[MULTI] The Dawn of Civilization

[cpm4001]

Growth​

(cpm4001)​

The city had grown. The population was getting bigger every year.
Years ago a special group of brave citizens had been trained to survive in the wilderness and begin exploring, and they had trained their children and grandchildren with the same skills. Thusly did Esperana's citizens kept pushing the boundaries of what was known about their world.
Recently the citizens had learned how to use the clay of the river-bank to fashion pots, and soon they were making bricks with the same material. With these bricks they were not only constructing ever-sturdier buildings, but also a great monument to celebrate their accomplishments.
And yet...surely the earth held more treasures than just clay and stone.

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​

 

[Silverman6083]

The Land Where the Rivers Meet

It had been a long, long time since the tribes had been united and founded the shining city of Mecca. Since that time, the Land had been more thoroughly explored, and the Arabs had found that they were most certainly not alone. This fertile land gave home to a great many people. Among those where many tribes such as the Banu Kanz.

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Another was a city of made of stone, ruled by a military junta, who called the city "Valletta". No sooner was the minor settlement discovered than the Arabs declared that they would dedicate troops to protect the people of Valletta.

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Although there were plenty of living settlements, the Arabs discovered many abandoned ruins and settlements.

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One of these ancient ruins contained cultural artifacts. They described the utmost importance of the keeping of tradition. These people evidently worshipped the past. The leaders in Mecca decided that they would learn from these people and would establish similar policies. They even went so far as to build a monument and shrine to these ideas.

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But the most pressing issue by far were the "barbarians", the name given to the warriors of Banu Kanz and the warriors of similar tribes, who were spread all over the Land.

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​

 

[MrCasperTom]

They say that even when are kingdom was barely born, seawater still flowed through our veins. We are a people dedicate to the sea; the water purified our souls, the fish fed and the ocean offered so much freedom.

And yet the storms prevented us from sailing the seas. All we wanted was to sail the waves, see the wonders of the world and cement out dominance of the ocean. Despite this yearning desire the cruel gods dragged us into the darkness when we ventured from the coast. Survivors spoke of waves that hid the sun and a creature that ate men whole.

30 years ago a legend was born. Birthed under a favourable star Kirazarth was born. Even from a young age he showed an infinity for the sea, more than any of our people. He captained his our coast surfer at the tender age of 13. Above all else, he dared to venture out into the ever-present storms, to find a way to please the gods and open the sea to us.

It was on his fourth voyage his quest ended. It was on this fateful trip that he came across the guardian of the seas; a beast known as a Kraken. Massive in size the gods had placed such a being into the seas to test us, the prophets say. To prove our dedication to the seas and our right to own them this beast had to be broken.

Rising from the waves the Kraken tried to destroy Kirazarth's ship. Yet such a man cannot be broken so easily. The battle is said to have lasted two days, as Kirazarth fought all of the beings arms. Eventually the Kraken brought its full mass from beneath the waves, crashing down on the deck. Kirazarth took his spear and drove it into the Kraken's eye, killing it instantly.

Dragging the carcass back to his people, Kirazarth proclaimed a new golden age had emerged for our people. The feast lasted for two days and, as the celebration ended, the storms ended. The seas were open for our whim and out people will soon go take them for our own.

In honour our city's name was changed to Kraken's Bay; not the most original name but in honour of Kirazarth and his dedicated to the people. The name was a beacon to our people, a perfect example of the future which lay before us.

The History of the Meyuans. ​

The scouts sat upon the hill. They looked down at the plains that lay before them. Sprawled across the horizon lay a city, its populace barely visible in the distance. Something stuck out about the size of the city, easily larger than the city of Florence that had previously visited. The layout held more purpose, akin to the scout's own great home of Kraken's Bay. The scout leader smiled, eager to meet this new people. Perhaps they held knowledge worthwhile for the Meyuans.

 

[Heerlo]

Meeting of the Arabs and Swedes
(Silverman6083/Heerlo)
Jorma stood in the forest south of Stad Av Varen, overlooking the vast plains. These lands, like the west, were unknown to the Swedes. Howoever, this area interested chief Adrianos, for through it flowed the great life-giver, the Kallvatten. Jorma considered it a great honor to have been appointed chief of the scouting party, and an even greater honor to be among the first Swedes to scout the great river. He would make history, and in more ways than he knew.

After traveling south for a few weeks, the men stopped to rest next to the river. Jorma took this time to gaze out over the horizon once more and decide the direction the group would take next. It was then that two sights in the distance caught his attention. One appeared to be some sort of settlement or camp. The other, to the west, looked like a comapny of men, similar to his. Not knowing who they were, and, not having a large force, Jorma decided it would be too risky to investigate. But the strangers slowly began approaching the Swedes, and Jorma began to realize that their company wasn't much different in size than his. And they did not appear to have a hostile intent. Jorma and his men stood still, not approaching the strangers but not running either. The Swedes listened intently to see if the other group was going to say anything.


Ibraham was a smart man, always had been. He was the one others looked to when they didn't know what to do, it shaped him into quite the leader. Maybe it ran in his family. Either way, he ended up in charge of the 1st Scouting Party of Mecca. His job was to explore, map his findings, and send them back to Mecca by means of a messenger bird.

He expected to find other forms of life, they had already entered and cleared many ruins. But he did not expect to find another scouting party. From atop a hill he could see the other party. It was most certainly a scouting party, for they held no weapons except walking sticks. Ibraham could tell they were watching them, and so he ordered his men to approach them. He knew they were intelligent, because they said nothing. If they were barbaric, they would have attacked, if they were beasts they surely would have run. But they just stayed and watched silently, waiting. So Ibraham decided they surely must belong to a group, perhaps like the Arabs.

"You at the River, we hail from the grand city of Mecca, do not fear, for we have no ill intentions, nor have any trouble with you. but what banner do you rally to, and who do you take orders from?"

Jorma replied, "We come from the city of Stad Av Varen, home of the Swedes, which sits along the banks of this river to the north. Our chief Adrianos ordered us to explore these lands."

"Swedes" Ibraham said. "Well its nice to see a friendly face in these hostile lands. To our east I see an encampment, filled with those vile beasts. Tell me have your people had trouble with those creatures? For we have, and even dedicated a regiment to the destruction of them."

"We had wondered who those people were" Jorma remarked. "They and you are the first men we have seen in this area. Messengers from another of our scouting groups in the west spoke of an encampment indicated on a map they found. But they did not investigate the place, and so far we have had no contact with any of these peoples."

"Our other group has found ruins of an ancient civilization" Jorma continued. "According to the map our warriors found, their territory extended fairly close to this area. Tell us, are you or these savage people in any way related to them? And do you know what caused their downfall?"

"Well some of our men could be related distantly" Ibraham answered. "But when our glorious city was founded, we knew of no other civilized peoples. In fact you are the only people we've met who seem civilized. Well you and a city called 'Valletta' due west of here. As for their downfall, we don't know much, but the barbarians are probably a sound suspicion. The only thing we know about them is that they we're a very tradition-oriented people, as are we. We know this because we found ancient artifacts detailing their near worship of the upkeep of tradition."

"We thank you for your information" said Jorma. "We will send a group of messengers to inform our chief of this meeting, and when they return, we will be on our way. On behalf of Adrianos, benevolent and just chief of Stad Av Varen, I proclaim our desire for a prosperous and long-lived friendship between our two peoples!"

 

[cpm4001]

Bogota
(cpm4001)​

The warriors staggered through the jungle. Several generations removed from the original fighters, they had been well-trained in the art of fighting as the Esperanae knew it but were much more poorly trained at exploration and survival in the wilderness than the scouts. But the scouts had recently discovered a strange ruined settlement filled with the same silvery mineral found near Esteran, and were now reveling in their new glory and wealth. And so the warriors pressed on, determined to meet or exceed the discovery of the scouts.
And so, cresting a hill, they came across another city.
The people who came out to greet the strangers were clad in peculiar hides, made out of some sort of tough, gray, leathery skin. More importantly, though, they spoke not the same slightly-different dialect of the Florentines but the exact same language as the Esperanae.
Perhaps, wondered the warriors, they were kin?

​

 

[cpm4001]

Weapons
(cpm4001)​

The warriors had found a city, or what remained of it. Now little remained except crumbling buildings made of stone or baked clay.
"Who had built it?" they wondered. Could they have been Florentines, or Bogotans, or perhaps even some long-forgotten tribe of Esperanae? Or was it another group of peoples? Was it tied to the sense the warriors always had of being watched, even out here in the mostly open plains?
Most of the ruins were empty, save for a few pieces of the same material the scouts had found, what was now being called argentum. Minds had been made up to leave the peculiar city and later send out an expedition to gather up the useful stone and bring it back to Esteran for construction.
But one warrior, wanting memories to take home to Esteran to increase his prestige, looked inside inside one of the buildings on the way out of the city. And inside he saw strange weapons, and even stranger armor, things to make the warriors fight more efficiently.
The rest of the group came running when he called to them, and soon they too were amazed. The weapons had a long shaft, ideal for throwing, and at one end a sharp point, made in an odd metal. The armor was of the same metal, and though it by no means fit perfectly it sufficed to protect the warriors from injury.
The warriors outfitted themselves with the treasure. At last, they had something to show the Esperanae - and it was much more useful than any pointless pieces of argentum. They were now Bellators - fighters.

​

 

[cpm4001]

Tradition
(cpm4001)​

Esteran was a place of culture. The monument, long since built, had inspired people to make carvings in stone and on clay pots, and even begin to use wood and tanned hides - both from the forest - to make drums to play music.
But the city was getting larger, and it was clear that someone would have to lead them into the future. Long discussion and much debate lead to a contentious decision - the most capable person would lead the city, and the civilization, for his lifetime. Then his eldest child - son or daughter - would do likewise, and then his or her eldest child would lead, and so on. Vague knowledge held that, before the city was founded, the tribe that would become the Esperanae had done this, before a more communal government was formed.
It was Tradition.

​

 

[cpm4001]

Faith
(cpm4001)​

The scouts ran from their attackers.
They had gone to Florence, and then planned to set South, along the shore of the Magna Lacus - the Great Lake - into the unknown lands. The terrain was fairly inhospitable south of Florence, but they didn't fear that; they were the Scultators, the finest explorers of the city.
What they did fear were the hostile tribes, clad in furs and carrying crude clubs, who had accosted them. Of course they had tried to be friendly when they saw the smoke from one of their campfires on the horizon - perhaps they were another group of Florentines, or even those who called themselves Bogotans the inept warriors had somehow staggered upon. But another friendly group discovered would be another accolade, and so another great victory over the warriors.
But these people had attacked, felling several of the scouts. The rest ran, leaving some of their supplies behind. The hostiles - Barbarae, some of the scouts had decided to term them - evidently found food and the hand-crafted clubs of stout wood of the scouts more interesting than simply killing, and so the escape was made good.
But the scouts would be the last people ever to say that their retreat was inglorious. For as they ran they found a place that must have been holy, for it was there that water came, not from the sky, but from the earth. It was hot, yes, painfully so, but that was surely another sign that it was blessed.
Later, when the scouts returned to Esteran, their report of this deed earned them much prestige and heaps of argentum, which had now become a sort of status symbol and a valued trade good. To further their interests, they would commission the construction of a shrine to the spirits of the water-sprayer.
For now, though, they needed to decide what to do with the Barbarae defiling the sacred place with the presence.

​

 

[Heerlo]

The City of Mecca
(Heerlo)
After encountering the men from Mecca, Jorma's scouting party continued south, exploring the great Kallvatten and the area surrounding it. Following the general direction of the river, the group eventually came to a place where they caught their first glimpse of the city from which the scouts came.

Spoiler :

Mecca looked roughly about the same size as Stad Av Varen. From the distance, Jorma could see the people that his group had termed "Meccans" roaming the streets of the city. The Swedes had received reports from Edrik's group about another city called "Wittenberg", and Jorma had seen the city called "Valetta" while traveling south. But neither of them were as large or sophisticated as Stad Av Varen and Mecca.

Traveling a little further south, Jorma's party was spotted by a group of locals, who seemed slightly alarmed at the presence of the Swedes. This was understandable, since the other scouting party had mentioned to the Swedes that the Meccans had trouble with the "barbarians", as they called them. But the locals seemed to understand that Jorma's party was not the same as the savages, so they approached. Jorma wanted to be sure they understood that the Swedes meant them no harm.

"Greetings, men from Mecca" he said. "We come in peace. I am Jorma, chief of this scouting party. We met a group of your own scouts to the north of here. I am sure you have already heard of the meeting." The men stood, still a safe distance away from the Swedes. "Yes, we have heard of the meeting" one of them said. "And the great Giver river, how far north does it go?"

"It begins at a spring near our village" Jorma said. "We call it Spring Waters, and our city is called City of The Spring."

For about an hour, the Meccans and the Swedes conversed and talked about one antoher's cities, and the histories of both peoples. The Meccans seemed amazed at hearing stories about another city like theirs. No doubt many of them had never been far from Mecca. Most of the younger Swedes had never been far from Stad Av Varen either, and the ones who were privileged to be in the scouting party listened just as intently to what the Meccans had to say.

The Swedes were invited to spend the night in Mecca. They left the next day, wishing the Arabs well as they continued on their journey.

 

[Heerlo]

A Taste of Home
(Heerlo)
Alexius reached his hand down into the river, refreshing himself. This river and the plains that surrounded it made him think of home, where the Kallvatten and the plains that surrounded it were. He had been gone from Stad Av Varen for about two years now. And despite his original curiosity and desire to explore the world, he was now getting somewhat homesick.

About that time some messengers returned from Stad Av Varen. They were speaking excitedly to Edrik about something. "Chief" one of them said eagerly. "The village has received word from Jorma's scouting party that the Kallvatten flows south and into the lands of the Arabs. Upon visiting Mecca, Jorma discovered that the Kallvatten makes a turn to the west. Adrianos and the elders have been making maps of our discoveries, and they have determined that where we are camped is almost due west of Mecca, which means that this river is probably the Kallvatten." Edrik looked at them with a face of sheer amazement. They had been exploring this area for almost a week now, and none of them had any idea that this river was the very same one that gave life to the lands of the Swedes. "So that would mean that the Kallvatten ends at the lake near Wittenberg" Edrik concluded.

Alexius had overheard the entire conversation. He had just been refreshing himself in this river, and it made him miss home. Now, however, he realized that home was much closer than he knew.

 

[Silverman6083]

The Swedes

Mark, the current ruler of Mecca, decided he liked the Swedes. It was a very curious feeling. Not a normal feeling of liking something, like a certain pot or hammer. No, it was more like he had known them for a long time, and liked them simply because the Swedes are, well Swedes. That's not to say he didn't find the Swedes pleasant, because he did. But it had to be more than that, because he felt drawn to them.
After all, they spoke the same language, they had similar skin tones, and had an innate sense of...understanding. Perhaps the meeting of these people was supposed to happen. But whether or not it was, Mark knew that it would lead to a prosperous relationship.​

 

[Silverman6083]

Eden​

Mark looked from atop his garden, located in the palace of Mecca. It was a nice, open-air garden, perhaps the most serene place in the world.
"Eden.", he whispered.
"What was that Chieftan?", a boy who worked for Mark asked, as he passed by.
"I...I don't know. It just seems...right.", Mark replied, bewildered by himself.
The boy was just as bewildered.
"Eden? Was that it?"
"Yes, I don't know why I said it, it just feels, well right. Say it."
"Eden."
There was a pause that could only be described as awkward.
"You know I think you're right. It seems to described this place perfectly. I can't imagine why it would...but it just does."
"You Know what, announce to the people that the city will henceforth be known as Eden. Perhaps they will find as tranquil and just as we do."

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[sh3baproject]

The Inheritance
It had been 25 years since Tralm's father Dicun lead their people the Yitla across the great waters to their new home of Infaqde.

Now he laid, fighting a losing battle with an illness, and all the shamans could not find a way to treat it, let alone cure it. Tralm watched as his father held on to what would be his last minutes on this world. Tralm never got along well with his dad, as Tralm himself was more laidback and forgiving when compared to Dicun, who himself was strict and harsh. However, he had been a just leader, creating a code to help govern the community of Infaqde. He also formed a small force of warriors to watch and search for threats, as well as gathering supplies. Despite this, Dicun showed no emotion and took on an almost binding role to his job. Many times Tralm attempted to impress him, only to be ignored. He had eventually gave up, feeling he could never gain his father's love and respect.

"Son" Dicun said, coughing horribly.

"What, father?' replied Tralm.

"My time here is nearing its end."

"Your point is?"

"My point? You will have to inherite the leadership of Infadque soon. I hope you prove to be a capable guide for our people."

"Like how you were? Ya right, you ignored me while you just controlled what people did, father."

"What?"

"I have tried to get your respect and love for all your life, yet you ignored me to manage the city. And your hoping I'm competent. I know how to be a stone ruler. You showed me it: be emotionless."

"Son, please don't do that.

"Why? You have done it all your life."

It was silent for a moment, but then Dicun spoke with a deep sadness.

"I'm sorry son. When your mother had died I was hunted by the pain she went through, and I wanted to forget it so bad. Being leader kept those painful memories away, but it drove away what i had left of her: you. I'm sorry son."

Tarlm looked at his father, his eyes full with tears. Suddenly Tarlm kneeled down and hugged him.

"I love you father" Tarlm whispered.

"Love you too" Dicun whispered back.

Suddenly. Dicun coughed violently for a minute, followed by wheezing and death. Tarlm was sad, for his father had died. However, he was happy too, for he knew his father had passed on to a better life.

[Picture coming soon]

 

[Heerlo]

Battle With The Savages
​

(Heerlo)​

Spoiler :

Edrik looked into the distance, seeing the savage force on the hill to the west. He wanted to explore this area, but from what the Arabs had told the Swedes, he doubted that these people would welcome him. Nevertheless, he felt he had the superior force, and he wasn't turning back now.

Back to the north, Edrik's group had come across an abandoned city which had some sort of weapon with a sharp end, unlike anything the Swedes had ever seen. There was enough of these for his entire force, so he had his men equip themselves with them. Since then, they had practiced with them, attempting to learn how to use them in case they ever had to fight. It seemed that might now be the case.

The Swedes set up camp in the plains, waiting to see what the savages were going to do. Someone would have to stay awake at all times in order to make sure the barbarians were not attacking. Both the savages and the Swedes kept the same position until dawn, when the savages finally began coming down the hill.

The watchman began going through the camp, waking all the Swedes so they could prepare to fight, if neccesary. Edrik continued to watch as the savages drew ever closer. Once they got within a close distance of the Swedes, they broke into a run, charging with no discipline and no formation whatsoever, letting out a hideous-sounding war cry.

Alexius was on the very front line of the battle. The near-insanity of the attackers nearly made him turn and run. But he regained his composure, and stood, awaiting the savages. When the first one came at him, he merely stuck out his sharp-edged weapon, with the savage running over it, killing him instantly. Another one came at him, swinging a spikey club at him. He ducked, and the savage's weapon went by inches from his head. The man came in with another strike, which Alexius blocked with the staff of his own weapon. He then kicked the man backwards, following up with a fatal stab with his weapon before the savage could recover.

The battle raged on for about twenty more minutes. Alexius, now growing tired, was relieved to see the savages starting to flee. Looking around, he realized that they had taken many more losses than the Swedes. Edrik went out in front of the lines. "Come on!" he shouted. "We must pursue!"

The rest of the Swedes followed their chief, chasing the savages back across the plains. The barbarians stopped and turned around, beginning another engagement with the Swedes. It played out much as the last one; the Swedes took a few losses, but the savages took more. After this fight, there was almost nothing left of the barbarian force. The ones remaining were pursued and finished off by Edrik's men.

The Swedes would have to camp here for a while and allow their wounded to recover. Only time would tell if there were anymore savages on the other side of the hill.

 

[Silverman6083]

Long Live the King​

Nobody quite knew when it happened. For all the people of Eden knew it never happened at all, it just...was. But still there was talk here and there of times before the Monarchy. Of course, no one knew if that was true or not, not because it was some sort of secret, but simply because no one was alive who lived before the Monarchy, and no one really cared that much, because under the Monarchy the good people of Eden seemed happier and richer.
​

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