My only stat problem is this: Where did the Nkondi disappear to in my stats? Shouldn't I have some Nkondicrystalists in the religion stat, although if those that didn't flee south all converted to Tengri, I'm fine with that 
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LINESII- Into the Darkness
- Thread starter Lord_Iggy
- Start date
das
Regeneration In Process
Btw, shouldn't I get at least a few Nkondi refugees?
Kentharu
Zebra Commander
iggy i should have 2 extra points, one from tribute from Kalmar... i put it in my orders to
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Swissempire said:
From: New Veritas
To: Myocaca
Though you did take part in the destruction of Veritas, we know you have been more tolerant to Oneists than most, and we thank you. We wish to propose a NAP (5 turns) between our peoples.
From: New Veritas
To: Swade Ascendency
Quite frankly, we're sick of your blustering arrogance. We will not attack you, but your clever strategy of forewarning us of your attack will work perfectly, we're sure. In addition, you have slaughtered and persecuted Oneists for centuries, unlike your more enlightened neighbors. Sintonia will choose its own course, as may you. But we will not go to war unless the Swades raise the first blade.
Wubba360
Emperor
To: New Veritas
From: Myocaca
We would be happy to have a Nap with your nation. We also propose begining trade amongst our nations
From: Myocaca
We would be happy to have a Nap with your nation. We also propose begining trade amongst our nations
The Strategos
Thanatos
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,175
I love peace. Thats why my two most treasured possessions are my copy of The Collected Sayings of the Enlightened One and my naginata. Onna Gyoja
Ikki was a country in stress. To quote a proverb whose origins had long been lost in the mists of time, they were waiting for the second shoe to drop. The Lengels, the embodiment of military prowess, had virtually promised to destroy Ikki, not once, but twice. For any people who valued ones word, a promise was like a glimpse into the future. Ikki would be destroyed, it was only a matter of when and how many Lengels would die in its accomplishment.
It was for this reason that Ikki was so stressed. It had been almost seventy years since the destruction of Ikki had been promised. Seventy years of preparations for war, seventy years of continued vigilance by scouts stationed on the borders, watching for the slightest signs of an oncoming Lengel horde, seventy years of the national consciousness solely focused on defense.
There is a certain wear on continued vigilance, a mental toll. There is the perverse desire to hurry up and get it over with, even if the getting it over with involves your death. That could help explain the crazed suggestion by a few fringe military leaders that the Ikki military abandon their defensive positions and take the fight to the Lengels conquests while their army was occupied elsewhere, a glorious last charge, the last jump of a flickering flame before it goes out forever.
And yet as romantic as the idea of the doomed charge was, as welcome the conclusion of waiting would be, cooler, more analytical heads prevailed. Prevailed so utterly, in fact, that no one even knew that plans had been drawn up for an invasion scenario. The armys sole concern remained as it always had, the protection of the people, the mosaic of people who were Ikki in a way more authentic than some vague concept as the word nation.
And so, while there was the pit in everyones stomachs, a tangible ball of worry, fatigue, and stress, most ignored it, or at least pretended to the outside world that they ignored it, giving lip-service to the idea that more time to prepare was good, that every year, every month, even every day that passed without an invasion meant a stronger Ikki, one better prepared to withstand the Lengel onslaught.
It was easy to pretend this, because it was in fact true. It is true that the Lengels vast conquests were making them stronger, giving them a larger base from which to replenish their army, giving them time to perfect their skills in fighting wars in places other than vast plains. However, Ikki too was using its time as best as they could. It goes without saying, of course, that their fortifications grew stronger and stronger, as hastily erected structures built in the original moment of terror were replaced by more permanent structures, as defensive lines grew more and more elaborate as Ikki soldiers constructed everything they could conceived to slow down an advancing army and give the defenders an advantage.
There were, however, other changes in Ikki at this time. Spies were sent out to observe the Lengel horde, to observe its campaigning, to discover its strengths, and hopefully find some weakness. The army was reorganized, partly along lines that were already developing within Ikki, partly influenced by what they perceived, or thought they perceived about the Lengel army. Units were based around tens, nine men and a leader. These units were grouped into hundreds, which were then grouped into thousands, streamlining the army and making it more manageable, more flexible. Masurao's Academy, which had previously been restricted to the highest branches of the military elite, had been expanded once again in order to give training to even more commanders in the army
Instead of leading from the front lines, generals gradually moved back, away from the front lines, so that they could see the entire battle and use their training to the best effect. In order to still have influence over the battle, signals were developed to send orders using drums. There was even experimental theory discussions about keeping some men back from the original fight in order to counter the maneuverings of the Lengels.
While these maneuvers helped strengthen the Ikki army, one question still remained. Was it enough? There was only one way to find out the answer to that. Wait.
Ikki was a country in stress. To quote a proverb whose origins had long been lost in the mists of time, they were waiting for the second shoe to drop. The Lengels, the embodiment of military prowess, had virtually promised to destroy Ikki, not once, but twice. For any people who valued ones word, a promise was like a glimpse into the future. Ikki would be destroyed, it was only a matter of when and how many Lengels would die in its accomplishment.
It was for this reason that Ikki was so stressed. It had been almost seventy years since the destruction of Ikki had been promised. Seventy years of preparations for war, seventy years of continued vigilance by scouts stationed on the borders, watching for the slightest signs of an oncoming Lengel horde, seventy years of the national consciousness solely focused on defense.
There is a certain wear on continued vigilance, a mental toll. There is the perverse desire to hurry up and get it over with, even if the getting it over with involves your death. That could help explain the crazed suggestion by a few fringe military leaders that the Ikki military abandon their defensive positions and take the fight to the Lengels conquests while their army was occupied elsewhere, a glorious last charge, the last jump of a flickering flame before it goes out forever.
And yet as romantic as the idea of the doomed charge was, as welcome the conclusion of waiting would be, cooler, more analytical heads prevailed. Prevailed so utterly, in fact, that no one even knew that plans had been drawn up for an invasion scenario. The armys sole concern remained as it always had, the protection of the people, the mosaic of people who were Ikki in a way more authentic than some vague concept as the word nation.
And so, while there was the pit in everyones stomachs, a tangible ball of worry, fatigue, and stress, most ignored it, or at least pretended to the outside world that they ignored it, giving lip-service to the idea that more time to prepare was good, that every year, every month, even every day that passed without an invasion meant a stronger Ikki, one better prepared to withstand the Lengel onslaught.
It was easy to pretend this, because it was in fact true. It is true that the Lengels vast conquests were making them stronger, giving them a larger base from which to replenish their army, giving them time to perfect their skills in fighting wars in places other than vast plains. However, Ikki too was using its time as best as they could. It goes without saying, of course, that their fortifications grew stronger and stronger, as hastily erected structures built in the original moment of terror were replaced by more permanent structures, as defensive lines grew more and more elaborate as Ikki soldiers constructed everything they could conceived to slow down an advancing army and give the defenders an advantage.
There were, however, other changes in Ikki at this time. Spies were sent out to observe the Lengel horde, to observe its campaigning, to discover its strengths, and hopefully find some weakness. The army was reorganized, partly along lines that were already developing within Ikki, partly influenced by what they perceived, or thought they perceived about the Lengel army. Units were based around tens, nine men and a leader. These units were grouped into hundreds, which were then grouped into thousands, streamlining the army and making it more manageable, more flexible. Masurao's Academy, which had previously been restricted to the highest branches of the military elite, had been expanded once again in order to give training to even more commanders in the army
Instead of leading from the front lines, generals gradually moved back, away from the front lines, so that they could see the entire battle and use their training to the best effect. In order to still have influence over the battle, signals were developed to send orders using drums. There was even experimental theory discussions about keeping some men back from the original fight in order to counter the maneuverings of the Lengels.
While these maneuvers helped strengthen the Ikki army, one question still remained. Was it enough? There was only one way to find out the answer to that. Wait.
Sure.
That's prettymuch what happened. The Crystalist diehards fled, those who didn't really care converted.
"Hey Oshodei, let's move to a land filled with xenophobes who are ethnically different than us and prevent our religion from entering their lands."
"Good idea Dastho. Who would want to go to a nation that is the cultural wonder of the world, actively invited us to come and shares our religion?"
You know you're getting it, don't you? I'll add it to your stats. And Shalamari's.
Kentharu
Zebra Commander
oh and iggy, my UU should have a .5 bonus, since it is a... you know. UU 
Cuivienen
Deity
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2003
- Messages
- 8,011
A Brief Introduction to Oundainty
And I ask only: what purpose do the gods serve?
The Sawanax Heresy
Poxa: The god of the Earth elements. The Oundaintic concept of Earth covers all solids: metals, stones, gems, dirt, dust. Poxa is said to control the actions taken by the Earth elements, and is worshipped most fervently by bronzesmiths and other craftsmen who work with solid objects such as jewelers and masons. Poxa was also the god who created the human form and the forms of all living things, though other gods later inserted their own essences.
Adya: The goddess of the Water elements. The Oundaintic concept of Water covers all liquids, as far as the ancient understanding carries; thus, liquids such as juices or lava also fall under the domain of Adya, the latter of which is said to have been claimed by Adya from Poxa, then reclaimed by Poxa when it solidifies. Most importantly, of course, Adya governs water and the seas, and is heavily worshipped by mariners, though she is also considered partly to blame for droughts and largely to blame for floods, which are both caused by her ongoing struggle with Xoka, god of air.
Xoka: The god of the Air elements and rival of Adya. The Oundaintic concept of Air covers all gases, though obvious few are known to the Kehex (and a distinction is very difficult to draw). Xoka is worshipped heavily by mariners alongside Adya, and they pray always that the two will not clash, resulting in a storm. Xoka is thus the most important when considering weather, though rain falls under the dominion of Adya.
Mela: The goddess of the Fire elements, Mela is said to have been imprisoned long ago by Poxa as a result of a great battle between the two. Thus, Mela has less power than the other gods in the world, but she will periodically break free of Poxa and offer aid to the others against him. Furthermore, she holds the powers of heat and fire outside of Poxas domain. Mela has a heavy cult-like following but is otherwise of relatively little importance in the pantheon.
Lama: Lama is the god of the Internal Spirit. This Oundaintic concept is a difficult oneOundainty believes that there are separate wills for individual living things and for the world as a whole. Lama is said to have given will to living things and thus governs their behavior. Therefore, he is often of interest in politics, war, diplomacy and other human-to-human interactions, as well as in hunting, where a hunter will only be successful if Lama chooses to have an animal make an error.
Emya: Emya is the goddess of the External Spirit. This is another difficult concept; Emya covers the governing of the entire world and ensures that balance is kept. She rarely manipulates the world itself, and often when she does so it is through manipulation of the other gods and not of actual events. Emya might best be said to hold dominion over the gods and thus be the chief goddess, though she is rarely worshipped.
das
Regeneration In Process
and are our best allies."
Not to mention that they constantly attacked us."
Mind, not that I really want any of these to come here, but still.
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
For the record, I paid their fare and ensured safety. Plus they got free land to work on! It's the friggin' Homestead Act.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
It was always colder out on the ocean. As the green lands of the earth passed away, there were no ties left to the world. The ocean had no boundries, and the mightiest kings and emperors of the world could never hope to control her fury. Hurricanes and tsunamis could destroy great civilizations in a single night, but countless cities and lives were built upon her bounty. A queer mistress, as the Mariners always said. It was no wonder that the Valin people were called the Sea Lords, and why they returned to it in times of greatest need. Many a white-haired fisherman would stare at the sun as it rose from the bosom of the sea in the east...the True East, or so the legends went. Not today, though. The sun had not yet risen, though the mysterious skies gave warnings of a false dawn.
It was always colder out on the ocean, with bitter winds screaming in from the north. A wise sailor knew these winds, and called them his friends, but they were not kind to visitors. And today, or perhaps tonight as it was not yet dawn, it was even colder. A chilly mist had crept in from deeper waters. The most elderly Mariners, long since retired from the seas to a warm fire and a soft bed, had tales of such weather. Far out in the ocean, beyond Exilsium and Pacian's Isle, great leviathans lived in the deep. But they would sometimes swim to the surface, and their great tails would churn up the water, which rose to the skies as mist and fog. Others, more pious than the sailors, said that it was the breath of the One as he slept. But regardless of the cause, the fog was thick that night, so thick you could almost cut it with a knife.
The stars were brighter in Veritas, or so the stories went. But there were no stars visible this night, not even a slim crescent moon. No self respecting Mariner with half his wits should be out in such weather...but there was a ship. The cloth sounds of a sail being lowered, and the muted splashes of muffled oars being dipped in the water blended with the sounds of the sea. There was little wind this night, and it was strange for autumn. Even so, the mists parted for a moment to reveal a small galley, hardly a fighting ship at all, plowing forwards steadily through the fog. A flag hang limp from the mainmast, a red blade on a brown field. Leather-clad men ran across the deck, trying to keep quiet as they turned the rudder and whipped the slaves belowdecks. One of the sailors, better dressed than the rest, scurried over to their leader, a man wearing red robes with three large swords buckled at his waist.
He bowed deeply.
"Blademaster, we cannot see the stars, and it is hard to determine our position. However, I believe that we are...perhaps five lengths south of Redemption. I am uneasy about this, my lord. Perhaps if we were to move farther out to sea we might get out of this wretched cloud."
"Absolutely not. If we get off course, we might wash up on Emor or Exilsium, blades forbid. We must stick to the coast, and the Sultan ordered us, under pain of death, to get my message to Swade in three moons time."
"But the New Veritasans..."
"Will never find us in this fog," he finished. "Even if they do, we will outrun them. None will impede the will of the Sultan!"
At that moment, a watchman up in the mast called down to the two men.
"I see two ships sir, they have lanterns in the mist. Off the port stern, and starboard stern."
The sailor turned to his commander. "You see? I should have been in charge of this operation from the beginning. Calling softly to his lead oarsmen, he said, "Tell drummers to beat double time. And muffle the drums, damn it!"
It seemed that the two Veritasan ships had no knowledge of the ship's presence. Slowly, the smaller galley pulled away. It seemed that they had eluded their pursuers...and that was when the steel jaws of the trap slammed shut.
The small Sintonian galley had been maneuvered right into First Bay, which was the harbor in front of Redemption. Seeing that their prey was lost in the mist, the Veritasan triremes pursuing them waited until the galley pointed south, and then sped up behind them. They gambled correctly that the Bladeist sailors would try to speed out of pursuit...unfortunately for them, they had sped into the majority of the New Veritasan Fleet.
As the hopelessness of their situation became clear, the Sintonian Blademaster hung his head, but drew two of his swords nonetheless. Soon they were surrounded by a ring of Triremes. The Bladeist raised his fist in defiance, and called out to his foes.
"What coward among you calls himself commander? Why does he hide his face?"
"You must have missed me in the fog, sorry about that."
A man strode onto the bow of the lead ship, grinning ear to ear. He wore a blue vest with a white star emblazoned in the center, and bronze ringmail under that. Boiled leather pants and wolfskin boots completed his clothing, and a thin, curved sword was buckled at his waist.
"I am Oceanus Altarion."
The Sintonian spat. "I am the special messenger of Sultan Danie himself! You have no right to detain me!"
"Oh, you have a message for the Assemblum? Excellent, come with us and you can deliver it right away."
"Well, ah...not exactly..."
"Oh, I see. You're carrying a letter to the Swade Decendency. Of course, we knew this from the lips of your...interesting Sultan himself. Real tact, that one."
The Blademaster reddened. "Scum, that's all you are. You will never defeat the combined might of Sintonia and Swade!"
The Oceanus frowned slightly. "Of course, whatever you say. Anyway, let's go over the facts. You appear to be trespassing on Veritasan territory in a foreign ship without permission. You are carrying a message, of war no doubt, to the Swade, a sworn enemy of New Veritas. And to top it all off, you spout treasonous language against our rightful Assemblum, One bless them.
"Caelian, what is the sentence for these crimes?"
The large bowman grinned. "Death, m'lord."
"Right. Arrows!"
The last thing that the Sintonian and his crew saw was a hail of flaming arrows. After the burnt wreckage of their galley had disappeared into the depths of the bay, the ships turned back for home. It was high tide, and the sun was just beginning to rise.
It was always colder out on the ocean, with bitter winds screaming in from the north. A wise sailor knew these winds, and called them his friends, but they were not kind to visitors. And today, or perhaps tonight as it was not yet dawn, it was even colder. A chilly mist had crept in from deeper waters. The most elderly Mariners, long since retired from the seas to a warm fire and a soft bed, had tales of such weather. Far out in the ocean, beyond Exilsium and Pacian's Isle, great leviathans lived in the deep. But they would sometimes swim to the surface, and their great tails would churn up the water, which rose to the skies as mist and fog. Others, more pious than the sailors, said that it was the breath of the One as he slept. But regardless of the cause, the fog was thick that night, so thick you could almost cut it with a knife.
The stars were brighter in Veritas, or so the stories went. But there were no stars visible this night, not even a slim crescent moon. No self respecting Mariner with half his wits should be out in such weather...but there was a ship. The cloth sounds of a sail being lowered, and the muted splashes of muffled oars being dipped in the water blended with the sounds of the sea. There was little wind this night, and it was strange for autumn. Even so, the mists parted for a moment to reveal a small galley, hardly a fighting ship at all, plowing forwards steadily through the fog. A flag hang limp from the mainmast, a red blade on a brown field. Leather-clad men ran across the deck, trying to keep quiet as they turned the rudder and whipped the slaves belowdecks. One of the sailors, better dressed than the rest, scurried over to their leader, a man wearing red robes with three large swords buckled at his waist.
He bowed deeply.
"Blademaster, we cannot see the stars, and it is hard to determine our position. However, I believe that we are...perhaps five lengths south of Redemption. I am uneasy about this, my lord. Perhaps if we were to move farther out to sea we might get out of this wretched cloud."
"Absolutely not. If we get off course, we might wash up on Emor or Exilsium, blades forbid. We must stick to the coast, and the Sultan ordered us, under pain of death, to get my message to Swade in three moons time."
"But the New Veritasans..."
"Will never find us in this fog," he finished. "Even if they do, we will outrun them. None will impede the will of the Sultan!"
At that moment, a watchman up in the mast called down to the two men.
"I see two ships sir, they have lanterns in the mist. Off the port stern, and starboard stern."
The sailor turned to his commander. "You see? I should have been in charge of this operation from the beginning. Calling softly to his lead oarsmen, he said, "Tell drummers to beat double time. And muffle the drums, damn it!"
It seemed that the two Veritasan ships had no knowledge of the ship's presence. Slowly, the smaller galley pulled away. It seemed that they had eluded their pursuers...and that was when the steel jaws of the trap slammed shut.
The small Sintonian galley had been maneuvered right into First Bay, which was the harbor in front of Redemption. Seeing that their prey was lost in the mist, the Veritasan triremes pursuing them waited until the galley pointed south, and then sped up behind them. They gambled correctly that the Bladeist sailors would try to speed out of pursuit...unfortunately for them, they had sped into the majority of the New Veritasan Fleet.
As the hopelessness of their situation became clear, the Sintonian Blademaster hung his head, but drew two of his swords nonetheless. Soon they were surrounded by a ring of Triremes. The Bladeist raised his fist in defiance, and called out to his foes.
"What coward among you calls himself commander? Why does he hide his face?"
"You must have missed me in the fog, sorry about that."
A man strode onto the bow of the lead ship, grinning ear to ear. He wore a blue vest with a white star emblazoned in the center, and bronze ringmail under that. Boiled leather pants and wolfskin boots completed his clothing, and a thin, curved sword was buckled at his waist.
"I am Oceanus Altarion."
The Sintonian spat. "I am the special messenger of Sultan Danie himself! You have no right to detain me!"
"Oh, you have a message for the Assemblum? Excellent, come with us and you can deliver it right away."
"Well, ah...not exactly..."
"Oh, I see. You're carrying a letter to the Swade Decendency. Of course, we knew this from the lips of your...interesting Sultan himself. Real tact, that one."
The Blademaster reddened. "Scum, that's all you are. You will never defeat the combined might of Sintonia and Swade!"
The Oceanus frowned slightly. "Of course, whatever you say. Anyway, let's go over the facts. You appear to be trespassing on Veritasan territory in a foreign ship without permission. You are carrying a message, of war no doubt, to the Swade, a sworn enemy of New Veritas. And to top it all off, you spout treasonous language against our rightful Assemblum, One bless them.
"Caelian, what is the sentence for these crimes?"
The large bowman grinned. "Death, m'lord."
"Right. Arrows!"
The last thing that the Sintonian and his crew saw was a hail of flaming arrows. After the burnt wreckage of their galley had disappeared into the depths of the bay, the ships turned back for home. It was high tide, and the sun was just beginning to rise.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: thlayli, if you're on vacation, stay on vacation
To New Veritas and Sintonia
From Guangfei
We find the breaking of potential hostilities between bar- nations near Guangfei to be a significant threat to our peace. We urge both parties to refrain from fighting. Or else.
To New Veritas and Sintonia
From Guangfei
We find the breaking of potential hostilities between bar- nations near Guangfei to be a significant threat to our peace. We urge both parties to refrain from fighting. Or else.
das
Regeneration In Process
Precisely. das is the lesser of the two evils. For now, anyway.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Orders sent. Story coming.
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
das said:Precisely. das is the lesser of the two evils. For now, anyway.
Oh, I do hope you are trying to be funny.
Were it not fer the fact that you are already aboard tha CRA... I will have to fight you by different means.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Das IS GOD!!! 
Long Live Gerberia!
P.S It should be Emperor Wu as the ruler of Guangfei now Iggy, just saying
Long Live Gerberia! P.S It should be Emperor Wu as the ruler of Guangfei now Iggy, just saying
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