Update 5-Lessons of the Creator
The Creator was pleased. These people were more resilient than his guardians had given credit. Though the Angels no doubt thought they could do better, they already had their chance. What became of their world? Nothing but death and destruction. Thats why this world had to be created. So they could
learn. A few of them had already begun waking up. They needed to learn what the Creator had. It would save them when the time came for him to create a new world
.
The Shia endured much with little prospects of good fortune. Though Kanuka was finally defeated, allowing the Shia to at last assert dominance over the old Nannuk homelands, Vanuka had a very successful campaign against the Shia, forcing the God King to divert forces desperately needed in the East to ensure that Vanuka did not overrun the Shia. Speaking of the East, the war with the Almeks at last came. The first horde to come through was not Almek though, but rather a combination of several different tribes that the Almeks had pushed off their land. Led by Archimanes IV, the armies of the Shia did defeat their enemies, but at great cost to life and treasure. Understanding the threat that faced his people, Archimanes IV fortified the Ahn (Tigris) river, borrowing the Cayun innovations in walls and fortifications. When the Almeks did come, it was against Sardes V. Although Sardes was a great general, the fact was that the Ut relied mostly on heavy infantry in fixed formations, while the Almeks were much more mobile. The Ut were flanked, surrounded, and defeated at the Battle of Pareso, losing the God King. Puabi V attempted to fight the Almeks, but he too was defeated. After nearly losing his life to the Almeks, Puabi instead retreated to his fortifications on the Ahn, and the Almeks, lacking siege equipment, ended their war with the Ut for now, though the Shia was in no position to reclaim eastern territories with Vanuka once more attacking them. A smaller Almek horde in the north did cause problems for the Ut, though the mountainous terrain heavily favored the Shia, and the Almeks were repelled. Unfortunately, the Ut lost much in their wars. The treasury of the Shia has been depleted, with talk of suspending the popular Naramid games becoming more and more possible. The lack of funds for trade meant few slaves were purchased by the Shia, causing trade to decline in the entire region, with effects felt in far away Synt. Whatever the case, the Shia survived, though its status as a dominant power has been put to the test. It seems to have passed, for now.
The Nannuk seemed once more to be the scourge of great Empires. For their attacks against Çekirdeksel, the Cayun retaliated against Kanuka, determined to seize the island for their nation. Though the Nannuk fleet had suffered heavy losses from their last battle against the Cayun, the tenacity of the Nannuk was well noted, and it took the Cayun five years to be able to land a force of any real size. Unfortunately, Kanuka did not have the great walls that could protect them, and what few fortifications they did have were destroyed by the catapults and other siegecraft of the Cayun. The inhabitants of Kanuka were enslaved and sold throughout the Cayun Sea as they called it, dispersing their population, and what remained of the people were sent to the silver mines or to be used as oarsmen. Without the patronage of Kanuka, the Nannuk homeland once again fell to the Ut, in the burning of Kemad. However, there was hope. Shanuka is a growing trade and military power, while Vanuka has solidified itself with the most powerful army in the region that is even able to fight the Shia to a standstill on her northern border, and who knows, when the Nannuk are able to produce better siege weapons, the cities of Çekirdeksel may not be as safe as they once thought.
The Cayun seemed once more to have mixed blessings. They held an empire like none other, and the sea was theirs, some calling it, justly, the Cayun Sea. Çekirdeksel seemed to be on top of the world, with the Ut Shia unable to campaign in the west, and Vanuka trying to fight the Shia, allowing the Cayun to focus their efforts on breaking Kanuka and her piracy. And break them they did. It took nearly five years of fighting at sea, but the Cayun destroyed Kanukas fleet, and were able to land a large force of soldiers on the shores. Unlike Cayun armies in the past, this force did not rely exclusively on mercenary soldiers. Instead, the core was formed by armored professional soldiers, with long spears and pikes, and mercenary swordsman and cavalry mixed in with the armies. A variety of new weapons such as the catapult were tested on the Nannuk, and with their overwhelming supremacy, the Cayun defeated the Nannuk, and claimed Kanuka for Çekirdeksel. However, all was not going the way the Cayun had hoped for. The Cayun would have been more concerned for other colonies if not for the war with the Nannuk still being fought in guerilla actions, and if the Synt and the Albastians had not assaulted Cayun possessions and her ally, Bu Blathe. Most fighting took place in Bu Blathe, which would usually not be an issue, but with the Ut not buying slaves, the trading wealth of the Cayun declined significantly. Most nations the Cayun traded with had few specialized products, and what they were able to trade were food and slaves. The Ut would give these people gold, which, would in turn purchase goods made by the Cayun. Without Ut gold flowing through the Cayun sea, the Cayun merchants felt a huge pinch, only partially alleviated by the use of their own silver currency. Without the ability to purchase the goods of the Cayun, the Synt began attacking their possessions in Syntia. Though the walled cities were able to hold for a time, eventually they fell to the unending numbers of the Syntians. Their allies in Bu Blathe fared better, and with Cayun professionalis and Bu Blathes numbers, Albast and Synt were halted from taking too much territory. For now though, the Cayun must either find a way to restore the Ut slave trade or find a new way to sell their products, lest they lose their trading empire.
The Turyline continued to take a back seat to the Cayun in matters of trade, though like always, the clever Turyline were able to find their niche in opening a new market. They began trading with the Almeks, who were able to provide fine horses and slaves, while the Turyline began showing them better iron weaponry and metal crafting. They also began taking over in areas where the Cayun were unwelcome, in Albast and in Syntia. Though not as wealthy as Çekirdeksel, no doubt the Turyline were growing. At home, a new type of peasantry was being developed. Farming was becoming less lucrative, and merchants would buy large tracts of land, and forcing those who once owned the land into working it for basic wages. Most refused, and fled to new Turyline possessions, creating a new market in the Cayun sea for slaves as the merchants seek workers for their acquisitions. In the meantime, on the Vanukan border, fortresses have been built in the hopes of deterring Vanukan aggression.
The Scythe were not fortunate enough to escape the Almekian horde, though they did have enough to avoid the main thrust. Scythe and Almekian horsemen fought one another in a few pitched battles, which the Scythe won due to superior numbers. Other than that, the Scythe traded with the Turyline, and not much else.
The Masquere and their Republic of Albast continued to expand outside of the Masquerian Peninsula. This led to contact, and then conflict, with Bu Blathe and their Cayun allies. Though the Albastians fought their hardest, their soldiers were defeated by the well trained and well equipped Higelantian soldiers. They did gain some territory due to the Syntian assault in the West, however it is clear that Albast needs better equipment if they hope to defeat Bu Blathe. Trade from Turyline has helped, and blacksmiths are trying new techniques to make better weaponry and armor.
The Lyban people that the Cayun had taken land from and sold their members into slavery, had at last been unified under the banner of Chief Jayba, and the Cayun colony was captured, their fortifications not the level that could be found in the East. Though many had fled before due to the decline of the slave trade in the region earlier, those who stayed were able to avoid slavery and execution by offering some of their services and expertise to the Lyban people.
In the West, it seems a new power is rising. The Kingdom of Synt began relying less on warbands controlled by chieftains, and more of a professional army headed by the King. This army was put to the test when they invaded Cayun territory in Syntia. With numbers extremely in the favor of Synt, the Kingdom was able to take most of the Cayun territories, though a few fortresses remained. This incurred the wrath of Bu Blathe, who attempted to invade in the north. Though the Higelante held the advantage for the most part, an ill advised assault on the mountain town of Ynt allowed the Syntians to gain the advantage, and Bu Blathe had to sue for peace. For now, Synt is doing well, but it is necessary to find new avenues for wealth, as the loss of the trade with Cayun has left a dent in their finances.
The Higelante continued an odd path. In their traditional homelands, infighting occurred. But on their extremities, strong kingdoms had been created; Scontia and Bu Blathe. In the South, Bu Blathe, in an effort to fend off not only their Higelante rivals as well as Synt and Albast, turned to the Cayun to provide weapons, armor, and other such goods in exchange for some territory. With the aid, Bu Blathe was able to hold off both of the nations, though they could not sustain campaigns against both, and fatal mistakes caused them to retreat. In the north, Scontia was able to use horsemen and fast moving infantry in conjunction with heavier infantry to not only stop the Thralingence from overrunning their nation, but pushed it back, making the Kingdom of Scontia quite secure.
Scontia continued to frustrate the Thralingence war bands. Even with the use of cavalry, the Thralingence simply didnt have enough to make a difference, and their lack of heavy infantry allowed the Scontians to easily break their ranks. The once unbreakable Thralingence noticed a drift in their ranks. The Southerners continue to desire to fight the Scontian threat, and are desperate for warbands from the north, while Northerners are frustrated of the lack of success in the south, escalating to the point of some infighting. It seems unsure of what the warleaders of the Thralingence have planned for their next move.
The Nehiimet made great strides. The first was the discovery of a new metal, far stronger than obsidian. This metal was worked into their weapons and into their tools, and a golden age followed. Cities were developing, and warriors would go to conquer new tribes. The written works of the Nehiimet flourished with a new system of writing being developed, and though initially crude, eventually blossomed. Many cities began adapting a concept of storing food away for times when the hunts and harvests were poor, temples were being built, and even schools to teach the children of the Nehiimet of the growing concerns of what could now be considered a legitimate kingdom. Unfortunately, difficulties arose. One tribe the Nehiimet attempted to conquer was quite powerful. They too used the metal the Nehiimet had found, and turned it upon them, defeating their best warriors and driving them away from land. It remains to be seen how the Nehiimet deal with this new and unprecedented threat.
South of the Nehiimet and north of the Psion, a new people, the Altarians, emerged in strength. Initially, it started when the Altarians began conquering other tribes, needing land for their constantly growing population. Their creed of Cursics gave justification for the Altarians to continue fighting other tribes, and having the less honorable ones under the dominion of the Altarians. An odd society began arising. Like most, the bodies of men shielded this young republic, but the minds and lives of the people were governed by women. Still, it seems effective enough. Perhaps with the men freed from the burdens of governing, their focus on military pursuits dominates their lives, and it has allowed them to fend off raiding parties from both the Psion and the Nehiimet. However, with the advent of agriculture in Altarian society, it seems their population is destined to grow, perhaps causing friction with both their neighbors.
The Psion too were victims of defeat at the hands of the Altarians, but more pressing issues were at hand. The collapse of the two dominant powers of the Psion allowed a man named Arsun to take power in one of the many villages competing for power, and from there, he created an empire. The remaining villages, as the Psion had done many times before, united into a Confederacy determined to crush another attempt to unite the Psion under one banner.
The Dominkan continued their expansion, with great canoes and ships going from island to island, looking for new places to settle. Some small scale agriculture began in the homelands of the Huntra instead of relying on exclusively fishing, though it was not nearly as successful in comparison to the Great Land, where Kompendon was able to unify the Dominikan tribes of the Great Land. Contact with the Korowai has occurred, though little else. For the most part, the Dominka have begun establishing different ideals, with the Huntra developing one way, the Kompendon another, and the colonies in a third way.
The Korowai made contact with a new tribe from a far away land, but little has come from it. Many Korowai have searched for a new substance to create tools stronger than stone, but with limited success. Tribes have begun establishing more permanent villages, though to supplement the limited agriculture, fishing has begun taking an important part of the Korowai culture in efforts to feed their people, causing most tribes to stay close to the coast. Some efforts have been made to clear land paths between villages, but most can only contact two or three other villages. The most important aspect of the Korowai has come from their observations of the stars, for both their divine purposes, and for their more practical applications.
The Kingdom of Timor continued their rapid expansion, conquering and enslaving all that they saw. Though much wealth has come to the Shiba, and their villages have become far greater than they once were, many Shiba rulers are concerned with the slaves, as they now outnumber the Shiba significantly. Trouble may follow
On their island, the Hikitari clan has become quite powerful. Conquering other villages and tribes, they have dominated the south west, including another island. Fueling themselves mostly on a diet of fish, and limited agriculture, the Hikitari have come in contact with the Surnit through Hikitari fishermen, and it remains to see how their warriors will fare against the Surnit, if they fight at all. For now, it seems the Hikitari are avoiding the Surnit so they may conquer the other tribes in the north.
After decades of raids, the savages of the north finally broke through into the Surnit Peninsula. The Kingdom of Rilkas fought hard, but they were defeated, and the savages burned their fine cities and their impressive warships that sat in the harbor. However, not all was lost. Many Surnit, along with much of their fine art, fled to the Kingdom of Sillak, where they were welcomed with open arms, as a long lost brother would be. The Kinman ordered the remaining soldiers, ships, and territories to align with Sillak, and the Surnit were, in a way, reunited. It seems out of the darkness, a light can be found. Many of the savages have left the peninsula, and with the Surnit reunited once more, who knows what can happen?
Renodal Sia began what many would call the beginning of a golden age for the Sienna. Although he caused the Kingdom of Helkae to form in opposition to Erenek, his protection of the merchants by separating them from the rest of the populace allowed his kingdom to grow remarkably. A new capital, Neshka, was created, and from the new capital, the rulers of Erenek were able to deal with the issues the kingdom faced. Banditry became an issue in the later years though, and it became obvious that the militias most relied on were not enough for this threat. In response, the Royal Guard began expanding to fight the bandits, and although their equipment and training was not incredible, their use of ships prevented any serious action to be taken by the bandits.
The Kingdom of Hiberia remained quite powerful, conquering the native tribes, and converting them to their faith. Many locals fled the Herberians, but those who stayed became Mondeist, out of fear, or out of genuine conviction. To the south, there is rumor of a new tribe gaining power, uniting others and those who fled Hiberia in order to stop these invaders from spreading their god, which now reaches even beyond the Kingdoms borders.
Rehal Torik, a legend among the Taharnnen, began a new trend among his people. He knew that there were others like his tribe, who had brought order to these lands. Toriks vision became perverted in a sense, as others began searching for mythical lands where the sharks came from, and other such ideas. Whatever the case, it became a phenomena as they continued to search for some land or another. Many became stranded in the north, carving new communities in these lands, though it is not known for how long they can survive without the homelands constant aid.
And from the Steepes, the Almeks struck. A great horde, led by a man named Asklan, fled his home with thousands upon thousands of warriors and horses, in search of gold, land, and women beyond the sea. What they found was not as appealing, but perhaps more fun; a fight. These men didnt fight with horses, but rather, on foot, and the Almek laughed and laughed as they fell. Of course, these men, who dared to call themselves warriors, could not defeat the Almek, and hid behind walls of stone. The Almek could find no way to pass them, and, having quite a bit of loot already, decided to go east. Although not nearly as much loot, the Almeks fought and destroyed other tribes, as well as anybody not protected by stone. With their appetites satisfied for the moment, Asklan ended their wandering. The Almeks ruled over an empire now, though their actual numbers were few. Many other tribes they had conquered or allowed to join their horde stayed in the new empire, farming instead of fighting, but many of the Almeks went north back to their homelands. After all, Asklan was done with raiding, and a new horde was forming. This horde met a tribe of people who fought like them, on horse. Unfortuantely, the Almeks were not nearly as successful, and upon the death of the leader, the horde disbanded, and quabled over the new lands they had taken, most returning to their old homelands. The homeland itself was changing, as fewer were hunting and roaming, and more were settling and farming. Still, at least among the homeland, there is always another man to fight.
Notes
First off, a HUGE apology. My internet's been down, I've been my fair share of lazy, and for that I apologize. Shame on Nuke!
3,300 words, we're double the word count of the first update. I'm so happy how we have grown
We are approximately at the year 600 B.C.
As always, I'm looking for this world to fill up with cultures. The Grey areas are concentrated areas of "barbarians" where a more advanced civilization could begin than normal. Doesn't mean you get all of the grey land, but you will have a fair bit of it
I am changing up the stats a bit. I will be moving the culture descriptions to the Wiki, while I will begin updating new traits your culture has accumulated. None of these are mod created, all are from your own posts. An examples is the Cayun. For their description, I'd put things like "Naval Tradition" "Important Merchant Class" "Tradition of Empire", ect. For the Sienna, I'd put "Low Class Merchants", "Centralized Authority", for the Ut, "Slave Culture", "Tradition of Empire", ect. so we can get a better feel for the path your cultures, and eventually, your countries, will take. Feel free to suggest traits and such, but do it in an orderly fashion (Visitor message me)
A couple of you have done this before, so I'm going to address it now. You cannot grow any of these stats. Cohesion, agriculture, sophistication, are all set from the beginning. Those are the base stats of your culture. Through your actions though, some of these are built. Take the Nannuk for example. Before, his culture was incredibly fractured, and could be bribed to fight against itself. Now, through his efforts, he has created two kingdoms that are less infighting and more united from their suffering. The Nannuk are still unlikely to unite under one banner encompassing their entire culture, but they are certainly willing to fight for Vanuka or Shanuka. Now, if for example he spreads into the interior of Libya where he might find fewer enemies, they may fight one another, due to their low base cohesiveness. But it's all about your culture growing in different areas as they expand into different regions. Even the Ut are different, from the areas in the West and in the East, and in Egypt. If you have any questions, feel free to ask
This update will be 300 years, mostly the same stuff, but I want some government stuff. Is your kingdom run from the palace and the orders are carried out by the soldiers in your cities? Do you have governors? Are you a republic? Who gets to vote? And how? What are your leaders called? King? Eros? Prime Minister? Stuff like that
Happy Hunting
friends. he's a culture not a player.
