UPDATE 2 500 AF
Things are quiet in the Valley of the Odai River as many nations suffer a crisis with many leaders falling down with poison. Not only the leaders suffer though as many persons in the nations along the river also fall sick. The priests speculate that it is a punishment from the gods due to the laissez faire attitude shown by many leaders who are content to get fat on the labour of their people rather than actively doing anything themselves to improve their lives. Others seem to believe though that it is something in the water that caused this. Whatever the reason is, it has meant that many nations have been through a period of stagnation in the last decades.
The Tribunal avoided this to a large extent and focused heavily on expansion making significant gains to the annoyance of local tribes who found themselves pushed back. The Tribunal managed to cross the river and claim a large chunk of land across it making them a pretty large kingdom now though some worry that they are starting to get overstretched.
In Calador the restlessness of the barbarians and the expansion of its neighbours across the lake has alarmed the local leadership who have completed a massive expansion of the army. Training hundreds of warriors the ruling patriarch then despatches them to guard his borders whilst gradually moving the patrol ranges out more and more in order to mark their control of the land. It went well enough to the east and west, but to the north the tribes refused to budge any further and several small skirmishes was fought. This forced the patriarch to disperse more soldiers to the north to protect against the barbarians there.
(Calador: -40 warriors)
Far north of Calador lies the Empire of Tiesto who also have their problems with stubborn clans. After having been rebuffed initially by the Council of Clans the Emperor decides to take more direct action. Recruiting more warriors and doing a training exercise, well training and training
the warriors basically charge at their opponents and whack each other on the heads with sticks, he then sends his army south into the mountains. The first clan encountered surrenders peacefully when faced with the overwhelming numbers, though possibly it also plays in that they lived right on the border and were impressed with the advanced training the saw the Tiestan army undergo. The next clan doesnt surrender as easily though. Having gotten advance warning they wait for the Tiestan army and engages them in combat. The battle rages on and off for days before the enemy clan finally yields. Taking a little while to rest the army pushes on again engaging yet another force of clansmen and once again defeats them.
This leaves the Tiestan army quite weakened due to losses, but to their immense surprise they are then approached by the Council of Clansmen again who not offers to accept the earlier offer and join the Empire. Saying that the Emperor has shown his strength they will be one with him for the greater glory of the clans. This gives the Empire of Tiesto an immense boost, but also one needed to replace the fallen. Perhaps even more important, they locate something of high value in one of the southern mountains; a reddish metal.
(Empire of Tiesto: -270 warriors, +180 warriors, +1 confidence, + military training, +copper)
Lets move away from all this violence for a bit and visit Syldavia. The ruler here suffers from a mild poisoning, but nevertheless still manages to order his army increased. He then wanders off in order to find peace, but is later found asking God how to become friends with the nation of the Tribunal. Predictably God doesnt answer, but one of his councillors does suggest sending a diplomat south. Pleased with that idea the king sends a diplomat south escorted by a large number of warriors to protect him along the way.
Moving on to Imperia where things are quiet. The head boss there continues his attempts at improving his economy and starts trading with the tribes south of him claiming that it is better to get rich and fat than a poor body. Not many really gets what he is saying, but it is nevertheless done.
In Ironal they also focus on improving their economic position. All the tribute paid by his people is reinvested into newer, better and larger shops allowing for more production. People dont really get this at first since they dont need more goods and the craftsmen cant afford to take on more people. Considering this they then decide that the state will pay for them for a few years. This drains the treasury, but as more people gain funds then they also start using them. Eventually the money makes it back to the treasury and even with a nice profit.
Whilst doing all this they also send several groups into the mountains to explore them. Whilst the clans living there arent too pleased at having so many strangers running around, the nevertheless tolerate them. This means that expansion is slow, but it seems to pay off anyway as they find a rich deposit of bronze. The tribe living there arent too pleased with the Ironians coming and wanting it, but after a few smaller clashes and a couple of bribes they nevertheless bugger off.
(Ironal: -25 warriors, +copper)
Last, but not least, we come to Dashtaka. Worried about the Almegan outpost on their rightful lands they expand the army greatly in order to keep an eye on them. They also keep up their expansion taking a good chunk of land through skilled diplomacy, bribes and shows of strength.
Well, maybe not last, but last of the civilized nations. Amongst the many barbarian tribes things are starting to happen. Having seen many nations flourish after settling down many are now seeking to do the same and set up kingdoms of their own. A few primitive settlements have already been constructed and fledgling chiefdoms/kingdoms are emerging. It can only be a matter of time now before they manage to get well established and emerge as rivals to the older nations*.
*This means that after the next update NPC barbarian nations will appear on the map.
Diplomacy
From: Tribe of the Claw
To: The Tribunal
You stop now! This Claw Lands! You no longer come this way or we slaughter you and feed you to our goats. Go away!
From: Tribe of the Lion
To: Calador
You were warned. We will not move any further. Our brave warriors will kill all your people and break down all your walls and burn your crops.
Messages from the MOD
Right, you didnt give me much to work with this time, so a relatively short update. Cironelle will go NPC next turn if I dont get orders.
Im putting next deadline earlier due to these quick turns and updates.
Next deadline:
Wednesday July 5th, 18,00 CET.