the certainty of their position). The Ephorate provides the majority of domestic policy, although the Basileus technically has a veto on motions deemed outrageous, though this has been used less than five times in recorded history.

IV. The Apella

All of the citizens of Ilion, aged 30 and up are members of the Apella (Assembly) and simultaneously members of the Army (as military service is a prerequisite for Citizen status - those who live outside the walls and are descended from weaklings are classed as perioikoi). They ratify domestic laws proposed by the Ephorate and endorsed by the Gerousia. They also organize various committees overseeing various aspects of life in Ilion, such as the Committee of Irrigation, etc.

Social Classes of Ilion​

​

​

I. Citizens

Citizens are all those descended from the strong and intelligent. They live within the city walls and their entire lives are dedicated to the army, philosophy, oratory, and government. They are the smallest minority of Ilion's population, but see themselve as the only true people of Ilion. They are the only ones who can hold government position. They are not allowed to freely pick who they marry (although they can select from candidates), the women raise the children until age 7 and then the children, both male and female, are placed in separate barracks until age 30, in which case they are allowed to move in with their wives. Their entire lives are focused around merit/status/honour, and as such are extremely competitive. They (and all classes) own no individual property and as such they focus on honour through skills rather than prestige through wealth. Also, one's birth has no affect on one's place in society (apart form being a citizen, that is very hard to lose) - a child is the State's property, his parents are merely caring for it until it is ready to begin its training.

II. Perioikoi

The Nearby Dwellers are all those descended from weaklings, but proved to be somewhat resilient and function as the middle class in Ilian society. They can be be pressed into military service and perform decently, but that is not their forte. They serve as Ilion's artisan culture, and are treated relatively well, their lives are slightly less regimented by the government, but they still view themselves as the property of the State. They form approximately 40% of the people of Ilion. There are many levels of Perioikoi, and the structure is very fluid and very based on talent and skill. Particularly pathetic Perioikoi can drop down to slave status. Perioikoi cannot hold any governmental position.

III. Slaves

Slaves are conquered peoples or those who can do little else but farm. They are the largest group of people in Ilion, forming approximately 50% of the population. They largely subservient, weak, and afraid, although the occasional unorganized uprising is brutally suppressed. They are sometimes forced into military service as a cheap form of skirmishers and bravery or excellence in the field is rewarded with elevation to Perioikoi status. Despite being the lowest of society, they can still compete amongst each other to be the best and as such they are typically in conflict with each other to prove that they deserve Perioikoi status and too divided to rebel.

As the realm grows, multiple Assemblies are set up, as well as multiple Gerousia and sub-Ephorates (as the main Ephorate has ultimate power), though each city elects its own representative to sit at a special Council of the Cities in Ilion. There is only one Basileus. Each city is largely self-sufficient, but they are bound together through their complete and total indoctrination and belief in the State Above All and right of the Strong to rule over the Weak.

 

[LittleBoots]

TO: King Giamo I
FROM: Basileus Lycurgus

Yes. We are glad we have come to an accord and look forward to further cooperation with our southern cousins.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Great update!

@The Farow: Do I have contact with Forgon? Also, in my NES cities give an invisible contribution to infrastructure, so you don't gain infrastructure from them, but they negate the penalties from low infrastructure. Is that true here?

 

[The Farow]

Jalapeno Dude, I did not think about that. I agree they should be a contribution to infrastructure but not much. For example you can have a city with really bad infrastructure in it and leading to it.

You have contact with Forgon but they destroyed your galleys.

@Everyone: Whenever you anger a grey tribe that is really powerful it will become provoked and turn a color. I will give them stats if they survive one update.

 

[LightFang]

A Glimpse of the History of a People

Dualism

Coincidentally, this religion does, in fact, believe in two independent divine beings; however, its peculiar name is in fact a proper name, and not just a statement of what it is. The name comes from a certain man named Roland Du'al. It would be in future years that the apostrophe would be dropped and his last name merged into one word.

--

A tall, strong man sauntered around the town. He was twenty-three and incredibly versed in the scriptures of "The Truth." That was what the religion was known as, for without any other conflicting views, why would they have called it anything else? His robe swished around a bit and his eyes twinkled with mischief. He walked up to a group of young teenaged students.

"Say," he asked, leaning in. "Tell me. Do you believe in The Truth?"

"Yes," they answered him respectfully, for he had a reputation for being brilliant.

"Then, you can tell me. It is said that we shall not cause harm to other humans. And yet it is said that we shall listen to our superiors. So if your parents told you to murder me at this instant, what would you do?"

They frowned.

"I don't know."

"Then why would you believe if such a glaring contradiction exists?" He spun on his heel and left.

--

He had the most interesting way of teaching. He would force people to think seriously about their choice to believe in the Lord of Light Glikanhra and the Duke of Darkness Liaaymdoaymtu[1]. Perhaps some people turned from the faith, for not everybody could reconcile the apparant gaps in logic and contradictions he was able to pull up. But he accepted it, because he did not want blind followers. He wanted reason to be the only sovereign that ruled over them.

--

"Mister Du'al." The Council of Nine had called him in, an old man but still mentally as sharp as a knife.

"Yes, sirs? You have summoned me here."

"We need to ask. What does The Truth say about this barbarian army? We have repelled them. Barbarian tribes have joined us. Shall we crush them, or shall we bide our losses for now?"

He thought for a bit and leaned on his staff, really more of a gnarled old tree branch that had snapped off.

"We shall crush them. Severely. Do not even consider detente."

One of the members of the Tukanrurdoti[2] tribe started.

"It's written that we shall not cause unnecessary harm, is it not?"

Roland Du'al lifted his head up strongly. "It is also said that we shall deal justice. And so justice we will give."

--

[1] - A nice pal gave me permission to use his invented language as the official language of my people. It's called Cumulan. So, to create the names of my two deities, I just ran it through Simplified (informal) Cumulan translator, which basically is just a simple text substitution of normal English. Characters are just switched around. Formal (full) Cumulan, however, is also tonal (so there are two different ways to switch around the letter A), but given laziness, I'll just have everybody talk informally.

[2] - North. Again, a simple substitution.

 

[The Farow]

I am liking all the stories. Shows everyone has some interest in this!

 

[Birdjaguar]

Stories and Tales of Waterside

How writing was born of counting.

In spring when the Animus runs at flood and the mud banks of summer are deep within the rich runoff from far mountains, Queen and consort often spend their evenings on one of the flowered balconies over looking the river. On this day she reclines on a cushioned chair and he upon the parapet. Sheer lavender cotton hardly masks her shapely form, but sets off the necklace of leaf shaped gold and large pearls in which she twines her fingers. They talk of change.

Tipu: A scribe caught me by the arm today and took me the docks and spoke of counting.
Ariana: Counting my love? How very strange. Does he think you ignorant?
Tipu: ‘Twas my thought exactly. Then he had me watch as the tallyman recorded the unloading. A basket of fruit, a basket of fruit, a basket of fruit, a bag of grain, a bag of grain, and so on until the unloading was complete. All seemed well and accurate to me. What was the point? “Ah,” he said “such has been our counting since we first learned to keep track of goods. But now with all that passes through our port it is clumsy and slow. My I suggest something new?”
Ariana: A new way to count? Do you jest? How can we count any different than we do? Is this some new scheme to hide from taxes?
Tipu: So I thought too my sweet marsh flower. But hear me out. The scribe and I sought a quiet spot along the quay and with tally sheet and marker he explained. In our system quantity and commodity are joined as one. “Shepu” is a bag of grain; nothing more nor less. Just as "twins" is two children born together and "quartet" is drum and flutes and stringed lyre. Vinette is a jar of drink made from grapes and olette a jar of oil. Our tally sheets list them all shepu, shepu shepu, olette, olette, vinette vinette vinette. Now here is his brilliance: separate the “thing” from the “count”.
Ariana: What! How can that be done?
Tipu: Oh my love it is simple in its elegance. Our scribe has created “numbers” from the air and matches them to things as needed. Shepu no longer is a bag of grain; it is the grain and nothing more. The number, see I write it down, tells us the quantity of grain we have. Lines of shepu are reduced to this single entry: 5 shepu.
Ariana: So this counting as you call it must be learned anew. Can anything be counted? What more can we do with numbers?
Tipu: I do not know my love, but I think much. These I will name “toes” and count them just so…Now, your “fingers” I count the same at 10. But of these you have but two…here and here.
Ariana: My Lord! You do encroach… but I do like this counting thing. Count me again…

And so in the early years of her reign, Ariana accepted counting as a new learning. And with the separation of numbers from things “words” were invented as a happy accident and they took their own path to greatness and spread like the spring floods across the land. Soon people began writing words without any numbers and made stories and songs. Old names were recorded and new ones created. Keeping track of commerce became easier and more accurate. Tax revenue increased. Other people thought of new ways to use these numbers, and counting became mathematics like words became stories.


OOC: This fictionalized NES account is an accurate summation of how counting in ancient Sumer became writing in about 3100 BCE.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

As the Terenans continued their expansion through the mainland, Giamo's focus began to shift eastwards, to the sea.

The Adventures of Captain Salitore
One of the earlier naval expeditions had encountered a large island off of Tereno's eastern coast. Captain Julius Salitore, one of the more famous Terenan explorers, was the first to land on it, and named it Giamenna in honour of his great King.

Captain Salitore then traveled south on his ship Ricci to map out the eastern islands of Corenwal for Tereno. Here, off the coast of the island of Salmal, his ship was wrecked by a great storm.

Historical records here fail, intermixing with what is now a well-known Terenan children's tale.

It is said that Captain Salitore, who had lost much of his crew, did a great many things during his years around the islands. Some say he lived off mice and coconut milk for years. Some say he singlehandedly rebuilt the Ricci and was a pirate for several years. Many insist that he sailed around the world for fun, and wasn't shipwrecked at all.

Hundreds of stories revolve around his adventures. The only things confirmed are that after a dozen years, he returned from the islands and back into the service of the crown of Tereno.

His later explorations were mostly to the north, exploring the coastlines of Ilion and its bay.

He spent several years living in the growing colony of Giamenna, then completed his voyages with the establishment of a small settlement on a peninsula to the north of the Ilion bay, on the small peninsula which would someday bear his name.

Salitore.

Over the last years of his life, he worked tirelessly for the expansion of his little settlement. Today, he is buried in a small grave in the settlement burying his name. A small memoir, for a huge man.

To: King Festos of Corenwal
From: King Giamo I of Tereno

We wish to claim the island of Giamenna for our settlement (red on the map on my last map).

 

[Wubba360]

question to farrow, what about my project in neptania?

 

[The Farow]

I am sorry Wubba. It will be added.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Where is neptania?

 

[The Farow]

It is on the large island in the east within Corenwal (Orange).