The Storm
The wars occurring in the jungles were becoming increasingly fierce. While the Potl military wasnt as fierce or numerous as Skoraks military it did have an advantage. Discipline. Potl spearmen stuck together and let their enemies ram themselves against their shields and spears. Every piece of land gained by Skorak cost it hundreds of lives.
However, the numbers were overwhelming. Skorak soldiers were burning down the jungles wherever they went, killing any who tried to hide. Screams of terror and pain echoed in the flaming jungles as Potl soldiers retreated back to their capital in hopes of making one last valiant stand against the invaders.
There was no last stand. There was a massacre. Skoraks horsemen raced across the savanna surrounding the capital of Potl, cutting off all supply lines and means of escape. The jungle fires raged on as wind pushed eye burning smoke into the faces of the combatants. Archers shot wildly into the smoke hoping to hit their foes. This technique had little success.
Finally, madness took the masses of Potl. The gates of the city opened as citizens and soldiers both tried to escape, trampling each other in absolute fear. The hordes of Skorak roared as they slayed and enslaved all whom tried to escape. The amount of slaves gained by the battle was enormous. Now the only country who could contend control of the island with Skorak is Lotl, savages of the trees. Will these two countries find themselves locked in bloody combat, or will these brutal people find peace?
While Skorak had made much military advancement, it cannot be denied that they were making progress in other fields. While the warrior caste was the ones capturing the slaves and receiving immeasurable glory, it was the trade caste that was truly benefiting from recent events.
Skorak trade ships were occasionally making trips to Adorin and Izentear, but the main focus was on Calchan. Calchan is a fairly new country that is starting to grow due to fish trade and recent slave and spice trade with Skorak. While both countries are benefiting from this trade, Skorak is becoming a little unbalanced. With the war over, the Trade caste seems to be gaining more and more power. How long can this go on before the other castes resent the traders?
To south war also rages. With the cooperation of Purzan and Kourstani an invasion force of great strength was raised. Many herders and peasants were brought along with the invasion force to provide extra man power and help herd pack animals such as camels and mules. A gigantic, well supplied army was now knocking on Sobans doorstep. They answered the challenge.
Hooves slammed and sank in the burning sand as the battle began. The great host of Soban went forth from the gates of Soban like locusts going to devour a plentiful crop. At first the Sobanians seemed to have the edge as they trampled those that stood in their way. Things were looking extremely grim for the allies. Then, numbers started to take their toll. Spear after spear stabbed and cut the Sobanians and their horses a they charged through allied troops. It was like so kind of demented blender with horse and man the ingredients for a bloodbath smoothie. Soon, Sobanian commanders ordered a retreat to the city, but the horsemen of Purzan and the Pony-Riders of Kourstani were right behind them.
The battle for the city was over surprisingly quickly. Purzan horsemen were able to enter the city before the Sobanians could close the gate. Purzans troops were able take control of the gate, allowing the rest of the army to flood the city. That day, the oasis became red with blood.
Within a few weeks the city had been cleaned of bodies and Sobanian rebels. With the fall of the oasis city the Sobanians returned to their nomadic routes, breaking up into small tribes and villages centered on small oases scattered around the harsh desert. With Sobans power shattered, trade over land was actually a profitable action traders hoping to get to Purzan and Kourstani could take. With a new road network connecting the largest cities in the desert Purzan and Kourstani are now flourishing.
Tarkaur was relatively quiet during this time. The capital was improved, awe-inspiring palaces being built. Bigger and better houses were constructed to help accommodate the rising population. Only occasional raids from former Sobanian tribes interrupted the peace that Tarkaur was experiencing. However, these barbarians were quickly defeated due to lack of good leadership. If Tarkaur continues this growth spurt it could very well become a major power in the region.
Izentear is home to the construction of a great work. The foundation for the University of Maritime Pursuits is being laid down. Surely its completion will mean a golden age for Izentear. Also, Izentear is continuing to expand along the river and coast. This brings it closer to Adorin, allowing trade to increase.
The people of Izentear are becoming very peaceful, almost neutral. Barbarians displaced from the Sobanian War are flocking to Izentear in hopes of escaping the growing powers of Kourstani and Purzan. While this may increase Izentears workforce and population this has lead to many conflicts. The nomads that still cling to the old ways of Soban worship Ooay, the oasis god. Also, the ancestors of the Sobanian people see the people of Izentear weak due to their neutral stance on things. With these new citizens can the Church of Izen hope to keep control of Izentear?
While all of these events were happening, a great struggle was raging between to immense forces. Many years ago Mikuena had sent many criminals into the hands of the obelisks, not knowing the danger they had unleashed unto the world. Now it was time to correct their mistake from those days long past.
The great Diqueda were trained, elite soldiers trained only to destroy the Obelisken. That is what they lived for, and that is what they did. A great campaign into the desert was made. Almost half of Mikuenas regular army along with all of the Diqueda went in search of those corrupted by the unholy obelisks. Many days went by with no sign of any obelisks or Obelisken. However, as the Diqueda continued in search for their rivals they finally saw something in the horizon. A tower? No, an obelisk, pitch black against the bright desert sky. With renewed vigor they troops marched on.
Soon they were within bowshot of the obelisk that they had seen, and were able to see many more in the distance. What they also saw were the Obelisken, mindlessly digging into the ground with shovels and their hands, as if looking for something. Many faces were seen by the Diqueda. Some were clearly Mikuen. Others seemed entirely different, possibly from lands far away. Many soldiers saw lost friends that were presumed dead after they were captured by the Obelisken.
Then the battle began. A Diqueda whose bloodlust had reached its limit shot an arrow through the neck of one of the Obelisken. The silence was extremely awkward. The Obelisken looked at their fallen brother in shock. Then they one by one stood up turning towards the Mikuen troops.
The Obelisken charged in a wave of gibbering and madness, incoherent yells stinging the ears of the Mikuen soldiers. However, the Diqueda were also stricken with rage. They crashed into Obelisken lines with ferocity, cutting down all whom stood before them. Former Mikuen? Former Sobanian? Former Tarkuarian? It didnt matter, they were all enemies.
While the Diqueda and other soldiers had training and weapons the Obelisken had sheer numbers. Arrow after arrow ripped through Obelisken lines as the battle raged on. Many heroes were born during this battle, but none would be remembered, for no one survived. The Diqueda did what they were trained to do, kill as many Obelisken as possible.
The battle had left both sides fairly drained. The Obelisken now lacked the man power to do any large scale abductions on populated areas. Mikuena now had their military greatly reduced, now half the size that it had previously been. With the Obelisken on the retreat and Mikuena weakened, will anyone take advantage of the situation of the south?
Adorin, one of, if the greatest nations of the world is beginning on a gigantic lighthouse that will serve as a beacon for ships at sea as well as a place to study astrology. Some may think this is an attempt to out-do Izentear, but those are just rumors.
While the foundations for this wonder were being laid down, a massive wave of settlers pushed west, gaining vast swaths of land. However, this land is generally poor as there are few sources of water in it. With many people leaving or dieing in these lands, some are questioning Adorins leaders judgment.
The loss of life in the south was somewhat cushioned thanks to the irrigation improvements near the Kahluen River. This has lead to a high population in the center of Adorin, with few people on the frontier. With these badlands separating Adorin and Izentears cities, sea trade remains the main means of trade.
Speaking of sea trade, Adorin has continued to develop its ships, making them larger and sturdier. Great ships of Adorin cruise around the coast, now holding more goods than ever imagined. However, these ships seem to be especially good at attracting Yshulac. This has its up sides and down sides. On the up side, Yshulac hunters are bringing in more and more money. On the down side though, trade ships are getting sunk more and more, costing immense amounts of money to replace the ships and goods. Few people now go on these larger ships, in fear that Yshulac will bring them to the bottom of the ocean.
Another new nation to the south, Shoka, looks promising. In a fertile area between two rivers, Shoka is in a prime area to start a country. Its large amount of manpower has allowed it to construct an amazing capital, although it is relatively crowded. The people of Shoka are extremely dedicated people, working hard to impress their God-King.
With quarries being built near the mountains, Shoka has the materials and the people to become a large empire.
And so our journey in the northern countries comes to an end. But not all has been seen. To the southwest a dread has been unleashed upon the world.
The Askandar have risen. A culture of brutal raiders, they have struck fear into the peace-loving Watuki and other surrounding peoples. With constant raids coming from Askandar, great migrations are beginning so people can distance themselves away from Askandar. With the lands near Askandar in chaos, the Watuki prepare themselves for the worst.
The storm has begun.
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Losses
OOC: @NWAG3: Sorry about having such a little part in the update. You joined right when I was getting finished.
Stats will come tomorrow along with close-up maps!